I am so sorry this took so long! But I lost my thread for this story somewhere, and it just got harder and harder every time I opened the draft for this chapter. Then we had FF errors galore that set me even more off kilter... basically, I am very very sorry and I hope you like the finale.

-YD-

"Chia!"

"Adam!"

Six years old and energetic as a slayer on steroids, Daciana bolted away from her teenage brother who did his best not to appear as though he could catch her easily. Adam chased her, eventually catching up and scooping her into his arms. With Daciana's brown eyes, dark skin and long, curly hair, she didn't look all that much like Adam with his short hair, blue eyes and typical pale Dracula complexion.

But the two were close, Adam taking his duties as big brother very seriously and spending much of his time that wasn't allocated to studying, training or sleeping playing with his little sister. Vlad's concerns of Daciana turning out like her mother faded year on year; Daciana wasn't as much a 'breather lover' as Adam, but she was no budding serial murderer either.

Ingrid rolled her eyes at them both, nudged Vlad's arm and got comfortable against his side, mostly disregarding whether or not Vlad was comfortable like that. He was used to that though, and shifted minutely until he was. Candlelight caught the black and red ring that rested on Ingrid's finger, where she'd finally agreed to tolerate Vlad indefinitely. Her pale hand rested over the start of a bump, where a third Dracula baby resided, growing until they were ready to be a part of the family fully.

They'd come a long way from when Ingrid first crashed back into his life, highlighting his sham marriage and introducing him to their son.

And it hadn't all been plain sailing to get there. Dust had been spilled, feuds almost tearing apart families and the cease-fire had tilted on the precipice of crumbling more than once.

Ramanga had been apoplectic with rage upon finding out that Adze had given birth, then been ashed for her crimes against the Peace Treaty.

"How dare you think you could get away with this!"

"Adze thought she could get away with violating the cease fire! I tolerated her violating our marriage, but the peace was not to be tested. Don't go against me Ramanga, it won't end well for you."

"I demand to see my grandson."

He wasn't intending to let Ramanga within a thousand feet of his baby girl, that much was certain.

"Well, that will be quite difficult. Since you don't have one."

"Excuse me?"

Vlad rolled his eyes.

"Adze didn't have a boy. She had a girl. Daciana Dracula."

"Typical useless girl."

Vlad abhorred Adze, had hated their binding and was disgusted by what she did to ensure her pregnancy by him. But Ramanga wasn't just insulting her, he was insulting their daughter. Before the man knew what hit him, Ramanga was thrown harshly against a wall, Vlad taking a few steps closer and clenching his fist, knowing the excruciating pain of the feeling of iron bands around internal organs crushing down.

"Having Daciana was about the only thing Adze ever did right. You stay away from my clan, and my daughter or you will meet the same fate as your wife and child."

Ramanga picked himself up, swirling his cape and hissing to try and look intimidating but Vlad wasn't the slightest bit fazed. He knew Ramanga couldn't overpower him, nor did he have the political muscle anymore now Vlad was no longer his son-in-law. Ramanga was just clinging to the notion of power leftover from when he'd staked and slithered his way to status and position before.

Vlad had let him entertain his delusions for too long now; he had children to make the world safer for and Ramanga was a threat to that safety. He wouldn't stand for it.

"Go!"

Sensing he wouldn't win against Vlad, the vampire stormed off. Vlad was utterly certain it wouldn't be the end of the matter, but he had more important uses for his time at that moment. Like bracing himself for his own father visiting. He hadn't seen much of his dad since Ingrid moved in, but apparently the pull to meet his grandchild was enough to get him to come over.

Landing back in his castle, Vlad went in search of his children. Ingrid had (surprisingly and kindly) offered to watch Daciana whilst Vlad had to go to Council. Of course, Adam did most of the work by choice, loving to feed and even change 'Chia' as the protective, caring big brother he was. Ingrid just made sure that bottles were mixed correctly, winding was done right and the like.

The vampiress in question greeted Vlad first, arms around his neck as his landed on her waist, kissing him soundly. It hadn't taken long for Ingrid to establish Vlad was now hers entirely, especially when the news of Adze's slaying got around and females everywhere offered to replace her. There was no real definition to their relationship, but she kissed him where Adam, Wolfie and Bertrand could see. That was plenty telling enough.

"Hey."

"Shh. Look."

She pointed in to the living room, where Adam and Daciana were both fast asleep in her play pen, Adam's hand resting on the side of Daciana's U-shaped baby pillow protectively. Vlad's heart kicked in his chest at the sweet, perfect image.

"Like butter wouldn't melt."

"That's a Dracula thing."

Vlad couldn't argue with that, feeling Ingrid's hand slip into his.

"Yeah, but I'd say those two are better at it than me."

"True."

Knowing they weren't about to be witnessed, Ingrid had no arguments about Vlad kissing her again, backed against the wall and with those soft gasps against his lips Ingrid threatened to steal Vlad's rationality completely. She growled in frustration when the door knocked, taking a minute to actually let him go.

"That will be dad."

"Ugh. Mood killer."

