Chapter Nineteen:

Mackenzie was relieved to find she was alone in her room when she woke the next day. She appreciated that Eric cared, but she hated knowing that he could have been in pain himself because of her. Thankfully, because he had remained with her for the rest of the night, she had been able to sleep peacefully. Or as peacefully as a cancer patient possibly could. Not a single nightmare haunted her as she held onto his hand like her life depended on it. He had been her rock when she needed one the most.

Mackenzie was completely content on staying in bed a little longer when the smell of burning food filled her nostrils.

"What the…" she pushed back the bed sheets and threw her legs over the side of the bed. She shot a glance at the time, wondering who in the world could be in the kitchen at this time of day. She was surprised, however, to find that it was already past sunset. She had slept all day, again. It would explain why Eric wasn't there, selflessly sitting with her even though she was fast asleep.

Shaking her head, she stilled padded her way out of the room in only her pajama shorts and a tank top. The bruises on her arms and legs had faded enough that she didn't feel as self-conscious. And she was insanely hot instead of feeling like she was freezing her toes off. It was a welcome change. She would rather the sticky Louisiana heat over the chill of death any day.

"Eric, what are you doing? You're going to burn the house down." Mackenzie rolled her eyes as she began down the stairs and entered the kitchen. Her stomach churned at the smell of burnt food, but she didn't go running for the bathroom. In fact, the longer she was on her feet, she realized how stable she felt. She wasn't ready to keel over, though a chair still would have been nice.

Today was going to be a good day.

"When did you become such a bad…" she stopped immediately when she found that she wasn't talking to the tall Viking at all, but instead his much shorter maker. "Godric?"

She was surprised to find him in the kitchen, his front drenched with water while dark smoke rose out of the pot that had been shoved off the bright red burner. Raising an eyebrow, Mackenzie moved around the island and turned the burner off, gazing into the pot of what appeared to be at one time the beginning of macaroni and cheese. Before it was burnt to a crisp and stuck to the bottom of the pot as a permanent fixture.

"Well you did a number on this thing." Mackenzie murmured as she grabbed the pot handle and carefully lifted it, making sure not to burn herself as she brought it over to the sink and began running water. The pot was ruined however, and likely would do better in the garbage than in the sink.

"I have not cooked human food in many years." Godric scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. "I'm afraid I'm out of practice."

"I'd say." Mackenzie commented as she turned towards the vampire, her eyebrows furrowing. "What are you doing here?"

"Eric asked me to…" he searched for the right word.

"Babysit?" Mackenzie offered with a frown. Of course Eric would get her a babysitter. The least he could have done was get Pam to look after her and not her least favourite vampire. He may have saved her life last night, he may have swept in and rescued her from a near disaster, but that didn't mean all of his previous offences were just wiped clean. He had abandoned her. He had broken every single one of his promises. It was going to take more then acting like a knight in shining armour to gain her trust again.

"He needed to feed." Godric explained. "It was on my order, so please do not get angry with him."

Realization dawned on her. "He stayed up with me again, didn't he?"

"He didn't want to take a chance. He wanted to ensure that you were safe."

Mackenzie nodded, though her frown deepened. She didn't want Eric to suffer because of her.

"It doesn't hurt." Godric seemed to have read her mind and offered reassurance. "We become weakened, but at Eric's age, he doesn't require as much rest as a vampire younger than him might."

"But he still has the bleeds." She pointed out. "Isn't that dangerous? He shouldn't be…"

"He wouldn't have it any other way. Eric, as you know, is very stubborn."

"You can say that again." Mackenzie rolled her eyes, leaning against the island. It took her a moment before realizing she was having an actual civil conversation with Godric. Her body immediately stiffened as she wrapped her arms around herself. "So you're here to babysit."

The small smile that had threatened to cross Godric's lips immediately dropped into a frown. "I can sit outside and wait for Eric, if you'd prefer."

She almost wanted to say yes. But after saving her life last night, despite how upset she was, he didn't deserve to be treated like some dog. Sighing, Mackenzie shook her head. "No, it's fine. Just…stay out of the kitchen maybe."

"I believe there was a reason I hired a chef whenever you stayed with me."

