by Niranjan K
The server brought the bill and Ray paid for the food, ignoring Jerry’s protests.
“I’m the producer,” Jerry said. “That means I pay the bills.”
“Not today, you don’t.” Ray said, leading him back to the car.
Jerry had a shitty sense of direction. Ray’s was marginally better in that he didn’t lose his way in familiar cities and if he had GPS. Jerry was hopeless everywhere and with any tools. Maps, GPS, nothing helped him.
“I knew it was this way.” Jerry said when they reached the car.
“Sure you did.” Ray said, getting in and keying in the commands for home.
“How are you holding up, Ray?” Jerry asked, getting in beside him.
Ray sighed. “I don’t know,” he said.
That was the truth. He had absolutely no fucking idea how he was feeling. Was he even feeling anything?
“I’m sorry,” Jerry said, his voice gentle. “For what it’s worth. Lee sends her regards and condolences as well. She would have come with me, except Kat was taken ill.”
“Oh? How is she?” Ray was touched that Jerry had come, leaving his sick daughter and that Lee had let him.
“Lee says it’s nothing catching, that she needs rest and warmth and fluids.”
“Ouch,” Ray said. In spite of the regulated temperatures of most cities, many people preferred the natural turn of seasons, and the Mayor of Miriwok was one such. Winter had never been harsh there, but it wasn’t exactly warm.
“Yea,” Jerry said moodily. “I had to buy one of those atmo regulators. Cost the earth I can tell you.”
“So, you would rather Kat doesn’t get her warmth?” Ray teased.
“No, of course not,” Jerry said. “Just if that bastard would do what we elected him to do, everything would be fine now.”
“I thought he was doing that,” Ray said. “I mean weren’t you all for the natural ebb and flow of seasons?”
“Yea, but I didn’t know any better, did I?”
“How can you say that after going to Saelie every year?” Ray asked, amused.
“We go there to shoot our show.” Jerry said. “Not to live. It’s always sunny whenever we go, and I thought that was what natural ebb and flow would be like. That we’d have sun as well as snow.”
“We’re too far away from the equator to have sun like that.” Ray said. “But we do get the sun.”
“It’s an insult to the idea of sun.” Jerry declared and Ray chuckled, though a fresh worry had taken hold of his mind. Jerry was expecting him for the shoot of the next season of their show, but how could he go anywhere without finishing the hunt?
The car turned into the familiar street and Ray bit his lip. How was he going to tell Jerry? To explain to him? Telling civilians about vampires was never a good idea.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
As they were reaching his home, Ray couldn't help glancing over at Alistair's house. It still didn't look occupied. All the windows and doors were shut and the curtains drawn. Though vampires didn't spend their days in sleep, they still needed to sleep. If they couldn't during the night, they would during the day. Alistair usually slept during the night, and he always used to keep his windows open and curtains open. It made Ray feel strange to see the house look unoccupied when he knew Alistair was there.
“Why are you staring at that house?” Jerry asked, and Ray realised their car had stopped.
“Sorry,” he said, as he got out of the car and took Jerry's overnight bag. “I was just thinking.”
Jerry gave him a smile and took the bag from him, giving his arm a squeeze. “I get it, man,” he said. “It's a tough time for you.”
“Jerry, when does the next season start shooting?”
“Not till May,” Jerry said. “We need the sun, remember? Why?”
“I have another job lined up in Miriwok. Relax, it's not a show, kind of a freelance thing I do as a hobby.”
Would he have enough time to find the vampire before the shoot started? It was months in the future, but this didn't seem like an easy case. If it came to a choice between the hunt and the show, Ray had no doubt which one he would pick.
“Okay,” Jerry still looked suspicious. “You won't be refusing to sign the renewal contract because of this “job”,”—Jerry made air quotes, as he said the word,— “will you?”
“It depends on if I can finish it before May.” Ray said.
