Wolves of the Pacific

by greenpeach20

In 1902, Renesmee Cullen grew tired of the tedious life of moving around with her family and decided to make the journey west as a mail order bride. Yet a chance encounter with a reddish brown wolf would change her life forever.

190. Chapter 190

Chapter 190

Freida sat anxiously on the couch waiting for Tristan to arrive holding onto the Lolly Doll watching whatever was on. She'd dug out a chess board from the depths of her closet figuring it was something they could do that would allow them to talk. If she was honest with herself, she didn't really care for chess. She had to read the manual in the box to remember the rules and how each piece could and couldn't move and reading the manual nearly put her to sleep. She almost put the game away but she'd already had the board set up on her kitchen table and she didn't think Tristan would be interested in scrapbooking with her. As he promised, he made it to her place after 30 minutes and she answered the door as soon as he knocked.

"Sorry to call you over out of the blue," Freida said once she'd let Tristan in.

"It's no trouble," Tristan reassured as he was taking off his shoes. He noticed the chess board on the table and smiled anxiously, "I'll tell you now, I've never really played chess so I don't think I'll be a worthy opponent."

"It's the only board game I had," Freida said in an embarrassed, muted tone. "I didn't figure you'd want to scrapbook with me."

"I've never done it before but I'm willing to try it," Tristan offered. "You don't seem too interested in chess anyway. I'd rather do something with you that I know you like."

"I'm holding you to it," Freida replied and turned to get the chess board back in it's box before he'd see a blush forming. She had the box put away then retrieved all her crafting materials bringing that to her kitchen table.

"I never took you for a fashionista," Tristan said when he saw all the fashion magazines. "You seem a bit too pragmatic for that."

"That's so sweet of you to say," Freida replied jokingly, "I like using images from these magazines because the models and products are arranged in a visually appealing way and I like how it makes my collages look. I also really like buying clothing patterns to use the images and let mom have the pattern once I've cut out the picture. I think a solid 80% of my mother's clothes are items she made herself using the patterns I've given her."

"So it's your style," Tristan acknowledged and took a seat at the table with her. She had so many different journals that had once laid flat but were now bursting at the seams with thickened pages covered in collages front to back. "What journal are we working on?"

"We can do this one," Freida said grabbing a larger leather journal that didn't have a lot of collages placed yet.

"And how do you normally decide what you're going to use?"

"I just grab whatever appeals to me at the time," Freida answered, already grabbing for some paper to use as a backdrop. She also grabbed at a piece of paper that had a large floral pattern in the corner. "Go ahead and cut out these flowers for me and I'll browse through my magazines and see what jumps out at me."

"Sure," he said and did his best to carefully cut out the flowers she'd pointed out. It turned out to be an extremely time consuming task to ensure he cut everything out carefully and tastefully.

"You don't have to work on Sundays right?"

"No, I've got weekends off," Tristan said. "Weekends, 30 paid vacation days, sick days and holidays. I usually save my time for December and January so I can go back home to visit but that'll be time better spent with you so our parents can meet."

"You don't have to give up all that time," Freida said with a guilty tone to her voice. "I'm sure we could just make a long weekend of it."

"If my parents lived in Europe sure, but they have to fly out here. Besides, they haven't been to Paris since my big sister's Bot Mitzvah and I'd like to spend that time with them. I'd love for them to bring along Lilli and Lee but that might be a tall order. They usually spend summer and December in Washington before going back to school but Lee's got to stay focused on Hockey so I don't think he'll be in Washington very long if he comes back at all this year."

"I would imagine so," Freida agreed, "especially if he's wanting to do that professionally. Is your sister still going home to visit?"

"She is," Tristan said. "I'll still be able to go back for the week of Christmas at the very least. I'll make a point to tell her I expect her in Germany come March to meet her niece though." Freida noticed the affectionate smile that crossed his face at the mention of a little girl.

"Will you be disappointed if we end up having a boy?" Freida asked. The truth was them having a girl was purely a hunch. She could very well be wrong no matter how confident she felt.

"Maybe a little," Tristan admitted. "I kind of hope it's a girl."

"Any particular reason why?" Freida asked.

Tristan shrugged, "I don't know. I guess it just sounds nice to have a little girl. You got it in my head and now I can't imagine having anything but a girl. Don't worry: if it's a boy, I'll still be happy. Whether we have an Amber Lynn or a Maximillion, I'll love them."

"That's good to hear," Freida said. "Papa's hoping for a boy. He really wants a grandson."

"What about your mom?"

"She wants a granddaughter," Freida said and Tristan couldn't help chuckling. "Have your parents voiced a preference to you?"

"Not yet," Tristan said. "They already have a grandson so they'd probably like to have a granddaughter."

"Maybe," Freida agreed. "So when did your parents want to come to France?"

"Dad's working on it and said he'd get back to me," Tristan said. "The earliest might be November but I'll let you know."

"Yes, let me know as soon as possible so my parents and I can make arrangements," Freida said. "Did you have a good time last night?"

"Yeah, I had a great time," Tristan said and finally finished cutting out the largest of the flowers. "How's this?"

"That's perfect," Freida said and took a hold of the design and placed it on the table. "Go ahead and cut out those smaller flowers."

"Sure," Tristan said and proceeded with the smaller flowers. "I think your dad and I were able to really get to know each other and your mom's a darling. I was tempted to swoop her off her feet," Tristan teased and winked at Freida. She rolled her eyes a little but couldn't help smiling.

"If you have a death wish, go ahead and try," she replied. "Seriously, though, my parents really liked you. Everything went much better than last time."

"I'm glad I could start over with them on a good note," Tristan said. "Have your parents been to France since getting married?"

"No," Freida said. "They've been to Munich together one year while I spent a summer with my grandparents but I don't know if they've been outside Germany in years. Papa hasn't been to Paris since the war and mom hasn't been there since she was in culinary school."

"We can go site seeing while we're all in Paris," Tristan said. "I draw the line at Versailles though. That place is larger than it has any business being."

"If you say so," Freida replied. "Anything interesting happen on base that you're allowed to tell me?"

"My bunkmate dropped a dumbbell on his foot this morning," Tristan said with a chuckle. "Thankfully he didn't break anything but the way he yelled you'd think he'd been shot in the foot or something. I only laugh because he talks a big game so it's a little satisfying seeing him put in his place sometimes."

"Are you saying you wouldn't have yelled if a dumbbell fell on your foot?"

"Nope," Tristan said, "I'd take it like a man."

Freida huffed, "Sure." She tore out a page from one of her magazines finally finding something that spoke to her. "So what does your day actually consist of? I only know what papa always told me and most of his military career he was either out in the field fighting or on high alert."

"Peace time responsibilities are different to be sure," Tristan said. "I'm up by 5:30 a.m. to start and I go to the gym every morning. Physical therapy is thrown in there to make sure we don't injure ourselves. Then I get breakfast by 8 and after that I get to my MOs for the day, dinner's at 6 and the rest of the evening I can do as I please. I can leave base, run errands, go to the gym again if I feel like it, call home – whatever I want."

"Is there a curfew?"

"On weekdays it's 2200 hours and on Friday and Saturday, it's 2300 hours," Tristan said. "If I'm staying overnight somewhere, I need to alert my commanding officer and get approved for a personal day."

"Are you allowed to live off base?"

"No, I have to live on base," Tristan said. "Those of us who have a family live on base too. We've got schools and daycares, family housing and anything else that family needs."

"Maybe it's too early to ask this but is that available even if a child's mother doesn't live on base?"

"Our child will be able to go to daycare on base," Tristan answered more directly. "And don't worry: I can put her on my insurance, I'll get with Admin to find out what they need so the baby's registered and," Tristan stopped realizing they needed to actually talk about this. "There's actually something we should talk about."

"What about?"

"So if a family has a baby overseas, they need to fill out a CRBA," Tristan said. "I want to fill one out for our baby."

"What's a CRBA?"

"Consular Report of Birth Abroad," Tristan answered. "It makes sure if an American is born overseas they are still registered as an American Citizen."

"You want to make our child an American citizen?"

"Yeah," Tristan nodded. "I was actually hoping we could potentially get our baby dual citizenship."

"I'll look into it," Freida agreed. "I guess it would be in the baby's best interest. I assume it would make going to college in the US easier if that's what he or she wants down the line."

"It'll open up a lot of doors for her," Tristan said. His cutting slowed a little as he looked at Freida a moment. "About me needing to live on base," he started, "my commanding officer knows the situation and he is willing to cut me a break if you ever need me to stay the night with you."

"I know," Freida said and was quiet again. "So Tristan," she finally began, "I've thought about this a lot. And I think it might be worth it for the two of us to give a relationship a chance."

"Really?" Tristan asked, perking up more than he'd already been.

"Yeah, really," Freida said but instantly added in a commanding tone, "but let's be clear about something: until I say otherwise, my previous boundaries remain the same. No touching, fondling, kissing – nothing until I say otherwise."

"You got it," Tristan agreed readily. "With that in mind, let me take you on a proper date."

"This is a date," Freida said.

Tristan smiled, "I mean let me knowingly take you on a date. We can go to the park together, go see a movie, we can get dinner together – whatever you want."

"Right now, I just want to stay in and work on this journal," Freida said and pasted a tame patterned piece of paper onto the page of the journal then pasted the model she'd cut out of the magazine. "How many flowers are left?"

"Just one more," Tristan said.

"Once you finish cutting out that last flower, can you hand me that white box?"

"Sure," Tristan said. He got the small flower cut out then handed Freida the thin white box she'd asked him for. He couldn't tell what was in the box at first until he saw her turn over the largest of the flowers he'd cut out for her and watched her put square foam adhesive dots on the back. "I would've never thought to do that."

"Good thing I did," Freida smiled and got the larger flowers placed as she wanted them. Then the smaller flowers and petals she pasted flat onto the paper. Once it was done, she presented it to Tristan. "So what do you think?"

