Oh my goodness, guys! Pleased author much? :D THANK YOU so much to str8jacket, AxidentlGoddess, auroraglider, Melusine10 and my annonymous guest reviewer for your reviews! I'm so grateful you've taken the time to do that for me, much appreciated. This story is hard to write, I must say, trying to do the original justice and keep it exciting as well as keeping you all on your toes. I'll manage though, sure I will :) As always, I'm very much looking forward to reading your thoughts over this chapter.
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Eric's POV
"Stop laughing, it isn't funny!" I chastise Pam with, while getting myself into a mess and trying with everything I can to block out the noise of a howling Milla. I don't like this noise, I am too old for this noise, and I am quickly tiring of this fucking loud noise.
"The video says the tabs just pull away, ah yes, like this. You're pulling them too hard and ripping them right off the diaper. Okay, lift her up and we'll try this one. God fucking damn it, they smell!" Pam replies while I lift Milla off of my desk and she puts a new diaper down. Between us we then manage to attach it to the source of the loud noise, who begins to calm down again soon after. We had to consult the internet and a video on YouTube to see how the hell you change a diaper, since we obviously didn't have a clue how to do it, and from the crying I think that's what she was trying to tell us she needed.
"What the hell are you going to do, Eric? You can do a lot, but look after a baby?" Pam then asks me once Milla is quiet again.
"I have no choice, Agnes made that more and clear before she breezed out of here again. I personally think Milla would be perfectly safe up there in the castle with her, but it's just her own selfish reasons, she'd rather I suffer a new born than have to do it herself, and uses her superior age over mine to keep me in check. If she wasn't who she was, I'd have turfed her straight back through the club doors for this!" I reply, tersely but quietly.
"I can agree with that, I think she's palming Milla off on you purely because she can. I suppose it's a special duty though, guarding the only other Wolverina in existence after her mother was killed. Do they even know how she died? Also, what the hell are you and Tyra going to say in way of explanation over why you've suddenly got a baby?" she asks me.
"They're awaiting the results of the post mortem at present, so far there's no clear way to tell how she died, nothing obvious. As for what Tyra and I will say to explain it, Agnes told me to say we'd fostered her, since as soon as she's found the people responsible for her kidnap and eradicated them she assures me the baby will go back to her grandparents in Norway. They've agreed to everything Agnes has done to keep her safe," I tell her, feeling my inner anger rising again at this situation, a situation I've been landed headfirst in without being able to have any kind of say over. I'm so, so angry at Agnes. In fact, angry doesn't cut it, enraged is closer. I don't need this!
"You and Tyra, wanting to foster a baby, yeah, because no one is going to suspect that at all," she replies sarcastically with an eye roll.
"I know, it isn't likely to look very convincing to anyone, but as long as the queen of Norway doesn't have an infant to look after, all is well in her mind. I don't even know how the hell we can go about immediately looking after her either. I can imagine the immune system of a baby isn't strong enough to fight off the flu, so I'll have to keep her away from Tyra while she's sick, yet we only have one residence what with our new house being built as we speak," I say, Pam looking thoughtful for a few moments.
"Tyra can sleep in my apartment, she can take my bed and I'll sleep in my casket, and then you and Milla have the run of your apartment. I don't think the flu lasts longer than about a week so it shouldn't be for long," she says, just as we're interrupted by a knock at the door, Ginger calling from the other side.
"What the...who's baby is that? Oh, look at that face, she's so pretty! Can I?" she immediately says, sidetracked from what she was about to say when she takes in Milla, holding her hands out. I happily pass the baby to her.
"She's in my care for the foreseeable, she needed a foster home. How do you fancy having your job description changed for a while? I need a babysitter, and you look like you know what you're doing," I then put to the hapless barmaid. Dumb she may be, but she's holding Milla so expertly at present, cooing at her softy, she looks like she'll be more capable than Tyra and I certainly are.
"Sure can, I'd really love to. I like babies, my sister has kids so I'm used to it all," she replies, smiling down at Milla and looking a lot more thrilled to have her in her arms than I did.
"Good, then it can begin now because I need to go and talk to my wife." I reply, leaving the women and heading back downstairs to the most important woman to me. As soon as I enter the apartment, just registering the look on her face, I know exactly what she's going to say before she's even opened her mouth.
"What the fuck, Eric? I mean...what the fuck!" she begins in exclamation, hardly able to get her words out. "We can't look after a baby; we're the most un-baby friendly people I know! I just can't believe she landed all of this right on us, with no word or warning. I'm furious at her! Okay, the poor child needs looking after, needs stability after losing her mother before she even knew her, but us?" she then goes on to say, while I arrive at the side of the couch she's curled up on and sit down, pulling her into a hug immediately.
