"What?"

Alex's voice was numb, and fear crashed through her, she was encompassed in a haze. She didn't notice her father and Mason rushing to her side, she didn't even notice Dr Butcher as she continued to talk, "I understand Alex it's a lot to take in. But you don't need to worry we'll get you the help you need, okay?"

She placed her hand on Alex's shoulder and lightly squoze it, Alex could sense that Dr Butcher was trying to be reassuring but if anything her terror swelled as yet another tear escaped from her eyes.

"But why didn't we find this out sooner?" Jerry hollered, "surely she can't be full term?"

"It can actually be quite common for women to not know their pregnant until they are well in to their second trimester. But in this case, because the baby is a hybrid, the wizard and werewolf genes are fighting each other which has masked some symptoms. But obviously recently Alex has been experiencing some of the common indicators of pregnancy which has now led us to finding out."

"What do you mean the genes are fighting, how does that even work?"

"When a wizard and werewolf reproduce usually the werewolf's genes are stronger than the wizard's genes, but because Alex is the family wizard, her powers are stronger which has created this surge. There is currently strong werewolf DNA inside Alex because of this baby, and her powers are trying to overrule the werewolf powers so they can 'stay in charge' so to speak."

"How long until…" Mason propped himself next to Alex, looking frantically back and forth between her and the doctor, but most importantly trying to avoid Mr. Russo's stare.

"I can't be certain, a matter of hours usually. But don't worry there'll be enough time to get Alex the help she'll need. By the looks of it you're two centimetres dilated, your waters are still intact and you're nearly sixty percent effaced Alex, so things are going well."

"So, what's next?" Jerry pressed.

"Whilst the labour is going well, my main priority is keeping Alex safe. Foreign powers are in your body Alex, and we don't know how you'll react, so we'll need to disable them before they can do any damage. This means you'll have to take a potion which will prevent you from turning in to a werewolf."

"I'm sorry?" Jerry's eyes pierced, "a werewolf?"

"I'm afraid so. Like I said Alex has werewolf DNA in her, if her powers aren't strong enough to overcome them then there is a possibility she'll phase into a wolf."

Jerry's blood ran cold and he turned towards Alex, she sat shivering, her teary eyes cast to the floor, unwilling to put herself at risk of being chastised. Despite her best efforts her face soon buckled, washing a path to her chin, her tears rolled freely. A sting of melancholy and confusion gripped Jerry's heart, "I'm sorry but I need a minute."

He trampled towards the door, his footsteps chaotic, before storming out of the room. Jerry barged past his family and headed straight down the hallway, maneuvering through amblers lurking in the halls he felt as if he wasn't really there, like if he were a ghost or simply a figment of someone's imagination. Swerving in and out of the crowds, behind Jerry came a racket of shouts but he chose to ignore them and hurried on, the stress radiated from his skin. He wiped the sweat resting on his brow before staggering over and collapsing back up against a nearby wall.

"Dad," Justin observed his father warily, his red face flushed as he puffed in exhaustion, gently Justin took him by the shoulder, "what's wrong?"

"It's Alex…"

Justin's throat tightened, he could already feel the prickle of tears stinging his eyes, "what is it?" Jerry didn't answer, instead he rubbed his temples and ushered his sad eyes shut. Fear crept up from the pit of Justin's stomach, "Dad?"

"She's pregnant Justin."

A smirk inched its way over Justin's face, he bit his lip as the mischievous twinkle in his eye overcome him and he burst in to a fit of laughter. His guffaws echoed in the hallway, causing onlookers to stare, "yeah right, good one Dad! Alex, with a baby!" He threw his head back in laughter and crossed his arms over his stomach, trying to regain his breath.

Justin received a hard look from his father as a frown crossed his face and slowly, the realisation crept into Justin's brain. A sharp gasp escaped his lips, "oh," he whispered to himself. "Well, it's not really a bad thing, right? I mean, I know she's only nineteen but she's not some little kid Dad."

"She's already in labour Justin."

