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"Why are you out of breath?" were the first words out of my mother's mouth as I picked up the phone.

"You called in the middle of my workout." I explained between pants.

"Oh? Cardio? Did you finally pick up those tae bo videos I gave you?"

I chuckled. "I don't have a VCR anymore and no, I was weightlifting."

Silence. "...Why?"

"Because I've built up a lot of retail-rage and when I finally snap I want to be sure they need forty cops to pin me."

"Uh-huh, well, good luck with that. Don't go all crazy at the gym, that's a good way to blow out your sphincter ."

"Cripes Mom." I made a slashing motion across my neck to let Levi know he might as well put up the dumbbells. "So, what can I do for you?"

"You act like I never call just to chat." She grumped.

"Not this late." I said leaving the weight strewn kitchen and stepping over Kevin. He was stretched out on the floor teasing Dinah with a piece of string he'd found lord-only-knows where. Marshal waved me out of the way of the TV with a scowl.

"I guess it is a little late. Your grandmother's birthday is coming up, you know, and she's asked for a photo collage. I had a few and your sister had like, two, I thought maybe I'd left some with you."

I looked over at the photo albums that filled the bottom two rows of my bookshelf. "A few, yes. I'm the sentimental one, remember?"

"Well, can you email me a few?"

"Sure," I said holding the phone between my head and shoulder so I could grab some. "you are so lucky. Levi just helped me get my desk set back up a few days ago."

"Who? Was that the pretty one or the skinny one?"

I sighed trying to keep my eyes from rolling out of my head. "The one I live with Mom."

"Are you still shacked up?"

"Ah-hah, I'm living with all sorts of men now, I've got a real young one and a real, real old one." Marshal flipped me the bird from couch. I mouthed "Never said I was talking about you."

"Well, you should enjoy your youth. Did you ever give the pretty one a test drive?"

"Mom, I was joking and I did date that guy. It didn't pan out." I said escaping to the front bedroom where I had my desk set up.

"No good in bed, huh?"

"Mom! How should I know? It didn't go nearly that far."

"You are not my daughter." She groaned. "You find me any good pictures yet? "

"I've got a ton, what are you looking for exactly?" I asked as I began to thumb through the pages.

"You know, just some nice pictures of the family, make sure to send a few that show how you girls have grown."

"So baby through high schoolish?"

"Yeah." She said cheerfully.

I flipped to the front of the oldest looking album. Maybe it was too old, lots of extended family pics and a few from when my parents were dating. I skipped ahead and found an old Polaroid of newborn baby me in my sister's arms. "Mom?"

"Yeah, hun?"

"I was a pretty normal baby, right?"

"Well, I only have you and your sister to judge by. You were quieter, but you liked to talk to yourself a lot."

"I still do that." I muttered, still browsing. "But I mean, there was nothing strange about me as a kid, right?" I stared at my much younger smiling face. The girl in these photos certainly didn't look like some ancient vampire queen.

"Oh no..."

"What?" I asked at the concern in my mom's voice.

"You're gay, aren't you?"

"Mom..." I groaned.

"I knew it. You were too invested in those Power Rangers and Ninja Turtles! Never interested in make-up or cute boys- and you cut off all your hair that one time!"

"Mom, oh my gosh-"

"I mean, I love you no matter what Sweetheart, but I really wanted some grandkids. Your sister keeps gushing about this guy in accounting, but I don't see her dropping her career to have kids. I still love you, but I'm really disappointed."

"Calm your grits Mom, I still like men."

"Oh! Are you bi? I can live with that. When Do I get to meet your girlfriend?"

"Mom, I'm hanging up. Check your email in the morning. Love you, bye." I blurted before hanging up.

