Forever Knight was a popular TV show with a substantial cult following. The show aired from 1992-1996.  Since the show’s cancellation, many fans have written fan fiction stories, extending the story or allowing the characters to pursue relationships that were denied on the show.  Season of Change is an extension of Nick and Natalie’s forbidden romance, and my version of what actually could have happened to these two dynamic characters.  

Author’s Personal Note:  In my Forever Knight world, the last TV episode, ‘Last Knight’, never happened.  Call it denial, but the Nick that I grew to know and love would never have drained Nat, and left her on a cold, cement floor to die.  And LaCroix, Nick’s vampire master and father, would never end the life of his precious son.  ‘Last Knight’ was an attempt to quickly end the show, but the fans refuse to let these wonderful characters die.

This book is dedicated to my husband, Bruce, and my two daughters, Tara and Tasha, who have tolerated, and encouraged my writing for many years.  Thanks, guys for all the support!

I would like to thank Bruce, my devoted husband, for the love and patience he shows me daily.  I also want to thank him for the technical support he provides for my web sites. Without his dedication, none of my writing projects or web pages would be possible.  Bruce, you’re my knight, and I’ll love you for an eternity, and more… forever.

I would like to thank several friends for the help they gave me with this book.  Donna Welborn, my number one fan.  She’s always there to kick my butt, listen to my ideas, and beta read my work.  Her encouragement and enthusiasm for my ideas fuel the fire to write.  

The other person is Phyllis Russ, who constantly nags me to keep writing more chapters and stories.  Thanks to Phyllis and her request, this book evolved from one of my Forever Knight Stories.  Thanks, gals, you two are my sister’s in the Knight, and I love you dearly.  

A special thanks goes to Ray Perlee, who is my personal trainer and friend.  He always patiently listens to my crazy ideas.  When I was having a difficult time deciding on a title, he was the one who suggested ‘Season of Change’.  I instantly loved it!  

He was brought across in 1228, preyed on humans for their blood. Now he wants to be mortal again, to repay society for his sins, to emerge from his world of darkness, from his endless, forever knight.

Nicholas de Brabant, known throughout the centuries by many different names, is in his present persona, Nick Knight.  Nicholas, a vampire, lived in darkness, relishing in his bloodlust and power for centuries.  A chance meeting with Joan of Arc caused him to question his life as a vampire, the result—he hated what he’d become.  He wishes to regain his soul, and regain his mortality, to love and die, as it should have been centuries ago.

Throughout the centuries, Nick held many occupations, but the last century he’s tried to repent by helping mortals.  His desire to repay society, led him to his present day employment, a homicide detective in Toronto.  

Six years earlier, Nick was presumed dead after a pipe bomb attack.  He tried to protect mortals from the deadly explosion, and succeeded, but was injured for his effort.  Nick was brought to Toronto’s morgue where the coroner, Dr. Natalie Lambert, was working late.  Nick Knight regenerated on her exam table, revealing his true nature.  

The creature and man fascinated Natalie, instead of frightening her. The vampire Code, to hypnotize a mortal to forget or kill them if they should have knowledge of vampires, is strictly enforced. Killing Natalie wasn’t an option since Nick hadn’t killed in over a century. Nick tried hypnotizing Natalie, but she was a resistor, someone who can’t be hypnotized.  Once she discovered Nick hated being a vampire, and wanted to regain his mortality, she offered to help him in his search for a cure. Trust and friendship between the two eventually led to forbidden love.

Nick and Nat haven’t consummated their love.  Vampires and mortals don’t play house—the results can be deadly for the mortal.  Vampires are sexual creatures, but to complete the sexual act they must consume their lover’s blood.  Should they ever indulge in this forbidden love, Nick fears he’ll lose control, and in a fit of passion, drain Natalie—killing her.  

Nick’s vampirism isn’t the only thing preventing an intimate relationship with Natalie.  Almost 800 years ago, Nick’s vampire father, LaCroix, fell in love with Nick’s mortal sister.  LaCroix wanted to bring her across, to be his eternal companion, but Nick wouldn’t allow it. He saved Fleur, his sister, by making a bargain with LaCroix, promising, ‘if I ever truly fall in love with a mortal, then you shall have your retribution, by claiming my mortal love and denying me the relationship.’  Nick fears LaCroix will kill or bring Natalie across if he should discover Nick’s true feelings for the mortal.

Nick and Natalie’s other obstacle is the Enforcers, the Vampire police. If the Enforcers discover Natalie’s knowledge of vampires, she and Nick will be killed.

Nick and Natalie have danced around their feelings for years, both afraid to verbally admit their love to the other. All relationships have a turning point, either to move forward or end.  Sometimes fate has a way of making our decisions for us.  Are these two destined to be together, to love forever, or will destiny set them on a different path?  Can they escape the tragedies of forbidden love?

“Damn, him to Hell!” Natalie slammed the apartment door, and dropped her coat onto the entry bench. She kicked her shoes off with so much force that one hit the wall, leaving a long, black mark.  “Great, another freaking paint job.”

Sydney, her cat, remained on the sofa, curled in a tight ball, obviously avoiding her.

“Damn you, Nick!”  She threw her briefcase down on the kitchen table, and jerked open the refrigerator door.  The plastic bottle of salad dressing fell to the floor. “Why do I let him do this to me?” She put the container back on the shelf, and grabbed the bottle of Chardonnay, filled her glass, and headed to the sofa.

Sydney, remained still, his eyes following her.  “Hey there, boy, how’s my little guy?”  Natalie scratched under the feline’s chin, and rubbed behind his ear.  “Syd, you’re the only male I can count on.  At least I know ‘you’ love me. And that’s something I can’t say about a certain male we both know.”  

She continued to rub behind Syd’s ear, occasionally allowing her hand to stroke the length of his back, causing a deep rumbling sound in his throat.  “Damn it, Syd, I’m tired of Nick’s angst.  His moods change faster than the Toronto weather.  One minute I think he has deep feelings for me, the next he treats me like a casual acquaintance.   Well, guess what, old boy?  Your mother is done with him.”  

She sipped her wine, holding it in her mouth, before letting the sweet nectar slide down her throat, warming her from within.  “I hate to spend Christmas alone, but I have to break the ties.” She took another sip, and scratched Syd under his chin.  “This is it!  I’m done with Nick!  He can go stand in the morning sun, and turn into a pile of ashes for all I care.  I’m tired of being used.  He wants me when he needs me, but never thinks about my feelings.  Well, guess what?  Nick Knight no longer exists in Natalie Lambert’s world.  Nope!  Poof, he’s gone.”

Silence filled the apartment, except for the purr of her cat as she continued to stroke him.  She felt so alone. Tears escaped and slowly ran down her cheeks.  “Oh, Syd.  What am I going to do?  He makes me so damn mad, but I love him.  I’ll always love him.  Why can’t he be a normal, mortal man?  I know, I know, if he was, then I probably wouldn’t be attracted to him.”

Syd pawed at his mom’s hand, his purring got louder.

“Damn, him.”

She laughed.  “Nick would say he’s ‘already damned’.”  She took another sip of her drink, sat the glass on the table, and picked up the cat, holding him in front of her.  Syd looked at her, as if he were trying to understand.  “But he’s not, Syd.  And neither would I be, if he brought me across.”

Nat gently lowered the cat to the floor.  She picked up a pillow, held it to her, her thoughts drifted to the earlier incident.

Nick entered the morgue, flashing her his famous cherubic, innocent smile. Nat looked at him, her attention no longer focused on her nightly reports.  “Hi, Nat.  Anything new on the Madison case?”

Her heart sped up the moment she saw him.  He always had that effect on her.  “Nick, I told you I’d call if I found anything new, and I haven’t.”  Nat picked up another file, and tried to take steady breaths, to calm her racing heart.

“I know, but I thought maybe you had found something, and hadn’t the time to call.”

Nat arched a brow and looked at him.  “Nick, is there another reason you’ve decided to grace my humble establishment?”  She walked over to the file cabinet, and filed the latest report. She turned around just in time to see his reaction.

He shuffled the toe of his shoe, his eyes never making contact with hers.  “Well, I was wondering if you’ve made plans for Christmas?  I didn’t want you spending it alone.”

Her heart skipped a beat.  There was nothing she could wish for more than spending the holidays with Nick.  “Well…” She paused, hoping he would offer a plan for them to be together, at least on Christmas Day.  She knew they had the next two weeks off. Nick never booked off for vacations, but he had this time.  She’d seen it posted on the schedule board at the precinct.

“Its just…well…I have plans, and I wanted to make sure you weren’t alone. I know how many hours you work.  Nat, you need a break. Take some time, go see Sarah and Amy, see some friends, you need that.”

Her chest constricted.  Her heart felt as if it had been torn to shreds, all blood flow ceased.  He had plans; he wasn’t planning on spending the holiday with her.  She felt her neck muscles tense, and tears stung the back of her eyes.  Why had she allowed herself to even think he would want to celebrate the holiday with her?  She swallowed, clearing her throat of the lump that had lodged there. She had her voice and emotions under control, her professional mask intact.

“Nick, you’re right, I do spend too much time here. I think a visit with Amy and Sarah would be good for me.  Maybe if I call now, I can still get a decent rate on a flight to Montreal for Christmas.”

Confused, Natalie raised her brow; she wasn’t sure what she’d just witnessed.  Nick remained silent.  His expression hadn’t been consistent with his words.  Had she just seen disappointment flash across his face?  She leaned against her desk and pinched the bridge of her nose.  Damn, dealing with Nick would cause any woman to have a headache, and the way her temples were beginning to throb, she was certainly on the verge of getting one now.

“So, care to share your plans?”  The words were out of her mouth before she had time to think.

Nick looked at the floor, shuffled his toe again, before sheepishly looking at her.  He shrugged.  “Oh, you know…what most people do for the holiday…”

“No, I don’t know.”

“Just spend some time with friends, try to make their holiday a little brighter…”

You mean Janette and LaCroix, she thought, but didn’t dare ask.  “Hmmm, well that sounds like fun.”

“Yeah, I guess.”  His voice betrayed the perfect nonchalant mask he wore.  He didn’t seem excited about his plans, and that pleased her, because his plans didn’t include her.  Don’t be a bitch, Nat. She silently chided herself.

Natalie started to turn away, but Nick caught her arm, stopping her.  She looked at his hand, and then at him, once again puzzled at his behavior.  He acted different than his usual peculiar antics.  “So, are you going to book that flight, visit Sarah and Amy?”

“Yep.”  Her answer was a defensive reaction.  She wouldn’t allow him to see her disappointment, to know he’d hurt her.  Damn him.   She’d thought all the things they’d been through, including Schanke’s death, had brought them closer together.

He rubbed his hand up and down her arm in a soothing caress.  “Nat…I want you happy.”

She wondered what the hell was going on.

“I know you do, and I want you happy too.”  She gave him a half smile.

Their eyes locked, silence filled the room.  She was surprised when he pulled her into his arms, and covered her mouth with his. Her hands caught between them, her body trapped by his embrace.  She pressed against his chest, and slightly resisted.  His head tilted, his tongue dusted across her warm, moist mouth.  His kiss became more demanding as he pulled her tighter against him. She no longer resisted, but surrendered to all of her built up passion.

Her arms locked around his neck, her mouth eagerly accepted his.  He slowly backed them against the door, and locked it without breaking the kiss.  His tongue continued to sensually stroke hers.  A glowing ember shot through her body, and burst into a glorious flame of raw sexual desire. Her knees weakened, but Nick held her tighter, covering the length of her body with his, pressing her against the wall.  

She could feel his hard arousal pushing against her thigh as he pressed his lower body closer to hers.  Instinctively, her body rubbed against him.  She began to move in a slow movement that only lovers know. Nick groaned as his kiss became more forceful.  His tongue plunged in and out of her mouth in the sweetest oral dance she’d ever experienced. Her mouth joined his, stroke for stroke. All she could think about was how wonderful this felt.  She’d been waiting a long time for him to show her this type of passion.

He broke the kiss, and pressed his lips to her neck.  “Nat…” His voice was raspy.  “I’ve wanted to do that forever.”  His mouth gently sucked her earlobe, his tongue tracing the curve of her ear.  Shivers shot through her body, causing a wet release of warmth to dampen her panties.  She knew he could smell her arousal, because his low seductive voice whispered into her ear. “Do you want me, Nat?”

“Yes,” she whispered against his neck.  

“I want you, too.” His cool breath touched her ear, his voice deep and sensual. He lifted her into his arms in one swift movement, and gently laid her on the gurney.  He took off his black leather duster, and lay down beside her.

Nick closed his eyes, and caressed her cheek, as if he was memorizing it for an eternity. “Nat…” His voice was coarse.  She heard the desire in the way he said her name, and saw his restraint when his jaw muscle tightened.  She waited, letting him make the next move.  A long silence fell over the room before he opened his eyes to reveal the golden-green glow of the vampire.   

He started to speak, but she touched his lips with her fingertips, silencing him.  “It’s okay, Nick.  I want you, all of you, and this is a part of what and who you are.  I’m not afraid. ”

Without speaking he pulled her into his arms, rolling her to her side to face him.  Again he kissed her, gentle at first, then with a passion she’d never experienced.  Suddenly she felt his fangs descend.  Her tongue stroked each one. She knew she played a dangerous game, but she continued. She’d dreamed of sharing this type of intimacy with him, and now that it was happening, she was determined to not be the one to stop.

Nick eagerly accepted her tongue exploring his fangs. The sensations of her warm tongue caused him to moan as his erection tightened.  He pulled her closer to his body, and pushed his arousal against her.  He reached between them and with one hand started to unbutton her blouse.  His hand froze.  He tasted blood, her blood.  He pushed her away from him. “Nat! What have you done?” The look on his face was full of disbelief.

Her mouth gapped open in surprise, a drop of blood rested on her lip.  Her tongue had been accidentally cut on his razor sharp canines. Her blood had touched his tongue, allowing him the first taste of her essence.  “Nick…I…it was…”

He looked at her, his brow wrinkled in a frown, his facial expression one of shock.  “I have to go.  We shouldn’t have…” He abruptly slid off the gurney. “I’ll see you later, Nat.”  He grabbed his leather duster, and rushed out of the morgue.  He never looked back to see her still on the gurney, dazed and frustrated.

“Oh, Nick, why can’t you just try to give us a chance?”  Natalie hugged the sofa pillow tighter.  “Damn you.” The bitter tears she’d been holding back broke free, and slid down her face.  She sobbed,  “Oh Nick…” She buried her face in the pillow, muffling her sobs.  

Natalie looked over at Syd, who was patiently sitting at her feet.  “Damn him, Syd, he’s never going to change.  We came so close tonight, but once again, he denied us what could have been.  Well, I can’t do this any more.  He’s stolen my heart, but I want it back.  I’m done with him!”  

She quickly stood, threw the pillow across the room, and went into her bathroom.  She could still smell his cologne on her.  She’d always embraced his scent, but not now.  Her intentions were to wash away every trace of him, including any thoughts and desires she’d ever had for Nick Knight—if only that were possible.
 






Nick jerked the lift’s metal door open, causing a loud, metallic roar to thunder through his loft.  The deafening blast echoed his emotions.  He was feeling many things. The entire drive home, his damned erection had throbbed with lust and desire for Natalie.  The taste of her blood only increased his sexual sensations.  His head pounded with confusion.  How had he let things get out of control?  His anger at her for allowing such a careless, but erotic moment, to release her sweet blood, vibrated through his entire body.  He was still in shock. After six years of fighting his strongest desire, to taste her, know her, it had finally happened.

How could Nat have done that?  He’d wanted her. He’d always wanted her.  Every part of him wanted her, including the vampire.  All these years, he’d wanted nothing more than to be with her in every way.  The need to take her life’s essence inside of him, to feel her flow through his veins, to know her like no other, had been overwhelming.  And now he did know her, all of her.  He’d only tasted a few drops of her precious elixir, but it had been enough to call to his Beast like no other ever had or would.  

Damn, her!  What had she been thinking when she had carelessly impaled her tongue on his fang?  Did she place such little value on her life?  He could still taste and feel her, inside of him. He reached for the bottle of cold, cow’s blood, uncorked it with his teeth, spitting the cork across the kitchen floor.  He allowed the blood to drain down the back of his throat, but it brought little comfort.  Cow’s blood, or even another human’s, would never satisfy him again.  No.  No blood would ever satisfy him again, but that of Natalie Lambert’s.  

He took another deep swig and swallowed.  Nothing mixed with his blood, but a cold emptiness, no fire, no emotions. Nothing compared to Nat’s blood.  Even after half a bottle of bovine, he could still feel her blood’s fire rushing through his own.  So hot with desire for him, her blood told him everything. She wanted him, all of him, including the vampire. She loved him unconditionally, no matter what he’d done in the past.  Tonight, he’d seen it all.  She wanted to be like him, to be with him for an eternity, and that scared the hell out of him, because that was his deepest fantasy and desire.  He’d never admitted it, not even to himself, but now, after tasting her blood, he could no longer deny it.

He slammed the fridge door, and ignored the bottles of blood he’d knocked over.  Damn it!  No, this wasn’t her fault; it was entirely his.  He’d known never to unleash his true desire for Natalie.  He’d always made sure his feelings were buried, never allowing them to surface.  From the beginning, he’d been acutely aware of what the consequences would be if he ever let down his guard, even for a minute.  And a minute was all it had taken to undo six years of self-control.

What the hell had he been thinking when he’d pulled her into his arms, locked the door, and laid down with her on the gurney?  Damn, he wanted her, all of her.  He’d totally lost his senses taking her like that.  Had he really thought he could control himself, control his Vampire?  Even if he hadn’t tasted her blood…just what the hell had he intended to do?  Would he have attempted making mortal love to her in the morgue?  What kind of man would take the woman he treasured, the only woman he’d truly loved, in a cold, sterile, public place?  No man.  Only an animal would do that.  Natalie deserved a lot more than that.  She deserved a man to make slow, passionate love to her in a soft bed, with a room lit by candlelight.  That image flashed in his mind, and he was the man loving her.  He pushed that thought away, because it was too dangerous.

Now after he had tasted her, felt their bloods mix, he wanted more.  He threw the half-empty, bottle against the loft’s brick wall, and watched the thick, red blood run slowly, down the brick’s mortar path, until it pooled on the cold, cement floor.  Blood.  His entire world revolved around the blood.  Could he bring Nat into this bloody hell? What was he going to do?  He couldn’t be near her, he didn’t dare.  He’d taken the most intimate part of her into him.  Every cell of his body now knew her completely, and demanded more.  If he hadn’t left the morgue as quickly as he had, he would have taken her then and there, and to hell with the consequences.

Damn, he wanted to hold her in his arms, feel her naked body pressed beneath his, to enter her warm body as he felt his fangs pierce her delicate skin, to once again taste her warm blood flow into him.  He rubbed across his lips with the back of his shaky hand.  He couldn’t stop thinking about the feel of his tongue deep inside her warm, seductive mouth.  Thinking about her only made his damn erection throb more.  No woman, not even Janette, had ever made him ache like this.  He reached down and rubbed the front of his jeans, trying to ease the pain.

He needed to stay away from her, to keep her safe, safe from his Beast. Thoughts of leaving town crossed his mind, but he knew that wasn’t an option.  He had to be near Nat, even if he couldn’t see her.  His heart knew even if he did leave, it would be only a matter of time before he returned to claim what was his, or at least what the Vampire thought was his.  The way his body was reacting to her sweet nectar scared the hell out of him.  He knew he’d left her in the morgue, hurt and frustrated, and that tore at his heart.  He should go to her, or at least phone her, but his inner turmoil wouldn’t allow him to see her, at least not yet.   He didn’t dare go to her, because he knew he would lose what little control he had left.  “Damn it, Nat! I want you, but it can never be.”  

He blew out the candle, grabbed another bottle of bovine blood, and headed up the stairs.  This was going to be the worse day of his life.  He doubted he’d ever fall asleep, not until he did something about his damn erection.  The bovine blood diluted Nat’s essence, but a part of her still mixed with his blood, permeating his senses.  She didn’t know she was now marked with his scent, forever his for the taking.  There were things Natalie didn’t know, secrets a vampire never shared with a mortal.  He’d never attempted to taste her sweetness; to do so condemned her forever.

“Hey, girl, you leaving tonight for Montreal?”

Nat glanced at Grace.  When she finished this report, her Christmas vacation would begin. After what had happened between her and Nick last week, she’d been avoiding him and everyone else.  She didn’t feel like being sociable with anyone who might ask about him, the holiday, or their relationship.

She closed the file, and shoved it into the out box.  “Yes, my vacation begins in…” she paused, looking at her watch, “well…actually it began five minutes ago”

“How long are you going to be gone, and is Nick going with you?”

She didn’t want to lie to Grace.  She carefully chose her words.  “My vacation is for two weeks.  I’ll be back after the New Year.” She forced a smile.  “And why would you think Nick would be coming with me?”

Grace put her hand on her hip, and sighed.  “Nat!  Why don’t you stop pretending?  You two are in love with each other…hell, the entire precinct and morgue knows it.  I don’t know why you both deny it.  So, is he going with you or not?”

“Grace, you need to control your romantic fantasies, and stop trying to portray me and Nick in them.  I’m spending the holidays without him, and as far as Nick is concerned…well…he has plans with friends.”

“You’re kidding?  Grace folded her arms across her chest, and waited for an answer.

“Grace, please.”

“Nat, I don’t understand.  Why wouldn’t you two be together?  I mean this is a time for family…love…being with the people who mean the most…”

“Damn it, Grace!’  Nat hadn’t meant to raise her voice, but she could still feel the sting from Nick’s rejection.  Talking about him only threatened to bring back the tears that she’d shed the past week.  She took a deep breath, and softened her voice.  “Grace, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell at you, but Nick and I have decided to take a breather. All we do is work.  We’ve fallen into a mundane routine. We both think it would be best for us to get away, and experience a complete change from our every day lives.”  

Nat reached for her coat, and turned her back to Grace.  She hoped if she acted nonchalant Grace would drop this conversation, but that wasn’t Grace’s nature.

“Nat, Hon, I don’t believe you. I don’t know what’s going on, but I know what I see. You two are in love.  When I see you and Nick together, and the way you look at each other, it’s so obvious.  Just remember, if you ever want to talk, I’m always available.  Please promise me something?”

