Chapter 45: Am I Pregnant?

"It's done."

Derek arches one eyebrow at the arrival of Mark in his den, having sensed him well before the actual appearance.

"Done?"

"Done, over, finito…" Mark waves his hand in dismissal as he drops lightly into one of the chairs across from Derek's desk. The den is comfortable, spacious and lined with bookshelves and mementos accumulated over the centuries. Mark sinks into the chair, keeping his thoughts shielded, his expression neutral.

"I see. Wiped her thoughts completely this time, did you?"

Mark nods. "It's for the best – I know. Seriously, am I the type of vampire to be tied to one female? I'll leave that up to you and Alexei. One of us has to maintain the epitome of the sensual vampire." He smirks, lacing his fingers across his abdomen and stretching his legs out.

Derek closes the paperwork he'd been perusing – architectural drawings and budgets for the renewal of Wyndhaven. It feels good to have a purpose – since there are no more Renegades to hunt, after all. "Well, I'm sure you made the right decision, Mark." He leans back in his own chair, arms crossed, giving Mark a long look.

"I left her very well satisfied and took the last taste of her before dawn. She's a helluva woman." Mark's eyes seem distant, his voice a little regretful. "But I know that Thatcher is acting in my best interest. It wouldn't work."

"Very sensible of you. And quite a change from our last conversation," Derek observes dryly.

"Life still sucks."

"Is that a general observation, or just a morbid comment on our vampire state?"

"Hell, Derek, I couldn't reveal my true nature, and to stay and watch her age slowly…mortals are just so…unaware…"

"For a reason – we can't exist without them. You know that."

"Oh yes, I know."

"But there are ways around the aging process, as you know as well. Giving them some of our blood…"

"Yes, but there again, it means revealing the truth to her."

"Well, if you're sure this is the best thing then stop feeling sorry for yourself."

"Humor me," Mark sighs. "It will pass."

"Always has, old friend. I remember that other auburn beauty you fancied yourself in love with here in 1896 – Marietta, I believe? And the one in France at the end of WWII, Francesca…or the Irish lass…shall I continue?" Derek ticks the names off his fingers, intending to help Mark put his mortal lady into perspective.

"Fine, so I have a hunger for auburn haired women with skin like porcelain, and a temper to match the hair."

"Hmm…does that include Nathalia?" Derek smirks.

Mark shudders. "No…not that one."

The sound of piano music suddenly fills the air, and Mark glances over at Derek in surprise. "I didn't know that Meredith played…"

"She's been taking lessons the last while – she's quite a natural at it. Her teacher is impressed, and Meredith claims she's inherited it from Kiera." Derek smiles indulgently, listening to the cadence of the sonata.

"Has she found all the relevant proof of that?"

"Quite a bit. She can trace the lineage all the way back to Kiera's brother, Sebastian. Some of the family went over on the Mayflower, settling in New England, and eventually spreading along the Eastern shore, as far as New Orleans. She's been in contact with some cousins there, Amanda and Tabitha, twin sisters who have some psychic ability themselves it seems. The entire family there is gifted in many ways. Meredith is quite excited to meet them someday."

"I'm happy for her. Always good to know your roots," Mark muses, springing to his feet. "I'll say hello to her and then I'm heading to the club. Will you be joining us there later?"

Derek gets up as well, thinking of his lovely wife, and her sweet body. "Perhaps…" he grins. He claps Mark on the shoulder. "I'm glad you're all right with this – you had me worried before."

"One mortal female won't haunt me forever," Mark vows, even though he can still recall with perfect clarity how she had looked when he left her, sleeping peacefully, the rich red hair spilling over the pure white sheets, her body with a fine sheen of sweat still clinging to her from their last round of lovemaking. And her scent still seems to linger in his memory, but he shakes his head firmly to clear it. Seriously, what was it about this mortal that consumed him so? Derek was right, it wasn't the first time, and yet it wasn't as easy to let go as before.

They join Meredith at the large piano, and she looks up happily from the keyboard. "Mark! You're looking well," she comments, as he gives her a roguish smile.

"Never better. You look lovely, as always," Mark says, taking her hand and kissing her fingertips, earning a low growl from Derek. "Absolutely glowing, I have to say." Admiring her outfit of white silk blouse and black skirt, with knee high black Louboutin boots hugging her slim legs.

"You've resolved your romantic entanglements, I take it?"

"Of course, Meredith. For the good of the coven – it's done."

Meredith frowns. "For the good of you though? Cristina tells me you weren't there long – you didn't even visit with Alexei – too anxious to get out of town?"

"Yeah, you might say that. Look, I'm going to head out now – I'm off to the club to continue my wicked ways. It's a dirty job, but someone has to do it."

