Chapter Thirty-Nine

I dropped my sunglasses by the front door, kicking it shut behind me. Edalyn had introduced me to some of the other expecting  and new mothers she knew, so I spent the day at the beach with them. Of course I was the youngest but they were all still nice. There was Elayna Marie; who was expecting her fourth child with her wife, Hana; who already had an eight year old and a toddler, Angela; who was pregnant with her first kid, and Alexa; the shifter I ran into. I met her boyfriend again when he dropped her off and he had a weird look on his face when he saw me. Like a mixture of fear and respect. I shrugged off his behavior though, Alexa and I were already becoming close friends.

I yawned as I left my bag on the stair railing. Giggling and soft voices came from the kitchen. I stepped through the archway, spotting Scarlett kissing some guy up against the counter. Her eye caught mine and she pulled away.

 "Oh there you are!" She chirped. I suddenly felt very awkward in nothing more than shorts, a bikini top, and cover up. The guy she was with whispered something and she glanced back at him.

"I totally forgot to tell you today was the day. This is my boyfriend-" She started, her partner turned around.

I dropped my keys with a scream.

 It was him. The dreadlocks were gone but I knew, I knew that face. My eyes locked onto Scarlett's neck and it all made sense. The ankh, they both wore it. Koran's expression changed in the blink of an eye; he looked furious.

"You. How are you alive?!" He spat, shaking off Scarlett's hand. I backed up against the wall as he advanced closer. My heart slammed against my chest and I was dead sure he could hear it.

"Kor, what are you talking about?" Scarlett asked.

"Answer me." He snarled, ignoring his partner. I shrunk closer to the wall.

"I-" I'd blocked out Reece's voice weeks ago, but in this moment of terror I smashed down the wall and hoped he'd hear.

"You dirty little rat." He hissed. My necklace burned and I remembered another time like this.

"Daminier was right." He whispered to himself while he looked at my hair. That name. That voice. My eyes widened, this was the man that was sent to kill me.

"I-I please...I'm sorry." I could hardly speak. "I'll just be g-going."

"No, you won't little mouse." His raspy voice sent chills along my spine. "You're very frightened right now." He put his lips near my neck.

"Your heart is racing."

"L-let me go." I tried to push him off of me. "I'll scream."
"Remember this," His eyes glittered. "I'm watching you Vivienne."
"Koran! Don't hurt her, she's pregnant for God's sake!" Scarlett yelled, yanking me out of my memories. Oh God, I thought, he's going to kill me.

 "What?!" His eyes blazed. Koran's hand slammed into the wall beside my neck. His eyes traveled down to my stomach. He grabbed my right arm tightly, I cried out.

"Well not only are you not dead but you're knocked up. So, who'd you cheat on Reecey with?" Koran growled. I shook my head.

"God dammit." He snapped. "God fucking dammit. You've caused me a hell of a lot of trouble with my father, but I'll end this quickly."

"Koran!" Scarlett cried. As he turned to face her I took the opportunity to escape; I ripped myself out of his grip and ran. I nearly threw myself up the stairs and into my bedroom, locking the door behind me. I backed up and slid down onto the ground.

 I could barely breath my heart was beating so fast, but I wasn't crying. I was too scared. Scarlett's voice carried up the stairs and through the door.

"What the hell was that?!" She screamed.

"Nothing you need to concern yourself with."

"Oh but I think it is! You just threatened to kill a teenager! She's pregnant too, are you insane?" Scarlett was loosing it.

"Babe-"
"Don't you dare 'babe' me! Get out! I'll talk to you once this is over." She shouted, slamming the door. I exhaled shakily. He knows I'm alive. He knows. I was slowly slipping into hysteria, I started to cry. I cried for Reece in my head, ignoring everything Blu had told me. I needed him. I heard footsteps coming up the stairs and hesitating at my door.

 "Vinnie, he's gone." Scarlett said softly. I didn't respond. She sighed.

"Please tell me what happened." She said. I shook my head, fully knowing that she couldn't see me. But I couldn't bring myself to speak. If I said anything or opened the door he could be there; ready to kill me and my babies.

