The Time After (Sequel to Lexi's Twin)

4

               My ears were ringing as I grabbed the two little girls and Elijah grabbed Bonnie. We both ran out of the house, me covering the girls as much as possible so they wouldn't get hurt. Once we all were sure it was safe, I let go of the twins and checked them. Other than a few tiny cuts scattered around from glass, they were both fine. "Bonnie, what's going on?" She shrugged in reply to my question. This town is just as odd as I remember it being. The flames started dying down and the twins had joined hands, chanting under their breath. I knew at that moment that they hadn't needed me to protect them, they were each other's protection.

               Bonnie brought Elijah and I back to her house, where she searched for the grimoire. While walking to the couch to sit while she looked, I noticed a floorboard creak under me. She seemed shocked from the noise like she had never heard it before. Quickly, she walked over and attempted to lift the floorboard. It came up with ease and she lowered her hand into the compartment. She didn't withdraw it empty though. A book was in her hand, the book. The grimoire I needed to make everything possible. Bonnie handed it over and Elijah took it as I hugged her. "Thank you, Bonnie. You don't know how much this means to me." She smiled before closing the floorboard compartment. "Well, this has been interesting but I think we need to get back to New Orleans," Elijah spoke up but Bonnie stopped us. "Wait, don't you need a witch to do the spell? I can do it." I looked at her, surprised. "We can't ask you for that much. But since you're offering, it would be rude to say no." I say down on her couch, watching as she read through the grimoire until she found the spell. Looking at the "ingredients list" so to say, she asked for Elijah's blood. He willingly stepped closer, holding out his hand for her to slice open. I watched as his blood slowly dripped from his hand. It healed quickly like normal, but the pool of blood in his hand was enough. He let the blood pour into a small bowl, soon to be combined with mine. She continued chanting in Latin for a moment more before taking my hand as well. Next thing I know, Elijah fell to the floor. Before I could try to help him, everything went dark.
******
When I woke, I was back in New Orleans, Elijah by my side. There was a note on the bed written by Bonnie. 'The spell worked.' I was ecstatic and I wasn't sure what to do first. Leaning over, I pulled Elijah closer. "It's time to wake up, handsome." I ran my fingers through his hair, kissing his forehead. As he awoke, he lifted me on top of his torso.

******

In an hours time, we finally left the room. Going downstairs, I heard our family talking. With the constant chit-chat, I walked straight into the kitchen, passing everyone. The fridge was almost empty, meaning a trip to the local hospital would soon be necessary. Everyone was silent as I was sitting in the kitchen, just looking at me. I think creepy wouldn't even be enough to describe it. "Guys, are you gonna say something or just watch me eat?" They all quickly looked away. It was almost as if they had been studying me. Lexi was the first one to speak up out of the group. "You don't seem any different. What did the spell even do?" I just shook my head, continuing with my food. I knew what the spell did, that's what mattered. 

After breakfast, Elijah and I decided to go for a walk in town. It was a nice day out. It was autumn but the sun was still glowing brightly. The sun was hot but the wind gave just a touch of comfort. It was the perfect time of year. The only bad part of some spell being used to create a vampire child, nothing was known. There was no research on any of it. I didn't know if it would be shorter than the normal pregnancy, easier, sooner, or how much it would affect me. Once I stopped overthinking, I realized we were at a shop. Looking up, the sign made me smile but almost cry. Elijah had led me to a baby store. Even though there was most likely not a baby in me yet, or if there was, it's a complete unknown, we could still get started on a little room. The first thing he and I wanted was a crib. "What color should we do, Lijah?" Obviously, we couldn't pick pink or blue, but there were many neutral colors that would fit. Even though the natural wood design was nice, I preferred the light grey or white wood. "I like the grey, but it's your choice." Elijah put a smile on my face with his words. "Grey it is." The box that seemed so big before, was now small while putting it in the cart. I could see the room going together in my head. Once there was a little one, we could start accenting the grey and white room with pops of color, but for now, yellow was an option. "What's next?" Elijah seemed clueless as to what was needed. It was almost cute in a way. He was putting so much effort into something he barely understood. "Next, we need to look for a dresser to put all their little clothes in. That and a changing table." We walked together over to the other furniture, eyeing every single piece. There was no right or wrong way to pick the furniture, but I wanted it to be perfect. There was a matching grey dresser with white drawers that we both loved. The only big piece of furniture left was the changing table. A white table was sitting apart from all the rest, it was the last box left. There was a small sticker on it. 'Reserved: Order #49712' My heart sank, knowing I couldn't just take something like that from someone. So, I settled for a slightly different grey than the crib. We ended up buying a little security blanket with a stuffed fox on the top.

******

Once we got back home, a room was picked near ours to set up the baby stuff. For now, we just set up the furniture, not picking placement just yet. There was only one thing left to do... Make the little one that will go inside the crib. With that, Elijah and I made our way back into our room, locking the door behind us. Even though we were technically trying for the baby, it didn't feel like it. You hear people say they didn't have any passion while trying, but we did. It didn't feel like a lot of work either. Everything was so easy with Elijah, which is one of the many reasons I love him. All we could do is hope that soon enough, we would be able to hear a tiny heartbeat inside of me. 

***Six Weeks Later***

Finally! Elijah could hear the beating of a little heart in my tummy. Still, we had no idea how anything worked. I still wasn't showing so there was hope of an almost normal baby. I knew one thing, the craving for blood was growing. I could still manage to be around people but with my growing temper, it was troublesome. I can only imagine what it would be like near the end of my pregnancy.