ISFNE Chapter 20

Grams POV

Simon came downstairs after helping Allison and the twins settle in, he looked troubled as he sat down at the kitchen table where I was quick to join him.

"Is everything alright?" I asked, bringing over a mug of decaf coffee for Simon, which he gratefully accepted, wrapping his hands around the mug as he sat back in the chair with a frown.

"Depends on what you're asking about. The twins are fine, everything is settled in nicely. Allison seems to have something on her mind but she quite obviously doesn't want to share. And I," he paused, taking a long sip of coffee, "Am about to face the Spanish Inquisition back at the apartment."

I smiled at the last part, "What has warranted this inquisition?"

"I may have neglected to mention Allison to the group, so now I have a lot of explaining to do according to them," he said, rolling his eyes at the last part and took another sip from the mug.

There was a long silence as I tried to find the right way to go about enlightening Simon. "That seems like quite the oversight," I said, trying not to imply anything.

"Yes, well, it was complicated. It is complicated," he said standing up and pouring out what little remained of his coffee before putting the mug in the dishwasher. "Anyways, I should go soon or else they threatened to come here."

I was about to respond but in the moment of silence we suddenly heard a beautiful melody floating down from upstairs. It was faint, but heard throughout the small apartment. Allison was singing, and beautifully at that. I peeked over at Simon who had paused in the middle of grabbing his coat, his back to me.

"I didn't know we'd brought in a nightingale as well. Are you going to have to explain that to the group as well?" I teased.

He finished taking down his coat, rolled his eyes playfully and walked over to kiss me on the cheek, "Goodnight, Grams. See you later."

Eric POV

I waited impatiently for my bride to fall asleep, from what I could figure she was probably catering to our child, which meant our meeting could run very short based on when said child decided to wake up again. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. I wondered what kind of mood I would find Faith in. She wasn't keen on our impending meeting, yet she wasn't going to avoid it, even when it was evident she didn't want to talk about whatever had transpired earlier. In all honesty, I knew I only wanted to see her alive. I still barely believed it to be true. I needed to see her. I needed to figure out what my next move was.

I paced back and forth, waiting for the telltale tug that told me she was dreaming. Suddenly, I felt it. I grabbed it and followed all the way to the halfway room, pulling Faith to me as well as she surprisingly put up no resistance.

And then she was standing in front of me. Still covered by her projection, but so beautiful.

"Eric, you might as well tell me right now wh- uffh!" she stopped mid-sentence as I enveloped her in my arms, pulling her as close as I could. I buried my head in her hair, then let my hand follow to smooth it down and tuck her head into my chest feeling a wave of relief crash over me that I hadn't even known I was still repressing. Tears pricked at my eyes and my breathing hitched slightly as I took it all in. Of course, in this midst of this, I also felt Faith go rigid in fear and could feel her breathing accelerate as I held her close, her arms trapped in position to try and push me off. I was amazed though to feel her slowly and ever so tentatively relax as I continued to hold her.

For a small perfect moment, she merely allowed me to hold her before she carefully tried to extract herself from my embrace. I let one hand move to her waist to allow her some distance while my other hand traveled down her face to cup her chin as I kissed her forehead, then her cheek, and then finally gave her a peck on her lips, drawing back with tears in my eyes and an elated smile that I could not contain.

"You're alive," I whispered, looking into her violet eyes, still full of trepidation at my actions and saw it melt away momentarily into pure surprise.

"I am," she responded carefully.

I smoothed back a piece of her hair and left my hand on her cheek, "I thought I'd lost you, my love," I said quietly, pain filling me again at the thought.

Her hand came up to my wrist to bring it away from her face as she took a step away, breaking all contact and looking completely lost. She said nothing but took another step away and sat on the edge of the sofa, eyeing me like a cornered animal.

"Just because you didn't lose me doesn't mean you've gained me," she said steadily.

"I don't care. Today I am content knowing somewhere in the world you and my child are still alive," I responded, still unable to contain my smile.

Allison POV

What was going on? I'd shown up ready for battle, ready to take on whatever accusations he would throw at me but instead was faced with an unprecedented Eric. An Eric who was overjoyed with my survival and almost moved to tears at seeing me. Where was this investment coming from? How could this man possibly have a caring bone in his body? I thought briefly that it could be more related to his child surviving but he had yet to even ask about them. It was me he had held as though he would never see me again if he let go. And then I'd finally come up with one of my planned retorts. I found myself, strangely, hoping that it would anger him. I almost found myself more scared of him in this happy state than the many times I'd angered him. Angry Eric was someone I had experience with handling. Overjoyed Eric was uncharted territory.

"Just because you didn't lose me doesn't mean you've gained me," I said evenly, keeping the tremors of fear out of my voice.

