Chapter 35
Ifelt like a rock star when we arrived at Andrew’s party.
My jaw dropped open at the spectacle. It seemed the VGO had invited every important vampire they knew. There had to be hundreds of vamps in attendance.
After we’d said our hellos and made a quick visit to our room, Joseph pulled me aside, looking nervous. “I do hope you’re happy with the animal theme. If you aren’t, it’s my fault. I’m the one who picked it.”
I shook my head and gushed, “Are you kidding? It’s absolutely perfect!”
Astonished, I gazed around the castle, which was decorated in a kind of zoo / safari theme.
They’d hired animal handlers, who walked through the room with various exotic creatures: striking rainbow birds, lemon-colored snakes, tarantulas, large wild cats, and even a couple lemurs.
The handlers wore matching tan expedition outfits, net hats included.
“Liz told me Andrew’s an animal lover, so I donated to the zoo here in town on behalf of the VGO. They showed their gratitude by offering to exhibit a few of their critters.”
That must have been some donation, I thought.
I clapped my hands together. “I love the cake. It’s so cute!
” And big enough to feed an army, though there were few humans present.
It had several tiers like a wedding cake, but the fondant icing had been tinted to look like animal skins: zebra stripes on the bottom, leopard spots in the middle, and crocodile scales on the top.
Perched at the very tip was a cartoony giraffe; it sat back on its rear playfully, its long legs splayed out in front.
It even had its little tongue sticking out and one ear cocked.
Taking in the lush greenery that had been placed throughout the room, I asked, “How in the world did you get potted palm trees in Edinburgh—in the middle of winter? And ferns? And coconuts? It’s snowing outside!”
“We have our ways,” Joseph said cryptically.
I gestured at the vampire band that played an upbeat reggae song. “They’re wonderful! Andrew seems to love them, too.”
Emi, a Japanese vamp who’d used my blood to go on a human vacation in Majorca, was holding my son.
He giggled as they danced along to the music.
Thankfully, the band was mindful that they were performing for a baby’s party.
I’d been worried that the music would be too loud when they first started up, but they were playing softly enough that it was enjoyable.
“Look at Andrew, clapping along. Your boy is so very sweet, and he looks just like you. He’s going to be such a heartbreaker.” Joseph grinned. “You’re going to be fighting the ladies off with a stick.”
“Andrew isn’t allowed to date until he’s thirty,” I joked. “Until then he has to stay home with his mamma.”
“You let me know how that works out. We flew the band in from Jamaica, especially for the party. They’re friends of Linus’s.”
“Remind me who Linus is.”
“He’s over there,” Joseph said, pointing to an older man with dreadlocks down to his waist.
“Oh, yes. I remember him being nice. And, look, he even wore more clothes for the occasion.” Last time I’d seen him, he wore a vest with no shirt and black leather pants.
He was still dressed like a rocker tonight, in platform boots and shiny skintight leggings that laced up the sides, but he wore an actual shirt.
It was sheer and had a skull hand-painted on it, but it still counted.
“So, listen, Olivia, there’s something I want to talk to you about.”
I eyed Joseph suspiciously. “Uh-oh. You look serious. You aren’t going to ask me for more of my blood, are you?”
Joseph laughed. “No, it’s nothing like that.” He craned his neck and located Liz on the other side of the room, wiggling his brows at her. She blew him a kiss and then turned back to her conversation with Robert.
“That’s a relief. I’d hate to have to stake you at my son’s birthday party.” I winked.
“I need to show you something, but I don’t want you to freak out or make a commotion.”
“Okay, but it better not be one of those tarantulas.”
“Err, no, it’s definitely not a tarantula.” Joseph looked for Liz again, her back now turned to us. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small red velvet box.
“Oh my God!” I squealed.
“Shh! You promised you weren’t going to make a scene.”
“Sorry,” I whispered. “Let me see it!”
I gasped when Joseph opened the box. Nestled within an antique yellow gold setting, the center stone, a fiery emerald-cut ruby, was the size of a grape. It was flanked by two sparkling triangle-shaped diamonds—trillion cut, I thought they were called. It looked like a gorgeous piece of candy.
“We’re heading to Spain in a couple days. I’m popping the question then.”
“It’s so beautiful, Joseph. Well done.”
“Will she like it?” he asked, anxious. “It’s an heirloom.”
“I can’t think of any woman on the planet who wouldn’t love that ring. It’s gorgeous.” I squeezed his hand excitedly. “I want to hug you, but I won’t. I promise I’ll keep it on the down low.”
“So, you approve, then?”
“Yes, I approve! You make Liz so happy. I was kind of hoping for this, to tell you the truth.”
He pretended to wipe sweat from his brow. “Do you think she’ll say yes?”
“Joseph, you have absolutely nothing to worry about.” I shook my head. “Well, maybe you should worry about how big of a wedding Liz will want. You’re going to need a bigger castle.”
Chuckling, Joseph shoved the box back into his pocket. “Wish me luck. I’m going to join Liz before she gets suspicious.”
