As they were leaving for the airport to board their plane to London, Vicki recalled Coreen asking her a question that, coming from Coreen, had kind of surprised her.
"So, how do you think you are going to do, you know, staying with the same man, having sex with the same man for like, ever."
Vicki hadn't really given it a thought. Sex with the same man, forever?
"Have you seen Henry Coreen?" was her retort.
"Yeah, but..you know, just curious." Coreen had blushed, she was asking for a reason, but wouldn't tell Vicki why.
"Okay, let me put it to you this way. You know when you eat real chocolate cake, with homemade powdered sugar icing on it and then you eat say, a ding-dong?"
Coreen nodding, not really understanding.
"Henry's the chocolate cake and all of the other men I've are well, the ding-dong."
Coreen's eyes went wide with understanding and they burst out laughing.
Vick noticed Henry had one hand in his pocket while the other held hers..the letter, she was sure that's where the letter was.
"You okay?" She asked him, trying to distract him.
"I'm more than okay. But I have to ask, how did you pull it off? How did you keep everyone quiet?"
"Easy, death threats." she dead-panned.
He didn't want to know if she really had used that method. In fact, he was pretty sure she had. He didn't care though.
"I have to tell you something. I know you "don't do" he said using quotation marks around the last two words, "weddings, marriages, such things but you made my whole life waiting for you even more worth it."
She was embarrassed that he was praising her. She didn't quite know how to take it.
"The dress, this letter," he said pulling it out of his pocket-she knew it!-" you, the kids, just everything. And our song, how did you manage to time that so perfectly while you were coming in?" He was shaking his head, still in awe.
"I'm still hoping I don't wake up from this dream." Vicki laid her head on his shoulder, wrapping both of her arms around his one while he held her hand.
"But you know what was the most impressive?" he asked her.
"Me showing up?" she wise-cracked back.
"Yes, that too, but no, it was Mike. I am so moved that he gave you to me." Henry was truly grateful, Vicki could see it in his eyes.
"He told me I was a lucky woman." Henry's eyes shot up, what a moment.
"I'd have to agree with him!" Henry smiled at his own humor.
A few hours later, they were finally in the air. After much positioning to get comfortable, Vicki finally settled into sleep. Henry required little sleep and he wanted to just watch her sleep.
He pulled out the letter, still in awe. He couldn't wait to see the trunk too. He couldn't wait to show Vicki London, his home.
He was filled with so many emtions all at once.
He re-read the letter, his eyes filling with tears again. He loved his mother so very much. Part of living forever means that you lose those you love eventually to old age or tragedy. That's one of the worst parts of immortality, so Henry thought. But, with things changed, that would not be a problem for Henry and his family. That extended to Vicki too. He wondered about his other siblings. There were always rumors. Henry VIII had many lovers, many illegitemate children so Henry was curious as to what his mother was alluding to. He was now glad Vicki was such a determined private investigator and an even more determined woman. This would come in handy he thought.
He smiled down at her noticing that the man on the other side of him was watching him. He was an older man, distinguished looking but he was making Henry angry. He kept looking at Vicki, then Henry.
"May I help you sir?" Henry asked politely.
"No," he said with and English accent,"I was just remembering what it felt like to be that in love with someone. Congratulations, newlyweds I take it?"
Henry felt foolish realizing that he had been feeling jealousy of the older man looking at Vicki.
"I apologize sir, if I seemed rude. It's just that, well yes we are newly married but I.." Henry was a little speechless, that was unusual.
The older man put his hand up,"No need, Duke, no need."
Henry went silent, he began to search the man's thoughts.
"Why did you call me that?" Henry asked cooly.
"Henry, Duke of Richmond? Is that not who you are sir?"
The man knew, but how much did he know and who was he?
Vicki stirred a little, Henry immediately stroked he hair putting her right back to sleep.
"Sorry, sir, I should have introduced myself properly. I'm Giles Davies, at your service." he replied, extending his hand which Henry took in proper etiquette, then released.
Henry cocked his head to one side, he was confused.
"I'm a direct descendant of a line of servants that served in your mother's home. We have passed the stories on. Your secret is safe with us."
"And what secret is that?" Henry growled out.
"Why, that the evil Christina turned you into a nightwalker.."