This be the next episode of my Nicky series. No.17. Permission is given to Mel's fkfanfic.com and the FTP site to archive this story. Many thanks. And my usual thanks must be given to my faithful and resplendent beta-reader Heather-Anne! Babyfest! by Knightraven copyright 2000 "I'm bored." Nicky's statement was emphasized by a large sigh from the smaller child sitting next to him. Liam's feet barely dropped over the edge of the black leather couch as he and Nicky sat despondently, rapidly flicking through television stations without really watching. "There's nothing on," Nicky announced, throwing the remote into the couch cushions. He turned to his uncle, who was more like a little brother, and asked him, "You wanna play on the computer?" The boy shook his head. "Na, me neither." They sat quietly for a few more minutes. "Cards?" Another shake of the head. Another deep sigh from them both. "What are you two boys up to tonight?" Nicky and Liam turned to face the woman coming down the stairs, fixing an earring in place as she traveled. The boys sighed again for effect. "Nothing. And we're bored," Nicky said in frustration, bordering on a distinct whine. Natalie watched the boys slouching on the couch for a moment before suggesting, "Why don't you ask your father to take you guys to a movie tonight?" Nicky glanced up again and then over to Liam who was smiling and nodding his excitement. "Yeah, cool. Come on, Liam!" Nicky leapt up from the couch, and both boys bounded up the stairs and disappeared into the bedroom. Natalie gathered her medical bag and purse together and stepped into the lift. "All right for some," she muttered. She was pulling an early shift, having made the mistake of agreeing to fill in for a colleague who usually worked the weekends. She unconsciously rubbed her swelling stomach as she rode down to the car. She was showing now, though she wasn't big enough for it to hamper her mobility. Some officers and staff made comments about the ethical nature of having a pregnant woman examining homicides and the like, but she just huffed a smile and ignored them. However, she fully intended to stop work the moment she could no longer reach over the examining table. She wasn't too upset about stopping work for a while; she was actually beginning to look forward to becoming a mother and house wife for the next year. She would, however, be returning to work at a future date, even if it were only part-time. She would go insane otherwise. "Dad?" Nicky called out as they entered the bedroom to find his parents' bed empty. "What can I do for you boys?" Nick said as he emerged form the bathroom, rubbing his hair dry with a towel. "Can we go to the movies tonight?" Nick looked down at the hopeful look in the boys' eyes as he thought. He sighed. He had agreed to entertain a visiting elder with Lacroix tonight.or perhaps he should say that Lacroix had drafted him. At any rate, he couldn't take them. "Sorry, boys. Lacroix and I are busy tonight." "What about Vachon?" Nicky asked, his brow crinkling as he was on his way to becoming upset. "He and Tracy have gone to Montreal for the weekend," Nick told them. At their crestfallen faces he sighed again, then he brightened. "How would you boys like to go by yourselves?" he suggested. "I think you're old enough now, and I'll drop you off and pick you up straight after. I'll give you enough money to have a good time." Nicky looked to Liam. It would be the first time the kid would be out without an adult. But he seemed unfazed as he nodded to the older boy. "Yeah, cool!" "Okay, get changed and I'll call Lacroix to see if it's okay with him," Nick told them as he moved to the phone. Nicky and Liam raced off downstairs and into Nicky's bedroom where they both pulled on jeans and shirts, throwing their pyjamas into a corner. On Fridays Nicky went to bed as soon as he got home from school and slept until about seven in the evening, then woke up again to change to nights for the weekend. Liam was always on nights, though he often went to bed early so he could go out with Jordan in the afternoon. Nicky hadn't really thought this at all odd until his friend Billy had said his family was weird. Nicky smiled. Billy had no idea just how weird his family really was. He helped Liam tie his shoes. The kid could do it, but it took him ages, and then they usually came undone a short time later. They were both standing, waiting in the living room, when his father came downstairs. "Can we go?" Nicky asked. He knew when it came to what Liam was allowed to do the ancient's word was law. Nick smiled at the pleading expressions before him. "Yes, you may go." The boys cheered and jumped in the air. Nick laughed at their enthusiasm. He marveled at the caring nature his son had with Liam. He was always looking out for him, happily taking him out to play or teaching him to ride a bike or rollerblade. He was going to be a wonderful big brother to his new sibling. He already was. "What are you going to see?" he asked them. "Dunno. We'll see what's on when we get there." "Okay, but G movies only, got it?" he said, raising his eyebrows to emphasize his rule. "Okay," his son said with a smile. "Well then, let's go!" Nick said as he ushered the boys to their jackets and into the lift. Nick walked them into the large cinema complex. The boys ran ahead as they neared the ticket counter and the screen listing the movies which were playing. Nicky read off the ones which they could go to so Liam could choose. "What about 'Tarzan'?" Nicky suggested. It wasn't as much a baby movie as the rest of the G-rated films. Liam nodded and smiled. They turned back to Nick who was patiently waiting, watching the previews playing on the TV screens along one wall. "We're going to see 'Tarzan'," Nicky told him. "It's on in about 20 minutes." Nick had just finished watching the preview to the very movie and nodded his consent as he reached for his wallet. Pulling out a couple of bills, he gave them to his son. "Keep Liam close and make sure you're waiting right here when we come to get you." Both boys nodded, and Nicky pocketed the money. "Okay, have fun," Nick said. It was their cue to race toward the counter to buy their tickets. Nick watched them successfully purchase their seats before smiling and heading toward the door. Nicky helped Liam choose a variety of candy and soda before they made their way into the correct theatre. Sitting in their seats, Nicky kept up a chatter to Liam who nodded and shook his head and giggled appropriately. Then the lights dimmed, and Nicky carefully watched the kid next to him to make sure he wasn't going to be scared. Liam tensed for a moment, then turned to Nicky and smiled. They then grinned and turned back to the screen, shoving hands into candy packets with renewed vigor. Nick entered the Raven and headed toward the bar. The music was loud, the joint was packed and Patrick had a big smile on his face. Business was good. He accepted the bloodwine placed before him and saluted his glass to the bartender before turning and taking his drink into the back office where his sire was waiting. He didn't bother knocking, and stepped into the room. The three men within looked toward him and rose to their feet to welcome him. "Nicholas!" Nick smiled as he took the large black man's hand and shook it. Nick always marveled at the sight of the man. He was as black as Lacroix was white. Together the pair could be rather imposing. "Samuel. A pleasure to see you again," he said, happy to see the elder once again. Their last meeting had been at his and Natalie's wedding. "And you, my boy," the ancient vampire returned with a warm smile. Nick turned to the man next to him and moved to receive a brief but fierce hug. "Halken," Nick huffed a laugh at the exuberant welcome. Nick felt a caress against his back and turned to smile at his father as the ancient gave him a small smile of gratitude. Nick huffed a smile and shook his head. His irritation about being 'forced' to attend tonight's affair had been nothing more than an automatic response to the manner in which Lacroix had demanded his presence. In actual fact, he would have quite happily come tonight, and to be honest, he would have been hurt if he had not been invited. "Well, my friends, shall we get started?" Lacroix announced as they all took their seats once again around the table which had been brought in from another room. Nick took a seat opposite his sire and threw his jacket behind his chair. "Five card draw, jokers wild.ante up, gentlemen," the Roman called as he shuffled like a pro and dealt. Nicky and Liam waited until most of the people had filed out of the theatre before leaving their seats to follow. Walking out into the foyer area, Nicky began glancing about for his father or grandfather. He reached out with his budding senses. Nope, they weren't here, and they were still some distance away. "Come on. Let's go wait by the TV's," Nicky told his charge and guided them both over to sit in the lounge area and watch the previews for the coming attractions while they waited. After half an hour, Nicky reached out with his senses again, trying to determine just where his father was. It was fuzzy. He