Our Last Hope

And a Baby Makes Three

The first face I saw was William. I wasn't sure how long I was out for but my head was pounding and I definitely hurt my ass. I knew that it would heal in a matter of minutes, but it didn't feel good. William sat me up and was in my face. It was blurry and I couldn't clear the stars from my eyes. 

I could hear frantic chatter from around the room. I then felt thundering footsteps on the stage to the right. It was my mother, unmistakable. 

"Are you alright darling?" She rushed to my side and pressed her hand on my forehead. 

Did she feed today?  It was my father to William

Not today, but within the last 48 hours.

Could she be pregnant? 

FUCK.

I guess I won't be giving the speech after all.

*****

I must have blacked out again in the car, because I don't remember being driven to the hospital. I was tucked in my bed like a burrito. I heard monitors going crazy around me and I felt something warm going into my veins. I was assuming it was IV fluids, but it had a distinct smell. It was sweet, like a French Vanilla latte. 

My eyes fluttered and I tried to find where the smell was coming from. When I was finally able to focus I saw a small, red bag hanging beside my bed. It was a blood transfusion. the bag read O negative, the sweetest of them all. 

Despite everyone's panic, I was alone in my room. I enhanced my senses and heard some shuffling right outside my door. 

"I can't believe that it worked! Our little girl is pregnant!"

So it was true, I am pregnant. That would explain the fainting. I couldn't help but think it was because I didn't get the "appropriate" blood when I went on my hunt.

"How did her first time go?"

"It was okay, not how we expected but she did feed." There was a brief silence. "She's awake." 

Moments later, the door opened and William came in with my parents in tow. 

"How are feeling Win?" 

William came to stand by my bed and he grabbed my hands. 

"I'm okay. Apparently I'm pregnant?"

The room couldn't hide their excitement. William especially looked like he was bursting at the seams. 

"Yes baby, the ritual was successful." Despite his excitement, I couldn't help but cringe at the way he said it. "The doctor will be in shortly to check on you and the baby." 

I didn't want to focus on that, I wanted to know why I dropped to the ground.

"Did they say why I fainted?" They all exchanged looks. 

"They said it had something to do with malnutrition." 

That didn't make sense, I felt fine leading up to the graduation. I hadn't felt dizzy or light headed. Honestly, I could still feel the strength from the feed. 

There was a small knock at the door and the doctor strolled into the room looking down at my chart. 

"Vampire, female, 19. Malnourished and pregnant." He didn't look up from my chart until he was at the foot of my bed. He knew exactly who I was when he registered who else was in the room. 

"Ah, Primus Harrington. I hear congratulations are in order. You and Mrs. Harrington are about to be grandparents. And how are the parents to be?" Dr. Snell exchanged looks between Will and I. William gave the doctor a tight smile. When he wasn't getting a response out of William, he turned to me. 

"How are you feeling Edwina?" 

How was I feeling?

"I guess I'm okay, other than overwhelmed and my ass still hurts." 

Dr. Snell chuckled. "Yes Edwina, you did break your tail bone. Broken bones will take a couple extra days to heal. Just rest a little more than you are used to. Now, let's get an ultrasound tech in here and check on the little one for you." Dr. Snell looked down at my chart again. "If this timeline is correct, I would say that you will measure at about 3 weeks pregnant."

"What? It's only been 5 days."

Dr. Snell gave me an understanding smile. "Yes, well vampire pregnancies do progress must quicker than humans. In a regular timeline, your body wouldn't be able to register the fetus. But with the rapid pace of growth, your fetus will measure closer to 3 weeks. We also have to talk about your prenatal routine. It is imperative that you feed on human blood only. It will help the baby grow stronger much quicker, it will also help your body keep up with the growing fetus. It will also ensure that these fainting spells don't become a regular occurrence. The stronger you are, the less complications will arise." He looked down at his beeper. "Excuse me."

Without another word, Dr. Snell left the room in search of an ultrasound machine. William kissed my knuckles and mama started stroking my feet. I didn't care much for the fussing that was going on. 

"Mama, what about the party? Shouldn't we be heading home soon?"

"Shh, don't you worry about the party darling. We will just postpone for tomorrow evening. It's no trouble at all, we just want to make sure that you are alright." 

