Chapter Seventy-six She sat down on the couch, the picture of calm waiting. However Lindy was anything but calm. Coming home from a busy day at work to find out that someone who claimed to be a relative of her son gave her an excuse to be a bit edgy. But she tried to hide it, waiting for this person to drive up to their house. Liam was safely hidden at Bryn and Anton's for the moment. [What if she wants to take him back? What if this is a distraction and they take Liam?] She looked over at Nate and nervously swallowed. Standing in the kitchen, Nate unpacked a box of cookies on to a plate, trying to remain calm. He'd turned the television on when they walked back in the house, then decided against it and turned on some soft music instead. Reaching into the fridge for a pitcher of iced tea, he walked back to the couch and set everything on the coffee table. "I'm going to get some glasses for the tea...would you mind opening the door when she gets here?" He knew he was asking a lot, but, if he knew anything about Lindy, she was much more capable when she had something to focus on. She nodded, nervously tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She watched Nate disappear into the kitchen [Stay calm. She'll be here soon.] As Nate returned with the glasses, there was a knock on the door. Lindy and Nate both jumped. Looking at Nate, she stood up and walked over to the front door. Pausing to take a deep breath, she opened it. The woman on the doorstep looked up from adjusting her shoe, her grayish eyes wide with curiosity. She looked to be in her late twenties, with ash brown shoulder-length hair. She was wearing a casual suit, slightly wrinkled from the car ride, and carrying an oversized woven purse. At first sight she looked out of date and almost uncomfortable in her own clothes--but if Lindy had guessed correctly, clothes of any sort would've been completely foreign to her. Her voice slightly hoarse, the woman said, "My name is Denise Randolph. I called earlier this evening about..." She scratched the back of her neck. "Well, about the child." Lindy held the door wider. "I'm Alinda Adrik. Come in." She didn't drop her gaze, still reacting like a werewolf would to stranger until dominance ranking was sorted out. She watched Denise walk in, breathing heavily, scenting the people in the house. Lindy took her place next to Nate. "This is my husband Nathaniel. You spoke with him earlier on the phone." Nate reached out his hand. "Nice to meet you." Denise nodded, sniffing the air discreetly as she shook his hand. He noticed the slight curve of her fingers, even with her hand extended. The palm of her hand was slightly rough to the touch, as if she hadn't moisturized it in a while--or, as if she'd been using it frequently. "May I sit down?" "Yes, of course. Please." Unshouldering her bag, Denise sat carefully on the couch, her eyes taking in the room. She didn't say anything for a long time, making Nate and Lindy look at each other, puzzled. "He's not here," she said, finally, still not looking at them. "As I suspected, really. There's no reason why you should trust me...nor I, you." Lindy nodded. "So how did you find us?" "Ever since..." she paused, thinking hard. "Silverside disappeared with her child, I have been searching for her and my sister. She had not been happy, and I feared she has done something rash. I had been hoping she had left the child with you." Lindy cast her eyes down. "I'm sorry. A friend of ours found Liam in their barn. From what I could tell, she left him there and then went away to die. I never saw her. But that still doesn't explain how you found us." "Liam?" "That's what we've named him," Nate said, his hand on Lindy's thigh. "He was left, alone, and there was no way to find out where he came from. We thought the mother was dead, and there were no other trails to follow. So we've...we've adopted him." Denise blinked at them. "Then you do not know his father. I followed Marrok's scent to you. He knows where his son is; I can't believe he hasn't contacted you." Lindy shook her head. "If he's a gray werewolf, he has. First by attacking and Changing the friend of ours who found Liam, and then attacking my pregnant sister-in-law. If my mother hadn't been there..." "Your mother is a werewolf?" Denise looked confused. "But you're a vampire. I can smell it." A slight flush crept up Lindy's cheek. "I was a werewolf as well until a short while ago. It was after I was Transformed that this Marrok attacked us. He's never tried to talk with us." "No, he wouldn't." Denise slipped off her shoes, curling her legs under her on the love seat. She shook slightly, as if shaking her wet coat. "Tell me about who you are...and I'll tell you about why I'm here." Lindy looked at her, a bit confused by her request. "We'll, I'm twenty four years old. I've been married to Nathaniel," she squeezed his hand, "for six months, and been a vampire for about four. Before that I was a werewolf for as long as I could remember. I work with Nate's brother, helping run an antique importing business." "Lindy's family and my family also live here on the property with us," Nate added. "Lindy's father was formerly an assistant director with the FBI. She also has a younger sister, Amanda. My brother and his wife live in the other house, with their newborn son. Like Lindy said, he runs his own business." "And you?" Denise asked. "I do freelance translations and historical textual restorations for local libraries. Or at least I used to. Now that Liam is home, I stay home full time with him." She arched an eyebrow. "You stay home, while she works?" Nate cleared his throat. "We have considerable assets, Ms. Randolph. Neither my wife nor I need to work to live comfortably. Lindy continues to work as her own decision, because she enjoys what she does." Denise nodded, looking down at her hands. "And you think you can provide a good home for my nephew?" "I don't think we can." Lindy waited until Denise looked up at her. "I know we can. He's been spoiled rotten by my parents, by my thirteen year old sister, by my brother and sister-in-law as well as us. Financially he'll be set. He'll have a werewolf upbringing, as well as human one. He'll never want for love, that I can promise you." Nate nodded, wrapping his arm around her waist. "I don't mean to sound ill-willed, but we're willing to fight for custody of him if that's what it takes. He is *our* son, in our minds and in our hearts." He looked down at Lindy, hoping she would understand his next words. "Although that doesn't mean we wouldn't be willing to give visitation rights to his biological family...