Forever Knight
"So, Nick." Mike Taylor asked as Nick slid into his desk. "How was your vacation in Tahiti?"
"Not even close." Nick Knight answered his partner. "It was Bali Kiel, not Tahiti. And we went there to witness Robyn's crossing into the darkness, not for a vacation."
"Sorry. I didn't mean to hit a touchy place."
"You didn't. It was a beautiful ceremony, all things considered. Although I don't completely approve, it was Robyn's decision after all. And she did make it freely and with full knowledge. I guess it was the only acceptable alternative that she could take, considering "
"Yeah. I know what you mean. Alzheimer's is a pretty scary thing. Anyway, glad to have you back, partner." Mike took a covered bowl out of his desk drawer and opened it. "Lunch time."
Nick made a face at the slimy objects in the bowl. "What in the world is that?"
"Oysters."
"Oysters? I thought you didn't like seafood that much. Don't tell me. You and Tracy are going to try again."
"Not again. Still. I mean, it's been almost five years, and she hasn't even been more than a couple of days late. We've tried everything. Foods. Acupuncture. Thermometers. Heat. Cold. Calendars. Douches. Every position known to man ... and a few that aren't. Nothing. We're seriously thinking about hiring a voodoo shaman to dance around the bed the next time we try."
"Have you had a fertility checkup?"
We've been to four specialists. They all say the same thing. According to them, there's no good reason why Tracy can't conceive, and there's nothing to prevent me from fathering a child. Next week, we've got an appointment with another one. This one specialized in IVF. We're hoping she can help us." He put a forkful of the oysters in his mouth. With a great deal of difficulty, he managed to chew and swallow them. "I just hope Tracy appreciates what I'm going through for her."
"What you're going through for her? Don't think I haven't noticed how you go a little googoo every time you see a mother with a little child. Admit it, Mike. You want a baby as much as Tracy does."
"You're right. I do. Speaking of mothers, when are Robyn and LaCroix coming back?"
"I'm not sure. Probably not for another three or four months. There's a lot to learn before she can be among mortals again. That's why they stayed on Bali Kiel. So LaCroix and Lady Zera can teach her what she needs to know."
"You don't seem to have a problem with being among mortals, why should she?"
"Yeah, but I'm over 800 years old."
"Oh." Grimacing, Mike put another forkful of oysters in his mouth. "I wish Beer Nuts had the same effect."
"Actually, oysters don't do a thing for you. That old wives tale has been around as long as I have. Probably as long as LaCroix. And even before. It's all a mental thing. You think they're going to help, so in a way, they do."
"Still, just in case they do have something going for them." He chewed on another mouthful and gagged as he swallowed. "I'm not going to take any chances." He made an exaggerated face as they went down.
**********
"Michael Joseph Taylor." Tracy said in exasperation. "If you don't stop that pacing, you're going to wear a hole in the floor."
"Maybe that's why they don't have any carpet in here." Mike replied. "Maybe they had to take it up because the nervous patients wore it out."
"Will you PLEASE sit down." Tracy patted the seat beside hers. "The doctor said she'd give us the results as soon as they were ready."
"Couldn't you use your " He wiggled his fingers over his forehead. "You know powers to find out what the results are?"
"I'm a telepath, not a clairvoyant. I can read minds. I can't see into the future. Besides reading another person's mind is a very disconcerting thing. It's an invasion of privacy. I don't like to do it except with the person's permission. It's like Nick and his hypnosis. He doesn't like to use it except when he has no other choice. It's the same with me. That's not the case here. The results will be back in just a few minutes. That much I do know. Will you stop worrying? I'm sure everything will be all right."
"That's what the last four specialists we went to said. Everything was textbook perfect. If that's the case, then why don't we have a housefull of kids running around?"
Tracy stood and rubbed her husband's back. "Honey. I know how frustrating this is. I feel the same way you do, but we can't give up hope. Come on. Sit down and I'll give you a proper backrub."
"M-m-m-m!" Mike said as Tracy massaged the kinks. "Keep that up and one of two things will happen. Either I'll fall asleep, or " He rolled his eyes with an evil wicked grin.
"Not here and not now." Tracy said, slapping him lightly on the back of his head. "Keep your salacious thoughts to yourself. And save them for the bedroom."
"Party pooper." Mike said, a mock frown on his face. "I thought you didn't read minds without permission."
"I don't, but you were projecting so hard it was like you were shouting at me."
"Mr. and Mrs. Taylor." The receptionist called as she hung up the phone. Mike and Tracy were at the desk in a heartbeat. "That was Dr. Herschell. She wants to talk to you in her office."
The two practically ran to the doctor's office.
"Well " Mike asked. "What were the results of the tests?"
"Is there any hope?" Tracy added.
"Can you help us?"
"To tell the truth, Mr. Taylor, there's nothing I can do for you." Dr. Herschell said. Her face was carefully neutral.
"Nothing?" Mike gasped.
"But I thought that In Vitro Fertilization worked when nothing else would." Tracy said.
"It does, but in your case, it wouldn't do any good."
"What do you mean wouldn't do any good? All the other specialists said that there was no reason why we couldn't have a baby. You were our last hope. What do we do now?"
"I would suggest you go out and buy baby furniture. If you would have let me finish." Dr. Herschell said. "I can't help you because there is no need to help you. Mrs. Taylor, you're already pregnant." She broke into a wide smile.
"But I haven't missed a period. And the HPT sticks have been staying white."
"The test I use is much more accurate than the HPT test. And at a much earlier time, too. It can give results in as little as four days. Most likely, it happened within the last week."
"A baby?" Mike's eyes glazed slightly. "You're sure?"
"I'm sure. That is my job after all." Dr. Herschell said with a smile.
**********
"You two finally did it!" Toni Knight said, hugging her friend. "I knew it would happen sooner or later. That's why I never threw out the baby furniture."
"I just wish it would have been sooner." Tracy said. "According to Dr. Herschell, a late life first baby is at a very high risk. And I am over thirty."
"Trust me, between Mike, Nick and I, and the Giovanettis and the Feldmans, there's not going to be any chance of a problem. You're going to be the most pampered mother to be there ever was. You know Dr. Tom and Natalie are going to be watching you closely, too. Then there's LaCroix and my Mom when they return from the Island."
"I guess you're right, Toni. I suppose I am being a worrywart. It's just that we've waited so long for this and we want this baby so much "
"I can understand that."
**********
"You old dog, you." Inspector Ganlon said, slapping Mike on the back and handing him a cigar. The fact that Mike didn't smoke made no difference. "I knew if you and the Misses kept at it long enough, you'd finally get it right."
"But how ?" Mike asked. He hadn't told anyone about the doctor's visit except Nick, and this was his day off. "She isn't even two weeks yet."
"How did I know about Tracy being pregnant? Don't you know that I know everything that happens in this precinct? Even before it happens." Ganlon smiled. "Actually, Angie Roberson heard it from her boyfriend. He's on the staff at the hospital. He heard it from the receptionist at your doctor's office. She dates one of the lab technicians in the Emergency Room. Angie told Stash Kerlewski on the front desk. He told Captain Davies, who felt it was his duty to inform me.
Now, dont go getting your tail in a knot at them. Whether you know it or not, we've all been pulling for you and Tracy. After all, you're a member of this precinct. That makes you one of the family."
"Thanks, Inspector. Don't worry. I'm not going to do anything to anyone for blabbing. I know how fast the grapevine travels in here. We weren't planning to keep it a secret anyway. In fact, it was all Tracy could do to keep me from hiring the Goodyear Blimp to flash the news over all of Southern California. We were going to make an official announcement in a day or two."
**********
Toni set the box down in the hallway. "There. That's the last of it. Now, all we have to do is wait until the men get the nursery finished and we can start setting up all this stuff."
"Sounds like a good plan to me. I just hope everyone doesn't go crazy with presents for the kid."
"Wait until Mom and LaCroix get back. You know he thinks of you as his daughter. If he treats this baby like he did my kids, you'll be up to your armpits in presents."
"Don't remind me. If we've accumulated all of this in just five months, imagine what it's going to be like when the baby's actually here. And I've got another four months to go until that happens."
"You still don't know what it is?"
"Dr. Herschell is going to do a sonogram in two weeks. Then we'll know for sure." Tracy said. "She said that anything before that is inconclusive. By the way, when will LaCroix and Robyn be arriving?"
"Tomorrow night. According to what Mom said when she called, they should be here about ten o'clock. Are you and Mike going to be at the airport?"
"You bet! We wouldn't miss it for all the tea in China. I can't wait to see them and tell them the good news. Besides, maybe I can get out on my own a little. I mean, I enjoy all the attention, but I feel like I'm being smothered. Nobody will let me do a thing except sit on the couch and watch television. One more episode of Maury, and I'll go screaming mimi bonkers. Mike is here all day. When he leaves for work, either Miriam or Teressa comes in. They stay until I'm fast asleep or Mike comes home, whichever comes last."
"Now you know what I went through with Donny. You know that what they're doing is best for you, but sometimes you just want to scream for them to give you some free space."
**********
"There you are, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor." The technician said as he pointed to a picture on the monitor. "May I present to you your son."
