Disclaimer : I don't own Night World or Romeo & Juliet (You've no idea how badly I wish I could own either of them.)

Uncle Bracken was busy doing some file work in his room when somebody knocked at his door. The knock sounded hesitant and nervous to his Vampire ears.

"Come in!" He calls and looks up to see a pretty boy coming over to him. His hair a little longish, his body well toned, but compact. He wasn't much tall and always had a calm face but his cute dimples gave him a mysterious look. His grey eyes were intense- fathomless.

"Hey Bracken!" he smiled politely and said in a soft, gentle voice. "How are you?"

"Hugh! Hi, I'm great. What brings you here so early in morning? Jez is sleeping right now."

Hugh came forward and chuckled "Yeah I know, the sleeping beauty can never be up so early." He laughed softly and then spoke a little tensed. "Actually I came to talk to you." His face was serious again.

Uncle Bracken looked up at him and noticed the tension on his face. He asked him in a low, cautious voice, "Is it something about the Circle Daybreak?"

"No no! It's nothing related to them or even the Night World I suppose." Hugh reassured him quickly. "Well its that I.. I.." He stammered and his lips quivered. Uncle Bracken waited patiently.

Hugh looked down as he speaks softly, " I want to propose Jez. I want to marry her."

Bracken froze for a few seconds. He regained his posture and calmly replied, "I see. But you think Jez is going to be sure about it?"

"That's the problem Bracken. I am not positive. That's why I wanted to discuss it with you. I mean I'm sure she loves me just as much as I love her. We've been together since last four year and been friends since childhood. But I don't know how she would react to this."

"Look Hugh, I really appreciate that you love her so much despite knowing her secret and I'm glad that she has you but marriage is kinda' big deal. Don't you know how the other Redferns and Council would react at this news? They would kill all three of us."

"Then you don't need to tell it anyone. You're not much in contact with any of your relatives either." Hugh pointed it out and continued calmly, "Besides, there's hardly any Night People around here and whoever is, they belong to Circle Daybreak. I've already talked to them and they seem fine with all this."

Bracken nodded in agreement. Suddenly it struck him and he went rigid for a moment. "What about the Blackthorns? They are our enemies. They'll definitely report it to the Council."

Hugh closed his eyes and sucked in a breath. His hands balled up in a fist at his either sides. "Well I guess then no one has to know about it. We'll keep it a secret from everyone."

"I guess its fine then. So when are you planning to propose her?" Bracken smiled at Hugh in a mischievous way.

Hugh smiled back as he told him his plan."Well I was actually thinking that I'll do it sometime in between the ball party tonight. I'll ask her to dance and after a while I'll take her into the back garden and then, you know.." He trailed off as he blushed a little. Bracken felt his shyness and laughed it off.

"All right young gentleman. I wish you all the very best."

"Thanks Bracken. By the way can I ask you something personal?"

"Sure, Go ahead!"

"Have you," He tensed a little again, "Had you ever thought about making peace with, with the Blackthorns?"

All smile vanished from Bracken's face hearing this. He took control of the rage that was building inside him. He spoke through his teeth when he replied, "I may not be in touch with Redferns now but I can never forget what their family did to ours." His eyes were blazing with anger.

"But that was a long time ago and it has nothing to do with Val and his family. They never did anything to you so maybe you both families here could live in peac-"

"No we can't Hugh!" He spoke abruptly, cutting Hugh which made him jump back a step away from Bracken. "If they realize the truth about Jez, they would kill her themselves. I understand that as a damned Daybreaker you want some peace between us but I'm sorry you're gonna be a little disappointed over there."

"It's okay Bracken. Calm down. Sorry I didn't really meant to get you so angry and all. Just calm down, okay?" Hugh was really regretting brining up this topic in their conversation. So he decided to move on to another one, "Well, I heard some cousin of Jez is also coming. Who is it?"

"His name is Azarious and well, he actually despised humans a lot but he can tolerate to live with them now as he is going to live with us for a while."

"Azarious" Hugh repeated the name, "Vampire?" He asked casually to which Bracken nodded in affirmation.

"Hmmphh!" Hugh said in lack of any better response." He was about to say something but suddenly a hard and impatient knock at the door drew both their attentions.

"Uncle Bracken! Its Raven." She was breathing hard. Hugh could tell it from her voice.

"Come in Raven." As soon as he said it, Raven came in and was in front of both of them is just a blink of eyes. Her face was tired and she looked like as if she'd been running from quiet a lot of time.

"What's wrong Raven? Are you okay?" Bracken asked him in a worried tone. He never saw Raven losing her serenity and react like this. This meant something was wrong.

"Little Blackthorn girl has stolen a Japanese oak this morning from our factory. We chased her but she vanished into the other side of Muir Woods." Hearing this Bracken's eyes grew with fury. Raven cringed back a little.

"Were there other too?" Bracken asked with his voice barely under control now. He turned to face Hugh squarely. His eyes held the look that meant "See what I've been talking about?"

Hugh understood and kept quiet for the moment. Raven was answering Bracken's question

"It was only her. I'm so sorry Uncle Bracken." She ducked her head to hide her tears that might spill over her cheek any moment. Hugh got up to comfort her a little.

Just as he got up, suddenly something fell from his back packet and he didn't seem to notice it. Raven, with her vampire skills spun around Hugh and caught a velvet box just before it met the ground. She opened the box and let out a gasp. Hugh and Bracken turned to her to see her eyes wide with awe and a hand cover over her mouth.

Bracken leaned to see what it was and saw a beautiful Tiffany's heart -shaped solitaire ring. He couldn't believe his eyes. He was so happy from within that he let the Blackthorn's matter go to hell. He went over to Hugh who was a little embarrassed at the moment and hugged him.

"Jez is so lucky to have you, Hugh. I'm just so happy that I'll have you as my family member"

"Thanks Bracken. But I think I'm the lucky one to have Jez."

Raven came and just shook Hugh out of Bracken's reach. When he was facing her she said just a word "When?" And Hugh understood it. He too, replied in a single word "Tonight"

Tears of joy started rolling down her cheeks. Though she was Jez's elder sister, yet she loved Jez like her own daughter. Hugh had always been perfect for her and she knew it. She knew how much delighted Jez would be tonight after this surprise. She had always wished Jez to find someone like herself: An exception to this world. And Hugh just seemed be that guy. He loved Jez more than Raven did.

"I'm going to wake up Jez. We better start getting ready for the eve." Saying that she left the room. Bracken was back on his files. Hugh stood there for a moment a turned to walk back the door."I guess I'll see you tonight then Bracken. Bye."

He walked out of the door and heard Bracken call him out a bye in response. Just as was out of the gate he wondered if ever the enmity between these two families would come to an end. I really wish that somehow this miracle happens and happens soon. He thought and drove off.

Thanks a lot for reading. You don't know how much it means to me. Love you all for the tremendous support.

VampyWildCat