This story is a continuation of "That Night".  It picks up the night Nick woke up from his vivid dream.  WARNING:  This story is full of sappy goo and adult situations.  Again, this story has no plot, just an adventure into the romantic realm of what should have been for N&N on Forever Knight (in my opinion anyway<G>). The song used in this portion, "Don't Wanna Lose You Now", is performed by Gloria Estefan.  The song, "Frozen", is performed by Madonna.  Please excuse the use of so many songs in this story, but I listen to music as I write and "Frozen" wouldn't let go.  I know it is not used in proper chronology with the 3rd season, but that's what so great about fanfic.  You can write what you want<G>.  Okay, I'll shut up now!  Hope you enjoy!<G>

Oh, and one more thing, in this story I am working from the premise that male vampires aren't "fully functional".  They can only bite to reach that feeling of climax.  But do not despair!  Read! Through love and faith, miracles happen<G>.  Now, I'll really shut up. <ducks and runs>

This Night, My Love

by Texasbrat

     Natalie Lambert lay upon her bed with her knees slightly drawn up toward her chest, the
covers neatly folded at the foot of the bed.  She lay on her side facing the opened patio
doors that led to her balcony, her auburn curls spreading out on the two pillows propping up
her head.  As Sydney snuggled down into the warmth of Natalie's belly, she curled her body
around her furry companion.  He purred with satisfaction as the soft hand of his owner
methodically stroked his smooth gray and white coat.  The soft glow of the bedside light
captured the woman's angelic features, illuminating her face, bestowing an ethereal
radiance.  She wore a only a white silk robe, not bothering to dress for bed after her
shower.  Her expression was distant as memories of the previous evening weighed heavy
upon her mind.  What had she done to him?  She was terrified to think of the consequences
to their actions of last night.  He had been so desperate, so insistent.  She had tried to be so
careful with  him, trying not to distract him from his recovery by keeping a discreet distance.
She had been reticent to talk about anything on a personal level, especially any emotional
involvement between them.  So, "Dr. Lambert" predominated all of their time together.  The
dispassionate persona helped her to maintain a clear head, keep objectives explicit, and
obscuring emotions and desires at bay.  But last night, he wouldn't tolerate anymore.  He had
demanded more, taken more than she was prepared to willingly give because of the doubts
and fears still plaguing her.  She subconsciously rubbed a tender, sore area on her inner
thigh.
     'What will happen now?' she pondered.  'Do we go forward or pretend again and return
to the comfortable platonic distance as has always been our pattern for salvaging our
relationship?'  Sighing in frustration, Nat reached across the bed and flipped on the power
to the CD player on the far side table.  The soothing music filled the air and momentarily
distracted Natalie from her thoughts.  She absently watched the floor length curtains billow
in the night breeze.  Its refreshing currents of air alleviating the suffocating heat of the
room.  Her mind's temporary peace was interrupted by an impatient yeowl from Sydney who
suddenly jumped down off the bed and ran to the billowing curtains, sniffing their fabric
and the carpet; attempting to track whatever had alerted his feline instincts.  Satisfied that
there was no imminent danger, the cat returned to his mistress and his warm nest against her
body.
     "Well now," queried Natalie to her feline friend as she resumed stroking his fur, "what
was all that about?  Are your little feathered friends perching on the railing of the balcony
again?"  Sydney's only reply was to rub his head against her abdomen.  Natalie sighed and
lay back on her pillows, her thoughts once more drawn back to the events of last night.  'How
can we go back to that frozen, stagnant relationship when we both want, no need, more from
each other.'  Natalie knew the time had finally come for them to both open their hearts to one
another, to give of theirselves to each other.  But that wouldn't happen until all the pain of the
past was released and forgiven.  Nat closed her eyes trying to invoke some rejoinder to her
emotional malaise from her subconscious, but none would come.  The haunting, mystical strains
of a melody filled the room and beckoned Natalie's attention.

