The Mortician's Daughter

Stephen stepped out. "Do you three have to fight everywhere you go?" He asked joining us. "He started it!" Anastasia said pointing to Devan. "You shouldn't be such a little-" Devan started but Stephen cut him off. "I don't care who started it! I'm finishing it!" Stephen said firmly. For the first time, I noticed Jada behind him.

"Annabelle," he said breaking the silence and walking closer. He took my hand easily and looked in my eyes. "That morning at the morgue, I apologize about it. I was upset at the time with some personal issues and I took it out on you when you didn't deserve it." He explained. "It's-" I started but he cut me off by shaking his head.

"I've felt bad about it ever since and I've been too ashamed of myself to come to you personally and apologize.
"Evan asked a few days ago if you could go with us, I said to myself that this would be the perfect opportunity to apologize for my behavior." He stated. I felt the sincerity of his apology.

"The past is the past, Mister Summerland. Forgive and forget. I hold no grudges and I've long forgotten that morning. I hope you can, too." I said. He nodded. "Yes, indeed. We should all put the past behind us. And please, call me Stephen. I only allow clients to call me Mister Summerland." He replied. I nodded.

"We agree that the past is behind us?" He asked. "Agreed." I smiled. He squeezed my hand and bowed slightly. He backed up and looked at everyone. "Who's ready?" He asked. Devan looked at me and raised his right eyebrow and smiled slightly. "Think you can keep up?" He asked. I grinned. "The question is, can you keep up?" I asked, turning his own question on him.

"Let's go!" Anastasia pressured impatiently. "Well go! You're not a newborn. You know what you're doing. Evan, stay close to Annabelle." Stephen instructed. "Oh, he doesn't have to. I hunted with Damian for practice a few times." I stated. I was sure that name was kind of unwanted but it was the truth.

He nodded. He waved his hand and everyone started running and we were gone in a flash. I knew all the routes that Evan and his family used to hunt so I knew where to go.

After running, I could smell two new scents. One was human. Human male. His blood smelled salty (I assumed from running) and his heart beating quickly. But the other scent was another vampire. He was male, also. Maybe it was more of Evan or Damian's family. They shared the same blood so Damian's family was Evan's family.

I came into view of Evan, Stephen, Anastasia, a guy in baggy clothes and a man with black hair that was really short, jeans and a black leather jacket. His eyes were violet, also.

I stopped running and slowed to a walk. They were standing under a street light so their faces were visible as I eased my way down to them.

They turned their attention to me as I walked up. The man with the same color eyes as I stared at me in utter shock. I stopped and we caught each others gaze. I could feel shock, disbelief, slight fear and curiosity. Everyone of his emotions became mine in an instant.

"Annabelle, this is Goliath." Stephen said breaking the silence and our gaze. "Goliath, this is Annabelle." Stephen added. An unknown feeling ran over me. "Y- you're m-my father?" I stuttered shocked. He didn't reply but moved closer. "You're- My- Daughter...?" He questioned. I nodded. "I'm what you left behind sixteen years ago." I answered.

We stared at each other for a moment longer. He blinked rapidly. "H-how are you?" He finally asked. "I'm- great. Thanks for asking. What about you?" I asked. "Wonderful. It's nice to finally see you." He said. I smiled. "It's nice to finally meet you, too." I replied. He took a step closer and so did I.

Within seconds, he wrapped his arms around me, hugging me tightly. Tears ran down my face. I tightened my arms around him. There was a whole new feeling of joy. An empty space had been filled and one question had been answered though many still remained.

Damian's leaving made a new empty space but it gave me the chance to meet my biological father. I would have to thank him if I ever seen him again. The joy of meeting my real father was clouded by the reminder that Damian most likely would never return. It was hard to enjoy meeting my real father when I missed Damian so much.

Goliath pulled away from the hug, placed both hands on either side of my face and looked at me with teary eyes. I breathed a laugh. "You look just like-" He started but I cut him off. "You." I finished. "I was going to say your mother." He chuckled.

"I hate to ruin this moment, but I have dinner to eat." Anastasia said. Goliath shrugged his shoulders. "We're all vampires here. Go ahead." He said. Anastasia dragged the man she was holding off. His screams of terror filled the alley.

"Just so you know, your daughter doesn't drink blood. She's weird." Evan said with his arms crossed. "Bite me, Evan. Just bite me." I said. "Gladly. Where?" He asked with a slight smile. I rolled my eyes and looked back at Goliath. "No. I don't drink blood. Any kind of blood. I still survive on human food." I said. "You know at some point you're going to have to drink blood, right? If you don't, eventually you'll starve to death." He replied. "I know. I just don't have any cravings for blood." I stated.

He stared at me for a moment. A smile painted on his face. "You have your mothers features." He said. "But every bit of your blood." I replied. I seen Casen appear behind Goliath. He was smiling.

