Family Above All

51. Rising Moon

Pairing: Finn/Aaron (M/m) hand, paint stick

Outside the Lockwood Mansion

Evening

Nessie brushed her hair back with one shaky hand as Aaron clasped her other hand in his. It was warm and comforting. He gave her hand a squeeze.

"Come on, it will be fine. You don't even have to drink," Aaron encouraged. He had bribed the Grill bartender with $200 cash and a gold watch and got two bottles to pay their way into the party. They weren't exactly sure where the mansion was, but they ended up following a crowd of kids and found it.

"Yeah, I'm not drinking. My dad probably has a spare breathalyzer thing at home. Whoa, it looks like the whole town is here!" Nessie said as they walked up to the huge driveway. Cars were haphazardly parked all over the yard and long drive.

Aaron nodded, "This is like a Whitmore party. Let's go. I need to at least catch a buzz before I head home to the vampire house."

Nessie waved at a girl from one of her classes. No one was at the door, they walked right in.

***

Front Parlor

"Matt, who the hell is that big dude in plaid?" Tyler hissed. Tyler could barely see through the crowd of kids swarming in the elegant mansion.

"No idea, but he's carrying a keg so let him in!" Matt said drunkenly.

"Put it out back!" Tyler yelled, hurrying to the kid. Mason had assured Tyler that his parents were probably alright, but if his mom saw this party, she would die from shock. The Lockwoods didn't care if Tyler partied in the woods, but he had never had a house party like this before.

Tyler heard a voice from behind him. "Ty, come here!" He turned and looked towards the entrance way.

Vicki was leaning against the door in a tight red dress with Annabelle by her side.

"Invite us in!" Vicki called. Vicki had never been here since she was turned and neither vampire could cross the threshold without being invited in.
Tyler looked Vicki up and down and then finally said, "Come in, ladies."

Vicki planted a kiss on his check and ran her hand along his arm.

"Thanks," Annabelle said. "This house was just being built the last time I saw it."

Tyler glared at a kid who bumped him, as he replied, "Wow, that's weird. Um, come in, you are invited. I'm going to try to get everyone out back. I don't even know half of these people."

Vicki ran off and Annabelle struggled to keep up with her. Matt was adjusting the stereo in the front parlor.

"Matty!" Vicki squealed, picking up her brother and spinning him.

Matt laughed, "Oh my God, Vic, put me down!"

Annabelle grabbed Vicki's arm. "Vicki, stop! People are going to notice."

Vicki dropped Matt, who staggered, and grabbed a bottle from a nearby teen. She started to chug it and the crowd roared, egging her on. Several teens came up and asked where she had been and when she got out of rehab. One boy joked that it clearly hadn't worked. Vicki laughed and took his beer and downed it.

"How did you guys get out?" Matt said, when he recovered his breath.

Annabelle chewed on her lip. "Um, Vicki drugged the tea...and well, snapped Nadia's neck. I don't know where Katherine was. Matt, this isn't good."