A few months later...
Kamilah
From the rooftop of her penthouse, Kamilah contemplated the view in front of her. After living in Japan for almost a year, they were finally back home. Right at the beginning of Spring, when her garden was starting to flourishing. Her lips curled up in a smile.
During this time, she paid someone of her trust to tend it. Her main priority was to be by her wife's side in the journey she had to face, discovering herself and her inner potential.
Things weren't easy in the beginning. Amy had some difficult moments. Moments where she would close herself and push Kamilah away. Moments where she'd break down and succumb to her emotions. Moments where she wanted to give up on everything.
Kamilah always stood by her wife's side in each one of those moments, even if it destroyed her inside to see Amy in such a fragile state. She loved that girl with her whole life and she was willing to burn the world down for their marriage.
"Lilies," Amy spoke with a sigh when Kamilah kneeled down to examine some blossoming flowers.
"Amy," she stood up, wrapping an arm around her wife's shoulders. "Yes, I... I thought it would be a nice manner to remember her. Look how beautiful they look."
"They do, so beautiful as our Lily. I'm sorry, being back to New York brings everything back. All the memories, all the feelings..."
"I feel you. Outdoors of the movie are spread all over the city, I couldn't help thinking about her too."
"Jax just texted me," Amy commented. "He asked me to come with him to check if the Youth Center is ready for the opening."
"Are you ready for this?" Kamilah gazed deeply into her eyes.
Amy paused for a second, before giving her an answer.
"I have to be. Making sure everything is perfect is the best way of honoring her memory."
Before she left, Kamilah wanted to ask if she was going to be okay but she didn't want to appear overprotective. Sooner or later, Lily's absence was another reality Amy had to face. By herself.
She left the penthouse too, headed to her office. She had a few obligations at Ahmanet Financial. Even if she had employees to keep it running for her, she was still in charge.
"Mrs. Sayeed," her assistant came to meet her. "You have a conference with the board members. Oh, Mr. Raines also called. He wants to see you at his company this evening."
"Adrian? What a nice surprise," Kamilah spoke to herself. Adrian's duties as a new Senator demanded a lot of his time. Rare were the moments they were able to meet, chat and have a drink.
Once she was finished with her obligations, she walked to Raines Corporation. Adrian was waiting for her in the rooftop restaurant.
"Long time no see, little brother."
He didn't hesitate to pull her for a tight hug. Kamilah rolled her eyes, before responding with the same intensity. She still wasn't the kind who usually displayed affection, but that occasion in particular was a rare exception.
"I had to meet you for a drink now you're back in New York. How's life? And Amy?"
Kamilah sat down sharing the latest news. Adrian laughed at the fact Amy and her former lover, Aiko Nakamura, didn't stab themselves during their stay in Japan.
"Apparently Aiko is not over me yet," she lamented. "And Amy noticed that before I did. It was hard to prevent them from killing each other."
"Well, she's kinda possessive when it comes to you," Adrian let out a small laugh. "And how did you settled peace?"
"By reminding Amy I'm only hers. And proving it. A lot of times."
"And are you two okay now?"
"Better than ever."
"So, the reason why I called you here," Adrian pulled some papers from his suit. "My research with the Tree's blood is finally concluded. In a short time, every vampire will be able to walk in the sunlight... and have children."
"This is great news, Adrian," Kamilah nervously took a sip of her drink.
"Three vampire couples managed to have healthy babies with the serum. Are you and Amy still interested?"
"I... I must have a conversation with her. We haven't discussed this subject since Rheya and Lily."
That thought stayed in Kamilah's mind since then. Not much later, she called it a night and went home, wondering how she would tell Amy those news.
Amy
Being back in New York wasn't easy. Everywhere Amy looked at, flashbacks of the past year returned to her mind, especially about the loss of her best friend. Whenever anxiety started to strike, she remembered the promise she made. She promised Lily to be strong and to control the darkness inside her. And she had been doing both very well.
Her training with Kano required her to face all the dark parts of her past. The parts left unsolved and that still haunted her present. She had to deal once again with her mother's rejection and also face Gaius and Rheya. In the end, the psychic vampire taught her some valuable lessons that helped her not only to achieve her potential, but to keep her powers under control.
