Chapter Eleven: Starts, Stops and Mistakes…

Ana woke blissfully happy.

The cold stone under her body reminded Ana of where she was, and it was proof of what happened. Michelle really had returned, and all was good again.

"I need to drink from the bloodstone before we do anything else," said Michelle. She was fully nude sitting with her arms wrapped around her knees, dried blood coated her face, hands, and chest. Ana thought it was the most beautiful sight in the world. Ana smiled sitting up then kissed Michelle on the cheek making the vampire smile.

"Then take us to your room. After you drink, we should shower," Ana said.

Michelle nodded then stood, she turned offering her hand out to Ana who took it. Michelle turned them to shadow, taking them to her personal bedroom. Ana stretched and fully woke up while Michelle went to her wall safe, opened it then pulled out the bloodstone drinking deeply from it. Ana went to the window to watch the last of the sun set over the horizon. Down below she could see people coming and going from the castle.

"Will you tell him tonight?" Michelle asked.

"Yes. I will send him away tonight," Ana said resolved to her decision.

"Good. I will need your help convincing mom and dad to leave the area for a while," said Michelle.

"Anders and his family have to leave as well. We can't have them here when the vampire council shows up," said Ana.

"Anders will do as he's told. It's my parents I worry about."

"One problem at a time," said Ana. They laughed.

Michelle drank a little more from the bloodstone then put it away. She reached out taking Ana's hand then led her to her private bathroom. They took a long hot shower cleaning their bodies and their hair. After, Ana wrapped herself in a robe then left to change in her own room. Michelle didn't say anything as Ana left, the vampire was quiet and deep in thought. To Ana's surprise her room was empty, allowing her to dress and put make-up on in peace. It didn't last long, Petru eventually returned looking for her.

"There you are my beautiful wife; I've been looking everywhere for you. Where did you run off to?"

"Michelle returned from her trip. She needed me."

"The color has come back to your face. I'm glad to see you return to your usual spirits," Petru commented as he gently touched her cheek. Guilt rolled over Ana.

"Petru, we need to talk," Ana said stumbling over her words. She was so nervous her hands trembled.

"What's wrong Ana?"

Ana turned her face away; she couldn't look him in the eyes if she was going to get through this. "I can't do this anymore Petru. I want a divorce."

Petru's face fell, he looked crushed. "A divorce? Why? We don't fight. We get along great, and the sex is good. I don't understand. Why would you want to leave me? Did I do something wrong?"

"No. You didn't do anything wrong," Ana said tears filling her eyes. "It's me. It's always been me. I can't be a good wife any longer. I can't be the woman you think I am."

"What does that mean? Is there another man?"

"No, there's no other man."

"I don't understand. If I didn't do anything wrong and things are good between us, why are you doing this?" Petru couldn't stop tears from forming, he clenched his hands reflexively while shaking his head.

Ana didn't have the courage to explain, she bit her bottom lip to keep from crying. She closed her eyes took a deep breath then said, "You can have the villa in town. I don't want this to be difficult. I'll send the divorce papers there. I'll make sure you have all the money you desire to move on."

"You want me to leave right away?" Petru asked, growing angry.

"Right now, would be best. I have other business to attend tonight. I can't have you get in the way," Ana said taking another deep breath.

"Get in the way? What the fuck."

"I'll understand if you don't want to work for Michelle any longer. I'll give her your notice. Like I said you won't want for money, you can take your time finding another job you enjoy."

"I moved here for you. I upended my life to be with you and you're just dropping me like I'm nothing? Ana?" Petru stared blankly at her then asked, "How can you be so cruel?"

"I'm sorry Petru. This is all my fault. I wish things could be different. You deserve a loving attentive wife devoted to only you. I do wish you future happiness."

"Future happiness? Ana, tell me what's really going on? Why are you leaving me? Not just leaving me, you're kicking me out of my home like I'm some criminal. What's really going on?" Petru demanded.

"I want you to be happy Petru. I want you to live a long safe life," said Ana. Tears dripped down her face.

"And I can't have that with you? Suddenly, out of no where and you won't explain." Petru stated. Ana nodded in confirmation. Petru frowned and shook his head. "No. I refuse to leave. I'm going to fight this right here."

"You can't. If you don't leave freely, I will have the guards escort you out. You don't have an option. I'm sorry. This is never how I wanted this to go."

"How did you want it to go?" Petru asked through gritted teeth. He looked down at his feet still clenching his hands. "Why did you marry me if this was what you were going to do?"

"This wasn't the plan. I was happy with you, once," said Ana grimacing.

"Once. But not anymore." Petru shook his head. "These last few weeks, I thought we were getting closer, making our marriage stronger. How? How could I be so wrong."

"I'm sorry." Ana rushed from the room. Sobs of grief, guilt and more welled in her chest. Ana ran upstairs to the roof sobbing into the night. One moment Ana was alone, then she felt a strong tingle up the back of her neck. She knew she wasn't alone anymore.

"Is it done?" Michelle asked.

Ana turned toward the vampire nodding, tears streaming down her face. Michelle nodded and opened her arms to Ana. The offer of support was all Ana needed to run into Michelle's arms and sob freely into the vampires chest.

"Everything will be okay Ana. I promise," said Michelle holding Ana tight. The blonde doctor, held on tight to Michelle sobbing.

⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕

"Michelle you've been home for a minute at best. Why the urgent need to rush your father and I off to some vacation?" asked Janet Morgan.

Michelle opened her mouth about to tell her mother a lie when she stopped, sighed then admitted, "Mom, bad people are coming to the castle. I don't want you or Dad to get hurt if anything happens. Please go on this trip with Ander and his family. I can't concentrate on what I need to if I'm worrying about all of you."

"Are you going to tell me what happened between Ana and Petru? I feel like I'm out of the loop."

"Mom, that's their business. I don't gossip," Michelle protested.

"I only want to know enough that I don't put my foot in my mouth with Ana again. She's a good person, I hope it wasn't abuse."

Michelle laughed shaking her head no. "If it were mom, Petru wouldn't be moving out of the castle. He'd be in jail or dead."

"It's just too bad the marriage failed. They were such a nice couple."

"So, you'll go tonight? I got the plane ready for you. I still need to talk to Anders but that will give you and Dad time to pack."

"Okay, but I won't tell your father the truth. He worries about you and Ana."

"Thanks mom."

Michelle went in search of Anders. He was in his office, sitting at his desk silently. When she knocked and stepped in, he looked up and smiled. "Ah, Michelle what can I do for you this evening?"

"I'm sorry about Petru. I was hoping I could cheer you up by sending you and your family on a vacation for a few days," Michelle said with a sympathetic expression.

"Well, that's awfully generous of you Michelle. It's not necessary. I'm disappointed, I'm going to miss having him down the hall."

"Still, a week in Greece. I'm sending my parents as well. Take it, go relax. You work so hard for me. I'll expect you packed and ready to leave within the hour."

Anders grinned, nodding. "Thank you, Michelle."

Michelle nodded to him smiling in return, she watched him head back to his rooms to inform his wife of the development. This wasn't the first time Michelle suddenly sent them on vacation, they never questioned it only thanking Michelle for thinking of them. Michelle was relieved to have things going smoothly. With Ana not hesitating to talk to Petru, the man was packed and gone before dinner was served. Now that she had the rest set to leave Michelle began to relax a little.