Chapter 3
Later at her house
Hannah and Thierry sat on the couch holding hands. Hannah had her head on Thierry's shoulder, and he just sat there still marveling over the fact that she was his. He began to stroke her hair, as if by reflex and Hannah cuddled closer. Thierry kissed her hair, then her cheek and finally her lips. Hannah responded almost instantly to the kiss and for a long time neither of them could resist. It was like finding the other half of ones self. Like being in a pool of bright light that would have otherwise been dim without the other person to share it. Finally Thierry broke the kiss and just held her soft body for a long moment. "You now I've been thinking about going to college and becoming a paleontologist," said Hannah, finally breaking the silence.
"Interesting profession you choose, but I'll support you in anything you wish to do in your life," said Thierry.
"Thank you, Thierry. That is so sweet. The only problem is I'm not sure my mom can afford to pay for me to go to the best college if I don't get a scholarship, especially after the accident," said Hannah.
"I could pay for you to go if your mother can't afford it," offered Thierry.
"Thank you, Thierry," said Hannah, nearly overwhelmed by his kindness, "but that kind of college cost a lot of money. I wouldn't want you to spend your money on me."
"What have I told you about that?" said Thierry, half seriously.
"That you don't mind because I'm your soulmate and you would do anything for me," recited Hannah as if from memory. Thierry laughed at her expression and after a moment Hannah joined him, "Alright, alright, I give in," said Hannah, goodnaturedly.
That night Thierry slept on the couch and Hannah tried to sleep in her bed, but all she could do was toss and turn. Finally she came downstairs unable to sleep and crawled in beside Thierry, on the roll out couch. She was instantly asleep cuddled next to him.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
The next morning, Thierry awoke to the smell of bacon and eggs. As he stood up he felt a little lightheaded and he was having trouble breathing. He went into the kitchen to see Hannah setting the table. "Oh I'm glad you're up." Thierry could hardly breathe and his dizziness increased. He was not hungry for food, but for blood. He had been so busy with Hannah he had forgotten to go eat. He was beginning to feel sick and see spots; before his eyes if he didn't get some blood soon he was finished. Hannah sensing his distress looked up and sat down on one of the kitchen chairs, gesturing for him to come to her, knowing what he needed.
"No, Hannah. I can't," said Thierry knowing what she meant. "I might take too much and kill you," said Thierry, with fear in his voice.
"I'm the only person around, and I trust you more then I've trusted anybody in my life," said Hannah. Thierry nodded and he stepped towards her. She felt his control break, through their link then she felt the sharpness of his teeth as he broke the skin and for the third time Thierry took blood from her. But; Hannah felt no pain only a kind of dull throbbing and for the second time they were able to read each other's thoughts and feel each other's feelings, so completely it was as if they were no longer two separate people, but a single entity. Thierry still thought of her as having some kind of silvery halo, but that image was dimming to be replaced by a more realistic representation.
Finally Thierry broke away and stood up from where he had been kneeling. "Thank you," said Thierry, quietly.
"You're welcome, after all what is it you told me? You are my soulmate and I will do anything for you," said Hannah.
"You might want to sit there for a few minutes, standing might make you dizzy. I didn't take enough to do any damage, just enough to satisfy my hunger," said Thierry as he put the; bacon and poached eggs on a plate for her. She ate hungrily and ten minutes later her plate was clean. "And it also makes you very hungry, because your body needs to replenish the lost blood. You want some more?"
Hannah nodded and Thierry got her another serving. That too was gone in only a few minutes. "I better get dressed and head over to the hospital to see my mom. You're welcome to come along," said Hannah.
"No, I'll think I'll stay here, but hurry back," said Thierry.
Hannah went upstairs and finished getting dressed. Just as she came downstairs the doorbell rang. Hannah went opened the door and there stood Chess.
"I heard about your mom Hannah and I come over to see if you needed anything," said Chess as she stepped inside.
