Chapter Three

Mick fidgeted as they sat in the hospital waiting room. Miranda had called her friend, who happened to be a doctor…and a vampire, and set the appointment up with him. He had been shocked but had her written in anyway.

Miranda leaned onto Mick's shoulder and grabbed his hand. He looked down at her and she smiled. "I love you" she whispered.

"Daddy, look," Zoe called, from over by the blocks. She had built a tower as tall as she was.

"That's really good, Zoe" Mick said, smiling at her childish grin.

A single woman, who was visibly pregnant, looked between Mick, Miranda and Zoe, taking in the family scene. She seemed torn being thinking it was cute and being annoyed. A group of two elderly couples, looked over at them too. Clearly they were there for the birth of a grandchild. One of the ladies, smiled, "Second one?"

"We hope" Mick said, smiling, as he put an arm around Miranda

Zoe's tower tumbled around her. She jumped up, running over to Mick. "Help me build the tower, Daddy"

"Not right now-" Mick started before Miranda shoved him. He looked down at her.

"Go play blocks with her" she said, smiling at him. "Go" She gave him a shove and Zoe tugged him over to the block. Sitting down on the carpet, the two began to build a tower.

"You are so lucky" the single women said, to Miranda as she watched Mick.

Miranda, who was watching Zoe place a building block on Mick's head, nodded. "I know"

The doors opened and a nurse stood there with a clipboard. She looked down it. "Miranda St. John?" She looked up as Miranda stood. She watched Mick pick up Zoe and walk with Miranda towards the door. "This way, Mrs. St. John."

Mick felt a swell of pride at the fact that she had his last name. He slipped his free arm around Miranda's waist and helped steer her after the nurse.

A jungle theme covered the wall in the room that the nurse left them in to wait. Mick, with Zoe on his lap, sat in the spare chair against the wall; while Miranda leaned against the table. The moment they had sat down the door opened and the doctor came in.

"Miranda, is that you?" the male doctor asked, hugged her. He had black hair that was going silver from his temples and warm brown eyes. His white coat said, 'J. Cooper', on the pocket.

"Jonathan" Miranda said, as he took a step back. "How are you?"

"I'm good" He looked around at Mick and Zoe. "My, my…I know of you, Mick St. John; never had the pleasure of meeting you before though." He shook Mick's hand and then turned to Zoe. "And who are you, little lady?"

"Zoe Nicole St. John" Zoe said, shaking Jonathan's hand.

Jonathan turned back to Miranda, an almost cocky smile gracing his features. "Mother, wife, what's next for you?"

Miranda rubbed her stomach. "A miracle, I hope"

Jonathan sobered and nodded. He walked to the cupboards and pulled out a syringe. Miranda sat still while Jonathan drew her blood. "I'll be back soon"He said, tapping the syringe. At the door he turned back and added "Miranda, don't hold your breath"

"It won't kill me if I do" Miranda said. She sat up. "Can you show me where the bathroom is? My stomach is queasy."

Nodding, Jonathan left with Miranda, leaving Mick and Zoe alone.

"What are we doing here?" Zoe asked, looking at Mick with her pretty blue eyes. "Is Mommy sick?"

Mick shook his head. "No" They, Mick and Miranda, had decided they wouldn't tell Zoe what was happening unless they knew for sure that it was true, but Mick couldn't lie to that little face. "Mommy and I think that Mommy may be having a baby" He felt like such an idiot. Eighty-five years under his belt and he couldn't talk to her about this.

"I could have a baby brother or sister?" Zoe's eyes were huge. Mick nodded slowly. Zoe smiled.

"We don't know for sure though" Mick said, trying to make sure she knew there was a chance they wouldn't be having a child. A good chance, he reminded himself.

Miranda appeared. "Jonathan said he was going to run it himself. He said, it shouldn't take too awful long" Mick nodded.

Zoe leapt from her spot on Mick's knees and ran to Miranda. "You're going to have a baby?"

"She asked" Mick said, trying to defend himself.

Miranda shot Mick an amused look. "We don't know yet" She pulled Zoe up on to her lap as she sat on the table. "I may not be pregnant"

Zoe shook her head, causing her twin pig tails to hit her cheeks with a loud slap. "No" she said, "I know. You are"

Laughing, Miranda kissed Zoe's forehead. "I hope so"

Mick picked up a children's book from the table next to him. Sitting beside his two girls, he held the book out.

Zoe clapped. "Read to me" she demanded.

The door opened nearly a half-hour later. Jonathan held a piece of paper in his hand and shut the door behind him. Mick shut the book and set it on the pile next to him as they all turned their attention to the doctor.

"I don't know how this can be" Jonathan whispered, looking at them all.

"What?" Miranda whispered, her hope clear in her voice.

"You are pregnant, Miranda" Jonathan looked at her. "I don't know how. We aren't suppose to be able to conceive but you have"

"I told you" Zoe said, hugging Miranda and laying her head against Miranda's stomach. "Hello" she whispered.

Mick and Miranda exchanged a look.