Final Incident The Best Laid Plans #2
It took only a blink for him to take in the situation.
An armed man wearing a ski mask stood in front of the hostess’ podium, a gun trained on the hostess.
She had her hands up as she yelled for help.
The thief was yelling back at her to stop yelling, then swinging randomly from one direction to another, screaming at everyone to get on the floor.
He did not seem like he knew what he was doing, his actions frantic and panicked.
Compared to Eidolon, this guy was a newborn babe.
Seriously?
No, seriously, the first real night off Ross had had in over a month and the restaurant he was in was being robbed?
Even as that thought floated through his brain, Ross slid out of his chair in a blink, putting the table between him and the gunman. “Shit! Glenn, unless you’re impenetrable to bullets, maybe get down here?”
Glenn did not join him behind the table but instead muttered something in Gaelic that sounded not nice, a dark, thunderous expression on his face. “Excuse me. I will go take care of that.”
“I’m pretty sure they’ve already called the police?” Ross had his phone out in his hand, ready to do so just to make sure squad cars were on the way.
“For ruining the moment, he will pay dearly.” Glenn left the table, his speed just a tad faster than a human should be able to move, beelining for his target. His vampiric speed was in check, but only just.
Uh-oh. The Master had spoken and was about to mete out some punishment. Ross thought about calling out a warning not to kill the guy, but surely Glenn had better sense than that.
Probably.
Maybe?
Glenn could move like a panther on the prowl when he was of the mind to. He flitted between upturned tables, dodging people crouched on the floor, angling so that the thief’s back was turned to him as he approached.
The poor thief had no chance. Glenn was on him before he even knew what happened, hitting him smartly in the back of the neck, stunning him long enough that the vampire had ample time to wrest both arms behind the man’s back and force him down to the ground, face making love with the tile.
In unison, the entire restaurant let out a sigh of relief.
The thief squawked out a protest. Glenn leaned in and said something in a low tone that Ross was too far away to hear. After that, the thief was more still than a stone statue.
Yeah, Glenn was super pissed. Ross couldn’t blame him, he was mad, too. Sighing, he dialed 911 and waited as it rang through.
“911, what is your emergency?”
“Hi, have you received a report that a thief has broken into Benemaru on 5th Avenue?”
“Let me check. Yes, sir, we have. Squad cars are on their way. How is the situation there? Are you in a safe location?”
“Oh, no danger. My totally pissed off boyfriend has the guy locked against the floor. We’re safe.”
And hey, no bloodshed.
Ross was really not sure if that was a perk or not.
Glenn was grumpy on the way back to the house.
Maybe because they’d lost two hours since they’d all had to give witness statements, and nothing about the law was apparently fast. They did learn during the interviews that the thief had tried to steal from Benemaru three other times.
Talk about stupidity. Or stubbornness, whatever it was.
The staff at the Benemaru were so thankful for Glenn’s interception, they packed up enough food to feed an army, free of charge. So at least Ross would get dinner. He wasn’t sure how he’d get Glenn back into a better mood, though. His vampire was seriously not a happy camper right now.
Ross thought about suggesting still going to the hotel, but…the mood wasn’t right for romance anymore. Maybe tomorrow, they could get the right perspective to laugh about it and try again.
They pulled into the neighborhood. Instead of the usual quiet (and Ross used that word with very loose interpretation), the street was completely lit up. Everyone seemed to be outside in their front lawns, lining the drive, and as Ross watched, others scrambled to do the same, joining the line.
“What in god’s name…?” he muttered, perplexed. After seven years with the clan, you’d think he’d seen everything by now. But they seemed determined to constantly surprise him.
“Oh god,” Glenn groaned, slumping in his seat even further. “I told them NOT to do this.”
“Do what?” Ross blinked, confused, then turned to look again. “And why is your mother here? And mine?”
“I really told them NOT to do this,” Glenn muttered again, sounding resigned now. “Shit. Beloved, you’ll have to forgive me. I swear I had a better plan than this, I just keep getting foiled.”
Ross looked at him suspiciously. Right, Glenn had news that topped his. Ross had forgotten that, what with the craziness at the restaurant. “Just what have you been planning?”
Glenn stopped the car right there, dead in the middle of the street, and unbuckled, turning in the seat enough to face Ross head on. He once again reached into his suit coat pocket, but this time, he finished the motion by pulling out a simple black box.
