Chapter One Hundred Twelve Anton leaned back in the seat of Bryn's car, stealing looks at both the traffic going by and at Bryn. "So are you going to tell me where we're going to dinner?" His wife grinned at him. "Nope." Anton shrugged, setting back against the seat. He had an uneasy sense of deja vu, something he couldn't quite put his finger on. Until he thought back to over a year previously. This time, he was pretty sure Bryn wasn't driving to a hotel for a threesome. Bryn smiled to herself and took a right at the intersection. She'd been planning this for weeks, but it really come together in the past two. When she'd asked Anton to join her for dinner earlier in the week, he'd had no idea she had other things in mind. He thought they were having a private evening. He'd definitely be surprised. Pulling into the parking lot of a flashy restaurant, she found a space and parked. "There were spaces closer to the door," Anton mentioned. "Hmm? Oh, we're not going there." She pointed out the front windshield to the building next door. "We're going there." There were few times where Anton could said to be surprised in the last 200 years, but this was definitely one of them. He looked through the windshield, back to Bryn, and then back through the windshield again. "You're kidding me, right?" But he knew that she was serious even as Bryn said yes. He looked the building with the model of the big gray mouse in a baseball cap and T-shirt above the entrance. When Bryn said she wanted to take him out to dinner, he didn't think she meant to Chuck E. Cheeses. Bryn opened her door, excitedly saying, "Let's go!" He was still sitting there by the time she walked around the car and opened the door. "Come on. I know they don't have the best pizza in the world, but that's okay. We've come for the atmosphere!" "Screaming and crying children?" She grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the car. Following reluctantly, he shook his head. "This wasn't exactly what I had in mind--" "I know." Keeping a firm grip on his hand, she hurried them across the parking lot and to the front doors. There was already quite a racket audible. Pushing open the door, she gestured for him to go first. "After you." As he walked in to the midst of chaos and got his hand stamped, he suddenly realized that he knew some of the people there. About to turn around and say something to Bryn, he jumped slightly as the majority of the restaurant yelled, "Surprise!" Anton looked back at Bryn, noting the smug look on her face. "You didn't, my dear." But apparently she did. Half the people were employees, and the majority of others he recognized as spouses or significant others of his employees. "This is what you get for not telling us when your birthday is, boss," he heard Michelle's voice call out. Grinning her hundred-watt smile, Bryn grabbed Anton's arm and whispered, "Happy one-thousand-and-fifteenth birthday, sugar." Anton wrapped his arm around her. "You're not going to let me weasel out of this, are you my dear?" She hugged him back, threatening to tickle his side. "Not a chance." "Then let's go mingle. I'm assuming, Nate, Lindy, and her family are here somewhere." "Yep. And so is Max." She made sure she had her hand stamped as well and hurried him through the turn-style. "You've got presents, and we got a huge cake. I made sure we have the whole place to ourselves and unlimited game coins for everyone. Oh! And we can even go in that tube maze!" Her voice lowered in a conspiratorial tone. "I told them I'd pay for any damages, just in case." Anton chuckled again. "I think you've thought of everything, my dear." They walked into the group, stopping to talk to people as they came up. Even some of the single employees without children had shown up, something that surprised him. Just at they got to the table, they ran into Jess and Walter. The female werewolf handed Max over to Bryn. "He's been a bit fussy. Too many new people and things I think." "Where's Alex?" Anton asked. "He disappeared that way," Walter pointed to the game room. "About five minutes ago, muttering something about the fact that there was no way Nate could beat him at Mortal Kombat." Bryn smiled, bouncing Max a bit. "Thank you for bringing him. I'll need to get the car seat before you leave." "We'll make sure to find you first." "We brought something else," Jess said, handing Bryn a long slim jewelry box wrapped with birthday paper. "Thank you. But he has to wait until later." She eyed Anton. "This one's last. It's from me." He noticed that she was holding it protectively. "Afraid that I'll shake it and figure out what you're giving me?" "Just don't let it spill," Jess said enigmatically. "Bryn, can I talk to you for a second?" She pulled the young woman to the side. "Lindy and Liam are over by the ball pit, if you want to go see her. But I'm worried. Do you know if anything is wrong? She's acting a bit strange." Bryn shook her head. "I don't know. Maybe she and Nate had an argument?" She shrugged. "It could just be stress. She has extra work now that Chandra is gone, plus I kind of volunteered her to help me make sure the employees showed up here tonight. So I wouldn't worry too much." Looking over in the direction of the ball pit, she thought she saw Lindy's blond hair. "I'll tell you what, I'm gonna take Max over there so I'll try to see if there's something up." "Thanks, Bryn. I appreciate it." Jess looked down at the box that she was holding. "Want me to hang on to this for a while longer?" "Sure, thanks." Bryn, cuddling Max close, headed over to the ball pit where Lindy was sitting alone, watching Max play. Which Bryn found strange, because she was usually in the middle of things like this, especially given an opportunity to tease Anton. But Lindy had seemed oddly detached during the last week or so. Lindy looked up, smiling weakly when she saw Bryn. She was trying hard not to think about the upcoming meeting with Marrok. "Hey there. You got Anton here okay?" "Yeah. He's 'mingling'." Slipping off her shoes, she opened the netting around the pit with one hand and carefully stepped inside. She looked back out at Lindy. "Come on in." "It's for kids only." "Not tonight!" Both arms bracing Max, Bryn bounced and dropped down in to the colored balls, giggling as they swarmed in to surround her bent legs. Max, looking a little bit uncertain, clung to her shirt and hair. "Hey, Liam. You having fun?" Liam babbled back at her as Lindy took off her shoes. "Yeah. But I'm not sure who's having more fun. Him or his dad." She winced a bit as she said the last word. Stepping carefully, she joined Bryn in the ball pit. "I'm sorry I didn't see him when you came