She looked at him, and he realized the tears were tears of joy. "I'm perfect," she said, her voice thick with
emotion. "I'm so happy, Jason. So honored. I can feel it—I'm pregnant. I know I am. Your baby is already
growing inside me."
She touched her belly reverently, and more tears spilled down her cheeks. "If it's a boy, I'll name him Axel.
If it's a girl, Duvena. I hope you like those names, sir?"
Jason reached over and placed his hand on her swollen belly, feeling the warmth of it, the tightness of her
skin. "They're beautiful names," he said softly. "And I hope to fuck you often, Flena. This doesn't have to
be a one-time thing."
Flena's face lit up with pure joy. "Really? You'd want to see me again?"
"Of course," Jason said, meaning it. "You're incredible. And you're carrying my child now. That makes you
special to me."
She nodded eagerly, smiling through her tears, and carefully got off the bed. She waddled over to where
her clothes were scattered, her movements awkward with her full belly, and started to get dressed. It wasa struggle—her stomach made it difficult to bend over, and her dress barely fit over her swollen middle—
but she managed.
Once she was dressed, she reached into her bag and pulled out something Jason didn't recognize. It was
a small wooden pipe and a pouch of what looked like dried herbs.
Jason raised an eyebrow in question.
Flena giggled at his expression. "The pipe and this herb called 'Hashoosh' is smoked when a halfling pair
have laid together physically and are both satisfied. It's supposed to be good luck in our culture for hopes
of bearing a child." She patted her belly. "Though I think we're already past hoping."
Jason nodded, intrigued. "I'd be honored to share that with you."
Flena prepared the pipe with practiced ease, packing the herb carefully. She lit it with a match from her
bag, took a long draw, and then passed it to Jason.
He took it and inhaled, and immediately felt the effects. It was similar to hashish he'd tried once back on
Earth—a mellow, relaxing feeling that spread through his body—but there was something more to it. The
Hashoosh gave a nicer feeling, smoother and more pleasant, without the paranoia or anxiety that
sometimes came with marijuana.
"This is good," Jason said, passing the pipe back to her.
"Isn't it?" Flena said, taking another hit. "Halflings have been growing and smoking Hashoosh for
thousands of years. It's part of our culture."
They spent the next thirty minutes together, passing the pipe back and forth, talking and laughing. Flena
told him about halfling culture—how they valued community and family above all else, how they were
known for their cooking and their love of comfort. Jason told her about the store, about his plans to
expand, about the other women who worked for him.
Between conversations, they'd kiss—soft, gentle kisses that were more about affection than arousal.
Flena would run her small hands over his chest, and he'd stroke her hair, and it was intimate in a way that
went beyond the physical.
"I should get back to work," Jason finally said reluctantly.
"And I should pay for my items and go home," Flena said, though she didn't sound any more eager to
leave than he was to let her go.
Jason helped her up, and they left the playroom together. As they exited into the hallway, Jason noticed
several customers glancing their way. Their eyes went wide when they saw Flena's obviously pregnant
belly, and Jason could see the mixture of jealousy and desire on their faces.
They wanted what she had. They wanted him to fill them the same way.
Flena waddled toward the registers, her hand on her belly, glowing with happiness. Jason watched her
go, feeling a sense of satisfaction and pride. He'd given her what she wanted, what she needed, and
created a life in the process.
He turned back to the sales floor, ready to help the next customer, and found himself surrounded by
eager faces. Women of all races, all looking at him with hunger and hope.
Jason smiled. It was going to be a very good day.
-sorry this chapter is short next one is longer :)