Chapter 8

Amber was awoken about 3am the next morning by the others arriving home. To her relief Nina and George were with them. Mitchell looked disheveled but Amber was pleased to see there wasn't any blood on him or around his mouth.

"Are you ok?" Amber asked him.

"I'm fine. Nearly lost control a few times though," Mitchell said.

"Tell me what happened?" Amber asked.

"We went to CenSSA headquarters and I managed to deal with anyone who got in my way by baring my fangs at them and scaring them. I didn't have to kill anyone as they all got out of my way pretty quick when I bared my fangs. It was either get out of my way or deal with an angry vampire. Most decided discretion was the better part of valor but some of them tried to fight and that's when I nearly lost control but didn't. Anyway we found Nina and George and got out of there," Mitchell said.

"I'm just glad you are all ok," Amber said.

She hugged them all and shared and intense kiss with Mitchell.

"The reason I didn't lose control babe was that I thought about the disappointment you'd feel if I gave in and succumbed to my thirst," Mitchell said.

"I'm proud of you babe," Amber said.

They went to bed and the next morning over breakfast were listening to the news as they usually did when they heard reports of a massacre on a train.

"Daisy and Seth it has to be," Mitchell said.

"Why would they do that?" Amber asked.

"Revenge for the killing of the vampires at the funeral parlor," Mitchell said.

"Well it's nothing to do with you so don't worry about it babe. Focus on our wedding," Amber said.

"You don't understand," Mitchell said, "Seth may try to frame me and get them to believe I did it," Mitchell said.

"And if you're arrested and they take your photo…," Amber said, realization dawning.

"Exactly. I would be forced to kill everyone in the police station to avoid our existence being made public. And that is what Seth would want as he knows if I was forced to kill I would feed too," Mitchell said.

"Shoot that's bad.," Amber said.

"All he has to do is say he knows who committed the massacre and name me as one of the perpetrators," Mitchell said.

"Why does Seth want you to start feeding again so badly," Amber asked.

"He wants me on his side so he can rebuild the vampire clan. He wants to see Herrick's plans for world domination by the vampires come to fruition," Mitchell said.

After some discussion about things it is decided to carry on as normal in the meantime and see if anything happened.

A week later they were relaxing at home and it was the night before Mitchell and Amber's wedding. Amber wasn't there as she had Roz, Nina and Geraldine over for the night. George and Mitchell were having a few drinks to celebrate Mitchell's final night as a single man. They had allowed Annie to join in as well. A knock came at the door and when George answered the door he found that it was Kemp one of those who'd been involved with CenSSA.

"What do you want?" Mitchell asked coming to the door.

"To help Annie cross over," Kemp said.

He had another man with him and George invited them in.

"You do realize it's my wedding tomorrow, " Mitchell said, "And I'd like Annie to be there for it," he added.

"But it's Annie's time," Kemp said.

He suddenly stabbed the man with him with a stake killing him and causing a doorway to appear. He then began chanting causing Annie to be pulled towards the door.

"Mitchell stop him," Annie cried out.

"I can't. I can't kill. If I kill I will feed," Mitchell cried out.

He was distraught at the predicament he was in.

"You can't but I can", George said.

He grabbed the stake from the man's corpse and stabbed Kemp with it, killing him.

"Crazy bastard," George said.

Mitchell collapsed sobbing.

"Why couldn't I help her George?" he sobbed.

"Because you knew it would be the wrong thing to do. As much as you wanted to help her you'd have ended up hurting yourself and Amber if you'd succumbed to your thirst. I could tell you were this close to killing Kemp which is why I did what I did. Not only to save Annie but to save you from yourself.

"Thank you George. Thank you so much. I'd have never forgiven myself if I had allowed Annie to be taken through the door," Mitchell said.

"You also wouldn't have forgiven yourself if you'd saved Annie but ended up feeding. As you said yourself you'd only need to feed once to fall off the wagon," George said.

"I know I know," Mitchell said.