Nat didn’t bother to deny it further; it was useless. Grace knew her too well.  She turned back to Grace, dreading whatever she was going to say.  “And what would that be?” She asked as she buttoned her coat, and slid her scarf around her neck.

“Promise me that you won’t give up on the blonde guy.”

“Excuse me?”

“Nat, I know the man can be reserved.  You know what I mean, with his emotions…just don’t get it into your head that he doesn’t care, or doesn’t love you.  Don’t give up on him…at least, not yet.”

An unwilling smile crept across Nat’s face.  She shook her head in disbelief.  “Nick doesn’t know he has his own fan club over here.  Okay, Grace, I promise, I won’t blow him off, but don’t go trying to fix something that never was.  Promise me that?”

Grace looked at her, and smirked.  “What ever you say, Nat.”

Nat shook her head, and hugged Grace.  “Merry Christmas.”  She kissed her friend on the cheek, grabbed her briefcase and left the morgue before Grace could start another lecture on her and Nick’s love life, or what Grace thought was their love life.

“Merry Christmas, Nat.  I hope you get everything you want.”  Grace barely whispered to the closed door.

Nat juggled the two grocery bags and briefcase, trying not to drop them as she opened her apartment door.  

“Meow…eow.”  Syd wrapped himself around her leg the minute she stepped inside.  He slid his body around her calf, and continued his usual figure-eight dance between her feet.  He rubbed the left side of his face against her leg several times, stood on his hind legs, kneading her thigh with his front paws.  His extended, front claws caught in her winter coat.

“Easy tiger.  I know you’re hungry.  I have your kitty gourmet dinner right here, if you’ll give me a minute.”

“Meow, Meow, eow”

Natalie sat the groceries on the kitchen table, slid out of her coat, and grabbed the can of gourmet cat food.  She dumped the food in Syd’s bowl, where he eagerly attacked the delicacy.  She put the perishables in the refrigerator, and started putting the remaining groceries away.

“Ring, ring, ring”  

The phone startled her.  She hoped it wasn’t the morgue calling her back in for another shift because someone didn’t come in.  She was on vacation, but if they needed her, they wouldn't hesitate to call.  If she had to go back in without sleep, she would kill someone.  She could just see the headlines now, ‘Death Job Causes Death’.  Toronto’s city coroner arrested for murder…front page.  Damn, she needed sleep—her humor stunk!

Ring, ring, ring.

“Enjoy, Syd.  You have another surprise tomorrow, since its Christmas.

“Ring, ring, ring…”

“I’m coming, I’m coming.”  She pulled the scarf from around her neck, and threw it over her coat as she went to answer the phone.

“Hello.”

“Nat?” He remained quiet.  When she didn’t answer he asked, “Nat?  Are you there?”

“Yes, Nick, I’m here.”

Another long pause passed before Nick continued.  “Nat, are you okay?”

Natalie could feel her anger beginning to boil.  “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Nat, I’m sorry.”

“Nick, you usually are.  I need to…”

“Nat, please…please don’t hang up.”

Damn him. Tears stung the back of her eyes. After the past week of crying a damn waterfall, she’d thought it impossible to cry. She bit her lower lip, and swallowed, trying to clear her throat of the tightness.  She would not allow her voice to betray her emotions.  She didn’t speak.  After what seemed forever, she once again heard his voice.

“Nat…please listen to me.  I know I should have called you before now, to explain what happened, but…I didn’t know if you’d listen to me, and to be honest…I didn’t know what to say.”

“Nick, there’s nothing to say.  I’m fine.  I really need to go.  I have things to do.”

“Nat, Please.” He pleaded.  “Just five minutes?”

She continued to bite her lower lip.  Her stomach muscles tightened painfully.  “Okay, Nick, five minutes.” She fell into the sofa cushions, leaned her head back, and waited to see what excuse he’d give her this time.”

“Natalie.”  

Oh great!  He never called her that unless he wanted something.

“Nat, I think you know how I feel about you.”

She couldn’t help herself; she could no longer remain silent.  “No, Nick, I don’t. You run hot and cold, and make me so damn confused.  Nick, I can’t do this any more.”

“Nat…my feelings have always been the same for you, from the beginning. You’ll never know how much I care…care for you.  But I can’t…we can’t pursue the type of relationship you want…that we both want.  It’s too dangerous.”

“Nick, how are we going to know, if you don’t give us a chance?  I’m sorry, but if you really do care about me, about us, you would at least try.  I can’t keep sitting on the fence, waiting to see which way you’ll nudge us. Six years I’ve done this, and I won’t keep doing it.”

“What are you saying, Nat?”

“I think its clear.  Whatever we had, whatever we could have had, its over.”

Nick felt his entire world fall apart.  He was losing her.  He couldn’t lose her; she was everything to him.  And now, the Vampire would never let her go. She needed to know this, but from the tone of her voice, it wasn’t the time to tell her.  She didn’t realize that when he’d tasted her blood, they’d bonded.  She was his.  He’d only tasted a few drops of her, but it was enough to form a slight mental connection. He couldn’t feel her emotions, but he could feel enough of their link to know she was still in Toronto.

“Nat, please don’t do this.  I don’t want to lose you…lose your friendship, your trust.”

Natalie couldn’t hold back her tears; they freely began to run down her cheeks.  But her pride wouldn’t let him hear the anguish in her voice.  “Nick, I’ll always be your friend, and I’ll always trust you.  Above all else, you need to know, I’ve never feared you.  And I hope you know that you can always trust me.  But I can’t go on like this. I now know that you and I will never have more than a friendship, and I’ve accepted it.”

“Oh, Nat.”  He could hear the pain, the soft sniffle she tried so desperately to conceal.  She was crying, and he had caused it. He wanted to hold her, to comfort her.  Before he could think about what he was saying, the words were out of his mouth.  “Nat, I love you.”  Had he just said that?  Damn!  He’d never meant to admit that to her, it would only make matters worse.

Natalie brushed the tears from her cheeks.  Had he just said the words that she’d dreamed, wished, desired to hear forever?  “Nick…what did you just say?”

Nick couldn’t speak.  For the first time in 800 years, he couldn’t speak.  

“Nick?”  

He didn’t respond.

“Nick?  Talk to me.”  She knew that he’d never meant to say these three magic words, but suddenly she knew the words had slipped out.  He was scared, scared of losing her.  Her heart swelled with love.  He loved her!  She had to hear it again.  She needed to hear it again. She didn’t want it to be a slip of tongue, but because he wanted her to hear it, and because he truly meant it.

“Nat…I’m sorry…I should never have said that.”

“Why, Nick, why not?”

“Because, its not fair to you. I can’t offer you a normal relationship.  You deserve a real life.  A relationship with a mortal man, a man who can love you the way you deserve to be loved, a man who can give you a family, a…”

“Damn it, Nick!  Did you ever think that maybe those things aren’t important to me?  No! You never think to ask me what I want.  You just run ahead, always assuming you know what’s best for me, and making decisions.  Well, I’m not Saint Natalie. It’s about time you knocked me off of that damn pedestal you’ve erected me on. Damn it!  Why can’t you ever ask me what I want?  This is not the thirteenth century! And for your information, I love you too, and I have for a long time.”  Oh my gawd!  Had she also confessed her feelings?

Nick couldn’t help it.  When she’d spoken those three words, even in anger, it had caused his cold dead heart to beat several times.  His body felt a warm flush, something that was supposed to be impossible for a Vampire.  “Nat?”

She didn’t answer, she couldn’t.  But he heard her rapid breathing.  “Nat, I think we need to take time to think about this. You go to Montreal, enjoy yourself, when you return, I promise we’ll discuss this further.”

Damn him!  He was obtaining another reprieve. She knew what would happen.  After the holidays, he’d approach her, it would be awkward, he would tease her about something, hoping to get her mind off of his confession, and then he’d guide them into the same old routine.  This was her chance.  Was she strong enough to break the tie completely or would she allow things to remain the same?  Her heart knew.  She couldn’t lose him.  She had to be with him, in any way she could.

“Okay, Nick.”  Her voice sounded weak, defeated.  “I’ll see you when I return to work.  Enjoy your holiday…and try to be a good boy.” She tried teasing, to lighten the mood, but her heart wasn’t in it.

He smiled. She was upset, but she’d forgiven him, almost.  This was more than he’d hoped for when he’d phoned her.  He knew he was in the doghouse, and it was going to be some time before he was completely out.  “Nat, I won’t do anything you wouldn’t approve of, I promise. I’m going to miss you.  Please be careful, and have a Merry Christmas.”  He paused before adding, “Know that I’ll be thinking about you.”

The tears filled her eyes again.  “Merry Christmas, Nick.”  She dried the tears.

“Goodbye, Nat.”

“Bye.”  She heard the phone click, the line go dead.  Nothing had really changed. They loved each other, had admitted it, but trust and friendship was all it would ever be.  Well, at least she would have him in her life, and that would have to be enough, at least for now.  Could she live the rest of her life with only friendship?  She didn’t know the answer.  And what would happen to their relationship when he had to move on?  Would he leave her behind?  If he did, would he break all contact or would he stay in touch.  Would he even consider taking her with him?  He would never agree to bring her across.  Damn it!  If he would, that would be the end of all their problems.  They could be together forever.  An eternity with Nick would never be enough; she wished he knew that.

She wiped the remaining tears from her eyes.  Nick’s words came back to haunt her. ‘Nat, I won’t do anything you wouldn’t approve of, I promise. I’m going to miss you.’

“Yeah, right, Nick.  Why did you find it necessary to reassure me?  How can you be a good boy when you’re spending the holidays with LaCroix and Janette?  Behave yourself, my ass.”  She could feel her anger starting to replace the hurt.  

She finished putting the groceries away, and locked the front door.  “Come on, Syd.  It’s bedtime.”  She flipped off the light switch, and headed down the hall. Somehow she knew sleep would be a long time coming tonight. She couldn’t stop thinking about their conversation.  She was thrilled Nick had finally admitted he loved her, but now more questions begin to gnaw at her. How did he love her?  Like a sister, a friend?  Damn, she was right back where she’d been the last six years. His words could mean anything.

Natalie’s mental exhaustion had pulled her into a deep, but restless sleep, just as dawn broke the horizon.  She’d slept until late afternoon without any difficulty, but dreams and images of Nick had invaded her sleep. For years her days and nights had been reversed. She’d always enjoyed working the night shift, because there were less interruptions and politics. But it was unsettling how nocturnal she’d become.  She no longer missed the sun, or being part of the day world.  She’d totally embraced the night. She wasn’t sure when the evolution happened, but it had become more prominent after Nick came into her life.

Tonight was the beginning of her vacation, but she couldn’t relax. Nervous energy filled her body.  She’d cleaned the apartment, cooked a turkey, showered, and dressed, but she still felt edgy.  Why had she decided to spend the holidays alone?  Nick was right.  She should have spent the holiday with her family, but they would’ve asked questions about Nick, and their relationship.  She didn’t feel like spending two weeks answering those questions.  

The CD player started playing ‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas’.  She couldn’t help but wonder what Nick was doing tonight, Christmas Eve.  He’d said he had plans with friends. She assumed he’d be spending the night at the Raven, and more than likely indulging in a few too many blood wines. ‘Nat, I won’t do anything you wouldn’t approve of, I promise.’ Again, his words haunted her.  “I hope you mean that Nick.”  She couldn’t get images of Nick and Janette out of her head. Was he with his vampire sister, child, past lover?  An image of them, naked, making mortal and vampire love filled her thoughts.  “Don’t go there, Lambert.”  He said he loves you, and even if he is with her, you have to believe he won’t be with her intimately.

She stood in front of her living room’s large, bay window, looking at the main street below.  Everything outside was quiet except for the occasional ice hitting the window glass. The streetlamps and security lights on her building lit the night sky enough that she could see the snow falling. Watching snowflakes slowly drift through the air, until they came to rest on the white covered ground, usually made her feel at peace, but not now.  And peace was something her heart craved.  If only…Nick and her together, forever…that would be an eternal peace.  

Natalie looked at her Christmas tree.  Nick hadn’t helped decorate it this year, something he’d always done since they’d become friends.  He’d been avoiding her.  His phone call last night had reinforced how she’d been living in a fantasy world.  He would never change.  He wanted her, but at a distance.  Gawd, she was tired, tired of putting her life on hold, tired of hoping and dreaming of a life with him, but mostly tired of being near him and not being with him.

She glanced at the three packages under her Christmas tree.  Two were for Sydney, the other for Nick.  Since they’d been avoiding each other, she’d not given him his gift, a crystal paperweight with the inscription,  ‘Let Your Heart Be Your Light. Love, Nat.’ She’d chosen the words because regardless of what Nick thought, he did feel with his heart; he always strived to do the right thing.  She’d hoped that if he did love her, that his love for her would be the light he needed to bring him peace.  Her Christmas wish for them was to feel at peace, and be together.  Now, after what had happened to their relationship, she wasn’t sure it was an appropriate gift.  If the stores were open, she’d try to find something else to give him.  Maybe she still could, since they weren’t seeing each other until after the New Year.

Her thoughts drifted back to the night in the morgue, and what could have been, if only Nick hadn’t freaked. She understood his fear of hurting her, or worse killing her in an act of passion.  But she didn’t believe he’d ever harm her.  He was a vampire, but she saw more of the man in Nick than the Beast.  Why couldn’t he see that they did have a chance, if he’d only have faith in their love?  Maybe it was foolish, but she did believe that love could conquer anything, even the vampire that kept them apart.  

Tears again stung her eyes.  “No!  I’m not going to dwell on this.”  She looked at the clock; it was almost seven. She blew out the candle on the table, and grabbed her coat.  “Hold down the fort, Syd. No offense, but your mom needs to get out of here, and be around people.”  She was out the door before she had her coat on.

She didn’t know where to go, but she didn’t want to be alone. Damn, this was going to be a long two weeks.  The stores had closed at six, which meant the mall was out of the question.  Suddenly, for no reason, she turned the car south, and drove until she saw the homeless shelter.  A large group of people stood in front of the building, so many she couldn’t see what was going on.  

Natalie parked in the side parking lot, and started to walk around the corner, toward the activities, but suddenly her head felt strange.  She leaned against the building, and pinched the bridge of her nose.  The feeling was almost a feathery tickle at the back of her head, causing the hairs at the nap of her neck to stand up; a chill ran through her.  It was a cold night, but this had nothing to do with the night’s temperature. She rubbed the back of her neck.  The feeling wasn’t as strong, but it was still there.  It made her feel as if someone had walked over her grave.

She walked toward the front of the shelter where people were gathered, the tingling sensation increased.  She paused briefly, shut her eyes, trying to shake the feeling, but it only seemed to get stronger.  The eerie chill that she’d felt earlier was gone, replaced by a pleasant, warmth that seemed to rush throughout her body.  She welcomed the new feeling and tried to hold onto it.  She didn’t know what the heck was going on, but it was something she’d never experienced before.

She tried to ease her way around the people, to see what had drawn the crowd. “What’s going on?” she asked a man who had his child sitting on the back of his neck.

“A Christmas miracle.”

“A what?”  She didn’t understand.

“A miracle.  The shelter didn’t have enough toys or food for all the kids.  Santa showed up with a few surprises.”

“Santa?”

The man nodded, and moved forward, through the crowd.

She tried to get to the front of the people, to get a better look.  Again the strange feeling washed over her.  Nat. She slightly shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts.  She thought she’d heard Nick calling her name.  Her being around people hadn’t helped to get her mind off of him.  She should have known that nothing would ever get him out of her thoughts or heart.

A woman, holding a child’s hand, stepped forward, giving Natalie a clear view of the ‘Christmas miracle’.  A Santa with a white beard and mustache, dressed in the traditional red suit and hat, trimmed in white fur, and wearing gold-framed glasses, was giving presents to the children, and allowing them to pet his live reindeer.  

“Merry Christmas.”   Santa told the little girl, as he kneeled down in front of her, and gave her a beautifully wrapped gift.

“Thank you.”  The child hugged Santa.

Natalie watched Santa gently take the child in his arms, and return her hug.

“Can I pet Rudolph?” The child asked.

Santa chuckled at the child’s mistake, and answered in what she could tell was a faked, deep tone of voice. “This is not Rudolph. Rudolph has a red nose, remember?  This is Dasher.  You can pet him, and then you and your mom can go inside where it’s warm.  There’s food for everyone.” Santa smiled at the child. “There’s hot chocolate too, and I hear from the highest authority that hot chocolate is extremely good.”

That smile! The twinkle in his eyes!  Oh, my God!  Nick?  

Nick.  Nick turned around.  Nat was staring right at him.  He was shocked to see her.  She was supposed to be in Montreal with her family.  He had been thinking of Nat when he’d felt the slight vibration, and heard a silent call of his name.  But he’d thought it was Janette or LaCroix, come to harass him for playing Santa to mortals.

“Nat?”  He walked toward her, never breaking eye contact.  He placed his hands on her shoulders.  “What are you doing here?”

She stared into his haunting, blue eyes.  “I…I’m not sure.  I was driving by and saw the crowd.  I thought maybe there had been an accident, and someone was injured.”

He looked at her, and then at the crowd.  “Tom, I’ll be back in five minutes.  Just make sure the kids don’t get too close to Dasher.”  He said to the man who was holding the reindeer’s harness.  

“Sure thing, Santa.”  

Nick gently nudged her around the corner of the building, toward her car.  She couldn’t stop staring at him.  Nick in a Santa suit was something she’d never thought she would see.  He’d even stuffed the suit to give himself a plump appearance.  She couldn’t help it; she started to giggle.

“Nat, I’m glad you find this amusing.”  He removed his eyeglasses and tucked them into his pant pocket.  He removed the fake beard, carefully folded it, and put it in the other pocket.

His face looked flushed.  Maybe the red suit, in the dimly lit parking lot was playing tricks on her eyes, because vampires rarely blushed. She covered her smile with her hand, and looked up at him apologetically.  “Nick, I’m sorry, but the idea of you, Nicholas, playing the part of St. Nick…well, I never thought I’d see this.”  She patted his stomach; it felt soft.  “Do you have a pillow in there?”  

He didn’t answer her, but took her hand and held it as they approached her car.  “What are you doing here?  I thought you would be spending the evening at the Raven.”  She laughed.  She couldn’t help it, the sight of him dressed like Santa was just too comical.  He arched a brow. “Nick, I’m truly sorry.  This is very sweet of you, but I just had an image of what LaCroix and Janette would say if they saw you playing Santa.”

He ignored her last comment, but answered her first question.  “Yes, I have a pillow in there, and why would I spend Christmas at the Raven?”

“Well, you did say you had plans with friends…I assumed…”

He leaned her against the car, and placed his hands on her shoulders.  “You assumed wrong, Nat.  Helping make the kids happy here at the shelter was my plans.”  He waited for her to respond.

“Oh, Nick.”  She took his face in her hands, and gently rubbed her thumbs over his cheeks.  “You’re a very remarkable man.  Why didn’t you tell me you were helping out at the shelter?”

He shrugged.  “I was going to, if you were staying in Toronto for the holiday. I was going to ask you to come with me.  But I assumed you’d be spending the holiday with Sarah and Amy… this is their first holiday alone in a new city.”

Silence fell between them.  Their thoughts drifted to Richard, and his death.  Nick still blamed himself for turning her brother into a vampire after he was shot, and being forced to destroy him when Richard lost control of his bloodlust.  She blamed herself for begging Nick to save Richard from death, by giving him eternal life.  Sarah, her sister-in-law, had moved with her daughter, Amy, to Montreal a year ago.

“Nick, Sarah took Amy and went to New York, to spend the holidays with her parents.”

He lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him.  “Are you telling me you never had plans to visit them?  From the beginning you were going to spend Christmas alone?”

Nat avoided looking at him. She bit her lower lip, and nodded her head.

“Why didn’t you tell me, Nat?”

She looked at him, and tried to disguise the hurt, but failed.  “Because you didn’t seem to want to spend the holiday with me.”

He pulled her into his arms.  “Nat, there’s no place I’d rather be, but I thought you needed to be with your family.”

She hugged him tighter.  “You are my family, Nick. I thought you knew that.”

His arms tightened around her.  “And you’re mine.”  They were oblivious to anyone and everything around them.  He raised her face, caressing her cheeks with the pad of his thumbs.  “I do love you, Nat. More than you’ll ever know.”  He covered her mouth with his, and instantly she opened to him.  His hands began to stroke her back as his body pushed against hers, causing her hips to press against her car’s cold, hard metal door.

The tingling sensation she’d felt earlier in her head, rushed through her entire body.  This time, she welcomed it.  Whatever it was, it filled her with a warm feeling like nothing she’d known.  The cold wind whipped at her hair, the snow fell on her face, but she didn’t feel the cold.  Nothing would ever make her feel cold again, not as long as she knew Nick loved her.  

His tongue gently slid into her warmth, caressing the roof of her mouth, then rubbed seductively around hers.  He heard her moan.  Gawd, he could kiss her forever, she was so warm, so sweet.  What he really wanted was to claim her body and blood as his own.  He pushed into their bond.  I want you, all of you.

Then take me; I’m yours.  Nick could feel his eyes changing as his fangs descended.  He eased them away from her car and deeper into the shadows next to the building.  He never broke the kiss.  Nat caressed his fangs with her tongue.  Their razor sharpness should have frightened her, but it only increased her arousal. Nick would never harm her, she trusted him completely.  

Again, she pierced her tongue on his fang, intentionally.  She felt the cut, but it didn’t hurt.  This time, Nick didn’t run away, as if the hounds of hell were on his heels.  He held her closer.  The feel of him sucking her tongue, taking her blood warmed her, calmed her earlier nervous tension.  She didn’t understand what was happening, but she welcomed it.  It was an enjoyable feeling being in his arms, and feeling this new sensation.

My gawd, Nat, you taste more wonderful than I’ve ever imagined, and trust me, my love, I’ve imagined this thousands of times.

Nick, I’m yours, I want to give you everything I am.  I want you to love me, to know me and only me.  

 She remembered what he’d told her about the blood a couple of years earlier.  

