09-07-04
Takes place 4 years after A Discovery
A Choice
by LeoniaKat
Diana stepped out of the doctor's office and got into her car. As she sat behind the wheel, she glanced at herself in the rearview mirror. Well, at least she knew, didn't she? The question now was, what to do about it? She knew she had three options – one more than most people in her situation had. She could go for chemotherapy and feel like she was dying, not to mention losing her hair… She could get a mastectomy, a drastic step that would be a definite last-ditch move. Or there was the third option…
She started the car and mechanically drove. Instead of going to her apartment – where she'd been living since she started college three years ago – she drove to her childhood home where her family lived. Her uncle had moved back in with her mother after she had discovered the truth about him.
Pulling into the driveway, she didn't immediately exit the car. She knew her mother was still at work and her 'uncle' would be asleep still. She took a couple of deep breaths before heading for the house. She unlocked the door with her own key, slipping quietly inside. It wouldn't do to wake Lucien.
She glanced around, realizing she hadn't been here in at least six months. She'd been so busy with school and work… She called home every week, but it just wasn't the same. She headed for the kitchen, freezing as she heard a stair creak. She moved to the bottom of the sweeping staircase and waited.
"Hello, Diana," her uncle said quietly as he came to stand in front of her.
"Hello Uncle Lucien," she responded quietly.
"Don't you have classes today?" he asked as he led her to the kitchen.
"I had a doctor's appointment," she responded as he pulled his 'breakfast' from the fridge.
He turned to glance at her, measuring her tone of voice she guessed, "Oh? Is everything alright?"
"No," she said quietly, her eyes moving to the wall. "That's why I'm here."
He opened a cabinet next to the fridge and pulled out two glasses and a bottle of Diana's favorite red wine. He said nothing as he opened both bottles and poured drinks for each of them. He brought the drinks to the table, "Have a seat."
She accepted her glass and took a sip, willing herself to relax. "I just got back from an appointment with an oncologist…"
He looked at her, his eyes widened slightly, "Cancer?" She simply nodded, her eyes closed. "Where?" he asked.
"My right breast," she replied softly.
He downed the contents of his glass and filled it again. "Did you tell your mother yet?"
"No, I just found out, not half an hour ago."
"What are your options? They have treatments for it now, do they not?"
"I can go for chemo, but if that fails they would have to remove my breast…" Saying it brought a lump to her throat. She downed the wine in her glass before looking up to meet his gaze, "We both know that there's another option, though."
"No," he said quickly.
"What?" she asked angrily. "Why wouldn't you?"
"Your mother would stake me for even considering it," he responded, moving to stand.
She grabbed his arm, "That's not your reason for refusing me. What is?"
"My respect for your father. He didn't want to be this and I sincerely doubt he would want his only child to be as such." He pulled away from her and left the room.
Diana followed after him, "Damn you, Lucien! You would rather see me sick or living on borrowed time?" She saw him pause at the bottom of the stairs. "Tell me you've never thought about what it would be like to have Nicholas' mortal daughter as your own immortal child!"
He turned slowly, "I have thought about it, which is why I can say no to you now." He turned away and quickly ascended the stairs.
She fell sobbing to her knees. She collected herself quickly, though. She stood and exited the house. She went back to her apartment where she showered and changed.
Natalie arrived home from work and entered the kitchen. She immediately took note of the two open bottles and two glasses on the table. She saw the label on the bottle of wine and realized that Diana must have been here. Lucien ordered those especially for her – Nat's own taste in wines running more toward a dry white. She hadn't seen her daughter's car in the driveway…
Curious now, she went up to Lucien's room and knocked on his door.
"Yes Natalie?" he asked as he opened it.
"Diana was here?"
He gestured her to come into his room, "Yes, she was."
"Why didn't she stay?" Nat asked as she took her favorite seat in Lucien's library.
"We… had something of a disagreement."
Surprised, Nat's eyes widened, "Over what?"
Slowly, carefully, he told Natalie about her daughter's cancer and their ensuing argument.
"She…" Nat swallowed back the sudden tears. "She asked you to… And you said no?" She was surprised, not at her daughter's request, but at Lucien's refusal.
