A/N: Hello, lovely readers of mine :) I'm very happy right now, because I don't have school today due to a snowstorm. Oh, how I love the Canadian climate :D Thanks to said snowstorm, I was able to finish typing this chaper up! Isn't that amazing?

I know I said that I wanted to get to 635 reviews, I figured that you guys have waited long enough for the next chapter :P and 629 is close enough, lol.

When I was writing the first half of this chapter, I was listening to "Just A Kiss" by Lady Antebellum on repeat. I suggest you do the same :)

Well, I'll let you people read now, and I'll hang out with my dog and write because I have no life ^_^

Enjoy!

~ Sarah Ozera ~ (HAHA it rhymes!)


~ Chapter Twenty-Seven: Just A Kiss ~
"Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight,
Just a touch in the fire burning so bright,
And I don't wanna mess this thing up,
I don't wanna push too far.
Just a shot in the dark that you just might
Be the one I've been waiting for my whole life
So baby I'm alright with just a kiss goodnight."

Skylar's POV

"Mase, do you really think she's alright?" I asked for the thousandth time. It was a wonder he hadn't told me to shut up, really. I couldn't help worrying, though; I'd watched my sister die tonight, and even though she was okay now, the image was hard to get past.

"I do," he replied stroking my cheek. "Annika's strong, Skye; she can take it."

"You didn't see her die, Mase. I did. It was the most horrible, terrifying, traumatizing thing I've ever witnessed. I don't know how someone can just be okay after―" My words were cut off by his lips on mine. As soon as his lips came in contact with mine, I felt my worries evaporate a little and become just a little more manageable. He brought me a peace that no one else could.

He broke the kiss, running a hand through my already dishevelled hair in an attempt to calm me. "Skylar, I want you to listen to me." When he saw that he had my undivided attention, he pressed on. "Annika will be fine. I know it, babe. She's so strong; she can deal with this. You have to stop worrying about her so much, because all it's doing is stressing you out. Annika's a big girl; she's a mom now. So stop acting like her mom and just focus on being a sixteen-year-old girl."

A shuddering breath left me. "You're right, Mase, and I know that you are. But saying and doing are two different things. It's not something that I can just turn off; Annika is like a child that I need to protect. I know it's silly, because I know that she can handle herself, but that's how it's always been that way with us. She's been the reckless, impulsive one, and I've always been the one to pick up the pieces and comfort her when she's sad. And I can't change, just like that." I snapped my fingers for emphasis.

"I'm not asking you to change," he said softly, cupping my face in his large, warm hands. "I just want you to enjoy yourself without worrying so much about Annika. Is that too much to ask, babe?" His words seemed like they were mean, but his voice was so gentle when he said them that I knew that he was just being truthful and didn't mean them in a bad way.

My eyes closed, and I leaned my head on his hands. "It's not. And I promise that I'll try; that much I can do," I finally said.

He touched his lips to mine once more and hugged me close. "That's all I ask, babe."

My eyes opened again, meeting his lovely hazel ones. I could stare at his eyes forever; they were a gorgeous grass green, with flecks of chocolate brown and gold through them. His eyelashes were long, fans of gold surrounding his eyeballs. I could honestly say that his were the most beautiful eyes I'd ever seen.

"What are you thinking?" he asked, a ghost of a smile on his lips.

I smiled. "I'm thinking of how much I love your eyes."

I felt the chuckle that vibrated his chest. "I love your eyes, too."

I scoffed. "You're just saying that so you don't seem rude."

His expression turned serious. "Your eyes are the most beautiful eyes in the world, Skylar. They're that shade of brown that you never see; milk chocolate from far away, but once you're close enough to really look at them, you see the little strands of coffee brown and the prettiest gold I've ever seen. So, no, I'm not just saying that."

My breath caught in my throat. He was the sweetest, most thoughtful person on the entire planet, and his words melted my heart.

"I love you so damn much, Mason Castile," I whispered.

"I love you more," he murmured before leaning in to kiss me again. The kiss was soft and deep, reassuring yet hungry. I think I melted into a pile of goo.

I separated my lips from his long enough to say, "Stay with me tonight." My voice was husky, and his eyes darkened with lust. I knew that he knew what I wanted.

"Anything for you," he replied.

