Bloody Vows

by J. E Hanson

  Brannon nudges me out the door, “I know for a bloody fact that you wenches are worried about Christian cutting you off from Hunter Enterprises. Christian and Joey are making many deals together, and they are simply leaving you two in the dust. You are intimidated, because the moment they declare ‘I do’s,’ it will cut you off from Christian’s business dealings. You wenches stand more to lose than what you let on. You should inform Jeannie about all your engagement plans to Christian that blew up in your face, Tracy. Why not tell her about the hopes you had for Christian to marry you? Go on, and tell Jeannie how you booked a church in advance for a wedding Christian never wanted.”

  Tracy stammers to speak, “You… you… you don’t know what you are talking about Brannon! This is so stupid! Christian, having those stupid daughter dreams of his! I almost had his crazy idea forgotten until this abomination shows up!”

  Brannon scoffs and he pushes me towards the door again, “The only problem is that Chris, and Jeannie did have a baby together. They are linked forever to each other over their loss. You can try your little bullshit mind games that you wenches always play. Chris has always had feelings for Jeannie. She is not an abomination either. It is my honor to protect her from gold digging whores such as yourselves. Oh… and don’t forget. You two were once paid whores. Ian still has those video tapes, if you want to keep this up.”

  Brannon is certainly older. He nudges me out of the room again. I mumble loud enough for them to hear me, “I am really sick and tired of those two twat waffles!”

  Ian giggles a little bit, as he escorts me inside the hallway, “I have got to remember twat waffles! That is a classic, chick!”

  “If you two don’t mind, I need to use the restroom for a quick moment.”

  Ian points at his station outside the bathroom, “I am listening in, and if I hear so much as a shuffle, I am running in.”

  I will already be late for my next class anyway. I need to use the bathroom to regain my composure, and fix my makeup. I am okay until the memory of losing my baby flashes in my mind. The memories make me completely lose it. These memories haunt me terribly. I want my baby badly. I have good days and bad days. Today is one of those bad days. I stare at my reflection in the mirror. The flashbacks quickly commence. I remember the torture of what Reno and Khan put me through in February. I try to focus on Tanya’s baby shower, but my heart is still breaking. The tears stream bloody droplets down my cheeks. The memories are extremely painful to remember. I haven’t had any dreams of my daughter Feather, in a while now. My lunch returns to the toilet. The pain wraps inside my stomach just pounding away. It hurts to swallow and breathe. Ian has the best hearing in the world, because he runs inside the bathroom just as he promises, “Are you okay, Princess?”

  My mind replays all the horror scenes in my mind. I remember walking inside my kitchen in my original home in Berry, Kentucky to find both my parents dismantled into pieces. Despite everything we have been through, Ava turned her back on me. She never even cared about the murders of our parents. She definitely never cared about me either. She kicked my stomach, and she kept me prisoner. She wanted to kill me, and she almost did. My heart continues to break from her betrayal. All I can do is throw up from all her vicious lies and deceit. I weep in sadness, because I am so angry with her!

  Ian hands me a few napkins, “Let me take you home, Princess. I am so sorry that you had to deal with those bitches. The last thing you need is stress. Christian should have warned you.”

  Brannon and Ian help me out of the bathroom. He picks me up in his arms, and he carries me to the car. Brannon slides inside the driver’s seat. Ian keeps me close to him, while I cry out in agony from my heartbreak. Brannon rushes through the winding roads, as I continue to throw up from anxiety. I am so lucky that there is a bag to throw up in right now. He holds my hair back for me.

  “We are almost home, chick. We will get you there in a few minutes.”

  Brannon pulls in front of the castle, screeching my tires to an abrupt stop. Christian bolts to my car immediately knowing that something is wrong with me, “What happened at school today?”

  Ian pulls me out of the car, and he carries me in his arms, “Jeannie had a bad day today. Rosalie and Ember got into a car accident this morning. Not to mention your fucking ex-girlfriend happens to show up at her fifth period class. They cornered your girl. I think the stress finally took a toll on her today.”

