CHAPTER 20

Precious life

Agatha is already in the 7th month of the pregnancy and even though a vampire shouldn´t feel any pain, the course of her pregnancy is not easy and calm at all...

Hello, my dear readers! Another chapter is here introducing us to the months of expecting the arrival of new lives. I hope you will like it and enjoy it ...

Thank you all for the kudos and comments! They always cheer me and support my will to write more ... I always want to hear your opinions and love the reviews and following discussions!

-/-

Stirring in her usually peaceful sleep, Agatha shifts in a growing discomfort towards Dracula immersed in a deep, peaceful slumber. The inner pressure the babies cause, is sometimes too unbearable and not only one time has she felt like a minute before an actual explosion and thus the annoyed vampiress opens her eyes, leaving the dreamland abruptly. She huffs, giving up eventually and touches her abdomen, feeling two dissatisfied kicks.

- I know it's too tight there, but can´t you just sleep now and lark in the morning? I need sleep too, darlings. - she whispers silently, not even sure if her words are voiced and sighs again. As a doctor she very well knows what can be expected during the pregnancy but she as well hoped, that her vampire identity would spare her of unnecessary pain ... not a pain but annoying pressure ... she just forgot that her cells do not divide the usual way and thus the skin mostly thinners and doesn't grow so fast, accommodating to the needs of two little tenants as it is normal. Only 2 more months and something and then ... then a huge unknown will follow ... another kick curls the taut skin. - Exactly like your father. All my attention must be yours. - nevertheless, Agatha produces a gently smile and rather sits. Her sudden movement and change of position, though subconsciously alarms sleeping Count that starts slowly opening his eyes as well. With a sleepy, little bit rough voice, he asks:

- You all right, Agatha? -

- It depends. Stretched. Almost exploding, tired. However, the little ones are awake and kicking as if playing football. -

- Kicking? That's new, isn't it? - now Count sits up quickly as well, omitting so far, all the complains of his wife, rather focusing on the ongoing changes with his babies. Agatha just shrugs her shoulders.

- It isn't. - if only … -They have been more active recently, stretching to find the most comfortable position possible. -

- How so I didn't know about it? -

-You are simply not there when they decide to wanton. - thinking about it now, they really trouble her most, when Dracula is gone, attending his business or riding his stallion. - They behave in your presence, Vlad. -

- Already having respect for their father. - he says proudly and encircling Agatha's waist, rests right arm on her abdomen. - I like it, however … - soon-to-be-mother snuggles closer to the expecting father and smiles.

- One small kick would be beneficial for your high-and-mighty buttocks. - it's not that hard to guess what he wants. Dracula laughs and nods. Nevertheless, he cannot omit one self-praising notice ...

- And sexy buttocks, may I add. But yes … - locating their hearts one by one is easy, though he cannot distinguish the difference between sleepy and woke states of his little ones the way Agatha does. - Are they awake? -

- It seems so. - thus, Vlad Balaur caresses Agatha's abdomen, addressing directly the babies.

- Little darlings, daddy needs a little wiggle that won't hurt mammy... -

- How thoughtful of you, my dear husband. - and she joins him in talking. - What mammy needs is a good, peaceful sleep for at least 8 hours. - Dracula's, not mommy's, plead is shortly after complied and Agatha only huffs … neither the less, a smile appears on her face when she notices the enormous joy in those chocolate eyes …

- Now, that's a kick worthy of a warrior! - he giggles, pursing his nicely shaped lips provocatively.