*if* we were assured of his safety in doing so." Lindy squeezed is hand. "I was adopted as well, so I understand the importance of knowing your biological family. But if he's a threat to Liam, to my family, to my friends, I...we will do what it takes to protect him. Liam is the most important one." Denise nodded, finally slipping off her jacket and resting her forearms on her thighs. "I'm sure you're probably already aware that my family and I live in a pack. Most of us made the decision as adults, because we either couldn't or shouldn't survive within the constraints of human society. My sister came to us because she was sick and no one ever gave her a correct diagnosis. When she ran with us, she led a fuller and more hopeful life. It looked as if she might be recovering from what ailed her. But her illness reclaimed her just before her child was born." "We're sorry to hear that," Nate said, softly. Denise met his gaze, but didn't acknowledge the statement. "I am not prepared to take on the responsibility of raising a small cub. I am the leader of my pack and I have a hard enough time defending that position. Also, I want my nephew to be able to choose his own path. If he does not wish to be part of the pack, he will need an education and a stable home. And despite the fact that his father could give him those same things, I don't think he's the right person for the job." "Why?" Lindy asked. The werewolf was quiet for a moment. "Marrok has a daughter of his own, and he is a competent father to her...at times. But she is raised mostly by her housekeeper. Her father is more comfortable in the human world--at times, too comfortable. His vices, drinking, women, gambling...sometimes I think they're out of control. I know he would never willingly hurt a child. But you've seen the damage he can cause. His violence may be caused by his need to reclaim his family, but it's not something I'm willing to risk for my nephew. I don't want him to grow up with the same values as his father." Lindy looked hopeful for the first time since she had come home. "If you allow us to raise him, I promise we'll do our best to see that he doesn't." She no longer had the senses of a werewolf, but she could feel in her heart that Denise was not lying. She glanced uncertainly at Nate before saying, "Would you like to see him?" "Please," was Denise's heartfelt response. Nate resisted the urge to refuse. He knew the woman meant well, but she was only Liam's aunt. Just because she wanted what was best for their son, didn't mean any of them would get it. This 'Marrok' had the final decision. Besides, he still wasn't altogether sure that this woman wasn't just a spy. What if she only meant to return information to the man? "I don't mean to sound rude, but I'm still feeling a bit uneasy about this whole thing," Nate said. He looked away from both women when they looked at him questioningly. "I--You have to realize that we've been under a lot of stress with this entire situation. A good friend of ours and my sister-in-law could've been killed by Liam's father. And I really have no way of knowing that you're not in any way involved with him. I realize that I may be acting irrationally, but I'd prefer it if our families were present when you visit with Liam." "That is completely understandable, Mr. Adrik." She paused. "I do not suggest you make the same offer Marrok. His irrationality and anger when it comes to vampires is almost legendary. Which is why he chose to try to take the child back by force instead of rationally discussing it with you." "Can you talk to him?" Lindy said. "Make him understand that Liam is better off with us?" Denise shook her head. "He tolerates me as the pack leader, but barely. He feels that a werewolf leader should be male and is waiting for me to make a mistake before attacking." "Great. So we're dealing with a complete psycho." Nate shook his head. "I'm starting to get the feeling that moving somewhere else wouldn't be such a bad idea." He looked Denise in the eye. "But I suppose you think he'd only follow us?" Denise nodded. "He would. Why he is so obsessed now with his son when he wasn't while Liam's mother was alive I'm not certain. I will help you how I can, but I can't keep an eye on him while he's human. Nate nodded, squeezing the arm around Lindy. "I guess we should go see him now. He's at my brother's home." He stood up, gesturing for Lindy to lead the way, with Denise walking between them. He knew both he and Lindy would feel much better once her family got a chance to meet the woman. They'd spot a lie the moment she walked through the door. Walking through the door, Lindy stepped out into the night, certain that Denise could see better than her. Even with her good night vision, she had a hard time seeing her mother, who was in wolf form and watching the house. Denise clearly saw or smelt her. "That's the second werewolf I've spotted watching me. You weren't taking any chances, were you?" Nate gave her a half-smile, but didn't laugh like he might've under other circumstances. "You don't know the half of it, believe me. Still, it seems like no matter how well equipped we are, it's never enough. He keeps finding ways to get past our security." When they reached the porch of the house next door, he knocked briefly before opening the door and stepping out of the way. Even Petunia was on alert and stood in the foyer, the hair on her back raised. She let out a menacing-sounding bark, which was completely at odds with her juvenile puppy appearance. Denise looked about to growl back when Anton appeared, snapping a leash onto Petunia's collar. "Easy girl," he said, keeping his eyes on the stranger. "Is everything all right?" "Yes," Lindy said. "We're here to show her Liam. I'll go get him." Nate watched Lindy trot up the stairs, as he closed the door behind him. He walked over to crouch down in front of Petunia, patting her on the side to reassure her. Noticing Alex walking out of the kitchen, he was relieved to see that his gun was nowhere in sight. "Anton, Alex, this is Denise Randolph, Liam's aunt--his mother's sister." He looked back to Denise, gesturing to each of