“Oh, wonderful,” she said but the way she said it made it sound like it was anything but. Her eyes zeroed in on the pregnancy test in Jonathon’s hand. “Oh, Kylie were you so desperate that you had to get knocked up to get a man?” she asked with a hint of malice. She inched purposely closer to Jonathon.
Jonathon growled. Actually growled, baring his teeth right in front of her in a public place. She took a step back, shocked. I didn’t have it in me to be sorry.
“Actually,” said Jonathon in a menacing voice, “once we were married we decided we didn’t want to wait to have a baby and it just happens that we’ve been blessed with a child early in our marriage. If you or anyone else has a problem with that you need to keep it to yourself. Understand?”
She nodded her head and Jonathon practically dragged me to check out. He threw a couple of wadded up bills at the checkout girl.
“Sir,” she said holding up the money. It was two one-hundred dollar bills.
“Keep it,” he growled.
Her face went white and she gulped. “O-o-okay,” she choked out.
Jonathon climbed in the driver’s seat, not bothering to get my door like he usually did, and sped out of the parking lot before I could get the door closed. He had gotten so he drove at a more normal speed when I was in the car but right now the speedometer kept inching closer and closer to one-hundred miles an hour.
“Jonathon, why are you so mad? Shouldn’t I be the angry one?”
“I’m sorry,” he said but his foot didn’t let off of the gas pedal. “Inconsiderate people just get on my nerves. To be so disrespectful right in front of you! I wanted to…” he didn’t finish his thought. His hand hit the steering wheel in frustration.
“Please, calm down,” I pleaded with him, “I’m not mad.”
“You’re not mad but you’re upset. Remember, I can sense your feelings?”
“Jonathon, please you’re scaring me.” His vampire had never been so prominent in a human situation before. I expected his vampire to come out when we were fighting Selena but not in a drug store.
His foot let off the gas a little but we were already in the driveway and almost to the house.
“I’m sorry,” he pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. “I just… can’t stand the thought of someone mistreating you.” He took several deep breaths.
“It’s okay, Jonathon. She just wanted to get under my skin. She’s always been petty.” He looked at me and I saw his eyes slowly go from black to silver. “Better?” I asked.
“Yes, I’m sorry I lost my temper back there.”
“It happens to the best of us,” I replied.
“Alright, let’s go figure out how to use this magical stick,” he picked up the test and opened the door.
I got out and followed him. “I don’t think it’s really that magical. You just pee on it,” I giggled.
“Oh,” he replied embarrassed. I laughed and walked into the powder room off of the family room. Jonathon followed me in.
“Jonathon,” I whined. “Get out. I can’t pee if you watch me.”
“Sorry,” he mumbled as he left but I knew he was miffed.
As soon as he was out the door I closed and locked it afraid he might come barging in mid pee.
“Okay,” I opened the door a minute later. He was leaning against the wall.
“Well?” he asked. “Are we having a baby?”
“I don’t know. It has to sit for a few minutes.”
He growled. I strode into the kitchen and got a paper towel and then placed the pregnancy test on it.
Jonathon stared at the ‘magical stick’ like it was a difficult math problem he was trying to figure out.
“Such a strange little contraption,” he picked it up by the non-peed on end and looked it over. “Can it really tell if your pregnant or not?”
“It’s supposed to,” I shrugged.
“Hmm,” he hummed thoughtfully and put it back down. A little line in his forehead appeared as he frowned at the test. “Is it ready yet?” he asked.
I laughed. “For a vampire that has lived for this many years you possess no patience whatsoever.”
“What can I say?” he grinned. “This is my baby we’re talking about.”
I looked at the clock. It had been two minutes. One more to go. I took a deep breath. I tapped my fingers on the countertop and Jonathon put his hand over mine to stop me. Another two minutes passed and I knew the results had to have appeared by now but I couldn’t make myself look. But finally I could prolong it no longer. I picked up the stick.
