Darkside 29 

Tina sat down next to Avery looking at her for the first time as her daughter and not just the daughter of the woman she loved. She studied every freckle every dimple. She gazed deep in Avery’s brilliant blue eyes. She saw all the pain and fear, but also the love, kindness and loyalty that made up Avery. She knew that if they asked Avery would do what they asked even if she didn’t like it or agree with it. 

“Why don’t you think I’ll be able to handle it?” She asked. 

“Because it requires you drinking my blood.” Avery looked her eyes.

“If it means being able to protect you, Addy, and Alistair. I’ll do anything.” Tina said. 

Avery looked over at Bette. 

“It’s okay. You can trust us.” She said. 

“If you do this you will know everything about me. I’ll have no more secrets and neither will you.” Avery said. 

“No matter what we’ll still love you.” Tina said. 

Avery held her arm to Tina first. 

“It’s okay you won’t hurt me.” Avery said. Tina Avery’s arm. Her fangs instinctually grew double their normal size. She looked at Avery and bit down on her wrist. Blood filled her mouth. Avery’s life engulfed her as she swallowed. She knew in an instant all of Avery’s memories, good and bad. After a minute she pulled away. She felt her own power blossom and connect with an ancient knowledge. 

“Do you feel any different?” Bette asked. 

“Not really just like I’m older all of a sudden.” She admitted. 

“Your turn.” Avery offered her other arm to Bette. 

“I’m a little frightened.” Bette said. 

“It’s okay you don’t have too.” Avery answered. 

“Yeah I do. I love you and that will never change.” Bette brushed a tear from Avery’s cheek. 

“Promise that no matter what nothing will change.” Avery said. 

“I promise.” Bette said. She took Avery’s wrist and started to drink. She saw all the things her little girl had been through in her short life. All the things she never knew. All the things Avery had kept from her to protect her. She felt herself changing into an ancient. Then she saw herself in Avery. She saw Tina in her as well. She saw how every decision they made would affect her. When she had seen all there was to see she pulled away with tears running down her face. 

Bette looked at Avery, finally understanding her daughter for the first time. She took Avery in her arms and hugged her. 

“When this is all over I want us to be a family. A real family, with school, friends, holidays. Everything normal families do.” Avery said. 

“I promise we will do everything to make sure you get that.” Bette said. 

“I’m afraid that’s something I’ll never have.” Avery stood and walked off towards the beach. 

“Now you know she has always been so distant. She knows she will never have the one thing she really wants and deserves.” Shane stood on the porch behind them. 

“You’ve known all along, why didn’t you say anything?” Bette asked. 

“You know the answer to that.” Shane walked back inside. 

“I don’t understand all of this hostility.” Tina said. 

“You have seen one version of the past. I’ve made a lot of wrong choices when it came to Avery, because I was so set on protecting her I wouldn’t listen to her and what she wanted and needed. When the others did they saw something I couldn’t, that Avery had grown up before my eyes. I guess somewhere deep down I resented that. Avery watched me all her life. All she saw me do was search. She hates me for it.” Bette said. 

“No she doesn’t hate you, she may not understand you or the things you do, but she doesn’t hate you.” Tina said. 

“Mama.” Alistair ran out of the house. 

“Hey buddy.” He leaped into Bette’s arms. 

 “Where’s sissy?” He asked. 

“On the beach.” Tina said. 

“Why?” He asked. 

“She’s sad.” Bette said. 

“Sissy only sees one future. She’s scared to look at other one.” He sounded so grown up.