Dawn Reclaimed

"No I'm not eating. But, I would like to talk to Janine if she's around."

Anna dipped out a generous helping of garlic chicken and a side of rice and steamed green beans. Passing it under Claire's nose as she carried the plate to the table.

Claire took a big sniff. Automatically tracking the heavenly aroma of garlic and spices. Her mouth watered like Pavlov's dog in response. "I suppose I could have a taste or two." She followed Anna's gesture and sat at the table next to a woman, human, she'd never met.

"Hi, I'm Gina."

"Claire."

"Hunter has told me about you. And I've met Grant. He is a nice guy. You've got yourself a good catch with him."

"I think so," Claire mumbled through a mouthful of chicken. Anna was an excellent cook. She guessed the myth about vampires and garlic wasn't true after all.

"So you don't mind if I crash your party Friday?" Gina asked hesitantly. Anna had demanded that she attend. Insisting that participating in a social function was therapeutic for her.

"Not at all. Please, feel free to come," Claire said. Sampling the green beans, she took a bite. The green beans were heavenly, seasoned with onion and bits of sautéed mushrooms.

Gina shot Claire a smile. "Thanks." She sipped on her tea and glanced out of the corner of her eye at the bride to be.

"So, what are you doing here?" Claire asked casually through a mouthful of rice. Gina wore a low-necked blouse. No markings on the right side of her neck. She wasn't a donor. But, Claire had her doubts if humans were allowed to hang out at the compound as they pleased.

By the end of the conversation, Claire wished she hadn't asked. Gina was open about her ordeal and everything she'd suffered. She was the woman Grant had been searching for. The woman he'd rescued, along with his brother, from the very pits of hell. "So what are your plans now?"

Gina sighed. Talking to Claire was easy. She was a good listener. Encouraging her to continue her story with nods and cues. Getting it all off her chest. Telling someone who was as human and normal as she validated her experiences. "That's what I'm trying to figure out."

Claire nodded her head in understanding. How could Gina's life ever go back to where it was before? How could she ignore everything she'd experienced and saw? Pretend it never happened. And that vampires and werewolves didn't exist? She found a fast and furious friend in Gina. Soon they were chatting about anything and everything over a shared meal. Throughout the meal, she noticed that Gina ate with a clear plastic spoon. In fact, there was no silverware anywhere to be seen outside of the kitchen. She thought it was odd, but kept her mouth shut. Assuming that there was some sort of an untold reason for the lack of cutlery. "I really should be going," she said as she scooted out her chair. "It was nice meeting you."

"You too." Gina said as Claire gathered up her dishes. "I'll see you Friday."

Claire rinsed her dish and deposited it in the dishwasher. Eying the start of an immense three-tiered cake and glancing at the picture the cake artist was trying to recreate. The cake was a tall, elaborate work of art. Towering on ornately carved columns. Covered with delicate ivory colored icing flowers and lacework of caramelized spun sugar. Way too pretty to eat.

"Are you snooping in my kitchen?" Anna asked, pretending to be annoyed.

Claire smiled and nodded. No use to lie when she had been caught red handed. "Sorry."

"Out," Anna ordered. Playfully pushing Claire toward the rec room, she didn't make it very far before Claire was surrounded. Candace and Chris had sniffed Claire out and were cooing and going all misty eyed over the baby bump. Kayla and Angel weren't too far behind. Kayla went right for Claire, smoothing her hands over Claire's round stomach while Angel kept a cautious distance.

Claire gritted her teeth as strangers fondled her belly. She was drowning in a sea of estrogen and soft, feminine coos. Embarrassed that no one seemed to be able to leave her big, belly alone. She took it in stride. Sure, these women were vampires. But, among them there wasn't a mean bone in their bodies. And it never hurt to stay on the good side of potential babysitters.

"Ah there's my lovely little pregnant lady. I just finished getting my ass kicked again. I'm ready to go home and lick my wounds." Grant winked as he tossed a ten at Patrick. He was done betting twenties. Losing tens was painful enough.

"Take me home and maybe I'll lick them for you," Claire teased. Her comment earned a wave of catcalls and chuckles from the men and giggles from the women, making her blush deep magenta.

Grant snorted. Recalling last nights love fest. "Well, what are you standing around for?" He grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the door. "See you guys later. I've got to get my wounds tended to."

