Chapter 4

He was tired and worried. He knew that if the world had discovered his secret he would be at risk or worse killed. Now, his wife and child could be at risk if the world found out about their talents. Waiting patiently, he reflected what the government might do if they discovered his half vampire wife and the 3-month fetus she carried was able to communicate with its mother.

What of those she had perceived would help them if they were in danger? Life had not prepared him for this set of circumstance, but then again, life had not prepared him to be a vampire either. Which was something they would deal with when the time came. For now he had to keep her calm to protect her and the unborn life she carried.

As an educated man his adapting to the 20th century had taken some time. Part of his education had been to familiarize him self with the operations of the government that was newly forming in the late 18th century.

What he had read so far about the conspiracies, the secret agencies that had been formed within the government only added to his already paranoid thinking. So much had happened over the nearly 200 years he had been trapped in his coffin.

Wars, presidential assassinations, lunar landings and the list just grew. It boggled the mind as he familiarized himself with history. He had to learn new phrases such as a cold war, men in black, alien encounters, nuclear proliferation and secret societies that were formed and hidden within the very government he saw being brought to fruition during his lifetime.

With all this newly acquired knowledge he figure forewarned was forearmed. He would need to know these things in order to protect his wife and unborn child. He had formed his resolve that there would be nothing that he would not do for the sake of protecting his family.

Daylight was peaking its warming tendrils through the curtains as Vicki awoke. Stretching she yawned and then rolled in to spoon her husband from behind. Taking her fingertip she tickled his ear and felt him capture her hand and pull her arm under his arm pinning it close.

Leaning next to his ear she whispered, "I love you." He smiled and rolled facing her, which drew her closer to him.

Keeping the mood light he spoke softly, "Darling, we need to talk about the trip. I want to be on the plane and headed to Martinique by no later than Monday. Will that give you enough time to get through your check up and anything else you might be planning?"

Vicki nodded, "I should have everything ready to go by then. My concerns are for the house. What were your thoughts on closing up this house while we vacation on the island?"

Barnabas smiled, "Willie will be here to over see the Hudson's and Mrs. Cook. They should be able to mange any problems that might arise in our absence. I am very sure that this house will be here when we get back. I will need to hire some help for the House in Martinique."

Vicki rolled onto her back; she was tired from her late night's foray to the hospital. Gentling fingertips moved over her stomach to feel the subtle movement of her daughter.

Vicki absently rubbed her stomach lost in thought, turning her head to look at the man beside her she smiled, "Do you want me to contact a local agency about help?" She loved this time of the day with her husband, lying at her side while they discussed the mundane.

She watched a little disappointed when he stood from bed and moved to the bathroom. "That might be helpful, do they have agencies on the island?" Vicki waited to move out of the bed, she was warm and felt like purring as a contented kitten. She knew once the covers went back the room was going to be cold and she was not ready to count the goose bumps on her arms. "I should be able to call an agency in New York and they would be able to put me in touch with help."

Barnabas moved from his bathroom, holding a warmed bathrobe. He knew his wife well enough to know she was not moving from bed because she was avoiding the chill of the room. Indulgently, he watched her slide from the bed and rushed into the bathrobe.

Turning her head to look at him over her shoulder she smiled, "Thank you my love." He greeted her thanks with a quick light kiss on her lips. Pulling her hair out of the robe so it would lay over her shoulders and down her back.

"My lady's pleasure is my will." She felt thrilled by the quaint turn of his phrases. That was one of the charming old world habits she was glad he had not discarded in this modern century. Just one of the many talents she had always loved about her husband.

Moving to her mirror, she pulled back her bathrobe and ran her fingers over the growing mound. Standing sideways she tilted her head and sighed. "Will you love me when I am big and fat?" Barnabas stood behind her looking at her reflection in the mirror.

Encircling her with his arms. "I would love you if you were purple and had horns what is the name of that song, one eyed one horned flying purple people eater?"

