vampires of san francisco 07 - suckers lost and found (21 page)

      It is getting close to dawn and we want a shower to rinse off the salt water. Streaking naked through the house we reach our bathroom and quickly rinse off. I put on a night gown and crawl under the blankets in our bigger than king size bed. I sink into the mattress and pillows. Sebastian wears a pair of pajama bottoms and slides in next to me.

      “Aww… I wish I could sleep just so I could enjoy this bed more,” he groans and he pulls me into him.

      “There are other ways to enjoy a mattress, Bast,” I say innocently.

      “I like the way you think, ma petite maman.”

      “I’m so excited. Now I can’t sleep,” I say.

      Sebastian laughs because he knows I have to fall asleep. I have no choice. And that’s what I do.

TWENTY / SEBASTIAN

I lay awake watching Lily sleep, imagining the miracle that is growing inside her. According to the nightstand clock she will wake up in five more minutes. I can hardly wait. I pray for her health and our little one. She will be an amazing mother and I want it for her as much as I want to be a father.

“Good morning, cherie.”

“Good morning, Bast. Have I told that I love you yet?”

“No, no you haven’t.”

“Well, I love you and I love this baby growing inside me. I love that it is half you and half me.”

“Me too, cherie.” I scoot down in the bed so I can rest my head on her belly. She runs her hands through my hair as I listen for the faint sound of the baby’s heartbeat. I can’t help my grin when I hear it.

She sighs when she sees my face.

“I wish I could hear it too, but my heartbeat overwhelms it.”

“Ma petite mamman, you get to hold our baby. At least I have this.” I give her belly a kiss before I pull her nightgown back down. She already has a small bump and I rub it. She gasps when she realizes that she is showing. Her hands fly down to mine and we hold the baby together.

TWENTY-ONE / LILITH

Helena talked Hannah and Diel into staying in our old suite while Giulia might be here. She wants everyone close by. Hannah grumbled some because her house is set up for the twins, but agreed it is better to face our situation together. Diel had to promise her she could tell me all the horror stories of pregnancy and labor. That put a spark in her eye. And Aidan had everything whisked over before she could reconsider.

Diel also whispered to Sebastian that he is going to talk her into looking at houses too.

      Manda sleeps a couple hours longer than me so I take a leisurely shower with Sebastian. After getting dressed I look for Manda. 

      “Aidan, is Manda up yet?” I ask him. He is impeccably dressed as always.

      “Yes, she’s taking a shower right now though.”

      “I want to start working on wedding stuff today.”

      “I think she wants that too. I only ask that you hurry. I’m anxious to make her my wife.” He grins. I give him a hug.

      Aidan shows me into their room, which is decorated like a Parisian hotel including the view of the Eiffel tower out their window. I think it is an actual view because it starts raining there. I shake my head and go sit in a chair while Aidan lets Manda know I am out here waiting for her.

TWENTY-TWO / AIDAN

I leave Lilith and Manda and head for the front room. Time for fun is over and we need to tackle this situation with Giulia. I find everyone already in the process of studying the intel Basilio sent us.

Sebastian nods. Liam is studying the information Sebastian printed out like the lawyer Liam is but Andrew is fidgeting. 

“Andrew, what’s wrong,” I ask him.

“I’m so worried about Miss Lily. I was so excited when I found out I was going to be an uncle again. Even more so than with Ms. Hannah. Miss Lily and I have a special friendship. She rescued me and I believe I have been a good friend to her, teasing aside.”

“You have been, Andrew,” Sebastian assures him.

“I just feel hopeless all of a sudden. Next to Liam I love Miss Lily with all my heart. I couldn’t bear anything happening to her and that includes her losing this baby if that wicked witch stresses her too much. I want to do something.”

“Bring her herbal tea, talk with her and try to ease her worries. That would be something no one else can do,” Liam says taking Andrew’s hand. I see Andrew squeeze Liam’s hand and a brief smile flits across his face.

“I’m going to go out right now and buy the best herbal teas I can find.”

“I’ll come with you,” Liam says. The two of them give Helena a peck on the cheek and then leave with a mission. 

“We’ll be drowning in tea soon,” I say.