through the door. His expression must have been priceless." Grinning, Bryn said, "Unfortunately, I was standing behind him, so I missed the initial shock...but I did manage to see the reluctant humor and slight horror that followed." Sliding Max down in front of her, still keeping a careful hold on him, she waited to see what he would do. "I'm sure he's already scheming his revenge for my birthday." She expected Lindy to laugh and looked up at her when she didn't. "How come you look so gloomy?" Lindy sighed. "It's that obvious?" When Bryn nodded, she continued rather thoughtfully. "I've gotten myself into a mess, and I'm trying to figure a way out of it. Problem is that I was doing the right thing, but I know certain people will think I'm stupid for doing it. No, more than stupid. They'll think I'm a suicidal idiot who's risking my life and Liam's." Frowning, Bryn wondered what she could be talking about. She knew Lindy had started taking Liam to Mommy and Me, and she couldn't imagine what would be life-threatening or suicidal about that. Unless the group had suddenly taken up skydiving. But maybe there was more to it than that. Maybe what they were really dealing with was an irrational fear, brought on by Liam leaving the house more often. "Lindy, I think it's a good idea for the two of you to get out more often. You can't just stay cooped up in the house because you're worried about what might happen out there. I did that myself, worrying about Natasha...but now that I have my job, I'm feeling more confident and happy. And it sounds like Liam has been having fun. Do you really want that to end?" "That's the problem. Part of me does, but part of me doesn't. Because Liam is enjoying it so much. And it's not as simple as saying 'I'm not showing up any more' because who knows what his reaction will be." She then made a face, hand coming to her mouth as is she was trying to block the words that she just said. "He who, Lindy?" Lindy sighed. She had blown it. It was only a matter of time before the truth came out. "Marrok came to see me about two weeks ago. He said as long as he could have visitation, supervised visitation, he'd let me raise Liam." Bryn stared at her, mouth open and grimacing. "Who are you? Because my friend has a brain in her head. What the hell are you thinking?" The words were spoken quietly, gravely. "That man tried to kill you. He kidnapped and tortured you. And he tried to kill me, to get to Liam. He could've caused me to lose Max. He attacked Chandra and turned her...he Changed her! He made her so desperate that she committed sabotage on my husband's company--" She was starting to yell. "*Your* company! She could've ruined our lives and gotten our husbands killed. Did you just forget that?!" "Don't you think I know that Bryn? Don't you think that's been on my mind day in and day out since he showed up?" If anything, Lindy looked more miserable now that it was out in the open. "I thought I'd be able to handle it. But the more I think about it, the worse it becomes. The only reason I said yes was..." Lindy looked over at Liam, innocently burying himself under a layer of balls just a few feet away. "I don't think Nate will understand, even though he didn't get a chance to know his father. His father died when he was young. But Liam's..." She sighed again. "I wanted to give him a chance to know his father. Liam deserves that until he's old enough to make his own decision about seeing him. All I could think about was him finding out when he was older that we knew who his father was, and kept Liam from him, and he's hate us." "He'd be angry at you, but he wouldn't hate you. Certainly not enough for all of the trouble you've gone to. And do you really think Liam will give a damn when he realizes what Marrok has done?" Bryn closed her eyes briefly, trying to understand what Lindy was saying. The woman was a vampire--a former werewolf--and it made absolutely no sense that she would be so naive. That she would trust a word Marrok said. "Why...do you believe him? What makes you think he won't just take you both this time?" "He's told me he won't as long as he can see Liam. He told me that I gained his respect." Lindy swallowed. "And I'm not sure, but I can't help but wonder if he has feelings for me. It would explain why he let me go." She curled over into a ball, resting her forehead on her knees. "Oh God, Bryn, what am I going to do? How am I going to tell Nate?" Looking at her, Bryn couldn't find the heart to yell at her anymore. She was feeling guilty enough already. Besides, her friend already had enough blame to deal with--if Nate was ever to find out what she'd done, he'd go ballistic. "You don't." She nodded when Lindy looked up at her. "Don't tell him anything. But--you can't ever do this again. No more meetings, no more visits, period. You haven't done anything to harm Liam or yourself, so everything is fine. Stop feeling guilty. But don't ever go back. Don't even think about it. Just put it behind you." "It's not that simple, Bryn." Lindy said, mascara running from her tears. "If I don't show up, Marrok will come looking for Liam. Probably will take him away. Or at least show up and cause problems." She sighed. "Any way it goes, Nate's gonna find out. The only question is if he hears it from me or from Marrok." "He's not going to come to your house looking for you. He's not that stupid. Your family will rip him to shreds if he tries. And where did he first contact you?" "The warehouse..." "Then you tell the guards that someone suspicious has been hanging around and give them his description. He won't be able to get to you, and if he tries he'll go to jail. You already know what to look for when you're out in public, and he can't pull your car over again. He can't get to you." Lindy sighed. "Yeah," she agreed. [Until he comes up with another idea.] She wiped at her eyes, trying to hide the evidence of her crying. "I won't go back to Marrok, and I won't tell Nate. And we should join up with everyone else before they come looking for us." Bryn took a deep breath. "I'll watch Liam. Go to the bathroom and wash the mascara off your cheeks. Then go in one of the stalls, put the lid down, and sit down for a while. Catch your breath and calm down. No one's going to believe you're fine if they see you right now." Lindy sniffed, and then wiped her nose. "Okay. Thanks, Bryn. For listening." She stood up and started to gingerly crawl out of the pit, both the physical one and the mental one of depression. She turned back to look at Bryn. "You're not going to tell Anton, are you?" It took Bryn a moment to respond. "No. I don't think he would understand." Lindy nodded, holding