Hold Me Down (Peterick) ➳ Book 3

Four

"So now what?" Brendon asked as soon as they had settled into an abandoned building. It was eerily similar to what they had all gone through months ago, but this time their situation was much more compromising. If anything, Patrick hoped that if they were to be attacked it would be by the Arkkarredians. He was sure Pete had given his soldiers clear instructions that Patrick was not to be harmed if found.

"Well, we need to make a choice," Andy said. "We no longer side with the band of rebels who will claim their lost title of humans for as long as possible, but we haven't sworn allegiance to the Arkkarredians either."

"Basically we're neutral in the middle of what could become another war," Dallon clarified.

"Do we vote?" Taylor asked.

"We've got a baby and another due soon. If we go back to the humans they'll be used for experimentation. There's no way in hell I'm doing that to my baby," Brendon said.

"But want happens when Ryan learns it's not his?" Patrick wondered.

"Are you suggesting I just leave him?"

"No! Not at all. I just don't want anything to happen to any of you."

Milo whimpered in his sleep, and Brendon was quick to console him.

"There are pros and cons to both," Gabe said. "We just need to figure out which one's the lesser of two evils."

Everyone nodded.

They say in silence, mulling over everything. Eventually, Gabe and Taylor started making dinner. Brendon and Milo were curled up on a mattress on the floor while Patrick was uncomfortably lounging on the sofa. Dallon stood guard, staring out the window from behind a curtain. Andy and Joe went to scout the area for supplies and other humans.

"Just relax, Patrick," Dallon said as Patrick turned for the hundredth time.

"I can't help it. It's just uncomfortable at this point. I'm sorry."

"No need to apologise. Would you like to try one of the beds?"

"I don't think I'll be able to get up," Patrick admitted.

"You've got four of us, including myself, who could easily help you."

"Would it be too much of a bother?"

Dallon smiled. "Not at all."

Sprawled out on the bed, Patrick was more at ease. The cramps, what Brendon told him were contractions, weren't as bothersome now, enabling him to fall asleep quickly.

*

Kobra Kid watched as Dallon returned to his position by the window. Pete would glad to know Patrick was being taken care of and there was a possibility for his return. He had no instructions other than to observe, so Kobra Kid messaged a note and sent it off to Pete.

The Hurricane was beside him, no doubt keeping tabs on the two who had left—Andy and Joe.

"So what do we do?" The Hurricane asked.

"This," Kobra Kid replied. "And after Ghoul and Party relive us we'll probably train some more and wait to see what His Highness says."

"We could easily take them," she said. "Then we wouldn't have to sit here, wasting time."

"We have no orders to do so. Besides, they'll make the right decision soon enough."

"But why wait?"

"Patrick could have the baby any minute and—"

"Which is good enough reason to get him somewhere safer."

Kobra Kid gave her one of his famous looks.  "The stress of an attack could easily send him into labour. And unless you want to help with the delivery, I suggest you stick to the plan."

The Hurricane nodded in defeat. She didn't know why she was so opposed to rules, but she was thinking it had something to do with how she was made. It nearly got her deactivated a few times, but Kobra Kid always managed to save her.

*

It was nearing two am when Patrick rolled over in bed, wincing as he felt a sharp contraction. Half-awake, he simply readjusted the pillow with the hopes of going back to sleep, but the contractions were closer together, preventing him from going back to sleep. Patrick decided to walk it off; however, that plan ended when Patrick sunk to the floor in crippling pain.

"Help!"

The door flew open and a sleepy Brendon ran in. He took one look at Patrick before switching on the large light and helping him back into bed.

"Stay here. I'll be right back."

Brendon returned with a medium sized bag filled with medical supplies they had taken from the base. As he emptied out what was needed, Taylor came in with some towels.

"Do you feel like you need to push?" Brendon asked.

"Wha–Oh, God. Yeah."

"Taylor, get Gabe. Quickly."

Patrick could hear the commotion from outside the room, the others Must've woken up, as Taylor opened the door and pulled Gabe in.

"Just stay up there with him, okay?" Brendon said. "Make sure he breathes too."

Gabe nodded and gently took Patrick's hand, wincing as Patrick squeezed tightly.

"On the next contraction push," Taylor instructed.

Patrick tried his best to not scream as he pushed, because after all they were still wanted by two different groups, but each one proved the be harder than the last.

"Almost there, Patrick," Brendon reassured him. "The head's almost out."

A shrill baby's cry pierced through the air, and Patrick sighed in relief.

"It's a girl," Taylor cooed as she helped Brendon with the umbilical cord. Soon the tiny baby with a headful of dark brown hair was placed into Patrick's arms.

"She's beautiful," Gabe muttered.

People filtered in and dotted over her, even Milo, who was now three months old,
seemed to like her.

"What're you going to name her?" Andy asked as he stepped into the room after Joe.

Patrick thought about if for a minute and with a smile he said, "Maybe Astoria Mae Wentz."

Milo squealed in delight, making everyone else laugh.

"Milo likes it," Dallon said.

"It's settled then," Patrick replied as he pressed a gentle kiss to Astoria's head.

No one was aware of the two figures watching them from a distance. Nor were they aware that everything had changed.