Monsters, queerness, and rapid pregnancy

George huffs, shaking his head.

“You youngin’s don’t get a break do you?”

Jacqueline chuckles, tossing her backpack into the small shed that had been turned into a small office/storage space for the living members of the graveyard.

“It’ll be worth it once I get my degree. At least I hope so.”

Studying to be a coroner isn’t easy, but she truly enjoys the work and the art. Even if her family thinks she’s odd for it.

“I’m sure you will do fine, Love.”

Jacqueline grins, winking at the older man. He winks back and then goes back to his job, cleaning up the gravestones. 

She smiles softly to herself, taking a moment to breathe in the fresh air, to admire the sweeping field of the cemetery, still amazed to this day at the stillness that permeates the air. The wildflowers sway softly in the breeze, the most beautiful pop of color against the vast green and gray field. One day she would paint this field, in all its glory, but today is not that day. She has other work to do.

**

George waves from the open window of his truck as he pulls out of the lot, the grumble of the engine betraying its true age. Jacqueline’s own ‘98 Ford wasn’t much better so she really couldn’t judge. 

She turns back to the graveyard, noting the way the setting sun shrouded the field in an orange glow, her favorite time of night. Truly magnificent. As was the sudden warmth she felt wrapping around her ankles and wrists, guiding her forward. 

“I missed you,” she whispers. She can’t see it of course, but the presence always came to her, just as the sun set, just in time to watch it disappear over the horizon. 

It guides her, a gentle push and pull on her wrists, guiding her deeper into the field, pointing her in the direction of the spirit next in line to be reincarnated. 

The breeze blows through her hair, dancing playfully over her shoulders and around her waist, making her giggle as it gives her a teasing push forward. She’s never once felt fear of this…thing, even on the cold winter nights when she’s all alone in the middle of the fields. She still doesn’t know what it is, but she does know that she trusts it, and she enjoys the company. 

There’s a gentle shove to her hip and she turns right, careful not to step on the graves as she passes. The sun disappears for the night just as she stops in front of a small, gray tombstone. 

“Michael Ranier, born June 6th, 1965, died July 15th, 1965.” 

The warmth around her wrists grows somber, drooping lower on her arms, making her shoulders heavy with the loss of such a young life. But she doesn’t linger on the loss, doesn’t let it dig into her.

Instead, she smiles, curtsying.

“It’s very nice to meet you Michael. How about I help you try this life thing out again?”

The warmth around her wrists grows playful again, clearly overjoyed with the change in mood. She would welcome as many souls as she could, and give them all the chance to try again.

She shrugs out of her jacket, her flesh prickling at the chill of the breeze, but it doesn’t bother her as she lays the fabric onto the ground and then sits cross-legged on top of it. 

“Let’s do this, shall we?”

The warmth gives her a gentle push, urging her on and she smiles, closing her eyes. 

The latin comes easy, slipping from her lips, a near silent whisper in the night. It flows from her tongue, just as it had years ago when she’d been chosen. 

The air around her grows heavier, quieter, all of the lost souls pausing in their melancholy to watch as she invites Michael inside of her. The fabric of her skirt flutters in the wind and she shudders, continuing to chant the latin words that had been ingrained in her brain. The breeze grows stronger, a chill scraping over her shoulders, like claws down her back, and she shivers. 

His life had been one of horror, one of pain and fear. She gasps as his life washes over her, filling her with so many painful, blurry memories. His life, though brief, was incredibly unfair, and she finds herself grateful to be able to provide him a new life, without so much fear. 

“Come forth,” she whispers finally. Just as the words leave her mouth, she throws her head back at the sheer force of power surging through her. The world explodes, light and dark swirling through her mind. It never hurts. Never scares her. But it overwhelms her every single time she feels the first tendrils of the soul creeping inside of her.

It goes slow, creeping between her legs, pressing between them with a gentle but insistent force. She falls back to the ground, letting her legs fall open, welcoming the soul into her body. 

It tingles, the chill of the soul mixing with the warmth of her slick, wet heat. But it also feels good. It slips past her lips and fills her up the way no man could ever dream. She spreads her legs even further, places a hand on her lower belly, feels the start of the swell, and she knows it will soon be heavy enough to make her unsteady. 

