Life After Dark: Book Two of the Dark Series

Chapter 107

~ Christmas Eve: The Truth Hurts

The air had grown colder and the room had become darker. Minutes had passed, and Stefan hadn't moved. Nikolas had run from him, had ignored his pleas and had demanded that he never touch him again, and now, Stefan's heart ached.

When Laura had first approached him about making the revelation, he had thought of many scenarios, but none with an ending like this. Not one where Nikolas' eyes were filled with distrust, sorrow and betrayal. Had he ever envisioned any of that, he would have kept the knowledge to himself. He would have rather died a thousand deaths, be called 'uncle' for the rest of his life than risk losing his precious son.

But perhaps Stefan's worse fears wouldn't be realized. Nikolas was forgiving. He was so unlike the rest of them in that trait. There was a chance Nikolas wouldn't hold this against him, Stefan hoped. A noise on the staircase behind him alerted him that he would soon find out if his hopes would be realized. Stefan turned to face his son and he was momentarily grounded by what his eyes beheld. When he rediscovered the ability to move, to speak, to act, he did so...slowly.

"Nikolas," he asked, moving towards him where he stood at the bottom of the staircase, "what are you doing?"

"We're leaving," he said, shifting the duffel bag he carried to his other shoulder. He found himself unable to look Stefan in the eye so he looked past him, to the spot on the wall above the fireplace where a portrait of his mother once rested. He shook his head. He should have known then.

"Where are you going?" Stefan stammered, reaching out his hands, but not quite touching him. "In Dawn's condition-"

"Dawn's condition is no concern of yours," Nikolas told him. "She's my wife. I'll take care of her."

"B-but where?" Stefan asked again.

Nikolas shrugged. "I don't know. We're going into town."

"Why?" Stefan asked, his voice hoarse. "You don't have to leave. Neither of you-"

"I can't stay here anymore," Nikolas told him. "We can't stay here anymore."

"Why not?" Stefan asked, hoping that his questions would make his son see reason. "It's Christmas Eve. Don't leave. Don't uproot Dawn like this. This is your home-"

"This is not my home. This is a place I don't understand...somewhere I can't be right now. Dawn is my home. Not these walls...this place of deceit and confusion," Nikolas said, finally allowing his pain-filled eyes to rest upon Stefan's tortured green ones.

"But to leave...if I am the cause of your turmoil, I will go," Stefan offered. "I will leave you and Dawn, but Nikolas, you must reconsider-"

"Nikky, sweetheart, guess what happened..." Having heard their voices, Dawn entered the den with a smile on her face and a sparkle in her eyes, but both disappeared as she took note of the scene before her. Her eyes moved from Nikolas to Stefan and back to Nikolas again. "What's going on? Why do you have a bag? Where are you going?"

"We're going," Nikolas said, correcting her. He backed away from Stefan and moved to her side. He wanted to pull her into his arms and hold onto her for dear life, but he willed himself to remain strong. He couldn't allow himself to break down...not yet. "We're leaving."

Dawn grasped the hand that Nikolas held out to her. She was surprised by the grip of his fingers on hers, but she didn't let go of him. She returned the pressure, silently telling him that she would do what he wanted. Even though she didn't understand what was happening, she would follow him. Anywhere.

Carrie's maternal instincts demanded that she find answers for the questions that echoed in her mind. The look on Nikolas' face read total devastation, as did the look in Stefan's eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, to question Nikolas' decision to move his family-her pregnant daughter-on Christmas Eve, but before she could utter a word, Stefan moved past her to block the young couple's exit.