Chapter Chapter One Hundred Fifty-four<

Anton took a deep breath as he and Bryn waited in the luggage pick up area of the airport. The flight information had just flashed on-screen, and the carousel had started to turn. Which meant that Bryn's mother would be here soon. Arm around Bryn's waist, he gave her a half smile. "Are you ready for this?"

She glanced sideways at him and grumbled, "What do you think?"

They had already rearranged much of the house to accommodate her mother's needs. The pullout couch in the library had a brand new mattress pad to keep her from feeling the metal bars of the convertible bed. New drapes were affixed to the french doors to give her privacy, and they'd even moved one of Max's dressers downstairs for her clothes. For however long it was necessary, she now had her own bedroom, and Bryn couldn't help hoping it was as short a time as necessary. They had a meeting scheduled the very next day to finalize the floor plan of Bernadette's new house. Now all they had to do was tell her about it.

"Silly question," he admitted. Mentally he went over the list of what they had done to prepare for Bryn's mother. The library was all set up except for he fact that... "Remind me to tell everyone not to use the library entrance to the tunnels, Bryn. That is the last thing that we need. Someone to end up surprising your mother."

She grinned. "Especially when she's changing her clothes. Which reminds me...she's going to have to use one of the kids' bathrooms to shower, unless you want her using ours. I'm starting to think we need a new addition on our house...or at least a guest house. Of course, that might just encourage people to visit."

Anton chuckled. "And God forbid that happen. And yes, let's please ask her to use the children's bathroom. Because you know that she'll end up needing to use ours during an inopportune moment." He placed a quick kiss on her hair as the first of he passengers appeared through the gateway.

"I hate to tell you this, Anton, but inopportune moments are going to be few and far between for quite a while. Unless you feel like going on less sleep per day."

"My dear, I'm more than willing to do so." He then nudge Bryn with his hip as he spotted Bernadette step into the luggage claim. "There she is, my dear."

She was still shaking her head at his admission when she turned her head to see her mother stepping towards them. With a soft groan, Bryn squeezed Anton's hand briefly before walking forward to hug her mother. "How was your trip, Mom?"

"A bit unnerving. Things are still strained between your brother and I, but I'm going to miss the kids very much. Speaking of, where are my other grandchildren?"

"At home with Lindy's parents," Anton explained. "Even with the Prowler, it would have been too tight a fit to bring the kids and still have space for you and your luggage. Which reminds me? How many suitcases did you bring?"

"They only let me bring two and a carryon. I asked John to send the rest of my stuff last week. Did you get it?" Gesturing towards the luggage carousel, she said, "I had a big red bag, and a black one on the plane."

"Yeah, Mom, we did get the boxes. They sent them in the middle of the day. Didn't you tell them not to do that?"

"Oh, no, I forgot. I'm sorry, dear. Was it an inconvenience?"

"Yes," Anton said. "They arrived during the middle day, and we didn't have anyone set up to receive the packages for us." He didn't mention that Bryn hadn't been hurt by the sunlight when she opened the door, and that she had also flashed the delivery person.

Bryn noticed that and silently thanked him for keeping his mouth shut. The last thing her mother needed was something else to freak out about. "At any rate, if anything else is coming, it would be nice if you let us know now so we can make some arrangements."

"That should be everything," Bernadette said, sounding chastised. "I didn't want to be an inconvenience by coming here. I told you that I'm more than willing to find my own place."

"Actually...you'll have your own place, pretty soon."

"You found an apartment for me?"

"Not exactly," Anton hedged as they stepped up to the carousel. "We're having a house built on the property for you so you will have a place near us, but also close to the kids." They'd have to sit down and explain the situation with Natasha to Bernadette, but in public was not the place to do so.

"A house?" She frowned, looking at Bryn. "You're kidding, right? That's...much too expensive. It's out of the question."

"Mom, it's the best thing to do. And we'll talk about it in the car."

"Best thing to do? For whom? I still get my retirement check and I can always get work somewhere near by. You don't need to do that. I don't want to owe you anything."

"And you won't," Anton said. "Where I was raised, it wasn't uncommon for the families to all live close to each other, if not in the same house. But given that isn't the norm now, I've tried to adapt the best I can. So please, humor an old man."

Bryn watched her mother looking at him, obviously skeptical. Then, amazingly, she smiled widely at her vampire son-in-law, clearly charmed by him. Frowning, Bryn looked Anton and wondered what kind of monster they'd just created.

And Anton smiled back, wondering the exact same thing. "Now, if you'll point out which suitcases are yours, we can grab them and get on the road. Since the house is still being built, you'll be staying with us for a few weeks." He'd talk to the foreman and see if they could get construction sped up a bit.

