Original Publish Date: 11/29/2009

Ariella seemed content as all of the vampires I knew (and then some) sat around the large table. Everyone was smiling and laughing, and though I was pretty certain the vampires would never eat, they were all drinking dark red wine. And yes, I made sure it really was wine.

Some of the maids had fixed me a plate though, and I ate happily at Lucian's side while he discussed the hunters with some of the guys. I looked down to the end of the table and caught a familiar eye, causing both of us to smile. I hadn't seen Jeffrey in a while, so I waved at him.

Thanksgiving with vampires was proving to be interesting.

So far I hadn't had any disturbances from my lovely family of ghosts today, which was a relief, but there were always on my mind. How could they hate all vampires so much? It just made no sense to me...

"Noelle!" A little voice shouted as small footsteps ran up behind me. I whirled around in my chair and caught Skylar as she flung into my arms.

"Well, happy Thanksgiving!" I smiled at her and she gave me a huge hug. Skylar sweetly returned the smile then climbed down just as her puppy romped into the room. Skylar laughed and shifted into a small wolf and both animals ran of playing and barking. It was amazing to me how great Skylar was doing after something so tragic.

I suddenly noticed the room had gotten a little bit quieter and I turned around again to see what was going on. Much to my surprise, Seilauna had escorted Sebastian into the room and he stood proudly by her side, though I could read a fear in his eyes.

"Hey Sebastian." I said as I rose slowly and walked over to them. I hoped to god that he would recognize me from the bar and the many times I had served him. To my relief a slow smile curved the strained lines of his face.

"Hey Noelle. Lucian told me everything. I'm glad you're here and I'm so sorry for my lack of appearances. I'm sure you understand." Sebastian informed me and I saw a little glimpse of his old self flash through him.

"I sure do. I hope you can stay a while. It's been pretty nice so far." I smiled at him and he nodded. Launa gave me a small smile also, then lead her mate to a chair so he could sit. I observed everything she did out of curiosity and I realized I had never seen Seilauna, warrior woman, fuss so much over someone's comfort. The love I found showing through in both of their eye's though, could have broken anyone's heart on the spot. They really were perfect.

I turned away, sort of feeling that somehow I was intruding, and looked at the table once more. There were so many men without mates. How in the world could they manage to keep hope so long? I admired their mental strength, after all that's what kept them going day after day. Thinking about mates brought my thoughts full circle back to Lucian and almost immediately my eyes connected with his as if we had been thinking the same thing. He smiled at me, that slow sexy smile that always melted me on the spot and I glared playfully at him, hoping that no one was witnessing our not-so-subtle flirtation.

Get over here. I heard Lucian say through our psychic link and I had to hold back a fit of laughter. I walked slowly around the table and sat next to him once more, knowing that's exactly where I would always belong. I felt Lucian lean towards me and his warm breath against my neck sent shivers down my spine. "Happy Thanksgiving my love." Lucian whispered and I looked into his eyes.

"Ditto." I laughed and gave him a quick kiss. It wasn't exactly easy to love a vampire with all I had to go through, but in the end it was definitely worth it. I looked over Lucian's shoulder at the door because I heard another sound and when I saw what made it I froze.

"Noelle? What's wrong?" Lucian's brows furrowed in concern and he looked in the same direction but saw nothing, so he looked back to me with even more worry clouding his features.

"N-nothing. Nothing is wrong. I just thought I saw something." I said, my voice a little shaky. Lucian nodded with a frown and held me to him, sensing I didn't want to talk about it. Of all nights that I could have seen my mother trying to kill the love of my life, why on Thanksgiving?