Justin stood at the head of the long table and gazed upon the endless rows of council members watching him like a hawk. They examined his every step, movement, gesture and words he said critically. Justin felt his heart about to explode from his chest, it rattled and pumped erratically from nerves. The hall they had gathered in reeked of tension, most of which came from Tootie Tootie as Justin often caught him snarling at him nastily.
"Now," Justin continued as he addressed the council, "seems that we have finally got through fifteen of our topics to discuss we should move on to the next one which is what do we do next as a council to improve our practice and policies. Personally, I feel that we are doing everything correctly. Every procedure we are following is the right one, I just think perhaps we should all-" Justin paused and listened carefully as he heard a low rumbling rattled down the table. "Can anyone hear that? He asked in a whisper, listening intently to the noise.
Tootie Tootie rolled his eyes, "maybe you should ask her."
Tootie Tootie gestured to the end of the table, Justin looked past the solemn faces of his council members and looked down the table, focusing on the person sat right at the end. Alex sat fast asleep, snoring and drooling on the table like a teething infant. Her head drooped face down on the shiny wooden table, Justin looked around at the sniggering council members glancing between him and Alex. Justin swiftly went over to Alex and shook her firmly on the shoulder.
"Alex," he hissed, "Alex! Wake up!"
Gradually Alex opened her eyes and groaned loudly, "Mom! I don't want to go to school today!"
"Alex!" Justin yelled causing her to jerk awake.
Alex looked around in confusion and began to stare at the lines of council members sat around the table staring at her in fascination. Then it clicked where she was. "Oh god," Alex gulped nervously, slowly she looked up only too see Justin glaring down. Alex noticed Justin's nostrils flare as his eyes burned in to her face. "Hi," she smiled widely, hoping to break the tension that was steadily building.
Justin rolled his eyes, "you know what everyone, we've gone through a lot of work today. Why don't you all go home early? You've earned it! And I'll fill Alex in on what she's missed."
Everyone in the council nodded and one by one they rose from the table and slowly began to leave. Tiredly they bid farewell to each other and trundled out the room in small groups whilst casting judgemental glances at Alex and whispering to each other. Alex watched on in embarrassment, she turned her head to the side in order to avoid everyone's eye contact but much to her dismay she ended up face to face with Tootie Tootie. She gulped nervously as he glared at her, his face was emotionless, which unnerved Alex even more. He silently shook his head before walking towards the door.
"I take it you can deal with her?" he yelled over to Justin.
Justin eagerly nodded, "of course I can! Why wouldn't I?"
"Well you've just handled everything else so well professor!" He snarled sarcastically.
Tootie Tootie gave one last condescending look before storming out of the room, violently slamming the door behind him. Justin gave a heavy sigh and collapsed into a chair behind him.
"What the hell Alex?" He whined, rubbing his head in frustration.
"I'm sorry. We had a really bad night with Neave, I've practically had no sleep! And Mason literally had no sleep, so you can imagine how bad she really was."
"Why what's wrong with Neave?"
"I don't know!" Alex exclaimed in exhaustion, "Dr. Butcher said there's nothing wrong with her and I believed him. But Mason thinks he's wrong and now I kind of do too. I've never seen her like that before Justin, I've never seen anyone like that before."
"Alex," Justin began sympathetically while taking Alex's hand, "our family has always been treated by Dr. Butcher and he's never been wrong before."
"You didn't see her though Justin-"
"I know! And you and Mason are her parents and you guys know best. But let's face it Alex, you're no medical expert. Just trust him."
"What if she gets like that again though? I can't stand seeing her that sick…"
"Then take her back to see him, just give her some time and who knows the problem will probably solve itself."
"I hope so."
Alex sat propped up on the bed holding both Mason and Harper's hand as she gritted her teeth together tightly. Painful moans continued to slip from her lips as she attempted to breath through the pain. Mason used his free hand to rub Alex's leg which she had lay on the small white rail that had been erected on the edge of the bed between her and Mason. With Harper's free hand she held on to the other white rail that stood between her and Alex as she watched her friend in worry. Every now and again Harper would try to move the hair that was sticking to Alex's face but despite her efforts every time Alex's head moved while she writhed in pain in would fall back down on to her cheek and forehead.
