Ed felt a cramping in his stomach, groaning he doubled over in pain, what the hell was happening to him?. Edging up the walls, another cramp rushed through him, he was hungry that was the feeling, yet it was so intense, a need gripping him tight. Licking his lips he tasted blood, almost moaning in sheer ecstasy at the taste, yes that's what he wanted, blood, red and pure, warm from …..Shaking his head from the thought he ran his grubby hands through his messy hair, trying to get his bearings, Where was he? How long had he been here?. He was hidden in a doorway, his hazy memory coming back, oh god what had they done to him, what had Philip done to him?. He was glad the doorway was in darkness, yet his eyes hurt as they adjusted to the glare of the sun, he could see. Moving groggily towards the street, he felt like shit. His head banging, his body craving like an addict, a substance, that no human would ever consider craving. He dry heaved at the thought, inching further into the sun he recoiled in pain, when it hit his skin. His screams more in his head, than from his mouth, he crawled into a corner and shivered, scared for what was happening, frightened of what and who he was becoming.

Philip laughed to himself, it felt good to know Ed was sacred, made a change. Ed was so use to scaring his wife, that the man had long since forgotten what it was like, to be that scared little mouse. To feel that overwhelming feeling of dread, the time had come for Ed to slowly suffer and for Philip to take his place next to Ed's wife. The joy of bending her to his will, let her feel what it was like to have a real man loving her, and little Sophia was so adorable. Philip had always wanted children, yet that chance had been taken from him when he took the opportunity to be turned.

"Martinez go locate our new recruit, he's at the in-between stage. Take the special cover, and bring it back here. Let's see what kind of man Ed really is" Nodding at his boss, he headed into the garage and climbed into the Jeep, specially designed for travel within the day. Taking a few newer members with him, as there was no way he was facing the sun at this time of the day, would do nothing for his complexion, how he hated the burnt look.

Ed heard the vehicle slow in the street, car doors slamming shut and the sound of feet hurrying towards him. Looking up at the two men, he shrunk further into himself, like a frightened little boy.

"Please , no don't hurt me" then darkness as a dark cover was thrown over him and he was lifted to his feet. Unsteadily he let them guide him into the Jeep, sinking into the far corner near the window, when the covers were removed.

"Not looking so good Peletier" Ed knew that voice, looking up in the driver's mirror he saw Martinez.

"what hhhhhhhas heeeee. Done to me?" his body now shaking with the need, though the need for what?. Seeing the evil grin on Martinez face, he knew full well what Ed was craving, putting the car into drive he headed to the club, this was going to turn out into a fun evening. Especially as they watched Ed battle with himself, it would be long and hard but the outcome would always be the same. The smell of the blood, the whores that gave themselves willing. Ed would feast on it all by the morning.

"So you are telling me that you are vampires am I right?" Carol had a few questions of her own and she was going to ask anything she damn well wanted.

"Yes, we are, yet we do not feast on humans" Anastasia confirmed, then smiled softly when Carol raised her eyebrow at her answer

"Guess Old Earl forgot that bit when he changed you" Carol replied. suddenly feeling uncomfortable, she rose to her feet, pacing the room, her head racing with all the questions she had in it

"Carol honey sit down before you fall, please" How well she knew the various feelings Carol was going through after all, had she not done the same all those years ago?.

"Ok, fine, but tell me one thing, if Daryl and I …... if we..."

"If you had sex? Is that what you are trying to ask?"

"Yes damn it Anastasia yes, what then? Will he have to turn me,?. Will he do it without my consent? He says it has to be love before any of that happens, then what about Sophia?" tears were now falling down her cheeks, when suddenly, a warmth so comforting, she never knew existed, wrapped around her body, yet no one was there.

"He hates to see you upset Carol, accept my son's comfort. He knows how hard this is, the answers are all not clear as yet. All we know is you are soul mates, that in order for you to make love, you have to be in love. I can safely say that is not an issue on my son's side, you have his heart. No Daryl I will not lie to her, not about this, she has your heart and you damn well know it, otherwise you would not be surrounding her with your presence and warmth" Carol smirked at the obvious argument Anastasia was having with her son. Yet all she wanted to do was cuddle further into the warmth around her, sitting in the seat, unsure of how she got there, she snuggled down, as if she was in his lap, with a duvet wrapped around her.

"He asks if you feel safe and protected?"

"Tell him yes" Carol whispered softly feeling drained both physically and emotionally.

"You need to rest Carol, we have talked too long. Let me look after Sophia for you, I can feed her too. She will be safe I promise. I can even get Earl to come over, he would be able to tell you more, give you answers to those other questions you have been asking"

"Thank you, yes that would be good. I feel so sleepy, so ….." Carol's eyes shut before she had chance to finish her sentence, not seeing the smile on Anastasia face, the other woman knew the only reason Carol had said yes, was because she felt safe and loved, and that was down to her wonderful son.

"Daryl you have her sleeping, how the hell am I to get her upstairs to bed?" she questioned the moment she opened the channel to her son, not too surprised when she heard the knock at the door. Opening it she hugged her youngest , who was followed in by her husband.

"And how long have you two been out there?" Anastasia enquired, cuddling down in her husbands arms, as he kissed her deeply.

"Not long" Daryl replied over his shoulder as he went to Carol, before he had chance to pick her up in his arms, he heard Sophia waking. Walking towards the basket, he lifted the smiling baby into his arms

"Hi sweet pea, ya had a good sleep?. Well mummy is all tired see, fast asleep, so granny is gonna look after ya" he burst out laughing as he turned to his parents, both of them smiling at his happiness

"Go take her upstairs son, we will look after this cutie" his dad replied, taking Sophia from him.

"won't be long, will just settle her, then I can have some time getting to know this little one" Daryl carefully picked up Carol in his arms and headed upstairs, leaving his parents to dote on Sophia, and to chat

"won't be long,yeah right, he wont be down for awhile, knowing our son he will cradle her close and let her feel his warmth" Earl said as Anastasia took Sophia from him

"I know he will, Earl, I'm worried about this little one, and her mummy. They are human, why would the powers pick a human with a child? I just do not understand their logic" Earl kissed her softly

"Things happen for a reason darling have I not told you that time and time again. They know what they are doing, Carol will be carrying our grandchild soon, and this little one will be a fantastic older sister"

" You know something don't you? Have you...?" Earl took her lips silencing her the only way he knew how, with a deep kiss. Letting him take control she enjoyed the moment, moving away she rested her head on his shoulder as they watched Sophia, try to sit up in Anastasia's arms.

"There will be so much pain Earl, so much pain" his arms came around his wife, knowing how right she was, yet in the end it would all be worth it.

Daryl placed her on the soft bedding, the room was warm from the sun shinning through the window. He loved how airy and open it was, the window overlooking the valley to the back of the cottage. Settling Carol on the bed, he watched her sleep, his arm going around her, as he brought her tight into his body. Sophia could wait for a moment, she was safe with his parents, he was going to enjoy having her mummy in his arms. Laying his head on the pillow, he felt his eyes close, drifting to sleep. He followed Carol into her dreams, ready to finish off what he started in the alleyway, earlier on in the day.