"A boy?" Mike gasped. He had that deer-in-the-headlights look that most expectant fathers got when they see their unborn child for the first time. "Did you hear that, Trace? We're going to have a boy."
"I heard." Tracy said, grasping her husband's hand tightly. "It's a boy."
"Definitely a boy." The technician affirmed, pointing to the distinguishing feature. "And if these pictures are any indication, a very healthy baby boy, too." He pressed a few buttons on the control panel. "And here's the pictures to prove it." He said as handed the printouts to Mike.
**********
"Since the sonogram shows that there's nothing wrong with our baby or with me, do you think that maybe you guys could cut me a little slack?" Tracy said as they were driving back to the complex.
"I guess we were being a little bit overprotective, weren't we?"
"A LITTLE overprotective? Prisoners in solitary confinement have more freedom than you guys have been giving me."
"Okay! Okay! Point taken." Mike agreed. "I promise I won't hover over you like some mother hen. Now, if you can only convince Teressa and Miriam to do the same."
"That's going to be the hard part."
**********
"I still don't understand, LaCroix. Why did we have to leave Paris? You know how much I love Paris. And why did we have to come here, of all places." Janette Du Charme said to her master.
"As I have told you before, we are here because Nicholas is here." Lucien LaCroix said to her. "And we shall return to Paris as soon as I have found him. He must learn that he cannot go off on his own without my permission."
"He left because he thought you were smothering him. He said he needed some breathing room."
"He always thinks that. Now, why don't you relax and try to have some fun? As I remember it, you used to like New York. The nightlife. The excitement. It used to thrill you."
"But this American Depression is so depressing."
"Ah, yes. So it is. But with all the homeless, and the suicides taking place, the feeding opportunities are endless." LaCroix picked his hat off the rack in the hallway of the townhouse they had rented. "Speaking of feeding, I think I shall go out for my nightly stroll. Will you be joining me, my dear?"
"Don't I always?" She took her jacket as LaCroix opened the door.
He nearly tripped over the blanket covered basket sitting on the top step. "If that is another litter of puppies or kittens, I will make a gift of them to the nearest Carouche." He said as he pulled the basket inside. From its depths came a cooing, gurgling sound. Whatever was in the basket was definitely not a puppy or kitten. Janette quickly pulled the blanket off the basket.
"O-o-o-h! She exclaimed. "It's a baby." The child looked to be about four months old. At the sight of her, its face broadened into a toothless grin. She picked the bundle up and held it to her. "I've wanted a baby for centuries."
"Janette. You cannot keep it. Put it back in the basket and we shall drop it off at the nearest police station."
"You are so small to be out there all alone." She cooed to the little one in her arms. "You must be one of those foundlings I have read about." The baby wrapped its arms around her neck and babbled contentedly.
"If you do not put it down immediately, I shall make a snack of it."
Janette clutched the infant tightly. "Do not be afraid, Little One. He did not mean that. If he lays so much as one fang on you, he knows I will make his eternal life a living hell." She glared at LaCroix. "And he also knows that I have more creative ways to do that than anyone can imagine."
"You cannot take care of it."
"Well, if you are a foundling, then I guess we will have to take you in."
"Vampires do not have the ability to deal with little babies or children."
Janette smothered the little face with kisses.
"Have you heard a word I've said?"
The baby's face turned red and it grunted hard several times. Janette made a face as an unmistakable odor wafted toward her. "The baby needs changing. See if there's anything in the basket we can use for a nappie."
Lucien LaCroix only rolled his eyes and began rummaging through the basket.
**********
Los Angeles, Present.
"He WHAT?" Toni exclaimed.
"He asked me to marry him." Robyn replied. "Right out of the blue. On top of the Griffith Observatory, of all places."
"Of course you said yes."
Robyn nodded. "Of course."
"Have you set a date yet?"
"Not exactly. I can tell you this, though. We just want a simple ceremony. Nothing fancy. Family only. We thought the Japanese garden at the Maison De Mer would be perfect."
"How many people have you told?"
"You. And I called Sherry and Ron last night. And of course we had to tell Clarissa. She said we could use the garden whenever we wanted to. We'll have to contact Judge Wapler about performing the ceremony. Lady Zera already knows, and she will be here whenever we set the date."
"You really think you can keep it a secret for long. As soon as Miriam and Teressa find out, you'll be lucky if there's enough room in the Hollywood Bowl for the ceremony."
"And just how are they going to find out if no one tells them?"
"They have some kind of internal radar about things like this. I would be very surprised if they didn't already know. If that's the case, hold on to your fangs. You two will be having the most colossal wedding this town ever saw. I can see it now "
**********
"And to think I had to hear it from that nice delivery man." Teressa Giovanetti said to her cohort, Miriam Feldman. "He just happens to be the same route driver who delivers to the After Sunset. One of the waitresses overheard Robyn talking to Clarissa, and she told him. Of course, he told Mario. You'd think that nice boy, Jebediah, would have said something about it. He is related to them, although I'm not exactly sure how."
"Then too, Robyn is Atonia's mother, and Lucien LaCroix is Nicholas's father. You'd think one of them would have mentioned it to us." Miriam added.
"It doesn't matter how we found out. Now that we know, we can take some of the pressure off the happy couple." Teressa said as she pulled her ever present planner out of her purse. "Naturally, Mario will be catering the reception. Flowers By Mike will provide all the floral decorations. I'll contact Father Ryan. You talk to your cousin, Rabbi Solomon." She took the pen from its holder and began scribbling furiously.
"Do you remember the name of that Band that played at Mike and Tracy's wedding?" Miriam inquired. "Habeas something or other. I'll see if Rachael can get them to play for the reception."
"Now, about the bridesmaids dresses "
"Before we start on that, shouldn't we finish the plans for the baby shower for Tracy Taylor?" Miriam asked.
"Miriam, you silly goose. You are getting forgetful in your old age. We settled that two days ago. The shower will be a week from Thursday." Teressa said. "I've already notified everyone. I wonder. Do you think it would be appropriate to hold a combined baby shower for her and a bridal shower for Robyn at the same time?"
"Now who's being a silly goose, Teressa?"
"I forgot about that in all the excitement." Teressa said. She made a few notes in her book. "Now, back to the dresses. What do you think of pale sea foam green. It is Robyn's favorite color after all "
**********
"I don't know." Tracy said as she and Toni piled the last of the shower presents into the nursery. "If we get one more thing, we'll have to lease a separate apartment for the baby. Between what you gave us, and the gifts from the tenants, my people, and the guys at the precinct, there isn't any room in here for the kid."
"There's always the homeless shelter. They're always looking for baby stuff for their people. You could donate the excess to them."
"What do I give away? And who do I disappoint when I do? Everyone was so
excited at the news of the baby. Don't forget, we haven't heard from my
parents or Mike's yet. I can imagine that they will be going overboard in a big
way. After all, this is the first grandchild on either side."
"Speaking of the Parents From Hell, when are they coming?"
"Mike's dad is embroiled in a huge corporate bankruptcy case right now. His firm has the job of trying to straighten out the books after the shit hit the fan that several of the members of the board had been bilking the company out of millions of dollars every year for the past ten or fifteen years. They'll be coming down when it's finally settled. According to Arlene, that may take six to eight months, or maybe more. She did say that she is coming in when the baby is due. To help me, she says. Personally, I'd rather go it alone that have to rely on her. From what Mike tells me, she doesn't know which end of the pacifier goes where.
As for my folks, Dad is vacationing in Europe with wife number five or is it six I can't keep them straight. He said he'd be there until Labour Day at the earliest.
This is the height of the summer social season. Naturally, Mother simply has to be there for that. Ever since Armella Clive-Patterson gave Mother her blessing at what was supposed to be our wedding, Mother has been going up the social ladder by leaps and bounds. I mean, what if Canada's premier society maven should need her for something and she wasn't there." Tracy rolled her eyes. "Totally unthinkable!" She picked up a small box and laid it on the dressing table. "So-o-o, maybe I've got a small reprieve. At least for a while."
"You might as well enjoy it while you can." Toni said as she stacked some of the boxes in the corner behind the crib. "Once the baby's here, things could get very hectic."
"I guess that's just what Ow-w-w!" Tracy put her hand on the top of her bulging abdomen.
"Something wrong?" Toni said, putting her arm around her friend.
"Nothing actually. Everything's very right. It's just that ever since he found out he could move around, Little Junior here has been taking out his frustrations on my bladder. From the way he kicks, I think we may have the next generation's Soccer Superstar in here. Or possibly the next punter for the Bruins."
"I tell you what. Why don't we try to soothe him with some Rocky Road?"
"I don't know whether I can have that. But then, Ice Cream is milk, and the doctor did say that I should drink lots of that. Can I help it if the milk is frozen and it has marshmallows, chocolate and nuts in it?"
"And I just so happen to have a whole gallon of it in the freezer at home." Toni said
"Then what are we doing here?" Tracy grabbed her purse and headed for the door.
**********
"And what can I do for you?" The clerk asked the scruffy man standing on the other side of the counter. He had a funny feeling about this. The customer didn't have any purchases, and there was something about his eyes
"You can put all your money in here." He shoved a store bag in front of him and leveled a gun at his head.
