Authors: Emma Taylor
Abby wiped a tear from her eye as she browsed through the wedding photos that she'd recently taken with her photography team. The couple's funny and romantic shots reminded her of the special moments she had shared with Dr. Ashkin on Planet Krach. The fact that the newlyweds already had a 13-year-old son, although younger than her own, made her miss Kyle more than ever.
It had been two weeks now since she'd gone back to her own planet and resumed the life she had left. Throughout this time, work had kept her busy so she hadn't had the chance yet to visit. On the other hand, Kyle was also preoccupied with the grueling research and studying he was doing.
“Why did you come back, Abby?” Claire asked, sitting beside her on the couch in their small office.
“Why not?” Abby countered with a forced smile.
“Abby, you're obviously not happy,” Claire pointed out. “I mean, aside from the fact that I'm dying to meet this gorgeous alien you've fallen in love with, I just can't understand why you didn't just stay there.”
Abby sighed, leaning back on the couch and looking at her friend. “Was it a wrong decision?” she asked.
Claire nodded without hesitation. “I get it that you feel as if you don't belong there, unlike Kyle who turned out to be half-alien. Yes, there are a lot of things you'll have to get used to but it's all workable. It may all be worth it if you can be truly happy.”
“But what about my life here?”
“Abby, your life should be where your heart is,” Claire told her gently with a smile.
Abby groaned. “I hate it when you start being so serious and you actually make sense,” she said in a complaining but teasing voice.
Claire slapped her arm jokingly. “And I hate it when you keep turning your back on possibly good men who can make you happy for life.”
Abby buried her face in her hands as her best friend's words hit her badly. “Ouch,” she muttered in frustration, anguish, and misery. She looked up after a while and faced Claire. “You're absolutely right, Claire. Maybe it was just the old me who's always afraid to fall in love again.”
Claire smile sympathetically. “You got it, Abby.”
“What should I do?” wailed Abby. “
“Follow your heart. Don't worry about our business; I can take care of it. After all, I've been waiting all these years to get rid of you and finally be the Big Boss!” she kidded.
“Shut up, Claire,” Abby said, pushing her friend good-naturedly. “I keep telling you we're on equal footing here.”
“Well anyway, don't worry, alright?” Claire assured her. “And besides, you might find yourself a new career in Planet Krach. Who knows, right?”
“Right!” Abby agreed, her heart bursting with mixed-up emotions. She stood up abruptly with renewed resolve to contact Kyle through email, and tell him she intended to visit as soon as possible. Perhaps he could send Bladkov to fetch her.
Claire stood up too and blocked her way. “Wait, don't leave just yet. We've just got this other client to attend to today.”
“We have?”
“Yup! I got this call earlier asking to meet with us regarding an upcoming wedding. It's super short notice, I know, but I figured we might as well meet this potential client since we don't have anything else lined up today.”
“Okay,” Abby agreed, although her mind and heart were already floating back excitedly to the planet where she'd fallen in love with the most amazing alien.
Suddenly, as she climbed onto the car with Claire, she felt nervous. What if he didn't love her back? What if he didn't want her anymore? There were so many questions drifting in her head, but she forcefully pushed them to the back and tried to concentrate on what could possibly be the last client she'd work for as a photographer.
Sabrina's was a popular, upscale indoor garden restaurant. When they got there, the receptionist immediately led them to one of the special secluded gardens at the back. “Mr. George is waiting for you in the Rose Garden,” she said, pointing them toward the glass entrance doors.
“Big time client,” Claire whispered eagerly as she walked with Abby to the small function area that was often used for intimate gatherings.
As they neared the door, they could already see the beautiful landscaping inside. Upon entering, the lush greenery and the natural beauty of numerous white, pink, and red roses greeted them. There was a stone pathway strewn with rose petals and lined with tea light candles. It led to a romantic table set up in the center.
“Wow,” Claire breathed. “This Mr. George is something else!”
“Why would he set it up like this?” Abby wondered. “And there are only two chairs so I guess this is probably just in preparation for a couple who will be dining here later tonight.”
“I guess,” Claire agreed, looking disappointed.
When they finally reached the table, soft music began to play. It came from the side entrance where three violinists had emerged. Abby stared at them in puzzlement. Then suddenly, she saw someone else appear behind them – a familiar tall figure who looked as handsome as ever.
“Hi, Abby.”
Abby's heart melted as she came face to face with the man who'd captured her heart. Meanwhile, Claire was nudging her, asking if she knew him. “Who's he?” she hissed. “You know this Mr. George? He's drop-dead gorgeous!”
Abby didn't even hear her as her pounding heart seemed to overpower all of her senses. She felt as if she'd been frozen on the spot as he approached and stopped right in front of her. “Ashkin,” she said, looking up into the calm brown eyes that were making her feel all sorts of emotions at that very moment. “What are you doing here?”
