Authors: T. Skye Sutton
It
’
s the night before our wedding now. I am at my house, and Lliam is at his. It is our first night apart since the first time he spent the night at my house. Paudrigene is staying with me as well as Ellen, Lianna, and my sister Chelsea. We spend most of the night drinking Irish coffee and talking. All three of them are telling me that I need to hook them up with Lliam
’
s brothers, or cousins. The conversation takes a turn. Now they want to know about my future plans. What I am going to do, if I am going to keep working, or have kids.
While we are talking about my future with Lliam, there is a knock on my front door. Hmmm
…
I don
’
t think that I am expecting anybody else. Paudrigene goes to answer it. She has been assigned the duties of being my personal assistant, but to me, she is just a friend.
“
Lady Victoria, there is a gentle man at the door with a delivery for you.
”
I thank her and walk to my front door.
“
Hi, I am Victoria.
”
The man at the door is dressed in a business suit. He holds out a small box and waits for me to open it. The box had a label with fancy cursive writing:
To our Darling daughter-in-law, Victoria
With Love, Mum and Dad
I open the box. By this time, everyone is standing behind me, anxious to see what is in the box. I empty the contents into my hands: keys and an envelope. I sit the keys down on the table near my door and break the seal of the envelope. Inside is a letter and a credit card. I motion the delivery man into my house and sit down on my couch to read the letter. I read it out loud so everyone can hear:
Dear Vicky,
I know that you do not like expensive gifts, but I thought this necessary. You will also have to get used to a life of luxury. As of tomorrow, you are royalty and we expect our beloved family members to live comfortably. The keys are to your new car. The delivery man, I trust is waiting for you, to escort you and your friends to it. I hope that you enjoy it. We have had it built by Ford, especially for you. It is an S.U.V with third row seating, and it is safe for you and our future grandchildren. Nobody else will ever have one like it. The credit card is now yours. Use it as you wish, the funds are virtually endless. I am so please to have you in our family. You truly are more than we could have ever asked for.
With all the love in the world,
Mum and Dad
Holy cow, I think I might faint. My new family sure is stubborn about the whole money thing. I guess, as I have been told, I need to get used to it. The delivery man start fidgeting.
“
With all do respect miss, I don
’
t have much time. I have to get back to the uhhh
…
your mum and dad.
”
I guess he almost slipped and said king and queen. I read aloud that we are royalty in the letter, but everyone must have been to preoccupied listening about the car and credit card to have noticed. Thank god.
We all follow him out to the street. There it is, red and black, shiny and new. It has Mackey written on the rear windshield in bold, cursive, red letters. That will be my new last name as of tomorrow. The delivery guy looks at me, nods his head and says,
“
Thank you miss, they said you might give me a hard time. I am glad you didn
’
t and it has truly been a pleasure meeting you.
”
With that said, he leaves.
The girls and I head back into my house for some sleep. We
’
ve got a long day ahead of us, and mine will be even longer. I lay in my bed unable to sleep. I am so nervous. I could hear the girls talking about me in whispers.
“
She sure has met a good guy.
”
“
Good? He is perfect, he treats her like a princess. His entire family does.
”
“
I am happy for her, she deserves it. She has worked so hard and has been hurt so many times. I am glad she
’
s getting her happy ever after.
”
Finally, they stop talking and fall asleep. I soon let sleep take me as well. I dream of my first encounter with Lliam and his stalking tendencies. I am so glad that he stalked me now.
I wake up to start my busy morning. It is ten o
’
clock, and the wedding is at one in the afternoon. Paudrigene helps me get into my dress. This is the first time I have seen it since the fitting. It had a low cut v-shaped neck line, and perfectly forms around my breast. From my waist, is flows softly down to the floor covering my feet and ankles. The train seems to go on for miles, sparkling with tiny, almost microscopic sequins. The sleeves are off the should and go to my wrists, lacy, and elaborate. I look beautiful. I cannot wait to see the look on Lliam
’
s face when he sees me. She curls my hair around my face and sticks a small red flower hair pin into the front. She doesn
’
t put much make-up on me, my cheeks are already pink from my nerves. I am ready now. Lliam has sent his brothers to drive Paudrigene, Ellen, Lianna, Chelsea, and myself to his house. It is to cold to have the wedding outside, so we are holding it in the ball room.
We arrive to his house at twelve thirty, one more hour to go. I hear what sounds like thousands of people, and I am sure that it is probably more than that. People are coming from all over the world to attend our wedding. The maids and butlers are rushing around like chickens with their heads cut off. Groups of red roses are on every table, every shelve, every corner, and every vase. In the center of every group of red roses is a solitary black rose. I have always loved roses, and black and red are my favorite colors. I wonder, if Lliam and I have the same favorite colors, if he loves roses as well. He must love them, he left my first letter on a bed of rose petals.
I ask Paudrigene to show my ladies where to go, and I set off to find my mom and Lliam
’
s mum. I started upstairs thinking that they would be in mum
’
s office. As I was on my way there the portrait of Jeremiah Mackey caught my attention again. It seems like I am drawn to him. He looks older today, than the last time I saw his picture. The last time, he looked like Lliam. Today, he still looks like Lliam, just a much older Lliam. Maybe that is why it keeps catching my eye. I let it go, I have to find my mum
’
s and standing here looking at this portrait is going to make me late for my own wedding, and I despise being late.
