Hey guys here is chapter 26. Hope you enjoy it. Have any you guys ventured out in the sales yet? I want to… I have been struck down with a cold :( Feeling bloody awful. Anyway it means I have time to write. Cos I feel so damn awful I can't concentrate on the hardcore uni assignments….though I should. I hate being ill :( Dislike to this weather. Real spring kind of girl :)

Anyway. I really was suppose to post this up yesterday but then had to go to a family dinner and then got home late, I did add some more but the cold really took over and I needed to sleep or I will make myself worse….I think I have…it seems to get worse and worse each day :( I have been like this since Christmas day :(

Ok I know this is set at Christmas and it kinda has past...but still it is still the holidays lol

Tell me what you think of this chapter please :)

Livvie.

(Chapter 26)

(Oliver's POV)

Avery is not coping well, no she has been acting like she is ok, but Sam and Casey knows better, hell even I know better. She spends most of her time locked in her room at the Force's townhouse. She does not feed anymore; even her familiars are getting worried. She used to feed on them three times a week and now? She doesn't even see them at all.

How she convinced Mimi to leave I don't know. She is some actress, even when they came back she managed to act like she was fine. I warned Jack, but she yet again fooled him.

Casey is getting incredibly worried she is even losing sleep and arguing with Sam. They are like a married couple constantly at each others throats. Sam is just worried about her health while Casey is worried about Avery's. Even if she is a blue blood. She hasn't fed and I am fearing she is going to do an Allegra. She doesn't act like the Avery I first met. She never smiles anymore. She spends most of her time locked in her room. Well at least she is still eating, ok not feeding to keep up her strengths but she is eating. She is the New York Coven's Regent; they need her like more than ever. They are a crumbling coven, they cannot lose another leader. If they did, there is no hope. I need to talk sense into her, somehow.

Walking into the Force's Townhouse, I found it the hallway littered with a dozen bouquets of flowers, all from her familiars. It must have been about three weeks now, since she has stopped feeding. It's Christmas Eve, and she is spending it alone. She refuses my invite; she has dismissed Casey, her best friend and her conduit. She shouldn't be alone, not at this time of year; she needs to be around friends and family. I am not taking No for an answer. Making my way up to her room, I found it unlocked to my surprise. It is often that she locks the door, though on some occasions she doesn't lock it. Though those are rare. Opening the door and stepped in, it was empty. I couldn't see her. Often you would find her on her bed, staring into space, or by one of the windows, gazing out onto the Manhattan life. Not today. I walked a little further in, that was when I noticed the light was on. In her bathroom, I walked towards the door, it was slightly ajar opening the door a little bit more, I found her slumped on the floor, the tap to her bath was on; she must have fainted before she could take a bath. Kneeling next to her she was still breathing, obviously she would, but I guess standard procedure. Picking her up, she was a lot heavier than I thought, though she looks tiny. But looks can be deceiving. With a little help from the Force's maid, I made it out of the house and into a cab towards my aunt's office, it is already 8 in the evening, she won't be pleased to have to come back into her office, she had already finished early after all it is Christmas eve.

"Oliver, what is it? Who is this?"

There was my aunt waiting for me at the entrance to her practice, she helped me get Avery up into her room.

"This is Avery Smith. She is the new Regent."

"What happened to her?"

"I don't know, I found her like this. Though she recently lost her twin, and she hasn't been coping well. She's stopped feeding and cut herself from the outside world."

"Oh dear she is not feeding? Don't tell me we have another Allegra."

"I think so; it seems to me that she no longer wants to live on without him. Though Taylor is technically not dead."

"What do you mean Oliver? If he is not dead then what on earth is this silly girl doing?"

"Her bond mate is Elias the Angel of Time; I guess you could say that he is lost in time."

"Well it seems the girl, hasn't been unconscious for long, she'll need a blood transfusion, it is a good thing you found her when you did, others wise she would have been in a coma."

She sent me outside, as I waited pacing the floor while Aunt Pat did the blood transfusion and some routine tests. There I was pacing the waiting room of my aunt's surgery when I saw Sam and Casey come bursting in.

"Ollie we got your call. Is she ok? I knew I should have stayed with her. Gosh I am such an idiot!"

I didn't even get to answer her as Sam snapped and answered her back, here they go again. Yet another full blown argument.

"Casey. Stop blaming yourself. You yourself had to eat and rest. You can't watch her twenty four- seven."

