Vicki pulled the soft blanket up to her chin and leaned back into Henry and asked, "How much longer before you to tie up all the loose ends?"
He put one arm under her head as a pillow and draped the other over her waist and said, "Not much longer. I need to find Raymond and finish off Astaroth. When that's done, we can do whatever we want."
"I like the sound of whatever we want, but I have some stuff to finish too."
He pulled her back tighter against his chest and asked, "Like what?"
Vicki turned in his arms to face him, and blinked to bring him into focus, "I need to visit mom before... You know, before I can't see her during the day."
Henry sighed and felt relief to know she wasn't thinking about Mike. Then she added, "Maybe I should talk to Mike too."
"I agree that you should see your mother, but I assumed you were finished with Mike."
Vicki laughed, "I'm teasing about Mike. Didn't you say good bye to someone before the final day of your human life?"
"No. I was too wrapped up in myself and Christina." Henry seldom thought about the few people he left behind when he 'died'. When he allowed himself to remember, remorse would grip his heart. Before it could set in he asked, "What does she know about me?"
"Nothing much. She knows I met someone I cared about and that he left. I told her enough of the truth to keep her off my back."
"And just what was that truth?"
Vicki stroked his cheek, "You're not going to leave it alone, are you?"
He grabbed her hand and kissed the knuckles, "No."
"I told her that Mike and I fought and that I met someone else that fascinated me, but when I couldn't commit, he left."
Henry grinned, "I fascinated you?"
She tapped his chin with her finger while saying, "Don't get a swelled head." Then she started to nip his chin with her teeth and said, "Henry, I need another taste of your blood."
"A small taste. It won't do for you to complete the turning at your mother's house."
He took his own wrist, bit down and made a small wound. He watched the blood well up, then placed the wound near her lips. She tilted her head and started licking his blood away. She could feel the tingle on her lips and the heat in her mouth. Her throat grew warm and her mind whirled as she started licking faster. She fought the urge to tear and bite to make the wound bigger so that she could get more.
The wound closed and Henry pulled his wrist back, "Enough." He kissed away a drop of blood from her lips and said, "Try to see your mom as soon as possible. Take the train and I'll drive up the same evening to get you. I want to keep the time away from each other to a minimum."
"That's fine with me. I can have some time with mom without her getting on my last nerve, and she'll get a chance to meet you."
Henry gave her a passionate kiss then slid off the bed and as the sun came up he worked his way under it.
As he was making himself ready for the day, Vicki allowed her eyes to close and she slept until almost noon.
***
Vicki found herself looking at a box of junk in her old bedroom by the end of the week, trying to sort out memories. Vicki's mom had been pleased and annoyed that her only child came on such short notice.
Marjory remarked that Vicki was pale and too skinny and forced a huge meal on her. Then she started in about marriage, and grandchildren. As Vicki neatly deflected the topic of marriage and children, Marjory fussed about her chosen profession, her eye problems and now the sudden the decision to move across a continent was made.
"Mom, it's not like we can't keep in touch. They're phones, faxes, and e-mails available. You'll hear from me all the time and you can come for a visit. Henry has to go where his job takes him. He knows about my eyes and it doesn't worry him and he'll help me if I decide to continue with being a private investigator. For once just trust me. I'm doing what's right for me and Henry."
Marjory huffed and decided to keep her mouth shut. At least she would get a chance to meet Henry.
Three hours after sunset Henry raised his fist to knock on Marjory's door. Before he could complete the move, Vicki opened it and pulled him in snarling, "Get me out of here! She's driving me nuts and don't you dare bite her."
Henry kissed her saying, "I'm happy to see you too! I don't bite family. Introduce me."
Vicki called over her her shoulder, "Mom! Henry's here and we have to leave."
Henry saw an older version of Vicki come from the back of the house and listened as she corrected her daughter, "Mind your manners. It's nice to meet one of Vicki's friends. Come in. Surely you can stay and visit. I want to know all about you."
Henry smiled and said, "There's really not much to tell. I write and illustrate graphic novels. I've been given the opportunity to work in Vancouver on a special project and Vicki has agreed to go with me."
Marjory looked him up and down, "You're younger than her, but if she's what you want, who am I to say otherwise?" She turned to Vicki and said, "Please get some coffee and the pie. The three of us are going to sit and talk. I want to know my only child is making the right decision." She led Henry to the dining area. Henry pulled out the chair at the head of the table and waited until Vicki came in with a tray holding one cup of coffee, two glasses of water and a piece of pie.
Marjory looked at it and said, "Where's Henry's coffee and pie? And for that matter where's yours? You haven't been right since you got here."
Henry plunged in, "Vicki knows I hate coffee and pastry at this time of night, gives me indigestion."
Marjory nodded and said, "That's all right then."
Henry proceeded to talk about his work and told Marjory how much he loved Vicki and he was his most charming without using the vampire power of persuasion. When he was finished he then looked at the clock, made excuses to convince Marjory they had to leave if they wanted to get back to Toronto in time for an early start in the morning.
Goodbyes said and promises made, Vicki and Henry were on the road before midnight.
"Sorry Henry."
"Don't be. She loves you and worries. Life hasn't been easy for her and she's trying to make sure of your happiness."
"I know, but she still drives me nuts."
Henry shook his head, "Not for much longer. I don't think you'll have a chance to see her again." He paused for a moment then started speaking again, "I'll take you back to see her anytime you want."
Vicki looked out the window, "I don't think so. I'll call her more often. We like each other a lot better when there's some distance between us." She took a deep breath and asked, " So when are we going to tackle Raymond?"
"Within the next few nights. It's been almost a year since Astaroth took possession of Raymond and now's the time to strike."
Henry's slow steady driving lulled Vicki into a half sleep where she relived the last night in Henry's condo. She saw Raymond plunge the sword into Henry's chest and flee. Opening her eyes she looked at Henry's profile and thought about the tears in his eyes as he asked her to go away with him. She said, "The whole time you were gone, I never forgot the look on your face when you said so be it."
Henry glanced over and smiled, "You looked pretty shattered yourself. I'm thinking we needed that time apart. I used it to find a way to change the marks on your arms, and you, my dear woman, found out who you really loved."
Vicki smiled then, "Yeah, I did. So lover boy, how do we go about finishing Astaroth?"
"While I'm out for the day, I need you to track down where Raymond went and what's been happening around him. We'll need Mike and Renelle for the last part."
"Why them?"
"Renelle is a very strong vampire and Mike represents the law. You're going to be the bait, and I'll spring the trap."
"That's pretty dramatic."
"Well, I am a writer."
"How much longer before I'm vampire?"
Henry allowed his eyes to close for a heart beat then said, "After we finish with Astaroth, I'll bring you to the point of death, then you'll drink as much of my blood as you can. The next time you become aware of yourself, you'll be vampire."
"You're leaving some details out."
"Not really. First you're dead, then you're an undead night walker like me."