- I am no enemy but an ally! - Agatha insists immediately, adding a relevant argument. - Their home and provider of food! -

- Alright, it's just a harmless stretch then. -

- Maybe for your hand but try this! - and surprising him, Agatha transfers herself at her husband, clutching him strongly and with as much force as possible, yet not harmful for the little ones, hugs him, pressing her abdomen to his stomach ... actually moving to his lap ... shocked Count just gazes at Agatha, with mouth opened wide, though starts to laugh a moment later, when he receives a kick or two … - Share the kick with me, my dear Count. Feel what your kids are doing to keep me awake. Even if you couldn't experience it to the same extent as I do! Lucky you, Vlad. They are having a party there. -

- My poor, brave Agatha. - he soothes her, caressing her back and enjoying the closeness, kisses her on temples. - My love, just few more weeks and it will be alright. -

- At least 10 more weeks. - she huffs, but snuggles closer to him, nestling her face into his neck. - I just hoped it would be easier and less painful. - over a century she did not experience any pain or a tension from inside of her body … though the pain she had to endure on the day she found out about the presence of the little ones in her life, was much worse ... - Now, you could stop showing off to your dad and finally fall asleep. Don't you think? - pleading voice has no effect. They will be just like their father. Stubborn.

- Let me try something. - Count Dracula offers his help, caressing her aching back (even that has to hurt!) once more.

- Well, do what you think will help. - she after all, run out of ideas how to make them stop. It will be much different once they are born ... hopefully ... easier ... She doesn't even have time or mood to think or try to guess, what will be Dracula's attempt, however, she doesn't expect this. Her husband, renowned Count Dracula, mighty warlord and famous vampire starts singing in his mother tongue. Soft, gentle, calming voice soothes immediately at least Agatha, that would never say, she will hear her husband hum a lullaby (and he would never say, that he will even remember the correct words of those ancient songs). The frequency of kicks decreases and within 10 minutes stops completely. Babies seem to be peacefully asleep ... - Here you are, my dear. Better? -

- Much. Thank you. - stretching and unpleasant tension are gone ... hopefully for few hours at least. The Balaur couple enjoys the silence for a while and Count slowly starts to believe, Agatha is gradually following their children to the realms of dreams, nonetheless, she surprises him again. It's a soft kiss at first placed directly over the two little scars, that basically started this new adventure of their common life. Then a gently stroke of his cheek follows. A moment later his pyjama shirt is torn off ... Agatha's head pops out from underneath Dracula's chin that stares at her in an utter awe and adoration. She kisses him. His cold cheek, left corner of his lips, slightly open mouth … Gently, tenderly ... eventually passionately, hungrily, with burning lust.

- My love ... isn't it dangerous? - Count whispers into her lips in between the hot kisses. - At this stage of pregnancy? - Agatha shakes her head in a disagreement and embracing him around the neck, starts to move in his lap in a circular, arousing rhythm.

- Only if you resist. In that case I would need to seize you by force, darling. -

- You sure? - Dracula swallows empty, already hardening … the idea, that they would need to indeed stop is now unacceptable … but still … it might be risky … or not?

- Yes. - however, Agatha has no doubts about the correctness of her words. She is a doctor after all! And needs to ease her mind, enjoy herself, forget all the struggles at least for a moment. - Now shut up, Vlad and perform your marital duties. - it's a strict order, which arouses him even more. He loves her dominant personality, definitely in bed … when they make love ...

- Agatha, honey. -

- Hush. - she won't hear a single word of hesitation ... - Be a good husband! - it's decided and Count Dracula gives up more than gladly ...

- That's who I am. - no further talks are necessary ... it's time for deeds of love ...

-/-

- Does anyone else have any other questions? - Agatha asks after discussing the last comment of one of her Dutch students, that developed into a small discussion. To her relief, all the video-conference participants of the online lecture shake their heads in negative. - In that case, we can end today's meeting. As I mentioned the last time, you can contact me anytime through email if you have any relevant questions towards our lessons. -

- Thank you doctor Balaur. -

- You are welcome. Up until next time. Good-bye. - everyone answers in a polite greeting as well and a moment later only a beeping sound of people leaving the joined conference can be heard. With a huge relief, Agatha turns off the computer and collapses again into her chair completely exhausted. Her head started to hurt a few moments ago and in her own experience that can mean only one thing. Babies are hungry again and honestly; she could use a glass of blood as well. It's time for an afternoon snack.

