Ninety-Three…

Ninety-Three: Starting Over

Contains violence and harsh language.

FYI: I don’t condone men hurting women IRL.

Hunter arrived at Alexis’ house.

He could see her blonde head inside the house. She was sitting on the sofa.

How he wanted to cut off that cute blonde head of hers. How he wanted to kill anyone or anything that dared hurt Katerina Haas.

He kicked in the doors.

She looked up but didn’t turn around, as if she knew who had come for her.

“Get the fuck up.”

Slowly, Alexis rose from the couch.

“I could never do enough to you that would justify the pain you’ve caused Kat. But I can at least try, you fucking cunt.”

He punched Alexis.

Her body slammed onto the floor. She flipped around and crawled away from him.

“Fuck you,” she cried.

You really think I’m going to chase your pitiful, stupid ass? Hunter almost laughed. I have something better for you…

Someone stepped through the threshold and headed toward Alexis. On her hands and knees, Alexis spun around, then sat upright.

“No. You’re supposed to be dead! Get away from me!”

Kat slapped her.

“Don’t be stupid. Most of Shadowvale is made up of people who are supposed to be dead,” Kat said.

“I’d like to make you permanently dead, but I won’t. You’re not worth it. Your pathetic ass isn’t worth spitting on.”

Her chin quivering, tears rolled down the Dempire’s beautiful face.

Beautiful… but deadly.

Kat stormed out of the house, glaring at Hunter as she passed.

Hunter’s eyes drilled into Alexis. “If I ever see you in Shadowvale again, I’ll kill you.”

Kat’s gaze drifted into the same room where she was almost killed.

Footsteps shuffled up next to her.

“I just want you to know—how sorry I am. I was miserable the entire time without you. Alexis could not replace you. Every time I kissed her or held her, I could only think about you. I’m sorry; this mess was all my fault.”

Kat nodded as a wave of dizziness overcame her. She still hadn’t fully recovered from losing so much blood.

She tried to focus on Hunter’s words, upon the sincerity of them and make her upcoming decision.

“Will you let me move back in? I promise to help more with the boys. I’ve cut back on my work hours at the medical center… and I miss you, I want us all to be a family again. I love you, Kat. I always have and I always will. Nothing will change that.”

She took a step back.

“Did you get Alexis pregnant?”

“I honestly don’t know anything about a pregnancy.”

“If that’s true, then look into my eyes when you say that.”

“If Alexis was pregnant, I didn’t know anything about that. She didn’t mention it to me. Okay? I swear.”

“Okay. I guess.”

Needless to say, Hunter spent the night. He’d be moving back in the next evening. Meanwhile, Kat planned to fetch the boys from her mother and father.

After making love, Kat and Hunter kissed.

Using soft, sweeping motions, Hunter’s lips inched over Kat’s and then down to her neck. She whimpered, laid back on the mattress ready to feel him inside her again.

Like those flickering candles, their love ignited once more.

Reznik felt Lauren’s five-months-pregnant belly. He laughed as the baby kicked.

She’d just found out a few days ago that she was, indeed, carrying a girl. Reznik was ecstatic.

Sometimes Lauren wondered if Rez used his magic to conceive a little girl. Or maybe he just produced magical sperm?

Cody said (in so many words) he’d rather have a little brother.

“I want to name her Azura,” Rez said.

Azura? Hmm. “It’s different,” Lauren replied.

Rez took her into his arms and professed his love for her… for the millionth time.

She’d grown to finally believe him.

Everything was going so well. They were together, had a new baby girl on the way, and Jakub was dead. Ashton was still pissed off that Vaclav, Rez, and that French guy named Percy conspired to kill her lover.

Either way, there was one small thing that concerned Lauren… and Rez had mentioned it as well.

Aubrey was getting sick for some reason. It’d been happening during the last few weeks or so.

Then one day Lauren found Aubrey looking depressed.

“What’s wrong, Aubrey?”

“I’m pregnant. Again.” She sighed. “I was using the rhythm method, and this time I miscalculated the time I ovulated. I don’t know how I could be so—stupid.”

“But won’t you have a miscarriage? Since you’re a vampire?” Lauren shrugged.

“It’s too late for a miscarriage. I don’t know why I haven’t lost this one.” Aubrey glanced down at her stomach. “I’ve bled a little bit, but I know the baby’s still inside me… somehow.”

“Are you sure? I mean, how far along are you?”

“Yes I’m sure. I’m about three months along, just two months behind you. But I haven’t told Vaclav yet. Only you know.”

“You have to tell Vaclav. You need to see a doctor right away to make sure everything’s okay.”

“I’m afraid to tell Vaclav, and I’m afraid to go to the doctor. I know there’s something wrong with it. I wasn’t meant to carry this baby, I know it in my heart. I’m terrified.”