Beyond the Horizon

Coldness

I didn't know much back then. I just knew that I was the cause of her suffering. I had to be, because she often complained by making uncomfortable pained noises whenever I moved. It wasn't always, but whenever I stayed still, she would reward me with her glorious voice.

"You aren't moving today, angel," she would say to me, as she gently touched her swollen stomach. "Are you still there, my baby?" she would ask me worriedly.

At the sound of her voice, I would try to move as slowly as possible – enough to reply to her query. Most of the time, I would remain still, but as time passed, it became futile. The space I was in was rapidly closing in on me. Days, weeks, or months passed, and I rarely heard her animated voice. She was scared. Someone was following her, trying to harm her. I was scared, helpless.

"Elliot," she whispered one night.

I could feel the pressure her touch to her stomach caused, creating a rippling effect of the fluid that surrounded me. It was soothing.

"Hmmm," I heard him speak.

Their faces were a mystery to me. I only knew them by their voices, but I knew one thing, I loved them. I loved them immensely. They were the source of my joy and comfort.

"Is the little rascal hurting you again?" he asked, his deep voice full of concern.

"No," My mother replied soothingly. "How long until she or he is born?"

"I don't know," I heard the uncertainty in his voice. "His growth is accelerated. Perhaps any day now,"

"Will the birth..." she trailed off.

"It won't be a problem," he said reassuringly. "I have enough self control around you, Alice."

"Okay,"

"Don't ever doubt me, angel," he replied.

His voice, just like hers calmed me. I could remain still for hours, listening to their exchange of words. With each passing day, their words made sense to me. Sentence by sentence, word after word, they began to paint pictures of things that I didn't comprehend, but I did understand. He was concerned for our wellbeing. I could sense that I would be a welcome addition to them. The simple thought warmed my heart with unspoken love.

"I don't doubt you," she said and sighed heavily, "I've dreamed of a man... He wanted to hurt me,"

"Tell me about it,"

Her words drop into a whisper, and I could barely hear it. The fear in her voice scared me, but my father's reassurance calmed my worried heart. He had that effect on us – my mother and I.

"Sleep, angel," father said and began to hum a soft melody. It was my favorite. Mother joined him and their voices together sounded like the most beautiful symphony to me.

"The baby doesn't move when it hears your voice," My mother would say in a humorous tone. "Do you think it's a he or a she?"

"I don't know," I heard the doubt in my father's voice. "To be honest, after I was transformed, I didn't think this could be possible, sweetheart. You've given me the greatest gift."

"Really?" she asked doubtfully.

"Yes," he said. "It's unheard of... but, please, forgive my selfishness. I am glad that you have given me the privilege to become a father."

"It comes with a price," she said sadly.

"Yes, I am aware," he sighed. "I know that the child is basically killing you..."

"It will be all right," she said in a hopeful voice. "If there are any more complications, you can turn me after the birth."

"I will miss your humanity so much," he said sadly.

"We'll be together, Elliot,"

"Yes," he chuckled deeply.

My presence was the source of her happiness and pain. I loved her dearly. I dreamed of what they would look like. I had no early recollection of what a human face would look like, but I knew without a doubt that she would be beautiful. She would astound me!

When it was the time of my birth, I was certain that I was killing her. Her desperate screams, urging my father to end this were too much for me. Her screams were agonizing. I wanted them to stop. I wanted to ease her pain. I closed my eyes, only to be greeted by the faint scent of burning candle and cold hands.

"It's a girl," the familiar male voice said.

I opened my eyes and saw red, crimson eyes staring back at me. He smiled and brought his lips to my chin and caressed me with his cheek.

"I-I want to see her," My mother said tiredly.

I adverted my eyes towards her voice and I couldn't help the tears that spilled down my face. The beautiful face I longed to see was there, hidden behind tired eyes and dark circles.

"Let me see her, Elliot," she whispered.

My father carefully placed me in her warm embrace. Instinctively, I bit her and she wept in pain. I looked up at my father's scolding glance and embarrassed hid my face against her neck. I took a deep breath of her scent and it became engraved in my memory. The sound of her heartbeats were slowly diminishing, her warmth was instantly gone. I reached to touch her, but was whisked away by my father's strong arms. He wrapped me in a heavy blanket and placed me next to my mother.

"Alice, is time,"

"But I want to see her," she said in a weak voice.

"You are losing too much blood," he said worriedly and moved closer to her, leaning in to kiss her forehead. "It will hurt..."

"I want to see her again, please,"

"You will," he said, kissing her cheeks and wiping the tears from her face. "You will hold her, angel. Just let me turn you."

She nodded, turning her head to me. Her smile was the most breathtaking view I've ever seen. I loved her so much. Even in pain she thought of me. I wanted to shoulder her suffering and take on the pain she felt.

I watched as he bit her, cursing at himself for inflicting more pain on her.

"I'm sorry, Alice. It will hurt for a little bit, but you will be fine." He said reassuringly, as he lean forward and bit her neck, upper arms, and wrists. "I'm so sorry, angel." He whimpered sadly.

My mother's eyes rolled back and she began to trash quietly on the mattress as I watched her. Tears fell down my face. I knew that this was my fault. I was responsible. I reached for her hand, when her eyes opened widely. She stared at me and whispered how much she loved me.

He bathed me and clothed me. After I was cleaned, he fed me milk from a bottle. At first, it tasted strange. I craved something different from what I was eating. I pushed the bottle away from my lips.

"This will do for today." He chuckled softly, as he held my hand in his. "Since you are my child you must crave blood, right?"

I stared quizzically at him. "You are different from a normal child," he continued puzzled. "You have teeth..." he placed his thumb in my mouth and on instinct I bit him. "Ouch!"

I was surprised by his frown. My lips quivered and a loud wail escaped my mouth. "Hush, hush. It's fine. You surprised me, that's all. I haven't felt pain in many decades." He grinned. "That's it. That's it. There's no need to cry."

"You seem to understand what I'm saying, don't you?" he said interested.

I smiled and touch his face. My father leaned into my hand and we both turned to face my mother's resting body.

"She'll be fine," he said, picking up the milk bottle. "You need to eat, angel. You are going to grow up as beautiful as your mother."

I took the bottle in my hands and began suckling. It wasn't good, but it staved off the pangs of hunger that I felt. With a satisfied nod, my father smiled and lay next to my mother. He held me tightly against his chest, as his large, cold hand, gently caressed my back. He lulled me to a comfortable daze.

The day went by, as my father held me tightly in his arms and stared at my mother's body. Her heartbeats were soft, and the paleness of her skin was becoming more apparent.

"She'll be fine," Father said, as he kissed my forehead. "I'll protect you both. I'll protect you with my life."

Little did I know that his promise to protect us with his life would become a reality.

AN: I wanted to thank you for reading this story. It starts off sort of like And Then Came You, but it's much different. This is just the beginning. I always wondered how would it have been like if Alice had a child before she became a vampire. I always questioned myself what it would feel like if Alice and her daughter met in the most inexplicable circumstances.