Author's note: I have the wedding ceremony all planned out! We will get there soon. But that would mean the nearing of the end of this fic. It's been fun so far. I hope you like the rest of the journey.

Happy reading!

Chapter Twenty-Nine

I walked into our dark, quiet house in the wee hours of the morning. After kicking off my shoes by the door, I walked up to the bedroom Sydney and I shared. She was asleep, curled up into a little ball on my side of the bed. Her face was pressed into my pillow.

I put my things down and started undressing as I walked toward the bed. "Sydney, baby, I'm home." I whispered as I picked up the blanket and moved in behind her.

She twitched when my arm moved around her.

"Sh, it's just me." I assured her, kissing her shoulder.

She rolled over and wrapped her arms around me. "How was the flight?"

I combed my fingers through her sleep-mussed hair. "It was fine. Got me back to you."

She snorted and pressed her face into my chest. "Could you be any more ridiculous?"

"Only because I love you and I really, really missed you." I tightened my hold on her. "Go back to sleep, honey."

She sighed and relaxed into me. She was back asleep in seconds.

I ran my fingers up and down her back for a long time until I was able to get to sleep myself.

I rolled out of bed when Sydney's alarm went off. "I'll make you breakfast while you get ready."

"I was just going to eat some cereal or something."
"Or just drink a cup of coffee?" I teased. I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her neck. "Let me make you pancakes or something."

"I'm not in the mood for pancakes, sweetheart." She moved her head to the side so I could reach her neck better.

"Then what are you in the mood for?"

"You're obviously in the mood for something I don't have time for." She broke out of my arms and disappeared into the bathroom. "I wouldn't say no to eggs and toast."

"Just the whites, right?"

"Yes, sweetheart, thank you."

"Anything for you." I watched through the open door as she undressed and got in the shower. "You're looking very hot today."

She laughed. "I thought you were making me breakfast."

"I'll get right on it." I watched her for a few more seconds and then left the room.

Sydney and I had perfect timing. Just as she walked into the kitchen, I put her eggs on a plate with a slice of lightly buttered toast. She took the plate and cup of coffee I held out to her and kissed me.

"Thank you, sweetheart."

I finished making my own breakfast and sat down beside her. "What would you think about putting wards up?"

"Did Jill ask you to?"

"She did. And Lissa. It would make them all more comfortable for Jill's visits. And my shadow-kissed counterpart said she would feel more comfortable for us if we had them put up."

"So how does it work?" She asked as she picked at her food.

"Please at least eat your toast."

"I've gained so much weight in the last year." She said softly.

"You look good, Sydney." I assured her.

"I don't always feel so good." She picked up her coffee and started sipping.

"I know."

"Tell me about the wards."

"We put a few stakes in the perimeter of our property. They're blessed with all the elements and I can add spirit. It will keep Stigoi out."

"Okay. Let's do it." She sighed. "I know a couple things we can add for extra measure."

I smiled, "I would appreciate the help from your side."

"I guess I should practice a little. It's been a while since I tried anything."

"You still have those charms?"

"Quite a few."

"You had them close while I was gone? I know we don't talk about it much, but I want you to be ready for anything."

"I will be, sweetheart. I'd just prefer not to do it if I don't have to." She took her plate and cup to the sink. "I have to get to work." She leaned down and kissed me. "Get some sleep, Adrian."

"Yes, dear. I'll have dinner ready when you get home." I pulled her down and kissed her again. "Have a good day."

"You too."

"I love you." I called to her back.

"I love you too." She said over her shoulder as she put on her coat.

I didn't sleep. I didn't want to mess up my schedule, but I was still tired from my journey. I drank a cup of coffee filled with milk and sugar. I took stock of our cabinets and decided to just make spaghetti. It was a staple in our house. We had it at least one night a week. Sydney ate mostly salad, but at least she tried for me. Most of the time.

Then I started the process of getting the wards placed. Most of the vampire world was still asleep, but I sent out e-mail inquiries and waited. I went into my studio to get some work done.

Sydney had the most amazing eyes. They were the center of a lot of my pieces. Amber with flecks of gold. Beautiful. I'd finished those first. They were the easiest. Those I knew. The rest of her, though, was something else entirely. I knew the shape of her under my lips and hands, every valley and peak. Especially her breasts, god, those were impressive. She hated the curves that better eating gave her, but I loved them. I loved every inch of her.

The painting I was working on was one of those candid moments I'd snapped in between poses. I stared at the photo taped to the corner of the canvas for reference.