Amy no longer had to worry about having an outburst when she was too sad or angry. Which was a good thing, otherwise she would have murdered Kamilah's past lover, Aiko Nakamura in a blink of an eye. That woman hated her and did nothing to hide it. When they first arrived, she wanted to arrest and possibly kill all of them. Mostly because she was still bitter over her marriage with Kamilah.
The meditation techniques she learned from Akeyo Kwangi were also a great help during those months.
After a walk she was standing in front of a new building. She read the display sign, 'Lily Spencer Youth Center'. A smile appeared in the corners of her mouth.
The Youth Center was a project created by all of Lily's friends as a form to honor her life. It was supposed to be a safe heaven for every kid that didn't fit in. In there, they could learn coding, design games or edit videos.
"Hey stranger," a male voice spoke behind her.
"Jax," she grinned and hugged her friend. "This place is amazing! Lily would love it."
"I know right? It's set to open with a special screening of Bloodbound next month."
"I received the invitation. It will be a special night, to celebrate Lily's memory and raise funds for the causes Adrian and Kamilah support."
She linked her arm around Jax's and he gave her a tour, showing everything the place featured. He also told her the latest news about his life. Jax founded a martial arts center together with his Maker, and master, Takeshi.
"I need to drop by someday," Amy said. "After all, you promised to teach some new badass moves."
"Anytime, Amy," Jax squeezed her shoulder.
The buzz of her phone interrupted their conversation. Kamilah wanted to meet her for a date, which was quite unexpected. She said goodbye to Jax and went home.
For her surprise, her wife was preparing dinner and would serve it outdoors, in a table she set in the deck, near her growing garden.
"Whoa," Amy asked as soon as she joined her at the rooftop. "What's the occasion?"
"To celebrate our return," Kamilah spoke, serving them both some wine. "And to appreciate this place."
She grinned ear to ear looking at their surroundings.
"You are so proud, aren't you?" Amy teased her. "This garden is a like... your baby."
"I must confess I am," Kamilah sighed, blushing a little bit. "It's a dream come true."
"And I'm glad to be sharing this moment with you."
Amy raised her glass and they clicked it together. She told Kamilah about her day and how the Youth Center was almost ready for its opening. However, the female vampire seemed distant, lost in her own thoughts.
"Kamilah, is everything okay? How was your meeting with Adrian?"
"He... He concluded his research. The one using the Tree's blood. Every vampire can now walk in the sunlight and also start a family."
"This is great news."
"He wants to know if we're interested. He will be in the company for the next few days and he wants to be present for this moment, in case we accept."
Amy silenced. Only a few months earlier she was completely taken by a sudden desire to have children. She decided to postpone this decision after Lily's death and especially, her conflicts with Rheya. The bloodline she descended from made her wonder if would be a good idea to become a mother.
"I..." she stood up and walked around the garden for a moment, before answering. "I need some time to think."
"Amy, you know I'll support your decision," Kamilah followed her and embraced her from behind. "Whatever it is."
"It scares me, you know? My ancestor slaughtered humans for revenge, when she was the only responsible for her daughter's death. And my mom... she's something else. What if I'm like her?"
"You're not Rheya and you're not your mom. I'm sure you'd make an amazing mother."
"Remember when I almost killed all your plants?" Amy gave her a wry smile. "How am I supposed to take care of a baby?"
"I do," Kamilah muffled a laugh. "No pressure, okay? When you're ready, I'm ready."
She turned around and pressed her lips on Amy's, who deepened the kiss, enjoying the tingling sensation Kamilah's touch still brought her.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
Kamilah's beautiful brown eyes, gazing directly into hers as she said those last few words, made her feel completely secure of their future. That old desire ignited inside her again. Maybe it was really time to start a family.
Lysimachus
Taking the position as the new lead of Raines Corporation didn't seem so bad as it appeared at first. Though it was far from exciting as his Nighthunter job, Lysimachus felt satisfied. When Adrian took a few days to visit the company he could finally get a break from the long hours in the office and the busy schedule.
