See Part 1 for disclaimer.
Chapter 7
Nick's Loft: circa 1995
Nick and Janette walked down the stairs toward the living area and Janette
went to the refrigerator and retreived a bottle and then taking two glasses
from the rack took them to the table and begin to pour the contents out.
Nick walked over to the table and sat down. He turned a serious face to
his love. "Janette, we must be more careful around Alexis. I am sure that
the forced suggestions will have to be repeated because of her youth. But
I don't want to almost lose her on account of our carelessness."
Janette handed Nick one of the glasses and said, "Your right, mon amour.
Perhaps Alex will not remember as quickly if we do not "drink" at all
around her. She may just take it for granted that we eat at other times."
As Janette brought up the glass to her lips a sharp and piercing scream
came from towards the stairs. Nick and Janette looked at each other and
said, "Alex!" They both moved swiftly for the stairs, not bothering to
walk they took to flight to get to Alex's room as quick as possible.
Alex was moving all over the bed, flailing her arms and legs and trying to
(from all appearances)get away from someone. She was covered with sweat
and tears were streaming down her cheeks. She was moaning and shaking.
Nick went over to her and putting one hand on her arms tried to waken the
sleeping child. Janette moved to grab Alex's legs to try to calm her down
as well. Nick called to the sleeping child. "Alex! Alex! Wake up! Wake
up!" And he began to gently shake Alex trying to make the child come to
consciousness.
In a few moments, Alex's eyes fluttered and she opened her eyes. She was
scared and shaking and at first pulled away from Nick. But then she
realized who it was and grabbed on to him, sobbing. Nick ran his hand on
her back and said, "Shh, honey. It's ok. You just had a nightmare. It
was only a dream."
Alex sobbed in her father's arms for several minutes, before she calmed
down and sat up away from him. Janette handed Alex a kleenex she had
retrieved from the dresser. "Feeling better, little one?"
Alex took the kleenex from Janette and dried her eyes and blew her nose and
said, "Yes, Mommy."
Nick then asked Alex what happened in her dream, but at first Alex refused
to tell him. "Alex, if you talk about your dream, you will not have it
again. So can you tell us, what were you dreaming?"
Alex looked at Janette and then Nick and said slowly, "I was playing with
my two dinosaur friends and two other mean dinosaurs came up and killed my
friends with sticks. And I ran from them but the caught me and were
beating me too." And then Alex began to cry again. Nick took the child
into his arms and said, "It's ok now, Alex, the dream is over and won't
come back."
Nick looked up at Janette who nodded her head in agreement. Little Alex
was having a nightmare reliving her parents death. For sometime she cried
on Nick's chest, then calming down a little she began to rest her head on
his shoulder, gasping for air occasionally. About an hour passed as both
Nick and Janette talked to Alex about all sorts of things, from her dolls,
to her friends, to her love of dinosaurs, to what kind of ice cream she
liked. When it became apparent that Alex was getting sleepy again, Janette
asked Alex if she wanted "Mommy" to stay with her until she fell asleep.
Alex nodded and Janette got on the bed and laying down brought the child to
her breast and began to hum to her.
After kissing Alex on the cheek and then Janette, Nick got off the bed and
walked toward the door. He paused at the door to look at the two "girls"
he loved! Then headed out the door and downstairs. When he got to the
bottom he thought to call Nat. She would still be at work and he wondered
two things, "How to deal with Alex and nightmares, and to check on his
"whammy of her". He went to the phone and dialed the number for the morgue.
A cheery voice answered. "Nat's bed and breakfast, we cater to all your
needs! We're International!"
"What kind of needs?" a pause and then, "Well, I do need your advice."
Nick laughed into the phone.
"Nick?" Nat answered. "How are you? And how are you enjoying parenthood?"
<Good. She still does not remember our relationship.> "I am fine, and
Janette and I are enjoying parenthood very much." Nick answered, and then
his voice became serious. "But Nat? I need your advice. Alex is
beginning to have nightmares about her parents. She just woke up
terrified. She made her parents dinosaurs in the dream, but it was
definately about the murder. What can I do to stop these dreams?"
"Ooh, Nick, that's a tough one." Nat said, "And psychology is not my
field, but I do know from the experience with my niece, following an almost
drowning that if you give the child as much love as possible, and show them
that they are cared for, and loved, they will feel protected and the
nightmares will disappear eventually. Of course this is just my .02 cents
worth."
