The Shylife Special: Lillith & Vladimir; Torn Hearts & Twisted Minds!

***WARNING***

Contains rather adultish content! Reader's discretion is advised!

Lillith Von Strunkle thought the only obstacle between her and Vladimir Lavelle was her father Jared...how wrong she was! After meeting a young man staying with Vlad, things began to get even more complicated. Promising to help Quinn O'Hara and his sister Niamh turns out to be perhaps one of the biggest mistakes of her life...or possibly the best thing to ever happen? Here is their story...

Lillith and Vladimir had promised each other that no matter what, they would stay together and continue seeing each other! Lillith's father Jared was opposed to their coupling, but he had decided not to stand in the way, hoping that this little fantasy of Lil's would fizzle out! Jared knew his daughter was still seeing the vampire, who nearly killed him, behind his back. He just chose to ignore it. And as time went by, Lillith stopped hiding it too.

VLAD: My darling, perhaps we should visit your father this weekend and show him how devoted we are to each other...it might make him warm to me?

LIL: Oh Vlad, I think we should give it a little more time. He knows we're a couple, but he isn't exactly giving me his blessing!

VLAD: That may come my dearest Lillith! I hope it does, for I want so much for us to be married! After your sister's wedding of course!

LIL: You're coming to Anji's and Sean's wedding right?

VLAD: My sweet Lillith I would not miss it, I shall stay in the shadows and avoid your father, but I shall be there!

Lillith leaned in for a tender kiss as her heart skipped a beat. She had meant to tell him about meeting Quinn, but his talk of marriage and devotion had completely befuddled her brain! 

The next day Vladimir had another card game at the vampire lounge as Quinn called Niamh downstairs for a chat...

NIAMH: What's all the fuss big brother?

QUINN: Niamh, I want you to meet Lillith! She is Mr Lavelle's friend and she has kindly offered to accompany you around Starlight Shores while I concentrate on writing this book!

NIAMH: The vampire girl? The one that King Plasma can't stop gushing about??? HER???

QUINN: Don't be rude Niamh!

The thought of this girl turned her stomach, over the past couple of days Niamh had developed a crush on Vladimir. The moment she met him she had not expected such a youthful looking old man! He was handsome, strong, had a funny accent and spoke funny too! He also smelled amazing! She liked that in a man, a good smelling cologne! As her mind came back to the matter at hand, she hung her head and asked her brother...

NIAMH: Is she pretty?

QUINN: WHAT?

Quinn spluttered and didn't know how to answer, of course she was pretty, she was radiant...beautiful...a vision to behold!!!

QUINN: Come meet her and stop your silly nonsense! She's a really sweet...er...nice person!

As Niamh entered the kitchen she could hardly look at this girl who had captured the attention and hearts of both the men who lived in this house! A spark of jealousy ignited inside of her as she sat down...

LIL: Hi! You must be Niamh, I'm Lillith!

NIAMH: Yeah hi!

As Niamh finally looked at her, she could see what Vladimir and her brother saw in such a girl...she was beautiful indeed and her smile was...yes Niamh hated this girl!

LIL: So your brother was telling me you'd like to see some of the town? I'd love to take you around some time, if you'd like?

NIAMH: Yeah sure, whatever it takes to get me out of the way right Quinny?

QUINN: NIAMH!!!

LIL: Well I'll pick you up tomorrow around 9am and we can go shopping and sightseeing. That sound good?

NIAMH: Fine!

Niamh assured her brother and Lillith that she'd be up in time and headed back upstairs...

LIL: It was nice to meet you Niamh!

Lillith called to her, she really wanted to like her but try as she might it just wasn't happening! This girl that Vladimir was obsessed with, that Quinny couldn't stop rambling on about when Vladimir wasn't around!

QUINN: I'm really sorry about my sister Lillith! She's hard on the outside but has an ooey gooey centre believe me! And thanks for doing this, it means a lot to get this book written! I don't know how to repay you I...

LIL: Oh it's nothing, and call me Lil! Everyone does...except Vlad! Oh and I haven't told him we met yet, did you? It totally slipped my mind!

QUINN: I was hoping not to, it's the last thing I need to lose this job over...you know! Besides he's very protective of you and kinda wants you all to himself!

