Dawn's Innocence

"Kid, you're not helping. Eat your pancake," Alexander grumbled as Leigh slapped his hand when he tried for another slice of bacon.

Erica hid her chuckle behind her napkin. Aunt Leigh and Uncle Alexander hadn't changed one bit. Sure, they were older, but no two people were ever more right together. She pushed away from the table before she gorged herself on pancakes and Aunt Leigh's peach preserves. God was it good to be home again. "I've got to get ready. Fallon, don't give your great-aunt and uncle too much trouble today."

"I won't, mom," Fallon promised. She slipped the paper towel into the pocket of her nightgown and dug into the soggy pancake on her plate. Giggling as her mom got her hand swatted for trying to help clear the table. The sooner she ate and got dressed, the sooner she could go out and play with her new friend. She chewed furiously and gulped down her milk as her aunt washed the dishes, her mom went out to make her way in the world, and her uncle read the weekly paper.

Alexander glanced up from his newspaper and frowned at the empty platter. Leigh was busy with her back turned washing the dishes and he'd ear marked those two lonely pieces of bacon for himself. Fallon chewed innocently, as if she hadn't known he'd been waiting for an opportunity to present itself. They sat across the table from each other, staring one another down, her chewing and him, flicking the pages of his paper, and each of them wondering what to make of the other.

"Uncle Alexander, after I get dressed, can I go outside and play?" Fallon asked.

"You know there's bears in the woods, right Fallon?"

"Alexander!" Leigh hissed. She flicked suds at him off the tips of her fingernails. "Fallon, there are no bears in the woods. I think what your uncle is trying to say is that you shouldn't wander off too far from the house."

Alexander looked over the top of his paper and waggled his eyebrows at Fallon, mouthing the word 'bears' at her.

Fallon giggled behind her hand. "May I go outside?"

Alexander rolled his eyes and nodded. "Yes, Fallon, by all means go outside. But, seriously, don't wander off." Fallon practically ran to her bedroom to change clothes. Kid probably hadn't breathed a breath of fresh air or just been turned loose to play in her entire life. She'd probably never had the chance to get dirty or simply run until her legs gave out before. Out in the barn behind a stack of old junk...and wasn't it a good thing he never got rid of anything...was Alex's first bicycle, training wheels and all. With a project in mind he sauntered over to the counter and gave Leigh a peck on the cheek.

She was busy peeling enough potatoes to feed the entire fifth infantry of this man's army and then some. She was happy with their lives, but with Erica and Fallon underneath their roof, there was a contentment about her he hadn't seen in years. He nuzzled her neck and worked his way down to her shoulder. "You know, it feels good to have a kid in the house again. Maybe, we should get busy making a little sister or brother for Alex."

Leigh snickered as Alexander worked his hands underneath her blouse and trapped her against the sink with his groin pressed firmly against her butt. "Alexander that ship sailed a long time ago." She giggled, wiggling her hips and loving the effect it had on him.

Alexander gathered his wife up in a big bear hug and smothered her with kisses. "Sure did, but wouldn't it be fun to try? I've heard practice makes perfect and well, I've had lots and lots of practice. So, I figure I'm pretty damn good."

"That you are, Alexander, that you are. But, you know, there are some disadvantages to having a kid in the house again."

Alexander grunted and tightened the sash on his robe. "True, very true. Tonight, me and you...what do you say we go to bed extra early," he said with a wink.

Leigh winked back and blew Alexander a kiss. "It's a date."

Alexander caught the air kiss in his fist and held it to his heart. "A date it is."

Chapter 67

Jan studied the pretty iridescent wrapping paper she'd bought to wrap her mom and Nash's wedding present with. Was it too much? Too frilly? Her wedding had been so impromptu that there hadn't been time for anyone to purchase gifts let alone wrap them. The wedding was tomorrow and she wanted everything down to the last bow and ribbon to be perfect.

She hated the fact that the dress she'd picked out to wear, a pretty pastel pink maternity dress, made her look like a wad of cotton candy on a stick. But, she'd rather wear the dress than be in labor on her mom's big day. She rubbed her swollen tummy and propped her feet up on the neighboring kitchen chair. Fretting over things that were out of control. She'd already ventured out to the Super Center and bought the dress, the wrapping paper, and the present. Things were what they were. Too much. Too little. Too bad. She was severely pregnicapped and deserved a break now and then.

