"Seems he's sworn to secrecy on that." Jaden replied.

"However, Mom and I have... theories." he told her.

"Just... suffice to say, I think him and Vincent might have a few things in common. But that's beside the point." he went on, clearing his throat a little.

"Yes. I... met my father. My actual real biological father." he confirmed.

"And I learned a lot from him." he continued, before pausing.

"....one of those things being that he knew YOUR father..." he added quietly.

".....he said he could tell you all you wanted to know." Jaden then informed her.

"But he doesn't want to intrude. He gave me his number to give to you, and you could contact him if you wanted information." he told her further, handing her a piece of paper with a phone number on it.

"It's a cell, so you can text." he assured her.

"...but be careful going out." he went on.

"He showed up because it seems there's a group of hunters making their way in this direction."

"He said it was entirely up to you, and he'd understand if you said 'no'." Jaden replied.

"......" he was then silent, as Desiree's cat jumped onto the couch and walked onto her lap.

"He's... a good guy." the dhampir said offhandedly.

"Like... he seems really nice." he continued.

"...he brought himself to the point of near-death to save my mother and I from a threat we didn't even know was coming." he then told her.

"I always thought my father was some deadbeat nobody that abandoned us." he admitted, his lip quivering a bit.

"...turns out he was the opposite..."

"I do." Jaden replied with a nod.

"...and I don't know." he replied.

"I just... don't know." he said.

"Mom has her own life now. But she's always wondered about him, it seems." he told her.

"Maybe she wants it. Maybe not." he continued.

"But he IS staying with her for now." he added with a small shrug.

There was silence for about a minute, before she received a response.

Hello, Desiree. the first one read.

I'd be happy to answer any and all questions that I can about you and your family. the next one read.

Please let me know when you would like to meet, and the address you would like to meet at. the last one said.

They were short, but respectful, and seemed genuinely friendly.

Early as possible next week. was the response.

With each passing day, it becomes more and more dangerous for those that aren't human. the next text warned.

I have no plans, either. I am relegated to waiting for my orders, but have been told that it will be a while before they come. the following one told her.

And cafe fare works. It can be quite delicious and filling. she then received.

What time are you thinking?

Again, there was silence for about a minute, before she received a response.

My name is Dominico Bianchi. the text she received red.

However, Dominic is a modernisation of my name. Sydney called me 'Nico', some call me 'Nick', but most people simply call me 'Dom'. the following one told her.

So whichever one you're most comfortable with. the last one finished.

On the other side of the phone, Dom was smiling slightly.

"She seems like a nice girl from her texts." he said to himself.

Ever since they had had their first exchange, there had been some more communication between them, but it was mostly to iron out details, such as where the cafe was, the exact time, and other such things. Desiree told him she'd be there beforehand, and he would know her to see her.

When the day and time arrived, Dom (outfitted with some clean and in-tact clothes, thanks to Sydney) approached the entrance of the cafe, and smiled a little.

"...looks like a nice little hole-in-the-wall place." he commented.

He then stepped inside, and scanned the area.

"....hmmm..." he mumbled, scanning for the strawberry hair he had been told about. He found it quickly, quietly cleared his throat, and started to make his way towards her.

He was a bit nervous, but composed himself, as he approached her from behind, clearing his throat again.

"Ah... Miss Desiree?" he addressed her when he was close enough.

"...so it is." Dom replied, looking at the screen.

"Technology is amazing." he commented. "...not to sound as old as I am, mind..." he then added sheepishly, pursing his lips a little.

"Anyway..." he then mumbled, before navigating the screen and ordering what he wanted.

"Yes, hello." he greeted her.

"I am Dominico Bianchi." he introduced himself.

"...Jaden's father."

"I'm surprised he didn't figure it out." Dom admitted.

"It's not a common thing to be able to do." he said. "...then again, it's possible that it was a combination of his warring genetics, as well as some degree of cognitive dissonance, that made him come to the conclusion he did..." he then mumbled, before shaking his head slightly.

"And from what I hear, YOU'VE played an integral role in getting my son to accept what he is, and who he is." he commented.

"For that, you have my deepest and eternal gratitude."