Tammy's jaw dropped open, was she that easy to read? She heard Jenna take in a big gulp of air and she too was looking at Tammy with pity. Tammy jumped up and folded her arms, so she hadn't had sex. Anyone would of thought she'd told them she was dying. Surely sex didn't mean that much in a relationship.
“So” she said defensively. “It's just Dante has old fashion ways... he is waiting until we are married.” Her friends now looked confused as if she was speaking in another language. The pair of them looking at her if she was weird. So, she hadn't slept with Dante and she didn't have to justify anything to them.
“Ah, that is so sweet” Rose gushed, her face even more dreamy than before. “Your so lucky, Tammy. Everything about him is perfect.”
Tammy felt the tension from within release and smiled at Rose. She was right everything about Dante was perfect and Rose had only met him once briefly. Jenna was sat staring at Rose with her screwed up face. Tammy had the feeling he hadn't won Jenna around yet.
“What's with the face, Jenna?” Tammy asked, returning to her original position on the bed.
“Nothing” Jenna shrugged. “It's just yes he is good looking” she sighed. “I just think there is something odd about him, that's all. Maybe he just a little too perfect, do you see what I am trying to say?”
“Oh Jenna – shut up!” Rose spat, taking another sip of her wine. “You would think that because no man can ever live up to your husband Nathan Rosenfield!”
Jenna flicked her hair and narrowed her eyes. “So!” Her voice full of venom. “It's not just me that thinks something is weird about that family.” Her eyes now turned to Tammy. “Nathan's dad does too.”
Jenna had now caught Tammy's attention. “Nathan's dad was friends with Dante's dad. In fact, when they were twenty they were going to start up a business. Then Sir Renaldo just disappeared one day.. They haven't said one word to each other since.”
“That doesn't mean they're weird” Rose snorted. “He just discovered what a creep your father in law is.”
“He is not a creep!”
“Really?”
“Okay” Tammy jumped up and stood between her friends. “Maybe we should think about getting some sleep. After all we have a wedding to look good for.”
Tammy finally got into bed and closed her eyes. She wondered if Sir Renaldo had realized he had brought some attention to his family. She could hear Rose snoring and gave a little smile. Then it clicked, where was Rose's husband? She hadn't mentioned a single word about him, she shook her head it was none of her business. She closed her eyes, but was now feeling to restless to sleep. Tomorrow she was finally going to be Mrs Renaldo and the butterflies started in the pit of stomach. Finally, her own curse was going to be broken. She was going to learn the meaning of passion and desire.
Click! Click! Click!
“What's that?” Jenna whispered, sitting up beside Tammy. She got up and walked over to the window. “Tammy” she hissed. “You have a visitor!”
Dante sat on the steps as he waited for Tammy to come down, he knew he shouldn't of come here and Jenna had informed him so. He heard the front door creek open and Tammy appeared in her dressing gown. He quickly jumped to his feet and ran over to her, his arms wrapping around her, his lips pressing against her forehead. He had missed her badly. He looked up at the window and Jenna was still staring down at them.
“Come” he demanded, pulling her away from then house. “We are being watched” he pointed up to the window. He escorted Tammy to his car and opened the passenger door for her. Tammy smiled up at him as she climbed in. He gave her another kiss on the forehead before walking round and getting into the car himself.
“So, what's with the surprise visit” Tammy turned to face him.
“Do I need a reason to come and see my wife?” He moved a stray strand of Tammy's hair and like always she fell into touch.
“I am not your wife just yet” she softly replied. “I am glad you came actually” she stopped and moved away from Dante. “I have some questions...”
Dante tilted his head to the side. “I would be surprised if you didn't?” He reached out for her hand, she was shaking. “Are you cold?”
“No!”
He held her hand tighter and suddenly was filled with fear. Was she having doubts about everything? He could see her fear spreading across her face and his heart was now beating fast with worry. “Spit it out, Tammy!” He growled, his temper once again getting the better of him.
“Diana Lewis” she hissed with disgust. He gave no reaction, his jaw was still tight and his eyes staring at her. “Diana Lewis!” She added, he wasn't even blinking now. “Well?” She urged him on removing her hand from his grip.
“What about her?” He sat back and ran his hands through his hair. Tammy watched his perfect pink lips twitch a little and his dark eyes shot back at her. “She was invited to the party... So?”
“She said for me to send her love to you” her own tone matching Dante's.
“Yeah” he shrugged. “So?”
“You don't know her?” She suddenly felt very embarrassed and foolish. Why hadn't she gone with what she had thought at first? It was just Diana being a jealous bitch. She sat back in the chair and placed her hands over her face. How could she of been stupid enough to even think that. She heard Dante begin to chuckle. “Why are you laughing?”
“Oh my dear Tammy” his voice was now soft and full of humour, he grabbed hold of her hands and moved them away from her face. Tammy didn't have the nerve to make eye-contact with him, especially when he was blatantly laughing at her.
“Stop with the laughing!”
