(Author's Note)

Hello again everyone! This is the sequel to my story Dark Enchantment...so if you haven't read that one you should look it over before you read this one.

I will warn you now that this chapter is a bit slow, because i had to pick up where the first story left off. But the second chapter will pick up into the best parts of the story. I can't wait to reveal all of my surprises.

Enjoy and please be kind and review if you can...this is only my second fanfic ;-)

Thanks again!

Ashley

Chapter 1

The Carpathian Mountains were so beautiful in the late summer seasons. It had been almost eight months since she had moved here, become a Carpathian, and a life mate to a very strong and dominant male. Elena had everything she could ever want and in a few short weeks she would be giving birth to a tiny miracle that she carried in her womb. Her tiny Catharine had changed everything about Elena. This one innocent unborn infant made her stronger emotionally. Instead of the emotional breakdown most women suffered with, Elena was tougher and more cautious of herself and her surroundings. Nothing would ever harm her infant or her new family.

She stood in the small riverbed that ran from her home to the worn pathway that led to Savannah and Gregori's home. Her Capri pants were rolled up to her knees and the cool water sped over her feet and the smooth stones below. It was evenings like this that made Elena wish she had the sun shining over her body. She had use to love bathing in its warm rays, but becoming a Carpathian had limited her to a life of darkness and blood. It was well worth it of course, but she had sometimes missed the benefits of being a human.

She drew up a stick in her hand and pushed the tip around the sand at the edge of the water. Savannah was supposed to meet her on the path so they could make their way down to the cavern hot springs together. Because the Carpathian women had trouble with the mortality rate of children living past their first year, all women were now to bath regularly in the deep mineral rich caves. A group of Carpathian healers and human doctors had traced the death ratio to toxins that polluted the very soil that gave them life and strength. Rich soil and the mountain's natural gift of sulfur turned out to be just the thing that aided in keeping their children alive long enough to be born and functioning until their second year. (That and a very gifted Carpathian woman that was able to heal and purify the earth.)

Elena heard shuffled footsteps up ahead and looked up to see her friend wobble down the beaten path. The baby that lay in Elena's womb started to kick feverishly and she had a difficult time adjusting her pant legs and slipping on her flip flops. It was always like that. Every time Savannah came near, her baby would kick and squirm until Elena thought she might need a kidney replacement.

Savannah waved her arm in the air and greeted her friend with a hug. "Are you ok Ell? You look a little pale tonight." Savannah said with a serious face.

"Oh I'm fine. The baby started to kick again…She has been doing that these past 4 months." Elena took one of the bath baskets from Savannah and they started their short walk to the caves.

"You know, every time we see each other the baby kicks. And then when ever you leave she almost starts to protest to me with more kicks." Elena shook her head and trailed her stick on the ground as they walked. Savannah just stared at her in awe at what she was saying.

She had been experiencing similar things as her friend but just thought that they were normal since she was due any day now. "What's the matter?" Elena asked when she noticed how quiet she was being.

"Ell the same thing happens to me. Only my baby kicks and protests whenever you aren't around, and doesn't stop unless I sleep or when I am with or around you." Both women stopped at the mouth of the cave and stared down at their rounded bellies. They started to giggle as they shook their heads and started their decent into the deep steam filled cave.

The water bubbled around the women's bodies and the soil eased their aching backs as they leaned up against the side of the pool. Savannah had made a new type of soap made out of the same ingredients that their healing candles were. The cave soon smelled of lavender and fragrant herbs.

With her hair pulled up high on the top of her head, Elena turned and faced Savannah. "Would you care to try a little experiment?" Savannah's eyebrow shot up in curiosity.

"What kind of experiment?" She asked as she shifted her body into a more comfortable position.

"I will walk over to the other side of this cavern and see what reaction we have with our babies." She paused a moment before speaking again. "I think maybe our children like the presence of one another and before baby Catharine destroys my bladder, I would like to find a solution to the kicking problem."

"Sure, I'm game." Savannah said with a smile. "Lets just tell each other when the other starts to react to the separation."

Elena got out of the spring and pulled a soft robe around her shoulders. She very slowly started to walk backwards to the other side of the spring pool. By the time she reached the far side of the cavern both her and Savannah gave a swift exhale of air followed by an "oomph". They both looked at each other and Elena started back to Savannah's side.

She eased into the water and rested her head in the side of the pool's edge. "Well, what do you think? Cause I think we have a very close set of babies."

Savannah shook her head with glossy eyes. "I think you are right, but what does that mean?" Elena couldn't explain what was going on. Something like this didn't seem possible. How could two unborn children know each other and sense when the other isn't near?

