Part Eight
 

Nicholas began to search the school grounds.  He frantically used his night
vision to search the area around the building.  Then he stopped, and tried
to listen.  Hoping that he would pick up some sound that would direct him.
He concentrated, and tried to pick up a heartbeat, a scream, or some cries,
but he could hear nothing.  There were too many others canvassing the area,
and making it impossible for him by blocking out anything detectable.

Locating a deserted spot in an alley behind the school's parking lot, he
took to the air.  So many trees surrounded the school's property, that it
was difficult to see.  A familiar vibration swept over him, and he landed
near its source.  Janette!  The scene he walked it on was unimaginable.
There in the darkness was Janette, sitting on the ground and rocking Jenny
in her arms.  He could see Mason lying next to them, but there was no
heartbeat.  His attention turned back to Jenny.  Her heartbeat was strong as
she quietly cried into Janette's chest.  Janette looked up at Nicholas with
tears in her eyes.

"I saved this one, Nichola.  I did it for us, for Daniel.  This time I saved
a child."

Nicholas stood over them and watched as they clung together.  Each needing
the other.  Each knowing that everything was going to be all right.  It was
finally over.

He moved towards them, and bent down to take Jenny from Janette's secure
embrace.  As he stood, Jenny wrapped her arms tightly around him.  He
soothingly whispered to her.

"It's okay, Jenny.  I'm going to take you back to your parents now.  You're
a brave girl."

He pulled the shawl that Janette had wrapped around Jenny, tightly around
her. He gently kissed Jenny on top of the head, and turned towards Janette
with new found respect and admiration.

"Thank You."

Janette smiled slightly then turned to leave.  Nicholas reached for her arm
and touched her causing her to turn back to him.  He mouthed the words "wait
here," and warmly smiled at her.

He held Jenny tightly as he and walked out into the night and towards the
school building.

Natalie was the first to see Nicholas walking with Jenny in his arms.  She
began to run towards him with so many tears that she could barely see where
she was going.  As she got closer, she could see that he was smiling which
meant that he had gotten to her in time.  Natalie began to yell out.

"Myra!  Nicholas is coming!  He's got Jenny!"

Natalie was the first to reach Nicholas and Jenny, and she hugged them both
and cried.  Myra was behind Natalie in an instant, she was running and
screaming out Jenny's name.  Myra collided into the three of them when she
reached them.  Jenny heard her Mother's calls, and reached out for her as
Nicholas released her into Myra's out stretched arms.  Myra continued to cry
and to call out Jenny's name as she laid her daughter on the ground, and
held her as they cried together.

Nicholas pulled out his cell phone, and dialed in Schanke's number.  Schanke
picked up.

"We got Jenny, and she's fine.  We're in front of the school."

Myra looked up at Nicholas through her tears as he spoke to her husband.

"Thank you!  Thank you!  We owe you so much!"

"You do not owe me anything, and seeing you together is the best thank you
I've ever had."

Natalie reached for Nicholas again, and held him.  He held her as she cried
tears of relief.

Nicholas watched as Schanke arrived to make his family complete.  He pulled
away from Natalie, and signaled for one of the officers to approach.  He
pointed to Jenny.

"Have the Paramedics check her out.  Thanks."

He turned back to Natalie.

"I have one more thing to do.  I'll see you in a little while."

He kissed Natalie on the cheek, and walked back out to where he had left
Janette.  Janette was still standing near Mason's body when he rejoined her.

"Janette....how?  You saved her, but how did you know to be here?"

Janette leaned back against a tree, and looked up at the moon.

"Remember the moon that night Nichola?  The night we lost Daniel?  It was
the brightest I can remember for a hundred years.  Do you remember?"

Nicholas walked over to Janette, and put his arms around her.

"Yes, I do remember as you do, but tonight Janette you saved a life.  You
saved Jenny."

Janette looked into Nicholas's eyes.

"Yes, tonight I was able to save a child.  She will now be able to grow up,
and have a normal life.  It's what should have been for Daniel.  Daniel knew
it, but because of me he lost that opportunity."

Nicholas began to interrupt her.