her gaze. "Thank you." Watching her walk away, Bryn took a deep breath and slowly let it out. She glanced over at Liam and couldn't help but smile as she saw the arrangement of the balls he'd stuffed under his shirt. Unknowingly, he'd given himself lopsided breasts. But her mirth didn't last for long, and she knew she'd need a moment to adjust as well. This was her husband's birthday party...his first in his entire one thousand and fifteen years. And somehow she had to return to her excited, joyful mood she'd had upon entering the restaurant. It definitely wouldn't be a piece of cake. Had anyone asked Anton at the moment, he would have said that he had survived the over cheesy pizza. He had survived having Nate whip his butt on one of those video games that his brother seemed to obsess over. And he had survived being sung to (loudly and off key, he would add) by his friends, workers, family, and an adult in a giant mouse costume in front of a cake with enough candles on it to set off a smoke detector. But it would have been clear that it was a front to save face, and he was eating up all the attention being lavished on him. Sitting next to him in the booth, Bryn fed Max another tiny bite of cake and watched him swish it around in his mouth. He loved the melting frosting, and had a ring of artificial pink all around his lips. Glancing over at Anton, she arched an eyebrow. "I know you're plotting." "Oh?" He smiled, feigning innocence. "What would I be plotting?" "My ultimate embarrassment." Taking her own bite of cake, she quickly chewed and swallowed before saying, "I know how you can get immediate retribution, and accomplish a task, killing two birds with one stone." "Do tell." "You could stand up on the bench and tell everyone our news. It'll be guaranteed to turn my face bright red." "If you insist, my dear." Anton started to stand, but wasn't surprised when Bryn grabbed his wrist and tugged. "Okay, okay, my dear. I'll wait," he said as he sat back down. "Besides, I thought you wanted to see Dr. Anne before we announced it." "Announce what?" Jess asked as she passed by, Liam in her arms. Although Lindy seemed more at peace, something was still not quite right, and she was dying to ask Bryn what she had learned. "Announce that it's time to open presents," Anton said. He knew, despite her trying to keep him quiet, that she really wanted him to announce it at the top of his lungs. But he couldn't resist the chance to make her squirm a bit. "I can't wait to see what you've gotten me. Should I be afraid?" Bryn's expression was completely serious as she said, "Yes. Be very afraid." "Aww, man!" Walking up to their table, Nate shook his head and planted his hands on his leather-clad hips. "Why didn't anyone tell me it was time for cake?" "I think a couple people did," Jess said, smiling. "You were too lost in the game to hear them. How did you tear yourself away, anyway?" "I ran out of coins." He let out a sigh. "Well there better be some left." Looking behind him, he finally noticed Lindy was standing there staring at him. Her head was tilted to the side and she looked rather annoyed. Reaching out to tickle under Liam's chin, eliciting giggles, Nate said, "What's up, babe?" "I think Liam'd like you to take him into the tunnel maze." She hoped her appearance was more settled. She had spent about fifteen minutes in the bathroom cleaning up and calming down. But she was still getting some odd looks from her friends and coworkers. "That will have to wait," Jess said. "Anton's going to open his presents." "I'll take him right after that," Nate told Lindy, reaching for Liam. He lifted the boy on to his shoulders and held him in place. He noticed her slightly red eyes and tired-sounding speech, but mistakenly thought they were the result of her annoyance with him. "I'm sorry, I know you've probably been waiting for me to take over. I won't play anymore games. Why don't we sit down and have some cake?" "Sure." She plopped down on the bench, scooting over to make room for Nate. Her appetite wasn't quite back yet after her crying jag. She leaned against Nate, trying hard not to feel guilty. She also tried to ignore Jess's eyes on her. She knew her mom knew something was up, but she wasn't about to tell her what was going on. Turning on the bench so she could see Lindy at the next table, Bryn said, "Lindy, I'm sorry if I've been at all impatient about the plans for this party. If I was, I didn't mean to upset you. I just wanted everything to be perfect." She licked her lips, hoping Lindy knew what she was up to. "And it is. Everyone showed up, just like you promised. Thank you. I appreciate it so much." "You're welcome, Bryn," Lindy said. "You just caught me at an emotional moment. But thanks for being understanding." Anton frowned, getting the feeling that both his wife and his friend were discussing something completely different. Come to think of it, Lindy had seemed oddly jumpy for the last week. He resolved to ask Bryn what was going on later. Then he turned his attention to the pile of presents in front of him. "Okay, which one am I supposed to start with?" "Whichever one you want to," Bryn said, aware that her present was still safe with Jess. She hoped the werewolf would be somewhat satisfied with the explanation she'd given for Lindy's upset mood. Her friend was in enough trouble already. Jess's fury would only add more guilt and grief. But if Nate were to find out--Bryn didn't even want to think about what he'd do. Pointing to a package wrapped with colorful Transformers paper, Bryn said, "How about that one, sugar?" "Okay." He picked up the package from Nate, noticing that it was light for its size. He started to unwrap it, not tearing the wrapping paper to shreds, but not being particularly careful either. Opening the box, he fished out the certificate from the tissue paper. He read it, not quite believing what it said. But then the whole night had been a bit surreal to him. "A membership to the cheese of the month club?" "Hey, I got him that, too!" Nate said, looking up from his cake. Lindy rolled her eyes. "That is your gift, Nate." "Oh. Hey, Anton, I heard they send you over a pound of cheese each month! And not the crappy Kraft Singles kind, either. Primo stuff. Too bad I didn't get you a certificate to the bread of the month club, too, huh?" "Yeah, Nathaniel. A pity that you didn't," he said with a slight smirk and a heavenward glance of his eyes. "Thanks," he said, forgoing the joke about having to survive on bread and cheese for the next twelve months Walter indicated another gift, this one wrapped in plain blue paper. "I think this one should be next, " Walter said as Anton