Part 7

"Well, it's about time you two showed up," Persephone immediately teased the pair, as soon as they appeared in the lobby.

"We're not the last to arrive," Penelope told her sister cooly. "Besides, I had to thank Dave for this lovely rope pearls that he just gave me," She showed off her beautiful necklace that hung halfway down her breasts.

"I'm looking forward to you thanking me some more as soon as we get back here after the show, since we didn't have time for very much," Dave said smiling.

"It's exquisite," Aaron said smiling. "Dave certainly has good taste."

"He always has," Penelope agreed.

"Well, just look at what Aaron gave me," Persephone said showing off her ears where hung a pair of beautiful emerald earrings. The emeralds were multi-stone and were in a simple platinum setting. They hung from her ears and went perfectly with the green gown she was wearing.

"Those are really gorgeous," Penelope said, as she looked at her sisters new earrings. "Aaron has good taste."

"I certainly think so," Persephone grinned, as she kissed Aaron's cheek. "He also gave me this," Persephone added displaying her new emerald ring that went perfectly with the earrings.

"Well, you certainly outdid yourself, didn't you?" Dave said to Aaron as he had been listening to the ladies conversation.

"And you didn't?" Aaron asked calmly with a raised eyebrow. "That pearl necklace is exquisite and I don't think I've seen anything like it since at least the early 1930s or 40s, where such things were more common. Of course, that was all white pearls not all different colors."

"I try," Dave said giving a careless shrug. "That Penelope loves it is the only thing that matters to me."

Aaron nodded at that for he totally agreed. So long as Persephone loved whatever he gave her then he was content.

"I totally agree with that," Aaron said.

"Spencer and Rosa had better hurry up or we're going to miss the beginning of the show," Dave said. "It's rather rude to arrive after the current has gone up."

"I'm not surprised they haven't arrived yet," Aaron smirked. "They are newly mated after all."

"Very true," Dave said trying to keep the impatience out of his voice, as what anniversary was approaching was only a few days away, and he wished he hadn't suddenly remembered, what was in three days. Remembering the original Penelope's death, always put him in a foul mood and now was not the time. He couldn't seem to stop thinking about her death at this time of year unless he was significantly distracted.

"I'm sure they'll arrive any minute," Penelope told Dave. "We still have well over half an hour to get to the theater and it isn't that far away."

The four of them chatted for a few minutes when Rosa and Spencer finally showed themselves looking sheepish.

"Good, you're finally here. We need to get going," Dave said in a rather sharp tone. "It's rude to be late."

"Sorry," Spencer apologized.

"Don't mind him, he's just rather inpatient tonight," Penelope told Spencer giving her mate the stink eye. On the inside though she was also a little concerned for him for it wasn't like Dave to be rude unless it was necessary for some reason and he had just been in such a good mood, so she suddenly wondered what the problem was. She was going to have to ask him after the show, try to get to the bottom of whatever the problem suddenly was. It never even occurred to her that it was very close to the anniversary of her incarnation's death or that Dave had been able to distract himself for the last day or so from thinking about it, as it always made him sad, furious and regretful all rolled into one. The murder of the original Penelope Garcia was only a few days away.

"Well, we did hold you up and for that we both apologize," Rosa said, looking puzzled at Dave's sharp tone. Surely they weren't that late, were they?

Spencer had already guessed what the problem was, but he said nothing, as he felt that it wasn't his place.

"You're newly mated, no apology necessary," Aaron told them. "Which is something that Dave is forgetting. When you're newly mated you have a harder time tearing yourselves away from each other and you haven't even been together for a year yet, much less for centuries."

Dave knew that this was Aaron's way of silently rebuking him for his rudeness and impatience.

"Alright, I apologize," Dave said finally knowing that Aaron was very right and he had been being rude or at least his tone had been, which was very unlike him actually.

"Let's get going," Persephone said, "or we really are going to be late."

