Gabriel (Continued) (Book 2)

What is That?!? (Gabriel's POV)

 "Not much," Nikola told me, "We did some studying and homework. Oh, and I hope you don't mind that we each had a friend over?" She bit her lip and worry clouded her eyes.

 "Of course I don't mind, baby girl, whatever makes you happy."

 Her smile returns to her face and so does mine.

 "I'm goona go for a walk on the beach, daddy. I'm glad you're home," Nikola hugs me and Johanna and then goes skipping out the back door.

 "I'm goona go be anywhere but here," Drew waves before climbing the stairs two at a time.

 I sigh and we reach for our luggage when the doorbell rings.

 "Who could that be?" I ask Johanna. She shrugs and I go to answer the door.

 "Hello?" There is a middle aged man standing there, wearing a black hat and a black raincoat, he looks very official. And to his right there is a young boy standing there. The boy is about sixteen years old and he has brown eyes and brown hair that is gelled in an outrageous hair style.

 "Oh, I do hope we aren't interrupting," the man says, "are you going somewhere?"

 "No, just getting back actually," I eye the guitar case the boy is holding and the small duffle bag as well, "we were coming home from- What is that?" I couldn't hide the surprise, annoyance and worry from my voice.

 "I'm not a 'what', I'm a 'who'," the boy shakes with worry.

 Johanna steps in because she hates seeing people who we don't intend on harming afraid.

 "Oh, please come in, we have a daughter about your age out in the back somewhere, or you can make yourself comfortable on the couch watching some tv." Johanna had taken off her coat and was now standing next to me, looking very official, in her white trousers, tan knit sweater, a paisley scarf tied around her neck and her hair in a low professional bun.

 "And we can talk in the kitchen, Mister..." She searches for the man's name.

 "Kelly. Arthur Kelly. I'm a social worker" he gives me his hand while pushing the boy towards our back door, I shake it and then shrug out of my jacket so I'm standing in my black trousers and green sweater.

 Social worker? Did Drew call him?! Oh God... Does he hate us that much? Where did I go wrong?

 "Great, now we can talk without being interrupted by the child." We all sit down in the living room.

 "What did he tell you?" I couldn't stop myself before the words were out of my mouth. If I was human I would have been sweating bullets.

 "What did who tell me?"

 Wait...was this not about Drew?

 "Who is that kid, Mr. Kelly? And, I'm sorry if this comes off as rude, why are you here?" Johanna was 100 human pounds of calm, un-budging vampire.

 Oh yes, that kid. If this was about Drew then I'm sure he wouldn't have brought some other kid here-

"Mr. Ryan, are you alright?"

They were both looking at me. I nodded.

"That boy is for you. Rather, you are to be his."

There were several silent, awkward minutes.

I added to the awkward by saying, "'His' what?"

Johanna picked up on this tense vibe, "What exactly are you saying, Mr. Kelly?"

"You are his only competent relatives. You are to raise him, as your own."

"What?! Like be parents? Again?!" I have half vampire children that I think might try to stake me in the far future because, as much as I hate to admit it, I think somehow, someday there will be something vampire about them. Just like that time Drew almost died...