This story is rated ADULT.  Explicit m/f sex.  Nick and Natalie.  It follows "Fortune's Favor" in my Laurene series.
Permission is granted for archiving at WWW.FKFANFIC.COM, the FTP site, JADFE, and the Mortal Love adult fiction page.

I would like to thank Heather-Anne Gillis for her help and suggestions, many of which are incorporated into this story.  You can thank her for LaCroix's involvement, if you wish.  It's all
her fault. <g> I would also like to thank her for her time and energy in beta reading.  My thanks also go to my other intrepid and hard-working beta readers--Beth Gardner and Joni Galloway, without whom my grammar and punctuation would undoubtedly be a mess.  :)

I would also like to dedicate this story to all the Gerthering 4 attendees--you know who you are--who kept piling money into the lust bucket for the kids....  It *was* for the charity, right?
No other reason?  Nahhhh....  Not us.  <weg>  Now, on with the lusting.

                    DISCLAIMER:  The characters of Nick and Co. are not mine.  They  were created by James Parriott and Barney Cohen and are owned by Sony/TriStar.  No copyright infringement was intended.  This alternate universe and the characters Laurene, Krissy, Kayla and Jeremy are my creations.  Please ask permission before playing with them.

                    And To All a Good Night -- Part 1 of 5
                    by Nancy Taylor
                    (c) December 1998

                    'Twas the night before Christmas
                    And all through the house,
                    Not a creature was stirring,
                    Not even a mouse....

                    Mid-December, the Chevalier household--

 
                         "Mum!!"  Laurene's call echoed through the rooms of the cozy French Colonial home.  "Mum!!  Jeremy took the angel and won't give it back!"
                         Natalie hastened into the living room, where her eldest daughter was in charge of decorating this year's Christmas tree.
                    "What's going on here?" she demanded of the two decorating the tree.  Her weary exasperation was quite evident in her voice.
                         "It's my job to put the angel on top of the tree," Laurene explained, "but Jeremy took it and won't give it back!"
                         "I wanna put the angel on top!" Jeremy declared, clasping the precious heirloom ornament tightly between his two little fists.
                         "Laurene, sweetheart," Natalie began, as she gently pried the decoration from Jeremy's resisting grasp.  "I know that you have always put the angel on top of the tree, but this is Jeremy's first Christmas with us.  Don't you think that maybe this year we could let him put the angel on top?  It would mean a lot to him."
                         "But it's *my* job, Mum!" Laurene complained.  "It's my *special* job!"
                         "How about this year, you get to do the lights and the tinsel?"  Natalie tried to negotiate with her stubborn child.
                         "It's not the same!"  Laurene was beginning to whine.  The pouty turn of her mouth only served to accentuate her declaration.
                         "Remember last year when you gave all your presents to the shelter boys and girls, and never thought twice about it?"   Natalie asked.  Laurene nodded, but a wary look lit her sparkling eyes.  "We're not asking you to do anything like that this year," Natalie assured her daughter, "but letting Jeremy put the angel on top of the tree could be your special gift to your new
brother."
                         "Well....  All right," Laurene said, after some thoughtful hesitation.  "I guess so."
                         Natalie handed the angel back to Jeremy, then lifted the small child high enough so that he could reach the top of the five-foot tree that graced the corner of the room by the fireplace.
                         When Natalie set him back on his feet, Jeremy ran to Laurene.  "Thanks, Laur!"  He wrapped small arms around his sister's waist, and squeezed with all his might.
                         Laurene looked over Jeremy's golden curls to her mother and smiled.  "But I'm in charge of the lights and tinsel!"
                         "That you are."  Natalie smiled in return.
                         Just as though they had it perfectly timed, the twins started crying in unison.  With a sigh, Natalie left her two older children to finish decorating the tree and went to tend the infants.

                         "Mum!!"  It had only been a half hour.  Natalie sighed as she put a cranky Kayla back in her crib.  A quick answer was needed, so that the shouting wouldn't wake up Nick.
                         "What is it now, Laurene?"  Natalie's voice held a hint of exasperated anger.
                         "Jeremy grabbed the tinsel and is throwing it on in *gobs*!" she declared, pointing an accusing finger at the younger child.
                         Jeremy stood frozen, a fistful of tinsel held in one hand, while a condemning mass of the silvery stuff lay across one branch to justify Laurene's complaint.  Natalie sighed, and shook her head in defeat.  She patiently took the time to show Jeremy the proper way to drape the tinsel on the branches.  She then went back to tend the wailing twins.

                         After breaking up two fights over the tree decorations, taking care of the fussing infant twins, and putting both of their older children to bed for the night, Natalie felt in need of a nice hot shower.  Stripping down in the bathroom adjoining their bedroom, Natalie stepped into the stinging spray.  She shampooed her hair, and luxuriated in the warmth of the water pounding against her weary back like a many-fingered massage.
                        As she scrubbed the day's grime and troubles away, her mind drifted once again to her husband.  Nick had gone through hell less than a month ago.  LaCroix had messed so completely with his mind, through his dreams, that Nick was now back to square one.
                       All the progress he had made toward his coveted mortality had  been lost during those weeks of anguish.  Now Natalie was trying to repair the bridge, to help Nick get back the confidence he needed to continue.
                        So far, their forays had consisted of nothing more than heavy petting and kissing during romantic movies late at night.   Nick had been doing quite well with his control lately, and
Natalie was more than ready for something with a bit more action.  She dried herself off and wrapped her worn but well-loved fuzzy pink bathrobe around her, tightly cinching the waist.  Opening the door that adjoined their bedroom, Natalie made her move.
                         "Hey, Sugar."  Natalie sauntered across the bedroom.  Nick, just waking for the evening, sat up and watched her come.  The bewildered look reflected in his eyes was a direct counterpoint to the seduction in her own.
                         Reaching the bed, Natalie extended both arms, palms out, and  rested them on the soft silk of Nick's pajama-covered chest.  Her fingers worked deftly at the top button, as Nick continued to stare up at her in curiosity.
                         "Mind if I open my Christmas present a little early?"  Natalie's suggestive voice was a sultry octave lower than usual, as she continued unbuttoning the pajama top.
                         Nick reached up to cover both of her hands with his own.  He smiled, almost shyly, and pried her fingers loose from the fabric.  "I don't know, Nat," he began hesitantly.  "It's been less than a month since the dreams stopped and LaCroix promised to leave us alone.  I'm not sure I trust myself that much quite yet."
                         "*I* trust you," Natalie said sincerely.  Sitting down on the bed next to Nick, she slipped her hands from his grasp, and gently pushed him back down on the bed.  "Now shush, while I finish opening my present."  The smile gracing her lovely features held a hint of mischief.  She finished unbuttoning the shirt, and let it fall open to reveal the cool, alabaster skin of her husband's chest.  Natalie's fingers played through the sparse blond hairs, tracing circles around darkened nipples that stood at attention in the wake of her touch.
                         "Nat...."  Nick protested feebly, making useless advances with his hands, trying to deflect Natalie from her purpose.
                         "No, you don't," she protested.  "You're not getting me to stop that easily."  Natalie sat back and looked Nick squarely in the eyes.  "Look, Nick.  We've haven't had any decent sex since February!" she complained.  "First it was my pregnancy, then the babies, now your nightmares!  I'm frustrated, damn it, and I want my Christmas present *now*!"  With that, she bent over to lick an
erect nipple, teasing the sensitive tissue with her teeth.  While her mouth was thus occupied, her right hand slipped farther south, grasping Nick's scrotum through the slippery silk, and kneading his testicles gently.
                         Nick jumped slightly at the invasive contact before a moan escaped his reluctant lips.  "Nat...careful.  We need to go slowly.  Please...."
                         Natalie's hand glided up the length of Nick's hardening erection, slipping through the fly of his pajama bottoms to free the engorged organ from its silken prison.  The nearly purple glans of Nick's penis was already moist with pink seminal fluid--a signal he was ready, whether he liked it or not.
                         "Mummy?  Daddy?"  The small voice floated across the floor from the door of their bedroom.  Natalie sat up quickly, throwing the blanket across Nick as she turned to greet their newly
adopted son.
                         "Hi, Jeremy!  What's the matter?"  Natalie had tucked the youngster into bed over an hour ago.
                         "I'm still scared of the monsters under my bed," he explained, walking across the room and climbing up onto the bed.
                    "Can I sleep with you tonight?"  Not waiting for an answer from his embarrassed new parents, Jeremy crawled across the king-sized mattress to settle comfortably next to Nick in the center of the bed.
                         While Jeremy and Natalie were talking, Nick had surreptitiously pulled himself back together beneath the blanket, tucking himself in and buttoning his pajama top.  "Sure, Sport." Nick rolled over to wrap protective arms around the small, frightened child.
                         Natalie just sighed, and returned to the bathroom to exchange her worn robe for a flannel nightgown.  She returned to the bed, and crawled in next to Jeremy and her husband.  "Just
remember, Jeremy," she assured the toddler, "we're not going to let any monsters harm you, ever again."
                         Nick raised his head to look over Jeremy at Natalie.  He parted his lips marginally--enough for Natalie to see the fangs her recent attentions had caused to drop.  He closed his mouth tightly, and willed himself back to normal--whatever that was these days.  Natalie stretched a protective arm across their son, resting her hand against Nick's arm, which was similarly wrapped
around the small child.  Jeremy snuggled into the comfortable embrace, and settled in to sleep.  Soon, Natalie was also softly snoring.
                         Nick slipped carefully out of the bed, and put on his robe.  As per his agreement with Natalie, he was on leave from work at the shelter.  He walked across the hallway to look in on the twins, Krissy and Kayla.
                         The infants were sleeping restlessly.  The past week had been a nightmare of disrupted schedules and sleep deprivation, as the twins struggled with a bout of colic.  Nick listened to the ragged breathing, knowing that the babies would soon wake.
                         Krissy was first.  Opening her large gray-blue eyes, she looked at her father briefly before scrunching her face into a little knot and letting out a wail of displeasure.
                         Nick was quickly at her side, picking her up and holding her firmly against him.  He checked the baby's diaper, and carried her over to the changing table.
                         As he settled Krissy on the table and removed her wet diaper, Kayla let out a scream.  The noise from both infants at once was almost more than Nick's sensitive vampiric hearing could tolerate.  Pulled between comforting the newly awakened Kayla, and changing Krissy's diaper, Nick stood frozen for an instant.
                        "Need help, Daddy?"  Laurene's bedroom was just across the hall from the nursery.  Nick felt especially sorry for his eldest child, as she was losing sleep as much as either of her parents.
The twins were her special joy, however, and she never missed an opportunity to be of help.  She ran across the room, lifting the squalling Kayla from her crib.  Propping the baby up on one shoulder, Laurene walked around the room, bouncing and patting Kayla, trying to quiet her youngest sibling.
                         Nick smiled indulgently, and turned back to the matter of changing the diaper.  "Thanks, Laur, but shouldn't you be sleeping?" he asked.  "You've got school tomorrow, young lady."
                         "Yeah, I know."  Laurene continued to walk and bounce.  "I think Kayla needs a diaper, too," she commented.
                         "Trade?"  Nick picked up the freshly diapered Krissy and walked over to Laurene.  After relieving her of Kayla, he handed Krissy over.  "You should get back to bed."
                         "I will.  In a minute."  Laurene looked for all the world like a miniature version of her mother, as she tended the crying infant.  "You and Mum need help.  Mum says the babies have "colic.' "
                         "Yup," sighed Nick, finishing up Kayla's diaper change.  "But that's no reason for you to lose precious sleep.  I've got this under control."
                         "It's okay, Daddy," Laurene assured him.  "I like helping."
                         "I know you do, Pumpkin, but you need your rest," Nick insisted.  "Back to bed, now."
                         "But, Daddy...."
                         "No 'But, Daddy's' around here," Nick scolded.  "Off to bed          with you!"  Reluctantly, Laurene complied with the demand.