You have to understand that every drop of blood has your whole life in it.  It’s not just our food, it’s the way we feel life.  Imagine if you could know someone’s soul, just by sharing their blood. Everything you know, everything you are, transformed, in to touch and taste.  Imagine the temptation to take just one sip, one sip and then another, and then another, to take them inside of you and know every secret, to let them know yours, to be them.

He knew what she was thinking, and responded.

I already do, Nat. Don’t be frightened of this, embrace it.  You’ll be able to feel the same from me.   Just the few drops I’ve tasted of you, I know you as well as you know yourself.  I know your very soul.  I want you to know mine.  

A few drops of her sweet blood slid down his cold throat. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to calm his soul.  He wondered what it would feel like to truly take her, to sink his fangs into her warm flesh and feel her warm blood fill him.  He was taking her life substance, but the Vampire’s savage bloodlust was still held at bay.  He didn’t understand this, it had never happened before.  Maybe…just maybe, they could find a way to be together.  He didn’t want to stop, but he broke their kiss.  He could still feel her essence rushing through his blood, filling him with everything that she was.

Nat clung tighter to him; she didn’t want this to end.

He held her close, burying his face into her auburn curls.  “Nat, I have to get back to the shelter.  Damn, I don’t want to leave you, but I must.”  He cupped her face in his hands, and made her look at him.  

She could tell his fangs had receded, and his eyes had returned to the normal blue that she loved.  “I know, but what is this?  I can feel you, hear you in my head.”

“We’re bonded. I’ve taken your blood into me, causing us to be one.  Nat, I know you’ve been feeling a tingling, a vibration, running through your body.”

She played nervously with the lapels of his Santa suit “How did you know?”

“Because…it’s me that you’re feeling.  I’m in here.”  He touched his forehead to hers. “And here.”  He placed his hand over her heart.

“Nick.”

“I’m sorry, Nat, I should have told you, but…I have to go…the kids.  We’ll talk.  I’ll answer all of your questions, but later.  Go home.  I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“I want to stay.” She gave him a wicked grin, and wrapped her arms around his neck. “After all, it’s not every day I get to see my very own vampire dressed up as Santa.”

“Nat, under the circumstances, I don’t think staying is a good idea.  Our bond is very distracting, and well…it has effects on me…let me just say, I shouldn’t have those feelings, and be around people…especially children.”  He grinned.

She caught his meaning, grinned, and stroked his cheek with the back of her hand.  “Okay, Nick.  I’ll go home, but I want you there as soon as possible.  I want you to spend the day with me.  After all, it’s Christmas, a time of rebirth, and new beginnings, and this is a new beginning for us.  I think we have a lot to talk about, and this time I’m not letting you off the hook.”

“This time I’m not running away.  I don’t think you could get rid of me if you tried.” He kissed her firmly on the lips.  “Woman, I love you, and I have for a long time.”

She felt the tightness in her chest, and the warmth continued to fill her, down to her toes.  She could feel their bond, but the warmth had nothing to do with their bond.  This was all about love, and hearing him profess his true feelings for her. This time his words weren’t a slip of the tongue, but deliberate, meant for her to hear and believe.

She gave him a quick kiss on the lips.  “I love you, Nick, and nothing will ever change that.”

He kissed Nat’s forehead, took her hand and led her to the car.  “I’ll be home soon.  And you’re right, this is a new beginning for us.”  He opened the car door, and kissed her.  “Now get out of here.  The quicker you leave, the quicker I get home.”

He stood in the parking lot and watched her drive away. This was going to be the best holiday in his long existence.  Somehow he’d find a way for them to be together, even if it meant dealing with LaCroix and his earlier threats against Natalie. He didn’t know how he would protect her, but this time he wouldn’t give her up with out a fight to the end.  He now realized that he could never live without her.

LaCroix left his private quarters and walked downstairs to the Raven.  It was early evening, but the nightclub’s tables were full, and the music louder than usual.  He dismissed the noise, and decided to allow the patrons to enjoy their celebration, after all it was Christmas Eve.    He took a quick scan of the club.  The customers were equally distributed.  He watched the gothic dressed, mortals mingle with the immortals.  Many of the Goths liked to pretend to be vampires.  The pathetic fools are dancing with the real thing, but they’re too stupid to know it.  Mortals can be a unique entertainment.  

LaCroix wondered if this was what Nicholas found so enduring about mortals.  He dismissed that thought.  He knew the real reason that his son tied himself to mortals and their world was to be a part of the living, to feel alive.  LaCroix knew that Nicholas desired mortality, but under the right circumstances Nicholas might again embrace the vampire and immortality.  

LaCroix continued to watch the crowd, and wondered how many of them would become a tasty, holiday toast.  But not in his club, even the young fledglings knew not to cross that line.  He wasn’t opposed to taking a sip from mortals or occasionally draining one, but he didn’t want trouble knocking at his door.   The Enforcer’s didn't allow public sipping, punishing those who broke the rule.  And he’d promised Nicholas to keep the club safe for his precious mortals.

Nicholas.  He took a sip of blood wine, and tried to find his son through their bond. The past week, strange vibrations had been coming from Nicholas.  He wasn’t sure what was going on in his son’s life to cause the turmoil he was feeling, but he bet it had something to do with Dr. Lambert.  He took another sip, and let the donor’s life fill him.  The blood was from a young woman in her late twenties, in love with a man she couldn’t have.  So like Dr. Lambert, in her desires for his wayward son, desires never to be met with satisfaction.

At one time he’d opposed Nicholas’ relationship with the doctor, but not now. Her assistance to the Community over the last few years, and especially the recent help with the fever, when it threatened to wipe out all vampires, had changed his opinion of her.  He’d decided that this mortal deserved respect. He knew she loved Nicholas and would do anything to protect and be near him.  He’d almost bet his immortal life, she’d even become a vampire if it meant her spending an eternity with Nicholas.

Nicholas had been fascinated with many women through the centuries, but never before had he witnessed the depth of devotion his son had for this mortal.  Yes, this time his son was deeply in love, and he couldn’t deny it any longer.  His son would never leave Toronto, move on to another identity, another city, not if he had to leave Natalie Lambert.  

LaCroix was positive that if anything happened to Natalie, Nicholas would cease to exist.  This was why he’d decided not to claim his retribution.  The almost 800 year-old bargain to claim Nicholas’ mortal love, if he should ever truly love one, was not worth the risk of losing his son forever.  Nicholas didn’t know that he’d decided to release him from the bargain, and for now he planned to keep it that way.  He would wait to see what his son would do.  At times Nicholas could be so predictable, but he was strong willed, and that sometimes produced unexpected behavior.  Nicholas didn’t want to bring Natalie across, into what he considered an eternal hell.  He smiled at the thought of waiting to see how the would be lovers worked through their obstacles.  Nicholas could be as entertaining as his precious mortals.

He would allow Natalie and Nicholas their time.  After all, she was mortal, and would be gone in a blink of an eye.  When that happened, he would be there to console Nicholas’ loss.  He took another sip of his drink. Such a waste—beauty, brains, loyalty and love, and still Nicholas wouldn’t take her for his own.  Well, maybe he should do something about that before it was too late.  She was at her prime to bring across.  The more he learned about this incredible mortal, the more he understood Nicholas’ love and fascination for her.  He would gladly welcome her into the family, if Nicholas could be convinced, and if not, there were other ways.  The situation would have to change, because Nicholas had been in Toronto for six years, another couple of years and he’d have no choice but to move on, before mortals started questioning his eternal youth.

LaCroix sensed a new arrival to the club. He looked at the entrance where a tall, dark haired, handsome man stood on the top step. The new arrival looked around the club at the patrons until their eyes locked.  Jonathan.  LaCroix wondered what he was doing in Toronto.  He casually took another sip of his drink, and nodded his head in recognition of the vampire.  This could only mean trouble.  Jonathan always brought trouble, and usually it affected Nicholas.  He wondered if his son knew Jonathan was in town, if not, he would soon enough.

Jonathan walked down the steps, side stepping the patrons on the dance floor. He flashed his sensual smile at several of the mortal females.  So much like Nicholas with his captivating smile, and good looks; any woman would be attracted to him.  He wondered again, what Jonathan was doing in here, and especially in his club.

“LaCroix.”  Jonathan sat down on the bar stool next to him.  “I see that you’ve changed a few things since Janette sold you the club.” He motioned to the bartender for a drink.

LaCroix took a long drink of his blood wine, ignoring the remark.  He needed the blood to stay in control of his beast. Jonathan always seemed to find a way to ire his temper.  The vampire was walking a thin line if he caused trouble for his son.  

“Did you want something, Jonathan, if not I have things to do.”

“I stopped by to say hello, see Janette, and Nicholas if they’re around. You know the holiday cheer.”

“Hmm, yes, I’m sure the holiday is not the only reason you would grace the Raven.  Janette isn’t in this evening, and as you know Nicholas is his own man; he doesn’t live here.”

“No, but he lives in Toronto, and from what I hear, he’s established quite a life for himself. I believe he’s a homicide detective, and what was that I heard?  Oh yes, he has a mortal pet.”  The bartender sat a drink in front of Jonathan.  He took a sip before continuing.  “I believe she’s the M.E., and very attractive from what I hear. I must meet Dr. Natalie Lambert before I leave.”

LaCroix looked at him.  “I would tread very easy if I were you. Nicholas seems to be very attached to the doctor, and he won’t tolerate one of our kind near her.”

Jonathan stood, and finished his drink with one swig.  “I believe the M.E. is a public servant, which makes her very accessible.”  He firmly sat the empty glass on the bar.  “It was good to see you LaCroix. I must be off, more holiday stops to make.  And do tell Janette, and especially Nicolas, that I’m truly sorry I missed them.”  He started to walk away.

“Jonathan.”

Jonathan stopped, glanced over his shoulder at LaCroix who still sat at the bar.

“Be careful, the holiday season can be fatal.”

“Is that a threat, LaCroix?”

“No, just a fact.  Fatalities seem to happen when least expected.  They usually occur when one does something they shouldn’t.”  He took a sip of his drink, never breaking eye contact with Jonathan.  “And do remember, family is the most important thing.  A father will do whatever he must to protect the family.”

Jonathan remained silent, and stared at LaCroix.  Neither man spoke. Finally, Jonathan turned and walked out the door.

Janette entered the Raven, through the back door, just in time to see Jonathan leave.  She placed her hand on LaCroix’s shoulder. “What did he want?”

He covered her hand with his.  “What do you think?”

“Nicholas?”

“Of course.  I’m afraid Jonathan may not be with us much longer.”

Janette sat on the barstool next to him.  She propped her elbow on the bar and waited for him to explain.  LaCroix didn’t look at her.  He was staring at the front entrance to the club.  He tried to hide his emotions, but after a thousand years, she knew him too well.  He was angry; she could feel it in their bond.  She was now Nicholas’ child, but she still had remnants of the bond with her former creator, father.  “LaCroix?”

“It seems Jonathan has been busy.  He knows too much about Nicholas.”

“What exactly does he know?” She placed her hand on his arm, an attempt to calm him.

He looked at her.  “He knows about Dr. Lambert.”

“Oh my, this can’t be good.”

“You’re right, my dear, this is not good, not good at all.”

“Are you going to warn Nicholas?”

“I think Nicholas can take care of himself, and the doctor, but perhaps we should pay him a visit.  It is the holiday after all.

Janette didn’t say anything.  LaCroix hated holidays.  He’d always denounced anything mortal.  No, LaCroix was worried, and so was she.  If anything happened to Natalie Lambert, Nicholas would be inconsolable. She didn’t want to think about what he would do.  “I think you’re right, we do need to pay Nicholas a visit.”

LaCroix didn’t know what Jonathan’s plans were, but if he went near Natalie, it would be the last night for him to walk this earth.  Nicholas would destroy him.  And if Nicholas needed his help, he would gladly drive the stake through Jonathan’s heart.

Natalie parked her car in the dimly lit lot, next to the makeshift ‘Santa’s Candy Land’.  Her apartment building’s manager had erected the Christmas display the first week in December.  She remembered how excited the kids were the night he’d turned on the Christmas lights. The security and holiday lights illuminated the area enough for her to see the lot was full of cars, but the area was deserted, because the weather had turned bitter cold.  The snow was heavier; the flakes larger than when she’d left Nick at the shelter.  

Natalie pressed the button that opened the car’s trunk.  She’d stopped by the morgue, and confiscated several pints of blood for Nick.  She wanted to make sure he had plenty of nourishment if he spent the day with her.  Perhaps she could convince him to stay several days.  She smiled. He would need the blood if she had her way with him.  

Natalie grabbed the tote bag from the trunk that held the blood packs.  She stopped, closed her eyes and concentrated, trying to connect with Nick.  Nick, can you hear me?   She waited.  Nothing.  She tried again.  Nick?  There was still no answer, but a warm, tingling feeling rushed through her body.  She wasn’t quite sure what she was feeling, but she was certain it was part of their bond.  She smiled. He was across town, so perhaps distance had something to do with the intensity of their connection. Both times, he’d only taken a few drops of her blood. Could the amount of her blood that he consumed affect their union of thoughts and feelings? When he arrived, he had a lot of explaining to do.  She wanted to know everything about how this blood bond worked.  She shut her car’s trunk.  

“Can I be of assistance?”

The unexpected voice startled Natalie causing her to drop the tote bag.  Her senses on full alert, she turned to find a man, a very handsome man, standing a few feet from her.  She wondered where he’d come from.  She usually was very careful to pay attention to her surroundings, but she had been distracted with thoughts of Nick.  Suddenly, she knew.  This wasn’t a mortal, but a vampire. She wasn’t sure how she knew, but she was certain of what he was.

“No, thank you, I don’t need help. If you’ll excuse me…” she started to pick up the bag.

“Oh, but I believe you do.”  His eyes locked with hers. He could hear her heart beating rapidly.  She was afraid.  “There’s no need to be afraid, Dr. Lambert, or should I call you Natalie?”

“Who are you?  What do you want?  And how do you know my name?”  She could feel the cold fear wash through her body.

“My name is Jonathan, and I want you.”  He avoided her last question.

Natalie froze.  She knew she was in trouble, but it was useless to try to outrun a Vampire.  If she did, it might anger him, and that was the last thing she wanted. She glanced around the parking lot, and didn’t see anyone.  But what did she expect, a mortal to rescue her from a vampire?

“Don’t bother, my dear, there’s no one around. I would hear them, sense them.”  He took a step toward her, which caused her to move further away from him.  “Don’t even try to escape me.  You will come to me.  You want me.  Nicholas is no longer in your thoughts.  Give yourself to me.”

He was attempting to hypnotize her.  She didn’t know what to do.  She was a resistor.  She wondered if she should pretend to be under his spell until she could think of a plan to get away from him.  Nick? Nick, please hear me! I need you! She called through their bond.

“Come to me.  I won’t hurt you.  You can’t resist me.”  He locked in to her heartbeat and paced his words to the same rhythm as her heartbeat.  “Surrender to me.”

Natalie felt her eyes getting heavy as Jonathan continued, trying to control her. “You will forget who you are, and everything of your previous life.”  

This was impossible; she couldn’t be hypnotized, but she felt the pull of his powers.  Nick, help me! She pushed her thoughts outward, trying to connect with Nick.

She tried to speak, but her voice was sluggish.   “Why?  What do you want with me?” Something was wrong.  She could feel her heartbeat increasing, but the rest of her body felt frozen.  Nick!  Again, she tried to call to him, without a response.

“Natalie, you’ve never truly cared for Nicholas.  He is an acquaintance that is using you for his own needs. He has threatened your life if you should expose him.  You hate him for the fear he’s caused you. He’s using you, to help him live in the mortal world. After his time here is finished, he will leave you.  You don’t need anyone but me.  From now on, you’ll respond to no one but me. You’ll depend on me for your every need.”

She tried to remember Nick.  Natalie knew Jonathan was lying, but something inside of her believed him.  Somehow she was falling under his spell.  This wasn’t supposed to be possible, but she had no resistance to his powers, his influence over her.  Nick, please hear me.   She called out to Nick one last time before her willpower was gone; She was helpless, and now Jonathan had the control, she belonged to him.  Natalie’s body shut down, all mobility gone.  Her legs gave way, and she started to collapse.

Jonathan smiled.  He caught Natalie before she fell. One more mental push and she would be his—forever.  “You belong to me.  You willingly come to me, and deny me nothing.  You will remember all of this, and forget everything before our meeting.  You had no life, no thoughts, no desires before now.”  He watched as her body became lithe, she was like warm putty in his hands.  It was a terrible cliché, but true, and he intended to mold her into exactly what he wanted.  He’d take her—she would be his. He would make her into his puppet, and use her to torture Nicholas. He wasn’t sure if he’d make her his concubine or destroy her by draining her to an empty shell, but either way Nicholas would suffer.  His lips curled into an evil smile.  

Jonathan couldn’t stop looking at Natalie; she was beautiful. Nicholas always did have good taste in women.  This one wasn’t the perfect beauty like a lot of Nicholas’ choices through the centuries, but she had a unique quality about her.  Her heart shaped face, big doe eyes and pouting lips called to him. Whatever he decided to do with her, it would be enjoyable.  She was a tempting mortal. He could feel her soft womanly curves even through her heavy winter coat.  He watched the pulsing artery on the side of her neck.  He wanted her, and he wanted her now.  He felt desire flare through him.  He could no longer resist the urges of his Beast.  He wanted Nicholas to watch him take his woman, but that no longer mattered, either way it would hurt Nicholas to lose her to another, especially another vampire.

The parking lot was dark.  If anyone should see them they would think two lovers were sharing a moment of passion.  Jonathan eased Natalie backward, leaning her across the snow covered, car, his body pressed against hers.  Her coat fell open.  His hand covered, and caressed her breast.  His fingers hooked at the top of her blouse, and with one quick pull, the silk tore, exposing her.  He wanted to see his prize, before sinking his fangs into her tender neck.  Jonathan looked at Natalie, his decision made.  He would take her breast, and after sucking it to a peak, he would bite into her warm flesh and take her.  Desire for her and her blood filled him; he couldn’t wait. His erection had grown to a painful hardness, but that too would be satisfied, but later, not here. For now he would taste her, take her blood.  Damn, he would have her!

Jonathan’s eyes glowed with the vampire’s bloodlust. He pulled her lace bra downward, ripping it open to expose her full breasts.  Her nipples stood erect in the cold night air, a treasure for his ancient eyes.  No, he wouldn’t drain her, not yet.  He would take her as his concubine, at least until he tired of her.

His fangs ached with lust.  Jonathan arched his head back, and swiftly lurched forward to sink his fangs into her tender flesh.  He stopped. He’d intended to take her viciously, but now, he wanted to slowly enjoy her, to savor her life force.  His fangs grazed her breast enough to bring her blood to the surface; a drop touched his lips.  He was lost!  This mortal truly loved Nicholas, accepted him for what he was, trusted him, and had no fear of him. Her blood told the truth, but his mind manipulation would cause her to forget all about Nicholas.  Jonathan licked across the wound.  Natalie’s sensuous ambrosia filled his mouth, coursing through his blood.  Her essence was different than any human he’d ever tasted.  His tongue licked again across her breast, savoring her thick, warm, juice of life, taking the last of her memories.  Nicholas had sampled her; her blood didn’t lie.  

“Jonathan!”  

Jonathan jerked around, bringing Natalie with him, holding her in front of him as a shield. LaCroix locked vampire eyes with Jonathan’s; the golden hatred flowed between them. LaCroix’s anger flared, causing his eyes to glow red.  LaCroix couldn’t believe Jonathan had been so foolish to come after what was Nicholas’.  Was Jonathan really this hell bent on making Nicholas suffer?  Did he really think he could take Natalie as his, and live another day of his immortal life?  If he did, he evidently didn’t know how close his son and the doctor were.  

LaCroix saw Natalie’s naked chest, her blood.  Jonathan was holding her like a broken doll.  He had to get her away from Jonathan, but any sudden movement could cause her death.

“Jonathan, release her!”  His voice was low, steady, and lethal.

“Never!  I will have her, or no one will.”

“You won’t live another day if you take her.  Nicholas will see you sent to hell, but only after he’s caused you a slow painful death.”

“Then I’ll take what is his with me.  Did you know he’s sampled her?  You’re perfect Nicholas, who professes not to drink human blood, has soiled her. But once I take her in body and blood, it will no longer matter, because he hasn’t sampled all of her.”  He laughed.  “He’s left the best for me.”  He rubbed Natalie’s bared breast, cupping it, roughly rolling her nipple between his finger and thumb.

“Let her go, Jonathan.”

Jonathan pulled her head back, exposing her neck, as his fingers continued to rub Natalie’s nipple.  He licked the side of her neck, letting his fangs lightly scrape over her flesh.  Again, her blood seeped from the scratches.  He gave LaCroix a wicked smile.  “Come LaCroix, you can’t tell me you haven’t wanted to sample her, to see why your son desires her above all others?  I remember a time when you and Nicholas shared.”

LaCroix could smell the sweet enticement of Natalie’s blood.  His fangs ached, his mouth watered for her taste, causing him to unconsciously lick his lips.  Yes, he wanted to take her, to know her, to know why Nicholas found her so alluring.  Watching Jonathan fondle her breast had caused him to have an erection.  It had been too long since he'd had a woman, especially a mortal woman.

Jonathan could see the desire, the bloodlust in LaCroix’s eyes.  His wicked grin turned evil.  “Come, let’s feast.  She is a ripe one, so full of passion, especially for your son.”  Jonathan’s hand dropped, between Natalie's legs.  He firmly rubbed her sex several times, before returning his hand to her naked breast.  Enticing LaCroix to take what his son had claimed as his was better than taking Dr. Lambert himself.  If LaCroix took her body as well as her blood, then Nicholas would lose everything.  Once the deed was done, if Nicholas truly did love the mortal, he would tear his father to shreds.  If he were lucky, they would destroy one another and he’d be rid of them.

LaCroix let his bloodlust show.  Yes, he wanted Natalie.  Her blood called to him.  “Let me have her. I promise to share.”  His famous evil grin spread across his lips.  He never took his eyes off of Jonathan.  “Bring her to me.  We’ll both have her.”