The others agreed and so followed Dave out the door to the limo that had been ordered for this occasion.

~~~Dave and Penelope~~~

"Alright, David Nathaniel Rossi what's your problem?" Penelope asked immediately as soon as they walked back their suite after the show. "It's not like you to be rude unless the situation is rather unusual, especially not to our family and that includes Rosa. Why did your happy mood suddenly change?"

"It's almost that anniversary," Dave explained quietly, knowing that sooner or later his mate would remember that the anniversary of her incarnation's death was only a few days away and then just scold him for not coming to her in the first place. "I've been very distracted over the last day or so, but my mind was determined I was going to think about it and it just suddenly came to a head after I didn't have anything to distract me. Most times you're very good at distracting me around this time, but you know that some years I can't help but dwell on what should have been."

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I forgot," Penelope said immediately contrite, hugging him close to her.

"It's okay, it doesn't have an impact on you, like it does on me," Dave said quietly accepting the comfort that his mate was offering. "I know that we're back together now, but still I can't help but think we could've been together for over 800 years instead of just two centuries. Most of the time it never even crosses my mind, but then my mind turns to thoughts of her around this time and I realize it's nearly that anniversary. I can't help it when the emotion I felt doing that time come crashing down on me, which is why I was so sharp with Spencer and Rosa."

"But this year we're with the others instead of taking the time to be by ourselves until the sadness passes," Penelope realized. "We usually only take a month or maybe six weeks of vacation and were always alone by the time the anniversary of my incarnations murder is upon us, but we wanted to take a couple weeks longer so that we could have more time to get to know Rosa."

"Yes," Dave said. "It was January the 24th when her father killed your incarnation on accident and it's only a few days until."

"We'll light a candle, just as soon as the 24th rolls around in three days and that will make you feel better, just like it always does," Penelope promised. "I know that I'm technically, the reincarnation of that Penelope Garcia with differences of course, but there's no harm in lighting a candle for her soul or even just in remembrance of what we both lost. We've been doing it for a very long time anyway so I don't see any reason that we can't continue our tradition."

"Yeah, it was a good tradition to start after we had retired from the BAU," Dave said looking slightly more cheerful. "Thank you for caring so much you certainly made me feel better."

"I'm only sorry that I didn't recognize why you were so sharp with Spencer and Rosa sooner," Penelope said. "I knew that it wasn't like you at all, yet it didn't occur to me that it was near that anniversary and it should have."

"You can't be expected to remember everything, especially if it doesn't affect you the same way," Dave offered.

"I should have though, because I know how much pain her death still causes you even after all this time, even if I am the reincarnation of her," Penelope said. "I think that one of us needs to explain to Rosa why you were acting like that though, as it only seems fair. She doesn't really know anything about you and you know that Spencer won't explain without your permission and neither will Aaron or Persephone. I'm sure all of them, except for Rosa have figured out why you were so moody, rude and impatient by now, even if it just a few words. I'm sure that anyone except Rosa has figured out by now that it's just the way of covering your pain. I now understand much better than I did back when I was just a witch that if you hurt one of us emotionally it effects on of us for the rest of our existence."

"Yeah, mortals get over things much easier than vampires do, especially if it affects us very deeply like the death of a loved one and not by natural causes, but through some other means like sickness or murder. Death is natural for all mortal beings, but the only way to really to die is of old age."

"Which wouldn't affect you as badly as some one you love going by some other means, being poisoned or stabbed or blown up for instance."

"It still affects us, but we know it's a natural process so it isn't as painful. We still mourn just not as deeply," Dave said and Penelope nodded for she knew this.

They were both silent for awhile and then Dave said suddenly. "I think you should be the one to explain to Rosa why I was rather rude, even if it was just a sharp tone. Have Spencer help you if you want. I think I better stay out of the way until I'm sure that she's not upset with me as some vampires are very touchy about others manners and are offended easily and while Rosa doesn't seem to be of that type I want to be sure before she sees me."

"You weren't that rude honey, as I put a stop to it before you were, but still, I'll talk to her for you. Explain the circumstances to her. I'm sure she'll have a hard time believing it just as Aaron did when you told him, but I'll let you know what she says either way. She doesn't seem unreasonable though or easy to offend, and I'm sure she'll forgive you, even if she doesn't believe what I tell her. I can't see her holding a grudge over such a minor incident."

"Let's hope not, because she's technically, now family and Aaron and I were going to present her with our family crests before we all head our separate ways for awhile."

"Which we can cut short you know if you wanted to," Penelope offered. "We've been here for nearly 8 weeks now and I've spent plenty of time with my sister and the others."

"That's okay bella, I'll be better after the anniversary. You really don't see your sister, Aaron or Spencer for that matter very much and I don't want to interrupt your time with them. Yes, I know you're going to institute girl time, so you see each other several times a year for a few days, but still, this is a time for all of us to be together for a few weeks before we go our separate ways. You go talk to Rosa now I'll be down in the bar whenever you're done."

Penelope nodded and left the suite, heading for the one that Spencer and Rosa had rented for their stay in San Juan.

