We both laughed.
“I have company coming tomorrow. We’ll get as much done as we can tonight.”
“Who’s coming, Jess?” Malinda asked.
“Relatives of Tony’s and they are from England. You’re going to love Abigail. She’s the sweetest.”
“When will I meet her?” Malinda asked.
“Soon, but let’s get back to your dress.”
I cut the material according to the pattern. Pinning it on Malinda was a perfect fit. Sewing the bodice and sleeves took longer than I thought because of the satin material Malinda had chosen. One slip and the dress would be ruined. By six we had the dress fitting the way she wanted and called it quits.
“One nice thing about you making my dress, Mike won’t get to see it until I walk down the aisle.”
“Have you picked a date?” I asked sewing on the last sleeve.
“Not really, but we’re thinking maybe October. The baby isn’t due until December and that will give us a little time to prepare for the baby’s arrival.”
“At least we made room for the baby with your dress,” I patted her stomach.
“Are you and Tony going to have one?”
“Someday we plan too. Right now we’re busy with the blood bank for it to be a consideration. We want to make sure it’s running properly and the client base is going full swing.”
“Yeah, that is a full time job.”
Malinda and I made our way to the kitchen. We made nachos. At least Tony couldn’t say I didn’t eat.
“I forgot to tell you, Jess. I’m moving to the dayshift and so is Mike. He’s working your shift now.”
“Maybe now I’ll be able to visit you.”
“Same here Jess. Anyway, I need to go. Have fun with your company and I’ll come back to finish my dress and veil.”
“Okay. I’ll see you later,” I said walking Malinda to her car.
Tony came home shortly after Malinda left.
“Did you get much done?” he asked.
“A lot, but it’s time for bed.”
“I agree.”
We both headed to the bedroom.
Chapter Eighteen
Jason texted to let me know him and Abigail were in New York about to board their flight to Oregon. They would arrive late in Portland.
Tony and I spent our last day for a while at the blood bank. My desk finally looked like a desk with all the paperwork done. I wasn’t going to think about how it would look when I got back.
We arrived at the airport an hour before Jason and Abigail’s plane landed. Tony and I waited at arrivals and watched their plane land. We spotted Jason coming up the ramp with Abigail trailing him. Jason saw us, pointed and said something to Abigail. She peered around him and her face lit like Christmas.
“Hello Tony,” Jason said shaking his hand. “Jess,” Jason nodded.
“Jessica,” Abigail squealed. “I’m here. I’m really here,” she said giving me a hug.
Tony and Jason loaded the car.
Abigail and Jason stared out the window on the ride home. Instead of taking them to Tony’s we took them to our house.
“This is where you live?” Abigail asked.
“Yes. The house we past is Tony’s. That’s where you and Jason are staying.”
“Wow! And no one else lives on this street?”
“No one else,” I answered.
“Why aren’t we staying with you?” Abigail asked.
“We all need privacy, Abbey,” Jason told her.
We stayed up until dawn talking. Tony and I walked Jason and Abigail to Tony’s. After they were settled, Tony and I went home and to bed.
Mike dropped Malinda at the house to finish working on her wedding dress.
“Abigail, this is my best friend Malinda,” I introduced them. “I’m making Malinda’s wedding dress, would you like to help?”
“Oh! You make dresses? Can you make me one?”
“I do, but one dress at a time.”
Abigail grinned.
“Jess, Jason and I are going to Portland,” Tony said, taking me to the kitchen. “I’m showing him the business and pick up extra bags for them. We’ll be back later.”
“Take your time. We’ll be working on Malinda’s dress. We might even get it done.”
“I love you,” Tony said and then pulled me to him, lightly running his lips along my neck before going to my lips.
“I love you,” I said after the kiss.
“With the three of us, we might get this dress finished today.”
Tony gave me one last kiss before he headed out the door with Jason.
“Abigail, I’d like to show you my wedding dress I made.”
Malinda, Abigail and I went to the spare bedroom. Opening the closet, I took my wedding dress from the bag.
“Jess, you made this? It’s pretty,” Abigail said holding the trail.
“Try it on, Abigail. I’d like to see if it fits.”
Abigail stripped in front of us and tried on the dress.
“It fits, Jess,” she squealed.
“It’s the dress I made for my wedding, but now it’s yours.”
“Really, I can have it?”
“Yes and you’re going to be the best looking bride at your wedding.”
“Oh, Jess. You’ve made me the happiest girl.”
“When are you and Jason getting married?” Malinda asked.
Abigail and I looked at each other. “We haven’t set a date,” she pouted.
“It doesn’t matter. You’ll be ready when you decide,” I added.
“I will, won’t I?”
The three of us went to work on Malinda’s wedding dress. Malinda and I taught Abigail to sew on sequins and lace by hand. We worked all day on the dress. The veil was easy. Malinda wanted the hair band showing with the material attached to the bottom. Abigail enjoyed working on the veil. Around six in the evening, Malinda’s dress and veil were done.
“Abigail, we are going to the diner for supper. You be on your best behavior,”
I said.
“Jess, should I go?”
