There's hope in front of me There's a light, I still see it
There's a hand still holding me Even when I don't believe it
I might be down but I'm not dead There's better days still up ahead
Even after all I've seen... There's hope in front of me
-Lyrics to 'Hope In Front of Me' performed by Danny Gokey
Crimson Bonds Part 91
Sunlight peeked through the partially drawn, transparent white window curtains to fall across the bed where Anna slept. With a sigh, the Infected's deep blue-and-gold eyes blinked open. Looking to her surroundings as she slowly sat up, she silently wondered when her hospital room had doubled in size.
And that was when she realized that she was naked beneath the sheets that were pooling around her from the waist down after she had shifted.
It wasn't her room at Sally's clinic that Midi had decorated to look like the master bedroom she and Wufei shared... it actually was their home.
The original three estates had been burnt to the ground on account of the destruction that the Hunters who had stormed them caused. However, the Khushrenada family had seen to it that all three homes were rebuilt to near perfect mirror images of what had been lost and were ready for the Barton-Yuy Clan to move into well before Septum's base had been discovered.
Familiar as the ambiance was... it was still almost foreign to the Infected who had spent a straight six months of her existence in a cell in the ground.
Her curly hair mussed from sleep and her prior evening's activities, Anna frantically reached to cup the side of her neck for the confirmation that all really was as she last remembered it before she fell asleep. The pads of her fingers brushing over the matching pair of bite marks her husband had left from their passion-driven coupling, the tension in her shoulders melted away and her eyes closed.
Silencing her silent screams of panic in her initial waking, the Irish Vampire was finally able to hear the sound of the shower running behind the adjoining bathroom's closed door.
Wufei.
At that tell-tale to her husband's close whereabouts, the redhead sighed deeply in relief and covered her face with her hands as the reality of her last thoughts before falling to sleep took hold.
She truly was home... this being her first morning back since her releas from the clinic the day prior following her near two-week stay under observation. Still healing physically and emotionally, but every day a little stronger in both areas.
Pushing the covers aside, Anna slipped from the bed and padded over to the large glass double doors that closed off the third floor deck that overlooked the backyard.
A sleety mix of precipitation that had fallen overnight made the already white world shimmer beautifully in the sunlight that mid-February day. It was a breathtaking sight to have the Virginian trees and hillsides in view twinkle for every inch that the eye could see...
...but all that the Vampire could think of was how cold it must have been... cold and empty... like her. And that sensation was only amplified by the distant cry of a baby from her brothers' house next door that her sensitive ears picked up.
Lightly running her fingers over the fine muscles of her flat, freckled abdomen, she sniffled. For reasons unbeknownst to her, the finality that there would never be another cry for her to answer got under her skin.
Just as her eyes began to sting, Wufei's voice called softly, "Anna?" She turned to face her husband as he walked up wearing only her fang bite at the nape of his neck. His scales were still damp from his shower as he wrapped his arms around her, but the redhead couldn't have cared in the least as she pressed herself against him and cried into his shoulder.
There were no words of false promises that everything was going to be alright. There was no request for an explanation for her tears or why she was shaking. All that surrounded Anna was her soul mate's loving, understanding, patient presence... exactly what she needed right then.
When she was able to get her bearings, Anna cleared her throat and pulled back enough that her shimmering eyes could lock onto Chang's concerned face. "Sorry," she managed thickly. "It's just... you're still happy with me... even though I'm n-not whole anymore... right?" That last, broken bit was spoken in such a weak voice it was almost mouthed more than whispered.
"Oh, Anna," the scaly Infected breathed, his frown deepening and his heart breaking for her. Holding her face in his hands, he brushed back the tears with the pad of his thumb as he insisted quietly, "You're still whole. What happened changes nothing between us, or who you are. You're still every bit the creature that I've been madly in love with from the moment we met. "
At that, the Irish Infected let out a soft sob and seconds after was giggling nervously, "God... I'm such an emotional mess right now you must think I'm going crazy."
Resting their foreheads together, Wufei smiled sadly, "Not in the slightest. Your body's taken a hell of a beating for over a year now, starting with those fertility shots." He lowered a hand to run it over the fine dots that permanently freckled her abdomen to emphasize his statement.
As his grin faded, Chang went on, "And I know how devastating it's been to deal with the fact that our days of having more babies of our own are behind us, even though you've had a brave face on about it." The Siren bit her quivering bottom lip and dropped her gaze. Kissing her temple, her husband commented, "To be honest, I wish that you'd allow yourself to breakdown like this more often to get it out."