“I can't help it...” He tried to restore himself but her little face all screwed up only in fuelled him. She gave him a little shove. “Sorry” he smiled. “come here” he said holding his hands out. Tammy climbed over and landed in his lap.
“You're mean” she mumbled, resting her head against his chest and taking in his intoxicating scent. From tomorrow this would be hers forever. “Are you excited?”
Dante looked down at her. “In more ways than one” he raised a perfect eyebrow and hugged Tammy tightly. “How was the slumber party?”
Tammy groaned as she remembered what Jenna had said. “Wonderful” she lied, her voice flat. She closed her eyes, she wished she could spend the whole night sleeping in his arms. His fingertips began to play in her hair and she began to relax.
“I should really get you back in the house before the she-devil starts a search party.”
“No” she protested, she was too lost in the moment to even think about going back inside. She knew Jenna would start again with the bad luck lecture. She gripped hold of him tighter not allowing him to move. “Five more minutes” she pleaded. Tammy heard a little chuckle deep in the back of Dante's throat and once again she had got her own way.
***
The sunlight flooded through the bedroom window and Tammy slowly opened her eyes. She sat up bolt right and looked around. She was in her bedroom! How did she end up here, Jenna was on the other side still snoring. Rose was sat crossed legged on the floor staring at her phone.
“Morning” Tammy yawned. Rose's eyes sprung up and looked at Tammy, she didn't speak only smiled politely at Tammy. “Sleep well?” Rose just nodded and Tammy ran out of questions to ask. They both sat in silence, Jenna's snoring getting louder. Tammy couldn't listen to Jenna any more, she quickly made up an excuse and left for her Grandmother's room.
“Gran” she called out as she knocked on the bedroom door. She heard her Gran call out and she stepped into the room. Her Grandmother sat up in bed giving her a big smile. Tammy had missed this most about living at her home. She also felt a little guilty, she didn't spend as much time as she would like with her. She walked over and sat beside her Gran.
“You must be very excited” she held Tammy's hand tightly. “I remember my wedding...”
“Now which one are you referring to?” Tammy teased, it had now become their private joke
. She lowered her eyes realizing her mother knew nothing of her Grandmother's hidden past. Once again she felt bad, was this feeling never going to go away?
“Both” she laughed. “I have something for you” she pointed over to a chest of draws on the far side of the room. “It's in the first draw, in a black box.” Tammy just remained staring into space. “Go get it” she nudged. Tammy stood up, got the box and returned back to her grandmother. “Well... Open it!”
Tammy rolled her eyes and removed the lid. Sitting inside on red velvet was a pearl necklace. “Angus gave it to me on our wedding day and I want you to have it.” Tammy looked over and her Gran was still smiling. “Say something, child.”
“Thank you...” Her voice trailed off as her thoughts of feeling bad returned. “How did you deal with the lying to everyone?” Tammy watched her Gran's eyes lower and she tilted her head to the side. She was obviously thinking of a good answer or maybe she had felt the same as her.
“You just learn to not let other bother you” she replied in a perky tone. “After all, no one really knows what happens behind close doors.” She reached out for Tammy's hand again. “Don't dwell on others, child.” She turned Tammy's hand upwards and looked at the pin prick scars. “After all, we have a role to fulfil, don't we?” She removed her hand away from Tammy's and held her finger up. Tammy gasped at the first every sight of her Grandmother's scars. “Without us they can not survive.”
Chapter three
“Stop fussing!” Dante tutted at his mother as she tried to help him with his tie. He pushed her hands out of the way and tried to do it himself. His nerves were really getting the better of him now, his hands shook, his mouth was dry and to top it all his throat was beginning to feel sore. Great! That was the last thing he needed today. He hadn't managed to get much sleep either without Tammy being around. The bed had felt cold and empty.
“One hour left” his mother cheered.
“I can tell the time, mother” he snapped. “I can't do it!” He yelled throwing his tie to the floor, he took in a deep breath and ran his hands through his hair. He looked up and his mother was staring at him with a blank expression. “I meant the tie not the wedding!” She gave a breath of relief and gathered the tie up from the floor.
“Wedding nerves that is all it is.” Dante rolled his eyes, he had already had this talk with his father over breakfast, Claudia quickly got to work on the tie. “I remember my wedding day, I couldn't keep still for longer than a minute. My mother almost had to sit on me to keep me still.” She straighten out the tie and stood back to admire her son. “Handsome as ever....”
“Thank you” he mumbled.
“I am really happy you have met someone like Tammy” she hadn't taken the thank you as the polite way of 'go away' Dante had intended. “Tell the truth it was fate that brought you both together. Strange how things work out...”
“We have to go” Sir Renaldo appeared at the door, Dante had never been so happy to see his father ever. He knew his mother's intentions were good, but he couldn't deal with her rambling while he was this nervous.
“Coming” his mother sang, before Dante could make his escape her hand reached out for his arm and she pulled him back. “Just be the best husband you can be... Show her love everyday and always make her feel special. That's really all a woman needs.”
