She rummaged in the refrigerator to see what kind of fresh vegetables they had and found broccoli, carrots and green onions. She chopped them into tiny pieces and tossed them in a skillet with some olive oil to sauté. There wasn't any whipping cream, but milk would probably work. Fortunately, they had all kinds of cheese. She picked Swiss, and after locating a grater, started grating away.
Two hands squeezed her butt cheeks and she jumped, turning around to smile at Dom. She shrieked to see it was not Dom, but Stella, her fangs fully extended with lust. Stella laughed and tossed her shiny dark hair back. “Who's this hot mortal in my kitchen?”
She felt herself blush. “Good morning, Stella.”
“Buon giorno. What are you making?”
“Quiche. Except without the crust.” She wasn't about to get a spanking over unapproved wheat again.
“Mmm, yummy,” she made a show of licking her beautiful lips. “Want me to make you a Bloody Mary?”
“Uh, no thanks.”
“Latte?'
“No, I'm good. Thanks, though.” Thirty percent increased risk of miscarriage from coffee, she heard the voice of one of her professors in her head. The poor woman was forty and had been trying to carry a pregnancy to term for the past five years.
She added the cheese and milk to the eggs and added garlic powder, salt and a little nutmeg. When the vegetables had cooled, she stirred it all together, poured it in a pan and sprinkled sliced almonds on the top before popping it in the oven.
“Morning,” Fox said when he came in freshly showered. He fired up the espresso machine and plopped down at the table. “I'm glad you're back,” he said meaningfully.
She saddened at the memory of the traumatic two-week separation. “Thanks. I mean, me too,” she mumbled.
“Me too,” said Stella.
“Me too,” said Dom, as he came in and wrapped his arms around her from behind. His fangs were a little elongated too. It must be like morning wood. He ran a fang up and down her neck, making her shiver.
“So, do you two have something to tell us?” asked Stella pointedly, raising her eyebrows as she nodded toward the ring on Kate's finger.
“As a matter of fact, we do,” said Dom. She treasured the note of triumph in his voice. “Kate's having my baby,” he said proudly.
“What?!” Stella and Fox said at the same time, dumbfounded.
“That's not possible,” Fox said.
“I'm sure,” Dom said firmly. “It's a girl and she's mine.”
They all blinked at each other for a moment and then Fox was on his feet, and Stella lunged forward also, and the four of them fell into a flurry of hugs and back thumps. “Congratulations. I can't believe it! I just can't believe it!” Fox said.
“Oh my God, I'm so excited!” Stella said and promptly burst into tears. Kate wrapped her arms around her slim frame. “I'm sorry,” she said, wiping at her eyes. “It's just…it's not possible. I don't understand… but I'm so happy. I can't believe we're going to have a baby around here!” Then she pulled away and looked at Dom with startled eyes. “Please say you're not moving out?”
Dom shook his head. “No way. No chance of that.” Then he faltered suddenly and looked at her. “Unless Kate makes me,” he said seriously and her heart fluttered at his consideration. “So you two better make her feel at home,” he said with mock sternness.
“I will. And your baby's feet will never, ever touch the floor,” Stella swore.
Fox laughed. “I'll bet that's true.” Then he jumped up. “I'll be right back,” he said.
“So how is this possible?” Stella asked.
Dom shrugged. “I don't know. Maybe somehow when I resisted Roxanna's blood, I activated my own cells in a new way? Believe it or not, my hair has started growing for the first time since I was changed!”
Fox returned, his guitar in hand. “Do you think you could have more children?”
Dom looked poleaxed. “I don't know. I hadn't thought of it. Maybe I'll have my sperm tested to see what the docs say.” He turned to her. “Would you have more?” he asked her softly, a vulnerable pleading in his voice.
“Yes!” she exclaimed, smiling.
“How many?”