Stranger Than Fiction

May 9th -Mother's Day

Circus of the Damned

Anita sighed softly, her hand on the small curve of her stomach as she watched Nathaniel and the others decorated for the baby shower. It had taken some doing, but Nathaniel, Micah and Jason had managed to find non-traditional baby shower decorations, in other words anything that wasn't pink and blue. Being short had its advantages so did being pregnant. On the one hand anyone taller putting up decorations would make sure they would be well overhead unlike when Tammy and Larry had gotten married. On the other hand being pregnant meant no one was going to suggest that Anita simply get a step ladder. Normally she might have complained, but at 4 months along, Anita was honestly more concerned with the state of her pregnancy and how it was affecting the men in her life. After getting the all clear on Vlad's and Mowgli's she had skipped the Amnio to determine who was exactly the father. Partly because she wasn't ready to know and part not wanting to risk her pregnancy by doing the procedure. No everyone was going to just simply wait the next five months like normal people. Unlike the first pregnancy scare Anita had taken the real thing better than anyone could have expected. Why? Who knew, but it was better than sitting around wondering what she was going to do.

The only man in her life though that wasn't bursting at seams wanting to know whether he was the father or not was Damian. No the redhead vamp had been rather mum on the whole situation. Anita didn't know if it was simply because Damian didn't consider himself in the running as Dad-to-be or he didn't know how to express whatever it was he was feeling and was taking the safer route of keeping silent for the most part.

The vampire in question was up and about, helping Nicky, the werelion, stack and arrange the presents Anita had already received. It was like a small mountain really and those were just the gifts from out of state friends and allies. While it wasn't officially Jean-Claude's baby Master's of the City from around the country had sent gifts, even Obsidian Butterfly. The same went for Verne and the Tennessee Pack when it came to thinking Richard was the father. Hell even Los Lobos had sent a gift.

Because all the other vampires were invited to the party, it was being held after sunset. Zebrowski, Larry, Tammy and a few of her other co-wokers were coming. Dolph of course was staying far away from things. When the news hit that she was pregnant, Dolph had pulled away from her. He had kept his opinion to himself, but even a blind man would have seen that he was not happy with the news. He was polite but it was the sort of fake politeness that made her teeth hurt. Shaking her head, Anita took her thoughts away from Dolph and his hang ups. He'd either get used to it or he wouldn't. Of course he wasn't the only one unhappy with the news of her pregnancy,

Richard, well Richard was being himself. It wasn't common knowledge, but those in their inner circles knew there was no chance in hell that Richard was the father. It had been longer than four months since they had had sex. Unlike the first time Richard didn't jump to propose to her, but it was obvious in his eyes that he was impossibly hoping the child would be his. He had bought her a gift though, but she knew he probably wouldn't show to the party and that was fine. They weren't dating anymore. They were simply Ulfric and Lupa in name only.

Her cell phone began to chime softly with Nazareth's Hair of the dog. One of these days she was really going to talk to Nathaniel about his choice of ringtones for her phone. Pulling it out of her pocket she answered, “Yes Zerbrowski?” As much as she loved the police work Anita really wasn't in the mood to go stare at some corpse right now

“Sorry to bother you before the party Anita, but I think...no I KNOW you should come down to the office right now.” Zerbrowski sounded well, shocked but also wary. “You might want to bring Micah or Nathaniel with you.” Ok now that was strange. He wanted her to bring one of her boyfriend with her?

“Zerbrowski what is going on? It better not be some stupid surprise party or something.” Nathaniel turned his head from hanging the streamers to watch her.

“Oh its a surprise all right, but nothing on my part I swear. There is someone here who wants to speak with you and I don't think it'd be a good idea for them to just show up at the Circus looking for you.” As always Zerbrowski wasn't getting right tot he point.

“I am not coming down if you don't tell me Zerbrowski and what do you mean its a surprise.” She heard him let out a deep sigh. “You know I hate surprises and considering my current condition.”

“Which is why I said bring one of your boy toys,” another sigh. “Fine. Its a surprise because I doubt you will believe this woman any more than we do.”

“What woman? Who is she?”

“She claims to be Rosalinda Blake, your mother.”

“My WHAT?!”