Just a quick note, how the last chapter ended has been redone and completely changed... might want to flick back to it as this won't be picking up where it left off. ER x

After waking the following afternoon, Aiden and I went home. Brianna carried on with her plans to go back to the coven, my brothers made promises to check in with me twice a day and things remained awkward with my parents. Life did return to normal, as normal as things could be these days. Aiden never pushed to know more or ask questions about what happened between me and David. If I asked what happened with him and Brianna, I was told it was taken of so it just became easier not to talk about any of it. Gwen went back home, promising to keep our secrets and skipping on going to her parents place on the way back only ensured it stayed that way.

"So, is he like, living with you now?" Hannah asked a week later when we finally caught up for sushi at our favourite place.

"Yes. It's just, easier." I sigh.

"I'm glad things are going well." She pauses, refilling the little dish of soy sauce.

"But?"

"But what?"

"There is always a but." I take the last gyoza and ignore the shocked look on her face.

"I wanted that!" She protested before shrugging. "Things aren't moving too fast are they?"

"Maybe, but it's what is good for us." I tell her slowly.

"Must be. I haven't even seen you looking so, so, healthy. Happy too. You just, you look great! I'm almost jealous." She laughs.

She wouldn't be laughing if I told her the main reason for my change is not just my happiness and new relationship, but rather the blood I now seem to be consuming every couple of days. Who knew, all these years spent as the weak, pale, runt could have been resolved so quickly, simply by discovering my dormant fangs and mixed heritage.

It was then my phone beeped and quickly checking it, I couldn't believe it was already that time. Eight o'clock. Looking out the darkened window, the shadow that stood to one side told me enough and I quickly downed what was left of my sake.

"I'm sorry, I gotta go. I didn't realise the time!" I apologise, fumbling with my bag. I put a twenty down on the table and she smiled.

"I get it. I got that club opening to get ready for anyway. I'll see you at that breakfast meeting on Wednesday though right? Don't worry, I'll pick you up." She checks her phone as I cringe.

"Right. See you then!" I blow her a kiss and rush out of the restaurant, spotting David as he looked into the display window of a closed shop a few meters away.

Today was our first get together post-that night. As I promised, we could hang out and choosing to forget to clarify with Aiden that I wasn't going to be out with Hannah all night, I wondered how long I could get away with this for.

"Hey!" I called out to him, but he was already turning my way.

We awkwardly hugged and he then motioned to the black suv parked at the curb.

"Good evening Samara. Are you ready?"

"I am." I held my breath as he opened the door and climbed in, with him moving around to get in on the other side.

We pulled out and I sat back slightly, not willing to risk Hannah seeing me in the car as we went past where she was walking. I was positive she hadn't seen me get in, and slowly relaxed as we crossed the city. I didn't want her questions or worse, her bringing it up when Aiden was around.

"How was your dinner?" David asked casually, his phone in his hand he didn't look at me.

"Great. It's always good there."

"I remember eating there, years ago now. It was quite a luxury back then." He put his phone away. "It was the first of its kind to open around here."

"You're not that old, and it's been open forever." I laughed.

"It was still thirty years ago. There wasn't even a McDonalds on every corner back then." He let out a little chuckle as we went past one.

Of all places we could have gone to, we ended up at a cemetery and leaving the car and driver by the main car park, it was a cool but nice night for a walk. Brown leaves crunched underfoot, some danced across the path as the wind rushed past us only to disappear a second later. Rows and rows of tombstones surrounded us, some decorated with solar lights and teddy bears, flowers and ornaments while others had been long forgotten.

I didn't ask why we were there, neither of us really spoke either. I just walked beside him as he seemed to know where he was going. As we went on, the smaller, basic grave markings started to change from concrete to marble, growing in size and decor until we hit the mausoleums that loomed ahead like a mini housing estate; I guess in some ways they were.

There was no dead leaves around here. The gardens more refined and the grass kept well manicured and cared for. Moving off the main path even here there seemed to be a class system, with openings becoming more and more elaborate, until he finally stopped before one set of doors. Unlocking it, David pushed it open and surprisingly, a soft candle light rushed out to meet us.

"I thought you'd like to get to know your other family." He said, making a move inside and I froze.

"What?"

David frowned. "This is my family's mausoleum. Your great, great, great grandparents are in here."

"They're not um, well they're not vampires too are they?" I hesitated.

His laugh was sudden, unexpected and loud. But it was warm and nice, so as he put an arm over my shoulders to lead me in I already felt a bit better about it all.

"No. They're not." He finally said as went into the well looked after area.

There was no dust and creepy crawlies hiding in the dark. It reminded me more of a foyer in a hotel minus the desk and receptionist, though if there had been one in there it wouldn't have surprised me. Large pillar candles burned from inside glass lanterns, and I was positive I smelt a touch of vanilla coming from them too. David closed the door silently, there was no unsettling creaking or even a bang to get my nerves racing again and producing a blanket, he spread it out over a ledge by the far wall.

