so, I moved the main characters into a new save a while back just to cut down on lag etc. Well, Naya happened to find her Mom getting jiggy at the club because of it. xD

Sometimes, I shoot scenes and end up not using the scene...

But I still like the shots.

Aubree is really talented and bendy. August likes.

Just thought this was sweet.

......so Vera sat outside naked with Joey. In the rain. ????? she’s allowed a mental breakdown, okay?

*shrugs* anyway...

say hi to second Caleb again! 

Even he knows Asa is stranger danger.

My brother and sister-in-law couldn’t keep their hands off each other earlier. It’s sweet but also a little gross because he’s still my brother.

It was a beautiful ceremony! They wrote their own vows and kept things simple. Aubree is now Aubree Lewis.

“From this moment! Life has begun!” I started singing at the top of my lungs.

“If she’s going to sing, I’m going to need some booze. Lots of it.”

Thanks a lot baby brother. My voice isn’t that bad.

“So, when do you think you two will have kids? I want my baby to have someone to play with.” Naya stated.

“I think we’ll wait a bit. I mean, we just got married.” Aubree told her.

Naya laughed “I thought the same thing. Now look at me.”

Aubree escaped Naya’s baby fever to go have her wedding portraits taken.

I have no doubt they’ll turn out awesome.

This year started off with a lot of darkness and gloom. But now there’s light and bright spots. A wedding. Soon a baby.

I supposed I forgot to mention that Joey was at the wedding? Yeah. I talked to him and Tomas a bit. I couldn’t help but think of how much I used to feel for him. I got over him. It hurt like hell, but I did it. It reminded me that I can survive heartbreak. I can survive Caleb telling me he loves me but basically sees no future for us.

Aubree arrived shortly after, she wanted to help finish cooking the food. I happily accepted her help.

I invited Joey. I figured since Dakota was off training, Joey would be alone for the holiday. That would probably be depressing for him, so I didn’t want him to be alone. Our past might not be full of sunshine and happiness, but I fully support him getting sober and staying that way. I still care what happens to Joey, I always will.

Everyone came to the party except Naya. Another business trip, it’s starting to worry me a bit. But maybe I’m just being paranoid, given the current circumstances.

“So uhh….there’s a levitating vampire in your kitchen….” Joey commented. He sounded weirded out.

“He does that sometimes. It helps him restore his energy.” I explained like it wasn’t odd at all, because to me. It isn’t.

“That’s….cool.” Joey said, sitting down beside myself and Apollo.

I was very happy to see my little brother. I have to think of a way to invite him and Naya to stay with me. Maybe I should just be honest and he’ll see that they need to.

"You gave me a security system? That's...thoughtful. Thank you, Caleb." Apollo commented, I could tell he was confused.

Safety. That's the reason Caleb wanted me to invite him and Lilith today.

I felt my cheeks turn red. On one hand it was very sweet that Caleb was trying to find more ways to protect all of us. On the other "For a vampire, you're not very subtle." I whispered so quietly that I knew only Caleb would hear me.

Caleb just gave Apollo a look before walking off. Apollo looked at me, he wanted answers.

"Let's go play in the snow!" I declared and shoved him playfully. I wasn't ready to have that talk with him yet. No, not the birds and the bees talk. The talk about our current situation.

“I swear that guy never ages. It’s getting creepy.” Apollo commented as we built a snow pal.

He’s right though. That guy never ages. Maybe I should ask Caleb if Father Winter is a vampire?

“Pa-thet-ic.” Apollo sounded out after my snowball landed inches away from him.

There’s a reason I didn’t do sports in school.

“I didn’t miss that time!” I hollered after I shoved snow in my brother’s face and ran away from him, because I knew he’d want revenge.

I let the two of them visit for a bit. Obviously Joey knew Dakota was coming home today. I also had to wonder how Dakota got into my house then it hit me. Aubree. How excited she was earlier, it made sense. I sent her a quick text message, thanking her, before I sat down in the Kitchen.

I let myself process the fact that Dakota is home again. It’s the first time I’ve felt happy since losing Xena and Ares. Even though I can still feel their loss, this day has helped me a lot. Then my mind drifted to Caleb. A lot had gone on with him since I last saw Dakota. Not only had I almost slept with Caleb, but I had found out about the plot to expose the rest of the mystical creature world – myself and my brother included.

So after Joey left, I filled Dakota in on things – though I had to leave out a few things.

Losing my cats. The fact that myself and Apollo are in danger. I had to be careful what I said on that one. I kept it to the point and short. Dakota doesn’t know that I’m a mermaid. I certainly don’t think he’d blab the fact to anyone but I was also taught by Dad to only tell the one you see as your mate. I don’t know where I am on that yet. I’m confused, even with Caleb telling me he doesn’t have feelings for me. That doesn’t get rid of what I feel for him.

