An Uneasy Accord

Chapter 99 - Reality

A/N: I don't own anyone but my OC's….though I wished I owned the rest….*sighs*

The next few days found Brooklyn regaining her strength. She was sitting upright now and had been relieved of the biting oxygen mask the day before. Her arms held enough stability allowing for the hunter to finally do the one thing that had eluded her since the twins were born.

Derek rested his head and chin on the bed railing as he watched Alex getting his fourth feeding that morning.

"Ouch," Brooklyn winced in discomfort as Alex latched tighter. "Easy there sweetie, Mom isn't made of steel."

Derek had caught a few glimpses of her bruised tender chest and wanted nothing more than to reach out and kiss the sore peaks. But he would've been rewarded with a hard smack to the head if he dared to even try.

"What is it with you Hales? You like to be rough or something?"

She shot a sharp look at Derek who shrugged. He didn't think he was that rough with her but he was a werewolf and was able to take on greater pain than his mate.

"Thank goodness," she felt the pressure vanish as Alex was full. Brooklyn passed him over to Derek as she gathered Laura up. The instant the tiny lips and gums attached to the sensitive nipple, Brooklyn hissed through her teeth and staved off any tears.

"Ow," she whimpered. "I don't want any more kids after this Derek. My body can't take another beating."

"Brook, don't worry about that right now."

"I can't Derek. I know I almost died after having Alex and Laura."

"But you didn't," he firmly countered.

"For now I'm content with these two," she sighed. Laura continued suckling and paying no heed to her parents' discussion. Brooklyn looked down and brushed aside a few feathery raven locks.

"Will they grow up normally or will they…."

"No," Derek shook his head and snorted. "Alex and Laura will grow up normal. This isn't Twilight."

"Good," she exhaled but quickly frowned. "I guess this means breastfeeding until about a year in age. Will someone just please chop these things off now and spare me the misery?"

Derek decided this was the time to say what had been on his mind since they arrived as the hospital. Alex had fallen back asleep against the solid security of his father's body as he mindfully shifted in his seat.

"After everything that happened I never dreamed I would be sitting here like this. I have a mate who is perfect for me and two healthy adorable twins. It's just so hard to fathom…."

"Derek," Brooklyn carefully switched Laura to the other side. "If someone told me a year ago I would be a werewolf's mate, an alpha one at that, and bear his young, I would've popped them in the jaw."

Derek laughed at her blunt statement knowing it was all true, every last bit of it.

"It's too bad Alex and Laura won't have the ability to meet their grandparents," the hunter cradled Laura in her arms watching as the tiny girl yawned before falling back asleep. Her face dropped at the sad reality they would never get to learn what Derek's parents knew about their heritage.

"We'll teach them everything we know," Derek softly spoke up.

"We're not going to make them go full on Linda Hamilton from Terminator 2 or go Xena on anyone."

"It wouldn't hurt for them to be agile and strong. They need to be able to defend themselves."

"You heard what Argent said: As long as no human blood is shed we'll be left alone. You will not go out seeking any kind of vengeance against the hunters. I have enough to deal with as is."