Kassandra stands there in shock for a while, staring down at the pile of ashes at her feet. This was what she had been born to do? To fight an ancient vampire? But...couldn't John-- or anyone else-- have done just as well? All she did was pull the Prime element out of his blood! And then Nero drank him dry! She continues staring down at the ashes. Is it really over?

Vanessa smiles at Nero with a wary look in her eye as he talks to her jubilantly. She'd just taken a good look at his aura and he IS suddenly a lot more powerful, so that really must have been Tzimisce...who Nero just diablerized...Vanessa feels a little faint. At least there were no soul-shards...no taint...no demonic possession of any kind.
Nero's going on about it being "his city," and he's welcome to it! He always WAS a much better leader than her. Given time Vanessa might have become an impressive prince, but her heart was far from being in it. All she ever wanted was to be able to spend her nights with her family, and ever since being prince she'd barely seen Armande anymore. No, Nero was welcome to the city. And she would be more than happy to be his seneschal again. That's where HER strength lies...in advising others.
"I can't believe Carter was Tzimisce...or Tzimisce was Carter..." she says to Nero in a quiet, distracted voice. "The whole time that was Tzimisce...the whole time! Even...when you...you know...and then when I..." Vanessa holds her forehead. "Do you think any of the elders back east knew?" she asks, feeling so confused and distracted.

"No, most definitely not," Nero says with a wink. "Yes yes even when I buggered him he was Tzimisce...isn't that grand, Vanessa? Now you can be my advisor again and the city will be in peace..." he says.

Vanessa nods slowly, still trying to filter this information through her brain. "Yes...that will be fine..." she says distractedly. "I didn't want to be prince for very long...just long enough to see Kassandra fulfill her destiny..." she says. She glances over at her daughter, and then back at Nero.
"We need to keep the truce, Nero...OK? With the werewolves and mages? As a last favor to me...as my last request as prince...and your oldest friend?" she asks in a quiet voice.

"Of course," Nero says with a smile. "I had no intention of ruining such a wonderful and useful alliance. As my favor to you, my dear good friend, Vanessa." Nero clasps his hands and smiles at her. "No I will not use it to do anything undo, of course."

Vanessa gives him another wary smile and rolls her eyes. "Oh Nero..." she sighs. "Well...at least anything you decide to do will be on your head and not mine!" She glances over at Aether and feels her heartstrings pull a little. What will he do now that Tom...or Joe, rather...is dead?
"I want to talk to Aether...make sure he's going to be OK..." she whispers to Nero, motioning him to follow her.
She walks over to Aether and squats down beside him. "Sorry I had to do that...they put a tiny shard of wood in your heart and it was the only way I could get it out." she apologizes, inspecting the skin over his heart. It seems to be completely healed now.

"It is alright, Vanessa," Aether says looking down at his heart. "I feel better now..." He looks over at Kassandra and Rick. "I have someone new to protect....and so I will." he says.
"What about you?" he asks.

Vanessa follows Aether's glance over to Kassandra and Rick, and then looks back at Aether in surprise. "You're going to protect my daughter and her...mate?" she asks, and then looks touched and relieved. "Thank you Aether. I appreciate that more than you know."

Aether nods and stands up, needing the wall for support. He takes his heart from her. "Think you could put this back in? The last thing I need is to lose this," he says.

She nods. "Werewolf son-in-law...who would have seen THAT coming..." she murmurs more to herself than to the others. Then she looks back at Aether again. "I guess I'll be doing the same. I've got a...a granddaughter on the way, it appears..." She quickly looks up at Nero. "Don't you get any ideas, right?" she points at him. "Mage, werewolf, or neither! You've already got your perfect angel." she says seriously.

"Of course...my perfect angel...isn't it wonderful, Vanessa! Haven't even embraced her yet! And now I'm so powerful! Can you imagine?? She'll be even more perfect now!" Nero says with delight.

Vanessa gives a worried little laugh and nods to Nero, and then glances at Aether and nods to him. "Here...sit on this chair and I'll do it..." she says, helping Aether to sit down.
She looks back at Nero. "So you offered to help me get closer to Cain...that might be a good idea with this Childe of yours about to be born. She might be out of control like my last Childe was, and you may need my help in controlling her...you never know. My only condition would be that the person you Embraced for me to consume is someone who deserves to die...like a Technocracy-member...someone like that. I...haven't drunk blood from an unwilling person in over 26 years, and I don't want to start now unless it serves the greater good."
She turns back to Aether and locks eyes with him. "No pain..." she whispers, and waits as she sees his eyes glaze a little bit, and then takes her knife and carefully opens his chest, and then takes his heart and quickly shoves his heart back into his chest. She expertly finds the right place to set it, and then re-attaches it to the arteries and veins. With a lick to her fingers she uses her saliva to seal the tissue back together, and then quickly withdraws her hand and pushes the skin of his chest back together and holds it. Then she leans forward and licks slowly up the fissure to help the skin knit back together more quickly. Aether's already lost enough blood tonight.

"Of course, of course. I will make it someone so beyond redemption it will be a kindness to kill them." Nero says. "I swear it!" He looks towards the door and sighs. "Well it is time for me to leave. I mustn't keep my beautiful butterfly waiting yes?" he says walking to the door. "I will call you when I find someone appropriate."

Vanessa nods with a little smirk, wondering exactly who this victim will end up being. You just never know with Nero! His words can mean two different things at the same time! But once she's 4 generations from Cain she'll be able to protect her family so much better. It might make her a target to outside vampires, but...she has a feeling Nero will want to keep their new powers a secret. Hopefully she'll be able to live many, many years before any other vampires suspect how powerful she's become.
"Farewell, Nero..." she calls, watching him walk away. She turns back to Aether. "Better?" she asks, nodding towards his chest. She quickly glances back at Kassandra and sees Rick holding her in his arms. She watches them silently for a moment, studying Rick intently. He DOES love Kassandra...and he hasn't bewitched her. And really...of all the creatures there are in the world, isn't it best that her daughter end up with a huge, powerful, protective werewolf as a mate? She remembers that she asked Aether a question, and looks back at him.

Aether looks down at his chest and nods. "That's better..." he says looking a lot better than he did earlier. "Hopefully this will be the last time I have to fight such as he...but I don't think it will be," he says. He looks out the window and then back at Vanessa. "See you soon sister," he says and runs to the window, leaping through it and onto the street disappearing into the shadows.

"Woah..." Rick says coming out of crinos form... "It's over?"

Kassandra looks up at him with a hint of tears in her eyes. "I...guess so..." she says, still unable to believe it. Then she looks around and sees that Kaidan and Kyril are dead, and it finally hits her: she's the only member of her cabal left. She lets out a little moan and lowers her head, and then crouches down and starts to cry while covering her face.

Rick runs over to her and wraps his arms around her. "It's OK Kass. I'm still here," he says holding her tight. "You're still here...the baby is still here." he says softly into her ear.

Kassandra holds his arms tightly around her and nods, eyes closed. "Thank god..." she whispers shakily. Then she turns so she's kneeling on the floor and wraps her arms around him, holding him tightly and crying against his shoulder. "They're dead..." she sobs. "Everyone dead...I can't go back...not again..."

"Nah...you're not going back there. We'll get a place of our own...just the two of us..." Rick says. "No more fighting and killing...just us..." Rick says. "You wanna do that?"

Kassandra nods against his shoulder, feeling instantly better. The chantry has so many great memories, but they were great because Aidan...Kaiden...Kyril...Darcy...and the others were all there. She doesn't know what mages will want the chantry now, but she doesn't care anymore. She wouldn't even care if it went abandoned...the horizon realm unclaimed. She's had enough of looking over her shoulder and having people die who she'd grown to love.
She lifts her face enough that she can look up at Rick. "What about your house? You have so many customers who know you by your address and phone number there. I wouldn't want you to lose business." she says, sniffing back her tears.

"Nah I ain't gonna lose business. I can always call them and tell them where I moved...unless you like my house? Do you like my house? It's small and all, but...I could make room...hell I could even add a few rooms to it...been meanin to." Rick says musing...

Kassandra laughs through her tears and holds Rick's face, kissing him. "Yes, I love your house, Rick! I'd rather live there than to get some new house that's not familiar. My parents just had to sell our family home because of the Technocracy..." she says sadly. "Your house is familiar and..." She looks down and smiles. "It's where we conceived our baby..." she says in a soft voice.

Rick laughs," Alright then! Our house it is!!" he says excited not to lose his home. "So uh...you're not hurt are you?" he asks looking her over.

Kassandra thinks for a moment, looking at her hands where she'd put them on the vampire, and then glances over her body and shakes her head. "No...I don't think I was ever attacked..." she says slowly. Then she quickly looks Rick over. "What about you? Are you OK?" she asks, touching him as she glances over him.

"Fine...I think they kind of ignored us and fought amongst themselves. Which I can't complain about," he says. "My god that thing was strong..." he says. He helps Kassandra to her feet. "There, now let's get out of here, I can't imagine the cops will ignore this forever."

Vanessa watches Aether jump out of the window in amazement, and then shakes her head. Aether is so different now...it would be disconcerting if it wasn't so comforting to know that he was watching out for her family.
She quickly turns back to Kassandra and Rick in time to see Rick helping Kassandra to her feet. She hurries over to the couple and hugs Kassandra tightly to her.
"There...now that's done and you...you two are free to...live..." she says, feeling a little ping of sadness when she was about to say "WE are free to live," in regards to she, Kassandra and Armande, and then realizes that Kassandra has Rick now...it's not just the original Grimaldi family anymore. God...a new family plus TWO, not just one!
She looks at Rick. "I'm sure this wasn't the way Kassandra had envisioned that we would be introduced. I...apologize if I was rude earlier. Our kinds don't have the best of relationships. My first...pack were all killed off by werewolves, except for me. Now it seems my son-in-law is a werewolf..." she says a little haltingly, trying to smile.

Rick looks at Vanessa and nods. "That's alright. You'll get used to me," he says. "And I'll get used to you...but we've got Kassandra in common so..." he says. "And you don't smell like a vampire...or act like one...so I guess you go that goin for you," he says.

Vanessa smirks, shifting her weight to one hip and folding her arms. "Well thank you Rick!" She looks him over. "You have the look of a biker." She glances at Kassandra and winks. "I really can't blame you, Kass. I was once the girlfriend of an entire biker-gang!" she grins proudly.

"Sweet!" Rick says and then shakes his head. "Your mom is cool."

