A/N: Disclaimer in Chapter 1.
I have two versions of the next chapter evilly plotted in my mind. I won't say what they are yet but I think you'll work out what they could be from the ending of this one.
I haven't quite made up my mind which one to use…
It depends on how people would like to see it played out…
Chapter 62: Birth
The spartan room was suddenly a bustle of activity as Erin was set down on the bed. The machines were hastily pushed out of the way to give her and Vlad the room he needed manoeuvre her around.
Jonno looked up from his bed seeing the commotion around them. He gingerly pushed himself up on the bed. He wasn't careful because of any pain he might feel, he was avoiding any medics seeing him. Although all of the medics seemed concentrated around Vlad and Erin.
Vlad tenderly brushed her hair from her eyes. "It'll be okay." He told her softly. Erin looked up at him tears glittering in her eyes, she tried to shrug but couldn't make herself.
Jonno was too interested now; he jumped out of the bed taking care not to pull off the monitor that was measuring his heart rate. The whole purpose of which was that the medics would know if he was working on something as it would spike. He couldn't risk disconnecting himself either.
He pulled the machine with him, glad that he was now allowed to wear his own pyjamas, that hospital gown couldn't have gone soon enough for him.
"What's happening?" He asked them quietly.
"Erin's gone into labour." Mina answered. Jonno's eyes snapped to Vlad's, watching as he imperceptivity nodded. Jonno had never seen his friend so terrified, the fear was there for them all to see clearly.
"Where are the Nobles?" He asked wondering why they were alone.
Vlad answered, looking as his wife writhed on the bed. "Catherine and Robin are bringing Erin's parents down."
One of the medics took advantage of Vlad being distracted. "We need to get her out of that." The medic told him coming forward to undo Erin's clothes. Erin tried to squirm out of the way, only succeeding in pushing herself further up the bed.
"NO!" Vlad boomed, making the medic stop in his tracks. He turned as stiff as a doll to look at the angry vampire, unsure what he'd done wrong. "She's my wife I'll do it." He could see Erin trembling out of the corner of his eye. "If anyone undresses her, it'll be me." He knew being undressed by another slayer would stress her reminding her of the life she barely escaped.
Johnson stepped forward ignoring the vampire in front of him. Vlad blocked his path the best he could.
"Does he know what we are?" Vlad snapped, his fangs suddenly lowering as he glared at him.
Johnson looked at him as if to say 'I don't care', until his gaze fixed on the four pointed fangs protruding from Vlad's mouth.
"Johnson let him do it."
Regardless of finding out they were vampires his medical ethics came through. "But he's not a medic!" He protested looking towards a now relaxed Erin, who'd calmed at the thought that Vlad understood why she'd panicked.
"Vlad's taken my clothes off often enough and he's never needed a medical degree to do it before!" Erin snapped angrily, glaring at Johnson whose eyes widened.
Everyone turned to look at her shocked at her outburst, they all forgot in that instant why they were there. Her bluntness seemed to startle them. To his credit Vlad didn't duck his head down in embarrassment. Erin wasn't embarrassed, they were mated what they did in the privacy of their coffin room was up to them.
"I'm not apologising!" She told Vlad firmly, folding her arms over her chest in defiance before grabbing Vlad's hand as a wave of pain filled her entirely.
"You don't need to." He told her firmly. He looked at Johnson, "What do you need me to change her into?"
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Vlad finished pulling the thick, white curtains around the bed to give them privacy. He reached over her to pick up the blue and green spotted hospital gown that had been tossed onto the bed. He grimaced as he remembered wearing one of these years beforehand. He threw it back down and reached for her shoes, carefully undoing the laces before pulling them from her feet as gently as he could.
"It's supposed to be more romantic than this." Erin muttered under her breath.
"Labour or undressing you?" He teased making her laugh, he was glad she'd forgotten why they were here for a few seconds at least.
Vlad slowly pulled her shirt over her head, taking care not to catch the ring on the neck. He gently wiped her cheeks, making sure her tears didn't fall on her barely covered chest. He moved to her jeans and unbuttoned the top before slowly lowering the zipper.
Very carefully he lifted her hips and began to pull her jeans from her. They bunched around her knees so he moved to her ankles and tugged on them pulling them completely free.
While he was doing this Erin moved to her bra clasp, she struggled to move to undo it. Her actions caused her to tip violently towards the edge of the bed.
