[sipscan330]

Of course, as the weeks dragged by, James's pregnancy started to get harder to conceal. He started to feel movement by the third, almost fourth month, which had totally caught him off guard one day. The tiny fluttering movement was odd, but he found himself actually /happy/ for once; no matter the outcome, he'd decided that he wanted this baby, and if Arthur didn't...well, that was alright. He still hadn't so much as mentioned it, though it would become obvious soon anyway. Another odd occurrence that had happened were the cravings; not only had his appetite grown, but he craved strange food combinations, such as fish with jam at three in the morning. By now, his stomach had swollen noticeably, the bump larger than usual for a nearly four-month belly; it almost looked six months along, though James would have no inclination as to why. It was a struggle, keeping the fact hidden so long, but soon his secret would be exposed.

He struggled a bit to sit up from his position on his back, never letting the blanket fall from around him. Listening to Arthur, he felt a sudden twinge of anxiety. He wanted to leave? A voyage that far out...a few months indeed. "And leave the coasts here?..." he echoed worriedly. He didn't have time; in a few months, he'd be getting ready to deliver, and he did /not/ want to have his baby on board a ship in foreign country. They would need a doctor - /he/ had been planning on returning to the matriarch for his delivery. He felt a soft movement within, hand instinctively moving to rub over his taut belly, thankfully hidden by his swaddle of blankets.

"I don't think that's a good idea.", he finally trailed. "It's just... it's so far away, why not stay here a while longer? We can always plan for next year instead? I just...I don't think I'm ready to take that voyage with you just yet.", he sighed.