Once upon a time, I believe it was a Tuesday when I caught

You're eye

And we caught onto something

I hold onto the night, you looked me in the eye and told me

You loved me

And I stare at the phone he sill hasn't called

And then you feel so low you cant feel nothing at all

And you flashback to when he said forever and always

Oh and it rains in your bedroom

Everything is wrong

It rains when you're here and it rains when you're gone

Cause I was there when you said forever and always

"Forever and always"

Taylor Swift

Chapter 10

Claire's POV

I felt absent, absent from my physical form. As I laid staring up at the ceiling my palms outstretched beside me. Thinking. Thinking. Thinking.

Was I ready for this? Was I ready to settle down have this child, spend the rest of my life with a vampire?

There were so many aspects I had to think about. And I couldn't think about them here, not now, not with the man of my dreams, laying in a peaceful slumber his bare chest and neck bared to me, he looked so vulnerable, I could have sat there and stared at him forever.

But I needed to do this on my own, I shouldn't, couldn't be selfish right now, if indeed I am pregnant, then I needed to think about both of our lives and how we fitted into this new life.

And if I wanted this, this dramatic filled life with new found dangers popping out right left and centre.

But that was life wasn't it, you risk your life daily?

But wasn't I taking too much of a risk?

Did I truthfully, seriously, genuinely even trust these people who claim to be my family?

I had finally had enough just lying there as I pushed myself up from the bed in a lithe, single move so as not to startle and wake Michael, he stirred but did not wake.

And then continued to tip toe out of the bedroom, with everyone absent for the evening and Eve and Shane asleep, I could roam on my own.

In the time before I would be subjected to Eves own planning of a baby shower and even though it's a bit premature it's a very cute thought.

I smiled to myself as I carefully tip toed down the stairs sliding my hand down the wooden railing to help keep my balance.

I wouldn't have much time alone so I had to be fast in deciding upon my future on my own without anyone else deciding for me.

I know Michael means well but I've lived through nearly 18 years without his input I'm sure I can last a few more. But do I want to?

I slipped into the kitchen following my descent and found myself noiselessly finding myself making a good brew of tea to warm me up.

I always need my tea golden brown not too much milk as it would just taste milky and just a tiny bit of sugar because I liked the sugary taste right at the bottom of the cup.

As my cup was steaming hot, I wrapped my cold hands right around the mug and found myself walking to the front door as there was a full moon out tonight the night was lit up also by the few remaining street lights there was available, I didn't close the door but left it agar, whilst I slowly sat down on the steps leading up to the house and blew upon my steaming tea.

Looking out at my surroundings I found a few things I found myself to be noting down to explore in the lighter times of the day, as I was still wary of the town.

The street was silent not even the rousing of a bird call, as I sipped at my tea, I found that I would have to, now think about what my next step would be.

I couldn't return to my previous life there was no one left, I couldn't help but think was that my fault that all these people perished, would there be more?

Should I just give in?

But either way whichever I choose I would be hurting someone.

But had I ever thought about my own wellbeing, about what I truly wanted?

I was only 18 I should be worrying about finishing high school, not a family and a little one that depended on me to grow and flourish and teach it right from wrong.

I looked down at the flat expanse of my stomach and placed my palm over my stomach hoping for some reassurance I was doing the right thing.

Michaels POV

I felt like I was in a state of surrealism, like the past week everything has been dramatized the finding of my mate though was one thing the only thing I would not, I would never take for granted.

I smiled whilst still stretching and reaching blindly for my mate whom I left cradled in my arms whilst she drifted to sleep last night.

But immediately sat bolt upright when I found myself grasping at empty bed sheets.

Where did she go? I didn't hear anything. Or maybe I did but I was in a state of paralysis.

I hastily put on some jeans laying on the floor, and threw open the bedroom door and flew down the stairs hearing nothing but sensing the fragrance of my mate leading me to the kitchen as I pushed open the door, I found her absent.

I then followed her mouth-watering scent, to the front door.

Shit had she been taken?

Or something worse?

My mind incessantly worries over the slightest thing possible when it concerns her.

But it wasn't just her anymore and she should understand that.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw through the open front door her sitting on the stone steps and her cradling her non-existent stomach and whispering sweet nothings to our baby.

I watched leaning on the doorframe for a moment, but then realised what she had on herself, I flitted back to the sofa and brought back the afghan with me to wrap around her cold body whilst I sat behind her placing my legs either side of her and cradling her in my arms.

After she got over the shock of my pouncing on her, she leant back into my arms and stared up at the stars while I stared at my reason for being and kissed the top of her head and placed a hand on hers still cradling her stomach.

I whispered down to her, "what are you thinking about?"

Smiling into her hair she replied, "nothing particular. it's just been a bit overwhelming this past week."

She turned to consider my eyes and what she saw there made her look down into her lap playing with her fingers, nervous.

"Tell me baby what is it?"

I asked a furrow to my brow as I lifted her head with my finger under her chin.

She looked at me and parted her full lips about to say something and then looked away licking her lips.

"Everything"

She whispered.

She looked back at me and I looked at her with a slight part of my lips and my furrowed brow.

As I smoothed one side of her hair back I urged her to continue

"I'm just thinking am I ready? Can I do this? When all of this is my fault"

While she was looking away again and tears welled up in her eyes and a few dropped down her smooth cheeks, I wiped them away with my fingertips.

I pulled her closer within my arms as she clutched onto my bare chest and back.

I rocked her and replied "none of this Claire and I mean none of this is your fault, it is Bishops fault for getting you into this mess." I paused.

"There's a part of me that wished you would be forever safe outside of the entrapments of this city."

As I smiled down at her whilst she looked up at me.

"But then I would have never met you, and I would give anything to give you the life you dreamed about, and the life of our child," as I looked down and placed my hand on her stomach.

"But I'm forever trapped Claire and as much as I wish I could get you out of here that means you and our child are stuck here too, but believe me Claire I will forever protect you and our child and you will want for nothing. You have me always and forever; I love you Claire."

And her answer was reaching up to cradle my face and place her lips onto mine as I responded in kind.

As she whispered "I love you Michael, and I want this life, my life, and our child's life to be wherever you are, forever and always."

I cradled her face and whispered against her mouth.

"Forever and always."