Time flows differently for mortals and immortals. It was just a natural difference between the two groups. There was no illusion of time moving too fast or too slow for most vampires time just moved at it's own pace. Unlike other vampires who hardly noticed the changing years, Gabriella Goodwin was well aware of the human progression of time. It had been two years since she and her son had rescued the petite rag doll. Two years since the young woman had entered her family's life.
Ever since she had saved her adopted son Conrad from certain death at the hands of the U.S. Calvary, as they wiped out his in entire tribe, she had become in tuned to the passage of time. In a split second, to her mind he had changed from a helpless baby to burgeoning adult. Never in her life had she thought she would be so welcomed to the existence of wolves, the natural enemy to vampires. Not until, Conrad as a teenager shape shifted into one. Apparently the normally dormant gene that sat inside of him had been activated by her presence. The change had allowed her decades with her son that she wouldn't have had if he had been only human. Yet, since he found his mate Sara twenty years ago he shifted less so he could grow old with the woman he loved.
Sighing silently as she watched Conrad in the distance with his wife Sara talking to Dani their daughter and the petite vampire Lina, short for Thumbelina,. Gabriella couldn't help but feel time was moving too fast. Even with the distance between her and her family she could see the beginnings of gray mixing with the black in her son's hair. While Gabriella was locked in the body of a twenty-three year old woman, her son and daughter in law were both in their mid forties. It wasn't always easy for her to watch the passing of time move across those she loved dearly, but it was the path she had chosen when she decided to entangle her life with humans.
It wasn't hard for Gabriella to see how easily Lina fit into the family. The sprite was just that a young woman full of energy and love. What Gabi couldn't understand was why someone would attack the young vampire.
Lina's recovery from the attack had been slow and though she was better there were still scars, not just physically. Gabriella's biggest concern was Lina had absolutely no recollection of who she was or who the vampire was that had attacked her. Leaving Lina completely vulnerable to being attacked again and that was unacceptable to the elder vampire. She had grown quite fond of the petite sprite.
Gabriella was confident that with time the little vampire would overcome her trauma and begin to recall her past. There were, in Gabriella's view, aspects of Lina's past playing out subconsciously. The first revelation that showed this to be true was when Lina woke, burning with thirst but she didn't fall into the vampire's natural instinct and attack Sara or Dani but fed on the deer Gabriella brought her without question. This showed Gabriella that deep inside the little waif, hidden away, was her true self and with time she would emerge.
Gabriella pushed herself off the tree she had been leaning on since her arrival home she moved to join her family. Seeing Lina nudge Dani, Gabriella gave them both a wide smile, which both returned easily. Catching the predatory glee in both her granddaughter and Lina's faces, Gabriella prepared herself for the assault, which would be forthcoming.
"Gran," Dani called launching herself as soon as Gabriella was in range to catch her.
Catching the sixteen-year-old girl with easy, Gabriella spun her around, bringing forth giggles from the teenage and from Lina, who was dancing around the two. No doubt waiting for her moment to pounce on Gabriella's back. It was a game the two girls had started doing once Lina had been physically able to do so.
The two girls could be easily mistaken for sisters. They both shared the same black hair, though Dani's was long and curly, while Lina's was short and spiky. Dani was the taller of the two, but they both were slender and moved like dancers even when they walked. The eeriest aspect of the two was how much their personalities meshed together; they were in Gabriella's opinion, twins whom had been separated at birth instead not by minutes but by decades.
Feeling Lina's impact on her back, Gabriella let out and exaggerated oomph, while pretending to stagger at being caught off guard. The action brought giggles of merriment from both the teenagers.
"We missed you," Lina musical voice tickled the older woman's ear. "Dani was practically beside herself waiting for your return."
"Hmmm, sounds like a rather uncomfortable way to be." Gabriella commented with a smirk as she stopped twirling her granddaughter.
"It most certainly is Gran. You said you'd only be gone for a few days." Dani pouted still being held by the woman. "You were gone far longer then that."
"We were getting concerned." Lina added still clinging to Gabriella's back unable to hide the relief she felt as she tightened her grip around the taller woman.
