I am finally updating again! It's a bloody miracle! xD

Almost ten years had passed since I had left that note for Lily. As Kat had grown older, she had spent even more time with me, and she was always safe. Safe from Petunia, the sister who abused her, and safe from Drew, who wanted to kill her. She was never out of my sight longer than necessary, and then only if I was sure Lily would be able to keep an eye on her. During those early years, Kat was sweet and put up with me trying to keep her safe. When she hit twelve though, things took a turn for the worse.

Today was Kat's thirteenth birthday. By now, she had plenty of friends she had met at Hogwarts, and the house was full of teenagers. Boys in particular, I noticed grimly. I didn't want these boys around Kat. They always stared after her longingly, and their thoughts were practically shouted at me. I gritted my teeth, then smiled softly as Kat exited from her bathroom and into her bedroom. I was lounging on her bed, waiting for her patiently. "You look beautiful." I assured her before she could say a word.

"Oh, Chris, you always know what I'm going to say." Kat laughed, glancing down at her blue velvet mini skirt and her black silk shirt.

I chuckled, standing up. "Well of course I do, cutie. I've known you since the day you were born." I ruffled her pale hair teasingly, then handed her a box. "This is just one of the many presents I bought you. I want you to open this one now."

She listened to me obediently, sitting down on the bed as she carefully opened her first present of the day. A gasp escaped her lips as she held up a pair of emerald earrings. "Oh, Chrissy, they're perfect! They match my eyes!" Without another word, she flung herself into my arms, smiling.

I caught her, wrapping my arms securely around her. "I know. That's why I got them for you. Don't think of these as a birthday present; think of these as an apology for being so protective of you." I murmured, pressing my lips to her forehead for a moment.

"I forgive you. You know I always do." Kat said, then gave me a sweet kiss on my cheek. "I'm sorry for being so mean. I know I acted horribly."

I shook my head, letting her down. "Apology accepted, kiddo. Now, let's go downstairs to your party."

"Not so fast, brother. I want to give little Katherine her birthday present from me." Drew chuckled, walking out of the shadows. "Hello there, pet."

Kat looked up at me hesitantly, and I nodded stiffly. "Drew!" She said, running over to him. She flung her arms around his waist, hugging him tightly.

"That's a good girl." He said, kneeling down to place a light kiss on her lips. He glanced over at me after he did, a smirk on his lips. "Do you want your present, beautiful?"

Kat nodded a little, perching on the edge of her bed. "Yes, please."

Drew chuckled softly, then pulled a small box out of his pocket. He handed it to her, his hand lightly caressing her cheek. "Open it, sweetheart. That way you can go down to your party."

"Yes, Drew." She said obediently, then took the top off of the box. Her eyes widened a little as she looked up at him. "It matches the earrings Christian bought me!" She hurriedly fastened the necklace, gazing down at the emerald heart. "Thank you both so very, very much!" She jumped up and hugged Drew, kissing his cheek. Then, she skipped over to me, giving me another kiss on the cheek.

"Alright, pet, I must go. I'll come visit you again tonight and you can show me all of your presents." Drew stated, smirking at me and blowing a kiss to Kat before he disappeared.

I ground my teeth together, rolling my eyes. "Good riddance." I muttered quietly, squeezing Kat gently. She squirmed a little under my grip, wrinkling her nose.

"Ow, Chris, that hurts!" Kat complained, twisting away from me. Oops. Well, I thought that it was gentle…

A grimace appeared on my lips and I knelt down next to her. "Sorry, Kitty Kat. I didn't mean to hurt you." I told her softly, a crooked smile on my lips as I gently pressed my lips to her forehead. "Forgive me?"

Kat laughed, her face softening as she wrapped her arms around my neck, snuggling closer to my body. "Of course, Christian." She said, her words muffled from my jacket. "I always forgive you."

An agonizing wave of the thirst I felt for her traveled down my throat, and I pushed her away gently. "Careful, sweetheart. I'm just a tad thirsty at the moment." I told her, my eyes glancing at her, then away again as I stood up, ruffling her hair with a chuckle. "Guess I could leave for a while and come back tonight after your party."

"No, don't leave!" Kat protested, her eyes widening slightly. "I want you to stay, Christian. Plus, Drew would just come over again if you left." Her brow furrowed, a frown appearing as she crossed her arms.

I smirked a little, nodding. "Alright, precious, I'll stay with you so you can endure your party." My eyes softened as I gazed at her, offering her my arm. "May I escort you down, Mademoiselle Katherine?"

Kat giggled quietly, lacing her arm through my own. "But of course, Monsieur Christian." She said, her cheeks flushing a little bit, much to my confusion.

"So you wish it, so shall it be." I murmured, then whisked her downstairs.

Only an hour after that, as Kat's friends were surrounding, did I began to get angry. They were all dancing, and Kat was with a boy she knew from school. His arms were laced around her waist, hers around his neck, and he was smiling adoringly down at her. I was seething against the wall, unnoticed by many of the kids, especially Kat. Suddenly, the two of them moved closer to the stairs, and she stood on the taller stair, pressing her lips against his lightly.