the men in turn. "Denise, this is Anton Rudenko, my brother, and Alex Krycek, my father-in-law." "Brother?" Denise looked from Anton to Nate. "You do not smell related." "Stepbrothers," Anton explained. "Our mothers married the same man." "Oh." She then looked at Alex, sizing him up. "You must be the former AD of the FBI." Alex shot a glance at Nate, eyebrows arched. "Actually, no...that's Lindy's *other* father," Nate said, still looking at Alex. "Alex is...was...well--why don't I let you explain that, Alex?" "It's a long story," Alex began. He stopped when he saw Lindy coming downstairs, Bryn following her. Lindy had Liam cradled tightly against her chest, a slightly defiant look on her face, as if daring Denise to be a liar and make a grab for the boy. Liam squirmed and tried to work his way loose to play with Petunia. Never taking her eyes off the boy, mouth open slightly, Denise took a few steps forward. Her eyes became watery, and she covered her mouth with both hands. As Lindy came closer, she cautiously reached a hand out, not quite touching, and then pulled it back a bit. A tear dribbling over her cheek, she said, "He looks so much like Shannon." She swallowed heavily, wiping hastily at her face. "You said his name is Liam? It's appropriate," she said, her voice wavering. "Our great-Grandfather was Irish." "Shannon?" Lindy asked. "His mother. Shannon was her human name. Silverside is a rough translation of her wolf name." "Oh." She felt like she should offer to let Denise hold Liam, but was still reluctant to give up her grip on the little boy. Denise cleared her throat, putting her hands down. "He looks very healthy and happy." She gave them a small smile. "Hello, Liam." Looking back to Lindy, she asked, "Does he ever Change? I'm wondering what his markings are...if they're like Shannon's, or like M--his." Lindy smiled, clearly proud of her son. "He Changes often with or without the moon. Mostly when he wants to chase the cat or roughhouse with the dog. He's a gold brown with lighter fur underneath his eyes." Denise nodded, a bit sadly. "He really does take after my sister." She reached into her purse, making everyone in the room tense for a moment, before pulling out a pen and a pad of paper. She scribbled down some numbers on the pad, including her name and that of someone else. "I'm not usually around a phone, but my friend Joe knows how to contact me if I'm needed. You can call him here, in case...well, if you need anything or want to know more about his family." "Thank you," Lindy said. She looked at Nate and asked a question with her eyes. Getting what she thought was approval she said. 'If you want to see him, or talk, or need help, please, feel free to call us." She loosened her grip on Liam slightly. "Do you want to hold him?" Denise's eyes widened. "I really shouldn't. I may not want to give him back," she said, her joke a little weak given the circumstances. She backed up, almost running into Nate before quickly sidestepping and heading for the door. "I--I should just go. Maybe some other time. But, thank you." "Can you at least tell us Marrok's last name? Maybe it might help us somehow," Nate said, wondering what had scared her off. "Deschamps. Marrok Deschamps. He lives in Napa." In Napa, at Deschamps Reserve, Nate realized, his gaze skipping to Lindy's. They'd only been miles from his home at one time. He could've walked right past them and they never would've suspected a thing. Anton was sitting in the rocking chair, feeding Max his nightly dose of blood. Pushing with his feet, he cradled his son close as Max sucked on his finger. Max seemed to be wanting blood not quite as often as he wanted to nurse from Bryn, but as long as Anton was around, he wanted to be the one Max took blood from. When he realized that Max was no longer drinking, Anton slipped his finger out of his mouth, but he didn't stop rocking nor smiling. Bryn lazily dragged herself up the stairs, yawning as she reached the second floor. She noticed the light in Max's room was on, and walked over to lean in the doorway. She smiled at the sight before her. "I finished locking up. Was there anything you wanted from the kitchen before we go to bed?" Anton shook his head. "No, my dear. Thank you." He gently kissed Max on the forehead and stood up. Walking slowly and smoothly to not startle a very sleepy Max, he put him down in the cradle. Anton checked to make sure the baby monitor was turned on. "Sleep well, Maxim," he whispered. Bryn backed up into the hallway, grinning as he shut out the light and followed her. She waited until they reached their own bedroom, before saying, "That's not going to last very long. If he doesn't cry in a few hours, one of us is going to go get him." "I know, my dear." He gave her a lazy grin. "But I've gained us a few minutes alone at least." He slipped his arms around her and pulled her close to him. "I still can't believe this is real," Anton murmured as he kissed her forehead. She wrapped her arms around him as well, leaning into his embrace. "We're very blessed. Especially considering what we could be going through, like Lindy and Nate. I feel worn out, just from worrying about them. Liam's such a sweet little boy. He has no idea what's going on. But I can't imagine that they'll be able to hide things from him too much longer. And I have no idea how they would explain it to him." "They'll just have to tell him the truth. That would be the best thing. Like we will when Max gets old enough to start asking questions." He pressed his lips to her temple. "I think it would be best that we be as open as we can about what I am with him. Especially since he obviously has vampire traits." "It won't be as difficult with Max. By the time he's old enough to understand, his whole family will be vampires." She rubbed her hand in small circles over his lower back, breathing in his scent. "Max is very lucky to have you as his father. I know he'll understand that." Anton nodded. Arm around Bryn, he walked over to the bed and sat on it, pulling Bryn into his lap. "I wonder how much of you there is in him. I mean if he has any human traits." He leaned his head against hers. "I've been thinking a lot about us being honest with him about what he is. I'm not sure if it has to do with me finding out that Katerina was really my biological mother, or if I'd be doing this any way." "I'm sure it's a little