I continued flipping through picking out photos. I wasn't sure how I felt about sending my dance pictures. God, my face was still puffy from crying in my first homecoming picture. My dress was so matronly compared to the other girls and my date, Tyler, was standing so awkwardly at my side. I was smiling, but it was clearly fake. I left it in the album along with the other homecoming pics. I came to my junior prom pic, Jewels had helped me pick out that dress. I couldn't remember any sadness at that dance. It wasn't the most professional shot, my date, Zachary, had blown a raspberry on my cheek moments before the shot and I was laughing my ass off. I wondered whatever became of him. He was fun.

I quickly collected a few photos , scanned and sent them off. During that time I heard quasi-musical sounds coming from the living room. I came into the room to find Marshal positioning Levi's fingers over guitar strings.

"Better?" Marshal asked as Levi gave it a dull strum.

"Much, I should pick up an amp." He looked up at me then. "Done with fun family time?"

"Yeah," I chuckled "just so you know, next time Mom's in town you're my girlfriend."
He shrugged. "Okay."

A week had passed since our little meltdown and things had been...good. Kevin had cut down on his eating. We still had to yank the occasional bit of stuff out of his mouth, but scrubbing pencil lead off his teeth had been better than the Cheerio incident. It took about three days for him to stop being so jumpy, especially around Levi, but we were getting there. Levi had spent the last few nights texting back and forth with Vanessa in an attempt to warm her up to the idea of Marshal joining or at least to the idea that he existed and was in our territory. We hadn't invited them into the clan just yet, we wanted to see just how badly their introduction would go tonight.

The way Levi explained it was like trying to introduce two cats. This works out in regular clans because there is a strict hierarchy. No one really likes each other, but they know if they step out of line either the Master or a Second will handle it. Vanessa was submissive to Levi by her choice alone, if it ever came to blows it was pretty clear that she would win. So here we were trying to introduce two vampires of fairly equal standing when neither of us had the physical strength to stop any fighting. Vanessa was pretty tight lipped when it came to her age, but Levi guessed she was roughly in the same range as Marshal. She was a Second, a Master had turned her. Marsh, we had no idea, he had eaten his sire. Kevin we were far less worried about, he was clearly a third and didn't pose much of a threat to anybody. Vanessa would probably think him joining the clan was "gross" or something, but Levi didn't think she'd protest too much.

"Am I still meeting this vampiress of yours tonight?" Marshal asked tuning his violin.

"Yeah, she's coming by a little later." Levi said.

"Is it really necessary?" Marsh was looking a little uneasy.

"It's over due. I don't want you two running into each other by accident."

"I've been very careful to avoid any tall blondes on our little excursions."

Levi sat his guitar on the floor. "Yeah, but it's only a matter of time with how often you have to take Kevin out-"

"Out?!" Kevin perked up.

"No, not tonight." Marshal said with clear irritation.

Kevin pouted and flopped back down to continue playing with my cat.

"I'm not too keen on seeing her either, but Levi's right. It's high time." I said.

Marshal was still pretty nervous. "I mean I'm not even certain how long I'll be able to stay here. There simply aren't enough vampires around. I have to go where the food is. Not to say it isn't nice to have a place to rest my head and traveling is so hard on Justina Maria, right old girl?" The dog remained flattened out on the vent, only thumping her tail in response.

"I just want to make sure whatever time you have here is safe." Levi explained.

"Right, of course." Marshal mumbled.

Suddenly Levi's cell phone beeped and at the same time I saw Kevin lift his head.

"She's here." Levi announced, but I was busy watching Kevin crawl behind the TV.

"Whatcha doing Kev?" I asked.

"She doesn't like me." Kevin whispered from his dark little cubby. Oddly enough my cat didn't seem to mind sharing the space with him. "Don't worry about her. She won't mess with you here." He nodded, but didn't come out.

Levi clapped his hands together. "Okay, let's get this over with." He stood and made his way to the door. I followed close behind and Marshal was a few steps behind me.

Vanessa stood in my yard arms crossed. I wasn't entirely sure how much Levi had told her, but she already looked put-off. She looked no less displeased when Marshal stepped out of the house. Levi went on out to meet her, but I stayed on the steps leaving Marshal on the porch. I don't know, I felt better with a few obstacles between them.

