Chapter 1

Shane's POV

Sitting here in vamp central, with my two vampire best friends, isn't exactly how I imagined my life about 20 years ago. Firstly, I thought I'd be out of Morganville, and secondly I thought I would still be with Claire. I don't even know why I was summoned to see Amelie, I didn't do anything. I just do what I normally do, sleep to about midday, go to work (which vaguely involved cutting up large amounts of meat, ready to be BBQed) and then drink myself to sleep, either at a bar or back at the Glass House. The bar normally resulted in me getting in a fight or getting laid with some girl who I'd never see again. And yes, I still live with Eve and Michael, despite both being vamps and married, they wouldn't kick me out. I guess they felt sorry for me after what happened with Claire, and they couldn't see their best friend on the streets, but living with two, madly in love, married vampires, meant banging on the headboard and very loud sex noises through the walls. Nice for a guy who had lost the love of his life.

My life could be so different to what it is now, a drunken mess. I could be married to Claire with our daughter. But that's gone, they both are. And I'm probably never going to see them again. I could have been part of a family; instead I'm just a third wheel, living with a happy vampire couple.

Flashback

17 years ago...

Claire has been in labour for hours now, she's been screaming and crying all at the same time. I've been there with her for the whole time, she says she's okay, but I can tell she's in so much pain.

"Okay Claire, I need you to push..." says the midwife.

"I can't do it, it hurts so bad," wails Claire, tears streaming down her face, whilst gripping onto my hand and burying her head into my chest. I wrap my arm around her and kiss her forehead.

"Come on Claire, you can do this. Do it for Carrie," I murmur into her ear.

She lifts her head so her eyes meet mine; she looked scared, vulnerable, reminding me of when I first met her. Covered in bruises and trying to put on a brave face. She slowly nods, and gave me a brave smile despite the pain.

After some more screaming, and some more crying, we finally had our daughter.

The nurse brought her over, wrapped in a blanket. Claire reached out her arms eagerly wanting to hold our daughter. It felt so weird saying that, our daughter, but I guess I was going to have to get used to it. Claire sighed in relief. I peered over her shoulder. My daughter. She was beautiful. I choked up. Her eyes were open; she had beautiful eyes, beautiful green eyes, and the type of eyes you didn't forget. One of her hands was wrapped around Claire's finger. I leant down, my heart racing at the sight at of my beautiful daughter. I rested my head against Claire's shoulder, one of my arms wrapping around her waist, and my other hand touched my daughter's hand. Her tiny hand slowly opened up, and held my finger tightly. God, she was so tiny.

"She's beautiful," Claire whispered so quietly, I could barely hear her.

"She's ours," I whispered back, trying to keep my voice low, so I wouldn't scare our baby.

She looked at me and smiled. Claire was everything to me, she made me who I am today, without her I would still be Frank Collins's kid, the kid who's family was ripped apart by vampires, the kid who was a slacker, and to some extent I guess that was still true, but I defiantly wasn't the same person, Claire, she changed me. She made me a better person, but not only that, but I wanted to change for, to be what she deserved. She's given me everything, and now a family, a daughter.

"I love you Claire Collins," I say looking into her beautiful brown eyes.

She smiled, and replied "I love you too," and she kissed me. And it was the best kiss ever. A kiss full of promises, hope and happiness. We broke apart, and she slide over on the bed, making room for me, I sat next to her and she carefully handed me our daughter. Holding your daughter in your arms for the first time, was an experience I could never forget, I could feel her tiny heartbeat and her breathing slow and steady. Claire lent her head against my shoulder and I never remember ever being so happy in my life.

Back to the present

I blink a couple of times, coming back to reality. I won't ever forget that moment, but it was gone.

"Dude, get a grip," Michael says, nudging my leg, bringing me back from memory lane.

"Seriously, why the fuck are we even here?" I snapped. I was always pissed off when I thought of Carrie and Claire, it just reminded me of how shit my life is now, and reminds me of what I could have had.

"I don't know, but it must have been important. I mean Amelie, doesn't just call people for a chit chat or a cup of tea," Eve says. Eve changed over the years; she's no longer Goth for a start, thank goodness, and she's a vampire. It was the only way her and Michael could be together, without her ageing and Mickey still looking 18.

"Ugh," I muttered and then silently man bitched about bloodsuckers. Not that all bloodsuckers were bad, Claire taught me that, but they were just very...well, vampire...

"Well, they're both in the building," Jesse says walking into the room; she was on the phone, probably talking to Amelie. "Uh-huh, she should be here soon," Jesse flashes me a grin, as she walks past where we were sitting. I didn't smile back. I wasn't in the mood for banter; I just wanted to get the hell home. She walked though another door across the room, as soon as she walked in here.

The door opened again, and I turned to see who it was. The door closed behind her. I could recognise her anywhere.

Claire.

So, do you guys like it? Please review and tell me what you think :)