I crashed my lips to his once more, and I knew that there was no going back. I wanted him tonight; all of him.

He lifted me up by my ass and my legs went around his waist to hold myself there. He pressed me against the wall to help support me while his lips moved from mine, leaving a heated trail down to my neck. My head fell back against the wall, my eyes closing, while my fingers knotted themselves into his hair.

His mouth worked on my neck, sucking and nipping on the soft flesh, and I knew that I'd have a hickey from it. I didn't care, though. All I cared about was Mason and how he made me feel. He knew exactly what to do to get me going, though I'd usually stopped him before we went too far.

Tonight, I really didn't give a fuck. I was ready and he knew it, without even needing to ask.

His lips worked their way back up to mine, and he groaned as I ground my hips against his. I smirked against his lips, loving the effect I had on him. My lips parted to give his tongue entrance, and I could taste mint on his breath. I shivered involuntarily as his tongue explored my mouth like a probe, making sure he memorized every inch. I gave his hair a light tug and, taking the hint, he carried me over to the bed.

He laid me gently over the pink covers, covering my body with his larger, more muscled one. I stared into his eyes, seeing love beneath the obvious lust. It felt like my heart would burst from the love that I felt for him.

His eyes never leaving mine, his fingers found the hem of my shirt, where they hesitated.

"You're sure you wanna do this?" he asked, his voice breathy.

My voice was strong and certain as I replied, "Yes."

He began to pull my shirt up, his fingers trailing against my skin as he did so. I shivered, which made him smirk. He pulled it over my head and tossed it somewhere.

"I can't believe you're all mine," he said softly, his thumb stroking my cheek.

I took his hand and put it over my heart. "Believe it. My heart is yours, Mason. You're the only one for me."

His eyes closed, and he leaned down to press his lips to mine once more.

If everything else in the world was wrong, then his lips on mine was right. For me, there was no better feeling.

Without breaking our kiss, I popped the buttons on his shirt open and slid it off his shoulders, leaving his chest bare. My fingers explored the broad expanse of it, feeling the hard muscle under soft skin.

We both lost our pants at some point, leaving the both of us in only underwear. Our movements were becoming more rushed as our need grew, and after a few seconds of him fumbling around for the clasp of my bra, I let him off the hook and guided his hand to the front, where the clasp was.

"Clever," he breathed, ridding me of the offending garment. I stifled a laugh.

"Clever indeed," I agreed, climbing onto his lap. His arousal pressed against me and a moan escaped my throat.

"Are you mocking me?" he questioned.

"Maybe."

"I could get up and leave right now."

"But you won't."

"Damn."

I laughed and pushed him down so that I hovered over him. I leaned down, my lips at his ear, and whispered, "Face it, Mase. You're too much of a horn-dog to pass this up." I nibbled on his ear, and he shuddered. His hands grabbed my hips, tracing at the edge of my panties. I moaned louder and he smirked.

"You're one to talk," he countered.

"Oh shut up," I muttered, covering his mouth with mine. I rocked my hips against his, and the intensity of our kissing increased. There was a fire within me, and this was only feeding it.

We rid each other of our underwear, and there was nothing else that separated our skin. My entire being was tingling with anticipation, though there was some fear mixed in. I mean, it was irrational―I knew that Mason would never, ever hurt me, but intimacy made me nervous, ever since I was almost raped. It was still there, and I needed to face it. I wasn't going to let that Strigoi bastard hold me back anymore; it was time to overcome my fear.

Mason seemed to understand. His eyes softened, and he kissed the tip of my nose sweetly. "I love you, babe. Forever," he murmured.

I swallowed hard. "I love you too," I whispered.

*Slight Lemon*

He kissed me softly and thrust himself inside me.

The pain wasn't too bad; I'd been expecting worse. But it did make my eyes water, and Mason's forehead crinkled with worry.

"I'm okay," I assured him. "I just need a minute."

He nodded and stroked my hair, his fingers tangling in it.

A moment later, I exhaled deeply. "I'm good now," I told him.

"Are you sure?" he asked, concern shining in his hazel eyes.

In response, I kissed him hard, which let him know that I was okay.

He began thrusting at a slow pace, letting the both of us get used to the new sensations, but gradually began to go faster.

I moaned loudly, my head lolling back, as he thrust even deeper, hitting a new spot.