"I I don't have much in the cash register and I don't know the combination of the safe." The clerk said.
"Don't give me any bullshit." The robber said. "Just give me the money." He waved the gun under the clerk's nose.
The clerk opened the cash drawer and began stuffing the bills in the bag. He had heard about things like this, but he never thought it would happen to him. He didn't like the idea of working the night shift at a convenience store in the first place, but the pay was good and the hours fit into his schedule. He needed the money, too. His tuition was due in a few weeks. He had a partial scholarship. It would pay the school, but it wouldn't leave him much to live on. The last thing he needed was to get himself shot or killed for a few hundred dollars. Carefully, he pressed the silent alarm button on the floor beneath the register with his foot.
Outside, Toni pulled up to the pump.
"While you fill that tank." Tracy said as she got out of the car. "I have to empty mine. Be back in a flash."
The robber glanced around nervously. The clerk was taking too much time. He needed a fix. He needed it now. He saw the door open and the woman come in.
**********
Jerry Davies hung up the phone. That was one report he didn't want to take. He slowly walked over to their desks. "Mike. Nick." He said somberly. "That call was from Dispatch. She got a call from Toni. There's a holdup in progress at a carryout over in Century City. The robber has a couple of hostages." He put his hand on Mike's shoulder. "One of the hostages is Tracy."
Mike went whiter than his partner as all the blood seemed to drain from his face. "Oh, God. No." He said as he ran from his desk. Nick was only a few steps behind him.
As they exited, Nick pulled his partner into a secluded area behind the building. "Forget the car." He said, wrapping his arms around Mike. "My way is faster." Seconds later, they were in the air and heading for the site.
**********
Janette covered the vanity table with a towel and laid the baby on it. She removed the soiled diaper and handed it to LaCroix. "Be a dear and do something with this while I get it cleaned up." She gazed at the infant's genital region. "It's a boy. Look, LaCroix. It's a boy." She pointed to the penis. "See?"
"I can see that. I do know that a boy looks like. You forget. I too, am a male." LaCroix sneered as he took the offending cloth and holding it with just the tips of his fingers, deposited it in the trash.
"I guess we can get a diaper service tomorrow." Janette said as she wiped the baby's bottom. "Thank goodness whoever left him also left a few necessities as well. When they run out, a hand towel will do nicely." She sprinkled him with baby powder and pinned on a clean diaper. She lifted the gurgling infant into the air. "There, now, Mon Precieux. (My Precious One) That feels a lot better, doesn't it?"
The baby cooed his agreement.
"I see there's no talking you out of this." LaCroix sighed in apparent defeat. "Very well, raise him. If you think you can."
"Did you hear that, Mon Petit? (Little One) You are mine. Now you need a name. I cannot keep calling you Little One until you are grown, can I? What shall I call you?" She gazed into the infant's eyes. "How about Zacharie?"
The baby frowned and stuck out his little lower lip.
"I agree. What about Henri?" She shook her head. "No, you do not look like a Henri to me. I know, Francois."
The baby made a hacking sound.
"You are right about that, Mon Cher. (My darling) While Francois would get you the ladies when you are grown, when you are nine, all it will get you is fights. The same goes for Adrien and Rene." She thought for a moment. "Jacques." It was her turn to make a face. "No, I was married to a Jacques. I wouldn't inflict that on anyone. So what do we call you?" She frowned and tilted her head. "Jean? Yes. My father's name was Jean. I am named after him, and you shall be named after him as well. What do you think of Jean-Michel?"
The baby jabbered contentedly.
"Then that is your name." She held the baby over her head and gazed lovingly at him. She took his tiny hand in hers and shook it. "How do you do, Jean-Michel Du Charme."
**********
They landed in the back of the carryout. Even from the relative seclusion, they could see the lights, squad cars, and crowds surrounding the building. Nick spotted Toni standing at the edge of the police line. She looked like she was ready to break into a thousand pieces. He looked at his partner. Mike looked the same as his wife did.
Toni spotted them at about the same time as they spotted her, and she almost ran into her husband's arms. "It's all my fault." She sobbed. "I had to pick this particular station to gas up. I could have done it three blocks away, but this one had the gas for three cents cheaper. I wanted to save a few pennies, and I put Tracy's life in danger."
A uniform sergeant came to them. "Sergeant Knight. Detective Taylor. I'm Sergeant Pakapopolos. We've got an ID on the clerk. Jamie Masseldean. Age nineteen. College student. The perp's name is " He consulted his notepad. " Andy Alzesko. Small time hood with a sheet as long as your arm. As near as we can tell, everyone's okay in there. We can't get too close, though. Every time we try, he lets off a few rounds and threatens to kill the clerk and Mrs. Taylor. We've got a negotiating team on the way. They should be here any minute now."
"Maybe I can talk to him." Nick said. "I've had some success dealing with this in the past." He took off his coat and handed his gun to Mike.
**********
Andy waved the gun at the two people in the corner of the store. Tracy and Jamie sat silently. Tracy pressed a handkerchief to the clerk's head. Earlier, Jamie had tried to talk to the gunman and had received a pistol barrel across his temple for his efforts. It had stopped bleeding, but the purple splotch on his forehead throbbed incessantly. Although she was no doctor, Tracy figured he had a concussion at the very least. So far, thankfully, the would-be robber had not tried to hurt Tracy.
Slowly, Andy approached Tracy. His eyes were glazed and the sweat cascaded down his face. His mouth felt like it was stuffed with cotton balls. He needed a fix. He needed it NOW! He had heard from some of his jail buddies that sex would take the edge off. He had to do something or he would go crazy. Maybe she could stop the snakes that were crawling just beneath his skin and steady the tremors that were starting to rack his body. He pointed the gun at her temple. "Aren't you the good little samaritan?" He pulled her hand from the boy's head and threw the cloth on the floor. "Now you want to help me, dont you?" He leered, running his hand down her cheek. "You like it too. I can tell. Otherwise you wouldn't be in the condition you're in." He ran his hand over her swollen belly.
Tracy could feel her skin crawling at his touch. She turned her head away from him. He roughly pulled her to her feet and ground his mouth into hers. Suddenly, he screamed and pulled away as her fingernails dug into his cheek. He put his hand to his face and stared at the bloody palm. His face contorted into a vicious sneer. He whipped the barrel of his gun across her face. The sound of bones snapping echoed through the deserted storefront. "You bitch!" He yelled as Tracy crumbled to the floor. "You'll pay for that." Screaming and cursing, he kicked her stomach again and again as she lay before him.
Jamie was on his feet in a second. "You bastard!" He yelled as he attempted to grab the gunman. There was an explosion and he reeled backward as the bullet slammed into his chest with the force of a freight train.
**********
Nick heard the shot ring out. Milliseconds later, he crashed through the window. With unearthly speed, he grabbed the robber and threw him against the wall. Behind him, Mike and a small army of police and medical technicians stormed into the place.
"Give me one reason " Nick growled. He knew his eyes were yellow and his fangs were down. He didn't care. He had seen Tracy lying on the floor. " And it doesn't even have to be a good one."
Alzesko's eyes grew wide at the sight before him. "Who What are you?" He stammered.
"Your worst nightmare." Nick hissed. "If she dies "
Mike cradled his wife in his arms. She was unconscious. Her face was swollen and turning a bluish-purple where she had been pistol whipped. He could barely hear her breathing, and her skin felt clammy. He stared at her distended abdomen and slowly became aware of a dark red stain spreading along her slacks. "Nick!" He cried. "Tracy She's bleeding."
Nick closed his eyes and willed them to blue. He handed the panicked robber to Pakapopolos. "If he even twitches." He said to the Sergeant. In another millisecond, he was beside Mike and Tracy.
He listened intently. He could hear Tracy's heartbeat. It was rapid and a little shallow, but she did not seem to be in any great distress. He listened closer. Something was wrong. Just then, the EM technician took Tracy from him and Mike, and began ministering to her. Numbly, Mike followed his partner outside. Toni embraced the two of them.
"Is she going to be " Mike asked.
Nick nodded. "I won't sugar coat it. Tracy is seriously hurt, but she's strong and there's every reason to believe that she'll come through this okay." He took a deep breath. The next part was going to be the hardest. "I could only hear one heartbeat. Hers."
"NO-O-O-O!!!" Mike yelled as he stormed into the store. He pulled Alzesko from the Sergeant's arms and smashed his fist against his face. "You slimeball!" He drove his fist into the perp's stomach. "I ought to kill you, you son of a bitch!" He heard the jaw snap as he backhanded him. "She's my wife! That's my baby!" With lightening speed, he rained blows to the man's face and head. Nick and Sergeant Pakapopolos pulled the screaming detective off as the unconscious robber slid to the floor.
**********
Mike paced the surgical waiting room nervously. Nick did not even try to stop him. He only sat there, clutching Toni's hand tightly. Robyn and LaCoix sat across from them. Outside in the hall, Inspector Ganlon, Captain Davies and most of the precinct also paced. Many of them had donated blood earlier.