Nick smiled and understood what Nat said, and it did make sense. If he and
Janette could show Alex that she was loved and protected, she would
eventually forget the murders entirely, and focus her attention on them.
"Thanks, Nat." Nick said after a moment's pause. "I appreciate your help."
Nat said, "You're welcome. Just don't forget Nick, the child did have a very
traumatic experience. It will take time for her to get over it. Just go
slow and I'm sure everything will work out ok. And if you and Janette need
anymore help, just let me know. I'll do what I can."
Nick was truly touched by Nat's sincerity. "Thanks again, Natalie. You
are really a good friend, and Janette and I appreciate your help."
"You're welcome, Nick. Talk at ya later." Nat replied and then she hung up.
Nick put the phone down feeling better. Then, he went over to the
bookshelf and picked up the book on child psychology, Janette had picked up
before they adopted Alex and setting down on the couch began to read about
why children act the way they do.
The next evening, Janette was brushing Alex's long hair back away from her
face and bringing the hair together tied it into a ponytail using a
scrunchie. Then she put a plastic apron around her and tied it in back.
Alex, then ran over to the table, where Nick had laid newspapers on the
table and put a special glossy sheet of paper on top. There were globs of
colored paint on a small board on above the paper in different colors.
Nick lifted Alex onto the chair and pulled her closer to the table. "Ok,
honey. You can dig in." Nick said. And with that, Alex but both her
hands into the glob of red paint and began to swirl it around and around on
the paper. She was having a lot of fun. She was making designs with the
tips of her fingers and then would use the palm of her hand to "erase" what
she had done and start over. At one point she made a big "A" on the paper
to indicate it was her painting. Then she erased that with her palm and
started over again.
Janette held the new video camera Nick had purchased when they adopted Alex
and was filming their "daughter's antics". She was smiling, as was Nick
who was off to the side watching Alex. After a few minutes, Nick went over
to where Alex was and bent down to see what she was painting and Alex
turned to Nick and put her hand on his cheek saying, "Not yet, Daddy! I'm
not finished yet." Nick stood up abruptly in a kind of shock and then
chuckled to himself and he got out a hankerchief from his pocket and began
to wipe the paint from his face. Janette had paused the camera, as she was
laughing too hard to keep filming. They were all having a good time. And
suddenly, abruptly, both Nick and Janette stiffened and looked at each
other at the same time. Turning towards the stairs they looked up and saw
someone they had been expecting for sometime.
Lacroix stood at the top of the stairs looking down at them with a slight
smile on his face. "My children. I see that you are having a good time."
He began to descend the stairs slowly as he spoke. "When I arrived from
London last night and was unpacking, I sensed your joy and happiness and I
decided that I should come and see how you were." By this time he had
reached the bottom stair and was walking towards the kitchen table, to the
little girl, fingerpainting at the table. Alex looked up at the tall man
coming towards her and started to get off the chair. Janette went over to
Alex and grabbed her hands so she would not get paint on anything and began
to wipe them off with a nearby towel.
"So, Nicholas. Is this someone I should meet?" Lacroix said in a
pleasant, but sarcastic voice.
Nick stared at Lacroix. He had been dreading this confrontation from the
moment he and Janette had decided to try to adopt Alex. Slowly and quietly
he spoke to his "master". "Yes, Lacroix. This is Alexis Knight, our..."
and he paused for a moment and then continued, "our daughter."
Lacroix raised an eyebrow and replied, "Oh, indeed?" And Lacroix moved
closer to Alex and kneeling towards her he put out his hand to shake hers.
Alex backed a little closer to Janette and stared at the man.
"Hello, Alexis. I am your. . . grandfather." And Lacroix smiled as
sweetly as he could. Alex looked at Janette and she nodded that yes that
was true. Then Alex took Lacroix's hand and said, "Hello, grandfather."
And then she pulled her hand away and backed even closer to Janette.
Lacroix put his hand on the little girl's face and then said, "I am very
pleased to meet you Alexis. I know that we are going to be good friends."
And then he stood up and looked at the fingerpainting. "Did you do this?"
And when Alex nodded yes, he said, "It's quite good, really. You are an
artist just like your. . . FATHER!" Lacroix said the last word with
emphasis and a little venom.
Nick looked at Janette and said, "Janette, why don't you take Alex up to
the bathroom and get her cleaned up? I want to talk to Lacroix, alone."
