"Do you need help Trish?" Nitro asked her.
Trish carefully waddled downstairs, steadily gripping onto the staircase. Up until a few weeks ago, she was able to still bend over and see her feet. Now she was lucky if she could wear the same color of socks. "I just need to know where my feet are and I'll be fine." She commented.
Seven months flew by as the Family anxiously awaited the arrival of Dave's and Trish's baby. From the bassinets and cribs to the colorful onesies and booties, the dark and mystery of the Family home was slowly escaping. Trish was heavily guarded when she had doctor's appointments but Taker decided it was best for her to have a home birth. Whenever Trish left the home, there wasn't a doubt that the Brood were hot on her trail.
Meanwhile, the members of the Family were being challenged in their own ways to cope with the impending birth. London and Nitro were having fun experimenting with the baby toys, occasionally getting on Dave and Taker's nerves. Yet, they made up for it in other ways. Nitro read to Trish's womb every night and he explained new words to her and the baby. London also changed for the better and turned his porn down at night. However, his pictures were going to stay on the wall.
Meanwhile, all eyes were on Dave. He maintained his physique and intellect by reading and keeping up with his powers. He was able to subsist on having a shot glass worth of blood per week, if that. While his vampire qualities were slowly escaping his body, he wasn't quite human, either. To gauge if he really needed to be turned, Taker and the Family carefully monitored Dave's condition during Trish's pregnancy.
However, Dave knew his body better than anyone did and there was doubt he needed to be turned. Due to the highly sensitive nature of Trish's pregnancy, Dave asked Taker and Stephanie to postpone his turning. He wanted to focus as much energy on the birth of his child. He also didn't want Trish to witness his rebirth before she turned.
Once downstairs, Trish walked to the nearest sofa and sat down. She was almost near her due date and it took all of her energy just to make it to the living room for dinner. "I think I'm staying here for the time being." She breathed.
Nitro walked over to her. "We'll bring the food to you."
Trish nodded. "Thank you. I don't think I was going to be able to get back up."
"Not a problem." Nitro smiled. "How's the baby doing?"
"Active. Too active for my taste." Trish shook her head. "She won't let me sleep comfortably and she sure doesn't let me walk normally, either."
"I thought you were having a boy." London said as he walked downstairs.
"No, that's what David wants." Trish smiled. "I think it's a girl."
"Maybe I can tell by listening." Nitro said. "May I?' He motioned towards Trish's womb.
"Yeah, go ahead." She replied.
Nitro sat on the sofa next to her and rested his head on her womb. He listened carefully for any movement. He knew that he was able to tell the sex of the baby based on Trish's womb but he wanted a reason to feel the baby. "She's sleeping." Nitro commented. "She's peaceful, calm, and relaxed."
"Can she tell you when she wants to come out finally?" Trish asked.
"Soon." Nitro smiled. "Soon. She promises."
"Good!" Trish sighed. "The sooner, the better."
Melina walked downstairs just in time to glimpse her boyfriend caressing Trish's womb. Instinctively, Melina's jealousy came out in full throttle. "You never got me pregnant!" Melina yelled.
Nitro had a painful expression on his face as he got up. Throughout Trish's pregnancy, he has dealt with Melina's jealousy and constant snide remarks. As if there wasn't a change from before, he quipped. "What? You said you didn't want kids, Lina!"
"Yeah, but you could've tried to get me pregnant!" She huffed.
"So do you want a baby?" He asked.
"Hell no! All the snot, crying and…" Melina shuddered. "No thank you!"
Nitro closed his eyes before he did something to his girlfriend that he was not going to regret. "So why are we having this conversation?" He asked calmly.
Melina turned towards him and rolled her eyes. "I knew you wouldn't understand!" She then stormed off.
The other vampires gathered around Nitro as they watched Melina continue her berating into the kitchen. "Forget babies," Nitro shook his head. "Is there a handbook on how to handle women?"
"Yeah, there is." London commented. "It's called shut up and take it."
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After dinner, Dave and Trish relaxed in the back yard. They were in the swing, looking up at the stars. It was there last chance to enjoy peace and quiet before the arrival of their child and they took full advantage of it. "Should we be out here right now?" She asked.
"Probably not." Dave said as he rubbed her shoulders. "But being inside isn't safe, either." Just then, Dave could hear the ongoing argument between Nitro and Melina about why she wasn't pregnant. "Yeah, we're much safer out here."
Trish interlocked her hands with Dave. "We're going to be parents, David."
"I know." He replied.
