Someday, when we are wiser
When the world's older
When we have learned
I pray someday we may yet live to live and let live
-Lyrics to 'Someday' performed by All 4 One
Crimson Bonds Part 7
"Well, that should do it," Treize sighed deeply as he saved the final opening arguments in defense of his kind onto his laptop.
Closing the screen, he smiled warmly to his family seated at the round table of their office. "Thank you all for your work and input for this. I wish that we did not have to make such an effort in keeping our rights, but at least they are in the right hands with you and all of our representatives."
Grins and appreciative nods made their rounds through the Clan. They had been fortunate for the extension in the cases being made against them in that it had given them enough time to communicate with the remainder of the Vampire Council for their insight and suggestions to make the most rounded, extensive fight for the way of the world to remain as it was for well over a century.
Lady Une rose to her feet and squeezed her husband's shoulder when he leaned back in his chair with a weary expression. Though he physically did not feel exhaustion, Khushrenada felt the weight of his responsibility to stand up for his kind heavy on his shoulders... and it was wearing on him enough that he felt as though he had gone weeks without sleep in his normal mortal body.
Kissing the top of his head, his wife complimented sincerely, "You pulled all of this together beautifully, my love. We already have the numbers on our sides, but this statement should be more than enough to end any opposition to all Infected for many years to come."
She was not willing to go as far as to say that there would never again be challengers as she knew better that to believe such a thing. However, there was more than enough room to believe in a long spell before the next real struggle.
Hand-in-hand, Zechs and Noin made their way to their cousins as Merquise patted the family monarch on the back. "I'll forward the statement to the remainder of the board for their records for you, cousin," he offered. "Just send it to me when you get the chance tonight."
"Thank you," Treize nodded shallowly. "I'm sure that they will be looking to see the report for themselves and it would be one less thing for me to have on my plate before our gathering tomorrow." Exchanging their salutations for the evening, the remainder of his family slipped out of the room to spend some much needed and deserved time alone with their soul mates.
It was something that he had been looking forward to as well. Making his intentions known when he stood, he pulled his wife close for a desperate kiss.
Pulling back, Lady Une smirked, "I hope that means you intend to take full advantage of our time alone-" She laughed when her husband threw her over his shoulder and carried her purposely out of the room and down the hall for their bedroom. Along the way, she sank her fangs into the side of his neck to make clear her own desires.
Back downstairs, Quatre lowered the book he had been reading at the first sounds of almost nonexistent footsteps coming down the spiral case that his enhanced hearing picked up. Making his way to the living room doorway, he smiled to his brother and sister-in-law when they appeared. To his ever growing concern, Zechs and Noin responded with smiles that he was all too aware of being forced.
Not that the scientist could blame their trepidation. There was much on the line that really should not be.
The Merquises' stepped out of the house while Relena came into view at the last few steps. Her grin came without a hint of light to her eyes, alarming her Companion at the sight of it. Swallowing roughly, Winner closed the distance between them as soon as her feet touched the floor. "Are you alright?" he whispered, a deep frown on his face.
Unable to trust her voice, Peacecraft began to try and nod... only to shake her head and all but come completely undone as tears filled her eyes. Sniffling when her lover wrapped her into a fierce hug, the Vampire held onto him and buried her face into the crook of his neck to sob quietly.
It took everything in Quatre to stay strong for her at that moment. But he understood his wife's sadness. How many more times would her kind have to defend their rights to the very humans of whom most were risking their own existences to protect?
The task was proving to be a more and more daunting one every time the issue arose thanks to closed-minded mortals who could not see it within themselves to simply try and get to know the Infected.
Worst of all, those bigots were only bringing in more impressionable minds that would follow their example into the world every day to bring on a never-ending cycle of challenges.
Still, Winner could not allow himself to fall into despair over the reality of it all. "It's going to be alright," he promised softly to the immortal trembling in his arms. Kissing her temple, he sighed, "Someday it'll all be alright."
And he allowed one silent tear to fall for that very hope.
