"No offense, but the last revenant who sold me that line left me with a hangover even hair of the dog couldn't cure, and a hole in my heart about the size of Chicago," Jackson replied, but he wasn't being hostile. Only stating facts, and being protective of Corbie, as he stepped towards her.

He crouched beside her, putting a hand on her thigh and looking up into her face. "They're a bit persistent, but we could always wait this out somewhere, if you want." Or until she felt ready to have a conversation with this other her.

And no, of course he wasn't disappointed to hear the baby wasn't his. That would be ten kinds of stupid, at least.