(A/N: Today I checked on how my story stats were and was blown away by the results. Somebody made my story a 'favorite', someone else 'followed' my story, and people from other countries are reading it! It may be lame to some of you, but to me it was nearly overwhelming. I am so happy to know that I've grabbed attention, let alone made an impact, even a small one. So thank you to those of you who have taken the time to read my story. Credit goes to Ellen Schreiber for writing awesome books.)

Chapter 14

The 'Master' has Return

Alexander and I took our showers, separately, brushed our fangs and dressed. Alexander wore a black muscle shirt, and black slacks. His hair is combed sleek and parted in the middle and left to fall on his back. He still carried the vial of my human blood that I gave him years ago for his birthday. A large ring sat on his middle finger with his family's crest, and a band on his left ring finger with a Raven engraved in it. I wore a long, light, sleeveless, black dress that reached my ankles. The bodice was corset and decorated with dark blue lace and had a split on one side as high as my mid-thigh. For shoes, I wore a pair of three-inch wedged heel leather boots that were knee high. I did my make up with shadow eyes and black lipstick. My hair was halfway up with a clip and spiked ends, and the rest spilled over my shoulders and down my back. The only jewelry I wore were black, blue, and white-gemmed studs along the shell of my ears that linked together with silver chains. No rings, no necklaces. When Alexander looked appreciatively at my appearance but furrowed his brows, I thought out to him. 'After all these years I thought you didn't want me, so I put the things that reminded me of you in a chest. I only pulled it out occasionally when I felt depressed or lost. The kids began to look too much like you, so I stopped pulling it out.' He reached his hand out and I took it so he could pull me in and kiss each stud along my ears. Afterwards, he whispered in my ear, "Then it's time you bring it out, start with the ring." It was a demand rather than suggestion. 'Yes… master.' I joked and got a smirk out of him. "I'm serious." He added.

When we finished I went to go check on the kids who were, as expected, still sleeping in their coffins. Alexander came in behind me. "They're still sleeping." I told him. He opened each coffin lid, noticed the pictures I spoke of along with some stickers, and watched their sleeping faces. I went to Lexy first after a moment and closed the lid, then went to Alex. "It's best not to force them awake." As if on cue, when I placed my hand on Alex's coffin lid, his hand shot out and clutched my wrists tightly. Before blood could draw, I quietly cooed, "It's okay Alex, it's just me. Mommy's here baby, don't be frightened. There's no danger." His lids parted slowly.

"Mom," he whined, "I want to sleep… five more minutes." I smiled and thought, 'even vampire children have difficulties waking up on time.'

"Would you keep your father waiting at the breakfast table?" I asked tauntingly. Then winked at Alexander who leaned against the door frame, smiling.

Mention of his father brought him fully awake as he sat up and rubbed his sleepy eyes. Lexy, however, threw her coffin door open and sped as fast as she could to the door only to slam full force into Alexander and fall on her tiny bottom. He knelt down to pick her up, while Alex laughed. "DADDY!" She hugged his neck tight. "I thought it was just a dream, but it's not. You're here, you're here, you're here, you're really really here." She was squealing with excitement.

"I'm here, princess." He assured her.

Alex got up, with his hair in his face. Slowly and sleepily he walked to the door. "Good evening," he mumbled. Then walked out without glancing up. I reached out to Alexander with my thoughts, 'he's like a zombie in the morning with his mind on blood and meat. After breakfast he'll be fully awake.'

'I was the same way,' I heard Alexander think.

'Like father, like son.' I thought back. I closed their coffin lids and followed them downstairs. Then I practically ran passed them when I smelled chocolate chip pancakes. Then I stopped when I noticed Sebastian sitting at the table.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I asked him through gritted teeth, baring my fangs. He was lost in thought staring at Alex, whose head rested at the table, when I came in. So when Alex either heard me or felt my anger and looked up, that's when Sebastian noticed me and understanding dawned on him.

