Chapter 56:

Apologies that this chapter is late and so short. I've been ill with the flu but, I have started the next chapter. A fun night-on-the-town!

A delicious meal of brisket, creamed corn, and ginger roasted butternut squash followed by a pineapple upside-down cake had all three so stuffed all they could do was lay in the living room unable to move.

"I feel like an anaconda that just ate an antelope." Brigid groaned.

"Same." Erin said. "Why was I both blessed and cursed for being such a wonderful chef?"

Brigid tried to laugh but could only moan. Larten hadn't said anything but by his body language, sprawled across the couch, a hand across his stomach, he would be in that exact position for some while as he digested.

"Sis, can you turn on the t.v.?"

"What? No. You're closer to the remote. It's right by you on the coffee table."

"Ugh. Can't. Reach. Got it!" Brigid rolled onto her side and flipped on the t.v.

"What do you want to watch?" She asked, switching through the channels. "Ooh, Jurassic Park and World marathon! Sweet."

Larten turned his head slightly to look at the screen and sat up quickly, startled.

"Never seen a dinosaur before, Larten?" Erin said trying to choke back her laughter at his reaction.

"Oh man, do you know how awesome it would have been to make him watch this in the IMAX theater in 3-D?! He would have totally pissed himself." Brigid burst out laughing.

"They didn't have that when Jurassic Park came out, Brigid."

"Ugh, quit being old. I meant Jurassic World. Besides, Jurassic World has Chris Pratt. Ooh, now Larten can see his competition. Both redheads." Brigid shot a glance at Larten's bright orange hair. "Well…kind of."

Larten was getting upset at their jokes but he still couldn't tear his eyes away from the t.v. screen. He hadn't been to the cinema in…ever? He preferred live performances with a real audience to entertain given that he was such a naturally talented performer. (Obviously.) But how could they do such things now? It was unnerving but enthralling.

Erin and Brigid would sneak glances at him as he watched the films. Anytime he caught them he would scowl and act as if he was too bored to care. However, when it came to the other films with the male that the girls were interested in, he became the one sneaking glances at Erin. She didn't show anything but he was trying to figure out what was so attractive about the character on the screen. He couldn't see it.

"By the way, Larten, I accept."

Larten turned his head towards Erin.

"Accept what?" He asked completely confused.

"Hmm. Must not be that important. Never mind then."

"What's not important? What are you talking about?" Larten was starting to turn red from irritation.

Brigid widened her eyes at him and mouthed "dinner, idiot."

It took three seconds for it to click in Larten's head. He pinched the bridge of his nose trying to calm an on-coming headache before standing formally.

"Erin, I was wondering if you would accompany me tomorrow evening for dinner. In town."

"Do you really want to or did Brigid put you up to this?" Erin said frowning.

Larten bristled slightly and cleared his throat.

"Yes, Brigid mentioned something along the lines, but I do not follow the suggestions of a child. I, myself, would be honored if you joined me. Please." This was nowhere near how he had wanted to ask her but, then again, he had completely forgotten.

Erin put a fist under her chin and looked up at him coquettishly.

"I accept. A second time."

Before Larten could give a small bow, Erin stood and pushed him back to sitting on the couch. She laid her head in his lap and entwined her fingers with his giving his knuckles a kiss. Larten gave a small smile. He liked it when she would lay in his lap and how she always kissed his hand. It could be seen as an insignificant display of affection, but the feeling of when she held his rough hand and felt her lips was comforting and tender. A small demonstration of love, but it spoke volumes.

"What to wear, what to wear…." Erin mused to herself the next evening rummaging through her closet.

"I already picked out what you're going to wear."

"Yeah, but I'm just not feeling it."

Brigid pouted.

"Wait, wait. Ah-ha! This is it!" Erin held up a tight-fitting black bardot midi dress. The bardot part was delicately lacey.

Brigid looked down at her choice and back to Erin's.

"I guess so."

"Stop pouting! You know this is perfect. Nude pantyhose and black heels and I'm set."

"What about jewelry? Besides Larten's dumb necklace." Brigid grumbled.

"Couple of gold bracelets and gold hoop earrings. Simple. Go grab your hairspray, I'm curling my hair. You can help do my makeup."

Brigid brightened up immediately and dashed to her bedroom and was back before Erin could even plug in her curling iron.

"I know exactly what to do! I'm glad I got Larten to do this!"

Erin's face fell unable to stop the sharp jab to her chest.

"I knew you put him up to it. He doesn't really want to." Erin pulled the cord of her curling iron, grabbed her dress and hung it back up. She didn't know why she was angry but she was. Those old feelings of him leaving came swimming up in her mind. She felt frustration and didn't know what to do with it. She just stood in the middle of her bedroom, arms crossed, trying to count back from ten and not cry.

"Hey, Erin, I didn't mean it like that." Brigid started. "He's just clueless when it comes to those things, you know? I wanted you to have a fun night out before New Year's. You rarely get to and Larten needs to do his part while he's with you. It's okay. It won't be like last time. Go and have fun. He does want to. Honest."

Erin took a deep breath and sighed, brushing a hand quickly over her eyes, frustration dissipating slowly.

"Plug the curling iron back in. Probably need to rush now."

"Pffsh, he's a vampire, time is different to them." Brigid said mocking his tone.

This got Erin to chuckle as she pulled the dress out again and began getting ready.