by Emily Bex
"Si, mi amore, I wish for you to quit your job, the commute would be ridiculous. You won’t need money. I have more than you could spend. I hope you can see a life with me, a very long one. Si, you are mortal but it can work if we put forth the effort. It won’t be easy, but it can be done. At a future date, if it is your will, I wish for you to be immortal as well. That will give you eternal life, to be with me. I know this is a lot to contemplate, I understand that, but I want you here with me, making this our home together. Can you see yourself here with me? Would you like to be given this home to do as you wish? Help me build my empire here in the States, and share in that life with me. I want you as my mate. I want you to be mine, forever.”
She stood still and listened to what he had to say. "Can I see myself here? Yes, I can. I can see us building a life together. Honestly, lover, it’s hard to imagine otherwise. But how can you be sure? How can you be sure about forever? How can I...how can I be sure? How do you know you won’t tire of me?”
"Kate. Come to me."
Holding his arms open, she walked into them and laid her head on his chest and he laid his head on top of hers. "Vampires mate for life. Once chosen, there is never another. I have searched the world over for five hundred years looking for my mate, I have found her, and she is in my arms right now. I crave one thing, to have you feed from me. When that happens, we take the first step toward being mated. No one has ever fed from me before. No one, mi amore. That is reserved for one person, my mate, and that right belongs to you. Going forward, I feed from no other, ever. You are the one I have searched for. And I could never tire of you.”
No one has fed from him? He feeds from many, but no one feeds from him. Wait...did he just say five hundred years? He's five hundred years old? His arms surrounded her, and there was nowhere that felt more like home to her than being wrapped in his embrace. Could she walk away from him? She already knew the answer to that question. With all the other things swirling in her head, all the confusion of his world, and the things she didn’t understand, she knew she loved him. And she knew she couldn’t walk away.
"Yes, lover, the answer is yes."
"Si, mi amore! You have just made me the happiest immortal to walk in this world. I promise to never leave you, to always come home to you. I love you, Kate!"
Lifting her in his arms, he squeezed her tight and swirled her around in circles right in the middle of the hallway. "First thing you need to decorate is our bedroom, si?”
"Yes, the bedroom has to go." She laughed with the joy that filled her heart, and the joy she felt from him.
Kissing her, he set her down and grabbed her hand, racing with her down the hall and down the stairs. “Come on, let’s walk outside a bit, you game?”
His happiness overwhelmed him as she responded, “Show me everything."
Taking her hand, they walked outside. "I know it’s dark, but the mountains and park sit straight ahead of us. Down to the left are the vineyards, and I wish to expand what is already there. There is a great deal of land here, so at some point, I would love to have horses. I breed them in Florence, and I wish to bring some of them here and do the same."
“Shade...that park you refer to, that's the National Park Service, the mountains are part of the National Parks. Are you telling me your land extends all the way to the mountains?”
“Oh si, it extends to the base. There are 3,000 acres of land here if you can imagine it.” Walking her around the side of the house, he showed her the patios. "I would love to have beautiful gardens here behind the house. I am hoping you can help me with that. Come, let me take you over to the garage. I have a few cars in there, and a few bikes. And beyond that, I think maybe we need to get you a proper sports car with a stick shift."
He held tight to her hand as he led her with pride across the expanse of the lawn and around the back to the garage filled with some of his favorite toys.
"Did you say you were five hundred years old? Are you sure you can keep up with me, lover?"
Throwing back his head, he laughed. “Mi amore, I think I can keep up with you. But you can bet I will give it all I’ve got.”
They entered a large garage that was separated from the main house and was clearly built much later, although built in a style that matched the original architecture of the home. The garage was filled with expensive sports cars. Kate was no expert, but she picked out the Lamborghini, a Porsche, a Bugatti, and a Jaguar. There were a few she didn’t recognize. There were several custom motorcycles lined against another wall, all Harleys.
“Shade, these are all very impressive, but you know I can’t drive a stick shift, I’ll keep my Miata.”
He howled with laughter as he tossed her a set of keys, which she caught on the fly.
“What are these for?”
“See which car it opens, bel.”
She walked through the garage, trying to insert the key into the driver’s side door of the long line of sports cars, moving from one to another. Kate reached the last car in the line, a silver Jaguar, inserting the key as it slipped in without resistance. She looked back over her shoulder at Shade who was wearing an ear to ear grin. She turned the key and opened the door, slipping into the driver’s seat. “Lover, this is too much!”
“Nothing is too much. You will have this and more.”
“But...I can’t even drive it.”
He chuckled, “A small obstacle. I will teach you. Now come. Now that we have taken the grand tour, I think perhaps it is time we head back into the city, or we can spend the night and day here if you wish, but I must be able to escape the sun.”
“Sleep in that prison cell?” She laughed. “I didn't pack for an overnight, and besides, I think I’d prefer you in my own bed tonight. I'll make redoing the bedroom my top priority, believe me.”
“Si, I don’t blame you, that thing is not comfortable. But I would sleep anywhere as long as you were in my arms. It is getting late, bel, we had best be getting back, I need to get there before sunrise."
