Only Two Of Us

by Cassandra Russell

  Everything seemed to be part of a surreal dream.

  He was alive! I could hardly believe it! He would never have to say goodbye again. Finally belong

  to him before God and to all the people who participated in our lives.

  I wanted to run down those stairs, jump on his neck and hug him so

  that no human being could distinguish where one began and ended the other. I wanted to scream loud

  to give vent to the joy and the relief that cherished my heart. However, I was forced to restrain myself

  by circumstantial force. After all, nobody from the audience, besides my father, knew what had happened to us

  inside that house. Such a thoughtless attitude could raise unnecessary suspicion. Being

  so I took the route that would lead me to meet him and I prayed in thanks, reaffirming everything

  what he had promised.

  As soon as we got down the stairs, Dad gave me a kiss on the forehead and hugged Richard as

  a loved one, recommending:

  "Richard, I give you my most precious possession. Take good care of her for me.

  "Do not worry, Allan. I promise I'll do everything I can to make Stephanie happy while I

  to live. Literally. He smiled. "Anyway, thank you so much for everything you've done, for me

  welcome in your family and the words that encouraged me to fight.

  My mother took part in the ceremony, handing me a red rose, since I did not

  owned a bouquet. He also collected our alliances to put them into a

  silver that would be under the possession of Juninho.

  "I can not believe it," I whispered as Richard took my hand.

  "Neither do I," he returned in the same tone, slowly leading me to the little altar

  improvised.

  - Science, regeneration or ... miracle?

  He shook his head, expressing doubt.

  - Maybe everything.

  From then on we stood there contemplating each other. There was an electric wave wavering in the air.

  between us, a silence that said everything and, although surrounded by so many people, it seemed that we were

  alone, as if nothing else in the world matters. Come to think of it, he was still alive, what else?

  could it matter?

  I was only able to get out of that trance when, after the sermon, Father Jose mentioned my name.

  Even so, his voice sounded distant.

  - Stephanie Ribeiro Wernyeck, accepts Richard Hacket before God as his lawful husband?

  Still numb, I watched him for a long moment. Richard, in response, distilled in my

  towards a worried look.

  "You're making me anxious, my love. Are you going to refuse me now, in front of everyone? He murmured

  impatient, more like a ventriloquist so static.

  - Of course not! I answered him in a slightly louder voice.

  - No? Father Joseph asked. "Do not you want to marry Richard?"

  "Oh, yes," I said in an illogical logic.

  - Yes? - The choir was general.

  Richard put both hands on my face and asked, confused:

  "Stephanie, what happened?" You gave up on me? You do not love me anymore? - The whiteness of your face

  came out sharper than ever.

  Of course I love you! I exclaimed. "What crazy question is that?"

  "Then why did you say no to the priest?"

  "I did not answer the priest, I answered no to your question!"

  "But he asked again if he did not want to marry me, and you just said yes!

  "He said yes, to correct the no that he thought I had said before ... Richard, you're done."

  making me confused!

  - Oh, you know what? Enough! I'll get this over with once and for all! He promised.

  And then, he shook his head from the way I loved him so much, he grinned and pulled me

  to his arms, kissing me with passion in front of everyone.

  "I believe ... that I will consider this as a yes ... And for both," said Father Joseph,

  hiding the laughter.

  The laughter in the room was unanimous and accompanied by applause. I was twirled by him two

  in the air before we unglued our lips to put the rings in our left hand and

  we stand, laughing at each other.

  "You're crazy, you know that?" That must be why I fell in love like that. A madman completes the other

  Said Richard, still unable to stop laughing.

  "Not crazy!" I joked. "Are you going to diagnose me wrong too, Doctor?"

  - Hmmm ... I think I'll be much more thorough in the anamnesis. I never want to ignore a signal

  important that my patient present. I do not like to err in my diagnoses and treatments.

  - And I do not know? I've suffered a lot on my skin because of it. I just do not understand why so much detail, if, in the

  end, the remedy ends up being always the same.

  "Is it a challenge, my love?" Look what you may be surprised ...

  "I can not wait to check," I said slyly, and turned to greet the

  guests crowding on our shores.

  "I'm really lost," he stammered.

  Richard also came to greet me, though he could not stop watching me

  sidelong, probably strange in my behavior. I should be wondering if I ever felt the

  transformation process, which at first should only occur a little later.

  We spent about an hour talking to the guests, who were few. There

  a party, just a few drinks and a cake, both provided by Ava.

  perplexed to discover that he had already entered the proclamations for marriage since

  we had become engaged, keeping the secret for the right occasion. This was the "pending issue"

  that he did not want to confess me one day after his return from the trip ...

  I thought of several plausible explanations that I could give my friends to the fact that our

  marriage to be so immediate as well as for my sudden improvement. However, I preferred to just say

  which was passion at first sight, which was not true. I hardly cared what

  the others could speak or think of me, the only thing that interested me was the fact that we were

  happy and that we would belong to each other forever.

