Chapter 3
Just need to get the steaks out of the pan…Dinner smells great!...What's mum cooking… This'll be great! Just sneak up and catch her by surprise!
Misty blinked slowly as her foggy mind regained consciousness. Large text met her eyes and the pungent scent of crisp paper and ink met her nostrils. She felt a presence beside her and smirked knowingly as she feigned sleep. Suddenly and without warning, she shot up and grabbed the book that had been resting on her face. In that fluid motion, she also struck the side of Lynx's shocked face. Said boy fell back in surprised and anger.
"Damn it!" he shouted as he rubbed his cheek and slowly stood, "I can never spook you!"
"It's called 'telepathy', Lynx," Misty smirked back.
Lynx rolled his eyes as she stretched languidly and yawned.
"Anyway, dinner's ready," he announced, fisting his hands in his pockets and walking to the kitchen.
With a sigh, Misty sat up and stood, stretching once more before following Lynx into the massive kitchen. The delicious scent of well-seasoned steak, baked potatoes, and fresh-cut green beans almost made her fall back. Her stomach protested and kept her on her feet and willed her to enter the dining room to the right. Everyone but she and Freda had been seated. Frederick, of course, sat at the head of the table while Bob sat opposite him at the other end. There was an open seat to the Sackville-Bagg's left-intended, of course, for Freda-and Dottie sat at Bob's right. Tony was seated beside his mother and Rudolph beside him. Anna sat across from Tony while Lynx sat in between her and Bob. That left one seat, for the seat to Frederick's right was occupied by none other than the eldest son. Misty shrugged and quickly took her seat beside him. Going unnoticed by her was a dark blush that spread across his pale cheeks as her hand brushed up against his. She looked across the table at the spread. The steaks she smelled were absent, but the mound of potatoes were wrapped in foil near the center. There were at least two pots of green beans, one placed at each end of the table, and there were a couple of baskets covered by a cloth-biscuits, she surmised.
"Dottie," Freda called from the kitchen, "Could you help me bring in the steaks?"
"I've got ya, Freda," Lynx called as he stood and darted to the kitchen.
Misty, meanwhile, took up her knife and fork and readied herself for the meal.
"Does anyone need drinks?" Freda called as she and Lynx brought in two plates of huge steaks.
"I could use a Coke…" Misty replied shyly, afraid to impose.
"I'll be right back then," Freda smiled, "Anyone else?"
There was a murmur of 'no's' before Frederick turned to his wife.
"I believe we're all fine," he nodded to her.
Freda nodded back and left to retrieve Misty's drink. Gregory glanced at her, his face still flushed and leaned closer to her.
"What were you reading earlier?" he asked.
"Hmm?" Misty turned to him inquisitively, "Oh, that was one of my favorite vampire stories."
"What's that, Cirque?" Lynx asked.
Misty nodded before turning back to Gregory.
"He means Cirque du Freak," she explained, "It'd take a lot of explaining to try and help someone understand it, so I'll just recommend you read it…"
Gregory shrugged as Freda walked back in, the pop can in hand.
"You're a dove, Freda," Misty smiled as she took it from her and as Freda took her seat.
"Everything looks great!" Lynx grinned ear-to-ear.
"I must say it's a little ironic for a 'once vampire family' to enjoy steaks," Misty concurred, "But I'm definitely not complaining."
"So it's something you like?" Freda asked hopefully.
"Oh yes," Misty smiled back, "In fact, I usually use steaks to prove a point."
"What point is that?" Bob asked.
"Don't get her started," Lynx sighed in angst as he unwrapped the foil around his potato.
Misty rolled her eyes.
"My point is that humans and vampires aren't very different," she explained, "See the juice that trickles down from the steak?"
She motioned to the steak she was lifting with her fork. It was a big, juicy cut of meat and the 'juice' just poured down onto the plate beneath it.
"That 'juice' there," Misty smirked, "is blood. Cow's blood to be more precise…Which is kind of a coincidence if you think about it…"
There was a murmur of laughter around the table as Misty let the juices flow from the steak before setting it on her plate.
"Do you have more to add to this theory?" Dottie asked as she scooped a few spoonfuls of beans onto her plate.
"Oh yes," Misty replied as she retrieved a potato for herself, "I have many…One is the cow's blood, of course…another is that there's no real physical difference-I mean, if I'd met Gregory without prior knowledge of him being a vampire a year ago, I doubt I'd have thought him so. He looked like an average teenager even then. There's also the fact that you all care about each other the way any family-human or vampire-would…See what I'm saying."