* * * * * *
Come the next morning, the Yuy-Barton Clan's trio of houses were a hive of activity since the arrival of the Changs' eldest children just hours leading to the rise of the sun.
Whilst the elder boys played a few exciting rounds of football on the grass of the front lawns with their father and uncles, the youngest of the lot and the women sat and watched from the front porches while talking amongst themselves. The younger of the kids played with their dolls, board games and hand-held video games as their eldest siblings participated.
For Anna and Wufei, they were happily neck-high in the activities and taking it all in to enjoy having their whole family together. Regardless of how their oldest foursome lived only a few miles away, there was nothing better than having everyone under the same roof at the same time.
Meanwhile, for Heero and Duo, it was only all the more wonderful to be with all of their nephews and nieces with the anticipation of extending their own little unit of two some day. There was no better experience to prepare them than by staying surrounded by younglings on a regular basis.
Stepping out onto the front deck with a tray, Midi announced to the young women, "Tea's up." Anna and her teenage daughters rose for their china teacups and returned to their table in the corner along with the 'little mother.'
Her own serving in hand when she joined them, the Latin beauty sighed in content, "It's wonderful having you girls back. I've missed these sit downs with you."
Brushing back the loose strands of her pixie cut red hair, Carol's blue-and-gold eyes warmed as she replied, "We've missed these too, Aunt Midi. Of course, being able to rejuvenate with Uncle Duo's blood is always a bonus." The first sip that she took from the colored drink, she could already feel it strengthening her body more than any bite of her family could.
"I just feel bad that you kids had to cut your vacation short," Anna commented. "Your father and I were going to wait for you to return to your home before calling to tell you about our hunt."
A hand waving in the air, Isabel replied, "We have plenty of time to tour the world, Mom. I'm glad that Uncle Heero got a hold of us."
Onyx-and-gold eyes set in a face shaped like her Dad's framed a long fall of wavy, black hair that made her a striking image to her family's patriarch. Unlike her fellow teenage sister, who was so much like Wufei in personality, the eldest girl of the Changs was Anna in every other way than physically.
Funny enough, their twin brothers were exactly the flipped mirrors of them.
The eldest boy- Charles- was the Mimic in the Siren's appearance while John was the reverse. However, neither one of them were having a hard time keeping up with even the Originals in their football game.
Strangely enough, however, all four of them had surpassed Wufei and Anna's physical state when they passed the age of eighteen. Now twenty and nineteen, they were still aging yet. When and if they would ever stop remained to be seen as they were the only children born to two Vampires.
Assisting each other to make a touchdown, the brothers whooped and hollered as their teammates and opponents alike laughed in amusement.
The immortal young women at the table giggled at the scene for a moment before returning to their conversation. Carol folded her arms across her chest as she focused on the Irish Vampire across from her. Biting her lip for a stilled heartbeat of hesitation, the nineteen-year-old stated, "Uncle Heero had hinted that there was some news involving you, Mom. Is everything alright?"
Setting down her teacup, Anna sighed, "He hinted that, huh?" Both her daughters nodded, the worry clear in their eyes while Midi ducked her head and held her tongue.
"Oh, it's nothing," the Siren laughed, her hand waving nonchalantly in the air. "Your Uncle Heero and Uncle Duo asked me to be a surrogate to a child for them and I agreed. Sally is looking into the procedure as we speak and should have something to go on within a couple of days."
Complete silence settled over the group as the young Infected blinked widely in absorbing the information. Beneath their stunned expressions, the visible concern deepened.
Finally, their mother snickered nervously, "Well no need to look so scared, girls. Everything is going to be fine. I could not be in better hands. There's nothing at all to be worked up about. This is a great thing."
Isabel was the first to come out of her surprise with a shake of her head. "You're right, Mom." Leaning over, she hugged the Irish Infected tightly as she grinned, "It's a wonderful thing. And if anyone, living or Vampire, can handle it, you can."
Only then did the reality of the whole situation finally hit home for Anna in that instant. Hey eyes misting over as she held her daughter back, she fought back a sob when Carol darted around the table to join in the embrace. "We'll help out any way we can," her firstborn vowed in a broken whisper.
