A/N: Last chapter of the story...just kidding: next chapter here...

Knowing the identity of him didn't really affect Claire's life over the weeks following. Closing in on seven months, Claire felt humongous. Everywhere she went people asked her if she was 'going to pop' or was due soon and it got on her nerves. She was only seven months!

The baby was very growing and healthy but energetic. They were always moving around and kicking and such that she felt like the baby was running a marathon. She wasn't sure or not if it was girl or boy but she had a gut feeling that it was a girl. It really didn't matter though: girl or boy, her life would still change forever. That fact alone had her in a panic and the baby was still months away from coming.

School was pretty easy so she wasn't worried about it…except how she would manage after the baby came.

Now that she knew that Oliver had implanted the idea of keeping the baby in her head, Claire wondered what she would have done if he hadn't. Would she have gotten an abortion? She was neither pro-choice nor pro-life, but she wasn't heartless enough to kill a baby of her own. Would she use adoption? Did Morganville even have that service? Her baby would probably end being sold to the highest bidder as lunch or dinner. That thought made her shiver so she probably would have ending up keeping it regardless.

Anyways, as horrible as she felt some days, her friends were lots of help. Eve let her cry and rant and worry to her whenever which, being as emotional and as mood swingy as she'd been, was a lot. Shane always found a way of cheering her up and helping her have fun. Michael helped as well but weirdly with his vampirism. His coldness helped her with the random hot flashes and calming the baby, oddly. He carried her around the house-since she weighed like nothing to him-when she was too tired (or too lazy) to do it. He was also helpful when she couldn't sleep at night.

Eve and Shane couldn't stay up with her since they usually had to work the next day, but Michael was usually free. They would hang out downstairs and talk, play video games, watch movies, and he would sometimes let her hear new material he was writing. Claire really enjoyed this. She bonded with Michael and the baby really enjoyed the music. Lastly, he made midnight runs-which was dangerous for her in any state, pregnant or not-for her when her weird cravings got bad. Michael was so amazing that Claire was almost sad that he was happy with her best friend.

Right now, the four of them were chilling together and having lunch in the living room. Claire had just made a geeky joke dealing with science when the bell rung. Shane got up laughing and went to answer the door. Claire knew there was something was wrong when the door opened and his laughing stopped. Eve looked at Michael who had a weird look on his face.

"Who is it, Michael?"

He looked between the two girls with wide eyes. "Jason." Eve shot up and went where Shane was. Claire was shocked.

"Jason? Are you sure?" She whispered. Michael nodded. "What does he want?"

"He's asking for you." Knowing what this was most likely about, Claire made a decision.

"Help me up." Michael, looking a little uncertain, did. When they got to the door, it was open and Jason was looking between Eve and Shane pleadingly.

"Please. I really need to talk to Claire: it's important."

Shane snorted. "Sure it is. What are you gonna do? Add her to the list of girls you wanna hurt or worse?"

"Of course not. I just really need to talk to her."

"Nope: not gonna happen." Eve said and Shane was about to slam the door in his face when Claire's voice stopped him.

"No, let him in." Jason looked relieved while Eve and Shane looked her like she was crazy.

"What? Why?"

Claire walked past the two and grabbed Jason's arm and pulled him inside. "It's okay you guys: he's not going to hurt me." She assured him and led Jason to the living room. Eve and Shane followed but Claire shook her head. "I think it's best if we speak alone but don't worry: Michael can take care of me." They were both doubtful and took a little bit more convincing before leaving the room. As soon as they did, silence settled.

Claire relaxed back into the couch, Michael stood protectively over her, and Jason stood uncomfortably by the couch unsure of what to do. He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Um, thanks."

"No problem…you can sit if you want." He sat next to her but on the other side of the couch. "So…?" She prompted.

He sighed. "I heard that you're pregnant."

She laughed and nodded. "Apparently."

He glanced at Michael. "Guess you already know so here I go: do you remember that night?"