"Thank you Chess, but I don't really need anything. And I was just headed over to see her if you want to come you're welcome to," said Hannah.
"No, I don't want to disturb a family moment. I'll stay here and keep Thierry, company," said Chess.
"How did you know he was here?" asked Hannah, surprised.
"Well for one thing, his car is outside and for another, I didn't think he'd leave you alone when your mom is in the hospital," said Chess.
"She's got you there, Hannah," said Thierry, grinning as he came out of the kitchen after finishing the dishes. "Nice to see you again Chess, I just wish it was under better circumstances."
"Me too, me too," Chess mumbled.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
Over the next few days, she and Thierry did everything together and people began to whisper. They wondered who the handsome guy was that seemed to be escorting Hannah Snow around town. Finally on the third day, she took Thierry to the airport for he had had to turn his car in the day before. She waved good-bye until he disappeared up the ramp. He hadn't wanted to go, but her mother was getting out of the hospital today and he hadn't wanted to intrude. Hannah had promised to ask her mother if she could come; stay with him for a couple of weeks.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
Later that night when Hannah had picked her mother up from the hospital, she tried to broach the subject over dinner. "You know that guy I stayed with in Vegas?" asked Hannah.
"Yes?" asked her mother.
"Well, he has asked me to come up for a few weeks to spend sometime with him," said Hannah. Before her mother could respond Hannah continued. "Mom; do you believe in the soulmate principal?"
"Soulmate principal?" asked Diana.
Hannah groped for the words and finally found them, "Like finding someone so perfect for you, it's like a key in a lock. It's like a piece of yourself that was always empty until you meet that perfect someone."
"Yes, Hannah that was your father and me. So you're saying that this Thierry Descouredres is your soulmate," said mom.
"Yes he is my soulmate and I am his. So can I go?"
"Well . . . I guess so I don't want to keep you from your soulmate," said her mother.
"Oh, thank you," said Hannah hugging her mother.
"But I want you to call me at least every other day," her mother, added almost as an after thought.
"All right, let me call Thierry and tell him," said Hannah nearly jumping with joy as she picked up a phone and dialed his number.
When he answered and she told him, he was nearly ecstatic. He had just gotten home when the phone rang. When she got off, Hannah was almost on cloud 9.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
While in Vegas, Thierry was shouting orders, "Nilsson, I want this place so clean I can eat off the floor."
"Yes sir," said Nilsson smartly. "I'll get to it right away."
When Thierry finally finished shouting orders, he gestured for Lupe to follow him. "What can I do for you?" asked Lupe sitting down on one of the couches.
"I want you to take my private jet and pick her up yourself. I want nothing to happen to her and I mean nothing," said Thierry, gesturing with his hands as he said it.
Lupe nodded and said, "I understand sir, but why me? Wouldn't Nilsson be a better choice?"
"Maybe, but Nilsson will be busy here getting things ready here and Hannah seems to be closer to you then anybody else, besides me of course," said Thierry.
"All right, I'll do it," said Lupe.
"Good," said Thierry, patting Lupe on the back.
"Is that all you wanted me for Thierry?" asked Lupe.
"No, I also wanted to ask you something else. What should I get Hannah as a present?" asked Thierry.
"Hmm, that's a hard one, but I know Hannah well enough to know that she's practical. I also know she wouldn't want you to waste money on her, but if you insist, what about a bracelet?"
"A bracelet?" asked Thierry.
"A nice one like from Tiffany's," said Lupe.
"Why don't you do the shopping for me and put it on my account?" Thierry suggested. "After all, you probably know more about what she likes then I do."
"All right, but if she doesn't like it you better not tell her who bought it," said Lupe.
"I'm sure she'll love it," said Thierry, as Lupe nodded and went to get some sleep.
Chapter 4
A few days later
Hannah's mother was well enough to drive her to the airport and Hannah hugged her tightly. "You sure you'll be all right without me?"
"Yes, yes, now go, enjoy yourself. Make sure you bring me back a souvenir," her mother yelled almost as an afterthought.