"All you have to do is ask, Ma," her redheaded sister added.
Smiling through her tears, the Sired closed her eyes and squeezed her little ones tightly. And silently, she said a prayer of thanks for such incredible children.
* * * * * *
She was a pretty little thing. Like so many others who walked into the bars.
Oh, Mark was determined to concentrate on his work. But he was entitled to a night of fun every now and then. After the hours of being without a drink or a bedmate, his compulsions were catching up fast.
And what the hell... the Hunter had purposely chosen to stay in Poland for the fact that there was no history of the Yuy-Barton Clan there. So long as he kept Septum trusting that there might be something to uncover in his search, he could feasibly stay there for months without actually lifting a finger.
Besides, the way that the pretty little thing was swaying her hips in that tight, short black dress as she walked through the thin crowd to join the table of her friends, she was practically begging for a good fuck.
Oh, she would get it alright. So silly, these cat and mouse games that the ladies of Warsaw played. Why they even bothered to dress was beyond Barnett. A hinting wink and a friendly smile would have the tiny creature racing into the feline's paws to be claimed... just like every one before.
Putting out his cigarette, Mark threw back the remains of his glass and gave the girl enough time too take her seat before he crossed the room. The giggling brood of ladies ended their quiet conversation that had been drowned out by the music and chatting patrons when they noticed the handsome young man who was purposely headed for them.
Not about to be bothered by putting out false intentions, the American kept his gaze squarely on the newest arrival who had caught his eye. Shoulder-length hair that was clearly colored to be brown on account of the hint of blonde in her roots, the green-eyed girl bit her lip in a self-conscious smile.
Oh, she was going to be his alright.
"Pardon me," Barnett greeted, his most winning smile in place to captivate along with his fluent Polish. Casually leaning his folded arms on the edge of the table as if he owned the place, he leaned towards his target. "I normally am not this forward, but someone as beautiful could not possibly be of this world. Would you be willing to share with me what Heaven is like before you have to return?"
He finished off his comment with a wink to seal the deal.
The blush to the high-set cheekbones and the nervous giggle that he received was more than enough to solidify that he was in. But then again, he was in before the young lady even knew that he was coming. Girls of this country were of no match to his whims and ways. They were never ready for what words flowed out of him nor his charm.
Oh, yes. She was in for many more surprises alright.
* * * * * *
"You kids got lucky," Duo smirked as he and the rest of the family poured into his home. "If Shinigami had been allowed to play, there would have been no contest in that game." Charles, John and his brothers snickered in amusement, but knew better than to argue when it came to their Uncle's alter ego.
Heero chuckled deeply, to his lover, "I'm surprised that you were able to hold him back once we started losing. He's easily the most competitive creature I have ever known."
At that, the Companion laughed, "Oh, trust me, he's still pouting over it." Scooping up Fiona and Ian, he flipped the squealing children onto either shoulder as they made their way into the living room. "Guess I'm gonna have to let him have his way in some tickle fights with these little wrist biters."
The rest of the younger hoard fell into hysterics when their Uncle Heero and Uncle Trowa descended upon them to take out their 'revenge'.
Folding his arms, Wufei leaned against the door frame as he snorted, "Come on, guys. You all had first picks for who you played with out there. No need to take your inability to pick a winning team out on the youngsters. "
Smug grins on their faces, Charles and John flanked their father as the older of the pair said, "That's right, Dad. And if you Uncles are going to pick a fight, might as well make it fair by picking on someone your own sizes." Groans and more laughter filled the air while a hail of pillows were hurled at the sniggering trio.
Midi and Anna headed past the chaos with a tray and glasses in their possession as they giggled. "Ah, kids," the redhead murmured in content, "every one of them, the biggest being the patriarchs of the bunch who have been around for centuries."
