Author's Note: We'd like to thank everyone that has stuck with us during this entire story but specially during this very special pregnancy. We appreciate all the comments and plot ideas. This is one of our longest chapters and we hope you enjoy it.
We are dedicating this chapter to a very special and truly gifted fanfic author, Bill and I ARE two of her biggest fans and are proud to count her as a reader of ALBD... WhoKnowsWhy this one is for you darling.
On the second day of Bill's departure, I begged Amelia and Octavia to place a protection spell around Bill but they told me they couldn't as fate was something they couldn't change.
I even pleaded with Niall but he gave me the same response.
"My child, even the fae seers have been forbidden from sharing what Fate has decreed and any form of intervention has been strictly forbidden. Unfortunately my hands are tied; now you must trust that this is part of your fate and trust that your mate will return to you."
After that I almost completely shut myself down; everything I did, I did in autopilot or under the control of the baby or others.
If it wasn't for the strength I received from Bill's blood I would have collapsed and lived in a corner of the house or inside Bill's "hidey hole."
I ate only because the baby needed the nutrition and not because I had any desire for food.
I slept only because the baby needed the rest and basically demanded it from me.
I bathe myself and washed my hair because Amelia dragged me out of my bed every day.
I felt myself suffocating with fear and at every ring of the phone I would almost jump out of my skin; finally Niall had to call Dr. Ludwig who gave me a tea sedative to calm my nerves.
I didn't want to be around anyone but I didn't want to be alone either. At night I would sit with Bubba on the front porch and he'd spend hours singing to me.
Many nights Bubba or Trey had to carry me to my bed; exhaustion pulling me under and demanding that I rest.
Each time the demon called to check up on me and tell me Bill was fine, he gave me clues to let me know the messages were really from Bill; he'd tell me things about us that only Bill and I would know.
Two week passed and I'd not heard Bill's voice, I kept replaying the messages he'd left for me on my cell phone and each time the peace I felt was amazing; his voice alone soothing me and the baby.
With my due date fast approaching everyone feared I'd go into labor before Bill returned and I dreaded that thought.
One night while sitting on the veranda with Bubba he heard a strange noise at the back of the house and he went flying after pushing me inside.
I ran to the stairs trying to get up to the safe-room as fast as I could when I heard a familiar voice shout, "babe go lock yourself in the bedroom!" (Quinn).
Alcide had called him as he was in town and was the one closest to me other than Sam who was on his way.
I tried to go up the stairs as fast as I could but it took forever and by the time I made it half way I heard Sam outside talking to Quinn and Bubba. I turned around and tried to hurry back down.
Foolishly I opened the door and it was eerily quiet, no one was standing where I could see them so I called out but no one answered.
Baby Will immediately started to move, trying to rip himself from inside me and before I could start the blessing to calm him a were appeared a few feet in front of me ready to jump.
As he jumped everything slowed down for a second and I started to let out a scream as I wrapped my arms around the baby.
Out of nowhere a big furry clawed hand came flying in front of me and grabbed the were before it hit me; the impact of the catch almost knocking me on my rear end as another furry clawed hand held me by the arm steadying me.
I heard the snap of the neck and the dead body of the were hitting the gravel as a bear stood in front of me as if smiling. (Sam).
From the corner of my eyes I could see three more weres ready to attack and heard the growls of a tiger coming from somewhere behind the house and in my fright I let out a scream that seemed to stop everyone in place, sending them to the ground as a furry hand covered my mouth.
The shock made me stop screaming as the bear turned and growled at the weres on the ground before throwing himself at them.
They fought and I watched as the bear ripped limbs and stood on its hind legs to its full size as it continued to rip through the others that came to attack him; Quinn and Bubba still nowhere to be seen.
Finally Alcide and his pack arrived circling the weres as the bear walked towards me pushing me with its snout back in the house.
"Sam? Sam thank you. Sam you're bleeding." I said running my hand through his fur trying to find where the blood was coming from.
A cramp coming from my stomach made me wince momentarily.
"Sam do you know where Quinn and Bubba are?" I asked, the bear (Sam) nodded before he started shifting back to himself, a very naked Sam, as I embarrassingly smiled trying to look straight up to the ceiling.
"Sam, I think that Bill has some clothes in the downstairs bathroom that should fit you." I said as I embraced the baby bump with my left arm.
"Thank you Sooks, we have to get you to your bedroom and lock the safe door. Cher are you OK?" He said as he rushed to the bathroom coming back out in one of Bill's jeans.
