Chapter Ten

"Thank you, Nurse Melissa." She smiled at the woman who has been attending to her since she was first hospitalized two days ago. Dani learned from Cora that her nurse is Scott's mother.

Melissa smiled back warmly. "You're welcome, Dani. I'd really miss seeing the doll who graces this gloomy place every day, but I'm a lot happier that you'll be finally discharged tomorrow."

Other times, Dani would've been rejoicing at the news as it means she'll be finally home. For the first time though, it was not much of a welcome news as it would be Derek's house that she'll be coming home to.

"It would've been nice to be home." She wasn't able to help herself from blurting out.

Nurse Melissa offered her a reassuring smile. She witnessed how awkward it has been between her and Derek. They barely talk to each other, and when they do, they're too distant.

They both turned to the door as they heard warning knocks.

"Oh, you guys." Nurse Melissa groaned as she saw who her visitors are: Scott and his pack.

She laughed. "It's okay, Nurse Melissa. Visitors are very much welcome." She said lightly. Certainly though, she's glad to see other faces—and engage in human interaction. "Hello there, you guys." She motioned that they get into the room.

"I need to go check on the other patients now, Dani." She nodded in acknowledgement to Nurse Melissa. "You guys, especially Scott and Stiles, behave. Don't stress Dani and the baby out, okay?"

"We won't, Mom. Promise."

"Derek just asked us, Scott actually, to look after Ms. Calavera while he's- Err, we just came here for a visit." Stiles bit his lip as he apparently said too much. He looked at her apologetically.

The paranoid grumpy wolf. It's not enough to have his sister by her side, he just had to bring in an entire pack. She didn't mind though as she's rather fond of Scott and his friends—especially the funny Stiles.

"It's alright." She smiled at them. "And please, just call me Dani or Daniella."

"How are you now, Dani? I-I'm really sorry for what happened. If not for asking you—" The young alpha was so apologetic, but Dani in any way doesn't blame them.

"Scott. It's not your fault. It was me who decided to come here. Besides, my baby and I are fine." She tried to sound more enthusiastic, just so to make Scott and his friends less worried.

"It's my cousin's baby, too." Malia remarked, and the room fell silent. All her friends were giving Malia warning glances though. "What? It really is Derek's baby, and she tried to keep the baby from him. I believe you can describe that as 'unfair'." Malia wasn't sorry for what she's saying. Dani didn't want her to be, though. There's truth to what Derek's cousin is saying.

Cora looked at her, worried that she's become upset. Dani smiled, and just mouthed, "It's okay."

"Malia, stop it. We're not supposed to upset her," Stiles admonished firmly. "Or it could upset your cousin's baby." Stiles emphasized the word cousin sarcastically, with an exaggerated tilt of his head—and an impression of the signature Hale eye roll.

Dani burst out laughing—and boy, did it feel good. There was a collective sigh of relief in the room.

"Why can I sense that you're not exactly fond of Derek, Stiles? Why, she's your girlfriend's cousin." She teased.

Stiles rolled his eyes exaggeratedly, that she can't keep herself from laughing yet again. "How can I when he's threatened me a couple of times? 'I'm gonna rip your throat out—with my teeth.'" He mimicked the father of her child.

Dani chuckled even more. That's so Derek.

"Stiiiles." Lydia glared at Stiles, trying to make him stop.

"What?"

"You guys, it's okay. This is not is territory. And I got your back." It does feel good to be around these teenagers—who are probably younger than her just by three-four years.

The awkward air due to Malia's remarks didn't stay long. Dani and the teenagers chatted until the afternoon. They'd talked about a lot of stuff—from details about one another to their supernatural (mis)adventures. It certainly wasn't a boring afternoon for her.

x

"You have a lot more in common with Dani than you think, Derek. May I say that she had it rough early in life—despite the wealth and luxury Araya raised her in." Derek and Scott (who has Stiles in tow) met Chris met at a café near the hospital as the older man needed to get the details of Kate's recent sighting and attack of Dani. Chris though offered more help—more information he knows about Dani, in the hopes that Derek and Dani could work things out.

