Chapter Fifty-six

It wasn’t too late when Bram made it back with everyone. Izabella was holding Rose in her arms, walking through the living room, bouncing the girl on her hip. Tyler was sitting in Bram’s chair, and Devon was asleep in his bed. Gabe and Jennifer didn’t relax until he took them into his normal looking apartment building. And they seemed to finally ease up as they saw the apartment and when Izabella shot her happy, gorgeous smile their way, welcoming them.

“This is like a story.” Gabe laughed, looking around. “A horror-comedy collection, Vampire Dad.” Bram glared his way and he stopped in his tracks. “Sorry, but shit! Look at this place.”

“Language please.” Izabella chided. She handed a half sleeping Rose to the teen. “Are you okay? I assume it went well?” She looked at the children, clearly worse for the wear, but still mostly fine. The teenage girl seemed to be the most injured. But her hand went to Bram’s arm, squeezing it gently.

“I’m exhausted.” He kissed her forehead. “Let’s get these guys down to sleep. We still have a huge day ahead of us tomorrow.”

“Actually, we don’t. I talked with Devon about it earlier. Told him that we might have a lot of company and that the party tomorrow wouldn’t be a great idea. We called and were able to reschedule for two weekends out. Bonus of that is, we can rent the entire thing for the day if you want. That way, it would only be the kids that we bring from the orphanage. You wouldn’t have to worry about all the others. I thought it would make the party easier for you too.”

“Are you serious?” Bram looked down at her with excitement. This took a load off his plate, and he was incredibly grateful.

“It has been way too hectic. We’ve got to figure this out too. You’ve had some really rough days. None of it seemed right. I apologized to him for moving the date. But he understood and wanted to help you too. So, I’m turning off all the alarms, and forcing you to stay in bed late.” That was the best news he could have possibly gotten. He was exhausted. Fighting and using magic took it right out of him, and two days in a row no less. Gavin had the right idea. Feeding would need to happen soon.

“Thank you.” He bent low trying to catch her lips, but she gave him a quick peck, then cleared her throat, looking over at the kids. “Hello, everyone. I’m Izabella. I’m Devon’s nanny. And I guess yours now too.”

They all just stared at her. It was Sarah who started balling, then ran to Izabella, throwing her arms around her waist. “Are you going to be our new mom?” Bram laughed, loving the blush that was spreading slowly over her cheeks.

“Um, not your mom sweety… I’ll be taking care of you, at least for now.” She looked up at Bram and he only laughed. The other children all flocked to her, wrapping their arms around her and each other.

Rose reached back out to her, “Momma.” She sniffled before starting to cry again. Izabella opened her arms to the girl and the teenage boy handed her back.

“I’m Gabe by the way.” Said the young man. He was a good-looking kid. Shaved dirty-blonde hair, pretty hazel eyes and a crooked nose.

“And I’m Jennifer.” Her hair was dark, coming down to her shoulders. Her features over all were plain-Jane, but her golden eyes were breath taking. It wasn’t a color you saw often. Like Izabella, she was too skinny.

“It’s nice to meet you both. There are some snacks on the counter if any of you are hungry. I wasn’t sure if you’d eaten tonight or not. You’re welcome to shower too. There are presents downstairs for everyone also.” Bram looked at her funny. “Well, the ones in Tyler’s room.” Bram nodded his understand. The bedding they’d gotten. It was all still in Tyler’s apartment.

“Oh, Tyler…” Bram said, going to talk with him in the other room.

“What do you guys want to do first?” She asked them all.

Jennifer wrapped her arms around her stomach. “I would like to shower.”

“Me too.” Gabe nodded, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “At least it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.” She nodded. “I do have to ask though, is this real?” His eyes flittered to Bram, there was still fear there.

“It is. I was a just like Rose here when I was saved from them. Obviously not by Bram, but my father.” Izabella said.

Tyler waived, heading out the door. “I’m going to head out. You have a great night. I’m sure I’ll see you all again tomorrow some time.”

Izabella fought through the children, moving toward Tyler. “Thank you for everything.” She wrapped one arm around his shoulder, giving him half a hug. The only one who missed the icy glare Bram offered was Izabella, who just didn’t seem to care. “Stay safe.”

“Come on, lets go see if we can find something clean for you to put on after the shower.” She waived at the girl looking over at Bram, “Do you think you can find something for Gabe? He’s a lot smaller than you, but I certainly won’t have anything that he can wear.” Bram nodded. “You guys get comfy on the couch, let me put on a cartoon for you.” She clicked on the large television and the little children all curled up together. Izabella took Jennifer’s hand, leading her down the hall.

