Weeks flew by and soon summer was in full fledge and Marc was working for his mom during the days and spending most of his nights with his father. Henry looked forward to spending more time with his son, they talked more, and their conversations were more meaningful and he felt more connected with him.
Mark was with his father, before Vicki came to take him home.
"Dad, do you miss the light?" he asked.
"I do, but its something I've learned to miss. He paused. The warmth of the sun is something I would love to get back, but I am forced to live without. The night is my life, I must be content with that."
Mark listened carefully, and nodded slowly.
"You still have a lot to learn, Mark." He looked over at him.
"I know I do, and I have time." He reassured his father.
"Yes, we do. "Mom doesn't want to know the gender of the baby." He smiled.
"Why not?" He asked his son.
"She said she wants it to be a surprise." Mark smiled.
"Oh really? Well then she will be surprised. They both smiled at each other, knowing the gender of the baby.
As it did everyday the night faded away, and dawn approached, Henry slept and Marcus set off into his double life. Human by daylight and vampire by night. He hasn't yet learned how to channel his changing; soon his mind will be strong enough to do so. But for now that's how he must live.
Another few weeks pass and Mark and Henry meet every night, and he teaches him the ways of the night. Vicki has just started to show, and is feeling great, for now. Marcus' senior year is coming up fast, and he wants to enjoy every minute of it. The climate is shifting and Henry can feel it. Something just isn't right.
School was just around the corner, Mark was just getting home from his fathers, and it was late, he noticed that his mother was still up.
He walked through the back door, and saw the kitchen lights on.
"Mom, what are still doing up?" Mark asked walking over to her.
"Can't sleep." She lied.
Mark knew his mother was lying, but didn't say anything to push the matter. He tried to channel his mother's thoughts, but all he could sense was waves of pain across his stomach, below his belly button.
She went to the couch and sat down, and put on the news, Mark followed.
"Mom? Please tell me, what is it?' He sat next to her. She turned off the TV, and rubbed her stomach, as if she was in pain.
"Mom?" He didn't have to say anything; she turned to him and hugged him. That hug turned into pain, and she grabbed his shirt with her hands, and squeezed.
"Oww, Mark." She breathed.
"Mum, are you okay?' he asked with a concerned look.
She just breathed heavily. "Mark, go get your father, please. Something is not right.
"I'm not leaving you here." He told his mother.
He helped his mother into the car, and drove to his father's house.
It was 2 hours until sunrise, and Henry was busy working on his art, when he heard a knock on the door.
He opened it, not expecting to see Mark helping Vicki walk through her pain.
"Vicki." He helped Mark bring her to the couch.
She breathed heavily. "Henry, the baby, I don't know what's going on."
Mark just stood their watching his mom in pain; there was nothing he could do.
She rubbed her tummy and so did Henry. He listened for the heartbeat.
"Henry what is it?" She asked.
"Nothing, the heartbeat is normal." He said in an almost relieved voice.
She squeezed his hand again in pain. "Then why is this happening?"
"I don't know, maybe we should go to the hospital." He suggested.
Without warning Christina showed up in Henry's apartment.
"Maybe the hospital sounds like a good idea" She said softly walking towards Marcus.
Mark looked at her with his sparkling green eyes, which glowed in the nighttime.
"Oh hello handsome" she said in a sensual voice. "What a fine young man you have grown up to be."
"Christina, I presume." He said.
She walked a circle around Marc; she placed a hand on his shoulder and followed it down towards his chest. He breathed heavily, but was able to block her from his thoughts.
"Your father has taught you well." She smiled.
"Leave him alone, Vicki said standing up with Henry's help.
"He's not who you want." Henry said firmly, not daring to leave Vicki's side. He knew his son could hold his own, for the time being.
She turned her attention back to Mark, who by this time, was in his night form, though somewhat different from his father or Christina. His eyes glowed bright green and now was sporting his fangs. He was quite calm, and no anger ran through him.
"Half-vampire, half-human, impressive." Christina commented. She got really close to him and rubbed her hands on his body, he didn't move.
"You can't resist me." She said in a lustful tone.
"Actually I can." He said calmly. Christina tried harder to win him over.
She put her face close to his lips. "How about now?"
"Mark, don't listen to her." Vicki yelled.
Mark was trying really hard not to give in, but she was extremely powerful.
Their lips almost touched when, Henry intervened and tossed her aside, and breaking the spell she had on Mark. Mark rubbed his head, as the connection was broken. He looked over to his mom and went to her.
"Mom…" He sat next to her.
"You okay, sweetie? She asked, as her pain was gone.
"I'm fine, what happened? He asked his mother.
She hugged him. "Its okay, baby. Your safe, that's all that matters.
Henry walked into the room. "She's gone, for now."
"Mark? You okay?" He rushed over to him, looking him over. "She didn't hurt you, did she?"
"No, I'm okay, Dad, really.
"Good."
"Dad, what did she want with me?!" Mark asked.
"I don't know, Mark, I have a feeling well find out soon.
"How are you feeling, Vicki?"
"Better." She said with her arm around her son, and one on her stomach.
The baby moved from within her, and she smiled.
"What?" Henry asked. "The baby moved." She said with a smile.
"Here feel." She took Mark's hand and placed it on her stomach.
"That's cool." He replied.
"Yeah, it is." She hugged him with a smile.