Janette shook her head (relieved that she did not have to see Lacroix's
wrath at the moment), and taking Alex into her arms she carried the child
away from the two men and up the stairs to the bathroom.
When Janette and Alex were out of the room, Lacroix looked at his son and
said, "So, you are now a father, my son. That is an interesting turn of
events. Do you plan to bring the child across?"
Nick looked at Lacroix and said, "NO! And you will not touch the child
either, Father. Janette and I want this! As much as you wanted me, we
want this!"
"I see." said Lacroix thoughtfully. "And have you considered what the
child will do to the vampire community? Have you considered what the
Enforcers will say?"
"Don't do this Lacroix!" Nick said, beginning to get angry at Lacroix.
"You know that Janette and I will shield Alexis' presence from the
Community. And as for the Enforcers, they will not know, unless YOU tell
them!"
"Nicholas, my son. It is my duty to take care of "my people" and we do not
want the outside world to know of our presence. Just how do you intend to
keep the Community safe, with a mortal child as your "daughter"? She is
young, she cannot be safely hypnotized to forget what you are. She will
remember and eventually let it slip about our existence." And Lacroix
moved closer to Nick, and face almost touching that of his son said, "Why
do you think I brought Daniel across?"
Nick did not back away, but stood his ground. "You brought Daniel across
for your own amusement, Lacroix. You did not think of the consequences,
and so a small child was forced into an existence that eventually led to
his death." And then Nick grabbed Lacroix by the neck. He was in vampire
mode now and said, "And if you harm Alexis, or inform the Community or the
Enforcers," a slight pause and then "I WILL KILL YOU, LACROIX!!"
Lacroix did not move, nor did he bring out the vampire. He simply gazed at
his son. Then his expression turned to sadness. "My son. Don't you
realize the risk you are taking? No vampire has ever taken in, or raised a
mortal child. It cannot be done. Too many factors put the Community and
the vampire at risk."
Nick let go of Lacroix and brought the beast inside himself. He turned
away from Lacroix and walked a few feet to the couch. Putting his hands on
the top, he said in a soft voice, "Janette and I will be very careful with
Alexis, Father. We will protect and take care of her and shield her from
the community. We will hire a private tutor to teach her, and we will
never leave her alone." And then Nick paused and turned back around. He
walked over to Lacroix, and put his hand on his face and said, "I want
this, Father. As much as you wanted me, I want this. Please do not
interfere." And Nick's voice took on a pleading tone and his face showed
how much he wanted the little girl.
Lacroix looked at his son. He could not help but feel love and caring at
this point. And no matter how much he felt against this arrangement, he
could not refuse his son. Not when his son pleaded with him in this manner.
Lacroix slowly brought his hand up to touch his son's hand, and then said
softly, "Alright, Nicholas. If this is what you truly want, I will not
interfere."
Nick smiled and moved his hand away from Lacroix. "Thank you, Father." he
whispered.
Lacroix studied his son's face for a minute and then said, "But I expect to
be able to share this experience with you, and I warn you of this my son.
If there is a threat to the community, Alexis will be dealt with." And as
Lacroix turned to leave he added, "And by my hand." And then he was gone.
Nick stood there taking in all that Lacroix had said. He knew that Lacroix
would not interfere with their lives as far as Alexis was concerned if he
was allowed to share in her upbringing. But he also knew that Alexis' life
would be balanced on a fine line that, if stretched too tightly, would
break, sending her either to her death, or worse to a life of eternal
darkness.
Janette and Alex returned to the living area a few minutes later and Alex
went over to her picture to admire her work. She had been unsettled by
Lacroix's visit, but seemed to have forgotten all about it at the moment.
Janette went over to Nick and said in the mind link, <Where is Lacroix?>
Nick replied, <He left. He has accepted Alexis as our daughter and will
not interfere, Janette. Except to be a meddlesome grandfather.> And
Janette nodded her understanding. And then Nick looked directly into
Janette's eyes and pressed in the link:
Chapter 8
Large House on the outskirts of London: circa 2010
All three occupants of the couch were deep in thought. They were each
remembering a time in the past. Suddenly, Alex got up from the couch,
bringing back both Nick and Janette to the present, and moved over to the
small glass cabinet near the TV. She opened up the doors and pulled out a
large photo album. Then she shut the doors and moved back to the couch.