"Erin." He spoke softly, catching her hand as she nearly fell off the bed. She looked up at his gentle use of her name, her hands moved to her sides as Vlad undid the clasp before pulling it from her. She stretched out her arms as he helped her into the gown. She leaned forward as he tied the back, at the base of her neck, loosely.
"We've barely thought about names."
"We can take as long as we need to name them." They'd discussed a couple of names but that was all, neither had found names they could agree on. The only thing they could actually agree on was that the surname was 'Dracula'.
"Nothing else is ready." She reminded him.
"Focus on this Erin, not what we haven't done."
Erin pulled her ring to it sat on top of the gown; she hated keeping it hidden under her clothes.
He finished removing her underwear before folding it all up and stretching her legs out in front of her. He perched on the edge of the bed, placing his left arm on the other side of her legs to brace himself as the firm mattress dipped under his weight.
"I'm not going anywhere." He promised her, "I'm going to be here throughout all of this." He cupped her cheek and stroked it lightly.
"I'm scared." She whispered.
"Me too." He answered, there was no point in hiding it from her. "Whatever happens though just remember I love you."
"I love you too." She answered. He kissed her lightly, not daring to deepen the kiss. "What if…"
"No 'what if's Erin." Vlad told her. "We'll take it one step at a time." She nodded. He pushed himself up from the bed and moved towards the curtains. He pushed the curtains back exposing her to Mina, Johnson and Jonno.
"You've forgotten to take this off." Johnson reached for her necklace but Vlad grabbed his wrist, squeezing the bones tightly.
"Don't touch that ring." He spoke calmly and deliberately with a hint of malice in his tone.
"She can't wear…" He squeezed a fraction tighter.
"Breathers are allowed to wear symbols of their marriage when in labour, vampires can too." He answered, "Don't touch it."
Johnson nodded frantically, startled by Vlad's possessive gesture. He'd never seen a vampire like the one in front of him.
"Johnson think before you speak." Jonno told him angrily, things could explode when Vlad became upset.
"Why?" He sounded just like Socrates then.
"I wouldn't insult the Grand High Vampire and his Queen by not thinking things through carefully." Johnson looked at the pair startled before stepping backwards. He had no idea that these people were the most powerful vampires in existence.
"I'm trying to treat her." 'Treat her' made it sound like it was a disease.
"I've brought someone who can help 'treat her'." A female voice echoed in the room making them turn towards the source. Erin smiled in relief and Ingrid. Ingrid moved to one side to let Vlad look at their visitors.
Vlad's reaction was immediate, anger at his sister for going behind his back. "How dare you…"
"I dare because you need Renfield!" She shouted at him, "Renfield may be the only person who can save all of them."
Renfield moved closer to them and Vlad bristled. "I'm not having him touch her."
"Vlad…" Ingrid began in a moan.
He turned his head cutting her off, "I hadn't finished. I'm not having him near her until he's cleaned up. I'm not putting any of them at risk because he's filthy."
Renfield looked at himself before being ushered from the room by Jonno to clean up.
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Bertrand turned away from the sight in front of him. Ingrid took his hand.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm not the one you should be asking." He answered, tight and clipped. Ingrid glanced towards Erin; the young vampire was shaking while everyone fussed around her. Bertrand was becoming increasingly uneasy in the room.
"I'm taking you out of here."
"Erin needs family."
"She has Vlad, she'll understand. You can't be near her if her being pregnant is the only thing holding you back." She turned his jaw towards her; she stretched onto her toes kissing his jaw with a feather light touch. "Come on."
Ingrid turned back catching Erin's gaze, the younger vampire nodded and Ingrid felt more at ease at least someone knew what she was doing. She tugged on Bertrand's hand pulling him from the room for his own safety and theirs.
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Renfield stood up, his back clicking from examining Erin. He looked at his young master and mistress; he didn't want to tell them the news.
"Mistress Erin's too far gone to stop the labour." Renfield told them clearly. Erin looked up at Vlad, hope being extinguished from her eyes completely. She had a feeling he'd say that but she had hoped that he might be able to do something so she could carry the twins to full term.
"Isn't there something… its too soon…" She struggled to find the words. The pain was coming sooner now, meaning the contractions were speeding up.
"It has to be now Mistress Erin."
Erin looked up at Vlad who looked helpless; she'd never seen him look so helpless even without his reflection. Erin looked back around the room at the expectant faces around her.
"Isn't there something you can give her?" Vlad asked, "So it doesn't become too much for her?" He didn't want her to suffer during this.
