Part 10
January 22, 1867 Westmorland England
JJ looked around in satisfaction. She was still living with the Hotchners that had taken her in so long ago, and they had set aside a whole suite of rooms just for her. She had her own bathroom, sitting room and bedroom and there was even an extra room if she ever had a child, but in order to have one she would need to get married and she had yet to meet a man that she would be able to love. She had dated some at Penelope's urging, but really she hadn't met anyone that she could honestly say that she had genuinely fallen in love with. There had been one young man around her age in particular that had been persistent before she had finally had Aaron chase him off, since she didn't want to accept his marriage proposal, because she didn't feel she loved him. Personally, she believe that he would have tried to force her to agree if Aaron hadn't stepped in, so it was just as well that she had such a powerful guardian and not just physically, but financially as well.
Suddenly she looked up from the book she was supposedly reading, although she was really lost in her own thoughts when she heard someone knocking on her door.
"Come in," JJ called
The door was opened and JJ looked up from the book she was reading. "What can I do for you Penny?" JJ asked with a raised eyebrow.
"There's a vampire visitor in the parlor that's insisting that somebody in this household is his mate. "None of the children fit the bill so it can only be you."
"How the world does he know that?" JJ asked with a raised eyebrow, her voice extremely skeptical.
"There's no need to be skeptical JJ," Penelope told her. "There's no way that a vampire is going to lie about something like that. As to how he knows well once he had entered the city he would have felt the bond that he had with somebody, just like Aaron did for me, when he entered Connecticut and I was dying of smallpox, so long ago. Vampires know when their mate is nearby, at least in the same city and the feeling of the bond gets weaker or stronger depending if you're going in the right direction or not. This is how Aaron tracked me down in the first place and it would be no different for Dave, which is his name by the way."
"So you're saying that this Dave knew that his mate was somewhere in the city of Westmorland, but not specifically where they were, so he would have had to walk or ride most of the city in order to track me down, because the bond would get weaker if he wasn't going in the right direction," JJ summarized.
"Exactly," Penelope agreed. "At least come and meet him and you know all the stories now and that Dave would never mistreat you, because you are his other half. We got him to agree that you would date for awhile before he turns you into a vampire, so that gives you a chance to actually fall in love with him naturally, since you can't feel the bond. We explained that you were human that we had taken you in when we found you were being sold by your own father. Of course, we didn't give him any details, as that will be up to you."
JJ considered Penelope's words carefully then nodded, as she knew that there was no way she could avoid this Dave, as he would only force his way past the man she considered her father and come looking for her or worse. She did indeed know that mates were meant to be together and that one would never consider mistreating their other half and in fact, they were more likely to spoil him or her rotten. For the most part vampire life was rather lonely, especially if you were more than a couple of centuries old, so JJ could definitely understand that having someone that you love to the deepest depths of your soul could make all the difference in that loneliness. If this Dave was any age at all he was probably desperately lonely and wondering why he just hadn't ended his life.
"Alright, I'll meet him," JJ finally decided. "I know very well that he'll only force his way in here looking for me if I don't. Besides, you know I've never found anyone that I can truly love. I've dated some at your urging that's true, but there was never any…spark. They either started mistreating me after we had been dating for a few weeks mostly by being rude and demanding, I found out that they hated vampires or their was the one that tried to insist I marry him until Aaron chased him away and warned him what would happen if he came back."
"Yes, it's tough being single in the late 1860s," Penelope agreed. "Most women are married by the time they're 16 or at least 18, even in this day and age. Now come on, Dave isn't going to be patient forever, trust me, on that. We can talk more later."
"Alright," JJ said marking her place in the book she was reading, then making sure she looked presentable, brushing her hair and straightening up the dress she was wearing.
"You look beautiful," Penelope told her sincerely. "You will knock Dave off his feet trust me."
"I suppose so, but I didn't really expect to meet a vampire who I was the mate to," JJ said trying not to appear nervous, because she was, very nervous.
"No one mortal does," Penelope told JJ. "It's really not something that you can expect if you're mortal at the time. I certainly didn't expect to be turned into a vampire, particularly since I wasn't exactly awake when it occurred, as I was deeply unconscious with a high fever from the smallpox. It took Aaron and I months to complete the bond because Aaron knew that he had to earn my trust. On other hand, there were special circumstances involved, since I would have been dead within hours and definitely by morning. You on the other hand, have a chance to truly fall in love with Dave before you go through the process, so all you have to do is accept his advances. Let him spoil you, take you out for a meal, buy you presents and so forth. You have time to get to know him and vice versa, even if the transformation is still going to a occur at some point, because as you know no vampire can live without their mate."