"Okay Alex, on the next contraction be ready to push," Dr. Butcher said then he positioned himself at the bottom of the bed as he smiled at Alex reassuringly.
Alex turned to Harper and looked at her with fear in her eyes. Harper gave a small smile as she used both her hands to grasp Alex's trembling hand. "You're going to be ok Alex, just push, okay." Alex nodded as her breathing began to gradually calm down. Then another contraction hit. Alex seized Mason and Harper's hands tighter as she began to bear down and push.
Her pale face turned bright red as she put all of her strength and effort in to pushing. When the contraction faded Alex's breathing became heavier and her head collapsed back on to the fluffy pillow. She rested her hands on top of her bump while she grunted and breathed in and out through her mouth. "why does it hurt so bad?" She cried with tears trailing down her cheeks.
"It's alright love, it's nearly over." Mason reassured her by giving her shaking hand another squeeze.
Abruptly, Alex's sweat bathed snow-white face turn bright red. She gradually brought her knees closer to her chest and held them there whilst she remained frozen.
"Remember to breath Alex. Take it easy," Dr. Butcher advised her. But she couldn't.
Alex was completely focussed on pushing. Harper and Mason both winced and grimaced, sympathising with Alex's pain as they both could clearly see the pressure building in her body. Once. Then for a second time.
"Baby's crowning!" Dr. Butcher happily announced, "Mason, would you like to see?"
Mason sluggishly edged his way down the bed, eventually peering over Dr. Butcher's head to take a look. His eyes instantly widened as his jaw dropped, he stared uncomfortably while Alex continued to push.
"What can you see?" Harper asked excitedly.
"I'm not really sure, I can't tell where Alex finishes and where the baby starts."
With that Alex promptly gave him a swift kick to the side before she had a small rest as the contraction faded away.
"Whenever you're ready Alex," said Dr. Butcher, "one more push."
Alex nodded as she gasped in exhaustion, then she gave a huge push. In what felt like an instant Alex felt a sudden rush surge through her body, she let out a tired cry and before she knew it Dr. Butcher held out the small baby in his arms. Alex fell back on the pillow and reached out for the baby as Dr. Butcher passed it to her, she quickly grouped it in to her arms while Harper and Mason looked at them in awe and fascination.
Alex gave a light sigh as the baby took its first breath and let out a shrieking cry.
"You did it!" Harper cried happily, "you actually did it!"
"It's a baby," Alex stated, "we have a baby!"
Mason silently nodded in response rushing over to Alex and getting a closer look. His eyes quickly filled with tears, the same went for Alex and Harper. He planted a kiss on top of Alex's head. "I love you so so much," he whispered. Alex smiled weakly at him before he gave yet another kiss but this time on her soft lips.
He couldn't help but observe all the unique features the new-born had. A little button nose and wide glossy eyes. Her skin was so smooth without a single impurity. Her hair was so soft you would think you were touching delicate silk threads.
"So, what do we have?" Dr. Butcher asked smugly.
All three of the teens peered down at the baby. "A girl," they all smiled.
"Well let's get her all cleaned up for you and then you can have all the hugs you'd like," said Dr. Butcher as he carefully took the baby from Alex. "I'll take her to my assistant and then I'll get you fixed up Alex."
Alex nodded and watched as Dr Butcher carried the baby away out of the room.
"I'm going with her," Mason announced, "will you be okay?"
Alex nodded as she gave a yawn. Mason gave her a quick kiss onto her clammy head and rushed out of the room to find Dr. Butcher and the baby.
When he arrived in the hall way it was completely desolate. The room was filled with an eerie silence, it seemed as though the hospital had been abandoned, empty strollers and wheelchairs were left spread across the room. Scattered around along with dozens of empty chairs and rusted old medical equipment. The lights flickered uncontrollably as he looked around searching for someone to help him. Ancient medical reports and tattered pieces of paper blew across the stained floor and past his feet. Mason looked up at the patient board only to see that all the patient's names and the dates had been smudged, making them impossible to read.