"Yep," the Latin Infected nodded. Freeing a hand, she took her cousin's and squeezed it as she said sincerely, "And I wouldn't have it any other way, my dear cousin. For many years, I had wished for a full home and now I have the joy of that. The messes are much more fulfilling to clean up when they're made by little hands."
Tightening her hold on the 'little mother's' hand, the Siren smiled, "Agreed. And with any luck, we'll be cleaning up even more of those messes before long." It was about as far as she was willing to go on that topic for the time being until Sally called with more to go on when it came to that goal.
As they stepped into the kitchen, the Clan matriarchs set to the sink and cabinets to clean their bearings and set away the fine china until their next use when Charles and John entered the room without a sound.
Sneaking up on their mother, the elder of the pair nearly made her drop the cup she was rinsing off at the sink when he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and kissed her temple. "Dad filled us in on everything," he informed quietly.
"He did, did he?" Anna frowned as she turned the running water off. Though she could not hold back the sigh, there was no surprise in her voice. Of course Wufei would make sure to keep their boys in the loop, just as she had their girls.
John's head of short, dark as night hair appeared at her side as he rested a hand on her shoulder. "We all decided to stick around here for a while," he grinned. "You're going to have a lot going on, so we can help keep an eye on our younger siblings while you look after this for Uncle Heero and Uncle Duo."
Blinking widely, the Irish Vampire turned enough be able to search both pairs of eyes watching her. "I-it wouldn't be a bother for you?" she asked tentatively. "You really don't have to worry about us-"
"No one's worried, Ma," Charles reassured, his shaggy red hair shifting as he shook his head. "And it's no trouble at all."
Snickering, he shrugged, "We've been missing the little rug rats, anyway. This is as good a time as any to hang by and keep them company... staring with a camping trip we were going to announce to them later. That'll give you a stretch of days to focus on whatever Sally comes back with."
A long breath escaping her, Anna smiled warmly and cupped her boys' cheeks. "Your father and I are the luckiest creatures in existence to have such thoughtful children." The young Infected smirked and leaned into her touch.
Wufei's voice concurred, "Yes, we are." Along with Isabel and Carol, the scaly Infected chuckled deeply as he walked into the room.
"So, we'll focus on seeing that our brothers have the same treasure in their lives," he stated as he gave a firm pat to each of his sons' backs. Nodding fervently, Anna wrapped herself around her husband and closed her eyes at the feeling of his lips against her forehead.
From a few feet away, beyond the doorway, Heero and Duo peeked in on the heartwarming moment with smiles on their faces. Whatever happened from that day on, they would be content with whatever life dealt them.
Still, as they draped their arms around each other's waists, they could not help but feel optimistic of their chances. Yet another piece had fallen into place to create the perfect situation in this exciting chapter of their family.
And more than ever, it was looking like everything was going to be just fine.
* * * * * *
"There," a voice sighed deeply in relief at the last clicks of the keyboard. Hazel eyes read over the text displayed on the glowing screen in a dimly lit office. At the author's satisfaction in the final read through, the document was saved an printed.
It was good. Better than good. And the pages would be forwarded to the sympathetic within the hour so that they could make their final preparations.
Removing her wire--framed glasses from her nose and closing them, Nancy McAdams released another sigh as she set them aside. She rose from her chair to take up the pages sitting on the printer and carefully sealed them away into her briefcase.
Of course, the Senator was not expecting anything but the same overruling vote that always came to her arguments when she appeared before Council the next day. But her voice would be heard. That gave way to the potential for opportunity in the future.
More would come to grow leery of the Infected over time. Their numbers would only serve to grow well beyond her years. For now, she was perfectly happy to act as an early ripple that would spread through the living to come. Such would be her legacy.
And that was more than enough for Nancy. It was what her parents had reared her to be. It was what the world needed before it was contaminated by the unholy, unnatural beings who were given too many freedoms than what they deserved.
They were not of God's making. If they were, they would never crave the blood of His children. There would never have been barbaric Harvests conceived to keep those monsters alive.
No. Eventually, Vampires would be treated as the demons that they were.
Silently, a prayer was said to see that it was so.
TBC...
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