CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Everybody's waiting up to hear if I dare speak your name

Put it deep beneath the track, like the hole you left in me

And everybody wants to know 'bout how it felt to hear you scream

They know you walk like you're a God, they can't believe I made you weak

Halsey

The next day, Mom wakes me up by knocking on the door gently. I stir, squinting tiredly at her from underneath the pillows and blankets twisted around my overheating body. Why the hell do I have so many blankets right now, oh my god.

"Sweetie. Derek is here for you," she says with a smirk.

"Why?" I question exhaustedly, because I am way too tired to be shocked at the moment.

"Said he came to take you to get some new clothes. You're shirts are getting a little…" she winces. "Snug."

Sitting up, I rub the sleep out of my eyes. "Mom, you can just say I'm getting fat. I'm not one of those girls who is going to cry about gaining weight while I'm pregnant. Like, where else would the baby go?"

"It's not fat though. You're just expanding."

"There is a parasite growing inside of me…"

She sighs, "Don't call the sweet little thing a parasite."

"Tell him to come on up."

Mom winks. It's weird and awkward, but she leaves before I can really think about the odd gesture.

I go to my closet and completely agree. It's time for some new clothes. I'm attempting to button up some of my skin tight jeans-and it's totally not gonna happen-when the door to my room opens. Derek shuts it behind him, raises a brow at the frustrated noises I'm making as I'm trying to tug on the zipper.

The zipper snaps off.

"Oh no!" I cry sadly. "These were one of my favorites. Ugh. This blows."

Derek frowns. "I came to take you shopping for new clothes."

Throwing my arms out dramatically, I grumble, "Looks like you came at the perfect time." I kick off the zipper-less jeans and stuff my legs back into the gray sweatpants I wore to sleep. I totally feel like Regina George. They are the only things that fit me right now.

Thankfully, my shirts are tight, but they stretch over my belly. Which is definitely larger than before. When did it start getting so big?

Derek kisses my cheek when he notices the grumpy look on my face as I stomp over to him. He pats my asscheek and says, "Go brush your teeth. Then we can go."

After I brush my teeth I encounter Mom and Derek in an odd standoff by the front door. Mom is wearing her lilac nurse scrubs and Derek is all broody with his crossed arms.

"Are you sure you don't want any money?" Mom asks cautiously. "I can give you some… I mean, I don't have much… and Haldey doesn't make the most at work, but I can give you some."

"No," Derek says while unfolding his tense stance to scratch the back of his neck. "Don't worry about it. Halden is as much of my responsibility as is the baby. I can afford it."

Mom purses her lips. "I'd feel much better if I can give you some money. I don't want my daughter feeling obligated to be with you because you can provide for her."

Derek scowls. "I don't think she works that way."

"Then you don't know my daughter."

Great. Mom thinks I'm a hopeless case who would date someone just for money. I can't even be that upset over it. I guess she's kinda right. Example: my last relationship. Although, that wasn't about money-we hardly had money. It had been about a home away from my dad.

I clear my throat as I climb down the stairs. Mom places an innocent expression on her face as if she hadn't just been telling Derek off. "I work the mid-shift. I might be doing a double… I'll be home late."

I kiss her cheek. "Love you."

"Love you too…" She smiles tightly at my boyfriend. "Bye Derek."

He holds up a hand. "Bye Melissa."

When she leaves and we make it into Derek's Camaro, I turn to him with a grimace. "Sorry about what she said."

"It's fine," he mutters. "She's just looking out for her pup. I'm sure you'll react the same way with ours."

Placing my hand ony stomach, I groan. "I don't want to think about that stuff yet. I can't even imagine how overprotective I might end up being."

"You think you will?" he asks.

"After all the things I've done, I'm surprised if I'll let them go outside."

Derek grins. "I feel the same way."

Sometimes I forget how small Beacon Hills can be. Yeah, there's the outer city with a bit more people than the small suburban area where we live, but there are still dozens of oddly familiar faces while Derek I stroll through the mall.

They stare as Derek drapes his leather clad arm over my shoulder.

They stare when his lips press a kiss against my cheek.

They stare at our hands when we entangle them tightly together.

They stare while I clutch my growing belly as Derek holds up a stuffed onyx wolf toy with blue eyes.

We buy the wolf toy.

It doesn't really bother me, it's just noticeable. I know it bothers Derek. I can tell whenever someone says something about us because those are the times he wraps his arm around me, kisses my cheek, or squeezes my hand to reassure himself.

