"How did it go?" Liana inquired sleepily of her husband after he had climbed into bed and snuggled in.
"It went fine," Dave promised, as he climbed into bed. "I really didn't expect any trouble because Arianrhod Westhaven knows that if she annoys me too much or makes me angry I can destroy her very easily, half vampire or not. Not many people can boast about destroying a vampire, since they are nearly indestructible and move super fast, but it is possible if you know what you're doing."
"If there's one thing they're susceptible to it's fire," Liana agreed.
"Especially dragon fire," Dave agreed. "Dragon fire is hotter then any fire known to supernaturals and would burn her up in seconds."
"I doubt she's going to risk making you angry," Liana suggested.
"That's what I think too," Dave agreed. "Go back to sleep we can talk more in the morning."
Liana complied and snuggled into her husband who closed his own eyes and nearly immediately drifted off.
~~~Dave and Liana~~~
Spencer took the news calmly, when Dave told him.
"So what do you think, son?" Dave asked Spencer.
"I don't know what to think," Spencer said truthfully. "I never expected to be the mate of a vampire no matter how beautiful she is, but then, I didn't even know vampires existed until recently, so I suppose that's not surprising. Also, I don't know why I should worry about it right now, I'm only 14."
"Exactly what I told her," Dave chuckled. "She was right though, that you had a right to know at least, even if you don't do anything about it right now. I shouldn't have kept it from you for so long, but I just figured you had enough to worry about. I know you're still trying to acclimatize to this world and though you're doing very well you still have a lot to learn."
"I know you were just trying to protect me Uncle Dave," Spencer said. "Still, I do appreciate that you did tell me, eventually. You are certainly more of a father to me than my own was. You actually care about my welfare. I know my mom would be happy that you took me in. As for Miss Westhaven, I don't believe I'm ready to even consider having a girlfriend and she's considerably older than I am."
"Yes, but you'll reach that age in about 15 or 20 years," Dave said calmly. "I'm sure she's not planning on turning you into a vampire until you're at least similar in age, as you won't age after that because you're not naturally born one. Want my advice?"
"Of course, Uncle Dave, your advice is always good," Spencer said.
"I would meet with her at least once, just to see if you can get to know each other. It would make her happy that you at least put in the effort. All you need to do is talk. If after that meeting you tell me you don't want another then I'll tell her not to bother you, at least until you're 18. I can't keep her away forever son, I'm afraid, not unless I kill her. You are her mate, which means that she'll never abuse you like a lot of people do their spouses. It also means that you will get together eventually, as there is no avoiding it forever lad, not unless she dies or you do."
"Well that's rather blunt," Spencer said not seeming bothered by it.
"You don't need me to soften it up. I know you can handle just about anything, even though you're still young," Dave told him and Spencer nodded appreciatively glowing at the praise. Dave treated him like an adult, but never forced him to not act childishly if he wanted something, which he appreciated. He very rarely acted childishly, though it did happen occasionally, mostly at his siblings urgings.
"Also, you should consider that if you're the mate of a vampire she will protect us from the government if they ever find out about how much power we possess. Now, while no cell at the prison is going to hold us despite the damping spells, because of how powerful we are, we also don't want to be on the run. The government might find a way to destroy us eventually, but probably not without killing a whole lot of other people. They tend to destroy those who won't cooperate and though they try to protect innocent that's not always possible. I would think they'd just leave us alone so long as we're breaking no laws, but they tend not to unless you have powerful protection like that of a vampire."
"You could always kill a few of them until they concede that you are a free agent," Spencer said not looking upset at that possibility. He had learned over the years that sometimes this was the only way to protect yourself from a government who didn't really care about you. Sure, they did their best to protect ordinary citizens, but anyone really powerful they tried their best to control, just in case they did go rogue. That was the thing though that Spencer didn't understand. Dealing with those that found themselves going outside the law he understood, but as for everyone else he didn't understand why the government couldn't just leave them alone, to live their lives so long as they broke no major laws. Keeping an eye on them was one thing, but to give them only three choices for their lives was kind of ridiculous, either work for the government or go to prison and if that didn't work, kill them. Yes, there was always the danger of someone going rogue, but most supernaturals just wanted to be left alone, and have what everyone else had, a family, a good job and enough money to support themselves and their dependents.
"I'd rather not, son. Though believe me, I have considered the possibility already," Dave said. "That doesn't mean I won't protect you, your aunt and our children if necessary, but I'd rather not. I'm not saying, I haven't killed a few people in my time, but it was always out of necessity, not just because they could've caused me trouble. Either my secret or my life was in danger every time. You should never think about killing someone causally and always do it when you have no other choice, when you genuinely believe that they're a danger to you, your family, or your friends. Killing should never be easy lad, because if it is you might as well just take your own life."