"Are you sure you have to leave?" Meredith asks, standing up beside Derek, who slips his arm around her waist.

"Oh, I can tell you two want to be alone. Besides, women are waiting for me, and I hate to disappoint." Mark adjusts his already perfect tie and straightens his jacket sleeves. "Maybe I'll see you two later, if you decide to head out tonight." And without another word, he's gone, leaving them alone again.

"Is he really all right?"

"For Mark, he's the best he can be. On top of his game. He'll get over this."

"Hmm…I'm not so sure," Meredith sighs, thinking of the haunted look in Mark's eyes. "He's done his duty, but I don't think it's what he really wants."

"Sometimes you can't have what you want," Derek reminds her.

Meredith turns in his embrace. "Well, maybe I'm selfish then, but I'm happy we have what we want," she murmurs, sliding her arms around his neck. Her mouth finds his, tongue invading, as she kisses him deeply.

"We're very lucky," Derek agrees, moving her backwards, against the piano. Touching her with the hot, hard length of him, enough to send tremors down her spine. Marking her with his primal need, his mouth over hers in a possessive kiss. As he presses her backwards, she leans against the keyboard, the keys making a crashing chord of sound. His fingers tug at her skirt, dragging the soft material up along her thighs. Making contact with her damp skin, he hisses as he meets her eyes.

"Damnation, Meredith…" he groans, loving the crimson red silk of the delicate thong that is already damp with her arousal.

"I knew you'd like that…." She sighs as he drops down to his knees in front of her. Her fingers grab for support, touching the ivory keys, sending more musical notes floating into the air. Suddenly ravenous to taste her, Derek's tongue drags along the wet silk, kissing her through the material. Fangs aching, as he finds the sweet spot that makes her arch against him. As Meredith whimpers in delight, the climax nearly engulfs her under his relentless tongue. One of her hands twists in his hair, the other still trailing along the keyboard. Blindly hitting keys in a crazy melody as he moves the silk out of the way, sliding his fingers into her. Making her cum in a sudden rush, her body shaking with each wave of pleasure that assaults her.

Just as she cries out his name, Derek rises to his feet, claiming her lips, while moving swiftly to free himself from the constraining clothing. Eager to drive into her, to claim her completely. He lifts her upwards, her delicate frame like the lightest feather in his powerful embrace. Her boots glide on the taut muscle of his thighs, as he slides into her. His hips move against her, insistent and delicious.

"Hell, love...you feel too damn good..."

She is all molten heat around him, and he can't go slow, even using his vampiric strength of will. Pumping faster, taking them both to the edge of ecstasy and beyond. Her surging pulse calls to him, just as her own fangs graze his throat.

Take me sweetheart...

Her climax spikes as he feels her teeth pierce his skin. His body convulses, cumming in an exhilarating rush, filling her totally. His masculine roar of satisfaction makes her smile, as she takes the last swipe with her tongue, sealing the bite.

His cock twitches deep within her, eager for more. Her pelvic muscles clench around him, and he meets her satisfied smirk. "More, my sexy little vampiress?" he asks, hunger in his voice and his eyes.

"You're not done with me yet, are you?" Her little mischievous smile bares her fangs at him.

"Never."

He spins around, supporting himself against the piano, bringing her higher. Now he bumps the keys, sliding along the length, back and forth as they share a long, searching kiss. Riding his thrusting hips, loving the swell of his cock inside of her again and again, Meredith is lost to everything but him. Matching the cadence of his heart, lost in the urgent pulse that beats between them.

This time his fangs find their mark, loving the burst of her blood along his tongue. Her body shakes from the intense orgasm that grips her all over, as he sucks at her throat.

I love you...love you...

The thoughts are like a torrent flowing between them, welcoming the rush of pure pleasure that takes them both away in a final climax. Shaking the piano, keys crashing on a last note before Derek eases them down to the floor. He cradles her against his chest, still buried deep within her, still twitching at the last aftershocks that go through them.

Derek touches the already nearly invisible mark on her throat thoughtfully. "There was something different about you tonight...when I tasted you..." he says slowly.

"Different...how?" she asks, lazily threading her fingers through his thick hair.

"An added element somehow...richer..."

His fingers move between them, touching her belly in a silent communication.

"Oh..." Meredith's eyes go wide, and a slow smile curves her lips. "Why didn't I realize...my god, my own senses aren't telling me anything yet..."

"Perhaps it's too early for you to detect...maybe only a few days, but it's definitely there," Derek says, watching her expression carefully. Smiling tenderly as the joy suffuses her features, lighting her expressive eyes with delight.

"Then I'm really..."

"...pregnant...? Yes, love...I believe so..."