Chapter Forty-Five:

It was still difficult for Mackenzie to understand that Nora was a member of her family. As she watched Godric and her speak in hushed tones, she felt flabbergasted at the reveal.

"Mackenzie?" Eric moved towards her with a frown.

"You made out with your sister," her nose scrunched up, though a small smile played on her lips. "That's just gross, Eric."

The Viking snickered, rolling his eyes. "We're not related, Mackenzie. Our relationship is very different as vampire siblings than it would ever be for humans."

"Well for one, human siblings making out is incest," Mackenzie pointed out with a snort. "You're still being a hypocrite, you know. I can't even help that I have…"

"Don't," Eric suddenly grew serious, a dark look crossing his face. "That I don't want to talk about. Ever."

"I can't help it."

"You could try."

"Now you know that is impossible for her to help," Nora interjected, shaking her head at her brother. "You should know better than us all, after all; you practically toss your blood to humans."

Eric narrowed his eyes at the brunette. "You're not innocent, sister."

"Well of course not," Nora smirked. "I wasn't innocent long before you came into my life, as I recall."

Godric sighed as the two began bickering again. He glanced at Mackenzie, watching as she withdrew as settled back on the couch, a frown on her face. He wanted to reach for her, to assure her that everything was alright, but the opening of the door halted him. Nan came waltzing into the room, her guards trailing behind as she stopped and glared around the room.

"Are we through? I'm on a tight schedule."

Nora transformed before Mackenzie's very eyes, the once carefree smile on her lips quickly masked as she turned towards Nan. "Of course. The Authority has all the answers that we desire. Shall we begin?"

"I can handle the interview."

"I'm sure you can," Nora remained where she was. "But I'm under strict orders to ensure everything goes smoothly. After the Jackson's interview earlier, Roman wants to ensure nothing is overlooked."

Nan scowled but didn't utter a complaint. Despite how frightened Mackenzie was of this Authority, she almost wished Roman was here, merely to see Nan fidget.

"Shall we get you ready?" Nora turned towards Mackenzie, her mask slipping as she offered an encouraging smile.

"Yes, fix her up. She looks like shit," Nan's gaze swept over the teen, shaking her head in disgust. "And make it quick. We start in fifteen."

Mackenzie forced herself not to glare at the woman as she slowly rose and allowed Nora to usher her into the bedroom. The moment they were alone, Nora rolled her eyes at the door.

"She's insufferable," Nora muttered before taking Mackenzie's form in. She was the one to fidget as Nora scrutinized her. She couldn't help but wonder if it her intense stare was a family trait; both Godric and Eric had sent her the same gaze on one too many occasions. "My, you've grown, haven't you?"

Mackenzie's eyebrows shot up into her hairline in surprise.

"Oh you wouldn't remember. You were barely with Eric a few weeks when I saw you last," a smile spread across Nora's lips. "I was supposed to be taking Eric's statement regarding the incident. You could say I was surprised that Eric decided to keep you."

Nora had known the entire time? She, a member of the Authority, had known of Mackenzie's existence, that Eric had been her guardian, for the past 14 years. Why hadn't she said anything? Why hadn't she forced Eric to get rid of her?

As if reading her thoughts, Nora grinned. "I thought he was absolutely insane, of course. But you had him wrapped around your finger the moment you entered his life."

"Didn't feel that way. Still doesn't," Mackenzie admitted.

"Oh you most certainly do," Nora laughed. "He fought me. Oh he fought me over you so hard. He refused to let you go. He was even willing to fight the Authority if I told them."

"Why didn't you?" Mackenzie asked shyly.

"Because from that moment on, Mackenzie, you became family. And if there's one thing I care about most in the world, it's family. Godric taught me that."

"You didn't know me though."

"Doesn't matter," Nora shrugged. "Family takes care of family. You were his. Hell, you were all of theirs. I wasn't going to take that away."

"And now?"

"Still family."

Mackenzie was relieved, feeling like a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

"Now, shall we find you something to wear? Or else Nan will insist, and I'm sure you blood well wouldn't want her coming in here," Nora rolled her eyes.

Mackenzie's nose scrunched up in disgust. "No thank you."