The best part was going back home in the end of the day and have someone waiting for him.
"Sorry for being late, Adrian had a few things to discuss with me," he placed a few bags on the table. "But I brought dinner, from that restaurant you love."
"You're such a dedicated boyfriend," Katherine placed a kiss on his lips. "It may be worthy to keep you around after all."
They had been together for a while now, almost a year officially and almost two, considering their fling in New Orleans. Moving in together was a big step for Katherine, who had spent so much time alone and closed inside her own shell, but she was changing. Lysimachus had never seen her so happy before. She enjoyed their life in New York, taking a few jobs as Nighthunter around the area and also being responsible for the security among the vampire community.
"How was your day?"
"The usual. Two vampires wanted to start a riot in Soho. Rumors said they planned to turn a few mortals to join their cause. I arrested them."
With the new changes in their world and to secure a peaceful coexistence with mortals, new Turnings had been completely banned from the city, unless for some very strict exceptions. Any vampire that violated that law would be facing severe punishment.
"My girl is a badass," Lysimachus wrapped his arms around Katherine's waist.
"I know that," Katherine laughed. "By the way, I'm proud to announce I just broke your record in that game."
"Oh come on, I should have known it wasn't a good idea to turn you into a geek."
They both sat down at the couch, holding their take-out boxes while Lysimachus turned on the video game console. His meeting with Adrian made some new thoughts appear inside his mind. Thoughts he had never considered so far.
"Hey," Katherine elbowed him, trying to get his attention. "Kamilah and Amy have arrived. Just in time for the movie's release this weekend."
"Oh really?" Lysimachus asked. "This is awesome. I... I really need to speak to my sister and it has to be in person."
Later that night, he went to Kamilah's penthouse. He greeted her with the tightest of the hugs. They hadn't seen each other in months, only speaking through video calls when he had some free time.
"So brother," she served them both a drink. Their reunion demanded a celebration. "You told me you wanted to ask me something important."
"That's right," Lysimachus paused, drinking the whole glass in one sip. "When did you know it was the right time? With Amy, I mean."
"Right time?"
"To propose. Adrian was telling me about his new girlfriend and his wives. I... I want the same with Katherine."
Kamilah stared at him in silence for a few seconds, before scowling and crossing her arms.
"Who are you?" She asked with a snarl. "And what have you done to my brother?"
"Kamilah," Lysimachus sighed. "I'm not joking. I'm deadly serious."
"I'm sorry, I couldn't help. Since your youth in Egypt you..."
"I know. But I've changed, I met someone I want to share my life with. I'm done with one-night stands."
Kamilah took a deep breath, as if she was thinking of an answer.
"With Amy, I finally felt safe again," she told. "She makes me happy. She changed me, showed me a life I couldn't see. She completes me. This is how I knew I should marry her. I didn't want to spend a single day of my life without her around."
"I'll keep that in mind," Lysimachus nodded.
"I also have some big news to share. Amy and I, we decided to start a family. We'll be taking Adrian's serum."
"Sister, this is so awesome! You know I always dreamed of being an uncle. I only wish to have my own kids too, and watch them growing up and messing around together like we did."
"Well, who knows. If you marry Katherine, it's possible."
Kamilah helped him to plan the most perfect scenario for a proposal. In the weekend, after the movie's release, Lysimachus would be taking Katherine to the Hamptons' house, where he'd ask her to marry him.
"Well, I hope I don't ruin things between us completely," he thought, before returning to his own apartment.
Amy
From inside the limo, Amy couldn't see the world outside but she could hear all that noise, all those voices. The car parked in front of the crowded theater and she took a deep breath, trying to gather courage to face what came next.
Her life was about to change. Again. The night marked the worldwide release of Bloodbound. The movie made about her life and her friends'.
"Are you alright, my love?" Kamilah placed a hand on her knee.
"Only a little bit nervous," she smiled at her wife. "I didn't imagine there would be so many people."
"And so many journalists."
"Leave the questions to me. I know you hate them."
