PART 2

I had made the resolution to tell my friends. Easier said that done. I took a shower after the exhaustive exercise with Trent. Well, it turned out to be many exhaustive exercises. He was like the energizer bunny. By the time I got home it was starting to get dark. I was slightly nervous but I was determined to tell them. How they were going to take the news, I had no idea. I just hoped this didn't blow in my face. I entered the house and was immediately welcomed by the warmth inside it. The delicious smell of pizza trailed all the way to the front door. I walked towards the kitchen and I noticed everyone was in there. Ivy was holding the baby while Ceri gave a bite to her pizza slice. All of Jenks kids were near the table, sharing a spoonful of honey. I dropped my bag in a nearby chair and took a seat.

"Have some pizza," Ivy said. She then went back to cooing the baby.

"I didn't realize that I'm actually hungry!" I said getting a slice.

"Was there a lot of traffic?" Ceri asked.

"Hmm?" I said in between bites.

"Just wondering since you just got home, Rachel." She said while giving me a sweet smile that meant she knew something.

"Oh, well…" I noticed Jenks landed on the table and the two women were looking at me. I had their full attention. "I guess it's now or never. Don't be mad, but for the past months, wow, I uh…I've been seeing Trent." I said the last part a little bit too quickly. Then I took a bite so I didn't have to say more.

"Did I just hear what I think I heard?" Jenks said as he folded his arms over his chest.

I finished chewing the pizza and took a deep breath. I didn't realize this ordeal would make me go red in embarrassment as I felt my cheeks burning from the rush of blood. "Yeah, yeah, you heard right. All this time I've been seeing Trent." I managed to say it slowly and calmly. Good for me.

They just looked at me, not saying one word. Then they looked at each other. It was almost as if they were able to communicate telepathically and were asking each other what to say next. I wondered if they thought I was joking. But why would I joke that I'm actually dating Trent Kalamack! Gosh, that still sounds a bit weird. Yet it doesn't feel weird when I'm with him.

"So…? I take it you will not bite my head off by telling me what a dumb witch I'm being?"

"Well, it's about time you told the rest of us," Ivy said, there was no hint of anger or jealousy.

"You all knew?" They all nodded. "Wow! And here I was dying of guilt for not letting you know. Hey! How come you guys didn't tell me?!"

"You always reeked of Trent, that's how I knew. We were all waiting for you dumb witch to tell us first. For that I should pix you." Jenks said. I could tell he was getting a tad agitated with me because his dragon wings were changing colors and at the same time dropping some pixy dust.

"Sorry! Well I didn't know if it was going to last!"

"Tink's twisted panties! All you do is whine, Rache."

"Do not! Once I was seeing-"

"-sneaking!" Jenks butted in.

"-Trent for these past months, I wanted to let you all know. I really did!"

"You do seem happier and I'm glad Rachel. I don't like him but as long as he treats you well," this came from Ivy who was rocking baby Gwendolen.

"Thank you, Ivy." I felt a sense of ease that at least Ivy was being supportive.

"Fine, fine," Jenks loosened his arms to his sides, "If that elf is good to you then I guess I'm alright. But if you ever want me to pix him just say the word."

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."

Finally that was out of my chest. I guess it wasn't too bad. I had not realized how this was affecting me until tonight's sleep. I had been tossing and turning for the past months. Thinking about how I should tell them. Now that they officially knew, I had the best night sleep ever.

The following morning I decided it was time to review the paperwork for a future Run. I had taken the files to the backyard. I settled myself in my lounge chair and flipped through the forms. Once in a while I would glance up and see the tombstones that adorned the backyard. They sure made an interesting backdrop. The sun was at its highest point in the sky. It kept me warm from the cool breeze that caressed my skin every few seconds. I was intrigued at the description of the case that I lost my concentration at the sound of rapid footsteps approaching the backyard. Making her way around the corner was a very frantic Ceri.

"What's wrong? Is it the Gwenny?" I said feeling suddenly worried.