couldn't really get a direction like he could with his grandfather most of the time. But even he seemed unclear tonight. Nicky reached into his pocket and pulled out the money he had left. Not enough for a cab, but enough to get something to eat and use the pay phone. Sighing, he stood and nudged Liam to his feet. "Come on, let's get a hamburger," he said. Liam, who was also bored of waiting, nodded, and they headed across the large area to the McDonalds situated on the far side. With burgers in hand, they sat at a window table so they could see if someone finally came to collect them. When they had been waiting an hour, Nicky dragged Liam over to the pay phone. Feeding a few coins into the slot, he dialed his dad's cellphone. The phone sitting on the front seat of the caddie trilled to life. Nicky sighed as the ringing clicked over to voicemail. He left a message. "Hello! Dad?! Where are you? We're waiting at the movies. I'll call Mom." He hung up and fed a few more coins into the machine. "Coroner's office." "Hi, Grace. It's Nicky." "Hey, Nicky! How goes it?" "Fine, thanks. Is my Mom there?" "'fraid not. She got a call out a few minutes ago. She might be awhile. Would you like me to page her?" "No, that's okay. Thanks. Bye." Nicky growled under his breath. He had just enough to make two more phone calls. Feeding the box again, he dialed the Raven. "Raven!" a voice shouted into the phone above the loud music thumping in the background. "Is Nick Knight there?" Nicky said loudly. "What? Who?" the mortal asked. "Put Patrick on!" Nicky shouted. "He's not here! Sorry." The phone clicked dead. Nicky just looked at it and snarled. He slammed down the phone. The boy next to him jumped and looked up at him. "Sorry." Nicky calmed down at the younger child's worried frown. Nicky threw up his hands. "Can you believe it? They forgot us, Liam." Liam followed his nephew back to the seats by the TV's and plonked down beside him, mirroring the sigh and aggravated crossing of his arms. They both glared. Nicky looked down at the boy beside him and smiled at his actions. Liam laughed too. "I think we should teach them a lesson, don't you?" Liam nodded enthusiastically. Nicky sat and thought for a moment before they headed back over to the phones. "Dispatch." "Hello. Is Sergeant Humphires at the 96th available, please," Nicky asked politely. "Transferring, one moment," the woman said efficiently. "96th. Humphires." "Sergeant Bill, It's Nicky Knight," Nicky said. "Ah, hello there, kiddo!" the officer said warmly. "What can I do for you tonight?" "Um, well, I have a problem. My dad was supposed to pick us up from the movies, and he hasn't shown up. I think he's forgotten us." He could hear the man smiling on the other end as he asked, "How long have you been waiting?" "Over 2 hours," Nicky sighed. "Oh, dear. That is a bit of a wait." Humphries chuckled as he grabbed a pen. "Where are you?" Nicky told him which theatre they were at. "How about I put an APB out on your dad and send someone out to pick you guys up and bring you back here?" "That'd be great, Sarge. Thanks." "No problem, kid. We'll make sure your dad doesn't forget you again." Nicky chuckled and answered, "That would be good." They hung up and Nicky turned to Liam who was waiting patiently for him to finish. "Some policemen are coming to pick us up and find Dad." Nick smiled. "They are in such big trouble," he muttered. He and Liam grinned to each other as they headed back to their seats. End part 1 Part 2 Humphries had much enjoyment from broadcasting Nick's faux pas throughout the homicide division, and Captain Reese promptly dispatched a couple of uniforms over to the Raven. The officers entered the throng of moving bodies, grappling with the hands and eyes which pawed their uniforms. Finally, they made it in one piece to the bar. "Would the owner be available, please?" the shorter officer politely asked the young mortal bartender, the very same man who had earlier hung up on the owner's grandson. "Yeah, hang on," the man sneered and headed toward the back room. He knocked on the door and entered without waiting for a reply. Lacroix raised an eyebrow and glared at the intrusion. "Boss, there's a couple cops out here asking for ya," the man announced nonchalantly, having no idea how close to permanent injury he had just come. "Very well," Lacroix sighed and rose. Nick stood with him, and together they went to meet the officers. "Nick!" the taller man exclaimed. "We're looking for you," he told the bewildered vampire. Lacroix just huffed a shrug and let his son handle this mortal problem. "What's up, guys?" nick asked them. They suppressed smiles as the taller said, "We received a call this evening from a one." The man made a note of looking at his notebook. ".Nicholas Knight Jr." Nick's eyes widened, and he took on an air of panic as he spun to his sire and demanded, "What time is it?!" Lacroix looked to his watch, not quite sure why his son was so.oh, dear. "After 10:30." "Oh, god, no.We forgot!" Nick clutched his head then began flapping his arms about as his concern took over. "Nicholas, calm." Lacroix began but was cut off by his son shouting. "How could you let me forget!?" he asked his sire as he paced the small area. Lacroix raised an eyebrow in amusement. Nicholas was overreacting somewhat. But then he frowned as he began to worry about his charges ability to cope with being abandoned in such a manner. At least young Nicholas was at his side. He was fairly confident they would be well enough. "Look, Nick.they're fine. They're waiting at the precinct for you to come get them," one of the officers said, trying to calm the detective. Nick put his hands over his face. "Nat's going to kill me," he breathed. Lacroix shook his head and prodded his son toward the rear exit, and together they climbed into the caddie and drove quickly to gather their sons. "You should be more worried," Nick said, glancing sideways at his father as he seemed unperturbed at the evening's events. "Hardly, Nicholas. I am quite confident in young Nicholas' ability to care for Liam and himself for a few hours." "I thought you'd be at least a little worried about how Jordan will handle it," Nick smirked. "I did not forget them, you did," Lacroix professed emphatically as he glanced to his son. "You think that will convince her not to inflict bodily harm?" Lacroix was silent for a moment as he realized the excuse was not about to wash with his overprotective wife. They were silent for the remainder of the ride. Nicky felt them arrive. He nudged the boy in the chair alongside his dad's desk. "Play it up, kid. Act real happy to see him," he told the boy. He and Liam had had been entertained fully while they waited in the homicide division of the 96th. Reese had even sent them to the cafeteria to buy his lunch. But that wasn't to say they couldn't milk this for all it was worth. Liam saw his foster father enter the bullpen and needed little encouragement to leap up and run into his arms. Lacroix saw the children waiting patiently; a moment later Liam slid from the chair and threw himself at the vampire. He caught him against his legs and heaved him up into his arms as his young charge wrapped himself tightly around his neck. He kept walking toward his grandson who sat gently swinging in his father's desk chair. He was not happy. Nick brushed a hand over his son's hair. "You guys okay?" Nick asked. Nicky frowned. "You forgot us," he stated coldly. "I am so sorry," Nick told him, bending down to look him in the eye. "I'll make it up to you guys. I promise." "You won't forget again?" "Never," Nick promised, a hand over his heart. Nicky smirked. It wasn't that much of a big deal. He remembered when his mother forgot to pick him up from kindergarten once. He had been left there all afternoon! "Okay," he said as he ducked his head. Nick rose and his son stood from the chair, and with his father's hand on his shoulder, they all left the busy station. Outside, Lacroix looked to the boy in his arms. "Are you well?" Liam nodded and burrowed further into his shoulder, revealing his insecurity through his brave face. He really was glad Lacroix had come to get him. The ancient vampire brushed the back of his small head and kissed his temple. Entering the car, Nick drove his sire and Liam to their home where Jordan was resting in bed per her doctor's orders. Lacroix leant against the car window after stepping out while Liam ran up to the front door of the villa. "She will not know of this," he told his son. Nick chuckled. "Like you can stop her from finding out. She'll take one look at you and know something happened." "Hardly," Lacroix huffed. Nick shrugged and started the car again. They always knew. It was a woman thing. "Good luck," he said as he pulled away. Lacroix watched them leave and frowned. He glanced toward the front porch and the child waiting by the door waiting to be let in. With a sigh, he succumbed to the inevitable, and strode toward the house. "Natalie, I did something terrible tonight," Nick confessed over the phone. "What happened?" Natalie asked, her concern clear. Grace had passed on that Nicky had called for her earlier in the evening. "Oh, god, Nat. I