picked it up. Anton frowned, lifting the box. Unlike the previous one, this one was heavy for its weight. And when he unwrapped it, he found out why. The two marble bookends were carved with a forest scene, a pair of wolves howling at the moon. "Thank you." "Ooh, pretty," Bryn said, moving one closer so Max could touch it. Looking up at Anton, she smiled. "I guess this means I'll have to leave you alone long enough to read?" "Not a chance, my dear." Anton said, giving her a quick kiss, to the catcalls of his employees. Slowly the pile of presents grew smaller and smaller. Several DVDs of movies, a few books to go along with the bookends that he had been given. But he had to admit he was a bit puzzled by Lindy's gift of a car stereo. The one in his Jaguar was more than enough for him. He looked over at Lindy, his eyebrows arched in question. Before she could say anything, Bryn quickly interceded. "You never know when you might need...a replacement." "Is something broken that I don't know about?" "I'll talk to you about it later," she said, making the crowd around them laugh and say a few 'uh-oh's. "Say 'thank you.'" "Thank you, Lindy." Although Anton wasn't sure what was going on, he was starting to form ideas and he couldn't wipe the smile off his face. "You're welcome, Anton." The rest of the gifts were opened way too slowly for Bryn's taste. She was nervous about her own present and was tapping her foot on the floor under the table. For his part, Max was very annoyed he couldn't go to sleep. First his mommy was washing his face and hands, then just when he started to fall asleep, the crowd would yell or laugh, making him jolt awake. He was whiny and crying, and didn't seem to respond to either of their attempts to soothe him. Finally, hitching him up a little higher on her shoulder, Bryn watched as Jess handed over the box she'd given her for safekeeping. She set it in front of Anton, along with a card. He looked at Bryn for a moment, trying to read her expression to discover what it might be. Sliding his finger under the tucked lip of the envelope, he pulled out the card. Bryn already knew what it said. Aside from the birthday joke already written by some anonymous stranger, she'd added her own message. [If I could celebrate every single year of your life, it wouldn't be nearly long enough to tell you how much I love you. I am grateful for every day you've watched pass, every second you've drawn breath. I would not be who I am without you. The very instant you were born, I know I must've cried tears of joy. You will never again have a birthday go unnoticed. All my love, Bryn.] Anton swallowed, fighting the mistiness in his eyes. "Thank you, my dear." He placed an arm around Bryn as he one handedly untied the ribbon on the box. Keeping an eye on Bryn's expression, he then tore the paper off of it and lifted the lid. His frown grew deeper as he lifted the keys out in puzzlement. "You didn't, my dear." "Well, let's go find out if she did," Jess said. As a group, they got up and headed over to the front doors and into the parking lot. Holding out the remote at an arms distance, Anton hit the disarm button. He gave a shocked laugh as the dark blue PT Cruiser's headlights blinked in response. Anton turned and swept Bryn into a tight hug. "This is the second best birthday present you've given me, my dear?" "Second best?" Alex called out. "The best one must have really been something then." "It is, although I won't see exactly what it is for nine months," Anton responded with a grin. "Bryn's pregnant." "Yes!" Nate shouted, shoving two fists in the air. Grinning widely, and oblivious to Lindy's confusion, he walked over to Walter and Alex, saying, "Pay up, losers! That's two hundred bucks." The werewolves, both obviously already aware they hadn't won--they smelled Bryn's pregnancy the minute she walked in the door--starting reaching for their wallets. Still squeezed against Anton, Bryn glared at them. "You *bet* on my fertility?" "No, not your fertility," Nate said, smiling. "Your sex life." The crowd broke out into raucous laughter, especially at Anton's glare at the trio. Jess, holding Max and trying to rock him to sleep, grinned and suppressed a snicker of her own. She had been wondering if Bryn was aware of her pregnancy, and had been trying to figure out a way to ask or at least plant the idea that she should get a pregnancy test. "So you're due in December?" "Something like that. I don't know, we'll find out when we go to see Anne next Tuesday. This is still pretty new to us. I just took the test at the beginning of the week." Turning her attention back to Anton for the moment, she gestured to the car. "Well, are you going to open it up and sit down? See if you like it?" Still a bit stunned, Anton walked towards the car. Now Lindy's gift of a stereo system made more sense. He opened the door and sat down, the leather seats practically wrapping around him. He couldn't help but grin when he put the keys in the ignition and the engine purred to life. He stuck his head out of the window. "Care to join me, my dear?" She smiled, walking around the front of the car to the passenger's side. She opened the door and slid inside, inhaling deeply the new car smell. The dark charcoal gray interior was a nice change from the bright lights of the restaurant. Looking behind her, she said, "It's got a nice big back seat. Perfect for two car seats...or whatever else you'd like to put back there." Smirking at him, she pulled her knees up and turned to face him. "It's completely paid for. All you have to do is insure it. But if you want a different color, or even a different car, you only have about ten days to make up your mind." "It's perfect, my dear. Thank you." He leaned over and kissed her, his hand going around the back of her head to hold her close. "I can't believe that you did all this. Not just the car, Bryn, but the party. Everything." He nuzzled her cheek softly. "I am, and will be, eternally amazed by you, my dear." Her eyes grew teary and she took a deep breath. "I wanted so much to make this day special for you. To make up for all of the birthdays I missed. I'm so sorry I never thought of it before. I had eight existences to celebrate your life and I blew them all. I don't ever want that to happen again. I will celebrate your life, every day, for as long as I live--and a very long time after that. I love you so much." "I love you, Sabryn. It's okay that we've never done this before. You've made this day special, one that I will never forget." He took her head in his hands and kissed her again. He rested his forehead against hers. "We should go out there and pay attention to our guests." She