"I just don't understand what would make him say those horrible things." She sighed. 

"You don't have to open the door, but please just tell me." Scarlett demanded. 

"Okay." I murmured. I could hear her sitting down on the opposite side of the door.

"It's strange, we've been living together for months but I barely know you."

"Well..." I spilled everything, forcing myself to hold it together at the parts with Reece. She was stunned.

"That...doesn't explain Koran." 

"He's Re- his uncle. He doesn't want human and vampire blood to mix. And there's this prophecy. Reece's father didn't want it to come true so they've been trying to kill me since I was twelve. Although they only re-noticed me when I started dating Reece. That's when I was kidnapped." I explained. Scarlett was silent; my life was a lot to take in.

"Well you can't stay here." She said suddenly. My heart dropped.

"What?!"

"It's not safe, I want you to go stay with Alexa until Koran leaves town. I can tell him you headed out for Twinbrook." Scarlett said. I sighed.

"Thank you." 

"Don't worry, I won't let anyone hurt you or those little ones got it?" Scarlett said, her voice full of determination.

"Got it." I said weakly.

5000 View Special!

 Hi my dearest readers! This view special isn't like the others, as I felt 5,000 was a extra special milestone. So unlike the 3k and 1k specials, it's not going to be a cute parallel world or just some happy future, it's a thank you to all of you readers.

I love you all! Seeing people reading makes me just so happy and the comments are wonderful too. And I know, it was a little rough around the edges in the beginning but Whispers In The Walls has evolved beyond what I had expected. Sure, 5k total views might not seem like a lot to most, but it is to me and you readers out there mean the world to me!

And sure, some characters may not be your favorite or there may be some that you barely remember exist but that's cool, I forget about Axel all the time. (sorry love) Some of them were spur of the moment decisions or some never even made their way into photos. A few friends inspired certain characters actions but I also influenced the feedback I got from the lovely comments.

 Honestly I didn't expect many of you to stick around and keep reading. But you all did. Maybe it's cause Blu is super hot or you like a good(?) love story. Either way thanks for stickin' along for this weirdly amazing ride. 

 But the biggest thanks is for putting up with me. I mean, am I ever gonna let these two live happily? Maybe, a strong maybe. Hell, I let you guys decide how their story ends! Was that a good idea on my behalf? Possibly not, because I've already begun planning the next adventure. Yet those starring in said adventure haven't even been born yet.

Oh goodness I'm rambling and starting to get all emotional. Really though, thank you. Thank you all so much for giving me the spirit to keep writing and keep destroying an adorable couple <3

And special thanks to Kat, for letting me blackmail her into reading simply so I could tell her all my dastardly plans for the future and of course, make sure I wasn't about to write something horrendously stupid.

Thanks for putting up with me ya'll. Till next time <3

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Thank you all so much for 5,000 views! I'll be putting up a special soon to celebrate!

"So where did you say we were going today?" I asked, picking at my sweater. Reece's sweater actually, I'd never given it back to him. Edalyn pulled out of the driveway and turned down the street.
"I'm taking you to work with me." She said. I took notice of her scrubs. "You still have yet to have a check-up for the little one."
"Oh, yeah." I glanced out the window at the ocean. "Are you a pediatrician?"
"Not exactly, I help at a practice for children and pregnant women." Edalyn quickly glanced at my stomach. "Those who are supernatural that is." My heart skipped a beat and I turned to look at her.
"Supernatural? Like werewolves? Those don't exist Edalyn." I lied.
"Don't play it off Vinnie I know you're something. And I know your baby is half you half vamp." She smiled. I didn't.
"How...how do you know?" I asked.
"Well aside from the obvious signs of you hair, eyes, and necklace; one of my ancestors was a witch and I got just a teeny bit of that." Edalyn explained, turning another corner. I sat in a stunned silence. So much for lying through half my life. Without taking her eyes off the road she rubbed my shoulder reassuring me.

"That's why we took you in in the first place. I knew you were a supernatural and pregnant with one so I knew I had to help you." Edalyn withdrew her hand.
"What about Scarlett?" I asked suddenly.
"She doesn't know. I mean, she knows what kind of doctor I am, just not what kind of patients I have. If you get what I mean." She shrugged. Something still bugged me about Scarlett, not her personality just something felt off. We sat in silence for the next hour and a half until we reached the practice.