  Christian takes me out of Ian’s arms, and he carries me to his bedroom. He places me on the bed. Sophia hands him cold towels. I stop sobbing long enough for him to clean my face off. My first reaction is to mash my lips against him fiercely, and hold on to him tightly. He purposely centers my mind to think about something else.

  Christian pecks my cheek, “I have to ask for your opinion on wedding invitations. We need to make this decision quickly, so we can send them off.”

  I snap out of it, and back into reality. I stop remembering all the horrors I have been through, and the mourning of our baby. I don’t feel like fighting with him, so I go along. I have a wedding to plan, “I am sorry Chris, and I just lost it!”

  He covers my mouth with his hand, “You have nothing to be sorry for. I am here, and I love you very much. Now please help me pick out the right invitation. I am beyond frustrated by this point.”

  He holds out his hand, and I follow him downstairs. We make it inside the enormous library. He has a table full of invitations, wedding cake samples, and flower brochures. I realize the wedding coordinator who stands there appears equally frustrated too. I calmly review all the wedding invitation samples, and then point to the gold with cream one. It has beautiful gold calligraphy, “I like this one the best.”

  He relaxes, “I was hoping you would pick that one. I had a hard time trying to figure out which one you would like the best. I should have waited until you came home today. I am learning about this, as I go along.”

  I pick out the floral arrangement, but I am stuck on choosing a cake. It is time to call Rosalie in for this one, “How are you doing, Rosalie?”

  She takes a few minutes, and then she finally speaks to me again, “I am not mad at you, if that is what you are worried about. I realize you were looking out for the both of us. Thank you, Jeannie. My husband will never let me touch another vehicle ever again. I guess you were right.”

  I stop everything, “How is Ember doing? How are your babies doing?”

  I can hear munching and crunching in the background. Rosalie sounds like she is about to vomit soon. I can hear her taking gulps, “Ember is eating a buffet right now. Both of our babies are doing just fine. They performed ultrasounds on our beans to see that everything is still intact. They even monitored our glowing bellies most of the day today, and we are both okay. We need to escape for a while. We don’t want to be alone. Are you busy at the moment?”

  I study Christian, “I actually need your opinion with deciding a few things, if that is okay with you.”

  Before I could hang up the phone, Rosalie and Ember are already inside our library. They are standing there staring at me. Rosalie ends the phone call. All three of us could pass for triplets. Ember has the green, Rosalie has the blue, and I have chestnut eyes. I have lowlights in my hair with a few raven curls in a ponytail. Ember’s hair is thicker, but straight crimson hair. Rosalie has thinner hair than mine. I notice that she is wearing a pair of ivory shorts, tennis shoes, with a canary shirt. She walks over to me, and then she hugs me, “I am sorry for snapping at you earlier. You did the right thing by telling my husband. I understand you were just looking out for us both. Thank you, Jeannie. So… what are you struggling with?”

  I show her swatches of decorations, cake samples, and different floral arrangements. Rosalie grins, and she picks out the crimson roses for the bridesmaids, but for me she picks out the ivory roses.

  Susan the wedding coordinator has relief on her face, “Maybe we can ask for their opinion?”

  Ember tastes all the samples of cakes, “I
would go with the strawberry cream cake. That one is really tasty.”

  “If you keep eating the way you have been eating, you will be huge,” Rosalie picks on Ember.

  Ember growls at Rosalie when she tries to take the chocolate custard pie away from her, “I don’t care! This one tastes good too! I am so sorry that you are puking up every five minutes. It sucks to be you!”

  “You are a real witch today!”

  Ember picks a fight with Rosalie, “Well, if you never wrecked your car today… maybe just maybe, I would not be so cranky! Now I have Gabriel up my ass! Thanks a lot ROS-A-LIE!”

  “What exactly happened at school today? I feel like I am the last one to know,” Christian purposely intervenes.

  “Rosalie hit the gas pedal instead of the brakes, and she rammed her car into a light pole today. I also had to deal with your ex-girlfriend, and her issues with our engagement.” I reminded him.

  Rosalie glances at Ember with sorrow, “I am truly sorry, and I will never drive again.”

