by Gerald Lopez
“I think I’ll do that. Is there anything you need from the stores?”
“Nothing at all,” Samuel said as he bounced Aileen in his arms.
“She’s grown accustomed to your face already,” Rory said.
“She loves her new daddy as much as you do,” Samuel said and smiled.
Rory kissed him and Aileen giggled.
“This little family unit would’ve been unheard of years ago,” Samuel said. “We would’ve been forced to hide in the shadows.”
“Because of being vampires or being gay… or both?”
“Being gay,” Samuel said. “I like that we can be open about it now. And that our kids won’t be as stigmatized for having two dads.”
“Well, it’s still not a perfect world and other kids can be bullies,” Rory said. “But times have changed a lot. When I went to school as a kid, if the others even suspected you of being gay your life was pretty much over socially.”
“Be glad you’re not a kid anymore. It’s more fun being an adult anyway.”
“Oh yeah it is,” Rory said. “What are you smiling at, princess?” He said to Aileen. “You like being in Daddy’s arm, don’t you.”
“Di… di!” Aileen said and put her arms around Samuel’s neck.
“I guess I should’ve asked if that was alright?” Rory said.
“If what was?”
“The whole daddy thing.”
“What’re you talking about, Rory? It’s absolutely wonderful. I’m touched beyond words.” He kissed Rory. “And after changing these kids diapers, I’ve earned the right to be called daddy. In fact, I think you and I might have to share the number one daddy position.”
“Probably,” Rory said then looked at the twins who were sitting in their carrier on top of the island. “As soon as I feed the boys I’ll head to the stores and leave this wild bunch to you, Daddy.”
Samuel smiled. In his mind he had already started working on a surprise for Rory and the kids.
Chapter 33
Surprises galore!
AS SOON AS RORY left, Samuel phoned Gerard and Deegan. Rafael and Roget were still camping in the back of the property, so he contacted them mentally.
They were all in the living room, with Gerard holding Lochlan, Rafael holding Sean and Roget holding Aileen.
“I think your idea is great!” Deegan said. “Gerard and I will go to the store and pick it up for you.
“Good,” Samuel said. “I already found one online that I like.”
“And I’m sure I’ll find a few other things to go with it,” Deegan said.
“I’d be completely wasting my time if I told you not to get carried away, wouldn’t I,” Samuel said.
“You know Deegan well is all I’m gonna say,” Gerard said. “We’d better head off to do our part. You folks be ready when we get back. It won’t take us long.”
Gerard handed Lochlan to Samuel, then he and Deegan left.
“You’re really enjoying this whole daddy thing, aren’t you?” Rafael said to Samuel.
“Di… di!” Aileen said.
“She’s learned a new word,” Samuel said. “At least it’s close to daddy. And yes, Rafael, I’m loving being a daddy.”
“It’s happened amazingly quick,” Roget said. “You and Rory and the kids.”
“I don’t think either of you stood a chance once the two of you met,” Rafael said. “Rory’s exactly what you tend to go for.”
“He wanted to turn so he could be here for me,” Samuel said. “None of my lovers before him ever wanted that. Soo, Roget, you look pretty comfortable holding Aileen. Do you see a little one in you and Rafael’s future.”
“Roget’s enough for me to take care of,” Rafael said, answering for Roget.
Everyone laughed then things took a more serious turn.
“Have you heard from Cesare?” Samuel said.
“Yes. They’re having a difficult time finding the new vamps in New Orleans, even with Paul’s help,” Rafael said.
“Could that be a good thing—maybe less of them to deal with?” Samuel said.
“The opposite of that… or so Janelle believes,” Roget said. She thinks the Gauthius splinter group in the states might be better organized than we’d originally thought.”
“But why wouldn’t anyone here have caught on sooner?”
“That’s the million dollar question,” Rafael said while he watched Roget bouncing Aileen on his knee. “Janelle thinks that one or two elder vampires might be involved with things.”