Lifting his Chosen's chin to force her reddening eyes to stare back at him, the Chinese warrior reassured, "Sally told us that you would go through good days and bad days for a while until your system gets sorted out after all of the chemical and physical changes you've been dealt." With a shrug, he smirked, "This is just one of those rough days. And there will be more, but we will get through them."
'We', Anna's mind repeated. For better or worse, Wufei was promising to be there for her through it all just as he always had been and always would be without hesitation or suggestion otherwise.
More tears came on for an entirely different reason as she quickly tilted her head and closed the distance between their lips for a deep kiss that she poured her soul into. Reciprocating and willingly drinking in everything that she had to offer, Wufei sighed into her mouth as their eyes closed and arms tightened around each other.
When they broke apart at last, the Irish Vampire grinned lovingly at her Other.
Really taking a second to notice the healthier hue of his scales now that they'd both been together long enough to restore his strength, she silently marveled at how incredibly beautiful he was. "I love you so damned much, Wufei," she murmured, her fingers running through his loose hair for more contact.
"I adore you, Celtic Rose," Chang smiled sincerely. Quickly pecking her lips once more, he stated, "I'll get the kids together and ready for class. You take all the time you need to get ready to greet the rest of the world." He was rewarded by a small nod of gratitude and sound kiss.
Reluctantly detaching himself, the former soldier set about pulling his hair back in its standard ponytail and dressing. Claiming one last kiss, he winked to his bride and headed out of their master bedroom.
Alone again, Anna fell into sitting on the edge of their bed. Unconsciously, her hand reached up to rest over the bite marks in her neck... absorbing what strength she could from them to face the day.
* * * * * *
Duo snickered as he lowered Stephen into his crib as his middle child yawned widely at the end of his feeding. "Off you go back to dreamland, kiddo," he smirked. Peering over his shoulder, he watched his husband adjusting the blankets over Hajime and Annabel without stirring them.
A warm smile spreading across his face, Heero straightened himself and made his way to his Companion. "You know", he began as he wrapped his arms around the Hybrid's waist from behind, "I think we're starting to get the hang of this. Of course, it helps that they're coming into a bit of a routine now."
Humming an affirmative, Maxwell leaned back against his Chosen and closed his eyes at the kiss that was pressed against his neck. Then, the peaceful moment was shattered by the violent flash of images from his attack on the Hunters that he had killed. All that he could see was blood and tattered limbs and the only sound in his ears was that of the screams and cries of the livings he was tearing apart.
Eyelids flying open with a sharp gasp, the braided half-breed nearly folded over from the full-body convulsion that the dark memory caused. Holding onto him all the tighter to keep him from collapsing, Yuy frowned deeply, "Duo?" He gripped his partner's shoulders to spin him around so that they were facing each other.
Taken aback by how pale the Hybrid's face was and the sweat that beaded his brow, the Original became all too aware to what was happening. "They're back," he stated more than asked, referring to those abrupt hellish scenes that could come on for his lover without warning.
Over the course of the last few days, there had already been several episodes like this, leaving it unnecessary for an explanation to what 'they' were.
Swallowing hard, Duo nodded his lowering braided head. Heero pulled him into a fierce embrace and suggested, "Let's finish up here and pay Solo a visit."
Rather than try and trust his voice, the Companion nodded again. Brushing a trembling hand through his damp bangs, he lifted his chin and sighed in defeat over still not having beaten his demons yet. But... at least he had someone who knew exactly what he was coping with.
One last check on their sleeping little ones later, the pair slipped silently from the nursery hand-in-hand.
* * * * * *
"Thank you for the call," Treize told his caller. "We will see you soon." At that, he closed the flip receiver of his cell phone and turned towards his family that were been sitting around his estate's living room. Judging by their expressions, they were already anticipating what was about to be addressed.
Shoulders shrugging, the head of the Vampire Council informed, "That was the Moderator. Dobson's newly voted replacement will be sworn into the Senate this evening and brought up to speed in the transcripts of the original hearing tied to the appeal. We should be back in Washington before morning to be ready to be called back to session in two days to go through with the proceedings."
Zechs nodded, "At least we'll finally have all of this behind us, whatever the outcome." Heads around him nodded in agreement. Bringing his hands together for a loud clap, the Speaker announced, "Right. Let's get packing."