“What does the little red plus sign mean?” asked Jonathon leaning over my shoulder to look.
I smiled and turned to put my arms around him. “It means that we’re having a baby.”
“I knew it,” he crushed his lips to mine.
“You did,” I said and kissed him again soundly on the lips.
“When are we going to tell everybody?” he asked grinning like a fool.
“Well, I think we should do it in person. So why don’t we tell my brothers at their graduation and your family when we get back to Rome,” I suggested. I knew most people waited longer to tell friends and family, but our baby was a dhampir…it would be okay, right?
“It’s a deal,” he grinned. “And they’re your family too.”
“I know.”
“Do you?” he asked.
“Yes,” I replied. “It’s just, I don’t know, they’re your family more than mine.”
“They love you don’t ever think they don’t. Even Mason loves you.”
I laughed. Mason had to be the funniest person—vampire—I knew. How no one could not like Mason was beyond me. He could be rude sometimes, but who wasn’t.
“We’re having a baby!” I squealed, the excitement overtaking me.
He chuckled. “I know. Can you believe it? You’re going to be a mommy.”
“And you’re going be a daddy.”
“A papà.”
“What would mom be in Italian?” I asked.
“Mamma,” he answered.
“I love the sound of that.”
“Me too,” he breathed.
Chapter Eight: News
I kept rubbing my flat stomach on the plane ride to Connecticut. I was scared to tell my brothers about the baby. They were the only true family I had left…and I was worried they might judge me for getting married young and adding a baby to the mix. I was only nineteen…but after everything I had been through, I felt much older.
“Principessa, it will be fine,” Jonathon took my hand, kissing my palm.
I looked up at him. “I hope so.” I bit my lip and tasted blood.
He pulled my lip from between my teeth. “They’re your brothers. They won’t be mad. They love you.”
“I’m being silly aren’t I?” I asked, looking at him nervously.
“Yes,” he answered. “After all we’re married.”
“This time,” I rolled my eyes.
He chuckled.
I picked up a magazine and flipped through it in order to keep my hands occupied. My heart kept beating erratically. I knew my behavior was silly but I always assumed the worse. I couldn’t help it. I put the magazine down and crossed and then uncrossed my legs. Jonathon rubbed my shoulder.
“Breathe,” he whispered soothingly.
I exhaled. I hadn’t realized I was holding my breath. I knew we were almost there. I could feel the plane descending.
“I’m going to be sick,” I exclaimed, struggling with the seatbelt.
“No,” Jonathon grasped my hands. “You can’t get up now we’re about to land.”
“And I don’t think Patrick and Amelia would appreciate it if I threw up in their airplane,” I pried one of my hands from his and held it against my mouth. Do not throw up, Kylie. Don’t do it. I told myself.
“Well, they wouldn’t care because it’s my plane,” he shrugged.
“Oh,” I groaned, feeling light headed. From Jo
nathon’s look I could tell I probably had a green tint to my skin. I had tried to keep my morning sickness from him because I didn’t want to worry him. I put a hand to my head to steady the spinning. I moaned. I couldn’t hold it in much longer. Jonathon shoved something into my hands. “Thanks,” I croaked before throwing up. His fingers pulled my hair back from my face. I shuddered.
Jonathon, who was allowed to roam around the cabin, disappeared and returned with a cool washcloth. He put it to my forehead and then proceeded to massage my neck.
“Sorry,” a tear slipped out of the corner of my eye.
“Don’t apologize for being sick. It’s not your fault,” he brushed my hair back and took the bucket from me.
I wiped my face off and then placed the cloth back on my forehead. I leaned my head back against his cold hand. “That feels nice.”
“Better?” he asked after a few minutes.
“Much,” I replied, closing my eyes. The descent of the plane was making me sick again. The lurch of the plane landing sent me scrambling for the bucket again. So much for feeling better.
Once the plane was stationary I got myself cleaned up. I hoped the morning sickness didn’t last long. I’d hate to throw up at my brothers’ graduation… that would be very embarrassing.
