Max

I stared down at the notepad in my hand. On it, it read Samuel Hymn, 393 W Baker Street. After another second, I slid the small notepad back into my pocket. Straightening my spine, I forced myself to buck up. You have a mission to fulfill, I told myself sternly. Nodding to my own thoughts, I reached up to lift the old fashioned door-knocker. Letting it bang against the wooden door twice, I lowered my hand back down to wait. I didn't have to do so for very long. 

The sound of locks coming undone proceeded the door being open. Peering out suspiciously was a woman who looked to be in her mid-fifties. Her hair was a softly graying red-gold that was pulled back into a bun so severe, I had to wonder how often she got headaches. Likewise, her light green eyes and thin lips let me know she instantly despised me. 

At the thought, I fought back a weary smile. Truly, her expression wasn't anything new to me. In fact, a part of me almost enjoyed seeing that light of distrust and disgust in her eyes.

"Yes?" she asked in a way that reminded me of some sort of nun. Like she was demanding to know my reason for stepping upon holy ground. 

I'm here to raze the place to the ground and take all the offerings to your 'God', I thought darkly. The skin around her eyes was tight as she squinted at me behind a pair of glasses.

"Excuse me," I smiled in a way meant to show I 'come in peace'. "I need to speak to Samuel Hymn. Perhaps you know if he is in or not today?"

"...What do you want with my husband?" she asked out of the side of her mouth. Seriously, her lips appeared to barely move, still pulled down in that fierce frown.

"Oh, I didn't realize you were the missus, madam," I swept into a half bow over one hand. "I apologize for that." Straightening, I carefully kept my pleasant expression in place. "You see, I'm on a errand. I need to discuss something important with Mr. Hymn," I told her, deciding that was enough information for her to know.

She arched a red-gold brow in disbelief. "Oh? What do you need to discuss with my husband?"

"I-"

"Margaret, who's at the door?" A new voice broke up a situation that could have easily turned south for me.

A flash of pain cut through my skull and I fought off the instinctive reaction to cradle my head. I hated when this happened, it was such a needless pain - both literally and figuratively. My jaw clenching for half a second was the only sign I showed of the pain I was in. Keeping up my facade of friendliness, I smiled widely. 

I had a job, a mission, and none of the bullshit of my life was going to stop me from completing it. "Hello, Mr. Hymn. My name is Max Wells," I smiled at the man who'd appeared half in the doorway behind his wife. I knew it was him with just one look. He had a similar facial structure to the person I was inquiring about. With the picture I had, I could definitely see the family resemblance. Digging into my pocket, I pulled out one of my business cards, holding it out for him to take. He did so, reading it, before blinking and raising his gaze back up to me, sizing me up. I could tell he was a Other, though what he was remained a mystery for now. But, then again, that was exactly why I was here. My mission was to find out what magical ancestry this man's family boasted. "I'm here because I have an important matter to discuss with you, about your niece."

The man's hazel eyes instantly grew wide and his pale skin became even paler. "I...I see," he cleared his throat, suddenly very nervous in his demeanor. He shot an awkward, very loaded glance at his wife.

For her part, Margaret Hymn's lips pulled down into a sneering frown. "Is the little bitch dead yet?" she inquired in a venomous, bitter voice. Her eyes raked over me, taking in my clean-cut, formal attire.

It took me half a second to realize she must think I was a police officer or some other social worker who may be coming by to bring bad news. Though, honestly, I had no idea how or why she'd think something like that. Unless she was using it as a excuse to take a stab at someone else...

"Marg!" Samuel hissed, his voice scandalized. "Don't you dare-" he cut off, glancing at me with a light of worry in his eyes and an almost apologetic expression. "She isn't-" he started awkwardly.

Shaking my head, I interrupted him. "Not at all. But it is very important that I speak with you, Mr. Hymn," I insisted once again.

He nodded his head quickly. "Yes, of course. Please, come inside," he motioned his hand for me to hurry in. Margaret moved out of the way, closing the door behind me, but she looked very reluctant to do so. I flashed her a polite smile and nod of my head as I took off my black fedora I had been wearing. After all, it was only good manners...

I would have removed my trench coat and hung the two up somewhere, but Mr. Hymn seemed adamant that we get somewhere private and away from his wife as quickly as possible. Left with no other choice, I followed after him, my boots making little sound over the lush carpet beneath.

We continued down a narrow corridor from the front mud room, which was only a little wider than the hallway. Just enough for about three people to stand a little cramped in, with a place for rain and snow shoes, a hook for jackets and keys, as well as a small stand for umbrellas. Down the hall, the walls were a bland beige, very nearly bare of any pictures or decorations. We passed three doors before the hall opened out into a living room. On the far side of the living room, directly across from the front entrance, was a staircase. Mr. Hymn started up it, glancing over his shoulder to make sure I was following. Now that we were far enough away from his wife, his whole demeanor seemed to have changed. Less tense and awkward, he looked a few years younger, perhaps only fifty-two instead of the almost sixty he'd looked earlier. 

"I do apologize," he began as he reached the landing of the stairs. "My wife can be a little, well, tactless at times." His tone was one of defeat and long-suffering.

If you feel you have to cover for her constantly, why are you still with her? I wondered in the back of my mind. Externally, I shook my head. "Please, you don't have to apologize. I'm not here to judge you."

"Why are you here again, Mr. Wells?" he pressed. Pausing at a door a little ways and to the right of the stairs, he pushed it open.

I had another fleeting spark of pain lash through me, this one much more insistent. I was glad the man wasn't looking my way. My hands at my sides squeezed tightly to hold in some of the tension. Gods, go the fuck away, I told my problems. I'm currently very busy and I don't have time for this...

"I've actually been asked to find out some information about your niece," I explained in a slightly strained voice. The pain hadn't quite left and instead had settled into a persistent, irritated wave, over and over again.