~~~Dave and Penelope~~~

Penelope knocked on the door of Rosa and Spencer's suite and waited. After a few minutes the door opened and Spencer stood there looking rather annoyed and Penelope knew she had probably interrupted something, which wasn't surprising.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I need to talk to Rosa if you don't mind Spence," Penelope told her friend.

Spencer nodded after a few seconds and studying her and Penelope could tell that he had already guessed what this was about. "I'll wait for you down in the lobby," Spencer offered.

"That's okay, I might need your help," Penelope said.

Spencer opened the door wider to let Penelope inside and she entered trying to hide her nervousness.

"Rosa, Penny wants to talk to you for a few minutes," Spencer said.

"I heard," Rosa said.

"Why don't we sit down," Spencer suggested calmly.

"What is it you wanted to talk about?" Rosa asked Penelope as soon as they were settled on the comfortable furniture in the sitting area of the suite.

"First Dave wanted me to apologize for his attitude," Penelope began. "There is a reason for it, but it's so fantastical that I'm not sure you'll believe it."

Rosa listened, as Penelope explained all about her incarnation's first death and how she had sworn that she would come back to him.

"It took 600 years for that to happen and since it's near that anniversary, which is in three days he's been a little out of sorts," Penelope explained.

"You're right that is fantastical," Rosa said trying to absorb what she had learned.

"I know it is, but I have memories of my former incarnation," Penelope said. "At first I just dreamed about him and me in rather compromising positions. We didn't introduce ourselves or anything, as it seemed as if we had known each other for a few weeks at least or at most a few months, so I had no way to find him. I could've found him quite easily if I'd only known his name since I was a very good hacker even back then.

"Still, I knew instantly who he was when he came back to the BAU those two centuries ago and he certainly recognized me immediately, even before he shook my hand. Shaking my hand just confirmed what both of us already knew. Once Dave and I had gotten back together more of my memories of my previous life started to come back mostly when I slept. I won't say I have all my former life memories, but I certainly have most of them, because Dave didn't turn me into a vampire for quite awhile."

"It's not that I disbelieve you I'm just surprised that he survived all those centuries after your former incarnation was killed," Rosa said.

"Yeah, I know believe me, I know how fantastic it is," Penelope said. "In any case, usually I keep better track of the anniversary, but it never even occurred to me this time. We usually spend a few days alone until it has passed. Well, either that or I distract him to the point that he doesn't even think about it until it's already over. We always light a candle though, at a church somewhere in remembrance of my former incarnation. Dave also usually makes a large donation."

"So are you going to do that this time?" Spencer asked curiously.

"Yes, in three days when the anniversary is once again upon us," Penelope said. "I know that I am alive, but we all know that deep emotional pain affects our species forever. Dave's always rather sad and melancholy during this time and I can't blame him for that at all considering. He also has far less patience, as normally, he is never rude unless he has to be, like someone being annoying for example."

"No, I can't either," Rosa agreed wondering how Dave had survived the pain of his mate's death, as she wasn't sure if she could have done it if the same thing happened to her, no matter what her mate wanted.

"You are wondering how he survived," Penelope said knowingly.

"Yes, I am," Rosa admitted.

"He was in a lot of pain for those six centuries, but he did his best to keep himself distracted," Penelope said. "He's told me all about his travels and also his forming of the BAU with help of course. It wasn't easy for him as I'm sure you can guess and it was only my promise that I would come back to him that allowed him to survive. He's been very happy the last couple of hundred years, but the pain of that Penelope's death will always be with him, even if it's not as intense as it was before we met again."

"I can definitely understand that," Rosa decided. "I'm not sure I could have gone through the same thing and not broken my promise."

"Well, that's Dave for you, stubborn to a fault," Penelope said fondly with a little smile. "It's just a good thing that magicals are reincarnated all the time. Dave believes that others are also reincarnated, not just magicals and who knows he might be right."

"I doubt most of the time those that are reincarnated return with their memories intact," Spencer said. He of course, had done research on the subject at least as much as he could.