The fact hit him like a brick wall, Justin's stomach lurched and he ran his fingers through his dark locks, "okay, okay," he chattered, "maybe now is time to panic a little. But hey, she's in the best place. You know, that's something right? And yeah, the baby literally has nothing, but we can all help find what they'll need! And then the childcare well-"

"Justin!" Jerry's expression darkened, "you don't understand. Do you realise how dangerous this is?" Justin tensed as he watched his father's face became ravaged with despair, clearing his throat, Jerry took a calming breath. "The baby is part werewolf Justin, it's a hybrid, this creates so many risks."

"I didn't even think of that, what exactly did Dr. Butcher say?"

"Alex has already started to dilate, but they're not exactly sure what will happen, so she'll have to be closely monitored. She'll have to take a potion to prevent any werewolf powers and hopefully that will protect her wizard powers too."

"This is crazy…"

"I know, I don't even know how to tell your mother. This is too much for me to take in, so how will she react."

"You have to tell her Dad."

"I will," Jerry exclaimed, "obviously I will. I'll have to, when Alex leaves here she'll be a mother. We won't be able to hide that."

"Well we'll need to all pull together, I'll flash back over to WizTech find some books on hybrid's and bring them here. Then maybe we can get a better idea of what we're dealing with. But so far, has Alex's powers been okay?"

"So far yeah, I mean she hasn't said anything to say otherwise."

"Let's hope it stays that way then…"

Jerry adjusted his torso so he could get a clear view of the double doors, through the glass he caught a glimpse of his wife, pacing around with her younger son in tow. "I guess we better tell her…"

"It'll be okay Dad."

Jerry felt warm as he received a reassuring smile from his son, taking the first step forward he then strode down the hallway with Justin closely behind. They forced their way through the doors, sending them swinging violently, and as they entered the waiting room Theresa and Max rapidly rushed over, with Harper following their path. Theresa gripped on to her husband's arm and imbedded her nails into his skin as she tightened her grip, "Jerry, what is it?"

"Alex is giving birth, she's going to have a baby…"

One by one, all three of them dissolved into a fit of laughter. They're stomachs shaking as they fought the giggles, Jerry and Justin stood dumbfounded and they looked to each other as they listened to the roar of laughter. In between her waves of laughter Harper panted, "Alex with a kid, good one guys!"

Their laughs continued to bellow out but Justin and his father patiently waited, their expressions serious and stern. Over time their movements gradually slowed, and a look of realisation descended on to their faces.

"You're being serious?" Theresa gasped.

"Woah!" Smiled Max, "I'm gonna be an uncle!" He leapt into the air, his fist punching upwards in joy, and clung on to Justin, trying to drag him upwards by the hem of his shirt, in an attempt to get him to join in.

"Get off me!" He yelled pushing Max away, Justin quickly composed himself and propped himself next to his parents but before Max could engulf him in his arms, Harper stepped in between them.

"So where is she now?"

"Still with the doctor. Because she is a wizard and Mason's a werewolf it can cause some complications…"

"Complications?"

"Well…" Jerry sighed and bit his lip, as he glanced at their desperate faces a suffocating feeling overwhelmed his chest, and his heart throbbed. "Well, uh…"

"Because Alex and Mason are different species it makes the baby a hybrid," Justin continued for his father, "which could put Alex's powers at risk."

"At risk how?"

"Because of the baby, it means that there is werewolf DNA in Alex, which also means there's a chance-"

"She could turn in to a werewolf?"

Max's eye lit up in delight, "cool!"

"Max, it is not 'cool'" His mother scolded him before turning back to her eldest son, "so, wait I don't understand all this magic crap on normal occasions, what does this all mean? A hybrid? So is the baby sick?"

"Probably not…"

Theresa's jaw dropped, "WHAT!"

Seeing the initial fear in his wife's face, along with the tears threatening to explode from her eyes, Jerry rushed to her side and enveloped her in his arms. "No, of course not honey. The baby will be fine, and so will Alex. It's called a hybrid because the baby has both wizard and werewolf powers."

"So, it'll be both?"

"We don't know, maybe, but it could be one or the other, or it could even be a mortal."

Theresa's jaw remained hanging but her eyes widened further, "Mortal? But how?"

"There's a chance the powers could cancel themselves out," Jerry shrugged, "but whatever the outcome it'll be okay. Besides we won't know until they're older."

"And Alex? What will happen if she turns into a wolf?"