“Ray,” Jerry muttered. “If you want more pay-”
“It's not about the money.” Ray said. “This… what I do, it's really important to me, you know? If all goes well, I can sign the contract before we start shooting, but if it doesn't, I'm sorry, Jerry. I wanted to tell you, just in case things don't happen as expected.”
“Talk of a curveball.” Jerry muttered. “Whatever it is, you better finish it. I can't go to the network this late and tell them we've got to replace you.”
“I'm sorry.” Ray said, sighing.
This was why he didn't tell Jerry during breakfast. He would never shut up about it. Now Ray would only have to listen to him gripe for the duration of the flight.
They were at the front door and Jerry said, “Look, if you need some time, I get it, all right? That I can sell. Not some mysterious job that you won't even explain to me.”
“It's not that,” Ray muttered. “I didn't want to lie, that's all.”
The door was answered by Brett. “It's uncle Ray and his friend.” He shouted as he stepped out of the way to let Ray and Jerry enter.
Mom came to greet them, accepted Jerry's condolences, asked him about his trip and about his stay.
“The hotel was fully booked,” Ray said. “I thought he could stay here.”
“He can have Anton's room.” Mom said. “He said he'll be spending the night at Bruce's.”
“Thank you,” Jerry said. “I'll be out of your hair tomorrow. Sorry I couldn't make any other arrangements.”
She waved it aside. “We're always happy to have friends of Ray over,” she said.
Brett took Jerry to his room after Mom asked him to freshen up and rest after the flight and Ray sank on to the couch.
“Were you two arguing?” Mom asked as she sat next to him.
“Not really.” He hesitated. “Mom, I want to go back with Jerry. I want to finish that hunt.”
She nodded, though her eyes were brimming. “Of course,” she said. “You should. It's what Ned would have said too.”
He put his arms around her and held her close. “What do you want? If you want me to stay, I'll stay. I'll give the case to someone else. I'll stay if you ask me to.”
She shook her head, though the front of his shirt was wet and it was soaking through to his skin. Mom had never cried like this, not even when they had lost Shane. “No,” she said, her voice steadier now, and she pushed herself a bit so she could look at him. “You finish that hunt. I'll always want you to stay, but it'll be all for selfish reasons. You should do what you need to. We're hunters, and you're a Haspel. That's why Magnus came to you, and you have to do this. There are things more important than personal feelings.”
“Not more important than family.” He reminded her gently.
“No,” she agreed. “But this is what we are, as a family too, Ray. We're hunters. We can't turn away from people in need because of our personal tragedies. We just can't… this… this isn't a job, for us… It's a calling… We do it because it saves lives. And we can't stop doing it.” She paused. “This isn't an easy life, Ray. The treaty has made things easier than it would have been for us and for them, but there are always rogues, and not all of them are dealt with by the vampire council. That means we have always to watch our backs and take them down whenever we can.” She paused again. “If you want to finish this hunt, go and do it, and don't let any consideration stop you. Okay?”
How lucky was he to have this woman for his mother? He nodded. “I feel like I need to, you know… I feel like I may go insane if I don't have anything to do.”
She nodded. “I understand. Go, do it. Get that bastard and hand him over to the council.”
“Thank you,” he said. If Mom said it was okay, his siblings wouldn't object. “Where's Eve?”
“Locked in her room. Brett says she had a visitor and she was behaving oddly, and now she won't come out of her room,” Mom sighed. “She needs her space. She had always done so.”
“No, she doesn't,” Ray said. “Not Eve. Come,” He pulled her to her feet. “Let's go to her.”
“Ray-” She protested, but she didn't fight him.
“Mom, she used to do this all the time, don't you remember? She wants us to go to her.” He paused. “Is there any ice cream in the fridge?”
She nodded. “There's a tub of Vanilla.”
He grinned. “Eve's favourite,” He went to the kitchen and got it, and got two bowls and three spoons. “Come, we'll go sit with Eve and eat ice cream.”
Mom gave a smothered laugh as she followed him.
Chapter Thirty
“Eve,” It was Ray’s voice through the door, along with what could only be described as banging, and Eve winced.
