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wound, I can't heal myself-
it had to have been her. But unless you turned an infant- yes, it happens- I
knew you had to have been pregnant with her when you were changed." He
shrugged again as though that should have been evident.
    Diandra watched him as he snuggled with her child. The love
was evident between them. She opted to tell her story. She took a deep breath
and began. "I was widowed when I was 28…"

 
Chapter
Eight
    Lizbeth was tired from yet another late shift. Another day,
another drug overdose to investigate, she thought to herself as she tossed her
briefcase on the desk in her office and headed for the parlor. She kicked her
shoes off as she went, enjoying the feel of the hardwood floors beneath her
bare feet. She heard laughter before she even reached the archway, both male
and female, and her pace quickened. She stopped before entering, surprised to find
Dia and Eamon sitting on the loveseat, Adrian in the armchair, and RaeLynn
entertaining them as she bashed toys on the floor.
    "Well," she said cheerfully, "Did someone
forget to tell me about the party?" Her tone was light, teasing, and the
stress of her work day just rolled off her like water. Her day was always made
better by coming home, and the friendship and camaraderie just made it all
better.   She ignored the wine bottle and
goblet waiting for her on the table, snatching the beer from Eamon's hand
instead.
    "Hey," he protested, and Lizbeth laughed, pushing
his arm to the side as she took a deep swig from the bottle.
    "Easy, vamp boy. If you're thirsty, grab the wine. I
want a beer. Besides," she said with a grin, "I bought it to begin
with."
    Adrian smiled, raising his own beer bottle to her in salute.
"And it's good beer, too. Enjoy your wine, Eamon."
    Everyone laughed as Eamon pretended to pout before he poured
a glass of wine and took a large gulp. Diandra shook her finger at him in
admonishment. "This is good wine. We sip, not guzzle."
    Eamon goggled at her, eyes full of mock horror. "In
that case, I need another beer. You can guzzle beer." He strutted to the
kitchen, flipping Lizbeth off without turning around as she called for him to
bring her another.
    Diandra smiled at Lizbeth. "How was your day?"
    "Apparently not as good as yours, baby. I'm just glad
to be home."
    Adrian cleared his throat. When he had Lizbeth's attention
he winked at her and said, "You should be glad- there's dinner in the oven
for you. I kept it warm so it'd be ready for you when you got here. Its chicken
pot pie- I hope that's okay."
    Lizbeth stared at him before nodding. "Considering
that's my favorite comfort food, yeah, that's just about perfect. Thanks,
Adrian."
    He just shrugged. "It's no big thing." Without
another word he got up and headed for the kitchen. Lizbeth raised her eyebrows
in question, and Diandra shook her head. The silent question was answered when
he returned a moment later, a mini pie plate in one hand, two bottles of beer
held in the other. He set both down in front of Lizzie with a smile.
"Enjoy."
    Lizbeth glanced at Diandra, and then turned to Eamon.
"What went on here today?" she asked as she started eating.
    Adrian was the one to reply. "Nothing too major,
really- Dia and I came to an understanding after she drank my blood."
    Lizbeth had been in the middle of sipping her beer- she
sputtered, choking on that sip. Dia was at her side in an instant, rubbing and
patting her back ineffectually. "She did what now?" she gasped out
when she was able to speak.
    Adrian filled her in on what happened in a casual tone.
"But it's no big deal. I've dealt with vamps before. What can I say? I
make a good meal in more ways than one."
    Lizbeth was stunned at his casual talk of vampires.
"Back that truck up and run it over me again, huh?"
    He smiled. "I've fed vampires before. I don't have to
worry about blood loss. Somehow my body reproduces all I need as long as I
don't get drained completely. If I lose the majority of my blood I'm down for a
couple hours,