Bryn nodded, following along with Anton as her mother looked for her suitcases. And she couldn't resist reaching back and pinching her husband on the butt. She mouthed the words, "That's for flirting with my mother."

Anton shook his head, amused and smirking at Bryn as Bernadette pointed out which suitcases were hers. Grabbing them, he hoisted them off the carousel and dragged them clear. "Unless there is anything else you need, shall we hit the road?"

"If you wouldn't mind, it might be nice to stop somewhere to grab a bite to eat. I need to take my pills."

"What kind of pills?" Bryn asked.

"Oh, you know, nothing too terrible. Something for my kidneys, and blood pressure. A few others for depression. I thought I might be able to eat something on the plane, but they only served peanuts. Those airlines are a rip-off these days."

"Something for your kidneys?"

"It's just a precaution. I'll need to find a new doctor now that I'm here."

Glancing worriedly at Anton, Bryn wondered what her mother wasn't telling her. "I talked to John, Mom. He told me about the divorce papers."

Following Anton's lead towards the parking garage, Bernadette sighed. "I wish he'd let me tell you on my own time. It isn't that big of a deal. Your father was ready to move on."

"I'm sorry, Mom."

Anton nodded. "We can stop somewhere and get something to eat. That is no problem. And I'm certain that Lindy's aunt, who is the kids pediatrician, can recommend a doctor for you." He didn't offer any false condolences over Steven's abrupt departure. "Do you need a lawyer as well to assist with the paperwork?"

"No, nothing like that," Bernadette said. "We're settling it quite amicably. He's selling the farm and will send me my half of everything. He didn't make much of a fuss. He simply wanted his freedom more than anything else."

Bryn closed her eyes briefly, gouging her fingernails in to her palms. "You should fight for it, Mom," she said, bitterly. "You should take everything, especially that damned RV of his."

Her mother laughed. "I wouldn't want that stupid thing."

"Who cares? Take it because he *does*." She glanced at Anton, her anger at her father melting away the longer he held her gaze. With a sigh, she reached for his hand and held on tightly. "Anton would never do something like Dad did. He'd never take me for granted."

"You can't judge your father until you've stood in his shoes, Sabryn. It's hard to maintain a marriage for so long and not drift apart. It's been almost thirty years. We were just too tired to keep trying. Believe it or not, I've wanted my freedom, too. I've been with your dad as long as I can remember. I don't know what it's like to be on my own, because I never was. I think I'd like to try it."

Anton squeezed Bryn's fingers. "It sounds, as hard as it may be, like it is the best for the two of you. But I do wish you'd reconsider the lawyer. The most amicable of partings do have a way of becoming nasty unexpectedly."

"I will think about it," she said, giving Anton one of those wide smiles again.

Sighing, Bryn grabbed one of the bags Anton was carrying and slung the strap over her shoulder. "I wonder if Dad is ever going to bother calling or seeing us again."

"He will, sooner or later. You know he has a habit of hiding when he knows people aren't happy with him. Why do you think you never saw your grandparents?"

"I thought you both were ashamed of me."

Bernadette frowned. "I suppose that might have been part of it, but that was more or less an excuse he used. He really avoided them because they were pissed he'd gotten married so young...to someone they didn't approve of." She paused for a moment. "Why do you think he's so hard on your husband, Sabryn? He doesn't want you doing the same thing he did."

"He has no reason to disapprove of Anton."

"And your grandparents had one to disapprove of me? Not hardly. All I ever did was take care of Steven's lazy ass. They didn't like me because I came from a poor, divorced family. And they wanted him to marry a Catholic. So we moved away from them and did things our own way."

Nearing his car, he clicked off the alarm. "I have a feeling that Steven would have disapproved of me even if things had been different," Anton said. "That no one would have been good enough for his little girl. Add in what I am, and it was the perfect excuse." He opened the car door for Bernadette and for Bryn. "I have to admit, I was surprised when you defended me."

Bernadette raised her eyebrows. "Why is that?" She watched as Bryn slid in to the back seat, leaving the passenger's seat for her mother. "Did she have you scared of me before we ever met?"

"No," Anton said. "I have done the 'meet the parents' thing before. Most of them decide that I'm an unholy demon spawn bent on debauching their innocent daughters once the learn that I'm a vampire. So I was fully expecting Steven's reaction. Yours, however, had me puzzled."

Settling in to the front seat, Bernadette buckled in and waited for him before continuing the conversation. "You forget that I found out about that after I'd gotten to know you a bit. Granted, it was only a short time in between. But during that time I got to see that you were a gentleman, you were fiercely protective of my daughter, you were looking forward to starting a family, and you weren't going to let a bigoted blowhard scare you away from loving someone. Why wouldn't I support you?" She smiled again. "Of course, it didn't hurt that she looked at you like you hung the moon. I remember having that look on my face so many years ago."

