Dawn Reclaimed

"Grant, that could be a big toe for all I know. That is not a penis." Claire was not entirely willing to concede to the fact that her baby was a boy. She really didn't want to know until the baby came. But, everyone was more than willing to wreck her big moment and the surprise.

"Oh yes it is," Grant said proudly. Big toe... his foot. He was the proud papa of a bouncing baby boy. Or would be in a few months. He frowned. He was so focused on wanting a son. He hadn't stopped to consider that she might have her heart set on a little girl. "You wanted a girl didn't you?"

"I wanted it to be a surprise. I don't care what sex the baby is as long as he or she is healthy." Claire slid the picture out of Grant's hand and turned off the light. She silently added, and I live through the pregnancy and the delivery, to her wish list. Grant nestled down beside her. Casually running his fingertips over her belly as he tucked the covers tightly around her.

"I agree with you. But, I'm telling you that's a root not a planter." He smoothed his hand up her bare skin and settled his palm on her belly, tracing circles with his palm over the bulge of her stomach. Soon, he felt Clare relax in his arms. She was fast asleep. He sighed a happy sigh and joined her. But, he hand no dreams to dream, they had all come true and were laying next to him, in his arms.

Thomas had spent the rest of his shift locked in his office. Thinking. Thankfully, the ER stayed quiet and he had plenty of times to sift through his feelings. Claire's labs were back and he'd studied the ultrasound pictures intently. She was as healthy as any pregnant woman could hope for. The baby, healthy, happily tucked away in his mother's womb, sucking his thumb. And for that Thomas was glad and blessedly relieved.

He cared too much about Claire to completely abandon her to the ways of the Shaman and a midwife. The pregnancy was going to be hard on her, as was the delivery. He'd help her anyway that he could. But, right now, his feelings were too much of a hindrance to do her any good. He'd pinned his hopes on her and grasped at nothing but thin air. His disappointment left an aching hole in his chest. He really believed that she was the one for him. But, he'd seen her love for the wolf shine in her eyes when she said his name. Grant. Bastard.

Claire was as hip deep in the supernatural as he was, and quickly going under. Claire was in a world now that there was no escape from. What was worse, she didn't want to escape. She loved Grant, not him. Grant was like air to her. Without him, she couldn't survive. Thomas knew he could have made her happy. Provided for her and the baby. With him, she could have had something that Grant could never give her, normalcy. The pregnancy wasn't normal. The baby wasn't normal. And neither would her life ever be normal. Claire's son would need a father and she a husband. One that Thomas knew he could never be.

Thomas packed it up for the night and reported off to the reliving physician. Dejected, depressed, restless, and feeling alone, he drove past his house and headed out of town. His mom didn't visit as much as she used to. And it wasn't like he could talk about what he was feeling to anyone else. It was bad enough that out of all the people on the planet he only had his mother and Doc to turn to. The Shaman didn't delve much into science. But, Thomas would feel better if he took a look at Claire's results and the ultrasound pictures. And while he was there, if he just happened to bump into his mom and Claire somehow came up in the conversation, well, it'd be great to get his thoughts off his chest.

"Oh, look. There's my baby boy!" Barbara trotted to her son and planted a wet kiss on his cheek. She'd caught his scent the minute he entered the compound. Excused herself from the most boring movie she'd ever watched and set out on a mission to find him. "What brings you down here to the pits of despair on such a fine night?"

Thomas chuckled and unwound his mom's arms from his neck. "Have a few things for the Shaman to take a look at."

"Oh, didn't come down here to see your old mother, eh? Spend your whole life taking care of them and then when you get old they lock you away. Such is life." Barbara grinned, falling into step beside her son.

Thomas was the bright spot in the whole of her existence. The Shaman was a piss poor mentor. Always locked away in his chambers doing who knew what. She was still officially 'grounded' to the compound after Claire's sighting. Doc wouldn't let her out to sport around the town. Although, she understood, she was still bored, bored, bored. "Can I take a peek?"

"Sure." Thomas shrugged. His mother had been his study partner through med school and knew almost as much about the human body as he did. He fired up his laptop and opened the file. The image of Claire's ultrasound was on the screen.

"Oh, a baby. Cute little thing isn't he. Whose baby is it?"

"Claire's."

"Huh? I thought you said she was a little pregnant. This baby looks a lot bigger than three months."