Kamilah opened the door left the limo first, she took Amy's hand and the photographers started to take thousands of pictures of them. Amy opened a huge smile, trying to appear as relaxed as possible. She could hear young boys and girls screaming their names. They were holding magazines, pictures and even posters.
Kamilah wasn't a big fan of such a public life. She was always longing for privacy and quietness, what seemed impossible to be achieved now they had returned from Japan. Amy took charge of that aspect of their lives, she was responsible for interacting with people through social media and giving interviews.
As they walked through the red carpet, she stopped to take selfies with some fans and give autographs. Then, she joined Kamilah to answer a few questions to the journalists.
"Kamilah, you've been mostly absent from Ahmanet Financial for almost a year now. Has it had any negative impact on the company?"
"No," Kamilah answered, calm and composed as usual. "In fact, Ahmanet Financial has showed a significant growth during the last few months. Even in my absence."
"Amy," another journalist asked, "you two spent almost an year living in Japan. Does it mean any new projects for you two?"
"We were..." Amy paused for a moment, people had no idea about the real reason of that trip. "Taking a break and taking care of some personal matters."
"Now a question to the couple of the moment," a famous blogger was the next one to interview them. "What the future holds for you?"
She and Kamilah exchanged a glance and smiled. Their plans for the future were a top secret.
"We're living the moment," Amy smiled and raised her eyebrow suggestively to leave the journalists intrigued. "Let's see what comes next."
They followed their way to inside the theater. The others had already arrived. Jax, Adrian and his new girlfriend, Lysimachus and Katherine. All of them found their reserved seats and waited for the movie to start.
"This katana," Jax protested. "It doesn't make justice to the real one!"
"Is that what you're bothered about, Matsuo?" Kamilah asked. "I do not flip my hair at every five minutes like they're showing."
"Guys! It's just a movie," Amy tried to cheer them up. "Not everything is real."
Seeing all those moments being played on the screen were an intense and emotional experience. The movie had Amy's point of view of the story, since her interview at Raines Corporation to their fight against the Ferals in the woods, followed by Lysimachus' arrival and ending with Gaius' return. A sequel was already being filmed, telling the next events of their lives.
The ending displayed a message: 'In Loving Memory of Lily Spencer'. Amy couldn't prevent tears from rolling down her cheek. The tears she successfully held seeing a gorgeous actress, the resembled her best friend, on the screen.
"Amy," Kamilah squeezed her hand. "I'm so sorry. She should be here too."
"I-I..." she wiped off the tears from her cheeks. Her make-up should be completely ruined. "I gotta go to the bathroom."
Alone inside a stall, Amy broke down in tears. Losing Lily was wound that would never fully heal. But as Kamilah always told her, pain was part of life. The good moments would always prevail. After washing her face and applying a new make-up, she took a deep breath, ready to join the rest of the group. They still had a big party to attend.
Kamilah
After living for over two millennia, Kamilah had experienced almost everything the world had to offer. She also played many roles during her life. She was a nomarch, a queen, a soldier, a CEO. But she'd never imagine someday she would have... 'stans'.
On the internet, young girls were leaving her some very suggestive messages after watching Bloodbound in the theaters.
"Oh!" One in particular got her attention. She cocked her head to the side confused. "Is that even possible?"
She continued to read while Amy finished getting dressed for their meeting with Adrian.
"For god's sake, I'm 2066 years old... and married!"
She closed her laptop. That was enough for one day. Amy hadn't left the bedroom yet. She probably needed some time alone, after all facing all those memories again shouldn't be easy. Especially for her. In all those events portrayed in the movie, she was the most affected. She was the one to be involved in a world she didn't belong, she fought monsters, got kidnapped, died and returned as a powerful vampire, destined to kill Rheya.
Kamilah didn't know how she'd feel herself when the second movie came out, forcing her to relive Gaius' return and some flashbacks of her past. She decided to not think about it, at least for now.
"Kamilah, who were you talking to?"
Amy finally appeared in the living room, gathering some belongings inside her purse.
"No one. I was just reading those comments online, some are so unbelievable!"
"As long as you're not interested in any of them," Amy playfully grabbed her by the collar of her shirt. "I don't care."
