Twisting her head aside so that his kiss landed on her cheek, Lara asked, “How did you get there?”
Disgruntled now that he wouldn’t have his way with her until she had all her answers; Lucien fell back on a pillow with a huff.
“It seems Ethan went to find Damien as soon as he noticed you and I arguing on the beach. He told Damien in no uncertain terms that he owed me far more than he could ever imagine, and if Damien wasn’t man enough to assist his friend, then he would.”
He smiled as he recalled Damien’s astonishment at his son’s attitude. “With that challenge flung in his face, Damien could do no less than save my worthless hide from the sun’s destroying path. Settling me down in his crypt, Damien then set about nursing me back to health.”
Anticipating her next question, Lucien forestalled her by saying, “While I was on the mend, my great and glorious friend set off to discover if and how I could be redeemed to the mortal world. With a lot time, and with great danger to himself I might add; Damien finally found out that I was really not a lost cause, and that the good Lord did, indeed, want me back within his fold.”
Taking her palm, Lucien settled the soft hand on his chest and knew the moment Lara felt the unmistakable beating of his heart. “Miracles never cease, do they?”
Epilogue
Lounging on the floor in the den, Lucien played with his daughter while his wife watched with an indulgent expression, then gently reminded him again of Lucinda’s bedtime, which had come and gone. “You don’t have to get up in the middle of the night to walk her back to sleep.”
He held his daughter high above his head and kissed her belly to bring the sweet sound of her giggles. “I’ll get up tonight if she needs me.”
A mischievous grin lit Lara’s face. “How will you feed her?”
A dark eyebrow cocked as he glanced at his wife. “Lucinda’s mother will be able to satisfy her hunger before she tends to her father’s.”
Understanding showed on her face. “Mm, I can’t wait for the early morning feeding.”
Ethan entered the room after helping Margaret clean up in the kitchen. Walking over to a chair, he settled down to watch Lucinda.
Rising to his feet, Lucien cuddled the baby close as he sat in the opposite chair, preparing to mention Damien’s name and knowing the animosity it would arouse in Ethan. Clearing his throat, he directed a sharp glance at the younger man. “I wanted to let you know that Damien is expected here at any time.”
Color surged to Ethan’s face as he digested those words, then pushed to his feet and turned to leave.
“Wait!” Lara cried, rushing to Ethan’s side. “Please don’t go. I especially want to meet your father and thank him for Lucien’s life. I would appreciate it if you were here, too.”
Love and hate flashed across Ethan’s face as he obviously struggled with conflicting emotions. Surliness tinged his answer. “You may want to thank him, but I have only one message for him and that’s for him to go to hell!”
The sound of Lara’s hand connecting with Ethan’s face echoed throughout the room. Conviction glowed in her eyes as she stared up at the startled man. “You once told me that you considered me your sister. I also think of you as my brother, and there is no excuse for your words. Parents should be treasured for all the care they have provided their children.”
At the wry chuckle from Ethan, Lara reiterated, “Yes, the care and safety they provide. Have you ever asked your father why you were denied his presence? Have you ever wondered if he has suffered the same pain, if not more, than you have?”
She snorted in disgust at his silence. “No, I didn’t think so. That is clearly the sign of a spoiled child; a child who only cares about himself.” Whirling away, she marched to Lucien’s chair and stood behind it.
Clapping from the doorway announced Damien’s arrival.
Straightening to his full height, Ethan glared disdainfully at the newcomer.
Damien headed straight for Lara, bypassing Ethan and Lucien.
Moving forward to meet this handsome man, she was impressed with his swarthy good looks. How any woman could withstand his charm was beyond her. Coal black hair glinted in the recessed lighting as the tall, lean figure, immaculately clothed in a brown, tailor-made suit, neared. The twinkle in his clear, light blue eyes proved to her that this man was not unfeeling; no matter what his son thought.
