Chapter 27

~Aaden POV~

I don't think I'd felt this terrible in my life. When I woke, my body ached so badly I could barely move, but the pain was directly centered in my back, ribs and pelvic bone. My arms and legs were like jelly and my head throbbed with every beat of my heart. I had to clamp a hand over my mouth when, in his sleep, Derek's arm tightened around my waist and pressed me to him. The world spun when I reopened my eyes, and suddenly, I couldn't be nice anymore. Throwing his arm off of me, I ran to the bathroom and threw up everything I'd only ever thought about eating. Derek's cool hands found me moments later when he began gently pinning up my hair.

"Ugh, what a time to get sick." I complained, flushing the toilet from my spot on the floor. "The war isn't happening tomorrow," he said sleepily, "it's completely human to get sick. So we have to put off your training for a week or so, it's no big deal. What matters is you getting better." He helped me stand and as I rinsed my mouth out, savoring the taste of the cold water, I caught his eye in the mirror. "You don't feel feverish." He stated. "I wish my body didn't ache. I think it's the flu." "Probably. I can stay with you today, you need to rest." "No, go train the Betas, they need you." "You need me more," he argued, gripping my chin to look into my eyes, "For better or worse, in sickness and in health, remember?" I smiled at his determined stare, and kissed him. "I love you, Derek. Please, keep your schedule though. If you're that worried, let Farren and Spencer keep me company, then you can come back and hold me, okay?" He growled, but reluctantly nodded.

Keeping his strong arm in mine for support, he slowly walked me back to the bed and propped me up with pillows. "I'll be back in an hour, ninety minutes tops." "Take your time." I said, and he leaned in to kiss me. As he walked to the door, Farren's knock came, and he let her in, closing the door behind himself. "Hey sickie," she smiled, "I'm sorry you feel so bad." "Eh, I'll make it. How is everyone?" "Good, good. Had a new ally show up late last night. His name is Cameron, he's another vampire. I met him several years ago, and he's pretty cool." "That's good. Ready to fight the good fight, is he?" She laughed, sitting on the bed beside me. "Yeah, I guess. He's rather eager. I think the King must have done him wrong somewhere along the line." "Maybe he's in love?" "Perhaps." she slid her eyes to me, "Did I ever tell you that wolves and vampires can mate?" I almost sat up before the pain in my hips stopped me. "They can?" "Yes. I've seen it more than once. It's why a couple of the vampires are here." "Wow," I said, truly amazed, "and they can have kids?" "Yes, it's very odd seeing hybrid children. Sometimes they even have normal children, other occasions, if they have several, they can end up with either just wolf or just vampire children. In special cases, they have a child that is both." "That's awesome!" "Yep. Anyway, what are your symptoms? Spencer and I will see if we can find medicine for you, or we'll go into town. We need you better." "Achiness, throwing up. Apparently no fever, and I haven't had chills. Had a little heartburn last night. I think it's the flu." "Where's the worst of the ache?" "Back, pelvis. My ribs too."

Farren's eyes went into their deep concentration. Her mind had to be running a mile a minute from the look she had. "Farren, what is it?" "Nothing. It's just that, well…did you and Derek discuss, um…pregnancy?" "Oh yeah, no worries there. I can't get pregnant before I'm turned. Why?" "It's never been heard of, but what you're describing sounds a lot like problems of gestation." "Derek wouldn't lie to me. Plus, aren't I supposed to feel different and whatnot? I just feel sick. I've had the flu before, it felt just like this." Farren did not look convinced, but nodded and mumbled something about going to look for medicine and walked out. Surely she was joking! I couldn't get pregnant. It had never been heard of according to her, and Derek said for sure that I couldn't. I believed him…but could it happen and we just not know it? Stop it, Aaden! I screamed at myself, you're making yourself feel worse with worry. You can't get pregnant. You are NOT pregnant!

I let my mind go blank and took several deep breaths. After a bit, I felt a little better. I would have Spencer settle my mind when he came by. He wasn't a doctor, not even close, but he read a lot. He'd assure me that I was just sick. I carefully laid back to rest. A thought came to me then that settled my mind once and for all. If I was pregnant, and I most certainly was not, I wouldn't be showing signs. Even if I was, why would it feel like the flu? I'd heard about morning sickness, but this had been sudden, just like flu was. I hadn't missed my period either, so there was no way.