“Yes, and you’ll do just fine. Follow me.”
I took Abigail into the kitchen and handed her one of Tony’s flask. “Drink up and bring one along.”
Malinda was in shock. “What’s she drinking?”
“Her supper,” was all I said.
Abigail stared out the window and asked a million questions about all the businesses, cars, dogs, cats, etc. She hadn’t seen anything but her parent’s house, and the basement. Malinda and I happily answered every question.
Tony and Jason were home when we arrived back at the house. Abigail took off for the house, but I stopped her.
“Abigail, slow down.”
She giggled. “I forgot, but I have to tell Jason all about today. He won’t believe it.”
Malinda and I stayed at the car.
“Okay, what gives about her?” Malinda asked.
“You won’t believe me if I tell you,” I said, smugly.
“Try me?”
“She’s a vampire!”
Malinda laughed and said, “You’re pulling my leg.”
All I said was, “Am I?” and walked into the house with Malinda on my heels.
Abigail and Jason snuggled on the sofa. They were discussing one another’s day. Tony relaxed in his recliner and Malinda and I went to the kitchen. Malinda called Mike to pick her up. I poured us a cup of coffee.
“I can’t thank you enough for making my dress and in just two days.”
“It’s nothing. When is the wedding?”
“Mike and I decided, maybe, in October, but it’s not definite.”
Mike pulled up outside. I walked Malinda to the door.
“I’ll let you know the date when we figure it out?”
“Okay,” I said and closed the door.
“Jess, can I please show Jason my dress?”
“No, ma’am you may not. He can’t see it until your wedding day.”
&n
bsp; “But it’s so pretty and I want him to see it,” Abigail pouted.
“Not a chance, missy. And you’re not allowed to explain it either. You two need to start packing. We have country to see and we leave early.”
Abigail and Jason left. Tony and I went to bed.
Four o’clock in the morning Tony and I packed the car. Around five we gathered Jason and Abigail’s luggage and then we were headed to California. Arriving in San Francisco, we stopped before the Golden Gate Bridge and saw Alcatraz. We traveled to Los Angeles along the coastline road taking in the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Tony rented our room close to Disneyland.
“I didn’t know I was going to see different places,” Abigail said.
“We want you to experience America as long as you’re here,” Tony told her.
The next two days we spent walking around Disneyland. Abigail rode every ride and we saw every show. Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck wouldn’t leave her alone, so an entire roll of film was used taking pictures.
Our next stop was Las Vegas.
“Wow,” Abigail said. “Look at the pretty lights.” Tony and Jason stayed at the hotel. Abigail and I saw Thunder from Down Under. Abigail couldn’t speak after the show. All she could do was grin from ear to ear.
Hoover Damn and the Grand Canyon was a night for rest. We took a tour on mules to the bottom and back to the top. Our makeshift cabin, nestled in a crevasse against the canyon wall was perfect, counting the stars.
Tony decided New Mexico was the turnaround point and headed north. He drove until we arrived at Yellowstone National Park, stopping at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel. Abigail ended up to close to Old Faithful Geyser when it decided to erupt. Her movement was a blur to all of us. The two day stay wasn’t disappointing.
We spent our last road trip night in Boise, Idaho.
Before the sun shone on the horizon we were headed back to Oregon. We’d spent a little over two weeks showing Abigail the western half of the United States. We bought an extra suitcase for all of her souvenirs.
Back home, Jason and Abigail had a few days to spend before going back to England.
“Jess, thank you for letting me come visit. It will be a vacation I’ll never forget,” Abigail told me.
“You be sure and get all this film developed,” I said handing her a box of film.
The days flew by and it was time for Jason and Abigail to return home.
Malinda called to let me know the wedding was in two weeks.
“Hello,” I answered.
“Jess, Malinda. Mike and I are ready to get married in a couple of weeks. Make it October 4th. It won’t be a big wedding. You and Tony will be ready right?”
“Malinda, calm down. You’re going to be just fine…”
“Okay,” she interrupted me. “You’ll help me get through this right?”
“Yes, I’ll be there every step of the way.”
“That’s a relief. Okay, I’m going. Mike’s here. Talk to you later.”
“Bye.”
With the month gone, Tony and I didn’t have time for us. So, tonight I focused all my attention on him. We spent the evening sitting in the gazebo talking about Abigail and Jason.
“What dress did you give Abigail?” Tony asked.
“My wedding dress,” I said.
“You know there’s going to be a wedding in England soon.”
“No, I didn’t. Abigail didn’t mention it.”
“Jason and I talked on the way to Portland and he’s going to propose when they get back.”
“Did he give a date?” I asked.
“Around Christmas,” was all Tony said?
“We’ll be spending Christmas in England.”
“Looks like it,” Tony said.
I got up from my chair, walked to Tony and put my arms around his neck. He wrapped his arms around my waist. In the distance a coyote howled and an owl hooted from the trees. Tony looked into my eyes and started to say, “Jess…” but I cut him off with a kiss. Running my hands through his hair, he placed one of his hands on the back of my thigh, pulling me toward him. I went to his neck, lightly kissing down to his collarbone. Taking my hands, I lifted his shirt and let it drop to the floor. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I whispered, “I love you.”
