Tiredly, Damon walked back to the living room after tucking Mimi into bed. His mind raced, considering his next move. What should he do first, and what was the biggest problem? Mariella topped his list. A cruel smile played on his lips as he imagined ways to make her understand her place.
He sat down on the sofa, picked up a cookbook, and began flipping through baby food and toddler food ideas. This would be new territory. He remembered the challenges of feeding the four girls before, and this time, without the magic house to help, it would be chaotic, but fun, at least in some ways. Soon, Damon heard footsteps as Charles and Adam entered. Both looked worried.
Charles spoke first, "Mariella is still eating. I made her eat what she should, not just live on the bump; she needs vitamins and such. Now, we should discuss our mothers-to-be."
Damon nodded, placed the cookbook on the table, and said, "Mariella has hooked me again with pheromones, meaning she's tethered to me, not Mimi. I blew it, shit, I know it, and I was weak. I've loosened a lot of the Salvatore hive, almost dismantling it, so she shouldn't be able to take them so easily. I just...I mean, she's been hormonal before, but Mimi...she just somehow...got me. I just lost it. She was such..."
Adam interrupted, "There's a reason. She gets mean when her glucose drops below 50 mg/dl. The doctor told her to try to keep it at least at 70 mg/dl, but Colin's invention helps her. Colin gave her IMGMI, or an intra-muscular glucometer implant, his latest invention. It's connected to her phone, mapping her sugars in five levels, and alerts her phone when they dip too low. Now, have you read about Mimi's molecular batteries?"
Damon furrowed his brow. "Nope, what are those? The implant is good, but she needs at least 120 mg/dl, not just 70 mg/dl. I wish we could check on Mariella's levels as well."
Charles nodded and said, "Colin found out about this just before, when he got his new electron microscope with a quantum processor. He was curious, so he took some of Mimi's blood and examined it. This microscope can analyze liquid and living samples, so it doesn't require the sample to be dry. He saw these almost-new molecular boxes. Mimi makes the boxes from caffeine, sugars, several amino acids, and citrus, and then loads them with more sugars, as well as lifeforce from blood, essentially making them batteries. Unfortunately, they are single-use and degrade once empty, making them difficult to recycle. She constantly needs to make new ones. Colin wrote about this in her medical files, where you can read the scientific explanation."
Damon took a breath and said, "No wonder she lacks sugar. Those boxes are quirky and unique, but also incredibly wasteful. There's not much we can do but keep fueling her, ensuring she can make her batteries. I'll read up on it and see if I can come up with any ideas. Do we have any idea if they're inherited? Did Colin check the girls?"
Adam shook his head and said, "He didn't have time. It took him a while to learn how to use his new microscope, and this was a surprise even for him. I don't know if we can find them using magic or energy."
Damon was deep in thought, unusually quiet. This was yet another complication, something new, and he sometimes hated surprises, especially when they were this significant. He was now facing something entirely new biologically.
Charles added, "I've tried to lessen her stressors, as they're not helping. Being packleader isn't easy, especially with these rules. I was hoping to spend more time with her during Thanksgiving, but these financial matters need to be dealt with, and it's not simple. There's so much to do, and despite having a few weeks off, I'm hoping I can be there for her, but there's just stuff that needs to get done."
Damon looked up as he heard footsteps. Mariella walked in and headed straight for him, but a sharp look from Damon made her sit down.
She said, "What's so special about finances? We get paid, Mimi has reserved money, and we have food. Why the long faces?"
Charles said, his voice deceptively calm, "It's not that simple, not at all. We have a lot of bills to pay, pack taxes, and I should have time to look at Mimi's finances at some point, which are also not simple."
Damon said, almost lazily, "Tell me more. Maybe we can work together on this."
Charles responded, "Well, let's start with taxes. They're due four times a year, meaning I need to file a return for them. Our tax rate is 13.5 percent on all earnings above the threshold, and certain assets are also taxed. However, there are also deductions that can ease the burden."
Mariella said, "It doesn't sound like so much. Thirteen and a half percent isn't a lot."
Charles took a breath and explained further. "The current threshold is $250,000 per year. Everything above that is taxed, and this is our combined earnings. Now, I need to see if Mimi's situation will provide us with deductions, or your pregnancy. But since Mimi is already in the highest risk classification, meaning her insurance premiums are the highest, I'm not sure. And since she earns enough not to be on state insurance, there might not be many deductions there."
Mariella again said, "But $250,000 is a lot of money. I'm not sure if we make that much."
Damon furrowed his brow and said, "First, divide it among all of us—25 of us. Then divide that by 12. That gives you an idea of how much you can earn in a month before the threshold. I know I earn a lot."
