40.

Caring for the babies was as wonderful as ever, the soft cries and sweet coos filling the air. With Damon by my side, it felt like near perfection. The scent of newborns and the warmth of their tiny bodies brought a sense of joy and fulfillment. Less than 48 hours had passed since Mariella's birth, and the entire pack rallied around her, providing unwavering support. I focused solely on my little ones, relishing the pure joy of caring for them by myself.

Through our unbreakable bond, I could feel Damon's love for me and his adoration for our children. It was a scary but beautiful realization that he truly loved me and wanted me. In the past, I had shielded myself, believing that Mariella was only for him. But now, things have changed. Despite the previous drama and hardships, we were a family, and I couldn't help but be happy about it. Doubts had no place in our lives; it was time to embrace happiness.

My days were a whirlwind of nurturing, filled with the sight of tiny mouths latching onto bottles, the sound of milk being poured, and the gentle touch of diaper changes. Breastfeeding had its own set of rules, and as my milk production was closely monitored, sometimes I didn't have enough to offer. It was purposeful as I wasn't supposed to breastfeed but to bottlefeed.

To ensure my babies were well-fed, I had to maintain a stock of seven full bottles of my milk in the fridge. So, I dutifully pumped my breasts and carefully filled the bottles. They would then be mixed with formula, creating the perfect blend for my little ones. Though I produced a little milk, the bottles were not that big, so it worked out. My milk production was curbed down, and it was one thing that was monitored. 

Just two days after Mariella's birth, it was time for Mimosa to give birth as well. Once again, the entire pack gathered around, their presence comforting and supportive. Mariella and I continued to care for our little ones, sharing the joy of dressing them with Damon's help. There was no bitterness in my heart; my focus was solely on the well-being of my babies. They were thriving, and every moment spent caring for them was precious.

In between feedings and diaper changes, I worked on my little project. It took time to conduct tests on each baby and make detailed notes. Whenever I had a moment to spare, I sat at my laptop, analyzing the data and drawing my conclusions. It was fascinating to observe how rapidly these babies were growing, at least twice as fast as normal human babies.

Each day held significance, and recording their progress became a priority. I couldn't help but imagine the future, where I would have a wealth of knowledge and data. Perhaps it would be useful someday. At the very least, it provided some understanding of their growth and what to expect as they reached certain milestones. 

Two days had passed since Shadow gave birth. My babies were now a week old, and I cherished every moment. Each day, I diligently measured their growth, cared for them, and worked on my secret project. I wanted to ensure that no member of the pack would discover what I was doing.

In the middle of testing my babies' reflexes, I had Jake lying on the table. He was naked, ready for his bath. But before that, we needed to conduct our tests. Bath time always followed these sessions, serving as a reward for their patience. As I prepared to test their reflexes, I had my toy gun in hand. With a loud noise, I startled Jake, and he jerked in response. His scared reflex was still intact. 

Just as Jake began to fuss, Mariella's voice echoed from the door, "Why did you scare him like that?"

She and Damon walked in, concern etched on their faces. Damon swiftly picked up Jake, wrapping him in a cozy blanket to soothe him. Within moments, Jake's fussing subsided.

Meanwhile, Mariella approached me, peering at my notebook.

She questioned, "What are you writing? Have you been testing and measuring your babies? Why?"

Finishing up my notes, I replied, "Call it scientific curiosity. I wanted to compare our babies' development to that of human infants. I have no idea what is considered normal for our little ones, so I record everything. The noise was just part of testing their reflexes."

Damon joined us, giving Jake to Mariella and glancing at my notebook. His frown deepened as he scanned my work.

He then suggested, "Darling, this could be interesting. We could conduct these tests on all our babies and provide the information to the magic house. They can continue the research, and we can monitor our babies' growth every time we have a new litter."

Mariella's excitement was palpable.

She approached me, holding Jake, almost invading my personal space, and exclaimed, "You're being selfish by not sharing this project. Well, from now on, the Salvatores will take charge of it."

I could feel Damon extracting the knowledge of baby development from my mind and passing it on to them.

I had just finished testing Jake for the day when numbers two and four entered the room.

The sound of their voices accompanied their arrival as they said, "Well, we will start testing the rest of these babies and gather information from their records, too."

I turned to Mariella and suggested, "If you want, I can take care of Jake while you go and observe how the other babies are tested and measured. I always give him a bath as a reward after testing."

Damon chimed in, offering his help, "Well, I can assist you in bathing him, and we can do the same for the others once they are done testing. But first, come and see our babies. I want you to meet them."