"I'm fine Sam."
"Sam, how did you guys know what was happening and who called Quinn?" I asked as Sam carried me up the stairs; boy he's strong I thought.
"Hold that thought Sooks, now show me how to lock this door, I have to stay in here with you until they're done."
"Hoa, never seen anything like this! Sooks stay away from the windows, you shouldn't be seein' nothin' like this," he pulled me from the window where I saw a tiger and wolves attacking a group of about eight weres.
"Bill called me and told me to get to you, he'd tried calling you but there was no answer. I called Alcide and he called Quinn so we all came running over here."
"You spoke to Bill?" I felt my heart start to leap a little.
"How is he, where is he?" I asked happy that someone had spoken to him but upset he hadn't called me as another cramp made me wince.
"Sookie are you ok? Is that baby comin' now?" Sam asked concern and fear engulfing his face.
"No, he's not coming now; it's all the excitement that has him going. He really doesn't like it when weres attack; he always wants to rip himself out of me when that happens. Think he has his father's temper." I tried to smile a little but failed completely.
"Good, cause I don't know the first thing about birthin' babies and we can't leave here until they finish." He smiled up at me as he helped me to the bed.
"Sam…, did…, did Bill tell you what's going on and when he's coming back?"
"Sookie, they're coming back tonight. The moment they found out what was going to happen he called me and they were heading to the airport to come back here. They should be here in a couple of hours cher."
"Why don't you try to rest a little, I know it's hard with everything that is going on outside but you need your rest cher."
I tried to disagree but I lay my head on Bill's pillow and before I knew it I was asleep dreaming of my husband's return.
I woke and found myself tucked in my bed sheets, the ring of the phone rousing me from my sleep, Sam quickly answered it; his voice too low for me to hear his side of the conversation before I fell back to sleep.
A mayor cramp woke me and I found myself wrapped in someone's arms.
I tried to turn to look at who was laying next to me in the darkness as the baby started moving with what felt like…, happiness.
"Hello sweetheart," I heard the most beautiful voice in the world.
"Bill?"
"Honey? Is that you?"
"Am I awake?"
"Yes darling you're awake. Let me turn on the light." He said, as my blood began to tingle and fizz and tears started to dwell in my eyes.
"Oh, don't cry darling, I told you I'd come back to you both. I'm just sorry it took so long."
"Bill, I missed you and when you didn't call that demon would only tell me you were ok." I pouted through my sniffles as he smiled down at me rubbing the belly.
"I've missed you both very much also. I missed saying I love you to you both."
"Ouch, ooh," another cramp hit me probably from all of the baby's excitement.
"Sweetheart are you ok?"
"Yeah I'm fine, but this little guy has had too much excitement; I think you need to put him to sleep NOW." I took Bill's hand and put it on my belly waiting for him to begin the fae blessing.
Once that was done and the little one had gone to sleep, I pulled Bill to me for our first kiss.
"I want you to tell me everything that has happened but first I want you," I said as my hand traveled down to his thigh.
"I love you," was all he let me say before taking my lips with his again.
Sex while you're pregnant takes a lot of maneuvering and cooperation with one of you doing most if not all of the work.
Bill and I had almost mastered this before he left, practicing often to find the most comfortable position for the both of us; spooning or side by side.
Tonight it was side by side as we wanted to face each other so we could continuously kiss and look into each other's eyes as we climaxed.
Embarrassingly I fell asleep right after, completely sated and exhausted. I woke late in the afternoon to find a note where Bill should've been.
My love, I had to go to Fangtasia and will be sleeping in the ground tonight. I will be back as soon as the sun sets.
Amelia should be downstairs by the time you wake and Sam and Quinn should be here also.
Left you and Will a gift on the dresser.
I love you,
Your loving husband William
After numerous attempts to get myself out of the bed unassisted, I had to call Amelia for her help which she found very amusing.
"Amelia, stop you're going to make me pee on the bed. Stop laughing." I begged her.
"Sookie, if you pee on the bed, I'm not cleaning it up," she giggled.
"Ok weeble wobble you ready?" She said as we intertwined our arms.
"Here we go; and a one, and a two and three."
"Hoa! Oh my God woman!"
"You sure you don't have two or three in there?" She laughed but I panicked.
"Amelia don't even joke like that." I said as I was finally off the bed.