"Of course I refused. She obviously wasn't thinking clearly." He rose and paced over to his fireplace. He turned back to face the mortal woman, "Believe me, I was sorely tempted…"
Natalie had to admit that she was aware that Lucien wanted Diana as his vampiric child. She also knew that he was aware that she'd stake him if he touched her daughter. "Where is she now?"
"I assume she returned to her apartment," he replied.
"You assume? You mean you don't know?" Nat rose, panicked. "You said it yourself, she wasn't thinking clearly, and you simply let her leave!"
"She is not stupid, Natalie. She was in shock when she came here. I'm sure that now that she's had time to think about it, she will have calmed down."
"Sometimes," she said quietly, "You are as dense as your son was." She quickly left the room before he could respond.
Diana ignored her ringing phone as she slipped on her boots and grabbed her purse. If her uncle wouldn't help her, she knew where to look for someone who would.
Shortly after she'd moved out of her uncle's house, she'd been contacted by the Enforcer, Ian. He'd asked her out for a drink and they had actually become, dare she say it, friends. She didn't want to contemplate what her uncle would do if he ever discovered she was friends with an Enforcer. Anyways, he'd brought her to what he'd described as a safe haven for the Community. That first night, being escorted by an Enforcer, had declared to all that she was off limits.
She'd gone back to the club – amusingly named Tooth and Nail – either on her own or with Ian, multiple times since then. Having an Enforcer with her usually meant that she didn't get to talk to anyone else as they avoided him like the plague. On those nights when she'd been alone, she'd conversed with the club's owner. Jeff was an amusing man who appeared to be in his late twenties but who had admitted to be nearing his fifth century.
Now, Diana waded her way through the early night crowd and up to the bar. She nodded a greeting to the bartender, recognizing him from her previous visits. He came over to take her order.
"What will it be tonight, missy?"
"I'll take that bottle of Russian vodka," she said, pointing to the liter bottle of Smirnoff vodka. "And a shot glass."
He shrugged and put the bottle on the bar, picking up the money she'd put down for it.
"Is Jeff here?" she asked him, picking up bottle and glass.
"Not yet. He should be here later. I'll send him your way when he arrives."
She nodded, "Thanks." She moved off and found a table near the back.
Ian walked into the club, looking forward to a quiet night off. He moved to the bar, watching as those around him cleared away, giving him wary and distrustful looks as they did so. Being an Enforcer did nothing for one's social life, he thought wryly as he stood at the bar.
He watched the bartender – a young one named Eric – slowly make his way over to him, glass and bottle in hand. Eric placed the objects on the bar and leaned close, "That girl, Diana, is here."
Surprised, he glanced around the room and back at Eric, "Where?"
A hand gestured towards the dance floor, "Out there. She's been dancing with many of the younger ones…"
Ian felt his anger rise, his eyes flashing gold for the barest moment before he got himself under control. "Thanks, Eric." He gestured to the glass and bottle, "I'll be back for those." He strode off toward the dance floor, his presence causing many of those there to quickly drift away in surprise. Finally, he came upon Diana who was dancing much too close – in his opinion – to a young fledgling who couldn't have been out of his first decade.
He placed a hand on the fledgling's shoulder, "May I cut in?"
"No way old man, find yourself another one, this one's mine," the young one said, not even looking away from Diana.
"That wasn't really a question," Ian said quietly as he grabbed the fledgling's arm with enough force to break the bones.
The fledgling took his first good look at Ian, released the mortal in his arms, and decided that maybe running would be a good idea.
Ian glanced into Diana's angry eyes and placed a hand on her wrist.
She tried to pull away, "Why did you do that, Ian?" Her voice was slightly slurred. "I was having a good time."
Ian pulled her close, surprised at himself for enjoying the feel of her body next to his as they swayed to the music, "Perhaps you were, but were you ready for it to be your last? What is wrong with you? You're not so foolish as to tempt fledglings."
She tipped her head up to look at him, "I've got cancer, Ian. Lucien told me he won't bring me across…" She buried her head into his shoulder.
He could smell alcohol on her breath and the salt of her tears as he reached a hand up to stroke her hair, enjoying the feel of the silken strands in his fingers. He gently pulled away from her, "Come with me. Let's sit and talk, okay?" He placed a hand on the small of her back as he found them an empty table.
