RPOV

I could feel my strength waning with every passing day. My body was under siege, the shadow-kissed pregnancy taking its toll and the unrelenting stress casting a dark cloud over me. Coughing fits became increasingly common, and I hid my weakening state, a stubborn soldier in the face of a relentless enemy. But now, I had to face a harsh truth: I couldn't do this alone. I needed help.

It was time to contact my mother and Father, the unexpected anchors in my turbulent life. My message was brief, but it carried the weight of my worries, informing them of my deteriorating health and the looming threat of Dimitri.

Abe's arrival at the compound felt like a storm approaching. The guardians accompanying him added to the tension in the air. They were there to ensure my safety, but I was adamant about not leaving New Orleans, my newfound sanctuary.

My conversation with my Father was tense, our circumstances pressing down upon us. He had always been the reasonable voice in my life, but this time, I had to assert my own will.

"Rose, you need to leave, even if it's just for a while," Abe implored, his voice laced with concern. "Dimitri won't stop until he finds you. You have to think about the baby."

I crossed my arms, struggling to hold my ground. "I'm not running anymore, not when I finally have people here who care about me. Besides, the court is well aware of this place. Running won't make me safer."

Abe's expression was a mix of frustration and paternal worry. "I don't want you to run, but you must stay safe. Dimitri's resolve is unyielding. Let me bring someone in to check on you. A precaution. Please, Rose."

Reluctantly, I nodded. "Fine, but just for the baby's sake."

I wasn't sure what to expect when Abe first mentioned bringing in an Alchemist. Abe explained that she owed him a favor and would help me. I couldn't help but wonder what this 'Alchemist' even meant. As far as I knew, alchemists turned lead into gold or searched for the elixir of life. But this was a whole different realm.

So when Sydney arrived, I was surprised. She was a young woman, her demeanor professional, yet a flicker of fear danced in her eyes. Her golden-blond hair cascaded in layers down her shoulders, and her brown eyes turned to gold in the light. I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow; this was the person Abe thought could help me?

She offered me a timid smile and began, "Hello, Rose, I'm Sydney Sage, an Alchemist. "

My arms were folded, and I couldn't resist a little snark. "Alchemist? Can you people turn lead into gold? I could use a little extra cash."

Sydney blinked, clearly unsure how to take my humor. "Uh, not exactly. We're more about, um, keeping the vampire world a secret from humans and, uh, managing any... issues that arise."

I smirked, the sarcasm in my voice evident. "You must have your hands full with all those 'evil creatures of the night,' huh?"

Sydney hesitated, her eyes darting around the room as if she expected a horde of vampires to jump out at her. "Well, we do what we can."

Abe, ever the voice of reason, stepped in to explain further. "Alchemists are responsible for preserving the secrets of the Moroi and Dhampir world, ensuring that humans remain blissfully unaware of our existence."

I couldn't help but chuckle. "Ah, the noble keepers of our secrets, huh? No wonder you look so terrified."

Sydney gave me a weak smile, her nervousness clearly visible. "I, um, wasn't sure what to expect, especially with the reputation of this place."

Klaus, who had been silently observing the interaction, finally spoke. "Rest assured, Sydney, Rose is safe here. You can conduct your tests and assessments without any worries."

Sydney nodded, but I noticed she kept a cautious eye on her surroundings as if she expected a vampire to leap out from behind a curtain at any moment.

As Sydney started her examination, I couldn't help but feel the weight of my situation. She poked and prodded, measured, and tested. To distract myself from the poking, I decided to continue our earlier conversation.

"So, Sydney, I'm curious. As an Alchemist, you must have some wild stories. Have you ever turned a Strigoi into dust with that special potion of yours?" I asked with a mischievous grin.

Sydney's cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and surprise. "Well, yes, I've been trained to dispose of dead Strigoi, among other things."

I chuckled. "Impressive. You must have a pretty impressive skill set, being trained in many different areas. And I'm sure you've seen your share of... interesting situations."

Sydney hesitated for a moment before responding. "Yes, I suppose you could say that. My training was quite thorough."

I couldn't help but press further. "Come on, give me something. I'm stuck in this room while you're poking and prodding me. Tell me a crazy Alchemist story."

