EVERLASTING LOVE OF THE FAMILY
by Sue Whitehorn
General Information:
Here is another chapter in the Knight Chronicles.
The characters of Nick and Janette belong to Tri-star and James Parriott. Luke is my creation, and I love him!
This chapter takes place after The Sacrifice of Luke. I felt that story was so down and dark there should be a light and lifting chapter to follow.
As usual I give my permission to archive to IB list. All others please ask permission.
Please give feedback. It is extremely important to me. I want to hear what you think, whether you like it or not!
Enjoy!
The Loft:
It was early in the morning when a very excited voice came through Nick's dream.
"Mommy! Daddy! Wake up!" an excited Luke said in a very loud voice. "It's time to go!" Luke looked at his sleeping parents with dismay. They had not moved. Didn't they remember that today was the day they were to go to the lake and spend the day? What was the matter with them? Going over to his father, he grabbed his arm and began to shake Nick with a little force. "Daddy! Come on, it's time to get up!"
Finally, a sleepy Nick opened his eyes a slit and said, "Luke. It is 4 AM! It is too early to go the park. Now, be a good little boy and go back to your bed and let me sleep." And Nick closed his eyes again and attempted to go back to sleep.
But Luke would not be put off so quickly. "Daddy, it takes time to get packed for the Lake. If we get up right now, we can be ready and get to the park to see the sunrise!"
How funny that sounded to Nick. For centuries he had dreamed of seeing the sunrise! Only in his memory could he remember what it looked like. The faint glow of light, and then the brilliant colors that burst onto the newborn, blue sky. And he suddenly realized that he had promised Luke that they would watch the sunrise today.
Opening his eyes wider, he looked at his son who was staring at him with hope in his sky blue eyes. How could he deny this little on that joy? Nick sat up in bed looking briefly at Janette then putting a finger to his mouth, he whispered, "Luke, if you promise not to wake your mother, and will take a shower first, I will take you to see the sunrise before we go to the lake. Then we can come back and get your mother to go the lake later. Would that be alright?"
Luke was extrememly relieved. He thought his father had forgotten! "Yes, Daddy!" Luke whispered back, and then tiptoed ever so softly out of the room, back to his own bedroom to get ready for his shower. Nick chuckled to himself as he watched his son leave as quietly as he could. Then he looked over at his wife, whom he knew couldn't possibly be asleep, after all of Luke's yelling. He bent down and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Morning, love."
Janette opened her eyes and smiled at her husband. "Good morning, love."
He pulled her into his arms and gave her a very gentle and loving kiss and embrace. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever known. And even if his son was impatient, he would have to wait a few minutes. This was more important at the moment.
After a few minutes, Nick released Janette and she smiled up at him. Nick smiled and said, "I have to go get Luke ready for his shower, love. I would love to stay and play here an hour or two, but. . ." and he moved away, pulling the covers off him and putting a foot on the floor, getting up he finished, "duty calls!"
Janette watched the graceful, muscular nude body move away from her and saw the muscles tense and flex as Nick stretched and yawned. <Oh, you are a handsome hunk, my Nichola! Its too bad we don't. . .>
Nick suddenly turned to Janette and grinned. "Thank you, Janette! But I do think that our son would be most displeased if I disappoint him about the sunrise!" And with that Nick grabbed his robe, drapping it around his hard, lean body, tying the belt around his waist. Janette pouted her lips and gave Nick a most disappointed look. But then she too, broke into a smile.
"Yes, Daddy! We must not disappoint our son. You help him with his shower and take him to see the sunrise, I will try to get everything ready for the trip to the lake by the time you get back." Janette said with amusement and disappointment in her voice.
With one more look at his beautiful wife, Nick turned to get his son ready for the shower. After he left, Janette began to think how long it had been since she had seen a sunrise. Not that it meant much to her then, but now after almost 1000 years, it was different. She almost envied Nick for being able to take Luke to witness this simple, but beautiful pleasure. But she knew that she had a lot to do before they went to the lake, and there was no way she would have any of that done in an hour and a half.
Nick went to Luke's room to gather him for his shower. When he walked into the room, Luke was standing in front of his mirror, with his shirt off, flexing his muscles. He lifted his right arm and, clenching his fist brought his wrist in toward his shoulder. Then he took his left hand and felt the taunt muscles in his upper arm. Nick looked on with an amused smile and then said, "Why, Luke! Have you been working out with my weights again?"
Luke wheeled around to look at his father, rather embarrased. But said in a very innocent voice, "Of course not, Daddy. I can't pick up those things!"
Nick went over to his son and felt the muscles of his upper arms and then said, "Well, it looks like you've been working out somewhere. Maybe in Schanke's basement?" Luke had spent two weeks with Myra and Schanke recently when Janette and Nick had gone to Paris on a second honeymoon for the first time! When they had returned, Nick found out that Schanke had installed a full exercise and body-building area in his basement in an attempt to lose some weight. He had let Luke work out with him and now it seemed that Luke was obsessed with body building!
