The Happily Ever After Search

by Amanda Kay

  “Thank goodness. So what’s this surprise?” His face was lighting up from her words. She looked like she was doing much better as well and Raiden felt nothing but relief. He placed his hands on her stomach.

  “If I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise now. You’ll find out soon enough but we have to go to Grace’s clinic,” he sighed. His heart felt heavy again instantly.

  “Quit it,” she scolded. “Just routine, besides she wants to do an ultrasound even though I’m not even four weeks she thinks she might be able to tell how things look like they’re progressing.” He nodded and grabbed up her hand pressing it to his lips.

  “I love you, Tai,” he said with her hand against his mouth, his breath tickling her knuckles.

  He sure as hell didn’t deserve the shining love he was getting in her eyes, but he would take it. He loved her and for now things were again perfect. They would fear problems with her pregnancy probably the whole time she was pregnant, but hey, worry was what parenting was all about, right?

  “Raiden?” she whispered, he refocused his eyes to hers. “You’ll be an amazing father.” He smiled.

  “And our little girl will be lucky to have you as her mother.” Her eyes glistened with tears, but for a change they were happy ones.

  “Little girl?” she questioned with amusement as he walked them towards the door hand and hand.

  “Yep, absolutely, one who is just as beautiful as her mother.” She tugged his hand which successfully stopped his forward movement.

  “And if we have a boy?” she questioned.

  “Healthy, Tai. You and the baby healthy is all I need to complete my world.”

  “Let’s go, Raiden. We have a schedule to keep today,” she ordered, laughing as she did it.

  “This includes food, right?” he questioned, suddenly realizing Tai needed to eat right.

  “Yes, and before you ask. I had a light, healthy breakfast already.” He nodded and out the door they went to Grace’s office.

  Tai

  The ride to Grace’s office wasn’t long, but the second they entered the building she tensed up. Nerves taking off, she felt great, but the truth was, no one quite knew what exactly was going on in her body.

  “Hey.” His voice came from behind and soothed her. His hand wrapped around her arm gently turning her to face him. “What’s wrong?” he questioned concern and guilt lacing his eyes again.

  “Just got nervous for a second, probably will every time I step in here till our child is born.” Raiden nodded at her words and his eyes relaxed. They were both wound up tight over this but they had to keep their emotions in check.

  “Tai, Raiden.” Grace said as she came from the back part of the office. “You ready?” They both just nodded and followed her back to the exam rooms.

  “Okay Tai, I think I would rather wait on the ultrasound. Do it about eight weeks in, then you two will really be able to relax and know baby is in there. However, I do want to do a pregnancy test, a blood test to check on the change progression, and I want to get the blood I need for all your pregnancy labs.”

  “That sounds all right to me.” She looked back at Raiden and he gave her a reassuring nod.

  With both of them on board, Grace did what Grace did and Tai was poked and poked.

  “Sit tight you two, I want to check this pregnancy test and the blood work for Tai’s vampire change. I’ll be right back.”

  “Are you nervous still?” Raiden asked. His back was to Tai, he was looking over the various posters about family and family planning Grace had hanging in the room.

  “I think I’ll be nervous till the baby is born,” she answered.

  “Me too. Have you pictured any names?” He was still not facing her, but she could tell he was trying to just keep himself in check.

  “I hadn’t until today when you said we were having a girl.” He just nodded.

  “Raiden, are you okay?” He finally turned around to face her.

  He shrugged, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Nervous about everything as well.”

  Tai nodded, at least she could only see nerves, that mirrored her own, the guilt he had been feeling wasn’t showing. She hoped it was gone, but she knew it probably wouldn’t be till they were holding their child boy or girl.

  Raiden

  To Raiden it seemed as though they had been waiting for Grace’s return forever. “Hey, sweetheart,” he said just taking the whole room in still.

  “Yes?” she questioned with some amusement.

  “So this surprise...” She gasped and cut him off.

  “Playboy, you are hopeless,” she laughed.

  They were both laughing when Grace returned. “Now that is a lovely sound.” They both stopped their laughter, but smiled at Grace.

