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Chapter 29 – Faeryn

Eve held a chocolate shake in one hand, occasionally sipping leisurely, and used her other hand to sort through rack after rack of baby clothes. I don't think she had stopped smiling the entire last three weeks. I had heard people refer to a glow that pregnant women had. As I stared at the enchantment in her eyes and the flush of her cheeks, I knew exactly what they meant.

"Have you decided on a name?" I asked. She and Michael had been going around and around trying to come up with the perfect name.

Eve handed me two more outfits for the already full basket I was holding. "Yes," she whispered excitedly. "Faeryn Paige Glass."

"It's beautiful," I breathed, "Where are the names from?"

"Paige was the name of Michael's third generation grandmother. We wanted each of her names to represent our families," Eve explained as her expression faltered. She had just learned that she was adopted. "Obviously, it was more of a challenge to find a family name from my side. But thankfully, Liam helped me."

"Liam helped you name your baby?" My pulse quickened, knowing the bond that Eve and Liam shared. Eve knew it now as well. Myrnin had agreed to disclose everything he knew about Immortals and Isolde, so we had invited Eve and Michael over for dinner one evening and went through all of it. There were tears and Michael had not been pleased about Liam's connection to Eve, but overall, they accepted the information much better than I had anticipated. With as tiny as Eve was, I sometimes forgot how incredibly strong she was on the inside.

And she had been studying all of the symbols in the book we borrowed from Gwion. I wasn't sure that was her best idea, because there were some truly frightening potential outcomes. But she had insisted and Liam had interpreted for her. They had met at the lab and spent the entire day together, caught up in each other and the book. I cringed a little. She hadn't exactly lied to Michael. He had known where she was, but just not who she was with. I knew Eve did not like keeping things from Michael, but she was willing to do whatever it took to be ready for their child, even if that meant spending the day with a vampire who she held a supernatural bond with and who Michael didn't like.

"Liam helped me research the Isolde bloodline in Amelie's library. Faeryn was the name of the oldest known Immortal. Isolde created a vampire by the name of Gabriel. He met a human, Madeleine, who carried the scent of the Quill bloodline. And they had a child who they called Faeryn."

"It really is beautiful," I murmured as I hugged her gently.

Her eyes glistened as she replied, "I may not ever know who my real parents were and why they didn't want me, but there is a lot of comfort in knowing more about my bloodline. It makes me feel like I am a part of something bigger."

"That's good," I murmured softly.

Abruptly, the look in Eve's eyes changed. It became haunted and distant, as though she were looking a million miles away. Before I could even open my mouth to ask her what was wrong, she dropped the chocolate shake and groaned in pain.

I finally got the words out, "Eve, tell me what's going on. What's wrong?!"

Her hands suddenly clasped around her belly as she doubled over; a high-pitched cry releasing from her lips. She began panting and didn't answer.

I scrambled to find my phone, jerking it free from my bag. My fingers shook as I called for our driver. He confirmed he would be there in less than five minutes.

Before I could make the next call, Eve released a terrifying scream and lurched forward. I dropped the phone and spun my body in front of her, catching her. I eased her down to the ground. She curled on her side, into the fetal position; her hands still protectively wrapped around her swollen abdomen. She whimpered, as tears streamed over her cheeks.

Was this labor? If so, it's too soon, my brain screamed the obvious. With her accelerated gestation, one week was comparable to four human weeks, so extremely dangerous. I crawled and hastily gathered up my phone to call Michael.

"Hello?" Michael's calm voice answered. I couldn't breathe. I knew his calm was about to be shattered into a million pieces.

"Michael, it's Eve…" I rasped, my fingers shaking uncontrollably.

As expected, his tone was immediately filled with anxiety and worry as he hissed, "What happ—" He couldn't finish his sentence, because Eve let out a blood curdling scream.

I was horrified to see red blood flowing down her legs. I knew very little about giving birth, but I knew this wasn't right. My heart thundered in my chest. Eve needed a hospital and she needed it now.

I hadn't heard him come up behind me, but in less than another second, our driver had scooped Eve off the floor and ran with her, back to the car. "Hospital!" I yelled hurriedly into the phone as I sprinted after them.

