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Inheritance
Chapter 4
LaCroix contemplated his son's request. Nicholas had been slowly returning to the fold and to him but he knew that if he took actions in harming this daughter of his that it would most likely permanently push his son away. There were, of coarse, the Enforcers and the Community to think of. They would most assuredly want to know if she would be a threat. It was simply unheard of for a mortal to bare offspring from a vampire, of coarse mortals usually died or were brought across from the coupling.
Taking a sip of his bloodwine, LaCroix look pointedly to Nicholas, "I would like to meet her before making such a promise." Before Nicholas could protest he glared at his son and continued, "If she is of no threat to the community then I will promise her my protection."
Nick sighed, at least LaCroix didn't charge upstairs to drain her, "When?"
"Being that she is asleep I will come by tomorrow night. I am assuming that she does not know what we are?" he asked as he placed the empty glass of bloodwine onto the coffee table and stood from the couch.
Nick stood up, following his lead, "No, but she already suspects something."
"Indeed," he paused for a moment to look at his son, "do not tell her unless we decide that it is necessary." With this command LaCroix was gone.
Sitting back heavily on the couch, Nick covered his face with his hands. His meeting with his Sire went better than he thought it would, he just hoped that it would go just as well tomorrow night. Lowering his hands, he looked up the stairs towards where his daughter slept. He had just found out that he was a father and now he was about to introduce her into his dark world. Well, he would keep her from as much of it as he could. If he could he would keep her out of it entirely but something within him told him that that was not going to be possible.
A cool breeze swept her hair from her face, her body stirring to wakefulness as she moved her bare legs against the cool dark silken sheets. Arms stretching out she moved them underneath her pillows, a smile of satisfaction spreading upon her face. Her smile faded when she heard her name whispered within the caress of the cool breeze.
Blinking Melanie slowly raised herself into a sitting position on the mattress, a frown furrowing her brow, as she did not recognize her surroundings. Sitting up completely now, she looked down, running her hand over the red silken nightgown. This had to be a dream but it felt so real.
Hearing her name whispered once again she sat up completely, her blue eyes searching her surroundings. The room was dark, save for the light from the full moon that shined within the open window, its dark curtains flapping silently with the wind. The room appeared empty but she could feel that she was not alone; there was someone there with her making the hairs on the back of her arms stand as her skin prickled slightly with goose bumps.
Sliding against the silken sheets she sat at the beds edge, her feet dangling inches above the carpeted floor. Shivering, and not from cold, she rubbed at her arms trying to fight down the cold chill that was running down her spine. Melanie stiffened as a cool hand caressed her shoulder, someone's breathe tickling her ear.
"Melanie," a husky male voice purred.
She wanted to pull away but at the same time she wanted to lean back into him and close her eyes to enjoy his touch. Instead of doing so she sat there stiffly, afraid to turn, to know the identity of this stranger. She was trembling now, fear combined with a warm forbidden longing. Wetting her lips she attempted to speak but the words would not form on her tongue.
The sensation of cool lips caressing her bare neck caused her to close her eyes, a gasp escaping her lips as her heart raced. She could feel his hands gently caressing her arms, pulling her back so that she rested against his chest.
"You belong to me now," he growled against her bared shoulder moving up to her throat.
She could not move, her whole body shaking from longing and fear. Then he bit her, a stinging pain erupting from her neck followed quickly by ecstasy. She felt pulled into him, her life falling into an abyss of ecstasy and darkness. Starting away, Melanie's eyes flew open as she jerked forward springing up from the bed and turning.
The bed was empty, no longer the satiny silk and as her hands wrapped around herself to try to calm her nerves she felt herself wearing the sweats that she had fallen asleep in. Melanie was still trembling, her hand slowly moving to her throat but there was nothing there. It was only a dream, but it was so real.
Heart racing she hurried into the bathroom turning the knob to the sink she allowed the water to pool within her cupped hand before splashing her face. Grabbing the towel hanging on a rack by the sink she pressed it against her face, allowing it to absorbed the wetness from her face. Still shaken by the dream she leaned forward, her head resting against the mirror as she pressed her hands against the edge of the sink to keep her standing.