bit of both," she said, quietly. "At least that's the way it would happen for me. We haven't talked about it lately. How are you feeling about Katerina and Ivan, sugar?" Anton sighed, shrugging his shoulders. "I'm just trying to understand why no one thought to tell me, even after she was dead." He ran his hand up and down her spine. "I know it must have hurt them both horribly." His voice became quieter. "And it makes me wonder what we'd be willing to hide from Max to 'protect' him." She reached up and kissed his mouth, stroking his hair. "I can't imagine anything that we'd need to hide from him. Things aren't the same now as they were when you were born. We don't have to worry about him marrying for money or status. And we have nothing to hide." She slid her hand down to his shoulder, still holding his gaze. "And maybe it did really hurt your parents. Maybe it hurt them so much that they couldn't talk about it, and needed to put it behind them. They didn't intentionally set out to hurt you." Anton nodded and continued to rub her back. "I know it wasn't intentional, Bryn. That's what I wonder about." He sighed. "I wish I could have one hour with either of them, or both of them, and just talk to them, get some answers and explanations. Or maybe just hug them one last time." She was quiet for a moment. "Would you maybe want me to be hypnotized again?" "I have very mixed feelings about that, Bryn." He pulled back to look at her. "I don't want to do anything that would risk hurting you, as much as I would like to talk to Mother again. Besides, maybe it would be better if I not find out why." "All right." She sat up a little straighter, kissing his lips again as she stroked his arm. "Then would you mind if I make love to you? I think we should take advantage of this time alone while we have it." "When have I been one to say no, my dear?" He gave her a crooked grin. He leaned forward a bit to nuzzle behind her jaw. "What exactly did you have in mind? Dr. Leahs said we shouldn't have intercourse yet." "That's not the only thing we can do in bed, Anton. Let's just see where things lead." She kissed him again, more deeply this time, reaching up to loosen the button on his collar. She couldn't help but grind her ass against his groin, wishing she could do more than that. Not having intercourse with him might just kill her, but she was determined to get as close as she could get. He continued to nuzzle behind her jaw, occasionally nipping. One of his hands slid up over her stomach, reacquainting himself with her shape. "I don't know about you, Bryn," he whispered in her ear before tugging gently on her earlobe. "But I'm more than willing to follow." She let out a soft moan, standing up between his legs. Guiding him to lean backwards, she finished unbuttoning his shirt, following the line down, until she was kneeling before him. She looked at him with smiling eyes, before leaning forward to suck his nipple into her mouth. He tasted heavenly. She'd missed the flavor of his skin, the sweetness of his kisses. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she pulled herself tightly to him, sucking at his chest, closing her eyes in concentration. He let out a soft moan, arching up into her touch. His hands slid up and down her back and started pulling up her blouse so he could rub against her bare skin. He lifted his knee to rub it against her outer thigh. "It feels like it's been ages since we've done this, my dear." She nodded, letting his nipple pop out of her mouth before switching to the other side. She peeled his shirt off his shoulders and down his arms, finally lacing her fingers together with his when she reached his hands. Nibbling her way up his neck, she returned her mouth to his, kissing him wetly, lying her body down on top of him. He sank back against the mattress, kissing her back. He lapped at her mouth, tasting her eagerly. Loosening his hands from her grip, Anton slowly began unzipping the cotton blouse she wore. Slipping his hand between the fabric and her skin, he cupped her breast, gently rubbing his thumb over her nipple. She shuddered against him, biting her lip. She was much more sensitive now that her breasts had swelled with milk. His touch produced a borderline pleasure/pain that made her whimper. He wasn't hurting her, but somehow he gave her the urge to return the sensation...and he obviously wasn't expecting her to bite down hard on the tendons of his neck. She felt him jump beneath her and the sudden shift of his groin under her hips sent a bolt of ecstasy up her spine. He gave a sharp cry. Continuing to move his thumb in a slow circle, he began kissing the top of her head as Bryn lapped at the bite on his neck. Panting, he also began lifting his hips, rubbing his erection against her groin. She shifted her hips, pressing her clit more firmly against the seam of her jeans. Whimpering, she clung to him, no longer lapping at him but sucking continuously at the wound she'd created. Pushing her knees harder against the bed, she moved in opposition to his hips, creating a friction that made her breath catch. Gritting his teeth, he grabbed her hips and tried to slow her down some. If he wasn't careful, he was going to make a mess in his jeans. Pace just a bit more sedate for the moment, Anton began to unzip her jeans and slip them down her waist. "Mine," he whispered. "All mine." "Yes," she moaned, "always yours." She felt his hands slip under her jeans to squeeze her ass, and she squealed softly. Lifting slightly, she kissed his mouth, pushing her tongue inside, firmly rubbing her tongue against his. She wanted so badly to grind herself into orgasm, but she knew he wasn't quite ready yet--and least not mentally--and she tightly gripped his biceps to hold herself still. "I want you so much, Anton." He continued to rub against her, holding her body tight against him. "I want you more than I want blood," he whispered. He slipped his hand beneath her underwear to comb through her pubic hair. Cautiously, he slipped his finger down lower to lightly press against her clit, ready to withdraw at the first sign of pain. She gasped, pressing herself down harder on his hand. Quivering, she nuzzled his collarbone and tucked her forehead under his chin, her eyelashes fluttering against his skin, a smile on her face. "That feels really good, sugar. But I want to make you feel good, too. Will