Vicki laughed, "I don't know what song are you talking about? And where ever did you hear that song?"

He kissed her neck then laid his palm over the beginning swell of her baby bump "Willie had some radio station on in the car the other day and I was actually listening to the prattle coming out of the radio box in the car."

Vicki could imagine his reaction to a song like one eyed, one horned, flying purple people eater. " I think we need to have Willie listen to a more refined station, he should try the classic channels or NPR."

Barnabas looked confused, "What is a NPR?"

Vicki moved to the bathroom, the baby was sitting on her bladder and she was feeling the need to be private, she called out to him as she closed the door, "It's the National Public Radio. You already watch the PBS on the television. They have a more refined choice of music. They play the classics. Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, Mozart, the kind of music you would find more appealing than pop rock." "

She came out of the bathroom and moved to her dressing room and began pulling out a few dresses. Eyeing them critically she sighed. "I guess I need to break down and buy some maternity clothes." She found a shirt that belonged to Barnabas and slipped it on. "Or I could use your shirts."

She watched him turn and look at her in horror. "Oh my goodness no Vicki, that shirt practically swallows you. Do you have nothing you can wear until we can get you some maternity clothing?"

She pulled out her red A line dress accented with a wide navy blue stripe that ran the length of the sleeve from shoulder to wrist. "I have this until I can go buy something. The rest of my dresses are more form fitting and I am afraid my form does not want to fit. " He took his shirt she stripped off and watched her pull on the dress.

"Maybe we need to call Liz and Carolyn and have them take you to Bangor to Penny to get some clothing you can wear while you are pregnant."

Vicki nodded, "Maybe you are right. I guess I should call mother and see if they are up for the trip to Bangor." While Vicki dressed, she watched Barnabas leave their room. She could hear him speaking and knew he had moved to the hallway phone.

Exiting the bedroom Barnabas handed her the phone. "Your mother."

Taking the phone she deliberately brightened her voice, "Hello mother. I fear I am about to grow out of my clothing and need to buy some maternity clothing. "

She could hear Carolyn in the background. "Shopping! I am so ready. Tell her to get dressed and we will be over to pick her up, we can grab some breakfast on our way."

Vicki could hear the humor in her mother's voice. "Did you hear your sister?"

Vicki chuckled, "Yes, I will be ready. I do need to grab some toast, I need to eat something before Carolyn decides she is hungry."

Elizabeth laughed, "Do not rush dear, it will take me about 20 minutes to get ready then we will collect you."

Vicki hung up the phone and then, she remembered she had a follow up appointment with Julia. Dialing Julia's secretary she asked to speak with Julia.

"Dr. Hoffman." Julia's voice was clipped and professional.

"Julia, it's Vicki Collins, should I ask how are you this morning?"

Julia's voice relaxed and sounded more approachable. "I am fine, a little tired. The point is, how are you today?"

Vicki sighed, "I am fine, I am having a problem with wardrobe, it seems my mother and sister want to take me to Bangor, so could we do the follow up tomorrow?"

Julia laughed, "I know it's hard to put Carolyn off when she is ready for some shopping. So, you go on, I will have Annette, reset you for tomorrow around 10?"

Feeling elated to not have to be around the sterile confines of a hospital or doctor's office, she readily agreed then hung up and moved down the back stairs into the kitchen.

Cook happily greeted her as she moved to the kitchen's island. "I heard you were going shopping for some maternity clothes. You need to eat before you leave." Vicki warmed with a hug from Mrs. Cook watching her sit down a plate of eggs, bacon, and toast.

"Thank you Mrs. Cook." The older woman bustled about the kitchen; her sturdy short form displayed the signs of baking. Flour powdered her blue apron and graced the tip of her nose. Vicki imagined that she must have thought there was an annoying itch that needed her flour dough hand's attention.

Making quick work of the breakfast food in no time she had devoured the breakfast plate then slid from her chair to the sound of a horn out in front of the Colonial style house. Vicki knew the old house was impressive especially with impressive colonnades.