- And it would be more enjoyable if Vlad prepared it for me and the little ones as well. - she muses, grimacing again when the pain intensifies, reminding her that a dialysis is needful as well as another bag of IV. Her husband however is somewhere outside, riding his stallion Hector through the vast lands of theirs and forests, probably accompanied by their wolves. Only Luna, now silently laying in front of her large desk, stayed with her. That's why, Agatha has to stand up and take care of it by herself. As soon as she is on her feet again, a sudden spasm clenches her guts, squeezing her stomach and uterus in a painful gasp.

- No no no! - she calls out, however no one apart of alarmed Luna is there to listen to her silent pleads. - Not the babies! Not know! - momentarily, she falls on her knees, eventually collapsing with her entire body on the wooden floor, hardly avoiding falling directly on her abdomen. Luna immediately moves to Agatha's side and with a whine, licks Agatha's face. The vampiress though is not responding in the usual way. Her master doesn't reward her with a wide smile or a sweet treat. Agatha's face freezes in horror when the spasm repeats, making her curl into a ball. Her hands rest immediately around her abdomen and with tears on the verge of her eyes, she starts to pray for the first time in these last 2 centuries, pleading the almighty God to save her 2 little ones ... Luna's whining intensifies even more when Agatha loses her consciousness and a small stream of blood starts to leak out of her ...

-/-

As soon as Count Dracula noticed running Luna without a trace of Agatha in sight, he knew something was wrong. The white she-wolf wouldn't leave her master unattended, since all the other wolves accompanied him. His worries only intensified when he noticed a red smudge on the howling wolf´s nose. Vlad Balaur dismounted his horse immediately and not even straddling him properly in the stall, followed the restless Luna back to their home. Running in inhumane speed equalling the wolf´ he reached the slightly open French door leading to Agatha's office in no time. There he found her. Lying on the ground, in a foetal position, unconscious, not responding ... in the very first moment, he thought he had lost her, well them already, however nearing her abruptly, he caught an echo of 2 heartbeats. Without further thinking, he took her into his strong arms and constantly talking to her, trying to bring her back at least this way hurried to the garage. Shortly afterwards both Balaur were seated in the car, Luna still trying to get inside as well, though one keep the fortress safe for our return command, made her stop and get out of the way. A fast drive followed. Dracula with a panicked voice contacted doctor Sparks and asked her to prepare whatever is needed to save his family, meanwhile eying Agatha's face that remained expressionless. The only sign of life was the heartbeat of his children, that differed from the regular, peaceful one and for the first time ever, Count Dracula couldn't tell if Agatha wakes up again. How much he cursed himself that he left her alone after the restless night they had. How much he cursed himself for succumbing the attraction and his feral needs when he agreed to make love with her instead of being more cautious during this late stage of pregnancy. How stupid of me! It might be my fault ... what if she? ... I don't want to be without her! Without them ... Looking at his wife again, Count Dracula accelerates and tries to focus on the road. The Carfax Clinics is within a sight. 5 minutes at most and they will be there ... however those are the longest ones ever. They could mean the difference between life and death. Entering the private underground garage, he almost forgets to turn off the engine and after taking Agatha out of the car, doesn't even bother to lock it as there is no time to waste. At last, he reaches the 3rd floor and still holding his wife in arms, knocks impatiently on the consulting room door. Luckily, it's opened immediately.

- What happened, Mr. Balaur? - doctor Sparks asks immediately as he rests Agatha on the examination table. Dracula however, shrugs his shoulders a nervously steps around the worried doctor.

- I wasn't home. I have found her already on the ground as I said. -

- Do you have any idea how long she is unconscious? - Elizabeth asks further questions. Nevertheless, she continues with the examination, checking the babies with ultrasound. Again, Count Dracula shakes his head in negative.

- It couldn't be more than 10 minutes. Luna is quick and I wasn't that far away from the house. - the level of Dracula's desperation grows when the doctor lifts Agatha's eyelid to check the response of irises.

- Luna? - Agatha never mentioned anyone else living with them … hopefully, not another vampire.

- Agatha's wolf. - answering quickly, Dracula's impatience grows. - What's with her, doctor? Is she … there? - he wants to know immediately. Doctor Sparks sighs. It´s hard to tell in this case. Usually, the activity of heart is the best indicator, however this is not possible since her heart is inactive for 124 years and the doctor doesn't know (unlike Agatha) if the brain activity can be measured.