"I think that's not half bad for my first time," Tristan said. "You did most of the work though."

"You did the most tedious part," Freida praised.

Tristan stayed at Freida's apartment for a few more hours creating a few more collages with her before she was getting tired and had to kick him out. Tristan promised to call her the next day as he always did and to let him know if she wanted him to come over and that he wanted to take her out on Friday. In the meantime, the remainder of Freida's first Trimester was spent feeling sick in the morning and sometimes sick during the day but as usual, no matter how nauseated she got, she virtually never actually threw up.

"I almost wish it would just happen," Freida said to Tristan when they were out to dinner together one night. "I get so fucking sick in the morning with my head hung over the toilet waiting for something to come out and nothing ever does."

"Dad said Uncle Kyle sent some tea so once that comes in, I'll give that to you to try," Tristan said. "It's supposed to do wonders for nausea."

"What's in it?"

Tristan shrugged, "I never asked. It's been an age old remedy with my tribe for centuries."

"I guess it can't hurt," Freida said.

"Your next appointment's on the 7th right?" Tristan asked after finishing a bite of his food.

"Yes, Friday at 11," Freida said. "I already checked and it won't include an ultrasound so you don't have to worry about coming. It'll be more like a general check-up."

"Still, give me a call once you get home okay?"

"I will," Freida said. "I weighed myself this morning – I lost another pound."

"The doctor said that wasn't too unusual though, didn't he? Losing some weight during the first trimester I mean."

"He did, but it seems like for every pound I lose I feel like I've gained ten. I feel like a led weight."

"Is it stupid for me to say you definitely don't look like one?" Tristan offered and Freida gave him a light smile. "Do you mind if I feel your belly after we leave?"

"There's really nothing to feel," Freida shrugged. "I can't see anything – I don't look any different. I can kind of feel it, though, but only if I'm lying on my stomach in bed. Then it feels like I have a little ball pressing against me or something."

"Does it hurt?"

"No, it just feels weird," Freida said. "I guess I should consider myself lucky my first Trimester wasn't just a real life adaptation of the Exorcist."

Tristan chuckled, "If you ever tell me my mother sucks cocks in hell, I'll smack you across the face with a bible. Deal?" Freida laughed a little and nodded.

"Deal," she said. Then she got a little sad suddenly. "I still haven't felt the baby kick yet."

"It'll happen," Tristan promised. "Mom and Heather both said it'll happen closer to your second trimester. Mom said she'd felt my brother, sister and I sooner but she attributes that to experience and just having twins and therefore less room for us to work with. So long as the baby's doing alright, that's what matters."

"I know," she said. "I guess I'm just getting impatient." Then she went silent for a moment as her nose started to bother her. She grabbed her napkin and finally sneezed but when she did, her pelvis hurt so bad it made her groan.

"Are you okay?" Tristan asked when he noticed Freida groaning.

"Yeah," she said, "my pelvis just hurt really bad for a second." It was a new symptom she'd developed recently. Any time she sneezed, her pelvis would hurt but there was never any bleeding and the pain was gone rather quickly. She'd called the doctor asking about it and they told her so long as she wasn't experiencing any bleeding that she was alright. She'd also started experiencing nipple tenderness but she'd already known that was normal. It just felt like her nipples were cold and warming her breasts either with her hands or with a heating pad always did the trick so she wasn't too worried about it. It was pretty rare anyway.

"What about your blood pressure? Has that been alright?"

"Depends on the time of day," Freida said and then with a guilty look she added, "and if I remember to check."

"Are you at least checking once a day?"

"No," Freida admitted. "And please don't lecture me Tristan. Mom already did that enough for the both of you."

"Good," Tristan said, "so you'll take it as soon as you get back home?"

"Yes," Freida said with an exasperated sigh.

"Next time I see you, I'll help you take your blood pressure," Tristan offered. "I know you said you got one of those electric blood pressure monitors but it's worth it to have it done for you. I can burrow a cuff and stethoscope from the hospital on base."

"Tristan, you don't know how to check someone's blood pressure."

"I'll ask one of the nurses to teach me how to do it," Tristan insisted. "I'll check it first, give you a few minutes, then we can check with the machine and see if they're the same or at least close to the same."

"Alright," Freida finally relented.

"How's work been? You aren't getting stressed at work are you?"

"Tristan, I work for a luxury car dealership in the billing department – customer service of any kind is stressful especially when it involves people's money. It's just the reality."

"Just try to relax is all I'm saying," Tristan said.

"I'll be blunt Tristan: you worrying so much is stressing me out," Freida said and Tristan clamed right up after that. After a brief silence, she said, "Seriously, though, thank you for caring."

"Of course I care," Tristan said and then smiled affectionately.

Not much had really changed since they started dated officially. Tristan had already called her daily to check on her, came to her place all the time either with dinner or just to spend time with her and now Helen made dinner every Saturday at Freida's place which Tristan always came to. Tristan and her parents were getting along great. After that first dinner when Tristan and her parents had a fresh start, they'd become fast friends and Tristan even spent quality time alone with Freidrick sometimes to go shooting together. She still hadn't really let Tristan kiss her or get too intimate with her but he seemed either unbothered or, if he was, he didn't say anything or voice any complaint. One of her coworkers had told her once the 2nd Trimester hit, she'd start feeling especially needy and had winked at her.

Weirdly enough, Freida was already starting to feel extremely needy in that respect. She didn't tell Tristan but she was about ready to. Her mornings typically comprised of feeling sick like a dog, then her nights would consist of daydreaming until she either fell asleep from sheer exhaustion at 8 on the dot or touching herself before falling asleep. It was the middle of the week, so Tristan couldn't spend the night with her but he might be able to on Friday. After they finished having dinner, Tristan walked her home and as they went, he reached over to touch her belly hoping he might feel something. When he applied a little pressure, he was sure he felt something but it was really hard to tell.

"Do you think it's too soon to start reading stories to your belly? I hear babies can hear you in the womb."

"It's never too early I'm sure," Freida encouraged and even covered Tristan's hand over her belly with her own. "What would you read?"

"Levi keeps telling me I should read 1984," Tristan said. "Seeing as that's when the baby's due maybe it could be a fun read."

"Tristan, as someone who's read 1984, I can assure you it's not a 'fun' read. It's a depressing read," Freida argued. "I used to love The Hobbit when I was a kid. I read The Lord of the Rings while my mom was getting me through my Senior School education."

"The Lord of the Rings isn't a 'novel' Freida, that's a tome," Tristan joked. "Levi and his wife have read all Tolkien's books. I think that's one of the series the two of them read every night before bed to one another for a while."

"I take it you've never read The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings?"

"Never cared to," Tristan said. "There're a lot of books Levi keeps saying I should read but I never do."

"What better time than when we're having a baby to start reading?" Freida offered.

"I guess that's fair," Tristan said. "We'll start with Moby Dick."

"Pardon?" Freida asked.

"Moby Dick," Tristan said again. "Levi keeps saying I absolutely have to read that even if only for the detailed description of whale butchering."

"I suppose it's better than 1984," Freida sighed heavily. Tristan then took his hand away from her belly and, instead, took a hold of her hand in his as they continued down the sidewalk. Freida went a step further and laced her fingers through his and when she did, Tristan looked at her with a loving smile which she returned. "Do you think you'd be allowed to stay over this Friday?"

"You want me to spend the night?" Tristan asked.

"Sure," Freida said. "You can come over as soon as you're done with your day, I'll tell you how my appointment went and you can start reading Moby Dick."

"I'd like that," Tristan replied and squeezed her hand a little. Once they made it back to Freida's apartment building, Tristan walked Freida to her unit and waited in the hallway with her while she rummaged through her purse to find her keys.

"Thank you for taking me to dinner," Freida said once she'd found her keys.

"It was a pleasure," Tristan smiled. "I'll call you tomorrow okay? If you need me to come over just let me know. If I don't see you before then, I'll see you on Friday."

"Sure," Freida replied but she didn't move to go inside her apartment. She got a little nervous for some reason and Tristan noticed.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Freida said and looked up at him.

The look in her eyes seemed to tell Tristan everything he needed but just as he was about to lean forward, he caught himself this time. When Freida realized Tristan was stopping himself, Freida leaned forward the rest of the way and pressed her lips to his. Tristan released a breath through his nose and pressed his lips more firmly against her own gently pushing her against her door to deepen the kiss. Freida had her hands against his chest but she wasn't pushing him away otherwise. Tristan brought one hand against the door while his other hand trailed up to her face. Her skin was so soft under his fingers and soon he was trailing his hand down her neck going around then lacing his fingers through her hair. At first, their kiss stayed chaste but soon Tristan pressed his tongue against her lips hoping she'd grant him entry. However when he did, Freida took her lips away from his and Tristan instead started kissing along her cheek and down her neck until he was faced with the collar of her shirt. Freida wrapped her arms around Tristan's neck so they could hug one another and it felt really nice.

"Good night Tristan," Freida said. "I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Until tomorrow," he replied and pressed one more kiss to her lips before Freida went back into her apartment and Tristan left to return to base.

Once Freida was inside, she went right into getting changed into her pajamas and going straight to bed. The fatigue she'd been feeling was beginning to lessen in severity but she still got really tired very easily. While she was in bed, she thought about Tristan. Before, she'd wondered what had possessed her to sleep with him just for the sake of getting back at her ex and former friend. She still didn't really understand what about him possessed her to do such a thing but the more she got to know Tristan, it was clear there was something about him that drew her in. She'd started thinking back to that night they were together not with shame, but with a sense of longing and reverence. She reached her hand down between her legs and pleasured herself to the memory but before she knew it, it was morning and she realized she'd fallen asleep again. She looked at her clock and saw it was already 6:30 so she rushed to get herself ready and to work. She was just very fortunate she didn't have any nausea that morning.

