Chapter 9

"Here, I have a present for you," Dave said several weeks later.

"I know there's no point of protesting, but you've already given me so much," Livia said wondering what else Dave had bought for her.

He had already bought her an entire new wardrobe, and although some things had had to go back, she had kept most of it, and then thanked Miss Adina personally for her excellent taste, and also saving her a ton of shopping.

Dave had spent thousands on that wardrobe including multiple pairs of designer sunglasses that could run to over 3000 a pair depending on designer and style. He had done so without even seeming to care about the cost, which was a whole bunch of moolah as far as Livia could see, but then, she also knew she hadn't been born like Dave with plenty of money in the bank because not only did every dragon shifter to have a hoard somewhere he had inherited his parents money as well and he had been an only child, so there was no need to split Dave's inheritance with a sibling.

Livia had to keep reminding herself that money wasn't an issue, but she'd lived on just the basics for so long that it was a hard habit to break at this stage. Even with her, not having to pay taxes on her motorhome, there was still expenses like food, drawing supplies and her cellphone. She'd also had to save money in case the motorhome broke down and needed repairs, but luckily, that had never happened and now, saving that money for repairs wouldn't be necessary. They'd really built things to last back in the 1960s.

"I've only started on giving you exactly what you deserve, because you've made me so happy," Dave told her sincerely smiling. "I'll enjoy traveling even more than I did before with you than I did by myself."

"That is so romantic and sweet," Livia told him, even as she cuddled into his arms, so happy just to be with him, knowing that he loved her completely visions or not and to her that was a miracle.

She had always known that Dave was going to be a major part of her life and now she was happier than she had ever dreamed.

"Ready for your present?" Dave asked.

"I suppose, since I can't convince you, I don't need anything else except your love," Livia said.

"Which you have no matter what you do, I'll always love you protect you and spoil you rotten. You can't stop me," Dave told her firmly.

"That's been obvious for sometime," Livia laughed.

"Ready for your present?" Dave asked again.

"Are you sure I can't talk you out of it?" Livia said.

"No, you can't," Dave said simply, producing a ring box. The ring box was larger than a normal one, but Livia didn't even notice. "While we haven't officially married I wanted to give you this so other people will leave you alone as they'll assume you are."

"That's where you went last week," Livia realized, "You told me you had a few errands to run and that you'd be back in a few hours."

"And I did run a few errands, so I didn't lie about that. I just didn't tell you my whole agenda and that I planned to stop at the jewelry store along with those other errands," Dave said. "I know we decided we didn't need to officially tie the knot and saw no point in holding a wedding, but we could get married down at the courthouse if you wanted to. Still, even if we don't, what appears to be an engagement ring and wedding band will deter a lot of people. We should be able to do things together without people asking questions like on that cruise I mentioned."

Livia didn't notice it was a bigger ring box then would be normal for just two rings. Livia never thought about the fact that Dave would also want to wear a wedding band to detour young ladies from asking him out rather than young men like in Livia's case.

"I want people to know that we are serious about each other and to assume that we are married. They'll never know differently unless you tell them," Dave added, as he flipped open the ring box and Livia saw not one or two rings, but three and one was sized for a man.

"They're exquisite Dave," Livia said, as she studied the ruby ring, the band was white gold and the ring beside it was the engagement ring with the same color stones with the exception that they were set more into the band and were smaller than the one on her wedding ring. "You have excellent taste."

"I'm glad you like them," Dave said. "The third ring is for me so that unmarried women who approach me for a fling will back off when they realize I'm married."

"It won't detour every woman," Livia said. "I know I am a little naïve when it comes to this type of thing, but even I know women can be barracudas when they want to be when it comes to a handsome man, especially if they learn, they are more then financially solvent. Women often fall at that man's feet whether he's married or not."

"True," Dave said, "but I'll handle it if it does happen as no women has a right to put their hands on me except you. A lot of women go for my type I know that. The fact that I'm wealthy, handsome, successful that type of thing."

"A lot of men also accept advances whether they're married or not," Livia said. "You better not do the same or you'll be in deep trouble."

