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 Chapter Thirteen He was tired when he dragged himself back into the house. Alex had tried to slip away several times to track Nathaniel, but hadn't been successful. He didn't think that Lindy had noticed, but Walter and Jess sure had. In a snit of righteous indignation, he broke from the pack and came home. He padded back into the house and upstairs. Half Changing so he was now bipedal, he climbed upstairs, intent on collapsing and sleeping the rest of the night away. Not watching where he was going, he ran smack into Nate. Without thinking, his ears swept back and Alex gave a low growl. The Vampire's eyes glowed brilliant green, like fiery emeralds. "I've had about enough of your shit," he yelled at Alex, his teeth razor sharp. "Either make good on your damned threatening glares or back the hell off me, damn it!" Nathaniel was starting to think that he had made a mistake, because Alex wasn't backing off. The werewolf stepped forward, growling louder, until they were nose to nose. But Nate didn't back down. "You heard me," he said, eyes still glowing. "I've been bending over backwards trying to be nice to you the whole time I've been here, only to have you treat me like shit. Like it or not, I'm in love with your daughter. And if I'm extremely lucky, she'll love me back. Now either tear out my throat, or leave me the hell alone." Alex stared at him a few minutes longer, and Nathaniel stared back. No way he was going to let this literal son of a bitch outstare him this time. But just as his resolve started to crack, Alex took a step back, eyes sliding to the side. The werewolf's ears came forward into a neutral position. By the time hearing started to return to his ears, the pounding of his pulse was almost deafening. He licked his fangs, willing himself to calm down. He wasn't quite sure what it was, but something about the werewolf's capitulation made him feel about ten feet tall. Exhaling heavily through his nose, he said a begrudging, "Thank you," and started to walk past the man. But he didn't get very far. Just as he was ready to descend the stairs, he felt Alex grab his arm. Completely Changed back to human form, Alex met his gaze once more. "You and I need to talk. I think I have a bottle of vodka around here somewhere. Care to join me?" The rest of the pack returned a few hours later. Going from canine to human as she stepped into the living room, she grabbed one of the waiting robes and slipping into it. "Go on up to bed, Amanda." The youngest werewolf didn't protest like she would on a regular night, but immediately climbed the stairs. "You think Alex came back?" Lindy asked, also slipping into a robe. "Hope so." Jess sighed. Lindy had been a tad depressed after Alex had splintered off, fretting about her step-father's reaction to Nathaniel. Jess was all for protective instincts up to a point, but was ready to try to smack some sense into her mate. A noise caught her attention. She cocked her head to one side. She glanced at Walter, who also had a puzzled look. "Do you hear singing?" Walter looked relieved. "I thought I was hallucinating. It sounds like it's coming from the kitchen." Heading slowly towards the obnoxious din, Jess's mouth dropped open at the sight before her. Slouched underneath the counter, rather than sitting on the bar stools in front of them, Alex and Nathaniel appeared to have downed an entire bottle of Stolichnaya vodka...and were working on their second. They giggled like school girls, singing--at least she thought that was what they were trying to do--some sort of Russian melody. Noticing her appearance, and that of Walter and Lindy behind her, Nate sat up abruptly...immediately smacking his head on the counter above him. "Ow--sukin syn!" Whatever he said, it sent Alex into another fit of giggles. The three sober ones shared a look. "Um, Alex? Nate?" Jess said. "Care to tell us what's going on?" Alex looked at them a bit cross eyed. "You shuggested I get to know Nate," he slurred slightly. "Tha's what I'm doin'." Walter raised his eyebrows. "Over a bottle and a half of vodka?" Alex frowned and then looked at Nathaniel. "We've sthill got ha'f a bottle left?" Nate reached for the bottle, to lift it up for Alex's inspection, nearly tipping it over in the process. When he saw the remaining liquid in the bottom of the bottle, Alex quickly reached for it, only to have his attempt foiled by Walter. With Jess picking up one arm, and Walter on the other, they lifted him and started walking towards the stairs. "Good night," Jess called, irritation in her voice. Lindy glanced down at Nate's bleary-eyed face and shook her head. "I dinna mean to--" he slurred. "But good news: I got