"Well, I didn't start having memories until I reached 25 and I only started to remember our rather intimate relationship at first and only when I slept. Of course, I realize that that Penelope Garcia is a part of me and I was bound to have her memories as well, even if they were locked away. I suspect this is true for all those that are truly reincarnated, but most of the time memories of a previous incarnation likely stay locked away. I believe, the only reason I remembered Dave at all, was the rather abrupt way that our relationship ended. It left things unfinished between us. The two of us should have been together for 800 years altogether, instead of just 200."

"Yes, definitely," Spencer said. "Unfortunately, that Penelope's father, I believe you said his name was Sylvester, hated vampires so much that he was willing to risk his daughter's life in a fit of rage. No, he didn't know that you're former incarnation would get in the way of his bullet, but if he had been thinking rationally he never would have fired his gun in the first place, because he would have realized that a vampire wouldn't be hurt by a mere piece of lead. To defy your family is never easy, especially if you know you are loved and you have a close relationship with them. In my case, it wasn't so much I defied my family to go to college at at young age, because my father left when I was just a child and my mother was very ill. I would have though, if my father had for instance tried to force me into not getting involved with someone I loved whether that was a vampire, another werewolf, human or magical or even someone that was the same-sex. Your incarnation was strong enough to defy the father she loved, but then I also know that the bond between a vampire and their mate is an incredible force."

"Absolutely," both Penelope and Rosa said the same time.

"That Penelope's father must've had an intense deep hatred for vampires in order for him not to pay attention to what he was doing," Rosa said speculatively. "If he had been thinking straight, as Spencer suggested, he never would have fired his weapon at anybody, though he might've fired it into the air to supposedly scare Dave away."

"That never would have worked," both Spencer and Penelope said the same time.

"No, it wouldn't have, and I'm sure deep down this Sylvester knew that, but his hatred was so deep and intense that he wasn't thinking straight."

"I think that's definitely a given," Penelope said.

"So what happened to that Penelope's father?" Rosa asked already suspecting answer.

"Oh, didn't I say?" Penelope asked rhetorically knowing that she hadn't

"No, you didn't. I suspect what I'm going to hear I'd still like to have it confirmed," Rosa said.

"Well, Dave was feeling a great deal of anger and grief as you no doubt suspect and so he killed Sylvester a lot faster than he really wanted to because if it. It was basically a quick and painless death instead of what Dave would've liked to do. He's told me more than once that he would've liked of torture the man for a very long time before allowing him to meet his own end."

"Now that's something I definitely approve of," Rosa said much to Penelope's surprise, not so much to Spencer's, as he knew vampires tended to be rather violent, particularly when one had been hurt deeply in someway or someone they loved had been.

"I can see you really don't understand the need for violence despite being a vampire for 200 years, Rosa said. "You know in your head that once a vampire is wounded emotionally it never fully disappears from their psyche. They carry that emotional pain around with them for the rest of their life, even if it fades after awhile to where it's not as intense or as noticeable. What Sylvester Garcia did in a moment of rage is something that affected Dave deeply and he will never get over it completely, even though you are back at his side. Yes, now that the two of you are back together he's much happier and doesn't think about your first death anymore, except around the anniversary of that Penelope's death. However, that doesn't mean that he will ever really forget something that was such a pivotal event in his life. If you wound a vampire in such a way they can hold a grudge until they meet their own deaths, which basically means an eternity. Yes, it might have been an accident, but from Dave's point of view I can understand why he considered it murder, because if only Sylvester hadn't hated vampire so intensely it never would have happened.

"Look at it this way, he didn't even try to know Dave, didn't even try to accept his daughter's choice of mate and then he made the gigantic mistake of trying to supposedly scare Dave away with a gun, which never would have worked. This is something he would have known if he had been thinking straight. I'm not saying that there weren't many mistakes made all around, like if Dave hadn't been such a gentleman he and that Penelope could have run away with each other sooner and the father never would've been able to find them due to lack of technology at the time. With the way that vampires can run they could've been 200 or 300 miles away before morning," Rosa explained.

"Dave realized that as soon as my incarnation was dead that he shouldn't have been such a gentleman and convinced Penelope to go away with him sooner. I remember agreeing to run away with him just a day or two before I was killed. I also understand that Dave was trying his best to get to know me before he asked me to do something that took me away from the only home I had ever known. I was just a simple village girl after all, one that had never married although that was really unusual at the time," Penelope said.

