Chapter 4:

Finally the day had come. It was only two weeks after the shower. Akemi was early but seven and a half months isn't that premature, after all they are vampires and it could be normal.

The week before the legal papers for the marriage arrangement had been drawn up and signed. Yuki had watched and signed with sadness in her heart. She wished things didn't have to be so quick. But at least she would have Akemi for her first sixteen years.

Yuki lay on the bed in torturous pain. The contractions were unbelievably painful. She felt like she was being ripped from the inside out. She could have sworn she was dying. How could something so beautiful come from so much pain? "Aaaaahhhh," she screamed.

Kaname grabbed her hand. It was somewhat comforting.

"The contractions are getting closer together," the midwife explained. "It's almost time."

The midwife was a pretty young human woman, that specializes in home deliveries. She had light blue eyes and fair skin. She smelled delicious but Yuki couldn't think of that right now.

She was just relieved the time to push had finally come. It had been at least five hours since the her water broke and the pain was becoming unbearable.

"Okay," said the midwife. "Push."

Yuki gathered up all the energy she had and pushed as hard as she could.

"Okay, okay. Breath." The midwife pressed in her pelvis. "Again."

Again Yuki pushed. Suddenly the pain vanished and her stomach felt empty.

Akemi started crying. The midwife cleaned her up quickly and put her in Yuki's arms.

Akemi's eyes were shut tight but she was healthy and she was beautiful. She had Kaname's chin but she looked so much like Yuki.

"Oh Kaname, isn't she beautiful."

"She's exquisite," Kaname whispered. "Can I….?"

Yuki smiled and handed Akemi over to Kaname. She hasn't seen him smile like that since she was five years old and tried to dress herself and he got a first rate view. Yuki smiled at the memory. Finally something to make Kaname truly happy besides herself. He has so much pressure as a pureblood king, the stress was hurting him. She could tell. He had so much responsibility for one so young.

The midwife was continuing pressing on Yuki's pelvis and having her push to get the last of the umbilical cord out.

"She is magnificent," Kaname said as he soothed Akemi.

"She may be hungry," said the midwife.

"How do I do that," asked Yuki.

The midwife was one of the few humans who worked with the Senate and kept the secret of the vampires. There were also those who are willing to give blood to the lower vampires and some who helped keep the vampires cover in the human world.

The midwife only smiled as Kaname gave Akemi back to Yuki. "Well if you were human I'd say breastfeed but as a vampire she is to drink the mother's blood."

Yuki slowly put her finger in the baby's mouth and waited. She felt the small prick of Akemi's tiny teeth and suckle of the sweet baby girl's mouth as she drank. Yuki finally felt at home. This was her family. Her husband and her daughter. She would protect them with her life. Even if she had to make the same decision as her mother Juri did and make her daughter human in order to protect her, she would.

Kaname watched with wonder at his wife and daughter. He was the happiest he had ever felt in his long, long life. It was a lovely sight and he would never allow anything to take it away from him.

He watched from afar as that little girl was born. He would have her under his control if it was the last thing he did. He would destroy that family like Kaname destroyed him.