You only see what your eyes want to see
How can life be what you want it to be
You're frozen
When your heart's not open
You're so consumed with how much you get
You waste your time on hate and regret
You're broken
When your hearts not open
 

     'That's part of the problem,' thought Nat. 'We're both so afraid to be open with each other.
We're both so consumed by our own desires and regrets that we've forgotten how to talk to
each other, enjoy each other's companionship.'  So much of their relationship had been
consumed with bitter emotions: Nick's guilt, her reticence in letting him get too close for fear
of forcing him to leave her, and most of all, the threat of the vampire's pernicious nature.

Mmm If I could melt your heart
Mmm We'd never be apart
Mmm Give yourself to me
Mmm You hold the key

Now there's no point in placing the blame
And you should know I suffer the same
If I lose you
My heart will be broken

     But last night, Nick had finally had enough. He had forced her to face her fears.  He
surmounted her resistance.  Now she was left vulnerable.  What happened last night was
immutable.   There could be no turning back, not if they wanted to be together.  The time had
come.  They could no longer hide their love for each other behind the mask of platonic
friendship.
 

Love is a bird she needs to fly
Let all the hurt inside of you die
You're frozen
When your heart's not open

Mmm if I could melt your heart
Mmm we'd never be apart
Mmm give yourself to me
Mmm you hold the key

     In a way, Nick's accident had been a blessing.  For the first time since Natalie had known
him, she saw his human side unfettered by shame, guilt, and regret.  She saw the man.....had
been intimate with the man, Nicholas de Brabant.  She was more in love with  him now than she
had ever been.   And, even though the vampire had emerged and proclaimed its existence to
Nick's psyche, he still had seemed to retain his "humanity".  She had been the one to retreat,
to hide once again behind the "Dr. Lambert/friend" persona, afraid of the repercussions of
concealing his true nature from him.  But not again, not ever again.  It was time to accept the
vampire as part of Nick.  If she wanted to be with him, there was no other option.  They could
no longer wait for a cure when their passions cried out for the consummation of their love.
Last night, hope had been born.  But when he collapsed, all her fears returned.  He became
almost delirious as if he didn't know the difference between dream and reality.  His body
burned as if with fever.  She became alarmed and forced him to walk up the stairs and put
him to bed.  As she prepared him for bed, he had begged her to tell him it wasn't all a dream.
He couldn't bear that.  She only shushed him; kissed him on the forehead; pulled the covers
over him; and left; leaving him to determine for himself what he wanted to remember.  It had
been her way of letting him decide if it had all been a mistake, an indulgent dream of
fanciful wishes.  She couldn't bear to have him regret last night and possibly leave her.   Now,
here she was, waiting for him to awaken, to remember, or to forget.  Irregardless, the fate of
their relationship now rested with Nick.  Would he leave her or love her again?  The minutes
continued to pass and she waited.
     The song ended and silence pervaded, broken only by the soft click of the CD player
rotating to the next selection.  Natalie lay quiescent, her eyes staring blankly at the far wall
as Sydney slept beside her.  She felt the night breeze gust suddenly, its cool air caressing
her back.  She heard the drapes flapping in rhythm to the resonating air as the wind played
among their folds.  Suddenly, a disquieting whooshing sound startled Sydney from his slumber.
He quickly sat up and emitted a low yeowl to warn his mistress of the silent intruder now
watching them from the dim corner near the patio doors.  Unnerved by Sydney's unexpected
growl, Natalie whirled about on the bed, trying to locate the source of her cat's distress.
Then she saw him standing there amongst the billowing sheer curtains, the wind playing among
the waves of his blond hair.  She sat up to face him, her chin raised in a slightly defiant tilt.
As she turned her body toward him, the sash of her white silk robe loosened allowing the
garment to fall open baring a soft swelling breast.  Natalie briefly looked down at her
exposed anatomy as she felt the cool air tease her sensitive skin, causing the dusky rose nipple
to contract, but she did not move to cover herself.  She only raised her head and steadily
gazed at Nick who stood transfixed, his eyes riveted on her exposed flesh.
     Nick was mesmerized by the beauty of her.  Finally, he looked into Natalie's eyes and the
emotion she saw in them made her gasp, for in his eyes was a rapacious hunger, an edacity that
wanted to devour her.  He began to walk toward her, every stride bespeaking his stalking
countenance.  Nick reached for the buttons of his blue cotton shirt, unfastening each with
protracted ease.  As the last button fell free, he shirked off the garment and dropped it to the
floor, never slowing his advance toward Natalie.
     Natalie's breathing increased slightly as she witnessed the unveiling of Nick's lightly
muscled chest, the perfection of his pale complexion.  Her gaze had remained steadfast with
his until the shirt fell from his shoulders.  Her eyes were drawn to the muscular landscape of
his torso.  As he reached the bed, Nick leisurely unbuckled his belt and pushed down the
zipper of his jeans.  Natalie felt heat flood her cheeks as warm blood rushed to fill the
capillaries beneath the now blushing skin.  Nick smiled at her response to his disrobing as he
peeled off the hip hugging jeans and discarded them to the floor.  The underwear soon
followed, as did a small choked gasp from Natalie as she now devoured the sight of his perfect
form.
     Natalie absently stroked Sydney to occupy her fingers that longed to reach out and touch
the silkiness of his alabaster flesh.  The cat's attention, however, was focused only on the rival
male approaching his nest.  The feline yeowled once more, but this time in aggravation as he
realized the competitive game for his mistress' attention was futile against one so large and
determined to usurp his place by his mistress' side.  With a peeved swish of his tail, Sydney
Lambert hissed in grudging surrender, realizing there would be no rest for him upon his
mistress' bed tonight.  He jumped down to the floor and regally sauntered past the victorious
adversary.  He found purchase atop the television and settled down to watch events unfold.
Natalie was now left defenseless, at the mercy of the man before her.
     As the last of his garments fell to the floor, Nick knelt on the bed and drew Natalie up onto
her knees and into his embrace.  She did not resist him, but allowed him to draw her near, so
close that she felt his breath upon her face.  She did not turn away from his questioning gaze
but met it with aplomb.  Now was the time for truth between them, a time to put their pride
aside and reveal their inner selves, to conquer the fear and accept the risks of loving the other.
In silence, he watched her.  In silence, he questioned her, seeking assent.  And in that silent
moment he saw in her eyes the deference to his desire and in her manner the yielding of her
body and heart.  In silence, he embraced her.