It hadn't felt long before a knock on the door sounded, waking me from my dozing. When I checked the clock, I was surprised to see that a little over forty minutes had passed since Farren had been in. "Hey," Spencer said, coming in to hand me two little pills and a glass of water. "Hey Spence, what's going on out there?" "Nothing really. Derek took the wolves outside to train today, I guess because for once the sun was out. How are you feeling?" "I've been better. I feel a hundred years old with the aches." "I heard. Aaden," his voice turned questioning and concerned, "you don't think you're pregnant, do you?" "Oh, not you too!" I yelled, "What did Farren say?" "She's worried." He admitted. "Spencer, do you think Derek would tell me I could not have a baby when I was human if I could?" "I think Derek told you that maybe not knowing you could." "Oh come on!" I said angrily, setting down my water glass hard on the floor, "That's not even close to a valid answer." "Aaden, I believe you, and I believe what Derek said, but at the same time, I have a hard time believing that it couldn't happen. Please, put our minds at ease and let us have one of the educated vampires take a look at you." "I would rather discuss this with Derek first."

~Derek POV~

"Oh, come on guys! Shave off five seconds! FIVE! It's that easy!" I was so frustrated with the way this session was going. It was like they were giving up on what I was trying to help them accomplish. I wanted to be back by Aaden's side. The longer they took, the longer I had to stay out here and bark orders at them and be away from Aaden when she needed me. I heard footsteps behind me and turned to see Farren, her hands in her pockets, and she looked stressed. "What's going on?" I asked, looking back for a second to check on the Betas. "Tell me for absolute sure: is there any possible way, even in the tiniest degree, that Aaden could become pregnant before she was changed?" "No, of course not. I wouldn't be so freewill about it if she could." Where the hell was this coming from? Farren's looked soured. She didn't look angry, just upset. "Is there something going on, Farren?" "Derek, I've never heard of it happening, ever, but I've also rarely heard of the traits of a wolf developing in a human. Aaden proves to be more and more special every time we turn around. I can't swear it, it would be very early, but I think Aaden might be pregnant." "No," I argued, suddenly angry, "she can't be. My mother surely would have warned me if there was any type of case of this happening." "Believe what you want." She said, turning around. She took two steps before stopping. She didn't turn back, but said, "If she is Derek, I don't know what we're going to do. I'm not entirely sure that she would make it out alive."

Her words sent daggers through my chest. Even from the house, I could very slightly feel Aaden's discomfort, and suddenly, training the wolves meant jack shit to me. "Take the day off!" I barked and everyone stilled, but I didn't take the time to explain, because they didn't need an explanation, they just needed to listen, and I needed to see my wife.

I hurried up the stairs and to our room door, but stopped outside of it, trying to grasp her emotions. Worry, distress, anger. With a deep breath, I opened the door. Aaden was still lying in bed, her color drained, and her eyes dull of their usual light. Her worry ran me over, but I walked over to her, sitting on the bed and took her hand. "What's going on?" She lowered her eyes. "I'm just sick, right?" She asked, "I can't be pregnant. Tell them that." "You can't. She can't be, not until she turns." I said, looking over to where Spencer and Vlad sat. "We're wanting to have Silas take a look at her. Please, Derek, be reasonable. We just have her best interest in mind." "Fine. If she agrees to it, check her, but you won't find anything." I said angrily, and then turned my attention back to Aaden. "It's going to be okay," I said to her, "you're just sick. In a few days, this will all be over. Will you let Silas check you?" She nodded, thankful that I was on her side.

When Silas came into the room, Aaden's heart sped up. She was nervous, I could tell, but something about the way her heart beat told me that she just hoped he'd prove us right. Prove that we were correct, and that she merely had the flu or something mild. She'd be better in no time.

"All right Mrs. Hale, let's find a verdict."

**What do you guys think? Is Aaden just sick, or could she be expecting? Having a baby right now would do no good at all. Could it destroy Aaden and Derek's marriage? Will it bring Aaden a friend she never expected to make? Hope you all enjoyed!**