Anton gave her a smile before looking in the rearview mirror to check on Bryn. He started the engine and backed the car out of the spot. "Well, I thank you for it. And I believe there's a nearby restaurant that's open twenty four hours, so we can get you that meal you requested."

Sitting in the back, her head leaning back on the top of the bench seat, Bryn listened absently to their conversation and tried to figure out why her mother was being so pleasant. [It has to be a ploy,] she thought. [She's trying to get on his good side...to get on his side, period. She has something planned for me. I know it.]

Anton glanced back at Bryn as he pulled into traffic. He recognized the slightly paranoid look on her face. Hopefully she'd get past that and be able to make progress in getting to know her mother in an adult relationship. Her mother seemed to be making an attempt at least.

"So...this house...exactly what did you have in mind?" Bernadette asked, trying not to sound too excited by the idea.

"Just something on the property, Mom. Nothing too lavish. Of course, it would have to match the other houses somewhat. At least externally." The truth was, they hadn't really discussed it much. They agreed that it should be her mother's decision. In actuality, Bryn didn't think either of them had wanted to think about it more than necessary. It made the whole situation too real.

"We thought it would be better for you to decorate and decide the interior options, given that our tastes may differ wildly," Anton explained. "And so you're aware, technically the land and the houses are owned by Nathaniel. But he's in agreement that you should be on the property with us."

"Oh. That was very kind of him. So he's sort of like the landlord?"

Bryn laughed. "Not exactly. He doesn't fix the sink if it's backed up. It would be your house, Mom. You just have him to thank for it."

"I see. And if I should have a visitor from time to time?"

Bryn raised an eyebrow. "That would be your own business. Just who are you expecting?"

"No one, of course. I was only asking." Bernadette met her gaze in the side mirror. "Would I be paying rent?"

Uncertain, Bryn looked at Anton.

"That would really be up to Nathaniel," he said, eyebrow still arched from the visitor comment. "But I do know that he's not charging his in-laws, nor us. So it's doubtful that he would." Pulling into the driveway of the twenty-four hour diner, Anton parked the car. "So, shall we get something to eat?"

"Yes, thank you," Bernadette said.

Bryn nodded and unbuckled her seatbelt, even though she wasn't a bit hungry.

"I think she should pay rent," Bryn said, kicking her shoes off as they headed in the bedroom. "To us. We're the ones footing the bill for this house." She settled Kat and Max down on the bed, settling down next to the former so she could feed the baby her bottle. "If she wants her own pool and whatever other perks, that's fine...as long as she pays rent for it. I don't think that's too much to ask. She made my brother pay rent for living in their house after he turned eighteen."

Anton stepped out of his shoes and took off his watch, leaving it on it's customary place on the dresser. "Really, Bryn?" He asked as he looked back at her. "And if she can't afford to pay the rent that's typical for this area?" he inquired curiously.

"So she doesn't pay as much as everyone else does. I'm just saying it would make sense if she at least paid something." Leaning Katerina back in the crook of her arm, she tried to give the baby her bottle, only to have her push it away and start crying. Sighing, Bryn put the bottle between her legs and offered her finger instead. Kat's blood hunger was much stronger. Turning her attention back to Anton, Bryn said, "Why? You think it's a bad idea?"

"Well, it seems not fair that none of us are paying rent, and she would be." He walked over to pick up Max and settle him against his chest as he sat down next to Bryn. "Is it really about her paying rent, or is it something else?"

"We paid for this house, Anton. We pay the utilities and everything too. Wouldn't you consider that paying rent?" She sighed. "I don't know what it's about. Maybe I just feel like being a bitch."

"Maybe it's your way to get back at your mother for everything she did to you?" He offered Max his finger and winced when Max bit down.

"Or maybe I just feel like being a bitch." She didn't want him reading too much in to it...because there was probably more to it than even she knew. "I'm just...feeling contrary. And I didn't like the way you two kept smiling at each other."

"Oh.... now we get to the real reason. You thought I was flirting with your mother." He leaned closer to whisper in her ear. "Don't worry my dear. There's only one woman here I have an Oedipal complex about."

She rolled her eyes. "No, that's not it. She's planning something, Anton. I can feel it. And she wants your help."

Anton arched an eyebrow. "My dear, you are definitely starting to sound paranoid."

She looked him in the eye, hers narrowing. "Just wait. It'll happen."