"How are we going to explain why Daddy has to drink blood?" She asked.
"We'll be honest with our child, Honey. He'll have to know where he came from and who his parents really are. We can't hide the truth from him." He said.
"And what about why Uncle Nitro occasionally flies? And why Aunt Melina can create firestorms? And Uncle London…" Trish paused. "Well, the porn thing."
Dave chuckled. "Our child will know in due time, Honey. I don't think trying to explain everything to him when he's not here yet is worth worrying about."
"You mean, her?" Trish smiled.
"Yeah, I guess." Dave shrugged.
The peaceful night was soon interrupted by a gradual pain in Trish's lower back. It slowly moved around her body and was on the verge of being excruciating. She immediately began to feel flushed and hot. "David…" She began. "The baby is coming."
"You sure?" He asked.
"No, I'm having this pain because it feels good. Of course, I'm sure!" She breathed.
"Okay, let's go." Dave whistled for the other Family members. Almost instantly, they all met him in the backyard. "It's showtime."
Melina, Nitro, and London had the same reaction in their thoughts. "Oh shit!"
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There was a frightening thunderstorm that evening. Pouring rain and fierce wind pounded the windows. Moans and screams could be heard throughout the home. The sounds were equivalent to someone pleading for their life. And that wasn't necessary a bad guess with Trish's labor. Because she was having a home birth, Trish could not have any medication and had to give birth naturally The only exception was it wasn't Trish screaming, it was Melina.
Being an unwitting participant in the birth, Melina cringed each time Trish had a contraction. Her body shuddered and she dry-heaved whenever Taker checked Trish's progress. Melina was so disgusted, she had to wait outside in the hallway with the other Family members.
"Still want to have a baby now?" Nitro smirked as he glanced at Melina.
Melina violently shook her head. "Uh-uh!"
Inside the master bedroom, there was calm chaos. The bedroom was converted to a makeshift hospital room with plenty of blankets, newspapers and equipment for the birth. Bowls of ice chips and damp cloths were available to make Trish more comfortable. It was just a matter of time before the arrival.
Using the library to her advantage, Trish studied various books on childbirth and pregnancy. She learned breathing techniques and various forms of relaxation. Between walking back and forth and stretching, Trish was at ease. While Melina was disgusted about the labor, Trish was empowered by it.
"How are you doing, Blondie?" Taker asked.
Trish nodded as Dave patted her forehead with the damp cloth. Once her water broke, the labor proceeded quickly. "It's tough but I'm hanging in there."
"I'm going to make this short and sweet, Blondie." Taker instructed as he put on gloves. "When I say now, push and don't stop until I tell you."
Trish nodded as she prepared to deliver. She was coated in sweat, the pain was excruciating unbearable, and she wanted everything to end finally.
"Okay, Blondie." Taker said as he stood in front of her. "Now."
Dave sat behind Trish as they prepared for the birth of their child. He wiped her forehead with a moist cloth. Trish grabbed both of Dave's hands and calmly pushed out their baby. To Trish's amazement, she used the sound of the thunderous rain and wind to calm her. Within minutes, the baby was delivered.
"It's a girl." Taker said as he cleaned off the baby.
Trish breathed hard as she fell back onto Dave's chest. "Is she healthy?" She asked.
"She's perfect!" Dave smiled.
Taker handed Dave a pair of scissors. "Want to do the honors?" He asked him.
Dave took the scissors and cut the umbilical cord. After cleaning off the baby, Taker handed him his daughter. "Here you go." He nodded.
Dave took a brief moment to stare at his daughter. "Wow." He felt himself tearing up. "She's beautiful."
The Family members heard the familiar sounds of a crying baby. London poked his head through the door. "Can we come in now?" He asked.
"Come on in, kids." Taker nodded.
Melina, Nitro, London, and Rock walked into the master bedroom. They were in awe and making cooing noises. "What's her name?" Nitro asked.
"Kimberly Nevaeh." Trish said as Dave handed her the baby. "Kimberly, because we named her in honor of her and Nevaeh, which is heaven spelled backwards."
Dave watched his girlfriend comfort their new daughter. She had strong Grecian features with her dark hair and olive skin. Dave could stare at her forever but he knew there were more pressing things that were calling his attention at the moment. And now was a better time as ever.
"Lover?" Stephanie said as she suddenly appeared. "It's time."
Trish looked up at Stephanie and then at Dave. "What's going on?"
Stephanie walked over to Dave and put her arm on his left shoulder. "It's time for his rebirth."