Rushing down the hallway to the drawing room, Vicki was met by Barnabas at the door. He held her coat and purse. Giving her a quick peck on her lips he opened the door allowing her time to slip on her coat.

Pushing the door closed she smiled, "I think I deserve a little more than just a peck and a promise. Please sir, may I have some more?" She moved into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck and plundered his mouth with a passionate kiss.

He broke the kiss, holding her tightly. "Maybe I should keep you here a little longer." Vicki wiggled next to him laughing and going in for another kiss. He moaned against her lips, then pushed her back, "I put money in your purse my dear. Do not feel you have to worry about how much you are spending. I just heard from my broker and we can afford new clothing."

Vicki hugged him just when there came a resounding banging at the front door. From the other side of the door, Vicki could hear Carolyn, "Vicki get the lead out we have places to go and shopping to do! We are burning daylight. Hup! Hup!"

Barnabas holding her tightly to him looked at the door with only mild annoyance then glanced to the woman in his arms. "My sister in law seems to be impatient."

Vicki laughed, "You started it when you said shopping."

Vicki opened the door and felt her wrist grabbed by Carolyn. "Come on, we are burning daylight Lets get the led out! We have stores to plunder and money to spend!" Carolyn continued tugging her down the front steps to the awaiting car. Before being shoved headlong into the estate car, she had just enough time to turn and blow Barnabas a kiss.

That was until Carolyn shoved the door closed. "I didn't even get to brush my teeth." Carolyn fished in her purse and pulled out a pack of gum. "Here, works just as good as a toothbrush."

Liz gave her daughter an indulgent scolding look. "Carolyn slow down, we will have plenty of time to get there and back before dark. Oh darling I thought since we know the sex of the child we could do some shopping for the baby."

Carolyn guided the car along the back roads to Quentin's house. "Daphne wanted to come shopping, we are picking her up." Carolyn rolled to the front of the house and then laid on the horn. Vicki put her palms over her ears while Carolyn continued to sound what she imagined was very like what Gabriel's trumpet must have sound.

Quentin who gave his fiancé a deep parting kiss and hug followed Daphne out of the house and to the car. "Oh no, you are definitely in trouble if kitten is driving."

Carolyn looked at her cousin and stuck out her tongue, "Don't be a jerk Quentin. Come on Daph."

Quentin maintained his humor as he softly chastised Carolyn, "Very mature kitten, will you scratch me next or hiss?" He slammed the door behind Daphne watching her slide in next to Vicki. Stepping back he watch the Collins women go off to do one of the things they could do the best, shop.

Excitement filled Carolyn with the thought of going to Bangor and getting out of Collinsport for the day. Her animated conversation dominated the drive and as Carolyn pulled out on Highway 1, she failed to notice another darker sedan following behind them at a discrete distance.

The two male occupants of the dark four-door sedan concealed their faces behind black sunglasses and black fedora hats. It might have appeared odd seeing that there was heavy cloud cover obscuring the suns warming rays. With such heavy cloud cover there would have been no need for sunglasses on such an overcast day.

Carolyn drove for about an hour. Then she started looking for a place to eat. "Hey keep a look out for a restaurant so we can get some breakfast."

Liz was diligently watching the exits when she saw a billboard extolling the virtues of fine dining at Grace's Family Diner. "There Carolyn, we can see if this place will meet our needs." Carolyn took the next exit noting that Grace's diner was just off the main highway. "Grace's Diner looks clean they should have a decent breakfast here." Carolyn observed as they all got out of the car.

Daphne noted it was clean looking and hoped they also had clean restrooms. She had a tiny bladder that had started to feel full after leaving their cottage bungalow.

"Come on, lets go see what's cooking."

Vicki was already feeling the tinge of hunger and was looking forward to another breakfast when; the tiny voice was edging her psyche. "Mother I think there are two men following us. They just pulled their car into the lot behind us."