"Dr. Butcher is giving her a potion to stop that from happening, but she's been examined and she's only two centimetres dilated and so far Alex's powers seem okay, so they'll both be fine."

Clasping her hands together tightly, a tentative smile grew on Theresa's face, "oh well at least that's something. Now, where is she? I need to see my Mija!"

Jerry gestured forward and Theresa hurried away, with Harper closely behind, he watched as they disappeared into a room further down the hall, but soon enough his chest weighed heavy.

"Dad?"

Jerry's head snapped up and he gave a small cough, regaining his postures and composing himself he turned to his sons who watched him curiously.

"Aren't you going with Mom?" Justin pressed, "they might need you."

Jerry's brows drawn together as he chewed his bottom lip, he slowly shook his head, "I- I just need time…" waving his hands in defence, he spun on his heels and walked away, once again.

"Well, he looks pissed…"

Justin's head snapped towards his brother, "Max, you can't say things like that!"

"What pissed?"

"Yes! Well… no… I mean, your old enough to curse if you want but it doesn't make it right. This isn't the time or the place."

"Look, Justin I'm not some fancy wizard school professor like you, and I may not be smart but I can read situations, well sometimes I can read situations, and it doesn't take a genius to work out that Dad's pissed because Daddy's little princess has accidently got knocked up and that means she's grown up now, so technically she's not his little princess anymore."

"Maybe, but have you ever thought that maybe Dad's not pissed at all, that maybe he's just scared because 'daddy's little princess' is going through something that is possibly life threatening? Have you thought that maybe he's just scared because his daughter and grandchild could be in serious danger?"

"Well, when you say it like that…"

Justin grunted in frustration and rubbed his hands vigorously over his face, masking his expression he remained hid behind his hands as Max watched him intently.

"Look bro," Max began moving over to Justin and placing a hand on to his shoulder, "why don't you go back to Wiz Tech? I don't think anything will be happening anytime soon. Besides, when Dad cheers up he'll probably just send some of us back to open the sub shop."

"Are you kidding!" exclaimed Justin removing Max off him, "I can't leave, I need to be here for Alex! Besides it's been a while since I took time off work to be with my family and if it comes to it, I don't mind helping in the substation. It'll be like the good old days."

Max smiled at his brother and lightly punched him on the arm, "alright, cool! But if we do have to open the sub shop, you're on cleaning duty because I am not dealing with those bathrooms again!" Justin chuckled as Max launched himself back onto a chair and rested his arms behind his head and propped his feet up on to the nearby coffee table.

"Deal," Justin laughed sitting down next to him, "but next time you're at Wiztech you can take a shift clearing out the Unicorn stables."

"C'mon man, Unicorn poop?" Max's lips curled into a smile, "you've got yourself a deal!

Alex lay on the bed, engulfed in the hospital sheets and shrouded in Mason's arms, her head ached from the crying and her puffy eyes were growing tired and heavy. Every now and then, she would feel Mason tighten his grip, and place a soft kiss on to the back of her hair.

"Mason?"

"You alright love?" he asked before giving her another kiss, "I thought you were asleep?"

"No," huffed Alex as she rolled on to her back and glanced to Mason, "I can't relax, I'm tired but I can't sleep. This is all just… crazy."

Mason nodded, "yeah it is, but it'll be okay. You'll be okay. And I'm not going to leave your side, I'm going to help you through this whole thing, with whatever you need."

Alex cupped Mason's face with her hands and kissed him softly on the lips, "And that's why you're the best boyfriend."

Alex huddled into Mason's arms and sunk into his embrace, he watched her closely as she remained quiet, her lips pursed as she fidgeted with her nails. He recognised the appearance of some crystal tears accumulating in her hazel eyes, but as she blinked them away she stated, "my Dad looked angry."

"He's probably more annoyed with me than you though…"

"Probably," she chuckled lightly, suddenly Alex clutched her stomach tightly as she doubled over in pain. Digging her nails into Mason's bare skin, Alex gripped on to him tightly and began to take deep breaths in between her painful cries. The sound of Alex's groans filled the room as Mason sat quietly watching her guiltily. As the contraction ended Alex collapsed back on to her bed, "how long was that?" she asked tiredly.

