A/N: The beginning of the end, after fourteen chapters the real action, the fallout of what's been happening beings to make itself apparent. The question isn't how will things work out, but rather can what they have really survive the oncoming storm? The wind is beginning the blow, and it's only a matter of time before the cradle will fall.

Don't forget to drop a review, and read the A/N at the end of the chapter!

Benny's Baby

Chapter 15: When The Wind Blows The Cradle Will Rock

Using the door for support Benny bid farewell to each and every one of the guests as they left until at long last it was just Erica and him. She stopped in the doorway, and looked back in the house longingly.

"Are you sure everything is going to be ok? Because I can stay over if you need me to, or I can watch Eric for another night if you need the rest. Especially since you can't walk that well and it-"

"Erica I'm fine," said Benny as he let go of the door. He wobbled for a moment and then held up his hands. "Ta-da!Thanks for offering but I've got this. And thanks again for watching him; it means a lot to me."

"You make it sound like I was doing you a favor, he is my son too. It's gonna be strange not having him around, especially after spending the last two weeks watching him. He was sleeping the entire night while he was at my house, he likes it if you sing to him before you put him to sleep. Or maybe he just likes to know one of his parents are there. Give me a call if anything happens, and maybe we can we spend some time together tomorrow?"

"I've got to catch up on my homework, I can't believe I just said that, but if you want to come and pick up Eric maybe take him for a walk I'd appreciate it."

"Sure, then I'll see you tomorrow, even if it's only for a few minutes." He stepped onto the front porch with her and closed the door behind him. "What, are you planning on leaving with me?"

"No, I just wanted us to be alone before I did one last thing." He pulled her into a kiss. When they separated he had on what could only be called the stupidest smile ever. "I'm sorry but I needed to do that one last time."

"You tell me you don't want me to be in your life and then we have the garden incident. You tell me we're the impossible family and then you go and kiss me. Enough with the games already, Benny you're driving me insane."

"You're right, sorry." He coughed awkwardly. "Um… about the gardens, we haven't had a chance to actually talk about what happened."

"What about it?" asked Erica as she crossed her arms defensively.

"When it happened, I was really upset because of what was happening with our son, and I know you were too. But I just wanted to say, it was really special… you know for us…." Benny tugged at his collar as he turned red. "And… I don't want you to think I'm ignoring it because I'm not, it's just I want you to know-"

She smiled. "I understand." She pulled something out of her pocket and held it up. Benny squinted and in the darkness he could barely make out the faint shape of a button.

"I lied earlier when I said it fell off." She flashed him her fangs, winked and was gone. Benny slumped backwards against the door the same stupid smile on his face from earlier. The things that girl did to tease him.

The noise of the water as it cycled through the fountain, the warm breeze and the gentle rustle of the trees in the darkness did little to calm Benny as he held Erica tightly in his arms. He needed to stay strong, not just for Eric, but for her as well.

"Mr. Weir."

"He's going to be ok," whispered Benny as he rubbed Erica's back. He caught a whiff of her perfume and felt something stir in the pit of his stomach, had Erica always smelled so nice? "He's a Weir, which means he's a fighter."

"Y-your right," said Erica as she wiped began to wipe away her tears. "I'm sorry, it's just so much has happened today. The idea of losing-"

"I understand." He wiped away a tear with his thumb, her skin was so soft. He kept his hand on her face and thought about the kisses they had shared, how there had been so much left unsaid between them. Here they were, alone with one another, the fear they might lose their son hanging over both their heads and he was feeling something else. He couldn't help it and whispered:

"So much, that hasn't happened."

"Mr. Weir."

He pulled her into a kiss. Everything between them, everything that needed to be said suddenly flared forward. She was the first to pull away breathing heavily and Benny gave her one of his traditional smiles.

"I'm sorry," said Benny as he backed away suddenly ashamed. "We shouldn't-"

Erica pushed him backward onto the bench and straddled him. There was something else in her eyes, a desire he had never seen before. She bent forward and began to kiss him again. As she did he took this opportunity to explore her body. The curve of her hips, the soft skin of her stomach, she shivered as he made his way higher.

"Benjamin Weir!"

