Twilight Dreams (23 page)

Holly frowned at him. “Why are we finishing each other's sentences?”

“I don't know,” Micah said, laughing. “It's kind of neat, though, don't you think?”

“I think it's kinda creepy.”

“I'm sure it's partly because I'm your sire and partly because I've got Saintcrow's blood in me. It makes the link between us stronger. So, about the wedding? Are you sure you don't want to tell my folks the truth?” he asked. “I mean, they're sure to guess when you sleep all day and don't eat anything. On the other hand, it might be best if we keep it a secret. If Sofia sees how happy you are, she might start rethinking her decision.”

“If I'm happy, it's because of you, you idiot, not because I'm one of the walking dead.”

“Speaking of the walking dead, we've got to invite Saintcrow and Kadie.”

“Of course. And considering the size of your family, it would probably be easier to have the ceremony in your hometown.”

Micah grinned. “My mother and sisters would love that.”

“Well, maybe you should call them tomorrow and let them know we're getting married. They might not be as thrilled as you think.”

“Are you kidding? My parents both love you already.”

Holly stroked his cheek. “I love you.”

“Do you?”

“Don't you believe me?”

“Actions speak louder than words.” Pulling her down on top of him, he murmured, “Show me, sunshine. Show me how much.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

Sated and spent, Holly snuggled against Micah. Why had she waited so long to let him make love to her? Being in his arms, touching him, knowing he was hers, was the most wonderful thing in the whole world. Soon, she would be his wife, and how awesome would that be?

“Awesome?” As usual, he was eavesdropping on her thoughts.

“It's a good thing I never think bad thoughts about you, isn't it?” she muttered. But she wasn't really mad. She was a vampire now, able to shield her thoughts if she really wanted to.

“How could you, when I'm so awesome?”

She stuck her tongue out at him. “No, you're not. I changed my mind.”

“Too late.” Holding her down with one hand, he tickled her feet.

“Stop!” She bucked and twisted, but, of course, he was too strong for her.

“Change it back.”

“All right, all right, I give up! You're the most awesome man on the face of the planet.”

“That's better.” Drawing her into his arms, he kissed her, a lazy, we've-got-all-the-time-in-the-world kind of kiss that drove everything else from her mind. Everything but the wonder of his touch, the magic of his love.

* * *

Holly called her parents while Micah showered. Only her mother was at home. After asking about their vacation, Holly announced her engagement. Her mom was more than a little surprised to learn Holly was getting married as soon as possible to a man she had known such a short time, someone her parents had never met.

“Is there a reason you're in such a rush?” her mother asked. “I mean . . .” She cleared her throat. “Are you in trouble, Holly?”

“No, Mom, nothing like that. You and Dad will come to the wedding, won't you?”

“Yes, of course. Is there anything we can do to help?”

“I'll let you know. Give my love to Dad. Talk to you soon.”

With a sigh of relief, Holly tossed her phone aside. She couldn't help smiling when Micah came out of the bathroom a moment later, a towel wrapped around his lean hips. He was gorgeous. And he was all hers. Forever.

“How'd it go?” he asked.

“She thinks I'm pregnant.”

Micah grunted softly. There was no chance of that.

He dressed, then called home while Holly went in to shower. As he'd predicted, his mother was thrilled.

“That's wonderful!” she exclaimed. “I'll talk to Father Anthony about setting a date and reserving the church, and . . .” She paused. “Of course, you and Holly should decide where to be married. And her parents should probably make arrangements. . . .”

“It's okay, Ma. It's easier for us to go there for the wedding, than for you and Dad and the rest of the family to come here.”
In more ways than one
, he thought. Morgan Creek was no place for a family gathering. “Holly's parents have offered to help, too. So, get in touch with the priest. We'll be there in a day or two to talk things over.”

His father was equally happy with the news. Sofia and Rosa were delighted. He had to laugh when Sofia asked if it was safe for him to enter a church, or if he'd go up in smoke.

He was still laughing when he disconnected the call.

Holly opened the bathroom door, her brow furrowed. “What's so funny?”

“Sofie was afraid I'd burn up if I went to church.”

Holly's eyes widened. “Will we?”

“No, love.” Drawing her into his arms, he kissed the tip of her nose. “All we need to do now is set a date.”