Mariella gently placed Jake in his crib. He had already fallen asleep in her arms.

Together, we made our way to Mariella's nursery. The room was filled with a sense of love, palpable in the air, emanating from Mariella and Damon. She introduced me to her five little ones, four boys and one girl. I couldn't help but notice the resemblance between Damon and Mariella in their features.

Damon remarked, "It's amazing how you can see both of us in our babies, but you won't see your own features in them. However, you're right, this one has Mariella's mouth."

We then proceeded to visit the three babies belonging to Mimosa and then Shadow. Just like Mariella's babies, I could see the features of both parents in them. The excitement in the room was contagious as we discussed their growth and milestones. I wasn't upset, and neither was Damon. We both understood that this was now a collective project, not just mine.

After the tour, I returned to the nursery where most of my little ones were awake, eagerly awaiting their bath. Damon joined me, eager to spend time with my babies. I had prepared a few special bathtubs that kept the water warm, allowing me to bathe four babies at once. Damon studied everything, ensuring that everything was perfect as I filled the tubs with water. 

After completing my preparations, I could sense my husband effortlessly grasping my plans from my mind. He hummed a soft tune to himself as he went to retrieve our precious babies. The sound of his gentle footsteps filled the room, accompanied by the faint rustling of clothes.

Soon he appeared, cradling Jake, Rob, and Apollo in his arms. He had lovingly undressed them, tenderly wiped them clean, and now he carefully lowered them into their tubs. His playful expressions elicited wide-eyed wonder from the babies, as they discovered the joy of bath time.

I didn't need to lift a finger, as he insisted on taking charge. My role was simply to observe and assist when needed, handing him towels or any other request he had. He skillfully bathed all seven of them, his love for them shining through with every gentle touch. It was a sight that warmed my heart. 

Once the bathing was done, he turned to me and said, "I believe they're hungry now. Time to feed them."

I nodded in agreement, mentioning that I had bottles ready, but they needed to be warmed up, which could take around 15 minutes. I warned him that some babies might grow fussy, even with their pacifiers.

He looked at me with a tender smile and said, "Darling, I can warm up those bottles faster. As an energy creature and wizard, I can do it without upsetting the babies. You relax on the rocking sofa, and I'll bring the babies to you for feeding. After the babies are fed and tended to, you are getting some dessert, baby."

I blushed slightly, not realizing that he could warm the bottles so quickly.

"Alright," I replied sheepishly, "you give me the babies and bottles. I might have a meal in my breasts for someone."

Damon's eyes sparkled with mischief as he responded, "That someone would be me, baby. But after the children are asleep, it will be time for you to enjoy your special treat."

My cheeks flushed even deeper at his words and his playful chuckle. 

I made my way to the cozy rocking chair, settling into its embrace. Before long, Damon brought Mira and Tess to my waiting arms, placing their bottles within reach. He made sure we were comfortable before joining me, cradling the other two girls in his arms.

Together, we sat there, the soft sounds of suckling and contented sighs filling the air, as we nourished our precious babies. Eventually, it was my turn to feed Apollo, while Damon tended to Jake and Rob.

The evening passed in a serene haze, and as the babies drifted off to sleep, Damon entrusted numbers two and four to watch over them. He whispered to me, a mischievous glint in his eye, that it was time for my well-deserved dessert. I blushed yet again, surprised by his suggestion, but his sexy chuckle only deepened the shade of red on my cheeks. 

Our life was idyllic. Even with the arrival of our babies, he always found time to be with me, indulging me with "sweet treats". Days slipped by like the gentle flow of a river, and we, like the Salvatores, reveled in the joy of parenthood.

Our conversations were filled with the excitement of comparing our babies' growth and development. As a mother, I cherished every moment, and Damon, my loving husband, reminded me I was not just a mother, but also a woman with needs. Our bedroom became a sanctuary of passion and intimacy.

The babies grew steadily, a marvel to witness as they explored the world around them. I kept them close, never venturing beyond the safety of our home, while Mariella and other women embraced the city life, strolling with their little ones. The pack members kindly offered their help, easing my responsibilities.

Damon ensured I had the freedom to choose, to do as I pleased. There was no pressure for me to join the city outings.

Of course, this meant I spent most of my time alone, caring for my seven precious bundles. Their milestones, though small, were celebrated with joy - rolling over, holding their heads up high. I created a stimulating environment for them to thrive, placing them on the floor where they could explore to their heart's content.