"No Nichola, it's true.  I know you never blamed me, but I did want Daniel
so badly at first that I refused to see beyond my own desires.  I didn't
realize that I would lose Daniel the moment he was brought across.  It was a
mortal child that I had longed for, and Daniel was only a disappointing
reminder of my complete failure at ever having a child.  When you came to
the Raven last night, and told me about Sarrison, I knew that I could
destroy him and save Jenny.  I also knew that you could not.  So I went to
Sarrison's office to kill him.  But when I rose to his office window, I saw
this other man.  They were arguing, and then they began to struggle.  I saw
the man pull out a needle, and push it into Sarrison.  I watched as this man
wiped off the syringe, and left the office.  I could hear that Sarrison
still had a heartbeat, and I waited for a moment trying to decide what to
do.  But then you came crashing through the window on the other side.  So I
left, and followed this man to Schanke's house, and then to the school.  I
could not help Daniel, but I got here in time to help her."

She moved near Nicholas, and he rocked her in his arms.

"Yes Janette, you got to her in time."

They held each other with the shared knowledge that although the longing
pain for Daniel would never end, tonight they did accomplish something of
true value.

Janette looked up at Nicholas and brought her hand to his face, and touched
him lovingly.

"Do you know Nichola that I have always loved you?"

Nicholas placed his hand over the one that touched his face.  He pulled her
hand towards his mouth, and kissed it tenderly.

"We have always been like one, my love."

Janette closed her eyes for a second and smiled.

"You must try to have a child of your own."

Nicholas stepped back, and closely examined Janette.

"I thought you said......."

"I was wrong.  It would be wrong to not try.  You have something very
special with Natalie.  She must love you very much Nichola.  I do not know
if this baby can be conceived, and if it can I do not know what it would be.
  But if this is your chance, I do not see how you can let it go by.  I wish
I could have this child for you.  You will make a wonderful father.  You can
do the opposite of everything that LaCroix has ever done to you."

She laughed when she saw him smile.

"Go now, Nichola."  Janette pointed to Mason.

"I think you will want to call someone to pick up this mess."

Nicholas smiled as he watched Janette take off into the evening sky.

He pulled out his cell phone, and gave the officer on the scene the location
of Mason's body.  As he put back his phone, he looked up at the star filled
sky.  It was still early, and the sky was made up of the many colors that
would soon blend together to make the deep darkness of night.  There was
very little of a moon tonight, but he did not need the moon's light to see.

Looking down at Mason's body, he was surprised to find that he felt no
hatred for this child killer.  It was done.  Time to let Mason and his
victims rest.  Time for him to also let another rest.  "Daniel."  Saying his
name, brought a new calmness.  The pressure of Daniel's tragic life had been
lifted.  He thought about the good parts of knowing Daniel.  Thoughts of
Daniel as a mortal, so happy to have them as a family, made him smile.  He
could remember him enjoying their food, and the attention they so happily
gave to him.  His excitement at the gift they had given to him.  The
precious memories of Daniel began to flow non stop.  For a few weeks, they
were a family.  He had had a younger brother.  Maybe this destiny belief
that Natalie held made some sense.  For had Daniel not become a vampire,
Janette would never had been here to save Jenny.  Jenny was alive because of
what Nicholas thought was LaCroix's evil act of bringing across Daniel.  So
even LaCroix's evil brought about goodness.  Maybe there is a reason for
everything.  Even vampires, .........even him.

Walking out from behind the bushes,  he heard the squad cars approach, and
guided them to where Mason's body lie.  One of the officers grabbed the roll
of yellow tape as he left his patrol car, and began to secure the area.  He
walked out before the area became sealed.

The Coroner's van was pulling up close to Mason's body.  He glanced up in
time to see Natalie approaching carrying her medical bag across the school's
lawn. It was getting very noisy and crowded as the officers began to erect
spotlights to illuminate the crime scene.

Nicholas started to walk rapidly so as to head off Natalie.  She was still
smiling and wiping away the last of her tears.  He couldn't wait to be near
her.  He intercepted her about 100 feet before the newly sectioned off area.
  Standing directly in her path, he reached for her arm.  She stood still as
she watched him stroke her arm.  Smiling at her, he waited for her to look
up and make eye contact with him.  She lifted her head, and saw a rare
sight.  A smiling Nicholas with love in his eyes for her.

"Natalie, I believe that I owe you an answer.  Let's go for a walk."

Natalie began to protest, and pull towards the crime scene.  He tugged in
the opposite direction encouraging her to come with him.

"They'll be fine without you for a little while.  This is more important.
Come here."

