Authors: Shirlee Lewis
Father Malcolm announced us husband and wife and I knew then, it was official. When Father Malcolm said you may kiss the bride, Tony lifted my veil and I tiptoed to reach his lips. We kissed so passionately we forgot where we were, but everyone in the gym hollered. I was never going to be without Tony again. Father Malcolm cleared his throat and the kiss ended.
“I love you
, Jess.”
“I love you
, Tony.”
He gave me a small kiss on my lips and then we turned to walk back down the aisle to the double doors. We greeted all the guests and then kissed again.
“I missed you so much last night,” I said after the kisses.
“I missed you and we will never be apart again. Ever,” he said and hugged me tight. “How does it feel to be Mrs. Mureaux?”
“I’ll get used to it,” I said smiling up at him.
We kissed again until someone cleared their throat. It was Malinda. She had come to get us for the reception.
We walked back into the gym to find the chairs leaning against the west wall. The red carpet was rolled up in front of the chairs. A homemade banner from the children I knew from the park hung on the north wall above the table with the cake. Congratulations ‘Tony and Jessica’ it read.
Everyone from town was here including Victor and Jennifer. The only couple that hadn’t been invited was Frank and Mildred, but I saw them when I was looking for Jennifer.
Music started from a borrowed radio/CD player. It was our song: Together Forever. “May I have this dance Mrs. Mureaux?” Tony asked with his hand held out. I took his hand and we danced all over the gym floor. The balloons hung with the netting were released and confetti started falling.
After the dance, Tony danced with Jennifer. Victor wasn’t in the gym so I danced with Detective Sean. Tony and Jennifer finished their dance before I finished mine with Detective Sean. Before I could find Tony, Mike asked me to dance.
Tony was mingling with everyone and I noticed Mildred standing to the side of Tony with her ear cocked his way. Strange for her to be so close to Tony, but I guessed she didn’t want to make a scene at the wedding so I ignored her.
Cid, the photographer, took lots of pictures.
The cake Barbara made was decorated just how I pictured it. After cutting the cake, Tony and I talked with everyone.
It was time to go because we had a plane to catch. I found Malinda and we went to the girls locker room. She helped me out of my wedding dress and promised she would guard it with her life.
Tony and I met at the entrance of the gym. All the guests were waiting outside with small bags of rice. Tony’s BMW was parked in front of the gym covered in balloons. ‘Just married’ was written in bold letters with shoe polish across the back window.
Saying our goodbyes to everyone we ran to the car trying to avoid the rice. We ended up getting bombarded with it. Tony opened my door and I got in.
On the way to the airport Tony told me we had a stopover in England and then on to Italy.
Chapter Nine
Victor, Jennifer, Tony and I arrived at the airport thirty minutes before our flight departed for the thirteen hour ride to England.
Victor and I changed seats upon Tony’s request once the plane was in the air. Closing my eyes to sleep Tony nudged me and whispered, “Father and I need to discuss business, but as soon as we’re done I
will come and get you.”
I nodded and went to Victor’s seat.
Jennifer was asleep when I sat down beside her. Closing my eyes I soon was asleep.
The first plane trip, in my life, was my vacation to England with Tony several years ago. To excited to sleep, I stayed awake the entire flight and regretted it when we landed. Catching the flu from a sick kid sitting behind me, I was bed ridden for a little over a week and I didn’t want to go through that again.
Being my honeymoon, I wanted all the rest I could get. Abigail had no clue I was coming. She was going to be over the moon when she did see me and I wondered if I would have time for Tony.
Tony woke me so I could go back to my seat next to him. Groggy, stumbling down the aisle, Tony practically had to carry me back to my seat.
“Jess,” he whispered in my ear. “I love you.”
Opening my eyes, I saw Tony’s face, smiled and fell back into a deep sleep.
Tony woke me thirty minutes before the plane was to land in London. The stewardess wheeled a cart down the aisle stopping beside my seat.
“Would you care for breakfast?” she asked pouring a cup of coffee for the passenger sitting across from me.
“Yes, please and coffee, black.”
The stewardess sat my plate on the tray I had pulled down from the back of the seat in front of me. She handed me the coffee and poured another one sitting it on the tray.
“Thank you,” I said, before taking a bite of food.
“If you need anything else, let me know.”
“We’ll do that,” Tony answered.
The stewardess closed up the cart and headed to the back of the plane.
As I ate and drank my coffee, the pilot announced our decent into London.
“How long are we staying at the mansion?” I asked opening the pull down shade covering the window.
“Until tomorrow, then we’ll be on our way to Italy.”
“Will you go to the blood bank today?” I asked.