Tracy had been taken to surgery almost immediately after being examined in the Emergency Room. That was six hours ago. Except for an occasional nurse or technician coming out to tell them that everything was 'going as well as could be expected', they had not heard anything from the operating team.
The door opened and Dr. Herschell came out. Her face showed the effects of the surgery. Mike was upon her almost before the door closed. Behind her, unseen by everyone but Nick and Toni, another doctor removed the surgical cap from her chestnut hair. Her eyes mirrored her emotional pain. She closed her eyes and shook her head solemnly and then slowly vanished.
"Your wife is in the Recovery Room." Dr. Herschell said. "It was touch and go for a while, but she will be all right." She looked to the floor. "We tried, but we couldn't save the baby. The blows to her stomach ruptured Tracy's uterus. She lost a great deal of blood. We had to perform a hysterectomy. I'm so sorry "
Mike looked to his partner. Nick was nowhere in sight.
**********
Nick leaned over the terrified robber. It only took a slight 'suggestion', and the officer guarding the door was calmly slumbering. He would have no memory of the detective entering Alzesko's room. The robber's face was covered with bruises. Numerous stitches and butterfly closures covered the scratches on his face and neck. His jaw had been wired shut and a nasal tube snaked through his nose.
His eyes glowed orange red and his fangs had distended to their fullest. "She lost the baby." He hissed. "She cannot have another one. You are responsible for that."
"No!" Alzesko whined through his closed jaw. "I didn't It was the drugs They "
Slowly, Nick inched toward the man's neck. He could hear the heart racing. He could smell the fear. < This will be so satisfying >
"Do it, Nick." Mike Taylor urged from the doorway. "Kill him. He deserves to die."
Nick stared at the pulsing artery only centimeters from his fangs. "I am Detective Sergeant Nicholas de Brabant Knight Los Angeles Police Department Badge number 13714 I have sworn "
"NowIlaymedowntosleep " Alzesco gasped.
"Nick!" Mike shouted. "He killed my baby."
" To serve and protect " Forcefully he pulled his face away. "I cannot do it " Slowly his eyes went from red to yellow and finally to blue. His fangs retreated back into his gums.
"If you can't, I can!" Mike said. A second after Nick had released him, he grabbed the man's throat and began shaking it violently.
It took nearly all the mortal strength Nick had to pull his partner off the robber. "No! Mike! You have sworn the same oath as I did. If you kill him, you will be no better than he is. The system will take care of him. He is charged with one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder while committing a felony. If the clerk dies, it will be two counts of murder. That carries the mandatory death sentence. He will pay. I guarantee."
"You may be right. Mike said. "But so help me, if he walks, I swear on my dead baby's memory, I WILL kill him myself."
"He won't walk."
"A smart lawyer could get him off. After all, I did beat him to a pulp in front of witnesses. They could use that as police brutality. Also, like he said, he was higher than a kite. That could be called temporary insanity. I have seen others acquitted on less significant technicalities. Nick, there's dozens of ways he could slip out of this."
"He won't. We'll do everything we can to see that he doesn't"
"But will that be enough?"
"It'll have to be."
Nick looked deep into the perp's eyes. He concentrated on his heartbeat. It still called to him. "You will not remember anything that occurred in this room in the last half hour."
"Remember nothing " Alzesko said flatly.
Nick slowly led Mike to the door. The officer was still peacefully sleeping where Nick had left him. "Let's go to the ICU. They should be bringing Tracy there any minute." He put his hand on the officer's shoulder. "You may wake up now. You were awake the whole time. Nothing happened."
The officer opened his eyes, stretched, and picked up the paper he had been reading. "Gotta get me a cup of coffee." He said to the air. "I almost dozed off just now."
In the room, a figure dressed entirely in black stepped out of the shadows. "She is family." He hissed. "No one mistreats one of my family ... and lives." His eyes were yellow orange and his fangs were at least an inch long. "Nicholas and Michael may have sworn an oath to serve and protect." He bent over the horrified man in the bed. "I, on the other hand have not." He pulled the man's head to the side. Carefully, he positioned his mouth over one of the existing injuries.
The last thing Andrew Alzesko remembered was Lucien LaCroix sinking his fangs into his neck.
**********
Mike Taylor looked up as his partner came into the room. Since the sun was nearly up, Nick had gone home after they left Alzesko's room. Now that the sun had set, he had returned.
Mike had stayed at his wife's bedside all day. She looked much better than she had when they first brought her into the room. Many of the bruises and cuts nearly healed, and even the incision where they had repaired her broken cheekbone was little more than an angry red line. Mike attributed that to the changes in her DNA as a result of Nick's blood being on the bullets when Dawkins had shot her many years before. They had passed through him before wounding her. It was the same phenomenon that had given her the telepathic powers.
"Alzesko died earlier today." He told his partner. "According to the doctor, it was from acute anaphylactic shock as a result of the effects of the drugs in his system." He gave a hardly visible smile. "I guess nature has a way of making sure that justice is done."
"I guess it does." Nick replied. He had felt LaCroix in the perp's room, but had said nothing. He suspected that he had something to do with the death. He preferred not to know what. He also knew that the elder vampire had ways of covering such things up. He was better off not knowing how. "How is Tracy?" He asked.
Mike hung his head. "Not good. Dr. Herschell says that the anesthesia has worn off, but she hasn't regained consciousness yet. She says there's no reason why she shouldn't be awake. She says she might be in deep traumatic shock. If she is, there's no way to tell when she might come out of it."
Then all we can do is wait and pray.
**********
Nick closed his eyes. < Tracy. > He sent. < Can you hear me? > There was no answer. Nick was hoping that maybe he could get through with a sending. They had tried nearly everything else. Nothing had elicited even the slightest reaction. It had been three days and she still was in a deep coma. Physically, her injuries were healing very well, but mentally and emotionally, she was still as she was when they first wheeled her into intensive care from the operating room. Mike had not left her side during this time.
Although Nick could send and receive fairly easily with other vampires, with a telepath, especially a resistor like Tracy, he could do it only if Tracy was open and receptive to him. Apparently this was not the case. He gently probed Tracy's mind. He could not sense anything. He pulled out and held the bridge of his nose. The effort had given him a throbbing headache.
"What's wrong?"
"Tracy. She's shut herself off. The trauma she's suffered must have overwhelmed her. She's retreated into her subconscious mind. Unlike a normal person, a telepath's abilities are very strong. If she stays in there too much longer, she might not be able to come out on her own. If she can't, she could be trapped in there for the rest of her life."
"Can't you do something?"
"I don't know." He thought a few minutes. "There's one thing I could try. It's extremely risky. I've never tried it, I've only heard about it. I'd have to take her blood. There is already a very weak bond between us from the shooting. Taking blood would strengthen that bond. I could then use that to enter her mind. Hopefully, I could talk her back. That is, if she'll let me. The bad part is that the effects of the blood sharing only last two hours. If I'm still in her mind when the bond breaks down, I don't know what will happen. Either one or both of us could die, or one or both of us could go insane."
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Yes. Keep talking to her. You work from out here. I'll work on her from the inside. Maybe between the two of us, something will get through. Also keep a close eye on the time. Start a countdown at thirty minutes. I should be able to hear you and pull out in time."
"And if you don't?"
He took a deep breath. "Just pray that I do."
He closed his eyes and willed his eyes to turn and his fangs to elongate. He put his mouth to Tracy's neck. "Forgive me, Tracy." He murmured as he eased his fangs into her carotid artery. < Javier Vachon was right. > Her blood had the strong taste of apricots and the scent of callia lilies. He took several swallows. He now knew one of the reasons why Vachon had never bit her. The taste of her blood was intoxicating. He could feel the bond strengthening between them. All too soon, it was time to withdraw. He did not want to leave. He wanted to take all she had to give him. And more. Steeling his will, he slowly pulled his fangs from her neck.
"Now we begin." He whispered huskily to Mike. "Watch the time carefully." He closed his eyes and mentally followed the link.
**********
He was in a shapeless, nameless void. He turned completely around. In every direction, it was the same. Nothing but impenetrable darkness. He was standing on something. Even with his enhanced vampire senses, he could not see anything. There was no ceiling, no floor, nothing but emptiness. He took a hesitant step. His foot landed on something solid again. < There is something in here, even if I can't see or feel it. > "Tracy." He softly called. "Where are you?" There was no answer. He took a few more steps. He had no idea where he was headed. "Tracy. It's me. Nick. Please talk to me." His voice echoed off What?
Suddenly a stone wall appeared in front of him. It seemed to stretch in every direction. "Tracy." He said. "Tracy, are you there? I'm on the other side of the wall. Won't you come on out and talk to me?"
"I'm scared." A high thin voice said. It sounded more like a little girl of about eight or nine than his former partner's.
"I know what you mean. I can understand that." Nick reassured her. < Tracy must have retreated into her childhood. > "It's all right. You can come out now. I won't hurt you. I'm a friend."
"I can't." The girl Tracy replied. "She said I can't come
out. Ever."
"Who said you can't come out?"
"Her. The lady who put me back here."
"Is she there with you?"
"Uh huh."
"Can I talk with her?"