She sat down between her mother and father and put the book on her lap. It
was a large, very thick book with the words ALEXIS MARIE KNIGHT on the
front. "Since you and Mom were watching my video tape, it made me want to
take a trip down memory lane too, Daddy." Alex said to Nick as she slowly
opened the book. Inside were volumns of pictures taken of various stages
in Alex's life. Some of the pictures had captions under them, written in
by a very caring and loving Janette. Alex's mother and father had been
very attentive to Alex's upbringing and wanted to remember each important
happening in her life.
And so, Nick, Janette and Alex began to look at the pictures in the book,
making comments here and there as to a fond memory. As Alex turned a page,
she suddenly pointed to a particular picture and said, "Oh, look. There is
Mr. Wright! And he was ALWAYS right!" Alex said with a laugh. And as
Nick and Janette chuckled out loud Alex got a far away look and began to
have her own fond memory, and one that was not so fond!
Flashback: Toronto 1996
Nick's Loft-
Alex was sitting at the table with her tutor, Mr. Anthony Wright. He was
very strict and made sure that Alex worked hard and did her very best at
all things. He had been hired by Nick and Janette to teach Alex everything
she needed to know, as far as education was concerned. He would come at
6:00 AM everyday, and stay until 6:00 PM. They would not start in on the
studies until about 8:00 AM and would continue for a few hours, after which
Alex would be allowed to "Play" for an hour and then it would be back to
the studies. At 1:30 PM, Alexis would be sent to her room for a rest and
nap while Mr. Wright would grade her papers and set up more assignments.
When Alex would rise at around 3:00 PM she would continue her studies until
5:00 PM. Then Mr. Wright would let Alexis play while he went over her
papers and classwork with Nick and Janette. At 6:00 PM he would grab his
briefcase, say goodbye to Nick and Janette and then go over to Alex and
shake her hand, saying goodbye and see you tomorrow. This was the normal
Schedule for Monday thru Friday. And Alex looked forward to Friday,
because she did not have to do any schoolwork until the following Monday.
One thing Alex did not know was that Mr. Wright was a vampire. Nick and
Janette had found him through Aristotle. He was born in the 1700's and his
family had come to America. He lived during the colonization period and
was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. It was during this war that he
came into contact with a vampire, when he was mortally wounded. And the
rest, as they say, is history. Mr. Wright was a kind man, despite his
being a vampire. But he had been a tutor for a long time, (mostly with
very rich families), and kept his vampire persona in check, quite well.
Alex liked him, but there were times when she would get very frustrated at
how strict he was.
Alex was a good student, and quite quick to respond. She had a good
memory, and was eager to learn. But there were times when she would bulk
against her tutor. Mr. Wright would simply use an old remedy from long
since past. A quick slap of the ruler to her knuckles would usually bring
her back to obedience.
When Mr. Wright was at the house, Nick and Janette would be either sleeping
or taking care of "other business." They did not go into the living area
at this time, and gave Mr. Wright free rein as to how to educate Alex.
One evening, as Mr. Wright was getting ready to leave, he told Nick and
Janette that Alex was improving a great deal on her math and history, and
her penmanship was beautiful. But she did need to work on her spelling.
He suggested to Nick and Janette that they try to play a few "spelling
games" with Alex over the weekend and see if that might help her improve
her skills. And then he left.
Later in the evening, Janette and Nick were sitting on the couch, watching
TV. Alex was at the table, drawing. She had become quite good at her
artistic skills and Nick was inwardly very proud that she would have a
skill that he too possessed. Alex was drawing a picture of one of her
dinosaur friends. It was a picture of a stegasaurus. And it really was
beginning to look exactly like the real thing. Nick was amazed at how good
it was when Alex showed it to he and Janette. Both of them praised her and
she smiled with a good deal of self-pride.
Janette got up from the couch and said, "Alex, it's time for your bath. Go
put your things away and run upstairs and get ready to clean up."
Alex frowned at Janette and then said, "No! I haven't finished my picture
yet! And I don't want to take a bath!"
Nick looked at Alex in amazement and then said, "Young lady, apologize to
your mother for talking back!"
Alex looked at Nick then at Janette and walked over to the table. But she
did not say anything. Janette walked over to the table to begin to help
Alex pick up her things, but she shoved Janette's hands away and said, "I'm
not finished yet, Mommy!"