“No, I won’t go. Father and I took care of business while you slept.”
Satisfied, I turned to look out the window expecting to see clouds, but was surprise to see the buildings of London. It was magnificent from three thousand feet up in the air. Tony grabbed my hand and lightly kissed it.
“You are going to have a honeymoon you won’t forget,” he whispered.
Turning my head to him, I leaned to his ear and whispered, “A honeymoon with you is a memory all in its self.”
Tony smiled and then kissed me.
When the plane landed the four of us gathered up our luggage and we headed to the underground parking garage where Jason waited with the limo to take us to the mansion. Victor had Jason drop him off at the blood bank.
“Abigail doesn’t know your coming, Jess,” Jennifer smiled. “She’s going to be surprised to see you.”
“How is she doing?”
“She’s doing wonderful. You will be surprised at how well she is doing. We gave her freedom of the second floor.”
I had never seen the second floor.
Jennifer continued, “Not much up there. It’s practically empty. Victor keeps extra supplies of blood and what-knots passed down through his family there.
The limo pulled through the double gates, which were new from the last time I was here before the wedding, and I saw Abigail waiting patiently for it to pull up in front of the double doors.
Abigail came around to the driver’s side of the car and opened the door. “Where’s Jennifer? I have to ask her about the wedding. I bet Jess was pretty.”
I laughed when I heard her.
“Abigail, could you please wait until I get the car parked. Jennifer will answer your questions as soon as she can,” Jason impatiently snapped at her.
Jennifer exited the limo first, then Tony. Waiting for a few seconds, I got out of the car as Abigail was coming around the front of the car and then she saw me. What she did next I wasn’t ready for.
“Jess, oh Jess you’re here,” she squealed running toward me with her arms extended in front of her.
“I’m here,” I said, turning around to face her.
Abigail didn’t stop when she got to me. Tony and Jennifer were on the porch and Jason was getting out of the car.
Abigail hit me, like a hammer hitting concrete, and we both ended up on the ground.
Letting out an ‘ow
’ Tony and Jennifer turned around to see what happened. Jason was coming around the front of the car screaming at Abigail.
“Abigail?” Jason barked. “Where are your manners?”
Abigail got up. “I’m so sorry, Jess. I’m just
so
excited you came back.”
Tony ran to me and helped me off the ground.
“Abigail?” Jennifer said, disappointed.
“It’s okay,” I said. “She didn’t know I was coming.”
Tony looked me over to see if I bleeding. I wasn’t.
“Tony, I’m fine. Surprised, but I’m fine.”
“Abigail in the den, now,” Jennifer demanded.
Abigail mouthed, “I’m sorry.” She put her head down and went into the house.
“I’m sorry about that Jess. I didn’t know she would react that way,” Jason said going to the back of the car. “I would have told her you were coming, but we wanted to surprise her.”
“Jason, it’s okay. Next time tell her I’m coming so we don’t have a mishap again.”
“Yes ma’am,” Jason answered formally.
Jason took our bags to the third floor. Tony and I stopped at the double doors leading into the den. We overheard Jennifer scolding Abigail. I couldn’t help but feel bad for her.
“Tony, please talk to Jennifer. It wasn’t her fault.”
Tony knocked on the door and the scolding stopped. Jennifer opened one of the doors.
“Mother may I have a word with you?” Tony asked.
“Wait here young lady, I’m not finished with you,” Jennifer turned around and told Abigail.
Jennifer said, “Jess I’m so sorry about that.”
“May I talk to Abigail?”
Jennifer nodded. I went in the den closing the door behind me.
Abigail s
itting on the Victorian sofa had her head down and didn’t look up as I walked to the sofa.
“Abigail,” I said softly.
Abigail slowly raised her head to look at me.
Taking a seat beside her, I put my arm around her and said, “They should have told you I was coming.”
“Jess, I…..”
“No need to apologize again. It was an accident.”
“I’m just excited you came.”
“I know you are. Now, let’s forget what happened and have a great visit. Tony and I are leaving in the morning, so we have all day.”
“You’re leaving?” she asked.
“Yes
, I am. Tony and I are going on our honeymoon.”
“Honeymoon, what’s that?”
I laughed. “When two people get married, they go away on a vacation to be alone.”
“Why?”
“They are celebrating being husband and wife.”
“Where are you going?” she asked.
“Italy. We’ll be gone for a while.”
The door opened and Jennifer walked back in the room.
“Abigail you’re free to leave.”
Abigail slowly got up and left the room.
“Jess, are you okay?” Jennifer asked.
“I’m fine.”
“I’m so sorry. It was a surprise for Abigail. Next time, I’ll let her know you’re coming so we don’t have another episode. I still have some work to do on that girl. She’s coming along quite nicely though.”
