~Adrian~
I woke up after sunset, with Paige in my arms, exactly as she was when we fell asleep. I gently moved my arm from under her so I could start her coffee and breakfast. I started the coffee pot and started mixing the pancake mix. I heard her getting out of bed, probably eager that the bed rest wasover.
Then I heard her scream.
I dropped the bowl and in a flash I was there in the bathroom where her scream came from.
She was fine, she was just looking in the mirror.
I sighed in relief.
"What happened? you startled me," I said resting my forehead in the door frame.
"This is bullshit!" Paige exclaimed, turning from the mirror.
Her belly was large.
It literally grew overnight.
"I probably should have told you wolf blood's pregnancies last 60 to 70 days," I said as I walked up and laid a hand on her belly.
The baby responded to my touch, and made little wiggles beneath my hand.
"I felt it," she said, throwing her hand over her mouth in shock.
I felt a smile cover my face.
"Well, were you going to wait until delivery day to tell me?" She sounded pissed.
"I am sorry, I should have. I got lost in the excitement," I said.
"While we are on the subject, can I go to a hospital? Where will this baby be born if it is not human?" She looked genuinely worried; I couldn't blame her.
"I'll make arrangements. Let me make you breakfast and I'll make a few phone calls," I said to her calmly.
She looked a little more calm. "Can you call Nicole and David?" She asked as she walked with me to the kitchen.
"I will. We can wait until they get here to tell them the big news," I said as I pulled out a seat at the table for her. I cleaned up the mess I made when I dropped the pancake mix and poured her a cup of coffee.
"The baby needs my blood, do you want it now or after coffee?" I asked her as I set the coffee down. She looked down at the mug for a minute.
"Can you put it in the coffee?" she asked sweetly. I nodded and took her cup to the kitchen so she wouldn't have to watch it.
I returned the coffee to her at the table after I finished mixing it, her face grew more pink and her skin seemed to glow again after she took a sip.
I texted David and Nicole to come by ASAP and they showed up shortly after Paige finished her coffee.
I greeted them at the door and walked them into the kitchen.
Paige turned around from the coffee pot she stood by, exposing her baby bump.
"Oh, my God!" Nicole squealed with her eyes wide.
"Well you've been busy! Congrats brother," David said, patting me on the back.
Nicole smacked his arm, and shook her head.
"How?" she said as she walked up to Paige and offered a hug.
"Apparently, supernatural pregnancies move faster than normal ones," Paige said as she hugged Nicole and gave me a mean look.
"I didn't even know they could reproduce. He never told me and I never asked," Paige added, as she walked to the couch in the living room and slowly sat down.
"Neither did I," Nicole said as her eyes wandered to David who held his hands up in surrender.
"Hey, I didn't mention it because it is VERY rare. I have heard of dhampirs and half-blood wolves, but like I said, these things don't just happen all the time," David said defensively.
I cleared my throat not knowing what exactly to say.
"We need to make arrangements for a comfortable delivery of this baby. We clearly can't go to a human hospital," I said cautiously.
Nicole's face shifted from being in shock to being joyful.
"Well, we have a baby to shop for!" Nicole said with excitement.
Paige's face softened into a sweet smile.
"I personally think we should call the local pack we have an alliance with. They have healers and midwives," David said.
"Can you make the call? I haven't visited them in so long I would feel rude to call and just ask for favors," I said, with a sigh.
"Yes, brother, I will step outside for a moment and call now," David said cheerfully while patting me on the back.
"I would appreciate it," I said.
"I think we should plan a baby shower before we run out of time," Nicole said with excitement.
I stayed silent. If it made Paige happy, she could have a baby shower. I just don't know who would be there considering it would be tough to explain to humans.
David came back inside grinning like a possum.
"What are you so happy about?" Nicole asked curiously.
"Well, how awesome am I?" he asked smugly.
"I don't want to get you big headed, what are you grinning about David?" Nicole said with a smile.
"The pack I called, not only has healers, they have their own hospital.
They will deliver the baby when it is ready and for a small fee they will give you an ultrasound tonight!"
"How small of a fee?" I asked, while pulling out my wallet.
"I'm taking care of it, it's a baby shower gift," he said, reaching his arms out for a hug.
I hugged him.
"Thank you, brother," I said.
"Well we don't have much time, hurry up and get ready!" Nicole squealed.
Paige rushed to the bedroom to get dressed.
I took a pack of blood out of the fridge, heated it, and poured it in a thermos.
"My clothes don't fit!" Paige whined from the bedroom.
I chugged what was left in my thermos and went to check on my moody little sack of hormones.
"I can't fit into my pants anymore," Paige said sadly.
"We could always buy more," I said.
"I don't want to buy more, I want them to fit."
She started to tear up a little bit.
"Why am I so sensitive?" she said as she wiped her eyes.
"You're not sensitive; you are carrying our little superhuman. Cheer up, mon cheri. This dress will look beautiful on you," I said while reaching in the closet for a dress that looked like it would fit her comfortably.
Paige sighed, then wrapped her arms around me.
"Now let's go get pictures made of our baby," I said, patting her on the butt.