Sometimes it's hard to make things clear
Or know when to face the truth
And I know that the moment is here
I'll open my heart and show you inside
My love has no pride

I feel with you I got nothing to hide
So open your eyes and see who I am
And not who you want for me to be
I am only myself, myself

     He cupped her chin within his gentle grasp and pulled her face close his own.  He rained
light kisses upon her forehead, her eyes, her nose, and finally her lips.  Natalie trembled as
Nick ran his fingers across her lips and then trailed them down each side of her neck to each
slender shoulder to slowly ease the white silk robe down to bare her nude body to his hungry
gaze, now a conflagrant shimmering gold.
     "I want to love you tonight, Natalie, please," he fervently whispered in her ear as his cheek
rested against hers, still not yet fully certain of her acceptance of his entreaty.  "Let me be
with you the way I need to...." Nick attempted to kiss Natalie again, but she could not raise her
face to his, so overcome by his plea that she suddenly felt shy.

I don't wanna lose you now
We're gonna get through somehow
I don't wanna lose you now or ever

     "Natalie, look at me," he entreated.  Natalie lifted her head slightly and looked askance at
him beneath the veil of her thick lashes.  Nick ran his hands along her shoulder then up the side
of her neck.  He gently tilted her head to one side and placed his lips upon a pulsating vessel
nestled near a ridge of muscle.  There he licked the delectable surface then lightly nipped
across the muscle ridge.  With precipitous urgency, Nick opened his mouth fully and greedily
suckled her flesh for several minutes, as his exigent passion for this woman aroused the lust of
the slumbering beast within.  Natalie gasped and clutched Nick's head to her throat.  A low
growl resonated deep within his chest as he moved higher upon her neck and suckled her again,
nipping occasionally with the tips of his descended fangs.

'Cause baby I've finally found
Courage to stand my ground
But if you want me
I'll be around, Forever
 

     Nick kissed upward along the curve of jaw to the point of her chin and then once again
tried to capture Natalie's lips but failed as she demurely turned her head to the side.
"Natalie, don't push me away!" growled Nick in frustration at her coy behavior.  She turned,
smiling devilishly, her eyes shining brightly, and playfully nipped him on the chin.  His supple
fingers captured her face with determined force as his lips swooped down to plunder her
mouth with his tongue.  Natalie capitulated.  Her nervous moment of humor ebbed away as
Nick bore her back down onto the bed, ensconcing himself upon her.

