William stared at the blood, his stomach tingling. Was that nausea or desire? He stared at the blood, and she put her wrist up to his mouth. He could feel the blood against his lips.
Was he really going to drink her blood? What did he have to lose? Even poisoned, the hospital probably wouldn't take him. He had no reason to doubt her. If she said this would make him better, then this was his only option. If Nichole really had poisoned him, he had to do whatever he could to get it out of his system.
He closed his eyes and pretended he was about to drink some lemon-lime pop that his mom always gave him when his stomach was upset. He opened his mouth and drank, no longer able to pretend it was anything other than blood. It didn't taste as bad as he thought it would. It didn't have the metallic taste that his own blood always had whenever his mouth bled. It was sweeter, but he couldn't figure out what it tasted like.
As he drank, he could feel his body doing something. He wasn't sure what was going on, but it was a pleasant feeling. The upset stomach was gone. He continued to drink, finding that he enjoyed the taste and the feel of her blood more with each drink.
He wasn't turning into a vampire, was he? Surely, she wouldn't let that happen against his will. She was just healing him. She was a vampire, so obviously her blood was different from his. More enjoyable.
Clara pulled her arm away. "That should be enough. Let's see how that works." She licked the blood on her wrist. It healed before his eyes.
"How did you do that?"
"Shh." She leaned him back against his pillow. "I can explain everything later. I just want you to rest for now. Your injuries and illness are pretty bad, so it's going to take a little while for you to completely heal." She wiped around his mouth, probably removing her blood.
Sirens sounded again, this time getting louder and louder. William could then see colors dancing on his ceiling.
Clara stood up and walked to the window. "What are they doing here?"
"What's going on?"
She gave him a kiss. "I'll find out. You stay here."
What other choice did he have?
Chapter 32
AS CLARA APPROACHED the door, she could hear loud pounding. Sally came down the hall, looking confused.
Clara put a hand up, indicating that she would handle it. She opened the door, finding herself facing two police officers. "Can I help you?"
"Is your name Clara?" asked the taller one.
"Hey, aren't you the one who was with that other blonde girl? Down at the barricade earlier?" asked the other.
She looked back and forth at them, not about to admit to anything until she knew what they wanted.
"What do you need, officers?"
"We're looking for a Clara that we were told would be at this address. Is that you?"
"Did the Clara you're looking for do something wrong?"
"Breaking and entering, kidnapping, and poisoning," said the shorter one.
The taller one elbowed him. "Are you Clara, or do you know where she is?"
"Do you have a warrant?"
"A warrant? What do you think this is, Law and Order? Just answer the question."
"Which one? Am I Clara or do I know her?"
She held back a chuckle as they exchanged a frustrated look. The tall one took a step closer to her, narrowing his eyes. "Either one. I have a feeling you're her. You seem to be everywhere today."
"What proof do you have of these claims?"
"A neighbor says you've done all of them just this afternoon." He pulled out cuffs, opening them.
Sally gasped behind her.
Clara heard footsteps coming her way. She turned around to see William walking down the hall with no limp. His coloring had returned to normal, and he looked as healthy as he had that morning, before the blasts. He was dressed, looking as though nothing had happened to him.
He stood next to Clara. "Who did she supposedly poison?"
The shorter cop looked at his tablet. "William Lennox."
"That would be me, and as you can see, I'm just fine. The ones you should go after, however, are Nichole Bradley and her mom. They held me in their home against my will before Clara here helped me out."
Both officers looked at their notes. "The Bradleys?"
William nodded, wrapping his arm around Clara. "They tried to keep Clara from bringing me home."
"You look strong. How did they hold you against your will?"
"My dad is an attorney—I'm sure you already know that, though. I know better than to speak. You can question me later with an attorney present, but it's the Bradleys you want. Not us. Doesn't Nichole have a record? I thought she was trying to poison me, and I—oops, I've said too much. Return when I have an attorney."
William pulled Clara out of the doorway, and then he closed the door.
"That ought to take care of them."
Sally stared at William, her mouth gaping open. "How did you…? I don't understand. You were deathly ill. I saw you with my own eyes. You look as strong as I've ever seen you."
He grinned, squeezing Clara tight. "Stronger. I've never felt better. Do you have any food prepared? I'm starving."
"Uh, sure. Just give me a minute to warm it up." She walked toward the kitchen, shaking her head, and mumbling to herself.
Clara looked him over. "You look fantastic. No one would ever guess how sick you were just minutes ago." She grabbed his wrist, moving it around. He didn't even flinch. She bent down, looking at his knees. They both looked exactly the same: perfect. She stood up and gave him a hug. "I've never been happier."
He wrapped his arms around her, squeezing tight. "And I have you to thank."
She smiled at him. "Let's get to the kitchen. I can hear your stomach growling."
"Oh, was that my stomach? I thought it was yours."
She poked his chest. "You're obviously feeling yourself again."
They went into the dining room just as Sally was placing two heaping plates of food at the table. "Let me know if you need more."