"Okay." She nodded and smiled. I helped her get dressed, and then I threw on a fresh pair of slacks, and a v-neck tee shirt.
We took separate cars this time. I wanted to take Paige to get some maternity clothes after the ultrasound.
The drive was a straight shot, mostly down an old back road that led straight into the country. Paige seemed to love the horses we passed along the way. Her face lit up every time we passed land with horses.
After an hour of driving we made it to the shifter hospital. It looked like a big old mansion from the outside; it definitely used to be a home.
The inside looked like a typical hospital, only not as crowded.
"This is so exciting!" Nicole squealed.
"Let me know what the gender is," she added as we all walked down the hall into a lobby with one older lady with long silver hair sitting at a desk.
"David, for a vampire you are quite slow," the old lady teased.
I couldn't help but laugh, and neither could anyone else.
The lady got up from her desk and hugged David.
"Hello, dear. We have missed you around here," she said to me as she came around to hug me.
"Linda, this is Paige, my mate," I said as I took Paige's hand into mine.
Paige started blushing and put her head down.
"Oh, she is beautiful. You two will have the most beautiful children. Now come this way, I will show you to your room," she said, gesturing us down a short hall.
"Go on. We will wait in here," David said with his arm wrapped around Nicole.
I nodded and wrapped my arm around Paige as we followed Miss Linda to our room.
We were led into a small dark room with a single computer and a table for patients to lay on.
Nurse Linda went to the cabinets and pulled out a hospital gown for Paige to put on.
"Put this on, dear, and crack the door open after you finish and the doctor will be right with you," she said kindly before leaving the room and shutting the door.
Paige took off her dress and put on the hospital gown.
I helped her tie it up in the back, and I picked her up and put her on the table.
"Are you ready?" I asked her.
She took a deep breath, let it out, and nodded.
"Yes, I'm ready," she sighed.
I kissed her forehead and opened the door.
After a few moments the doctor came in.
He was a young guy, really friendly.
Almost too friendly.
"Alright. Now this is the worst part, I promise, and that's just because it's cold," the doctor said as he held up a clear bottle that looked like lube.
Paige looked at me and smiled and I let out a little laugh.
He squirted the cold lube on her belly and she jumped a bit and laughed.
"Okay, yeah, it is cold," she laughed.
"I told you. Now we are already past the hard part," he said with a smile as he looked up at the screen.
A noise came from the machine. "Do you hear that? It is your baby's heartbeat," he said with excitement.
Paige's face lit up with a smile.
"Oh, wow, that's a big baby. I'd say about four pounds already," he said while looking at the ultrasound screen.
"Wow," Paige whispered.
"Do we want to know what the gender is or do we want it to be a surprise?" He asked.
I looked at Paige.
I really wanted to know but I was going to let her make that decision.
"What do you think, Adrian?" she asked.
"I will respect your decision. it is up to you my love," I said softly.
She smiled and nodded.
"Okay, I want to know," she said with anticipation.
"Great. Okay see that turtle looking thing up there?" The doctor asked while gesturing toward the screen.
"You are going to be having a little boy!" He said with a wide smile.
"I'm having a boy?" I said in shock.
I have never been so happy in my life.
"A boy," he repeated.
Paige was smiling through tears.
The doctor printed some of the photos.
"Alright. I have your due date. It is four weeks from today in gestation, but if you feel any symptoms of labor before then, come to us right away," he said while writing on a clipboard.
"Get dressed and go wait out front. I'll have a DVD of the ultrasound and photos put together for you in a few moments," he said while walking up to me and shaking my hand.
"Thank you, doctor," I said, shaking his hand.
"Congratulations, you guys," he said just before walking out the door.
"I've always pictured myself having a son," Paige said while wiping away her happy tears.
I hugged her. "We are having a little boy," I said, kissing her forehead.
"Let's get out of here and feed that baby boy," I added, kissing her belly.
"Okay, help me get this thing off," she said, before standing up and turning around for me to untie her hospital gown.
"I love helping you undress," I said while helping her untie the knots.
I helped her get back into her dress and shoes, and we walked back out to the lobby.
"Congratulations, dear," Nurse Linda said with excitement when we entered the waiting room.
She came around the desk and gave Paige a little blue folder.
"Everything is inside. Now y'all don't be strangers," Nurse Linda said while hugging us. David and Nicole were cuddled up on a chair watching TV when we came in.
"What are we having?" Nicole asked with anticipation.
Paige smiled so big it covered her face.
"A boy," Paige said shyly.
"Woo!" David said, throwing a fist in the air.
"We should drink to celebrate," David said as we all walked down the hall.
"Yes, I have been a nervous wreck, worried someone would come through that hospital bleeding," Nicole said as we walked out the doors.
"I'm sorry. If I would have known..." Paige started.
"Don't apologize. You're my best friend. You couldn't pay me to miss out on this excitement," Nicole said, hugging Paige.
"Call me tomorrow night. We can all have a movie night and the boys can have a few drinks to celebrate," Nicole said before walking off with David to his car.