Mr. Hymn frowned at that. "A-asked?" he repeated. He glanced around furtively before quickly shutting the door behind me once I was inside his small study. He rushed to move behind his desk and motioned for me to take a seat in the chair. I did so, pushing off my trench coat and letting it slid into the back of the chair behind me. "Why would you-?"

"I've been promised a nice reward for finding out this information. My...contact wishes to stay anonymous, but I suppose that isn't completely possible. I have to reveal at least a small amount of information in order to ensure you don't think I'm crazy." My lips lifted into a sarcastic smile at that. "The person who wishes to know this information is the father of your niece's children."

Mr. Hymn's entire face filled with shock, confusion, and a hesitant happiness. "I...I...w-what did you ju-?!"

"Mr. Hymn, please remain calm," I began.

"Samuel, please," he whispered through pale, shaking lips. It was obvious from his eyes that he desperately wanted answers. Unfortunately, I wasn't at liberty to give them to him.

"Samuel, then," I cleared my throat. "I apologize," I coughed. "I did not know you were unaware of the current situation."

"Bri is...Bri is pregnant, again?" he whispered. A look of amazement and happiness came over his features, turning the small wrinkles along his face into something more akin to laugh lines. "Oh, she must be ecstatic," he smiled warmly.

I nodded, smiling politely. If what I knew was anything to go off of...Eh, not so much right now. "Yes, well...some complications have arisen. The children aren't growing at all. It's looking quite...grim."

Samuel's face instantly fell and I was more than a little surprised to see two tears pool over his eyes. "Hell," he breathed in a shaky breath. "Please, not again," he whispered in pain. 

"Hence why I've been asked by the father to find out some things from you."

His face slowly began to shift into a frown. "Why hasn't...why isn't he here?"

I bit the inside of my cheek, another flash of pain slamming into my skull. "I can't answer for someone else," I barely kept my voice civil from the pain. "All I know is the information I have and the request made," I smiled apologetically to him.

Slowly, he nodded his head, looking almost desperate to talk to me. "Please, I'll answer everything I can. What can I help with?"

"What sort of Other DNA is in your family? Is the connection to your niece through your brother or sister?" Reaching into my coat pocket that was by the armrest of the chair now that I wasn't wearing it, I grabbed my small notebook and the pen hooked through the rings keeping it bound. As he talked, I took down notes.

"Brother. It was my brother," he said quickly. "And...well, I'm a griffin, as was her father. Her mother was a siren...I think she had some pixie and mermaid blood in there somewhere...Oh, and some werewolf as well, but I believe that was a very long time ago..." Suddenly his eyes widened and he stopped, shaking his head.

"N-nah...it couldn't be..." he chuckled nervously.

Pen poised in the air to continue writing I raised a brow. "The more complete my information, the better. Do you not wish to help your niece and her children?"

Visibly swallowing, he flashed me a nervous grin. "W-well...our mother always said we had a little angel in our veins, from back in the 1700s...And that our many greats grandfather was in fact a full-blood demon that fell in love with our nephilim greats grandmother."

I nodded my head very slowly, writing down the information. "Well...that must have been quite a couple to see," I mused stoically to hide my own shock. My mind began to spin through this information, and I tapped the end of the pencil against the notepad unconsciously. "So, according to what I know, the father's side should be causing no issues. Which leaves only the mother's side, Miss Hymn. Siren, griffin, pixie, mermaid, and werewolf don't have any strict feeding requirements. Which leaves only the nephilim and demon. Nephilim are just half-human angels, which means positive emotions and things like faith and happiness keep them alive and well. Whereas demons are the exact opposite. The more negativity and suffering they can leech, the better..."

"Bri'd be happy, I think, if she was pregnant again," Samuel commented helpfully.

Nodding my head, I had to agree. "Yes, I believe she would. Which means that her happiness must be the very thing harming her children."

"Demons," Samuel breathed in shock. "I thought they were supposed to be incredibly rare nowadays."

I nodded again, thinking back. "Well, considering the last recorded demon that actually existed and wasn't humans being dramatic was around the 1700s...that's three hundred years."

"...Even then full bloods were rare to come across," Samuel breathed. "Gods, what kind of man did Bri get with to produce demons?"

I smiled thinly. "I'm sorry, but I cannot release that information."

"O-oh...right, of course," Samuel nodded his head in agreement quickly. Along his forehead and upper lip he began to sweat in reaction to his nerves. 

Rising to my feet, I bowed, before collecting my things. "Well, thank you for seeing me. This information has proved invaluable, and I pray our ideas are correct. Farewell," I murmured as I opened the door and started out of the house.

Two minutes later I was standing outside of the Hymns brick house. Pulling out my phone, I found the number I was looking for and hit the dial button. "This should be a fun conversation," I muttered wearily.

O O O

Bri

In the kitchen, I was adding the last finishing touches to Raja's special coffee and alcohol drink he'd begged me to make for him. I had no idea how he could drink this stuff, as it smelled absolutely horrid...But he insisted it was a emergency and he needed it. And...to be completely honest, I couldn't blame the man.

He was too devoted to Prophecy to stand up to her, and as a result...That girl walked all over him. Without her mother or father around to at least throw in a little discipline (because let's be honest, Prophecy was bossy and they all just bowed to her wishes most of the time), Raja was getting the brunt of her ire. And man, was the girl mad. Mostly at me, though. And the fact that she could say nothing about it.

Prophecy, of course, had known from the very beginning who the father of my babies was. She'd been completely prepared to spill the beans and ruin my life. So...I'd gone a little crazy and used my abilities on her, forcing her to never be able to tell anyone who the real father was. I hadn't wanted anyone to know I'd slept with Felix...but Prophecy tended to bend the rules a lot, so I couldn't stop her from finding out. In fact, she'd known I was pregnant before I had.