Blushing, she nodded. "Yes. You?"

He nodded. "He compelled me to forget until I heard about your pregnancy."

"He did the same to me except I forgot until I felt the baby kick."

"Well, what I wanted to talk to you about the baby. I was wondering…well is he or she, they, mine?"

Claire nodded. "Yea, they're yours."

He stretched a hand out but hesitated. "May I?" She nodded and his hand pressed against her bulge. As if knowing that this was their father, the baby kicked multiple times. "Whoa." He breathed. Claire, feeling very sympathetic and very into the moment, covered his hand with her own. "I'm going to be a dad?" That sentence made Claire feel a little strange but she nodded.

"Maybe." Michael chipped in, a little on edge that Jason was touching her.

Jason ignored him. "Does Shane and Eve-?"

"No."

"Are you going to tell them?"

"Not anytime soon. I'm not ready for them to know yet."

"Will you allow me to be there when they're born and after?"

"Only if you promise not to do anything illegal and remain showered, clean, and appropriately dressed. Me, being super pregnant, and the baby, being a newborn, have to be around clean environments and don't need trouble or stress."

He nodded. "I promise to try."

They sat in silence for a few moments and in those moments, they didn't feel like mature adults in a dog eat dog town but what they were: two teenagers about to have a baby.

After making plans to meet up possibly tomorrow or the next day, Jason left and Claire felt a little relieved. She never really thought much about how Jason would react but this was considerably good. Yet the unexpected guests did not stop there.

The next day, Saturday, they'd just been lounging all around the house. Claire had been lying on her bed nodding off. She was supposed to be reading for class but she was always so tired nowadays: just another joy of pregnancy. She had just closed her eyes for a second that must have been longer than that because when she opened them Amelie was perched on the edge of her bed.

Claire squeaked inaudibly and wrestled to sit up. As she worked to get her heart rate back down, Amelie smiled coldly at her.

"I am glad to see you are awake."

"Um, thank you?" Claire said as she propped herself up against some pillows. She tried to look dignified in it but that was hard to do with her huge belly in the way. They stared at each other for a while until Claire got uncomfortable. "Not that I'm not happy that you're here, but why are you?"

"I've come to see how the person under contract with me," She nodded down to the gold bracelet on Claire's wrists. "is doing: as a good protector does. I also came to see how your bearing is going." Her eyes flicked down to Claire's bulge and, unconsciously, Claire's hands covered her belly. "I have been watching from afar but decided that it was time to make an appearance."

"Oh."

"How is your your pregnancy going?"

"Good I guess. Dr. Perks says the baby is growing well and is very healthy, though big, for se-" She caught herself before she slipped up. "For eight months."

Amelie gave her this look. "And you still say that Michael is the father?"

"Yes, of course."

"That is especially peculiar timing: you and Michael conceive merely nights before he becomes a child of the night."

Claire chuckled nervously. "Yea, it is."

"Especially with Michael's preexisting…condition when you arrived in town."

Claire was a little baffled that Amelie was asking such questions and being so suspicious. "Yea, we were very surprised when we found out about the baby. I didn't think it was possible at first: he was ghost, how could he be able to reproduce? But hey: stuff happens."

Amelie looked her for another long minute before nodding regally. "Yes…stuff happens." She paused before rising. She even made simply standing look graceful. "Escort me downstairs young child: your friends are very worried about your safety." Claire did as she was told without questioning it. Walking downstairs, Claire saw her friends standing there waiting.

"Your friend is okay and unharmed." Amelie stated as soon as they cleared the stairs.

"We weren't worried." Michael tried but Amelie gave him a look.

"Do not insult my intelligence." Michael nodded and she walked to the door and they all followed. Before she left, she turned to them. "Before I take my leave, I must inform you all: when Claire gives birth, due to her contract, I am obligated to put my protection over the little ones until they become adults and are able to choose for themselves."

