Expecting Eternity (Vamp Life #2) (2 page)

The protests
went unheeded as I urged him out onto the floor.  Fate was shaking her head.  I could tell she loathed the place.  As we walked away, I heard her tell Ashley. “This is embarrassing.”  Her mother just laughed.  I was glad Ash could so easily share in my happiness.  You could tell a real friend…a best friend, by how they reacted when good things happened to you.

I found the steps easily.  As I’ve said before, dancing is in my blood.  Poor Marcus, well, let’s just say when the song changed he wa
s relieved.  I wasn’t complaining either.  This would be our first slow dance as a married couple.  The song was perfect, a duet by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.  It was such a change of pace from the raucous line dance.  I was where I was meant to be when I rested my head against Marc’s chest and we moved slowly to the music.  I knew the craziness of the past few months would eventually settle and we’d fall into a familiar, typical life.  One thing I knew for certain, though.  The way he made my heart ache with love would never diminish.

Marc
us lifted my chin gently, as he often did, and tenderly kissed my bottom lip before pressing his mouth full on against mine.  He gave that wink and smirk as he pulled back a little.  “You know, I never liked country music until this moment.”

We were still standing there
immersed in each other’s company as another rowdy tune started up.  After realizing we were standing in everyone’s way, we headed back to our table. 

The food had arrived and our starving party had started without us.  Fate looked starry-eyed at us.  “That was so romantic.  I can’t wait to
fall in love.”  She was stabbing at her salad with a fork.  I’m sure it was uncomfortable for her to be a vegetarian in a steakhouse.  “I’m not going to get pregnant so quickly, though.”   Her mouth hung open when she realized she let the last part slip. 

I stopped in mid motion of taking my seat.  Ashley had assured me that she was discreet when she bought me the test and dropped it by the apartment earlier that morning.  In truth, she looked as shocked as I did at the comment from her daughter.

“Well, that would explain the shotgun wedding.  Marc would be the guy to knock someone up and marry her because of it.”  Kate, the rude sister, blurted out.

My stern gaze was still fixed on Fate, but
it was hardly the time to make a scene.  She mouthed, “I’m sorry.”

Without responding, I finished taking my seat and started cutting the steak.  I mean, I probably should have said something, but I didn’t know what to say.  If Kate hadn’t been Marcus’ sister, I would have probably reached across the table and backhanded her across the face.

“Don’t be a bitch, sis.  I wanted to marry Evey no matter the circumstances.  Who are you to even say anything?”  His anger was about to erupt as he glared at her in disgust.  I patted his leg beside me, trying to calm him down.

His mother looked appalled by the behavior, but she didn’t say anything.  Miguel, on the other hand, was not one to mince words with his grandchildren.  “Enough.  It’s no
ne of our business anyway, unless they want it to be.  We are here to celebrate the marriage.”

Their grandfather’s firm tone was enough to shut them both up.  Kate gave a shrug at her little brother. 

“So, I’m going to be reopening the clinic soon.”  I said, trying to steer everyone onto a safer topic. 

Ashley perked up and nodded.  “I can return as soon as they find a replacement for me at my current job. 
Shouldn’t take long.”

I loved my job and we needed the money.  “Great!”  My attention turned to Fate who was still avoiding looking at me.  “Would you like to help us out, Fate?  It’d be a good after school job.”

She looked to her mother and received a nod of approval.  “I don’t mind.  Maybe it will keep her out of trouble.”  Ashley said.  I knew she’d been watching her daughter more closely, especially after the wild party with the frat boys.

Miguel turned to Marcus.  “How is your work going?  Business was good last I heard.”

The unexpected question caused Marc to choke on his beer.  People insisted on making uncomfortable conversation.  I’d assumed he would have thought up a story about selling his shop already, but then again, we’d both had quite a bit on our minds.  After he had cleared his throat, he answered.  “I sold the place.  We decided to move into Evelyn’s house.  Since we didn’t need the apartment, I figured I could find a cheaper work space.”

