Dawn's Shelter

Doc just was who he was. Gorgeous in an unassuming way a man who had never considered himself much to look at often was. With his hair down, the hard angular planes of his jaw and the sharp hawk like curve of his nose weren't as pronounced. The softness in his face made his lips fuller and softer. He tolerated her ministrations. His brows wrinkled as she rubbed at a spot of ink on his cheek with her spit-dampened fingertip. He had the longest lashes she'd ever seen on a man. Thick and luxurious, they veiled his eyes and the hint of interest she saw flair in their tawny depths. She plucked the loaded pocket protector out of the front pocket of his shirt and gave his collar a quick straightening.

There wasn't much more she could do for him. He was a contradiction of terms, old and new and misfit who just fit. A fearless man terrified of his innermost passions, cool and reserved, but burning hot. And she wouldn't have him any other way. "That's better."

Doc could still feel the warmth of Barbara's hands on him though she'd stepped away. His cheek burned where she'd rubbed away the smudge of ink. He missed the bulk of his pocket protector full of writing implements weighting down his shirt. His hair felt foreign to him, the ends dangling free over his shoulders. He wanted to bat her busy hands away. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and smother her with kisses. She was his contradiction. His greatest conflict. She was new woman of this era, so fierce and determined. And he was the literal old fashioned man stuck someplace in a time in the distant past. He'd never belonged in this age. And if not for the wonder of the science of it he might have been tempted to opt out at the razors edge of the brotherhood's blades.

Every time he actually considered it. Some new discovery would catch his interest and he'd hang on just to see what happened next. He lived year by year, decade by decade, never really sure when he'd decide he'd finally have his fill of life and end it. Barbara wasn't a scientific discovery but one of chemistry. And whatever it was between them was enough to not only catch his fleeting interest but keep it.

He'd never understood what drew her to him. He was stodgy, set in his ways, older than dirt and he didn't give a damn for modern convention or fashion. He beamed at her praise. 'That's better' wasn't much of a complement. But, from her, he placed a lot of value in the words. She was so well put together. Not a hair out of place, the blonde silky strands styled in a popular, timely style. Her dress was conservative yet revealing enough to draw the eye to her curves and the fullness of her breasts.

One day her style would fade into history and she'd find herself left behind in the past struggling to keep up. He'd given up trying a long time ago. He'd never opened the closet filled with clothes Janine kept hoping he'd wear. He didn't bother with learning modern slang or keeping up with the times beyond scientific discovery and a reading a few novels here and there.

Maybe, it was time he did try something new. Put on those clothes. Watch a little TV. Go to a movie. Finally let go of the past and move forward. Stop living for science and fiction and live the life beyond them. Those who hadn't lived it had a tendency to romanticize the past. Dressing in historically inaccurate clothing and pretending were hardly the same thing as struggling to survive the harshness of the world that was back then. The past was overrated. The future was a glimmering shiny thing just beyond his grasp. But, the present was here and now, in front of him. And it was the only thing worth grabbing onto. And maybe, it was time he did.

Barbara smiled at the intense look of appreciation in Doc's eyes. "Oh, I almost forgot!" she gasped. She tugged and twisted until the ring slid free of her finger. She had not taken off the ring since the moment Sam had slid it onto her finger as a promise. The dainty gold band was scratched and weathered with time. But, the diamond chip in the center of the filigree band still shone brilliantly with the light of the promise they'd never gotten the chance to keep. "This is for you and for Jan." She said as she pressed the ring into Thomas's palm.

Her finger felt light and bare without the ring. There was a deep groove embedded in her finger and the pale outline where the ring had rested all these years. She no longer needed a ring to remind her of the love she had for Sam. She didn't see his death as a broken promise, rather as the fulfillment of one. He'd promised his love forever. And she had his love forever in the son they'd made together.

