The Compassionate Kidnapper Pt. 2
Pt. 2
*** 3 Weeks Later ***
Kris Allen ran to the chamber pot in the corner of the bedroom he shared with his brother. “Man, that's the fifth time this week,” his brother complained. “I hope you're not catching my fever. There's no point in both of us dying.”
Kris finished puking into the pot and turned toward his brother. “Don't say stuff like that, Daniel. We'll figure something out. I won't let you die!”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. Now, seriously, what's wrong with you bro? You don't have a fever, do you?”
“I don't know what's wrong. I don't have any other symptoms. I am a little more tired than usual, though.” Kris moved over to his pad on the floor and lay down. Usually, his brother and him shared the bed, as there wasn't enough money to buy them both one. However, since his brother had fallen ill he was sleeping on the floor. He didn't want to catch the fever and potentially leave their parents with no children at all. “Do you think I have food poisoning or something?”
“Well, did you eat anything different than Mom and Dad did?” Daniel asked before succumbing to a coughing fit. Kris rushed to the kitchen to fetch a cold washcloth. He brought it to Daniel and put it on his forehead. “Thanks,” Daniel said weakly.
“No problem.” Kris smiled sadly down at his brother. “Now, back to me...” Daniel hit him with the washcloth. Kris laughed with him and continued. “I've eaten the same things as them, so I guess it isn't food poisoning, is it?”
“Maybe it'll pass. As long as you're not sick in any other way, I think you'll be fine.”
“Yeah, probably.” Kris stood and walked to the door. “You need to get some rest now, Daniel. I'm off to work. I've almost raised enough to bring you to the royal doctor!”
“You're too good to me Kristopher. Before I was sick, I was a horrible brother.”
“Nonsense. Brothers are supposed to fight. You're the best brother ever!”
“See you later, Kris.”
“See you soon, Danny.”
***3 more weeks later***
“Kristopher Neil Allen! Get out here right now!” Kris's mom, Kim, shouted from outside his window.
Kris rushed outside to see what he had done wrong this time. His mother only used his full name if she was really upset with him. “Yes, Mother?”
“Have you had a girl in your bedroom?” she asked sternly.
“Of course not!” Kris protested. “Why would you think that?” Kris was confused. The only girl he really talked to was Katy, but she was just his friend. He would never have her anywhere near his bedroom.
“I don't believe you. I spilled some wheat seeds here the other day and now they're growing! Right where you empty out your chamber pot. You know what that means!”
Kris did know what that meant. It was said that when a woman was pregnant, if she peed on wheat and barley seeds, they would start to grow. If she wasn't pregnant, they would stay seeds. Sometimes a woman would be pregnant and the seeds wouldn't grow, but that was a rarity. They never started to grow on their own without the person being pregnant. They most certainly didn't grow for a man. But only Kris and Daniel had been using the chamber pot, and Daniel sure as hell wasn't pregnant! That meant...but it wasn't possible, was it? “I...Mom, I swear! It's just been me and Dan, you can ask him!”
“I will, and he better not cover for you!”
“Of course not, Mother.”
Kim marched inside, Kris close behind. “Daniel,” she started when they got to the bedroom. “Who's been in this room?”
“Well,” Dan thought back. “Me and Kris. You and Dad. The doctor's been in here with his assistant. Oh, and Grandma visited that one time.”
“No one else?”
“Nope, everyone's too afraid they'll catch my fever.”
“And you and Kris are the only ones who used the chamber pot? Not the doctor's assistant?”
“Just me and Kris. Why?” Daniel was oblivious to the conversation that had happened outside the closed window.
“Nevermind that, sweetheart,” Kim soothed as she moved to Daniel's bedside. “How are you feeling today?”
Kris left the room while his mom talked with his brother. He wanted to be alone to think. He sat down and thought back to a few weeks ago, before the vomiting had started. He had only had sex once in his life and that was with a man. The man had penetrated him, so it was entirely possible he had gotten pregnant. Or it would be, if he were a girl. But men didn't get pregnant!
However, he did have all the signs. He was tired all the time, always nauseous (sometimes to the point of vomiting), had been peeing a lot more, his chest was feeling sore, and he was beginning to crave things he never liked before (like peas mixed with onion and garlic soup with honey added in for sweetness). His parents had looked at him like he was crazy the first time he requested it. Kris couldn't think of any other explanation for why he was feeling this way. He had to talk to the doctor when he came to check on Daniel.
