Nicholas 02

by Renee Larsen

  Danielle walked into the living room with Killer and Rusty at her heels.

  Emily looked up. “How do you feel?”

  Danielle smiled unable to take her eyes off the two babies. “Good, I feel good.” She walked over to Emily and knelt down kissing the baby’s cheek. “Lexie, is grandma taking good care of you? You’re so beautiful.” She whispered as her eyes welled with tears. Lexie turned in the direction of Danielle’s voice. “Do you recognize my voice little one?” Danielle caressed her cheek with her finger. Danielle looked up at Nicholas and then back at Lexie. “I’m going to check on Alexander, my little beauty.” She reached out for Nicholas. “Help me up Drac.”

  Nicholas took her hand helping her to her feet. She sat on the couch next to Derek. “Alexander, your daddy wants you to be called Alexander. Do you like that name?” she asked taking his tiny hand in hers. Smiling she continued. “You’re going to look just like your daddy and Grandpa. I think you’ll have green eyes like your Grandpa.”

  Danielle fell silent and looked at Emily, then Nicholas and then Derek. “Oh my God!” she said softly.

  Emily looked at her. “Danielle, what’s wrong?” she asked detecting stress in Danielle’s voice.

  Danielle shook her head no and reached for

  Nicholas’ hand. “Drac, we need to talk; right now.”

  Nicholas helped her up and she led him back to the bedroom closing the door.

  Danielle sat on the bed pulling Nicholas beside her. “Baby, when I became, how, did it happen, I think Alexander is your father’s child, is that possible? Nicholas he’s going to look just like your father!” she said in almost a panic.

  Nicholas didn’t know what to say or how to answer her question. “Danielle when I found you on the dance floor I called to my father, I had never changed anyone before, I really didn’t know how. He gave you his blood and then we both gave you blood. I don’t know how this would be possible. It was my seed planted in your egg.”

  Danielle stared at him wide eyed. “Oh, Nicholas, Alexander is your fathers. Lexie is ours. What do we do?”

  Nicholas pulled her against him. “Love of my life, Alexander and Alexis are our children.”

  Danielle shook her head no. “Drac, Alexander is your fathers. Oh my God, your wife just gave birth to your brother,” she cried.

  Nicholas held her against him. “Baby, they are both ours. Unless you had intercourse with my dad it’s impossible for Alexander to be his.” He kissed the top of her head.

  Danielle looked into his clear blue eyes. “Are you positive it works the same with the Vampire thing. What if it’s the blood that does it, what if your seed and your father’s blood make him your father’s baby?”

  Nicholas lifted her chin. “Danielle, you’re freaking me out. I’ll talk to Doc later when I figure out how to ask the question. I still say it’s impossible and that Alexander is mine and yours.”

  Nicholas and Danielle returned to the living room. Danielle sat between Derek and Emily. She looked at Derek. “May I hold him?”

  Derek smiled happily. “Here you go,” he said laying Alexander in her arms. As Derek slipped his arms out from under the baby he looked deeply into her eyes. “Thank you,” giving her a small wink he stood up. “Nicky sit next to your wife and son.”

  Danielle sat looking at Alexander, then Nicholas, then Derek. Her brow creased in thought. Nicholas wrapped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. “He looks just like me, don’t you think?”

  Danielle smiled slightly. “And you look just like your father.” Danielle smiled looking into her son’s face. “You look just like your dad, and Alexander is…Derek’s,” she said in a matter of fact fashion.

  All eyes in the room turned looking from Danielle to Nicholas to Derek.

  Emily looked at Danielle. “Honey, why would you say that?”

  Danielle looked at her very seriously. “Emily, I…I just know he is. He’s different from Alexis. He’s got Derek’s blood in him and Lexie has Nicholas’, I don’t know how, I just know. Derek knows too.” She looked at Alexander and then back at Emily. “Smell him, he smells like Derek not Nicholas.”

  Nicholas looked at his mother. “She’s tired mom…”

  Emily looked at Derek. “Darling, is there something you need to tell me?” she asked with fire in her cool blue eyes.

  Derek looked at her is disbelief. “Em, you don’t think I did my sons wife do you?”

  Emily looked at him. “Did you? I’ll know if you’re lying.” she said very seriously.

  Derek knelt in front of her gazing into her blue eyes. “Blue eyes, I haven’t been with any one but you since we met. I don’t need, nor do I desire anyone else.”

  Emily’s blue eyes softened looking deeply into his emerald eyes. “You’re not lying, thank God,” she whispered as she pulled his face to hers kissing him.

  Emily looked at Danielle. “Let me hold Alexander, you take Alexis.” Nicholas took Alexis and Danielle handed Alexander to Emily then laid Alexis in Danielle’s arms.

  Emily looked down at the tiny child in her arms and drew in a deep breath. She looked at Derek. “She’s right, Alexander has your blood I can smell it.”

  Derek looked at Doc. “Doc, how could this be? I swear, I never did anything.”

  Emily stood up and carried Alexander to Claire. “Claire smell him.”