LIL: Don't be scared Quinny! Vlad is a good man, he won't fire you over silly things! Your job is perfectly safe...but I'll keep quiet for now!

If only Lillith knew the things that Vladimir had said while they were compiling the book, she wouldn't be so relaxed about his feelings towards her. One story about a Scott Jefferson chilled him to the bone! This boy had humiliated Lillith when she was a teenager, and when Vlad found out about it, he had the boy turned into a zombie, only to be seen during the full moon! Vladimir Lavelle knew people in high and low places and was friendly with a few witches who specialised in zombification! If only he could tell Lillith this, but he was too afraid! Vlad had sworn him to secrecy and even forbidden him to put it in the book!

Later on that evening, Niamh was still reeling from meeting the perfect and flawless Lillith Von Strunkle. As she sat beside Vladimir, scanning his beautiful pale face, a pang of jealousy stabbed her heart and made her struggle for air!

NIAMH: So, not meeting up with Lillith tonight?

VLAD: No Miss O'Hara, she has her sister's wedding to prepare for on Friday! She is a very busy young woman!

NIAMH: Is that so? Well if you want to hang out or...

VLAD: My dear Niamh, one must always be able to brood alone! Two is a crowd in these matters so if you wouldn't mind?

NIAMH: Sorry I'm not Lillith Von Stuck Up!

VLAD: MISS O'HARA! Please vacate this seat and go to your room! I will NOT have you speaking about Lillith in that manner!

NIAMH: FINE!!! But all I'm saying is you have no clue what she might be doing behind your back!!! I mean how do you know you're the only guy she's got her eye on huh?

VLAD: I WILL NOT tell you again!!!

NIAMH: I'm going! Chill! I'm just looking out for you that's all! Don't come crying blood to me if she turns out to be a tramp!

Vladimir was shocked by Niamh's cutting remarks. For a girl she'd never met to be spoken about with such vitriol! Reading her angry mind he got a garbled mixture of nonsense..."Quinny is so blind"..."that Vlad is so naive"..."hate that green haired creature with a passion!!!"..."WHY DOESN'T ANYONE SEE MEEEEE!!!" Yes Niamh's mind was a mess, a confused mess indeed!

Lillith had enjoyed her day with Niamh despite the fact that she was rather moody and quiet! When they arrived back from their outing Quinn let an enormous grin cover his handsome face at the sight of Lillith...

QUINN: Thanks again Lil!

LIL: Did you get much done?

QUINN: Yes I did thank you!

LIL: Any time!

As Quinn struggled to take his eyes off of her, she laughed softly...

LIL: Too much coffee Quinny?

He loved it when she called him Quinny, and he loved her blue eyes glowing in the light! She could look away if she wanted to, so why didn't she? Could she feel the same about him as he did about her? But she was with Mr Lavelle!

As Lillith and Quinn continued to stare at each other, Vladimir arrived back from his card game. Putting all thoughts of Niamh's outburst from the night before to the back of his mind, Vlad was surprised to see Lillith chatting to Quinn when he returned home! She seemed a little surprised to see him. But he was just too pleased to have her in his company that he hugged her tightly and laughed...

VLAD: Lillith my darling what a surprise!!!

LIL: Vlad hi! Quinn was just telling me you were out at cards again! I just needed to get out of the house, Anji is going all Bridezilla on us!

VLAD: It really is lovely to see you, I've missed you so much!

LIL: I know, me too! Don't forget Friday? The wedding!

VLAD: I shall be there my darling I promise!

LIL: I gotta go home, I'll see you soon!

Niamh had a face like thunder as Vlad saw Lillith to the door...

VLAD: It was so nice of my lovely Lillith to drop by, so unexpected! You were getting along nicely with her young Quinn, how do you find her?

NIAMH: Course he was, one more minute alone and they'd be ripping the clothes off each other!

Niamh snorted as Vladimir bore his eyes into her skull...

VLAD: My dear Miss O'Hara, care to explain? Have you something to say about my Lillith?

 NIAMH: Yeah your wonderful Lillith! Well how would you like to know that my dear brother over there has been entertaining her while you've been out! AND...she's even been taking me out shopping as a personal favour to him! Huh? What do you think about that?