nodded, but didn't move. "I think we need to either go home soon, or ask Jess if she can take care of Max. He's really sleepy and cranky. And he needs some formula." Swallowing, she added, "I think Lindy could use some rest, too. She's been so busy lately, and I really didn't help matters by giving her more work to do." "Then let's go out there and get this wrapped up, so we can all get some rest, or play with my new toys," he said softly. "But maybe we should ask Jess to take care of Max all the same." He gently kissed her once more and then reached for the door. Smiling softly, Bryn got out of the car as well, deliberately singing the wrong words to a song. "My brown-eyed guy...you my brown-eyed guy..." After the party ended, Walter volunteered to drive Bryn's Lexus back for them. So now Anton was driving the PT Cruiser home with Bryn snuggled right up against him. He pulled into driveway and then into the unused bay of their three car garage. Finally not having to pay attention to the road, he shut off the engine and slipped his arm around her. Anton leaned against her, burying his nose in her hair. "I still can't believe you did all this for me, my dear." "Yeah...and all I get in return is this baby. What rotten luck!" She rolled her eyes. Adjusting her position against the center console, she sniffed his cologne. "You smell so good. Although, I have to say that your suit was a little wasted in the Chuck E. Cheese atmosphere. I may have to take you out somewhere nice next week just to make up for it." "Yes you may," he said. He leaned further down so he could nuzzle her neck and kiss below her ear. "So you're not going to say anything?" "About?" "Nathaniel's and Alex's and Walter's little bet?" He continued kissing the soft skin, and nipped on her earlobe. "I couldn't quite believe they bet on how soon I'd get you pregnant again, but I was surprised all the same." "I just...it hurt my feelings for some reason." He pulled back a bit to look at her, concerned by her tone. "What do you mean?" Bryn was quiet for a moment, staring at the dashboard. "Max was such an incredible miracle. And there was really no way for us to know that it could ever happen again. But here she is, and it's this special, amazing, wonderful moment that we're sharing with everyone...and they turned it into a joke." She sniffed. "I just...I don't know how they could take it for granted like that." "I'm sorry, my dear. I didn't even think of it that way." He reached over and took her hand, gently squeezing it. "It was an immature thing for them to do. And I doubt they fully understand exactly what we've gone through to get to where we are. And the least they could have done was wait until they were alone to pay off their bets." She looked at him and had to laugh at the absurdity of that statement. "God, it almost sounds like there was a bookie involved when you say it that way." Smiling, she took a deep breath. "I guess I probably took it a little too personally, too. I think I started getting emotional when you were opening your presents and Max was crying. I felt so bad that I couldn't do anything to calm him down." She made a meaningless gesture with her hands. "See, it's starting already. Hormone hell, once again." "Well, let's get upstairs and into bed, and see if I can't cheer you up some." Anton kissed her lightly, and then reached over to hit the door unlock button. "I was thinking Max did very well, given his fear of strangers, and the fact that he was up so late." "Yeah, he did," she said, getting out of the car. She shut the door behind her and continued the conversation when she reached the driver's side. "But then he's always been good...he only really gets upset if he's been neglected somehow. Or at least *feels* like he's been neglected." Reaching for Anton's hand, she let him lead her towards the door to the house. "But with Jess able to read his moods, he hasn't felt that way in a long time." Bryn was silent as he unlocked the door, and bent to greet Petunia when the dog excitedly welcomed them home. Once the door was closed, she said, "I don't know if I'll be able to stand Jess keeping him all day. I might have to call her later." "We can have her bring him back as soon as you like, my dear. We could call her now if you want." After petting the dog, Anton stood up pulled Bryn against him as he leaned against the wall. "I just want to say thank you, my dear. Than you for everything tonight. Now let's go upstairs and I'll make sure you're not feeling neglected." She grinned. "If you insist, Birthday Boy." Detaching herself from his grip, she set about deliberately seducing him...as if he needed it. Unbuttoning her jacket slowly, revealing herself a bit at a time, she carefully walked backwards towards the foyer. "You know, I thought about jumping out of a cake for you. But I thought you might not want all of your employees seeing me naked." "That would be a correct assumption, my dear," he said, slowly following. "So then I wondered, what else could I do to get your attention?" Bryn dropped her jacket to the side and began lazily tugging the hem of her camisole out from the waist of her skirt. "There are the usual things--wear something very revealing," she said, crossing her arms to pull the silky top over her head, "touch you not-so-casually at dinner several times..." She tossed the camisole towards him, still backing up. "And then there's always whispering suggestive things in your ear, all through the meal. But none of those things seemed quite enough to help me reach my goal." "Oh?" Anton followed her, staying deliberately just out of arms reach. He stalked after her, undoing his jacket and laying it on the back of a chair he passed. His shirt joined hers on the floor. His eyes trailed up and down her body, taking in every detail - how her dark hair brushed against her soft skin, how her nipples looked about ready to poke through her bra. "I'd say you have my attention right now, my dear." She smiled widely, then glanced behind her to gauge her progress. "True, but believe me I've thought of something even better." She was a few steps from the living room and foyer as she reached behind her and eased down the zipper on her skirt. "See, I thought I'd start with this little 'mini' strip tease." Bryn stopped, parallel with the stairs, and let her skirt drop. The fabric puddled around her high heels, leaving her in nothing but a lacy black bra and matching, stretch-fit tap pants. Her legs looked longer and shinier than usual below the dark fabric. "And next I'm going to dance for you...but you have to wait right here until you hear me start the music." Anton grinned widely as his eyes