Chapter 69 - Victoria

True to his words, Vladimir was a doting expectant father.  Even in the midst of preparations for the takeover soon to come, he waited on Delia hand and foot. He delighted in feeling his baby growing inside his beautiful Delia.  "Don't forget about Valerie," teased Delia. He could never forget his oldest daughter. She and Delia taught him how to love again.

Valeria - 5 years old

In the months before the birth, Valerie grew into a hauntingly beautiful little girl, no longer a baby at all. Vladimir knew that his oldest daughter was a vampire like himself. He could feel it. He figured Delia did as well although this was a discussion they had yet to have but would soon need to.  

Valerie would begin to need blood to survive as she matured. He would have to teach her how to drink plasma and survive without hurting others. This would be his task, not Delia's. 

Delia’s baby was due any day now and as much as they adored Valerie, they were thankful they wouldn’t be dealing with two babies.    

Delia, still a bit jealous of Elvira, did her best to keep fit while she awaited the birth of their child.  From experience she knew that childbirth would be easier if she was in good physical condition. 

After a workout, Delia often indulged in a swim in their pool since it was now warm enough to do so. Her bikini was perfect since her growing midsection wasn’t encumbered by binding fabric. 

This day, the swim must have triggered the onslaught of her labor. She yelled for her husband.

Delia would soon deliver her 9^th natural born child and her 2^nd with Vladimir, her 4^th husband in the last 150 years and the one she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. It was a huge comfort to Delia that he knew this about her past 'lives' and still, he stayed by her side and never used it against her. 

Not having been around for the birth of Valeria, Vladimir freaked out a bit. Delia calmed him and he managed to get help her change clothes and got her to the hospital in one piece. 

Once they arrived, Vladimir ran into the hospital to get the door faster than Delia had ever seen anyone run.  Well, except for the time many, many years ago, when the lady Delia turned into a Vampire had dashed away from her and Francisco at the festival. Vladimir was nothing more than a blur when he ran to get the door. She knew he was probably capable of this, but this was the first time she had witnessed it firsthand. It sent a little chill through her, reinforcing that they were quite different, but at the same time made her love him all the more.  He was with her and wanted nothing more than her well being. 

Delia’s labor went quickly and they soon were able to bring home their little girl, Victoria. Such a fitting name she thought.  Victorious over so many obstacles that she and Vladimir had to overcome to be together and have these two beautiful daughters.

  

As nothing was too good for his girls, Vladimir got a limo to take them home. He put his wife and child inside before he settled in next to them. He was the happiest he had ever been in a very, very long time. 

Once they arrived at home, Vladimir quickly locked the security gates.  He couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being watched, and not by the security they had put in place, but by something more reckless; the rival Vampire Clan.  Vladimir instructed Delia to take Victoria up upstairs and put her to bed and not to go outside.  He kissed her and said he would be home in the morning.  He knew it was time.  The takeover was to happen tonight, on Victoria’s birthday. Then Vladimir could tell Delia the rest of his story and hope she didn’t leave him and his girls.   

Delia got ready for bed and did as Vladimir said. He didn’t have to tell her to, she would have done that anyway.  She had become accustomed to him working nights. She didn’t like it, but he was so sweet to her when he was home so she couldn’t complain. 

As Delia was putting her little Victoria to bed, she received a surprise visit from her first husband’s ghost. This unnerved her more than Vladimir’s instructions. Francisco normally only made an appearance when things weren’t going well and she was on the verge of a breakdown.  

What did it mean that he was here now?  Maybe she was just reading too much into it.  He came up to her and looked at the pink bundle in her arms and cooed to at the baby. Then he looked sweetly at Delia and simply said, "Be careful sweetheart.  Remember that I love you and will always be here for you.”  Then he vanished in a blue puff of smoke. Delia was relieved and shaken at the same time. Relieved that he no longer tried to kiss her, but shaken at his warning. She brushed it off as the ramblings of a jealous ghost, put Victoria to bed and waited for her husband to come home to her. 

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