He took the bag out of her hand, and placed it on the ground.  His arm
slipped around her waist as he directed her away from the sounds of the
crowd.

After they had walked a few minutes, he suddenly stopped and faced her
again.

"I want to talk now, just me - not the vampire.  Will you tell me more about
this cure?  I understand that this will involve a child, but you never told
me exactly how conceiving this child would change me."

Natalie looked deeply into his eyes, and saw his sincerity.

"Your cure Nick, is within you......your DNA.  All of your cells contain a
piece of DNA that makes you the vampire that you are.  It's everywhere
inside you, including the sperm samples that you have given me in the past."

He began to speak, but she stopped him.

"Let me continue.  You asked me for an explanation, so please let me
explain."

He nodded for her to continue, and she took in a quick breath.

"All my cells contain the parts that make me mortal.  To cure you, we need
to introduce mortal cells into your vampire containing cells.  If we did
this directly your cells, the vampire cells, would destroy my mortal cells
as it would destroy any disease."

Nicholas turned away as she came closely behind him.  He could see where
this was leading.

"Is this why, we need the child?"

Natalie stepped in front of him.

"Yes, the child would contain the genetic composition of both of us.  The
child would act as a bridge between us.  A messenger, that with its cells
could deliver mortality to the vampire inside you."

Nicholas reached to Natalie placing both hands around her arms.

"Nat, What would this child be?  A vampire?  Mortal?"

She looked down at the grass.

"I don't know.  We would only learn more about that as the baby grew.. but
it would most likely have characteristics from both of us."

He waited for Natalie to look back up at him.

"This child would be half vampire, and half mortal.  Is this what you want
for your child?"

She did not hesitate a second to respond.

"What makes you think that this combination would be bad?  Or are you asking
me if I want a child that is part of you?  I have always wanted a baby for
as long as I can remember.  I have also wanted to be a part of your life for
as long as I've known you.  Yes, this is what I want."

She stopped, and studied him.  His serious expression had not changed.

"What about you Nick?  Do you want to be a father?"

He was still holding her, but he looked through her as he tried to recall
how often he had to dismiss the idea of ever becoming a parent.  Even though
he repeated Natalie's question to himself, he could not believe the words
she had just said.  Even if this child did not lead to his cure, he would be
involved with humanity as he had never envisioned before.  A baby.......his
baby!

"Yes Nat, for as long as I can remember, which is a lot longer than you."

A large smile spread across his face as he grabbed her around her waist, and
swung her around and around until they both fell on the ground laughing.

As soon as her dizziness stopped and the laughter subsided, she moved closer
to him, and kissed him deeply.  She pulled away after a moment.  She did not
want to arouse the vampire now.

"I've been watching my cycle.  I will be fertile tomorrow.  You'll need to
get a fresh sample to me.  I will stay at home.  I think I should not be too
close until after.  I've never asked, but I assume that the vampire presents
itself during the process?"

He smiled feeling very embarrassed.

"You assume right.  I will bring the sample to you tomorrow evening."

Natalie picked up on his uneasiness.  They were still sitting on the grass
as she reached over to him.

"You are going to have to learn not to be shy with me.  We are going to have
a baby together.  I think we can be a little more personal."

He stood up still feeling uncomfortable about discussing the subject as he
helped her up.  She easily got up with his help, and brushed away some of
the dirt and grass her skirt had collected while on the ground.  Reaching
over he pulled a blade of grass from her hair, and became serious again.

"Nat, assuming you can conceive this child, can carrying a half vampire
child be dangerous for a mortal?  I can not have anything happen to you."

Natalie thought for a moment.

"About the conception part.  From what I have seen from past samples, you
appear to be fertile.  Actually the cooler temperature of your body provide
very fertile conditions for your sperm's development.  You are only six
degrees cooler than mortals, and men who are having difficulty with
fertility are often told to use methods that reduce the normal body
temperature."

Nicholas looked interested, but he was still concerned.

"Okay, so I'm fertile.  Will you be safe?"

"I have to be honest with you, I don't know.  We are sailing uncharted
waters with this.  Can anything happen?  I would say yes, but that is true
with any pregnancy.  I would consider myself to be a high risk pregnancy,
and I would closely monitor everything.  If there was any real danger to my
life, I would do what is best for all involved.  Does that help?"

He began to calm down again.

