Chapter 35 Part II

Night Moves

Caleb looked over at House with an eyebrow raised. "I didn't know she wanted more children."

House looked just as shocked, "I didn't either. I'm already two past my quota. Does she throw tantrums frequently?"

"Not since she was fifteen. I must have hit a nerve, but I'm not going to give in on this one. I am doing this because I love her so much."

House winced. "I wish you'd stop reminding me how much you have the hots for my fiancé."

Caleb chuckled. "I better call her father and let him know that we're going to have a wedding in a few days."

"But she didn't agree to your wishes."

"She has no choice and she knows it." Caleb fed Jack another mouthful. "I'm the emperor and my wishes have to be followed. She'll soon agree. She won't like it and she'll be mad at me, but she'll agree."

"You know her that well?"

He looked down at his plate with a sad smile. "Yes, I know her that well."

The bastard! The bastard! How dare he try to govern how many children I can have! I don't believe him! I could kill him!

I plopped down on the bed and slammed my fist into the pillow. I wanted desperately to hit Caleb, but I knew it would do no good. I saw the look in his eyes; that look that told me he wasn't going to be swayed no matter what I said or did. I had two options, obey him and marry Greg in the vampire world or marry only in the mortal world and still be in trouble in the vampire world if I had more children.

After an hour, I went down to the library where they were watching television. Jack was on Caleb's lap gnawing on a plastic toy. Riane was asleep on the couch with her head on her Daddy's leg. Greg was reflexively stroking her shiny brown hair.

Caleb looked up, a smug smile across his face.

"Don't give me that look. I want to know what you'll do if I don't get the abortion if I get pregnant?"

Without missing a beat, Caleb answered, "I'll kill Greg."

House jerked back. "Whoa…what?"

I knew he was telling the truth and it made sense. Threatening to kill Greg would not only be a deterrent, but if I did get pregnant, it would mean I wouldn't get pregnant again.

"You're a barbarian." I said with all the venom I could muster.

"Perhaps. But those are the terms. I called your father and began the proceedings. Your wedding will be next Saturday."

I didn't even bother to ask him how he knew I would acquiesce. I just huffed and walked over to the couch, plopping down next to Greg with an air of defiance.

He leaned over and whispered, "Are we getting married?"

I nodded.

"No more kids?"

"I guess." I said as I crossed my arms over my chest.

He wisely stopped asking questions and watched television. After the program, Caleb stood up.

"I'm going out. I will see you tomorrow night."

Greg nodded, I stared forward. Caleb left.

"Uh, are you okay?" Greg asked.

"I'm very angry with him. Disappointed that he would do this to me."

"Come on, the guy loves you. He loves your kids. If you had fifty, he'd love them all. He's worried about you and he has every right to be. I'm with Caleb on this one. Still want to marry me?"

"No." I said, but clearly I was just pissed off, because he laughed at me.

"You're not very convincing. But, if it's any consolation, I understand your pain."

"What?"

"I mean look at these two kids. Perfect, aren't they? Who wouldn't want some of my little men for their collection?"

I couldn't control the little smile creeping across my face. "You are so full of it."

"Yeah, and apparently it's going to stay that way. From now on you won't be full of it."

"Feel like having sex?" I asked.

"What about ol' Jack in the Box?"

"He'll take a nap in about half an hour."

"Then I'm all for it."

We finally got Jack to take his nap an hour later. We spent little time getting each other's clothes off as we bounced off walls going down the hall. I wondered what the guys downstairs thought from all the banging around we were doing. We managed to get to the bedroom before the bra and panties came off. After an hour of anticipation, Greg was more than ready, his boxers sticking out like a tent pole. He pushed me onto my stomach, stripped the boxers and rode me from behind, holding onto my shoulders with his powerful hands as he stood up at the end of the bed, thrusting hard and fast. It was hot, lusty and primal. We were both grunting and sweating and by the time we reached our almost mutual orgasm, we were laughing.