"If I give her anything then it might affect the birth. The twins will be fragile and if I give her anything their health might be affected Master Vlad."
Erin hadn't been listening to that part, she was concerned with something else. "I don't know what to do." She whispered to Mina. Mina came to her side and rubbed her back lightly, she was the only person in the room who'd given birth. "We haven't even looked at anything with the war…"
Mina smiled kindly at her. "Do what comes naturally."
Erin gripped Vlad's hand, lacing their fingers together. "I'm here." He whispered into her ear. Erin dropped her head against his chest in thanks as she felt a wave of pain flood her. She gripped his hand as she rode the pain out. Vlad held out his right for her to take, she reached up and grasped it. It was an odd angle as he brought his arm around the back of her head but they could manage it.
"Don't push until you're told to." Mina told her softly. Erin nodded, unsure what to think. "You'll feel like you have to but don't." Erin looked down making sure to carve that piece of information on the forefront of her mind.
"Stay with me?" She asked her softly. She wanted someone beside her who knew what to do. Erin looked at Vlad, realising she hadn't asked him what he thought. "Please I don't…"
Vlad gave her a half smile. "You don't have to ask me." He would be grateful himself for someone who knew what Erin was going through and how to help her.
"Your mum should be the one to do this." Mina reminded her softly.
"She has nothing to do with this." Erin told her seriously, she didn't want her mother involved with this at all.
Mina studied both of them, looking into their eyes trying to decide whether they actually realised what they were asking. She nodded making both of them smile. Mina wrapped her arm around Erin's shoulders and perched on the bed next to her and opposite Vlad.
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Erin let out a scream as she was told to push. Vlad winced and closed his eyes, remembering the last time he'd heard pained screams coming from her.
"And again Mistress Erin." Renfield glanced at Vlad who was squeezing her fingers. He'd never seen a vampire be present throughout the entire birth of a child. The Count hadn't managed to sit through his own children being born. It spoke volumes about how much the young vampire loved his mate.
"You can do this." Vlad whispered to his wife as she rested against him. Her body exhausted already. Her hair clung to her sweat-coated forehead. Her chest was heaving although she didn't breath; it was a reflex from pushing.
Erin reluctantly pushed herself upwards, and concentrated, a smaller cry coming from her this time. Vlad whispered into her ear. The pain felt worse than it was thanks to her hormones.
"You're almost there." Renfield prompted her. He was only trying to encourage her but it had the opposite effect.
"In a minute!" She snapped back, she wanted a break – to relish in the pain free moments.
"You don't have a minute." Renfield answered sharply, the only time he dared to contradict her. He was right as another contraction ripped through her.
Her teeth ground into her lip, piercing the skin under the razor like edges of her fangs. A small amount of blood spotted on the surface of her lip, luckily without a functioning heart no more would appear.
"Can't you give her anything?" Vlad pleaded again. Erin squeezed Vlad's hand, tightly. He wanted to tell her to loosen her grip a fraction but considering the situation he couldn't. He tried to tune out the sounds of her sobs.
Renfield wanted to, to spare the young vampire pain she wasn't ready for. "I can't." He looked down at Erin again, "The head's crowning." He smiled at her. Erin nodded in relief as Vlad kissed her temple.
"You're amazing." Vlad whispered, amazed at what was happening.
"I don't feel amazing." She answered.
"You're always amazing, now more than ever." She was the only half fang to have ever gone through this, that was remarkable in itself.
"Master Vlad she needs to push." Renfield interrupted.
"I'm the one you need to tell!" Erin interrupted, annoyed at being bypassed.
"I thought if Master Vlad asked you, you'd do it."
Erin gave an exasperated sigh, "Renfield…"
"This isn't the time to argue!" Mina cut in, scolding all three of them although Vlad didn't understand why he was being told off.
Erin ignored her as she had to push. Vlad encouraged her on verbally and telepathically.
Renfield's arms dropped as he caught the child. Renfield looked up, his eyes saying something unreadable. Unreadable for the vampires but not Mina. "I need the slayer's help."
Mina let go of her hand making Erin startled, "I'm just helping them clean them up. You're doing a good job." She told her kissing her sweat-coated forehead.
Mina took the child from Renfield turning away towards a bowl to clean up the child.
"Is it a boy or a girl?" Erin asked, she didn't mind either but she wanted to know.
Mina turned to answer her but Renfield beat her to it, "Focus on the second twin." Erin nodded as she was reminded that she still had to give birth to another child.