Jonathan saw that LaCroix was almost out of control—his eyes were blood red, his face distorted from the bloodlust.  He walked toward LaCroix, holding Natalie in front of him.  Jonathan dismissed a split second of doubt, before he roughly shoved Natalie at LaCroix.  “Take her, but I deserve to get what’s due me.  I’m only sharing, remember that.”

LaCroix’s hand accidentally rubbed across Natalie’s breast as he caught her.  He felt a warm stickiness.  He looked down to find her blood on his fingers.  His nostrils flared, her blood’s lure called to him, just one taste and he would know her, know her love and desires for his son.  He lifted his hand to his mouth and tasted her blood.

“Take her.”  Jonathan demanded.

La Croix turned, bent over Natalie, blocking Jonathan’s view of the assault.  

“LaCroix!”  He wanted to witness him take Nicholas’ woman.

LaCroix growled a warning.  He let Natalie drop to the snow covered ground.  With vampire speed he grabbed a make shift weapon, and lunged it into Jonathan’s heart.  “I told you the holidays could be fatal, and a father would do whatever he must to protect the family.”

Jonathan eyes were wild, even for a vampire. He was in shock.  LaCroix had staked him with one of the wooden candy canes from the Christmas display.  He tried to pull the candy cane from his chest, but in his weakened state he was no match for LaCroix.  “You would kill one of your own kind to protect a mortal?”  He hissed.

LaCroix shoved the cane deeper into his chest.  “She may not be family, but she’s important to my son, and that makes her life important to me.  Family is the most important thing, its too bad you didn’t realize that before it was too late.”

“You’re a fool LaCroix.  Nicholas will never come back to you.  He has her.”  He motioned toward Natalie lying on the ground.  “She will take him away from you.  I’ve tasted her blood. She hates you and what you are to Nicholas.  She will never be a part of your family.”  Jonathan gasped from the intense pain ripping through his chest. He tried one last time to convince LaCroix that he’d made a mistake saving Natalie, and staking him.  “She’s already turned Nicholas against our kind.  She hates vampires, and that’s why she’s helping Nick with his ‘so called’ cure.  The doctor especially hates you and Janette. She’s infected Nicholas with her hate, and together they plan on destroying you.”

LaCroix’s face broke into an evil smile.  Jonathan was trying to persuade him to doubt his actions.  “You’re wrong, Jonathan. You forget I tasted her blood as well.  You lie. She fears me, but she also respects me.”  His smile widened.  “She respects me as head of the family.  She is willing to join us to be with Nicholas. I learned something interesting tonight from her blood…she thinks Nicholas should embrace his vampire.  So you see, through her I may just get my fondest wish, the return of my son.”

It’s too late.  I’ve taken her from him.  Her mind is mine, her thoughts no longer of your precious son.”

“That can be changed. You’re not the only one with knowledge of the ancient secrets.”  LaCroix pulled another wooden cane out of the ground and shoved it into Jonathan’s jugular vein.  “Go to Hell, Jonathan!”

Jonathan collapsed to the ground, his blood staining the freshly fallen snow.  LaCroix pulled a cigarette lighter from his pocket, lit it, and held the flame to Jonathan’s jacket.  “Burn in Hell!  You’re getting what you deserve!”

Janette had been watching from the shadows.  She slowly stepped closer to LaCroix, and watched Jonathan’s body burn to ashes.  “Why did he hate Nicholas so?  I never understood, and Nicholas refused to talk about it.”

LaCroix placed his hands on Janette’s shoulders and pulled her away from the flames that were beginning to die.  “He wanted you.”

Janette leaned into her once father.  “Me?”  The realization that she had been the prize Jonathan had coveted over the centuries shocked and upset her. She’d never suspected being the cause of Jonathan’s hate for Nicholas.

“He wanted you from the time he first saw you, but you were with Nicholas.  Because he couldn’t have you, he became obsessed with tormenting Nicholas through the centuries.”

“Oh, my.  If I had known…but this was not Nicholas’ fault. I never wanted Jonathan.  Why didn’t Nicholas ever tell me?”

“He wanted to spare you.”

She smiled.  “My knight, always the protector.”

LaCroix released her, walked over to Natalie, and gently lifted her into his arms. “Go to her apartment, and open the balcony doors.  I’ll bring her there.  I don’t think we should enter the main building with her in this condition.”

Natalie’s unconscious body rested in his strong arms, her disheveled appearance proof of a struggle.  He pulled her blouse closed, to cover her naked breast, and wrapped her coat around her.  Natalie’s dried blood still covered his hand.

Janette arched a brow at his gentleness with Natalie Lambert, the woman he’d despised for the last few years.

“I do this for Nicholas, Janette.”

Just as Janette turned to leave, Nick swooped down from the sky, and landed behind them.

“LaCroix, give her to me!  What have you done?  I’ll kill you!”

Janette turned to see Nick approach LaCroix who was still holding Natalie.   Nick unleashed his beast, his eyes glowed red.  He was on the verge of losing control.

“Oh please, Nicholas, calm yourself. Your friend is quite alright; at least physically.”

“Damn it, LaCroix!  She’s not, look at her! What have you done to her?”  He suddenly smelled her blood and saw it on his father’s hands.   He shoved LaCroix against the building with his body, as he took Natalie from him.  Her coat fell open, exposing her torn clothes, her bloody blouse barely covering her breasts.  Two pairs of red eyes glared at each other.  “If you did this, I will kill you, LaCroix!” Nick growled, his tone lethal.

Janette stepped forward, and placed her hand on Nick’s arm.  “Nicholas, he saved your precious Natalie.”

Nick gave her a piercing look.  “Don’t protect him, Janette!”  He growled a warning.

“I do not lie, Nicholas!  Jonathan was here, his ashes are there.”  She pointed to the pile of glowing embers.  “LaCroix and I arrived in time for him to save Natalie from Jonathan.  He was going to take her or kill her; I’m not sure which, but LaCroix stopped him.”

Nick removed his body from against LaCroix, his eyes slowly changed from demon red to a golden, green glow.   He looked at his father.  “Is it true?”

“Janette, go to her apartment, open the doors as I told you.” She paused and looked at both men.  “Go ahead, Janette. I promise not to stake him.”  LaCroix gave her a slight grin.  She looked at them once more before leaving.  

Once she was gone, Nick looked again at Natalie.  She was unconscious, but he could hear a steady heartbeat.  He gently stroked her face, pushing her snow, dampened hair from her cheek.  “What happened?”

“Jonathan showed up at the Raven tonight, mentioned your life here in Toronto, and your 'mortal pet', he called her.”  He looked down at Natalie, cradled in Nick’s arms.  “I knew he meant to cause trouble, but I never thought he would try to take her for his own.”

“Why would you prevent this?”

“I pay my debts, Nicholas.”

“Which one this time, LaCroix? Debts to me or to Nat?”

“Both.  You saved my life when Divia tried to kill me.”  He looked again at Natalie.  “Dr. Lambert saved many of us during the fever epidemic.  I owe her for that.”

LaCroix always paid his debts, but LaCroix protecting Nat astonished him.  LaCroix was right, he did have unpaid debts.  Natalie had saved the entire vampire population when she’d invented and distributed the vaccine for the ‘fever’ that was killing vampires.  And LaCroix owed him.  Divia, LaCroix’s mortal daughter, who became a vampire and brought LaCroix across, had tried killing LaCroix for revenge, but Nick had killed her, saving LaCroix.  LaCroix’s repayment had saved Natalie’s life.  His father never ceased to amaze him at the least expected times.  “Thank you…Father.”

“You’re welcome, Nicholas.”  LaCroix placed his hand on his son’s shoulder.  “You need to make a decision.  I arrived in time to save her life, but not to prevent Jonathan from manipulating her thoughts.  He’s erased all memories of her life, and you.  She locked in this unconscious state.”

“That’s not possible; Nat’s a resistor.”

“It is possible, Nicholas.  Jonathan was an ancient, like myself.  You know that we have knowledge and powers that others of our kind don’t.  Natalie will remain in this trance unless you help her.”   He knew his son wasn’t going to like the antidote, but eventually he would comply because he loved this woman.

Nick looked at Natalie, and held her closer to him.  “What?  What do I do to help her?”

“You must claim her totally as yours.”

Neither man spoke.  Nick didn’t bother to hide the blood tears that filled his eyes.   Nick continued to look at Natalie and stroke her cheek.  Finally he spoke.  “I can’t…I can’t do that to her.”  He cradled her head closer to his chest.  “No, there has to be another way.”

“If you don’t do this, she will remain in limbo, existing but not existing. If you truly love her, you will help her.  I’m afraid this ‘is’ the only way, Nicholas.”

“I can’t do this to her.  She’s not conscious to make the decision, to allow me to help her.”

LaCroix’s tightened his grasp on his son’s shoulder.  “You have to do this Nicholas, for Natalie’s sake, for your own.”

“LaCroix, this is rape!”

LaCroix raised a brow.  “Is it?”

“You know it is! She can not willingly give her consent.”

“Nicholas, you’ve tasted her blood.  You know what she desires.  Be honest with yourself.  You want the same thing that she does.”

“How do you know what she wants?”

LaCroix raised his blood stained hand.  “I know, because I’ve tasted her blood.”

Nick’s anger flared, his eyes again started to change to the blood lust red of the vampire.  His jaw muscles tightened.

 “Stop it, Nicholas!  I didn’t bite your precious love. I don’t have a bond with her.  I tasted her blood on my hand.  Jonathan drew her blood.  He didn’t bite her, but her neck and breast have several deep wounds.  I tasted her to gain knowledge of what transpired before my arrival.  Jonathan tried using her, to put a wedge between you and I, to make me destroy her, but I knew he lied because her blood didn’t lie.”

“And now you know.  I’ve tasted her, and we have a slight bond.  You also know she loves me with everything she is, and I love her.  What are you going to do about it?”  Nick waited, dreading the answer.

“Not a damn thing, Nicholas…not a damn thing.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“That is your choice.’

“What about my debt?”

“It’s been paid; a life for a life, your mortal love for my life.”

“Do you truly mean this?”

“You know, Nicholas, I never say what I don’t mean.”

LaCroix didn’t give his real reason.  If saving Natalie, and allowing them to be together, brought his son closer to him, he would use Natalie as a catalyst.  Silence again fell between them.  LaCroix removed his hand from his son’s shoulder.  “So, will you take her?  You don’t have to bring her across, but you do need to take enough of her blood to bond completely.  It’s the only way to bring her back to you. Let her feel you, feel your love.”

Nick didn’t say anything; he stroked her cheek, lightly rubbing his thumb across her bottom lip. ”Once I do this, there’s no turning back.  Sooner or later she will become one of us.  I know she doesn’t need to be brought across right away, but I won’t continuously feed from her mortal body.  That would be the cruelest existence for her.  She would become weak, and her life useless.  Each time I take her blood, she’ll desire me to do so again, more often.  A mortal can’t sustain that type of existence indefinitely.  You know the only way to end this is for me to eventually bring her across.”  He cradled her closer, and kissed her forehead.  

“Nicholas, you two moved past the ‘turning back’ point a long time ago.  Are you that naive?  Do you think she’ll want you to leave her behind when you move on?  Do you think that is even an option without the Enforcers paying her a visit?  You passed the point of no return the night you met.  Your Natalie reached out, touched the flame, and now she’s burned.  Only you fulfilling her desires can save her.”

“You call bringing her into this life, saving her?”

“Nicholas, I will say this only once, and we’ll never discuss it again.  I was wrong to leave your sister behind.”  LaCroix’s thoughts drifted to Nicholas’ mortal sister, the one true love of his life.  Nicholas had demanded that he not bring her across, and LaCroix had left her mortal.  The event ripped apart their once close bond of father and son.  “You know how Fleur’s life turned out.  Her mortal life was filled with hardships and heartbreak.  You thought you hypnotized Fleur to forget me, but I suspect eventually she may have remembered.  I’ve missed her every day of my immortal life.  I should have taken her, and even today she would be at my side.  Don’t make the same mistake, Nicholas.”

Nick couldn’t believe LaCroix had actually spoken about his sister.  Fleur had been a forbidden subject for centuries.  He looked at his father, and for one split second, he saw the anguish LaCroix carried in his heart, before his father’s stoic mask slid back in place.

“Lucien…I’m truly sorry.”  Nick’s voice was low, filled with sadness.  Now, he knew he’d made a mistake 800 years ago.  He should have informed his sister of what a vampire’s life truly meant, to live centuries, feeding off the blood.  Then allowed Fleur to make her own choice, choose her own destiny.

LaCroix remained silent and looked at his son. Nicholas’ use of his given name was something his son had avoided for a long time.  He assumed it too personal, when Nicholas continuously tried to remain distant from him.   LaCroix took a deep, unnecessary breath. “You always are, Nicholas, but your regrets usually come too late.  Don’t make that mistake with Natalie.”

“I understand, but I’m not sure I can do this without her being conscious, and freely giving herself to me. It still seems like rape.”

LaCroix was quickly losing patience with his do-good son.  “Nicholas! Don’t be prudish.  I know that the first time you sipped from her, it was an accident.”  He smirked.  “Considering the two of you, and your feelings for one another, I’m surprised it didn’t happen before now.  But the second time, tonight at the shelter, she willingly allowed you to taste her. How can you call it rape if you taste her again, even if she’s unconscious?  She loves you, and in your heart you know she would want this.  Do you think she would want you to leave her in this condition?”

Nick knew his father was right.  “Alright, LaCroix, I’ll do it.”

“Good, I was beginning to think I needed to do everything for you.”

Nick’s jaw tightened.  He would never allow LaCroix to take her for his own.

“Relax, I didn’t mean it literally.  Come, if you don’t want her to die from exposure, we need to get her inside.”

Nick touched his father’s arm.  “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, for Nat, but I don’t want an audience for this, and I’m sure Nat wouldn’t either.  This is between the two of us.”

LaCroix wanted to watch his son take his lover’s blood, to see his true nature through the bloodlust.  Nicholas was a beautiful creature when he accepted his Beast. It had been many years since he’d witnessed his son bite into the flesh of a mortal, but he knew Nicholas enough to not push the issue.  They’d made peace between them, and he didn’t want to destroy it.  To do so would once again cost him his son.   LaCroix reluctantly answered.  “Of course.  Tell Janette I’ll see her at the Raven.  And, Nicholas…don’t wait too long before you take her, the longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to bring her back to you.”

LaCroix turned to leave, but stopped to pick up Natalie’s purse and the tote bag she’d dropped.  He gave them to Nicholas.  “I believe you’ll need these.  Make sure you’re well fed before attempting to take her. I would hate to have gone to the trouble of saving her, only to have you take too much in a fit of passion.”  He grinned at his son.

LaCroix had been helpful, solicitous and cordial. This truly was a Christmas miracle, but he’d never mention it to LaCroix.  To do so would ruin the newly found peace between them.  The biggest miracle was his father had actually saved Natalie’s life.  For the rest of his days, he would thank God for that heavenly miracle.

Nick flew Natalie to her apartment balcony where Janette waited.  

Janette opened the French door, and stepped inside.  “Her bed is ready, put her there.”

Nick walked into Nat’s bedroom, and gently laid her on the bed.  He watched her sleeping, but it wasn’t sleep. This was a trance, a coma, and an existence that she’d never return from if he didn’t do as LaCroix had instructed.  His thoughts were on what this would do to her life.

Janette knew him well enough to know he was torn by the decision he must make to save Natalie.  “Nicholas?”  Her voice was barely a whisper.  “I’ll take care of her.”

“This is my fault, Janette. If I’d never allowed her to be a part of my world, this wouldn’t be happening to her.  She doesn’t deserve this!  She deserves a normal life, free from monsters and the bloodlust.”

“You’ve tasted her blood. Is that what she truly wants?”

“She has no idea what she’s getting in to.  If she did, she wouldn’t want this.”

“Oh, Nicholas, you’ll never change. It was the same when we were together.”

He looked at her, confused.

“You always think you know what’s best for someone, especially someone you love.  You were constantly making decisions for me.  That was one of the reasons I left you.  I was beginning to hate you for it.  Don’t make the same mistakes with Natalie.  She knows more about our kind than any mortal should, but still she accepts you, and loves you.  She’s well informed about what she’s getting into. She’s been informed for a long time, and it didn’t send her running away from you.”

“Did I really do that to you?”

“Yes, you did, but I’ve forgiven you. I even understand it now.  What you do, you do for love, to protect us.”  She caressed his cheek.  “You can protect her, but listen to her, Nicholas.  You know in your heart what she wants.  Listen to her, or you’ll eventually lose her.”

He covered her hand with his, and pulled her into his arms.  “Thank you, Janette.  I don’t deserve to have you in my life, but I treasure the fact that you forgave me, and you’re my friend.”

She took his face in her hands and kissed his lips.  “I’ll always love you, Nicholas.  Now, go, get out of here.  Let me take care of your Natalie.  She needs a woman now, not a dribbling, love sick puppy.”  She shoved him toward the door.

“I never dribble, Janette.”  He flashed his boyish smile.

“Out!”

He kissed her cheek.  “You’ll let me know if she wakes?’

“Of course.”

Janette closed the door behind him. She walked over to the bed and looked at Natalie.  At one time she’d actually hated this woman for helping Nicholas search for a cure for his vampirism.  But now, she admired and respected Natalie.  She realized that Natalie loved Nicholas and was willing to do anything to be with him, to help him find mortality or even to join him as a vampire.  Now, she truly understood that kind of love, since she’d fallen in love, and lost her mortal love, Robert.

“Natalie, he’s worth all the trouble he’ll bring into your life.  Just keep loving him, he needs you.”  Janette whispered as she pushed Natalie’s damp hair from her face, and eased off her wet coat.  Natalie’s blouse fell open, revealing the ugly scratches that Jonathan had left on her breast.  “Damn him! No woman deserves this!”  Janette undressed Natalie, and with a warm, wet towel began cleaning the dried blood from her body.  

The ugliness of what Jonathan had almost done to Natalie, made her eyes glow yellow with anger.  Janette had killed many, to survive.  It had been the only way before blood banks.  What Jonathan had done was evil—done to attack and hurt Nicholas.  Memories flooded Janette’s thoughts of her mortal past, of the days spent in the brothel where she’d been sold into slavery, because she couldn’t produce an heir for her evil husband.  She couldn’t remember how many times she’d taken care of friends that had been abused by a man?  She silently gave thanks to LaCroix for rescuing her from that degradation.  When he’d offered her the chance for escape, she’d accepted the eternal life, knowing no man would ever touch her again without her consent.   

Janette finished cleaning Natalie, and pulled the sheet and comforter over her naked body. She would be in this trance until Nicholas made her truly his.  She looked at this woman who’d stolen his heart, the heart that had once belonged to her.  She should feel resentment, hatred for her, but she didn’t.  She smiled.  She’d wanted a sister for centuries, and maybe now she’d get her wish.  Natalie would certainly keep the family on their toes. A wicked grin crossed her lips.  Natalie would be a worthy opponent to LaCroix.

Janette opened the bedroom door. Nicholas paced the living room floor, drinking blood wine from a crystal goblet.  He sensed Janette and looked up at her expectantly.

“How is she?”

“The same, but a lot cleaner.  I didn’t think she would appreciate waking to find her body a bloody mess.  The scratches on her neck aren’t as bad as the ones on her breast. I found medicine in the bathroom, and applied it to her wounds.  They aren’t bleeding, but her breast will be sore for a few days.”

“Thank you, Janette. How can I ever repay you?”

Janette couldn’t resist the offer. An evil twinkle sparkled in her eyes.  “Give me a sister. I feel the need for a female companion.  It’s been difficult dealing with you and LaCroix over the centuries.  And Natalie, would be a refreshing addition to our family, don’t you think?”

“Janette.”  Nick’s voice was full of warning.

“It’s up to you, of course, but I wouldn’t mind if she joins us.”

“Goodbye, Janette.  I’ll see you later.”  He walked into Natalie’s bedroom and closed the door, leaving Janette in the living room alone.

“I know you too well, Nicholas. I ‘will’ get a sister.”  She stepped out, onto the balcony and took flight toward the Raven.

Nick lay beside Natalie waiting and hoping she’d wake up from the trance.  Damn him!  If Jonathan weren’t already dead, he would send him to hell himself.  He stroked her face—his fingers lightly drifted across her lips, memorizing each curve and dip that was uniquely her. Her skin felt warm, but life didn’t exist in her now. He couldn’t stop touching her.  He’d almost lost her tonight.  Perhaps he had lost her.  There was no guarantee if he took her, she’d return to him.  She looked peaceful, as if she slept.  God, he couldn’t go on if she didn’t return to him.  LaCroix was right.  She wouldn’t wake on her own.

He leaned forward, and kissed her.  “I hope you know how much I love you.  Nat, I can’t live without you in my life.  Come back to me.  Please don’t leave me alone.”  He whispered as his nose nuzzled her ear.  He pulled her into his arms, keeping the blanket over her naked body.   He could feel her warmth penetrating his very soul.  Never had he loved a woman like this.  She was already a part of him, not just the bond, but also a part of his heart.  Without her he would cease to exist.  “Natalie, it’s taken me almost eight centuries to find you…I love you more than you’ll ever know…”  A blood tear escaped and slowly slid down his cheek.

He knew it was time.  LaCroix had warned him to not let her remain in this state for too long.  He didn’t dare wait any longer.

“Nat, I never wanted to claim you like this, but it’s the only way, my love.  Forgive me.”  He called forth his vampire, but kept it leashed. He would not allow the Beast to take her to the point of no return, to drain her. And he had no intentions of bringing her across, not like this.  If and when Natalie became a vampire, it would be her choice, and after they'd discussed and planned her conversion.  He realized now that Natalie becoming a vampire was a strong possibility.  LaCroix was right; there was no turning back, especially after what he was about to do.

Nick’s eyes turned golden, his fangs dropped.  He looked at Natalie one last time before he continued.  There was no other way.  He had to do this. He fought the urge to release the beast to let it feed.  He gently caressed both of her cheeks, kissing her nose, her brows, temples, and lips.  He lowered his mouth to her neck, kissing her throbbing pulse over her carotid artery.  He’d wanted her forever, but he’d never imagined he would take her like this. In his dreams they’d always been making mortal love, and then he’d taken her, claimed her as his, for an eternity.