“How is she doing? I mean around you?”
“Her ‘thirst’ is under control and she’s adapting well to human blood. Victor even lends a hand.”
Victor?
I thought.
“He took her out one night to show her what
not
to do. Hunting that is. His patients for her is unbelievable. He even surprised me. You would have thought she was his daughter. Anyway—you’ll be surprised how much she acts human. Victor is teaching her vampire skills: running, jumping, etc. I’m teaching her human skills. Poor thing never went anywhere except here at my New Years Eve parties. Bless her heart,” Jennifer paused deep in thought from the memory.
“You’re not going to be too hard on her, are you?”
“Not too hard, but she needs to learn how to overcome her emotions when she’s excited.”
Tony came to the door. “Jess, may I see you?” he asked.
“Sure,” I said getting up from the sofa.
“Excuse us
, mother,” Tony answered and disappeared around the corner of the door.
Tony was leaning against the wall in the hall, when I stepped out of the room.
“We have some business to attend too,” he said, and then headed towards the elevator.
Sticking my head in the doorway I told Jennifer, “I’ll talk to
you later. Tony needs me.”
“Okay dear.”
Tony was waiting inside the elevator holding the doors open with his hand. Getting on the elevator, Tony took me in his arms, hugged me and kissed me on my neck. From the kisses, I knew what kind of business needed attending.
Up in our bedroom, Tony went to put his flask in the kitchen while I sat on the edge of the bed waiting for him to return. Hearing him gasp as he came around the corner I turned to look at him I asked, “What is it?”
“Jess, your back is bruised.”
Getting up I went to the bathroom looked in the small mirror above the sink and sure enough my right shoulder blade had a bruise the size of a half dollar. “Is that the only bruise?” I asked.
Tony looked my back over and said, “The only one I see.”
“It will go away,” I commented. “Business to take care of,” I stated raising my eyebrow.
Tony picked me up and carried me to the bed.
After lunch, Tony and I took Abigail to see the cemetery. Tony packed a cooler with flasks of blood for them. After we were in the boat, Tony set a flask beside Abigail’s feet.
“Thanks for inviting me
, Jess.”
“Abigail, this is Tony my husband.”
“The one you mentioned in the basement?”
“Yes.”
“Hi, nice to meet you,” Abigail said in her angelic voice.
“Hi Abigail,” he said. “Jess has told me you’re marrying Jason.”
Abigail looked across the water and frowned, “No, not now.”
“Why not now?” I asked knowing exactly why, but I wanted Abigail to tell me.
“Jason took your advice and we aren’t engaged anymore.”
“You still like him, don’t you?”
“I do, but after you talked to him, he talked to me, and…”
I waited for her to continue.
“We decided it’s too soon,” she said turning to look at me.
“I’m glad to hear it. Are you still seeing him?” I asked.
Abigail’s face lit up and I knew they were still seeing each other.
Tony cut off the motor to the boat and we drifted to the dock. Tony got out of the boat then helped us both out. Abigail stood at the end of the dock looking around. Tony and I went to the gazebo.
“Who are all these people?” Abigail asked looking over the headstones.
“My family,” Tony answered.
Abigail went to each headstone and read the inscriptions out loud. Tony and I sat quietly in the gazebo holding hands.
“It’s so peaceful here,” Abigail said taking a seat. “Has Jason seen this?”
“No,” Tony answered. “It’s my personal park my father built for me.”
“Abigail, I have something to show you,” I said getting up.
Abigail and I walked to the oak tree where Victor’s father rested without a headstone.
“Tony’s grandfather is buried here.” I pointed to the spot Tony had shown me years ago.
“How come there’s no headstone?” Abigail asked.
“One wasn’t made for him.”
“Oh,” was all she said.
We walked back to the gazebo and talked about Abigail. She told us how Victor was teaching her to be a ‘proper’ vampire and Jennifer was teaching her to be a ‘proper’ lady. She had learned a lot in the month since I found her. She told me about her bedroom on the second floor and wanted me to see it. Of course, the nosy person I was, I couldn’t resist seeing the second floor of the mansion.
Spending the afternoon at the cemetery Tony decided it was time to head back to the house. Taking the oars, he rowed us back to the shore. I sent Abigail into the house while Tony and I got the boat back in the boat house and anchored.
“What did you think of her?” I asked.
“She’s alright. Mother and father have their hands full though.”
“She’s come a long way since I found her. I wonder if Jason will marry her.”
“I bet he will? You didn’t notice him looking out the kitchen window as we rounded the bend to the shore.”
“No, I didn’t. I wasn’t looking at the house.”
