Chapter 7

So the next day they went to the local jewelry shops and had a look at the rings they had there. Amber eventually settled on a gold band with some diamonds set into it. Mitchell bought it then after he was given the ring he slipped it onto Amber's finger. They then went to Mitchell's place to share the news with Annie, George and Nina. All three were home when the two arrived and after they had greeted the others Mitchell smiled.

"Amber and I have some news for you," Mitchell said.

Everyone looked at them wondering what their news was.

"Amber and I.. we're getting married," Mitchell said.

"He asked me to marry him last night," Amber said.

"Congratulations. Did he give you a ring?" Nina asked.

"Mitchell bought me a ring this morning," Amber said.

She showed Nina and Annie had a look too.

"Congrats Amber," Annie said.

"Dude are you serious? How can you marry her. Have you forgotten what you are?" George asked.

"Of course I haven't. Amber is keeping me on the wagon and with her at my side I am safe. I know I won't kill or feed," Mitchell said.

"What happens when you you know consummate the marriage. Wouldn't it end shall we say badly like every other time you've shagged a woman. You know, score a bird, shag her and end up killing her or turning her like you did Lauren," George said.

"Oh for crying out loud George I think I can control myself," Mitchell said, "I love Amber. I think that will make a difference you know," he ended.

Mitchell couldn't believe that George had reacted the way he had.

"What happened to being happy for me. You know congratulations Mitchell that's awesome," Mitchell said.

"You're right. I'm sorry. Congrats Mitchell it's fantastic news," George said.

"He's only being practical," Amber said.

"I know. But I promise I won't end up biting you when we consummate the marriage," Mitchell said.

"That means no love bites unless you can guarantee me you'll keep your fangs where they belong," Amber said.

"I promise," Mitchell said.

"So where are you going to get married?" George asked.

"Definitely not a church. We are thinking it will be in a registry office as there isn't anything religious included in their ceremonies," Mitchell said.

"Have you decided who will be in the bridal party?" Annie asked.

"I'd like you to be George as we're best mates and I think Amber's going to have one of her friends as bridesmaid. Nina and Annie you're invited to the ceremony of course," Mitchell said.

"So how soon is the wedding to take place," George asked.

"Few weeks. Amber needs time to organize a dress for her and for her bridesmaid. I'm just gonna wear a black suit and tie and a white shirt. It's kind of our formal dress," Mitchell said.

George, Nina and Annie wanted to throw an engagement party for them and invite all their neighbors.

"Why don't we have a street party," Amber suggested.

"That's a fantastic idea," Mitchell said.

So a week later a street party was held. Practically the whole street turned out to help Amber and Mitchell celebrate.

"See this is how it should be. I think they've really accepted us," Mitchell said to George.

He was really happy, not only that he was marrying the love of his long life but also that they were finally being able to live as regular human beings despite not being human. The only thing that marred the day was that the other vampires weren't able to share in his celebrations as apart from Daisy and Seth they were all gone. And they still didn't know who had planted the bomb at the funeral parlor or even if all the vampires were targets or if he Mitchell was the target. And that scared him a little. What if he had been the target and whoever was trying to kill him tried again and Amber ended up being killed if she was with him.

"Hey babe don't look so worried. This is a celebration," Amber said.

Mitchell knew she was right so he put his worries out of his mind and joined in the fun. There was plenty of alcohol to go around and Nina had baked them a beautiful cake.

George and Annie had moved the speakers from their stereo out to the front steps and were in charge of music. Everyone was dancing and having a fantastic time.

"Hey congratulations Mitchell," Fleur said.

She and Bernie had come to the party and both were delighted for Mitchell.

"Thanks," Mitchell said.

"No it's thanks to Amber for getting me to see a bit of sense and realize that you had made a genuine mistake. Bernie has a really good friend in you," Fleur said.

Bernie often hung out with Mitchell and Amber and Amber had developed a close friendship with him. He and Fleur still didn't know that Mitchell was a vampire but Mitchell had talked about the possibility of telling them.

"If Fleur was to see that I don't have a reflection for instance she could start asking questions. Awkward questions," Mitchell said.

"How do you think they would react," Amber asked.

"Honestly, I don't know," Mitchell said.

"I am happy to be there for support if you need me to be," Amber said.

"Are you planning to have children after you get married?" Fleur asked Mitchell.

"We aren't sure yet," Mitchell said.

"I'd like to. I've always wanted to be a mum," Amber said.

"It's the best thing in the world. Even when your child is a little git at times," Fleur said.

Amber looked at Mitchell who smiled and wondered if it was the right time to tell them.

"Well to be honest I CAN'T have children," Mitchell said.

Amber looked at him realizing he was going to tell Fleur and Bernie. She slipped her arm around his waist letting him know he had her support.

"You see. I'm not exactly human. I am 117 years old and I died when I was 24 during World War 1. I'm a vampire," Mitchell said.

"Get out of here," Fleur said.

"I can prove it to you. Vampires don't have a reflection. Do you have a mirror?" Mitchell asked.

Fleur fished around in her handbag and produced a small mirror she used to apply makeup. Mitchell held it up so that Amber would be visible and he should be visible but wouldn't be.

"Look in the mirror Fleur," Mitchell said, softly.

She did so and could see Amber and that was it. No one was reflected beside her even though Mitchell was there.

"Oh my word you are really a vampire. I didn't think they existed," Fleur said.

"Cool," Bernie proclaimed.

"Don't worry I have no intention of feeding off anyone. I don't drink blood," Mitchell explained.

Fleur seemed relieved to hear that and Mitchell went on to explain that when he had been turned he had been frozen like a photograph and that meant he was sterile.

"Shoot Amber you don't mind that you can't have kids with your fiancé?" Fleur asked.