"Don't mind them," I mutter as I hold maternity pants against my waist. They look like they will be a little loose now, but probably not for long. The elastic band will happen when I stretch out even further. "These people have been talking about me for years. We can handle it."

Derek nods. "I just don't like it."

"Well, we don't like them. They don't like us. So it's even. Just remember that I'm not the one saying those awful things about us. It doesn't matter what they say, okay?"

It takes me a minute to realize I continued walking and left Derek standing behind. He's staring down at the wolf toy we purchased at a different shop while we stroll around Macy's. His hazy sea green eyes are haunted while he clutches the toy a little too tightly.

I walk hesitantly over to him placing my free hand, that's not holding my clothes, over his whte knuckles. He blinks up at me.

"What's wrong?" I question softly.

"Do you want to be with me? Or are you just with me because I… because I made you?"

I glare. "Derek, you didn't make me do anything."

"I told you that you are mine."

"Yeah, well you say a lot of creepy shit, so it's not the least bit surprising that you say stuff like that on the daily."

Derek loosens his grip on the wolf. "You don't feel pressured?"

"I felt pressured the night my ex told me he wanted to snort coke and we ended up killing an innocent boy…" He averts his gaze so I grab his chin and force him to meet my eyes. "I do not feel pressured by some emotionally stunted man who claims I am his as a way to say he cares about me. Sure, it might come off a little sexist to those who don't understand the circumstances, but I get it. You're not… it's not like you would physically force yourself on me. You just have trouble expressing yourself, and that's okay."

He nods slowly.

"Is this about what my mom said? Because, yeah, I've been with people for stupid reasons before… but I don't feel scared when I'm with Mom and Scott. Even if you weren't in the picture, I know I'd be able to do this because of them. I want to do this with you. You make me feel… I feel oddly happy with you and your super weird way of showing me you care."

I lean up on my toes and hook my arm around his neck to pull him into a kiss. Then I step back and hold up the pants. "These are so unattractive, right? Ugh. Help me pick out some more adult clothes. Maybe people won't look at me so weird if I were wearing a shirt that fits."

Sitting on a changing seat in Macy's, I try on different comfortable shoes. Derek insists that I buy good shoes for running, as well as shoes with a good grip so I don't slip and fall. They are a slim pair of gym shoes that are hundreds of dollars over priced, but Derek states that the reviews he googled on his phone say the shoes are great for pregnant mom's.

It is as I'm taking a walk through the isle's with the shoes on to test them out that I realize there is a woman staring. She has vibrant red hair that's cropped close to her head. Startling wide eyes, and a fierce smile that seems oddly predatory.

I just give her a glare, because it's rude to stare. She only smiles wider.

"Hello," she greets.

I look behind me for Derek, but he's probably focused on the reviews for all the shoes Macy's has to offer on his phone. He's very specific about these things, apparently.

Waving awkwardly, I mutter, "Hi…"

She looks down at the neon green and navy blue sneakers on my feet. "Those are cute shoes."

"I'm looking for good support so they don't hurt when I start getting heavier."

Her eyes dart to my stomach. "I can show you a great brand. They definitely don't have the same pair I had when I was pregnant, that was over seventeen years ago, but they I swear by Ecco. They feel like walking on clouds."

Okay. Maybe she isn't being a huge bitch and ogling me for being young and pregnant.

I follow the woman down towards the gym shoes and she stops at an adorable pair of black and gray gym shoes called Ecco Bulma sneakers. "These are more stylish than the pair I wore back then. It was terrible having to wear them, I work with fashion, and having to wear something so hideous back in the day was awful. They also are slip ons… you'll be shocked how difficult putting shoes on will become once the baby starts getting larger."

"Thanks."

"My name is Victoria," she informs me, she holds out a hand.

I shake it quickly. "Halden."

"Nice to meet you Halden," Victoria grins. There is something off about it. Almost, I dare say, sinister. "I guess I should be going. My husband is probably wondering where I wondered off to."

She gives my shoulder a squeeze before she waltz off in her plum pumps.

I find the shoes in my size and try them on. They do feel like walking on clouds. Creepy woman, great taste.

Derek is debating about three pairs of shoes when I discover him at the other end of the shoe section. "What are those?" Derek questions with a frown.

"Clouds," I grin, because clouds.

He raises his brows, looks up reviews on the shoes; they are rated better than the ones he originally had me try on. He buys me them along with the three other pairs he claims are the best of the best.

The night of the rave is horrendous.

Derek and Scott both visit me before they leave on their similar, yet apparently "separate" missions. Both tell me I'm not allowed to leave the house. Both make sure I am fed and have water. They also make sure my phone is on the charger.

