Hooray! I didn't take forever to update this again! Okay, I could blabber on, but I'll leave you to reading! -Jen

Chapter Eight

It was the blaring of a car horn that brought Zoe back to reality. Her head was spinning as she blinked wearily around, trying to gauge her surroundings. The events that led to this moment had yet to resurface as she realized that she was oddly strapped into the backseat of someone's car. Trying to sit up, the doctor squinted at the tall figure who sat almost hunched in the driver's seat. It was dark and the heat was blasting at an ungodly, uncomfortably high level. Where was she and what the hell was going on?

"La naiba!" The familiar voice hissed, hitting the steering wheel hard. "Ticăloși englezi!"

Zoe's brows knitted together as she eyed what was causing such a fuss. The red glow of a light. A stop light. They were stuck in traffic. Fighting her dizziness, she managed to prop herself up on one of her elbows. When the back seat creaked in response, the man suddenly whipped his head around. Dracula. He frowned deeply, his expression almost frightening. Try as she might, the doctor couldn't discern the vampire's current emotion. Whatever the case, he was less than thrilled.

"Stop moving and just stay still." He finally spoke authoritatively. "We'll be at the hospital in just a few minutes if all of these damn cars get out of the way!" He slammed his fist against the wheel and Zoe could almost swore she heard something crack. "Lay back down."

"Hospital?" She mumbled, brows knitting in confusion as she tried to piece together what happened. When she suddenly remembered, her stomach sunk. The pain was indeed gone, but she felt nothing. Was she supposed to feel something? "I fainted…"

"You've been out cold for over five minutes." Dracula replied, faint anxiety lacing his tone. "I didn't trust the emergency medical services to get to the Foundation fast enough. It seemed only fitting I do so myself." When the light turned green, the vampire hit the pedal hard causing the car to lurch. "What happened?! Are you in any pain?! I don't smell blood. But I'm not writing anything off simply because of that."

Being bombarded with the man's questions only aided in her growing headache. Not to mention she wasn't fond of his probable "well intended" kidnapping. She placed a hand on her stomach and focused hard. How she wished they were big enough to where she could be put at ease feeling them move. But he smelled no blood and she didn't feel wet. Weren't those obvious signs of miscarriage? If she had only experienced pain, maybe…

"I feel fine." She managed to muster out a reply. Surprised by how weary her voice sounded. "Just...out of it."

"Evidently." Dracula muttered, rolling his eyes. "Were you feeling ill at all today? Did something happen at your oncology appointment? I knew I should have had Frank gather intel-"

"Intel?!" Zoe said, her voice suddenly gaining volume. "How...you're having your dotting lawyer follow my every move now?!" She attempted to sit up, but the motion made her nauseated. "You and I have an agreement, but that doesn't extend to you spying on my every move!"

"Technically, you're keeping tabs on me." The vampire shrugged. "And I'm only concerned in the well being of yo…" He paused, lips pressing into a firm line. "I'm just taking an interest in the safety of my children and their development."

"Oh, I assure you." Zoe snapped as they pulled into the mostly empty parking lot. "When it comes to them, I take everything into account!"

"Well if that were the case, maybe we wouldn't be here." Dracula said coldly, taking a parking space close to the building. "Stay here while I get you a wheelchair. Try to walk, and I'll carry you inside. Your choice."

The doctor's jaw dropped as the Count stepped out of the vehicle and slammed the door shut. Unbuckling herself, Zoe's eyes watched as the glare from the street lights lit up his figure as he walked towards the hospital. Even though she knew it was him, it still was a little eerie. His size was intimidating. Part of her couldn't help but wonder if the babies would inherit that. That was, if they were still okay to begin with.

"At least you came to your senses and decided to wait."

Zoe jumped in surprise at the sound of Dracula's voice. Apparently, her mind had wandered far enough to where she hadn't even realized his return. Reluctantly, she allowed him to help her into the wheelchair. Perhaps in any other circumstance, this display of obedience would've amused the Count. Yet right now, he felt anything but.

"If you're not going to let me get up, at least take my license and insurance card to the front desk and sign me in." The scientist frowned from their position in the lobby. "And don't threaten anyone to get me seen faster. If you get kicked out, I'm not going to argue your case to get you back in."

