Chapter Twenty-Four:_

"Ready for your second birthday gift?" Brigid asked mischeviously.

Erin sighed. "Okay, I'm ready."

Brigid leapt over the couch and ran to the closet in the hallway.

"Close your eyes!" she demanded, walking with something behind her back.

Erin let out an 'ugh!' from her place curled in the love seat and closed her eyes.

"Okay, open!" Brigid said with glee.

Erin opened her eyes and they immediately widened in shock. Brigid was standing in front of her holding up a coppery-tinted rose gold cocktail dress.

"Where in the world did you get that?!" Erin asked.

"You already know the answer to that. I am the queen of finding the best sales. Stand up! I want to see how it looks on you!"

Erin stood up slowly. Brigid eyed her sister, warily, waiting for her to say the same spiel she always said. Erin tilted her head and shook it, giving Brigid a surrendering smile.

"I'm not going to say anything, Brigid. This is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen."

"And ever owned. But look who owns it now!" Brigid said in a sing-song voice, wiggling the dress at her.

Brigid held the dress under Erin's chin and gave a smug, triumphant grin. "Perfect. God, I am good!"

Erin laughed. "You really are, sis." She hugged her sister. "Thank you."

"Okay, done hugging. You're going to wrinkle the dress. Get off me!" Brigid said as she tried to escape her sister's arms.

"So. What else?" Erin said looking at Brigid expectantly.

"What else...OH! You mean the rest of your look that I've planned for you! Gotcha. Okay, so, roll with me. I wanted to leave your hair down and give it more curl but your hair goes to your shoulder blades and that will cover the U-shaped back so I want to do it up in a slightly messy low chignon. Gold jewelry. We'll try certain pieces. Aaaaand finally for make-up, your usual routine but your eyes are going to be far heavier and so shaded you'll have enough to throw it at someone!"

"Did you really just make a joke about throwing shade?" Erin laughed.

"Why, yes, I did. Look at you catching on to the idioms of the youth of today. You didn't even know what it meant until I explained it to you."

"It still doesn't make any sense though." Erin said.

"We are not discussing this right now! What time is it? Your dinner reservation is at 9:30 tonight so..."

"It's almost 6:00 so we should start now. I'm going to take a shower first." Erin said.

"Good game plan. Roll out!" Brigid said pushing Erin towards the stairs.

Erin was coughing and waving her arm in front of her face like she was getting gassed. And she nearly was with as much hairspray Brigid was spraying in her hair.

"Ack! No more! My hair isn't going anywhere." Erin choked out.

"Oh don't be so dramatic." Brigid chided. "Make-up, check. Hair, check. Go get into your dress and we'll do jewelry."

Erin was glad to escape the fumes in the bathroom and into Brigid's room. She quickly slipped into her dress. Brigid had her full-length mirror covered so Erin couldn't see herself in her dress until they were done with the finishing touches. The jewelry they selected was a gold linked necklace with a small filigree cross that rested in Erin's sternal notch, gold filigree cuff bracelet, and matching sharp-tipped oval filigree drop earrings.

"Do you think we need more filigree? I mean, I feel like we don't have enough filigree. Should we filigree more?" Erin teased Brigid.

Brigid gave her a look of annoyance.

"So no more filigree?" Erin asked innocently.

"Shut up and put your shoes on." Brigid threw a pair of Erin's heels at her. They were a metallic nude color. Erin slipped them on and stood up from Erin's bed.

"So can I see myself now?" Erin asked impatiently.

Brigid gave her one more look around and nodded in satisfaction of her creation. She placed Erin in front of the mirror and pulled the blanket off, "Ta-daa!"

Erin's eyes and face immediately lit up as she looked herself over. Her dress had a square neckline with very short-sleeves, a slight U-shaped back, and the material clung to her shape all the way to the hemline just above her knees. The colors all came together making her quite striking. Her auburn hair, dark, dark eyes, and skin tone was even more accentuated by her make-up. She gave a small spin to look at herself from the back.

Brigid clapped her hands in joy that Erin loved how she looked.

"Brigid, I don't know what to say. You are the best at what you do, that's for sure."