***Yet 3 more weeks later***
The doctor hadn't come to check on Daniel for weeks. Daniel was very lucky he was still alive. The fever could last for over a year before killing you, but most died within a few weeks. Daniel had held on for 4 months already, but he was weakening more and more each day. Kris needed to raise the money for the royal doctor fast. The royal doctor was the only one in the kingdom who knew how to easily cure this type of fever.
The prognosis this visit wasn't very good. “I'm sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Allen. I don't think he'll be with us much longer. You might want to start making plans for after. He could go any day now.”
Kim began crying into her husband's shoulder. “And there's nothing more anyone can do?” Neil Allen asked somberly, holding it together for the sake of his family.
The doctor patted him sadly on the back. “The only thing that can save him is God. That or the royal doctor, but I know you haven't raised enough yet. I suggest you pray he pulls through. There may be a miracle yet.”
“Th-thank you, doctor,” Kim sobbed. She moved to Daniel's side to hold his hand, Neil right behind her.
Kris was upset too, but he needed to talk with the doctor, he would sit with his family later. He followed the man into the front room and stopped him before he left the house. “Doctor, I have something I need to discuss with you.”
The doctor stopped and turned around. “What is it, my boy?” he asked gently.
“I, um, I've been feeling a little odd lately,” Kris said, too embarrassed to just come out and say what was wrong.
“You think you're coming down with the fever?”
“Oh, no, nothing like that,” Kris assured. “It's just...I've been having these weird symptoms lately.” He listed everything that had been going on and his suspicions.
“And have you done anything that would cause pregnancy? Like engage in intercourse with a man, perhaps?”
Kris blushed. “Um, there was one time about nine weeks ago. You won't tell my parents or the priest, will you?” His parents would be upset, but wouldn't do anything too bad. It was the priest he was worried about. If he knew what Kris had done, he would denounce Kris as a sodomite. There weren't any laws against sodomy because King Eber had retracted all of them. Many suspected it was because of his son, Prince Adam, who was widely believed to be a sodomite. The priest couldn't turn Kris in because Kris hadn't broken any law. But he would have found a way to make Kris suffer for the rest of his life.
“I won't tell the priest, but you may need to tell your parents if what you suspect is true.” The doctor put on his glasses and approached Kris. “Lift up your shirt please.” Kris did as he was told. The doctor poked and prodded until finally standing up. “Well, there is distortion in the belly. It's beginning to shape itself outward, no doubt to make room for the growing baby. There's also a faint white line running down from your belly button. That added to the symptoms you described lead me to believe you're pregnant.”
“But it's not possible, is it?” Kris asked, scared to death that the doctor was right. “I can't be pregnant. I'm a man. Men don't get pregnant!” Kris began hyperventilating. He had been calm when he had come to the same conclusion himself, but to hear a doctor confirm it made everything seem real.
“Now, now, Kristopher, deep breaths. Come sit down. You need to relax for the baby.” Once Kris was sitting and had his breathing under control, the doctor answered his question. “It is extremely rare, but it has happened before. There are three recorded cases, but it hasn't happened in over a hundred years. In two of the cases, the baby was carried to term and delivered, so there is a good chance if you decide to keep it, it will survive. If you decide not to, well, as you know, doctors swear to never perform abortions, so you'll have to find a way to do it yourself. So, are you going to keep it?”
Kris didn't even have to think about it. He was raised to cherish life above all things. “Of course I'm going to keep her.” He smiled and put a hand over his stomach. After the initial shock, he was finally embracing what was happening to him. He loved his baby already.
“Very well,” the doctor replied. “In that case, delivery is going to be difficult. Only the best midwives know how to deliver babies a way other than the natural way. The only one in this kingdom is the royal midwife. I guess if you start saving now, you might have enough by the time you're due.”
“But all the money I have is for my brother!” Kris protested. He couldn't possibly take the money meant to make his brother better.
“Then I suggest you go to the King and beg him to help you and your brother. He's a little harsh, but who knows? You may catch him on a good day.”
“Why would Kris need help from the King?” Kim asked. She had come to see where Kris was and had caught the very end of his and the doctor's conversation.
