I let David's words sink in. It didn't feel like he was offering his assistance just because it was his duty to do so. He had every right to go against his responsibilities and forget all about me. Forget all about the pain I was sure I had put him through. Instead he was willing to save my life and stick by my side.

“Thank you,” I told him, making him look up in shock. By the look in his eyes, he wasn't expecting me to say something like that. Like he wasn't sure how I was going to take this whole new life and I was going to blame him for bringing me into it.

Getting all serious again, he looked me dead straight in the eyes, "Just promise me you won't do something like that again. It felt like history was repeating itself."

Guilt flooded within me instantly. I had complete forgot what David had told me about Emily. Just seeing the aftermath of the accident must have brought back memories that he didn't want to experience again. It made me want to hold him close, but it would hurt too much to do so. So I just stayed where I was.

“I'm sorry, David,” I said to him weakly. It wasn't much, but I was sure that he appreciated the thought.

He gave me a small kind smile in return, "It's fine, Leah. I'm sure you had your reason for wanting to get away. Just be more careful next time."

I was hoping that there wasn't going to be a next time. There was also that hope that I wouldn't see Derik ever again. That was something I just wasn't ready for. I wasn't sure when I would ever be ready to face him. The memory of him slapping me was still branded into my mind. It took everything I head to bury it in the back of my mind where it belonged.

David didn't say anything else. He just sat in his chair as if he was about to go back to sleep. Just looking at him made me remember what I was going to tell Derik if I had the chance to break up with him. Ashley already knew about the plan but I guess David kind of had to be in the know too for it to work.

"David?" I said. Catching his attention, "Can I ask you something?" He nodded his head, still not saying anything, "Since you know about the pregnancy, can you pretend that the twins are yours?"

Without hesitation, he answered, "Sure, Leah."

It just surprised me that he went along with it. He didn't even ask questions. Didn't ask why I chose him out of all of the people I could have gone with. I'm pretty sure picking Jack would have been believable as well.

"Are you sure?" I heard myself ask in my shock.

David smiled at me as he explained why he even agreed to this crazy idea of mine, "It is no secret that I'm supposed to be your mate. Also we hung out with each other alone plenty of times, giving us the opportunity to explore things. You came to me when you were struggling with Derik. Even called me right after sleeping with him. People will believe that we slept together at some point during that time."

He made sense. He made complete sense and it was kind of scary to think about.

"There is one more thing you should be aware of," he said catching my attention once again, "Not only are you bonded to me through a blood bond, the twins are as well. Even if you didn't ask me to be their pretend father, they would feel a connection to me anyways. They would just assume that it is a bond between a father and his children."

There was those words again. I know it was mentioned at one point with Erik being blood bonded to Boss. Obviously there was a link somewhere between the two hosts of the gene. But I can't figure out what it actually means. I never really bothered to ask. Maybe it was time I should since it involved me now.

I opened my mouth to ask my question, but David beat me to it, "You are about to ask about blood bonding, right? It's something that most of us don't understand. It's like the between phase being normal and being an actual vampire. Whoever you are bonded to, there will be a connection to them that is usually harder to explain. I don't know anything about it other then what was told to me growing up. You are the first one I've blood bonded with."

In my mind, I came up with the conclusion that every connection is different depending on the person being bonded. But our conversation about blood bonding ended there. Probably because David just wanted me to digest the amount of information I had. But at least our small talk had me keep my mind off the pain. It could have also been the medication that Gabbie gave me that was finally kicking in.

David stood up and stretched as my eyes slowly got heavier. The sure sign that the medication was in fact kicking in. With a gentle stroke on the top of my head, David smiled down at me with a kind smile. He told me to rest and that was exactly what I did.

* * *

Three months. That was how long it took me to finally be able to leave the medical ward. Maria was the first to arrive to my room as I got ready to get released. Her smile lit up the whole room as she walked in carrying a gift bag. Knowing exactly what it was, I grabbed it from her.

"They are going to be spoiled the moment they are born," I told her as I placed the bag with everything else. Not even bothering to open it.

Ever since Maria heard the news about my pregnancy, she had been visiting me everyday with something for the twins. She also kept anyone else away in case it might stress me out. In all honestly, her hovering was stressing me out. But I just didn't have the heart to tell her.

"Maria, did you really have to give me all of this baby stuff now? I'm sure there is plenty of time to prepare," I complained to her. Making her give me a glare, "You don't expect me to carry all of this, do you?"

"Of course not," she said with a wicked smile, "That is what my brother is for."

Just hearing that made me feel sorry for him. Maria must have put him through hell growing up. Then it got my mind wondering all of a sudden. How big was their age gap anyways?

"I know what you are thinking. Dad found David just a few weeks before I was born," she answered my unasked question, "In Seadonna years, we are only eighteen years apart. It's bigger when you look at it in normal years." Then she got all serious, "That was when he became a full blooded Seadonna you know. I know they explained to you saying he was already a pure blood. But he died the night Emily did."

I didn't say anything. How could you after being told something like that? Instead I pretended to be busy doing something. Like unfolding and refolding all of the baby clothes I got. The twins had more of a wardrobe than I ever did. It was all thanks to Maria too.

As if a switched was flipped, Maria went back to her normal, cheery self. I watched as she stood up and helped put baby clothes in different bags. It wasn't long until David joined us and she literally threw the bags right at him. The shocked look on his face was pretty adorable.

"Do you thing you went a little overboard, Maria?" he asked as he tried to figure out how to carry the different bags.

"My niece and nephew deserve nothing but the best," Maria responded as she led us out of the room. We followed behind her but kept our distance so we could have our own conversation without her hearing us.

But we didn't talk the whole trip. We just quietly followed Maria as she led us down the hallway and to the elevator. We didn't have to wait long after she pushed the up button for the elevator to arrive. I was a little worried we all wouldn't fit with how many bags I had from all of Maria's gifts. Fortunately, we made it work, but had a long uncomfortable ride to the floor we wanted. I'm pretty sure I had a few corners from the bags poking me in the back.

Once we got to the floor we wanted, I nearly ran out of the elevator. I'm pretty sure I even heard a sigh of relief escape David as he exited. Maria just looked at us like we were nothing but a bunch of drama queens. But my attention didn't stay on her long as I noticed a few figures leaning against the wall down the hall. One looking similar to David. The other was a face I was so happy to see, especially when the last time I saw them wasn't a very good time.

"Jack!" I yelled before running down the hall. Jack instantly stood up straighter and held his arms out. Ready for me to run right into them. The hug we gave each other was comforting and we held on to each other as if we were afraid to let go.

Jack was the first to let go as he pushed me back. Looking me over and seeing if anything about me changed. His eyes lingered on the small bump that was forming in my midsection. His bright green eyes quickly shifted to my blue ones.

"That is new," he mentioned with a smirk. Making me shrug my shoulders as if it wasn't a big deal, "Who's ass am I kicking for that?"

"You can't kick my ass and you know it," David answered naturally as he placed the bags down and greeted his cousin, Ricky. Making Jack give him a surprised look before he switched that look towards me. I just shrugged my shoulders once again.

It still amazed me on how well he played the lie. It was just so natural for him to play along as if he was telling to the truth. It scared me in a way because it made me think that one day, his acting was going to be so good that I would start believing it.