Shaking my mind clear of the thoughts, a sudden laugh from behind me almost made me jump. "'Sup, Feline?" Marcus' teasing voice called out.

"Hey, hey," Felix annoyed growl filled the living room. "There is no need to bring my prowess into call here. Besides, don't you have some math test to study for or...something?" he muttered.

Stiffening, I fought the urge to turn on my heel as stare at the man. Why is he here? I screamed in my head.

"Jeez...could you be anymore obvious you want to bang Bri?" Malik sighed in a disgustedly amused way. "That's a no-no, bro. It's bad enough you two ran off together after the wedding."

I felt a blush rush to my cheeks, but I fought it back. I had no reason to feel embarrassed. The boys had already given me a long, annoying crash course in their teasing, but this was the first time they'd seen Felix since the wedding. Willow and Aiden were still gone, off enjoying their honeymoon...Though they were expected back the day after tomorrow. 

"Besides," I could just hear the roll of Marcus' eyes. "It's the beginning of August. School hasn't started back up yet."

"But does that mean you have to be in my face and annoying?" Felix demanded.

"Why would it mean anything else?" Malik chuckled.

Done making Raja's monster concoction, I turned. Raja was sitting slumped, looking exhausted, head against the dinning table. The boys were on the couch, playing some game filled with guns, cities, scantly-clad women, cars, and money. Felix was standing behind them, arms crossed and an irritated glare directed at the twin teenagers. He wasn't even looking at me. 

Moving around the large island in the kitchen, I walked to Raja's side, placing his large mug beside him. Very slowly, his bones almost creaking, he pushed up to sit properly. He raised his eyes to my own, smiling tiredly. "Thanks, Bri."

"You look like hell warmed over," I shook my head sadly at him.

His lips lifted into a tired smile. "Yeah, well...I haven't had a drop and I already feel half hungover."

"Raja, it's pretty simple. Just say no."

His smile wobbled. "But she's so cute and if I say no, she'll cry and I can't handle that," he explained. 

Patting his back, I shrugged. "Your funeral then," I let him know matter-of-fact. "Moving right along though, I have to leave for my appointment now," I reminded him.

He paused with his mug midway to his lips, brows pulling down in concern. "We'll pack up the kids and I'll drive you then," he said firmly.

I shook my head. "Really, I don't need-"

"I can take her, Ra," Felix's voice sounded from behind me.

Barely stopping myself from jumping in surprise, I blinked, turning my head to glance at him. His dark blue eyes were oddly calm and determined. "Felix, what-?"

"You'll take her?" Malik repeated in shock. 

"Uh..." Raja swallowed, looking uncertainly between Felix and I. "Why?"

Felix shrugged, looking bored. Unable to help myself, I opened my senses to read his emotions. He was bored, as well as irritated, annoyed, and almost...worried? "I have nothing else better to do. Besides, you're worried she'll have a little BBQ show while driving, right? I can keep her under control. Trust me, if I even think she's about to roast my car, I'll ice her ass so hard and fast she won't know what hit her." His lips had slowly lifted into a familiar grin as he spoke. 

Clenching my jaw, I crossed my arms over my chest. "Oh, really?" I gave him a 'try me, bitch' look.

He smiled, his posture shifting into a relaxed, cocky, and smug position. "Really really," he flashed me a confident smile.

"And that, kids, is what we call chemistry," Malik's overly serious and solemn voice made both of us turn our heads toward the couch. The game was on pause and Malik was gesturing to us like we were some sort of exibit. On the couch, Marcus was pretending to be a school student furiously taking down notes, glancing up at us to smile as he did.

"Most such cases result in crazy one-night stands that then lead into a healthy relationship with a happy ending. But other times, such chemistry is destructive and ends up burning both involved. Considering that one involved is pregnant with another man's kids, I definitely believe this will be one of the later cases." Voice still overly serious, Malik pretended to adjust a pair of glasses over his eyes.

Behind me, Raja let out a snort. "Leave 'em alone, Malik," he told the teenager off. But there wasn't a whole lot of steel behind his voice. 

I fought down another blush, but Felix just laughed. "Please...You two are so funny, it's almost sad."

"You can't hide it from us, Feline," Marcus teased. He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "You know we do have a guest bedroom and-"

"That's the end of this conversation!" I snapped sharply. The boys immediately shut their mouths, seeing my glare of death. Sighing heavily, I ran a hand down my face. "Whatever, I don't care right now. C'mon, Felix. Are you taking me or not?"

He shrugged, looking like he was about to have to go watch wet paint dry. "Yeah. You got all your stuff together for this thing?" he asked in a mutter.

"I just need to get my purse," I promised. Walking past him, I headed into the front entrance of the house where the stairs were. Going up the stairs, I passed Prophecy. She was wearing a big, secretive smile. Behind me, I could hear Felix had followed. "Hey, kid," he said in a way that made the word sound like a curse. 

"Hi, Uncle Felix," the girl grinned widely with a mischievous light in her eyes. "Did the number of our friend I gave you help?" she asked in a curious murmur as I was reaching the second floor landing. I paused, finding myself wondering what in the world Prophecy was talking about.

"Um...y-yeah...I'll admit it was useful," Felix grumbled reluctantly. 

I wanted to continue listening in, but I really did need to get my purse and head out. Shrugging, I reminded myself that curiosity killed the cat. Plus, this was some sort of plot hatched by Prophecy, which meant I definitely didn't want to know what the hell was going on...Besides, most likely, I'd eventually find out, with that child. Continuing up the stairs, I only heard the sound of Prophecy's voice as she responded to Felix's less than enthusiastic admission. Hurrying to my room, I grabbed my things and started back down. By the time I was at the foot of the stairs, Prophecy had wondered into the living room, asking the boys if she could play the game too. I glanced at Felix, who was just standing in the middle of the entrance way, staring off into space. Snapping my fingers, I cleared my throat. "Hello? Earth to Felix?"