"God, Skye, you feel so good," he moaned, breathless. We were both working up a pretty good sweat.

"You― ohh, God―" My voice faded into another moan. Damn, I couldn't even complete a sentence. But I knew that he understood what I was trying to say.

The fire within me was growing, but I needed more. "Faster," I managed to gasp out. "God, Mase, faster!"

He groaned, gripping my hips harder, and did as I asked. I was floating higher and higher, and I never wanted to come back down.

But everything has to come to an end at some point.

My whole body tingled, every nerve alive with electricity. Shivers skittered down my spine, and my breath came in pants. I knew this would come to an end any minute.

"I'm almost there, babe," he panted. His pace increased even more, and I bit down hard on my lip to stifle another moan.

He slammed into me hard, and that was all it took for a cry of pleasure to escape me. My muscles tightened and my eyes slid closed. I was riding on a wave of pure pleasure, and my body shuddered with the force of it.

My orgasm triggered Mason's, and I vaguely felt him shudder against me. I'd never felt a better high in my life than what I felt in that moment.

*End of slight lemon*

After we'd both come down from it, Mason held me close to his body and pressed a soft, chaste kiss to my lips.

"That was . . ." I struggled for a word to describe it. It seemed like there was none.

"Phenomenal? Mind-blowing? Earth-shattering?" he suggested, making me laugh.

"All of the above," I told him, resting my head on his chest. "I don't know what I was so afraid of."

He leaned his head against mine. "What you went through was traumatizing, Skye. You had a right to be afraid."

"Yeah, but if I'd known how good it would feel, we would've done this months ago."

He chuckled. "I think that now was a pretty good time."

I smiled. "Yeah, it was." I began tracing patterns on his chest. "By the way, I'm so in love with you."

He held me more firmly to him. "Ditto."

I yawned loudly. I was actually exhausted, between staying up all night and that.

He pulled the covers over us. "Sleep, babe," he murmured, running his fingers through my hair repeatedly. The repetitive motion made my eyes droop.

"Okay," I whispered before I closed my eyes and succumbed to sleep.

Annika's POV

I must've fallen asleep, because it was starting to get light out again. My sleep schedule was definitely fucked.

Raven was nestled between Julian and I on the bed. Lissa and Christian must've gone home at some point, because their seats beside the bed were vacant.

I'd woken up because my poor daughter was crying her eyes out. I realized that she must've been hungry; she hadn't eaten since last night, when I was conked out and pretty much dead to the world. I'd gotten one of the nurses to explain breastfeeding to me last night, and I figured that it was time to try.

I lifted Raven into my arms and pulled a blanket over us in case anyone walked in. I wouldn't want someone to accidentally see my boob. Especially not my dad. That would be awkward beyond belief.

Raven had no problem eating. I should've figured that she'd inherit my appetite. It hurt a bit, but who was I to complain? I was her food source, so I couldn't cry about it.

I gently burped her when she was done, and she gurgled happily at me.

"There you go, monkey," I crooned. "Momma loves you, munchkin."

She smiled happily, revealing her gums, and her little dimpled hands reached for my face. She grabbed my lower lip and started playing with it, making me laugh.

"You're crazy, monkey," I said, though it came out kinda mumbled due to the fact that she was hanging on to my lip. I tickled her to make her let go, and the delicious sound of her laughter filled the air.

"You're so good with her."

I jumped, not expecting his voice. My head turned slowly, and I prayed that I wasn't just imagining things.

I wasn't.

Julian sat there, smiling at me. He had dark circles under his eyes, his hair was a mess, and he looked strangely fragile. But in that moment, he was the most amazing thing I'd ever seen.

"Julian?" I asked dumbly.

"No, Queen Latifah," he mocked, quoting me.

I didn't even tease him back; I was so overcome with emotion that I grabbed him by the shirt and pulled his lips to mine. Tears ran down my face as I kissed him with everything that I had. He returned the kiss readily, cupping my face in his hands.

"I love you," I said tearfully once we'd separated for air.

"I never thought I'd hear that again," he said solemnly. He wiped my tears away with the pad of his thumb. "But I love you too, Nik."

"How long have you been awake?" I asked, sniffling.

He smiled crookedly. "A couple hours," he replied.

"Pervert," I teased. "You totally watched me breastfeed."