"See ya, loser," Patrick called after Grant.

Hunter could not believe what he'd gotten himself into. The top of his head barely peeked over the tote loaded down with silverware. Three compartments neatly divided into compartments, holding forks, knives, and spoons. To his left was a towering stack of powder blue napkins. Janine patiently explained how to make a silverware roll correctly. She demonstrated. Produced a bundle of neatly rolled silverware. Slid a silver napkin ring around the bundle. And tossed the bundle into a bin. She had suckered him into this stupid waste of time. Claiming that the exercise would be therapeutic for Gina. Gina stood at the far end of the table with a horrified expression spread across her face. Clumsily, Hunter tried to imitate her motions. "Janine, this is stupid. With your super vampire speed you could have this whole stack done in ten minutes or less."

"That's not the point," Janine corrected. Frowning at Hunter's lame attempt at creating a silverware roll, she grabbed the bundle and demonstrated the proper technique again. "See."

Hunter grumbled under his breath and tried again. His second attempt didn't look any better than his first. "Damn it."

"Keep trying. Practice makes perfect," Janine said as she fluttered out of the room. She had bigger and better things to tend to than making silverware rolls.

"Hunter." Gina said. Resting her trembling fingers on his hand. "Let me." Shakily, she took the mangled napkin out of his hand and smoothed it. The silverware clanked together noisily as she positioned it in the center of the napkin and folded the edges. Rolling and sliding the napkin ring in place, she exhaled in triumph. "I worked in a diner for a while in high school."

"I'll gather up the silverware and napkin. You roll," Hunter said.

"Ok." Gina was conquering her fear. With each clank of the knife and fork and each turn of the napkin, it got easier and easier. Before long, she wasn't shaking and about to vomit at the sight of silverware. After an hour of disciplined and practiced rolling, the tote was almost full. She had accomplished her goal. Silverware was her friend again. "That wasn't so bad."

"You're getting better," Hunter agreed. She was almost ready to leave. Each day she grew stronger and stronger. He was proud of her for not giving up. He wished for an excuse to keep her at his side a little longer. But, he didn't have one. Letting her go was the best thing for the both of them.

Chapter 70

Grant awoke to the sound of slamming drawers and hangers scuffling across the rod. "What are you doing?"

"Finally unpacking," Claire answered. Neatly organizing her sock drawer, she intended to have everything done by noon. She felt great today. Energetic. And the disheveled state of their shared rooms was driving her nuts. She woke up about six exuberant and ready to go. The baby's room was cleaned from top to bottom. The crib tidy and covered in the cutest baby quilt she'd ever seen. Everything and anything she'd need for the baby ready to go. Including the outfit she planned to dress him in for his ride home. "I'm going shopping this morning."

"I thought Thomas told you to take it easy?"

"Thomas is taking me." She shrank under Grant's disapproving glare. "Who better to accompany me than a doctor? I don't have the first thing bought and the wedding is this week. I can't take you shopping since you're the one I'm shopping for now can I?"

"The only present I want is you safe, healthy, and happy," Grant retorted. Throwing back the covers and yawning, he asked, "Claire, it's only eight o'clock. Where are you going?"

"I don't have to meet Thomas till ten. But, I figured I'd swing by the house and grab a few things." She answered cheerfully, gathering up her purse and car keys. She gave Grant's hair a gentle tug and gave him a quick peck on the lips. "See you this afternoon."

"Claire, do you need any help at the house? I don't want you lifting anything heavy."

"I won't. I need some post pregnancy clothes here for afterwards. Trust me. I'm not going to stay a blimp after the baby is born. It's going to be diet and working out everyday until I can wear my favorite jeans again."

"Claire, you look fine."

Clare grinned at Grant's lame attempt to make her feel better. "I don't want to look fine. I want to look FINE." She said, placing particular emphasis on fine and slapping her butt playfully.

"You'd better get going before I show you exactly how FINE I think you are." He stood, revealing his thick and hard length. His cock was bulging to fullness and ready to go to work.. "See. He agrees. We like the junk in that pregnant woman's trunk."

Claire snorted and waggled her fingers at him. "See ya." She said, shutting the door after her before Grant could kick up much of a protest. The morning air was crisp and fresh. The sun was just peeking over the horizon bathing the sky in brilliant rays of gold and orange. The tress glittered like gems with a sheen of dew covering their branches. She inhaled. Today was going to be a beautiful day.