This made Shane, Eve, and Michael uneasy but Claire nodded. She had read through the whole contract thoroughly before signing it and she remembered the clause about her children though she hadn't thought much of it at the time. Claire was just about to acknowledge this fact when something in Amelie's words stopped her.

Astonished, she looked at Amelie with wide eyes. "Little ones? There's only one baby in here."

Amelie cocked an eyebrow. "Do you insult my intelligence also?"

"No ma'am. It's just that I'm sure Dr. Perks would have caught it if there was another baby in here."

"Child, I am older than you could possibly imagine. I am certain of what I hear. Furthermore, is not modern technology and science wrong at times?"

"Yes, but...but wouldn't Michael have heard it if there were multiple babies?"

"Michael is young: he has not had the time to hone in his abilities as have I. He is not able to differentiate between two heartbeats that beat simultaneously as if one."

Claire nearly lost all ability to speak. "Two heartbeats? Twins?" She felt faint. One baby to handle was plausible, but two? Her hands grasped for something to hold on to because she feel herself slipping, both physically and mentally. Thankfully, she felt Michael's cold arm around her waist, supporting her.

"Breathe Claire, breathe." She nodded and followed his instructions.

When she was composed enough, she spoke. "But I don't have any twins in my family." Michael was about to speak but Amelie made it a point to speak before him.

"Eve, do you have twins in your family?"

Confused, Eve nodded. "Yea. Lots." Amelie locked eyes with Claire and Claire immediately knew that she knew that Jason was the father. She looked away but Amelie would have none of that.

"Look at me." She did. "Like I said before: I am older than you could possibly imagine and this is my town: not many things can happen without my knowing." Claire felt a random burst of hatred and rage.

She knew everything that happened in her town, huh? Really? Had she known what Oliver had done to her? Multiple times? Did she know what Oliver forced her to do that had made her this way? If she had, what kind of protector was she? She let her charge be brutally raped, taken advantage of, and forced into motherhood. If she hadn't, she had no idea what happened in her own town.

Michael could feel the sudden tension in her body and started to rub her back. It helped her calm down a bit.

"When you give birth, I will come and see my new charges." The front door opened, scaring the humans, and Amelie's two guards stood there holding out an umbrella. Without another word, Amelie turned and the three glided to the black limo and were gone in seconds.

Shane closed the door and shared a look with Eve. "What the hell was that?"

Michael, knowing that Claire had been on her feet a little too long and was still feeling a little faint, helped her over to his chair. Eve and Shane sat on the couch as Michael opted to stand.

"I repeat: what the hell was that?"

"Amelie showing that she is supreme and knows all." Claire whispered still caught up in her emotions.

"What do you mean? Other than springing on us that you're baking two buns in that oven instead of one what else could she have flaunted that she knew?"

"Yea. And why would she ask me about my family?"

Claire sighed and stroked her belly. "Because she knows who the father is."

Shane shrugged. "Everyone think it's Mikey's."'

Claire shook her head. "No. She knows who the real father is."

Eve and Shane looked confused. "How does she know that when you don't?"

"Actually…I kind of do know who he is." She focused on her hands instead of meeting their eyes.

Both were naturally shocked.

"Who is it?"

"Why didn't you tell us?"

"I was really ashamed and scared of what you would think when I told you guys."

"How long have you knew?"

"Since I fainted a few months ago." At their hurt faces, she hurriedly continued. "I know that was a long time to wait to tell y'all, but I kind of told Eve seconds after I found out."

Eve looked incredulous. "When? I certainly don't remember it."

Claire took a deep breath. "I did tell you: I told you that you were going to be an aunt."

"I already know that! That tells me nothing but-" She was cut off by the look on Shane's face. His mouth had dropped open and he was openly staring at Claire in disbelief now. Eve looked around. "What? What am I missing?"

"You're not only going to be an aunt because of our friendship: you're an aunt by blood." Silence reigned supreme as the news settled over her friends.

Eve was the first to speak. "Jason, my crazy psychopathic and possibly murderous younger brother, is the father of your babies?" She nodded again. "How the hell did that happen?"

