Chapter Twenty-Three

The sun had been down for approximately two hours. The town was still very much alive with activity, the people enjoying the abnormally warmer night. Larten walked through the crowds discreetly. He couldn't help himself but he did have an eye out for any hint of Murlough or traces of his presence. As he would stop and watch an area he was wracking his brains as to what to get Erin for her birthday. He remembered he had wanted to buy her something to wear. Something green or possibly red. But that wasn't special enough. Buying clothes today was different now. It's not like he could stop at the millinery and buy the latest most fashionable lady's hat as a gift. That was not the way in this modern time. Brigid had said she had bought her a special book. Larten could not read so that was out.

Larten passed store fronts, families milling around him, couples walking close to each other. They all chattered like monkeys but, still, it reminded him of his home town and his spiritual family members and neighbors and every town he had to painfully say good bye to. It never got easier and it was always a lonely feeling moving on.

Larten was starting to get very, very upset and irritated that he still had not thought of something for Erin. He had time before he was to make his appearance of "waking up" but he was still feeling pressured. Of course, he would get her flowers. But that would be after the meal and ballet. He had seen a street vendor near the performing arts center and he made a mental note. He had given himself a pat on the back for that idea. She would not expect it. He suddenly stopped in his tracks. That was it! Call it cliche but Larten knew exactly what he would get Erin.

Flitting back to the house took all but a minute before Larten was climbing in through Erin's bedroom window. He made not a single sound. He had left his cloak so as not to cause suspicion. It was actually Brigid who pointed it out to him which had annoyed him to no end considering a child had thought of such an obvious flaw and he had not. He hid Erin's gift, unbuttoned his suit jacket, and tossed it onto the bed. That left him in his white shirt and red vest exactly as he had worn earlier that day; not to be obvious or hint at anything different. He adjusted his collar and smoothed his hands over his trousers to remove the slight wrinkles. There. Perfect.

Before opening the bedroom door, he took a deep breath, and set his face to his usual grumpy demeanor upon waking up. He walked out and gave a large yawn as he entered the kitchen.

"Good morning, Larten." Erin said. She had a pair of tongs in her hands and an apron on. That was when Larten took notice of the smell of cooking meat. He turned his head and saw the tarp pulled back to reveal a grill pulled out into the middle of the garden.

"Steak. Remember?" She walked past him, smiling, a large plate in her hand. He followed her outside, through the broken patio, and to the grill. He watched as she opened the lid and the smell that hit him was like heaven. She checked the tenderness of the steaks and nodded in approval. She placed them on the plate, turned off the grill, and had Larten trailing her like a puppy eager for a treat.

"Dinner is ready. Brigid, you got the vegetables?"

"Yep. Carrots, squash, and string beans."

The three of them walked into the dining room and sat down. Erin fixed everyone a plate, poured Larten and herself some wine, and poured more ginger ale into Brigid's glass. Larten immediately tucked his napkin into his shirt, not even bothering to put it in his lap, and started cutting into the meat with vigor. Erin and Brigid shared a look and almost burst out laughing. Larten popped a large slice into his mouth and chewed with his eyes closed. Erin was trying to hide her laughing behind her hand when he opened his eyes.

Larten swallowed and looked back-and-forth between the two.

"What?" He asked, confused.

"Is it good?" Brigid asked, not doing a very good job at hiding her grin.

"It is impeccable. I have never tasted anything like it. Once again, Miss Erin, you have gone above and beyond yourself." Larten said, raising his glass before taking a sip.

Erin and Brigid finally let their laughter out.

"Thank you, Larten. I always try to feed my guests the very best I can and you are my favorite critic so far."

Larten took another bite and smiled. It was truly divine. He never had anything this good when he had been with Seba or...well, maybe ever, now that he came to think about it. Either way he was very, very happy to see that he would be able to have seconds or even thirds.

"Oh, I almost forgot." Erin placed her napkin on the table and went into the kitchen returning with a sloshy red liquid in a bottle.

Larten stopped chewing. He knew exactly what it was. Erin placed it in front of him next to his wine glass and sat back down.