                         Natalie arose the next morning to find Nick asleep in the nursery's rocking chair, a baby tucked safely in the crook of each arm.  Lifting the small bundles carefully, Natalie placed the soundly sleeping infants in their cribs.
                         "Nick?"  Natalie's voice was barely above a whisper, as she shook her sleeping husband gently.  "Nick?  Come on now, you need to get to sleep in a real bed."
                         Nick stirred, and opened his eyes.  A smile curved his lips at the sight of Natalie leaning over him, her hair hanging loose, and the front of her robe falling open to reveal creamy breasts swollen with milk for the twins.  He reached up to cup a heavy breast through the soft terry cloth, caressing the roundness. His thumb brushed across the sensitized nipple, causing it to harden and the milk to leak, dampening the fabric.  He withdrew his hand quickly, as the scent of the milk
caused an instant reaction in his overstimulated system.  Natalie captured the fleeing hand, caressing his cheek with her free one.  She ran her thumb across his tightly closed lips, feeling the protrusion of his fangs beneath the flesh.  "It's all right, Nick."  Natalie tried soothing her husband.  "You need your rest.  When you've slept and fed, we can try again."  She offered Nick her hand, and led him back to their bedroom.
                         "I haven't forgotten my Christmas present," Natalie teased, as she turned down the sheets and tucked Nick into bed.  "I'll be back to collect--later."

                         By midmorning, Natalie had managed to get Laurene off to school, Jeremy to his play date, and the twins to sleep.  It was a rare moment of peace for the overworked mother.  Tiptoeing into the bedroom, she quickly slipped out of the comfortable sweats she had been wearing, and climbed onto the bed.
                         Nick was sleeping soundly.  Natalie was pleased that he was no longer troubled by the disturbing nightmares, but she was determined that he wouldn't waste the whole day in slumber.
Crawling across the king-sized mattress, she straddled his chest, and sat back on his stomach.
                         Nick came awake with a start.  Natalie leaned over to kiss him soundly on the mouth, parting his lips with her tongue and exploring the contours of his teeth.  No fangs yet, she noted with satisfaction.
                         Pulling back, she began to slowly unbutton Nick's pajama top once more.  "I told you I'd be back for my present," she purred, leaning down to lick at one exposed nipple.  She felt it harden beneath her lips, and nipped lightly, causing Nick to jump beneath her.
                         "Natalie...."  Nick's protest was weak.  Natalie knew that he wanted this as much as she did.  She could feel his need hardening behind her as she sat, straddled across his hips.  She leaned forward, her lace-covered breasts dangling near his cool lips.
                         Nick reached up to cup Natalie's breasts in the palms of his hands.  His thumbs rolled the low-cut lace, exposing the dark pink areolas and erect nipples.  Brushing her sensitive skin with his thumbs caused Natalie to arch her back and moan with pleasure.
                         The arching of her back pushed Natalie's breasts into contact with Nick's waiting lips.  He engulfed one nipple with his hungry mouth and suckled lightly, enjoying the taste of warm
milk as it trickled down his throat.
                         With a roar, the vampire suddenly came to life.  The tips of Nick's fangs pierced the delicate skin of Natalie's breast, causing a rivulet of blood to run a tracing of scarlet down to her nipple, where it clung to the tip, forming a small droplet.
                        Natalie held very still, waiting to see what Nick's reaction would be.  With a flick of his tongue, Nick captured the blood drop, tasting Natalie's strong love and support there.  He pulled
away and sat up, causing Natalie to bump up against his fully hardened erection.  She put a hand behind her to stroke the satin skin of Nick's penis.
                         "No, Nat!"  Nick's voice was a throaty growl.  "No."  He pushed her back farther, past his erection and off his lower body.  "I can't.  Not now.  Not like this."
                         "But, Nick, you can do this.  I know that you can!"  Natalie tried her best to sound encouraging.  She reached once more for the buttons on his pajama top, studiously avoiding touching or looking at the most obvious sign of his arousal.
                         Nick sat as still as stone, allowing Natalie's touch, but not allowing himself to respond.  Natalie finished with the final button, and pushed the silk past his shoulders, letting it slide
down to the pillow.  Nick slipped his arms from the entangling sleeves, and looked deeply into Natalie's loving eyes.  She wanted this.  She needed this.  So did he, and he knew it.
                         With slow and carefully calculated moves, Nick brushed the bra straps from Natalie's shoulders.  Reaching behind her, he unfastened the clasp and watched as Natalie's breasts fell free from the confining garment.  Catching her wide blue eyes with his golden ones, he silently asked her permission to continue.
                         Natalie gathered his hands in her own, and gently placed them against her erect nipples, holding them there until she was certain Nick would continue on his own.
                         Cupping her full breasts in his eager hands, Nick leaned in to kiss Natalie.  Gently, carefully, he probed her lips with his tongue, amply aware of the damage his fangs could unintentionally inflict.  She opened her mouth to him, leaning into his embrace, and...

                         ...With a wail, Krissy woke up, screaming like a banshee.  Kayla soon followed, setting up such a caterwaul that both parents were drawn to the nursery to see what was wrong.
                         "Damn this colic, anyway!"  Natalie fumed beneath her breath.  Despite the softly whispered words, Nick heard her, and wrapped an understanding arm around her waist.
                         "We'll get our chance, Nat."  Nick tried to sound encouraging.  "Just give it time."
                         "I *have* given it time!" the frustrated mother hissed softly to her would-be lover.  "There's never any time for *us* in this household!" she complained.
                         "Let's call Schank," Nick suggested, lifting one crying infant from her crib, and rubbing her back soothingly.  "He and Myra would be more than happy to watch the kids for a weekend.  That would give us a chance to get away."
                         Natalie looked at him as though he had finally gone around the bend.  Nick smiled back at her and nodded encouragingly.  "It could work, Nat."  His voice was that of an eager teenager, anxious for his first sexual experience.  His eyes danced with the thought, and Natalie was forced to smile.
                         "It *could* work," she agreed, a sly look entering her eye as her mouth quirked up in a crooked grin.