"Yes, well not exactly." She stopped to catch her breath. I noticed that slowly she was regaining her pre-pregnancy figure. "I need your help Rachel. I would greatly appreciate it if you said yes."

"Yes, of course. What can I do?"

"Quen decided to take me to a nice dinner date and Trenton agreed to baby-sit for us."

"You have to be kidding? Trent is baby-sitting? I'm pretty sure he will have one of his maids do the actual work."

"I figured the same thing. Instead he was actually being serious and I don't know if I want to leave the baby with Trenton and go with Quen. But I will feel guilty because Quen had been planning this for weeks."

I stood up and dropped the files on my lounge chair, "Ceri, you and Quen will go to that lovely dinner date. I will help Trent with the baby."

"We have to go to Trenton's place then."

I didn't bother to change and we got in my car. I drove as fast as I could to his mansion. Why on earth would Trent agree to take care of a baby if he can hardly take care of himself! I know that Quen is not only his security chief but also a good friend. I guess he feels like he is uncle Trent. I saw his place and I wondered what disaster awaited me. I promised Ceri I would help and so I had to be ready for it. I parked my car in my usual parking space. Quickly we got out of the car and walked towards the back doors. The moment we went through the house we heard the wails of baby Gwenny. We reached the main source of the cries and the first thing I saw got me laughing. Trent was attempting to hold the crying baby while making a disgusted face at the barf on his very expensive suit.

"Rachel! I'm so glad you're here," he said when he notice me. He walked too quickly and dumped the baby in my arms. He then began to walk away.

"Hey, hey! Where do you think you're going?" I asked.

"I have to get changed," pointing at the barf on his shirt.

"Fine, but be quick elf! Don't give me that look!"

"Rachel, thank you. We won't be long, I promise." She looked relieved now that I was here to help Trent.

"Ceri, don't be silly. You two have fun!"

"Thank you Rachel, I truly appreciate it," Quen chimed in.

"Yeah, yeah, Mr. Matchmaker."

He chuckled as he led Ceri out the door. I looked down at Gwenny and she let out a deafening cry. What have I gotten myself into? I knew about babies as much as Trent. I tried to rock her to calm her down. Which it didn't help matters much. Fifteen minutes later Trent came back wearing a different outfit.

"What took you so long?" I asked.

"I had to change clothes."

"You could've just changed your shirt, not your entire outfit! I don't think Gwenny cares what you are wearing."

"I changed into something more suitable in case the child decided to barf on me again."

"Have you fed her yet?"

"No. Will that help stop her from crying?"

"You know for a smart guy you are not being too bright."

"And you know more about babies just because you are a woman?"

"I never said I did. But we can start off by feeding her." I looked down and her little hand made a grab for my boobs. I looked at Trent and he thought it was funny.

"I'll get her bottle, hold on," he said. He tried to hide his face from the smile that spread from ear to ear.

There was a huge bag in the living room. Trent shuffled through diapers, blankets, rattles, and baby food. Deep within the bag he found the bottles filled with milk. He handed me a bottle and I began to feed her and that got her to calm down. My arms were starting to get tired and I switched places with Trent by handing her over to him. We then tried to make her laugh by acting goofy and making funny sounds. Then something hit us like a silent bomb. Trent had the baby and he pulled her away from him.

"What in the Turn is that horrible smell?" Trent said, cringing over the smell.

"Don't curse in front of the baby!"

"Like she understands what I said," Trent said. He tried to control himself but it looked like he was going to be sick.

"Don't you dare throw up! I think that smell is coming from the baby."

We looked at each other.

"Oh, no, no. I can't change the diaper. You do it." Trent said still holding the baby away from him.

"What? Why me? Just because I'm a woman? Uh, uh. You change the diaper."

"Let's make a deal. You change the first diaper, and then I'll change the second one. We'll take turns."

"Always the business man, huh? Don't think you are getting out of it."

I took one of the blankets and put it over his expensive couch. He didn't protest since I was going to change the diaper. He handed me the baby and gently I lay her down. It took a lot of courage, more than defeating a pack of werewolves or crazy demons to start the process of changing Gwenny's diaper. I glanced at Trent and instead of running to the other end of the room until I finished he sat there at the end of the couch watching me attentively as I changed her diaper. I manage to hold it together. I powdered her and put her in a new diaper.