Luke looked at Nick and then grinned. "Yes, Daddy. Uncle Schanke showed me lots of exercises! And, see.." He proudly displayed his muscles for his father. "It works."
Nick looked at his son and said as seriously as he could, "Yes, I can see that it does. You are really getting some big muscles in your arms. But as fun as this is, if you want to get to that sunrise, we best get out showers taken in a hurry!"
Luke looked at his father and suddenly remembered the sunrise. He grabbed his robe and ran out of his room, toward the bathroom with a very amused and chuckling Nick following close behind.
Outskirts of Toronto:About an hour later, Luke and Nick were sitting on the top of a hill in the grass, looking toward the east. Nick had picked this particular spot, as you could get a good view of the entire eastern horizon. They would be able to see the entire process of dawn, thanks to mother nature who allowed a clear sky today. As the stars began to fade, Nick could see the beginnings of faint colors permeating the sky. First a light, orange and reddish hue, turning into a brighter white color. And then streaks of yellow and orange bands were thrust upward from the horizon toward the now very faint and soft blue sky. What an amazing sight, Nick though as he watched the colors move and change. This was a sight he had not seen in a very long time! And it actually was so breathtaking for him that tears welled up in his eyes. But he quickly blinked them away.
Luke suddenly pointed excitedly toward the east. "Look, Daddy! Here comes the sun!" And he climbed into Nick's lap, putting his arms around his father's neck as he looked toward the east. A small rim of brilliant yellow light was creeping over the horizon. Nick at first was surprised to see such an excited reaction from Luke, but then he suddenly realized. He was looking at his creator, Re-Atum! Nick put his arms around his son and new now why, he wanted so desperately to see a sunrise. For quite some time, Luke watched with excitement and awe as the sun slowly crept over the line of the horizon, spreading light and color as it moved upward. When the sun finally crested the horizon line, Luke watched it for a few minutes, then lowered his head as if in homage and respect. Nick did the same in reverence to his son's creator.
Through the mind link Nick and Luke were both able to share a voice that was spoken directly to them. I AM PLEASED WITH YOU, MY CHOSEN LUKE! AND I AM PLEASED WITH MY CHOSEN'S EARTHLY FATHER, NICHOLAS! And for a short period of time, Luke and Nick simply sat there, arms around each other in total reverence. The sun seemed to bathe them in a warm, pleasant, and healing light!
The Loft:It was almost 9:00 AM before Nick and Luke returned to the loft to pick up Janette! When they stepped into the loft Janette was sitting on the couch waiting for them, with the picnic basket, several sacks and three blankets all sitting close to the lift door, ready to go.
"Mommy! Mommy! Luke cried as he ran to his mother and hugged her. "We saw the sun rise! It was beautiful!"
Janette smiled down at her son and said, "Yes, I know, Luke!" And she glanced at Nick and pressed through the mind link, <I know what you saw, love and I know what Re-Atum said to you and Luke. He said something to me as well, even though I was not with you. I am so glad that you took Luke to see that sunrise!>
Nick returned the smile and said, <Yes, Janette! And I also know how much I love you>
And then looking back at Luke, Janette said, "Well, if we are going to the Lake, don't you think we had better get started?"
"Yes, Mommy! Let's go!" Luke said, running to the 'stuff' by the door, and picking up the blankets. They were almost too much for his little six year old arms to carry, and Nick chuckled as he watched Luke try to juggle all of them at once. He and Janette picked up the sacks and the basket and headed out of the loft, to the lift, and outside to the waiting day.
When they got in the car and started off, Luke opened up the window and stuck his head out to feel the wind on his face. Nick looked back and said sternly, "Luke! Sit back down and buckle your seatbelt!"
Luke looked at Nick, and then obediently sat back down and buckled himself in. Nick had just recently installed the seatbelts when Luke was old enough to be out of the carseat. He also made sure that He and Janette buckled up. A cumbersome thing to do and truly unnecessary for vampires! But it was the law, and he was an officer who defended that law!
Soon they came to the Lake and they each got out, taking a load and moving to an open area that was not occupied by anyone. They had a wonderful day. Nick took Luke for a rowing trip around one side of the lake. It was so much fun. They paddled for almost two hours and Luke tried his best to keep up with his father's deep and even strokes. Nick enjoyed his son trying to match the strokes he made, and losing hold of the paddle as it struck his chest several times. He sometimes would row in the opposite direction of Nick, but was not strong enough to slow down their speed. Every once in a while, Nick would stop rowing and the boat would slowly drift. Luke would put his hand into the water and watch the fish as they would come close to the surface.
