Chapter 20- Sorry I took so long to write this! I guess you could say that life got in the way. I got married, moved to another state, finished a master's degree, and am helping to get our trailer put together and finished for final inspection. Hopefully I can get caught up and everyone can forgive me for the wait! I think my writers block finally stopped. Also please forgive me as I have never watched someone give birth, gave birth myself, or read about what happens.

Chapter 20-

Doris awoke to the bed being empty. She felt around in the dark and used her heightened senses. She was finally getting used to them. It had been months already but it all seemed so surreal. Rubbing her very large belly she sighed. She was waddling and felt like she was nine months pregnant and in fact she was only seven months and a week. Vlad speculated she should be ready soon to deliver but Doris felt fear and excitement at the thought. What would the baby look like? Who would he/she favor? They would not tell her which sex they thought the baby was and argued over it. One thought boy and one thought girl was all she knew. She cold glean a little from her and D's link but not enough to know. She herself felt like she was carrying a girl. She could see and feel emotions the baby felt as odd as it sounded. Vlad said that was normal. Between the soul mate thing and the bond caused by the pregnancy it was something she never thought was possible.

She sensed he was nearby. She figured he was probably in the room of records searching. He was so restless and in new territory especially as it got closer to the due date. She could sense his happiness and anxiety about the birth. She knew he feared she would die in the birth process. She told him time and time again that would not happen. She was not going anywhere and he was stuck with her. Getting up slowly she pulled herself over the edge of the bed. It sat a little high and she found that it was harder and harder to get up and move. Holding her belly she opened the door and walked out. The hallway was lit and well-lit as Vlad feared she would fall. It was funny how you saw people and believed them to be through the stories and then you get a surprise when you meet them. Yes, the dark side was there but she had yet to see him be out of control with it.

Knocking on the door to records room she waited for a response. Hearing a grunt she opened the door expecting D. He may not admit it but he was his father's son. Vlad looked up at her surprised. With a frown on his face.

"Doris, you need to stay in bed. You must not strain."

"I am fine. I was looking for D. His smell is still here. Where did he go?"

Vlad smiled at her and held out a hand.

"Let me take you to him. He was driving me nuts. Looking for records on damphire births and ways to ensure you would make it through the birth."

Taking his arm Doris looked up at him. He seemed like he was upset and brooding about something himself. She knew D was she could sense it coming off him. Along with lot of worry.

"What's wrong Vlad?"

Shaking his head at his stupidity he looked at her. She could sense things now even more strongly than when she first conceived the child.

"Nothing for you to worry about."

Doris started to speak but she felt her stomach moving and pain like never before that made her feet go out from her. Vlad was glad he could sense things himself and move fast. He saw the look of pain on her face and knew it was time. She was going into labor. He looked and saw the blood running down her leg and the water. Scooping her up and moving as fast as he could with her safely in his arms he got her into her room and bed. Doris was panting heavy and had her fits balled into her night gown. Laying her down gently Vlad looked at her. Her eyes were open now and she was breathing slow and deep. Her fists were still balled up in her night gown.

"Let me go get D. I promise I won't be long."

Running to the door he was met face to face with his son. His face full of fear and angry at himself for Doris being in pain. It was all his fault after all.

"Son, stop it now. She will need you. She needs you now. It wasn't your fault. You both were involved and consenting. Now go to her side. I will go get water and things we will need."

D didn't need any more of a push. Rushing to her side he took her hand. Hesitantly he touched her face and spoke.

"Doris, I'm here. Breathe"

Doris looked at him and felt the urge to scream. She had to suppress it and stay calm no matter what the pain. She felt contractions every few minutes. If what she read was right her labor wouldn't be long one. The contractions were coming every few minutes and her water broke. She spoke slowly in between breathes.

"I….am…ok."

Squeezing his hand lightly she breathed deeply and continued to count the minutes between the contractions.

"Contractions…are….four…minutes….apart."

D looked at the door as Vlad rushed in with his servant behind him. Both had water and lots of it. There was a ripped up sheet. There was some things that D had no idea what they were. Vlad knelt down at the edge of the bed and looked at D.

"D, we have to move her to the edge of the bed. I will pick up and pull as easy as I can. You help by doing so on your end."

Doris braced herself and let out a moan of pain as she was moved.