"I don't care. Today I am content knowing somewhere in the world you and my child are still alive," he said, the smile not leaving his face, seemingly unperturbed by my statement.

I looked up to meet his gaze immediately at that, my stomach dropping as if I'd plummeted down a rollercoaster. "Who are you?" I whispered, appalled at my inability to predict his mood. "And it's not your child! You will not have any part in it's life!" I said louder, crossing my arms defiantly, knowing I'd finally pushed the right button.

His eyebrows shot up, in surprise at my reaction but he still seemed calm. "Are you alright, love?" he asked, seeming perplexed and not the slightest bit upset. I was so afraid of him like this, what's wrong with me?

"I'm fine," I snapped.

"Then why are you shaking?" he asked, with what sounded like sincere concern. I realized he was right and tensed to regain control of myself.

"What do you care," I accused, "Stop it!"

"Vi? I'm not doing anything," he said in confusion.

"Just stop…this!" I said gesturing in frustration, "What is wrong with you!"

"Faith, I don't know what you mean, I'm not doing-" and then I saw something click, "Or is that the problem? That I'm not doing anything." There was a long pause as he puzzled it out. "Why do you want me to be angry?" He asked, sounding truly lost.

I sat thunderstruck for a moment before suddenly erupting, "Because I don't know how the heck to deal with you like this! Who even are you? You're so freaking unpredictable I feel like I'm dealing with different people each time I meet you here, except they're all my worst nightmare! I mean, for the love of-" I sputtered to let my brain catch up, pressing my hands into my eyes in frustration, "You molested me AGAIN last time we were here, and before that you tricked me," I said spreading my hands in front of me, "you LIED to me about this whole thing and tried to use my fear against me so you could possess me again. And I thought I was going to regret choosing death, but it turned out to be the BEST decision I've made lately." My hands fell into my lap, "It was a freaking TRAP and to think I almost fell for it! Oh, and-and I guess we're right back to that square again today. You trying to feed some new idea that I would need or, heaven forbid, WANT you in my life. You're trying to make me think you're content or-or happy and I know you're not. Is it not enough for you to know what you've made me in this world? An outcast, undesirable, stupid girl who couldn't keep her legs shut. Well, I've got some news for you, Mister, even if you've ruined my life, I gladly choose it over running back to you. You're not getting me back. Accept it or don't but just STOP this whole act and get back to being your freaking nightmare-ish self!" I said, panting from the force and emotion behind my words.

Eric walked over and casually sat down on the opposing couch, I watched carefully, expecting him to explode at any minute. He then calmly met my gaze, "That would explain your earlier torrent of emotions. Are you done?" he asked patiently, his voice carrying no trace of sarcasm or anger. Not that I cared.

I opened my mouth to lay into him again but he raised his hand quickly, "Peace, Faith, please, I need no more barbs from that sharp tongue of yours."

"Apparently I need to upgrade to veritable assault rifles to get anything through that thick skull of yours," I goaded.

He had to audacity to smile at my vitriol, "They wouldn't do you much good, my love, seeing as such tools are not lethal to me."

"Oh they don't have be lethal, they just have to make it through your head," I bit back.

He continued to smile, a faraway look coming into his gaze, "I almost fear your sharp wit will cause physical harm after centuries of honing it. You're a formidable opponent already."

It was the last straw. My fiery rage sputtered out as though a wet blanket had been thrown on it. Instead, a wave of utter despair overtook me. I felt the lump in my throat tighten and my breath suddenly became a harsh sob, tears rushing unbidden to my eyes as I began to cry, burying my head in my hands, unable to stop the torrent of emotions.

Eric POV

It had slipped out without me even thinking and I cursed silently at my flippancy. I hadn't even thought as I commented but though it'd been a somewhat careless remark, the effect it had on Faith was shocking to say the least. I'd expected a venomous retort, a scathing look or a roll of her eyes but instead, I saw despair consume her features as she suddenly dissolved into tears.

"What's wrong?" I immediately leaned forward and fought the urge to go to her, knowing she didn't want me near.

She said nothing but continued to sob as though her heart were breaking; maybe it was, but why? What had I said that had incited this response? I hadn't said anything she hadn't heard before. Or had I? "Please, love, how have I brought this on? I'm lost," I begged her.

"H-how can you be so damn dismissive?" she hiccupped finally.

I could bear it no longer, I got up and walked over to sit by her. "Talk to me, Faith, what have I done?"