She only hoped she had the strength left in her to do so.
"The second twin should come more quickly than the first." Johnson told them forcing the others to look at him. "Its how it is in breather pregnancies and she's only a half fang…"
"He's right." Mina answered, "It should be quicker and easier." Erin let out a sob of relief at her words. She looked at Vlad.
"One more to go." Vlad told her. Erin felt like she'd already given birth to a thousand children. One for each of his reflections.
Erin slumped down, shaking her head. "I can't." She cried, shaking her head from side to side.
"You can." Vlad told her. He knew she could do this.
Her eyelids fluttered a few times. "I'm tired."
"You can rest afterwards." He repositioned their fingers in a position that hopefully wouldn't put any more pressure on them when she squeezed his hand.
"How long for?" She asked him, slight sarcasm in her tone.
Vlad chuckled. "Days." He answered, listening as she let out a laugh. Before groaning and letting out a small cry.
"Push." She was told, sharply. Erin clenched her jaw as she did as she was told. "Stop!" The cry came up suddenly. Erin was startled and stopped. Immediately Erin began to panic, moving her head trying to look at Renfield.
"What's wrong?" Vlad asked, snapping to his senses first.
"The chord is around the neck." He answered. Erin tried to move, trying to help in some way. "You need to stay still!" Renfield barked. Erin ceased moving immediately. Her eyes sparkled as fear shot through her.
"Renfield will fix it." Vlad whispered into her ear. He wanted to help but he couldn't let go of Erin.
Erin couldn't see what Renfield was doing and neither could Vlad from the angle he was at. Renfield made sure to keep it that way.
"Careful." They heard Johnson whisper followed by a muttered curse that could only come from Renfield. Erin let out an angry huff at a curse being introduced to their children so early into their lives.
She began to feel a build up of pain. "I have to push." She warned Renfield.
"DON'T!" He shouted, making her jump slightly.
"But…"
"Don't!" He repeated a fraction lower this time. Erin nodded and tried her best to ride through the contraction. She felt something in Vlad's hand snap, Vlad grimaced.
"Sorry…" She began to apologise.
"I can survive a broken bone," He smiled at her, it wasn't anything compared to what she was going through. He was surprised a bone hadn't been broken before.
Renfield carefully pried the chord from the child's neck. While being vampires the children would need to breath for the first sixteen years of their lives. The chord was stubborn but eventually he managed it.
"One last push." He told her. Erin closed her eyes waiting for the now familiar pain that was sure to follow before pushing.
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Erin relaxed completely as she felt the child slip from her. Her grip on Vlad's hands loosened and she felt him slip his arms around her shoulders. She knew she had the afterbirth to deal with but at the moment she needed to relax.
"You did it." He whispered into her ear with a chuckle. Erin joined in with him, her voice and limbs exhausted.
Mina took the child from Renfield as soon as it was born turning away from Vlad and Erin and wrapping it up tightly in a towel.
Erin slumped back against the pillows, "I love you." Vlad whispered, so many thought racing through his head.
"Why aren't they crying?" She whispered to him, trying to sit up. Vlad caught her shoulders and held her down. Erin put up a fight but she knew how strong Vlad was. Vlad's hand suddenly jerked from her shoulders as he remembered the last time he held her shoulders like this – he'd broken her collarbone.
"I don't know." Vlad whispered, babies weren't usually this quiet at least Wolfie wasn't.
Erin began to shake with fear, waiting for an answer from anyone. Seconds ticked by, echoing the sound of pure silence.
"Mina?" Vlad asked. He realised that Renfield and Johnson had gathered by Mina's side – only making him worry more. He received no answer; everyone remained focussed on the two babes in front of them. "Mina!" He shouted angrily, "What's happening?" He was angrier now, they had no right not to tell either of them what was going on.
The people in front of them looked at each other trying to decide what to say and who was going to say it.
"I want an answer now!" Vlad shouted angrily, he didn't care if the blow was soft or not. He just wanted to be told something.
Mina looked at Vlad and Erin; Erin gripped Vlad's hands tighter. Her eyes were rimmed with redness. Erin let out a sob, looking at the small, motionless bundles in their arms. Vlad clutched her to him, burying his face in her hair.
It couldn't be true. It couldn't happen after everything they'd been through.
Mina shook her head, "I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry."
TBC
A/N: What do you think?
Which way would you like me to play this out?
Thanks for reading.