Thomas enjoyed being home with his pregnant wife. He'd put in to take the next few weeks off for paternity leave just to be with her. He felt a little guilty, dumping his caseload on the new interns. But, they wouldn't kill anybody. More accurately, his nurses wouldn't let them kill anybody. Besides, he wasn't completely out of commission yet. He still had a few private patients that required his services. And he was handling them and their extreme condition with the greatest of attention.

"I've got to go to the compound today and check on Shayla. She should be due, if my calculations are right, next week or the week after. I only hope she doesn't go early or you go late and I'm delivering two babies at once. Wouldn't that be a hoot?" He gasped in pretend shock, "What if that happens and I get the babies mixed up?"

"I thought Shayla was having a boy."

"She is."

"I thought we were having a girl."

"I thought you didn't want to know the sex of our baby. Have you been peeking at your chart, Nurse Sterling?"

"No, the pink paint in the nursery is a pretty big hint though."

"Over the top?"

Jan smiled as Thomas gave her a peck on the cheek. "Of course not."

"What'd we buy them?" He asked gesturing to the bag on the table and the wrapping paper.

"A photo album."

"Nice. Hey, I've gotta run. Can't keep my patients waiting."

"Ok babe, see you later."

Jan cut the paper and folded the edges carefully. She was a nurse, not a present wrapper. The wrapping job looked awful. But, she wasn't going back for more paper. Her best was going to have to do. She should have bought a gift bag instead. Hard to screw that up. Today, her mom would be at the bluffs with Kacie and Nash. Barking out orders and exerting her authority as her poor minions set up for the wedding. Pregniapped wasn't a necessarily a bad thing. She didn't have to deal with bridezilla or the bridesmaid from hell until tomorrow morning.

Shayla poked her head in on Carter. "Hi. You certainly look better." He was stretched out on the bed. A pair of jeans clung to his narrow hips and a button down rested open against his muscular chest. His hair was clean and styled and he'd taken time to shave. His skin had its normal healthy translucent glow and his eyes were bright and clear, filled with mischief and want. "You found ..ah, something to eat?"

"You can say it. Yes, I drank from someone." Carter scooted over and patted the empty space on the bed beside him. "Come on in. I feel perfectly fine."

"What about?" She pointed to her bulging stomach.

"I'm learning to deal with it. Besides being around you calms me. The theory is that once the baby is born, the presence will cease completely and I'll be one hundred percent me again."

Shayla waddled over to the side of the bed and hefted her swollen body onto the mattress. "What happens then? Will you go back to the city?"

"I don't honestly know. Somehow, I've found a few things around here very worthy of my attention." Carter reached around her stomach carefully and drew her into the bend of his hip.

"Are you any good at changing diapers?"

"Diapers? Ah... I didn't know that I would be responsible for the infant's care."

"You're not, but sometimes, accidents happen."

"Diapers?"

"Diapers." Shayla nodded. Grinning at the look of sheer terror and abhorrence on his face. "You do know how to change a diaper don't you? Its not that hard to figure out."

"I can learn."

"Good, then I'll save the first one for you. For practice." She wiggled out of his arms. "I'm on my way for my weekly exam. Want to come? I bet you'll be able to listen to the baby's heartbeat."

Carter smiled and reached for her as she slid out of his grasp. "I can already hear it."

"Damn vampire," Shayla teased.

"Insufferable werewolf," Carter countered. Smiling as she waddled out of the room. He was at peace, for once. For the moment, he let it all go and enjoyed the feeling. Not knowing how long the sensation of contentment and calm would last. He had a life that he'd left rather abruptly, that he had to get back to at some point. However, today was not the day.

Chapter 68

Kacie stretched and yawned. For a minute all cares and worries were out of her weary head. The fight with Tristen had left her feeling empty and exhausted. Maybe it was the way he looked down his nose at her and snubbed her. What did he think she was doing at the compound last night? She really didn't have to ask. She knew what he thought she'd been doing all night. Did he really think so little of her moral fiber that he thought she'd drop her pants at the first chance she got? Screw him.

She glanced at the clock and patted her growling stomach. The argument with Tristen had driven out any desire to eat breakfast and she'd slept through lunch. The thought of sitting next to Tristen and his 'moral superiority' at the supper table left her nauseated.

