by Yirak, Laura
“What is wrong with us? Two good guys here and look at us, scared shiteless.”
An alarm sounded.
“That’s me, got to take care of that.” Monica got up. “If we don’t get a chance to blether again, I’ll see you for your party. God, I canny wait. You know you don‘t even look a year older. It‘s all in the skin cream isn‘t it? You‘ll have to give me your secret.”
“Sure and yes! I’ll see you and the ball. Dress to impress!”
“Aye!” Monica skipped off and Alesta finished up some charting spending the rest of her shift just as busy as it had started.
The gown just needed a little this and a little that. Judy spun around after the seamstress finished it up.
“My arms,” Judy said.
“Oh Mum, we can put makeup on, they’re just small scratches. I can’t believe you did all that gardening,” Cara said.
“It was silly really; don’t know what I was thinking trying to get into that hedge.”
“Some bloody hedge.” Cara raised her brow.
“Right, next!” The seamstress interrupted, she seemed as though she was in a hurry.
“Oh! It’s my turn, the color is…..oh my.” Cara pulled the dress on and it fit like a glove, prefect.
“This one looks good, no alterations. Let me see the back again.” Ira tugged just a little at the bottom of the zipper on her side to ease out the crease, ‘There!”
Dark red suited Cara perfectly.
“Now all I need is the right lipstick.”
“You can look through my makeup if you want,” Judy offered.
“Mum, you don’t wear much.”
“I did at the church, there in the bathroom, third drawer down, I’m sure you’ll find something.”
“Let me take this off first, makes me nervous.” Cara noticed Ira giving her an eye of disapproval, “Wouldn’t want to get it stained or…..”
“You both look stunning and I will be going now. Thank you for the tea Judy…..Cara.” Ira nodded.
The two couldn’t thank Ira enough before she finally left. The woman was in high demand.
Cara looked through all the colors, trying some reds and browns, she settled on a sparkled wine, “I like this one.”
“Yes, that one looks just right, you can keep that one.”
“Thanks.” Cara put the lipstick in her little black purse.
“Mum?”
Judy was tucking her dress neatly into its wrapper. “Yes.”
“I was thinking.”
“Uh huh?”
“You said I could meet Dad, when exactly?”
Judy turned to face Cara, “When I’m ready and I’m not yet.”
“But I want to meet him. I’ve seen him about the High Street.”
“Cara, please don’t do this.”
“It’s so hard for me not to just go up to him and tell him, I want him to know, I’ve almost done it twice now.”
“Oh Cara.” Judy sat on the bed, rubbing her head as if it was sore.
“Mum?”
“It’s not the right time yet, we have to wait. I want it to be perfect when we do it and we can do it together, but not now.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know why, that is what I feel. There’s no way for me to explain it.”
“Well…..I guess…..”
“Cara? Try and be patient with me.”
“Be patient with you, you’re denying me my father.”
“Oh pet.”
“No. My whole life I wanted a father and now I have one.”
“Yes, you do, but please, just reason with me here. We will meet him, you will meet him soon. I promise you that just let me get settled more into my new life here and you as well before we go stirring the pot. That is all I am asking please?”
“Yeah, I suppose I hadn’t thought…..”
“This is a big deal; we have to take it slow.”
Cara mulled over the not so subtle request and went into the bathroom to try on the wine lipstick again. She looked at herself in the mirror, noticing that one stand out scar on her chin from when she’d fell as a child. It was a childhood spent with no father, though she hadn’t completely noticed his absence. The whole idea of a father was more like a fantasy at that age, like pretending to be a princess or an astronaut.
“Okay,” she called out from the bathroom. “I can wait, but don’t make me wait too long Mum.”
“I won’t. I promise.” Judy tucked her dress away in the closet.
“You know Mum?”
“Yes?”
“Maybe we can get you some long gloves to wear with your dress to cover up your arms.”
“I like that idea.” Judy was relieved.
Roses were everywhere in light candle light.
“I’ve never seen so many red roses, all different shades.” Alesta took the fragrance in as it was everywhere like a light blanket, so fresh, so alive.
“They are for you on your birthday. Happy Birthday meine liebe.”
She came from her coffin in usual black silk garbs.
“So lovely, how did you do all this?”
“It’s a secret.” Nicholas came to her and gave her a long embrace.
“I’m stunned. Look at them.” Alesta walked around her coffin room and ran her fingers over them. She picked up the darkest rose; it stood out to her more than any other and ran her finger down the stem to one lonely thorn. “Sharp!”
It was a perfect in all shape and form. Nicholas moved his arms and all the candles blew out. The rose sparkled, a deep glowing red against her shades of blue night vision.
“How’d you make it do that? Wow!” she carried it with her, placing it beneath her nose, then feeling the soft petals against her face.
“So soft, so smooth…..I can’t believe it’s tonight,” she said.
“The ball?”
“Yes.”
“About that.” Nicholas paused.
“What, what is it? Don’t tell me something is wrong.”
“No, no, everything is fine, everything is right.”
“Then what?”