"Bryn, I'm serious," he said. Mentally, he made a note to mention this to Mulder the next time he saw the other vampire.

[She already has him on her side,] Bryn thought, frowning. Looking down, she saw that Kat had stopped drinking and reached for the bottle instead. This time the little girl took it without a fuss. "So you're just going to give her a brand new house without asking for anything in return?"

"No, I am going to ask that she helps babysit the children. And I'm going to ask if she's willing to continue counseling, if you are still going to it." He tilted his head to one side. "Why is this so difficult for you? What's going on, really? And being a bitch only counts if you're Jess or Amanda."

"I'm tired of her...of everyone, being so damned blase about my parents divorcing. They act like it's no big deal, as if it happens every day. Why doesn't she care?"

Anton took a deep breath as he slipped his finger from Max's mouth and around Bryn's back. "Bryn, I know this is hard for you. But you've also said that your parents made each other miserable. So now that she is out from under that misery, maybe she's happy for once in her life?"

"I don't want her to be happy. I want her to be normal. She's creepy when she's happy, Anton."

Anton blinked in surprise. "Sorry, Bryn. Did you just say what I think you said?"

"Bryn, you've just told me that you don't want your mother to be happy. You want her to be miserable?"

"I want her to be her normal self. Is that so wrong of me? What if she starts dating, like he did? What if they forget all about each other? Why would I want that to happen?"

"Bryn, they won't forget about each other at all. Not when they have you and your brother to remind them of each other." He gently rubbed her back, trying to reassure her. "Bryn, I didn't forget any of my wives? Why would your parents forget each other?"

She dipped her chin, staring at her shoes. "Because they hate each other. They want to forget, to pretend it never happened. To forget what happened to me ever happened. I'm the reason, Anton. That stupid night is the whole reason they aren't together anymore."

"Bryn," he said softly. Anton gently lifted her head so she was looking at him. "This isn't your fault, Bryn. What happened to you was nothing you could control. Just as you can't control your parent's reactions. What your parents decide about staying together or apart is beyond your control. It's not your fault."

She stared at him, blinking the moisture away from her eyes. "I wish it was time to go to bed. I don't want to think about it anymore."

Anton continued rubbing her back. "You don't have to, my dear." He leaned forward and kissed her gently. "How about we go downstairs, start some popcorn, and put a movie on?"

She sniffled, rubbing her nose. "We might wake her up. Can we put on the movie up here?"

"Certainly. And it can even be a Brad Pitt movie. I promise not to make any sounds of protest." Settling Max on the comforter to play, Anton stood up and opened the doors of the armoire that hid the entertainment center.

She gave him a soft smile, still feeling somewhat vulnerable. "I'll watch whatever you want to." Almost halfway finished with her bottle, Kat was still drinking happily and Max was busy watching every move Anton made. "Do you want me to go make the popcorn?"

Anton looked over his shoulder at her, smiling widely. The fact that she was offering to do something was a good sign. "That would be a good idea, my dear. And if you accidentally wake your mother, well, oops."

Carefully scooting towards the edge of the bed, she stood up and walked over to hand Kat to him. Once he had the baby and the bottle situated, she said, "I'll be right back," and lifted up to kiss his lips.

"Take your time, my dear," Anton said and then brushed his lips across hers. Once she left the room, he let out a heavy sigh and looked down at Kat. "Your mother needs all the love and reassurance we can give her now, little kitten."

"I heard that. And I'm not crazy."

"I never said you were, my dear."

Standing stock-still in the hallway, Bryn pressed her forehead against the wall and whispered, "I'm sorry, Anton. You don't know how scared I am. And I don't want you to."

"Bryn," Anton said softly. He walked out to her, Kat still snuggled in one arm, and embraced her. "It's okay for you to be frightened," he whispered as he pulled her close. Gently he rocked her back and forth, trying to soothe her. "Can you tell me what you're frightened of?"

She hugged him tightly. "I don't want to be like them, Anton. People who come from broken homes are more likely to end up with a bad marriage, just like my mom did."

"Bryn," he said softly. He pressed his lips to her forehead, his breath stirring her hair. "I swear to you, Bryn, that I will not let that happen to us. Not again." He had learned some hard lessons with Alexandra, and swore he'd never make those same mistakes again.

"How many vampire couples do you know that have stayed together forever, Anton? Because I haven't met any."

Anton gently stroked Bryn's hair. "I have known two who are still together. And there are several more who were faithful to their partners until that second death took them. Most vampires take mortals as mates, Bryn, and most are faithful to the end. Certain examples aside."