I nodded my head, I felt so guilty that mama went through all of this trouble. But knowing her, she lives for this kind of stuff. 

Daddy's phone began to ring. I knew that it was Coven business by the look on his face. 

"I'll be right back." Daddy slid his finger across the screen and turned to leave. Mama rolled her eyes as she watched him head for the door. 

"Sure, your daughter just fainted. Go ahead, take a work call." You could see her frustration all over her face. 

"Knock knock." A friendly looking nurse came in rolling in a monstrous machine with large computer screen up top. It looked like one of those gaming consoles. "I hear we need a picture of the little one." 

This nurse was clearly human. She smelled of freshly baked cookies and her eyes were a chocolatey brown. She pushed the cart to the side of my bed and then turned to address the room. 

"So Edwina is about to have a very personal relationship with my wand. If I could clear the room to make her feel more comfortable." Mother nodded her head and placed her hand on my ankle. 

"I'll be right outside." 

William refused to move and squared off with her. "I'm her husband and the baby's father." I knew that the nurse was intimidated by William, I mean who wouldn't be? She nodded and then began to prepare the machine.

 William bent down and kissed my forehead. 

"Are you nervous?" 

I gave him a tight smile, I didn't want to think about any of this. I wanted to curl up in bed and sleep for days. 

"Mhmm, it's just a lot to handle right now." William pressed his lips against mine. 

"Don't worry baby, I'm going to be here with you every step of the way."

"Are we ready?" The nurse was way too chipper to violate my no-no square. 

She pulled out a very long, plastic dildo and I shuddered at the thought of where it was about to go.  I tightened my lips and nodded. William sat up a bit next to me and squeezed my hands as the nurse positioned herself between my legs. 

It was definitely not one of my top 10 experiences in my life but I bore through it. I stared at the screen above my head and tried to block out what was happening down below. The nurse was talking us through what we were seeing until she paused for a moment. 

"What is it?" William sounded nervous.

The nurse pulled her cart closer to her and pointed at the screen with her gloved hand. 

"I almost missed it, but here is baby A, and here is baby B."

I was speechless, I was having twins? When has that ever happened in the vampire community? It was hard enough for us to conceive a second child, but here I go, breaking more traditions. I can't handle two babies! I can barely handle life as it is! Why was this happening to me?

"What, wait? We're having twins?" I could tell that William was over the moon about the news. I was still in shock and was dreading all the attention that we were about to receive for breaking the mold. 

"Yes, it appears so. Congratulations you two! Let me print you some pictures and I'll get out of your hair." 

The nurse pulled out her phallic object, pressed a few buttons and off she went. William was frantic with excitement. 

"Baby, this is amazing! Aren't you excited?" 

I didn't know how to handle this, the best way I knew was to start crying. Why couldn't life just stop moving for one second and let me catch my breath. I wasn't even able to walk at my graduation, which was what I was most proud of in this moment. It was such an accomplishment, one that had nothing to do with what I was but who I am. I worked hard for that diploma, I wanted to celebrate that right now, not being a 19 year old wife and mother of twins. 

William mistook my sobbing for happy tears and wrapped me up in his arms. I just wanted to be alone, I wanted some time to digest and to breath, but that wasn't going to happen any time soon. I knew that it wouldn't take long for me to snap. 

William began kissing me all over, trying to stop my crying but there was no way. This scenario wasn't going to get better or go away anytime soon. I was stuck. Of course I loved William, but this was all moving so fast. Without thinking, I pushed him away and continued to sob into my hands. 

"Winnie, what's wrong. Are you okay?"

I started hyperventilating and I couldn't focus anymore. The room began to spin and I started screaming. I don't know what came over me, is this what a mental breakdown looks like?

"Winnie, talk to me. What can I do?" 

My monitors were going out of control and a team of doctors rushed in, all with red eyes. They surrounded my bed, pushing William to the back of the room, he didn't like that very much. He kept trying to push his way back up to my bed.

"Sir, we're going to have to ask you to wait outside."

"I am not going anywhere! I am her husband and her mate! You can't ask me to leave!"

They must have been really worried about me because the doctor was not having any of it today. 

