Twenty-Six…

Twenty-Six: Birth of a New Life

Four words summed up Aubrey’s feelings…

Guilt. Because she was leaving Vaclav and taking their baby with her. Because it was partly her fault her father killed himself. Because she moved back to Sunset Valley against Vaclav’s advice. Because she forgot to tell Vaclav about Shawn’s stealing of the talisman.

Blame. Because a small part of her also blamed Vaclav for her father’s death.

Anger. Because of Shawn.

Grief. Because of everything.

With each passing day, those uncomfortable feelings faded away.

But she still missed her father, hating the fact he was no longer part of this world.

Then again, neither were the vampires.

God, how she also missed Vaclav. But how could she possibly ever bring herself to move back to Immortal Hell? And what about Reznik? She still dreamed of him, and of the day she’d finally get to see him; but if she didn’t go back to Shadowvale, that may never happen.

Using the cash Vaclav gave her, Aubrey rented a small apartment. The complex was nestled in the outer edge of the valley.

Six weeks had passed without any dangerous incident. Was she merely lucky? Or was something ominous waiting for her in the shadows of Sunset Valley? Biding its time?

She even called her mother once. Both cried over the phone about lost time, about lost significant others, about lost daughters.

She strolled along the town walkway.

Reluctantly, she headed into the hospital to have her daughter. The very same hospital that stole her son two years before.

Lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same spot… does it?

Fingers of anxiety choked Aubrey’s heart, its rapid beat making her dizzy.

The nurse told Dr. Rhodes that the contractions were six minutes apart and Aubrey was dilated to ten.

Here we go.

Aubrey lurched forward.

“Owwwwwwww....” Shit, it felt like someone was digging a hundred blades into her stomach.

She clutched her abdomen.

“Aubrey, you have to start pushing,” Dr. Rhodes commanded.

Aubrey scooted down, opening her legs to the doctor.

God, the indignity of it all. Sucks to be a woman. Then again, who cares where your mid-section feels like an 18-wheeler is parked on it?

“Push, push, push, push,” the nurse chanted.

Aubrey bore down, groaning. Pressure, like a hundred pounds pressed on her cervix. Then it began to pass through.

Rapidly, she blew out several breaths. There’s that horrid tearing sensation she remembered from the last time. Now she knew why she’d blocked out the memory.

“It’s okay Aubrey. Almost there.”

A memory flared…

“Almost there,” Dr. Johansen had also said.

Snake.

Before delivering her, Dr. Rhodes rotated the baby.

Aubrey stifled a scream of agony.

Please don’t take my baby; please don’t take her…

God, Vaclav, I wish you were here! I wish you were holding my hand, coaching me instead of the cold hospital staff. Vaclav, Vaclav, Vaclav…

The baby exited her body. Dr. Rhodes shot Aubrey a stern look, as though a laboring woman wasn’t allowed to scream in pain. It was a look that said: it’s over now, chicken. You can stop sniveling.  

“It’s a girl.” Dr. Rhodes snipped the cord and handed her to the nurse, who cleaned and wrapped her in a receiving blanket. Then she gave the infant back to the doctor.

For the longest time, Dr. Rhodes held the newborn.

Okay. Can I see her now? Before I punch you in the mouth?

Seconds later, Aubrey held her daughter in her arms.

She felt overwhelmed by new maternal sensations. It was a feeling of love she’d never experienced.

Her name would be Katerina, an ancient Czechoslovakian name…

In honor of the angel who fathered her.

At the age of one week, Kat was growing into a plump package of cuteness.

Aubrey retrieved her from the stroller and played with her.

Then she took her outside the complex.

“Look all around, Kat,” she began.

“This is a beautiful place with sunlight.”

“I never want you to live in darkness.” Aubrey kissed her forehead.

A security guard watched them as they headed back to the apartment.

“Cute baby,” he said, obviously flirting with Aubrey.

“Thanks,” she said blushing. Oh, my God. My baby is a stud magnet.

The next evening, Aubrey relaxed in the living area. Relaxing was a rare thing since having Kat, so she was grateful for the moment of quiet.

Then the doorbell chimed.

It was her mother.

“I know you don’t really want me here, but I had to see the baby.”

Her mother’s words filled Aubrey with newfound compassion. She moved to the side to allow her mother in.

Katerina cooed and twirled her tiny fists.

Nancy lifted her from the pram.

“She’s an absolute darling,” Nancy breathed. She stroked the baby’s cheek. “She is so beautiful.”

After visiting with the baby, Nancy and Aubrey sat down and began chatting.

One question had been burning in Aubrey’s mind… ever since she found out her father was a dhampir.

“Did you know Dad was part vampire?”

“Yes.”

Which led to another question…

“Did you know about the Shadows’ plans to take my son? And Grandma Cooper was also part of that?”

“I knew about everything,” she admitted.

Yeah, you should hang your head in shame, Aubrey thought biting her tongue. She swore to herself she wouldn’t fight with her mother over past circumstances.

“How did you and Dad really meet? I know what you used to tell me, but—”

“No. I never lied about that. I really met him at the hospital.”

“Right before your father performed my grandmother’s heart bypass, he saw me and was smitten. He was so romantic back then. I can’t believe how young I was.”

“And throughout those years, he never aged. I did, but he didn’t. He used to joke about drinking blood to stay young. Finally, five years into our marriage, he admitted he was a dhampir.”

“I thought he was crazy, like it was some sort of early mid-life crisis thing,” she continued. “Then I saw proof, and thought I was crazy.”

“I learned of an entire town, a whole city of these… these people. I never even knew a Shadowvale existed!”

Aubrey found that hard to believe. But then again, she never knew about Shadowvale either.

Either way, Aubrey was completely intrigued and hanging on to her mother’s every word.

Another hour passed and Nancy Cooper left. Her conversation with Aubrey had been quite… enlightening.

A few weeks later, Aubrey left Kat with a babysitter and went job hunting. Vaclav’s cash was going to run out soon and she had no other means of support.

Aubrey loved Vaclav and Reznik, but couldn’t bring herself to make plans about returning to Shadowvale.

She’d filled out a few applications for waitress jobs, even though she hated waiting on tables. There didn’t seem to be anything else available.

She came back to the apartment feeling a little disappointed.

“Madison?” she called out the sitter’s name. Madison was seventeen years old… and nowhere to be found. The stroller was also empty.

Consumed by dread, Aubrey’s search brought her to the bedroom.

“Madison? Are you in here?”

She stopped dead in her tracks.

                                                             …

The leader of the Haas Clan was holding his daughter, and he did not look happy…

“Vaclav?”

He didn’t answer, only stared ahead.

                                                            ****

Thanks for reading! ♥ Chapter 27 coming Monday.

Umm, just to warn you guys, the next chapter is going to be… very very naughty…  >_>