I trust you to do what is right, Nat. Is there anything I can do besides the
obvious?"  He smiled.

Natalie playfully pushed him.

"Yes, tomorrow when you bring the sample, I would like you to be there when
I inseminate myself.  At least in the next room."

"I'll be there for you, Nat. Every minute, I promise."

"One more thing.  In about four months, if all goes well, we will need to
have a CVS test done.  I will need the tissue to determine the babies
growth, and to infuse you with its unique cells.  So if my theory is correct
then you will begin changing along with our developing baby.  I will not be
able to do this test by myself.  You will need to come with me, and use some
of those persuasive hypnotic skills of yours to retrieve the samples the
doctor gets. The doctor must not examine the samples.  They are for my eyes
only.  So, you'll help with that?"

He carefully thought.  She really did have this well thought out.  She had
to.

"Whenever you need me, I'll be there.  I do have one more question for now.
Why can't we just wait until the baby is born to infuse me?"

"There are many reasons, but the most important one is that the baby's cells
at this stage of development are in a state of constant change.  They may be
perfect for delivering the mortal message we need to be received by your
cells.  After the baby's birth, we can continue the infusions with only
small amounts of the baby's blood.  This will be an ongoing process that one
day will hopefully be complete.  It may take years."

He was beginning to feel overwhelmed again.

"Nat, I'm scared.  This sounds like the things that science fiction is made
of, even to me."

She shook her head gently and smiled lovingly.

"Don't be frightened.  These are only the details.  The big picture is that
we will have a beautiful baby together, and this baby will probably be the
key to making us a family."

He reached for her, and held her tightly against him.

"You're beautiful!  There are no words to express how I feel about
you...about us."

They silently held each other on the school's lawn as police lights flooded
the area not far from them.  The noise from the patrol car's radio and the
many voices blended into the background.

* * * * * * * *

Nicholas looked up from the waiting room chair as the young nurse approached
him.

"Mr. Knight, you can be with her now.  Here are some hospital clothes.  If
you will just slip these on over your street clothes, you'll be able to go
to her."

He reached for the green baggy clothes, and slipped them on in an instant.
Then he followed the nurse out into the hall.

The delivery room was bright and alive with activity, but it felt cold.  He
smiled as he realized that this was the first time he had felt cold in
nearly 800 years.  He couldn't wait to tell Natalie, but not now.  He had
been anxious to be back at her side.  The time in the waiting room had been
the only time he had left since her labor began fourteen hours ago.  One of
the nurses who was standing next to Natalie smiled at him when he entered.
Noting how lost and helpless he looked, she gestured for him to come near.

"It will not be long now.  She's doing fine.  You can come closer."

As much as Nicholas needed to be near Natalie, he was feeling intimidated by
all the equipment and people who so casually seemed to know just what to do.
He had no idea how he would do anything more than just get in the way.
Natalie was still being prepped by the nurses.  She was breathing rapidly
now, trying to ease the last stages of labor.  As they helped her place her
legs in the stirrups, she saw Nicholas out of the corner of her eye still
standing by the door.

"Nick, I need you!"

He immediately responded to her voice, and was at her side in a moment.  He
reached for her hand, and she rapidly took it.  She tightly held his hand as
though she were holding on for her life.  Nicholas used his free hand to
caress her face.  Her long dark hair was dripping from the perspiration that
covered her face.  She began moaning, and pleading for the pain to stop.

"Help me Nick........please help me.....  I don't think I can do this."

He looked up at the doctor.

"Isn't there anything you can give her?"

The doctor did not look up.

"I'm sorry, but she's too close.  In a moment we will need her to help push.
Just breathe Natalie, it will not be much longer."

Natalie looked panicked.

"I can't breathe.  I can't do this anymore.  I just want to forget this
whole thing."

Natalie began to scream.

The doctor looked up at Nicholas.

"It's time to push.  Nicholas I'll need you to help Natalie now."

Nicholas felt as frightened as Natalie looked, but he did not let Natalie
see his fear.  He looked directly into Natalie's eyes, and although he knew
he could not hypnotize her, he demanded her attention.

"Okay Nat. Focus on my face.....on my voice.  You need to push now."

She was exhausted.  She looked at Nicholas with pleading eyes.

"I can't Nick, it hurts too much.  I don't have the strength."

The doctor looked up again.

