Epilogue
“ D ad,” Jerome whined. “Don’t do that. It’s embarrassing.”
“My house so I’ll do what I want. Louis. Answer the question.”
Louis’ lips twitched. “No. I never met President George Washington.”
“Were you even alive then?” Candice sat at the table, head resting on her hand as she watched Louis. Jerome groaned and shook his head.
“No, he wasn’t.”
“It was a little before my time. Most vampires I work with are around one hundred to two hundred years old. There are some younger vampires but we don’t have as many young as you do. We tend to live longer so I guess it’s nature’s way of balancing everything out.”
“You’ve seen some things though, right?” Shaun cut into his lamb. “How old are you again?”
“I’m one hundred and fifty years old.”
“So the invention of planes and cars and you are way older than any man I could have imagined for my son.”
“I saw planes, yes. The Wright brothers were nice men.”
“You met them?” Shaun’s fork dropped onto his plate.
“Once. Briefly. There were less humans then so it was easier to mingle and no cameras like there are today. They were in a bar sometime after their history making flight. I asked a quick question and they answered it. Like I said it was brief but they were nice men.”
“Woah, that’s awesome.” Candice fluttered her eyelashes and Jerome reached across the table to smack her. “Hey! What was that for?”
“Stop making googly eyes at my man.” Jerome glared at Candice. “I’ve got my eyes on you.”
“I’m not. Not really. I met someone.”
“Who? What’s his job? How old is he? Where does he work? What does he drive?” Shaun rapid fired the questions at Candice and Jerome actually felt sorry for her. A tiny little bit sorry.
“He’s actually a vampire, like Louis here.”
“A mate?” Louis watched and smiled when she nodded, her skin reddening. “What’s his name?”
“Hugo.”
“Hugo!” Jerome leapt up and pointed at Candice then at Louis then stared at Shaun. “I know him. I’ve met him.”
Louis chuckled. “He’s a good guy and I know he’s been searching for his mate. I’m happy for you.”
“We’re taking it slow.”
“Wow! Just…yeah…wow. Your theory about both of us having mates was right.” Jerome sat and stared open mouthed at Candice.
“I’m not just a gorgeous face.” Candice flipped her curls over her shoulder. “We’re going slow. I had exams and he didn’t want to interfere with that and then the situation with Jerome and this Skylar, plus he’s working more.”
“He needs to tell the council and Gray so they can let him take some time off. Congratulations.”
“Both my kids with vampires. This wasn’t something I ever expected to say or even think.”
“Does it bother you, Dad?” Jerome glanced at Louis then watched his dad, biting his lip as he waited for Shaun to answer.
“Not really. It takes some adjusting to that’s all. You’ll both live long and full lives and I’ll have grandkids.” Shaun pushed his chair back and stood. “I think I need a few minutes and a few drinks. I’m not unhappy, just surprised. Both of you?”
Candice nodded and Jerome gave a forced smile as Louis spoke. “Both I and Hugo are very lucky to have found our mates.”
“Yeah. Right. Drink.” Shaun grabbed a beer from the fridge and appeared to drink half the can before moving it away from his lips.
“Dad.” Jerome stood and moved next to Shaun. “I…” He looked at Louis who pursed his lips then shrugged. “I’m sorry?”
“Nope. We’re good. It just takes some time and alcohol to get used to.” Sitting back at the table, Shaun said, “When do I get to meet him?”
“Soon. He wants to meet you and he knows Louis too.”
“I’ve known Hugo for many years. He’s a good man.”
They finished the meal then Louis took them home. Once there, Jerome kicked his sneakers off and dropped onto the couch. “That was hard, or easy. I can’t decide.”
“He’s had a few shocks in recent months. Give him some time.”
“Did you know about my sister and Hugo?”
“No. I knew he was happier but when I asked him about it he wouldn’t say much. Now we know why.” Louis sat next to Jerome and Jerome snuggled into him. “We can double date.”
Jerome shot up. “Oh hell no!”
Louis burst out laughing, throwing his head back and pushing Jerome. “Your face.”
“Not funny.” He cuddled close again then pinched Louis side. “Lucky I love you.”
“I love you too. We have a couple of weeks before college starts back up. What do you want to do?”
“How far can you travel?”
“As far as you want.”
“Paris? France? That far?’
“I’ll book us a hotel and we’ll go.”
“You are the best mate ever. I love you.”
Chuckling, Louis kissed Jerome’s forehead. “Love you too.”
***
Elsewhere…
“We have to be careful. No one can know, especially not Maxim. Not now that we know he’s planning something.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t see each other for a while. I don’t want Maxim to find out about us and hurt you.”
“He wouldn’t hurt me but he would hurt you. You’re human.”
“And we both know how much he hates humans.”
A soft kiss. “I’ll keep you safe. He won’t ever find out about you. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
The End