Bella Notte (34 page)

“
We don't want
to lose you.” My father tried to help me see what they feared
the most. He sent me a visual image of what a werewolf generally
tried to do to a vampire that it encountered. I shuddered and tears
rolled down my cheeks.

“
Oh, Em…
Please don't cry. I am sure that he feels the same way, but it is the
way of things,” Dom said as he wrapped his arms about me, I
could feel his love through this new mental connection and it was
overwhelming, but comforting at the same time.

Well, it sucks!
My words failed me, but my thoughts didn't. I didn't care that they
could hear my thoughts, I wanted them to feel my hurt and confusion.

“
Anyways,
you'll like school. It will be lots of fun. I promise. And then we
can hang out together and, maybe, you could take my class and I could
give you special treatment.” He nudged me.

“
Uh, Dom, I
think there would be a problem with me being with you if you were a
teacher. I mean don't they have regular rules about student- teacher
relationships.” I was confused and still hurt over Mike, but I
smiled at him.

“
Well, we have
special rights.” His smile was bright, like a little sunshine
just for me.

“
I suppose
then it would be awesome.” I still felt down about Mike, but
the whole school thing sounded cool.

“
Now, let's
talk about your ball.” My mother was excited again and I could
see the tension soften out of everyone in the room.

“
Yeah, okay.”
I was really excited about it.

“
I was
thinking that the color theme could be black and blood red, since
they are your favorite colors, well, they are and green, maybe we
could work in green too?” Mom beamed at me.

“
Black and red
would be awesome. Do I get to wear the colors or only black? I don't
really understand all the rules but I don't want to do something
terrible.” I was nervous about this stuff because what was
right and what was wrong?

“
Honey, you
could wear any color you want. The guests
must
wear black as a sign of respect. Typically it is considered poor
taste if someone was to wear black and mix in some colors. But the
new vampire can wear anything, so I had some sketches drawn up of a
design I thought you might like.” She handed me a sheet of
paper with material swatches attached to it.

The design was
beautiful. Totally Gothic … and totally me. The top of the
dress was a strapless corset- which of course I loved! Then it flowed
out into rough edges. It clung to the body until it hit the floor and
then it exploded in every direction. The general color of it was
black, but the corset was all black with bright red detail on it. It
looked like a flower had opened and the petals were falling down it
and they landed randomly on the skirt. The material felt soft as
silk, and I wasn't sure if it was my new sense or they really were
silk. It didn't matter, I loved the entire thing. At the bottom were
a pair of peek-a-boo pumps drawn in, they even had the flower petals
on them as well. On the side of the paper, the jewelry was drawn-
ruby stud earrings, a ruby flower hairpin, and a black choker with a
circular ruby on the front. I wanted to touch the page, but I knew I
couldn't feel them.

“
Oh my God!
Mom, I love it! When do we get it made? Is the jewelry being custom
made as well? And the shoes?” I looked at her with eyes the
size of saucers.

“
I am so glad
that you like it. I, kind of, took the liberty of putting in the
various orders. I hope you don't mind.” She looked bashful as
she glanced down at the table.

“
That is so
awesome! So when is the ball? And what else needs to be planned?”
I was getting really excited now.

“
Well, the
ball will be in about a month. We still need to plan the menu, a
design to go with the color theme, decide whether or not Dominic
should be at your side for this event, draw up a guest list, decide
on the invitation pattern, what kind of entertainment you will want,
table arrangement, music type, you know, all those sorts of things.”
She ticked them off as quickly as possible, I guess hoping that I
wouldn't saying anything about Dom.

“
Okay, let's
see what I can answer right off my head. I want you and Grandma to
figure out the menu as I don't know what most vamps eat. I think
something classic for the design would be best- if you let me do it,
you know it would be ridiculous for this affair … Dominic will
stand with me to greet the guests and sit with me at the table,”
I squeezed his hand, “I don't know who to invite- the only two
people that I want added to any list you come up with is Abner from
Bella Notte and Ms. Bettina Williams. Other than that, invite those
that you see fit. I would love the invitations to be all black with
the red flower on the cover and white paper inside with dark red
writing. I don't want anything like the entertainment that was at
Amelie's affair. Could we have a puppet show though, for the younger
kids? I think it would be awesome to have something that they could
enjoy. For my elders I think something calm should be set up for them
… like a musician playing or something. And for my aged people
I think I should have a live band playing outside in a tented area.
You know a band that can play all sorts of things- like the kind of
music at Bella Notte. I think that the general dancing should be done
to classical musicians, and you guys can stick people wherever you
want. Did I get it all?” I smiled.

“
Well, I think
that you did answer it all. Grandma and I have already been working
on some of this stuff. I think your ideas for entertainment are quite
good, yet we must make sure to keep these areas quite separate …
so they don't turn into a circus. I love the idea for the
invitations. I think you will take nicely to all the new comings of
this world for you, darling. If no one else can think of anything,
then I think that it is time for Emma to go upstairs and shower,
change, and get some rest,” my mother said as she looked around
the table.

“
Oh, Mom,
before I go stick myself into more water … I was wondering if
we could talk about getting me a new car? I know that the last one I
was dead set on getting myself, but, seeing as it is at the bottom of
the lake, ruined, I was, eh, kinda hoping that we could talk about a
new one?” I was looking down at my bare feet.
Where
did my slippers go?

“
Of course,
honey. I was thinking we could get you a new Jeep. We can have the
same design etched onto it, and the chrome, of course. I also believe
that you will need to order a new pair of slippers as they are still
in your water filled vehicle.” She smiled at me as though I was
definitely her little girl. It made me want to laugh.