On base, Tristan went about his day as he normally would and was eagerly awaiting 6 when he could be done for the day and call Freida as had become his routine. Around 5 in the afternoon, Tristan was told to go to the Admin office because his father was on the phone asking for him. Tristan made his way to Admin hoping this was concerning what he thought it was and when he made it to the office, Klaudia glanced up then grabbed the phone, pressing the right button and handing that over to Tristan.

"Hey dad," Tristan said.

"Hey Tristan," Kevin said. "Your mother and I will be in Paris November 19th through the 26th. Will that work for Freida and her parents?"

"That should be fine. A month's time should be enough notice," Tristan said. "That's the week of Thanksgiving isn't it?"

"It is," Kevin said. "Lilli really wants to come and she's off school that week so this was the only time she could join us and not miss any school."

"Is Lee able to come?"

"No, he's staying in Michigan this year," Kevin said.

"His coach working him to the bone?" Tristan asked.

"So it would seem," Kevin said. "How is Freida doing? Have there been any new ultrasounds?"

"No new ones yet," Tristan said. "Freida has another doctor's appointment on Friday but that one doesn't have an ultrasound. The appointment after this will be an ultrasound. I think by then we'll even be able to find out the sex."

"That'll be exciting," Kevin said. "You said the consensus so far is for a girl?"

"That's Freida's hunch, yes," Tristan said. "As for how she's feeling, her blood pressure's still a problem. The doctor's put her on aspirin to help."

"Have you gotten the tea your uncle sent yet?"

"Not yet but I told Freida to expect it soon," Tristan said. "I'll talk to Freidrick and let him know the date so he and Helen can be prepared."

"Good, I look forward to meeting them. I'm relieved you and Freida's father are getting along so well."

"Yeah, once we buried the hatchet he's actually really cool," Tristan said. "Despite the insidious indoctrination of the Hitler Youth, whenever it was just about meeting up with other members and doing arts and crafts, hiking – that kind of thing – it sounds like it would be a lot of fun."

"Until they start harassing Jewish businesses," Kevin said bitterly. "And he's aware your mother is Jewish?"

"Yes dad, he's aware," Tristan said. "I'll talk to Freidrick and start getting ready. What hotel will you guys be at?"

"Hôtel du Louvre."

"Oh yeah, I remember that place," Tristan said, remembering that being their hotel when they'd traveled to Paris after his and Lilliana's Bar/Bot Mitzvah. "I'll let Freidrick know and we'll get rooms there so we can all be in the same place."

"And be sure to let us know as soon as you and Freida know the sex," Kevin said. "Boy or girl, your mother and I have plenty of hand-me-downs we can give you and Heather said she'll happily hand over what we gave her and Embry."

"I appreciate it dad. That'll help a lot," Tristan said.

"Glad to be of service," Kevin said. "As for when the baby is born," Kevin trialed off briefly, "day or night, once the baby's born, give us a call. If you don't reach one of us at home, call my office and your mother and I will be on the next plane to Germany."

"Mom will be alright?" Tristan asked nervously.

"For this, she'll make herself alright," Kevin reassured. "Your mother's words."

"You know I'd never ask mom to come to Germany under any other circumstances-"

"I know, Tristan. This is different," Kevin said. "If Freida's parents need us to push back anything, just let me know. Otherwise, we'll see you by November 20th. Let your mother, sister and I have a day to rest that Saturday before we all meet."

"That's fine. I'll let Freidrick know. I'll talk to you later, dad."

"Talk to you later, Tristan," Kevin replied and the two disconnected.

Once he finished speaking with Tristan, Kevin called Amber to let her know he'd informed Tristan when they'd be in Paris. He also called Levi, then Anatoli and then Lilliana leaving all of them messages with the update. Levi wasn't able to go this time and Anatoli didn't really want to go but both promised when their future niece or nephew was born, they'd be on the plane to Germany to meet him or her. Lilliana was extremely excited about meeting Freida. In the few times she and Tristan were able to talk, Tristan spoke glowingly of her and it was clear to her he was smitten. Kevin had also invited Levi, Nadja, Anatoli and Ivory over so they could all have dinner together that coming Friday but while Levi and Nadja would be going, he wasn't looking forward to it. He knew what this was about. Since Tristan and his imprint were having a baby (albeit under less than favorable circumstances) Amber had begun pressing Levi and Nadja all the more to start a family. They all met up at Kevin's and Amber's house but immediately left to go to Roshad's and Jaedynn's house.

"Any news about the baby?" Roshad enquired when they were all sitting down for dinner together on the patio.

"Nothing worrying," Kevin said. "So far everything's going well."

"They think it's a girl you said?" Jaedynn asked.

"That's Freida's hunch as Tristan tells us but he's become hopeful for a girl," Amber said with a gentle smile. "If it's a girl like he's hoping, they're naming her Amber Lynn."

While Amber continued talking, saying what a boy's name would be, Levi leaned over to Nadja and whispered, "Do we say something now or wait until Tristan's here?"

"I say wait until Christmas when Tristan's here," Nadja said.

"You don't honestly think he forgot where that name's from do you?"

"It's more that I would sincerely hope he forgot," Nadja whispered back.

"Levi," Amber said forcing him to look her way, "Have you and Nadja talked?"

"Mom," Levi sighed heavily. "Look, we'll have kids eventually – but we'll have kids when we want to. Besides, we haven't even been married that long. Caleb and Ashley have been married a lot longer than we have and they don't have kids yet but Uncle Kyle and Aunt Evalina aren't breathing down their necks about it."

"Oh, hadn't you heard?" Kevin said. "Ashley's pregnant."

"There goes that tour of Europe they wanted to do," Levi mumbled.

"They're still going," Jaedynn said. "They're going in December aren't they?" she then asked Kevin.

"That's what Kyle told me," Kevin said.

"Exactly," Levi said. "So instead of going during the spring when it's really nice but not too crowded, they're going when it's winter and everything sucks."

"Truth be told, Italy in December is lovely. It was last I'd gone at least," Roshad said.

"And that was when, Roshad? Before Christopher Columbus landed in the Americas?" Levi asked facetiously.

"I'm not that old, Levi," Roshad said just a little defensively and started touching his short beard that needed a trim after a long day.

"Roshad, stop, you don't have any grays," Jaedynn said with a loving yet teasing smile. Levi didn't say anything even when he felt Nadja gently pat his knee affectionately and reassuringly.

"We're waiting for the right time is all," Nadja said. "Trust me: my parents have been asking about it too."

"You sure you don't want another one, Heather?" Levi asked.

"Positive," Heather said and patted Will's head. "Embry, did you tell daddy what happened today?"

"You mean after you picked Will up from school?" Embry replied earning a nod from Heather.

"What did you do Tator Tot?" Kevin asked Will teasingly.

"He wanted to sit in with me while I was doing a consultation with a client," Embry said.

"What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing. That's not the problem," Embry said. "The problem is this kid right here kept staring at this guy all bug eyed and wouldn't stop until my client asked him, 'What?' You know what Will said?"

"Oh God, what?" Levi said with a chuckle.

"He says to this man's face, 'Anyone ever tell you you look like Ted Bundy?'" Levi's chuckle went into full blown laughter.

"Is that true, Will?" Amber pressed.

"He did, though!" Will insisted then went wide eyed and looked up at Embry, "Dad, what if that was Ted Bundy?!"

"Will, I can tell you with absolute certainty Mr. Laurence isn't Ted Bundy," Embry said with a heavy sigh while Levi tried to stop himself from laughing more.

"You never know, Embry," Levi said, "maybe he escaped from prison again."

"God damn it, Levi, don't put that shit in his head," Heather yelled and kicked Levi under the table.

"What if he has, though?" Will asked nervously and tried his best to get closer to Embry.

"Relax, Will," Levi said, "even if he has gotten out of prison, you're not his type. Now your mom on the other hand? She's a goner. Ow!" Levi yelled when Heather kicked him harder under the table.

"And you have the nerve to call Tristan juvenile," Heather replied with an irritated sigh.

"Getting back to the subject at hand," Kevin interrupted but before saying what he wanted to say, instead Kevin said, "After dinner, we'll talk."

Levi reluctantly agreed and after dinner, the rest of the family except Heather and Embry stayed at Roshad's and Jaedynn's house for tea, coffee and cake while Kevin and Levi left to go on a walk together. Kevin led the way to a nearby corner store where he purchased two 6 packs of beer and then led Levi with to a playground on the school campus near Roshad's and Jaedynn's house.

"Are we allowed to be here at this hour?" Levi asked once they took a seat at one of the benches.

"It's just the two of us and we're just using one of the benches," Kevin said and grabbed one of the beers twisting the top off then handing it over to Levi. Levi accepted the beer and then Kevin grabbed his own beer. "I think we need a moment to talk just the two of us."

"About kids I assume?"

"Yes, Levi, about kids," Kevin said. "I know it seems like your mother is trying to force the issue but it's really not that."

"She's just annoyed Tristan's having a kid before me and Nadja?"

"No, Levi, it's not that either," Kevin defended but after a brief pause he sighed. "That's only a very small part of it. I get that you and Nadja don't feel like you're ready but when you guys tell us 'life keeps getting in the way' whenever we ask about it, your mother just gets a little frustrated. If it were down to finances then she'd understand but you two are hardly hurting in that department."

"It's not about the money," Levi said. "If I'm being honest, I think Will scared me from having kids."

"Why? You love Will."

"Sure I do but he's a lot," Levi said. "And he's really needy."

"The boy's about to turn 7, Levi – cut him some slack," Kevin said with a small chuckle in his voice. "I hate to break it to you Levi: if you're waiting until you're ready then you and Nadja will never have kids."

"But there's no sense in taking the plunge just because we've got you, mom and her parents screaming for grandkids," Levi said. "And if this has anything to do with me 'producing an heir'," Levi said while adding sarcastic quotations, "grandpa hasn't even stepped down to you so unless you don't plan to take over after grandpa then the rush for me and Nadja to have kids seems a little silly."