Livia's tone was a serious, as Dave had ever heard her, but he couldn't really blame her, as he was sure that she was imagining him accepting some advances from a woman on a cruise, for example, and that would make Livia want to scratch that woman's eyes out. And that was only at a minimum.

Women had been known to do far more than want to scratch another women's eyes out when it came to defending their man. You could be the nicest person in the world, but anybody could change if they were protecting someone they loved whether that was an adult or a child.

"You don't have to worry about me accepting advances from any women or men for that matter," Dave promised her seductively giving her a kiss so passionate that it left Livia feeling as if she had just been claimed, as the kiss was absolutely scorching.

She was sure that had been Dave intent actually.

"Our relationship is so far from normal that it's in another universe," Dave explained once the kiss had broken. "We are mates and I could no more imagine cheating on you then I could imagine swimming across an entire ocean in my human form. We are not human and while some humans have loyalty to their spouse a lot of them cheat, but that is not true for people like you and me as not only because we're paranormal, but because of our bond.

"When you are mates, it's totally different than a normal relationship, as the love I bear you will never fade as the decades and centuries pass, just as yours never will for me. I'll never be that stage of my life where I need a younger woman to prove my vitality and my manliness."

"That's a very good answer," Livia said approvingly. "I trust you just as I trust Alifair. Want to slip those rings on my fingers?"

"It will be a pleasure," Dave promised with a smile, as he removed the engagement ring he had bought from the jewelry box and slipped it on Livia's finger where it fit perfectly.

Dave knew that he had passed the test with his answer, as Livia had recognized the truth in his words and so accepted them.

"Good, I guessed your ring size perfectly so we won't have to have it adjusted," Dave said pleased that he had guessed his mate's ring size perfectly.

"Yeah, you did guess my ring size, as it does fit perfectly and isn't too loose to where it could fall off and get lost," Livia said, as she kissed Dave again to show her appreciation for the rings he had bought her.

"You're too good to me," Livia told him as Dave slipped the wedding band on what was known as the wedding finger.

"No, I'm not too good to you. Now you put my ring on," Dave requested. He turned the ring box in his mate's direction, so Livia could take the man's ring that had a ruby at the center.

Dave, of course, just couldn't go for plain gold wedding band like most men.

Livia did as Dave asked and took the last ring out of the jewelry box that was from one of the most expensive jewelry stores in the city. Something Livia could tell because the name of the store was printed on the inside. She might not have had any jewelry before she met Dave, not even a cheap necklace or ring, but that didn't stop her from envying the expensive things that had been in the store window of the jewelry shop that was on the other side of town.

She had never gone in, because she hadn't seen the point, since she couldn't afford to buy anything out of that place, but she had seen people dressed in more expensive clothes then she had owned at the time. She had also heard them comment to whoever they were with about how this was one of the best jewelry stores in the city.

The best also meant ultraexpensive, but in return, you also got top quality, Livia knew.

"You know when I was living at the residence I used to look in the store window of the jewelry shop that you bought these beautiful rings from every time I was downtown and wished I could afford even one piece from that place. I heard the customers comment saying it was one of the best jewelry stores in the city and I knew that also meant it was probably the most expensive. I never imagine that one day I'd have two rings from that place. I used to hang around outside daydreaming about walking in and buying whatever I wanted, even though I knew that wasn't possible. I may have been an orphan, but I was still enough of a woman, to love that kind of thing, so of course, I daydreamed about owning a ton of expensive jewelry never really imagining ever actually owning any.

"Well, now you have two rings from there," Dave offered, even as he took her into his arms. "I'll be happy to take you there and let you buy anything you want if you like."

"Yeah, I guess I do. As for your offer while I'm tempted I don't really need all kinds of fancy jewelry," Livia said, even though she gazed at the beautiful engagement ring on her finger.

"It's perfectly natural for children to daydream about wanting something that they can't afford at the time," Dave added. "Daydreaming about wanting to own something that is really expensive, but that they can't afford because of circumstances, whether that's their families or themselves. As to your other statement, it's not a matter of needing, but of wanting, and I'll be happy to fulfill any wish you have."