"No but you can talk with me." This sounded like an older girl. Possibly in her early teens.
Nick breathed a heavy sigh of relief. It was small, but they were making progress. If only it were enough. In here, he had no idea of the time, and strangely, he could not feel or hear Mike. If the two hours expired while he was in here, he would have no way of knowing.
**********
Mike looked at his watch. An hour had passed since his partner had bitten his wife. Ever since then, they both were almost catatonic. He was frightened. < What if Nick was wrong. What if he can't bring Tracy out? What if he can't get out himself? > Mike toyed with the idea of trying to contact LaCroix for help. < No. I've got to give Nick every chance. > He made a mental note, though, if it got closer than five minutes, he was going to get the master vampire.
He picked up Tracy's hand. "Come on, Sweetheart. I need you. I love you. Come on back to me, Tracy." He once more repeated the words he had been saying over and over for the past hour. For the past three days.
**********
"Can you tell me why you're behind the wall?" Nick asked the teenage Tracy.
"So no one can hurt me."
"Who wants to hurt you?"
"He hurt her. He kicked her"
She was talking about Alzesko.
"He can never hurt anyone ever again." Nick told her. "He's dead."
There was silence, but Nick thought he detected a change in the void. The blackness had now become a dark gray. As if someone had turned on a very small light somewhere in the distance. < A ray of hope? >
"Do you know what made her put you behind the wall?"
"She lost him. She wanted him so bad, and now he's gone and there won't be any more. She wanted more, and now there won't be any. She's afraid too."
"She knows she lost the baby." It wasn't a question.
"She knows, and it scares her."
"Can I talk to her?"
"She's not ready yet." The voice was of an older teen or possibly a young adult responded.
< Another step in the right direction. Now, if there's just enough time >
"She's afraid to come out. She doesn't want to lose him, too. She loves him so much and she's afraid he won't love her any more."
"Who? Mike?"
"Yeah. She thinks that he wont want her now that she's lost the baby. Especially since she can't have any more kids. They both wanted a lot of kids, and now there won't be any."
In the far distance, Nick could hear a voice. A man's voice. Since there didn't appear to be anyone here but him and Tracy, he surmised that he must be hearing it through Tracy's ears. He concentrated on the voice.
" I need you. I love you. Come on back to me, Tracy." Mike was calling.
"Tracy." Nick pleaded. "Listen. Can you hear him?"
"I can hear him." The adult Tracy replied.
< Almost there. > Although he had no way to judge, he knew he must be getting close to the two hour mark.
"It's Mike, Tracy. Listen to what he's saying. He loves you. He needs you."
"But he wants a big family. He always said he wants at least a half dozen kids running around. I can't give that to him anymore. Not after "
He could hear the sound of sobs.
" He's better off without me."
"Yes, he wanted a big family. But he wants you even more. He needs you, and you need him. Listen to him, Tracy. Feel the love he has for you. The love I have for you. Come on back to us." He held out his hand. "Come on, Trace. Take my hand. Come on out. Come back into the real world. Mike needs you. I need you. We all need you."
A door opened in the wall. Slowly, timidly, an arm reached through it. Hesitantly, she placed her hand in Nick's. As he closed his hand around hers, he felt the threads of the bond beginning to unravel. <NO! NOT NOW! Not when I'm so close! > He knew he had to leave. NOW. To wait any longer would be disastrous. It might mean that he could be trapped in here forever.
**********
Mike looked at his watch. "Three minutes and counting." He said to the motionless Nick. He couldn't tell if Nick had heard him or not. For all he knew, it might be too late already. He wanted to get LaCroix, but he was afraid to leave while the two of them were like this.
Suddenly, Nick's head snapped up and he opened his eyes. His eyes were yellow and his fangs were down. He was panting as though he had run a marathon. Sweat was running down his face. Mike looked at his watch again. There was less than a minute left.
Nick willed his eyes and fangs to normal and concentrated on slowing his breathing. He had barely pulled out when he felt the bond disappear.
"That's slicing it a bit thin, isn't it?" Mike asked his partner. "Did you have any luck?"
"I had her. I was this close." Nick said dejectedly.
After what seemed like an eternity, Tracy's eyes fluttered. "Mike?" She whispered. Although it was barely audible, it had the effect of a shout. Within seconds, Mike was hugging his wife and smothering her with kisses.
Nick smiled as he slipped out of the room.
**********
LaCroix pushed Nicholas through the door. "How many times do I have to tell you, Nicholas? You cannot escape from me. I do not understand why you keep trying."
"You can tell me twice a day until hell freezes over. I will still keep trying. One day, I will succeed." He wrested his arm from LaCroix's grip and sullenly threw his jacket onto the couch. "One day I will be free of you for good."
"Perhaps you shall, Nicholas, but today is NOT that day." LaCroix carefully hung his coat on the rack.
"Will you two PLEASE keep it down? I could hear you to arguing from the back of the house." Janette called from the top of the stairs. "I just got Jean-Michel to sleep."
"Jean-Michel? Who's that?" Nicholas asked.
"My son." Janette replied as she descended the staircase.
"Your son?" Nick asked. "Have you brought someone across?"
"He is a mortal baby. A foundling. Janette's newest toy." LaCroix added. A smile crossed his face. He held out his hand to his daughter. "Come, my dear. See who is here. I have found our Nicholas. In a homeless shelter of all places."
"A homeless shelter? Whatever were you doing living in a homeless shelter?" She said as she embraced her brother/lover/friend. Nick only gave her a token squeeze. "Even in these trying times, we have enough funds that you do not have to bed down in a flop house, as I believe they are called."
"I was not living there, I was the director."
"How ingenious of you, my boy. I would never have thought of that. Instead of having to go and hunt for your food, they come to you." LaCroix smiled again. He looked like a crocodile coming in for the kill.
"I was not hunting them. I was helping them. I was making a difference. At least I was until you made it impossible for me to continue." He all but hissed.
"Nicholas. Do not be so irritated. After all, with that much free food in one place, I could not resist the urge to indulge myself. Can I help it if I was seen?" LaCroix said, patting Nicholas's cheek patronizingly. "Now that we are all together, I shall make arrangements for us to return to Paris first thing tomorrow evening. Once you are there, you will forget all about this little episode very quickly."
From the upstairs bedroom came the unmistakable sound of a baby crying.
"Now see what you two have done." Janette said as she started up the stairs. "You have awakened Jean-Michel. Since he is awake " She took Nicholas's hand and led him up the stairs to the bedroom. " Come, Nicolah and meet your nephew."
**********
Tracy stood at the doorway to the nursery. Toni remained a step behind her. During the two weeks Tracy was in the hospital, she and the Feldmans had put most of the presents and toys in one of the storage rooms in the basement of the complex. They didn't know just how much they should leave and how much they could dispose of. They had left the crib and other furniture in place. They could be dismantled later if Tracy wanted to do so.
"Are you sure you are okay with this?" She asked.
Tracy nodded. "I think I want to leave this much up for a while. I don't want to forget him quite this soon. Mike and I talked this all out while I was in the hospital. It hurts like someone had staked me, but I have to go on living. My head knows that it'll get easier to bear in time, but right now, my heart is buried with my baby. Thank goodness for Nick. If he hadn't pulled me out from behind that wall of self pity I'd built, I might still be lying in that hospital bed. That makes twice he has saved me from a life of a vegetable."
"That's my Nick for you. Always rescuing maidens in distress,"
Although she knew that he had been a Crusader before he was brought across, Tracy giggled at the thought of Nick clad in gleaming armor galloping across the countryside astride a white horse.
"It is kind of funny, isn't it?" Toni said, chuckling too. She had the same mental image as her dearest friend. "Nick Knight, knight in shining armor. You want to know what's really strange? We never did get to that bowl of Rocky Road." Toni grinned and opened the refrigerator to reveal a gallon of Breyers.
"You think of everything, don't you?" Tracy said as she got out the bowls and spoons.
Toni smiled as she scooped the ice cream into the bowls. It was good to see Tracy starting to return to normal after the ordeal that she had been through. Toni was not sure she could have done it if she had been in Tracy's place.
**********
"Just one more week to go and then we can return to our regular jobs." Nick said as he pulled the black and white unit into Olivera Street.
The IA investigation had concluded that Mike had, indeed used excessive force on Alzesko, but they also determined that, considering the extenuating circumstances, he should not be charged with police brutality. Instead, they had recommended that he serve three months as a uniform patrolman.
Nick had volunteered to take the temporary downgrade as well. He had told the investigating team that he had wanted to do much more than just beat the living daylights out of the man who had done this to his partner's wife and his former partner. He felt that it was only fair that he should receive the disciplinary action as well.
They had just pulled into the traffic stream when they heard the squealing tires. Before even Nick could react, a car pulled out of an alley. It narrowly missed hitting a car in the traffic lane before sideswiping a parked vehicle. Then, it jumped the curb and plowed into the screaming pedestrians. It pulled back into traffic and careened down the street at least 75 miles an hour, narrowly missing several other cars as it went.
Mike hit the switch for the overhead lights and turned on the siren.