"Apparently." She started shifting from one foot to another. She hated how natural it was to talk with him, to laugh and tease one another. She hated that she actually liked it. She had yearned for years to be able to just do this, to just laugh and talk again. She had, unfortunately, given up hope somewhere along the way and now it seemed almost surreal that Godric was here.

"I apologize for the mess." He motioned to the destroyed pot. "I only wanted to ensure you had something to eat."

"Maybe order a pizza next time." Mackenzie suggested, her hands now fidgeting. She just couldn't stay still. Not when she just wanted to forget about all the pain, all the heartache and just have an actual conversation with him, to just laugh and actually be happy.

"Would probably be safer for the both of us." His lips twitched upwards ever so slightly.

The two stood across from one another as silence hung over them. Godric scratched the back of his neck again, this time in discomfort while Mackenzie swayed on the spot, biting nervously down on her bottom lip.

"Well I'm just going to go to the library." She muttered, whipping around the island as quickly as she could manage. She didn't even give Godric a chance to respond as she hurried down the hall and into the library. She sighed in relief as she closed the door behind her, leaning against the barrier as her eyes closed. "Like that wasn't awkward at all…"

Shaking her head, her eyes snapped back open and she pushed herself away from the door. She moved towards a bookcase, searching for a new book she had yet to read. It was difficult to find volumes that were new to her. She suspected she had read nearly every single book, minus those that were written in another language. And even then, she had tried desperately to understand them before opting for another. Just when she was about to give up hope and trudge back up to her room, something on the table caught her eye. Eyebrows furrowing, she moved around a chair and lifted the small bundle that was sitting on the table, a tied bow holding what looked like cards together. She ran her fingers over the very top card before getting a closer look. She nearly dropped the stack when she realized what they were.

Mackenzie ripped the red bow away, tossing it to the ground as she curled up in her favourite chair and gazed at the cards in her hands. There was a card for every birthday, every Christmas, every possible holiday that had occurred between her twelfth birthday and now. Each card was directed to her, each signed by Godric's elegant scrawl. Notes of apologies, of pleading were placed in each card. The envelopes had been addressed, even the date published on every single one. The only thing missing, the only missing piece to the puzzle, were the stamps.

"I wanted to send them."

Her head snapped up to find Godric leaning against the library doorway, a solemn expression spreading across his face.

"I had every intention on sending them." He admitted.

"So then why didn't you?" she asked softly, her voice cracking. She blinked away what tears she could as she ran her fingers gently over the cards. They were all so beautiful, so ornate. There wasn't a single card that could have been purchased at the store, and there certainly wasn't a hallmark emblem on the back.

"I was scared." He sighed, taking a small step into the room.

She looked up at him in surprise at his answer. "Scared?"

He offered a sad smile. "I was scared of the rejection. A theme of the last six years it appears."

She dropped her gaze back down to the cards. "So then why show them to me now?"

"Because I'm no longer scared." He answered honestly. "For so long I was scared of you rejecting me. I didn't want to face what I thought to be the inevitable. I was out of your life, and yet the thought of it being permanent tore me to pieces."

"So why aren't you scared now? I could still reject you." She pointed out, risking a glance up at him.

"Circumstances have changed."

"You mean I'm dying." She corrected dryly.

"Yes."

She was taken back by his admittance.

"You are dying." He explained, taking another step further into the room. "When Eric called me while you were in the hospital, I realized just how little time I had left. I realized how foolish I've been, that I could no longer be scared. Because I didn't have time to be. The thought of you dying without at least knowing how much I cared about you, how much I still care about you, It killed me inside."

Her heart clenched as the tears returned to her eyes. She tried to blink them away, but there were too many, a single tear soon slipping down her cheek. Mackenzie quickly wiped it away as Godric moved towards her. She shook her head however, trying to keep him at a distance. If he came within even a foot of her, she was going to lose it; and she was tired of crying.

"I know we've had this conversation plenty of times, but I need you to know that I…"

"Don't say it. Don't apologize again." Her voice was shaky as she spoke, squeezing her eyes shut. She wouldn't be able to handle him saying 'I'm sorry' again.

A gust of wind suddenly blew her hair over her shoulder and Mackenzie tensed as Godric appeared before her. He knelt before the chair, encasing her small hands with his own. She was as stiff as stone, even as his thumbs gently massaged small circles on the top of her hands.