"The vampire compelled me to forget that night and remember when the baby first kicked. He took me to some house to have sex with this random human guy. He got Jason to do it because he had caught Jason doing something bad. I didn't know it was him until afterward. We didn't even get to talk: the vamp rushed me out."

"Why would he do that? The vamp, I mean. Why would he make you get pregnant by Jason?"

"He said it's all part of his plan."

"Plan? What plan?"

Claire threw her hands up in frustration. "I don't know! All I know is that he wanted me pregnant and depressed. He wants me to be useless to Amelie and, with two babies, I will be. If you want to know what he has planned, go ask him yourselves!"

"We would," Shane said calmly. "but we still don't know who the crazy son of a bitch is. Tell us and we'll gladly ask."

Claire sighed and took a few deep breaths before answering. "You know I can't. I would love to tell you that-" She choked on his name for a few seconds before clearing her throat. "See? I can't even say his name! Plus: it's better this way. If you knew you'd do something stupid and get yourself killed!"

He shrugged. "I'd love nothing more than to die killing the bastard who ruined your life."

"But you have to remember: if you do kill him, Claire is compelled to kill herself also. It's a way of making sure he won't be attacked unless we want Claire to die, pregnant or not." Michael pointed out and Shane took a breath.

"I promise not to do anything stupid if you tell me."

"Me too." Eve nodded. Claire and Michael looked at each other.

"It's up to you."

Claire shrugged and relaxed further into the chair. "I can't tell you exactly: you have to guess." They nodded.

"Do we know him?" She nodded. "Young?" She shook her head. "Very old?" Claire nodded.

Just like with Michael, realization hit fast and Shane stood in anger. "I should have known! Only Oliver would do something as cruel and low-handed as this! He's the one who raped you? Forced you to sleep with Jason? Made you get pregnant?" She nodded. "I should stake him: I should stake him right now and leave him in the sun while tied down with silver!"

Claire panicked. "Shane you promised not to do anything! If you kill him, you kill me. Shane please!" Seeing her stress, he nodded and sat back down.

"I won't do anything: calm down please." She nodded and sat back again.

Looking sick, Eve spoke. "I thought he was a nice guy at first…human! I even started working for him again! I should quit…no! I have to quit! How can I work knowing what he did to you?"

Claire was already shaking her head before she finished. "You said it yourself: we're going to need the money, especially with two babies instead of one now."

Eve frowned. "You're right."

"Look guys: knowing who did this does not change anything. It just tells you who to hate. I know we all want to do bad things to him, but we can't. We have to focus on the important things.

"So what are we gonna do? About Oliver?"

"Nothing: there's nothing we can do. He hasn't bothered me in over six months so he's no longer a problem."

"But what about his plan?"

She shrugged. "We'll just have to wait and see. There's not much we can do at the moment and I don't need the stress of worrying about it at the moment." He nodded.

"What about Jason?" Eve asked.

Claire glanced at Michael. "Well, funny thing. I-" Before she could finish the door bell rang. "Speak of the devil." She muttered as Michael went to the door. There was a collected silence when he came back with Jason. Shane, of course, had to break the silence with rudeness.

"Dude, you actually showered."

Jason shrugged, unfazed. "One of Claire's rules if I wanted to come around her and the baby."

Eve crossed her arms over her chest. "So you know you're going to be a dad?"

He looked her eyes. "Yes and I swear I'm trying to do better. I won't do any of the things I've been doing and I won't hold a grudge anymore. What happened happened and I understand that now. I promise."

Eve looked hesitant for a moment then sighed. "It's not me who you should be making that speech to: tell it to the mother of your kids."

Jason nodded, turned to Claire, and opened his mouth but stopped. He looked wide eyed at Eve then back at Claire. "Kids?"

Claire sighed. "Yep. Amelie dropped by earlier and told us. We're having twins." She managed a tiny smile as Jason just stared. She was still a little shell shocked herself.