He blinked rapidly, taking in a large gulp of air as he did. His lips lifted into a grin. "Took you long enough. I was bored out of my mind, Bri. Hurry up, let's go to this place...Uh, what is it again?" he asked in a confused voice. 

Staring at him in disbelief, I simply pushed past him. He followed after me, calling out and asking what my problem was. In the back of my mind, I prayed he wasn't driving the 'Pussy Hunter', but when did Felix ever disappoint in his ability to disappoint me? Pushing the door open, sure enough, there the dark blue eye-sore was. 

I should have rear-ended you when I had the chance, I glared at the car.

The car beeped, headlights flashing. Reaching the passenger side of the car, I opened the door and slid into the seat. Closing the door, I pulled on the seatbelt, latching it firmly into place with a click. Beside me, Felix was getting behind the wheel. He started to put the keys into the ignition, but I made a noise to get his attention. When he glanced at me, looking confused, I pointed to the seatbelt over me. He rolled his eyes and started to turn on the car again.

Calling up my power, I poured it into my voice. "Felix, put on your seat belt!"

His expression dazed, he did as I told him. A second later, my hold loosened and he regained his free will. Turning, he glared at me. "Why? I've never gotten into a accident before and I don't plan to start now."

"Safety first," I told him in a voice that let him know he was acting like a three-year-old.

His jaw clenched in irritation and his eyes flicked down to my pregnant belly that was strained a little against the buckle around me. He said nothing else, turning his attention back to the front and turning on the car. He reached down and shifted the gears, merging into traffic. His fingers moved away from the gear shaft only long enough to turn the radio on low volume. "Where to?" he sighed after a second of awkward silence.

I told him the route to take, as well as the place we were going. His eyes widened when I did, but he remained quiet the whole way. As for me, I had no words to say to him. I was still furious at him for what he'd said to me a week ago. As far as I could care, Felix Frost could go suck a rock...A big one too...A boulder, actually.

About ten minutes of awkward silence passed before Felix's phone buzzed in the little holder that rest in between the front seats. Reaching up down, he quickly picked up and put on the Bluetooth earpiece, hitting the button to receive the call. "Hello, this is Felix...Oh?" he muttered, throwing me a quick, awkward glance before returning his eyes back to the front of the car. I pursed my lips at that, eyeing him in curiosity. "Um...y-yeah," he sighed heavily, nodding his head slightly in an unconscious manner. "Yeah, thanks, again," he grumbled in a mildly resentful tone. "Yeah, I know...Don't worry, you'll get your payment. I won't forget...Bye!" he growled, voice very irritated. He jerked the earpiece off, throwing it back in the divider. His dark eyes glowered out over the road in front of us.

I stayed silent. I almost wanted to speak up and ask him what that was about. But at the same time...He seemed much too testy to try and poke at right now. Instead, I kept my mouth shut, though I was very curious as to what was up with the whole conversation.

The hour long drive flew by faster than I'd thought possible, but I only counted my blessings. Pulling into the parking lot in a car that made me cringe and feel was going to either get trashed or stolen, I got out. Not bothering to pause, I continued on. Honestly, I expected Felix to take off in the car or just wait outside. After all, this was a place for women carrying children and with how much Felix hated kids...

As I walked up to the receptionist desk, letting her know I was here for my appointment and getting the clipboard of forms to fill out from her, I felt a spike of emotion in the entire lobby. It was a big enough spike for me to be able to sense it without activating my magic.

What was the particular emotion, you ask?

Lust.

Turning slowly, I took in Felix standing in front of the entrance doors. Black, long-sleeved dress shirt, white slacks, leather shoes, and a necklace of a silver claw hung around his neck. He'd grabbed a pair of sunglasses from his car, apparently, letting them sit on top of his head. He was wearing a soft, charming smile, his dark blue eyes alight with a heat and energy that seemed to naturally draw women in. Add in his dark blonde hair and height, just under six feet, and suddenly it was like a movie star had walked into the lobby.

A movie star who's attention was very quickly snagged and stuck to me. His eyes grew a little darker, until they were black, with a few degrees more heat as they clashed with my own. His smile grew a little softer as his long legs brought him closer and closer to me. There was a light behind his eyes that almost looked...

He came to a stop in front of me, reaching out to tug playfully at a strand of my hair. "Earth to Bri," he whispered in a low, intimate voice, like we were all alone in the world for one moment. "Felix calling. Please respond with a promise to stay by my side forever."

His words snapped me out of the daze that had come over me.  "I...w-what?" I spluttered in confusion and shock. I tried to ignore the uneven pounding of my heart, the tendril of heat that had almost started to unfold throughout my body. 

Like I'd just had one of those crazy daydreams you see in movies, Felix expression was completely different. Back once again, at this point an old friend, was that smug little smirk of his. His dark blue eyes held none of the soft longing I'd just imagined and his voice was his normal self-confident tone. "I said you have to stay close to me. This is uncharted territory for me and I may end up drowning out at sea if you don't stick close. Have you seen all these sharks swimming around here?" he asked in a stage whisper that honestly wasn't all that quiet. "Pretty, sure, but deadly and dangerous. What if one of them has the same idea as you?"

Rolling my eyes, I shoved past him, moving toward a seat. He made a small sound of discomfort as he glanced around, before rushing to follow after me. "What, have sex with you and get knocked up?" I asked in irritation.

He shook his head. "What? No, of course not. I mean, what if they realize how amazing of a baby daddy I'd make and target me like you did?"