Vlad chuckled, agreeing wholeheartedly that their father was enough to douse any budding arousal. Of course, it was inappropriate to be aroused when their children slept only a few feet away so perhaps it was for the best. Feeling a biting kiss pressed against his lips, Vlad forced himself away from the tempting softness of Ingrid's curves to go and answer the door.

"Vladdy!"

"Dad. Shh, the baby is sleeping."

"Typical."

Vlad rolled his eyes as he invited the Count in, unsure if the man even knew to expect a granddaughter rather than grandson. Daciana hadn't been out in public yet.

"Oh yes, you're still around are you?"

Count Dracula vs Ingrid Dracula in the war of glares... they could be there for centuries without intervention.

"If you disrespect Ingrid, I will throw you out. This is my castle, my rules."

Their dad huffed, but fell silent. Ingrid slid around the door to the room containing their respective offspring, Daciana beginning to stir - it was about time for her next bottle and the girl never missed a meal. Vlad tried to avoid disturbing Adam, but as he bent down to pick up the baby her big brother stirred, rubbing his eyes and smiling when he saw Vlad.

"Dad! You're back!"

"Dad?"

Vlad had actually forgotten that his father didn't know Vlad was the father to Ingrid's son, so enthralled to be called 'dad' by Adam that he never considered others hearing it.

"Adam, will you go make up a bottle? This little lady will be hungry soon."

"Yeah, ok. Are you coming mum?"

She hardly needed pushing to avoid their father, and always made sure Adam was making Daciana's bottle up correctly so the baby was getting adequate nutrition. Once alone, Vlad stroked the downy hair over his daughters skull, smiled as she yawned sweetly.

"Vladimir, explain yourself."

"Quiet!" he hissed, not wanting to risk Daciana crying "yes. Adam's my son. He's also Ingrid's son. We've been getting it on since... before we left Stokely. I'm honestly surprised you never noticed. Even Wolfie knew."

There was no gentling the issue to their father; his kids fucked and they did it often, even going so far as to have a child together.

"You could have any vampiress in the world falling ar your feet, and you chose her?"

"Always. You married me off to Adze and I tried to stick it out, but it was honestly such a sham and you know it. Then Ingrid came back, and I found out I had a son. Adze bore me an heir, and as far as I'm concerned I've done my duty symbolising the corrupt, vile hatred that inhabits most vampire marriages. Now I'm going to do things my way. Meet your granddaughter, Daciana Dracula."

He watched his father blink at the sudden change in tone and topic, giving the youngling in his arms a cursory glance.

"A daughter? You can't call that your heir."

"Watch me. She's still fifty percent Chosen One. Just like Adam."

"Did you call me?"

Scampering into the room holding a bottle of formula, Adam headed to Vlad and looked at the bundle of baby sister in his fathers arms.

"Can I feed her?"

"Sure. Sit down."

Beaming, Adam perched on the sofa and held out his arms, already knowing how to hold her head just right for feeding, and always looking enchanted by the little face staring back at him with her wide brown eyes. Vlad watched as his dad observed the strange sight, having never actually met either of his grandchildren until now.

"Burpy time!"

Adam giggled, lifting his little sister with surprising ease to his shoulder and patting her back. He only wrinkled his nose a bit when she spat up milk on him, then held her up to Ingrid who was closest.

"Baby sister baby sick. I'm gonna go change my t-shirt."

Vlad retrieved Daciana from Ingrid, who was obviously wary she was going to spit up again on her favourite navy dress. Happy now she'd been fed, she was content to stare up at her father quietly, squeezing his finger with her tiny hand when he tickled her chin.

"You... and her..."

"Yep. Adam is Daciana's big brother and he is very excited about that."

"For all that is evil don't pass this abhorrent behaviour on to them."

Placing a hand on his forehead, Dracula senior did an excellent job of looking faint rather than the irritation Vlad knew he felt.

"That's quite unlikely, don't worry."

Ingrid cocked her head, questioning with her eyes and Vlad feared he had inadvertently outed their son. She didn't ask outright, but he suspected she would later.

"I need a drink."

"There's blood in the kitchen. I need to put this in the steriliser anyway."

Vlad retrieved Daciana's empty bottle, leading his father toward the kitchen. Knowing the visit was occurring in advance, Ingrid had hidden all her favourite bottles and left only the usual things Vlad would have lying around. The Count didn't seem to notice, pouring a hearty portion of Pinot Peasant Noir 1873 into a goblet and swallowing with none of the manners he had insisted Vlad emulate as a boy.

He placed his daughter down in her kitchen-bassinet, rinsing her bottle and dunking it in sterilising solution so it was clean and ready for the next time. Hands landed on his hips, prompting Vlad to turn and find Ingrid's smirking face close to his own. He was fairly certain she was kissing him to annoy their dad, but Ingrid was kissing him; Vlad wasn't going to question her motives too hard.

"Bleurgh! Not in the kitchen! We agreed!"

Adam was pouting when they separated, arms crossed over a fresh t-shirt as he eyed his parents. Vlad chuckled, sliding his arm around Ingrid's waist and holding the other out for Adam to come join in a group hug.

"We did. Terribly sorry."