She hugged him tighter, hating that the sudden reappearance of her mother in her life was making her doubt again. She hated being neurotic, especially around Anton. If she had her choice, he would only see her as strong and confident. Sniffling again, she stuck her hands in his back pockets and settled her cheek on his chest. "I'm sorry. I don't know why I'm freaking out."

"You're freaking out because your mother is here, and you're reverting to the scared little girl that you think you're supposed to be around her." Anton kissed the top of her head, lips lingering as he rocked her back and forth. "I bet she'd be proud to see the strong, confident woman you are."

A bubble of laughter escaped her. "Yeah, if she could find it." Looking up at him, she lifted up on her toes to kiss him. "I'll go make the popcorn. I just want to lay down with you and the kids, and pretend she's not here."

Anton kissed her gently. "I'll be waiting with bells on," he said with a grin. "And I'll get the movie set up." He leaned in again to give her a deeper kiss. "Hurry back, my dear."

She took her time releasing him and heading downstairs. Luckily, by the time she got there, the lights were already out in the library, meaning her mother had gone to sleep. The question she hadn't yet thought to ask was whether or not her mother would stick to her daytime schedule, or would adapt to being up at night like her grandchildren. There would be time enough to figure that out later, and Bryn wasn't sure she wanted to know so soon.

Pulling a package of microwave popcorn out of the box, Bryn tore off the cellophane wrapping and set the timer.

Upstairs, Anton pulled out one of the movies they had been meaning to watch, but hadn't gotten around to you yet. Popping Seabiscuit into the the DVD player, he sat down on the bed and pulled Max and Kat into his lap. "You two promise to be good and quiet during the movie?" Max looked up at him and made a raspberry noise. "Yeah, I thought so."

Staring at the pictures on the fridge, Bryn looked over memories of their kids celebrating milestones, a happy kiss from their wedding, a photo of Anton crossing his eyes and sticking his tongue out at the camera. She couldn't help smiling. The pictures of her brother's family made her sad. She missed her sister-in-law, and the pictures without her were obviously bleak. Things could change so easily. In only a few years, she'd lost two members of her family--one to his own stubborn pride, and another to death. And she'd gained two more, in her own children. It didn't make much sense to be scared of the future. It was going to change; that was inevitable. At least there was a chance that it would be better than the past had been.

As soon as the microwave timer sounded, she grabbed the popcorn, carefully opened it, and poured it in to a bowl. Grabbing a couple of cans of Coke from the fridge, she turned off the lights and headed upstairs...to the three people she knew she wanted with her every step of the way.

Once they were all settled on the bed, they started the movie. And although good, he expected the children to fall asleep in about half an hour. Which is exactly what happened. What he didn't expect was to look over to make a comment to Bryn, and see her sound asleep as well.

It was a good movie...or at least what she saw of it was. After a while, exhaustion got the best of her. Snuggled against Anton's side, and with Kat sleeping on her belly, she dozed off before Seabiscuit won his first race.

He was tempted to wake her up, but figured he should move the children and let her get some rest. carefully, he stood up and pulled Max into his arms. The boy grunted, blinked his eyes, but didn't truly wake up as Anton carried him to his room and put him down. He had a feeling when he went to move Kat, things wouldn't be nearly as peaceful.

Stirring lightly when she sensed Anton's absence, Bryn blinked her eyes open and stretched under Katerina's prone body. Reaching out her hand, she realized that the bed was still warm where Anton had been lying. He'd either stopped the movie, or it had ended. Bryn yawned, sitting up slightly. "Anton?"

He heard her in the hall as he was returning for Kat. "Right here. I'm just putting the babies to bed." He leaned down to scoop up Kat gently. "Want to kiss her good night?"

Bryn nodded, leaning forward to kiss Kat's cheek. She wiped a bit of drool off the baby's mouth, and noticed a corresponding wet spot on her own shirt. Settling back on her pillow, she watched Anton head out of the room. She smiled to herself, then rolled closer to his side of the bed, breathing in deeply as she reached his pillow. Moaning softly, she buried her face in the soft surface.

Anton lowered Kat into her bed, gently pulling up her blanket so she was snuggled in. He kissed his daughter's head and quietly backed out of the room. Then he snuck down the hallway, intending to surprise Bryn. Sticking his head through the doorway, he couldn't help smiling as he heard the sounds she was making. So he soft footed over to the bed and leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Should I be jealous of my pillow, my dear?"

She laughed softly. "Why not? I sure am." Turning over, she grabbed his shirt and tugged him closer to kiss him firmly. "Did I miss the rest of the movie, or did you turn it off?"

"Turned it off," he whispered before kissing her again. He crawled onto the bed and settled in the middle, cradling their bodies together. "Thought you'd appreciate it more if you were awake."