"I'm not really sure," Mason told her as he began to gently stroke the soft hair on her head, "but it wasn't very long. I really need to start timing them for you…"

"But it felt like forever!" Alex whined and held back more tears before burying her face into Mason's lap.

He continued to stroke her hair, "I know love, but you're doing so well."

Alex kept her face hidden and squoze her eyes tightly shut as she fought the sting of tears threatening to spill from them, she held on to Mason as he continued to soothe her. He alternated between playing with her hair and tenderly rubbing her back, Alex wanted to feel relaxed in his presence but all she could focus on was swallowing her tears, and the fear that was burning in her chest.

A small click alerted Alex, closely followed by the door creaking open along with the hustles of several footsteps. Propping herself upright, she was soon met by her mother and Harper edging their way into the room and towards her hospital bed. Alex flung her arms open and immediately succumb to another outburst of tears, Theresa quickly swamped Alex into a hug and held her tightly as she wept. "Oh sweetie…"

"I'm sorry, I can't stop crying. I feel like such a doofus."

"Honey don't say that!" Theresa demanded, taking Alex's tear-stained cheeks in her hand she softly caressed them whilst placing light kisses on to her forehead. Alex softened into her mother's arms, feeling safe as she was cradled like a child. "You've had a shock, well, we all have. Plus, your hormones will be going crazy! But I've gotta ask honey, did you really not know that you were pregnant?"

Alex bit her lip, eyes focused on her mom. Her body squirmed as she fought back more sobs, but eventually her breathing become slow and softer before she silently shook her head 'no.'

Theresa pulled Alex back into a hug, suffocating her in her arms, "oh my Mija, I can't believe this is happening!"

The loud clatter of the door swinging violently open brought everyone's attention to Dr Butcher as she entered the room, hauling an ultrasound machine along with her. Her footsteps were not strident, she wobbled every few steps as the machine veered off in a different direction and everyone watched slightly amused as she battled to catch it. She clung on to the cart and correcting its balance she eased her way in, Mason rushed over to hold the door for her and she thanked him gratefully before noticing Alex and her mom mid hug.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Dr Butcher whispered, "do you guys need a minute?"

"No, it's okay," Alex wiped her eyes and forced a weak smile, "Sorry. This is my Mom Theresa and my best friend Harper," she said trying to compose herself.

"Nice to meet you both, Alex if you're ready I need to carry out an ultrasound to make sure everything's okay with baby and then you'll need to take the potion I was telling you about."

"To stop her turning into a werewolf?" Harper asked curiously.

"Exactly," Dr Butcher pulled out her slender wand from her lab coat and clicked her fingers, which illuminated the ultrasound screen. "Now if you don't mind Alex, I need you to lie back for me please."

Alex grimaced, "You're not going to put a load of the gross gloop on my stomach are you?"

Dr Butcher cackled loudly, "nah girl. One of the perks of having magic is we get to ignore some of the messy stuff, I hate that stuff as much as my patients do!"

Alex lay back and exposed her abdomen, then she paused, brain stuttered for a brief moment as her eyes took in more than she expecting, "what is that?"

Along with Alex, everyone's eyes grew wide as their jaws dropped, Alex's once fairly flat stomach had now altered and grew into a neat bump. Although it was not big, Alex couldn't help but be drawn to the fact that it was definitely more than just bloating and that it definitely give away her news.

"Oh," Dr Butcher stared astonished, "so apparently it's not too late for your body to alter for the pregnancy. I better have a look and see what we're dealing with here," hovering her wand a few inches above her stomach, the doctor began to maneuver her wand up and down Alex's abdomen.

Everyone waited with bated breath, frantically glancing between the doctor and the ultrasound machine, Alex listened as the muted sound of passers-by in the hallway drifted into the room. Eventually, the tiny tympanic heartbeat emitted from the ultrasound and Alex instantly felt her breath being caught in her throat. Her eyes remained fixated on the grey hazy image as Mason tightly squoze her hand whilst her mom and Harper both gave a small audible gasp, unable to tell if the new tears emerging from her eyes were from relief or fear, Alex stared in awe of the small foetus, coiled in its own embrace.

"Everything looks good," Dr Butcher smiled, "the baby's measuring slightly small but you're definitely in the third trimester, I doubt your full term though. I'd say preterm, maybe about thirty-six weeks."