you climb up further on the bed with me, so I can touch you?" "Yes," he whispered. He scooted backwards on the bed, pulling her along with him. All the while stroking over and around her clit. The crotch of his jeans felt tight as Bryn's hand skittered over his fly. "You think I'm joking, my dear, but I could cum so easily right now in my pants." She gave him a little smile before moving her hand up to the top button of his jeans. "I guess I'll just have to be careful then." She grabbed the waistband and yanked it forward, carefully drawing down his zipper without actually touching him. "Wouldn't want you to cum before I get my mouth on you." His breath caught at the image that her words invoked. "Then you better hurry," he whispered. Withdrawing his hand, he tugged her jeans and underwear over her hips. Urging her onto her side, he repositioned himself so his hips were by her head. Gently, he slipped his fingers again between her legs, cautiously probing. She gasped, opening her thighs a bit further. Eyes closed to concentrate on the sensations he was creating, she opened her mouth over his cock and twirled her tongue slowly around the head. Careful not to touch him too much, hoping to make him last just a little bit longer, she delicately lapped at the slit at the tip, drawing away the continuously flowing liquid. She moaned softly, closing her mouth around him, and gently sucked on his cock. He groaned, his eyes rolling back in his head. Stroking her clit, he started to thrust, trying to hold back and pleasure Bryn first. But that was impossible when she ran a fingers over his balls, lightly tickling them. He cried out, cumming in her mouth He still stroked her, increasing the speed of his finger rubbing her. Bryn grabbed hold of his hips, pulling him close as she continued to suckle at him. All the while rocking her pelvis against his touch, whimpering. Just as she let him slide out of her mouth, gently bathing him with her tongue, she gasped and shuddered. The sudden contractions of her sex made her cry out in pain, but it didn't overshadow the pleasure centering on her clit. She quivered, laying her head on the mattress, panting heavily as he turned to face her. He looked at her concerned and a bit guiltily. He recognized that cry of pain, and it had been exactly hat he had been trying to avoid. He gently pushed her hair back from her face. "Are you okay, Bryn?" She nodded, pulling him closer and wrapping her arms around him. "It was just my muscles. It even hurts to use the bathroom. Everything is still tensed down there." She pressed her nose against his chest, breathing in deeply. "Did I make you feel better? I'm sorry we can't make love the way you'd like to." "It's okay, Bryn. I don't want you to be giving me sex just to make me feel better. Especially if it's painful for you." He gently kissed her forehead. "You make me feel better just by holding me, Bryn." He nuzzled the top of her head. "I don't want to cause you pain." "No, I'm trying to tell you it wasn't your fault. I wanted you every bit as much as you wanted me. You were very gentle. You always are." She snuggled closer, resting her cheek against his chest. A little smile curved her lips. "I guess I better not tell your employees or your vampires friends that--might ruin your reputation." Anton snorted. "Oh yes. We must keep up appearances at all cost." He gently stroked her hair. "Bryn, about your offer earlier to undergo hypnosis..." "Yes, sugar?" "If you want to undergo it and are willing to, that's fine with me. But I don't want you to have to feel that it's something you have to do. Especially because it was my mother. I don't expect you to have to find the answers just because I have questions." She met his gaze. "I want to help you. You shouldn't have to suffer through this alone." She kissed his chin. "I'll do anything I can to help. But we'd need to contact Zenobia and make some sort of arrangements. I think it should be your decision, Anton. You're the one who has to deal with the outcome." Anton blinked once, trying to decide what to say. "I'd like to know, Bryn, if you're willing." He felt selfish for saying that, but he waned to know why they never told them, even if he'd only be able to get the answer from his mother. She nodded, lazily sliding her hands down to squeeze his ass. "Then we'll call her tonight and see when she can come down here. I don't know what I'll be able to recall, but we can at least try." She reached up to kiss him, lingering against his lips. "I love you very much, Anton. I'll always do whatever I can to make you feel better." Anton smiled tenderly. "You make me feel better just by being near me, Bryn." He kissed her back, slowly slipping his tongue into her mouth. As his hands started to squeeze her ass, the baby monitor by the head of their bed crackled to life, broadcasting Max's cry. With a sigh, Anton reluctantly pulled away from Bryn. "I'll go get him, my dear," he said, getting up off the bed. Bryn rolled over onto her back, listening as Anton entered Max's room. The baby stopped crying almost immediately, and she smiled as Anton said hello to him before picking him up. Pushing the covers on the bed back, she crawled beneath them and snuggled in. She left a corner turned down on Anton's side, waiting for him to return. She grinned as he walked back into their room, Petunia on his heels, holding Max while the boy sucked on his fist. "I think he just missed you, Anton. He quiets down every time you hold him." Anton smiled. "That or he knows that he's got me wrapped around his little finger. Just like his mother." He handed Bryn Max and climbed into the bed. "And he doesn't exactly cause a fuss when you hold him either, my dear." She smiled, settling Max down on her chest and kissing the top of his head. She loved how soft his dark hair was against her lips. And he smelled so good--when his diapers were fresh. Rubbing Max's back, she grinned at Anton as he nestled close to her. "I can't believe how happy this makes--having my two favorite guys cuddled close to me." "My dear, if I didn't know you any better, I'd say that sounds positively kinky." He stroked first her hair, and then Max's. "I love you so much, Bryn. And I love you so much, Max." He pressed his lips to Bryn's temple. She had a little smirk on her face. "You'd think that was a lot more kinky if he had poopy diapers." She