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((More zombie baby talk Just warning, just in case.))


Sherry forgot to breathe for a few moments, just like she forgot to bother closing her mouth. Jake was given a slack-jawed look of bewilderment. At least until a small pain in her chest reminded her she needed to replenish her oxygen supplies.

Armagnac was laughing. Deep rolling laughter of pure malice and amusement. Sherry did her best to shut it out.

"What?!" With a swallow, Sherry shook her head. "No, Jake, that's...not how it works at all." She shifted on the bed, turning to face him fully. "Halloween creatures are pure FEAR, and most certainly not.... No."

She was still staring at him, wondering how he couldn't know this. "When a hunter gets pregnant, the baby is still human...just...wrong. The weapon bond, the constant FEAR, isn't good for it. It corrupts. And... we end up with something..." Sherry shuddered at the thought. "That's why the island promotes safe sex so much. So it doesn't happen." How on earth had he missed that memo?

"But that's not where Halloween creatures come from." If he was joking she'd kill him. Though..if he wasn't, she found herself worried about what else he might not know.

It was almost a relief to see his color coming back, until she realized he was blushing. Heck, he looked embarrassed.

"You... really weren't joking." It was more for her sake than his. "I just... I mean I realize at least one of those things isn't high on anyone's list, but... They push it pretty hard down in the Labs."

She sighed. "It's okay. It comes as a shock to most people when they hear about it. I'm sure you're not the first one to make assumptions." Though, seriously, he must not have been thinking about anything related to procreation if he had missed the warnings. She tried to smile, wanting to help make him feel at ease again. "Sorry if I lectured. I was... a bit shocked on my end, too."

Another sigh. "I..." She didn't know what to say now. It was probably a bad time revisit the topic that had led them to this point, and the topic from before was even more depressing.

So Sherry shut her mouth and sat there.

Sherry's head shook ever so slightly. It wasn't that Jake had made anything worse (freaking out after the 'don't get pregnant' talk wasn't too uncommon), it was just. Everything. All at once. The day (the past few really) had been nothing but a bundle of emotions and Sherry was just... feeling a little tired from it all. A lot tired, maybe.

Tired and a little caught off guard when Jake started speaking again. He hadn't needed to say, he'd been quite clear....though now it seemed he'd changed his mind? For a moment, Sherry wasn't sure what she should do.

Her hands squeezed his, then pulled away~ just so she could hug him. She needed that hug. Jake was given a return peck on his cheek. "Of course I'll have you, just not right this moment, Jake," she whispered. "Right now I just want a hug." She emphasized her words by squeezing him closer. "And I want you to think about it, for real. Make sure it's something you really want. Don't just say 'yes' because it's my birthday."

A happy sigh escaped her. "I don't recall telling you it was my birthday."

Sherry exhaled and shook her head, settling deeper into the hug. "You guess?" The question was followed by a tiny laugh. "Mm. I love you, too. And we...can take it slow. If you want." It be for the best, she really thought he should think about it for more than a few minutes.

He'd get another hug- she was flattered he'd gone and found her birthday out all on his own. "You always give me the best gifts." He really did, she was wearing half of them right at that moment.

"And really, all I want today is this, time with you."

"Alright," she said. It was with her quiet and content voice. After everything- mourning a friend, worry over relationship, and the tears- that hug was what she needed. Long and perfect, nice and relaxing. She felt safe, loved, wanted, warm and happy. Sherry enjoyed it, and Jake's gentle caresses only made it better. "Perfect." Yes. Time was more than enough.

(Even Armagnac seemed content with the moment, or at least done making fun of the silly humans for the time.)

Even the best things must come to an end, and when Sherry realized she was beginning to feel sleepy she brought that wonderful moment to a close. "Mmm," she hummed, giving Jake one great big squeeze before sitting up again. "Thank you," she said, smiling as she leaned in to kiss him.

"If you're not careful, I'll fall asleep on you." A grin was flashed at him as she shifted, sitting so that she might take her boots off. "Not that I'd mind that. But," the word was accompanied by a boot hitting the floor, "I hate sleeping in my shoes." Her second boot landed next to the first. She stared at those boots for a second.

"Thank you, Jake, for... everything." It was a sentimental kind of day.

She was tired. So very tired. More emotionally than physically, though that hardly mattered. One affected the other, to a degree.

"Maybe for a little bit," she said with a sigh. "What about you?" Sherry nestled up against him, though she doubted he could she the small smile on her face. "Join me for a nap?"

"Well, then," she said, "I think we have a plan." She patted his arms gently and sat with him like for a moment before simply leaning over as if to lay down. She was just taking Jake with her- which meant there was a little more force behind the movement than normal. A happy sound, not quite a hum and not quite a laugh emerged from her throat. Sleeping was a good idea, and curling up with Jake to do so was even better.

Happy as she was, it was all a bit bittersweet. So much, too much.

Sherry sighed again, and then opened her mouth to say something. But she thought better of it. Later, she'd mention it. She'd tell Jake not to worry about silly things like moving in or sleeping together. Though she did plan to sleep in his room a lot more. ... It was all a bit confusing.

For now, sleep was the best idea.