The shower is running at full speed for Bernard-who unlike me-has a strange desire to make a routine. Wake up, dress up, drink up, learn, shower, change, sleep. He's like an old man in the way that he is set in his habits. I was worried before but then I remembered what Godric said before: like no two human is the same, no two vampire is the same. I had also started to worry about myself but if something were wrong I'm sure Godric would have said something.

I look to my love, my maker, my jealous boyfriend and nuzzle my face against his arm that works to turn the page of the book I stopped listening to. I whisper, "I have an idea."

He lowers his head to look at me, silent and intrigued, "Yes?"

"Bernard is doing so well and is just /so/ incredible. If we don't mention his sister or do anything to make him feel guilty or too grateful then maybe...maybe he won't go spacey on us," I explain in a rush so he won't stop listening but already at Little Bear's name he rolled his eyes. I hit at his shoulder, "Godric stop. How many times do I have to tell you, you're my one and only. I'm not going to stop loving you because of him and I hate that you think that. I know it's different and you're my maker but he's my child. Don't make me feel like I have to choose."

A deep sigh falls from his mouth and I'm twisted in my emotions. The way his breath falls on me makes me want to jump all over him and his face that has its own concern makes me want to pepper kisses everywhere on him. But I can't. I had to stay strong; I'm a mother now. He looks to me with brows furrowed as he speaks, "I'm sorry, Amie. I truly am. It seems I have selfishly taken away the pleasure that is one's first child with my brooding envy. It is simply that...you are the only light, only true joy, love, and happiness I have ever had in my entire life-human and vampire. How can I not fear losing you when you are the only thing I have ever wanted and needed?"

"Well," I blush a million shades of red as I smile so wide my cheeks are going to explode, "When you put it that way."

His laugh like wind chimes falls around me and I lay my head on his shoulders because i just can't get close enough to his heart. His arms circle around me and pull me in tight as he adds, "Besides. I'm not worried you will fall for him anymore. Now I'm worried he will fall for you."

I open my mouth and out comes the obvious 'yuck' noise. His laugh fills the air once more and I shake my head, "I mean, he's attractive! My Little Bear is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, obviously because of you and your blood that makes all of us incredible. But jeez. He's my baby! And I'm his mom! That little crazy part of your mind needs to take a nap because there is /no/ way he feels that way about me. So stop being such a grumpy oldie and be nice to him. He's your step son after all."

The whole time I spoke his eyes shined their joyful blue like they had before Bernard joined our afterlives. With us so close together and so honest again I feel like we can make this work. I had been struggling with guilt because of how Godric felt about the sudden turning but now I don't know. Bernard seems like he can just take care of himself while I still constantly need Godric's presence. Maybe it's because he never got to be a real kid and maybe it's because I never real stopped. I never had to be mature and take care of things like my period or other boys' emotions. While he had to deal with his parents deteriorating marriage and a beautiful rebellious sister.

The shower ends and I press a small kiss to the side of his face and a grin forms on my as I watch the once grumpy man turn into my shy boy. I nuzzle his shoulder again as I say, "The shower's over. Why don't you talk to him? Maybe show him the pond while I slip into something more comfortable."

"You know better than to tease me, Amie," comes Godric's strong and throatie response that rips right through me. He knows what that voice does to me along with the memory that makes me shiver out of control.

My face becomes serious as I look to him with eyes of unabashed want, "Who said I'm teasing?"

He opens his mouth to respond but instead comes Bernard's, "mom?" and I almost laugh because it looks like Godric said it himself.

I push him lightly on the bench, "Go?"

His closes his mouth and nods and maybe it's just me but I can sense the slightest bit of nervousness. He grasps my hand though and locks his eyes onto mine. One blue sea is a storm that drowns me while the other is a still ocean that in control. He kisses my hand-a gentle motion of his delicate lips against the back of my tender hand-and my body erupts into a fire I can't cool down. I has heard that when people first fall in love it's like a whirl wind but eventually it cools into a duller breeze of romance because the human heart can't handle that kind of emotion but my love is still as strong as the first time I had ever seen him. Part of me thinks it might be a vampire thing but I'm not so sure. My parents were the same way. Maybe when you find the right one the fire never goes away.

I smile and he's gone away from me in the second it takes my lips to curl. I'm reminded of when he would disappear at the slightest chance of a kiss but now my kisses are given and taken freely. I stand from the bench and place all the books back in their original position. I can't help but to smirk as I leave the library. Godric is doing me a favor and I have to live up to my word.

...

In the shower I realize something strange. I have amazing hearing. It's not just regular vampire hearing either. Living with shitty humans and ruthless vampires revealed to me all the great and not so great vampire traits and this is beyond what I know. I shouldn't be able to hear mom and Godric talking. But I can.

The thing that sticks out to me is obviously this stranger's weird phobia. I don't know what my mom means to him but I don't like it. He is an old man in the company of two young kids like us. He could be taking advantage of her for all I know, and I really don't.

"You don't want to scrap with him."

I shut off the shower and there she is. But something is different. She is adorned in jewels all over her skin and glittery flowers in her hair. Her body is covered in gray fur that looks thick and wolffish but she doesn't look like a monster. She looks happy.

"He's a big guy and he's been around about two thousand years. As strong and fast and tweaked as you are be she's of Mom's freaky blood juju...you can't beat him."

I don't know what to say. I don't know if I should say anything at all. Last time it happened I was numb for three days and I can't leave mom alone with that stranger. She needs me. At least I hope she does.

"Here, if you're not gonna talk to me at least cover up and listen."

The towel flies through the air and I catch it. How can she do that? If she's dead how can she do that?

"Things are different on this side. You can do anything you want to do, be anything you want to be. I was made for this...well we all are. You know how they say life is just the beginning. They weren't kidding. This is a whole new adventure and I can't wait to show you everything."

I feel my eyes watering and everything get blurry and with her words I want to find a stake to shove in my own heart so I can join her. I love mom but Sandy looks happier than I've ever seen her and she can't wait to show me all the great things in the other side. The fact that she still thinks of me makes me shiver she's stilling my sister; I still want to be her brother.

"Shhh, Bernie. You're still my brother. Your time will come and I will be there for you. I promise. Now wake up and stop getting stuck in the divide. Alright?"

I nod my head.

She smiles, "Mom?"

"Mom?" I repeat.

She's gone and I can feel myself slipping into smooth oblivion but a figure catches my attention and I am stuck here before the man that looks at me like such a threat. He is only slightly taller than me and mom but somehow he looks over me. Sandy said he was two thousand years old and in his eyes I can see it. I feel a sudden wave of anger flow through me. I know mom wants us to play nice but I called her, not him.

"Where's mom?" I question.

His voice is strong as he responds, "She is busy at the moment. Get dressed. I have somethings to discuss with you."