QUINN: Niamh!

VLAD: Is that so my little naive Niamh? And you think I don't know this? Why I suggested Lillith to Quinn as a perfect role model for you! It's just a shame you're too far gone to change!

Quinn had no idea why Vladimir lied about being aware of Lillith's promise. Maybe he could see through Niamh's attention seeking, maybe he didn't want to think about Lillith being in the house alone with him, maybe he was just waiting for the right time to kill him for his betrayal. Because even though he'd technically done nothing wrong, he felt utterly guilty!

 As Vladimir excused himself, a flash of hurt in his red eyes, Quinn looked over at his younger sister disapprovingly...

QUINN: Niamh why? Lillith has been good to you!

NIAMH: Maybe, but why does she have to lie to Vladimir if there's nothing going on between you two?

QUINN: She didn't lie she just...didn't tell him, there's a difference! And for the last time, there is NOTHING GOING ON!!!

NIAMH: You're soooo in love with her Quinny! And it's going to be your undoing! I told you she was trouble the first time I met her, and I stand by that! She doesn't deserve Vlad or you!

QUINN: And neither do you but hey, look at me giving you the time of day!

NIAMH: BITE ME!!!

 Trying not to let Niamh's hurtful accusations bother him, Vladimir sat in his room thinking of Lillith and the look of surprise on her face when he appeared. And then it was difficult to not let Niamh's words bother him! The fact that Lillith had lied to him about meeting Quinn didn't bear thinking about! And as he was thinking this, there was a knock on his door and a very under-dressed Niamh entered...

 ...as she stood in her underwear a look of innocence plastered on her pretty little face that masked her true intent, Vlad's stony expression was hard to endure...

NIAMH: Vladimir? I'm sorry about...

VLAD: You should not be in here! I thought we had agreed on some ground rules Miss O'Hara!!!

 As Vladimir stood up and gestured for her to leave, she only got closer and widened those beautiful eyes at him!

NIAMH: I have a favour to ask you Mr Lavelle, Vladimir!

VLAD: Ask me later, it's almost sundown, I'm always out of sorts before that!

 

Suddenly she lunged forward and kissed him right on the lips! Stunned by her bold move, Vlad failed to get out of the way before she pressed herself against him and grasped his head...

 NIAMH: Make me like you? Please?

VLAD: Like me...what...?

And in a flash Vladimir's squirming transformed into rage, knowing exactly what she was referring to he grabbed her by the upper arms and pushed her away...

 VLAD: YOU STUPID GIRL!!! DO YOU HONESTLY THINK THAT BECOMING A VAMPIRE IS AS SIMPLE AS A CHANGE OF CLOTHING???

Niamh  stood on the spot, unable to speak as she held up her hands in horror. Vladimir's anger had terrified her...

 ...finally she whispered a reply, the trembling in her voice impossible to hide...

NIAMH: I...just want to be like you! It...it's what I want...it's what I need! Vladimir I have no life, give me one that is worth living?

Vladimir sighed and looked away sadly, did she honestly think this was easy? 

VLAD: You do not know what you are asking!!!

 She gently put her hands on his chest and caught his gaze once more...

NIAMH: All I am asking is for you to make me something special! If you don't then I'll find some other vampire who will!

 VLAD: You have no clue what it's like to be a vampire! I have suffered this existence for over 200 years! Why would you want to live that long? Why would you want to crave blood and shun the daylight???

NIAMH: Because...I have nothing to live for!

VLAD: You have your brother...

NIAMH: My brother is more interested in your precious Lillith than he is in his little sister! I could be dead in a ditch for all he cares, asking her to look after me...ha! What an excuse to see the girl he's besotted with, as you are besotted with her! What's so special about her huh? Am I not special???

 Vladimir grabbed her roughly and traced the vein in her neck as she threw her head back and exposed it even more, making the temptation too much for him...

VLAD: Look at me! Do you want to be a monster like me???

NIAMH: Yes!!!

VLAD: DO you think that by telling me these lies about Lillith and Quinn that I will obey your every command???

NIAMH: They're not lies and you know it!!! And you know she feels the same about him!