It took her a few moments to regain her composure before she looked up at her reflection. Her face was pale, her hair in a disarrayed mess of curls. It was a familiar sight, but for once in her life she felt as if she were looking at a stranger. Then the thoughts came to mind, "Mom's gone, she's dead." At this her eyes filled with tears and she sunk to the bathroom floor burring her face into her hands and cried.
He stood at the door, his head leaning against the wood as he could hear her silent sobs. He wanted to go to her, to hold her in his arms and to cry with her but held himself back. If he went in there he would cry and he could not let her see his bloody tears.
Nick had heard her waking up, had heard the increase of he heart rate as her breathing quickened. Thinking that she would want breakfast, he had made his way to her room but stopped as he heard her tears. Closing his eyes against the pain that he held inside a lone blood tear escaped, slipping down his face before being reabsorbed into his skin. Walking away he made his way down to the kitchen to start to fix her something for breakfast. He had ordered some groceries and they had arrived not long ago.
Cried out, Melanie pulled herself from the floor and splashed water on her face once again, having that done she walked back into the room and noticed her suitcase sitting just inside the door. Smiling, she began to get her things ready so that she could take a shower and get dressed. This would be the first day that she could get to know her father more and she was not going to allow herself to wallow in self pity and depression.
(An hour later)
Having taken a shower and dressed in a pair of blue jeans and a long sleeve deep blue sweater, Melanie stretched and yawned before heading out the door. Upon exiting her room she smiled at the smell of eggs and bacon. Even though she had slept until well past lunchtime she was feeling rather hungry and breakfast sounded good to her. Walking down the stairs she slowly made her way towards the kitchen and smiled at the sight her father made. There he was standing over the stove with spatula in one hand and pan in the other.
Turning from the stove Nick smiled to his daughter as she made her way into the kitchen, "I hope you're hungry?"
Taking a deep breath of the inviting aroma she sighed, "Very! That smells so good, I haven't had a good breakfast in a while."
Chuckling he turned back towards the eggs, "I hope you don't mind having breakfast so late in the day, you probably usually have lunch at this time."
Melanie shrugged, as she leaned against the counter across from Nick, "Not really, I'm a late riser. Not much of a morning person, I'm more of a night person."
He turned at this, "Oh?"
She smiled, "Yep, she used to say that I probably got that from you." At this her smile drooped slightly as she sighed, "I miss her."
Eggs finished, Nick allowed them to slide into the plate before he put the pan down and approached her. Placing his hands on her shoulders he looked her in the eyes, "I know. The pain will always be there but it will get better."
Tears were building in her eyes again and she whipped at them in frustration as they fell down her cheeks, "Damn, I'm sorry, I can't seem to stop this stupid crying."
He kneaded her shoulders, a look of understanding within his expression, "There is nothing stupid about your tears. You're hurting and you have the right to morn. Now," he wanted to get her mind away from her sorrow for a little while at least, "sit down at the table and I'll bring you breakfast."
Smiling weakly she hugged him before pulling away, "Thanks."
"You're welcome," he gently nudged her towards the kitchen table, "now scoot!"
A laugh escaping her lips she made her way towards the table, "All right, I'm going, I'm going!"
Grinning, he soon made way with her breakfast towards the table, "Do you have any plans for the day?" he asked as he sat down in front of her.
Taking a bit of her eggs, she shrugged her shoulders slightly, "Not really. I didn't really plan anything beyond the point of meeting you. Beyond that I just want to take things as they come."
Watching her eat, he waited a moment before asking, "So, what about your job? When do they expect you to return?"
Leaning back into her chair she took a large gulp of her water before answering, "Well, I took a leave of absence and I'm not sure if I'm going back. Mom left me enough in her will to support me."
Nick's head tilted to the side, a slight uneasy feeling tugging at his stomach, "Oh?"
Taking a bite of her bacon she munched for a bit before answering his unspoken question, "I was a bit surprised. I mean, how my mom got a half a million into her savings when she was only a doctor for a small clinic, I have no clue." She wondered if he had anything to do with it but with the surprised look on his face told her that he didn't.