"Personally, I think it's very generous that this Dave is going to give me a chance to get to know him before that happens, which means I have at least a few months," JJ said, biting her lip nervously.
"Yes, he's already agreed to court you in the very old fashioned sense of the term, but I really don't think he'll be able to wait more then two, three months at most to make love to you for the first time, but then Aaron manged to wait four, so we'll see," Penelope said. "Just know that neither Aaron or I will be able to stop him if he decides to turn you into a vampire, because you're not accepting his advances. You know Aaron and I would do almost anything for you, but if we did interfere considering that you're Dave's mate, well, he would have every legal right in the vampire world to kill us permanently dead."
"Don't worry so much, Penny," JJ told her mother in every way. "I'm willing to be courted, as I've been rather lonely for nearly 10 years now, as I've never found anyone to settle down with. I know from you and Aaron that Dave isn't going to abuse me, because we are mates after all, so I doubt very much it will take me very long at all to fall in love with him. He's certainly made a good start by agreeing to court me in the old-fashioned way instead of making demands, because to me politeness counts, even if he rudeness does have its place depending on the situation."
"Oh, he's been very courteous so far, even if it's clear he's anxious to meet you. Now don't say another word from here as we're getting closer and he might hear you and you don't want to give away your secrets so soon," Penelope added with a light giggle.
"No, I don't," JJ agreed with a laugh of her own before she fell silent.
~~~Aaron and Penelope~~~
"It's nice to meet you," JJ said politely, as Dave kissed the back of her hand. The second that JJ had entered the room Dave had risen to his feet knowing instantly that she was the one and the way he couldn't keep his expression from immediately brightening told the others two people that JJ was indeed his mate.
Aaron and Penelope had looked at each other knowingly and then Aaron had said, "We'll leave you two to talk, but just make sure you tell us if you're leaving, so we won't worry."
Penelope and Aaron had left leaving JJ and Dave basically alone and Dave for one was grateful, although he could tell that Jennifer was nervous.
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well," Dave said. "I'm sure that since you're living with two vampires they've told you all about what being the mate of one means."
"Yeah, they have," JJ agreed, sitting down on the settee her skirt surrounding her crossed legs, with Dave joining her a second later. "That's the reason I agreed so easily to allow you to court me. I certainly appreciate that you're not forcing the issue."
"When your mate is human it's a little different," Dave said. "I'm not saying it won't be difficult for me to resist, making love to you, but I can do so, for awhile anyway. Of course, if you had some kind of deadly disease and were close to dying it would be different."
"I know that already," JJ promised him. "That's how Aaron met Penelope she was dying of smallpox, as an epidemic had hit the city in which she lived and there was no cure at that time. Aaron of course, had just arrived at the city limits. When he finally found her she was pretty close to death according to them both and he was forced to change her without being able to court her."
"Unfortunately, that happens all the time," Dave winced in sympathy.
"As for me, I'm perfectly healthy, so that's not something we're going to have to worry about," JJ said.
"Thank god for that," Dave said fervently.
"So why don't you tell me a little bit about yourself," JJ suggested.
"Well, originally I grew up in Italy, although it wasn't called that at the time of course, and unlike a lot of our kind I was born a vampire and have never been mortal. I have quite a few brothers and sisters, as back then there was no known way to prevent pregnancy for vampires who were mates, just like there isn't now," Dave told her.
"Actually there is as Aaron and Penelope discovered such a method," JJ said and Dave immediately looked interested.
"They apparently rescued an Indian shaman about a quarter of a century ago and he asked them what he could do to repay the favor of the two of them saving his life. At that point they had been having children every few months and the one thing that Penelope wanted most was to have children, but only when she and Aaron wanted them," JJ explained.
"I can definitely understand that desire, because you might want children, but you don't want them every time you turn around either," Dave said.
"Exactly and apparently the shaman decided he could trust them, because he gave them some kind of carved medallion and seemed to do some kind of ritual over it and whenever Penelope wears it whenever she and Aaron are...well, you know... In any case, even they admitted that they weren't sure it was going to work, but it seems to and that's all that matters," JJ said, glad of Dave's understanding.
"I wonder if we can get something similar for ourselves, even if I know that's for later," Dave mused.
"We could try, but as you said that's to worry about later," JJ said.