"No." Nick said. "I got the license plates. There are injured people here. We should stay and help them." He scribbled the plate number on a pad and handed it to Mike. "Call it in while I see how many and how bad."
Two hours later, the last of the ambulances left with the injured. Fortunately, none of them were hurt very seriously.
They had gotten a report from Dispatch that the hit and run car had been found and the driver arrested after he had plowed into a fire hydrant. According to the arresting officers, the driver was high enough to be in outer space and had a blood alcohol of 2.1. Almost triple the legal limit.
Mike and Nick walked back to their squad car. Suddenly, Nick stopped. The smell of fresh blood nearly overwhelmed him. "Down here." He said as he started into the alley where the car had emerged.
At the end, behind a dumpster, a woman, actually barely a teenager, lay huddled. It was obvious she was pregnant. From her size, nearly full term. She was also grievously injured. Blood poured from at least three major wounds on her upper body and abdomen. Her legs were at cockeyed angles to her body and blood had frothed on her mouth. Nick surmised that she was probably the first victim of the hit and run driver. She was so badly injured that it was doubtful that the teams treating the injured on the sidewalk would have heard her weak cries for help. That is, if she had even been strong enough to make them.
Carefully, Nick put his ear to the girl's chest. It took all his concentration to control the hunger that was clamoring to be satisfied. Her heartbeat was weak and thready. He could tell she was not long for this world. He swallowed the beast down. It wanted to end the girl's suffering right now. He moved to her abdomen. The baby's heartbeat was slightly irregular, but strong.
The girl opened her eyes. They were glazed and filled with pain and fear. "Mi bebe. (My baby.)" She gasped, barely above a whisper. "Esta viniendo. Ayudeme. Por favor. Mi bebe. (It's coming. Help me. Please. My baby.)"
"I'll call for another ambulance." Mike said as he started for the car.
"No time. We've got to do this now or the baby is dead. Bring the first aid kit and some blankets." He turned to the frightened girl. "No este asustado. Le ayudaremos. (Don't be afraid. We'll help you.)" Nick concentrated on her faint heartbeat. "Relaje. Esta todo bien. (Relax. Everything's going to be alright.)"
The girl slowly relaxed as Nick cut her thin and ragged slacks and underclothes off. He gently palpitated her abdomen. As a doctor in several of his past lives, he had delivered a few babies, and he had been present when his own children were born. From what he could tell, the baby was already in the birth canal. Now it was just a matter of getting it out.
Less than thirty minutes later, Nick told Mike to give another hard push on the unconscious girl's abdomen. The head was already showing. He reached in and carefully rotated the infant's shoulders past the pelvis. Seconds later, the rest of the baby was out. He held the infant by his heels and gently slapped him to get the mucus out of his lungs. He forcefully rubbed the back. The infant was not breathing on his own. He was rewarded with a faint but definite cry. Almost immediately, the baby's skin began to turn from a pasty blue-gray to healthy pink.
He handed a scalpel from the cruiser's first aid kit to Mike. "As soon as I tie off the cord, cut it here." He tied two pieces of gauze around the umbilicus and Mike severed it. He wrapped the infant in one of the blankets and took him to his mother.
"Aqui esta su hijo. (Here is your son.)" He said softly as he laid the infant on his mother's chest. There was ho response. He listened carefully. There was no heartbeat. No breathing. He anxiously felt for a pulse. There was none. The girl was dead.
He handed Mike the infant and picked up the placenta. After what they had been through the past half hour, the beast in him was screaming to be satisfied. He crouched in the shadows and sank his fangs into the warm blood filled mass.
**********
Mike paced in front of the Neonatal unit. Inside he could see the infant, labeled Baby Boy Doe 362 lying in an isolette. Tubes and monitors were hooked to nearly every part of his tiny body.
"He's about three weeks premature." The pediatrician was telling him and Nick. "He's anemic and severely malnourished. In addition, there are traces of several illicit drugs in his system. In spite of all this, he has a fairly good chance of survival. With proper care, that is. Unfortunately, his chances of getting that care are poor at best."
"What do you mean his chances are poor at best?" Mike asked.
"As near as we can tell, Officer, his mother was a street person. Possibly an illegal alien. She may have been a prostitute as well. Many of them are. Without the necessary papers for work, it's about the only thing they can do. It's fairly obvious that she never had any sort of prenatal care. She probably hadnt seen a doctor in years, if ever. It's likely that she became pregnant by one of her johns.
It's difficult enough to place healthy Hispanic orphans with good homes, but for one in his condition, it's nearly impossible."
"So, what happens to him now?"
"As soon as he's well enough, he'll be turned over to Childrens Services. If he's lucky enough to be put in a foster home, his chances are slightly better than if he's in an orphanage. Either way, both the orphanages and foster homes are overcrowded and understaffed. Most of them aren't equipped to take care of a special needs baby. Chances are, he'll fall through the cracks. He'll be lucky if he sees his first birthday."
"That's not fair." Mike said. "What about his family?"
"She had no ID on her." Nick filled in. "Without knowing who she is, it's impossible to track down any family. If she were an illegal alien, her family, if we could locate them in the first place, would probably be afraid to come forward. Even if they do, there's no guarantee they would be able to accept and care for their daughter's illegitimate child. These people have very strong religious feelings about things like that."
"Can't anything be done?"
"If he could be placed in a loving caring environment where he could get one on one attention, the chances are great that he could grow up to be a normal adult."
Mike thought for a moment. "Let me see what I can do. I feel that I've got a responsibility to him. I did help bring him into the world, you know."
**********
Nicholas stood at the nursery door. Janette was humming a medieval lullaby as she danced around the room with Jean-Michel. She stopped as she noticed him standing in the doorway. "Look, Mon Petit. It's your Uncle Nicholah." She motioned for Nicholas to enter.
He stepped around the rocking horse only to nearly trip over the table set. He picked the giant stuffed bear off the floor and sat it on the shelf with the other stuffed animals. "Isn't this going a bit overboard?" He asked, pointing to the nursery crammed with every toy imaginable and furnished with every baby fixture available.
"Oh, no. I have decided that Jean-Michel shall want for nothing. He shall have the finest clothes." She pointed to an armoire bulging with baby clothing. "When he gets older, he shall go to the finest schools. And when he becomes an adult, I shall give him the finest gift of all."
Nicholas blanched. "Tell me you aren't talking about what I think you are talking about. Tell me you won't bring him across."
"But of course I will. What better gift can I give my son?"
"Janette. He's not your son. He's a mortal baby. He deserves what every mortal child needs. A loving family."
"If his family loved him so much, why did they leave him on our doorstep?"
"I can't answer that, but he still needs that kind of life. He needs a mortal mother and father who can take him to the park in the daytime. Who can play ball and shoot marbles with him on hot summer afternoons. Who can have snowball fights on frosty winter mornings. We can't give him that. All we can give him is darkness."
"I can always hire nannies and governesses to take care of him in the daytime."
"Nannies and governesses are not a substitute for a mother and father."
"Nicholah! Don't talk like that. You will see. I can give him all that he needs."
"Everything except a normal life."
"You have been talking to LaCroix, haven't you? He put you up to this, didn't he?"
Nicholas shook his head. "No one put me up to anything. Especially not LaCroix. What I am saying is the truth and in your heart you know it. Sooner or later, you are going to realize it for yourself. I am only trying to shield you from any more heartache than is necessary."
Jean-Michel began to whimper and rub his head against Janette's shoulder.
"Now see what you have done. You have upset him." She took her vampire brother's arm and forcefully guided him from the room. "And do not come back until you can be more pleasant." She yelled after him as he practically flew down the hall.
"Do not let him bother you, Mon Enfant." She cradled the fussing infant in her arms. "He does not mean anything he says. You will see. We will be a family."
**********
Tracy picked up the phone. "Yeah." She groaned sleepily. She looked at the clock. 3:15. At the last moment, she remembered to shield her thoughts before she began mentally cursing whoever was on the other end. This was the first really good sleep she had gotten since since the baby
"Tracy." Mike said. "Have you still got all the baby stuff?"
"You woke me out of a sound sleep at 3 AM to ask me that?" She groused. "Yeah. We still have most of it. Why? Have you got a buyer for it? If you do, can't it wait till this afternoon?"
"No. I don't have a buyer. < Not exactly. > I'll tell you everything when you get here."
"Where is here?" She said, pulling on a sweatshirt and rummaging for the bottoms. < It must be important for Mike to call me at this time of night. >
"Mercy Hospital."
"Mercy Hospital! Mike! Is anything wrong? Are you all right? Is Nick "
"I'm fine. So is Nick. Just come down here. I'll tell you everything when you get here. And please don't rush. There's no emergency."
**********
Tracy stepped off the elevator and her heart stopped. This was the maternity floor. < What right does Mike have asking me to come here? Doesn't he realize that it will only open wounds that have just started to heal? > Before she realized it, she had started back toward the elevator. < I can't do this. Doesn't he know that? >
Mike came to her and put his arms around her. "It's all right, Honey. I realize what memories this place has for you." He led her to the viewing window. "Bear with me for a little while. I I promise I'll explain in a few minutes."