Unable to find words to express my anger at that correction of my question, I chose to remain silent instead. Shaking my head, I ignored him and started filling out the form. When I was done, I rose to my feet and went to return the clipboard and papers. To my surprise, Felix stood up with me, face nervous as he glanced around furtively. He returned with me back to the seats we'd exited and I stared at him. "...Are you kidding me right now?"

He blinked, looking uncertain as to how to respond. "Um, I'd say yes, but I don't know the context of the question, let alone why it's making you upset."

"Why are you so...skittish?" I asked in a tired sigh.

He shot me an unappreciative look at my phrasing of his problem. "I just...I really just don't like kids," he admitted in a low exhale. 

"Seems more like you're half-terrified," I observed.

"You could say it's something close to that," he shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. 

"So do you plan to follow me this entire visit?" I asked in a weary voice. I could feel an ache I was pretty sure was the start of a headache at my left temple.

"Yep, like glue," he confirmed matter of fact. "If not, I may go more than a little crazy waiting out here for you. Like...I'm not joking in the slightest," he pressed when I shot him a disbelieving frown. 

"Uh-huh...sure," I sighed. 

Yep. Definitely a headache.

I shook my head. "Why did you come if you're so terrified of kids?"

He shrugged. "Like I said, I'm bored, okay? Is that so bad?"

"You...Felix Frost...bored?" I drew out dramatically. "I thought you were never boring though." I waved at my face, feeling a sudden spike in temperature.

"What? I, no...no that's not what I said," he glared at me in annoyance.

"Look, if you're really so bored, why aren't you out doing whatever it is you like to do? Your bruise is completely healed up. You look fine. Why aren't you out picking up some unfortunate woman?" I continued to wave my hand like a fan. Was the A/C even working here?

"I wish I could," he muttered under his breath, sounding like he wanted to punch something in that moment. He lifted his head from where he'd been glaring down at the lobby floor like some little kid throwing a tantrum for not getting their way. His dark blue eyes observed me in growing irritation as I continued to fan myself.

I didn't know what his problem was. It wasn't like he was the one who felt like it was thirty degrees too hot right now.

He reached out with his left hand, grasping mine that I had been using to fan myself without any warning. "Wha-?"

"Here," he sighed like I was asking him to move a three ton car. His skin touching mine, I could feel the chill he always emitted. He wasn't so cold that I felt like his skin was ice...more like a little colder than tap water on the Cold setting. Before I could try to jerk my hand out of his grasp, I felt a slow, trickling thread of magic slid throughout my body. Starting from our joined hands, the magic moved through me. After half a second longer, I could immediately feel the heat lessen. Unable to help myself, I let out a small noise between surprise and happiness.

"I-is it okay?" he asked in an almost timid manner.

That made me arch a brow in confusion, but I nodded. "Yes, actually...Thank you," I said sincerely. I started to try to get my hand back, but I quickly learned his hold was unbreakable. Seriously, I pulled with a decent amount of strength and my hand, nor Felix's, budged a single inch. Eyes wide in a mixture of surprise that he was so strong, as well as a layer of fear, I glanced back up at him.

He shot me a nervous smile. "Um...I have to keep skin contact for this to stay active," he explained.

"Let go of me, you pervert," I growled.

He instantly did so, looking offended. "Per-?!"

"Bri?" A woman's voice called out.

"Gotta go," I shot to my feet, adjusting my purse at my shoulders as I did. I'd made it six feet before Felix's arm came around my back and his fingers easily removed my purse from my shoulder. I turned my head to glare at him, taking in how he carried my very feminine purse with ease. He didn't look bothered in the slightest. Hell, everything about his movements were easy and...natural. Like we were a normal couple who'd been together for any real length of time. His lips were lifted in a soft, but confident smile; his eyes alight with a contentment that was almost freaky to see on his face. "What are you-?"

"Miss Hymn, if you would follow me please," the nurse from before asked.

Attention effectively taken away from the blonde troublemaker at my side, I went through all the normal exams and check ups. A few times, Felix had been dismissed out of the exam room for a more personal inspection, but eventually my doctor, Dr. Riles, was ready to sit down and chat about what she'd discovered.

Felix had been in the room, looking bored out of his mind. Earlier, it had been a surreal experience, when I had another ultrasound. Especially since I'd never expected Felix to be here with me. It was almost like he was taking an active part in the babies lives, even if I immediately told myself I was being silly just at the thought. But when the doctor had asked who he was, he'd done something weird. Flashing a winning smile, voice completely serious the whole time, he'd said he was the stand-in for the father of the twins. Both I and Dr. Riles had been more than a little confused by that, plus I was annoyed. Was it really so hard for him to own up to his actions?

Oh, wait. I forgot. They weren't his actions. He couldn't have kids.

Shaking my head at the memories, I shot him a glance out of the corner of my eye. He had his legs crossed and his elbow propped on one leg, holding his head up. His eyes were closed and he was bouncing his entire body with his leg on the ground. He wore a frown, looking ready to jump out of his seat and leave. But he didn't. He sat there, listening to the doctor talk, explaining everything she'd seen with the exams today.

My attention was pulled back to the doctor. "Bri, really, it's miraculous. The twins have shown movement finally. There's a change and it appears they've grown just a little bit more. But even so, it's amazing!" Dr. Riles voice was filled with honest relief and joy.

I glanced down at my belly, rubbing it unconsciously. "H-have they really?" I asked in a nervous, uncertain murmur. Gods, I wanted to believe...but I was so scared.

"Yes!" she reassured me excitedly. "What's changed in the last two weeks? What have you done different from the rest of your pregnancy? We need to try and narrow down what must be bringing about this positive change in the twins."

My eyes shifted over to Felix. He was slowly blinking, like he was waking from deep thought, or a dream. "Well...I-I..."

"She's been hanging around with me," Felix suddenly piped up, after remaining silent for the vast majority of the visit.

Dr. Riles eyed him, arching a brow in measured disbelief. "Ah, yes...You, the 'father stand-in'," she mused.