Grant had kicked up just enough of a fuss at Claire's leaving to keep her from becoming suspicious, or worse, staying him under his feet pouting. He whipped out his cell phone and was dressed in minutes, heading for the bluffs.

"Jan, why don't you like Thomas?" Ginger asked curiously. Eying her newly adopted trainee over the rim of a Styrofoam cup.

"Who?"

"Doctor Sterling."

"Oh, Doctor Prickenstein?"

Ginger burst out laughing at that one, wiping a dribble of coffee off her chin. "The hospital board of directors would be mortified. So what'd he ever do to you?"

"He breathes."

"Awww, come on." Ginger coaxed, "Tell Mama Ginger all about it."

"There's nothing to tell. It's not that I don't like him. But, I don't like him. And what's up with him and Claire? I've seen the way he looks at her. Do they have a history?"

Ginger scoffed, "He wishes. Claire is the proverbial one that got away." Ginger tossed her cup in the trash and reapplied her cinnamon colored lipstick carefully. Smacking her lips at the mirror to smear the greasy stuff around. "Really, you should give him a chance. He's not that bad."

"Ah, thanks but, no. Are we going to do any work today or not?" Grabbing her stethoscope, she draped it around her neck. Doctor Sterling was off today and she was not going to waste her time thinking about him anymore than she had to.

"Oh I guess. If we must," Ginger huffed teasingly. There were strong emotions emanating from Jan. Ginger lifted an eyebrow. Strong emotions, even if they were hate. Were better than no emotion at all. At least she had some raw material to work with.

Thomas dutifully pushed the cart behind Claire as she tossed items in, thought for a moment, put them back and selected something else. Why did he ever agree to go with her? He banged his head against the wall as she picked up, inspected a purple sweater, put it back, and then picked it up again. "What do you think about this for Ginger?"

Thomas snickered and snatched a leopard print satin blouse off the rack with a neckline that plunged down to no man's land. "This is more Ginger's style."

Claire snickered, "Thomas, I'm serious."

Thomas raised a brow. "So am I. If she hates it, you can tell her that I picked it out. If she loves it, I'll let you take the credit."

Claire stuck the purple sweater back on the rack and grabbed a black knit blazer from a nearby display. "What about this?" She asked, sliding the blouse under the blazer. "That's classy right?"

Thomas shrugged. People really were going to think he was gay if he hung out in the women's clothing section much longer. "As classy as it gets for the Super Center, I guess. It looks fine. Can we go?"

Claire eyed the contents of her cart. She had picked out a heavily scented candle as a thank you for Janine. A pair of thick, flannel lined, winter jeans for her dad. For Mouse, she chose a delicate, heart shaped, gold tone locket. Her mom was getting her usual bottle of overpriced perfume. Thank God the Super Center started carrying the wretched smelling stuff. For everyone, she bought a new game for the entertainment center. She'd even managed to slide Thomas's present into the cart while he wasn't looking. She was the bride. But, she just wanted to buy something for the people closest to her as a way of saying thanks. But, for Grant, she'd found nothing. "What am I going to get for Grant?"

"Might I suggest a box of rat poison? It's on sale today. How about a nice, sharp axe? A matching noose and stool combo?" Thomas prattled off his list. Sounded like perfect gifts for Grant.

"Thomas that's not very nice." Claire chastised. She knew Thomas and Grant had their difficulties in the past. But, she thought they'd called a truce and moved beyond all that. Apparently, she was wrong.

"Sorry. I skipped breakfast today and I'm getting punchy. Claire," Thomas whined. "We've been in here for hours."

"And you haven't bought a thing." Claire dragged the cart and a whimpering Thomas out of the women's clothing section. "I'm almost done." She pushed the cart deeper into the store. There had to be something. Cologne, she wrinkled her nose, Grant smelled perfect without it. A new flannel shirt and a pair of jeans, he had dozens of them.

Then, while ambling through the home décor section, she saw it. The perfect gift, sat forlorn and forgotten on the shelf. Discounted at fifty percent off. A relic left over from Father's Day. But, it was perfect.