Hannah walked towards Thierry's private jet just as the doors opened and Lupe Acevedo stepped out her tanned skin and hazel eyes shining in the sunlight.
"Lupe, what are you doing here?" asked Hannah, hugging her friend.
"Thierry asked me to escort you to Vegas, but confidentially I think he was worried something might happen to you," said Lupe returning the hug.
Hannah shook her head; "He worries too much."
"Well you know, Thierry," said Lupe.
"Yeah, I know, Thierry. Come and meet my mother before we leave Lupe," said Hannah grabbing Lupe's arm. Lupe followed her and Hannah introduced Lupe. "Mom, this is Lupe Acevedo. She works for Thierry. Lupe, this is my mother Diana Snow."
"Pleased to meet you," they both said at the same time.
After the introductions, Hannah and Lupe boarded the plane and they were off. Lupe and Hannah sat back and relaxed. "I'm sorry about what happened to your mom," said Lupe.
"I suppose Thierry told you about that, but I bet he didn't tell you what he did," said Hannah.
"What did he do?"
"Well for one thing, he waited until I fell asleep then he tracked down the guys who had shot my mom and tied them up. Then he delivered them to the police station trussed up like Christmas turkeys," said Hannah giggling now about it. Although she would admit at the time it had happened it hadn't been very funny now that it was over however it was hilarious.
"That sounds just like, Thierry," said Lupe, laughing at the image that conjured in her head.
"And I threatened to kick his butt from there all the way back to Vegas, if he did it again. He could have been hurt or even killed," said Hannah.
"Thierry tends to protect people he cares about, for I know if you were hurt or killed he could quite possibly go mad," said Lupe.
"I still think he is overprotective I, can take care of myself," said Hannah.
"Could you take care of yourself against Maya?" Lupe asked.
"Well that's different," said Hannah.
"How is it different?" asked Lupe.
"I didn't know Thierry then nor did I trust him. I didn't know about Maya either. . .well my subconscious did . . . Alright, alright," Hannah finally sputtered, "Your right, I guess I'll just have to get used to the fact that Thierry's a bit overprotective."
Lupe sat back grinning her point made.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
A few of hours later, they landed in the Las Vegas airport. Hannah thanked the pilot then; she and Lupe stepped off the plane to find Nilsson and a waiting limo.
"This way please," said Nilsson holding the door open. The two women stepped in and sat down. "Thierry is sorry he couldn't come himself, but he had some business to attend to."
Nilsson shut the door then climbed into the driver's seat. He started the engine and before long they were speeding down the rode. Hannah looked out the window at all the beautiful scenery, thinking of Thierry. The first time she had met him was thousands of years ago when he had first been turned into a vampire by Maya and that is where the cycle of terror had begun. She thought of Thierry searching for her time after time and finding her sometimes only a few weeks and other times only days before she; was killed by Maya. She thought of his endlessly, sad, dark eyes and his smile which; melted her heart every time she saw it. She thought, of the first time she had met him as Hana of the Three Rivers. His white blond hair had been all crazily messed up and his eyes had been vicious and wild, but the moment they saw each other that had all changed. She had died then by Thierry's hands, but he had never meant to hurt her. After the first life as Hana of the Three Rivers she had always had a birthmark, like the petal of a rose laid slantwise across her cheek.
She was so lost in her thoughts that she did not realize that they had arrived. "Hannah?" asked Lupe shaking her. "We're here." Hannah looked at Lupe and slowly got out of the car. "Man it was like you were a thousand miles away," said Lupe.
"I was just thinking," said Hannah. She began to grab her suitcase and shoulder bag, but Nilsson got it before she could.
She and Lupe walked up to the house together and the door was opened before Lupe had a chance to knock. Ash stood there, his tall lanky frame leaning against the door. Ash had hair almost the same color as Thierry's and ever changing eyes. At the moment they looked gray. Ash gestured for them to enter and Lupe went first, Hannah following and then came Nilsson who immediately disappeared with her bags.