Kassandra looks at her mother in shock. "Mom! Really??" Her forehead wrinkles in disapproval. "First Dad, now you?? Uncle John was right..." she says shaking her head.

"What do you mean 'first Dad, now you?'" Vanessa asks, raising an eyebrow.

Kassandra shakes her head. "What-- were you, Dad, and Uncle John trying to sleep with the entire east coast before I was born? That's what it SOUNDS like!" she says, frowning.

Vanessa laughs and rolls her eyes. "Honey...there's a lot about us that you don't know, but I'd like to keep it that way. I'll have to have a talk with your dad and your Uncle John when we get home!" She glances around the room. "Speaking of home, we'd better get out of here. I'll tell John." she says, motioning for Rick and Kassandra to follow her out.
As they walk out Vanessa thinks to John, 'You OK? We're getting out of the building now. Where should we meet?'

'Meet? I'm headin out, Vanessa. I've got something hot on me tail and I am not leading it to you right?' John thinks back at her. 'I'm off to merry olde England...prolly permanently too.'

Vanessa stops in her tracks for a brief moment, forehead wrinkling. She glances at Kassandra and Rick and then starts walking again.
'No way John...you just got back. If you're leaving...permanently...you owe us a proper good-bye, right?' she thinks back, feeling her throat inexplicably tighten. John's come and gone over the years, but she always knew he'd be back. She was NOT prepared to hear him say he might be going forever.
'I don't care what you've got on your tail, at least let us drive you to the airport. We just destroyed a 3rd generation vampire. You think we're scared of whatever you've attracted? And besides, I've had enough of you trying to take on all of hell on your own. We're you're family! You're REQUIRED to call on us for help, you bastard!' she thinks back, trying to keep herself from getting emotional.

'Fine fine, strewth you don't have to be that emotional...meet me on Bleaker right? I'm by the corner in the alley trying not to attract attention...' he thinks. 'Thanks Sunshine...I could use the ride.'

Vanessa visibly relaxes and nods. 'Good. We're heading there right now. Thanks John.' she thinks back, and then links with Armande and tells him to meet them at the van, if he's not there already. Then she looks back at Kassandra and Rick.
"We're picking up John on Bleaker, and your dad's meeting us at the van." she says just before the elevator door opens and they step inside.

Kassandra nods. "Good." Then she gives a little smile and shakes her head. "I want to make sure everything's cool with both of them and Rick. Uncle John was giving Rick the weirdest looks at the chantry! And Dad did his usual disapproving-dad-routine at Rick! Although Rick thinks Dad likes him despite that!"

"I'm sure he does. He winked at me," Rick says smiling.

Vanessa raises her eyebrows. "Your dad's already met Rick?? Does he...know about...the baby?" she asks carefully.

Kassandra nods her head. "Oooh yeah..." she exhales. "He knows."

"And you're both still ALIVE??" Vanessa exclaims. "What I would give to have been there for THAT revelation! Hmmm...on second thought..." she smiles. "Well Rick, you're right that he likes you, then. If he didn't, he'd have blown a hole through your head on sight!" she smiles. "So...welcome to the family!"

Rick smiles happily at the two of them. "See, Kassy. I told you he'd like me," he says. "Now I just have to make him treat me nicer and everything will be fine!" he says. "It's the fact that I'm a biker, everyone likes that," he says with a wink at Kassy.

Kassandra and Vanessa both laugh. Kassandra puts her arm around Rick's waist and gives him a squeeze. "Yeah...Dad likes a hard-working man! He's never trusted the guys in suits! Including Uncle John!" she grins.

"Well that's me. Nothin but hard work," Rick says proudly.

"He winked at you, hmm?" Vanessa grins. "You're a lucky, lucky man, Rick! My daughter loves you...my husband approves of you...and I like what I see! Now we just have to work on John!" she winks. The elevator doors open and the three hurry out and through the front doors.
Vanessa sees Armande waiting by the van in the shadows and hurries up to him, hugging him tightly to her in relief. 'Two dead mages on the top floor...' she thinks to him in a somber tone. 'I'm having Philippe take them back to the chantry...I hear there's a cemetery there for all the mages who have died...not a good track-record, that place...' she thinks. 'Good shooting, by the way.'

'Thanks, and yeah I saw through the scope. Kass is lucky she's still breathin,' Armande thinks to her. 'So what you think about this Rick-fellow?' he asks in her mind.

'I've checked both of them repeatedly, and he's definitely in love with her, and she's definitely in love with him. There's no magic of any kind entrancing either of them into loving each other. I also talked to my snakes for a long time and they all like and trust him. He's been over there every night, or she's been at his place, and Rick made a promise to the snakes that he'll protect her with his life...so...I think he's really good for her.' Vanessa thinks back to him, sounding resigned to the idea but not unhappy about it. 'What do YOU think?' she asks him. 'I heard you winked at him while you were ranting at Kassandra!'

'I didn't wink at him!!! I had somethin in my eye!' Armande says. 'He said I winked??'

Vanessa pretends to cough while she covers her mouth to conceal a smile. 'OK, he passes the test!' she thinks back to him, laughing through the mind-link.

Kassandra holds Rick's hand tightly as they walk up to her father. Kassandra's so relieved to see that he's OK. She didn't know if last night was going to BE the last night or not.

Rick smiles at Armande and waves. "Yo Armande," he says happily.

Armande scowls and folds his arms.

Kassandra gives a nervous laugh and elbows Rick in the side. "Hi Dad!" she beams and gives him a hug. "I didn't know you would be helping us! Why didn't you say something!"

"I didn't want anything to go wrong. Element of surprise, Kassy. Don't underestimate it." he says. He turns to Rick, "This doesn't change anything sir. That sit-down is still coming."

Rick nods and puts his arm around Vanessa," You bet!"

Vanessa finally can't hold her laughter in anymore, and she puts her arm around Rick right back!
"That's right! All of us need a nice sit-down! Armande and Kassandra can make dinner, like the old days!" she grins happily. Rick's won her approval just for being so sneaky and damned stubborn with Armande!

Kassandra holds her hands tightly together, a tight smile on her face as she looks between Armande, and Rick and her mom. She doesn't want there to be any fighting, and she desperately wants her dad to love Rick as much as she does! And she knows he will once the two get to talking! They really ARE similar in a lot of ways! Personality-wise!
"I agree...we need to all sit down and talk. This wasn't how I wanted you two to find out about us! I didn't know all this shit was going to come down so fast! I thought you and Mom were still in Texas! I didn't even tell Rick that Mom was a vampire until yesterday when I realized I'd run out of time to tell him! And look how well he's taken it!" Kassandra exclaims.

Vanessa looks up at Rick with a raised eyebrow. "Took it well, eh?" she asks challengingly with a smirk.

"Well you're not too bad..." Rick says. "You smell alright...not like a vampire," he says looking her over. "Neither do you," Rick states looking at Armande.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Armande says crossing his arms.

"It means you're OK, not an enemy." Rick says. "Yeah I could do with a good home-cooked meal!" he says. "That sounds great."

Kassandra looks back and forth anxiously between everyone as they talk, and then nods her head. "OK then, it's settled! Then I can get a chance to take a good look at the new house, too. And I want to ask John what he's been up to! And let him talk to Rick! Is there a guest-room in the new house?"

Vanessa face falls a little and she puts her hand on Kassandra's shoulder. "John said he's heading back to England...permanently. We're driving him to the airport, Kassy." she says softly.

Kassandra's eyes widen in shock, and she stares at her mom in horror. "No...!" she says in a faint voice. "He can't! Why...? Why would he do that? The city is safe now! We can finally all be a family! And I'm having a baby in 9 months! Why would he leave and never come back?" she cries, tears in her eyes.

Vanessa glances at Armande with a sad look in her eyes, and then looks back at Kassandra and strokes her hair. "You can ask him when we pick him up. Maybe he'll take one look at your face and change his mind. I know *I* would, but I'm your mother." she sniffs. "Come on everyone...let's get in the van." she motions with her head towards the van.

"It'll be OK, Kass, John knows what he's doin. He's smarter than any of us. If he has to stay in England there's probably a good reason," Rick says.

"Yeah, Kassy, he's a grown man, if he needs to stay in England he needs to do that," Armande says, not more than a little relieved at the thought of John the trouble-maker staying away from him and his family.

Kassandra shakes her head and cries as Rick helps her into the van. "I don't believe that! I think he's trying to avoid us on purpose! Maybe he's afraid he'll get too attached to us and...and not want to be a vagabond anymore! All he cares about is himself!" she cries, punching the car seat next to her.

Vanessa gives a little sigh. She knows better, and she thinks it's high time John tell Kassandra that he IS proud of her. Otherwise Kassandra will hate him...it will eat her up and consume her.
"Just talk to him, Kassy. Everything will be OK." she says soothingly as she climbs into the van.

Kassandra doesn't say anything, she just sits hunched in the back seat with an angry look on her face, occasionally wiping tears from her face.

Vanessa sighs and glances at Armande again, and then tells Rick how to get to Bleaker since he's the one driving. She secretly hopes that Kassandra will be able to convince John to stay...at least for a year or so...but if there IS something tracking John it would be dumb to invite him into their new house. Or WOULD it? If Vanessa's going to be 4 generations from Cain soon...and they have she, Kassandra, Rick, Armande AND John under the same roof...isn't that a lot better than leaving John to defend himself??

Armande looks over at Kassandra and then back to Vanessa. 'You'd think she'd be happy that she can stand on her own without him. I hope this isn't some schoolgirl crush she has on him.' Armande thinks.

'How COULD it be, though?' she thinks back to him, glancing meaningfully at Rick. 'She's in love with Rick! I mean, how could she have a crush on John AND be in love with--' Vanessa's face pales a little and she quickly cuts off her thoughts. That's exactly what happened to HER 26 years ago. She, Vanessa, was in love with Armande, but she just couldn't shake her crush on John. That bastard John! What is it about him?? She really hopes Armande's suspicion isn't true-- for everyone's sake!
She sighs and rests her head against the window as they drive. 'We'll get to the bottom of this...' she finally thinks back to Armande.

John watches as they pull up and steps out of the alleyway. He stamps out his smoke and hops into the backseat of the car.

"Hey John," Rick says. "Airport?"

"Airport," John says nodding. He looks at everyone and smiles. "Well that was a bunch of giggles wasn't it?" he says. He looks over at Kassandra, "You did good squirt. I'm proud of you, you stood your ground and didn't run, looked evil straight in the eye and spit in it."