"Alright, come on." Edalyn said, killing the engine. We both got out of the car. She clipped a badge onto her pocket and headed up to the front doors. I lagged a little behind, my heart pounding with nerves. Edalyn pulled open the door.
"Don't be so nervous, it's gonna be fine." She smiled again. I smiled back but it didn't reach my eyes.

I stepped inside and was surprised to see how crowded it was. Couples and families clustered in the small waiting area, only a few able to fit on the couches.
"Morning Bonnie." Edalyn said to a young woman at the front desk. She looked up with a tired smile. Her black hair was brushed over one shoulder and she had the strangest white tattoos on both arms.
"Just in time. Mayli might need you." She gestured with a pen to a nurse talking with a couple, more like being talked to. I followed Edalyn over.

"Really Miss, everything is healthy and fine." Mayli, the nurse was saying to the woman.
"How is everything fine? It's going to be half shifter half vampire, I don't-" The young woman was saying hurriedly. Her bright gold eyes glowed and her partner was pale with glowing eyes as well. I assumed he was the vampire but I didn't know what she was.
"Alexa, calm down." Her partner said.
"Can't we see the doctor?" Alexa pleaded. The fairy sighed. Edalyn took her chance to step in.
"Ms. Morris, Mr. Metera." She said with a smile. Mayli took an immediate step back, letting her superior step in. I tried not to stare too much at her wings.

"We're just a little...concerned." Her partner said smoothly, taking his worried girlfriend's hand.
"Of course of course. But really Alexa, there's nothing to worry about." Edalyn addressed her softly. "Are you sure, but Tony and I-"
"Positive. Raising a mixed child will be the same as either of your species, just with aspects of both. Get lots of rest and call with any questions. And of course, come back for a check up monthly since you're a special case." Edalyn handled the woman's stress with ease. The couple exchanged a glance. 

"Thank you very much." Tony squeezed his partners hand. His silver eyes flitted to me for a moment and he blinked with surprise. He almost said something to me but his girlfriend tugged on his hand. Regaining his composure he led Alexa out of the practice.

"You have perfect timing Ed." Mayli said, her voice high and musical. I took immediate notice of her white hair, but unlike mine it had pink in it, which may or may not have been natural.

"I'm going to go set up the room, Vinnie. Mayli would you send her in when I'm ready?" Without waiting for an answer Edalyn turned and headed into a room behind the front desk.

"Hiya." She said perkily.

"Hi." I tugged at the sleeves of Reece's sweater. The room was abuzz with noise and activity.

"I'm guessing this is your first appointment huh?" Mayli asked, tilting her head to the side. I nodded, feeling the eyes of everyone in the room.

"Oh don't worry too much. You'll be just fine, everyone who comes in here is in your same situation." She chirped. I really doubt that, I thought bitterly. Mayli glanced at the clock on the wall and I couldn't help but stare at her wings in interest.

"Oh! Silly me, everything should be ready now. Head on into that room." Mayli pointed to the door behind the front desk.

With a nervous smile I headed to the small room. Inside Edalyn was tapping away at a computer, a hospital gown was folded neatly on the dresser. 

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"So?" I asked, trying to get a look at the screen. Edalyn smiled.

"Everything is perfectly fine." She said. "No problems at all." I sighed in relief, all my worrying for nothing. I leaned back, thinking of Reece.

"Would you like to know the gender?" Edalyn swiveled in her chair to face me.

"Oh uh..." Why have more surprises in my life? I thought. "Sure."

"Alright." She turned back to the computer and paused, her face changing.

"What is something wrong?" I asked frantically.

"No no, well silly me, I mean genders." Edalyn laughed lightly. I sat up fast.

"What?!"

"You're having twins!" She grinned widely. My heart skipped a couple beats. So much for no more surprises. Not only was I going to be a single mother, but a single mother to twins?!

"I-I...but-"

"You still want to know the genders?" Edalyn asked gently. 