"No, Levi, this isn't about producing an heir," Kevin said. "This isn't like when your grandpa found out you couldn't speak Quileute."

"I would like to point out, dad, that wasn't my fault – that was due to your own negligence," Levi said, finally speaking with humor in his voice and he chuckled more when Kevin gave him the sourest look of frustration he'd ever seen.

"Don't get cute, Levi," Kevin finally said. "I'm just saying when your mother and I finally got to start a family it was one of the happiest times of our lives. We want that for you and Nadja too."

"Dad," Levi said with a light sigh, but this time it was sympathetic. Levi gulped down his beer then plopped the empty bottle back into the container before grabbing another one. "I know you and mom want more grandkids. I get it. You promised mom the world and I'm not making delivering that promise easier."

"I made another promise when your mother had all of you; one your mother agrees is more important," Kevin said.

"And what's that?"

"That I would make sure you, your brother and sisters would never suffer the way your mother did or have to struggle the way I did," Kevin asserted.

"I don't see what that has to do with Nadja and I having kids."

"It's the fact you two didn't have to go to hell and back to be together or start a family," Kevin said. "Your mother and I did. You don't have all these roadblocks – you can just do it. Yes, I realize your mother and I pressing because we're getting impatient is a little unfair but that's where we're at right now."

"I know," Levi replied and swigged down his next beer while Kevin followed suit. They both finished their beers in no time and replaced the empty bottles in the carton before grabbing another. "For what it's worth, dad, you made good on your promise. Outside the scope of what's normal, I wanted for nothing and never suffered a day in my life. I didn't need to go to war at 13 just to get my foot in the door making sure not to blow it off in the process. All I had to do was get really good grades and apply. I can only hope when the time comes that I'll be half the father you are."

"You have nothing to worry about in that respect," Kevin reassured with a loving smile as he patted Levi on the back. "You'll be a great father."

"I don't know," Levi said with a light, humored smile, "between all the shit Nadja and I like to read and watch, this kid might be doomed."

"Unless you intend to let my grandchildren watch any of that weird Indi-film shit, I'm sure they'll be fine," Kevin said. "Don't let yourself stress out too much about it, okay? That's really all I'm trying to say."

"I know, dad," Levi said and the two of them finished off their beer together before finally making their way back to Roshad's house to get their cars and return home.

"You and Kevin were gone for a while," Nadja said once they'd gotten in their car. "How did your talk go?"

"It went fine," Levi said. "We just had a little heart to heart is all."

"By smelling your breath, I take it the beer helped?" she teased.

"It did," Levi answered with a chuckle.

"It'll happen eventually," Nadja said. "And when it does, I want to name our son Nikolas. N-I-K-O-L-A-S. We'll call him Niko."

"And what about a girl?"

"Zaria," she answered confidently.

"That is really pretty," Levi agreed. "What's that from?"

"It's not from anything," Nadja said. "I just like the sound and its meaning. It was the name of a Slavic goddess of beauty, in Arabic it means rose and in Hebrew it means princess."

"That's a loaded name," Levi said and made Nadja giggle. "So whenever it does eventually happen: Nikolas or Zaria."

Nadja nodded and offered her hand without taking her eyes off the road, "Shake on it?"

Levi laughed but accepted her hand so they could shake and as soon as they got home, although they did still use protection, they fell asleep after sharing a night of passion together. Back in Germany come Friday, Freida went into the office as normal but left around 10:30 so she could make her 11:00 appointment. Once she was checked in, she sat in the waiting room staring at the single piece of paper she had that contained her blood pressure readings and their dates. They were extremely sparce, though. She had maybe ten readings listed from the last several weeks which she knew full well wasn't what they'd be hoping for. When the nurse stepped out to call her name, Freida followed her into the back and stepped onto the scale as directed. The scale read about the same weight as when she'd last come in. She still couldn't believe that was possible based on the way she was feeling. She went into the bathroom so she could provide a urine sample and once she was done, she went to the exam room she'd been assigned and a nurse asked her a few questions about how she was feeling while taking her blood pressure.

"140 over 91," the nurse read after she was done and Freida's eyes went wide.

"Are you sure?" Freida asked. "There's no way that's right."

"I'll give you a few minutes to relax and then we'll take it again," the nurse reassured and glanced at the paper Freida was holding with the minimal logs of blood pressure readings she'd taken. "I can take that to be copied and filed away," she said and Freida handed over the paperwork. The nurse stepped out to have the papers copied to be filed away then returned a few minutes later. Once she returned, she took Freida's blood pressure again. "136 over 89," the nurse read and Freida sighed heavily.

"I guess that's better than before," Freida said.

"You're using one of those electric cuffs at home correct?"

"Yes, I am," Freida nodded.

"Did you happen to bring that with you?" When the nurse asked that, Freida's eyes went wide and she swore.

"I'm sorry, I forgot to bring it," Freida admitted.

"It's alright; just remember to bring it next time," the nurse smiled and put away the cuff then flung the stethoscope around her neck. "The doctor will be with you in a few minutes. In the meantime, please strip from the waist down – we'll be using a fetal doppler for you," she said with a pleasant smile.

"A what?"

"A fetal doppler," the nurse repeated. "It allows us to check the baby's heartbeat."

"Wait, really?" Freida asked wide eyed. "I didn't realize that was an option right now. If I'd known, I'd have made sure Tristan could be here."

"Do you want to hold off?" the nurse offered. Freida was about to answer in the affirmative but stopped herself. What if there was something wrong and the doppler caught it early? Or what if there wasn't a heartbeat at all? Her mind was going in several directions before she finally shook her head.

"No, that's fine," Freida finally answered. "I'd like to hear the baby's heartbeat."

"Absolutely," the nurse replied. "I'll let Dr. Bran know and he'll be right with you."

Once the nurse left the room and Freida was alone, she got herself undressed from the waist down, hopped back onto the exam table with a cover over her lap and swayed her feet back and forth reading all the charts and diagrams on the walls detailing the female reproductive system in both a healthy state as well as examples of sickly or abnormal states. One diagram detailed the process of ovulation with plenty of visuals. When Dr. Braun finally came into the exam room, he smiled pleasantly at her and was holding a heavy looking machine.

"Good morning, Miss Hoffman," Dr. Braun said. "How have you been felling?"

"A little better," Freida answered. "The nausea's starting to go away. Figures the tea my boyfriend's family sent to help with that comes in just when it's starting to go away."

"What kind of tea is it?" he inquired.

"I don't really know if I'm honest," Freida answered.

"If you want my honest opinion, if you don't know what's in it then don't drink it," Dr. Braun said as he was getting the fetal doppler situated. "The nurse mentioned she took your blood pressure twice."

"Yes," Freida answered, "I was sure that first reading had to be wrong."

"I'm a little more concerned with the readings we've gotten when you're in the office and what readings you'd done at home," Dr. Braun said. "We'll discuss that more in a minute. Go ahead and lower the cover so your belly is exposed."

Freida did as instructed and lowered the flimsy cover so Dr. Braun could apply some gel. It was a little cool but warmed rather quickly once he applied the wand of the doppler to her belly. Once he applied it, near instantly there were sounds coming from the speaker portion of the doppler but it all sounded so weird and indistinguishable for rushing water or just general noise. Eventually a pulsating sound finally started coming.

"Is that the baby?" Freida asked.

"No, that's your heartbeat. I'm still trying to find the baby," Dr. Braun said. "Take a few deep breaths and try to relax. Your heart rate's a little high."

"That thing can pick up my heart rate from there?" Dr. Braun nodded but seemed like he was concentrating. He was moving the wand all over during the course of several minutes and none of the sounds he was picking up were different from her heartrate or the rushing water sound.

Noticing Freida was beginning to look nervous, Dr. Braun said, "I know it's there. I keep hearing it for a second but then it moves away. You're baby's a traveler." Perhaps any other woman would hear that and find it cute but for Freida the lack of hearing the baby's heartbeat after what felt like an eternity was only giving her anxiety. Then, finally at long last, there was a heartbeat that filled the room that was distinctly faster than her own. "There you are," Dr. Braun said and kept the doppler in place.

"That's her heartbeat?" Freida asked without really thinking.

"That's your baby," Dr. Braun assured with a smile. "You're certain it's a girl?"

"It's just a hunch," Freida said. "It sounds really fast. Is that normal?"

"Oh yeah," Dr. Braun said, "your baby's heartrate is 150 BPMs which is excellent."

"Okay, good," Freida replied. Dr. Braun started moving the wand again seemingly looking for something else although Freida wasn't certain what that was. Once he seemed satisfied, he removed the wand from her belly and did a first rub down to get rid of the gel.

"Baby sounds healthy," Dr. Braun said, "now it's time we talk about mom."

"What about my mom?"

"I meant you," Dr. Braun said but he was rather serious. "So I looked at the readings you submitted and what we've logged when you're in the office and I'm getting concerned."

"But I'm usually at about 134/81 or something," Freida cited, remembering one of the better readings she'd managed to get. "That's not so bad right?"

"That's Stage 1 Hypertension, so I'm afraid that's very concerning," Dr. Braun answered bluntly and remaining serious. "You're taking low dose Aspirin correct?" Freida nodded. "And you do have an at home blood pressure monitor?" She nodded again. "In that case, what we'll do is I'll have the nurse give you some charts for you to monitor your blood pressure – and I cannot stress this enough – I need you to be diligent about that: 3 readings a day. One when you first get up in the morning, one midway through the day and one right before you go to bed. Bring us those readings for your next appointment and we'll decide if we need to put you on blood pressure medicine."

"The medicine isn't bad for the baby?"

"We prescribe a blood pressure medicine that's safe for pregnant women," Dr. Braun said as he was taking a few notes. "Now, in the few weeks since we last saw you, have you experienced any headaches, blurred vision, or any swelling?"