your step-dad to like me!" "Don't look so happy yet, Nate...he's not going to like you very much tomorrow when the hang-over sets in." Nathaniel thought about that for several minutes. "Aw fuck!" was his only response. Still shaking her head, Lindy reached for his arm, tugging to him to his feet. "Come on, Nate. The sun will be up soon." He put his arm around her and leaned heavily against her. "So what happened between you and Alex anyway?" He had to think really hard about that. "I'm not sure I remember." "Well, how did you get to the bottle?" "Hmm..." She waited, but his answer never came. "Are you going to remember any of this tomorrow?" "I think I might have told him to fuck off." "And then he decided you were buddies?" "It's a Russian thing, baby." "You're not Russian, Nate." He smashed his finger against his lips. "Shhh...he doesn't know that." Shaking her head, she helped him up the stairs...feeling somewhat like a pack horse as he leaned all of his weight on her. By the time she pushed his dead weight on to the bed, she was sweating and puffing out her breath. And, unfortunately, it looked as if Nate intended to fall asleep directly in the middle of the bed. Snoring, clothed, and unmovable. She sighed. "No more full moons for you." Anton sat in front of the computer, when his email informed him he had a waiting message in his personal account. He opened the window and saw that Jess had emailed him again. He and the wolf-woman had been corresponding back and forth since Lindy announced that Nate would be coming back to meet her. Jess had quickly caught on that he was less than thrilled with the relationship, and was trying to worm more details out of him than he felt comfortable giving. Curious what she wrote now, he opened the message.
To: Anton Rudenko Hey Anton! Well, last night was okay. Nate survived the full moon, and it looks like he and Alex have made friends, which I know you'll just *love* to hear. Just had a long talk with Lindy, who dropped a bit of a surprise on me. What's this about Bryn being pregnant? I thought that wasn't possible! Jess He brought up the reply mail window, deciding to fill her in on the details. He could hear the front door open and keys jingling, as Bryn got back from the errands she was running. Judging from the sound of her putting bags on the floor, she'd gotten quite a bit done at the paint store. He called out to see if she needed help, but she quickly said no...a little too quickly, actually. He was a bit suspicious about that, given that she'd borrowed his car, but he decided to wait until she entered the bedroom to see what she was up to.
To: Jess Leahs Dear Jess, I'm not entirely surprised that Lindy told you the good news so quickly. I had intended to tell you myself, but this works just as well. Yes, Bryn is pregnant, and happily showing off her stomach to anyone she encounters...although there's not much there to look at yet. And believe me, it came as quite a surprise to me as well. I'm not complaining, though, as I'm sure you can imagine. If you're online for a while, I would like to discuss some things with you. Both Bryn and I have questions, and to be bluntly honest, we have no where to turn. Anton He opened the chat program and waited to see if she'd sign on. Within five minutes, he got the first message. BBWolf: YouÕre up early. No where else to turn? Thanks I think! <g> So what's your questions? Azazel989: Well, obviously I'm a vampire and she's human...we have no idea what to expect. She's had some experience with labor stages, when her sister-in-law was pregnant, but both of those pregnancies were "normal". I need a point of view that's...not quite human. BBWolf: LOL! All right. Exactly what would you like to know? Azazel989: Just how normal was your pregnancy, as far as you know? And what did you do about finding a doctor? BBWolf: First question - I can't really answer that. I don't know if Lindy told you, but we were observed for a while as part of an experiment. I was kidnapped when I was about 12 weeks along. I don't really remember much of what went on, except for a few bits and pieces. Apparently it was not an easy pregnancy, since Alex was human at the time. Second question - I was lucky. My older brother's a vet, and his wife's a pediatrician. So I was able to keep it in the family, and have both my human and canine sides checked at the same time. Does Bryn need a doctor? Anne's pretty discrete, and Mikey won't say a word if I tell him not to. And I got a question for you. What's between you and Nathaniel? Lindy told me everything about the night she met him, and I do mean *everything.* BBWolf: You still there, Anton? Azazel989: Uh, remind me to kill Lindy when she comes home, all right?
