The air inside the wooden shack was thick with humidity, the faint scent of moss and damp earth seeping through the walls. Alex leaned forward against the splintered counter, her breathing shallow and ragged. Every breath she took seemed to send a jolt of pressure through her lower abdomen, reminding her that time was running out.
"Alex, you need to try to relax," Juliet said, her voice soft but edged with concern.
Alex let out a tight breath, her face pale but determined. "I can't. They're supposed to be back by now. What if they're... What if something's happened?"
"Nothing's happened to them," Juliet said, her voice firm despite the obvious worry in her eyes. "They'll be back before you know it, I promise."
Alex nodded, but the tremor in her hands betrayed her uncertainty, she had no way of knowing how much longer she could stay 'calm'. The contractions had become more frequent, each one closer together, and she felt the unmistakable pressure building with every passing moment. The baby was coming—whether they were ready or not.
Alex closed her eyes, breathing through the pain. "Do you think they'll make it back in time?"
Juliet hesitated for a moment, her gaze flicking to the window, where the dense forest loomed. The shadows of the trees stretched long, and she exhaled slowly, trying to steady herself before meeting Alex's eyes again. "They will be, Mason's not going to miss this, and neither is Justin."
Alex bit her lip, trying to ignore the ache in her back as another contraction hit. "It wasn't meant to happen like this," Alex admitted through jagged breaths. "This is not how I'm meant to have my baby! I mean, I've stopped an asteroid hitting the earth, defeated Angels of darkness—this should've been a walk in the park, right?"
"Welcome to childbirth Alex, not everything always goes according to plan…"
As the intensity of the contraction finally ebbed away, Alex let out a shaky breath, her body exhausted from the wave of pain that had just consumed her. She collapsed back against the wall, her face damp with sweat, eyes closed as she tried to centre herself. The pain wasn't gone entirely—just momentarily dulled—and she could feel the tension in her muscles as her body prepared for the next wave.
Keeping a watchful eye on her, Juliet placed her hand on to Alex, holding her steady whilst she rubbed small circles into her back. "You're doing great," Juliet told her tenderly.
Alex let out a small, mirthless laugh, her lips curling slightly. "Really? Doesn't feel like it…"
"Hey, you're stronger than you think," Juliet replied, her voice soft but firm.
Alex shifted, rubbing her eyes before opening them and meeting her friend's gaze. "Juliet, I don't know if I'm ready for this," Alex whispered, her voice shivering. "And I don't just mean birth, I mean any of it. I can't be someone's mom! I'm not prepared for this. I haven't even figured out how to take care of myself, let alone another human being."
Juliet didn't speak right away, her gaze steady and thoughtful. She understood the overwhelming weight of those thoughts, "Alex, no one is ever fully ready. You don't have to have it all figured out right now. Being a mom isn't about perfection. It's about doing the best you can and loving that little one with everything you have. That's enough."
"But what if I fail? What if I can't keep them safe, or teach them right, or give them the life they deserve?"
"You're not alone in this, Alex," Juliet said lightly, her voice carrying a quiet confidence. "You have Mason. You have Justin. You have me. And, most of all, your love for that baby is already everything they'll ever need. You'll make mistakes, sure, every parent does! But that doesn't make you a failure, it just makes you human."
The truth in Juliet's words settled over Alex like a warm blanket. It didn't take away all her fears, but it made them feel more manageable, more like a mountain she could climb with the right support.
"I just wish I knew how to stop worrying," Alex whispered, her voice barely audible. "I feel like I'm drowning in it. I keep thinking of all the ways things could go wrong."
"Hey," Juliet said again, her voice insistent, "you're allowed to worry. But don't let it take over, okay, you can't control everything that's going on here. But you can love your baby, and that's more than enough."
Alex nodded slowly, feeling the weight of her fears begin to loosen, just a little. The uncertainty was still there, deep and unrelenting, but she had something—someone—to hold onto. "Is it weird that I'm sort of… looking forward to meeting this baby?"
