He smiled at the two of us, at me seemingly bonding with the one vampire that had nearly had me running for the hills a few months ago, and then his eyes settled on his great-grandmother. He spoke a long, flowery Russian sentence to her. She sighed and nodded before reaching up and hugging him, repeating the only line that I'd actually understood - Ya Tebya Lyublyu - I love you.
My eyes watered as Teren grabbed my hand and led me to the car. Darn emotional vampires.
I tried to bring up the conversation he'd had with Halina on the car ride home, but he didn't really want to talk about it, only saying that she was worrying too much about it, and that he was positive Ben wasn't going to say anything to anyone. I could see the tension in his jaw when he said that though and thought Teren was simply wishing out loud. He wanted to believe Ben would choose their friendship over fear, or even over fame. I wasn't sure, but I'd imagine that one of Halina's concerns was that once he was outside of their influence, he'd gather his courage and speak out. Most reputable news sources would scoff at his tale, but if he looked hard enough, he could probably find one that wouldn't. If he wanted to sell a story and make a little money, Teren's was a good one to sell.
I just didn't see that with Ben though. Neither did Teren apparently, that's why he let him leave. He had faith. I guess tomorrow would answer the question for both of us. If he was going to spill, Tracey would be the first one he spilled to.
I put it out of my mind when we arrived at home; there was nothing I could do about it tonight anyway. Teren walked around the car to help me exit, as he liked to do, but paused an inordinately long amount of time at my door. He looked at me blankly through the glass and I knew he wasn't really seeing me. I knew he was listening. Without opening my door, he straightened and looked across the street. I looked with him, but saw nothing out of the ordinary.
It was the same large, two-story dwelling that we'd left behind Friday morning. Painted in a sort of salmon color that I found atrocious, it had high hedges that formed a natural fence around the perimeter. A balcony on the front of the home, highlighting what I'd always assumed was the master bedroom upstairs, was just as empty as it usually was. And In the darkness, I could just make out Goldie, Spike's favorite cat to chase, jump down off the vacant front porch to dash underneath the shrubbery before running off down the street. All pretty standard stuff.
Teren had an eerie look on his face though and a growl rumbled from his chest. I could hear him all the way through the thin metal of the car. I could almost feel it vibrating my skin as I sat safe and sound on the inside. Panic sliced through me at hearing that noise coming from him, but when he looked about ready to stride over to our neighbor's garish spread to personally investigate whatever was bothering his senses, I cracked open my door. He startled and looked back at me, pointing at the door in a clear command to stay put.
Ignoring my natural instincts to not be commanded, I opted for caution and stayed standing in the open door frame. He looked back at the street when it seemed I was obeying, and then took a step forward. I caught his hand at the last moment and he looked back at me, the desire to stay warring with the desire to leave, clear on his face. I shook my head at him, commanding him to stay. If I was going to be cautious, then so was he.
"I'm tired. I want us to go to bed." I stressed the "us" in that sentence, just in case he'd missed it. I didn't know what he was hearing, but I knew it was something I didn't want him leaving me to go check out. Besides, hadn't I just promised Halina that I wouldn't let anything happen to him? We were stronger together than apart, he needed to learn that.
He finally sighed and with one last look, and I swear a sniff, scooped me up dramatically to carry me across the threshold, like we were back in the fifties or something. I giggled, letting relief push worry from me, and an exuberant Spike met us at the door, having run into the house from a newly installed doggy door just off the laundry room. He barked and ran circles around the two of us, running in-between Teren's legs whenever he could, while Teren attempted to keep moving forward without stepping on him.
Teren set me down in the entryway, Spike jumping up so he could try and lick my face, while Teren walked back outside to get our bags. I watched him through the open door as he grabbed our belongings from the trunk. He occasionally glanced over at the house, shaking his head a little, but made no move to go near it. I exhaled in relief when he was finally done, setting our stuff down just inside the door and softly closing it, shutting the world out. Then with a wicked grin, he blurringly fast swept me back into his arms. I squeaked and held him tight as my body adjusted from being upright, to being carried. Laughing at my reaction, Teren held me tighter and gave me a quick kiss. Then our little trio headed upstairs and Teren laid me down on our bed while he went to bring our stuff up from downstairs.
I gave him a look that clearly said, 'you better only be going downstairs, and not outside to investigate whatever you heard, while I'm out of eyeshot'. He stared at me for a second and then nodded in silent acquiescence, understanding. Trusting that he'd listen to me, I comfortably settled myself on the bed, letting the busy weekend overwhelm my body. Spike hopped up with me, his long tongue lolling out the side of his mouth as his whole body vibrated with happy energy. He nuzzled into my back and, snuggling into his furry warmth, I was asleep long before Teren came back.