                    <End Part 1>
 
 

                    And To All a Good Night -- Part 2 of 5

                         "Hey, Nick!  Hey, Nat!"  Don Schanke walked through the front door of the Chevalier home and hung his coat on the coat tree that stood in the entryway hall.  "Hey there, Squirt!" he greeted Laurene as she ran to say hello to the old family friend.
                         "Uncle Don!"  Laurene was all smiles as she threw herself into the police captain's arms and hugged him tightly.
                         After disentangling himself from Laurene's enthusiastic embrace, Schanke looked up at her puzzled parents.  "Myra couldn't make it.  Her mother's sick, and she had to take her some chicken soup...or something," he explained.  "It's just me and the munchkin here.  We can handle this, can't we, Squirt?"  He smiled broadly at Laurene.
                         "Oh, yeah!" Laurene agreed brightly.
                         "You sure, Schank?"  Nick looked skeptical.  "The four of them together are quite a handful."
                         "And the twins have colic," Natalie added.
                         Schanke noted the dark circles of fatigue under Natalie's eyes.  She and Nick badly needed this break from their hectic lives.  "No problem-o, Partner!" he exclaimed.  "Just take your
pretty wife to someplace real nice, and enjoy your weekend."  He winked slyly at Nick.  "Laurene's a great little helper, and Jeremy's so quiet that he won't be a problem...."  He paused briefly in his commentary.  "Colic, huh?" he mused.  "I remember when Jenny was colicky.  Kept us up all night....  Well, hey!  You guys have a great time.  We'll keep things under control here."
                         "Thanks, Schank; you're a gem."  Natalie gathered the stout man into a tight hug.  "If they give you too much trouble, call us."
                         "Here's the number," Nick added, handing Schanke a business card with a number scribbled on the back.
                         "Bye, Mum.  Bye, Daddy."  Laurene hugged each of her parents in turn.  "We'll miss you."
                         "We're going to miss you, too, Sweetie," Natalie told her.  A wisp of guilt at leaving her family tugged at her heart.  "Where's Jeremy?" she added.
                         A small face peeked out from behind the doorway into the dining room.  "Come here, Sport, and get your hugs!" Nick called across the room.
                         Jeremy came running, and threw himself into Nick's outstretched arms.  After hugging his father, Jeremy went straight to Natalie and climbed into her embrace as well.  Natalie lifted the small child and hugged him fiercely, tears beginning to well in her eyes.
                         "We'd better get going."  Nick placed a hand on Natalie's arm.  She set Jeremy down and turned to go before she lost her resolve.  "Bye, you guys.  Good luck, Schank."  Nick smiled as he guided Natalie to the waiting taxi.

                         "Where are we going?" Natalie asked as she settled herself into the back seat of the cab.
                         "Now, that would be telling."  Nick's secretive grin fired Natalie's curiosity all the more.
                         "I'm worried about the children already," Natalie commented after several minutes of riding in silence.
                         "Nat, Schank's got our number.  We have the cell phone with us.  There's nothing to worry about."  Nick put his arm around his wife and pulled her against him.  Natalie laid her head
against his shoulder and closed her eyes, trying not to worry about the children, and to think, instead, about the "work" she had before herself for the weekend.  A soft smile greeted that particular thought.
                         Finally they arrived at the airport.  The taxi dropped them off at a distant terminal used for private aircraft.  Natalie's curiosity was all the more piqued when Nick guided her to a small
private prop plane.  He loaded their luggage into the back seat, and helped Natalie into the front passenger seat.
                         "Where's the pilot?" Natalie asked, searching the tarmac for some sign of another person.
                         In answer to her question, Nick climbed into the pilot's seat and fastened his seatbelt.  Natalie turned to look at him in shock.  "What?" Nick's face was a mask of innocence.  "You didn't know that vampires can fly?"
                         Natalie thwapped him once across the upper arm, then watched in amazement as Nick radioed the tower for clearance and taxied the small plane out onto the runway.  Once in the air, Nick turned to smile once more at Natalie.  "See?  Easy as pie!"
                         "Nick, when did you get your pilot's license?  How could you do that without me knowing?"  Natalie was incredulous.
                         "Oh, I learned to fly back in the '80s," he answered her.  "All I need to do is fly occasionally to keep my hours up."  Natalie continued to stare at him with a mixture of awe and
confusion.
                         "But why have you never told me?" she wanted to know.
                         "I dunno, Nat.  Just didn't seem important."  Nick turned to check his instruments, and adjusted their flight path slightly.  "Just seeing the look on your face tonight was reason enough."
He chuckled softly.
                         The short flight ended as Nick set the plane down at the Lester B. Pearson International Airport in Toronto.  A limo was waiting as they climbed out.
                         "Where *are* we going?" Natalie asked once they were settled into the back of the limousine.  "Come on, Nick.  What have you got planned?"  She tugged at his sleeve like an anxious child.
                         "Patience, Nat," Nick answered mysteriously.  "We'll be there soon enough."  He opened a small refrigerator, pulling out two bottles and two chilled glasses.  "Care for a glass of wine?"
                         Deciding that Nick was not going to tell her anything until he was good and ready, Natalie graciously accepted the glass of chilled Riesling and took a small sip.  Nick had poured himself a generous glass of blood, which he drained rather quickly.  He was sipping on his third glass when they finally arrived at their destination across town.
                         Natalie stared in shocked surprise at the warehouse on Gateway Lane.  Nick opened the limousine's door and helped Natalie out of the vehicle.  After picking up their baggage, he
led the way inside.  The couple stepped onto the elevator and rode up to the loft.
                         Natalie stepped into the large room and paused to look around.  It was like taking a step back in time.  "Nick...."  She scanned the room with awe.  "I had no idea you'd kept this place.
I thought all of this was in storage."  She gestured with her hands at all the furniture, bric-a-brac, and the grand piano that still dominated the main floor.
                         "It is," Nick replied with a smile.  "I store it right here."
                         "But...."  Natalie continued to stare.  "Everything is just like we left it!"
                         "I called ahead and had the cleaning lady do a little dusting," Nick explained.  "The fridge is stocked with everything we'll need for the weekend."
                         Pausing, Nick walked over and swept Natalie up in his arms.  "I've got something I want to show you," he said.  He carried her to the stairwell and began to climb.  "I bought this as a special gift for you," he teased mysteriously.  "I thought this could be our hideaway when we need some peace and quiet."
                         He reached the upstairs landing and walked over to the bedroom.  Shoving the door open with his toe, he carried Natalie inside.  Natalie gasped at the sight of the four-poster, canopied
bed.  Garlands of fresh flowers were wrapped around the posts, and white rose petals littered the satin comforter.
                         "Merry Christmas, Nat."  Nick placed her gently on the mattress.  With one hand on either side of Natalie, Nick leaned in for a passionate kiss.  As his tongue danced with hers, he
pushed her down onto the bed.  Natalie shivered as his cool lips traced a wet trail of kisses down her throat.  He unbuttoned her blouse just enough to bury his face in the cleft of her breasts.  He luxuriated in the warmth and scent of Natalie's skin.  Finally raising his head, he looked at her with gold-flecked eyes.  "You can open your present now."  His lustful smile was all the encouragement Natalie needed.

