Forever (Fallen 3)

“Well,” he picked up a book and flipped through it. “According to this it may last through the whole first trimester.”

“Ugh,” I groaned and then swished some mouthwash around. “Wait,” I said, a giggle bubbling up in my chest. “Are you reading What to Expect When Your Expecting?”

Color flooded his pale cheeks. “Well, I wanted to know. I may be nearly seven hundred years old but that doesn’t mean that I know everything.”

“Does that book even apply to vampire-human pregnancies?” I asked.

“Well,” he put the book down, “they are pretty similar. At least up until the birth part. That’s where things go very differently.”

“You know,” I started, sitting down on the bed, “you never have told me why that is. What makes it so dangerous?”

He sighed. “It’s different because the baby is half vampire.”

“Thank you captain obvious for enlightening me to that fact,” I said sarcastically.

“It’s just that the child, even now, is strong. Very strong. By the time it reaches full development it will be stronger than you. Its skin will be hard like mine but its heart will beat like yours. But it’s the strength that’s the problem. Many times the child will rip itself out of the womb. It’s not a pretty sight. Danny and Mason’s birth was particularly brutal because there was two of them. I wasn’t there but Patrick has told me bits and pieces… It’s bad. It scares me to think I’m going to have to see you go through that.”

“But you’ll change me,” I supplied. “Everything will be okay.”

“Yes, I’ll change you… And then you’ll have to deal with that pain. I don’t want to hurt you,” he hung his head, his shoulders slumped.

“You could never hurt me. Everything will be fine,” I snuggled against his side. He put his arm around me, bringing me even closer.”

“I hope you’re right,” he breathed, his breath tickling my skin.

“I’m always right,” I scoffed.

He laughed but the worried lines didn’t disappear from the corners of his eyes.

“Come on,” I stood and took his hands. “We have some news to share with our family.”

“I guess we do,” he grinned, standing. “Ready?” he asked.

“Are you?” I questioned.

“No,” he chuckled as we started down the stairs.

“Well, you better hurry and get ready.”

Everyone was gathered in the family room. Danny and Mason were kicking a soccer ball back and forth, causing Amelia to glare at them. Diana was painting her nails. Patrick was reading the newspaper and Joseph was watching T.V. The whole thing seemed so human that for a moment I forgot I was surrounded by vampires.

Jonathon sat down next to Joseph and pulled me onto his lap. He smacked his brother on the arm and it made a grinding noise. “Thanks for going hunting without me,” he glared.

“Well,” said Joseph, a smile playing on his lips, “you haven’t gone hunting since my sister-in-law showed up so I didn’t see the point in waiting for you. You never leave her side.”

“Or the top of her, now,” added Mason with a wink.

Jonathon shot a playful flash of fire at Mason’s face. He ducked and the fire evaporated like it had never existed.

“Phew,” breathed Mason, “you almost got my eyebrows.” He smoothed the hair in question.

Everyone laughed. “On a more serious note,” started Jonathon. “Kylie and I have some news to share,” he took my hand. I was still in his lap and the position was awkward.

“Oh,” smiled Amelia, sitting down in the chair across from us. Patrick put the newspaper down. The soccer ball ceased bouncing. Diana screwed the nail polish cap back on and Joseph turned towards us.

I looked at Jonathon and he looked at me. I smiled and looked at the others. “We’re having a baby.” I bowed my head nervously, waiting for their reaction.

Everyone erupted into cheers and smiles except for Patrick who glanced at Jonathon with a peculiar look. When he caught me watching him he looked away. I gave Jonathon a questioning look but he ignored it. Later, I decided.