BBWolf:
Azazel989: <sigh> Yes, Bryn does need a doctor. Let's just say that her current doctor isn't exactly sympathetic to any...abnormalities. As for Nathaniel, why don't you ask the punk yourself?
BBWolf: Ooh, touchy. C'mon, Anton, spill.
Azazel989: hold on a minute.
He turned from the computer to see Bryn walk in the room. She handed him his car keys, a devilish grin on her face.
"That thing really hauls ass!" she said.
He cocked an eyebrow. "What did you do, Bryn?"
"Nothing." After that 'innocent' statement, she walked back out to the living room and started rummaging through bags. Shaking his head, Anton returned to the computer screen.
Azazel989: I'm back. And Nathaniel was my step-brother for fifteen years...until he decided to betray me. Whether or not he was involved with my father's death remains to be proven, but he did stab me in the back--figuratively speaking. He had an affair, with a woman that was my lover at the time.
BBWolf: Ouch!
How long ago is this? Is Lindy in danger?
Azazel989: Almost 900 years ago. And as for Lindy, I don't think he'd physically harm her, but I wouldn't put anything past him. He *will* break her heart. I can guarantee you that.
BBWolf: Thanks for the warning. Do me a favor and keep me updated?
Azazel989: I will. And I'll look up your brother...he's probably the only member of your family whom Lindy *hasn't* told all of my secrets.
BBWolf: <g> Don't be so sure about that.
Azazel989: <groan > Tell her to hurry up and get her butt back here. She owes me some work after this.
BBWolf: Depends on how soon she starts getting on my nerves...then I'll send her back. Take care, Anton.
He watched her screen name disappear as she signed off. Stretching, he stood up and left the computer running, heading into the living room to see what sort of mess Bryn was making.
Sitting in the middle of the floor, surrounded by painting supplies and empty bags, she was taking a quick inventory of everything she'd bought from her list. She looked up as he approached and gave him a smile.
"I don't have any advertising done...but if I did have a customer, I could start tomorrow!" She thought for a moment. "Well, we might have to rethink that car situation."
"Really?" He lowered himself to the floor besides her. "What did you have in mind?"
"Well, I was thinking...maybe a SUV. I'd have to have something I could put a ladder in. Plus, there would be a lot of room, for car seats and that type of thing," she said, grinning. "And they're usually pretty powerfulŃI love the engine in your car. It makes all sorts of neat noises when you're going really fast."
"My dear, you are aware that the police use radar around here to issue tickets? They don't have to pull you over."
"Spoilsport." Bryn leaned over to kiss his cheek. "I guess I'll have to work off those speeding tickets somehow."
Anton grinned. "I can think of several ways." He put his arm around her. "I talked to Lindy's mom. Her sister-in-law's a doctor and comes highly recommended."
"Oh?" She didn't sound entirely pleased at that revelation. "So, I guess we should give her a call."
"Something wrong with that?"
"No..." She was quiet for a moment. "I just...I don't want anyone to tell me there's something wrong."
"I don't think she will."
"Not yet. They probably can't tell anything for sure now. But what if there's really something wrong--something big? I don't know if I'd be able to...do anything about that. Even if it meant--" She waved her hands, as if trying to get the right word, her eyes tearing up. "Abortion."
He tightened his arm around her. "We'll face that together, if we have to." Jess's words echoed in his mind. [Apparently it was not an easy pregnancy, since Alex was human at the time.] He pushed her hair back out of her face. "Jess had a healthy girl with a human lover, and there's no reason you can't as well. Unless..."
"Unless what?"
"You have a healthy boy."
"God, Anton, don't do that! You scared me."
"Sorry." He pressed his lips against her temple. "I just think we shouldn't worry unless we know for sure there's something to worry about. Wastes time."
"You know I worry about everything."
"Yeah, I know." He grunted as she elbowed his side. "I didn't say that was a bad thing."
"No, you said it wastes time."
"Well, it does. Why don't we make an appointment and talk to her?"
"You'll go with me? Even if I drag you into the room and everything?"
"Wouldn't miss it for the world." He rested his cheek against her head.
They sat quietly for a few minutes. "So you talked to Lindy's mother? Is she coming back anytime soon?"