  Claire took the baby and drew in a breath. Her gaze turned to Derek. “He smells like you.”

  Emily walked over to Danielle. “Honey, let Claire smell Alexis,” she said reaching for her granddaughter. Danielle laid Alexis in Emily’s arms and watched.

  Nicholas plopped down on the couch his head in his hands. “Danielle, you didn’t do my dad did you?” he asked with great dismay in his voice.

  Danielle’s lip quivered, her eyes filled with tears. She ran her fingers through Nicholas’ hair. “Drac, I’ve been with two men. You’re the second, you’re the last…I swear it on my life.” She cried covering her face as she stood and made her way to the bedroom followed by Killer and Rusty.

  Doc scratched his head and asked casually, “Who turned her?”

  Derek looked at him. “I started to because Nicholas had never done it. Then he joined me and she fed on each of us,” he said.

  Doc frowned and scratched his head again. “Maybe, the seed and the egg join and when the human, feeds for the first time, maybe the blood actually fertilizes the egg. Hell, you say you didn’t do her, and she said she didn’t do you, then that’s the only answer. Obviously there were two eggs, two seeds and two different feedings to become. That has to be the answer. It’s the only explanation I can come up with.”

  Derek thought for a moment. “That has to be it. It’s the only way this could have happened.”

  Emily handed Claire Alexis and handed Alexander to Tanya. “Derek, Nicky, Doc, we’d best go talk to Danielle.” Emily said pulling Nicholas and Derek towards the bedroom door. “Doc, come on.” She said sharply.

  Nicholas opened the bedroom door and they all entered. Danielle was in bed, under the covers, holding a pillow and crying. Emily sat on the bed and brushed the hair from Danielle’s forehead. “Honey, I think we’ve figured it out. No one was accusing you or Derek of anything.”

  Danielle looked up at her. “You asked Derek if we did anything and Nicholas asked me. You both had thoughts…” Danielle hid her face in the pillow.

  Emily ran her hand over Danielle’s back. “I’m sorry. I never really thought anything, I just had to ask. The only time you and Derek were together alone was for less than five minutes the night you became. Please calm down and we’ll get Doc to explain it to you. We really don’t have any other explanation and Doc seems to think he might have the answer.”

  Nicholas stretched out on the bed facing her. “Danielle, I’m sorry…”

  Danielle looked at him. “You thought I was with your father, you thought I…” her voice trailed off as she put her face in the pillow to stifle her sobs.

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nbsp; Derek looked at Emily and Nicholas. “Leave, let Doc and I talk to her.”

  Nicholas looked at Derek. “Dad she’s my wife.”

  Derek frowned. “And she’s obviously upset with you for doubting her. Leave us alone with her. Go.” He said sternly.

  Emily stood up and looked at Nicholas. “Come on, let Doc and your father talk to her.” She said extending her hand to him.

  Nicholas leaned closer to Danielle. “Baby do you want me to leave?” She didn’t answer. “Danielle …”

  He was cut off by Emily. “Nicholas come.”

  Nicholas sat up and leaned over her kissing her neck. “I love you Dani,” he whispered and he climbed off the bed. Emily and Nicholas walked from the room.

  Derek sat on the bed next to Danielle. “Dani, they’re gone, sit up and talk to us. We don’t have all the answers but it’s the only logical thing that could have happened. Come on honey, its okay, sit up.” He coaxed. “Doc, get me some tissues for her.” Derek said as he helped her sit up. Doc returned with the tissues handing them to Danielle. He sat on the bed next to Derek.

  “Danielle, the night you became one of us, Derek had you drink from him, then Nicholas arrived and gave you his blood. You drank from both of them. I think the seed and the egg join and when the human feeds for the first time, that the blood actually fertilizes the egg. Obviously there were two eggs, two seeds and you fed on both of them to become. That has to be the answer. It’s the only explanation I can come up with.”

  Danielle gave him a small smile. “I asked Nicholas about the blood thing and he looked at me like I was crazy,” she said wiping her eyes.

  Derek smiled at her. “Dani, even though he smells like me, he’s your son, yours and Nicholas’.”

  Danielle looked him in the eyes. “Will you be able to handle this Grand Pa?”

  Derek hugged her. “As long as we can baby sit, and play with them, and help you in any way to take care of and teach them it will be just fine.”

  Danielle kissed his cheek. “Thank you dad,” she said softly. Derek smiled affectionately at her.

  Doc stood up. “Are you two ready to make peace with your spouses?”

  Derek nodded and looked at Danielle. “Ready?”

  Danielle smiled. “Yes.” Derek helped her up and they walked into the living room.

  All eyes turned towards the bedroom door when it opened. Derek Doc and Danielle walked into the room holding hands. Danielle walked over to Nicholas and sat on his lap. “Sorry Drac,” she whispered.