"It's about time for you to feed. Bon appetit."

"Where did you get the blood?" Larten asked. He hadn't fed but he had planned on doing so soon; this was unexpected.

"A generous donor from a blood drive." Erin said simply.

Larten picked up the bottle and sniffed it. Brigid had her eyes glued on him. It was making him incredibly uncomfortable. This was supposed to be the aspect of vampires that terrified humans the most. He still felt Brigid's eyes on him. Suddenly she jumped up and ran from the room when he went to take a sip.

"Oh God, stop, stop! I have to leave. I can't do this, I cannot do this." She looked particularly green.

Larten blinked in surprise. He heard her yell from the living room.

"Okay, you can drink your...special juice now. But no talking about it and throw the bottle away in the bin outside!" She finished, making a gagging sound.

Erin gave a small shake of her head, looking at the incredulous look on Larten's face.

"It's okay. She doesn't do blood or anything that consists of the less savory aspects of the medical field. She helped me save your life, but it was her adrenaline that helped her overcome her fear. Not that I needed to explain that to you." Erin laughed. She reached across the table to pick up Brigid's ginger ale. "I'm going to go sit with her until you're finished."

"Why does it not-?"

Erin looked at him over her shoulder like the answer was obvious and he should know it by now. And that's exactly what the answer was.

"I'm an ICU nurse, Larten, remember?"

He looked at the bottle in his hands and started drinking. Immediately upon finishing, he went outside to throw it away as Brigid had requested.

"Are you done?" Brigid yelled.

"Yes." He said entering the kitchen.

Brigid was laying on the couch. "Phew, thank God." She sat up and took a sip from her ginger ale, her complexion returning to normal.

"Brigid, do you still want to eat?" Erin asked.

"No. I'm done." Brigid flipped on the t.v. ignoring the two adults as she went through the channels.

Erin stood up going straight to the dining room. Larten was already sitting at the table eating before she even stepped through the doorway. He heard her try to stifle a gasp. He smiled wickedly inside. There was still something he could do as a vampire that had an unsettling effect on her. It was all in good fun, of course. He finished his meal and wiped his mouth just as Erin finished hers and drank the rest of her wine.

"I must thank you for attending to my needs once more." Larten said stately.

Erin picked up his plate. "Of course. You're still under my care, remember?" She winked at him.

As Erin cleared the table Larten sat down by Brigid on the couch. He didn't know when he should ask and whispered to Brigid. "What is my cue?" He whispered.

Brigid glanced his way. "When she sits down. Just follow my lead." She whispered back.

Larten nodded and turned his gaze towards the television. His stomach did a nervous flip. He clenched his jaw to keep himself in check. He was a vampire and vampires do not have nervous stomach flips about asking a woman out to dinner, it was foolish! His stomach did another flip. 'Stop it!' Larten commanded in his mind. Larten must have made his standard "hmph!" and was scratching his scar when a sharp jab to his ribs brought him back. He lowered his hand slowly from his face when he saw both Brigid and Erin looking at him perplexed.

"Welcome back to the real world, Larten. Did you hear what I just said?" Brigid said trying to act casual, but he could see in her eyes that she was ready to bash him over the head!

"No, I did not. I apologize. But I am listening now." Larten felt a flash of heat at the bottom of his neck. He reached up to adjust his collar to hide his slight embarrassment.

"All she said was she wanted to give me my birthday gift now." Erin said dismissively.

"Incorrect. I want to give you ONE of your birthday gifts now." Brigid said, pulling out a hidden package from under a couch cushion.

"Brigid-" Erin started, exasperated.

"Nope. No backing out of it now! One tonight and one for tomorrow. You know absolutely that you cannot talk me out of anything so just accept it and open it!" Brigid huffed, tossing the package into Erin's lap.

Erin shook her head. That was Brigid for you.

Larten leaned forward so he could see what she had just unwrapped. Her face lit up immediately at three small pocket-sized books.

"Selected poems from William Carlos Williams, Dylan Thomas, and Stephen Crane!" She exclaimed.

"Yeah! Now you can carry one in your purse or something." Brigid said just as excitedly.