He nodded his head, looking completely unfazed by her obvious doubt. "Yep. When she told me about the twins, I told her all they were was some demonic spawn, honestly."

"Felix!" I hissed, feeling my anger spike.

"What?" he shrugged nonchalantly. "It's true. All kids are just little demons...wolves in sheep's clothing. You have two of them inside you right now. Your life's honestly going to suck," he shot me a mean, almost bullying grin.

"I...I am so sorry, Dr. Riles," I choked. "Felix, he's an asshole most of the time, truthfully."

When I turned to the doctor, she had a strange, bewildered expression. After another second, she slowly rose to her feet. Standing, she began to mess around with the ultrasound machine once more, setting it up again. I arched a brow, but Felix drew my attention to him once more. As he spoke, wearing a snide grin, Dr. Riles was pulling up my shirt and having me lie back so that she could get more scans. Truthfully though, I barely even noticed, following her instructions on autopilot. Felix took up all of my focus.

"You know, how are you going to take care of two babies all on your own? You work, don't you? Are you just going to keep depending on Aiden and Willow? Do you plan to leech off of them, teach these little girls how to freeload right from the get go?"

I sucked in a sharp breath, offended and ticked off. "Of course not, dick. I plan to move into my own place again once the twins are born. I just need their help because you won't support me in this. If you would man up and admit that it takes two to tango and you were my dance partner..."

"Stop being delusional. You're just going to fail with these kids just like you did your first pregnancy," he rolled his eyes derisively.

"Gods, did you just...? How can you say something as horrible as that? Why do you have to be so hurtful?!" I demanded as my shaky breath turned into a reluctant sob. I didn't want to cry. I wanted to be angry and lash out at him. But Felix was a master at taking a knife to my heart and  slicing it into pieces.

"This is insane..." Dr. Riles' awestruck voice broke through my bubble of pain.

"W-what? What's going on?" I demanded in a flurry of panic.

"Mr. Frost...while I do not approve in the slightest of how you do it or why you do it...I must thank you. Your very out-of-line comments and insults have helped me realize what's going on with this pregnancy."

Felix let out a cocky laugh. "Oh, yeah? I guess its a good thing I'm such an asshole. Even assholes are needed every now and then."

"What is it?!" I barely stopped myself from screaming, staring at the black and white screen as the doctor moved the imaging stick over my belly.

"Your twin children are demons, Miss Hymn," Dr. Riles answered calmly. "They thrive on negative emotions. As such, the normal excitement and happiness of a pregnancy is actually very bad for them. Since you were feeling that way you were in fact harming them. But since...Well, as he's shown, Mr. Frost is quite capable of making you upset...Honestly, that is the best thing for the twins right now. The more upset, angry, sad, pessimistic, and depressed you are, the better. I know it's quite unorthodox, but it's true. While you were getting upset just now, I was seeing much more movement and activity in these two then earlier when you remained level-headed."

"So I have to feel horrible for my babies to live?" I choked out in shocked disbelief. Like a brick, I could feel a depressing cloud fall over all and any happiness I'd held for this pregnancy.

The messed up part? As the emotions hit me, half a second later, I watched as the twins began to move through the monitor screen.

Felix threw back his head and laughed outright. He laughed so hard, tears fell down his cheeks, he had to hold his sides, and he was gasping for breath. But even so, he continued to laugh.

"Shut up, you bastard!" I growled at him. "How can you laugh about this?! It's horrible!"

He leaned back in his chair, wiping at his eyes a few seconds later as he began to regain his breath. "You don't understand how hilarious this is!" he threw back at me with just as much force. "Its a good thing I'm here. You need me to make sure those babies don't die now," he laughed again. "Can it be my official job to be the Pain in Your Ass?" he cracked up harder.

"Shut up!" I yelled.

Dr. Riles cleared her throat awkwardly. "I, uh, know I told you to be upset...But this is a doctor's office and I can't have you two start a screaming match."

Sinking back against the cushioned exam table, I closed my eyes tightly, fighting my frustrated tears. "I'm sorry, doctor. I just...this is a lot to take in."

"It's fine. I do think this is a good place to end your visit though. We'll make another appointment for two weeks from now. As long as you keep up with everything else to go along with your pregnancy, as well as this new development, you should be just fine."

"T-thank you," I whispered wearily.

"Don't worry, Doc," Felix saluted the woman sarcastically. "She'll be in good hands."

"I hope so, Mr. Frost. I really do," Dr. Riles shot him a long look.

The appointment came to an end. After scheduling my next appointment, I gathered my things and headed out to Felix's car. He was silent behind me, unlocking the car-which was amazingly in perfect condition-to let me in while doing the same himself. In the car, I looked straight ahead. My mind was spinning, trying to wrap around everything I had learned.

How much more fucked up could it get? I couldn't be happy about expecting my babies? I had to stay constantly upset, constantly angry and depressed? What sort of sick joke was this?

Even worse...it wasn't a joke. It was reality. My reality...How could this have happened?

My phone rang suddenly, startling me out of my thoughts. Jumping a little in reaction, I answered the phone, seeing the caller ID said 'Andre'. Frowning, I picked up. "Um, hello?"

"So...I hear you're having my babies again?" his amused voice came through the line.

Embarrassment filled me, but I also felt a thread of humor myself. I did my best to squash it though. Apparently laughing was bad for me right now. "Uh...Y-yeah," I muttered nervously. "I'm sorry about that. I just..."

"I heard you aren't doing very well. Do they know what's wrong?" he asked in worry.

"Yeah, I just found out today. Apparently I'm carrying twin girl demons..." I explained, still feeling shock at the thought.

He chuckled lightly. "Twin terrors indeed, it would seem." I could hear the smile in his voice.

