Ready for Baby

Ready for Baby
Alice

My bedroom—the old one I used before I moved into Rhys’s room—used to be my favorite place in Duskmoore, other than the parlor where he had placed my mother’s piano. But for the past week, I haven’t spent more than a few moments in any room other than my new favorite—our baby’s nursery. 

I’m so thrilled that we know the baby is a boy. We’ve bought the loveliest blue curtains that match the bedding in the new mahogany crib. I liked the deep finish of the wood so much that we purchased the whole set of baby furniture, which included a changing table and a storage unit. I must admit that I may have gone overboard over these past months choosing from so many adorable baby items in the local shops.

With such a large home, Rhys suggested that we repurpose some of the antique furnishings as well as purchase new ones. It was a fantastic idea, and Rhys has moved several pieces that I adore into the baby’s room. My favorite is the solid wood antique rocking chair, carved with floral designs and upholstered in deep blue velvet. Rhys positioned it next to the window so I can hold our little boy in my arms and rock him to the soft rhythms of the ocean. 

I sit in it now, cradling him in my belly, feeling the anticipation as my due date approaches. The shelf next to me holds several old books Dr. Lombardi brought me about pregnancy in vampires. Throughout the centuries, the vampire community has ensured there is a sufficient number of physicians to serve us, either from our ranks or friendly humans. It is those physicians who have recorded their knowledge in these pages. 

I’ve spent hours reading every word.

It's fascinating how quickly vampire babies develop. I’m glad for that. There is less time for me to wait before I get to hold our son in my arms. I won’t be nursing, and I’ve come to terms with that. There will be other ways for me to bond with our baby. I’ll read to him, hold him, and talk to him constantly. And of course, I’ll play the piano for him. 

Thinking about that gives me an ache in my heart for my mother. So, I step out of the nursery and make my way to the parlor with her piano. It always brings a smile from my face, seeing it there, polished and perfect. It comforts me to imagine that wherever she is right now, she can hear the music and envision her own fingers gliding along the keys. 

I lower myself onto the bench, which I must admit is a bit of a challenge this close to childbirth, spread out my skirt, and place my fingers on the keys. 

I decide to begin with “Fur Elise” again, one of my favorite pieces that is also an excellent warmup for my fingers. After the first few notes, I close my eyes and let myself feel the music. It still comes naturally, filling my mind with its melody. 

I used to rely upon my music to help me escape from my fears—my arguments with Rhys, the horrible incident with Sam, my fear about the baby, or turning into a vampire. 

But now, my mind is full of peace. I do think about what the baby’s birth will be like, but that is excitement and anticipation, not fear. Now, the music is just a part of me, not an escape but a joy, just one more thing about my long life ahead that makes it worth everything I had to go through before. 

Before I finish the piece, the baby gives me a little kick that tickles, and I pull my fingers away from the keys to place them on my belly, letting out a giggle. 

“I see our son is already giving his mother trouble.”

I can’t help the wide smile that grows on my lips when I turn to see Rhys, leaning in the doorway the same way he did the night I decided to become a vampire. “Absolutely not,” I tell him. “He’s merely practicing how to dance to the music.”

He chuckles, and it warms me inside. Much of the weight on him has also lifted since I became a vampire. I hadn’t realized before how much he worried about eventually losing me. When I learned the truth about Alicia, I understood so much more about him. 

“Is our son going to be a world-famous dancer instead of a businessman?” he asks. 

I lift my shoulders in a gentle shrug. “I suppose that will be his decision to make.”

He steps over to me, sitting on the edge of the piano bench and leaning in for a kiss. “Mmm,” he moans against my lips. “I’ll just have to accept whatever he chooses then.”

“You will,” I agree. “Though he will have a long lifetime to be both, if he wishes.”

“That is true.” He runs his hand along my belly. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I would love to meet this little one sooner rather than later,” I admit. “But I haven’t been troubled at all with this pregnancy since I became a vampire. I’ve felt nothing more than the tickles he gives me when he kicks around in there.”

“I’m glad,” he says, pressing his lips to mine again. We linger in the kiss for a few moments before he pulls back slightly. “I am also anxious to see our son. It could be any time now.”

“It could.” I turn back to my piano.

“Play another, please,” he asks. 

I nod lightly and begin the first few notes of “Clair de Lune.” Again, the music takes over, and the room feels warmer as the melody echoes throughout it. 

When I finish, Rhys applauds next to me, which makes me smile. 

“I’ll never tire of watching you play,” he tells me. “Your music is a part of you. You must share it with the world. I look forward to many concerts in the years to come in all the corners of the world.”

“When do you think I can play again... around humans?” I ask. 

“I’m sure you can now,” he replies. “We’ve had no trouble shopping for the baby’s room in town.”

I nod. “No. I’ve never felt a craving I couldn’t easily suppress.”

“We just need to ensure that continues after our son arrives,” he tells me. “I don’t think there will be any issue. But none of the physicians we know have dealt with the transformation during pregnancy before, so we just have to wait to see what happens in your case.”

“I know.” I nod, touching the keys lightly but not yet playing another piece. “It’s just so hard to wait—for the baby, for my performance career.”

He wraps one strong arm around me and squeezes me tightly. “It will happen sooner than you realize. Will you play another?”

I shake my head gently. “Not right now. It’s been a while since I had a drink. Would you join me?”

“Of course,” he says, rising and assisting me up from the bench. 

We leave the piano parlor and walk hand-in-hand to the kitchen, where he pours each of us a goblet full of my favorite blood type. 

He turns to face me. “Here’s to our future,” he says. 

I chuckle lightly, and he wraps his elbow around mine, and we bring the goblets up to our lips. Blood has been so satisfying lately. It’s hard to tell whether it’s just a vampire version of pregnancy cravings or this is going to be the way I react to drinking blood in the future. 

I didn’t have many cravings as a pregnant human, but I do remember one night when absolutely nothing would satiate me but pistachio ice cream with caramel sauce poured over the top of it. Once I got my hands on me some, the feeling was a lot like this—pure satisfaction. 

We each take a long sip, then detangle our arms so he can take me by the hand and lead me to the staircase. I turn to him and catch the knowing gleam in his eye, and I immediately know we’ll be spending the afternoon in our room. 

It sounds like a wonderful idea. It’s too late in the pregnancy for regular lovemaking, but Rhys has other tricks up his sleeve that make me feel incredible. I’m happy to be with him in any way that I can. 

But I don’t quite make it anywhere near the staircase. 

I stop about halfway through the kitchen, feeling something strange churning inside me. There’s a sharp pain that I can’t quite place, nothing like how it feels when our son kicks. 

Rhys turns to me quizzically when he notices that I’ve stopped about a step behind him, our hands still joined together. 

And his eyes widen when his gaze trails down to the floor, where a puddle of water is beginning to collect. 

Then, a much sharper pain radiates through me.