"Push Natalie now!  You must push now.  You are the only one who can help
your baby.  Nicholas have her push now."

Nicholas pulled Natalie's face to the side to face him.

"Now Natalie.  Push now!  Please Natalie.  We've come too far to lose
everything now."

She looked at him as the urge to push ripped at her.  Somewhere she would
have to find the strength.  She could hear the doctor demanding her to push.
  The urge finally set in, and she reached for a strength that she did not
believe existed in her.  Nicholas was behind her now, so she could bear down
and push harder.  The doctor's command came again.

"Push Natalie, just once more!"

Behind her she could hear Nicholas repeating the doctor's words, and she
pushed for all she was worth.  She pushed for herself, for Nicholas, and for
this wonderful new brightness that was trying to enter their lives.  The
pain lessened, and there was quiet.  She was lying back down, and breathing
heavily, when the most incredible sound broke the silence.  A cry, a baby's
cry, their baby's cry.

Natalie began to tremble, then laugh, and then to cry.

Nicholas came around from behind her.

"Hey, isn't this too soon for post partum?"

He gently kissed her, and had the biggest smile she had ever seen.  He bent
over, and whispered in her ear.

"You did great Nat. You are my hero."

She gave Nicholas an exhausted smile, and then became concerned.

"Dr. Samberg, Is everything all right?"

The doctor was busy checking the crying baby, but he briefly stopped to look
up at Natalie and smile.

"Yes, we are just doing an APGAR score, and cleaning up your new baby.  Just
give us a few more moments, and you'll have your baby for the rest of your
life."

Nicholas watched as everyone checked the baby for all the normal vital
signs. Then the baby was cleaned, diapered, and securely wrapped in a clean
white blanket.  Within a few moments, one of the nurses walked towards
Natalie with the baby in her arms.

"Are you ready for your baby?"

"Yes, please.  I've been waiting so long."

Nicholas stood back as the nurses placed the new life in Natalie's arms.
Natalie made cooing sounds to the baby to try and comfort the baby's cries.
Nicholas couldn't help but think how beautiful Natalie looked, and how
natural she was with the baby.  Natalie glanced up from the baby searching
for Nicholas.  She smiled tenderly when she saw him.

"Nick, please come here.  I want you to meet your daughter."

Tears began to form in Nicholas's eyes, and he shook his head as if to clear
it.  His daughter....his daughter.  He doubted if he would ever tire of
these words.  As he stepped next to Natalie and his new daughter, he was
overwhelmed by how beautiful this new life was - just like her Mother.

"Nat, she's beautiful."

Natalie felt tremendous joy.

"Nick, hold her."

As much as he longed to hold her, he hesitated, but Natalie refused to let
Nicholas miss this special moment.

"Please Nick, hold her.  You'll be fine."

Nicholas gently took the baby from Natalie's arms as the baby began to cry
again, and he started to hand her back.

"No Nick.  She needs you to hold her close, just like her Mom."

Knowing she was right, he swallowed, and took a deep breath.  He pulled his
crying daughter close to him.  The baby was comforted, and he beamed with
pride.  As Natalie watched Nicholas with his new girl, tears of happiness
began to slide down her face.

"She needs you Nick.  You are going to have to be strong for her."

He had no problem with being there for her and for Nat, in fact he liked the
idea.  What a wonderful gift this child was.  As he held her, he imagined
all the wonderful stories he could tell her of the places he'd been and the
things he had seen.  Well, they would have to be just fairy tales to her.
Then came the thoughts of the places he could show her, and the things they
could do.

Natalie called him back to reality.

"Nick there is just one more thing.  I've been thinking a lot about her
name."

Nicholas looked at Natalie frustrated with himself that he had never
considered the name.  He turned his full attention towards Natalie as he
held the sleeping baby securely.

"Nat, it's your choice.  I will love whatever you decide."

Natalie smiled, and gestured for him to get closer.  She pulled him close as
she whispered into his ear.

"Because she is the symbol of our promise to overcome the vampire.  Because
of the chance you now have for mortality.  Because of the faith and the love
she has inspired in you, and for the future dreams that she may hold.  I
wish to name her Hope."

Nicholas turned towards the baby, and gazed at her peaceful face.  He felt
so loved and content.  As clear tears streamed down his face he whispered.

"Welcome to the world......Hope!"

* The End *
 

Back to Part Seven!