“Where exactly do you think you’re going in that beautiful dress of your mother’s in the snow with that goblet?” André chased after the girls. On his heels everyone else followed. Julian pushed Father Butler in his chair with Edan in tow.
“Is your home always like this?” Edan asked breathless.
“Sometimes worse.” Julian grinned and kept going.
Olivia nudged past the pack of parents catching up to the two girls.
“Hi, Gram.” Sydney offered Olivia a hug.
Olivia grabbed the girl’s hand. “So, why are we going to the rose garden?”
Sydney whispered, “To meet Dracula.”
Olivia yelled, “What?” then tried to cut them off at the pass.
“He won’t be there,” Savanah reassured Olivia. She hiked up her wedding dress above the level of the snow. “This is crazy, Syd. How do I let you talk me into these things?”
“Here.” Olivia slowed down and concentrated on the snowy path. With her eyes closed and her arms in the air, Olivia pulled the energies from the skies, and directed them to the ground. Within moments a carpet of green grass lined the way.
“Thanks,” Savanah said as she let the dress fall to the ground.
“I’m only getting warmed up. Watch this.” Again, Olivia lifted her palms in front of her, wiggling her fingers erratically.
“What are you doing, Olivia?” Savanah laughed.
“Spirit fingers, Savanah. Mine however, are the original. Cheerleaders stole the name quite a few years ago.” As she maneuvered her spirit fingers, flowers sprung from the ground by the thousands. When she finished, black roses filled the garden with a sweet fragrant aroma. The arbor came to life with lights twinkling under the stars.
“That’s beautiful. What time is it?” Savanah asked, as she scanned the gardens looking for the tall, blond vamp, only half expecting to find him and oddly wanting to.
“One minute to midnight,” André answered in a shaky voice. “Savanah, please tell your old man you’re really not hoping to meet the procreator of all things evil.”
Not paying attention to her father’s worries, Savanah’s eyes were drawn to the farthest entrance of the garden like a shark to chum. No longer chilled, her flesh heated, noticing the darkly-beautiful vampire at the corner entrance to the gardens. The man blended with the crisp night air as easily as breathing. His glistening black eyes reflected the image of her lying on the floor dead. “I actually died, didn’t I?” She barely whispered.
Dracula answered her in her mind. Yes, Savanah. Your love brought you back.
“This is way too freaky for me—to have a head-to-head with Dracula.”
Savanah, you and I will have a drink, and I’ll be on my way.
Savanah watched Dracula snap all five fingers, each one cutting into the night. About to say something, Savanah noticed her entire family looked like a portrait, all frozen in place. “What did you do this time?”
“It is time for our drink. May I?” Dracula held his hand out for the cup.
“I forgot the wine.”
“I don’t drink wine, Savanah.” Dracula gave her a chilled peek at his teeth, white, sharp, ridiculously long.
Savanah caught her breath. “I don’t drink blood.”
“But I do. You made a deal with me. I want to taste you once more.”
“It’s good to want. You told me all you want is the book. Myself and the book equal two things.”
Dracula’s grin grew wider. “You are afraid of nothing, are you?”
“Only knowing my life without Ethan will be long and lonely.”
“Then we will make a fair trade. I am a gentleman, Savanah, above all else.”
“Not in all your movies. You’re down right trodden.”
The tall mysterious man laughed and his voice soothed the soul. Savanah decided right then and there that’s how he obtained so many.
“What do I get?”
“The book first.”
Savanah reached into a small bag she’d thrown over her shoulder and pulled out the book of Blackest Dreams. She didn’t remember even carrying it from her room. As she handed it to him, she started to cry. What if she gave him the book and he disappeared?
Dracula brought his hand to her chin and with his thumb caressed her cheek. “Such raw passion, Miss St. James. I could eat you alive.” He dipped his head to meet her lips in a light kiss. Savanah backed up fast.
“Little creeped out. You don’t really mean that, right?”
Brows pinched, Dracula answered, “Yes. I really could eat you alive—but I won’t.” Dracula bowed. Without another word he walked to the far corner of the garden once again.