Goliath turned around. "Casen has been telling me all about you. He said he has an amazing big sister." Goliath said as Casen came closer. I felt a sense of joy and pride. "When I was a kid, I never thought that I would have a little brother hidden in the bushes." I joked. "Literally." Casen laughed. "Does my parents know you're here?" I asked Goliath. He shook his head. "Your mother wanted me to stay away until you were old enough to understand. Sixteen years and nearly grown, I think you're old enough to know the truth." He stated.

"Annabelle, your mother needs you to come home." Stephen said walking closer. Instantly, I was worried. "What's wrong?" I asked. "It's your grandmother. They're calling the immediate family in." He answered. Tears formed in my eyes. Goliath placed his hand on my shoulder as Evan walked closer.

"Come on, Annabelle. I'll take you home." He said. I looked at Goliath. I couldn't say anything for the fear and hurt that took over my emotions. I hugged him tightly. "It's nice to finally find the missing pieces." I said. He kissed my hair. "It's nice to finally know my daughter." He replied. I let go of him and hugged Casen.

"I'll see you guys later." I said as I let go of Casen. I turned to walk towards the car. "Annabelle," Goliath said stopping me. I turned around and looked at him. "Don't tell your parents that you've met me just yet. Give it time first." He said. I nodded. Evan tugged on my arm gently and we hurried towards the car.

I walked into a room of the nursing home. I wasn't sure if it was considered a waiting room or not but most of my family was sitting there in tears.

"Annabelle." My mother said walking over to me quickly. My cousin Erik walked out. "She's waiting for Annabelle." He said leaning in the doorway. Tears welled in my eyes. My mother started pulling me towards the room. It reminded me of when I was little and my grandfather died.

"Annabelle, you need to see your grandfather." My mother said. Nine years old, I didn't want to. I was afraid. "Mom, I don't want to. I'm scared!" I whined. She took my hand and dragged me in the room. I fought against her grip. "No, mom!" I cried. "Annabelle Elizabeth Lahay, behave yourself!" My mother scolded.

I looked at my grandfather. They had removed his left eye and on the right side of his face, he had skin cancer. There were what looked like holes in the right side of his face as he looked at me.

"My precious, Annabelle." He smiled. I tried not to let the terror in me show on my face. He held his arms out, waiting for a hug.

When I snapped back to reality, I had my fingers dug into the frame of the doorway and wouldn't budge. I could feel that terror all over again as I looked in at my grandmother who looked as fragile as glass.

"Annabelle, what's wrong?" She asked weakly. I removed my embedded fingers from the wood frame. "Nothing grandma." I lied. I looked at the holes in the wood where my fingers dug deeply trying to stop myself.

I walked over and sat down. My mother was still standing by the door. "Joseph, let me and Anna be alone for a moment." My grandmother said. He nodded and walked out, taking my mother with him.

"Grandma," I whispered. She leaned closer. "I have something to tell you." I finished. "What's that, Dear?" She asked. "I found him. I found Goliath. My real father. I met him tonight." I whispered. A smile spread quickly across her face. "I always liked Goliath. He was such a nice young man." She said.

"I also have a half-brother. His name is Casen." I whispered so my parents wouldn't hear me. "He told me not to tell my parents right now." I added. She nodded and laid back. Resting gently on her bed and closing her eyes.

"Tell your parents to come here." She said. I stood up and walked out. Entering into the waiting part. I looked at my parents. "Grandma wants you." I said leaning in the doorway.

We walked back in. My mother buried her face in my fathers shoulder to muffle her sobs. My grandmother opened her gray smokey eyes. We sat down next to her and she took my hand. I couldn't tell if her hand was cold or warm. Everything was cool to the touch for me.

She nestled back down in her bed and closed her eyes. Her heartbeat got slower. She became relaxed. I blinked the tears back in my eyes. After a few moments, she became motionless. I could feel my parents fearful relief. But they only thought my grandma was passing on.

Her eyes flew open. "I guess he doesn't want me today." She said. We looked at her confused as she sat up. "Not my time. Joe, why don't you go get us a hamburger? I'm starving." She said leaning over her bed on the left side.

"What?" My father questioned concerned. She sat back up, her purse in hand. She dug through her purse and pulled out a twenty dollar bill. "Here. They've been feeding me like a bird here!" She stated handing him the twenty. "I'm sure the doctors have you on a strict diet for a reason." My father argued. He knew not to do that.

"I don't care what the doctors say! I was around when his mother was in diapers. He can't tell me what to do." My grandma stated stubbornly. My father started to say something but she cut him off. "Don't argue with me, Joseph! Do what I said!" She instructed firmly. I let my hair fall over my face as I pursed my lips, trying not to laugh. "Yes, ma'am." He replied and started out.