Janette looked at Alex and said, "Alex, pick these things up now, and get
upstairs for your bath!"
By this time Nick was off the couch and standing. Alex then looked up at
Janette with a frown and then slapped her mother on the face, and began to
draw again.
Nick looked at Janette who was obviously shocked by Alex's actions and then
said in a deep and threatening voice, "ALEXIS MARIE KNIGHT! COME HERE,
THIS INSTANT!"
Alex looked up at Nick and her frown completely disappeared, and she knew
that she was indeed in trouble. Big trouble! She got down from the chair
and with her head down in defeat, she walked slowly over to her father.
When she reached Nick she slowly raised her head and with eyes big and
round, she whispered, "Yes, daddy?" because her father suddenly was very
tall, and very scary!
Nick looked down at Alex and said in a soft but stern voice. "Alex, I am
ashamed of you! It is one thing to back-talk your mother, and disobey by
not apologizing as I asked you. But it is quite a different matter, to
slap your mother. That does not show respect! Now what do you have to say
for yourself, young lady?"
Alex said, "I'm sorry Daddy."
Nick then continued, "Don't you have something to say to your mother?"
Alex turned to look at Janette, who was standing by the table with a frown
on her face. She lowered her eyes and said, "I'm sorry, Mommy."
Nick turned Alex back to him and said, "What do you think we should do
about this, Alex?"
Alex looked at Nick and said, "I should be sent to my room."
Nick looked at Alex for a few minutes, and could tell that she was nervous,
not knowing what he was going to do. Then through the mind link he said,
Janette looked at Nick with a bit of alarm on her face, but then she
softened the expression and nodding her head, <whatever you think best, my
husband. I will stand by whatever you decide. But don't hurt her too much!>
Nick smiled at Janette and reassured her. <I will not hurt her beyond what
is necessary!>
Then Nick looked back at Alex and said, "Alex, your mother and I have
decided that the proper punishment for this is that you should receive a
spanking."
Alex looked up at Nick and started to cry, "No, Daddy, please don't spank
me. I'll be good. I promise!" And she ran over to the table and began to
quickly pick up her mess as fast as she could.
If Alex could have seen Nick's face she would have seen a crooked smile
form and the amusement in his eyes at her actions. But then he became very
serious. "Alex, it is too late for that now. You had your chance to obey
earlier. Now come with me."
Alex stopped what she was doing, realizing the inevidable, and walked over
to her father and took his hand. He walked over to the stairs and they
began to climb, to what Alex knew was her doom. When they reached the top
they went down the hall to her bedroom and Nick went to the bed and sat
down, with Alex standing up in front of him.
He looked into her eyes and said, "Alex, I said before that I am most
ashamed of you. You were bad and disobeyed both your mother and me. You
must learn, that while Janette and I love you very much, we will be
respected. That means that you do what we ask you. We do not ask you to
do what you can't. And you must learn that to disobey means punishment.
Do you understand?"
Alex lowered her head and said softly, "Yes, Daddy."
Then Nick took ahold of Alex and put her over his knee. He took her shorts
off and her underpants and then said, "You did three things that must be
punished. You back-talked your mother. You disobeyed me when I told you
to apologize, and you slapped your mother. For this you will be spanked."
Nick then raised his hand and began to strike little Alex's bare bottom.
With each slap Alex cried out in pain. (Although in reality, Nick was very
gentle, just enough to make a sting that would be felt.) But it was the
humiliation of being over her father's knee and making her father and
mother sad that truly hurt Alex. And she learned from this, that when she
disobeyed, the hurt she caused her parents, was worse than the punishment.
After about 15 slaps on her bare bottom, and with Alex crying very hard,
Nick stopped and pulling up her underpants and shorts, stood her upright.
He looked into her face, with a stern but loving stare and said, "Will you
obey us now, Alex?"
Alex, between sobs said, "Yes, daddy."
Nick also said, "And you will never slap your mother again, will you?"
Alex, sobbing said, "No, daddy."
And then Nick took the sobbing child into his arms and began to rub her
back to comfort her. "I'm sorry, Alex, but if you disobey, you will be
punished."
After a few minutes, and when Alex was no longer crying, she pulled away
from Nick and said, "Daddy, do you still love me?"
Nick got a pained expression and said, "Of course, Alex. I punished you
because I love you."