She stared into the nursery. The sight of all those babies made her heart break. Her son should be lying in one of those bassinettes. Instead, he was lying in a tiny white coffin six feet under the cemetery ground. "What am I looking at?" She asked sarcastically.
"Him." He pointed to Baby Boy Doe 362.
"And just what am I supposed to see?"
As if on cue, the baby opened his eyes and looked into Tracy's. Something seemed to tug at her heartstrings. He looked so fragile lying there with all those gadgets taped to him.
"I'll admit he is kind of cute."
"He's also an orphan. I ought to know. Nick and I delivered him just before his mother died." He related the circumstances of his birth and what the doctor had told him of the baby's chances for survival.
"And that's why you wanted the furniture. For his new parents."
"Yes." < If only you knew. >
The nurse came out. "I noticed you have been studying Baby Doe. Would you like to come in and get a closer look?
Against her better judgment, Tracy followed Mike into the nursery.
"It's almost time for his next feeding." The nurse said, showing Tracy to a rocking chair. "Would you like to give it to him?"
< NO! NO! NO! I can't do this! > Tracy screamed to herself. "Yes. I would like that." She said to the nurse before she could stop herself.
She cradled the infant in her arms as he eagerly sucked on the bottle. She ran her finger along his chin. The baby looked at her and smiled. Everyone said that an infant this young didn't have the facial control to smile. That it was only gas. He reached up and curled his tiny hand around her little finger. She felt that he was also trying to curl himself around her heart. < I can't let that happen. I can't let myself feel that way. Not yet. It's still too soon. >
Tracy looked at the nurse. "It's not fair that he's going to be treated like that. Isn't there anything anybody can do?"
"If we could find a loving couple that would be willing to take him, his chances would be excellent. The trouble is that most of the foster homes are full and there's a list two miles long of kids waiting for an opening. His chances are slim to none of getting in anywhere soon"
"Why can't you get some more foster homes?"
"That would be an ideal solution, but the process for getting certified is long and complicated. Childrens Services doesn't certify just anyone. It could take up to a year. And then only about a third of the families that apply are accepted."
"That sucks."
Mike could tell that Tracy was definitely interested in the infant. As interested as he was. Now was the time to give her his surprise. "I agree. There is another way, too." He said. "If some couple were willing to act as his guardians, He could go home by the end of the week."
Tracy looked at Mike. He looked like the cat that swallowed the canary. < So that's why he dragged me down here. He wants us to adopt him. > "No." She said. "We can't do that. It's too soon. It wouldn't be right."
"Tracy. It is right. He doesn't have a family. We don't have a baby. I know that he could never replace our biological son, but we could be his family, and he could be our son. He needs us and we need him. Think about it, Trace. It's almost like we were meant to be together, him and us."
She had to admit that there was a huge hole in her that losing the baby had left. This tiny infant in her arms had already started to full that hole just a little. She looked at the infant once again. He was staring at her entreatingly. She could almost feel the pleading in his little eyes. From somewhere the thought filtered into her consciousness. < Mommy .... > Tracy's face brightened. "How long would it take to get certified as his guardians?"
"Not long. All you have to do is find a judge willing to sign the papers." The nurse said.
"Mike." She said, her face hopeful. "Do you think we could "
"I don't think so."
Tracy's face fell almost to her knees. < After all this, he really doesn't want him. Then why bring me down here? Why put me through this? >
"I know so." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a document covered with a blue folder. "Judge Wapler filled out the papers an hour ago. They were delivered here just before you came. All it needs is your signature and he's ours."
The grin nearly split Tracy's face. "Give me a pen. Where do I sign?"
The nurse handed her a pen and Tracy signed in the places that Mike indicated.
"There, Little One. Now you are officially ours." Tracy cooed to the infant in her arms. Maybe it was just gas, but the infant grinned at her again.
"Have you thought of a name for him?" The nurse asked.
"We were going to name our baby Michael Junior."
"No way. No kid should have to grow up a Junior." Mike said. "I thought we agreed to name him after the grandfathers."
"That, my dear husband is a definite 'no way'. No matter which one we use for a first name, the other grandfather is going to be ticked off. And you haven't seen anything until you've seen my father ticked off."
"Unless it's my father. I see what you mean. So what do we name our little bundle of joy?"
"Since he's Hispanic, what about a Hispanic name? That way he won't forget his heritage. I think I would like to name him after my friend, Javier Vachon. We could use the Spanish form of your name as well. What do you think of Javier Miguel Taylor?"
The baby gurgled excitedly. It was as if he understood what they were saying.
"He likes it." Mike said, caressing little Javier's head. "And that's good enough for me".
The nurse took the Baby Doe identification card from the isolette. She replaced it with a new one. This one said Javier Taylor.
**********
Janette pushed the lock of hair out of her face. "Hush Little One." She cooed as she rocked the squalling infant. "Please stop crying. Mama needs her sleep. So does your Uncle Nicholah and your Granpere."
"I am NOT his grandfather." Lucien LaCroix called from the next room. "And if you do not keep him quiet, I will see to it that he never makes another sound. Ever."
"What can I do to satisfy you, Mon petite cher? (My little darling?)" Janette said as she adjusted him on her lap. "You do not have a fever or a cough. I have tried to feed you. I have changed you. I have rocked and walked you. I have sung to you until I am nearly hoarse. Yet you are still crying."
Nick came into the room.
"Do not start with me, Nicholah." Her eyes took on a slight yellow tinge. "LaCroix has already made his intentions clear. I do not need your threats as well. If I could do anything more to quiet him I would."
"Let me see him. Maybe I can find out what is wrong."
Jean-Michel latched on to Nick's finger as he took the child from Janette. As he bit into Nick's hand, he knew why the infant was crying. He pulled the lower lip back. There, on the top of the lower jaw were two tiny white spots.
"Here is the cause of his pain." He told her as he showed her his find. "He's teething."
"Teething! Then he is not ill. That is a relief. But what can I do to stop the crying?"
"Give him this." LaCroix held out a baby block wrapped in a wet washcloth. "It will give him something solid to gnaw on and ease the pain as well."
Jean-Michel stuffed the wood into his mouth and began gumming it. Within minutes, the crying had stopped and he was asleep in Janette's arms.
"Merci, mon pere. (Thank you, father.) How did you know what to do?"
"Unlike Nicholas and you, I have had experience with mortal babies." He smiled forlornly as bittersweet memories of Divia came to the surface.
"Then this shall be over shortly." Janette sighed as she put Jean-Michel into his crib and pulled the coverlet over him.
"Oh, no, my dear." LaCroix said. "I'm afraid that this is just the beginning. He has a whole mouth full of teeth to cut. It will probably take him the better part of six months to do that. Then there's potty training, crawling and walking, measles, mumps, and the croup. Of course, there's also the terrible twos. And we mustn't forget the multitude of scrapes and bruises he will incur. Raising an infant to maturity takes at least twenty years of pain and struggling."
She slumped into the rocking chair, a look of desolation on her face. She hung her head in her hands. "I cannot go through all that. You were right. Vampires are not cut out to raise mortal children. But what can I do? I cannot leave him on someone else's doorstep like his parents did. Perhaps the next people to take him in will not be as good to him as we have been. He deserves so much more than that."
"Les Soeurs Du Coeur Sacre (The Sisters Of The Sacred Heart) have an orphanage a few blocks from here." Nick said. "They will take him in and raise him in a loving and caring way. If you want, I'll take him there tomorrow evening."
"Thank you for offering, Nicholah. He is my son after all. I will be the one to take him there." She hesitated for a few moments. "Would you come with me?"
**********
Mike suddenly sat up in the bed. Tracy lay beside him sleeping contentedly. This was the first time since they brought him home three weeks ago, that little Javier had slept this long. The effects of the malnutrition, and the drugs that were in his system when he was born were only now wearing off. Although they had agreed to share the nighttime duties, it was usually Tracy who got up to tend him. Mike was supposed to take care of him during the day, but even then, the burden usually fell to Tracy as well. She said she didn't mind, since Mike needed his rest, but he could see that it was taking its toll. He was grateful that Javi, as they called him, was beginning to sleep for more than two or three hours at a time.
Although there was nothing to support it, he had the strong feeling that someone was in the house. In the nursery. Carefully, he slid out of the bed, taking care not to wake her. He took his gun out of the dresser drawer and checked it. It was loaded. Silently he padded down the hall, his weapon at the ready.
He could see the man standing over the crib. He was not moving, just standing there, staring at the infant.
"Who are you and how did you get in here?" Mike said in a loud whisper. He knew he had locked the doors and activated the alarm before he went to bed.
The man did not answer. He slowly turned and looked at Mike. Although it was dark, Mike could see him fairly well in the faint glow from the nightlight. The stranger stood about five ten, and was well built without being overly muscular. He had long dark hair and just a trace of a beard. His black eyes shone with a love and contentment that Mike could almost feel. He smiled at Mike.
Mike lowered his gun. He didn't know how he knew, but he could tell that the man meant no harm to him or his family.
"I remember you." He said. "I saw you in the crowd after that car hit all those people. Then you were at the hospital when they brought the girl and her baby in. You were also there looking in the nursery window, weren't you?"
