Chapter Text
Lingling Kwong was known as the guardian angel for Orm Kornnaphat. They had spent the last three years working together almost every day, and she was always encouraging the girl to eat, drink water, sleep more, and join her at the gym. Although Orm was a little stubborn, most of Lingling’s advice was accepted and followed.
This time, however, Ling didn’t know how to help. For the past two weeks, she had been observing Orm making excuses to go to the bathroom, looking nauseous with a hand over her stomach—a clear sign that her body wasn’t well. Ling tried to convince Orm to see a doctor to check her symptoms, but the blonde dismissed her concerns, saying she felt perfectly fine after throwing up, as if nothing had happened.
The fact that Orm’s mother, father, and brother were away in China on family business made Lingling even more worried. She made it a point to check on her every morning and evening when they weren’t working together.
That Monday, however, was different. Ling found Orm nearly passed out in the bathroom and carried her back to bed in her arms. The blonde had noticeably lost weight—her cheeks were less full, and her light frame was apparent as Ling held her.
“Jiejie, please take me to the hospital,” the girl pleaded, cuddling close to Lingling.
Lingling immediately sprang into action, packing a small suitcase just in case Orm needed to stay at the hospital. Before helping her out of bed and into the car, she texted Dew to manage their work schedules for the day. Orm’s health was the priority.
“You look dehydrated,” the doctor said after checking her vitals and asking a few questions. “Have you had any other symptoms?”
“I sometimes feel lower abdominal pain,” Orm reported. “It’s not related to the nausea, but it’s bothering me. Also, I’m sleepy all the time, even though I’m resting more than usual.”
“Okay, we’ll draw some blood for tests and set up an IV for fluids. It’s probably some stomach bug, and since you have a delicate condition, it’s harder to shake it off,” the doctor concluded, signaling for the nurse to take over.
“Jiejie.” At the sight of the needle, Orm extended her hand to Lingling, seeking support. Ling took it, enduring the tight grip as Orm clutched her hand during the procedure. “Thank you for bringing me in,” Orm whispered once the IV was in place and saline started flowing into her veins.
“I should have pressed harder to bring you in sooner! This is serious, Orm. You could’ve passed out alone at home,” Lingling said, visibly stressed.
“I thought it was just my usual stomach issues. I’m sorry for being stubborn,” Orm said, diverting her gaze.
“No, I’m sorry for lashing out. You’re sick,” Lingling replied, trying to calm her breathing and control her tone.
They passed the time distracting themselves while waiting for the test results. Lingling didn’t have the courage to say it out loud, but she was worried it could be something more serious than they expected.
“Khun Kornnaphat,” the doctor returned, holding some papers in her hand. “Have you noticed any changes in your period?”
“Yes, I’m a couple of days late,” Orm replied. “It’s not a big deal—it’s happened before when I’m sick.”
“This time, Khun Kornnaphat, it’s a symptom. Your pregnancy test is positive,” the doctor said. “What you’re experiencing is called hyperemesis gravidarum. It’s normal for some women in early pregnancy.”
“Impossible,” Lingling blurted, turning to Orm.
“Oh, fuck,” Orm muttered simultaneously.
“For your discharge, I’ll prescribe some medication and provide guidance to help manage the symptoms, along with pamphlets for your next steps,” the doctor continued, sensing the tension between the two women. “You’re in your fifth week, so you have time to decide if you want to keep it. You should also schedule an appointment with an OB-GYN for follow-up care. I’ll give you two some space to discuss.”
Lingling was stunned. Orm being pregnant was never something she had imagined. From what she knew, Orm wasn’t in a relationship—at least, not with a man. She kept her gaze on the girl, waiting for an explanation.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” Orm cursed, holding her head in her hands. “This was a fucking mistake.”
“N’Orm, what happened?” Lingling asked, keeping her voice as steady as possible despite the chaos of emotions in her chest.