Vicki started to turn when the soft voice said, "Don't let them see you turning to look at them." Carolyn had already exited the car waiting for everyone to get out so she could lock the car.

Vicki opened her door sliding out, she used her peripheral to try and assess the dark car that pulled into a slot across the lot from where they had parked. Vicki was unable to get a good look at the car or its occupants.

She tried to think of a less conspicuous way of getting a better look at what could be a threat. Slowly following Carolyn, Liz and Daphne; Vicki stopped on the diner's steps "Shoot." Vicki looked apologetically as she chewed her bottom lip nervously. Carolyn turned hearing the distress in her voice.

"What?"

Vicki sighed giving her a sheepish smile, "Carolyn, I will be in shortly, I left my wallet in the car."

Carolyn watched Daphne and her mother pass her and entered the diner. Smiling she shrugged her delicate shoulders and pitched her the car keys, "Here, see you inside."

Vicki caught the keys, "Thank you." She watched her sister turn on her expensive heel and moved into the diner. Trying to appear nonchalant, Vicki moved back to the car and opened the door. Using the rearview glass she saw the car and the two men.

They were of medium build, wearing sunglass, hats, and dark suits. Most importantly, they appeared to be watching her. Vicki frowned, "Who are they?"

She had muttered under her breath. "I don't know mommy but they cannot be good men. Crouch down in the car and turn yourself invisible."

Vicki bent down in the seat and muttered "Blink doesn't see me." She moved her fingers in an intricate fashion and felt the very air around her begin to charge, Vicki's image on the backseat began to shimmer then disappear. She used the blink spell to allow herself time to open the door and step out closing the door behind her.

Moving on silent footfalls she moved towards the car with the two men. Again, she moved her fingers in an intricate fashion and whispered, "Magnify sound." The men in the car had firm deep voices devoid of emotion while they with calculated ease spoke like automatons. The words were spoke without haste or waste of words and almost appeared to be more automatic.

"In the car?" That was the driver.

The passenger craned his neck, "Don't see her; she leaned down in the backseat."

The driver nodded, "We wait for her to go into the diner."

The passenger nodded slowly, "Bug in their car?"

The driver nodded, then questioned. "Do we have confirmation that she is the target?" Vicki noticed they were looking at a set of pictures laid out on the front seat between them.

Her picture was the one on top. "Mommy, your spell will wear off in another 5 minutes you need to get their license plate number so we can give it to Grandpa"

Vicki hurried behind the dark sedan and noticed the license plate was a Virginian license plate. She memorized the number and hurried to the front porch of the diner. She had just stepped on the last step when her spell expired thus giving her the appearance that she had just appeared out of thin air.

The driver nearly broke his neck watching her step from thin air to the porch. Snapping his head back he muttered under his breath. "How the heck did she do that?" The passenger had been putting together the transmitter and had not witnessed Vicki's reappearance.

Still assembling the transmitter he asked, "Do what?"

The driver looked dumbfounded removing his glasses. He spoke with uncertainty to his voice "She just appeared on the steps of the diner, I never saw her leave the vehicle."

"Must mean we are watching the correct target." The passenger continued to assemble the transmitter. "Keep watch while I go put this in place."

The driver watched Vicki move into the diner. "Go now, she is in the diner. Looks like they are all sitting together away from the window."

Vicki moved to sit next to Daphne who moved over to allow her room. Carolyn sounded annoyed giving her sister a look of irritation, "Where have you been? We have been waiting forever, and I am starving."

Vicki flushed, "I am sorry, I had to go to the restroom and had to get a key from the attendant." Carolyn let her bit of temper abate and studied the menu.

"The waitress recommended the number 4, toast egg, bacon and coffee."

Vicki felt her stomach roll, stood and rushed off to the restroom. Liz sighed looked at Daphne standing expecting to follow Vicki to make sure she was ok.