"Yes, that's for later," Dave agreed. "I won't deny that I want children with you, but it can wait until we've gotten to know each other and until you're changed into a vampire like I am. It is extremely dangerous for a human to carry a vampire's child, because they grow at an exceptional rate and because they could very well kill the woman in question, by putting one of their limbs through something vital. If the vampire male is responsible he never gets a human female pregnant. Unfortunately, we're just like humans in a lot of ways and there are some of us that are not very responsible, and who think of humans as a food source and nothing more," Dave said.
"Yes, I know, Aaron and Penelope have been educating me on and off, ever since I came to live with them. I'm sure there's a lot more I need to know, but I know much more about your species than most other humans," JJ said.
"So Aaron and Penelope gave me the basic details, but I didn't get the whole story of how you came to be living with a couple of vampires and their children," Dave said.
"It's not something I like to remember," JJ said, feeling very comfortable sitting here talking to Dave even though they had just met. Dave was being very kind and solicitous and was as different as night and day from some of the men she had dated for awhile. However, she understood why that was, as no vampire mistreated their mate. Dave was asking if she was willing to tell him how she and the Hotchners had met, but he wasn't being demanding.
"I grew up in Philadelphia, in America and my mother died when I was five. Unfortunately, my mother died giving birth to my brother, which I know happens a lot, particularly back when I was born. I really don't remember what my dad was like before that, but I know that after my mother and brother died he basically ignored my existence. He barely remembered to give the housekeeper money in order for me to buy new clothes and get school supplies. I know he only did so because he didn't want me to draw attention by walking around in rags, since young children outgrow their clothes very quickly. I'm not sure what I would have done at least for food if it wasn't for some of the ladies in the neighborhood who were friends with my mother and also our housekeeper Gertrude, as unfortunately, I was too young when mom died to be taught how to cook. Of course, Gertrude and those that had been friends with my mother had to do it on the sly, because dad would have been furious if he had found out that they were feeding me, so it was only one meal, sometimes two a day. In any case, when I was 15 my father finally sold me to this really old guy, who had to be at least in his 50s. I was lucky though, as Aaron and Penelope were exploring the neighborhood learning their territory they told me, as they had just moved there. Unlike most people they stepped, in as such a thing as a child being sold, for who knows what nefarious purpose made them furious. They offered me the protection of a very powerful family and said that I could become their ward, even if that wasn't legally, as my father would never agree to it," JJ explained.
"So what happened to the lecher?" Dave growled, furious at the story he had been told.
"I don't know for sure, because back then I didn't want to know, but I'm sure he's dead, because I've learned since I started living with the Hotchners that they take an attack on their family very seriously and I had become part of that family. I've never told them what I suspect, because I don't like to think about it and no, I'm not saying that Mr. Egbert Zeller didn't deserve what happened to him, just that I don't like to be the cause of anyone's death," JJ explained. "You're welcome to ask Aaron and Penny for the details if you want. I promise I don't mind."
"I don't blame you there and you were only 15 at the time," Dave said understandingly, although it was in the back of his mind to do just what JJ suggested, but it could wait until later as his mate was much more important, something that would always be true. "I try not to take a life either, but sometimes I know it's necessary depending on circumstances, but if I do have to I don't feel guilty afterwards, as I know that it was because I had to or at least that I saved a lot of lives with my actions. Unfortunately, both humans and vampires are messed up species and we just aren't programed to get along all the time. You've been relatively sheltered for the most part, so you probably don't believe this at least not deep in your heart, as you've never seen the true face of evil. The Hotchners were just trying to protect you as best they could and if you were to remain human and eventually married some human man, then perhaps, you might've maintained that innocent at least to a certain degree. Unfortunately, as a vampire you'll have to watch out for danger at all times, because a lot of humans hate or at least strongly dislike our kind and while not much can harm us..."
"Fire can and you have to be sure that somebody's not going to try to burn you out of your home, perhaps, injuring or even killing humans in the process," JJ said in understanding.
"Of course, most humans never figure out what we are so long as we're careful when we hunt," Dave said pleased at how intelligent his mate was. Of course, it helped that she had been living with two vampires who had told her much since she was 15, but still, it pleased him that she was so quick to put the puzzle pieces together.
"Believe me, it's happened to me several times that some humans tried burn me to ashes when I was basically just minding my own business, because they figured out what I was. There are signs, as to who's a vampire after all if you know what to look for, even if most people aren't that observant or don't know those signs, but still, it always pays to be cautious. It's a good thing however, that vampires don't really need to sleep or I might have been caught unaware."