"I know," Livia agreed touched, even as she kissed Dave again for being so generous.

Dave swore to himself that he was going to fulfill every single one of his mate's dreams. He had fulfilled this one by buying her some jewelry from the best jewelry store in Montréal without, even realizing that Livia had gazed longingly in the window when she had been a child, admiring all the beautiful rings and necklaces on display.

It had always been his plan to buy Livia an engagement ring and wedding band from the most exclusive jewelry shop in the city, even if they never officially tied the knot and that was exactly what he had done not knowing, of course, of Livia's dream.

"I've also made all the arrangements for that trip to France we discussed not long ago," Dave added. "We'll be leaving in two days for Paris and then go to Calais, then Nice, and then the French Riviera. We'll spend two weeks in each location. Our schedule is fluid, so we can spend more time in Paris or any other city that's on our itinerary. We'll then spend Christmas and New Years at the Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat a Four Seasons resort over there that is located in the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France commune."

"It sounds wonderful!" Livia said, beginning to get excited once again, as Dave described where they were going to go. "It sounds like a real adventure."

"That's what I thought," Dave said now smiling at Livia's obvious excitement and enthusiasm. "I thought we could tour several different cities while we were over there and then end up at the four seasons resort for Christmas. I hear they have many Christmas related activities skiing and such and a big Christmas dinner on the night of Christmas Eve, something I've already made a reservation for after I made a reservation for the resort."

"I've never been skiing," Livia said.

"I have and they should have an instructor there for people who have never been skiing before. They also have water skiing and many more activities," Dave said.

"Sounds fun!" Livia said enthusiastically really looking forward to her first trip with her mate.

"They also have horseback riding, biking, snorkeling and boating, as well as a beach and golfing," Dave added. "See plenty for everyone to see and do. It also includes in the purchase price a continental breakfast, free newspaper, and most of the rooms have balconies or terraces."

"I've never done any of the above well all except for the golfing, but that was more golfing geared for kids. It was OK, but I won't claim it was a favorite, but that was years ago back when I was still in foster care as one of the parents I was living with at the time did take us on some outings.

"How old were you?" Dave asked.

"About 13 if I'm remembering right," Livia said thinking about it. "The family I was staying with had a couple of children of their own as well as another couple of fosters. I wouldn't have minded staying with them until I aged out of the system, but unfortunately, I went into a vision several times in front of the wife while the husband was at work and she thought I had some kind of mental issues, so I went back into the system shortly after that. Both the Linseys claimed that my attitude had changed after Mrs. Linsey had seen me space out like I do when I go into a vision and of course, they didn't want to deal with whatever my issues were. At the time, I didn't know what was happening as my visions would just begin and it wasn't for years I discovered that I wasn't delusional."

"That is so sad that they just sent you back into the system and all because they didn't want to deal with your visions, even if you didn't know that's what they were the time," Dave said, shaking his head his expression sad.

"It's fine, Dave. I realized, years ago, that I just wasn't meant to be adopted, because of my visions. I just recounted my one time trying to golf, even if it was at a place geared for kids. It was still nice to hang out with other kids and just be normal for a change until my visions ruined it."

"That won't happen this time, as this time, you're an adult out on your own and under no one's guardianship," Dave said. "If you go into a vision at any time, we'll deal with it and then get on with our vacation."

"And people will talk about the weird chick that seems to space out on a regular basis," Livia said, having heard comments like that all her life. "I used to tell people I got migraines to explain the reason I spaced out mostly because I did used to get headaches when I took the medicine the doctors prescribed to repress my visions. I don't know why that explanation can't serve again whether I get headaches anymore or not. The medicine of course, often wore off before I remembered to take another dose causing those headaches.

"You mentioned the headaches back when we first met, but I didn't realize you actually told people that you got bad migraines to explain having a vision. Still, it makes sense and once you stopped taking the medicine, the doctors gave you that repressed your gift you stopped getting those headaches. Any gift that a person has doesn't like to be repressed, so it's no wonder you immediately got a headache when the meds were wearing off. Once the medicine was wearing off a vision was able to push through," Dave said, and Livia nodded.