And Alex, relieved that Nick still loved her hugged her father and held on
for dear life. After a few more minutes, Nick took Alex into the bathroom
and washed her face off with a clean, cool rag. After another hug and
kiss, Nick said, "Alex, I want you to go down stairs and tell your mother
how sorry you are for slapping her and disobeying her, and then I want you
to pick up your toys and get ready for your bath, ok?"
Alex looked up at Nick and smiled and said, "Ok Daddy. And then she added,
"I love you, Daddy!"
And Nick smiled saying, "And I love you too, my little spider!"
Chapter 9
Large House on outskirts of London: Circa 2010
Alex came back to herself slowly and looked back at the book of
photographs. "Mr. Wright! Where is he now, Daddy?"
Nick looked at Alex and said, "I'm not sure, honey. Last I saw of him he
was leaving Toronto for New York. Probably secured a job tutoring the
President's daughter!" And Nick began to flip slowly through the book on
Alex's lap.
With each page of pictures, came more memories and more stories of Alex's
upbringing. Each comment was filled with love, humor and a tinge of
sadness. Alex remembered this was during her mortal life. And area that
was touchy in itself. But she also knew that both Nick and Janette had
gone through that purging of human feelings and emotions, to be replaced
with immortal ones. And those drives were every bit as exciting and
irritating as mortal ones.
Suddenly, Janette put her finger on a particular picture, and said, "Oh,
look Alex! This picture was taken at one of the basketball games!"
And Alex looked at the picture and scrunched up her face. "Oh man! Look
how skinny I was! And my hair! Where did we get that hairstyle, Mom?"
"I've often wondered where Janette gets a lot of her hairstyles, Alex."
Nick said with a chuckle.
Janette looked at Nick an amused look on her face and said, "Cute, Nichola.
And I admit there was a short time when I was mortal when my hair was less
than pleasing. But at least, I was aware of current fashion and trends.
Not like some vampire's I knew at that time."
"Touché mon amour!" Nick said as he reached over and taking Janette's
hand, gave it a little squeeze.
Alex did not notice this little interchange between her father and mother.
She was lost in another memory.
Flashback:
Outskirts of St. Paul, Minnesota.
City of Roseville. Circa 2002
Janette was standing at the door of their small house watching Nick pull
his caddy into the outside garage. She thought the car might have been the
Rogers bringing Alex home, but then realized it was Nick. Janette and Nick
had moved to the suburbs of St. Paul, Minnesota a year ago. They knew,
because they do not age that they could no longer stay in Toronto. And
even though Janette missed the Raven and Nick missed the PD, they knew it
was time to move on. So they had contacted Aristotle and he had arranged
the move to Minnesota. Nick began teaching Archeology at the McAllister
College in St. Paul and Janette decided for once just to stay at home with
Alex. Now that her daughter was 12 years old. That was a year ago, and
Alex had made a lot of new friend here in the Twin Cities. And she had
never again revealed the vampire knowledge to anyone, thanks to Lacroix's
mind control.
Nick got out of the car and after shutting the garage door began to walk
toward the house with a briefcase in one arm and a box in the other. He
glanced up to see Janette and smiled. As he entered the house, he gave her
a kiss on the cheek and then proceed toward his "study" in the back of the
house. Janette was following him. When he reached the room, he put the
box down on the desk and let his briefcase fall to the floor.
Nick turned to his wife and said, "Why were you standing at the door,
Janette? Where's Alex?"
"She is still at the basketball game at school. I would have thought she
would be home by now. Middle school basketball games are usually over by
7PM." Janette said, with a worried look on her face.
Nick walked over to Janette and drawing her up into his arms said,
"Remember Janette. We said we were going to trust Alex, and we must keep
to that promise. Alex is a cheerleader and popular with the other kids.
Maybe they conned Mr. Rogers into taking them to McDonald's after the game."
Janette wrapped her arms around her husband and said, "Oui, mon coeur, I
know. But after what happened in Toronto . . . "
Nick put his fingers up to Janette's lips to stop her and nodded his
rememberence. "I know, Janette. But that was several years ago. Alex is
much older now."
Janette looked at Nick and said, "And at an age of defiance, Nichola. It
could still happen." And she drifted back to a few years ago.