* * *

They broke the good news to Saintcrow and Kadie later that night.

“I'm so happy for you both,” Kadie said. “Holly, you'll make a beautiful bride.”

“Thank you. I'm a little nervous about seeing my folks.”

“Don't worry. They won't notice anything. Well, maybe a few things, but they'll just chalk it up to your being in love.”

“I hope so.”

“All right,” Saintcrow said, “My turn.” He put his arm around Micah's shoulder. “I've never had a son, but if I did, I'd like him to be just like you.” Turning to Holly, he gave her a quick hug. “Take care of each other.”

Holly nodded. “I don't have any sisters, but, Kadie, I'd love it if you'd be my matron of honor.” Glancing at Micah, she said, “I thought I'd ask your sisters to be my bridesmaids.”

“They'll love it,” he said. “Saintcrow, since we're talking about the wedding, I'd like you to be best man.”

“I always have been,” he said with a wry grin. “Seriously, I'd be honored.”

“Thanks.”

“Just let us know when and where,” Kadie said, “and we'll be there.”

* * *

Three nights later, just after dinner, Holly and Micah arrived at his parents' home. She was nervous about telling his family that she was now a vampire, but trying to hide the truth, now that they knew about Micah, seemed ridiculous.

His parents welcomed them with open arms. Luciano opened a bottle of wine and offered a toast.

“To your health and happiness, my children,” he said, raising his glass. “May you find as much joy in your marriage as Lena and I have found in ours.”

“Here, here!” Micah said.

“Have you set a date yet?” Sofia asked.

“I'd like to make it as soon as possible,” Micah said, squeezing Holly's hand.

“I'll bet you would!” Sofia exclaimed with a knowing grin.

Feeling herself blush, Holly said, “I'd love for you and Rosa to be my bridesmaids.”

“Oh!” Sofia squealed. “I was hoping you'd ask.”

“Me, too,” Rosa said.

Sofia cocked her head to the side. “So, Holly, how long have you been a vampire?”

Lena gasped, her empty glass falling from her hand. It rolled across the carpet, but she didn't seem to notice.

Luciano simply stared at Holly, as did Rosa.

Caught completely off guard, Holly glanced at Micah.

He laughed as he put his arm around her. “It happened recently,” he said. “She's still getting used to the idea.”

“But how?” Lena asked. “Why?”

“It's a long story,” Micah said. “Why don't we sit down and I'll tell you all about it.”

* * *

Holly wasn't surprised when Sofia took her aside later that night. As she followed her outside, she was pretty sure Micah's sister didn't want to talk about the wedding, and she was right.

Sofie gestured at an iron bench. “Shall we sit here?”

“If you like.”

Sofia bit down on her lower lip, then said, in a rush, “Tell me the truth. What's it really like? Micah makes it sound horrible, but you wanted it.”

Holly sighed as she pondered how best to answer. “I love Micah,” she said, remembering a similar conversation with Kadie. “He's the only reason I ever considered becoming a vampire. Because of what happened with Braga, it happened a little sooner than I'd planned, but I'd already made the decision to ask Micah to bring me across if we were going to stay together.”

“So, what's it like? Is it wonderful? Horrible? What?”

“I don't know how to describe it. There are so many things I miss—my favorite foods—mainly chocolate and coffee—being awake during the day. Dreaming. Just being normal. Human. Some things are good, like not having to worry about getting sick or growing old. But I'll never have Micah's baby, never have grandchildren. You're so young, you're probably not thinking about any of that now. . . .”

“You're not that much older than I am.”

Holly nodded. “I know. At your age, I never thought about having a family. To tell you the truth, I never really gave it much thought until I knew it would never happen. Like being human, being a vampire has its advantages and its drawbacks.”

“What about the blood thing?”

“It's a big part of it. You can't go without it. I hear it's very painful if you do.” Holly placed her hand on Sofia's arm. “I thought, after what happened to you, that you'd given up the idea of being a vampire.”

“I did, but you seem so happy.”

“Sofie, I was happy before. It isn't being a vampire that makes me happy. It's being with Micah.”

Sofia nodded, her expression pensive.

“Micah was right. If you decide you want to be one of us, you need to wait until you're a little older. I know you feel all grown up at eighteen, but you don't want to be eighteen forever. Trust me. Twenty-five is the perfect age. Old enough to have some wisdom, but still young.”

