To Save My Daughter

Part 20: He's here to Stay

“How long has he been standing there?” I asked.

“Just a minute or two.” She replied.

“Did he hear what we were talking about?”

“I would assume some of it. Why, don’t you want him to know how hot and extremely sexy you think he is.” She said towards the door.

Throwing a pillow at her, I gasped “Nicole!” I couldn’t believe her. We all busted up laughing. It was true; I did think he was extremely sexy. I assumed he already knew that, and didn’t need to be reminded. He already had an inflated ego. What a little brat, Nicole could be.

Trying to bring us back to matter at hand, I asked “Can you tell if he’s alone?”

“Behind the door he’s alone, but Klaus is still around. Which I don’t like. I don’t trust him.” Said Nicole.

Honestly, if I was her I wouldn’t trust him either. Nicole walked over to the key pad, and punched the buttons. Slowly they steel began to raise, then she opened the door.

There he was, standing with that sultry smile, with his head cocked to one side... I knew he heard what Nicole said. Still, I was immediately filled with relief seeing Xander standing there in one piece before me. I didn’t even realized what I was doing, before I did it. But I ran to him and jumped in his arms. He caught me, hugging me close. It seemed like forever that I was holding on to him. Maybe I did care for him. Shit, I didn’t want to care, or did I. Suddenly I saw some movement coming up the stairs.

“Xander”  I whispered in his ear “Klaus!”

Xander kept his arms wrapped around my waist, and turned to face Klaus. “Brother, I thought I told you to wait downstairs.” Xander hissed threw his teeth.

“Oh, and miss this heart felt reunion?”

“Knock it off, or do I have to slam you into another wall?” Xander threatened.

“Fine, be that way. I’ll go downstairs and be all by my lonesome. Yeah, Nikki baby, you want to join me.”

“NO WAY IN HELL!” I heard Nicole yell from behind me.

Watching Klaus walk down the hall to the stairs, I couldn’t believe what I saw. Why was Klaus still here, and why weren’t they at each other’s throats.

“You honestly aren’t going to let him stay here, are you?” I heard Nicole break the silence.

“Nicole, don’t start. I know he’s an ass, but he is my brother. If he decides to stay, there is nothing I can do to stop him. You know how he is. If I make him leave, he’ll make life a living hell for all of us.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Klaus was staying.

“Xander, you know what always ends up happening.” Nicole stated.

“Yes, and you also know what happens when he is forced to do something he doesn’t want to do. It took me over five years to rebuild this house after the last time.”

“Yes, and it took you 25 years to return. Don’t forget that.” She said dryly.

“Listen all of you. Klaus is staying. If we keep things boring, he’ll leave sooner than later. We really have no other choice. Plus, he promised to be on his best behavior.” I could tell as much as Xander was trying to convince us, he was also trying to convince himself.

“Right, Klaus on good behavior. I would like to see the day.” Nicole said with an overly sarcastic tone.

“Xander?” I interrupted.

“Yes love.”

“Do you really think this is safe for Grace to be here? I know I have been fighting to keep her by my side every step of the way; maybe it would be best to send her to her Fathers. I promised you a month, and I’m still willing to keep my promise, but Grace is a totally different story.”

“Mom, NO! Stop talking like I’m not even in the room. I vote that you don’t send me to Dads. I should have a say if I stay or not. Come on, you can’t make me go. Xander, tell her she can’t make me go.” Grace pleaded.

“Grace is right. Even though her reasons for staying are completely different than mine, it is safer for her to stay here. If we were to send her away at this moment it would look suspicious. Basically, Grace being here allows me to keep an eye on things, and keep her safe. If we sent her away, it might seem tempting and become a game for my brother.” Xander explained

What the hell, did I just hear both of them correctly. She just pleaded her case against me to Xander. Okay, this needs to stop. Once I get him alone again, we’re going to have a little talk about what he actually did when he compelled her.

“Aarghhh, how do I know she will be completely safe?” 

“You don’t, but having her here, where I can monitor the situation, is the point I’m trying to make. If you want me to send her to her Dads, I will do as you wish, but I can’t protect her and you at the same time. Especially if you’re both in different places... It’s up to you Ava.”

I couldn’t help but pace the room. What do I do?  The last time I let the chips fall where they may, I ended up in the arms a vampire.

“Do you think there is any reason for Klaus to go after Grace?” I asked.

“No, not at this point, there is no reason. We just have to make sure we don’t give him a motive to go after either of you.” Xander explained. “The one thing in Grace’s favor is that her age. At thirteen, she is still considered off limits. Now if she was 16 that would be a whole different ball game. The person I am worried about more is you. He knows I have feelings for you. I’m afraid he may use them to get to me.”

I could keep Grace 13 for the rest of her life my problems would be over. “Fine, against my better judgment, Grace will stay. The only thing I ask is that she is never left alone, especially with him.”

“Ava, I promise I will stay with her at all times, and I’ll even move into her room,” Nicole offered.

“Thank you Nicole. So Grace’s room has one of those key pad, steel door things?”

Xander broke out laughing. “Ava, my love, you are way too over protective.”

“I don’t believe that is a true statement. If I was, we wouldn’t be in this mess.” I said and turned around walking out of Nicole’s bedroom door and down stairs.

The only thing running through my mind is the fact that is isn’t just one vampire I had to worry about, it was actually two, and they were brothers.