Species- Luka

FAMILY

Amanda sat crossed-legged on the couch, holding Luka's left hand with both of hers, while he wrapped his right arm around her, leaning slightly against her. Both of them were looking at Ian, who was seated across from them in an armchair. It was awkward. The silence was almost unbearable.

"I could start by organizing a family lunch. So we can get to know each other better," Amanda broke the silence.

"Great," Ian said sarcastically. "What menu do you suggest for me?"

"Oh, I don't know, meat for Luka, A+, B- for you?" she looked at him questioningly.

"I'm a vegetarian," he smiled.

"Vegetarian?" Amanda asked, surprised.

"Yes, I only drink animal blood."

"Oh," Amanda uttered.

"Any preferences?" he asked.

"Wild animals", he said disinterestedly.

"Great, Luka is an avid hunter."

Silence. All three of them looked away.

"Don't you mind that I'm a vampire?" Ian reluctantly asked.

"Oh, no, I think it's totally cool. I've always loved vampires."

"You love vampires?"

"Yes, those vampire books, you know."

"Your vampire knowledge is based on erotic novels?"

"Something like that," Amanda laughed. "You're the first vampire I've met."

"Are you immortal now?" she asked curiously. "That would be really wow!" she looked at him wide-eyed.

"I don't know, we'll see in 10 years if I get any wrinkles."

"And does your heart beat?" she asked, visibly interested.

"Try," he leaned closer to her.

Amanda placed her hand gently on his heart. She listened for a moment, then looked at him with a smile. "It beats, how is that possible?"

"I don't know," he replied gently.

"But Larsson shot you..."

"No, he didn't. For a professional killer, he should have been better," Ian laughed.

"Then you're just like us," Amanda smiled sincerely.

"Just like us?"

"Yes, a weirdo, although Luka surpasses you. His lifestyle... terrible... everything has to be perfect," she remarked.

"Excuse me?" Luka intervened.

"Control freak," Ian said to him, moving his lips without making a sound.

"I heard that," Luka commented grumpily.

"You can't hear something I didn't say."

"Then I'm reading your mind."

"And why are you a weirdo?" Ian asked her gently.

"Why? She's the weirdest and most fascinating person I've ever met. You never know for sure where you stand with her," Luka replied. "You know I love you," he looked at her tenderly.

"I know," she kissed him gently on the tip of his nose.

"And..." Amanda started, clutching her stomach. "My little girl will also be a weirdo. The first hybrid in the Valley of Wolves. I want her to have your blue eyes," she smiled at Luka.

"A girl?"

"Yes, Dr. Avalon says it's still early, but she can't see the pee yet," she laughed.

"A girl." Luka looked at Ian with fear.

Ian burst out laughing, and then Amanda started laughing too.

Luka remained serious. "It's not funny at all!" he grumbled.

"And it's a little funny," Ian continued to laugh.

"You two seem related."

"Ian..." Amanda started seriously. "I've always been jealous of the love my father felt for you."

"Love, you're mistaken. He only loved his empire. I'd rather say I was his 'life mission' to turn me into himself. I was jealous of you, for keeping you away from his sick world, for being protected."

"It seems we were both deceived. I would love for us to start over, to be a family."

"And I would love that too," he said gently.

"We have work to do."

"We do," he nodded.

"We'll fix things together."

She stood up and warmly hugged him. "I'm glad to have you."

"Family?" he asked.

"Family."

Luka's phone rang. "Gabriel!"

"What's happening now?" Amanda asked.

Luka ended the call. "Marcus! He burst into Gabriel's place all bloody! I have to go."

"We need to call a doctor!" Amanda shouted.

"The only one available is Dr. Avalon. The others are too far away!"

"But she's a gynecologist!"