by Audra Hart
He is smiling happily, and leans over and kisses her fully on the mouth and then draws his arm around her waist and pulls her close to him. Now it is his turn to whisper, “I wish I didn’t need to go out tonight, we could shoot for seven in a 24 hour period.” She blushes a brilliant crimson and mouths ‘soon’ and grips his hard butt in her powerful hand. And then she breaks away to catch up to Aideen. She loops Aideen’s arm through hers and looks down at her lovely daughter with a huge smile on her face, all the while thinking, “Clydesdale beast my ass!”
When they are seated in the quaint little bar, Luca goes up and orders the drinks for the ladies. A double Scotch neat for Morna, a glass of chardonnay for Aideen and a local micro-brewery lager for Breena, and mineral water for Brigid, as she is on call this weekend. When Luca follows the waitress back to the table he goes by the piano player and requests a special song for Morna, and slips a twenty in the tip jar, but asks him to play something else first that is also suited for a slow dance, and then to play the requested song. The pianist smiles broadly at the very handsome gentleman and wonders which of the three lovely ladies is the lucky one he had requested the special song for.
When the next slow dance song begins, Breena excuses herself to go to ladies room at a signal from Luca. Then he asks Brigid to dance in order to give Morna a chance to speak with their lovely, if somewhat self-centered daughter. After the trio leaves the table, Morna spends a few seconds watching her beloved mate dance with their dear friend. She can hear him explaining to Brigid that Morna had requested to handle her daughter’s rude comments in her own way, and that he suspects that is exactly what she plans to do right now. Morna smiles contentedly, her mate knows her so well.
She turns to her daughter with a brilliant smile on her face. “Oh my precious daughter, I am overjoyed to learn of your existence. You’re very life fills my heart to overflowing. However dear one, Mama is going to set a few ground rules.”
Morna glances up to see how Brigid is taking in the message that Luca is repeating for her. “Gotta love that vampire hearing!” she muses to herself. “My rules are very, very simple, darling girl. Be honest with me at all times. Be sincere, and above all never, never be petty with me! Do you understand me sweetheart?” she asks with a sweet smile.
Aideen stammers much like she did with her father and foster-mother, seemingly surprised that she is again being called to answer for her earlier rude remark. Morna cuts in neatly, “Sweetheart, it is true that I have been mostly absent from your life for nearly 600 years, but you know it was not by my choice. And before you get angry with your Daddy for chastising you earlier, bear in mind your Daddy always has your best interests, your health, safety and welfare in mind. And he knows full well that mother is fully capable of knocking you on your pretty butt. I won’t tolerate any petty name calling from my own daughter.”
Morna takes Aideen’s ice cold, shaky hands into her own, and glances quickly at Luca, and thinks “Dammit man, stop laughing!” Morna smiles lovingly into her daughter’s eyes, “I love you so much, Sweetheart, I hope over time we can learn to like each other as much as you and your Daddy clearly adore each other. But we will, in all circumstances, treat each other with dignity and respect. The lovey-dovey stuff will come later, I am certain of that. And Darling Daughter, don’t fret over tonight’s misstep, it is already forgiven… Because even my darkest enemies are allowed ONE.”
With that being said, Morna leans over and kisses her daughter’s forehead. She sees her sister standing about eight feet behind her daughter and knows that she most likely heard the most salient parts of their conversation. Morna glances over at Luca and hopes he doesn’t choke on that smug grin he is wearing. Brigid is still shaking with laughter. “Oh my I am a wicked, wicked mother, am I not?” she thinks to herself.
Aideen collects herself, and says, “Mama, I am sorry. You are right. I was being a bitch. It was wrong, and it won’t happen again. I must confess the green eyed monster has been eating on me for months when I realized you were once again becoming such a huge part of Daddy’s life. When I learned you were becoming a part of my life too, I freaked. I felt overwhelmed when you connected with me those two times. And I was not very generous earlier when you were so ill and I was downright rude with the beast remark. Thank you for your forgiveness.” Aideen opens her arms to her mother, and Morna gladly embraces her child. “And may I say Mama, you are one scary ass broad when you want to be!