"Yeah it was because of you that she is like this. I told you to let me stay with her and you had to come and get me!"

"Ok don't you turn this on me Cas. I was just worried about your own damn health. You haven't been sleeping either, plus you have been sick, your eating pattern is really irregular and now you have a cold. So sorry that I was worrying about your health!"

"Yes well Sam I can be cured, Avery on the other hand cannot. This runs deeper than her physical health! She lost the love of her life! You wouldn't know what it is like to lose someone you love so much. She is emotionally and psychological wrecked. So sorry that my health is not my top priority, I am her conduit and I should be there to help her."

"Yes but as her damn conduit, you should be also considering your own health. Have you thought about how I would feel if something happened to you? Have you considered my god damn feelings?"

"Well Sam your feelings are not the top of my list right now. Avery needs me more than ever. Do you understand, I have to stay with her."

"Don't you care about me at all?"

"Of course I bloody do. I wouldn't be with you if I didn't."

"Well you sure have a funny way of showing you care for me."

"Oh for goodness sakes Sam. I don't have time for your pathetic childish, immature ways. Just bloody grow up you are 21 stop acting like you are bloody 15."

"Ooh so I am the one how isn't acting my age? What about you? You acting like you are a teen again, not giving a care about your own health; you act like you are back to your drinking ways."

That was when she slapped him. That I didn't expect. There is a lot I did not know about their past, but from what I have heard they were not fond of each other at first, so how they fell in love I do not know. It seems Cas used to have a drinking problem and it seems that Avery was the one who pulled her out of it.

"You know nothing about my past. So don't you bloody dare act like you do."

"How do you expect me not to bloody act on it? When you are not even taking care of yourself? Oh I am very aware of what you did; Avery in the ended had to intervene."

"Yeah she did. And thanks to her that I am here today. That is why I have to be here for now. She helped me through my troubles so now it is my turn to repay the favour."

"If you want to repay her, at least look after your damn self!"

"Just shut up Sam! You are doing my bloody head in. You know what just go. You are not her conduit. I don't need you here."

"Casey, don't be like that."

"Be like what? Like a selfish cow? Is that what I am? I know you are thinking it. Well Sam I am not. I am here for Avery. So take your stupid whining childish cries somewhere else because I don't want to bloody hear it anymore."

I turned to look at Sam, he looked like he could hit something, hit her. That was when I intervened. Pushing Sam away from Casey.

"Sam I think you should go. You don't want my aunt coming outside. She needs to carry out these tests."

But it seems Casey wasn't finished. She sure did have a mouth, I thought Avery was bad, but I would say Casey was worse; she was a lot more fiery then her best friend.

"See Sam you are causing scene. Just go."

"Fine. Don't expect me to come back."

"Don't. I'll text to let you know how she is."

"No. I mean I am NOT coming back."

Oh no…he isn't? I watched Casey's facial expression change, she looked slightly shocked.

"Are you breaking up with me?"

"I don't want you, not when you are like this."

"Fine! Don't! If your want to be this immature then don't. I don't need you anyway. So just get out of here. I don't want to see your sorry face again."

"You are not the girl I once fell in love with."

"Oh Sam. I am sorry that I changed. Sorry that I am not who you wanted me to be! I told you not to bloody pursue me, you didn't listen did you! I told you we weren't going to work out!"

"Well I am sorry, I took it from you, I am sorry that I let myself open up to you. You are still very much that girl I first met and took a dislike too."

Sam turned his attention to me holding out his hand for me to sake. Willingly I shook it.

"Ollie apologise to you aunt for me. For causing such a racket. Oh and thanks for your hospitality."

"Sam….where will you go."

"He can stay with you Ollie, I am moving in with Avery."

I turned to look at Casey, she was still so strong. Yet another good actress. It seemed she wasn't affected by Sam's words not one bit. Sam started to walk away, he stopped and turned back to look at Casey, I could see in his eyes that he loved her, loved her a lot. But his pride wouldn't let him say he was sorry, if I was him I would have swept her up on her feet and begged for her forgiveness. He walked out and the room filled with silence, just Casey sighing heavily. She sat down, putting her face into her hands. I took the seat next to her, trying to figure out what to do. Whether I should just talk or just comfort her.

But I didn't get a chance too. As the door to my aunt's office opened she stepped out, looking relieved. Casey and I both stood up.

"Is she ok? Is she awake?"

