Chapter 2

Old House Family Formal Dining Room

Vicki smiled and nodded to Barnabas. He stood and to get attention he tapped his knife on his glass. "Dear Family and friends. Welcome to the Collins first and possibly annual Thanksgiving feast." He turned to smile adoringly to his wife then looked over the gathered family and friends. "My lovely wife and I discussed how we would handle the prayer for Thanksgiving and we decided, that each of us would say one thing we were thankful for and then say grace." He paused to look at all the expectant faces watching him. Smiling he reached for the hands of those to the left and right of him. "Now it will require you to hold each others hands, we will start with you George and follow around the table."

George holding Liz's hand smiled broadly, "I am thankful for and blessed to have my family and my first love back in my life." He kissed Liz's hand he held and she blushed, she glanced around the table and her gaze rested on Vicki.

Liz cleared her throat over whelmed with emotions she spoke softly, "I am thankful to have all my children and extended family back at Collinwood with me." Liz had been seat between George and Thomas. Turning she looked at Thomas and spoke softly, "Your turn."

Thomas Patterson was looking at the turkey, "I am thankful we have such a large bird to feed everyone."

Everyone laughed and then Jason shook his head and it was Carolyn's turn, "I am thankful I have a new family to share in my life and a new boyfriend who is not only charming but handsome too." She smiled brightly with her comment about a handsome boyfriend.

Again a round of laughter, Then Elliott had his turn, "I am very thankful for good friends and a new wife." He leaned over and kissed her check bring a fresh blush to her cheeks.

Julia chuckled and then blinked as her eye sight blurred slightly, thinking it was the wine or the heat of the room she covered her discomfiture, "I am thankful for my husband Elliott who has given me a new direction in life." She tightened her smile and blinked again noting her vision was blurring somewhat and did not wish to upset anyone with her ailment.

Sorin studied Julia and smiled and then realized it was his turn, "I am thankful for meeting Vicki who invited me to this wonderful meal with love and family. Today I feel like I am a part of a very old and very well respected family." Only he knew the true meaning of his words and hid his triumphant smile behind a polite one.

Vicki blushed and then looked down the table to her husband. "I am very thankful for my family and my future family, Barnabas and I have an announcement to make. I have an appointment with the doctor on Monday, we are possibly pregnant." She had been so excited over the potential news that she was glowing from the thought of being pregnant.

The room burst out with cheers and congratulations. It came to Quentin who sat next to Vicki, "That is very hard to follow. I am however sure I am NOT pregnant and I am very thankful for being a Collins and living here at Collinwood as a member of this my extended family. Perhaps some day I too will be making an announcement of an impending fatherhood and marriage. But not in that order"

That brought about a chuckle and an attractive blush of pink from the dark haired pretty woman. Vicki noted how delicate her features were and those beautiful doe colored eyes that now peered embarrassed around at everyone looking at her. Daphne glanced at Quentin unable to curb her smile speaking shyly she spoke softly. "I am thankful that I got a flat tire on the outskirts of Collinsport and this gallant man came by to help me."

Quentin looked over at Daphne and smiled, "I was the lucky one." He was quick to assure everyone that he was the lucky one in this case.

Chris Jennings looked at Sabrina then to the others at the table. "I am very happy to be related to the Collins family and thankful for my family and we are pregnant, Sabrina is due in June." Chris lifted her hand to kiss her fingers with a twinkle in his eyes and a smile.

Again, another round of congratulations surrounded the table, and then it was Sabrina's tucked her chin smiling she looked up at everyone at the table she knew it was her turn. Her voice was timid but proud "I am thankful for all of you being in our lives."

David was looking around at the food then he said, "I am thankful that I have a lot of new family. I just hope the are not too gabby so we can eat." This comment brought a soft rebuff from his father accompanied by the look. However the others were amused and knew he was stating the truth for a boy his age.

It was Penny's turn and she smiled sweetly glancing down at Gabe and then to those around her, "I am thankful I have a sister who can help take up for me against my brothers. I am also thankful that I have a father and soon a mother that will be there to help me if I need it." She smiled looking at Elizabeth who returned her smile with genuine pleasure.

Jason whispered across the table, "Suck up!" He winked at his sister and got 'the' look from his father.

Roger relented with the look turned and smiled proudly at his son, "I am thankful for all my family." He was quick and to the point for David's benefit and David smiled thankfully at his father.

