Chapter Twenty-Eight

Miranda's tiny waist grew steadily but with her vampire equilibrium back in place, she was able to survive the rapid growth. Only the last week leading up to the birth, was she bedridden. Jonathan, after much apologies and groveling was finally been allowed to be Miranda's personal doctor again. She knew the decision had been made with what everyone had thought was her best interesting in heart, regardless of whether they were right or not.

"How are you?" Mick whispered, kissing Miranda's closed eyes. He was leaning over her, as she lay in their bed.

"Tired," she whispered, opening her eyes. "Where's Zoe?"

Mick crawled into the bed with her, leaning against the headboard, pulling her so she was sitting next to him with her head on his chest. She began to draw absentmindedly on his chest with her fingertip as he said, "Aubrey picked her up from school today and they, that is Zoe, Aubrey and Josef are going out to eat tonight."

"That's sweet," Miranda smiled, letting her eyes close again. One new side effect of the rapid progression of her pregnancy was her energy levels being amazing low. The last few days she slept while Mick was at work and Zoe was at school. When Mick picked Zoe up, and they got home, Mick would sit with Miranda, while Zoe did on her homework. Mick would make Zoe dinner and they all were lay together in the bed, watching the TV or reading. Bedtime stories and more sleeping usually followed.

The couple cuddled together, watching a movie when Miranda suddenly felt a strange feeling in her stomach. Looking down, she gasped, "Mick?"

He looked over, "Miranda?" Looking down, he noticed wetness slowly seeping through the covers. "Baby?"

She nodded, jerkily. "Call Jonathan!"

Mick moved rapidly. He was on the phone in moments. "Jonathan! It's happening!"

"Calm down, Mick," Jonathan sounds very calm. "Can you bring her to the hospital? I have things set aside."

"I think so," Mick said, grabbing Miranda's to-go bag.

"I'll be waiting. And Mick, it'll be fine."

Miranda was readying to move the moment Mick appeared back in the bedroom. "Can we move?"

"Yes," she said, breathless.

Carrying them both Miranda and her bag, Mick carried her down to the car. Moving as fast as he could, he made she sure was buckled and settling her bag in the back. Suddenly he was behind the wheel, and they were off.

"Obey the speed limit," she snapped suddenly, as he took a sharp corner way too fast. "They baby isn't coming just yet."

He just gave her look, before pulling them into the hospital bay. Jonathan was waiting, and they had Miranda into a wheel chair and into the hospital as fast as they could while appearing human.

"Call Josef," Miranda snapped, feeling her first really sharp contraction. "I want my Zoe!"

Jonathan got Miranda to her delivery room, while Mick called Josef and told him to bring Zoe by when they had finished dinner. Aubrey was beyond excited and assured they'd be there as soon as they could.

Mick appeared in the doorway as Jonathan finished checking Miranda over. "Darling, I don't want to make you really nervous but, you're body is not responding fast enough. The baby is ready but if you were to try a natural birth it could really harm you."

"What would you suggest?" Miranda's voice was shaky.

He smiled, taking her hand. "Honey, don't be scared. It's nothing serious. I just want to do a caesarian. With your vampire healing, you'll have no healing time at all."

She smiled, "Alright."

Jonathan looked at Mick. "Ready for this, Dad?"

Mick stared at Miranda, who smiled reassuringly. He nodded, "Yeah."

"Let's scrub up then."