"Yes she is fine, and awake. She says she wants to see her best friend, someone called Casey."

"She is right her."

I pointed to the brunette standing next to me. My aunt nodded and gestured for Casey to go into the office. I watched as Casey nodded and walked in and closed the door behind her. I watched as my aunt sat down, sitting next to her, I started to question her.

"Is something wrong with her?"

"No she is fine. But she needs to start taking care of herself."

"What is it Aunt Pat?"

"I cannot say dear Oliver. It is not my place. She will tell you in good time. Now I suggest you go home."

"No…I am staying here, I want to make sure she is ok."

She nodded and sat with me, there we waited on Christmas Eve, for Avery.

(Avery's POV)

I woke, to the smell of a hospital room, bright lights. I also felt a bit woozy as if I was drunk, but I never can get drunk. The only time you could possible feel like this is if you had a blood transfusion. Slowly did I open my eyes adjusting to the bright lights of the room. There I came face to face with a middle aged woman.

"Ah you are awake."

"Where am I?"

"My surgery dear. I am the blue bloods, human doctor."

"Oh…Dr Pat Hazard? I'm Avery Smith."

"I know who you are dear. We need to talk."

Oh god she was going to talk to me about my health. How I haven't been feeding, how I should feed blah.

"Oh…is this about my slight fainting spell."

"Miss Smith this is serious. You need to be feeding. It is not only yourself that you have to take care off."

What on earth was she going on about? I have been feeding…yes I have. Ok maybe not blood wise but I have been eating. I have even gained weigh, the amount of crap I have been eating. I mean me a blue blood gaining weight!

"I have been eating thank you very much; I have gained weight, which is weird since I am a blue blood."

"Yes you have been feeding, but not feeding on your familiars. From what I have heard from Oliver, you have gone three weeks without seeing your familiars. And you usually feed from them three times a week. Miss Smith that is an enormous amount of blood you are taking in. even the most notorious vampire, that is Miss Force, who is known for her string of familiars does not consume as much blood in a week as you."

"Well I have been craving it a lot; I am not breaking any of the rules. I have three different familiars. I let them rest a good 48 hours, before I feed from them again."

"I know Miss Smith. But that is not what I am concerned about. What I am worried about his your health. You need to start looking after yourself."

"Why? I am a blue blood, I am immune to stuff."

"Not when you stop feeding. We already have had a case, this century. You know who it is. Allegra Van Alen. She fell into a coma because she stopped feeding. It seems you are heading in the same direction as she is."

"No I am not!"

"Miss Smith."

Ok fine I was lying. I don't see the point of living anymore no not without him. I cannot go on for eternity knowing that he will never return to me.

"You don't know what it is like to lose someone you love so much."

"I am sorry for your lose Miss Smith, but please you must feed. It is not only your health that I am concerned about."

What on earth was she barking about now? Who else is she talking about? Taylor? Cos I know he is not coming back.

"Who else? He isn't coming back, so I do not have to live for him."

"Miss Smith, I took some routine checks. It may seem impossible, I was a little shocked myself. But I think I have come up to a theory of how it came about."

"What on earth are you talking about?"

"Miss Smith…you are pregnant."

What? I am what? This is madness, this is impossible me pregnant, don't be ridiculous, I am barren! Taylor is infertile. I cannot be pregnant. It is absurd! Jumping of the bed I stood, and smoothed out my dress.

"Miss Smith please sit. Let me explain my theory."

"No…it is not possible. I am a blue blood. Even if Allegra has proven it possible she is a freaking archangel I am nothing in comparison to her!"

"It is. All the signs add up. You have gained weight, have you experienced sickness and strange eating patterns?"

"No I haven't been sick. And yes with the eating. I have been craving food that I didn't like before, but it doesn't mean I am pregnant. It isn't like I haven't missed a period…."

No wait. I have. I don't think I have had a period in three months. But I didn't think much of it. I mean I have been a bit busy in the past three months, plus I just thought it was part of my transformation, I mean I turn 21 next June.

"I….can't be pregnant…..am I?"

"You are. You are three months in. though you are still in the danger zone. You could easily lose them."

What? Them? There is more than one?

"Them? Twins?"

"Yes Miss Smith, you are expecting twins."

Twins! But this is not possible I am a blue blood, a full blue blood. I can understand if Schuyler fell pregnant. But me! I am having twins. I don't understand how it is possible.

"But….how…. I mean how can I be pregnant….it shouldn't be possible."

