Kerrelyn Sparks - Be Still My Vampire Heart

"I–I thought ye hated me."

"No, Angus. I want you. I love you. Even when I was throwing up, I loved you." She winced inwardly. That was not the romantic confession she had practiced the night before. Fortunately, he appeared too dumbfounded to notice.

She stepped toward him. "I'm glad you're the one who changed me. Do you know why?"

He shook his head.

Her eyes welled with tears. "Because you had already changed me on the inside. You taught me the true meaning of love. Love doesn't please itself by seeking revenge. Love sacrifices itself for the good of others." A tear rolled down her cheek as she drew closer. "That's what you did, Angus. You gave up all hope for peace and happiness in order to save me."

His eyes glimmered with moisture. "I love you, Emma. I feared ye could never forgive me."

"Forgive what?" Another tear slipped down her cheek. "You did me no wrong."

"I fed from you to save myself. And it left ye too weak to defend yerself."

"I gave myself willingly. I couldn't bear the thought of living without you."

"Oh, Emma." He wiped a tear from her face and looked at the pink stain on his finger.

"Look what I've done to you."

"I know." She grabbed his hand and kissed it. "Look at me. I'm stronger and wiser because of you. I used to live for revenge and hate, but now I want to live for love."

His breath caught as a tear tumbled down his face. "I should have listened to Roman. He was right."

"What did he say?"

Angus cradled her face in his hands. "He said all things are possible with love." He kissed her brow. "I'm still having trouble forgiving myself."

"Don't worry." She skimmed her hand down his kilt. "I think I can help you feel much better."

He smiled. "In that case… " He lowered himself onto one knee. "I should ask ye to marry me."

She fell to her knees in front of him. "Yes, you should."

"Then ye agree?"

"Yes." She wrapped her arms around his neck. "And we have to live happily ever after. That's part of the contract."

His smile widened. "I just happen to have a solicitor nearby. We could have it put into writing."

"Your word is good enough for me." Emma glanced to the side. "Right now, I can think of a better use for that conference table."

Angus's eyebrows rose. "Och, ye're a clever lass." He scrambled to his feet. "I'll lock the door."

Emma wandered to the window and smiled at the city lights and starry sky. The night was her life now. And she had an eternity of nights to spend with the man she loved. She closed the blinds as she felt his arms circle her waist.

He nuzzled her neck. "I love ye, Emma Wallace."

She leaned back against his sturdy chest. "Forever and a night."

Three months later…

"Thank you for coming." Shanna gave Emma a hug.

"No problem." Emma smiled. "You know we would do anything for our godson." She and Angus had been thrilled when they were asked to be godparents. It was the closest they could ever come to being real parents.

Angus stood by the crib in the nursery at Romatech, studying the sleeping child. "He's verra special."

"Of course he is." Shanna's glowing smile faded a bit. "I just hope my dad agrees."

"I'm sure he will." Emma tried to be encouraging, but she had her doubts. Sean Whelan was supposed to arrive any minute now to meet his grandson for the first time.

Shanna had made the arrangements a week ago and was so nervous that Emma had agreed to come for moral support. She knew how volatile Sean could be. He'd cursed and ranted when she'd turned in her resignation. He'd demanded to know why. She'd told him that she was homesick and moving back to Scotland. As furious as he was, she hadn't dared tell him she was marrying the coven master of British vampires. Or that she had become a vampire herself.

"He's awake." Angus grinned as he playfully tugged on the baby's toes.

Constantine gurgled with laughter.

"He adores you, Angus." Shanna approached the crib.

"Aye." Angus picked up the chubby baby. "How are ye, lad?"

Emma's heart filled, watching Angus hold the baby.

The door swung open, and Connor escorted Shanna's father into the room.

Sean quickly scanned the nursery.

"Thank you for coming," Shanna said quietly.

Sean glanced at her, frowning. "I'm glad to see you're still alive. Have they been hurting you?"

Her jaw tensed. "I'm perfectly fine. And very happy."

He frowned at his grandson. "You let bloodsuckers handle your baby?"

Angus snorted. "I am Constantine's godfather."

Sean looked at Emma. "What are you doing here? I thought you were in a hurry to get back to Scotland."

"I'm visiting." She folded her arms across her chest. "I like to visit Constantine often. He's an adorable child."

As if on cue, Constantine squealed happily. He kicked and wiggled.

Angus chuckled. "He's a lively one."

"Is he?" Sean looked askance at the baby. "Is he… alive?"

Shanna scoffed. "I have gone whole weeks without sleep. I could actually do with a little less liveliness from him."

"He's a happy lad." Angus swung the baby around in a circle. Constantine chortled.

Sean shifted his weight. "Is he… normal?"

Emma was ready to kick his teeth in. "Of course he's normal."

"Which is amazing, considering my gene pool," Shanna muttered.

Connor chuckled.

Sean glared at him.

Angus walked toward them. "Do ye no' want to hold yer grandson?"

Sean looked worried as Angus came closer. "What does he eat?"

Connor arched a brow. "He takes three pints a night. Be careful, or he'll go for yer neck."

Sean jumped back.

Connor laughed.

Shanna gave him an annoyed look. "Behave yourself." She switched her glare to her father. "Constantine is a normal baby. He can't bite you. He has no teeth."

The door to the hallway opened and a woman peeked inside. "I'm so sorry to interrupt."

Emma recognized her as Radinka, Gregori's mortal mother, who was now managing Shanna's dental office.

"Shanna, dear," Radkina continued, "we have a bit of an emergency. Laszlo has chipped a tooth."

"Oh my. I hope it isn't a fang." Shanna strode toward the door. She glanced back at her friends. "I'll be back as soon as possible."

"Doona worry," Connor reassured her. When the door clicked shut, he continued, "We willna let this fool hurt his grandson."

"What?" Sean walked toward Connor. "You think I would hurt him?"

"I think ye would if he suddenly grew some fangs," Connor replied.

Angus set Constantine down in the crib, then joined the other men by the door. "Connor has a point. Ye shouldna be asking if yer grandson is normal. Ye should be ready to love him no matter what."

Sean snorted. "You have some nerve, lecturing me. How many people have you attacked over the centuries?"

Emma sighed. So much for the happy family reunion. She wandered toward the crib to see how Constantine was faring. Suddenly his head appeared above the crib railing. Then his chest and chubby belly.

Emma's mouth fell open. Good heavens, Constantine was levitating! He kept going up and up. She glanced back at the men. Sean's back was turned, and Angus and Connor were so busy defending their honor, they hadn't noticed the baby floating up to the ceiling.

Constantine chortled, clearly pleased with himself. Sean started to turn.

Emma leaped and levitated fast to the ceiling where she caught the baby in her arms.

"What the hell?" Sean stared at her, aghast. His eyes widened. "Shit! You're a vampire!"

Emma smiled faintly. "I've been meaning to tell you."

Sean turned to Angus. "You bastard! You did this to her. You killed her."

Angus stepped forward, his fists clenched.

Connor grabbed Sean from behind. "Ye will calm yerself, Whelan."