Mystic Embrace (9 page)

“
What do you mean by prepare?” I ask, “How on earth could you be prepared for having a baby at seventeen?” I don’t mean to be rude, but worry that I may be coming off that way.

“
Well, I wrote a letter to you.” Handing me a folded paper, “I needed to write down how I feel about you, in case I can’t get the words out.”

Matt pulls me up to stand with him, in front of the ones we care most about. “You and I have been inseparable since the day I moved to Wenham. In just a few days we begin our final year of high school. After that we both have hopes of attending College in the area and I know that we are meant to be together. Matilda has confirmed this.” He pauses momentarily.

Matilda has the ability to see souls and whose soul matches to join into one. She was able to convince Sophia that her and Nate belonged together. Sophia wanted to find someone to love, that her soul would match with for so long. When Nate came into her life she found that in a mortal.

Matt continues, “The past year has been full of secrets and difficult situations, but we have made it through each and every one of them. We’ll make it through this as well. Ebony Triggs, I’m hoping that you will make me the happiest man alive. I love you with all my heart as I will our baby. Will you marry me?” Matt slowly kneels before me and holds up a beautiful ring.

The tears flow down my face yet again, I am surprised there are any left. In shock I look around the room, gazing into each and every face. I see the joy in every set of eyes, as they all wait for me to answer.

“
Of course I will Matt.” Still in shock I pull him up and kiss him. “This ring is so beautiful.” It is a single solitaire diamond held by a braided yellow gold band.

“
Well it was your mothers. Your Grams gave it to me a few months ago. She wanted me to have it for when we were ready. She too knew we belonged together.”

The entire room erupts with cheers, Elijah pours champagne for everyone, and sparkling cider for me that Florence brings in from the kitchen. We begin to celebrate and I feel total peace with our situation. I know it will be hard, but what else is there to do? I can’t believe the emotional roller coaster that I have been on the last month. Next month I turn seventeen, start senior year, and prepare to be a mother and a wife. This doesn’t even include college applications and fighting demons. At least I have Matt and the Pierce family to support me. It is also time for me to realize that things are different when the supernatural is involved.

Constance smiles, “I’m so happy for you two; you are both handling this very well and with maturity. Teenage pregnancy is not something I think many could handle and normally I wouldn’t agree with marriage at such a young age. I mean things have really changed in the last century or so. Things just don’t happen like they used too. But Matilda’s ability to see souls helps us in knowing that the two of you do belong together.”

“
Thank you Constance. Normally I wouldn’t think teenage marriage and pregnancy as a great life choice either, but most teens are not witches or training to be a guardian. So to speak. Life is already and will continue to be very different for us and always will be. So why not be happy and start our life and family together now.” I give Matt’s hand a loving squeeze.

As we celebrate I can’t help but wonder how we are going to tell Matt’s parents and everyone at school. I have come to terms with being pregnant but I’m still concerned about what others will think. I already have people like Mel picking on me for being a witch and she doesn’t even know the half of it. All I need is for them to have more ammunition against me. And what in the world am I going to tell Eliza? She’s going to kick me to the moon and back. I hope that my powers are not affected by the pregnancy, so I at least stand a chance against her. I’m even more determined now to banish Naberius and soon. I don’t want my baby to be affected by such black power as his. Maybe it’s time to go home and talk with Eliza. I need to get this over with so I can concentrate on training and this new life inside of me.

***

Matt takes me back to the manor, where we can talk to Eliza together. My emotions are jumping back and forth and I don’t know if I’m coming or going. I’m so nervous right now. Eliza is not only my sister, but she has been like a mother to me and she will be so disappointed in me. I can’t blame her either. I can’t blame anyone except myself. Both Matt and I know better. There’s no reason for us to go in the moment the way we did. The fact is we are taught from a very young age to always use protection. They teach it in school, we see it on TV all the time. We knew how important it is. I know all about teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. I also know that just because it’s your first time having sex it does not mean these things can’t happen to you. Matt and I have proved that it can happen your first time. The more I think about it I can’t help but wonder, what the hell were we thinking? I can’t help but beat myself up over this, even though I am pretty happy the timing is just bad. I wonder if the change in hormones is making a rollercoaster out of my emotions.

Walking in the house I call out, “Eliza, can I talk to you?”

“
Yeah. I’ll be right there,” she hollers from upstairs.

Matt and I take a seat in the family room, waiting for her to come down when we hear the footsteps racing down the stairs.

“
Hey Matt, hey Ebony, how was your night?”

With a quick glance at Matt, “Actually not too good, I was really sick last night and even Sophia couldn’t help me.”

“
Are you okay now? I hope it’s nothing major,” she says with slight concern.

“
I’m all right now, but it’s kind of major. Constance took me to the hospital today to run some tests. That’s what I want to talk to you about.” I take a deep breath, and decide that the spill and duck method has been working out well so far. “It turns out that I’m about a month pregnant.”

“
You’re what? Are you freaking kidding me? How stupid can you two be? You’re sixteen years old Ebony, and I thought you were smarter than that. When you told me about having sex with Matt I assumed the two of you were responsible enough to use protection. Matt I expected more from you. Have you never heard of using a condom? Luke and I were just down the hall and there were two doctors in the house, did it ever occur to you to ask someone if you needed a condom? Even better yet, if you were not prepared, maybe you should have abstained.” She is so mad; I can see her vibrating as she yells.

“
Eliza we are aware that we made mistakes, but there’s nothing we can do to change the past now,” I defend as the tears build in my eyes.

“
So what do you plan on doing? You’re starting senior year, and I will not let you give up your education. The baby will be due in spring, just before graduation and finals,” she huffs.