"No, not that I've noticed," Freida said.

"If that changes, let us know immediately," Dr. Braun said. "If preeclampsia does develop, we typically see it start around 20 weeks."

"Preeclampsia?" Freida asked nervously. "Isn't that the condition that makes you have seizures?"

"That's eclampsia," Dr. Braun said. "While Eclampsia can develop suddenly, it's unlikely. Preeclampsia usually appears first so if you're having blood pressure issues, we need to take care of it now."

"What can I do to make it go away?"

"The only way to cure preeclampsia is to deliver the baby and obviously it's far too early for that. All we can do is monitor your blood pressure, check the protein levels in your urine and manage your symptoms. If this does turn into preeclampsia we'd be in a position where we'd have to induce you no later than 37 weeks but we'll cross that bridge if and when we get there."

"Could this kill me?" Freida asked. Dr. Braun stopped writing and looked at her with compassion.

"Rest assured, Miss Hoffman, even if this does turn into preeclampsia we're catching it early. The earlier we're able to manage your symptoms the better. I've helped countless women who've experienced preeclampsia and while it's extremely uncomfortable, it's only temporary. You just focus on keeping us informed on your blood pressure and how you're feeling and we'll take care of the rest, alright?"

"Okay," Freida eventually said. Dr. Braun gave her some space to relax before bringing up the next thing he wanted to talk about.

"There's one last thing," he said, "your blood tests show you're becoming anemic. It's not uncommon for anemia to develop but since that's happening, you'll need to take an iron supplement. I'll write down the brand I typically recommend to pregnant women."

"Doesn't my prenatal vitamin already have iron?"

"It does but if you're anemic, you need more," Dr. Braun said as he started writing down the name of the brand on a small piece of paper for her. "Did you have any other questions for me?" he asked after handing her the piece of paper.

"Is there a blood pressure reading that, if I see this, would require me to come to the hospital?"

"If the systolic blood pressure is over 150, call us immediately. Even if the systolic number is under 150 but the diastolic number is 100 or more, give us a call."

"The systolic number is the larger one on top right?"

"Correct," Dr. Braun said. "Did you have any other questions for me?"

"Not right now," Freida said.

"Then you're all set," Dr. Braun said. "I'll leave you to get dressed and when you schedule your appointment, I'll have our receptionist give you those charts we discussed. I'll want to see you in another 6 weeks at which point we'll be doing an anatomy scan."

"That's when we'll find out the gender right?"

"Correct, so if there's ever a time for the father to be here, it's during that appointment," Dr. Braun said.

"I'll make sure he's here," Freida said and Dr. Braun told her to have a good day and he'd see her again in a few weeks but to call if there were any issues at all.

Once at the front desk, the receptionist got her scheduled to come back November 9th and Freida grabbed the appointment for 6:45 ensuring Tristan would be able to come. This also meant they'd know the gender just in time for her to finally meet his parents. She was provided with a folder filled with several pages on which she would need to detail her readings with a column for the date, morning, midday and evening. At the very top was contact information such as a phone number, the name of the hospital, Dr. Braun's name as well as a message that read, "Wenn Ihr Blutdruck 150/100 überschreitet, rufen Sie +49 30 88544 an" (If your blood pressure exceeds 150/100 call +49 30 88544). After her appointment, Freida returned to work keeping the charts out of sight not saying much about her appointment when asked outside of, "the baby's doing good".

Before returning home at the end of her work day, Freida went to the local pharmacy so she could grab a box of the iron supplement the doctor had recommend she take. While she was there, she grabbed another thing she'd never eaten before in her life: ice cream. She had no clue what to pick or what she liked so she just picked something at random and went to the register to pay for everything. After checking out, she actually glanced at the flavor and saw she'd grabbed strawberry. She just hoped if for some reason she didn't like it that Tristan would at least eat it. By the time she finally made it back to her apartment, Tristan was outside her door waiting and smiled when he saw her. He had a duffle bag hanging off his shoulder holding everything he might need for the night.

"There you are," he said. "I was getting worried. Did you have to work late?"

"No, I needed to run to the pharmacy," Freida said and presented the bag. "We can talk about it once we get inside."

"Is everything okay?" Tristan asked right as Freida was unlocking her door.

Once they were inside she said, "The doctor is still worried about my blood pressure and now I'm anemic apparently so he's ordered me to take an iron supplement in addition to the prenatal vitamin and low dose aspirin I'm already taking."

"Wouldn't it be easier to stop taking the aspirin?"

"I can't stop taking the aspirin; the aspirin is a blood thinner that helps improve blood flow to the placenta…or something. I don't fucking remember anymore," Freida said.

"What did he say about your blood pressure?"

"The nurse took it twice and even the lower number was Hypertension levels," Freida said.

"Hypertension?" Tristan repeated and she was surprised by how alarmed that made him.

"It could still just be a false alarm," Freida said. "Dr. Braun gave me a bunch of charts to track my blood pressure. He wants me checking three times a day."

"What happens if your blood pressure doesn't improve?"

"I'll need to start taking blood pressure medication," Freida answered as she popped the iron supplement into her mouth. "The chart starts with a Sunday so that's when I'll start."

"Freida, you really should start now," Tristan said.

"I'll still take my blood pressure tonight – I just won't start logging like he wants me to until Sunday," Freida insisted. "Right now, I just want to relax. I'm going to get my craft supplies. Mom said she put something for dinner in the fridge so I'll get that heated up once I'm back."

"Sure," Tristan finally relented but as Freida was going to her room, he plopped his duffle bag onto the kitchen table so he could take out the stethoscope and cuff he'd brought with him.

Thankfully a nurse was able to teach him how to do it and had lent him the materials but it had taken him a bit to get the hang of it. He put the stethoscope and cuff on the coffee table alongside her electric cuff then returned to the kitchen table removing his duffle bag and plopping it on the floor right as Freida returned with her box of supplies. Once she had that box on the table, she went to her fridge to find what her mother had left in there for her. There was a giant salad along with a small dish filled with beef and barley stew. A loaf of bread was also on the counter ready to be toasted to go with dinner.

"Is beef stew and a salad okay?" Freida asked.

"Sounds great," Tristan said. "Also, I brought the cuff and stethoscope – I know how to use it so we'll take your blood pressure tonight and compare it with the electric cuff you've been using."

"Fine," Freida answered and took everything out so she could start warming it on the stove top and got the oven warming up for the bread.

"Outside of the doctor ordering you to take another supplement and giving you those charts, did anything else happen during the appointment?"

"Yeah," Freida started and looked at him feeling a little guilty. "They used a fetal doppler so I was able to listen to the baby's heartbeat."

"Really?" Tristan asked with a smile but she could tell he was sad he'd not been there to hear it. "Did the doctor say she's doing alright?"

"Yes, he said the baby has a healthy heartbeat but he had a really hard time finding it," Freida said. "She wouldn't sit still long enough for him to get a reading. It was taking so long I began to fear there was something wrong."

"But he did find it, right?"

"Yes, he found it," Freida said. "Oh, and November 9th is the anatomy scan. That's when we'll find out for sure if we're having a girl or a boy."

"Really?" Tristan asked eagerly. "What time is the appointment?"

"6:45," Freida answered.

"Okay, I'll come pick you up and we'll go to the hospital together," Tristan said. He kept smiling and started fidgeting a little. "Perfect timing. We'll be able to tell my parents when we go see them in Paris."

"I thought the same thing," Freida said.

"I don't suppose you'd mind if we waited to tell your parents until then too would you?"

"That seems fair," Freida agreed. "I'm sorry you weren't able to hear the heartbeat. I didn't know they'd be doing that otherwise I'd have made sure you could come."

"As long as I can hear it during the anatomy scan, I'll be happy," Tristan said and finally sat down at the table. "Anything you want me to start cutting for you?"

"Not right now," Freida said. "We can have dinner first."

"How about I start reading Moby Dick while you cook?" he suggested.

"You brought that?"

"I did," Tristan said. "The library on base had it thankfully so I didn't have to try find a copy or waiting for my brother to send it to me."

"That's good," Freida said. "In that case, have at it." Freida turned her attention to preparing dinner while Tristan grabbed the book from his duffle bag and flipped through the pages skipping the introduction, table of contents and anything else he didn't care about until he finally found the first chapter.

"Chapter 1: Looming," Tristan began then moved on to the chapter itself.

"'Call me Ishmael. Some years ago – never mind how long precisely – having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. It is a way I have of driving off the spleen, and regulating the circulation. Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people's hats off – then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can. This is my substitute for pistol and ball. With a philosophical flourish Cato throws himself upon his sword; I quietly take to the ship. There is nothing surprising in this. If they but knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean as me.'" (Melville, 3)

In truth, Freida was barely listening. She was more interested in the sound of Tristan's voice and although the story Ishmael told thus far was not interesting her, Tristan's reading helped her to relax. By the time dinner was ready, Tristan had gotten through the first chapter and Freida suggested he stop so they could eat together and they talked about their days. Freida avoided talking more about her appointment not wanting to make herself more anxious over the whole thing than she already was. At one point while Tristan was telling her about the latest outing he and her father were planning on doing, she felt her nipples start to feel as though they were pinching and it made her groan a little.

"You okay?" Tristan asked when she'd closed her eyes and groaned.

"I'm alright," Freida said. "My nipples just hurt. You know that sensation you get when it's super cold outside and it makes your nipples hard?"

"Oh," Tristan replied knowingly. "Yeah, that's sucks."

"I have a heating pad in my room," Freida said as she stood from the table. Then she motioned for Tristan to follow her. "So you were saying you and daddy planned to do some shopping for furniture?"

"Yeah, the plan's to go on Sunday," Tristan said. "I already asked my parents if they had any of our old cribs but they'd already given them away. As to who in the family has that stuff now is anyone's guess honestly. And when I asked your dad about your crib, he said that thing was long gone. I guess they didn't even use it a year with you."

