22: Second Trimester

SECOND TRIMESTER: WEEK 20

Marisol laid on the familiar exam table with her shirt lifted above her stomach. Meredith was quiet for long periods of time as she ran the wand over her belly.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm looking closely for any warning signs on the ultrasound. No worries, Marisol. I see no abnormalities within any of the babies." Meredith cleaned off her stomach and asked her to pull her shirt back down. "I want to measure your stomach from here on out. It's important to monitor your growth. Sit up, please."

Marisol listened and Meredith took a fabric measuring tape, wrapping it around her stomach just across her naval. "You're about 25 centimeters, which is normal for triplets. I want you to come back weekly for a checkup. You may be feeling some pressure on your lower back so I suggest a maternity belt if it grows to be too much. Have you felt any movement yet?"

Marisol shook her head.

"Well you should very soon. At first it will feel like a flutter but eventually it will grow into kicks. Sometimes triplets kick to one another as a fetal response so expect a lot of movement. You will start to gain about a pound a week until delivery. You will see a lot of swelling, that's normal. Your libido may also fluctuate. It's perfectly safe and healthy to participate in sexual activities. You are halfway through your pregnancy, which is a big deal, Marisol. Get some pizza or chocolate to celebrate. Daily stretches will help with the swelling. You might want to start working on the baby registry as well. And now that you know the genders, maybe start decorating the nursery! I will print out a picture of the ultrasound for you to take home."

Meredith left and then returned with the ultrasound. Grey took it and laughed, leaning toward Marisol. "Our boys got something from me."

"What?" For a minute, she was unsure but then she laughed. "Oh."

"I do suggest stretching daily. Do you have any questions?"

Marisol shook her head and Grey helped her off the bed. They walked out of the building and into the car. Greyson drove them back to the house. When they arrived they went upstairs and watched Lion King, Marisol insisted.

However, when Mufasa clung to the cliff, and Marisol sobbed in his arms, Grey started to think he may have made the wrong decision. Marisol wet his shirt from her tears, screaming that even through she couldn't see, hearing was much worse.

"C-can you get me some water?"

He smiled, kissing her head. "Of course." As he walked to the door he turned around, remembering he had to talk to Marisol. "Dr. Meredith said you should work out a little. Do you know what you'd like to do?"

"No," she said, but he was right. She wasn't exactly super active now, but she did want to lose the baby fat quickly after birth. "I'll think about it."

Grey nodded as he left. As he grabbed a glass from the cabinet, he winced hearing shouts through his link. It was Nolan, screaming something that was incomprehensible.

Someone is on the eastern border.

He growled, frustrated that his time with Marisol was cut short. He had anticipated something to happen, he just didn't know when. Apparently, that day was today. Pushing himself away from the counter, he quickly linked Abigail and her two other guards to stay here. Abigail rushed into the living room as Greyson was about to leave.

"Do we know who it is?"

"No. Stay here with Marisol. I'll let you know what happens."

She nodded, watching as Grey took off out of the door. She ran up the stairs, soon joined by the other two women.

"There was only one at the border," a female guard said.

"Yes, why?" The other asked.

"I don't know," Abigail answered as they neared the Luna's door. "But stay tight on it. Expect anything." She opened the door, seeing Marisol sit up, confused by the sudden amount of footsteps.

"Who's there?"

"It's me, Luna," Abigail said. "Someone is at the border. Alpha had to go help out. Come on, we have to get you somewhere safe."

Marisol stuttered to her feet as she felt hands on her arms, helping her up. "W-wait, is Greyson alright? Where are we going?"

"Grey's office can act as a panic room for situations like this." The three women shuffled down the hall to the office. Abigail went in with Marisol, while the other guards remained outside the door. Abigail went to Greyson's desk, pressing something, and suddenly Marisol could hear loud metallic noises surrounding her. "It's metal panels, Luna."

"S-stop calling me that," she whispered.

"Why?"

"Because you only call me that when you're worried about something."