We enjoyed the outdoors, but within the safety of our yard, away from the bustling city and its distractions. Maybe one day, I would venture out with them, but for now, the logistics of managing seven babies in strollers seemed daunting.

The growth of these little ones was astonishing. Each day, there was something new to marvel at - a new skill acquired or an improvement in their abilities. The Salvatores diligently measured and studied their progress in the early morning, allowing me to continue with my day.

Mariella and the wolves relished their time in the city, relishing in the joy of parenthood. Meanwhile, my babies, now three months old, were developing at a pace equivalent to human infants between six and seven months. Oh, the joy and the work that came with them!

Damon, my ever-supportive partner, was present, though not always physically. Evenings and late afternoons were our moments together. But as I said, their days were filled with city outings, shopping, and the like - activities that were not yet for me.

I found solace and fulfillment in spending quality time with my little ones at home, shielding them from the pollution and chaos of the outside world. It was instinctual, a mother's protective nature, guiding my choices. 

It had been a few days since the Pack had been at the house. I had meticulously measured and tested the babies myself. Damon had mentioned that they would spend the evening and night in Paris, as they were touring the cities of France. The sound of their excited chatter filled the air, mingling with the scent of anticipation. I had no objections to their plans; after all, there was nothing I could do to change them. 

My babies had gained their vampire powers, just a little over a month old. I noted this and followed Damon's instructions to bind them. It seemed only logical to assume that the rest of the pack would do the same for their babies. However, to my surprise, it appeared that they either hadn't noticed or simply didn't care. 

The reason behind the pack's frequent visits to the cities became clear - there were a group of eleven infant vampires who craved the experience and exploration that the urban environment provided. They, too, were energy creatures, seeking to replenish themselves. 

I knew that if I were to bring up this matter, the pack would turn against me. My vampire instincts warned me of the potential danger. Therefore, I was left with little choice but to accept the situation. Unless the pack bound their babies, there was little I could do. 

It was becoming more of a rule than an exception that Mariella's babies were not bound. I couldn't fathom the reason behind this. Were they so powerful that they had influenced their parents? Or were those foolish parents too arrogant to believe that their babies could actually have control over them? It was a lesson they needed to learn. 

I did not know whether those babies were even being tested anymore or the extent of their dominance. However, I remained immune to their influence. As the alpha vampire, I had the strength to resist their powers. This same strength allowed me to recognize the vampire abilities in my own babies, along with my innate intuition. 

Doubts plagued my mind. Had I failed as the leader of the pack? Was it my duty to inform them about the powers present in those babies? I didn't know what I was supposed to do, and now it seemed too late to rectify the situation. 

It was early morning when I entered the nursery, clutching my bottles tightly. The room was dimly lit, the curtains still drawn shut. I expected to hear the delightful sounds of giggles and cooing, but instead, there was an eerie silence. Perhaps they were all still asleep.

I placed the bottles on the table, next to the warming unit, ensuring they would stay warm without becoming too hot. But before tending to the others, I went to see Jake first.

He was the largest, always the hungriest, and the first to feed. However, as I approached him, I noticed his eyes were open but devoid of their usual smile. His cheeks were stained with red, and he weakly fussed before coughing. The cough seemed strained, as if it was difficult for him to breathe.

Worry filled my heart as memories of my past came rushing back. I had held my dying cubs in my arms, feeling their frail bodies grow cold. And now, my precious baby was sick. I cradled him, attempting to soothe him, hoping to find a better position to ease any discomfort. He felt hot, and limp, and continued to cough, his breathing labored. My baby was truly unwell.

Struggling to keep myself composed, I whispered gentle words, desperately trying to hold it together. I prayed that this wouldn't be a repeat of the past and that I wouldn't lose my beloved babies once again.

I prepared his bottle and tried to feed him, but he showed little interest, only consuming two-thirds of his usual amount. With a heavy heart, I placed him back in his crib, hoping that the rest would bring some relief.

As I turned to attend to Rob and Apollo, my heart sank further. They too were plagued by fever, coughing, and a lack of appetite. Three sick boys now rested in my hands, and packbonds were tightly shut as ever. Those little vampires of other women did not want me to keep in contact with the pack.

I pleaded with whatever higher power would listen, begging that I wouldn't lose them too. I searched for any solution, any way to save them, but fear had taken hold of my heart, paralyzing me.

In an instant, my perfect life came crashing down, leaving me shattered and terrified for the well-being of my precious boys.