Love Again

Xenethia looked around the apartment, nodded in approval and turned to the two old men, "Okay, this'll do. Let the cats out, set up their litter box in the bathroom, put the food and water in the kitchen."

Six yowling cats, including two kittens jumped in all directions when the pet carrier doors were open. The orange tabby kitten with white bib and paws went straight for Henry and started climbing up his pant leg. Henry reached down and picked the ball of fur off and set it back on the floor. It proceeded to climb up Henry's pants and made it to his chest before Henry got his hands on it. He held it to his face and asked, "What are you, a Polynesian people climber?" He thrust it out toward Xenethia saying, "Here's your kitten."

She laughed and waved off the kitten and said, "No, she's yours. You're the first person she's taken to. Cats are very careful about who they pick as their person and you've been chosen."

"I can't have a cat. It doesn't fit in with my lifestyle."

"Sure she will. My cats are used to vampire ways. They offer themselves as a quick snack and have remarkable recuperative powers. As long as you're not greedy when feeding, they can live up to 20 years. Plus they sleep all day and are active at night. She's yours now, so you may as well make the best of it."

Vicki started laughing at the look on Henry's face. He turned, glared and said, "Not so fast, love. Look what's sitting on your feet."

Vicki looked down to see a very small gray and white kitten pressed against her ankle, then she felt the vibrations of its purr. Vicki picked it up and held it out from her saying, "Why so thin? There's nothing to this poor little guy."

Xenethia looked at the very small kitten nestled in Vicki's hand, "Runt of the litter. He stopped nursing early and barely eats. I've tried everything I know to keep him alive until he found his person."

Vicki raised an eyebrow and said, "And?"

"He wants you. That little bit of bone and fur is yours just as the people climber is Henry's. Cats are descended from Bast. Their love and loyalty should never be taken for granted."

Vicki held the kitten close and said, "Well little guy, I've never had a cat before. Xenethia, you're going to have to teach me how to care for Littlebit."

Xenethia smiled, "Fresh water daily, clean the litter pan often, and keep trying different cat foods until you find the one he likes. That goes for Polly too."

Henry looked at Vicki and shrugged, "I guess we're cat owners." He looked back at Xenethia and said, "I wanted to talk with you about something besides cats."

"If you can deal with a cat, you can deal with anything else that comes up in life. Trust me. I've dealt with cats since something, something, zero, zero, zero, zero, BC."

Vicki, a student of history said, "That's great! I've got plenty of questions about the past and I'd love to ask. How old are you?"

"First, never ask a lady her age, second, a vampire has to live in the now, third, damn if I can remember last year, let alone all the years I've lived. Don't get your hopes up about getting the answers to the greatest history questions of all time. It ain't happening. Where are you guys going for the day? I'm taking the bedroom and the boys are using the living room."

Henry, up to now, had been more amused than anything else, but tilted his chin to the side and squared his shoulders, about to issue a royal command when Xenethia added, "Crap and damn! You look just like King Hal when you do that." She got a far away look and said, "Your dear old dad had a way about him."

Henry shook his head, "I've a few bolt holes left in the city, we'll go to one for the day and be back here tonight. How long are you and your boys planning to stay?"

"We're here until we figure out what's best for you and your woman." She looked at Vicki, "By the way, you are the one Augustus said Henry was crazy about?"

Vicki looked squarely into Henry's eyes and said, "I'd better be." Then went into the bedroom to gather up a few things for Henry and herself. When she came back out with an overnight bag she asked, "What about the kittens?"

"Crap and damn. I've taken care of them since they were born. This place smells of both of you, so they'll be fine." She waved her hand and ordered, "Out. I want to rest. Old bones need to settle down a lot sooner than young ones."

After the door closed, the man called Sonny said, "X, why kick them out? We already found a secure place."

X spoke softly, more to herself than the two old men, "I need to know how committed they are to each other. There's reasons, then there's bigger reasons why things happen the way they do. I've watched Henry through the centuries, and I always knew he needed to be loved. He found several loves over the years, only to lose them. This time he's found one that can stand up to him, his life, and remain true to herself. If I'm to help them stay together, I need to know it's right for both of them. Scrambling up their lives is part of my research."

***

Henry used a credit card and booked a room for them at the Four Seasons. As he placed the do not disturb sign on the door knob, locked and secured the door, Vicki studied the room and the contents of the mini bar and said, "Nice room. The desk clerk recognized you."

"I've been treated very well here in the past. Before you say anything else, think." His eyes blackened and he added, "I'm sure you don't want details."

Vicki sighed, "Nope. I don't. How long is this going to take? I'm beginning to think asking Xenethia for help is going cause more problems than it's worth."

"From what little I know of her, she comes, creates a tempest, then leaves. But after she's gone, everyone is satisfied."

"How do you feel about the cats?"

"It might be interesting. I've always wanted a pet. I've considered dogs, but they need a lot more attention than what I can give them. Cats are independent night creatures. A lot like us and I've never heard of anyone saying 'no' to Xenethia and getting away with it."

Henry pulled down the covers of the king size bed, stripped, slid in and patted the pillow beside him, "Come here, love. I want to hold you until dawn."

Vicki moved quickly to join Henry under the covers and snuggled down into his open arms, "It amazes me how much you like to cuddle."

"It's comforting to the vampire. True love is hard to come by and the vampire in me want to hold on to it as long as it can."