Chapter Sixteen

Graceona

I looked at Leonard as he sat on the couch. The doctor examined him and had left several moments ago. I leaned back in my seat, biting the inside of my lower lip. I always stated that I desired to see him happy, and having children made him happy. Leonard sighed as I looked at him. "Grace, I understand you worry about me, and I appreciate it. I guess, but you are a mother now. There are lives other than mine that need protecting. I'm not the only person who should be your focus."

"You're wrong, Leonard. I have waited for you for a lifetime. Your safety and needs will always come first. I waited for happiness with you. I wasn't looking forward to something like children. The thought still doesn't cross my mind."

"Then why did you?" he looked at me as I sighed. I looked at him.

"Leonard, when have I ever denied you anything? You wanted a family. I will give you that. Ruling the undead for a living; I'm used to awkward situations and making mistakes for those I love."

"You think you made a mistake?"

"I'd like to keep that fact silent, but it has halted my life, and I don't enjoy having limitations."

He sighed. "Grace, what am I going to do with you? Why do you dislike children so much that you consider them mistakes? Don't you have a life other than playing guardian to me?"

I looked at him. "Leonard, 200 years is a long time. I've seen life, and I've lived it. The only thing that makes me happy is playing guardian to you. What's wrong with that?"

"Grace, that's unhealthy. Other people want some of that protection. You label yourself as a horrible person, you're not, so stop acting like you are. You want this somewhere deep down; you've seen the single life for 200 years, and you've yet to have a family of your own. I get it, you have a plan. But if you can't love our children, I'll leave. I don't want to be mean, but I don't want to be your focus when there are others who need help more than me. Take it or leave it. I'm serious about this, and I will not back down from this decision." He stood up as I sighed.

"Fine, Leonard. As always, you win, I'll put up with these kids. As I mentioned, I'm accustomed to putting myself in situations. I'll make do with this. Please don't leave. I'm willing to do anything." He looked at me with a sigh. 

"One more chance with this subject, Grace. Then I'm walking away. We shouldn't be having this conversation. It's for deadbeat fathers who abandon their children without reason. This is one of the most pointless topics I've talked to anyone about, and a mother at that." He sighed. "I need a coffee. I'm going home to sleep tonight. Think about this, okay?" He walked from the room, and the sound of the door shutting caused me to sigh as I placed my head in my hands.

The sound of footsteps entering the room caused me to look up as I saw Edgar. "Leonard leave so soon, Graceona? He always stays here." I looked at the old man, who had a plate of sandwiches and a concerned look on his face.

"He went home to sleep," I sighed, leaning back into the couch. "I lost him. We had a fight, and he left. What if he doesn't come back? What if he goes to live with humans? He's not strong enough to resist the temptations in that life. What should I do?"

Edgar looked at me. "You shouldn't do anything. If he is angry, let him go home and calm down. I doubt he will leave town. Leonard has a reasonable head on his shoulders. How much more are you going to degrade that boy? I'm sure he needs to relax. You have asked a lot from him today alone. Grace, the boy, loves you and does what you ask, even though he's not a fighter. Let him relax and take it all in. I'll send Darin to talk to him. You stay here and give him space tonight. If he left during an argument, he must be furious about whatever you two were discussing." I sighed. "What were the two of you discussing so that Darin knows what he is walking into?"

"I told him I was pregnant and that I considered the children as a mistake and a hindrance in my life."

"Graceona, you should have known it would upset someone. And you should have known he would react this way. He's the father of those kids you dislike, but not everyone hates children. What in the world came over you to say that stuff to him?"

I stood up. "Are you done? It was crazy. Leonard already let me have it. I will not listen to the same lecture from you. You should understand my bitter feelings towards children. I didn't erase your memory when I changed you. You don't have memory problems. You should know my entire history by now. If not, where have you been?"

Edgar walked from the room as I stormed from the living room and walked from the home.