"When did you find out?" he gently asked, sitting next to her so he wouldn't have to raise his voice too much to be heard.
"About the cancer? Today, though I knew there was the possibility of it for the past week."
He nodded, turning to thank the waitress who'd brought him the bottle and glass. "Could you bring some coffee for my friend?"
The waitress nodded and moved off.
"So you asked Lucien and he said no?" He saw her quick angry glance, "I'm just trying to understand what happened, Diana."
"Yeah," she nodded as the waitress brought a large mug of coffee. "He said he wouldn't do it out of respect of my father. What about respect for me?" She looked over at Ian, "I don't want to be sick, and I don't want to die." She picked up the mug and looked at him over it, "You offered once…"
He knew she was going to bring that up. It was something he'd thought about after he'd spent a lot of time with her. "I did," he began slowly, "And I've since come to realize that you should not be an Enforcer."
That surprised her, "What changed your mind?"
"You," he said with a small smile. "Our lives are solitary ones. Surely you've noticed the way the others regard me? That is not a life you would want."
She nodded, knowing he was right. "If I come across, can we still be friends?" she asked hesitantly.
He frowned and glanced away, "There's nothing that says you can't, but there is something inherent about the Enforcer blood line which makes others instinctively nervous…"
"Ian," she began softly, waiting until she had his attention before continuing, "You would never harm me without reason, correct?"
"Of course."
"Then, if I come across, I shall do everything to fight any stupid instincts I may inherit." She gave him a bright smile.
He tentatively returned her smile. He found that he did that a lot around this mortal girl. "Perhaps I should escort you home. It's getting late and I fear that some of those who watched you earlier may still be around."
She downed her coffee and made to stand up. She swayed a little, "Maybe that's a good idea. Can you drive?" she asked.
"Yes," he responded, holding out his hand for her keys. He placed his hand on her back and led her from the club. She showed him where her car was parked and they both got in.
"Where am I taking you? Your apartment or your family's house?" he asked.
"Their house," she replied. "I don't want to be alone right now."
He nodded, "Okay."
As they pulled up to the house, he turned to her, only to see that she'd fallen asleep. He turned off the car and shook her gently, "Wake up, Diana. I'd carry you but I doubt Lucien would be happy to see me with you." He could sense the ancient in the house and had no desire to deal with him.
She woke up slowly and opened her eyes to see Ian leaning over her. "Huh?"
He pulled back and opened his door, "Do you think you can walk to the door by yourself?"
She frowned, her eyes twinkling merrily, "Ah, and here I was hoping you'd carry me."
He laughed as he exited the car, "And have Lucien stake me? Thanks but no thanks." He looked up towards the house, "As it is, I've got to fly before he senses me here. Call me tomorrow, okay?"
"Okay," she said, grabbing the keys and exiting the car herself. She watched him close the door and take to the sky. A bit unsteadily, she made her way to the door and after two tries finally got the key in the lock.
Opening the front door, she glanced around, hoping her family wouldn't be around. Seeing no one, she eased the door slowly shut and relocked it. Tiptoeing towards the stairs, she froze as she almost collided with Lucien who had just exited the kitchen.
Lacroix had heard the car pull up outside. Now, standing in front of Diana, he could smell the alcohol on her breath and the smoke on her clothes. "Where were you?"
"Out," she responded quietly.
He resisted the urge to growl, "I surmised that from the stench of alcohol and smoke surrounding you. Are you drunk?"
"Is that any of your business?" she asked, moving to go around him.
He grabbed her arm, watching her reach out to the wall with her free hand to steady herself. "It is when you have been driving."
"I didn't drive. A friend brought me home."
"In your own car?" he asked doubtfully.
"Yes, in fact. He dropped me off and fl – er… walked… home."
Lucien's eyes flashed gold, "Where, exactly, were you?"
"A club," she said stubbornly, trying to pull her arm away.
He raised the arm he held threateningly, "You will either tell me," he paused and allowed his fangs to drop, "Or I will find out for myself."
Diana paled and her eyes widened, "Okay, okay! I was at the Tooth and Nail."
He growled, "How do you know about that place!"
She shrank back from him as much as she could with her arm restrained. "I have a friend I've met there on occasion."