William raised an eyebrow. "That's enough to feed an army."
"You look like you could eat one."
"An army?" William asked.
Sally nodded with a smile. Then she turned around and left, giving them privacy.
They sat down. Clara wasn't particularly hungry, but she picked at her food, watching William scarf down his. She wasn't sure he was even paying attention to what he was putting in his mouth.
"Want my food, too?"
He looked up. "I should probably wait and see how my stomach handles this. In fact, I shouldn't have eaten all that so fast."
She grabbed his knee and squeezed. "You're just fine."
"When you're right, you're right." He went back to eating what little was left on his plate.
Clara slid off a shoe and waited for him to finish eating.
He shoved his plate away. "Maybe I will have some of yours."
She pushed her plate in front of him. Then she ran her bare foot along his leg.
William looked at her, his cheeks turning a little pink. "This again?"
"Your parents aren't even here and you're getting squirrelly?"
"I can't help it. I feel like they could walk in any moment."
She scooted her chair closer. "It makes it all the more exciting, don't you think?"
"Sure. Can I eat first?"
Clara patted his leg. "Go ahead. I have nothing but time, anyway." She listened to his heartbeat as he ate. The scent of his love became stronger around her. Never had she appreciated it as much as right then. After thinking that she might lose him, it was such a relief to know that he still loved her as much as before.
She had been in love before, and she would have accepted it if this turned out badly again, but he knew her secret and he still loved her.
He looked over at her with an adoring look in his eyes. "Where do you want to get married?"
"I'm not really sure. It doesn't matter, though. Just being with you—that's the only thing that m
atters."
"Wouldn't it be romantic to get married in the country club? That's where we were engaged the second time."
She grinned. "It's definitely a gorgeous location. I wouldn't mind getting married in the woods alone, like our first engagement. That would be equally romantic."
"Hmm. Two weddings." He paused, looking thoughtful. "I kind of like that idea. It suits us, wouldn't you say?"
Clara leaned over, kissing him. "Sure does."
He kissed her back. "I don't really care about a wedding. I just want you."
"Mmm. Me too." She climbed onto his lap.
"Should we take this into another room?" He was smiling.
* * *
"IT’S SUCH A relief to have all of you here safe and sound," Janet said, setting down her glass. She looked at Natalie, Braydon, Clara and William one by one. "We've been so shaken up with the attacks that having you three across town has been unnerving. Even though Natalie is our only natural daughter, all of you have become our children."
Jack nodded in agreement. "You really have. We didn't realize it until after the explosions. At least I didn't."
"It solidified it for me." Janet's voice cracked, tears shining in her eyes.
"Oh, Mom." Natalie jumped up and gave her a hug.
Clara reached across the table and took Janet's hand, giving it a squeeze. They shared a smile and then Janet wiped at her eyes after Natalie sat back down.
"Enough of this mushy stuff. I know how much Jack hates that."
Natalie and Clara giggled, seeing that Jack was indeed squirming in his seat.
Jack cleared his throat and looked at Braydon. "How is the steel factory?"
Braydon put his fork down. "Uncle John has been saying that sales have been down for the last ten years, but now with the war, he predicts things will pick up like we've never seen. Already, there have been more orders in the last week than we've had all year."
Natalie leaned her head against Braydon's shoulder. "We might have to skip our Hawaii honeymoon, but if sales keep going the way they are now, we'll get to buy an even bigger house. Two behind Uncle John's have gone up for sale already. They're both so gorgeous!"
Janet looked at Clara. "What about you two? Are you still planning on getting married next year?"
William nodded. "While I'm busy studying, Clara is going to be busy making wedding plans."
"You're not scared to travel?" Natalie asked.
Clara picked up her fork. "No. England is adamant about staying out of the war. They're not taking sides or anything. The socialist and communist countries are only interested in attacking those who want to get rid of their way of life. We couldn't be safer living in England. In fact, at some point, we'd like to go back and stay there."
"Just stay safe." Janet smiled.
Chapter 33
WILLIAM STOOD ON the platform with his five best friends next to him and Clara's friends on the other side. Natalie stood, whispering something to a couple girls. As the music continued, he wondered if the doors would ever open, revealing Clara in the dress she wouldn't let him see.
He looked around the courtyard of the country club as the warm, early-summer sun shone down on them, casting a perfect light on everything.
Kathryn caught his attention from the front row and gave him thumbs up. She had already seen not only the dress, but Clara after she had had her hair done and whatever else it was that brides did. It was all a mystery to William. He had only needed to put on a tux and make sure his hair wasn't sticking out at any funny angles.
To keep him distracted, his friends had taken him golfing that morning. It wasn't his best game, of course, but at least he was full of nothing other than excitement. He had heard of so many grooms being sick to their stomach with anxiety the morning of their wedding. He had none of that.
How could he? He was marrying someone who loved and adored him. Clara proved it to him day after day, not only the day she had saved his life almost a year earlier. She had grown more beautiful and wonderful his last year in school overseas.