Ross’s eyes went wide looking at that box. He felt robbed of all breath. No. Surely not. He’d never once suspected Glenn would—
Glenn popped open the ring box to reveal a white gold ring, lightly engraved and beautifully crafted.
“Ross Beaumont Young, I’ve never known a man like you.
In my very long years, I’ve never had a love as true and deep as the one you give to me on a daily basis.
I now thank any god you care to name that I was turned, as it gave me the chance to meet you.
To court you. To love you. And because of this long life, I have the hope of living the rest of my days with you.
But only if you’ll agree to be my husband. Will you marry me?”
Ross couldn’t see properly through his tears.
His heart shuddered in his chest. He’d never expected Glenn to propose.
He’d fantasized, from time to time, having that commitment between them.
But Glenn hadn’t given any indication of needing or wanting it.
Ross had kind of given up hope on marriage ever happening.
It meant the world to him that Glenn wanted this, too. Those vows binding them. He had to swallow, twice, past a restricted throat before he could get words out. “Yes. Absolutely, yes.”
Glenn lit up, not just with joy, but also relief.
They met halfway, needing to kiss each other, to touch and share the joy in that moment.
Ross didn’t care that the proposal had happened in a car.
He didn’t care that most of the clan could see what was going on through the windows.
Having many, many years with this amazing man who loved him, that he absolutely did care about.
And the ring still not on his finger. That had to be rectified.
He pulled back and reached for the box. “I want this on.”
“I think it’s my privilege to put it on for you.”
Alright, fair. Ross stayed still as Glenn slipped the band on. No surprise the man had his ring size down perfectly. Glenn was the suave type, after all. The ring was slender in design, a nice fit on his finger. “It’s perfect.”
“It was the buying of this ring that tipped my hand, I fear.” Glenn shot a dark look out the window at the watching clan—who was now doing a rave. Because why not.
Ross had to laugh, well used to the crazy at this point. “Is that how they figured it out? And of course you making a reservation at a nice restaurant also told them you’d plan to propose tonight.”
“Without them being aware that my plans went very awry.” Glenn’s eyes were flatly unamused, but a hint of a smirk played at the corner of his mouth. “Damn thief. Let’s park, if we can, and share the news.”
“I don’t think they’re going to give us much choice on that,” Ross drawled.
Glenn snorted in wry amusement as he put the car in gear and continued the drive to their house.
Ross admired the ring on his finger, such an unexpected thing.
He’d fantasized a little about having Glenn’s ring on his finger, to be committed to him with those vows, and a thrill went through him now that it was actually happening.
Ross could just feel the sappy smile taking over his face and he was powerless to stop it.
Also not inclined to. He did not start out today expecting to be engaged.
The plot twist was unexpected but thrilling.
Of course, his fiancé caught this and asked in a pleased tone, “You like it?”
“I do. It’s what I would have chosen, if you’d taken me shopping with you. I like slender rings without much bulk to them. And honestly, I like best that you put it on me. I never expected us to be married.”
Glenn scoffed. “When a man finds someone as fine as you are, of course he should properly marry. I’m sorry I waited so long. I never meant to give you the impression that I didn’t wish to marry. I just wanted to give you the time to achieve all your goals.”
“And you did that. I’m really glad you did. But you know, living forever with you has always been one of those goals.” Ross leaned across the divide to kiss Glenn’s cheek. “I’m absolutely ecstatic right now.”
Glenn put the car into park in the driveway, and stole a moment before the clan descended on them to kiss Ross quickly and promise, “Our wedding will be perfect to make up for this botched proposal.”
Ross had to laugh, shaking his head. “In this clan? Not a chance.”
The doors opened on both sides before Glenn could respond, and people chivied them out. Ross went, not surprised that his mother reached him first. Imani gave him a huge hug, rocking him back and forth.
“I’m so glad! I kept waiting for one of you to propose.”
“Not all of us are as quick as you, Mama.” Ross hugged her back even as he rolled his eyes. His mother and Dunham had fallen for each other so quickly that his head still spun some days. The two had gotten married six years ago. And yes, Dunham had ridden that pony for all it was worth.
Dunham leaned in for a sideways hug, a bright smile on his face. “Now, son—ooomph. Why you be pokin’ me in the stomach?”