“That wouldn’t explain why nobody could detect the presence of the new vamps,” Samuel said.
“Simple evolution could explain that,” Rafael said. “Humans have progressed, so naturally vampires would as well.”
“The newbys have gotten stronger,” Samuel said.
“Or attained new skills we don’t know about yet,” Roget said.
“Then I’ll be needed in New Orleans soon,” Samuel said.
“Probably,” Rafael said.
“And Rory and the kids?” Samuel said.
“Veronique already knows about them and you, and has asked Rafael and me to stay here and keep an eye on them. Gerard and Deegan will be on hand as well.”
“Then things aren’t really finished yet,” Samuel said. “Not until the vamps in New Orleans are dealt with.”
“Things may not be completely over even then, if elders are involved,” Rafael said.
“I think you need to be more concerned about giving Veronique a call, Samuel,” Roget said. “She doesn’t like hearing things second-hand, especially where you’re concerned. By the time you’re done with the call, Gerard and Deegan should be back, and we’ll be busy.”
Samuel was off the phone with Veronique when Gerard and Deegan returned in Gerard’s truck. The children were napping, so Samuel, Rafael, and Roget went outside to greet Gerard and Deegan.
“They’ve got a trailer hooked up in back of the truck,” Samuel said. “They’ve definitely overdone it.”
Gerard and Deegan got out of the truck and headed toward Samuel and the others.
“Oh my God,” Deegan said. “Wait until you see all the cute things we got.”
“Believe it or not, I did rein him in a little,” Gerard said. “But we’ve got a lot to unload and plenty to do.”
“HELLO,” RORY SAID, as he walked into the house a couple of hours after he’d left. His arms were full of shopping bags.
“Shhh,” Samuel said as he took some bags from Rory and kissed him. “The kids are sleeping. “Come into the guest room.”
When they were in the guest room they put the shopping bags on the bed then hugged.
“I’ve missed you,” Samuel said.
“I did something sort of silly.”
“What, you?” Samuel said sarcastically then continued in the same tone. “No. I don’t believe it.”
Rory reached into one of the bags, pulled out a T-shirt, then held it up for Samuel to see.
Samuel read the writing on the front of the T-shirt out loud. “Number one Dad. I love it. I’m going to put it on right now.” He took off his T-shirt and Rory hugged him, then began sucking on his nipple. “We’ve got company, babe.”
“I know, I felt them from blocks away,” Rory said. “I even think I know who’s here—Gerard, Deegan, Rafael, and Roget. They all have a distinct presence and scent.”
“Wow. That’s pretty good for a newish vampire.” He put on his T-shirt. “How do I look?”
“Great as always.”
“I talked to Veronique on the phone earlier. She’s slightly upset that she had to hear about us from Cesare rather than me. But, I told her I’m busy these days being a new dad and all and she understood.”
“When I tried to decide whether or not to become a vampire I didn’t dwell for long on how the kids would be affected,” Rory said. “I knew if I chose to stay human and died that you would take care of the kids and keep them safe.”
“I would have.”
/> “My priority was you, Samuel,” Rory said. “I wanted to make sure you always had someone who loved you in your life. Of course, being the selfish, self-centered man I am I wanted that person to be me.”
“You’re neither selfish nor self-centered. I know that I’ve never been loved as much as you love me, Rory. I don’t understand it all but I like it a whole lot. And, Rory, I love you and the kids. More than I’ve ever loved anyone.”
The sound of one baby, then another could be heard along with Aileen screaming. “Dada!”
“Saved from all the mushiness,” Samuel said.
“My little girl remembers I exist,” Rory said and smiled. “She summoned me instead of her didi.
“C’mon let’s go take care of our kids then you can see the craziness the others and I have been up to while you’ve been gone.”
“I’VE GOT YOU, DON’T worry,” Samuel said as he guided Rory, who held Aileen, out to the back porch.