"Mom..." Thomas had never seen his mother without the ring. Even when she worked in the garden or cleaned house, she never took it off. Now, the ring rested weighty in his palm, glittering in the ceiling lights from above. Things had been so crazy he hadn't thought about a wedding band for Jan. The ring wasn't flashy. The stone was barely a speck in the center of the band. He slipped the ring over his pinkie finger. He could not see Jan wanting some humongous piece of bling. She wasn't that type. She'd want something with meaning more than she'd want diamonds. He understood now that the ring was a gift from his father to his mother. His parents hadn't had long together. But, they'd loved a lifetime in what little time they'd had. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely." Barbara leaned forward and gave Thomas a peck on the cheek. "It's a wedding present from your dad and me." Her son's life wouldn't be measured in centuries but in terms of years and decades. And maybe, that was a more precious thing than what she'd been willing to accept. It wasn't the time a person had that counted. But, what they did with it. And Thomas was going to have a damn good life.

She saw her past and his future in his blue eyes. There was so much joy, so much hope, faith, and love in their depths. He wasn't going to live forever. No, that was her burden to bear. But, in the life he would live, what he'd pass on to his children yet to be born, and in the lives he'd saved; a part of him would live on and on.

She'd almost taken all that from him. In her desperation to keep him with her, she'd almost stolen his future from him. Acceptance of the unavoidable future settled deep in her heart. When his time came, she'd rejoice his passing from this world into the next. And she'd live on, for him, for his children and his children's children, and for herself. That was the gift and the curse of her promise to him and the legacy he left behind.

Barbara felt lighter than air. The weight of the secrets she'd kept had been lifted from her shoulders. She giggled as Thomas snatched her up and squeezed her tightly in a hug. "I love you, Mom," he said. And those were words, not only would she never tire of hearing. But, that she'd hold close to her heart forever.

Chapter 34

"Pushy damn vampires!" Kacie huffed as Janine dragged her through the hallways. She kept up with the woman's furious pace, barely. Janine was frantic, muttering a list of things still needing to be done under her breath. Good thing the woman was immortal otherwise she'd probably keel over dead from a heart attack. Janine was a tornado, a thunderstorm, and a damn hurricane wrapped into a bundle of five-foot two, blonde fury. Janine shoved her into a line of people forming in the hallway. She shook her blonde head and tapped her fingernail against her top teeth, rambling about something of no great importance as if it were life and death.

Kacie ripped her wrist free from Janine's grip. "Hi, I'm Kacie." She said, immediately recognizing the faces she'd seen at the bluffs. "Jan's sister, and," she tossed her hair behind her shoulder, "bridesmaid. Not that you'd ever know it from the rough treatment I've received."

"Rough treatment?" Janine blinked in shock. "We've got a wedding to do here. People need to work with me. Honestly," she said rolling her eyes. Kacie was as good as she was going to get. She'd refused to wear more than just a subtle trace of makeup. She'd argued that the jeans were too tight. She'd balked that the bra pushed her boobs out too far and the underwire was poking her. So? Beauty was sacrifice. And wasn't that the point of a bra in the first place? Hike up the sisters and show them off? The jeans were perfect. They clung to her curves and showed off her perfect figure. Janine could have done better if she'd been given a little latitude to work with. She had the cutest party dress that would have looked great on Kacie. Jeans and t-shirts for a wedding, what a disgrace. But, it was what the bride wanted.

Janine had too much to do to worry about Kacie's grouchy protests. She had a wedding to pull off. Anna assured her the cake would be ready on time. It'd better be. Candace and Chris along with Leigh were in charge of the finger foods. She'd had no time to prepare. People were coming to the wedding that could actually enjoy the food. And the Pack could consume a hell of a lot of food.

Poor Alex had barely been able to manage making a bowl of cereal before she'd been turned. The coffee urn was the safest place for her. And they'd had a horrible time keeping Alexander out of the cocktail weenies. Alex's father practically inhaled them. The rec room had been transformed into a wedding chapel and the dining room into a reception hall. With what she'd had to work with, she supposed things were passable. Nobody but her would know the difference anyway. But, perfection on the bride's big day was her goal. She'd know the difference. Janine glanced at her watch and lifted her eyes to the wedding party. She clapped her hands hastily to get their attention. "Is the bride ready yet?"

Kacie sniffed the air. "My mom is here?" She gave Thomas a hesitant look. "They haven't killed each other yet have they?" She wasn't reassured by his shrug. "Maybe, I should go check on them." The doorknob turned in Kacie's sweat slicked fingers. The silence on the other side frightened her. Things were not good between her mother and her sister and she took the quiet as a bad, bad sign. Gingerly, not knowing what to expect, she pushed the door open.