Amy looked around and very solemnly spoke, "I am thankful to be living at Collinwood." She looked soulfully at David then back to her brother Chris. Tucking her chin she was afraid to look at anyone at the table for fear of seeing a pentagram on their faces.

Jason looked over at his brother and said, "I am thankful the food will still be warm when we finally get to eat." Again laughter but this time Jason got another 'the' look from his father.

Mrs. Johnson had her turn and she was tearing up. "I am thankful that I was allowed to become a part of this family." She after expressing her appreciation she too tucked her chin.

Joe smiled at Maggie and then to the room, "I am thankful for the cannery so I can provide for my future wife." He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles.

Maggie sighed and looked around at all those gathered, "I am thankful for being alive and able to share in this time with each of you here. I just wished Pop had been able to be here." She had sounded sadly wistful.

Sonja a pretty little blond with wide innocent eyes and a soft voice glanced around at all the strangers and then looked at Willie, "I am thankful for finding Willie and being invited to share in your meal."

Willie looked at Sonja and smiled, "I am thankful for being a part of a very special family and for finding Sonja."

Finally it was Barnabas' turn, he dropped George's hand and Willie's hand, "I am thankful for each and everyone of you being a friend and family members sharing in my life, but especially I am thankful for my beautiful wife, Victoria Collins, I salute you my love."

Everyone raised his or her glass and then the prayer for Thanksgiving was given and Barnabas began to carve the turkey. The bowls and platters were passed, plates were filled and copious amounts of food and rolls were eaten and the wine flowed. Once again, Julia had an odd sensation of blurred vision and feeling dizzy. As the festivities around the table began to wind down, Vicki stood and collected empty plates. Scraping the uneaten portions from the plates to the scrap heaps in the roasting pan.

Willie entered the kitchen in bringing more dirty dishes and Vicki began to stack the plates into the dishwasher, a new addition that had become a must for the kitchen renovation.

Willie took her hands out of the water, "Vicki, let Sonja and I clean up. You look tired why doncha go lie down?"

Vicki laughed, "I am tired, thank you Willie, but it seems an awful lot to leave for you and Sonja to clean up."

Willie directed her to the rear stairs, "Go lie down Vicki, I am more than happy to spend time with Sonja and we can serve the desert."

Vicki hugged Willie. "Thank you." I am pretty tired, I think I will go up for a short little nap."

Willie watched her remove her apron and walk slowly up the stairs. "She really is nice isn't she?" Sonja asked as she helped Willie clean up. Willie watched Vicki disappear and turned to his girlfriend.

"Yeah she really is. But I know someone just as sweet and nice as Vicki." Sonja giggled as Willie moved in for a sweet stolen kiss and a quick cuddle against her back. She giggled and slapped soapsuds at him, Willie in turn grabbed some soap suds and planted a big dollop on the tip of he nose then took his time to gently wipe them off. "That is how I like you all soapy and sweet." He kissed her neck and turned to scrap more plates and stack them next to her on the counter.

Old House Barnabas and Vicki's bedroom

Vicki slowly made her way to her room, walking across the floor to her bed; she flopped down on the bed and sighed. Closing her eyes she smiled, "This feels wonderful!" She had been up since 5:00 a.m. and she had not realized how exhausted she had become. A part of her did not want to admit this might have been a little much with all the guests, but it felt so good to have all the family and close family here in her house enjoying a meal she helped fix. That was what made today so perfect.

Rolling over, she pulled the blanket up around her body and snuggled into the pillow Barnabas slept on. She smiled smelling his scent and nuzzled her nose deeper into the pillow. Relaxing her body she was about to fall into a light nap. Just as she was about to go into a deeper sleep, she heard a voice calling to her. It was more like a directed hiss near her ear. "Elizabeta, my princess, your prince is waiting for you."

Opening her eyes she sat up dazed and looked around at the vague outlines of the familiar and the unfamiliar in the semi darkened room. Somewhere in the sure and unsure of the tired recesses of her mind she made out a figure. It was a vague shadow of a man that was not Barnabas casually sitting in the fireside chair. She sensed he was watching her sleep and was hovering over her like a silent sentinel. This was unnerving.

Sleep filled her voice as it cracked from dryness. "Barnabas?" She slid from the bed, straighten her clothing, she stepped forward towards the figure. When he had not answered her, she turned and asked again, "Barnabas?"

