Positive

Three weeks had passed since the island.

The days felt ordinary, but something in the air had changed — and John felt it in the way Claire moved. Slower. Grounded. Her body seemed different, subtly — a little heavier in her hips, her breasts fuller, her belly slightly more curved beneath her loose dresses. She hummed more in the mornings. She touched her stomach when she thought no one was looking.

But she hadn’t said a word. And John, of course, didn’t ask. He waited. Served. Watched.

Until tonight.

“Shower,” Claire had told him gently. “Use the lavender scrub. Lotion after.”

When John stepped out, smooth and clean, wearing the robe she’d laid out for him, he found the bedroom lit with soft candles. The sheets were turned down. A single playlist hummed in the background — mellow, romantic, unmistakably intentional.

Claire stood at the foot of the bed in a silk robe that hugged her body, barely hiding the new swell of her belly. She looked calm, sure, radiant.

She nodded to the bed.

“Sit, baby.”

He obeyed instantly.

There on the bed sat a small black box with a gold ribbon tied tight. Beside it, a glass of wine for her — and a glass of water for him.

She untied the ribbon herself, slowly, then opened the lid and turned it toward him.

Inside:

• A soft gray tank top, delicately folded. The front read in cursive:

“Seeded by My Bull – Watched by My Husband.”

• A glossy photo. Claire lying back in bed, her robe open, bare belly exposed. Lipstick hearts drawn across her skin. In the center: “His.” Written in red marker.

• A sealed pregnancy test. Clear. Positive. No question.

John stared, breath frozen.

Claire stood quietly, watching his reaction.

“I wanted to tell you sooner,” she said softly. “But I needed you to feel it. To see it, like this.”

He looked up at her, eyes wet, lips trembling.

“I love you,” he said quietly. “No matter what. I’m so… proud of you.”

She stepped closer. “Proud?”

He nodded, smiling through the overwhelm. “That you trusted me. That you let me be here for this.”

She leaned down and kissed his cheek.

Then she opened her robe.

Her belly was small, but undeniable now — a soft, round curve low on her abdomen. Life beginning.

John’s breath caught.

Claire took his hand and placed it gently on the bump.

“It’s real,” she whispered.

He nodded, voice cracking. “I feel it. God, Claire… I’ll take care of you. I’ll take care of everything.”

Her voice turned playful — but tender.

“Who knows…” she said with a slight smirk. “Maybe you got me pregnant.”

He let out a soft laugh. “I didn’t. We both know…”

She placed a finger to his lips.

“Shhh. Let’s not ruin the moment.”

He smiled again — fragile, devoted.

Claire reached back into the box and pulled out one last item.

A folded receipt.

He opened it slowly. Tattoo shop. Paid in full.

He looked up, confused.

Claire turned around, slipped her robe down her hips, and lowered her lace thong to reveal a small, elegant tattoo just above her right hip:

“Seeded – QOS Bred”

Fresh. Real. Permanent.

John’s jaw dropped.

Claire looked over her shoulder, voice soft.

“It’s for both of us. So we never forget who made this happen.”

She turned, walked to him, and guided his face to her skin.

“Now kiss it.”

John did — slow, reverent, worshipful.

“Thank you,” he whispered. “For letting me be part of this.”

Claire sat on the edge of the bed, pulled him to his knees between her thighs, and ran her fingers through his hair.

“You didn’t plant it,” she whispered. “But you’ll help it grow.”

He nodded.

She guided his head to her belly next.

“This is your new devotion,” she said. “Your new queen… is arriving.”

John closed his eyes and kissed the curve of her stomach.

“I love you,” he said again. “More than I ever thought possible.”

Claire leaned forward, kissed the top of his head, and whispered:

“Good. Because I’m only just beginning.”