“You know why, Dad. And quit it, that joke is old by now.”
Dunham’s smile didn’t waver. “Dad jokes never get old.”
Oh god. Someone save him. Ross didn’t know whether to groan or punch him. Or laugh. It really was a toss-up.
“Why did you stop in the middle of the street like that?” Keane asked Glenn on the other side of the car.
“I told you lot not to do this,” Glenn growled back. “For damn good reason! We got interrupted at the restaurant. I wasn’t able to ask him.”
“Wait,” Anabella demanded in shock, “don’t tell me you stopped in the middle of the street and asked him in the car!”
“Well, what else was I supposed to do? As soon as we got out of the vehicle, all of you would have let the cat out of the bag anyway.”
Ross had to admit, Glenn was right.
Fiadh tsked him. “Some romantic you are. I’ll make sure a proper wedding will happen for you both to make up for it.”
Did Ross really want his mother-in-law-to-be in charge of his wedding? Would he have any choice? He had a feeling the answer to both questions was hell no. And that he was powerless to do anything about either.
Eloping. Eloping sounded like a great idea. Right now, with the mood Glenn was in, it would take no effort at all to convince him.
Fiadh rounded the car in a flash, right there at Ross’s side. She gathered him up in a hug, then stepped back to demand, “I can finally turn you, can’t I?”
Of course that was the first question out of her mouth.
Ross was now glad he’d been seriously thinking about it.
Fumbling with an answer in this moment would have been bad in multiple ways.
And he didn’t want to give Glenn the wrong impression.
It may have taken seven years, but Ross was finally ready for that next step. This time, it was easy to answer yes.
“After the wedding,” Ross said firmly, tone brooking no disagreement. “It can be your wedding present to us.”
Imani protested, “But do you want to be a vampire?”
“What, you like being one.” Ross initially had had reservations about that, but his mother actually loved being a vampire and thrived on it.
She worked night shifts now at the hospital, since that provided a more natural rhythm for her.
And it gave her the strength and longevity in life to keep up with her werewolf husband.
“And there’s no way in hell I’m letting Glenn live past me. ”
Thrilled, Fiadh kissed him on both cheeks. “Precisely so. I’m so happy! Let’s make it a short engagement. I’ve always wanted to do a wedding for one of my children. I have so many ideas!”
Definitely eloping. No question.
“Come inside,” Rocco the kobold called from inside Glenn’s front door. “We’ve got a cake prepared for the occasion!”
Glenn groaned loudly, head tipping back. “I told you specifically not to do that either.”
Ross’s eyes rolled off into the sunset as he walked toward the door. And since when did the clan really listen to either of them?
Indeed, a large cake waited inside on the table—several, in fact.
And finger food. And banners and streamers hanging from the ceiling, along with enough alcohol to float several ships.
It really was a nice spread. Ross felt the love in the room.
Some obvious effort and planning had gone into the preparations.
These guys really were the best found family ever.
He ended up tucked in against Glenn’s side, a flute of champagne in his hand as he watched the clan that was all crammed inside Glenn’s house. He lifted his glass in the air, signaling a toast, and they all quieted and focused on him.
“I really do love this, and I have to say, I’m really glad I once worked third shift in a gas station. And I appreciate fire elementals forcing me out of that job—”
People were grinning and snickering now.
Ross turned his face up to look into those warm, golden eyes that watched him with such obvious love.
“—and vampire knights coming to my rescue. It’s probably the most unorthodox fairy tale ever to be told, but it’s the best happily ever after I could have wished for.
To a long life of love and general insanity. Cheers!”
The clan roared back their approval with a laughing, “CHEERS!”
Ross and Glenn both sipped at their glasses before Glenn pressed in closer, leaving a soft kiss on Ross’s lips.
“Is this happily ever after what you wanted, then?” Glenn asked softly.
“I wouldn’t change a thing,” Ross promised. Then tacked on, “But let’s elope, yeah?”
“Oh, thank fuck. I hoped to convince you to do that.”
Ross laughed and kissed him again. He figured Glenn would be on board with that. Just one thing that didn’t go sideways on them, was that too much to ask for?
Even thinking that felt like jinxing himself.
Ross crossed his fingers for luck. Just in case.