"Hmm. Mm hmm, you're probably right." Draping herself over him, she pushed her hands under his back to keep them warm. "I'm sorry I fell asleep on you. I didn't know I was that tired."

"It's okay, my dear. I was just about to doze off myself." He nuzzled her cheek, kissing her lightly. His arms tightened around her back, holding her tight against him. "But you seem wide awake now."

"I don't know about wide awake, but I'm getting there. It could be because my sugar booger is so nice and snuggly, and smells so good. I just can't appreciate you as much when I'm asleep." She reached up to kiss him again. "Love you so much."

"Love you so much too, my dear." He pressed his lips to hers as his hands stroked up and down her back, combing through her hair, and teasing her sides. "Would you be totally creeped out if I told you sometimes I wake up during the day just so I can watch you?"

She smiled. "No. I wouldn't even be creeped out if you told me that you wake up just to watch me and touch yourself." Bryn giggled. "Although, if you did do that, then I'd have to wake up just to watch you." Pressing a kiss to his chest, she then settled her chin on the same spot. "I would get creeped out if you wake up during the day just to watch my mother, though."

"Ewww." Anton made a disgusted face. "Now I'm going to have to go find some bleach and dunk my brain in it to get the image out, my dear."

She pressed her face to his arm, shaking with silent laughter. "I'm sorry," she said, not sounding very sorry. "I shouldn't have said that. How can I make it up to you?"

"Well, you can never speak of that again, for starters." Anton grinned and moved his lips to her ear to whisper in it. "And you can touch yourself and let me watch." His tongue snaked around the shell of her ear. "If you do very well, I might join in the touching."

"Consider it forgotten," she said, smiling as well. Rolling over on to her back, on his side of the bed, she began slowly unbuttoning her shirt. She didn't have to look and make sure she had his attention. His gaze was glued to her. Pushing the sides of her shirt out of the way, she lazily began stroking her hands over her belly. Her fingers skimmed over the bottom of her bra, and just shy of the waist of her pants. Each wide circle moved out a bit more and she closed her eyes in anticipation.

And she wasn't the only one anticipating. But Anton's eyes were wide open, determined not to miss one moment of the spectacle before him. His fingers twitched, itching to join her in stroking and teasing. But he kept his hands at his side, determined not to join in, just yet.

Moving her hands up, Bryn traced circles over her peaked nipples through the lace of her pink bra. Finally reaching between, she unhooked the cups of the bra and let them fall to her sides. Her fingers resumed their teasing, and she peeked one eye open to look at his face. She couldn't help grinning.

He was staring straight at her chest, but he saw the smug grin on her face. Anton sat back on the bed, trying to ease the tenseness in his arms and shoulders as he gripped the sheets beneath his hands. Another area that was growing tense he didn't try to soothe at all.

Pushing up on her forearms, she shrugged her bra and shirt off her shoulders, lifting one arm at a time to remove it entirely. Tossing her clothes to the floor, she settled on his pillow once more and cupped both of her breasts. Kneading with her fingers, she squeezed them firmly and pinched her nipples until they were rosy red.

A shudder ran through his body at the sight of her teasing herself. Now Anton sat up, eyes still firmly fixed on her. Or at least until the T-shirt he was wearing was pulled over his head. Soon his jeans were unzipped to ease the pressure building there. But he made no move to touch himself. Although his hand moved towards her thigh, he caught it just before he touched her and forced his hand back to the bed sheets.

Bryn grinned wider, Lifting her breasts higher. She dipped her head, nuzzling her cleavage and lightly licking each upper slope. Then she stuck her tongue out and slid the bottom side over both of her nipples in turn. Before he could reach out to try to touch her again, she released her breasts and began popping open the buttons on her jeans.

This time he didn't try to quiet the moan that escaped him. His hands moved restlessly towards her thighs, only sheer force of will stopping them. A fine sweat had broken out on his forehead. And the bulge at his groin seemed to swell even larger.

Watching him intently, biting her lip, Bryn pushed her jeans and panties down her hips and finally kicked them to the floor. bending her knees, she let her legs fall open so he could see everything. Sliding her palms over her inner thighs, she lifted her hips a bit and moaned softly. Using her fingers, she spread herself open to him before lazily stroking her entire sex in a circular motion.

Anton let out an echoing moans as he sat up. Before he could catch himself, a hand was stroking up and down her thigh, gently urging her wider. He leaned forward, hovering over his wife, eyes not pulling away from her magnificent body once.

Spreading her legs as far as she could, she lifted her hand and licked her fingers. Teasing him, she sucked at them, getting them very wet, before lowering her hand once more and tracing circles around her clit. Moaning again, she lifted her hips, her mouth falling open as her breathing increased. Unable to draw her gaze away from his face, she slid her hand down even further and pushed her middle finger in to her sex.