giggled as he grimaced. She leaned over to kiss him, her hand on his jaw. "We love you so much, too, sugar. You're the best husband and daddy in the whole world." She was in a dark room, so dark that even with her night vision, she couldn't see. But she could hear clearly. The voice of her husband, calling her name in desperation. The voice of her son, crying out in loneliness. But she couldn't see anything. Not knowing what else to do, Lindy walked towards the sound of the voices. "I'm coming," she cried out, but the voices didn't acknowledge her nor change their pitch or desperation. The darkness resisted her, making her feel like she was wading through gelatin. But she wasn't going to give up. She was going to get to Liam or Nathaniel. She was blinded by the beam of sunlight that cut horizontally through the darkness just in front of her. She jumped back, having come within an inch of being burnt to a cinder. Unable to go any further forward, she stepped back, only to slam into a solid wall. "Nathaniel! Liam! " she called out. She heard Liam's cries switch from loneliness to fear. She heard a male chuckle, low and evil. And Liam's yells started to come from further and further away. "Liam!" she screeched. Nate hurried into the bedroom, nearly tripping over a box in the process. Sitting up in bed, still half-asleep, Lindy was panting and whimpering in fear. Holding a spoon in his hand, Nate landed on the bed and reached for her. "Shh, baby, it's okay. It was just a dream." He held her close, arms wrapped tightly around her and chin on top of her head. "Shh...you're safe. Liam's okay. It's all right." She clung to him, pressing her face tight against his chest. Slowly her breathing calmed from hyperventilation to something closer to her normal rate. But she didn't stop shuddering, didn't stop whimpering. "I...I...was...somewhere," she whispered. "Could hear you calling for me, could hear Liam crying, and I couldn't get to either of you." He stroked her hair and kissed her forehead. "That's because I was calling for you. We forgot to set the alarm last night, so I came in to wake you up. That was when Liam started crying...so I went to get him some breakfast." Rubbing her back, he met her gaze. "It was just a dream, Lind. You must've heard us and didn't have a chance to wake up completely. Everything's fine." She held on to him tightly still, wanting to believe what he said. But that didn't explain the lingering feeling she had, the one that was similar to the visions she occasionally had. She took a few deep breaths. "I guess I'm still on edge after talking with Denise last night." She pushed back enough to look up at him. "I'm sorry, Nate." "You have nothing to be sorry about." He kissed her lips gently. "I'm just sorry you had such a scary dream." Rubbing her back again, he said, "Why don't you come have some breakfast? Then you can see Liam, and see that he's okay. I made pancakes--that sound good?" "Yeah." When he climbed off the bed, she grabbed a robe and pulled it around her. She still felt cold, or that was the excuse she used for her shivering. Following him out to the kitchen, she immediately went to Liam's highchair and plucked him out of it, hugging him tightly. "Nate, do you have any thoughts about what Denise said to us last night?" He sat down on the stool by the stove, adding another measuring cup of batter to the griddle. "Yeah, I'm wondering how much it would cost us to move to Antarctica. Unfortunately, I think 'Marrok' would follow us even then." He sighed, picking up a metal spatula. "Before she came over here, Anton mentioned something about a bribe. Now that we know where the man works, maybe confronting him with a demand and a large check would be a wise decision." "Maybe." Lindy sat down on a chair, bouncing Liam on her lap. "But will it really work? Would a bribe keep you away from Liam? Because it wouldn't keep me away." She pressed her nose to Liam's head and inhaled deeply. "There's got to be something that we can do. This is almost as bad as having Natasha stalk us." Nate nodded, flipping the pancake. "Short of killing him, we don't really have a whole lot of options. But that has problems of it's own. What would we say to Liam? And how could we live with orphaning the man's daughter? We're damned if we do, and damned if we don't." "Exactly," Lindy sighed. "I guess all we can do is try to reason with him and pray he listens. Maybe Denise was exaggerating," she said, ignoring Marrok's attacks on Bryn and Chandra. Nate looked at her with his eyes slightly squinted. "I have a bad feeling that she wasn't, Lind." He sighed, removing the pancake from the griddle and placing it on a plate. "I think...I don't know, maybe we should get your parents to talk to him. She said he doesn't like vampires. Maybe werewolves would be better equipped to reason with him." "Maybe. Although I don't think Mom should. Not after how they fought. Although that might force some respect from him..." Taking the plate from Nathaniel, she started to cut the pancake into tiny pieces for Liam. "We're just dealing with so many unknowns. And I want to do what's best for Liam. And I don't think him living with that psycho will be the best. I just feel sorry for the daughter he has custody of." "We don't know him, Lind. He could be a perfectly nice guy with his family and friends. We've only seen the desperate, violent side of him. But even that much makes me nervous. I just wish he'd come to us first, talked to us about this. Even if all we got were threats, at least we'd have a better idea who we were dealing with." "Maybe." Lindy offered Liam a piece of fluffy pancake. The boy snatched it from her fingers, waving his fist in his air before popping into his mouth. "Maybe you're right and we should try to talk to him." She signed. "I just don't want to risk Liam." "I know." Flipping another pancake, he wondered just how much more worrying they could endure. He didn't think it would be very much. They already had trouble sleeping. And had to remain vigilant every time they left the house. "I think we should talk to your family and mine, and figure out what we're going to do." "I agree, Nate." She smiled as Liam grabbed another piece of pancake. "And the sooner we get this figured out, Nate, the better." She sighed. "Maybe this Marrok will react better talking to other werewolves. But I wonder why he hates