                         "Anybody hungry?"  Don Schanke rolled the dice, and moved his piece around the Candyland game board.
                         "Yeah!" piped Laurene and Jeremy in unison.
                         "Can we order a pizza?" Laurene inquired.  Jeremy nodded his vigorous approval.
                         "Sure, why not?"  He slapped his thighs with both hands, and stood up.  "Know any good souvlaki places that deliver?"  Laurene scrunched her nose, but nodded and ran to fetch the phone book.
                         A few minutes later, Schanke sauntered back into the living room.  "Doesn't anybody around here speak English?" he complained.
                         Laurene looked up in amusement.  "We live in Quebec now, Uncle Don.  They like to speak French here.  Did you get the pizza ordered?  Extra pepperoni?"
                         "You betcha, Munchkin--extra pepperoni and light on the sauce.  Just like you ordered.  Got me a souvlaki coming, too."  Just then Schanke's stomach let out a loud rumble, and both children started laughing.
                         Once the food arrived, the three gathered around the television to watch a movie and eat their dinner.  The two children edged as far away from Schanke and the garlic-laden
souvlaki as they could manage.
                         "What's the matter with you Chevaliers, anyway?" Schanke complained.  "Can't *any* of you take a little garlic?  Nick I can understand, but..."
                         "Ah, Uncle Don...." Laurene interrupted Schanke's friendly tirade and quietly shook her head.
                         "Oh.  Okay, I get it," Schanke replied, realizing that Jeremy didn't yet know that his new daddy was a vampire.  "Got any cookies for dessert?" he said, changing the subject quickly.
                         "Chocolate chips!" Jeremy crowed, jumping up to fetch the confections from the kitchen.
                         "Cute kid," Schanke commented once Jeremy left the room.  "He sure looks a lot like your dad.  Are you *sure* he's not your real brother?"
                         Laurene gave Schanke an exasperated look.  "He *is* my real brother!  Just because he's adopted, doesn't mean he's not real."
                         "Well, yeah, I know, but...." Schanke stammered.
                         "He does look like Daddy, doesn't he?"  Laurene smiled as she watched her brother carrying the plate of cookies back into the living room.
                         As Schanke was reaching for his sixth cookie, one of the twins let out a wail.  He lifted his bulk with amazing quickness and headed for the nursery, followed by Laurene.  As the two
entered the twins' bedroom, the other infant began to cry as well.
                         "They always do it in pairs," Laurene sighed.  She reached in to lift Kayla out of her crib.  "I'll bet they're hungry.  I know how to fix the milk," she explained.  Handing Kayla to Schanke, she headed for the kitchen to warm the breast milk her mother had expressed for this occasion.
                         It took over an hour to feed, change, and calm the colicky infants.  By the time everything was quiet again, Schanke was beginning to look a little green.
                         "You don't look so good, Uncle Don," Laurene noted.  "You feeling okay?"
                         "Nah, not so hot, Munchkin," Schanke replied.  "As a matter of fact, I think I have to...."  With that, Schanke ran from the room to the bathroom down the hall, holding a hand across his mouth as he went.  Laurene followed, and stood outside the door.  She heard sounds of retching as Schanke vomited his dinner into the commode.
                         "Man, oh man," Schanke groaned when he finally was able to leave the bathroom.  "I sure as heck don't want to ruin your parents' weekend, but I feel sick as a dog."  He dragged himself back into the living room and sprawled out on the couch.
                         "Is there anybody we could call to take over?" he wondered.
                         "Leave it to me, Uncle Don," Laurene spoke up.  "I'll take care of everything for you."  With that, she went to the phone and dialed.
                         After a few minutes of quiet conversation, she walked back over to the couch.  "The cavalry is coming, Uncle Don," she assured him.
                         "Good thing," Schanke murmured.  As his hand flew up to cover his mouth once more, he made another mad dash to the bathroom.  When he finally was able to come out again, an
imposing figure dressed in black stood in the middle of the living room floor.
                         "We meet again, Mr. Schanke," Lucien LaCroix greeted him.  "Looking a little green around the gills, too.  My, my....  Whatever could have caused this, do you think?"
                         "I think I got some bad souvlaki," Schanke groaned.  "I'm calling a cab and heading to the hospital."
                         "A wise decision, I would think."  LaCroix looked as inscrutable as ever.  "Do take care."
                         When the taxi finally arrived, Laurene walked her miserable ex-babysitter out to the curb and saw him off, waving as the car pulled away and drove on down the block.

                         "And such a nicely wrapped package it is," Natalie purred as she reached up to begin unbuttoning Nick's shirt.  She took her time, unbuttoning a couple buttons, then running a fingernail lightly down Nick's chest to where the next button waited.  Nick shivered at her touch, but staunchly held his place, staying perfectly still while Natalie tantalized him with every contact of his skin.  She pulled his shirttails from his jeans, and finished unfastening the last of the buttons.  She spread the fabric open, but did not attempt to remove the clothing.
                         Dragging the fingernails of her right hand lightly down his chest, she drew tiny circles around his navel before plunging a finger inside.  Nick quivered, a reflexive jerk pulling him away
from Natalie's touch.  She chuckled.
                         "You're not getting away that easily, Nicholas Chevalier," Natalie chided.  She ran more light fingernails across his nipples, causing them to tighten and Nick to gasp.  It took all his control to stay quiet and still, and let Natalie do what she wished.
                         Leaning in, Natalie flicked her tongue over one of the hardened nubs.  Soft lips encircled the erect flesh and suckled, before her teeth teasingly nipped at him.  Nick let out a small
yelp of surprise, and began to pant, trying to keep everything in control at once.
                         Natalie grinned lewdly, thoroughly enjoying the tender torment she was inflicting on her husband.  She brushed the shirt from his shoulders and let it slip to the floor unnoticed.  Her
fingers pried the buckle on Nick's belt open, and she pulled it free with a flourish.
                         Unfastening the button on Nick's jeans, her fingers hovered over the zipper, toying with the pull.  The denim was stretched to its maximum, Nick's arousal pressing firmly against the
fabric.
                         "Get on with it, Nat," Nick growled between clenched teeth.  His eyes had turned completely golden, and Natalie could see the outline of his fangs beneath the tightly stretched flesh of his lips.  She tugged on the zipper, pulling it down.  She pushed the jeans past Nick's hips, and he kicked them savagely to the floor.
                         Natalie placed a warm hand against the erect silk-covered organ, and kneaded her fingers into the hard flesh.  Nick let out a roar and was on the other side of the bed staring at her before Natalie even knew what had happened.
                         "Nick?"  Natalie turned to face him, and came face-to-face with a vampire.  His golden eyes were flecked with red at the edges, and his fangs glinted from his open mouth.  "Nick, are you all right?"
                         "Do I *look* all right?" Nick growled miserably.  "I need blood."  With that statement, Natalie suddenly found herself alone in a bed full of crushed white rose petals.

                    <End Part 2>

And To All a Good Night -- Part 3 of 5
 

                          Nick returned fifteen minutes later, looking sheepish.  His eyes were once again blue, his fangs had retracted, and his erection had vanished.  "I'm sorry, Nat," he apologized, climbing back onto the bed.
                          Natalie had crawled beneath the comforter during his absence.  Now she turned disappointed eyes upon her nearly naked husband.  "Are we going to be able to make this work?" she asked.
                          "Oh, yes, Nat.  We will.  I just need a lot of control, and that means a lot of blood."  He pointed to the two bottles he had brought back with him and left on the nightstand.  "Do you mind?"
                          "No, my sweet.  Whatever it takes."  Natalie looked at him with longing.  "Any chance I can finish opening my present now?"
                          "Well, your present doesn't seem to be quite as excited as it used to be."  His eyes danced with amusement as he watched Natalie's gaze slip downward.
                          "We'll just have to do something about that, won't we?" she asked.  Sitting up, she allowed the satin comforter to slide away.  The sight of her naked body, glistening in the candlelight
of the room, made her present come to life once more.  She smiled as she watched the silk of Nick's shorts become tighter and tighter.
                           "I guess it's time I let that poor thing out," she sighed  "It has been captive much too long."  Eager fingers slipped under the elastic waistband and pulled the slick fabric down past Nick's erection.  Once freed from its confining prison, Nick's penis pointed directly at Natalie.  "Oh," she giggled.  "It wants  me!"
                          Natalie wrapped her fingers around the shaft and ran her closed fist up and down its length.  One finger toyed with the foreskin, pushing it back to fully expose the engorged glans.  Her head dropped, and her tongue tasted him.  'Oh, how marvelous he tastes!' she thought as her mouth engulfed first the glans, then part of the shaft.  She scraped her teeth up and down the firm flesh, sending ripples of pleasure up Nick's spine.  He threw back his head, closed his eyes, and panted for control, his fists grasping tightly to the satin sheets for support.
                          Natalie finally released him, and looked up.  "I think it's time to rewrap my present."  She folded her arms around Nick's neck, and pulled him down on top of her.  Warm fingers encircled his penis, guiding it toward her folds.  She was wet with her desire, and as Nick's glans parted her swollen lips, he became slick with her fluids.
                         The urge to bury himself in her warmth was overwhelming, but Nick held back, sliding slowly into Natalie.  Once he was fully engulfed, he lay there for a few moments, basking in the glory that was his wife.  The feel of her wrapped around him caused a white heat to spread into the core of his being, beating back the beast, if only for this moment.
                         He began to thrust, slowly at first, pulling out until the tip of his penis was on the brink, then sliding back in about half the length of his shaft.
                         The gentle titillation was too much for the sexually frustrated Natalie.  She ran her hands down Nick's back to firmly grasp his buttocks.  On his next thrust, she pulled him down
vigorously, while raising her hips to meet him.  The result was his being fully buried within her.
                         Her action caused Nick to lose the tenuous hold he had on his control.  He began thrusting hard and fast, panting and groaning with the effort.  Natalie met him, thrust for thrust,
bringing her hips up to meet him in a perfectly choreographed dance.
                         She felt it grow in the core of her being, and spread quickly throughout her body, causing her to tremble with the effort to restrain it.  Nick's next thrust penetrated deeply and released it.  Exploding forth with warm moistness, Natalie's orgasm rocked through her body, causing her to cry out and dig her nails deeply into Nick's back.
                         Nick roared in response, savagely ripping into the flesh of his wrist when he couldn't reach the bottles in time.  His penis pulsed with the rush of semen he pumped into Natalie.  Once,
twice, three times it surged, as Nick continued to thrust desperately through the final throes of his own orgasm.  Finally spent, he collapsed on top of Natalie, showering her with soft kisses from bloody lips.
                         He rolled to the side, bringing Natalie with him.  His penis still buried deep within her, he began to caress a breast, licking and sucking the rock-hard nipple.  Natalie moaned with
pleasure as the afterglow of their lovemaking continued to warm her.  She closed her eyes and concentrated on the wonderful feeling of having Nick inside her once again.  She had wondered
if they would ever have another opportunity for uninterrupted sex.  For this, she thanked Schanke, praising his name in her heart.  She felt Nick soften, and slowly slide out, until his penis lay limp and moist across her thigh.  She stroked the organ gently and smiled into the clear blue eyes of her lover.