Brigid went to stand by her, resting her head on Erin's shoulder. "You look amazing. And if Larten doesn't think so, he will find himself dying on our kitchen floor again."

Erin laughed. "Don't say that. Let's go downstairs. It's only 7:30 so we've got plenty of time."

Larten stepped out of the shower, shaking his hair dry like he always did. He took a few minutes to make his final decision on what he would wear. He decided on his black shirt, red vest, red suit jacket, red pants, and, of course, his signature red cloak. It took him a full 10 minutes to make sure he looked impeccably presentable down to the smallest of details. He ran a hand through his hair, glanced over himself once more, and gave a satisfied smirk. He composed himself with all due formality, adjusted his cloak once more, and went to present himself to Erin.

As Larten entered the living room, Brigid was on the couch watching t.v. She looked up when she heard him enter, an ecstatic look on her face.

"Look at you! For a vampire you sure clean up nice!" Brigid said, smoothing down a lapel.

Larten slapped her hand. "Stop."

"Sorry, sorry. Forgot how picky you are. Rude."

Larten gave her a dour look. Brigid rolled her eyes in return.

"Back to business. Do you have the tickets?"

"Yes."

"Do you have the money I gave you."

"Yes."

"Did you get her a gift?"

Larten raised his chin, looking down on Brigid, not saying a word. Erin's gift was hidden in his cloak and before Brigid could press him for information, there was the sound of heels on the linoleum in the kitchen. Larten looked up just as Erin entered. She didn't notice him. She was checking the contents of a small glittery gold clutch.

"Erin, your date is here!" Brigid yelled.

"Brigid, don't-oh! Larten, I didn't hear you come downstairs." Erin walked over to him, a huge, bright smile across her face as she looked at him. "Larten, you look very handsome. I don't know how you get everything so perfect!" She lightly ran her fingers across the lapel of his cloak and looked into his eyes. "You really do have an eye for detail."

Larten tried to thank her but he couldn't get his brain to form words. When she had entered the kitchen and walked over to him, he had stopped breathing. She was warm and rosy and how she looked at him as she approached made his heart twinge. It wasn't only her stunning physical appearance that had stopped Larten's breathing and heart; no, it had been how she looked at him as if she was thrilled to see him and as she had lightly touched his lapel and looked into his eyes, it was as if she only had eyes for him and he was the sole cause of the excitement in her own. To have her react in such a way had stunned Larten but he quickly recovered himself and bowed to her, kissing her hand.

"And you, Miss Erin, are a vision to behold. Your loveliness knows no bounds. I am, again, honored that you are allowing me to partake in the celebration of your birthday." Larten stood up straight and looked down on her genteelly. He noticed her blush slightly which gave his ego a big boost.

"Okay, kids, you better get out of here to make it to your dinner reservation." Brigid reminded them, breaking the moment.

"Right. Let's go. I am very hungry." Erin said, picking up her clutch and pulling out her car keys.

Larten snapped his fingers and suddenly her car keys were dangling in his hand.

"You will not be needing these tonight. We will be flitting." Larten said cheekily.

"She's in a dress! Do you know how hard I worked to-" Brigid started to say heatedly.

"It will not be a problem. Besides, this will allow for more chances for spontaneity." Larten said to Brigid, giving her the smuggest grin he could.

Brigid pursed her lips at him.

"Are you sure you don't mind flitting?" Erin asked sincerely, but Larten could hear the hidden excitement in her voice.

"I am quite sure. Come. Our reservation awaits."

Erin tried to hide her lip-bitten smile as she grabbed her clutch. "I have my cell phone, Brigid, so if you need anything, call."

"Oh my God, just leave already! You kids have fun." Brigid flopped back onto the couch and resumed watching t.v.

Erin shook her head in secret to Larten. She picked up her knee length camel-colored coat and slipped it on before Larten could offer. She grabbed his hand and hurried them outside into the chill of the night. She looked at him, eagerness all over her face. This also boosted Larten's ego. It seemed his ego was going to have a very, very good night.

"Shall we go, my lady?"

"Less formality, more flitting!" Erin said, teasing him, as he helped her onto his back.

"As you wish." He said. He, again, had the same wicked grin split across his face like the last time he had taken her flitting. He started running and off they went into the night.