"She swears she's only about twelve weeks."

Barbara pulled up a chair and studied the ultrasound. "You believe her?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Well." Barbara pointed to the screen with her index finger and raised a brow at her son's complete and utter gullibility. Not wanting to say the obvious, she cleared her throat. Machines didn't lie. She liked Claire and she wanted to believe her too. But, as her mama used to say 'the proof is in the pudding' and this particular pudding was mighty thick with lies.

"Mom, the father is a werewolf."

Barbara huffed in surprise. "Well, that certainly changes things doesn't it?"

"It certainly does. Mom, there's more. Claire knows what the father is. And I told her about you and the others. Not much, just the basics."

"Oh, you told her that your mother was a member of the undead, a blood-sucking fiend, Nosferatu. How did you explain the night she spotted me? What'd you tell her? I was just picking up some take out?"

Thomas snickered. "Sometimes mom, you're so sarcastic. I didn't put it to her exactly like that, Mother. The wolves have high maternal and infant mortality rates. I had to tell Claire. She might need the vampires to get through this. I just don't know enough about what to expect during her pregnancy. I still have feelings for her. I can't be her doctor. I just can't do it on my own."

Barbara patted Thomas's arm. "Baby, you are brilliant and I have no doubt that you're going to give Claire the best care that you can. You can help her. I just know it."

"Why Thomas, I didn't expect you tonight," Doc said as he entered the study. "What are we looking at?" He pulled up a chair and wedged himself between Barbara and her son. Turning his attention to the monitor instead of the woman beside him, he studied the image on the screen. Didn't look like much but a black and white blob to him. "What is that? A baby?"

"I need your help. The woman having this baby is very important to me. And the baby is half human-half wolf. I don't know what to expect. She's only three months pregnant. But, the baby is so much bigger than it should be. Given the rate of development, she could deliver in a month or two."

"Otherwise, she's healthy?" Doc asked. Vampires didn't reproduce in the conventional way and he had not delivered a baby in over two hundred years. Delivering a baby wasn't like riding a bike or like kissing Barbara. Just because he'd done it once a long time ago, didn't mean he could climb back on and start peddling or in Barbara's case, kissing. "We'll have to coordinate with their midwife."

"Naturally. I want to put together a birthing room, here, for her. If things start to go really bad, she might need more than the wolves or I can offer her." Thomas pinned Doc with a meaningful stare. He would do anything to save Claire's life, even if it meant the unthinkable.

"She means that much to you?" Doc asked. He didn't go in depth about this particular subject. Not with Barbara within hearing range. Thomas could not bring people to the compound like lost puppies in need of a home. The brotherhood could not save every life meant to end.

"She does. I'll put together a list of supplies that we'll need." Thomas closed the laptop and stuffed it in his bag. He kissed his mom on the forehead. "I've gotta go. Love you." He nodded to Doc as he saw himself out.

Barbara and Doc exchanged glances. "I'm concerned for the woman," The Shaman said. There might be a complication that Thomas couldn't anticipate. Generally, the Sons were well controlled and could resist the scent of human blood. But, when it was right under their noses, their control would be pushed to the brink. And he, deep in his core, beyond what he was as a healer, was a vampire. The woman might be in more danger here at the compound than Thomas could ever comprehend.

Barbara sighed and nodded. For once, much to her surprise, she was in total agreement with Doc. "I'm worried about the both of them." Her son was hurting more than she'd ever seen. He suffered deep in his heart. Claire was in danger of losing the baby and her life. And her son was in danger of losing a part of himself if something happened to Claire or the baby. He'd feel responsible. And the guilt, he'd take to his grave.

Chapter 51

"Oh!" Claire gasped, grabbing her stomach. The first light of dawn peeked in through the curtains. And while she'd still been fast asleep at this ungodly hour, the baby was wide-awake. Kicking and turning in her belly like he was doing his morning workout. She clamped a hand to her side and rolled out of bed. Walking in a duck waddle rush, she barely made it to the bathroom in time. Apparently, Junior thought her bladder was a football and he was kicking for a field goal. But, at least, the morning sickness stage of her pregnancy was hopefully over.

Grant snapped awake as Claire flushed the toilet. He worried she'd gotten sick again. Scrabbling to throw back the mess they'd made of the blankets on the bed and untangle his long legs, he asked, "Claire, are you all right?"

