Vince’s family, all seventeen of them, arrived the afternoon before the wedding. Since he couldn’t travel from his place to hers while the sun was up, Vince had spent the previous night at Cara’s house. He had been a little uneasy at doing so. Since becoming a vampire, he had always slept alone, aware of the fact that, when the Dark Sleep overtook him, he was vulnerable. He had also been a little apprehensive about how Cara would react, but reasoned it was better to find out now than after they were married.
When he asked her that morning what it had been like, sleeping with a vampire, she had shrugged.
“Come on,” he said. “Tell me. Did I look dead?” He’d always wondered about that, since he’d never seen a vampire at rest and couldn’t watch himself sleeping.
“You didn’t look dead, but it was kind of spooky,” she admitted. “Once I tried to wake you up, but I couldn’t.” She canted her head to one side. “What if someone finds you when you’re asleep? I mean, you’re helpless.”
“Not exactly. I can sense when there’s someone nearby who means to do me harm.”
“Then why didn’t you wake up?”
“Probably because I’m not afraid of you.”
Now, as they got ready to meet his parents, he didn’t know which of them was more nervous. He told Cara not to worry, certain that his family would love everything about her. As for himself, he couldn’t stop pacing the floor. How would he explain the fact that he didn’t eat or that he only drank wine?
A knock at the door told him that the time for worrying was past. They were here.
Cara smiled as Vince introduced his parents, his brothers and sister, and their spouses and children, certain she would never remember all their names. His parents seemed truly glad to meet her, his brothers and sister made her feel as if she was already part of the family.
Vince watched Cara as she cuddled first Joe’s baby daughter and then Frank’s son. Feeling his gaze, Cara looked up at him and smiled. Looking at her, Vince knew he’d cut off his right arm to be able to father a child, to see her hold a baby of their own in her arms. Regret rose up within him, making him wonder again if she would be better off without him. She was such a warmhearted, generous soul, filled with enough love for a husband and a dozen children—children he could never give her.
“Isn’t he darling?” Cara asked, coming to stand beside him. She took a deep breath. “Babies always smell so good!”
Vince nodded.
“Do you want to hold him?”
“Sure.” Taking the baby from Cara, Vince smiled down at his nephew. “Hi, Donny,” he murmured. “I’m your Uncle Vince.”
Cara glanced around her house, which was overflowing with people. “You have a wonderful family.”
“Yeah.” Vince frowned as the scent of urine reached his nostrils. “I think we’d better find Rose. I think Donny needs a diaper change.”
A short time later, Roshan and Brenna arrived. After piling into a number of cars, they drove to the restaurant for dinner.
Seated at a large table in one of the banquet rooms, Vince and Roshan exchanged glances after everyone had ordered.
“I’ll take care of it,” Roshan said, and Vince felt a sudden surge of preternatural power flow through the air.
Vince glanced around the table, noting that everyone seemed to be having a good time. Brenna and his mother were laughing together like they were old friends and, thanks to Roshan, no one seemed to notice that the vampires at the table never ate a bite.
It was late when the party broke up. Finally, after a half an hour of hugs and good nights, Vince and Cara were alone.
“Do you think they liked me?” she asked as they drove back to her house.
Vince reached over and gave her hand a squeeze. “They loved you. And even if they didn’t, I love you, and that’s what counts.”
Cara laughed softly. “I guess that’s true.”
Pulling up in front of her house, he draped his arm across the back of her seat. “Cara.”
“What?”
“Are you sure this is what you want?”
“What do you mean? You haven’t changed your mind, have you?”
“No, I just want to make sure you know what you’re getting into, and that you won’t be sorry later.”
“What brought this on?” she asked. “Haven’t we been through all this before?”
“I know, but I watched you tonight with the kids, and…I just don’t want you to be sorry a few years down the road.”
Taking hold of his hand, she drew his arm down around her shoulders. “I won’t be sorry. I love you as you are, now and for always. I told you before, we can always adopt a baby, and if you’re not comfortable with that, then…”
“Dammit, Cara, I don’t want you making sacrifices on my account.”
“Well, get used to it, because I’m not going anywhere.”
“I’m marrying a tough chick, huh?”
“Darn right, mister,” she said, punching him in the ribs, “and don’t you forget it!”
As her father had said, the church was located in a secluded glade well off the main highway. Surrounded by tall trees and shrubs, the building looked like it had been transplanted from some medieval setting. Moonlight danced across the stained-glass windows. The air was filled with the fragrant scent of evergreens; night birds called to each other; crickets played a serenade. An owl hooted softly in the distance.
As Cara crossed the threshold with her father, she could easily imagine knights and their ladies passing through the carved oak doors.
The priest was waiting for them in the vestibule, along with Sarah Beth, who had agreed to be Cara’s matron of honor. Vince had asked his oldest brother to stand up with him.
“Father Lanzoni,” Roshan said, “it’s good to see you again.”
“And you, my friend,” the priest replied. “And this must be your daughter. She is lovely.”
Cara felt herself blushing as she murmured, “Thank you, Father.”
While Roshan and the priest spoke, Cara hugged Sarah Beth, who looked very pretty in a tea-length peach silk dress and matching heels.
“You look radiant, Cara,” Sarah Beth said. “Are you nervous?”
“A little.”
Sarah Beth laughed. “I know, I was, too, but you’ll forget all that when you see Vince. Mary and a couple of the part-time ladies from the library are here.” Sarah Beth glanced around. “This is a beautiful place. However did you find it?”