“Pippy?”
Savanah spun fast, landing squarely on her bottom looking up at the most beautiful pair of green eyes. Scanning him head to toe he wore a black linen tux, his white shirt hung untucked with a double Windsor knotted tie resting around his neck. His hair was longer, curlier, but Savanah wasn’t complaining. “I like a man who’s prompt and doesn’t keep a lady waiting.” For the first time in months her heart no longer ached.
Ethan’s hungry gaze devoured Savanah in seconds. Looking down on the woman he thought he’d lost, the sickening loneliness dissipated. The overwhelming need to take her and love her until the cows were smart enough not to come was vehement. Seeing her disheveled beauty, her hair wild and dusted with snow tugged at his heart. All wound up in her mother’s wedding gown staring up at him with her jeweled-blue eyes trusting him with her life, took his breath away. Spending a lifetime loving this woman wouldn’t be enough time for him. He even questioned eternity.
“May I help you up, Pippy?” Ethan reached down and grabbed Savanah’s hand. Once her hand was in his she yanked for all she was worth, bringing him crashing down atop of her.
Between giggling, crying, screaming and kissing each other for close to ten minutes they forgot they had an audience.
Coming up for air, Savanah looked around the gardens. All her family came together. Even Raven, Jonah and Payton trudged out to the garden carrying Elyza, Rylea and Rian swaddled in warm cozy blankets.
Ethan looked at Savanah behind a wealth of tears and got on his knee.
“I made you a promise, Savanah St. James. Tonight at midnight under the stars in our garden that I’d marry you before your family and God. Will you marry me?” Ethan pulled out a small box. Opening it, he showed her two wedding bands.
Savanah sat on his knee, tossed her arms around his neck and kissed him. “Yes, Ethan. Tonight is perfect.”
Ethan placed his lips to her neck and said, “Let’s get it started.”
Savanah burst out in a mix of tears and giggles all over again. Looking over Ethan’s shoulder Savanah motioned Ethan to look behind him.
Ethan had his sister in his arms before a second passed. “I thought you died. Part of me died with you. You’re so beautiful.”
“Same here. Gosh Ethan, I thought I’d lost you forever. Mom and dad will be so blown out of the water when we see them.”
“Edan, they want nothing to do with me. I heard Dad say to pull the plug on me.” Ethan cast a glance down to his feet. Edan put her hand under his chin and tilted his face to hers.
“Eth, you couldn’t be more wrong. They love you. The man who held you under his enthrallment these past years pretended he was a doctor at the hospital you were taken to and he told Mom and Dad there was no hope for you. That you were brain dead. Dad couldn’t bear to see you suffer so he made the horrific call to end your life. He’s felt guilty every day since. Said he still felt your presence. We’ll talk more tomorrow or the next day. Right now I believe someone wants to marry your furry hide.” Edan hugged Ethan with every ounce of strength she could muster and clung to him. “I love you, little brother.”
“Edan, will you stand up for me? Be my best man or woman?”
If the tears hadn’t begun a landslide before, they had now. Not a dry eye could be found.
Savanah knelt in front o
f Father Butler. “Grandpa, can you marry us?”
Father Butler answered, “With pleasure, Savanah.”
****
Under the starry moonlit night, André walked his daughter down a rose petal path where Ethan and Edan waited. When he reached the arbor he leaned into his daughter and kissed her gently. “I love you, Savanah St. James. You changed my world and made it the most beautiful place for your mother and I and for that I will always thank you. I pray you and Ethan find the same love I have with your mother.” André placed Savanah’s hand in Ethan’s. Leaning into Ethan’s ear, André said, “Welcome to my world, Ethan Kitt. Love her for all your worth and you’ll get more than your dreams can imagine.”
Ethan kissed Savanah’s cheek. “Dance with me, Savanah under the diamonds of the night. Love me as I love you under heaven’s warmth. Kiss me with your heart and tell me you love me.
“I love you, Ethan.”
