Fright Night

Past and Present

Rose's 7 Month Journey

By

~GaGa4FrightNight~

Chapter Seven

December New Year's Eve 1987

No not a huge party but something more intimate between keepers and vampires. Jerry wasn't one for huge celebrations of any kind and kept the New Year's Eve festivities with just his sister and her trio and Rose and both Benny and Stella; oh, of course the guests who had no clue that they would never see the coming of the new year. He was satisfied with his sister's acceptance of Rose though it took a surprising stubborn confrontation by Rose to earn his sister's respect. Perhaps Rose and Regine were similar; two very stubborn and quite independent femme fatales. Yes, Rose had developed her personal independence though she not once steered away from his side and, then again, he wouldn't permit her to leave him though wouldn't right out make that statement because of Rose's obvious temper. He spent his time picking and choosing the proper pieces for his celebratory ensemble though he undoubtedly looked perfectly polished and stunning as usual no matter the occasion. He was curious what Rose would manage to pull out of her rocker chick inspired wardrobe; not a single doubt that she would be her perfectly polished and stunning self in her own unique style. Obviously she was in midst of putting together that unpredictable ensemble by the sound of her loud music coming from down the hallway. He started to dress in the chosen ensemble.

Rose was again a nervous wreck; again she had to be in the same room as the sister who she so blatantly told off in her own unique way. She was again pacing the floor dressed only in a burgundy strapless bra and hi-cut matching silk panties. Back and forth she paced across the floor on her bare feet, toenails a glittery red which matched the fingernails of her anxiously fidgeting fingers. It wasn't entirely Regine that was causing her such heightened nervousness; her revelation concerning the nature of her feelings for that certain devilishly handsome creature. She paused and made a loud frustrated grumble muted by the loud thrashing heavy metal. Again she started pacing taking glances at the fabulous dress laid out draped over the foot of the bed. She specifically had that dress tailored and made during Jerry's three week absence, made just for that New Year's Eve; thought they were going to be alone but now they were being joined by four others.

A knock sounded on the door causing her to jump. Her eyes looked widely at the door and Benny's smiling face poked into the room. "Hiya, Benny," she greeted loudly over the music then continued her frantic pacing.

Benny frowned upon noticing Miss Rose's nervous state. He quietly stepped into the room with his eyes followed her back and forth pacing. He meekly moved towards the vanity to begin spreading out his tools of the beauty trade while glancing at her. At the vanity he caught sight of her hurrying towards the stereo then listened to her turn down the volume. He looked at her as she spun around looking directly at him with her wide eyes. "Is everything okay, Miss Rose?" he timidly asked seeing the stress expressed in her eyes and facial expression.

"Benny," Rose rushed up to him, "Does Jerry care about me?" she had to ask someone and who else was there but the man who's been around to observe her entire journey.

"Ah," he softly mumbled, "Well, yes, of course."

"Benny," she felt awkward asking him those questions but he had become her trusted companion besides Jerry, "Does he really care about?"

"Whatever do you mean, Miss Rose?" he asked not sure the extent of her question. His eyes followed as she slowly sat down on the vanity stool before him.

"Benny," she felt truly emotional with her face solemn, "Benny, do you think possibly that, well," she dropped her eyes, "Well, if it's possible that he might, well, like love me?" She lifted her eyes almost shyly and looked through Benny's thick glasses at his kind eyes.

He was a very intuitive person, always been and what he saw in Rose's sweetly solemn and emotion riddled face was the truth of her feelings for the master. "You love him don't you?" he asked though her expression said it clearly that she did.

Her eyes again dropped and lips pressed together. She forced herself to look back up at him then slowly nodded, "Yeah, I believe I do but is that wrong?"

"Does it feel wrong?" he asked her with such a consoling tone.

She slowly shook her head and softly said, "No."

"Then you want to know if he feels the same, right?" he asked seeing so much more of the true Rose within her emotionally wide eyes; undoubted love for his master.