I was so tired that I didn't wake up until Teren kissed me goodbye for work the next morning. Smiling that he was fine, I kissed him back eagerly. My fingers ran over the metal of his wedding band as our hands slid together; the metal was as cool as his skin. As he straightened to leave, he handed me a calla lily. I smiled and took it, inhaling deep, amazed at his never-ending romantic side. So far, married life was going swimmingly.
Once he was gone, I crawled out of bed and made myself get ready for work. I couldn't help the small grin at the fact that I was in my pajamas. I was so out of it last night, that I hadn't even noticed him changing me.
Forcing my still tired body to go through the motions of showering, dressing and doing makeup, I suddenly thought Tracey had a good point when she'd asked why I was still working. Teren's family had money, seemingly a lot of money. Did I really need to keep trudging to a job every day? I did like it though. It occupied my mind and made me feel like I was contributing to something bigger than myself, even if it was an already well-off corporation. Sometimes it was just the process of getting there that sucked.
And once I finally dragged myself there, I was met with multiple little surprises. First, Clarice congratulated me. I think my eyes were as wide as they could go when she said that. Of course, she handed me a stack of papers at the same time, so really, I suppose, she could have been congratulating me for that. Second, someone, and I'm going to assume Tracey, had decorated my "office". My tiny cubicle was swarming with balloons and roses and cards stuffed with well wishes. It made my eyes water, looking at the thoughtfulness.
And my last surprise was the one that filled me with relief. Tracey hugged me and exclaimed over and over about what a great weekend she and Hot Ben had, and what a perfect wedding it had been. She was startled that I'd pulled it off, but not startled that my husband was a member of the undead. She was none the wiser. Ben had apparently been worthy of Teren's trust, and not said a single word. Yet again, I could have kissed him.
After a day of warm hugs, endless flashes of my gorgeous ring and thank yous to anyone who would listen, even the FexEx guy, who was only dropping off a package to Mr. Peterson and looked a little confused at my gratitude, I was worn out. By the time five came around, I was ready for a long bath and maybe a backrub by my extraordinarily strong husband.
But the surprises weren't quite done for the day. Late in the evening, an anxious looking Ben arrived on our doorstep. Shuffling his weight from side to side, he nervously glanced over my shoulder at Teren, standing a few yards back in the entryway. Then he exhaled a long, slow breath. Seemingly more confident, he asked if he could come in.
Running through all the things he could potentially say that would break Teren's heart, I told him of course he could, and led him into the entryway. He looked around our home, his blue eyes taking in all the little luxuries Teren surrounded himself with, and then followed Teren and me into the living room.
He took a seat on the leather sofa, only cursorily glancing at the wall of windows that showed a magnificent view of the water, the expanse of water dark, as the sun had set. Teren and I exchanged soft sighs and a long look before joining him. Sitting in-between us on the long, softer-than-your-bed couch, Ben stared at his hands clasped over his knees. His fingers traced the tiny scars and marks a person gets on their hands over the course of their life, but he didn't speak. Knowing that his mind was probably running a mile a minute, Teren and I gave him all the prep time he needed.
Finally he spoke, although he still stared at his hands. "I know, I wasn't supposed to see what I did the other night," he began quietly. "But I did." He finally looked up at Teren. "And I can't stop thinking about it."
Teren swallowed and nodded, his face calm, almost resigned. Ben slowly shook his head. "What you are...blows my mind." Looking over at me, Ben shook his head again. "I don't know how you handle it so well, Emma."
Looking between the two of us, he sighed and leaned back onto the couch; we followed suit. "Watching you two at the wedding though...all I saw was a couple in love." He looked at Teren again. "I didn't see a fictional monster." He looked at me. "And I didn't see a woman who willingly gives her blood to a fictional monster." He looked down at his hands again. "I only saw love. A love that makes me believe the world is a better place, because the two of you are in it."
I smiled and looked over at Teren who smiled with me, although his was tight. Reaching out for Ben, I put a hand on his knee. "Thank you, Ben. You don't know what your acceptance means to us, to Teren."
Ben stopped studying his hands to look up at me. I swallowed when I saw the tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Emma." He shook his head. "But that's not what this is."
I felt my own eyes water and shook my head. "But...you said..."
He swallowed, flicking a glance at Teren and then me. "I know, and I do feel that way about you," he looked at Teren, "about both of you." He shook his head, a tear finally falling. "But I can't deal with what I saw anymore."
He looked over at Teren, his face deeply apologetic. "I'm sorry. I know you're not a bad person, or whatever, but I can't handle being in a world where things like you exist."
Teren nodded and looked down, not saying anything. I found I couldn't be as stoic. "What?" I smacked Ben's shoulder so he'd look at me; he did so reluctantly. "You're his friend! That means accepting him for what he is!" My voice heated, as my hormonal emotions flared.
Ben swallowed and leaned away from me. "I am his friend. It's not him I can't handle." He looked back at Teren while I furrowed my brow, angered and confused. "I can't deal with the fact that all the myths are true. That horror stories are real."
I rolled my eyes and sighed. "Ben..."