  I could not overextend the conversation because I was beginning to feel the first signs of my

  eminent vampirism. Before leaving, however, without noticing this slight change, Richard made

  complete his private revenge.

  - Congratulations, Richard! It seems that the hospital's most committed bachelor has finally been hooked -

  commented Dr. Luciano excitedly.

  - Yes, I did. I could not resist the way Stephanie looked at me all the time. Only

  he missed jumping around my neck and kissing me in front of the patients ... "he said with cynicism.

  I do not believe! Was he even talking about me? What a son of a bitch! I grumbled at

  thoughts while chatting with Anne. My satellite dish has been on as long as the

  two began to talk.

  "I think I was lucky to get her out to dance first," Richard continued.

  eyes sparkling, still mulling over his old rage. - In fact, I do not think there should be any

  On your part about this day, is not it? After all, as far as I know, you just arrived at the party.

  as friends...

  "You have nothing to worry about, Stephanie has never looked at me in any other way," she apologized.

  Dr. Luciano.

  - I know. I'm not at all worried about that. He remained indifferent. - Per

  the other side, until it was good. Now I can introduce you to a person who I consider to have a lot in

  common with you, especially as to the sense of humor. Who knows, you will not be the next single.

  convicted to be hooked in that hospital? Do you want to meet her?

 
- Of course it will be a pleasure!

  Richard came back with Anne by the sleeve of her clothes and with me on the other side, clinging to her waist.

  Anne did a great job on the look, she was really pretty right then. Was wearing a dress

  fair green-flag long-sleeved, one-shoulder only, matching the color of your eyes and

  becoming the target of the eyes in general.

  "Anne, do you know Luciano?" He works in the same hospital as me and his friend. It's good that you have

  new friends to share when you come here to visit us in São Paulo, "Richard suggested,

  hugging me in the back and touching his icy face in mine.

  "Is this your first time to visit Stephanie?" Asked Dr. Luciano, visibly interested.

  in her

  "Yes, although Iris received other invitations as well. She's my cousin.

  She was receptive to what she saw.

  "Is your cousin crazy?" He snapped, already finding a reason for jokes.

  "I inevitably fear I do," he sneered.

  "Sorry to interrupt," Richard said. - Anne, it's my impression or do you like

  old jewels Is this coat of arms stuck in your family ring? She asked, raising her finger to

  look closely.

  "Yes," she said. "It was my grandmother who gave it to me.

  - Very interesting the format. Look, Luciano. What do you think? - And he shamelessly pushed the

  Anne's hand so that Dr. Luciano could see the ring more closely.

  I turned my face and I narrowed my eyes at him.

  - Richard! I complained softly, so they would not hear.

  - What is it? He asked, smiling, providentially pulling us both away. - Leave Luciano

  have fun...

  - Have fun? I suspected.

  - While he can. After I move I will not have that chance again.

  - To change? You're moving where?

  "We're moving to Rio later this year," he corrected. "You think I did not see the glow in your

  eyes when you showed me the sea?

  "Any place beside you makes me look that bright in my eyes.

  "But we can combine the useful with the pleasant, can not we?" I have also been very reckless,

  staying so long in São Paulo. We may have to briefly focus on the lake region

  or anywhere else you choose to get a little out of circulation. I'm even dreaming

  to dive on that beach by your side, after the sun sets ...

  "Is that the problem, or is it still a silly jealousy?" It practically pushed my

  best friend to Dr. Luciano!

  "Yes, I will not deny it. This is the only way he can take my wife's eye. - Traced me from

  up to the bottom, biting his lower lip. "But I can not deliberately judge Luciano for this, the

  unhappy is not to blame. Whoever in this room would not look at you greedily, the way you are

  beautiful?

  "Do you happen to think the women here are not unlucky?"

  - Women? What women? He looked around cynically. - I can only see one here. And for

  coincidence is mine. My wife. - Reinforced the word "mine" as if delighted

  by conquest. "I can not believe I finally say that in all the letters ..."

  "If you keep talking like that out loud in Rio, you'll probably think you're crazy or a

  tremendous mané, "I joked.

  - I have already witnessed various types of change and concept of society. Some improved and others

  were simply exterminated to the detriment of the famous modernity. But I was born in another century and

  I can guarantee: I'm not ashamed to be romantic. In fact, I wanted to have you courted, conquered

  you with sweet words and bouquets of flowers, but, for being who I am, things between us happened

  totally in reverse. Even our engagement and marriage took place unusually, without a request

  formal "marry me" or a "yes" before the priest. And to be honest, I'm not going to deny that this

  The situation of being together without a greater commitment or a blessing bothered me a little. Per

  You can call me whatever you want, I do not care. Actually, I never called. For me, the only thing that

  matter is that I'm too happy and that you are too.