We all make mistakes, we all lose our way
But we stood the test of time and I hope
That's the way it will stay
It's all up to you, to tell me to go
'Cause it won't be me to walk away
When you're all that I know
And I know that
 

     Unexpectedly Nick broke off the kiss and looked down at Nat searching her eyes for the
least hesitation, a last moment to escape this torrent of emotion flowing between them.  "Stop
me now if this isn't what you want, Nat.  I want you to be sure. Please don't regret this........"
     Natalie could feel his body trembling against her own as he awaited her answer.  "I want
you Nick.  I trust you.  Please, make love to me," she whispered.  "No more hiding from each
other.....no more fear of loving each other........"

I don't wanna lose you now
We're gonna get through somehow
I don't wanna lose you now, or ever
'Cause baby I've finally found
The courage to stand my ground

But if you want me
I'll be around.....
Forever.....

     Nick lay Natalie across the two pillow and held her arms slightly above her head.  The
slight arch of Natalie's back lying across the pillows forced her breasts upward, pulling them
taut, making them more sensitive and vulnerable to her lover's touch.  Nick pressed his
advantage and began his frontal assault on her body by licking the underside of one breast,
tracing the outline of its delectable swelling mound, and then flicking its hardened peak with
the tip of his tongue.  Natalie sighed softly at his lingual caress upon her nipple, her body
arching upward, thrusting her contracted areola farther into his mouth.  Nick riposted her
body's plea by drawing the nipple completely into his mouth while firmly pulling against the
suction and allowing it to slowly withdraw.  Natalie's hips bucked beneath him as a sensual
rapture cascaded through her body flowing from her nipples downward into the heart of her
womb.  She began to make those soft mewling noises that so excited her tormentor.  His
excitement grew to a fever pitch as he vigorously suckled Natalie's breast once more.  Natalie
cried out her tormented pleasure as she plunged her fingers into Nick's soft golden waves.
Her pelvis danced an erratic rhythm against Nick's groin as her body struggled to contain the
fires growing within.  She spread her legs apart and braced her feet against the mattress
enabling herself to push upward and grind the wet folds of her labia firmly against the hard
corded muscle of his thigh.
     Nick's head shot up, his nostrils flaring, as the scent of her sex spread across his thigh.
The aroma of her intoxicating essence tingled the vampire's palate thus awakening the yearning
to possess her and fill it's empty void.  Nick's fulgent gaze fixated upon the pulsating vessel
near the base of Natalie's throat.  His hunger growing, he hissed once before plunging forward
and clamping his mouth onto the mesmerizing beating vein; but Nick fought the dark instincts to
seize her and sink his fangs into her soft flesh.  Instead, he suckled hard against her skin and
pricked its surface with the lethal points of his canines so that her blood slowly welled to the
surface. He greedily licked up the sanguine quintessence embodying Natalie's soul.  As it
passed over his tongue, he felt her pure essence burn into his soul, a blazing fire that seared
every nerve ending as his cold flesh came alive.  Her warmth permeated his body, further
enflaming the vampire's lascivious desires.
     Natalie thrashed beneath him, her body imploring his to fill aching emptiness between her
thighs.  "Nick, please....." she beseeched her lover pressing herself harder against his thigh, her
copious juices now slathering his skin.