"Yeah," she nodded; her strawberry blonde brows arched in a type of sadness.

"Well, I, of course, can't tell you if he does or doesn't, Miss Rose." He watched her bow her head with the weight of those emotions, "But, Miss Rose, from what I've observed all this time between the two of you is that you mean the world to him." He knew he couldn't speak for the master but only speak what he's witnessed, "In the beginning of my employment with the master, he did everything possible to find you and when he had, well, he's done everything in his power to keep you with him." He watched her finally lift her head and her lips formed a gentle smile, "He adores you, Miss Rose, and my impression is that he wouldn't know what to do without you. But you truly wish to know you'll have to ask him, not me, I'm just an observer in all this."

"Thanks, Benny," she sincerely said and smiled feeling somewhat more at ease yet she was fearful if she dared ask such a question, "I guess we can get cracking."

"Yes, of course," he smiled, "We must make you smoking."

She laughed; some of her colorful adjectives undoubtedly rubbed off on the keeper. "Oh, I have all the confidence in the world, Benny, that you'll make me damned smoking, like always." She wholeheartedly complimented him, "You're fucking awesome!"

"Yes, yes, of course," he nodded.

The villa was lit up, every window glowed with life but the festivities were held in the elaborate back grounds of the villa where soft white lights were strung from the back arches and across the redone landscape of the back lawn. The mortal guests had arrived at nine and were moving about mingling with one another and with those immortal guests. Regine was divine in her fashionable figure hugging black gown with black fur trim and enjoyed the flattery from those couple mortal male admirers she brought with her to the intimate party and beside her was devoted Bella. Louie hung out near the table that was adorned with all the fixings to feed the mortal guests; poorly giving attempts at making a move on one of those punch fetching guests. Bossley stood sipping punch while standing beside Stella who was almost his equal in height and build; two well built keepers with watchful eyes.

Jerry stepped out of the villa somewhat frustrated that Rose hadn't showed herself, Benny absent as well. As usual, he was remarkable to behold wearing a perfectly tailored suit all in black with exception the deep crimson red vest layered over the black button-down dress shirt and the matching crimson scarf draped around his neck but tucked beneath collar and lapel of the suit jacket. His eyes scanned the guests seeing no sign of Rose. He lightly huffed then approached his sister and greeting her with a kiss to the back of her satin covered hand. "Lovely as usual," he complimented her then nodded to Bella and to the two young men swooning over his sister's powerful charms.

"Thank you," Regine politely sang, "And you, dear Brother, sublimely handsome, as usual." She glanced back to the open patio doors, "And might I ask, where is your Rose?"

"I'm asking myself the same question." He stated with a little annoyance, "Benny's missing as well."

"Well, she, of course, is a lady," Regine grinned, "And that entails being fashionably late but I assume it's because she wants to be nothing but perfect for you."

"She better be," he smirked, "How late she is."

Benny nearly stumbled out onto the patio with his eyes searching for the master; didn't take much to find such a perfect specimen. He lifted his hand with his finger erect and slightly tripped off the traditional granite stone patio. He quickly took notice of Jerry's annoyed expression; apparent the master disapproved of Rose's delay. He stepped up to the master but before he could speak the master did.

"Where's Rose?" Jerry quickly asked.

"Ah, yes," Benny nervously spoke up, "Well, there's a problem."

"Damn it, Benny," Jerry grumbled with frustration, "What's problem?"

"Yes, well," Benny continued to stammer hating the master sounding frustrated, "Miss Rose is having a rather difficult time, yes," he nodded and glimpsed the curious expression of those behind the master. He took a step back and waved the master forward.

Jerry rolled his eyes then stepped up to the keeper and snapped, "What?!
Benny slightly cowered at the master's tone, "I'm sorry." He whispered, "I did everything, Jerry, did her hair and makeup and helped her dress but she's refusing to attend." He understood Rose's reluctance after having spoken so intimately with her about the state of her emotions towards the master.