"I don't know." Elena answered honestly.

"Well I think I am heading back. My feet are starting to prune and I am not feeling well tonight." Savannah was close to giving birth but she made sure that didn't stop her from doing her everyday activities. And besides if she didn't get to see her friend occasionally then she might die from boredom.

"Do you want me to walk with you?" Savannah shook her head no.

"Nah, my boogey-man is coming to meet me at the mouth of the cave to walk me home. But hey, do you want to come with us or are you ok by yourself?" Elena waved her hand to push her friend away.

"And leave all this? No way…I still have an hour of soaking left in me." She waved her friend good-bye and rested her head back up against the edge of the pool. She enjoyed the way the heat felt against her skin and she started to think about the baby as she danced the cha-cha on the underside of her rib cage.

Strong soothing hands began to massage the back of her neck and the scent to sandal-wood and man filled her lungs. No one smelled quite like her Nicolae. That feels so good. I may just sleep here tonight if you don't stop that.

Nicolae laughed softly as he bent over and kissed her on the cheek. "It would do you no good to fall asleep in a hot spring. You'll sooner turn to soup and I would have to fish you out with a net."

"So what are you doing here?" She asked as she turned around to get out of the pool.

"Gregori and I were discussing recent events and new threats to our people when he got a call from Savannah. She isn't feeling well?"

"No, she seemed a bit pale and I think she is worried about the birth. And I can't say I blame her…I am petrified about this whole thing. I know she is due any day now and that means I am not too far away." Nicolae sensed her ever worried mind about the safety of their child. He formed a fluffy towel in mid air and folded her into it's softness as she walked out of the spring.

His hands rested right above the baby and he started to speak to their daughter through their special connection. Nicolae would send soft pictures of the world they lived in and what her beautiful mother looked like on the other side.

Elena laughed and shook her head. "Why do you send her such disgusting pictures of me like this?"

He looked up sharply at her. "You are not disgusting and you carry yourself very well pregnant…so I don't want to hear anymore about how ugly you look."

"Nicolae! I look like a cow that has exploded into an elephant!" He shut her up before she could start at it again. He grasped her lips with his own and swept all other thought away from her mind. She was once again lost in herself. Nicolae was the only thing that stood in front of her and she looked into his eyes with great love.

"Before you distract me from anything else, I wish to go home and rest a bit. I don't think I am feeling up to par this evening either." Nicolae clothed her using his mind, and laced his fingers through her own. He started to walk them out into the early open night when Elena pressed a hand to her belly.

"Is everything ok love?" He stopped them and looked at her mind for the answer.

"Yes. I uh…just got a little dizzy there for a minute… I am fine Nicolae maybe just a little walk will make me feel better." No sooner did he start walking with her again did she stop in her tracks, clutching at her side in pain.

"No, you are not fine. You are in obvious pain…what is wrong." He sat her down on the ground to examine her.

"Nicolae…this can't be right. I think I am going into labor…" His eyes met her shocked ones and Elena felt her panic start to overwhelm her. "It's too soon Nicolae! What's happening to me!"

Nicolae shook his head of his own panic and he sent his call to Elena's doctor and Carpathian friend, Shea. Then he called Gregori.. He didn't know what else to do. He had never been a father before and this was all new to him.

Gregori I need your help Elena is going into labor.

Gregori didn't respond for a minute.

I am a bit busy with my own problems. Savannah started to go into labor as soon as I got her home. Take Elena to the healing cave and I will meet you there with the other healers and Savannah.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

The labor was long and tiring. Nicolae took as much pain away from Elena as he could, but there was nothing he could do to stop all of her pain. Gregori was across the other side of the cave and he seemed to be in the same position.

After the children were born safely into their world they were put in separate incubators by their mothers. Both the children wailed and screamed their frustration to the world as both the mothers tried to gain their strength to gaze upon their little one's face.

Savannah looked to her friend and smiled deeply. "Hey there…You just couldn't wait to join me could you?" Elena lit up and smiled.

"I guess Catharine couldn't wait to meet everyone." The little ones started to wail even louder and Elena pushed herself up into a sitting position as did Savannah.

"Gregori, push the two incubators together and take out the wall that separates them."

Gregori looked to his life mate for some answers, but learned early on not to question her and just do as she said.

As soon as the incubators were pushed together, the children stopped crying. Both little Catharine and Addrick calmed immediately and started to drift into a light slumber.

All of the life mates and healers in the room looked at the two in shock. No words were spoken but the air vibrated with what everyone wanted to say. They were all looking at a very strong set of children that had an obvious connection, and it was clear what was on everyone's mind.