Melanie sat on her bed and looked at her packed boxes. She had five boxes of belongings. Two for clothes. One for personal belongings and toiletries. One for her books and toys. One for sentimental valued items. All of her room, packed up into five boxes. From her room she could smell dinner cooking. It was Wednesday which meant it was whatever was left over from the week.

She could smell chicken breast and mashed potatoes and left over spaghetti. 'How am I supposed to tell them?' She wondered. 'How do I let them know I'm leaving with Lucian? They haven't even met him yet.' She sighed. With slow and decisive steps, she looked at the stairs and the walls. These were the walls she had grown up in.

The creaking stairs that had annoyed her, now seemed memorable, as though they were one of a kind. She grazed the siding of the walls and touched all the surfaces with her fingertips. If this was going to be her last day at the house, she wanted to remember every detail perfectly. Melanie walked down the second flight of stairs and paused when she heard a familiar voice.

A deep and smooth familiar voice. She hurried into the living room and then froze in surprise when she saw Lucian sitting at the table. 

'Since when did he arrive?' She wondered.

"Oh, there she is!" Sally said. 

"About time you got down here." Her father added as he set out plates. 

"We were just talking to your friend here about your new job." Her father explained.

Jack was an average looking man, short brown hair, blue eyes, a small gut and almost always in a polo-shirt. 

"Why didn't you tell us that you were getting into the hospitality business?" Sally asked.

Melanie looked from her parents to her sister who emerged from the kitchen with a large bowl of potatoes. 

"I...thought it would be a surprise." Melanie answered. 

"Well it most certainly is that." Jack replied.

"You are leaving tomorrow?" Rebecca asked, setting down the large bowl in the center of the table for everyone to reach. 

"Well-" Melanie was at a loss for words. 

"You see-" Lucian cut in, "-the hospitality training for this particular spot is not just regionally." 

"You mean...my baby-girl is going all across the world for hospitality?" Sally asked.

"Mrs. Rivers, your daughter will be staying and working at some of the most prestigious places that money could buy." 

"Wow. I...feel like my little girl has grown up so fast." Jack said, emotion thick in his throat. 

"I will ensure that your daughter is well taken care of." Lucian smiled. 

"Will she be able to visit?" Rebecca asked.

"Perhaps, though not often since her training will take her to very distant places for extended amounts of time but I will ensure she gets a chance to reach out."

"I guess that is the best we could ask for." Sally said, looking down at the silverware that she had passed out and then she looked up at Melanie. "Is this really what you want sweetie?" 

Melanie walked over and buried herself in her mother's arms. 

"You know I've always wanted to travel to New places mom. This way I get to do just that and get paid for it too."

Sally wrapped her arms around her daughter and stifled tears of both sadness and joy.

"As long as you'll be happy baby girl. That is what matters." Sally replied and then pulled away. "Now, let's eat." 

Melanie smiled and sat beside Lucian who she noticed was wearing a suit. Not his usual black shirt and wide legged pants. The black on black suit with a purple tie suited him and brought out the garnet color of his eyes. 

"C'mon now. Hold hands." Jack said, holding out his hands. They all linked hands and followed his lead as he said his grace for the meal. Melanie couldn't help but think how lucky she was. The dread and worry she had been holding about telling her family fled the moment she saw Lucian.

As though just having him near meant that everything was going to be just fine. She squeezed his hand and he squeezed hers in return. 

"Alright, dig in." Jack said and everyone began dishing up portions of food. 

As they ate and conversed about their day and all that had transpired, Melanie couldn't help but smile. Her family, while it may not have been her blood, was better than any family she could've had. They cared about her in all the right ways and even cared enough to let her pursue her dreams.

While it was not the dreams they thought she had, it was the dream...the desire, that was closest to her heart. They ate and ate until almost all the left overs were gone, save for a few spoonfuls of potatoes, a couple scoops of corn and a chicken breast. 

"That was delicious." Jack said, kissing his wife on the head.

"I concur. A well done meal. Thank you Mrs. Rivers." Lucian replied. 

"So, Mr...Drakkon?" Jack asked. "What exactly do you do? What is your position?" 

"I am the global leader for my company's hospitality training and coordination." Lucian replied. 

"Oh? Wow that must be a pretty tough job?" Sally asked.

"It can be. However-" he glanced at Melanie and smirked, "-youd be surprised how many interesting people you meet and the company you find yourself in." 

Melanie blushed and folded her hands in her lap.

"You raised a wonderful daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Rivers. She is precisely what I have been looking for." 

"What will she be doing sir?" Rebecca asked.

"Well, your sister will be assisting me as my travel agent. Planning out routes and places. Acquiring stats and visits that the company assigns." Lucian replied.

"And what does a position like that pay?" Sally asked curiously. Lucian looked at Melanie, an expression of helplessness on his face. 

"Well, starting pay is forty thousand but that includes airfare and hotel stay along with meals." Melanie explained.

"Wow. You might have gotten into the wrong business hun." Jack said, looking to his wife.

"I didn't get into forestry for the money Jack. I did it-"

"For the conservation." Jack said. "I know. I'm just teasing you dear." He looked back at Melanie. "Most people don't start making that kind of money until they are well into their thirties. You are starting off at a good spot." He reached across the table extending his hand to Lucian who reached out and shook it.

"Thank you Mr. Drakkon. I hope you'll take good care of our daughter. I hope she too will take good care of you." 

"Oh, of that I have no doubt." Lucian grinned, looking at Melanie who blushed. "Your daughter is one in a thousand Mr. Rivers. You should feel very proud of her." 

Both Sally and Jack looked at their daughter with pride and sadness. Their little girl had grown up and was ready to leave the house. Ready to begin her own life. 

"When do you leave?" Rebecca asked.

"Tomorrow. We must depart before nightfall." Lucian replied as he got up and looked at everyone at the table. "I shall return in the morning. Thank you, for a delicious home cooked meal." He inclined his head. 

"I'll walk you out." Melanie got up from the table and followed him out the door, closing it behind her. Lucian looked up at the star filled sky and drank in the beauty. 

"Thank you for tonight." She said, looking up at the stars. "I don't know if I would've been able to face them alone." 

Lucian looked down at her, touching his hand to her soft skinned face he smiled.

"You are never alone." He said and crouched low to meet her at eye level. "You belong to me now." He said, tracing a finger down her face and across her neck.

Melanie felt herself melt slightly and a part of her wanted him to force her into submission right then and there. Lucian stood back up and drew in a deep breath. 

"How are you going to get home?" She asked. "You don't have a phone." 

Lucian winked and on a single exhale, long black wings made of darkness and power unfolded as he took off into the sky.