Kassandra looks at John in surprise, like he just said the most shocking thing in the world. She sits there for a moment, and then tears fill her eyes. "Thanks Uncle John..." she says softly, and then turns away and rests her face against the seat and starts to cry.

Vanessa glances back at them and frowns sadly. 'I told her you were leaving for good...' she thinks to John. 'She did not take it well.' She gives a little mental-laugh. 'I'm not taking it well, myself!' Then she falls silent and watches the streetlights as they pass.

'Ah I see,' John thinks back. "Well off to merry olde England for a few. I'll be back sooner or later. Might take a year vacation here in Frisco. I assume there will be a guest room yeh?" he says looking at Kassandra. "Oh I won't change diapers, so don't even ask, me old china."

Kassandra continues sitting with her back to him for a few seconds, and then suddenly turns around with angry tears in her eyes. "Mom said you're leaving for good! So which is it? Are you just saying that to calm me down? To make me not hate you? I've been waiting for MONTHS for you to come home so I could just talk to you about everything, and now you're leaving AGAIN?? You just got here yesterday! Why are you leaving NOW? You think it's because I need to stand on my own two feet? Well guess what! I'm mated now! And pregnant! I'm moving into Rick's house! And I'm partners with Richard at his shop! How's that for standing on my own two feet!? I don't even WANT to do magick anymore! I just want to help out the werewolves when I can and lead a normal life the rest of the time! Do you think all I want you around for is as a mentor??" she cries, her face flushed. "Don't you think MAYBE people want you around for more than asking favors or advice? Maybe they just like having you around??"

Vanessa sits in the front seat silently, eyes wide and face as still as stone as she listens to the conversation.

"Oi!! Where's this from??" John says. "I'm leaving because I've got one more thing in the pot and when it's done I'll be back!! Crikeys it's like what you did here in Frisco right? Except maybe you've got a home a few thousand miles away right? And you have to keep makin trips back and forth, you understand?" John says. "I can't be in two places at once now can I?"

Kassandra sits there with a petulant look on her face, trying to decide if John's telling the truth or not. "Well...then why did you tell Mom that you were going back for good?? You gave me a HEART attack, Uncle John! See I've always been afraid deep down that there WOULD come a time when you never came back, but you're HERE now, and..." She sighs. "Why are you the only one in England who can fix it?" she asks tiredly. "What about all your 'mates?' Do they just sit back there twiddling their thumbs helplessly until you arrive? No WONDER you were assuming I would be like that! I mean, yeah! I need your help at first! But it's like training wheels! I would have gradually stopped coming to you for help with everything! I DID, didn't I? I mean, I LIKE you, Uncle John! I like talking to you and joking and laughing, and...you made me feel like I shouldn't call you unless I had something important to say, so I'd wait until I had something important to ask you about...just so I could hear your voice again...and then it ended up making you think that I was only calling you to ask you questions, and I was helpless and clinging to you for instruction on everything, when that wasn't it at all! I just missed you!" she exclaims. She fishes around in her pocket for a Kleenex and blows her nose.

Vanessa continues sitting quietly. She's very glad this is all coming out now. Kassandra and John were close friends before Kassandra ever Awakened. Then as soon as she Awakened John flipped on teacher-mode and seems to have forgotten that friend-mode existed before teacher-mode! She thinks that's what Kassandra's trying to say, but waits nervously, hoping a sudden confession of love or a crush doesn't suddenly come out with poor Rick sitting here!
She reaches over and pats Rick's arm and gives him a little smile and nod of encouragement to let him know everything's OK.

Rick looks over at Vanessa and smiles. He knows what it's like to have a mentor and how you can feel about them. He nods to and winks at Vanessa to tell her he understands.

John shrugs, "I'm not the best of mentors, squirt. But I do what I can. I did alright with you, I suppose." he says. "Sorry you felt you couldn't call me, I've been a right prick." he says. "But I'll be back no doubt, just give me some time an I promise to take a nice long vacation here right?" he says as they turn towards the airport.

Kassandra's lips tremble for a moment, and then she throws her arms around John and hugs him tightly. "OK..." she murmurs, eyes closed so he can't see her tears. "That sounds OK..."
Lucky for her mom and everyone else, Kassandra and John have already HAD the crush-talk, so Vanessa's fears are all for naught!

Vanessa smiles as she glances back at them. "Good! Now no more fighting everyone! Teasing, yes! In fact teasing is mandatory! But fighting is forbidden!" she grins, crossing one leg over the other and relaxing.

Rick pulls into the airport and John gives everyone a last look. "Right well here we are. Good luck everyone and I'll see you in a year or so. Vanessa, take care of the city and make sure Nero doesn't do anything stupid, Rick take care of the baby and Kassandra. Squirt take care of yourself and I'll be back, call me if you need to. Armande? Always a pleasure," he says with a wink.

Armande snorts and shakes his head.
Rick looks back from the drivers seat, "Will do, John. Count on me."

Kassandra smiles, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear and watching everyone say good-bye. It felt soooo good to get all of that off of her chest and to hear John praise her and apologize to her and tell her she can call him as a friend again! Then her eyes widen. She'd almost forgotten the last thing she wanted to tell him! Oh she would have killed herself if she'd forgotten!
"John...there's one more thing I think you should know about...but I think you'd rather hear in private. Can I walk you to the ticket counter?" she asks in a low voice.

Vanessa's smile strains a little. 'Oh god Kassandra...please don't let it be that...' she thinks to herself desperately, trying not to let her worry show on her face.
She gets out of the front seat of the van to slide open the side-door to let John out so she can't hear what they're saying. She wants to give him a last hug, anyway.

John gets out and nods to Kassandra and Vanessa. "Alright, let me say goodbye to your mom first," he says. He turns to Vanessa. "Well, I guess I'll see you in a year there Sunshine. Remember if things get crazy over here to call. I'll drop what I'm doing and come...got it?" he says to Vanessa.

Vanessa smiles and nods to him, and then hugs him tightly. "Got it...thank you, John. And thank you for changing your mind about not coming back. It was hard enough knowing that I was going to out-live you one day and then no more John. I didn't need my John-years prematurely shortened!" she smiles teasingly. She gives his cheek a quick kiss. "Take care of yourself, John. And you know how you're always calling in favors in a tight spot? Consider me someone who owes you, and call on me anytime." she says seriously.

John looks at Vanessa and shrugs, "Already thought that, Sunshine, but I'm glad to hear you say it. No arguments when I remind you," he says with a little wink. "I'll see you soon," he says and turns to Kassandra. "Alright then, squirt, walk me to the counter," he says.

Vanessa grins and shakes her head, folding her arms and watching John and Kassandra walk towards the airport. Then she turns around and gets back into the van.
"Arrogant bastard!" she says fondly.

Kassandra walks quietly with John for a few seconds to put a little distance between them and the van, and then glances at him.
"So what do you think of Rick? I saw you giving him weird looks." she says quietly, glancing up at him as they walk.

"Ah just trying to see if there's any problem love. There's not. He's fine, no taint at all." John says. "He's a nice bloke I gather. He'll certainly protect you well enough," John says nodding approvingly. "No worries there."

Kassandra continues glancing at John for a minute as they walk. She was SURE she'd detected some kind of disapproval or something from him when he'd first looked at Rick! Maybe he just doesn't want to admit it, or something like that. "Well thank you for checking him for taint! It completely slipped my mind!" she says sarcastically, and shakes her head with a little smile. "You sure that's all it was? I got the feeling that you didn't approve of him, for some reason. Is it because he's a werewolf...or biker?"

"I'm not a fan of bikers, squirt, but Rick's alright. You worry too much about what other people think. Who cares what they think? As long as you're happy right?" John says. "He's a good fellow and that's all, right?"

"I care what SOME people think..." she says, stuffing her hands in her pockets and trudging on. "Not that it would keep me from making the decision to be with him, but I do care."
The truth be told, she'd hoped it was jealously that she'd seen in John's eyes. Not that he would ever, ever admit that if it were the truth, but it would have felt good to see. Especially after that stupid Zantanna-scare she'd had a few months earlier!
"There was another reason I wanted to talk to you in private. Remember what you told me was the one thing you wish you knew the answer to when I was younger and I asked you if there was anything you DIDN'T know?" she asks quietly. "Well...I have the answer for you...about Grandpa Joe..." she says, watching his face. She swallows a lump in her throat.

John looks at Kassandra with a raised eyebrow. He shakes his head. "Wait, Kassandra. Maybe I don't want to know, right? I mean if something bad happened to him or he turned traitor or something...maybe it's best I just keep wonderin what happened rather than know the real truth alright?"

Kassandra shakes her head. "No...I think you'd want to know. I wouldn't have brought it up if I'd thought it would hurt you. He didn't turn traitor, Uncle John. I met him, and he helped us! It's all up here." she says, tapping her forehead. "I want you to see him. He loves...loved you very much..." she says, tears filling her eyes. "Please read my memories..."

John looks at Kassandra for a moment and then shakes his head. "Maybe another time, Kass. Right now I need my pain and my questions...I know you're not going to understand. Just respect me wishes yeh? I'll find out...I'll read your memories, when I'm ready...alright?" he says sighing sadly.

Kassandra pauses a moment, and then nods her head. "I understand..." she says, wiping at her eyes. "Back before I had Rick...when I only had my loneliness and anger and frustration...that's when I killed my first man...and then my second...that's when I fought with the least amount of fear...so I understand...and I'll be here when you're ready." She gives him a little smile and pats her still-flat belly. "WE'LL be here, that is!"
She gives John a last tight squeeze. "Bye Uncle John. Be safe." she says softly.

John smiles at Kassandra and nods to her. "You'll be alright, the both of you, Kass. I'll see you in awhile. Now fuck off to the car. I hate long good-byes," he says turning towards the plane and giving her a wink.

Kassandra shakes her head and smiles when he winks at her. She turns and starts walking towards the exit, and then pauses and turns back...watching him walk away. She blinks back tears and swallows a sudden lump in her throat...feeling a sob coming on...and then takes a couple of deep breaths. And then feels better. And she suddenly realizes...she has control over this now...this fear of abandonment. She's getting better.
She takes another deep breath, and then continues out of the airport.