swept over her. He loosened his tie as he nodded, following her into the living room. He started unbuttoning his shirt as she walked over to the stereo. Anton couldn't take his eyes off the seductive sway of her hips, and had to bite the inside of his lip as Bryn bent over to start the CD player, displaying her pert ass for him. As the music started on her homemade CD, Bryn braced her hands on the shelf and let the beat of the bass move through her limbs. She swayed her hips as she stood in place, knowing that his eyes were glued to her ass. Although she wasn't exactly skinny, she thought her voluptuous figure was appealing...and apparently so did he. Turning on the balls of her feet to face him, she spread her legs a bit and started moving to the music, hands sliding over her body like she imagined his would, learning every curve. Her movements were slow and sensual, suggestive, putting herself on display. She bent and swiveled, squeezed and caressed, playfully luring him to the strains of "What Would Happen If We Kissed?" His eyes continually swept over her body as he took a seat on the couch. He watched, his breathing coming a little faster as she brushed by her breasts and and slid her hands down her waist. He toed off his shoes and unbuttoned the fly of his slacks to give his cock some room to grow. He wanted those to be his hands sliding over every inch of her flesh, but was willing to wait as long as he could watch. She grinned at him as her hand slid over the crotch of her tap pants. It was fun to watch him watching her. To see his eyes widen when squeezed her breasts together and bent over. To look over her shoulder as she shook her ass at him. The straps of her bra were both hanging loosely against her arms, and she reached back to unclasp the garment, teasing him by waiting longer than necessary. Before the cups could fall away from her breasts, she held them in place and gave him a good look at her bare back as she gyrated even closer. She had to wonder if he'd be able to wait throughout the whole five minute song before touching her. Anton let out a low moan, fingers digging into the cushion of the couch. He wanted to run his tongue up the length of her spine, to mold himself against her back, let his hands slip around the front of her chest to cup her breasts and thumb her nipples. But he was enjoying this striptease, watching Bryn inflame his passion even more. With her back to him, she let her bra slip to the floor but kept her breasts cupped and lifted as she turned around. Using a little trick she'd read in a magazine, she turned around to face him, bending her neck down, and slid the underside of her tongue over her nipple. Anton let out a choked noise. His knuckles were white as he gripped the cushion. All he could think about was repeating the trick, using his tongue instead. Eyes wide, he waited breathlessly to see what she would do next. Lifting her gaze, she smiled at him and moved to do the same to the other side. He was breathing so loud she could hear him, and it made her squirm. Letting her breasts bounce into place, she lifted her hands into her hair and slid her fingers through as she continued to dance. She could feel the clingy lace of her tap pants starting to ride up her ass, and turned her back to him once more. Toying with the waist of the pants, she started to very slowly lower them as she bent towards the floor. He couldn't get enough to breathe, seeing that perfect ass just inches from his grip. And then it was obscured as Bryn threw her panties behind him to toss them over her head. Deciding he could wait no longer, Anton stood up and pushed off his pants. He took a step forward and grabbed her. He pulled Bryn against his body, bending down to nibble at her neck. She let out a small gasp, but quickly covered it as his hands closed around her. Lifting her arms and wrapping them around his neck from behind, she continued to sway against him, encouraging him to move with her, rubbing his skin with hers. His cock was incredibly rigid against her back and she was getting wetter just thinking about what it would feel like. "Well, don't you want to find out?" "Find out?" he rasped. "What would happen if we kissed?" "Let's find out." He turned her in his arms, making sure her skin was always touching him. If anything, Anton pulled her tighter against him as he worked a leg beneath her and stooped slightly. His lips descended on hers and his tongue slipped between her lips, dueling with hers. One of his hands gripped her ass while the other tangled in her hair, cradling the back of her head. She let out a loud moan in his mouth, gripping his shoulders tightly. She was closer to his height with her heels on, but still not close enough, and she tried to climb him so frantically that he finally lifted her off her feet. The music changed as she wrapped her legs around his waist, and the song had definite meaning for her. It did hurt so good as ground herself against the shaft of his cock, as she smashed her breasts against his chest. Anton's legs began to buckle beneath him. He dropped to his knees, and was forced to let go of her ass so he could gently lower her to the floor. He was breathing heavily as he pressed himself into the softness of her body. She was so slick and so hot as he pushed his cock into her sex. Although he hadn't intended to, he immediately started thrusting at a vigorous pace. "Ohh God!" Bryn arched her back and let out a groan as she felt him scoot her forward a bit on the carpet. Digging her heels in, she sought to anchor them and reached down to grab his ass. His muscles were rippling beneath her fingers and she could help but tighten around him and hold on for dear life. Moaning with every thrust, she started to laugh as Petunia walked close to where they were and tilted her head in wonder. Laughter wasn't the reaction Anton had been expecting until he saw what Bryn was looking at. Pushing up on his elbows, Anton used his hands to rub her nipples and tickle the sides of her breasts. He caught her lower lip between his and began to nibble as his hips continued to thrust. "Mmm...mmm..." It was hard to concentrate on anything but him when he put it like that. Thighs lightly shuddering, she lifted her hips in to his thrusts to help him get as deep as he could. She kissed and stroked him in return, squeezing his ass, sliding her finger down to gently rub over his anus. The little added jump he gave made her gasp in delight. "Yeah...ooh...there..." He tried to hit that spot again and again and again. Her gasps and cries were inflaming him further. Groaning, Anton freed a hand and wedged it between their bodies so he could rub her clit. She