"I invited him over. This is still my home, and he is my best friend. He is still welcomed here." Alexander stated. Like hell! I want him nowhere near my kids. He doesn't deserve to know them.

'Sit down, Raven, and calm your temper. Alex is watching,' He sent me.

Reluctantly I sat down, but made sure to be between the two of my kids, which left me directly in front of Sebastian who kept looking at the both of them like he is confused. Be confused, you useless asshole, serves you right. Then Alexander cleared his throat as he sat at the head of the table. The look he gave me told me he heard and didn't approve. Whether you like it or not, I want nothing to do with our old friends, even your best friend, and I'd rather the kids weren't either.

'Like I said, this is still my home and I say that he is welcome. Would you cease to allow your friend around my children if I forbid it? Because I want him out of sight from all of you, doesn't mean you'll agree. Would you?' Alexander asked.

'At least my friend was around to help where help is needed. When I struggled with the kids' welfare, he never needed to be asked, he just stepped up. What has Sebastian done but made everything even more difficult that it needed to be?' I countered and forced the guilt down that I felt for mentioning Luke, but Alexander had no right to disregard my feelings about this. 'You should have at least warned me so I didn't have to alarm Alex. You know how sensitive he is… he's not even fully awake and already he's tense.'

"Sebastian, I would like you to meet my children, Alexander II and Alexandria. They were my parting gift to Raven. So as you can imagine I was very surprised to hear about them. Looks like that detail has slipped you as well." Alexander gave Sebastian a pointed look. "My children, Sebastian has been my best friend since the night I was born. Do you know of him?"

"It's definitely a surprise. Alexander and Alexandria… what's up?" The twins giggled and Alex began to relax. Sebastian was like a big happy kid, and they warmed up to him immediately. Great, now they'll start calling him 'Uncle Bastian'.

'Your feelings shouldn't keep them from knowing someone important to me either. We'll speak about your thoughts on my mother later,' he sent me. I cursed myself for that one. I couldn't bear to talk about that with him unless she spoke to him first.

'No it won't. Just ask her about it yourself, Alexander… it's not my place.' Our silent argument continued even after Jameson brought out the pancakes with bloody syrup, eggs, and smoked beacon with animal blood mixed into fruity smoothies. Lexy was smiling with big bright eyes, still in her princess sleeping gown from one of her gifts. Alex, whose long and loose hair was still covering his face, sat up straighter. He even protested unsuccessfully when I combed my fingers through his hair to get it out of his face and avoid getting sticky.

Alexander wouldn't let it drop though. 'You said she knew… about them?' I remained silent and nearly jumped when he yelled in my head, 'ANSWER ME,'

'GODDAMMIT! YES… okay? Yes, she knew, Alexander. It pisses me off that she didn't tell you after all this time, but I don't want that to ruin your relationship with your mother.' Alexander stood and everybody looked his direction.

"Excuse me for a moment," he told everyone. Then he looked to me and said, "Raven, come with me." Reluctantly I stood as he drew my seat back. He led me out into the backyard behind a large tree. I watched with my arms wrapped around my middle as he leaned against it and tilted his head back. I watched his Adam's apple bob and his clenched fists move into his pockets. I watched in silence hoping he wouldn't overreact. "How the hell, am I supposed to react then?" he asked startling me. I couldn't look him in the eye because I didn't know. "How long has she known, how much does she know?" he demanded.

"The night they left…" I whispered.

"Explain!"

