Chapter 10

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

Katy's POV:

"Kat! I need you to wake up!" Daemon's urgent voice woke me. My eyes snapped open. Daemon was on his feet with a phone in hand. "What is it?" I asked fearfully. "I just got a phone call from Luc. Nancy's headed this way. We have to go. Now." I sucked in a sharp breath and crossed my arms protectively over my belly.

Daemon's eyes caught the movement and he was kneeling by my side in a heartbeat."I won't let her hurt our baby." He promised. I nodded. "Wait. I don't understand. Why do we have to leave? I thought that's why we came to the base in the first place, because they could keep us safe? Where will we go?"

I panicked. Daemon exhaled roughly as he yanked a suitcase out of the closet and began packing."Things have changed, Kitten. Nancy's gained some powerful followers. They can't protect us here anymore. Luc's got a cabin tucked away in the forests of Oregon. He thinks we'll be safe there for the duration of your pregnancy." My eyes went wide.

"The duration of my pregnancy?" I repeated dumbly. "What happens when it's time for me to deliver?" I asked incredulously. Daemon began to pace. "I already cleared it with Archer. He'll deliver our baby." My jaw hit the floor. "I know, I know. Archer wouldn't necessarily be my first choice either, but kitten, he's the best we've got right now, and I trust him with my life, and more importantly, I trust him with our baby's life." I opened my mouth to protest, but then I realized how hard this must be for him. All he wanted was to keep us safe, and it must be driving him crazy right now that he couldn't.

Sighing, I simply nodded and got up to help him pack. When we were done, we headed to the living room. I was surprised to find everyone there, packed and ready, including Daemon's parents, Hunter, and Serena. I turned towards Daemon. "You don't waste any time, do you?" He shot me a look, and turned toward the group. "Is everyone ready?" They all nodded. Sometimes I wondered where we'd be without Daemon. Just then, there was a knock at the door. Everyone stiffened. I moved to a standing position, but Daemon gently pushed me back down and strode towards the door. When he opened it, Luc strolled in with Nadia on his heels. I had to say, the girl looked better than the last time I saw her. She was still just as beautiful as the day I met her, but now there was more life in her eyes and some of the color had returned to her cheeks. On top of that, she was no longer pin needle thin, either. I gave her a smile, which she returned and made her way over to me, where she sat on the opposite end of the couch.

"Alright, I assume Daemon has filled all of you in on what's been going on." Luc said. We all nodded. "Great, well, now we can discuss transportation. We can't use the chopper because that's what Nancy will be looking for, which means we'll be getting to Oregon by car. It'll take at least a day to get there. We'll all split up. I've got three black Hummers outside. Their pretty spacious, so I'd say about four of you to a single car. Serena and Hunter, with Dawson, Beth, and Ash. I already discussed this with Hunter. He'll be driving. Archer and Dee, with Kat and Daemon. Archer will drive. Me and Nadia will drive separately with Sam and Dean." Everyone voiced their agreement and began to stand. Sighing, I waited for Daemon to make his way over to me and help me into a standing position. Once we were all on our feet, we filed out of the door and to where the Hummers waited. It was still dark out as we climbed into the cars. Archer slipped into the front seat, while Dee took the passenger seat, and Daemon and I took the back. Not even bothering with the safety belt, Daemon picked me up and placed me in his lap. Sighing contentedly, I rested my forehead against his shoulder and drifted off into a peaceful slumber.

...…...

I was abruptly woken by a sharp kick in the ribs, followed by a deep chuckle. I scowled as I rubbed my side, tiredly. "Alright, alright, I'm up." I moaned. Daemon grinned and placed a hand on my stomach. "Maybe he's hungry?" Daemon wondered. "Are you hungry, Adam? Is that why you feel the need to make mommy so uncomfortable?" He asked, teasingly. There was another kick. Daemon laughed and I groaned. "God, he's already defiant, and he's not even born, yet. He's going to be such a daddy's boy." Dee joked, from the front seat. We all laughed. About three hours into the ride, the song Just One Yesterday by Fall Out Boy came on the radio and I began flailing around like a demented muppet baby, earning weird looks from both Dee and Daemon. Archer, on the other hand, shocked everyone by singing along with me. Dee and Daemon stared at both of us, mouths hanging open. My cheeks were on fire. "What?" I mumbled when they continued to stare. "It's a good song..."

Once we finally stopped at the nearest gas station, the first thing I did was pee. Once I was finished in the bathroom, I skipped toward Daemon, where he waited in the drink aisle, apparently still deliberating between gatorade and diet coke. I stared longingly at the Pepsi can in his hands that he'd gotten at Dee's request. It'd been so long since I'd had caffeine of any kind, but I knew better than to drink it.

Though the doctor didn't particularly prohibit caffeine, she did tell us that it wasn't a good idea, and when I did drink it, Daemon didn't say anything, but continued to stare at me like I was poisoning our baby. It wasn't worth it. Sighing, I grabbed a bottle of water instead. "You're in a good mood." He noted as he went to grab the Gatorade. I grinned up at him and shrugged.