“Go away, Ray,” she said.
“Eve?” Mom sounded tentative. “Honey, can you open the door?”
Eve sighed. Why couldn’t anyone just leave her alone? She was paying for her mistakes and why couldn’t she be left alone to stew? She couldn’t keep Mom waiting, though. Not Mom. She went to open the door, and Ray pushed past her, brandishing a tub of ice cream as if it was a weapon. Mom followed, carrying bowls and spoons. Ray closed the door with his foot once Mom was inside and sat down with his back to it. Eve stared at him, angry.
“Stop glaring and sit down,” he said calmly, taking a spoon from Mom and opening the tub.
She plopped down next to him and grabbed the tub. “That’s mine,” she said.
Mom sat down next to her, handing one bowl to Ray and keeping the other one on her lap. Eve ladled out a few spoonfuls to each of the bowls, and ate a spoonful. It was heaven.
“So?” Ray asked. “What happened?”
She shook her head. Ray didn’t know about Aiden. Did she want him to know? She didn’t know. She was a mess. Ray put his bowl down and put an arm around her, and she placed her head on his shoulder. He dug his spoon into the tub and ate some ice cream.
“Stop stealing mine.” she said, rapping him on the knuckles with her spoon.
“I brought it here.” he said. “That means I can take it.”
“I already gave you.” she said, clutching the tub closer to her chest. “You don’t get any more.”
“Play nice,” Mom said as she finished her bowl and started eating out of the tub.
“Mom!” Eve said, pouting and Mom grinned.
Something inside her was melting, and Eve was surprised at how light she felt. She hadn’t known just how much tension she was carrying. It wasn’t gone, but it was easing and she ate another spoonful of ice cream, allowing her Mom and Ray to dig in as well. It was comfortable with Ray’s one arm holding her close and Mom on her other side. It filled her with warmth. It felt like she could deal with anything.
“I can’t believe Dad’s gone.” she said, half afraid she might spoil the interlude.
Ray dropped a kiss on top of her head and Mom sighed, taking her hand and giving it a tiny squeeze.
“I know, darling,” she said. “I can’t believe it either. I… I expect to see him, to hear his voice… I… I find myself checking my phone to see if he has called or texted before I remember...” She sighed again. “He had a good life, and he was so proud of you all, as am I… we should be celebrating his life, not mourning his death…”
“Mom,” Ray said softly, his other hand taking their joined ones. “You don’t have to hold things in for our sakes.”
“I know,” Mom smiled at them and her eyes were swimming in tears and her lips were trembling, but she smiled. “I meant what I said… I was thinking of Ned, and… he had a good life. We had a good life, a happy life. His being gone doesn’t change that. This was a day that had to come sooner or later, and… I’m just happy he didn’t suffer.”
Mom meant it. Eve could tell.
“We’re the ones who are suffering.” Ray murmured, leaning back so his head hit the door with a soft thunk.
“He didn’t want that, Ray.” Mom said. “He had only ever wanted us to be safe and happy.”
“I know,” Ray murmured. “It’s just… he was everything, Mom… and I… I never even visited...”
“He understood.” Mom said. “Ray, we both did.”
“How can you when I don’t myself?” Ray whispered, so much despair in his voice, and Eve squeezed his fingers.
“You want some ice cream?” she asked.
He nodded. They ate in silence for a while and she said, “Aiden’s here,”
Her mom’s spoon froze mid-air. Ray ate his and asked, “Who’s Aiden?”
Mom put the spoon in her mouth before the ice cream fell off and said, “Her vampire ex-boyfriend.”
“Wait, what?” Ray stared at Eve. “You had a vampire boyfriend?”
“It was a bit more complicated than that.” Eve said, glaring at Mom, but relieved at the same time. Perhaps it was better this way.
“All right.” Ray said. “Why should that upset you so much?”
“Aiden and I,” Eve coughed. “We… it kind of started after Nancy’s death… he was more like a booty call, but at some point he started becoming serious, and… he never said anything, but it was evident… and I...”