"Guilty," he said, grinning.

I laid Raven between us again.

"She's been waiting hours to meet her daddy," I told him, smiling.

"I can't get over how gorgeous she is," he murmured, pulling her into his arms. He kissed the crown of her head. "Daddy loves you, monkey," he cooed.

She reached up and grabbed his nose, giggling.

"Isn't her laugh the most amazing thing you've ever heard?" I asked.

"Definitely," he replied. "Though yours is a close second."

I giggled. "Sap."

"The sappiest," he said, grinning.

I kissed him softly. "I wouldn't have you any other way."

He smiled softly at me for a moment before his face turned serious. "Do you feel anything yet?" he asked hesitantly, his jade green eyes shining with concern.

I paused. I hadn't really noticed, since his feelings matched my own.

"Well, I can tell that you're the happiest you've ever been. I feel the amount of love you have for Rae and I. And I feel that you're really worried about me. Is that it?"

"Wow. That's amazing, Nik," he breathed.

I grinned. "Definitely. It's like a continuous hum of what you feel, all inside my mind."

"Now do you know how much I love you?" he asked, the green depths of his eyes shining.

"Silly. I didn't need a psychic bond to tell me how much you love me. I've always known."

He was about to reply, but someone knocked on the door.

"Come in," I called.

The door opened, revealing Skylar and Mason. Skye held a giant bouquet of flowers, one filled with all of my favorites: white lilies, lavender roses and hot pink gerbera daisies.

"Oh, wow," I murmured. "You got all of my favorites."

She grinned. "Only the best for my sister," she replied, setting the vase down on the side table.

"What's that on your neck?" I asked her, smiling devilishly. Her long hair had moved, revealing a bruise-like mark on her neck. "It looks suspiciously like a hickey. I wonder what that's from."

She blushed a deep red and fixed her hair so that the mark was covered again.

"Shut up," she muttered.

"Looks like you two had fun last night," Julian observed.

Mason grinned. "Oh yeah. Lots," he replied, waggling his eyebrows.

"So you finally got it in, eh?" I asked, smirking.

"Maybe," Mase replied, smiling innocently.

I held up my hand for a high-five. "Congrats, man. It was about time."

"Thanks," he said, wrapping his arms around Skylar's waist and leaning his chin on her shoulder.

Skye rolled her eyes. "No need to make a big deal of it," she grumbled.

"Skye, you should know by now that Nik makes a big deal out of everything," Julian said, chuckling.

"Hey. I do not," I replied indignantly.

He kissed me softly. "Sure you do. And I love it," he murmured, stroking my cheek.

I smiled. "You know, you have a remarkable talent. I can never stay mad at you because you're so damn sweet."

Mason made gagging noises, and I resisted the urge to throw a pillow at him.

"Oh, shut up. You and Skye are just as bad," I muttered. "I feel like I need to brush my teeth around you two."

Skye stuck her tongue out at me and Mason rolled his eyes.

Just then, there was another knock on the door.

"Come in," Julian and I chorused.

The door opened, and Nicole and Alek strode in. Nicki held a teddy in her hands. Its fur was light brown, and it wore white and purple checkered pyjamas with a matching hat.

"We brought a present for Raven," she said, smiling. "His name is Nitey-Nite bear."

She handed it to me and I grinned. Raven reached for it and took hold of an arm. I let her take it, and she instantly fell in love.

Julian smiled. "Thanks, guys. I have a feeling that this bear won't ever leave her side," he said, stroking Raven's little curls.

"Well, we saw it in the gift shop, and we had to get it for her," Alek replied, grinning.

"How are you feeling, Jules?" Nicole asked, her crystal blue eyes shining with concern.

"I'm fine. I'm just glad that I could save my little mind reader over here," he replied, jerking his thumb toward me.

I grinned. "This is gonna be so fun."

Alek shook his head in amusement. "Well, Nicki and I just wanted to stop by quick. We're going to see Mom, so we'll see you guys in a bit."

Before he walked out the door, he turned to look at Skye and Mason.

"Next time you feel like diddling when others are trying to sleep, try to keep it down. I could hear you two over my iPod," he told them, a glint of mischief and amusement in his chocolaty eyes.

He left without waiting for a response, leaving behind an open-mouthed Skylar, a grinning Mason, and Julian and I laughing like hyenas.