“I’ll study this information some more and make some calls to my old contacts in Italy. We’ll reconvene later?” Julian asks.

“Yes, why don’t you all come over in two hours. Will that be nap time for the twins?” Sebastian asks.

“I think they spend most of their time sleeping in their parents’ arms,” Helena says and smirks.

“I don’t blame them,” I say. “We’ll see you all later then.”

“Bye,” Julian says as he gives us a distracted wave goodbye.

“Let’s see what the women need from you, Aidan. Because you know that Lily will not be happy unless you have every creature comfort for you and Manda,” Sebastian says.

I laugh because he is so right.

We find them in the bathroom of our new room. Lily is throwing up. Sebastian rushes to her side. He rubs her back and strokes her hair. Manda and I quietly leave to give them privacy.

“What happened?” I ask.

“She was fine one minute and then she was rubbing her stomach. The next thing I realized she was running for the bathroom and getting sick. Poor thing. At least with as fast as this pregnancy is going to be she shouldn’t have morning sickness for long.”

“I thought morning sickness only happened in the morning.”

“Silly Djinn. It can happen any time of the day. I guess it happens more in the morning and that’s why they call it morning sickness.”

“I didn’t know vampires could get sick,” I muse.

“They aren’t supposed to be able to,” Sebastian says supporting a very pale Lilith. She smiles weakly at us.

“I’m sorry I threw up in your bathroom.”

I wave my hand.

“There, all clean again. No worries, my love. How are you feeling?”

“Rotten. I think I am going to go lie down for a while. If you’ll excuse me,” she says and wobbles toward the door.

“I am going to see to Lily and call Dr. Hildebrand. You might take Manda to feed,” Sebastian says.

“Of course, go Sebastian,” Manda says. I pull her into my side as we watch them go.

“Do you need to feed, love?”

“Maybe, but I can think of better things to do with our time at the moment,” Manda says and eyes me coyly.

“Oh, lover, you only have to ask.”

“I’m asking,” she says and runs and jumps on the huge poster bed. It has curtains to close out the sunlight for day sleepers. With a flick of my wrist I close them and the door. 

Manda giggles and then pulls me to her. I secretly soundproof the room. I just feel hesitant about Lilith being in the same house as Manda and me as we make love. Now no one can hear us. I celebrate by pulling her t-shirt off with my teeth.

TWENTY-THREE / SEBASTIAN

I get Lily settled on the bed. She didn’t even protest when I picked her up outside of Aidan’s room. I wanted to make sure she didn’t have to jostle or jump up into this tall bed.

“I didn’t think I could get sick, Bast. Do you think everything is okay?” she asks. Her voice is so low. She looks so pale. She is pale by nature but this is extreme.

“I think this is normal for a typical pregnancy. But let me call Dr. Hildebrand to make sure.” I kiss her gently on the forehead and she closes her eyes.

“Dr. Hildebrand. I’m sorry to interrupt your day.” He was available instantly. Thank the Goddess for HellMobile.

“No, Sebastian, it’s fine. What’s wrong?”

“Lily just threw up. I didn’t know that was possible for a vampire.”

He must pick up on my panic because he says he’s coming right over. It will take him ten minutes to finish with a patient at his clinic. I thank him.

I call Helena next and ask if she would come and sit with Lily so I can meet the doctor when he comes. She’s over in a blur.

“Sebastian, what’s wrong?”

“Lily just threw up. It seems like morning sickness but we didn’t think a vampire could get sick.”

“They can’t,” Helena says softly so Lily can’t hear. She pales and she looks at Lily anxiously. “She’s sleeping. How is that possible?”

“There’s never been a pregnant vampire before. Maybe this is all normal for us,” I plead with her.

“We’ll find out. I’m going to get a wet wash cloth and wipe her face off.”

“Of course. She would be more comfortable being cleaned up before the doctor comes. I’m going to meet him now. If you need me yell,” I say. I don’t want to leave her. I couldn’t tell Lily but I am very worried about this. On top of Giulia. 

I get to the portal just as Dr. Hildebrand walks through.

“Thank you Doctor for coming on such short notice. She’s sleeping right now.”

“Sleeping?” He looks alarmed which does nothing to calm me down.