                         "No!"
                         "Why not, Jeremy?"  Laurene was down on her hands and knees, trying to coax the reluctant child out from under his bed.
                         " 'Cause!"
                         " 'Cause why?"  Laurene poked her head and shoulders under the bedframe, but couldn't quite reach her younger brother, who had scooted as far back as he could manage.
                         "Is there a problem?"  The imposing figure of Lucien LaCroix filled the doorway into Jeremy's room.
                         "I can't get Jeremy to come out from under his bed," Laurene explained.  "Uncle Lucien, can you help?"  She gestured with her hand for LaCroix to join her.  He covered the distance in three long strides, and stood next to his granddaughter.
                         "What do you propose, mon petit ange?" he asked, bending down to peer under the bed at the frightened child.
                         "Can you talk him into coming out?" Laurene asked.
                         LaCroix sighed heavily at the inconvenience, and knelt next to Laurene.  Looking under the bed, he spied the small boy, who had crowded himself into the corner, underneath the headboard.
                         Jeremy's eyes grew even wider in fear.  "No!" he cried, trying harder to make himself invisible.  "Laur, make the bad man go away!"  He closed his eyes tightly, and tears coursed down his reddened cheeks.
                         "What are you talking about, Jeremy?"  Laurene was genuinely confused.  "Uncle Lucien is here to take care of us until Mum and Daddy get home.  He won't hurt you."
                         "He's a monster!"  The child's voice quailed with fear.  "He's the monster from my closet!"
                         "No, Jeremy," Laurene cooed comfortingly.  "Uncle Lucien is a friend.  He lives right here in Montreal...but not in your closet!  Please come out?" she coaxed.
                         Jeremy sniffed, and eyed the tall man dressed in black with wariness.  LaCroix's cold blue eyes did nothing to allay the child's fears.
                         "This is ridiculous," LaCroix stated, standing up and brushing the dust from his slacks.
                         "*Please*, Uncle Lucien?" Laurene begged.  "You can reach Jeremy and pull him out."
                         "He's terrified of me.  What good will that do?"
                         "It'll get him out from under the bed," Laurene answered matter-of-factly.
                         "That it would, indeed," LaCroix reluctantly agreed.  "And we *need* to do this?"
                         "It's time for his bath and bedtime story," Laurene explained.  "He can't spend the night under his bed!"
                         "Why not?" LaCroix asked reasonably.
                         "Uncle Lucien!"  Laurene's exasperated sigh forced the ancient vampire to turn and walk back over to the bed.
                          "And how am I supposed to reach him?" he asked.
                          "You lay down on your stomach, and scootch under the bed," she spelled it out to her reluctant uncle.
                          " 'Scootch'?" LaCroix looked quizzically at the youngster.
                          "Yeah, you know."  Laurene wiggled in gesture, demonstrating the fine art of 'scootching' to her grandfather.
                          "If I must."  LaCroix sighed heavily, and once more folded his tall frame to kneel on the floor.  With a resigned look, he stretched out onto his stomach and squirmed his way partially
under the bed.
                          "Come on, Jeremy," he coaxed, reaching out and snagging a pant leg.
                          "NO!" Jeremy screamed at the top of his lungs, and kicked out with his foot, firmly connecting with LaCroix's nose.  The impact had two results--the first was that the vampire released
the boy's trousers, and the second consisted of a reflexive jerk, which caused LaCroix's head to connect soundly with the bedframe.
                           "Damn!"  LaCroix slid out from under the bed and nursed the bump on the top of his head.  "Let the little urchin stay there, for all I care!" he spat.  As he turned to leave the room, he
could hear Laurene softly trying to convince the obstinate child to come out.

                           "Hungry?"
                            Natalie opened sleepy eyes to see Nick standing next to the bed, a tray of assorted breakfast items in his hands.
                            "For you," she replied, reaching out to run her fingers down Nick's inner thigh.  The touch made him shiver, and his flaccid penis began to harden.  He set the tray on the nightstand, and wrapped Natalie in loving arms, kissing her deeply.
                            "My turn," he told her.  Pushing Natalie back against the satin sheets, he captured both of her wrists in his left hand, holding her arms above her head.  "You're mine."
                            "Forever," she answered before her mouth was smothered by cool lips and a probing tongue.
                            Nick's free hand caressed a breast, which had become engorged with milk while Natalie had slept.  He brushed a thumb lightly across an erect nipple, causing the sensitive tissue to
spasm slightly, releasing a light spray of milk.
                            "I should express the milk...." Natalie cautioned.
                            "Shhhh."  Nick quieted her with another kiss.  "Let me take care of it."  Without releasing her captive hands, Nick slid down so that his mouth was level with Natalie's bustline.  Cool lips encircled a nipple, and sucked lightly.  His tongue traced rings around the dark pink areola, titillating the nipple with feather-light flicks.  Engulfing the whole areola in his mouth, Nick suckled in earnest, reveling in the physical and emotional warmth that flowed down his throat with the milk.
                            When he had been nearer his coveted mortality, the taste of Natalie's breast milk had calmed the beast, much as her blood would have.  But now, with the beast reawakened by LaCroix's meddling, the milk served only to excite the monster within.  The vampire roared to life.
                            As soon as he felt his fangs begin to drop, Nick sat up quickly, throwing back his head and letting out a roar of frustration.  His eyes were golden, flecked with red, and his penis was fully engorged.
                            His actions freed Natalie's hands, and she reached across to the nightstand, grabbing one of the bottles of blood that still sat there from the evening before.  She quickly handed it to Nick.  He pulled the cork with his teeth and upended the bottle, gulping at the contents while feverishly masturbating to relieve the painful pressure.  His orgasm arrived just as he finished the
contents of the bottle.  Bloody semen sprayed all over him and Natalie, covering them with the sticky fluid.
                           The bottle slipped from his hand to fall onto the floor, where it rolled a few feet and stopped--mute testimony to another failure.  Nick hung his head and closed his eyes in shame.  He
still sat straddled across Natalie's hips, too embarrassed to even bother to move.
                           A soft, warm hand caressed his cheek, wiping away the bloody tear that had traced its way down to Nick's chin.  "It's okay, Nick."  The soothing voice of his loving wife was like a balm to his soul.  "Nobody ever said this was going to be easy.  This wasn't the war, Nick.  It was a single battle.  I refuse to give up and let you lose.  Nick?"  The caressing hand stopped, and
cradled his cheek.  "We should try again."
                          "No," Nick replied miserably.  "I'm not ready for this, Nat.  Why don't you just go shower?  I'll clean up the bed."
                          "I'm not going without you, Nick," Natalie told him.  Nick had climbed off the bed, and walked over to fetch the fallen bottle.  Natalie got up, and gently clasped his hand.
                          "Come."  She guided him into the bathroom and reached into the shower stall to turn on the water.
                          "Nat, I can't."  Nick tried to pull free, but Natalie  wouldn't let him leave.
                          "You can, Nick, and you will."  She stepped into the shower, pulling her reluctant husband in with her.  She positioned Nick with his back to the spray, then stood in front of him with her back turned toward him.  Guiding his hands to her breasts, she squeezed lightly.  "My breasts still need expressing," she explained, guiding Nick's fingers near her nipples, and snuggling back against him.
                           Nick began to gently knead Natalie's breasts, rolling and gently tugging on the nipples, causing a fine spray of milk to shoot forward and wash down the drain.
                           Natalie tilted her head back in pleasure, and rested it against Nick's left shoulder.  Trusting him completely, she allowed him to support her full weight as she leaned against him.
                           "I'm sorry, Nat," he whispered in her ear.  "I didn't mean for that to happen."
                           "I know, Sweetheart.  I know."  A sigh of pure pleasure escaped her lips as Nick continued his gentle manipulation of her breasts.
                           As he felt the turgid hardness of her breasts begin to soften, Nick let one hand slide down Natalie's stomach to her soft pubic hairs.  Probing fingers slid between the folds of her labia to find her clitoris.  He rolled the small organ between his thumb and forefinger, feeling it harden at his touch.
                           Natalie arched her back, thrusting her hips forward into Nick's hand.  Feeling her wetness, he allowed two fingers to slide inside and gently caress her vaginal tissues.  Natalie thrust her hips again, burying his fingers deep within her.  Nick pulled out, and began a rhythmic thrusting, while stimulating the nub of her clitoris with his thumb.  His other hand still caressed a breast, sliding over the sensitive nipple and causing Natalie to tremble.
                           A warmth began to spread through her body, building to a thundering climax that shook Natalie and caused her to cry out.  Nick felt the rush of wetness against his hand that signaled the release of her orgasm.
                           The excitement he felt at having brought Natalie to this state had affected Nick as well.  His erection pushed against Natalie's buttocks, demanding attention.  He rubbed himself
against her, reveling in the feel of the friction against his sensitive organ.
                           Natalie turned in his arms, and slid down through his grasp to her knees.  With the shower water pelting against her back and streaming through her hair, she bent down to take Nick into her mouth, savoring the unique taste of her vampire lover.
                           Nick's penis jerked as Natalie's lips suckled gently.  He pulled her back to a standing position and lifted her slightly, lowering her onto his shaft, impaling her with his love.  His
thrusts began long and slow, but quickly built to an impassioned thumping.  Natalie cried out as another orgasm swept through her at their coupling.
                          Nick cried out as well, and Natalie felt him spasm inside her.  He needed blood to finish the act, and the last bottle sat on the nightstand in the bedroom.  Without thinking, she drew a
sharp fingernail across the vein in her wrist.  The rivulet of blood that flowed down her upraised arm was a sacrifice that Nick could not resist.  He put his lips to the wound and sucked hungrily.
                         Throwing his head back with a roar of triumph, Nick's orgasm rocked through him as he emptied his semen into Natalie.  She wrapped her arms around him in support as his knees buckled with the release.
                        When he could stand on his own once more, he looked deeply into Natalie's eyes, blue reflecting blue, and his love for her written in every line of his body and soul.