“He watched every move she made.”
“I’m guessing we’ll be attending a wedding in the future.”
Tony and I smiled.
I was glad I took the opportunity to have Abigail go with us to the cemetery because I got to know her and she was an absolute pleasure to talk to.
Victor was getting out of the limo when Tony and I got to the house. Victor nodded once. Tony started to say “I need to….”, but I interrupted him.
“Go, see your father. I’ll be up in Abigail’s room.”
Tony lightly kissed my cheek then went with Victor around the side of the house toward the back. They knew what the other was thinking just from a nod and I was learning. Victor had a certain nod when he wanted to talk to Tony. A half nod instead of a full nod never looking at him.
Entering the house, I heard Abigail from the kitchen. Going to the doorway I saw Jason helping Abigail down from the counter.
“See you tonight,” Jason told her.
“I can’t wait,” Abigail answered him.
They kissed and I cleared my throat.
Abigail was beside me in a split second. “Are you ready to see my room?”
“I’m ready.”
Abigail and I took the elevator to the second floor. The doors opened to a wide open room with a chair, end table and an ottoman.
“This is my living room. Jennifer said I couldn’t have much furniture until I learn not to break them,” she giggled.
“Why are you breaking furniture?” I asked surprised.
“I’m still learning my strength. She had the expensive furniture moved to the other side of the wall.” Abigail pointed down the hall. “She made Jason put it there after I broke a very old chair.”
A wall was dividing the second floor just like the third floor used to be.
“Which room is yours,” I asked looking down the hall.
“The one on the left is my bedroom. A bathroom is across the hall, but I never use it,” she grinned. “I don’t have to.”
Abigail showed me the dining room which held a wrought iron table and one chair facing the lake. Next she took me to the kitchen and sat on the counter.
“Only thing in here is the icebox,” she said. “It holds my blood. Wanna see?”
“That’s okay, Abigail. I get the picture.”
“Now for my bedroom,” she said getting off the counter.
If it was like the rooms I was just in, I wasn’t going to see much. Abigail was at her bedroom door, before I was in the dining room.
“You’re going to have to slow down,” I hollered. “I’m not a vampire.
Abigail laughed and I smiled.
“Before I show you, I don’t want you to be shocked.”
“I won’t be shocked. I’d like to see your room.”
“Close your eyes.”
She was defiantly fifteen years old, but I played along and closed my eyes.
“No peeking until I tell you to look.”
“I won’t peek.”
Hearing the door open, she took me by the hand and walked me in the room.
Hearing the door close, she said, “Okay you can look now.”
Opening my eyes
, was I ever surprised. Sitting in the middle of the room was a four poster bed with lace hanging down the poles holding the top. In the middle of the bed was a doll. The comforter and pillow slips were decorated in dolls. Dolls lined a shelf along the east wall running the length of the room. A single nightstand beside the bed held a lamp with a picture of Jason. A dresser sat along the west wall between two doors. A picture of Jason and Abigail sat in the center of the dresser.
“Do you like it?” Abigail asked.
“I love it.”
“I’m not allowed to break anything in here. Jennifer will take it away from me if I do.”
“It’s pretty. Are these Jennifer’s dolls?”
“Yep and I love them,” she said, picking up the doll from the middle of the bed.
I could plainly see why Abigail was minding her manners. She didn’t want the dolls taken away.
“You haven’t broken one have you?”
“No, but I did get one taken away for breaking the old chair in the living room. The nice furniture was moved the same day. The doll was my favorite and I’m trying to be good to get her back.”
“Will you get the doll back?”
“Jennifer said I have to be good for a while and she would see. This morning didn’t help.”
“This morning was an accident. Maybe Jennifer won’t consider that against you and it
won’t count towards you getting the doll back.”
“I know now it was an accident.” Abigail paused. “When she was talking to me in the den…,”Abigail hung her head. “She was telling me that
it counted and I had to start over being good. They could have told me you were coming. I wouldn’t have acted that way.”
Abigail needed to cheer up. “I’ll tell you what I’ll do.”
“Talk to Jennifer for me?”
“No, but I will bring you back a surprise from Italy.”
“Really, you would do that?”
“Of course I will.”
“Will you give me a hint?” Abigail asked standing up quickly.
“No
, I won’t. You will have to wait and see, okay?”
“Okay,” she said and the smile came back to her tiny face. “Wanna see my closet?”
“Sure.”
In one quick movement Abigail was at her closet opening the door. The closet was half as big as the bedroom. Dresses took up every square inch of the closet. Abigail fluttered around the closet touching them all. “My clothes Jennifer bought me. Aren’t they dreamy?”
“They’re beautiful.”