Juliet
The mornings were the best on the farm; it was snowing so heavily in Canada I had stayed in my room those last few days, not even getting out of bed. I was so uncomfortable and couldn't really get a good night's sleep anymore. My time had come, and I had contractions the whole night and didn't want to wake Michael and bother him. Looking at his side of the bed, he was fast asleep; the duvet only covered the lower part of his naked body. His internal clock connected to me was turned off, and there on the farm… he was only my bed buddy. He had told me so much about his life and how everything worked for the watchers. Our time together was something no one would be able to take away from me—we had come together supernaturally.
I was at a point in my pregnancy where I needed to push myself off the bed, or I wouldn't be able to get up. A loud 'snapping' sound came from my mid-section; it made me look down; water trickled down my leg. I walked to the bathroom. Michael had put a hospital bed in there, equipped with all the supplies and alien tech we would need for the delivery. It wouldn't be long… I would have to go back to France. The situation there made me yearn to take Michael… walk up into the wilderness, build a cabin, and live out our lives there forever. If I didn't go back, nothing would be wrong. With a lot of effort, I got up onto the gurney and had to put the fetal monitor around my stomach; I struggled to get it strapped and still had to do another one to monitor the contractions. It took much groaning and moaning, but I got it done. I pushed the button on the screen next to me. The heartbeat raced as I relaxed back into the bed. If the baby was fine… I would be fine.
Michael had woken up and came walking over, frowning and rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He considered the water trail I had left from the bed to the bathroom, "You have about an hour to change your mind."
"How far?"
"Seven to eight… I think."
He shook his head, "I won't. Ever!" Michael walked over to the toilet, closing the door. He emerged a minute later, putting on the clothes he had dropped when we got in the bath with me the night before. While scrubbing his hands and putting on gloves, he said, "You're the one who should be sure… none of your husbands you want here?" he air quotes the word husbands.
I lifted up my left hand and jiggled my left ring finger, "You jealous?" He smiled that wickedly sexy smile of his; only one side of his mouth turned up. "Never been more sure. I don't want to see Marcus right now… I don't want him here. I don't want to see Chris or Louis either."
"When are you going to sort that out?" he peeked up at me.
"What do you mean?" I groaned as another contraction came. He walked to another machine to check a long string of paper measuring my contraction strength.
He prodded my stomach with firm fingers, "Marcus… You are so clever and educated, together with your feisty personality… to do all you've done throughout your life. Why don't you sort it out? You never let up… why with him?"
I leaned back into the bed, shrugging, "What about you? Did you ever get the number of that girl at the coffee shop? You know I might die so—" he reached out and covered my mouth with his hand, without facing me—I was silenced. He took out a blood pressure machine and checked my vitals… then my temperature and my oxygen. "You sure you want to see my private parts like that? You know what to expect, right? You're not going to freak out when my ass turns into a cauliflower?" He grinned, continuing to stack towels, bowls, and dishes while moving here and there, placing all the surgical tools next to him on a tray.
"Nothing you can say will change how I feel..."
His eyes were the only thing I had to distract myself from the growing pains, "Don't say it… please… not you," he chuckled, and his eyes met mine briefly.
An hour later, Michael told me to push for the last time; the baby's shoulders gushed out. I gasped, trying to catch my breath as I fell back onto the bed. I wasn't even sweating. I was born for this. He put the screaming baby in the crib. I watched the little boy like a hawk with the worst behind me, breathing deeply in and out. From the corner of my eye, I saw Michael clamp the cord in two places, not cutting it yet. He took out a needle and vile and pulled out the blood from in between the clamped part of the umbilical cord. When he was done, he finished the normal process of cutting it off at Caleb's navel. "So this is why you wanted me here," he grinned again.
We would have to watch Caleb every minute for months to know if he… then Caleb changed, "Michael!" His eyes shot up at the little guy—he couldn't care. Michaels worriedly said, "Juliet! I need to get the placenta out and stop this bleeding. Lie back, please." He asked so nicely—I listened to him.
"You got this. I trust you." His frown was strained while he was busy. He took away countless small blue plastic bed sheets and kept putting a new one under my ass every time. He had to change the sheets twice in the last hour; I didn't want to know what he had seen or not. My privates down there were sore, swollen, and ripped, although it wouldn't last long. A second gush flowed out of me, and another feeling of release washed over me as I breathed out—it was over. Michael was busy for a few more minutes.