"I could never," Kamilah responded by nibbling on her lower lip, after involving her in a passionate kiss. "None of these mortal women are so beautiful and exciting as my wife."
That was supposed to be the most important day of their lives. The day that would change everything. Adrian was already waiting for them in the laboratory when they arrived.
"First, I'll need you both to sign those papers," in his office, he handed them a document and a pen.
Kamilah read it carefully. Adrian had collected samples of both of their DNAs and mixed them in a serum. The serum would be injected in Amy's body, giving start to the procedure that could result in a pregnancy. She and Amy exchanged one final look, confirming the decision they made together and they both signed the papers.
Adrian left the room for a couple of minutes and returned with the injection device in hands. Amy offered him her upper arm, where he pressed a sharp and thick needle. The girl winced in pain. Kamilah squeezed her hand in support.
"And it's done," Adrian announced with a smile.
"Just like that?" Amy girl asked. "We are... expecting?"
"It's not so simple as it seems," Adrian explained. "There's another step. This is why the contract said you'd have to stay home for at least 24 hours. When you feel the effects of the serum, you'll have to conceive the baby. Like a regular pregnancy."
"Oh. I get what you mean..."
She looked at Kamilah with a suggestive smirk. With some embarrassment, the female vampire cleared her throat.
"Well, I'll leave you two alone now," Adrian said. "You should go home."
"Sure," Amy grinned. "We'll have a busy day ahead."
"Amy..." Kamilah blushed again. "Please."
Hours passed since the visit to Adrian's laboratory. Kamilah decided to engage in her usual activities until the effects struck. Amy, on other hand, was spread on the couch extremely bored.
"It's not working," she complained. "I don't feel a thing! Maybe we should take our clothes off."
"Patience, being anxious will only make this difficult," Kamilah finished typing an email on her laptop. "Adrian said it could take a while."
"It has been a while. Long while."
Kamilah stood up from her desk and headed to her home office's door.
"Well, I'm going up to the garden. If you feel any different, just let me know."
"No. Way!" Amy also stood up, facing her with a frowned face. "You're not leaving me alone here. You spend way too much time around those plants."
"What?" Kamilah couldn't help but laughing. "Amy... are you jealous of my garden?"
"Maybe? The question is... you're not going."
Amy moved forward, pinning Kamilah against the wall and holding her wrists above her head. Using her psychic powers, she shut the office's door closed.
"Oh," her green eyes gazed down Kamilah's body, as if she was seeing it for the very first time. They stopped at the curve of her breasts, turning red. The girl opened a smile, showing her pointy fangs. "Maybe it has started working after all."
"It did?" Kamilah's brown eyes met hers. As she felt Amy's nails dragging down her stomach, unbuttoning her shirt, her stomach flipped. "Show me."
"My pleasure."
- FxF Smut Alert -
Amy cupped her face between her hands, taking Kamilah's lips in a long and heated kiss. Their tongues moved together smoothly and teasingly, while the girl's hands roamed across her wife's body.
As they parted, her lips moved down to Kamilah's neck and then to her breasts. The female vampire threw back her head, enjoying the blissful sensation of having Amy's fangs brushing on the most sensitive parts of her body.
"Amy..." she moaned, tangling her fingers on the girl's hair.
"Who said you're allowed to touch me, Mrs. Sayeed?" Amy looked up, with a seductive expression.
Kamilah felt her arms being forced above her head again, being held by an invisible and powerful force.
"Better now," with a grin, Amy lowered herself even more, sucking and biting the skin of Kamilah's flat stomach. Then, in a single move, she ripped off her pants.
As the girl's tongue found her center, Kamilah squirmed against her hold.
"Oh my god!"
"Whoa, you're being such a bad girl, Mrs. Sayeed. You don't want me to punish you, do you?"
"You... wouldn't..." Kamilah provoked her, between her moans. Amy responded by biting her inner tight. The sharp pain only built more pleasure. "Ah!"
Amy continued to work on Kamilah's mouth, driving her to ecstasy in a few minutes. The female vampire tried to recompose herself, when the girl sat down on her desk, grinning mischievously.