"You-you just brush it all aside as though it doesn't even matter. Every time…" she trailed off for a moment, hiccupping sobs taking her over before she controlled them again enough to continue, meeting my eyes for a moment, "Because it's true, none of it matters to you, because you think in the end you're going to get what you want, and it doesn't matter how, as long as you get it; as long as you get me. And just to think that you're going to pursue me and keep me, no matter my objections, for eternity…" she trailed off and swallowed, looking away to draw in a shaky breath and wiping at her eyes as she fixed her gaze on her hands, gripping her knees, her knuckles white, shoulders hunched. "Eric, I know as well as you do that my freedom has an expiration date. I may bluff and talk as though I believe you'll never find me, but I know it's not true. I have limited resources, a child to weigh me down, and this mental connection with you. I know my luck is going to run out. I only continue to hold out hope that you will decide not find me; I present my case every single time, yet you brush it off every single time," she said hitting her knee on the words for emphasis. "Every time I come here, that hope only gets dashed, and I-I think I'm reaching my breaking point."

She didn't deliver it with her usual vindictiveness and criticism, she wasn't actively trying to provoke or silence me, instead, it seemed as though everything had been stripped away. There was only raw pain and resignation in her voice delivered in little more than a whisper, interspersed with hiccupping sobs. And oh how it killed me.

"Faith, I-"

"I don't want to hear your new set of excuses," she whispered tiredly.

"You have no idea how unfair that is, love," I responded.

"I would love to hear you spin this around, you always do." Sarcasm. Her walls were going back up.

"You think I revel in this? Do you think I don't know and understand how reluctant you are in all of this and hate that I must push you into it anyways?"

"No one's forcing you to do anything," She spat, "No one forced you to kidnap me, no one forced you to rape me, and no one is forcing you to hunt me down. It's all you."

"It isn't, love. Tell me you don't find it strange that I would do these things to someone I care for so deeply. Why would I hurt you without reason?" I challenged.

"Because you're deluded and sick," she said, her walls getting higher by the minute.

I sighed at her accusation, "It makes no logical sense, my love, and I am nothing if not logical," I said lightly.

"Stop calling me that," she snapped.

I ignored it and pressed on, "I have been forced in ways you could not imagine and would not believe. I've hated every minute of hurting you, and it pains me that my mate, my match in every way, hates and despises me to the point she would rather die than entrust herself to me. You're my everything, love. I didn't take you because you could give me children, I didn't take you because I wanted to bed you, I didn't take you because your suffering gives me some twisted satisfaction; I took you to protect you and I hoped that with time you would grow to return my love."

"That's called Stockholm Syndrome," she retorted.

I rolled my eyes, "I think you're willfully missing my point, Faith."

She shrugged and frowned, "I'm being realistic."

I couldn't help but smile thinly. As much as I knew her opinion of me hadn't really changed, I was still just so relieved that she was alive that I couldn't help but love everything about her, even her cutting remark and stubbornness. "As for your other accusations, I did not lie to you, I did not try to trap you, and I wouldn't say molested as much as tried to save you from yourself. I didn't give you a false choice, Vi, I wasn't testing you, for goodness sake, when you chose death, you truly chose death. My pleas were completely legitimate, my concern was very real, my actions, a last resort. The only reason you are alive is due to Marissa's quick thinking and your own cooperation."

Allison POV

I was hating every minute of this. Eric could not be brought down and it was bugging me to no end. The things he was saying made no sense and I refused to accept any of it until he mentioned my survival, and that Marissa had played a part in it.

"Whatever she did she has my gratitude," I said slowly, "unfortunately, I must begrudgingly give it to you as well."

"I think the 'begrudging' part is quite optional," he quipped, "but all the same, it was my duty. I'm sworn to protect you as my bride. I would be doing a very poor job indeed if I allowed you to die." He was still sitting next to me, with a very intentional gap between us that I silently thanked him for. He hadn't cornered me, he wasn't touching me, though he was sitting close enough that he easily could. I could almost feel the restraint he was using to respect my silent wish for him not to touch me, and it reminded me of the restraint he'd had during my near-death experience.

"Why didn't you do anything?" I asked turning slightly to face him.

He seemed to have lost our conversation trail and looked at me with utter confusion, "To what are you referring?"
"While I was dying…I had to open our connection completely, but you didn't force it to stay open, you didn't sift through my memories, you didn't look through my eyes…you didn't do anything, and it doesn't make sense."

He looked almost hurt for a moment, "Asking for such an act of trust and immediately undermining it seems counterproductive, wouldn't you say?"

"I think it proves that I'm not in danger. You've undermined my trust plenty of times in the name of 'keeping me safe'. I have nothing else to be kept from, except you, or else you would have done something."

"You are by no means safe. Your immediate threats have been eliminated but there are plenty more that could present themselves."

"That's called, 'life'. You can't and won't protect me from everything."

"Your naiveté is refreshing as always. You know nothing of your situation."

"And who's fault might that be?" I asked flatly.

