Leonora

I sat on the bed with my daughter, looking into her eyes hoping that the prophecy had been a hundred percent correct. Her eyes were beautiful a steel grey that I’ve never seen before. They mesmerized me and did my heart a world of good. Suddenly that warmth turned to fear that anyone would try to her hurt her. The typical mama bear idiom came to mind. I’d butcher anyone that would try to hurt her. The Lamia will not want our version of peace. Would she lead to peace? Or had my mother-in-law been wrong all those centuries ago?

“Leonora, calm yourself. I can feel your tension,” Mary said, patting my hair. “Let me get her cleaned up.” She took my baby girl from me, smiling down at the gift. I saw the loving mother inside her. I understood that her heart had been irrevocably torn in two. Losing your mate was worse than death. She was slowly fading from us, but the babies seemed to be taking the edge off it all. Without her, I don’t know where we’d be. She has taken the place of our mothers. Well, moreover the mothers that we should have had.

The war had spilled into our sanctuary and I needed to be prepared to fight despite my exhaustion. More than likely, Falcon would never let it come to it, but if they had any more Neros then the threat was real. He’d protect me to his dying breath, but I wouldn’t survive without him. I peered down at my daughter, knowing that I must carry on regardless.

Beyond all the fear, I truly believe the prophecy. “Oh yes, I need to get cleaned up as well. I’ve been staring at her for so long, I completely forgot about our present state.”

“You look lovely. The shower is over there. Let me know if you need help.” I shook my head because I could manage fine on my own. Surprisingly, the pain had mostly disappeared. I waddled over to the shower area with a robe and towels. Everything had been set up so that we were prepared at any given moment.

“There’s a bundle of clothes for each of you,” Mary said. I nodded, giving her a wide grin and a silent ‘thank you’ that she deserved. Feeling even that wasn’t enough, I stepped over to her and gave her a hug. Without her, we would have been lost.

I let go, catching her surprised but pleased expression. The large bundle with one of my favorite tee-shirts on top had been waiting for me. I hit the sprayer and hopped in, washing away the day of fear and panic off of me. Having our little girl brought me relief and comfort knowing Falcon would more than likely be safe. It wasn’t to say that there wouldn’t be others who perished, but selfishly I relished in the fact that should it all be true my man would survive.

I closed my eyes and let the hot water cascade over me as I thrust my hands into my hair. As wonderful as this felt, I couldn’t linger too long. My little girl waited for me. The change in my life had been so profound. I went from a college graduate with shitty parents to a mated vampire, a mother, then the people’s queen. It was a lot to take in, but now wasn’t the time to dwell. The devils were at our doorstep.

My newfound speed and energy made getting prepared much quicker. With my hair still in a towel, I stepped out into the main room. Immediately Charlotte walked up to me with a smile on her face and a clear tenderness between her legs. I returned the smile with a little giggle before wrapping her up in a hug. Which I quickly regretted. My breasts were tender to the touch at the moment and the large belly had mostly disappeared with the birth.

“Congrats, Nora,” she whispered, pulling her arms back to look at me. The tears in her eyes brought tears to my own. Despite the danger outside, overwhelming happiness engulfed us. We were parents and wives to supernatural beings.

“Double congrats back, Charlotte. I can’t believe it. We made little hum…vampire babies. Oh goodness, life has definitely changed,” I giggled. My life went from books and science to passionate love and death looming at every corner. The more I think about it the more ridiculous it seems to me.

She guffawed, “It sure has. Go see my son, I need a shower badly.”

“Oh my, I forgot. Get in there. There should be lots of hot water,” I said, giving her one more, small squeeze before letting go. She swatted my ass to get the last touch. I loved that woman.

Shuffling over to Mary, I grabbed my princess and held her close. I took in her loveliness. She was a thing of pure beauty. I wondered if she had special abilities like her father. Would she just disappear on me one day? It was a crazy thought, but I’ll have to ask Falcon later when he first learned to teleport. I tore my eyes away from her when I heard the coo of their son. I hadn’t had a chance to see him.    

“Draco, can I see my little nephew?” I questioned, walking over to him.

“Absolutely.” He gave me a contagious grin. “Let me see my lovely miracle of a niece.”  He set his son on the bed, allowing me to hand him the baby, then I picked up my heavy nephew. Damn, Charlie carried this behemoth inside of her?

“Oh my goodness, he’s heavy,” I grunted, staring down at the little guy. He resembled Draco perfectly. I didn’t see an ounce of Charlotte in him, and I was certain that she didn’t mind one damn bit. Her love for Draco could almost compete with mine for Falcon. It was strong enough to last many lifetimes over.

“Yes, he is. Twelve pounds.” Draco proudly answered about his handsome baby. My body aches just thinking about pushing out such a massive baby. He would probably be as large as Draco when he reached maturity. I wonder if my sweet little one would look tougher or more feminine. She’s the first of her kind. Everything about her was new. Would she be the only one? Or would she be the start of the evolution?

I shook my head and added, “Poor Charlotte, no wonder she’s got a stiff waddle. I’m hurting just considering it,” I exclaimed, scrunching my face.

I stared at Draco while he admired my baby. He smiled down at her taking away that fearsome look he normally had. “She’s the prettiest little feather.”

“Yes, only six pounds,” I muttered, taking in the differences between the two. Height, weight, and length were all favoring baby Romano. My princess shined like a delicate doll. We switched babies and then another round of sirens went off. Charlotte came rushing from the bathroom with wide-eyes.

“They’ve landed.”