“I won’t be there.”
“Huh?” Alesta pressed her finger on the thorn again, a little firmer this time.
“It’s time for me to go.”
Alesta‘s mouth fell open, “But…..You’re leaving?”
“Yes.”
“But it’s only a few hours away.”
“I know.”
Nicholas came closer to her and put his arms around her, Alesta had a single tear run down her cheek, “There, there. I know. I know. But you need to be alone now with your friends, your family. I have stayed long enough.”
“But I need you.” She pushed her head into his chest.
“No. You are okay now. You’re safe meine liebe.”
“Tell me why, the real reason.” She gave him a long look wanting for the truth.
“You need to go to him.”
It was all Nicholas was going to say about it.
“I see.”
The two stood together enjoying their moment as it would be a while before she saw him again, that she knew. That was how it always was with Nicholas.
“I’ll miss you. Thank you for everything,” she said. She looked up at him, his hazel eyes, his beautiful face and kissed him.
“I love you,” he whispered with a light German accent and tucked her hair behind her ear.
Alesta pulled on her black silken robe and held his hand as they made their way to his red Ferrari. There were people bustling around, caterers and the like getting ready for the big event. But the bustle wasn’t even noticed by the two vampires who stood as one in the cool spring night. They hugged one last time and he got into his red stallion leaving behind Alesta and her little Manor House.
“This dress. I feel like I’m stuck.” Judy giggled about a bit. “I can barely bend over in it.” She looked out the window down at the bustle.
“You look elegant and anyways, do you really ne
ed to be doing any bending? I mean seriously,” Patrick said, and then decided to adjust his tux collar a little. Judy’s anxiety was beginning to spread.
“I’m a ball of nerves, never been to anything so fancy.” Judy took off her long black gloves just to get a little relief.
“We don’t have to do a thing, just watch and welcome the guests when they arrive.” He held on tight to his gift, perfectly wrapped in gold wrapper, with a shiny green bow.
The library was quiet for the two of them as they both came away from the window scene and sat in the big chairs.
“I feel like I need to be down there doing something. Cara isn’t even here yet. I asked her to come early. Maybe she’s run into to trouble, maybe something has happened to her dress, or traffic, or…..”
“I’m sure she’s all right,” Patrick said calmly.
“How many are coming again?” Judy asked putting her gloves back and then taking off her beautiful silver hat.
Patrick just watched her fidget, then decided he couldn’t watch anymore, “Fifty about.”
“Fifty people! My…..Seems like a lot.”
“I think we invited seventy five, but some couldn’t make it. It’s good we are vacant.”
“Yeah how did that happen anyway?” Judy continued moving in some manner, but Patrick kept his eyes elsewhere.
“Alesta told me just to tell people we were full. So those who did call booked for next weekend, which will be busy.”
“Oh I canny think that far ahead….. Where IS she?” Judy was by the window looking out again. “I’m going downstairs. I need to do something. This waiting isn’t for me.” She made her way out.
“I can tell. Watch yourself.” Patrick called out, waited a few seconds then got up to go after her but Judy was already going down the stairs, he made his way to the end of the hallway window instead.
The view of Alesta’s house wasn’t as good as it was from his bedroom, but he could tell that her bedroom light was on. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He wanted to go over there but held back his urge. How badly he wanted to.
Downstairs was very busy but the Great Hall was stunning, the floor was open with seating around the edges, except one long wall were there was a table open waiting for hors d'oeuvres, and the champagne fountain to be filled. Big glorious bundles of white lilies were beautifully placed around in the mix, with all the old candle lanterns lit around the top of the hall. There was a spot open with some chairs for the band that hadn’t arrived yet and meanwhile all the smells oozing from the kitchen made Judy want to go in and bust out a plate. She sucked in her stomach as she had second thoughts about doing that and instead found herself sitting in the living room with a light fire going.
Judy was stunned at all the work that had been done without her, but figured she was happy to have the night off instead.
“Mum?”
Judy turned her head away from the fire to see Cara, her lovely short haired blonde looking so exquisite, “Oh!!!!! Look at you!”
Cara gave her the biggest smile, “And you!”
“You have gloves too?” Judy looked at Cara’s black set.
“Aye, didn’t want to leave you feeling alone.”
“Oh, you didny need to!” Judy gave her a hug.
“I did too,” Cara said.
“Look at us, who’d have thought?”
“I know it Mum.”
“Come, let’s go walk about or something, I’m full of nerves.”
“Me too,” Cara said. “Me too.”
Cara and Judy watched and greeted as the guests began to arrive, the champagne fountain flowed, the light classical musical started, the waiters made their rounds and everyone mingled in warm ambiance, with no Patrick or Alesta to be seen.
“Where are they? Those two,” Judy repeated for the third time to Cara who couldn’t take her eyes away from one handsome gentleman who just happened to be not wearing a ring. She looked away as he turned her direction.