"You can tell Dave that I accept his apology and I understand why he's feeling out of sorts and not acting like his normal self and won't be until after the 24th. Besides, he wasn't that rude anyway and believe me, I've heard much worse. His attitude just took me by surprise that's all, as he had been so gentlemanly up until then. Nothing like what you described has ever happened to me and I'm not sure I would've handled it as well as he seems to have."

"I'm not sure it's ever happened before, except with him," Spencer said.

"I've never heard of it happening, but that doesn't mean it hasn't at least once," Rosa shrugged. "It's not really the kind of thing you tell total strangers, so who knows if it's ever happened before? I know the only reason you told me is because I'm now part of your family."

"That's exactly why I suggested you be told as everyone else knows," Penelope agreed. "And no, its not really something you tell total strangers or even just casual acquaintances."

"Definitely not, because you would be looked at as if you were insane or maybe just weird and someone that told tall tales to garner attention," Spencer said.

"Come to think of it, you didn't seem surprised that what Penelope told us," Rosa said looking at her mate.

"Dave with Penny's support told me a long time ago," Spencer shrugged. "I'm sorry I couldn't tell you, but it wasn't my secret. It was a personal matter."

"I understand," Rosa said and she did. It hadn't been her mate's secret to to tell, not unless he had been given permission. "What about we all light a candle in memory of that Penelope Garcia that lost her life before her time. In fact, technically, she never should've died at all as she would've been turned into a vampire."

"I would've been just as soon as Dave and I were away from the village that I grew up and somewhere relatively safe. That was the plan anyway, a plan that we never had a chance to implement," Penelope remembered. "As for all of you lighting a candle in honor of my former incarnation I don't see Dave objecting to it, even though it is something we usually do alone. I'll check with him just to be sure, but I'm positive he will be honored."

"Just let us know one way or the other," Spencer said.

"I will," Penelope said, as she rose to leave. "I'll let you get back to what you were doing before I interrupted," Penelope added with a grin causing Spencer to look down at his feet, which was a sure sign that he was embarrassed and that he would be blushing if he was capable of it anymore.

Rosa just rolled her eyes to show what she thought of Penelope's comment but said nothing.

"I'll let Dave know that he's forgiven for his momentary rudeness," Penelope said as she saw herself out.

"Well, now that she's gone again why don't you and I get back to what we were doing," Rosa purred seductively.