"That wasn't so hard? Right Gwenny?" I told her while picking her up. "Could you throw away the dirty diaper Trent?"

He looked at me like if I was crazy. "I'm not touching it."

"You act like it's going to kill you."

I handed the baby and from a clean tip I grabbed the diaper and made a run towards the nearest trashcan. When I came back Gwenny was crying again. He sat awkwardly while trying to rock the baby around. Yet she still kept crying. Going towards the couch I grabbed one of her toys that contains bells inside the puppets tummy. With it I hit Trent on the back of his head.

"You are going to make her sick if you rock her that crazy," I told him, sitting next to him.

Clearly he was not happy that I whacked him in the back of the head with a plush toy. We both turned to look at the baby when we noticed she was no longer crying. On her teary stained eyes there was a tiny smile.

"I think I found something we both like, huh Gwenny?" I still had the toy in my hand and I gave Trent another whack. That earned me a giggle. I did it one more time and she began to laugh.

"Morgan, stop it." Trying to control his frustration.

We fed her again and then managed to keep her laughing for some time, by continuing to annoy Trent, which was proving to be fun for me but as for Gwenny she soon tired from it. At some point he handed me the baby. I began to rock her gently. Hoping to get her to sleep. Instead she started to squirm in my arms and the sudden smell of dirty diaper began to creep into my nose.

"Your turn," I told Trent.

"What do you mean my turn?"

I handed him the baby, "You said I would change her diaper the first time and now it's your turn. And don't think about getting out of it elf."

He sighed, "I'll do it if you stop calling me that, witch."

"Just get to it, unless you want the rest of the living room smelling like poop."

He looked disgusted yet he did take Gwenny from my arms. I set the blanket over the couch and I saw him lay her down. Before he started the process from his back pocket he took out two rubber gloves.

"You got to be kidding me?"

"I don't want to get my hands dirty."

"That sounds like a double entendre."

"Ha, ha, Morgan."

At first I thought he was going to do a bad job. He recoiled from the smell as he rolled the dirty diaper quickly and set it far from him. Being the helpful person that I am, I had a plastic bag and put it inside, ready to throw it away. Once the stench was out of the way his demeanor changed. His movements were now gentler. He cleaned her and powdered her and finished by putting a clean diaper. He did it all with such care. Even his facial features had softened up. He picked up the baby and gave her a gentle kiss on the top of her head.

I handed him a bottle and he fed her. I could tell she was beginning to tire and all she wanted was a nice nap. After she had enough milk, gently he patted her back to get her to burp. Seeing him like this made me realize that one day he would make a great dad. I'm sure he would be caring to his own children. Of course he would have to find himself a nice elf to have little elf children.

"Thank goodness Gwendolen is finally asleep," Trent whispered, careful that she didn't wake up.

"Is there a crib set up in here?"

"Yeah, follow me," he stood up from the couch and led me to one of the upstairs rooms.

He kept patting Gwenny' back and gently rocking her while we walked. When we stood in front of the room I opened the doors and we walked into the most amazing baby room I had ever seen. I was in total awe.

"This is a baby's room?" I said, still with my mouth agape.

"It's nothing fancy. Ceridwen didn't want to go too extravagant with the room."

"Nothing fancy? Dude, this is like a freaking baby palace!"

"Hush, not too loud. Unless you want Gwendolen to wake up and have her start crying. And it will be all on you Morgan."

"You're right. I'm too tired to go through this again."

"Of course I'm right," he said with a smirk on his face.

"Don't push me elf, you only have the upper hand because I do not have the strength to get Gwenny to fall asleep again."