  “I’m happy to report, things look great with the pregnancy test still and your blood is completely converted. You’ll most likely feel fangs now when running your tongue across your teeth.” Raiden watched as Tai explored this, she just nodded when she finished running her tongue across her top teeth, but he couldn’t gage her emotion.

  “Five weeks, Tai, and we’ll do our first ultrasound. If you see any bleeding call me right away and remember your prenatal vitamins and everything we discussed. I believe you and Raiden will have a beautiful baby.” Raiden felt relief at Grace’s words it was the first time since this all began he didn’t feel like he was fighting to keep his head above water. Tai would be okay, the change processed and she was great, their baby still tucked safely inside her body, growing and developing. Raiden was at peace.

  Tai

  She gave Raiden directions to the bakery, although she still didn’t tell him where they were going and what they would be doing. After giving him directions, she remained quiet. The feel of the fangs was a little strange to her and she needed time to process. She also knew Raiden wouldn’t take her silence much longer, so she was relieved when they pulled into the parking lot of their location.

  “Okay Tai, talk with me,” he demanded. Tai just shifted in her seat to look at him, but remained silent. “You regret it now,” he sighed, dropping his head to the steering wheel.

  “No!” she said finding her voice. She didn’t want him to think that, it was just a lot to take in. He snapped his head to her and stared. “I don’t regret a damn thing, playboy. Just a lot to take in. I mean not too long ago I was just a human and now I’m vampire and I know by choosing your lifestyle I still am pretty human, but the fang thing was a little weird.”

  Raiden nodded but the worry in his eyes didn’t change. “I understand, Tai. I just fear that you know? I’m terrified you’ll regret it one day and that it will destroy us.”

  “Oh, Raiden, never. I promise never. Hell, I get it though, I’m terrified you’ll realize you made a mistake with me, but you won’t be able to do anything about it.”

  This time she was being moved to his lap, his eyes softened. His gaze was intense, strong, determined, and full of love it was unmistakable. “Tai, never, love. Never, sweetheart, you own every part of me and that’s never changing, you, me, and our precious child, we’re going to be a family.” His hand rested on top of her stomach and she let out a soft sigh.

  “Yes, a family,” she responded looking at his hand on her stomach.

  He cupped her chin and brought her eyes to his, “Tai...what’s going on?”

  “Nothing, I just like that. A family. With everything so screwed up with my mom right now, being a mother is a sobering thought.” He nodded and kissed lips tenderly.

  “So, where are we?” Tai’s smile brightened.

  “The bakery.” His eyes gained a confused look.

  “The bakery?” He questioned.

  “Yes. Well, you see, I haven’t picked out the cake. You’ve been so busy that we haven’t had time to do some wedding stuff together. This is the last of it and I wanted to share it with you. I want to pick out our cake together, since you let me have free reign on everything else including the tuxes.” She couldn’t hel
p her glowing smile when his face lit up.

  “Well what the hell are we still doing sitting here, let’s go pick out a cake so the details are done. Because marrying my heart in two weeks is all I want to focus on now.” He opened his door and shifted her so she could get out. He interlaced their fingers and together they walked into the bakery together to add the final touch to their wedding.

  Two Weeks Later

  Raiden

  They were awaiting the arrival of Meredith Coretti¸ also known as Tai’s mother. Raiden wanted to go to the airport so that introductions would be polite, since it was in a public place and Tai informed him she wouldn’t make a scene. However, Ms. Coretti had other plans. She would always be Tai’s mother or Ms. Coretti. He knew he wouldn’t ever have the relationship with her that he had with Dale, she would never be Meredith. The best he could hope for now was just acceptance that he was the man in Tai’s life and that wasn’t changing.

  “Shit!” Tai hissed from behind him.

  “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” he said turning to face her as she strolled onto the patio.

  “She’s coming straight here, renting a car.” Raiden nodded, shit was right.

  “How much more time do have?” he asked her.

  “A few hours probably.” her arms laced around his neck. “Do you know where dad is? We need to warn him of this event.” Raiden half smiled and half frowned.

  “I’m here, baby girl,” Dale called from the glass doors.

  “Mom is coming straight here.” Her dad nodded and walked back into the house.