Juliet smiled, "It's not weird at all."
Alex gasped, her breath catching in her throat as she felt the unmistakable jolt of the baby kicking hard against her rib. She instinctively placed a hand over the spot, her eyes widening in a mixture of surprise and pain.
"Whoa," she whispered, half-laughing.
"Are you okay? Is it another contraction?"
"No," Alex lightly chuckled, "it was just a kick. I think we're going to have a little soccer player on our hands…"
Juliet leaned forward slightly. "Can I feel?" she asked gently, her voice full of curiosity and care. "I mean, if you're okay with it?"
Alex hesitated for a moment, still feeling the lingering pressure from the baby's swift kick. She looked down at her belly, her hand still resting over the spot where the baby had moved. A small smile tugged at her lips as she nodded, her eyes softening with affection. "Yeah. It's... kind of amazing, actually."
Juliet's face lit up with excitement, her hand reaching out hesitantly, as though unsure if it was okay. Alex guided her hand gently to the spot where she'd felt the baby move. As soon as Juliet's palm rested against her belly, the baby gave another hard kick, this time right under Juliet's hand.
Juliet's eyes widened, and she let out a soft gasp. "Oh my god, that's amazing!" she said, her voice filled with wonder. "It's so... strong!"
Alex chuckled, though it was a little breathless. "Yeah, they've got some serious power for such a little thing."
The room seemed to quiet for a moment, both of them in the simple wonder of the life inside Alex, as the baby shifted again, a soft ripple of movement beneath their hands. Juliet looked up at Alex, her eyes filled with warmth.
"This is so beautiful," she whispered, her voice full of emotion. Still with her hand gently resting on Alex's belly, she shifted a little, her brow furrowing with curiosity. She looked up at Alex, her voice tentative but full of care. "Do you mind if I try to feel where the baby is positioned?"
Alex paused for a moment, a soft smile tugging at her lips. Despite the fear still clinging to her, she felt a sense of trust in Juliet's steady presence. She nodded slowly, letting out a breath. "How do you know how to do that?"
Juliet moved her hand carefully across Alex's swollen belly, her fingers light as she searched for any signs of where the baby was. She gently pressed, trying to gauge the baby's position, her touch thoughtful and delicate. "When you've been around for a while, you learn a few things…" Juliet murmured, her fingers brushing a firm spot just below Alex's ribcage. "I think I can feel a foot…"
She gently moved her hand, sliding it lower down the curve of Alex's belly. "And... this must be the back," Juliet said, a soft laugh escaping her. "I don't think it'll be a very big baby!"
Alex bit her lip, closing her eyes as she focused on the sensation. Juliet smiled, her hand still resting on Alex's belly, careful not to press too hard. "Yeah, I think the feet are up here, and the head must be lower, probably in your pelvis."
"Is that okay? I mean, are they in a good position?"
Juliet's expression softened with reassurance. "It's actually a pretty good position. It's just what they're supposed to do."
Alex breathed out slowly, a bit of relief washing over her at the certainty in Juliet's voice. "Okay. Good. That's good."
For a moment, they were quiet, Juliet's hand still resting on Alex's belly, both of them feeling the gentle shifts beneath her skin. The baby kicked again, a soft flutter that made Alex smile, the discomfort momentarily fading in the warmth of the connection.
Another wave of pressure hit, and Alex gasped, her fingers digging into the wooden counter next to her as she tried to breathe through it. Juliet stood and resumed massaging Alex's back. "It'll be alright, don't worry. Just keep breathing through it."
"I wish they'd hurry," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I want Mason, I can't do this without him!"
"Alex, you've got this!" Juliet said firmly, her tone gentle but unwavering. She reached out to Alex, her hand steady on her friend's shoulder. "I'm right here. And I'll stay here with you until they come. You're not alone."
