Little Suckers Bite Too (San Francisco Vampires #6) (Vampires of San Francisco series) (10 page)

My parents are the last to show. I am edgy waiting to see if they will eat anything. Finally, my dad loads up two plates. Excellent, as Hannah said. I wink at her. She is covering up her grin with her hand.

“Your honor, thank you for coming all this way,” I say to the magistrate.

“You’re welcome, your Grace. It’s an interesting case. I hope to find the truth behind all the accusations.” She gives me a funny look, and raises her brow, shakes her head. I don’t think she wanted to say all of that. Ha. Bless you, Helena.

“That’s all we want too. I assure you. I think we are almost ready to start. I have chairs and a table set up in here for you and the recorder. I assume the bailiff will stand?”

“Yes, he will be available if anyone becomes in contempt. Thank you for setting this up,” she says. I nod and usher her into the great room.

Everyone trickles in. Hannah waits patiently, which is not her norm. We need to start soon before she starts getting antsy. I notice Sebastian is pushing every last cookie. They help the guests to their seats. Aidan smirks but Sebastian plays it cool. They take their seats and the magistrate bangs a gavel.

“Everyone, this is a somewhat relaxed environment in comparison to what a normal hearing would be. But make no mistake, the law will not be lax. Each witness will be sworn in and I expect the truth from them. No disruptions to the proceedings will be tolerated. You will be in contempt of court and removed by the bailiff,” she says pointing to an intimidating demon by the door. He’s got a full rack on his head and hooves. He’s a bit yellow, too. “Let’s begin.”

The lawyers for my parents state their claim and then my lawyers give our story. My parents’ lawyers predictably bring up Brandon and Josephine. Did they forget they were a part of that? Fuck this is frustrating. Gotta keep my cool. Han squeezes my hand. It calms me down a little.

“Present the first witness. The Demon Millicent. You may take your seat,” the magistrate says.

“Oh, thank you, your honor. You look lovely today,” my mother simpers.

“Just answer the questions, please, Millicent,” the magistrate says.

“Yes, your honor.”

My parents’ lawyer questions her first.

“Millicent, you’ve made some charges about Hannah, Duke Sidiel’s wife. What are they?”

“She is an unfit parent. She has killed two demons in the past. Doxie and I want custody of the baby demon.”

“Objection, the baby will be half-vampire,” my lawyer snaps.

“Objection sustained. Recorder please strike that and amend to say hybrid baby.”

“I object to the term ‘hybrid.’ The word implies that it is better than normal,” Dad’s lawyer shoots out.

“Objection overruled. The term is the correct term. It doesn’t matter what you perceive it to mean,” the magistrate says. Point two for team Diel. “If you have nothing else for this witness I believe it’s the other party’s turn.”

“Millicent,” my lawyer, Dean, says. “How do you really feel about your daughter-in-law?”

“I can’t stand her. She took my baby boy. I don’t even recognize her as my daughter-in-law. She’s a vampire for Satan’s sake. Euw.” My mom’s hands fly to her mouth. I don’t think she can quite believe what she’s said.

“Didn’t you orchestrate her kidnapping and order a hit on her? Forcing her to kill in self-defense,” my lawyer questions Mother further. He acts casual as if my mother’s histrionics are an everyday way for a crazy person.

“Yes, I did it. All of it. She should have lay down and died. But that damn Djinn interfered and kept me from reversing the mating.” Again her hands fly up and she looks a little green. Hannah is trying to look serious but Aidan is outright chuckling. I’m trying hard not to laugh myself.

“So you are confessing to kidnapping and attempted murder?” Dean, my lawyer, asks. He looks excited.

“Yes. Doxie did it too!” she yells at my father who wisely starts to duck down in his seat.

“Enough!” the magistrate yells. She runs both hands through her hair and sighs. “I’ve heard enough to make a decision,” she says through clenched teeth as Mom is carrying on in a high pitched voice.

“This should never have been brought to this point. It is painfully obvious that Doxie and Millicent would be terrible parents, dangerous even. Their attitudes are everything that is wrong. I hope their son takes a different path.” She looks at me and I nod and squeeze Hannah’s shoulder showing her that I have already started down that path. She smiles at me and Han. “Furthermore, I want these two taken into custody to be brought up on charges of kidnapping and attempted murder against a pregnant woman or uhm… vampire.”