“Would you like me to tell her, or would you like to?” the doctor asked Kris.
“I'll do it,” Kris replied. He stood up and walked over to his mother. “Mom, you'll always love me, right? No matter what?”
“Of course, sweetheart. Now, what's wrong?”
Kris took a deep breath before explaining. “Mom, I'm...I'm pregnant.”
Kim gasped and took a step back. “Don't lie to me, Kristopher.”
“I'm not mama. I've suspected for awhile, and the doctor just confirmed it for me.”
“But, it's not possible!”
“Actually,” the doctor said. “It is extremely rare, but still possible.”
“But Kris! You haven't done anything to cause it!”
Kris blushed and looked at the floor in shame. “That's why I asked you if you'd always love me. A few weeks ago, I slept with another man. I've only ever done it once, but once is all it takes. Do you hate me?”
Kim moved to her son and hugged him tight. “Of course I don't hate you. You're my son and I'll always love you.”
“But I did something unnatural, something against God!”
“Was it out of love?”
“Yes.”
“Then it wasn't any of those things. Love is always natural. It's why God put us on this earth. Because he wanted us to love.”
“Thanks mama.”
Kris's dad walked into the room. “What's going on?” he asked. Kim explained it to him while Kris looked away shamefully. His mother may be accepting, but there was no way his father would be. When Kim was done explaining, Neil walked over to Kris and patted him on the back. “Don't be ashamed, Kris,” he soothed. “I may not have ever expected this in my wildest dreams, and it will take me a little time to get used to it all, but I'll always love you and be proud of you.”
“Thank you daddy.” Kris smiled and hugged his father tight.
“Now, I'll get Daniel, you get the money you've saved, and we'll head to the castle. Pray for a miracle.” Kim walked into Daniel's bedroom and Kris rushed to grab the bag full of his hard earned money. Hopefully, the King would take pity on them and let them use the royal doctor and midwife for the little that Kris had saved up.
***2 days of travel later***
They arrived late to the castle. Audiences with the King were only available before nighttime, and it was nearly dusk. Kris rushed up the stairs into the castle, leaving his family to walk slower for his weak brother. He nearly ran through the corridors to get to the throne room. When he got there, the guards blocked his way. “What is the nature of you audience?” one asked him.
“Please, I beg the King's help for my brother. He is very ill.”
The guard that hadn't talked turned and walked into the throne room. Kris's family caught up with him and they waited together to hear if they would be seen or rejected. After what seemed like an eternity, the guard emerged from the room. “The Prince will see you now.”
“Wait, the prince? But...”
“Thank you very much,” Kim interrupted. “Come along now boys.” She ushered her family into the room.
Kris approached the throne slowly, not looking up from the floor. It could be the other prince, he told himself. It wasn't necessarily Prince Adam. Kris didn't want to ever come face to face with Adam again. He had been the one who kidnapped him weeks ago and the whole kingdom was searching for him. It wasn't that he was scared of the Prince, just the Prince's father. There was no doubt in Kris's mind that King Eber would kill Kris on sight if he knew that Kris had kidnapped his son. Kris was also nervous because the baby was Prince Adam's. Kris had never slept with anyone else, so the Prince was the only person it could be.
They reached the throne and Kris looked to see which prince was holding audience today. His worst fears were realized, as it was Prince Adam who sat atop the throne, smiling kindly down on them. “What can I do for you today?” Prince Adam asked.
Kris's mom pushed him forward to explain the situation. They had discussed that Kris should be the one to talk because he was the one with the problem. “Um, your highness,” he began.
“Please, you can call me Adam while we're in this room,” Adam interrupted.
“Very well, Adam. I have two requests for you.” Adam motioned for him to continue. “My brother, Daniel,” he pointed out his brother. “He's very sick. He has a fever and the doctor says he won't last much longer unless we get help from the royal doctor. I have money to pay, but not enough. The first request is for him to be treated for what little we have.”
“Of course he'll be treated,” Adam answered the request. “Whatever you have will be enough. Sergio!” he called to one of the guards at the door. When the guard entered the room, Adam said, “Fetch me the doctor. He has an urgent patient to look after.”
“Very well sir,” the guard responded before rushing off to find the doctor.