The low growl started deep in his chest but I didn’t hold back. Nibbling on his ear brought a new sensation to him and he couldn’t take it any longer. He picked me up and started for the back door when I said, “No, out here.”
Tony took me back to the gazebo; gently laying me on the table. He dove into my neck with his teeth and I felt a flow running down my arm. In the middle of loving Tony, I felt a movement from within me. Thinking nothing of it because I hadn’t eaten, I continued to make love to Tony in the gazebo.
We spent the night in the gazebo. I woke up leaning against the railing in Tony’s arms. The sun peeked over the top of the house and Tony opened his eyes.
We went into the house, showered and headed to Portland.
Opening my office door, a huge pile of paperwork waited. “Ugh! Not again,” I said sitting at my desk. “We have the same program as London. Why can’t they just input the information and file it properly?” I wasn’t talking to anyone but myself.
All week I worked on getting the paperwork cleared from my desk. I called Melody into my office.
“Melody, could you come to my office?” I asked from my office door.
Melody finished with her patient and entered my office.
“Melody, apparently the people who took my place in my absence don’t know how to file. I’d like to teach you. Mr. Mureaux and I are going out of the country for Christmas. Would you be willing to learn?”
“Yes,” Melody answered.
“It’s not hard to input the information for new clients and add information to the existing clients. The only folders you’ll make are for the new clients.”
I showed Melody the program and the filing system.
“Tomorrow, you’ll be handling all the paperwork. I’ll be here in case you have questions.”
“Okay. Are you sure I can do this?” Melody asked.
“I learned in one day in London.”
I had Melody sit with me for the rest of the day and watch. “I’m worried for nothing,” she said. “The program is simple.”
“I told you.”
On the way home, I let Tony know about Melody taking over for me. He approved.
October breezed in without warning. The cold air snuck in during the night bringing a chill to me when I climbed out of bed. Tony stood on the porch in his shorts soaking up the north wind.
Getting my coffee ready, I went to the bedroom and dressed in my flannels. Tony came back in the house. “Are you cold?”
“Just a tad,” I said. “Malinda and Mike will be married tonight. What a way to start their marriage.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Tony asked.
“The cold,” was all I said.
“I’m sure Mike will keep her warm.”
The morning and afternoon seemed to hurry until it was time for the wedding. I met Malinda in the nursery of the church. Tony went to find Mike.
“Jess, I understand now what you meant by butterflies. My stomach is fluttering and it’s not the baby.”
“Deep breaths, deep breaths Malinda,” I said.
“I don’t think that’s going to help.”
“Once you get down the aisle, all you’ll see is Mike and everyone else will be a blur.”
“I hope you’re right,” Malinda said getting into her wedding dress.
“Trust me. You’ll do just fine.”
I went to the double doors and waited on Tony. He came around the corner in his tux and was he dashing when he smiled his half-smile.
“Wow, Jess. You’re beautiful.”
“What? In this old thing,” I said. I wore my going away dress which I wore after my wedding. At least, I knew Tony was impressed.
The music started. It was time
for Tony and me to walk down the aisle and take our places at the altar.
The wedding march started and I saw Malinda with her dad walking toward us. She was so beautiful in her dress. Mikes eyes lit up when she started her walk toward him. She handed me her boutique and took Mike’s hands. When the vows were exchanged she breathed a sigh of relief. We all went to the dining area of the church. Mike and Malinda’s reception was perfect. Tony and I waited until the last guest was gone to leave.
“One down, one more to go,” I commented.
“Wait until you see how my mother throws a party.”
“I’m looking forward to this party and Abigail walking down the aisle.”
“You won’t be disappointed.”
November was easy and busy. The client’s tripled at the blood bank with phone orders from all over the world. Melody had taken over my office the entire month, so my time was spent in Tony’s office helping with the paperwork and order recommendations. The month flew by and the next thing I knew we were boarding a plane for London.
Stepping off the plane sent a chill through me. The bitter cold wind whirled around me like a ghost in the night. I shivered the entire ride to the mansion. Victor had a fire going in his study and I parked myself on a stool in front of the blazing inferno. The warmth quickly sent the chill away. Tony saw how chilled I was and started a fire in the fireplace in the living room on the third floor.
The wedding was in a week. Abigail, Jennifer and I spent our time preparing the rooms and organizing caterers’ and cleanup crews. The guest list was sizable. Approximately six hundred guests including the Mortensin clan.
The day before the wedding Abigail and Jason were not allowed to see each other per Jennifer’s orders. “This is going to be a traditional wedding. That includes staying away from each other until tomorrow night.”
Abigail protested, but knew she wasn’t going to win. She ended up on our floor under the watchful eye of Tony and me.
“Jess, did you have butterflies when you were getting married?” Abigail asked.
“I sure did. They went away once Tony and I stood at the altar.”
“My stomach is fluttering. What did you do to make it stop?”
“I couldn’t do anything about it Abigail.”
Dhampir Love (Dhampir Secrets) Page 26