Darkness Chapter 57: With This Ring

**Vincent**

As I stood there, facing the possibility of losing both my wife and daughter, I knew I had to act fast. I needed Nelly by my side, in our bed, and our daughter safe in her crib across the hall. "Nelly, please stay, even if it's just for tonight. We need to talk," I pleaded, slipping her wedding rings back onto her finger.

She hesitated, torn between staying and leaving. I could see the struggle in her eyes as she glanced at her brother. Finally, she spoke, "Not tonight. I will come back in the morning."

Kade interjected, "I can't come with you, you know that."

Confusion clouded my mind as I asked, "Why?"

"He's not immune to the sunlight like us," Nelly responded.

“Alec, get him one of the shots.”

“What shot?” Kade asks.

“It allows you to walk around during the day. Doesn't allow you to burn,” Nelly answers.

“I need two. One for me and for my wife,” he replies.

“Do it.” Alec nods and walks out.

"Hey, Vincent! Nelly...man, I don't know who smells like a vampire and..." He stops and looks at my daughter in my arms. "Holy shit. Is that her? Is that our vampy pup?" I nod. Nelly laughs and shakes her head. Her brother stands and gets between me and Quinn. Quinn chuckles, "Vampy dude, I'm not gonna hurt her. Plus, I'm more scared of her mom than you." He winks at Nelly. "Good to see you, doll."

Nelly giggles as she pats her brother on the shoulder. "Who do you think trained her?" Kade said.

"Hey, it's okay. He's not gonna hurt her," Nelly says.

"He's a wolf. They can't be trusted," Kade replies.

"Quinn can. It's okay," Nelly urges.

"Whatever you say, Sis," Kade said as he rolled his eyes. She and her brother are a lot alike.

"Sis? Alright, someone please give me the condensed version," Quinn inquires.

"Kade, my big brother who is very much alive, meet Quinn. Alpha and a bit of a jackass friend," Nelly introduces.

They both assess each other before finally shaking hands.

"Alright. Give me your arm," Alec instructs.

"How do I know you...?" Kade starts to ask before Nelly interrupts, "He wouldn't do that. He knows it would upset me." Kade nods. Alec administers the shot and then hands another to take to his wife.

"Why didn't your wife come?"

Kade sighs, "She's not a fan of large groups."

"Are you staying? Nelly, we need to work through this, and I believe you owe me the time I've missed with my daughter."

She slumps her shoulders, glances at me, then back at Alexis. "Fine! I'll sleep in the nursery with her, though. You can have the bedroom." You may think that for now, but I refuse to spend another night without her by my side. Even if we haven't resolved our issues yet.