"I know," Spencer said. "I know you never kill unless you have no other choice. I won't either, because I wouldn't want that guilt on my soul for no reason."
"Good," Dave said pleased. "Now, as to Miss Arianrhod Westhaven..."
"I suppose that I can meet with her somewhere private," Spencer suggested, feeling incredibly reluctant. "In a private room of a restaurant perhaps."
Spencer knew that part of his reluctance was that he was very clumsy around females or at least those that had a romantic interest in him. Several girls had been interested in him before this, but he had always brushed them off not being interested, mostly because of his innate shyness. He knew he'd never improve his social skills if he didn't get out there and try. Still, he was incredibly reluctant to disrupt his quiet life. His life of reading anything he wanted and not being bothered by anyone, except his siblings. He knew that Dave and Liana would tell him that being alone all the time was not healthy no matter his natural inclinations.
He had just been treated so badly by so many people in his original dimension, including his own father he found himself incredibly reluctant to get out of his comfort zone. He would never be a people person he suspected, though he could improve with a lot of work
"I know you don't appreciate being pulled out of your comfort zone, lad," Dave told Spencer, seeming to understand where his thoughts had gone, but then he was ancient and perceptive. "But ultimately it will be a good thing, even if it's never easy to force yourself to do something you really don't want to do."
"I know," Spencer's sighed. "I know I'm only 14, but I'm still pretty much set in my ways."
"But not so entrenched that you can't break the habit if you really try, lad," Dave told him firmly. "It'll be harder as you get older to break the habit of basically enjoying just your own company and that of your family. Being alone all the time is not healthy, something that Liana and I have told you several times already. Don't you want a family eventually?"
"I won't say I wouldn't like children someday," Spencer admitted. "But I don't see any woman agreeing to marry me. I'm too set in my ways, I'm too particular, I'm too weird, I'm unhandsome, I'm awkward around the opposite sex, especially if they are romantically interested in me, I'm clumsy and unpersonable."
Dave snorted at those descriptions. It was as if Spencer was talking about a stranger.
"You sound like you're talking about a two dimensional cut out, not a real person. Those descriptions are not you. Those are just descriptions, that someone told you when you were young, not who you are and I have no doubt who told you that bullshit. So you're well-rounded and enjoy learning there's nothing wrong with that at all. You are not weird, just have wider variety of interests then most people, which means you have more depth to your personality, you are not unhandsome and yes, you are a little clumsy, but it does not define who you are. Besides, you might outgrow the clumsiness eventually, as a lot of children are clumsy until they grow into their bodies. You would've found someone someday if you weren't the mate of a vampire, of course. I doubt very much that Miss Westhaven is going to allow you to marry anyone else."
"But that would be breaking her own edict about allowing me to live my life," Spencer pointed out. "You said that she can't force me, that it would cause resentment, anger and possible later betrayal."
"That's true," Dave said thoughtfully. "Still, that doesn't mean she can't work behind the scenes to break up even a semiserious relationship. Anybody can be diabolically clever you know, when there is something they want. I'm not saying that Ms. Westhaven would take that route, but it is a possibility. Besides, you have to consider the fact that you would do yourself serious harm if you did get involved with anyone else and her as well."
"What do you mean by that?" Spencer asked just a little afraid of the answer.
"Just that if a mate bond has popped up between you and Arianrhod Westhaven means basically, that you're soulmates, even if you're not a vampire yet. You wouldn't be as happy with anyone else, as you will eventually be with her. You'll likely always wonder what your relationship with the vampire could be like and probably regret that you rejected her offer out of hand, letting your logic dictate your actions, instead of your feelings, when you allowed yourself to think about it in quiet moments. If you're soulmates it means you have much in common. For someone so young to be the mate of a vampire means that you have all the right qualities, which a lot of children are still developing and don't get until they are much older like in their 40s or never do at all. Qualities that differ according to the people involved. You have to share at least most of the same ethics and morals for example."
"You sound like you're speaking from experience," Spencer said studying his guardian.
"I am," Dave promised. "Liana and I are bonded in a way that can't be broken, except by the death of one of us."
"Which means the other one follows," Spencer pointed out, having already known this.
"While that is true, I wouldn't want to live without Liana in my life and I have no doubt that she would tell you the same if you bothered to ask her," Dave told the 14-year-old being completely serious. "I was 2500 years old when we met, lad. Now, imagine how lonely a lot of those years were without someone to share it with, because you didn't trust anyone enough to reveal your secret or even if you did, they eventually died on you. I was less lonely after I found Brigid as a babe, but still, it wasn't the same as having a wife to come home to, someone you could trust with any secret knowing that she would never betray you, because doing so would be betraying herself."
"You're saying that's what I'll have with Ari," Spencer said, as understanding flashed on his face.
