Chapter 40-Our Little Starr

This chapter was originally posted on 6/22/14

Sandi was using her maternity leave wisely, the young couple needed to earn some money for their new family and Sandi was cutting some gems to be consigned from her last hunt.

However she couldn't do anything without the effects of pregnancy hitting her, which is why she started her maternity leave immediately after her honeymoon was over.

She soon found out that morning sickness was not limited only to the morning; it hit her at all times during the day.

Dylan did his best to comfort his wife, whether it is massages or a hug when she needed it most, he was there for her and promised not to leave her side.

The morning sickness ended with the first trimester but it was replaced with backaches, mood changes, heartburn and strange cravings for ice cream at all times during the night.  Than the day came that she felt the life inside her kick for the first time.  At first it felt like a little flutter, sort of like butterfly flapping its wings inside of her belly.  She always knew there was life growing inside her but the amazement of this miracle became more of a reality to her the minute she felt the baby move. 

Sandi screamed at the top of her lungs for Dylan to come down to feel their miracle growing inside her. She placed his hands on her stomach and he too was amazed by the little kick he felt.  

Dylan: That's amazing, the little guy is moving.  Oh he is going to be a football player that is for sure

Sandi: What if he is a she?

Dylan: Than she will be a football player.

Dylan: I think the baby is saying something.

Sandi: You are being silly now, the baby can't talk.

Dylan: Our baby is exceptional so our baby can and he is talking to me right now.

Dylan: Oh so you’re the one that wants the ice cream at 3 AM and not your mother? 

What's your pleasure tonight, Chunky Monkey or Cherry Garcia?

Sandi: Most likely Cherry Garcia tonight.

Dylan:  Angel, you know I don't mind getting anything you want, but I have to be up early tomorrow for work and I have warlock training right after.  How about I go now instead of 3 AM.

Sandi: That sounds fine.  I do think I will take a little nap while you are gone, I'm feeling a little bit tired.

Dylan held his wife close and kissed her before leaving.

Dylan: You know how much I love you.

Sandi: Not as much as I love you.

Dylan: Now go get some rest and take care of our little star.

In the darkness Dylan was grabbed from behind, he couldn't see the men but he heard two voices. They told him if he made a sound they would go into the house and take his wife too.  Dylan would die before he let them touch Sandi, so he listened to every word the men said.  

The last words he heard before he passed out were "Brandon Alto sends his regards"

Back at the house:

Sandi must have been more tired than she knew as she fell fast asleep and didn't awake until morning.

Dylan's side of the bed was cold and she didn't hear any noises in the house.  She remembered him saying he had to be the work early but she didn't think this early.

She picked up the phone and dialed his number but it went straight to voice mail.

It wasn't until she seen that Dylan's bike was still parked in front of the house that she started to worry.  Dylan might have been a science geek but he had a rebellious streak inside of him that loved that motorcycle.  He always rode his bike to work and here it was parked right in front of the house. This is when she started to panic because she knew something was wrong.

She called his job and they said he had not shown up for work and he did not call in.  Next she called to see if he showed up for warlock training and he did not.  Her next call was to Caleb and he hadn't seen him and that he would go out looking for him.

Her next call was to Jules.  Being a police officer herself she knew they had to wait 24 hours before a missing person report could be filed, but she was frantic and she asked her Uncle if there was anything they could do.  He did put out an APB on Dylan, and he assured her if they didn't find him soon every officer that he could spare would be working on the case.

The minutes seemed like hours and she was frantic with worry.  Finally the 24 hours had passed and a missing person report was filed. She paced the floors and never felt so helpless in her life.  She would be out there searching for him herself but she knew in her condition she shouldn't.  She heard the door slam and someone was walking up the stairs.  Her first thought was he is home, safe and sound

Sandi: Dylan is that you?

However this small hope led to a disappointment as it Caleb who came to give her a status report and to check on her.

Caleb: I'm sorry to say that I have nothing new to report, I was hoping he contacted you.

Sandi: This is not like him, we were so happy.  He just wouldn't leave like this.

Caleb: I agree with you, he would never just do this on his own.  We checked all the hospitals and morgues and no one with his description have been brought in and there is no activity on any of his credit cards. 

This is when Sandi lost it, all signs were leading to foul play being involved.  She hugged her brother-in-law as she started to cry her eyes out.  This couldn't be happening to her, not now when they were so happy.

Caleb: You need to stop this now, it's not good for the baby.  Are there any other leads you can possibly give us?

Sandi: Have you checked Brandon Alto?

Caleb: He was brought in for questioning, but his lawyers already have him released.  He is under surveillance and you are under police protection. 

Sandi: Don't have them worry about me, have them go out and look for Dylan.  I can take care of myself.

Caleb: I know you are worried and you are not thinking straight, what if whoever and especially if its Brandon comes here looking for you?  You cannot handle this on your own while you are in this condition.  The Police protection stays for your own good.

Now I want you to start taking care of yourself and the baby because we are going to find him and bring him home.

Months had passed by and still no one was able to find Dylan, but Sandi never gave up hope.  She called the hospitals and morgues each and every day and no Dylan.  Her due date drew closer and  she longed for the time when she could search for her husband herself.  She was determined to find her husband and to bring the person responsible aka Brandon Alto to justice.

By this time the case was becoming cold and the police protection was removed.  Caleb made sure to check up on her and visit often.

Sandi:  I want to thank you for being here so much and supporting me throughout this pregnancy.

Caleb:  I still do not feel you are safe from that psycho and Dylan wouldn't want you to be alone, so I'm going to make sure that you are not.  Dylan would want me to be here.

Caleb:  Another reason and this one I'm afraid is a bit selfish.  Dylan is the only family I have and with him gone I am all alone again.  I feel his presence in this house and I wanted to ask you if you would consider including me in the baby's life as this child is the only family I have now.

Sandi: You are the baby's uncle and I would never shut you out of his or her life, but you have more family than you know.  When I married your brother you became a part of my family and you are not alone.

It wasn't too long before the labor pains hit and Sandi needed to be taken to the hospital.

The hospital was in walking distance from her house.

And she gave birth to a baby werewolf girl.  She never discussed names again with Dylan but she remembered he called the baby our little star and that is the name she gave to her little girl, Starr.

To be continued.....