"Yeah. I wanted to sleep in a little today. But, the baby had other plans. Like kicking the crap out of me." She said as she climbed back into bed. Rubbing a hand on her belly to calm the little tyke down. Her stomach quivered as if the little guy reached out to touch her. Could be his foot, or maybe, his hand pressing against her palm. "Give me your hand." She placed Grant's palm over her stomach so he could feel the baby move. "Feel that?"

Grant grinned as he felt the tiny thump against his palm. "Wow." He was too awestruck to put his feelings into words. Excitement, pride, love, all swirled together in a colorful mix of emotions beyond definition. "Claire," he whispered reverently. "That's our son."

Claire scooted close, lining her body against Grants and traced the lines of his smile with a fingertip. Sure, having her ribs punted and her bladder sucker punched was uncomfortable. But, to feel the life moving and growing within her body and the expression of pure love etched into Grant's features made her heady with an overwhelming sense of joy.

Grant pressed his lips to Claire's fingertips. He rubbed her belly with his palm and cupped the back of her head with the fingers of his free hand. Lowering his face to meet hers, he whispered, "I love you. Both of you." He leaned forward to give her the first kiss of the day. He'd thought nothing could top waking up to the sight of her face yesterday morning. But, today was even better. He was light as air. Floating on a cloud of pure joy and contentment.

Claire closed her eyes and sighed a happy sigh against Grant's mouth. She'd always guessed. But, had never known what true love felt like until now. Grant's fingers eased her borrowed T-shirt up into a bundle around her shoulders. Dipping his head, he wrapped his lips around a ripe nipple, suckling her breast hungrily and eagerly. The baby must have finished his workout routine and fallen asleep. The rambunctious tossing and turning in her belly stilled. She lay back and enjoyed, letting Grant take the morning wherever he would.

Grant wrestled Claire free of the T-shirt and tossed it aside. Returning his lips to her hardened nipples. Her breasts were fuller, firmer, and they were perfect before. She arched her back lifting her nipples to his mouth. And he readily complied. He nuzzled and lapped at one ripe peak while gently caressing and fondling the other. Had to keep the girls happy. Claire's body was hot against his skin. Her back arched, head thrown back and thighs spread in desire. Beckoning him lower to the soft V between her legs with a roll of her hips. He took his time getting there to the spot she wanted him the most. His fingers explored her curves thoroughly before trailing down to the thicket of soft, dusty brown curls and lower, tracing a finger through the damp slit of her center.

Claire moaned and arched her hips. Foreplay was torment. Joyous, painful, torment that made her ache and throb, beg for more. Grant's fingers stretched and probed her core. Slicking along her silky depths until she was wet and pulsing for more. When he latched onto her breast with his hot mouth, flicking the tip with his tongue, she grappled with the sheets and cried out sheer delight. His fingers had found the special place deep inside of her that only they knew about, teasing and rubbing the tender spot until she was gasping and rocking against him, completely out of control with the sensations rocketing from her toes to the tip of her head. "Grant," she puffed, "need more now. Need you." The words stuck in her throat as her release shot through her. Curling her toes with the sheer delight of orgasm.

Grant loved to hear Claire come for him. Her voice would turn all soft and sweet, breathy, caressing over him like spun sugar. Her body stiffened right before an orgasm and then turned to putty in his hands immediately afterward. Her toes would curl and flex when he sent her over the edge. She was beautiful. And he would never get tired of hearing her voice sigh his name. He spread her thighs with his hips and wiggled out of his boxers. He couldn't wait to be inside of her. He had made her this way. Made her cry his name in passion and whimper in joy. Slowly, he slid in and buried his length in her core. Rewarded when her nails raked across his back and she cried his name.

Claire guided Grant's lips to her mouth. Her tongue swabbed his teeth as he bucked against her, driving deeply inside of her. Fusing them together as one. He rode her hard at first. And then so infuriatingly slowly that she quivered and panted, plead for more. He knew what she liked and how she liked it. Knew exactly when to speed up and how far to take it before she was losing herself once again. She wanted him there with her. But, he was such a master of self-control. She wrapped her legs around his hips and kneaded the flesh of his butt with her palms. Her nails gripped and dug into his shoulders, spurring him on until he sailed over the brink, taking her with him.