<End Part 3>
 
 

                           And To All a Good Night -- Part 4 of 5

                        LaCroix had no time to nurse his damaged nose and skull.  The twins woke up, screaming in unison from the nursery down the hall.  Lucien had to admit that he was not at all comfortable with infants in the house, and had hoped that Laurene would bear the brunt of childcare for her baby sisters.  However, Laurene was still occupied with getting Jeremy out from under the bed and getting him ready for slumber.
                         Entering the nursery, LaCroix stood and stared at the wailing babies, unsure of what to do next.  Walking over to the cribs, he lifted Krissy from her mattress and held the child at arm's length while she scrunched her little face and cried out her discomfort.
                         Reluctantly, LaCroix took Krissy to the changing table and laid her down.  Peeling through the layers of clothing, he got down to the diaper and delicately pulled the Velcro tabs open.
The diaper was soaked.  LaCroix removed it, and looked around for clue as to what to do next.  The baby wipes and cornstarch powder were on a small tray at the end of the changing table, so
LaCroix cleaned and powdered the little butt before looking for a dry diaper.
                         Finally clean, Krissy did *not* want to stop crying.  Her wails went beyond the usual calls for clean diapers or milk--they were positively supersonic.  LaCroix hadn't heard such decibels since the last time he was near an airport.  To compound the problem, Kayla was also wailing her distress.  LaCroix put the red-faced Krissy back in her crib and picked up the fussing
Kayla.  She, too, needed a diaper change and, like her sister, did not want to stop crying once she was dry.
                         LaCroix carried the screaming Kayla with him as he went back in search of Laurene.  He entered Jeremy's room in time to see the youngster crawl out from under the bed.
                         Jeremy's eyes grew wide once more, and Laurene feared he would dart back under the bed.  Instead, he made a flying leap for the tall, pale vision in black...and sank his teeth into
LaCroix's ankle.  The action startled the staid vampire more than hurting him, and he watched with vague amusement as the child ran from the room and hid himself in the bathroom next door.
                         "The child has potential," LaCroix commented to the appalled Laurene, who stood with her mouth hanging open at the flagrant act of rebellion.
                         Laurene started to brush past her grandfather to fetch Jeremy.  "I need assistance."  LaCroix's statement halted her in her tracks.  For the first time, she became aware of the squalling infant LaCroix held stiffly in his arms.
                         "Just a minute, okay?"  Laurene slipped past her grandfather and walked to the bathroom door.  "Jeremy?"  She knocked softly to get her brother's attention.  When he opened the door a crack, Laurene made her move.  Slipping her foot in the opening, she shoved at the door, causing it to slip from Jeremy's light grasp and swing open.  "How about that bath?" she asked as she walked into the room.
                         Several minutes later she emerged, slightly damp, and walked back to Jeremy's room, where LaCroix still stood with the squalling Kayla.  "Mum says the babies have colic," she informed her grandfather.  "Have you tried feeding them?"
                         LaCroix shook his head, wishing that Laurene would just take the screaming brat and take care of it.  "Mum keeps bottles of expressed breast milk in the freezer," Laurene informed him.  "I have to take care of Jeremy while he bathes."  With that information, Laurene once more slipped past the increasingly irritated vampire.
                         Turning on his heel, LaCroix made his way downstairs to the kitchen.  Juggling the baby with one arm, he opened the freezer compartment of the refrigerator and grabbed one of the bottles stored there.  It was obvious that the frozen milk would have to be warmed first, but LaCroix was at a loss as to how to go about that particular task.  Loosening the lid, he opted for the microwave.  Placing the bottle inside, he turned it on 'high' for several minutes.  As he was waiting, the sound of an explosion accosted his delicate hearing.  Kayla's wails escalated from fright, and LaCroix found himself busy patting and walking with her, trying to calm her down.
                         The noise brought Laurene to the kitchen.  She had just finished with Jeremy's bath, and had been reading him a bedtime story when the bottle exploded in the microwave.  She gingerly
opened the door of the appliance to find glass, plastic, and milk everywhere.  There had been some damage to the interior of the microwave as well.
                         "Oh...." Laurene sighed at the mess.  "Uncle Lucien!  You can't *microwave* the milk!"  She went to the cupboard to retrieve a small pot and took it to the sink to fill with cool water.  Taking another bottle from the freezer, she placed it in the water and put the pot on the stove to heat.
                         Grabbing the garbage can and a fistful of paper towels, Laurene approached the microwave once more.  She held the garbage can up to the counter and swept the remains of the glass and plastic into it.  Then she sopped up the remaining milk with a dish cloth, doing her best to clean the damaged appliance.  Finally, with a burst of insight, she reached behind the microwave and jerked the cord from the socket.
                         The water was beginning to steam, so Laurene went to check on the milk.  Within a few minutes it was thawed and warm enough to feed to the crying infant.  Laurene handed the bottle to her grandfather, who quickly placed it to the baby's mouth.  Kayla took the nipple eagerly, and sucked for a few minutes in blissful silence.  A slight smile of relief curved the vampire's lips at the break in the constant noise.  Upstairs, however, Krissy continued to cry.  Laurene got a second bottle from the freezer, and began to warm it as well.
                         When the bottle was finally feeding temperature, Laurene started back to the nursery to fetch her other sister.  LaCroix followed at what he considered a safe distance, letting Laurene do the bulk of the mothering.  Within a short while, both Laurene and LaCroix were settled on the couch, feeding the hungry twins.
                         Kayla finished first, and began to fuss again.  LaCroix put her to his shoulder and began to pat her back, trying to elicit a burp.  Unfortunately for his black silk shirt, Kayla burped
enthusiastically, spitting up a large amount of her recently-finished meal.
                         Surprised by the infant, LaCroix grabbed her beneath her armpits, and held her at arm's length away from his shirt.  Kayla continued to dribble spit-up into his lap.
                         Laurene knew better, but couldn't restrain the giggle of amusement that erupted from her chest.  She covered her mouth with her free hand, and gave a mighty effort to forestall any more laughter.  She couldn't help herself.  When the paroxysm finally passed, she looked up at her frowning grandfather, who was still holding the offending child at arm's length.
                         "I'll take her, Uncle Lucien," Laurene offered.  Gathering  both babies, she headed back for the nursery, leaving LaCroix a soggy mess on the couch.  It only took her a few minutes to clean up Kayla and put both the babies back in their cribs.  She returned to the living room a few minutes later with a pair of tan slacks and a light blue shirt.
                         "These are Daddy's," she explained.  "I thought maybe you'd want to clean up and change."  Laurene offered the clothes to LaCroix, who took them gratefully, and headed for the bathroom.
                         Laurene went back upstairs to apologize to Jeremy for not finishing his story, and found him sound asleep.  With a smile, she returned to her own bedroom and got herself ready for the night.
                         When LaCroix was finished cleaning up, he found Laurene waiting for him.  In her nightgown and big, fuzzy slippers, she looked like a fairy princess instead of the world-wise young lady that she really was.  "Will you tuck me in, Uncle Lucien?"  She looked up at her beloved grandfather with shining eyes.
                         "Of course, mon petit ange," LaCroix agreed.  "Thank you for  your help tonight."
                         "That's okay.  Mum and Daddy need the help, too."  Laurene grinned disarmingly, and led the way into her bedroom.
                         LaCroix turned down her comforter, and Laurene crawled into bed.  " 'Night, Uncle Lucien," she said, holding her arms up for a hug.
                         LaCroix obliged, kissing her lightly on the forehead.  "Sleep well, little one.  Good night."