     Nick reluctantly pulled away from his treasured prize and gazed upon the Natalie's body.
Her skin blushed with her sensual passion. Her breasts rose and fell rapidly as she panted in
need of him.  Her eyes were luminous, and bright with erotic craving.  A craving only he could
satisfy.  Nick released her hands pushed himself upright onto his elbows.  He traced the outline
of her brow with the fleshy pad of his forefinger, trailing down her cheek, her neck.  He
outlined one breast, then the other.  His finger traveled up to rosy peaks and lightly tapped the
puckered tips.  His mouth replaced his finger and gently suckled it as his finger resumed its
journey down across the slight swell of her abdomen to finally pause on the mound hiding the
center of her womanhood.  His finger gently parted the slick labial folds and lightly rubbed the
erect clitoris hidden beneath.  Natalie muffled the scream that rose in her throat at the intimate
caress of his hand.
     "Don't hold it in, Natalie. Scream if you want," Nick encouraged.  "Let your body express its
need.  Tell me what you want."
     Natalie rose up and captured his lips, slipping her tongue into the silken moistness of his
mouth.  As she ravaged his mouth she reached for his tormenting hand and separated his fingers
guiding two into her vagina.  She pushed them high up into herself as she ground her hips down
onto them, relishing their penetration.  Natalie fell back upon the pillows and pulled Nick down
to her with her free hand as her other hand continued to educate his in the way of pleasuring
her.  As Natalie hips rocked in an erotic rhythm, a languid heat began forming around the lips
of her labia and the spread inward into the nest of her womb.  Nick could feel the muscles of
her vagina lengthen and tighten about his fingers in preparation for her orgasm.  Suddenly
Natalie stopped her sensual pelvic dance and once again reached for his fingers, slowly easing
them in and out.  She broke off their kiss and in a ragged breath whispered, "I need you to
move like this for awhile......"
     As his fingers eased out of her, he felt the tightness of her vaginal wall close about his
fingers in a desperate attempt to hold them inside.  He brought his fingers to the very edge to
her vaginal opening and wiggled them slightly.  Natalie whimpered and bucked wildly beneath
him.  Then he slowly slid back within the corrugated slick canal.  Natalie inhaled sharply and
held her breath in anticipation of what was to come.
     He continued his exquisite torture until tears of frustration ran down Natalie's cheeks.
Then he was consumed with an overwhelming desire to taste her musky scent, to delve his
tongue within her moist cavern and partake of her sweetness.  He began kissing his way down
her stomach until he reached the auburn triangle of wiry hair at the apex of her thighs.  His
lips moved down among the curly patch while his tongued waded through and found her erect
clitoris hidden beneath its hood.  He licked it and flick his tongue along its sensitive underside.
The languid heat within Natalie now burned.  Her muscles coiled ever tighter until it became
unbearable, and she cried out for him to release her from her sweet agony.
     But Nick taunted her yet with his tongue as it delved into her sweet juices.  He gently
suckled the tender flesh around her clitoris. Suddenly, Natalie cried out his name and pushed
herself up and against his bedeviling tongue as orgasm crashed down upon her.  Nick felt
Natalie's body clinch in climax.  He turned his face, releasing her clitoris, and gently rubbed
his cheek against her inner thigh.  As Natalie began to relax, Nick began to stoke the fires
again by kissing the tender flesh where his cheek had been.  As his lips moved across its
delectable surface, he felt two slight bumps.  Curious, he opened his eyes to stare at what
appeared to be two small puncture marks.   Nick gasped and pushed himself up on his elbow.
His gaze captured Natalie's, blazing with one question as the memories of last night flooded
his mind.  He came up on his knees and pulled her up with him, grasping her by the upper arms.
     "Is it true?" he asked, his voice hoarse with choked emotion.  "It wasn't a dream, was it,
Natalie?"  He shook her slightly as she could only stare at him dumbfounded, afraid to affirm
or deny the events of last night.  "Natalie!  Tell me!  Did I make love to you last night?!"  He
saw the tears gather and shimmer in her eyes.
     "Yes!" she cried out.  "Yes, you loved me last night....."  She trembled as she watched the
intense emotions play across his face.  First joy, then despair, followed by such a passionate
longing to be made whole again in the cleansing warmth of her blood..
     "Oh God!" cried Nick, "Oh God, I need you Natalie!  Please, let me have you again!"
pleaded Nick.  "I want you inside me, so much, so very much."