"What?!" Jerry snapped louder then aimed his finger at the villa, "Go back in there and tell her she has no choice to attend."

"Oh, please," Benny meekly pleaded, "I have tried but, well, Miss Rose won't listen to me and I predict she might listen to you, I hope."

"Oh, whatever!" Jerry nearly shouted using one of Rose's favorite sarcastic words, "Benny, just go do something useful!" He stormed away from the frightened keeper and entered the villa pretty peeved about Rose's behavior; felt embarrassed in front of his guests especially his sister. He moved through the villa stomping his expensive Italian leather dress shoes. Up the stairs he stormed then down the corridor practically grumbling with colorful language typically more suited for Rose's big mouth. He was surprised not hearing her music blaring as he neared her door. He approached her closed door hearing not a sound, no loud heavy metal to signal her mood. Immediately he sensed something was amiss; Rose always used her music to express whatever mood she was in. He grabbed the door handle then slowly opened the door. His eyes slowly frowned as they looked into the quiet room to find Rose oddly seated in the middle of the floor encircled by rose colored crinoline. He pushed the door wide staring at her sitting with her head down and hands rested against the bunched crinoline.

Rose was more than troubled; more than emotional. She sat there on that floor for a while even while Benny begged and pleaded for her to not disappoint the master by not attending the party. She sat there with her head down and eyes vacant as her mind was a jumbled mess of so many different scenarios, concepts, and outcomes of the uncertain future. She had hoped her little talk with Benny would help her push through but her mind and more so her heart had gotten the best of her. Her poor mind hadn't been that screwed up since Jerry had vanished from her life leaving her alone to face an uncertain future but now it seemed that he was again a huge part of her life that the future remained uncertain.

Yeah, she knew he was standing there in the doorway; knew he was likely angry by what Benny most likely informed that she refused to show. She kept her head down and shoulders slouched. "Sorry," she spoke with such an unlikely tone; nothing remotely typical of any of her multitude of different tones, practically toneless. "I'm just not in the mood to party." She confessed the truth; not in the mood to put on the happy face she typically wore and definitely in no mood to pretend a happy face.

He stepped into the room having never witnessed that side to her; she was so indifferent. "Rose, what's going on?" he asked and stepped closer unable to fathom what could possibly make her seem so lifeless and drained.

What's going on? She thought but couldn't give an answer yet she knew the answer to that question. "Just go," she spoke but with no real emotion, "Go to your party and your guests." She heavily sighed disliking herself; hated herself for feeling things that she predicted weren't felt back. Yeah, he likely cared about her; hence he saved her from death and gave her immortality. Why did he? What were his real motives for having done what he had? Why couldn't she ask him those questions? Just, why?

"Not without you." He stated trying to figure out what happened and why she was the way she was; a way he had never seen her before. She never remotely reacted that way when he told her that she was ill with that cancerous blood disease; in fact she shockingly embraced the idea of death. She was so content when he found on the beach embracing that approaching end to her life. It seemed there was always a smile no matter the circumstances but in that moment there was none, not even a smart remark.

"Why?" she asked though there should have been so much more following it.

"Why," he was confused, "Because you need to be there."

"No I don't." she stated with her voice maintaining that lack of tone or emotion, "There's no real need for me to be there." Was there really a need for her?

"You're not telling me something." He stated with her demeanor nearly frustrating.

She lightly closed her eyes. Her body was stiff and locked in that position seemingly held down by the weight of truly desiring to ask him that question she asked Benny. "Yeah, I'm not," she confessed; hadn't told him she loved him, in love with him since the beginning, "And you're not telling me something." He wasn't, never truly told her what she meant to him, if anything beyond forever companionship or perhaps a lover.

