She found him in the library a few minutes later. She opened the library door quietly and entered without knocking. She stood behind him waiting for him to notice her.
Thierry smiled secretly to himself for he had heard and sensed her the minute she had entered the room. Finally, he turned around and Hannah fell into his arms. Hannah kissed him passionately. Boy she had missed him it was like they had been separated for 100 years instead of just a few hours.
"So where are the children?" asked Thierry as soon as the kiss ended.
"They're sleeping," said Hannah with a chuckle. "They wore themselves out."
Thierry chuckled. "From what I remember of my childhood that won't last long. Children their age have lots of energy."
"I hope they give us at least a few minutes peace," said Hannah. Just as she finished speaking they both heard the pitter-patter of little feet running down the hall.
"See what I mean," said Thierry with a laugh.
Hannah sighed. "I guess I'd better go get them some dinner and get then into bed for real this time."
Hannah turned to leave, but before she, did she gave Thierry a very suggestive look and sent a few very naughty thoughts his way. A look, that said just wait until I get you alone and thoughts that told him what she was going to do when she did get him alone. "I'll meet you downstairs a few minutes," said Thierry as calmly he could. Although his voice came out sounding choked to his own ears and he could feel his groin; tightening and his penis standing up straight in reaction pressing against his pants. He broke out in a sweat and it took every ounce of willpower he had not to grab her, and throw her on the floor and make love right then and there.
Hannah nodded and smiled a secret smile and then was gone. Thierry leaned back in his chair and sighed. His heart was beating like a drum just from being with Hannah for a few minutes. And that look she had given him had made him want to take her into his arms and never let go. It made him want to make love to her right there. Finally, his heart got back to its normal rhythm and he got out of his chair and followed Hannah downstairs.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
The next day Thierry, Hannah, Paul, Lena, and Andrew were down in the basement setting up Paul's new train set.
They put tracks together silently for a few minutes. "So who when's your birthday?" asked Hannah.
"April 25," said Lena.
"That's like a week before yours Hannah," said Thierry.
"When's yours Thierry?" asked Paul.
"Oh I stopped having birthdays a long time ago," said Thierry with a small private smile.
"But why you can't be much older than Hannah?" asked Lena.
"Oh I'm a lot older than I look," said Thierry with a wink in Hannah's direction.
After making that mysterious comment either one of them refused to say anymore about it no matter how much they were questioned.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
Awhile later, back up in the triplet's; room. "Have you noticed how everyone around here seems so young?" asked Andrew with a frown.
"Not to mention half of them move differently as if their muscles don't work the same," said Lena. "They kind of; glide when they walk."
"And when we asked Thierry how old he was he hedged and wouldn't answer," said Paul.
"But that could just be him not liking to talk about how old he is. Some people are like that," said Andrew
"Okay, but what about the rest of it?" asked Paul.
The others shrugged and did not answer.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
Meanwhile, on the other side of town in a old two story house two people were having a conference. "So what did you learn Baen?" asked a voice in the shadows. Baen could not see to whom he was speaking and that was a good thing for if he saw his employers, face it could mean his death. His employer was a very private vampire and, also a very old and ancient vampire. In fact, he was almost as old as, Thierry Descouedres.
"Thierry Descouedres and his human soulmate have adopted three children," said Baen. Baen practically spit the word human.
"Hm, have they now? This has possibilities."
"What are you going to do master?" asked Baen.
"What I am going to do is kidnap them and force Thierry Descouedres to give up his seat on the Night World Council. I'm sure he'll do anything we want him to, to get his precious children back." The man laughed evilly and Baen shuddered as the evil laughter echoed around the room.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
In no time at all the two weeks of the trial period was up and Mrs. Dietz came over to the house with the final papers. As soon as the doorbell rang, Nilsson opened it. "Come in, Mrs. Dietz we've been expecting you," said Nilsson.
Mrs. Dietz followed Nilsson to the den where Thierry and Hannah were waiting for them. "Mrs. Dietz it's nice to see you again," said Thierry, shaking her hand.
"It's nice to see you to Mr. and Mrs. Descouedres," said Mrs. Dietz. "I brought the adoption papers with me, but first I would like to see Andrew, Paul and Lena to see how they are doing."
"Of course right this way," said Hannah. Hannah led the way out of the den and upstairs.
They reached a door and Hannah knocked. "Come in," called a voice.
Hannah opened the door and Mrs. Dietz looked inside. The room was painted gold with two big sunny windows. One bunk bed stood against one wall and a twin bed stood against another wall. The twin bed was positioned directly under one of the windows. Shelves; of books and toys were on another wall and in the closet were lots of clothes. They had been furniture shopping in the last couple of weeks and gotten beds for the children as well as other furniture.