Father Butler skipped most of the ceremony due to shivers and chattering teeth. He did, however, linger on the last part of the ceremony. “You may kiss your bride, Ethan, again and again…” Father Butler chuckled. “They follow orders well. I’d like to be the first to introduce, Mr. and Mrs. Kitt.”
Ethan swung Savanah into his arms and grunted. “Mrs. Kitt,” he teased, “you’ve added a few pounds to your body.”
“You are just out of practice carrying me. And look at this I haven’t passed out.”
“The night is young.”
Savanah attached her lips to Ethan’s and her world solidified once more.
“Good night, everyone.” Savanah waved to her family. “See you in the morning—make that afternoon.”
****
Relishing the moment Julian noticed Olivia standing alone. “Olivia,” Julian offered his hand. “You have fulfilled our deal. You have mended many a heart here tonight. You have truly given your heart to us.”
“It was done out of greed, Julian. All my motives…. All I wanted was to see my granddaughter.”
“That’s not greed, Olivia; that’s love. You are welcome to stay in our home.”
Through sniffles Olivia shook Julian’s hand.
****
Having Dracula in his garden unnerved André. Grabbing Lucian they ventured to the most renowned vampire of all time.
“Excuse me, Count,” André bowed before the man. “Thank you for returning Ethan to us.”
“You are welcome, Lord St. James. He’s a fine man.”
Lucian butt in, “How did you find him?”
Dracula straightened his stance. “I searched for the Maestro and found Ethan imprisoned in a silver-lined well very close to death.”
“But I saw them. They died in the boat.” André added.
“No, Lord St. James. The Maestro evanesced with Ethan before the explosion.”
Lucian interrupted, “Why were you searching for them?”
“He walked off carrying my golden cup. That cost him his life. He didn’t think I would follow through on my word. A man is nothing if his word means naught.”
“So then why, Sir, did you send it to my daughter if you wanted it?”
“A gift of intent. She had something I wanted more than the cup. I had someone she’d given her life for.”
“What is it you want from her?”
Dracula’s facial expression turned to stone only for a moment before he answered. A shallow grin etched its way across his lips, baring a hint of dents, before answering. “Wanted. She can open the show in London with my best wishes. The publicity does wonders for my bank accounts. People see all my possessions and make more movies, write more books and keep a very, very old man wealthy and immortalized. One last word of advice. When Savanah’s exhibit opens in London, tell her there is indeed another vampire in the casket with the silver chains. And yes it is a Sinclair, Xanti. I left him for your family.”
“Will we see you in London?” Lucian asked starry-eyed. André elbowed him.
“No, Lucian. You are able to conceal your lives by walking in the day. I get more attention than Brad and Angelina when I’m spotted. You two men are entertaining. You wear your heart on your sleeves. In our line of work, that’s dangerous. Good evening.” In one fluid spin Dracula became one with the night.
****
“Savage, breakfast has been delivered to our door and guess what I got? Chocolate amaretto cookies with orange glaze and pineapple slices. Want one?” Ethan did his little woo hoo dance. “Savage, you in there?” Ethan set the tray down and hopped across the bed headed for the bathroom. Opening the door, he found his new bride hugging the toilette bowel.
“Isn’t this how our day started out months ago?”
“Eth?” Savanah looked up to her husband disgust etched into her. “I’m so sorry. I can’t seem to stop. This is getting old. Every other morning I’m in here praying to the porcelain goddess.”
“Have you told anyone?”
“No.”
“Want to hear something just as strange? So have I. I think it’s why Dracula was so willing to get rid of me. But then, I had silver poisoning too. Hold on, Pippy.”
After filling their tub with water and scented oils, Ethan helped Savanah out of her dress. “I can’t believe we didn’t make love last night, but holding you in my arms and falling asleep with your body glued to mine settled my soul.”
Once Savanah sat in the whirlpool, he slid in behind her. Rolling the soap in his hands, he worked the bar into a rich lather and slid his hands down her arms, tickling her. Savanah dropped her head back onto his chest with her eyes closed. Unable to help himself, he cupped her breasts. They were fuller, heavier than he remembered, and he’d memorized every square inch of her body. With a little more soap and massaging them, her nipples blossomed. A grin worked its way to her lips.