  “I have a feeling he’ll be scarce today,” Raiden said amused.

  “Yeah, I’d like to make myself scarce as well,” she laughed.

  ****

  “Hi, mom.” Tai forced a smile answering the door for her mom. “This is Raiden, my fiancé.” Her mom glanced behind Tai and her look soured.

  “Hello, Ms. Coretti. It’s nice to meet you. Tai will show to your room and I’ll get your stuff.” Her eyes flashed with annoyance although Raiden didn’t know why as she stormed towards the stairs.

  Tai turned and looked at Raiden mouthing ‘I’m sorry.’ Raiden caressed her cheek, she had nothing to be sorry for he needed her to know that. The greeting he got from Meredith Coretti was the greeting he expected he would get after all.

  “Tai!” her mother snapped. Raiden saw a little red and Tai shrugged and walked with her mother up the stairs leaving Raiden with the bags he said he would get.

  “I might have to kill this bitch before the wedding.” he muttered to himself, or so he thought.

  “I’ll help if you decide to do that,” Dale said amused.

  Raiden smiled at Dale and then heaved the two bags up the stairs, by their weight, Raiden felt like she might ask to move in but that would be a big fat hell no.

  Tai

  Tai was at the patio table with her dad and Raiden the next morning their normal routine since her dad moved in about five days ago, officially. “I’m going to get some tea. Dad, more coffee? Raiden?” Her dad shook his head, but Raiden answered her.

  “Yes, sweetheart, that sounds good.” Tai reached for his cup when the worse sound possible echoed in their ears.

  “She isn’t a damn maid,” Meredith hissed. Tai gasped and flashed her eyes to Raiden who was sitting stock-still. The glare in his eyes was noticeable as his nostrils flared.

  “Meredith!” Her dad hissed back.

  “How can you be okay with this? How can you want her with this?” Tai started to whip around the table towards her mother. She expected coldness but she wouldn’t tolerate disrespect. She was lucky they offered her a room and didn’t make her get a damn hotel. Raiden must’ve seen the fury in her eyes because she was quickly being wrapped in his arms and tugged against his body.

  “Tai, don’t worry about it.” he whispered, she looked up at him and shook her head. “Tai, sweetheart, I would rather have her just hate me, it’s your love I need,” he continued to whisper.

  “That you have, playboy, always,” she whispered back.

  “What, Meredith? You’d rather her be with Jordan? Someone you seduced after you convinced him he needed to propose to her. Let me tell you something, honey, Jordan didn’t want to propose, he was thinking of ending things with Tai long before he did.” That statement shocked Tai a little, but it didn’t bother her.

  “Jordan loves her, he doesn’t love her like Jordan did and does.” For Tai that statement was her breaking point she twisted out of Raiden’s hold and grabbed both of their mugs before stalking towards her mother.

  “No, you’re right mom.” Meredith smiled and Tai looked to Raiden and shot him a look that caused him to have to swallow his laugh. “He loves me a whole helluva a lot better and if you don’t want to believe me, you can go ask your ex fuck buddy!” And with that statement she continued towards the kitchen for tea and coffee. She could hear her dad and Raiden both laughing.

  “Tai Marie Coretti, get back here,” her mother snapped, but she was done. If she wasn’t going to try to get to know Raiden and really see the relationship they had well she wasn’t getting the time of day from Tai.

  Raiden

  Tai had asked to be alone for a little while and Raiden understood why. He told her that he and Dale were meeting with Jordan to go pick up all the tuxes their wedding was Saturday and he couldn’t wait.

  “Hey Raiden. Hey Dale.” Jordan said as he climbed into Raiden’s car. Both men were still reeling from the events of this morning with Meredith, they weren’t going to make the best of company. “Okay guys, what the hell is up?” Jordan finally questioned them. Raiden glanced at him from the rearview mirror. “Oh, let me guess. Meredith arrived,” he stated and Raiden confirmed with a slight nod of his head. “Ah, shit! Tell me again why she was invited douchebag?” Jordan joked with Raiden.

  “For Tai, you ass. I knew she’d regret it if the invitation wasn’t extended,” Dale sighed at Raiden’s words.