"Is that bad?" Theresa questioned, "my youngest was born at thirty-seven weeks and he turned out okay. Well, depending on what you consider to be 'okay'…"

"It should be fine," with a wave of her wand the image disappeared and Dr Butcher hid her wand back into her lab coat, "but we'll probably have to keep him or her under observation. Anyway, now we know baby is okay let's give you this potion Alex. We don't want to risk any type of complications. You're very lucky you were brought in so early into your labour, it gives you the best chance of having a normal birth. So, if it's alright, before I administer the potion I need to check your powers."

Alex's head snapped towards the doctor, "my powers?"

"Yep, I'll need you to perform a simple spell with your wand so I can see how strong your powers are."

Alex and Harper turned to each other, both experiencing a rising tide of fear within them, "my wand?" Alex choked.

Dr Butcher nodded, "just something simple. Maybe, I don't know, try and duplicate something?"

"Edgebonoutoosis, right…"

"With your wand please."

Dr Butcher shot Alex a warm smile as she patiently waited for the spell, Alex could feel the pressure building as all eyes were on her. But without even looking around to confirm, Alex could sense Harper dithering nervously beside her. Looking over, Alex rolled her eyes as Harper shoved her manicure into her mouth and madly chomped onto her nails.

"I can't I don't have my wand with me…"

Theresa looked aghast, "what? You never go anywhere without that thing, wow, you must be sick," she scoffed.

"Okay, plan b!" Dr. Butcher announced, "I want you to conjure up a teddy bear. Nothing fancy, just a little bear for the baby."

Hearing Harper whimpering beside her, Alex shook her head. "I can't…"

"Alex love, just give it a go," Mason encouraged. "The doctor wouldn't ask you to try if it wasn't safe."

"It's not that…"

"Then what?"

At this point Harper practically had her entire fist crammed into her mouth, however, it did not stop her mumbling inaudibly to herself.

"Sorry, did you say something Harper?" Theresa asked moving closer to get a better hearing.

Harper continued to mumble, resisting with all her might from removing her fist from her mouth.

"I'm sorry?"

With a great exaggerated sigh Harper yanked her fist out of her mouth, "she can't do the spell, she can't do any spell because her magic isn't working! And not only is her magic no longer working but her wand exploded too! That is why she hasn't brought it with her, not because she's sick or in too much pain! No, it's because her powers went bat shit crazy and made her wand explode in her hand!"

Alex seethed. She refused to look at anyone, especially Harper. She sat in silence, clenching her mouth shut, preventing any unwanted profanities from escaping.

"Alex is this true?" Dr Butcher asked.

Alex nodded silently, she pulled her gown back over her stomach, and continued to avoid any eye contact.

"Okay then, is there anything else we need to know? I can't give you this potion without all the crucial information."

Alex rolled her eyes as she whispered, "3…2…1."

"Her eyes did this weird thing!" Harper began in another outburst, "she got a really bad headache and then her eyes lit up. Like, they glowed, they literally shone bright yellow!"

Mason's eyebrows angled upwards, "that's the first thing that happens to me when I wolf up…"

"Okay then," Dr butcher began, her voice shrill, "so it looks like the werewolf powers are starting to take hold. I'll have to come back," she stuttered, "I'll have to make a stronger dose of the potion. Excuse me."

She ushered herself quickly out of the room, gathering Alex's chart and paperwork from the end of the bed before disappearing rapidly out of the room. Mason watched after her, his feet dithering slightly forward as he tried to peer out of the door. "I'm sorry I'll be a minute," he announced dashing after the doctor.

Alex faced Harper, she attempted to swallow her anger like it was a fire-seed but it soon grew, and came out as a hot fiery temper. "What did you do?" She spat furiously.

"Don't you take that tone with me missy!" Harper scolded, "I'm sorry Alex but you know I just did the right thing, you heard the doctor, she needs to know everything before she gives you that potion. Do you really want to risk harming your baby or even yourself just because you were being too stubborn?"

"Harpers right," Alex groaned in frustration at her mother's comment, "this is for your own good Alex, taking that potion is very important we don't need anything to mess it up."