"It's certainly not what I'd envisaged us ever having to do, but we have to, we've no choice in it. I could skin her alive right now, Agnes, not the baby. The child has done nothing wrong, Agnes knows better," I tell her, trying to make myself think practically about this and get over my anger. That'll be hard though. I'm not angry at Milla, she's just an infant, but I am angry with being told I'm now responsible for her. I have to think clearly though, not let my anger get the better of me.
"You're right, you're completely right. I can't think selfishly when this is about a baby who can't help what she's become a part of, we just have to suck it up and look after her. That doesn't mean I'm not fuming though, because I most certainly am," she replies, the deepness of the frown currently creasing her head making her look older than her twenty nine years.
"Neither am I, but I'm glad you see the practical sense in it. Still though, I'm not looking forward to it. I don't have the temperament for children and neither do you. This will be interesting, if nothing else," I say, standing when she does and walking back over to the bed with her, lying down by her side once she's got in.
"It will be, but right now I'd rather be a bit petulant and angry about it some more still, because really, this is fucking maddening!" she says, getting herself all worked up again. I don't blame her. I'm not exactly feeling calm about this situation. "At least you've done this before, so you sort of know what to do." Tyra then adds in afterthought to her words.
"There's a millennia separating the time I was a father and now, and I didn't do very much to look after the children, not until after Ida had died, and even then it wasn't for long since they all met their deaths not long after their mother. Much has changed, so I'm at square one along with you," I reassure her, because this isn't going to be any easier on me than it is her.
"Well, we'll figure it out somehow, how to manage looking after her. Where is she at the moment?" she asks me, reaching for her bottle of water from the nightstand.
"In the office with Ginger, but I'll bring her back down here soon because at a guess I'd say a four week old baby should be being put to bed at 7pm, but before I do I'm going to need to move you over to Pam's apartment. Actually, no I'll stay in Pam's with Milla, she can move here. You shouldn't have to move anywhere when you're sick, but it'd be better to keep germs away from the baby, I feel," I explain to her, watching her nodding.
"She needs her vaccinations and such like, I think she should have had some by now but they need more than one lot. I'll have to talk to Anna about it; it'll be fresh in her memory with Myra. Just to ask though, who will look after her for the next couple of days in the actual daytime, since I'm still sick?" she asks me, looking a little concerned over that.
"I've asked Ginger to job swap, so when I bring Milla back down here again I'll give her the rest of the night off so she can go home and sleep, and then she'll be due back here at 6am to take over from me. I'll tell her to take her upstairs and look after her in the office so she doesn't come into contact with you. You're the lucky one in all of this. You get to remain unaffected by Milla's sudden arrival until you're well. I now have to go and spend my evening away from you while I look after her. I'm just thrilled at this," I reply blandly, rolling my eyes as I actually sigh. I don't breathe of course, so this gives you an insight into how pissed off I am.
"You don't have to do that. Once she's asleep you can come back here to me, with your hearing you'll be able to hear her cries from in here if and when she does wake. In fact, Pam can either take the spacious couch or wheel her casket in here, and you don't have to go anywhere. Milla can have her own space and we can have ours, it makes sense since our apartment is three times the size of Pam's. That is, if she's agreeable to it." Tyra replies, before stating that she's going to go for a bath. I get up quickly and go to run it for her, before going upstairs to check if Pam is agreeable to Tyra's idea. She is, and with that I consult the internet once more, spending some time reading up on how to care for and general information about newborn babies.
I have a lot to learn and at my superior rate for reading, do so in ten minutes while Ginger sits across from me, gently rocking a sleeping Milla while singing her a lullaby. What makes it bearable is that surprisingly, Ginger has a very pleasant singing voice. Who knew from a woman who sounds like her when she speaks? Once done reading I go back downstairs where I find Pam moving some of her possessions (including her casket which she's opted to sleep in) and then undertake my next job, putting together this travel crib thing that Agnes left with the baby. It isn't overly tasking and all very self-explanatory, and I'm happy once I have it assembled, even happier when after I've called her down Ginger places a sleeping Milla into it. I really don't know what else I can say about this. I think it's all just caught up with me as I stand here and stare down at the tiny, sleeping form in front of me.
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Tyra's POV
"Damn, you look daunted," Pam says to me at close to midnight, after I've woken up from a nap actually feeling a little better that I have for the last five days. I've been sitting here for the last ten minutes just staring into space, everything about Milla's sudden and unexpected arrival into our care racing around my mind. I can barely get my head around the situation if I'm honest, the fact I have to be a mother of sorts to this child. This, this was just not in my plan. I can barely cope looking after Myra if Anna ever leaves her in my care for an evening if she and Dmitri go out, let alone having a baby as a full time responsibility.