The figure stood and stepped into the soft lighting of the room. A sick sense of fear and confusion filled her as she saw him. It was the man who had accosted her on the night of her engagement party. He stood in a black Cassock top with black leather pants, knee high black boots and a flamboyant cape that appeared to be draped from buttons off his wide shoulders. Upon further observation she saw that it was more the style of his Russian cassock coat that offer drama and flare with his posing and moving about the darkening shadows of the room. He did it with ease and a sense of waiting until the perfect dramatic moment to divulge who he was and what he was doing in her bedroom. A part of her felt he was a distant familiar figure in her minds eye.

Vicki thought he looked more Russian gypsy or a Berber rough rider from his dress. One thing was sure to her sleep deprived mind and that was this man was not American bred and born he reeked of Vlad Tepes. He stepped closer and his features came into view and she was sure now he was the man that had accosted her on the night of her engagement party. Gasping she took a step back. "You!"

Radu Anocton chuckled softly and stepped back into the shadows hiding and blending with them making him appear even more ominous than before. His voice held a hiss as he whispered into the room giving his appearance the affected degree of being dangerous and to Vicki moving like a living shadow. She was reminded that this must be what death would be like if it came to call. He was amused as he spoke, "Yes, me. Do you doubt that I have the power to take you away anytime I wish?" He leaned over the back of the chair and fixed her with his pointed gaze with eyes that glowed with a icy cold intensity. His confidence was very over powering.

Vicki took another step away from the moving shadow. "What do you want?"

He smiled a deliciously evil smile; Vicki imagined she saw his snake like tongue move out to lick his lips. He just pinned her with that icy stare and spoke softly which made his words even more threatening. "I only wish your true happiness my sweet Elizabeta and that is with my prince. Once you learn your true place, which is with my Prince." He stepped around the chair with his hands locked behind his back, his whole demeanor was one of deliberate ease and calculated intent. He glanced over his shoulder freezing Vicki with his piercing gaze. "And rest assure, you will be happy with him."

This statement made Vicki feel she would have no choice. Quelling her fear and controlling the shaking of her legs she took another step back from the ever approaching dark figure advancing with each deliberate step he took closer to her. "I am happy here, with. . ." Her brave speech was cut short as she caught her foot on the edge of the carpet; tripping back she fell hitting her head on the hard oak flooring knocking her unconscious.

Radu stepped forward calling softly, "My Princess." He stopped at her side, bending down he crawled over her body moving his face a bare breath's distance to her face. He studied her lying unconscious beneath him. His body pinioned over her body with nothing but their clothing keeping them apart. He easily held his position with his palms pressed to the floor. So close he could feel her breath as she took them. Smell the sweetness of her essence and hear the flow of the warm blood rushing through her veins. Slowly he tilted his head from left to right, his gaze watching her for sign of awakening. "Princess?" His words were a seductive caress as he sniffed her fragrance. She was exquisite, no wonder his Prince wanted to lay claim to her. What was it about her that drove his Prince to such distraction to have allowed his guard down?

He studied her much as a predator would study his prey. She was more than just a common beauty; it was here while she lay unconscious, all her defenses down, exposed to his trained observations he could see what purity she held in her pure essence. He saw that it was her delicate sense of being a mortal and then he put a term to what he thought was the attraction. It was her innocence. Which was a trait that had been witnessed by him many times before. A trait he felt made humans weak. However, in her it was something intangible to touch but corrupt, yes it could be very corrupted. After all had he not watched his Prince chose a lovely sweet young thing born in innocence and raised in ignorance be brought over and corrupted?

Although in his life time and he did a mental smirk; many lifetimes he mentally correct; he had seen, this corruption many times over. Lowering his lips close to her neck he whispered, "What is it about you that drive my kind to want to take, possess and desire you?" He studied her face; she was an uncommon beauty with her delicate features, her mesmerizing hazel eyes, the tilt of her nose, and the cut of her jawline.

Drawing his fingers forward he captured a lock of her dark silky hair lifting it to smell the lilac shampoo she used. He smiled as the silky strands tickled his nose with their glorious satin feel.

Even her innocence did not make her, who she was. He had been privy to watching her for many weeks. It was her easy laugh and girlish chuckle that pulled at something in him. He saw she was capable of giving and caring and making anyone that engaged her attention the center of her attention. Her soft words of encouragements, the gentle tender way she showed her affections from that buffoon Collins to that irritating child David.

