Love Between a Lunar Vampire and a Luna Witch Book One

Chapter Three

In 1993, at Saint Luke's Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

As Matthew stepped into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the sterile smell of antiseptic filled the air. The beeping of monitors and the soft murmurs of nurses created a symphony of sounds that was both comforting and unsettling. He had been waiting for this moment, yet nothing could have prepared him for the sight of his one true love, Baby Lauren.

Lying in her incubator, she was so small, wrapped in a soft, pink blanket. Her tiny fingers curled and uncurled as if reaching for something just out of her grasp. But it wasn't the peaceful image he had envisioned. Instead, the sound of her cries echoed through the room, sharp and filled with distress.

Matthew took a deep breath, his heart racing as he approached the incubator. He couldn't shake the feeling of anxiety that washed over him. The sight of Baby Lauren, so fragile and vulnerable, made his chest tighten. He felt a mix of overwhelming love and fear.

He turned to the neonatal nurse, who was adjusting the settings on the incubator. "Is she alright?" he asked, his voice tinged with worry.

The nurse looked at him with a reassuring smile. "Yes, she's stable. Those cries are a positive sign; they show that she has a strong will to fight. We're keeping a close eye on her."

Matthew nodded, trying to absorb her words. He leaned closer to the incubator, watching as his one true love continued to move her tiny fingers. Despite the worry that clouded his mind, he felt a spark of hope.

Matthew then asked the nurse why the baby was in the neonatal care unit, his voice tinged with worry.

The nurse explained, "When she was born, the baby wasn't breathing. We had to provide immediate care to help her start breathing on her own." She paused, noting the concern on Matthew's face. "But she's showing positive signs; these movements indicate that she has a strong will to fight. We're keeping a close eye on her."

Matthew nodded, trying to absorb her words. He leaned closer to the incubator, watching as the little girl continued to move her tiny fingers. Despite the worry that clouded his mind, he felt a spark of hope.

Matthew then asked why the baby wasn't breathing when she was born.

The nurse looked at Matthew with compassion in her eyes. "When the baby was born, we discovered that the umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck," she explained gently. "This can sometimes restrict airflow, which is why she wasn't breathing initially. However, we're monitoring her closely, and she's showing positive signs of recovery."

Matthew listened intently, his heart racing with a mix of worry and hope as he continued to observe the little girl's movements.

But then baby Lauren started crying again, her tiny face scrunching up as she expressed her discomfort.

Then the doctor from the neonatal care unit walked into the room and noticed Dr. Jones.

The doctor then asked Dr. Jones if she would be bringing him to her unit.

Matthew took a deep breath, determined to help in any way he could. "I'm here to volunteer for the baby-holding program," he said, stepping forward with a hopeful smile. He knew that holding babies like Lauren could provide comfort and support, and he wanted to be part of her recovery journey.

As he prepared to take on this role, he couldn't help but think about how much he wanted to comfort his one true love, who had just been born.

The neonatal doctor then said, "You want to volunteer, Dr. Jones?"

Dr. Jones nodded enthusiastically, his heart racing at the thought of being able to help. "Yes, I believe I can make a difference," he replied, determination shining in his eyes as he envisioned the joy of cradling tiny lives in his arms.

The neonatal doctor then said, "You want to hold baby Anderson, Dr. Jones?"

Dr. Jones's hands trembled slightly as he approached the incubator, his gaze fixed on the tiny, fragile figure swaddled within. "Absolutely," he said, feeling a surge of emotion as he reached out to gently lift baby Anderson, overwhelmed by the weight of responsibility and hope of protecting his one true love.

Instantly, the baby settled down in his arms, overwhelmed by the weight of responsibility and the hope of protecting his one true love.

"You're a natural with her, Dr. Jones." The nurse says with a smile.

Dr. Jones smiled back, his heart swelling with pride. "Thank you, and why do you say that?" he replied with a curious tone.

The nurse chuckled softly, adjusting the blanket around the baby. "You have a way of calming her that most people can't manage," she said, her eyes twinkling with warmth.

"Thank you," Dr. Jones replied, his voice filled with genuine appreciation. He glanced at the baby, feeling a deep sense of responsibility and the hope of protecting his one true love. "It's just a matter of connecting with her, I suppose," he added modestly.

The nurse smiled wider, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "You really have a special gift," she affirmed, adjusting the blanket around the baby once more.

"Thank you," he said, glancing back at the nurse.

Matthew then asked the nurse what name was chosen for her.

The nurse replied, "Her parents chose the name Lauren Faith Anderson."

Matthew nodded, appreciating the beauty of the name. "That's lovely," he said, his voice warm with admiration. The nurse smiled, her eyes reflecting the joy of new beginnings. "It suits her perfectly," she added, watching the baby peacefully sleeping in the blanket.