He picked me up and put me in a chair in the shower, waved his hand in front of the tap, and a screen flashed 34. The water came out perfectly, flowing softly over me. I leaned back in the chair, moving myself in a circle as I cleaned. The blood wasn't stopping, "Where does all this blood come from?"
"Trust me, it's all you have."
He helped me put on disposable underwear, cleaned the blood from my legs, and wrapped me in a towel. He picked me up and helped me to the bed—the sheets already clean—he was so efficient. I didn't know how I would be able to thank him for being there for me those last few months. Caleb was cute and still in his riphath form—bushy and sweet.
"Louis is going to be livid," Michael stated.
"He could've come… but he didn't."
"You're growing up fast… Getting tired of these guys already?"
I pumped my hands out towards the baby. Michael had wrapped him and helped me put him on my breast. The guy went at it like a trooper, "Oh, thank heavens. I wouldn't be able to take latching problems."
Everything full of blood was taken to a bin. When Michael was finally done, he closed the lid and disposed of everything else in other containers. He moped the floor, put away all the dishes, and placed all the instruments in bowls to sterilize. He went in and out of the bathroom a few times, making space and removing unnecessary things for everyday use. Before he left the room the first time, he even put up the heat.
After a few minutes, I put Caleb on my other breast. Michael came back, standing at the door with his hands on his hips. "Okay, everything is done… Let me just check my list." When it seemed like he was done fretting, he pulled up his wheelie chair beside me and gazed at me, "You did really well, Juliet. I'm so proud of you." Standing up, he kissed my forehead. He pulled back the blanket around Caleb's face, and our eyes met in mutual understanding. Caleb was beautiful. Michael knew from there on out he was the most important person in my life. Caleb's face was now a regular human face. Michael reached for the silver canister and handed it to me, "Qadir wants this for experiments and tests." His eyes met mine, and a flicker of regret played on his features, "It's your choice."
"Why?"
"There are no interspecies babies. Werewolves and vampires can't cross bread, just like a lion, and a dog can't have a baby… Why you also don't eat each other."
I stared at him in disbelief, "What?"
He bobbed his head, "You are the first vampire to ever have a riphath baby… or any other species' baby for that matter."
"What?" I looked down at Caleb.
"We didn't even know if he would be alive."
Another thing the guys were keeping from me—it could have gone the other way, and worrying about it would've made me more depressed while I was pregnant. I was glad I wasn't going to have to deal with crazy postpartum issues; all the whirlpool of emotions, the craziness I had to deal with an hour ago, was over. I felt strangely better and even out internally. I didn't want to cry about everything, and thinking about his words… they didn't really sink in or scare me.
"I don't care that you have to ask Michael… You will get into too much trouble for it. Just take it… What can he do with it anyway?"
"Oh, you know Qadir. He will find something."
"Can aliens create clones yet?"
"If Qadir even looked at Caleb funny, he would die—that same day, don't worry. If none of your people will do it… I will." Caleb finished trying to get some milk from me and fell asleep.
Michael picked him up and put him in the plastic bassinet perched on a stand, "He needs to be burped."
"I'll do it now… Keep him upright for twenty minutes and all that. I know what you like… Can I just get you dressed and dried off?" I did what I was told. Hesitantly, he pulled down my underwear and risked a peek, "Yes! You stopped bleeding. Good girl!"
I giggled, "Like I had anything to do with it."
He put on my regular undies and helped me put on sweats and a shirt. One of his shirts, I loved. He kissed my forehead quickly and picked me up—a ridiculous smile on his face, "You freak me out being this happy all the time."
"Thank You… for the time we had. You don't know how badly I needed this."
"I'm the one who should say thank you. Everything you did today… my whole life… but you're not my watcher anymore."
"Well… that's what they said at the embassy… when Caleb is born… I don't know… we'll see what happens."
"Are you sure they can't come in here? Or see everything we went through."
"No, it's not allowed. Samuel is the official liaison for all three planets. He's covered six ways to Sunday. This is the safest place you could ever be."
"And you? When I fall asleep, will you disappear with my baby?" he smiled, "I heard what happened at the cages. You were there… Louis almost got hurt."
"I know you have wicked discernment, Juliet, but not everything you see is always true. Or what that brain tells you is going on in your life with all the factors from so many directions," he sighed, "Juliet, promise me…."
He was being so serious while he covered me with the blanket and sat beside me on the bed, stroking the hair out of my face—my eyes already closing, "Promise you what?" I mumbled.