They waited until the doctor arrived. “Mark, your patient is this man,” he motioned to Kris's brother. “His name is Daniel and he has a bad fever. He doesn't have long left, so he needs your help immediately. I'm sure it won't be a problem?”
“Of course not, sir,” the doctor responded. He collected the payment from Kris before saying, “Come along, Daniel.” He ushered Daniel out of the room.
“Daniel will stay at the castle until he is better if that is fine with you,” Adam explained.
“It's absolutely fine with us!” Kim exclaimed. “Thank you so much, Prince Adam.”
“It's no problem. Now, what is your second request?”
“This one is a little...different. I recently discovered that I'm, um, I'm pregnant. Because I'm a man, a natural birth isn't possible, so I'll need the help of a professional if I'm to deliver the baby safely. The money I paid for Daniel is the only money I have, so I can't pay for it. I'll understand if you deny my request.” Kris felt a tear slip down his cheek. He knew Adam was kind and would never let anyone die, but he was still amazed when he had let Daniel use the royal doctor. He definitely didn't expect Adam's kindness to extend to his situation.
“But you can't be pregnant,” the Prince said. “You're a man.”
“It is rare, Prince Adam, but it has happened before. And now it has happened to me. Will you allow me the use of the midwife?” He turned sad eyes on the Prince. He didn't want to lose the baby, but that would be the only option if Adam didn't grant his request.
“I...,” Adam had a spark of recognition in his eyes. Kris held his breath and prayed he didn't figure out that he was the kidnapper. “Do I know you?” Adam asked him.
“I don't think you do, Prince Adam. We've never been face-to-face before.” It wasn't a lie. The Prince had never seen his face when they had been together, so technically, they had never been face-to-face before Kris had walked into the throne room.
“You just seem familiar.” Adam gave him one more look before seemingly deciding he didn't really know Kris. Kris breathed a sigh of relief. “As for your request, I'll be happy to lend you the services of our midwife free of charge. Let me fetch her for you so she can see what she'll be dealing with in a few months. Sergio! Fetch the midwife please.”
Kris began crying openly now. “Thank you so much Adam. You really are too kind.”
“Nonsense,” Adam replied. “I'm doing what any compassionate person would do. This baby obviously means a lot to you.”
“She does. She means so, so much.” Kris cradled his belly and smiled through his tears. “She's already my whole world.”
“That's cute. If you don't mind my asking, who's the father?”
Kris searched his mind for an answer. He couldn't tell Adam that he was the father. Not yet anyway. “I would prefer to keep that to myself for now, Prince Adam. Not even he knows it's him yet.”
“Very well. I understand that you would like to tell the father before anyone else finds out.” That wasn't the reason Kris was staying silent, but he wasn't about to tell the Prince that.
The midwife arrived before anything else could be said. Adam explained the situation to her. “Lift up your shirt, Kris,” she instructed. He did as he was told, and she examined him much like the village doctor had. “Hmm, it seems you are pregnant. I'm going to ask that you stay here for the duration of your pregnancy. No one alive knows what complications might emerge from your situation, so I would like you close where I can take care of you and the child. Is that alright for you, Kris?”
Kris looked to his family. Daniel was already going to be away for awhile, losing Kris would put a larger strain on his parents. His father was still able to work, but he wasn't as strong as he used to be and couldn't work as hard. They relied on the added income from Kris and Daniel to survive. “You should stay, Kris,” Neil said. “I can take care of your mother until Daniel is well enough to work. Then you'll be back with us not long after that.”
“Yeah, sweetie,” Kim added. “You need the best care you can get. I want a healthy grandchild. We'll make it without you for awhile.”
“I love you guys,” Kris said as he hugged his parents. They were all crying, saying goodbye with the intensity of the hug. “I'll see you soon.”
“Goodbye Kris.” With that, his parents left the room to begin their trip home.
“Kris,” Adam said to get his attention. When Kris was listening, he said, “If you'll be staying for awhile, you'll need a room. Usually guests take the guest bedrooms, but you're no ordinary guest. I was hoping you would stay in the room next to mine. It was my nanny's room when I was little and it's connected to mine. That way you'll always have someone nearby to help you with whatever you need.”
“Like I said, Prince Adam, you're too kind.”
“And like I said, it's nothing. Now come with me and I'll show you to your room.”