dropped the boys off and went to the Raven to help entertain Samuel and Halken. We became involved with what we were doing.I mean, it's not like Lacroix helped at all." "Nick.what happened?" Natalie demanded. "I.we forgot them." "What do you mean you forgot them?" "Nicky and Liam.I left them at the movies and forgot to go and get them!" Nick's guilt was so thick Natalie began to giggle. "Nat, it wasn't funny!" Nick scoffed into the phone. "I know..are they okay?" "They're fine. Nicky called the precinct." "Oh, no." Her tone voicing the horror over that particular piece of information. What with the video incident when Nick pulled her over while he was on traffic, and now this. Natalie groaned, and Nick heard her. "You're telling me!. A couple uniforms arrived at the Raven. God, it was so embarrassing!" Nick covered his eyes with his free hand as he recalled the walk through his workmates to get to his son. He had felt every pair of eyes and every smirk from the front door to his desk. He was never going to hear the end of it. Maybe he should just resign.he'd never have to go to work again, he thought with a smile. "How long did you leave them waiting?" Nat thought it must have been a while for Nicky to call the station. Though he had obviously tried her, and, most likely, Nick's cellphone first. "3 hours." "Oh, Nick!" she exclaimed, and began to chuckle again. It was longer than even she had predicted. "Nat," he groaned. "Oh, Nick, relax. They are perfectly okay, and it's not like you're the only parent to leave his kids waiting before." "But, Nat, I feel so bad," Nick told her. "Why don't you take them out for dinner tomorrow to make it up to them?" "Yeah, that's a good start, I suppose." "What did Jordan say?" Natalie asked him. "She doesn't know yet." "Oh?" "He told me, in no uncertain terms, that she was not to hear it from me. Well, that was the implication." Nick smiled. "I'm sure she will eventually hear it from somewhere.You know how these things get out." Nick could feel his wife smile as she grasped his meaning. "Right.Once word like that's out.she's bound to find out from someone." "You don't think it will be too much for her," Nick asked his wife seriously, suddenly remembering Jordan's tender condition at the moment. "I'm sure she won't strain herself.she'll try get someone else to do it," Natalie grinned into the phone. Nick chuckled. "I think Halken's still in town." Lacroix entered the bedroom and watched as Liam crawled up and hugged Jordan tightly. "Hey.what's brought this on?" Jordan smiled, a little worry creeping into her tone. She looked up from the bundle in her arms to look to Lacroix standing in the doorway. "He is perfectly all right," he said. "I can see that," she replied sarcastically. Then Jordan just stared at her husband. Lacroix remained ridged, unemotional, not a whisker of movement came from his well-trained features. Jordan narrowed her eyes. "What happened?" she demanded. Lacroix stared at her for a long moment. How did she know?! He then weighed the options of continuing to deny any wrongdoing, confess, or. "Nicholas neglected to retrieve them from the theatre this evening. I'm afraid they were waiting for quite some time." .Blame someone else. "Oh? Did you know they were going?" she asked him. "Yes, of course." "Was Nick with you?" "Yes." She just raised an eyebrow. Lacroix glared. Jordan smiled at his poise. She brushed the child's hair for a while as Lacroix finally let his shoulders drop in silent apology and entered the room. He began his penance by straightening a few things and refilling her carafe with juice and her bowl of fruit and nuts. One could never be too attentive when one was in the proverbial dog house. "Do you need anything, my love?" he said, leaning over her and kissing her forehead. "No. I'm fine." "Very well. I must return to see to the elders." Jordan nodded her understanding. He kissed her again and made for the door. Liam uttered a whimpering sound and pushed away from Jordan and ran to Lacroix, wrapping himself around his right thigh. Lacroix stopped and looked down at the child, his lips upturned somewhere between annoyance and amusement. "Liam, I must leave," Lacroix told him gently. Liam shook his head rapidly and hung on tighter. "Why don't you take him with you?" Lacroix looked from his bedridden wife to the child suctioned to his leg. He sighed heavily. "Very well," he breathed and reached down to lift Liam onto his hip. Liam reattached himself against his chest, and Lacroix rolled his eyes as his wife smiled at the domestic scene. For all his puffing and posturing, he loved every minute of Liam's need for him. It was so different from his relationship with Nicholas, and even Divia. He had never been a father like this to her.though he had often wished he had. Jordan felt his sudden bout of melancholy and raised her eyebrows at him; he brushed her concern away with a small smile, the one he kept just for her. Lacroix entered the Raven with Liam still firmly attached. The boy had truly been upset by his adventure tonight and was needing to remain close to him for the evening. He opened the backroom door and walked in to find his guests sitting comfortably and talking companionably in his lounge chairs. "Lucien! We were about to send out the dogs to look for you," Halken exclaimed, raising his glass toward the younger vampire. It wasn't often Lacroix was the youngest vampire in the room, and he rather enjoyed not being the responsible one now and then. Samuel raised his eyebrows at the mortal child laying comfortably against Lacroix's side. "This is your newest family member?" the elder asked, his lips turning up in his amusement. Lacroix had been renowned for his dislike and intolerance, not only to mortals in general, but to children in particular, and this whole scene almost had him laughing in the Roman's face. He himself, however, had raised many mortal children over the millenia, many of them becoming his immortal children when they came of age. It wasn't as uncommon a practice as one would think from their kind. "Liam, I would like to introduce you to Samuel and Halken." Lacroix placed the boy on his feet and turned him to face the gentlemen. Liam was understandably shy and apprehensive, pressing his body back into Lacroix's legs. But he still managed to turn his lips into a small smile as he looked to the men sitting across from where he stood. "I don't know who is the worst offender, Lucien! You, or your delectable daughter," Samuel smirked as he teased the vampire. Lacroix glared in as non-threatening a way he could possibly get away with at such an insult. He did not pick up every stray which happened along as Janette was so inclined to do! "A pleasure to meet you, Liam." Halken reached out a hand, and Liam hesitantly reached out and shook it. Halken let loose a broad smile and Liam reciprocated it to a lesser degree, but retracted his hand quickly. Liam smiled again, his eyes twinkling in such a buoyant manner which they had probably never done so before, as Samuel merely nodded and smirked his own greeting. Liam then reached his limit and turned to bury his nervousness in Lacroix's thigh. Lacroix brushed his hair and pulled him away. "You may play in your room until I come for you," he told him softly. Liam pinched his brow and shook his head. He really didn't want to leave Lacroix. Lacroix sighed and rolled his eyes, but his smirk escaped nonetheless. "Very well. You may go and bring a few quiet toys down here." Liam beamed and ran from the room to get what he wanted. "I take it there was an adventure tonight?" Halken hinted. He and Samuel were basically left to their own devices for the better part of an hour.with no explanation given before the younger ones' rapid departure. Lacroix strode to the bar and poured himself a large glass of bloodwine. After a few sips, he answered, "Nicholas neglected to retrieve the children from the theatre this evening." "Ah." Samuel chuckled. " The woes of family life.whether it be mortal, immortal.or a mongrel of the two!" Lacroix huffed a chuckle himself. It was a mystery to himself how he managed to concoct such a family! "So, tell us, Lucius! Just how did you manage to take in such a stray as this charming child?" Samuel prodded him good-naturedly. "And why is the lovely Miss Jordan not here tonight?" Lacroix gave the elder a lopsided smirk and held up his hand, wriggling his ring so it sparkled in the dim light. "Oh, my." Samuel breathed as he saw the unmistakable band of gold. "You do have some explaining to do, my child." Lacroix huffed a chuckle at the two stunned expressions before him and began to tell the tale of the making of his unusual family. End part 2 Part 3 Natalie slid from behind her steering wheel, making a mental note to have Nick adjust the steering column before she got much bigger. She had terrible visions of the fire department having to cut her out one day. Gathering her stack of magazines and samples, she walked to the front door of the villa and rang the doorbell. "Who is it?" came a voice from the intercom. "It's me!" Natalie said. She heard the door click open automatically and pushed it open, entering the lovely home