Chapter 1 - Baby Blues

Vicki moved across the bed from the sleeping Henry, un-tangling her legs from his and moving his hand away from her ever expanding waistline. Henry murmured in her direction moving as if to grasp her again but not quite waking up enough. She smiled down him shaking her head, 'he just wasn't a morning person' even now.

Henry went out hunting late last night instead of his usual earlier hour. He was caught up working on his latest graphic novel, not wanting to leave in the middle of a creative moment.

Vicki had come home tired from being on her feet most of that day tracking down suspects in a prostitute murder and was surprised when she found out he hadn't fed yet and offered him a light snack at her neck before he left to take the edge of his hunger. Henry had snuggled into her body as he moved in to bite the vein running down the side of her neck. The pregnancy had made her blood thick, rich and intoxicating and it was hard to pull away after just a few mouthfuls. Henry tried to draw Vicki to him to fulfill another need building but she gentle placed her hand on his chest looked into his eyes.

"I'm sorry Henry, not right now ok, my back is aching, my dogs are barking and I'm hungry" Vicki pushed the streak of silver behind his ear and kissing his temple.

"Of course, I wasn't thinking. Here you sit down and I'll just get dinner for you and run the bath" Henry kissed her lips and breathed in her scent while trying to ignore the desire which wasn't helped by her scent. He knew she didn't feel very attractive at the moment but to Henry with his vampire vision and senses she glowed like no other and called to him, her blood as addictive as the headiest drug.

Vicki was 7 months pregnant and determined to work up until the day she delivered. She was pushing herself hard and ignoring Mike and Henry whenever it was suggested she should slow down. She loved her job, the demands, the crime scenes, shaking down suspects and reading gun magazines even though she kept those hidden away under the bed.

Henry smiled thinking about her little secret remembering the conversation they had had when Norman had come back as a demon about where Vicki's passion lay.

"There's a letter from your oby/gn on the table" called Henry from the kitchen.

Vicki moved her tired body from the couch picking up the envelope. God she was so tired lately even though she would never admit it to anyone. Looking inside she found a note from her 'baby' doctor explaining that the results of her last blood test had come back and there was a problem. Vicki sat back down on the couch before reading on.

"Is everything ok" asked Henry sensing her unease.

"Its fine, just a note from my doctor" replied Vicki without looking up and frowning.

"Let me see" Henry deftly pulled the note from her hand before she could stop him and read the doctors note.

"This is serious Vicki, where you going to tell me"? asked Henry frowning back at her now.

"I knew you would react like this and yes of course I was going to tell you. I'm amemic thats all!" Vicki huffed and refused to look at Henry not wanting to say what needed to be said.

"Amemic is serious Victoria, I just drank you blood again, not much granted but it's obviously effecting you and the pregnancy" Henry paced up and down before crouching in front of Vicki and taking her hands in his.

"Look, I'm not going to ask you to 'give up' your job or anything like that right now but this does mean no more necking" he smiled at her and kissed her lips.

"Sex is still on the table though or the floor, or the bathroom, the couch" he smiled up at her.

Vicki laughed relieved at how well he was taking it. Feeding off her was so important to Henry, it was more than just food it was a connection of soul, heart and mind. He once explained this to her on his balcony and after being with him as his lover and now wife she knew for herself that this would be very hard for him to give up. Even just for a little while.