His tongue stroked the length of her warm neck several times.  He had to do this before he changed his mind.  He slowly, and gently bit into her tender flesh.  His fangs penetrated.  Natalie’s skin rubbed across his fangs as he slowly pushed them deeper into her flesh.  The stimulation to his fangs caused his groin to tighten.  This was not supposed to be a sexual act, but his body betrayed him.  Biting and blood were sexual for the vampire.

He moved his head slightly, causing his fangs to pierce her artery. Her warm blood shot into his mouth filling him, but nothing of Natalie remained, except her blood’s unique taste.  He gently sucked her life force into him; pushing into their mental bond, he called to her.  Natalie, please don’t leave me.  I need you.  Fight, Nat; fight to come back, back here with me where you belong.  He reigned in his Beast, not allowing it to fully emerge.  He had to remain in control, or he would lose her completely.  He couldn’t take too much.  He continued to suck her warmth, and push telepathically into their link.  I’m so sorry, Nat. Please don’t hate me for this.  I love you.  You’ll never know how much you mean to me.  Nat…Please.

He could feel her warm blood flowing down his cold throat, The blood never lied, it told everything a person was, felt, a blueprint of their life, but she was empty.  There was still no sign of life, no fire, no passion.

Oh God, help me.  Nat, please forgive me. Come back to me, my love. I don’t want to live another day without you beside me.  Please, Nat.  Damn it! Fight! Fight for us!  You said you loved me.  If you truly do, fight for that love.  We ‘can’ be together.

Finally, he felt her.  She was there on the edge of darkness, trying to reach for him, but something was holding her back.  That’s it, come to me. Nat, remember our love.  God, help her.  Please, God, bring her back to me, save her from this madness.  Another blood tear fell down his cheek.  He pleaded and prayed at the same time.

Nick could still feel her, trying to reach him. He didn’t want to break the connection, but he had to stop before he took too much of her blood. If only he could continue for a bit longer, he might be able to bring her back, but he had no choice, he had to stop.  He gently eased his fangs out of her neck, and licked the fresh wound.  He watched as his saliva started to heal the puncture marks.  He wished that he could heal Jonathan’s wounds, but only the vampire’s saliva that caused a wound could do that.

“Nat, can you hear me?”  He took her hand and held it to his chest, tightening his grasp.  “Natalie Lambert, you’re a fighter and I want you to fight for your life.  You have to come back to me.  I need you.”  More blood tears released.  He couldn’t ever remember shedding tears since becoming a vampire, except when Schanke died.  He refused to even think about Nat’s death, even her mental one.

He laid his head on her shoulder, and pulled her closer to him.  He was lost to the rhythm of her heartbeat. “God, I’m not sure you can hear me, but if you can, please bring her back. I pray that you’ll bring her back…not for me, but for her.  She doesn’t deserve this.”  He kissed her cheek, and shut his eyes.  There was nothing more he could do but wait.

Natalie could hear Nick calling her, but she couldn’t see him.  She tried responding, but it was as if her throat were paralyzed.

She felt a heavy weight pushing her downward.  She tried opening her eyes, but they felt heavy too.  With great effort she opened them enough to see.  A blonde mass of hair tickled her chin.  She tried moving, but only managed a slight turn of her head.  “Nick?’  It was barely a whisper, but he heard her.

Nick’s head jerked up, his blue eyes widened and looked at her.  She managed with great effort to smile.  “What happened?  How long have I been sleeping?” Her voice was scratchy, but a bit louder than before.

He immediately wrapped his arms around her, hugging her close to him. “Oh, Nat!”  He buried his face in her auburn curls.  “Nat, I thought I had lost you forever.”  He rocked her body back and forth like a child, his arms tightened around her.  His rocking became more intense.

“Nick…Nick?”  She barely squeezed the words out because his arms held her too tight.  “Nick! You’re hurting me.”

He stopped rocking, released his hold, and looked at her.  “I’m sorry, Nat.  I’m sorry for everything. I thought I had lost you, but you came back to me.”

Her breathing became more regular.  “Nick, what are you talking about?”

“What’s the last thing you remember?”  

“The shelter, you…” She caressed his cheek.

He took her hand, and began kissing it repeatedly.  “What else?”

“Oh, my gosh! A man…no, a vampire.  Nick!”

He gently pulled her back into his arms.  “Its okay, love, you’re safe. I won’t let anything happen to you.”  He could feel her body begin to tremble, hear her tears.  

“I tried calling to you, through our bond, but you didn’t respond.” She cried into his shoulder.  “Nick, I’ve never been so frightened.  He said he wanted me. I tried resisting him, but he was too strong. I thought I was a resistor, but the harder I fought his mind control, the more I succumbed.”

He stroked her hair.  “Nat, he was an ancient with powers that only they have.  Some of the ancients can hypnotize anyone.”

“Nick, I tried to fight it, but I failed.” She continued to sob.  He held her from him, and took her face in his hands.  “I don’t remember much after that.  What happened?  How did you find me?”

“Nat, LaCroix saved you.  He found Jonathan attacking you, and killed him. He’ll never hurt you again.”

“LaCroix?”

“Yes.”  He proceeded to tell her the events of the evening, up to the point of him bringing her to the apartment, and Janette taking care of her.  He didn’t know how she’d react when he told her about him taking her blood while she was unconscious.

“Nat, there’s something we need to talk about.”

She looked at him, and rubbed her temples.  “Nick, I can really feel you, our bond.”

“How do you feel about that?”

“Its strange.  The tingling is distracting, but…”

“Nat, I need you to be honest with me.  Do you…”

“Nick, I love you, and you love me.  If this is the only way we can be together, then I accept it.”  She bit her lower lip.  “I’m getting use to it.  I like feeling connected to you.  Nick, this will be…”

“This is not what I wanted for you, for us.”

She locked her hands around his neck.  “You need to listen to me, really listen to me.  I haven’t found a cure, to bring you back into my world.  We have to face the fact that I may never find a cure.  I know you hate what you are. But you need to accept that it doesn’t matter to me if you’re vampire or mortal. I love you, and I want to be with you no matter what.”

He took her arms from around his neck, and held them, his thumbs stroking her palms. “Nat…I had to take your blood. I’m sorry.”  His voice was low, raspy, his face full of regret.

“What are you saying, Nick?  What does that have to do with what I just said?”

“Nothing, but everything.  Jonathan put you in a deep hypnotic state.  He was going to make you his ‘thrall’.  There are two steps to creating a thrall.  First, the vampire hypnotizes the mortal to forget everything, clearing their mind of any past existence.  The final step is to take the mortal’s blood, and give the mortal a small sample of their vampire blood.  Not enough to bring the mortal across, but enough to form a permanent bond, to enslave the mortal to them.  Nat, he didn’t complete the blood exchange, but he did hypnotize you.  Nat, you would have remained there forever if I hadn’t strengthened our bond.”  

Nick couldn’t look at her as he admitted what he’d done.   He looked down at his hands holding hers, and continued stroking her palms.  “I took your blood without your consent!”  He was repulsed at hearing his crime aloud.  He released her, quickly got off the bed, and paced the room.  

“Nick, I don’t understand, but its okay. I’m fine.”

He turned to her.  “Damn it, Nat, you’re not fine. You’ll never be fine again.  Don’t you get it?  What I’ve done to you is permanent!”

“What exactly have you done to me?”

“I've done something worse than what Jonathan did to you.  I raped you!"  He turned his back to her.  “At least LaCroix arrived before Jonathan committed that foul act against you.  You've always trusted me, and I betrayed that trust by taking you without your consent, strengthening our bond.  Nat, this bond we share is irreversible.” He turned and stared at her, pain filled his eyes.  "I'm just like him, I hurt you. Damn it, Nat, I did rape you!"

Her eyes widened.  She was confused.  She tried to comprehend his words.  “You mean you made love to me while I was unconscious?”  Her face flushed at the thought.

He saw her look of bewilderment.  “Not mortal love, but I took your blood.  For a vampire that is sexual.  This was the same thing as if I had intercourse with you while you were unconscious.  I’m not trying to make excuses, but you have to understand. The only way I could bring you out of the trance was to take your blood, strengthen our bond, to call you back to me, and even then I wasn’t sure it would work.”

“Stop it! It’s not the same!  Don't you ever compare yourself to Jonathan again!  If I understand this, it was totally different than rape.”  Nat started to leave the bed, and for the first time realized she was naked.  She wondered if he had helped Janette undress her, seen her naked.  The thought made her blush again.  She wrapped the sheet around her, tightly secured it above her breast, and went to him.  “Damn it, Nick.  How can you say that?”

Natalie’s scientific and medical intellect pushed all personal emotions aside.  “You said I would have remained in the trance if you hadn’t strengthened our bond, and to do that you needed to take more of my blood. You did the only thing you could do.  Nick, that’s not rape! Rape means to take, but you gave, you gave me back my life.  Don’t you ever call what you did rape!”  She softened her voice.  "Nick, you could never be guilty of rape.  You're not that kind of man."

“Rape?”  He snickered in disgust.  “Nat, I’ve done worse.”  His voice was hard, his face reflected his anger, but his eyes showed all the centuries of regret.

“Stop it!  I have a good idea what your past crimes are, but I don’t think even then you raped.  You can’t change the past, but the fact that you regret your mistakes proves what kind of man you are. Nick, you’re different now.”

“Nat, we can never undo this bond, it’s permanent.  I’ve condemned you, without you having a choice.  The bond is…forever.”

Her eyes widened at the realization of his words. They would forever be connected, a part of each other. There was no regret; this pleased her.  How could he ever believe their bond would condemn her when it was what she desired most—to be with him, connected to him forever?

“I’m sorry, Nat.”  His voice was raspy. He ran his fingers through his hair, and rubbed the back of his neck.  “How can you possible love me after what I’ve done to you?” The expression on his face reflected fear, sorrow. His eyes pleaded with her to understand.

“Oh, Nick, I did have a choice.  I chose a long time ago to love you.  I’ve wanted us to be together for a long time.  Nick, do you love me?”

His eyes locked with hers.  “How could you doubt that? Nat, I love you so much that it hurts.”

“And I love you, and always will. I want to be with you forever.”

“What are you saying?”

Her lips curved into a half smile.  “We love each other, and we already have the bond.  You said it couldn’t be reversed, so we accept it and move forward, together.”

“You make it sound so easy.”

“It can be. And before you go into that entire ‘my soul will be condemned’ speech, you know I don’t believe that.  Eventually, I want you to bring me across so that we can be together forever.”

“I never wanted this life for you.”

“Well, you didn’t choose it for me, not really, Jonathan did.  You saved my life, saved me from being an empty shell. In a way, he took my life from me, but you gave it back.  Nick, you’re no longer a taker like Jonathan, you’re a giver.  I wish you would remember that.”

He took her in his arms, and buried his face in her hair.  “I wish there had been another way.  Nat, I was scared of losing you forever.  I needed to have you with me, to hold you, but your thoughts and mind were gone…I prayed to God to send you back to me.”  He tightened his arms around her.

“I know.  I remember you pleading with me to return, and asking God to help us.  Nick, I don’t know much about what happened tonight, but maybe we experienced a miracle, our own Christmas miracle.  Maybe this was what needed to happen, to direct us on a path that would bring us together.”

He kissed her on the temple and forehead.  “I doubt this is what God wants for you.”

“Nick, he’s given us the freedom of choice, to think and make our own decisions.  I’ve thought about this a lot…almost the entire six years we’ve known each other.  This is what I truly want, to be with you, if you want me. To love you forever, is my choice.”

He tilted her chin upward with one finger.  “Are you sure?”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

He held her face in his hands, gently ran the pads of his thumbs over her cheeks, and smiled. Again, blood tears threatened to fill his eyes.  “Then we will be together, forever.”  He lightly kissed her lips, the top one, the bottom one, each corner of her mouth.  He nuzzled her nose.  His eyes locked with hers.  “Words can never express how much I love you.”  He kissed her bottom lip, her chin, and the front of her neck.

The sheet wrapped around her began to slide down her body, exposing her back and more of her shoulders, but she didn’t care.  He continued to kiss her neck, her shoulder, slowly moving downward, kissing the soft roundness at the top of her breast.

She winced. The scratches were deep, her breast still sore.

“I’m sorry, love. We shouldn’t be doing this.  This is not what you need tonight.  Your body needs rest.”  He pulled the sheet higher, covered more of her body, and lifted her into his arms.

She leaned her head against his shoulder, and laid her hand over his heart.  She felt one of his rare heartbeats, and silently treasured it.  “I’m okay, Nick. You didn’t hurt me. I’m just a little sore.”  She yawned.  “And tired.”

He gently laid her on the bed, and covered her with the comforter.  “Sleep.  We’ll talk when you wake.”

“Will you stay with me?”

Nick could think of nothing he desired more than stay with her. He’d satisfied the hunger of his beast, but not of the man.  He didn’t think he could remain in her bed without making passionate love to her the rest of the night.

“I’ll stay, but on the sofa.”

She frowned.  “There’s more than enough room for you here.  I promise I don’t bite.”

He chuckled.  “No, but I do, and you need to rest, to recover from the earlier blood loss.  I promise I’ll be here when you wake up.”

She yawned again.  “Okay, I’m too tired to argue.”

He kissed her again on the lips.  “This is definitely a first.”  

Natalie hadn’t heard him, because she was already asleep.

Nick woke and looked at his watch.  After centuries of sleeping during the daytime,  he was surprised he’d been able to sleep through the entire night.  His earlier thoughts drifted to last night’s events, and how close he’d come to losing Nat.  He still couldn’t believe his father had actually saved her life. It was six in the morning, just before LaCroix usually retired for the day. He mentally pushed into their bond, something he rarely did.  Father…Nat is awake…she’s going to be all right.  Thank you.

Instantly he received a response from LaCroix.  Take care of her, Nicholas. When she’s feeling better bring her to the Raven.  I think we all need to talk.

Nick tensed.  What was LaCroix up to?  

Relax, Nicholas, I think Natalie needs to get to know the family.  Janette has grown quite fond of her.  Do not fear for your Natalie, she’s safe with us and always will be.  For once, Nicholas, you’ve proved me wrong.  Your Natalie is an exceptional mortal, and worthy of your love.

Nick was amazed.  He felt a warm embrace from his father through their bond.  How long had he waited for his father to allow him to make his own decisions in his life?  And now, for LaCroix to accept Nat, and welcome her, was overwhelming.  

We’ll be there.  Thank you.  He pushed his own warm embrace to LaCroix, and instantly felt the sudden reflex from him; his father was shocked.  It had been many years since they’d communicated like this.  Merry Christmas, LaCroix. He smiled, and waited for his father’s reaction, knowing how LaCroix hated mortal entrapments, especially holidays.

LaCroix sent a firm message to his son.  Don’t get sentimental on me Nicholas; it’s so degrading.

Nick couldn’t stop himself, he laughed out loud.  Some things would never change.  He folded the blanket, put it and the pillow in the closet.  He sensed Nat’s change of breathing, and knew she would awake soon.  He pulled the heavy drape open, and was surprised to see an unexpected blizzard. He looked down at the parking lot, and noticed the snow already half covered Nat’s car. Even with his supernatural vision, he could barely see the building across the street for the blowing snow.  The skies were dark, suggesting there was no immediate end to the storm.  The gusts of wind whistled between the buildings, bending the bare trees.  He smiled when he remembered Nat telling him a few weeks earlier that she wished for a white Christmas.

They could be snowed in for a couple of days.  For once, he wasn’t frightened to be trapped for an extended time with Nat.  He felt more in control than ever before.  Nat’s blood, even though empty of her emotions and life, had somehow calmed his beast.  The vampire seemed to have retreated deep within, something Nick could never remember happening. The Beast no longer lurked, waiting for a chance to lash out. It was still there, but for the first time in 800 years it felt different, it felt at peace.  His faith, that he wouldn’t let the vampire hurt Nat, had helped him take her without destroying her.  It proved they could be together, and pursue an intimate relationship.  This knowledge made him happier than he ever remembered.  He smiled at the thoughts of loving her, loving her as a man loves a woman.  He shut the drape, making sure no light escaped into the room.  

Nick plugged in the Christmas tree lights, and noticed the three packages under the tree.  He could see the names, two for Syd and one for him.  He smiled at the feline sitting at his feet, and scratched under his chin.  “Well, Sydney, it looks like you outrank me.  It’s bad when the cat gets more presents than the man.”  He picked up his jacket from the back of the chair, where he’d thrown it before falling asleep on the sofa. He slipped his hand into the pocket, and pulled out two small packages.  Last night, he’d been late arriving at Nat’s, because he’d stopped by the loft to change out of the Santa suit, pack an overnight bag, and get her presents.

He looked at both packages. One he’d planned to give her, but the second present had been an impulse at the time.  He was glad he’d brought the second gift, now it seemed appropriate. He hoped Nat would like her presents.  He laid them under the tree and headed to the kitchen.

Nick cooked her breakfast, and made a cup of her favorite—hot chocolate.  He placed everything on a tray, along with his own breakfast, a cup of uncut blood from the blood packs that Nat had obviously brought from the morgue.  He headed for the bedroom, and as he entered the hall he saw the mistletoe hanging over the doorway.  He smiled, and grabbed it.  

Nick sat the tray on the bedside table, and watched Natalie sleep.  She was lying on her back, her hair splayed across her pillow, her bare arm resting on the spare pillow.  She was a beautiful woman, full of life, passion, and love, love for him. He said a silent prayer of thanks to God for bringing her back to him. It still amazed him how trusting she was, never afraid to meet his beast head on if the need arose.  She truly did accept him, man and vampire, and that made him love her even more.

Nick picked up the mistletoe from the tray, and sat on the bed.  He continued to watch Natalie sleep.  Their lives had changed forever.  They were permanently connected, and he hoped she’d never regret it. There were many things they needed to discuss, including moving on when the time came.  He knew it would be hard for her to leave Toronto, her family and friends, but now there was no choice.  He’d never leave her behind, and he was almost certain she wouldn’t want him to.

Nat stirred, and her long eyelashes fluttered, her eyes tried to open.  She let out a slight moan, opened her eyes, and smiled at him.  “You’re here.”

“I told you I’d be here when you woke.  How did you sleep?”

She stretched.  “Like the dead.”

They both chuckled at her comment.  He enjoyed her sense of humor.  Nick pushed a strand of auburn hair behind her ear. He loved her hair, loved feeling it curl around his fingers.  His fingers slowly stroked down her cheek, caressing her chin.  He grinned, and held the mistletoe over her head.  “Merry Christmas, Nat.”

She smiled. “Merry Christmas, Nick.”

He leaned down and lightly kissed her on the lips.

“Hey, do I smell chocolate?”  She held the sheets in front of her, covering her nakedness, and sat up.

He chuckled.  “Indeed.  I made you breakfast.  I wasn’t sure chocolate was on your usual breakfast menu, but I’ve never known you to turn it down.  And it is Christmas, a time for special treats.” He gave her the cup and waited for her to sample the drink.  “How did I do?”

She took a sip.  “For someone who can’t eat normal food, you amaze me with your culinary talents.”

He took the hot mug from her, and gave her the pink, terry, bathrobe, turning his head to give her privacy.  She couldn’t help but smile at his chivalry.  He would always have a part of the medieval knight in him, no matter how many centuries he lived.  “I’m decent, you can turn around now.”

He looked embarrassed, and that amused her.  “So what else did you manage to scrounge up in my kitchen?”

He fluffed the bed pillows against the headboard, and set the breakfast tray in her lap. She lifted the paper napkin that was covering her plate.  “Wow!  Hot chocolate is one thing, but now I’m really impressed.”

“Well, it’s been a long time, but a soldier does need to learn to cook his own meals. I don’t think frying eggs and bacon has changed that much through the centuries.”

“Hmmm, this is great!’ She managed to say, even though her mouth was full of food.  She pointed the fork at him.  “You know, after your life as a homicide detective has ended, you might consider becoming a chef.”

“I don’t think so.  I have a problem with the garlic.”  She laughed at his joke.  They continued to chitchat over trivial things until both were finished with their meal.  He took the tray from her, and placed it on the nightstand.  He noticed the mistletoe lying on the floor, picked it up, held it over her head, and gave her a mischievous grin.

“I think you’ve already used this trick once.”

“It worked didn’t it?”  He leaned forward and kissed her. Before he realized what she’d planned to do, her arms wrapped around his neck, and pulled him down, on top of her.  She was instantly rewarded with his secret. The man desired her.  She could feel his hard erection even through the layers of clothes.  

Natalie’s tongue seductively brushed his lips asking for entrance.  He didn’t hesitate.  He threw the mistletoe over his shoulder, and opened to her, drawing her warm tongue into his cool mouth.  He held her body closer to his, and deepened the kiss. He felt her hands rubbing up and down his back. Her touch was like a match striking the flame to his desire. Her body arched into his.  She felt so damn good in his arms.  

Nick wanted her; not his beast, but the man wanted her. He wanted to bury himself deep into her warm core and lose himself forever.  But to do so, he’d need to take her blood to finish, and he couldn’t. She’d lost enough blood when he’d strengthened their bond. If they continued this, it would end with him making passionate love to her, and she was too weak for that.  He didn’t want to stop, but he broke the kiss, and moaned into her hair.  “God knows I love you, and want you, but not yet.”

She pushed him slightly away for her, enough to see his face. “Why?”

“Hon, you’re the doctor, you know we can’t do this, not now. You’ve already lost enough blood.  Don’t think for one minute I don’t want you, because I do.”  He caressed her cheek. “I’ll always want you.”

“Nick, how much of my blood did you take?’  She bit her lip, and waited.

He was uncomfortable with his admission. He turned his head, avoided eye contact.  “I’m not sure. I was so scared that I was losing you…a pint, maybe a bit more…I’m just not sure.”

“Nick, look at me.”  He reluctantly turned his head, his eyes locked with hers.  “I don’t think you took that much. I feel fine. A bit tired, but it feels like mental exhaustion.  I don’t feel light headed or sick.  I don’t think you give yourself enough credit. You didn’t take too much, you stayed in control.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that we can be together.  How much blood do you need to make love?”

He could feel his blood rushing to his face.  He’d just fed, and was sure he was flushed. He wasn’t embarrassed to talk about making love, but discussing how much blood he needed had always been an uncomfortable subject.  He sure didn't want to discuss how much he needed to complete the mortal sex act.