vampires so much." "It's a mystery." He slid the pancake on to a plate, the set it down on the table for her. "There's plenty more if you want it. I'll make them fresh for you." He sat back down in front of the stove, pouring batter for himself. "Are you working tonight? And what about New Year's eve? I can't believe that's tomorrow." "Yeah, it seems like it's way too soon." She picked up her fork and cut a wedge out of the pancake. "I should stop by the office tonight for a few hours to double check a few things. Tomorrow also for only an hour. It's pretty quiet since it's still the holidays, but there's a few things that need to get signed off. Did you want to do something tomorrow?" She popped the piece in her mouth and chewed. "Well, I was going to suggest we go out, but I think Anton and Bryn are going out too, and I think we leave the kids with your parents too often. They should be able to do something fun, too." He thought for a moment. "Maybe we could get the rest of our room moved tonight, and then set up the telescope on the balcony. Then we could make a little picnic and watch the stars tomorrow night." She swallowed. "Sounds good." She offered Liam another piece. "Sounds like the nights we spent in Baltimore. And I'd be glad to look after Max for a little while." She looked down at Liam thoughtfully. "I'm a little ashamed of how I reacted the first time I saw Max. I hope Bryn doesn't think that I don't like him because of that." "Maybe you should talk to her about it." He slid his own pancake on to a plate, then walked over to sit at the table with her. As he drizzled maple syrup over the top, he said, "I'm still wondering what Anton really thought about that castle. After all of the things that happened to his family there, I wasn't sure if he'd want the place." "I don't know, Nate. I'm not sure he really believes it's his." Lindy leaned forward and snagged some of the syrup for herself. "He hasn't been back there since everything happened, right? And maybe he's so used to not thinking about the castle being his, that the reality of it hasn't sunk in." She grinned a bit mischievously. "Maybe you should talk to him about it." He stuck his tongue out at her, then ruined the effect by grinning. "Maybe we should invite ourselves over to their place for dinner? We could get a pizza, maybe some dessert, and talk for a while." "Sounds like a good idea. I'll have to be at the office for about two hours. We can also offer to take Max." She fed Liam another piece of pancake, and took one for herself. "You want to give them a call and make sure that it's okay?" "Sure. Just as soon as we're done eating. Or maybe after a shower with you." "Any sign of Nathaniel and Lindy yet, my dear?" Anton called down to Bryn. He was upstairs in the baby's room, changing Max's diaper. Anton had to admit to feeling a bit smug. As of yet, he had avoided Nathaniel's prediction of being peed on while changing his son. "Not yet," Bryn said, loudly, from the kitchen. She poured the small amount of breast milk she'd pumped into a bottle and screwed on the cap. Heading towards the stairs, she bounced up to the second floor and walked into Max's room. "I have to admit I'm a bit nervous about--" She gasped, wincing as an arc of urine suddenly flew through the air towards Anton. Anton made a face, grabbing for a cloth. "Damn," he said softly, blotting at his shirt and then at the counter. He then looked at his son, a crooked grin on his face. "If I didn't know any better, Max, I'd say you did that deliberately." He quickly placed a new diaper on Max, "before he reloads," and handed him over to Bryn. "Let me go change my shirt, my dear." She couldn't help the wide grin on her face and giggled as Anton frowned at her. "It could've been worse. He could've shot number two at you." "That's truly disgusting, my dear." Patting Max's back, she followed him into their bedroom and sat down on the bed. "Well, I'll bet Max feels relieved now," she said, her voice tinged with amusement. Setting the bottle down, she pulled the baby's pajamas back into place and buttoned him up. She avidly watch Anton changing his shirt as she lifted Max up to her shoulder. "Do you have any idea how gorgeous you are? I'm tempted to call Nate and Lindy, and tell them to stay home so I can have you all to myself." Anton grinned as he peeled the wet shirt off of him. "That does sound tempting, my dear." Walking to the bathroom, he balled the shirt up and tossed it into the hamper. Bare-chested, he went over to the closet and selected a faded blue shirt. "So why are you nervous about Nathaniel and Lindy coming over?" "I don't know. Things just haven't been the same since Max was born. I don't like how strained it is." She lay back on the bed, still holding Max against her chest. "I'd just like to have a relaxing evening. Maybe watch a movie or something. Not have to deal with hurt feelings." "So, maybe that's what they want too." Buttoning the cuffs, he sat down on the bed beside her. "Maybe they're coming to clear the air, to make sure every thing's okay between all of us." He placed a hand on her stomach, stroking lightly. "Or maybe they just want that low key evening too, with us." She put her hand over his and lightly rubbed her thumb across the back. "I hope you're right." She stared up at the ceiling, rubbing Max's back. "I suppose we should go downstairs. I think you should carry us down. We're too lazy to move." Anton grinned. "Okay, my dear." He put Max down on the bed first, and then picked up Bryn, tossing her over his shoulder, dead body style. He then knelt and scooped up Max, cradling him close in one arm. "Is this what you had in mind, my dear?" She let out an "oof" whooshing out lungs full of air. Gasping for air, she reached down and smacked his butt. "I think you just broke my rib. You better not bounce me on the stairs or you'll have to change your shirt again when I puke all over it." "Wouldn't dream of it my dear." Walking smoothly, he went out of the bedroom and down the stairs, not jarring her once. As he hit the landing and walked to the living room, the doorbell rang. "Do you want to get that, or shall I?" he asked, lowering Bryn to her feet. "I'll get it. You can get the bottle we left upstairs," she said, smiling sweetly as he narrowed his eyes. She couldn't help but grin as she hurried to the front door. She opened the grate first