“Would you hurry up, David? We’re going to be late.” Bronson tapped his foot on the hardwood floor of their bedroom. “If you make me late I’m gonna…”
“You’re gonna what?” Sarge emerged in his full-dress blue uniform.
“Oh. My. God—” Bronson dried up for a second. “Damn, you look hot!”
Sarge grinned broadly, his handsome face beaming. “Thanks, I was hoping you’d like it.”
“I do,” Bronson said as he put his arms around the big Marine’s neck. He kissed him gently at first, but the kiss quickly turned passionate, as it usually did.
“I can’t wait to get it off you later.” Bronson waggled his eyebrows.
Sarge laughed, holding Bronson. “You look pretty damn sexy yourself, babe,” he said as he rubbed his dick against Bronson.
“Enough of that or we will be late for sure.” Bronson pushed Sarge away, laughing.
“Bronson…are you sure…”
Bronson turned on his heel, anger heating up his face. “We are not going through this again. I have made up my mind, and that is all there is to it, David, so stop it right now.”
“I know. I know, but I have to make sure, babe,” Sarge’s face was full of emotion as he looked from Bronson to the floor, then back again.
“David Farragut, I love you more than life itself, and this proves it, doesn’t it?”
Sarge only nodded.
“It’s settled then. Let’s go,” Bronson opened the front door of the townhouse. “Woody said he would have a car ready and waiting.”
The now ten year old cherry tree that they had planted in the small front yard of their home when they first moved in together, was in full bloom. There was just enough light left in the sky to see the brilliant pink. A spring breeze blew just enough to scatter the fallen petals across the concrete sidewalk.
Woody got out of the back of the limo and whistled. “Don’t you look spiffy?” he
commented to Sarge.
“Hands off, Woody, I saw him first,” Bronson said affectionately as he kissed Woody’s cheek.
“Yes, I know, my love. I know.” Woody chuckled.
Bronson got into the car, followed by Sarge and then Woody.
“Where is Dexter?” Bronson asked.
“He is with his parents who are visiting, but he will be joining us for the reception,” Woody explained.
“So all is going well with the two of you?” Sarge fidgeted with his cover.
“Yes, David, all is well.” Woody smiled. “Of course I will never forget Marcus, but Dexter is good for me, and I him.”
Bronson squeezed Woody’s knee. “I like Dexter, he’s a lot of fun, even though he is so very young. I don’t see how you keep up with him.”
Woody turned to look at his friend, laughing. “You were not much older when we met, and if you don’t remember, let me remind you.”
“Okay, you got me there.” Bronson laughed too.
“Speaking of which, why did you pick this date?” Woody asked.
“I am now the same age as David was, and it is his son’s birthday today. He’s now twenty.” Bronson proudly took Sarge’s hand. “We’re going to go see him at Camp Lejeune next month.”
The car pulled up at the side entrance to the Willard hotel several minutes later. They were greeted by the Secret Service personnel. Bronson often wondered if they lived there. They were escorted directly to the basement conference rooms.
As the elevator doors opened Hatshepsut and Mathghamhain stood waiting for them.
“Good evening, Your Majesty.” Bronson quickly took the hand Hatshepsut offered him. They both smiled warmly at each other.
“This is where the two of you must go your separate ways,” announced Mathghamhain.
“Bronson…” Sarge said, a slight quiver in his voice.
Bronson turned to the three other vampires. "May we have just a moment, please?”
“Of course, Bronson, of course.” Hatshepsut took the arm of Woody and Mathghamhain, walking them to the end of the candle-lit hall.
“Bronson, please think about this.” Sarge started begging again.
Bronson reached up and stroked the side of Sarge’s face with the back of his hand. “I want this, David. I want this more than anything.”
Sarge hung his head, but nodded. “Okay,” he whispered.
“I’ll see you inside then.” Bronson kissed his man’s cheek, then went into the makeshift auditorium.
Hatshepsut and Mathghamhain took Bronson to a small room off the main secured room, the same room in which Ariston had finally been confronted. Tonight the room would have a different meaning to so many who were in attendance.
