Forever and a Night

by Lana Campbell

  Christian’s brows knit with a frown. “I told you before that I wouldn’t accept money from a human patient who was a victim of a feral. Believe it or not, our kind have far fewer people who commit crimes than humans. No doctor of our kind with ethics would make money a requirement of care in such an instance.”

  God, he was an astounding man, Mia thought. “Fine. If I can’t repay you monetarily, allow me to do so with friendship. I want you in my life, Christian. I don’t need you as my doctor anymore, but I will always want you for my friend.”

  He looked away. For a brief instant, he’d allowed his professionalism to slip and Mia viewed something poignant in his face. Sorrow. It took a few moments, but understanding began to dawn. She reached up and palmed his face, bringing his gaze back to hers. “We’ve had a very complicated relationship. You were my doctor, then my pretend husband, but throughout the crazy, my friend. You know I’ll always love you that way. Right?”

  “Yeah. It wasn’t the love I wanted, but I’ll settle for it. I still think Davenport is an asshole, but if he’s your life-mate, I wish you both the best.”

  Mia sighed. “He is complicated, but I love him with all my heart. You know more about this life-mating thing than I do, so you know you’ll find yours eventually.”

  He nodded, his expression unconvinced. “I’ve been telling myself that for nearly eighty years. If she exists, she’s taking her sweet time getting here. Sadly, not all of our males life-mate. Those who don’t either turn feral or die far too young.”

  That was a stark news flash. Mia frowned. “Well, I’m going to pray fervently that you will find yours. God wouldn’t allow a man as wonderful as you to be denied such joy.”

  He forced a smile. “Well, as they say, from your mouth to God’s ears.”

  She wrapped her arms around his waist and they hugged for several moments. He broke away first. Mia noticed his expression had regained a shielded air, for his pride she was sure.

  “I’m going to scrounge up something for Dannie to eat. I’m sure she’ll be hungry soon. I’ll bring something for you too.”

  Christian nodded. “Betty will be here soon to tend to her personal needs. She’s going to be right as rain. No worries. Okay?”

  Mia grinned. “With you as her doctor? Not a one.”

  When the elevator doors closed and she’d punched the button for the building’s second level, Mia let out a huge breath of relief. Because of Dominic, Dannie would accept this life eagerly. That made her so happy. Christian on the other hand troubled her. She’d had no idea he viewed her as more than a patient in his care. His professionalism hadn’t slipped once. Not even when they’d been playing house. He could have easily convinced her Nathan was a threat and used the emotional turmoil in her head to his own advantage, yet he’d called things as he’d seen them, always keeping her best interests in mind.

  She sucked in a fortifying breath against the sadness in her heart. Christian was a beautiful soul. She was determined to pray through until that woman God designed for him came into his life.

  Julia, Dimitri and Nathan were seated at Christian’s harvest table eating lunch when she walked into the kitchen. Their conversation ceased and they each focused on her with expectant looks.

  She joined them, settling herself in the chair next to Nathan. “She’s awake and doing marvelous, thanks to your son. Honestly, I’m still trying to wrap my mind around how those two came together so quickly, but it’s seems to be working. Dominic has her completely distracted from what’s happened to her.” She shook her head. “I just pray it works out long term. I don’t want to see either of those kids hurt.” She looked at Dominic as a kid, because he appeared to be just a few years old than Dannie, but chronologically, he was old enough to be Mia’s own grandpa.

  Nathan took her hand. She gave him an appreciative smile, but her attention went back to Julia when she spoke.

  “It will work out. I know my son. Danielle is his life-mate, I assure you. Now that she’s vampire, nothing can stand in their way. Just like you and Nathan.” Her smile was a little devious as she glanced between them.

  Dimitri added, his expression fervent, “My wife is correct on all accounts. We wish all of you happiness and we welcome your beautiful daughter into our family.”

  Mia looked into Nathan’s eyes and sighed. “Well, call me superstitious, but there has been way too much bad happening. The time for good has to be at hand.”