"I- yes. I do." I dug my nails into my palm to stop my voice from shaking.

"It's looks like you're having a boy and..."

Oh god, twin boys?! I could hardly handle a boyfriend.

"A girl!" She squealed. I sighed in visible relief. But the worry quickly returned to my head. I didn't know the first thing about raising kids, let alone half-vampire kids! 

Chapter Thirty-Seven

"I'm borrred." Josh groaned from his upside-down spot on the couch. Rain fell in heavy sheets outside the window, leaving us stuck inside. At least it was a pretty view.

"Nothin' I can do about it." I shrugged, laying my hands softly on my stomach. Josh righted himself, crossing his legs.

"Have you thought of any names? Cause I know of one." He smiled. "Starts with a J."

"I'm not naming my kid after you, you weirdo." I smacked his head lightly. He chuckled but then quickly turned serious.

"Vinnie, what about him?"

"Who?" I said blankly.

"The father? You said the breakup was nasty." Josh said, his face full of concern. "What if he wants custody or something to do with the baby?"

"Well, he won't know them. He doesn't even know of them." I looked away. He sighed.

"I'll be here though." He was forcing a smile, I could tell.

"I know Josh." 

"Good." He reached for my foot and pulled it into his lap. Shifting to face him, I smiled again.

"So my lady, what are we doing today?" 

"Having depressing conversations." I raised an eyebrow.

"Nope. We are going to have fun. And happy conversations." Josh nodded. "Now, back to names..."
I rolled my eyes and slouched into the sofa.
"I don't know, I haven't thought about it." I pulled my foot away and stared out the window. A short silence dragged on, broken only by the smattering of the rain on the roof. Josh stood up and held out his hand for me. I stood up and took it tentatively.

 "Follow me, I want to show you something." Josh said, leading me over to the back door. The door squealed as he wrenched it open and rain showered the pavement, splashing coldly onto my bare legs.
"Outside?" I glanced down at my feet.
"Afraid of the rain Vinnie?" Josh teased, stepping outside.
"No." I mumbled, reluctantly following him. His grip on my hand was tight but soft. We reached the back of the house, right next to the cliff that dropped off to the road and beyond that the ocean. Fog concealed most of the view.

 "What did you want to show me?" I asked, wincing as the cold raindrops struck my head. Josh let go of my hand and turned to face me more.
"I mean, the view is pretty and all but it's wet and cold." His silence wasn't very reassuring. In fact, he looked nervous. Josh shoved his hands into his pockets, blinking away the water from his eyes.
"I wanted to tell you that..." He trailed off a bit, rocking on his heels.
"Tell me what Josh?" I pressed. My toes were freezing on the wet grass. "I'm very sure hypothermia isn't good for pregnant women."
"I just...this might explain better." He said at last.
"What?" I shivered. Josh leaned down and kissed me before I could say anything else.

 It took me by surprise to say the least. I was too shocked to push him away or kiss back for a few seconds. He pulled away but only by an inch. I could feel his hesitation of whether to kiss me again or apologize and back away.
"Josh-" I started to say, but he put both hands on waist and pulled me close again, kissing me eagerly and I instinctively put my arms around his neck.

 I lost myself in the moment; with my eyes closed I felt like I was back home, kissing someone totally different. Josh jogged me back to reality, his hand sliding up the back of my shirt and kissing my neck. He picked me up and I pulled away for some air.

 In an instant the rain had stopped and a different boy was holding me. My hands were tangled in black hair, not red. And gold eyes gazing hungrily into mine, not blue. I ran my thumbs across the face, relief washing over my body. I wasn't kissing Josh, it was Reece. For all I knew everything had been a dream up to know. Reece's hot breath was on my cheek and I closed my eyes, savoring the moment.
"Vinnie?" Josh's voice appeared and my eyes opened.

 Dream-Reece disappeared and I was being held by Josh. The realization sunk in fast and hard and pushed myself out of his arms. I felt like crying. What am I doing? I thought, horrified. Confusion was plastered across Josh's wet face.
"What? Are you not a neck-kiss kinda girl?" He joked. Wrong, wrong, wrong! I stepped away from him, my stomach twisting.