"I need you to know that I never stopped thinking about you." His hand reached up to gingerly touch the locket that hung from her neck; he had been hoping she would find the present, even after he had abandoned her. "I left you and I will forever be sorry that I did, but not for one second did I not think about you, that I did not care."

She tried to tug out of his grasp but he remained where he was.

"I will fix this." He promised, squeezing her hand. "I will make amends. I will not let you die believing that I did not love you. Because I did, little one, I truly did."

He rose before she could say a word, pausing for a moment as he lightly brushed his lips across her forehead. He slipped out of the room without uttering another word, for which she was glad. The minute the library door was closed and she was alone, the first sob escaped her lips. The tears slipped down her cheeks on by one as she clutched onto the cards. She could feel it happening. She could feel herself slowly beginning to forgive him. And it was those damn cards fault.

She hated her heart for betraying her head.

"I don't mean to interrupt, but Eric's home." Godric knocked on the library door before slowly opening it to discover Mackenzie in the exact chair he had left her in. A large volume was in her hands this time and not the cards he had failed to send her. "He brought you something to eat."

She gazed up at him and nodded, chewing on her bottom lip as she squeaked a response out. "I'll be right there."

He nodded, offering a small smile, before ducking back out of the room. Mackenzie sighed the minute he was gone. She gently placed the book on the table, snatching out the cards she had been secretly reading and setting them beside the book. She had to rub at her red puffy eyes for a moment before pushing herself to her feet and making her way towards the kitchen. She stopped just outside the room as she heard Eric and Godric talking to one another.

"So you made her cry again."

"I think my mere presence makes her cry." Godric admitted sadly. "It doesn't seem like I can do anything right in her eyes."

"Well you did nearly burn the house down." Eric pointed out with amusement before growing serious. "You just need to give her time, Godric."

"I know." Godric agreed with a sigh. "I just wonder if it will be enough."

"You were always her favourite, Godric. You were always the one she wanted, the one she ran to when she was upset. That doesn't change just because you made one mistake."

"It was a pretty big mistake."

"You're here and you're trying to fix it." Eric insisted. "She will forgive you. She just needs to figure out how."

Mackenzie rested the back of her head against the wall as she listened to their conversation. Eric had no idea how right he was. She wanted to forgive Godric, she truly did. She didn't want to hate Godric. She didn't want to burst into tears every single time she was around him. She just needed to figure out how to trust him again. She just needed time.

Unfortunately, time was just the thing that they didn't have.

"You can stop lurking, Mackenzie." A voice suddenly called out.

She quickly snapped to attention as Eric appeared before her.

"You know eavesdropping isn't nice." He told her pointedly.

"I wasn't eavesdropping. You just happened to be talking loudly and I didn't want to interrupt." She defended with a shrug.

Eric rolled his eyes, a hint of a smile playing on his lips as he motioned her into the kitchen. "Godric told me you had an appetite."

"Did he also tell you that he nearly set the house on fire?" She mused as she led Eric into the kitchen.

"I had it contained." Godric defended himself from where he sat at the Island.

"I feel it unsafe for you to be in the kitchen." Eric teased.

Godric rolled his eyes with a chuckle but kept his head down as Mackenzie crossed the room to where a pizza box sat on the table.

"This smells delicious." She muttered to herself, a spark neither vampire had seen in quite some time returning to her eyes. "I haven't had pizza in forever. I forgot how glorious it smells."

"Don't narrate, just eat." Eric snorted, but couldn't help but smile. Her appetite wasn't something big, and maybe tomorrow she would be back curled up on the bathroom floor, but it was something. The little victories were all he could ask for.

Mackenzie stuck her tongue out at him but grabbed herself a piece of pizza. The minute she took her first bite, a moan elicited from the teen

"You would think she hadn't eaten in years." Eric snickered.

"Shut up." Mackenzie mumbled, food in her mouth.

"Swallow, then talk."

Mackenzie snorted, swallowing the bite of pizza before throwing Eric a smirk. "Yes Daddy."

"Don't be smart with me." He wagged his finger with her, though his own smirk was spreading across his lips.

