Chapter One Hundred Nineteen Her pants were just starting to fit tightly. Now almost three months along, Bryn had been going through her maternity clothes to see if anything would fit yet. Luckily she could still squeeze into her newest party dresses she'd bought for gallery showings. Tonight was their anniversary party, shared with family, friends, and employees. Since their anniversaries had been close together, the party was to celebrates both of the Rudenko couples: Anton and Bryn, and the new renamed Nathaniel and Lindy Rudenko. Figuring out whose gifts were whose was a little more tricky. Anton smiled at Bryn and then leaned over to whisper in her ear. He had just returned from talking with one of the staff of the restaurant they had reserved. Not a party room, but the entire restaurant. "The manager extends his apologies, but they won't be ready to serve dinner for another five minutes." If that were the only upset of the night, he would be more than happy. Nibbling on a bread stick, she met his gaze with smiling eyes. "Somehow I don't think that will be a problem. Everyone's too busy talking and visiting to notice. Except maybe Nate--but he's always hungry." Holding her alfredo dipped bread stick up, she waited for him to take a bite. "Is it me, or is Mulder staring an awful lot at your security girl?" Anton took a bite of the soft bread and then followed her gaze. "I do think he is, my dear." He knew the ex-FBI agent was single, but dismissed the thought. Vandala would probably stay away from him as much as possible, given Lilith's feelings on Mulder. "He's probably trying to remember if he ran across her in a case." "Don't you mean ran her down in a case? I swear every time we go somewhere he's trying to find out who the vampires and werewolves are. We've got him convinced you're everywhere." She took a drink of her sparkling fruit juice. Frowning slightly, she looked around. "Where did Max go? Michelle had him a minute ago, but she's right over there and he's not." "You were looking for someone?" Jess walked up behind Bryn, Max trying to play with the necklace she was wearing. "Somebody needed his diaper changed, so I spirited him away for a moment." "Really?" Anton's eyebrows rose. "I didn't hear him cry." Jess looked slightly uncomfortable. "He didn't." She'd let them assume that she had just caught a whiff with her superior sense of smell. Not that Max had spotted her and mentally reached out to her. The strange bond they shared since she scanned him hadn't gone weaker, but instead seemed to be growing stronger. "Poor baby," Bryn said, ruffling his hair. She had started to panic, not knowing where he was. It would've been so easy for someone to slip into the party unnoticed and let others think they were old friends, only to spirit Max away when no one was looking. Resisting the urge to snatch him out of Jess's hands and cradle him close, she said, "Thank you, Jess. That was very nice of you." Smelling Bryn's fear, Jess immediately handed Max over. "I'm sorry I scared you," she said. She could understand, having been protective of both Lindy and Amanda. Anton nodded as the werewolf moved on. He put an arm around Bryn's waist. "Have you seen where Nathaniel and Lindy have gotten to?" Pressing her lips to Max's head, she met his gaze. "Lindy was here just a minute ago. I think she went to look for Nate and Liam in the kitchen. They should be back in time for dinner." Leaning against him, she settled her head on his shoulder. "I can't wait until our get away. Just you, me, and the ghosts. Doesn't that sound romantic?" "Yes it does. I almost wish we could leave right now" Anton pulled her close. He was looking forward to having time alone with his wife, although he guessed they would both be missing Max horribly after one day. "Shall we go mingle with the guests, my dear?" "Yes, we shall." Keeping close to his side, she let him lead her over to a small group of friends and employees, including a few people she'd gotten to know from the gallery. Although she'd invited her boss, as a courtesy (after he heard her inviting the others), he had yet to show up. That was probably a good thing. Sitting towards the end of one of the long tables, Vandala sipped her cappuccino and perused the crowd. She didn't know that many of the people there, despite being employed by the same boss. After the investigation into Chandra and George's backgrounds, not many people had wanted to confide in her. She supposed they thought she would write down any secrets and use them later. Still, feeling a pair of eyes on her, she glanced discreetly over the rim of her mug. It was a man looking at her. Older, but that was certainly in appearance only. Age didn't have a whole lot of meaning to her. He was good looking, and she thought she might've seen him with Anton's wife once or twice, but she had no idea who he was. Interesting. He had finally caught her eye. Mulder tried to act smoothly, but it had been a while since he had been in this situation. He head seen the blond on occasion when trailing Bryn at the warehouse, but he didn't know her job there, or even who she was. Anton was being quite closed mouth about that information. Well, he hadn't been an FBI agent for nothing. Trying to appear casual, he headed towards the woman. She was about to smile at him, when his face finally triggered her memory. [Oh, no... It can't be.] But it was. Fox Mulder, enemy number one. And it was too late to back out like she hadn't noticed him. Hoping she could at least keep from cringing, Vandala set down her mug and worked up a slight smile. Even though her fingernails were biting in to her fist. [She is attractive,] Mulder thought. Since the majority of the guests here were human, he assumed that Vandala must be one as well. Without the thought of her being a vampire, he walked up to her, intent on striking up a conversation. "Nice party. Which Rudenko are you a friend of?" "None, I suppose," she said, quietly. "Anton is my boss, and technically so is Lindy. She was the one who invited me here, although I think it might've been out of obligation." Taking another sip of her drink, she tried to keep her hand steady. "And you?" "I'm an old friend of Lindy's family, practically family myself. And I'm doing a little work for Anton and his wife." He held