As she breathed heavily in his arms, her words stung his heart but deep down he knew it was true! Lillith was attracted to Quinn, he saw it in her eyes! And it broke his heart!

 As the vein pulsated before his very eyes, his mouth watered and his lips tingled...the blood of a human being was a distant memory he had savoured a long long time ago and he'd promised Lillith that he never would again but...this little minx had turned his head, her blood was thick and warm he could smell it!

Vladimir had not tasted human blood for so long, and here it was...ripe for the taking! Niamh sighed as her heart raced, he could hear it pounding and pumping the blood furiously around her body. She would taste so sweet, he could imagine the feeling of warm blood bursting into his mouth as he bit down upon her pale and tender neck. For a moment he was going to let go, for a moment he was going to bring out the old Vladimir and devour this girl, for a moment he was going to betray Lillith and drink the blood of a human being! Something he'd vowed never to do! As his mind wrestled with his heart, Niamh's sharp and heavy breaths snapped him back into reality and she whispered longingly...

NIAMH: Do it! Please...just...do it!!!

Vladimir pressed his lips to the throbbing vein on her neck and closed his eyes...

 VLAD: NOOOOOO!!!

Snapping back to his senses he once again shoved her angrily and threw her to the wall gripping one of her arms roughly as he stared into her eyes...

 VLAD: Did you honestly think that you could trick me girl? I am 276 years old, I have turned and eaten thousands of young women like you and not ONCE did any of them beg the way you do! They begged for their lives, they begged for their families and children...but NEVER did they beg to be a vampire the way you have just now! Do you know what it means child? Do you understand the flaws of a nosferatu? Are you certain you want to live a life consumed by the night and drowned in the blood of innocents? Are you really ready for that my darling Niamh? Or are you just so consumed with jealousy and envy over a vampire girl who has stolen the heart of your dear, beloved brother? Is this your way of getting on a level playing field with Lillith? Is that it? And seduce me into the bargain??? ANSWER ME!!!

NIAMH: I just...wanted...

VLAD: YES?

 NIAMH: I JUST WANTED YOU!!!

VLAD: I beg your pardon?

 NIAMH: Vladimir I love you! I've been so in love with you since I came here! Couldn't you see? Every glance, every word, every smile...because I loved you! I wanted you...I so want you Vladimir! And if being a vampire is the only way you will want me back then so be it! I'll be a vampire, but I want it to be you that turns me! She's so perfect, how can I ever compete? How can I ever turn your head to see ME???

Vladimir stood stunned, in the same position, still gripping her arm with one hand and holding the door shut with the other. Suddenly he lifted her off of the ground and pinned her to the wall...

 She let out a little squeal of excitement and cupped his head in her hands, pressing her lips gingerly to his...

 ...it was all a blur! What was he doing? He loved Lillith!!! And yet this pretty little creature had captured his attention in such a way that it stirred a longing in him that he thought had been stamped out many years ago. His love for Lillith was pure and innocent, a memory of a time he'd rather forget and yet despite Lillith being Aleisha's carbon copy, he clung onto her so desperately...trying to get back the feeling he discovered when he spotted a young Aleisha Danes sitting at the bus stop just before dawn...

 ...and as his lips connected with Naimh's, a rush of desire swept over him. Lillith had shown him kindness and compassion and love...but not the all consuming, ever burning passionate rage he so craved...Niamh could give him that! But would he take it?

 Taking her in his arms, kissing her with a hunger he'd long forgotten, Vlad knew the answer to that question....and he had no control over it. He let his body take control of his heart, soul and mind...he drowned them out and kissed Niamh deeper, stronger and needier than before...

 ...turning her was a definite no, he had enough composure to avoid that but this? He was blinded by passion and lust, all thoughts of Lillith and Aleisha melting away as this young girl reciprocated every move he made!

 In the back of his mind Vladimir knew that what he was about to do could ruin the lives of so many people. Throwing Niamh gently on the bed and tempted to nibble her neck, he thought of Lillith's lies, her secret meetings with Quinn under the pretence of entertaining his younger sister. This girl he had in his arms, crying out for him, yearning for him to love her in a way Lillith never did!