"Oh my God," I gasped out, clutching my stomach. I couldn't stop laughing. Raven was staring at me like I was crazy, so I took her from Julian and tickled her so she'd laugh, too.

"I can't believe that just happened," Skye said, looking absolutely mortified. "I didn't think anyone was home last night. I thought he was staying with Nicole!"

Mason chuckled. "Oh, stop. So he heard us. Big deal."

"Would you want your brother or sister to hear us?" she countered.

"No, but that's different. Lizzie and Deryck are younger than me."

"Alek's younger than me."

"By ten minutes, Skye. Deryck's three years younger than me, and Lizzie's six years younger," he pointed out, grinning triumphantly.

She rolled her eyes and muttered something under her breath.

Dr. Keith appeared in the doorway, a smile on her face.

"I see that you're both awake," she said, examining my chart. "How are you feeling, Annika?"

"Normal," I replied, grinning. "Julian fixed me up good."

She nodded. "Good. You do understand what happened last night, right?"

"Not really," I admitted.

She sighed. "It's not uncommon for this to happen. When you pushed Raven out, some of the tissues in your uterus ripped, and you bled too much too fast. We didn't notice until it was too late, and I'm sorry for that. It's very common in teen mothers, as well as first-time mothers," she explained.

"Oh. Okay, that makes sense," I murmured.

"Good. Now, I spoke with Dr. Lewis, your mother's doctor, and she's discharging your mother and your brother today. I'm going to discharge you and Raven as well, but for the next week or so, I don't want you doing anything strenuous, just to be safe. Okay?" she said, her voice firm.

"Gotcha. Don't worry, Julian will enforce your rules," I told her, mock-glaring at Julian.

"You have my word that I won't let her do anything risky," he promised, smiling.

"Good. So get your stuff together, and you're free to go," she told me, grinning. "And congratulations. She really is a beautiful baby," she added before leaving the room.

"You hear that, monkey? We get to take you home!" I said excitedly to Raven. She gurgled happily, clutching Nitey-Nite bear tightly.

"I'll go gather your stuff, Anni," Skye offered.

I grinned. "Thanks, sis."

She winked and headed back to my room.

Mason hung around. "So, have you guys decided on her full name?" he asked, sitting down in one of the chairs.

Julian and I exchanged a look. He nodded.

"Raven Alexia Ozera," I replied with certainty.

"It suits her," Mason commented, smiling.

Julian grinned. "A beautiful name for a beautiful baby," he said in agreement, letting her grab one of his fingers in her tiny, chubby hand.

I turned to Mason. "Did you get a chance to hold her last night?" I asked.

"Nah, the girls were hogging her," he replied, chuckling.

I held her out to him. "Well, now's your chance."

Tentatively, he reached out to take the baby. He cradled her to his chest and started rocking her, and the grin on his face was unlike any other I'd ever seen on him before.

"God, guys . . . she's just so tiny, and so gorgeous," he murmured, stroking one of her plump cheeks.

I smiled softly. "I know."

He cooed to her for a few moments, holding her until Skye came back with my bag. Upon seeing Mason holding Raven, tears sprang to her eyes. I could see her trying to hide them before anyone saw.

She cleared her throat, blinking hard a few times. "Here's your bag," she told me, setting it down on the other chair.

"Thanks, Skye," I said softly.

She rubbed at her eyes. "No problem." She turned to Mason. "You coming with me to the house?" she asked.

He nodded and handed Raven to Julian. The two of them left, and then it was just the three of us.

"I'm gonna get dressed because, as sexy as this hospital gown is, I'm not liking the fact that my ass is hanging out," I said, grinning.

"I rather like it," Julian murmured, waggling his eyebrows.

"Pig," I muttered, smacking him. I stood, stretching, and went over to grab my bag.

I went into the bathroom and changed into some comfy sweatpants and Dad's old shirt with the Cyrillic writing on it, as well as a baggy sweater. I pulled my hair into a messy bun and then exited the bathroom.

We waited as they got us her birth certificate. Her full name was Raven Alexia Ozera. She was born at 12:04 am on April 1st, 2027. She was seven pounds, two ounces. And she was absolutely perfect.

And now, we could take her home.


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Until next time, my pretties!

~ Sar ~