~ Fourteen ~

The reception began as soon as we had finished posing for what seemed like a thousand photos. Tables were set up on either side of the wooden platform that would be our dance floor. Vampires sat talking and laughing together. I was passed from one set of arms to another and introduced to so many I couldn’t keep their names straight.

The only ones that looked out of place were the humans in the band. They must have been wondering why there was no food at this wedding reception but Kalia had thought to have drinks and snacks for them. When they played the song that was to be our first dance together, the party grew so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Christian took me in his arms and we twirled around the dance floor like we had been dancing together all our lives.

“I didn’t know you could dance like this,” I whispered, my lips brushing his ear.

“I never had the opportunity to show you. You’re pretty amazing yourself, Mrs. Rexer.” Butterflies danced in my stomach when he said my new name and I leaned to kiss his lips as we kept dancing. The crowd applauded and cheered.

“I can’t seem to find words adequate enough to describe the love I feel for you,” he said, breaking away from our kiss first.

“I love you too. I’m so happy. Happy doesn’t seem like a good enough word either.” He nodded.

The rest of the reception was spent with almost everyone dancing. Kalia danced with Christian and I danced with Aaron. Fiore and Aloysius danced to a few songs together and they made a stunning couple. They even sat together when they weren’t dancing. Christian danced to one song with Maia, since I thought it best to include her, hoping she had been sincere in what she’d said about starting over. Soon after, Carlton, a friend of Aaron’s, persuaded Maia to one dance. While they twirled on the dance floor, he kept his eyes on her face but she refused to look at him. He didn’t seem to care as long as he was dancing with her. I almost felt bad for her – almost.

I threw the bouquet, which a shocked Maia caught, and Christian threw my garter, which to my surprise, Carlton caught. He looked at Maia and she quickly looked away. When he slid the garter up Maia’s leg, he looked at her with longing but she paid him no attention. Cameras snapped like crazy but she always turned her face from them.

As the sky streaked in yellows and oranges with the setting sun, Aaron made the announcement that the bride and groom needed to leave for the airport and the party abruptly came to a halt. The band began breaking down their equipment and packing things up. Yet another line formed and we were passed from vampire to vampire, hugged and kissed, and wished much happiness. I took Christian’s hand and we made our way back into the house to change our clothes and gather our luggage.

“I can’t believe this is actually happening,” I said as I wrapped my arms around my husband’s neck, pushing our bedroom door closed with my foot.

“It already happened and it’s a dream come true. You are forever my wife,” His lips brushed mine. “I think you’re going to need help getting out of this gown.” He smiled.

I nodded and turned my back to him, waiting for him to undo the clasps. His fingers trembled as he did so and the gown fell around my feet. I felt his lips touch my shoulder and a chill ran up my spine.

“We better hurry. We don’t want to miss our flight, do we?” I said, wishing our flight wasn’t so soon.

“I know, I know. I wish it were later too. I would love some time alone with you.” He went to the closet and grabbed the clothes he had already picked out for the trip to Lima. It was spring here, which meant it was autumn in Lima so we both dressed in jeans, sweaters, and sneakers, to be comfortable for the long flight.

“I need to pull all the pins out of my hair,” I said and started. He held out his hand to receive them and laughed as I set one after another on his palm.

“I am so glad I’m not a girl. That looks like a lot of work.” He placed the pins on my vanity table as I ran my hand through my hair and fluffed it with my fingers the best I could.

“Ready, Mrs. Rexer?” he asked, taking my suitcase.

“Ready, Mr. Rexer,” I replied and leaned to kiss his smiling lips.

“Oh, sorry to interrupt,” Aaron said but his smile betrayed him. “I came to see if you need help carrying this stuff.”

“Sure. That would be great,” Christian said and handed over one of the suitcases. “Is Maia coming to the airport?”

“No. Riley and Raul are staying here tonight instead of the hotel and she offered to keep them company.” We all started down the stairs.

The front door was already open and we could see all the vampires that attended our reception assembled along the front walk. As we passed through the crowd, rice rained over us and they clapped and cheered. Aaron placed our things in the back of the car as we said our goodbyes. Maia was the last to walk over to us. She held her arms out to me as she drew near. I looked at Christian and he nodded.

“Have a nice honeymoon,” she said as she withdrew her arms from around my back. I wasn’t sure but it sounded like she spoke through gritted teeth. Another chill ran down my spine as Christian helped me into the car next to Aloysius. Trusting her was going to take some work.

As we went down the driveway, Maia was the only one who didn’t wave. I watched as she opened her cell phone without taking her eyes off our departing car. I focused on her thoughts but she had already blocked me.

As much as we looked forward to our honeymoon, it was difficult parting with Kalia and Aaron. We waved to them until they were out of sight as we walked through security with Aloysius leading the way. To my surprise, Christian and I had seats in first class but Aloysius would be seated in coach. He said he didn’t need anything special and wanted to give us some privacy, not that we would get much on a crowded airbus.

“Did you notice anything strange as we drove away?” I asked my new husband as we settled in our seats.

“Like what?” He fastened his seatbelt and then took my hand.

“I don’t know. Maybe it was nothing,” I said and took his hand in mine.

“There’s nothing to worry about except you and me now. All we’re going to do from this day forward is have fun and love each other, nothing else.” He gave my hand a squeeze as the plane took off. I leaned back in my seat so he could look out the window with me.

“You’re right. No worries,” I said but my stomach turned as the plane sped down the runway. I wanted to trust Maia, believe in her, but there was still something not quite right. Something was nagging at the back of my mind, though I couldn’t name what that something was. I guessed there was nothing left to do but wait and see what happened when we returned. I hated waiting.