I kinda cheated with this update. Usually I like to write 2 chapters for every one I publish but, well I'm in a bit of a funk with this one and am back to being very unhappy with it so I'm publishing with the hope that I can remind myself how much I used to like this.
Also, so tempted to rewrite the first bit of this to have Nikola 'drop trou' but I decided against it. Far too tempted though...
xx
"OW!"
"I said hold still."
"Just let me go Helen, I'm fine."
"This won't take two seconds, hold still."
Nikola huffed before swinging his legs of the side of the bed, making sure to trap Helen between them. She frowned and pushed him back slightly, inspecting his neck. The bruise was fading quickly but not as quickly as either of them were used to. He wasn't particularly worried by the fact, the realisation that he had a child surpassing any other physical complain he may have had.
"I'm fine Helen, I'll heal," he groused, taking a hold of her wrists and pulling them away from the collar she'd unbuttoned. "I always do."
"You've never had your windpipe crushed by another vampire," she snapped in reply, jerking her hands away from him and crossing her arms but surprisingly enough she didn't make to step away from him.
"Nor have we ever met another vampire," he reminded her. "Which I would think makes finding out about said vampire more important."
"Half vampire," Helen muttered, rolling her eyes.
"But part enough to choke me within an inch of my life."
"I thought you said you were fine?"
"I am," he said with a sigh. "But my point is that this," he gestured between them, "is a waste of time when there are more pressing matters."
"Like the fact you never told me you had a daughter," Helen said softly, stepping back and turning away from him as she pulled the rubber gloves from her hands with more care than truly needed.
"Don't start," he warned her, slipping down off the bed.
"It's true," she remarked, clearly working at keeping her voice clear and breezy. And clearly failing.
"Need I remind you of the person who is currently attending on my... daughter?" he asked, choking up a little on the last word. It was a strange concept and one he didn't think he'd ever get used to.
"The difference is," Helen said carefully. "I couldn't have told you of Cecilia and Sebastian even if I wanted to."
"Nor could I," he interjected quickly, debating whether or not to cross the room. He wanted to touch her if only to help the unsteady thrum of his heart but part of him was beginning to feel that familiar prickle of anger only Helen could illicit from him. "I didn't know... she existed until she tried to kill me."
At that she turned, giving him a look of disbelief.
"I'm not lying," he insisted.
"Really?" she asked, brows rising dangerously high. "Because I've found that's what happens when you open your mouth."
"Oh because you're so perfect," he spat, narrowing his eyes.
"At least I am aware of my children," she growled, hands balling into fists. "As opposed to requiring a near death experience."
"Considering your promiscuity I think you'd have a harder time keeping track of your offspring," he snarled. "Where there any of the Five you didn't sleep with?"
"How dare you..." she breathed, eyes flashing in anger.
"Are you going to deny it?" he challenged, hands on hips. "Because I made a mistake Helen, I know I did and I am more than willing to own the consequences of that but I refuse to allow you to judge me because of it."
"Because you haven't been doing the exact same thing since Cecilia arrived?"
He started with a vitriolic reply but shut his mouth abruptly before turning to storm out the door.
"Where are you going?" Helen called after him, clearly thrown by the sudden change.
"To check that my daughter hasn't killed yours," he called back tartly. "Someone has to show a care for Cecilia's safety."
Her splutter of indignation reached him even as he turned a corner and he couldn't help but smile in triumph.
"Want something to drink?" Cecilia asked, almost bouncing into the kitchen with Nicola in tow.
"Tea," the other woman said with a sigh, flopping elegantly into the nearest chair as the door swung closed behind them. Cecilia stifled her own sigh at the boring request but set about making a cup, making it the way she would for her mother without really thinking about it. It was only when she was screwing the cap back on the milk that she realized, pausing with a frown as she regarded the steaming mug.
Ignoring the twinge in the general vicinity of her heart, she picked up the cup and carefully delivered it to Nicola where she sat by the large dining table. Giving the other woman what she hoped was a kindly smile, she deposited the mug and turned, seeking out a bottle of wine and a glass. It probably wasn't the most suitable of choices but at this point the libation seemed to her the only option. No doubt she would be receiving a good old fashioned talking to from her mother and only a glass of wine would ensure they both left that conversation alive.
Returning to the table, she sunk down into the chair opposite Nicola in a way she was well aware was less than graceful. A prickle of resentment spiked within her as she regarded the cool beauty across from her. Her features were delicate and while not a typical beauty, there was something about the intelligent lean of her eyes that made Cecilia feel jealous. She'd never been able to emanate the easy grace of her mother that she could see reflected in the girl across from her. It was something Nikola had too, his long limbs just working perfectly together while Cecilia was more liable to trip over her own feet.
"Thank you for this," Nicola said quietly, taking a sip of the tea. Her eyes closed in pleasure and Cecilia smiled.
"Think nothing of it," she replied easily. "But I will admit you do make me feel like a bit of an alcoholic. Are you sure I can't entice you to something a little stronger?"
Nicola gave a lopsided smile but shook her head.
"It's been weeks since I've had proper tea, you wouldn't be able to take this from my cold dead hands."
"If your hands cold get cold and dead," Cecilia said, only realising it was maybe not the best line to take when Nicola's eyes flashed dangerously and she set the mug of tea down. "Sorry," she muttered, cursing herself.
"It's alright," Nicola said tightly. "You are right, after all."
Cecilia raised her head and smiled weakly at the other woman before sinking back into her chair and taking another deep swig of wine.