He didn't ever want to feel like that again. Unable to do anything to help someone he cared about because he was afraid of what it would do to him.

"Either way you stood to lose something. I couldn't allow that to happen. You saved me from those vampires that time. And now I've saved you," George said.

"Thank you George. I guess I can say that this proves I really can control myself. Amber will be really proud of me yet again," Mitchell said.

George called the police and when they came he explained that Kemp had tried to hurt Annie after killing the other man and he'd killed Kemp in self-defense which was true. The police cleaned up and took the bodies away. Annie was shaken and had rent a ghosted somewhere so Mitchell decided to make sure she was ok. But when he went upstairs to search for her he couldn't find her.

"I wonder if she's gone to Amber's place," George said.

He called Nina who had also gone there and found out that Annie had shown up there in a real state. Amber was in the process of talking to her and trying to calm her down. Nina wanted to know why Annie was in the state she was in so George explained as best as possible what had happened. Nina was very relieved to hear that it had been George and not Mitchell who'd killed Kemp. At Amber's when Nina got off the phone she related to Amber, Geraldine and Roz what had happened.

"Did Mitchell kill Kemp?" Amber asked, urgently.

"No it was George. Mitchell said he couldn't kill him," Nina said.

"Oh thank heavens," Amber said, relief obvious in her voice.

Roz and Geraldine looked at Amber confused and Amber realized that the time had come to tell them about Mitchell's true nature. They had been shocked when Annie had just appeared so Amber had had to tell them about her true nature.

"Girls, get ready for a shock. Mitchell is… well Mitchell is a vampire. He's not like other vampires though in that he doesn't drink blood or kill. That's why he couldn't kill Kemp," Amber said.

She knew Mitchell would understand why she was telling the girls about his true nature.

"What Amber says is true," Nina said.

Roz and Geraldine looked dumbfounded.

"You're telling us that you're really truly honestly marrying a vampire," Roz finally said.

"Yes I am but he's the sweetest kindest man you could meet. In fact when he was turned he asked to be turned to save his men," Amber said.

She explained the circumstances of Mitchell's being turned.

"What was he like before he met you?" Geraldine asked.

"I think he has killed in the past but definitely not since he met me," Amber said firmly.

"Has he turned anyone?" Amber asked.

"Only one as far as I know and she died in an explosion," Amber said.

"Are there many other vampires around here?" Roz asked.

"Only two besides Mitchell. There were at least another 30 besides them but all died in an explosion at the funeral parlor where their clan was based," Amber said.

"Ouch. How did Mitchell survive?" Geraldine asked.

"Another vampire shielded him saving his life," Amber said

The girls talk turned to the wedding and they talked until it grew late.

The next morning Amber was up early getting ready for the wedding. She was wearing a white strapless gown which flared at the waist and a short veil. After the girls had breakfast Roz helped Amber get dressed and did her hair then Amber helped Roz with her dress and hair. Finally it was time to go to the registry office. One of Amber's male friends was driving them to the registry office and giving her away. He had met Mitchell at the party for Roz and again at their engagement party. Of course he didn't know Mitchell was a vampire. Only Roz and Geraldine knew and Amber wasn't sure if she'd tell her other friends. She'd only told Roz and Geraldine because she'd had to. At the registry office everyone alighted from the car and Amber went inside to meet with the registrar taking her documentation. She and Mitchell had already been to the registry office 16 days earlier to give formal notice of their intention to marry. Amber came out a few minutes later and then after a short wait her friend Chris led her inside and down the short aisle. She smiled when she saw Mitchell and when he saw her his eyebrows shot so high she thought they'd disappear into his hair. He looked fantastic in his black suit, white shirt and black tie. George was dressed similarly and Roz had a pale blue dress on. She was following Amber down the aisle. When Amber reached Mitchell, Chris put her hand into Mitchell's then went to his seat. The registrar began the ceremony with a short introduction and then it was time for the civil marriage declarations.

"Are you John Mitchell lawfully free to marry Amber Reigns?" the registrar asked

"I am, " Mitchell said.