Sitting; on the floor in the middle of the room were two grownups and the three children. They were playing Chutes and Ladders.
"Mrs. Dietz meet Ash Redfern and his wife Mary-Lynnette," Thierry introduced the pair.
Mary-Lynnette stood up and probed Ash to do the same. "We'll finish this; game later okay kids?" asked Mary-Lynnette.
"You promise?" asked Lena.
"Yes I promise," said Mary-Lynnette, with a small smile.
"Okay," all three children answered together. All three children were totally relaxed and around Mary-Lynnette and Ash. Moreover, that of course was the way it was supposed to be. In fact, they would totally; relaxed around most of the people that lived in the house.
"It's nice to meet you Mrs. Dietz," said Mary-Lynnette, shaking the woman's hand.
"Ah so you're the adoption lady," said Ash, with a smirk.
"Ash behave; yourself," Mary-Lynnette warned him with a glare. She also punched him in the arm—hard.
"Hey, what was that for?" asked Ash raising his hands in front of him in self-defense, his expression totally innocent.
"You know exactly what it was for Ash Redfern," said Mary-Lynnette, "If you'll excuse us we'll see you later." Mary-Lynnette and Ash left. Ash had to be prodded out of the room by Mary.
Thierry and Hannah chuckled at Mrs. Dietz confused expression. "They work for me," said Thierry.
"And they love children," Hannah added.
"It's a good thing Ash has Mary-Lynnette to keep him in line," said Thierry with another chuckle.
"Very true," said Hannah.
"But what are they doing in this house?" asked Mrs. Dietz.
"Oh, since they work for me I give them a place to live," said Thierry. "This house is big, much bigger then I need." Of, course he didn't mention that anybody who lived in his house was under his protection. Protection from what she would have asked. And he would have responded protection from the Night World of course.
"And who else lives here?" asked Mrs. Dietz.
"A lot of people," said Thierry. "But if they live here I trust them—I have to."
Mrs. Dietz didn't know what to make of that last comment and was silent for a long time finally she said, "I think those kids are going to have more honorary aunts and uncles then any one kid deserves. Let's go sign those papers shall we?" Both Thierry and Hannah breathed inaudible sighs of relief.
Awhile, later Mrs. Dietz left and things got back to normal.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
A week later the doorbell rang and Hannah was the one to answer it. "Mom, Ian it's so good to see you," said Hannah. "Why didn't you call me to pick you up at the airport?"
"It was just easier to get a cab Hannah honey, "said Diana.
Hannah led them to the den and called Thierry through their mind link. Thierry appeared just as they all sat down. "It's nice to see you to again," said Thierry shaking Ian's, and Diana's hand.
"It's nice to see you to Thierry," said Ian. Ian knew what Thierry was. It had taken him a long time to accept that such things as vampires, werewolves, witches and shapeshifters actually existed. But finally, when things wouldn't add up in any normal way he either had to accept Thierry's explanation or go insane. Besides, he had seen too many strange things since becoming a part of Diana's family. Things, that couldn't be explained using science or logic. He also knew though that Thierry was a good vampire and anybody who lived in his house was under his protection and that included visitors and guests. He also knew to keep his mouth shut for if he didn't it could get him and Diana killed. The Night World could be a very dangerous place. If one wasn't careful someone would wind up with a stake in his heart or a silver bullet in the head or an iron bullet in the stomach depending on which species you were of course.
"I'll go see if the children are up from their nap yet," said Hannah. Just as she was about to rise to her, feet they all heard the pitter-patter of little feet. Three children raced into the room without warning and stopped dead in their tracks when they saw the two strangers.
"Well speak of the devils and they shall appear," said Hannah, quietly. "Andrew, Paul, Lena, come meet your grandmother and grandfather." The children stood stock, still studying the two strangers. One had black hair tinged with gray at the temples and kind amber eyes. The woman had all gray hair and blue eyes filled with laughter. Both had lines on their faces especially around the eyes and mouth. "They are kind of shy around strangers," said Hannah, quietly. "But once they get to know you, you had better watch out."
Paul was the first to approach. He studied both of them for a moment longer then climbed into Ian's lap. Ian looked surprised then put his arms around the little boy.
Diana and Hannah were both grinning in pleasure when Lena climbed into Diana's lap. Now it was Diana's turn to look surprised then pleased.
Hannah smiled as Andrew finally climbed into Thierry's lap and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Thierry looked surprised by this then grinned with pleasure.
Awhile later, the three children got up and ran off to play.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~