Marie
Zzzzz... Zzzzzzz.....
..........
"Thornton?? Please don't, you have to wake up!"
"Noo!"I cry "You can't take him!"
"I am so sorry..."
.........
I wake up with a start, my heart pounding. That has to be one of the worst nightmares I have had in ages. I feel cold, and still have goosebumps left over from the horrible images.
And I...
What the...?
"Vlad?" I mumble sleepily
Rubbing my eyes I squint up at Vlad, who is calmly laying next to me reading another of his cheesy romance novels.
"What's going on?" I ask, becoming more aware with each passing second "What happened?"
"Oh my gosh!"I blurt out in horror as a sudden revelation hits "We didn't do anything last night did we!?"
Looking me squarely in the face with a perfectly neutral expression, Vlad, being very careful to reveal nothing, says calmly "I will leave that up to you to remember."
Slowly leaning back I scrutinize him from head to toe as he goes back to reading. Of course he would say that. He likes to make me suffer. Silently pouting I try to remember last nights events, but nothing is coming to me. My mind is completely blank.
Hmmm..
Pretty lamp...
Ok Marie. Focus! Trying my hardest to ignore the mesmerizing floating bubbles I close my eyes and give my head a good shake and quietly mouth "Did anything happen between Vlad and me last night?"
"I know what I'm getting you for your birthday." He says with no hint of humor
"Shut.....up....." I slowly whisper as I try to concentrate. Then images of my nightmare pass before my eyes.
"Well that answers nothing..." I mutter
"What doesn't?" Vlad asks mildly
"I keep getting flashbacks of some nightmare."
"Oh" He says with interest and puts his book down "Did it take place in Abbie's house."
"Yes.. actually" I reply totally confused "She has a house now? Oh no! Is it the trailer?"
Smirking he goes on "Was Thornton there, with a friend."
Holy cow! How does he know that. Gasping I look at Vlad with new found respect. He wasn't joking when he said he could read minds. Impressive, maybe I can learn how to do that.
"That wasn't a dream."
That wasn't a dream. I repeat to myself slowly. Well, it sure seemed like it.
"So what you are trying to say is....?" I say as I try to work things out
"Abbie has her own house now." He answers obviously enjoying himself
YES! I knew from the moment I saw her photograph that she was a go getter. She sure showed the world. Go Abbie!
"Because she somehow got Thornton to move in with her." He continues
......uhhh yes! She's a ..... homewrecker... But still go... abbie....
"Then last night he died. From who knows what."
"Dead?!" I look at him shocked "What do you mean. He can't be dead! They just got together!"
"And I found you curled up next to his urn. I don't know what you - " Vlad continues on as my mind wanders on.
Thornton's dead! That is so tragic. My dear sweet innocent Abbie, after all she has gone through she finally finds her true love in Thornton and he dies a horrible death the first day they are together. It's just too awful. I can't even imagine what she is going through right now. Poor girl, I might cry. I might......
Wow, that is a really pretty lamp, I wonder if I can get a bigger floor model.
"... accused of killing him. If it wasn't for me showing up when I did. Not to forget about Abbie. And now all you can do is stare at that lamp" Vlad finishes his rant
"What was that?" I ask
"You heard me!" He says sharply
No actually I didn't.
"What happened to Abbie?"
Ignoring my question he opens up his dumb book and starts to read.
"Vlad?" I ask poking his shoulder "Vlad, your right I need to listen to you more often." Pulling myself up I breath in deeply. This is going to be hard. "I'm...sorry..."
He continues reading and I forge forward "You know, I've been thinking. You have been so kind to me lately, with the laundry mishap and letting me stay at your place, and now this. I want to do something special for you."
"Oh really..." He replies smoothly
"Yeah I was thinking of a getting you a nice white couch. All of your furniture is so old and uncomfortable. And well, it's ugly Vlad. You could really use a nice big over sized white couch to relax and read your books on." I smile up at him hopefully
"White? I would have thought an animal print would represent my personality better." He says, going back to his book
"Really. Animal print. Like a cheetah or leopard?" He must think he's like a hunting animal. Rawr.. That's very vampish of Vlad.
"I was thinking cow print"
"Oh right. Yeah. Cow. Now that you mention it, it makes perfect sense." I say smiling
"I see you're doing better, the brain damage is nothing new. And since there is no chance of us doing anything, I'll be on my way."
"Your leaving me?" I ask him whimpering "In my moment of need! I just saw a man die and your leaving me!"
"Yes" He says coldly "I have a funeral to go to"
"A funeral? Who's?"
"I'm not answering that."
Watching Vlad getting ready to leave I can't help but rethink the night before. Thornton was a big jerk that's for sure. But I shouldn't have been there sneaking around. And I don't even want to think about the final words I said to him.
"I'm sorry I kneed you in the crouch." I whisper as I slap my hand to my forehead in embarrassment.
I am such a moron.
