"I'm so sorry about Landon. All of us have given up feeding on humans, but the impulse is still there. And it's specially strong in children." A man with a wise face walked forward and thrust a small bottle filled with a red liquid that Stella realised to her horror was blood, into the baby's mouth.
He then walked over with an apologetic smile and said, turning to Sharp, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought him here. It's just that you haven't yet met him, and who knows when will be the next time you'll be in the country."
"Probably next year for June's birthday." Sharp muttered as he rolled his eyes, but nevertheless went over to take the baby in his arms.
Stella peered around the man standing in front of her and her eyes widened upon seeing Sharp taking the baby into his arms, before beginning to make funny faces at him.
Stella stared dumbfounded at Sharp as a warm, almost hot feeling blossomed in her chest and settled in her stomach. It was surprising how good Sharp was with babies, and Stella was sure that one day he would make a very good dad.
Stella's face grew hot as an image of Sharp holding a similar baby boy, just with black bushy hairs lept into her mind. Then she saw a girl child with Hazel eyes and golden hair begin to try and braid Sharp's hair.
"Umm Miss....? Is she all right?" A voice brought Stella back to reality. She blinked and the girl with Hazel eyes and the baby boy with black hair were gone, replaced by a baby with dirty blonde hair in Sharp's arms, who had turned his head to stare at Stella with a worried expression.
Stella gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile before turning back to the man in front of her. "Sorry." she said with an apologetic smile, "I zoned out for a bit. You were saying?"
The man smiled indulgently, the corners of his eyes forming little wrinkles as he did so and spoke. "It's not an issue. Vampire babies tend to have that effect, even when you've been around them." Stella breathed a sigh of relief that everyone was thinking she had been mesmerized by the baby as the man continued, "I'm Matthew Cecil. And this is my wife, Cordelia. We're Penelope's parents."
Stella smiled as the woman who had originally been holding the baby came to join, and shook hands with both of them. "I'm Stella McCarteney, Sharp.. I mean, Den and June's friend." she said.
"You're Penelope's parents, that means that baby is her brother?" Stella asked before she could help herself, looking at the aged couple and internally sympathising with Penelope, who had a sibling at the age of having children.
"Puuu. . . . . " This came from Penelope as she burst in laughter, and came to stand in between her very stunned parents. "You are something else Stella." she said, shaking her head. "Though I don't think I would mind a little baby brother to play with." she added turning to her mother, who blushed and shook her arm indulgently at her.
Mr. Cecil shook her head as he explained with a smile. "Little Landon here is Penelope's nephew. He is the son of my eldest son, Philip Cecil."