"I just don't want you falling down the stairs…" Scott huffs when I throw a shoe at him, because he won't stop nagging.

"I'm not even fat yet!" I argue.

Neither of them care.

I fold my arms unhappily as I plop on my mattress. "Wait, so what are you injecting into Jackson again?"

"It's a sedative," Scott explains. "We aren't going to kill him. It's, hopefully, going to knock him out long enough to prevent him from killing someone."

"Good. I like Jackson, he's a sweet kid."

Derek growls. Scott looks like I murdered his puppy. My brother gasps, "WHAT?"

"What?" I glare. "He is. Just because he's an ass to you doesn't mean he's an ass to everyone. Frankly, I don't blame him for being an ass to you-" my eyes narrow at Derek. "-considering you paralyzed him, and threatened to kill him and his ex-girlfriend."

He rolls his eyes.

"Jackson has bullied me since the third grade," Scott emphasizes with spontaneous hand movements that remind me of his best friend.

"Well, there's probably something that instigated the bullying. Bullies are usually bullies because something big is happening outside of what you can see."

"Dad and Mom were getting a divorce and I was beating anyone up."

"Because Mom raised you better," I say. "Not that it excuses Jackson, I'm not saying it does, I'm just saying that sometimes bullies are bullies until they find someone that helps them cope with whatever caused them to become bullies."

"So I'm just supposed to let him bully me?"

"No. You're supposed to help him figure out why he is the way he is. That's what good people do."

Derek growls. "This isn't the time to pysche Jackson. You-" he points at me. "-are not to leave this bedroom until further notice?"

"What if I have to pee?"

"Don't."

"Don't pee? Some I'm just supposed to let my bladder get full until it bursts and infiltrates are babies healthy water sac thing?"

He appears skeptical. Like he actually is unsure if that's something that actually is real. Which it's not. I think. "That's not going to happen…"

"It will if I drink all this?" I hold up the glass of water.

Derek takes it away.

"And now, what happens when I get dehydrated and the babies sac shrivels up into nothing?"

"Maybe I shouldn't go…" Derek mutters.

"I'm kidding." I grab the glass out of his hand and take a loud gulp. "The bathroom is on this floor. It's fine."

He gives Scott a pleading look.

"Come on," Scott urges. He grabs Derek's shoulder, a little awkwardly, and starts to tug him out of my room. "We have lives to save."

"And people to tranquilize," I add with a wink.

Derek ducks around Scott and gives my cheek a kiss, palm resting on my much larger baby bump.

They both leave and I sigh into the quietness of my bedroom.

"This is boring," I mutter to myself. "You know… if you weren't pregnant, you would be out there fighting evil with your younger brother and boyfriend."

Instead, I clean my room. Jacob's box is thrown in the trash. There is no longer a need for him to create toxic waste in my babies life. No matter how sad it makes me. Even if our relation was horrendous, even if he was terrible… there are so many memories involving him… memories are nice, but that's all they are.

Four hours later I get the phone call.

Derek's name is flashing across my screen.

I answer with a heavy heart. If it were going to be a good conversation he would have done it in person. "Hello?"

"Scott is hurt. I'm taking him to Deaton."

"I'll be there soon."

"Don't speed."

The call ends.

Immediately I scramble around my room for everything I need before I venture off. This causes me to stub my toe and drop my completely charged phone underneath my bed. "Fuck, fuck, fuckity fuck."

Somehow I manage to find shoes and keys, then I'm off in my car to the animal clinc.

The door is unlocked. I barge in to find Derek leaning tiredly against the wall, face closed off as he stares at Deaton hovering over Scott.

My eyes are wide in fear. "Is he okay?"

Deaton faces me with a grim nod. "He will recover. We are just waiting on him to wake up."

The front door chimes and Deaton raises his brow. "I'll be back in a moment. Have a seat, Halden."

He exits to the front and I make my way to Derek's side. He avoids eye contact when I sit beside him.

"Hey." I caress his cheek forcing him to look up at me. "Are you okay?"

Derek nods.

"Thank you for bringing him here."

"I couldn't… I didn't protect him," he says.

"I'm sure you didn't let this happen, whatever happened, to him on purpose."

He unfolds his arms from across his chest and rubs at his temple. "I told you I would protect him."

"Protecting doesn't always mean people don't get hurt. It means you protect them from death, and get them to safety when they are. Which are two things that you did tonight. So, thank you for protecting my brother." His shoulder is tense as I give it a gentle squeeze. "Where is Stiles? Erica, Boyd, and Isaac?"

