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Synopsis of previous chapter: I’m not nearly as good at writing these as VampFan5 is, but I’ll do the best I can!

Lani’s father was killed and the group gathered at Josef’s house. Lani was understandably shaken, even given the tenuous relationship with her parents. As the group tries to put the pieces of why and what was going on, Clark senses that something is wrong at the manor house and runs to peek in the window and sees Dorothy, who spots him as well. They stare at one another, their love pulling them together but Clark realizes that he must go back to the guest house because the scent of the blood is hard for him to take.

Beth, Dorothy, and Vaygar go back to the loft so that Beth can pack an overnight bag as she and Mick are staying with Clark that night which lets Logan have a free night to be with his sweetie pie, Audrey. As Dorothy heats some dinner in preparation for Jackie, the potential nanny to meet Clark, via Skype there are problems in the garage below. Martin shows up in a new car and runs over Madigan, who is standing guard in the garage after Madigan recognizes him. They decide to put more guards down there as Mick and Vaygar talk about safety procedures and Rose fixes Maddy’s broken leg.

Martin feels like he struck it rich with all the money and jewelry he took from Marcus’ safe when he killed his brother and determines that the money will keep he and Dorothy well, after he gets rid of the baby.

Dorothy asks Rose questions about how she received the gift of vampirism and why and Rose tells her a bit about it but assures Dorothy that she will understand all when the girls and their mates go to study the gift. Dorothy confides that the saw Clark outside the window and Rose is secretly pleased that Clark knew he wasn’t ready yet to be around humans. Still, she decided that they needed to get him socialized quickly because she knew that there wasn’t much time before the twins were born.





Chapter 20 Home



Dorothy booted up the laptop in preparation for her talk with Clark when Jackie got there. She hoped the she and Clark would have a few minutes alone to talk because she needed that connection with him. Seeing him watching her from outside the window had shaken her to her core, in both good and bad ways. Elation at actually seeing him close up had made her spirit soar, but the pain of not being about to run to him had hurt.

Not that she was actually running anywhere these days, she thought dryly.

Even though it wasn’t yet 9 o’clock she put the Skype call through and to her joy, Clark was ready, apparently hoping she’d call a bit early.

“Baby, oh, Dorothy, it – it was so good, just seeing you for a minute this evening. But it hurt like hell to know that I couldn’t touch you and to…to know that I’m not quite ready for that yet.”

“What happened, Clark? What’s wrong, honey?”

“It’s just, I could scent the blood and it made me feel a little weak, you know? I hadn’t been prepared for that exactly, even though they have all told me that’s how I would feel. Damn, Dorothy, I need to get out of here, so that I can practice being around humans. I need to be done with all this!” he told her, frustration ripe in his voice, making Dorothy’s heart ache for him.

“I know, Clark. Hopefully it will be soon. We can make it just a bit longer, can’t we?”

“Yes. I’d wait forever for you, honey. I just need to hold you, to smell the sweetness of you. It’s a very erotic thing for vamps, Logan tells me. He also says that vampires don’t have an ‘off’ switch when it comes to making love,” he said.

The teasing tone of his voice made her smile and the way his eyes sparked made her shiver with anticipation. Well, they’d have their chance eventually. It was all just wishful thinking right now, between the pregnancy and his absence. But someday…

“I think your guest is there, honey,” he told her as he heard the elevator ding, even over the computer.

Dorothy shook her head in wonder; all this was going to take a bit of getting used to, but she excused herself for a moment to greet Jackie in the living room. She hoped that Clark would like the young woman as much as she and Rose did. Dorothy knew that somehow, Jackie belonged with them.



OOOOOOOOOOOO



Josef climbed the stairs, heading straight to the bedroom after a quick chug of some A-. Not the way he preferred to drink it; slowly as it soothed his inner urges. But his need to check on Lani, to hold her and appease the nagging worry inside of him that she was okay was the strongest requirement of his soul at this moment. If you believed that vampires had souls. Heroku had convinced him that they actually did so, he’d go with that.

When he reached the top of the stairs he saw Franklin peeking into her room, the worry that he felt etched starkly upon his face.

“How is she, Franklin?”

“She seems to be resting but I don’t believe that it is a peaceful rest, sir.”

Josef nodded solemnly, knowing in his heart that was true. “I’m sure you’re right; how could she with all that she’s been through?”

“Is there anything else I can get for you tonight, Josef? Or for Miss Lani?”