"Jess was rather evasive about that. I thing she misses Lindy more than she lets on." He knew Sabryn wouldn't like what he'd have to say next. "I also talked to her a little about... him."
"Why am I not surprised?" She turned to look up at his face. "What did you tell her?"
"My honest opinion--that he was going to break Lindy's heart."
She groaned. "The next time you talk to her, I'm giving her my opinion...then maybe she can make up her own mind who to believe."
"I don't know why you refuse to believe me about him, Bryn. He's a conniving, treacherous, fiend. He doesn't deserve the time it would take for you to spit on him."
"Probably the same reason that you refuse to believe me about the aliens," she replied, much to his chagrin. "I just don't see it, Anton. Did it ever occur to you that he made a mistake because he was young and inexperienced...and possibly she seduced *him* and not the other way around?"
Anton frowned. The thought crossed his mind more than once, but he never examined it too closely. "Even if that were true, there's still the matter of my father's murder."
"How can you be sure about that also? And what's to say that Nathaniel hasn't changed in the last 900 years?" She waited for him to respond. "You can't say he hasn't, can you?"
"No," he sighed. "I still think her trusting him is a mistake. But I will try to keep my mouth shut around him."
"Good. Besides, we've got other things we need to talk about. Like where the wedding will be."
"All right."
"And honeymoon plans." She cocked her head to the side. "Do you think Lindy would agree to be my maid of honor?"
He smiled. "Yes, I think she might."
"Good. Now you need to decide who you'd like to have as a best man."
"Hmmmm... I know just who to ask. His name is Michael Trenton, but he goes by Mack. You'd like him Bryn. He trains racehorses."
"Is he a vampire too?"
Anton shook his head. "No, he's human, but he knows what I am."
"Racehorses? Am I going to get to meet him before the wedding?"
"I think that could be arranged."
"I'd love to see the horses. Do you think he'd mind?"
"No, I'm sure he'd love to show them off. He likes to take all of the credit, even though they aren't really his. But he trains them to win, so I guess his clients don't complain."
"I miss riding. It had been so long, before you came to visit. Now I miss Whisky." She thought for a moment, fidgeting with her fingernail. "I've been thinking, and I decided I'm going to fly back to Pennsylvania a week before the wedding. My parents will already be on the road by then, so I'll have the farm to myself. I have some things I need to work out there. It might not be something you'd be interested in."
Anton raised an eyebrow. "Not interested in?"
"I want to go back and face what happened to me that night, Anton. I know that you don't believe it was aliens, but I do. And I want to put it behind me once and for all. And I have to do that alone."
He sighed. He wanted to be there for her no matter what. If she wanted to go alone, he wouldn't stop her, but he didn't have to like it. "Okay, Bryn. But if you change your mind, I'm more than willing to go also." He frowned. "And what did you mean by your parents would be on the road by then?"
She took a deep breath and blinked rapidly, but she couldn't prevent the tear that rolled down her cheek. Turning her head away from his gaze, she quickly wiped it away and stood up.
Walking towards the kitchen, she said, "Um, I think they're probably going to drive here for the wedding. Mom doesn't like to fly."
Anton got up and followed her. He still couldn't quite believe in the existence of extraterrestrial life, let alone the fact that they were supposedly visiting the earth regularly. And he also knew that Bryn was hurt by his inability to believe without proof. "I know your father said that he'd like an invitation, but do you think your mother would come?"
"Maybe," she said, softly, wishing he'd stayed in the other room. "She may still think I'm a liar, but evidently she's forgiven me for it."
She looked in the refrigerator for a moment before deciding she really wasn't hungry. Not anymore. It was getting darker out, surely past dusk.
"Don't you have some work to do?" she asked. "I'm going to go take a bath."
He hadn't missed her implication. But he wanted to hear her say it. "Bryn, what's wrong?" he asked as she brushed by him.
She paused, walking towards the bedroom. "You don't believe me, Anton. I can't tell you how much that hurts."
"Bryn, it's not that I don't believe that something happened to you--"
She put up a hand to silence him. "I... don't want to hear it, Anton. You don't believe me, and nothing I can say or do will change that. And that *hurts.*" She glanced at the clock. "The sun will be down by now. Go feed, Anton. I just... want some time to myself."