Nora was grinning as she pointed at the rack of clothes sitting in the corner. "Yours I suppose."

"Thanks to Godric."

"Well he did always have some taste," she chuckled, fingering the clothes. "Speaking of my maker, you and my dear brother were arguing about certain dreams."

Mackenzie's face flushed a deep shade of red.

Nora shot her a wicked smirk, one Mackenzie just knew must have been a family trait. "Oh you don't have to be shy with me, Mackenzie. You absolutely adore Godric, anyone could see that."

The blonde's eyes grew wide. "What?"

"You are completely smitten," Nora pulled out a white lace dress. "Well this just oozes innocence. Shall we try it on?"

Wanting to do anything that would be a distraction in discussing Godric and her dreams, Mackenzie gladly took the dress and hurried into the bathroom.

"It's nothing to be ashamed of, you know," Nora mused as Mackenzie tugged herself free of her clothes. "Godric is very handsome. You would need to be blind not to notice that."

Mackenzie's face was three shades darker at her comment. "I don't like him," she tried to insist.

"Well of course you do," Nora snickered.

"It's just the blood."

"It's never just the blood, Mackenzie. It heightens the feelings that are already there, that's all. Perhaps you feel more attracted to him, but it doesn't change your feelings. And you care greatly or him, more than you even realize, apparently."

Mackenzie frowned. Did she? Was Nora right?

"I know it's difficult being that young and innocent. I remember that age too well. But times are much different now. You have no reason to be ashamed of how you feel about him. Even if Eric may say differently."

She did feel happier, lighter, when Godric was around. He was her rock, her shoulder to cry on. But he had always been that. Even hen she was a child. He had helped raise her, after all. She couldn't possibly like him. It wasn't right.

But those dream. God those dreams! And the feel of his actual lips against her, his hands pressing into her hips. Those feelings were so very much real. They weren't just dreams. It wasn't just the sudden attraction. She felt so many new emotions towards him. They couldn't all just be because of his blood, right?

"He loves you."

Mackenzie froze as she pulled the dress over her body. What?

Nora smiled to herself on the other side of the door. She had seen the way Godric was staring at her; it was a look she had never witnessed on her maker before. And it was wonderful. She had been forced to watch the last century as Godric grew depressed, unable to help him because of her position in the Authority. There were many times she thought about leaving, but Godric would demand that she stay. He was fine, he would always assure her. But he wasn't fine, and she had worried consistently. Godric was her father, her brother, her everything. Eric had been the one to find her that night so long ago, her body sick and frail, but it had been Godric who had saved her, who had given her the greatest gift possible. He had taught her everything he knew, comforted her, held her. He was her entire world. She would do anything to see him happy, to see him simply alive.

And this mere human made him the happiest she had ever seen.

Nora would damn well do anything to keep that twinkled look in her maker's eyes.

It was just an added bonus that it drove her brother insane.

"Nora?" Mackenzie called from the bathroom. "I, uh, need some help."

Slipping into the room, Mackenzie was twisting around, trying to zip up the dress. Nora chuckled as she crossed the room and stood behind her, lifting her blonde locks over one shoulder.

"You've made him very happy, Mackenzie," Nora commented softly as she tugged the zipper up on the dress. "I've never seen him look at a single soul like he looks at you."

"He helped raise me."

"But you have no blood ties," Nora pointed out. "Just as Eric and I aren't really siblings. There's nothing wrong in how you may feel."

Mackenzie's shoulders slumped. "But it does feel wrong. I shouldn't…"

Nora shuffled her around, laying her hands on her shoulders. "My brother will detest me for encouraging you, but I am. Godric loves you, Mackenzie. I can feel it, and I can most certainly see it. Blood or no blood, you care for him as well. Don't let something silly as that get in your way."

"Eric really would be pissed that you're practically telling me I should jump Godric."

"Well he is good in bed," Nora shrugged, roaring with laughter at the look on Mackenzie's face. "Even better than a dream."

Mackenzie blushed, her cheeks burning in embarrassment. She hated to admit it, but she oh so wanted to know just how true that might be.