Although he was a hundred times stronger than this little girl, he allowed her to take control and throw him onto his back, gazing down upon him with a look of sheer and utter devotion in her beautiful pale blue eyes...

...he felt he needed to warn her, did she know what depths she was sinking to with him?

VLAD: There is no going back after this! It cannot be undone!

NIAMH: Good!

 VLAD: Last chance my dear! Is this really what you want?

NIAMH: Vladimir!!! I...love...you! Please love me back?

 Caught up in the moment, going with his gut feeling! This is what it had gotten him! He had been unfaithful to Lillith! He had given in to Niamh's desires as well as his own...

 ...and he felt terrible!

VLAD: Oh Lillith! What have I done?

 Sleeping peacefully and blissfully unaware of Vladimir's emotional tug of war, Niamh was the happiest she'd ever been. Vladimir Lavelle finally belonged to her! He'd given in to her, heart, mind, body and soul!!! She had won! She had beaten Lillith Von Strunkle...without resorting to becoming a vampire!!!

Niamh awoke to find Vladimir's side of the bed empty...

NIAMH: Vladimir?

...and a sinking feeling began in the pit of her stomach!!!

As Vladimir paced the house racked with guilt, Lillith came in through the back door...

LIL: Vlad? Are you okay? I wanted to come and explain something, it's been bothering me...

VLAD: Do not worry Lillith, I know all about your meetings with young Quinn and your outings with Miss O'Hara!

LIL: Oh! I'm sorry I didn't tell you I...

VLAD: You have something to hide my darling?

LIL: No I...

VLAD: Then why did you lie to me?

LIL: It wasn't a lie Vlad, it was an omission!

VLAD: Perhaps you feel it easier to lie to a monster like me for fear of what I may do to young Quinn???

LIL: Quinny has nothing to do with this!!!

VLAD: Oh it's Quinny now? How...quaint!

LIL: Vladimir? Don't you trust me?

VLAD: Ah that is the question now is it not?

LIL: You smell different!!!

VLAD: And you look different, betrayal has aged you my dear!

LIL: Why are you being so bitter? I love you Vlad! You know that, the sacrifices I made for us to be together...how could you ever think...
VLAD: Please apologise to your sister, I will not be able to attend her wedding. I...have business to be sorted urgently! Goodbye Lillith!
LIL: Fine by me!!! I'll talk to you when you've seen sense!!!

As Lillith stormed out of the door sobbing as she went, Vladimir felt even worse! He thought if he made her out to be the bad guy, his own infidelity would be justified! But it only made it that much more terrible!

On the day of her sister's wedding, Lillith gazed at Anjelica in awe! She was so beautiful...and lucky! Lillith's quarrel with Vlad the other night had really hurt her feelings. Quinn was on her mind a lot and she worried about what Vlad might do to him. Why did she worry so much? Why was Quinn more on her mind than Vlad?

After Sean's freak-out and Jared's damage control, Anji finally got married! And Lillith found herself thinking of Quinn once again, images of him standing at the altar waiting fot her flooded her mind...what was happening? She knew she'd looked into his eyes for too long that day! Now she was...so confused!

Shortly after the wedding, Cody and Tia became the proud parents of a lovely little fairy girl named Elaina Von Strunkle! She was a beautiful little thing!

And Niamh wasn't feeling very well lately...

...every morning she would puke her guts up! Her ankles were swollen and her body ached. It would not be clear why she felt like that for another day, and then things would start to get very messy indeed!

With Vladimir out once again, Quinny called Lil round for a chat. He felt responsible for her fight with Vlad and wanted to apologise! As soon as he saw her Quinn enveloped her in a tight hug...

QUINN: Lil I'm so sorry!

LIL: What are you sorry for Quinny?

QUINN: Mr Lavelle has hardly left his room or spoken to me since your argument the other night! I was worried about you, I was worried you'd blame me!

LIL: Quinny you're shaking what...

Quinn let go of Lil and looked down at the ground, a sad expression on his face!

LIL: Quinny? What's wrong?

QUINN: I've messed everything up and I...don't know what to do for the best! You'd better go! Mr Lavelle is due back soon...

LIL: Tell me!!!

QUINN: Just go Lil, before he comes back!!!