"Yeah, I outgrew that thing pretty quick," Freida agreed and sat on the edge of her queen size bed grabbing for the heating pad she already had hooked up then turning it to the setting she wanted. Once she had it going, she wrapped it around her chest but it didn't cover much on it's own. "This thing isn't exactly designed for the chest."

"I don't know if any heating pads are," Tristan replied and took a seat beside her. "How often does this happen?"

"It's not often," Freida said. "The few times it has happened the heating pad made the pain go way."

"At least the solution's simple," Tristan said. They waited a few minutes before Freida finally felt better and turned off the heating pad. They returned to the kitchen to finish dinner and then Tristan helped her clean and put away the dishes. He glanced at the bag and noticed the ice cream. "Shit," he said, "that's probably melted by now."

"What?" Freida asked but remembered the ice cream she'd bought and swore before tossing it into the freezer. "I can't believe I forgot I bought that."

"It'll be okay," Tristan said and chuckled just a little. "Mom warned me 'pregnancy brain' is a very real thing."

"I hate it," Freida mumbled and sighed heavily. Since the dishes were all clean, Freida dried her hands and took a seat at the table and got everything prepped to do some scrapbooking. Tristan joined her and started cutting out whatever she directed him to and adding adhesives for her whenever possible.

"So tonight – did you want me to sleep on the couch or is it alright that we share the bed?" Tristan asked her innocently though at his reminder of her asking him to stay the night, her thoughts were anything but innocent.

"We can share my bed," Freida said. "So long as you don't mind."

"Believe me, I don't mind," Tristan smiled and handed her one of the flowers he'd cut out for her. "Just let me know when you're getting tired and we'll go to bed."

Freida accepted the cut out flowers as her cheeks reddened a little. Tristan noticed and his smile broadened but he didn't draw attention to her hue. Instead he returned his attention to the paper he'd been tasked with cutting flowers out of. She didn't even really need all these flowers but it was an easy task to give him and she had really come to enjoy bonding with him while crafting.

"I know your father's a lawyer – your mother owns her own business too doesn't she?" Freida eventually asked.

"Yes; she's owned that place since my sister Heather was 1 I think. My brother-in-law Embry owns his own contracting business and my brother Anatoli works for him."

"Levi is your other brother, right?"

"Yeah," Tristan said, "he works as an accountant and does all our taxes for us every year."

"Does he do it for free?"

"Christ no," Tristan laughed a little, "he just bills a slightly deflated rate than he would charge his other clients. The only ones who get their taxes done for free are mom and dad and my grandparents. The rest of us have to pay."

"If he's really doing all your taxes when he's not at work that seems fair," Freida said. "And you said Levi's married, right? What does his wife do?"

"She works part time at a café but her passion is acting. Any time the local theatre is hosting a play she's especially fond of or that catches her attention, she'll try out."

"Does that make any money?"

"It makes a little," Tristan said. "Certainly not enough to support oneself on its own but its at least good for extra money here and there."

"Would you ever go to her shows?"

"I never have, no," Tristan said. "I'm not really into that kind of thing. I'd rather just go see a movie or something where I can eat popcorn and Raisinets and be out of there in an hour and a half. What about you?"

"I've been to one Opera with my grandma. She took me to see The Magic Flute."

"Did you enjoy it?"

"Yeah, I had a great time," Freida said. "I've never been to another opera since then. I've considered going again but The Magic Flute hasn't played here in a while."

"I'll keep that in mind," Tristan smiled.

"You'd go to see The Magic Flute?"

"Sure," Tristan shrugged. "I've never been to an opera before. Who knows? I might enjoy it. If a showing pops up, we'll go together."

Freida smiled, "I would like that." Using some of the flowers Tristan had cut out, Freida had those glued onto the page in a manner that she found appealing and once it was done, she presented it to Tristan. "How's this?"

"It's pretty," Tristan said. He glanced at the clock and saw it was 8 so he added, "Are you getting tired?"

"I'm tired most of the time, honestly," Freida said.

"Do you mind if I use your shower?"

"Yeah, that's fine," Freida nodded her head.

"I appreciate it. Before that, let's go ahead and take your blood pressure," Tristan said. Freida nodded her head again begrudgingly, not wanting to take her blood pressure now, but followed him to the couch all the same. "Do you want to use your electric monitor first or have me check it the old fashioned way?"

"Let's just do the old fashioned way first," Freida said and watched Tristan get the cuff ready on her arm. "You're sure you know how to use this?"

"Positive," Tristan said. "Mary showed me how and I've been taking her blood pressure every day the past few days so I know what to do."

"Who's Mary?"

"She's the nurse I burrowed this stuff from," Tristan answered.

Once he had the cuff secured to her arm, he got off the couch and directed her to rest her arm on the armrest so it was at heart level and she already had her legs uncrossed. He took a moment to find the artery he would need to hold the stethoscope on and once he found it, he placed it over the artery and started tightening the cuff. As he was working, she noticed a strange numbness forming in her right hand. She'd noticed it here and there whenever she was writing or using a type writer but it always went away once she put her hand back down. She ignored it and just let Tristan do his thing. Once the cuff was extremely tight, he held it mostly at that tightness and then eventually released it.

"138 over 83," Tristan said and removed the cuff.

"That's about what they usually read whenever I'm at the doctor," Freida said, "so I'd say you did it right."

"We'll wait a few minutes and then we'll take your blood pressure with the electric cuff," Tristan said but Freida shook her head.

"Let's just get it done now," Freida replied and grabbed her cuff to get it wrapped around her other arm to give her right a break.

She moved to the other side of the couch so she would have her left arm at heart level and took a moment to breath deep and soothingly before pressing the button to start the machine. Tristan sat down next to her while the machine tightened the cuff around her arm. The cuff felt so tight to the point of being unbearably uncomfortable but Freida waited it out. When the cuff finally released, she was so relieved but the relief was short lived when the machine read her blood pressure as "einhundertfünfundfünfzig über einhundertzwei" (155 over 102).

"There's no way that's right," Freida blurted out and tore off the cuff.

"Has it ever given you a reading like that?" Tristan asked, just as alarmed by the reading as her.

"No," Freida said. It had read up in the 140s over 90s before but this had been the highest reading she'd ever gotten.

"Have you brought this in to the doctor?"

"I meant to but I forgot," Freida said.

"Definitely bring this in with you next time," Tristan said. "Maybe it was just because we already took your blood pressure."

"Yeah, I'm sure that's it," Freida said and laid her head back on the couch. Then she groaned and rubbed her face with frustration. "Ich habe keine Lust mehr," (I'm not in the mood anymore) she mumbled.

"Wofür?" (What for?) Tristan responded in German but Freida shook her head returning to English.

"Nothing. Forget I said anything," she said and stood from the couch. "I'm going to brush my teeth," she said then went to her bathroom. "Once I'm done, you can take a shower," she added before closing the door behind her.

While Tristan waited for her to be done, he brought his duffle bag to her room placing it on her bed so he could remove his toiletry bag and some loose boxer shorts for him to sleep in. He located Freida's linen closet and took out a fresh towel to use after his shower. Freida was a touch overzealous in brushing her teeth while Tristan waited. The doctor bringing up pre-eclampsia had just made her extremely anxious. That was all. There was nothing wrong with her she kept insisting to herself. Once she finished brushing her teeth and brushed her hair, Freida left her bathroom turning the corner to her room and found Tristan sitting on the edge of her bed. He still wore his pants although he'd removed the belt already and he was shirtless and had removed his socks. His muscular physique was just as she remembered it and just like that, she was in the mood again and the day didn't feel that important anymore.

"Sorry I was taking so long," Freida eventually managed as Tristan stood from her bed grabbing his baggy shorts and toiletry bag.

"It's fine – no rush," he smiled and walked past her. "I'll try to be quick but if you're asleep by the time I get out I'll turn the lights off and try to be quiet."

"It's alright; I'll wait," Freida said as she smiled bashfully at Tristan. He noticed the way she was smiling at him and he smiled back at her charmingly, hoping he wasn't mistaking her intent.

"I'll keep it quick," he promised and retreated to her bathroom so he could take a shower.

Once he'd closed the door, Freida went to her tiny closet and rummaged through it to find something sexy to wear. She knew she still had a lacy teddy and rummaged through the drawers until she finally found it. It was a pale blue silk teddy with a plunging neckline and white lace on the hips, shoulders and around the waist. She tossed it onto her bed and pulled off all her clothes until she was naked and pulled the teddy on. Once it was on, she suddenly remembered it was crotchless. Once she was dressed, she laid down on her bed lying on her side trying to pose in a manner that was sexy.

Meanwhile, Tristan was trying to get through his shower as quickly as possible. He scrubbed his whole body thoroughly so his natural scent wouldn't be too strong. He'd been all sweaty in the morning during his workout and went to work immediately after so he didn't even want to think how much he must've stank before. Once he finished his shower, he quickly dried off then brushed his teeth going so far as to brush, wash out his mouth with mouthwash then brush his teeth again. He was under no delusion that last they'd been together the smell of beer and vomit was probably still prevalent on him even if he'd brushed his teeth. He wanted tonight to be what it should've been the first time: romantic with him being sober and able to remember everything.

Once he was done, he took a moment to check his cheeks and chin but ultimately determined he needed to shave. He tried to shave as quickly as possible but making a point not to cut himself. Thankfully the few times he did, he healed quickly enough it wasn't a problem. He smelled fresh from the shower and brushing his teeth and had a clean shave. His hair was short enough that it was already starting to dry and didn't need much in the way of styling. He stared at himself in the mirror feeling nervous.

"Don't fuck this up," Tristan said to himself in the mirror and took another deep breath to calm himself down.