"We shouldn't keep them waiting," Nora was grinning from ear to ear, knowing she had hopefully set everything in motion. She might just have to find an excuse to travel to Louisiana more often, just to witness her brother blowing a gasket at his daughter and maker together.

"Can I have a minute? I won't be long."

"Of course," Nora nodded, squeezing her shoulder before moving towards the door. "I'll just be in the bedroom. Call if you need anything."

"I will," Mackenzie waited until Nora had closed the door behind her before letting out a long sigh. She had enough to think about tonight, and now she couldn't get Godric out of her thoughts. Tonight was not the night to try and understand how she felt.

Shaking her head, Mackenzie glanced at the mirror, trying her best to smooth her hair down. She should have asked Pam to do something with her wild locks. It was too late now; Nan would have to accept her as she was.

Knowing the queen bitch would have a tantrum if she didn't hurry up, Mackenzie turned towards the door. As she was, however, her stomach started churning. Frowning, Mackenzie stopped and laid a hand on her lower abdomen. Was it from the stress and anxiety? But no, this wasn't just nerves. Her stomach was flipping and flopping, twisting almost painfully as a familiar taste found it's way into her mouth.

"No," Mackenzie's eyes grew wide. "Please god no."

She knew that feeling. She knew it all too well. But it wasn't supposed to happen. It was supposed to be gone. Godric had given her blood damn it! It wasn't supposed to come back.

But she could feel the way her stomach was protesting, the strong desire to run to the toilet growing with every passing second. She had spent too many months with her stomach betraying her to not know what it was. The signs were there, after all. Eric thought she had felt warm last night, while she thought she was too pale only hours earlier. And now this? It was too much of a coincidence for her liking.

"No," she whimpered softly. This couldn't be happening to her, not now.

"Mackenzie?" Nora knocked gently. "Is everything all right?"

"Fine," Mackenzie assured her, biting down hard on her lip as she tried to control her emotions.

She was anything but fine thought.

She was still dying, and this time, there really wasn't anything that could fix that.

"Can you tell me about your childhood?"

Mackenzie was startled by the question. The interviewer, Callie, had been much kinder than she had expected. She thought it would be a Nan mini-me drilling her with questions. But she had been sweet since the moment she stepped through the door. Mackenzie welcomed her gentle approach, and it felt easy to answer whatever she asked. But the previous questions had been so easy. She merely had to nod her head, agree or disagree, and that was it. She should have known it couldn't have been that easy, but she had been so hopeful.

Catching sight of an annoyed Nan Flanagan out the corner of her eye, Mackenzie knew she had to answer, and quickly. Inhaling sharply, she squared her shoulders and quickly thought of a response.

"There's not much to say. It was like any other childhood," Mackenzie shrugged.

"But you were raised by vampires," it wasn't an accusation or insult, but merely an observation, almost one of surprise. Hell, if she had been on the outside, she never would have believed it could possibly be true.

Shooting a quick glance at her vampire family standing close but just out of camera sight, Mackenzie couldn't help but smile. "Yes, I was."

"And how was that?"

"Honestly?" Mackenzie turned her attention back onto Callie and the camera focused solely on her. She wondered for a moment just how many people were watching this, but immediately put the thought out of her mind; she didn't need to be anymore nervous than she already was. "It was absolutely normal."

"It didn't feel strange to you?"

"Well, I mean, it was a bit odd that the people raising me never sat down and ate dinner with me, or would always be sleeping during the day, but no, it never felt strange to me." Mackenzie admitted. It wasn't even until she was eleven that she had started to notice how odd her family members would act at times. Mackenzie shuddered as she remembered her questioning on her twelfth birthday. That was a memory she truly never wanted to recall. "I would wake up, go to school, come home, do my home work, and spend time with my family. Isn't that what every kid did?"

Callie smiled, nodding in return. "So you had a good childhood then."

"I have no complaints," Mackenzie shot Eric another glance. He wouldn't look at her, however, a frown on his lips. Had she said something wrong? Confused, she turned back to the interviewer. "I couldn't ask for a better childhood. I never wanted for anything. My family, they…they gave me everything I could ever possibly. And more. So much more."

"And it didn't matter that they were vampires?"