The older vampire had become her constant, her savior, and her tender companion who guided Lina as she emerged from the pitch-blackness that had surrounded her. Without Gabi by her side Lina was sure she would go mad from frustration at the lost memories of her previous life. It was the soothing and gentle strokes both physical and emotional that Gabi administered to Lina, which kept her grounded. The beautiful vampire, though Lina knew Gabi didn't see herself that way, had become a balm to the younger vampire.
Nestling her nose in to the woman's mahogany brown hair Lina inhaled Gabi's chocolate cinnamon scent and felt her nerves calm. In truth she had been becoming very worried by her friend's absence as fond as she was of the rest of the Goodwin family the loss of Gabi would have been too devastating for her to handle.
"I'm truly sorry my loves, things didn't go as I had hoped on this trip. I was always safe and I was gone only a few extra days then planned."
"Four is not a few Gran, four days Gran."
"Very long days," Lina purred in Gabi's ear. "Especially the last two days. It's very frustrating when I've no visions of you."
Rubbing her cheek against Lina's Gabriella sighed softly, "I know you worry my petite one and I'm sorry for this." Then speaking so only Lina could hear, "but Zita's talent for blocking is needed to keep others from spying us too quickly."
"You should have called mother," Conrad adding to the conversation. "That's why you have a cell phone."
Though his tone was light Gabriella could smell is underlying worry and her guilt for not contacting them increased tenfold. There were just some things she couldn't share with her son or her family. The only one she could tell was Lina and that was only when the two were alone and away from the others.
Clearing her throat slightly Gabriella spoke sheepishly, "actually, had might be a better term in regards to the phone."
"Really, Gabi? You broke another cell phone?" Sara asked amusement ringing through her voice as she stared at the older woman.
"It's not my fault the fuc…" seeing the quirk of Sara's eyebrow Gabriella swallowed her word of choice. Sara had been working on keeping the older woman's use of some cuss words down in the presence of the kids. "Damn thing is so fragile. Besides I'm not the one who broke it this time" seeing the look on her son's face. "And don't bother asking me to explain Conrad. I can't go into any details with you."
Though he nodded his head in understanding, Conrad could not keep the frown from forming on his face. His mother had been quite reticent about her comings and goings the last several years, ever since her return from Italy over ten years ago. The trip was another thing she had never discussed with him.
Sensing the tension between her father and grandmother and wanting to alleviate it before it grew any worse Dani grabbed Gabi's hands in her own to get her attention.
"Ooh does this mean we get to go on a shopping trip?" Dani asked gazing at Gabriella with her emerald green eyes.
"For a cell phone?" Staring at her granddaughter with utter disbelief.
"Consider it fair punishment for worrying us," Lina said with a soft kiss to the woman's ear.
"Fair?" Groaning. "That's not fair considering the way you two go about shopping. I know we won't be just getting a cell phone."
Laughing Sara patted the older woman's arm, "good luck getting out of it. Now if you'll excuse me I think it's time to get dinner going."
"I'll help hon, now remember girls, Gabi's just gotten back so go easy on her," Conrad said laughing taking his wife's hand.
Listening to the two girls giggle and the gleam in Dani's eyes, Gabriella was pretty sure she understood how her prey felt when she had them cornered. Closing her eyes, she knew she was defeated there was just no sense in fighting. The two cunning and very appealing beasts had her wrapped around their respective pinkies.
"Fine," she released with a sigh. "I'll take you shopping." 'Honestly how bad could it be? A couple of hours of them trying on clothes, it's the least I can do for making them worry.'
Dani clapped her hands together and squealed, "alright a whole weekend at Mall of America."
"Dani," Lina chimed in softly as she reluctantly slid down from Gabriella's back. She didn't need to see the older woman's face to know it was filled with horror. "Gabi didn't agree to that."
The younger girl though was already too lost in her thoughts to hear Lina or even see the look on her grandmother's face. Dani was daydreaming about roaming the large mall going in and out of stores with Lina by her side. Both of them picking out clothes, trying them on and finding the best outfits to buy.
