Chapter 42: Chapter 42 OVERCOME

“I don’t blame you for thinking like that. Everyone in the room was wondering how he tasted, we could already smell him.” Kayla went on before she finally realized that she wasn’t helping.

“Kayla let’s get this out of the way right now, if I find you or Mr. Cooper out there drinking his blood I will kill you.”

“Noted. But you look great. You are pink again and you are walking on your own. Your conscious maybe suffering but your body isn’t.”

“I know I feel great. Like Popeye once he’s taken his can of spinach. I feel like I can do anything, everything.” Scarlet started jogging.

“I love seeing you this way. For a while, I thought that I would never see anyone smile in this house.” Kayla held Scarlet shoulders down stopping her from jogging then pulled her in a hug.

“Now we can all smile again, smile and wait for the new baby then smile some more. I just have one problem.”

“That’s not a problem my love. Think of it this way Stephan is much stronger than you are.”

It was a problem for her. She knew how strong his blood made her but she didn’t know how strong she was to resist it. Scarlet took a shower as Kayla gave her the rundown of everything she missed. She loved feeling normal once again. She loved the way Kayla looked at her like any other person and not like a fragile glass about to shatter into a million pieces.

“Kayla I was thinking that we should start work on the baby’s room.” She struggled to wrap a towel around her then gave up.

“I’ll get you a shirt and some pants,” Kayla suggested.

“I wish I knew what I was having. Or maybe I should just paint the room pink for good luck.” She said once Kayla came back into the room with one of Stephan’s t-shirt and elastic pants.

“I don’t think the baby would like that if it turns into a boy.”

“Can’t you get anything from the baby?” Scarlet waved her arm around her belly.

“Nothing.”

“But you didn’t even try.”

“Ok give me a second.” She leaned down and placed her ear against her belly. After a few seconds, she began nodding. “Uh-huh, I hear something.”

“What?” Scarlet yelled excitedly.

“The baby says no pink room and give Aunty Kayla a break.” She teased.

“Thanks.”

***

“Where is mom?” SJ and Jade walked into the room with flowers in hand.

“In the bathroom. I am assuming those aren’t for me?” Solara asked.

“No dad but if you want some we could start a garden.” Jaden put in.

“I’m good.”

“Your mother is feeling better. She’s just in the bathroom taking a shower your aunt is in there with her.” Stephan said.

“That’s going to take a while.” SJ’s eyes caught the sight of his father’s wrist. “I could smell something but I didn’t think it was it. What happened?”

“Oh my God.” Jade gasped as she saw the bloodied cloth around Stephan’s wrist.

“I got hurt.” Stephan averted his gaze.

“Yeah right, sell me another one.” SJ didn’t believe him and he had good reason not to.

“I cut myself what else do you want me to tell you.”

“You cut yourself, with what your teeth? Because that is the only thing that can penetrate your skin.”

Stephan pulled the cloth off and held it up for SJ to see. “I don’t know why you are so worried I healed already.”

SJ leaned towards it but he couldn’t see any evidence of a wound ever existing on his tanned skin.

“I see that but why did you have to tear your skin open in the first place.”

“Can we drop this? I don’t want to upset your mother.”

“Fine, whatever it’s your hand. Call me when- here she is.” SJ’s face beamed when Scarlet walked out of the bathroom.

“Why are you pestering your father?” Scarlet asked as she wrapped his arms around her son.

“I’m not pestering just concerned. I need to know if Dad needs to go on a suicide watch list.” He joked trying to ease his mother of any worries.

“He’s not suicidal just selfless and honorable.” She took Stephan’s wounded wrist and kissed it, “No fighting or arguing. Now can I get something to eat?”

Scarlet made her way to the kitchen without any physical help from anyone.

“Are you sure we should let her move around like this? Just earlier on she was bleeding out.” SJ shadowed Scarlet turning a deaf ear to his protests.

“She’s fine. Her system got a boost and it’s not going to wear off that fast.” Susana put in.

“Boost? What do you mean boost?” SJ was now confused.