“Do your parents know?”

Holly shook her head. “Not yet. I'm afraid to tell them.”

“Why? Don't you think they'll still love you?”

“I don't know. I haven't told Micah, but my father is very rigid in his thinking. He's convinced vampires are the devil incarnate. A good friend of his died mysteriously. To this day, my dad is convinced a vampire killed him. Who knows? Maybe he's right. As for my mom . . .” Holly made a vague gesture with her hand. “I just don't have any idea how she'd react to the news that her only child is a vampire.”

“Well, I'm sorry I blew your cover tonight.”

“It's all right,” Holly said, grinning. “Micah said it would be hard to keep my secret, since you guys already knew about him.” Squeezing Sofia's hand, she said, “Please think about what I said.”

“I will. Thanks for being honest with me. I'm glad you're going to be my sister.”

“Me, too. You know, if you were a little older, I could fix you up with my cousin Ethan. He's really cool. I think you'd like him.”

“How old is he?”

“Twenty-six.”

“Hmm. Is he cute?”

“Very. Tall, Blond hair, dark brown eyes. Played football in college.”

“Sounds dreamy. Do you think an eight-year age gap is too big?”

“I don't know. If he's at the wedding, I'll introduce you, assuming he's still single. We've kind of lost touch over the years.”

“I'll hold you to it,” Sofia said. After giving Holly a quick hug, she went back inside.

Holly gazed up at the night sky, wondering if her talk had done any good. She wasn't unhappy as a vampire. There were, as she'd said, things she liked about it, though, given a choice, she would choose to be human again. But if that choice meant being without Micah, then she would choose to be a vampire every time. Because she loved him more than life itself.

* * *

Holly changed her phone from one ear to the other as she tried—and failed—to staunch her mother's tirade.

“We're your parents. If anyone is going to plan your wedding, don't you think we should be involved? I'm sure Micah's family is very nice, but it's traditionally the bride and her family that arrange the wedding, not the groom's.”

“I understand that, Mom,” Holly said patiently. “But since we're getting married here, I just thought it would be easier to let Micah's mother help, since she attends the church where we're being married, and . . .”

“Well, of course, it's up to you,” her mother said, her voice frosty.

“I was planning to come home to look for a dress. I'd love for you to go with me.”

There was a distinct thaw on the other end of the phone. “Well, of course, I'd love to.”

“That's great. I'll be there Friday night, around six.”

“Wonderful. We can shop all day Saturday.”

Holly bit down on her lower lip. She should have seen that coming.

“Holly?”

“Mom . . .”

“Is something wrong?”

“It's just going to be a quick trip. I have to be back Saturday morning to . . . to go with Micah's sisters to pick out their bridesmaids dresses.”

“I see.” The frost was back. “Do you think you can find a dress in one night?”

“I hope so. I just need something long and white, you know,” she said, hoping to lighten the mood.

“Very well. I'll see you Friday night. Do you need us to pick you up at the airport?”

“No, we'll just rent a car. Thanks, Mom. See you then.”

She disconnected the call with a sigh of relief. At least that old saw about vampires not casting a reflection wasn't true. She didn't know how she would have explained that to her mother!

“Everything okay?” Micah asked, stepping into the room.

“I guess so.” She fell back on the bed, arms thrown wide. “Maybe we should have just eloped.”

Micah stretched out beside her. “Your mom giving you a hard time?”

“Sort of. She's feeling left out. Not that I blame her. Ever since I was a little girl, she's had this idea of what my wedding would be like. You know, about a dozen bridesmaids, me in a Cinderella dress, a reception fit for a queen.”

“Is that what you wanted?”

“No. I've never liked being the center of attention.”

“It's not too late to elope.”

“It would break my mother's heart. And what about your mom? I know she wants to be there. And your sisters and your brothers.”

“Yeah.”

“So, I told my mom I'd be there Friday night to go look at dresses. Is that all right?”

“Sure.”

“Will you zap me there? I don't feel comfortable trying to transport myself that far.”

“You know I will.”

“I just . . .”

Micah covered her mouth with his hand. “No more wedding talk tonight,” he said. “I had something else in mind.”

She looked up at him, brows raised.