Nightshade: A SimLit | Chapter 41: A New Arrival

"Claire, I'm home!" The man yelled as he walked through the front doors, frowning when he heard no reply. 'Don't tell me she didn't wait up for me. It's like she doesn't care if she doesn't see me! She sleeps in until I'm at work, and goes to bed before I'm home... I'm tired of it!' 

He had gotten married to her about eight months ago, and so far, he despised his new life. She was only in it for his hefty salary, he figured, and as for what kept him with her... he didn't really know the answer. Perhaps he enjoyed their daily scuffles. But as he walked into the living room, he was reminded of something he certainly didn't enjoy.

'Of course Onyx and Amelia are up late,' he thought, 'so that I can see their typical disgusting display of physical affection.'

He truly didn't understand it. What was the point of holding hands or snuggling or any other similar activity? Sure, sex was nice, but anything else? He'd pass. He cleared his throat harshly, causing Amelia to lift her head and look at him. He hated the way she looked at him; it was as if she thought lowly of him. But that was fine, he felt the same about her. He wasn't a fan of the vampire thing.

"What is it, Jeremy?" Amelia asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Where's Claire?" Jeremy asked, avoiding her gaze. "She said she would wait up for me tonight."

"Unfortunately, she fell asleep," Amelia sighed. "You should just go get some rest-"

"You mean she lied, as usual," Jeremy began. "And you really shouldn't tell me what to do. It's not your place. I'll rest when I want to."

"Jeremy," Onyx sighed, "what do you mean it's not her place? She's only suggesting you rest for your own wellbeing."

"Yes, well," Jeremy grinned, "You know what I mean... from a guy to a guy, right? No man likes a bossy woman. I feel bad for you."

Amelia's fists clenched. "Excuse me? I-"

Onyx interrupted. "No, I don't know what you mean. And I really don't appreciate you talking about her like that. Go to bed, Jeremy."

"And take your misogyny with you," Amelia added with a glare.

Jeremy rolled his eyes and silently turned to head upstairs.

"What a jerk," Onyx muttered.

---

A few hours later, the peace and quiet was interrupted. Amelia opened her eyes with a groan as she heard a loud commotion downstairs.

"What do we do!?" Claire yelled, followed by some loud shuffling.

"I guess go to the hospital? Don't ask me! You're the one in labor!" Jeremy exclaimed.

'Labor?' Amelia frowned and sat up, shaking Onyx, who was still sound asleep beside of her. "Onyx, wake up!"

"What is it?" Onyx mumbled, barely finding the energy to open his eyes.

"Claire's having the baby!" She was already shuffling out of bed. "I'm going to go make sure she's okay."

"Wait, she's having her baby now?" Onyx's eyes widened.

"No, next Tuesday!" Amelia sarcastically, but playfully, remarked before heading out of the room.

He frowned and dragged himself out of bed. "Wait, I'm coming too!"

As Amelia reached the bottom of the stairs, Jeremy shot her a glare. 'Just the person I wanted to see,' he thought.

"Amelia!" Claire exclaimed, her hands gripping her stomach, and her eyes wide in panic. "Could you... call my mom and tell her to come to the hospital?"

Amelia nodded. "Of course."

Aubrey had moved out when Elias died a few months ago. It was a bit of a shock to everyone that she moved in with Caleb Vatore, who she apparently had a thing for. Amelia glanced at Onyx. "You know Caleb's number, right?"

"Yeah, he gave it to me a while back," Onyx nodded. "I'll call and let him know to tell Aubrey."

"I wish you guys could come with me, but... Jeremy said it's best if just the two of us go," Claire said, turning to the door. "We need to go. Jeremy, come on."

Jeremy nodded and they walked out the door, heading for his car.

"Drive safely!" Amelia called after them. "And keep us updated, okay?"

As they disappeared, Amelia frowned and glanced at Onyx. "I hope everything goes okay..."

"I'm sure it will," Onyx smiled. "I'm kind of excited to see what babies are like. I've never really been around them. It's going to be nice to have one around, right?"

"Yeah," she smiled. "Too bad the baby's not..." her voice trailed off.

"Not what?" he frowned.

Amelia knew exactly what she wanted to say, but she just blushed and looked away. "Nothing. Never mind..."

---

"It's your turn to take care of the baby! Stop being so lazy and do something for once!" Claire yelled, not caring who it woke up in the middle of the night. After all, if they hadn't already been awoken by the sound of the baby crying, certainly yelling wouldn't wake them either.

"My turn!?" Jeremy snapped. "I work a full time job! I need sleep! It's time you learned that it's your place to take care of her!"

"What about me? I'm cooking and cleaning all day!" Claire crossed her arms. "I need sleep, too!"

"Oh, that's bull," Jeremy rolled his eyes. "Amelia cleans! I see her every day! And Onyx does all of the cooking. You couldn't make food taste that edible if your life depended on it!"

"I'm not giving you a choice!" Claire narrowed her eyes. "I'm not taking care of the baby! So unless you just want her to keep crying, you'll do it!"

Decisively, she climbed back in bed. Jeremy clenched his fists. "Fine! Then I guess she'll just cry!"

The commotion was finally enough to awaken Amelia, and she opened her eyes to see Onyx sitting on the edge of the bed. "Onyx? Where are you going?"

"Claire and Jeremy have been arguing for at least fifteen minutes," Onyx sighed. "I can't just let Tiffany keep crying. I'm going to go see what she needs. Just stay here and try to get some rest, okay?"

"Okay," she murmured, closing her eyes again.

For the past two weeks since Tiffany had been born, Onyx and Amelia had found themselves doing most of the care for a child that wasn't even theirs. If Claire and Jeremy weren't just too lazy to do it, they were too busy arguing.

Onyx quietly left the room, heading across the hall to the nursery.

Amelia frowned and sat up. 'I'll go, just in case he needs help with something,' she thought.

Onyx entered the room and walked over to the bassinet, smiling when Tiffany came into view. "Hello, little one," he said softly as he lifted her into his arms. "What are you crying about?"

Tiffany's loud cries quieted to whimpers and sniffles almost instantly as she looked up at him with large, curious eyes.

Onyx didn't hear as Amelia entered the nursery quietly. "Did all of the yelling scare you and make you cry?" He frowned.

Onyx rocked her back and forth in a steady rhythm, humming to her as he did. Slowly, she fell asleep in his arms, and his smile widened.

Amelia watched, her heart melting at the sight. 'He would make a wonderful father,' she thought. 'And maybe someday... he'll be one.'