Later in the day, after they had eaten, Nick was lying on the blanket resting, and Janette took Luke for a game of tag. They ran after each other and away from each other for quite some time. Falling down several times, to rest for a few minutes, they would watch the clouds floating by in the sky. Soft, white, fluffy ones that changed shapes so often and Janette and Luke had so much fun telling each other what they saw. This was one of their favorite games together. Eventually, they came back to the blanket, where they found Nick asleep on his back. Luke picked up a blade of grass and went over to his sleeping father. He gently ran the grass over Nick's face, but Nick did not move. So Luke took the blade of grass and tickled the end of Nick's nose. Within seconds, Nick was fully awake. He looked down at his son, and grabbed him, tickling him unmercifully. They rolled around and rolled around wrestling for control. Luke was laughing so hard, he couldn't do much except be at his father's mercy. Janette laughed with him as she watched them wrestling. "Come on, Luke! Use those new muscles of yours." Nick said, laughing. But all Luke could do was laugh. His father knew exactly where to touch him to send him into hysterics.
Some time later, Luke took off his shoes and left his parents on the blanket heading to the waters edge. He was watching the ducks, and his mother had given him some bread crumbs to feed them with. He saw the ducks coming closer and he began to gently throw the crumbs toward them. Soon they were swimming all around him. He waded out a little further and they came closer to him. It wasn't long before he was able to pick one of them up and stroked his back gently. The duck did not flinch or try to get away, but seemed to enjoy this. It was as if this duck had been Luke's pet from birth.
Janette and Nick watched Luke and thought of all that had happened to them in the last few years. What a change had taken place in their lives. Both of them, inherited vampires, maintaining the powers and abilities of the vampire, but able to enjoy what mortals enjoy. Mortal food, life outside the sun, and children!
Nick turned to Janette and looked deep into her blue eyes. "We do have a lot to be thankful for, don't we?" And he kissed her on her forehead.
Janette smiled and said, "That we do indeed! And Luke is the greatest gift we have to be thankful for." She and Nick wrapped their arms around each other and watched Luke as he held the duck and continued to stroke it's feathers, humming to it. He saw a large barge off in the distance and put the duck down gently. Then he waved his arms and puckered his lips saying, "Toot! Toot! Toot!" To his amazement and delight, the barge seemed to answer back with TOOT! TOOT! TOOT!
Yes, it was a wonderful day, and all were sorry to see it end. Some time after it had gotten dark, they all piled back into the car for the short drive home. When they pulled in front of the loft, Luke was asleep in the back seat, totally exhausted. Janette unstrapped the seatbelt from him and lifted him into her arms. She carried him inside and up to his bedroom. After putting the basket down in the kitchen, Nick climbed the stairs to Luke's bedroom as well. He watched as Janette undressed the sleeping Luke and put his pajamas on. She knew he really needed a bath, but was not going to wake him up for that. He could take one in the morning, and his sheets needed to be changed anyway. As she pulled the covers over him, Nick came to her side and slipped Luke's teddy bear into his arms. Luke suddenly moved, grasped his bear and turned over on his side.
Janette and Nick kissed their sleeping son and quietly walked out of the room to their bedroom. They too, were somewhat exhausted, but happy. What more could a family want, than to share all life has to offer them together? The memories of the last few weeks were far behind, and all that was remembered was the love they shared.
Later, that nightMuch later in the night, a faint glow entered the loft. It moved quietly and unseen until it reached the master bedroom. Coming into the room it stopped close to the sleeping couple in the bed, wrapped in each other's arms. Nick lay on his back with his right arm under and around the waist of his sleeping wife. Janette lay on her side against Nick with y and unseen until it reached the master bedroom. Coming into the room it stopped close to the sleeping couple in the bed, wrapped in each other's arms. Nick lay on his back with his right arm under and around the waist of his sleeping wife. Janette lay on her side against Nick with her head resting on his chest, her right arm drapped over his waist. Both had expressions of peace and love on their faces. The light gently touched them and both Nick and Janette began to slowly smile in their sleep, holding each other closer.
Then the light left the master bedroom and went down the hall to enter Luke's bedroom. Luke was lying on his back with his teddy bear laying loosely in his arms. He too, had a look of peace on his face. At this point, the light took on the shape of a man, and walked over to the sleeping child. The man touched the boy's forehead lightly and Luke smiled, opening his eyes to look up at the face of Re-Atum. "My Father! I love you!"
AND I LOVE YOU TOO, MY CHOSEN!
Luke smiled and closing his eyes, turned over slightly, clutching his teddy bear to his chest. The figure of the man stayed for a few minutes, watching the sleeping child, and then the shape changed to a faint glow, leaving through Luke's open window.
A peace had finally settled on the Knight home and nothing was able to penetrate through it's strong barrier. Nick, Janette, and Luke were finally able to enjoy life as it was meant to be. For all beings, whether immortal or mortal!
Finis
"And now abideth faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is Love!"
-Sue
Dk Knight/IB/Dk Trinity
suwwhit@ccp.com