A surge of jealousy went through me, and I felt my thirst rise again. The boy had his hands all over her, moving up the back of her shirt as she continued to kiss him enthusiastically. His thoughts entered my mind, thoughts that I never wanted to hear about Kat. Except for mine…

I snarled quietly, crossing across the room to grab him by the shoulder and jerk him away from her. "Get your hands off of her." I said, my voice filled with anger.

Kat's cheeks were flaming red, and her eyes sparked with anger. For the hundredth time, I desperately yearned to hear her thoughts.

"Go away, Christian." She snapped, moving to stand between the foolish human boy and me. Her hands were balled into fists and were resting on her hips as she took a step towards me, lashing out with venom I didn't know existed. "It isn't any of your business who I kiss or not, so butt the fuck out!" She screamed this last part, and the boy raced out the door. Her hands dropped, and her angry expression disappeared. Instead, her eyes filled with angry, hurt-filled tears.

I regretted my quick temper, and took a step towards her. "Katherine…."

"You ruin everything!" Kat screamed at me, turning and running out the door with a loud sob. I began to follow, but Lily stepped in front of me, her hand held out to stop me.

Lily's eyes were filled with pity, and she shook her head slowly. "Just leave her alone for now, Chris…she won't get lost in the woods."

I nodded slowly, sighing as I turned and headed upstairs, sitting on her bed. Why, why did I have to be so damn overprotective of her? I thought, a surge of agony going through me as I thought back over her words.

Kat's POV

I ran into the woods, sobs going through me as thorns tore at my skin and the outfit that I'd chosen for my party. Not like I cared anymore, anyway. I couldn't believe Christian had done this again, but it wasn't like I should have expected anything different. The way things were going, I'd probably stay single until I was thirty.

Finally exhausted, I curled into a ball underneath a tree, tears still running down my cheeks. Why, why did I have to be so in love with Christian? Didn't he know I was only trying to make him jealous? Well, it wasn't like he gave me any "special" attention anyway. He treated me like a baby sister, and that was so not what I wanted.

Suddenly, Drew was at my side, pulling me into his arms before he sat down. At times, it seemed like he was the only one who truly wanted me to be happy.

"Shh, love, what's wrong?" Drew murmured, stroking my hair as he wiped my face off with his shirt. He looked concerned, his eyebrows knitting together as he watched me.

I hiccupped softly, shaking my head. "Christian ruined my party…" I mumbled, leaning my head against his chest. "I was kissing a boy, my first kiss, and he fucking ruined it."

Drew tsked audibly, smiling a little. "Christian is a pansy. I'm surprised he didn't man up and give you your first kiss." He lightly traced my lips with his finger, smiling a little. "You know, you could always practice on me, sweetheart."

"Really?" I asked, my cheeks flushing slightly. I'd known for a few years how Drew felt about me, and it made me slightly nervous. Sure, he gave me kisses every time he saw me, but not what I'd consider my first real kiss.

"Really…" He whispered, and suddenly, his cool lips were pressed against mine. I gasped quietly, instinctively kissing him back gently. I felt his arms tighten around me, and then he pulled back with a low groan. "You've never kissed anyone?" He asked skeptically, smirking a little.

I blushed more, nodding. "Only one other boy, and that was tonight." I said in a small voice, then squeaked as he stood up, lifting me with him.

"C'mon, love. Let's get you back to the house before Christian throws a fit." Drew murmured, then raced off with me in his arms.

Christian's POV

I felt a surge of anger as I saw Drew appear with Kat in his arms. He helped her climb through the attic window, and I winced at the sight of her.

Her hair was tangled, her clothes were tattered, and there were smears of blood from thorns scratching her soft skin. I knelt down in front of her, forcing her to meet my gaze. "I truly am sorry for ruining your night." I said softly, gently gripping her chin with my fingers. "I should have left like I suggested, and everything would have worked out." I could see the guilt in her eyes, and I knew I was forgiven.

Sure enough, her arms wound around my neck, resting her head on my shoulder. "I'm sorry for saying all those awful things to you…" She whispered, and I could feel the tears hitting the collar of my shirt. I squeezed her gently, then scooped her up.

"I forgive you, Katherine." I said quietly, then placed her in front of the bathroom. "Now, go take a shower and get yourself cleaned up." I ordered her with a crooked smile, then went to lay on her bed until she was finished.

Almost an hour later, Kat came out of the bathroom, her white nightgown draped over her tiny body. Her hair was still wet and hanging down to her waist, and she looked better than she did before. She sat down beside me, and I gathered her in my arms, wrapping a blanket around her. She snuggled against me sleepily, her eyes blinking swiftly in her effort to stay awake.

"Chris, can I open my presents tomorrow?" Kat asked softly, a yawn escaping her.

I chuckled, kissing her forehead. "Of course, mon cherie. Whenever your heart desires."

She smiled drowsily, a light sigh escaping her as she closed her eyes. "I love you…." She murmured, then fell into a deep sleep.

"As I love you, you wonderful girl…" I breathed, then closed my eyes as I fell asleep with my angel tucked in my arms.

What will happen as Kat starts falling for Christian even more? Will Drew get in the way of their feelings for each other?

Reviews, if you please.