Relena hooked her arm around Quatre's and on her brother's lead, she disappeared along with the rest of the Clan in blurs of themselves.
* * * * * *
"Hi, Mom," Broderick grinned as he looked up from the digital newspaper that he was reading at the appearance of the immortal descending the master staircase to the ground level of the Chang residence.
Surrounded by the oldest pair of twins and their Companions, the former Hunter lowered his tablet and reached the family's matriarch first to kiss her cheek in their usual greeting. Anna giggled, "'Mom.' I'm still going to have to get used to hearing that from you." Dawson chuckled, seconding the sentiment with a firm nod as she playfully punched his arm.
Isabelle, Charles, John, Carol, Hilary and Kristy descended upon the Irish Infected for their own embraces and kisses to welcome her to the world of the existing now that she had emerged from her room.
Her eldest son hung at the end of the pack to hold her a little longer and tighter so that he could murmur by her ear, "It's so good to have you home, Ma. How are you feeling?"
Rubbing his back, Anna opted for being honest instead of evasive by answering, "A little shaky this morning, but I'll be okay." As they parted, she mussed Charles' red hair and smirked, "Nothing that time with my family won't cure."
Kristy and Hillary walked up, each wearing their newly acquired gold Companion bands on their right biceps. Gasping at the sight of the rings and recognizing the perpetual glow that enhanced their beauty, something that only came from a Chosen drinking their bonded's blood, the Siren beamed, "You're official!"
Laughing, her turned daughters were 'assaulted' by fierce embraces that nearly knocked them all from their feet.
"Well, we all decided to stop aging so that our Vampires could catch up to us," Swain shared. Gesturing to Charles, she snickered, "Until we can nail down wedding dates, none of us saw the point in waiting to declare our bonds while we close up the years between us."
Her vibrant blue eyes meeting Carol's gaze, Kristy focused back on the Irish Infected and smiled proudly, "It's not only wanting to announce our connection, but our being members of the Barton-Yuy namesake, too. As much as I love Rosshe and his Clan for taking me in all these years, I couldn't be happier or more honored to be a part of this family."
Tapping his own gold band, Dawson added, "We wanted this to be a surprise for you on your first morning back home, since we know how important keeping everyone together is to you."
Anna's chest swelled with a surge of new emotions as he eyes misted over enough that she had to wipe away the growing tears. Grinning widely, she bowed her head to the Companions.
"That... means more than I could ever say. Thank you so much," she managed to all but breathe. Hugging each one tightly, she complimented genuinely, "And you're all wonderful additions." She saved Broderick for last for an especially firm squeeze as he lifted her from the ground.
Quietly searching for the one missing face when she was set back down, the Siren questioned in concern, "Where's Angela?"
Clearing his throat, John replied sadly, "She's out on the back patio. News of the new Senator's swearing in was leaked out to the press and she got wind of the report about an hour ago. What with the appeal and her mother's involvement, she's been pretty distracted ever since, so we gave her some space."
"I see," his mother mumbled under her breath, her eyes drifting down the hall to the back of the first level of their home.
Over the last couple of weeks, she'd had many visits at the clinic from the law student and took an instant liking to her, as she did all of her childrens'' Companions....
Broderick was the first to seek her out for some personal time at her bedside to catch up and know each other on another level than their days in Septum's confinement had permitted.
Tearfully, he'd confessed to the many Vampire killings that he had been a part of in his days as a dedicated Hunter. It was all a part of his own healing and conscience clearing that he needed to be able to proceed in his relationship with Isabelle. All the while, Anna remained a forgiving shoulder for him to cry on and an understanding pair of arms to hold him as he cleansed his soul. And when nothing had been left unsaid, their connection was all the tighter for it.
Hillary, who had been so instrumental in the assault on Millers' base, had openly shared her background with the redheaded Infected. A brilliant mind, the brunette was kind-hearted with her feet firmly planted on the ground for one who had been brought up by a privileged family. She had wanted to pave her own way in the world without a handout or help from anyone. All of those qualities made her a perfect match for Charles, more than his mother could have ever hoped for him.
Of the four new additions, Kristy was the most natural fit and company for Anna since they had been friends for over a century before. Their private discussions were easy, relaxed and centered around the beautiful blonde's elation to have moved on from her grief over Amara's death and her opening up to finding that kind of love again in Carol. Her transition into the fold was such a smooth one that it was as though she'd already been a member all along.