"Sir, in order to check her well being, we have to ask the stressor to leave the area."

"Stressor?! How dare you!"

"Sir, if you do not leave, I will force you to."

Just then, my dad came in and helped William out of the room. Dr. Snell came up to my face and tried to push me to sit back. Everything was blurry and I couldn't focus on anything. They put a mask over my face and shot a needle into my arm making the room go dark once more. 

*****

I felt like I had been hit by a train. I wanted all of this to end. I wanted to go home, not to the cabin, but to my old room. Things were so much simpler then, I wanted to go back to knowing absolutely nothing. I needed that to stay sane. 

It took a moment for my eyes to adjust. The room was dark, the only source of light was coming in from the hallway. I still heard the beeping, but there was a couple new additions. I reached down and felt four, large plastic discs on my stomach. There were two blue and two pink. I followed the cords to a rolling cart by my bed. It was spitting out large sheets of paper with lines and graphs on it, almost like a lie detector test. 

When I tried to move my hands, I was shocked to find my wrists were in restraints. My mind began to race and my heart monitor started to beep faster, I didn't like this. What the f**k was going on?

I happened to glance at the clock on the wall above the door, it was just after midnight. My room was empty and the halls were quiet, the whole situation was too eerie for my liking. 

Through some fumbling, I was able to reach my nurses button. There was a rhythmic beeping that started to echo before a cheery looking nurse, scurried into my room. 

"Hi. Ms. Harrington. My name is Christine. Is everything alright?" 

Tears started to fill my eyes as I tried to form words. 

"I'm not crazy. Please take these off."

She immediately looked apologetic, "I'm sorry Ms. Harrington, I can't do that without the doctor's consent."

I pulled up on my restraints, willing them to break free. 

"Please, you don't understand. I can't handle this right now. Who advised this?" I was stammering through my tears.

"It was Mr. Bright ma'am."

My mouth dropped open, I couldn't believe this. 

"Is there anything I can do for you Edwina?" 

I nodded my head as tears dripped down my cheeks. "Maybe the remote please?" 

Christina looked down at the ground as she approached my bed and slid the remote closer to me so I could reach it better. 

I recognized Christina from my Junior year calculus class. She graduated last year, she had said that she would love to work with babies and young mothers, well, I guess she found her calling. 

"Please let me know if there's anything else?" 

I nodded and gave her a shy smile before she disappeared out into the hallway. When the room was clear I turned on my link and unleashed hell in William's mind.

You son of a f*****g b***h! You get down here right now and tell them that I am not crazy!

I was screaming and cursing at him until he answered.

It's for your own good Winnie!

You mother fucker! You have no right to do this to me!

It's what's best for the babies. 

Bullshit! Tell you what, when you come down here next, I'm going to rip your nads off! I think that's what's best for the babies.

Getting upset is not good for the them.

You know what? This is exactly what your father did to your mother! I sincerely hope that our son kills you some day!

 I cannot believe the nerve of him. How did my parents allow him to do this to me? Did they really think that I was going to harm myself or these innocents growing inside of me. I guess they didn't know me at all. I turned my link off and tried to except my fate. I knew that I couldn't sleep so I struggled with the remote until I found FRIENDS on TBS. I would just have to wait it out until the doctor came to see me in the morning.  

*****

I was woken up by a soft knock on the door. Dr. Snell popped his head in with a smile. It was only 7:30 and I slept like pure s**t last night, I'm not ready for his energy. 

"How are you feeling Winnie?" He seemed like a different person when Will and my parents weren't around. 

"Why did you let him do this to me?" I couldn't hide the distain in my voice. I had been seeing Dr. Snell since I was a little girl. He knows that I'm not crazy.

He sighed deeply with guilt and slide over to me on his wheelie stool. 

"Believe me Winnie, I fought back as hard as I could. But William played the mate card. You and I both know that that is law to us."

My tears started to flow, I was surprised that I had tears left to cry. 

"Can you please take these off now?" I pleaded with him, even when he couldn't make eye contact with me. 

"I'm afraid I cannot, not until you are released later today. I need written consent from your mate."