“Come forth,” she whispers again, and the force grows heavier, making her gasp. Her chest is heaving, breasts heavy and aching to be held. The soul grows larger, and she watches as her stomach visibly swells, pushing against the thin fabric of her undershirt. Her skin stretches, her belly button pops, and then the world grows silent once more. 

She lays there for a moment, her heavy breaths the only noise for miles. She doesn’t think she’ll ever get tired of this. 

“Hngh,” she groans, sitting up with clear difficulty. Seeing her belly from this angle is always her favorite. It sits so heavy in her lap, round and beautiful. She runs her hands over the swell, impressed at the size of it. 

She doesn’t want kids. Ever. But she doesn’t mind giving these souls new chances. Would never deny them the right to come back and try again. 

“You will have a much better life this time. I promise,” she whispers, rubbing her belly. A careful kick answers and she nods, a promise lingering in her heart.

**

“Jacqueline, I didn’t think you’d be in today.”

Jacqueline grins and shakes her head, her heavy coat covering her belly.

“I had some extra time so I figured I would stop by. How is the mother in room 6 doing?”

Jess’ smile falters and Jacqueline knows the answer before she continues. 

“Dr. Langford doesn’t have high hopes. He’s going to speak with her this afternoon. He doesn’t think the baby will make it.”

Jacqueline feels her gut flip, the soul feeling how close he is to life again, and feigns worry.

“May I?”

Jess nods. “Go ahead. I’m sure she would like someone there with her.”

Jacqueline heads down the hall, footsteps loud in the quiet of the hospital hallway. Room 6 appears and she takes only a moment to brace herself before knocking on the door, plastering a smile on her face. 

The woman in the room looks up as she walks in, her eyes rimmed with red, her cheeks pale. The soul in Jacqueline’s stomach flips again, anxious to get out. 

“Hi Marianne, my name is Jacqueline. I’m a volunteer with the hospital. Is there anything I can get you today?”

Marianne shakes her head, clearly defeated. Her husband sleeps restlessly on the couch in the corner.

“I can get you some juice or water? Or I can sit with you for company. You are not alone,” Jacqueline says softly, sitting in the chair by the bed. “They call me a miracle worker here in this hospital,” Jacqueline says with a wink. 

Marianne lets a small smile peek through and Jacqueline knows she has her opening. She continues to talk, just rambling on as Marianne listens quietly. She may not say it, but Jacqueline can see Marianne’s shoulders relaxing, her body losing the tension, even if only for the moment. Jacqueline continues.

While she talks, she lets her legs spread, her loose pants comfortable enough for her to spread them without worry. She can feel the eager soul already pushing through her, filling her once more. She has to hide the gasps, has to hide the pleasure she feels. She leans forward, holding Marianne’s hand, letting her legs fall open more. 

Marianne cracks her first full smile at a stupid joke Jacqueline says and it gives Jacqueline the perfect excuse to hide her gasp under a laugh. The warmth grows wider and wider, and then it disappears, wrapping around her wrist once in thanks before disappearing into Marianne. 

And just like that, her job is done. Michael will be born to a mother who will adore him, and who he will love in return. He will never remember the pain of his past life, but Jacqueline will. She will hold the fear for him so he can live without it. 

Marianne falls asleep holding Jacqueline’s hand, her first restful sleep since coming to the hospital early with too much bleeding. Jacqueline sneaks out in the dead of night, looking back only once, and she knows the soul will be loved this time around.

**

At 7:32AM Marianne gives birth to a beautiful, healthy baby boy. He’s small, due to his early arrival, but the doctors say everything has developed perfectly. It’s nothing short of a miracle, they claim. 

Jacqueline can’t help but smile to herself as she continues to organize the files, listening to Jess talk. 

“She named the boy Michael. I think that is such a cute name,” Jess says, gossiping along. Only Jacqueline knows the true meaning of the name choice, and it makes Jacqueline’s heart swell. This is exactly what she was given this power for. 

END