and closing the door behind her. She had been dumbstruck, and jealous as hell, the first time she had walked in here after they had moved in. It was stunning.and huge: 5 bedrooms 3 bathrooms, a living room, and separate dinning area, study, library, and cellar. Maybe she and Nick could find a place like this when they eventually moved on. Natalie hauled herself up the curving staircase to the upper floor and along the balcony to the master bedroom. "Hey, Nat! I am soo glad to see you!" Jordan exclaimed thankfully as her friend entered her room. She sat up a little more in the bed, and Natalie helped her prop the pillows behind her into a more comfortable position. "Here, I brought these," Natalie said, handing Jordan the stack of magazines, then fussed with removing her jacket and handbag. Looking at the titles, Jordan grinned. "Thanks, Nat. These are perfect!" She grabbed the top one, 'Baby Today', and flicked it open. "Have you and Nick started shopping yet?" she asked. Nat rounded the bed and sat beside Jordan, putting her feet up. "Not really. We've both been working too much to have the chance. But this weekend I am making him take me. I've already started the list," she told Jordan. "Maybe you could get a few things for me?" "Sure. Just write us a list.maybe we should drag that husband of yours with us?" "Lucien?" "Yup." "My Lucien? In a baby shop?" "Yup." "Not without me, you're not. I wouldn't miss that for the world." They grinned and began to go through the magazines to add items to their growing lists. Nick sat half in his desk chair, noisily searching through his drawers, a pained expression on his face. "Damn it," he muttered yet again. "What's the matter, Nick?" "I can't find my badge," he exclaimed, waving his hands, affirming his frustration. "It's in your pocket, isn't it?" "No. I left it here when I went to change my shirt, and now I can't find it!" "Are you sure?" "Yes!" "Okay." Tracy back down quickly. Nick kept searching, almost franticly now, pulling out and slamming drawers and filing cabinets, lifting papers and files. Tracy saw a tear come to his eye. "Nick, are you okay?" At her tone, Nick slowed down, but refused to meet her concerned gaze. "I'm fine.I just have to find it, okay?" he said, his voice beginning to shake. "It will be here. Just calm down a bit." Nick stopped and placed his face in his hands. "I don't know what's wrong with me.I can't seem to stop myself," he said softly, discretely wiping the tear from his face. "Have you spoken to Nat?" "No." "Lacroix?" Nick shook his head. "Nick, you have to tell someone about this. It's just not like you." "I know.I will tonight.just help me find my badge, okay?" "Okay." Tracy went to his coat hanging up on the coat rack and fished into his pockets. The second pocket hit gold. She pulled it out and slapped it into her partner's hand. Nick sighed and shoved it into his back pocket. "Tell someone, Nick.or I will." Nick nodded and rose, reaching for his coat. He arrived home to an empty house. Nicky was staying at Billy's, and Nat was still at work. He flopped onto the couch with a bottle in his hand and took a swig. He sighed. He had been feeling rundown lately, tired, irritable, emotionally unstable. One minute he was fine the next he was fighting off tears. It was beginning to irritate him. He sighed and reached for the remote to flick on the TV. He sat and numbly watched a morning magazine show. When the ads came on, he found himself wiping a tear away after a Hallmark advertisement. "Damn this!" he muttered irritably as he wiped at his face and turned off the television. He pulled on his long coat and headed for the door. Lacroix opened the door of his home and Nick stepped in. The ancient was still in his coat, having just arrived home himself from his night's activities. "Nicholas, what can I do for you?" he asked pleasantly, letting the black leather fall from his shoulders to hang upon a hook behind him. "Lacroix, I was wondering if we could talk," Nick asked him with a hint of a nervous smile upon his lips. Lacroix raised an eyebrow. He had indeed sensed his son's shifting emotions these past few days and was interested to find out a few things himself. "Come, let us sit in the living room. The others have already retired for the day," he said, gesturing toward the doorway across the foyer. Nick led the way, and Lacroix closed the door behind them as his son flopped onto the sofa. "Nicholas, I have been aware of your.unsettled emotions these past few days, and though it is something I am quite accustomed to feeling from you, even I have to admit to the unusual intensity I am sensing," he said, getting straight to the point. "What is troubling you, my son?" Lacroix asked him gently, taking a seat at the far end of the couch. Nick leant forward and looked into his clasped hands. "I don't know," he said. "I was hoping you might have some idea." Nick looked up to meet his eyes, with a desperate longing for answers. Lacroix sat back and looked his son over, then he closed his eyes to look deeper into his thoughts and mind, opening his bond as wide as he had ever dared attempt to in many centuries. He raised an eyebrow and smothered a chuckle. "Nicholas." "You know!" Nick declared firmly, then demanded, "What's wrong with me?!" Lacroix did chuckle this time. He leant forward and took Nick's hands in the both of his. "Nicholas.you are pregnant," he told him, not helping the smile of amusement. "What?" "You and Natalie are linked. She is with child and suffering all the related side effects of her condition.therefore.so are you." "But I'm not feeling what she is." Nick declared. "No, but the emotional instability is still causing you to act in such a fashion." Nick sighed and leant back,. both embarrassed and relieved that he now had a reason why he was acting so oddly. Oh, god, Tracy and Natalie were going to have a field day with this one, he thought, leaning forward to hide his face in his hands. Lacroix moved closer and placed a comforting arm around his son, and Nick relaxed back into his chest. "Thank you, Lacroix," Nick sighed. "I thought I was going insane." Lacroix gave him a squeeze then rose to his feet. "Come, the sun has risen. It is time to sleep." He pulled Nick to his feet and led his sleepy son to the guestroom and left him to shed his own clothes and gently crawl into bed beside his wife. "Nick okay?" she mumbled, turning over to face him. Lacroix chuckled again. "He is well enough. Apparently pregnancy tends to have an unexpected effect upon vampire males. He is suffering from Natalie's condition as much as she." "I wouldn't laugh if I were you, Lucien Lacroix," Jordan said with a smile, drawing a hand over her stomach. Lacroix sobered immediately. "I am much older and more powerful than Nicholas," he told her. "We'll see," she said with a soft smirk. "Vixen!" he whispered harshly before kissing her soundly, as Jordan laughed into his lips. Lacroix felt himself smile into his kiss as he gathered his pregnant wife into his arms and held her to him as they relaxed into sleep. Lacroix made sure Liam was entertaining himself well enough before he left him to enter his sound booth to prerecord his show for the night. He was having to take on a more 'hands-on' parental role than he had been expecting to now that Jordan was forced to her bed. As a result, he had begun coming into the Raven early and preparing the evening's show well in advance, sometimes recording two or three shows at a time so he would have the night free to care for his charge and increasingly restless wife. Jordan was able to do light activity, walking around the house, very short excursions to the store, but nothing else. Not for the next three months. She was surely beginning to go insane. She painted, of course, but could only do so for an hour or so at a time, leaving her increasingly frustrated. He glanced up as he felt the approach of his grandson, and as expected, a few minutes later the bouncing, blonde child waltzed in the front door. The club was closed this early. Only they were here, the staff not expected for another hour. He watched as young Nicholas crossed the dance floor and greeted Liam and sat down beside the young child, happily colouring at one of the deserted tables. Soon enough, both boys were drawing and chatting away companionably. After leaving them be for a time, he rose and left the booth. "Nicholas, have you completed your practice for today?" he asked the boy, reaching behind the bar for a bottle of bloodwine. His grandson looked up at him with a sour expression. "Oh, do I have to?" Nicky asked, knowing full well what the answer would be. Lacroix just raised an eyebrow, and the precocious child dropped his gaze and sighed as he pushed himself from the table and walked to the stage and climbed up to take a seat at the piano. Nicky lifted the keyboard cover and stretched his fingers before launching into Chopin's 'Minute Waltz.' Nicky let his fingers play the tune he knew intimately, not really putting any effort or heart into what he was playing. It was a nice piece, and he enjoyed playing, but today he just felt like he hadn't the drive to practice, yet again. It was all his