"You won't doubt Marcus."
I cast a skeptical eye at him, "In what way?"
"That… he only thinks about you. His every thought is about you… Be patient with him. He has a lot of things on his plate. All he wants is for you to be free. Even if you have to suffer like at the fight with Qadir… trust in him."
"And you… What do you want? You happy you'll be free of me? You're rich and have your whole life ahead of you."
He got up without answering me walking over to the bathroom. He put a burp cloth over his shoulder and let Caleb rest on it. He came over again, "Get some sleep," I drifted off as he left the room.
***
Michael
I sat downstairs with Caleb. If only I could tell her how much I loved her. The fireplace was blazing, the wood crackling and burning red and grey. The orange of the flames pulled me deep into my thoughts. I got lost in the memories of those two months. I had to prepare myself to leave the farm behind like last time—I was struggling. It was so different; Juliet was all woman. I was scared I would fade into the background of her life. Caleb was getting fussy; it had been three hours, and he wanted milk. Juliet stood behind me; I didn't even hear her come down the stairs or into the room, "Penny, for your thoughts," she whispered next to my ear.
"You don't want to know… He needs to feed."
She pumped her hands, arms stretched out towards him. Her lips found his soft baby cheeks, "He cleaned up nice. Thank You…" she said, walking around the couch. "You're one lucky boy… I hope you don't have one ounce of your mom's bad luck," she whispered to him.
She sat down next to me, feeding him, "He will be unmanageable if he's not with his dad in a day or two. You won't have any authority over him until—"
She cut me off, "At the age of five hundred."
"No, that's normal stupid men…." I smiled, loving the way that whole picture made me feel... Me, a woman, and a baby. I rubbed his little soft hair, scooting closer to them, "He is going to be… No! He is very important."
"I want you to take him back to Chris… now, after this feed," she stroked his little cheek.
Worriedly, I watched her face for any sign of what she was thinking, "O…kay?" I couldn't tell her Chris wasn't at home. I had not heard from them in so long; the only one talking to me was Louis, who'd been quiet the last two weeks.
"I'm going hunting. And then take some time for myself. I need a few days… not being pregnant or—" she didn't need to finish the sentence.
"You really are back… Strong… Independent… Fierce."
"I want to ask you a question. You have to answer me immediately and honestly." I don't know why I hesitated; I would do anything for her. "What should I focus on? Combat, education, or interspecies relationships?"
"Combat. Strategy. I will pass you notes whenever I can... If I can… We'll see what happens after today."
"Such a fast answer." I feared for her future where she wouldn't be able to protect herself… It was my number one priority. I got lost in my thoughts again. "Is this the last time I'll see you?"
My eyes found hers, wanting to read something in them. They gave me nothing. I nodded slowly. The reality was all too much for me. The thought of all those years with her and then nothing. I stared into the flames, remembering the best and worst things, "I'm sorry for last time when you were here."
"I'm not. Stop saying that!" she rebuked.
"I won't… Sorry, I didn't tell you who I was. That the first time you saw me was at the embassy," I smiled, "The look on your face was worth it, though," I chuckled and watched her watch me. Her hand caressed my cheek, "You're beautiful, and not just your face and body, Juliet, you're a beautiful person. Never forget that. Any guy is lucky to have you in their life."
"But not you?" I got up quickly, ripping off the Band-Aid. Unable to have that discussion with her.
Before I exited out of the door, she spoke, "I had a moment of weakness… I thought we could disappear into the mountains. Build a little cabin and stay there… The two of us, even if it is just for a while. You know me so well. I don't have to try when I'm with you."
F—it was harder than I thought; I knew exactly how she felt, "Like you said… A moment of weakness… that dream can never be. Focus on fixing your house. Making it strong… But once you're home like you're now… everything will make sense again… The baby did a number on you… let yourself off the hook. Having your body filled with so many things didn't help." I glanced back; Caleb was draped over her shoulder. She had turned on the couch, watching my back to her, "What?" I ask, stretching us out a few moments longer.
"You're beautiful too. I want to remember you like this. Standing at the door… in earnest."
I gripped the door frame, "Two minutes, then I take him home." She nodded and smiled. Her sincerest, loveliest smile. My heart was crushed into a million pieces… because I couldn't make everything better for her. Regardless, I couldn't fall apart—not yet; she needed me for a little while longer.