Harper sat in the quiet of the waiting room, the weight of Mason's secret pressing heavily on her chest. Her fingers drummed absently on the edge of her chair as her mind raced. Max was seated across from her, leaning back with his legs stretched out, scrolling through his phone. He looked up from his cell, his eyes narrowing as he noticed the tension in Harper's posture.
"You've been quiet," he remarked, his voice casual, but there was a hint of concern in his eyes. "What's going on?"
Harper hesitated, glancing down at her hands. She twisted them together, trying to settle the storm of thoughts inside her. "I'm just worried about Alex…" She finally said, keeping her voice steady. She didn't dare meet his gaze, fearing he might see right through her.
Max didn't seem convinced. He sat up a little straighter, his tone relaxing. "Come on, I can tell it's more than that. We're all worried about Alex! You can tell me. Whatever it is, you know I'm not going to judge."
Harper swallowed hard, trying to keep the lump in her throat from breaking her composure. She couldn't lie to him, not entirely. "It's not that easy, Max," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Max's expression shifted. His brow furrowed, and he sat forward, suddenly more alert. "Why? What's wrong?"
Harper met his eyes for the briefest of moments, then looked away, the weight of the secret pressing harder against her chest. Max was quiet for a moment, studying her. He could see she was holding something back, something important. But he also knew Harper well enough to understand that pushing her wasn't going to help. She needed to come to him when she was ready.
"I get it," he said tenderly, though the concern didn't leave his eyes. "But you don't have to carry it alone, you know. If you need help figuring it out... or just someone to talk to, I'm here."
Harper nodded "I appreciate it," she whispered, "I just... I don't know what to do. No matter what happens, someone's going to get hurt, and I don't know how to avoid it."
Max leaned back against the chair, his eyes thoughtful. "That's tough. Sometimes, there's no right answer, Harper. But I know you'll do what's right. you're going to find a way to handle it, even if it hurts."
Harper looked up at him, meeting his gaze for the first time since they'd started talking. She could see the sincerity in his eyes, the understanding in his tone. It was exactly what she needed to hear, even if it didn't make the situation any easier.
"Thanks, Max," she said, her voice barely above a murmur.
He gave her a reassuring smile. "Anytime. You don't have to carry it by yourself though, alright? Look, you don't have to tell me anything. But I'm here if you need to talk."
Harper nodded, grateful for his words, even if they didn't solve anything. She shifted slightly on the chair, her fingers tangled in her lap, but now her gaze was fixed on Max. She couldn't keep avoiding the question forever, especially not with Max sitting there, patient and waiting for her to open up.
"Max," she started, her voice shaky, "I—if you knew something… something important, but telling someone would hurt them… would you still tell them? Even if it meant everything would change?"
Max raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but cautious. He sat up a little straighter, sensing the gravity in her tone. "That's a pretty heavy question," he said slowly. "But... yeah. I guess I would. I mean, the truth's important, right? Even if it hurts at first, it's better than living a lie or keeping something secret forever. They might be mad at you, but eventually, they'd understand, right?"
Harper's heart ached as she listened to him. She couldn't help but think about how telling Alex the truth—the truth she knew—could destroy everything between them. She stared at the floor, the words stuck in her throat.
"But what if it's not just the truth that hurts, Max," she asked quietly, "what if it's the fact that you're the one who knew? What if... what if they hate you for it? Or worse, what if they can never forgive you?"
Max's expression softened, and he leaned forward, his voice a little more serious now. "I get it. Sometimes people might not forgive you right away. But... the truth is the truth, Harper. If you care about someone, you owe it to them to be honest. It's not easy, and it's not fair, but keeping it to yourself might hurt them even more in the long run."
Harper swallowed, his words echoing in her mind. What if he was right?
What if keeping the secret would only made everything worse in the end?