When we arrived, Myrnin was already there waiting for us. The driver must've called him. I wasn't surprised to see Gwion with him. Gwion had extensive knowledge of Immortals and while we had hoped Eve's delivery would progress as any normal human; if an emergency arose, delivering an Immortal child could have significant challenges.

Michael came crashing through the doors and was by Eve's side immediately. He clutched her hand, and murmured a nonstop stream of comforting syllables. She stared back at him with abject fear in her eyes; the pain making it impossible for her to speak.

I stood shaking and finally realized my phone was vibrating in my hand. I looked down at the caller. It was Liam. As soon as I answered, he hissed, "What's wrong? I can feel it. I know something is wrong with Eve! She isn't answering her phone; do you know where she is?!"

"We just arrived at the hospital… She's bleeding and in pain… I don't know yet…" I huffed out the words, still trying to catch my breath.

"I'll be right there," he replied quickly and hung up.

I had no idea how Michael was going to feel about Liam's presence, but I couldn't worry about it now, because I was running down the hall to keep up with Eve. They were taking her into a triage room.

Medical personnel were moving in a flurry of activity around her. One nurse cut her out of her clothes. I was relieved that both Gwion and Myrnin turned away while she was exposed; I knew Eve would not want the embarrassment of either of them seeing her 'naughty bit', as she called it. Two additional nurses were placing her IV and connecting her to blood pressure and heart monitors. A fourth nurse hurriedly brought a sonogram machine to the bedside. Dr. Theo Goldman shook his head and told her, "We tried to see the baby a few weeks ago, but the ultrasound could not penetrate the amniotic sac."

Her obstetrician was in place. He looked more than a little uncomfortable, surrounded by four very tense vampires. I watched him breathe deeply before settling into a determined and focused expression. He checked her cervix quickly and then pulled the hospital sheet back over her legs, to keep her covered.

He spoke gravely to Dr. Goldman, "Her cervix is open 1 cm. Without the ultrasound, I cannot diagnose further. The sudden blood and pain suggests a possible placental abruption, but I have no certainty of this. If the placenta has dislodged, there is no treatment other than delivery. It would be too dangerous to deliver naturally; a cesarean section would be necessary."

"She may be too premature. We expect that she is at least one week early, which is dangerous, but she could be even earlier, since we are guessing at her conception date. If it is too soon, we may lose her," Theo replied somberly.

"How is that possible? She is immortal," Michael breathed; his face contorted in pain.

Gwion answered his question, "Immortal doesn't mean that she can't die. It only means she won't die of old age. And she is not truly immortal until she is fully formed after her 10th week. She could die now. And Eve could die. Their bond is like none other. Unlike a human baby, their life forces are connected. Lose one, and there is a high probability of losing the other."

What?! My brain was spinning. They couldn't die; they just couldn't, I screamed on the inside. Myrnin must have felt the sudden increase in my anxiety, because he slid behind me and wrapped his arms protectively around my shoulders.

"Can you connect to her?" Myrnin murmured to Gwion. "If she can heal…" he left the sentence hanging.

"It's possible," Gwion answered.

"What is possible? What the hell are you talking about?" Michael asked brusquely.

Gwion replied, "I may be able to connect to the baby."

"Faeryn… Her name is Faeryn," Eve interrupted weakly.

Gwion continued, "I may be able to connect to Faeryn mentally. Many Immortals have the talent of healing. My connection might help determine how developed she is, and she may be able to help heal what is broken, if I can guide her. Even though Immortals have quite varied talents, they require training to use them to their fullest potential."

"Do it," Eve rasped, before grimacing in pain and panting.

"She needs pain medicine," Michael hissed to her obstetrician.

Gwion interjected, "No. Any foreign substance could be volatile with Faeryn's delicate structure. And absolutely no vampire blood; it would wreak havoc and most likely kill her. I should be able to compel the pain. Once I connect, I will know more."

"Okay," Michael said in resignation.

Gwion moved to Eve's side. "May I?" He nodded toward her covered belly.

"Anything," Eve said resolutely.