- I cannot say that with certainty, Mr. Balaur but her irises seem to dilate a bit which might be a good sign. - as Agatha's friend she hopes to read that sign correctly. It would be so unfair if Agatha ... passed ... she just found her happiness and flourishes ever since this man appeared in her life ... no matter what Mike says or thinks ... - The bleeding though troubles me as it might indicate some internal ruptures or … -

- But babies' hearts are still beating, I can hear that, doctor. - he rather interrupts her. Dracula has always been a strong and fearless man, nevertheless, now his meaning of existence is endangered. - Save them all. Please. -

- I´ll do my best, I promise. - Agatha is her friend after all and Elizabeth Sparks knows very well how much is she looking forward to the babies … that seem to be completely normal, regular human beings … - Now, I will need to contact my son and transfer Agatha to the surgery room. - she explains further, quickly scanning patient´s abdomen with ultrasound. - Once having her there I will know more. - Dracula doesn't like the fact, Mike will be there as well, nevertheless he agrees. If it saves his wife and children, then be it.

- Alright, but I will be with Agatha the entire time. - there´s no sense to argue now and thus doctor Sparks nods. They are running out of the time …

-/-

Count Dracula never felt so anxious as at this very moment. Watching 2 mortals, one of them his enemy in love, digging in his unconscious wife scares him as his trust towards them isn't that big. He wouldn't leave her and his vulnerable unborn children with them for a single minute. Holding Agatha's hand, his eyes jump from her face to the screen monitoring the progress of laparoscopy. Each movement, every equipment that is inserted into her stomach through the small puncture he had to do is accompanied by many questions. He needs to know exactly what they are doing. Dressed in a surgical gown himself with a cap on his head covering his dark hair completely and respirator on his mouth, he looks as another member of the team.

-See, Mr. Balaur? Here is the little leakage sourcing from the umbilical cord and there, - she moves the miniature camera attached at the end of a small silicone tube little bit deeper. - babies are growing faster than Agatha's skin manages to adapt. Inner lying of her abdominal skin tissue is stretched too much and I can already see several small cracks. -

-But our skin is impenetrable and cannot be ruptured by anything! - he doesn't understand it and sighs worried. There are many changes Agatha's body underwent these past months, that definitely weakened her to some extent and he is not thinking only about the daily dialysis or adjacent nutrition she needs to be pumped for the babies to have enough food for a healthy development.

-It´s the reaction of her own body. No external impacts, that might be the reason. But I am no expert in … uhm … this kind of physiology. -

-In this case since the … - up until now silent Mike Sparks joins the discussion as well … to Count´s obvious resentment. - babies ... - he tries his best as not to express his disgust. - are too big and harmful for Agatha, I would recommend a Caesarean section. -

-Didn't you understand the last time we have seen each other, that neither of us will allow any harm on our babies?! - he raises his voice. Again, the atmosphere is tensed, which is not good at all in this situation.

-They are already able to survive outside Agatha's body. - he points out. - With an adequate support and care of course, that our clinic can provide. -

- Elsewise, even if we fix what needs to be fixed now, similar incidents may happen in the near future and it might be much worse, even fatal … though we are not winners yet. - it seems that the older doctor as well supports this. Of course, she will agree with her son! Count is helpless. They are right. At this time, there is no guarantee that Agatha will wake up so soon and the babies are at risk as well … - The decision needs to be done now, Mr. Balaur. -

-I just cannot … not without Agatha's permission. - he sighs again and takes her resting hand into his, squeezing it lightly. My dear … he takes a look at her face and lowering himself, kisses her through the respirator on the forehead. Mike´s reluctance grows. Somehow, no matter what he sees or hears from Agatha, he cannot believe this man, a killing beast, might be capable of selfless feelings, love especially. On the other hand, Elizabeth Sparks is beginning to feel something resembling a compassion towards this … man. Everyone hoping for a different miracle, but basically having one aspect in common, in the next moment cannot believe own eyes.