Vanessa sits in the front seat of the van, one leg crossed over the other with her foot swinging anxiously. Finally she closes her eyes and sneaks a quick peak into Kassandra's mind. She can't stand it anymore. And what she sees is...Joe. Kassandra feeling bad about Joe...hoping he's with Bridgette in the afterlife at last...wondering why John doesn't want to see her memories...
Vanessa exhales in relief and stops swinging her leg. She links minds with Armande again. 'Don't worry...she didn't leave with him to tell him she has a crush on him. She met Grandpa Joe and wanted John to see her memories of him...since he's finally gone on to his afterlife. For some reason John didn't want to see them yet...what's wrong with that boy, Armande? I can never figure him out!' she thinks to Armande.

'Who can,' Armande thinks, 'I'm glad he's gone for awhile, you know how I feel about him,' Armande says.

'Oh Armande...' she thinks back, sneaking a grin at him.

Kassandra makes it back to the van and slides the side-door open, gets in, and shuts it again. "OK, we can go." she says in a calm voice. She leans forward and gives Rick a quick kiss on the side of the neck before sitting back and fastening her seatbelt.

Rick looks over at Kassandra and smiles with some concern. "Everything alright?" he asks. He starts the van and off they go, out of the airport terminal and onto the street.

"Yeah...everything's OK..." she says softly. "I found his long-lost grandfather and wanted to tell him, but he stopped me. I don't know why. He said he'd rather not know the truth so he can continue being angry and using his anger to stay alive...something like that...although why anyone would want to continue pretending that their grandfather turned traitor, or that something terrible happened to him when the truth is the complete opposite is beyond my understanding." she sighs, resting her head against the back of the seat.

Vanessa shakes her head. "Maybe he just didn't want you to see him cry." she says softly, turning and patting Kassandra's leg. She sits there for a moment, and then smiles. "No more letting Mr. Gloomy ruin our night! Let's get home so we can relax and talk!"

"Can we stop by the chantry before we get home? I need to get my things and let the others know that I'm moving out." Kassandra asks.

"Oh yes, we're going to talk!" Armande says from the backseat. He gives a long look at Rick nodding to himself.

Rick turns to Kassandra, "Yeah let's go..." he says turning the van towards Rose Street. "I'll help you load the stuff. I don't want you spending another night there, if I can help it."

Kassandra exhales in relief and nods. "Thanks Rick." She looks over at her father and gives him a loving smile, and then takes his hand and rests her head against his shoulder.

Vanessa smiles from the front seat and continues watching the road.

The van pulls up to the chantry and Rick turns off the engine. Kassandra gets out, and then Vanessa does, as well.
"This may be my last chance to see this infamous place!" Vanessa grins. "Come on, Armande!" she grins, holding out her hand to him.

Armande snorts and hopes out taking Vanessa's hand. "But only for a little bit. This place is cursed, the way Kassandra tells it."

"I'll say...not even John would stay there for very long." she agrees.

Kassandra looks around the grounds, and then up at the building for a long look. Then she takes Rick's arm and they walk up the path to the front steps...up to the porch...and then Kassandra opens the front door and lets the Medusa-head know that her guests can be allowed in.

Vanessa studies the Medusa-head, looking both bemused and impressed. 'Nero would have liked this!' she thinks as they pass into the mansion.

Beamer, Peter, and Richard are standing in the foyer talking when the door opens and Rick and Kassandra walk in. They smile and walk over to the couple, hugging them, thankful that they made it through the night's horrible ordeal.

"I take it you're moving out then?" Beamer asks sadly.

Rick smiles at Peter as the two hug and nod to each other silently, pleased to have made it through the night. "So what's your plan after tonight Rick?" Peter asks.

"Oh well me and Kass are moving in together, at my place of course." Rick says. "You're welcome to stop by. You?"

"Oh I think I'll stay here for awhile. The other cabals are staying and they'll need a liason, so." Peter says. "Besides I've gotten attached to the place."

Kassandra nods sadly at Beamer. "Yeah..." she says in a quiet voice. "Kyril and Kaiden are both dead...I'm the only one left from my cabal. Mom's friend Philippe is bringing their bodies here so they can be buried in the horizon realm." Kassandra wipes fresh tears from her eyes. "I don't think I could stand to stay here anymore when every room reminds me of my dead friends..." she says, and then starts to cry again.
"John's gone again...he says he'll be back in a year or so..." she gets out between tears. "I just don't feel safe here anymore...and I...found out that I'm pregnant..." she sniffles. "...so I need to be extra careful with myself now."

Beamer awkwardly puts his arm around her and nods. "Well I'll always be here if you need to talk or anything techie-wise yeh?" he says hoping to cheer her up. "You can call me anytime!"

Vanessa stands in the entryway with Armande, watching the friends talks to each other. She hopes Kassandra will keep in contact with these mages. She needs to have good mage-friends in her life, even if she's not living here.
She pulls Armande over to Peter and Rick. "Peter Falling-Stars." she says, nodding her head to him. "This is my husband Armande...Kassandra's father." she introduces them.

Peter shakes Armande's hand and nods to him. "Good to meet you," he says.

"Eh likewise," Armande says. "My daughter's mentioned you a few times." he says.

"I am no longer prince...I abdicated to Nero." she says with a little roll of her eyes. "I didn't really have a choice...he's so powerful now that all he'd have to do is get some eye-contact with me and I'd be clucking like a chicken, or whatever he wanted me to do!" she gives a little laugh. "But before I abdicated I did get him to promise that the alliance with the Werewolves and Mages still holds. We all like how peaceful things have been in San Francisco." she explains to Peter.

Peter nods darkly, "We'll keep him in line, Vanessa. I don't think we'll have any trouble with him." he says.

"You won't have to worry, if Nero is good for anything it's keeping his word," Armande says.

Vanessa nods. "It sounds strange to say it-- and FEELS even stranger to say it-- but...I trust Nero more than any other vampire. But...I guess to you werewolves that's not saying much!" she teases with a smile. "Still, I am his advisor, so I will continue to be the liason to both the werewolves and the mages. You know where Kassandra is, anytime you need me." she say, bowing her head to Peter.

Peter nods to her, "I will trust you, Vanessa. You have shown yourself to be of good character. I will trust that," he says bowing his head to her.

Armande looks to Vanessa and smiles at her. "I'm ready to go. I don't want to spend a minute more in this place." he whispers in her ear.

"Getting creeped-out, hmm?" she whispers back, kissing his ear. "We can drive Kassy's car back to our place and let she and Rick load her stuff into his van. Then you can get an early start on dinner!" she smiles, the consummate peacemaker.
She turns back to Peter. "We'll let all of you say your good-byes. Armande needs to get some dinner going back at home."

Peter nods, "It was good to meet you, Armande. Vanessa, I shall see you soon," Peter says and then turns back to the rest of the group.

Rick smiles and listens to the two of them. He sees Kassandra tear up and walks over to her and puts his arm around her with Beamer's as well. "We're here Kass."

Kassandra wipes more tears and puts an arm around Beamer and an arm around Rick. She gives Rick a grateful look, enjoying this group-hug. She looks up at Beamer. "Really? I can call you anytime?" She gives him a real smile. "Thanks Beamer. You can call me anytime, too. I'll be down the hill at Rick's! Or up the street at Richard's shop! You should definitely stop by for coffee! And pie!" she grins, Beamer's attempt at cheering her up having been successful.

"Oh thank god you're still going to work for me!" Richard says. "I was sure that when you learned you were pregnant that was the end of that!" he says happily. "Oh sooo soon we'll open the shop, Kassie-pie, and then you and I will be partners again!"

Kassandra laughs loudly, her sadness melting away. "Yes we will! And of COURSE I'm still working with you! I'd die if I couldn't keep baking for the shop! Besides, if I stayed at home all the time I'd just end up distracting Rick while he's trying to work on his cars and motorcycles! Or BEING distracted by watching Rick working without a shirt on!" she teases, poking Rick in the side and grinning at him.

"Oh yeh, I'll definitely call you...if Rick lets me," Beamer says nervously looking at the big man.

"Of course, little guy!" Rick says. "You can call her if you like. No funny business tho," he says scowling at Beamer.
Beamer flinches and nods, "Of course...no funny business."

The group hears a laugh and then sees Vanessa standing there. "You've got to keep an eye on Beamer!" she grins and winks. "Hello Beamer. Very long time no see! Armande and I were just heading out, but I wanted to say hello since it's been so long. You still running the bowling alley?" she asks curiously.

"Oh yes, Vanessa!" Beamer says. "Yes I am, I don't live there anymore but I still run it," he says. "Come visit me sometime, well...then again...you can't since I'm only there during the day," he says. "But you can visit me here," he says.

Vanessa smiles. "You've become much more social since moving in here, haven't you!" she teases. "Thank you for the invitation. Seeing as how I'm the liason for the vampires I will probably be taking you up on that offer!"
She leans in and lowers her voice. "Thank you for taking Kassandra out and being such a gentleman. She hadn't gone on a real date in about 10 years so we were a little worried about her, but she sounded very cheerful on the phone when she told us about it. I hope it wasn't too much of a bother!" Vanessa whispers.

"Not at all, Vanessa, really, my pleasure," Beamer says. "I need to get out of the lab anyway and I uhhh really enjoyed myself..." Beamer says.

Vanessa smiles and gives Beamer a little one-armed hug. "I'm glad! And you SHOULD get out of the lab more!"
She can sense...that Beamer is hiding something from her...she thinks he might have taken a little shine to her daughter, and she feels bad that things didn't work out for whatever reason, but figures that it probably wouldn't have worked out in the end, anyway...with Beamer being so into his inventions and his bugs and things, and Kassandra needing constant attention.
"You should get yourself a sexy little lab-assistant!" she grins, wiggling her eyebrows at him. "That would make you 'right as rain,' as John would say! Although from the way John acts, I think HE'S in need of a sexy little something, himself!" she chuckles.

Beamer chuckles awkwardly, "Right right...I'll uhh...have to work on that...I'm sure I've got parts laying about here, I could whip something up...yes...I could...ohhh that was out loud wasn't it?" he says looking ashamed.

Vanessa throws back her head and laughs loudly. "Oh Beamer, you're wonderful!" she grins, giving him another little squeeze. "Listen...your secret's safe with me! You make that sexy assistant! And...give her my eyes!" she grins mischievously.

"I'll do that!" Beamer says with a little jump, clasping his hands together. He leans over and kisses Vanessa on the cheek. "You're a doll," he says.

