Vampire
Chapter 3
Kate got talked into going to the water park on Paradise Island the next day. Rick headed straight for the ride, naturally. The Ride. They waited in line, and Kate and Alexis listened to him talk incessantly about this ride.
Kate stood there and did what she was told. Kate crossed her arms over her chest and waited. The floor she stood on dropped out from under her, and she screamed the whole way down.
Rick and Alexis had gone first, so they were down there waiting for her. "THAT WAS AWESOME! Can we go again?" Kate asked. So, they got back in line and waited impatiently.
Kate crossed her arms across her chest and waited for it. Suddenly, the floor was gone, and down she went, screaming all the way.
"That was absolutely awesome!" Kate was all smiles.
"Do we go again?" Rick asked her.
"No, twice is enough, but thanks for asking me." They found their towels and sunscreen right where they left it. While waiting in line for the next ride, they slathered sunscreen all over themselves. Kate let Rick do her back while she did Alexis' back, who did her dad's back.
~oo0oo~
They broke for lunch, and of course, Kate didn't eat anything, nor did she drink anything. "Nothing at all?" Alexis asked.
Kate shook her head. "Nope, I tried once, and I threw up for hours."
"What a pity. You don't know what you're missing. Some of it's pretty good."
Kate shrugged. "I'll live."
~oo0oo~
They went back to riding the rides. Kate was smiling all the time. She was actually having fun today, something she'd given up on years ago.
"Thanks, that was great!" Kate told Rick once they were back onboard the boat.
"I'm glad you had fun. You look good smiling." Rick kissed her cheek and walked toward his room to change.
Kate stood there and touched her cheek where he had kissed her. She didn't know what to think about that. She remembered the last time someone kissed her. It was when she was a teenager, and her mother had kissed her on the cheek.
Eventually, she went down to her room and showered and changed clothes. Comfortable in what she decided to wear, she went up to the Fly Deck, where she found Alexis. "Hey, Alexis." Kate sat down on one of the chairs.
"Hi. Well, you had fun today. Don't try and deny it. I can tell," Alexis insisted.
Kate was puzzled. "Why would I deny it? Yes, I had fun. So did you. I saw you smiling."
"Yeah, I had fun. I didn't look good, but I had fun."
Kate stared at her. "What are you talking about?! I thought you looked nice. The one-piece you wore was a great color for you."
Alexis sighed. "For a sixteen-year-old flat-chested girl."
"I was flat-chested when I was fifteen, Alexis. I thought I would never fill out. Even today, I would like a larger chest, but I'm happy with what I've got."
"Really? You were a flat-chested fifteen-year-old?" Alexis didn't believe her.
Kate leaned in closer. "Don't tell anyone, but I was a flat-chested sixteen-year-old, too. You're just a late bloomer. You'll see."
"Maybe." Alexis wasn't so sure.
Kate changed the topic. "Where's Rick?"
"Cooking dinner...which you won't eat. That reminds me, how much blood do you need?" Alexis inquired.
"I have a good-sized coffee cup full about every other day. I've worked out the minimum I need over the years." Talking about it reminded her that she hadn't had any since the day before yesterday. "I forgot to drink any today. I'll be right back." Kate got up from her chair and went down to the kitchen, where she encountered Rick cooking.
"Need something?" Rick asked.
"I can get it, thanks." Kate opened the refrigerator and took out her blood bag. She got a coffee cup and squirted out a cupful. She put her blood bag into the refrigerator while her coffee cup went into the microwave.
"Interesting," Rick commented as he watched her take out her coffee cup and drink her blood. "What does it taste like? I know what it tastes like to me, but what does it taste like to you?"
"I don't know. Blood is blood to me. Whether it's A, B, O+, or O-, it's all the same." Kate drank her blood and used her finger to get every last drop.
"You're going to need more soon. Where do you get it?" Rick asked.
"I get it from a hospital," Kate said. "I can hypnotize people so that they never see me. I walk in, take a bag, and walk out."
Rick blinked. "You can hypnotize people? Can you hypnotize me?"
Kate shrugged. "I suppose. Why? Do you want to cluck like a chicken or something?"
"That would be so cool! Though, I wouldn't remember it, would I?"
"You're weird." Kate put the coffee cup in the sink, walked out of the kitchen, and went upstairs to Alexis.
Kate sat down beside her. "Your dad is weird."
"You're only just finding that out now? Where have you been?" Alexis asked. "Dad is one of a kind. That man acts like a kid sometimes and can turn around and be deadly serious the next. It can be fun, yet very taxing sometimes. But I love him dearly.
"I know why we have this boat. My dad did it for me. FOR ME, Kate! It was all so I wouldn't hear the whispers behind my back. Who does that? I know what this boat cost him. It was a lot of money, a whole lot, and we haven't even had it that long.
"We have two dining room tables. Each seats ten people, and there are just the two of us. Well, three counting you, but since you don't eat, you don't count. We have two sitting areas, and I spend all my time here.
"Can you imagine that? There's this enormous boat and just the two of us. I can't help but love him."