“Uh…..well…..Maybe they’re around.” Cara dared to scan the room, making sure not to look at the gentleman who she felt was looking at her, but she didn’t want to even know, she was so terrible with this sort of thing. “See…..There‘s a dark tall figure outside. Maybe it’s him”
“Patrick, just like him to be out in the cold,” Judy said. “Away from it all.”
Cara couldn’t concentrate as the man had just given her a smile. She blushed, “Oh God Mum.”
“What? What?” Judy accepted a glass of wine from one of the waiters.
“Mum, shhhhhh!”
“What?”
“Oh Mum, I’ll be over there.” Was all Cara said, and Judy watched as a rather handsome gentleman went to speak to her stunning-in-red daughter in front of the big table of food.
Judy just tilted her head to watch and took a big sip.
“Patrick, Patrick, I see you’re being antisocial.”
He felt a tap on his shoulder.
“Monica…..and Thomas!”
Patrick looked at the two of them, Monica in a long pink metallic fitted dress and Thomas in a black tux.
“Hello,” Patrick said.
“Hello to you too. What are you doing out here all alone? It‘s so cold,” Monica said teasingly, she couldn’t help herself. Thomas gave her a disapproving nudge which was not noticed by Patrick.
“I’m enjoying the air.”
“Well you should come inside and dance.”
“I will, I will. Soon enough.” Patrick said it though he preferred not to.
“Where’s Alesta?” Thomas asked.
“I’m not sure. Havny seen her.”
“Well she is the star of the night. A fashionably late one I guess.” Monica looked down at her silver watch.
“She’ll be here,” Patrick said. “Go and enjoy yourselves, there’s plenty. Drink and have a ball.”
They both laughed.
“We will.” Taking the hint they left Patrick to himself.
It was all he wanted just then to be alone, to enjoy the night, cloudy and clear as it was, with the moon peaking out here and there, the loch looking like black glass and the sound of people and music all mixed together in a low murmur behind him. It was perfect though it was missing just one thing, just one person.
He caught a gleam of blue eyes coming his way.
“Alesta?” he said quietly though he knew she could hear him.
The closer she got the more his stomach tightened up, she was wearing a fitted silk dress a shade of green similar to the one in his gift for her and her hair was half up and half down, loosely curled. He was surprised. How did she know? But she didn’t was all he knew.
“Alesta! You look so beautiful.”
She smiled, “Thank you.”
“It’s not too wet out, is it? You don’t look like you just walked across all that muddy grass.”
“I have my ways.”
“I’m sure you do. Anyways, you look great.” Patrick took a glance at the big gold-laden emerald rock she had dangling on her chest, but looked no further.
She noticeably eyed him up, “And you do too. I knew you’d look handsome in a tux.”
Patrick put his finger to his collar as if it was tight, though it wasn’t. His earlier tension eased back in.
Alesta approached him, “Do you mind?”
She leaned close into his neck and moved his collar just a little to check the bite mark she had delivered to him in her wild hunger. It was healing well, though the edges were rough. Patrick wanted so badly to just grab her there, but looked at her slim backline instead. Her dress was cut so low that it hit on the small of her back. He took in a deep breath.
“You okay there?” she asked.
“Yes, yes I am.” They faced each other closely. “I have a gift for you.”
“You do?”
“Yes. Would you like to open it? It is your birthday isn‘t it?”
“Yes, my vampire birthday. Today‘s the day I became who I am now.”
<
br /> “Really?”
“Yes, it’s the only birthday I celebrate.”
Patrick presented the gift, “Well…..open it.”
Alesta was pleased, not expecting anything.
The gold wrapping was quickly removed to reveal Alesta gracefully sitting at her chocolate grand piano in a stunning green dress.
“You drew this?”
“I did,” he said. “Oil pastels.”
“Wow. I had no idea.”
“Well it took a while. I’m a bit of a perfectionist sometimes.”
“I’d say, you are. It is perfect! And the dress!”
“Funny isn’t it.”
Alesta couldn’t stop smiling, “I love it. I’ll hang it up in my bedroom. Wow.” She carefully wrapped it back up and leaned it against one of the outdoor tables and came back to him to give him a big hug.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he said.
The two embraced each other as they had wanted to forever and held it there, she leaned her head on him and he just held her. Nothing else existed there in that moment, just them under the stars.
“I love you,” he whispered.
She looked up at him, he down at her.
“Oh Patrick! I love you too!” she whispered back.
He leaned closer into her and lifted up her chin. They looked at each other a long moment, then he kissed her. A long soft kiss with hearts beating fast and bodies held tight. It was everything they wanted and more, emotions felt just once in a lifetime.
“I don’t want to go in there,” she said when they finally parted.
“Neither do I,” Patrick said still holding his Alesta.
“Lets not,” she said.
“You sure?” he asked.
“Yes. Come with me?” she looked towards her house.
Patrick knew exactly what she had in mind, “Anything for the Birthday Girl.”
Other works by Laura Yirak:
Children’s Books
The Adventures of Be Boo & Dolly, Indoors
The Adventures of Be Boo & Dolly, Outdoors
The Adventures of Be Boo & Dolly, Seasons