"That's exactly right," Livia, smiling. "Of course, by the time I discovered, I was seeing the future I had nearly aged out of the foster care system. It wasn't until I ended up in the hospital from taking to many pills and met Alifair that I realized what I was seeing was actually an event that was going to happen in the future."

"While I'm glad you met Alifair on the other hand, I shudder to think what could've happened if you hadn't been found by the house mother when you purposely took too many of your pills because you wanted oblivion," Dave said. "I know you didn't realize you were actually seeing the future, but if you were dead, I never would've met you and would've lived the rest of my life alone."

"Wouldn't you have wanted an heir eventually, though?" Livia asked.

"While I am an only child, that doesn't mean I don't have other family that could have inherited. I have several cousins that could have inherited the Rossi estate, some of which have children of their own.

"I may have eventually sired an heir off some woman, but I never would have married them. I would've made sure that whatever child I had along with their mother was well taken care of financially and yes, they would have inherited if I had gone that route, but I was in no hurry to have children since dragon shifters live so long," Dave explained with a shrug. "With you, however, it's totally different and I'll happily have children with you in a few years of course.

"Now that we have met, I will never have children with any other woman other than you," Dave added.

"Well, it's good to know there are no children of yours that are going to show up and tell you that they are your son or daughter," Livia said smiling as she imagined that scenario. "Now though, I think it's time to turn our attention back to this trip you have planned. A trip I am really looking forward to."

"I am as well, as it will be our first trip as a couple," Dave said smiling.

"When do we leave?" Livia asked.

"Flight leaves at 1 PM in two days," Dave said. "We won't actually arrive in France until the next day since I got such a late flight, as we will have to switch planes about halfway there."

"Well, I'm certainly glad we're not going early in the morning," Livia said.

"I know you're not a morning person, so this was the earliest flight I could get that wasn't at 6 AM," Dave said. "Unfortunately, the first class for the flight at 10 AM was full."

"You didn't necessarily need to get first class tickets, though," Livia pointed out with disapproval.

"Yes, I did," Dave said simply, then explained. "More legroom for one thing, as the seats are spaced farther apart in first class. As tall as I am, I need that room to stretch out. I see no reason for me to be uncomfortable, sitting in a seat with my legs cramped, considering how long the flight is. Also, there are more amenities than they are in the other classes."

Livia hadn't thought of that, but Dave was the traveler not her, so she could see him being uncomfortable in second or third class just because there wasn't as much legroom. Dave was tall enough that that was a valid argument at least from what little she knew about the distance between seats on a plane. She'd soon see what Dave meant and whether or not he was feeding her line, but probably not. she would soon learn one way or the other.

"The only time I travel anywhere not using first class is when it isn't available and I'm in a hurry to get to my destination," Dave said.

"I suppose it doesn't matter if you got first class tickets or not," said Livia not arguing, as Dave could spend his money anyway he wanted to and he so was a lot taller than her so needed the legroom if nothing else.

"You'll soon get used to traveling in style," Dave told her smiling seeing that Livia wasn't going to argue with him.

"I doubt I'll ever get used to the way you spend money," Livia said shaking her head by way of denial.

"You will and sooner than you think," Dave said.