“Good luck,” I said. “And thank you, again, for the party.”
I went to join Robert, who was by a group dancing with Andrew. At the edge of the crowd, a long line of vamps waited to get their turn with my son. Each time he was passed to a new caretaker, the crowd cooed. Awwwwwwww!
I’d been anxious about how some of the vampires would behave toward Andrew, that maybe they’d try to kidnap him or take a pull off his special blood, but my worries had been unfounded.
They all treated him with great respect, holding him tenderly, gently kissing his head, and closing their eyes as they inhaled his lovely baby scent.
Some took photos and rocked him; others sang along with the music. It was all very sweet.
“I’ve never felt so much joy,” Robert said in my ear.
I put my arm around his waist and kissed the crook of his neck. “Me either. I love you so much.”
“I love you, too.” He wiggled his fingers at Andrew, who was now being fawned over by Luther and Marlena. I was surprised by how maternal Marlena was. She was a natural with the baby, though she tried to play it cool. My little guy was eating up all the attention.
I beheld my two boys, my husband and son, feeling so much delight that I almost ached. It was one of those perfect moments in life, a snapshot in time so utterly harmonious that it felt surreal. I understood what that feeling was: absolute happiness. There was nothing more that I could want. Ever.
A beautiful blonde vampire approached Robert and me with a shy smile. She held out a pair of hand-painted wood clogs and presented them to us. “I am Dutch,” she said. “I brought traditional shoes for your boy.”
I held the shoes in my hand and felt yet another grin spread across my face. My cheeks were hurting from all the smiling. The clogs were so adorable, teeny-tiny. “These are so amazing. Thank you so much for your kindness . . . ?”
“Corrie,” she said.
Robert and I kissed her on the cheek and thanked her again. It amazed me, the thoughtful gifts the vampires had given us.
I’d also been stunned by the bluntness of their questions about my pregnancy.
They wanted to know how often Robert and I had “mated,” and if we had used any particular positions or fertility statues.
I couldn’t begrudge the vampires for their curiosity.
Many of them so desperately wanted children of their own.
Judging by the way they doted on Andrew, I sincerely hoped their wishes came true.
“Awwwwwwww!” went the crowd again. This time it was because Andrew had started to cry.
I took Andrew from Luther, who was patting Andrew’s back and whispering, “There, there, little one. Hush, now.” It was touching in a weird way, seeing all these savage beings swooning over a tiny baby.
“I’m going to put him down for a nap,” I told the crowd. “I think he’s jet-lagged. But don’t worry, I’ll make sure he’s up later so we can light candles and cut the cake.”
“Do you want me to join you?” asked Robert.
“No, hon, I’ve got this,” I said, kissing him on the lips. “We should have at least one of us in attendance.”
I went into the baby’s room the VGO had fashioned for us, astounded by their thoughtfulness.
The room was fully stocked with everything a parent could need: diapers, blankets, toys, and ointments galore.
The crib must have come from the same maker who’d gifted us the one at home.
This one featured forest animals at each of the four posts—a squirrel, a bird, a deer, and a raccoon—and it was made of redwood.
The one at home, which was made of a different kind of wood I couldn’t place, had African animals: a lion, elephant, hippopotamus, and giraffe.
I wondered if the wood used coincided with the area the theme animals resided.
I made a mental note to find out if the maker was attending the party, so that I could ask and thank them again for their gift.
I changed Andrew and then rocked him until he dozed off.
It didn’t take long, less than five minutes.
The poor little guy must have been exhausted.
I was worn-out myself and was half tempted to curl up on the antique loveseat next to the crib and get some shuteye.
I was afraid I might not get up for a couple hours if I allowed myself to fall asleep, which would have felt rude considering all the work the VGO had put in on the party.
The only choice I had was to find some coffee and power through.
I was about halfway down the hallway when I realized I’d left my earrings in the baby’s room.
Andrew had a habit of yanking on them, and I’d learned fast as a new mother that dangle earrings were a huge no-no if I wanted to keep my earlobes intact.
For the special occasion, I’d bent my own rule and worn the rose gold hoops Robert had gotten me for my birthday.
I’d taken them out while I was tending to the baby.
I was perplexed when I found the door to Andrew’s room ajar. I was almost positive that I’d shut it because I hadn’t wanted the music to wake him.
“Oh, hello,” I said, surprised to find a blonde woman leaning into the crib with her back to me.
Geez, these vampires could be pushy when it came to spending time with the baby. Sneaking into my baby’s room was not okay. Still, I couldn’t be rude, even if that’s precisely what this vamp was being. We were guests of the VGO, and for all I knew she could be a new member.
The vamp still hadn’t turned around, so I cleared my throat. “Andrew needs to sleep. He’s jet-lagged . . . Oh, shit.”
“That’s right, bitch! Bet you never dreamed you’d see me again.”
The mixture of terror and fury that hit me was so sudden and sharp that it knocked the wind right out of me. I felt as if I was having some horrific outer body experience.
Serena.
She was here.
Squirming in her arms was Andrew.