Chapter 57

The atmosphere on the way home was thick. No one uttered a word. There was so much to say, yet there were just no words coming to mind.

As the car came to a standstill, two pairs of tiny legs scuttled towards the car.

“Mommy! Daddy!” Jon was out the car in an instant, falling down onto his knees, he held his arms open, joy etched on his strained face.

Tiny arms clutched at his shoulders, a sloppy kiss found its way towards his cheek.

“Why have you been away for so long daddy?” the blue eyes of his daughter, so much like his, stared accusingly.

“Daddy has to work sweetheart, but now I’m back for a short while ok? I have a surprise for both of you but first, lets get mommy into the house.”

Dark, listless eyes stared at him as he opened the door.

“Didn’t you stay at the house?” her voice was light but Jon wasn’t fooled.

“I didn’t want to upset you further.” His boyish blue eyes seemed so vulnerable, seeking her approval, yet she didn’t give it to him. He couldn’t tell her that he didn’t trust himself around the kids just yet…

“I don’t want you near the children if no one is close by.” His gasp pained her but she refused to give in to her pity for him. He wasn’t Jon anymore, he was a careless hunter and her kids would have absolutely no chance against him. She shivered at the thought.

She didn’t notice the stiffening of his shoulders as her thoughts stabbed into his brain.

“Let….lets get you into the house.” He steadied her as she slid from the car. Rejecting his supporting hands, she shuffled slowly, her face radiating as her eyes rested on her babies.

“Mommy!” Stephanie rushed forward but Jon’s gentle hands shielded Dot from their daughter’s overzealous greeting.

“Whhoaaa there babygirl, mommy isn’t feeling too well.”

“Its ok Jon.” Her eyes were flashing.

Stepping back, he kept a close eye, he wasn’t wanted here…how could he feel so out of place? Dammit this was his home, his safe haven…it was anyway.

As if feeling his father’s turmoil, the little boys sidled at his side, holding his little hands out to his father.

Picking him up, he cuddled the tiny body tightly to his, marveling at the acceptance. Pressing his face into his tiny neck, he sniffed at the baby scent, so refreshing, so familiar.

“What are you doing?” Dorothea’s hiss rang in the air, her hands locked on the tiny body.

Confusion turned the sky blue irises to dark, stormy cobalt.

The little boy went willingly into his mother’s arms, his innocence shielding him from the electric buzz crackling between the adults.

“I was greeting my son, Dorothea. MY son, remember?”

She turned without a word, making her way slowly towards the house.

Giving his temper time to come down a notch, he waited for the little family to enter the house before he dared to enter.

~~

Jon sat in the study, a book and pen forgotten on the table, his thoughts snatching him from the lyrics he was trying so hard to scribble down. The only solace was the deep taste of his cigarette burning down his throat.

The last week was pure hell. Dorothea never allowed him close to the kids if she wasn’t close by. Night after night he heard the unmistakable lock of the master bedroom door. Sometimes he felt the demon inside him wanting to scare the shit out of her, appearing in her bedroom, showing her that no matter what she did, he will be there, if he wanted to….

“You are pale.” Jon’s head snapped up. She looked so delicious….no!....beautiful! What the fuck was he thinking?!

Jon snorted.” That’s what you get when you turn into a vampire sweetheart, its not all rosy you know.”

She wouldn’t let up, her eyes searched his face.

“You didn’t look like that when you came home. What’s wrong Jon? Are you sick? Look at me when I talk to you!”

Slamming his fists on the desk, Jon snapped upright. His glittering eyes fixed on her.

“Jesus Dorothea! Why the sudden concern? Hoping that I might be dying? Sorry to disappoint you sweetheart, I’m going nowhere. “

Dorothea suppressed a scream. Jon’s lips were peeled back, sharp fangs flashed in the electric light,. His eyes were sparks of cobalt. Her eyes dropped down to the table, two badly cracked hollows were splayed underneath bulging fists.

“Jon, calm down. No need to break the furniture.” The fear in her eyes extinguished his temper as quick as it flared, sagging his head back, he took a few deep breaths.

“I’m sorry. It’s just…I need….*sigh*…never mind.”

“Are you drinking your potion as you’re supposed to?” The flicker of concern sparked in his heart.

He slumped back down into the chair. Rubbing his eyes tiredly, he nodded.

“Yeah…yeah I’m drinking the fucking stuff, every damn day of my life.”

“Its not working is it? Jon I don’t want you here if you cant control yourself, I won’t put the kids’ lives in danger.”

Empty eyes lifted towards her, pain was like cold, hard shards in his eyes.

“I will never, ever put you or the kids in danger. If you don’t want me here just tell me, just know no matter hard you try to keep me away, I’ll always manage my way back.”

“Is that a threat Jon?” her lips quivered uncontrollably.

“No, that’s a damn promise. If you don’t want me, its fine but my kids are my kids.”

A sudden weakness slammed into Jon and he sighed, slumping back against the back rest of the chair. Dizziness overwhelmed him and he raked his fingers through his hair, holding his shaking palm close to his scalp, his eyes shut.

“Why are you like this? You told me the potion worked. Jon talk to me.”

Jon didn’t move…he was as pale as a ghost, dark circles smudged below his eyes. Hollows etched dark shadows on his cheeks, he looked like a corpse.