"Who is this friend?"
She took a deep breath, knowing that what she was about to say would quite probably toss him right over the edge of his control, "The Enforcer, Ian."
He dropped her arm suddenly, "You contacted him!"
She backed up until her back hit a wall, "No, I swear it, he contacted me!"
Nat had been upstairs in her room when she'd heard Diana's car pull up to the house. She'd decided not to ambush her daughter, instead waiting until she heard her enter her old room. When she'd heard the shouting from downstairs, she'd hurried towards the voices, becoming more concerned as they continued rising.
Coming upon the scene of the confrontation, she heard Lacroix ask who Diana's friend was. The answer stole the breath from Nat's lungs for a moment. When she saw her daughter cowering away from Lacroix, she finally got her wits about her. "Lucien!"
Lacroix' control had slipped farther and farther away, the more Diana said. Natalie's voice from behind him pulled his attention away from the scared mortal girl, and allowed him to focus on regaining control of his anger. He forced his fangs to retract and his eyes to lose their angry scarlet – when had they changed from amber? he wondered. He glanced from Natalie to her daughter whose frightened eyes were still upon him. He turned away from Diana and hurried to the kitchen.
He pulled a bottle from the fridge and decided to forego a glass just this once. He pulled the cork out with his teeth and spat it into the sink. He wrinkled his nose at his own uncouth behavior for a moment before tipping the bottle back. He heard two mortal heartbeats enter the kitchen behind them. One of them was running quite a bit faster than normal.
Polishing off the bottle, he placed it in the sink before turning around. "Did he offer to bring you across?" he asked Diana.
"No," she said quietly, her heart rate slowly normalizing. "I did ask him, though, and he refused."
"When is your next doctor's appointment?" he asked, moving to the table.
"Next Monday," she responded. "Why?"
"Your mother will go with you. Monday night we will discuss your options, all of them," he stressed. He glanced at Natalie, "Unless you have an objection to that?"
He watched her pause for a moment before slowly shaking her head, "No. It's probably a good idea."
Nodding, he turned back to Diana, "Do you think that until then you can refrain from any more foolish or risky behavior?"
"I think I can manage that for four days. I promise, I'll be good," she added quickly.
Satisfied, Lacroix nodded, knowing how she valued her promises. "Good. We'll discuss your actions with this Enforcer then as well."
"My actions? I've met him for drinks on occasion, that's all." 'Although,' she thought, 'If I do come across…'
"He is an Enforcer, and not to be trusted. He'll kill you in an instant if he feels it's necessary." Lacroix shook his head, "There is a good reason normal vampires don't spend time with Enforcers. If you come across, you will understand."
Diana nodded, not conceding the point but simply tired of hearing how she shouldn't be friends with Ian. Well, she would just see. She was an adult, after all, and she could decide for herself who to be friends with.
Sighing softly, Lacroix realized suddenly just how much she resembled her father. Her hair was longer than his had ever been, but it was the same color and held the same slight curl. Her eyes were a slightly darker shade of blue than Nicholas' had been. She was almost as tall as his son had been, as well. In terms of personality, she had inherited both of her parents' stubbornness and fire.
He'd told the truth to her earlier. He had considered having her as his child. He had lied though, when he said that was why he could say no. He found himself wanting her more and more every day. He knew that she would make a fantastic vampire. She had the ability to embrace the darker side of her nature which would translate well into her new life. He was slightly concerned that she might have a problem with killing, but he would be more careful in his teaching than he'd been with her father. The only thing stopping him right now was his own promise to Natalie. He'd sworn to protect the child, and that meant from himself as well.
Turning away from the women, he decided to make his own visit to the Tooth and Nail. His hunger this night wouldn't be satisfied with more sustenance from a bottle.
Four days later…
Diana's options, as far as the doctor was concerned, were limited. He was concerned by the rate of growth of the tumor since he'd seen her last. His recommendation was surgery.
Walking out of the doctor's office, Diana glanced at her mother. She thought she'd never seen her looking so old. Her features were drawn and she knew her mother was thinking about tonight's discussion.