Chris continued, "Daniella's mother, Ivana, was being groomed to succeed Araya. While her mind's still far from retiring then, Araya started early on in having Ivana learn the ways of their life as hunters. Dani's mother was exceeding Araya's expectations in terms of handling weapons, tracking, and other things she was supposed to know of. Ivana, too, was successful in leading a normal life, and she was in fact supposed to get married to Dani's father at that time. It never happened though as Dani's father, an Englishman, was killed a few weeks before the wedding—by a werewolf who wanted to exact revenge on Ivana."

"Revenge for what?" Scott asked.

"Ivana had her first kill—a member of this werewolf's pack. It's justifiable though as the werewolf she killed attacked an innocent child in the woods."

Derek sighed heavily. He urged Chris Argent, with whom he has surprisingly grown closer over time—the only hunter he thought he could ever trust, to continue.

"Dani's mother was three months pregnant with her then. What happened though nearly led to a miscarriage. Ivana carried with her in the next months the guilt of causing her baby's father's life. The fact that Dani's parents disowned their grandchild even before she was born just added up to her guilt. It's actually only about a few years ago when the Pendletons have started to get in touch with Dani. Araya couldn't say nor do anything to save then Ivana who she loves to destruction—much like Daniella. In a way, Araya blamed herself as well, as she refused to give Ivana the option not to live the life of a hunter when she tried to beg off. She eventually died giving birth to Dani."

"And indirectly, a werewolf caused her mother's life as well," Derek added. "Dani's never known of this?" Dammit, but he drove away Dani, not knowing that she has already suffered so much from his kind, and believing what he wanted to believe. What a bastard he is.

Chris Argent shook his head. Then with an amused smile, "Not until Araya learned that 'some werewolf' knocked up her 20-year old granddaughter." Chris quipped with much amusement, making Derek roll his eyes.

He rolled his eyes even more when Scott's and Stiles' eyes grew wide in shock as well, though they said nothing. When Derek first mentioned months ago that he had a relationship with Araya's granddaughter, Chris speared him with an isn't-she-too-young-for-you look, much to his annoyance. Chris' face turned serious. "Araya thought she could convince Dani to get an abortion once she learns that she's never known her parents because of werewolves. She was apparently wrong as Dani loves your baby." The man smiled at him.

Chris' comment warmed Derek's heart. Before she left yesterday, Araya handed him Dani's pre-natal records as she's likely to need it now that she'll be staying in Beacon Hills until she gives birth to their Natalia (what Araya would like to believe, but Derek's not keen on making that happen). He learned that Dani's pregnancy had been quite difficult—that abortion had been made an option for her by the doctors eventually, as their baby has been posing serious threats on her health. Dani though went on with the pregnancy—even with her life at stake.

Derek then asked the question that's been bugging him. "So, Araya really has no intentions of taking away our baby's life?" Derek told Chris the reason Araya gave him—her word with his mother.

"I don't think she would—or she can. Not only does she love Dani dearly for her to risk losing the only family she has, but she also swore to a 'code' with your mother. You see, other than the hunter's code, each of us can enter into our own personal code—or even change the hunter's code that we live by like Allison did. When Araya made a code with your mother, she meant to honor every word, every implication of it. Your baby is safe from Araya, if that's what you want to make sure. From other hunters though, I couldn't be so sure, Derek."

Scott glanced at him worriedly. Derek's jaw clenched. "I couldn't be so sure as well if our baby would be safe from my kind. Natalia will be born into this world being both a huntress and a hunted."

Chris nodded. "She's what may well be considered a taboo, Derek. With the centuries-old conflict between hunters and werewolves, we can always assume that anyone from either kind could always target her."