He shook his head trying to push back how frustrated he was. "Rose," he struggled to maintain his calm tone, "What are you talking about? What am I not telling? And what are you not telling me?" He stepped around the circle of crinoline moving in front of her; not once had she moved, not lifting her head to look at him. He had almost the sense of being invisible again; how he had begged her to see him. "Look at me, Rose." He never thought that request would be spoken again.

"Why?" she asked, "Why do you need me to look at you?"

It was all too familiar and just as frustrating; he clenched his jaw fighting the urge to speak his frustrations. "Rose, tell me what the hell is wrong with you?" he asked, frustrated but there was a development of concern.

"I can't," she stated just lifting her head ever so slightly with her eyes partially opened looking to two very real and expensive shoes.

"Why can't you tell me?" he asked hearing his tone raise with frustratingly growing concern, "Since when do you hold back, keep your mouth shut, hmm?"

Her eyes shifted higher looking to two very real black covered legs. "Do you care about me?" she finally spoke one of many questions, "Are you actually capable of caring about me?" Another question presented.

"Hasn't everything I've done for you answered those questions?" he asked her in return.

"I like to think you do care about me." She stated lifting her eyes a little higher; still black covered legs, "But do you or don't you? I want to hear the answer not be reminded of everything you've done for me."

His eyes briefly closed; there were many times he asked himself the same question and the answer he always came to internally understand there was great care for her. "Yes," he pushed himself and opened his eyes looking down at her, "Yes, Rose, I care about you."

"Okay," she oddly said and again sighed then confessed, "And I care about you and maybe more than I should, I think. Well, I don't know." Her eyes again lifted more to the two real buttons of a real jacket on a very real torso, "No, I know." Her eyes lazily blinked, "I care about you," she softly nodded in agreement, "I truly and honestly care about you. But," her eyes again lifted higher seeing the glimpse of very real crimson against a very, very real black button-down, "I'm afraid," again her eyes shifted upward seeing the crimson peaking from behind the very real lapel of a definitely real suit jacket, "Yeah, I'm terrified," her eyes painfully shifted higher looking up into his so very real eyes, "I'm most definitely horrified because, well, I…I fell in love…" her eyes quickly dropped and closed, "I love you and I'm beyond terrified or horrified."

For the first time since the night he vanished she felt the sting of actual tears. Her eyes frowned; vampires could cry? Her eyes slowly opened and she felt an actual tear bead then with a blink it gently trailed down her cheek. She lifted her hand and brought a fingertip catching that unnatural tear then lowered her hand focusing on the glisten over the pad of her finger. Vampires cry; how is that possible? But it was possible because her eyes felt the sting of swelling tears and looked at the collapsed droplet moistening her fingertip. She was in awe of that revelation; if vampires could cry tears of emotion then why couldn't the actual emotion of love be possible? Her head lifted and teary eyes looked up at him. She reached her hand palm up with her fingers slightly coiled but her index softly extended. "An actual tear," she said finally vocalized an emotion with a strange soft smile forming over her lightly trembling lips, "You never told me that we could cry."

He was stunned; his eyes frowned glancing at that delicate and moist representation of her true emotion. His eyes shifted and looked to hers, looked into hers, witnessing the tears within the shape of her large emotional blue eyes. Had he ever seen anything that remarkable? He couldn't find anywhere in his past that remotely resembled what was witnessed within her tear glistening eyes. Could he remember tears? Yes, perhaps he had shed tears once in his past but that was so long ago he couldn't remember the sensation of tears. His mind frantically traced his long history but retraced back to the evening he told her of her illness. There was that ivory music box, the melody that held the memory of loss caused by death. Her fatal illness reminded him of that loss but were there tears when he experienced that loss? There had to have been tears because that was what death caused; that was the proper response to loss by death. When knowing what fate had dealt her and knowing that death was fate's decision he took it upon himself to stop fate which ended any possibility of tears caused by loss by death. Her revelations suddenly became his own.