Vanessa laughs in delight. "Soon to be a LITERAL doll!" she grins.

"Alright hun, your mom and I are heading home, don't be too long right?" Armande says to Kassandra.

Kassandra nods. "We're just saying good-bye, and then we'll bring up my stuff. I don't have a lot...since all the furniture has to stay here." Kassandra looks around and then leans in to whisper to her dad.
"Dad...thanks for not shooting Rick while we were fighting the ancient vampire." she whispers, a look of sincere gratitude in her eyes.

"Hey what are dads for. Now hurry home so we can get to that talk. Rick and I and your mom are going to have a serious discussion." Armande says. "Be safe," he says taking Vanessa's arm.

"Right, you heard the man, Kass. Let's get your stuff," Rick says nodding at Armande.

Vanessa grins. Armande's GOT to love Rick! He's like a little dad to Kassandra, himself! Or a rather LARGE version, in any case!
"Bye you two! Don't take too long! You know how particular your dad is with serving dinner!" she grins, and the two say good-bye to everyone else and head out the front door. They get into Kassandra's black car and head back down the hill.

Kassandra recruits all the men to come help her carry boxes out to the van, and they head down to the horizon realm. Kassandra is quiet as they walk up the path...passing the drum circle grove that Aidan and Kaiden had created...passing the places where her dead cabalmates' homes once stood...passing the great tree...the cemetery...and finally going up the walk to her house. As they pass, her rose bushes bloom a variety of colors-- reds, pinks, yellows and whites.
She leads them into her house, but the only things she can take out of the horizon realm with her are her clothes and accessories in the bedroom, her books and ritual-tools in her ritual-room, and all her toiletries in the bathroom, so the packing-up doesn't take very long.
While the men are carrying the boxes out, Kassandra carefully takes her house down. She didn't want them to see her cry again. She wishes she could have shown her kitchen to her father, and her ritual-room to her mother, but...someday when she's saved up enough money from her job she'll have that kitchen again! And she'll try to make a ritual-room as nice as the one she made here.
Her final acts are to release the jaggling spirit from the Apollo statue, and then say good-bye to John-bird and release him, as well. After she releases the Apollo-jaggling, she lights the cigarette on the statue of John and waits for Matthew to awaken.

"OI! I'm here," Matthew says in his John-voice. "Allo, luv. Things went alright then?" he asks stepping off the dais. "Must've been since right here you stand, eh? Oi," he says looking around, "Where's the house?"

Kassandra smiles fondly at him. "I took it down. Me and Rick are moving into his house since we're a family now...or will be in 9 months..." she smiles wistfully, her hand moving down to her belly without her realizing it. "So I'm here to say good-bye...and to thank you for all the things you taught me, and for what a big help and a good friend you've been. I'll miss you...Matthew." she says, using his real name for the first time. "Thanks for putting up with the John-act for me. You did a really good job."

The John-statue changes into a black raven and the raven flies up to her shoulder and perches there. "Whattya mean, Kassandra? You don't need me around anymore?? Cuz you know I liked talking to you and hey you'll need someone to guard your house and the little baby, am I right??" Matthew says.

Kassandra looks surprised and smiles. "Well...yeah! That would be great! I only meant that you didn't need to stay around here anymore, but if you want to follow us to Rick's place that's all right with me! I like talking to you, too!" she beams, not used to people-- or spirits-- actually LIKING to talk to her, let alone asking if they can stay with her! She's very flattered and touched! Ever since she and Rick arrived at the mansion tonight everyone's been great! Beamer asked if he could call her...Richard was excited to hear that she was still going to work with him...and now Matthew wants to follow her home! She's never felt so liked in her life! It's great!

"Got your stuff!" Rick calls from the door of the horizon realm. "And we're ready to go, sugar!" he shouts.

"Oh it's him is it?" Matthew says. "Oh I like him. Let's go, I'll follow you!!!" he says excitedly.

Kassandra laughs and nods. "I hope he feels the same!" she grins, and leads Matthew over to Rick. Kassandra takes another look back over her shoulder at this little corner of paradise that she and her friends had created to escape from their cares. Now...well...it's turned out to be their final resting place, in a cruel twist of irony.
She sighs and takes Rick's hand. "Ready. Oh, and Matthew's coming with us, if that's all right with you!" she smiles, nodding towards Matthew.

"Hey Matthew! How are you buddy?" Rick asks the bird.
Matthew caws, "Good! Better now that I'm going to your house. God those centaurs are boring!!"

"Alright good to go, Matty. You're stuff is packed and loaded, Kassy." Rick says kissing her hand. "I'm ready for this talk with you're dad if you are!" he says. "He likes me, it'll just be all jawin and he'll say he likes me."

Kassandra smiles and wraps her arm around Rick's waist. "I get the feeling you're right. I'm just sorry that everything came out the way it did! I wanted to sit down and explain everything to you about how and why I was born to a vampire, and then I wanted to call my parents and tell them what a great guy you are and how much I love you, and THEN tell them you're a werewolf after they already love you so it wouldn't matter, and then I thought I'd wait a month to tell them I was pregnant so Dad's head wouldn't explode!" she laughs.
"But...all the cards are on the table and Dad still seems to like you, and Mom definitely likes you, so...I guess everything turned out OK anyway!" she smiles. "Did you have to go through any other dads or moms of women you've dated, or is this your first 'talk?'" she asks with a little smile as they walk back up into the mansion.

"My first talk, but then again this is the first time I've gotten anyone pregnant," Rick says. "So I think that has a lot to do with it," he says with a laugh as they exit the horizon realm and enter the house. "Ah things will be fine, don't you worry, Kassy. They'll see we're good for each other."

Kassandra smiles and nods. "We just have to let Dad do his protective posturing until his pride has been satisfied! Hmm...I think that was almost a poem!" she laughs.
The two walk out to the van where the others are waiting to say good-bye. Kassandra gives everyone a last hug and then turns to Peter.
"I'm sorry I didn't have a chance to tell you about my parents. I wanted to respect Rick by telling him first, but then everything started going down and I had to tell him hastily last night. If you have any questions about how my birth happened, I'm willing to answer them anytime." she tells him.

Peter nods to Kassandra and takes her shoulders. "I trust you, Kassandra. You have proven yourself to me and those who call you friend. I will take your word that your parents mean us no harm and so no harm will come to them." he says.

Kassandra exhales in relief and nods. "Thank you Peter. My parents value peace and privacy...if you didn't know what they were, you'd swear we were a regular old family if you watched us interact at home! Dad baked cookies for my friends...Mom went to parent/teacher conferences during the winter when the sun sets earlier, and Dad went during the warmer months when the sun was still out...they tucked me in and read bedtime stories...you get the idea. I didn't even know Mom was a vampire until a couple of months ago!" she smiles.
"Anyway, I just wanted to say that as Rick's mate I want to be as involved as I can with the pack. I'll go to whatever meetings I'm allowed to go to, and anytime anyone needs my talents I'll be there. I want our baby raised with all of you around her." she says.

Peter nods, "In our traditions, a child is raised by the community. We will be there for you to help raise this child. You are welcome into the sept when it is time for both of you," he says with a smile. "Excuse me, Kassandra. I must get back to the Sept and tell them the news. I'll be seeing you." he says. He shakes hands with Rick.

"See you later, Pete," Rick says with a big grin.

Kassandra smiles and watches him go, and then turns back to Rick. "I take it I said the right thing?" she whispers.

Rick nods and kisses her cheek. "You said the right thing, Kass. You always do. Being a member of the Sept is a huge honor for those who aren't garou. Only very trusted friends of the Sept are given that honor," Rick says.

"Really??" Kassandra asks in amazement. "Wow...tell Peter I am honored when you see him!" she says, not having realized what a big thing being welcomed into a sept was! She stands there thinking about it for a moment. A group of wise and powerful beings who have close ties to the earth and the spirit realm and her family will be a part of them. It's perfect.
The couple says good-bye to Beamer and Richard, and then they get into Rick's van and pull out. Kassandra looks back at the mansion and watches it silently as they head down the hill, until she can see it no longer.

Vanessa stands in the doorway of their new kitchen, watching Armande as he pulls various pots and pans that he needs out of the moving boxes. They were all sad to leave their old house. Vanessa had never lived in one place for so long before...had never had a place that felt like home before. She folds her arms and leans against the doorframe, sighing wistfully as she looks at all the boxes.
"Well? What do you think of him, mi amor?" she finally asks with a little smile. Armande's pretending to be completely wrapped up in dinner preparations, but she can tell his mind is going a mile a minute beneath his calm exterior.

Armande looks over his shoulder from the stove with a scowl on his face. "I don't like it. She hardly knows this man. WE hardly know this man." he says gruffly. "And already she's pregnant by him." he says. "She's ready to shack up and live with this man...this werewolf...for the rest of her life."

Vanessa nods. "I understand the falling in love and moving in with him-part, but the pregnant-part? Why did she let herself get pregnant? She kept herself from getting pregnant for three years with that papa-bastard, and that was while she was being kept drugged! Do you think she did it on purpose? I mean, Rick IS a great guy...I can see that after only knowing him for a day...and I understand that werewolves value their children...but...she's never had anything to do with werewolves before him! We leave town for a few weeks and it's like we've come home to a completely different daughter! That's all the ranting I have on the subject, by the way. I just wanted to get it off my chest before they get here!"

"Well she is stronger than she was before," Armande says grudgingly. "But I think her common sense left her." he says. "We'll talk to her tonight and see if we can't at least talk some sense into her." he says. "I don't know this Rick-fellow anymore than you do and I'll reserve judgment until after we've talked."

Vanessa nods in understanding. "I'd like to hear the story of how they met, and how they fell in love and all that. I mean...I know Kassandra. Or rather I KNEW Kassandra, and Rick strikes me as the kind of guy who the old Kassandra would have been intimidated by if he was the one who approached her. I guess I still have a lingering fear that what happened before could happen again...that she could be tricked into being with another man...that there was werewolf-magic involved or something...you know? I mean, deep down I don't believe this is the case, but I still have that knee-jerk reaction."

Armande turns around to look Vanessa straight in the eye, "If that's the case and that's what happened, garou or not he's a dead man," he says. "When they get here check to see if she's under the influence or not alright Vanessa? Will you do that for me?"