"That's because I am, Pam. I feel so daunted I just don't know what to do. I know I have to look after her, Eric and I have no fucking choice but to, but...oh hell! I don't want to! I know that's whiny and childish, I know the poor kid lost her mom before she even got to know her and none of this is her fault, but this is just insane and unfair," I vent to my friend, who nods sympathetically.
"I can't say I'm happy about being turfed out of my apartment because of her, but I do agree with you, it isn't Milla's fault. I just pity you and Eric so much, having had this landed on your laps without so much as a word of warning. You're right, that part is unfair," she says as I get myself out of bed and head over to sit on the couch with her. Just then Eric walks back in, pulling his t shirt off as he does.
"Do baby vomit soiled clothes need anything extra doing to them to get the regurgitated milk out?" he asks, showing us the item of clothing covered in spit up.
"Just rinse the spew off under the tap before you pop it in the wash if you like, but it doesn't need anything special doing to it, milk doesn't stain clothes," I tell him, watching him nod and then go and do as I suggested before he pops his top into the washing machine. Pam used to do all his laundry for him, but that job has been taken over by me now. Eric isn't incapable of loading a washing machine though; he surprises me often when I find he's taken it upon himself to get our laundry done. Once he's changed into a fresh t shirt he comes and sits down with us, taking my hand and giving it a squeeze.
"How are you feeling? Illness wise, not how you feel about Milla being here. I know those thoughts already," he asks me.
"I'm starting to feel a little better, actually. That's a good thing because I know you're going to need help looking after her when Ginger isn't on duty. Stupid she may be, but she's good with kids. She often witters on and on at me about her sisters kids, so I know she's experienced in looking after children," I reply, Eric nodding.
"She's also more than happy to look after Milla as well, so we're sorted there until you're well, where you'll have to become her main carer. It'll be confusing to the child if she sees too much of Ginger and then only settles for her, she needs to know you're the person who calms her distress. I don't know how you'll fit in your work around it, but you're smart, you'll find a way, especially now you have Cobie and Esmeralda working for you. It isn't going to be easy, but we'll find a way to cope while Agnes tracks down who was after her. I really am now convinced it's coming from San Lu, how he found out I just do not know, but it would appear he's after both of you," he tells me, looking pissed off and then some at the end of his sentence.
"Eric, are you completely sure? I mean, it could all just be coincidental. You cannot know for definite the king even knows what Tyra is, or if his maker does. You also can't know for definite if San Lu ever knew about Nina and Milla either, you just don't know. What if another vampire out there has been tracking the Wolverina blood lines just as Agnes has, except with less honourable and protective intentions? There are so many questions with multiple answers to them, and I just don't think the evidence we have so far definitely points a finger at anyone with Japanese heritage, I really don't," Pam then offers to the conversation.
"I agree with Pam, we can't say for certain either way where this is coming from. As for Milla getting more used to me than Ginger, I can see the merit in that, I guess," I interject with before Eric can open his mouth and reply, because I know what's going to come out of it.
"I want to be vigilant, nothing but one hundred percent, and this situation with Tyra and the king is strange enough as it is. I do have to admit that what you're saying, well you do have a point, Pam. Although this now fills me with much concern, if there are more people than we thought out there who know of the Wolverina, much concern." He replies. We sit and discuss it a little more before Eric is needed, hearing Milla crying for attention after about half an hour. This is the way it is until I've had a check over by a doctor, one who comes two days after Milla first arrived, since the baby needs to be seen by someone for her vaccinations. We can't take Milla to a hospital since we are not her legal carers, Agnes is, but in the interests of secrecy we cannot even have any official documentation that she's with us. It'd be too easy to trace. Luckily, we have an ally there.
"Well you're good to go, and besides I just went and gave Milla her vaccinations, so she's covered anyway. Expect to be tired for a few days to come though, not that you won't be with a new baby to take care of! I have to say, Eric looks lovely with her, such a huge vampire gently cradling this tiny little baby," Vivienne Atkinson, MD, tells me after checking me over. Of course, being secretive and an old friend/lover of Eric's, she can be trusted completely, just like she was after my kidnapping ordeal. She showed me a lot of kindness back then. We haven't told her the exact story, but one that ensures she understands the complications about taking Milla to a hospital. She told us that whenever Milla was unwell in the future to just call her first for treatment. She's a wonderful doctor.