Flashback, Toronto: Circa 1999
The first scare Nick and Janette had with Alex had been on her 10th
Birthday. They had given her a birthday party with Schanke, Myra and Jenny
in attendence, as well as Nat, her new boyfriend Sam, Capt. Cohen and her
husband and daughter, and of course, Lacroix. It was at this party that
Nick and Janette almost lost Alex to Lacroix. She was talking with
Danielle Cohen in the corner while they were playing with her Barbie
collection. Suddenly Alex, holding her Ken doll put it next to Barbie, that
Danielle was holding and said, "It is time, submit to me Barbie. And I
will make you what I am. A vampire!"
Danielle said, "But I don't want to be a vampire. I want to be a Zombie!"
Natalie shot a look at Janette and Nick and they inturn looked at each
other and then at Lacroix! <Oh no! Nichola do something!> Janette said in
the mind link. <OK, Janette, give me a second.> And he slowly walked over
to where the girls were playing, feeling the scrutinizing eyes of Lacroix
following his every move! He bent down to where the girls were on the
floor and said, "Alex, would you come with me for a minute. It's ok
Danielle, we'll be right back and you can finish playing." Then with a
sterner voice, he said, "Now, Alex."
Alex got up and took Nick's hand and they headed upstairs towards her room.
Amanda Cohen said suddenly, "My daughter has such an imagination.
Sometimes she has been playing with her dolls and they become serial
killers. I really worry about her." And then she laughed as did her
husband, Natalie and the rest. All, except Lacroix, whose eyes were fixed
on the abandoned stairs and the upstairs rooms. Janette, though laughing,
was becoming a bit uncomfortable herself.
Nick and Alex got up to the top of the stairs and Nick led her into her
room. Alex was afraid that she was in trouble, (and she was, in a way),
and might possibly get another spanking. But she really didn't know what
she had done wrong. When Nick sat down on the bed he put Alex on his lap
and she looked into his eyes, fearful.
"What did I do wrong, Daddy?" She said, and suddenly she began to cry.
She knew that she was going to get spanked, but she still did not know what
she had done wrong.
Nick put his hand on Alex's face gently and seeing that she was truly upset
he said, "Alex, you are not going to get spanked. I just wanted to talk to
you about something important. And this is something that is very private,
just between a father and his daughter."
Alex began to feel much better. But she still was confused. What had she
done wrong? "Did I do something to make you sad with me, Daddy?"
Nick got a pained look in his face, and then became very serious. "Alex,
do you remember when we told you that you were to say nothing about what
your mother and father are?"
Alex looked up at her father and said, "Yes, Daddy. I didn't tell anyone.
Honest I didn't."
Nick looked out the window for a moment and then turned back to Alex.
"Alex, you must not ever mention the word vampire to anyone. That is not
safe, for you, your mother or for me."
Alex took on a look of puzzlement and said, "Why, Daddy? Grandfather says
that it is good to always be honest and accept what you are. He said he
was proud of what he was. I thought that you and Mom were proud of what
you were too."
Nick took ahold of Alex's hand and looked into her tear streaked and
fearful face. "Alex, that is not the point here. We told you that our
nature of vampire's is a secret and must not be told to anyone! Don't you
remember that?"
Alex lowered her head and said, "Yes, Daddy." Then she looked up at Nick
and said, "But I didn't tell anyone. Danny and I were just playing."
Nick squeezed Alex's hand a little harder, "But that was too close to the
secret, Alex. You might have eventually told Danielle the whole truth and
then you and I and your Mom would be in a lot of trouble. Our lives as
vampire's are a secret, Alex. Always remember this." And then Nick stared
deeply into Alex's big brown eyes and began to regulate her heartbeat. As
it began to slow he drew Alex into his mind link and said, "You must not
tell anyone what you know Alex. You must always keep our vampire nature a
secret. Do you understand?"
Alex's eyes took on a glazed look and she nodded her head, "I. . understand."
Nick continued to press into Alex's mind. "You will not tell anyone of
what you know about your mother and father and grandfather is that clear?"
Alex nodded again, "Yes. . .clear."
Then Nick, (sure that Alex had completely absorbed all of his mind
suggestions) he slowly released her by saying, "Sleep little one."
Alex's eyes began to feel very heavy and closed slowly. She slumped down
against Nick's chest. He took his daughter in his arms and held her for a
few minutes.
Suddenly he was aware of a presence at the door. Lacroix was standing
there observing him. "Perhaps I should step in and take over Alex's
training now, Nicholas!"
"No! Father! I can handle this. The problem is not that great. And I can
control her." Nick said angrily.