“I’ve fed, so a couple of mouthfuls would do.”  His answer was almost a whisper.

“Then I want you to make love to me.”

“Nat…I’m not sure…”

“Nick, you’ve already taken my blood, and you stopped before you took too much. I trust you.  This is a new beginning for us.” She kissed his chin, and smiled.  “And I’d rather like our new beginning to be on Christmas. Christmas is supposed to be a time for miracles. For years, I’ve dreamed of us being together like this.  For me, this is a miracle.  So make love to me, Nick, make me truly yours.”

Nick gave her a concerned look, but she could see the desire.  “Are you sure it’s safe for you?”

“Yes.”  She waited.

He continued to look at her.  She could see the unspoken battle going on inside of him.  Nick slowly smiled.  She saw love and tenderness radiating in his eyes.  His decision made, he kicked his shoes off. Without speaking, Nick lowered his head, his mouth firmly covering hers.  

Natalie had her answer. She couldn’t unbutton his shirt fast enough.  She wanted to feel his bare skin next to hers.  Natalie didn’t believe this was actually happening after all the years she’d desired him. She’d lost count of how many times he had invaded her dreams and made love to her.

Nick slipped off his socks, never breaking the kiss.  His tongue eagerly plunged into her warm mouth, and she accepted him willingly.  Their lover’s oral dance was intense, each stroking and caressing the other in every way possible. Nick’s fingers gently tangled in her hair.  She slid his shirt off his shoulders, and somehow managed to remove it completely.  He rolled to the side of her, braced his weight on his arm, and looked down at her.  “Nat, we need to slow down.”  He caressed her face.  “I want this to be special…we’ve waited so long.”

“I don’t want to slow down.”  Her eyes were smoldering with desire. A mischievous grin spread across her lips.  “We’ve been going too slow for too long.”

Nick was pleased, and not surprised with her boldness; she’d always been passionate about everything she did.  Once Natalie made up her mind to do something, nothing would stop her.  He realized, that she was determined to make love.  She reached between them, unbuckled Nick’s belt and unzipped his pants.  “Nick Knight, if you don’t make love to me, I’m going to scream.”

“We can’t have that, what would the neighbors think?”  He chuckled. He quickly stood, slid out of his pants and lay down beside her.  

“Nice boxers, Knight.”  She grabbed the top of the black, silk undergarment and tugged downward.  “But they have to go.”  

He took them off and rolled toward her, taking her in his arms.   “And this has to go.”  He tugged on her pink bathrobe, causing it to fall open, exposing her breasts.  His eyes briefly flashed yellow before turning back to their natural blue. The playfulness was gone. The ugly marks from Jonathan’s attack angered him. He gently stroked the scratches.  “I’m sorry, Nat.”  His voice was full of regret.  He continued stroking her breast, cupping it in his cool hand.

“Nick, you didn’t do this.” She touched his face, making him look at her.

“But…”

“No. This is not your fault.  You blame yourself for everything, but I won’t let you take the blame for this.”

“Nat, it was because of me that he hurt you.”

“Nick, this is Jonathan’s doing, not yours.  He was an evil monster.  He had no respect for women or for life.”

“He was what I am, Nat.”

“Nick, you’re not a monster, and you’re certainly not evil.  You’re a loving and caring man, who reveres life, who always tries to do the right thing.  I couldn’t love a monster.  And I do love you…with everything that I am.  I’ve learned one thing from you over the years, just because someone is a vampire, doesn’t mean they’re a monster or evil.”  She could see him finally relax.  “Your more human than you think.  I wish you could see yourself as I do.”

He caressed her breast, leaned forward, placing a kiss on the wound, before looking at her.  “Nat, you realize that I’m going to change.”  He paused.  “I may say things to you while we’re making love.  The…Nat, the vampire will be making love to you, to.  It’s very possessive.”

“Nick, I understand.”

“Do you?”

She stroked his cheek, her hand sliding down his jaw to caress his chin.  “Nick, everything needs love, even a vampire. Let the man and the vampire love me, it’s what I truly want.  It’s a part of you, and I love all of you.  I trust you, and know that you won’t let the vampire hurt me.”

He kissed her cheek.  “Please remember that.  I don’t know why you love me.  I only hope that I never disappoint you. “

“Nick, you could never disappoint me.  No one is perfect.  Everyone has their problems, their dark side.  We love each other, and no matter what happens, we can deal with it—together.

He lightly kissed her lips, and smiled.  “Together…forever.”

The way he looked at her, made her entire body feel as if it would melt.  Never had a man made her feel so loved and cherished.  Natalie held his face between her hands, forcing him to look at her.  “Make love to me…I want all of you.”

He ran the back of his hand down her cheek. “I’ll never let anyone hurt you again.” His voice was gentle at first, but changed to a low, dangerous tone.  “No one will ever touch you…but me.”  His eyes sparked with yellow flecks.  “You’re mine, now and forever.”

She knew he meant it. His words caused a cold shiver to run through her body.  She knew this was the Vampire talking, but Nick the man would keep the Beast from consuming her.  She also knew his words were a declaration of love; she was his, and only his, not to own, but to cherish. She wanted to be his, totally.  He loved her, respected her, would protect her, and that was all that mattered.  She would never have any regrets in loving or giving herself to him.  She knew someday, she would be his creation, his immortal child, but she knew he’d never treat her like an object of possession, try to own her, control her like LaCroix had him.

He covered her mouth with his, as he slid her robe completely off.  His hands stroked across her body, and once again he took her tongue into his mouth.   I want you, Nat.  I want all of you.  Give yourself to me.   He pushed into their bond, communicating telepathically with her.

Natalie welcomed his mental embrace; so different from what Jonathan had done to her; that had been a violation.   Love me, Nick. Take me and make me yours forever. I want you.   It amazed her how easily she’d become comfortable with the bond, the mental communication.  She didn’t find it an intrusion, but accepted it as a part of their love.  Somehow, even in this short time, it felt natural, like a second skin.

Slowly, Nick’s mouth left her lips, and moved downward, to the side of her neck.  He paused, gently sucking over her carotid artery.  He could feel her life force pulsing against his tongue, but his beast didn’t demand he take her. Her body was soft, and yielding under his touch.  He could feel the slight tremors running through her body from anticipation of what they were about to do.

Nick wanted to please her, to make her scream his name in passion, and he wanted to taste every inch of her.  The sweet, musky scent of her arousal was almost enough to unman him, but that wouldn’t happen unless he took her blood.  He was determined to give her pleasure before he took his own. She deserved to be loved thoroughly.  The thought of actually doing the things to her body that he’d only dreamed of made his erection firmer.
 
Nick had no doubt that Natalie had not been with another man in the six years he'd known her.   He would have sensed it.  A vampire could always detect the lingering sexual scent of lovemaking. Unknown to humans, the smell didn't wash off, but permeated their pores for several days.  Nat wasn’t the type of woman to sleep with a man unless she was in a relationship, and that pleased him.  She’d put her life on hold since meeting him, hoping eventually they’d find a way to be together.  The few drops of her blood that he’d tasted when she’d impaled her tongue on his fang had told him this. She’d had faith that someday they could consummate their love.  She was his, and he planned to take her, make her never want another for as long as she lived.

Nick’s mouth trailed kisses lower, to her breast. His tongue circled a path around her nipple before sucking it into his mouth.  She moaned.  He continued suckling her breast while his other hand gently rolled her other nipple between his finger and thumb, careful to avoid her wounds.  His erection was becoming uncomfortable, but he refused to give in to his vampire.  He was just getting started with his sweet torture of her lovely body.  He alternated his position, giving equal attention to each breast before moving downward, kissing her flat stomach.

Nick’s tongue drew circles around her navel.  His lips caressed her skin, as his tongue stroked and fueled her desire. He was slowly making his way to the feast waiting for him.  He could smell her desire, and it called to him and his vampire; both wanted to sample her treasures.  His hand eased downward, his fingers separating her warm lips, and for the first time touched her erect nub.  He looked at her.

“Do you like that?”  His voice was low, seductive.

“Yes…please…” she whispered

“Please what?”  He touched her again and waited.

“Nick!”

Nick’s vampire, eyes smoldered a golden-green, caressing every inch of her naked body.  He nibbled at her inner left thigh, stroking her tender flesh with his fangs, giving them both pleasure.

“Please…please take me!”  Natalie pleaded.

Natalie’s hips arched toward him. Each time they did, Nick pulled back, forcing her to come to him for more.  A wicked game he played with her, but he had full intentions to eventually put out her flames.  His cool tongue licked across her lower abdomen and down her other thigh.  His eyes turned more golden. Nick looked at her again, his eyes burning her with desire.  He didn’t say anything, but lowered his head.

Nick’s mouth covered her throbbing nub, his cool tongue thrusting into her warm core. He heard her gasp at his assault, and felt her body push forward, demanding he continue.  He sucked greedily, held her thighs apart, and eased them on to his shoulders.  His mouth began to work the sweet torture he’d dreamed of giving her.  Nick stroked his tongue in and out of her warmth, tasting her desire.  He suckled her nub, and lightly brushed his fangs against her labium, careful not to hurt her.  Natalie’s hips bucked off the bed, her hands grabbed at his hair, and pulled him closer.  Nick grinned at her boldness. He eased one finger into her, then two as his mouth continued to suck, his tongue massaging her nub between his firm suckling. She was wet with desire for him.

“Nick!”

He didn’t stop.  This loving was their first, and he wanted to hear her, see her, and most of all feel her when she had her release.  He wanted to make her scream his name again and again.  He could feel her body tense, and hear her heavy breathing. He moved his fingers in and out, thrusting upward, until he felt his fingers touch her cervix.

Nick gently pushed his fingers deeper, rotating them.  He slowly pulled his fingers almost out of her, only to gradually, thrust them deeper into her warmth again. He rapidly repeated the motion, as his mouth continued to bring her closer to release.  He felt her body arch upward, her hips lifted off the bed.  He sucked a bit harder.

“Oh my gosh…Nick!  Yes!  NICK! NICK!”  

He felt her body tense, and her inner muscles tighten around his fingers.  “

“NICK!”

Natalie’s moisture covered his hand, and he tasted her release.  He couldn’t get enough of her.  He replaced his fingers with his tongue, lapping her warm flow, her taste forever imprinted in his memory.  Nick felt her fingers tug at his hair and knew what she wanted.  He eased upward, covering her body with his.  Natalie spread her thighs and wrapped them around his waist.  Nick knew his eyes were completely golden.  He hesitated, not wanting to frighten her, but she pulled him closer and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“I love you, make me yours, completely.” Her breathless words were barely a whisper.

He kissed her lips.   “Natalie, I love you with everything I am. You’re beautiful.”  Nick shifted his body, bracing his weight on his hands, and gently kissed her lips.  His eyes locked with hers.  He wanted to see her face when he penetrated her warm core for the first time.  

Natalie held his face, running her thumbs over his lips.  “I’ll always love you, Nick.” Her hand lowered, and wrapped around his length.  She guided him to her opening, and with one push he entered her moist core.  Her warmth surrounded his cool member, embracing him.  

She slightly flinched, and he stopped.  “Nat?”

“I’m fine, it’s just been a long time…a real long time.”  She gave him a shy grin, and kissed him.  Her body arched upward, a sign for him to continue.

Nick smiled inward. He’d been right about Natalie’s absence of sexual activity. This pleased his male ego. He was her first in years, and he wanted to give her all the pleasures he could.  He remained still, allowing her body to accept him.  When he didn’t move, Nat arched toward him again.  

“Nick, I’m not made of glass.”  She playfully whispered into his ear. Her hands stroked down his back, dropped lower, and pulled him closer, causing him to push deeper into her.  Natalie’s nails lightly scraped across his buttocks.

He chuckled.  “My little tiger has claws.”  He held her face in his hands and gently kissed her nose.   “You my dear, have your own beast.”  His tongue firmly stroked her lips, demanding entrance into her warm, moist mouth.  The taste of her released passion on his lips fueled her desire.

Nick pushed deeper into her warm heaven, and could feel the vampire begging for release, but he would wait. He wanted her to first make love to the man, and then he would allow the vampire to claim her.  Nick’s body began the slow ageless rhythm of lovers, and Natalie responded with each of his strokes.

Her inner muscles tightened, caressing his arousal.  Nick couldn’t believe this was actually happening.  All his sexual dreams about Nat, none had prepared him for the ecstasy he was experiencing.  This was the first time in almost 800 years he’d made physical love to a mortal.  He’d shared blood with Janette, but he hadn’t physically made love to her in over a hundred years.  Nothing in his long life had ever felt this good.

Natalie’s inner muscles tugged at his length, pulling him deeper into her warmth.  He slowly pulled out, barely remaining inside of her body, then shoved into her deep and hard.

“Oh my Gosh, Nick!’ She gasped, barely whispering.

That was all Nick needed, he released his beast.  His partially exposed fangs dropped to full length.  He firmly held Natalie’s head with both hands, and made her look at him. The vampire demanded she know that it was a part of this coupling.  “You’re mine.  No other will ever touch you.  Nothing will ever separate us.  I’ll kill anyone who tries to take you from me.”

Natalie should have been afraid, but she pulled him to her, ferociously covering his mouth with hers. His words had only added to her need.  Her tongue plunged into his mouth, and began to sensually stroke his fangs.

Nick was amazed at how quickly she’d become a master at caressing them to heighten his sexual pleasure.  The vampire surrendered to her, something it had never done to anyone.  Nick was lost in her arms, in her love.  He basked in her warmth, and so did the vampire.  

Natalie once again raked her tongue over his fangs, purposely cutting the tip.  Her blood on his tongue called to his beast, but the man held it at bay without resistance.  His vampire had succumbed to her.  The few drops of her life sent a warm sensation through his body that calmed his soul, but fueled his desire and lust.  He repeatedly pushed his penis into her, pulled almost out, and impaled her again.   He continued the rhythm, each time bringing Natalie closer to the edge.  Her thighs wrapped around his waist, her calves moved upward, stroking his back.  She was an incredible lover, holding nothing back.  

“Now, Nick, now.”  She urged him to complete the sweet torture.

Nick reared his head back, looked at her, and opened his mouth enough to let her see his fangs. He wanted her to know all that he was.  “This is what I am, Nat, and I want you.  Both of us want you.”

“I’m yours.” Natalie turned her head to give him access to her neck.

Nick quickly lowered his head, gently piercing her flesh.  Natalie’s delicate skin slid over his fangs, and caused his erection to swell larger, something he hadn’t thought possible.  His mouth filled with her life’s blood, all that she had been, all that she was.  Nick had tasted her life before, but without the passion.  This time, her blood sweetened with her sexual desire, was the most erotic he’d ever encountered.  You are the most enticing woman I’ve ever known, and you’re mine…forever.  He telepathically told her through their bond.

Nick pulled outward again, and drove into her warm core, his passion near release.  Natalie moaned his name over and over, as he continued to thrust into her moist tightness.  Natalie’s warm blood tantalized his tongue, slid down his cold throat, spreading her warmth throughout his body.  Both of their bodies tensed. She’d held her passion until he was ready, then released all to him, to meet his final surrender.

Nat had never experienced the sharing of lives through blood.  The few drops of blood she’d shared earlier with him hadn’t been enough for her to feel the full exchange, and when he’d taken more she’d been unconscious.  This time, it was different.  The sharing was incredible, but also a bit unnerving.  

Images appeared in her thoughts of Nick as a knight, on a horse, his sword in hand, fighting for his life, killing his enemy during the Crusades.  Suddenly, the mental video fast-forwarded to his meeting Janette and LaCroix.  She saw how Janette had seduced him, and LaCroix brought him across, into the dark world of vampirism.  Visions of Nick as a vampire, stalking his prey, taking what he wanted, needed, began to fill her mind, but suddenly stopped.  He’d blocked these events in his life. She wasn’t sure how she knew he’d stopped them, but she did.

The visions leapt forward. Joan of Arc talked to him about faith.  This had been the first time since becoming a vampire that he’d considered his faith or soul.  Nat saw it all as if she were there. More images of Janette, but this time she saw Janette leaving him, the hurt he’d experienced at being alone.

Natalie saw his wedding night with Alyssa, and how he’d taken her life.  He didn’t block this image, but shared it with Nat so that she might understand. He’d been devastated with taking too much of Alyssa’s blood. He considered this event the most horrible in his entire, long life.  He had been too young and inexperienced then to take just a little of his bride’s blood. His fear of again taking the life of a mortal during intimacy had kept him from pursuing an intimate relationship with Natalie.  He didn’t want to kill Nat in a moment of passion like he had Alyssa.  Natalie felt his guilt of not truly loving Alyssa, but her being a rebound of Janette’s rejection.  Nat knew now that of all his mistakes and crimes, that this one still haunted him the most, even after all these centuries.

The mental images skipped forward to the present. Nick awakening on her exam table, his first impression—she’s beautiful—astonished her.  Natalie saw their meeting on the street when he’d tested her to see if she remembered or if he’d been successful in hypnotizing her to forget him, and the knowledge that he was a vampire.  A part of him was thrilled she’d not forgotten.  Nick knew the danger of exposing his true nature, but he wanted to get to know her, be near her.  Nick had been confused at the uncontrollable lure to be near Natalie.  Natalie finally understood why Nick pursued other mortal women after meeting her. He’d been frightened of what he felt toward her.  Nick tried convincing himself that he could feel the same for any woman, but he realized no one could stir the emotions or his cold heart like Natalie Lambert.

The scattered images continued toward the present, until two years ago, Valentine’s Day, when Nick confessed his feelings for her, and they’d shared their first true romantic kiss.  Nick accepted he loved Natalie long before that day, but dared not acknowledge his true feelings, because he feared for her life.  But love conquered his fear, and he’d allowed his emotions and heart to rule. The joy and excitement he’d felt when Natalie revealed her love for him was destroyed by LaCroix’s threat to kill her, because of the eight hundred year old bargain made over Fleur.

And now, everything Nick felt for her, he freely pushed into their bond.  You are my best friend, my love, my lover, and my life.  I want you completely in all ways, forever.  He was gently sucking her neck, his fangs still embedded in her artery.  Natalie realized the bite should be painful, but Nick taking her was erotic, sensual.  She didn’t want the feelings to stop. She’d never felt so loved and cherished in her entire life.

Nick had received every emotion, every event in Natalie’s life. But what he found incredible and almost incomprehensible, Nat admired and respected him.  She loved him with everything she was, and would love him forever.  Nick, I’ll love you for a thousand eternities if you’ll let me.  I’ll never leave you.  He felt her fingers running through his hair, at the nape of his neck.  Natalie’s touch brought him back to the realm of sanity.  He had to stop.  He’d only taken a couple of swallows of her blood as he’d promised, and that had to be enough.  Someday, when she was immortal, he’d be able to make love to her without concern, but not now.

Nick eased his fangs out of her artery.  His tongue stroked the side of her neck, to heal the wounds.  She reached up and held his face, tenderly.  “That was absolutely incredible.”

Nick’s eyes had returned to their normal blue color, but there was a hint of red tears threatening to fill them.  “Natalie.”  The soft tone of his voice as he said her name was a verbal caress, causing her insides to melt.  “I never dared dream that this would be possible, for us to love each other completely.  What happened here tonight between us is a miracle.  The fact that I made love to you, and you survived, is what’s incredible.  This is not supposed to be possible.  I’ve never heard of a vampire making love to a mortal and not bringing them across or worse, killing their lover.”  He leaned closer.   “I love you so much.”  He lightly kissed her lips and smiled.

Nick gently stroked her neck where the fang marks he’d left moments ago was already beginning to fade.  His eyes were full of intense love.  He wanted to remain here, forever connected to her physically and emotionally.  He reluctantly eased out of her body, rolled onto his back, and pulled her on top of him.  He’d never felt like this in his entire life.  Natalie’s love radiated warmth throughout his body that was more precious than the sun would ever be.  She was the light he’d been searching for all these centuries.  She warmed his very soul with her love.  He’d never feel alone again.  He kissed her lips.  “You are incredible.  Nat, I don’t know how I’ve lived all these centuries without you.  I don’t want to go on without you.  We will be together.  When you’re ready, I want to bring you across.”

Nick’s words stunned her. He’d always had reservations about her becoming a vampire. She couldn’t believe what she’d just heard.

Through their bond he knew what she was thinking.  “Nat, I’ll never change my mind about this.  How could I after what we’ve shared?  You’re the other part of me, of my soul.”  He kissed her firmly on the lips, and pulled her head down onto his chest.  His hand stroked the back of her head.  “I just hope I’m not condemning your soul.”  His voice was barely a whisper, but she heard him.

Nat’s hand lightly rubbed across his chest, stopping over his heart.  “You’re not Nick.  Just because I’ll become a vampire, doesn’t mean I’ll loose my faith or become evil.  I know the bloodlust is powerful, but with your help I’ll learn to control it.  This is what I want, to be with you, to love you, for an eternity.”

“Okay, Natalie, when you’re ready, I promise, you will join me.”  Nick kissed her temple and hugged her closer to him.

“Oh, Nick.” Her wish had just come true. Nick loved her completely, enough to keep her at his side for an eternity.  This was the best Christmas present she could ever receive.

“I’m not so sure about that.”

She looked at him, confused.  Then she realized; something was different.  He wasn’t communicating to her telepathic, but was reading her thoughts.  Her eyes widened. She hadn’t realized this was possible.

“What are you talking about?”

“This may not be the best Christmas present you receive.”  He grinned, acknowledging he had read her thoughts.

“You can read my mind!”

“Yes, but I’ll teach you how to block me.”  He chuckled. “And I promise not to invade your privacy.  This is going to be difficult, until we adjust, it might get a little unnerving, embarrassing.  It’s been a long time since I’ve had this type of connection with someone I loved.”  He kissed her forehead.  “Now, about the best Christmas present.  Are we going to stay in bed all day, and miss Christmas or are you ready to see what Santa left you?”

She caught him off guard when she jumped out of bed, and headed for the shower. “The last one showered and at the tree has to eat the fruitcake,” she yelled from the bathroom.  