Alex winced and clasped her stomach, "usually I'd have a comeback ready for that," she started, her voice tight with pain, "but I think I'm having another contraction so I can't really think of anything right now…" She doubled over slightly, one hand massaging her stomach whilst the other burrowed her nails into the mattress.

"Just breath it out Alex," Theresa instructed as she rubbed circles on to Alex's lower back, "just breath."

Alex's angry eyes told Harper that her brain was in a different mode, despite this Alex's icy glare did not deter her. As a matter of fact, Harper found the whole thing amusing. In between her jagged breaths Alex huffed, "you asshole…"

Harper's lips curled into a smirk, "I wouldn't act like an asshole if you weren't acting like a bitch."

Alex's eyes narrowed, and maintaining her breathing, she mustered an obscene hand gesture with her middle finger that made Harper dissolve into a puddle of laughter.

"I love you too Alex!"

Walking out into the hallway Mason looked around frantically for Dr. Butcher, his eyes jumping around the scene in front of him. He glanced urgently around, eyes wide and a rising panic evolving in his chest as Dr Butcher was nowhere to be seen.

"Mason, buddy!" Greeted Justin rushing from his place in the waiting area, he clutched a brown tattered book in his grasp, "how's Alex?"

Mason shrugged, "in shock, like the rest of us. Have you seen the doctor? I really need to speak to her."

"I'm sorry I didn't notice, we've been kind of busy." He gestured to Max sat behind him on an armchair, surrounded by dusty tired text books. He looked intense, flicking rapidly through the pages before tossing the book aside and pulling another from the pile.

"What are you doing?"

Justin led Mason over to Max and his mountain of books, despite Max waving happily at him Mason felt daunted. Things must be serious if Max was willing to read a book, never mind several of them. "Uh, well," Justin dropped his book on to the pile, sending puffs of dust exploding in to the air. "I thought it would be a good idea to look up some stuff, you know? About wizard and werewolf hybrid offspring. So, I flashed to WizTech and got as many books as I could find in the library."

Mason looked down to the floor, avoiding Justin's gaze. His stomach twisted in to tight knots, "where is your dad?" He found the courage to look at Justin, but soon found himself consumed with more guilt as Justin silently shook his head.

"He needed some time…"

"Mason?" A voice called from behind, all three boys looked curiously, Dr Butcher closed her notebook and strolled over to the group, "I thought I recognised that accent! Oh, hello Professor Russo, anyway, I'm just letting you know Mason that we're still waiting on that potion. We're going to need a stronger dose considering the new developments."

Justin's eyes expanded, "new developments?"

"Twins?" Max interjected earning a guffaw of laughter from the doctor.

"No not twins, gosh you're a funny kid!" She tittered before turning to Mason, "I'm guessing they don't know?"

"Know what? You're freaking me out," Justin stuttered.

"Alex's powers aren't working," Mason mumbled, "and she's showing signs of phasing into a wolf…"

Justin felt the blood drain from his face, and even Max remained eerily quiet. "What?"

"But there's no need to worry," Dr Butcher began, "she is still able to take the potion to prevent her from phasing, it just needs to be a lot stronger than before. It should be ready in about an hour or so…"

"And until then?"

"I'm going to look into werewolf and wizard offspring's and get as much information as I can, this isn't a case that we see a lot here."

"Oh, well we've already started," said Justin eagerly leading her over to the textbooks. He heaved another book from the pile and sat down in a chair to begin to read, Mason stared silently tangled in a mass of nerves, but Dr Butcher's eyes illuminated in delight as she admired the books that lay in an unorganized manner.

"Fantastic Professor!" She plucked a book from the pile and softly caressed the cover, "man, do I miss the WizTech library."

"How do you know I got them from there?"

She rested her nose on to the cover and inhaled deeply, "I'd recognise that smell anywhere. So, what have you found?" Justin flashed her the book held in his hands, 'The History of Magical crossbreeds by Professor Dirbyh Cigam.' "Well done Professor," Dr. Butcher dropped her books and snatched Justin's book straight from his hands. She sat down awestruck, turning each page carefully as she scanned the text.

"What will you look for?" Mason asked, he scanned the titles of some of the books surrounding him, 'When genes cross,' 'Werewolf/Vampire Hybrids' to name a few. And also, 'Hybrids: The abnormalities, deformities and fatalities.' That last one made Mason feel sick.

