“The refrigerator is full, though, Barnabas. It seems to me that there was something on my calendar for this week, but for the life of me I cannot remember what it was,” Elliot answered with a laugh. “I have been so preoccupied of late. I can't even tell how long we've been gone.” He watched Barnabas searching the drawers in the drawing room. “There's no newspaper about.” Barnabas seemed not to hear him.

“Oh, I am feeling so much better!” Julia exclaimed with relief, joining the two men in the drawing room. She had changed out of her 1840s dress.

“Oh, Barnabas, I'm sure everything is fine,” Julia said, trying to reassure her friend. “I don't see any signs at all that Daphne and Judah have been here.”

“Well, I wish I could be as confident as you!” Barnabas snapped with asperity. The front door opened and slammed, and they all looked around, startled. Elizabeth stood in the doorway, her mouth opened a little in surprise. “Elizabeth!”

“What are you still doing here?” Elizabeth asked, her features contracting in irritation. “Really, Elliot! I waited and waited for you! I know that Barnabas and Julia lose track of the time, but you've always been so punctual!”

“You are the most exasperating man!” Elizabeth complained with a familiarity in tone that caused Barnabas and Julia to look at each other in astonishment. She walked over the desk, shuffling through the papers Barnabas had just been pawing through. “You are almost as bad as my brother sometimes! Can you imagine? He forgot his speech!”

Elizabeth gave him an exasperated look over her shoulder, continuing to look through the papers. Elliot stepped in and said smoothly, “Ah, yes-the Historical Center is opening.” Again, Barnabas and Julia exchanged looks.

“Don't tell me you'd forgotten?” Elizabeth exclaimed. “Was your little vacation so relaxing that you've forgotten something we've been planning for months now?”

Elizabeth located the papers she needed and looked up, distressed. “Oh, dear-you're still coming, aren't you? We'd be so disappointed if you didn't join us for the reception afterwards!”

“Of course we're coming,” Julia said hastily, looking at Barnabas. Elizabeth held her hand out to Elliot, and he stepped forward to gallantly

offer his elbow to her. He caught the next startled glance between Julia and Barnabas and said over his shoulder, “There are many things I need to tell you about. I didn't get a chance to catch you up on all that's happened here since you've been away.”

“Elizabeth-” Barnabas began, puzzled. Elizabeth stopped and turned, mildly annoyed at being detained. “Will Quentin and Carolyn and David and Hallie be there?”

“Well, I'm flattered I'm sure, and I'm happy to see you, too. We really must get going, though.” Barnabas and Julia had no other choice but to follow. “Oh, by the way, Julia, while you were gone I found a fascinating diary that belonged to an ancestor of mine-Flora Collins. I thought you might be interested in it because you seem so fascinated with our genealogy.”

“Yes, I'd love to look at it!” Julia replied with a gulp. Barnabas pulled on her elbow, and she turned to look at him. His eyes were burning with intensity. “We must have changed everything when we went back,” she whispered to him. “Everything is fine.” She glanced toward the disappearing backs of Elliot and Elizabeth. “We'd better go with them, Barnabas. I have no idea where this Historical Center is.”

The Historical Center was located in the center of Collinsport, and everyone had turned out for the event. The building was quite crowded when they arrived. “You won't be able to sit with us,” Elizabeth explained. “We didn't know to hold your seats. We'll meet you later at the reception.”

“You know where Le Fontaine Bleu is-outside of Rockport?” Julia nodded. “The reception will be in the Blue Room.” Elizabeth and Elliot moved off, probably to try and find Roger.

“As well as the riff raff,” Barnabas agreed, looking at a group of people who'd just entered with an air of disapproval. They were dressed very casually in jeans, tie-dye shirts, and beads.

During the speech, Julia and Barnabas had caught sight of Carolyn sitting with David and Hallie on either side of her. Looking a little further, they saw Quentin sitting with a blonde. He seemed to be on quite close terms with her, leaning over and whispering into her ear. He put his arm around her and kissed her hair once. “Who do you suppose that is?” Barnabas wondered.

On the other side of the room, they saw another couple deeply involved with each other. It was Willie and an attractive brunette. “Do you suppose that's Roxanne?” Julia wondered. “Oh, Barnabas, so much seems so different since we left! How long do you suppose we've been gone?”

“I have no idea,” Barnabas answered, looking around with wondering eyes. They endured the speech and followed the crowd out afterward. They were able to find Carolyn and the children in the parking lot. “Carolyn!” Barnabas called, as she and the children were about to get into a station wagon. “Barnabas! Julia! You're back!” Carolyn called, with a delighted smile. She threw her arms around Barnabas and gave him a hug and a kiss. “I'm so glad! Why don't you both come with me to the reception? I have this station wagon, so there's plenty of room for you.”