A small five by seven picture frame made out of worn and weathered barn wood. "World's Greatest Dad" was carved into the wood across the bottom of the frame. She could get a picture of her first ultrasound blown up and slide it into the frame. Her idea was absolutely perfect in its simplicity and in her price range, which was dwindling by the minute. She fished in her purse and found the wallet-sized printout. "Come on," she said, dragging the cart and Thomas to the photo center.

Thomas dumped the bags into the trunk of her Mustang. Total time spent in the Super Center? Two hours and twenty-six minutes.

Claire put the car in reverse and blew out a sigh of relief. Her shopping was over and in the nick of time. The car was cold and blessedly quiet after the noisy hustle and bustle of the store. "I'll let you pick where we're eating since I tortured you so severely today."

"Anyplace quiet." Thomas answered, rubbing his temples. He did what little shopping he did online. He absolutely hated shopping. To have a chance to get Claire to himself for a few hours had made any torment he endured well worth it. "How about that new place on the corner of Fifth and Main?"

"Ok." Claire backed out of the spot and inched through the line of cars waiting at the stoplight. "I've eaten there before. The food is good." She glanced at the clock in the dash, "The lunch crowd should be gone by now."

"Good." Thomas huffed, settling in for the five-minute ride to the Square. He needed quiet. For what it was worth, which was probably nothing, he was going to give it one last shot. He couldn't surrender to Grant without knowing he'd given it every last bit of effort that he had in him. The things that he was going to say required a quiet, private, uninterrupted place.

Gina wandered through the halls. Contemplating the leftovers of her shattered life. She hadn't seen Hunter all morning. Her instincts told her that he was lurking around the cavernous halls somewhere. For the first time since waking up in the aftermath of her capture, she was alone and she had no idea of what to do with herself. She actually thought that she might be bored. She hadn't been bored in so long that she scarcely remembered what the emotion felt like.

She should be shaking in her boots about returning to the city. A part of her was. She couldn't stick around here and hide out forever. What else was she supposed to do with her life except move on? What choice did she really have? She was taking small preliminary baby steps to prepare herself for leaving.

The vampires had dutifully produced her PC and provided her with an Internet connection. For the moment, her checking account was still in the black. Her bills for the month mysteriously had already been paid. How they did it? Hacked into her accounts, she didn't know. But, she was grateful to whoever had helped her out and paid her debts for the month. So, she kept her mouth shut about the violation of her privacy and didn't bitch. She was going to need the extra little boost to her account to start over.

She'd polished up her resume and posted it on the web. There wasn't much out there and little hope that she'd land a new job anytime soon. She scrolled through vacant apartment listings. Until she knew what kind of job she was going to end up with, she was going to stay where she was. She'd be damned if she'd wait on a deserted train platform after dark, ever again.

She didn't own a car, too expensive and impractical for the inner city. She was within walking distance to her job from her apartment. And wherever her job was, that's where she'd live, within walking distance. Fully armed with pepper spray, a whistle, and a few self-defense techniques that Hunter had taught her.

Gina heard light footsteps fall into place beside her. She didn't so much see him as sense him at her side. "Hi, Hunter. I was wondering where you were."

"I had things to take care of," Hunter answered briefly.

"Oh?"

"You looked like you were in deep thought about something," Hunter said. Curious about the thoughts rolling around in her head and more than willing to deflect her attention off of him, he asked, "What were you thinking about?"

"Life."

"Heavy subject. Care to elaborate?"

"What's going to happen when I go home?" Gina stopped in the hall and looked up at him. "What things are going to be like?"

"So, you are planning to leave." Hunter asked masking the tension in his voice behind a mask of cold, impartiality.

"Everyone has been so generous to me. I can't keep imposing on their kindness. It's not right."

"Of course you can! Its our fault that you ended up in that mess in the first place!" He bellowed. Hunter regretted the words the minute they slipped out of his mouth. She didn't know. She thought her attack was a random act, and in part, only in part, it was. No one had told her the why behind her suffering.

"What are you talking about?" Gina asked. Crossing her arms over her chest. Hugging herself, she said, "The man was a complete nut case. It wasn't anyone's fault."

Hunter wrapped his fingers around her arm and dragged her to the first open door he saw. "Yes it was." He sat her down on a plush velvet sofa upholstered in a rich, forest green color. Shelves filled with books lined the walls. Every book from contemporary fiction to ancient history was crammed on the shelves. He stared down at the thick wine colored carpet. "The man was looking for bait. Gina, you were the bait."