Well, I'm going to make things right. Or at least make myself feel better. "Vlad?" I ask, swinging my legs over the side of the bed.
"Yes?" He looks up from adjusting his cuffs
"Can I come too?"
Why does he look so horrified?
"I can be your date!" I tell him, trying my hardest to be enthusiastic
"I'm already going with someone." He says a little too quickly
"What?!? You're lieing!" I yell back
So after much arguing,
begging on my hands and knees... "Vlad! Please! I'll be on my best behavior!"
And promising I will not have another panic attack like that one time in China, which was not my fault! And which he claims was the worst time of his life. He finally relents.
"You have ten minutes!" He yells
And now, twenty minutes later, I find myself in a crowded closet with nothing to wear.
I shouldn't have spent so long on my hair.
"Hurry up!" I can hear Vlad yelling from the other room
He is so pushy, these things take time. Taking down an adorable green dress with polka dots I wonder if I can wear something other then black. Or if it's some sort unspoken rule...
Darn it...I think it's a rule... and I hang my head dejectedly "I have nothing to wear" I cry
I scream as Vlad enters the closet "GET OUT, GET OUT , GET OUT!!"
Ignoring me, he opens a drawer and throws a dress at me.
"Hurry. Up."
Then storms out.
"But this is itchy....."
And very very low cut. I really don't think this is appropriate attire for a funeral. I should have worn a scarf.
Well, at least Vlad looks to be having a good time
"Perfect!" Vlad says happily "It's the perfect night for a funeral! Look at the turn out."
Maybe I could steal his coat .... That's when I finally take notice of my surroundings.
"My gosh" I whisper "It looks like half the town has shown up."
Shoot I'm not ready for this. I wonder how long it would take me to get home..
"If you ran, an hour." He answers my unspoken question " But knowing you, you would pick up every damn rock along the way. So if you hurry, you will be home by morning."
I really hate it when he does that.. I giggle uncomfortably as he waves to a group of people and starts walking over to them.
"Where are you going?" I ask
"To mingle. I'm not going to stand here like a dolt."
He makes it look so easy, laughing and chatting with everyone. I was hopelessly inept socializing even when I was human. Look at them hanging off his every word.
Oh hahaha....... Darn him, I want to be cool too!
Stomping my foot I grab the attention of some people nearby. Catching their gaze I quickly look away hoping they hadn't notice.
My hands turn clammy and I start to fidget. Oh my gosh they are probably whispering that there is some crazy maniacal vampire loose at the church.
Horrified, I silently wonder if they have a stake...
"Miss?" A voice behind me asks as I jump in surprise. "Are you alright?"
Later, I find myself sitting inside the church in the back row, viciously poking the buttons on my phone. I haven't added numbers to this thing forever. Getting frustrated I give it a good shake. I'm awful when it comes to keeping up with technology. I jab at few more buttons, when Vlad slips in silently and takes the seat next to me. Giving him a snarky look I shuffle a few inches away and do my best to ignore him.
I'm not forgiving him anytime soon for ditching me like that.
"What are you doing?" He asks looking at my phone mildly interested
"Conner gave me his number.. He told me to call him whenever I liked" Smiling I push a few more buttons on my phone "So now I'm trying to put it into my phone. I have three numbers now." Just a few more and I will be able to scroll!
"Hey!" I exclaim in shock, as he takes the paper, rips it up and tosses on the ground.
"He was nice...." I whimper
Shrugging, he looks away keeping an eye on the entrance.
What's he looking at?
"What are you looking at?" I ask
"Hmm Oh." He says giving me some recognition "Just making sure two parties arrive separately."
"Why? Who?" I whisper with growing interest "Is there going to be trouble?"
"Thornton's wife Morgana and your Abbie need to be kept separate." He breaks off laughing "It's quite and interesting situation."
"Oh right... He was married."
"He was indeed." He gives me one of his seedy smiles "Here is Morgana, Thornton's wife."
"That's her?"I study her for a moment "She kind of looks like Thornton. Maybe it's the big nose and hair..."
Chuckling he shushes me "And here comes Abbie."
"She Pregnant!" I gasp
"I know!" He says with mock surprise
Giving him a quick slap on the shoulder I watch Abbie as she walks passed us, up the aisle to take a her seat at the front.
"She looks scared." I whisper in his ear
"Wouldn't you be?"
Now that he says it I can feel it. The evil glances, the whispering, the room is thick with tension.
Vlad sits there breathing deeply with his eyes closed "Wonderful isn't it"
Looking at him with interest I inhale the air trying to catch a scent. Perhaps this is one of those elite vampire abilities he is always talking about. However, after taking in a breath I quickly plug my nose at look at him with disgust.
"Oh my gosh! My nose. It burns!" I tell him with a few tears running down my cheeks "How much cologne are you wearing?!"
"Not much." He says with arrogance "But I do like to make an impression."
"Time to get started!" He says rising from his seat "Ladies and Gentleman" He announces
"Vlad what are you doing?" I whisper hoarsely "Sit down, everyone is looking!"
