The Day Before

"It was his mom. She got turned. He killed her when she attacked his younger brother." Rory replied quietly. Damn, that's too much resentment and past history for me to battle. I'd basically stepped on a landmine. There's no way I'd every be able to change his mind. Everyone in the room avoided looking at one another. "Anyway, I think it's time we left, I owe you a new shirt at least, and we still have to get a few things before we head back home." Rory stood.

"See ya guys." Rory waved a hand and turned to walk from the room.

"Wait." I said softly. "Is everyone in this room like that? Have you all lost family to vampires?" I asked quietly. Again they avoided my gazes. "But yet you hang out with Rory." I stated.

"Some of us lost friends. Not all of them died though. Some were turned and left our lives for one reason or another." A brunette male answered. He was looking at his shoes.

"Let me guess-a lover." I stated, he jerked and looked at me with resentment. "I'm sorry." I said softly.

"But Rory's different." Spoke a woman with dark hair and bright red lips. "He's a real sweetheart. Not like the others.." She looked at me and gulped. I grinned wryly.

"We're not all like that." I smiled wryly, "Though I imagine if my family found out that I originally thought to fake my death and flee the country, they would feel the same about me. Heck, they may still feel some great amount of resentment for me taking off and never returning. But I had a great sire, some are not as lucky. My sire kept me away from my family while I was learning about myself and my new life. Not to punish them-but to keep them safe. Not all vamps are like that. His sire wasn't like that. As a result, his family fell apart too, so we do know where you're coming from." The room grew quiet again and some frowned. I turned to follow Rory quietly.

"Carys!" Called a voice behind me. I looked behind me to see the blond girl with glasses push her glasses back up her nose. "Good luck tomorrow." She said. I smiled weakly.

"Thanks." I replied, my heart clenching uncomfortably. Rory looped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me against him, kissing the side of my head. I shoved him away slightly. "Behave." I scolded. He kept his arm around me as we walked out of the bar into the cool night.

"Hey, can I ask you something?" Rory asked as he looked at the stars.

"What?"

"How did you pick up on all that back there?" Rory looked at me incredulously.

"I've spent a lot of time with a hundred year old vampire trying to out-think him. He's like Sherlock Holmes. Drives me crazy." I shook my head, walking to his bike.

"Would that make you Watson then?" Rory called, racing to catch up.

"Say that again and I'll throw your bike into the street in front of the next semi." I threatened.

Rory sped towards the small town near our home. We entered a small convenience store just in the last few hours before it closed. Rory and I drew an unnatural amount of attention, and he hammed it up, keeping an arm around my shoulders or waist the whole time. I dropped disposable diapers and wet wipes into the cart along with some absorbent pads for me, since I had no idea how this court thing was going to go, but I was still trying to prep for it all. Rory nuzzled my cheek with his nose.

"What about bottles Are you gonna pump for Mina while you're at Court or what?" He whispered against my ear. I blushed. My breasts already felt heavy and tight, and it didn't help that Rory had squeezed them earlier. I couldn't imagine going for more than Mina's usual feeding schedule without some relief, but..

"I haven't entirely figured out what I plan to do, but it's going to be petty." I replied and Rory laughed.

"I would expect nothing less from you." He said.

When we exited the shop, he settled the bags between us and in the storage area under the motorcycle's seat. Then we were off again, and I was once again praying for my life. Getting back IN the gates proved more tricky. Of course, the guards tried to get them open before Rory got there, and of course the idiot media refused to move, and as expected, Rory decided to play chicken again. I shrieked all the way through the small gap the guards managed to open in the gates as Rory howled with laughter.

"I will murder you. I promise. I know.. where you sleep. I know.. who you sleep with.. I know.. who your friends are.." I panted and Rory laughed again, scooping me up in a hug around the waist and kissing me until I couldn't breathe at all.

"That's my wife you're kissing." Alexandre drawled from the door.

"My apologies. Adrenaline got to me." Rory whooped, setting me down and then racing up the stairs to grab Alexandre and kiss him the same way. I couldn't help myself and burst out laughing. They both looked at me like they hadn't heard me laugh in a while. Maybe they hadn't. Alexandre came down the stairs to pull my face to his gently, kissing me deeply and then leaning his forehead against mine.

"It's nice to see you smile again Carys." Alexandre said softly.

I collapsed on the bed in the nursery and Alexandre followed me in, cradling Mina.

"So did you have a nice time?" He asked softly. Mina was fussing lightly. "Oh, ah, I tried feeding her a bottle, but it seems her senses are just as good as ours. She knew you were home.."

"Give her-these gals need some relief." I snorted and Alexandre handed Mina over. I quickly tugged off the stained shirt and bra and Mina greedily began to nurse. Alexandre sat behind me and gently rubbed my shoulders, until I was moaning, and then pulled my back against his chest so I could lean on him.

"Why don't you relax? Take a nap if you want. I'll get Mina if you fall asleep." Alexandre's calm voice was soothing as it reverberated through his chest.

"Mmm, I think I'd like that, but don't forget, I have to be there pretty early for court tomorrow. Damn people messing up my vampire hours." I griped. Alexandre chuckled

"I don't understand. Is that a request to be awakened, or a request to not be bothered?" Alexandre kissed my neck.

"Oh I've already set an alarm." I moaned. "I'm just warning you that I've got to leave."

"So no funny business?" Alexandre murmured against my shoulder.

"I never say no to funny business." I sighed, letting my head fall back.

"You do to me." Cornelius said from the doorway.

"There's this thing-called knocking." I turned to glare at him. His arms were crossed as he leaned on the frame.

"Don't leave your doors open so there's a door to knock on." He retorted.

"Stop coming into rooms you weren't invited in, vampire." I shot back.

"Ooh, fiery." Cornelius grinned. Alexandre was running his fingertips up and down my back, which was giving me goose pimples.

"Is there something you wanted Cornelius?" Alexandre asked with boredom. Cornelius eyed my bare chest and licked his lips. I covered my exposed breast and glared at him.

"Besides the obvious. I'm here to discuss tomorrow's plans with you." Cornelius answered.

"Later." Alexandre replied.

"Xan-"

"Later." He growled.

"The guards want to know if there are any last minute changes." Cornelius sighed. Alexandre stood with a snarl.

"Hopefully by the time Mina's done nursing I'll be back for you." Alexandre leaned over and kissed me deeply. I could see the lust burning deep in his eyes. I bit his lower lip.

"You better be." I taunted. As Alexandre and Cornelius left the room I lay back on the bed with Mina. I felt myself drifting to sleep as she nursed, and then Alexandre's gentle hands woke me up, taking Mina from my grasp.

"Oh no, you promised me, don't you dare be asleep." He chuckled and kissed my head. I heard him change Mina and put her in the crib before the bed moved gently and he was hovering over me. He kissed my bare shoulder.

"Are you asleep?" He whispered softly.

"Mmhmm." I responded.

"No you're not." He replied with a gentle laugh, running his tongue down my arm.

"Yeah I am." I mumbled back. He nipped the flesh of my upper arm and I yelped.

"Now you're not." He teased.

"That was rude." I complained, rolling over to grab him around the neck. He kissed me, then ran his lips down my throat before sinking his teeth gently into my neck. I arched up and gasped as I felt him draw gently from the wound. I felt his hand slide gently down my body and catch the button at my waist, which popped free.

"Are you still ok with this?" He murmured quietly.

"Mm hmm" I mumbled and he undressed me tenderly.