Chapter 67: *New chapters up soon here!*

Larten sighed as he adjusted his pillows. He was laying on the couch in the living room with his leg propped up on pillows. His ribs were healing but unfortunately having to flit exacerbated the wound in his leg to where he was unable to walk.

Brigid entered the living room with a tray.

"Lunch!" She said bubbly. "One of my specialties! PB&J sandwiches!"

Larten's nose crinkled.

"What? You don't like my cooking?" Brigid asked innocently.

"Making sandwiches does not indicate you can cook." Larten muttered under his breath. He grabbed a sandwich and took a bite. It would have to do.

Brigid sat on the nearby loveseat. She flipped through channels until the sound of the garage door alerted them both that Erin was home.

"How'd it go?" Brigid asked. "Nice wheels by the way."

"It's all they had at the rental place. I had to fudge our story for the car crash but I think it's been dealt with and we'll be left alone." Erin walked over to Larten on the couch giving him a kiss on the forehead. Larten blushed slightly. He was beginning to feel like a pampered pet.

"I'm going to check your leg. How are you feeling?" She asked him.

Larten grimaced as she rebandaged his leg.

"I am fine. I am just…"

"Annoyed you can't walk around? It's only been three days since our fight with Murlough, you're still healing. You'll be up and about in no time. Do you need anything?"

Larten waved a hand. "I am fine. You are worrying too much."

"I'm not worrying, I just want you to be comfortable. You saved us." Erin said quietly. "You saved me and you saved Brigid. We owe you our lives."

Larten shook his head. "You have done the same for me. Not only have you saved my life but you opened your home and provided for my every need. You owe me nothing."

"Just let her pamper you. How often do you get the chance to just lay around and have someone wait on you hand-and-foot?" Brigid smiled at him.

"As a vampire this would never pass, however, given the circumstances, I think I'll let go of that rule." Larten smirked.

"Oh, that was almost a joke! Good job, Larten!" Brigid exclaimed. "I knew you were funny deep down."

Larten subtly rolled his eyes at the girl's remark. He was honestly secretly happy when she would give him a hard time. It meant that she was alive. He couldn't imagine a world that did not have the natural force of Brigid. The world would be much dimmer without her spark.

Erin shook him out of his musing. "What would you like for dinner?"

Larten perked up at the question. "It is whatever you want." He said though, according to manners.

"Larten, you've been here long enough to know that you can say what you want."

"Yes, you are right. You have always included me." Larten stopped, feeling a lump in his throat. They had always included him. They took care of him. They were determined to make him family. Did he feel like he was a part of a family? Did he feel like he belonged? Erin bent down to give him a small kiss on the cheek; comforting warm, dark eyes. She widened her eyes at him. "So, what do you want for dinner?"

"Steak." Was Larten's quick response.

"Steak and whatever I decide to make as sides?"

"Yes. I would enjoy that very much."

"Well, then, I'll get started prepping." She ran a hand through his hair before turning to enter the kitchen. His scalp tingled where her fingers had been. He was surprised that she could illicit such a response from him. But then again, was he really surprised? She pulled feelings out of him which had made him wary at first but then, he gave in and he hadn't looked back. But he knew this would eventually end. Once he was healed he would be headed back to the Cirque. But what if…what if he stayed with them? But there was a feeling inside of him that he couldn't explain that told him he should be with the Cirque though he loved Erin, soul and all.

Larten stared at the t.v. not seeing anything. He had decided that he would enjoy this time until the very final moment.