"No love. You sit down. And enjoy the show" He says cheerily
"Everybody, please. Be seated" Vlad says walking up to the podium
How on earth did he manage a position like this? Professional speaker and a funeral, only Vlad would think this was a good time.
An hour later-
Oh my gosh, how long is he going to go on. I thought when he lectured me it was bad, but this is torture. Uncrossing then recrossing my legs I adjust my dress (again) then glance at my watch (again). Inwardly sighing I attempt to pay attention to what he is saying.
Arg! Half of what he is saying isn't even true! Thornton never did charity work. And I know he never took in any homeless kids! He just making stuff up now....
"....... He leaves behind a loving wife and an unborn child" Vlad continues.
"Don't bring that conniving whore up here!" Someone yells out
"I bet it's not even his" Another voice yells
"It sure as hell is his!" Another voice adds in that I recognize as Nina Caliente
"Stay out of this you slut! You don't know anything!"
With those words the room erupts into chaos. Morgana starts shouting insult after insult at Abbie accusing her of everything from plotting against her to ultimately killing Thornton.
Nina seemed to be doing her best defending Abbie's reputation, while making some very uncomplimentary observations about Morgana's appearance.
And Abbie just stands there, listening. I don't know if she was shocked by Morgana and the accusations, or if she was so deep in mourning of her true love suddenly passing that nothing anyone could say can bring her out of her anguish.
I'm willing to bet it's the latter....
I intently watch, with my hands covering my ears to block out most of the horrible insults. It's just to much to bear. The crowd breaks into two definite sides. Abbie seems to have made some very good friends since coming to Sunset Valley. They are defending her tooth and nail. Then suddenly in the middle of the gloom a light shines through a window and seems to illuminate the urn.
That is when the most brilliant idea hits me!
Being as quiet and as inconspicuous as possible I silently slide out from the bench and make my way to the side of the room. Rushing from column to column and trying to stick to the shadows, I gradually make my way to the front of the room and the arguing crowd. All of who are still yelling as loud as ever.
Now comes the tricky part. How do I grab the urn without anyone noticing?
Nina and Morgana are still exchanging insults, Abbie has yet to say a word, while the guys look to be on the verge of a full scale fight...
They won't be a problem. It's Vlad I have to worry abo-
"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" I hear someone moan as the room goes silent.
Turning, I'm greeted with the most unexpected sights.
Wow... Abbie. That is some great timing. She has them all nicely occupied... Now I just need to deal with Vlad.
"Did he faint?!?" I say out loud to myself in astonishment.
Hahahaha, He did! Oh he is never going to live that one down, I'll make sure of that.
Still giggling about Vlad's misfortune I grab the urn and hurry back to the shadows of the columns and quickly make my way to the exit. Looking back over my shoulder I see Abbie still in the grips of labor pain.
Gosh I hope one of those morons gets her to the hospital on time.....
__________________________________________________________________________
Back at home I find myself relaxing with one of Vlad many books. I don't know how he can read these. It is so nasty, and not at all realistic. No girl would fall for a guy like that. Then do THAT.
Flipping over the page I quickly scan what happens next...
Hehehehe....
Hearing Vlad on the stairs, I start to panic as my eyes flick back and forth from the stairs to the urn. I don't think he needs to know about Thornton yet.
"Cupcakes! I'll hide you behind the cupcakes! And it smells nice" Grabbing the urn I shove it behind the cupcake stand "You'll like it there Thorny"
"Marie! Where have you been!" Vlad booms from the bottom of the stairs
"Uhh..." I hesitate unsure of what to say
"I've been looking for you everywhere!" He growls
"Uhhh"
"Did you see what I had to deal with? People have no respect, and your Abbie is the worst! Completely selfish of her going into labor in the middle of the service!"
"Uhh yeah.. That is so super selfish of her Vlad... She should have waited for a wedding or something." I cut in, but he is oblivious and continues on his rant.
"And then, as if that wasn't the worst of it, some idiot goes and steals the urn! And of course, they blame yours truly... What the hell would I do with an urn?!"
"Awful, such a disgrace.... I mean seriously, what would someone do with an urn?" I tell him with a nervous giggle
"Humans have some strange ideas..." He replies disgusted "I need a drink"
Seeing Vlad trudge over to the bar I can't help but feel a little guilty over all that I have done. Then watching him drop bottle after bottle pathetically trying to make a drink in his pink shirt I feel even worse.
Cringing as the forth bottle shatters onto the floor I decide to take matters into my own hands before he ruins my floor.
Going to the bar, and doing the most awkward pose I could muster, I smile at him "You know, you looked very handsome up there..." I say sheepishly "I love the speech, I was enthralled. You are very talented."
"Well," He clears his throat "You know...."
"I guess I do." Grinning I run around to the other side of the bar to lavish more praise on him.
He is going to be so angry when he finds out.....