"Are you Amber Reigns lawfully free to marry John Mitchell?" the registrar asked.

"I am," Amber said.

The two then said their contractual words.

"I, John Mitchell, take you, Amber Reigns, to be my lawfully wedded wife." Mitchell said.

"I, Amber Reigns, take you, John Mitchell, to be my lawfully wedded husband." Amber said

After that the two exchanged rings. They had visited a jeweller the same one that Mitchell bought Amber's engagement ring from and bought their wedding rings there.

"John Mitchell as I take you to be my husband, I promise to love you, honour and respect you. I will stand by you and be true to you always. I will care for you, laugh with you when you are happy, comfort you when you are sad. Whatever life may bring I will always love you." Amber said, slipping Mitchell's ring on to his finger.

"Amber Reigns as I take you to be my wife, I promise to love you, honour and respect you. I will stand by you and be true to you always. I will care for you, laugh with you when you are happy, comfort you when you are sad. Whatever life may bring I will always love you." Mitchell said slipping Ambers ring on to her finger.

The registrar then pronounced them to be husband and wife and they shared a kiss. They were then introduced to their guests as Mr and Mrs John Mitchell then invited to sign the registry along with George and Roz. While that was done some music which they'd chosen played. Finally they led the way out with another piece of music they'd chosen being played. Amber had also chosen the music she went down the aisle to.

Once outside they mingled with their guests for a bit and had official photos taken before heading to the reception. This was being held at a nearby club and was a lunch.

"So how does it feel to be Mrs Amber Mitchell?" Mitchell asked, on the way to the reception.

"Amazing. I can't wait until tonight," Amber said.

"Me neither. I finally get to make you a real woman," Mitchell said.

He smiled and leaning forward he found her mouth with his, kissing her softly. Amber kissed back and soon they were making out. They had to come disentangle themselves from each other when they reached the venue. Getting out of the car they joined the receiving line and greeted their guests. Once all their guests had arrived Amber and Mitchell headed inside and took their place at the top table. After they'd been seated the MC greeted everyone and welcomed them to the reception. The meal was going to be a smorgasbord which meant everyone could choose what they liked. When the MC had finished welcoming everyone the top table went up first to choose their meal followed by everyone else.

"This is delicious," Amber said after she started eating.

"It is," Mitchell agreed.

At the end of their mains it was time for the speeches. George as Mitchell's witness made a speech thanking Roz for being Amber's witness and congratulating Mitchell and Amber on their marriage. He spoke briefly of how Mitchell had saved him when he'd gotten attacked, omitting the fact that it was vampires who'd attacked him because he was a werewolf. After George's speech Mitchell made a speech responding to George's speech. He thanked George for being his witness as well and complimented Amber on her dress. Then other people made speeches toasting the couple and wishing them well in the future.

Once the speeches were done it was time for dessert. Again the top table went first followed by the rest. At the end of dessert there was some dancing.

"May I?" Mitchell asked, offering Amber his arm.

"You may," Amber said.

Mitchell led Amber onto the dance floor and they enjoyed their first dance as a married couple. They drifted around the room to the slow song that was playing.

"You look beautiful, " Mitchell said.

"I'll let you help me out of my dress later," Amber said with a wink.

"I look forward to it," Mitchell said, with a smile.

They were leaving for a short honeymoon as soon as the reception was over. Once the reception was over they went back to Mitchell and George's place which was also now Amber's place as she would be sharing Mitchell's room with him. Their landlord had been happy about this after Mitchell had let him know what was happening. There Mitchell and Amber got changed, Mitchell into his usual black skinny jeans and leather jacket and Amber into something casual. As promised Amber let Mitchell help her out of her dress. She giggled as he unzipped her dress and gently slipped it down.

"There'll be more of that later on I promise," Amber said, after Mitchell had pouted when she'd moved to put her casual clothes on. The two were heading to France for a week so they headed down to the train station to catch a train to Paddington Station. From there they caught the Eurostar to France.