  - I'm. Very much, I confessed. - I just can not agree with you when you say there are no other

  women looking at my husband with greed in this room. Only I have seen two.

  - Oh really? Maybe this sudden blindness is also part of my illness, "he broke off.

  "You did not say you were seeing" high definition technology "? I challenged.

  "He said he saw you like this, not the others." The disease only blinds me to what is

  around you.

  "Then I must be sick too, I think I suffer from the same illness.

  - Most likely. You have already realized that you have just done the madness of uniting forever,

  blood and by the spirit, to a vampire? An intense glow in its blue ocean glowed.

  "Yes. And if there were other kinds of union, I would surely be doing it now.

  - Oh yes? Great! This week I want to get married at the registry office to have the pleasure of listening to

  others calling my wife Mrs. Hacket. I can also remember at least one more type

  of union, except that I will not wait that long and much less it can be done in public -

  he hissed mischievously, his eyebrows twitching.

  "Now, I'm absolutely sure you're totally healed," I mocked.

  blushing, realizing the intense way he watched my lips.

  "I'm your husband now, Stephanie. No need to blush with embarrassment anymore.

  "Because I think you should enjoy it." Maybe it's your last chance to see me blushing like this.

  "I suppose we still have a little more than an hour before-" "How do you feel, my love?" Looks like

  already presents a slight hypothermia. He put his hand on my neck, worried.

  "Strange, but not so much. Better speed up and cut the cake soon, "I said, feeling

  a fire consuming the chest, a burning in the fingers ...

  Despite turning to the other side, I noticed that he had not let go of my arm yet, pulling it

  back to their meeting.

  "I'm not done yet," he continued, a slightly amused smile.

  - What...?

  - Look inside my eyes.

  I obeyed, aware of the shudder they caused me.

  "I want you to know that this ring on my finger means a lot to me." What I intend to do

  of everything so that you never regret the decision you made, "he said.

  "I will not regret it."

  "I can not stand it any longer," he whispered, almost soundly. His nostril slipped through the

  my temples, trying to appease a new yearning that was forming.

  "We're not alone," I said, laughing.

  "Fuck you," he said bravely, reaching for my mouth with his. I just want to kiss my

  wife. You have no idea how difficult it was to keep me up there.

  His lips were lost in mine for a fraction of a second, only that, instead of continuing, he

  instantly stopped, seeming to reflect on what I had said before, about not being alone.

  - You're right. I know myself, I'm too anxious. If I start now, I will not be able to

  stop, "he murmured. "I can not let them see the change in color in my eyes, the state

  Come on, let's say goodbye soon. And he came out dragging me by the hand.

  Before we left, I noticed strange looks between my parents. Well, maybe more of it than

  but I let them take care of their lives so I could move on with mine. Mom

  was already employed and managed to keep the house practically alone. That alone was a reason

  enough to make me carefree even though I was willing to

  monthly contribution until she felt safe.

  Juninho was a paja
mas grace, although he did not wear a very appropriate outfit. But

  Who cared? Since when did angels need special costumes?

  I asked them to take some souvenir photos - the basic ones, toasting the cake with

  glasses of champagne - and we rushed out the front door of the house, fleeing from a rain of rice.

  We went straight to a wonderful hotel he chose along the way, getting dressed like that

  very unusual, without bothering to be observed by the people present.

  Inside, in the central hall, those weird sensations intensified. I could not

  hear the beating of my heart. My body seemed to freeze and harden, the gum ached with a

  intense pressure, but strangely felt the palm of his hand heating and his throat starting to burn.

  Richard was extremely tense when, as we entered the elevator, he caught the way I stared

  a guild who was watching me from the front. His hand tightened on mine, warning the time

  all of which I should endure the attractive scent she exuded.

  I will not say it did not bother me.

  I could hear the pumping noise from her heart as well as the sound of blood flow

  circulating in your arteries and the incredibly sweet aroma. But thirst was not yet the

  but it bothered me at that moment.

  Not yet.

  It was his own perfume that caused all the restlessness. And the girl's presence alone

  accelerated the embarrassing situation, because she, even without realizing it, prevented my instinct

  to do what he asked. I wanted to get closer to inhaling my husband's neck, I was turning

  almost an obsession.

  Richard, warned, brought in his suitcase four bags of his favorite blood, fearing that I would attack

  some guest.

  Little did he know who was the real target of my affliction ...

  Before even opening the bedroom door, several latent thoughts came to mind, though

  totally disturbed by its aroma. I felt the sudden need to get something clean that left me

  choked all day.

  Maybe it was time for a revenge, too.

  "Honey, you better feed yourself soon," she said, pulling a bag of blood out of her bag.

  along with two glasses, as soon as we entered our suite. - I'm getting worried. I thought that

  I would attack that poor innocent! I should have waited to do your transformation after our honeymoon

  of honey, but you came up with that scalpel in your hand and I ended up in despair at the time. Just thinking