     Natalie gently reached up and caressed his cheek to soothe away his pain.  Then, with the
other hand she pushed aside her auburn waves to expose her neck.  As she began to tilt her
head, she pulled his head down to her throat.  He trembled at the silent gesture of trust,  but
he could no longer deny the passions burning in his immortal body.  His head reared back
slightly and then plunged forward.  His fangs penetrated her deeply.  As soon as her blood
passed his lips, the burning began as last night.  Then came her light, her golden light, piercing
into the black void of his soul.  She filled him, satiated his lust, and calmed the aching
loneliness within.  But the calm within was only temporary.  As Natalie's blood permeated his
body the burning became a scalding heat.  His body felt as if bathed in flames.  It reached
outward from the center of his chest and spread to his fingertips and down to his toes.  Nick
writhed against Natalie's body as sensation after sensation inundated his consciousness.
Then a new hunger began.  It clawed at his groin and burgeoned into a devastating need for
release.  His body gorged on Natalie's life force and ached with some inexplicable yearning.
Nick felt a part of himself elongate and thicken.  Startled at this sensation, he removed his
fangs and looked down in shock as his manhood grew stiff and hard.  He began to pant as his
skin flushed.  He felt weak with a need he couldn't identify.  He looked at Natalie, desperate
for her help.
      Natalie felt Nick's body writhe in ecstasy against her.  She held him close to her as she
felt his passions soar.  Then she felt a bulge forming against her belly.  She uttered a startled
cry as Nick released her and stared at her with such tormented need, a need his body had long
forgotten.
     "Nat......help me," he pleaded. His eyes were so wide with trepidation.
     "It's all right, my love....." Natalie reached for him and gently pushed him backward onto the
bed and sat astride him, sheathing his rigid cock within her still wet vagina.  "Move with me,
love," she coaxed.  Natalie reached beneath him to gently encourage his body to start thrusting
against her.  Nick clutched at the sheets, his face contorted in sensual agony as his dormant
human sexuality reasserted itself.
     "Natalie, it burns within me....I need to..to....Oh God!" he cried as his body's need
overwhelmed him.
     "Don't fight the sensations, Nick," Natalie whispered as she leaned down close to his face.
"Just let your body satisfy itself.  It knows what to do......." She continued to murmur
encouragingly in his ear as she rubbed her cheek against his.  He began to relax and allow his
body to fall into an easier thrusting rhythm.  As Nick began to thrust more urgently within her,
Natalie's passion erupted.  She once again became slick with need as she pushed down harder
against him.  Nick reached up and grabbed her hips and thrust up even harder, faster.  As their
passions built to a fever pitch, Nick grabbed Natalie and rolled her to her back, and pounded
her ever harder and faster.  Natalie wrapped her legs about him.  Nick broke out in a sweat as
the fire with in him burned brighter and the pressure with his groin grew unbearable.  Natalie
felt the delicious languid heat build within her own body, her muscles tightened in anticipation
of the fall.  Then Nick thrust within her hard once and then twice.  He shouted suddenly as his
body went rigid.  He threw his head back as the sweet agony of his climax hovered on the brink
of liberation.  His eyes were large with both fear and wonder as his corporeal being moved in
the ancient dance of procreation.   His gaze anxiously sought those of the woman he with which
he mated, to find eager solace in her acceptance of him.
     Natalie reached upward and pulled him down into her arms, holding him captive until he could
surrender his seed to her womb.  Natalie reached down flicked her thumb across her clitoris.
With Nick's final thrust, she found her release: her vagina clinching around his cock; pulling it
deeper within her.  Nick's breathing was ragged and fast as he felt himself drawn into Natalie.
The muscles massaging his throbbing member evoked such exquisite pleasure that it was more
than he could bear.  He no longer controlled the movements of his own body as it's mortal
instincts surged forth devouring the incessant hunger of the vampire.  His baser needs urged him
on, inundating him with such a compelling exigency for fulfillment in the arms of his chosen one
and forcing him to finally spill his seed and find purchase within Natalie's womb.  As the last
spasms of orgasm subsided, Nick collapsed upon the body of his woman, now his mate for
eternity.  The intractable irascible nature of his lost soul at last receiving respite as his sojourn
through time now ended here, this night, with this woman, his haven, his redemption, his love.