Godric watched with a smile as the two bickered back and forth. So much had changed dynamically since he had left six years ago. Eric had always been a father figure to Mackenzie, but never had he embraced his role like he now did. And Mackenzie, without Godric to run to, had let her guard down with Eric. The two had truly bonded over the last handful of years, even if Eric had sent Mackenzie away for her safety. They were finally a family, after all these years.

Too little too late, however.

"I think I'll take my leave for tonight." Godric slid off his stool. He didn't want to intrude on the pair. They were running out of time, and Mackenzie deserved as much time with Eric as she could get.

He had already caused enough damage for one night.

Mackenzie kept a watchful eye on him as he spoke in another language to Eric before laying his hand on Eric's shoulder. Godric shot one last glance back at her before moving towards the door. She was surprised, shocked actually, at the sudden want for him to stay. She felt a pull towards him she hadn't felt since she was a child. Whenever he would leave after a visit, the thought of him leaving was the worst possible thing in the world. She remembered plenty of temper tantrums over the years because of it.

"Y-you could stay." The offer was barely above a whisper, but both vampires heard her as clear as day. Godric paused in the doorway, his shoulders tensing as he slowly drew around to face her. Mackenzie couldn't look him in the eye as her hands began fidgeting in her lap. "I mean, if you want."

She chewed nervously on her bottom lip, her cheeks flushing a bright red as Eric and Godric shared a look of surprise.

"Or not." She mumbled, suddenly feeling stupid. Why had she even asked? She hadn't forgiven him, not completely. Perhaps those cards had been the first step towards trusting him again, to believing everything he had told her, but it hadn't changed everything. And yet for some reason, she didn't want him to leave.

"I don't want to intrude." Godric replied carefully, trying not to sound too eager. He was elated, however, that there was a spark of hope still left.

"You won't be." She assured, risking a quick glance up at him before hurriedly looking back down at her pizza.

Godric was gob smacked as he glanced at his progeny. "Eric?"

Eric shrugged, just as surprised as Godric was. He was, however, just as happy that Mackenzie was making an effort. He was just as hurt as Mackenzie was when Godric had abandoned them. Because his maker hadn't just abandoned Mackenzie, but him as well. They had barely been in contact over the past six years, and even when there had been, it had been strained. Six years later and his maker was finally back in his life. Eric hoped to keep him there.

"Stay." Eric insisted with a nod.

Godric was hesitant, but eventually agreed, returning to his spot beside his progeny at the island. Mackenzie ate in silence as he and Eric spoke about mindless Sheriff duties. It felt as ordinary as her family could possibly get, and she loved it. This was what she had always wanted. This was what she had prayed for during those long nights in New York, throwing up and feeling like her insides were going to burst. This was what she had hoped for when she had returned home.

And this was what she wanted at her bedside when the time came.

"Are you asleep?" Eric popped his head into Mackenzie's room later that night. Godric had only just left, promising to return tomorrow so Eric could make an appearance at Fangtasia for a few hours. He hated the thought of leaving Mackenzie, but it was obvious that the two seemed to be bonding when they were alone. Even if that did mean he had to deal with the bothersome breathers for a few hours.

"Not yet, come in." she waved him into her room, setting her book to the side.

"How are you feeling?" he placed himself on the edge of the bed. He rested his hand upon her forehead and was relieved to find not even a trace of a fever.

"Good actually." Mackenzie smiled. She had missed the good days. They very well may be her last.

"I'm glad." He returned the smile, letting his hand drop back down onto his lap. "I wanted to talk to you about something."

Her smile immediately dropped. "If this is about Godric…"

"It's not. Though it is nice to see that you're making an effort." He mused.

Mackenzie shrugged, tugging the sheets higher up her body. "He gave me the cards he never sent the last few years. I-it was nice."

"He told me." Eric nodded. "He really is trying, Mackenzie."

"I know he is." She sighed heavily. "It's just…hard I guess."

"I know. And he doesn't expect a miracle to happen. He knows what he did hurt you."

"I'll forgive him." She already knew that she would. She didn't want to be on her deathbed holding a grudge. She just needed a little bit more time, that was all. "Eventually."