"No one could remove me from the premises if they tried." And for the first time since she awoke, a flicker of a smirk crossed his features. "Public places don't require invitations."

"That's a real pity." She snorted, folding her arms over her chest. "I would've liked to see what would happen if they did. Would you burst into flames if you weren't fast enough? Fly backwards…?"

Dracula gave her a lopsided sneer before taking a hold of her identification cards. Zoe watched him from afar, her hands now resting on her stomach. The longer she sat there in the clinic, the more concerned she began to grow. Before she had tried to push the worry aside, but now it felt real. She sucked in a breath as Dracula approached, her cards in one hand and a hospital bracelet in another.

"Hold out your wrist." The vampire said, undoing the sticky side of the band. "They're going to bring you back in a minute." When Zoe opened her mouth, Dracula rolled his eyes. "I didn't threaten them. Based on your medical history and symptoms, they want to get you checked out sooner rather than later. And," he added lightheartedly. "It just happens to be a slow night. Just our luck."

"Right…" She pursed her lips. "Luck."

There was something unsettling being in the emergency ward at night. As she was strapped up to machines, an IV placed into her arm, Zoe found herself staring up at the ceiling trying to count the many tiny holes in the tiles. She could feel Dracula watching her from his seat. But much to her relief, he didn't say anything. When the doctor entered the room-not her usual one, accompanied by a very tired looking resident luggy an ultrasound machine, they both perked up.

"Dr. Sahli." The man smiled, reaching out to shake both of their hands. "I hear you had some concerns about your pregnancy?"

"Yes." Dracula cut in before Zoe could. "There was an incident at work. She fainted for a few minutes." His eyes flickered onto the scientist. "I thought it best we come here due to the circumstances."

"I see." The doctor nodded, beginning to set up the equipment. "I've pulled up your file, Dr. Van Helsing. I think you made a good call coming in." He muttered something to the resident that Zoe couldn't pick up. "Any other symptoms besides the fainting?"

"Just sharp pain." Zoe admitted, inhaling as her abdomen was exposed. "That's gone away, but the dizziness is still there." She stiffened as the gel was squeezed onto her stomach, eyes unable to meet Dracula's. "Do you think...something could be wrong?"

"Let's not try to get ahead of ourselves and worry." The older man smiled, placing the probe against her skin. Carefully, he began to move it around until the most reassuring sound in the world filled Zoe's ears. Heartbeats. "Just what I was looking for."

The scientist watched in awe as the two little humanoid beings moved about on the screen. At times, she almost swore they were kicking each other. She yearned for the moment where she could feel the movements back. But there they were. Wiggling. Alive. Still blissfully unaware of the world outside.

"I don't see any fetal distress and amniotic fluid levels look fine…" Dr. Sahli mumbled, panning across the monitor. "I'd say this was nothing more than a scare. But based on your high risk pregnancy, I'd like to run some tests and keep you overnight." The man stated, setting the probe down. "Overexertion and dehydration could have some part in what happened. I just want to make sure everything is fit as a fiddle before sending you off."

"Am I allowed to stay with her?" Dracula inquired, Zoe throwing him a glare. "I am the father."

"I don't see why not." The innocent doctor smiled, not noticing the furious stare the expectant mother was giving the vampire. "I'll let the nurses' station know once we get Dr. Van Helsing settled."

"Oh, and one more thing." The Count said, causing both the doctor and resident to glance up. "Is it too much to request a room without windows? I have rather sensitive skin, a rare condition, and I think Zoe will rest better with less light anyway." He gave a wide smile. "I'd much appreciate it."

"I don't want to be here." Zoe grimaced from her hospital bed. "And I don't like you being here."

"You've expressed that several times now." Dracula sighed, flipping the page of the magazine he was reading. Family Life. She recognized the title from her visits to the doctor. Cast aside on some table with the hopes that someone would pick it up for a peek. "But as I have clearly stated each time, I have no plans to go anywhere. I'm staying put."

"I need to tell Jack what's going on and let him know I won't be in tomorrow." She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "And somehow explain that you won't be. Not to mention that somehow someone is going to have to bring my work to me."

