Gen 6 Ch 6

Now that Crystal was a toddler, Jade was considering going back to work. She connected again with her old boyfriend Riley from high school.

"You should reconsider the military, Jade. We always need new flight officers, and I think you'd be perfect."

"Hmm..Flight Officer Moonstone... I like the sound of that. I really appreciate you putting in a good word for me, Riley."

Jade had thought that her previous experience in the ROTC would have counted for something, but no. Fortunately her boss was none other then her brother.

"Really, Peri? Latrine Cleaner? Mess Hall Server? Please please fix this for me. You know I'm better than that."

Meanwhile, Coal's fishing expeditions were taking him further from home.

"Eww, I wouldn't want to eat this, but it looks like it'll make some outstanding fertilizer."

Coal's little garden was his pride and joy, and he always applied the latest organic gardening techniques that he learned in his job at the Science Facility gardening center.

"Here you go, little grapevine. I found a nice jellyfish for you."

Coal would never admit talking to his plants, but he was quite sure they grew better when he did.

The days flew by, and soon it was time for Crystal's birthday. Jade invited the whole Moonstone clan, of course, but only Peri and Tia showed up for the party. Peri made excuses for the rest of his family, but Emerald could tell something was amiss.

Before she could confront Peri about it, Jade cornered her, nervously keeping an eye on Crystal giggling with a teenage girl vampire.

"Er, Emmy, what is Abigail Slayer-Xu doing here? I don't like her hanging around Crystal."

"I didn't think you'd mind, sis. She is one of the students I've been tutoring. I guess she's had a rough time at home recently, and was falling behind in school. Why are you so upset?"

"It's just that... well.. she is Anthony and Elvira's daughter, you know. I suppose I'm just being paranoid."

Peri had disappeared into the game room with the seemingly immortal Andre, so Emerald mixed a few drink and watched as William monopolized Coal's attention all evening. He was obsessed with some kind of experimental research going on at the Science Facility and pumped Coal for information about it constantly. Emerald figured it must have something to do with his job as DNA Profiler.

Toward the end of the evening, she finally caught up with Peri.

"What's wrong, Peri? I know you're not telling me everything."

*sigh* "I didn't want to spoil the party, Em. Jessica left me. She took the twins and Karla with her. She said she can't bear to watch me grow old and die. Said if she knew back then what she knows now, she'd never have married me. She's already taken up with a new vampire lover, Vlad I think his name is, and get this - she's pregnant again with his child."

"Aw, Peri, I'm so sorry."

He reached up to wipe a tear from the corner of his eye, while Emerald stared down at her hands. This was hitting way too close to home, and she didn't know what else to say.  

Eventually she made her way over to William and Coal, fully intending to break it off with William. She was fully convinced after hearing of Peri's misfortune, that it would be for the best.

She faltered a little when she saw that William was in an exceptionally good mood that night, and when he pulled her close and whispered in her ear, her heart melted and reason took flight, just as it always did when he was near.

Later she could not have said exactly how it happened, only that William had wanted to check out the new elevator to the basement they had just had installed....and she had been happy to oblige.

The tears came later, when she discovered she was pregnant again.

"Oh, Jade," she sobbed. "I can't do this. I just can't. I don't want to have a baby alone again."

"Aw, Emmy, it's gonna be okay. I'll be with you all the way."

"Don't worry, little guy, Auntie Jade is here!"

Emerald just had to laugh at Jade's silly faces. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

But in the middle of the night, she would awaken, and reality would set in again, and the tears would begin to fall once more.

She was surprised at Williams reaction. She had supposed he would be unhappy, but he seemed quite pleased.

She didn't understand this at all.

"How can you be so happy?" she sobbed. "I can't do this alone again, I just can't."

He pulled her into a comforting embrace before answering.

"Shh, Emmy, it is going to be all right, I promise. Trust me on this, I am going to make it right."

She nodded, still sniffling, her heart wanting to believe but her head couldn't imagine how he could begin to keep this promise.

The next day was Coal's birthday, and as he had arranged, his dad was waiting for him when he left work that evening. His heart was pounding as he walked out the door of the Science Facility, and made his way over to where his dad was standing in the darkness.

"Are we all set, son?"

"Ready to go, dad."

"Let's get going then, your mom has your cake all ready."

Considerate of his mom's delicate condition, Coal had opted for a small family party. William was the only guest.

Coal grinned as he grew up. He could hardly wait to start full time at the Science Lab. Emerald was so proud. She had reached the top of her career, and took advantage of every opportunity presented to her along the way.  She was ready to pass her legacy on to her amazing son. At least she told herself she was ready, but then why did she feel such an emptiness in her heart...

As everyone was finishing their cake, William rose and stood at the head of the table. Coal grinned even more broadly. He was the only one besides his dad who knew what was coming next.
William cleared his throat noisily.

*Ahem*

"Miss Emerald. Many years ago, I told you about a promise I had made to myself, never to fall in love with a mortal girl again. I broke that promise when I met you, Miss Emerald. All these years my fear of losing you has kept me from you. But tonight, thanks to Coal, I hold the solution to our dilemma in my hand."

With that, he produced a small red vial from his pocket, and downed it in one gulp.

Coal watched in anticipation as his mother's eyes grew wide at the transformation wrought by the experimental vampire-be-gone potion. William blinked, disoriented for a few seconds, then his eyes rested on Emerald and his face lit up.

"Miss Emerald, I have loved you since the moment we met. I want nothing more than to grow old with you by my side. Will you make the the happiest mortal on earth and marry me?"

"Oh, William! Oh, yes. Yes!"

Coal looked on in amazement as his mom and dad were married right then and there. He had wanted this for such a long time, it was hard to believe it was happening.

Emerald and William moved out that very night, to William's little house in the hills across the bridge. Coal was sorry to see them go, but his joy at the happiness they had found was unbounded. He only hoped he could find true love like that someday.