     Each lay silent and still as their tortured breathing gradually calmed.  Each held the other
close, not yet ready to relinquish this profound sense of completion.  Natalie softly stroked her
fingers through Nick's blond curls as his head lay cradled against her breast.  She felt the
slight dampness against her skin as a rivulet of tears from her lover trickled down into the valley
of her bosom.  All was quiet in the room save for the soft murmuring Natalie imparted to the man
she held in her arms.
     "You're all that I could ever want, Nicholas de Brabant.  Vampire or no, you are my soul mate.
You've awakened me from my own fugue state.  Until now, I was only half alive, always fearful of
letting you in.... to save myself from the pain of your leaving me or not loving me enough in return.
I didn't want to be your 'untouchable angel' on a pedestal.  I have my faults........I'm stubborn as
hell and irritable at times, but if you truly love me, Nick, you'll just have to accept those from me."
     Natalie heard a muffled laugh against her chest as the man she held to her lifted his head and
smiled, his tears shimmering in his eyes.  "Deal," he replied as he leered back at her. "I'll take the
whole package just like it is, but......I prefer it unwrapped," he teased.
     "Good, because sir vampire Knight, you're stuck with me now........for eternity...."  Nat's playful
grin faded into solemnity as she pulled Nick down to seal this vow with a gentle kiss.  Nick moved
his lips softly across her own and then kissed each eyelid, cheek and........suddenly yelped as an
unexpected furry weight landed upon his firm buttocks piercing his flesh with its sharp claws.
     "Sydney! What have you done!" cried Nat as the cat casually sauntered over Nick's bare back
and shoulder toward his mistress head.   As the feline rival reclaimed his rightful place beside his
mistress, he turned his usual ritual circles.  Then, without warning,  the cat  haughtily swatted
Nick's face with its tail before curling up within the thick mass of Natalie's hair spread across
the pillow.  Natalie peered over at her furry companion, stupefied at his flagrant behavior.  "I
can't believe he just did that.....He's never done that to you before!"
     Nick laughed at the hilarity of the situation. "He's never had to share his bed with me before
either........or you," said Nick suddenly becoming serious once again.  "So where do we go from
here, Nat?
     "You mean you didn't have that part worked out after you seduced me last night?" grinned Nat
as she placed a quick kiss on the dimple his chin.  But Nick wouldn't join in her playful game.  His
expression remained serious, determined.
     "Natalie......please"
     "What can I tell you, love? Tonight was a beginning, a consummation of our love for each other.
I don't know what you want to hear Nick.  Is this the key to finding your mortality?  I don't
know.....maybe.  Look at what happened tonight.  You loved me as a mortal man.  It's a beginning,
Nick.  A gift.  No more questioning the "why" and "how".  It just is.  Just love me as I love you for
as long as we can.  It's all we have, all we need.  We have to put away the bitter regrets of the
past and the fears of never vanquishing the vampire within you.  We've spent so much time
restricting our relationship to platonic friendship, afraid to cross that boundary should we never
recover your mortality.  We were wrong.  The answer was in front of us the whole time, our love
for each other.  Love is the key, and, possibly the cure.  But we need to have courage to fight for
what we want.  Remember the song that was playing when you came to me tonight, Nick?  Did you
catch the words.....
I don't want to lose you now
We're gonna get through some how.......
Cause baby I've finally found
Courage to stand my ground.....
If you want me I'll be around
Forever.....
     "That's my pledge to you Nick, always.  For as long as you want me.  Forever.  But it will take
courage, my love .......courage to face an uncertain future, courage to battle the doubts that will
arise.  You made me take the first step, don't back away from me now.  I couldn't bear it.  I
can't go back."
     Nick remained silent as he continued to study Nat's face.  Her eyes shone with such deep
emotion.  He felt his throat constrict as overwhelming love for her swept through him.  How he
adored her, how he could not live without his love for her.  She was his beacon in the darkness
of the despair.  He followed her shining light with the faith that she led him to safety, steering
him away from the ominous, bleak, hopeless existence he had lived these past centuries.  And now,
now they had mated their souls.  Now they knew each other as never before and they still
survived........she still survived.  His passion for her had overwhelmed him and he could no longer