His entire family looked shocked at first, but the explanation seemed logical enough to satisfy their curiosity for the time being.  I sipped my
iced sweet tea, trying to look unconcerned. 

We had both had enough talk by the time the meal was over.  “Wh
at about dessert?”  His grandpa asked. 

“I’m going home to have my dessert.  This honeymoon has been delayed long enough.”  It was a typical Marc response. 

The heat in my cheeks told me I was blushing.  It’s not that I’m modest, but when surrounded by family there are certain topics to avoid.  I’d enjoyed the day, but I was ready to savor my marriage rewards.

Marc turned to look at me with an exasperated expression when we sat down in my car.  At the same time we both burst out laughing.  “So how was your wedding day?  Everything you dreamed of?”  He asked me as he shifted into drive, obviously in a hurry to get away from the restaurant.

“Absolutely.
  Much better than I could have dreamed.”  I meant it, too.  Aside from a few uneasy moments, I wouldn’t have changed a thing.  “Life’s an adventure.  I liked the whole excitement of the day and not knowing what was going to happen next.”

He shook his head. 
“Yeah, apparently.  Nothing’s ever predictable with you.”

I slapped his arm playfully, then looked away to hide my grin.  “Not funny.”

“How did Fate know you were pregnant?”  He asked, after he had finished snickering at me.

It was impossible to know for sure until I had the chance to talk to her.  “You know she’s gifted.  Maybe it’s something to do with that.”  I glanced at him.  “Or maybe I have that glow about me that pregnant women get.   What do you think?”

“I think she’s full of shit.”  He smiled and I nodded.  That was for sure.  She could be a real troublemaker.  Always drama.  Of course, I’m sure my friends would say the same thing about me.

We were almost home. 
To
our
home.  I looked at the mailbox when we pulled up and I thought about the Christmas cards that would arrive addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Hart.  I’m not a feminist extremist, but I do have an independent streak.  Somehow though, the sanctity of marriage changes me.  It’s two people becoming one, sharing a greater identity.  I didn’t feel like I was giving up anything, only gaining.  

I unlocked the front door and turned the knob.  One more second and I would have been inside
, but I was pulled back firmly.  “Hey!”  I cried out.

“
Nuh uh.  Oh no, you don’t.  We do this like in those movies you make me watch.”  Marc turned me to the side and picked me up into his arms, carrying me over the threshold easily. 

“You know, you’re much more romantic than I
give you credit for.  I thought you were asleep through all those films.”  I expected him to set me down, but he didn’t stop and headed straight for my bedroom.  He ignored our pets that were vying for attention and shut the door behind him when we were in the room.

He lay me down on the bed, unbuttoning his shirt with speed.  “It’s a special day.  Besides, it’s helps me get what I want.” 

“Does it now?” Of course it did.

Our clothing was scattered all over the room in a matter of seconds.  There was no more time for talk.  His mouth was exploring every inch of my body.  I reached
up and pulled loose the small ponytail, freeing his hair and running my hands through the silky, midnight locks.  I’d been many things in my life, but being this man’s wife was by far my favorite and it hadn’t even been a full day yet. 

His touch was gentle as he glided his hand along my abdomen, up to my chest.  He paused, content to stay with a handful of breast as he kissed my neck.  We had started fresh and I could understand the appeal of waiting until
marriage to make love.  Though I could comprehend the desire, there was no way I could have waited.  Marcus was too hot and delicious.

“I won’t hurt the baby, will I?”  He whispered into my ear.  So that was the hesitation I
had sensed from him.  His concern made me smile and he looked to me with intensity, waiting for the go ahead.

“Of course not.”
  And that was all it took.  The honeymoon was officially underway.

The following day, high noon sunlight roused me from my slumber.  Reluctantly, I opened my eyes.  The digital clock on my nightstand confirmed that it was afternoon.  I sat up in the bed slowly and rubbed my eyes.  My perceptive feline, hearing my movement, had her paw underneath the bedroom door.  She was trying to pull it open.  Poor Lucia wasn’t accustomed to being locked out of my bedroom at night. 