Benny flinched as the memory of what had transpired in the gardens shattered. He looked up and surprised to see Mrs. Fine standing in front of him, an annoyed look on her face. He tried to smile and found he couldn't.

"So nice of you to join us here in chemistry class, care to share with the rest of us what goes on in that head of yours?"

"N-no," said Benny as he began to flush red. "No, ma'am."

"Then focus or it's detention for you. Ok class, if you'll look at the board-"

"What was that all about?" asked Ethan as they walked through the sea of students. He motioned to the dark circles under his friend's eyes. "Haven't been sleeping or was it something else? Because you were totally gone, like videogame mode gone."

"I haven't been sleeping well since I came home from the hospital, but it's not that. I can't stop thinking about her," said Benny with a love struck sigh. "She's always there."

"Who?"

"Who do you think? Erica! Every time I close my eyes I see her, and every time I begin to zone out she's there. It's like no matter what goes on in my brain it always finds a way to go back to her. It's driving me insane."

"Then why don't you go out with her? It's pretty obvious you like her, and maybe more than that. Besides you and her already have a son, it's like you have every excuse in the world to be together and you just don't want to. Plus I saw you kiss her after the party last week."

"Were you spying on us?"

"No," said Ethan attempting to hide his guilty smirk. "And what was up with that button?"

"Nothing, nothing at all," said Benny as he flushed red. "Anyway there's more to it than just that."

"So she's going away to college, there is such a thing as a long distance relationship."

"You really think that will work? We can't video chat, and she's bound to find someone else she's interested in. And what happens if she does and we break up? Can you imagine how that will affect Eric if we hate each other?"

"Benny you think of the stupidest things sometimes. Think of it like this you haven't even been on one date yet. Test the waters, see if it works and if it doesn't then you stay friends."

"Then what about you and Sarah?" asked Benny trying to change the topic. "You and her are getting awfully close, it's almost the exact same thing that's happening between Erica and me. So why don't you do something about it?"

"Because-because we're talking about you that's why!" said Ethan a red flush across his cheek. "And I don't have a son-"

"Exactly! That's the difference. I have someone else to worry about, another life I have to care for. You don't know what it's like to have to worry about a baby, especially one like Eric."

"Your using him as an excuse."

"Am not."

"Are to."

"It's not like that."

"Then please explain to me what it is."

"I'm afraid!" yelled Benny causing several students to turn in their directions. He dropped his voice. "I'm afraid of messing up her life any more. I created a baby that never should've existed, and if that wasn't enough I almost killed myself trying to keep him alive. I've seen the pain I cause her when I mess up, and I realized after the hospital that it's not just about me anymore. It's about her, and Eric. What if I do something stupid again, and instead of laughing it off she never wants to see me again? Or she stops going to school because she feels like she has to help raise Eric? I'm fine with my own mistakes and I'm fine with going to Whitechapel Community College. But if she's going to change everything she's planned out because of something I did then I think it's better that we stay the way we are."

"School? School is going to be the thing that defeats the Great Spellmaster Benny Weir from getting the girl he likes?" Benny smirked playfully punched Ethan's arm. "Anyway I thought you wanted to go that school for the arts or something."

"I do, but let's face it; was I ever going to get into a fancy college?"

"You don't know that, you've been working on all those plays and stuff. You actually got really good at mixing magic and special effects."

"Maybe one day when I'm older and have more money saved up and Eric's older I'll try again. But for now I'm happy being here with my son, especially knowing we have someone who's going to be waiting for us."

Ethan looked at him and rolled his eyes. "Do you really think Erica is going to go along with this?"

"S-she has to! I won't let her miss out on one of the most important parts of her life."

"B, you know how she is, and you know how she acts. Don't tell me for a second you actually believe she'll go along with it."

He groaned in defeat. "I hate it when you make sense."

Rory walked by arm in arm with Della, he flashed them a thumbs up as they disappeared down the hall. Both boys looked at one another.

"How did Rory end up with a girlfriend before us?" asked Benny. "Can you believe he turned her into a vampire? I mean seriously what was he thinking? Actually now that I say it aloud it makes perfect sense."

"High-school is a confusing time," said Ethan as he looked down at his cell phone. "I got to get to class before I'm late! I'll see you after school!"