"You're lucky, Alexis. I barely remember my parents, but I know that they loved me. Our family may have all been vampires, but we knew what love was."
"Vampires can get pregnant?" Alexis asked. She found that to be fascinating.
"I was born a vampire, so obviously. I drank blood instead of milk. You don't even want to know how many times I bit my mother. Not that she complained, ever."
Alexis couldn't believe the life she had led, growing up a vampire. "Were there Hunters back then?"
Kate shook her head. "No, that came later. It was a bit of a shock at the time. I don't know much about them, only that they hunt my kind."
Alexis reached over and touched her hand. "I can't imagine what living your life on the run is like. But you're safe here."
"For now." Kate had no illusions and knew that sooner or later, the Hunters would find her.
~oo0oo~
It was late, really late, and wrapped in a towel, Kate made her way up to the Fly Deck and over to the hot tub. She took off her towel, revealing that she was naked. Yes, there was a suit Kate could put on, but it was wet from the water park. Call her crazy, but she couldn't see putting on a wet suit, so there she was, naked.
She tossed the towel on a lounge and stepped into the hot tub. She noticed a button, pressed it, and instantly was hit by bubbles. Kate relaxed in the hot water. "Now, this is living." She closed her eyes and sighed, reveling in the feeling of being in a hot tub with bubbles.
She stayed there until the bubbles timed out. Sighing, she got out, dried herself, wrapped the towel around her, and went downstairs to her room. She was finally relaxed. She decided to get in bed even though she didn't sleep.
~oo0oo~
They went shopping for more clothes for Kate the next day. Kate came away with another sundress and one other outfit. She also found another bikini. Rick tried to talk her into getting one with a thong bottom, but Kate shook her head.
Even Alexis found a sundress she couldn't live without.
Rick was sitting up on the Fly Deck when Alexis and Kate arrived at the same time while wearing their new sundresses.
"Two beautiful women." Rick got up, kissed Alexis on her cheek, and did the same to Kate. "You both look lovely."
Alexis beamed. "Thanks, Dad."
"Thanks, Rick," Kate said, and she smiled.
"You're just in time to see us move. Alexis, if you would do us the favor of taking us out, please."
Alexis raised the anchor and started the engines, moving out slowly. "Where are we going?"
"I'm thinking Eleuthera is next, North Eleuthera," Rick replied, which allowed Alexis to set a course. "Ben Bay Beach, to be exact."
~oo0oo~
Kate told Rick to wait there. She entered the hospital. But Rick wasn't good at listening. So, he entered the hospital and didn't see Kate. He wandered around until he spotted her. Kate glared at him. "I thought I told you to wait."
"Did you? I wasn't listening." Rick followed her outside. "Did you get it?" he whispered.
"Four bags," Kate replied. "I took a risk and splurged. One, they might not notice missing, but four they'll definitely notice. But if we're heading for Barcelona, it will be a long trip, and I didn't want to run out."
Rick approved. "Four bags. Good thinking."
~oo0oo~
They had the entire beach to themselves. Kate was resting on the beach, soaking up some sun after they arrived at Ben Bay Beach.
"Come on, Kate, have some fun," Rick called as he stood waist-deep in the water. He and Alexis were enjoying the water.
"I'm having fun right here," Kate replied, keeping her eyes closed.
A short time later, Rick was standing there looking down at her. "Come on, Kate, have some fun." Rick reached down to lift her to her feet. Once he had her standing, he pushed her gently toward the water.
"I was having fun!" Though Kate didn't put up much of a fight.
Rick finally got her to the water's edge and dragged her out deeper. "Isn't this much better?"
"Maybe." Kate wasn't willing to commit to anything. Still, she had to admit the water was a good deal cooler.
Kate was out swimming in the ocean when she ran into Rick. That got her to stop and look at him. "Hello, Beautiful."
"Hi." Kate watched as he got closer and closer. He wasn't going to do what she thought he was, was he?
Rick kissed her. At first, Kate didn't return his kiss, but soon she did. Then Kate pulled away from the kiss, splashed him, and took off swimming. Kate swam back to the beach, where she got out and walked over to her towel. She turned and didn't see Rick anywhere. However, she did see Alexis, who was swimming.
Kate toweled her hair, finger combed it and cleared it away from her face, then sat down and watched the ocean. After a while, she was able to spot Rick swimming. Kate touched two fingers to her lips and thought about that kiss. After a bit, she smiled, remembering it.
~oo0oo~
They were back onboard the boat. Everyone was in their room, changing into clothes after taking a shower.
Kate headed for the Fly Deck, where she found Rick and Alexis. "We're thinking of spending the day here before moving on. Freetown Settlement is next and is on Cat Island. It'll take us three days to reach it, if that works for you?" Rick asked.
"I'm just a guest here. Anything you choose will be fine," Kate told them.
"Oh, you're more than just a guest, Kate," Rick assured her. "But since you don't object, we'll go there. Then, we'll go to George Town on Exuma Island and pick up supplies before heading to Barcelona."
