~New Year's Day 1193~
Lucien LaCroix's anxious pacing was brought to an abrupt halt as the door to his study was pushed open.
If the vampire still possessed a pulse it would've quickened as he recognized the woman and noticed the small bundle that she was cradling.
The woman bowed before she sank to her knees and placed her now squirming burden just inches from the Roman's feet.
LaCroix couldn't help but smile as he knelt down to examine the bundle.
'You know me too well, Magdalena.' he silently conceded as he pulled the first blanket aside.
A pair of wide blue eyes looked up at him with wonder and the infant under the blankets cooed softly in greeting.
An unusual feeling of warmth coursed through LaCroix as he gingerly took the child into his arms and uttered an ancient blessing for his newborn son.
The son that (according to popular belief) he should not have yet here he was over a thousand years later holding in his arms a living breathing child of his blood.
LaCroix silently declared that he would never tire of defying the odds especially since the rewards were so sweet.
"Felicitations, messire." the midwife said smiling.
"Merci. How is my wife?" LaCroix asked.
"She is weary, my lord. It was not an easy birth as she is older than most of the women I tend. She did well though and had the most interesting things to say about you while she was delivering." the midwife reported.
LaCroix worked hard to suppress a chuckle. He'd heard each one of his wife's colorful suggestions as she struggled to give birth. Some of the things she'd suggested he do were not even anatomically possible.
"Your mother is quite gifted with words, mon fils. Is she ready to see me?" LaCroix inquired.
The midwife nodded, "She asked that you come. I will take the child to his nurse now."
"That will not be necessary." LaCroix growled as he pulled his son close then pushed past the midwife and swept from his study.
Seconds later the vampire was outside the bedchamber with his infant son in hand. When he first opened the door the strong scent blood and afterbirth assaulted LaCroix's senses forcing him to take a deep unnecessary but cleansing breath.
LaCroix's wife, Magdalena was lying flat on the bed her eyes closed and her long brown hair spread over the pillow like a fan.
It disturbed LaCroix to see her delicate face slick with sweat and blotted with bruises from the strenuous pushing. Magdalena had been so eager to help LaCroix in his quest to have a child so willing to risk her life for the sake of LaCroix's curiosity. The vampire's curiosity had been more than sated but at what cost?
LaCroix sank onto the bed beside her and firmly squashed the feelings of guilt before they began to stir in his mind.
'The end has more than justified the means in this case.' LaCroix reflected as his son cooed and squirmed in his grasp.
Magdalena's warm brown eyes fluttered open and she greeted her husband with a tired smile, "Bonsoir, Lucien." she whispered.
"Bonsoir, ma cherie. How are you feeling?" LaCroix asked.
"Like I've had an anvil dropped on my stomach. Is the baby all right?" Magdalena replied.
LaCroix smiled, "He is fine." he answered softly.
"Help me sit up so I can feed him." Magdalena instructed attempting to sit up.
LaCroix gently pushed her back down, "Rest. You've just given birth." he replied.
Magdalena shot a smoldering glare at him, "Thank you so much for reminding me but our son needs to eat." she muttered.
"As you wish." was LaCroix's reply.
With his free hand LaCroix repositioned the pillows and helped Magdalena to sit up. Magdalena gently took their son into her arms and lowered him to her exposed breast. A content smile graced her tired face as the infant began to nurse.
"He's so handsome. He will break many hearts some day." Magdalena commented.
"He must have a name first." LaCroix said bluntly.
"How about Marcus?" Magdalena suggested.
"I knew a Marcus once. He was a sniveling coward." LaCroix muttered.
"Vincent?" she prompted.
"A fat stupid senator." LaCroix replied.
Magdalena rolled her eyes, "Well what name did you have in mind, oh great and mighty General?" she asked lightly. .
LaCroix was silent for a moment.
"I've fought countless battles and achieved many victories. I have gained wealth, power, eternal life, and a son. His name will be Nicholas, my greatest victory." the Roman replied.
"Nicholas. Shall we call him Nick?" Magdalena asked with a smile.
"Nicholas will do." LaCroix said firmly.
For the longest time there was silence save for the sounds of the child nursing.
When he was finished and his mother had burped him Nicholas finally slipped into a deep sleep. After the child had been settled in a cradle beside the bed and a few servants had changed the bed linens Magdalena and LaCroix followed suit.
Hours later the family's peaceful slumber was shattered by a pained cry from Magdalena followed by the sudden smell of fresh blood permeating LaCroix's senses. Thrusting the blankets aside LaCroix watched in horror as the fresh sheets beneath his wife's legs became saturated with blood.
Nicholas startled by his mother's cries began to scream as well but mental coaxing from his father soon made him quiet.
LaCroix grabbed Magdalena pulling her close even as the blood continued to flow freely like a morbid river. His newborn son would soon be without a mother unless he intervened.
Allowing his eyes to turn gold the vampire locked gazes with his rapidly weakening wife.
"Magdalena, listen to me. I can bring you across. But you must choose for yourself. Do you wish to live?" LaCroix asked his voice surprisingly calm.
Magdalena summoned the strength to grasp his hand tightly, "Yes, Lucien. Please hurry." she gasped.
LaCroix struck viper quick sinking his fangs into Magdalena's pale throat.