Did Ross really want his mother-in-law-to-be in charge of his wedding?Would he have any choice?He had a feeling the answer to both questions was hell no.And that he was powerless to do anything about either.
Eloping.Eloping sounded like a great idea.Right now, with the mood Glenn was in, it would take no effort at all to convince him.
Fiadh rounded the car in a flash, right there at Ross’s side.She gathered him up in a hug, then stepped back to demand, “I can finally turn you, can’t I?”
Of course that was the first question out of her mouth.Ross was now glad he’d been seriously thinking about it.Fumbling with an answer in this moment would have been bad in multiple ways.And he didn’t want to give Glenn the wrong impression.It may have taken seven years, but Ross was finally ready for that next step.This time, it was easy to answer yes.
“After the wedding,” Ross said firmly, tone brooking no disagreement.“It can be your wedding present to us.”
Imani protested, “But do you want to be a vampire?”
“What, you like being one.”Ross initially had had reservations about that, but his mother actually loved being a vampire and thrived on it.She worked night shifts now at the hospital, since that provided a more natural rhythm for her.And it gave her the strength and longevity in life to keep up with her werewolf husband.“And there’s no way in hell I’m letting Glenn live past me.”
Thrilled, Fiadh kissed him on both cheeks.“Precisely so.I’m so happy!Let’s make it a short engagement.I’ve always wanted to do a wedding for one of my children.I have so many ideas!”
Definitely eloping.No question.
“Come inside,” Rocco the kobold called from inside Glenn’s front door.“We’ve got a cake prepared for the occasion!”
Glenn groaned loudly, head tipping back.“I told you specifically not to dothateither.”
Ross’s eyes rolled off into the sunset as he walked toward the door.And since when did the clan really listen to either of them?
Indeed, a large cake waited inside on the table—several, in fact.And finger food.And banners and streamers hanging from the ceiling, along with enough alcohol to float several ships.It really was a nice spread.Ross felt the love in the room.Some obvious effort and planning had gone into the preparations.These guys really were the best found family ever.
He ended up tucked in against Glenn’s side, a flute of champagne in his hand as he watched the clan that was all crammed inside Glenn’s house.He lifted his glass in the air, signaling a toast, and they all quieted and focused on him.
“I really do love this, and I have to say, I’m really glad I once worked third shift in a gas station.And I appreciate fire elementals forcing me out of that job—”
People were grinning and snickering now.
Ross turned his face up to look into those warm, golden eyes that watched him with such obvious love.“—and vampire knights coming to my rescue.It’s probably the most unorthodox fairy tale ever to be told, but it’s the best happily ever after I could have wished for.To a long life of love and general insanity.Cheers!”
The clan roared back their approval with a laughing, “CHEERS!”
Ross and Glenn both sipped at their glasses before Glenn pressed in closer, leaving a soft kiss on Ross’s lips.
“Is this happily ever after what you wanted, then?”Glenn asked softly.
“I wouldn’t change a thing,” Ross promised.Then tacked on, “But let’s elope, yeah?”
“Oh, thank fuck.I hoped to convince you to do that.”
Ross laughed and kissed him again.He figured Glenn would be on board with that.Just one thing that didn’t go sideways on them, was that too much to ask for?
Even thinking that felt like jinxing himself.
Ross crossed his fingers for luck.Just in case.
Astór
Astór 1
Glenn knew his clan and knew them well.They were, at heart, all very good people.
Yes, they found trouble on a near daily basis.
Yes, they might be prone to exaggeration from time to time.