was so wet his fingers slip and slid without much movement. And when she spasmed beneath him, Anton gave a loud shout, cumming hard. Bryn moaned equally loudly, clutching him tightly as she shuddered and quivered under him. She squeezed his cock, milking as she came down from her high, whining and whimpering at good it felt. It was without a doubt the best orgasm she'd had in months...which was saying quite a bit considering how much she enjoyed their lovemaking. She couldn't seem to stop squirming below him, trying to hang on to those last bits of ecstasy. Although he was softening inside of her, Anton continued to thrust. He held onto her tightly, trying to give her all the pleasure he could. But eventually he stopped moving and just sank against her body. If there had been a blanket nearby, he would have pulled it over their bodies and suggested they spend the night on the floor. He didn't want to move. Panting, she went limp as well, only managing to keep her arms around him by weaving her fingers together. Pressing her cheek against his, she gently kissed him. And hugged him. "Happy Birthday, Anton." He kissed her back softly. "Thank you, my dear. You've made it a wonderful birthday." He wasn't even certain if this was the time of year that he was born. If he had ever been told, it had been lost in the recesses of time as he was repeatedly told that he was a foundling. Anton squeezed her tightly. "How about we head upstairs?" Bryn squeezed her eyes shut against a wave of guilt and sadness. "What was so wonderful about it? I embarrassed you in front of your friends with that ridiculous party...and I gave you a car. About the least romantic gift I could give." She tried to keep them at bay but a few tears escaped her eyes anyway, and filled her tear ducts to give her a runny nose. "I wanted so much for you to remember this day forever, because it was special and you had fun...not because of its silliness. I wasted so many chances tell you just how much I love you. And that hurts me so much. I can't even imagine how much it must have hurt you." "Bryn? Where is this coming from?" Anton gently stroked her hair. "Not celebrating my birthday hasn't hurt me. Remember, when I was born, children's birthdays weren't necessarily celebrated. And later on, when the custom started, well, I didn't feel a need to celebrate my 413th birthday." "But I will remember this day forever, my dear, because you love me enough to throw me a party and convinced everyone to come. And I love the car you gave me. It is a romantic gift, my dear, simply because it came from a woman who loves me passionately." She wrapped her arms tightly around him and squeezed. "I do. I love you more than anything or anyone. And I always will. I'm just heartbroken that I didn't insist we celebrate your birthday. That I didn't tell you that you were mine, when you were born." Anton sat up, pulling Bryn onto his lap. "Shhhh..." he whispered, stroking her hair and rocking her back and forth. "I know that you were only trying to protect me. Ivan probably told you never to tell me, just as he told me never to tell you about my attack. But I knew I was yours. You were always my mother, no matter if I knew that you bore me or adopted me." She sobbed explosively, as if flood gates had been opened. Pain she hadn't known she was keeping hidden wracked her body, leaving her trembling. Gripping him tightly, she cried for her husband, the man she loved so intensely, and she cried for her child, the boy she'd given life to over a thousand years and eight lifetimes ago. "H-How could...I do that...t-to my own child?" Anton continued to rock her, gently cradling her in his arms. Petunia, sensing something was wrong, padded over and leaned against Bryn's back. "Because you didn't know what he would do if you did tell me, my dear." He kissed her forehead, lingering close to her. "You were a young woman married to a vampire who had discovered your infidelity. There was no way of knowing if you displeased him, that he wouldn't kill you." Because that was the kind of vampire Ivan had been. Capricious, although fiercely loyal to those he cared about, he had killed men for less. [I will never understand,] she thought, [how you could know I've been unfaithful twice before, I've lied to you about things so important, I've taken for granted so many things, and yet you still forgive everything.] She thought about Max, and now this new baby, and wondered how she could ever lie to them. She would *have to* fear for her life, or their lives, for that to ever happen. And as that realization dawned on her, and his forgiveness slowly penetrated, her sobbing slowed to dull, exhausted whimpers. Her wet cheek plastered to his shoulder, she rasped, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. It wasn't because I didn't want to. Or that I didn't love you. I have always loved you, and will always love you so much." "I know, my dear. And I forgive you." He nuzzled her hair. He didn't know if Ivan had threatened his life, but it was clear that Katerina had believed it at some time or another. And he couldn't blame her for keeping this secret to keep him alive. "I love, and have always loved, you so much. I know you were doing what you thought was best to protect me." He kissed her temple, and then her lips. "Come, my dear. Let's go upstairs were it will be a bit more comfortable." She nodded weakly, breathing through her open mouth. Her nose was plugged and her eyes were so swollen and red she could barely keep them open. Trying to stand up, with his help, she let out a soft cry as she stumbled against him. The rest of her tears drained away as he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the stairs. Sagged against his chest, her heels banging his thigh, she watched his face. He hadn't ever looked more beautiful to her, blurry view and all. "I love you so much." "I love you too, my dear." She looked so fragile, broken. And he knew she carried a lot of guilt, undeservedly so, for perceived mistakes she now had no control over. Part of him knew that this was due to the pregnancy hormones kicking up after having slightly subsided, but he didn't want her feeling guilty for what his mother had done. He didn't blame her, but he needed to convince her that she didn't need to either. Carrying her to the bed, he laid her down on top of the comforter. He gently tucked the ends of it over her, and then cocooned her in his arms. She toed her heels off and pulled her legs up inside the crepe he'd made of the comforter. Eyes closed closed, she let herself be held--trying to push his mother back into the past where she belonged. As much as she was comforted