"That is so sad that people whether vampires and human can't get along," JJ said shaking her head. "I'm glad that you weren't injured in those fires."
"I might not have been hurt, but I sure did lose a lot of valuable antiques artwork and books," Dave growled. "I know that might not seem like much in the grand scheme of things..."
"But it's the principle of the thing," JJ said. "Not to mention all that money gone up in smoke."
"Mostly it's the principal of the thing, and not really so much about the money, since most vampires that are any age at all have plenty of that," Dave admitted. "Besides, like humans vampires can get attached to their possessions and they don't want to lose them for some stupid reason. If they get worn out and have to be thrown away or broken on accident it's one thing, but to have them burned up just because some human didn't want a vampire living close by, is another thing entirely. In one particular case, a lot of what I owned in the house I was living in the time was irreplaceable, or at least very hard to replace."
"I understand better now," JJ said, truly understanding where Dave was coming from. "I have a lot of things that I wouldn't want to lose, have stolen or have burned up in a fire. Mostly things that the Hotchners have given me in the years I've lived with them, as they have been very generous. Those things mean a lot to me, because I know that Aaron and Penelope genuinely love and care for me. I never thought about it from a vampire's perspective before, but since you have the same emotions that humans do of course, it makes sense that you get attached to what you own, because humans certainly do."
"That's it exactly," Dave said pleased at JJ's genuine understanding. "So what about if I pick you up for a date tomorrow, as it's too late to even think about that today, because you live at least an hour outside the city, especially by carriage."
"I do know how to ride a horse and it has the added advantage of being much faster," JJ suggested. "It'll only take us about half an hour to get to the city on horseback."
"There's no rush," Dave told her. "We can use the extra time to get to know each other better. Besides, the more time I get to spend with you, the better, as it's going to be hard enough being away from you after I drop you off after our date as it is."
"Well, I can't honestly say I feel the same way, but then I really don't know you yet," JJ told him honestly, which Dave appreciated.
"I know that as humans don't have their version of the mate bond, so believe me I do understand. It'll take you time to develop feelings for me, which is why I agreed with your guardians to court you," Dave assured her.
"Well, they are not precisely my guardians," JJ disagreed, "but I suppose they are my family, even if they never legally adopted me."
"I believe they would have if they hadn't wanted to call attention to the fact that you were staying with them illegally," Dave told JJ gently. "They had to be very careful that no one found out that they had basically kidnapped you, even though you were mistreated. Your father could have brought them up on charges claiming that you hadn't been mistreated and he likely would have been believed. Unfortunately, females most of the time weren't listened to back even 20 years ago, although that's gotten better."
"I wouldn't worry about my father as he's dead to," JJ said. "The police believe it was an accident or at least that's what the paper said at the time. I wouldn't be surprised if Aaron and Penelope had something to do with his rather sudden demise, although I don't know that for sure, but knowing how protective they are of the people they care for..."
"It's a very strong possibility at least," Dave finished.
"Yes, and I know I should probably be mad at them if they did cause his demise, but I can't because they rescued me from a terrible fate. Besides, it was nearly 15 years ago now, although I suppose it's been closer to 13," JJ said.
"So in other words, Jennifer Jareau just basically vanished," Dave said.
"Basically, yeah, and the ironic thing is, is that the Hotchners only lived a few miles away from where I grew up, until we moved here to England," JJ said.
"But most people, don't leave the area they grew up in, so you might as well have been on the other side of the world, although some people do travel, salesmen for example. Most people have what I refer to as a comfort zone, where they have their homes, their place of work, their favorite shops, their favorite restaurants and also a market where they can buy food, being probably within a 5 mile radius of where they live. Of course, some people do range farther then that from what is considered their home territory, so you still had to be careful that you didn't run in to anyone you knew previously," Dave said.
"Yeah, I did, but once I had gained considerable weight, since I was quite thin, new hairstyle and also developed a new attitude to go along with it thanks to Aaron and Penelope's influence. I used to be quite shy, basically, afraid of my own shadow, nobody would have recognized me as the same girl. I was also known as simply Jenny for awhile as all of us felt that there weren't likely to be two females in the same city with the same set of initials that used them as their name."
"A very sensible precaution," Dave admitted approvingly.
"It wasn't that those people would have been able to get me away from the Hotchners, even if they had told my father while he was still alive that they had seen me, as Aaron made me his ward and he takes his promises seriously. We would've left Philadelphia immediately, even if it would've been suspicious, just to avoid trouble, because even if they can't be injured I certainly can be. Of course, that was only if somebody had recognized me and gathered a few friends to supposedly get me back or try to kidnap me," JJ gave an unladylike snort at the thought.