"I didn't even know until I was older. And even then, well they were my family at that point. They might be a bit allergic to the sun, and eat differently than I do, but for better or for worse, they were my family. They are my family." Mackenzie added fiercely, staring at Nan pointedly. The woman just rolled her eyes, still not believing her intentions.

"Do you ever wish you had the opportunity to be raised by your parents?" Callie asked gently.

Mackenzie's mouth felt dry at the question. She knew she would have to talk about them, but she still didn't feel ready. They weren't her parents. She could never consider those people that had used her as payment for vampire blood her parents. "But I was raised by my parents."

Callie was confused this time.

Mackenzie returned her gaze onto Eric, who had suddenly glanced up at her, just as confused as Callie was. Mackenzie offered him a small smile as she continued. "Well, I was raised by my parent, I should say. Eric raised me just fine."

"So you consider him your father."

"Isn't that what he is?"

She had never really said the words out loud, and especially not around Eric. He had only just started calling her his daughter and she still didn't want to jeopardize that. But she felt like she had more than a nation to just convince; Eric needed some convincing of his own.

"I actually have a secret I've never told anyone before," her smile widened as she turned back to Callie. "When I was younger, around the time of Father's Day, all the other kids would be making cards for their dad's. I always felt out on Mother's Day; I didn't have anyone to make a card for. But Father's Day, I was just always so happy because I actually did. I had someone."

"You used to make him Father's Day cards?" amusement swept across Callie's face at the thought.

Mackenzie chuckled herself at the thought. "Well I never actually gave them to him. But I made them. Every year I would. "

"What did you do with the cards?"

"Oh they're tucked away in the back of my closet. I still have them. Every single one." She spied a glance at Eric and her heart fluttered at the way he was looking at her. It almost made her want to burst out crying. He looked happier than she had ever seen him before. "I might have to rethink about keeping them hidden, though."

Callie was struggling with wiping the smile from her face as she glanced down at her list of questions to keep the interview moving. Nan was beside herself on the sideline, Mackenzie was glad to note, while Nora stood beside the blonde woman with a smirk plastered across her lips. Catching Mackenzie's gaze, the brunette winked before nodding at the interviewer.

"With recent events, how do you feel about your aunt and uncle declaring that the vampires that raised you – the very one you just described making Father's Day cards for – are nothing but monsters?"

"I think they're full of shit," Mackenzie stated honestly. "I apologize for my language, but it's true. That man," she pointed at Eric. "He raised me. He took me out of a burning house and saved my life. Those people, my supposed parents, were selling my blood – a four-year-old's blood – for drugs. Eric saved my life. He took me in when I could have been left for dead, and he gave me the best damn life I ever could have possibly wanted. He is anything but a monster. He is my father. He is my family. These people have no idea what they're talking about."

She let out a long, heavy breath she hadn't realized she had been holding in. She was tired of those people claiming to be her family. She was tired of people calling Eric a monster. He was her father, damn it, and she didn't care who knew it any longer.

"Can I say something?"

"Of course, Mackenzie," Callie nodded in encouragement. "Say whatever you'd like."

Mackenzie nodded and collected her thoughts before beginning. "I don't know what it's like to grow up with a mom and dad. I don't know what it's like to grow up with a human family. I don't know what it's like for anyone else. But I had a good life. I had the best life. I couldn't ask for a better family. I couldn't ask for anything else. My aunt and uncle, they weren't there. Maybe they didn't have the opportunity to be, but thank god for that. They kidnapped me. They tormented me. Maybe they want claim that I'm lying, that they were only trying to help, but they're the ones who are lying. I was happy, and they tried to rip that away from me. They are not my family. They will never be my family. I already have one; I don't need anyone else."

She looked at Eric again, and was nearly knocked over by the display of love in his eyes.

"No one might ever understand how vampires could raise me or be my family. I'm not asking for their understanding. But I am asking them to think about their own family. I'm asking you," she stared into the camera this time. "I'm asking you to think about the ones you love, no matter who they might be, and think about how you feel. They are everything to you. They are your entire life. That's how I feel. Eric is my father. He has been my entire life and I love him more than anything. I don't care about my aunt or uncle. I only care about him. That's it. He's my family and the only one I will ever want. Vampire and all."