Twins.

What the hell? One she could comprehend, but two? Two?! How was she supposed to have and care for two tiny human beings? How was she supposed to be responsible for two lives? How was she supposed to do this and school and work? Panic started to overcome her and she started to really worry.

Hearing her heartbeat rise, Michael came close to her. "Claire?" She didn't notice him. "Claire calm down. Breathe. What's wrong?"

"What am I going to do?" She finally looked at him and he saw the panic. "I could have handled one baby, but two? Two! Michael, I can't do this. I just can't."

"Well, it's a little too late, sweetheart." And without another word, she burst into tears and nobody had a clue of what to do.

Jason took a few steps back, both a little nervous and frightened. Shane was very confused and wasn't very good with crying girls in general. Eve wanted to comfort her but didn't know if she should or if that would make it worse. Michael didn't know what to do either, she rarely had mood swings that dealt with tears, but tried anyways.

"Claire," he said softly. "It's going to be okay. You can do this."

She shook her head. "No. I-I can't!" She kept on crying so Michael decided to remain silent and hugged her close for a long time. She quieted down after a little while and pulled away. "I'm so sorry. I just…I was just overwhelmed."

"It's okay: we understand. But you don't have to be overwhelmed: you have us." Eve smiled and Claire smiled back.

"I know." She turned to Jason and gave him a tiny smile. "Sorry. Didn't mean to frighten you."

He rubbed his neck. "It's okay. I'm just…not use to crying people."

"I'm surprised you are use to people at all." Shane muttered. Claire threw a sharp glare at Shane but Jason shrugged.

"True. I'm not the most social person and I'm definitely not the best. You may not like me Shane, after all I did stab you and taunt all of you, but I'm going to be around." He moved and sat next to Claire on the floor. Claire saw all her roommates flinch but she just watched him. "Y'all may not like it, Claire included, but she's having my baby…having my babies." He smiled and put a hand on her belly. "She's going to have our kids and, like it or not, I'm sticking around for that. I'm going to be here for them…and Claire as long as she'll let me be." He looked to her, questions in his eyes, and she nodded.

"As long as you promise not to be a danger to us."

"I won't be." He turned his attention back to her friends. "Claire's pregnant. She didn't want it, I didn't want it, but we're going to be parents. I've changed because I want you guys to accept me and allow me to be here. Will you?" He looked around. Claire wouldn't stop him from coming around as long as he kept his word and she had told him so the first time they met. He needed answers and acceptances from the others.

Shane, surprisingly, was the first to talk. "If Claire is okay with it…" He shrugged. "You can come around but I won't trust you. If you make one out of line, you're out." Jason nodded.

"Pretty much how I feel but the only difference: I have fangs." Michael said.

Lastly, Jason looked at Eve who looked very uncertain. Considering the siblings' past, Claire understood, but eventually Eve nodded.

"I can't deprive my nieces and/or nephews their father." Her submission made Jason really happy that he got up and actually hugged her. She was stiff from surprise for a while the cautiously hugged him back. Claire felt most of the tension rush out of the room and Michael, when he saw that Eve was in no danger.

Claire felt a little content. Everyone who mattered in her life currently were in harmony. Maybe she could expect smooth sailing from here on? Jason seemed to have really changed. Oliver hadn't made an appearance in months and probably wouldn't. He, most likely, didn't even have some plan and just messing with her mind. School wasn't a hassle. People weren't bugging her about being pregnant anymore. No one looked down on her for being young and pregnant. And now she had such great friends backing her up and supporting her and her babies. Yeah, there were two of the now but there had always been two of them. The only difference is that she knew now. Her friends would still be there and still support all three of them. It made all of this easier to bear.

A/N: I can't for the life of me remember which book Jason stabbed Shane in, but if it wasn't this one let's pretend it was before this. And sorry for those who can't review because you already did for chapter 8: I deleted a chapter and that happened.

Thanks for reading!

Please R&R!
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