"There hasn't been any other similar case as the new baby Hale?" asked Stiles. Sometimes, the hyperactive spaz can be sensible, Derek thought.

"None we know of. Relationships between them are unthinkable. I'm actually surprised that I encountered not one, but two huntress-werewolf relationship in my lifetime," Chris remarked drily, making Stiles chuckle. "We've heard of cases though of pregnancies—mostly on huntresses' ends, but they were terminated at once."

"Oh god. Seriously." Stiles just couldn't believe how messed up it could be.

"It's Kate though that we have to watch out for, Derek. She's violating the code for her 'noble causes', and she's probably made your baby number 1 in her list."

"Why did she have to see Dani though?" Scott asked what is still one of the biggest puzzles to them.

Chris frowned. "Probably because of what she said—that she just wanted to see Dani. My sister's been fond of Dani. She and Allison were childhood friends. Kate's been looking forward to the then little girls' future as hunters. The thought of Allison could've made Kate want to see Dani." If there's one thing that Chris liked about his sister, it's her genuine love for his late daughter.

x

This is Dani's first morning in the house where Derek brought her. She was discharged from the hospital yesterday, and was expecting to be staying at Derek's loft. She, as well as Cora, were surprised though when Derek parked in front of an elegant two-storey house located in one of Beacon Hills' posh areas.

"How'd you get this property at such as short time, Derek?" Cora frowned at her big brother.

"I got this place a couple of months ago, not three days ago. The furnishings though were completed just yesterday," Derek explained as he got their stuff from his car. "Let's get inside."

Dani and Cora were amazed by the house's façade, but they were even more impressed when they got inside. Understated luxury seemed to be Derek's theme of choice for his house, and she admittedly loves it—but this wasn't her home. It was Derek's—and Braeden's, more probably than not.

Dani's plate was full. She initially got just two pancakes with a small amount of syrup, and immediately realized she didn't like them at first bite. She set them aside, and put two new ones on her plate. Dani did what Derek did to his food: she spread peanut butter on the pancakes, then topped them with sliced bananas.

She's already had two bites—of the same food that Derek is having—and she still is not happy with her breakfast. Dani eyed Derek's plate in frustration. She then laid out her hand to Derek's direction, then blurted out, "I want your food."

Both Derek and Cora frowned in puzzlement. They looked at her plate, then at her again.

She caught the amused smile Derek was trying to suppress. Dani glared at him.

"Food cravings." She explained grudgingly, not looking him in the eye. Oh, Notalia, why are you doing this to Mommy? Dani didn't have as much craving as this in her early months of pregnancy. She believes this is just one of those cravings—if they do still occur in the late stages. This is just way too embarrassing for her, but she just cannot not eat what Derek is having.

"Of course. What Natalia wants, Natalia gets." She could see the amusement in his eyes, but decided not to comment on it. Dani could feel the blood in her cheeks. Derek pushed his plate to her direction. Good thing his second round of pancakes with peanut butter and bananas was still untouched.

Dani started eating Derek's food silently, not wanting to meet the Hale siblings' eyes. She knew though that their attention was on her—that Cora, too, was trying to hide her smile.

In a few minutes, Dani was already on her last bite—but she's still far from satisfied. She feels like crying in frustration. What would Derek think of her? Oh, this is too childish, but can she just blame it on her hormones?

Derek seemed to have sensed it though. "More?" She raised her head to see Derek's eyes still twinkling in amusement. Dani just nodded.

x

In the next days, Derek has been a doting baby daddy. He and Dani still did not talk a lot, but at least Dani seems less resentful of him. It has become part of Derek's routine as well to personally prepare everything that Dani eats—though she's been preferring to eat just pancakes (with any topping Derek could whip up) most of the time. When they were still a couple before, Derek would always prepare pancakes for Dani which eventually became her favorite. It would seem that she—or Baby Natalia has been craving it.