"Damn it, why do you all find it so fucking funny?" I growled, letting the irritation fill me. "And another thing...How do you even know about my pregnancy?"

"A man I've never met before stopped by. Said he'd been asked by the father to find out information involving your genealogy."

I glanced toward Felix. He had an impassive expression on his face, tapping his fingers against the steering wheel of the car in time to the beat of the music. It was on really low, which he'd turned down as soon as he saw me on the phone. But with his level of hearing, I wouldn't be surprised if he could hear it as clear as day. And he was most likely able to hear my phone conversation as well. Even so, his face didn't move a muscle out of place as he continued to drive. He even yawned widely as he smoothly changed lanes to pass another car on the highway before passing the car up and returning to the correct lane.

"Did you now?" I asked in interest.

"Yes," he chuckled. "So, tell me. Who's the lucky guy?"

I frowned. "Don't you already know?" I asked.

He chuckled even more. "Perhaps. Perhaps not. Maybe I just want to hear you admit it," he teased.

Groaning in irritation, I rolled my eyes. "Alright, fine. Yes, I screwed Felix Frost and got knocked up because of it!"

Felix jerked at his name, blinking as he turned his head to me. "What? What did I do now? I'm leaving you alone, geez, don't yell at me. Crazy woman," he muttered under his breath derisively.

I gasped, turning to face him fully. "Excuse me? Crazy woman? Then what does that make you? At least I can face facts and reality!" I half-yelled at him.

"I'll talk to you another time. Good luck with everything," Andre's very amused voice cut in. Then I heard the beeping of my phone.

Glancing down at it as I pulled it away from my ear, I saw the call ended screen. Lifting my head back up to Felix, who had a vein pulsing at his temple, I blinked. "He hung up on me," I observed in surprise.

"Yeah...Men tend to do that when you turn into a screaming harpy. Gods, woman, I'm going to have to get my ears examined after that last shriek." He reached up with his right hand, sticking his pinky finger into his ear and twisting. "Fuck that hurt. Those kids give you super-sonic abilities as well?" he asked in a mutter. "Maybe you don't realize because of all that human in you, but my senses are heightened beyond your own, even as a half-blood."

"Really?" I crossed my arms over my chest, phone still tightly in my hand, the screen having locked itself. "Are you seriously being racist toward me right now?" I demanded. "What about your mother? She's completely human."

He turned his head to shoot me a look that said I was being both ridiculous and stupid. "She's my mother. She doesn't count, so that argument is null and void."

"Well, what about me? I'm the fucking mother of your children, Felix!"

He flashed me a condescending smile, like I was a small child. "There you go again with your silly fantasies. Really, you're so good at them, Bri."

Groaning, I threw my hands up in the air. I was done with this asshole!

Right then, my phone began to ring again. "What the fuck now?!" I yelled. My whole body froze up as I read the caller ID once again. Swallowing, tightly, I debated with myself for several seconds. My fingers clutched the phone, squeezing it, hard. Shaking my head, I ignored the call. Five seconds later, they called again. Letting out a soft exhale, I ignored again...The cycle repeated until the seventh call. By that point, I gave in. Whimpering softly in reluctance and prayer, I picked up the call.

"H-hey, Dad," I stuttered awkwardly. "What...what's up?"

"Brionia! Oh, thank goodness you finally picked up! I was so worried something had happened!" I could hear my father take in a few deep breaths to try to calm himself down. "S-sorry," he coughed. "I've just been in a panic since this morning. I've been debating with myself since. I wanted to call, but I wasn't sure if you'd want me to. I mean, it's been how long since we last talked?"

"Two years," I said tightly. "It's been two years, Dad." Telling myself to calm down, I tried to fight back the raging storm of emotions talking, seeing, or even thinking about my father or his wife brought. "What happened this morning that made you freak out so bad?"

"The...the man. Um...oh, what was his name? Ah, yes, Max Wells. He showed up at my doorstep this morning, asking about you. Said he'd been sent by the father of your children...That's right!" My dad burst out, obviously just remembering why he'd called. "The babies! I heard they were doing badly. They're demons, Brionia. You need to make sure to stay negative and stuff...I think. A-anyway, you need to talk to your doctor about it, alright? I heard the three of you weren't doing well from Mr. Wells."

I glanced back at Felix, feeling my suspicions grow even more. "It's okay, Dad. I saw the doctor today and she figured it out. I know what I need to do now."

"Oh," he murmured, sounding a little defeated. "W-well...I'm just glad you're all okay now."

"Thanks, Dad," I sighed, rubbing at a headache coming on. It always took so much out of me to hold back my emotions over my father.

There was an awkward pause for several moments. "Um...well, I suppose that's all I called to say. I'll talk to you again some time?"

"Sure, Dad," I nodded, even though he couldn't see me. The line beeped once again as he too hung up. Lowering my phone, I stared at it. My emotions boiled over and I raised a hand to cover my mouth as a sob slipped through.

That's it?

Of course it is.

No, 'I love you'. No 'Would you like to meet someplace for a chat?'. No 'I'd like to be a part of these children's lives'. Damn it, they're your grand kids! I shouted at my father mentally as I sobbed.

Enough was enough. I couldn't take anymore. First, Andre had called me. Someone I hadn't expected at all and someone who thinking about still hurt. Then, of all people, my father...? Plus, there was all the stuff I'd learned about my babies today. Add in all of Felix's awful, painful comments, insults, and words and I'd reached my limit. I couldn't not break down and cry at this point!

"H-hey," Felix's awkward chuckle made me lift my head up enough out of my hands to see him. "At least this break down is good for the twins, right?"

I glared at him before going back to my misery. "Just fuck off, okay?" I cried.