They agreed to go, hoping Carolyn or the two children would provide them with some hints as to what happened. They continued to be puzzled about the things they heard. The children were excited to be going to school in Boston. They speculated that Elizabeth and Elliot would have a wonderful time in Paris. “It's sooooo romantic there!” Hallie was saying wistfully.

“Just a few more weeks,” Carolyn said. There was just a hint of sadness in her voice. “It should be beautiful there for them, too. Springtime in Paris!”

“Oh, it's just been dull-except for helping Mother with her plans. She and Elliot only want a small reception, so it's really been very simple helping her,” Carolyn replied.

Barnabas and Julia looked at each other again. Barnabas arched his eyebrows. This definitely sounded like wedding plans. Elizabeth and Elliot? “I thought I saw Willie,” Julia ventured, hoping for more news.

“Oh, no,” Carolyn laughed, a small note of bitterness creeping into her voice. “They got married this morning. They're leaving tonight-they'll probably still be at the Old House packing when the reception is over. I'm sure they wouldn't want to leave without seeing you first, Barnabas.”

Stunned, Barnabas and Julia exchanged glances again. They'd arrived at Le Fontaine Bleu and were unable to extract any further information from Carolyn before going in. “I hope we don't put our feet in our mouths,” Julia whispered to Barnabas. “So much seems to have happened while we were away! I feel so strange-everything is so different!” They followed Carolyn to the family's table. A band had begun to play, and couples were getting up to dance.

Barnabas was staring toward the dance floor. “Julia, look!” he whispered, his voice barely audible. Julia turned her head to look, and her own mouth dropped in astonishment. Quentin and Angelique had begun to move around the floor together; he pulled her in close to his body and whispered into her ear. “My God!” Barnabas continued to speak in just a barely audible tone.

That woman will never die, Julia thought in disgust, suddenly furious. She left Barnabas standing there, frozen to the spot, and moved on to the family table. There was a seat next to Roger, and Julia sat down to congratulate him on his fine speech. She lost herself in the rest of the evening, listening closely for hints and clues about everything that had happened while she was gone. Roger asked her to dance, and she accepted. He was in an especially good mood, and not his usual ascerbic self. As they danced, she looked toward the table and didn't see Barnabas anymore.

After the dance, Julia was intrigued to see Quentin and Angelique sitting together, their heads close. She seemed to be feeding him grapes. Julia let Roger escort her back to the table, and she was pleased to find herself seated next to Roger, across the table from Quentin and Angelique. Angelique gave her a brilliant smile. “Why, hello, Julia! I must say, it is so good to see you again! I hope you had a nice holiday?”

“Yes, I did, thank you,” Julia replied with a genuine smile. For all of their differences and past difficulties, Julia had developed a grudging respect for this woman. “You two certainly are happy tonight,” she observed.

“With good reason,” Quentin said with a smile. “Julia, we've got a lot to catch up on.” He accepted a grape from Angelique, kissing her fingertips.

“Ah, young love!” Roger exclaimed, looking at Julia and smiling. He wasn't his usual sarcastic, biting self, Julia thought. “Isn't it marvelous to be young in the spring? I remember those days well!”

“Well, Roger, you're not so old yourself,” Julia pointed out with a smile. Startled, Roger looked at her, and she found herself looking at him for the first time. He had such clear, sky-blue eyes, she thought-nothing like the soulful brown of Barnabas' eyes; yet, these eyes were open and, somehow, trusting. They both turned red at the same time and looked away.

Quentin and Angelique burst into laughter at them. Angelique still had such a lovely laugh, musical and lively. “Congratulate me, Julia,” she said. “I am about to be engaged.”

Angelique laughed again. She and Quentin placed their clasped hands on the table and also leaned forward so that they could speak to Julia quickly and quietly. “While you were in the past, Elliot came to me for help. He and I restored Quentin's mind,” Angelique began. “Once we helped Quentin regain his sanity-“

“I helped them find the staircase,” Quentin continued. “We had to cast spells to keep Judah and his hordes away-Roger was a big help there, too. Between the three of us, we managed to undo all the damage those creatures had done to the house and to the people here. Elliot went down the staircase to let you know. Then you all did whatever you did that caused everything to `unhappen', if you will.” At Julia's astounded look, he asked, “Didn't he tell you?”

“Well, so much happened, I guess he didn't get a chance-“ Julia answered. She looked at Angelique. “You were killed then-did you know that?”

“My Master wasn't through with me. After all, if I'd died in 1840, I couldn't have helped you cure Barnabas in 1897, could I? I couldn't have put the shadow curse on Jeb, could I?”

