Song Suggestion: Without Him by Christina Grimmie

Mare

"Have you been feeling better?"

"A little," I whisper

"What's wrong?" My head lays on his chest and he runs his hand down through my hair.

"Nothing really. I just haven't felt like myself lately. Like every day I'm living in some dream, but it only seems real when I'm with you. Do you ever feel like that?"

"Sometimes," he laces his other hand through mine and I listen to his steady heartbeat. "Why?"

"I don't know," I say. "Everything is coming to an end so fast. We may never be like this again."

"Only if we give up. Jon may have never told me about the dead futures. But I don't think there is one when we're not together."

Funny, how mentions Jon. "You really believe that?"

"I believe in you. I believe in us. I believe that we are too stubborn to lose. Together we've changed so much. I believe that somewhere in the darkness there is spark ready to light up the world. I believe you are my spark."

I close my eyes and allow myself to drift, knowing that this must be what peace feels like. And something tells that it may take awhile but I know in my gut that I'll feel it again.

Four Days Earlier

The cabin is small with so many people than what I'm used to.

Alex stands against the wall, trying to make herself invisible. Riley, however, sits on one of the large chairs with a blank look on her face. Jon stands near the front door, as if he may need to make a quick escape. I sit on the couch alone watching as Davidson paces back and forth, contemplating his next words.

"What were you thinking," he says quietly. I wish more than anything he would yell.

"I don't know," I lie.

"How long has this been going on?"

"Almost two months."

"And you never took any precautions."

"I didn't think-"

"No, you didn't think!" I flinch at his outburst, Davidson's usual calm demeanor now gone. "And now the entire operation is compromised because you couldn't keep your priorities straight."

"That's enough!"

The interjection takes us all by surprise. With the exception of Jon. Alex pushes away from the wall and walks up to stand by my side.

"There is more to it than you will ever know Dane."

"You knew?"

"Of course, I knew."

"I knew too." Alex and both turn our heads in shock.

Riley stands with her chin tilted up in direct defiance.

"How did you know?" I ask.

Riley looks at me with her dark eyes. But she doesn't seem angry but almost sympathetic.

"The time you kept spending with him kept growing longer. At one point I grew worried enough to risk it and I jumped back to the balcony. I know what I heard. And I didn't say anything because although it was misguided, it was your choice. And the results never faltered, if anything they got better."

Davidson turns to Jon, "And why didn't you say anything until now."

"Only when it became relevant. Her health began to deteriorate and without proper care, it will continue."

"And you don't think this is an issue? Something we should be concerned about?"

"Oh, you should be concerned. The conception certainly changes things. A lot of things."

Jon looks to me. He examines me like I'm some strange bug. "It will certainly be interesting."

"It?"

I don't need to ask my questions out loud for Jon answer. He knows them before I say them.

"As of right now, he's healthy. And he's grown enough to point where you won't be able to hide him for long."

I can't help but run my hand delicately over my stomach, "he?"

"Yes, and his life is very precious and important. But I don't need to tell you that."

Alex sits down and takes my hand. She knows me more than I know myself.

"But you need to be careful in the decisions you make," Jon continues. "Or he may not live in the life you choose."

"What do you mean?"

"This won't be like Diana's case. When it comes down to it you will have to choose blood over blood. You can't have both. You will lose something no matter what. I can't say more than that."

I lose something either way.

Blood over blood.

"You have one more question," Jon says. "Ask it."

I know what he means. The answer will determine what I decide to do. It will shape my entire life. It will shape so many lives.

The words seem so foreign and unbelievable when they leave my mouth.

"What color will my child's eyes be?"

My heart sinks with what Jon says next.

"Blue."

ANALYSIS

I have a plan.

Questions will be answered in a thorough ANALYSIS next chapter.

But I have a question of my own.

Consider this.

Does the summary/synopsis of my fanfic, the one that tempted you to click on this story, does it make sense now? Go take a look.