Okay, Okay, now for the next half of the OMG DID THAT JUST HAPPEN! Chapter. I know, it isn't that dramatic, but lets just say . . . opportunity knocks.

Mara tilted her head, allowing Kit to gently swab the wound on her neck and then place a small bandage over it. She sighed in slight pain, forcing a smile to come onto her face to reassure this frightened girl.

"Thanks, Kitten," she muttered, and Kit gave her a small smile in return for the use of the nickname. She gently ran her finger of the bandage, pondering the events of the night and what they could mean. Then it hit her. Destiny's words echoed. You used me! Those vampires had only come here to come after her. But why? What was so special about her that would make them want to get at her so badly they would make their move in the middle of the biggest even of the house when it was filled with thousands of allied vampires. It seemed like nothing more than a suicide mission to her. Unless, as what-is-his-name said, if they could get her to go willingly. Yea right, like she was going to go willingly now that the stupid cow gave her scar on her right side.

Wait . . . a scar?

She leapt up, causing Kit to jump from the sudden movement. She brushed past her to the servant's bathroom, which was a décor of Christmas things like the dining hall. She leaned against the marble counter top towards the mirror and titled her head away slightly so she could look at the cut. Yep, it would scar. And until it did she would not know if it was the one she had seen on her older self. She figured it would be, it was in the right place after all. But, life I could work out in some weird ways, she figured that as well.

"MARA!!!" she jumped at her name being bellowed, and twisted around in fright. "MARA!!!!" she finally recognized Izquierdo's voice, and padded out of the bathroom as fast as she could while still looking graceful and speedy. She did stumble a bit, but she suddenly found Izquierdo's steady hand on her shoulder.

"Hi bro," she said, trying to sound casual and keeping her head titled down so he would not see the bandage.

"Your up," he informed, and she glanced up with a blank look on her face.

"Up where?" she asked dumbly, and she felt like she was forgetting something important.

"To sing! Hello! We do have a wedding to go on and we can't if you don't get up there and sing the song of Christmas." And he shoved her towards the ball room, and she felt the first signs of excitement and nervousness tighten her stomach.

This is for Sasha! Come on, you can do it! Think about this, soon you will find that boy, and the guy you love, yea! And after this Sasha and Oscuridad will finally be able to be together! Do it for theeemmm!!!!!! Mara and her mind debated. The thought of her dream made her heart squeeze. She did not even know who it was and she was already in love with them. Maybe it was a vampire, she always thought she would follow along in Sasha's footsteps. She took in a shuttering breath as Izquierdo pushed her up the stage steps.

She could feel the energy of all the vampires just behind the curtain. She was handed the microphone and she put it to her unpainted lips, licking them and taking a deep breath. She gave a nod to the curtain girl, who quickly began opening, leaving Mara to feel just how she thought Sasha felt a long time ago. All eyes were on her and she had to fight her muscles so they wouldn't lock up on her. She took a step forward, bowed, and then, with a deep breath, she began singing.

She knew she could sing, she had known it ever since she was little and everyone would beg to listen to her song. She composed, that was how she filled in the time she was all by herself. Her songs were weaving her longings, her life, her dreams. She had composed so many songs about this boy already; she could do nothing but write down those beautiful words on how his voice sounded to her. The way he touched her, as if she was shatter, and yet it was so intimate. She craved for his touch again, just a single brush of a finger across her cheek. It shocked her that she actually felt a surprising brush of warmth, as if she had really been touched. No it was not real it was her imagination.

The song came to an end, and the guests applauded with occasional applause of 'brava' and whistling. Sure, if she wanted to date a vampire she sure had a large bunch to pick from this group. But she wanted to first know who could make her feel such a fiery passion that it was still burning her heart after more than a month. Mara barley remembered to move to the right side of the stage as Oscuridad and Sasha came out, Oscuridad in a pure white tux with a blue rose in his pocket and Sasha not in a traditional wedding dress. Instead she was in a blue satin gown that came just to her knees. Her skin glittered and so did her hair. She was nervous, but looking up into Oscuridad's eyes a smile could not stay off her face and out of her eyes.

Derecho and Izquierdo followed suite, standing on the left, as Oscuridad's best mans. Destiny and Zoe came and joined her, Destiny looking a lot more composed than she had been several minuets ago. She gave Mara a soft smile before they both stood at attention. And then the pasture followed suite. He was an old vampire, about seventy when he was turned so his skin was all wrinkly and stuff. Mara had to cough to hide her giggle at the thought, but his blue eyes paid her no heed. In his hands he held no bible, considering he was probably old enough to have memorized it.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today for the joining of these two in holy matrimony . . ." and Mara knew this was going to be a long service.

(Just several minuets later, I don't feel like going through the WHOLE thing people.)

"You may kiss the bride," and Oscuridad never hesitated to lean in and kiss her, his arms wrapping around her to pull her to him with his inhuman strength. Sasha gasped, finding she had to stand on tippy toe he was so enthusiastic. Mara felt happiness well up inside her and she barley noticed the booming applause that erupted from the watching vampires. When Sasha finally managed to pull away her face was red, from lack of oxygen or embarrassment, Mara wasn't sure. But a smile was alight on her face all the same. She glanced over to find Destiny smiling sadly, her eyes slightly welled up with tears, and Mara felt sorry for her. Oscuridad pulled the blue rose from his pocket and slid it into Sasha's hair, gently stroking her blushing cheek.