Morna says, “Of course you can say that! It’s honest, it’s sincere and it is not intended to be petty. Oh and by the way, you are absolutely right about me being a scary broad. Aren’t you glad I will always be on your side?” Morna leans over and kisses her daughter on the forehead.
When Luca hears the last part of the conversation, he walks over to the pianist and requests a 3rd slow song, another specific title, then puts another twenty in the tip jar. Then he saunters back to their table. Brigid had made a bee line for the restroom because she was having so much trouble controlling her mirth. Breena had returned to the table by now. “How are my beautiful girls?” he asks happily as he sits down. They both smile brightly at him. He looks to Breena and says, “I have to go out tonight, and will be leaving shortly, but I have enough time for a dance with my two favorite girls.”
He smiles happily as the pianist launches into Nat King Cole’s classic, ‘Unforgettable.’ “Morna, he is playing your song darling, please join me for a turn on the dance floor.” Morna smiles lovingly and places her hand in his to be led to the dance floor. He puts his left arm around her hips, pulling her close, and holds her right hand in between them at chest level, making the dance more of an embrace. She nuzzles her head into the perfect, cold planes of his chest, and silently curses the fabric that’s in her way.
“That was well played my dear,” he complimented. “She’s a reasonable girl, just used to thinking of herself as the center of Daddy’s universe, I guess I should have been brave enough to tell her plainly long ago, who always has been and always will be the true center of my universe.” he whispers lovingly into Morna’s ear.
She lifts her face and kisses him passionately before saying; “Please tell me that you requested a specific song for her that will have some special meaning to her,’ she whispers urgently. “I can’t stand to think that I am taking her anchor away from her. I am willing to share, I really want her to know that. You are her Daddy after all.”
“Of course I did, darling. As soon as she apologized, I requested “Candy Man.” She called me her candy man when she was little. It’s sort of our song.” He smiles broadly.
Morna rests her face against his perfect chest again, and he kisses the top of her head. Then he says, “And how did you like your special request? Because you know, you truly always have been unforgettable for me.” Morna tilts her face up to his. And he holds her in a passionate kiss and deep embrace until the song in question ends, and little beyond. When he finally releases her, they mouth in unison, “I love you.” Then the lovers walk hand-in-hand off the dance floor.
When they return to the their table all three ladies are seated waiting for them and trying to act as though they had not stared at the lovers the entire time they were on the dance floor. Luca kisses Morna’s hand as she takes her seat and he says, “Thank you my love for the dance.”
As the first bars of “Candy Man” begin he goes around to their daughter and offers her his arm, “Care to dance with your old Daddy?” he asks magnanimously. When they get out on the dance floor he holds Aideen in a much more typical dance hold, but kisses her forehead twice. And he reminds her that no one’s daddy ever loved them more than he loves her.
She smiles radiantly and says, “I know Daddy. But I must stop being a brat and make room for Mama. I see that now.”
Luca cocks his head back, and says, “Oh did you apologize to your mother?”
She shoots him a look that says, “Oh get real!” and says, “Daddy, you know that I did, I am sure you heard every word. I
know about vampire senses you know,” she whispers as quietly as possible. Then as though she were sharing a great, highly guarded secret, she whispers, “I think Mama can hear nearly as well. At times while you were dancing with Brigid, I got the impression that she was listening to the two of you. Has she become part vampire after being mated to you for all these centuries?” she asks in hushed awe.
Luca shakes his head, “I don’t think so, sweet girl. I just think your Mama is coming into her own. She is a remarkable woman, indeed one scary ass broad,” he chuckles softly, and kisses his daughter’s cheek as the song ends. He hugs her gently and walks her back to the table.
Once they are again seated at the table, Aideen looks from her mother to her father and says, “So I guess we can all agree Mama is S.A.B.?”
Morna and Luca lock gazes, and say, “Definitely.” Then all three chuckle warmly. Breena and Brigid know they have missed out on something of import. Then recognition dawns on Breena’s face and a few seconds later on Brigid’s face. However, both try to keep it from registering on their faces.