She had the capacity to love beyond love and give beyond giving and she never took. He had watched her dance and he knew she had passion and sensuality. Oh his Prince was lucky to be able to claim her. He would have to guard his feelings she had a way of weakening their kind, look at what she had done to his Prince and Collins, had them mewing over her like a simpering over infused testosterone teen. There was a light knock on the door. With resentment born of irritation at being interrupted in his game of 'who are you really.' Glancing over at the door his hissed, "Go away." The wannabe intruder knocked again, rising from the floor Radu melted back into the shadows disappearing.

"Vicki my dear?" Barnabas walked into the room and found her laying on her back unconscious on the floor. Rushing to her, Barnabas fell to his knees to check and make sure she was breathing. Panic filled, he shouted, "Julia! Julia!" Afraid to move her, he shouted again, "Someone! Julia! Help me, please!"

George and Liz arrived first, followed by Quentin and Daphne, and then more family members came to the open doorway.

Julia pushed her way into the room. Liz and George were kneeling by Vicki on the floor. Barnabas stood and stepped back sitting on the edge of the bed, his eyes fixed to his wife's figure on the floor. The look on his face was one of genuine concern and a hint of fear that she was seriously injured.

"What happened?" Julia looked to Barnabas stricken face.

"I don't know, Willie said she was tired and I came up to check on her and found her this way."

Julia lowered herself to the floor doing a cursory check, for any broken bones or injuries to her neck. "How long as she been unconscious?"

Barnabas stood and began to pace. "I found her this way. I don't know."

Julia took Vicki's pulse and looked at Liz who was standing on the other side of the bed watching anxiously, "What happened? Does anyone know? " No one was forth coming so she started to push up and felt a warm rush over her body, becoming disoriented she staggered back.

"Julia!"

Elliott rushed to catch her and hold her up. "No, I am fine Elliott, we need to get Vicki off the floor and on the bed, someone needs to call an ambulance." Quentin pushed his way into the room, and with George's help lifted Vicki and put her on the bed. Elliott looked at Julia with more than a mild concern, he was worried, her face had become pale and she was breaking out in a cold sweat.

"Julia I must insist that you sit down." Elliott was concerned that Julia was affected as well. Leading her to the chair by the fireplace he helped her to sit.

She readily let her legs, which had become rubbery relax and folded herself onto the comfort of the chair. "Thank you, I was just a little dizzy. I will be fine." Her words were uttered with an apology to her husband a look of reassurance. Julia shook her head and looked up at her husband with an apologetic smile. "I'm fine Elliott, I am tired, full night and up early. You know how it was. "

She stood up to show him she was fine, snapped her jacket over her hips and turned to walk to the bed. "Barnabas clear the room so I can examine her."

Sorin 'Gabe' discretely stepped into the room, looking at Vicki then he glanced around the room and saw Radu hiding strategically in the corner. He nodded to him and turned to leave the room remarking, "I hope it is nothing serious. I think I am going to take my leave but if there is anything I can do, please call me." He spoke to no one in particular as he made his intentions to leave known.

Carolyn looked at the time and then to Gabe, "Gabe would you mind giving me a ride back to Collinwood, I am meeting someone there."

He smiled cordially and extended his arm, "My lady's carriage awaits."

She glanced at Vicki and then to her mother, "If its serious please call me at the Blue Whale mother."

Liz nodded and turned as George came to stand by her side, "We will be waiting down stairs honey, if you need me for anything call me."

Liz nodded and waited as the room was cleared and Julia methodically began to move expert hands over Vicki's body and found a large bump. "She must have tripped and hit her head, she needs to be taken to the Emergency Room so I can get some x-rays and do a more thorough examination." She glanced at Barnabas, then to Vicki.

Barnabas was really becoming more agitated, "What if she is pregnant could the baby be in danger?"

Julia turned to calm him tugging her jacket down over her hips she looked at Barnabas. "I won't know until I can do a complete exam on her, the fact she has been unconscious for as long as she has concerns me. She could have bleeding on her brain."

A soft moan alerted them to Vicki waking up. "Ooooh," She shifted her head and spoke softly, "Barnabas?" He watched face and noticed her eyelashes flutter open. She blinked then squeezed her eyes shut. "I think I hit my head hard."

"Vicki, look at me." Julia using her commanding doctor's voice stepped to her side.

Liz entered the room, "I called for an ambulance, and they are on their way."

Vicki blinked and looked around at all the anxious faces staring down at her. "What happened?" She winced as she attempted to sit up.