I opened the door for Paige and we headed back to town. She thought we were going straight home but I stopped at a store on the way so we could get her some more comfortable clothes.
"Shopping again?" she said with a giggle.
"Maternity clothes," I said, nodding.
"Can we not?" Paige asked as we walked in the store.
"At least a few outfits, so you can dress comfortably. After you pick something we can go get you some more steak," I said with a mischievous grin.
Her face lit up when I said steak—food bribes work.
I'll have to jot that down for future references.
Paige found a few pairs of pants that she didn't hate, a pair of overalls, and a few dresses. I was relieved that she shopped so quickly, as much as she dislikes shopping trips.
"Steak time," she said as we loaded the shopping bags into the car.
"Yes ma'am," I said, before opening the passenger door for her.
"I placed an order online while we were shopping, so it should be ready by now," I said as I cranked the car.
"You are perfect," Paige said sweetly with a gentle smile.
I smiled back at her and held her hand. I never expected to be this happy.
In my old pack, we could only reproduce if our mate was bonded to us, a soulmate.
I knew I felt an inexplicable pull to her from day one, like she was always destined to be with me.
Perhaps this is why I was never bonded to anyone in the past.
All of these years, all of these lifetimes, my soul has been searching for hers.
"What are you smiling about?" she asked, while stroking my hand with her thumb.
"I am just so happy I found you," I said as I parked at the restaurant.
"I am happy to have found you, too," Paige said, raising a hand up to stroke my face.
I shut my eyes at her touch.
She makes me feel so alive.
I kissed her softly.
"I'll be right back," I said, unbuckling my seat belt.
"Can I go in with you? I just have to pee really bad," she said softly, looking down shyly.
"Yes ma'am. I'll get the door," I said with a smile.
I opened her door for her and she took my hand and walked with me inside.
I walked up to the front and paid for our food and Paige walked ahead of me in a hurry to the bathroom.
Paige came out soon after I got our pick up order.
We walked back out to the car, and cranked up to leave.
As I pulled off of the lot I noticed another car in my rear view, pulling out behind us.
I picked up the speed and tried to brush it off as a fluke.
I took a sharp turn to the right instead of driving my normal route to get home.
Paige yelped and grabbed the handle. "What's going on, where are you going?" she asked, holding her head as if it got bumped during the turn.
I looked back in my rear view and the car wasn't there anymore.
I sighed, not wanting to scare Paige, I decided not to tell her. "I thought we would check out this little shop before we head home and pick out something for our boy," I said, faking a smile and hoping she wouldn't catch on to my story.
"Oh, okay. That's random, but very sweet," shesaid, sighing in relief.
I pulled up to a store that was still going to be open for the next hour, hoping they had baby stuff to back up my story. We walked in the first floor of the store and found even more maternity clothes, so I tried to push for Paige to pick some. I would rather her have too much than not enough.
On the 2nd floor we found baby clothes.
Paige's face lit up at the tiny clothes.
"Look at the tiny, little socks," she said sweetly with her bottom lip popped out.
The idea of this little person was becoming more and more real.
I was overwhelmed with excitement and bought almost $300 of clothes and socks for our little guy.
We got a car seat and a bassinet after we finished picking out clothes.
With our hands full, we called it a night and headed back out to the car.
I opened the door for my beloved and loaded up the car with our new items.
When we made it home, I heated up Paige's food while she picked a movie.
I drank my blood from a thermos again, so Paige wouldn't have to see it while she ate.
I refused to drink from her while she is with child.
She smiled up at me while she was eating. "Are you gonna make me watch a scary movie alone?" Paige asked with a smile.
I shook my head, "I am coming now, vixen," I said with a grin.
She smiled back at me and I sat by her and sipped from my thermos while we watched the movie.
Paige sniffed at the air. "What is that?"
I wrinkled my brow in confusion.
Paige put her fork down, and sniffed at the air.
"That smell, it's so good," she said as she sniffed at me and my lips. I couldn't help but laugh.
"That," she said, reaching for my thermos.
Before I realized what was happening she had my thermos and was turning it up, finishing the few sips I had left in the cup.
I laughed. "Do you want more?" I asked her, feeling amused.
"Yes, please," she said sweetly.
I shook my head and went back into the kitchen and refilled the thermos.
"Here you are, my love, the sun will rise soon. I will be a corpse soon," I said with a yawn.
"Okay, this movie has a bit too much gore anyway," Paige said, turning off the TV.
I roared with laughter. "How can you say that while drinking blood?"
Paige opened the thermos, curiously.
"Is this your blood?" She asked.
"No. It's from the blood bank," I said as I climbed into bed.
"You gave me human blood?!" Paige asked with an angry face.
"You wanted it. I thought it was baby cravings kicking in. It's adorable," I said feeling more tired. Paige climbed into bed next to me.
"Why are you not drinking from me anymore?" she asked in a soft sad tone.
I hugged her close to comfort her.
"I would not dream of it while you are with child and I will not turn you until after the baby gets here. Then we will complete our ceremony," I said as I kissed her forehead.
She snuggled into my chest and drifted to sleep. I played with her hair for a few moments longer before falling asleep with her.