She didn't really think they'd kill one another. But, she stood speechless and amazed at the loving scene. Jan and her mother sat side-by-side, holding hands, and speaking softly in whispers. Kacie had never seen her mother without her mask of cool composure. Eloise Collins was never without her poise and grace. She sat regally, her back straight, and legs crossed at her ankles. But, there was warmth in her green eyes and a glimmer of sadness. Jan was smiling and every bit the excited bride to be. But, underneath that, Kacie caught the hint of worry in her sister's happy expression.

"Kacie!" Jan jumped up from the bed and threw her arms excitedly around her little sister. "I've missed you so much!"

Kacie hesitantly returned her sister's enthusiastic embrace. "I thought you..." she was going to say that she didn't think her sister would forgive her. That she thought her sister believed that she'd set her up. "I had nothing to do with Torr coming to the restaurant. I didn't even know he was here. I mean it. I didn't know."

"I know you didn't." Jan brushed back a stray strand of Kacie's sleek' black hair, so similar to her own. "Once I had time to think about it. I realized that you didn't know."

"So, you're not angry with me?" Kacie asked hesitantly.

"You're my sister. How could I stay mad at you? If anything you should be mad at me for making you chase me across the country like I have. I should have figured out a way to keep in touch. I shouldn't have made you worry."

"Oh Jan, I owe you an apology, not the other way around. If I hadn't called mom and ratted you out. She wouldn't have known where to find you and neither would have Torr. Thomas wouldn't have gotten hurt, if it hadn't been for me. Are you sure you really want me as a bridesmaid? I'm not sure I'm worthy to stand at your side."

"What happened to Thomas was an accident. It was nobody's fault, especially yours. You did what you thought was right when you told mom where I was. You didn't know how much I'd changed. Besides, who else would I have watching my back but my little sister?" She gave Kacie and excited squeeze. "Speaking of that, I think we'd better get moving."

Kacie blew out a relieved sigh. Things were right between her and her sister again. Old wounds healed and new ones, already forgiven and forgotten. She glanced over at her mother. Her mom's face was aglow with happiness. But, there were secrets and worry hidden beneath her smile. "Mom? Is everything ok?"

"Everything is perfect." Eloise pressed a finger to her lips, hushing Kacie's questions. Thousands of miles away from Texas and the pack, it was too easy to forget and let her guard slip. Jan had always been the pragmatic one, taking things at face value. While Kacie was her intuitive child, inclined more toward the emotional and the unspoken. She'd picked up on her worry with nothing more than just a glance. As far as Eloise was concerned, she had nothing more to worry about. Her children and her beloved omegas were safe. The best parts of her life were going to be left behind where they'd be fiercely guarded. Whatever waited for her in Texas was hers to deal with, not theirs. "We'll talk after the wedding."

She followed behind her daughters, closing the door behind her. Smiling at their locked hands, she felt a fierce sense of pride. Her little girls had grown into beautiful, strong women, just as she'd intended. And now, they had a future. Not of her choosing, but of their choice. She'd had her share of regrets over the years. She'd been hard on them because she'd thought she'd had no other option. But, she'd loved them more fiercely than she'd realized. They meant more to her than the pack, than the precious DNA they carried in their genes, and more than her own life. She'd finally become the mother she'd always wanted to be to them. And there was nothing that could give her a greater sense of peace and fulfillment than to know the sacrifices she'd made and was about to make would ensure their future.

"Oh FINALLY!" Janine rolled her eyes in an over exaggerated gesture. She began paring the bridal party into twos. Thomas with his mother. The Shaman with Kacie. She grabbed Mack's arm and thrust it through Jan's. "Will this work?" she asked. Relieved when Jan gave her consent for Mack to be her escort down the aisle. She tapped her lip in thought. There was just Jan's mother left and no one to pair her up with. She squeaked in excitement as Nash walked up and offered his arm to Eloise. Perfect. She rearranged the couples, placing Jan and Mack at the end of the procession.

Flinging the doors to the recreation room open wide, the sight took Janine's breath. For an impromptu wedding, the scene was perfect. The brothers stood tall and proud in their ceremonial wear, lining the center aisle. Their chests bare and muscled, their hips lean and legs made longer in the soft brown, fringed leather leggings. The weaponry strapped to their waists silver and reflecting the firelight and flickering flames of the candles.