father's fault, anyway. He wouldn't have to be practicing so much if Nick hadn't opened his big mouth and bragged about his 'talent' to his teacher, Miss Ross. She, of course, had signed him up to play for the upcoming school recital. "Nicholas!" Nicky abruptly halted his playing at the loud bark from his grandfather and turned on his bench to face him. "Do not waste your practice time playing such drivel! Either play properly or not at all!" Nicky smiled gratefully and moved to do the latter, pulling the piano lid down to cover the ivory keys. "That was not a choice, child!" Lacroix snapped before the lid had fully closed. Nicky sighed and reopened it. He sat for a moment and chose a different piece to play. He let his despondency wash over him, and a moment later the depressed tones of Satie's First Gymnopide filled the air. Lacroix rolled his eyes and expelled a huff of air, turning away from the stage, mumbling, "Gods help me, he is just like his father!" He was about to head back into his sound booth when his eye caught the sight of his youngest child staring at his grandson, enraptured by what he was hearing coming from the stage. He had to give his grandson credit; he was very good, and not just for his age. He even now had the makings of a concert pianist, an influence of his vampiric ability to remember and recall detail along with his natural-born ability to elucidate his soul through the very touch of his fingers. However, the sight of young Liam so enthralled by the music spurred him into thinking about teaching the young child an instrument himself.perhaps he would like the violin? He made a mental note to mention it to Jordan later that night. In the meantime, he listened to Nicholas settle into his music and go through his concert programme. The child was ready; no wonder he had lost the desire to practice with his previous enthusiasm. Though, however that may be, Nicholas still had many lessons in life to learn, and his instruction in self-discipline was far from over. In the early hours of the morning, lying beside his wife, Lacroix turned his head from his book and repsonded to her question. "No, thank you." He turned the page and went back to his reading. "I wasn't asking, my love," Jordan said with the sweetest smile. Lacroix pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes, turning once again to stare at the woman beside him. "Hmm, I suppose you need me to carry your purse?" he said with distaste. Jordan smiled. "Well, yes, that too, but I really want you to help me pick out a room full of baby stuff, and perhaps a few things for Liam, as well. "You are going to spoil that child, Jordan," he reprimanded her. "Me spoil him, oh, King of the Credit Card?" she countered. At his frown, she reminded him, "Who got him the Tarzan video before it had even been officially released onto the market?" "Yes, well.that was a special circumstance," he mumbled, recalling his attempt at an apology for the 'movie' incident. He had ended up just asking the child what he wanted and that was to see Tarzan again, so instead of taking him back to the movie, he had pulled a few strings and paid a tidy sum for an advanced copy of the film on VHS. They were now tortured with the repetitive sounds of Disney as the child watched it every single day.and there seemed little hope of a reprieve anytime soon. After a few moments of silence, Jordan turned to watch Lucien continue reading his book. "Yes, mon coeur?" he asked without raising his eyes from the page. Jordan smiled and wriggled closer, threading an arm around his elbow. He turned to her and smiled. She glanced up at him and met his eye before quietly asking, "Lucien.do you often think of Fleur?" Lacroix pulled away slightly and frowned, staring at his wife, a little startled at her unexpected question. When he still hadn't responded, Jordan gently prodded, "Well? Do you?" Her tone was gentle and inquisitive, but he was confused as to why she would be asking him such a question. "Not as often as I once did," he breathed eventually. "Why do you ask?" he asked her quietly. Could she be jealous of his former lover? "I just wanted to know if you still thought of her, even though she's been gone all this time." "Why?" he whispered. Jordan smiled shyly and shuffled under the covers before answering. "Will you think of me a thousand years after I am gone?" Lacroix stared and felt a wash of emotion clamp his chest. He ducked his chin and glanced away as he spoke. "Jordan." He paused. Taking a breath, he whispered, "If you were to die before I, the night you take your last breath will also be my own." Jordan moved up in the bed to clasp his face in her hands, forcing him to look at her. "I could not go on for another millennium with nothing but an insistent and painful longing for you," he breathed. Jordan leaned forward and kissed him tenderly. Pulling away, she stared into his eyes as his parted lips beckoned her once more. His book thumped forgotten to the floor as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her onto his lap. But as their attentions grew in passion, he pushed her gently from him, kissing her once more before she left his reach. "Jordan." he breathed, his eyes their familiar gold of desire. "I know.we can't go any further." "The doctor said it would be dangerous for the baby," he told her softly. Jordan nodded. She breathed out heavily and admired his control. She could clearly feel his aroused state beneath her buttocks. Smiling, she shifted, rubbing against him. "There's nothing to say I can't take care of this," she breathed into his ear, and he groaned at her movement and implication. "Jordan." "Let me," Jordan said, lifting the covers and moving down to disappear from view. Lacroix watched as the lump under the covers moved lower. "Jordan, it hardly seems.f.fair," he let out in a gasp as she claimed his pleasure for her own amusement. A moment later his head thumped back against the headboard as his eyes closed in abandonment to his wife's wishes. End part 3 Part 4 Natalie sat back on the couch and flicked on the television. She awkwardly reached over her rapidly swelling stomach and grabbed the bowl of popcorn from the table, sighing as she reclaimed her position. She was bigger than she really ought to be at this stage in her pregnancy. But then all expectations had flown out the window when she and Nick had created a life within her. At this stage the baby appears human, but they really couldn't be 100% sure, not until they can extract a clean blood sample from the baby safely. Her own blood was lightly tainted with the vampire virus; whether or not this had infected the baby as well was unknown. Regardless, they had to plan for the unexpected, both physically and mentally. Suffice to say, this baby will be loved and doted upon whatever it may be. Human, vampire, male, female. Natalie smiled as she recalled Nick's determination when he sternly told the OB/GYN that they did not wish to know the baby's sex. She herself had looked at him with somewhat surprised annoyance, because, one, she didn't like surprises, she preferred to be prepared, and two, she had never seen Nick quite so old-fashioned before. Sure, he had his moments of chivalry and ignorance, but this was an all-out, 'this-is-the-way-it-is-done' stance.and she had found it surprisingly attractive. Nick came into view and sat down beside her, placing his own meal and a glass of milk on the table for his wife. He watched as Natalie began feeding herself. He felt an insistent hunger wash over him and began to sip from his glass. He had relaxed immeasurably since his talk with Lacroix. Now that he knew why he was feeding twice as much as usual, he wasn't half as worried about his ability to be about his mortal love. "Nat, would you like me to order a pizza or something?" Knowing full well that he may as well have just ordered one before he had sat down. "Oh, yes, please," Natalie answered as predicted. Nick smiled in amusement but was unsuccessful in hiding it quickly enough. "What do you think you're smirking at?" Natalie asked him with an upturned eyebrow. "Nothing, love," he said quickly. "You are laughing at me," she accused, frowning. "No, I'm not." At her look of complete disbelief, he said, "Okay, I am. But in a good way," he amended before she was able to maneuver forward to swat him. He sat and stared at the woman he had loved for so many years, now glowing and her belly swollen with his child. She was so beautiful; he was sure he had never seen anything so resplendent in all his eternal life. "You're staring," Natalie said with a playful glare. How often she caught him just sitting and staring at her. Not that she minded, but it happened at work, as well, and that could be a little embarrassing. "You're beautiful. I can't help it," he stated softly. "Come here," she suddenly demanded, and with a pursed smile, Nick eagerly rose and moved forward to obey. Natalie grasped his shirt front and pulled him closer to take his lips into her own. Nick was only to happy to oblige. A toe-curling moment later she was pushing him away from her. Natalie looked into his eyes and smiled. "Now, go order me a pizza," she said. Nick grinned and