That particular afternoon, Dani was feeling particularly irritable. It was unreasonable, she knew; she wasn't supposed to feel that way, just as she promised. Seeing Braeden in the house though really pissed her off. This place is for her, for them, Dani, remember? Dani hopes that Derek realized she wasn't really comfortable living at a house he bought for him and Braeden. Fortunately though, it's only for the meantime as she and Natalia will eventually move back to Mexico—or England once matters with Kate have been settled.

Derek and Braeden have been in the study for more than an hour now. She's been waiting that long, too, for Derek. Before Braeden arrived, Dani wanted to ask Derek to drive her to the grocery so she could get some ice cream. It's actually only now that she gets to indulge with food, as the first few months of her pregnancy had been hell aka non-stop morning sickness, that she had grown not particularly fond of eating. Now though that her body's handling the pregnancy a little better, she wants to indulge in everything she can eat.

Dani stood up. She's giving in to the need to go to the grocery and grab what she wants. Hah! Who're you kidding, Dani? You're just feeling upset with Braeden and Derek.

She grabbed her purse which she has already prepared, and stepped out of the house.

x

Braeden had left a few minutes ago. She had news, alright, but it wasn't about Kate. Braeden brought him updates about the Desert Wolf. He'd promised to help his cousin find her mother and he would—amidst all the other concerns that he has right now. It took him and Braeden quite a while to discuss matters, as they needed to lay out the details for their plan to work. Timing is everything for this one. Derek was trying to call Malia to tell her about the latest development, as well as the plan, but she's not answering her cell. He decided to leave his study, and check on Daniella.

"Dani?" He called. Derek was beginning to panic though when he couldn't sense Dani's presence anywhere in the house. "Dani?" Still no answer. He's checked every room and there was no sign of her.

Derek tried to calm himself down, and just track Dani through her scent. He got into his car and started driving.

x

It's been about thirty minutes now since Dani has settled into a park. She's gotten herself ice cream from the grocery, then figured that she really doesn't want to go back to Derek's house yet. Her feet then led her to the park.

The kids playing were such a wonderful sight. She can already imagine her Natalia growing up a happy baby. Dani wished that Natalia would take after the Hales in terms of strength so her daughter can have a happy childhood—something she didn't fully experience as she spent a lot of time indoors, worse, in the hospital, being a sickly kid. For a time, she had to be homeschooled so there weren't a lot of interaction with other kids. Dani doesn't want the same for her baby.

"Dani!" She was really started at Derek calling out her name loudly, angrily. Thank goodness, her other hand was holding on the swing's chains for support, or she would've dropped on the ground.

"You startled me! I nearly fell of my seat, Derek!"

"Why did you leave the house alone? You got me worried!" Derek was clearly angry… and scared? Shoot. I forgot to leave a noted.

She bit her lip. "Sorry. I couldn't wait to get ice cream, so I went alone." You were so busy with Braeden, and my ice cream can't wait.

Derek closed his eyes, and inhaled-exhaled deeply several times, trying to calm himself down. "You should've told me, Dani. You could've went to the study, and I could've left what I was doing if you and Natalia can't wait to get your ice cream." She would've been pissed off at his tone—he sounded as if he was trying to explain something to a child—but she was too amused at his reaction. "Ice cream!" He murmured exasperatedly.

"I won't do it again. Promise." Or not.

"Let's go home." He offered his hand so he can assist her stand up.

Dani just looked at it for a while, then shook her head. "I don't want to go back yet. I want to watch the sunset."

Derek sighed, but he caved in. "Okay. We're watching the sunset."

He then sat on the vacant swing on her left. For a while, they just watched the kids playing—running after one another. They were probably thinking of the same thing—of wanting to see Natalia growing up.

A few more minutes and the kids had left one by one. It was also starting to get dark and cold. Dani then felt Derek place his jacket over her shoulders. "Let's go home, Dani." Derek said in a soft voice.