"Love you girls. Have a good day!"

Grace waves as they leave the house. It's now Monday and the three girls were walking out the door to head to school. After Colton spent Saturday evening with them, he left thanking her for her hospitality. Sunday involved the girls going into town for groceries before playing a few games in the back yard. A side hug brings her back to the present as she coils her arm around her dark haired beauty. Nessa always knew when she needed comfort. 

It wasn't that she was truly worried about the girls but more about how she is realizing they are growing up. Belle finding a mate is just the beginning. She is aware that for Kacia and Nessa, they also have mates somewhere in the world. Only time will tell how long until they find their other halves. As for Tara, she knows very limited of her kind so she is unsure if they have mates. 

"They will be fine mamma"

Grace lets a tear slip before giggling lightly and leaning over to press a kiss to her hair. Nessa came from an Italian heritage that seems to slip through when they are alone. Nessa gives Grace a moment to collect herself before releasing her. 

Their morning begins with Grace and Nessa walking around the home to pick up from the morning routine of breakfast and getting ready. Nessa goes upstairs to pick up from the tornadoes known as her sisters while Grace does the dishes in the sink. After they both complete those task. Nessa gets changed into her bar uniform. It consist of a pair of blue jeans and a dark green T-shirt with Hell's Belles printed on it. She straightens out her hair letting her long hair travel down her spine. Grace dresses in a nice pair of blank pants with a blush colored blouse. 

Giving each other an approving head nod, they head out the home to the bar. This time Nessa rides with her mom clearly seeing her still lost in her thoughts. She did not wish to leave her alone. Reaching over the console, she takes her mother's hand in her own bringing up to give it a kiss before placing their linked hands in her lap. Grace hums focusing on the road. 

Arriving at the bar, they open it up and begin their day. The bar opens generally around 4 however Grace generally will open the bar at noon for an hour to serve lunch to those who need it. She began it a few years back. Finding so many whom either don't have homes or even meals to survive made her sick... so she did something about it. The town originally didn't know how to feel about it but have to come to realize that's just how Grace is. She is an angel of this town and they hold great respect for her. 

Nessa began counting their inventory while Grace went to the back firing up the ovens. Grabbing an apron she begins while turning on the radio. Her hips gently swaying listening to her favorite song. Nessa had a small smile on her lips hearing the music filter in from the kitchen, her mother's voice singing the lyrics to Brent Eldridge's "Mean to Me". The morning continues on in the same fashion. Grace is cooking the morning away while Nessa sets the bar up to prepare. The tables out, the chairs and silver set ready for the crowd. 

The bell dings ten minutes prior to opening making Nessa look up. A striking woman with dark hair and emerald green eyes walking in. She looks around appearing to be searching for someone. Nessa wipes her hand on the towel stepping around the bar to greet the woman. 

"May I help you ma'am?"

The woman's eyes snap to her and she smiles walking up to her. That is when she gets a whiff of her and feels her body tense on it's own accord. Werewolf. She rolls her shoulder willing her body to relax continuing to smile at the woman. The woman has stopped as well with a tilt of her head examining her. 

"You must be Nessa?"

Nessa goes to open her mouth but the door from the kitchen swings open with Grace juggling food. Forgetting about the woman, she quickly steps forward to help her mother. 

"Oh thank you sweetie, could you- OH Hello?"

Grace sees the new addition as Nessa takes the food over to the bar rail sitting it down. Turning back she finds the unknown woman hugging her mother. She moves in the blink of an eye to her mother's side. Her protective instincts kicking in. Grace feels the wind change and turns to see Nessa studying the woman. 

"Nessa darling... This is Penny Tate, Colton's mother." 

Penny smiles down to the dark haired woman. It is clear she cares a great deal about Grace. Then Penny remembered what Jake said about the family being mixed with witches, a werewolf, and a vampire. It is clear which one Nessa is. 

"It's nice to meet you Nessa." 

"Same to you ma'am." 

Penny chuckles at her politeness. Nessa can see her mother is fine and returns to the kitchen to gather the rest of the dishes leaving the two woman alone. Grace watches her retreating form with a gentle smile. 

"She is beautiful Grace."

"Yes... she is." Grace turns back around giving Penny a hand gesturing to table over to the side. They each slide in while Nessa continues getting everything from the kitchen. Grace's eyes following her strong daughter making Penny look as well. "I have a feeling I know why you are here..."

"I presumed you would." Penny says chuckling. "I can't believe one of your girls is my son's mates! I can't wait to meet her!" 

Penny squeals sitting in the seat making Grace giggle at her. Shaking her head she remembers back to the day she met Penny. 