"What my theory is, is that there is enough red blood in you and your twin, to conceive a child. In your case two. Am I correct that you are yet to turn 21?"

"Yes…but I turn 21 next June while Elias….he…would have been in February."

"You are still technically red bloods, though you have blue blood now running in your veins, there is part of you who still thinks like a red blood, you still have red blood needs, like eating solid food and even getting colds."

"But…I can't look after twins. Me? I can't be a single mother."

"Miss Smith there are many single mothers."

"The twins…they can't not know their father. I cannot do that to them."

"Miss Smith, are you considering terminating them."

"I….I….don't know."

"If I was you, I would taking this as a blessing, as a memory of your twin. You are lucky to be able to bear a child. Many women would kill to be in your position. I suggest you think about it. Now is there someone I can get? Some you can confide in?"

"Yes…my best friend…Casey."

She nodded at I watched her leave the office, my hand fell down to my stomach. Looking down, I lifted my shirt and stared into the mirror, there was a slight bump. Yes I can see it. I'm pregnant.

(Casey's POV)

Gosh! Why am I so stupid! I just let the man I love go. I didn't even bother to tell him that I love him. That I love him so much. He is my everything. Stop it Casey, you can't think about him now. Avery needs you. Just then the doctor emerged from her office. It seems Avery was calling for me. Making my way into the office. I closed the door behind me and there I saw her looking pale and staring into her reflection.

"Avery."

She turned to face me and I walked over to hug her.

"What the hell did you think you where doing? Not feeding?"

"Casey…. I….I don't know what to do. I am so confused, I am so lost."

This cannot be possible she is the Angel of Guidance she lives to give out advice to others, she surely cannot be lost. But it is true, the advice you give others, may help others but never yourself, because you never listen to yourself.

"What do you mean Avery? You are scaring me."

"I…I…I'm pregnant."

What? She was what? I found myself drop a hand over my own stomach. It is weird this connection we have, I know there is a conduit/vampire connection but it is like we are twin sisters. Like I can feel her bump too, but it is not possible me pregnant. Yeah right.

"What?"

"I know…it sounds crazy. I didn't believe her when she told me I was."

"But…your blood is blue."

"I know…she thinks it has something to do with the red blood in me. I mean she does make some sense. I am not a full blue blood yet. I am not quite 21."

She wasn't. There is some logic to this theory. But…it is just a little shocking. From what Avery has been telling me, only archangels seemed to be able to bear a child.

"It makes sense. Oh A I am so happy for you."

"I don't think I want to keep them."

What! She wants to terminate them. She can't! She will regret it! They are the only reminder of Taylor! Wait did she just say them?

"Wait…did you say them?"

"Yes…twins."

"Avery you cannot terminate them, you can't…"

"I can't let them grow up without their father."

Is she mad! NO! I won't let her terminate her twins. No. Taylor wouldn't want it. I know she has always wanted a child, a child she can call her own. She cannot let her dream slip away because Taylor is no longer around. No she must be strong.

"Avery…..please considers the possibilities. Yes Taylor may not be around, but you have always wanted children. And now this is your chance, do not throw it away. Please tell me you will at least think it through and talk to me before you do anything drastic like have an abortion."

She nodded, and we finally decided to leave the office, Ollie and his aunt was waiting outside for us. Oliver started asking questions but I told him to go home, I told him that she would tell him when she felt like the time was right. Taking Avery home, I stayed with her till she fell asleep, leaving a note. Telling her to call me when she woke, I made my way back to Oliver's house. I would pack my things and move out in the morning. As I walked in, it was already half 11. Looks like I will be spending Christmas alone now. Single. Without him. Taking a deep breath I slowly opened the door to the room we shared only to see the light still on and him sitting on the bed.

"Oh… you are still awake… Urm I am just grabbing a few things."

"Casey."

"What is it Sam? I am really tired."

I yawned and watched Sam move from the bed and he approached me, he forced me against the wall and kissed me fiercely. I willingly kissed him back, his hands worming through my hair, while I held onto the collars of his shirt tightly. I pulled away breathless.

"Sam."

"I'm sorry. I am so sorry. I love you. I love you so much."

