Tension Builds (Part 2)

I stood up and took a step towards Bolt.  "If anyone can help you with this problem, it's her!  This puts me in a really awkward position."

Bolt looked away.  "I know.  I was just hoping you could... give me some advice?  Or something?

"I..."  I stuttered.  What was I supposed to say?  "I... really think you should talk to Espeon."

Bolt still looked horrified.  "Nuh-uh!  No way!"  He went on stoutly refusing the idea as Espeon quietly padded up behind him.  Oh boy.  "I don't know if I can ever talk to anyone else about this!"

Espeon sat down behind the hyperactive Jolteon.  "Of course you can, Bolt.  We'll help you."

Bolt nearly had a heart attack.

I bit my lip.  Why was Espeon here!?

Reading my mind, Espeon responded.  "I know this is a bad time, Splash.  I need to speak to you in private."

What, was it Make Splash Feel Uncomfortable Day?

Espeon shook her head.  I leaned away a bit without thinking.  "Please stop."

Espeon nodded.  "Sorry.  But this is urgent."

Bolt finally regained his speaking ability.  "Go.  I'll... do something."

Espeon inclined her head towards her den.  I shrugged.  She got up and quietly walked over to the log and ducked inside.  I had no choice but to follow.  Umbreon gave me a nod as we passed, him walking towards the prey hole.  As I slipped into the cozy log den, Espeon sat down in front of her bed.

"What's so important?"

Espeon gave me an apologetic look.  "I'm sorry that I cut in with Bolt.  If it helps at all... but I don't think it will...  Bolt will just have to find someone else."

I was rather shocked.  Espeon had never been so blunt before.  "Either you're so blindly in love with Umbreon, you'll risk seriously hurting your friend's feelings, to put it extremely lightly, or something happened."

Espeon nodded.  "I have not told anyone what I'm about to tell you.  Not even Umbreon."  I leaned in towards her, officially curious.

The beautiful Psychic Type hesitated before finally continuing.  "Splash..."

"Yes?"

"I'm pregnant."

 

I almost fell over.  Espeon had to catch me before I hit the ground.  She laughed quietly as she helped me stand back up.  "Easy there!" she chuckled.

Words had abandoned me.  I could only stammer and stare.  Espeon purred in amusement as I struggled to find words.  Eventually, I found one.

"...What...?"

"I know.  It's a lot to take in." she purred.

"...What?"

"I wasn't positive until today."

"What?"

"It's kind of exciting and scary at the same time."

"What?"

"I know!  I can't believe I'll have kits of my own!"

"What?"

"Is that all you can say, Splash?"

"...No?"

"You don't sound too sure."

"I'm not."

She laughed again.  "I know it's a lot to take in, but I think we'll all be happy about it.  Even Bolt."

Bolt's predicament came back to me in a rush.  Espeon's future kits meant that she would be with Umbreon 24/7.  Bolt now had no shot at Espeon; not even the slightest chance.  His odds were low to begin with, seeing how perfect the Sun and Moon Pokemon were, but now it was impossible. 

I shook my head sadly.  "Maybe he'll be happy once you actually have kits, but for now?  How are we going to tell him?  It'll break his heart."

Espeon nodded, her joyous aura faltering.  "True...  But what are we supposed to do?  Not tell the rest of the clan?"

"No," I said with frustration.  "You definitely have to tell Umbreon, but I don't know about anyone else.  Clover and Snow tell each other everything.  At some point, someone else will hear about it, Surf will probably let something slip to Inferno, Inferno will blow it out of proportion and, without a doubt, tell Bolt!"

Espeon shook her head.  "I don't know, Splash.  I just don't know."