Golden Eyes

T W E N T Y S I X

I had never wanted to throw hands with an unborn baby until I got pregnant. Every day there's a new experience I'm not mentally prepared for. I think my toilet and I are best friends at this point. I've gotten to know it very well.

I hate it here.

Yesterday's encounter with Rebekah only fueled my urge to go home. My bed was calling my name and my perfect bathroom. I could feel the smooth granite floor under my toes.

My normal morning routine had been completely obliterated since moving in. Usually, I'd start with a shower, a very long and very hot shower. Now I basically bathe in ice. Showers aren't enjoyable when they don't feel like fire down your back. On the days it miraculously gets hot it's way too hot.

Finding an outfit at least two hours. Getting dressed is a sport I don't want to play. Today's battle was finding a big enough shirt. My baby bump was growing bigger by the day and my clothes seemed to be shrinking. The other side of my wardrobe was neatly organized boxes of men's clothes. They were big enough to fit but they still irritated my nipples.

"Can you let Mommy wear this shirt without her boobs hurting," I whispered as I rubbed a hand over my naked stomach. As usual, I lost the game and I left the closet with yet another uncomfortable shirt and sweatpants that hung off my waist.

"Good morning, Cecelia. How are you feeling today?" The intruder on my bed covered their ears at the sound of my scream. My hand clutched my chest as I panted for air.

"We need to set boundaries," I glared at Julianne who was comfortable lying across my bed in her usually white attire.

"We're going to Paradise today," she switched the topic. She gave a questioning glance at my outfit full of clothes that obviously weren't mine. "You need to dress yourself properly."

Shooting her a glare I throw my towel on a nearby chair. "I didn't ask for this today," I grumbled standing over her. "What if I don't want to go today? What if I have plans?"

"You don't have plans," she said flatly as she hopped off the bed and created a portal behind me. "You also don't have a choice. Come along."

The few months I spent outside of Paradise caused a new strain on my eyes. They were sensitive enough to the heightened vampiric senses. We entered the middle of the Music Enchanter village. Within minutes I was surrounded by eager women ready to bless me and my child. Julianne guided me into the biggest house in the village as I was handed gifts from left and right. Fruit, jewelry, wooden carvings, and the Enchanters had a way of making you feel welcomed.

The house we entered wasn't here the last time I was. The inside was way bigger than it looked outside. Everything was white as I expected. The living room had cloud-like sofas with a massive TV that took up an entire wall. The kitchen was just as big as the living room. A long refrigerator took another wall and across was a reflective glass top stove. A long dining table was off in the corner. In the middle of that was a grand spiral staircase.

"Paradise has electricity," I let out a breathy laugh not knowing what to say.

"Anything is possible with a bit of magic," She had a wide grin. "Do you like it?"

I nodded quickly, not wanting her to think I was unappreciative, "It's amazing. I love it." The house was perfect. It scattered all my needs from entertainment to food to being comfortable.

"Upstairs are two bedrooms and a nursery, an office space, and something Klaus called an in-home studio." The thought of Nik explaining a soundboard and microphones to Julianne made me laugh. I apologized and let her continue.

"This floor has the kitchen and living room as you can see. Behind the stairs is another bedroom with a crib for the days you down want to go up the stairs. Klaus also helped me set up a medic room down the hall." We walked towards the room she pointed to. I was in awe. The house was beautifully decorated with flowers and detailed artwork.