He didn't have a chance to say anything before she walked into the bathroom and slammed the door behind her, making him wince. He started to take a step towards the door, but thought better of it. He knew he'd only be talking to the door anyway. She didn't want to hear anything he had to say now. Turning around, he started for the front door of the apartment. Giving her whatever time she needed.
Inside the bathroom, Bryn stared at the door as if willing him to say something more. Part of her wanted a fight, if just for the chance to vent her feelings. The other part of her wanted him to change his mind. To say he did believe her, even if she told him the sky was green and grass was purple. Sinking down onto the stairs in front of the tub, she remembered what she'd told him that night at Lindy's house. [If you can't trust me, this isn't going to work.]
"So why won't you trust I'm telling you the truth?"
Jess sat on the couch, looking through an old photo album. It was well after sunset, and she had yet to see hide nor hair of Nathaniel. [Scratch that,] she thought as she heard stirrings from upstairs. She waited until she heard footsteps on the stairs to call out a greeting. "Evening, Nate." "Good evening, Jess. Where's Lindy?" "She's out with Walter, Alex, and Amanda. They wanted to go out for ice cream at her favorite place. They'll be back soon." She gestured with her head to the recliner opposite the couch. "Sit down, Nate. I'd like to talk to you for a minute." He sat down as she put down the photo album. "About what?" "About your intentions towards my daughter. And why Anton dislikes you so much." He hung his head, sighing, but there was still a good natured grin on his face. "What'd the guy do, take out an ad in the New York Times? Everyone from here to the Pacific Coast seems to know he hates my guts." "Well, I have talked to him a few times on the computer since you arrived." "Ah. I see." He scratched his recently shaved chin. "Let's get the important stuff out of the way first. I'm going to marry Lindy. I've known that since the first time I saw her. I've never met anyone like her. And I could kiss up to you by saying that it's probably the way you raised her that made her so wonderful...but I don't think that's true. I think she was born that way. I know some of what she's been through, and although she hasn't told me everything I'm hoping one day she will. She's a very brave person, and she deserves the best. That may not be me--but just maybe I can give it to her." Before she could reply, he added, "And no, it's not the sex. I could've slept with her a long time ago. I chose not to. I want it to be something special--something she'll remember for the rest of her life." Jess nodded. "I noticed. I just wish you would have told me earlier so I could have made the sleeping arrangements a little easier on both of you." She leaned forward. "But you haven't answered my question, Nathaniel. What's between you and Anton?" He leaned his head back on the couch, rubbing his eyes. "Where do I start? I--I met Anton when I was seven, when my mother married his father. He was already a vampire at that time, as was his father, Ivan. I was in a new country, and didn't speak the language, so I never really fit in." He looked at her, crossing his arms as he said, "I wanted so much to have their approval and respect, but I never got it. And as I became a teenager, I got angry. I got rebellious. And I tried to make everyone else hate them as much as I thought I did." "But you didn't?" "No. Ivan was the only father I ever knew. My own father was very old when I was born, and didn't live much longer. In Russia, I had a new father and a brother. A family that I wanted to belong to. And it crushed me that they didn't seem to want me in return." "But that's not why you don't get along, is it?" He shook his head. "I didn't know it at the time, but my actions spread a deadly suspicion and fear among Ivan's people. And I also didn't know that Anton's--girlfriend," he said, trying not to say slut, "would do anything to be immortal. Even if that meant sleeping with me just days after I was Transformed myself. "I won't lie to you and say that I didn't want her. Part of me wanted to punish him, and other part saw a beautiful woman throwing herself at me and took advantage of it. But I never wanted Ivan's murder. I had no idea that would happen. So if he blames me for Natasha betraying him, so be it. I'll even accept the blame for Ivan's death. But that was never my intention. Not once." She sat back, keeping her expression neutral. He was being honest, she could smell it on him. "And he's held this against you for 900 years?" "Give or take a few." Jess shook her head. "And I thought some people held a grudge for a long time. And Lindy knows all this?" Nathaniel nodded. "I trust her