Luca stands and says, “Ladies, I beg to take my leave of thee. Would you like for me to walk you lovelies out of this fine establishment? Or do you plan to stay and drink some more?”
They all giggle. Morna finally decides to drink her scotch. She tips it up and the double shot goes down smoothly. “Goody!” she thinks to herself, “By the time I get back to my room, I will have a nice little mini buzz going.”
When they get to the lobby, Luca kisses all four ladies on the forehead. “Goodnight, dear ones. I will see each of you tomorrow.” And he turns on his heel walks out into the night. But he whispers under his breath as he goes, “Perhaps I will get back early enough to try for number seven!” The he chuckles because he’s fairly certain that Morna heard him. If he could see her blushing face he would know that indeed she did.
Brigid hands her slip to the valet, then turns to kiss Morna and Breena goodnight. “I am so happy to see you girls. I’ve missed you both so much!” She hugs them both at once. And then she steps back to allow Aideen to make her goodbyes.
Aideen hugs her mother gently and kisses her on the cheek, “I do love you, Mother,” she whispers.
Morna strokes her daughter’s cheek and says, “I love you too.” And then Aideen turns to hug Breena quickly, and echo Brigid’s sentiments.
The physicians wait for their car as the sisters lock arms and head for Morna’s room after bidding them a good night. They laugh and carry on all the way up in the elevator. When they step out of the elevator, two young men who look very much out of place in such a nice hotel try to herd them back into the elevator.
In a strong, authoritative voice Morna says, “Seriously boys, do you really want to try to pull this crap on me tonight?”
The teenagers hesitate at her tone, and she purrs, “Smart choice,” as she and Breena sail past them. Morna puts her hand out behind her back and holds the boys in a binding spell so that they can’t see what room the women go into.
When they get into the suite, Morna cracks up and says, “Last week, I would have had to settle for a little sarcasm, kicking one of them in the nuts, and breaking the other one’s nose,” she says with a grimace. Breena snickers happily at her sister’s remark.
Morna picks up the hotel phone in the sitting room and asks for security when the desk clerk answers. When security gets on the line, she says, “This is Mrs. Lucian Michaels in room 1112, we spotted two young men, teenagers really, hanging around the elevator, attempting to accost hotel patrons. Would you please deal with that? I am sure they are still near the elevator, if you hurry you might save some poor lady from the fright of her life. Thank you Mr. Thomas, your prompt attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.”
When she hangs up, Breena is laughing nearly hysterically. “Did you see the punk in the hoodie? The look on his face when you asked him if he really wanted to pull this crap on you? It was priceless, he was so shocked. He obviously expected us to be very frightened. How did you learn to do that sister?”
Morna shrugs and says, “Many, many years working in the public school systems, I guess.”
Breena laughs, and says doubtfully, “Yeah, that must be it.” Breena snorts at Morna’s humble attitude. “Bullshit! Once a warrior, always a warrior is the more likely explanation.”
Morna laughs and reminds her sister, “Not so much a warrior the night before last. Before I connected with you I had a run in with two vampires that had tracked Damian down. I didn’t really get very far with them. Luca had to finish them off.”
“Morna, when we were linked, you thought about that. Worried about it actually. But I saw your memory of the incident. You were well on your way to getting back into the swing of things.” Breena laughs and says, “Morna, you impaled one with a lug wrench and shattered the face of the other. You were handling it just fine.”
Morna chuckles and says, “It did feel really good to feel that little snot’s face cave in under my hand.”
They both collapse in laughter on the couches that face each other in the sitting area of the suite. Breena picks up her LED ZEPPLIN knapsack that she had stashed beside the couch she is now sitting on. She pulls an oversized night shirt and a bottle of very good scotch out of her bag. She says, “Okay, I need glasses and a place to change.”
Morna giggles and says, “Bathroom for both.” She cocks her head to listen to the security officers in the hall. They are attempting to question the would-be attackers, Morna waves her hand and releases the binding spell. And then she thinks, “Oh what a difference a week makes.”