"Are you joking?" Vanessa growled before Levi could even greet her.

"What's the problem Nessa?" He asked coolly.

"Where do I begin!? I tolerate a great deal for you. First that little pig-tailed blood doll of yours , then that one-" She pointed at me sharply. "Now this? I know you are soft hearted, but there is a line between soft hearted and plain foolish. Spare it's life, fine, but send it on its way."

"I explained things over the phone, Marshal is no threat to you." Levi said firmly.

Vanessa threw her hands up. "A threat?! To me?! I have my pride little boy, and I refuse, refuse to suffer in the company of this cannibal Sodimite you drug up!"

I swung around to see how Marshal was taking her tirade, but he was gone. "Good fucking job Vanessa! I honestly didn't think I could dislike you anymore. Proved me wrong!"

"Shit." Levi snarled turning to follow me back into the house.

"I will not be a part of a clan with someone like him in it. I won't Levi!"

Levi didn't even look back at her. "You're free to leave."

Her jaw dropped, I don't think a slap to the face could have shocked her more. I for one wasn't about to coddle her though.

We hurried back into the house, but he was nowhere in sight, his violin and dog missing. Kevin peeked out at us before slinking back behind the TV.

"Damn it." Levi groaned trotting for the back door.

Sure enough out back the side door to the van was open. We both just jumped the banister of the back porch to save time, Levi's landing was naturally a bit better than mine. Just inside the van Marshal was laying Justina Maria on her little pallet.

"Sorry girl, we've got to hit the road again." He said to her softly.

"Marsh, what are you doing?" Levi asked.

Marshal looked up at us wiping his face with the back of his arm. "I'm so sorry. "He sniffled. "I won't insult you by trying to deny what she said about me. I know how things work. I don't want to fight, I'll just leave. You can forget we ever met-" He paused as Levi hopped inside and knelt down beside him. "I hope you can forgive me for deceiving you." He pulled back more tears rolling down his cheeks. "I-" He stopped short as Levi pulled him into a hug.

"Marsh, I knew the whole time."

He looked dumbfounded. "You did?"

"I'm just as observant as she is. Now, stop crying, it's making me uncomfortable."

He let out a half laugh half sob and wiped his eyes again. "You really don't mind me staying a little while longer?"

"Mind? Marshal you're my best friend, I want you to stay forever." Levi said giving his shoulder a squeeze.

He looked really confused now and glanced over at me. I motioned to our surroundings. "I know we're kinda a shitty clan, but you're welcome to join us."

He shook his head slowly. "You, you can't be serious. How could you even consider accepting someone like me?"

"Like you?" I barked. "Have you seen the rest of us? You've got more of it together than all of us combined."

He sat back playing with his fingertips. "Your vampiress, she'll never accept it."

"I think she'll get over it." Levi said with a smile.

He blinked. "I haven't had a place to call home in over a hundred years... I... I..." And again with the waterworks.

"Stop crying!" Levi pleaded giving him a gentle shake. "Just say you'll join us!"

Marshal grinned through his tears, but was too choked up to speak he just nodded enthusiastically.

It took a few minutes for Marsh to collect himself. We headed back into the house , but instead of sitting down Levi went straight to the front door and opened it up. He leaned against the door-frame.

"You change your mind?"

I joined him and found Vanessa sitting on the swing in a most unfeminine pose, arms crossed, hunched over straddled legged. She looked like a pouting toddler. She huffed refusing to meet his eyes.

"I suppose I can tolerate your little..." I could practically see the different derogatory words flipping through her mind "charity cases."

"You know that's not good enough." Levi said firmly.

"You ask too much!" She shouted jumping to her feet. "I've survived on my own this long, I could do it again."

Levi didn't flinch. "That's a shame. I'll miss you very much, but if that's what it takes to make you happy, so be it."