Truth be told, Diana was also nervous about the decision to be made tonight. She knew she would again be asking Lacroix to bring her across, but this time he would probably not refuse her. She knew he had asked her mother to accompany her so that the older woman would have the facts in hand. She didn't know that the other reason was so that when Lucien asked Natalie to allow it, she would say yes.
They got to the car with neither of them speaking. "Let's go pick up some food and have a picnic," Natalie suggested quietly. What she didn't add, but both understood, was 'on what may be your last day in the sun.'
"That sounds like a great idea," Diana replied.
They stopped at a grocery store and picked up some already-made sandwiches, some fruit, and a bottle of champagne. Nat directed Diana where to drive and they soon parked at the end of a wooded road – a place Natalie hadn't been since before her daughter had been born.
"What is this place?" Diana asked as she parked the car and they got out.
"I'll show you," Nat replied, "Follow me." She led her daughter to the clearing, her eyes widening as she registered the rose bush blooming over the spot they had buried Nick.
"Oh, mom, it's so beautiful," Diana said, glancing around.
Nat silently walked over to the rose bush, the large, fragrant white roses in full bloom. She stared at it silently for a moment, noticing her daughter approaching. She turned to look at her, "This is where your father is buried."
"What?" Diana asked, not sure she'd heard her mother correctly. That was the final secret, the one thing she had never asked and they had never volunteered.
"Right here, where this rose bush is," Nat said quietly.
"Thank you for bringing me here," Diana said. "It really is beautiful."
Nat smiled, seeing her late husband in her daughter not for the first time. "We should eat and get home before it gets dark."
They sat near the rose bush, inhaling the almost intoxicating fragrance. As they ate, Nat told her daughter stories about Nick which she'd never told before.
"Mom," Diana finally asked as their picnic wound down, "Dad would be mad at me for even thinking about becoming like he was, wouldn't he?"
Natalie contemplated for a moment, "Probably, but I think that under the circumstances, he would understand.
"Are you mad about this, mom?" Diana asked, needing to know.
"I was," she admitted, "But now… I understand and if this is what both you and Lucien decide, I won't argue with it. Do I like the thought of it? No, of course not, but nor do I relish the idea of burying my daughter." She frowned thoughtfully, "Just because this isn't what I want for myself doesn't mean I should stand in your way, if you are sure that this is what you want. Remember, right now, there's no way to go back."
"I know, mom, and I have done a lot of thinking about this, and not just now. When I first found out, well, I'll admit that I did do a good deal of 'what-if' thinking. One of those scenarios I thought about was cancer. I decided then that living, such as it would be, is preferable to death."
"You do know that you can find someone else to ask to do this. You could ask Aristotle. He was a close friend of your father's and I'm pretty sure he'd be willing."
"I know, and I considered that, too. You said before that Lucien is well respected in their community and that he is an ancient. I think that he would be my best bet. I'd be slightly better protected with him as my… sire."
Nat nodded, remembering Nick's long-ago descriptions of the hierarchy of the Community. He'd once explained that because Lacroix was high up there, he and Janette were as well. "You're probably right," she conceded, also thinking that with the way Lacroix felt about family, Diana would be well protected for eternity. What more could a mother ask for?
Diana glanced at her watch, "We should probably go now. He'll be awake soon."
'If he even slept,' Nat thought, knowing that Lacroix' eagerness to have Nicholas' daughter as his own would probably have kept him from sleeping. She nodded to her daughter before glancing back at the rose bush and saying a silent goodbye to Nicholas.
Lacroix anxiously paced across the living room. He had attempted – and failed – to sleep and had finally given up. He found the house empty when he rose and wondered where the women were. Deciding to fortify himself for both the coming discussion and its probable outcome, he had spent time in the kitchen downing bottles of straight human blood.
Hearing a car pulling into the driveway, he glanced out the window, recognizing Natalie's car. He moved to the front door and opened it, greeting the women as they approached. He closed the door once they'd entered, watching them move to take seats in the living room. He followed, taking his preferred chair across from Diana's seat on the couch.
"What did the doctor say?" he inquired lightly.
Diana glanced to her mother who decided to answer for her, "He said that he recommends surgery. Diana's tumor seems to be growing quickly," Nat said quietly.
"Chemotherapy is not an option, then?" he asked, having told Diana they would discuss every option.