"You will be doing no such thing until you're cleared by a professional." The vampire replied coolly. "The doctor said you need to take things easy. While I find science positively fascinating, you scrutinizing over papers about lab work you can't actually go in and physically see doesn't excite me. You'll only stress yourself further by fixating on what's out of your hands."

"Since when did you become a psychologist?" The scientist snorted, looking bemused at the vampire. "And a simple laptop would suffice for me to do what I need. I'd just need the proper clearance to gain access to the files and contact the laboratory for a digital copy of the test results…" The more that she thought about it, the further she realized how tedious this all was. "I just need my work computer. That's all."

Dracula stared at her for a long moment, his dark eyes fixed on her face. Then, without a word, he picked his magazine back up and started flipping through it again. It was as if their previous argument had never occurred. In retaliation, Zoe beamed an empty, plastic cup in his general direction. Without even looking up, the vampire gracefully dodged her attack.

"I should have never told you I was pregnant in the first place." She grumbled, glowering as he seemingly ignored her. "Then I wouldn't have to put up with any of this."

"I would have found out eventually." The vampire shrugged, still focused on one of the colorful pages. "I have a way of discovering secrets. A talent if you will. You learn as much when it comes to yourself." The corners of his lips twitched into a small smirk. "We all have skeletons in the closet, Dr. Van Helsing."

"And yours are supposed to be released from their confines!" Zoe shot back. "We have a legal binding contract to work together, and I don't like games." She folded her arms over her chest. "Especially right now."

"Your great, great aunt would be so disappointed." The Count chuckled. "She was rather talented at chess...well, in her mind."

The scientist stiffened at the mention of Agatha. In a way, she felt as if saying the name would summon a demon. Or a ghost to say the very least. Glancing around quickly to make sure they were still alone, she turned back just in time to notice Dracula eyeing her oddly.

"Are you alright?" He inquired, any remanences of mocking having left his tone. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Fine." She answered curtly. "Just tired."

"Then try to sleep." Dracula suggested, setting the magazine aside. "There's no telling when your lab results will come back and the time of your discharge. You might as well rest as well as you can." He paused, before adding. "If anything, sleeping will make the time seem to go by faster."

"Am I to assume you're just going to sit there and watch me the whole time?" Zoe inquired, her tone unpleasant. "That is possibly the least relaxing thing you can do for me right now."

"You won't even know I'm here." The vampire assured her as he readjusted his position. "Besides, I think you'd prefer I stay here with you rather than roam the halls of this fine establishment." He gestured to the air. "Who knows what smells might capture my attention. Why, if I remember correctly, I do believe we are over an operating theater. Surgical procedures can be rather bloody…"

Zoe narrowed her eyes. "You wouldn't dare."

Dracula gave her fake, sheepish grin. "...Well now, knowing what I can and can't do, I suppose there is no harm or foul taking a quick trip to the blood bank. Technically I wouldn't be harming anyone so there goes any concern for breaching my contract."

"I should've let them destroy the house with you in it when I had the chance." Zoe spoke, fingers digging into the thin fabric of the blanket. "Fine. Be that way if you really are so desperate."

"Oh, there is no desperation." Dracula said with a content smile over his victory. "Just...well intentions…"

"Bite me." The scientist grumbled, letting her head fall onto her pillow.

"Not something I would advise you to say to a vampire." Dracula chuckled, his attention now on a new magazine. "Goodnight, Zoe. Get some rest."

If it weren't for the twins and today's exhausting events, Zoe would've tried her hardest to retaliate against the Count's insistence. But her body betrayed her. The tendrils of sleep wrapped around her in a vice like grip.

No longer could the good scientist fight it as she found herself pulled down into the deep, dark abyss of unconsciousness. So far gone that not even her dreams could reach her. A place lost to her mind. A place lost to her. Only uninterrupted slumber. Something she truly needed.

Uninterrupted. If one considered a few hours of shut eye that. Zoe awoke to the sound of two people quietly talking-which clearly wasn't soft enough as it woke her up. Blinking back sleep, she made out Dracula standing in the doorway speaking to Dr. Sahli. The vampire's expression was unusually serious, similar to that of someone trying to absorb a lot of information at once. She noted the file folder in the doctor's hand, the papers waving inside whenever the man made a gesture.