Spencer immediately looked up his eyes bright with love, desire and lust and headed into the bedroom without another word, Rosa following him.

~~~Dave and Penelope~~~

Three days later it was a solemn group that made its way into a Baptist church, closer to their hotel.

A man in priestly garb immediately approached them.

"How can I help you, my children?" The priest asked knowing immediately that this group were all vampires, but so long as they meant no harm they were welcome here.

"We just want to light some candles for a departed friend," Dave explained calmly with a sad solemn look in his eyes. "David Rossi at your service."

"Paul Newburg," The priest introduced himself. "I'm in charge of this place."

"I'm Penelope Garcia Rossi it's nice to meet you Minister Newburg," Penelope introduced yourself. "This is something that we do every year on this day," Penelope added, as she grasped Dave hand in her own, understanding the emotions that he was feeling at this moment. Dave was feeling sadness, despair, longing for something he knew would never be. All these emotions were mixed with rage, but also understanding that the past could not be changed. Finally, his emotions leveled out to where they became a little happier as he remembered that his lady love had indeed been reincarnated and was standing at his side helping him get through this.

"This is Aaron and Persephone Hotchner and Spencer and Rosa Reid," Dave added. "They are very good friends of ours and have joined us in this time of remembering."

"So you just want to remember your friend that has passed on," the priest said with gentle compassion in his eyes. He also noticed that the two blond hair ladies looked identical, except that one had longer hair so he suspected that they were identical twins that had either been born vampires or had been changed, since as far as he knew identical twins weren't born naturally to their species. Actually, they had likely been changed or their hair would be the same length the minister figured, since they were apparently identical.

"Yes, Minister," Dave said solemnly. "Our friend was murdered many years ago. Today is the anniversary of her death."

"I am so sorry my son, I can tell that you cared about her very much," the minister said.

The minister didn't say so, but he could tell that the death of this person had affected the vampire that was standing for the group deeply. The dark haired vampire with the kind ancient eyes had likely been in love with her and he knew unlike many people that vampires didn't get over things like that, especially if it affected them deeply.

"I did, more than I cared about anyone before I met my mate," Dave said simply, gesturing at the blond women at his side that he had already learned was named Penelope.

The minister knew that there was a lot being left out of the explanation but the man named David Rossi would tell him if he wanted to otherwise it was none of his business.

"If you need any help I'll be in my office otherwise I'll leave you to it," The minister said.

"That's okay, we've done this many times before," Penelope answered. "It's a yearly ritual, has been for decades now."

The minister nodded and headed towards his office leaving the four of them alone in the sanctum

"Well, let's get started shall we," Aaron suggested solemnly after a few minutes of sober silence.

Each of the six of them silently lit a candle and stayed solemn. The other four left Dave and Penelope to the memories part of the ritual for a vampire's memories as well as emotions never faded, which was why Dave always had trouble when the anniversary of the original Penelope Garcia came around. Dave couldn't help remembering all that he had lost on the day of his mate's death, even though she was again standing at his side and had been for two centuries. Penelope was a reincarnation of Dave's original mate so had memories of her previous life and could help Dave remember all the good times that he'd had with her former self.

Dave and Penelope talked very quietly for over an hour before they rose to find the other four waiting for them patiently at the back of the church.

"Just let me leave a donation, then we can go," Dave said his tone and body language no longer so sad and solemn. He had done his duty to the memory of the first Penelope Garcia and so he was much happier as a result.

Dave found the donation box and left thousands of dollars in it as he knew the money would help many people and then turned away, but saw how the other five leaving their own donations before following him out of the church and into the bright sunlight.

"You didn't need to do that," Dave told the others including his mate.

"We wanted to," Spencer answered before anyone else could. "The money will be used for worthy causes and it helps out the minister's parishioners who are not as flush and might desperately need help to put food on the table and clothes on the backs of their family and there are many poor in Puerto Rico."

"It was the right thing to do," Rosa added.

"Yes, it was," Aaron agreed and Dave just shook his head smiling

"It's not as if we can't easily afford it," Persephone added, as she kissed Dave cheek with affection.

"Alright, fine," Dave said smiling. "Let's get out here, shall we?"

"Let's go do something fun, as I think we deserve to," Penelope added not wanting Dave to dwell on the death of her incarnation."

"Sounds okay with me," Dave agreed, knowing that his mate was only trying to distract him from his rather solemn and melancholy thoughts.

The two of them walked towards their separate cars discussing what they wanted to do for a few hours before heading back to the hotel and finally they agreed on something.

Unknown to them the priest had come out of his office and was watching them out the window knowing that he would be forever grateful to them for they had left over half a million between the six of them in the poor box and that kind of money would help a lot of people. It was certainly an act of God that the six had chosen this particular church to do their ritual for the money would help many people for a long time.

"Lord bless them and keep them and bless him with their hearts desire, as such generous souls are so rare in this world," the minister said. Finally he turned away as the six got into their separate vehicles and drove out of sight.

~~~Dave and Penelope~~~

"I'm pregnant," Rosa told Spencer excitedly. "I can't believe it, but I am."

"You are?" Spencer asked looking happy and excited. "You're sure?"

"Positive, if I wasn't I would've said anything," Rosa said.

"Oh, I'm so excited," Spencer said finally allowing himself to believe and be incredibly happy.

"So am I, as I certainly didn't expect to be this soon, as we've only been together about six months, less a few days. The normal time for a vampire to get pregnant is 10 or 15 years, but that's only because they have sex with random vampires. Still, I would've expected it to take at least a few years not only six months."

"Being mates helps," Spencer mentioned not for the first time.

"Well, yes, but it still should've taken longer and I don't understand why it didn't," Rosa said genuinely puzzled, as it went against everything she knew about her race.

"It doesn't really matter," Spencer told her gently. "It might always remain a mystery as to why you got pregnant so soon, but I'll always be grateful that you did. The ironic thing is I never wanted children back when I was a werewolf as I was too afraid of not only passing on my mothers schizophrenia, but also my condition. Now that I'm a vampire and no longer a werewolf I can no longer get schizophrenia and I also can't pass on the werewolf genes to any children we have or at least if they do get the gene they won't be able to transform."

"Yes, it's a good thing you were turned into a vampire or you would have been long dead before we ever had a chance to meet and to me that's much more important than you being a werewolf or the possibility of you getting your mother's illness."