Vanessa walks over to Armande and wraps her arms around his neck, giving him a re-assuring kiss. "I already did when I first met him, baby. Let me re-phrase what I just said! I know neither one of them is being enchanted by the other, but after everything that happened to her before, it just makes me extra-suspicious...it makes me even question my own powers at being able to detect when people have been dominated! Don't worry, honey...after sitting down and talking with them we'll be able to tell if it's the same old Kassy or if something is off. I didn't mean to worry you."

"I'll reserve judgment on that till I talk to her. Damn it Vanessa. I thought we raised her smarter than this. She has been totally taken by this guy. And I'm going to find out exactly who he is and what he's thinking." Armande says.

Vanessa nods. "I'm relying on you for that, my love." she says.
God...talking to Armande is making her nervous and worried! Yet when she was in Rick's presence she felt like he was already a member of the family! She hopes the kids get here quick!

Kassandra and Rick pull up in the van and Rick puts it in park. Kassandra scoots close to Rick and pulls him into her arms, kissing him. When the kiss breaks she looks up into his eyes.
"I just wanted you to know that no matter what happens I love you and I WILL be with you, and I know we're perfect for each other." she says with a determined fire in her eyes.

Rick smiles at Kassandra and gives her a no-worries look. "Hey Kass, don't worry I'll win over your parents. No problem." he says. "They'll see how much we love each other and how good we are together and it'll all fall into place."

Kassandra smiles at him and gives him another kiss. "It just doesn't seem fair that you even HAVE to try to win them over after how wonderful you've been! Thanks for putting up with them!" she smiles. She glances towards the house...this big, new house that she's never even been in before, which is now the new family-house.
"I don't know if we're being watched right now or not because I'm not familiar with this house, so I guess we should get out of the van before they get the wrong idea!" she laughs.

"Alright," Rick says straightening his leather vest. "Let's go, I'm as ready as I'll ever be, Kass." he says. He steps out of the car and hurries to her side and opens the door. "Here you are, Kass." he says winking at her.

Kassandra grins and takes his hand, stepping from the van. She takes his arm and the two walk up to the front door.

Vanessa suddenly appears in the entryway to the kitchen like a flash. "They're heeeere..." she says to Armande in a sing-song voice. "He's quite the gentleman...opened the car door for her and helped her out and everything." she informs him. "Ah-- there's the doorbell. Be good Armande!" she winks at him, and then disappears like a flash again. A second later the front door opens.
Vanessa smiles at the couple and stands aside to let them in. "Come in come in...don't mind the mess! We haven't had time to unpack or arrange the furniture properly."

Armande stands there with his arms folded. Hey," he says. "Kass, come on in and see the new kitchen! I've got your favorite meal in the oven and it's almost done!" he calls.

Kassandra and Rick enter, and Kassandra looks around curiously. "Big house...nice house..." she says peeking around. She smirks at her mother. "Good thing the family's expanding so we can help fill it up!" she says patting her belly.

Vanessa rolls her eyes. "Oh Kassy!" She shakes her head and smiles at them. "Well...what does it matter when you have your children, hmm? If it wasn't this year, it would be next year...or the year after that! Right?" she smiles, trying to sound pleasant. She's still not sold on the idea of being a grandmother yet-- A GRANDMOTHER!!-- but she's sure it will grow on her...someday!
"Come in come in! I still don't know my way around here, so you'll have to forgive me, but I DO know that the kitchen is through here!" she grins, pointing in the direction of the kitchen.

"Yeah nice big place you got here. Hey that smells good," he says turning his head towards the kitchen. "I am hungrier than a horse. That smells like chicken parm with garlic and oregano, with a hint of anise, am I right?"

Armande stands in the kitchen doorway and raises an eyebrow, "That's right it's--"

"Kassy's favorite yeah," Rick says nodding. "I like it too."

Armande gives Vanessa a look and then turns back into the kitchen to check on the meal.

Vanessa raises an eyebrow at Kassandra while Armande's looking, and then sneaks her a little grin and a thumbs-up.

Kassandra grins back. "I made it for him last week, Dad! I told him it was your specialty because you learned it in the old country, so I'm excited that he gets to try the real version from the REAL expert!" she beams. "Rick is a food connoisseur, so now we finally have someone to try recipes out on!" She takes Rick's hand and leans up to kiss his cheek.

Vanessa smiles. "So Thanksgiving won't be such a wasteful affair anymore! Rick...you wouldn't believe Armande's Thanksgiving dinner! Made me feel guilty that I couldn't have any of it! Some years we had John and his friends here...that made for less leftovers and good company."
Vanessa watches Rick and Kassandra together, and something stirs in her long-buried heart. This is the answer. All these years of a large, beautiful dining table with only 2 diners sitting at it, and now their daughter is bringing not only a mate to the family, but...a baby. A little daughter. Probably to be followed by more children. And maybe...just maybe one day a table full of friends-- mages...werewolves...regular humans...a warm, cheery atmosphere...a captive audience for Armande to pamper with his cooking. Vanessa gives a little sigh and smiles.

Rick smiles, "I love food, Italian food especially, Armande," he says walking into the kitchen. "Kassy is a great cook. I'm sure we'll have fat healthy babies." he says

Armande grunts and continues to fuss about the kitchen and stove.

Kassandra follows Rick into the kitchen and laughs. "OH yeah! They'll be big babies no matter what!" she grins, looking her big mate over meaningfully and rubbing his back.

Rick smiles and sits down by the counter. "So Vanessa, tell me something, how did you and this fine cook here meet? I bet that's a great story," he says smiling at Kassandra and Vanessa.

Kassandra grins and sits down beside Rick. "Yes! Tell us, Mom!"

Vanessa grins back and saunters over to Armande, smacking his bottom fondly, and then she jumps up onto a clear part of the counter and sits with one leg crossed over the other.
"Weell...it IS a great story, actually! Ironically, if it weren't for a certain pack of werewolves we never would have met! I'd just moved up from Florida to New York and joined a vampire pack there. We hadn't been together for too long before a werewolf pack cornered us one night...I was the only survivor. I reported back to DeSario, and he put me into Carter's pack-- you know, that big, ancient vampire we killed?" she grins. "That's how I met Nero and Aether."
"Anyhow, Armande here was Carter's human servant. We couldn't live without Armande-- he did EVERYTHING for us. I always made it a point to stop by and visit with Armande in the kitchen while he was making dinner for himself. He had the CUTEST aprons, and I never could figure out why he made such large dinners just for one! So I started putting him to work at making food for my rituals with Papa Ghede! I'm sure I owe Papa's great regard for me on the incredible meals Armande made for him!" she grins proudly.

Kassandra listens enraptured. She's never heard this much detail before about how her parents met!

Armande chuckles as she recounts the story. She's right, if it hadn't been for the werewolves, they never would had met!!

"Go on, Vanessa," Rick says reaching over and taking Kassandra's hand.

Kassandra smiles and squeezes Rick's hand.

Vanessa smiles. "Weell...I had developed this big crush on Carter...don't ask me why. Looking back, I think it was because he was my spiritual mentor. Nero and Aether couldn't care less about the spiritual meaning behind the rites and rituals we performed, but I soaked up everything Carter could teach me. However, he had this weird fetish for..." she glances at Rick and Kassandra. Oh well! Carter's dead now and they already know he was an evil bastard, so why not tell them the whole truth?
"He liked to find a beautiful woman, kill her, and wear her skin. Then his door would open and he would parade around the house in this skin. We couldn't call him 'Carter' or acknowledge him in any way other than to tell him how beautiful he was, or risk him flipping out and trying to kill us. It was a very tense time in the house when he...wasn't himself." she sighs.
"But one evening when Carter WAS himself I got up the courage to approach him and tell him my feelings for him. Yes, yes...I admit that despite the woman-skin-thing I STILL had that nagging crush on him." she sighs. "He told me that to go to his bed with him would mean my death, because every woman who entered his bedroom ended up the victim of his murderous urges. But I was stubborn, and I thought that I was different and I could tame him, or something, so I tried to kiss him, and he flipped out and latched onto my neck...started feeding from me...and I just layed there wondering what I had done. Luckily Carter got a hold of himself enough to release me, and he pushed me away from him and told me to go, and this time I didn't need to be told twice!"

Vanessa reaches up and rubs her neck without realizing it. "So at this point I was a little shaken up and feeling depressed because I'd been rejected, so I went to talk to Armande. He had me smiling and laughing within minutes! It was then that I realized that I was very attracted to him, and once he realized that I was interested in him we found ourselves in his bedroom-- which was quite the love-palace, I must say-- and we've spent every night after that together! I had NO idea that my soul-mate had been right in our kitchen all along!" she smiles, her eyes soft as she watches Armande bustle about the kitchen.

Armande shakes his head as he pulls the chicken parm from the oven. He's heard her tell this story before but it still creeps him out to hear about Carter. He serves each chicken breast to a plate and garnishes and serves the vegetables and side salad.

Kassandra had never heard all those things about Carter before! Not the skin-wearing...not him attacking her mother when she confessed her feelings for him...she gets a shiver down her spine when she realizes that the 'bride' his book had been talking about had been her mother. What would have happened to her if they'd lost??
She suddenly realizes that she and her mother are more alike than she'd thought. Both had had crushes on their mentors...both had been rejected by them...both had still maintained their friendships with them after being rejected...very interesting.

"Woah...that's intense." Rick says. "What a way to meet," he says. He looks over at Kassandra. "I guess we're lucky and met at a party." he says.

Kassandra nods with a shaky smile. "I'LL say!" she agrees.

"Oh yes tell US how you met, Kassandra." Armande says. "I think I'd like to hear that."

Vanessa starts swinging her leg. "Oh yes! I don't want to miss this!" she grins. She ruffles Armande's hair as he passes.

Kassandra grins at Rick. "I have a little background-story of my own that Rick doesn't know about!" She clears her throat. "I was feeling lonely and rejected, too. I was tired of being alone, but everytime a strange man would approach me I would have a panic-attack and try to slip away from them, so it was a vicious cycle. One night I decided to pray to my statue of Apollo for advice, and the real Apollo showed up! He told me a lot of things I needed to know, but the one thing that brought me hope was when he told me, 'Stay your hand at love, for it comes to you, and that love will save your life.'"
Kassandra squeezes Rick's hand. "The next night our chantry threw a party to celebrate the alliance with the Fae and Garou. I was terrified because I'd heard stories about certain kinds of Fae that wanted sex all the time with anyone, and I'd heard that some Garou liked to chase people they wanted to mate with, so I hid in the kitchen and made all the food!" she grins.
"But once the food was made, there was no one around to take it into the party-room! Everyone was at the party but me! So...reluctantly...I started carrying the food into the party. That's when I first met Rick. He came up to me with this big smile on his face and said hi! I was terrified! Here was this big, muscular guy with a mischievous smile on his face, and all I could think was that he was about to sling me over his shoulder and run off into the forest with me!" she laughs.