“I’m sorry, Jiejie. It was a mistake. I’m sorry,” Orm said, starting to cry. Lingling comforted her even though she felt lost and confused herself. “I need my mom.”
“I’ll call her as soon as we get home, okay?” Lingling patted Orm’s head, pulling her closer. She sobered up, assuming her role as the older and more supportive partner. This wasn’t the time to demand answers.
Once Orm calmed down and her tears dried, she drifted to sleep, holding Lingling’s hand and leaving her alone with her thoughts.
Lingling couldn’t understand what had happened or when she had lost track of everything. Of course, Orm didn’t owe her every detail of her personal life, but they were best friends—and a boyfriend was a big enough deal to share, right? When she thought about the guy responsible, she silently cursed him for leaving Orm sick and alone.
Lingling’s thoughts also wandered to their future. What would happen to their partnership? She couldn’t help but imagine a child who looked like Orm running around their set and calling her “auntie.” But she quickly tried to let go of the thought, knowing Orm might decide to have an abortion—and whatever Orm chose, Ling would fully support her.
“There, sweetie, you’re all set to go home,” Lingling heard the nurse say as she detached Orm’s IV.
Orm thanked the nurse and took the discharge papers while Lingling signed off on them and helped her into the car. Unconsciously, Lingling was being extra gentle, which made Orm snap.
“P’Ling, I’m just pregnant. I’m not made of glass—I won’t break,” Orm said irritably.
“Are you going to tell me how this happened?” Lingling asked, ignoring her tone. Orm stayed silent for the rest of the drive.
The phone call with Koy was a minefield. Lingling needed to explain that Orm urgently needed her back home due to illness while also reassuring her that her daughter was being taken care of. When Koy promised to take the next flight to Bangkok and arrive by morning, Lingling felt as if she had just run a marathon.
“Mae Koy will be back by tomorrow, N’Orm,” Lingling said as she entered Orm’s room and found her curled up in bed, crying silently.
“Thank you, Jiejie,” Orm said, wiping her tears. Lingling lay down behind her, pulling her into a comforting embrace. The blonde melted into her.
“It was this guy, a friend of Gina’s,” Orm began to whisper. “We went out last month for three dates and had sex once. The condom broke. I tried the emergency pill, but for whatever reason, it didn’t work.” She paused. “He ghosted me, but it didn’t matter because I wasn’t really interested in him anyway.”
Lingling did the math. That had happened during a period when their schedules had kept them apart. Their rare moments together had been focused on enjoying their time, which explained why Orm hadn’t told her about the fling.
“It’s okay. I’m here for you,” Lingling said, hugging her closer. “Whatever you decide to do, I’ll support you. But for now, you don’t need to decide anything—just rest.”
Orm whispered a thank you, turning in Ling’s arms to kiss her cheek before nuzzling into her neck. Within minutes, she relaxed completely, and Lingling joined her in the nap.
Mae Koy arrived the next morning as promised. She entered the house like a force of nature, immediately searching for her daughter, only to find her asleep in Lingling’s arms. Deciding not to disturb them, she quietly observed Orm’s appearance—her daughter looked thinner than the last time they met, with dark circles under her eyes. However, at least she didn’t seem to be in critical condition.
Koy took the opportunity to prepare breakfast, savoring a few rare moments of silence. She decided to cook Orm’s favorite porridge—the one that always worked when her little girl was feeling unwell.
Just as she was finishing up, she heard footsteps upstairs, indicating the girls were awake.
“MAE!” Orm shouted, running toward her mother.
“N’Orm, don’t run on the stairs!” Both Koy and Lingling said at the same time, causing Orm to stop and descend at a more careful pace. Noticing her daughter obey so quickly—a rare occurrence—Koy immediately sensed that something was still wrong.
“I missed you!” Orm exclaimed, hugging her mother tightly and clinging to her like a koala, despite being taller than Koy.
Even at twenty-five, her mother’s embrace made Orm feel as safe as when she was a child.
“I missed you too, baby,” Koy said softly, patting her daughter’s head while glancing at Lingling.