Her face twisted with fury. Levi must have been too far over the threshold because she snatched him up by the front of his shirt. "You insolent little mutt!" She shrieked. "I should have torn your obnoxious head from your shoulders when I had the chance!"

"And what's stopping you now?" He asked calmly. It was that calmness that kept me from jumping in.

"You know damn well!" She snarled, but eased him to the ground. She looked back at me and Marshal, her lip trembling. She lowered her head. "For you and only for you." She whispered her voice cracking looking like she might crumble.

Levi smiled wrapping his arms around her. "Thank you, Vanessa. I know this is hard for you, but it's the right thing. I'm so proud."

"Don't patronize me you infant." she grumbled pulling away and smoothing her hair. "It's a temporary compromise, you can't have more than fifty, sixty years left in you."

"How generous." Levi chuckled.

She snorted turning away to leave. "I don't know why I put up with you."

Levi turned back to us and mouthed "Told you."

We spent the rest of the night just hanging out. Levi wasn't quite ready to make everything official, he said he had a few more things to get in line. During TV time Kevin tried to eat some cat food and Marshal relented and took him out. Leaving us to go to bed a little early.

"Look at you, all smiles." I said kicking off my shoes.

He rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry, it just feels like things are finally going right, you know."

"I'm just glad we didn't have to mop up any blood."

He sat down on the bed next to me and wrapped his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"I know this isn't exactly the white picket fence you wanted and I wish I could do better-"

"Stop." I leaned back against him. "I've never been sure what I wanted, I just knew what I wasn't cut out for. When you're like me you're only shown so many options, get married-two kids-and-a dog seemed like the best ending. But there's more out there and it's looking like getting to build our own family isn't such a bad option. I mean I'm going to have to get used to the dynamic, but for all the grief I give him, I do kinda like Marshal. And I'm sure I'll get used to Vanessa eventually. She really does seem to care about you."

I felt him take a hard swallow. "I get to have a family again." He whispered nuzzling against my neck. "We'll be a family."

Description
"Why are you out of breath?" were the first words out of my mother's mouth as I picked up the phone.

"You called in the middle of my workout." I explained between pants.

"Oh? Cardio? Did you finally pick up those tae bo videos I gave you?"

I chuckled. "I don't have a VCR anymore and no, I was weightlifting."

Silence. "...Why?"

"Because I've built up a lot of retail-rage and when I finally snap I want to be sure they need forty cops to pin me."

"Uh-huh, well, good luck with that. Don't go all crazy at the gym, that's a good way to blow out your sphincter ."

"Cripes Mom." I made a slashing motion across my neck to let Levi know he might as well put up the dumbbells. "So, what can I do for you?"

"You act like I never call just to chat." She grumped.

"Not this late." I said leaving the weight strewn kitchen and stepping over Kevin. He was stretched out on the floor teasing Dinah with a piece of string he'd found lord-only-knows where. Marshal waved me out of the way of the TV with a scowl.

"I guess it is a little late. Your grandmother's birthday is coming up, you know, and she's asked for a photo collage. I had a few and your sister had like, two, I thought maybe I'd left some with you."

I looked over at the photo albums that filled the bottom two rows of my bookshelf. "A few, yes. I'm the sentimental one, remember?"

"Well, can you email me a few?"

"Sure," I said holding the phone between my head and shoulder so I could grab some. "you are so lucky. Levi just helped me get my desk set back up a few days ago."

"Who? Was that the pretty one or the skinny one?"

I sighed trying to keep my eyes from rolling out of my head. "The one I live with Mom."

"Are you still shacked up?"

"Ah-hah, I'm living with all sorts of men now, I've got a real young one and a real, real old one." Marshal flipped me the bird from couch. I mouthed "Never said I was talking about you."

"Well, you should enjoy your youth. Did you ever give the pretty one a test drive?"

"Mom, I was joking and I did date that guy. It didn't pan out." I said escaping to the front bedroom where I had my desk set up.