Taking her hand, they walked back to the Hummer. He helped her inside and then fired it up and headed down the lane. When they got to the main road, he angled the car so the headlights shone on the sign to the entrance of the property and stopped the Hummer.
"This belongs to you, bel rosso, this is yours now. I wanted this to be named after you, our mortal wine brands as well. This will be ours.”
She looked at the sign in the headlights of the Hummer, ‘Bel Rosso Vineyards.’ He named it after me? The property? The wine? Did he know I’d say yes? Or was he only hoping?
"Lover, I don't know what to say." It overwhelmed her to think he was already planning their life together.
“You need not say a thing, mi amore. And si, I knew the moment I laid eyes on you I wanted you for all eternity. I have loved you since the day we met, and I will love you every day for the rest of our lives. This is the beginning of our journey, and it will be a glorious one with love and laughter. I know we have a lot ahead of us. I’m not naïve to all we will face. I know there will be sorrow and pain as well, but I will promise more love than you can ever imagine. Your life is about to change forever, as is mine. We begin here, this night. I have waited for you to come and I had given up hope of ever finding you, and I will never let you go.”
21
When Kate woke, it was almost mid-day. She sat up with a start, feeling confused and fuzzy-headed. He’d brought her back home from the Virginia house and stayed with her only a few minutes as the sun was coming up before teleporting out. She had lain down to take a short nap, and now it was noon.
Walking to the bathroom, she washed her face, and let the memories of last night rush over her; his house and her promise. Did she really tell him she’d quit her job, sell her condo, and move in? She walked back into the bedroom and pulled on a pair of jeans and an old shirt. Kate Reese, have you lost your mind? What if he changes his mind, like the others? You lose more than your heart this time. You will lose everything you’ve worked t
o build for yourself.
There was no one she could talk to about this. Besides, she already knew if she had someone to talk to, exactly what they’d say, the same thing she was saying to herself.
But she wanted this man. She loved this man. And she trusted him, but then, didn't she trust the others too? There was an argument taking place in her head, a tug of war, one side pulling her to him, saying let go of your fears, follow him. And the other side saying, be logical. Protect yourself. But she didn’t want to lose him.
The doorbell rang and she looked toward the door with a quizzical look. She wasn’t expecting anyone. She went to the door and looked through the peephole to see a man wearing a uniform and carrying a package of some kind. She opened the door leaving the chain on, "Can I help you?"
He looked at her through the slightly open door, "Miss Reese, Miss Kate Reese?"
She looked him up and down. He was from a local courier service, but on a Sunday? "Yes, I'm Kate Reese."
"I have a delivery for you, ma’am. You'll have to sign for it."
"Can you tell me who sent it?" She was still skeptical about opening the door.
He looked down at his notepad, and then read back to her. "Adami and Costa? It's a law firm, ma’am. Look, I can tell you don't want to open your door to me, but all I can say is I was just paid a ton of money to make this Sunday delivery. Our courier service is closed on Sunday's. I was told to make the delivery, to make sure I put it in your hands personally, and you signed for it. Then I’m to immediately return to the law office with the signed receipt. They paid me a thousand bucks, ma’am. I don't make a thousand bucks in a month. So, whatever it is, someone really wants you to have this today."
She looked at him a few seconds longer, then released the chain lock and opened the door. He handed her the thick 10x14-inch brown envelope, along with a pen and the receipt pad for her signature. She signed the pad and handed the pad and pen back to him. She realized she didn’t have a tip for him as she slid her hands over her pockets. He laughed. "Really, no need. Not today. Have a good day, ma’am."
She closed and locked the door and carried the large envelope into the living room, sitting down on the sofa as she pulled open the sealed flap. She removed the thick stack of papers from the envelope which contained, among other things, a deed. It was signed and notarized, putting all of the Virginia property in her name.
She took the other document and unfolded it. It was a surveyor’s document depicting the plot of land, showing the property boundaries, and indicating the location of the house and other exterior buildings. She sat with the papers strewn about her, stunned. He knew. He knew she’d have second thoughts in the light of day when she was alone to contemplate her decision, when she wasn’t mesmerized by those damn blue eyes that could talk her into anything. He knew she’d question the wisdom of her choice. He wanted to eliminate all the fears, all the barriers. His message was clear. Sell your condo Kate Reese, and quit your job. Whatever happened, the property was hers.
She wanted to call him, to let him know, but the sun shone bright through her window and she knew he was deep in his death slumber. Tomorrow, she’d give her two weeks’ notice at work, and call a realtor to put her condo on the market. But right now, she’d call her family and start building the web of lies that would remove her from the mortal world.
22
Kate headed straight to Human Resources and submitted her resignation before going to her cubicle. She’d called her family Sunday night, and now it was time to tell Shannon. She slid into her cubicle and waited for the familiar sound of Shan's office chair to come wheeling around the cubicle wall.
Right on schedule, Shan scooted her chair around into Kate's space as Kate was unloading her briefcase.
"So, how was your weekend? I didn’t hear from you. Did you see Mr. Tall, Dark and Dangerous? Are you two an item yet?”
Kate kept her back to Shannon, plugging her laptop into the docking station, shuffling papers, anything to not face her as she answered.