"Come, sit." He offered, motioning to it and I did.

"Nothing cliche about this." I tell him as I sat. "Vampires lurking around a cemetary."

"Nothing at all." His gaze finds mine and he smiles. "I often come here when I'm in town, just to think. Now you make me feel I'm buying into the stereotype."

He goes quiet for a moment, looking around thoughtfully. "In the early days I came here to hide. No sun gets in and it's not like it gets frequent visitors. I felt like I was showing off my immortality to the dead, waiting for my grandparents to reappear and tell me how disappointed they were I gave up life rather than be impressed I found a way to live forever."

"What were they like?" I ask.

I had memories of my Mum's grandma as she had passed when I was six. She had been a tiny old lady, with boney hands that still had the strength of a much younger person. She suffered from dementia and would call me Sally whenever we visited before yelling at me for letting out the cat. It wasn't the greatest memory to have,yet at least I had the chance to know about her, if not from the visits then from the stories Mum and my Nan would tell us.

"My grandfather loved to golf. I'm pretty sure it was an excuse to get away from my grandmother as he was terrible at it for the amount of hours he invested in playing. He also had a wonderful collection of first edition novels by Agatha Christie of all people."

He smiled again, but this one was different. It was gentle and easy, and as he recalled stories from the many misadventures they had on the golf course it didn't go away. David opened up after that. He went back through the generations, pointing at each plaque as he moved through the family tree until finally he stopped before the new, shiney in memory of name of his father.

"I wish you had been able to meet him." He finally finished, the smile disappearing.

For two hours he had talked, his sense of humour and personality on full display. It wasn't hard for me to imagine my mother falling for someone like him, especially based on what I knew she was like when she had met him. It would have been exciting to be out at night with this charming, funny man. He was handsome, I knew he would be the type more than one of my friends would go for. Plus, he was rich. He was most women's trifecta - minus the blood sucking vampire part. Then again, some probably would like that.

The more I thought about it, the more I could see a life that saw Mum stay true to who she used to be. I don't doubt she and Dad were mates, or that they didn't really love each other - but without that kind of pull, one I was well aware thanks to meeting Aiden, there would be no way she would have given David up. Cringing slightly at the thought of it, even with her mate found her struggle had been real because if it hadn't been I wouldn't exist.

"Thank you for tonight." I told him as we were driven back towards the japanese restaurant.

"Not too boring for you?" He laughed, though it sounded awkward.

"It was actually perfect." It wasn't a lie. "I loved hearing about your family. Thank you for sharing them with me."

"Technically, they're your family too." David pointed out.

"They are." I smiled.

"Same time next week?" He asked as the car finally stopped.

"Nope. I'm terrible with routines and I don't-" I paused.

"What?" The air changed. Gone was our good night and I swallowed nervously.

"I don't want Aiden knowing." I confessed and David's eyes darkened. "I'm not saying this can't continue, but-"

"What did you tell him about the other night?"

"That you promised to leave my family alone, which you did." I remind him. "So long as I remain open to the idea of keeping in contact with you. I just didn't specify the finer details. He'll get all uptight, and protective and then you'll get a pissed off and that's too much ego for me to deal with."

"So you want to lie to him about seeing me?"

"For a bit, until I can prove to both of you that you can co-exist without trying to kill each other." I shrug. "What will it take for you to call a truce with him?"

"For him to be dying." He growled.

"Look, this was great. I'll work something out and I want us to keep hanging out, but I well, I love him. I'm not choosing between either of you so at some point-"

"No."

"But-" I started.

"No. If he loves you, he wouldn't make it difficult for you to be able to get to know your actual father." David snapped.

"Well, as an actual father, you should love me enough not to make this so, so, complicated!" I got out of the car, slamming the door as I do so. He had no idea how lucky he was to skip the bulk of my teenage tantrums.

The car pulled out as I started the walk home and about ten minutes later he sent me a message. 'I will wait to hear from you regarding our next catch up. D'

Well, it was a start and at this point, I was happy to take whatever I could get. Thankfully Aiden wasn't home when I got in, and taking a shower I tried to come up with a solution. Was their some magical mediation process I could sign them up too, maybe some kind of angel could sit them down to talk their issues out. Maybe I needed them to check my head because as if angels existed. Then again, I was a vampire werewolf hybrid and we weren't the only supernatural beings in the world. How did they all stay so hidden?

The following night Aiden took me on a date. A very normal, dinner and a movie kind of date that ended with more than just a kiss. Something seemed different about him since he came home in the early hours of the morning, but I couldn't work out what it was. He just seemed, happy which only left me feeling guilty as if I confessed about my after dinner plans that didn't involve Hannah I knew this would stop. I was feeling greedy. I wanted it all now that I had it.

Good relationship with estranged, biological father - check.

Family complicated, but safe - check.

Soulmate wrapped around me after an absolutely perfect ending to the night - check.

Now I just had to work out how to keep it this way.