“I did my research,” he said with a genuine smile, motioning to the violinists and to the lovely natural décor of the place. “On Earth, this is supposed to be romantic. All this serves as the ideal setup for a man who is about to declare his eternal love.”
Abby's heart seemed to skip a beat and her eyes brimmed with tears. “You came all the way here to show me how to be romantic on Earth?”
He lifted a hand to tuck a strand of her dark brown hair behind her ear. Then he brought up his other hand and cupped her face with his two hands. “No, Abby,” he answered. “I came all the way here to tell you how much I've been going crazy without you, how much I miss you, and how much I love you.”
A sob escaped Abby's lips. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. “Are you crazy?” she asked softly.
“Yes, crazy about you,” he said, his eyes fixated on hers. “I love the way your hazelnut eyes easily fill with tears even when you're trying to hold back your emotions. I love the way your hair shines like the glowing grass in Planet Cravton. I love the way you smile at me and melt my worries away. I love the big heart you have for everyone you care about and even for aliens you hardly know. I love the way you're such a wonderful mom to Kyle. I can go on and on, you know…”
Abby smiled widely amid her tears. “I love you too, Ashkin! So much it hurts.”
“Please come back with me to Planet Krach, Abby,” he pleaded. Then to her utter surprise, he got down on one knee and took out a small silver box from his pocket. He opened it, revealing a beautiful gold ring that seemed to change colors as the light reflected on various parts of the unique metal. “It's not a diamond ring like what humans are accustomed to. But I made it with an extraordinary alloy that can only be found on our planet. The metallic elements I combined are very, very rare… just like you, a rare gem who came into my life.”
“It's beautiful, Ashkin. But really, you don't have to do this…” Abby started to say, although she was truly blown away.
“I want to be with you forever, Abby,” he interjected. “Will you marry me?”
A tear rolled down Abby's cheek. “Yes,” she whispered.
Dr. Ashkin smiled brightly as he stood up and placed the ring on her finger. “So… how about we get married here and ask your friend Claire to be our photographer?”
Abby laughed, her heart bursting with happiness. She turned to her friend Claire who had moved back a bit but was watching them in fascination and disbelief. “Claire?”
“I would love to!” Claire exclaimed joyfully. Then she rushed forward to hug her friend. “I'm so happy for you, Abby! I can't believe you've found yourself a romantic alien!”
Abby laughed even more as she wrapped her arms around her fiancé. “Lucky me, I guess,” she said.
“No,” Dr. Ashkin disagreed. “It's destiny.”
He then took her in his arms and gave her the sweetest kiss.
THE END
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Bonus Story 1 of 20
Chapter One
The day I, Becky Matthews, fell in love with a vampire started when I was standing in front of my full length mirror. I said, “I really like my body, now.” I turned this way and that to get a different view in the mirror. During the last year I’d lost a hundred pounds.
Yesterday, in a moment of pure ego, I looked up the measurements of Victoria Hendricks. She appears on the television show “Mad Men”. We’re almost the same size. We’re within five pounds of our weight. Her boobs are DD and mine are D. Notice I didn’t put the word ‘just’ before ‘D’.
There’s nothing ‘just’ about my breasts. They’re my best feature, and I love them. Let me rephrase that. Now, I love them.
I’ve spent so much time hiding my body and avoiding the sight of my body, and I did it for so many years that I’ve instituted a ritual. I do it whenever I’m going to go into a situation that would have caused me pain before.
I shucked my pants, shirt, bra and panties. By the way, that was my most enjoyable act after losing weight. I threw away my industrial strength bras and plain panties and bought some pretty ones. My favorite bra has some support underneath that makes my boobs lift up over the bra and wide set straps. It lets me wear dresses with a square neckline that drops down far enough to be interesting. I get some serious attention from men when I wear it.
I undressed with my eyes closed. I turned to the mirror and open them and burst out crying. I have looked so ugly for so long, I thought I’d never be able to look in the mirror at myself again. My body is beautiful, now. It’s sleek. No cellulite, no stretch marks or flab. Nothing hangs over. Perfect.
I was getting ready for a night out with an intriguing man named Andrei Vidnesceau. He was my...Well, I really didn’t know. We’d gone on five dates. He liked me. I knew he did. But he’d never told me how he felt. He was very conservative. His family in Romania was old money and proud of it. He’d never tried anything. He was the first significant man in my life after I changed from heavy to normal. I wasn’t desirable in any way before. Now, after I’d made what was supposed to be a breakthrough in my relationships with men I was disappointed and apprehensive because he didn’t make a concerted attack on my virtue. I knew I’d be flattered. I didn’t know how much I would let him do. It would certainly be enough to establish that we’d done something more than kissing.