“Good morning, Mae. Thank you for coming back so quickly,” Lingling greeted politely. “I can assure you, N’Orm is fine. She’ll explain everything to you later.”
They sat down together at the table, but a slight tension lingered in the air. Orm ate her porridge, managing to keep it down thanks to the proper medication.
After finishing breakfast, Lingling excused herself to go to the gym and run errands. She kissed Orm’s forehead and reminded her to call if she needed anything, leaving mother and daughter alone.
Orm watched Lingling leave, wishing she could ask her to stay. Still, she knew this conversation with her mother needed to happen privately.
It shouldn’t have been difficult—Koy was already aware of the dates and the condom mishap. In fact, she had been the one to get the emergency pill for Orm, as being a famous actress in Thailand made it impossible for her to discreetly purchase such medication without risking a scandal.
Even so, Orm couldn’t hold back her tears before starting to speak.
“It’s okay, baby. You can tell me anything,” Koy said gently, comforting her daughter.
“I’m pregnant,” Orm confessed, finally feeling some weight lift from her chest. “Remember the accident last month? The emergency pill didn’t work. I’m five weeks along.”
Koy was momentarily stunned by the news. Her little girl was pregnant—and by accident. This wasn’t how she had imagined becoming a grandmother.
“That’s why N’Lingling had to take you to the hospital?” Orm nodded in confirmation. “Is everything okay with you and…?” Koy hesitated, pointing toward her daughter’s belly.
“I’m okay for now. They said I have something called hyperemesis gravidarum. It’s like severe morning sickness. I need to take medicine and eat properly to avoid vomiting,” Orm explained, echoing what the hospital staff had told her.
“Oh, baby. Everything’s going to be okay,” Koy assured her, pulling her daughter into a warm embrace.
“They said I have until 12 weeks to decide if I want to keep it,” Orm added, tears streaming down her face. “I don’t know what to do, Mom.”
“We’ll support you no matter what you decide,” Koy promised, holding her daughter even tighter. “I love you, baby.”
Four weeks passed in a blur. Orm managed her symptoms and kept up with her schedule without further trouble. Lingling became increasingly protective of the blonde, ensuring she never missed her medication or meals. Orm’s family was aware of the situation and patiently awaited her decision. However, time was running out, and Orm still hadn’t decided what she was going to do.
As a little girl, Orm had dreamed of having a baby. She used to play with her dolls, giving them cute names and mimicking her mother’s care for her younger brother. But as an adult, balancing work and education, motherhood had not been something she’d planned for her life.
Of course, she loved kids. In her last drama, her character had been a mother of twins, toddlers, during the final episodes. Shooting scenes with children had been challenging and eventful, as they tired and became irritable easily. Still, she had loved being around them, watching Lingling interact with them. For some reason, kids always seemed to adore Lingling, who had an innate ability to connect with them.
But Orm wasn’t naive. She knew that having a child came with significant responsibilities, stress, and a great deal of time commitment. She wasn’t sure her current lifestyle could accommodate raising a child, especially as a single mother.
These thoughts cycled endlessly in her mind, leaving Orm unusually quiet and introspective—a stark contrast to her typically extroverted and talkative personality. Concerned friends and colleagues occasionally asked what was wrong, but she dismissed their inquiries with vague excuses.
One particularly long day of shooting for an upcoming campaign pushed Orm to her limits. She felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen and rushed to the nearest bathroom. After three years of working together, Lingling immediately sensed something was wrong and followed her, waiting outside the door.
“I need to go to the hospital. I’m bleeding,” Orm said, her expression filled with fear.
Lingling nodded and quickly informed their assistant while Orm changed clothes.
“P’Mam, I need to take N’Orm to the hospital. Please dismiss the crew and apologize to them. We’ll reschedule to finish the work,” Lingling instructed urgently. “Also, please call Mae Koy and ask her to meet us there.”