“Can Aileen and I open our eyes yet?” Rory said.
“Wait just one more second,” Samuel said.
Rory heard one of the twins scream in joy and he laughed. “Come on, how much longer?”
“OK, open your eyes,” Samuel said.
“I can’t believe it,” Rory said.
The backyard had been transformed into a children’s paradise. There was a swing set with a slide, three toddler swings, and a bench type swing to hold an adult or two and babies.
“What do you think?” Gerard said.
“It’s big,” Rory said.
“Size queen,” Gerard said and laughed.
“The twins will have to grow into it,” Deegan said. “But that’s why Samuel told us to get the set with this bench swing. There’s room in it for you, Samuel and the twins along with Aileen.”
“What’s in the big plastic turtle?” Rory said
“It’s a sandbox,” Rafael said. “You did say our little Miss Aileen liked playing in the dirt.”
“I think this may be a step up from dirt,” Roget said and chuckled.
Deegan started waving and motioning toward his right. Aileen caught his actions and started clapping.
“Wow,” Rory said. “Just, wow. There’s absolutely no way our little girl isn’t going to get a princess complex.” He looked to where Deegan pointed, then placed Aileen on the grass.
Aileen ran to Deegan, stumbling only twice. He swooped her up in his arms and ushered her into her very own pink, plastic, princess playhouse.
“Her own stinkin’ castle,” Gerard said. “How do you like that?”
“I don’t even need to ask whose idea that was,” Rory said. “You’re too much, Deegan.”
“I’m pretty sure he plans to come to tea with the princess at least a couple times a week,” Roget said.
“You haven’t seen what’s inside yet, Rory,” Rafael said.
Rory laughed when he heard Aileen scream with delight the moment she entered the castle with Deegan.
Samuel walked with Rory to the castle and they, along with Rafael and Roget, peeked inside. Deegan stood holding up two dress up princess costumes in front of Aileen. Behind him there was a trunk filled with more. Next to the trunk were play shoes, tiaras, and wands. Rory just leaned against Samuel and laughed his heart out.
THE SUN WAS GOING down as Rory and Samuel sat on the two bench swing and rocked their little ones. It had been a busy and exciting day and all three of the kids were battling the urge to sleep… and losing the fight. Once they were put to bed, Rory and Samuel sat out in the porch swing.
“What a day, huh?” Samuel said.
“I’m glad vampires can read minds because I don’t know how I could’ve explained how much I appreciated everything,” Rory said. “The outpouring of love and support from everyone means so much.”
“Poor Aileen looked overwhelmed with all the dresses and tiaras,” Samuel said and smiled. “She was so cute. One day I’ll build her an even bigger castle and the boys a tree house.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” Rory said. “As a young teenager I dreamed of meeting you, Samuel. But those were just the fantasies of a boy. The reality of knowing you is so much better.”
“Hopefully you’ll say the same thing after we’ve been together a couple hundred years.”
“Only a couple hundred. I imagined at least a few thousand years together.”
Samuel chuckled then kissed Rory. “Did you notice something different tonight?”
“What?” Rory said.
“Amadeus stayed in the master bedroom with the kids instead of coming out here with us.”
“Are you concerned he might attack the kids or something?”
“No,” Samuel said. “He wants to be close to them to stand guard. Amadeus already regards them as his wards and family to watch over. I think it’s nice.”
“It is,” Rory said. “He’s such a great dog.”
“Yeah, he’s been a terrific companion to me and so loving,” Samuel said. “Do you have any questions you want to ask me about the whole vampire thing, Rory?”
“Well, we can be in the sun and we can still have sex. Those are two important questions answered. I’m assuming there are no child vampires. It would just be cruel to turn someone when they’d be stuck forever as a child.”
“That’s definitely against the rules, but it has happened. Needless to say it doesn’t make for a happy vampire.”
“Why would someone turn a child?” Rory said.