"Yes, I already know that both of them are honorable, as you have any right to expect, especially for vampires and I think I'll enjoy getting to know them, as a lot of vampires I've met I can't stand, because they are so arrogant and full of themselves. They seem to believe that just because they are nearly immortal that that makes them better then humans," Dave said bluntly.
"Aaron has often said the same thing," JJ giggled. "We have met a few that all of us at least got along with, even if none of us had anything in common, but really I probably haven't met more than half a dozen in the last nearly 13 years, or if I have I didn't know that they weren't mortal and neither Penelope or Aaron has told me if they knew any different."
"Yes, it is pretty hard to tell if someone is a vampire if you're mortal, although it is possible if you're observant enough and know what to look for, but most of us quite proficient at acting human, eating in restaurants for example," Dave said. "Perhaps, we can see something at the theater."
"That sounds wonderful, as I've never been," JJ said. "Aaron and Penelope have been several times, but is not really someplace you go by yourself, although I know some people do. As for me however, I didn't want to risk going by myself, mostly because I was single and female and I'm sure at least some of the single men would have noticed and tried their best to get me to date them."
"I'll make all the arrangements," Dave promised softly, taking her small delicate hand gently in his own, causing JJ to blush very prettily. "I had better go now before I can't force myself to leave. I am more ancient than you know and I never imagined after all these centuries that would meet the one woman I was supposed to spend the rest of my existence with. I figured if I ever had a mate in the first place we had just never met and she had died a very long time ago."
JJ feeling quite bold, kissed his cheek softly causing Dave's expression to light up.
"I'll see you tomorrow, I'll pick you up at three," Dave promised.
"What kind of clothes do I need to get dressed in? Formal? Semiformal? Casual?" JJ asked.
"Well, I doubt I can get us in anywhere really exclusive at this late date, so go for semiformal," Dave said.
"I can do that," JJ said, as she escorted him to the door, where his horse was waiting. "I'll see you at three, tomorrow."
"Believe me, I'll be here, as there's absolutely nothing that will keep me away," Dave said fervently. He gently took JJ in his arms holding her close, memorizing her scent, nuzzling the side of her neck and placing soft kisses along the tender skin there, causing her to give a soft gasp.
"You had better go, before you do something we both regret," JJ told him softly, as she was already extremely moist down in her private area that had never been touched intimately by any man. But on the other hand, this just wasn't any man, but her mate, even if they didn't know each other very well yet.
"Yes, I had better," Dave agreed sounding incredibly reluctant, as his cock was also beginning to respond more than he would like to his mate.
Finally Dave released his mate and forced himself to leave before he no longer could, although he couldn't help but shoot JJ one last look of intense longing before he mounted his horse smoothly and started down the long drive.
~~~Aaron and Penelope~~~
"So how did it go?" Aaron asked immediately, as soon as JJ entered the library where he and Penelope were sitting on one of the loveseats, as there were several cozy little nooks with chairs and tables to put your books on for people to simply sit back and relax. JJ had known that this was where they'd be, even though neither had said so, as both loved the library that was as many stories as the house itself. The library had come with the house and most of the books from the previous family that had lived here had remained behind, as there was just no way to transport that many books to another location, well, not without a lot of expanse.
"It went just fine," JJ promised as she sat down in one of the nearby comfy leather chairs. "He was reluctant to leave, but I know that's only natural, however, he'll be back tomorrow at 3 o'clock to pick me up for our date. I watched as he mounted his horse and rode away and he looked as if he had lost his best friend."
"In a way he has," Aaron told JJ in his usual calm tone, but with a smile. "Once you are together often and definitely once you agree to be turned into a vampire and complete the bond with him, he will never look so sad and despondent again."
"I thought I didn't have any choice in the matter?" JJ asked.
"Well, really you don't," Penelope admitted as she glanced at Aaron, "but I know that Aaron still feels guilty for having to change me without gaining my permission to do so, even though I was his mate and I was dying at the time. Dave like Aaron will simply be much happier if you agree to it on your own free will that's all. Of course, if you resisted the idea and didn't want to date him at all or one or both of your parents didn't want you anywhere near him then he would have to force the issue and likely killed your parents in the process, even. However, he would feel guilty doing it, but he would if he had to, because a vampire cannot live if there mate dies once they have met."