leant forward to kiss her quickly again before pushing himself to his feet to do her bidding. "Whatever my lady desires," he told her. Natalie chuckled as he bowed gracefully and turned to pick up the phone. Nick settled back on the couch, sitting behind Natalie with her propped against his chest, his hands spread across her stomach. "Have you had any more ideas about the baby's name?" he asked her. "Hmm, a couple. You?" "I thought maybe Anna Catherine, if it's a girl," he suggested. "I had Catherine Emily," Nat bounced back as they began one of their many brainstorming sessions. They did this on a daily basis now, especially since they hadn't much longer to go before the baby would have need of its new name. "Matthew James?" Nick went on. "Jean-Philippe?" "Jean-Claude?" "Jean-Paul." "Jean-Luc." "Jean-Jean," Natalie spluttered as they began to get a little silly, laughing as the vision of the French equivalent to a hillbilly family sprang to mind. "Marie Kate," Nick said suddenly. His smile becoming serious. "I like Kate. If we named her Catherine, we can call her Kate for short," Natalie said with excitement. It looked like they had at least one name. Nick suddenly became pensive, and he glanced away from Natalie, but she pulled him back. "What is it, Nick?" He sighed. "I was wanting to ask you something, but I'm afraid of how you will react." "Don't be. Ask me," she told him gently. Nick sighed again and took a deep breath. "I was wondering about Janette for her second name," he breathed. He looked away from the stare of his wife. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything," he said quickly, making to rise. "No, stay," she ordered gently, then added with a curve of her lips, "Nick, I think that would be a lovely idea." "You do?" Natalie nodded and smiled. "I know how close you and Janette were.and still are, Nick. She is your family, and you love her. I think Catherine Janette will be a wonderful name for our daughter.should she be a girl." She smiled, and he leant forward to kiss her, cherishing her very existence with every move of his lips against the softness of hers. "You are one wonderful woman, Natalie Knight." "You're not so bad yourself," she answered and kissed him again. The door buzzer blaring to life broke them reluctantly apart. "Enough mush!" Natalie announced. "The pizza's here!" With a grin, she push her chuckling husband away from her, but he rebelled and moved forward to kiss her again before leaving to retrieve the pizza from the delivery boy. Nicky arrived home from school to find his parents sleeping on the couch with the TV still on. He tiptoed around them and switched the set off, pursing his lips as he saw the empty pizza box, popcorn bowl, and glasses spread across the coffee table. He sighed and moved toward the kitchen to get himself a snack to take into his bedroom. They never saved him any. Nick woke to find his wife still sound asleep between his legs. He smiled as his body responded to her presence, then sighed. They hadn't had sex for weeks. Other than being uncomfortable for Nat, she just hadn't felt like it for a while, though it hasn't stopped her on occasion. But he.well, he was a virile male vampire.enough said. He raised his head and recognized the presence and steady heartbeat of his son in the next room and gently slid out from beneath his wife, all thoughts of passion rapidly exiting his mind. They all had plans tonight to go shopping. This was the first long weekend both he and Nat had off together, and it was high time they began getting the baby's room ready. The renovations had already been done, with a small room at the end of the upstairs hallway, close to their room, constructed and decorated in bright colours. Now all they had to do was furnish it. And apparently Natalie and Jordan had spent hours poring over books and magazines, picking out cribs, car-seats, baby.stuff and numerous bits and pieces which a baby needed. And though he steered clear of the planning, he was really quite enjoying the thought of going out and spending a disgusting amount of money on his new child. Grinning as he reached into the fridge to extract his breakfast, he kept smiling as his son came up behind him and wrapped his arms around his waist. Nick had soon learnt that this stage of touch and emotional expression wouldn't last forever; his son was growing up, and teenagers just didn't go around hugging their dads.no matter how wonderful they may be. He turned in his arms and wrapped his own around the child before him. "Can I come shopping with you tonight?" Nicky pleaded. Nick didn't hesitate. "If you would like to." "Cool," Nick beamed and let his father go abruptly. "Did you guys leave me any pizza?" he asked, opening the fridge. "Are you kidding? What with." "With what, Nick?" came a familiar voice behind him. Nick froze and dropped the thumb he had been gesturing toward the couch, then tentatively continued with his back to his wife. "What with.the small size they make them these days.there just wasn't enough to go around," Nick said, proud of his recovery. He was rewarded with a brutal pinch to his bottom, which elicited an "OW!" and an involuntary forward movement, his hands clutching his buttocks. A moment later, as a giggling child was near to being given a taste of the same treatment from his father, the lift kicked in. The door opened. "Delighted to hear you are keeping Nicholas in line, my dear," Lacroix announced himself as he stepped into the loft. Jordan walked slowly out behind him, and he turned to take her elbow. He released it with a sigh after she gave him a 'don't coddle me' glare. "What are you doing here?" Nick asked the ancient. Lacroix sighed once again. "I have been recruited." "Well, the more the merrier," Nick said as Natalie disappeared upstairs to change. Nick offered his sire a bloodwine and left them being entertained by his son while he went upstairs to shower and change himself. Eyebrows and smiles rose as the black limousine pulled up outside the baby boutique, and a clerk was sent to scurry to the door and open it as the women, followed by a child and two men, graced them with their presence. Lacroix sighed as he entered the brightly lit and decorated store. He turned to his son who had a giant, excited grin on his face and rolled his eyes. This was going to be laborious. "Ladies. Gentlemen. How may I assist you?" a rather enthusiastic store clerk asked them, offering her services. Lacroix saw the dollar signs in the woman's eyes ring up and huffed as he realized she would indeed be reaping the benefits of his wife's and daughter-in-law's shopping spree. "I suppose we should choose the cribs first and get that out of the way," Jordan said to Natalie who nodded in agreement, and the men had little choice but to follow the women further into the store toward the rows of handmade cribs, cots, beds and numerous other manner of furniture. It was a large store specializing in handmade, wooden furniture, clothes, toys and copious amounts of other baby and child paraphernalia. His vision began to wander over the rest of the items nearby as Jordan and Natalie began looking for the perfect crib. Why they didn't just buy the most expensive one and be done with it, he didn't know. "Lucien?" His head snapped toward his wife. "What do think about this one?" "It will suffice," he said, and he saw his son and grandson cringe beside him. What? He frowned toward them, and his son merely shook his head. His wife was staring at him, waiting for an apparently alternative answer. He sighed and took another look over the range of cribs before him. He saw the one he preferred and pointed it out. "This one," he said. Jordan smiled; it had been the one she had chosen, as well. Natalie dragged Nick over to another one, and he wisely nodded and smiled and kissed his wife for her wise and wonderful choice. "Can we go to the toys now?" Nicky asked as the assistant took down their crib orders. The cribs came with matching changing tables and would be delivered the next day. Natalie pulled out her list and decided that it would be more productive if they split up. "Why don't you guys go and choose a bunch of toys and stuff while we go and pick out a few clothes?" "Good idea to me!" Nicky exclaimed and began to pull his father away from all the boring baby stuff. Nick smiled and tugged Lacroix's coat as he passed by. With yet another sigh, he spun on his heel and followed. The toy department allotted not only for young children, but for older ones, as well, and there was several aisles of goodies for them to chose from. Nicky dove into the first aisle and smiled as he reached for an open packet of silly putty. He began bouncing the product on the floor, watching it shoot for the high ceiling. Nick had encountered this substance before and bypassed him to make for the young Playskool items. He began pushing buttons left, right and centre, activating the automated interactive toys. Lacroix stood and stared at the pair. Nick turned and saw the disgusted look on his sire's face. "It's okay, Lacroix. We are allowed to tryout the open products before we buy them," Nick told him. Lacroix shook his head and walked toward his