A New Era

                Nicole was getting used to waking up to Austin every morning. It didn’t matter if she had woken up first and took time to stare at him while he looked so peaceful or if he was waking her up with a kiss on her head. She had been living with him for months now and after the witch attack, Austin was weary to leave her side. After a month of no new attacks, Austin stopped having her come to work with him. Now she wondered around the city with Sean. She felt bad sometimes even though he swore it wasn’t that bad. She shopped often, but hardly paid. Most people owed Austin a debt and were thankful to him for over throwing Fredrick and since Nicole was his mate, they simply started a tab for her. She always shook her head, not really used to such a high lifestyle she was now being treated to. Nicole walked around a bit and sat down. Not long after, Sean walked up to her saying Jake mind linked him and needed his help.

“I’m sorry, but I have to go help.”

“Help with what?”

“Detection at the entrance.”

“Oh. Be careful, then.”

“I will.”

With that he was off. She sat and drank her lemonade. She watched the people go by as they strolled from where they coming and going. Everything she bought was being delivered to the cabin, so she had nothing she needed to carry. She had her sunglasses on and relaxed in her seat and just enjoyed the sun. She sat up to put her drink down and saw someone approaching her table. The man sat down in the chair opposite her and she got a weird feeling about him. His dark sunglasses and dark clothing made him stand out. She mind linked Sean.

“I found your intruder.”

“Where are you? Are you alright?”

“Café. I’m fine for now but he is in front of me.”

“On my way.”

The stranger couldn’t see her eyes, so he had no clue help was on the way. He just sat there and stared at her, making her uncomfortable. Finally, after what seemed like forever, he spoke.

“You are in danger.”

“From?”

“Vampires. Lord Pyter.”

“Why?”

“Everything will be revealed shortly.”

“Who are you?”

“A friend of your mothers.”

“My mother?”

“Lydia is alive.”

“Where is she?”

“They are here. I must go now.”

“No. Please wait.”

As Sean ran up, the man disappeared as strangely as he appeared. Sean saw him disappear and stood there looking at Nicole. He moved around to where he was sitting and looked at her again.

“What was that?”

“I don’t know.”

“It’s like he wasn’t even here.”

“He said he was a friend of my mothers.”

“Your mother?”

“Yes. He said I was in danger.”

“He happen to say by who?”

“The vampires or at least one in particular. Lord Pyter.”

“We have to tell Austin.”

She just nodded her head and got up. She wasn’t shocked by the encounter, but by the news that her mother was alive. She had to find a way to tell her father.

They arrive at the tower and went straight up to Austin’s office. To her surprise, her father was already there. She was still shocked and sat down in the nearest chair.

“My love, what happened?”

“A man came to me in town. The intruder.”

“Are you okay?”

“He said he was a friend of mother’s. Said she was still alive.”

“She is. I was able to mind link her this morning.”

“That’s wonderful, father.”

“Nicole, what else happened?”

“He said I was in danger. The vampires are after me. Lord Pyter.”

“Are sure that was the name?”

“Yes. Father what is it?”

“Your mother told me that her sister, Scarlet, found her mate. It’s Lord Pyter. He marked her and the venom is coursing through her veins. Your mother has been made coven leader and is trying to help her sister. Lord Pyter is under the assumption that your mother is keeping them apart.”

“What does this mean for Nicole?”

“Pyter thinks Nicole is an abomination because she is a half-breed. With her mating you, the situation is worse. He wants to wipe her out. Dragon’s blood gives the vampires strength beyond reason.”

“What do we do?”

“Protect her at all costs.”

Nicole was scared but she would not let it get her down. She would not let him win. She would see her mother again.

Four months after the visitor, Nicole was sitting in the lobby of the tower. She was working on her computer, drinking a coffee, and listening to her music. She didn’t even hear Sean come up. She jumped when he touched her shoulder.

“I am so sorry. I thought you heard me.”

“Mind link next time.”

“Will do. Here’s that paperwork you wanted.”

“Thank you, Sean.”

“Can I ask what it is?”

“A surprise for the alfa.”

“Come on, Nic.”

“Nope, sorry Sean.”

He groaned, smiled, and kissed the top of her head and then left to go upstairs. Once she knew there were no prying eyes, she opened the envelope. Her test results were in and they confirmed that she would indeed be giving her alfa an heir. She smiled big and wide. She wanted to tell him in a special way and went to leave. As she did, she saw Andrea walk in from her lunch. She decided on something else.

“Hey, Andrea.”

“Nic. What’s going on?”

“I need you to deliver this to Austin.”

“Isn’t he upstairs?”

“Yes, but I’m not sure how he will react. I’m going home. Please don’t give it to him immediately.”

“You can count on me, Nic.”

Nicole handed her the envelope and packed her things. She watched Andrea get on the elevator and walked out. She walked to the apartment that she convinced Austin to get. She was fixing herself lunch when she heard the beating of wings. She turned towards the balcony in time to see a massive black dragon land. Moments later, Austin walked in grinning like a school boy who just had his first kiss. She couldn’t help but smile at his reaction.

“We’re pregnant?”

“Yes.”

He swung her in a hug and laughed which made her laugh. She was hoping for a positive reaction, but this was better than she hoped. He was over the moon about being a father. In the midst, his face completely changed. She grew worried.

“What is it?”

“What if I am a father like him?”

“You are nothing like him. I know that by the way you treat me. You are going to be a great father, Austin.”

He wrapped her in a hug and breathed her scent in. Her scent was more relaxing to him in more ways than he understood. He didn’t understand her confidence in him, but he was sure grateful for it. He still couldn’t believe he was going to be a father. He put her at arm’s length and knelt down to her stomach. He leaned his head against her stomach and imagined the life growing inside her. Then he thought about it; the life growing. He stood up and lead her to the couch.