  Nathan cupped her cheek and smiled. “We will make it good. Life always brings troubles, but with you by my side, it will never be truly bad again.”

  “Agreed.” Mia leaned forward and kissed him.

  Chapter 18

  “Where the heck is, Dannie?” Tiffany groused, pausing from her pacing to glance up Christian’s staircase. “We have to be at the airport in less than an hour.”

  Dannie did seem to be taking her time, Mia thought. She shared a troubled look between Nathan, sitting next to her on a couch, then her daughters and the other vampires in Christian’s great room, all gathered to bid her kids goodbye.

  Chelsie and Tiffany were catching their return flight to Springfield Missouri. Dannie would be flying with Dominic to New York on one of Nathan’s private jets. After much discussion, the two had managed to convince her, Julia and Dimitri, to accept the fact they’d be going to New York together where he lived and worked for Nathan.

  Mia realized Dominic would be Dannie’s best choice as chaperone and teacher. Still it scared her to release her youngest child into his care. She would have preferred Dannie stay with Christian for a couple more weeks because he was an expert at guiding a human into vampire life. Dannie refused to have any part of that. She wanted to be with Dominic every second of every day if possible. Mia understood. She felt the same way about Nathan. Besides, Dominic knew far more about this life than she, and being male he could protect her against ferals.

  Over the last few days, her girls had spent a great deal of time socializing with the vampires in the house. It had been pleasant for everyone. Dannie faired well in all aspects of her turning.

  All three of her daughters had taken a shine to Julia. Who wouldn’t? She had such a precious heart plus a remarkable ability to put people at ease and draw them into conversation.

  Chelsie had practically glued herself to Christian’s side, quizzing him about vampire physiology and all the things that made their race unique. With Dannie still healing and spending most of her time with Dominic, Tiffany became odd man out with her sisters. Of course Mia gave her all the attention she would allow, but eventually, Tiffany began to trail Chelsie and Christian. She too had asked Christian many questions.

  Amazingly, Tiffany seemed to be slowly accepting this new life she and Dannie were now a part of. Mia was so thankful. With all the pain in that child’s soul, it could have easily gone the other way.

  “Do you want me to go check on her, Mom?” Chelsie asked, glancing at Dominic who wore the most nervous expression in the room.

  “No, no. I will. Knowing the way that girl packs a suitcase, she probably can’t get it closed.”

  Christian chuckled and said, “When I gave her a transfusion about an hour ago, clothes covered her bed and dresser. She’s probably still packing. I wouldn’t be worried.”

  Mia offered him an appreciative smile, but his logic didn’t convince her. The girl had been chomping at the bit to leave and start her new life with Dominic.

  She should have had her bags packed last night. Something was up.

  “Go help her,” Nathan said. He took her hand and squeezed, his expression encouraging. “She’ll be fine.”

  Mia nodded, then headed up the stairs. She knocked on the door of Dannie’s suite, then opened it. Her daughter sat on the edge of the king bed, frowning, hands clasped in her lap. Her gaze slashed to hers and Mia viewed fear there.

  “Wanna talk about it?” Mia had a real good idea the nature of her troubles. She suspected reality had finally pierced the orbit of the little, fa
t cherubs bearing bows and arrows swimming around her head since she’d met Dominic.

  Dannie sighed. “I don’t know. I’m just…just…”

  “Scared?” Mia supplied.

  She nodded and glanced at the floor.

  Mia went to her and sat down beside her on the mattress. “Not of Dominic, right?”

  Her gaze shot up. “Oh no. I love him, Mom, but he’s so much older than me. So worldly. I’m afraid…” She broke off and bit her thumbnail.

  Mia pulled her hand away from her mouth and folded it between both of hers. “That you won’t be everything he wants and needs?”

  She nodded again. “What’s it like? You know. With our kind?”

  Ah, the vampire sex talk. Actually, Mia didn’t know anything about this. In a vampire sense they were both virgins. Mia knew Dannie and Dominic would life-mate at some point soon and it worried her. “I would prefer you marry Dominic traditionally before you marry him in the way of our kind, but based on what’s happening between you two, I’m sure that’s not going to happen. Has Dominic explained what marking means?”

