Chapter 38: Forgive and Forget

Seth was surprised when Danielle asked him to meet her at their dinner, being what they were going to be talking about he was sure she would want this done in private. He still didn't know everything about vampires, it was a learning experience he was picking up as he went along but he knew keeping their secret was rule number one. Realizing she probably picked the place so he would be less likely to cause a scene Seth couldn't help but shake his head.

He beat her there and made his way inside to the corner booth away from the commotion. A couple of the waitresses waved and said hello telling him they'd be with him in just a minute. He took his seat as Nikita came up to him, "Been a while since I've seen your face in here."

"Yeah, been a bit busy."

She smiled, "So is your sister joining you?"

"She is," he looked out the window when the light caught the windshield of the Coop's car pulling in. "That would be here. If we could just get two sweet teas we'll see what we're in the mood for."

"Coming right up," Nikita walked over to the counter and got their drinks quickly putting two slices of lemon on each glass just how they always asked. She set down the drinks just as Danielle came to the booth looking a bit unsure and nervous.

"Give a holler when you're ready to order. Nice to see you…oh you've had the baby."

Danielle gave her a grin, "Yes he is a perfect angle."

Nikita looked up and saw one of her other customers drink was almost empty, "I hope to see pictures when you order."

After Nikita left Danielle and Seth just sat in an uncomfortable silence staring at each other. Seth reached for his drink and squeezed the two lemon slices into his then reached and grabbed one of Danielle's out of habit before pushing the pieces down with his straw. Danielle smiled at the simple routine and let out a sigh, "Hi."

"Before we get into this I just have to say I won't stand for you bad talking Allie. I don't want to fight with you but I can't take that Dani."

Danielle nodded, "I understand." Seth nodded and took a sip of his drink allowing her to have the floor. Taking a deep breath Danielle focused on what she needed to say to him, and let out the breath slowly. "I love you Seth. You're my baby brother…" seeing he was about to object she continued quickly, "…I know you're not a baby but to me…you are. I've been overreacting to things lately and I think it has to do with a hormone excess due to having Lucas. It's not an excuse I know this but it may be why I flew off the handle."

She gave him pleading eyes as she continued in a softer voice, "I like Alyssa you know I do. She has helped you in ways I couldn't but to find out she…fed from you." Danielle took a deep breath to try to keep her emotions in check.

"I wanted her too. I asked her to do it Dani. I wasn't sure about things so I went to Mick and he helped me to see things. She had given me her word not to…do it…" he looked around no one was close enough to hear but still he didn't want to say it, "…and I didn't even remember. She was very careful and makes sure to take real good care of me, never taking much and hounding me about vitamins and stuff."

"That's good to know," Danielle took a sip of her own drink.

"I really like it Dani, it feels amazing. Yeah it hurts for a second but then…it's really, really great. I thought you would know this I mean all of your friends are like her. I thought that's what girls did get together and talk about their guys, that whole thing had to have come up."

"It has and I know they've all said it was pleasurable and special, but it was you Seth." Danielle gave a weak smile, "I know you're a man now but still to me you were my only family for so long and now I have a husband and a son but Seth I will always worry about you."

Seth took his sisters hand, "You don't have to worry."

She couldn't answer that she wouldn't, she didn't want to lie to him. She knew no matter what he said she would still worry something would go wrong and he would be killed. Instead she asked, "Are you still mad at me?"

For a moment he was quite then he asked his own question, "Can you accept that I'm with Allie? Can you be nice?"

Danielle nodded, "I will try my best."

Seth frowned, "I love you Dani I do and I'm not mad at you but if we're going to get along you have to accept and be nice to her. She likes you and it hurt her feelings that you think she's not good enough, more than she'll tell me I know."

"She knows?" Danielle had thought it might be hard to see them together for a bit but she would push those feelings aside and move forward. Now Alyssa knew, that was bound to make things even more uncomfortable.

"I wasn't going to tell her, I didn't want to hurt her but she wanted to know why I was upset. She took it in stride and even convinced me to call you today and hear you out."

That information left her speechless; the girl she didn't like not only knew but still convinced him to talk to her. That made her feel worse for reacting to her being a vampire the way she did, seems she had managed to hurt a lot of people with one thoughtless act.

"I didn't mean to hurt anyone," she all but whispered.

Seth let go of her hand and stood up moving to her side of the booth and scooting in beside her giving her a hug, "I know you didn't sis you're a good person."

Danielle held onto Seth squeezing him hard fighting back tears, "I know you didn't mean to hurt me, or her and it would mean a lot if you'd invite us over and spend time with us." She didn't answer just held on to her brother until she felt him let go then she nodded quickly.

"I'll talk to Coop," Seeing Seth smile like that she knew she had to do this had to face Alyssa again and everything that went with it.

"Thanks Dani, I can't wait to tell her."

"You really like her don't you?"

Seth nodded as he moved back to his own booth, "I think I'm falling in love with her."

Danielle couldn't do anything but nod as she sipped her drink unable to contemplate the realities of loving a vampire. Spared from commenting as Nikita came over to take their orders and see pictures of Lucas Danielle focused on the simple here and now, she had smoothed things over with Jean and Seth.

To Be Continued…

Evilous