Bronson quickly stripped, before putting on the red velvet robe he’d been given to wear.
“My dear Bronson, I am proud of you in so many ways.” The regal Queen stood on her toes, kissing each of Bronson’s cheeks.
“Thank you, Hatshepsut, you don’t know how much that means to me,” Bronson smiled, his cheeks heating up.
“Are you ready?” she asked.
With a deep breath, Bronson nodded. He followed Hatshepsut into the crowded room, followed by Mathghamhain.
Hatshepsut stood behind the table that was lifted up on a dais and began to speak.
“Greetings to all.” she smiled at those in the room. “Tonight is a very special night, and one that will always hold a special place in my heart. For you see, our very devoted friend, who has been of great help to our entire community for over ten years, has convinced me of his desire to become one of us. At long last, I have consented.” Hatshepsut looked lovingly at Bronson.
The entire room erupted in applause.
“He has proven his loyalty not only to me, and The Committee, but to our entire community as well. He has a heart as pure as any I have known, so it is with humility that I give the entire world such a treasure that will last through eternity.” Hatshepsut smiled warmly at Bronson. The room again broke out in a round of applause with all those in attendance standing.
Bronson stood there blushing wildly, inwardly shaking, yet feeling secure as he looked out at all the faces he had come to know and love. The soft candle light warmed their faces, and the love was apparent in each of their eyes.
Hatshepsut had also joined in the applause before she continued. “The Committee has unanimously given their approval, as have I. Therefore, with great pleasure, I will be doing the honor of bringing or friend, Bronson, into the fold.”
A gasp went up from the crowded room. Bronson knew it had been well over five-hundred years since the Queen had turned anyone. The honor was beyond belief in the vampire community. The power that Bronson would inherit from being turned by the ancient Queen would be unrivaled by most, and closest to those of Mathghamhain’s.
Mathghamhain took the robe from Bronson’s shoulders. At Hatshepsut’s nod, Bronson climbed upon the padded table. Large candelabras, full of glowing candles, bathed Bronson’s skin in a warm flickering light.
Bronson smiled up into the warm eyes of his friend Hatshepsut, then turned his head to look at his beloved David.
Sarge was sitting with Woody’s hand in his, pink tears streaming down his face. He mouthed the words ‘I love you.’
Without waiting, Hatshepsut bent and pierced Bronson’s skin, drinking deeply.
Bronson closed his eyes, allowing all the shadowy figures and scenes flash across his eyelids. He could feel his pulse slowing as he got to know his beautiful Queen even better as her life was revealed to him. He could feel her heartbeat join his as one for a time, and then his slowed, while hers remained steady, and then there was…nothing.
For a moment, he was speeding through a tunnel of light. Suddenly there was a brilliant flash of light. Then all the colors of the world began to bleed through, astounding him with their beauty. Then, appearing before him was his father, long since dead, and his grandmother was also there with open arms, and both were smiling. He could sense the love emanating from them so strongly that he felt himself overcome with emotion.
His grandmother reached out her hand and spoke. “We love you, Bronson, go with love. Go with our love and blessings.”
“Yes, son.” Bronson’s father smiled knowingly. “Love, and be loved.”
Bronson gasped, his eyes flying open to see Hatshepsut standing over him.
“It is done my son.” The Queen leaned down and kissed both of his cheeks.
“Funny, I don’t feel any different,” Bronson remarked, frowning slightly.
Hatshepsut tossed her head back and laughed. It was like a thousand small tinkling bells all being rung all at the same time.
“You will, my love. You will.” She grinned and then looked out at the chosen group. “May I present our friend, and my son, Bronson Rudan—vampire.”
Bronson jumped off the table and ran naked into Sarge’s arms.
“Now we can be together forever, my love.”
Sarge held Bronson so tightly that he almost crushed his ribs. “Oh God, I hope you can put up with me for that long.”
The room’s occupants crowded in on the two men who were locked in a kiss.
“And you are always telling us to get a room,” Aquilar cackled, Cates standing behind him, smiling broadly.
The End