Deadly Magic

The First Check Up

I look in the mirror. I can't believe it's only been 2 months since we found out I was actually pregnant. The first check up is tomorrow.

Of course, Daemon's nervous. He's running around, like a mad man, trying to prepare. I roll my eyes. Jeez! He's, like, freaking me and himself out but the way he's doing it is just too cute!. I chuckle silently.

I turn away from the mirror and notice Alice is looking at our picture, on my night stand. I tiptoe over to her. Then I, quickly, scoop her up and body slam her, on the bed. I start to tickle her.

She screams and laughs. When I'm satisfied and we're both out of breath I jump-sit on the bed, then curl up next to her.

“Can I call you Mom?”

I blink. “Why would you want to do that?”

“Well, because I don't have any parents and you seem like you would be a great mom and you're getting married to Daemon, who's already like a dad to me, so I don't see why not. Is it offensive? Do you not want me as your child?”

“No, no! It's neither! I was just surprised that's all. I mean you can call me mom, if you want, and I'm sure Daemon wouldn't mind you calling him dad.”

“Oh no! That'd just be too weird.”

I laughed. “I love you, Alice.”

“I love you too, mommy.” We snuggled close to each other. She laid her head and hand on my stomach. “I love you and the baby...and of course Daemon. Our family's going to be perfect.” I smile and we lay there for a while.

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I look out the window of the car. Alice leans against me, sleeping, so it's not a lot of noise in the car. I'm not worried but Daemon seems to be. He's fidgeting and even if I tried to reassure him he still would've listen.

I turn from the window and hug him. He smiles and hugs me back. I lie still and in a few minutes we arrive at the hospital.

I, gently, shake Alice awake. Daemon helps me, then her, out of the car. We walk in together. Everyone in the waiting room gawks, not expecting us to be here in the open. Especially after the Melanie incident. The memories flare but I shove them away.

We don't have to wait a second. We walk up to the desk and the nurse ushers us right in. Dr. Vanessa Morris, the royal doctor, meets us at the double doors.

“So, this is your first child and you're two months pregnant. So today we'll simply be listening to the heart beat and telling how many is in there.”

Daemon and I look at each other. We never considered twins or anything more than that. I smile. Sounds like trouble...I like trouble.

We enter the room. I sit on the medical chair that reclines. I feel nervous laughter bubbling in my chest. I suppress the urge and look down at my swinging feet. I hear Dr. Morris start up all the machines.

Alice must sense my nervousness because she comes over and places her hand on my knee. I smile, hug her, then pull her up next to me.

“Alright you can lay down now. Are you nervous? ”

“Yea.” I blush and lay down so that Alice can lay next to me. She places her head on my chest. I wrap an arm around her.

“Well I assure you, there is no reason to be. I'm sure your child is as healthy as ever. Now, lift your shirt up.” I do and she rubs a clear jell on my lower abdomen.

She takes out an instrument and places it on the jell. She moves it and I chuckle. She keeps her eyes on the screen. “You're ticklish.”

It wasn't a question but I answer anyway. “Yes.” I smile.

“And who's the little one laying next to you, if she's not you're child?”

“I'm Alice.” She sits up. Draws herself up to her full height. Royalty. “Alice Princeps.”

She turns in her chair. “Ah, so you are...Daemon's sister?” We all nod. “Mmm but she hasn't shown her face to anyone, until now, so what's different?”

I see Alice tense. She's too old for her age. I rest my hand on her back. “I've offered to be her mother and she accepted. Either way it's not your place to ask.”

My face is a mask of steel and I see her tense. Suddenly I hear her voice in my head. I didn't have to do this for you. I just need the pay right now.

A picture flashes in my head. The little girl looks exactly like her. It must be her daughter and she's sick.

Alice must see the same thing. She walks over and his her. “She'll be alright. I promise.” Dr. Charleston turns back to the screen.

“You have twins. Look.” I look at the screen and see two large lumps a few spaces apart.

“Oh!” I don't know what else to say. The surprise is evident on all of our faces. Alice recovers first.

“Oh my gosh! I'm going to have twin sisters!”

“Well, the gender isn't known, yet-”

Alice starts screaming and jumping up and down. I laugh and Daemon smiles. He hasn't spoken for a while. I miss his voice. I smile and nod at him, I know. We'll talk later. He pouts and nods back.