“Don’t pay attention to her. Your mother is well and that’s all that matters. Honey, did you put the flowers in a vase?” Kayla smoothly changed the topic.

“I did then I put them next to the window so that they could get some sun,” Jade responded.

“What is that?” SJ asked as he looked around. It was a sound that he had never heard before.

“What sound?”

“It’s like a squeaking noise, no actually a sound like a little voice.” He waved his hands over his ears.

“I don’t hear anything,” Kayla said.

“Neither do I.” Jade put in.

“It must be coming from the road or something.” SJ brushed it off but it still bothered him, especially the fact that his father couldn’t hear it too. He was the only person in the room with a better sense of hearing than he did.

“Sweetie can you stop hearing things and come help me eat this pizza. Where’s Eric?” Scarlet bit into a slice of pizza and immediately realized how different it tasted. She chewed it and could feel every distinct taste it had. She knew it was another side effect of Stephan’s blood.

“Don’t think and chew at the same time,” Kayla whispered in her ear.

Scarlet gave her a tight smile and turned her attention back to her son and the beasts sharing the meal with her.

“Nikki, Susana I know I have been difficult but I would like to thank you for coming here.” Scarlet was only trying to express her gratitude but she was aware that the way she said it made it sound like she wanted them to leave.

“Don’t worry we aren’t leaving yet. I think we should stick around and see how your pregnancy will turn out.” Unlike Nikki, Susana was elated about hanging around the peculiar family. She was more interested in Stephan’s children especially the one on the way.

“Mmmmh, uh-huh. Sure you are welcome to stay.” Scarlet smiled.

As soon as I feel stronger, if that’s even possible they are leaving.

They are already beginning to annoy me.

“Ladies,” Solara said as he shook his head.

Your husband needs to stop eavesdropping.

I’m working on that.

“Fine, I will tune you out,” Solara said as he raised his hands in defense.

“What are you talking about?” Susana asked.

“You don’t want to know.” Solara and Stephan said in unison.

Stephan couldn’t hear what they were talking about but he suspected what it was about.

“Babe, I think you should go rest after you eat,” Stephan suggested.

“I’m too wired to sleep, honey. I don’t know how you can stand it.” Scarlet was talking about all the power in his blood. She was feeling a fraction of what he felt every single day of his life.

“It takes a lot of getting used to. This is how I like to see you with a smile on your face.” Stephan cooed as he lifted her face o his and kissed her lips.

“Do you mind, the rest of us are trying to keep our pizza down,” SJ complained, but Stephan only kissed Scarlet deeper.

“Thank you, dad. I am just going to take this elsewhere.” He picked up the box of pizza and began moving away.

“No, you don’t.” Scarlet pulled away from Stephan’s lips and reached out for SJ grabbing his t-shirt and holding him back. “Come sit with your mommy, I’ve missed you.”

“Fine but no more kissy-face I’m too young to be seeing such things.” SJ sat back down.

“Let’s have a bonfire tonight. We could all hang out and roast some meat, drink some blood you know have some fun.” Scarlet chirped.

“I don’t think that’s such a good-,” Scarlet cut Stephan off before he could finish.

“Idea. Yes I know because it is a terrific idea. I have been cramped up in that room for God knows how long. I just want a night out, the baby, and I need some downtime.”

SJ was staring into his pizza, he could hear the sound again and this time it was much louder than before. He didn’t want to ask anyone else. For some reason, he was the only person in the room who could hear the sound and he didn’t want to sound any more out of place than he already was.

“SJ how about you stop ogling your pizza and back me up.”

“Mum is right. We all need time to relax.” He put in.

“Baby are you alright?” Scarlet rubbed her hand over his back.

“I’m fine mum, just excited about the bonfire. I think I should go pick up the meat.” He abandoned his pizza and walked out. SJ needed to find out what the sound was and if it was coming from outside an excuse to go shopping was the best way to slip away without arousing any suspicion.

“What’s wrong?” This time her question was directed to Jade.

“He’s worried and confused about something.” Jade couldn’t be any more specific.

“Go with him please,” Scarlet asked.

“If it was anything bad he would tell us.” Stephan wrapped his arm around her shoulders.