Finally, once he was dressed and ready as he'd ever be, Tristan stepped out of the bathroom and walked to Freida's room. The site that greeted him was nothing less than an image from a dream. Freida's blonde hair was full and luscious strewn about her pillow, she laid on her back with her breasts barely covered by the lace of her teddy and the plunging neckline reached down to her little belly button. The sides of lace rode high making her hips completely visible to his gaze and despite her legs being closed, her legs were off enough to one side that he was able to notice this was a crotchless piece of lingerie. Even in such a state, her belly was flat; no evidence of her pregnancy whatsoever. Were it not for the paternity test and seeing the ultrasound with his own eyes, he'd never believe she was pregnant. He was so taken with her beauty that he didn't immediately notice she was asleep but once he had, he couldn't help chuckle a little.

"Figures," he said to himself with a smile.

Tristan approached the bed and, as gently as possible, tucked Freida under the covers so she would be warm and then turned off the bedside lamp. Then he walked around to the other side and joined her in bed trying not to wake her. Once he was under the covers, he heard Freida groan a little but she stayed asleep. She turned a little under the covers so she was facing him. She looked so peaceful and radiant. He reached his hand over so he could gently stroke her cheek reveling in her soft skin as another smile played across his face.

"Night, Freida," Tristan said and then whispered, "I love you," before getting comfortable and falling asleep.

Freida woke up and the first thing she saw was her clock reading 5:45 a.m. Her drowsy eyes went wide and she looked around to see Tristan in bed with her sound asleep. She looked down and saw her teddy was still on quickly realizing she'd fallen asleep while waiting for Tristan. She was so frustrated and just stared at the ceiling of her bedroom for a moment stewing over her night being thwarted by her grogginess. Needing to pee, she rose from bed going straight to the bathroom and once she was done, she brushed her teeth after washing her hands. Then she returned to bed getting back under the covers prepared to go right back to sleep but her frustration made her restless. She eventually looked at Tristan again and while she couldn't see much past the covers, she could see his strong arms and the top of his chest. She licked her lips and turned on her side so she could look at him.

After a moment, she started to move closer to Tristan pulling her pillow with her so she was right beside him. Her mind wandered back yet again to the night they met. She'd been so adamant with him there would be no sex yet here she was longing for just that. She wondered if Tristan was as tired of her constant mood swings and flip flopping as she was. Freida lifted her hand to touch Tristan's shoulder. She'd only wanted to touch his muscular frame but once she had, Tristan groaned a little lifting his arms and chest up to stretch then bringing his arms back down, opening his eyes and finally looking at her.

"Morning," Tristan said.

"I'm sorry," Freida said, "I didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't," Tristan replied with a tired smile. His eyes darted down to the teddy she was still wearing and he said, "That was real mean of you to put that on only to fall asleep."

"Obviously that wasn't the intent," Freida muttered. Tristan kept smiling at her as his eyes continued to dart over whatever of her body wasn't under the covers.

"I don't suppose you're still up for doing anything are you?" Tristan finally asked as his eyes looked into hers again. She wanted to say yes on sheer principle but the truth was she was so annoyed she wasn't really interested anymore.

"Not really," she conceded with annoyance audible in her voice. "This isn't as romantic as I was imagining."

"What were you imagining?" Tristan inquired playfully. He lifted himself up so he was on all fours on her bed placing one hand on the other side of her but not fully hovering above her. Freida laid on her back so she was looking up at Tristan. "You wanted to surprise me when I came to your room lying in a sensual pose? Even asleep, you accomplished that."

"I doubt that," Freida muttered as her eyes darted to one side. "Frankly, I was just being irrational."

"What's so irrational about you seducing me?"

"Stop teasing me," Freida said. Noticing Freida's demeanor wasn't improving, Tristan laid back down so he was beside her and rested his head in his hand with his elbow in the mattress.

"Seriously," Tristan said in a gentle voice, "tell me what's on your mind." Freida sighed and looked up at the ceiling before rubbing her face. She flopped her hands down over her waist and was about to look at Tristan but she was too embarrassed so she looked at his chest.

"I'm frustrated," Freida finally admitted.

"What about?" Tristan asked.

"I've been," she started but when she couldn't think of the word, she continued, "Ich weiß nicht, wie ich das auf Englisch sagen soll – geil." (I don't know how to say this in English – horny).

"I don't think 'geil' is a word I've ever used," Tristan said.

"Es bedeutet sexuell erregt," (It means sexually aroused) Freida answered.

"Oh," Tristan replied but made sure he didn't chuckle. "And that's made you frustrated?"

"I'm frustrated because any time I've tried to do anything about it, I end up falling asleep," Freida said. "If I'm honest, this hormonal gymnastics I've been going through isn't helping."

"Maybe this is stupid to say right now, but I can at least help with half of that," Tristan said, trying to lighten the mood and Freida smiled a little at last.

"That was the plan," Freida said, "but like always, I fell asleep."

"We're both awake now," Tristan said. Then, remembering her complaint this wasn't romantic like she pictured, he placed his hand over her arm gently caressing her skin. She shivered from his touch but the barest sigh she released told him she enjoyed it. "Tell me what you imagined when you put this cute little teddy on," he encouraged. Freida licked her lips a little as her heartbeat picked up speed.

"I just imagined you would see me like this and everything would happen naturally from there," Freida finally answered. "I admit I didn't think it through very much."

"Then let's just do that and not think about it so much," Tristan said with an affectionate smile and allowed his hand to trail further up her arm over her shoulder but stopping at the top of her chest trailing his fingers over her clavicle bone. Freida lifted her hand up to rest over his trailing her fingers over his forearm.

It was then Tristan finally decided to be bold and slowly trailed his hand lower until he was touching her breast. He leaned forward and the moment he was close enough, Tristan pressed his lips to hers in a gentle kiss. When their lips met, Freida sighed and immediately parted for him pressing her tongue to his and wrapping her arms around Tristan's neck. Tristan adjusted so he was hovering directly above her while they kissed with their hips pressing against one another allowing Freida to feel Tristan's rapidly growing erection. However, another thing she felt was suffocated. With Tristan atop her pressing against her affectionately and his hard muscular stomach pressed against hers, it felt as though a ball was being pressed against her lungs and she was having a hard time breathing. She really didn't want to say anything so she just continued to kiss him but he did eventually pull his lips away from hers offering some small relief.

He began to kiss his way down her neck stopping in a spot where her neck met her shoulder and sucked on her skin. Freida sighed with pleasure as she felt a jolt go through her entire body. However she was still having trouble breathing with him on top of her the way he was and she had to accept she needed to say something.

"Tristan," she finally moaned, "can we change positions? I'm having a hard time breathing." After a brief expression of surprise, Tristan adjusted on the bed once again only to roll onto his back taking Freida with him so she was straddling him.

"Better?" he asked.

"Yes, much better," Freida replied.

By then, Tristan's hands had both come back around and were touching her breasts. Freida's hands were resting on Tristan's chest and she gently moved her hips over his. She moaned at the sensation in her core caused by the feel of his erection rubbing against her where she so longed for it. Tristan's boxers were all that prevented their bodies from fully meeting but the fabric rubbing against Freida's tender entrance did wonders to excite her. After a moment, Tristan lifted himself upright wrapping his arms around Freida's waist while her hands stayed affectionately on his chest and pressed another kiss to her lips. While he kissed her, Tristan trailed his hands up her back until he reached the shoulders of her teddy and pulled them down but with her hands against him, the scanty lingerie continued to cover her breasts.

Freida took a moment to remove her arms from the teddy so it would fall the rest of the way then she wrapped her arms around Tristan's neck allowing her breasts to press against his naked chest. Feeling her nipples hardening against his chest sent him into a frenzy making him tear his lips from hers and forcing his way to her breasts lifting her closer so he could take one into his mouth. He stayed gentle – only swirling his tongue around her nipple and sucking tenderly so as not to hurt her. Freida moaned from the sensation and she continued to thrust her pelvis into his desperate to have him inside her. Tristan gave both nipples the same affectionate attention then started kissing up her chest to her neck sucking her skin there so she would tremble. Then he reached one hand between them so he could touch her core. The lace surrounding the hole was dry but as soon as Tristan's fingers went past her folds to touch her, the flood of her arousal covered his fingers and got all over the lace.

Freida brought her own hand between them so she could plunge her hand into his boxers grabbing hold of his erection. Tristan took in a sharp breath when he felt her touch him then pushed two fingers inside her with a swift tilt of his wrist which made Freida gasp. They continued making out for several minutes touching each other intimately until Tristan felt himself getting close to release. Rather suddenly, Tristan plopped to one side taking Freida with him and placing her onto her back going right for her neck. He made a point to remain hovered above her so he wouldn't suffocate her while he trailed his kisses over her naked skin sucking gently on her nipples yet again. Then he kissed his way over her midriff until he was faced with what remained of her teddy. He grabbed a hold of the fabric and tugged down until he got the garment all the way off her leaving her naked.

Freida licked her lips as she watched Tristan tear away her lingerie then her whole body shook when he began kissing her ankle working his way down her leg. He kissed down her calf, behind her knee which tickled and caused yet another jolt through her whole body of pleasure and then he started kissing down the inside of her thigh. Between kisses, he trailed his tongue gently over her skin to add to the sensation and then, at long last, he made it between her legs and licked at her entrance all the way to the apex over her clitoris. Her hips jumped up against his face wanting more and Tristan happily acquiesced. Freida whimpered as her hips gyrated against Tristan's face and her fingers grabbed a hold of his head hoping to grip his hair but the strands were too short. It felt so much better than she remembered. He was gentler, his tongue more precise and he had the wherewithal to prolong the act by bringing her up to the edge of release only to pull back again. Soon, however, the torment became too much to bear.

"Tristan," Freida cried, "please stop teasing me."

"It's too soon," Tristan argued, "I have a lot of making up to do. I've wanted this for a long time and I want it to last."

