Cory looked at the plate then at Annabelle. We all knew what it meant when a vampire eats food. She is with child.
"Annabelle how long have you been a vampire?" I asked.
"Two hundred and twenty three years, Kylie." She smiled. She knew why I had asked. I smiled back. She was old enough to carry the child.
The rest of the family was very excited.
She ate everything on her plate.
"Are you still hungry?"
"No I am fine. Thank you Kylie."
Everyone got up and went into the common room. I noticed the small bump of her belly when she turned from the table.
Colleen came to help me clean up.
"Did you see her belly?" Colleen whispered excitedly.
"Yes she should have the child before we sail."
"I hope so. I do not think she would be to happy having the baby on the ship."
"No I do not think so."
We joined the others into the common room.
Shaun was asking if all the storerooms had been crated.
"No Father, there is one more on the main level to be crated." Gen told her father.
"The crates for the families will be ready at the end of next month." Gen said.
"That is cutting it a little close."
"There is no help for it Dad. The lack of wood here in Great Britain is what is slowing us down."
"Yes I forgot about the wood." Shaun looked a little embarrassed. "Do you think it is slowing down the building of the ship?"
"I do not know. We have not been on board since we went with the Council." Shaun and Paddy looked at each other.
"We will check once a week to see how the ship is doing."
"Good idea Dad." Cory said.
The next day Paddy and Shaun went to check the ship. They came and sat down in Colleen's kitchen.
"Well nothing has been touched since we were there last week with the Council."
"Have you informed the Council?" Colleen asked.
"Yes. We are to keep an eye on the progress." Colleen nodded.
She was thinking the same thing as me. It will give Annabelle time to have her baby.
We smiled at each other.
A few days later.
Colleen and I spun some wool. We are going to make some clothes for the little one. All the Ladies in the cavern usually make some thing for who ever is expecting. And they would receive hand me downs if they are not moth eaten.
All the Riley women sat in Colleen's common room knitting a variety of clothing items.
Annabelle looked to be in a great deal of discomfort.
She stood up and paced.
"Are you feeling uncomfortable Annabelle?" I asked.
"Yes. I can not be comfortable in any position." She said frustrated while pacing.
"Have you tried floating in the water?" I smiled.
"No I only go down to bathe. I never thought of floating."
"I found it very soothing. It helps to calm the baby too."
She was rubbing her belly as she paced.
"Annabelle go down to your pool and float." I told her.
"I will not be long."
"Yes you will. Enjoy." I called to her as she walked out of the room.
Cassie and Gen were almost bouncing in their chairs.
"I am going to be an Aunt again." Gen said excitedly.
"I am going to have a cousin." Cassie whispered to her.
"Babies are so much fun." They said together.