The assistant, aware that something unusual had been going on with Orm in recent weeks, complied without hesitation, praying she’d eventually be let in on whatever was happening.
Lingling drove as fast as she legally could to the nearest hospital with a maternity wing. She glanced at Orm, who remained silent, clutching her belly. Placing a reassuring hand on Orm’s thigh, Ling offered a small smile.
“Are you feeling okay?” Lingling asked as she helped Orm lie down on the exam table. After registration, a nurse provided a hospital gown and guided them to a room to wait for the doctor.
“Yes, the pain is gone,” Orm replied, gripping Lingling’s hand tightly for support. “I’ve decided—if everything is okay, I’m going to keep it. I’m having this baby.”
“Oh, N’Orm,” Lingling whispered, hugging her best friend tightly. “We promised to always hold hands and walk together. That promise holds now, too. I’ll be here for you and this baby. I’ll be the best auntie they could ever have.”
Orm chuckled at Lingling’s declaration, grateful for her unwavering support. Deep down, however, her real wish was for Lingling to be more than just the baby’s aunt.
Before Orm could say anything else, the doctor entered the room.
“Good morning. My name is Doctor Sonya, and I’m the OB-GYN on call,” she introduced herself, taking a seat next to Orm. “How many weeks along are you, and what brought you in today?”
“She’s nine weeks along,” Lingling answered before Orm could. “We had a long workday, and she felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen, followed by some light bleeding.”
“Are you her partner?” the doctor asked, turning her attention to Lingling.
“Yes?” Lingling replied hesitantly, unsure of why the question was relevant.
“No, P’Ling—not that kind of partner,” Orm clarified with a small smile. “She’s my best friend. I’m going through this pregnancy as a single mother.”
The doctor nodded but didn’t comment further. “I see in your file that you previously visited the ER for hyperemesis gravidarum. How has that been?”
“The medication and advice I received have helped a lot. I’m eating and keeping food down,” Orm explained.
“Good. By law, you have the right to decide whether to continue with the pregnancy or terminate it up until 12 weeks. Have you made a decision yet?”
“Yes, I’ve decided to keep it,” Orm said firmly.
“Okay, Khun Kornnaphat. I’ll perform a transvaginal ultrasound to ensure everything is okay with the embryo. Do I have your consent?”
“Yes,” Orm nodded.
Though the exam was slightly uncomfortable, Orm was reassured when the doctor pointed to the small ball on the screen and said, “Your embryo is nine weeks and two days old. It’s fully implanted in your uterus.”
“Everything looks good so far. However, I did find the source of the bleeding, which I’ll explain shortly. Would you like to hear the heartbeat?”
“Yes,” Orm whispered.
The doctor pressed a button, and the room filled with the sound of a rapid heartbeat.
“Is it normal for it to be so fast?” Orm asked.
“Yes, completely normal. A fetal heartbeat is typically around 160 beats per minute,” the doctor reassured her.
When Orm glanced at Lingling, she noticed tears streaming down her friend’s face.
“Jiejie, are you crying?” Orm teased.
“Yes, I’m emotional about babies—and this is your baby. Of course, I already love them,” Lingling replied, brushing away her tears.
Orm felt her heart swell with emotion as she hurried to the bathroom to change back into her clothes, determined to hide her own tears.
Once dressed, they walked to the doctor’s office, where they found Koy waiting for them.
“Your mother was outside, so I invited her in. Is that okay?” Dr. Sonya asked politely.
“Yes, thank you,” Orm replied, sitting beside her mother while Lingling stood behind her for support.
“You have something called a subchorionic hematoma,” Dr. Sonya began. “A small part of the developing placenta detached from your uterine wall, creating a bruise that filled with blood. It can happen spontaneously or as a result of physical exertion.”
Hearing this, Orm felt a pang of guilt, knowing she had pushed herself too hard during the photo shoot.
“You’re at an increased risk for miscarriage right now,” the doctor continued, “but it’s entirely possible to have a positive outcome with relative rest and maintaining healthy habits.”