He laughed at her comment. God, thank you for giving back her memories.  And thank you for sending her into my cold, dead life.  I’ll always love and protect her, this I promise.  He vowed.  Lately, he’d been talking to God a lot, and after multiple centuries it felt good.  He had to believe God could hear him, and hadn’t forsaken him.  He was beginning to believe Nat was right, his soul wasn’t condemned, and neither would hers be when he brought her across.  He wasn’t a lost soul. How could he be when Nat had been sent into his life?

Natalie entered her living room to find Nick had made her a cup of hot chocolate, and poured himself a mug of blood wine.  Christmas music was playing on the CD player, and he’d lit candles throughout the room.

“That wasn’t fair. You used your super speed to beat me.”  She pouted.  “I’m not sure I’m going to like this if you continue to cheat.”

He used his vampire speed, and was behind her in an instant.  He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her back against his chest, his chin on her shoulder.  “I promise from now on to play fair.”  He nuzzled and nibbled her ear.

“Deal, at least until my powers match yours, then we’ll see who wins, Buster.” She playfully elbowed him in the ribs, and headed for the tree. He laughed loudly at her comment, something he hadn’t done in centuries.  Things had definitely changed. He’d accepted she would become a vampire, and it surprised him that they could casually talk and tease about it.  

“Syd, were you a good boy this year?  Must have been.  Santa left you two packages under the tree.”  She scratched Sydney’s chin and behind his ears.  

“You give him Christmas presents?”

“Of course, he’s my baby.  Aren’t you Syd?”  She continued scratching the feline as he pawed at the package.  “Do you smell something good. Hmmm?”  She put her face down to Syd’s level.  “Are you mommy’s good boy?”

Nick was amused with this side of Nat.  He’d never witnessed her speaking to the cat like a child.  He wondered if she did this often.  He crossed his arms and leaned against the mantel, watching her.  He realized he didn’t know about the little things in her life, but he planned on changing that. He wanted to know everything about her.

She unwrapped Syd’s gifts, a catnip ball and some type of gourmet treats.  She picked up the two packages he’d put under the tree.  “It seems I’ve been a good girl too.  Santa left two packages for me.”  She grinned at Nick, picked up the remaining gifts, and walked over to him.

He took the two gifts that were hers.  

“Hey, those are mine.”

“Yes, but I’m in charge of which one you open first and when.”  His lips curled into his boyish grin.  

“You don’t play fair, do you?”

He flipped on the gas fireplace. “Come here, sit down, and be a good girl.”  He pulled her down next to him in front of the fire.  “Open this one first.”  He gave her the larger of the two packages.   He was amused at how her face lit up, with wonder and the expectation of a small child.   She was a professional, modern, outspoken woman, but the playful child was a part of her that few were ever privileged to see.  

She grinned at him and tore into the paper, but stopped.  “Did I ever tell you I love Christmas, and opening packages?  Always have, ever since I was a kid.  I always liked to open them slow, building the anticipation.  My mother use to…”

Nat, you’re stalling. I know you’re teasing, and that’s not nice.   He pushed the thought into their bond and grinned.

She threw the ribbon at him.  So when are you going to teach me how to block you from my head?  She pushed the question back through the bond.

“Maybe never, if you don’t open your gift.”

She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, and finished opening the package.  “Oh, Nick!  This is beautiful.  She opened the gold, heart locket, “My light, forever.  Love, Nick” was inscribed inside. Her eyes filled with tears. He took the locket and put it around her neck.  He probed her thoughts and realized what she was thinking.

“Yes, I did buy it before our incident in the morgue, and definitely before last night.  Nat, you’ve always been my light, from the night I met you.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.  “I’ll never take it off.  It’s beautiful, especially the words and their meaning.”  She kissed him again, and gave him his gift.  “Your turn.”  She grinned.

Nick opened the package and was stunned.  He picked up the large, crystal, heart-shaped paperweight.  A sun was etched in the center with the words,  “Let Your Heart Be Your Light.  Love, Nat” circling the sun.  He remained quiet, holding it, running his thumb across the inscription.  

“I hope you like it.”  

“It’s the most beautiful gift I’ve ever received.”  He looked at her.  “Thank you.”

She noticed the single blood tear on his cheek.  “Nick?”  She could feel a war of emotions flowing between their bond, but everthing was so fast, it was hard to decipher.

He pulled her into his arms and buried his face in her hair.  “Nat, the words of both our gifts…it’s just… Nat, you are my heart, and my light.”  He stroked her hair, caressed her face, and gave her a tender, loving kiss.  “Don’t ever forget that.”  He held her face between his hands.  “Never.”  He nuzzled her nose and kissed her.

He released her lips, and picked up the remaining package.  “Now, you can open your last gift.”

She wiped a tear from her eye.  “Nick, the locket was enough.  I only gave you one gift.”

“Nat, open your last gift.” He chuckled.

This package was smaller, and not as elaborately wrapped as the first one. She suspected he’d wrapped this one himself.  She untied the package, and glanced at him before she slowly lifted the lid.  Inside was a dark-blue, velvet drawstring pouch.  She gave him a quizzical look.  She thought he looked nervous.  She opened the small pouch and dumped the contents into her palm.  She froze.

“It was my mothers.”  He took the ring from her.  “Nat, we’ve been through a lot together. I’ve discovered I can endure anything if I have you beside me.”  He held her hand, running the pad of his thumb over her hand.  “I don’t know what the future holds for us, but I want to face it together.  Nat, you’re already my friend, my best friend, but will you be my companion, lover, and wife, my eternal wife?”

She threw her arms around his neck.  “Oh God, Yes, Nick. Yes! Yes! Yes! A thousand Yes’s!”  She kissed his face every possible place she could.  She looked up.  “Thank you, God, for letting this man finally come to his senses.”

“I take it that’s a definite yes?”  He teased her, and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

“All I can say is YES!”

He slid the ring on her finger, picked her up in his arms, spun her around, and kissed her, and kissed her, and kissed her.  “I think I’m truly the happiest man alive this Christmas.”  He put her down, letting her body slide down his.  “Merry Christmas, Nat.”  He pulled her closer, kissed her until sparks of desire and love consumed both their bodies.  

“Nick, make love to me again.  Right here in front of the fire.”

“Nat, we can’t. You’ve donated enough blood for today. This is too much for your body.  We have to be careful, take this slow.”   

“Nick, listen to me.  I know you think I’m being careless, but I’m not. We can do this again.  If you only take what you did the last time, it’s no more than a couple of ounces.  I know your fears, I’ve seen them in the bond, but trust me.  I wouldn’t ask you to do this if I couldn’t handle it.”

“Nat.”  He stroked her cheek, pushing all of his love into their bond.  “I’m worried.”

“Nick, I’ve seen and felt your fears, but you’re wrong. Yes, I’m addicted to you, addicted to making love to the man that I’m madly in love with.  It’s not the addiction for the vampire, the bond. I don’t know why I know this, but I’m certain. Maybe because I’m so strong willed…but it’s you that I want.  If allowing the vampire to love me is part of loving you, then I accept it.”

He kissed her gently, sparks of desire ignited in them.  “I can’t deny you anything, love, and I think you know that.  You, my dear, are the one who doesn’t play fair.”  

He took the blanket and pillows from the sofa, threw them on the floor, and pulled her down beside him.  They quickly undressed each other.  Sparks led to fire; the flame was lit and burned hotter than the fire they lay next to.  Nothing could cool the inferno, but their passion spent. Their love making this time was different than before.  Each of them was more aggressive, daring, and forceful.  The loving was full of exploring and discovering each other’s bodies and secrets.  

“Nick, I want you, all of you.”

His eyes turned golden.  She watched as his tongue stroked across his fangs.  “You’ll have me.” His voice was husky with desire.  “Come for me, Nat, share it with me, let me feel your release through our bond.”  

She knew what he was asking, he wanted to feel her excitement, the tension, and the final pleasure that he was giving her.  She wouldn’t hold anything back.  “Then take me, now, all of me.”  She turned her head, exposing the side of her neck.

He thrust into her several times until he heard her whimper, her inner muscles tightened around his erection.  With one last push he sensed she was ready.  He kissed her neck and this time struck a bit harder than before. His fangs quickly hit their mark.  He drew the first sip of her erotic sweetness.

Her entire body tensed beneath him, her warm core tightened.  “Nick!’  Her nails dug into his back, her legs wrapped tighter around his waist, and then suddenly he felt her climax through the bond.  His own passions and desires for her released, and that’s when the sensations hit him.  At the moment of their shared climax, he knew. His fangs instantly receded.  He pulled his body from within hers, and sat up, stunned, looking at her.

“Nick?  What’s wrong?”  

He let his bond connect with hers.  The slight tingling sensation was different than what he’d been feeling between them.  He let his connection penetrate into her more; it was easier to do since he’d just tasted her blood.  There was no doubt that she had changed.  He rubbed his hand through his hair and looked at her, astonished at the discovery.  Instantly he erected the mental wall to block her. He didn’t want her to find out what was happening this way. He wanted to verbally tell her.

He pulled her into his lap, draped the blanket around her, and held her face in his hands, forcing her to look at him.  

“What?  Nick, you’re scaring me.”

There was no way to avoid telling her.  She had to know what was going on in her body.  He’d never considered this outcome.  He didn’t know where to begin, but to tell her the truth.  “Shhh, it’s okay.  Nat…you’ve conceived a child.”  He held his breath waiting for her reaction.

“What?  This can’t be.  I…I didn’t think vampires could father children.  Nick, how?  How do you know?  No!  I won’t believe this!”  She started to get up, but he wrapped his arms around her and held her to his chest.  

“Shhh, it’s okay, love.  Nat…” He started to stroke the back of her head like he would a child, trying to console and calm her.  “Male vampires can’t sire children, because they kill the mortal woman during the act.  Female vampires can’t conceive.  I’m not sure why, but males do have sperm.”

“But how?  I don’t understand.”

“Nat, I don’t know how this happened. I’ve never heard of a mortal woman conceiving by one of us.  As I said earlier, I’ve never heard of a mortal woman surviving the coupling.  For all I know, you may be the first.”

Natalie barely paid attention to what Nick was saying.  Her thoughts were racing from one question to another at how this could be possible.  “Nick, we’ve only made love this morning.  Oh my God, Jonathan!”

He made her look at him.  His eyes were flecked with gold, caused by anger.  “No! Jonathan never touched you like that.  LaCroix arrived in time to stop him.”

“Nick, are you sure. I’ve never trusted LaCroix.”

“Nat, I do trust him, about this.  He’s changed.  He’s accepted you—you and me, together.  LaCroix nor Janette will never harm you.  LaCroix gave me his word. Nat, I would know if Jonathan had touched you, his scent would be in your blood.  Hon, this is my baby. I can feel him.  You carry my son.”  He wanted to know how she felt about this, but he didn’t dare ask.  

She touched her naked stomach and slowly began to rub circles over her abdomen.  “A baby.” Her voice was barely a whisper.  “A son?”  She looked at him, waiting for him to confirm this miracle.

“Yes.” He remained silent for what seemed an eternity before asking.  “Nat, do you want the baby?”  The fear filled him that she’d want to abort the child, his son, because of the unknown.  

They both were naked, but that wasn’t what sent the chill through his body. The uncertainty of her answer was the coldness filling his heart.  A mortal giving birth to a vampire’s child was uncharted territory for mortals and vampires.  He would wait for her answer, give her time to comprehend the news, but he wouldn’t probe her mind.  He wanted to hear her answer.  He came to the most difficult decision of his life.  This was her decision, her body, and with the dangers and uncertainty, he would love and stand by her, no matter what her decision.

Finally, she looked at him, tears streaming down her cheeks.  “Could you be mistaken?”

His voice was low, but she heard him.  “No, there’s no mistake, blood and the bond don’t lie.  He was conceived this morning.  He is my son, Nat.  I can feel him.  Don’t ask me how I know the baby is a boy. He’s only a zygote, but he’s there, and mine…our son.”  He’d finally said it. He hadn’t meant to influence her either way, but it was ‘their’ son.

“Oh, Nick!”  She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.  “Are you okay with this?”

“Yes.” He cautiously answered.

Natalie leaned her forehead against his.  “Are you absolutely sure?”

“Absolutely.  Nat, this is something I’ve wanted for a long time, to make you my wife…and the mother of my children.”  He admitted, but was still hesitate to allow himself to feel the joy until he was sure that this is what she wanted.

“Then we’re going to have a baby, a son. Nick! You’re going to finally have a son, a son to carry on the Brabant name, a son of your blood, to love and love you.  This is wonderful.”  She kissed him again, and felt him reopen their bond, opening the gates for all his love to flow into her.  “Nick, today has been a miracle.  We’ve experienced so many changes, all of them happening so fast.  I can’t believe we’re getting married, and I’m having our child.  You’re right. I hadn’t received my best Christmas present—our baby is the present, the miracle Christmas present to both of us.”

She was happy about the baby.  Why had he ever doubted her decision?  Nat revered life as much as he did.  There were so many questions, so many decisions would need to be made, but that could wait.  Now was a time for celebration, celebration of life and change.  This season had brought many changes and so far, all of them had been for the best.  “You’re right, my love, this is the miracle—you as my wife and our baby.”

He held her tighter in his arms, his hands trailed up and down her back, tenderly, reverently.  She was the mother of his child.  Thank you, God. He again said a silent prayer.  It seemed the more he prayed, the more he believed that God ‘did’ hear him.  

He opened his mind to hers.  Nat, I love you.  I love our baby. He was conceived in love, and love will be what brings him into this world, and protects him.  Our family, your family, Janette and LaCroix, will protect him.  Everything is going to be fine.  I won’t allow anything to destroy what we have.  Finally, after all of these centuries, I finally feel at peace.

She raised her head and looked at him.  “Janette an aunt, maybe, but LaCroix a grandfather?”

Nick laughed.  “Don’t let LaCroix hear you call him that.  He’s just beginning to accept you.”  He kissed her forehead.

She yawned.  The mental exhaustion of the events with Jonathan, the Christmas excitement, and their  lovemaking was catching up to her.  She tried covering her mouth before he noticed, but it was too late.  “I’m sorry, Nick. I guess I’m a bit tired.”

“You, little mother, are off to bed.”  Nick pulled the blanket around her, blew out the candles, and carried her to the bedroom.  He gently laid her down on the bed, easing himself down beside her.  He held her in his arms, treasuring the warmth of her beside him.  Both of them fell asleep more at peace than they’d ever been.

Janette, still dressed in her black nightgown and robe, stumbled down the stairs to the Raven’s bar.  She never was graceful when waking up before sunset.  LaCroix sat at the bar, sipping his drink.  “This is a little early for even you, isn’t it?” She waited for his answer.

“Why are you up so early, my dear?”  LaCroix asked without looking at her.

“Who can sleep with all the musings going on in my head from you and Nicholas?”

She walked behind the bar and poured herself a drink.  

LaCroix looked up, amused at her comment, and arched a brow.

“I might as well indulge just as you are.”  She commented on him drinking so early.  “Do I need to try to figure out what’s going on, or are you going to tell me?” She took a sip of her drink, and shivered.  “Yuck!” I hate cold meals.”  She put the mug in the microwave and waited for it to heat.

He didn’t say anything. He took a sip of his own drink, and ran his finger around the rim of the glass.

Janette pushed a stray lock of hair from her eyes.  “LaCroix, you know I’m not good at guessing games, and especially since I’ve barely slept.”

“Too much holiday cheer?”

“We don’t do holidays, and especially Christmas.  And you, are avoiding my question.”

“I’ve been thinking.”

“Trust me, I noticed. My head hurts from all of your thinking.”

He gave her a stern look that she ignored.  She could push him further than Nicholas, but she also knew when to be quiet.  He would either tell her what she wanted to know or he wouldn’t.  No amount of prodding would convince him to do otherwise.  Janette wished he would tell her soon, because her head was tired of the turmoil.  She took her drink out of the microwave and started drinking it in slow sips.  Waiting.

“Nicholas seems to be very emotional.”

“Nicholas is always emotional.”

“True, but today seems to be more than his usual angst.  He’s actually happy.”

“He has his happy times, LaCroix.  The three of us have had some good times.  I remember that time, several centuries ago when....”

LaCroix wasn’t in the mood to hear her ramblings about the past.  He abruptly interrupted her.  “Janette.  You’re not awake.  Reach out, feel him.”

She pushed into her bond with Nicholas.  “Hmmm, I see what you mean.  I assume this mean Natalie has fully recovered?”

LaCroix took a sip of his drink.  “Indeed.”

“I’m sure this is the cause of Nicholas’ happiness.  But at the moment he seems to be sleeping.”

“Yes, with Natalie, I believe.”  He waited for her reaction.

“Oh.  I see”

“No, I don’t believe you do.”

She took another sip, and gave him a questionable look.

“I do believe we’ll be having an addition to the family.”

She sat her glass on the bar and smiled.  “Good. I’m rather tired of being the only female in this family.  Natalie will make an excellent addition.  I’m looking forward to having a sister.”

“That too, will be, all in good time, but that’s not what I meant.”

“I can sense Nicholas didn’t bring Natalie over, but he will. He never did have much of a resistance against temptation.”  She pushed her tousled hair from her face.

“I’d say he’s resisted quite well; he’s avoided taking Natalie for over six years.  Nicholas may be many things, have many weaknesses, but he has a strong will when he chooses.”

“He really didn’t have a choice. Last night changed things.  You and I both knew he wouldn’t allow Natalie to remain in that chaotic state.  He loves her too much.”

“And how does this make you feel?”  He knew, but he wanted for Janette to admit it aloud.  If events were to move in the direction they were headed, he didn’t want her to be the cause of discord.

“I’m actually happy for him, for both of them.  I’m no longer in love with Nicholas, though I’ll love him dearly forever.  My heart is still dead.”  She turned her back to him, to hide her emotions.  He always chided her and Nicholas for their sentiments.  She might once again be a vampire, but her heart was not cold.  She still loved Robert.  Her heart was dead because he was no longer alive and with her.

LaCroix could feel her sadness, and knew it was caused by thoughts of her dead, mortal lover.  He wondered how both of his children had fallen in love with mortals, but then he remembered how Fleur had captured his heart.  He stopped before his thoughts could drift to forbidden territory.  Janette had admitted the truth to him and to herself.  She no longer considered herself in love with Nicholas.  This eased any concerns for problems within the family.  Yes, the family would be growing.  “I believe there may be another addition before Natalie joins us,” he admitted to Janette.

She whirled around, waiting for him to explain.  

“It seems our Nicholas has gotten Natalie in a bit of trouble.”  He enjoyed toying with her, arousing her curiosity.

“He’ll get her out of it.  He’ll do anything for her.”

“This time there’s nothing he can do.”

“LaCroix would you please stop talking in riddles, and tell me what you’re not telling me.”

“Nicholas and Natalie are to be parents.”

“Who?  I don’t understand.”

“Natalie is pregnant with Nicholas’ son.”  He smirked

Her eyes widened, and she took a big gulp of her drink.  “This can’t be!  It’s impossible.”

“Nicholas is impossible, and unique.  But this, is very much possible, my dear.  Male vampires can sire off spring, it’s just that they usually kill their toy before the event is done.   Trust me when I say, Nicholas and Natalie will have a son.”

Janette practically fell on the floor before she managed to sit down on the barstool.  She didn’t know how she felt about being an aunt, but LaCroix a Grandf…

“Don’t even think the word, Janette!”

Ring…ring…ring…

Ring…ring…ring…

Nick hit the top of the alarm clock.  He wondered why the clock alarm was going off.  He and Nat were on Christmas vacation for two weeks. Damn, he didn’t want to wake up. He had Nat in his arms.  He snuggled closer into her warmth.

Ring…ring…ring…  

Damn, it wasn’t the clock.  He grabbed the telephone.  “Yeah, this better be important!”   His sleepy, deep, voice growled into the phone.

Silence.   Nick started to drift back to sleep when a voice startled him.

“Nick?  Nick, is that you?”

“Grace?”  He still sounded as if he were half asleep.

“Nick, what are you doing there?  Were you sleeping?  Nick?”

He didn’t say anything.    

“Nick, is Natalie there with you? I’m worried about her with this snowstorm hitting the city. I tried calling her sister-in-law in Montreal, but I kept getting the answering machine.”

Grace sounded frantic, nervous.  He cleared his throat and spoke softly, trying to avoid waking Nat.  She needed her rest.  “Grace, Nat’s fine.  She’s here with me. We’re both fine. She never made it to Montreal.”  He whispered, trying to keep his voice low.

“Nick, why are you whispering?  Is everything alright?”

“Nick, who’s on the phone?  Tell them to call back, we’re trying to sleep.”  Nat grumbled, half awake.

“It’s Grace, and she’s worried about you because of the snowstorm.  She tried calling Montreal, but…”

“Grace?”  She took the phone from him.  “Grace, I’m fine. I didn’t go to Montreal.  Something came up, change of plans.”

“Nat, it seems ‘someone’ changed your plans, not ‘something’.  I take it you and Nick was sleeping when I called, in the same bed?  Friends my ass! Don’t either of you ever bother trying to make any one believe that again, especially me.”

“Grace…”

“I take it this means you took my advice and gave Blondie another chance?  Well, I can’t say I blame you.  The man is so damn charismatic, and drop dead gorgeous.  He reeks of sex appeal.  Damn girl, how was he in bed?  Was he worth the wait?  You sure waited long enough for the stud.”

Nat started laughing.  Nick was hearing every word, but Grace didn’t know it.

“So tell me, Nat, what did the Blonde Sex Stud get you for Christmas, was it x-rated?  Like maybe, him, naked, tied up with a big red bow? Was it something special?”

Natalie looked down at her engagement ring, and rubbed her abdomen.   “Grace, it was very special, you could say the season has brought some changes to our lives, and with it a wonderful, permanent gift.”

“Nat, do you want to elaborate on that one?  That covers a wide spectrum of possibilities.”

“You’ll just have to wait until I return to work.  I’m tired so I’m going back to sleep now. Bye Grace. Merry Christmas.”  She clicked the phone off before Grace could say more.  She gave the phone back to Nick.  He was grinning, but there was a slight blush to his face.

“Now, why didn’t I think about that?  I’m already naked; all I need is a red bow. Where would you suggest I tie it?

She swatted his bare chest.  “I think we’re past unwrapping the package, now we’re enjoying the gift.”  