She saw the changes of emotions throughout the expression of his eyes. She had glimpsed something similar that evening he made it known she was going to die. Her arm lowered and she gathered her hand back. "Huh," she studied her fingertip and saw only a fragment of that tear remained, "That's weird." Her eyes blinked and she shuddered upon feeling the gentle caress of two tears, each droplet rolling down her cheeks. Her lips held their soft smile; it was sort of a comfort feeling those tears; she was real. Yes, she was always real but more real than just an emotionless creature. She could really cry; shed real tears. She allowed herself to feel those tears continue down against her face; they were real.

"Rose," he finally spoke seeing the strange contentment softening the expression of her face; two glistening trails visible against her skin.

"Hmm," she hummed and slowly opened her eyes looking up into his.

"Rose," he repeated, "You are my Rose forever and always. My Rose for all eternity." There was an actual comfort finally speaking out, "There is no eternity without you. There is no forever and always without you." He slowly crouched down keeping his eyes with hers, "I knew all this the moment I discovered you were going to be taken away from me by that horrible disease. I was furious being trapped and unable to prevent death from taking you from me which pushed me to find my way from that hell and I did. I did everything to find you before it was too late and when I did, that was when my eternity and forever and always began. It was probably the first time in my long existence that I did something for another. Yes, I admit I did it also for me because I refused to let you go. But I did it for you, Rose. I wanted you to be forever and always and you are but I am just fortunate that you are with me forever and always."

He moved onto his knees, "We exist because of one another. I exist because of you and you exist because of me. And that's how it will remain and I'm damned determined to have it that way." He reached taking her hand and eagerly pressed a firm kiss to the back of her hand then again looked into the depths of her eyes seeing for once in probably forever a true and honest emotion felt solely for him, "Yes, I care about you, Rose, and yes, I now truly understand the nature of the depths of the meaning you hold for me." He held her hand between both his, "Yes, my Rose, I love you."

"Really?" she asked and watched his lips softly smile.

"Yes, really," he replied, "I love you, my Rose, my forever and always Rose."

She smiled, genuinely smiled feeling that powerful weight lift. "Okay," she nodded, "So, I really love you and you really love me." She continued to nod, "So, what now?"

"We go on with our forever shared eternities." He stated and reached his hand brushing the back of his fingers across her cheek wiping back that subtly dried tear trail.

"Okay," she again nodded, that was damned good enough for her, "Well, you can kiss me now."

He lightly laughed and responded, "Gladly." He leaned forward.

The rose red sequins of those low heels caught the soft glow of the white lighting as they turned and turned against the Italian granite. Flows of rose red crinoline lifted with the spin; dainty sparkles throughout the flowing uneven hem catching the light. The rose red sequin bodice glistened against the lighting; Rose spun in slow circles with her head bent back and eyes staring up at the brilliant evening sky dotted with millions of stars against the rich midnight sky. The New Year was greeted with the first feeding of 1988; another first for the young vampire. Several months young in that vampire world; so much she had learned about herself through that short journey that would continue to span into many lifetimes over and over and over.

For nearly a year she experienced more than any mere mortal had in their lifetime. She discovered ghosts existed and could be a bit annoying and stubborn as hell. She discovered that vampires existed and were beyond what fiction proclaimed them to be; evil could be good. Vampires weren't hollow shells of what once used to be mortal; they too were emotional beings and could cry and could love. She experienced the loss of what she now knew was love. She faced her mortality never believing she would see nineteen. She was given the most intimate of kisses giving her a whole other defined death and in return she was given a whole new life, an immortal life. And what never changed for her, her love of heavy metal which the music now played into the New Year beginning another soundtrack to her very, very, very long life.

"I do question her taste in music." Regine commented slightly leaned near her brother as she watched the flamboyant young vampire continuing to spin in circles. Her large brown eyes shifted looking to the expression of Jerry's face as his eyes were no doubt focused on Rose. Her head slightly tilted seeing the soft admiration expressed throughout her brother's handsome face. She had never seen anything remotely similar being expressed by the distinct features of his face.