I did come clean with the fact that Caleb and I almost had sex. Dakota and I aren’t in a relationship but I still felt he has a right to know.

“I’ve realized I have a drinking problem. Between what happened with you and Dakota showing me all the liquor bottles I had thrown in my bedroom closet…..I’ve also blacked out a few times recently while drinking. I don’t remember where I’ve been. Just what Dakota tells me….” He trailed off.

I didn’t know it had gotten that bad. Dakota hadn’t mentioned it to me, granted he probably thought I didn’t want to hear anything to do with Joey. Until today, he would have been right about that.

“I’m going to go get help. I’ll be checking into a rehab facility in Granite Falls next week.”

“I’m proud of you for doing this, Joey.” I told him. I meant it. It can’t be easy admitting you have an addiction and going to get help for it. “I really hope it helps you.”

Joey completed his first step of the program, he gets to be home for a week before having to go back for a longer stay. I’m proud of him for sticking with it so far and hope he continues to do so. Maybe once he no longer has alcohol in his life, he can focus on his future and what he wants to do. Which is nursing school to become an LPN.

Dakota is lucky I was feeling generous and that he’s cute. I found a box of mac and cheese in the cupboard. It was the powered kind, so I started jazzing it up some for better taste.

After I had it done, Dakota scarfed it down like he hadn’t ate in two days. Which I have a feeling is not true. But he thanked me several times and even kissed me on the cheek. Then we stared at each other somewhat awkwardly until he said he’d give me a tour of the house. After he uses the restroom.

So I stood in the kitchen. Waiting…

Joey walked in. He smiled at me and we talked a little about how he’s doing, while he started making himself some grilled cheese. I told him I saved his brother from certain death. He said Dakota is a drama queen. Or, he was just using an excuse to get me to come over.

I decided to ask Dakota about that.

“Haha…well…..” Dakota started, blushing. “It wasn’t all false information. I really do suck at cooking. And Joey said he might be gone until tomorrow. I was hungry…but I have a drawer full of take out menus.”

“You’re a bad boy, Dakota Laws.” I told him, softly, batting my eyelashes a little. Was I managing to flirt? I hoped so. “If you wanted me over here, all you had to do was ask.”

“Is that so?” Dakota asked, moving closer to me.

“Mmmhmm.” I hummed before licking my lips. They felt dry. I had an idea.

It was brief, but just right. Feeling the gentle touch of his lips against mine made me want more. Kissing him like that made me feel at home. That’s the only way I can explain it. I felt myself exhale and relax.

But, my cell phone rang. I had to go to the clinic. Emergency surgery on a dog who swallowed his tennis ball toy somehow. Thankfully, the dog is going to be okay.

“I think you better sit down.” I told him, my tone low. I wasn’t sure how to tell him. I could barely wrap my head around it myself.

I’m still in shock as I write this. I feel like I belong on Jerry Simmer or something like that. I feel like someone or something thought it’d be funny in this world to make me love the son of the man who broke my Mom’s heart years ago.

I explained it to Joey, the best I could. He was shocked too. We both looked at each other awkwardly.

Until we had to laugh about it. I think it was the only way to deal with the news in the moment.

“Small world, eh? Pretty sure this story belongs on a primetime drama.” Joey said, shaking his head and chuckling.

“A very small world….” I said laughing softly.

We both grew quiet and decided to do what we had come outside onto the porch for in the first place. Watch the rain. It was peaceful.

“I think my brother likes you.” Joey said out of nowhere after.

I gasped slightly “Nah….” I said, dismissing the idea.

“I’m serious. He talks about you. A lot. He even told me you do this weird thing where you sniff cups and glasses before you’ll pour anything into them…”

“Excuse me, I have a good reason for that…” I started. I really do have a good reason for it.

“Yes, he told me. You were given a glass that wasn’t rinsed right one time and your milk tasted like soap. That’s a fair reason, for the record. But still kind of weird….” He said before shaking his head “My point is. He pays an awful lot of attention to what you say and do……just something to consider, Vera.” Joey said before rising from the bench. He walked closer to the railing on my porch.

I stood up, following after him. My mind was racing with what he said about Dakota. I think he’s wrong, but what if he isn’t? Not that it means you should like someone if they like you. That’s not how it works. I have found myself growing to like Dakota’s company. I don’t find him annoying like I used to.

“Thank you for talking to me, Vera. For not just kicking me out and washing your hands of me. You could have. But you aren’t that type of person.” He said before turning around to look at me. “I know this don’t matter now, but back in high school. I did like you.”

Well, he sure waited a long time to tell me that one. At least now I know it wasn’t all in my head back then.

“I had always wondered..what it would be like with you…I guess when I was drunk, it allowed me to finally find out. I just went about it all wrong.” He told me. He wasn’t joking this time. He was serious. “Again, I’m sorry I hurt you.” Joey said, stepping closer to me. “Please, don’t hit me.”

I was confused.