Rick laughs, while Armande scowls. "Is that how you guys get women? Why don't you club them over the head?" Armande says.

"We used to but a knocked-out chick is no fun." Rick says jokingly. "Some of us do that, not all." He looks over at Kassandra. "Go on Kassy," he says.

"Yeah go on sweetheart, I don't want to interrupt." Armande says.

Kassandra shakes her head and grins. "So there was Rick grinning at me and saying hi, and...well...I ran away from him!" she laughs, blushing in embarrassment. "I ran back into the kitchen and stayed there for quite a while...until I thought it was safe! Then I could hear that the food was running out, so...reluctantly...I brought more food out. You know how it is, Dad! I'd worked so hard on all that food, and outside was a party going on with hungry people! I couldn't resist the urge to bring the food to them!" she grins.
"So back in I went, and back over Rick came!! This time I anticipated him coming over, and ran back to the kitchen before he could get to me! But by this time I was bored of holing up in the kitchen, so I went out into the entryway to listen for guests coming to the door, and the next thing I know Rick is coming up to me again! And this time there was nowhere to hide!" She elbows Rick in the side and smiles at him.
"I was SO nervous and terrified! He said hi and asked what my name was, and I could barely get it out! He said it was a beautiful name, and I just started rambling! I told him my mom named me Kassandra because the S-sounds in it sounded snaky and my mom loves snakes, and I'll never forget the next thing Rick said! He said, 'Hey, you wanna see my 13-inch python?'" Kassandra starts cracking up. "I was SO about to scream for help!" Kassandra laughs. "But then he quickly explained that he had pet snakes, and had just bought a baby python!" Kassandra laughs and wipes at her eyes. "And the rest was history! We got to talking about our snakes, and we spent the rest of the party talking and walking and talking and dancing and talking and standing!" she grins.

Vanessa is rocking back and forth laughing hard, too. "Oh Rick...what a classic line!! Were you REALLY talking about your baby snake, or were you being evil?" she grins, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Nah! I was talking about my baby snake," Rick says. "After she said it like that I know why she gave me that scared look," Rick says laughing and slapping the counter. "I didn't mean it to sound like that!!" he says.

Kassandra rocks back on her stool, laughing so hard that tears come down her cheeks. "You mean...you mean you didn't know until just now why I gave you that horrified look?? HAHAHAAHAHAHAHAA!!" she laughs hard.

Armande scowls and sets the table carefully. He's heard about enough of this. He's not liking it and it'll take some good convincing to get him to like this fellow.

Vanessa is holding her stomach and laughing, and then notices out of the corner of her eye that Armande has a mad look on his face. She hops down off the counter. "Well I am VERY impressed to hear that you have pet snakes, too! You definitely said the right thing to grab Kassy's attention!" she grins. "And mentioning the pet snakes was a good idea, too!" she grins evilly. "I would love to meet your snakes, as well! Now if you'll both pardon me I'm going to help my husband set the table!" she smiles, walking out of the kitchen and into the dining room.

Kassandra laughs and leans against Rick. "You really didn't know how bad that sounded when you said it??" she asks incredulously.

"Not until now," Rick says looking sheepish. "No wonder you had second thoughts about me," he says with an embarrassed chuckle. "I sounded like some guy trying to hook up or something," he says.

Kassandra laughs. "YEAH you did! But looking back, it was cute! And if you used the same line on me now you'd get a much different reaction!" she grins, leaning forward and kissing him. Oh LET her father see them kissing! She grew up watching her parents' faces stuck together every day of her life!

Rick kisses her back and laughs. "I'll remember that when we get home," he says. "I don't think Lucy's 13 inches anymore," he says. "She might be five foot by now...wanna see her?" he says with a wink and a grin.

Kassandra gives a little squeal and laughs. "Five feet?? Wow! I must have really made an impression on her! All that time I spent handling and stroking her...kissing her and telling her how beautiful she is..." she grins evilly.

Vanessa saunters into the dining room and up to Armande. "Oh baby...why are you looking so upset?" she whispers, touching his arm. "He didn't realize how bad what he said came out as! And even if he did, doesn't it sound like something you would've said to me back in our New York days?"

Armande snorts, "We were a couple back then...still are. I can get away with saying things like that, Vanessa. I'm not sure how I feel about him." he says. "You seem convinced he's alright but I'm not so sure," he says. "Not by a long shot."

Vanessa sighs and rubs his back. "Well the purpose of them being here is for you to ask him any and every question you can think of that will set your mind at rest. Let's get everyone seated at the table, and then I want you to start talking to Rick. You've barely made eye-contact with him since they got here, baby!" she whispers.

"I know, I know," Armande grumbles. "Dinner!" he shouts looking over the table of food. Four places have been set, he wishes it was just three, but hey it's time to start grilling this kid.

Rick beams, "Dinner!" he says. "Here we go I guess," he says.

Kassandra takes his hand and kisses him again. "Good luck!" she whispers before they walk into the dining room.

Vanessa shows them to their places. Instead of putting Armande at the head of the table, she's arranged the plates so she and Armande are sitting across from Rick and Kassandra. She wants Armande to have to look at Rick when he's talking to him-- no more of this cold, impersonal aire he's been putting on.

Armande holds the chair for Vanessa and then scoots her in while Rick follows suit with Kassandra. The two men look at each other briefly before taking their seats.

Vanessa nudges Armande's leg with her knee once everyone's seated and gives him an encouraging nod.

"MMm...mm this looks good, Armande. I haven't had a home-cooked meal in ages," Rick says rubbing his hands together. "Not really anyway. This is great."

"Yeah I do what I can," Armande says placing the napkin on his lap.

"It appears that's cooking," Rick says. "Kassandra's quite the baker. Everyone down at the old coffee shop raved about her pies and cakes. I see where she gets it from."

'Yeah, even God loves my pies!' she thinks to herself with a little grin, but that's a conversation for another time!
"Hey now...what do you mean you haven't had a home-cooked meal in ages?" Kassandra asks, folding her arms. "It's only been 5 days since the last time I cooked for you!" she exclaims, elbowing him in the side. "What with all that spirit-world traveling we were doing!"

Vanessa grins, taking a sip from her goblet. 'Oh boy...here comes the Grimaldi temper!' she thinks, enjoying this.

Rick laughs, "I know but ahhh that was in the horizon realm...the last time anyway. So...you know..." Rick says with a wink. "And five days is ages for me. I'm a big guy...need to eat a lot of home cooked meals." he says.

"Something wrong with my daughter's cooking?" Armande asks darkly.

"No...no not at all! She's a great cook!" Rick says quickly.

Kassandra opens her mouth, and Vanessa quickly holds up her arms. "All right all right all right! All the crazy Italians in the room need to calm down!" Vanessa grins, glancing from Armande to Kassandra. "Rick's just trying to be polite, now let's let him off the hook! I've heard him rave about Kassandra's cooking, so obviously he knows she's a good cook! Next topic! So Rick, tell us about your family! Are they in California? Is Kassy going to have to go over and be interrogated by her new in-laws? And are they going to be angry when they find out that her parents are of the nocturnal persuasion?" she asks curiously.

"Nah...my mom and I don't talk and I never knew my dad. I basically raised myself really. Moved out here and that's where I want to stay and forget about all that," Rick says. "That's pretty much it. I work for myself. I restore classic cars for the movies and private collectors, and in my spare time I restore motorcycles too."

Armande listens and nods to him about the car restoration. That sounds like a good job, but he didn't like hearing about the family history. This guy has baggage, and he'll run off just like his dad.

Vanessa glances at Armande. He's still fighting it, but she's sure Rick will be able to win him over...soon, she hopes! She can tell Armande's going to rant about the family-bit later, so she better nip that in the bud!
"I understand, Rick. I never knew my mother OR father. I was an orphan...grew up on the streets of Santo Domingo. So when I got the chance to have a family of my own, that meant much more to me than to someone who'd been raised by parents. In fact, I think it made me a better wife and mother because I never take my family for granted." she says.

Kassandra listens quietly, looking from her father to her mother. She'd hoped the topic of his family wouldn't have come up, but she should have known better. She grateful to her mother for stepping in and saying what she said.

"Yeah, then you know exactly how I feel," Rick says nodding in agreement. He takes a bite of his chicken parm and smiles in approval. "This is great, Armande," he says. "Yeah I cherish the idea of having a family. I want my son, or daughter, to always have me there for them," he says.

Armande takes a bite and washes it down with some wine. He looks over at Vanessa and shrugs. "So what's your house like?" he asks.

"It's nice and big, a little too big for just me," Rick says. "There are a few rooms I haven't even touched yet. It's three bedroom and two bath. It's not bad and it has a big garage for me to work in."

Kassandra represses a giggle as she imagines herself saying, 'Yeah, and that's where our baby was conceived!' She can't stand the tension coming from her dad!
"It's a great house...very masculine-feeling. Plus Rick doesn't have to leave home to work! I like that, too! When the baby's born, Rick will be nearby in case I need help! Unless he's guarding the caern, but I'm sure they could send someone over if I needed them. Babies are so precious to the Garou."

"Hey now...don't forget its grandparents!" Vanessa smiles. "Like you said, we have this big, new house that needs filling up! We'd love to babysit for you! Right baby?" she asks Armande hopefully.

"You bet, it's been a long time since we had a baby in the house," Armande says.

Kassandra smiles and nods. "You and Dad are the best at that!" She pauses and looks at Rick. "Even though you're not close to your mom, I still think you should call and let her know she's going to be a grandma...and that she has a daughter-in-law...so she won't be upset later if she finds out from someone else."

"Yeah I haven't had a chance to really sit down and call her and tell her," Rick says. "Tomorrow when I get a chance I'll give her a ring." he says.

"You haven't told your own mother yet?" Armande asks looking over the table at Rick disapprovingly.

"Well I've been with Kassy this entire time. And we've been running around trying to do all these things here and...I hadn't a chance to think straight much less call home." Rick says with a smile at Armande.

Armande thinks about it a moment and nods. "I guess you're right," he says grudgingly.