"Most people don't really know much about vampires, because they don't bother to learn and what information is out there is not always correct. There are so many rumors floating around about our kind and some of them are so far out, that any sensible person wouldn't take them seriously and yet a lot of humans fall for that sort of disinformation," Aaron added his voice dripping with disdain.
"This is why for the most part vampires try to keep to their own kind although we have had good human friends like yourself for instance," Penelope added, as she gripped Aaron's arm in a gesture of affection. "But then not everyone falls for all the poppycock about vampires either, because they're too intelligent to fall for all the untruths out there or they know a vampire and know that at least most of the rumors out there are a bunch of bull."
"Yes, some people are sensible," Aaron admitted, "as both Penelope and I have had some good human friends, although that's been mostly myself since I am far older than she is. As Penelope said you don't have a choice, but at least you're willing to entertain the idea and allow Dave to take you out on dates, so you can get to know each other. That you are willing to go even that far means you are way ahead of a lot of humans who want nothing to do with vampires at all, as a lot of them believe that they should be simply eradicated."
"Like that's going to happen," JJ snorted. "Some humans might be able to get rid of one of them by burning them to ashes, but you have to catch the vampire totally unaware and that's not the easiest thing to accomplish. I'm not saying it's not possible..."
"Just extremely unlikely," Penelope finished.
"Of course, some of our kind are so full of themselves that they truly believe that no mere human could ever hurt them and it's those for the most part that'll caught unaware and permanently destroyed, which if you ask me is no great loss," Aaron added with a shrug and a smirk, "as it's those types of vampires that give our kind a bad name. Of course, most of them aren't like that, they just want to be left alone to make friends, have a family whether that's with a mate or just random people. In other words, they just want to be left alone to pursue their own interests, which every being has a right to whether they're human or vampire," Aaron said. "Actually most humans never know if they're living right next door to one of our kind anyway, because most of us are good at the superficial behavior that defines a human being in the first place at least when we are out in public."
"Still, you have to be cautious just in case," JJ said knowing immediately where this conversation was going.
"Yes, because some humans like yourself, are observant and intelligent then a lot of other people and unlike yourself they hate vampires and it's those kind that you really need to watch out for," Penelope said who had learned a lot about human nature in the past century. "Of course, I realize that a lot of people who hate vampires it is mostly a hate born from ignorance, fear and not knowing all the facts about our kind. That doesn't make it right or anything, but at least it's hate born out of ignorance instead of just because someone thinks it's okay to hate someone that's different from you. Really it's no different then a white man hating a black or vice versa, just because of the color of his skin."
"Hate has been around for long as humans have," Aaron added, "and goes all the way back to prehistoric times where some caveman would conk another on the head to steal something they wanted whether that was food, a woman or some type of possession. Hate will be around for as long as beings like vampires, humans or any sentient species exists I'm afraid, as we just weren't made to coexist peacefully all the time."
"I think you'll find that if you give Dave a chance that you'll fall in love with him, as unlike most men he'll never ignore you or put his needs before your own. You'll be equal just like Aaron and I are, even if I act a certain way in public in order not to draw attention, since we don't want other people to know that we are vampires. Of course, most vampires tend to keep a low profile, as those that don't are usually destroyed or at least chased out of town," Penelope said shooting Aaron and adoring look.
"I know which is why I'm willing to give him a chance to prove it," JJ said. "I can see myself easily falling in love with him, because we talked quite easily. Also I mentioned some things that would disgust most men I knew because they would believe that I shouldn't talk about such things out loud and he didn't even blink much less look disgusted. Most men don't want a woman that is intelligent or at least that speaks her mind, which is the main reason I've never gotten married, because I'm not going to change how I think or act just to satisfy some man."
"And you shouldn't have to," Aaron told her with a smile. "However, you're right most men don't want a woman that can think for herself or at least one that's not so outspoken and speaks her mind because in a lot of households, especially the upper class the man's word is law. However, if a man is intelligent he listens to his wife, particularly if she's known to give good advice, but most of them don't do that, not even within their own homes. I think it's mainly because a lot of men believe that any mere women is beneath them and they only marry in order to have children."
"You don't have to worry about that with Dave though, as he'll treat you just as well as Aaron treats me, because you have ways of getting out of the relationship if he treats you like crap," Penelope said
"How? I didn't think there was anyway to break a mating bond?" JJ asked.
"There is two ways, and Dave will be well aware of them," Aaron said. "The only two ways to do it, is to kill the vampire that is your mate, which will lead to your own death or kill yourself as Dave would follow you into death."
