Chapter 80: Home At Last

Vincent

It has been five months since Nelly and Alexis returned, and my life couldn't be better! I have the love of my life and my daughter by my side. What more could I ask for? I had been so caught up in my little bubble of happiness that I had completely forgotten about Peter until I received word that he had been spotted by one of the wolf patrols along our boundaries. My heart raced with excitement at the thought of finally confronting him after all this time. But I also need to keep my family safe. I need a plan. “Find that bastärd now! Alec, get me the Count.”

Alec nodded, "On it, boss." That night, the Count arrived at my request. My family was in danger, and I needed his help.

"Vincent, always a pleasure to see you. What's got you all worked up?" Stephen inquired.

I led him to the nursery. The last time he had seen Nelly, she was three months pregnant, and he had helped me search for her when she left. However, he didn't know she had returned. I had kept her return a secret from as many people as possible. But now, I needed to show him. I opened the door, and there on the floor was Nelly playing with Alexis. She was almost seven months old now, growing fast and looking like a one-year-old.

"Ah, Count, how delightful to see you once more," Nelly greeted with a warm smile. "Allow me to introduce you to our daughter, Alexis."

Stephen entered the room with a sense of awe, his eyes fixed on Alexis as she played, seemingly unaffected by his presence.

"I still struggle to comprehend her existence, her growth," Stephen admitted, his voice filled with wonder.

Nelly's smile faltered slightly as she responded, "Indeed, we are uncertain of what the future holds for her. We can only hope that she will cease aging at a certain point, but the uncertainty looms over us."

“Does she drink blood?” he asks

“Yes. She just started this month. Vincent has deliveries of blood that we store for her,” Nelly explains.

"I urgently require your assistance. Peter has been sighted, and I fear he intends to harm Nelly and Alexis. I am in desperate need of additional protection."

Stephen solemnly nods, "Consider it done. May I hold her?"

Nelly responds, "Of course." She gently lifts Alexis off the ground and places her in the Count's arms.

As Alexis gazes up at him, grinning and giggling, Stephen remarks, "She is truly beautiful. I have a proposition for both of you." He returns Alexis to Nelly, who carefully places her in her crib before leading us out of the den. Once we are alone, Stephen looks at us with a knowing smile. "I am aware that you are acquainted with my brother, Sven."

"Yes," I already anticipate the direction this conversation is heading, and I am well aware that Nelly will be furious when he makes his request. However, before I can interject, Stephen blurts out, "Join our families through marriage. My brother to your daughter."

Nelly strides up to him, her expression incredulous. "Excuse me!" I can sense the impending storm brewing within her. Stephen, my friend, it was nice knowing you. She is about to unleash her wrath upon you. I quickly rise from my seat and position myself next to Nelly, ready to prevent her from lashing out at Stephen and injuring him.

"Who the fuck do you think you are, trying to marry off a baby who isn't even a year old to some stranger I've never met? That child up there is mine, and we don't even know if she'll stop aging. She's not a pawn to be used in some negotiation. No way, it's not happening!" Nelly's voice booms with anger.

Stephen raises his hands in a placating gesture. "Nelly, please calm down. It was just a suggestion to consider."

Nelly snarls in response. "It was a ridiculous idea, downright foolish! It will never come to pass!" I gently stroke the back of her neck and run my hands down her back, trying to soothe her fiery temper.

"Dude, you must have a wish. She's worse than any animal alive when it comes to Alexis and me. I hear what you're saying, and when she's older, maybe it's a discussion we can have. However, not now."

Nelly glares at me. "Wait, so you are going to consider it? Can't our daughter get out of shitting on herself first before we send her off to be married by some stranger just for an alliance? Or better yet, can't she marry for love?"

"That's not what I'm saying," I plead before she can deny me sex.

Stephen let out a heavy sigh, his voice filled with tension. "Listen, it was merely a suggestion. We both hold great power on our own. Combining our families would only strengthen our position in the future. That's all, Nelly."

Nelly exhaled slowly, her eyes reflecting her inner turmoil. "I understand. I just can't bear the thought of my daughter marrying for power. I want her to marry someone she truly loves."

Stephen nodded solemnly. "I understand your concerns. I will send my men to help track down Peter. And don't forget, next week is the council meeting. I expect both of you to attend. Leave Alexis behind. Her presence will only unsettle the others."

We expressed our gratitude to Stephen as we escorted him out. Nelly's gaze bore into mine, filled with worry. I could sense her apprehension.

"Don't worry," I reassured her. "She will be with us. We'll leave her in the car with your brother and Quinn."

Nelly leaned in and kissed my cheek, her gratitude evident in her touch. "Thank you."

We re-entered the building and were greeted by Quinn. "We've spotted him again. He's accompanied by a few men. We must secure the tunnels. I fear he may attempt to gain entry that way," he informs us urgently.

"I sealed them off after Nelly returned home," I confess.

"Scared I'd try to escape again?" she playfully taunts.

"No." But silently, I admit that I thought she might, but I keep that to myself.