Spencer was truly touched at Rosa words and showed his appreciation by kissing her senseless.

"I can't wait to tell the others that you're pregnant," Spencer said grinning happily, as he placed a gentle hand on Rosa's still flat belly.

"Neither can I," Rosa admitted smiling. "My father will be thrilled when he finds out as well."

"Well, we're supposed to meet the others downstairs in about an hour, so why don't we get ready?" Spencer suggested. "We can tell them the news as soon as we're altogether and I know they'll be very happy for us."

"I can think of other things we could be doing, since we can get dressed in a few seconds," Rosa suggested with a seductive wink, swaying her hips from side to side and watching as her mate instantly became entranced by the motion.

"Well, I suppose we do have time for a quickie before we need to meet the others," Spencer gave in without argument.

Rosa smiled at him and took off her clothes at lightning speed while Spencer did the same.

It was only seconds later that the two of them were rutting like animals in front of the fireplace that was at one end of the room which emitted a nice warmth. It was just over 45 minutes later when they were both temporarily sated.

"We had better get dressed now, as we don't want to be late two times on the same holiday and have the others tease us for always being the last to arrive," Spencer told Rosa seriously. "Believe me, they will."

"That just means they really love us," Rosa told Spencer.

"I know that and it's certainly different from the teasing I endured as a child, as it's always goodnatured," Spencer said. "Still, we need to get ready to go, as I don't want to be last to arrive like we were a few days ago."

"The day that Dave was so impatient and just a little rude, although now I understand why he was," Rosa reflected.

"Normally, David Rossi is a true gentleman and so is Aaron for that matter," Spencer told Rosa. "He can be rude when the situation is warranted like when some man is bothering in Penny for instance. Penny of course, always tells whatever man is bothering her that she's taken, but sometimes, they don't listen very well. Sometimes even displaying the crest doesn't do any good because some people don't recognize it or don't understand the significance if they do. If Dave is with her at the time he immediately comes to protect the woman he loves, even if Penny can protect herself."

"Well, I'll certainly do that with you if anybody tries that kind tactic, somewhere down the road," Rosa teased him.

"I doubt you'll ever have to where I am concerned," Spencer said. "I might have to do that with you since you're the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on and I'm sure other people vampires or mortals will recognize that."

Rosa had known for months, had in fact, had learned just a few weeks after they'd met that Spencer didn't consider himself handsome, not even as a vampire. She knew very well why he thought of himself as plain or even ugly and she really wished she could dig up the Senior Reid, not to mention every single student that had made malicious remarks about his looks and murder them slowly one by one. Those people had just been jealous, not only of his looks, but his intelligence and his kindness. She knew that Spencer wouldn't believe her if she said anything though, so she was just going to have to try her best to change how he saw himself and she was determined to succeed. She was sure that the more time they spent together that the more he wouldn't see himself as an ugly duckling like so many people had told him centuries ago, even if it wasn't in those exact words.

"Let's get dressed. We only have about five minutes to get downstairs," Rosa said finally and Spencer nodded helping his mate to her feet.

The two of them started moving rapidly around the hotel suite and were ready to go in less than a minute.

The two left the room together, though Spencer opened the door for his mate, and they used the stairs instead of taking the elevator that was much too slow when they were in a hurry and made it with three minutes to spare.

"Well, you are you actually on time," Dave immediately teased them.

Spencer immediately noticed that Dave seemed to have returned to normal after the ceremony of a few days ago and he was glad to see it.

"Of course we are," Spencer said mildly without changing his expression. "Did you really think we wouldn't be?"

Dave didn't have time to answer as Aaron and Persephone appeared right on time.

"Now that we're all here we have an announcement," Spencer told the others quietly, as he led them to a more private corner of the lobby.

"You're pregnant?" Persephone squealed before Rosa or Spencer could say a word.

"Ah! You ruined our surprise," Rosa pouted only half playfully.

"Sorry, but I was about to say the same thing as you have that expectant mother's glow about you," Penelope said, as she hugged her friend.

"Yes, congratulations from me as well," Aaron said grinning at Spencer who couldn't help but grin back, because he was so happy.

"I know it's rather unexpected," Rosa began.

"It doesn't matter whether it was unexpected or not," Persephone told her friend. "We all know that you're referring to a vampire's fertility, but you should just be grateful that you got pregnant so soon into your relationship. Of course, Aaron and I did as well, though I will admit that I was mortal at the time and not a vampire yet, so I know that made a very big difference."