Looking down I realized that I was wearing my night gown but I didn't remember putting it on. Bill must have dressed me I thought as I shook my head.
"You ready for some breakfast? Do you want to eat here or downstairs?" Amelia asked still smiling and giggling.
"Downstairs, I'm tired of the room," I said as I brushed my teeth.
After I finished tending to my human needs, we sat on the bed and opened the gifts from Bill.
For me it was a T–shirt with fangs on the chest that read "I'm a Momma Now So Bite Me" and three onesies with tiny fangs that read "Got Blood?" for baby William.
"I think Bill is slowly getting a sense of humor," Amelia said and we both laughed as she helped me stand up.
"Ok, be right back going to get help," she handed me Bill's robe as she left to get assistance to help me down the stairs.
I wobbled to the stairway and was met by Quinn who tried to help me walk down the stairs.
"Babe, I think this would be faster and safer if I carry you." He said as he gently picked me up.
"Yeah, I guess I don't move as fast as I used to. How've you been Quinn?" I smiled up at him a little embarrassed, as he carried me into the kitchen, setting me down on one of the chairs.
"I'm fine babe, don't worry you don't have to say anything, Bill explained everything last night. I'm just glad I was in the area when Al called me. Gotta say this look becomes you babe, you're glowing." I could see the honesty in his eyes but I still felt out of sorts.
"I'm sorry I didn't make it to the wedding heard it was fantastic and that you looked as beautiful as ever; but you know it just didn't seem right for me to go."
"It's ok Quinn I understand. Did you have breakfast yet?" I asked trying to change the conversation to a lighter subject.
"Sookie it's almost dinner time?" He said realizing I had no idea how long I had slept. "Bill will be here soon." He said smiling.
"Yeah, I've been sleeping a lot lately," I laughed as I took a bite from the steak Amelia had cut into pieces for me, finally noticing what it was I was enjoying. When I finished eating I saw Sam, a bandaged arm in a sling.
He explained that he was doing well and that it was no big deal, he was just happy he was able to be there for me.
"Hey, how you like the bear and all that fur?" He asked smiling at me.
"Yeah that was cool Sam, glad you picked the bear over the collie too," we both shared a laugh as Bill walked in wrapping his arms around me and kissing me before walking over to Sam.
"Thanks again Sam, I'm indebted to you. How's the arm?" He asked as he extended his hand to Sam and they exchange other pleasantries.
Soon after Amelia, Sam and Quinn left; Sam and Amelia to gran's and Quinn back to wherever he was staying at now.
"Finally alone again Mrs. Compton. Do you want to take a bath now or wait for later?"
"I want a bath now. Thank you for the gifts they were funny," I smiled up at him as he picked me up and lead us up the stairs to the bathroom.
"Honey, why did you sleep in the ground?" I asked wincing as another cramp hit me.
"Sweetheart, how often have you been having pain?" He asked concerned.
"This is the first one tonight, they started yesterday, but I'm ok. Remember they said I was going to have cramps the last couple of days."
"Hum, yes they did but if you keep getting them we'll call the doctor, Ok? For now let's get you cleaned up."
"Ok, but now tell me what happened in California, did everyone come back ok? Bill, why didn't you call me?" I asked not wanting to hear the worst as the water from the tub splashed around me as Bill stepped in the tub after me.
Bill had poured in the last of the fae salts Niall had gifted us to help soothe me and I immediately felt a bit calmer.
"Sweetheart, I couldn't call you because we were quietly negotiating with California, that is how we found out about the weres coming over here but it was De Castro who sent them." I watched as rage flashed in his eyes as he tried to shield himself from me; not letting me read his mind.
"Stop doing that Bill, you said no secrets." De Castro? Why?."
"Because if California weres attack you, then New Orleans, Mississippi and Dallas must protect you; just like Sherry said. Don't worry darling, there will be no war for the California Kingdom. All has been taken care of; the war De Castro wanted will be taken to him in Nevada or New Orleans once you are safe and his whereabouts discovered." He said as he washed me.
"It shouldn't take too long. Eric and Octavious are after him now; but right now, there are some things you shouldn't know about for your own health and safety." He kissed my neck as another cramp hit me a lot harder.
"Sookie that one was worse?" He stated and asked as he stepped out of the tub lifting me out with him before drying me with a soft towel.
"Yeah it was a little, maybe I should lay down. Keep telling me what happened; so what will happen when they find De Castro?"