Looking in the mirror of the small bathroom on the plane I decided my hair was beyond repair. I brushed my fingers through it to smooth it out as best I could and pulled it back into a ponytail. I tried to fix my now smeared make up and added some gloss to my lips. At least I was halfway descent.
“You look better,” Jonathon took my hand and helping me down the steps of the plane.
“Ha, ha.”
He smiled. “You’re always beautiful.”
“And you’re full of crap,” I snapped but I smiled despite myself.
Jonathon and I slipped into the back of a plain black car. I guessed Jonathon hadn’t thought it necessary to rent a car this time. We were leaving to head back to Rome right after my brothers’ graduation. I sank into the leather seat and closed my eyes. Just for a moment.
“Babe? Principessa?” sounded the voice of an angel in my ear.
“Hmm,” I replied.
“Wake up. We’re here,” he said.
I cracked my eyes open. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep,” I groaned.
“You need you’re rest,” he put his hand lightly against my stomach.
“I’m pregnant not dying,” I replied climbing out of the car.
He shook his head. “It’s going to be a long nine months isn’t it?”
“You bet,” I replied. I straightened the skirt of my navy dress before taking Jonathon’s hand and being immersed into the crowd of people.
I had always found Yale’s campus idyllic. It was so perfect. Everything you could dream of in a college. My grades were never as good as my brothers’ and so I had always planned to attend a college close to home. But that plan had changed like so many others. My life had taken an accelerated route. College was no longer necessary. I knew if I wanted to go I had that option but I had everything I wanted in the man standing beside me. I had no need for a degree I would never use.
We were cutting it close on time, though. Most seats were already taken but suddenly two enthusiastic red heads jumped up and motioned to us.
Of course, I should have known Vivian and Viola would be here. It was still weird to think that my brothers were now a part of the vampire world. The two beautiful vampires wore huge hats upon their heads to block the morning sunlight. I looked at Jonathon, frowning as I worried about him.
“Don’t worry,” he whispered in my ear. “I ate on the plane and if I start to feel funny I’ll leave. I should be fine.”
“Does eating help?” I asked. “With the weakness?”
“Yeah, it makes us stronger and less susceptible.”
“Of course,” I sighed as we began to squeeze our way down the aisle towards Vivian and Viola.
Each of the beautiful vampires gave me and Jonathon a hug before we sat down.
“You look beautiful,” Vivian told me.
“Glowing,” added Viola.
I laughed. “Oh, I’m sure I look just fantastic,” I said sarcastically.
Vivian and Viola exchanged glances. “Ignore her,” Jonathon shrugged. “She’s a grouch today.”
“Am not,” I punched his rock hard arm.
“See?” He said to the girls.
I glared at him.
Speech after speech took place and then finally the names started to be called. The class was huge and it took forever. When my brothers’ names were called Vivian and Viola thoroughly embarrassed me with all their hoots and hollers. I wasn’t sure my blush would ever leave my cheeks. Finally, the last name was called. My butt was killing me and I could tell the vampires around me were beginning to become uncomfortable from so much exposure to the sun. Vivian and Viola had set it up with Aiden and Adam that we would meet them at one of the coffee carts on campus. The girls seemed to know their way, so Jonathon and I followed closely behind their bright red tresses.
When my brothers finally managed to make it through the crowd and join us, my feet were killing me. Jonathon and I hadn’t discussed how to break the news of my pregnancy to my brothers so I decided to just jump right in.
I hugged each of them and then put my hands on my hips and glared at them. I tapped my foot. Aiden quirked his eyebrows at me. “You know,” I began. “You really shouldn’t keep a pregnant woman waiting. It’s just not right.”
They stood frozen.
Vivian and Viola squealed and hugged me.
“Are you trying to catch flies with your mouths or something?” I asked them. They closed their mouths.
“You’re having a baby?” asked Adam.
“Yep,” I said.
“But you’re only nineteen,” said Aiden.
