Swelling

It was after the ordeal of breakfast that George received the phone call. The test results were in.

“I’m pregnant!?”

“Not quite,” said the doctor’s tinny voice. “You’re creating a world.”

George laid a hand on his swollen abdomen; even that light touch was painful. “How long will it take?”

“Hard to say. I haven’t seen an actual case of medical cosmogenesis before. I can prescribe…”

“No,” George said firmly. “No drugs. Whatever this is, it’s mine.”

The doctor kept talking, but George set the phone back in its cradle. He leaned back, pensive. His expression was almost a smile.