BLUE MOON
It was the weekend, she had two days to go before she left for Washington. She thought it was a good time to go to the beach with Stephan and was going to spend the rest of the weekend with the others.
“So I was thinking,” she turned to Stephan ignoring everyone else in the room, “that we should go to the beach today. I would love to go there before I leave.”
“Sure babe, whatever you want.” This was Stephan’s answer to everything these days. He was trying desperately to make her happy, so he gave her anything and everything she asked for.
“What beach?” Vincent looked up from the television. Eric had introduced him to the wonders of PlayStation three and he was hooked. He never left the game unless he was going to hunt or when he was asked to do something.
“Their special place.” Kayla sang it out. She was looking into Scarlet’s head and was mockingly making goo-goo eyes at her.
Scarlet ignored her, “Can we leave at six?” it was three in the afternoon, they didn’t need much to go with. She only wanted to carry the flannel dress he bought her and some food. A lot of food. She was chomping down food every fifteen minutes, they had noticed her change of diet but Kayla always made them back off when they asked too many questions.
Scarlet had noticed that Nikki was looking at her strangely these days like she knew something. She guessed she was happy because soon Stephan would be alone and she wouldn’t be around as a buffer.
“That’s fine, we don’t need to carry anything. Are we going to spend the night there?”
“Definitely. We need a night away from this madhouse.” She loved the madhouse but needed this time alone with him and their baby.
“Ok, we still have the stuff we used before, so we are set.” He gave her a hard smile and kissed her temple.
“Are you planning to take some of us along?” Xavier asked, not because he wanted to join in the romance, but because they never went anywhere in a number less than four. And Stephan going with Scarlet alone made him uneasy.
“I don’t think anything will happen. Zen hasn’t attacked for almost five weeks so I don’t think he will come today just because we are taking a trip to the beach.” Stephan knew Xavier was only concerned but it annoyed him to think that they would be standing around watching when they made love. He didn’t need an audience or a distraction.
“Am just saying that you need to be careful. Scarlet is almost crossing the finish line and we don’t want to endanger her.” Xavier was still insisting.
Scarlet’s hand dropped to the bulge, she caressed it as she thought about what Xavier said.
Scarlet, you’re tracing it.
She looked up at Kayla and followed her eyes to where her hand lay so naturally. Her bump was showing, she jerked off her hand and pulled the pleated top over her knees.
Thanks.
Solara looked at them both confused at the odd discussion. He could hear what they were thinking but couldn’t make sense of it. Kayla didn’t offer any information and Scarlet started thinking of bananas on toast.
“Am sure they will be fine. Stephan won’t let anything happen to her. Ease up Xavier she is leaving in two days and they want this time with each other.” Kayla came into his defense.
Stephan nodded in gratitude and smiled at her. “Besides, the beach isn’t that far. If anything happens I will call you and Vincent will be there in five minutes max.”
“Make it two minutes.” Vincent was being cocky, but they knew he could manage it.
“Come on Scarlet let me help you pack some stuff.” Kayla stood up and took her hand.
“Sure.” She wasn’t exactly sure what she wanted her to pack but followed her.
“So what do you usually take to these getaways?” Kayla was rummaging through her closet.
“Other than myself, the white flannel gown, and Stephan usually takes care of the rest.” She plopped down on the bed and rubbed her hand over her belly.
“You know for the next two days, you have to stop doing that.” She sat next to her on the bed and moved her hand off her belly to replace it with hers. “Isn’t he a busy baby? I think he just woke up because your mind just went blank.”
“I know, isn’t it too early for him to be moving around like that?”
“I think I should remind you that you aren’t having a human baby.” She chuckled once, “So Stephan is a half breed, and so what exactly is this little fellow.” She rubbed her hand over her belly, following the baby’s movements. “A third breed?”
“It doesn’t matter what he is, all I know is that he is mine.” She smiled as she watched her friend mirror the awe that she had for her child. “Am hungry.”