Finally, there was Angela, who had been nothing but pleasant and yet a bit distant and not one to spend one-on-one conversations with the Infected. Anna was not about to push her into an uncomfortable situation since she was able to grasp the internal conflict between her loyalties to her birth family and now her extended. If anyone could appreciate struggles of the heart, it was the Irish infected.
That unspoken kinship made it impossible for Anna to stay back without seeing if there was any way she could be of consolation for Angela. After all, there was no one else who appreciated her inner struggles more than the Irish Vampire.
"Would you all mind giving us a few minutes?" she requested. Relief washing over him, the raven-haired youngling nodded and fell back a couple of paces to physically make it known how on board he was with trusting her to his Companion. With that blessing, the family matriarch made her way down the hall.
Perched on one of the long couches facing the outside world of silver and white, Angela was in the process of roughly drying her face with her hands when Anna stepped onto the enclosed patio.
Mortified in realizing that she had been caught crying, the newborn immortal gasped and frantically tried to get herself together. "H-hello," she stammered in her vain attempt to sound composed without raising her head. Starting to rise to her feet, she began, "You can have the room, I was just-"
"Actually, I came to check up on you, dear," Anna smiled sadly. "And you don't have to be nervous around me. I don't bite unless asked." That bit of humor caught the Companion by surprise enough to have her raise her chin and her reddened eyes locked with the gold-ringed pair watching her.
Seeing the small grin that only offered encouragement, Angela giggled softly and sat back down along with the Infected so that they were facing each other with their legs crossed together on the cushions beneath them in an unexpected display of natural commonality between them. After a brief silence, the redhead bent forward to embrace her daughter tightly.
Taken aback by the sweet gesture, McAdams crumbled and clung onto the Vampire as she sobbed into her shoulder. Letting out all of her frustrations and sorrow, the intern soaked the strap of the Infected's purple tank top before she was able to feel secure enough to pull away with some sense of calm. Shaking her head, she met the gaze on her for guidance and frowned deeply, "I want to hate her for still going through with this, but..."
"But she's your mother," Anna finished for her when the Companion couldn't.
Angela bit her lip, nodding as she ran her fingers over her gold band in the process of rubbing her arms against a chill that not actually there. "Neither one of us spoke when she was at Sally's clinic. She raised me and my siblings that we were to have no association with anyone who had anything to do with Vampires, so I know she wants nothing to do with me-"
Her train of thought was cut off by the Siren's insistent, "I don't believe that for a second." To the growing eyes on her, she grinned, "Things might be strained for a little while, but one thing I have first-hand experience with is that no real Mom worth her salt could ever do anything short of loving and accepting their child. You were both very close before life as you knew it changed, so not even this will be able to undo that."
With a shrug, she continued, "If ever you feel ready, sometimes a simple display of affection can go a long way. It'll take time, but I'm convinced that she'll come around to wanting to patch things up. One thing that's proven itself time and time again over the ages, family always finds a way through anything." A thought crossing her mind, she chuckled, "At least, let's hope so or this next Christmas get-together is going to be awkward."
The last of her unease fading at that, Angela laughed and brushed away the last of her tears. Truly feeling better, and even a bit hopeful that she would be able to mend the fences with her mother, she smiled with a deep sigh. Settled as she was, it was impossible for her to not marvel over not only having an Infected as an extended parent, but one of fame and who physically looked younger than her...
...However, there was the wisdom in Anna that only came from the centuries that she had existed, well past the Companion's considerably shorter days on the Earth. With that knowledge, there was also a welcoming open mind that had already brought the law student in as well as the Senator that had been a loud voice against her kind.
"It's really nice to finally meet you, Mom," Angela smiled in little more than a breath.
Matching her grin, the redheaded Infected replied in kind, "Nice to meet you, too, Angela."
From there, they fell into a much more lighthearted and effortless conversation.
* * * * * *
Through the window of the Yuy-Maxwell estate living room, Solo was observing the progress of the new residence being built at the end of the block shared by his family that would become his and Celeste's home. At the nearly inaudible sound of footsteps approaching, he turned away to find his brother entering with that familiar haunted look on his face.
Fully turning towards him, the blonde Hybrid asked, "Visions again?"
Duo gulped, nodding shallowly.
"Okay," Solo nodded in return. Gesturing to the couch as he already had a few times over for these meetings, he offered, "Let's talk it out."
TBC...
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