"I'm grateful, but I'm still in shock," Rosa admitted. "I really didn't expect to get pregnant for at least five or six years."

"It doesn't matter how it happened just know that the child will be loved by all of us and not just his or her parents," Penelope said. "I for one plan to spoil any child you have rotten."

"Me too," Persephone said grinning.

"Well, since you always spoil each others children I don't know why mine and Rosa's should be any different," Spencer snorted, though his grin at the thought gave away the fact that he wasn't upset.

"I hate to spoil your news, but Dave and I have an announcement to," Penelope finally said smiling.

"You're pregnant?" Rosa said looking at Penelope in amazement.

"Yeah, I can already feel the life glowing within me and I should know what it feels like to be pregnant by now, even if I'm not showing yet."

"Ah, isn't it amazing that all three of us are pregnant at basically the same time?" Persephone asked, causing everyone else, except Aaron to stare at Persephone in amazement.

"You too?" Penelope asked her sister who nodded happily.

"Like you I can already feel the life growing within me and I also know what pregnancy feels like by this time, even though just like you I'm not yet showing," Persephone said.

"What are the odds that all three of us all pregnant at basically the same time?" Rosa asked.

"At least 1,000,000,000 to 1," Spencer answered immediately already having done the calculations in his head.

"Then how is it possible?" Aaron asked, not doubting Spencer's calculations for even a millisecond. "Those are very long odds for all three of you to get pregnant at basically the same time, especially considering a vampire female's fertility, at least usually.

"I'll give you a simple answer," Dave said grinning.

"What's that?" Spencer asked curiously.

"Faith," Dave answered simply. "I think we're all being rewarded for being so generous in our donations to that Baptist church a few days ago. The money that we each gave will help a lot of people who are less flush then we are, as you had already pointed out Spencer. I truly believe that our generosity is being rewarded."

"God helps those that help others," Spencer quoted.

"Exactly," Dave said.

"I don't know if I believe that's the explanation or not," Rosa said doubtfully.

"Dave's always been the most religious of us," Aaron told Rosa. "He grew up in a time where religion was much more a part of everyday life then it is today. Come to think of it both Persephone and I usually give generously to charity, but we haven't done that in the last 50 years as neither one of us found a charity that interested us."

"So you're thinking that's why we having gotten pregnant in five decades," Persephone said.

"I'm saying it's a possibility," Aaron corrected. "It's certainly as plausible an explanation as to the one you came up with about wishing not to get pregnant for awhile on a shooting star."

"I sincerely believe that it's because of our generous donations that all three of our mates are pregnant now," Dave said, smiling joyfully.

"Well, I suppose it's a good explanation as any," Rosa said, "Since I definitely don't have one that's any better."

"Think about it. We just made all donation a few days ago and now you, Penelope and Persephone are pregnant at the same time," Spencer said. "That is the only significant event I can think of that could be connected to all the woman conceiving, as it's only a few days after we donated quite a bit of our money to a worthy cause. I'm sure that God appreciates all of us looking after his children considering that times are economically tough right now for a lot of people."

"I didn't know you were so religious, Spencer," Dave teased him, but there was a proud gleam in his eyes.

"It's simply a matter of logic, Dave," Spencer protested with humor in his eyes.

"Whatever you say," Dave said, holding up his hands in defense.

"Well, it looks like all of us have a lot to look forward to," Aaron said smiling hugely.

"That we do," Spencer immediately agreed. "I for one am looking forward to the birth of my first child ever, while all of you are old hats at having children."

"We didn't think about it like that," Penelope said. "This will be Rosa and Spencer's first child while the rest of us have had multiple children over the years."

"That's true," Persephone said.

"We had better get going or we'll be late," Dave finally suggested. "Just so you know I too am looking forward to the birth of Spencer and Rosa's child more than my own, since it will be a first for them. Hopefully, there will be many more in the future."

"Amen," both Spencer and Rosa said at the same time as if in benediction.

"We certainly hope that we're blessed with many more children in the future," Rosa said.

"Definitely," Spencer agreed smiling at the thought.

"That is a hope that all of us share," Aaron told the pair who nodded in thanks with grateful smiles.

This was definitely what a family was all about and that was sharing each other's happiness at such an important event.

~~~Dave and Penelope~~~