Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed this story. I apologize for the lack of updates but as a few of you know, I was involved in a car accident before Christmas so I'm now getting back into writing. (I'm fine. My car, not so much. More details is on the myspace, click on link in my profile)

This story is wrapping up pretty soon so I can focus on my other stories. There might be a sequel to this story, if there's enough demand for one. Anyhoo, enough babbling…onto the story.

P.S. Brownie points for anyone who can figure what song I used for Stephanie's last line in the chapter.

----------------------------------

Champagne Hill was normally a quiet home, with the exceptions of the various torture techniques the Brood employed to their victims. A hard wind knocked the tree leaves against the window as the Brood gathered around the living room sofas. Eyes were bloodshot, and yawning was constant. Yet, the only thing anyone wanted was the painful noise to stop.

For an hour non-stop, Nevaeh had been wailing. While the Brood carefully planned Nevaeh's snatching, they weren't prepared to actually take care of her. She was quiet for the first several hours but when she suddenly woke up, the Brood was stunned. They didn't have formula or even diapers to take care of Nevaeh for the time being. Edge mistakenly thought the Family would fetch after Nevaeh as soon as they noticed she was missing.

How wrong he was. Now the Brood was fighting to stay awake and had the grouchy attitudes to accompany the tiredness. "Why won't she shut up?" Edge demanded.

Jeff tried his best to calm Nevaeh down. "She's probably hungry." Jeff added.

Edge looked around for available food nearby. He settled on an apple and tossed it over to Jeff. "There. Now make her quit." He instructed.

"You idiot, she's an infant. She's not going to eat an apple." Jeff said defiantly.

Edge pointed to the smirk on his face. "And this is me caring, Jeff. I don't give a flying fuck what she eats. Somebody make her shut up."

"Alright." Lilian complied. Her eyes turned dark as the fangs appeared. She was about to bite Nevaeh when she was suddenly thrown against the wall by Jeff.

He walked calmly over to Lilian and stared down at her. "Harm the child and I'll kill you." He hissed.

Lilian was about to throw Jeff against the wall until he made her still. "You have a better idea, Hardy?"

Jeff cradled Nevaeh as he spoke down to Lilian. "Oh, I have a few ideas. Seeing the different kind of artwork I could use with your intestines is one of them."

Before the vast display of blood could be painted on the walls, Edge suddenly interrupted the Brood. "I got it!" Edge smirked. "Grab the kid. I'm going to take her somewhere safe. Somewhere that no one would suspect where she is."

-------------------------------

As standard, The Brood entered the Palace. Her long brown hair was pulled tightly in a bun and she was wearing leotard-esque attire. Luckily for them, Stephanie was in the midst of a yoga session so her spirit was calm. That was, until she heard the familiar cries of an infant. Her brown eyes opened slowly as she looked up from her seated position.

"There's a reason you're holding my heiress." Stephanie said.

"We got the kid, but don't you worry!" Edge smiled. "She is being taken care of and nothing harmful has been done to her. And no, I haven't laid a finger on her at all."

Stephanie got up from the floor and walked over to Stacy, who was holding Nevaeh. "She's hungry." Stephanie cradled her. "She hasn't been fed." She then looked at the Brood with dreary eyes. "Please tell me you didn't try to feed her."

"We didn't know she was hungry." Lilian explained.

"You stole a six-week-old infant and it didn't occur to you that the baby could get hungry?" Stephanie asked.

The Brood looked amongst themselves. Unlike the Family who banded together, the Brood threw each other under the bus at the first possible chance. "It's Lily's fault." Carlito nodded.

Lilian snapped her head around and hissed at him. "My fault? Yeah because you're the bucket full of genius who knew she was hungry, huh?"

"Hey, I could've told you the baby needed food." He shrugged.

"Oh, you're so full of shit, Carlito." Lilian shot back.

"You're both full of it." Jeff added.

Lilian and Carlito turned towards him. "Shut up, Hardy!"