Someone banged on the office door and Abigail grabbed Marisol's hand, leading her behind the desk. "Get under the desk."

Abigail placed her hand on the desk to steady herself as her vision blurred. She felt dizzy. She took a breath and swallowed, hearing as the door downstairs broke open. Her eyes widened as she felt the familiar mint taste in her mouth. Wolf's Bane. It was the only substance that affected all wolves in similar ways. First dizziness, then the mint taste, and finally a collapse. It wouldn't kill her, but it would make her unconscious and be a bitch to recover from after.

Abigail, drowsily, knelt down in front of Marisol. "Luna," she whispered. "Did Alpha ever tell you about Wolf's Bane?"

"N-no."

"I can't explain it. I'm going to pass out, Marisol, and when I do, do whatever necessary to protect yourself. Use me as a shield, try to run, anything, Marisol. Do you understand?"

"What? No–"

"Do you understand!?"

Abigail never yelled at her like that before. She nodded suddenly, hearing a loud thump in front of her. "A-Abigail?"

No answer. Marisol shook her, but she didn't respond. She jumped hearing a loud growl outside the door. She pushed herself into the corner of the desk, shivering from anxiety. The phone in his office rang, and hesitantly, she stood. Before she could pick it up, she heard his voice.

"Marisol, are you okay?"

She looked at the door, but only saw black. It sounded like Greyson, thank god, she said internally. The phone kept ringing even as Greyson called for her. She cocked her head, realizing Grey also simply said her name. It was never anything more than a simple Marisol. She picked up the phone and brought it to her ear.

"H-hello?"

"Marisol."

"Greyson," she whispered relieved. "I'm so glad you're home."

"Marisol," he said softly. "I'm not."

Her blood ran cold and she swallowed thickly as she heard Grey scream something. "Listen to me, do whatever you need to stay safe, Marisol. I'm coming now."

She swallowed again, bringing the landline to her chest. She breathed, realizing what she had to do. She hung up. "G-Greyson?"

"Yes, it's me," he responded. It wasn't him. It sounded like him, yes, but Greyson was on the phone. She knew that he was the one on the phone, not behind the door.

"Come out, Marisol. We have to take you somewhere safe."

She had a feeling it wasn't exactly somewhere safe. But if she didn't open the door, she was afraid of what would happen. She'd play along, and prolong her life as long as she could. She sauntered to the door, opening it. She forced herself to throw herself into his arms. She tried to pretend like he was her Greyson. "Abigail, she-she–"

"I know," he whispered. "I'll get someone to handle it. Come."

God, he sounded like him. She wondered if he looked like him as well. He pulled on her hands and she followed him.

"What's going on?"

"The border is being attacked. We have to get your things and leave."

She nodded, and he helped her up to her room. As she walked in, she heard the door shut behind her. She closed her eyes, nervously, feeling her skin crawl. Whoever it was came behind her and ran his hand down her back.

"Your bag is on the bed. Tell me what you want."

She turned around toward him. She remembered what Grey told her before. Stay safe. Do what you have to do to make a trail or wait for him to come save her. Taking a breath, she placed a hand on his chest and smiled seductively. "I want you," she whispered. "I-I know we don't have a lot of time, but I want you," she repeated. She went on her tiptoes, kissing him softly. It only took a moment for him to get distracted and return the kiss, deepening it with his hands on her head.

Her stomach coiled. This wasn't her mate. This wasn't her soulmate. It made her stomach turn. But she forced her emotions down and began unbuttoning his shirt. As he laid her on the bed and took off her shirt, she heard a feral growl from somewhere. The man was thrown off her and she could hear him screaming in pain. She felt blood coat her skin and she jumped. She heard a loud whine and then a thud. Wait, she knew that whine.

"T-Tala?"

She responded with a painful whine. Marisol fell to her knees, trying to find her guide-dog. The door swung open and she jumped.

"Marisol."

"G-Greyson." She felt his arms wrap around her waist and she knew then that it was him. "Is she okay? Is Tala okay?"

He didn't answer.