"I really don't have any cool stories. I was stationed in Russia right after getting my tattoo and making an Alchemist."

Trying to keep the conversation going, "Well, at least, how about you tell me the wildest vampire myth you've ever heard?"

Sydney chuckled, seeming to relax a bit more. "Vampire myths? Oh, there are so many. But there's one that stands out. I once heard a myth about a vampire who could control the weather. They would make storms and lightning to strike down their enemies."

I couldn't help but laugh. "That's a new one, but honestly, it sounds cool. Too bad it's just a myth."

Sydney nodded, her eyes twinkling with humor. "Yes, it is. But in the real world, you're dealing with your own set of... unique situations."

As our conversation continued, I couldn't help but feel a growing sense of camaraderie with Sydney.

The more she poked and prodded, the more I realized I had neglected my health. A combination of stress and my pregnancy was taking its toll on me.

Sydney looked up from her notes and met my gaze. "You know, Rose, being honest about what you're experiencing is important. Your well-being is a concern for everyone here."

I huffed, feeling defensive. "Yeah, well, they're worried enough as it is. I don't want to add to it. I can handle this."

Sydney frowned, clearly concerned. "I understand your desire to protect them, but keeping your pain to yourself isn't the solution. It's okay to lean on others when you need to."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Sydney, you don't get it. This whole family has been through so much. They've taken me in, and I don't want them to think I can't handle this. Klaus is already worried sick, and Abe... well, he doesn't need another reason to panic."

Sydney's expression softened. "I can see you care about them deeply, Rose. But sometimes, sharing your burdens can bring people closer. It's a way of showing trust."

I shrugged, feeling a mix of frustration and helplessness. "Maybe. But for now, I need to keep this to myself. I'll get through it."

Sydney didn't push further, respecting my decision. She continued her examination in silence, her meticulous work showing her commitment to ensuring my well-being.

As we wrapped up, I couldn't help but be grateful that at least one person understood my reluctance to burden my chosen family further. Sydney was an unexpected ally in my journey, and I had a feeling that her presence would become more significant as time went on.

After Sydney completed her examination and collected the blood sample, we reached where Abe and Klaus sat. They both looked up expectantly as we entered the room.

Abe, who was standing by the window, turned to us. "Well, how is she, Sydney? Is the baby all right?"

Calm and professional, Sydney answered, "The baby seems healthy for now. We'll have the blood test results in a few days. However, I strongly recommend that Rose go on bed rest for the coming days. Her condition is a cause for concern."

Klaus nodded in agreement, a hint of worry in his eyes. "Rose, we have to consider this seriously. Sydney is the expert here, and she's right about your well-being."

I sighed, feeling cornered. "Okay, okay. I'll go on bed rest for a while. But I'm not leaving New Orleans, and I need to keep training. I can't just do nothing."

Sydney was surprisingly respectful of my decision. "I understand, Rose. I'll provide guidelines for your activities while you're on bed rest. You must take it easy, for your sake and the baby's."

Abe, however, looked less satisfied with my compromise. "Rose, I'm still concerned about your safety with Dimitri on his way. Is there anything else we should be aware of?"

I hesitated momentarily, wondering whether I should share the extent of my condition. But then, I decided to keep some things to myself. "No, there's nothing else. I'll be fine. I've dealt with worse."

Sydney, who had noticed my hesitation, didn't press the matter. "If you have any concerns or experience unusual symptoms, please let me know. We must monitor your health closely."

We discussed the next steps for my care and decided that I would return to my room for some much-needed rest. As we left, I couldn't help but feel grateful for their concern, even if I couldn't share everything with them. The truth was, I didn't want to worry them any further.

In the following days, Klaus was constantly by my side, his worry etched across his face. He doted on me, delivering my favorite foods, massaging my swollen feet, and drawing me as I slept, not in a creepy way, but as a loving gesture of care and devotion. He observed the quarter, guarding our sanctuary from potential threats.

As I lay in bed, I couldn't help but worry about what would come. I had finally found my chosen family, the people who cared for me in a way I had never experienced before. The thought of losing everything, including Klaus, haunted my restless mind.

The coming weeks would test my physical and emotional strength, and I would need every bit of determination to face the challenges ahead.