She turned to Kathleen who was sitting on her bed. For the first time since the beginning of the school year, Kathleen's side of the room was immaculate.
"I can't believe it's over," Kathleen murmured.
Sera smiled weakly at her, silently thinking the same thing as she slid onto her bed. "Why don't you come with us?" she asked.
Kathleen smiled wanly. "I don't know; Oregon isn't exactly my idea of a happening place."
Sera absently fiddled with the edge of the box. Oregon had never been her idea of a happening place either, but they found a house there that was perfect for all of them. It was a large cabin, on a lake, and surrounded by woods. The nearest neighbor was five miles away, and the town only had a population of three hundred. Most people wouldn't even know they were there, let alone bother them. For the first time, she saw what their powers were capable of as they were used to help acquire the house.
"It's peaceful there," Sera said.
"I guess, but I thought you wanted to get your master’s degree?"
Sera didn't know how to tell Kathleen she wouldn't need her master’s or any other form of education. She only finished off this year because she had come this far, and stopping mid-semester of her senior year seemed like a waste. Now, she just wanted to hide herself away with Liam and the others. She just wanted to start a new life, to have a home and a family.
"Not anymore."
Kathleen's eyes were questioning as they met Sera's. She didn't say she thought Sera was giving up her hopes and dreams for Liam; she had said it often enough in the past couple of months. Then again, Kathleen didn't know what Sera was now. If their roles were reversed, and it was Kathleen in her position, Sera would be thinking the same thing.
Besides, there was something more, another reason why she had to go, why she wanted nothing but shelter and protection.
"I'll be in California, I'm sure we'll see each other often," Kathleen said.
Sera smiled weakly. "Yeah, I'm sure we will."
Kathleen looked doubtful. "Well, at least I know I'll like my new roommate, but it won't be the same."
"You and Danielle will have fun. Think of all the parties you guys will go to."
"Yeah, all the parties you're going to miss out on," Kathleen replied pointedly.
Sera smiled as she shook her head. "I couldn't party anyway." Kathleen lifted an eyebrow questioningly. "I'm pregnant, Kathleen."
Kathleen's mouth dropped open as she stared at her in surprise. "Sera, are you sure?" Sera smiled as her hand instinctively fluttered to her stomach and the tiny life inside. "How far?"
"Three months."
"How could you not tell me?"
"I wasn't sure until last week."
She couldn't tell her she’d been completely petrified and unsure of what to think or do. Unsure of what exactly was growing inside of her. "Does Liam know?"
"He does."
"What did he say?"
Sera smiled as she recalled his exact reaction. At first, he’d been elated, hugging and kissing her as he yelled happily. Then, reality sank in. The same reality that crashed on her and knocked out the joy, the same reality that robbed her of all the happiness she’d initially felt. David contacted his friends in Pennsylvania, while Sera and Liam sat anxiously by, hoping and praying she wouldn’t have to get rid of their baby.
David's friends assured him it was all right, that she wouldn’t give birth to a monster and everything would be okay. According to them, her child would be a vampire at birth and would grow until maturity, after that it would age no more. They assured David there was no harm to her or the child and there had been others of their kind born, and they had all been normal, or as normal as they could be.
Sera was still frightened though, and so was Liam. Although, most of his worries centered on her, while hers centered upon the life growing inside her. Their child would have no choice in its life. It would be born into a world of blood and death, and she prayed it wouldn’t grow to resent them for it. Prayed David's friends were right, and everything would be fine. She had already grown to love the baby inside her, and she wanted it more than anything, but she was scared.
"He's happy," she finally answered. Which was true, he was happy, he was just frightened something would happen to her, and that fear overshadowed everything else.
"And you?" Kathleen asked.
Sera smiled as her hand stroked her stomach. "I'm very happy." Kathleen studied her intently, obviously not fully believing her. "I'm a little scared; we're both a little scared."
"Well, that's to be expected." Then, Kathleen grinned as she climbed to her feet. "You always wanted a big family. Are you two going to get married?"
Sera bit back a laugh. She had never even thought about a wedding; their relationship went far deeper than marriage. Their relationship was different, stronger, eternal, but of course, Kathleen would think of marriage as the ultimate bond.
"I see you told her,” Liam said.
Sera looked up as Liam appeared in the doorway.
"Move." Jack shoved roughly by Liam as he strode into the room. "Like you need a stupid piece of paper," he mumbled as he grabbed boxes off the floor. "You two are sickening enough now."
"Thanks, Jack," Sera replied.
He grinned at her as he shuffled the boxes in his arm. "It's true," he defended.
"Yeah, it is," Mike said.
"So what do you say? Do you want to get married?" Liam asked.
Sera gaped at him. "Liam—"
"I bet you always dreamed of a big wedding, with a cake, and a beautiful white dress."
Now Jack, Mike, Doug, and David were gawking at him. Sera grinned at him. As far as she was concerned they didn't need any vows, they had already made them, but she had always dreamed of a wedding. He strode across the room and knelt before her