"Of COURSE he's right, Dad! I didn't even have a chance to call you or Mom before yesterday, either!" Kassandra reminds him.

Vanessa sits quietly listening. "So I understand the love-at-first-sight thing, and obviously I understand the moving-in-together-right-away-thing, but I guess what I don't understand is the baby-thing so soon. Kassy-- you went three years without getting pregnant. Was this planned?" she asks, her first-- and hopefully only-- critical question of the night. "I don't mean to be blunt, I'm just trying to understand the situation." she adds.

Kassandra glances at Rick and then at her father before answering. "No...it was a complete surprise to both of us. I...thought I had better control over my Life-magicks, but it looks like I was wrong." she explains a little nervously.

"I find that hard to believe, Kassy! I mean...three years! And you didn't have nearly the control over your magick then that you do now!" Vanessa presses.

Kassandra flushes a little. "I can't explain what happened. Maybe a greater force wanted me to get pregnant so it overrode my magick...maybe I was just distracted and my barrier went down...I don't know." she says. "We honestly didn't mean to get pregnant this early! We wanted some time to just enjoy us, but...you know...it didn't happen that way." she stammers.

"Yeah, it was a surprise." Rick adds. "Don't be hard on her. I should have been more cautious too," Rick says looking at the both of them and taking Kassandra's hand. "It's just as much my fault as hers."

"You got that right," Armande says. "How come you didn't use any protection?" he asks Rick squarely.

"I uhhh I messed up. I made a mistake, and I'll own to it." Rick says looking at Armande unflinchingly.

"No, it's my fault. I told him he didn't need to use any protection because my magick would be protection enough, and he trusted me." Kassandra quickly interjects. "And it WAS protection enough before, as Mom pointed out, so I can't really explain what happened. All I know is that after the baby's born I'm going on the pill!" she grins, trying to insert a little humor to defuse the mood.

Vanessa smiles. "That's the joy of being a vampire! If you DO get pregnant, you know it's not your fault!" she chuckles. "And you thought RICK'S sperm was potent!" she grins, tickling Armande's side.

"Mom, yuck!" Kassandra laughs. Her mother never fails at lightening the mood...no matter at what cost!

Armande looks over at Vanessa with a scowl and then back to Rick. "You still should have been responsible," Armande says.

"I know that, and I will be from now on. And this baby is in no danger of being left behind or anything. This is a blessing given to us by Gaia. This was meant to be and hey I'm happy and so is Kassandra," Rick says with a shrug and takes another bite of his parm.

Armande hmms and then takes a bite of his. "I see," he says after a bit of silence. He turns to Vanessa, "What do you think?"

It takes Vanessa a second to realize that Armande asked that question out loud and not through their mind-link, so sudden and blunt was the question!
She looks from Rick, to Kassandra's wide eyes, and then shoots Armande a look that says, 'thanks a lot! I'm trying to be the good guy!'
Vanessa rolls her goblet between her hands. "Well...my first reaction was shock and denial...I mean, I may be old but I don't feel like a grandma! YET, anyway!" she smiles a tight smile. "But then I sat and thought about it. And I remembered how wonderful it was having baby Kassandra in the house. We'd just assumed that she'd be the last baby we'd have around. We didn't even think about her having children of her own one day! And I thought about how nice it would be to make the family larger...have more people around for Armande to cook for who WOULD be around, and not suddenly disappear off to England for random lengths of time! So...now I feel like I am excited for the arrival of the baby. I guess my only worry was for Rick and Kassandra. I was worried deep down that Rick might be frustrated at being an unplanned father and might head for the hills. I don't know why I was worried about that, but I was. So I owe you an apology, Rick. I see that I was, happily, wrong about that."
Now it's HER turn to turn the question back to Armande! "So what do YOU think, baby?" she asks Armande. "How do you feel about being a grandpa and all of it?"

Kassandra listens quietly. She was surprised to hear that her mother had had apprehensions and fears about the pregnancy! Her mother's never been scared or worried about anything in her life! Or at least that's the face she's always shown Kassandra! She watches her father worriedly, waiting for his answer.

Armande finishes the bite he had in his mouth and washes it down with some wine. He dabs the corners of his mouth with a napkin and then places the napkin in his lap.
"Well," he says leaning forward. "I'm very concerned, Kass. Do you know what it takes to raise a child? It's a lot of hard work," he says looking towards Rick. "Now had I met you first then I would have liked you, but right now, I'm concerned is all. You prove to me that you're a good man and fit to be my daughter's man...and we'll see." he says. He then takes another bite.

Rick nods and looks at Armande. "I'm up for it. I see you need proof well proof you'll get. I'm here for the long haul and I ain't planning to go anywhere Kassy ain't so you'll have to get used to me," Rick says determined.

Vanessa grins behind her goblet, glancing over at Armande. Rick's saying all the right things, and since they met it sounds like he's done exactly what he's promised. Now...like Armande said...they'll see how the long-haul plays out. "Sounds like exactly the type of guy Kassy always wanted, Armande." she says honestly.

Kassandra smiles at Rick and puts her arm through his. "He is. That's why everything has moved along so fast! I mean, like Mom said about you and her, once you know you're soulmates, why wait? Why try to stick to some antiquated dating-ritual and have to have a certain number of dates under your belt before you finally move in together? It doesn't make sense...it just makes the couple miserable." she says.

Vanessa looks at Kassandra in surprise, and then turns to Armande and smiles approvingly. She HAS gotten stronger since they left.

"Dad, Rick is everything you wanted me to find in a man. He's very responsible...never misses his assigned night to guard the caern. He's a hard-worker...he went from nothing, to starting his own business and being extremely successful at it. He knows how to fix or build just about anything. He's VERY romantic...brought me flowers on our first date and fixed us a picnic basket, and he opens all the doors for me and helps me climb into the van or onto his bike...he's very considerate. He's also very spiritual. He's dedicated to Gaia, and makes ME feel inexperienced spiritually with all the knowledge he has in the spirit-realm! And he's extremely protective, and a well-trainer fighter. If any other guy gives me the eye, he gives it to them right back. And he never lets me go into a potentially dangerous situation without him." she explains with a new confident aire to her voice and demeanor.

Vanessa listens to all of this in surprise, and then gives a little sigh. Her baby just grew up right before her eyes. She glances at Armande again to gauge his reaction.

Armande listens to all of this and continues to stare at Rick.
Rick tries to hide his embarrassment from all the compliments but inside he's beaming after hearing what Kassandra said about him.
Armande sighs and takes the last bite of his parm and swallows it down with the wine. "I guess that's that then. Rick. You're part of this family. Just know, however, that actions speak louder than words...understand?"

"I got it, Armande. I won't let you down," Rick says with a big grin.

"Not me, Rick, Kass. You don't let her down," Armande says pointing his finger at Rick.

Kassandra's face lights up and she gives a little squeal of happiness before jumping up from the table and running around to hug her father.
"Thank you, Dad, thank you thank you thank you!! I know you'll be best friends before long!" she cries, hugging Armande tightly.

Vanessa grins. "So then! You two planning on getting married or anything formal like that, or are you already considered to be 'married?' You know..." she says, turning to Armande. "We never DID get formally married, ourselves, did we?" she asks, tapping a finger against her lip. "We just kinda said our vows to each other the day I brought Kassy home, and that was that!"

Armande hugs Kassandra tightly. "I just want what's best for you, Kassandra. You love this man and I'll support the two of you, but I want you to be smart about it, got that? You'll take good care of each other alright?" Armande asks.

Rick smiles at seeing the father and daughter hug. He sighs happily and takes a drink of his wine.
"This is so nice, Vanessa. I never had this type of home life," he says. "Yeah we'll get married. We'll have a great ceremony and we can do it under the full moon so you can be there. Think that'll be ok?"

Vanessa smiles and nods. "I think that would be perfect. Thank you Rick." She reaches over and takes Armande's hand. 'Armande...' she thinks to him. '...what if it were a double wedding. I don't want to steal any thunder from those two...we could do ours discretely while everyone else was partying...you know...just kind of pull the priest or priestess aside after Rick and Kassandra's? I know we didn't care about an official, legal marriage before, but...I want to marry you.' she said, her eyes suddenly shining with red tears.

Armande looks over with his eyes shining towards Vanessa. 'Absolutely, Vanessa. I want to marry you, too.' he thinks to her. 'Think the priest would go for it?'

Vanessa smiles. 'I could MAKE him think it's a good idea...' she teases, tapping her temple. 'No, no...I wouldn't do that. I think they'd go for it since Rick will be speaking for us to allow us to be there...especially if 'they' were Peter. I think he's a priest.' she thinks back.

'Alright then, it's settled. We'll do it!' Armande thinks back. Vanessa can hear the quiet joy in his voice as he tries to contain his emotions.

Kassandra mistakes her mother's sudden show of emotion for meaning that her mother's happy that she and Rick are getting married, and she smiles and hugs her tightly.
"Thank you, Mom. I'll need your help with what to wear! Underneath the dress, especially!" she whispers.

Vanessa gives a little laugh and nods. "Of course, mija! I've been waiting for this opportunity for 26 years!"

"Yikes!" Rick says with a smile. "Alright then it's settled. I'll talk to Peter tomorrow, see what we can do in a month. How's that? Is that enough time to prepare?" he asks.

Vanessa beams at Kassandra and then gives Armande a little smile. "What's another month to wait?" she smiles mysteriously. Then she hugs Kassandra back tightly. "Congratulations, Kassy. You'll be gorgeous." Then she grins at Rick. "Got any biker-friends in your caern?" she asks wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

"Mom!" Kassandra laughs.

Vanessa grins. "Relax...I'm just teasing your father!" she winks at Armande.

"Oh a few," Rick says laughing. "Not that they could compare with this guy," Rick says slapping the table and looking at Armande.

The rest of the evening goes well as Armande takes everyone on a tour of the house. It's a large house, and everyone starts divvying up the rooms-- picking out which room should be the nursery for when the Grimaldis babysit their grandchild, and which should be the guest rooms. The ice broken, Rick and Armande finally talk out on the porch while Vanessa and Kassandra discuss the wedding plans. Later everyone returns to the kitchen for home-made pies, and the jokes start up about Kassandra's infamous "Meat and Nut Pie"-day at Richard's coffee shop!
A while later Vanessa informs everyone that it's almost dawn so she needs to get to bed, and so Armande and Vanessa say good-bye to the younger couple, and Rick and Kassandra head for their new life together at Rick's house.

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