Collapsing on top of the bed, Greg started snickering.

"What?" I asked.

"Anytime you want to have a fight with Caleb, I'll be happy to have sex with you afterwards."

I started giggling and before long we were holding each other and kissing.

"Crap, we didn't use any birth control!" I choked.

He looked worried, "Freudian slip."

"You need to buy some rubbers."

Nodding fiercely, he said with the conviction of the converted, "I'll buy a case tomorrow."

After showering we flipped a coin to determine who was going to stay up with Jack. I lost. Greg climbed in bed and I went down the hall to sleep in the chair next to his cot until he woke up from his nap.

For the rest of the night, I tried to entertain him, but I was cranky and tired. I fed him and around five in the morning he started to drop off, his little head bouncing, trying hard to give into sleep. I heard the front door, some discussion in the living room and then Caleb walked into the library—with bite marks on his neck.

His hand went up to his neck when he saw that I was staring at the bite. After a few seconds he removed the hand and sat down on the sofa. "You drive me crazy sometimes. Do you think I like regulating your love life?"

"Whether I have children is my business."

"Even if it means your two living children may lose their mother?"

"You're being melodramatic."

He stood up and came over to my sofa, sitting down inches from me. "If you won't take care of yourself and if Greg won't do it, then I will."

I took his hand, the graceful hands I had held for over a century, and squeezed them, "Caleb, I'm not a child. I don't even know if I want more children; I just don't like someone telling me I can't. If I want to risk my life doing it, then I should be allowed."

"Acushla, I couldn't let you. I'd blame myself if you died."

"You wouldn't kill Greg, would you?"

"I want him to think I will."

I laughed. "Caleb, will you be okay--marrying us?"

"I'll be fine." He nodded at Jack, "Let me have him."

I handed a smiley Jack over to him.

I chuckled. "God, he loves you so much. He just grins the minute you walk in the room or he hears your voice."

"That's because we play a lot at night when everyone is asleep. I love them both, but I've really bonded with Jack."

"He seems to like being with Greg too." I added.

"Jack's a gregarious chap."

I nodded. "Once he gets to know you, he's very sociable. But, he analyzes anyone who's new."

"Like his mother."

"Like his father." I countered.

"Poor chap. He's going to be quite clever, isn't he?"

"Yes, they both are."

"We'll be holding your wedding at the temple."

"Really? You're going to let a mortal marry there?"

He sighed as he bounced Jack up and down on his leg. "You're a Princess and Greg just did the IOV a great favor. He's a brave man and he must love you and the children very much to have put himself in such danger. He deserves the honor."

"Thank you."

"What dress are you going to wear?"

"Ahhgg. I have to call Ireland and get them to send me one."

It's the custom of vampires to wear to a wedding the style of clothes that were in fashion when the vampire was turned. I would have to have one of my dresses from the Victorian period posted to me in London as soon as possible. Dad and I tended to think of my twenties as being my acceptance into vampire society. Several of my dresses, including ten ball gowns, had been preserved. My only concern was that I might not be able to lace the corsets that went with them. Since having the babies, my shape had changed. I weighed the same, but my hips were wider and my waist slightly larger and those ball gowns were not very forgiving. I grinned at Caleb, "I can't wait to see you in your gear again. Hot stuff!"

He wiggled his eyebrows. "I do strike a fetching figure. You may ditch Greg at the altar and run off with me."

"I just might!" I said, happy that we were laughing together. I couldn't stay angry at Caleb for long. There was so much love there, that even I had to see he was only trying to take care of me.

He looked at his watch, "Bloody hell! I have five minutes to get downstairs. Here, Jack's already asleep."

I leaned in and kissed him; maybe I lingered a little too long because when I pulled back his eyes were closed as if he was savoring it a little too much. I put my hand on his cheek and gave him a quick kiss on his nose.

"You better get to bed."

He nodded and looked deep into my soul. I knew then that someday we would be together again. I think he knew it too.