                         "Hungry?"  Natalie turned toward Nick, who was approaching the kitchen area.
                         "For you," he replied, grinning crookedly at her.
                         When she had finally gotten out of the shower, Natalie had slipped into her comfortable sweats and padded barefoot downstairs to fix herself some lunch.  Nick, who was wrapped in his old red and black silk robe, had not fed for several hours himself.
                         He sauntered over to where Nat stood in front of the microwave and, walking up behind her, slipped his arms around her waist.  His hands found the hem of the sweatshirt, and slid under it to cup her breasts in their cool embrace.  Natalie shivered with delight at the touch, and felt her nipples harden in anticipation.
                         "You are incorrigible, Nicholas Brabant Chevalier!"  She slapped playfully at his hands, but didn't really want to disengage them from their activity.  Just then, the microwave's bell rang.  "Looks like my 'Two-Minute Gourmet' is ready."  Natalie smiled and pulled away from Nick, carrying her meal to the table.  "Join me?"
                         Reluctantly, Nick pulled a bottle from the refrigerator and a glass from the cupboard.  "I guess I should," he said with a sigh, pouring the thick red beverage into the goblet.  "It's a necessary evil if I want to be with you."  He sipped cautiously at the blood, loath to appear to be enjoying it in front of Natalie.
                         "Thank you, Nick."  Natalie glanced up from her meal to look with loving eyes at her husband.
                         "For what?"  Nick seemed genuinely confused by the compliment.
                         "For this.  For bringing me here.  For my Christmas present."  She smiled suggestively across the table.  "Do I get to unwrap it again later?"
                         "As often as you like, my love."  Nick grinned.
                         "I just can't believe we have to go home tomorrow," Natalie sighed.  A wistful look entered her eyes.  "Even so, I miss the kids."
                         "Yeah, me too," Nick admitted.  "Funny, isn't it?  When we're with them, we dream of time away.  When we're away, we worry and miss them."
                         "Do you think that Schanke is managing okay on his own?"  Natalie looked a bit skeptical.
                         "You can call and check, if you like," Nick offered.
                         "Nooo....  I think I'll stretch this out as long as I can," she decided.  "The kids will be there tomorrow.  Today I have *you* to worry about."
                         "You worry about me?"  Nick sounded sincere, but the boyish grin that graced his lips spoke volumes to Natalie of the mischief in his heart.
                         "Well, we *are* here to get you started back to mortality.  So far, we haven't done a very good job."  Natalie looked at Nick with a matter-of-fact stare.
                         "What do you mean, we haven't been doing a very good job?"  Nick sniffled.  "I thought we were doing great!"
                         "The sex is great, Nick," Natalie clarified, "but the work of getting you back to mortality won't start until you're comfortable enough to bite me again.  You have to take my blood,
Nick, or things will never be the same with us."
                         Nick hung his head.  "I suppose you're right," he conceded, "but I'm scared, Nat.  I don't want to hurt you, to take too much."
                         "You won't, Nick.  I trust you.  I know you better than you know yourself.  We'll do it right after you've fed heavily, and you'll be fine.  You'll see."
                         "You're very sure of yourself, aren't you?"  Nick didn't expect an answer to what he considered a rhetorical question.
                         "I'm sure of *you*," Natalie confirmed.
                         "Then I guess I'd better finish this."  Nick grinned suggestively, and downed the glass of blood, following it quickly with the rest of the bottle.  He walked to the refrigerator for another bottle, and stood there with the door open, draining the contents.  A third bottle followed before Nick felt the beast was sufficiently sated.
                         Natalie sat at the table, watching with interest, her 'Two-Minute Gourmet' only half-eaten in front of her.  When Nick finished the third bottle, he walked back to the table.  Taking
Natalie's hand, he helped her to stand, then drew her into a deep embrace, rubbing himself against her so that she could feel his arousal through the silk of his robe.
                         "Mmmmm...." Natalie murmured as she pressed her body against Nick's.  She found herself suddenly swept off her feet as Nick carried her across the room to the couch.  He sat down, with Natalie positioned on his lap, and reached over to grab the remote and turn on the gas fireplace.
                         With the warming flames roaring behind the grill, Nick turned his attention to the woman in his arms.  "My turn."  His smile warmed Natalie more thoroughly than the fire.  She flushed
with unexpected embarrassment when Nick pulled the sweatshirt over her head and unclasped her bra.  As her breasts fell free, Nick caught them and cradled them in the palms of his hands.  His
thumbs caressed her nipples as he buried his face in her cleft, drinking in Natalie's unique fragrance.
                         Natalie let her head fall back as she reveled in Nick's attentions.  She felt her own arousal growing quickly.  Nick's erection was pressing against her belly, and she longed to be
coupled with him once more.
                         As he kissed his way around Natalie's breasts and up her neck, Nick turned her and laid her on the couch.  Scooting down the cushions a short way, Nick made room for himself to tug down Natalie's sweatpants and throw them on the floor.  Bending over, he kissed her belly button and pulled at her lace panties, freeing her from the last of her clothing.
                         Natalie shivered, but not from the cold in the room.  Nick's eyes raked her naked form, followed quickly by caressing hands which encircled her breasts, then trailed down her belly to feel the roundness of hips and brush across her thighs.  Probing fingers found the center of her warmth, and parted her folds to softly pet her clitoris.
                         Nick buried his face between Natalie's legs, suckling urgently at her erect organ, causing her to cry out at the sensations rippling through her body.  His tongue probed deeply
into Natalie's vagina, tasting her, bringing her closer and closer to orgasm.
                         "Not fair," Natalie gasped when she could catch her breath.  "You're still dressed."  Nick moved up and kissed her passionately on the mouth.  When he was finished, he pushed up and, leaning over her, offered Natalie a chance to undress him.
                        Her fingers, weak from Nick's arousing attentions, picked at the knot on the belt of his robe.  When she finally managed to undo it, his robe fell open, revealing his nakedness beneath.
Natalie caressed the silken skin of Nick's fully erect penis, which hung near her breasts.
                         Nick shuddered at her touch, and thrust his penis between Natalie's breasts, pumping lightly.  His growl of excitement was a gentle hint to Natalie that the vampire had finally
emerged.
                         Wrapping warm fingers around his cool organ, Natalie guided Nick's penis into her  waiting warmth.  Nick's eager thrusts quickly brought Natalie to the peak of her orgasm.  She cried out as the shudder ran through her.  Nick felt her tighten around his organ, and he picked up the intensity of his thrusting.
                         A moan escaped Nick's lips as he pushed harder and faster, trying to make himself come without the blood.  Natalie placed a hand against the straining tendons in the back of his neck,
and pulled Nick's head down toward her.  The sound of her heartbeat and the scent of her blood was stronger than Nick's will to resist.  He sank his fangs into Natalie's jugular vein, drinking eagerly from her life.
                         Nick's orgasm exploded within her, flooding Natalie with moist coolness.  As quickly as it came, Nick's need for Natalie's blood was sated and he withdrew his fangs from her neck, gently licking at the wounds.
                         Natalie sighed in contentment and wrapped her arms around him, holding him close, keeping Nick within her for as long as she was able.  She showered soft kisses around his face, finally settling on his lips, gently probing with her tongue for entrance.  Nick opened himself to her, loving Natalie with every fiber of his being, with every remnant of his soul.

                    <End Part 4>

                      And To All a Good Night -- Part 5 of 5
 

                         LaCroix closed the door to Laurene's room behind him.  The peace and quiet of the house was stunning in contrast to the pandemonium that had reigned earlier in the evening.  He walked through the living room and settled himself on the couch.  In the corner, mashed between the cushions, LaCroix found a tattered old teddy bear.  He picked it up and examined the worn-out toy,
wondering how even a child could love such a thing.  His mind wandered with fatigue, and LaCroix's head soon tipped back against the cushions in sleep.
                         Jeremy awoke to quiet darkness.  He shivered with the thought of monsters, and wondered at Laurene's apparent devotion to the tall man in black she called their Uncle Lucien.  He
climbed from his bed, searching for his beloved teddy to give him comfort.
                         His wanderings eventually brought him to the living room.  He walked over to the couch to see his precious toy in the arms of the strange man who had watched over them for the weekend.  He was no longer dressed all in black.  In the tan and blue of his father's clothing, the imposing figure did not look quite so frightening.  In fact, his features softened in sleep, LaCroix
looked almost like someone Jeremy thought he might trust.
                         Crawling up onto the couch, Jeremy reached over to pluck his teddy from LaCroix's arms.  The action awakened the vampire, who was in the habit of sleeping lightly.  "So this is yours?" he asked the startled child.
                         "Um-hmm," Jeremy answered shyly, scooting to the other end of the couch and eyeing LaCroix suspiciously.
                         "I am not quite the monster you make me out to be."  LaCroix spoke after a brief pause, keeping a close eye on the child's reactions.  Jeremy continued to stare at him with wide eyes, but held his ground on the end of the couch.
                         "You can't judge people by their looks, you know," LaCroix continued.  "Many of the most hideous monsters in this world hide behind the guise of beauty.  A handsome face can hide the blackest of hearts."
                         As young as he was, Jeremy didn't understand everything this strange man was saying, but the gist of it got through to him.  He inched a bit closer, still keeping a close eye on LaCroix.  "The reverse is also true."  LaCroix noted the child creeping closer, but pretended he did not.  "The most generous and loving souls are often contained within the ugliest of facades.  One simply can't judge by looks."  Jeremy continued to edge closer.
                         "I will not hurt you.  You are Nicholas' son, and I will allow no harm to come to you."  Jeremy was right next to him now, and LaCroix reached out an arm to encircle the small child.
                         Jeremy hugged his teddy bear tightly, but soon melted into the strong embrace.  His head nodded with fatigue, and he was soon sound asleep in LaCroix's arms.  Lucien allowed a small
smile of satisfaction to creep across his usually serious features.  There was a certain fulfillment to having family, he noted.  He could almost comprehend Nicholas' attraction to this life.
                         LaCroix allowed his head to rest back against the cushions on the couch, and closed his eyes contentedly.