Callie looked back down at her notes, but Mackenzie could have sworn her eyes looked a bit misty.

"That was very well said, Mackenzie," Callie blinked before gazing back up at her. "I only have one last question I'd like to ask you, if that's alright."

Mackenzie could only nod, feeling her own emotions begin to consume her.

"You were diagnosed with a very severe case of Leukemia. How has that affected your life?"

Her stomach dropped. The one subject she wanted to talk less about than her parents was the fact that she was dying. She didn't want to talk about the cancer. She didn't want to talk about the fact that she could die at any moment. Because she knew it was back. She understood that now. Godric's blood hadn't done a damn thing but delay the inevitable by a few days.

She was still dying.

Keeping a brave face, however, Mackenzie merely nodded and answered the question. She could feel Godric's gaze on her, though, feeling her sudden panic and wave of fear at the question. She made sure to avoid his stare; she would become a mess if she looked at him in that moment.

"I was," Mackenzie replied softly, gazing down at her lap. "My friend dragged me to the doctors after I was sick for months. I was so annoyed that I was wasting studying time, and then…well then I found out at the tender age of eighteen that I was dying."

"That must have been very difficult to hear. Did you have your family to support you?"

She wished she had, Mackenzie realized that now. God, did she ever wish she had.

"Not at first," Mackenzie admitted sheepishly. "I was afraid to tell them."

"Afraid?"

"It was an irrational fear. At first I thought they wouldn't want me anymore; I was a sick and dying human, why would anyone want me around?" Mackenzie fidgeted with her hands in her lap. "But then I was just…I was afraid for them. I saw how everyone looked at me, how my own best friend saw me. I knew it would hurt them. It would destroy them when I died. I just…didn't want to cause anyone any sort of pain."

The first tear slipped down her cheek and she quickly wiped it away.

"But it was a giant mistake, because I really needed them and I didn't let them be there for me. When they found out, it was like the biggest weight was lifted off my shoulder. I was still dying, but I wasn't alone. I had them, and really, it was the best possible medicine."

"And how do you feel now?"

Like complete and utter crap, Mackenzie wanted to answer, but didn't want to worry her family. She hadn't lied; she didn't want to worry them. She didn't want them to be upset, to fear for her. She only had a short time left and she didn't want to waste it with those looks on their faces. She wanted to go home and enjoy what little time she had left. It was all Mackenzie wanted for the last days of her life.

"It's a good day," she forced a smile. "There's been a lot of bad ones, but today has been a good day."

Callie shifted uncomfortably in her seat, barely able to conceal her tears. "If I might ask, what will you miss the most?"

Mackenzie knew what she was asking, and it caused her own tears to slip down her cheeks, one by one. She tried to wipe them away as best as she could, but there wasn't any point. She turned one last time to Eric, their gazes catching. He could see the blood rimming his eyes, and it was almost her undoing.

"My dad," Mackenzie never looked away. "I'll miss him the most. Always."

Callie started speaking, concluding the interview as the camera turned to her, but Mackenzie barely heard a word. All she was aware of was the tissue that was shoved into her hand by Pam as she tried to dry her tears.

"Thank you so much," Callie stood, offering Mackenzie a hand. "It was a pleasure. And I'm…I'm very sorry for you."

Mackenzie felt numb as she shook her hand before Nan rushed everyone out of the room. She wasn't aware of anything else, her orbs falling to her lap. Eric had excused himself into the bedroom and she was scared she had done or said something wrong. Should she not have declared him as her father? Should she not have expressed her love for him?

"Congratulations, brat, you just saved all of your lives. Roman is pleased," Nan huffed, not looking pleased herself. With a roll of her eyes and one last sneer, Nan was shuffling out of the room, and Mackenzie hoped, out of their lives for good.

The moment everyone had left besides her family, Nora made her way over to the couch, laying a hand on her shoulder. "You did very well, Mackenzie."

Mackenzie glanced up at her before gazing at the closed bedroom door. Had she though?

"I-I need to see Eric," she suddenly pushed herself up from the couch, only to stumble as the room spun around her.