“You are always hungry.”
***
It was five-thirty that evening, Stephan was loading the car with things they would need for the beach. Scarlet was in the kitchen fixing a snack for herself and packing some food for the night.
Nikki was watching her from the corner of the room where she stood. It made Scarlet uncomfortable and she was glad when Vincent and Eric joined her in the kitchen blocking Nikki’s view.
“I thought you were only going for one night,” Eric asked when he picked up one of the sandwiched Scarlet had made for herself.
“Yeah, we’ll be back in the morning, noon latest, why?” Scarlet pushed another sandwich towards him.
“So why all the food? It is just you who’s going to eat it or are you taking one of us along?” he was stuffing the sandwich in his mouth as he talked.
“Just me. Am just being prepared.” She continued to pack the cooler.
Stephan walked into the kitchen and planted a kiss on her neck. “Are you done with that?” he looked down at the almost full cooler. “Where are we taking all this food?”
“To the beach, and yes it’s just for me. Could you all just get off my case?” She pointed the kitchen knife at them, driving home her point.
“Yeah get off her case. But seriously Scarlet you have put on a little… Ow!” Solara was cut short when Kayla drove her elbow in her chest.
“She looks just fine and she can eat as much as she wants. Right guys?” The men in the kitchen looked at each other not sure of how to respond.
“Right guys.” Her eyes slit and her voice was low it made her sound all the more dangerous.
“Right!” The four of them said in unison.
Stephan closed the cooler and picked it up to take it to the car. He got halfway to the living room when he froze.
When Scarlet looked up from her sandwich she realized that all of them were frozen looking towards the window. The eight of them all looked like statues adorning her kitchen and living room.
Stephan dropped the cooler to the ground and it startled her. The sandwich in her hand didn’t hit the counter before Stephan had his arms around her his eyes still in the same direction.
Kayla and Solara flanked them, hovering around them protectively. Xavier and Sam rushed to the door and stared out as if looking for something. Nikki and Eric moved behind them and Vincent didn’t move from his original position.
Scarlet noticed that they were forming a protective shield around her. Something was wrong. Something was wrong. They all wore grave faces and didn’t act or move.
“What’s going on?” Scarlet was whispering afraid of whatever was out there hearing her. She trembled in Stephan’s arms. One hand dropped protectively over her belly while the other circled Stephan’s waist. She pressed her body against him, at that time her being found out didn’t matter. She firmly pressed herself against his body to protect their child.
“Something’s coming. I can hear him.” Solara was the only one who spoke.
“Kayla, Nikki take Scarlet upstairs.” Stephan had loosened his hold on her, but Scarlet didn’t move. She knew the safest place to be was with him and she wasn’t going to move.
“No, am not leaving here.” Scarlet was adamant and tightened her grip on his shirt. He loosened the grip she had on him.
“It’s fine I know who it is.” Vincent finally spoke. “Xavier, Sam, come away from the door. He is afraid you will attack him.”
Confused they did as he asked. Stephan stopped struggling against Scarlet and let her press herself against him again. Solara and Kayla relaxed their stance but didn’t move.
A second after the guards at the door moved, a figure blew into the room and stood toe to toe with Vincent. Everyone in the room except Kayla and Solara was shocked.
There with Vincent stood a man who looked exactly like him. The only difference was that he didn’t have the blonde streaks that Vincent had in his hair.
“Victor.”
“Vincent.”
No one spoke beside them. A circle had formed around them and everyone just watched them. Besides their names they didn’t say another word, they were having a private conversation that only Kayla and Solara could hear.
I am here to warn you. They are on their way here
How far are they
Ten minutes. They plan to kill everyone except the half-breed.
Solara and Kayla exchanged looks that made the rest of them tense. They wanted to hear what they were saying but they knew they had to wait.
Why did you come to warn us? Don’t you work for them?
I am your brother and I will protect you