“No. You’re going to have to stay at my house or somewhere else. My family is taking turns staying with your mom, so she doesn’t sneak out and kill an innocent.”
“My mom a vampire,” I said testing out the words to see how they felt. It was weird. Until an hour ago I didn’t even know they existed and now my mother was one, “How will I get my clothes, pillow, and anything else? I can’t just leave everything I own behind. I’ve already lost so much.”
“I’ll have to get it.” He said simply. I shuddered at the thought of Jonathon going through my things. Ewww.
“Won’t your family be unhappy with me staying at your house? Won’t the smell get to them?” I asked hoping he would say yes and I’d have to stay somewhere else. I was really scared about meeting his family. Not because I thought they might swoop down and suck my blood. That weirdly didn’t frighten me. I didn’t know why. But I was scared they might not like me.
“They don’t mind. And the smell well . . . they’ve had a good many years to learn not to kill humans,” he said in giving a smile at the end trying to lighten me up.
My heart dropped to my stomach. I would have to face my fear and meet Jonathon’s family. I hoped this went well. But what if it ended in disaster? Then what?
“When will I be able to go home?”
“It all depends on how your mom adjusts to being a vampire. It could be weeks, months, or even years before she can control her thirst and be around humans.”
I silently cringed to myself. Years before I could go home again? By then I wouldn’t have to. I would be able to afford a home of my own or I might be married. Suddenly my stomach clenched. I knew with all my being that I was sitting next to the man I would marry.
Jonathon seemed to notice.
“I’m sure it won’t take that long, your mom is a strong woman, principessa.”
“I hope it doesn’t take that long. But I’ll be eighteen in less than a year. So, I guess it’s not that big of a deal.” I tried to sound positive but it was a huge struggle especially trying not to cry yet again. It was October sixteenth. I’d be eighteen on March seventh.
He didn’t buy my positive outlook. I knew he wouldn’t.
He wrapped me up in his strong arms. He buried his head in my hair and I buried my face in his strong solid chest.
“It’ll be fine, love. I won’t let you be unhappy. Your mom will be just fine. I promessa.” He said trying to reassure me.
“I know,” Is all I could say and it sounded false even to my own ears.
But Jonathon had it all wrong. I wasn’t worried about my mom. I knew she would be fine. I had a gut feeling about it. I was just worried about meeting Jonathon’s family which seemed such an irrational fear when I was surrounded by all sorts of things that should scare me. Patrick had seemed nice I had no reason to doubt the rest of his family. But it’s not every day that your vampire soul mate takes you home to meet his vampire family. He may not be able to smell my blood but they sure can. I hoped they weren’t hungry.
I couldn’t control my shiver at the thought.
“Are you cold, darling? We should probably get going,” He asked noticing the movement.
I nodded. Even though I wasn’t cold and definitely didn’t want to leave. But it would probably better to get this whole ordeal over with. The sooner the better. I may back out otherwise.
“Okay, let’s go.” I said standing up.
“Alright.” He said standing up too.
I stretched my long legs. They’d been scrunched up on the bench far too long.
The sky was darkening more by the minute. Stars shone brightly in the sky. One seemed to wink down at me. Assuring me everything would be okay.
I felt Jonathon’s cool hand on my arm. I looked up into his silver eyes. Trying to hide how scared I was.
“I’m going to call my uncle.” He said.
“Okay,” I said, still unable to speak beyond three word sentences. He pulled out a silver blackberry.
I tried to listen to his conversation to see if anything was said about my mom. I soon realized he was speaking Italian. Great.
I stood awkwardly. I heard the phone click off. I turned to look at Jonathon, my arms crossed over my chest.
“Patrick is still with your mom. Amelia will be with her next. Her shift will start at midnight. Then Patrick will take over again tomorrow afternoon. I’m supposed to stay with your mom after school tomorrow.”