  “Yes. It sounds weird and scary. Christian has too in his doctorese. That was even scarier. We aren’t going to rush into it, though. He’s not pressured me in any way, Mom. Has Nathan, uhm…you know?” Her brows knit and she went back to nibbling at her thumbnail.

  Mia shook her head. “I have no idea what marking entails either, other than what Christian explained. It can’t be too bad or Christian would be out of a job.” She chuckled, trying to lighten the mood, but it didn’t work.

  “Mom, I’m just…I feel so inexperienced. This marking business aside, when the time comes, I just don’t want to disappoint him as a woman.”

  Mia tried for a reassuring smile, reached up and rubbed the creases between her eyebrows. “You won’t. You love him and he clearly loves you. I can only give you my experience regarding your father because he’s the only man I’ve ever been with. We were younger than you when we married. It was very good between us in the beginning as you know.”

  “But it didn’t work out,” Dannie argued. “What if Dominic finds someone prettier, more world wise? Now that I look back on what happened to you and Dad, I can’t imagine what you must have went through. The thought of losing Dominic at some point to another woman, would destroy me.”

  “You won’t loose him,” she stated adamantly. All the conversations she’d had with Christian about life-mating began to rifle through her thoughts. She pulled them together and said, “Christian and I, more than anyone have discussed the life-mate bond. He deals with these people every single day as a doctor and he’s assured me, that the bond is eternal and nothing like what humans experience. Why, I don’t know. Julia believes it’s God ordained. I think so too. However, faith is always involved in love and life commitments. You have to have faith in Dominic and more so yourself. You are a beautiful, amazing girl with more talent than you realize. Any man you set your sights on would be a fool not to see that. I think Dominic has seen your heart and I don’t believe him to be fool.”

  Dannie’s eyes rolled upward and she groaned. “You know I’ve never been with a guy. He hasn’t told me outright, but I suspect he’s been with women.”

  Mia smiled. “Sex and love are polar, Dannie. Especially for men. Love him fiercely and you trust your instincts, girl. They won’t fail you. I promise.”

  Dannie bit her lower lip and nodded. Mia pulled her into her arms and hugged her tight. “I love you, baby girl. Everything will work out. Okay?”

  Dannie pulled back and smiled. “Okay. I think I’m ready.” She glanced at her luggage laying on the end of the bed.

  Mia followed Dannie downstairs, carrying her suitcases. Dannie went directly to Dominic and gave him a tentative look. Whatever they said mind to mind must have been the confirmation she needed. She gave him a love-struck smile as Dominic took her in his arms and said, “Forever, Dannie. I mean it. God as my witness.”

  Mia cast Nathan a curious glance, and sat the suitcases on the floor beside her. He also mind spoke as he approached her. I know you’re worried about her, but she’ll be fine. I assure you Dominic will see to it. Just so you know, forever for us too.

  Mia slid him a shrewd grin. Better be. If you think Tiffany is a bad ass, remember she learned it from the mistress of bad ass.

  He laughed, then took her hand. I’ll keep that in mind. If I ever do piss you off, beat me. I’ll love it.

  She bit her lower lip to keep from grinning. You’re so twisted.

  Yeah. Soon I’m going to show you just how twisted I can get.

  Tiffany, proficient at bombing a personal moment, said, “You guys are nauseating me with your sappy looks. Ya’ll need to get a room.”

  Christian started laughing first, then the rest joined in.

  Bidding her girls goodbye at the airport was one of the hardest partings Mia had ever experienced with her kids due to this insane week. She and Nathan had driven them in his Navigator and they were currently back on the road alone. He’d attempted to make conversation, but little had occurred. Her mind was wrapped around her kids.

  Her gut told her Dannie and Dominic would be okay. Chelsie? Well, by the time she hit her apartment, she’d probably have her nose buried in her computer in order to create a thesis on what she’d learned about vampires.

  Tiffany scared her the most. She was a stuffer. She seemed to be accepting things, but Mia had no idea what really transpired in her mind.