Josef shook his head no and said, “I think we’ll be fine.” As Franklin started to protest, Josef smiled and said, “But I’ll call you if we do?”

“Yes, of course. Goodnight then.”

Josef watched for a moment as his long-time friend moved slowly towards the stairs, his shoulders slightly hunched as well. His usual stride was full of vigor and an almost regal posture. Again, it showed how they both were taking Lani’s distress. They both loved her and that thought, that Franklin would always be there for her made Josef feel a good deal of relief.

Josef quietly opened the door and slipped inside. The drapes were pulled tightly shut and the only visible light, to a human anyway was the glowing numbers on the clock.

He quietly took his clothes off and hopped in for a brief shower, partially for the invigorating qualities of the vibra-spray shower head and also to try to calm down. He didn’t want Lani to somehow sense, as she often did, that he was worried.

What game was this asshole Martin playing? Was it about money with his brother and if it was would he go after Lani or her mother next? As far as Josef was concerned, he’d applaud if Helen had an early appointment with death. Hell, it wasn’t as if he hadn’t thought about taking her for a nice sight-seeing trip to the tar pits himself, but he knew how much it would hurt Lani now.

His precious Lani had existed in an emotional void growing up and yet she was the most loving and caring individual he’d ever known. Well, Beth was too and it was all most likely because of Dorothy and Clark’s ability to provide a safe and happy home life. Because of that he’d move heaven and earth to make sure that they too were taken care of.

A few minutes later he stood silently, watching Lani sleep and listening to the soft, breathy sounds she made that were so comforting to him. When he slipped into the bed beside her she immediately rolled over and draped an arm across his chest as a silken smooth leg slipped over one of his. He pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her and breathed in her scent. He heard both of their heartbeats and once again he felt truly over-whelmed with the sheer magic of it all.

Magic? It was, to him at least. A child would be born of his supposedly dead seed. Magic or a miracle, fielder’s choice but it was happening. Life no longer seemed a playground of pure indulgence and decadence; he had a life now, a real life that had meaning.

He was going to make the most of it.



OOOOOOOOOOOO



Clark listened with a smile as Jackie told them about her experience and a bit about her life as well. She was 33 and comfortable with vamps since she’d known Rose for a few years. Apparently Rose had rescued her from a terrible situation in New York and because of that she gave Rose undying loyalty. She didn’t expand on what had happened, but the sadness and pain that showed on her face as she talked made Clark feel her pain.

She had experience with basic medical procedures which was a boon where a newborn baby was concerned. She wanted a child of her own before she was turned, but as yet hadn’t found the right guy. Well, once she had, she said, but it was a long time ago.

Apparently he wasn’t in her life now. She wanted to be turned someday as well. She really must be comfortable with vamps.

“Jackie, I think you’ll be a perfect addition to our home. How do you feel about it?” He already knew that Dorothy really liked her and trusted her as well.

“I’d love to take the job, Mr. Griffin and I can start as soon as you like.”

“Please, it’s just ‘Clark’ and you and Dorothy can work out those details. Thank you for being available to talk to me this evening.”

“Of course, Mr., um, Clark. I’m terribly excited now.” She grinned and Clark decided that he really did like her; there was something very vulnerable about her, which seemed quite silly really. Still, she was a great addition to their world.



OOOOOOOOOOOO



“Mick! Beth! I’m so happy to see you! “Clark said, rushing to hug his daughter. “How is your mom, sweetheart?”

“She’s fine, Dad, but she misses you like crazy. How are you?”

“I’m okay. But I need out of here, soon. Can you help me? I need to be around people so that I can adjust to the scents around me. I have to be out of here before the babies are born. I promised her, please, help me?”

The tone of his voice, a blend of sorrow and desperation made Beth and Mick look at one another with dread. They both knew how it bothered him, worried him and they had talked about some possibilities on the way here.

Beth took a seat on the sofa and patted the cushion next to her. Clark sat down, suddenly dreading what they might say.

“Dad, we understand how you feel, but it’s so soon, so risky.”

“I can handle it, I promise I can. I know it has to be controlled and I can do it. Please, give me the chance to show you both, to prove it to all of us. Please,” he asked and the pain in his tone broke both of their hearts.

“How about a short drive, Clark? Under our terms?”

“Yes, yes, any terms you want.”

“We’re in the Prius, so the door locks will be disabled in the back, where you will sit, buckled in tightly. If you try to come over the seat I’ll stop you, know that and we’ll head straight back home.”

“Okay, that’s fine. Can we go now? Please, I need to do this.”