"Mackenzie?" Godric was at her side in only a blink of an eye, worry crossing his features. "Are you all right?

"Fine," Mackenzie lied, shoving away the desire to vomit. Not now. Not here. "Jut stood up too fast. I need to see him."

Godric nodded, but she knew he didn't believe her. He would know before anyone, Mackenzie knew that. He always knew when she was hiding something from him.

Trying to ignore that issue for the moment, Mackenzie hurried towards the bedroom, slipping inside and closing the door behind her. She found Eric sitting on the end of the bed, staring down at his hands intently.

"Eric?" she called softly to him, about to step forward, but stopping when Eric tensed. "Did I…did I do something wrong?"

He didn't say a word.

"Did I say something I shouldn't have?" what if he didn't want her after everything she said? What if it was too much for him, too overwhelming? She couldn't do this without him. She needed her father, more than anything else. "Please say something, Eric. Please."

Her bottom lip quivered as the tears returned. Why wasn't he saying anything?

"I'm sorry. I should have just…please just say something," Mackenzie was trying so hard not to burst into tears. She didn't want to cry again. All she wanted was her father's assurance that everything was going to be all right. She had never really needed his comfort in the past, never while she was growing up. But now, as she was eighteen and near the end of her life, she needed it more than ever.

"No no no," Eric was before her, immediately tugging her into his arms. "No more crying. Please, Mackenzie, no more tears. I can't handle the tears."

"Please don't hate me," she whimpered.

"How could I possibly hate you?" he held her tightly, appalled that she would even think that. How could he hate her after what she had just admitted to the world? "I love you more than you could even imagine; I could never hate you."

"But you…you just left afterwards and…" she trailed off, her hands clutching onto his shirt.

"Oh Mackenzie," Eric cursed himself for escaping into the bedroom. He never should have, but he knew he needed a moment to collect his thoughts. She had just confessed to the world that she loved him, that she saw him as her father, as the most important person in her life. He just needed a single moment to himself. "God Mackenzie, I have never been more proud of you."

"What?" she was startled by his comment.

"You are so brave," he ran his fingers through her hair, trying his best to soothe her worries away. "You are just so a Northman, it's almost shocking that you're not actually mine."

"You mean you're not upset?" she pulled away suddenly, her eyes wide as she searched for any indication that he was lying. "You aren't mad?"

"Why would I be mad?" he cupped her cheek.

"You're Eric Northman and I practically just declared you father of the year."

She was surprised at the grin that spread across his face. "I know."

"But…" her eyebrows furrowed.

"I never thought I would ever want to be a father. Not even when you were a child, did I ever think I wanted it," he admitted with a frown. "I would lie to myself, saying that I was only protecting you, that was it. But it was just that. A lie. You've never called me that before. You've never called me your father. Not even lately, not directly. Hearing you say it, it made me disturbingly happy."

"Really?" her voice was tiny as her heart nearly stopped.

"Really," he nodded with a smile. "Now stop crying, my daughter. I need you to stop crying."

Hearing him call her his daughter only made her want to cry even more, but she struggled not to. Still smiling, Eric leaned down and kissed her forehead before putting her at arms length.

"I don't know what I would do if you were still sick," he confessed. "I know we still aren't sure if you are or not, but I need you not to be. I can't lose you."

Mackenzie felt her heart break. "Eric?" She thought about just telling him. She thought about admitting that she was feeling sick, that Godric's blood wasn't working. But the hopeful gaze was enough to rip her to shreds. How could she possibly take that happiness away from him?

"Hm?" Eric raised an eyebrow.

Swallowing the rising lump, she forced on a smile. "Can we go home now?"

"I would do anything that you asked of me right about now."

"I'll just take going home."

"I'll make a call."

Relief flooded her. "Thank you."

He brushed his lips across her forehead again before moving towards the door.

"I love you Mackenzie. It took me fourteen years to admit that to myself and you, but I do mean it."

She had never felt more loved before in her life. "I love you too."

As he slipped from the room, Mackenzie collapsed onto the bed. She realized now that her dying wasn't just going to hurt Eric, it was going to absolutely destroy him. How was she supposed to this? How were they all going to get through this?