She gave me a look that said, "Are you serious right now?" Her eyes, those golden amber eyes, danced in the late afternoon light streaming through the window. Her fingers were up in her hair, pushing it away from her face. Her other hand gripped the side of the tub as she repositioned herself. One knee was visible on the other side of the flowery shower curtain that was positioned just so it covered all her important bits I hadn't seen at that point.

I picked up my pallet, put some paint on it, and started working to fill in the rough sketch on the canvas that was still largely blank. It had taken me so long to pick the right pose.

"I'm home." Sydney called from the front door.

"Shit." I looked up at the clock and saw that I had let most of the day get away.

"I take it you got struck with inspiration." She smirked from the doorway.

"Sorry, honey, I was going to…"

"Hey, don't feel guilty about it. I'll cook."

"No, I'll do it. I said I would." I started putting my stuff away.

"Adrian, stop. I'll cook." She walked over and pulled me out from behind the easel. "Keep going. I'll get you when it's done." She kissed me and then walked out of the room.

I finished putting things away. I picked up my computer from the living room and walked into the kitchen. "How was your day?"

"Boring. Just standard stuff. What about you?"

"I sent off a few e-mails to get the ball rolling with the wards."

"I'll get some things together for the protection charm. Extra security. Mine will keep other malicious intruders out that aren't Strigoi."

"Are you sure about that?" I signed into my e-mail.

"I want us to be safe. And I laid out the spell at your rent house." She said sheepishly. "And mine."

"I think you're more comfortable with it than you let on." I teased.

"Only when it comes to setting up precautionary measures. Otherwise, I would rather not do it." She sat down beside me. "I'll do it tonight."

"Do you want my help?"

"You know I'd appreciate that." She turned my face to look at her. "Do you know how much I love you?"

"I bet I can guess. I bet it's close to how much I love you."

"Pretty close." She pressed her lips to mine for a moment.

I smiled and rested my forehead against hers for a moment. Then I went back to my messages. "Looks like we can get someone here to do it in a couple days."

"Good." She kissed me again and got up.

"I can't wait to get you naked."

She laughed. "I need to be able to focus on the spell. So maybe you should wait for a while."

I felt a groan bubbling up, but I suppressed it.

I gathered the tools I needed for the protection charm. Adrian waited patiently at the bottom of the stairs. We headed outside. We walked around the perimeter of our property. I sprinkled a mixture of herbs and other necessities as I chanted the spell. Adrian followed me faithfully, helping me when he could.

When we were done he led me back inside and sat me down on the couch. I stretched out, leaning against the arm. He brought me a big glass of orange juice and I drank it greedily.

"More, please." I held out the glass.

He took it. "Sure." He brought it back filled again.

"You're an angel." I sighed as I sipped the second glass.

"Good to know you think that now. A couple years ago, I was the complete opposite." He smoothed my hair away from my face. "Can you make it upstairs?"

"You may have to help me." I finished the juice.

He helped me to my feet. When I stumbled, he wrapped his arms around me. "Steady there, baby." He murmured. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just exhausted. I haven't done that in a while."

He lifted me up into his arms. "So, bed. And we'll have to see about you being able to work tomorrow. I don't want you messing around in engines if you can't keep your eyes open."

He deposited me on the bed and started pulling at my clothes. "What are you doing?" I asked around a yawn.

"Trying to get you more comfortable." He slipped one of his shirts over my head. He leaned over and kissed me. "Get some sleep, Sydney. I'll be down in my studio if you need me."

I nodded and rolled over. I slept hard and didn't wake up until my alarm went off the next morning.

Adrian made me a hearty breakfast that I ate with more gusto than any other meal in my life. He tried to convince me to call in sick, but I actually felt so much better than when I'd passed out.

"Are you sure?" He asked.

"I am. I'll try not to overdo it. If I start to feel bad, I'll call you."

"Want me to drive you?"

"If that would make you feel better." I brushed my fingertips over his cheek.

"It would." He kissed me. "Come on, celery stick. We gotta get going."

I snorted. "I'm going to need another cup of coffee."

"Anything for you, honeydew." He hurried to the coffee pot and filled a travel mug for me.

I laughed. "I sure do love you."

"And I sure do love you."

"No other odd endearments?" I teased.

"What do you want me to call you? Tomato? Kumquat? Fruit salad?" He handed me the cup and pressed a kiss to my mouth. "My beautiful bride to be."

"My very handsome and adorable husband to be." I kissed him back. "Come on, I need to be there in five minutes."