Out of frustration, I whipped my head back against the pillow and closed my eyes, releasing more tears. Maybe I was going crazy, I felt like I was in a downward spiral and there was no way out. Dr. Snell placed his hand on top of mine and gave my fingers a squeeze. 

"I can loosen them a bit, but that's all I can do."

I nodded my head, I was thankful for any help that he was willing to give me. He made quick work with the latches and I felt a little more weight off my shoulders. 

"As for your babies, they're both doing fine. I want to set up weekly visits with you to monitor your progress and make sure that you are being well taken care of." He spelled out the last part, loud and clear. "I will call your mother, and only your mother to come get you. I will get you out of here as soon a possible." 

I was more than thankful for Dr. Snell, I sucked in my lips to try and hide my tears. He patted my hand once more before standing and heading to the door. 

"Thanks Doc." 

He gave me a small smile and nodded his head. 

I rested my head on my pillow and looked up at the ceiling. I can't believe the complete 180 that had just occurred the last 24 hours.

I knew that all of this would be swept under the rug when I got out of here. We couldn't have any bad publicity fall at our doorstep. I was starting to think that William was just trying to weasel his way into my father's good graces. He didn't give a s**t about me or the babies, he just wants what's best for him and his own agenda. 

I was lost in thought, mostly what I was going to do once I got out of here. I couldn't lose face without stirring suspicions. After a while of being inside of my own head, I decided that I needed to get out of here. I couldn't be in this situation anymore. Even if my children and I had to live as rouges, I would do that instead of being mentally f****d for the rest of my life. I had to do what William's mother never could. I had to get the f**k out of here, and I would stop at nothing. 

A couple hours had past and Christine had come in countless times to check in on me. It was around 1 o'clock when she came in with a clipboard of papers. 

"These are your discharge papers Winnie. We also called your mother and she has agreed to come alone to come get you." There was some mischief to her voice and a sly smile played across her lips. She set the clipboard on the tray across my bed and immediately undid my restraints. I don't know what came over me but I threw my arms around her neck. Surprisingly, she returned my hug. 

"Good luck." She whispered in my ear. "I'm always here if you need something."

She left quickly and shot me a wink from the door. I played with the pen that she left behind for a moment before filling out my information. I decided to leave William off as many forms as possible. I now that he is my 'mate' but legally he has no claim over me. There is a little thing called a contract that still looms over my head, but clearly mother had a plan. 

*****

"Are you going to tell me what's going on? Why does everyone think that I'm crazy all of a sudden?"

Mother hadn't said much to me as we left the hospital. But I knew that there was something on her mind. I stared her down until she talked to me. She eventually sighed and looked at me out of the corner of her eye.

"Do you remember William telling you that if you tried to introduce change that it wouldn't end well?"

How did she know about that? What else was in play here? I nodded my head and mother continued you.

"Well, this is a prime example of that Edwina. You've only been mated for a week and there are already rumors flying about. The whole community is becoming concerned that you've lost it."

I was in disbelief, nothing was public knowledge. The only thing that happened was that I fainted and found out I was pregnant. How was that seen as a rebellion? It could have happened to anyone.

"Can you elaborate please?"

Mother tensed and her hands gripped the stirring wheel a little tighter. "They are saying that you should have never fainted in the first place. If you would have hunted the way nature intended then none of this would have happened. It's bad enough that people know about your contract, on top of you new mate trying to bring his brother back into things, the walls are beginning to talk, and it won't be good for any of us. Do you realize what will happen to you if you break your contract in anyway?" I didn't have time to answer that question. "You die Winnie. You WILL die. I cannot allow you to be reckless and go against what you've been taught your entire life." She started to get choked up but she continued on. "I highly suggest that you keep your head down and you stay in line, just until I can figure out how to get you out of all this mess."

So she did have a plan or was working on one at least. I knew that she didn't agree with my contract mating, but I never thought that my mother would try to get me out of it. She hold tradition higher than anything else in this world. The fact that she was willing to break it made me think that she knew of something else that was about to happen. I guess I just had to wait and see what was to come. 

"Now, we have your party to deal with, I need you and William to put on some happy f*****g faces and to get along. Mates hardly ever fight and if they do, they NEVER do it in public. Do you understand me?"

I nodded my head and then let it sink, "Yes ma'am."