"I know that's not healthy for him-but would it really be such a bad thing?" I inquired. "Doesn't it mean that he'll do his damnedest to protect our baby from here on out?" I offered.
"But it's NOT healthy, and that's the point! What happens as she grows and she stops being like Gen, whether it's in looks or attitude? Does he flip out and try to kill us all again?" Alexandre worried. I sobered, it was a scary thought.
"Hopefully by that point we've introduced enough of our changed virus into him to change his mindset, at least a little." I whispered.
"But there's no guarantees that will work." Alexandre replied with anguish. I bit my bottom lip. He was right of course.
"I just have to have faith that it will work. Like it did for Cornelius. Like it did for us. For Mina." I felt Alexandre's body twitch through the hand that was holding mine. He let go of me and covered his face
"How do you always get what you want from us?" He moaned. I silently cheered, outwardly shrugging.
"I use my womanly wiles on you all." I responded and Alexandre glared.
"You truly are a succubus." He commented wryly. I giggled.
A plan was finally made concerning Luc's request to see Mina. Although Alexandre was still not entirely comfortable with allowing her that close to Luc, we all eventually argued out a solution that would satisfy him. Mostly.
The hilarious and longest part of the argument was who should guard Luc and who should hold the baby.
"Well obviously the most powerful vampire should guard Luc, so that'll be me." Stated Cornelius smugly. I rolled my eyes.
"I thought with age came wisdom and grace. All you got was conceit. I'd ask for a refund." I muttered. Cornelius glared across the table at me, but Rory grinned broadly. A small smile tugged at the corner of Cornelius' lips as he mouthed 'fiery' at me across the table.
"Whoever has Mina should be the fastest of us, so they can get away if something goes wrong." Alexandre said stiffly.
"Well that's Cornelius too." Rory pointed out lazily, leaning back in his chair and propping his feet up on the table.
"You! If you want to keep those feet-get them off my table! Now!" I snapped.
"Yes, mom.." Rory drawled. I snapped my teeth at him, partially standing. He dropped his feet swiftly, his eyes alight with mischief. "We haven't had a good brawl in a while. Won't you spank me mommy?" Rory fake pouted. Cornelius looked between the two of us with interest while Alexandre growled. I sat down and cradled my head in my hands.
"I'm surrounded by idiots." I sighed. The table erupted.
"Hey!" Cried Rory, covering Cornelius's chuckle and Alexandre's sudden snarling purr.
"You're lumping me in with them?" Alexandre asked.
"Yes. All males. The entire vampire and human male species. All idiots." I responded. Alexandre slid a hand up my thigh.
"Oh really?" He purred.
"No time for that!" Cornelius tossed an empty drink can at Alexandre. "I think the person with the least strength and combat skills should hold the baby." Cornelius remarked. Three pairs of eyeballs turned to me.
"Hey! Why's everyone looking at me! Rory's half human for God's sake!" I yelled. Cornelius and Alexandre looked at each other.
"She has a point." Cornelius opened a hand towards Alexandre as if asking his opinion.
"Wait! But I'm older and have been half vampire all my life, which is almost fifty years, much longer than Carys has been a full vampire!" Rory objected, pointing at me. Cornelius and Alexandre looked at him and then back at each other.
"Well so does he." Alexandre said tipping his head towards Rory.
"Oh my God." I growled.
"But I really think someone who can protect Mina should hold her." Alexandre pointed out.
"But then who will guard Luc?" Cornelius griped.
"I didn't mean you! I meant me!" Snapped Alexandre.
"The mother's most likely to keep the baby calm." Rory interjected.
"The baby likes me better." Roared Alexandre.
"That's actually true." I replied wryly.
"See?!" Alexandre exclaimed, gesturing wildly.
"And Luc definitely likes me better than any of you.." I said with boredom, taking a sip out of my mug. All eyes turned to me as Alexandre's growl ripped through the room. I grinned internally, this was getting fun.
In the end, it was decided that Rory would hold Mina, since Luc was still disgusted with his smell, the hope was it would ward him off or delay him, giving Rory vital seconds to escape if needed. Cornelius, of course, would be right by Luc's bedside, acting as prison guard/restraint. Alexandre between Rory and Luc and me on Luc's other side to help keep him calm. Rory would come no further than the doorway. We would put the bed on a slight incline so Luc could see the baby.
Luc's eyes flew wide when he saw the four of us approach him. I'm sure it did look ominous from his perspective. Cornelius and Alexandre tilted the bed frame up slightly using the adjustment controls on the sides. Luc looked at us with worry, then his expression settled into one of peaceful resignation.
"Ah, so you've decided to end my life then." He said softly. I gaped at him then laughed. Turning, I patted Rory on the arm.
"Go on." I told him and he ran towards the nursery. Alexandre and I traded places. Alexandre's face was grim as I laid a hand on Luc's. Luc was trembling, but he was trying to keep himself under control. I grinned slightly.
"Calm down-here comes the instrument of your destruction now." I teased as Rory paced into view with Mina in his arms. Mina was awake and staring straight at Rory. Rory was moving slower, like she might break. He was always so careful with her-like she was a porcelain doll. It was sort of adorable. I shook my head and grinned. These men thought I had them all wrapped around my finger.
"Mina!" Luc exclaimed and tears came to his eyes. I patted his hand.
"You asked to see her again, didn't you? And you thought we were gonna kill you. Pfft." I laughed again.
"You have to admit you four looked very intimidating." Luc pointed out. I tilted my head.
"Maybe-but after all my hard work!" I tsked and crossed my arms. "What a waste it would be to kill you now." Rory hesitated outside the med room door. Then turned Mina to face us. She was staring in my direction now, after hearing my voice. Mommy equals milk-and that girl was always hungry. She wiggled and Luc sucked in a quick breath.
"She looks so much like Gen." His voice came out strangled. Alexandre's expression hardened. "She even smells like her." I inhaled. Mina still smelled like baby to me-no defined scent of her own. Mine and Alexandre's scents were all over her, but she still smelled like fresh newborn to me... Alexandre growled.
"She's not Genevieve." Alexandre said sharply.
"I know." Luc sighed sadly and Alexandre gritted his teeth. Mina's small head jerked in Alexandre's direction and let out a small whimper, wiggling more urgently.
"Ah crap-she's spotted her favorite person now." I crossed my arms with a sigh. "Guess we'll have to cut this short.."
"No please..." Luc begged as Mina let out a piercing wail. I squinted.
"It'll only get worse from there, she's spoiled." I stated. Rory began to look uncomfortable as Mina struggled harder. Alexandre strode towards them with his arms outstretched, a gentle look on his face as Mina began to cry in earnest. He took the baby from an apologetic looking Rory and she quickly calmed under Alexandre's gentle touch and murmurs. Alexandre began to walk towards the nursery.
"Please, brother.. Just a few moments more.." Luc reached a hand out towards Alexandre's retreating back. It trembled in midair. Alexandre hesitated and I called his name softly.