Chapter 128 Labor

(Alexander POV)

It was a dreary day in Seattle. I was at Ulrich headquarters finishing everything important before I go back to the territory to spend Christmas with the family.

The attack of Lune Sacrée was an experience Hope and I never wanted to talk about. The last time we were caught unaware was when the she-rogues entered our territory and Leia tried to burn the forest during the start of my birthday celebration. Although, I was hurt and placed on bed rest after that, Hope then was strong and not too concerned for her well-being.

Now, her body wasn't hers alone and she for the first time felt very weak. She had to channel energy from Opal to just have the strength to walk and that scared her. Her death would mean the death of her unborn child and I knew Hope felt she was being selfish.

After that day, we boarded the plane and asked Mark and Ava to fly us home straight away. We made a detour first and picked up Doc Frances who kept scolding us for not listening to her. Hope was on her chair, just staring into space while the Doc went on and on about energy and magic. I had to ask the Doc to calm down. Hope was already under a lot of stress.

So, Hope decided to go back living like she did before, as a human who was rarely noticed. She stayed in her territory when I was out of town and when I would travel back, she would be waiting for me at Dark Moon. Her mother was really concerned about Hope, how Hope seemed to just move around like a robot after arriving from France. I, unfortunately, couldn't give her a straight answer. I knew Mirasol would kill all of us if she found out what happened in France.

Jim, on the other hand, liked having Hope sit around with him in the orchard. She didn't say much to him, but he would see the twinkle in her eyes while she gazed at the horizon, watching the sky turn orange and red when the sun would set. She would just rock in her favorite rocking chair, rubbing her belly, humming a song.

Gone was the giggling teenager I first met. My Hope acted very old for her age. I had tried to comfort her, but she said it was just hormones. Hope had locked herself up and pushed away all the people who loved her. Evidently, even if she would not admit it, she had been traumatized.

During the months of her pregnancy, Doc Frances was very concerned about the ultrasounds. She could never get a clear image of Hope's baby. She said the heartbeat was strong and we shouldn't worry about our daughter's health. She just wished she could get a picture of her so she could have a clear view of Hope's womb.

I picked up the stack of papers on my desk and start flipping through them. I had to finish this before the afternoon, so I could welcome Jacques and Arthur at the airport later tonight.

"Sir, a Doctor Williams is on line one." My secretary buzzes me through the intercom. I scratched my head in confusion. Doc never calls me at the office. I thank my secretary and pick up the receiver of my landline.

"Doc, surprised you called. How can I help you?" I heard Hope's voice scream in the background "Tell Alexander I want him home this instant!"

"Breathe Hope, breathe. Remember? Just like we practiced. That's a good girl." Hope had attended some Lamaze classes to help her with labor. "Alpha, you need to stop what you're doing and hop on a helicopter. The baby or maybe babies are on the way."

"What do you mean 'on the way'?" I signed a document and placed the sheet of paper in a bin. Why did I have so much work to do? And where the hell is Derrick when you needed him?

"Alpha, Luna Hope is in labor." Did the Doc just say Hope was in labor?

"WHAT?! HOPE'S IN LABOR?!" I stood up so quickly that I hit my knee on my desk. It hurt so much that I had to bite down on my hand so I wouldn't yell.

"Yes, Alpha. I thought she might be just undergoing some Braxton Hicks contractions. But the contractions are coming in at more regular intervals. I know she's suppose to be due next month, but premature labor sometimes happens when we're dealing with multiples."

"Doc, please, in english. I lost you at Bragston Higgs."

"Braxton Hicks, false contractions, Alpha."

"And what do you mean by multiples?"

"We might be dealing with twins. I can't say for sure. I was never able to get a clear picture through the ultrasound and we all assumed it was a single pregnancy. I'm just making an assumption here. Alpha, please prepare yourself for twins." I heard Hope scream again, "Alexander, you better get here before I give birth or I will never forgive you!"

"Ah, Alpha, I think you should come back home now. I have a very, ah, LOUD patient." She chuckles, but coughs right after. I guess Hope gave her a warning look.

"I'll be there, Doc. Leaving as we speak. Tell Hope I love her!" I hung up and ran out of the office, dialing my phone so I can instruct my pilot to have the helicopter meet me at the building's helipad straight away.