“I understand, Dr. Sonya,” Orm said softly, her guilt mixing with hope.
“I’ll leave my contact information in case you’d like to continue your prenatal care with me. It was nice to meet you. Take care, and you’re free to go now,” the doctor said warmly before excusing herself.
Orm returned home with her mother, leaving Lingling behind with a long hug and a promise to rest. In the car, she shared her decision to continue the pregnancy and keep the baby.
“For Buddha’s sake! My baby is having a baby!” Koy exclaimed after Orm showed her the ultrasound pictures. “Now, you need to rest properly. And I think it’s time we inform the network and your bosses so they can adjust your schedule to accommodate your condition.”
“I know, Mae. But I want to talk with P’Dew privately first. Can you call her and invite her for dinner?” Orm asked, and Koy promised to make the arrangements.
“I’m sorry for disappointing you,” Orm added, her voice trembling.
“Why would you think that, sweetie?” Koy asked, pulling her daughter into her lap. “You’ve been responsible every step of the way. Accidents happen. Honestly, I’m proud of how you’re handling everything, especially being this young.”
Orm felt comforted by her mother’s words. She retired to her room to rest before dinner and sent a quick text to Lingling, asking her to join them since it would also affect her work schedule. Lingling confirmed she would come.
Lying on her bed, Orm tried to process everything. Her life was about to change drastically—she was going to take care of a baby and become a mother. It felt surreal, like something far removed from her current reality.
“I promise you’ll be safe and surrounded by love, little one,” Orm murmured tenderly to her growing belly.
By 6 PM, Lingling arrived at Orm’s place for dinner. She wanted to ensure she was there before P’Dew arrived to discuss how she could best support Orm.
The past few weeks had been overwhelming for Lingling. Her instinct to protect and care for Orm had grown stronger, making it impossible for her to stop thinking about her—even when they were apart. She constantly worried if Orm was feeling okay, eating properly, or getting enough rest. After their hospital visit, she also felt a twinge of guilt for not noticing that Orm had been overworking herself. Lingling silently vowed to be more attentive moving forward.
Lingling had known for months that she was in love with Orm. It had started as a small flutter in her chest whenever they worked together, which she initially dismissed as excitement to see a close friend. But it had grown into something far deeper and more powerful over time. Lingling found herself looking forward to every project with Orm, feeling an unshakable pull toward her.
Sometimes, Lingling thought Orm might feel the same way. But the blonde’s mixed signals left her uncertain, and Lingling chose to be content with their friendship. Still, it hurt knowing that Orm had dated and been intimate with others while Lingling silently harbored feelings for her. Yet now wasn’t the time to dwell on jealousy—Orm needed her, and so did the baby.
Lingling was genuinely excited about the baby. She loved children, and this one was a part of her favorite person in the world. It was impossible not to love them already.
“N’Ling, my daughter is upstairs resting,” Koy greeted her at the door, taking Lingling’s hands warmly. “I want to thank you for supporting our family these past few weeks. I don’t know if my daughter would’ve had the courage to face all this without you.”
“Mae, please, we’re partners,” Lingling replied sincerely. “I’ll always be there for her. We’ve been through so much together, and this won’t change that.”
Excusing herself, Lingling headed upstairs to Orm’s room. The bed was empty, but she could hear the sound of the shower running. After a few minutes, Orm stepped out, drying her hair with a towel. She wore a cropped top and sweatpants, and Lingling’s heart skipped a beat.
“Hi, Jiejie,” Orm greeted her with a smile, noticing Lingling’s gaze fixed on her belly. “I’m not showing much yet, but you can feel them,” Orm said, walking over and taking Lingling’s hand. She placed it gently on her lower abdomen, where a small bump was beginning to form. Lingling pressed her fingers lightly against it, her expression softening with awe.
“I still can’t believe you’re carrying a child,” Lingling said, looking up at Orm’s face. “I know it’s not an ideal situation, but it’s still incredible, N’Orm.”
