"I'm so glad you're here." I hugged my Carter tightly and took a big breath of relief feeling safer in his arms once again.

"You have no idea how worried I was, sunshine. I was literally on the verge of ripping a hole through that portal with my bare hands. I was so scared something had happened to you. I didn't hurt you again did I?" He looked panicked as he waited for my answer. "Those marks on your neck, that was me wasn't it?" he gently touched the bruises on my neck from where he had held me. "I'm so sorry." He closed his eyes in complete disgust and shook his head gently.

"Carter, it's ok. I know that monster is not you." I put my hand on top of his. "This moment between me and the monster needed to happen. I needed to face him and tell him I'm not that little girl anymore. If anything this moment has made us both stronger."

He looked up at me with a slight smile on his lips. "You are the strongest creature I have ever met. I may have survived four hundred years but I am yet to face my monster. You my beautiful sunshine, have proved to everyone here that you are clearly in charge and nothing, including me, can stop you. I know a lot of other creatures that cannot claim the same." He kissed me on my cheek. "I am truly sorry for what the monster did to you and your family."

"I know you are." I kissed him deeply as he held me in his strong arms. "Just get me out of here, I want to go home." Carter just nodded and kissed me softly lifting me onto his lap.

"Boss, the perimeter is safe. No sign of Leon or ... And, you are both having a tender moment there. My bad, really have to stop walking in on you both like this." Jake said turning on his heel and walking away shaking his head. "Everybody is getting laid except old Jake. Nobody wants Jake." He mumbles to himself.

"We should probably stop before we do something everyone else might regret seeing." I smiled at Carter as I pushed his dark hair back.

"Trust me, they should be so lucky." Carter gave me a wicked smile. "Might teach them a thing or two." he winked and smiled proudly.

"Stop it." I hit his chest playfully. "You are so naughty."

"Ebony, oh thank goodness." I heard Henry's voice behind me.

"Is everyone out to piss me off today?" Carter growled rolling his eyes.

"We will continue this later. Be nice, he is here to help." I kissed Carter and gave him a look before standing up to greet Henry. "Henry," I said opening my arms to greet him. "You made it." I heard Carter growl slightly behind me.

"Hey, you," Henry laughed as I hugged him. "Are you ok?"

"Yes, I'm just happy to see your face. I can't believe you agreed to this." I was so excited to see my family again.

"If this stops the war that is raging on in my world, then I'm all in. My vampires are in danger, and I will not have them living in fear," henry smiled at me. "I'm glad to see you are safe. When I heard that you had been transported back to this time, I feared the worst." Henry looked over at Carter who was now standing behind me and cleared his throat. "I was worried."

"I would be if I was you," Carter said under his breath. I turned and shot him another look.

"I'm fine, I promise." I turned back to Henry and smiled. "I'll tell you, some poor psychologist is going to need therapy after I share my story with them about all of this, but I'm ok. Thank you for coming here."

"Anytime," Henry smiled and bowed his blonde head slightly. "I will always protect you."

"Thank you," I said smiling at him.

"You are most welcome my friend," Henry smiled softly.

"Ebony," I heard a quiet voice behind me, almost like a whisper "Ebony, can I talk to you for a minute please."

I turned to see a sheepish-looking Callan standing behind me with his hands in his black jean pockets and his brown eyes looking down to the ground.

"Ok, sure," I turned to Callan as he kicked the leaves under his black boots. "Callan, I..."

"I just wanted you to know," Callan said cutting me off. "I know you're probably really upset with me and trust me, I know you have every right to be, but I just wanted you to know that I'm really sorry for being a part of this stupid plan. I'm sorry," his eyes remained down on the ground as he spoke. "I never meant for you to get hurt, I had no idea about your previous relationship with my father, and if I had known that you might be in danger, then I would never have agreed to be a part of it. I swear, I had no idea."

"I know you would never do anything to hurt me, and I get it. This war is affecting everyone in different ways. You thought it was going to help and surprisingly it did. It's ok, Callan, you're here now, and that's all that matters to me." I reached out for his arm. "It's ok."

"It's not, but thank you. I will make it up to you," he looked up at me and smiled. "I am truly sorry and trust me when I say. My father punished me harshly for my actions." he rubbed his head. "Jake also had a few things to say."

"You are just lucky she is ok," Jake said sternly crossing his arms over his chest. "I'll snap your back in half if you pull this shit again."