"Thank you, for being so helpful. Also I haven't encountered Eric with her yet because I've been ill, but I suppose that starts as of tonight." I reply, Vivienne nodding. She tells me she hopes I enjoy my new found parental responsibilities before leaving, and with that all that needs to be done is for me to acquaint myself with the baby I do indeed have to be responsible for. I cannot even begin to tell you how nervous I am. Over the last couple of days since I've begun feeling better I've been sat up in bed scouring the internet and every single site I could find relating to the care of new born babies, and I think I've got myself prepared. For anything else I have my mom and Anna on speed dial. They both know of the situation, of course. Both received panicked phone calls from me, the tone of which being the simple question of 'what the hell do I do?'
"Here, since you've been given a clean bill of health we might as well move Milla in here with us and give Pam her apartment back. I'll go and gather her things. We really need to think about finding someone to look after her while we go out and purchase everything else she's going to need, more clothes would be the most pressing thing at present, since what she came with has been on rotation through the wash over the last two days. Or I can look after her and give you my credit card," Eric says to me, handing over Milla to me carefully before heading back out again to begin bringing in her things. Looking down at Milla for the first time, I wait to be filled with a sense of protection or even some sort of happiness at holding a baby so gorgeous (because she is, she's beautiful just like her mom was), yet all I feel as I hold her is dread.
"If I can't get this right straight away, well you'll have to bear with me, little baby. Me and Eric, we know we've got to take care of you, but it's fucking scary, kid." I tell her, feeling uncomfortable when she begins to cry. I move her to my shoulder, holding her tightly and gently bouncing her as I do with Myra when she cries, yet she doesn't stop. I get a sudden whiff under my nose that alerts me to why, she's just done a massive crap in her diaper by the smell of it. Thankfully, and again because of my best friend's daughter, I know how to change her.
"So, shall I look after her while you go shopping, or shall we go together? What do you want to do?" Eric asks me as he brings the rest of Milla's things into the apartment, me grabbing a fresh diaper and some wipes from her bag as I move over to the couch.
"I'm unsure if baby outlets will still be open in the evening like the rest of the stores are. I mean they only remain open for vampires and what would they want with baby things? Except us, that is," I tell him while I gently place Milla down and undo her vest. I know I'm going to need to buy about twenty of these when I do go shopping for her, and that is no underestimation. Newborns soil their clothes like you wouldn't believe.
"The department store in Shreveport mall will be open, and they must have a baby section," Eric reminds me, while I make fast work of diaper changing, which is surprising since I haven't done it in months. This will stand me in good stead for the coming months, even though I hope Agnes can come and fetch her back before then.
"Okay then, I'll call Lafayette and see what he's up to. If he's busy I'm sure I can rope someone else in to come with me." I reply, fastening the poppers on Milla's vest again and passing her back to Eric. I dispose of the dirty diaper on my way out (for Eric's nasal comfort we're throwing away the diapers into a bin out in the hall outside the apartment) and then call my friend, asking if he's available to go shopping and for a drink afterwards, because I damn well need one. Luckily since he isn't working or seeing Jesus tonight he's free, but is absolutely none the wiser to the new addition to mine and Eric's lives until he comes to pick me up at Fangtasia, and I tell him all on our drive to the mall. There are certain people, those who already know of my Wolverina status who can know the truth about Milla, and Lafayette is one of them.
"Holy shit, hooker! Talk about unexpected, damn! I bet Eric is fucking thrilled to bits and back over this, huh?" he replies with mild sarcasm as we pull into the parking lot after I'm done explaining the exact reason of our shopping spree.
"Oh yeah, but to be fair he's the one who's looked after her most, been up all night with her changing and feeding her. Ginger's been looking after her in the day, but that ends now I'm well again and it'll be my job. I'm fucking terrified, Lafayette. What if I break her? She's such a tiny little thing, barely eight pounds!" I exclaim in worry.
"You're not going to break her, Tyra. Even though you're not one, you're just experiencing the same fear all new parents do. I have to say, I'm surprised Eric stepped up to the plate as well as he did and didn't hire nobody to come and live with you guys to look after the kid. I could imagine him doing that, but I guess in the interests of secrecy he couldn't really, could he?" Lafayette replies as he swings his car into a free bay with ease.
"That's just what I was about to explain to you. Ahhh, shit. I've had two days to try and get my head around this, get used to it. It isn't working, I'm just...I feel lost." I lament as Lafayette cuts the engine and does what any good friend does when their buddy is stressed. He gives me the kind of reassuring hug I need before I compose myself and we get out of the car, ready to shop for all things baby. A week ago if I was going shopping with Lafayette, we'd be going to pour over beautiful shoes and dresses, or spending a fortune on makeup. How things change in just seven days.