“You are aware he’s an absolute monster.” Jennifer whispered, yipping as Bram and Gabe followed her into hall.

“Bram?” Izabella laughed, looking over her shoulder at him. He didn’t seem very impressed. “He may be rude sometimes, and he is quite grumpy. But he’s probably one of the best people I’ve ever met.” His hand grazed her back as he passed, making her heart thump in her chest wildly. “How many men do you think would have gone out there to try to find you simply because his nanny asked him to.”

“You sent him after us?” Jennifer turned in surprise as Izabella as she opened the door.

“I did. But he was the one who went after you without any hesitation. That says a lot about his character, I think. Not something a monster would really do, don’t you think?” Izabella squeezed her hand. “He took me in when I had no where to go. Gave me a job when I had no money and has protected me from something I don’t think I would have survived.” Izabella opened her drawers and started to shift around for something for her to wear. Small black bicycling shorts and an over-sized t-shirt were her go-to’s for bed so that’s what she pulled out.

“I don’t think you understand.” Jennifer grabbed her arm. “I watched him rip men’s heads clear off their shoulders tonight. He was setting people on fire! Granted, they were going to kill us all, but…” her voice failed as Bram suddenly hovered in the door.

“Darling.” Izabella turned, glaring at him. “You need to not hover. You’re scaring Jennifer.”

“Yeah, well… Gabe is in the shower, and we should be figuring out where everyone is going to sleep tonight. Let’s get her in too, and we’ll figure out the other kiddos. It’s after midnight, and I’m not going to last much longer.” Bram folded his arms over his chest, looking more worn than she’d seen him. There were bags under his eyes, and his skin was looking very pale.

“Bram’s right.” She hooked her arm around Jennifer’s squeezing them past his hulking frame and across the hall. “We’ll get everyone off to bed. We’ll all feel better after a good night’s sleep.” Izabella rubbed Jennifer’s back, “Really, I promise, everything is fine and we’re going to help you. Okay?”

“Okay.” She looked over at Bram nervously. Izabella swatted him in the chest pushing him down the hall. Stepped into the bathroom she closed the door.

“Here. Towel, clothes are right here. Toothpaste if you want it, though we’ll have to pick up toothbrushes for everyone tomorrow.” Izabella grabbed the toothpaste from the cabinet and placed it on the counter. “Soap and shampoo and everything is in the shower already. Do you need anything else?”

“So, did you already know? You don’t seem fazed at all.” Jennifer crossed her arms over her chest looking at Izabella seriously.

Nodding, Izabella leaned against the counter. “I didn’t know at first. I would have been terrified if I did at that time. I had been here long enough to start asking questions, but I could already tell that Bram and Tyler are good people. They care a lot about their community and are actively trying to change things for the better. They’ve been nothing but supportive and friendly. And again, when I found out all of you were in trouble and asked him to do something about it, he readily agreed. I don’t fear him, Jennifer. If I did, I would never have had him bring you all here. I wouldn’t pull you from one dangerous position to another.” Izabella reached over, touching Jennifer’s cheek.

“How can you be so calm after learning that you’re living with someone who kills to survive?” The girl’s eyes filled with tears again.

“Because I believe, with ever fiber of my being, that he won’t hurt me.” She smiled at the girl, opening her arms to her. When Jennifer hugged her close, she pet her brown hair gently. “And I know for a fact he won’t hurt you. He has a son who has been living with him for a year now. He even taught him what to do in an emergency if something happens and he starts to lose control of himself. Those aren’t the actions of someone who’s looking for his next meal ticket. Look at this place. He doesn’t need us. He’s choosing us.”

“He chose you. We’re just here because you asked it.” The girl shivered in her arms, starting to cry.

“No, I don’t think he would have done it if he truly didn’t want to.”

“How long have you known? He was really worried about you finding out.” Jennifer sniffled, pulling out of her arms.

“Since yesterday.” Izabella leaned in, turning on the shower. “He went out to help Tyler, the guy who was here when you came in. When he came back, he was an absolute mess. And Tyler was in a really bad way. When he was right as rain the next day, I knew there was something going on. But I didn’t know what. So, I asked Devon. He came clean and explained it all to me.” She turned back, and the girl looked like she was starting to feel better. “If anything happens, I’m here to help protect you too. If something scares you, you come get me. Okay? If in a few days, you are still uncomfortable. Please, tell me, and we can look at other options. I’m sure Bram would be happy to help. Can you give us a few days to prove that we’re not as scary as you think we are?”

“I can give you a few days, I guess.”