“For me, it’s just… weird right now,” Orm replied, breaking the moment. Lingling removed her hand and wrapped her arms around Orm’s waist, pulling her into a comforting hug. “Thank you, P’Ling,” Orm whispered.
They held each other for a long moment before pulling away, both feeling slightly awkward but deeply connected.
“Are you telling Dew tonight? What do you expect her reaction to be?” Lingling asked as Orm turned around to finish her post-shower routine.
“Yes, I’ll tell her about the pregnancy and that I need to slow down because of it. I don’t know how she’ll react,” Orm admitted. “At least we don’t have any major projects to shoot right now. If we did, they’d probably have to be postponed until after the baby is born.”
Luckily, after producing three “girls love” series and two movies—a thriller and a romcom—the network had decided to take a two-year break from drama projects to refresh their brand image and give other GL pairings a chance to grow. Orm and Lingling would still work together as brand ambassadors, attend fan meetings, and do modeling work for photo shoots and magazines. This way, they wouldn’t completely disappear from the public eye.
Dew arrived at the house a couple of hours later. When she saw that Lingling was also there, her suspicions grew that there was more to this dinner than a friendly catch-up.
They enjoyed the meal with light conversation about personal lives and work. When Dew brought up the canceled photo shoot, the topic was quickly diverted, which only fueled her distrust.
“If there’s something you want to tell me, just say it,” Dew finally said as they moved to the living room. Orm and Lingling, who were sitting cozily on the couch, froze like kids caught in the act. “Are you two dating?”
“No, that’s not it,” Orm replied, her voice tinged with embarrassment. “I’m pregnant.”
“What?!?” Dew leapt from her chair. “How?! How long?!”
“C’mon, Dew, you know how,” Lingling joked, attempting to lighten the mood. Dew rolled her eyes at the comment.
“I’m nine weeks along,” Orm explained. “I had a small bleeding episode earlier today, which is why we canceled the photo shoot. I’m really sorry about that.”
“Are you okay?” Dew asked, her initial shock giving way to concern.
“Yes, we’re okay,” Orm replied, keeping the details brief.
“Who’s the father? Were you secretly dating a guy this whole time? N'Orm, we’re marketing you two as a sapphic couple. If this gets out, it could be a huge risk to your career…”
“It was just a fling—three dates. He’s not even in the country anymore, as I found out through a mutual friend,” Orm said, cutting Dew off before she could continue.
Dew fell silent, processing the situation. As a woman in the entertainment industry, she was no stranger to handling crises, but this one carried a particularly high risk of scandal.
“Let’s keep this quiet for now. I’ll figure out how we’re going to handle this,” Dew finally said, her sharp eyes shifting between Orm and Lingling. “This involves both of you.”
Both women nodded. Orm explained the precautions she would need to take in the coming months, as advised by her doctor. Dew took detailed notes on her phone.
“Congratulations, N’Orm. I hope you have a healthy and peaceful pregnancy. We’ll take care of everything work-related,” Dew said, offering a reassuring smile. Orm hugged her, feeling a weight lifted off her shoulders.
“N’Ling, can I ride with you back home? Cherry needed the driver, and it’s too late to call him back,” Dew asked as she prepared to leave.
“Of course,” Lingling agreed. After saying their goodbyes, she kissed Orm’s forehead and placed a gentle hand on her lower abdomen before leaving.
Dew noticed the gesture. Once they were in the car, she broke the silence. “You seem a little… invested in Orm’s pregnancy.”
“Of course I am,” Lingling replied nonchalantly. “She’s my partner. She and the baby are my priorities now.”
Dew glanced at her protégé, her expression thoughtful. “Priority enough to take some responsibility for it?”
“I’m not sure what you mean,” Lingling said, genuinely confused.
“Never mind,” Dew replied, brushing it off. After a pause, she added, “I’ll speak with Cherry about the situation and come up with some solutions. Would you prefer to take on more solo work or pairings with others while N’Orm slows down?”