He smiled fondly at me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders as we walked towards the cash register. We ate lunch in our cars and then hit the road again where I passed out for a few more hours. When I woke, it was dark and we were driving through thick wilderness. "How long have I been out?" I asked Daemon. He trailed his knuckles over my cheek. "Almost five hours." My eyes widened. Who knew a baby could take so much out of you. He smiled and placed a dry kiss on my lips. "We should be there any minute now." He said. "Well that's-" I sucked in a sharp breath. "Kat?" He asked, concerned. "Look." Was all I said. When he look ahead, his mouth dropped open. When Luc said he had a cabin out here, I expected small cottage made out of wood or something, not a freaking mansion.

The place had to be at least four stories tall and it was made completely out of quartz. It reminded me of something... Then It hit me. It was an exact replica of the place we'd stayed at after we'd escaped Daedalus. "You've got to be joking." Daemon said, helping me out of the car as everyone began to unload. Luc appeared be behind us in a heartbeat. "Pretty sweet, huh? I had it built a few years back just in case shit were to ever hit the fan. Alright guys, take whatever rooms you want and there's a pool and garden area, along with a library and game room. Underneath, in the basement, is where we keep all the weapons and medical supplies. Get settled. I need to check up on a few things, but I'll be back." He announced. With that he strode into the house with Nadia.

With that, everyone took turns carting things into the house, except for me, because Daemon refused to let me carry anything. Once we had all chosen our rooms and set our thing down, we all met in the enormous living room to discuss what we'd do. "How long are we supposed to stay here?" Serena asked. Daemon sighed.

"We're going to be here for at least two to three months. However long it takes for the government to come up with a solution to this whole Nancy problem." He explained tiredly. "Wait a minute," Dee piped in, concerned. "Kat's already seven months along in her pregnancy and there isn't a hospital around for miles. What are we going to do when it's time?" All eyes went to Daemon and I. Archer stood. "I'll be delivering him." He said simply.

Everyone in the room gaped. "Are you even qualified to deliver a baby?" Beth asked in a choked voice. Archer gave a sheepish smile. "I did some research, took a few classes. I fairly sure I know how the whole thing works." Dee's head snapped towards Daemon. "And you're okay with this?" Dee asked incredulously. "We kind of have no choice, Dee. Besides, he's the most qualified out of everyone in this room." He said, frustratedly. She still looked unsure. "But, Daemon-" he was suddenly on his feet. "Do you think I like this, Dee?" He snapped.

"I'm placing the lives of my wife and child in the hands of guys I don't even like." Archer rolled his eyes. "Gee, thanks." He muttered. Daemon continued as if he hadn't heard him. "Don't you think I've thought of all the repercussions, all the things that could possibly go wrong? It's all I've thought about. So, don't lecture me Dee." With that, he strode out of the living room, slamming the door behind him.

...

After search practically the entire house, I found Daemon in the garden area, leaning against one of the giant pillars. He sighed before turning around to face me. Those expressive green eyes I loved so much, were closed off.

The longer he stared at me without saying anything, the more agitated I grew. "Well, are you going to tell me what happened back there?" I asked impatiently. He looked away. "Nothing." he replied stiffly. I felt the anger in me build. I had no idea why he was acting this way, and I was pissing me off. " ." I seethed. "Something's bothering you, I can tell. You've been acting strange ever since-" Daemon stepped forward. "Drop it, Katy." He warned, voice low. I was too angry to be shocked at the use of my full name. "No, not until you tell me what's going on." I shouted. "This!" He shouted, gesturing towards my stomach.

"I'm scared out of my mind that you won't make it or Adam won't. You're so tiny, Kat. What if you can't..." He exhaled roughly and began to pace. "Daemon.." I said, placing a hand on his arm, intending to soothe him. He would have none of it.

He yanked his arm out of my grip. "Don't," he shouted harshly, and I flinched. He turned his back to me and yanked his fingers roughly through his hair. "Sometimes I wish you'd never gotten pregnant in the first place." He said. I gasped and and tears filled my eyes.

I wrapped my arms around my middle protectively, as if I could some how keep the hurtful from reaching my baby. In a daze, I stumbled towards the side of the house and into the surrounding woods, going farther and farther out, until I felt I'd put a suitable amount of distance between us. Finally, I collapsed on the ground and began to sob. I don't know how long I cried, but when I lifted my head from my arms, it was dark out, and I knew I needed to head home.

Slowly, but surely, I got to my feet. I hadn't even made it three feet before I doubled over in pain. I'd felt pain like this before, I noted, as dread began to stir in the pit of my stomach. Oh god, please not now. Usually these pains only lasted a few minutes, but something was different. With Braxton hicks, the contractions were usually pretty far apart and tended to stay that way. But these continued to grow closer together and more painful by the minute.

These were real, honest to god, labor pains. I was so screwed. There was no way in hell I'd be able to get back to the house on my and not only that, but more importantly, my baby was a month and a half early. I remembered voicing my concerns to Archer about what we were going to do if the baby came early, and according to him, he brought some type of antibiotic that could apparently stop the labor. I felt the tiniest sliver of relief at that memory.

All I had to do was hold on. Some one had to have noticed I was missing by now, and had to be looking for me. Once they found me, we could get back to the house and stop the labor and everything would be fine.

I gasped as a particularly painful contraction ripped through me. I half sat, half collapsed against the nearest tree, and had to bite my lip to keep from screaming. They'd better hurry, because by some primal instinct, I knew it wouldn't be much longer...