The man did not reply, merely nodded his head.
"Are you the baby's father?" A cold chill pierced Mike's heart. If he was the father, they could lose Javi. He couldn't Not now. Not after they had become so attached to him. Tracy was just starting to
The man closed his eyes and sadly shook his head. Mike breathed a loud sigh of relief.
"Then who are you?"
The man only smiled.
"Wait a minute. I've seen you somewhere before. There's a picture of you in Tracy's album. You're her friend from Toronto, aren't you? You're Javier Vachon." That was impossible. Tracy had told him she had staked the vampire many years ago. Nick had verified that the he was dead. Mike had even seen the grave when they went to Toronto. "You can't be him. Vachon is dead. Or are you his ghost?"
Javier Vachon nodded, his smile broadening into a grin.
"You arranged this, didn't you? You knew the girl was going to die. You knew how much we wanted a baby. You fixed it so that Tracy and I could take him as our own."
Still smiling broadly, Vachon nodded rapidly.
"Are you Tracy's guardian angel or something?"
Vachon tilted his head and raised his arms in an I-don't-know pose.
"If you are, I'm glad. I can't think of anyone I'd rather have keeping an eye on her and the baby."
Vachon took him into his arms and hugged him. Mike was surprised that Vachon felt solid. He had expected him to be some wispy ethereal being. A tear rolled down the ghost's cheek as he bent over the crib and kissed his namesake. He stood and waved to Mike. Slowly, he dissolved into nothingness.
Mike shook his head as he walked back into the bedroom. Had he imagined what had just happened? Was he dreaming? It was all so real. He reached over and kissed Tracy on the cheek as he climbed back into the bed. She snuggled up to him and seconds later they were spooned together.
**********
Nick rang the bell at the convent. "Are you sure you want to do this?" He asked Janette.
She nodded and held her cheek to Jean-Michel. The infant gurgled and pulled at her hair. Since the teeth had erupted, he had stopped fussing. She knew this was only a small respite. It would start all over again in a few days when the next teeth started coming in.
"I have to. I owe him that much."
The door opened and a young nun beckoned them inside. "I am Sister Leon." She said. "You must be Mlle. Du Charme. Sister Jacquelyn is waiting for you in her office. She is the director of our children's home."
They passed several rooms. In each of them, children were playing, running around and squealing with delight. Janette closed her eyes. < LaCroix and Nicholah are right. This is what he needs. This is what I cannot give him. >
At last, they reached the office. Sister Jacquelyn, a plump, round faced older lady, motioned for them to come inside. "Have a seat." She indicated two leather covered chairs on either side of her desk.
Janette started to sit in one of them, but then she noticed that she would be staring directly into the crucifix on the wall behind the nun. "Thank you, Sister, but if it's all the same, I think I'll stand." She moved out of the direct line of the cross. Nicholas also remained standing.
"As I told you on the telephone earlier, Mlle. Du Charme, you have made the right decision concerning the child." Sister Jacquelyn continued. "It is difficult raising a child as a single parent, especially if you are as constantly on the move as you say you are. That is not the best sort of life for him, being dragged from place to place, never having any real roots. We here at Couer Sacre (Sacred Heart) can give him the kind of stable environment and discipline that he needs to grow into a fine young man. Unless he is adopted, if you desire, we will give you periodic updates on his progress, and you will be free to visit him as often as you want."
"I appreciate the offer, Sister Jacquelyn, but I think it would be best for everyone concerned if I never have any contact with him when I leave here tonight." She swallowed a tear. Her heart was being ripped out as it was. To have anything more to do with him would only make it that much worse.
"Very well. Mlle. Du Charme." Sister Jacquelyn handed her a stack of papers. "If you will just sign where the X's are, we shall conclude this matter. Be assured, I will pray for you often."
Janette signed the papers and handed them back to the nun. She held Jean-Michel in her arms one last time. "Vous soyez bon pour les Soeurs. (You be good for the Sisters.)" She said as the tears streamed down her cheeks. "Ne leur donnez aucun ennui. (Do not give them any trouble.)" She took a locket from around her throat and opened it. Inside were pictures of her, Nicholas and LaCroix. "En quelques annees, vous ne rappellerez pas me, mais je vous aimerai toujours. (In a few years, you will not remember me, but I will always love you.)" She said as she placed it around his neck. "Nous serons toujours famille. (We will always be family.)" She turned and walked out of the room.
Out of his life.
Forever.
**********
"I think he's finally asleep." Tracy whispered. She and Mike tiptoed out of the room. Javi had been colicky all day and he had just stopped crying a few minutes ago.
"I'm surprised we haven't heard from the grandparents." Mike said when they reached the living room. "Are you sure you sent out the adoption announcements?"
You know I did. You took them to the post office. I had thought about reserving theirs until later, like on his eighteenth birthday, but I knew they'd find out anyway, and then they'd be really pissed."
Almost on cue, the door buzzer sounded. Mike turned on the monitor. "Speaking of pissed " He pointed to the screen. Arlene and Leland Taylor stood at the front door. Mike buzzed them in. Seconds later, another buzzer heralded the arrival of Richard Vetter and Barbara Macklin.
The grandparents met just inside the apartment door. Barbara and Arlene blew kisses at each other and at Tracy, being careful not to disturb their makeup or their hairdo.
"So. Where's the little tyke? Where's little Leland Richard?" Leland Taylor asked.
"That's Richard Leland." Richard Vetter corrected.
"That's none of the above." Tracy replied. " His name is Javier Miguel."
"Javier Miguel? What kind of a name is that?" Leland shouted at his son.
A loud cry came from the nursery, and Tracy went to see what was the matter. A few minutes later, she emerged with a teary eyed Javi. "It's HIS name." She answered her father in law.
"But he's he's " Arlene sputtered. "He's a Mexican." She stared wide eyed at the dark haired, dark eyed baby in her daughter in law's arms.
"No, He's an American. He was born in Los Angeles. I ought to know. I helped deliver him. The last I heard, that's still part of the good old U S of A." Mike said, his anger at his parents very evident.
"I can understand you adopting, but why couldn't you get a regular baby." Leland said.
"A REGULAR baby?" Tracy practically screamed. This brought a howl from Javier. "And just what IS a regular baby?" Her face reddened as she clutched the screaming baby to her. "To spite what you think, he's only got one head. He has two arms, two legs and a beautiful smile. Oh, yes, and he has us for his parents."
"You know what he means, couldn't you at least have adopted one with blue eyes and blond hair." Richard replied, his voice rising as well.
"How will I ever explain this to my group?" Barbara gasped. "When Armella Clive Patterson finds out that my daughter adopted a a "
"A baby." Mike finished. "He's a baby. He's OUR baby. He had no parents and we had no children. He fulfilled a need for us, and we are fulfilling a need for him. His ancestry is unimportant. What is important is that we love him. That's ALL that matters."
"Whatever." Arlene said flatly.
"We hate to leave so soon." Leland said, almost running for the door. "But we have dinner reservations at the Country Club. Richard. Barbara. Would you care to join us?"
"We'd love to." They said practically in unison.
"Yes. Please. Go." Mike said as he held the door. "WE wouldn't want to keep YOU from anything important."
Scant minutes later, two cars pulled out of the Complex parking lot and sped away.
"Do you think they'll be back?" Tracy asked as she carried the sleeping baby back to the nursery. It had taken almost another hour to quiet the fussy infant.
"Oh, yes theyll be coming back again, sooner or later. Personally, I hope it's later. But don't count on them going all out for him. Given their bigoted WASP attitude, it may take a long time for them to accept him as their grandson, if they ever do. I think we can safely say that the trust fund for his college education is out of the question." Mike said as he tucked the blanket around his sleeping son.
"Do you think he'll miss it?" Tracy asked.
"Not if it comes with all the strings I think it will have on it." Mike said with a sad smile. "It'll be rough, but if he wants to go to college, we'll manage it somehow." He kissed his wife gently. "Right now, though, I think we had better keep worrying about colic and two AM feedings, and leave the college for later."
**********
Tracy walked out of the courtroom holding Javier Taylor in her arms. She smiled at Mike. Although the adoption would not become final for another six months, just in case there would be anyone who could lay claim to him, this was the next to last step.
It did not seem likely that anyone would be interested in contesting their right to little Javi. They had conducted a though search for any relatives. Almost everyone on the police force had volunteered some of his or her off duty time to go to all the migrant camps in the area. No one had come forth. They still did not even have any identification on his mother, either. Childrens Services had given the Taylors complete custody of the infant right from the start. Now the judge had granted their petition for temporary adoption. In almost every way that mattered, they were now his parents. Soon they would be legally and truly his mother and father. In their hearts, they already were.
Out of the corner of his eye, Mike thought he saw the figure of a former Spanish Conquistador grinning broadly. He winked at the man. Javier Vachon winked back and raised his hands in a thumbs up signal.
**********
Javier Miguel Taylor
Born: August 12 10:15 PM
Adopted: October 17
Parents: Michael & Tracy Taylor
**********
As Javier Taylor would say:
"Goo ga berrit gupsefth."
(I'm sorry, but Systran does
not have an entry for Baby Babble)