fight it.  If she had not accepted him this night, he dreaded to think what the outcome would have
been.  Their lives had become so inexplicably intertwined over the years.  She was an integral
part of him, his hope, his future.  To lose her..... but that was no longer an option either.  She was
his, his for eternity, any eternity.  He vowed that he would never lose her.   Whatever the
consequences,  whatever the outcome,  he would always be by her side.  She'd given him her love,
and he would be there.... always.
     Nick eased his weight from Natalie, moved to lie beside her opposite her watchful pet, and
then pulled her into his arms.  "We're not going back, Nat.  I've claimed you; you're mine.  I'm a
selfish bastard.  I tend to hold onto to what is mine."  Nick ran his knuckles across the softness
of her cheek.  "But most of all, I know what I need.  I need you in my life,  I need to love you,
touch you.....make love to you.  No more casual indifference and no more pretending.  That time is
forever gone.  Our love is the future, our eternity.  And I'm not going anywhere, ever.  I love
you, Natalie Lambert."  He sealed his vow to her with a gentle kiss as she had done for him only
minutes ago.
     As their lips touched, Sydney yeowled in exasperation.  He now knew his place of honor had
now been usurped by this interloper.  "Sorry, furball, but I'm not going anywhere," said Nick,
recognizing the flustered expression in the cat's eyes, one he himself had often felt.  "But I can
be generous, Syd.  I'll make a deal with you.  You keep your fangs on that side of the bed, and
I'll keep mine over here."  Nat reached across and stroked her devoted feline to console him.
He purred, contented at last to regain the attention of his mistress.  Nick watched the cat's
ecstasy as Natalie pet the animal.     Nick snickered, "I'll let you enjoy THAT for awhile, old
man. I've had my turn.  BUT you're going to have to learn to take your turn!  I'll let you know
when it's mine again."
     "NICK....." said Nat in exasperation.  Both her guys were already fighting.  How was she
going handle this one?  Nat only laughed.  She didn't care.  She was happy.  "Okay, guys, lights
out.  The lady's tired."
     Nick turned over and reached across to switch off the bedside lamp.  He pulled Natalie
snugly into his embrace, curling his body around hers.  "As milady, commands. Good-night, my
love."
     "'Night Nick," Natalie replied as she began to drift off to sleep.  All was quiet in the room
except for the occasional fidgeting of the larger male in the room.
     "Nick, lie still.  I can't sleep."
     "Nat......Can I ask you something?" Nick continued to squirm.
     "Um......how do I ask this, but how often can a man......uh.... you know.....get an......oh what's
the word....."  Natalie's eyes popped open, urprised by this question from an 800 year old
being.
     "Erection?"
     "Yeah! That's it!  How often.....?"
     "I don't know, whenever he's over his refractory stage.  A few times a day or more.  It all
depends on a lot of things."  Nat still had no idea where this conversation was going.  She didn't
feel any obvious bulge against her backside.
     "Nat, um can I ask you something else?" queried Nick in a hesitant tone.
     "What?"
     "Was my ummm.... was IT.....was it normal?"
     Natalie's face flamed red in the darkness.  She was now truly astonished at his naiveti`.
Had it been so long that he had forgotten his mortal masculinity?  Who knew?
     "Nick, could we talk about this later,  I'm tired."
     "Naaaat.......I gotta know," whined Nick, "Was IT........er big enough?
     Nat sat up and reached for her pillow.  The next thing Nick knew he was being thoroughly
thwapped with it.  He finally grabbed it away from her and gave her a perplexed look.  Nat
only smiled and placed a quick kiss on his lips and lay back down.
     "What'd I do now?" asked Nick.
     "Nothing, my love, nothing."
     "Then, why did you swat me?"
     "Because I was happy......."
     "WHAT?"
     "You are sounding more mortal by the minute," said Nat with a secret smile.  His
preoccupation with the size of his sexual organs was definitely a good sign of his emerging
mortality.
     "I don't understand......." Nick sighed in frustration.
     "You will love, in time.......in time."  Natalie sighed, "Men...sheesh"
     "Women.......sheesh" replied Nick but cuddled close anyway.
     "But you love me anyway," murmured Nat drifting off to sleep.
     "That I do......" said Nick softly into her hair as her breathing became slow and even, "That
I most certainly do."  He pulled her closer and protectively settled her against him.  Sydney
too moved closer.  All three lay in peace and utter contentment, awaiting for the dawn of a
new day and a new future.

The End

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