"I forgive you. Is Chia sleeping?"

"Not that I know of."

Behind Ingrid, Vlad could see his father mouthing "Chia?" to himself as Adam tottered over and peeked into the bassinet. A quiet gurgle of recognition told him Daciana was awake, recognised her big brother's face floating over her baby cradle. The Count took a long glug from his glass.

By the time he was done reeling from shock, it was too late for the Count to make it back to Garside Grange that night, meaning he had to spend the day in the Grand High Castle. Nobody was thrilled about it. Putting Daciana down for hopefully more than two hours - if she lost much more sleep Vlad worried Ingrid would stop sleeping with him in the day - in her nursery, Vlad turned to see Ingrid watching him.

"What did you mean earlier? That Adam and Daciana is unlikely?"

"Please don't tell Adam I told you, he was so worried about telling me and I'd hate to have him thinking I betrayed his confidence. But... he told me he likes boys."

"He's eight."

"So? If he said he liked girls, you wouldn't say he was too young to know that."

Ingrid's mouth tightened for a moment, but then she nodded.

"Fair. Coming?"

"In a minute, I want to be sure she's settled before I leave."

She rolled her eyes, but Ingrid joined him over the crib and watched the little babe wriggle to get comfortable, sucking her thumb as she settled.

"Happy?"

"Mhmm. She's beautiful."

"Sap."

Chuckling, Vlad let himself be led to the next room, baby monitor next to their now-shared coffin as Ingrid slipped out of her dress. They slept a full four hours that day before Daciana wanted feeding again, but Ingrid made use of them being awake to fuck Vlad stupid before they fell asleep pleasantly exhausted. Naturally, Ingrid complained about the lack of sleep later on, despite it being her choice. Vlad was long used to her mercurial moods.

Daciana was a little over six months old when Vlad first took her out to be witnessed by other vampires, and one offhand comment about not looking for a new wife became wildfire rumours that Vlad was courting someone to marry already, skipping right over the grief clause that was supposed to prevent him binding for a whole year.

Ingrid laughed at the dramatic headlines before tossing them into the fire, leaning against Vlad's side while Adam and Daciana played on the floor.

"When will you tell them?"

"About us? Probably next year. I don't want to deal with the grief clause nonsense for starters."

Ingrid quirked a perfectly sculpted eyebrow.

"I didn't say we were getting bound. So the clause shouldn't matter."

He tried to ignore the jab that felt like. All the progress in the world and Ingrid wouldn't put name to whatever it was between them.

"The assumption will be there. And it's going to be chaos enough given who you are to me."

"I suppose."

It was more than two whole years later - Daciana's third birthday, to be precise - that Ingrid finally conceded to both Vlad and Adam's asks about binding. It was more than just a ceremony for them; it meant Ingrid agreed to take on Daciana as her daughter. Vlad still carried the memory of Daciana calling Ingrid "mama" at the forefront of his mind, even if she'd corrected the girl at first.

They did the big dramatic ceremony, performed for an audience but all Vlad really cared about was making their family officially that. Adam looked so happy and grown up in his suit, Daciana adorable and sweet in her little version of Ingrid's dress.

And if Ramanga was ashed by Vlad's personal security for trying to attack him at the afterparty... all the better. Reconciling with Assan was difficult, but ultimately he wanted to be in his nieces life. Shango wasn't interested, but he didn't try to reinstate the feud - he wouldn't pit his clan against the Grand High Vampire.

Almost immediately after the binding, Adam began dropping hints. Soon enough, he got his little sister involved. Both had one thing on their mind; a new sibling. Ingrid adamantly refused, insisting she was done being pregnant and raising babies.

She told Vlad she was pregnant on Daciana's sixth birthday; three years to the day since Ingrid agreed to marry him. Vlad was thrilled, Adam and Daciana ecstatic. If Daciana ever felt different, she didn't seem to mind. In child-appropriate ways, she had learned that she was daddy's daughter from a different mother, but that Ingrid was her mother now. She took them at face value, though Vlad suspected he would have to answer for it properly one day.

"Dad?"

Adam's voice jolted Vlad from his reminiscing, a few blinks clearing the past from flashing before his eyes to leave him free to look at his son.

"Yeah?"

"Time to make cake?"

Even close to a decade after Vlad agreed to teach Adam to cook, the now teenaged boy had yet to stop being excited about cooking with his father.

"If Ingrid doesn't mind me moving."

"Yay! Come on Chia, we gotta change and wash up while dad escapes from mum."

Ingrid rolled her eyes fondly, eventually moving enough to let Vlad stand up. He dropped to his knees almost immediately, seeing that look in Ingrid's eyes that said their baby was moving. She looked at him as he touched her belly, feeling the little kicks, and smiled.

All the bad stuff that occurred along the way faded when Ingrid looked at him like that. The past stayed where it belonged, almost as though it never happened.

-YD-

I really, really tried with this finale and I really, really don't think it shows. In which case, I apologise deeply.

(on a side note, still looking for Vlad/Ingrid ideas. Only got a one shot prompt for them after this, then the ship will stall if no ideas come to sail it along.)