"According to him, no," Diana said, glancing between her mother and uncle. "There's the other option…"
"Yes, there is," Lacroix responded, leaning forward slightly. "You have discussed this with your mother, have you not?"
"Yes," Diana replied.
"And you understand what you are asking for?" he asked.
"As well as anyone can, I suppose," she responded, steadily meeting his gaze.
Lacroix turned to face Natalie, "Out of respect for you and my son, I will ask your consent, Natalie."
Nat closed her eyes and silently nodded, unable to speak the words. She turned to her daughter, "You are an adult and I trust your decision."
Diana rose from her chair and approached her uncle, moving to kneel before him. "Uncle Lucien, I ask you to bring me across."
He ran his hand gently through her golden locks which were so like her father's. He gestured her to rise and he did so himself. "You are sure?" he asked one final time, needing to know he wasn't making a mistake like he had done with the girl's father.
She smiled, "Yes."
He nodded; smiling himself as he slowly turned her so he was behind her. Gently restraining her, he brought his head closer to her neck. "Relax, Diana," he whispered, feeling her tense muscles and hearing her heart racing. He kissed the pulse point once before allowing his fangs to drop. He gently eased them into the artery and drank.
Natalie looked away as Lacroix drained her daughter of all but the last of her lifeblood. When she heard him moving she watched as he eased Diana's still form onto the couch before slicing open his wrist and placing it at her mouth, calling her back.
Diana was surprised at the general lack of pain of her uncle's bite. The sensation of her blood being pulled from her was a strange feeling. She'd forced herself not to fight against his grip as he did so, reminding herself that this is what she'd asked for.
Darkness began to play at the edge of her vision as her limbs began to feel heavy. Quicker than she'd expected, the darkness had engulfed her.
Blinking her eyes at the bright light, she found herself conscious and standing. Glancing around, she was confused. Somehow she was back in the clearing they had picnicked in earlier. To her right was a strange door which, as she watched, opened. A figure stepped out and approached her.
"Hello Diana," the man said as he approached.
As he got farther from the bright light of the open door, she could make out his features. They were familiar, though from where, she couldn't immediately remember.
"Where… where am I?" she asked, wracking her brain for where she'd seen this man before. Then it hit her… the eyes, the hair – they were hers. "Father?"
He nodded, smiling. "Come with me, Diana. Please, don't go back."
She shook her head, "I can't stay here." Then, knowing she had to ask, she did so quickly, not knowing how much longer she would have, "Did you find the forgiveness you were looking for, father?"
He smiled sadly, "I know you will go back." Then, his expression changed and she saw a shy smile appear and his form shimmered slightly, a pair of snowy white wings appearing behind him.
She rushed to him, hugged him and kissed him, and quietly asked, "How do I go back?"
He kissed her in return before gesturing in the direction opposite the door, "Just walk that way."
"I will see you again, I know I will. Goodbye father!" With that, she turned away from him and the door and began walking until darkness engulfed her.
Lacroix called her for long, tense moments before finally feeling a tugging on the blood at his wrist. He smiled and glanced up at Natalie who shared his relief.
As Diana's urgent sucking slowed, he pulled his wrist away from her mouth. He brushed his hand down her cheek, feeling their bond forming as she slept.
Diana roused a short time later, the hunger ripping through her abdomen as the pain of her fangs' first descent blinded her. A heartbeat taunted her until a cold bottle was shoved into her hands, its scent drawing her to upend it. Waves of rapture rolled through her as she downed an additional two bottles. Slowly stopping, her vision cleared and she gazed up at her mother and uncle.
As she remembered her crossing, tears sprang to her eyes. Her uncle, concerned, approached, placing his hand on her shoulder. "Diana?"
"I saw my father," she said quietly.
Her mother gasped, a hand rising to her mouth. Lucien's hand developed a slight shudder. "You saw him at the door?" he asked.
Diana nodded and recounted everything she'd seen and all that had been said. Her mother openly wept and she saw Lucien blinking back his own tears.
Lying in bed a while later, Lucien contemplated everything. What Diana told him about Nicholas had eased a weight he hadn't been aware was present in his heart. Now the golden-haired girl was his immortal daughter.
As he let his eyes drift shut, he realized that all was once again right in his world.
The End.