"This little incident just goes to show you that one should not be involved
with mortals, Nicholas. But then I have told you this so often. Yet you
refuse to listen to me." Lacroix said with a great deal of sarcasm.
In a low but very irritated voice Nick said, "Instead of trying to tell me
my faults, Lacroix. Why don't you help us with Alex? Or are you too cold,
and without feelings to understand that Janette and I love this child and
want what's best for her? Have you not said that to me over and over
again. That as a parent you have tried to help me?"
Lacroix raised an eyebrow. He became thoughtful for a moment. Nicholas
was right, damn him! He knew what it was like to be a parent, and how much
you love your child. And glancing down at the sleeping child in his son's
arms, Lacroix was suddenly struck with a strange emotion. Love. He truly
had begun to care for this child as well. He walked over to the bed and
sat down beside his son. He reached out and let his hands fall on Alex's
long hair. "She is truly a remarkable and gifted child isn't she?"
Nick looked warily at his "master", but then could feel through the link a
feeling of pride in those words. <so, Lacroix, you do love Alex, don't you?>
Lacroix continued his caressing of the child's hair and thought, <damn me
for my sentimentality, Nicholas. This is all your fault. You and your
constant contact with mortals. But, yes. I do love this child, as if she
were my own little girl. And in someways, she reminds me of Divia, before
she was brought across. When she was small.>
Lacroix suddenly straightened up and dropped his hand from Alex's hair.
"Very well, Nicholas. I will help with your training of Alex," and when
Nick started to say something, Lacroix put his hand up to stop and
continued, "with making sure she does not reveal herself and our vampire
nature to the community. I will do nothing to endanger the child's life."
Nick looked at his father and smiled. Then he looked at his sleeping
daughter and thought, <Thank you father.>
Nick looked up at Lacroix and said softly, "Yes, Father. I understand and
I accept the warning." Nick again looked down at his sleeping daughter and
said, "Now I must awaken Alex, would you mind Lacroix?"
"Not at all, my son." And with that, Lacroix left the room silently. Nick
looked down at Alex and laid her down on the bed. He then went over to the
closet and digging into the large toy box there, he pulled out one of
Alex's Barbie dolls. This was one that Alex had two of and he laid it
next to the sleeping child. Then he went back over to the toy box and
slowly released Alex from the mind link.
Alex's eyes fluttered and she suddenly sat up on the bed. Her hand
suddenly felt something under it and looking down she saw one of her
Barbie's. She shook her head as if to get the "fuzzies" out and then said
suddenly, "Oh, here it is, Daddy! I found it." And getting off the bed,
she went over to where Nick was kneeling beside the toy box.
Nick smiled and said, "Finally! Now we can go back downstairs."
Alex said, "Yes and now I can give this to Danielle. Won't she be
surprised?" And Alex hugged her father and started out the door. Nick
looked at his daughter and thought. I hope this works longer than the last
one did! And Nick started down the hall behind his skipping daughter.
There had been a couple of other incidents, but Lacroix had stepped in and
taken care of the situation completely. He mind control was stronger,
because of his age, and Alex retained the knowledge longer. But after a
few years, Alex was old enough to realize what even Lacroix was doing and
bulked against him. She did not, however let anyone know of her knowledge
of the Vampire Community, and what her parents and grandfather were. She
began to understand the need for secrecy. And she stayed true to that.
End of Flashback:
As Nick and Janette stood there arms wrapped around each other, the sound
of a car engine came to their attention. Janette released Nick and went
over to the window and looked out. She smiled, "It's the Rogers car. Alex
is home, finally."
And Nick and Janette went to the door to open it for their daughter. Alex
came bounding in, carrying her pom-poms and hugged her parents.
"So, I take it that Roseville won?" Nick said.
"Of course, Daddy. We always win." Alex said back with a laugh, and then
said, "Well, almost!" And then she walked, (no she actually leaped) toward
the hall and her room, Janette suddenly said, "I can't believe that all
this enthusiam is over winning the game, Alex. What's going on?"
Alex turned to her mother, ran over and gave her a big hug and then as she
trotted off to her room said, "Michael kissed me."
Nick and Janette stood there with their mouths open watching their teenager
half-walking, half-skipping down the hall, humming to herself. Then they
both looked at each other and broke out in a big grin. "Alex is growing
up!" they both said, and then laughed outloud.