"Eventually yes," Dave said. "Of course, I know you have to finish growing up first and I doubt she'll change you before you're at least close in age. I would never allow it before you're at least 18 and I would prefer you to be at least 30, since she looks around that age."
"She could be much older than she looks," Spencer suggested.
"Yes, she could be, but I suspect she still quite young by vampire standards. She's probably not much older than you are," Dave said.
"I have to admit that I am attracted to her," Spencer said finally. "But I just figured it was hormones starting a little early, since that doesn't hit most boys until they are at least 15. I know it varies from boy to boy, but still that's the average."
"You would have to be dead and buried not to be attracted to such a beautiful woman," Dave told him with a chuckle. "Even I'm attracted, but that doesn't mean I'm going to do anything about it or even that I want to, just that I'm still a man, despite how much I love my wife."
"In other words, there is no harm in looking so long as that's all you do," Spencer translated and Dave nodded.
"Exactly," Dave agreed.
"I've never noticed Aunt Liana looking at other men. She seems oblivious to other men's stares," Spencer said.
"That's because of all her years on the street lad," Dave explained. "She never had the normal experiences that you get when you're a teenager, just like you never did, though you were still to young to experience such things when you came to us. She never had a chance to date a boy, develop a crush or get her first kiss. She doesn't consider herself that attractive, but that was a good thing on the street, as that meant that there was less chance of someone snapping her up for nefarious purposes. It might have still happened, but it certainly lessened the chances. Believe me, she was very, very lucky. Part of that was the concealment charm she got at 20, but she was on the streets years before that. There's also her empathic ability to consider as that helped keep her safe as well."
"I could've had all those things," Spencer murmured, deep in thought. "I held myself back I realize that now. I let an evil man's words affect me or at least an uncaring one. Women still scare me senseless though, especially the ones that are interested in me as anything but friends."
"There are ways to get over that you know," Dave pointed out. "The thing is though, that you have to get out there and try, you have to tell yourself you can do it, you have to stop holding yourself back, have to stop expecting rejection. Sure, that first date might be terrifying, but you'll never get over your nervousness unless you really try, really want to change, really want to get out of your comfort zone."
Spencer sat there and thought then looked up finally.
"I'll give it a try, Uncle Dave. I'll take your advice. I don't know why you couldn't have been my father," Spencer added. "You've done everything a father should do. You've been supportive and nurturing. You're so unlike my birth father it's amazing."
"I am your father, lad. Oh, not biologically I know, but in any other way that really matters," Dave offered. "I couldn't love you anymore than if you had been born to Liana and I."
"That's true," Spencer reflected. "I only wish my mom had met you or at least someone like you, instead of that bastard."
"I don't blame you for that lad," Dave said. "But you're mine now, mine and Liana's and it doesn't matter a wit that you were not born to us."
Spencer nodded and hugged his uncle which David accepted with pleasure. Spencer had never been one to hug much, likely due to early childhood training he suspected or perhaps it was just a natural inclination. It could even be both those things combined, not that it mattered.
"Love you, Uncle Dave," Spencer told him softly. His sincerity as he uttered the words was obvious.
"Love you too, Spencer," Dave told him, kissing his forehead in a gesture of affection, something he rarely got to do, since Spencer wasn't really the touchy feely type. There was nothing wrong with this, as everybody was different. He rather enjoyed Spencer letting him show affection, though it was a rare opportunity. One he took full advantage of.
"I'll set up an appointment, perhaps, tomorrow, since it's Sunday so I can go with you," Dave said. "You are not to see her alone at least for awhile, understand? While I have no doubt of her intentions when it concerns you, it's still better to be cautious until she proves she's trustworthy. Our very lives depend on it."
"I understand, Uncle Dave," Spencer said and Dave nodded.
"Good," Dave said in satisfaction.
Dave didn't say so, but he didn't want Spencer to change his mind if he set the appointment for a few days from now. His little talk might not have the effect he wanted, and Spencer might well lose his courage if he waited too long. Once he got that first meeting over with he would be less nervous next time, but Dave believed it was fear of the unknown that was holding Spencer back and also probably fear of being maliciously teased for his lack of social graces.
Dave suspected that he had been so maliciously teased by other kids in his own dimension that it had stuck with him due his eidetic memory. There might even have been some more serious bullying, pushing him until he fell down, making it look like an accident of course, stepping all over him sticking his head in the toilet that kind of thing. Dave wouldn't be surprised at all if that was the case, even though he had only been seven when he had first appeared in that alley. Kids, even young ones could be cruel. Dave knew this firsthand.
Dave said nothing though, knowing that he might upset the the delicate agreement if he said anything more so he kept his opinions to himself. Spencer could change his mind if he pushed too much, at least until he got to know Ari Westhaven.
~~~Dave and Liana~~~