"Just some general knowledge on wizard and werewolf hybrids. It'll be useful to know as much as possible before the birth. In fact, if you don't mind Professor, I'd like to borrow this and see if there's anything I might be missing."

"Of course, Doctor, whatever you need."

She nodded politely and went on her way, disappearing through the small gathering of the other patients waiting to be seen.

Mason watched as Justin sat back down next to Max and they both flipped through various pages of their books. Every page Justin passed made him look even more intrigued, he quickly inspected the text wrote on the dirty pages, edging closer to the two brothers Mason interrupted, "have you found anything that might help?"

"Not really," Justin shook his head as he continued to read, "they all pretty much say the same. Hybrids develop in an unpredictable way so it's hard to say what may happen to them because they're two-different species put together."

"Nothing about the birth?"

Again, Justin shook his head.

"I found something that says the baby might be born with teeth," Max interjected. Both Justin and Mason stared blankly at him, "I guess I'll just keep reading then," he whispered to himself cowering behind the large textbook.

"No Max your right," Mason plonked himself on to an empty chair, "there's no way of knowing what kind of monster this baby is going to be, and it's all my fault."

"Mason, we're just trying to find a way to help Alex and the baby. We're not trying to figure out if the baby is going to be a monster, because it won't," Justin reassured him, but Mason quietly shook his head.

"How do you know? No one has any idea what's going on, not even the doctors. And I don't even know how Alex is feeling about this, probably just as scared as me because I don't want anything bad to happen to her. And as well as that, I don't know how to look after a baby! Plus let's face it, Alex isn't the most maternal person. We've never even talk about kids!"

"What you've never talked about kids?" Justin's eyebrows shot upwards, "Really? Juliet and I talk about stuff like that all the time."

"We aren't like you and Juliet though."

"Yeah, besides you and Juliet have already chosen your retirement plan," Max casually added.

"There's nothing wrong with being prepared," Justin scolded. He turned back to Mason, he was slumped in his seat, pinching the bridge of his nose and his head hung low as he pressed his eyes tightly shut. "Think of it like this," Justin began approaching the chair right next to him, "Juliet and I have always talked about having children, but as you know, it's extremely rare for two different species to fall pregnant. And even if she did, vampires can only get pregnant once in their lifetime. So basically, there's a chance it may never happen for us, but it's happened for you guys and it may not feel like it now but you're so lucky. I know your both in shock right now, and that's okay, but once you get that baby all them worries will go away. You'll see, both Alex and the baby will be fine, they're in the best place. Besides, Alex's powers could affect the baby just as much as yours, so none of this is your fault. But I've got to know…" Justin dithered before leaning over to Mason and in a hushed tone he asked, "will you support Alex with this?"

Mason gazed up at him, "pardon?"

"Would you help Alex raise the baby, or don't you want to keep it? Is this what this whole thing is about, you don't want to be a dad?"

"You know I would, I'll support Alex with whatever she decides."

"But what would you decide to do? Do you want this baby?"

Mason smiled timidly, "it wouldn't be a bad thing I suppose…"

Behind Justin he could hear the risings and fallings of various conversations being held by other patients and medical staff, he had almost forgot where he was, they all yapped to each other noisily. Mason saw the struggle within Justin, the cascading stress and overwhelming him, his eye contact altered along with his posture and manner.

"I can see why you'd be worried," Mason started, "but I think it's safe to say, considering how much Alex and I have already gone through, that I wouldn't leave her at a time like this."

From the shift in his tone, Mason could tell Justin was already feeling reassured and that he was satisfied with his duties as the protective big brother. "Yeah," he says, beginning to make eye contact again, "I know, I'm sorry..."

Through the hustle and bustle of the waiting room, the boys all noticed a new figure enter. Jerry strode through, his jaw clenched and his profile intense as he eyed the group on his way past. As he walked, the boys could see how tense he looked, his posture straightened and his figure tight as he marched into Alex's room.

"He's so pissed," Max whispered.

"Yeah, he's pissed," Justin added.

"Definitely pissed off," Mason stated holding his head in hands.

The corner of Max's mouth raised into a grin, "man, I'd hate to be you dude…"