“Noooo…,” Mom shouts. She takes a vase and breaks it and leaps for Hannah. She takes everyone by surprise. I had stepped to the magistrate to thank her and I am too far away to deflect the sharp metal object headed towards my wife’s head. Our life together blurs through my mind and agony hits me at the possible loss of our child and future. I can’t breathe.

Out of nowhere, Aidan appears before Hannah and vaporizes my mom. Hannah coughs from the fumes and then clutches her stomach.

“Well that’s one way of dealing with her,” the magistrate says. She doesn’t seem upset at all. Even Dad looks relieved.

My focus turns back to Hannah who is trying to get my attention. Lily is beside her and so is a big wet spot. Hannah’s water broke. Shit, this is too soon. She’s doubled over in pain.

“Diel, get your ass in the car and I will bring Hannah,” Lily snarls, getting me moving. Sebastian and Aidan help Lily carry Hannah by lending a hand here and there while I rush out to get the SUV. I know Aidan would be faster but we don’t want to take a chance on the baby at this point.

“Helena, get her hospital bag. It’s in her closet,” Lily says.

“Wait, I have a hospital bag?” Hannah grunts out between contractions.

“I packed it when I got here. You’ll have everything you need,” Lily says. “We’ll stay here and get everyone out and clean up then have Aidan bring us. We might even beat you,” she says and winks at Han. Hannah gives her a weak smile as Lily snaps her seatbelt.

“Thanks, Lil and Aidan. That bitch almost got me again. Ahhhh….” We lose her as another contraction hits. They are coming so close together. At least Sebastian thought to get Dr. Hildebrand in the car with us. One less thing to worry about. I drive like crazy to the hospital. And just as Lily said, they meet us at the doors. Sebastian takes the car and parks it for me. The rest follow us up to the birthing suite that has been reserved for us. Even the magistrate came along to see the baby. I notice she discretely sets up shop in the waiting room with her phone.

“Well this sucks,” Hannah says. The understatement of the year.

CHAPTER 13 . HANNAH

This room is bigger than the last one I was in. Still has laminate floors, I’m sure because they have to clean up all kinds of stuff. Euw. Big flat screen TV and DVD player. Stereo system, Jacuzzi tub in the corner, so a mother can relax during contractions or maybe for water births. Not sure if I can use it or not. There are plenty of comfy chairs and recliners. And my bed is double the size of the other one. Original artwork covers the walls. The only thing that lets you know it’s a hospital room are the large lights that can be pulled down from the ceiling, the oxygen unit on the wall and the baby monitoring equipment in the hall, ready to come in.

The contractions have been one on top of the other. I am in excruciating pain. Screw natural delivery, I want an epidural, now.

A hot demon comes in wearing scrubs. He’s smiling like this is a normal scene, well it is for him I guess. He gives Lily the once over, twice, and Sebastian notices. He lets out a low growl and the doctor laughs and puts his hands up in defeat. Lily turns at Bast’s growl and gives him an exasperated look.

Hot demon doctor comes up to the bed. A nurse has just pulled a curtain from the gods know where for some privacy and she is undressing me so I can be in a gown.

“Your Grace, are you ready for your epidural yet?” hot demon doctor asks.

I give a look that has been known to be followed by a serious ass-kicking. He flinches.

“I’ll take that as a yes. Just so you know you are not my first vampire so I do know how to calculate for your metabolism. Dr. Hildebrand will check you to see how far you’ve dilated. Just to make sure we have time to do the epidural.”

“Oh gods, if he says no, I’m going to pull his fingernails out and see how he likes it,” I say, trying not to snarl. “There you are, Dr. Hildebrand. Check me so I can have an epidural, please.” My social skills seem to be slipping. A girl can get that way.

The doctor has changed into scrubs too and paged our pediatrician. Now he is putting his hand somewhere he should never have to, gah! This is going to be embarrassing before it’s all over.