“Thanks, I wasn’t aware of my age. I am married you know?”
“Wow,” Adam’s eyes widened. “That was quick.”
Jonathon chuckled, and I swear if he could, he would have blushed. “It’s a vampire thing,” he whispered so only the four of us could hear.
“Really?” asked Aiden.
“There are a lot of quirks to being a vampire,” said Jonathon. “And increased fertility with humans is one of them.”
Both of my brothers laughed. “Well, congratulations,” they said simultaneously.
“Thanks,” I smiled, relieved to have told them.
They wrapped their arms around their soul mates. Aiden kissed Viola and I noticed a girl leaning against a wall a few feet away glare and then walk away. I would have felt sorry for her had she not looked so mean.
We left for a group lunch before Jonathon and I had to head back to the airport. The others went on in to the restaurant but I stopped Jonathon outside the door. A piece of paper had caught my attention.
“Is that…?” I asked pointing to the piece of paper.
“Yeah, that’s Evan from the wedding. She was from here. Raph only recently turned her, that’s why she was so tense at the wedding.”
I continued to stare at the missing person’s flyer a few more moments. It was sad seeing that paper. I was lucky enough to finally have my brothers in on the secret but Evan didn’t have that. I didn’t even really know her. But obviously she had a family that missed her very much and they would never get to see her again. She was just gone. After a while they would assume she was dead and give up hope, maybe have a funeral. They would never suspect that she was a vampire. That she would live forever, frozen solid, never changing.
I shook my head to dispel the depressing thoughts, took Jonathon’s hand, and went inside to try and enjoy the short time I had with my brothers.
“So,” I chewed on my salad, “where are you guys going to live? I mean Vivian and Viola live in Italy and you guys live here. How is that going to work?”
“Well,” started Adam, biting into his burger, “I think we’re going to be moving to Rome. After
all our favorite sister lives there.”
“I’m your only sister,” I rolled my eyes.
“Exactly,” chimed Aiden. “Plus, now we have to be close to our future niece or nephew.”
“Nephew,” all three vampires said at the same time.
“How do you know?” asked Adam.
“Well, dhampirs, that’s half-human half-vampire, are always male,” Vivian explained.
“Oh, why?” asked Adam.
“No one knows,” shrugged Jonathon. “That’s just the way it is. Although…” he trailed off. He had that faraway look in his eye that meant he was thinking about something serious.
We finished our meal and then it was time for goodbyes.
“I’ll see you guys soon, right?” I hugged my brothers.
“Of course. Now that we don’t have school anymore we can be a family again,” Aiden jokingly pinched my cheek and I punched him in the gut.
“Don’t do that,” I backed away. “Honestly though, it will be nice to have you guys around. I miss you and I worry about you.”
“Oh, please. You’re married now and have a baby on the way. I think you’re going to have plenty more on your mind than worrying about you’re dear old brothers.”
“Don’t worry,” Viola winked. “We’ll keep an eye on them.”
“We’ll make sure they don’t get into trouble,” added Vivian.
“Thanks,” I said, hugging the two girls. Vivian and Viola had been turned in the nineteen forties and they still exuded that effortless beauty. The tight curls, red lips, and pencil skirts.
“Alright, we really have to go,” Jonathon interrupted, leaning against the plain black car that would take us back to the airport.
“Okay,” I called over my shoulder to placate him, “I love you guys,” I hugged my brothers again. They each kissed my cheek and then I knew I had to leave.
I slipped into the car and watched the last bit of my human family disappear behind me. Every time it was harder to say goodbye. Somehow it always felt like it would be the last time. I guess I had experienced so much loss of the people I loved that I expected to lose the remaining few.
It was the middle of the night, almost morning, when we finally landed in Italy and then we had the drive to Jonathon’s house. I felt extremely exhausted. The purr of Jonathon’s Camaro lulled me to sleep. I knew fighting my sleepy eyes was pointless.
Forever (Fallen Series Book 3) Page 10