"Mind if I ask something?" she said after a moment of silence.
Nicola cocked her head and nodded, pausing with the cup part way to her lips. Cecilia had to bite back a chuckle at the image she presented, the pretty look of expectation on her face was one she'd seen on her mother's on many occasions.
"Why did you try to kill him?"
Nicola coughed delicately before returning the cup to the table.
"I mean, I know he can be annoying and all. Mother told me tons of stories about some of his more ridiculous exploits but, well, choking him to death sounds a bit over the top."
"I suppose it was," she replied softly after a moment, eyes downcast.
"Hey, it's not that I necessarily disapprove!" Cecilia put in with a grin, hoping to bolster the other woman's spirits. "If I wasn't certain she'd hand my arse to me on a platter, there have been many occasions when I've been tempted to do much the same thing."
Nicola laughed weakly, giving Cecilia a small smile.
"Do you see much of your mother?" she asked, shifting forward a little.
"I did for a great many years and then... then this place took precedence. And we all know the irreplaceable Helen Magnus does what she must to keep the world spinning."
"Your mother is Doctor Magnus?" Nicola asked with wide eyes, clearly seeing it as something worthy of awe.
"You can just call her Magnus, everyone does," Cecilia replied what she knew was a tight smile. Everyone who knew her mother loved her with the adoration usually reserved for deities and it seemed this newcomer was no exception.
Nicola seemed to pick up on the tension in her voice, dropping the subject and grabbing for her mug.
For a moment, Cecilia let the silence fall over them again before it got too much for her.
"Nicola?" she asked quietly, leaning forward.
"Nics," she corrected, scrunching her nose. "I go by Nics. Or Nic. But never Nicola."
"Not Nikki?" Cecilia teased with a grin, enjoying the way the other woman shivered.
"Not if you want to live," she confirmed with a smile that grew slightly.
"Noted," Cecilia replied, pleased at the fact that the tension had melted a bit. "But seriously, any particular reason that you wanted to kill your father?"
She sighed again but this time looked Cecilia straight in the eye.
"I don't think you'd understand," she said quietly.
Cecilia snorted.
"Try me."
Again Nic sighed but then took a deep breath.
"I am older than I look, much, much older and... and..."
"And you'd give anything to just be normal," Cecilia finished.
"I thought I was normal," Nic said softly. "For such a long time I lived a normal life, simply wishing that my mother had had the guts to tell him I existed but then... then one day this happened."
On the last word she transformed, letting her face sharpen.
"And I can't die. I tried so hard for so long to kill myself but it just... I can't stop living."
"It's not a reason to die," Cecilia said firmly, reaching forward to take the other woman's hand. "Your gift is unique and amazing, you shouldn't feel it is something to be ashamed of."
"I don't," Nic replied quickly. "But... I'm dangerous and I know I could... could hurt someone. I almost killed my mother the first time it happened."
"Were you and she close?"
"Closer than I assume you and Dr. Magnus," Nic replied with a small smirk that would have made her father proud. "But she passed away quite some time ago now."
"How old are you?" Cecilia blurted, more curious than she knew she had any right to be.
Nic once again flashed that tiny smug smile before leaning back.
"I was born in 1943," Nic challenged, raising an eyebrow.
"Pah!" Cecilia crowed in victory. "You spring chicken you."
Nic blinked blankly for a moment and Cecilia enjoyed the look.
"I was born in 1927," she answered, laughing lightly as Nic spluttered.
"Oh."
Cecilia couldn't help the grin that spread across her face.
"Don't worry, it always gets me too."
"Well it's nice to know that in a few thousand years time that there will at least be some faces I recognize."
Cecilia smiled tightly in response but glossed over the topic. Her twisted form of immortality wasn't something she enjoyed thinking about let alone talking about and in the past few hours she'd spoken of it on more occasions than she had in the past decade.
"Or not," Nic said softly, picking up on the change in mood. Cecilia smiled, trying to dispel the atmosphere but before she could once again offer some alcohol, the door swung open, Will and Henry stopping short as they took in the pair lounging around the table.
"It's like a convention on the mini-me's," Will breathed, eyeing both women nervously.
"Only my hair is natural and she is the one drinking tea," Cecilia put in with a grin.
"And I think I'm gonna like you way better than Tesla," Henry said to Nic, giving her a small smile.
"I'm flattered," Nic replied, smiling warmly up at the young man. "And it's nice to have an ally in case Dr. Magnus decides to throw me out for my less than courteous greeting."
"Oh don't worry, I heard her and Tesla arguing again just a few minutes ago," Will said, waving his hand. "I think we're all safe for a while. Just make sure you stay away from any heavy footsteps."
Just then, they all fell silent, listening as heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor outside.
"Tesla," Cecilia said quietly, earning looks of disbelief from the others but soon enough the door flew open to reveal an irate vampire.
"All the children in one place, excellent," he drawled, catching Cecilia's eye.
"I resent that," she interjected. "I'm older than them all by at least two decades."
"But younger than me and Helen's daughter so, child," he replied quickly but still managing to quirk a smile at her.
For a very long and awkward moment no one spoke.
With a heavy sigh, Cecilia stood.
"Come on boys, time for us to go," she said, grabbing Henry and Will by the arms, tugging them from the room as their protests fell on deaf ears.
Clearing his throat nervously, Nikola looked to the only other person in the room, giving her what he hoped was a fatherly smile.
"Hey," he said, rocking on his heels for a moment.
"Hi," Nicola drawled, crossing her arms.
Nikola swallowed.