"I'll tell you what," I held Callan's hand in mine "When this is all over and done with, we are going out, and the drinks are on you. Deal?"

He ran his hand through his thick dark hair "Deal," he smiled.

I pulled him in for a hug as I felt his tense body relax a little.

"I'm glad you're ok," He said, hugging me tightly.

"I'm glad you're here."

"Awwww, what a beautiful moment between step mummy and stepson. So beautiful brings a tear to my eye," Jake pretended to weep behind us. "So fucken Beautiful."

"Shut up, asshole. Why don't you take yourself and that tiny penis of yours somewhere else," Callan yelled, flipping off Jake.

"Now, now, Callan. We have talked about you projecting your body issues on others. You are more than your small penis son," Jake said as Callan lunged toward him and tackled him to the ground.

"I'll have you know, I have NEVER received any complaints, unlike you." Callan shoved Jake and laughed.

"To be fair, I was really drunk at the time, and it's tough to perform when there is an audience," Jake yelled.

"I had no problem," Callan yelled back.

"Some things never change," I laughed as they wrestled on the ground.

"Enough," Carter bellowed. "We have no time for your bullshit right now. We have to find Leon before he realizes what we have done. Unless you both want to die here discussing your genitalia?"

"Sorry, boss, just showing young Callan here to respect his elders," Jake said, jumping up and dusting off his leather jacket and black jeans.

"You were having a pissing contest, and I assure you there is no need whenever I am in the room. I will win whatever bullshit game you're playing, I can assure you both of that. Now enough of this, we have a long journey ahead of us, and I don't want to be babysitting you two. Henry, you will walk with Ebony, dumb, and dumber you two take the back, and I will go first. Does everyone remember the plan?" Carter said, staring right at Jake as he folded his arms over his chest.

"Yes, sir," Jake saluted back. "Mission understood."

"Got it," Callan yelled, running into the darkness.

"Don't fuck this up, Jacob," Carter growled, raising his eyebrow sharply to Jake.

"Don't fuck it up, Jacob. Roger that." Jake yelled back, still saluting Carter like a drill Sargent.

"Very good," Carter said, clipping the back of Jake's head. "Very good, Jacob."

"Thanks, boss," Jake replied, rubbing his head as Callan laughed from behind me.

"Go," Carter demanded, and Jake ran into darkness with Callan.

"Ebony," Carter placed his hand on my cheek. It felt ice-cold, and my body shivered as the wind blew around us. "You need to promise me no matter what happens tonight. You will stay with Henry. He will protect you. You have no powers in the timeline, and Leon will use anything he can to get to you. If Henry says, it's too dangerous. Then you need to listen. I can't have you in any more danger. I can't go through that again. I can't lose you," he kissed my forehead softly. "We need to go home together."

"I promise," I said, pulling him in closer for a hug. "I just want this to be over."

"It will be by the end of tonight," Carter kissed the top of my head. "I'm too old for this shit, and I need a vacation," he sighed.

"Be careful, Carter, please. I don't want to see you hurt or worse. Please, be careful."

"Tonight, this war ends, and our life together begins. I can promise you that. We can finally have the life you deserve, and I will do whatever it takes to make sure you are safe. That I can promise you," He lifted my chin with his finger. "No one will hurt my girl ever again," he kissed my lips softly. "I love you, Ebony Summers."

"I love you too, Carter Morgan." he kissed me again slowly but deeply as I wrapped my arms around his neck. "Just come back to me."

"I will never leave you," he whispered, and with one last kiss on my lips, he was gone.

"You ok, kiddo?" Henry said, putting his arm around my shoulders.

"You know what? I actually am, and after everything, we have been through, I'm kinda over it," I smiled. "I just want my vampire family back and a good sleep-in."

"You will always have us, that I can assure you," Henry squeezed me tightly. "I have never loved anything or anybody in my entire life, but I am rather fond of you. I think I would enjoy being with a human, but unfortunately, I don't think that anybody would like a creature like me," he shrugged.

"Oh, I think there would be a few volunteers out there," I laughed. "I mean, look at you and who wouldn't want to marry a prince.?

He smiled widely. "When this is over, you must introduce me to some of your friends, yes?"

"Deal."

"You two ready? Boss has given us the signal," Jake yelled from behind us.

"Ready?" Henry said, taking my hand in his.

"Ready," I said, taking a big breath.