“I never understood that myself completely until recently,” Samuel said. “If one of our children was ill and dying the temptation to keep them with us would be great.”
“It would still be an irresponsible and cruel thing for us to do.”
“True enough, but I can relate a little more to why someone would do it. The youngest vampires in our family are twenty-one.”
“That’s a good age.”
“I like your age better.” He ran his hands through Rory’s hair and they kissed. “I’ve always had a thing for older-looking men. You are absolutely perfect. And William had an idea you’d like me.”
“Really?”
“He told me so when we met. I’m glad he was right.”
“Smart kid,” Rory said.
“Is it OK that I mentioned him?”
“Yeah,” Rory said. “He was my son and he existed. I don’t want to forget him. And it’s nice to talk about him.”
“I’m madly in love with you, Rory. I don’t know why, but I feel like I can’t tell you that enough times. I love you and like you and our life together.”
“It’s funny how so many people assume when you love someone you also like them,” Rory said. “Sometimes that’s just not the case. My mom used to tell me she loved me but didn’t like me. I’m glad we love and like each other. In between the castles and tree houses can we grow a garden together? It doesn’t have to be fancy.”
“Sure, but I don’t have much of a green thumb, as I’ve mentioned before,” Samuel said. “I’ll give it my best shot… maybe we can grow a garden together.”
“I’d like that.”
“I’m glad, but I’m afraid I have to tell you something you won’t like.”
Chapter 34
Rainfall
“GO AHEAD AND tell me everything,” Rory said.
“I’m going to have to go to New Orleans to help Cesare and Janelle,” Samuel said. “Things look bad.”
“How bad?”
“It’s hard to say.”
The sound of thunder was heard, a flash of lightening appeared in the sky, and it began to rain.
“Into each life a little rain must fall,” Rory said. “But without it there would be no green grass or flowers.”
“True enough,” Samuel said. “Janelle and Cesare are having a difficult time determining how many people they’ll be up against. That’s always a dangerous situation.”
“Should I be worried,” Rory said.
“No,” Samuel said. “But my lawyer will be here t
omorrow. I had him draw up new paperwork leaving everything I own to you. If something were to happen to you, Aileen would inherit as the oldest child. I thought about having Celia and Monty listed as the children’s guardians in case anything happens to the two of us. That’s if you agree.”
“That’s fine by me. But, Samuel, I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“Neither do I, believe me. I haven’t even left yet, and all I can think about is coming back home to you and the kids.”
“If you need me to go with you all you have to do is say the word.”
“I know,” Samuel said. “I’d rather not have to worry about you and the kids. Roget, Rafael, Gerard, and the others are staying here. If things go badly in New Orleans, you and the kids will be in danger.”
Rory hugged Samuel tightly. “Did I ever tell you that rain turns me on?”
“We’d better do something about that then.”
The two retreated to the guest bedroom where they undressed. Samuel kissed Rory then proceeded to cover every inch of Rory’s body with kisses.
“I’ve never bottomed before, but I want you inside me, Samuel.”
Samuel was taken aback yet again. “OK, babe. We’ll take things slow and easy then. Hold on, I just had a thought. It’s a little old-fashioned, but… you just stay there a second. I’ll be right back.”
Rory wondered why Samuel had gotten up, but just relaxed and closed his eyes.
“OK, babe,” Samuel said when he returned. “Wake up.”
“I wasn’t asleep,” Rory said.
“Certain parts of you weren’t anyway,” Samuel said then reached up and grasped Rory’s erection.
“It’s because my thoughts were focused on you, fool,” Rory said and smiled. He opened his eyes to see Samuel down on one knee beside the bed. In his hand was a jewelry box with two simple gold bands in it.
“They were my parent’s rings,” Samuel said. “I’ve saved them until I found someone who wanted to stay with me forever.”
“I’m that guy,” Rory said firmly.
“Yes, you are.” Samuel said then removed the bigger of the two rings and put it on Rory’s finger.