"Yes, I saw him. We went out on Saturday night, but he's very busy, you know. I really don't get to spend a lot of time with him. But Shan, on a totally unrelated topic, there's something I need to tell you."
Kate took a deep breath and sat down in the office chair and swiveled in Shannon's direction.
She saw the smile leave Shannon’s face. "What is it? Is someone sick? You okay?"
"Oh, nothing like that. Good news, actually. It's just out of the blue and unexpected, but I got this job offer in London. An ad agency there saw my work, liked it, and called to offer me a job."
Shannon’s mouth dropped open. "What? When did they call? You're not going, are you? Oh Kate! I'm excited and sad all at the same time. What are you going to do?"
“Well, it's done actually. They called me over a week ago, and I’ve been talking to them every evening on the phone, and I decided to take it. I mean, I love Europe, and I'll have a flat in London, and I can travel while I'm there. It just seemed too good an opportunity to pass up."
Shannon looked stunned. "Wait. You've already decided? All this was going on and you didn't even tell me?"
“Shannon, it was a hard decision to make. And thinking about leaving people behind was the hardest part. I wasn't sure I could make the decision and think about it rationally if I was dealing with other people's emotions about it. So, I told no one. Please, don't be mad. I'm sure I'll fly home a few times a year, and we'll still see each other.”
Shannon asked, “What about your folks? Did you tell them?”
“Yeah, I called them last night. They were concerned, as always. But Shan, they're concerned I live in D.C. I mean, I only see them at Christmas as it is. This won’t be a big adjustment for them.”
Shannon’s disappointment was visible on her face. “Not a big adjustment for them maybe, but what about us? Oh Kate, forget I said that. That was selfish. I'm really happy for you, I am. But I just can't imagine, I mean, we went through college together, and then got this job together. I almost can't remember when you weren't in my life.”
Kate gave Shannon a hug, hating that she had lied to her friend. “I know. It was hard to make the split. It's hard for me too, Shannon.”
“What about him? Your new international man of mystery? So, I guess that’s over too?”
“Shade? He was very supportive. He said he travels a lot in his business and he’d still catch up with me. He said he was in and out of Heathrow Airport several times a month.”
“So, he'll still see you and I won't??”
“Shannon, I'm sure I'll still see you. And we can talk. And email. And Skype. And Facebook.” Kate feared she was only delaying the inevitable. The day when she’d have to break all ties with Shannon for good.
“You better do more than that, Kate Reese. You better visit! You can come stay with me when you're in the States.”
“Actually, Shade has a house in Virginia. He said I could use it anytime I was in the States. Stay there as long as I needed.”
Shannon raised her eyebrows, “Move in? You're moving in with him?”
“No. He travels, he's rarely there. The house is empty most of the time. He just offered to let me stay there whenever I'm in the States, that's all.”
“So, you're selling your condo then.”
“Yes, I'm calling the realtor today. I'll be moving in two weeks.”
“Two weeks! I can't believe this is happening. Okay, just be warned. I will officially be spending my vacations with you in London.”
“Oh...of course...yes.” Now there’s a little glitch Kate hadn’t thought about.
23
This was it. Moving day! Kate had packed up everything, and Shade had arranged for the movers. He said he’d arrange for that since he wanted vamps to handle the move. The condo sold quickly, but that wasn’t unexpected. Any real estate close to D.C. would turn over fast. The movers arrived and loaded up the moving van. She sold off much of her furniture as her more modern style wouldn’t
work in the old house.
She and Shade both wanted to restore this house and furnish it so it maintained the look and feel of Tuscany. She was taking her bedroom furniture, however. Even if it was only temporary, it would be better than the prison cell mattress Shade had on the floor. Shade told her he’d be there when she arrived but would remain in his death slumber until sunset and he had arranged for Luciano to be on hand to help her with anything she needed.
The movers finished loading the van, and Kate walked through the empty condo one last time, with no reservations about leaving it behind. She made her way to the parking garage and got in the Miata, following the van on the three-hour drive to Bel Rosso, and her new life.
As they arrived and the truck lumbered up the private drive to the estate, Kate was taking in the beauty of the place in the daylight. She’d come back here several times with Shade to measure rooms, and windows, and start making plans, but it was always at night. Being here during the day, with the brilliant fall foliage, the clear blue sky, and the crisp fall air was a totally new experience. The property was breathtaking. It was all softly rolling hills and open fields. The vineyards had been harvested, but the vines still clung to the stakes. The trees had all turned shades of yellow and orange for the fall, while the fields remained green, and the mountains provided the perfect backdrop of a dark bluish-green, making it clear why they were named “Blue Ridge.” Kate couldn’t imagine this would be her view every day.
Luciano came to the door as soon as she pulled up, and directed the movers as to where to place boxes. When she entered the house, all the internal lights had been turned on, and she noticed the windows were all sealed. Luciano pointed out there were electronic blinds, on timers and sensitive to the outside light. The blinds would automatically close and open with the rising and setting of the sun. Luciano showed her the manual over-ride if she was awake during the day and wanted to open them. Kate realized without the internal lighting, the house would be pitch black inside.