Ash led the way to the den where Hannah had met the newest members of Circle Daybreak. Ash left her there and closed the door. Thierry was already there and was up from where he had been sitting the instant he saw her. He hugged her tightly and she hugged him back, then they kissed long and deep. Finally Hannah broke the kiss, "For Pete sakes, Thierry, it's only been a week since you saw me last. You kiss me like you haven't seen me in a hundred years. Not that I mind," she added almost as an after thought.
"I'm just so glad to finally have you here for a few weeks and I'm free too. I cleared my schedule for the next few weeks," said Thierry.
Hannah hugged him again and they just sat there enjoying each other's company for more then an hour. Finally Hannah rose, "I think I'm going to go find Lupe and talk to her for a while. I'll see you later, Thierry."
Thierry nodded sad to see her go but; he knew he could not monopolize her time completely. That would not be fair. If she wanted to talk to Lupe, then he couldn't object. After all, they would have plenty of time together and he had plans for them.
Hannah found Lupe in the kitchen drinking a coke, and Hannah grabbed one from the fridge. "Hi Hannah, I didn't expect to see you for the rest of the day," said Lupe.
"You thought I'd be spending all my time with Thierry?" asked Hannah.
"Well yes, that's why you came up here right?" asked Lupe.
"Yes, but I also came up here to see you and the others. I love Thierry dearly, but I have the rest of my life to spend with him," said Hannah. "And besides I thought you might like to go shopping one day before I leave."
Lupe laughed, for what Hannah said was true she did have the rest of her life to spend with the man she loved. As for the present well . . . "Yeah I love to shop we'll have to plan to go one day before you leave, but if I interrupted now Thierry just might kill me," said Lupe and laughed again.
"Naw, he wouldn't do that," said Hannah, also laughing as she took a sip of her coke.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~
That night, she had dinner with Thierry and he had gone all out. He had a candlelit table with some very exotic food on it, like caviar. It was very romantic. Hannah was wearing a blue green dress, which was strapless. Hannah had found a whole closet full of clothes, all brand new and in her size. Thierry had had them made for her before she arrived. During dinner Hannah noticed that Thierry seemed kind of nervous and was only picking at his food. He kept fingering his left pocket nervously. "What's wrong, Thierry?" Hannah asked, worriedly.
"Nothing," said Thierry. Hannah looked at him and just as she was about to ask him another question he took her hand in his own and placed a small package in it, "Here, I wanted you to have this."
Hannah opened the tiny package and inside was a bracelet. A delicate golden bracelet set with rubies, topaz and emeralds. The gold itself was done in an intricate design around the jewels and the jewels seemed to wink up at her and shine with there own inner light. "Oh, Thierry It's beautiful," Thierry sighed relieved that she liked it. He took the bracelet opened the clasp and gently put it around her wrist. "Thank you," said Hannah kissing him. She didn't mention it must have cost him a fortune. Desert came after that and it was some kind of double fudge cake with chocolate fudge icing. Hannah ate all the rich food and enjoyed it even though she wasn't used to it. After desert, they went for a walk around the grounds and Hannah got to see how truly beautiful they were at night. She and Thierry held hands and just being close made them both happy. Thierry's house was huge and it had sprawling grounds and gardens around it.
"You know," said Hannah, "You keep it up, serving me all this rich food and you'll have a fat girlfriend."
"You'd still be just as beautiful to me," said Thierry putting his arm around her shoulder. Hannah blushed and snuggled closer to him. They stayed outside for over an hour and when they finally did come inside Hannah's face was flushed and her eyes were literally dancing like a flame. Thierry escorted Hannah to the door of her room that night. Thierry kissed her and then went back downstairs as he heard a door close behind him.
Once Thierry got downstairs, everyone noticed that he was almost literally walking on air. Nobody had seen Thierry this happy in years and it was all thanks to Hannah.
~~~Thierry and Hannah~~~