"Sir, you haven't finished signing the papers!" My secretary screams after me, showing the papers in her hands.

"Have Derrick finish them for me. My wife's in labor!" I yell back at her and she smiled and nodded.

My employees who had heard me yell "My wife's in labor" started clapping and cheering. I waved my hands at them. It lifted my spirits to see them all so happy.

My phone rings and this time it was Amanda. Oh boy, everyone seemed to be panicking. I answer the call.

"Brother, where in the world are you? Hope's in labor." Amanda was whispering. Odd.

"Amanda, I just found out a few seconds ago. I'm on my way."

"You better hurry, Alexander, because Hope is acting like she's been possessed by a demon. She's really, ah, angry. I guess all that angst she had bottled up inside her for the past 6 months is now coming out. I can hear from outside her room here at the hospital and boy, is she pissed! You better prepare yourself, Brother. Bring her flowers, jewelry or something."

"I don't have time. I'm running up to the helipad to fly me to the hospital. Can't you do that for me? Please?" I had a lion admitted at the hospital and she was roaring pretty loudly.

"Ok, Brother. I'll get something. Just get your butt here as fast as you can. She's screaming at everyone."

"Even her mom and dad?"

"Yeah, even her mom and dad. It's just so bizarre. I'll go get that gift for her. Keep safe, Brother." She abruptly hangs up.

Well, I won't be safe if I don't get there in time, that's for sure. Hope will never let me hear the end of it.

While I waited for the helicopter, I sent a message to Mark to fly out of Paris as soon as Jacques and Arthur arrive at the airport.

I sent Mark and Ava to Paris yesterday to pick them up. Mark called when they arrived and had spent the night at Paris just sightseeing, something they had not done while we were there last June. Mark immediately messages me saying they had gotten word of Hope's condition and are on their way.

Now where is that helicopter?!

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(Doctor Frances POV)

"Hope, I need you to calm down. Breathe, Hope, breathe. Your contractions are still far apart and you are only three centimeters dilated. Since this is your first pregnancy, it will take a while before you reach six centimeters." I have had some rowdy patients before, but I have not ever seen someone act like this before. Clearly, Hope was overreacting. Although, contractions are painful, contractions this early on are manageable.

When we arrived from France, I noticed some changes which many would normally attribute to hormones, but for me, knowing Hope, these were startling changes. She was no longer speaking to her parents nor was she affectionate to Alexander. Her eyes were dull and lifeless. And sometimes she couldn't remember who was who. It was as if she wasn't herself.

When she would have a contraction, her eyes would turn black and a faint black smoke would come from her hands. It was very strange. I had to talk to someone who knew about these things. I had to talk to High Elder Amelie.

"Hope, I need to check on some other patients of mine, but I will be back soon. Alexander is on his way and will probably be here soon."

"You are a stupid doctor, Doctor Williams. You have no idea what's going on." Hope was glaring at me. I crossed my arms in front of me and shrugged.

"So tell me what's going on, Hope?" The black from Hope's eyes left and I saw the gold come back.

"Tell Alexander to come please, Doc. Before it's too late."

It seemed I was talking to two different people. I needed to talk to the High Elder.

"He's coming Hope. I'll come back after I check on some patients. You hang on, okay."  She nods her head and leans back on the pillows.

I walked out of Hope's room and went to my office to call the High Elder. She answered almost immediately.

"I am so sorry to disturb you, High Elder, but I don't know who else to call."

"How can I help you, Frances?"

"It's Hope. It's really strange. She's like two different people. One minute she's Hope and the next she's this really ugly person. And High Elder, there seems to be a black cloud coming from her hands. It's faint, but I can see it. Hope has been very quiet these past six months. Do you think she's been at war inside her body all this time?" It was a theory. Stranger things have happened through all the years I've been with Hope. This could be a possibility. She might be possessed or something.

"Say no more, Doctor. I will be there soon.  I thought it was just labor. Apparently, Hope has needed our help and we just didn't see it. Keep Hope comfortable and do not touch her without gloves. She will read your thoughts." She hangs up and I rub my forehead to ease the stress.

I really hate all this magic stuff. There are things that I can't cure even if I tried.

I just hope the baby or babies are safe and I can help deliver without complications.