Mick nodded and the three of them headed out the door. Mick watched Clark’s reactions and he seemed fine. But the scents in the air were limited here, not like how it would be on the street. Mick tried to control his worry about it all and he suddenly had a feeling that they shouldn’t do this. He opened his mouth to speak but when he saw how happy Clark was with this possibility he quickly closed it and hoped for the best.

Mick and Beth shared a look that could have been trepidation or resignation, neither one of them was sure. They both knew that if he was really determined to get out of that car, locked doors or Mick probably couldn’t stop him. Neither would a window.

“Okay, let’s do this.” Mick slid into the passenger seat and heard the ‘click’ as Beth disabled the window and door locks in the back. Beth handed Clark an insulated cup full of blood to help keep the blood lust away. Hopefully…

Sooner than they suspected they knew whether he was ready.



OOOOOOOOOOOO



Home



As soon as Logan walked into the house Audrey let out a scream and ran to him, jumping into his arms and wrapping her legs around his waist as she kissed him just as he’d dreamed of for weeks. She tasted of peppermint or a hint of it anyway he thought as her soft tongue stroked his. Both of them managed to ignore a cacophony of kitty sounds for a full minute before both cats started demanding attention as they best knew how – by climbing up Logan’s legs.

“Ouch! Hey you two little fiends, watch the claws. He grinned and set Audrey down and picked up the boys, cradling each one in an arm. “Okay, okay, I’ve missed you too!” he laughed.

The whole family sat down on the couch, snuggling warmly together and the happy purrs of the boys made a comforting background sound as he and Audrey kissed again.

“Oh, Logan, I’ve missed you so much! I know it’s necessary for you to be with Clark, and I don’t mind, really but I’m so happy you’re home, for a little while anyway.”

“I know exactly how you feel, Audey. Every night, when it’s quiet especially I can’t get you out of my mind. Girl, I really need you,” he said, tracing a finger tip down her cheek. He looked down at the boys who were now sleeping next to him and added, “Let’s slip away from them, shall we?”

She couldn’t resist the rakish grin that he was wearing and a tingle of anticipation streaked through her deliciously, heightening her senses. Logan was the only thing in her world right now and she silently stood and held her hand out to him.

Plato and Travis stirred for a brief moment before settling back down into kitty dreamland. Neither heard the bedroom close with a firm click or the sounds of the giggles that neither Audrey nor Logan could hold back.

Romance was forgotten at this point, shed as quickly as their clothing. This was about need, pure, blazing desire, which was quickly sated for both of them. They both lay catching their breath afterwards, each wearing huge smiles.

“Sorry, Audey. Uh, kinda wrecked that one.”

She giggled and rolled over onto him, wriggling her hips against his immediately responding manhood. “No off switch, remember?” She bent over to kiss him; the erotic feel of her breasts against his chest brought a moan of desire to both of them.

Audrey slipped him into her eager body, trembling from the intimate contact as she sank down and sheathed him completely. She leaned back as she moved on him, eliciting a long sigh from Logan. Even in the dim light of the room he could see her neck, stretching upward with her efforts.

The beauty and grace of her neck transfixed him and his fangs lengthened with the need to bite, to let his vampire side out. Still, he restrained himself and placed his hands on her hips in order to guide her movement. Faster, quicker they moved until Logan suddenly turned her over and settled between her thighs, taking control. He kissed her, passionately setting them both on fire. Their tongues dueled and then grew softer as the danced the dance of lovers, softly stroking one another’s.

He slowed the movement of their bodies, thrusting deeply and deliberately until they both were ready for the bite. Audrey was crying his name, asking, begging for release and she let out a keen cry of satisfaction as she felt his bite. On and on it went, both of them crashing together in a sea of passionate fulfillment.

In the morning Logan opened one eye and found Travis staring at him as he licked his rough tongue over Logan’s rougher cheek. He turned his head and saw Audrey staring at him wearing a mile wide smile.

“Not funny, Audey! Why did you let the fur kids in here?” he grumbled.

“Sorry, but I didn’t.”

“Then how they hell did they get in here?” he asked, trying to move his foot but finding it blocked by Plato’s body, lying comfortably between his legs.

“Honestly, Logan, I don’t know!” she said and he knew she was speaking the truth. He sighed and looked at the two cats, eyeing them suspiciously. “Okay, I don’t know which one of you was Houdini in a former life but a closed door means to stay out!

He knew for just a moment Travis’ eyes flashed silver. He was sure of it.



To be continued.