“Charismatic? Blondie? Drop dead gorgeous?  Blonde, Sex Stud?  Sex appeal?  I think I could get use to being called all of this.”

“Don’t let it go to your head, Daddy.”

He pulled her into his arms.  “Now that’s a name I could get use to real quick, Mommy.”  His mouth claimed hers before she could say another word.
 






The first hint of light peeked over the eastern horizon as the mini van drove down the long, straight drive lined with tall, Magnolia and Pecan trees.  The trees, in full fall glory, rustled a silent welcome in the early November wind. The branches arched upward, touched, and created a tunnel effect over the gravel road.  In the distance a white antebellum mansion with dark green shutters, loomed into view against the twilight sky.  Nick glanced at Natalie, carefully observing her reaction. He continued down the lane, and stopped the vehicle on the circle drive, in front of the house.

The property was impressive, elegant, a reminder of days long past.  The two-story, white, fluted columns supported an upper and lower veranda that wrapped around the front and sides of the old house.  Rose bushes, in their last seasonal bloom, cascaded like pink waterfalls, lining the wide, brick walk.  Natalie smiled.  The magnificence of the old home surprised and delighted her. A pair of old-fashioned gaslights softly illuminated the massive, front door that was framed with leaded, clear sidelights and a fan shaped Palladian window at the top.

“Oh, Nick!  It’s beautiful--everything you said it was, and more.  I feel like I’ve stepped back in time.”

Nick was already on the other side of the vehicle, opening her door.  “Welcome home, Nat.”  He took her hand as she stepped out of the van.  He stood behind her, bringing his arms around her waist, holding her tight against his chest.  “I’ve waited a long time for this moment, never truly believing it would happen.”  He whispered, nuzzling her ear.

“What were you waiting for?”  Her voice was low, as sparks of love and desire flooded her body, his feelings shared with her through their bond.

Nick kissed her neck, burying his face into her auburn curls. “Nat, when I met you, I had dreams of bringing you here, sharing my life with you, and raising a family in this old home.  I fell in love with this place, and purchased it right after the Civil War.  A good bit of Atlanta was in ruin, just as this house was.  I’d left LaCroix and Janette, and needed to be on my own.  This house was my therapy.”

Natalie turned in her husband’s arms, and caressed his face between her hands.  She would never get tired of his boyish good looks. He was happier than she had ever seen him, but there were still the dark times when his thoughts drifted to his long past.  “Tell, me.” She whispered, running her fingers through his golden locks.

Nick pulled her head to his chest, sensuously running his fingers through her soft, silken curls.  He loved their shared bond; it never failed to comfort him, giving him an overwhelming peace that he’d never known. “Nat, I no longer liked or enjoyed what I had become, a vampire.  LaCroix’s constant attempts to mold me into what he wanted me to be.  Janette had left me.  I needed to be alone, to get away from the family, to discover what I wanted to do with my life.  It was around that time I started to drink the bovine blood, consuming less human.”

Natalie rubbed her hands up and down his back, in a slow, soothing motion.  They had been married almost a year, but there were so many events in his life he hadn’t shared with her.  She suspected he still feared her repulsion at his past.  She wished he would accept that she loved him for the man he was now, and his past was just that, his past.

“Nat, I spent many nights doing a lot of the restorations myself.  I found that I enjoyed working with the wood.  What I couldn’t repair, I hired others to do.  I’d never really owned property since Brabant, so this became my home.  I lived here during the two-year renovation, and several years afterwards.  I use to have dreams of a family, children running down this path.”  He motioned to the long driveway.  “Of a wife, sitting on the veranda with me, watching our children ride the magnificent horses I would breed. “

“Nick, those are beautiful dreams.”

He took her face in his hands, every bit of the love he felt for her showed in his eyes.  His eyes had always been expressive.  She now had no problems reading his feelings or thoughts.  They were as one, one soul—an eternal flame.  

“You, Nat, are the fulfillment of my dreams, you and Nicholas. “

As if on key, the baby woke and started to fret.  Nick kissed the side of her neck, breathing in her scent.  His tongue caressed the length of Natalie’s neck, pausing over her pulsing artery.  His touch always hinted of the passion to come.  You will be mine again tonight, my love.  I’ve waited eight torturous weeks to make love to my wife.   Do you want me, Nat?

He’d been very patient, waiting for her mortal body to heal after the difficult birth of their son.  Nicholas was large for a first baby, almost ten pounds at birth.  The delivery had teetered precariously between cesarean and natural childbirth, her choice of the latter when the baby showed no signs of distress.  

Natalie’s body had been unable to accept her husband during the healing period, but now thoughts of his handsome, toned body, and memories of their passionate lovemaking fueled her desire.  She now anticipated his touch, his gentle caress.   

Natalie craved to have him again.  With their mutual commitment to an eternal monogamous relationship, she no longer feared him being unfaithful, not even with Janette. Nick’s devotion and love had erased all her doubts.  The Vampire Community had been shocked and surprised with their eternal vow, monogamy something unheard of among vampires.  But, for Nick and Nat anything less would be unthinkable.

She pushed her love, thoughts, and desires back to her husband.  Yes!  You know I want you.  I’ll always want you. I’m yours tonight and forever.  Thoughts of them finally making love, for the first time since Nicholas’ birth, thrilled her.  Natalie felt her face flush, and her heart rate increase with anticipation.  Smiling seductively, she looked into his eyes.  

Her reaction hadn’t gone unnoticed. He massaged her shoulders and kissed the side of her neck.  “Then tonight will be one to remember.”  His seductive tone suggested the many pleasures she knew he would give her.  He released her, and turned to unbuckle Nicholas from the car seat.  “Soon it will be sunrise.  I’ll take you two inside.”  He gave her a wicked grin.  “I do believe he’s also hungry for you.”  

Nat was amazed that even his teasing and humor had lightened since their marriage.  He was so different from the man she’d met almost seven years earlier.  She smiled inwardly, a slight smile touching her lips.  Nat knew she and the baby were the cause of the change.  She suspected the man he was now, was very close to the man he’d been before he’d become the vampire.

Nick cradled Nicholas in one arm, stroking his cheek with his other hand.  “How’s my little guy?”  The baby instantly stopped fussing.  Nicholas’ eyes locked with his dad, they both remained quiet. She knew they were connecting through their bond.  She reluctantly held back and allowed father and son to share their connection, without intrusion.

Shortly after the baby’s birth, tests proved he was a normal, healthy, mortal baby.  But several days afterwards, while Nicholas was nursing, she’d discovered she and the baby could communicate, almost in the same way she and Nick could.  The bond with the baby wasn’t as strongly developed as the one she shared with Nick.  Nick had been frightened the baby was showing vampire traits.  She’d tested his blood; he was mortal, no trace of vampire DNA.  A few days later, Nick was changing his son’s diaper when he discovered he too had the bond.  Nicholas couldn’t convey words to them, but his emotions were easily discernible.  Nat couldn’t determine why they had the bond with Nicholas or if it would last, but she enjoyed the connection and hoped it wouldn’t fade with time.

Nick had been excited about becoming a father, but terrified that he wouldn’t be a good one.  She’d tried convincing him that his paternal instinct would kick in, gently reminding him how wonderful he’d been with Lisa, the little girl he’d protected at the loft a few years earlier.  She and Nick had become temporary guardians for the child.  To their amazement, they’d enjoyed the experience, and missed the child when her father took her home.

“I’ll get you settled in the nursery, then come back, to get Sydney and our luggage.  After Nicholas is asleep, I’ll give you the grand tour of our new home. Come on.”  Nick took her arm and led her toward the house.

Natalie walked up the brick steps to the veranda.  Nick unlocked the door, and Natalie started to step in, but he stopped her.  “Wait.”  Nick gently placed Nicholas in Nat’s arms, and swept her up, cradling her against his chest.  

“Nick?  What are you doing?”

“I understand it’s bad luck not to carry the bride over the threshold.”

“But you’ve already done that at the loft.  And I’m not exactly a bride anymore.  If you haven’t noticed, I’m a mother now.”   She giggled.

“I’m not taking any chances with the bad luck. You, my dear, will always be my bride.  And, yes, I have noticed you’re a mother, and a damn good one.  Please indulge me, Nat, allow me to carry my family over the threshold.”  Nick chuckled, his blue eyes danced playfully as he gave her a quick kiss on the lips.

She pushed into their bond.  I love you, Nicholas deBrabant Welborn.

He kissed her again.  And I love you, Natalie deBrabant Welborn.

“You know, I’m actually getting use to this new name, even though in my heart, I’ll always be Mrs. Knight.”

“Perhaps in a century or two, if you still want to use the name, we can once again become the Knight family.”

“I would like that, but honestly, it really doesn’t matter what name we use as long as we’re together.”

“Always, my love, forever.”  Nick kissed her and Nicholas, and then flew them upstairs, into the nursery.  

“Oh, Nick!  This is incredible!”  

A mural adorned the nursery walls.  The fairy tale picture was beautiful.  Painted in the foreground was green fields covered in flowers, and on a hill, in the distance, sat Brabant Castle.  Brabant coat-of-arms pennants were mounted on the castle’s turrets.  The landscape was scattered with knights on horses, and people dressed in period costumes were doing daily chores.  The sky was painted a light blue, the sun shining through the trees cast shadows across the path, leading to the castle.

“Nick, this is the most beautiful mural I’ve ever seen.  Who did this?”’

He gently allowed her feet to touch the floor, stood behind her, and rested his head on her shoulder.  “I did, many years ago.  I wanted a special room, a room that I could paint Brabant, the way I remember it.  I guess it was my way of feeling connected to my mortal past.”  He kissed the side of her neck, inhaling her scent.  “Nat, I never dreamed this room would someday be my son’s nursery.  I used it for a study when I lived here.  I always found it a peaceful room, a quiet place to read and reflect.”

Nick took the baby from her arms.  “Turn around, I want to show you something.”  She turned and looked at the other wall, across the room.

“Oh my…” Tears filled her eyes, and escaped down her cheeks.  “Oh, Nick.”  Nat walked over to the wall and lightly touched the face of the male image.  Nick dressed as a crusade knight sat on a large, black war-horse.  He had his arms possessively around a medieval maiden; the maiden’s face was her own.  The couple was nearly life size, having been painted to appear as if they were in the foreground, headed up the path to the castle.

In complete disbelief, Nat slowly turned to look at her husband, who was still cradling their sleeping son.  “How?  When?”

Nick touched her cheek with his free hand.  He brushed the tear from her cheek with the pad of his thumb.  “The mural was painted around 1870, but I painted you and me, two weeks ago when I flew down here to open the house, and get it ready for our arrival.  I wanted our son to be able to always have us near.  I hope when he’s old enough he’ll appreciate the scenes of Brabant.   Nat, I want him to know his heritage, everything of my past, before I became a vampire.  Our family was a proud, noble family, and I want him to know that, to be proud of his name.”

Natalie wrapped her arms tightly around him.  “Nick, you are the most wonderful, sensitive man I’ve ever known.  And I love you very much.”  She kissed his cheek.  

Nick held Nicholas in one arm, wrapping his other around Nat, pulling her closer to his chest. “And I love you.  Thank you, for loving me, and giving me a life that I always thought would be impossible.”  Running his hand through her auburn curls he kissed her forehead.

Nick released her.  “Now as much as I hate to leave you two, I must.  If I’m going to unload the van before sunrise, I better get to it.  I'm sure Sydney is getting impatient in his cage.  I’ll put our things in the master suite, and Nicholas’ things through there.”  He pointed to a door across the room.  “That leads into a dressing and play area, it connects to our room.”  

He pushed a button on the wall, and metal shutters descended, covering the nursery windows.  "Each room is individually equipped with controls, and there's a master control in each room."  He flipped open the door covering the small wall box.  "All windows and doors can be accessed to close with one button, or different zones.  I'll show you how they work tonight."

"I really must go.  I can hear Sydney from here, and he's one unhappy cat."  He chuckled.  He placed Nicholas in her arms, kissed them both, and left.

Natalie sat down in the large overstuffed rocker, and opened her blouse.  “Hey there, sweetie.  Are you hungry?”  She cradled Nicholas in one arm, freeing her breast with the other. Nicholas instantly took his mother’s nipple and began sucking.  Nat relaxed, enjoying the sweet sensation of her son nursing.  She smiled and caressed his face.  “Do you know what a special daddy you have?”  She gently rubbed her hand over the top of his head, and kissed his forehead.  “Your daddy loves you, he loves both of us very much.”

The past year had been an incredible journey that changed their lives forever.  Her thoughts drifted back to the morning Nicholas was conceived.  The first time she and Nick made love, their love had created this beautiful child.  Nicholas truly was their miracle baby, and the best Christmas present they’d ever receive.  

After the holidays, they had returned to work, surprising everyone with wedding invitations.  Grace hadn’t been the least surprised.  They were married on Valentine’s Day, at Casa Loma, Toronto’s very own castle.  Nick rented the entire landmark for the event that was held after sundown. Their wedding had been a medieval fantasy, complete with period music.  The explanation they gave to their mortal friends was Nick's fascination with history, and her love of medieval times.  Nick wore a crusader's uniform, and her off-white, silk wedding dress had been a modern interpretation of a lady's medieval gown. Mortals and immortals attended the wedding, including some of the Community’s Elders.  Nat was accepted into the Community with few objections.

To her surprise, LaCroix voiced his acceptance of their unorthodox relationship, and announced to the Community that she was to be his daughter-in-law for an eternity.  Word of Jonathan’s attack, and his untimely death spread quickly through the Community, along with the knowledge that Natalie was under LaCroix and Nick’s protection.  An unspoken vow that anyone who harmed her or the baby would be dealt the same fate as Jonathan reinforced her safety to a point.  LaCroix told Nick that after the baby’s birth, they needed to move on, to a destination without a large Vampire population.  He’d suggested this precaution at least until Nat could be brought across.

Natalie kissed Nicholas, and shifted him to her other breast.  He looked at her, their bond connected.  He sensed her love and returned it.  She rubbed his little cheek, and again, kissed his forehead.  “My Nicholas, my Christmas miracle.”  He never released her nipple, but smiled at her, then continued to nurse.

She leaned back and shut her eyes.  She remembered the night Nick brought her and Nicholas home from the hospital.  LaCroix and Janette were at the loft, bearing gifts. Janette intrigued with the baby, scooped him gently into her arms, and began singing a French lullaby.  Natalie laughed softly.  She’d never thought to see a vampire singing a lullaby to a mortal baby.  

LaCroix pretended to ignore the child, but she and Janette repeatedly witnessed his sly glances and obvious mounting curiosity.  Finally, Janette forced the issue.  Janette kissed Nicholas, winked at Nat, and made the statement that she was getting hungry.  Janette quickly deposited Nicholas in a surprised LaCroix’s lap, and headed into the kitchen for a drink.  Nick witnessed the entire charade, and was amused at his father’s reaction.

Nicholas took that moment to look at LaCroix, and coo.   LaCroix did his best to hide the pleasure Nicholas brought to his cold heart, but Nat saw enough of a reaction before his stoic mask slipped back in place.  “This child is well born into a powerful and old family, he is well born, indeed.”  Those were LaCroix’s words before he announced that their new name would be ‘Welborn’, an English name meaning ‘well born to the manor’.  After that day things had continued to progress between grandfather and grandson.  LaCroix insisted, when the time came, he would be an essential part of Nicholas’ history lessons.  He would make sure that Nicholas never lacked accurate knowledge of the past.

The same evening, Nat decided to clear the air once and for all within the family. Her decision proved to be a wise choice, fostering trust and loyalty from the usually suspicious LaCroix.

“LaCroix, I want to thank you for protecting me and Nicholas.  You’ll never know what this gesture means to me…but I would like you to know me completely.  You’ve tasted my blood once, felt my deepest thoughts and desires at the time. I think that as head of the family, you have a right to know my hopes, dreams, and desires as they are now.”

Nick stepped forward, shielding her from LaCroix.  “Nat, what are you saying?”  Concern showed on his face, the tone of his voice registering his shock and irritation.

“Nick, I want your father to taste my blood, to know me, to know my desires, my love for you and Nicholas, to know all of my dreams. Only then can he begin to understand me, and what the family means to me.”

“No, Nat, I won’t allow it.”

She arched a brow.  “You won’t allow it?  I’m sorry, Nick, I love you with everything I am, but this you don’t have the right to dictate.   Lucien is your father, and the head of this family. I plan on being a part of this family for a long time, so by all rights, he does have the right to know me, my desires for a life with you and the family.  No secrets, Nick.  Secrets do not promote trust.”

“No!  No one but me will ever…”

“Nick, relax.  I don’t plan on allowing your father to bite me, but he will taste my blood, so that he will know my intentions and desires.”  Biting for a vampire was very sexual.  She couldn't believe Nick would think she would ever consider letting LaCroix bite her, but she was determined that he would read her blood.

LaCroix approached his son, and placed a hand on his arm, to calm him.  “Nicholas, she’s right.  I do need to know her if she’s to become a part of this family.  But there are other ways besides biting.”

“Nick, please get my medical bag.”

Natalie used a scalpel to open a small incision on her wrist, allowed her blood to drip into a wine goblet, and offered her gift to LaCroix.  She’d made sure she held nothing back, allowing every thought and desire to flow into her blood.  LaCroix slowly swallowed the few sips of her nectar, savoring each drop.  He closed his eyes, concentrating on her blood mixed with his.  

After what seemed an eternity, he opened his eyes, and took Natalie’s face in his hands, lightly kissing her forehead.  “You, my dear, are a very unique woman.  I’ve seen everything, know everything.  You truly amaze me that you would protect all of us, including Janette and myself, with your life.  Your wish to remain mortal until you and Nicholas conceive a second child, and he or she is born, is granted with my blessing.  I’ll do everything in my power to allow you to achieve this desire.  But you must know there are those in the Community who have accepted the birth of a first child, thinking it to be an accident.  Many now expect you to be brought across. To delay the event, in order to increase your family, will anger some.  It is time for you and Nicholas to take young Nicholas and move on to a safer, more secure location.”

Four weeks later, Nick resigned the police force, his reason that he wanted to return to his family home in France, to raise their son where he'd grown up.  Nat resigned her position the same day, stating she planned to be a full time mother, at least until Nicholas started school. They'd promised to keep in touch with their family, friends, and colleagues through email, that being the safest way to remain in contact.  

Nick arranged several different types of transportation and destinations for them.  Nick explained the plan was to keep anyone from tracking them to their final destination. Finally, purchasing the mini-van in Boston, they drove to this house in Woodstock, Georgia, a community north of Atlanta.  If anyone checked their travel plans, Felix had arranged for flight reservations to appear they'd flown to Paris, France.

Natalie opened her eyes and looked at her son who now was asleep, his mouth still loosely connected to her breast.  She rubbed the fine blonde hairs on the crown of his head.  ‘So much like his father’s unruly curls’; her eyes misted, her heart overflowed with emotion.

Nicholas sucked a couple of times and stopped.  She could tell by his breathing that he was in a deep sleep.  “Oh, my sweet baby, you are loved.”  She stroked his cheek with her finger.  “Not only by me and your daddy, but Auntie Janette loves you, and regardless of his attitude, your grandfather loves you too.   Soon they will be here to celebrate the holidays with us.”  She started to laugh, but stopped because she didn’t want to wake him.  “Your grandfather professes to hate the holidays, especially Christmas, but I have it on good authority that he will be here, Aunt Janette will see to that.”

Nat gently eased Nicholas away from her breast, buttoning her blouse.  She slowly rocked back and forth in the beautiful, old rocker.  Her head leaned against the soft headrest, her eyes shut.  She felt more content than she ever had.  Seven years ago, she’d never have thought Vampires existed.  Never would she have thought she’d fall in love with one, and he’d become her entire reason to exist.  She’d never imagined she’d love someone as much as she did Nick, and have that love reciprocated.  God, I love him.  She smiled and looked down at her son.  Please protect him and our son. She kissed Nicholas again and held him closer.  It was still hard for her to believe that she and Nick had created this precious life, and if her dream came true, Nicholas would have a sibling by the end of next year.  The thought of another child made her lips curl into a wide smile.

Nick leaned against the nursery’s door, watching Nat.  Either she was too absorbed in her own thoughts, or too tired to sense his presence through their bond.  He loved watching her when Nicholas nursed; there was so much love and tenderness between them.  He’d experienced all her thoughts the last few minutes; she hadn’t bothered to block him.  Lately, that was happening more and more.  She’d totally accepted the bond and sharing her emotions and thoughts.  This pleased him, because it would be easier for her when he brought her across.  Once she was a vampire, the bond between them would be much stronger.  

Nick took an unnecessary deep breath.  So many plans needed to be made before Nat became a Vampire.  There were those in the Community that didn’t accept him fathering children with a mortal woman.   LaCroix and the Elders held Nat and Nicholas under their protection.  That was the best insurance he could have to assure their safety.  Moving to this house, its isolated location, would keep his family from being scrutinized by the Vampire Community.  

Janette promised to come, and bring a nanny when it was time for Nat to become a Vampire.  Since Nicholas would be home schooled, Nick hoped their decision to have another child would keep him from being lonely. Without other children to play with, a little brother or sister would be a Godsend.  So much of their future was still unknown, especially the lives of their children as they approached adulthood.  But Nat had faith that everything would work out for the best, love and faith would see them through any obstacles. He too had that faith, thanks to Nat and her love.

Nick heard Nat’s silent prayer, watched her kiss their son, and then heard her thoughts of another child before her face lit up with a brilliant smile.  He pushed away from the wall with his shoulder, went across the room, and squatted in front of her.  “Let me take him.”  He gently took their son, and placed him in the crib.  

Nick felt Nat’s arms wrap around him from behind.  He turned and pulled her into his arms.  “He’s a beautiful child, Nat.  Sometimes I can’t believe he’s mine.”

“I know. I have the same feelings.”  She looked up at him.  “How would you like to try for another?”  Her mischievous smile challenged him.

A boyish grin flashed across his face.  He swept her up, cradling her in his arms, kissed her passionately, and without breaking the kiss walked through the door to their adjoining suite.

The
End
                                                                     

***Woodstock, Georgia is a rural area located 20 miles north of Atlanta.  Woodstock's population is 5,469 people, without counting vampires.***