“No. Let’s stick to our original plan for the couple pairing break. If N’Orm is slowing down, I’m slowing down with her,” Lingling said firmly.
“Alright,” Dew said, absorbed in her own thoughts. The rest of the ride was quiet.
When they arrived at Dew’s home, she turned to Lingling. “Thanks for the ride. Get some rest.”
“Thank you, P’Dew, for supporting both me and N’Orm,” Lingling said sincerely before driving off.
-o-
It took two days until they heard from Dew again. She called them for a meeting at the Maleenon Tower in the afternoon. Lingling drove them there, hiding her anxiety so as not to disturb her partner along the way.
“I have a proposal for you, but it’s something that needs both of you to be completely on board,” Dew began after their usual greetings and inquiries about the baby and Orm’s health. “We’re going to announce that you two have been engaged for a while, and Orm got pregnant through assisted reproduction. Lingling will assume the role of the other parent, at least publicly.”
Neither of them spoke, just processing their boss’s suggestion.
“P’Dew, care to explain?” Lingling asked.
“Your fans, the brands, and most of the country think you two have been dating for years now,” Dew explained slowly. “We can say you two got engaged about a year ago and tried to get pregnant for the last six months. Now that it’s worked, you’ve decided to make your relationship public since we can’t hide N’Orm’s belly for the next nine months. Also, we can protect N’Orm from malicious attacks by making you, N’Lingling, the other parent—no one will question who the actual father is.”
“I’m becoming Orm’s baby mother?” Lingling asked, her high-pitched tone betraying her stress.
Dew confirmed.
“I need to get some air,” Lingling said.
“This is too much to ask of her, P’Dew,” Orm said, once Lingling stepped out.
Lingling climbed to the tower roof, trying to breathe in the fresh air and calm her constricted lungs. Being a mother was never her plan. She respected women who bore children and gave birth, but it was never something she envisioned for herself. Marriage had never been a priority for her either. She was happy with her simple, free life, where she had work, enough free time to engage in her favorite hobbies, and could enjoy time with her dogs.
Dew was asking her to give up that life, at least in the public eye, to help Orm. Lingling felt like she was at a breaking point—caught between the promises she made to the woman she loved and the life she had been happy living up to now.
Lingling didn’t know how much time passed while she was on the roof, clearing her thoughts. In the end, she tried to rationalize the situation: she had decided to help Orm with the pregnancy and the child. What was the difference between the role of a very present aunt and the mother? Given how much she was already invested, the lines were blurry.
She drove Orm around all the time, attended doctor appointments, even heard the baby’s heartbeat for the first time with her. She had already assumed the role of partner without even realizing it.
Above all, she had always promised they would work together, walk together, and never leave each other behind.
Orm found her on the rooftop before she was ready to go back downstairs. She hugged Lingling from behind, resting her chin against her shoulder and her face in her hair.
“You don’t need to worry about it,” Orm whispered in her ear. “I talked to P’Dew and asked for another solution.” Lingling shivered in her arms.
“I never pictured myself as a mother,” Lingling whispered back. “I never wanted to get pregnant, and of course, the idea of having children changed when I discovered I liked women, but I was happy being just a dog mom.” Orm waited in silence for Lingling to finish. The woman turned in her arms to look at her face. “But it’s you. If you want me to be in your child’s life, I will accept any role you offer me. I’m in.”
Orm hugged her tighter, unable to stop the tears that flowed from her eyes. They both held each other, crying in the chilly air of the tower roof. She stepped away and placed Lingling’s hand on her belly, covering it with her own.
“Olive, say hi to your mama,” Orm said in a baby voice.
“Olive?” Lingling asked.
“I downloaded this silly app that tells you what size your baby is each week. Right now, they’re the size of an olive,” Orm explained, laughing.
“I love you, N’Orm,” Lingling couldn’t hold it in.
“I love you too, Lingling,” Orm replied, pulling them together.