The Last Shapeshifter

Ending of the beginning

A month later

      I believe Jack (113 years old) (physical age 16) will be a great Vampire King. I'm glad that problem is settled. Now I have four children: Brandon and Skylar (5 months old), Esperanza (120 years old) (physical age 15), and Devlin (14 years old) (physical age 5). Also I'm training Zack so he is like a son to me. When Esperanza moves out Lillith will join our family. The adopted kids are very helpful. Natzi has been sending us updates on their training and new diet. Jack is taking to the animal blood pretty well, Natzi (80 years old) (physical age 10) is working on having an appetite for human food, and Vlad just complains. My beautiful twins are growing up so fast. Keto (vampire age: 1 year old) (physical age 7) is to attached to Vlad to go anywhere. He's become such a sweetheart since he stopped drinking human blood.

       Now I'm living in Charlotte's guest house. Sometimes I miss the werewolves, most days I don't. I can't go back to work anymore. I'm putting Espy and Devlin into a private k4-12th grade school. Esperanza is taking all AP classes while Devlin is struggling in school. Zack walks with them home from school but he goes to a school a few blocks away from theirs. Quinton stays home with me in the mornings then he goes to check on his brother in the afternoon. He comes back home around 10 o'clock usually. The guest house is a 2 bedroom house so Zack shares his room with Devlin. Brandon stays in our room while Skylar shares the room with Esperanza because Skylar sleeps through the night.

      It's Saturday and the kids want me to take them roller blading. So it has to be a family affair. Charlotte helps me put the twins in their car seats in her mini van. One is in the back row the other is in the middle. Today Skylar is in the back Brandon is in the middle row. Zack is sitting in the middle row playing his hand held device... again. Devlin is sitting next to Skylar making funny faces to make her laugh. Esperanza is reading a book, an Ann Rice novel. Reggie and Quinton are taking the sports car. Charlotte is driving. I take a short nap in the front seat.

      When we got there, the kids were going wild. I frowned at Esperanza. "Haven't you gone roller skating before?" I asked her firmly. She shook her head. Devlin answered for her.

"Father kept us hidden all our lives. When I was human, my family was to poor to go out anywhere." He shrugged. He unbuckled Skylar from her car seat and cradled her for a moment then handed her to me. I placed the twins in a double stroller. Brandon was changing forms while laughing. Skylar just sucked on her pacifier.

"Brandon, cease." I shushed him. He looked at me understanding me he got angry and cried. "Shush honey, don't be said you will learn to control your shifting one day. It's okay." I cooed him as Quinton pushed the stroller. Charlotte reminded the kids to act human and to have fun.

     After I fed the babies, they fell asleep. Quinton was holding me on his lap. He looked frustrated. I touched his cheek. He must be thinking deeply or else he would have said something by now. Devlin interrupted my thoughts as he rolled over. "This is fun. Do you think I can try some popcorn?" He spoke shyly. Quinton frowned at him.

"You can't eat junk food unless you build up you digestive system to it. Natzi is struggling with keeping fruits down. If you try popcorn you'll be in the bathroom for two hours. Drink your water bottle. Charlotte packed everyone their favorite types." Quinton answered smoothly. He pulled out the diaper bag and handed a blue water bottle to Devlin that had the letter D on it. Devlin drank it calmly. He placed the water bottle back then rolled away. I'm worried about Quinton. "Our new rule has been difficult on the older ones. I feel bad that the kids want to be normal but can't. At least they can be out during the day not like when I was a kid." He whispered to me. Charlotte walked up to me.

"JJ, when was the last time you had a full eight hours of sleep?" She asked me frowning. I looked up at her. Why is she asking me this question I think I'm fine.

"You two need some alone time. JJ, you have been living restlessly for a long time. You need a break. And Quinton, you have been worrying so much about everyone else when was the last time you thought of yourself?" Reggie scolded. I looked at every face around me. Skylar was in her werewolf form in her sleep. It annoys me that they do that constantly. Brandon was chewing on his blanket. "Don't worry about the kids. Esperanza is practically an adult. Devlin is like a son to us. The twins behave pretty well. They'll be fine for a little while without you."

"I spent three months locked away from my babies. I...I... I can't leave them again." I whimpered.

       Quinton stood up placing me on my feet. He took my hand and said a rough bye to everyone then pulled me away. He lead me to a house for sale. It had five bedrooms and three 1/2 baths. There was a big beautiful marble counters. The backyard was on a farmland so we can have cows for Devlin and Esperanza to drink along with other farm animals for other uses. "I'm going to buy it when you say yes." He told me as he pulled out a envelope from his jacket pocket. He handed it to me. I opened it and out came confetti with a note. "I want to be yours forever," was what the note read. Quinton got on his knees and took my hands in his. "No one deserves a woman as amazing as you. I especially don't but if you take me for who I am I promise to be an amazing husband and an even better father-" I interrupted him.

"Can you have children?" I asked him. He looked down and frowned nervously.

"I can offer you riches, my heart, and immortality but procreating is a rarity. It will be a miracle if we have children together." He pauses to smile. "And you thought the twins were special. If we had kids they will be sought after more than you have. Honey, you are looking at the last pure blood vampire." He finished with a kiss to my knuckles. He chuckled lightly. I bite my lower lip.

"Quin, I...I... Oh my..." I stuttered. Quinton stood up taking my hands. He looked at me seriously with a small smile.

"Jamie Olivia York, the Last Shapeshifter, will you marry me?" He asked formally. My knees buckled. My heart was pounding behind my ears. I'm no good for Quinton. This must be why he's stayed with me for so long, because he wants to marry me. Wow I'm an idiot. How do I respond to this? I mean I care for Quin but do I love him? I should know this before I accept his offer. 

"You've come a long way, Quinton." I try to avoid the subject. Quin nodded. "You do know if we get married that means a life of running once the twins powers strengthen." I began to give him a reason to get off the floor and find real love with someone who can give him what he deserves. 

"Jaime, I know you. You're afraid of the unknown. I'm asking you, my love to take a chance and take a leap of faith. I want to live forever with you and the kids. I can't live without you."

"Yes you can. I am nothing special. I'm weak."

"Stop this Jaime! If you won't marry me because of your low self-esteem then marry me because you want a father for the kids." 

        So this is my reason to get married for the twins, Devlin and Espy well mostly for the twins. Maybe my love for Quinton will be stronger than just the respectful kind I have toward him now. I nodded at Quinton as I bit the inside of my cheek. Quinton jumped up to kiss me. I kissed him back. The kiss felt very different than any of the kisses I have had before it felt...safe. I'm safe for now.

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Finally it's finished. I wasn't expecting to take this long. 

Fans tell me should I make Book two or just end it here?

Sincerely,

Lina-Nephtali