"Boyd was shot, but Isaac took care of him. They are healing at the train depot…" Derek rubs his eyes exhaustedly. "Everyone else is fine."

"And Jackson?"

Derek jerks his chin out of my grip and stares down at his hands. I push myself close to him in the waiting chair and he kisses the top of my head. We wait silently for Scott to wake up.

Sorry for the long wait. I was actually plotting & dealing with stuff at home. I've been doing a lot of "home improvement" type of things, so, sorry! But now I'll have more comfort to write haha.

Thanks for the lovely reviews beautiful people: meangirl8,megladon1616, Lucy Greenhill, RHatch89, Guest(s), DTaylor201989, AlphaBit1990!

NikkiReedfan: YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY SHOW ME THAT PICTURE OF CRINKLY EYED JENSEN :D haha. My friend and I have the gold package. All I know is that I get to touch Misha for a few seconds, and that's enough to get me through another 10 years of being single ahahaha! When I went to the Teen Wolf convention, which is by the same peeps as the Supernatural one, they had slim pickings for the vendors also so I won't be too shocked. It makes it better because I definitely spend less money. I loved that they weren't unreasonably priced for the shirts though, which was awesome. AND I really like your opinion on what I should do when Halden has the baby. With it being Stiles or Isaac instead of Scott. Although, I think Stiles would faint. Which could be absolutely hilarious.

Lightningscar: Everyone has their own opinions! So you don't have to apologize for your opinions. I have felt Derek was too OOC for certain parts, but then at the same time I'm thinking it might be not as OOC as it might seem. Derek's relationships were never super prominent on the show, kinda minor even if they were important to the plot line, and he always seemed overly attached and affectionate towards anyone he is intimate with. Kinda nauseatingly so lol. I'm trying to tone it down. I think Derek is in that "honeymoon" phase right now, where he actually has a "good" relationship, and he's striving to keep it that way. Derek kinda has a "proving himself" complex, and I want it to show that once he realizes Halden isn't going anywhere, that he doesn't have to act over the top anymore. I like your idea of the mountain ash barrier with Halden. I've been re-watching past episodes trying to figure out where I what I think Halden's character would change things, and I agree that, that is something I haven't seen done before in any fics I've read.

salvatoresister887: here was a "kinda" glimpse at baby shopping, but not really at all! Derek & Halden will go baby shopping at some point! :)

Eire: I agree about more baby in Halden Derek time! Soon! It might not really happen until the start of season 3! And I really want Derek & Scott to have more of a brotherhood in my fic, kinda like they started developing by the end of season 4.

saltysalsa: I TOTALLY AGREE. My love for supernatural interferes with my every day life. My manager tried to ban supernatural at work as a topic of conversation because my friends and I would talk about it for hours while on the clock, so we switched to talk about teen wolf, and then we just kinda started talking about both. They can't stop us. I love how you are totally psyching Halden & Scott in relation to Dean & Sam with me. I love that you get it! Because they both totally beat themselves up over EVERYTHANG. Plus, they both have similar tastes in the relationship department… And never be sorry for a late response! I do that all the time (hence how long it took me to get out this chapter).

sebastianskitten6: THANKS SO MUCH! I love when I hear people read it all in one day, because I totally binge stories all the time and I get so happy when people do that to mine! And I'm happy you love cuddly Derek. I was scared that it was too much. And nope, they aren't moving to the loft! Which you are correct in this will be a huge plot twist in the story. NOT sure exactly how it will have certain events unfold, but trust me, things will be going down in this house. Also, with Halden involved, she might be a little more paranoid with the baby to over protect everything, which might help them haha.

StarSmoak: I have never heard the song pony! But I have to hear it now! WHO IS IT BY?

Pluv143000: OMG YES I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. I always sing Scotty Doesn't Know to myself. ALL. THE. TIME. And I freaking love that it's Matt Damon hahahaha. I'm just so happy I'm not the only one.

RenTenTen: I don't know if I answered this question yet, because it says you comment on chapter 26, but this posted around the time I posted chapter 27 already, so IDK! But Derek & Halden have talked about baby names. I think it was chapter 24 or 25? Whatever chapter when they were waiting on Erica to wake up from the Kanima venom. That's when that happened lol. AND hippies are awesome. I'm totally a semi-hippie. Not chill enough to be a hippie, because I'm like a Stiles kinda spaz, but if I weren't so all over the place I'd probably be hippie chill lol I don't even know what I just said lol okay. bye. haha :D