"Hand me another blanket," Gwion instructed the nearest nurse. She quickly pulled one from the cabinet and placed it in his hands. He unfolded it and laid it over Eve's legs and lower waist to keep that portion of her covered. He then proceeded to reveal her abdomen, pulling the first blanket up over her belly. "Turn the sound off of all of the machines," he instructed. The nurses again accommodated him quickly, flicking the switches on the machines, so that they made no noise.

Placing a hand on either side of her stomach gently, Gwion closed his eyes. For a moment, he was silent. And then suddenly, he inhaled sharply. I was shocked to see him sway and briefly wondered if he was going to fall. Michael must have thought the same thing because he snatched the nearest chair and placed it under him. Gwion sat down and continued to hold on, his face contorted in pain.

My entire body trembled and I gripped Myrnin's hands tightly. I could not even imagine what could have caused that type of physical response in Gwion. He hadn't even blinked when he bit into Amelie's tainted blood, but whatever was happening now, brought him to his knees.

"Shhh… It will be okay. This is actually a good sign. It means he has connected to her. She is quite strong," Myrnin whispered softly in my ear.

Unexpectedly, Gwion spoke to Myrnin, "Compel her pain." I felt Myrnin tense behind me. Clearly he had not expected that response. But almost immediately, Eve relaxed. I was extremely thankful that she was no longer writhing in agony, but terrified that Gwion had not been able to do it on his own.

Gwion spoke slowly, "She is not fully formed… Their bond is fragile… Almost broken." Then he lapsed into silence.

No one uttered a sound while we all waited.

Finally, he spoke gravely, "Their bond is rapidly diminishing. It will break, causing them both to die within a matter of hours. And Faeryn is not formed enough to survive delivery now. She needs more time."

All of the air was sucked out of my lungs by my panic.

"No!" Eve wailed. "It cannot end like that. I won't let it," she hissed fiercely. "Tell me what I have to do. I will do anything!"

Gwion looked up at Eve and murmured, "I may be able to hold the bond to some extent. I cannot tell yet if she has healing ability to help knit it back together. She's blocking me. She doesn't like the invasiveness…And she is stubborn," he said wryly.

"That's my girl," Eve whispered brokenly, fierce pride in her tone. "Can you convince her…Will she let you teach her?"

Gwion suddenly looked up at Myrnin and instructed, "Get Liam."

Michael stiffened.

Myrnin immediately reached for his phone.

"He's here," I whispered. "He said he was coming here." Myrnin released me and disappeared into the hallway, only to return less than a second later with Liam right behind him. I was thankful when Myrnin resumed his supportive position behind me because I was certain my legs were going to give out at any moment, under the excruciating anxiety running rampantly through me.

Gwion moved his hands to one side and instructed Liam, "Place your hands on her belly."

Liam gently placed both hands on the other side of her belly. There was a collective gasp in the room when suddenly Eve's belly moved. I couldn't tell what body part it was, but clearly the baby changed position.

Eve panted sharply, "She's turning!"

Gwion closed his eyes in concentration as he murmured, "Isolde is the dominant bloodline in her. She recognized Liam and turned to face him. If I am correct, she is reaching for his hand."

"You are correct…I can feel her hands moving under mine," Liam whispered brokenly, overwhelmed with emotion.

Huge tears fell from Eve's eyes as she mouthed the words, "Thank you".

Liam held Eve's gaze and murmured "Do not thank me. There is no place else I would rather be."

From my peripheral vision, I saw Michael's hand clench into a fist. I knew all he wanted to do was toss Liam out of the room, and probably out of the hospital altogether. But he would not risk Eve or the baby's health, when it was obvious the baby was drawn toward Liam's presence.

"She's calming down...Do not move," Gwion instructed firmly. "I will try to get through to her."

And so the vigil began…

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Hello! Couple of things: In regards to the review asking if it should be Bishop's Bloodline , technically you would be correct , however I wasn't very fond of the Bishop storyline, so in this fanfic, he doesn't exist (writer's liberty...he he). And there were mixed reviews regarding the potential Gwion/Claire pairing, so we will just have to see where it goes...(oh the suspense).

Don't forget to review on your way out … I do so love it when you review.