Lost (MxM) (M-preg)

Chapter One

"Charlie, stop that. Please just get your clothes and pack them." I sighed, watching the impatient boy pout, crossing his little arms across his chest. He looked at me with those blue eyes of his, blue eyes he inherited from me.

"I don't wanna go. I hate moving all the time. I want a real home!"

I sighed, used to this argument as Charlie and I often had them. "You know we can't. No one is hiring, and even if they do, it will take too long to get enough money to even rent a place. We would have to stay into a hotel, and hotel's aren't cheap."

"Still though," Charlie frowned, reluctantly dropping off of the bed to stuff what little clothes he had, into his knapsack.

Satisfied that he was finally listening to me, I stuffed my two shirts and two pairs of jeans, into my own bag, zipping it up before throwing it over my shoulder, turning to face my little boy.

Charlie was done packing, and had his knapsack thrown over his shoulder as he stated at me expectantly, his chocolate curls messy, spilling over his forehead. Hair like Evan's, I frowned, feeling a sudden pang in my chest at the thought of my dead lover. I closed my eyes to collect myself, and when I opened them I beckoned for Charlie to follow me.

When the bus came, I paid the amount required and took a seat near the back, away from people. I just didn't feel like being pulled into a conversation by a stranger, or be expected to do anything. So away from the people I go. Charlie sat on the inside by the window, his favorite seat as he could see the world flashing by.

I settled myself more comfortably, stuffing my bag of clothes between my feet. I leaned back to ease the pain in my body, and closed my eyes, remembering a time where I never had to worry. Where Evan was still alive.

Outside, day turned to night, trees turned to farmland, the day critters retired and the night ones took their place. All was about as peaceful as it could get.

When the bus started to slow, hours later, I tapped Charlie on the shoulder to wake him up, making the small boy jump and stare at me with wide eyes. I smiled softly to him, and gestured to his knapsack. "Were here. Come on, get your bag."

Charlie did as I asked tiredly, holding my hand as I led him off the bus, into the fresh air of Illinois. Off to the side was a quaint little diner, and upon hearing the rumbling of Charlie's little stomach, we made our way inside, hearing the small cheery ding of the door. We took a seat in one of the booths and waited patiently for someone to take our order.

I dug into my pocket, grabbing what little money I had, and placed it on the table, grimacing at the crumbled ten, and two ones. "Don't order anything too expensive, Charlie. This is all the money we have left."

Charlie nodded patiently, his hands folded on the table in front of him, before his blue eyes shifted to the approaching waitress, a frail thing with curly blonde hair pulled onto a bun.

She smiled at us, taking care to allow her dark eyes to linger on me as she pulled out her notepad. "What can I get you fine gentlemen?"

"A small coffee for me, black, and some juice for my little boy. I'll also have the Small Stack-"

"And I'll have some bacon and eggs," Charlie supplied, grinning widely at the blonde woman.

"Ah, bacon and eggs for a big strong boy, coming up!"

Charlie giggled as she said that, and watched as she disappeared around back to give our order. "She's super nice."

I nodded, leaning back in my seat. "If you think so."

Briefly, I heard the bells at the front of the diner chime, alerting the staff that another customer had arrived. I glanced to the side and saw that the cashier looked up and grinned widely.

"Eris! My god, it's so good to see you!"

"It's good to see you as well, Mery." A softer voice replied.

I turned to see this "Eris" person, and stopped as I saw one of the most beautiful men I've seen in a while. He was pale, with his long orange-red hair pulled up into a bun. Freckles were dashed across his reddened cheeks, and from here, his eyes looked like a rich brown. He wore nothing more than a button-up plaid shirt, dirty jeans, and black knee-high boots. And even from where I sat, I could sense that he was a child-bearer.

Unlike the stories I read as a child, it wasn't just women who had the ability to give birth. Some men also had wombs, and they were known as child-bearers. Evan had been one, which had drawn me to him in the first place.

At the thought of Evan, I tore my eyes away from the stranger, feeling ashamed that I would ever let my eyes linger on another. It was wrong of me to do so, so I paid the newcomer no mind as he walked further down the corner and took a seat, directly across from where Charlie and I currently sat. His back was facing us, and I took great care not to ogle him. In fact, I didn't even look at him, instead I looked up only as our blonde waitress brought us our meal, a smile on her face.

"Enjoy! If you need anything, just let me know!" She chirped before moving to where the redhead sat. "Eris! Why, it's been so long! How's everything on the farm?"

I heard the man Eris sigh, the sound strangely arousing, as I struggled to keep my attention on the food in front of me. "About as well as it could be," he answered, his voice like honey, "last week Benny fell off the ladder and was forced to have a cast put on his leg."

"Oh no!" The waitress exclaimed, taking a seat next to him.

Eris nodded. "Yeah. So now that he's incapacitated, I'm the one stuck trying to clean the horse stables, as well as feeding the animals. I already had my hands full with the crops, but now that Benny is unable to do his part, it's putting a strain on me."

I don't know what possessed me, but before I knew it I was speaking, making even Charlie glance up at me in surprise. "Um, well sir, I'm looking for work. Perhaps I can be of help?"

Eris turned around, surprised, his chocolate eyes looking almost like topaz, with how the light hit them. He glanced at the waitress, who shrugged and winked, before going back to her duty.

When he turned back to me, he crossed his arms over his chest. "You know, it's not nice to listen in on people's conversations." I flushed as his eyes trailed from my head to my feet, then back to my head. "But, I am in dire need of help, right now. Have you ever worked on a farm before?"

I nodded. "Once before. When my little boy was a toddler."

Eris glanced over at Charlie and smiled, making the boy blush and stare down at his food. "I have at daughter about his age. She complains all the time to me that she doesn't have anyone to play with."

A daughter? Then this Barry he spoke of must be his husband. For some reason, the thought disheartened me. I didn't dwell on the feeling any longer when I forced myself out of my thoughts.

"You look mighty strong, and your hands are big and tough. So...yeah. If it's work you're looking for, then I have just the job for you." Eris smiled, the gesture almost...mesmerizing. "I guess just follow my truck, and I'll let you know what I need done when we get there."

I felt my cheeks heat up, despite my trying not to. "I don't have a car. Um, my son and I came here on a bus."

One of Eris's pale eyebrows lifted up, and he pursed his delectable lush lips. "I see. Well, I might need to clean out the back seat, but you're very welcome to ride with me."

I nodded, and when Charlie and I finished our breakfast, we paid and followed Eris to a bright red pickup truck, the paint peeling in some areas. He cleaned out the back seat, and once we were on our way, I took a breath. I was glad that we found work so soon, and so easily, at that. That was one worry off my chest. And for some reason, I felt like we were moving in the right direction. I didn't know how, but I could feel it. And it felt refreshing.

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A/N: Don't forget to vote! It means a lot to me! Also, I included a pic of Eris, who is played by Bartek Boroweic