“Come with me. She’s in our room.” I lead him there as fast as his legs can go. He actually jogs a little to keep up with me and I have to remember that he doesn’t have vampire speed. He’s a little portly but has long legs so he’s making a good effort. I slow down a notch.

“Here we go. Helena, our dear friend who is also a witch and midwife, is sitting with her.”

“I didn’t know that about Helena. This is good fortune. I wanted to bring a midwife over to meet with you. Home births are not my forté but a midwife is a natural first step, with me to

be here in case something happens and to supervise since it is a unique delivery.”

Helena perks up when she hears this.

“I knew there was a reason I liked you, Dr. Hildebrand,” she says and shakes his hand.

“Let’s have a look at our patient. I wonder if we should wake her up?”

“I’m awake…” Lily whispers.

“How are you feeling Lily?”

“I’m still a little nauseous. I can’t believe that I fell asleep. I thought it was impossible outside of our normal sleeping time. When we hit two hundred we don’t sleep at all,” Lily says.

“Well, I don’t know what to expect with this situation. Everything will be groundbreaking. I know that is not what you want to hear. I wish I had definitive answers. Let’s get you in the other room and I will do another ultrasound to make sure the little one is okay.” He gestures to me to help her. “If this were a demon or human pregnancy we would expect morning sickness and the need for more rest. Aidan’s gift is making all this possible and allowing your body to do whatever it needs to carry the child.”

“Have you been stressed? Have you eaten lately?” Dr. Hildebrand asks.

“We’ve found out a particularly nasty vampire is coming from Italy with a vendetta to kill Lily. We have taken many precautions and the King of Italy is sending two guards. Manda and Aidan have moved in to give extra protection.”

“Well that qualifies as a stressor. How about eating?” he asks.

“It’s been about a week. I’m due,” Lily says. Some of the color is coming back to her cheeks.

“You’ll have to eat every few days now. I would suggest as soon as we’re done you should eat.” He readied the ultrasound machine while Helena and I helped Lily into a gown.

“Let’s check on this little one.” He moves the probe around until he finds the baby. Then he turns on the sound so we can hear the heartbeat. It’s Helena’s first time and she starts to cry.

Lily smiles wide when she hears it. She must have been more worried than she let on. Oh ma petite, how am I going to keep you two safe? I lean down and kiss her chastely. 

“That’s a strong heartbeat and the baby looks fine. I need you to relax, eat often and call me if anything happens. It looks like morning sickness and extra sleep are going to be normal for you,” Dr. Hildebrand says.

“Lily, what a beautiful little miracle you have,” Helena says sniffing. She runs her finger through Lily’s hair and kisses her forehead. I share a look with Helena that is filled with wonder and joy.

The doctor leaves the room so we can get Lily cleaned up and dressed. He comes back when we tell him that she’s ready. He takes her hand and squeezes. 

“I would expect other things that happen in a normal pregnancy to happen as well. Read the book I gave you and call me or Abigail if you have questions. I’ll see myself out,” he says.

“Nonsense, Dr. Hildebrand, I’ll walk you,” Helena says. He smiles at her.

“That will give us a chance to talk about the home delivery,” he says. Helena nods.

They walk out. I help Lily get off the bed and lead her out of the room. We meet Aidan and Manda, arm in arm, coming out of their room. It is obvious what they were doing. I give my best lascivious grin. He so has some payback coming.

“I soundproofed the room, so don’t even look at me like that. For all you know we were knitting,” Aidan says.

“Oh is that what they are calling it these days?” Lily asks.

“Oh my God, I am so embarrassed,” Manda says, burying her face in Aidan’s shoulder.

“Don’t be. You are a new vampire and Aidan is a Djinn. You might soundproof our room if you are feeling generous,” Lily quips.

“Done.” Aidan flicks his wrist towards our room. “How are you and how is the baby?” His eyes crinkle with concern.

“I’m still a little tired but the doctor said that was going to be normal for me as well as the morning sickness.” Lily makes a face at that. I chuckle and kiss her on the head. “It’s a small price to pay, though.” She smiles wistfully.

“The baby is fine though and we got to hear its heartbeat again. Helena went to walk the doctor out. They are going to talk about Helena being my midwife. I’m supposed to get something to eat now.”