Eric nodded as he prepared himself for the piece of information he was about to tell her. He knew Mackenzie wasn't exactly going to be pleased to hear what he had to say, but it was for her own good.

"Now as for what I came up here to tell you…" he began.

Mackenzie's frown deepened. "I don't like the sound of this."

"I just want you to know that this is for your own well being…"

Her heart stopped. She had heard this all before. "Oh god, are you sending me away again? Is it Japan this time?"

He couldn't help but chuckle at her ridiculous assumption. "Japan, really?"

"I don't know." She grumbled, her nose scrunching up in distaste. "Sounds like something you would do."

Eric rolled his eyes. "Thanks for the faith."

"You don't exactly have the best track record." She pointed out.

"Can I finish?"

"Go ahead."

"Thank you." He shook his head with a light laugh. "As I was saying, this is for your own well being. I'm worried that there may be another attack and unfortunately I cannot protect you during the day. I would stay up with you if I could, you know I would, but it's becoming problematic. I don't want you to be vulnerable during the day."

Mackenzie's mood immediately changed. That hadn't spoken much about the threat, whatever it may be. He hadn't told her who they had been, or why they had attempted to attack the house. Were they after Eric? Were they extremists who were anti-vampire? Were they vampires instead, looking to settle an old feud? Or was it something else entirely? She wanted to ask, she wanted to pry, but she already knew Eric wouldn't tell her the truth. It was for her safety, he would say, it was for her best interest that she didn't know. And as much as she wanted to argue with him, she just didn't have the energy to. She entrusted her life in Eric's hands, and he hadn't failed her yet.

"So…" Mackenzie prompted. "What's the plan then?"

"I hired you a bodyguard." Eric braced himself.

Her eyes widened, her mouth dropping open in surprise. Out of all the scenarios that had been playing in her head, Eric hiring her a bodyguard certainly wasn't one of them.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"I hired a bodyguard to protect you during the day." He explained. "His father owes me, and I thought this would be a perfect opportunity for that debt to be repaid."

"By being my bodyguard?" Mackenzie raised an eyebrow. "Who is he?"

"Is name is Alcide, and he…" Eric paused, struggling not to spit at the thought of having that mutt in his house, around his daughter. Unfortunately, he was the only day walker he could trust that could offer the protection she required. Should the fellowship make a second attempt, he knew Alcide would physically be able to stop any attack.

Even if that did mean there was going to be a new permanent stench in the house.

"Well he's equipped for such circumstances." Eric finished with a small shudder.

Mackenzie didn't notice however. "So he's what, going to be wearing all black with sunglasses and follow me wherever I go?"

"Not exactly." Eric frowned. "You are, under no circumstance, allowed to leave the property. I was going to limit you to the house, but I realize how unfair that might be."

"Well aren't you such a giver." She commented sarcastically. "You're being unreasonable, Eric. I can't leave the property? What if I wanted to…"

"No." Eric shook his head, sending her a pointed look. "For no reason will you be leaving the property, do you understand me? Not even a toe outside of the perimeter."

"But…"

"Don't even think about it." His eyes narrowed. "This is for your safety, Mackenzie. I need you to trust me on this. Please."

She prepared herself to argue, but the hint of pleading in his voice stopped her. Sighing and shoulders slumping, Mackenzie nodded in defeat.

"Fine."

Eric raised an eyebrow in surprise at her cooperation. "Well that was easy. I was expecting yelling and screaming."

"Well I'm not five, Eric." She rolled her eyes.

"That's never stopped you." He teased with a smirk.

She stuck her tongue out at him. "Okay, so no leaving the house. Anything else, dad."

He would never admit it to another soul, living or dead, but hearing that three-lettered word brought him happiness he never even knew he desired.

"Just be good."

"Aren't I always?"

Eric let out a hearty laugh, leading forward and kissing her on the forehead. "Just behave, that's all I'm asking for."

"No promises, but I'll try my best." She promised, sending him a smile. "And Eric?"

He stopped just in the doorway of the bedroom, glancing over his shoulder at the teenager. "Hm?"

"I'm really happy we're all together again." She admitted softly.

He returned the smile. "Me too."

A/N: Happy End Of The World! also, Merry Christmas, a belated Happy Chanukah, and happy holidays to the rest :)