"Tristan," Freida cried again as his tongue trailed roughly over her entrance making her shiver. "Please Tristan, I just want you inside me."

"Fuck," Tristan growled and became more aggressive with his tongue.

He continued to build her back up to release but this time he didn't stop. Tristan used his tongue and slipped two fingers inside her bringing her closer and closer to a release he'd denied her for far too long. Freida continued to cry and moan as she spiraled into delirium until at long last she achieved orgasm. Freida's hands slammed into the mattress grabbing a hold of her bedsheets lifting his hips against Tristan's face calling his name when she was hit with the wave. Tristan bit her left thigh affectionately and Freida felt like she might jump out of her skin.

"I love hearing you cry out to me, Freida," Tristan said in a guttural, commanding tone as he continued to nip at her working his way back up her leg. "It's like music to my ears."

Freida's only response was a contented sigh, unable to voice her delight in any other way. She felt such an intense sense of relief after weeks of this maddening desire haunting her. Her eyes were closed and she had a light smile on her face looking as though she was ready to fall asleep.

"Don't fall asleep on me now," Tristan teased and came down to her making sure he hovered.

He pressed kisses to her chest and breasts while she wrapped her arms around his neck trailing her fingers over his back. Tristan stayed close but took a moment to pull down his boxer shorts and once his erection was free, he turned around onto his back taking Freida with him. He took a second to get his boxers off the rest of the way and Freida laid down on Tristan's chest only lifting her head so she could kiss him. Tristan poked his tongue past her lips so he could taste her and his hands trailed to her butt gripping her flesh and rubbing her back and forth against him but never slipping in. After they kissed for several minutes with Tristan rubbing their hips together, Freida could feel her body go alight once again and she took her lips away from his so she could look at him.

"You're teasing me again, Tristan," Freida whimpered and moved her hips on her own for a moment. Then she moved her hips in such a way that Tristan finally slipped inside her and her hips went completely still as they both just enjoyed the sensation.

"Feels like you really enjoyed all that teasing," Tristan said through a groan.

Tristan then began guiding Freida's hips back and forth while moving his own hips up and down. With that first thrust, Freida cried out with surprise and pleasure and it wasn't long before Freida was moving her hips on her own in rhythm with Tristan's thrusting. He watched Freida's chest mesmerized by her breasts bouncing with each movement and listening to her moan with pleasure bolstered his own desire. When he decided he wanted more control, Tristan turned around so she was on her back and remained upright grabbing a hold of her ass and keeping her stationary while he pounded her with renewed energy. After a while, Tristan desperately wanted to hold her. He was getting so close and he wanted her in his arms when he finally went over the edge. It was also clear Freida was about to cum again so Tristan started touching her between her legs rubbing her clitoris so he could help her along.

She stopped moving suddenly when Tristan began touching her intimately gripping his pectoral muscles as she moaned. Tristan tried moving his hips but she remained still enjoying what Tristan was doing to her. He stopped touching her, bringing her close so he could roll to his side with her. He pulled away just enough so he could turn Freida around and tug her close again. Her back was flush against his chest and he grabbed a hold of her leg lifting it so her calf rested on his knee and he slipped back inside getting his left arm between her and the mattress so he could grab a hold of her breast and his right hand back between her legs to touch her intimately again. Once he'd regained full control, Tristan started to thrust again while he continued to touch her. Freida's hands came up to grab Tristan's forearm with her head tilted to one side allowing him access to kiss her neck passionately.

Freida was helpless in Tristan's arms and in no time upon the shift in position, she reached her second climax and her whole body shook. Once she had, Tristan focused from there on holding her close to him continuing the thrust vigorously. Freida maintained her hold on his forearm clutching onto him tighter as he maintained a steady rhythm prolonging her own high just a little longer while trying to reach his own. She whimpered his name and it fueled Tristan's pleasure further until he finally reached his own climax. His whole body went completely rigid pressing against Freida holding her even tighter and not releasing his hold until he started to come down from his high. The two of them laid in bed together recovering but in Freida's case, she could feel her eyes getting heavy.

"I'm so sorry, Freida," Tristan whispered in her ear.

"What for?" Freida asked in a groggy voice.

"I don't even want to think what our first time together must have been like for you," Tristan answered. "I just hope this was better."

"For a drunk, you were remarkably attentive that night," Freida mumbled, "but this was incredible." Tristan smiled wider and pressed a kiss against her head.

"I'm glad I could make it up to you," Tristan replied but all he got from Freida was 'hmm' as a tired acknowledgement she'd heard him. He chuckled a little and kissed her head again. "You go back to sleep. I'll take care of myself for breakfast."

Freida only hummed again while Tristan got out of bed and grabbed some fresh clothes before hopping in the shower. Once he was clean and dressed, he went to the kitchen and made himself something to eat. When Tristan finished his breakfast, Freida was still asleep and there was several hours before her parents would be over to start making dinner. He started thinking back to the night before and Freida's blood pressure. Now that he thought about it, maybe she was right and her blood pressure wasn't as big an issue as the doctors were making it out to be. She was a half breed; that had to count for something. So Tristan went to her room and pressed a kiss to her cheek and moved her gently by holding her shoulder until she finally woke up.

"Hey Freida," Tristan said in a gentle voice and waited until Freida turned and opened her eyes enough so he knew she was listening. "I'm going to run back to base for a bit to make a call home but I'll be back before your parents get here. Do you mind if I burrow your keys?"

"Sure," she mumbled and adjusted in bed a little trying to get comfortable again. Her breasts were already barely covered by the blankets but when she adjusted herself, the covers fell away causing her breasts to be fully visible. She didn't seem to notice but Tristan certainly did. So he took a moment to pulled her covers back up for her. "My keys should be on the kitchen table."

"Thank you," Tristan said and pressed a kiss to her lips. "I'll try to be quick, okay?"

"Take your time," Freida replied as she closed her eyes and seemed like she fell asleep almost as quickly as he'd woken her up.

Tristan grabbed Freida's keys off the kitchen table and locked her door behind him once he stepped out before making his way back to base. Since he'd planned to be gone the majority of the weekend, he'd taken a taxi from base to Freida's apartment but he didn't want to bother with it that morning. He figured a run and fresh air would do him some good anyway. Once he made it back to base, he went to the admin office and got permission to call home. He looked at the clocks lined up in the office telling the time in New York, Chicago and Seattle. Problem he encountered was it was 15 past 2 in the morning leaving his options of people to talk to rather minimal. If nothing else, he knew either Carlisle or Edward would be available so he called the Cullen house and waited barely a ring before someone answered.

"Cullen residence," Alice answered.

"Morning Alice," Tristan said. "It's Tristan. I was wondering if Carlisle or Grandpa Edward were available to talk. I wanted to ask them about something."

"Sure," she said Tristan heard her hand over the phone to his Grandpa Edward.

"Good morning, Tristan," Edward said once he had the phone.

"Morning. Sorry to call at such a weird time but I was hoping you could help me with something."

"What did you need help with?"

"It's about Freida," Tristan said. "I don't suppose you'd know what a normal blood pressure reading for a half breed would be would you? The doctor keeps clocking her in the 130s over 80s or 90s and I practiced with a nurse here for days to make sure I knew how to do it and I got the same reading but for someone like Freida, that would be normal wouldn't it? I mean, I know mom's resting heart rate is higher than a normal person's."

"I'm afraid even being a half breed, readings in the 130s is still elevated at best," Edward answered bluntly. "Your Grandma Renesmee's resting blood pressure's usually 125 over 82 or so – that's been pretty consistent among all the other half breeds in the family. For a human, that's already considered elevated but it's usually from normal activity. So if she's getting 130 or more when she's at rest, that's concerning."

"But they keep making a big deal about it and I'm worried that's only making it worse," Tristan said. "The doctor wants her checking her blood pressure three times a day."

"If he's concerned about her blood pressure then that's appropriate," Edward said. "Has she been experiencing headaches or changes in vision?"

"I don't think so," Tristan said. "She said yesterday the first reading the doctors gave her was in the 140s over 90s or something."

"Did they check again and did it go down?"

"Yeah," Tristan said, "I think she said the next reading was 138 over 87 or something like that."

"That's still not good, Tristan," Edward said. "Has she had a history of this before?"

"No," Tristan answered, at least knowing that for a fact. "How's this sort of thing even possible? She's not human…or…she's more than human I guess."

"I admit I'm just as surprised," Edward said. "Have they given her any medication?"

"They're making her take low dose aspirin."

"Good – that'll help," Edward said. "All I can suggest is she try to stay relaxed and calm but she needs to follow the doctor's instructions. Even with a healthy blood pressure being 125 over 82, they wouldn't be making such a big deal about this if she was only 'elevated'. How far along is she?"

Tristan needed to take a second to think but eventually said, "I know she's still in the first trimester. I think she's 16 or 17 weeks."

"That would put her in her 2nd trimester," Edward corrected. "In my experience, if pre-eclampsia develops, it's usually around 20 weeks."

"What exactly is the implication of that?" Tristan asked nervously. Then, thinking of Grandpa Levi, he asked, "Could she get a stroke or something?"

"If it gets severe enough, yes," Edward answered bluntly and Tristan felt sick to his stomach. "Don't let yourself get too upset, Tristan," Edward said soothingly. "Don't panic. I guarantee you whether Freida's a half breed or human, the doctors have seen this sort of thing 1000 times and they know what to do. Freida will be okay, I promise."

"Okay," Tristan replied but he was still really anxious. "Is there anything I can do to help her?"

"Just be there for her Tristan," Edward said. "That's all any father can do for the mother of his child."

"Okay," Tristan said and although he was still extremely ill at ease, he added, "I appreciate your help."

"It's no trouble, Tristan," Edward said. "If you ever have anything else you want to ask about or talk about, just give us a call no matter what time of day."

"I will," Tristan said and ended his call with Edward.

Melville, Herman Moby Dick

Hertfordshire, 1993.