Lillith was so worried, what was Quinny hiding? She had to know, she read his mind just like the first time they met and was stunned and horrified at what he was concealing from her...

Her mind was buzzing as she heard the words "Niamh is pregnant...and it's Mr Lavelle's!!! How do I tell her? How do I break it to her without hurting her??? I can't! I just can't!!! Oh I love her so much!!!"

Lillith gasped and drew back...

LIL: Vlad...slept with your sister???

Quinn's expression changed from sadness to fury as he realised what Lil had just done!

QUINN: Lil? Tell me you didn't just read my mind again? Please tell me you didn't!!!

LIL: I...oh Quinny! Vlad cheated???

QUINN: How could you violate my mind like that??? Again??? How could you???

LIL: Vlad...was unfaithful!

 Lillith headed for the door, bottling up the tears she so wanted to let go of...

QUINN: Lil wait! I'm sorry...I overreacted! And I wish you didn't have to find out this way!

LIL: You're a good man Quinny! I have to go!

 Quinn refused to let her go just like that as he called out to her again...

QUINN: LILLITH PLEASE!!!

LIL: What is it Quinny?

 He gently spun her around and took hold of her hand, pulling her head towards his with one single finger so tenderly...

LIL: Quinny...what...

QUINN: Shhh!!!

 He stood on the spot for a moment, his heart racing and his legs threatening to buckle, he was shaking so badly as he pulled her even closer. She didn't even fight him...

 ...instead she embraced him as his hands slowly moved down to her waist, still only inches away from each other's lips...

QUINN: Oh Lillith! Lillith I love you!!!

Quinn's announcement was too much for Lillith to take. She pulled away from him in a flash...

 LIL: I can't...I can't do this! I'm sorry Quinny!

Quinn felt utterly disappointed! He'd made his move, all this time waiting and it was the wrong one! Lillith was lost to him now!

Lillith didn't get too far as Vlad arrived home and Quinn crept out the back door...

VLAD: Lillith my darling...

LIL: DON'T! Just...don't Vladimir!!!

VLAD: I am sorry for my harsh words the other day, young Quinn made me realise what a fool I was to doubt you, he told me there was nothing going on!

LIL: He was right, but you...

LIL: ...and NIAMH!!!

Vlad's heart sank and his face fell...she knew, how? Had Niamh told her?

VLAD: My darling Li...

LIL: Stop! It's one thing to cheat on me, but to get her pregnant??? Vladimir it's unforgivable!!! I knew you smelled different that night! It was her scent, her perfume...it was all over you!!!

And now a wave of nausea hit him like a tsunami! Niamh? Pregnant?

VLAD: I'm sorry, I have...behaved abominably! I was not aware she was with child!

LIL: Why Vlad?

VLAD: Because I am a stupid old vampire who's jealousy got the better of him! Lillith, I must tell you something! I know you are in love with young Quinn even if you don't! 

LIL: Vladimir I love YOU!!!

VLAD: I think you know deep down that you do love me...

VLAD: ...but you are IN love with Quinn!

A moment of realisation hit Lillith straight in the face...she did love Vladimir, she'd always loved him! He was a powerful, charismatic and charming ancient vampire! What wasn't to love? But did she feel the passion in the pit of her stomach when she saw him, like she did when Quinn was so close to her only moments ago? She'd never felt so alive, Quinn's touch made her quiver, made her want to fall into his arms and disappear in his kiss! She wanted to kiss him so badly, she wanted to hold him tight and never let him go! She was in love with him...she had been for a while now. Vladimir Lavelle would always hold a special place in her heart, but not as her husband. Even if he hadn't slept with Niamh and got her pregnant, her father would never accept him and that would be their downfall!

LIL: Oh Vlad!

Vladimir drew her into a tender embrace, patting her back like an uncle or a father would do his child...

VLAD: I just want you to be happy my dear! If he can make you happy, then be with him! I will always love you, but if what you say is true, I will have a child to support very soon! I saw you with Quinn that day and I saw how much he adored you...I saw how much you adored him back! The odds were always against us and if I'm to be truly honest with myself and with you, if I thought deep in my heart we had a chance together I would never have even contemplated sleeping with Niamh! But I did, and the regret I felt was only because I had betrayed you, not because I had been with another woman, just that it was behind your back! 