Chapter 20: The wedding
When I finally find my mom and Lliam
’
s mum, they are in my office. The red roses with a single black rose in the center, are all over in here as well. They both stand as I walk in, and they both start to cry. I hug both of them.
“
Please, stop crying you guys. You will make me cry if you continue like this. I just had something to say to you two before I meet Lliam at the alter.
”
I wipe the tears of my mom
’
s face, and than do the same for Lliam
’
s mum. As my skin came into contact with her tears, my skin started to vibrate. My eyes hazed over, all I could see was black. All of a sudden I was seeing people again, but they aren
’
t people I really know, these people are old. Well not old as in old age, but they appear to be from a long time ago; almost like, this is a vision of some sort, a vision of the past.
It looks like the ball room of this very house. Thousands of people are dressed in nice clothes divided amongst each side of the room with an isle down the center of them. Groups of red roses with a single black one in the center all over the place. A man standing at the front of the isle in a tux, and a women walking towards him slowly
. Suddenly, I am back in my life, standing in front of the women I searched for. They are looking at me like they expect me to say something. Did they even realize I was out of it?
I decide to act as if it never happened for now.
“
I came here to tell you mom that I love you. I have always loved you. You are the best.
”
I hugged her and whisper in her ear that I need to talk to Lliam
’
s mum in private and we haven
’
t got much time. She hugs me back than leaves.
“
Mum, initially I came here to tell you that I love you and thank you because you have done more than necessary to welcome me into your family, and that I feel like I have always know you
…
I hate to say this but
…
blah blah blah
…
that can wait til later. I don
’
t have much time and I need your help, or advice or something. I don
’
t know what I need.
”
I start to panic, I can
’
t breath. I need
…
I need Lliam.
“
Victoria, calm down honey, I know what you saw.
”
Holy cow bat man, I think to myself. At least I know I am not crazy now.
“
What does it mean? I know that I am new to this whole vampire thing, and
…
I don
’
t know I am sort of freaked out. Everything is changing, I tried to bite Lliam, twice. I seem drawn to one of the portraits in your hall, now this vision. Please help me mum.
”
I am almost crying now.
“
Victoria, I can
’
t tell you much right now, unfortunately, but I will tell you it is normal and soon, you will understand. Just trust me ok? I know that might be hard because you do not really know what is going on. You love Lliam right?
”
I nod.
“
Than just know that all of this is so that you and Lliam can live a long and prosperous life together. You will figure it out soon dear, I promise. I love you Victoria, even before I knew you I loved you, but now
…
my dear daughter-in-law. I love you even more. It is time Victoria. Are you ready?
”
She kisses me on the forehead and grabs my hand to lead the way.
My dad is waiting at the bottom of the staircase for us. Mum places my arm into my dads and walks into the ball room. Butterfly kisses, by Bob Carlisle is playing. I have always wanted it to be played at my wedding since I was a little girl. Lliam is standing at the alter ahead of us. Dad and I are just a few feet into the ball room. I slow my pace. I look around the room, trying to imagine that all of these people I don
’
t know weren
’
t here. Everything is black and red. Red is the main color of the chairs, the floors, the curtains, and the decorations. Black is just an accent on everything. Black outlines the chairs, intricately woven black designs line the red curtains, all of the garlands and flowers red and black. I really couldn
’
t have made this more perfect if I had planned it myself. It seems as if mum really has known me forever.
My heart is beating faster, and the pull from Lliam is getting stronger the closer I get to him. Goosebumps break out all over me, time seems to be going at the pace of a snail. Finally, my dad and I reach Lliam and the priest. Dad hugs me than gives my hand to Lliam and takes his seat next to my mom. Everyone else than takes their seats as well. All eyes are on us, and I don
’
t care anymore. All I can feel now is Lliam. I can feel his eyes, his heart, his mind.
I love you Victoria.
I am not sure if I am thinking that he just said he loved me or if he spoke to me with his mind. I assume that it is my nerves, I can
’
t hear his thoughts.
The preacher is talking, but I can
’
t really hear him. All I can hear is what sounds like Lliam
’
s voice in my head.
Victoria, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I am so glad I saw you at the stop light that day. I have loved you from that very moment. I never believed in love at first sight until I saw you for the first time. Everything changed at that very moment. My life changed, I live now, only for you. I love you and I promise you that I will give you the perfect life, it will be everything of your dreams. Anything you can imagine, want, or need
…
is yours. I swear it. I love you darling.
Just than, I hear the preacher.
“
Do you Lliam Mackey take this women to be your lawful wedded wife?
”
“
I do
”
. Now it is my turn.
“
I do.
”
“
You may kiss your bride.
”
He kisses me, is kiss him. We are kissing the most love filled kiss that anyone could possible envisage. All I can think about is ripping his clothes off and making love to him. I grab his wrist. I feel his pulse, his blood. I want it. I want to taste it. I need it. Lliam pulls out of our kiss and whispers in my ear,
“
I bet your glad I read your mind this time.
”
We laugh and he kisses me briefly one more time.