I glanced at Marcus. 
He was buried face down on his pillow, still in deep sleep.  It was no wonder.  We were both exhausted after the busy few days we’d had.  I almost lay back down, but by that point my cat had begun meowing.  “Fine...” I grumbled to myself, opening my closet and grabbing the first t-shirt I saw.  When I pulled open the bedroom door, the cat charged in.  You’d think she’d have calmed down after nine years, but she was as spunky as she’d been in her kitten days. 

After feeding our pets, I opened the front door to get the newspaper.  There’d been no mention in the news of the happenings at Dante’s manor so far.  I figured there never would be.  It suited me just fine. 
Thinking of the events brought my hunger to my attention.  My mouth ached where my fangs were retracted.  I hadn’t fed.  When I opened the fridge, I remembered all the blood had been taken by Dante’s goons.  The need for businesses like the BDSM club and the jobs of those in the Vampire Society was beginning to become evident.  There was no way I could even come close to getting enough nourishment by my old methods of acquiring blood.  Feeding from Marcus wouldn’t be enough either.  I enjoyed his taste most of all, but the impact on his health would be too great.

“You okay, babe?”  A sleepy voice asked from behind me, followed by a yawn.

I’d still been staring into the nearly empty fridge.  The food inside was mostly spoiled.  It’d been a month since I had lived in my own home.  Marcus must have used what little that wasn’t spoiled for breakfast the day before.  I turned around to see him standing there in his boxers.  His hair was a mess.  The welcome sight distracted me from my hunger and I smiled reassuringly.  “We don’t have much to eat.”

“Oh.”  He went back into the bedroom, returning with his wallet.  “I only have eleven dollars.”  Our impromptu wedding had pushed aside t
he truth that we didn’t have much money and many debts.    Mortgage, the clinic, car lease and electric, cell phone, and credit card bills to name a few. 

We could weather vampire drama, but I knew one of the biggest reasons marriages failed was financial issues.  “There’s
a little room on my emergency credit card.  Let me check the safe.”  He followed me as I went into the bedroom, taking down the Venetian painting.  I put in the code and opened the small safe.  It took me a minute to find the emergency card because it was wedged between old photos.  “Got it.”  I held it up triumphantly. 

Marcus gave a half-hearted smile.  “I’m going to see if I can find a job today.  I mean, I’m good at what I do.  There’s sure to be someone that needs help.”

“Hey, it’ll all work out.  I’ll reopen the clinic tomorrow, too.” 

“Yeah, I know.”  He nodded then walked out of the room.  I followed, forgetting to shut the safe.  It was a blow to Marc’s pride that he wasn’t supporting me.  Some
of his old fashioned mindsets I could do without.  “I think I’ll get ready and start that job hunt.”  He kissed my cheek as he walked by me to the bathroom.

I rummaged around in my
kitchen cabinets.  There were some strawberry toaster pastries.  It wasn’t fancy, but I prepared them for us.  I grabbed a couple of sodas to go along with the breakfast…or lunch, if you went by the time of day.

“Breakfast.”
I called to my husband as he was getting ready for his job search.  Hopefully, a bit of food would perk up his down mood.

As he was getting dressed, I peeked into the bedroom.  He paused at the open safe and took out the photos, looking through them one by one.
  It was a small chronicle of my history.  Some of the photos dated back to the early days of modern photography.  Silently, I backed away, returning to my task in the kitchen.  I had no reason for secrets anymore.  He could look at anything in the safe.

He walked up to me in the kitchen and picked me up, sitting me on the counter before giving me a long kiss.
  His mouth lingered on my neck afterward.  “I’m sorry.  I just want to take care of my beautiful wife.”  His hand reached out and he snatched one of the pastries.  “That’s not so bad, is it? My dad boned out when I was young.  He didn’t take care of his family and I don’t want to be like him at all.”