He walked towards a large white crib. A double set of tall windows was behind the crib, illuminating the room with the warm sunlight. Gently he lay her down into the comfortable looking crib. Gwenny did not stir and remained in her peaceful sleep. She looked like a tiny angel. It was a moment that warmed my heart, with a tinge of sadness that I may never have my own. I regained my posture and pushed that thought back. Near her crib was a nightstand about the same height as the crib. Trent set a device that looked like a walkie-talkie. He had another one in his hand. He turned it on and then quietly we made our way out of the room. With the same care, the door was carefully closed half way. Both of us sighed in relief and Trent stretched, his shirt lifted a bit showing a bit of his flat tummy. I may be tired but not tired enough to have some wicked thoughts.

"I don't know about you Morgan but I could definitely use a nap to get my batteries charged."

"I'm with you on that elf."

"Rachel-"

"It's a term of endearment! I also think its sweet that you have one of those baby walkie-talkie things," I said.

"I like being prepared." He took me by my elbow and led me to his room. If he was going to take a nap, I might as well take one as well. Better to relax before Gwenny woke up and demanded our complete attention. Being in the state I was, the fatigue I had was lifted away when I felt my body respond to the look Trent gave me. And it was a naughty one too.

"I thought you were tired!" I said.

"This is a good way to relax." He began to take off his shirt and exposed that amazing swimmers body.

"Relax, huh?"

The clothes came off and we were pretty much dead tired by the time we were finished "relaxing" with each other. Even though I was so tired I couldn't seem to sleep. He was facing away from me, so all I saw was his tanned back. I cuddled closer to him. I let my head rest on his back allowing me to hear the beating pattern of his heart. Resting next to him I recalled how tender he had been towards Gwenny. I wrapped one arm around him.

"You know," I began in a light whisper, "I think you will make great dad someday." I kissed his back, lightly.

I felt him tense and he took my wrapped hand into his, "You will make a great mom too, Rachel," he whispered back.

I didn't know what to say to that. I thought the elf had been sleeping, apparently not. He shifted until he was facing me. He pulled me into an embrace, and when I was resting on his chest he began to caress my back, giving me goose bumps.

"You know I can't have kids…" I said, fighting the sudden lump in my throat. Great, I didn't want to start feeling sorry for myself.

"Rachel, if there is anything I can do, you know I will help you. Maybe we can do some research with my team of scientists and find a cure for-"

"Trent, please, don't bother with that. Who knows what will happen if we tamper with my blood. Lets leave things as they are." I felt a yawn coming. I snuggled closer and closed my eyes.

Everything was fuzzy; I blinked a couple times trying to clear my vision. Slowly everything cleared and the first thing I noticed was that everything surrounding me was white. Was I in heaven? I heard the cries of a baby. Just great, baby Gwendolen was awake. I followed the cries of the baby. Where in the Turn is Trent? Doesn't he hear the baby? I tried to tell the baby I was coming, but nothing came out of my voice. What's wrong with my voice? I felt a panic attack was going to happen but then the baby began to cry louder. No longer caring about why I couldn't talk I made my way towards the baby. Within the huge white space I seemed to find myself I saw the crib before me. It was different in style than the on I saw Trent put Gwenny in. This one had a high canopy with light blue drapes on the sides. Huh? That's odd. Why is it different? I peeked inside the crib and a baby in light blue pajamas lay there. Why is Gwendolen in blue? She is always in yellows, pinks, or whites? I picked up the baby and realized it was a he and not Gwenny. This baby did not have her fair hair and olive complexion; he had red strands of hair on the top of his little head. And both ears were slightly pointy. I cradled the little boy and he cooed at me. He opened his little eyes and beautiful green eyes looked directly at me. I suddenly realized it was a dream but it felt damn real. He had stopped crying the moment I had him in my arms. I clutched the baby closer to me and enjoyed this fake reality because I knew it would never happen.

I opened my eyes from my dream. It was the sweetest thing I had ever dreamt even if it left me with misty eyes because it was just a dream. Trent's proposal to tamper with my genetics was sounding sweeter. But at what cost? For now, I will be content dating that elf. After all, my life is too dangerous to bring a child to this world. I felt Trent stir besides me. I looked at his passive face. I gave him a quick kiss on his lips and then cuddled closer to him and drifted to a comfortable sleep.

THE END