“What kind of child would we have?”

“What do you mean?”

“You are half wolf and half witch and I’m a dragon. What will our child be?”

“I don’t know. Guess we will just find out, wont we?”

“I’m scared, my love.”

“Me too.”

He pulled her in against him and she laid her head on his chest. He noticed a few minutes later the pan on the counter and realized she was making lunch when he came in.

“Were you making lunch?”

“I was. Would you like something?”

“I’ll make it.”

“You can cook?”

“I lived on my own for a while, you know.”

“Okay, hot shot.”

“Prepared to be impressed.”

“I can’t wait.”

She watched him walk to the kitchen and she watched him cook a lunch larger than she had planned. Before it was ready, he told her to go wash up. She went to the bedroom and got herself cleaned up. Meanwhile, Austin got the table ready and set up candles and prepared lunch. He closed the blinds and dimmed the lights. He put on some music and waited for her to come back.

Nicole walked back in the room and was surprised at what she saw. Candles, music, roses, and all the makings of a romantic lunch. He just smiled at her and held out his hand. She took it and he led her to her seat. She laughed when she noticed instead of wine or beer, there was sparkling juice. They sat and ate and talked about all wonderous possibilities their future held together.

Three months later

Nicole sat on the couch inside Austin’s office. She had a book in one hand and a sandwich in the other. Three more sandwiches on the table in front of her with a glass a tea next to it. Austin was on a conference call at his desk. Every now and again, she would look up just to watch him work. She was almost four months pregnant and wasn’t showing yet. She rubbed her hand on her stomach and realized then that she had to pee. There was a nugget living against her bladder and she was noticing. She got up and headed towards the door and before she got there, Austin was behind her.

“Everything alright, my love?”

“Yes. I’m just heading to the bathroom. You didn’t need to get up and end your call.”

“I put them on hold. I have a bathroom in here.”

“I also need to stretch my legs, darling.”

“Be careful.”

“I will be. The moment I step out that door, Andrea will be right there.”

“I’m sorry, honey. Its just that we don’t know what this baby will be or what it might do to you.”

“I know you’re worried about me. I’m worried too.”

He hugged and kissed her head and opened the door for her. Sure enough, Andrea walked right up. Austin watched as Andrea took her arm and made sure she got to the bathroom.

Later that day, Austin had a meeting with an elder of the clan to see if she knew anything about the child he had created. She was old and wise and always made him laugh, but this time he was worried.

“In my day, there was no such thing as mixing species. Not even an alfa and a southern dragon could mate.”

“It’s a different time.”

“Yes. Your mate is a half breed and now you two are having children. That’s three breeds in one. Who knows what this child will be? One thing is for sure, this child will bring about a new era.”

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

“No one will know until the child is here.”

She left and Austin had more fears and worries than before. Nicole could be carrying a baby that could kill her. No one would know anything until the baby grew more. He hated waiting, but more than that, he hated waiting to see if the love of hi life could even bear his children.

Nicole got the news from Austin. She sat in the apartment and wondered what would happen. She wouldn’t get rid of her baby, no matter what. She would just wait and see what happened.

Four months later

Nicole sat in the doctors office ready for her next ultrasound. She knew by now that she was having a girl. According to the doctor, she and the baby were perfectly healthy. She sometimes laughed that Austin worried so much over nothing. She never voiced this, though, due to Austin being more worried as the time got close. As far she could tell, she had a normal pregnancy. She was excited to meet her daughter while Austin dreaded it, not knowing what would happen. She only hoped Austin wouldn’t be as a bundle of nerves when the time came.

Austin grew more and more nervous now that the time was getting closer. He knew he was over reacting because she was doing great and so was the baby. The doctor assured him that the baby was alright, and she was having a normal pregnancy. Nicole seemed like she was doing just fine. She had the normal cravings and normal pains and cramps. Every time she did have a cramp, he grew so much more nervous. He was afraid of what the baby might be doing to her. It caused more fights between them. She thought he was worrying to much and he thought she wasn’t worrying enough. She tried to explain to him that she felt fine and she knew better than he what was happening. She told him it was her body and she would tell him if anything felt wrong to her. He believed and trusted her on it, but he couldn’t help but worry. He just wanted his daughter to be here already.

Two months later

Austin was now in a full-blown panic. The baby was late, and Nicole was hurting more and more. The doctor insisted that it was normal. He sat in his office, not knowing what to do. Nicole was suffering and he didn’t know how to help her.

Nicole was sitting in the apartment when she felt it. The warmth running down her leg. The water pooled at her ankles and she felt the pressure in her womb, and she doubled over in pain. Just then, Sean walked into the room and ran straight to her. He picked her up bridal style and ran straight to the car. He mind linked Austin and told him what was happening. Austin, Jake, and Andrea met them at the hospital. Nicole was in the delivery room and Austin rushed in. He grabbed her hand and didn’t even notice the pain of her squeezing his hand. Contraction after contraction, she felt like the pain would never end.

Nine hours later, Cherish came screaming into the world. Austin held his daughter once she was cleaned up and just gazed at her. He slowly walked her over to the bed and placed her in Nicole’s arms. He started to cry thinking of all the times he worried. She had been right, he worried for nothing. Cherish was perfect. He knew there would another waiting game. Would his daughter be a witch, a dragon, a wolf, or a mix? For now, he would just enjoy his time with his girls. What ever the future held, he knew he would let nothing happen to his girls. Nicole and Cherish was his whole world and would make sure nothing happened to it.