by remembering the past, it could overwhelm her so easily when it wanted. If Anton didn't know her so well, he probably would've thought she was schizophrenic. After a long time, when she started to fall asleep, she forced her eyes open. "I want Max." Anton gently kissed her forehead. "I'll call Jess right away." Freeing an arm, he reached over to the table beside the bed and grabbed the cordless phone. A few quick words, and Jess promised to meet him down at the entrance to the tunnel in five minutes. He gave Bryn another quick kiss. Bryn didn't look to be in any condition to go greet the werewolf. "I'll be right back, my dear." She reached for his hand, hanging on to him for a moment. She rubbed her cheek against the back of his hand. "Thank you for loving me the way you do. I won't ever doubt that again. I couldn't. I feel it every time you touch me. I see it when you look at me. And I hear it in your voice. You fill me so full of it that I could never possibly feel alone again. I'll cherish that forever." Anton turned his hand so he could stroke his thumb along her cheekbone. "I love you too, my dear. I always have, and I always will." Reluctantly, he pulled his hand free and grabbed a robe. Pulling it on, he headed downstairs to greet the werewolf. He just arrived as the concealed door swung open. "Hey Anton," Jess said, cradling a sleep Max in his arms. "He's been out for most of the time he's been with me," she said, passing the baby over. "Everything okay?" "Yeah, we just can't stand being away from him." Anton shouldered the diaper bag as well. "Thanks for bringing him back." They said goodbyes and Anton went upstairs as the werewolf returned home. "Hey Bryn, look who's here." Bryn looked up and smiled, sniffling. "Hi, sweet pea. Oh, somebody's sleepy." She pushed up on her elbow, watching them approach. "He got here just in time to save you from the ramblings of a mad woman," she said to Anton, just barely able to smile. "That kind of...scared me, back there. I don't know where that came from. I feel like there should be a joke in here somewhere about my crazy mother-in-law. Except, I guess that's me." She let out a small laugh. "Wow. That sounds really psychotic." Anton put Max down on the bed next to Bryn. "Maybe because of the party," he said softly. "You do have the memories of seven other people in there. It's bound to come spilling out sometime." He slipped back into bed next to Max, the two of them cradling him close. He leaned over Max to kiss her lightly. "I don't want you to feel guilty about what you did, or didn't do, back then. You did what you thought was best for me." He thought for a moment. "Maybe, if you feel up to it and you really want answers, we should see about hypnotizing you again." She took a deep breath, buoyed by fear. Hypnotism had led to this craziness, and filled her head with images and voices from nine different lifetimes. Sometimes it was hard to distinguish between a memory and a nightmare. But the same event had also brought them so much closer...and if being hypnotized could sort out some of the white noise, she thought maybe she might have a little more control over whose memories came when. Voice slightly trembling, she asked, "You'll stay with me, when it happens?" "Of course, Sabryn. Of course." Anton gently stroked her side and hair. "I'll be there when it happens, whether we bring Zenobia back to do it, or have Mr. Mulder to do it. And if it becomes too much, I'll have them bring you out of it right away." He looked down at Max, gently stroking his downy head. "I have to wonder if we knew him once too, my dear." She nodded, settling her head on her pillow. "I think so. Or at least he felt very familiar when I first held him. But that might be the mother in me talking." Lightly grasping Max's fist, she continued to watch Anton as he watched his son. It was strange to feel so motherly and prideful of him, and still be so attracted to him at the same time. She felt much more his wife than she ever would allow the mother to come through. But there were still times when she looked at him and couldn't help but want to nurture the child she once knew. Swallowing, Bryn turned a bit more to face him. "I hope I didn't freak you out. Then again, I freaked myself out, so I don't know how I couldn't have." "It did, a bit," he admitted. "Especially when you spontaneously spoke Russian, and you didn't notice. But both of us freaking out at the same time would do no good." Anton gently continued to stroke Max's head, leaning over to kiss Bryn's cheek. "Although I have to admit I wonder why we seem to end up talking about my mother after we have sex." "Oedipus in reverse?" She gave him a small smile, but it didn't last long. "I'm sorry. I don't know why that happens. Maybe it's because I'm very vulnerable then. I give everything of myself to you...in a way, I think I almost leave myself. That might sound stupid...but I think that's the only way I can describe it. I leave myself wide open and there's no telling what might come out. If I didn't trust you so much, it wouldn't happen." He rolled onto his back and eased Max onto his chest, so he could Bryn close to his side. "I'm honored, my dear, that you trust me so much." He nuzzled her cheek gently. It choked him up a bit, the amount of trust she had in him. "I do trust you very much. Which is why I need you to tell me you don't think I'm going insane." She sat up a bit, her expression grave. "This is scaring the hell out of me. I don't feel like I have any control over it. And I'm worried that something worse could happen the next time...or some time after that. I'm scared that I'll get stuck there, in someone else's mind. Someone else's memories." "I will do my best to bring you back, my dear. You are the one I want to spend eternity with. If you're scared that will happen, you don't have to be hypnotized again." He gently cupped her cheek. "I don't want to risk losing you." She stared at him, swallowing heavily. "You didn't say you don't think I'm going insane." "You are not going insane, my dear." He nuzzled her, trying to make up for not reassuring her of that right away. "Don't ever believe that these aren't true memories, my dear. You know too many details that I haven't told you. And I will help you manage these memories." Bryn wrapped her arms around him tightly, and scooted as close as possible. Nearly mashing herself against him. If anyone would know whether or not she was really going nuts, he would. Squeezing her eyes shut, she let herself believe everything would be okay. "I know you will, sugar. I trust you." End Chapter One Hundred Twelve <- Previous Chapter | Home | Next Chapter ->