Anton drew out a long hissing breath watching her finger disappear into her body. His own breathing was rapid and ragged and became more so as Bryn continued to touch herself. Giving into his own desires, he grabbed her wrist, gently pulling her hand away. Only to replace it with his tongue.

Shivering hard, Bryn immediately tangled her fingers in to his hair and leaned in to his kisses. His mouth was hot and wonderfully wet, sliding, slippery on every surface he could reach. And she was melting under his skillful touch.

He continued to lap eagerly at her, sliding his tongue around her clit only to have it delve in and out of her. His thumbs teased the insides of her thighs. Anton pressed his lips to her clit and moaned, letting her feel the vibrations.

Bryn cried out with pleasure, remembering only at the last minute to muffle the sound with his pillow. She reached for him, tugging his hips closer. With the way he was lying, his legs were near her head and it was his groin she was reaching for. Eager to return the favor, she grabbed hold of his hard cock and swirled her tongue around him like licking a lollipop.

Anton groaned as he continued lapping and sucking at her. A shudder traveled through his body as he shifted his weight to straddle her. Letting a long finger pump in and out of her as his tongue now concentrated on circling around and over her clit.

Whimpering, Bryn lifted both of her legs in turn, allowing him to move his arm, until her knees were hooked behind his elbows. With him holding her legs open wide, she was able to relax and better concentrate on pleasuring him as well. She held his cock firmly, gently stroking it, as her tongue lapped at his balls.

Anton moaned louder as he concentrated on lapping at Bryn. His tongue swirled around her clit as his hips began to thrust. He wasn't certain how much longer that he was going to be able to hold out, between the pleasure of her taste and what she was inflicting on him

Whining at the sharp sensations he was giving her, Bryn pushed her hips harder against his mouth. Her tongue extended to lick at the drop of precum that was threatening to spill from erect cock. His taste was addicting and she sucked him deep in to her mouth, pulling strongly until her cheeks flexed inward.

Anton groaned, whimpering as she sucked on him. His tongue stroked her clit lightly, and then began scrubbing it more and more firmly. Letting one set of fingers slide along her thigh, the came downwards to delve inside of her, slowly matching the rhythm of his tongue.

She pulled her mouth away from him with a gasp, shuddering, so close to orgasm. "Stop! I want you inside me."

Anton gasped at the loss of contact, but quickly scrambled to reposition himself. He urged her onto her back, pushing her legs up over his shoulders and shoved himself inside her. A strong quivering ran through him and he felt his balls pull up just a bit.

Biting her lip harshly, she stared in to his mahogany gaze and struggled to keep from squeezing him. They were both so close to completion that she was afraid all he had to do was move and it would be over. He felt so incredibly good, so thick and hard, and before she could control it, she was wrapped like a vise around him.

It took a moment to grab at control, to keep from cumming right then and there. Forcing himself to concentrate on something else, Anton leaned forward to focus his attention on the pulse throbbing in her neck. Fangs extended as he nuzzled her neck, kissing and letting his teeth just barely scrape across her neck.

Moaning, Bryn clutched his ass with both hands. She tilted her head further to the side, submitting herself to him, eager for his bite. Her hips bucked shallowly under him, encouraging him to move.

Slowly his hips began to pump as he nuzzled her neck. And slowly his thrusts began to move faster and faster as his teeth continued to bite at her neck. Once he broke the skin and they sank in, he let go, feeling pleasure flood through his body.

His bite was all she needed, as well. Squealing, she began shuddering hard, her fingernails digging in to his ass. Rocking her hips, she squeezed him tightly and couldn't contain the smile spreading across her face.

Anton was breathing heavily as he drank from her, his hips frantically pumping. But slowly his jaws unclenched and he licked her healing wound, his pace slowing. Eventually he sank against her, a large smile on his face as he let out a sigh of contentment.

Bryn laughed softly, tingling with adrenaline. Carefully lowering her legs, she hugged him tightly and smooched his lips. "Thank you, sugar. That was beautiful."

"You're welcome, my dear. And I had a good time too." He chuckled as he pulled the blankets up around their cooling bodies. "Hopefully, we'll be able to get a little more sleep before we're needed by someone."

Bryn groaned. "Don't remind me. I'm not looking forward to tomorrow."

Anton let out a soft moan. "Looking over the blueprints or just life in general?"

"Both. I think it's just starting to sink in that I can't back out of this...and that she's going to be around *all the time*. Do you know how stressful that's going to be. I may crack under the pressure."