"No good in bed, huh?"

"Mom! How should I know? It didn't go nearly that far."

"You are not my daughter." She groaned. "You find me any good pictures yet? "

"I've got a ton, what are you looking for exactly?" I asked as I began to thumb through the pages.

"You know, just some nice pictures of the family, make sure to send a few that show how you girls have grown."

"So baby through high schoolish?"

"Yeah." She said cheerfully.

I flipped to the front of the oldest looking album. Maybe it was too old, lots of extended family pics and a few from when my parents were dating. I skipped ahead and found an old Polaroid of newborn baby me in my sister's arms. "Mom?"

"Yeah, hun?"

"I was a pretty normal baby, right?"

"Well, I only have you and your sister to judge by. You were quieter, but you liked to talk to yourself a lot."

"I still do that." I muttered, still browsing. "But I mean, there was nothing strange about me as a kid, right?" I stared at my much younger smiling face. The girl in these photos certainly didn't look like some ancient vampire queen.

"Oh no..."

"What?" I asked at the concern in my mom's voice.

"You're gay, aren't you?"

"Mom..." I groaned.

"I knew it. You were too invested in those Power Rangers and Ninja Turtles! Never interested in make-up or cute boys- and you cut off all your hair that one time!"

"Mom, oh my gosh-"

"I mean, I love you no matter what Sweetheart, but I really wanted some grandkids. Your sister keeps gushing about this guy in accounting, but I don't see her dropping her career to have kids. I still love you, but I'm really disappointed."

"Calm your grits Mom, I still like men."

"Oh! Are you bi? I can live with that. When Do I get to meet your girlfriend?"

"Mom, I'm hanging up. Check your email in the morning. Love you, bye." I blurted before hanging up.

I continued flipping through picking out photos. I wasn't sure how I felt about sending my dance pictures. God, my face was still puffy from crying in my first homecoming picture. My dress was so matronly compared to the other girls and my date, Tyler, was standing so awkwardly at my side. I was smiling, but it was clearly fake. I left it in the album along with the other homecoming pics. I came to my junior prom pic, Jewels had helped me pick out that dress. I couldn't remember any sadness at that dance. It wasn't the most professional shot, my date, Zachary, had blown a raspberry on my cheek moments before the shot and I was laughing my ass off. I wondered whatever became of him. He was fun.

I quickly collected a few photos , scanned and sent them off. During that time I heard quasi-musical sounds coming from the living room. I came into the room to find Marshal positioning Levi's fingers over guitar strings.

"Better?" Marshal asked as Levi gave it a dull strum.

"Much, I should pick up an amp." He looked up at me then. "Done with fun family time?"

"Yeah," I chuckled "just so you know, next time Mom's in town you're my girlfriend."
He shrugged. "Okay."

A week had passed since our little meltdown and things had been...good. Kevin had cut down on his eating. We still had to yank the occasional bit of stuff out of his mouth, but scrubbing pencil lead off his teeth had been better than the Cheerio incident. It took about three days for him to stop being so jumpy, especially around Levi, but we were getting there. Levi had spent the last few nights texting back and forth with Vanessa in an attempt to warm her up to the idea of Marshal joining or at least to the idea that he existed and was in our territory. We hadn't invited them into the clan just yet, we wanted to see just how badly their introduction would go tonight.

The way Levi explained it was like trying to introduce two cats. This works out in regular clans because there is a strict hierarchy. No one really likes each other, but they know if they step out of line either the Master or a Second will handle it. Vanessa was submissive to Levi by her choice alone, if it ever came to blows it was pretty clear that she would win. So here we were trying to introduce two vampires of fairly equal standing when neither of us had the physical strength to stop any fighting. Vanessa was pretty tight lipped when it came to her age, but Levi guessed she was roughly in the same range as Marshal. She was a Second, a Master had turned her. Marsh, we had no idea, he had eaten his sire. Kevin we were far less worried about, he was clearly a third and didn't pose much of a threat to anybody. Vanessa would probably think him joining the clan was "gross" or something, but Levi didn't think she'd protest too much.