"So everything came back normal?" Dracula asked slowly. "No abnormalities?"

"None." The doctor reassured him. "We ran multiple tests. It isn't the cancer or something else. Just as I explained earlier, I think that after ruling everything else out, we can safely assume that what happened to Dr. Van Helsing was as simple as dehydration and overexertion. Does her job have a tendency to be stressful?"

"Only when she makes it that way." The vampire replied, rolling his eyes. "So they're all healthy? Her and the twins?" Even though Zoe was pretending to be asleep, she could feel Dracula's gaze on her. "These are unusual circumstances." And he wasn't referring to her cancer or other risk factors. "Both babies are well?"

"Perfectly fine." The doctor smiled. "I took the liberty of taking a few extra tests just to confirm. One I noticed hadn't been done on her files was NIPT-a noninvasive prenatal testing. Since she's high risk, I wanted to just check a few things out…" He paused. "There were a few things I noticed though."

Dracula frowned. "I thought you said everything was fine?"

"It is, it is." The doctor said, gesturing with his hands. "Just some of their genetics...well, they were a little odd. But nothing that seemed amiss. I could do further testing, put in an order for her to have an amniocentesis procedure done in a few weeks. But that carries some risks. And while I didn't go into depth, nothing I saw was linked to any known diseases or disorders."

The vampire nodded his head thoughtfully, processing every word the man said. After hearing the doctor speak about the twins' DNA, Zoe decided it was time that she woke up. Forcing a yawn, she propped herself up in the bed. Both men turned to face her, the doctor looking rather surprised while Dracula seemed unimpressed. Evidently she wasn't as good at playing pretend as she thought.

"I'm sorry if we woke you, Dr. Van Helsing." The doctor apologized. "I was just discussing with your husband-"

"We're not married." She interrupted quickly. "Anyway, if these are my results, I'd like to be the one to hear them first hand."

"Right. My apologies." The man nodded, moving over to her bedside. Like the leech he was, Dracula followed close behind. "I'm not sure how much you heard, but all your test results came back clean. I ran some extra labs and saw some unusual genetic...well, I'm not sure what you'd call it. But it doesn't seem to be anything harmful. I offered to run more tests-"

"That won't be necessary." Zoe said curtly, eyeing the folder as if she planned to snatch it at any given moment. "But if I could have a copy of the file, I'd much appreciate it."

If there was an oddity in her children's genetics, it wasn't anything any medical professional would know about. Vampire DNA hadn't been written into any textbooks. Zoe wasn't concerned about them having a condition from these unknown markers. No. She needed to know what she was dealing with. What they had apparently inherited from Dracula.

"I can have one made." Dr. Sahli promised. "...There was one other thing I was able to take a look at if you had any interest?" Dracula and Zoe looked at each other before the doctor continued. "I was able to determine your twins' gender."

Zoe looked taken aback. "This early? I didn't think it was possible."

"Well, when I ran the NIPT, it allows you to determine the gender based on what DNA found in the bloodstream. Or rather, their DNA found in Dr. Van Helsing's blood. It's more complex than it sounds, but that's besides the point." He smiled at the two wholeheartedly. "Are you interested to hear?"

Dracula and Zoe looked at each other once again. For the first time, it almost seemed as if the vampire was waiting to hear her opinion. She was tired, but Zoe felt a sense of eagerness begin to bubble up in her stomach.

"I suppose if you have them." She said after a moment.

Dr. Sahli grinned. "Then, in that case." He glanced from one parent to the other. "I'm pleased to inform you that you're expecting boys." The doctor chuckled, shaking his head. "And identical ones at that. Quite a handful indeed."

And then, like a tsunami, a new wave of emotion hit her.

Anxiety.

Identical twin boys.

Two babies with unidentifiable genetic traits gifted to them by their vampire father.

Oh God.

Identical twin boys...Zoe's gonna have a lot on her plate. Especially since there is something special about them. Better study Dracula's blood, Dr. Van Helsing! Also the Romanian says "Dammit" and "English bastards". I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Feedback is greatly loved and appreciated! Stay healthy and safe! -Jen