He darted down the hallway leaving Benny to his own thoughts.

"I'm kind of glad for the space between Benny and me," said Erica as she rummaged through her bag. "It's getting harder and harder to it every time I see him."

"What is?" asked Sarah.

"The feeling I get from knowing I won't be able to see him and my son everyday when I leave for college in August. I know its months away but it feels like it's just around the corner."

They walked in silence for a few moments; Erica swished the contents of her thermos with a nervous expression on her face. Something about the taste and smell of blood has been so off putting recently. Sarah picking up on her friend's strange reluctance asked:

"No breakfast today?"

"I guess not," whispered Erica as she bottled the colored container. "Ever since the hospital I haven't really been feeling it. Do you think it was from all the blood that nurse brought me? Maybe overeating just ruined the taste for me."

"I doubt it. Remember when I did volunteer work at the hospital and I had all that blood? It didn't ruin the taste for me, and you like way more than I do so it must be something else."

"What if I'm getting sick?" She placed a hand on her stomach. "Now that I think about it every time I eat my stomach bothers me, do vampires get sick?"

"Maybe your pregnant?"

Erica pulled him off the bench, she couldn't take it anymore, she wanted him, no it was far more than that, she needed him. They stumbled through the darkest part of the garden and in one fluid motion she had him on the ground.

"Erica," managed Benny before Erica pressed her lips against his. She ran her hands down his front and stopped when she came to the button of his jeans. For a moment she paused unsure if she wanted to continue, then without warning he rolled her over onto the grass. She smiled at him as he looked at her unsure of what to do next.

In single motion she grabbed his shirt by the collar and pulled him forward. He looked down at her with his flushed complexion, and instead of embarrassment there was something else in his eyes. She reached out for his jeans button when he stopped her hands.

"Do we really want to do this?"

"We need to." She stripped off her own shirt tossed it to the side and went for the button his jeans. Before she could get any farther he pushed her gently onto the grass. He removed his own shirt, and took a moment to simply take in what was happening. Here they were in the garden of the hospital about to so something there would be no going back from.

Could they do? Should they do it? Erica propped herself up and saw the worry in Benny's eyes. Was he worried about Eric, or about them? What was she feeling? Worry for her son. Desire to have Benny right here and right now. Regret for the words they left unspoken. She looked at him and he looked at her. Each a reflection of the other, it was Erica who broke the calm and pulled Benny into another kiss.

He ran his hands along her back, and stopped one final time as he came to the clasp of her bra. She nodded, and he unhooked it. There was no going back now.

"W-what?" asked Erica with an incredulous laugh. "Why would you even say that?"

"I'm joking, it's probably from over eating, you should consider yourself lucky that's all that happens. And it's impossible for a vampire to get sick, unless you've been feeding on a decayed corpse. You haven't feeding on a dead body, have you?"

"Really?"

"I'm just checking," said Sarah as she nudged her best friend. "Come on, laugh a little; you've been so wound up lately."

"I'm hungry," mumbled Erica grumpily as she stuffed her thermos into her bag. "Do you have any of that artificial substitute with you?"

"I thought you hated it, and if blood doesn't interest you why would the artificial stuff be any better?"

"Isn't it supposed to be good for you?"

"Yeah it has everything that a vampire needs combined with everything that a human needs to keep them alive. It's full of nutrients, but I figured you could care less about it."

"Well if the regular stuff is bothering me so much, then maybe it's time to change my diet? Besides it couldn't hurt if I lost a few more pounds."

"Sure whatever, here I have some extra in my thermos." She handed it to Erica who suddenly pushed it back into Sarah's hands. "What?"

"That smells so bad," said Erica as she covered her mouth. "Oh god I think I'm gonna to vomit."

She ran away leaving Sarah with the thermos in her hand and a frown on her face. "It's not that bad." She sniffed it and then tossed it into the trash. "Ok maybe it is that bad."

As Erica rounded the corner she slammed into Ethan and both of them went sprawling onto the ground.

"Watch it doofus." She rubbed her stomach where he had collided with her and then looked up. Ethan's eyes were a light grey color, after a few seconds they turned brown. She got up and helped him to his feet.

"What did you see?" asked Erica forcefully. "Tell me what you saw."