The nurse replied, "I agree."

Matthew then turned to the nurse, curiosity evident in his eyes. "How long is she going to be staying here?" he asked, hoping for some insight into the little girl's journey ahead.

The nurse considered his question for a moment before responding. "Typically, babies in the NICU stay until they reach certain health milestones, but each case is unique," she explained gently. "It could be anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on her progress."

Matthew nodded, understanding the weight of her words as he continued to admire the fragile beauty of baby Lauren.

"Hopefully, it's only for a couple of days," the nurse said, trying to offer a glimmer of reassurance.

Matthew then says, "Let's hope." He took a moment before responding, reflecting on the nurse's words.

Just then, the nurse added, "I need to check on the other babies" before gently stepping away to attend to her duties, leaving Matthew with his thoughts and hopes for little Lauren's swift recovery.

Then Matthew remembered a conversation with his vampire father, Philippe.

Matthew's mind drifted as he recalled Philippe's words. The world was complicated, especially in their realm, where vampires, demons, and witches were forbidden to be in relationships. It was a rule that had been instilled in them since childhood, a reminder of the ancient feud between their kinds. This rule weighed heavily on Matthew as he contemplated his feelings for a witch who is his one true love. This connection to the baby, who had just been born into the world, felt both exhilarating and dangerous.

He shook his head, trying to dispel those thoughts. The nurse's soft voice broke through his reverie as she returned, her expression gentle yet focused. "How are you holding up?" she asked, sensing the turmoil behind his calm facade.

"I'm doing okay," Matthew replied, forcing a smile despite the storm of emotions swirling inside him. He appreciated the nurse's concern but didn't want to burden her with his complicated feelings for the witch. The connection was so new and yet felt like it had always been a part of him, a thread woven into his very being. As he glanced out the window, he took a deep breath, trying to find some clarity amid the chaos.

Then Matthew looked down at the baby in his arms, who was doing a big stretch, bringing a moment of lightness to the overwhelming weight of his thoughts. The baby's tiny limbs reached out, as if reaching for the very essence of life itself, reminding Matthew of the purity and simplicity that still existed, even in his tangled emotions.

Just then, the nurse walked over and said, "It's time to put the baby in her bed."

With a gentle nod, Matthew carefully cradled the baby closer for a moment longer, absorbing her warmth and innocence. Then, with tender precision, he placed her into the soft, waiting bed, ensuring she was comfortable and secure. As he stepped back, he felt a mix of emotions—love, hope, and an undeniable sense of responsibility—as he watched her settle into peaceful slumber.

"I'm going to come back tomorrow to hold her again," Matthew said softly, a smile spreading across his face as he glanced at the sleeping infant. The nurse smiled back, understanding the bond that was forming between them.

As he prepared to leave, Matthew took one last look at Lauren, feeling the weight of the moment. This baby, so small and fragile, had already captured his heart. He took a deep breath, knowing that he had to be strong for her.

Then Matthew left the room.

A few days passed, and it was finally time for baby Lauren to go home.

Matthew was holding her for the last time before she's given to her birth parents.

As Matthew held baby Lauren in his arms, he felt an overwhelming mix of emotions. She was so small and fragile, yet she had already woven herself into the fabric of his heart. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself for the moment that was about to unfold. It was time for Lauren to go to her birth parents, and he knew he had to be strong for her sake.

He gently cradled her, feeling the warmth of her tiny body against him. Memories of their time together flooded his mind—the late-night feedings, the soothing lullabies, and the way she would look up at him with her bright, innocent eyes. Each memory was a reminder of the bond they shared, even if it was brief.

With one last look, he memorized every detail of her face—the delicate curve of her cheeks, the soft tufts of hair on her head, and the way her tiny fingers curled around his thumb. This was the last time he would hold her like this as a baby.

Then Matthew leaned closer, captivated by the tiny features of the infant. "I can't wait to see the kind of person she will grow up to be, and I promise that I will always protect you," he murmured, his heart swelling with hope for the future for his one true love.

The nurse carefully cradled the baby in her arms and smiled gently at Matthew. "It's time to take her to her birth parents," she said softly. With a final glance at the precious child, Matthew felt a mix of emotions—sadness from the impending separation and joy for the new family that awaited her. He took a deep breath, knowing that this moment, while bittersweet, was a step toward the baby's bright future.

Matthew said goodbye to Lauren, and then the nurse left the room, carefully cradling the baby in her arms.

As he watched them go, Matthew couldn't help but whisper, "I'll see you again someday." The words hung in the air, a promise and a hope for the future.