"I know, Bryn," Anton said, pressing his lips to her temple. "We're going to have to figure out some ground rules to make certain that doesn't happen. Because I don't want to want to have to glue the pieces back together if you do crack under pressure."

"You've had too much practice." Licking her lips, she said, "You know, I know I said before that I was perfectly content to stay home with the kids, but maybe it might be better if I did get out of the house for a while. Maybe long enough for a part-time job? I do love staying with the babies, and I'd miss them terribly...but I also know that it would get me away from my mother for a while."

Anton nodded. "That would be a good idea, my dear. I'm certain we can twist your mother's arm into babysitting, along with Lindy's parents." His head tilted to one side. "Or you could volunteer somewhere as well. You enjoyed giving Amanda those painting lessons, right?"

"Yes, I did. In fact, I need to talk to her about starting that up again. After all of the crap that happened, and dealing with a new baby, we kind of forgot about it. Or at least I did. Hopefully she's not upset with me." Chewing on her lip, she finally said, "I don't know that I'd be comfortable giving lessons to anyone else. I'm not a professional."

Anton gently stroked her hair back from her face. "You'd probably have more experience than anyone you'd be teaching. But you don't have to do that, just because I suggested it. What would you be comfortable doing?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe working with you?"

"You want to try that again, Bryn?" Anton continued stroking her hair. "I know you weren't exactly the happiest when you were working there before."

"I wasn't the happiest person at the time, period. I was dealing with anxiety over our first child being born, not to mention trying to adjust to being a couple instead of a loner. I was a bit crazy. But I think I'm better now...mostly."

"Well, we can give it a shot." Anton began ticking over what positions were available. He had essentially created one for Seth, and now had to think if it was possible to do it again. "Is there anything in particular you want to try? Or do you want me to see what's open?"

"Whatever works. It was just an idea. You don't have to go out of your way to find something. I can look at other places."

"Bryn, if you want to find something at the warehouse, we can do it. Or if you find something elsewhere, that is fine as well." This was potentially opening a can of worms, but he asked it anyway. "Would you like to do something like you were at the Nepenthe?"

"Maybe. I guess I could check with local galleries and see if they're looking for someone. I guess I'm just not all that excited about having a male boss just yet."

Anton nodded. He hadn't been thrilled about returning to sword practice after what happened to him. Unless... "Bryn, here's a wild idea," he said slowly. "What if you were the boss?"

"I don't know anything about running a business, Anton. Besides, that takes a lot of hard work and time. I don't know that I'd want to be working all night."

Anton frowned with a twitch of his lips. He hadn't thought about that. "That would mean working days. And that would lead to too many questions about how you can do it safely." Not to mention throwing their schedule into havoc again.

She nodded, frowning. "Maybe I should just sell Mary Kay cosmetics."

Anton waggled his eyebrows. "You want to go from painting canvases to painting faces?"

"I don't know. I guess I'm grasping at straws." She sighed. "I'm being an indecisive twit again. You know, I really thought I was getting better. I was feeling more confident and now look at me. All because she showed up. If her presence can do this much in one day, what am I going to be like in weeks, or months, or more?"

Anton sat up, rolling his weight to the side so one arm supported him. He looked at his wife with complete seriousness. "This stops now, Bryn. This is your home, and you will not be made to feel a second class citizen living in it. You are a grown woman and have the right to make whatever decision you want, and not have to answer to her about it."

She stared in to his gaze, knowing he was right but not quite able to feel it yet. But at least she had him to remind her. And when all else failed, she could always threaten to send her mother back to Baltimore. "Okay."

Anton gently kissed her lips. "That's my dear. You know what I think? I think that once you start standing up to your mother and she sees that you are a mature young woman doing a damn fine job of raising her family, she'll come to respect you more."

She blushed slightly. "I hope so. And I'll try staying home and dealing with her. For a little while at least. Now that we have two babysitters to choose from, I should be able to get out more often...to do whatever."

"Or sneak away with your husband to do whatever." Anton grinned and kissed the bridge of her nose. "And remember, my dear. This time she's staying in your home. Not the other way around. This is your home, you set the rules, and if she doesn't like it, she can find elsewhere to live."

She brightened up a bit, smiling. "That's right. God, this might actually be fun. I can just kick her out whenever I want to. And since we technically own her house until it's finished, she has to be nice to us." She paused for a moment. "Maybe that's what was wrong with her today. She knew she had to kiss your ass."

The smile fell off of Anton's face. He shuddered visibly. "I so did not need that visual, my dear."

She grinned. "At least I didn't mention you kissing her ass."

"Eww."

End Chapter Chapter One Hundred Fifty-four