Lose

Five months into Marty's second pregnancy, Todd was away on an important assignment. Although her days and nights were filled with Victor and the rambunctious twins, Marty was missing Todd. "He'll be home soon you know," Victor said as they tucked their sons into bed.

"I know... but he's been away so long. My heart aches without him."

Victor took her hand and kissed it then lead her out of the nursery. They walked across the hall to their bedroom. "You have me, Marty," he said as he pulled her into his embrace.

"I love you, Victor," she whispered in his ear.

"How's our baby?" Victor asked as he lay his hand on her growing tummy.

"She's doing well," Marty replied as she slipped her arms around him.

Marty always called their baby a girl. It was wishful thinking on her part, though they truly didn't care if the baby was a boy or a girl; they just wanted their new addition to be strong and healthy.

"I'm glad," Victor said before carrying Marty to bed to make love to her.

~*~o~*~

The next morning however, the unthinkable happened. Marty woke up feeling bursts of sharp pain. "Something's wrong, Victor!" she gasped. "I think I am losing the baby!"

Victor awakened in alarm to see blood staining the sheets. "No!" he cried out. "You can't lose our baby!"

At that moment, Todd too walked in and he saw all the blood. "What the hell is going on here?" he demanded. "Marty, are you bleeding?"

"Yes, Todd," Marty spoke as she started to sob. "I think I am going to miscarry."

Todd ran to Marty's side and took her in his arms. "Everything's going to be alright," he soothed her. "Victor and I won't let that happen."

Todd glanced over at his brother, seeing the worry and torment on his face. "Did you two get a little wild in the sack while I was gone?" he asked with just a hint of sarcasm.

"No... well, yeah..." Victor admitted.

"It's not Victor's fault. I get so horny when I'm pregnant," Marty said in Victor's defense.

Tenderly, Todd wiped away Marty's tears. "I'm going to take care of you and our baby," he promised.

"We are going to give Marty our blood," Todd said to Victor.

"What?" Victor gasped.

"It will make her and the babies stronger," Todd insisted. He ripped into his wrist with his fangs. He presented his bleeding wrist to the woman he loved.

"Babies?" said Victor.

"Yes, I think it's twins again," answered Todd.

"Am I supposed to drink that?" Marty asked Todd hesitantly.

"Our blood has healing qualities," Todd explained. "Yes, drink it. It will make you and the babies healthy."

Marty refused to drink; just stared into his eyes in disbelief. Todd pressed his wrist to her lips. "Drink," he urged. He gave Marty small sips of his powerful blood. She feared she would be repulsed, but she soon found herself liking the intoxicating taste.

She asked Victor, "Can I have some of yours, too?"

"Of course," he replied. Victor made a gash in his neck with his long nails. He pulled Marty close so she could sip at his bleeding wound.

"How are you feeling?" Todd asked as she finally lay her head on Victor's chest and he tenderly stroked her hair.

"I think I'm fine now. There is no pain... and I think the bleeding has stopped."

"You just needed me back," Todd said with a grin.

"I did," she said as she left Victor's arms and melted into his. "I missed you so much."

"I missed you, too, babe," he whispered.