There were a few nods that came from the others, but no replies as everyone began eating. Misty followed suit and cut up bits of her steak to pop into her mouth. Dinner, after that was rather quiet and uneventful as they enjoyed their meal. Lynx did speak up about halfway through and pointed to Misty.
"What do ya say to watching a medical show after this?" he asked slyly.
"That would, of course, depend solely on the show," Misty replied, glancing at him as she cut up more of her steak to take another bite, "Describe to me which you're talking about."
"Oh, the main character's a heartthrob," Lynx smirked, "Sexiest man on television…a jerk."
"House M.D sounds good," Misty smirked back when she caught on.
"What are you talking about now?" Freda laughed through the small bites of food in her mouth.
"It's our favorite show," Misty replied, "It's called 'House M.D.' It's a medical dramedy-a comedy/drama-that stars Hugh Laurie as this jerk of a doctor. The doctor's name is Gregory House-hence the name of the show. It might not sound interesting, but it's really very funny. You mind if we watch it after dinner?"
"Well, I don't mind," Freda shrugged before turning to Frederick, "Darling, are you going to need the television for a while?"
"I don't believe so," Frederick shook his head, "Robert, will you?"
"No sir," Bob replied, "You kids can have it."
Misty smiled and returned to her meal.
--
Anna yawned as the credits rolled for House. The entire lot were rather tired so, after the final credits--Bad Hat Harry Productions(r)--came and went,, Misty stopped the DVD and turned the DVD player off.
"I think it's time for bed," she smiled tiredly as she stood and looked around at them, "Did ya like it, though?"
"It was great!" Anna smiled.
"Do ya love House or what?" Misty smirked.
"He's so funny," Anna laughed, "And he's got such pretty eyes!!"
"I know!" Lynx swooned.
"Enough," Misty scolded lightly as she batted him on the head and turned to Freda, "Where's the bathroom?"
"There's one right past the kitchen," Freda replied with a short yawn, "But the only ones with showers are upstairs; one past Gregory's room, another a tad farther down the hall, and then the master bedroom."
"Kay, thanks," Misty nodded before kneeling down beside her suitcase.
She sifted through her clothes until she found a midnight-blue, silk-like pair of pajamas. When she stood again and turned back to the others, she found that they were beginning to disperse. The three youngest children rushed up the stairs, their mothers calling after them to remember to brush their teeth. The parents had stood to finish cleaning the kitchen and the teen boys were just reaching the stairs. While Lynx trudged up the stiars, Gregory glanced back at Misty and watched as she walked away to change. A blush darkened his features as thoughts of what she'd looklike in those pajamas drove through his mind. He shook his head and followed Lynx to his bedroom.
--
Misty sighed as she stared up at the ceiling. There was a blue light that shone on the walls and part of the ceiling from the pretty night. The shadows from the patterns of the curtains fell upon Misty's form as she watched the shadowsmove and sway as the heater kicked on and the air made the curtains billow lightly. She'd slept for so long earlier that she'd not gotten the chance to call Bill and talk to him. Hopefully he wouldn't sound too worried when she'd call in the morning...Even with this knowledge, however, her body wouldn't allow her to rest. With another sigh, she sat up and grabbed a robe from her suitcase on the floor. Standing and pulling the robe over her, she began walking to the kitchen. Perhaps the crisp night air would clear her senses...As she walked outside, she closed the robe and quietly shut the door before walking over to the gazebo to sit and think.
Up in his room, Gregory glared at his ceiling. Misty could have at least warmed him that Lynx snored!!! He winced with each bear-like growl that eminated from the telepath's chest. With a groan, he got up and headed to the door. He trudged down the stairs, heading to the kitchen for a glass of water and a couple of Tylenol PM--perhaps if some medication knocked him out, he wouldn't have to put up with Lynx and his snoring...? He stopped at the foot of the stairs when he noted that Misty wasn't laying on the couch. With worry in his eyes, he padded over to the bathroom door to check if it was shut. When he noticed that it wasn't, he began to panic--where had she gone?! An inaudible gasp escaped his lips when he noticed someone outside in the gazebo. Here, relief filled him as he watched Misty, her head back and her pale neck exposed as she stared up at the moon. Quietly, he snuck out of the house and walked over to her.
Misty groaned and slowly placed her hands over her ears.
Did I remember to turn the oven off...? Hole 15...For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams...Of my sweet little Tony...Where's my shaving cream that freezes time?!? Is she awake?
Slowly, she opened her eyes and lifted her head up to glance at Gregory, wearing a pair of black pajamas.