Charles said, "I make about $97,000 per year. So, Adam and I, plus the boys, already make almost that much. Add in the ten Salvatores, Mimi, the girls, and you, and we're well past the threshold."
Mariella nodded, still trying to calculate it in her mind.
Damon said, sounding condescending, "Darling, $250,000 divided by 25 is $10,000. You surely make more than $10,000 a year, right? Because $10,000 divided by 12 is a little over $830 a month, and this is before taxes. Your hourly wage is about $35 per hour. You work 25-30 hours a week, four weeks a month. That's $3,500-$4,200 per month, so your yearly earnings are about $50,000. Mimi makes less, maybe half, or a little more, but she has to upkeep her shop, make sure she has something to sell, and pay taxes on sales. Her insurance is high, so you can have some idea of how complicated this all is."
Mariella pursed her mouth. Damon's tone made her feel like an idiot, which, in her current understanding, she was.
Adam stated, "Of course, you won't get it all yourself. You pay around 20-30% in taxes, and then we have to factor in food, car maintenance, and all our other necessities. There are also numerous bills to pay. Once the children arrive, things could become even more challenging. You should make sure you understand which benefits to apply for and how much you'll receive. Let Charles know, so he can file our taxes on time and stay on top of everything."
Charles replied, "I've excluded Mimi from groceries, gasoline, and electricity expenses for us, given her shop's financial demands. I'm also trying to find time to compare insurance options, but she wants to keep her current doctor, so I'm not sure if a change is possible. Besides, since she's in the highest risk category, other companies are likely to be equally expensive. I know she has some cash saved, but we'll need it for the children's education and other expenses. Benefits can only help so much. I'm unsure about the specifics of the jobseeker's allowance and whether supernaturals are eligible."
Damon nodded and said, "I think we need to make time for this soon. I'll see if I can take a day or two off to focus on getting our finances in order and also address the women's health, nutrition, and other needs."
Mariella whined, "Remember, Damon, we have an appointment on Thursday to see our three."
Damon rolled his eyes but told Charles, "I'll see if I can get Thursday and Friday free. We might have time to focus on the money matters then."
Adam turned to Mariella and asked, "Do you know why you're all hormonal, needy, whiny, and emotional? It's actually quite simple."
Mariella responded, defensively, "I'm just hormonal, but this is all just so overwhelming. I'm not sure I can do this."
Charles smiled, finding this amusing. He said, "Actually, the so-called Bible touches upon this. It's somewhat logical, but let me try to explain it. Even if it won't be particularly helpful, it might help you understand a little better. There are several pregnancy hormones, like estrogen, in you. One is called VASH-estrogen, meaning vampire-shifter estrogen. Then there's progesterone, also VASH, and then we have VASH CG, meaning vampire shifter chorionic gonadotropin, as well as relaxin and oxytocin, all for us."
Mariella muttered, "No wonder I'm all over the place if there's chaos with hormones inside me."
Adam began, "You see, the situation is different this time. Normally, during pregnancy, hormone levels surge significantly, maintaining a stable, albeit short, supernatural pregnancy. You just shift gears. One minute it is normal and the next, you are pregnant, hormones sky-high, and your body adjusts that fast. However, this time, the levels are rising slowly and less predictably, mirroring human pregnancies."
Damon, understanding, smiled. "Of course. You become horny as your estrogen rises, and when oxytocin is released during sex, you get emotional, because your body is more sensitive. You crave more love, but lust muddies things, turning everything into sex, leaving you fixated on the high of being loved."
Charles added, "In Mimi's case, this means she loses her temper more easily. Her control over her rage is weakened, and she's more reactive to her hypoglycemia, which intensifies the hormonal effects. Now, at nine weeks and three days, her hormones should be peaking, possibly leading to a slight leveling up, but we can't be certain, especially with the ongoing morning sickness and the unpredictable nature of the babies. And that's where the real problem lies."
Adam continued, "It's similar to VENOMS recovery phase, but their neurotransmitters aren't burned out. They're simply experiencing the effects of their hormones more intensely, potentially leading to increased pheromone use. This is a major stressor for Mimi, as she hates losing control and doesn't want to be ruled by her hormones. This brings us back to the core dilemma, making it even harder to solve."
Mariella, silent, was clearly attempting to gauge her own hormonal state and whether she could control it.
Damon inquired, "What dilemma?"
Adam explained, "To calm Mimi's babies, to help them feel loved and cared for, as things aren't going well. She's irate, and it's affecting the babies. Wulfe is attempting a potion, but the babies are concealing their abilities, refusing to be bound. They are telepathic, empathic, and fully aware of the plans here. These babies are complicating things, and Mimi is overwhelmed by both her hormones and the babies' influence."