Clasping her hands in his cold ones, Damien gallantly kissed the back of each hand. “It’s such a pleasure to finally meet the woman who holds Lucien’s heart.”
Blushing, Lara apologized. “I’m sorry you had to witness a family difference of opinion, but it couldn’t be helped.”
Giving Ethan a pointed look, she went back to Lucien’s side. “I am grateful that you came. I want to thank you for all you have done for my husband. Without your help, I wouldn’t have him back here with us.”
“My dear, I didn’t come here tonight to be thanked. Lucien is my dear friend, and I will always protect and cherish that bond.”
A disbelieving snort sounded from Ethan at that statement.
Ignoring his son, Damien smoothly went on, “I actually came to meet the newest member of the Saint family. And I would never have contacted you during Lucien’s ordeal until we determined that he would survive. No use getting everyone’s hopes up now, was there?”
Chewing on her bottom lip, Lara made up her mind after listening to him. “Since you are so good at protecting bonds, I would like to ask you to take over guardianship of our daughter if anything should ever happen to Lucien and me.
Interrupting his wife, Lucien stood. “Darling, it’s all right now, I’m home. Marissa and Steven are no longer a threat to us, so there is no reason for you to worry.”
Lara ignored Lucien and locked eyes with Damien. “I want to be positive Lucinda will be protected in life. Ethan has verified that she is not completely mortal and she may be alone by the time she comes of age, too young to venture out on her own. I only want to insure she will come to no harm.”
“I will watch over her.” Ethan spoke up, obviously insulted that Lara didn’t approach him first.
Shaking her head, Lara negated his offer. “I love you, Ethan, and I’m not criticizing your intentions in any way. You also have a life ahead of you, and you need to find someone to share it with. Caring for a young girl would hamper any relationships you form. It is my wish for you to have a full and happy life, along with children of your own. I’m positive your father would want the same for you.” Lara walked to Lucien and took Lucinda from his arms. Turning to face Damien, she patiently waited for his response.
Damien’s eyes filled with tears. “I would be most honored to protect and care for such a precious girl.”
Ethan turned to leave, but halted midway to the door at the sound of Lara’s voice and her words. “Damien, I believe Ethan deserves to hear the truth from his father.”
At the hesitant shake of the vampire’s head, Lara said more forcefully, “It’s time for you to let your son protect himself. It’s what I would want for my daughter if this should ever arise. Both children and adults need to know that they are indeed truly loved and cherished.”
Staring down at the floor, Damien appeared to finally come to a decision. Facing his son, he began to tell Ethan how he had worried that he would be unable to protect his son from the many vampires that sought Damien’s position, so he decided that Lucien would raise Ethan. And that only Lucien would know the identity of Ethan’s parents.
Every night while Ethan was growing up, Damien visited and stood over him as he slept, marveling that his love had contributed to such a handsome lad.
It was only when Ethan had grown into the fine man he was that Damien stopped coming. He didn’t want to jeopardize his future. Though Ethan inherited some of his father’s gifts, he didn’t have the one that would protect him against the dreaded night stalkers.
That was deadly power; the kind of power that cripples and destroys another vampire. This
was what all his many nemeses wanted to attain.
Finishing his tale, Damien stood patiently. Lara held her breath as the different emotions flickered across Ethan’s face. Finally, Ethan nodded to himself.
Holding back tears of gratitude and love, she sighed and gave Lucien a satisfied grin as Ethan met his father in the middle of the room, hugging. Now their family was indeed complete. And what a family they made.
At blissful times like these, both Lara and Lucien wondered if the wishing stone did, indeed, have the great power to grant one’s most heartfelt wishes...as the legend, some say, foretold.
About the author…
Allison Smith and her husband of twenty years live in North Texas with 2 very spoiled dogs. She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis approximately thirty years ago and enjoys incorporating into her writing all of the things she can no longer accomplish except in her very active imagination.
The Wishing Stone Page 13