Barnabas gently pushed her back down and she struggled with him to sit up and stand. Standing a little unsteady on her feet, Barnabas stood next to her, supporting her with his arm around her waist. "Oh wait I remember, that dreadful man from our engagement party was back and he threatened me." She put trembling fingertips to her forehead. Julia looked at Barnabas and silently indicated they should guide her to sit back on the bed.

"You should not be standing right now my dear, just sit until the ambulance gets here."

Barnabas' face clouded with frustrated anger listening to his wife's account of Radu being back in the house. A light knock on the door and Maggie poked her head in, "Ambulance is here."

Liz had watched with quiet concern and spoke decisively from the doorway, "Barnabas, you ride with Vicki in the ambulance, George and I will follow in the car." Liz left the room and Elliott entered the room.

"Julia?"

She stood back allowing the two attendants to enter the room and put Vicki on a gurney. "We need to go to Collinsport Hospital, I need to run some more tests on Vicki." She looked at the two attendants. "Who is the attending Emergency Room doctor on call today?"

A young male with carefully groomed hair and kind features looked up from buckling Vicki on the gurney. "Dr. Lang is in the Emergency Room and when he leaves tonight Dr. Carlton."

Julia smiled, "Thank you, I will be following in my own vehicle. Please tell Dr. Lang I should be there shortly."

Truth be told Julia was not feeling well and was grateful Elliott would be driving. Turning to Liz she smiled, "I am sure it will be nothing more than her exhaustion coupled with a possible concussion, I just want to be safe than sorry."

Liz stood next to her friend and family doctor. "Thank you Julia, I am so grateful you are here to make sure she will be fine."

Julia smiled, and nodded, "I will see what needs to be done," Turning to Elliott she smiled with another show of reassuance, "Darling, will you bring the car around and drive me to the hospital?"

"Of course my dear, I have pulled the car up behind the ambulance."

Julia stood holding onto Elliott she let him lead her down the stairs. Assisting her with her coat, Elliott, escorted her out to their car.

The anxious group huddled in the drawing room each looking dutifully concerned, "Pop, we will follow you." Thomas looked at his brother and his sister.

Maggie looked at Joe, "I will take the children back to Collinwood, if you promise to call and tell me what is going on?"

The family group gathered together and got in their respective cars driving to the Emergency Room. Julia met the ambulance and began ordering tests.

Collinsport Hospital Emergency Room

Dr. Lang stepped into the room where Vicki lay on the gurney. "Well young lady, I have some good news and some bad news."

Vicki reached for Barnabas' hand. "The good news is you have a concussion, the bad news is you are not pregnant." Of course she was grateful all she had was a concussion, but the news that she was not pregnant crushed her, leaving her feeling bereft and disappointed. She had held her hopes so high on being a mother and giving Barnabas an heir.

Vicki looked at Barnabas with tears brimming in her eyes. "Oh darling, I am so sorry."

He kissed her hand and stroked her hair from her face. "It is all right my love. We have plenty of time. I am very concerned for your health. Your father wants to talk to you about the man in our bedroom."

Vicki sniffed and accepted a tissue from the nurse. "Thank you." She delicately blew her nose.

"Barnabas he said he could take me anytime. I was so frightened that I backed up and caught my foot in the rug and fell. That is when I must have hit my head."

Barnabas' face clouded with rage and he stood up, "Vicki, I am going out to the waiting room, your father wishes to speak with you about that man."

Vicki was so pitiful looking watching him leave she now felt alone and lost. George walked around the drawn curtain and looked with concern at the pale face of his daughter. "Now honey, tell Dad exactly what happened and what this clown looked like."

George pulled the stool over by her bed and looked intently into his daughters troubled tear filled gaze. His heart was breaking seeing her in so much emotional and physical pain. A father's job was to protect his own and he was feeling helpless.

Vicki lifted her hand to take his hand and curled her fingers over the top of his clinch fist. Speaking carefully as if she were drawing the details from her memory that was shrouded in pain, she spoke softly "It was the same man from our engagement party. He threatened to take me back to that horrible Vlad. He really scared me Daddy."

George knew she was upset, the only time she used her endearment of 'daddy' was when she was afraid or hurt. Liz had stood behind George as she heard this. Unable to bear her daughter's pain, Liz needed time to regroup her own emotions so she could support her daughter. She stepped quietly out of the room and walked to the waiting room.