A Love Returned

Chapter 17

Vlad held onto Erin's hand tight, "You'll be okay, I promise."

Erin sniffed, she was crying from the pain but also from the fear that no matter what Vlad promised, she wouldn't be okay, "It hurts."

"I know..." He brushed back her hair, "I know."

Robin run up to them from the street, panting. He had run the whole way and yet still arrived after all the action. Ingrid was right, Vlad was too fast for him.

Robin saw a little girl holding Artur, then he noticed a stake in Erin's back, "Sheesh, I'm sorry, Vlad."

"Don't be sorry, she'll be fine!" He felt tears coming on.

"Alright," Robin sat down on the other side of Erin, "Shouldn't we get the stake out?"

Idiot, that should have been the first thing he'd done, "Yes," Vlad said, ashamed that he hadnt done so already.

He rolled Erin slightly further on her side and clasped his hand around the stake.

Vlad look at Erin apologetically, this would hurt way more than it already did.

"It's fine," she strained herself to say the words.

Robin held Erin in place as Vlad pulled out the stake. Erin cried out loud, sending Artur into a frantic squealing frenzy.

Nancy put him down and ran off, out of everyone's sight.

Erin winced as the stake was fully removed, then she shut her eyes.

Robin turned her onto her back so she could sleep and Vlad stayed at her side, whispering to her.

Robin picked up Artur and began rocking him, the baby soon grew quiet.

"You're alright, now," Vlad whispered, "Sleep."

His words must have had power because a kind of peace fell over Erin and she no longer hurt, she just slept.

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"Stupid stomache hurts," Ingrid clutched her stomach. There was a slight bump showing now, so it was no longer a secret; not that anyone didn't know.

"Why?" Will supported her and helped Ingrid sit down, dumb question really.

"Umm, Will... I'm pregnant?" She forced a smile as she sat down and lay against the arm rest.

"Well, I know that," he sat down beside her, "But is there a sub category?"

"I don't know. But I'd appreciate some blood."

Will got up and walked into the kitchen, he poured her a glass of blood and gave it to her.

"Thanks," Ingrid eagerly sipped the drink. She was still in pain, but at least with blood it was bearable.

"What in blood and garlic are vampires supposed to do in their spare time?" He had always been troubled by this, there was a short list.

"I don't know," Ingrid finished the glass, "Read a book, play a game, draw a picture, bite a breather..."

"Draw a picture," he stood up, "Or is that only for female vampires?"

She gave him a funny look and he sped off to get paper and a pencil, then came back and sat down, drawing.

Ingrid stared at the ceiling, trying to go to sleep, "I wonder if that breather thing works."

"What?" He looked up from the paper, "Counting sheep? Naa, try bats or something."

"1 bat, 2 bats, 3... this is stupid," she stopped and just stared at the ceiling.

She couldn't sleep though, because Vlad got into her head, literally.