  Ember sighs, and she finally hugs Rosalie, “I am sorry for snapping. I seem to be short with everyone these days.”

  Christian peers over at me. I can tell that he is debating on whether to call Joey or not. He walks over to Rosalie instead, “I know you are upset with yourself, but accidents happen all the time. The good thing is that all parties involved are okay. Your husband has concerns for your safety. I am positive Gabriel and Joseph will relax now. On the other hand Rosalie, I am surprised to see you here without Joseph though.”

  Rosalie has a guilty expression on her face, “I told Joey that I would be a good patient and stay home, but I can no longer sit still either.”

  Christian chuckles, “I can see why Joey has his hands full with you now. Joey loves you very much, and he has never been that way with any woman. He has brought others around, but he has never showed as much interest—or protection as he does with you. I will hold off on making that phone call, but please be aware that your husband will be upset, for going against his wishes. If I were you, I would call him right this instant, and tell him where you are.”

  Rosalie takes her cell phone out, “Joey, I know you are busy, but I chose to visit Jeannie. I am sorry for going against you, but I have to talk to her. I am here at their house.”

  Joey appears out of thin air. He ends their telephone conversation not verbalizing one word to her. He carefully walks over to Rosalie, and hugs her, “I love you Rosalie, but your safety is the most important thing to me. It would crush me, if something bad happens to you. You barely tapped the front end of the car, babe. I am thankful that Ember and you are both okay. I am relieved that your pregnancies are still intact. I know staying still is not your strongest suit, but you need rest.”

  Joey picks her up, and he pulls her to his lap, holding her tightly. He quickly pecks her cheek with his lips.

  Ian strolls over to Rosalie, and he takes his shades off, “You are lucky to have such a wonderful husband like Joe. I have been around these men long enough to know that they love you chicks. I don’t blame them for putting all of you in a glass cage to keep you all safe. I would sure as heck do that if I were lucky enough to have a chick like you.”

  Rosalie grins, and she is happy for a change. The guilt finally diminishes.

  I walk over to Rosalie, and squat down, “I believe all three of us are incredibly lucky.”

  She glances at me, “I know we are, and thank you Jeannie.” She lifts her head to Joey, “Are you still mad at me?”

  He shook his head no, “I am madly in love with you. I know your reasons for why you snuck a car out.” He pauses, because Rosalie swells up in tears, “Please stop crying babe. Both of you girls are safe. I am sure Gabriel is also counting his lucky stars too.”

  I appreciate the fact at how happily married they are. I want us to be just like Rosalie and Joey. Gabriel shows up a few minutes later, and he hugs Ember. His face displays pure bliss, as he stares at his wife, and he rubs her stomach, “Are you hungry, baby?”

  “When is she not hungry?” Rosalie teases Ember.

  Joey tilts his head to the side, “That really was not a nice thing to say, Rosalie.”

  Gabriel kisses Ember’s lips, and faces all of us, “My mom also had a healthy appetite when she was pregnant with Gadriel. I would not be surprised if she is carrying our son.”

  Joey shakes his head, “I apologize for my wife’s rude attitude. She struggles with eating as of late. Even with my mom’s concoction, she still throws up around the clock. She has been a lot testier too.”

  “That sounds like you are having a girl from all those ‘old wives’ tales,” I tease Rosalie.

  She throws her hands up in the air, “You see! Even Jeannie believes in those ‘old wives’ tales! I bet that we are having a girl!”

  Joey has an epiphany, “Okay… if these ‘old wives’ tales are true, I will buy you anything you want within reason. If our baby is a boy, you will let me put in a man cave in all our basements without any complaints.”

  Rosalie scoffs, “I have this in the bag! You have a deal, Mr. Cirrus! I am sure we are having a girl.”

  Joey shakes her hand, “You just make sure you meet me by the altar this Saturday, Mrs. Cirrus. Our boy will reveal his scent to us quickly. We have never had a girl in the last five Cirrus generations, so this will be an easy win for me.”

