Ian shifted in his seat, trying to ignore the growing discomfort. Lucy leaned over from her seat and put a cool hand against his forehead, "You alright?"

"Ah… I'll make it…" Ian said in an almost guttural voice. "We knew this wouldn't be easy."

"Have you ever joined the mile high club?" Lucy said with a twinkle in her eye, belying her serious expression.

"Uh… no… and now wouldn't be the best time," Ian answered with a ghost of a smile as he nodded toward Danny and Christina. The children were buckled into their seats, drawing busily with crayons.

Lucy laughed softly, "I'd love to induct you right now… but you're right. Don't worry, I am prepared for everything. I'll be right back."

Ian sat and watched her as she walked gracefully toward the galley at the rear of the chartered aircraft. As good as her word, Lucy had taken care of all the arrangements in record time. Only three days earlier they had spoken with the chief, and now they were on a private jet headed toward the tropical paradise known as Tirama Island. Ian still had misgivings about the trip, and his continued discomfort made him wonder how they were going to manage his vampire symptoms without causing alarm to the children or fear on the island. Lucy, however, had been completely tranquil, handling the details and assuring him that everything was going to be fine. He sat in amazement at her peace… especially since no one could ever accuse Lucy Coe of being a peaceful person.

"Here you go!" Lucy said. Ian roused from his thoughts and looked at her in confusion. She was holding two glasses, each containing what appeared to be tomato juice and a tall stalk of celery, and sipping from one while handing him the other.

"Uh… Lucy, I don't thing this is going to help. It's times like these that I wish we still had a stash of Caleb's water," Ian answered while attempting to smile through his frustration.

"Just try it… you'll be pleasantly surprised," Lucy answered before taking another sip of her drink.

As Lucy resumed her seat, Ian sipped from the glass and stared at her in surprise. She leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Mine's a virgin bloody Mary, yours is just bloody. I figured that should get us through the worst of the trip, and no one will ever know."

He kissed her softly in gratitude before finishing his drink and relaxing back in the chair. It wasn't long before he was dozing in a light sleep while Lucy entertained the children. Near the end of the flight, Lucy woke him and gave him one more special drink and then he helped pack up the children's toys and buckle them in for their landing. They would be meeting the chief when their flight arrived, and Ian didn't want to consider too carefully what they would face after that.


As Lucy and Christina stepped off the plane holding hands, Ian followed carrying Danny. The chief met them at the gate, and extended his hand in welcome. Ian formally introduced Lucy and the children, and found himself surprised when the chief greeted her as an old friend, embracing her warmly.

As they left the airport in a shuttle provided by the resort where they were staying, Lucy asked, "How can you live such a primitive life when you have resorts and airports at your disposal?"

"Ah, Lucy… this is not Tirama Island. We are off the coast, and can only be reached by boat. This island has all of the modern amenities… but it is our choice to live as we do," the chief answered.

"I'm afraid… I don't understand…" Lucy said in confusion. "How can you be so close to civilization and not be part of it?"

"My dear, Lucy… it has been my experience that your so-called civilization is anything but civilized," the chief answered quietly. "Our people live simply on Tirama Island, but it is a chosen life. Much as your Amish are given the opportunity to go out into the world before embracing the community… so do our people. We receive an education and spend time in the world before we return to Tirama. Not everyone does… but those of us who do have chosen that life. Those who reject the life of Tirama are always welcome visitors, and our community is protected both within and without. You cannot visit Tirama without our consent."

"But Eve… she visited the island without consent… I never told her she needed it before she arrived. Why did you let her visit?" Ian asked the chief.

"Eve arrived because of your invitation. That is all she needed… now, my dear friends, there is much to do while you are here and it is not the time for questions. You must rest and relax at the resort this evening and tomorrow you will join me on Tirama Island," he answered.

"You… you're leaving?" Lucy asked.

"I must return to the island to prepare for your arrival. Do not worry… the children will be cared for, and you and Ian will have all of the answers you seek. I am glad that you have chosen this path, Ian… it is the most difficult, but also the most rewarding."

"Chief… I really need to explain to you… I mean… when you know what I've become… you won't want me on paradise…" Ian tried to explain.

"Ian… there is nothing that you can tell me that will change our minds. Tirama Island welcomes you tomorrow as it has always welcomed you in the past. Come with a clear mind and an open heart," the older man said gently.

After leaving Ian, Lucy and the children at the resort, the chief rode in the shuttle to the docks to meet his waiting boat. After checking into their room, Lucy put the children down for naps and threw herself into Ian's waiting arms. They clung to each other tightly, neither of them wishing to voice the fears that they harbored, and knowing that it could be their last day together as a couple.

"Lucy…" Ian whispered into her ear.

"Mm-hmm…" she answered.

"No matter what happens… I have loved you more than I ever thought possible… you have not been a substitute or replacement for Eve… and my love for you is complete… please know that… never doubt it…"

In reply Lucy pulled him into her arms and showed him just how very much she loved him in return. No words were necessary and they drifted into a dreamless sleep in each others arms.


The next day dawned bright and clear. Lucy and Ian relaxed in bed, waiting for the children to wake before heading to the dining room for breakfast. They had received a message the evening before that the boat for Tirama would meet them in the early afternoon. They would have a relaxing morning in which to play with the children and mentally prepare for the mysteries that awaited them on the island.

Neither Ian nor Lucy would let the other one out of sight, and it seemed that their connection to each other was stronger than ever. After breakfast they took the children to the beach and gathered shells in a bucket. Ian laughed watching Danny squeal with delight as he chased the waves that gently rolled in from the ocean, while Christina and Lucy attempted to build a sandcastle. They had finally managed to get one tower standing when Danny knocked it down as he ran towards his father's waiting arms. From a distance, they appeared to be a happy family on vacation… unless you saw the haunted expression in both Ian and Lucy's eyes… as if they were storing up the memories of a lifetime.

After a light lunch on the veranda of their room, they packed up their things and rode in the resort shuttle to the docks. A quiet young man in native dress waited for them in a modern speedboat. After fitting them all with lifejackets, he eased the boat into the water and pointed it straight toward Tirama Island. While the children remained buckled in their seats, Ian and Lucy sat close together with their hands clasped tightly. Their young escort noted the closeness and the fear in the couple, but said nothing more than was necessary during the journey.

Upon arriving on the island, the chief, his wife, Maya and their son Kehlo waited to greet Ian, Lucy and the children. The chief embraced Ian and then Lucy warmly.

Maya picked up Danny and held him close against her, "I am pleased to meet you, Son of Eve. Your mother's gift of life to my son is not forgotten. I am grateful you are with us."

Lucy stood to the side, holding Christina's hand and feeling slightly out of place, even to questioning her acceptance of the chief's invitation. Suddenly she felt like an interloper, and that she had intruded into a place where she could not be welcome. Ian noticed how quiet she became and quickly realized the cause of her discomfort. He pulled her by the hand and enfolded her in his arms before telling Maya, "This is Lucy, and I love her… "

Maya turned welcoming eyes to Lucy and pulled her into a warm embrace before pulling her by the hand as they walked towards the village, "I know that I shall love her too, Ian, you do not need to worry. Lucy, we have much to discuss. Kehlo will take the children and they will be well cared for. It is time to discuss important things with you and Ian."