"I saw Benny cure Eric," mumbled Ethan as he dusted his shirt off. "That was it, I saw something that already happened. Why are you so worried?"

She looked at him, and for a moment he saw something else in her eyes. Was she hiding something? The bell went off and she rolled her eyes before turning in the opposite direction. Ethan cursed his luck, and sprinted down the hallway.

Ethan watched as Benny bent over the crib and then stopped time to better examine his best friend's posture. He had both hands on Eric's head and was about to kiss him. Ok, so the spell was activated from contact with hands, the kiss only amplified the effect. Or that was the theory he created from the evidence gathered.

"It's too late to stop; I've already started the restoration spell and transferred all my life energy into my hands and the spell. There's nothing that can stop me."

That doesn't make sense, thought Ethan as he rewound time to the moment Benny asked Doctor G about using the spell. He let time flow and then stopped as Benny's eyes turned gold. A few seconds later his hands were glowing.

"So at this point the spell has already activated," said Ethan aloud as he circled the room. Time went again, he watched as he tried to stop his best friend only to pull back in pain. He paused the scene. "Why did it burn me but not Eric?"

It started again. This time it was Erica who stepped forward to block Benny. He wiped away her tears they shared a few words. She said something and Ethan stopped it again. He replayed it and listened to what they had to say.

"Last night after you met me in the garden do you remember what you said?"

"Never to push me out of your life again."

"No after that, after we kissed after everything?"

Ethan replayed it again. Same words, same question on his mind: how come Benny didn't burn her? And what was the garden about? Hmm…. What was it about this scene in particular that bothered him so much? Why was it shown to him in his vision?

He let the scene continue then stopped when Benny gave Erica a kiss. Replay. Kiss. Replay. Kiss.

"What is so important about this? Why is this important?" yelled Ethan to himself as he circled his own memory. "This is important I get that, but why? Why is this so important? What am I missing? This isn't like last time I have the whole scene in my head. I've entered my own memories. So why is it I can't figure it out?"

The memory suddenly condensed. Benny backing away after curing Eric, him casting the spell, talking with Erica, and then finally kissing her.

"Wait he didn't burn Eric because he was curing him," whispered Ethan as he applied his theory and tried to connect the dots. "I was burned because there was nothing about me to cure, but Erica…."

Was it possible he cured her? No, that wasn't it there had to be something else. There weren't any burn marks on her so there had to be something else he had missed. His life energy had done something, but what?

"Not if I infused the restoration spell with my life energy. Eric has only been a 'vampire' for a week a half, pouring my own life into it could cure him and restore the DNA."

"That will kill you. Once you transfer your life energy it won't stop until your entire life force goes into him and even then he'll only live as long as you would've. And there's no guarantee it will work."

"If that's true, then the opposite must be true too," said Ethan. "Maybe a body can't accept more life energy than it can handle."

"When I went inside him mind there was nothing I could do to stop it, in fact I'm pretty sure it stopped itself before I even tried."

But why didn't work, it obvious Eric was still alive. In fact he seemed almost better than ever, was he missing something? He closed his eyes and when he opened them he was in his sitting cross legged on the floor. He stretched his arms, sitting in his vision world for too long had left him stiff, it was then that he noticed his journal sitting on the ground in front of him. He had been studying Eric's entry before going over the events of the hospital, he read his own words and at that instant the truth became clear.

The tea... The dark circles under Benny's eyes... The life energy... The failed spell... The truths were all there hidden in plain sight, how could he have missed them?

But the spell didn't fail, no it had worked fine. The flash from coming into contact with Eric had been a side-effect of trying to add even more energy to something that had been maxed. Then he thought about Erica, it had been so obvious. He had even brought it up to Sarah in passing while Benny was out cold.

The spell had worked, it had just worked on the wrong child.

A/N: I'm actually very proud to say this isn't even the biggest shock of the finale. Yup, Erica is pregnant. DUN DUN DUN! That should raise a bunch of questions, answer a few, though I'm sure a few of you figured this out already. Anyway we have three more chapters left, and it's going to get intense. If you know the nursery rhyme 'Rock A By Baby', you should get a grasp for the title of the next three chapters. See you then! And don't forget to drop a review!