"I don't, not any longer." Jerry stated; he had a whole new appreciation for Rose's choice in music. He stepped forward leaving Regine's side moving towards Rose.

"Hmm," Regine curiously hummed and looked to Bella, "I believe he's beyond smitten." She frowned looking at the silent vampire who just nodded without saying a damned word, "Don't you ever say anything?" She shook her head.

Rose stopped her spins and came to a slow stop. Her eyes brightened as Jerry approached and into the air came the only song that should be heard when looking upon that stunning vampire but not at her request, his. She smirked planting her hands on her crinoline covered hips knowing he was the culprit. She shook her head then started to lip with the lyrics bringing her arms eagerly around his neck and started to softly sing, "Hey you, I'm in love with your eyes and the sound of your name." She watched him softly smile, "Hey you, I'm in love with your smile." She swayed to the beat of the music, "Ha, you're becoming a heavy metal lover, aren't ya?" she asked him with a suspicious grin.

"Lover," he smirked, "Don't push it." He hugged her against him listening to her giggle, "Happy New Year, my Rose."

She softened her lips with a gentle smile tightening her arms around him. "Yeah," she sighed closing her eyes, "Thanks to you, my sexy stud muffin Jerry Dandridge."

"Oh, Jeeze," He shook his head with a laugh and roll of his eyes.

June 1987

"What the hell!" Rose said with a slight panicked tone, "Why the hell you bring me up here?!" Her wide blue eyes peered down at the ground below, three stories below. Her hands nervously clung onto Jerry's arm while unable to pry her eyes from staring down at the back patio of the plantation house.

"Time to learn to fly," Jerry answered, "You need to earn your wings."

"Say what?!" her head darted to her right and eyes looked to him in disbelief.

"Remember what I told you about the winged beast, the great bat." He looked down at her horrified expression.

"Nah-ah," she slowly shook her head and he nodded, "No!" She continued to shake her head in protest while he continued to slowly nod. She took a step back releasing his arm and pointed down over the side of the house, "Nope, that's too far down, I'll bust something." She lifted her hands in surrender to her fear.

"If you do, it'll mend instantly." He explained.

"No, it'll hurt like a bitch!" she continued her protest, "Ain't gonna happen."

"Oh, it's gonna happen." He nodded, "You have no choice in the matter."

"The hell!" she shouted crossing her arms tightly over her chest.

"You don't," he firmly stated then did the only thing he could do, a little repeat of the coffin incident. He quickly snatched her by the shoulders and gave her a strong shove right off the side of the house and she belted out loud scream. He winched, there was no sound of mighty wings flapping but a muted thud. He leaned forward and peered down at the ground; perhaps it was a tad too soon to kick the bird from the nest. The little birdie face planted but thankfully on the grassy lawn not the patio. "Oo, that's not good." He commented feeling somewhat bad for having not approached the transformation lesson with more subtly.

Her eyes were wide in utter shock that he literally shoved her off the top of the three story house. "Ow," she whined, "Fucking Ow!" She painfully pressed her hands against the grass feeling every inch of her aching. "You fucking shithead!" she shouted loudly and stiffly started pushing herself up off the ground, "You damn fucking shithead!"

Oh, yep, perhaps too soon for such a lesson; he determined future lessons should be done from the ground. "FUCKING SHITHEAD!" he heard her yell with real anger. Yes, wrong decision and knew it the moment she glared up at him; yeah, not pretty at all seeing that true face that emerged passed her beauty. "Well, there's a new first!" he shouted down to her, "You're very ugly when you're infuriated! BRAVO!" He slightly laughed the moment she flipped him off with her quite lengthy finger extended with a spectacular claw-like nail then she growled loudly, "FUCK YOU, YOU SHITHEAD!"

Roll Credits: Song- Hey You by the Scorpions