"Am I still meeting this vampiress of yours tonight?" Marshal asked tuning his violin.

"Yeah, she's coming by a little later." Levi said.

"Is it really necessary?" Marsh was looking a little uneasy.

"It's over due. I don't want you two running into each other by accident."

"I've been very careful to avoid any tall blondes on our little excursions."

Levi sat his guitar on the floor. "Yeah, but it's only a matter of time with how often you have to take Kevin out-"

"Out?!" Kevin perked up.

"No, not tonight." Marshal said with clear irritation.

Kevin pouted and flopped back down to continue playing with my cat.

"I'm not too keen on seeing her either, but Levi's right. It's high time." I said.

Marshal was still pretty nervous. "I mean I'm not even certain how long I'll be able to stay here. There simply aren't enough vampires around. I have to go where the food is. Not to say it isn't nice to have a place to rest my head and traveling is so hard on Justina Maria, right old girl?" The dog remained flattened out on the vent, only thumping her tail in response.

"I just want to make sure whatever time you have here is safe." Levi explained.

"Right, of course." Marshal mumbled.

Suddenly Levi's cell phone beeped and at the same time I saw Kevin lift his head.

"She's here." Levi announced, but I was busy watching Kevin crawl behind the TV.

"Whatcha doing Kev?" I asked.

"She doesn't like me." Kevin whispered from his dark little cubby. Oddly enough my cat didn't seem to mind sharing the space with him. "Don't worry about her. She won't mess with you here." He nodded, but didn't come out.

Levi clapped his hands together. "Okay, let's get this over with." He stood and made his way to the door. I followed close behind and Marshal was a few steps behind me.

Vanessa stood in my yard arms crossed. I wasn't entirely sure how much Levi had told her, but she already looked put-off. She looked no less displeased when Marshal stepped out of the house. Levi went on out to meet her, but I stayed on the steps leaving Marshal on the porch. I don't know, I felt better with a few obstacles between them.

"Are you joking?" Vanessa growled before Levi could even greet her.

"What's the problem Nessa?" He asked coolly.

"Where do I begin!? I tolerate a great deal for you. First that little pig-tailed blood doll of yours , then that one-" She pointed at me sharply. "Now this? I know you are soft hearted, but there is a line between soft hearted and plain foolish. Spare it's life, fine, but send it on its way."

"I explained things over the phone, Marshal is no threat to you." Levi said firmly.

Vanessa threw her hands up. "A threat?! To me?! I have my pride little boy, and I refuse, refuse to suffer in the company of this cannibal Sodimite you drug up!"

I swung around to see how Marshal was taking her tirade, but he was gone. "Good fucking job Vanessa! I honestly didn't think I could dislike you anymore. Proved me wrong!"

"Shit." Levi snarled turning to follow me back into the house.

"I will not be a part of a clan with someone like him in it. I won't Levi!"

Levi didn't even look back at her. "You're free to leave."

Her jaw dropped, I don't think a slap to the face could have shocked her more. I for one wasn't about to coddle her though.

We hurried back into the house, but he was nowhere in sight, his violin and dog missing. Kevin peeked out at us before slinking back behind the TV.

"Damn it." Levi groaned trotting for the back door.

Sure enough out back the side door to the van was open. We both just jumped the banister of the back porch to save time, Levi's landing was naturally a bit better than mine. Just inside the van Marshal was laying Justina Maria on her little pallet.

"Sorry girl, we've got to hit the road again." He said to her softly.

"Marsh, what are you doing?" Levi asked.

Marshal looked up at us wiping his face with the back of his arm. "I'm so sorry. "He sniffled. "I won't insult you by trying to deny what she said about me. I know how things work. I don't want to fight, I'll just leave. You can forget we ever met-" He paused as Levi hopped inside and knelt down beside him. "I hope you can forgive me for deceiving you." He pulled back more tears rolling down his cheeks. "I-" He stopped short as Levi pulled him into a hug.