I started shaking and started to rub my arms as I spoke. "I was craving your blood and without thinking I tried to drink from you but…" sniff, "you got mad at me, and called Jameson to bring something. I drank the stupid blood and felt horrible…" sniff, sniff, "I was in the bathroom throwing up everything when your mom walked in. She said I was 'with child' and that 'now wasn't the time to tell you' and some stupid shit about 'focus', 'bloodlines', and… I just tuned her out because there was no way I could not tell you. I was mad at her so I cleaned up and left. I still wasn't feeling good so when I went to find you she stopped me and told me I couldn't." I shivered remembering how helpless I felt. "I yelled at her to leave me alone and back off. That's when I realized you had come and heard. I tried to tell you the reason, but you just grabbed my arm and literally threw me into the attic room and locked the door from the outside like I was a child. I yelled and cried but you didn't come back until they had left. I figured you'd be more mad if I broke the door so I sat on the mattress." I looked up to see him. He had tear streaks on his cheek and a sad and guilty look on his face. But I couldn't stop now; he had to understand how hard I tried to tell him. "When you came back, you wouldn't look at me or hear what I had to say. I couldn't just say it, because I didn't know if I really was. I told you I needed you, but you ignored me. When I grabbed you, you threw me against the wall and yelled at me." Then I laughed, which startled him. "To this night, I hadn't been able to recall a single word you yelled. I was too surprised and a little scared that I gave up. The rest of the night you ignored me and went to your coffin. I went to mine and cried the whole day until the sun had set. Then I decided that the moment I saw you the first thing I'd say was 'I'm pregnant'. But you were gone. Everything was gone. I was completely alone.

"I didn't leave the house for a week until I realized I was starving and I couldn't just think of myself anymore. I went to Sebastian, Onyx, and Scarlett for help with finding you. All they ever gave me was silence. One time I caught Sebastian and Matt passing a phone around talking to you… they were laughing. Then they saw me and I demanded I speak with you. You told them you had to go. My mom helped me with the pregnancy since I couldn't make any appointments. Dad tried to track you down. Billy was depressed because Stormy disappeared on him too, but he tried to help. I kept calling and leaving messages until you turned off your phone. Then the kids were born, and I tried to see you. For the first time in months, I had asked for Sebastian's help. I didn't want to leave my babies, but I didn't know if vampire babies were too young to fly." Again I laughed before I sobered to remind him, "You had me kicked off a plane. In those messages I told you I was pregnant. I told you I needed your help. I told you that you had twins. After the plane incident, I gave up. I figured you knew and didn't want to help, didn't want me. I figured you met some other royal vampire who you'd want to have a family with. Then my parents died. Then I had to take care of Billy too. Then I met Luke. Then I found some peace and gave up on dreams, true love, and eternal happiness. But I tried to keep it alive in the kids. Then you came back and told me it was all… a misunderstanding." I was out of tears to shed so I just felt bitter and alone again.

All Alexander could do was pace, punch the tree, and burn holes at nothing with his glowing red eyes. Every time his gaze penetrated mine he'd squeeze them shut and refocus his anger. "Maybe it was better for me to tell you first. Was she right, Alexander? Keeping your new life private from your bride must have kept you focused. Your bloodline seems so damn important, powerful and secretive that you didn't even realize that it was extended. I guess she didn't think of that either. Or maybe she did and thought they would be tainted by mine, I don't know I'll have to ask her." I walked away, but Alexander grabbed my arm and pulled me back into him with my back against his chest.

"You have every right to be angry with me. But I can't believe my own mother would betray me like this. Even after she tried…" tried what? "Raven, if what you say is true… I can't imagine how, but she will pay for this." He promised.

Then I stepped away and leaned my back against the tree. "I told you, Alexander, I don't want to take away the relationship you have with your mom. Like you said, my feelings should stop them from knowing the people important to you. If she wants to know them and be in their lives, I wouldn't take that away… unlike with Sebastian. They lost one grandmother; I don't want them to be denied the only one left. Besides… you should stop blaming everybody but yourself for avoiding me. Since you came back, you've acted as if I should have came running with open arms." With a roll of my eyes I added, "Okay, I kind of did under different circumstances, but did you deserve it? I'd follow you to the end of eternity and into the sun, but you'd leave me cold without your touch and in the dark to rot alone. Would you prefer that I wither away and moped around the mansion like a haunting ghoul for ten years, as you expected to be gone for, and start bouncing around with smiles and kisses like a hopeless groupie. Can you honestly blame me for being so upset with everyone and keeping them away from my precious babies?"