She nodded. "Sounds good."
He looked at the time. "I'm going to go down and fix some lunch." Rick kissed Alexis on the cheek, then he turned and kissed Kate on her cheek. Kate watched him leave and thought about the kiss.
She looked at Alexis. "He kissed me."
"Did he? Dad likes you."
"But, I'm a vampire. I bite people."
"You're a woman and a pretty one at that. Dad finds you interesting. Did you kiss him back?"
"Yeah, I did," Kate replied and looked at her.
Alexis smiled. "Good, perhaps you should kiss him."
"No! I can't do that. Can I?" Kate was in uncharted territory here. She was a virgin and didn't know what to do.
"You can if you like him. I have to go; I've got another class." Alexis got up and put her hand on Kate's shoulder. "Kiss him if you want. I'm pretty sure Dad would like that."
Kate watched her leave. Alexis just told her to kiss her dad and had given her blessing. Kate didn't know what to do.
~oo0oo~
They were two days into their three-day trip to Freetown Settlement. Alexis found Kate up on the Fly Deck all alone. Alexis sat down and looked at the screens, but didn't see anything out of the ordinary. However, she knew Sara would have alerted her if there was.
"Have you kissed Dad yet?"
"NO! I'm a vampire." Kate thought that explained everything.
"I think you're making a mistake, but it's up to you." Alexis frowned at her. "Why didn't you? Don't you like him?"
"Yes, I like him. He's funny, handsome, and sometimes, he's weird. But I'm a vampire, and he's not." Somehow, for Kate, that explained everything.
Alexis opened her mouth to respond, but when Rick showed up, she closed it, saying nothing.
"What are you two talking about?" Rick knew they were talking and wanted in on it.
"Nothing," Kate said, not looking at him.
But Alexis ratted her out. "We were talking about kissing."
Rick grinned. "Ooo, my favorite topic. Especially if it involves me."
"I'm going downstairs." And with that, Kate stood up and left.
"Go after her, Dad, and kiss her." Alexis looked at him like she meant it.
"You think I should? Right." Rick walked away from her and followed Kate. He searched for Kate and finally found her standing on the Main Deck looking out over the water.
"Hey, Kate." Rick was nervous. Of course, he wanted to kiss her, and yes, his daughter told him to, but he was still nervous anyway. She turned to look at him. "Kate, I was thinking."
"Don't strain yourself," Kate teased him. Then she found herself suddenly in his arms, and he was kissing her. At first, she didn't return his kiss, but she soon slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.
Rick gave her the best kiss he had ever given anyone. He broke from the kiss to get some air. "Hey," he told her again.
"Hello, Handsome." Kate smiled at him and found herself kissed yet again. She kissed him back.
Rick pulled back from the kiss to get some air. "I've wanted to do that for days."
"Have you?" Kate kissed him savagely and forced herself to kiss him with as much passion as she could put into the kiss.
She moved back a little, breaking from the kiss. Kate looked up at him and ran her fingertips over his face. "Hi."
"I should kiss you more often," Rick murmured. If she was going to kiss him like that, he wanted more, a lot more.
Kate kissed him softly this time. "Maybe."
Rick kept his arms around her, and she kept her arms around his neck. "Please don't take this the wrong way, Kate, but what changed?"
"I'm a vampire."
"Yes, you are. I'm kissing a vampire. Not really a dream come true, but it's a dream come true," Rick said.
Kate looked at him like he was nuts. "Rick, I'm a vampire. I bite people."
"Uh-huh, and you can bite me anytime." She looked at Rick like he'd lost his mind. "I mean it, Kate. If you need blood, you can bite me."
Kate raised an eyebrow. "You're weird. You know that, right?" Suddenly, he was kissing her again. So she kissed him back.
Rick broke from the kiss. He kept his arms around her, and she kept her arms around his neck. "Does this mean I can kiss you more often? Because I so want to."
"Yes, you can kiss me." Kate still thought he was crazy, but she enjoyed him kissing her. It was something she wasn't used to. His was her first kiss.
"Good," Rick said and kissed her. Then he pulled back to get some air. "I'm really enjoying this."
"Me too," Kate said and kissed him again.
He stepped back. "I'm sorry, Kate, but I've got to go make lunch." Rick gave her a quick kiss and left her.
Kate watched him leave. She was happy. Kate touched some fingers to her lips and thought about those kisses. Smiling, she went back up to the Fly Deck.
"So, did you kiss Dad?"
Kate smiled at her. "Yeah, I did."
"Good, it's about time. Maybe marriage is next," Alexis teased her.
"Married? I'm not getting married."
"Pity. I could call you Mom."
"I'm not marrying Rick."
"Whatever you say… MOM." Alexis retreated hurriedly.
"I'm not marrying Rick," Kate called out to her. "I only just kissed him. I'll stop kissing him." Kate decided on a threat but watched Alexis walk quickly away.
"Marry Rick? I'm not marrying Rick. I'm not," Kate told herself. Except, it was all she could think of now.