When Breena returns in her night shirt and waving 2 glasses and the bottle of scotch. Morna wonders what she might wear to this impromptu slumber party. “Be right back,” she says, “Don’t start without me. I don’t want you to get a better buzz than I do,” she giggles.
She walks into the bedroom wondering what she can wear when she notices a pair of Luca’s boxers on the bed and an A shirt. She smiles at his thoughtfulness, in all things, great and small. She picks them up inhales his spicy, musky, one of a kind scent on them. She sighs, and wishes he were here right now.
She looks down and sees a note on the blanket:
My Darling Morna,
I hope to get home early enough to try for seven or maybe eight tonight. All my love, forever,
Your Luca
Morna chuckles and wonders whether he left the note before they had departed the room or did he sneak up here and leave it, just in case she didn’t hear him. Either way, he is still one very amazing man.
She sniffs the clothes again and then goes into the bathroom and removes her dress and folds it neatly before she strips out of her bra and panties and don Luca‘s boxers and A shirt. She doesn’t want anything to come between her and his scent tonight since he won’t be there. She quickly brushes her teeth and then tosses the lovely golden satin underwear and the folded dress on top of the suitcase as she walks by on the way to rejoin her sister. Then as an afterthought, grabs the pillows off the bed.
When she gets back to the sitting room Breena is sitting cross legged on her sofa. “Let’s get cozy,” she giggles. She tries to discreetly sniff the pillows to determine which one Luca had had his head on the most when Breena starts cracking up.
“Holy cow sister, picking out his scent to cuddle up with for the night?”
Morna blushes, and says, “Girl, you just don’t even know…”
Breena smiles broadly, “Someday I would like to find out… er not with Luca.. Er you know what I mean.” she stammers as she blushes profusely.
“Relax Breena, I know you don’t have the hots for Luca. He’s your brother. Now Damian on the other hand, you might make that jump, huh?” Breena blushes yet again and Morna knows she has hit on the truth. She can’t help herself and decides to tease a little more. “But you know I have kind of adopted him. It might feel a little incestuous…” she says with a smirk. “Seriously though, I think he might be a
n amazing young man, but the jury is still out on his ability to control himself in very close contact with humans. I guess time will tell. You could always take him for a roll in the hay after you wove an iron-lion, but it detracts considerably from the experience, in my opinion.”
Breena laughs and says, “Well I think you might be the resident expert on the subject,” she rolls her eyes and offers her sister a drink.
Morna accepts her cup with two fingers of scotch in it, takes a sip and says, “I need some food if I am going to drink any more of this stuff. You want some nachos or something?”
“Nachos sound awesome. Too bad you weren’t around when I went through my pot smoking phase,” she laughs, “I bet you would be a real hoot high.”
Morna laughs, and says, “Well I had my pot smoking phase too, in college.” She shrugs. They both laugh at that. Morna because she can’t believe what a wild child she was in college, and Breena because she has a hard time imagining her warrior sister high.
Then Morna picks up the phone and asks for room service. “Could we possibly get a large order of nachos, enough for two people?” She covers the mouth piece, and asks “Jalapenos?” Breena shakes her head no. Morna uncovers the mouth piece and says, “Only on half please. She looks at Breena sour cream and guac? She nods in the affirmative. “Yes on the full order please. Oh and two can cokes please and perhaps a bucket of ice. Thank you, yes this is for room 1112, Mrs. Lucian Michaels.”
“Well hell,” Morna mutters, “That’s twice I have thrown that name around tonight like it belongs to me, I guess I should go ahead and do something about it.”
Breena chuckles and says, “That name has belonged to you since before there was a Chicago.”
“I know but Luca asked me about renewing our vows on Thursday and I hedged.”
“What!?!” sputters Breena.
“Well, I was feeling like it might be disrespectful to my babies if I so obviously got on with a new life so soon after they died. I don’t know.” Morna rubs her face tiredly. She looks at her sister and decides that it would be good to get the truth off of her chest. “It’s like I don’t believe I deserve anything good, ever again. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed with guilt when I look at him and feel our love rise up in me like a tidal wave. It’s really confusing, painful at times, utterly overwhelming,” she admits.