"I can't do this." I half-whispered.

"Hm?" Josh said.

"I'm sorry Josh. Now...now is not the time." I said. Hurt flashed in his eyes.

"But when? When will be the time?" He stepped forward and I stepped back. "I like you Vinnie. I like you a lot. But you're still hung up on this other guy? Some boyfriend you got knocked up by and then broke up with before he even knew you were pregnant?"

"It's not like that Josh."

"Vinnie I know you're younger than me but I really think there's something between us." Josh pleaded. I sighed and started to head back into the house.

"Maybe there is Josh, But now is not the time to explore it." I said bitterly, retreating quickly to my room.

Chapter Thirty-Six

 I forced myself to be happier and try and forget everything that happened before I moved in with the twins. Part of that was getting closer to Josh. Both Edalyn and Scarlett eagerly agreed that I should have more friends, but I was so scared to leave the house to much. What if someone saw me and ran back to Bridgeport to tell God knows who. And there was another new problem: I was showing. In light of this Scarlett decided it was up to her to give me a "Maternity Makeover", as she called it. 

"So have you thought of any names?" Scarlett asked as we walked the main strip.
"Not really, I also don't know the gender." I failed to mention that part of me was still hoping to find my way back to Reece before the birth.
"That doesn't matter, you gotta have options." She stopped in front of a pricey-looking boutique. I considered a few things on the rack to make it seem like I was interested in shopping.

"Oooh! What's that?" Scarlett leaned forward, gushing over a dress in the window. It didn't seem all that special in my eyes, sure it was cute but a little revealing. A figure in the distance caught my eye and I looked up. I tuned out Scarlett's voice and felt my stomach twist as I recognized the face. Scarlett pressed her face against the glass.

"Hey I'm gonna look down there real quick okay?" I said, sliding my arm out of hers.

"Yeah, yeah go." She waved me off without a second glance and I hurried down the street.

"Vinnie?"

"Hi Abbey." I said. I hadn't seen her in over a year, seeing as I stopped going to school after the 'incident' with Maria and Koran. 

"What are you doing in Los Aniegos? And what happened to you, you just disappeared off the face of the planet!" My ex-best friend squealed. She acted as if nothing had ever happened between us, like she didn't stab Kaya and I in the back for popularity's sake.

"I-" 

"It's so good to see you again!" She threw her arms out as if to hug me.

I pulled back, a defensive hand on my stomach.

"Look Abbey-" I started. Abbey's eyes zeroed in on my hands, or what they were covering at least.

"Oh em gee! Are you pregnant? Who knew it'd be you to get knocked up first, I figured it might've been me. I mean, Kaya maybe but I never expect you to be the one-night-stand pregnancy." She rattled off with a laugh. In her usual way of words in stung more than she thought.

"It wasn't a one night stand. It was my boyfriend and we...wait why am I even telling you this?"

"Boyfriend? Vinnie in all our years you've never once had a boyfriend! Who, who?!" She was jumping up an down with excitement. I sighed and decided to just tell her.

"Reece."

"Reece who? Not Hawkwood, I assume."

"Uh, yes Hawkwood." My mind began to drift back to him and I forced it to the present.

"Holy shit what? Reece Hawkwood? You and Reece Hawkwood screwed?" The disbelief was clear on her face. I wanted to slap it off. Forcing my temper down I spoke again.

"Yes Abbey."

"Oh God, I have to tell Mar-"

"No!" I cried. "Don't tell anyone. Please."

My sudden outburst startled her. I sighed.

"Look I have to go, my friend is waiting for me." I said, turning to leave.

"Wait, I haven't seen you in months!"

"Good, and you won't see me again." I snapped.

"What? When you get back to Bridgeport we can all get together again; you, me, Kaya, Lauri-"
"No. We can't." I clenched my hands into fists at my sides.
"Why not?"
"I'm not going back to Bridgeport, and Lauri is dead." I hissed turning to go back to Scarlett. Abbey stood in a stunned silence as I walked away. Scarlett had two bags in her hands and I grabbed her arm, pulling her back to the car.

The last thing I needed was for my past to catch up with me.