Seeing Dani's eyes glaze over in shopping euphoria Lina couldn't help but giggle. Earlier in the day she had a vision of the two of them strolling through a large shopping area going from store to store. She had shared the vision with Dani, because she loved to shop as much as Lina did. The two of them were a formidable pair when it came to attacking stores. Turning her attention back to Gabriella and saw her shoulders slump in resignation to her up coming fate. The older woman didn't truly mind taking them on shopping trips but she certainly didn't have the passion of Dani and herself.
Rubbing Gabi's shoulder she added gently, "Gabi, it is more then just a shopping mall."
"Fuck," Gabriella muttered only loudly enough for Lina to hear. "You two will be the death of me."
Tapping her chin with her elegant finger, Lina's amber eyes twinkled with amusement, "hmmm, beautiful vampire dies from shopping spree, nope don't see it my dear Gabi."
"Ha, ha, Lina," puffing an explosion of air Gabriella just shook her head. Leaning down she gave both girls a kiss on the head before walking away. "Teenagers have no imagination these days. Vegas now that's a great place to shop. Great nightlife too, but nooo these two want to go to fucking Mall of America." Gabriella muttered loudly as she walked into the house.
"Gabi language!"
"Sorry Sara."
"Did Gran say Vegas?"
"Yep." Lina answered with a smirk watching Gabriella go in the house.
"Vegas! She's taking us to Vegas?" Dani squealed at the idea.
"Nope, you two want to go to frigging Mall of America!" Gabriella called out. "Remember."
"But, but, Gran." The teenager whined as she ran into the house with Lina who was laughing in tow. "I didn't know Vegas could be an option."
"Not my problem, buttercup." The older woman chuckled as she sat down on the plush couch in the living room and clicking the television on and flipping through the channels at rapid speed.
With a quick exchange of knowing smiles the two girls danced over to where Gabriella was sitting. They flopped on either side of Gabriella each snuggling in close; neither was bothered by the older woman's steadfast refusal to acknowledge them.
"Please Gran, I'd do anything if you took me and Lina to Vegas," Dani pleaded batting her eyelashes and offering up a pretty pout. "Wash your car every time it gets dirty. Do your laundry." Seeing Gabriella's eyebrow quirk at that Dani blushed. "Okay that might not be a good thing, but really Gran I'd do anything."
"Return to your piano lessons," Gabriella responded in her deep full-bodied voice.
Pulling away from Gabriella, Dani blinked in shock, her mouth opened closed several times, "wait I didn't mean…you can't be serious…that's not fair."
"You didn't qualify your statement, I am and tough."
Lina covered her mouth to suppress the snigger wanting to bubble out of her. This had been an on going battle between the two. Gabriella, herself played several different musical instruments and wanted her granddaughter to understand the appreciation of music that didn't come out an electronic doohickey. Personally, Lina didn't understand why Dani fought the lessons; though Lina preferred dancing she also found enjoyment from playing the piano. Some times the two vampires would get together and offer up a music night for the rest of the family.
Dani pouted and glared both Lina and her grandmother, "what about Lina? What kind of punishment are you going to inflict on her?"
Turning her head to gaze at the girl who shrank back from the look in Gabriella's golden eyes. "First off I don't appreciate your tone, Dani. Second it was you not Lina who offered to do anything." Holding up her hand to stop Dani from uttering another word, "but to appease you." She paused and turned to look at Lina, "for me taking you two to Vegas you will refrain from making me try on clothes."
This time it was Lina's turn to pout but she nodded her head in agreement. Then her eyes glazed over for a few seconds alerting Gabriella that the girl was having a vision. As her eyes cleared up, Lina's face brightened completely and a large grin appeared upon her face as she gazed at the mahogany haired woman.
"Ah crap why do I get the feeling you're going to find a way to wiggle me into trying clothes on," Gabriella spoke to fast and quiet for Dani to hear.
"Because, my dear darling vampire you are a smart woman," leaning over and giving Gabriella a kiss on the cheek. "Come on Dani we'll leave the details of the trip with Gabi, while you and I figure out what clothes we should take."
Snorting in disbelief at the two girls, 'five days away and their going to figure out what to wear.' Turning her attention back to the TV, she'd worry about arrangements for Vegas later.