"Marsh, I knew the whole time."

He looked dumbfounded. "You did?"

"I'm just as observant as she is. Now, stop crying, it's making me uncomfortable."

He let out a half laugh half sob and wiped his eyes again. "You really don't mind me staying a little while longer?"

"Mind? Marshal you're my best friend, I want you to stay forever." Levi said giving his shoulder a squeeze.

He looked really confused now and glanced over at me. I motioned to our surroundings. "I know we're kinda a shitty clan, but you're welcome to join us."

He shook his head slowly. "You, you can't be serious. How could you even consider accepting someone like me?"

"Like you?" I barked. "Have you seen the rest of us? You've got more of it together than all of us combined."

He sat back playing with his fingertips. "Your vampiress, she'll never accept it."

"I think she'll get over it." Levi said with a smile.

He blinked. "I haven't had a place to call home in over a hundred years... I... I..." And again with the waterworks.

"Stop crying!" Levi pleaded giving him a gentle shake. "Just say you'll join us!"

Marshal grinned through his tears, but was too choked up to speak he just nodded enthusiastically.

It took a few minutes for Marsh to collect himself. We headed back into the house , but instead of sitting down Levi went straight to the front door and opened it up. He leaned against the door-frame.

"You change your mind?"

I joined him and found Vanessa sitting on the swing in a most unfeminine pose, arms crossed, hunched over straddled legged. She looked like a pouting toddler. She huffed refusing to meet his eyes.

"I suppose I can tolerate your little..." I could practically see the different derogatory words flipping through her mind "charity cases."

"You know that's not good enough." Levi said firmly.

"You ask too much!" She shouted jumping to her feet. "I've survived on my own this long, I could do it again."

Levi didn't flinch. "That's a shame. I'll miss you very much, but if that's what it takes to make you happy, so be it."

Her face twisted with fury. Levi must have been too far over the threshold because she snatched him up by the front of his shirt. "You insolent little mutt!" She shrieked. "I should have torn your obnoxious head from your shoulders when I had the chance!"

"And what's stopping you now?" He asked calmly. It was that calmness that kept me from jumping in.

"You know damn well!" She snarled, but eased him to the ground. She looked back at me and Marshal, her lip trembling. She lowered her head. "For you and only for you." She whispered her voice cracking looking like she might crumble.

Levi smiled wrapping his arms around her. "Thank you, Vanessa. I know this is hard for you, but it's the right thing. I'm so proud."

"Don't patronize me you infant." she grumbled pulling away and smoothing her hair. "It's a temporary compromise, you can't have more than fifty, sixty years left in you."

"How generous." Levi chuckled.

She snorted turning away to leave. "I don't know why I put up with you."

Levi turned back to us and mouthed "Told you."

We spent the rest of the night just hanging out. Levi wasn't quite ready to make everything official, he said he had a few more things to get in line. During TV time Kevin tried to eat some cat food and Marshal relented and took him out. Leaving us to go to bed a little early.

"Look at you, all smiles." I said kicking off my shoes.

He rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry, it just feels like things are finally going right, you know."

"I'm just glad we didn't have to mop up any blood."

He sat down on the bed next to me and wrapped his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"I know this isn't exactly the white picket fence you wanted and I wish I could do better-"

"Stop." I leaned back against him. "I've never been sure what I wanted, I just knew what I wasn't cut out for. When you're like me you're only shown so many options, get married-two kids-and-a dog seemed like the best ending. But there's more out there and it's looking like getting to build our own family isn't such a bad option. I mean I'm going to have to get used to the dynamic, but for all the grief I give him, I do kinda like Marshal. And I'm sure I'll get used to Vanessa eventually. She really does seem to care about you."

I felt him take a hard swallow. "I get to have a family again." He whispered nuzzling against my neck. "We'll be a family."