“I really think I might throw up.” Nerves dance down my body as my stomach begins to feel like it’s going to revolt.
“Don’t be dramatic, you’re fine.” Mom replies, flattening the lapels of my tux.
“Do you think Kip is nervous too? Oh, fuck, what if he gets cold feet? You don’t think he’d make a break for it, do you? Maybe you should go check on him…” My words are a jumble as they fly out of my mouth. I’m in full-blown panic mode.
Mom squeezes my shoulders, a little too hard. “He’s fine. I literally just checked in on him. He’s not getting cold feet. He’s not gonna do a runner. In fact, I think that man is probably more excited than he’s been in his life.”
I take a deep breath, and blow it out. Again. And one more for good measure. “God, why is it so hot in here? Is my bowtie too tight? It feels way too tight.” Yeah, the breathing isn’t helping.
I sink down into the armchair in the corner of the room, resting my face in my palms. Why am I so fucking worked up about this? Kip isn’t going to leave me at the altar. He’s not. He’s been so fucking happy and excited for our wedding day. And I have been too. It’s just…this is big. Like, really fucking huge. We’re getting married. But that’s not the only part that’s freaking me out…it’s the part that we’re planning for after that’s getting to me.
“Sweetheart, look at me.” Kip’s soft hands cup mine.
When did he get in here? I must be really out of it.
Kip pulls my hands away from my face and tips my chin up. The moment ours eyes meet, my heart-rate calms and I feel at peace. A small smile unfurls on my face.
“There you are.” Kip smiles back. “Mom says you were panicking.”
My heart warms a little at Kip calling her Mom. It’s a recent development. She’s the first mother-figure he’s had since his own passed away. And she treats him like a son. Actually, now that I think about it, she’s nicer to him than she is to me.
“I’m not sure why.” I reply sheepishly. And it’s true. Now that he’s here, I don’t know why I was freaking out.
These past couple of years together have been the happiest of my life. It was hard leaving behind my friends, and Kip definitely had an adjustment period for small town life, but it’s honestly been great. Kip’s gym has been doing well, and with me focusing on the managing of it, he can spend his time teaching classes and offering personal training.
We’ve also moved into our own place about six months after moving here. Living with Mom was okay, but hiding the fact that Kip doesn’t eat people food was difficult. And not having our own space sucked.
Kip looks over his shoulder to see if Mom is in hearing range, before leaning in to whisper in my ear. “It’s a big day, baby. It’s okay to be nervous. And you know, we don’t have to do the whole…thing…afterwards, right? If you’re not ready, that’s okay.”
I rear back, grabbing his face in my palms. “I’m ready. I want this. It’s a big change, and that’s scary. But there’s nothing I want more than to be with you for eternity.”
Kip’s grin is like the sun shining down on me. Pulling his face towards me, I’m about to kiss him when it hits me.
“Wait!” I push him back. “You’re not supposed to be in here! You can’t see me before the ceremony, it’s bad luck!”
I cross my arms over my body, trying to hide.
Kip slaps his hand over his eyes and turns on his heel. “Shit, sorry! I promise I didn’t look!”
“You two are ridiculous.” Mom says, her lips tipped up in amusement.
“You gotta get out of here, Kip! Seriously, I’m fine now. Don’t jinx us!” I shriek at his back.
“I’m going!” He yells back, fleeing out of the dressing room and slamming the door behind him.
The ceremony was short and sweet, with only my Mom and our closest friends. We didn’t want some extravagant and expensive thing, not when what really matters is the two of us committing to each other. I don’t need a room of a few hundred near-strangers to do that.
Afterwards, our friends and my Mom gathered for an intimate dinner at a local restaurant. It was quiet, perfect, and exactly as we wanted it to be.
Now, we’re in the car, pulling up in front of the little cottage that we’ve booked for the next week. It’s in the mountains, far away from everyone and everything. Just the two of us.
Kip puts the car in park, and turns to me with a grin. “Look at this place!” He says, his eyes full of excitement.
It’s a cute little one bedroom stone cottage. There’s a hot tub underneath a pergola on the side of the house, with a fire pit and a couple of Adirondack chairs. It’s adorable. There’s not much to do in the area, but that’s fine. We didn’t want to do excursions or anything crazy. All we wanted was to spend time relaxing with each other. And well, have space and time for me to adjust to my new body.
Luckily, there is a small town nearby, where Kip has arranged for someone to meet up with us for my first feeding. After that, it’s all blood bags. And yes, the person is a volunteer and knows exactly what we are. Turns out, there is a huge vampire community, and there are humans who know about them and are trusted enough to be used for regular feedings. All humans part of the program are vetted by the council. It’s a newer thing, something the council put into effect after the whole Lisette and Tyson debacle.
We both get out of the car, walking hand in hand towards the frontdoor. After we get inside, things are going to change for me. This is the last time I’m going to walk into a place as a human.