grandson, only to snatch the silly putty from the air so he could inspect it further, his curiosity getting the better of him. They quickly began to fill the trolley brought to them by the clerk. Lacroix went for the more educational toys, where Nick and Nicky basically bought what they thought was fun. Lacroix had moved ahead of his son and grandson and round a corner into the next aisle. He halted. A baneful smile slowly spread across his lips. The armory. Nick was bending over as he inspected a small tricycle when something hit him squarely in the buttocks. "Hey!" he exclaimed, shooting to stand upright and glancing around him for the culprit. Nicky was a few feet away, playing with a Playmobile fire engine. He looked up at his father's squawk. When his father glared, he threw up his hands. "It wasn't me!" Thwack! Nick was hit again, this time in the back of the head. He spun around and then looked down at the floor and to what had hit him. A yellow Nerf arrow. Thwack! "Ow!" Nicky ducked as he was hit in the rear with a similar object. A deep, infamous, and unmistakable chuckle softly echoed down the aisle. Lacroix. Nick narrowed his eyes as he realized who was after them. "Come along, son. We must take up arms." Nicky nodded and followed his father, searching for the aisle which his grandfather had obviously found before them. Lacroix moved silently down the aisles, keeping his son and grandson in sight as they selected their own weapons. He smiled as he aimed through a gap in the merchandise. Thwack! Nicky was hit again. He growled and made for the pump-action Nerf shotgun. He quickly loaded a dozen foam balls into the rack and locked the first ball into place, ready to fire. When he turned around to see what his dad had chosen, he frowned when no one was to be seen. He had disappeared. Nick had found what he was looking for and had moved away to put it together. He had selected a Nerf crossbow, much as his father had acquired, but he had also grabbed a packet of water balloons and a can of Slime. Lacroix was still smiling as he moved toward the end of the aisle to round it and attack his grandson once again. When he poked his head around the corner, he frowned when only his grandson was present. Nicholas had eluded him. SPLAT! Lacroix froze as a disgusting sensation hit and ran down the back of his head. He reached up and pulled away a glob of slimy substance. He scrunched his face in disgust, and flicked it off his hand to the floor. "If that's the way you wish to play, Nicholas, so be it," he muttered. Nick chuckled as his sire looked at the Slime on his hand. Nick, knowing what was good for him, then made good his escape. The hunt was on. Jordan and Natalie happily chose and admired the huge selection of outfits and clothes for young babies and slightly older toddlers. They went nuts, buying everything they liked. That was until they began to notice the scurrying of the staff and the yelps coming from the toy department. "I don't want to know," Natalie said. A moment later, a woman approached them and smiled tentatively. "Excuse me. But are you with the gentlemen over there? " she asked, pointing toward the commotion across the store. "No, sorry. We have no idea who they are," Jordan told her with a smile. "It's just that.well, they are creating quite a mess." the woman confessed, knowing all to well that the men had entered the store with the women. Natalie sighed in resignation and said, "Any damage they cause, just add it to their bill." The woman just gave her a half smile and headed back to the front counter to begin adding up the destruction the trio were causing. A half hour later, Jordan was feeling quite tired, and she and Natalie went to tally up their purchases. When they were waiting at the counter for the men for several minutes, Jordan finally asked the clerk to page them. "Mr. Lacroix & Mr. Knight, could you please report to the front counter," the woman announced over the store intercom. Nick and Lacroix halted their stalking and made to look toward the front area of the store, only to see their wives rather impatiently waiting. The men made eye contact with each other and mutually made peace and set down their weapons. Redirecting his thoughts to his wife, he discerned her fatigue. Their night out was at an end. Nicky, however, took this moment to strike his final blows, throwing a water balloon at both his grandfather, then his father. They both froze as the water burst over their heads. They both slowly looked up to find Nicky grinning broadly from atop the large shelving units. "Down," Lacroix growled softly as he pointed at the floor. Nicky, still smiling, quickly climbed down, and together they all silently moved toward the waiting women. Natalie and Jordan could only gape at the men walking toward them. They were soaked. Nick made to speak, but Natalie held up a hand to stop him. Nicky, pushing the cart full of toys, smiled guiltily, trying to hide behind the handrail. Lacroix remained his usual unperturbed self. The fact he was soaked and covered with a dubious substance seemed to bother him very little, as did the glares and terse commands being issued from the women. The clerks quickly tallied up the purchases and packed them ready for transport to the waiting limo. "Cards," Jordan demanded of the vampires, and they dutifully handed over their credit cards. Neither one even bothered to look at the total as it was rung up and charged. "Carry these." Natalie pointed to a pile of bags waiting to leave the store, and along with Lacroix and two attendants, Nick helped fill the trunk of the expensive vehicle. They rode in silence for a time, Nick, Lacroix and Nicky on one seat, the women opposite them on the other. The men, other than Lacroix, refused to make any eye contact with them. Jordan and Lacroix, however, were staring at each other. "Okay, who started it?" Natalie finally asked. Both Nick and Nicky were very quick at pointing silently to the elder beside them. Lacroix lifted his chin in defiance and dared the women to rebuke him in any way. That did it--she couldn't hold it in any longer. Jordan began to giggle. Natalie was soon spluttering into her hands as they continued to look upon the three drenched, slimed and chastised trio. Lacroix glared, Nick pursed his lips and sighed, brushing his wet, matted hair from his eyes, and Nicky began to giggle despite himself. End part 4 Part 5 Jordan lay in her bed, staring blankly at the TV screen which Lucien had kindly brought in for her. Her mind was else where, far from the constant infomercials which plagued her TV watching hours.how her husband had changed since she had met him. The changes have been so subtle, yet so monumental, and she wondered if he saw the changes in himself at all. And his quiet joy in knowing he was to become a father more, and his silent fear that he would fail his child yet again. Liam was a blessing--he was such a good kid, and he had melded into their more than peculiar family with an ease only a young child could. He had attached to Lucien almost from the start, sensing something within the ancient vampire which touched his heart in only a way the child could ever explain. It as though they needed each other, and she was sure they did. Lucien needed to be needed, loved, in control of the well-being of this child's life that had so paralleled his own traumatic childhood. And Liam, he sensed Lucien's need, and in turn, felt useful and needed himself. He felt in control of his life, a life so much better than his last, with little fear, no pain, no betrayal. He could once again trust those around him--that was his need. She smiled as she recalled the facts about the little theatre adventure Liam and Nicky went through two weeks before. Natalie had filled her in on all the details about how the police had been called and Nick and Lacroix hunted down.No wonder he had refused to tell her. He must have been rather embarrassed. Halken had come to visit her a few times when Lucien had been at the Raven. On occasion bringing along Samuel, who introduced himself as a 'friend' of Lucien's. Only she was sure he was quite old, much older than her husband, perhaps even older than Halken, both of whom were Council Elders and highly respected members of the Community. She was extremely humbled to be regarded as one of the Community and not a mere mortal pet at least by these two distinguished men. Jordan reached down and gently stroked her stomach. "Well, baby, You had better brace yourself before you decide to arrive, because this is one weird world you'll be bursting into," she told the baby developing inside her. Jordan smiled and sighed as she felt the gentle caress of her lover's mind against her own. He was thinking of her. They had all slipped into a manageable routine, with Lacroix taking and caring for Liam for most of the night, and on days when he could not, Liam was taken to the loft. This was only once or twice a week, but Jordan realized early on that Lucien needed his own time. They were thinking about hiring a nanny. But as yet they were both hesitant. She also discovered that Lacroix was not going to be an instant 'mortal' father, not by any stretch of the