I didn't even get a chance to answer him, as he forced his lips against mine. I was still so mad at him, but I couldn't find the strength in me to tear myself from him, I wanted him and I knew he wanted me. Tugging at his shirt as we kissed, I helped lift his shirt of him revealing his well kept body; he picked me and I wrapped my legs round his waist as we continued to dispose of each others clothes, he then carried me the bed. I lay on the bed, under him. Kissing him, like all was forgiven. I cannot stay truly mad at him for long; I love him too much. My body yearned for him, as did his; it was not long till we become one.

After our rather heated making up session, we crawled under the covers and I wormed my way back into his arms.

"Sam…I…."

"Babe…let me start….I am sorry about what I said…I didn't mean it…well not all of it anyway…. I don't want to ever be apart from you. Not now not ever."

"Apology accepted. I am also sorry too. You were just worrying about my health, and you are right. I need to be taking care of myself, if I am to take care of Avery too."

"Casey…."

He sat up, taking me with him, he rested his back against the bed post while I lay against his bare chest, pulling the cover over my front I tilted my head to kiss him.

"What is it?"

"After what happened to Taylor and Avery…I realised I did not want to lose you, not ever. See I didn't know when the right time was."

I stared up at him, looking very puzzled while he just gazed back down at me with love and passion.

"After today I realised there never was a right time, I knew I had to do it today, do it now."

"You have totally lost me."

"Casey…will you marry me?"

"What?"

What? Marry him? But…us? I know I love him, and he has become my life but marriage? What if we continue to fight like this? I watched him get up from the bed, walking to his jeans and fished out a ring, he walked back to the bedside, he was butt naked but he didn't care, he went down on one knee, keeping his eye contact with me.

"I cannot lose you like Avery has lost Taylor. I know I have said some foolish things today. And yes we are guaranteed to fight like this again, but I think it is what makes our love stronger, so Miss Casey Adams, will you do me the honours of becoming my wife?"

I stared at him, my jaw hanging wide opened; I had let the sheets drop from my chest. He wanted to marry me? Sam Richards wants me to be his wife? Casey Richards? Doesn't actually sound too bad. Or Casey Adams – Richards.

"Casey?"

He sat back up on the bed, touching my face with his hand, making me gaze into his gorgeous blue eyes. I forced my lips against his surprising him, which evidently led to him to topple backwards taking me with him. We both landed on the floor with a loud thud. Sitting up, Sam soon followed.

"Yes."

"What?"

"Yes Sam I will be your wife."

Now it his turn to be staring at me with his mouth wide open, snapping him out of his daze I spoke.

"Well are you going to put that god damn ring on my finger?"

Sam chuckled and took my left hand and placed the ring onto my hand, it was beautiful. It was cut into a heart shape, the colour the shade of his eyes, blue. Just how I like it. I threw myself into his arms and held onto him tightly. The clock outside began to chime, it was midnight. Christmas day. I must say this is the best present ever.

"Merry Christmas Mrs Richards to be."

Laughing I kissed him, letting him scoop me into his arms as we began our Christmas celebrations.

(Avery's POV)

I had to pretend that I was asleep just to get her to leave. I can't be a mother. Not without Taylor. They do not deserve to grow up without a father. I cannot inflict that on them. If I knew that Taylor would be coming back maybe I would. But he isn't, he has left me. Left me with our twins. The twins I have been blessed with, the twins that I have always wanted. A child, or in this case children of my own, I can call my own. My blood runs through their veins. But this cannot be, I cannot raise them alone. I either have the twins with Taylor around, or not have them at all. I know what I have to do. I cannot fall into a coma like I had originally planned to do. As the twins will continue to grow inside me and it would be cruel of me to leave them parentless. No I cannot inflict it on them. There has to be another way. There is another way, I know what it is. Be brave Sariel, this is for the best; they cannot grow up without a father. I will never find someone other than Taylor. If I did, I would be betraying him, not only him but the twins. No I will never love another other than him.

Taylor why did you have to leave me now? When we have been blessed with a child, no two children, why? I cannot have them without you. I will not.

I placed a letter on my bed, addressed to all those I love, my brothers, Schuyler, Mimi, Casey, Sam and Oliver, and walked to the centre of my room; the moonlight was coming in through the open curtains. Taking the ring off my right hand, I watched as it changed into a sword, my sword. Yes this is the only way now. I have faith, I have courage. This is the only way, this mean I will never return, I'll be gone. Maybe there is any afterlife, where I can be with him again. My love, my life, my Elias.

SO what did you think? Little shocked by her pregnancy? Next chapter will be focussed on Allegra.

Please review :)