Sorry but because I'm planning on publishing the parent version of this story, "Margaret Josette Dupres", I have to pull some chapters here because publishing firms aren't too cozy with printing books that have already been seen for free online.
I decided that I will summarize what happens in the missing chapters and they will be like the bonus tracks on a CD when the book is published for purchase.
I've been considering publishing a "clean version" as well, but I'm not sure if anyone would like that, too. I can't know unless I'm told.
In this chapter Maggie prepares a bath as her bathing quarters have been fixed and running water installed in the house. Even in some of the dangers of candles I felt it was more romantic to leave The Old House more or less as it was, but if people can't BATHE that's just atrocious. (One of the MANY things we take for granted in this First World, including the hard work many writers do to give thankless readers a fun past-time. *wink*)
I leave the old notes for this chapter as well...
Oh, if anyone remembers in "The Pit of Ultimate Dark Shadows" Sophia Petrillo took Adam home to Brooklyn for a job in manufacturing soap. I just love that Adam remembers his benefactors with these little gifts.
And yes, this gives away a bit of what Mr. Loomis is going to be doing as well…. But... Come on... it's a lovely place now, and yet... still spooky. I just *love* that Willie has changed so much to become what he is here and both designed and created Josette's engagement ring and their wedding rings.
As I've got in my rough sketch notes for the matrimonial jewelry design:
BARNABAS: From what I've seen, I believe you're competent enough to do this design work. Would you like to?
WILLIE: Yeh, yeh... I think I'd like that a lot.
BARNABAS: Very good. I've given you the specifications and I trust you'll do them justice.
WILLIE: Thank you. I'll do my best, Barnabas.
BARNABAS: I know.
[steps]
WILLIE: Ya know... I never thought opening that coffin would lead to all of this.
BARNABAS: Who could?
WILLIE: Yeh... after it all… I'm surprised knowing you would change me so much.
BARNABAS: Well, I suppose some bad things occur in order to give us better results, Willie.
WILLIE: Yeh... I guess so... I used to be so worried about what you did to Jason... but now... I'm almost grateful...
BARNABAS: Oh?
WILLIE: Yeh... I understand now. He wasn't really my friend. And… in all of our squabbles... somehow... you... turned out to be...
And as my pen pal who's helped me so much with all of this work and the encouragement for it… she told me, of all the hurts that I'd healed and the friendships that I'd helped to grow from it… this one is her favourite.
The other chapter I'm skipping is a slow moving one of romance and sensuality in which the two are enjoying gazing and wondering and growing and in their vampirism, discovering that they are beginning to speak telepathically to each other in this way. She can read His thoughts better than He can read Hers.
I'd originally chosen them to be vampires in my other version of the story due to its sexy appeal… but now that I have thought it over, it makes even more sense. As Barnabas knows his Josette through both Kitty Soames and Maggie, there is a requirement that they desire at least three generations to make up for all the time they've lost. Maggie, as Josette, has the upper need in this as she had lived all those periods rather than gestating in a wooden box ad nauseum.
And so in that chapter I'm skipping, she finds her telepathy skill as a vampire, and his bride, surfacing much quicker. As in my other version of this story she has the dominance, which is just as well. It's not like Barnabas would mind, would he? And since these series of vignettes give much away as to what turns out in "The Pit of The Ultimate Dark Shadows"… who finally gives them this gift of sweet, not-so-cursed, un-blemishing vampirism?
Obviously: Cousin Lily! ;) And of course! I know it's a bit cheesy but from what I've seen online Lily Dracula Munster does entice sex-appeal from a great many fans. Lily doesn't bite Barnabas, though. Nope! She bites Josette. That way Josette can bite Barnabas, and so… he will always be under her power.