A minute later, I felt the car come to a stop. I blinked, startled. But I froze up when chilly arms came around me. Slowly lifting my head once more, I could see that Felix had pulled off to the shoulder of the road. He'd unbuckled his seatbelt to reach me better too, pulling me close, which was easy since this car had no arm rests and the cup holders were located lower than the seats. The only thing half in his way was the gear shift, but he didn't even seem to notice it digging into his side.

"F-Felix?" I asked in tearful surprise.

"I'm sorry, okay?" he grumbled, burying his face against my hair and the side of my neck. "I'm sorry I have to say the stuff I do. I know I go too far at times...I know," he choked as I let out a whimper of pain and disbelief at his words. His hands brushed along my back in soothing motions.

"W-what are you-?" I sobbed, unable to stop myself from clinging to him. The comfort he was offering I desperately wanted, needed, even if it came from a source I'd never have expected.

"I'm so sorry that in order for ou...y-your girls to stay alive, you have to suffer like this." He caught himself, but I caught him too. He'd started to admit it!

"Felix...just say it," I cried. "Please...I know you almost did there."

He remained silent for what seemed like an eternity, but must not have been a little more than half a minute. When he finally spoke, his voice was torn between an odd mixture of defeat, reluctance, and awe. "Our girls," he corrected himself very softly. "Our little girls," he repeated, the awe a little more evident that time.

I squeezed him, still crying, but feeling just a little better now. "What miracle brought this on?" I tried to chuckle, but it came out sounding damp and broken. He finally admitted it!

"I realized that only I'd make children that were demons," he whispered in a mocking and yet pain-filled voice. "Only I'd curse a woman with this horrible situation. I'm sorry, Bri. Honestly."

"If you're really sorry..." I sucked in a shaky breath, closing my eyes in pain. "Acknowledge them. Love them, Felix. Don't ignore them and don't reduce your relationship to Christmas cards and two phone calls a year. Be a part of their lives," I pressed. "Be an adult...But if nothing else, be what you are. You're their father and no amount of protesting or denial will change that fact."

He remained silent, but his breathing was a little uneven, as was the pounding of his heart I could feel close to my own. He held me tightly still, as much as he could without it causing me any discomfort. I'd never seen him like this before and to say it was unsettling was a gross understatement. He whispered something very softly into my hair. But despite how close we were, I couldn't make out the words. His voice was lower than I'd thought possible for him to speak, below the level my hearing could pick up.

Silently, he began to untangle himself from me. His face was calm, without a single tear or crease to his expression, and his eyes were black. "Now that you've calmed down, we really should be heading back."

I let out a long breath, rubbing at the tear stains over my face. Gods, was I glad I'd skipped my makeup this morning. Otherwise I'd look even worse than I was sure I did in that moment. Face sticky from all my tears, I had to pry some of my hair from my face. "You aren't going back to pretending this didn't happen, right?"

He was quiet for almost an entire mile. When he finally spoke, he sounded completely exhausted. "...No."

"We should tell your family," I pressed. "I mean...I'm carrying their grand kids and nieces."

"No," he repeated in a cold voice. It was different than I'd ever heard from him before. It was completely serious...almost deadly so. Not for the first time, I wondered if Felix was a sociopath. He was so crazy and his emotions fluctuated in worrisome levels.

God, he was easier to handle when I just thought he was a narcissistic asshole.

But since telling Felix about the truth behind my pregnancy, since I began to spend more time with him...Had that one night just been a trick? Had he just lured me in by seeming like a nice guy for once? Maybe he was a psychopath instead?

I rubbed at my head, trying to fight back the headache. "Why not?"

"They don't need to know right now," he insisted, still in that cold, emotionless voice. It was so different...Hadn't he been holding me close, comforting me just a little bit ago?

"I really think it's best if we tell them, Felix," I argued.

He slowly turned his head to look at me. I grew still and quiet. His eyes had changed to a burning red, with gold pupils. "No," he repeated once again, turning his attention back to the road. "They aren't ready to know yet and I'm not ready to face this reality completely."

"A-are you going to try and force me into another abortion again?" I asked in a faint voice. Honestly, with the way he was acting, I wasn't sure what the fuck was going on with this man anymore.

"No...I won't ever ask that of you again. It was both foolish and awful of me to do so. I'm sorry," he sighed, the emotion slowly returning to his voice. With it, the almost oppressive atmosphere that had been leaking from him was beginning to dissipate. It was certainly a relief too.

"Apology accepted," I answered stiffly, arms crossed over my chest in a defensive manner.

"Thank you...Bri, I do plan to tell my family...I just want to wait until closer to your due date...You said Christmas, right?" he asked in a tired sigh.

"Yep. Crazy Christmas presents, right?" I tried to joke half-heartedly.

He let out a short bark of laughter. "Oh, you have no idea. Ones I never wanted or expected to ever received."

His words sort of hurt, but I pushed the throb of pain aside. "Well, that's the beauty of presents. Sometimes you get what you asked for. Sometimes it's a complete surprise. Sometimes it's something you actually don't like or want, but you keep it to be polite. And, even better but a lot rarer, you get what you actually need." I glanced at his face to see how he took my little speech. Personally, I didn't think it was half bad since I'd been making it up on the fly.

He was staring at me with an unreadable look in his eyes, which had returned to his normal dark blue. Slowly, he turned back to the road. "Maybe you're right."

Shaking my head, I decided I'd had more than enough of him for one day. "Can you please just take me home for today? I'm exhausted."

"Sure," he shrugged, casual with his tone. He dropped me off, saying nothing more than goodbye, about half an hour later.

As he drove off, the engine of his car purring and revving, I watched him go. "Yep...He's definitely not coming back," I decided. Glancing down at my stomach, I rubbed it lovingly. "I guess it's just the three of us. But that's okay. We don't need that guy anyway," I reassured myself. Turning, I walked back into the large house, calling out hello to everyone. Then I climbed the stairs, went into my room, and passed out for a nap.