"What are you doin' out here?" she asked absentmindedly.
"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" he asked in return with a light laugh as he sat down beside her.
Misty shrugged to hide her shiver. He'd changed so much over the past year...! There was something about the way he would compose himself around her that almost made her feel so embarrassed.
"So why are you out here?" he went on.
"Couldn't sleep..." Misty sighed.
"Me neither," Gregory shrugged, "But I couldn't sleep because Lynx was snoring so loud, what about you?"
"I'm worried that Bill will be freaking out that I didn't call him today," she replied.
Gregory's eyes widened and he jumped up and turned to her.
"What's wrong?" Misty asked.
"Don't get mad," he began worriedly, "We forgot to tell you...Y-Your friend is in the hospital."
"What?!" Misty jumped up as well.
"He was taken to the hospital last week," Gregory explained.
"Why?!" she asked, "What's wrong with him?!"
Gregory looked uneasy.
"They told us..." Gregory paused, "They told us it was cancer..."
Misty stared at him and then slowly sat down, shaken.
"What kind...?" she asked wearily.
"Pancreatic..." he answered hesitantly.
Misty rubbed her eyes, sniffling.
"How advanced...?" she asked.
"Very..." Gregpry replied, sitting next to her.
"When was he taken to the hospital?" Misty sniffled.
"Wednesday," he replied.
"How long did they give him?" she asked in a quiet tone.
:"About a week..." he replied just as quietly.
Misty took a moment to gather her thoughts before looking up at him.
"I have to go see him tomorrow, then" she decided, "When does the hospital allow visitors tomorrow?"
"Around noon," Gregory replied.
"Alright," she nodded, "Thank you for telling me. I would have liked to have known earlier, but thank you for telling me anyway..."
"Are you okay?" he asked carefully.
"No, not really..." she forced a laugh, "I shoulda been here..."
"You couldn't have known..." Gregory shrugged, leaning back on the bench, "Why beat yourself up about it?"
"I just..." Misty stuttered, staring up at the moon, "This disease...is incurable...and once you have it...You'll only ever have so many days...I should have been here to have more time...I have so little now...He can't even enjoy his gift..."
"What'd you get him?" Gregory asked, trying to change the subject a little.
"His favorite movie," Misty smiled as she glanced at him, "It's called 'Young Frankenstein'. We used to rent it every weekend and watch it...well, with the exception of when we met you guys...It was a tradition kind of..."
She paused and stared down, leaning back on the bench like her companion.
"I don't know what I'll do when he..." she left her sentence unfinished.
She started to cry again. Gregory glanced at her as she stared at her hands folded in her lap. With a blush creeping across his cheeks, he reached over and took a gentle grip on her soft hand. Misty glanced up at him.
"Th-That's why Tony and his family came here," he relented, "There was never an extermination issue. They came here yesterday after decided it'd be best for you if you had all of us to lean on at any time of day."
Misty stared at him incredulously, then at his hand. His hands were freezing...of course, it was cold out...
"S-So we could go home...?" she asked.
"Yes, if you'd rather..." Gregory replied, "You don't have to stay."
Misty stared down in thought.
"I think I will..." she replied, carefully taking a slight grip on his hand as well as she leaned into his arm, "stay that is...The Thompsons are right...it'll be better to be surrounded by good friends and family. I won't tell Lynx, though...it'll be best just to let him think we're staying here for rats in the Thompson house..."
Gregory nodded, too embarrassed to react any other way. Misty yawned and stood.
"I need to get some sleep..." she sighed as she turned to him, "I'm sorry about Lynx...just stuff some peanut butter on the roof of his mouth with a butter knife--shuts him right up."
"I'll try that..." Gregory laughed as he stood as well, "I'm gonna keep harpering you about that date, though."
Misty shook her head.
"Why are you so intent about this?" she asked.
"I really like you," he shrugged.
"You hardly know me," she replied, folding her arms across her chest.
"That's true," he shrugged, "But I trust you. I always have..."
"Now that's a damn lie," Misty snapped back playfully.
"Okay, yeah," he relented, rolling his eyes, "I didn't trust you at first...but...when you forgave me for hurting your friend Bill...that's when I kinda got that you really were trying to help us...I was willing to put my life in your hands..."
Misty nodded.
"That sounds more believeable," she smiled, "Thank you...and maybe...when things are less hectic...I'll take you up on that request."
With that, she turned and walked back inside. He smiled after her and followed without another word--stopping in the kitchen to grab a knife and some peanut butter, of course.
A/N: Well, there's chappy 2!!! Lemme know what you think!!