The house around her was quiet. She heard the chatter of kids going about their daily studies drifting up from the basement. The pounding of hammers and the buzz of saws gave hint that most everyone was outside helping to construct the addition. She pretty much had the main part of the house to herself. Tristen, Nash, her mom and probably a small army were out at the bluffs getting things ready for tomorrow. If she was going to eat, she had to do it now or never.

Hunger won over her pride and she threw back the covers determined to find something to eat. She wasn't looking forward to being summoned by her mother to attend the practice ceremony. Walking up the aisle on Tristen's arm was something she'd do, because she had to. She'd behave herself as long as he did. Even if he didn't, she would be the better person. Just to show him exactly where he could stuff all that moral superiority he toted around.

She was still a bit wobbly although the hours of uninterrupted sleep had definitely helped. Her body was achy and her head still hurt, but at least her aches and pains had calmed to a tolerable roar. She didn't want to think about how much Carter had taken from her or exactly how close she had been to being drained dry as a prune. He wasn't going to tell, that was for sure. Too much, was an understatement, no doubt.

"Mom, I wasn't expecting you here," Kacie said in surprise. "Why aren't you at the bluffs?" She asked as she made her way to the kitchen and rummaged through the fridge for something to eat.

"Janine threw me out," Eloise moaned dejectedly. "I'm supposed to go back around three, with you, for the practice run." She bumped her daughter out of the way and gathered up the makings of her special southwestern hash. The dish was one of Kacie's favorites and there was no better way to soften her daughter up for what she was about to ask.

"You mean to tell me you couldn't handle one pushy vampire?" Kacie snickered. Her mother commanded hundreds during her time as a pack mistress only to be stymied by one pushy female.

"Janine isn't just a pushy vampire. She's like a typhoon on hyperdrive." Eloise said as she chopped onions and tossed them into a skillet to sauté with some peppers, garlic, and butter.

"Are you making that for me?" Kacie asked. Standing on her toes to peer over her mother's shoulder, she inhaled the aroma radiating from the cast iron skillet. Southwest hash was beyond a doubt her favorite meal. Her stomach roared as her mom added bits of diced ham, cracked a few eggs, shredded some potatoes, and dropped them to the mix. Her mom had not made the dish for her since...well, Kacie couldn't remember when her mom had made it last.

"Of course." Eloise smiled and added some cayenne pepper and shredded co-jack cheese to the mix. "Kacie, I'm very proud of what you did for Carter last night."

"Thanks mom." Kacie pressed a quick peck to her mother's smooth cheek and gave her a light squeeze around the middle. Something she hadn't done since she was a little girl. The gesture of her mom making her breakfast made her feel good, secure and loved.

Eloise rested her head on Kacie's shoulder for a second while she waited for the eggs to finish cooking. "Here we are." She said, smiling as she reached for a plate and scooped out the contents of the skillet. "Eat up."

Kacie eagerly took the plate out of her mom's hand and snatched up two forks from the drawer. Pausing at the fridge to grab a carton of orange juice on her way to the dining room table. Her mouth watered in anticipation as she forked up the first bite. The flavors burst into an array of spices in her mouth, reminding her of home. "It's good. Have some," she said, passing a fork to her mom.

The women ate sharing the heaping plate of hash until it had been completely devoured. They giggled and talked like old friends wiling away the minutes until the hour struck two. Then Eloise turned serious. "Kacie, please do me a favor. For the next twenty-four or so hours can you try to get along with Tristen?"

"I do try to, mom. He makes it almost impossible. You should have seen his face when he figured out I didn't come home last night and smelled where I'd been. I think he actually looked down his nose at me. What right does he have to judge anything I think or do?" Kacie stiffened, suddenly defensive.

"Honey, I don't think he was judging you. I think he was worried. Tristen cares about you a great deal. You don't understand how much you mean to him. This spat between you two will pass, but in the meantime, I won't have it wrecking my wedding." Eloise's voice was stern, her touch, fingertips pressed on her daughter's thin shoulder, was gentle.

Kacie's shoulders sagged. "If he thinks so much of me why does he make everything so difficult? I don't get it."

