Lily ran frantically from her bathroom to her bedroom vanity. She grabbed a hair tie lying inconspicuously by her hairbrush, then dashed back to the bathroom. She looked in the mirror and saw hundres of tiny ashen strands flying out of her hold.
"Damn." She muttered and let the whole creation fall to her shoulders. She gazed at herself and smiled. Through her skin was paler than before she rather liked the way it made her eyes shine. She self-consciously examined the lace tank top she had chosen. It was woven tight enough as to only give a hint of flesh, and went down long enough to slightly hug the top of her hips. It looked smashing with her black jeans and boots. The silver studded belt was just the right touch. No utility belt this time. She laughed at herself.
"You should try it like this." Selene said softly from behind her, then stepped up and took the girls hair in her hands.
The vampires herself looked rather different these days. Though she still had nto relinquished the black leather pants, she had given up the leather cat suit. And she sported a loose fitting black shirt, with some semblance of sleeves. Course, the shirt wasn't exactly loose as it caught and stretched son her slightly swollen stomach.
"There." She smiled at Lily through the mirror and backed away, revealing a simple up do with several chaotic strands falling behind her neck.
Lily's smile widened to reveal her fangs. She laughed and gently touched the jewel that hung daintily around her neck. "Thanks Selene."
Selene nodded and produced a small white envelope. "This came for you today."
Lily took the letter excitedly. "From Jacen?" She tore into it and sat down on her bed to read.
Selene looked around the room. It was much the same as she remembered it. Well, except for the few things she had bought for Lily, vanity included. The girl still refused to sleep in her brother's room, and no one but Selene really seemed to understand why.
Selene scoffed. It didn't matter. She and Michael had bought the entire building. They'd turned the upstairs into a main room, and added on another bedroom for themselves. Lily was welcome to the whole basement; it was where she'd wanted to be.
Now, Michael spent his days working for Ziodex. He did well in a lab, and was able to come home every sunset to meet and be with his family. Kahn was doing well establishing a new kind of coven, one where lycan's were welcome, and could stay and work as equals, not slaves. Tyran and Tamara were among the first to move in, and were followed shortly by Kendra and Mark.
Kraven had been promised his new coven, but right before he was to take charge he vanished. Selene could have cared less. Tyran's cousin took charge and began building the second of the mixed covens. There were still battles, but they were becoming less and less frequent.
"He says a publisher in San Francisco is going to publish his book!" Lily's excited yelps jolted the vampire from her reverie.
Lily read on:
Anyway Lils, California is strange. I don't think you'd like it here very much, too much sunshine. I miss you, but I know you're happy and being taken care of.
I know don't day it! "You can take care of yourself." Now, how many times have I actually listened to you about that?
But, I do have a sneaky feeling that this was Christopher's plan all along. We better listen to him, or he'll have our hides!
I gotta run Lils. Take care and be safe. Give Selene and Michael my best.
Much love,
Jacen
P.S. Say hello to the blonde angel for me, if you can find her.
Lily looked up from the page directly into Selene's eyes. She smiled and blinked back the tears.
Selene sighed and picked up a picture Lily kept on her vanity. She looked at it absentmindedly. "Maybe after the baby is born we'll take a trip out to see him."
"We can do that?" Lily looked surprised.
"Private jets." Selene said flatly. "Fly only at night. Tinted windows." She winked and set the picture back down.
Lily flew at the vampires and hugged her tight.
As always the affection caught Selene off guard, but she took a steadying breath and let herself embrace the girl back.
"Selene?" The girl mumbled into Selene's shirt, then looked up at her. "Do you think he'd like to have Christopher's room?"
"Who?" Selene gave Lily a confused look.
"My baby brother. I think he'd like it in there." She grinned coyly.
Selene lips curled into a small smile. "Must you insist on calling it a boy?"
"Of course. We don't want to give him a complex now do we?"
Selene laughed. "Get out of here. Geren's waiting for you."
"He is? With Michael?"
"I'm afraid so."
"You left him alone with Michael!" All other thoughts gone she dashed up the stairs, but paused for just a moment. "Hey Selene, we should take Erika with us when we visit Jacen." Then she hopped the last four steps into the kitchen.
"Erika?" Selene shook her head, then slowly headed up the stairs.
Geren was sitting at the table, hands clutched politely in his lap, spine held so straight it was beginning to bend, and eyes focused on the man before him.
Michael stared hard at the young blood. "You'll have her back by 2 o'clock. No later."
"Yes sir." Geren said meekly.
"But the night has just begun at two Michael." Lily stepped into the kitchen area, looking from Michael to Geren. Geren's face was pale, even for a vampire.
"Come now Michael. At least give her till three. The girl is eighteen." Selene spoke regally as she came up behind Lily and smiled at her mate.
Michael's brow furrowed. "What is this, override the hybrid night?"
"Of course not." Selene moved seductively forward and placed her hands on the back of Michael's shoulders. She leaned down to kiss him on the cheek and whispered into his ear. "We'll get the house to ourselves longer." She nipped playfully at his lobe then leaned back up. "So we'll see you at three Lily."
Lily smiled gratefully and grabbed Geren's hand, pulling him out the door. "Come on you, before he snaps out of it."
Michael came to stand beside his mate and wrapped his arms lovingly around her shoulders. He rested his hands upon her swollen belly and kissed her cheek.
"Lily's convinced it will be a boy."
Michael chuckled.
Selene lightly banged her head on his shoulder. "Did you have to be so hard on Geren?"
"Of course I did!" The hybrid roared playfully. "If he thinks for a moment I'm going to let him take Lily out..." He stopped when Selene brought her lips to his. He blushed slightly and smiled. "Consider it practice." He revised and rubbed her stomach once more.
"But if it's a boy?" Selene teased.
"Then you can have the talk." He laughed and kissed her softly. With a reminiscent sigh he hugged her tight. "I love you."
Selene smiled and had to remind herself to breathe. Perhaps his love would always fluster her. She certainly hoped so. She rather liked the flutter his presence inspired. She closed her eyes a moment, and let the feelings wash over her.
She was standing in her own home, with a girl she dared consider like a daughter, a baby on the way, and the arms of a man that loved her wrapped tightly around her. What is this? She questioned silently and opened her eyes as she remembered. That's right. Family. The word echoed in her mind and surged over her entire body. She almost cried.
Michael sensed her uneasiness and kissed the top of her head. "It's over now baby. This is the end."
Selene made a small noise in the hull of her throat. She thought about it for a moment, and watched out the window as Lily climbed into Geren's new car. She felt a small kick from within the walls of her womb. "No." She said softly. "It's only the end of the beginning."
----
Well guys and girls. That's all she wrote! I decided not to leave it too open for a sequel, because I can't guarantee that I'll write one. However, I do have other fics in mind, so this won't be the last of me. (Evil laughs).
I truly hope you all enjoyed this, and from the reviews I've gotten it certainly looks like it. For one final time, thank you all for the support and taking the time to review. It's writer's soul food, and currently, I'm stuffed. Always room for dessert though, so let me know final thoughts.
Please, I urge you to check out the dedications and thank you's page. Only because I'm going to make shameless plugs for some of my favorite fics. If you want some good reading, check them out.
(Bows) Until next time, Peace be with you!
--Lady K