After everything we have been through, I never expected us to get to this point where we are all lounging in Olivia's house, sipping blood and telling tales. What's even more impressive is that they are tales of joy.

I forgot how it felt to be happy. I am not sure if I ever felt that way at all.

I mean, I have things that brought me joy, such as bleeding humans dry and spending time with Tobias, whom I've always seen as my family, my son. Yet, I was never as happy as I am now, surrounded by friends who became my family and especially with Eliot by my side.

"So what have you guys been up to?" Eliot asks Seymour and Alarcos, noticing our hesitance to do anything but enjoy each other's company.

"Oh, don't ask them that! Alarcos is bound to have an inappropriate comment." I say, in a hurry.

I am still not ready to hear about the romantic exploits of my ex and his boyfriend.

Alarcos grins from ear to ear, making it clear that I was right and that he was on the verge of making a joke, an innuendo, or something far worse.

Seymour, seeing that mischievous grin on his lover's face, nudges Alarcos, gently warning him to behave. Though I am still adjusting to them being together, I can't help but find them utterly cute. Annoyingly so.

"We've actually been trying to find a place to settle down. This nomadic life is great, but it gets tiring after a while," Seymour says.

"Really?" I ask.

I recall that Seymour had always been the one to chase after new adventures, hunt fresh prey. The fact that he wants to stay in one place is odd, to say the least. But then again, who am I to criticize anyone? I have spent a year isolated from the world, barely doing any hunting.

It's debatable if I can still call myself the Huntress of my tribe, extinct as my tribe might be.

"I guess my sadistic days are truly behind me," Seymour says.

It's difficult for me to believe that, but then again, I have changed so much as well, why can't he?

We could have never gotten back together, not after he left me the way he did, but I guess I see him as a friend now.

I didn't trust him in the past because I believed he would hurt us. Once bitten, twice shy, and all that. However, I realize now that he does want to become better, that he has become better.

Perhaps some wounds can never be fully healed, but the fact that I still have him as a friend means more to me than I would care to admit.

"I didn't expect that. Where have you decided to settle?" I ask.

"Not far from here, actually. There is a farmhouse there which can provide us with enough privacy, away from the prying eyes of humans," Seymour says.

"That sounds nice," I say, not really sure if a farm would have been my choice.

"What about you two? How is learning about what it means to be a Healer going?" I ask Tobias and Cecilia.

"Well, I guess it's going as well as can be expected, having in mind our warring natures," Tobias says.

Two opposite instincts of healing and killing residing in the same body must be exhausting. However, if two people can deal with that kind of burden, it's them. After all, they have been through so much already, and they deserve to find a place that will make them feel a bit better about who they are.

I remember how much Cecilia struggled when she first turned, and I can't help but wish that I was a better friend to her back then. That I had not allowed her to kill that human.

Still, if I had known what I know now, how much it hurts them to take an innocent life, I like to believe that I would have done differently. At least, I hope I would have done everything in my power to stop them from doing the things they will probably regret for the rest of their lives.

It's clear to me now that even though Cecilia has viciously killed Stanton and his vampires, although Tobias had viciously killed Anja, they still felt horrible about it. Though it was necessary at the time, I could see it eating at them for years. At least, now they'll be able to find some sort of balance.

"Yes, it's not an easy thing to learn, having in mind we still have our bloodlust to deal with, but I feel like it's making me feel better than I've felt since turning," Cecilia says.

Remembering how much she struggled with being a vampire and comparing it with the smile that now adorns her face, I can see what she means. Having the ability to help instead of hurt is helping her heal herself as well.

"Are you going to stay here much longer?" I ask.

I am hopeful that we would be able to see each other more often since the distance is not that big. The only reason we haven't seen each other for so long is that we've all been adjusting to new things or people, in my case.

"I think so," Cecilia says, smiling at Tobias.

The way they behave with each other has always been baffling to me. However, I think I am beginning to understand now. Furthermore, I hope that one day Eliot and I get to the point where we get as close as they are.

It's as if their love is so big that they have become almost like one person. It's like they understand each other so well that they don't even need to speak to communicate. Yet, they still manage to retain their individuality. It's rather impressive.

"That will also give me more time to study you, guys. Though it would be nice to have some pure samples," Olivia says.

"Excuse me?" I ask, having no idea what the chipper Healer is talking about.

"Well, I am researching vampire biology, psychology, and the works. However, since Cecilia and Tobias aren't only vampires, it's difficult for me to get clear results. I need some fresh vampire guinea pigs," Olivia says, batting her eyelashes in my direction.

"So, you want me to visit more often so that you can study me?" I ask with distaste.

"The way I see it, it's killing two birds with one stone. I get to spend time with my sister-in-law and work on my pet project. Besides, it would also mean that my goofy brother would visit more often. What do you say?" Olivia asks.

"Well, when you ask so nicely, how can I say no?" I reply sarcastically.

"Yay!" Olivia exclaims, jumping up and down in joy.

"Also, I am not your sister-in-law, and I am not sure I'll ever be," I say.

"Way to crush the man's dreams," Eliot says jokingly.

Still, hurt that quickly fades away from his face doesn't escape my notice. It seems like this marriage thing is crucial for him. Who am I to crush the guy's dreams?

"You know what, fine. I'll marry you," I say impulsively.

I am ready to do any silly thing to make the one person who makes me feel amazing happy.

"Really?" he asks, stunned.

"No, no, no. Helen, he has to ask first, on his knees," Olivia says, overexcited as usual.

Eliot grins as he kneels down before me like an old-fashioned gentleman.

"Helen, the Great Huntress of your tribe, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" Eliot asks.

"Yes, I will," I answer, smiling brightly.

I am not very into this whole marriage business but making him so utterly ecstatic makes me feel wonderful. I am so joyous that I would go through any silly ceremony to make him as happy as he makes me feel.

"Awww, I guess we'll all be one big happy family," Olivia says, trying to engulf us all in a group hug.

Of course, I stop her from doing that as it wouldn't be advisable to engage in a group hug with someone who smells as delicious as she does. However, I can't help but notice that I do share her optimism.

We have all become one big, happy family, and I hope we manage to stay in touch and as close as we are now.

And we lived happily ever after... Well, at least I hope so.

Or maybe until the next crisis.

THE END