  Ian and Zane immediately thought of their next bets. Ian grins at Zane, “I bet you a thousand dollars that Rosalie is having a girl and Ember is having a boy.”

  Zane shook his hand, “I will take that bet. I bet a thousand that Rosalie is having a boy and Ember is also having a boy.”

  Erik takes out his wallet, and a large envelope, “Time to place your bets gentlemen. I have been around long enough to know who is carrying what sex. I will also side with Ian on this one. Rosalie is carrying a girl and Ember is carrying a boy. Willow will hold all the money for us. We will each bet one thousand dollars. If we guess one right, and the other sex wrong. Then we only pay five hundred dollars. We will do things a little differently. The loser will pay their money to the babies. This will be a great way to kick off their college funds.”

  Christian grins, and he takes out his wallet, “I like that idea, Erik. I will also side with Ian and Erik.”

  Alexander studies both of them, “I suggest Ember is carrying a boy and Rosalie is carrying a boy also.”

  Sam walks over, “May I feel?”

  They give him approval, “No, they are both having a girl.”

  Leo, Brennan, and Tommy follow Sam’s votes. Ian, Erik, Christian, and Charlie are going with the idea of Rosalie is carrying a girl and Ember is carrying a boy. Alexander and Zane vote that they are both carrying boys. Brannon and Louie are backwards. They believe Ember is carrying a girl and Rosalie is carrying a boy. It feels bad not to be included in the bet. My heart wants them to bet for our child. They are giggling, and carrying on about their pregnancies. It felt awkward, and out of place. Christian stops, and he studies me carefully. His face changes instantly when he notices mine.

  He walks over, and he hugs me, “I love you, Jeannie. We will have one of our own one of these days.”

  “I am so sorry, Jeannie! How about we pick out more floral arrangements for your wedding,” Rosalie changes the subject.

  Joey and Gabriel congratulate Christian on our engagement. The rest of the Enforcers feel bad for us. Since we began to have sex again, I am secretly trying to become pregnant. We are at the end of September with no positive pregnancy test either.

  Rosalie helps me pick out a few centerpieces for the tables. The men chose to talk about politics. She helps me with dresses, and more fabric swatches. Ember and Gabriel left just now, so she can eat dinner.

  Rosalie clasps her hands on my face, “You need to pick out your wedding dress. I will take you shopping soon. We need to have your dress ready.”

  An anxious gulp forms in my throat, as she snickers, “You made that same exact gulp as me. T
rust me… once you pick out the dress, then everything else will fall into place. The sooner you have this wedding, the more you can focus on other things—like your honeymoon.”

  “We need to make sure she makes it down the aisle, and not turn her into a runaway bride. You are scaring the poor thing to death, babe!” Joey teases.

  She tosses her hair over her shoulder, “That is the most important part! Unlike other men, I will not mention any names, but he forgot that other important detail.”

  “Babe, I promise you that I did not forget about our honeymoon. I refuse to tell you where we are going, because it will no longer be a surprise. Leave this minor detail to Christian. He can figure that one out for himself.”

  Rosalie winks at me, “Men! You guys are simply impossible!”

  Joey snorts, “You are the one who is impossible, Rosalie. I love you too, babe.”

  She points at the samples. I agree with her, “You will still be a bridesmaid at my wedding right?”

  “Of course! You have to be my bridesmaid in return. Thank you for including me, as one of your bridesmaids. Oh, Tanya sent us baby shower invitations the following weekend. Do you want to go?”

  Rosalie held up her finger, “Let me call Ember, and inform her. Of course I want to go to Tanya’s baby shower.”

  Christian cocks his head to the side, “Are you sure you want to go? You girls will be in werewolf alley. You need to be prepared for the way they do things over there.”

  “Ember reports that she can make it next weekend too. For goodness sake, it is just a harmless baby shower. They play games there, and sometimes they award prizes. How different can their customs be from ours? It is not as if she is giving birth right there on the spot you know.”

  Joey covers his face with his hands snickering, “Werewolves are an odd bunch. They are not like Christian, Gabriel—or our kind. Remain on your guard with them. Their marriage rituals are highly unusual too.”