Chapter 6

Disclaimer: This book ( Lux series ) and all it's characters belong to the author, Jennifer L. Armentrout. I own nothing.

Katy's POV:

We'd been here for two months now. As of today, I was 5 months along. I was growing more and more anxious as the days passed. Where were Luc and Archer? I hoped they got us out of here soon, because the last thing I wanted to do was give birth to my baby in this hellhole.

Taking a deep, calming, breath, I ran a hand down my bump absentmindedly. I was a lot bigger now. I Knew Daemon worried about me. Christ, he looked at me as if the extra weight resting in my midsection would topple me over any second. Other than that, Daemon and I didn't really talk about the baby.

He went with me to the ultrasounds, rubbed my back, and even held my hair back when I got sick. He did everything he was supposed to do and yet, he did so without any emotion. It was like he had already decided that there was no chance we could have this baby and he didn't want to get attached. But I knew, I knew differently. Every time we went to an ultrasound, every time he heard the baby's heartbeat, he would get this awed look on his face like he couldn't believe what was happening. It was times like those that gave me hope.

Before I could finish my thoughts, Nancy and her goons were already waiting outside to take me to my next ultrasound. Dammit. For the most part, it was always one of her guards that escorted me to the medical wing. That was how I knew she wouldn't be at the ultrasound that week. Much to her dismay and my utter happiness, she had missed many of them. I hated when she came.

When she wasn't there, the doctor was loose and friendly, always answering any questions I had. When Nancy was around, she was quiet and astute and didn't speak unless spoken to. When I opened the door I was face to face with a very impatient looking Nancy, but as soon as she saw me or my bump rather, her lips parted in a genuine smile. She lifted her arm suddenly, and trailed her fingers over my belly. Something she had taken to doing when Daemon wasn't around. I jerked back, but she caught me by the wrist, no longer smiling. "You forget your place, hybrid. This is my baby. You are no more than a surrogate. You are not this baby's mother." In that moment I wanted nothing more than to tell her off, but I knew she would just punish me by taking her anger out on my family or Daemon.

So I stood there, jaw wired shut and hands clenched at my side, as she put her hands on either side of my belly and placed a soft kiss just above my navel. I felt like I was going to be sick. The guards just looked plain uncomfortable. Nancy straightened and cleared her throat. "Well, we best be going. Don't want to be late." She muttered.

...

Once we'd gotten to the medical wing, things went according to schedule. Daemon was by my side like always, as stoic as ever. Nancy stood on my other side, her eyes wide and eager as that of a child. The doctor checked my blood pressure, weight, vitals..etc. "Alright," the doctor said."everything looks good. Your baby is strong and healthy. The only thing that concerns me is the growth and development."

Concern rose in me. "I thought you said he was healthy. What's wrong?" I asked, suddenly panicking and wrapping my arms around my midsection. It didn't help when Nancy began pacing the length of the small examination room, wearing a troubled expression. Daemon remained silent, but wrapped an arm around my shoulders. The doctor gave us a strained smile. "He's doing well, he's just a bit big, that's all. I realize that you don't have any experience with pregnancy, Kat, but I have treated quite a few pregnant women in my time and they are usually about seven months pregnant before they get to be your size."

My brows furrowed and though Daemon didn't say anything, I knew he was worried and listening intently to what she had to say next. Before I could ask anymore questions Nancy's shrill voice cut me off."Will the baby be ok?" I fought the overpowering urge to snap at her. It wasn't her place to be concerned. It wasn't her baby. The doctor sighed. "They both should be as long as we monitor her closely. Odds are she'll go into labor early, which won't be a problem. We have all the the necessary tools needed to deliver this baby. Everything should go according to plan."

Next to me, Daemon let out a breath I didn't know he'd been holding. While the doc and Nancy finished speaking about some things, a soldier led us back to our room.

Once there, both Daemon and and I stripped down for bed. Standing up straight, I stretched and bit back a groan as an ache pierced my lower back. Sighing, I moved towards the bed when I felt a strong thump against my side. At first I was confused. I gasped and my hands dropped to my stomach when I felt it again. Daemon was by my side immediately. "Shit, Kat? Are you okay?" He asked. I took a breath.

Then I grinned when realization dawned on me. I gave a breathless laugh. "I think...I think he's kicking." Daemon stopped breathing. "No way." He whispered. Without thinking, I grabbed one of his hands and pressed it against my stomach. We waited for a minute. Then, out of nowhere, the baby gave a sharp kick right where Daemon's palm was. Daemon's eyes widened.

Suddenly, he dropped to his knees, so he was face to face with my stomach. He placed his hands on either side of my belly. I stayed completely still. Ever so gently, he placed a kiss above my navel just as Nancy had, except It didn't feel weird or creepy, it just felt natural. My eyes began to fill with tears. The baby kicked again, right against his daddy's mouth. "He knows who you are." I whispered through my tears. His face broke into a breathtakingly beautiful smile. "This is amazing..." He said softly. Suddenly his smile fell. "Does it hurt?" He asked contritely. I was about to shake my head when I felt a strong kick in my ribs that made me grimace.

Face tense, he pressed his palm to the spot where the baby had kicked. He closed his eyes. "I'm sorry, Kat. I'm so damn sorry. I've left you alone in this. The way I've been acting these last couple months... I... Want to be apart of this baby's life. Forget everything I said. I love you and I love our baby. I want to be there for both of you... If you'll let me."

Daemon stood up and led me to the bed, helping me to get comfortable, while he kneeled by my lap. Sighing, I said "of course I forgive you. We need you and I want you in our lives. I'm still angry, but I can get past it. I'm so glad you love this baby, too." He sighed. "Kat, I've always loved this baby. From the first moment I saw him on the ultrasound screen, I loved him. And before you start, I know I had a bad way of showing it, but kitten I was so afraid. I had already convinced myself that it would be better if we gave him up, I guess I was just afraid of losing him so I thought it would be better if I didn't get attached. But I realize how wrong that was and ,kitten, I will spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you. Both of you."

He said placing one hand on my stomach while using the other to brush away my tears. At loss for words, I just stared at him. "I love you." I whispered. "I love you, too" he replied. The baby kicked under his palm." Daemon chuckled. "I love you, too, buddy." Suddenly, Daemon was on his feet. Before I could asks what was wrong, the door flew open.

Standing in front of us was Archer, Dee, and Luc. They all wore identical expressions of shock. Except, they weren't looking at us. All eyes were trained on my stomach. I gave a weak grin. "Surprise..." I mumbled. Luc was the first to snap out of it. "Well," he drawled. "It looks like you guys have been busy..."