But the thought of facing Alex, of hurting her best friend because of what she knew—it felt impossible. "I don't know if I can do that," Harper admitted
Max's expression softened even further, his eyes full of understanding. "You don't have to be strong alone, Harper. You don't have to do it all by yourself. But... you've got to do what's right, even if it's the hardest thing you'll ever do."
Harper nodded slowly, the weight in her chest still there, but now with a small flicker of clarity. Max had given her the space to think it through, to realize that no matter what she decided, the truth would eventually come out. The question wasn't whether or not it would hurt—but how she would handle it when it did.
"Thanks, Max. I think... I think I just needed to hear that."
Alex paced back and forth, her hand resting on her swollen belly. The rustic floor creaked with every step she took as the tropical heat hung in the air, but she barely noticed it as she huffed through yet another contraction, her face scrunching up in mild discomfort.
"Come on, Mason," she muttered, stopping to rest a hand on the doorframe. She paused mid-sigh, her eyes going wide as the pain hit her again. "Ow, ow, ow!" She panted, trying to find some semblance of comfort. "Okay, I know they said labour could take a while, but come on! I'm about to pop here!"
Alex huffed and placed her hands on her hips as another contraction hit. She bent slightly at the waist, muttering through gritted teeth. "He's an asshole…"
Juliet's head perked up, "who?"
"Mason. He's an asshole."
"I could have told you that…"
"This is his fault!"
"Obviously!" Juliet smirked, "it's why he's an asshole…"
"A huge asshole!" Alex paused for a second, clutching her belly as another wave of pain consumed her. Her breathing quickened, but she managed to stand upright, grinning through it. "I just want them to get back so I can start yelling at Mason for making me go through this!"
Juliet took one last look at the door, "Don't worry, they'll be back soon. And when they are, we can all yell at Mason for this…"
Alex leaned against the wall, trying to steady herself. When it passed, she straightened up, wiping her brow with the back of her hand.
"Okay, okay, that one was rough," Alex muttered, catching her breath. She shot a glance over at Juliet, who was now sat casually on the bed, as calm as ever, her legs crossed and arms holding her steady. "You know," Alex said, eyeing her friend with a raised eyebrow, "you've been so calm about all this. It's like you've been here before or something."
Juliet paused, her head slightly, looking at Alex with a coy glint in her eyes. "What do you mean?" she said, feigning innocence.
Alex laughed, shaking her head, though she was starting to feel a bit more relaxed in the midst of the ridiculous back-and-forth. "You know, for a second there," she said with a smirk. "I thought you were hiding some big secret."
Juliet's posture stiffened. Her casual, laid-back demeanour evaporated as her eyes flicked nervously to the door, then back at Alex. A nervous laugh escaped her lips, "like what?"
"Like, maybe you had a kid and just forgot to tell me.
"What? No—no!" Juliet's voice came out a little too high-pitched, too quick, as she took a few steps back, raising her hands defensively. "I mean, what? Me? A kid? Absolutely not!" She laughed again, but it was forced, too sharp. "Like I said before, when you've been around for a couple of thousand years, you pick this stuff up. You're not the first girl I've seen in labour before!"
Alex watched her for a moment, sudden suspicion creeping in. "No." Alex began, her tone firm now. She stepped closer, her eyes locked on Juliet's with an intensity that made the air in the shack feel heavier. "Why are you freaking out over something as simple as me asking if you have a kid? If it's not true, then why can't you just tell me the that?" Alex pressed, her voice now edged with concern.
Juliet's eyes glistened with something Alex couldn't quite place—fear, guilt, or maybe a mix of both. The moment hung heavy between them, Alex still feeling the rawness of the conversation. She was about to say something when Juliet, seemingly unable to hold it in any longer, let out a long breath, her shoulders slumping. Her expression tempered as she looked at Alex, her eyes finally locking with hers with an air of vulnerability.
"Okay, fine," Juliet said quietly, her voice almost trembling. "I have had a baby..."
Alex froze, a mix of confusion and surprise spreading across her face. "Wait... what?" she asked, her voice soft but edged with disbelief. "You have a kid?"