Julia considered. She was tired. “That would be very kind of you, Roger. I'd like that.” She was overwhelmed with all that had happened and needed time to absorb it all. She wondered where Barnabas had gone.

Angelique and Quentin left the reception together, arms about each other's waists and totally unaware that they were being watched. Quentin drove her to the cottage, which was dark and unoccupied since Chris and Amy had left. He turned the light on and led Angelique inside. It was still a convenient trysting place, and old habits die hard. It wasn't very long before they were both partially undressed, Angelique reclining on the sofa and Quentin on top of her, kissing her passionately.

“Mmmhmmm,” Quentin agreed. He'd begun to get up, but suddenly felt strong hands on him, yanking him to his feet and turning him around. “Barnabas!” he exclaimed, surprised. He didn't get a chance to say anything else because his cousin knocked him to the floor with a sharp blow to his face.

“How dare you touch my wife in that manner?” Barnabas roared in fury, as Angelique sat up and screamed. Quentin sat up slowly, stunned, holding his head. Barnabas moved toward him swiftly, obviously meaning to strike again.

“Since when did you ever care about that?” Quentin asked, resentfully. He was rubbing his face ruefully. Angelique ran to his side and put her arms around him, kissing his cheek tenderly. “You always told me you hated her.”

“What?” Quentin interjected, looking at Angelique, wide-eyed with disbelief. “What is this about? This isn't another one of your tricks-“

Angelique's eyes flashed with fury as she shoved Quentin's shoulder. “Perhaps I should slap your face, too, Quentin! How dare you say that to me?”

“Sh, my love, I'll take care of it.” She kissed Quentin softly and then turned back to face Barnabas, who had a thunderous look on his face. “Barnabas, that was in 1840, over 150 years ago. Yes, I loved you then and yes, I know that you realized you loved me, too. But a lot has happened in the intervening time. As you see, I did not die, as Lamar Trask intended. I was brought back by my former Master to help Nicholas in his fight against you.”

“Think about it, Barnabas. If I had really died in 1840, then I would not have been able to help you in 1897-to help cure you so that you could fight Petofi.”

“And I also still loved you when I returned as Roger's wife, Cassandra, in 1968-surely you're not forgetting any of that? The dream curse? The fact that I tried to make you a vampire again? When you were taken from me again, Barnabas, and I was returned to the netherworld, I appealed again to my master. I was willing to give up all my powers and become human, if I could just have a mortal man who would love me. I thought that man was Sky Rumson, and I was wrong about that. My life with Sky was a lie.”

“You don't love Quentin!” Barnabas cried out in protest, anguished. “You just think you do, and you are using him! It's me you love, Angelique! Admit it!”

Angelique was shaking her head with pity. “I can't admit something that is not true. You don't know everything that happened here after you I'chinged back to the past. Quentin's mind was broken-I helped bring him back. I gave him comfort and the love he needed to get well. Elliot Stokes provided the therapy he needed. And as he turned to me again and again, even knowing what I was and what I had done, I began to feel something changing in me. I began to feel a love and passion such as I've never felt before-not even for you, Barnabas. My power is gone-forever. I know that now. And I also know that my life is with Quentin. I'm sorry, Barnabas.”

Angelique and Quentin exchanged looks, troubled. “Barnabas, I'm sorry,” Quentin began. “I had no idea you felt the way you did. I never meant to hurt you-I hope you'll forgive me.”

Barnabas turned back to face his cousin. “There is nothing to forgive, Quentin. It is I who should be begging your pardon.” He reached down for Quentin's hand, pulling him to his feet. Angelique got up with her fiancé, slipping her arm about his waist. Barnabas tried to smile at them, but his eyes were filled with sadness and loss. He gripped Quentin's hand tightly in his. “I'm very happy for you both.” Quentin shook his cousin's hand. Barnabas turned toward Angelique. “I wish you all the happiness in the world, my-Angelique.” He leaned over to kiss her cheek. “Goodnight-I am sorry for the scene I caused.”

Quentin walked his cousin to the door and shut it after he left, leaning his head against it and sighing. He felt Angelique put her arms on his, and he turned to meet her kiss. “No regrets?” he asked.

Outside the door, Barnabas winced. With his paranormal powers, he was able to hear everything that was going on. He was miserably unhappy and unable to totally accept what Angelique had said. How can this be? He wondered. He needed to talk to someone… he needed-Julia! She would listen to him-she'd always been there for him in the past. Where would she be right now?

Collinwood? Perhaps-but more likely, she'd be waiting for him at the Old House. He moved through the woods, almost tempted to fly there. Within minutes, he was walking through the door of his home, which seemed very quiet indeed. He did hear some movement upstairs. That was highly unusual, but there had been times when Julia had spent the night in one of the guestrooms upstairs. “Julia?” he called, going up the stairs.