"What?" She asked. "Don't you miss the extra hours in your office when I was your assistant?"
"In fact," Kamilah approached her, lying her on the desk, "I missed it more than I remembered."
"I'm not wearing an underwear," Amy whispered in her ear.
Kamilah's hand caressed her tight and up, confirming what she said. She could feel how much Amy desired her.
"Hmmm," she touched her only enough to tease, then stopped, focusing her attention on devouring Amy's beautiful mouth and massaging her breasts.
While they kissed, Kamilah could tell she was impatient for more.
"Why did you stop?" Amy spoke, almost inaudible, against Kamilah's lips.
"Shhhh," Kamilah nibbled on her lower lip. "Quiet."
Her fingers continued to move inside her wife, in a slow and soft pace. Amy arched her back under her body, her hands trying to pull her closer. Kamilah sped up her rhythm. The girl buried her mouth on her shoulder, muffling her moans.
As Kamilah felt she was close to climax, she stopped for a second and told:
"Good girl. And now, you're allowed to let everyone know who you belong to."
She resumed her movements, making Amy scream very very very loudly as she reached her peak...
"Kamilah! Oh! My! Fucking! God!"
Lysimachus
Maybe it wasn't the right time yet. Or maybe it was. It definitely was. Lysimachus was 2066 years old vampire. Katherine was just a mortal. She was 30. Even if she lived until 100, it was a very short time, compared to the eternity he had. He couldn't waste any more time.
"Fuck," as those thoughts consumed him, he punched the wall in front of him again. The ring he bought with Kamilah's help still in his hand. Why was it so hard to simply take her to the beach, go down on one knee and propose?
"I thought the purpose of coming here was to relax," Katherine's voice echoed from the corridor, indicating she was approaching. Lysimachus quickly hid the ring on his pocket again. "You don't look any relaxed. Is there anything wrong with you?"
"I'm sorry, there was some trouble at the company. Nothing important. Bullshit."
"Maybe we should head back. I'm starting to get bored, we did nothing since we arrived."
Impulsive as she was, Katherine already started to grab her bag. She was right. They had arrived in the previous night and most of the time Lysimachus left her alone, while he freaked out about his proposal.
"No, Katy," he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Why don't we..." he suddenly had an idea that would please her. "Let's take a ride on my bike. The roads are empty, we can have some dangerous fun."
"Great," the Nighthunter's eyes glowed in excitement and she grinned. "I'll drive."
"No, wait..."
It was too late, she had already stolen the keys from Lysimachus' hand.
They had a lovely afternoon, driving fast on the empty roads near Kamilah's house in the Hamptons. Katherine liked adventure and adrenaline as much as he did. Most of all, they were free and in peace. There was nothing better than that. The feeling everything was okay for the first time was unlike any other.
It was early night when they returned. While Lysimachus grilled some food in the exterior area of the house, Katherine observed him, walking around the pool. She had a smile on her face and the way the moon reflected on her perfect tanned skin made her look even prettier.
"What?" She wanted to know, noticing he was staring.
"Nothing," Lysimachus shook his head. "You... you look so pretty tonight. And the most important, you're happy."
"I must confess I hadn't felt this good since... Ava died."
Speaking about her best friend's death was becoming easier. Especially now she had Amy around. They shared the same pain and bonded quite well. Kamilah's wife even followed his girlfriend to some of her jobs.
"This is all your fault!" Katherine playfully punched Lysimachus, before wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Really?" He pulled her closer to his chest. "So go inside, turn on the stereo and bring some booze. Let's make this night even better."
As she disappeared inside the house, Lysimachus dialed a familiar number. An old friend he often sought for advice in the most diverse moments of his life.
"Hey, it's me. I can't do this."
"Oh please..." the female voice on the other side of the line let out an angry moan. "You interrupted my massage session for that?!"
"Priya, you promised to help me," Lysimachus insisted.
"There was such a good-looking guy next to me, we were chatting and now he's gone."
"You will find tons of other hot dudes there in the Caribbean. Now can you give me some advice?"