"Well, Sandy was caught in California and Octavious was able to get the information about the attack on you from her; I contacted King Edgington and King Stanley and quietly told them you were safe so they wouldn't go to war. You were right sweetheart, they dislike De Castro immensely, now they are waiting for us to contact them if we need their help, but we won't Octavious has seen to that."
"Does Octavious want to be King?" I asked knowing that soon there will be a void in the New Orleans, Arkansas and Nevada Kingdoms.
"No, he does not, he has no interest in any Kingdom especially not New Orleans, but he is willing to stand with us to guarantee YOUR safety, maybe Edgington or Stanley would want it."
"Ow, ow, ow. OK, this one's bad," I started to breathe through my mouth as this cramp was stronger, squeezing Bill's hand until the pain passed.
"Should I call the doctor now?" Bill asked pulling while pulling out his cell phone.
"No, the pain is gone. Ok, so everyone is fine then?" I asked.
"Sweetheart, Christine has met her final death and Clancy lost an arm; but it will grow back soon."
"Oh God, does Sherry know?" I asked as tears started to dwell in my eyes.
"Yes, she does. I told her last night when we met at Fangtasia."
"Oh sweetheart, don't cry. Why don't you try to get some sleep, this conversation is upsetting you too much and I have some phone calls I need to make."
"No honey, I'm fine it's just that I feel sorry for Sherry and Christine that's all. I really liked them; Christine was so sweet for a vampire." I said hugging his pillow willing my eyes to stay open but his scent on the pillow lulling me to sleep again.
I woke about an hour later as Bill was in the living room on a call.
I pulled myself out of the bed reading to go to the bathroom with an incredible urge to pee.
Then I felt wetness run down my legs and felt a pain like no other basically freezing me in place in front of the bed; and I mentally started to call out to Bill.
"Bi…" he's was at my side before I finished calling him; he was looking at the floor and then at me as I said, "honey, think my water broke."
He picked me up and was setting me on the bed as I complained that it was going to get ruined to which he replied he didn't care and that he'd buy a new one.
He was flipping his phone and calling Dr. Ludwig before my body completely hit the bed.
"She'll be here in a minute; she said to do your breathing exercises and not to push. Honey how are you feeling? Did the pain stop or did it get worse?"
"Bill call Amelia and call Niall and please get me some ice water I'm thirsty." I said as I tried to remember to breathe out my mouth, the pain stopping momentarily.
He flew out of the room reluctantly and speed dialed numbers on his phone.
"Amelia, baby's coming" he's a man of few words.
"Niall, he's coming." He was already back holding a glass with ice water as he was flipping the phone closed and asking me how I felt again.
Niall and Dr. Ludwig blipped in at the same time as Claudine popped in after, both bowing to her.
"How are we doing my dear," Dr. Ludwig said as she felt around the belly.
"My water broke and the pain keeps coming and going. It gets worse every time." I told her as another pain hit.
"OK, young lady, I have to check inside and see just how open we are ok?" I nodded my head as she turned to Niall and to Claudine motioning to the door with her head for them to leave.
"Sookie, we'll be downstairs, you'll be fine my princess." Claudine said as she lovingly stroked my head before kissing it, followed by Niall who also kissed me.
All he said was "Blessings on to you My Child."
Dr. Ludwig, began her examination and then informed us that I may have ways to go as I was only four centimeters open but as the baby is part fae it could be less.
Amelia walked in as the examination was ending; she sat on the bed next to me.
"Sweetie how are you feeling? Do you need anything? (Whispering) Don't worry I haven't forgotten what you told me." I nodded all my answers and she turned to Bill and then started on her tasks.
"Bill we need to change the bed sheets, she doesn't want to be on dirty sheets." Amelia said.
"There are also clothes and a bundling blanket for the baby in the dresser's top drawer but I'll get those."
"You need to call the furniture company and tell them to get the crib over here later on today. And you need to bring the bassinet in here for the baby."
Amelia became a deadly drill sergeant barking out orders to Bill, making sure that everything that I'd wanted done be done to my taste.
She even stopped Bill from asking me how I felt every time he walked in the room, especially since he could feel my pain and annoyance but he just didn't know what else he could do.
About an hour later and while on fresh bed sheets, I tried to close my eyes due to the exhaustion, dawn about six hours away. I heard Bill praying (in his head) as he held my hands and felt his calm come over me willing me to rest for a while, which I finally did; still only six centimeters open.
I woke to a pain that was unlike any other, it was even worse than when I got staked.