"Alright! After party!" Izquierdo yelled, ushering them all of stage so fast Mara stumbled and Zoe almost fell, if Derecho had not picked her up into the security of his arms. She had to look away at the intensity they looked at each other's eyes, it was too much love for her to bare and it made her heart clench again to think about it. She made her way into the living room, to find Sasha and Oscuridad sitting in front of love fire.

He was leaned forward, gently kissing her forehead and softly stroking her cheek. Her eyes were closed, and when she took in a breath it was so soft Mara could not even hear it.

"Alright you two, wait until tonight for crying out loud!" Derecho yelled out, with a chorus of giggles from everyone else. They did not pull away straight away, but finally Oscuridad did pull away only to look into her eyes. How excited they must be after all of these years they finally had each other completely. No questions, no catches, nothing. And suddenly she hated the fact she would have to go eventually. This place was always so full of joy and love, what would she feel the day she left it? She shook her head, unable to think of that right now. It was a party to celebrate two of the most wonderful people (and vampires)in the world and she would not be the one to dampen it with her mood.

"Hey! Mara! Get your butt over here and dance with me!" Oscuridad yelled, standing swiftly, leaving Sasha time to get her breath back. He gave her a lopsided grin and she laughed, coming over to him and allowing him to take her hands and spin her around to an imaginary beat. But then music did start, and he moved her faster to match the beat perfectly. She messed up a little bit, stepping on his foot, and began laughing so hard she fell on her butt laughing and could not get back up.

Behind her Zoe was leaping and dodging over and through furniture, Derecho on her tail. She was managing to evade him only because he was playing fair. But suddenly he was holding her from behind and she laughed, struggling helplessly in his arms. Izquierdo was standing next to Destiny, looking just a little awkward. Finally he huffed out an unneeded breath and turned to her, his best smile on his face.

"Will you dance with me, Destiny?" he did not ask where her boyfriend had gone, he did not ask where that stupid cow had gone. He did not ask what had happened between them or if they were ever coming back. No, because with him there and then gone, Izquierdo realize things you wanted could slip out of your grasp if you did glue them to your fingers first.

She paused, worrying her lip with an itty-bitty fang, her eyes wide and questioning. Mara watched her carefully, and when she glanced in her direction Mara gave an agreeing nod. So Destiny took his hand, and her pulled her closer than she was expecting to dance.

Suddenly there was a warm hand on Mara's shoulder, and she turned to see Sasha standing there, slightly horrified.

"Mara, what happened to your neck?" she demanded, her eyes showing her worry very clear. Mara's mind stumbled over itself to try and find and excuse, and finally managed to speak.

"I was putting the sparring knives away and slipped. Don't worry, it isn't deep and it doesn't hurt. It will heal eventually, so don't worry about it mom." Mara hoped her smile was convincing, and she watched Sasha's face intently. Finally, the worry and horror eased up, and Sasha laughed, almost seeming drunk.

"You silly girl, be more careful next time baby. I think the worst way to loose you would be if you accidentally killed yourself." And she left Mara to talk to several other humans who were coming into the living room. One of them, Mara knew, was the family doctor for all of the servants. Mara had heard the story of that night over an over again, and now she had it memorized so she could stop asking Sasha. She laid herself back on the rug, and some part of her mind hoped she wasn't lying on anyone's face in the family portrait. She glanced above the fireplace, where a family picture with her in it sat contently. She was only an infant then, and Osuridad and Sasha held the same love for each other. How did they do it, to go on without having each other completely? Mara had only heard glimpses of the one she will soon love, and it was already driving her up the wall. So how did they do it? Surely it had nothing to do with their species, so then what?

The night wore on, the party was wonderful. But soon the humans began to yawn and they all knew it was time for everyone to call it a night. Everyone once again congratulated the two newly weds and began clearing out. When everyone was gone, only Sasha and Oscuridad stood left, sitting with her back against his chest on the floor. She looked up at him, her eyes sleepy but still alight with happiness. He kissed her soundly, making her sigh in contentment.

"What now?" she whispered, sounding like she was in a half-dream. Oscuridad chuckled, causing her to shake from the short jerks from his chest. When he finally stopped he gave her a melting smile that had a slight hunger to it.

"Now I show you how our family will begin."

(Yea, there is a scene there, OF COURSE! Newly weds and all of that. If anyone wants that tell me and I will post it SEPERATLY!!! Sorry, lol, I'm kind of in a REALLY good mood.)

Mara skipped up the steps, humming softly to herself and she did so. The halls around here were deserted. Sasha never understood why when they asked Mara where she wanted her room to be she chose a hall that had been deserted for quite some time. She liked the solitude of the place, and she could play her music as loud as she wanted too. At least she didn't have a boyfriend for them to worry about.

Boyfriend . . . her heart fluttered like the wings of a hummingbird, and she put a hand over it to ease it somewhat. She continued up another flight of steps, her humming dying down and she came up to her door. When her hand slid her hand on her knob she paused, nibbling her lip and glancing out the dark window across from her door. She guessed it would be just how Grandad had said, and she would have to be patient.

Opportunity will knock . . . and she entered in her room, shutting and locking the door behind her.