“You weren’t ready for commitment.” Ray murmured, “To move on from Nancy.”
“It’s not that I didn’t want to,” she said. “I couldn’t, Ray. I tried… I really did, but… I couldn’t forget her or what we had, even if it was so brief… And Aiden… he was so understanding and… god, it was awful!”
“Awful because he understood?” Ray sounded teasing and she rolled her eyes.
“He was nice, and kind and understanding...” she said. “And he was head over heels in love with me… I wanted to stop, but… He… he never seemed to expect anything even with his feelings for me, so...”
“Oh Eve,” Mom whispered. She had forgotten Mom didn’t know all the sordid details.
“I needed something, and he… it was only physical release for me, and he was safe… till I got pregnant.”
“You what?” Ray leaned forward to stare at her.
“Ray-” Mom’s tone held a warning.
“I’m not… I’m not judging, god knows I’m the king of bad life decisions, but I’m just surprised I didn’t know.”
“Ned and I decided it was no one’s business but Eve’s,” Mom said. “So, we didn’t let anyone know.”
“Anyone… you mean Dan and Anton don't know either? Wait, when was this?”
“Around the time you left home,” Eve said.
“So, what happened?”
“I wanted to give her up for adoption,” Eve said, “But Aiden wanted her, and in the end, I let him have her.” Eve said. “I didn’t want her, but he did, so it was best.”
“He’s a vampire.” Ray muttered. “I’m just trying to wrap my head around the concept of him raising a child by himself.”
“He’s also her father.” Mom said softly. “And he was desperate to have her, and I agreed with Eve. I’m sure she would have found a good family, but… her father was here, and he wanted her, so why not let him have her?”
“I’m not arguing with that,” Ray said. “Is that why you’re upset he’s here? Because you think that she’s with him?”
“I don’t know,” she muttered. “He promised he would never use her to lure me back, that he accepted it was over, but...”
“But you’re afraid.” Ray said.
“I never wanted children,” Eve said. “But when I held her for the first time, I… I felt reluctant to give her away.”
“But you did.” Mom said.
“I did,” she said. “But what if I
see her now and I want her? I can’t take her away from him now, and she… it won’t be fair to either of them, and it won’t be fair to him if I try to build a relationship with her when I… Damnit Ray, I used him!”
“Eve,” Ray rolled his eyes. “He’s a vampire. Pretty sure you made the deal clear to him. He knew what he was getting into. His feelings? Not your fault, not your problem. And as for the kid, if you want to be part of her life, you do that. Plenty of divorced couples share custody without rancour or awkwardness, and you and he were never a couple.”
“Since when did you become so sensible?” she grumbled.
“Hey, I’m plenty sensible except when it comes to my own life.” He grinned at her. “Aiden. Now why does that name sound so familiar?”
“He’s Alistair’s fledgeling,” Mom said.
“Aiden Brick?” Ray asked. “Alistair’s first fledgeling?”
“The same.” Mom confirmed.
“I’m thinking we should have brought a bottle of whiskey instead of ice cream.” Ray said. “Because I really need a drink.”
Eve couldn’t stop herself from laughing and Mom and Ray joined in. It was stupid, and completely inappropriate probably, but Eve couldn’t have cared less in that moment.
Chapter Thirty-One
Aiden and Alistair walked to the Haspels’ front door. “Do you think this is a good idea?”
“If you’re here hoping to get Eve back, yeah.” Alistair said. “If you’re here to pay your respects to Daphne, not so much.”
“That’s a funny one,” Aiden muttered. “Get Eve back, as if I ever had her. It’s my fault really; she made it very clear where she stood.”
“The heart wants what the heart wants.” Alistair said quietly. “But you deserve better, Aiden. I’ve known her all my life, and I don’t think she’ll ever get over Nancy.”
“I was fine with that when it started.” Aiden muttered. “I should have walked away when I realised I was getting involved. Hell, she never gave any indication anything has changed and yet I kept hoping.” He sighed. “Like I said, it’s my fault.”