Melanie laughed at the expression on his face, "Yeah, that was my exact expression when I found out."
Nick blinked out of his self imposed stupor, "Well, what do you plan to do then?"
Sighing, she laid down her fork into the now empty plate, "I've always wanted to concentrate fully on my writing. Now, without having to go into work forty hours a week I can concentrate fully on that book I've been wanting to working on."
He smiled at that, "What kind of stories do you write?"
"Fantasy mostly, I've actually published some poetry. My teachers told me that I have talent, I guess I'll soon find out if its true or not. It also helps being that I worked as an editor." She really liked talking with him; he listened to her as if he was really interested in what she had to say. It was so hard to believe that this man sitting in front of her was her father; he just looked so young.
"I'd like to read some of your works, it sounds as if you really enjoy writing."
She smiled, the happiness of that smile truly reaching her eyes, "Sure, I'd like to know what you think. Let me know whether or not I should just stick to editing!" she joked.
He chuckled at that, "I'll do that."
"So," she asked, "archeology?" and with that she listened as he told her about his teaching and some of his experience in the field of archeology, omitting some detail of coarse.
Having moved from the kitchen to the living room, Melanie was laughing at one of the stories Nick was telling her, "Oh my God! Stop! You're killing me, I can't take anymore."
Nick grinned, they had been talking for hours and he was discovering what a wonderful woman that his daughter was. She reminded him a lot of Natalie and noticed some of his own personality traits in her as well. There was no question within his mind whether or not that she was his daughter.
Finishing his 'breakfast' he walked to the kitchen to rinse out his glass, "So," he called over his shoulder knowing that he would have to tell her about his 'father' coming over later, "I've invited someone to come over tonight." Walking back into the living room he continued, "I hope you don't mind."
Playing with the corner of her sweater with one hand she leaned he free arm against the back of the couch turning so that she was watching him come back to sit not too far from her on the couch, "Oh, who?"
"My father," he answered, his eyes darting away from her as he said this.
She raised her brow at this, "So, I guess that means I have a grandfather. Are there anymore family members I need to know about? Wow, I spent so long thinking that my mom was the only family that I had and now I have a father and a grandfather!"
Melanie felt as if she had been cheated from something and it was because of her mother. She hated to admit it to herself but she felt angry and upset at her for that, "Why didn't she tell me? Ya know, I miss her but at the same time I feel angry that she lied to me, that she kept me from you." Frustrated with her own emotions she pinched the bridge of her nose with a sigh.
Nick couldn't help but to feel the same way. He knew that she only did it to protect herself and their child but it still hurt that she kept the knowledge of his daughter from him that he missed out on seeing her grow up. Taking the hand that was grasping the edge of her sweatshirt he squeezed gently, "All I know is that she did what she thought was best for you and herself. There were a lot of things that happened before she left that you don't know about."
Looking at him she wondered just what those things were but still… She shook her head in the negative, "There's no excuse for it. I love her and always will but what she did… I deserved to have grown up knowing my father, knowing you." Pressing her lips together in anger she tried to understand why her mother would do such a thing but could not comprehend what was so bad, what she was fearful of. Having only known her father for the equivalent of a day she could not see why her mother would be so fearful of telling him. She could sense something different about him but… it just was not fair!
He tapped her chin lightly to gain her attention, "Hey, I feel the same way. I should have been there to watch you grow up, to help raise you but I wasn't. What she did may have been wrong but she made a mistake," or did she, would she have been safe with him or would she have been in danger from the Enforcers or even from himself? "I'm here now and I plan to try and make it up to you."
She smiled weakly at that, her anger starting to fade away, "So, I'm going to meet my grandfather tonight. What's he like?"
Well there were many things he could say to describe his Sire but none of which she would benefit to hear. They had gotten closer but still had those occasional fights about the life that he chose to lead and about him fully embracing his vampirism. Both old arguments but they never seemed to be able to reach any type of agreement upon.