"Yours if I recall correctly. You didn't stay even when you were promised closure upon your return."

I sighed, "Surely we aren't back to this."

"You're positively dizzying with the circles you take our conversations in, my love."

"I told you to stop calling me that," I said sharply.

"Why should I? It's what you are."

I let out a small huff of contempt. "As if you know what love is. You love me like a lion loves a lame antelope."

He leaned in with a smirk, "Afraid of the fact that I want a bite?" he purred.

I rolled my eyes at the double meaning. His tone would usually have scared me but I knew I was safe for tonight; he was in a repentant mood and wouldn't be following through on his threat. I looked away with a frown, "I concede the round of wits to you, I however, need to go. I'm very tired, and I'm sure I'll be waking up very soon," I said standing, an underlying bite of sarcasm in my voice.

He leaned over and caught my wrist as I stood, "Wait," he said gently. I turned to face him, taken aback to see his eyes shining in adoration. "Might I at least know something of our child?" I'd been careful the entire time to not give away the twins, knowing it could be a very big advantage for Eric's search. Little would he know that as I continued to refer to "them" I wasn't lying.

"I knew this wasn't about me," I accused sharply, "I'm not giving you anything! Not their name, not their sex, not their weight." I said twisting my hand to slip away but his grip was unyielding as he spoke up.

"It is every bit about you! Have you even been listening to a word I say?" he chided. "And I expect nothing so blatant. You're unwaveringly meticulous in keeping every detail from me," he assured me his tone full of barely suppressed exasperation, letting me know I might finally be wearing on him. "But surely there is something, anything I could know of my child that does no harm." He pleaded.

I met his eyes steadily, and my heart swelled, as I thought of the twins. I was already so in love with them. I carefully tried to think of something that would appease him and not give him a free hint. "They're beautiful," I suddenly said without thinking, my eyes watering slightly, for though I was staring at my nightmare, I was also staring at their father and the amalgam of emotions that sprung from that were so conflicting I didn't even know where to start. I shoved it all back down to be dealt with later.

He smiled at me, surprisingly satisfied with my vague answer, "You need to sleep, love," he said, standing and taking my other hand, holding them up between us. "But I have a gift for you before you leave."

"What makes you think I want any gifts you have to offer?" I asked acridly.

He tutted gently, still smiling ever so slightly, "I'm positive you'll be quite keen to accept it."

"I have a choice in accepting then?"

He rolled his eyes slightly, "Honestly, Faith, I have half a mind not to even offer it anymore; which would be a shame because then I'll just have torment you with what you could have accepted if you would only trust me."

"You're being insufferable. Fine, what is it?" I snipped, my patience gone.

He was silent for a long moment as he looked me over and seemed to make up his mind. "As I am unable to cater to your needs in person, my gift shall be that I will not contact you for the year so you may rest as much as possible," he said.

I stood dumbstruck for what felt like an eternity. "The year?" I barely whispered in utter disbelief.

"The year," he repeated. "Let me clarify that I will still search for you, but I will not pull you here or speak up unannounced unless I have true cause for concern or if I do find you."

It was still better than I could have dreamed. "You can't be serious," I said still whispering.

He laughed, "And why is that?"

"You're…there's a catch there somewhere. Who are you and what did you do with Eric?"

"I believe I already informed you of the 'catches'," he said patiently. "And do I truly have no redeeming values that you can't recognize my sincerity?" it was said with levity but I heard the hurt and worry behind it.

I bowed my head, looking down at my hands, "Thank you."

"Does that mean you want it?" he teased. "I knew you'd be happy to accept," he said as he kissed the backs of my hands, prompting me to look up again, "I demand only one caveat from you. Never hesitate to contact me should you need any advice in handling the little one. They could be full of surprises," he said seriously.

"Is there anything I should know?" I asked with a bit of concern.

"Unfortunately, no, each dhamphir is very different, I just ask for your promise to not hesitate in reaching out. I truly want to help you in any way I can."

I debated inwardly, knowing it could very well supply him with more clues, but also knowing he would be my only source of supernatural information. I would just have to tread carefully. "I promise, Eric." I knew he saw my hesitancy but he still visibly relaxed and then pulled me in slanting his lips over mine tenderly before I felt myself start to wake. He could feel it too. He released me and smiled again. "Take care, Faith," he said almost tenderly before disappearing, as I woke to the cries of the twins.

...

A/N: Dang! I am so generous! TWO CHAPTERS. Um maybe...you could ya know...tell me what you're thinking about the story...in a review, or a message, or a carrier pigeon...something? I'M SORRY I SOUND SO NEEDY BUT I REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS LIKE OR DISLIKE ABOUT THE STORY. okay, I'm done. I love each and every one of you either way