Planning a Wedding

Vicki tried to whistle as she left the agency while Henry whistled a merry tune that vaguely sounded like 'Greensleeves.' She gave up and said, "Where are we going to live?"

Henry stopped whistling and said, "I own several rental properties in the city, we can use one of them."

Vicki's mouth hung open as she said, "You, a landlord?" She stopped walking, tilted her head and said, "Yeah that figures."

Henry spoke, "Yes I'm a 'landlord'. The last two centuries with all its record keeping and taxes, I had to find a way to earn, save, and have ready access to money. It's not easy getting new papers every other generation, or to keep your own name and possessions in the process. I've had the help of my friends and lovers, and it still gets harder. I'll explain how it all works later, it's a fine complicated mess that Augustus and his family keep track of for me and many of our kind."

Vicki hadn't thought much beyond the next month in years, thinking in the terms of decades and centuries numbed her mind. Pulling her thoughts back before they spun out of control she asked, "Do you have a place in mind?"

Henry spoke eagerly, "Actually there are two that would work. My name is on the deeds, but I've never lived in them. In the 1950's a close friend had an odd sense of humor bought the one for me. In the 1990's another friend found a place she thought suited my look."

Vicki raised an eyebrow, "What look was that?"

Henry smiled in memory as he said, "A free spirit." He shook his head thinking of the hot nights spent with that special 'wild child.' He started speaking again, "The houses have been occupied until recently. They've both been cleaned, painted, repaired, and modernized within the last 6 months. Either one is fine. It's your pick."

Henry drove to both properties one after the other. Vicki laughed at the one until tears streamed down her face. At the other she wandered from room to room looking at the wall treatments, flooring, and all the windows. She didn't speak until they reached the five star hotel where they were staying.

Henry sat patiently for over an hour while Vicki paced back and forth either giggling or gazing off into the distance. Finally Henry reached the end of his tolerance and demanded, "Bloody Hell Vicki, pick one."

Vicki stopped, stood in front of him and held out her hands pulling him to his feet. She kissed his lips and asked, "Can we have a small wedding in front of the fireplace?"

Henry was prepared to agree to the choice of houses and not to answer the question at hand, "Mmm, I guess so."

Hearing the doubt and hesitancy in his voice, Vicki pushed him away saying, "Never mind. Bad idea. Erase it from your mind." She started for the bedroom.

Henry jerked her back around, "That's a perfect idea. In front of the fireplace works for me. Tell me which fireplace so I can make sure the priest is there."

Vicki winked at him, pulled herself free and said, "I'm calling Mom. It's about time I gave her some good news."

Henry moved to the bedroom door, blocking her from entering, "Call your mother in a minute. Tell me which house?"

"Awe, can't you let a girl have her fun? Which one do you think I would like better?" With that she shoved on his chest causing him to step back and she slipped by. "You know me well enough by now."

Henry started grinning and said, "You're right, I do know you." He followed close behind and watched her dial the phone.

She waited a few seconds and left a message, "Mom I have some news for you. Call me before you go to bed." She hung up the phone and looked at Henry saying, "Besides Mom, who do you want as witnesses?"

Henry raised one eyebrow and said, "Augustus and Mike, they're the only ones. The vows will be real enough, but unfortunately our marriage won't be documented anywhere but in Augustus' records."

Vicki's face clouded over as she thought about the implications of being vampire and the fact they both existed outside of the definition of reality. Speaking softly she said, "You find your priest and contact Augustus. I'll arrange for my mom and ask Mike. Can we get this all done in two weeks?"

Henry looked at her and said, "You never cease to amaze me. We can do anything you like. I'll start having our things moved into the house. It is the first house we looked at right?"

Vicki smiled, "Of course it is."

Vicki's cell started vibrating and she answered it while doing some computer shopping for flowers, candles, wine, and eatables. "Mom. Nothing's wrong. Honest. Things are going right. Want to attend a wedding? Mine. Not Mike. Henry. In two weeks. No! No shower, no presents, no dress. Come or don't come. It's not that easy. Henry and I have a house. You can stay at a hotel or at the house. No we're not taking any trips. Mom don't make it harder than it is. Don't cry. I hate it when you cry. Keep crying and I hang up. Mom you'll love Henry. Every woman does. I've got to go. Talk to you tomorrow night. No! No presents and don't go babbling to all my old school mates. No shower. Hanging up now." With that she closed the phone and placed it in her purse in the closet.

Henry stood in the door way listening to most of the conversation with a funny look on his face and said, "My last wedding took months of negotiations, the reception lasted three days and there was an audience listening at the door to my chambers." He walked forward saying, "Did I mention the bed sheets from the first night were hung from the balustrade?"

Vicki looked at him with a frown, "I'll have to check the history books. I don't think the intimate details were covered. Care to add more? Maybe that's what I can do with my spare time. Write a book, "Interview with a Tudor Vampire."