Soul Food for Vampires
"Lunch is served," Jameson announced.
"Thank you, Jameson," said Alexander, "Let's move into the dining hall and see what Jameson has prepared for us, shall we?"
Alex got up with Alexander and I while Lexy sped to the door. "Alex, last one there is a monkey's uncle." She called her brother for a race. At the same time, Alex and Lexy ran at their full vampire speed.
"Well what do you think?" I asked Alexander as we walk towards the dining hall trailing behind them.
"There's so much I want to know about. I can understand their personalities. Lexy reminds me of you. She's so energetic, and expressive, happy. She also reminds me of Stormy's sensitive side. I'll look into enchanted protection charms for her and I do know about necromancers. I can see myself in Alex. He's quiet, observant, smart, and quite mature to only be seven years of age. I have a lot of years to make up for." He said thoughtfully.
"Well it's a good thing we've got forever. You'll get caught up soon enough, and still have an eternity to make new memories for them. It's a good thing you popped up before they hit puberty. I would be completely lost with Alexander's growth and Lexy's interest in boys." I humored. We saw the kids sitting at the table with their feet swinging beneath them.
When they noticed us they made impatient gestures indicating that we were taking too long. Jameson had already set out the plates with the silver dish covers over them. Alexander pulled out a chair for me and I took it gracefully. After he pushed me in, such a gentleman, he went around the table to sit across from me. The dining table seats twelve people, but we all sat at the end. Lexy took the chair at the head of the table, Alexander took the end seat at the left side of her, I took the right, and Alex sat next to Alexander.
Those two were quite a pair; they were so identical. Alexander wore the same thing I saw him in this evening, and Alex wore a black button-up shirt that was left open to show his black and white Chuckie shirt with black jeans and black leather converse sneakers. I looked at Lexy's outfit. A black and pink dress with tattered and ripped lace at the skirt and a pink ribbon tied at the back. It was a dress I made for her, like I do with most of her wardrobe. I wish I could buy her all the pretty clothes she wants, but I divided the inheritance money into savings for them and tuition for Billy. I should really take that promotion Jagger offered. With Alexander here, I might be able to afford the hours, I thought.
Jameson came in with a cart that had glasses and three pitchers on it. He set a glass in front of each of us and asked what we liked to drink. "I have some of the finest blood from Romania, Coca Cola, and Apple Juice."
"What's the finest blood from Romania?" Lexy asked. Good question.
"It's blood from the purest of humans," explained Alexander. Damn it Alexander! I thought. Then he looked at me a raised a brow. Holy shit, did he just read my mind? I knew Alexander could read people, but he never said what his powers were. I figured he was very observant and insightful. You better not be reading my mind! I thought just in case he was.
"Mom," Alex called, "are we allowed to have some too?" he asked innocently.
"Um…" I was at a lost for words. I didn't want to seem mean or strict, but I didn't want to sem too lenient either. "I don't know if that's a good idea. Do you want soda or juice instead, or maybe Jameson has animal blood…" I looked over at Jameson in question.
"Of course, miss Raven. Do they have a specific preference?" he asked.
"May I have a coke, please?" Lexy requested. Jameson poured the dark drink into her glass. "Thank you, Jameson." She spoke in her princess voice.
"I'll have what the little lady's having." Alexander said. I was relieved that he didn't press the issue. It's too bad Alex was just too curious and stubborn to let the matter drop.
"Mom, why can't we drink human blood?" he asked. This will be like reruns of the same episode, only with a certain special guest to witness. Grrr!
"Alex, we've had this talk before. When you're older you may drink human blood. But right now you need to accept the other options." I lectured him.
"Dad?" Oh hell no! Are we playing tug-of-war with this now? Once my decisions are over ruled, they'll start going behind my back. I looked over at Alexander who became uncomfortable with the unsaid question. He looked up at me and I held his gaze daring him to say otherwise. "We've had it before, why not now?" Alex demanded.
"Because of the effects, you're not yourself, Alex. Just wait until you can handle it." I argued.
"How would you know?" he countered. Oh, he was testing me. "What if it's the real me? Vampires drink human blood. I'm a vampire. I want human blood!" he complained.
"I know because you're my son, I raised you. I'm not saying 'not' ever, just after you're older. Not quit fussing and get ready to eat your food." I told him with my hard voice so he knew I was serious. "He'll have a Coke, Jameson." I said not taking my eyes off my son.
"E bine pentru tine de a bea sângele lui Luca, dar restul dintre noi trebuie să stea treaz în sânge animal." He mumbled quietly to himself quickly so I couldn't pick it up. But hearing Luke's name and seeing the muscle in Alexander's jaw tick and I knew he was out of line. Must have seen me drinking from Luke. Dammit, I didn't want them to see me like that. But when you're going broke and blood supply is low, I had to save what was left for the kids. Luke offered since my bite wouldn't change him. I didn't want to because it was sacred and meant only for Alexander, but I hadn't fed for more than two weeks. I was losing my mind starving, even started stalking humans. I should have been more careful with the kids around. Jameson removed the dish covers and everyone admired the medium rare steaks that were plump and juicy with the blood still seeping through. He even cut it up in small squares for the kids. We all dug in and I occasionally looked up at a moping Alex and a ticked Alexander. It's like a real family dinner with arguments and everything.