He stood in complete silence until he heard the cry of a new born at the end of the hall.
"Hello?" he called out, "Dr. Butcher?"
But there was no reply.
He began to walk down the hallway cautiously, following the baby's cry. The lights continued to flicker, sometimes leaving Mason in complete darkness. He stared down at the end of the hall and saw no one there, then suddenly the lights went out. When they finally came back on Mason saw that there was now a hooded dark figure stood at the end of the shadowy hallway holding a baby. Mason, feeling infuriated, instantly ran at the figure.
"LET HER GO!" He roared but the figure floated away.
Mason rapidly ran after the figure which was floating out of the hospital with the baby tightly clutched in its arms. The hospital door slammed in Mason's face as the figure escaped outside. He fell to the ground in a heavy thump, clutching his bruised side, Mason immediately shot back up and flew out of the hospital doors.
His heart sank and his legs seemed to lose all feeling as he found himself stood on Waverly Place. Lightning and thunder echoed through the air as heavy, cold rain began pounding down onto Mason's face as he stared up at the roof of the substation. A sickly feeling swirled in his stomach whilst a hot sweat took over his body as he stood watching Ana who was perched on top of the roof, she tightly embraced Neave in her arms as she stood staring out across the city.
"Dad, help us." Said Ana, who was in a trance like state, "save us daddy."
Mason looked around in panic, only to see him stood alone in the street. His heart began to beat rapidly as he searched around for help. "Ana!" He called, "stay there!"
"This is your fault…" he heard a voice whisper behind him. But when he turned around no one was there. Suddenly, the voice appeared again. "You could have saved her…" Once again Mason spun around but he was still stood alone in the street.
"Why couldn't you help her?" Mason looked next to him only to see Juliet and Alex looking up at Ana and Neave on the roof top. Slowly, they turned their heads to look at him. Their pale complexions glowed in the moonlight, Mason looked sadly at their eyes. The dark makeup they both wore streamed down their faces, leaving pitch black trails on their cheeks.
"This is your fault," the girls said in unison.
Mason looked back up at his daughters on the roof and stared helplessly at them as he found himself at a loss for words. Eventually, Ana looked down at Mason and quietly she uttered the words, "I'm sorry."
The next thing Mason knew a dark hooded figure appeared behind his daughters, as Mason sped over to the building Ana and Neave were launched off of the roof after being pushed by the mysterious figure. Mason screamed in terror as he watched his daughters fall through the air on to the stone cold ground…
"No!" Mason yelled as he leapt up from his sleep. His desperately tried to get control of his breathing as he panted rapidly, his hands had become warm and damp from the drops of sweat that had gathered together during his restless sleep.
"Mason?" He heard a soft voice say, "are you alright love?"
Mason looked over and saw him mother sat on the cream coloured carpet with Neave stood on her lap while she held her grandmother's hands and danced along with the characters being shown on the tv beside her. Mason took a look around in order to familiarise himself with his surroundings.
His mother no longer lived in that old dingey cave she shared with his father in the sewers. Since their separation, Linda Greyback had bought her own house on the outskirts of New York. Somewhere quieter where she was free to be herself so she could wolf up and go hunting whenever she pleased but close enough to the city that she could be apart of its everyday life, and most importantly so she could still be near her son and granddaughter. The house she lived it was the average stereotypical American home, a red front door, white shutters on the windows and a garden big enough for Neave to play in as she grew older. Although, this home was not a large as other homes in that area it was big enough for Linda.
As Mason come to terms with his surroundings he stared at the warm beige walls and gently squeezed the brown leather couch cushions beneath him as he closed his eyes and began to take calming breaths. He felt his heart gradually return to its natural pace but he was once again startled when he heard his mother begin to yell.
"Mason!" She called pulling him out of his trance, "what's the matter?"
"Nothing," he yawned, "I must have fell asleep."
"If your still tired the spare beds made up if you want to go for another sleep, I'll be fine with Neave."
"No it's okay thanks, I'll be fine now."
"You don't look it," she scoffed, "did you actually get any sleep last night?"