"Well, he's a bit eccentric…" this was not very easy to do without outright insulting him, "You will just have to meet him and find out. He can be very intimidating but then he can be very charming. He's not exactly someone you can classify."
Both her eyebrows rose at this, "Wow, he sounds a bit scary."
'She has no idea,' he thought wryly before continuing, "You'll be okay. Just be yourself and honest and you'll do just fine. Besides, its not like you'll be alone with him."
Hmm, curiouser and curiouser, "Any other family members I'm going to get to meet?"
He smiled at this, "I have a sister, Jeanette. I guess that would make her your aunt."
Melanie smiled at this, just a month ago her family consisted of one and now it consisted of three, "Will I get to meet her too? Its nice to know that I'm not alone anymore." Smile softening, "When she died I thought that I was so alone, that I had no one but now I have a father, grandfather, and aunt."
Nick returned her smile, "Well, you'll never be alone again. I promise you that." He paused for a moment, "Melanie, can I ask you something?"
She squeezed his hand, "Sure." She had an idea as to what he was about to ask and wondered what she was going to tell him.
"In the letter that Nat sent to me, she mentioned that you were different. What did she mean by that?" he asked her gently.
Looking down at her hands she knew that he would either believe her or think she was crazy but felt the need to tell someone. She was tired of keeping her abilities hidden from everyone, it would be nice to be able to share that knowledge with someone other than her mother. Taking a deep breath she steadily spoke, "I can see clearly in the dark, as long as there is a small portion of light. I'm stronger than I should be as well as faster. I sometimes see things before they happen and can effect objects, sometimes people's emotions."
Looking up from her hands enclosed in his she waited for him to laugh in her face, to tell her that she was crazy. She was surprised when she saw nothing but trust and belief within his gaze.
Sitting back into the side of the couch he looked to her with his senses more closely. He could sense the vampire within her but as he gently probed deeper he started to sense something else but then felt his mind being violently pushed back almost sending him flying off of the couch.
Melanie flinched back as a strange sensation entered her mind, her head began to throb and she mentally pushed at it, forcing out its intrusion. Standing up quickly she made her way to the kitchen for some water and hopefully some Tylenol. She was feeling a major headache coming on.
"What the hell did you do?" she growled at him as she filled a glass full of water, "and where is your Tylenol or aspirin?"
He followed her into the kitchen, his hand rubbing his forehead where it throbbed slightly, "I don't have any."
Taking a large gulp of her water she looked to him pointedly, knowing that he deliberately was evading her first question. Nick noted that she looked a lot like Natalie when she used to get angry or frustrated with him.
"Great," she mumbled tersely to herself before more loudly asking, "Do you think I have enough time to take a nap before my grandfather shows up? Whatever you did hurt like hell? Please don't do it again."
Nick looked sheepish, he would definitely not do that again but he knew all to well that LaCroix would, "I won't and yes, it will be several hours before he comes over."
Satisfied with his answer she horridly brushed past him but was stopped by his hand on her arm, as he gently told her, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you."
Head still pounding she looked up and knew that she could not stay angry with him, "I know. It's okay, really. I just need an hour to lay down to get rid of this headache." Smiling weakly she went upstairs to take a small nap.
Nick watched her as she made her way up the stairs, his mind filled with worry. What was going to happen to her? Will LaCroix be able to accept her? If the council or enforcers found out about her what would they do? After what she had told him he wasn't so sure about his decision to allow LaCroix to know about her. He was coming over tonight though, he would just have to ride it out and see where it leads. One thing he was sure of was that if it came to the point where she was in any danger from the community he would protect her with his own existence if necessary. Help her to disappear and start a new life. He'd probably have to stay away from her in order to protect her. It would pain him but if it were necessary he would do it. He felt very protective of her. There was nothing that he would not do or sacrifice for her well being.
AN: Well that is all for now. Melanie's secret was finally revealed. The next chapter will probably be interesting. Please excuse any spelling or grammatical errors. I'm in need of a Forever Knight beta reader. Any volunteers please email me at mldavis_2000@yahoo.com
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