"Hunter, I never proposed to anyone. Probably never will. Ewww."
"But how would you like to be asked in marriage? Tell me."
"I'm pretty sure Katniss' standards doesn't match mine. I mean, the ring would've to be VERY expensive and it would definitely involve an orgy and blood."
Lysimachus placed the phone away from his ear while Priya finished to describe the tiniest gruesome details of the proposal of her dreams.
"But you... you should do that best Edward Cullen impression of yours. Broody and mysterious, but romantic."
"I don't do that!"
"Then tell her how you feel, without being too creepy. Go down on one knee and propose. Simple as that."
"What if she says no?"
"Well, you can come to the Caribbean and join me. There will be a..."
"I gotta go."
Katherine was returning to the pool area, Lysimachus told Priya goodbye and started to prepare. He couldn't wait any longer. If he had to save it for after they had dinner he'd probably get too drunk and fail miserably on his mission. Without any more hesitation, he stopped in front of his girlfriend and went down on one knee.
"Katherine, I..." Lysimachus had no idea of what to say. He had wrote down a speech for that moment. He rehearsed and trained for days, but now, the words had vanished from his mind. "I-I... uh..."
"Darling," Katherine broke down in a laugh. "How much did you drink already? What are you doing?"
"I'm sorry. It sounded way better in my head. Katherine... with you I'm the happiest I've ever been. You made me a better man. God, I've learned so much from you in those past two years. You're gorgeous and you're strong, you're the most amazing woman I've ever met. Will you marry me?"
Silence. For one whole minute the only sound Lysimachus could hear were his girlfriend's fastened heartbeats.
"Are you joking?" She finally asked. He showed her the ring, carved with a large, but delicate, diamond. "Oh, you're serious. You're really serious."
"Will you marry me?" He repeated the question.
"Why?"
"Why? Come on. People will usually answer yes or no, not 'why'."
"Hey, come here," Katherine grabbed Lysimachus' hand, forcing him to stand up. She guided him to a seat on the pool's lounge. That didn't sound good. It could only mean one thing, he had ruined everything.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I just... don't we live like a married couple already? Signing a paper is pointless. And so is spending money with a party. You barely have a family, I don't have a family at all."
"I want the experience of seeing you as a bride, walking the aisle and we professing our votes. I want you to have my last name, since you hate using your family's. I want to see you wearing this ring. It took me days to find the one I thought it would look perfect on you."
The Nighthunter sighed and took the diamond ring from his hand, wearing it on her fourth finger.
"I love what we have," she leaned her head on Lysimachus' shoulder. "I always felt we didn't need anything else. But if it's so important to you... then I say yes."
Lysimachus finally opened a smile, followed by a relieved sigh. He wrapped his arms tightly around Katherine's body.
"Oh my god," he pressed his lips on hers. "For a second you had me really scared."
"Don't be silly," Katherine dug her fingers in his black hair. "I love you. You just caught me by surprise."
They lost track of time, kissing and exchanging touches under the beautiful night sky. Katherine rested her head on his chest as they observed the stars and Lysimachus told her everything about Astronomy and the old beliefs of his people.
"It's cute the way you talk about your parents," she commented. "They seemed to be so amazing."
"They were," he added. "I hope to be for our kids at least half of the man my father was."
"Our kids? You've been making a lot of plans, darling."
"Yeah, it's something that has been on my mind lately. Now my sister and Amy are trying for a baby, I'm really excited for this possibility too. I mean, if you want."
"I always wanted to be a mom, to give my children everything I didn't have growing up. But it kinda disappeared when I became a Nighthunter. The busy schedule, the dangerous life... it's not very family oriented."
Lysimachus switched positions, lying on top of Katherine and looking directly into her eyes.
"What about now?" He asked.
"I don't know," she shrugged. "I must confess it would be cute to have a baby with your eyes and your gorgeous hair."
Smiling broadly, he remembered watching the research sessions in Raines Corporation laboratories. They were searching for the first vampire-human couple to test the serum. That seemed to be the perfect opportunity.
"Would you like to try for a baby too? Like soon?"
