Two whole months. Two whole months without Rollo and his family. I hadn't noticed that three weeks gone by because we were so busy repairing the house. The McAshtons are nicer now and not just because Rollo scared them into submission. They genuinely like us now. Nigel still has a crush on me, but we never acknowledge it. Tony now wears the Stone of Attamon around his neck and I wear the Sackville-Bagg crest always.
"Hey, Tess, Tony," Flint said as we walked outside.
"Yeah?" Tony asked.
"Grandfather's hosting a party for the new neighbors. He said to invite you guys. It's semiformal," Nigel finished.
"Dress nice, Tessa," Flint teased.
I slapped his head playfully. "Shut up."
Dad wore his usual business suit, and Mom wore a belted lavender wrap dress and stilettos. Tony wore a tie, a dress shirt, khakis, and the Stone of Attamon while I wore a white strapless lace skater dress, black combat boots, and the Sackville-Bagg crest.
When we entered the McAshton home, we were greeted by Lord McAshton and the twins. Once we explained everything to Mom and Dad, Dad forgave Lord McAshton and got along for us kids' sake. As Mom and Dad chatted, the twins dragged us away toward their room.
"Are we just going to spend the night in your room because I did not put on eyeshadow, eyeliner, lipstick, and princess curl my hair to hang out in your room like usual!" I protested, falling silent when I saw who was inside.
Gregory looked pretty much the same. His hair didn't stick out as much, and his skin was didn't look as dead and decay. His clothes, like his siblings, were modern, clean and neat. They were a dress shirt, slacks, and a leather jacket.
Anna's neatly plaited hair was tossed over her left shoulder. Her hair was a shade darker as was her skin. Her lips didn't look chapped, but had a healthy pink color. She still wore pink, though now it was pink with white polka dots.
Rollo. Rudolph. His now brown hair was slicked back, so different from his old messy locks. His eyes were now a warm brown. He was wearing a red dress shirt, a black bowtie, and slacks. He looked the most changed.
Flint grabbed my hand, whirled me around, and brought my face close to his, examining it closely.
"Nigel, doesn't Queen Teresina look absolutely ravishing on this fair night?" he asked his twin.
Nigel flushed. "She always looks...er, ravishing."
"Flint, get off me."
He let go of my hand, and I sat on Nigel's bed, grabbing a pillow and hugging it.
A few minutes later, Tony said, "Well, this is awkward."
"Tony, Tessa, these are the Sagville-Baggs Greg, Rudolph, and Anna," Nigel introduced.
"Greg, Rudolph, and Anna, these are Sir Tonius, knight of night, and Queen Teresina, goddess of the vampires," Flint announced grandly, waving his hands.
Nigel and Flint's dad, Mr. Floyd McAshton, went inside their bedroom. "Nigel, Flint? Can I talk to you a minute?"
The rich boys followed their dad out the door with Flint petting my head. I swatted his hand away and he laughed.
Anna asked, "How are you?"
I raised an eyebrow. "I don't do small talk."
"Tessie!" Tony scolded, glaring down at me.
Did I mention that Tony finally hit his growth spurt?
"What? I don't see the point."
"Why do you got to be so rude?"
"You know why. You saw it yourself."
"Teresa."
"What do you want, Rudolph?"
He sat next to me on the bed. "What happened to calling me Rollo?"
"Oh, NOW you remember," I scoffed.
He shrugged. "We relived our life in the twentieth century. We forgot everything, and the only reason we moved here is because Dad got a new job. He's more agreeable now."
" I doubt that," Tony and I snorted.
"He is. He's much more accepting of my attitude," Gregory said. "Though I don't really care to talk to a bucnh of kids."
"We're not kids!" The four of us protested.
Anna stood up. "Oh, Tony dearest, thank you! Thank you for giving us a chance!" She walked to Tony and hugged him tightly.
"Tony's got a girlfriend!" I sang.
"Shut up! It's not like you and Rudolph don't have something going on!"
I rolled my eyes. "Let's not forget that every time you saw a rat or mouse, you caught it and held it to your heart, whistling."
"Tessa!" Tony glared.
"Oh, my hero." Anna carressed Tony's cheek.
I gagged. "Keep the PDA to a minimum, will you?"
"No PDA at all! No one flirts with my baby sister!" Gregory corrected angrily.
"Two months ago you would have asked what the hell PDA is," I said in awe.
"How is this our life?" Tony asked.
"We're back!" Flint yelled, flinging the door open.
I rubbed at my right ear. "Great, I think you made me deaf, McAshton."
He kneeled. "My apologies, Your Royal Darkness."
I hit his head. "Grow up."
"Never, my Queen!"
Nigel rolled his eyes at his brother's antics. "What'd we miss?"
"Nothing much," Gregory replied. "I'm out. You guys are boring." He left.
Rudolph's gaze drifted down to my chest. I was about to slap him when he grabbed my necklace.
"Nunquam Timent Nox," he muttered.
"Never fear the night," I replied softly.
"Teresa, I really do love you."
"Aren't you romantic? Confessing in front of your sister, my brother, and my friends?"
Rollo blushed. "Sorry."
"Aww, Tessa's got a boyfriend," Flint pouted. "Nige, looks like the new kid beat you to our resident vampire queen."
"I haven't had a crush on Tessa for like a month. She's too..."
"Too what, McAshton?" I asked darkly, raising an eyebrow.
"Much of a handful. Besides, you're like the sister I wish Flint was."
"Hey!"
The Sackville-Bahn are back. Rollo and I are on our way to a romantic relationship. Tony is trying to work up the courage to confess his feelings to Anna.