-Agatha? My love, come back. Please. - Count whispers so only she can heart it. Indeed. His words have desired reaction. There is a change … Agatha, still lying quite motionless, possibly due to the re-fill of blood into her veins is starting to react. Her eyelids are slowly opening and once her eyes are fully perceiving reality again, horror crawls to her mind. Vivid memories of the horrible dream she had once, before she found out about the pregnancy, replays again. In front of her, she can recognize a woman with blue eyes and greying hair, dressed in the surgical coat and the light above her head indicates that she is indeed in some surgical room. Immediately, the defence mechanisms in her mind are activated. She recognises no one in the room at first and the surgical lights above her head are not helping to calm her down … her hands immediately move towards her abdomen.

-Don't you dare to touch me! - she yells at them, with panicked and angry voice at the same time. Count Dracula immediately removes the respirator, covering his face to soother her.

-It´s fine, my dear. I am here. -

-Agatha, try not to move anymore. - the older doctor warns her, quickly explaining further. - You are in a surgery room, opened for laparoscopy. - even Elizabeth Sparks addresses her with a soft, calm tone of her voice, meanwhile trying to balance the laparoscopy pistol and not to harm her or the little ones at the same time. Only Mike remains silent.

-Why? Heavens, Vlad. Babies? - turning her head from Elizabeth to Vlad, she rests the eyes onto her swollen, partially revealed stomach.

- It´s alright, honey. They are fine, right, doctor? -

- Well, yes. - doctor Sparks nods, nevertheless begins explaining of her current state, talking quickly as not to waste any more time. After all, invasive intervention is not good neither for the babies, nor for Agatha that doesn't perceive the incision pain even if not under narcotics. Agatha listens, clutching Dracula's hand, thinking quickly. She furrows when Elizabeth presents her with her options, tears on the verge of her eyes again.

- They cannot be born now! - the expecting mother speaks her mind eventually, disagreeing completely.

- Agatha, that´s the best option. - calm, yet scolding voice of Mike is now irritating. - They are viable already and would be taken the best care of. - he arguments, choosing the cold approach of a scientists. Agatha disagrees ... well, partially he is correct but ...

- I am in the 28th week of pregnancy. It´s too soon, too preterm. You should know how risky it is, the more when there are two of them. - she caresses her abdomen carefully and glancing quickly at the monitor, makes the final decision. - My children need me. Every day, every week counts! -

- Agatha, your body … -

- My body went through worse, Mike. - she is resolute and Dracula, looking at her lovingly, absolutely adores her approach ... how she fights for their family, even if against her long-time friend. - Fix what is needed to fix and keep them inside, well protected. No one will touch them now, understood? - then she looks at Elizabeth again. - Liz, please, stretch my skin, add the additional vents to the umbilical cords, keep me connected to the dialysis and IV´s day and night if needed, I don't care, just keep them inside and safe. - Mike just silently huffs and both vampires decide to ignore it completely. There is only one thing that matters now.

- I will do my best. You have my promise, Agatha. - Elizabeth Sparks nods and focuses again on her tasks, being just a doctor that respects the decision of her patient ... - Now, try not to move. If you like, I will raise a shield so you won't see it if that makes you uncomfortable. -

- I want to see it, Liz. And Vlad too, right? - Agatha eyes her husband that is looking at the screen, that shows quite in a detail one of the babies ... details of shoulder and partially neck with chin. Beautiful and ours. Agatha at first sees in that look a weakness, possible loss of self-control, though quickly she reads it correctly as an adoration and definitely she would prefer if he stayed with her.

- Of course, my love. - after all, it's just the 2 of them, soon 4, against the whole world. - I won't leave your side. - They can rely just and only on each other ... lives-saving procedure takes place and all is silent again ...

-TBC-

It´s not that easy to bring a little baby vampire to the world, the more when there are two of them ... anyway, Agatha is a strong woman, determined to do the best for her little ones even if she had to endure the pain and risk her own well-being. ANd Count loves her even more for that ... in the next chapter, we will probably welcome little Balaurs to the world ... who is looking forward to it with me? let me know in the reviews!