Juliet leapt from the bed, shushing Alex and practically putting a finger to her lips. She nodded, her gaze dropping to the floor. "You can't tell Justin."
Alex blinked, taken aback. "What? Why not?"
Juliet glanced nervously around the small shack as if making sure no one else was listening, her fingers fidgeting with the fabric of her shirt. "I've never been able to tell him. Justin's always mentioned having kids one day and I just don't have the heart to tell him we can't."
"Vampires can only carry one child in their life time," Alex stated.
"Yeah, it has something to do with us being already dead… I don't know, but I just can't break his heart."
Alex frowned, her thoughts racing. "Juliet, he needs to know."
Juliet's eyes filled with unshed tears. "I know. I know he deserves to know. But the longer I keep it from him, the harder it becomes to tell him. What if he doesn't understand? What if he leaves me? I just—I just need a little more time. Please, Alex, don't tell him. I'm not ready."
Alex studied her friend's face, the vulnerability there raw and real. She could feel the weight of the situation, the conflict that raged inside Juliet. "I don't know," Alex said slowly, her voice full of care. "That's a big thing to ask of me."
"Please Alex!"
"He's my brother!"
"And do you want to be the one to break his heart?"
Alex stood still for a moment, her hand still resting on her belly, her expression changing as Juliet's words sank in. The air between them felt suddenly thicker, heavier. She took a slow, deep breath, trying to process what her friend had just asked of her.
Juliet took a shaky breath, her eyes pleading. "I didn't want to hurt him, Alex. I didn't want him to feel like I was hiding things from him, but I was scared. I didn't know how he'd react. Please, you've got to understand."
Alex's heart pounded, her emotions swirling in a storm of frustration and confusion. "I do understand, Juliet. But this isn't just about you. It's about him too. Justin deserves to know the truth. This is his future, whether you want to admit it or not!"
Juliet's face fell, and she took a hesitant step toward Alex, her voice soft but desperate. "I know… I know it's wrong. But right now, I just need you to promise me you won't tell him. I need more time to figure out how to tell him. I can't lose him, not after everything we've been through."
Alex's pulse quickened. Her mind raced as she thought of Justin, how he would feel if he knew the truth. How could she look him in the eye knowing she was keeping something this big from him? The thought of Justin not knowing made her stomach churn.
"Juliet," Alex said, her voice quieter now but still thick with emotion, "you're asking me to keep a secret from my brother. The guy who would do anything for you. You know how he feels about you. And yet… you're asking me to lie to him." Her eyes narrowed slightly, trying to keep her emotions in check. "I'm not sure I can do that."
Juliet's face twisted with guilt, her eyes pleading. "Alex, please, I don't want to hurt him. I don't want to mess up what we have. I love him. And I'm just so scared he'll see me differently if he knows. I can't lose him."
Alex could see the pain in Juliet's eyes, and it eased her anger just a little. But still, there was a knot in her chest that wouldn't loosen. "I get it. I really do. But if you're both going to have a future together, he needs to know. Sooner rather than later."
Juliet opened her mouth, but the words faltered. She clearly didn't have an answer, just the weight of her fear pulling her down. "I know... I know you're right. But I'm not ready. Please, I need a little more time. Just a little."
Alex stood still for a moment, biting her lip as she wrestled with the decision. Part of her understood the pressure Juliet was under, the fear of telling Justin. But another part of her felt angry at how much she was being asked to carry. She looked at her friend, her face softening, but her frustration still evident.
"Fine," Alex said, the anger still simmering beneath her calm exterior. "I'll keep your secret for now. But don't think I'm okay with this. You've got to tell him soon, Juliet. No more waiting."
Juliet's face relaxed with relief, though the guilt still clouded her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice breaking slightly. "I promise, I'll tell him when I'm ready. I swear."