"You're right, I deserve the full extent of your anger." He kissed me repeatedly and whispered his apologies. His big hands rubbed my arms and held me. When I didn't kiss him back right away, he kissed my harder, and licked the seam of my lips with the tip of his tongue. I open for him and silently forgave him for all the pain he brought me. I opened my arm along with my heart for him to take, and he took.

He knelt slightly to feel for my exposed thigh, his hand trailed higher. With the other hand, he moved my dress aside to expose my legs and lift me against the tree to settle between them. I kept my hands wrapped around his neck and kissed him. One of his hands moved and I heard his belt buckle and zipper open. He pulled my blue lace thong to the side and immediately thrust upwards into me. I gasped and moaned from the fullness. Alexander stood up straight with his legs slightly apart with both hands beneath me, each hand on one cheek holding me up and exposed. Then he pecked my lips and the bite mark on my neck before returning to my lips. We kissed as we continued our series of passionate sex. He lifted me with each thrust. My back is pressed against the tree and I pressed against it as I moved my hands to his shoulders and broke our kiss.

With heavy lids and lust in my red eyes I watched him as I ground into him till I came. My body arched into him and squeezed almost painfully with my head thrown back and a silent scream. Alexander pushed and pumped harder as I orgasm and squirmed around him. With vampire speed and strength, he fucked a series of orgasms out of me 'til I was limp and lost all sense of thought. When he came, the heat and pressure made my spine tingle, my skin prickles, and my body shiver. All I could do was feel. I felt him soften and pull out, I felt the air cool my heated flesh, I felt him fix my thong back in place and trace his finger along the material. I felt him touch me intimately as he kissed my face.

I smelled the blood before I felt his hand on the pack of my head, pulling me toward his neck to drink. Instinct took over and I drank from him. Slowly my strength and thoughts returned to me. I'm smitten with you, I thought. He stroked my hair and back. "I could never deny you anything, love… not even for the royal families." He told me. … Even your forgiveness? Could you deny me that? I didn't mean to ask that, but it was said- well, thought. "Raven, for all that I put you through… I could forgive you anything. I understand your pain; I can feel it. I hate that I caused you to feel such helplessness. My loneliness from you and pain from your betrayal cannot compete with all you've dealt with; you're parents' death, my mother's betrayal, my ignorance and everyone's isolation. Nothing I say or do could take your pain away. And you have forgiven and returned to me. How can I be so selfish? Let us return to our kids," then he laughed, "all three, and leave the past behind us." Oh my god! I really wish he didn't remind me. "Do not worry Raven, Sebastian has the children occupied they didn't notice," I had to stop him.

"Alexander," deep breaths, Raven, "there's more you should probably know." I started feeling really scared about what I was about to confess to. Alexander tightened his grip on my waist and set me down steadily. When my feet are planted, his grip didn't loosen.

With a deep breath and long exhale he asked, "What else have you not told me Raven. I want all the secrets out now before we go back. Everything."

I trembled in his arms and refused to look him in the eyes. "I didn't think to mention it because nobody else but myself and your granny knows… not even the kids or my mom…" I took another deep breath and tried to gulp the sickening feeling I kept inside. Alexander became alarmed and all I could think of was how much he's going to hate me. "I just, don't want you to find out if it ever slipped in my thoughts, but you said three and I need you to know…"

He lifted my face with his thumb and index finger holding my chin. I met his eyes and he said quietly. "Raven, whatever it is, we'll fix it, get past it, and learn from it." Those words were not what I wanted to hear concerning this. Easier said than done, Alexander… I can never get past it; I know you won't either once you know. "Band-aid, remember?" he reminded me.

"We didn't have twins." His body froze and his eyes gleamed dangerously. "They are yours, don't think they're not." I told him, so he didn't think I cheated while he was with me. He only released his tension a fraction and furrowed his brows in confusion. Band-aid, Raven, band-aid, I reminded myself then continued. "They were three."