chapter 24
Sera tossed the last of her clothes into a box and closed the lid. She was unbelievably tired, and so grateful that the packing was finally complete. The past few months had seemed to stretch on for years. Her classes had been endless, and she had to struggle every moment just to get through them. Where once her whole life had been books and good grades, now it took every ounce of strength she had just to sit through them.
Her nights had been spent with Liam, but the time apart during the day was tortuous. Not to mention the police inquiry into Jacob’s disappearance that had lasted for over a week. Liam had wanted to take her away, but she had been determined to stay and face it. If they ran they would look guilty, and without a body there was nothing that the police could do to any of them. Other than Michelle telling the police that she had told Jacob where Sera was, they had no proof that Jacob had ever come to see her. Eventually he had been written off as an unsolved disappearance, and the police had left them alone, and finally so had Michelle.
Sera was unbelievably grateful that they would not be starting their new lives as wanted criminals, on top of the other complications that they already had, and would always have. Their lives were never going to be normal, but she didn’t care. They would always be happy.
She turned to Kathleen who was sitting silently on her bed. For the first time since the beginning of the school year, Kathleen’s side of the room was completely clean. “I can’t believe it’s over,” Kathleen murmured.
Sera smiled weakly at her, silently thinking the same thing as she slid onto her bed. “Why don’t you come with us?” she asked softly.
Kathleen shrugged and smiled wanly. “I don’t know, Oregon isn’t exactly my idea of a happening place.”
Sera absently fiddled with the edge of the box. Oregon had never been her idea of a happening place either, but they had found a house there that was perfect for all of them. It was a large cabin, on a lake, and surrounded by woods. The nearest neighbor was five miles away, and the town only had a population of three hundred. Most people would hardly even know they were there, let alone bother them. For the first time she had been able to see what their powers were truly capable of as they had been used to help acquire the house.
“It’s peaceful there,” Sera said softly.
“I guess, but I thought you wanted to get your masters degree.”
Sera didn’t know how to tell Kathleen that she wouldn’t need her masters, or any other form of education. She had only finished off this year because she had come this far, and stopping mid semester of her senior year had seemed like a waste. Now, she just wanted to hide herself away with Liam, and the others. She just wanted to start a new life, to have a home, and a family.
“Not anymore.”
Kathleen’s eyes were dark as they met Sera’s. She didn’t say that she thought Sera was giving up her hopes and dreams for Liam, she had said it often enough in the past couple of months. Then again, Kathleen didn’t know what Sera was now. If their roles were reversed, and it was Kathleen in her position, Sera would be thinking the same thing.
Besides, there was something more, another reason why she had to go, why she wanted nothing but shelter, and protection.
“I’ll be in California anyway, I’m sure we’ll see each other often,” Kathleen said.
Sera smiled weakly. “Yeah, I’m sure that we will.”
Kathleen looked doubtful. “Well, at least I know I’ll like my new roommate, but it won’t be the same.”
“You and Danielle will have fun. Think of all the parties you guys will go too.”
“Yeah, all the parties you’re going to miss out on,” Kathleen replied pointedly.
Sera smiled as she shook her head. “I couldn’t party anyway.” Kathleen lifted an eyebrow questioningly. “I’m pregnant Kathleen.”
Kathleen’s mouth dropped open as she stared at her in surprise. “Sera, are you sure!?” Sera smiled as her hand instinctively fluttered to her stomach and the tiny life inside. “How far?”
“Three months.”
“How could you not tell me?”
“I wasn’t sure until last week.”
She couldn’t tell her that she had been completely petrified, and unsure of what to think, or do. Unsure of what exactly was growing inside of her. “Does Liam know?”
“He does.”
“What did he say?”
Sera smiled as she recalled his exact reaction. At first, he had been elated, hugging and kissing her as he yelled happily. Then, reality had sunk in. The same reality that had crashed upon her and knocked the joy out, the same reality that had robbed her of all the happiness she had originally felt. David had instantly contacted his friends in Pennsylvania, while Sera and Liam sat anxiously by, hoping and praying that she would not have to get rid of their baby.
David’s friends had assured him that it was all right. That she would not give birth to a monster, that everything would be fine. According to them, her child would grow until maturity, where upon it would age no more. It would be a vampire from birth, but to the outside world, it would appear completely human. They assured David that there was no harm to her, or the child, and that there had been others of their kind born, and they had all been normal, or as normal as they could be.
Sera was still frightened though, and so was Liam. Although, most of his worries centered upon her, while hers centered upon the life growing inside her. Their child would have no choice in its life. It would be born into a world of blood and death, and she prayed that it would not grow to resent them for it. Prayed that David’s friends were right, and everything would be fine. She had already grown to love the baby inside of her, and she wanted it more than anything, but she was scared.
“He’s happy,” she finally answered. Which was true, he was happy, he was just frightened that something would happen to her, and that fear overshadowed everything else.
“And you?” Kathleen asked softly.
Sera smiled as her hand lightly stroked her stomach. “I’m very happy.” Kathleen studied her intently, obviously not fully believing her. “I’m a little scared; we’re both a little scared.”
Kathleen nodded. “Well, that’s to be expected.” Then, she grinned happily as she climbed to her feet. “You always wanted a big family. Are you two going to get married?”
Sera bit back a laugh. She had never even thought about marriage, their relationship went far deeper than marriage. Their bond was different, stronger, eternal, but of course Kathleen would think of marriage as the ultimate bond. “I see you told her.”
Sera looked up as Liam appeared in the doorway. His eyes glinted merrily as they landed upon Sera. “Move.” Jack shoved roughly by Liam as he strode into the room. “Like you need a stupid piece of paper,” he mumbled as he grabbed boxes off the floor. “You two are sickening enough now.”
“Thanks Jack,” Sera replied.
He grinned at her as he shuffled the boxes in his arm. “It’s true,” he defended.
“Yeah it is,” Mike said.
“So what do you say? Do you want to get married?” Liam asked quietly.
Sera gaped at him in surprise. “Liam...”
“I bet you always dreamed of a big wedding, with a cake, and a beautiful white dress.”
Now Jack, Mike, Doug, and David were staring at him with wide eyes, and gaping mouths. Sera grinned at him. As far as she was concerned they didn’t need any vows, they had already made them, but she had always dreamed of a wedding. He strode across the room and knelt before her as he seized her hand.
“So, will you marry me?”
His eyes twinkled merrily as he gazed at her. Sera grinned back at him as her hand tightened around his. “Yes.”
He smiled as he wrapped his hand around the back of her head and kissed her. The touch of his lips instantly sent a bolt of desire through her. She pulled back before she could completely lose herself to him. “Oh!” Kathleen cried happily. “We have so much planning to do! We’ll need a dress, and a caterer, and of course we’re going to have to find a hall! I’m sure Oregon has some beautiful places! We’ll have to start looking immediately, unless you want to wait until after you have the baby, then it will have to be a winter wedding!”
Kathleen continued to prattle on about the plans. “Oh for crying out loud!” Mike interrupted. “Could you make these plans on the plane, before we miss it?”
Sera’s grin widened as she slid her arms around Liam’s neck and kissed him again. “Oh, congratulations!” Kathleen cried as she threw her arms around them both. “I’m so happy for you!”
Sera laughed as she wrapped her arms around her friend.