Alex nodded stiffly, the frustration still bubbling inside her. "You better."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The tension in the air condensed, but neither of them seemed to know how to break it. Finally, Alex sighed and rubbed her temples, trying to let the anger go. "I just hope you know what you're doing. I can't imagine keeping something like this from Mason. I would have lost my mind by now, and I'd hate the thought of him hiding something like this from me…"
Juliet gave her a small, weary smile. "I'll do the right thing, I promise."
Alex met her gaze one last time, still irritated but understanding the fear that had led Juliet to this point. "Good." Another moment of silence grew between them, before Alex turned her attention back to Juliet. "Who's the father?"
"It doesn't matter," Juliet murmured.
"When did this happen?"
"Seriously Alex, more questions?"
"You can't make me keep a secret like this from my brother and expect me not to ask questions."
A sigh escaped Juliet's glossy lips, "I had a baby girl, and she was adopted. She was born during a time were having a child out of wedlock was unacceptable. So, she was given away almost immediately after she was born. The father was a boyfriend at the time, we broke up not long after she was given away, and we've barely spoke since."
"Are you still in touch with him?"
"No. And I'd rather it stay that way, and I've never heard anything about the baby either, before you ask."
"Was the father a vampire."
"No."
"Was he mortal?"
"Alex, please, stop." Juliet's voice was sharp, her tone betraying the anxiety she was feeling. "Does it matter? Listen, I'm trying to protect everyone here, including you. I don't want to drag you into this mess, okay? So stop making it harder for me."
Alex was taken aback by Juliet's snap, her eyes widening slightly. "I'm not trying to make it harder. I'm trying to help!" She took a deep breath, trying to keep her own frustration in check. "You think I want to see you going through this alone? I'm asking because I care. I'm asking because I don't think keeping this secret is doing anyone any good."
Juliet's hands shook, and she stood up straighter, as if bracing herself for something. "You think I don't know that?" Her voice cracked with frustration. "I care about Justin. I'm just not ready for him to know, okay? Not like this." She shook her head quickly, her eyes filling with frustration. "I don't need you interrogating me about it. I need you to respect my decision. I need you to keep this to yourself. If you really care about me, you'll do that."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The weight of the conversation hung between them like an invisible barrier.
Finally, Alex spoke, her voice quieter now, tinged with frustration but also something softer. "Fine. No more questions, for now."
The conversation lingered in the air, heavy with tension but before Alex could say anything else, the familiar pain took over her abdomen. She gasped, her body stiffening, as the contraction hit. Her hand flew to her belly instinctively, her breath quickening.
"Ugh, no—no, not now..." she muttered under her breath. Her eyes locked with Juliet's, and for a brief second, all the frustration and anger faded into the background as she focused on the sensation coursing through her body.
Juliet's eyes widened, her concern shifting instantly. "Alex, are you okay? It's happening again, isn't it?"
Alex nodded, gripping the edge of the nearby wooden table to steady herself, her body swaying slightly with the intensity of the contraction. She let out an unsteady breath, trying to centre herself, her legs beginning to tremble slightly. The contraction was sharper this time, and she could feel herself losing control over her breathing.
"I need an epidural, and I need it now!"
"As soon as we get to the hospital, we'll get you all of the drugs you need." Juliet reassured her as she resumed massaging her back. "Do you need to lie down?"
Alex shook her head, her voice low but strained. "No... just—just give me a second. It's... it's passing."
She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to regain control. With every contraction, her body felt as though it were fighting against her, and the pressure was mounting, more urgent than before. When she opened her eyes again, her gaze was hard with determination.
Juliet took a step closer, her voice gentle but firm. "You're doing great, Alex. Just breathe. Remember what we talked about. You've got this."
Alex exhaled deeply, feeling her breath return to a steadier pace. "When will they be back?" She asked, her voice still trembling slightly, "Justin and Mason, when will they get back?"
Juliet gave a sympathetic grin, but her eyes were still filled with concern. "I'm sure they'll be here any minute..."