I saw his scarf hanging in my closet. I held the silk to my nose and smelled the man I wanted to love. His scent went straight to my heart. It also stoked my internal fires which was welcome. I’d shut myself down because I honestly believed no man would ever desire me.
I finished dressing, and I looked good. I was wearing a lovely, black dress with a square, low-cut neckline and a definite waist. Yes, I wore my special bra and my breasts came up over the dress for a very soft, feminine feel.
The doorbell rang. I ran to answer it, feeling hopeful. I opened the door and Andrei rushed past me. He turned and slammed the door and locked all three locks. (This is New York. We always have more than one lock).
He turned to me and tried to calm down. I watched him do it. He liked to meet every situation with a calm attitude. This time, it was a struggle. I touched his arms, and he reached for me to hold my hand. He was panting. This was serious.
He said, “I have broken off with my family. They want me to give you up. I told them no. Unfortunately, I have two younger brothers who are quite physical. They wanted to lock me in the basement until I, as they put it, have rid myself of the Western bitch. I apologize for the language, dear heart. But it’s what they said,”
Sometimes a woman must act first and with significance. I put my arms around Andrei and held him close. I put his head next to mine and held it there with my hand. “I’m sorry. You had to go through that. I wish I could do something to make you feel better.”
He pushed away slightly. “There is. Now that I’m free of my family’s restrictions, I would like to feel your love first hand. Let me show you.” He picked me up and carried me to the sofa.
Nobody’s picked me up for two decades. It felt marvelous. I’m a little surprised that Andrei could do it. He’s normal sized; over six feet tall, muscular but not bulky. Picture Chris Pratt in “Jurassic World” or Bradley Cooper in “American Sniper”. He’s surprisingly thick and impressive in his upper body. And, he’s handsome. Every time I looked at him, I felt a little faint.
He sat on the sofa with me still in his arms. He had legs like hydraulic pistons. He didn’t quiver when he lowered himself to the sofa.
I stretched down on the cushions and arranged my skirt so that it was well above my knees. My legs looked really good for him.
He gathered me in and kissed me solidly. I’d never been kissed like that. Lots of pressure from his arms and mouth. It lasted a long time. I melted from the time his lips touched mine.
When the kiss ended, I gave him two more little kisses on the mouth to make sure he knew I liked it. I leaned back. “I’m going to tell you something that women like to reserve for a little later in the relationship. Your split with your family over me is too important to let slide by so I have to tell you this now.” I put my fingers on his cheek and pulled his head around so he looked me directly in the eye. “I care about you. I’m close to falling completely in love with you. I’d like to. I want you to know that I’m a grownup. I treat things seriously. I’m going to be here for you for all time if we have that long. Do you understand?”
He kissed me again. I heard a strange sound like a bunch of tiny mice scratching away inside a wall. I realized that I was rubbing my toes together. I only did that when I was fully involved with something. My nylons made the little skritchy noise.
My lovely body joined in the emotional celebration in a calm and serene way. I felt my skin become more sensitive and my breathing deepen and slow down. How delicious.
We were kissing like that and had been kissing like that for five solid minutes when the door to my apartment disintegrated.
Really, it went from solid to sawdust in a second. It was a full mahogany door three inches thick, and it turned to wood chips instantly. Two men with dark, frightening looks on their faces stomped into my rooms. They shouted something at Andrei I couldn’t understand. He’s Romanian so I supposed that was the language they’re using. Andrei shouted something back.
We were still sitting on the sofa. Andrei got to his feet with me still his arms and set me down. One of the men pointed at me and shouted something that was probably hostile. Andrei objected, and they went at it.
The fight lasted less than three seconds. I mean exactly what I say. Three seconds. Suddenly, these three human-looking men became blurs as they fought around my apartment. They did it with fists. The blows came on top of each other. It sounded like a bunch of soldiers shooting guns at the same time.
It ended when Andrei blurred his way out of my apartment with a limp, bad guy in each hand. He was back in less time than it took for me to exhale.
He said, “I have to let you in on the secret. You have to know.”
He took my hand and led me to the doorway that used to have a solid wooden door. He picked up a piece of wood and handed it to me. “Hold this. Without it, you’d convince yourself that it was all an illusion or magic or something else. All of this is real.”
He looked at the doorway. I saw his eyebrows come close together. Without a sound, the door put itself back together again. It happened abruptly. The pieces didn’t rearrange themself gently. They zoomed back into place as if they’d been given orders by someone with a lot of authority and wanted to obey very quickly.
Andrei held me in his arms and said, “You see, my dear. I’m a vampire.”