“Barnabas? You're back!” Willie appeared at the top of the stairs. Barnabas was bitterly disappointed but hid it well. “Roxy! Guess who's back?” he called over his shoulder excitedly. The pretty brunette appeared at Willie's side. Willie introduced his wife to Barnabas excitedly. Barnabas politely made small talk with the couple before bestowing his best wishes on them for a long happy life together.

“Thank you, Willie,” Barnabas said gratefully, excusing himself to go to Collinwood. When he arrived at Collinwood, he was disappointed to find that Julia had already retired for the evening. He joined Roger, Elliot, and Elizabeth in the drawing room for what he felt was a reasonable amount of time and then excused himself from their company. Once outside, he gave a small cry of frustration. Loneliness combined with need in an overwhelming desire for blood. He felt himself change and take wing, flying high over the Collinwood estate. He wheeled around in the sky and headed toward the docks of Collinsport where he knew he would find sustenance and warmth, if not love.

Barnabas returned to his coffin, alone. Willie and Roxanne had long since left. The house echoed with the sound of his footsteps. Julia lay in her bed, sleeping peacefully; he knew that because he stopped in to see her before coming back here. He'd stood in the corner, watching her, wondering why he'd never really seen her before. Oh, he'd looked at her, many times, but he felt he was truly seeing her for the first time. She'd always been dependable and reliable. She had stood with him during the lowest points of his life.

There were several times in the last few months when he'd come face to face with the possibility of losing her, and he realized that he didn't think he'd be able to cope with it. He'd reacted strongly and ferociously when he realized her life was in danger. He realized that what he felt for her was much more than the affection one felt for a friend-Willie had tried to get him to see that, but he had refused. Now the blinders called Josette and Angelique had been removed, and he was seeing his true feelings for Julia for the first time. He was tempted to wake her and tell her but decided to let her sleep. There was time enough to talk to her tomorrow night, and so he had returned alone to the Old House.

When he rose again at dusk, he went back to Collinwood. He was eager to see Julia and delighted to find her in the study. She looked different-it was her hair. She must have gone into town and gotten what was called a “body wave”. It was quite attractive, and he noticed her make-up was different, too. Her lashes weren't laden down by that thick stuff called mascara, and he could see that her cheeks and nose were lightly freckled. She actually was a beautiful woman. She was casually dressed, in slacks and a sweater.

“And he's invited me to go bowling. I haven't been in years, and neither has he. But when he suggested it, I couldn't resist. I hope we don't throw too many gutter balls-that would be too ridiculous!” Julia laughed.

“No, Julia-you don't understand. It's just that I needed to tell you something I've only just come to realize.” He stopped, uncertain how to proceed. Julia was looking at him with wide-eyes; she had a dismayed expression on her face. “Julia, I love you-I have loved you for a long time now, and I didn't realize it.”

“Barnabas, it seems just yesterday you were proclaiming that Angelique was your one true love. You were so heartbroken when she died that you didn't really want to return with us. Last night, you discovered that Angelique was alive and well-and you disappeared from the reception. Let me guess-you went looking for her and discovered she was engaged to Quentin, isn't that right?”

“And now all of a sudden you realize that you love ME? Pardon me for my skepticism, Barnabas,” Julia said bitterly. “You've known how I cared for you all these years. I've stood by and watched quietly while you pursued the many women you wanted-Maggie, Vickie, Roxanne, and finally, Angelique. Last night, if Angelique had accepted you-if she had left Quentin for you, you wouldn't be here now. I'm sorry, Barnabas, I don't care to be `sorry seconds.'”

He wasn't sure exactly what `sorry seconds' meant, but he had a pretty good idea. He opened his mouth to protest when Julia looked over his shoulder, her face brightening. “Excuse me, Barnabas. I'll talk to you later.” She walked past him, and he turned to see her walk into the foyer and join Roger. To his dismay, he saw Roger give her a shy, chaste kiss.

The house was very quiet-was no one home then? Elizabeth was having dinner with Elliot. Roger and Julia were going to dinner and then out bowling. Quentin and Angelique were probably in that cottage making love again. It was really too much! He took wing and flew through the air to Collinsport. Where to? Where to? He saw lights on at Maggie's old cottage. Was it possible--? If the children were really going to school in Boston, there'd be no need of a governess, would there?

Maggie blushed. “I missed you, too.” His eyes were hypnotic, mesmerizing her. He held his arms open, and she stepped into his embrace. He enfolded her in his arms, his cape sweeping around her, too. They kissed passionately, and then his lips moved to her neck. He bared his fangs and sank them into her throat.