Much to his surprise, her being a vampire really didn't bother him. She told him more about her powers and then she would show him using them for good. Not once had she ever pressured him to become one. Everything remained the same, if not better.
The music changed pitch. William looked up at the place where Clara was supposed to make her appearance. His heart sped up, and everyone in the audience turned around. He held his breath. It would only be another moment before he saw his gorgeous bride.
He saw the skirt of the white dress before anything as Clara rounded the corner. Then a moment later, she stood in place, looking around. Somehow she looked even more beautiful than ever before. The hair around her face was pulled back, and the rest cascaded down her back, some of it falling over her shoulders. The top half of the dress clung to her in the classiest way possible.
She looked around at everything, finally making eye contact with William. Her face lit up when she saw him. He broke into a smile.
The music picked up its pace again. A couple little girls in front of her walked down the aisle, spreading flower petals all over the floor. Everyone seated rose from their chairs and then Clara walked down the aisle a few feet behind the girls.
William held his breath, aware that he wasn't sure what to do with his hands. He wanted nothing more than to run down and throw his arms around her and skip to the kiss. He took a deep breath and refrained from moving from his spot.
Clara was smiling at everyone in the crowd as she walked ever-so-slowly down the aisle. She stopped just before the steps and looked at William again. It was the point in the ceremony where the father usually gave away the bride. Jack walked her to the front and then sat down before she went up. With her dad dead, Clara had wanted to stand for a moment in silence before walking up to William.
After pausing, she went up the stairs, not taking her gaze off him. He couldn't stop looking at her, either, and in fact, once she got to the platform, he moved from his spot and took her by the hand, walking back to their spots. Her soft, cool skin felt nice in the summer heat. She felt as though she had just come from an air-conditioned room.
William was vaguely aware of the preacher speaking. He and Clara were only looking at each other, smiling and squeezing each other's hands. He heard the word rings and snapped his attention.
Timothy handed him the wedding ring and he clasped it, eager to put it on her, making her his wife. He was barely aware of anything being said, only enough to repeat what he was supposed to before finally placing it on her finger, next to the engagement ring.
Before he knew it, he heard the words, "You may kiss the bride." Music played again and he placed his palms on Clara's cheeks, and then his lips upon hers. She kissed him back, and for a couple seconds, they were the only two people in the world.
Someone behind him cleared their throat, and William stood back. Applause surrounded him as they made their way down to the aisle and walked back to the room that he hadn't been allowed near before. The room where she had spent hours getting ready.
Clara led him to a couch, and gently pushed him down. She sat on his lap and kissed him deeply. He responded, kissing her back with his pent-up energy, and ran his palms along her soft, bare arms.
She pulled back, beaming. "That was the kiss I wanted to give you out there."
"Me too." He pulled her close, kissing her again. She wrapped her arms around him, running her fingertips along his back. He got the chills and he could feel her smiling as they kissed.
She sat back again. "We should probably get to the reception. Everyone is going to want to talk with us."
"We're finally married, and I can't have some alone time with you?" He gave her his best pout.
Laughing, she pulled him close, kissing him again. "Isn't that what the honeymoon is for?"
"Why must the reception come first?"
She looked him up and down. "So everyone can enjoy seeing us looking our best. I want to keep
looking at you in that tux for a while, anyway."
He told her how sexy she was and then they made their way to the dance hall. Everyone stopped talking when they entered. There was a receiving line full of people eager to congratulate them.
As they made their way through the line, the smell of the food grew stronger. His stomach rumbled. He hadn't been able to eat anything all morning, despite his mom's pleas or Sally's delicious cooking. It was well after two, and with the ceremony behind him, the hunger hit. He felt light-headed, but kept his hand in Clara's.
After what felt like forever, they finally made their way to a long table where the groomsmen and bridesmaids were sitting. They sat in the middle, making light conversation, mostly about the ceremony. Everyone else was taking their seats at the other tables which filled the room.
He looked around the room at all of the people that he had just greeted and thanked all too briefly. He wanted to spend more time talking with each one of them, his heart was so flowing with happiness. He was grateful for everyone being there to make the day so special, even though all he really needed was Clara.
The smell of food was so close it made his mouth water. He looked up and some of the club staff was heading toward their table with trays of plates. A plate of salmon, pasta, and vegetables was placed in front of him. Hopefully, he wasn't supposed to wait for a speech before digging in, because he wasn't waiting.
He dug in, eating as though he had never seen food before. He was aware of his friends giving him a hard time about not eating earlier, but he ignored them, too famished to care.
"Want some of mine?" Clara was smiling at him.
"Oh, I couldn't."
"Really, take it. I had a huge breakfast."
He knew what that meant. She only needed to eat once a day, although she often ate more than that since she could eat whatever she wanted and not gain an ounce. It was more of a habit than anything else, according to her.
She slid his plate in front of her, while simultaneously giving him hers.
"Thanks." His stomach was still rumbling, so he dug into her chicken. He looked around at everyone else at their table. It didn't appear that anyone noticed them switching plates.
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