“
Thanks Mom.”
I hugged her real quick and then bounced off to my room.

The next few days
blended together as I tried to get some sort of handle on all the new
things that were suddenly part of me. Dominic spent every second he
could with me, and was very patient with me as I struggled my way
through things that he understood completely.

He helped me to
learn some control over my thoughts and what I projected out to him-
when I put effort into it, I ended up shouting at him mentally. It
was a challenge to say the least.

When Dom was busy
working with the Bella Notte clubs, Grandpa volunteered to help me
figure things out. He showed me how he could easily retract his
fangs. It was hard for me not to flinch away every time they came
back down. He explained how mine would retract themselves and how it
would be a natural thing for me to do later. I wasn't convinced. He
also allowed me to mentally batter him as I tried to talk to him
using my mind. I really thought I was going to sprain everything,
but, somehow, we both survived it. Grandpa was very patient with me
and encouraged me to do some exercises alone.

I went up to my room
later that day and finally sat down at my computer. I didn't see
anything too interesting at first when I opened my email. There was
an email from Kelly asking if I was okay. I seriously wondered how
she got my email address, but it didn't really phase me. I wasn't
allowed to answer emails yet, I was still in the “hospital”.
It was so silly to me. I had random spam telling me how they could
enlarge parts I didn't even have.
Always
wondered how I got on those lists.

At the very end of
the page was an email from an Issy D., with a subject title that
caught my eye; “Emma, it's me, Isabella. Please Read This!,”
curiosity was always one of my weaknesses. I clicked on it.

Dearest Emma.

I truly hope that
you read this, and don't delete it. I wish that I could be there for
you while you are going through all these new changes. Unfortunately,
I have been ostracized because I fell in love. I know it has been a
really long time. I am so sorry that we moved and I didn't take the
time to keep in touch. It's unforgivable. I do hope that you will
forgive me and understand that I am still trying to be your friend. I
heard gossip that you were friends with a werewolf before you
changed, and that he was your boyfriend? I can only imagine that they
have already told you that he is too dangerous for you to be around.
It isn't true. Werewolves are not the way they used to be. I am
engaged to one. That is the reason why my family shun me … I
did the unthinkable, I fell in love with the enemy! It is hard for
them to understand things today because they are each from a
different time. I doubt that you'll believe me. I wouldn't blame you
if you didn't. Your friend Mike, I believe that is his name? He isn't
as dangerous as they say. Werewolves only are dangerous when
seriously threatened. My fiancé, Jack, is the best thing in my
life. We were even able to go to school together. Yes, there are
places where we co-exist, happily. Just like the schools they've told
you about for us vampires- there are schools where we learn together.
We also learn to adapt to each other. Jack and I are together in a
few classes- not all because we must learn about ourselves as well.
We are not the only couple here either. I'm not telling you this so
you won't end up my sister; I'm telling you this so you don't get
forced away from your Mike. There was no one to tell me, I wish there
had been someone, so I'm being
your
someone. Don't let them keep you away from your friend. It won't be
easy- his family is old-school, like ours, and they hold the same
standing- but if you don't give up, I doubt he will. I have to go
now. Please write back if you still want to be friends.

With much love,

Issy.

How the devil do
I respond to that?
I felt distressed. I mean, that was something huge to keep from my
family and Dom.
Is
she for real? Is it even possible?
I had to control my thoughts, they must not know.

I got up from my
computer and took a few deep breaths while I walked around my room.
I
can do this. Surely, even if they find out, they won't do anything?

I sat back down and
felt guilty- I had become the little kid stealing cookies from the
jar. I thought about it-
might
as well take the whole damn thing
.

Dearest Issy,

I don't hate you. I
could never do that. I understand why your family left. I don't think
that Mike is mine anymore. I feel like I have lost him completely. My
heart aches so much when I think about how we were before I went away
to Italy, before Acacia came into the picture. But when the accident
happened and I saved him in his wolf form, he looked absolutely
revolted by the thought of what I am. The look shattered my heart
into pieces, Mike was my first real love, and just because I am a
vampire, his entire perspective of me changed. I would love to have
him back in my life but I don't think he'll even miss me. He is
betrothed just as I am. While I was away in Italy, he seemed to get
close with her. Acacia is just plain evil, and she has a sugar-sweet
voice that would cause fairies to vomit. I don't blame him for any of
this though- I got to know your brother better at that time. When I
came back I wasn't certain of anything- let alone which of the males
in my life suited me best. All I wanted to do was have my life back
the way it was. I wanted Mike and I watching bad monster movies, and
talking about the things to come. But Mike hated all the dates we
went on- except for when he chose Blade. Clearly it was a precursor
to what was to come. Maybe he knew all along that I was a vampire. He
ignored me more than anything when she was around. I don't think I
stood a chance, and now, it is even less. It hurt me so badly to see
his face look that way after I had saved his life. I've not heard
from him since. I just don't understand how he can so easily push me
out of his life. Do you think that there is any way for all of this
to work out? Perhaps it is all for the better. He's in his world and
I'm in mine. I do miss him though – even if we don't see eye to
eye on most stuff, I do miss my best friend, and the guy I fell so
hard for.
God,
it's hard to admit that.
Anyways, if things go as planned, we'll be sisters and I'll make sure
they learn to accept you for who you are … and who you choose
to love- something I did not get to chose. I've missed you, Issy. I'm
glad you wrote me. I'll try really hard to keep this a secret I know
how hard opposition can be and it's good to know that some people
have learned to live in harmony. Anyways, I have to go now. Just so
you know, I'll try with Mike, it may be hard, but my heart won't let
me give up on him just yet. Take care of yourself and write to me
when you want.