Grant shot into her. Buried to the hilt in the soft, warm, wetness of her core. He supported his weight on his palms and stared down at her. Her lips were full and swollen from his kiss. A cherry blush tinted her cheeks. Her long lashes fluttered across her cheeks. She looked very well sated and very happy. He bent to claim her mouth in a frenzied kiss, hardening inside of her. Dizzy with need for her.

The second round was every bit as good as the first. Claire felt his shaft grow and harden inside of her. Grant took his time, mastering her body. Slaking both of their needs with long purposeful strokes until they both shattered and collapsed into a panting and quivering mass of indistinguishable flesh. She playfully tugged on the curling ends of his hair as he nuzzled his cheek against her belly and sang songs softly, and sweetly to their baby.

She mussed that he had years of experience with women and that was how he knew exactly how to drive her insane so quickly. Practice did make perfect. And all that mattered to her was the present, not the past. How could she possibly begrudge him for having relationships with other women when she didn't even know him yet? "Grant, how old were you when you lost your virginity?" she asked out of curiosity.

"Thirty-seven," Grant answered. Yawning contentedly, he nuzzled Claire's stomach. She stiffened beneath him, as if she didn't believe him. And it was true, he had no real proof, she was his first and his only. From a human's point of view being a virgin and admitting to it at his age was pathetic. But, from his perspective, he was glad he waited for her to come along.

"Huh? You're kidding right?"

"No Claire, I'm not. You're my first." He rested his chin lightly on her belly and looked up to meet her eyes. "I had plenty of opportunities. But, I wanted to find the right one first."

"Why?" Claire gasped. She could not imagine anyone on this Earth, supernatural powers or not, waiting so long to explore the joys of sexuality.

Grant scooted up and rested against the headboard. "I had to be careful." He might as well tell her the whole truth. He reached out and pulled her to him, resting an arm across her shoulders. "I never found anyone worth risking it for until you. When a person like me, chooses a mate. A bond is formed between them. Claire, I wasn't willing to take the chance on a life long bond with anybody, before I met you. When I asked you to marry me, I wasn't kidding. I want you to be my wife."

"Can the bond be broken?" Claire's mind was reeling. He was openly admitting his love for her and yet, another secret. She felt the same for him. But, what if in the future, he didn't or she didn't? Where would they be then? One thing life had taught her at a young age was that sometimes even the best intended promises could be broken.

Grant hadn't expected her question. In his mind he'd always imagined a very delirious, very happy Claire saying 'yes' when he popped the question. Immediately and smothering him with kisses and happy tears, not staring at him with an almost frowning speculative expression on her pretty face, asking him if the bond could be broken. "It can be. But, it's a long and painful process. Sometimes, not even death can separate two mates. Claire, this is for life, forever. I don't want another. Ever. I want you."

"But, we didn't know each other very well, when we... why would you risk yourself like that? You didn't know that I would feel the way I do for you. I could have refused to ever see you again. How could you have known that I'd fall in love with you?"

"I didn't. I only knew that I loved you from the moment I saw you and hoped you'd eventually come around." Grant lifted Claire's hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her left ring finger. "You gotta admit I can be very persuasive. So, will you marry me or not?"

"I'd like to say yes. But Grant, you'll out live me by decades, maybe centuries."

"Maybe, maybe not. Claire, that's your practical side talking. Listen to your heart, not your head. I don't think Werewolves have the market on longevity. No one lives forever, Claire. And I mean no one. I don't know anybody who can say for sure how much time they've been allotted on this earth. It isn't the years, Claire. It's what we do with them that counts."

"Uh huh, well I'm pretty sure that I'm not going to live as long as Nana," Claire huffed. Pulling her hand away she shifted out of his arms and stared him down. "Grant, are you asking me to marry you because I'm pregnant? Are you doing this out of a sense of duty or honor, to pass on the family name, or something like that? I'm human. I won't live more than a handful of decades. If, I'm very lucky."

"Absolutely not. First of all, I don't even have a family name. Technically, I'm just Grant...the only Grant in the Pack. I don't have a birth certificate, not a legal one anyway. As far as Uncle Sam knows, I was never born. I don't exist in your world, the world out there, Claire. Secondly, I'd be on my knees at your feet whether you were pregnant or not. Claire, I love you." He pointed at her heart and met her eyes. " I love you, for you, and no other reason."