Eloise smiled a gentle, knowing smile at her little girl. "Honey, this relationship between you two is only as difficult as you let it be. You and Tristen are polar opposites. That's what draws you together and that's also what creates the tension between that tears you apart. You are going to have to learn to roll with it and ride the wave wherever it takes you. That is, if you think Tristen is worth it and you want to keep him."

Kacie sighed and drained the rest of the carton of orange juice. "Mom, I'm not so sure that I still have him to keep."

"Kacie, Tristen is not going to give you up without a fight, wait and see." Eloise squeezed Kacie's hand in excitement. "Now, lets go practice a wedding."

Chapter 69

Torr riffled through the duffel bag he'd strategically placed in the depths of the woods. He slid on his jeans and wriggled into a t-shirt and a button down and stuffed his feet into his boots. He trembled with excitement. He smelled the wolf sleeping dormant beneath Fallon's skin. At some point in the next ten years or so, her wolf would spring free.

Fallon took after her mother's side of the family with the red tint to her hair so common in the Gray family line. She was not a strawberry blonde like her mom. Fallon's hair was a springy mass of pretty auburn curls that shone like fire in the morning sunrise. She had angelic cheeks, ruddy with the morning chill and a pert little nose. He saw some representation of himself in her as well. Her eyes were like his, an intense indescribable shade of navy blue. Their lips curled similarly when they smiled. He ran a finger along his jaw and felt the dimple in his chin. She had the same dimple.

He wanted to shout with pride and race back to the ranch. He longed to hold her in his arms and give her a tight squeeze. Promise never to let her go and to be the daddy that she'd never had. He could make up for the ten years they'd missed together. He could lavish her with love and affection. Dote on her like a loving father should. He would protect her with his life and do his best to make sure his little girl never knew a day of sadness again. All of his excited plans and hopeful thoughts hinged on one thing though, her mother.

He exhaled the breath he realized that he'd been holding and sat on a damp, moss covered log. Erica. She had no reason to trust him. Things hadn't ended well between them. In fact, they'd never ended or begun at all. What was he thinking? Rushing in to save the day and claim the little girl as his? Fallon didn't even know he existed, at least, not in his human form.

Just exactly what was he going to say to Erica? How could he explain what he'd been up to and where he'd been for the last decade? Groaning, he ran a hand through his thick tangle of black matted waves. How was he going to tell her what he was? Not that she'd ever believe him anyway. What words would he use to explain what would happen to their daughter in a few short years?

So many things he would have done differently, if only he'd known for certain that their one night together had produced a child. It was a little too late for that now. He was going to have to do the only thing he could, move forward and not look back.

His head snapped up in attention as he heard the sounds of tiny feet moving through the thin underbrush that bordered the woods and the gentle sounds of a little girl's voice whispering for what she thought was a dog. At least, she could accept him with four legs and fur. For now, his wolf was the only way he had to be close to his daughter. He slid the button down and the t-shirt into the backpack and stuffed his jeans and boots in on top of them. Sighing, as he gave his body back over to his wolf. Stealing back a few moments of the precious years he'd lost.

Fallon smiled gleefully as the sleek body gracefully emerged from the woods. "There you are." Broken bits of bacon rested in her palm as she coaxed the dog out of his hiding place amongst the poplars, maples, and pines. "I brought you something. I know it isn't much, but I have to be careful not to get caught. If my mom finds out about you, she'll call the dog catcher and he'll take you away."

The dog's nose was cool on her palm. His tongue hot and damp, licking away the salty, greasy residue left from the bacon off her skin. Gingerly, she ran her fingers through the sleek fur on the tips of his ears. "Don't worry, dog. I'm thinking of a name for you. After all, you are my best friend now."

The wolf sighed in contentment when the little girl wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a big squeeze. The wolf dropped on all fours and lounged on the ground. Gently, with his front teeth, he tugged on the belt loop of her jeans, pulling her down onto the grass beside him.

Fallon curled up next to the dog, resting her head on the soft down of his coat. The birds chattered noisily in the trees above them. Spring was heavy and fragrant in the gentle breeze. She stretched her legs and relaxed against the dog's big body. Her head bobbed up and down with every deep breath he took.

Together, they watched white fluffy clouds drift across a clear blue sky. The sun shone down on them. Lazily making its way deeper and deeper into the western horizon. She let her mind wander. Trying out possible names for her new best friend. Nothing she thought of seemed to fit. He was too special for just an ordinary dog name like Spot or Rover.