Liz shook he head. "Sit down Daphne and order your meal. It's nothing more than morning sickness. She will be fine once she empties her stomach." Liz looked at the menu, waiting for Daphne to reseat her self, Liz studied her menu and found that the only appealing item on the menu was toast and coffee.

"I think for me I would much prefer the black coffee and toast with jelly." She looked up noting Vicki's return looking pale. "Better dear?" Liz glanced up with motherly concern watching her daughter slowly lowered herself to the bench seat.

Vicki crumpled over her glass of water and slowly sipped feeling some relief from the ice. She felt horrible, there was the most unpleasant taste coupled with the uncomfortable feeling of the revisit of her breakfast.

The combination of those two factors she put a shaky hand to her forehead and closed her eyes.. "Thank you yes mother."

Carolyn handed the menu to Vicki. "Mother is having the toast and coffee, I think I want the number 4 Daph what will you have?"

Daphne smiled and looked at her menu. "I think the number 3 oatmeal and orange juice." The thought of food for Vicki was repugnant especially after she had emptied the contents of her earlier breakfast in the toilet.

Vicki glanced at the menu, at this moment nothing looked good. "Mommy, ask for dry toast and orange juice. You will be able to keep that down with no problem"

Vicki smiled and replied internally to her daughter, "Thank you Doctor Josette."

There was a gentle snicker in her mind from Josette who spoke meaningfully. "I am only able to talk to you by accessing your mental library for words and their meanings for a short time. Michael felt it was necessary that I become cognitive to the surroundings so it would not be such a shock at my birth."

Vicki nodded, "I suppose I understand precious, it's just hard for me to fathom a fetus barely 3 months old has such an adult vocabulary is very disconcerting to me."

The delicate voice edged her conscious thoughts, "It is only because I am using your memories and your knowledge to communicate with you."

Vicki was abruptly brought out of her reverie when Carolyn poked her side, "Hello, Earth to Vicki, come in Vicki."

Liz using her motherly look turned to her youngest daughter and spoke softly but firmly, "Carolyn, I hope Vicki is more patient with you when you are pregnant."

Carolyn flushed, "Sorry mother, I am hungry."

Vicki apologized, "I am so sorry." She smiled at the waitress, "Dry toast and orange juice please and another glass of water." The waitress nodded wrote down the orders and moved from their table.

"I apologize Carolyn, lately I am easily distracted, I think I have a lot on my mind."

Carolyn had already forgotten her pique watching the entrance of two men. She studied their mode of dress, which for businessmen would be considered normal. However as they were dressed exactly alike in black suit, ties, and fedora hats wearing sunglasses on a cloudy day she was struck by the oddity of it all.

Speaking in a conspiratorially low tone she hissed, "Hello, odd couple alert." The women glanced up to see the men take a window seat across from where they sat. Carolyn lowered her voice, "They almost look like G-men."

Daphne gave them a cursory glance then went back to her menu. "Oh they have Dutch apple pie alamode I might have to try that before we leave."

Carolyn looked at the desert menu and laughed, "For breakfast?"

Daphne smiled, "I like Dutch apple pie anytime." Just the thought of something syrupy sweet made Vicki jump up and move to the ladies room again.

Liz shook her head watching her oldest daughter dash off to the restroom. "Poor thing. Hopefully she won't have much longer dealing with this."

"I might have to rethink this marriage thing with Quentin." Daphne had to admit mentally she did not think she was ready to jump into being a mother after watching Vicki struggle with her pregnancy.

Carolyn sighed, "Well you could get married but not have children right away."

Daphne nodded, "I suppose it seems to be giving her constitution a run for her money."

Vicki leaned over the sink and bathed her face with cool water. "How much longer will this go on?"

Her answer came to her in her mind, "It will end by the second trimester Mommy. Just be sure to get fluids in you or it could put us both at risk."

Vicki rinsed her mouth and bathed her face again. "I may have to ask Carolyn to take me home." She finished washing her face, rinsed her mouth again and moved on unsteady feet to the table. She glanced down at a fresh glass of water.