Chapter 3:

It had been months since the announcement of her daughter's birth. Kaname had invited many aristocrats and a the few purebloods there were to the baby shower they were throwing in Akemi's honor, their daughter. It wasn't a normal baby shower like the humans had. It was more like a ball. Everyone was dressed elegantly.

"Yuki," Kaname called. "Come meet an old friend of mine."

Yuki quickly walked over.

"This is Isaya Shoto and his wife." Kaname pointed to a beautiful man who was neat and tidy in appearance and of eternal beauty. He had beautiful hair near his shoulders and stunning eyes. The wife was also lovely and could quite possibly be a model. She had hair to her waist and half was pulled up into a elegant bun with curls framing her face.

"And this is their son, Akane."

Yuki looked down at a lovely young boy. He looked just like his father and he could be no more than five years old.

"Nice to meet you all," Yuki said formally.

"They have a proposition for us," Kaname said.

From his cautious tone, Yuki could tell she wouldn't like it right away.

"What?"

"Well since we are both of pureblood lineage, they suggest a union between our daughter, Akemi and their son, Akane."

Yuki couldn't believe her ears. It was too early. Akemi wasn't even born yet. How could she possibly get engaged. "It's too soon. She isn't even born yet."

"Yuki we were engaged while her were still in the womb." Kaname grabbed her hand gently and held it to his face. "Please think about this."

"I will, but I cannot make a decision at this moment."

"Very well," Isaya conceded. "We will await your reply. Shall we dance for now."

Isaya put out his hand. Yuki glanced at Kaname. He nodded.

Yuki took Isaya's hand and walked onto the dance floor.

"Please, young Yuki," Isaya whispered. "I implore you to consider my son as a husband for your daughter. He will love her like no other." He looked into Yuki's eyes. "I know my son and he will be a wonderful husband for your daughter."

"I'm sorry, but I want her to at least be in this world before I make such a decision."

The dance ended. "I understand." Isaya bowed and walked back to his son and wife.

Kaname walked over and took her over to sit and rest her feet. Her stomach was larger than usual and it made it hard to walk. She did more of a waddle and dancing was difficult too.

"How do you feel?"

"Huh? Oh I'm fine just fine," she reassured him.

He stood and clapped his hands for attention. Everyone stopped what they were doing,

"Join me for the opening of presents in the library, if you will."

Yuki linked her arm in his and started toward their large, extensive library. She wondered what they got for her little Akemi. She couldn't wait to open the gifts.

Mmmmmm she hoped there were chocolates in the library for her. That was her addiction since her pregnancy started and she needed a lot more blood too. It was odd to her that purebloods could only drink from each other or willing aristocrats. Purebloods couldn't drink the blood of humans without killing them or turning them. So it was difficult. But luckily Hanabusa was willing to give her blood anytime she needed it when Kaname wasn't with her and Kaname used any aristocrat except Ruka because of her love for him; he didn't want to encourage that.

Kaname sat her in her in the largest comfy chair in the library next to the books and an end table with homemade dark chocolates ready for her. Beside the bookcases were presents. There were so many. This was going to take ages and she was so tired already.

The first gift Kaname gave her was from Hanabusa's family. It was a gorgeous gold music box. It was painted with greens and reds and some purple. She opened it. It played a lullaby and inside were little painted figures of she and Kaname. It was beautiful. She felt tears on her cheeks. "Thank you Hanabusa." He bowed his head kindly.

The rest of the gifts consisted of handmade one of kind toys and blankets and bedding sets for little Akemi. There were even books and jewelry for Akemi as she grew. And also bathing items and engraved towels for the baby.

"These are all so lovely, thank you." Yuki smiled at each guest.

"One more, my darling." Kaname brought over a small wrapped box. What could possibly be so small for a baby. It was from Isaya's family. Yuki looked at it suspiciously before opening it. Inside was the most beautiful engagement ring she had ever seen. It was almost as large as her diamond but instead of a white diamond set in white gold, it was a rare blue diamond set in white gold accented with small white diamonds within the band. Inside was engraved "Love Forever."

Yuki glanced up at the family then around her and knew she could not deny this gift in front of all the vampires. "Tha…..Thank you." She bowed her head and finally gave her answer. "Our families shall unite and our children will be lovely together."

Kaname smiled approvingly. He walked over to Isaya. "Meet me in my office after the shower and we will discuss the plans for our children."

Yuki felt anger and disgust. How could they corner her like that?! Then she began to cry.

Kaname glanced over. "Yuki."

"I would like to retire please. I'm awfully tired."

Kaname smiled. "Yes of course. I will show everyone out."

Yuki walked upstairs with dignity. She would not show anymore emotions in front of these people especially that Isaya and his wife. How could they be so selfish? She only wanted a good life for her daughter and for Akima to chose her own fate not to have her life lived for her. But now there was no going back. Akemi and Akane would be married probably by the time Akemi was sixteen just like Yuki did.

Although Yuki fell in love with Kaname before their marriage she didn't know if the same would happen for Akemi and Akane. She hoped it would be that way. But she could only hope.

Slowly she lay in bed and waited until Kaname finished his meeting with Isaya.

Kaname walked into the bedroom and watched Yuki sleep as he undressed. She was so beautiful and she was all his. He couldn't believe Isaya had put them is such a position and he told him exactly how he felt about it. But they had come to a deal and would be having legal documents drawn up in the next week or so. Akemi and Akane would be married a week after Akemi's sixteenth birthday. Kaname knew Yuki wouldn't like it but that was the world of a pureblood. Keeping the blood untainted by human blood was what kept the vampire world in order.

"Kaname?" Yuki rolled over to look into Kaname's eyes. "What was the agreement?"

"She will be married a week after her sixteenth birthday."

"So soon," she whispered tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Oh Yuki." Kaname took her into her arms. "I'm so sorry they put you in this position but hopefully they will fall in love before then."

"And what if they don't?"

Kaname sighed. "I am putting a clause in the paperwork. If one or neither love the other than the engagement will be off."

"Oh thank you." Yuki tightened her grip around him. "I love you."

"I love you too, my beauty."