It felt like I was being torn open from the inside and the scream I let out even scared Bill.
"Oh God, please make it stop! pleasemakeitstop! Oh God, Oh God, Oh God!"
I turned to Bill and screamed at him, "you did this to me now make it stop! Make it stop Bill! Make it stop!"
In his fright, he did the only thing he could think of; he bit down on his wrist and fed me his blood. Then, he bit his fingers and rubbed them below me in the area that was being torn apart; this only momentarily calming the pain. An hour later, we had our son.
I had held on to Bill's hand and if he had been human I would have broken every bone in it.
We cried, prayed and told each other "I love you."
Dr. Ludwig said push and as I started to push the tears began again; first tears of fear and then of joy as we heard the first cries of our newborn son.
Dr. Ludwig checked the baby, wrapping him in the blanket we'd set aside for him.
When she brought him over and we looked at him all I could say was "hey little one, I'm your mamma and that beautiful vampire with his fangs out is your daddy."
Then Dr. Ludwig handed the baby to Bill.
With his eyes still closed and a faint cry still lingering on his lips my son was finally in his father's arms.
I watched as my husband lovingly licked the blood off his son's head before he handed him to me; I couldn't help but remember how that tongue had licked my own head at one time.
"Does he taste different?" I couldn't help but ask.
Bill smiled up at me, his eyes dark, fluid and swimming with love.
"He tastes like us," he said and I noticed how the red tears that streaked down his face had now joined those that had turned his white shirt pink and the love I felt radiating from our little bundle brought tears and smiles to our faces again.
I didn't even mind whatever it was Dr. Ludwig was doing to me as she made sure the afterbirth was out completely.
She invited Bill to clean me; which he did but there was nothing sexual about it as he made sure to heal me with his tongue and his blood. All I felt from him was gratitude and love; gratitude for our son and love for what our lives and love meant to him.
After, Niall and Claudine entered the room and we presented our son to them each bowed at the three of us.
Niall gave us his blessing again and Claudine gave us a present, a little rattle with the baby's name; considering we hadn't told anyone, we knew we'd made the right decision. Now we just had to tell his soon to be godfathers about it.
Amelia was next to meet the baby and like any auntie she went insane, crying like a fool and doing all the baby talk imaginable, before returning to her drill sergeant duties.
Bill sat me on the settee his body holding me up as she cleaned the bed, removing the stained bed sheets and the plastic mattress protector before redressing the bed again.
By the time dawn came around, the pain and anguish I felt from Bill was breath taking, as he didn't want to leave our side.
I had to promise to keep the baby on his pillow so that his scent would permeate it and he could smell him when he slept or whatever it is that vampires do when they rest.
Each time the baby cried or whimpered, Bill's dead body would flinch on the bed just at it did when we were in the hospital in Wyoming (after his kidnapping).
Dr. Ludwig instructed us that I should try breast feeding the baby first and then try a mixture of breast milk and blood, to gouge the baby's tolerance and preference. But before Claudine left she instructed us to place a drop of both Bill and my blood in his mouth in order for him to start recognizing us and our bond.
We did as Claudine advised first.
We watched as baby William's little nose flared as Bill's bloody finger approached his tiny mouth and like a baby bird waiting to be fed, he opened his mouth with anticipation; latching on and sucking it clean.
Bill said he looked like me, I thought he looked like Bill; but all we cared was that there were ten toes, ten fingers, two eyes, two ears, one nose and his other dangling bits. And boy does he have dangling bits.
Bill woke while I slept and I found him sitting on the rocking chair holding his son, looking at him as if he was trying to commit to memory his every feature.
"Hello sweetheart, we didn't want to wake you as you looked so peaceful. How did you sleep?" He thought at me as they walked over to me; feeding time.
"I am fine now darling, looking at the two most beautiful men in the world. And both are mine." I said as I sat up on the bed.
Bill was enthralled as I wiped down my breast before bringing the baby to it, we put a drop of Bill's blood on my nipple and the baby powerfully latched on.
"Yeah he's vampire Bill's son alright, he can suckle with the best of them," I said as I felt the pain of each pull all the way down to my toes; the pain decreased after each feeding, thank God.
Bill laughed and stared at us with fascination and concern; you'd think it was the first time he'd seen a baby being breast fed.
But I knew exactly what he was thinking and feeling. We had become parents to a very special baby and our very unusual family still had issues to deal with; especially if we wanted to keep our little Will safe.