Erin immediately leaned over and gave her sister a huge hug. "Thank you, Brigid. They're perfect."

"I know." Brigid said when Erin pulled away from her, flipping her hair and posing.

Erin laughed handed the books for Larten to see. He looked at them politely before handing them back to Erin. When Erin's hands touched his, her eyes unfocused for a second and then cleared. She looked into his eyes gently, understanding. He knew exactly what she had a blip of and he could feel his cheeks flush. He looked away from her and cleared his throat, composing himself. She hadn't shown him pity, just understanding, and Larten had seen in her eyes that it did not change her view of him or lost any of the high respect she had for him. Erin already knew his childhood and that did not include school or learning how to read in those times and he had never learned throughout the rest of his life. There was no pity there. It was just how things were.

"So, Larten, what'd you get her?" Brigid asked bumping his knee.

"Brigid!" Erin snapped at her.

"What?! He can do magic tricks and so maybe he can magic up a gift or something. He didn't always have his spider." Brigid said brandishing her arm at him.

Larten closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. These tiny blips, flashes, variables, whatever...psychics were such a pain! They were only small details, nothing more. (As far as he knew.) It suddenly made him realize that he didn't know that much about Erin. But he would start. He was a man of few words and not one for idle talk, but he wanted to and there was nothing wrong with it. And deep down he wanted to make a connection beyond the facade with someone. It was natural to crave knowing someone beyond what they showed and to have them know you in return, who you really were; even he could admit as a lonesome vampire that those chances were few and far between because you always had to say good bye in the end so why bother? Well, maybe it was time to bother now. He opened his eyes, brought forth the 'deal' he and she had made the night he took her flitting to the forefront of his mind, and took his cue. He stood up and tugged at his vest but he didn't say anything. Brigid widened her eyes at him prompting him to hurry up while Erin noticed the silent communication between the two of them. Larten cleared his throat, standing with perfect posture.

"I am sure you remember the deal we made for me to reciprocate your kindness and care. I will never be able to completely repay you for all you have done for me, but I finally have my opportunity to do what I said I would. Miss Erin, would you do me the honor of having dinner with me tomorrow night?" He asked formally, like a perfect gentleman.

Erin had a small confused look on her face, but it disappeared and before Larten knew it, Erin stood up and said, "I would love to have dinner with you tomorrow night."

Larten immediately relaxed, though keeping his formality, and bowed to Erin. When he saw the happy glint in her eyes as she smiled, he couldn't help a small upward twitch at the corners of his mouth.

"Well, now that that's taken care of, I am going to bed." Brigid said, climbing over the back of the couch. Before she made it to the stairs she caught Larten's eye and gave a thumbs up sign and mouthed the word 'perfect' to him. Larten gave a quick nod and looked back at Erin. She sat back down and Larten followed suit.

"If Brigid put you up to this you really don't have to-" Erin started.

"No. Stop. I have already given my word I would and I never go back on it. Besides, it is your birthday. As Brigid stated earlier, you cannot talk me out of it." He said matter-of-factly.

"You are a gentleman of your word so I won't argue. Not this time at least." Erin laughed at him.

Larten 'hmphed!' and scratched his scar.

"Don't get grouchy on me now, mister." Erin said.

Larten gave her a sour look.

Erin picked up one of the poetry books and flipped through it. She looked thoughtful.

"Would you like to hear one of my favorite poems?"

Larten's countenance changed. Here was a small something he could know about her.

"Yes, I would like that."

"Scoot over a bit." she said.

Larten scooted down enough so that she could lean against the arm rest facing him and have her knees against her chest. The tips of her feet touched Larten's leg. He rested his face against his fist, his elbow on the back of the couch.

"Okay, ready?"

Larten nodded. She was blushing. Larten found this endearing that she would share this with him; it was obviously something very intimate for her.

"Nantucket by William Carlos Williams.

Flowers through the window

lavender and yellow

changed white curtains-

Smell of cleanliness-

Sunshine of late afternoon-

On the glass tray

a glass pitcher, the tumbler

turned down, by which

a key is lying-And the

immaculate white bed