Little Red

Chapter 47

The black gradually fades to grey, then white.

Immediately, I know where I am.

Hello, are you there?

I am here, Ara.

I did it.  I say into the void of white.

As I knew you would.

Is it all over now?  I ask desperately.

That all depends on how you view it.

But, he's gone.  Right?

Yes.

So it's over.

Is that how you see it?

I think so, yes.

Then it's over, if that's what you believe.

This conversation was making me dizzy.

An end, and a beginning.

..........

I open my eyes to the harsh white ceiling of the pack hospital.

I sit up shakily.  My body feels like dead weight, and lifting my head alone is a struggle. 

"Back again?"  A light voice muses.  

I slowly turn to my left to see Freya.  She sits casually in the chair usually occupied by Demitri, and her eyes are unreadable as she looks at me.  Her clothes are wrinkled, and I see more than a few burn marks seared into the fabric, evidence of the battle that was fought.

My voice comes out croaky and broken when I speak.

"How long-"

"Have you been in here?  Only about six hours or so."  She informs.

I nod, looking at the sunlight streaming through the window. 

"It's a new day."  She comments offhandedly.  But I know her well enough to pick up on the meaning behind her words.

A new beginning.

"Where's-"  I start.

"Demitri?  He's making sure everyone else is okay."  She answers with a smile.  "You really have whipped him into shape." 

I laugh at her suggestion, knowing that the only person that could whip him into shape, is himself.

A new voice interrupts our moment.

"Oh, Ara!  You weren't supposed to be back here, remember?"  Mae asks, wide-eyed.  She power walks through the open doorway, heading to my bedside.  Her clothes are rumpled, and spots of red dot her white doctor's coat.  

"I know, I know.  I just can't seem to stay away."  I joke in a small voice.

She sighs good-naturedly.

"Well, what can I say to that?"  She replies, going about checking my monitors.

"How is it?  Out there?" I ask, eyeing hallway beyond the door.

Mae frowns slightly before answering.

"As it always is after a battle.  Injuries, a few sets of stitches here and there, blood, realigning bones so they heal properly, the usual."  She states.  "Thankfully, this time there were no casualties."

My eyes widen in response. 

"None at all?"  I ask, surprise coloring my tone.

"None."  Mae confirms distractedly. 

That's insane.  Werewolf battles were known for their viciousness, and deaths were frequent in a pack.

It seems The Moon shines on us.

"You came back."  I comment abruptly, looking to Freya.

She nods casually, but her eyes are wary.

"Why?"  I press.

"I was sent here.  You needed help, and I knew where to find it."  She answers, cryptic as usual.

Just then, Demitri enters.

He shoots an annoyed look at Freya for sitting in his seat, before he looks to me and takes the other chair in the room.

He grasps my hand between both of his own, and I watch as those beautiful blue eyes roam what little of my body isn't covered by the blanket.  Only when he's satisfied, does he speak.

"How are you feeling, love?"  He asks, concern wavering in those crystalline orbs. 

I smile in reassurance. 

"I'm okay, Mae is taking good care of me." I say, gesturing towards the doctor.

I only vaguely hear Freya say, "Well, that's my cue to leave." 

I'm too caught up with Mae's frozen figure at the monitor beside my bed.  She stares at it wide-eyed, and her lips move in silent numbers.

Demitri notices her odd behavior as well, and he looks to her in concern.

"Mae?"  I ask uncertainly.  I've never seen her behave this way.

She keeps staring, her lips moving rapidly as they count the beeps of the monitor.

Demitri and I exchange worried glances.

"Dr. Johnson?"  He tries.

The only response we receive is a gasp.

This does little to settle the nervous feeling in my gut.

She whips out a stethoscope, carrying out the normal procedures on me so she can listen to my heart.  

I silently oblige, while Demitri continues staring at us both wide-eyed. 

"I can't believe I didn't notice it before!"  She squeals.  "I just thought maybe it was the bond..."  She trails off, the rest of her words too quiet for either of us to pick up.

"Mae,"  I let out an awkward little laugh, "You're starting to scare us."

She snaps to attention then, as if realizing what was going on.

"Oh!"  She says, wide brown eyes regarding us both in turn.  "I owe you a congratulations!"  She squeals.

Now I'm really confused.

"Congratulations?"  I echo.  "For what?"

But as soon as the words leave her lips, it hits me.

"You're pregnant!"

Everything else she says is lost on me as those two little words rock my world.

Pregnant.

Me.

I'm pregnant.

I'm carrying a child.

I'm going to have a child.

There's a child inside of me.

I'm only brought back when Demitri squeezes my hand, and I see tears swimming in his bright blue eyes.

"We're having a baby."  He whispers in awe.  "We're going to be parents." 

I nod dumbly, realizing what it means as I see the emotions I feel come to life in his eyes.

"...fairly early along, but all the same!  You're having a baby!"  Mae finishes, and I realize she's been speaking this entire time.

My eyes flick to the doorway, where I see Freya lingering.

She shoots me a smile and mouths...

A new beginning.