Flashback

A night after working, Grace begins to head to her car when she sees a figure lying on the ground. Walking over Grace finds a small girl curled up with a cut on her arm. The young girl was a wolf who seemed skittish. Grace approached slowly bending down as the young eyes watched on carefully. She reached in her bag bringing out her first aid kit. The girl didn't say anything but watched on ready to run if necessary. 

Tenderly taking her hand into her own, Grace began cleaning the cut focusing on it rather than the fearful eyes. After a few minutes, she began packing away her belongings when she heard crunching of leaves. Turning around, she was met with a tall woman with two young men standing protectively beside her. 

Grace looks back to the young woman who looks relieved to see the newcomers. Standing back up, she reaches her hand out to help the young girl up. She hesitates but eventually relents and takes the hand before walking over to the three new people. The woman cups her cheeks checking her over before looking at her arm. The bandage was done well and then the emerald eyes lock on Grace. She tells the boys to watch after the girl and they growl their disapproval knowing how what their queen is doing. Grace watches on with her heart racing as the woman steps forward. 

"You helped her?"

"Of course." Grace furrows her eye brows confused. Who wouldn't help a little girl?

"She is not of your kind... why do so?"

"She lives and breathes... same as me. She needed help and I could help. It's that simple."

Penny studied the woman looking for any sign of deceit but finding none. She reached out her hand to the witch who took it smiling gently. 

"Penny Tate"

"Grace Roman"

"You are an interesting witch Grace Roman..."

End of Flashback

"Are you even listening Grace?"She snaps back to the present giving a sheepish smile to the knowing woman. Penny playfully roles her eyes. "I said Colton can't shut up about her. I feel like I already know her. He was so excited about heading to school today."

"I met him Saturday night. You raised a very well mannered young man." 

Penny smiles knowing how Grace is. She has never been nothing but kind. Her aurora just gives off positive energy. The bell dings as the hungry patrons begin coming in smiling at Nessa who begins handing out the drinks as they make their own plates. Grace gets up to help and greet each and every person while Penny sits watching her with a fond smile. 

"Such the witch..." 

Nessa finishes helping everyone get settled before seeing the woman from earlier still sitting down. She begins making her plate before walking over to her. Penny's snapping up to the raven haired young woman. 

"Thank you Nessa"

"Your welcome Mrs. Tate." 

"Would you care to sit with me?" Nessa looks over her shoulder to find her mother still talking to a few guests. She slowly slides into the booth hesitant about this. "So Nessa, why aren't you in class with your sisters?"

"I graduated a few years ago. My..." Nessa clears her throat. "genetics allowed me to learn and retain at a much higher rate."

Penny nods thoughtfully. She sniffs again and still can sense her scent is different. 

"Your a vampire, are you not?"

Nessa freezes not expecting her to be so nonchalant about the topic. Their was no hint of disgust though, just curiosity. 

"Yes, I am" 

"You are protective of Grace..." Penny begins biting in while continue the conversation. Nessa watches on with a raised brow. This woman does not act like the wolves she has met before. 

"I am protective of my family"

Penny smirks hearing the determination in her voice. 

"That is good... family is everything." 

"Your son has recently become part of my family."

At this Penny looks up placing her silverware down. She was NOT expecting that statement. She tilts her head as if asking her to continue. Nessa seems to understand because she elaborates. 

"Colton was NOT what I predicted for my sister. He is not of her kind and I judged. I thought he would hurt her." Nessa pauses considering her words. "To be honest, I still worry he will... But, he has learned a great deal about us and has not ran away or exposed my sister. He stands willingly beside her and makes her happy. That is all I want for each of my sisters. For them to find someone to lean on when needed, to support them and love them. I will support my sisters decisions and embrace their mates as one of our own." 

Penny slouches back completely winded by her speech. This vampire, who was born to hate her kind just admitted that she is willingly protective of not only werewolves but specifically her own son. She was well spoken and respectful. She slowly reached forward with her hands resting on the table, palms upwards. 

Nessa slowly reached forward putting her hands into the woman's awaiting hands. Penny squeezed her fingers and smiled brightly. 

"I was raised in a pack that believed all kinds to be equal..." Nessa studies her, staying focused on her eyes. "I am so glad they were correct."

Nessa feels her own eyes water at the woman's praise. Grace walks over seeing the interaction and places her hand on her daughter's shoulder. 

"Penny I owe you an apology, this is my eldest daughter... Nessa Roman." 

Nessa smiles up at her mother. She loves it when she introduces her. It brings her a sense of warmth knowing how much Grace loves her. 

"She is just as interesting as you are my friend..." Penny releases Nessa's hands and interlocks her fingers turning to Grace. "So when do I get to meet Belle??"