Mason shook his head as he gave another yawn. Linda found amusement in this and began to laugh, causing Neave to giggle along with her grandmother despite not knowing what was happening.
"Have you been keeping mummy and daddy awake?" She asked Neave whilst ticking her under her arms. Neave instantly collapsed on to Linda laughing as she continued to tickle her, "you little monkey Neavie Greyback!" She laughed as Neave roared in laughter.
"She hasn't been sleeping," Mason told his mother, "she keeps getting a temperature and she just screams nearly all night. Alex took her the doctor, but he said she was fine."
"Of course she is! Look at her! Such a happy babba aren't you Neavie," she puckered her lips and kissed Neave lightly on the cheek. "Don't worry about it," she told Mason, "you did that all the time!"
"Really?"
"Yeah and you were older than Neave is. It's what all toddlers do! I mean, she's probably only getting a temperature because she gets herself so upset."
"So, you don't think there's something wrong with her?"
"No, not at all. Mason she's perfect, if there was something wrong we'd know."
Mason nodded, "yeah your right."
"Of course I am," grinned Linda, "because I would know if anything was wrong with my little princess!" She began placing various kisses across of Neave's face, leaving Neave squirming around cackling to herself.
Mason smiled as he watched his daughter and mother play happily together, Linda carefully placed Neave on to the ground and continued to tickle her stomach whilst trailing up to tickle under her armpits. Neave remained flat on her back and kicked her legs out violently at her grandmother at the same time as she hysterically screeched. She quickly turned bright red in the face as she made a desperate attempt to wriggle away from her her but Linda would repeatedly pull Neave back by her ankles only to recommence tormenting her. Underneath Neave's loud laughs a low ringing could be heard.
Mason looked around in confusion, "what's that?"
Linda slowly stopped tickling Neave, who quickly jumped up and ran to her dad giggling to herself, and pulled her cell phone from the pocket in her jeans. She glanced at the screen before buttoning the call and launching her cell on to the floor next to her.
"Who was it?" Mason asked curiously as he pulled Neave up on to his lap.
"No one important." She smiled at Mason and began to wiggle her slender fingers at Neave, causing her to burst out into another spout of laugher and bury her face in Mason's chest.
"Oh," Mason sighed, "I think I have an idea who that someone might be. Its dad isn't it?"
"That obvious is it?" she laughed to herself in disbelief.
"Mum, you know if you need any help sorting the divorce-"
"No it's fine," she insisted, "it's nearly all sorted. Its just… he phoned last week to tell me he's coming here to finalize everything and so we can sign the divorce papers."
"Right, okay. So what's the problem? I mean you were the one who wanted to separate, right?"
"Yeah of course, but that's not what's bothering me."
"Well what is it?"
"When he's here he wants to see someone…"
Linda glanced over at Neave who was now sat on Mason's lap, she had both of his hands tightly gripped in her grasp and she was completely concentrated as she tired to force his hands to clap together. Mason rolled his eyes and gave a heavy sigh, "great," he murmured.
"I've told him that he shouldn't be asking me-"
"That he should ask me? Well he's barely spoke to me since she's been born, and I certainly haven't heard from him in the past few weeks so it shows how interested he really is in his granddaughter."
"Listen, I have no idea what's going through his head. But if he asks me again I'm just going to keep telling him to ask you and we'll just see what he does. Neave's your daughter, you can always say no. Plus, like you said he might not even make contact with you."
Mason nodded, "yeah your right, I'm worrying over nothing."
"Yes, so try not to panic. Its going to be weeks before he even flies out here."
"Mum," Mason began nervously, "did he say anything about her? Neave I mean…"
"Not much. He just said he thinks its about time he got to meet her, but part of me thinks that he's hoping this will help him get back in touch with you too."
"I doubt it."
"Mason, I know you two don't always see eye to eye but he's still your dad. Just think, how would you feel if Neave felt like this towards you?"
"It'd kill me," he admitted sheepishly, avoiding any eye contact with his mother.
"Then no matter how much of a miserable git he can be, just think twice about whatever you decide. Okay?"
"Okay."