  “Thank you for loving my daughter. And you!” He turned towards Jordan in the back of Raiden’s car. “You best be treating Bethany right or I will hunt you down this time.”

  Jordan sighed, “I know, sir, and I’m being patient with her. For her, time is what I have, I’ll wait.”

  Dale smiled at him and Raiden as he faced forward once again.

  Raiden liked the idea of Bethany and Jordan, but he also knew Bethany and if Jordan wanted her it wasn’t going to be easy he was going to have more than patience.

  He stopped the car outside the tux shop. “Come on, guys, let’s get our tuxes so in two days I can marry my girl.” Jordan laughed and slapped Raiden on the back. Raiden returned Jordan’s gesture. This was the type of thing Meredith needed to see. Raiden and Jordan getting along. Jordan, ready to stand by Raiden’s side when he married Tai. Jordan, head over heels in love with someone else. But Raiden knew Meredith Coretti was going to see what she wanted to see.

  Tai

  She asked to be alone because her mom had been trying. Raiden, her dad, and Jordan needed to pick up the four tuxes anyways, so they didn’t mind leaving her to herself. Raiden was sweet before he left as always her mind drifted to their goodbye at the door before he left.

  “If you need anything, just call. If I don’t answer, call your dad, Jordan, whatever you need to do.” Tai stifled a laugh.

  “Playboy, I feel great,” she responded.

  “I know, sweetheart, and that makes me overjoyed, but I worry about you, especially since...” he trailed off but Tai knew he was thinking about all that had happened with her mom so far.

  “Hey, playboy, I love you. Let’s not worry about things we can’t control. Oh, and just in case, warn Jordan she’s on the prowl,” Raiden laughed.

  “Yeah. And sweetheart, I love you. No matter what, Tai, we’re getting married Saturday. Nothing or no one will stop me from making you my wife and starting our family. Not Kai, Roy, or your mom. NO ONE!” He kissed her pouring the emotion from his words in their kiss unt
il it was broken by the sound of the other man in her life.

  “Okay, lover boy, you have forever. We have tuxes to pick up.” Raiden pulled back from their kiss and laughed, but nodded.

  “Anything, just call, and take care of yourself.” She smiled and nodded blowing both of them a kiss as they climbed into Raiden’s car.

  “Tai, we need to talk.” Her mother’s voice was the last person she wanted to hear, but she knew her mother needed to talk so she would listen and the hope her mother returned the favor.

  “Fine, mom, but if I listen, you need to as well.” Her mother just nodded.

  “So where’s Raiden?” The sarcasm in her voice wasn’t lost on Tai.

  “With dad and Jordan, picking their tuxes and Lee’s.” Something registered in her mother’s eyes.

  “I haven’t met Lee, can he not come out during the day or something?” She amused.

  “No, mom, he’s been really sick, that’s one reason. Raiden and I decided on a short engagement.” Her mom’s brows furrowed like she was in thought.

  She looked up into the kitchen to find Lee stumbling around. He wasn’t supposed to be up, he knew to call her since Raiden was gone and she would come running. Her mother began talking again, “So Raiden forced a short engagement...” But Tai didn’t even let it register as she watched Lee collapse to the floor. She rushed into the house.

  “Lee!” She got to Lee’s side and dropped to her knees pulling her phone out “Raiden! Your dad!” She didn’t hear his response because she left her phone connected but dropped it to the floor. “Lee, please wake up. Not yet, Lee, just a few more days. Raiden needs you Saturday. Lee, please!” she begged.

  She didn’t know how long she was crying on the floor when Raiden rushed in with her dad and Jordan following him. The three guys carried him up the stairs and then Jordan returned.

  “Hey you.” he spoke meeting her on the floor.

  “Hey,” she said wiping her eyes.

  “He woke up, it’s going to be touch and go. All we can do now is hope he can hang on.” Tai nodded. “Did someone call Grace?” Jordan shook his head.

  “I called Bethany, she was calling her.” Tai gave him a small smile. “I’m going to head. Raiden is with Lee. If you all need anything let me know.” He kissed her cheek. Something he had been doing for months but something that meant nothing more than friendship to either of them.