“
You don’t think we’re aware of all of this. Florence promised to help us out. I am sure she will be willing to watch the baby for us when we go to school.”

“
So that means you plan on keeping the baby?”

Matt looks at Eliza, and begins to explain, “We don’t have a choice. You should know better than anyone what this baby will be capable of. No one else would be fit to raise the baby and with magical powers on both sides of the family. Ebony being a witch, and me being a guardian, this baby will have the potential to be even more powerful than the two of you.”

She flops back on the chairs as the realization hits her. “I guess I never thought of it that way. So what’s next? What do we do now?”

“
Well because of the supernatural aspects Constance has agreed to do a home delivery of the baby,” I inform.

“
Okay that makes sense in the next little while. I would like to sit down with Constance and discuss the possible complications.”

With a half smirk, I admit, “I have one more thing to tell you.”

“
Don’t tell me you’re going to have twins.”

“
For god’s sake, are you freaking kidding me? I’m not even sure if I can handle one.”

Sitting here playing with Mom’s ring that Matt gave me. I know this is going to be another huge shock. I just hope that Eliza isn’t upset that I got Mom’s ring instead of her. Matt and I getting married is the right thing to do. We’re just lucky that we actually love each other and want to be together.

“
Well, Matt and I are getting married.” I hold up my hand and show Eliza the ring.

She buries her face in her hands, “Have you guys thought about school, what about college next year? I understand that you two love each other and are trying to do the right thing but rushing into things is not necessarily the right thing to do. You can have the baby and still have options.”

“
I understand that you’re worried, we are too. Just understand that I know this is right. Earlier today, when Constance was doing the ultrasound, Mom, Dad and Grams came to me. They have shown me support and I hope you will too. I know this is not the ideal situation, but this is the situation Matt and I are in.”

“
Okay, I’m sorry. You have to understand, I am the only one left to protect you and I have already failed.” Eliza starts to cry.

I get up and go sit by my big sister, “You did not fail, Eliza. Matt and I did this all on our own. I hate to break it to you, but it really had nothing to do with you.”

Eliza and I sit there in each other’s arms, both with the free-fall of tears, but knowing that this will be much easier than some other things we have had face in our lives.

Chapter
Thirteen

Troubles

It’s hard to believe that so much has happened in the past couple of months. From Grams death to my pregnancy and engagement and I still can’t believe that Matt’s parents are handling everything so well. Now that school is back in full swing and Halloween is almost here and I need to concentrate on Samhain. I remember Grams saying it is one of the most important of the Sabbat’s to a witch. Our new year, a time when the veil is the thinnest and making contact with those who have pasted on is easiest. Also a great time for us to release all that has happened the past year and plan for a new one. I need this more than ever, and need to cleanse myself and prepare for what is to come. This year, Eliza and I will hold a ritual that will include Matt, Luke, Nathanial and of course the Pierce family. After Samhain it will be time to focus on destroying Naberius. We want to make sure that we face him, before I am too far into my pregnancy and therefore vulnerable.

Sitting in the courtyard at school is so peaceful; leaves on the trees are starting to turn the most beautiful rust color before they perish for the year. Flowers are still in bloom and the grass is a lush green. Sophia once told me this is the most beautiful time of year, starting to cool down, but nothing has died yet. I have to agree with her. I enjoy just sitting here watching everyone walk by and wondering what is going through their heads at this very moment. Then I think I see the most beautiful sight of all walking towards me, my fiancé Matt.

“
Hey beautiful what are you doing out here by yourself?” He wraps his arms around me.

“
Just enjoying the scenery and thinking about Samhain. Although I would much rather enjoy the company of the best looking man on campus.”

“
Well if you point him out to me I can go get him for you.”

With a smack I say, “Ha ha you’re so funny like I haven’t heard that one before. Will your parents be joining us for Samhain this year?”

“
I don’t think so. I believe they are meeting up with a few friends, but I know they are grateful for the invitation.”

“
It’s okay. I’m sure we have much more time for special occasions together.”

Before we know it is time to return to class and the masses start to rush inside the school doors. I’m glad schools almost over for the day, because Eliza and I have a lot of work to do tonight. We’ve been tracking a succubus in the area. The female demon of seduction has been targeting men in the area. Through divination we were able to figure out what is causing so many men in Massachusetts to behave so poorly. Papers have been reporting stories of various men leaving their families and jobs, as well as draining their bank accounts only to end up in the streets, destitute and suffering from memory loss.

While in English class, I go over my research on the succubus. I’ve learned that she can take any form to make herself desirable to her target. Not only will she take as much material possessions as she can, she can drain the soul out of her victim through intercourse. Feeding from the souls of unsuspecting men, she gains power. The more pure the soul is, the more power she gains. Becoming involved with a succubus can cause deteriorating health, and sometimes even death. I believe that she is leaving these men alive an attempt to trap me and Eliza, but we are prepared for her.

Quietly grabbing my cell phone and putting it on mute, I start to text, Alexander. ‘Are you sure you are prepared to throw yourself at the succubus. We’re not even sure if she’ll be able to tell that you’re not a mortal and what effects she’ll have on you.’ Vampires still have heartbeats and breathe, albeit at a much slower rate than mortals. I have no clue if the succubus will sense this or not.

A few minutes later, I feel the cell phone vibrate in my hand. ‘You don’t need to worry about me. I have no soul for her to feed off and from my understanding my day crystal prevents any other supernatural being from knowing about me. I promised to help you and Eliza. So I will keep that promise.’ I still have a hard time believing my vampire friends don’t have souls. They are some of the most caring people, or things I’ve ever met. Maybe they just like to play on the stereotype.