JJ blinked in astonishment and then and then said wryly, "Well, I never expected you to be so... blunt."
"There's really no other way to say it," Penelope told JJ with an understanding smile. "Unfortunately, it's not the sort of information that you can give anyone gently. Fortunately, it seems to be built into our kind, that you never abuse your mate, because they are a vampire's most precious treasure. Vampires love their mates so much, as they are vital to that vampire's continued existence that you treat them just as you yourself want to be treated and that's with respect and love."
"Really the bond is usually so strong that all you really want to do is spoil the most important person in your life to let them know that you care, so I would expect be showered with gifts," Aaron said with a smile. He glanced at the love of his life only to see her looking at him as well. The two of them shared a soft gooey look not at all embarrassed to be doing so in front of JJ, before they turned their attention back to a young woman they considered a daughter.
"So I can expect to love Dave and definitely for him to love me in return," JJ said and both Aaron and Penelope nodded in confirmation.
"Once you're turned into a vampire you will feel the bond that Dave already does and really it's just kind of a signal that you are perfect for each other, though unfortunately, it doesn't avoid the the normal pitfalls of any relationship, except for the fact that you will never break up. However, it will take awhile for you to to truly get to know each other, but it comes with the assiduity that you are not going to start to hate each other or decide that you aren't right for each other after all. The feelings that Dave has for you already will only get stronger the more time you spend together. I suspect you'll probably be going out on a date of some kind nearly every day for the next few months at least, you'll be spending a great deal of time together, so those feelings will only develop faster on his end," Aaron said.
"I see," JJ said absorbing the information she was learning.
"However, at least you're open to having a relationship with him and not closed off to the possibility letting yourself fall in love with him, which means that you'll likely do so naturally, even if it's not as fast. Human beings close themselves off from so many opportunities for true happiness because they insist that they have to date within their class or even the opposite sex," Aaron said.
"You mean same-sex relationships?" JJ said not sure what to think about that, although she had certainly heard about such things but never seen it.
"I've known some vampires who are in a relationship with their own sex, although they certainly keep it low-key and I've actually met several couples of the same-sex who were mates, although again they don't make a big deal out of it if they're at all aware of what humans think about such things. Most vampires don't care one way or the other which way they swing, because it just isn't important in the grand scheme of things. I admit though that it's usually two males together instead of two females," Aaron shrugged.
"Humans just need to learn to accept concepts that disgust them if only because they've been raised to think that way with an open mind," Penelope said. "I admit at first I was disgusted as well, but I've learned since then, that people have a right to live their lives the way they want just so long as they're not hurting anybody else. I can understand the hatred for same-sex couples back when Aaron was born for instance because the population wasn't as large as it is now, but now that the population has grown so much it's kind of silly. I mean who really cares if two men can't produce children, as they might not want children for all anyone knows."
"When you live as long as we do that the sex of your life partner doesn't really matter so long as you're both happy, even though I'm well aware that many humans would disagree," Aaron said.
"I never thought about it like that before," JJ said thoughtfully.
"Most humans don't," Penelope told JJ gently. "Really human beings don't live very long into their 50 sometime 60s and 70s but then they're gone. In a few years Aaron would've turned you into a vampire, but only if you had wanted it, but now that you've met Dave you'll be turned into one anyway. However, since you're about the same age I was when I was turned we can really be sisters, as I've thought of you that way for years and not really mother and daughter, since we're so similar in many ways."
"Yes, that's true," JJ said her face brightening. "I've never had a sister and I always wanted one, as my life would have been a lot less lonely if I had somebody I could truly talk to."
"We'll always love you and you'll always love us, but really our family is rather unusual, because neither one of us treat you like our daughter not really. Really we treated you like our daughter when you were young and you were still trying find your place in the world and trying to get over what your father did to you. However, it hasn't been that way for years now once you truly got over the trauma. I wasn't looking forward to helping Penny get over the fact that you had died, even if that was 30 or 40 years from now, which just makes it harder on us to get close to some human because they die in what seems the blink of an eye," Aaron said.
"Then why do you bother?" JJ asked, curiously.
"Because as we told you awhile back those who don't immerse themselves in humanity occasionally get all arrogant and believe that they can do anything they want with no consequences," Aaron said. "Yes, it's painful to lose somebody you care for, particularly if you're close, but that's part of life I'm afraid whether you're vampire or human. We have to remind ourselves that even though we need to drink blood, in order to survive we don't have to kill whoever is donating it, willingly or not. If every vampire in existence killed every time they fed they would soon be few if any humans left, so it's just as well."