  “Mia, I suspect you’re upset about your kids and I’m trying to give you space, but if you don’t start talking, I’m going into your head, woman.”

  She glanced at Nathan and tried for an apologetic look. His tone was edgy, his expression concerned. “I know I’ve been a clam and I’m sorry, but I can’t stop worrying about all of them after everything that’s happened.”

  Nathan’s jaw clenched for a moment, then he said, “I’m still furious at the collateral damaged Isabella caused. Everyone of us have much healing ahead because of her, but you’re children are as bright and resilient as you. They’ll be fine and so will we.”

  Mia sighed. “I know. It’s Tiffany I’m most worried about. She knows Dannie and I can’t help what happened to us. That I think she’s accepted. I know she likes Julia and Christian. I’m just not so sure how she feels about you and Dominic.”

  Nathan gave her a encouraging smile. “Give her time, Mia. I can tell she’s very bright. Logically, she probably knows you and her sister would be dead if the two of you hadn’t been turned, but I’m the reason this happened to both of you. I can’t regret for a second meeting you, despite all the chaos it’s caused. When I met you and brought you into my life, Isabella hadn’t yet found me. Once she did, I should have let you go, even though it would have killed me.”

  “It doesn’t matter now, Nathan. We can’t go back and change the past. Honestly, I’m grateful for how things turned out and I believe God had a hand in it. God often turns the Enemy’s plans to destroy a person into a blessing instead. That’s what happened here with us, with Dannie and Dominic. Dannie found her life-mate and the two are incredibly happy. So am I. Once Tiffany realizes that, she’ll stabilize. I hope.”

  “I’m fairly sure you’re right about that. She loves her family, that’s clear based on how many times she threatened to kick my ass.”

  Mia started laughing. “Thank God she didn’t try. The girl fights dirty. Had she gotten ahold of you, you probably would have never had chance for children.”

  Nathan chuckled. “Guess I’m lucky then, but seriously, love, I’ll support you any way I can. If you want to go to them at any point, say the word. I’ll have you there in hours.”

  He was so wonderful. She reached across the console and grasped his forearm. He released that hand from the wheel, pulling his arm down so he could capture hers. “Thanks Nathan, but this is a mother thing. Apparently, worry is the number one job requirement. I haven’t been able to stop doing so since I took them each hom
e from the hospital.”

  He gave her a meaningful look as he said, “I’m here for you in any way necessary, but I think you need a serious diversion.”

  “What did you have in mind?”

  He shrugged. “A couple of ideas. For one, how about a boat ride?”

  Mia studied him, curious to the enigmatic smile on his handsome face. “Sure. You’re probably right about us needing a diversion. When and where?

  “You’ll see. It’s up to you, but it could be an overnight or two thing.”

  He stared at the road. Nothing in his expression jumped out at Mia, but she sensed nervousness in him. Nathan had been by her side all through Dannie’s turning and the days that followed, except for several hours in the afternoons when he went home to shower and check on business matters. Their time together had been a very educational crash course on his inner self.

  She’d learned Nathan was a master of emotional control, but those intriguing violet eyes of his, often let slip what really went on in his head. For one, the depth of compassion and commitment he had for those he cared about. He’d put his life on the line for Dannie. For everyone. This man was the real deal and she had no more trust issues where he was concerned.

  He gave her a quick glance and said, “If you don’t feel comfortable with that idea, as I said, I have others.”

  Mia squeezed his hand and smiled. “No, that sounds perfect. It’s been scorching hot these last few days. As long as there’s some swimming involved, I’m cool with the idea.”

  He grinned. “I can provide that, no problem.”

  Later that evening, Nathan’s limo took them to a marina on the Mississippi.

  Prior, they’d stopped at her apartment so she could pack, then went to his house where he’d done the same.

  Proper attire for this excursion was a bit of a mystery, so she packed some nicer things as well as clothes she might wear at the lake because she’d spent many a day at Tablerock Lake fishing, swimming and boating with her ex and kids.