Suddenly, a lightening bolt struck down near the trio. All three huddled up together and scooted close to a nearby corner. "Shut up now or I'll make you quiet forever." Stephanie commanded. She then stood up from her throne and walked towards Edge. "Your job is done here. I suggest you go."

Edge nodded and grinned. "We'll be back later for the kid." He smiled.

Stephanie nodded. As always, Edge underestimated her powers and undermined her authority. Little did Edge know that Stephanie had no intention of giving her heiress back to him. "I'm sure you will."

--------------------------------------

Within minutes of the Brood's departure, The Family barged into the Palace, seeking answers and wanting revenge. The Family could still smell the Brood's arrival at the Palace and immediately searched all over for them. Worse yet, they could also smell Nevaeh's scent and searched for her as well. Concluding that there was no evidence the Brood or Nevaeh was still present, the Family returned to the basement. There was no time for niceties and civilized conversation as all Family members impatiently waited for Stephanie's attention.

Stephanie, meanwhile, was in the Goddess yoga position. She was laying flat on her back with her legs open and her feet pressed together. Her palms were open and her eyes were closed. She was calm, collected, and relaxed. "She's sleeping here. I just fed her and now she's resting." She referred to Nevaeh. "I'm disappointed. You failed me miserably."

Dave didn't ask how Stephanie knew about Nevaeh's disappearance or when she received her. His only concern was to get her back into his arms. "How is this my fault?"

"Lover, you had all the resources to protect my heiress and you didn't." Stephanie calmly opened her eyes and motioned for Dave to walk closer to her. She looked up at him and smiled. "I'm disappointed."

"I want my daughter back." He answered.

"You'll get her back." She cut him short. "But you'll get her back when I feel you're ready to have her and right about now I'm not so sure you're ready for her now. However, that's not the only reason you're here, now is it?"

Dave reluctantly nodded. "No, it's not."

Stephanie stood up and motioned for Trish. She walked over to Stephanie, feeling a little uneasy of what was happening. "It's going to be excruciating. It's going to be painful. It's going to be wonderful. It's going to be beautiful." Stephanie referred to the turning. "Is this what you want?"

"I'm going to do anything to get my daughter back." Trish replied.

Stephanie smiled. "Let's begin, shall we?"

-------------------------------------

The turning ceremony was sacred, protected, and upheld to the highest standard. It was considered a rite of passage to vampires, equivalent to a baptism or a wedding to humans. No one spoke a word, instead communicating with each other with telepathy and sign language. The Family members dressed in their hooded velvet cloaks and awaited direction from the Queen Mother.

Trish's mind was racing as she laid still on the long table. It was covered with a silk black sheet and surrounded by many candelabras. She was instructed to keep her eyes closed, which she unwillingly obliged. She was stark naked and she could feel the cold temperature creating goose bumps on her body. She felt light shined on her, presumably by the lit candles. She didn't know exactly how long she had been on the table but that didn't matter. Despite the heat in the basement, Trish was cold. However, she also knew that was not the only reason for the drastic change. Whether Trish wanted to admit it or not, she was scared as hell.

Her life would be different and there was no turning back. She would see clearer, feel emotions more passionately, and have stronger powers. But she would also be more susceptible to death if she wasn't careful. She wouldn't be able to be in the daylight for a short while and would need to consume blood almost daily for the first few months as she grew stronger. Yet, all of that did not matter to Trish as long as she had her baby girl back in her arms again.

Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by two sets of warm hands on her body. She felt Dave's hands on her face and Stephanie's on her ankles. Stephanie gently moved Trish's legs apart and climbed on top of her. "Look at me." She directed.

Trish opened her eyes and met Stephanie's gaze. Just like with Dave's turning, Trish was instructed not to speak unless told to. "Are you ready?"

"Yes."

Stephanie grinned and softly sucked on Trish's lips. She then directed Dave to shed his cloak as she removed hers. Both were naked and in hot anticipation. Stephanie then climbed back on top of Trish and caressed her face. Trish was noticeably shaking, though she tried not to. She was more nervous than she realized.

Stephanie smiled and kissed Trish again. "Relax. It's just sex."