imagination, certainly not now, if ever. Oh, he tried, but his patience and methods varied from what she expected from a modern father. They had fought over several causes of action taken by Lacroix over the months they had taken care of Liam, and her own tolerance had worn thin on occasion. But after a talk with Anna, their in-house psychologist, she realized Lucien only had reference to what he knew a father should be like. What he expected from his children, his wife, and those around him was at times far different from what she agreed with or would adhere to. But that wasn't to say all his methods were wrong or detrimental to Liam, and, at times herself. But at other times, she would cringe at his tone of voice or the words falling from his lips. The only father he had known intimately had been his own, and he had hardly been a good model for him to follow. Her own father, however, had, and was, a wonderful and caring man. Jonathan was a man's man, no doubt about that, but he also knew how to show his children love, and understanding...even when he didn't understand them at all, especially then. Jordan was planning on taking Liam to see them, a vacation of sorts, but until the baby was more stable, they weren't going anywhere, but maybe she could get them to come back up to Toronto for a week or so, and get her father and Lucien talking to one another. Maybe they could both learn a few things from each other. If anything, she really felt the need to see her mother. Being pregnant was a whole new thing for her, at least this far along and with the knowledge and desire to give birth to their child. Lucien had said it was a perfectly normal response, though he had twitched a little when she had suggested they come to visit, but nor did he deny their presence. She suspected he had actually taken a liking to her mom and dad, more so than he had really wished to. Her parents were delighted, of course, when she phoned to tell them she was pregnant. She didn't think it would take much arm-twisting to get her father to leave the farm for a while. Not that it was much of a farm now, more along the lines of a lifestyle block. The 500 acre farm she had grown up on had now been whittled down to a mere 50. But as tragic as it may sound, it wasn't, really. Neither she, nor her brother, Michael, had ever wanted to be farmers and take it over, so her father had sold most of the land to the neighboring properties and kept enough for him and her mother to care for. She and Michael had made a pact to never sell the farm; it was their home and always would be. Getting Lucien to visit the farm was another challenge entirely! Lacroix sat in his sound booth, watching the gathering of vampires and mortals at play before him. His mind, however, was elsewhere. He had been thinking about encouraging young Liam to take an interest in a musical instrument. But thus far the child had not taken to any of the classics he had introduced. The piano, like his nephew, the violin, much to his own disappointment, the trumpet, French horn--none of these had stirred an interest. He had even relented to offering the guitar, but again, nothing. What else was there? He had mimicked beating on the drums, chopsticks in place of the usual drumsticks, but that particular instrument was not going to be played in his house! There were many others, of course, but not many which held up to the prestige he had in mind for his young charge. Rising, he left his booth during a commercial break and acquired some much-needed refreshments. Returning from the bar, he found his child sitting at the foot of the stairs, chin on fist as he sat waiting for the evening to end. But it wasn't his despondency which had halted Lacroix in his tracks. It was the delightful sound issuing very quietly from his lips. He was singing. Lacroix quickly hid himself behind a partition and stood to listen to the angelic voice, singing along to the band. Now this could be the instrument he had been searching for. But how to encourage the child to use it? He barely spoke aloud as it was. How was he to sing? It would be such a waste not to train the child's voice. Perhaps his grandson could help in this respect. But, for now, he discretely returned to his sound booth to finish his show so he could return the child home to his mother. Jordan turned her head toward the door when she heard the front door unlock and close. Small, running feet bounded up the staircase, and her bedroom door was flung open. A moment later, a ball of clothing bounced up on the bed. "Well, hello there!" Jordan exclaimed with a smile as Liam sat grinning at her, happy to be home. Jordan smiled wider as Liam mouthed hello to her and waved. He would whisper now and then, but it was rare, and only during intimate time together like when she was tucking him into bed for the night. "How was your night?" she asked him. Liam's smile dropped a little, and he shrugged. Jordan raised an eyebrow. "What was wrong?" she asked him. Liam sighed and let his shoulders sag and his chin drop as his whole body took on a droopy, bored look. Ah. "You got bored," she said. Liam nodded in the affirmative. She wasn't surprised. The poor kid didn't have other children to play with other than Nicky, and he was at school for most of the day and sleeping at night. "Come here," she said, opening her arms, and the child gently lay down within them. After a long hug, Jordan gave Liam the remote control to the television and let him switch to the early morning cartoons. Lacroix entered the bedroom and stood in the doorway, observing the tender moment between his wife and adopted child. He pursed his lips as he felt a hint of jealousy rise at the bonding scene. He was not a 'touchy feely' person. He only touched the child to carry him or when the child came to him, but a small part of him wanted that familiarity which Jordan seemed to be able to exude so easily, not only to the child, but to him, as well. Oh, he was better than a year ago, but still he was reluctant when it came to showing affection to his loved ones. He had spent far too many years controlling his emotions to change so easily. And then there was that not-so-small part of him which had no real desire to change. Jordan was content with the emotion and physical expressions of caring he showed out of the bedroom, but the child was another matter altogether. This child had been shown a negative love all his life, and now his new father had no desire to touch him at all. That, at least, was how he could understand the child interpreting it.It had been what he had thought. He closed his eyes as his thoughts drifted back to his first months with Marcus, his mother's lover and his adopted father. His mother had touched him, held him, sang to him, his father beat him, cursed him and wished him unborn, but not Marcus. He would smile to him from across a crowded room, acknowledging his presence, even before his mother's death and the discovery of their affair. He could recall almost every brush of contact they had ever shared. He had held his hand as Marcus had led him from his father's house for the last time. Marcus had brushed his fingers down his cheek as he lay in his death bed. He had been a man then, recently made General of the 21st Legion. Marcus had been so proud, but too ill to attend the ceremony. Lucius had stood alone, a local whore, her belly slightly swollen with child, his only personal witness, discretely blending with the crowd, yet managing to catch his eye and share a hesitant, proud smile as he descended the stairs to the waiting throng of power- hungry senators and officers jostling for position under the emperor's eye. A pair of arms encircling his waist brought him back to the present. He blinked and looked down at the woman in his arms. "You okay?" Jordan asked him. He gave her a half smile, not quite reaching his eyes and replied softly, "Quite," he replied, then added, "Old memories." Experiencing a desire, or perhaps a need, to at least reveal a little of himself to the one person he trusted with more than his life. He trusted her with his heart. "Tell me one day," she asked him with a small smile. She knew he would not tell her now, if ever, many of the things he thought of when he returned to his past, and frankly, there are things she would rather not know. He had shown her events in his life when they shared blood. Early in their relationship he had tried to scare her. But her love for him never wavered, not once. She had always thought that when she hadn't pulled away from him the night he had shown her one of the most horrific things he had ever done, and she had wept in his arms, but she had stayed at his side. She was sure that was when he allowed his cold heart to open and let her in. That was the moment when he had truly fallen in love with her. She looked up at him now and he gave her an understanding smile and leant down to gently kiss her. "One day," he whispered. He drew her to him, and after a glance at their new son, lying happily on the bed, they melted together, holding each other close, thanking whatever forces of nature that had brought them together, and praying they would keep them this way forever. End.