"Having to drink blood once I'm a vampire is not something I'm looking forward to," JJ made a face.
"I know I thought the same thing and that I would hate having to do it," Penelope said, as she came to stand behind JJ's chair putting her hand on her shoulders. "But trust me, your vampire instincts will take over and you'll find that you enjoy it. Really, I expected it to taste nasty, as it is blood after all and just something I had to do in order not to kill a hundred humans at once, because I was so thirsty. I have found over the decades though, that I really love to hunt for my dinner, especially with Aaron, even if I can do it by myself as well. Of course, it helps that we don't kill whoever we choose for our meal, as I would never be able to forgive myself if that was the case."
"Because we don't kill when we feed or at least most of us don't that means that we don't have to stick to bums, people who won't be missed in other words," Aaron said. "I prefer for my meals to be clean and not have any drugs or alcohol in their system, even if it doesn't affect us. I know it's a hard concept to understand, but really all you have to do is let your instincts take over and Dave will make sure that you don't kill your victim when the time comes."
"That's one part of being a vampire I'm not going to like," JJ said.
"I didn't think I would either as I'm not the naturally aggressive type, but I really do," Penelope told JJ sympathetically. "I wouldn't have your heart set on you not liking to hunt, because I suspect that once you are a vampire, you'll enjoy hunting, even if I know that's a concept that's really impossible to understand for a human or at least very hard."
"Maybe you're right," JJ conceded, "but we'll see."
"So do you know where he's taking you?" Penelope asked finally after some time of complete silence.
"No, not really but he did tell me to dress semiformally," JJ said. "He said he wasn't going to try to get into anywhere ultraexclusive at this late date, although I'm sure he'll take me somewhere like that later."
"Definitely and at least there are more options to take someone out on a date then when Penelope was changed," Aaron said leaning over to kiss his mate on the cheek.
"There weren't really things like restaurants back in those days or at least there weren't many of that type of thing, as food for the most part was prepared in the home. I'm not saying that they weren't some restaurants, but America hadn't been around as long as European countries. Really they were just getting started," Penelope said.
"Since we're living in England though, which has been around for considerably longer then the country I was born in, such things are more common over here," Penelope added.
"America will catch up and I suspect it won't be long, but really they've only been around, since the very late 1500s, so less than 400 years," Aaron said. "The land existed, it just hadn't been discovered until then."
"You make me see history in a whole new way," JJ admitted truthfully and since it wasn't the first time she had said something like that Aaron simply smiled at her.
"History is important, because people who fail to learn from it are doomed to repeat it and believe me, I've seen more of that kind of thing, then you can imagine. You'll see what I mean once you've been a vampire for awhile. Besides, I have to admit that I'm looking forward to having you around for centuries to come and I know that Penelope is to," Aaron said.
"You know I am," Penelope said to JJ. "I know we might not see you for years, but at least I'll know that you're still alive, and we're bound to run into each other at some point."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, as Dave and I are just starting on our relationship after all I'm sure it will be at least a few months before I'm turned into a vampire," JJ said.
"Probably, as Dave will likely be willing to wait so long as he gets to see you regularly." Aaron said. "Really, there's plenty of grounds that you to can explore if you want right here and I guarantee you we won't come looking for you unless you're gone really late and you haven't told us you were going to be beforehand. At least that will prevent you from going into town to often, so that people gossip about you."
"You could maybe have a picnic right out on the grounds, because it's the middle of summer after all so you do not have to worry about freezing," Penelope added. "It's perfect picnic weather."
"That's an idea," JJ said brightening. "I haven't been on a picnic, since just before my mother died and I only vaguely remember going on one, as just months later she was dead."
"Well, then it's about time he went on another one," Aaron suggested, knowing JJ would be mentioning it to Dave at first opportunity.
"I think I'm going to go back to my room and probably go to bed early as I'm pretty tired," JJ decided, suddenly releasing huge yawn.
"You've certainly had plenty of excitement today," Penelope sympathized. "However, at least you're not ill like I was when Aaron found me."
"That's something to be thankful for," Aaron added, as he gave JJ a kiss on her cheek. "We'll see you in the morning for breakfast."
JJ nodded and headed out the door to the library to return to her suite of rooms, so that she could take a bath and then go to bed early, for she really did feel exhausted.
~~~Aaron and Penelope~~~