"Doris, I need you to put your legs up and bend them. I need to see how far along you are."

Doris moaned as she did as he asked. D could feel the pain waves rolling off her and feel some of it himself. She was being so strong. He himself felt fear and angry no matter what he did. Telling himself she could feel his emotions and read his thoughts he forced himself to think positive. She needed his support now not his worries.

Doris felt the change in his emotions and smiled. He was thinking positive and happy regardless of the situation. She knew this would be hard on him and it made her happy to think that he was doing so well. That happy feeling was short lived as she felt another contraction but this one was really strong compared to the others and she could swear it was quicker than the last ones had been. Panicking she forced herself to breathe.

Vlad looked at Doris and tried to hide his worry. If D saw it so be it but not Doris. She was already hemorrhaging blood and fully dilated. He feared her labor was going to be quick and that meant higher risks especially since most damphires were born in quicker labors and most of them were born still born. D catching the worry flicked his eyes to Vlad. They had talked prior to this and tried to prepare even if they couldn't be fully prepared. One of the things they had talked about was fast labor and risk of still born child. The nod D gave him the answer he needed. He remembered the risk and was preparing himself for it.

"Doris, you need to hold on a second. You need to let your body dilate a little more."

Doris moaned and gripped D's hand in response. This pain was worse than anything she could have thought and ever had. It was tearing her apart. Trying to stay calm she took deep breathes. She almost wanted to pass out but she refused. She was stronger than that and she knew it.

"Baby….is…pushing. Need…to…push."

Vlad looked at her and sighed. He had hoped that telling her that she would hold off. She needed to stop bleeding so heavily if possible….Seeing no other option he prepared for her to push and got down to look again.

"Doris, I want you to push now."

Doris sat up with D's help and pushed with all her might. The scream that came out of her was wild and loud. D held her and she felt his anxiety and fear among other things. The pain was numbing and she tried to focus on healthy baby and her happiness. Gripping D's hand as tight as she could Doris gave it as much as she possibly could. Vlad could see the baby was coming but not far enough to try and get a hold of it and help Doris.

"Doris, you're doing great. Now, you need to breathe a moment ok?"

Vlad squeezed her leg encouraging and watched as D held her and she laid her head on him. Good, he would be her best hope for a rock and support at this point. His happiness was brimming and he was proud of his son. He would have grandchildren soon if his guess was right. None of his kids but D had survived to adulthood. He never thought he would have this honor and joy. Doris sat up a little and brace her arms again by her side and still held D's hand.

"I'm….ready….to…push…again"

Getting back down and bracing he told her to push. Doris pushed again and D gave her support. He could feel her pain and sent her strength through their bond. She felt him with her and continued to breathe. The scream she wailed was ear blasting but she could not help it. It seemed to help her to scream. Vlad started to see the head. Putting his hand under to hold baby as it came he actually felt giddy. It had been so long since he felt that.

"Doris, I need you to continue pushing. I know your tired and in pain."

Taking another deep breath she pushed with all the strength she had. She shut her eyes and gripped D in a death grip. He watched her partly amazed at her strength and her power. She looked so beautiful even now. As if reading his thoughts she opened her eyes and turned to him. Eyes filled with tears and sweat running, in pain beyond anything she has ever known, she smiled. Doris felt when the baby past through her and sagged down. Looking she waited to hear crying and feared the worst. Then she heard the cries.

"It is a boy!"

Vlad smiled and cut the cord. Wrapping the baby in some ripped sheets he handed the bundle of joy to the very nervous daddy. D took the bundle and was not sure what to do. Doris looked over and smiled. Reaching out to touch the sweet little bundle she felt the oddest feeling of another contraction coming. The pain hit her and she jerked up gripping sheets. Doris couldn't understand and then it hit her. Twins. Looking at Vlad and seeing him hunkered down and waiting she pushed again. D looked at her shocked. Two babies? Holding baby and holding her he watched in amazement and shock.

-30 minutes later-

Doris was exhausted and in shock. Holding one baby, a little girl, and watching D hold the other, a boy. Twins, she thought, and repeatedly felt shook to the core. Vlad watched the family with joy and anticipation. He had two grandchildren! D had yet to say much just look shocked and amazed and sort of out of it. Leaving the family to their time together he shut the door quietly.