“Well, I don’t know about the rest of you,” Elena said. “But I’m going to unpack.”
“Me, too,” Kaitlyn said.
Grunting softly, Drake dropped onto the sofa and stretched his legs out in front of him.
Zack paced the floor for a few minutes, then moved one of the chairs nearer to the fireplace and sat down facing Drake. “Any chance Nadiya will just give up?”
“You are a gambler. What do you think?”
“I’d say the odds were about a thousand to one. So, what’s our next move?”
“I think the next move is up to her.”
“I was afraid you’d say that.”
“Nadiya, Nadiya, Nadiya,” Kaitlyn muttered as she reentered the room. “Can’t we talk about something else?”
“Sure, darlin’,” Zack said. “What would you like to talk about?”
Sitting on the arm of Zack’s chair, she said, “I’d like to see the church where we’re getting married.”
“Me, too,” Elena said.
“It’s all right with me,” Zack said. “I could use some exercise.”
“Let’s go,” Kaitlyn said.
The church was about a half mile from the hotel. Arm in arm, Zack and Kaitlyn walked ahead of Drake and Elena.
“Another night or two and you’ll be all mine,” Zack said, squeezing her hand.
“I’m already all yours. Did you arrange it so my father can marry us?”
“About that . . . The priest I talked to said it couldn’t be done.”
“Then we’ll just have to go somewhere else.”
“I couldn’t find a minister anywhere who was willing to let a complete stranger, someone who wasn’t even a member of the congregation, perform a wedding. So, since the only guests will be vampires, we’re just going to get married at midnight, when the church is locked up tight.”
“Of course,” Kaitlyn said. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
“’Cause you’re the pretty one,” Zack said, trying hard not to laugh. “And I’m the smart one. Ouch!”
“Serves you right,” she said.
“This is it.” Zack paused in front of a white stone church topped by a tall golden cross. Large stained-glass windows flanked the entrance.
Holding Kaitlyn’s hand, he transported the two of them inside.
Drake and Elena followed moments later.
“Oh, it’s lovely,” Elena said, glancing around.
Kaitlyn nodded. “It’s even prettier than the one at home.” Rising on her tiptoes, she kissed Zack on the cheek. “This is perfect.”
Zack glanced at Drake and Elena. “Can your family be here by tomorrow night?”
“In a hurry, are you?” Drake asked.
“Probably no more than you were,” Elena said, punching her husband on the arm. “I’m sure they can be here by then.”
And they were.
The next night, Liliana and Stefan arrived at Harrah’s just after eleven P.M.
“I was hoping Andrei would come,” Kaitlyn said, hugging her grandmother and her uncle.
“They wanted to be here,” Drake said, “but, all things considered, I did not think it wise for them to leave the Fortress. Ciprian and Liam are taking Liliana’s place at the Italian Fortress until she returns. If you want to postpone the wedding . . .”
“No!” Kaitlyn said emphatically. “I am not waiting any longer.”
Zack winked at her. “That’s my girl.”
Elena, ever the peacemaker, said, “All right, then. What do you say we all get dressed and meet at the church at midnight? Zack, can you find a room somewhere else? It’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding, you know.”
“Sure, Elena. A friend of mine is staying here, at Harrah’s. I can dress in her room. Liliana, I booked you and Stefan rooms here, too.”
“Sounds like you’ve taken care of everything,” Elena said. “Let’s go.”
Kaitlyn stood in front of the full-length mirror in the bathroom while her mother brushed her hair.
“You look lovely, sweetheart,” Elena said. “I’ve never seen you looking happier.”
“I’ve never been happier. I love Zack so much. When you fell in love with Dad, did you just know he was the right one?”
“Yes. My life might have been easier in some ways if I’d fallen in love with a human instead of a vampire. But hearts don’t care about things like that.”
Setting the brush aside, Elena picked up the veil and set it in place. “You look like an angel.”
“Thanks, Mom, for everything.”
“I can’t believe my little girl is getting married.” Elena shook her head. “Where did the years go? Seems like only yesterday I was holding you in my arms, and now look at you. All grown up and about to become a wife.”
“Mom, don’t cry.”
“I can’t help it. Besides, they’re happy tears. You’ve everything a mother could ever hope for in her daughter. I’m so proud of you.”
“Oh, Mom.” Blinking back her own tears, Kaitlyn hugged her mother.
“Careful, sweetie, you’re crushing your gown.”
“I don’t care.”
Elena pulled a hanky from her pocket. “Here, dry your eyes. We don’t want Zack to see you crying.”
Kaitlyn smiled at the mention of his name, then glanced over her shoulder as her father knocked on the bedroom door and peeked inside.
“It’s almost midnight. Are you . . .” His words trailed off when he saw Kaitlyn.
“Dad, are you all right?” she asked anxiously.
“I just realized I am losing my little girl.”
“Oh, Daddy, I’ll always be your little girl.”
He held out his arms and she went to him, sighing as his arms wrapped around her. He would always be her first love. He had kissed her hurts, chased away the monster under the bed, taught her to value herself and those around her. “I love you, Daddy.”
“I know. I love you, too.” Putting his finger under her chin, he lifted her head. “Are you sure he is the one?”
“Without a doubt.”
“We’d better go,” Elena said. “We don’t want the groom to think the bride changed her mind at the last minute.”
Another round of hugs, and they left the hotel.
There were no lights on in the church. The only illumination came from a pair of candles near the altar.