judgement. If she's not holding it against you, I won't either. But I still want to know your intentions towards Lindy." "I told you, I want to marry her." Jess shook her head. "That's not what I meant, Nathaniel. I guess what it boils down to is this. Is one lifetime with her going to be enough?" "I see." He leaned forward, his forearms resting on this thighs. "We've already discussed this a bit, because Lindy was wondering if it was even possible for her to be Transformed. I don't know if it is or not. And as much as I'd like to convince her to be Transformed, it's her decision. I'll respect whatever answer she gives me. But to answer your question, no. One lifetime would never be enough. If she says no..." He left the sentence hanging, looking down at his hands. "I don't know if I'd want to be around anymore without her." "I suspected something like that, Nate. Let me just lay out a few things here. " She took a breath before continuing. "Lindy told me about the night you met her, what had gone on before. That's something between her, Anton, and his fiancˇe. When I talked to Anton earlier and he mentioned you, and I have to be honest, I thought that you might be trying to get back at him using her. Sit down, Nate," she said when the vampire started to rise, indignant. "I said 'thought,' Nate. You're not used to people giving you the benefit of the doubt." "No..." Jess grinned at him. "Start getting used to it. Oh, and I gotta warn you. We're a package deal. You won't be just marrying Lindy. You'll be gaining an extended family as well." He looked down for a moment, pinching the bridge of his nose. He was silent, before swallowing heavily. When he finally spoke, his voice had a slight waver to it. "It would be the first I ever had, Jess. Believe me, it would be an honor. In fact," he said, looking up with a lopsided grin, "if you have any other relatives, be sure to let me know." "Brother and sister-in-law in San Jose. Some family of mine back in England, but we... don't talk, like AlexÕs and WalterÕs family." She shrugged when he looked at her curiously. "You're not the only one with family problems." She looked towards the door, head tilting to one side. "They're back." The front door opened at that point, and the rest of the family came in. "Welcome back," Jess said. "Bring me anything?" Alex grinned at her. "Yeah you want me to puke it up here or in the kitchen?" Jess rolled her eyes. "Werewolf humor," she said as an explanation to Nathaniel. "Charming," he said, laughing as Alex gave him a dirty look. Despite the mock irritation, he was actually getting along with the man pretty well...which was more than a weight off his shoulders. He waited for a moment for Lindy to walk in the door, smiling at her expression as she saw him and Jess sitting alone in the living room. "Hey, Gorgeous. What about you--did you bring anything back for me?Ó "Maybe," she said teasingly. She had been nervous when Walter and Alex had said they wanted to take her out. And even more so when she realized that Jess would be talking to Nate alone. But it seemed that all had gone well. "Oh yeah?" He grabbed her arm and pulled her down on to the couch next to him, putting his arm around her and kissing her just behind her ear. "Missed you." She grinned, a little self-conscious since she knew the others were watching--but a little exhilarated too. "I missed you, too, Nate." "Your mother and I were just discussing the guest list for our wedding, dear. Making sure all of the relatives are invited." She cocked an eyebrow at Jess, who merely shook her head. "Is that so?" "Mmm, yeah...and we can't forget the Elvis impersonator. He can take our vows and do mean 'All Shook Up'." She stared at him, her eyes narrowing a bit, before he finally grinned. "So, did you have a good day? After you left me here to endure interrogation, that is?" "Interrogation? You got off lightly! You didn't have to spend the last two hours fending off the questions of a ex-FBI Assistant Director." "I heard that, Lindy," Skinner said as he entered, Amanda in tow. "You two got any plans for tonight?" Nate shrugged and glanced at Lindy. "Do we?" "No. Why?" she asked, suspiciously. "I thought we might watch a movie or two." "Sounds good to me," Nate piped up. "Got any popcorn?" "Yeah, you making it?" He rolled his eyes at Lindy as he got off the couch. "I see what my role in this family is gonna be. All purpose chef-slash-lackey." Walter crossed his arms, looking at the others. "The boy catches on quickly. I think we've got a keeper."
"Hey!" Lindy said a bit sharply. "I think I get to decide that." She stood up, catching Nathaniel's hand. "C'mon. I'll help you." As the pair walked off to the kitchen, the three older werewolves shared knowing looks and smiles. End Chapter Thirteen
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