He hadn’t lost his touch!
He stood, stepped around her in the tub intentionally showing off his inflated balloon and poked her eye with it in passing.
Savanah swatted at his nob. “Ethan! Is this how people go blind with too much sex?”
Ethan gave her his evil eye. “Pop your leg up on me. I’ll shave your legs.” When he noticed the thick dark covering he gasped. “Cripes, Misses, how long has it been since you’ve done this?” He’d never seen hair that long on a woman’s legs.
“A day or two.”
Ethan’s eyes grew wide. Her giggles gave her away.
After making Savanah’s legs flawlessly smooth Ethan asked, “Stand for me? I want to give your little cresson a trim too.” When she stood, Ethan’s heart stammered as he watched the water drops roll smoothly across her ripened abdomen. “Oh, Savanah, you are so beautiful.” He caressed her thighs then made his way to her tummy. His fingers splayed her stomach’s little bump in a loving touch. Without realizing his actions his lips pressed against her belly.
Ethan’s lips on her made her forget all about wanting to vomit, so this—whatever he was doing worked until he got out of the tub.
“Ethan?” Savanah gave him her best kept moue, her bottom lip rolled over and big sad blue eyes.
“Pippy, I’ll be right back. Stay put, relax, read some romance book to keep your mood right here.” Ethan slipped his fingers between her thighs and teased her private lips, with a subtle taste of what lay ahead.
“Where are you going?” came out breathy.
“Promise, my love, I’ll be right back.”
Thirty minutes later and a cold tub of water, Ethan brought Savanah a tray with a red rose, hot English breakfast tea, a bagel, fresh orange juice, vitamins and a home pregnancy test he’d run out and gotten from one of the twenty-four hour pharmacies.
Seeing everything spread out on the tray, she protested like a kid getting dragged to the dentist, blurting out, “I’m not.”
“How do you know you aren’t? When was your last period?”
“I’d know, Eth. I’d feel the little life inside me. It’s been months. For God’s sake, I’d be huge.”
“Last per
iod?” Ethan shoved the box under her nose.
“Eth, no.” She shoved the box away frustrated. “It’s never been regular. You take it. You said you’d been sick too. I think we just missed each other. I haven’t been to the gym since you died. Belly fat!”
“Disappeared dearest, not died. I think your life and mine are so intertwined I’m getting your symptoms.” Ethan crooked his finger inching her toward the toilette.
Savanah’s eyes grew wide. “What’s the bet for this time, crazy husband?”
“I want my baby down in the car lot—you remember her well—the little black beamer?”
“You’re on.”
For most couples it would have been the longest three minutes of their lives, but Savanah found it was three minutes well spent. She had Ethan undressed, inflated and setting sail in record time. After a very quick two minutes of their bodies tangled into different positions, Savanah lay quivering in Ethan’s arms. “Eth, your balloon popped.”
“You popped it, my dear bride. Don’t go blaming me. That one little move you make tightening your cheeks together and trapping me…. You’re killing me softly, woman.”
Savanah laughed hysterically, happier than she ever thought she’d be again. “Don’t you dare sing the rest of that song.”
Ethan pulled Savanah into his arms and held her. “Times up. Let’s go see who wins today.”
The harmless little baby detector sat perched on the sink yet Savanah and Ethan approached the piece of plastic as if it were a chunk of C4 with wires stuck out of it. Both stretched their necks out, peering at it from a distance.
“Looks like we both win today.” Ethan softly kissed his wife’s belly.
****
March 23
“Harder,” Savanah whispered. Looking down she got more aggravated as the seconds ticked away.
“Are you sure?” Ethan asked.
Panting like a dog in the desert heat she screamed, “Yes, Eth, push harder.”
“Okay, but nothing’s happening. Damn hole’s too small.”
Ethan took off his baseball cap and plunked it on Savanah’s head. He suggested in a softer tone, “Slide it gently and see if you can’t get it in, my little diva. You’re too rough.”
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