Charles's voice was firm and cold as he addressed Mariella: "You, back to the kitchen. Eat more. There are three trays on your shelf; eat them. Then, go have a nap and rest. This will be hard for you, even though you've only been working here a short time. Mental work burns calories, and I'm not talking about your arithmetic. This job is new to you, and you need to adjust and rest."
Mariella obeyed. Charles was the pack leader, and his voice held steel. She rose, walked to the kitchen, and began to eat without questioning his order. For her, obeying the pack leader was innate. She was more of a pack animal. Or perhaps, Mariella had to admit the truth to herself, a truth she had denied for a long time because it didn't sound good. She was weak.
She was a member of the pack with no chance to rebel or even dream of challenging the pack leader, let alone being one. Weak people obeyed the strong, who kept them safe, like Damon had, and now, like Charles. Mariella wasn't jealous, not exactly, but she was needy. She needed this caring, companionship, someone to hold her, to keep her close, to let her be weak, and she wanted everyone to show her this.
As she ate, many thoughts raced through her mind. This time, she ate properly and started to feel full. She had also drunk a lot of coffee, but it was affecting her body differently, not as a stimulant. She was becoming drowsy before she finished her last plate. A nap sounded really nice right about now, a long, nice nap.
She would digest this mountain of food and then... well, she wasn't sure what to do after her nap, maybe eat some more. It would be a workday again tomorrow. Funny, despite the challenges, she was actually enjoying her work, and part of her was irritated by her pregnancy, as it meant she wouldn't be able to work all the time.
Damon smiled smugly, waiting for her to leave before speaking to Charles.
He said, "Well done. I'm beginning to see the benefits of you being packleader."
He paused, then continued, "Which leads me to my next point. This isn't jealousy, but perhaps it's my alpha side speaking. I don't think Mimi should be the packleader. You just told Mariella she needs to rest, and Mimi's job is already hard enough. Having her lead for two weeks isn't ideal. I'm not aiming to be packleader all the time, not yet anyway. But I think I should be considered, especially while you're driving. I have experience, expertise, and power. The boys can be backup, meaning they would be my subs if I need to work, be on call, or, you know, in case I make a mistake – meaning, be with Mariella. What I mean is, the order of succession should be revised."
Charles leaned back, and Adam was smiling.
Charles turned to Adam and said, "Well, it seems I owe you ten bucks."
Adam was smug, and Damon rolled his eyes. It seemed he'd been a little predictable, as they had made a bet on when he would try to become packleader again. But then again, he felt he had given a good proposition, and he wasn't wrong. Females' health and well-being were the first thing that mattered, above all else. Well, maybe when babies were born, they might be more important, but still.
The men briefly discussed various matters. Damon gleaned a few ideas about what to do, while Charles was not entirely convinced Damon should be pack leader in his absence; he was still considering it. For now, they would have to learn to be husbands to two extremely hormonal creatures: one who didn't filter her words and another who took everything as a personal insult.
Talk about a complicated pack, but that's what made this time special. It was potentially a brand new start for all of them. Damon was already mentally planning financial matters, even though he didn't have all the facts yet, but he had some direction. He had also sent the new medical information to number four, who was less than impressed that Damon had been weak, acting as a "pussy slave" instead of a doctor.
Damon was already planning a similar implant for Mariella; of course, they would first measure her glucose to see if she needed one. Damon also wanted Mimi's alerts to come to his phone, Charles's phone, and indeed all the men's phones, so someone would notice if Missy was getting antsy, ensuring they were ready to make sure her "little special batteries" were primed and ready.
For everyone, the future looked a little brighter. Damon leaned back, considering his next steps. He knew he would need to work closely with Charles on the pack's finances. He reasoned that more minds would be beneficial, and he also needed to be fully informed in case he became pack leader.
This meant he would be responsible for tasks such as filing tax returns and paying bills. Furthermore, he wanted to show Mimi that they were there for her. He recalled plucking the idea of an accountant from Mimi's mind, as she idly considered her business's finances. Damon knew there would be no outside accountants; the pack would handle it.
He hadn't spoken to Charles yet, but he had sent word to the Salvatores. Some of them were more knowledgeable about accounting and bookkeeping than others. Number Four was particularly interested in her special batteries. He had gone to the medbay to read about them, and to Damon's surprise, Number Five had told him that his protector radar had begun to upgrade.
It wasn't complete, but it started as soon as Damon learned about the batteries. Damon wasn't sure if he would also receive an updated radar, but he was determined to have one. They would then have even more tools to support and help Mimi. With this knowledge came responsibility, but also authority. Mimi would soon learn how to obey them as well.