Livia said nothing to Dave's, as there wasn't really anything she could say. She suspected he was right though, but she supposed she'd see.

~~~Dave and Livia~~~

December

"Here we are," Dave said, as he escorted his mate into the resort. It was nearly Christmas time as hard as that was for Livia to believe. They'd been traveling for a couple of months now and been to Paris, Calais, Nice, and finally, the French Riviera.

She had enjoyed everywhere that she and Dave had gone in all of those cities as they toured the popular tourist spots as well some out-of-the-way places that they'd found.

They had gone to a wine tasting at a local winery in Paris and Livia had enjoyed trying the different wines. Dave had bought multiple cases to be sent home of several different types of wine, red, rose and white.

Livia didn't really understand the difference in wine and what made something a Cabernet or a sparkling wine or any other type. It didn't really matter, though she believed it had something to do with the process of how it was made.

It didn't really matter about the different wines, but it was certainly interesting.

Finally, here they were at the resort where Dave had gotten them a suite, one of the best that the resort had. It was a good thing Dave had made a reservation, as this was the resort's on season and all the rooms were taken something Livia had picked up on from Dave when he said that he had made reservations as soon as he had decided, they were going to take a trip, because Christmas was a time that a lot of people took vacations with and without their families to the resort.

There was only 73 rooms of varying sizes so you had to make a reservation early if you wanted to stay there.

Check in was fast and efficient and soon someone was escorting the two of them to the suite that Dave had reserved for their stay.

"I can't believe it's almost Christmas," Livia said, as she plopped down on the couch as soon as they were in their room. "The time ever since we met has almost flown as if it had wings, but especially ever since we arrived in Paris."

"You know what they say about time flying," Dave replied smiling, as he went into the bedroom in order to leave their luggage, knowing that one of the hotel employees would unpack.

"Yeah, I do," Livia agreed, as she leaned her head back against the couch tiredly. "I've enjoyed every minute of all the places we have visited over the last two months. I've also enjoyed every thing you have bought me the clothes, the jewelry, the makeup and perfume. I didn't really need anymore clothes, though you know, considering the wardrobe, you had Miss Adina shop for, for me."

"But these fashions are different than what you usually find in the states," Dave said. "I took you to stores that specifically carry nothing but french designs, and things she won't find in any store unless they carry designers from France in the states. A lot of women that you meet will envy you if you're wearing what are the things you bought here in this country."

"While I won't disagree about finding the things I've bought in the states, I still didn't need any more clothes," Livia said practically.

"You might think you didn't, but how often are you going to have an opportunity to actually buy clothes in another country, particularly France?" Dave asked.

"I'm sure we'll be back at some point and I might actually need clothes when we do come back," Livia said.

"Ah! You see, here's the thing. By the time we come back those clothes you bought will be out of style and yes, I realize you don't care about such things, but others will. When we do come back, you'll be buying the new seasons styles, not the old one. You'll be the envy of women, no matter where you go, when you wear one of your new outfits. Women will recognize that you're someone of wealth and power and sophistication."

"And then they actually talk to me and realize I'm just an ordinary woman that grew up in the foster care system and that I'm hardly there equal," Livia said putting herself down.

"You are who you make yourself," Dave told her firmly. "Most successful women weren't born with money, but made it a dollar at a time. You just need a new attitude to go along with that money that you're earning now because I helped you to invest."

"I won't put on airs," Livia told Dave firmly.

"You don't need to, as I certainly don't and you know I am very wealthy. People will accept you when they realize your warmhearted, kind and compassionate, but no pushover when necessary. Women that earn their own money unlike those that inherit it know the painful process of earning it a dollar at a time, while those that inherited, just expect the money to always be there and often treat people that aren't in the same class as beneath them."

"You don't," Livia said, "treat people as beneath you, I mean, and you inherited a big fat pile from your parents."

"Everybody who inherits their money doesn't, though, I will admit, it is a stereotype for a reason, but then again not everybody is the same. I have found over the years you get much better service when you treat people with respect no matter their station in life and not as if they're there to serve your every whim," Dave said. "I've also been around a lot longer than those humans live, so I've had time to see that anybody can resent being ordered around in a rude and condescending manner. A lot of humans who grow up with a silver spoons in their mouths, never learn how to treat people. Even if these lessons are taught to them by their elders, the younger generation often believe that they can treat anybody not of the same status badly just because they are powerful due to their money and family name."