Five minutes later, I stood feet-deep in the snow outside Louis's house, pushing through the white blanket up to the door. There was a storm coming, and sudden whips of wind hit me. I wanted to get Caleb out of the cold. I didn't knock; the door was always open anyway. I walked through. It startled everyone around the Christmas table. I left the door open, and the weather joined me inside. I didn't say anything and was surprised when I saw Chris there. The whole circus was enjoying the day without Juliet. They were just okay with going on with their lives… it ticked me off; they could've said something. I didn't feel guilty at all anymore. I rounded the table and pushed Caleb into Chris's arms, turned around, and ran out the door as fast as I could before anyone could even register what was happening or say a word.
Before I teleported out of there, I glanced over to Charlene's house, excited to have some good news for Juliet. The house came out great. Juliet's little cabin in the woods sounded too good.
I had to meet with Raas, so I ended up entering the same room at the embassy, where everyone was together for the first time as a family. The news was already all over the Milky Way; celebrations had begun for little Caleb. Juliet wasn't under the protection of the riphaths anymore. If they signed the papers—no more watchers, and then I couldn't protect her anymore—she would be all alone. Qadir would come for her… or he would wait until she turned, and he would control her. To whom did I give the magic button? Who did I trust? Who would be left? No one could find Rodrigo because he was back on the compound. Qadir found him a while ago, pulling his strings, and would piggyback on whatever they were going to do together. If Juliet wanted the cure, she would have to go back there.
The cruelty of her situation was too much for me. I walked towards the table where Jack and Kubra were already waiting. I sat down next to them, across from a new face. Questioningly, I peeked at Jack, who shrugged in answer.
"So, Juliet is not pregnant anymore?" This new person asked. I nodded once. I went from the most important watcher to the one who would be let go. I had to ensure the baby's safety at all costs during her pregnancy. Significant because of Caleb, not Juliet. "You did excellent work there, Michael… And, of course, you will be handsomely rewarded."
Yippee! Another million in my account. What was the freakin point?
"Well, they have two days to decide whether they want to go back to the En-gannim or if they will stay in exile here on Earth. If they don't… no more watchers for all three of them… not even you, Kubra," he bowed his head in a quick motion. The guy had very little to say. "You two will return for treatment because your contract will end," Jack and I nodded.
What did Jack feel like; he hoped to live for a thousand years and have eighty to live his life and pass away like everyone else, sitting on the porch with the wife in some suburb, the grandkids running around on the grass. All I could think about was Juliet hunting alone for the first time and what had happened the last time. I almost jumped up when Jabin dismissed us and told us to deliver the news, although I wasn't headed for France and was sure when Jack and Kubra saw neither Juliet nor me there… they would finalize the arrangements.
Two more days… Two more days. Where are you? I ran through the house searching. I had her phone in my hand, regretting not giving it to her before I left. It wouldn't work if she had vanished anyway. I had locked up her phone when we came. We couldn't risk her finding out about Sita and Chris. The guys agreed when I took her—no contact. I don't know if it was a good idea. Juliet had become detached from them and clung to whoever was with her. Juliet wanted to disappear. I ran out the front door towards the mountains looming in front of me. Beyond the small mountain range were flat, watery planes. Would she really go on a hike to the end of Canada? I sighed, running around, checking everywhere.
An hour later, I was deep into the woods, following the trail we always took to find forest dwellers, hunters, or hikers. We never needed to come go so far up the path, though. I decided to turn around. "Clothes!"
I saw bright red material as I crossed a log functioning as a bridge over a frozen stream. I jumped into a blanket of powdered snow; it was freezing as more snow fell on my face. My beard was already covered in icicles. Hesitantly, I pulled on the garment—a body emerged. The guy was blue and drained. She ate… smiling, I pushed him back into the snow, "Good girl." I ran back again, following the trail towards town; at the parking area, the road split in two, going west one way and east the other. West was home. East headed into town.
Did we miss each other, or did she want to be alone? I needed to consider what to do next… "Okay," the mountains were really my last option. If in two days, she didn't surface… I'd take out a snowmobile and hope I could track her, so I headed to town first; it was getting late. The sun was setting, and I was exhausted. I stuck my gloved hand into my thick jacket pocket, walking into town down the main street. It was Christmas Eve, and she was all alone—not that it meant anything to her. There were only two places that would be open. I went to the first one; the doors were locked… the pub was the only other option.
Walking the two blocks, I already heard the cheers and loud music from down the street. As I rounded the corner, people's voices became more apparent; they were singing at the top of their lungs in French.