to make sure it was them, before unlocking the door and letting them in. "Hi. Come on it. Can I get you guys something to drink?" "A Coke would be good," Lindy said as she stepped through the door. She was carrying Liam, and followed by Nate with the two pizzas. "And maybe some milk for this little guy," she said, bouncing Liam in her arms. "Okay." She shut and locked the door behind Nate, following them into the living room. "What about you, Nate? Anything to drink?" "You got ice?" "Lots of it." He set the pizzas down on the coffee table, watching Petunia carefully as she sniffed at the boxes. "I'll have a coke, too, then." "Anton, do you want anything to drink?" she called out loudly, then realized he was almost at the bottom of the stairs. "Oh...sorry. You want anything?" "A coke is fine, my dear." He put the bottle down on the coffee table, patting Petunia as he passed. "Have a seat, Nathaniel, Lindy." Settling down on one end of the couch, he looked at them. "How's things at work, Lindy?" Lindy sat down next to Nate, and put Liam on the floor. "Okay. It looks like every thing's shut down for the New Year. I'm going to swing by for half an hour tomorrow night to check in with the guards." Lindy leaned back against the arm Nate had put around her shoulders. "Nothing urgent that you need to take care of. Between me and Chandra, every thing's covered." "Good." He smiled as he watched Petunia trot over to sniff at Liam. Liam grabbed onto the couch and hauled himself upright. "He's going to be walking soon, isn't he?" "Any day now," Nate said, watching as Liam held on to Petunia, patting her back. "He's been trying. I think it only frustrates him and reminds him how much faster he can move when he's Changed. He likes to look at us accusingly, as if we're the ones slowing him down." Anton smiled. "But he'll learn soon the advantages of being able to carry something and move without getting teeth marks in it." Lindy smiled. "Let me go see if Bryn needs any help." She stood up and walked over to the kitchen. "Hey Bryn. Could you use a hand?" "Um, sure. You could get some plates down for dinner." She opened the bottle of coke and started pouring into the glasses. "Um...did you guys want to watch a movie tonight? I bought some new DVDs." "Sure. That sounds great." Lindy opened the cabinet and began pulling out plates. "Bryn, can I talk to you for a moment?" "Yeah, Lindy?" "I want to say I'm sorry about how I first reacted to Max, that first time I held him. The reality just hit me then that I'd never give birth." She looked down at the plates, and then over to Bryn. "I don't want you to think that I don't like Max. I think he's a sweet baby, and he's lucky to have two great parents like you and Anton. Forgive me?" Bryn nodded, staring down at the fizzing glasses. "Thank you. I knew logically why it happened and I didn't want for you to have to go through that. But...on another level, it did hurt my feelings a bit. I felt almost like you were rejecting him." She shrugged. "I know that's not what you meant, and I'm sorry for projecting that on you." "It's okay, Bryn." She reached over to give Bryn a quick hug. "I just didn't want anything to come between our friendship." Picking up the plates and some napkins, she smiled brightly. "So what DVDs do you have?" While Bryn recounted her movie collection, Nate lounged lazily on the loveseat, his feet crossed on the armrest, hand on Liam's head. "So...any plans to go to Russia soon?" Anton shook his head. "Not this year, at least. I was thinking we should wait until Max is a little older. Besides, Bryn and I were talking about taking him back and having him meet his other uncle this summer." Anton leaned forward, bouncing Max on his knee. "I still can't believe that you did that, Nathaniel. I'm just...stunned that after all this time, you held onto the castle." Nate shrugged. "It wasn't really an active thing. I never went back there, I just kept the property under my name. I'd have to renew it every eighty years or so...by now their government must think I'm Nathaniel Adrik the ninth." He grinned at that, ruffling Liam's hair. "For a while I thought about giving it Liam...but it's not any more his than it is mine. It belongs to you." "The thing is, Nathaniel, it never did belong to me." Anton ran a hand through his hair. "I never thought of it as mine. I mean, it was my home, yes. But given what Ivan was, I never expected to inherit." He gave a heavy sigh and readjusted Max on his lap. "I never expected to own it, Nathaniel." Nate frowned, sitting up a little straighter as the women returned from the kitchen. He waited until all of the drinks had been passed out and everyone was seated before asking, "Does that mean you don't want it? Or you're uncomfortable owning it? There's an easy solution to that, you know...just sell it." "No, it's not that at all, Nathaniel. I don't mean to seem ungrateful. I'm just still getting used to the idea of owning the castle. And I'm not sure exactly what yet I'll be doing with it yet." "We could use it as a summer home," Bryn suggested, then quickly took a drink of her cola and became fascinated with the napkin in her lap, acting as if she hadn't said a word. Anton nodded, thoughtfully. "Yes, that idea has potential. I think I need some more time to get used to the idea of it being mine. And I am truly grateful for that, Nathaniel." Nate nodded, arm around Lindy. "You're welcome. We wanted to talk to you two about tomorrow night. We've decided to stay home and set up the telescope, then have a little picnic on the balcony. So if you need someone to watch Max, we'd be happy to do it." "Thanks. We had been thinking about going out, but hadn't made any firm plans yet. We were thinking of going out to dinner and maybe some dancing." Anton looked at Bryn. "If you're up to it, that is." She nodded. "It sounds like fun." If she was honest with herself, it sounded like more than fun. She couldn't wait to be out on a date with Anton, to be on the arm of the most gorgeous man in the room. To be the envy of every woman. To hold him, breathe in the scent of his skin and his cologne, to feel like a princess in his arms. It wasn't anything new--he made her feel that way all the time. But this time she'd get to show him off, to brag about her prize. "I can't wait to go." End Chapter Seventy-six <- Previous Chapter | Home | Next Chapter ->