"Not at all. We've talked about adopting or using donor sperm," Amber said.

"You've got a very loving fiancée there. Not only does she not care that you are a vampire she doesn't mind that you can't have kids," Fleur said.

"I am Mitchell's rock. I keep him strong and able to stay off the blood," Amber said.

"Yeah. Amber is good for me. She is what I've needed for so long," Mitchell said.

"How did you react when you found out that Mitchell is you know a vampire," Fleur asked.

"I thought his fangs and black eyes were sexy," Amber said.

"So that's why those boys that were hassling me got so scared. Awesome," Bernie said.

"Oh the reason you didn't think we existed Fleur was that the general public don't know we exist. Think of the panic if they did know. Everyone would be afraid we'd kill them. And others would want eternal life so we'd have a queue a mile long. And then there'd be those who would want to wipe us out as they'd see us as an abomination," Mitchell said.

"Yes I quite see what you mean," Fleur said.

"So you can't tell ANYONE what I have told you," Mitchell said.

"Your secret is safe with me," Fleur said.

"The only problem the two of us have is what happens when Amber ages. I won't age," Mitchell said.

"Is turning Amber an option?" Fleur asked.

"NO. I won't subject her to being what I am. She would be subject to cravings for blood just like I am. I don't want her going through that," Mitchell said.

"So what happens when she dies?" Fleur asked.

"I don't know. I just don't know. The thought of losing her terrifies me as I KNOW if I didn't have Amber in my life I'd eventually end up going back to my old ways of killing and feeding. I don't want that," Mitchell said.

Fleur nodded.

"So where are you two going to live after you're married?" Bernie asked.

"Amber is going to move in with me. George and Annie will be our flat mates," Mitchell said.

The party went until late in the night. A week later George and Nina told Mitchell and Annie they were going to check out CenSSA's facilities and find out more about how they could help them.

"Good luck. I hope it all goes well," Mitchell said as they left.

He went to work and at the end of the day when he returned home he found that George and Nina hadn't come back.

"They need to stay at CenSSA's headquarters," Annie told him.

"So it's just you and me tonight?" Mitchell asked.

"Sounds like it. Unless Amber's going to be here," Annie said.

"Would you mind if she stayed over?" Mitchell asked.

"That would be fun," Annie said.

So Mitchell called Amber and invited her over. When she got there Mitchell invited her in and they sat in the lounge with Annie and talked.

"How are the wedding plans coming along?" Annie asked.

"Really great, I've found a dress to wear," Amber said.

"And she won't let me see her in it until our wedding day," Mitchell said.

"That's tradition Mitchell," Annie said.

"I can let you see it though Annie if you like," Amber said.

"Awesome," Annie said.

"We've got the music, guest list and reception all sorted too. And chosen which registry office we're going to use. We've also picked the vows we'll use. So we are pretty much sorted," Mitchell said.

"Yay I bet you're looking forward to your wedding day and night," Annie said

"Yes we are. But I am apprehensive about our wedding night. I just don't know what will happen when Amber and I make love. I'm still terrified I could lose control and feed from her which would kill her if I didn't save her," Mitchell said.

"I'm sure you'll be fine," Annie said.

"There's only one way to find out I guess," Amber said.

"Yeah and I am looking forward to it as I love you so much Amber," Mitchell said.

"I guess after our wedding I'll be Amber Mitchell or Mrs. John Mitchell," Amber said.

"Yes yes you will," Mitchell said smiling.

Amber snuggled into Mitchell liking the sound of this. They were cuddled up on the couch and even though Mitchell was cold as always Amber was used to this.

Later in the evening George called and Mitchell answered the phone.

"Mitchell I know who blew up the funeral parlor," he said.

"Who?" Mitchell asked.

"CenSSA. They consider vampires to be monsters and therefore seek to destroy them," George said.

"What about you and Nina. Are you ok?" Mitchell asked.

"We're fine but I found a message on the wall by the floor in our room. It says that all the werewolves die," George said.

"What exactly do they intend to do to help you?" Mitchell asked.

"They want to put us in a pressure chamber. They told us raising the pressure would prevent us from transforming. But after seeing that message I'm really worried. What if the procedure kills us?" George asks.

"Will they let you leave if you decide you don't want to try their procedure?" Mitchell asked.

"I'm not sure," George said.

He had to go after that and Mitchell hung up a worried expression on his face. Amber noticed and asked him what was wrong. He told her what George had told him.

"If they can kill 30 vampires I have no doubts that they could and would kill werewolves. George and Nina need to get out of there," Mitchell said.

He was furious that CenSSA had killed the vampires but at the same time didn't want revenge as he had no desire to kill again. But Daisy was another matter. If she learnt what had happened she might want to kill humans in an act of revenge.

"Do you want to go and help them get out of there?" Amber asked.

"Yes and no," Mitchell said, "yes I'd like to help them but no there's too much risk of me losing control and killing people," Mitchell said.

"What if I come with you?" Amber asked.

"Too dangerous. George and Nina will be transforming. Don't want you getting scratched or even killed," Mitchell said.

"We have to do something," Annie said.

"What say we all go," Amber said.

"I said no. Annie and I will go. Annie I need you to make sure I don't lose control," Mitchell said.

"Should I go home or stay here," Amber said.

"Stay here. You're still welcome to stay the night," Mitchell said.

Amber nodded. She and Mitchell hugged and kissed.

"Please stay safe and please don't give into temptation. You'd never forgive yourself if you screwed up," Amber said.

"Don't stay up waiting," Mitchell said.

He and Annie then left and after they were gone Amber decided the best thing to do was to go to bed. She was sleeping on in Annie's room since Annie didn't need to use her bed. So Amber changed into her nightwear, got ready for bed and went to bed.