The Pack stood at attention. Their strongest, fiercest, and bravest, the honored protectors of their race had joined the brothers in the aisle. They had no ceremonial gear. Wearing jeans low on their hips and their bare skin decorated with brightly painted symbols and markings, they needed no special wardrobe. They were a force all of their own.

Even Carter had managed to make it. The leader of the Guardians stood lanky and lean, and damn pretty as a picture in his designer Gucci suit and fine leather loafers. The humans in the know, most of them Thomas's friends had come to take part. Ginger rubbed her eyes sleepily and nudged her daughter, Maggie, awake.

The fire crackled merrily in the fireplace, flooding the space with warmth and glowing orange light. The Great Father led the chanting. His bass voice filled the room with its rich sound. He chanted in the ancient language and although there were few who knew the actual meaning of the words he sang so reverently, everyone joined in.

Tears dangled on the fringes of Janine's lashes. The silk flowers she'd scrounged up from every corner of the compound, the old tulle bows and sashes she'd scavenged, and the rich glow of candlelight was perfect. She was a sucker for weddings. And this one was the best wedding she'd ever thrown together. It wasn't because of the décor, although it was impeccable. It was because of the people gathered here, for Jan, for the Pack, the brotherhood, for each other, and primarily, for Thomas.

Thomas was just an ordinary human. He had no super strength, no preternaturally enhanced abilities. He was just a man. But, in so many ways, he was so much more than he'd ever given himself credit for. He'd saved the lives of some of the people here. Alex. Claire. Tala. Barbara. Hunter. Gina. Anna. But, he'd touched the lives of everyone. He was a brother, brave as any of them. He was a friend of the Pack, cunning as any wolf. And he was a guardian of the lives entrusted into his keeping. "Go, go, go!" Janine pushed Thomas and his mother into place. But, before she shoved him down the aisle, she squeezed his fingers and gave him a smile she hoped said it all.

Thomas seated his mother and took his place to the left of Drew. Glancing over the small assembly gathered to witness the event, he felt his heart expand. Grant sat in the front row with Claire. GT was fast asleep, cradled in his arms. He nodded to Grant and cast Claire a warm and friendly smile. Ginger sat beside Claire, crumpled and disheveled from being awakened from a deep sleep.

His eyes continued to scan the crowd and met the eyes of the people gathered here. Before now, he hadn't stopped to think about how deeply they had touched his life. Or how deeply he'd touched theirs. He'd been there when Claire clung desperately to life, delivering her son into the world. He'd helped Hunter and Gina recover from the wounds of captivity. He'd held Robbie's hand as she sobbed over the loss of her parents. He'd laid his healing touch on Tala after the fight for her father's life. He'd been present when Chance battled his way through the trials and earned the right to be called a Son. During the Rogue Siege, he'd walked beside Alex as she found the courage to lead them through the dark tunnels to safety. He'd soothed Anna when her sanity hung by a fragile thread. He'd stitched up Daniel and Tristen a time or two. He watched over Alexander, Leigh, Ginger, and Mack's health, trying to add years to the ones they'd been given. So many people, so many lives, touched and changed, by him, through his gift and calling. They were more than people. They were more than patients. They were family.

He was glad that he'd suggested that Dane take up a hobby as a means of stress relief. The music of the love flute Dane played floated on currents through the air. Mixing with the chants of the Sons their petitions for the couple, prayers to the goddess for a long, happy, and blessed life. His eyes met Jan's as Mack delivered her to him and took his seat. Thomas was happy. The quantity of his life didn't matter as long as it had quality. And his life had quality beyond measure.

Jan's hands trembled as she placed them in Thomas's. She took a moment to look out over the small gathering. Stifling a snicker as Ginger noisily blew her nose and dabbed mascara from beneath her tear stained eyes. She smiled at her mother, glad that at last they had peace between them. Kacie stood behind her. Guarding her back, as she always had, and always would.

She supposed the surroundings were beautiful. She really didn't take in the flowers, the candlelight, or the fire blazing in the fireplace. She only had one man, one thing in her sights. She met Thomas's eyes and the world narrowed down to a single point in time and space. There was no one and nothing but him. She stood on her tiptoes, stealing a soft, gentle kiss.