“Hannah, I’m afraid you can’t have an epidural. There’s no time. You are at ten centimeters. Do you feel pressure? Like you have to push?”

“Goddess yes!”

“Hold on just a little bit longer. Nurse, get that privacy curtain out of here. Hannah do you want anyone to leave?”

“No, but you all stand where you can’t see up my va jay jay,” I whimper. “Lily, Helena and Diel can see. Everyone else up by my head. Now! I have to push,” I yell. Everyone scrambles.

“Okay, Hannah, push. Push hard.”

Diel and Lily help me sit up and Lily talks me through it. Diel holds my hand while I try to rip it off. Oh Goddess, get me through this.

“Good push, Hannah, I can see the baby’s head. Hold for a minute.”

“Are you fucking crazy?” I scream.

“Han, you are doing amazing. It will all be over soon. I promise, I’ve read all about it,” Lily whispers.

“Lily, I love you but…. Ahhh!”

“Babe, you are so beautiful, even now in your pain. Thank you for doing this for our baby. I love you so much,” Diel says more loudly because I am screaming again, trying not to push.

“Okay, one big push now, Hannah,” Dr. Hildebrand says.

I push with everything in me. I hear suction sounds and then a glorious crying and then I feel like I have to push still. WTF!

“You have a gorgeous little girl,” Dr. Hildebrand says. Helena is sobbing and so is Lily. Diel is in shock. He lets go of my hand to cut the umbilical cord. Someone yells out “Apgar eight.”

Next thing I know Diel is holding our little girl. I start sobbing too.

“Dr. Hildebrand, I have to push again. Hard,” I yell, panicked.

The good doctor checks me and chuckles.

“I’ll be damned. Sneaky little ones,” he says. “Hannah, you’re having twins. Baby number two is on the way. I suspect this is your son. Now take a deep breath and push. It’s going to be harder to push him out than your daughter. He’s up there a ways.”

“I don’t have time to kill you now, Sidiel, but I will so do it for knocking me up with two babies.”

Diel looks green. I think he might drop the baby.

“Aidan, quick. Diel’s having troubles. Get the baby. Sebastian take him to sit down. Oh, Goddess!”

“Push, Hannah,” Sebastian says, taking up for Diel.

“I am!”

“Here he comes,” Helena says.

“Diel, get your shit together, dammit,” I howl. “Come help me deliver your son.”

He runs to my side.

“Sorry, babe. Twins. I still can’t believe it.”

“Somehow I can. Since they are fucking coming out of me!”

“Easy, babe. You don’t want the babies’ first sounds to be their mother screaming out curse words,” Diel says and chuckles.

“Oh fudge! Don’t laugh, Sidiel. I’ll kill you. Fudge, fudge, fudge.”

“Don’t push now, Hannah. I have to gently bring his head through.”

“Oh man… I so do not like you, Diel,” I gasp, trying not to push.

“Okay, Hannah, push!”

He doesn’t have to tell me twice. I push so damn hard I am sure I am going shot put the baby across the room. But I don’t. I hear more suction again and then a weaker cry than our daughter’s.

“You have a son, Hannah and Diel.”

“What’s wrong with him? Why isn’t he crying as hard as our daughter? What’s wrong?” I demand.

“Nothing’s wrong. His Apgar is an eight too. He’s just not as noisy as your daughter. Dr. Hildebrand chuckles. After that, Diel comes over to me with our son and puts him into my arms. Next he brings our daughter to me.

I hold them so close and smell their sweet baby smell.

“Two of them. Oh, Diel. How did we ever get so lucky? Thank you.”

“It’s perfect. One for me and one for Lily,” Aidan cracks. I can’t help the smile I give him.

“Actually, Aidan, we want you and Lily to be godparents. Helena and Sebastian too. We want you, Julian, to officiate. If you would,” I announce.

“There could be no greater honor,” Julian is smiling down at the babies and kisses my forehead.

“Have you picked names? What shall we call my goddaughter?” Aidan asks, cooing at her.

“Yes, meet Finn Aidan and Fiona Lilith Sidiel, everyone,” Diel says and both the babies track their daddy when he talks in his deep voice.