"Let table this discussion until later," Livia said. "I believe we're here to have fun and to enjoy the Christmas season."

"So we are," Dave agreed smiling dropping the previous subject without argument. "It is only two days until Christmas Eve, as today is 22 December."

"Yeah, only a few more days," Livia said. "You know, I'll be glad to go home after this, as we've been gone for a long time, 2 months. It's not even that I haven't enjoyed all the places you've taken me just that I'm starting to miss what has quickly become home to me and I'm not talking about my motorhome that is sitting on your lawn."

"I understand," Dave who was truly listening to what his mate said. "I have felt the same since you came into my life. The place I grew up in, has actually become more of a home now then it used to be, and I feel no urge to travel like I did before unless it's with you."

"Well, we've certainly been traveling for the last couple of months," Livia said, kissing Dave's bearded cheek. "At least I'm not going to have to dust and vacuum and clean the house when we get home since that's the servants job and they would resent it if I did their job for them."

"They would also understand that you're used to looking after yourself because you've never had servants before if you did do that. If you feel the urge to clean just remind yourself that you don't have to clean anything yourself, nor wash clothes, as that's what I pay the servants for."

"You should have a cook too," Livia said, bringing up a subject that they had already talked about on a couple of occasions.

"I like to cook," Dave shrugged. "We've had this discussion. I have servants to clean and do laundry because those chores are a pain and take a lot of time, but as for cooking that's actually something I enjoy doing."

"I don't mean to keep bringing it up. I just think it's weird that you don't have a cook to do all the cooking for you, even though I know you have one on retainer," Livia said.

"To each their own," Dave said shrugging yet again. "So what do you want to do for the rest of the day? We could make love in that nice huge bed that's in the other room or we can go out and floor some of the resort and have dinner if you're not to tired."

"I say go out and explore some of the resort since that's what we came for," Livia said. "If we just wanted to make love, we could've done that back in your huge bed in Montréal. We came here to ski and boat and generally have fun. I would love to learn to ride a horse, for example since they have horses here."

"Sounds fine to me," Dave said. "We can learn together."

"You don't already know how to ride?" Livia asked raising an eyebrow in surprise and disbelief.

"Nope, it'll be my first time just like it will be yours," Dave said, as he brought his mate in for a warm hug, wondering if she was pregnant or not.

"I guess we can learn together then though I'm surprised you don't already know how to ride you do know how to ski in snow after all," Livia said.

"Yes, I know how to ski. I've never had an opportunity to learn how to horseback ride or water ski for that matter," Dave said.

"The only problem is, I might go into a vision while I'm on the back of a horse and I wouldn't want to fall off," Livia said.

"I'll just have to watch you closely to make sure you don't fall off," Dave said. "We can tell our instructor that you get bad headaches that come on suddenly so that they can also watch you."

"It might not be a good idea for me too be on top of a horse, since I can't really control my visions.

"You can't let your visions control your life Livia, to stop you experiencing new things," Dave told her firmly. "Yes, there is a possibility that you could be hurt, but thanks to us bonding you should heal relatively quickly if you twist an ankle or something."

"What about if I damage my spine, as I've heard falling from a horse can do that if you fall at the wrong angle," Livia said.

"You took on some of my recuperative powers once we bonded, so you'll be fine and we'll think of an explanation for whoever helps you back to the resort," Dave said. "We could just say that you twisted your back at the wrong angle to where it pinched the nerve or something like that."

"Most people would probably believe that, as it's logical enough," Livia said. "All right then, hopefully, I won't have a vision. I know I have had several since we started this vacation, but we also weren't doing anything like horseback riding or skiing at the time, things that could be dangerous if your concentration lapses. Having these visions is almost like having a disability like being stuck in a wheelchair, for example."

"Don't think like that," Dave protested. "They are a minor inconvenience, nothing more."

"That's what I like about you, Dave if you don't let my visions get the best of you and consider them just a minor inconvenience instead of a major problem," Livia told him.

"It's not like you can help your vision, sweetie. It's not as if you asked to be born with them, so we'll deal with them when you have them and go on with our lives in the meantime," Dave said.

Livia said nothing, simply kissed him passionately for being so understanding as no one else had ever understood about her visions, but then again most of the people who had seen firsthand her go into one was human.

The two of them left the room, leaving their luggage packed knowing there would be somebody from the hotel staff that put their things up for them.

It was time to go have some fun and enjoy the Christmas like atmosphere that was prevalent at the resort this time of year.

~~~Dave and Livia~~~