He felt his expression soften and he leaned over. “I will bare that in mind” he smiled, while he placed a kiss on his mother's cheek.
***
“BLUE!!!” Jenna screamed, her eyes looking like they were going to pop out of her head. “Oh my God! You're the one person in this room who deserved to get married in white and you choose blue!”
Tammy looked down at her wedding dress, she loved it; the bodice was covered in crystals, the fairy tale big skirt and the colour was Dante's favourite. This dress was perfect. Her mother had even managed to make her a blue veil with crystals to match the bodice. She stared at her reflection in the mirror and for the first time in her life felt beautiful and worthy of Dante.
“What are people going to say?” Jenna added.
Tammy bit down hard on her lip, she didn't want to say something which could escalate the situation. What was wrong with the colour? After all was a dress even the most important part of a wedding? This was about her declaring her love for Dante... He was really the only thing that mattered to her. Tammy raised her hand and touched the pearls around her neck, they finished off the outfit perfectly.
Tammy took in a deep breath and suddenly felt very giddy with happiness. The nerves and doubts from yesterday had vanished from the talk with her grandmother.
“I think you look wonderful” Rose smiled, placing an arm round her best friend's shoulder. “Ignore her – I do and often.”
Jenna narrowed her eyes and folded her arms. “Explain exactly why we are friends?”
“Because I have a weird obsession when it comes to strays.”
Tammy held her hands up. “Enough! No more fighting.” She turned round and looked at the people she cared about deeply. Both of them looked beautiful in their bridesmaid’s dresses. She wondered what Dante was doing this very second? No doubt his mother was annoying him, she had a tendency of swirling around people and always offering help when it really wasn't needed.
The whole drive to the church Tammy was lost in her thoughts, her nerves had once again been set a light not over the wedding but for tonight... When she and Dante would be alone and she would be Mrs Renaldo. A rush of excitement whizzed through her veins and the blood began to pump in her ears.
What if she couldn't please him? She had worked out a while ago he wasn't in the same predicament as she was. There was no way on earth he had managed to sustain like her. He was too beautiful... Then the jealous kicked in... She wondered who it was? What lucky person got to be his first without dealing with his curse.
Would he base me on her? She flinched at the thought, no that was a stupid thing to think. He was marrying her, he loved her. Surely nothing could compare to that. Then again Tammy didn't have nothing to compare it too.
She felt her dad place a hand on hers. “If you keep biting that lip your draw blood.”
“Sorry” Tammy sighed. “I was just thinking, that's all.” Tammy looked at her father, he looked very handsome in his suit. In fact, it knocked ten years off him. He had changed slightly such her leaving. His dark brown hair was slowly turning grey and he had a few more lines on his forehead. They very rarely spoke to one another now. Tammy felt sad, their whole relationship had changed since she met Dante. “Dad” she said slowly.
“Yes?” His eyes still looked out of the window.
“You have got past the guilt now, haven't you?”
His mouth moved slowly to the side and his eyes lowered to his hands. “No” he quickly replied. “I don't ever think I will recover from what happened at our house that night. The look on your face was heart breaking. You looked at me like I was a monster.”
“Oh Dad!” She cried, if he actually knew the truth. “No! No, I would never think of you as being a monster.” Tammy swallowed hard, she had to force the tears back. Her father looked sad, even his eyes had welled up a little. Tammy reached out for his hand and gave it a comforting squeeze.
“If it wasn't for you I wouldn't be doing this today. There are no words in the world I can explain how happy and grateful I am to call you my Dad.”
***
“She's not coming!” Dante growled as he paced up and down, his hands locked in his hair. “She should have been here half an hour ago!”
“She will be here!” His father snapped. “It is every brides prerogative to be late. Now, stay still.. Your getting me dizzy and your mother doesn't like watching you like this.”
Dante stopped abruptly and released his hands from his hair. 'Brides prerogative!' He would be having a long talk about keeping him waiting. He hated it, just as much as his throat burning. He didn't want this today. How was he going to get through ceremony is
this mood? He took in a deep breath and a sharp pain ripped through his throat. She was here.
“Come on” Jenna yelled, running out of the church. “The car has pulled up and your meant to be in there!”
Dante closed his eyes and counted to ten to restore himself. If he could smell Tammy's blood now what was it going to be like next to her all day. His thirst was beginning to take over his whole body. This was not good.
Once again his vampire side was in control of his body. Dante slowly made into the church and to the alter. He would just have to suck it up and pretending everything was fine. Which was no problem to him, as he whole life was a lie.
He quickly thought about his conversation with his father, he knew he would have to tell Tammy the truth. He had to explain the real curse and not the fairy tale he had told her. He suddenly felt like the character in the book Tammy had encourage him to read.
A quote came to mind 'I want you to forgive me, and not to be indignant with me for not telling you before, as perhaps I ought to have done.'
The guilt quickly spread through his body, why was he thinking about this now? He would tell her tonight, maybe it was a little selfish to let the wedding go ahead, he loved her too much to just allow her to walk away.