                         Natalie was packing the last of her clothing when Nick walked in.  She looked up from her task to smile at him.  "This has been a wonderful weekend," she sighed, sorry to see it
ending.  "Thank you for a wonderful Christmas present."
                         Nick walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around Natalie's waist, kissing the nape of her neck.  "It doesn't have to end."  His low voice tempted her suggestively as he whispered in her ear.
                         "Cut that out, Nick!"  Natalie playfully slapped at him.  "We have to go back; you know that.  The kids must have driven  Schanke up the wall by now.  He needs rescuing."
                         "I suppose," Nick agreed, continuing to nibble at her neck.  "But Schank is good at holding his own."
                         Natalie closed the suitcase and stood up, turning to face  Nick.  "This has been the best time I've had in nearly a year, and I thank you for every precious moment, but the kids are
waiting for us at home."
                         "Yeah, I know."  Nick smiled at her, then picked up the suitcases.  "I guess we'd better get going."

                         The cab dropped Nick and Natalie in front of their home around midnight.  Nick quietly opened the front door, and the couple stepped inside.  The sight that greeted their eyes
astounded them--LaCroix and Jeremy asleep on the couch.
                         "LaCroix?"  Natalie's whisper of surprise awoke the sleeping vampire.
                         "What are *you* doing here?" Nick demanded, keeping his voice low so as not to awaken Jeremy.
                         "It is a long story, Nicholas," LaCroix told his son.
                         "Well, hold it until I get back."  Natalie spoke softly as she picked Jeremy up to carry him back to his room.  When she returned from tucking the child into bed, she sat on the couch
and turned to LaCroix.  "Okay.  What's the story here?" she demanded.
                         The master vampire looked from one perplexed parent to the other.  "Mr. Schanke apparently became ill after consuming some bad souvlaki," he explained.  "Laurene called, asking if I would come and stay with them so that you two could continue your little weekend tryst.  I obliged her."
                         "How is Schanke?" Natalie wanted to know.
                         "Resting comfortably after having his stomach pumped, according to the nurse that I spoke to earlier."  LaCroix looked pleased, and a bit smug, at having that particular information
available.
                         "Thank goodness he's okay!" Natalie sighed with relief.
                         "And you agreed to take over a weekend of babysitting four children because...?" Nick asked.
                         "Because Laurene requested it."  The self-satisfied look was firmly ensconced on LaCroix's pale face.
                         "And you managed everything without any problems?" Nick asked skeptically, eyeing the clothing on his master.
                         "Nothing major," LaCroix corrected.  "Laurene and I managed well enough."
                         "Uh huh."  Natalie could not keep the note of skepticism from her voice.  "And you are wearing Nick's clothes..."
                         "Because one of your infants decided to vomit her dinner on mine," LaCroix said with a note of disgust.
                         "Anything else we should know about?" Nick asked.
                         "Your microwave appliance has been damaged," LaCroix supplied dryly.  "It's another long story," he interjected when both parents looked ready to ask about it.  "I'm sure Laurene can supply you with all the details."
                         LaCroix stood, looking down on the two still-surprised parents.  "I must be leaving.  There are things to be accomplished before the sunrise."  He walked over to the door, then turned to look back at Nick and Natalie.  "You are once again in my debt, Nicholas," LaCroix intoned.  With that, he slipped out into the night.
                         Nick and Natalie stared at each other for a few moments, the lights from the Christmas tree in the corner reflected in their eyes.
                         "What do you make of that?" Natalie wanted to know.
                         "I'm not sure," Nick answered, "but listen...it's quiet."
                         Natalie cocked her head and listened to the silence of the house.  "How did he do that?" she wondered.
                         "We'll probably never know," Nick mused.  "But I certainly know a way to take advantage of it."  With that, he stood and walked over to where Natalie was seated.  Scooping her up in his arms, he began carrying her upstairs.  "I seem to recall promising you a present--and the weekend isn't over quite yet."
                         "Ooooo," Natalie giggled softly.

                         After placing Natalie on the bed, Nick walked back to their bedroom door and engaged the lock.  "I'm not taking any chances tonight," he explained with a lustful smile.  Returning to the bed, he sat next to Natalie and pulled her into a deep, passionate kiss.
                         Natalie melted into his embrace, reluctant to let the mood of their weekend slip away.  Skillful fingers unbuttoned Nick's shirt and pushed it off his shoulders.  Her hands played through the short, soft chest hairs, gliding over nipples that hardened instantly at her touch.  Probing lips found the hard nubs and suckled eagerly, while eager hands unbuckled his belt and pulled
down the zipper on his jeans.
                         Nick moaned with pleasure, enjoying the exploring hands and mouth of his lover.  Before she could go further, Nick picked her up, then laid her down on the bed.  "My turn," he told Natalie as he quickly unbuttoned her blouse, exposing lace-covered breasts.
                         Natalie cooperated by slipping out of her blouse and allowing it to fall to the floor.  She raised herself up, giving Nick access to the fastener on the back of her bra.  He undid the
clasp with deft fingers, freeing her creamy breasts from the confines of the lingerie.  His lips quickly found a hardened nipple and suckled softly.
                         A warmth swept through Natalie's body at Nick's touch, flushing her skin.  The increased bloodscent caused by her blush aroused Nick fully.  His erection strained through his jeans
while Natalie's eager fingers finished unbuttoning the closure.  Nick kicked the jeans to the floor, grinding his silk-covered erection against Natalie's stomach.
                         A groan escaped Nick's lips, and he rubbed himself harder against Natalie.  Opening tightly closed golden eyes, he silently requested her permission to continue.  Unafraid, Natalie gave her consent by freeing Nick's penis from the confining silk.
                         Nick made short work of removing Natalie's skirt and underwear.  Probing fingers found her clitoris, massaging it between thumb and forefinger, bringing Natalie to the brink of her orgasm.
                         Natalie wrapped a warm hand around Nick's arousal and stroked the length of his satin-smooth shaft.  Gently, she pushed the foreskin down from the partially exposed glans, running a
finger over the tip.  Her touch made Nick shiver, and his penis jerked reflexively in her hand.  He moaned loudly, letting his mouth hang open, exposing his glistening fangs.  His hands roughly kneaded Natalie's breasts while he thrust his hips at her hand, ramming it against the base of his organ.
                         Natalie's own arousal had reached its peak, and she eagerly guided Nick's penis into the warmth of her love.  He suckled a breast while thrusting, being careful that his fangs did not draw
blood.  The multiple sensations of Nick's attentions pushed Natalie over the top of her passion.  Wave upon wave coursed through her body as she called out Nick's name and held him tightly.
                         Nick felt the rush of wetness as Natalie's vagina contracted around him in the throes of her orgasm.  The tightness aroused Nick to a higher plane of passion.  His pumping increased as he slammed into Natalie repeatedly, increasingly frustrated at his inability to climax without her blood.
                         Finally, need overcame fear, and he sank his fangs into the barely-healed scars on Natalie's neck, drinking in her life.  As his orgasm swept through him, his penis pulsed, emptying his
seminal fluids deep within her.
                         He collapsed on top of Natalie, totally spent with his efforts.  Withdrawing his fangs, he felt Natalie cradle his head, pressing him into the softness of her breasts.  Nick closed his eyes, drinking in her fragrance, reveling in the emotions he read in Natalie's blood.
                         The utter quietness of the house enfolded the couple as they basked in the afterglow of their love.  Cuddling together, they closed their eyes to sleep.

                    And I heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight,
                    "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

                    <THE END>

                    Sexy blond vampires and glowing comments may be sent to:
                    NATaylor@teleport.com

                    (Flames will be used to roast the marshmallows <g>)

                    Nancy  --  NATaylor@teleport.com
                    Knightie/NNPack/GWDFC/FMFC/FkN/FPO
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                          nothing funny about fanfic." Sue Clark
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