  Nicholas wrapped his arms around her. “Danielle”

  Danielle silenced him buy putting her finger to his lips. “Drac, we have two babies. Dad and Doc explained what they think took place and it makes sense I think.” She stood up and walked over to Tanya and Claire who each held one of her children. Danielle reached down picking up Alexander and cradled him in her arms. She walked back to Nicholas and handed him the baby. “You take Alexander and I’ll take Alexis. I want to go to bed and I want you and my babies with me.” She walked over to and lifted Alexis from Tanya’s arms and looked at the family. “It’s been a long night, the sun is rising and we need to bond with our babies. Thank you for all your help.”

  Derek looked up at Danielle as she stood beside Nicholas. “Danielle, Emily and I are staying here today with you and Nicholas. We won’t bother you, but if you need anything just call to us.”

  Danielle frowned a bit. “Why do you feel you need to stay here?”

  Emily smiled at her. “Something happened earlier today while you were in labor. You and Nicholas need to bond with the children and Derek and I are here to make sure nothing else happens. We’ll talk more tonight. We’re here to protect you and those precious babies.”

  Danielle looked at Nicholas. “Elizabeth has done something again hasn’t she?”

  Nicholas nodded. “Yes, we need protection.”

  Danielle walked over to Emily and kissed her cheek, then kissed Derek’s cheek. “Thank you” and then turned disappearing into the bedroom.

  Danielle sat on the bed laying Alexis in the center of the bed then stretched her arms towards Nicholas “Give me Alexander” she said softly. Nicholas put the baby in her arms. She looked down at him. “Little man, you’re in for an interesting life. Your part of me, part of your daddy and part of your grandpa, you’re going to be one hot, strong vampire when you grow up.” She kissed his cheek and set him next to Alexis.

  Nicholas sat next to Danielle “Honey you haven’t fed, you need to feed so you can feed our children.”

  Danielle smiled. “I am a bit hungry. I haven’t thought of feeding with all the events of the evening,” She rested her head on his shoulder. “Drac, I don’t want the babies so far away from us. I want them close to us. Can we move the crib beside the bed?”

  Nicholas smiled and kissed the top of her head. “I have something better. I had Gerry bring it here months ago. I’ll be right back and I’ll bring you food too.” Nicholas went to the bedroom door opening it. “Mishka, Snow, protect” he called. Nicholas watched as the large black wolf and the large white wolf made their way into the bedroom. Killer and Rusty were on the bed sniffing and watching the children. “Dani, I’ll be right back, I’m leaving the door open.”

  Derek looked up when he heard Nicholas calling for Miska and Snow. “What’s up?”

  Nicholas walked over to Derek. “Dad can you help me get something from storage?”

  Derek stood up. “Sure, let’s go.” Derek looked at Emily. “I’ll be back in minute blue eyes.” He said smiling. Derek and Nicholas left the pod.

  “Emily, come keep me company while their gone.” Danielle called from the bedroom.

  Emily stood up and walked into the bedroom and sat next to Danielle.

  Danielle smiled nervously. “I’m sorry about before, I was so upset. I knew I hadn’t done anything inappropriate and I also knew Alexander smelled like Dad. I’m sorry Mom.” She said looking down at her hands folded in her lap.

  Emily lifted her chin. “You called me Mom.” she said smiling.

  Danielle smiled and looked into Emily’s eyes. “I’ll try, it just seems funny. You look my age, and Derek looks like Nicholas, You and Derek are kind of my parents now. I don’t know where my father is and my Mom is dead.”

  Emily hugged her. “Danielle, we all love you dearly. You’re a wonderful mate for my son, and a wonderful addition to our family.”

  Danielle returned her hug. “I’ve been a bit of a problem for this family since I started seeing Nicholas.”

  Emily smiled. “Honey, you’ve been very brave considering all Elizabeth has put you through and you’ve given Derek and I two beautiful grand children. Look at them with their jet black hair and vivid blue eyes.”

  Danielle looked at Lexie and Alexander. “Alexander is going to have vivid green eyes.” she said softly.

  Emily heard Nicholas and Derek lugging something into the pod. “I’ll be back, let me see what they’re up to.” She stood up and left the room.

  A few minutes later Derek and Nicholas carried a large cradle into the bedroom. They set it beside the bed. The dark cherry wood polished to a high shine and pale yellow linens and bumper pads covered the inside. “This is beautiful.” Danielle said smiling.

  Derek looked at her. “This was Nicholas’ when he was a baby. He slept in it for a long time.”

  Danielle lifted Alexander and laid him the cradle. Then she put Lexie in beside him and pulled the soft plush teddy bear blanket over them. She looked up at Derek and Nicholas. “They like their daddy’s cradle; I like it too.” She sat back down on the bed. Emily walked in with a crystal carafe filled with warm red blood and two crystal wine glasses setting them on the night table beside the bed.

  “Derek, come let’s leave them to celebrate the birth of the children.” She looked at Danielle “Danielle, you’ll need to breast feed them when they wake up. Call me if you need help.”

  Danielle smiled. “I will.”

  Nic
holas filled her glass and handed it to her then filled his own and sat beside her. They sipped in silence. Danielle rested her head against Nicholas’ shoulder. “Elizabeth is coming after us again isn’t she?”