Lillith squeezed him tightly and cried...

LIL: Oh Vlad, why did you and Quinny have to come along at once?

VLAD: I had to be here to teach you how to love my darling! After Scott hurt you so badly, you needed my guidance to show you that you could be loved! And I love you my darling Lillith, with all of my heart. but you are a ghost I've been chasing for too long! And perhaps if I let you go, I can finally let Aleisha go too! For you were my Aleisha, the vision of your sweet mother, she loved another also! And if Quinn turns out to be half the man Jared is, then you are one lucky young woman my dear! Very lucky indeed, your father is an amazing human being, not many men have stood up to me and lived...but Jared Von Strunkle did! He is a very smart man too, he knew from the beginning that we were not meant for each other, we just got there a little later than he did!

LIL: Is this really how it ends?

VLAD: We shall still see each other, we can still be friends! That's how we started out, it's only fitting we live the rest of our lives that way too. Now go and get your Quinny! Don't let him get away!

LIL: I will, but just hold me a little longer...please?

VLAD: As you wish!

 Niamh appeared as Vladimir was saying goodbye to Lillith. He knew what he had to do...

VLAD: Ah my dear Niamh!

NIAMH: Vladimir I have to tell you something!

VLAD: Yes I believe we are to be parents?

NIAMH: Who told you?

VLAD: It is almost a full moon and I feel the urge to do something rather...crazy!

 Vladimir kissed Niamh and felt a slight tingle of excitement. Perhaps this was going to work between them, it was worth a try for the sake of their unborn child!

 As Vladimir got down on one knee and produced an old and very shiny ring, Niamh gasped and her eyes widened!

 VLAD: Niamh O'Hara? Will you do me the honour...of becoming my wife as well as the mother of my child?

NIAMH: What about Lillith?

VLAD: It seems she is destined for your brother and I for you! So what do you say?

NIAMH: Yes Vladimir! I will!

 As Vlad placed the ring on Niamh's finger, he looked forward to the birth of his child and to a new beginning. He may not be with Lillith any more, but he had gained a wife and a baby! Two things he never would have had if Lillith hadn't come into his life, he had to be thankful for that!

 Lillith followed Quinn's scent to the top of the Starlight Shores sign, he stood looking out across the town, lost in his thoughts...

LIL: Quinny? I've been looking all over for you!

QUINN: I love this view! Whenever I feel homesick and miss my mom and dad, I just come up here and think about them! I must admit I haven't thought of them much lately...

 QUINN: ...not with you constantly flooding my mind night and day!

LIL: Quinn, Vlad made me finally realise something...

QUINN: You do know he's not the one for you right? You do know that I'm your destiny?

LIL: I'm starting to get that yes!

 QUINN: When I first met you, I could see what he found so compelling! But I looked at you...and I looked at him...and I just didn't see it!

LIL: See what Quinny?

QUINN: The SPARK!!! When you talked about him, you didn't have that fire in your eyes, neither did he! But when you looked at me that day you took Niamh shopping, there it was! I came here to be a top photographer with my own studio, but I had no money and Vladimir offered me this opportunity and I thought "why not?"...I think I was meant to take that job...to find YOU!!!

 LIL: Quinn, I'm so in love with you it hurts not to...

QUINN: To what Lil?

QUINN: So you're in love with me huh?

LIL: Oh don't pretend you didn't know!

QUINN: I knew...I just waited a loooong time to hear you say it! And to kiss you!

LIL: So what do we do now?

QUINN: Well I thought we did good with the kissing so...maybe we should start small and work our way up!

LIL: Quinny?

QUINN: Yeah?

LIL: Thank you!

QUINN: For what?

LIL: For giving me what my sister has!

QUINN: And what's that?

LIL: My perfect fit!

As Lillith and Quinn kissed for the second time, Lil could have sworn that there were fireworks going off above her head. Being with Quinn just felt so right, she couldn't imagine a world without him...now she knew what it was like to be Anjelica, she'd found her Sean Herman...and he was everything she'd ever dreamed of and more!!! No more torn hearts, no more twisted minds and jealousy...only love!!!

THE END!!!