My Own Personal Beethoven

Chapter Four

Her pale hands danced across the piano as she played. Her mother told her the most absurd thing ever.

“I signed a marriage agreement…you’re going to be in a better home. They have more money, a piano, enough room for you. I’m sure you two will be happy…I signed the agreement when you were born because I wanted you to have better. Please don’t hate me, Hannah.”

Since when did people do arranged marriages anymore? This wasn’t the 18th century.  She didn’t need to be told who to marry or when she was to be married. She was told to be at the chapel later that night around eight. She didn’t believe it and thought her mother had finally just gone insane from all of that alcohol. She continued to play Nocturno by Chopin, a small smile on her features. But why was it that Tristan couldn’t even look her in the eye? He wouldn’t sit next to her or talk to her. Nothing. Not even saying his name did anything and it was truly strange for they never went a day without speaking.

Had Hannah done something wrong?

“Bravo. Bravissimo! That was beautiful, Hannah.” Mr. Schmidt said.

“Thank you…” She muttered before taking her seat next to Tristan.

What was going on and why wasn’t he speaking to her? More importantly, why did she care all of a sudden? Alison also wasn’t speaking to her, spending more time with Marty. Which was fine…no skin off of Hannah’s ass. She was a loner, forever to wander by her lonesome no matter how many people were in the room. Wow…teenager angst wasn’t very becoming of her. She took her sweet time getting home after school only to find her mother sewing alterations to her wedding dress. The cursed ivory thing was quite eerie as it stood in a mess of rumpled dress shavings. Her mother heaved a sigh.

“Just go dress shopping with Helen. I can’t make heads or tails of this stupid old thing…it’s cursed anyways.”

“Helen?”

Her mother lit up a cigarette.

“She’s going to be your new mother-in-law. Said she would be here in ten minutes to pick you up. You were late getting home, however, and she’s sitting at our table.”

Her mother went to the kitchen then. Hannah followed her.

“Wait. What the hell, mom? Dress shopping? Do you honestly expect me to believe all of this nonsense? Vampires aren’t real, mother. I think you need to take it easy on the wine bottle. Edward Cullen doesn’t exist.” Hannah said.

A woman at the table chuckled. Dark hair, dark eyes. Kind of like…Tristan?

“Hello Hannah. I’m Helen, Tristan and Caleb’s mother. I heard you were a bit spooked by his appearance but didn’t his fangs catch your attention? Make you curious at all?” Helen asked.

Her Irish accent was thick and kind of hard to get through but Hannah managed.

“Yes but I figured that had something to do with the fact he was in Romania…not anything to do with…vampire’s aren’t real. They can’t be…it’s impossible and this wedding thing is a scam too. What do you want from us? We don’t have any money. Perhaps the tea kettle with do you nicely?”

“Hanna Juin Andrews, that is enough. You are going to have to realize the truth on your own but until then, three hours. Best go shopping.” Her mother said.

Hannah sighed and followed Helen out to her car.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Certainly. Ask anything any time you need to.”

“Why is this happening? How did it all begin?”

“You won’t believe me.” Helen smiled.

“Try me.”

“Your great-great-grandfather was a great man. Lived in Romania. He was a vampire, of course, and a powerful one too but that power fell. He met a woman and fell in love with her but she left for America. Ended up pregnant with his child. She’s your great-great-grandmother but not by marriage. Didn’t tell him why she was leaving either, just that she was going. Left him a brief not and disappeared. With a fresh broken haert, he massacred an entire village before using the power of those souls to lay a curse on her family. On the eve of each 18th birthday, the first pure-blood shall marry the heir to such great power. You are pure because of your father and real mother. This woman you are living with is his second wife. Your first mother is…she um…left us for an eternal life. Now, let’s go pick out a dress.” Helen said.

“Whoa, whoa. Hold up a moment…who am I marrying?”

“Crazy bat didn’t tell you anything . Tristan, my son.”

“I wha…what?”

And then Hannah paled a little. Why was all of this happening now? She got out of the car, desperate for fresh air.

“You alright?”

“Just a lot to take in…but vampires…do they exist?”

“Sshh…leave such matters behind closed doors.” Helen hushed her as they walked into the boutique

They were searching through dress racks. Helen found a few for her to try on. Hannah had been through thirteen before finding the right one (to the right of the page…)

“Helen…these prices are insane. I can’t let you get me this…I’m sure my mom can make something. It’s not really a wedding…” She said, muttering the last part.

“Nonsense. It’s a gift…come on now, dear. We’ve got a cake to pick up, a bouquet to buy, and a wedding to get to.” She smiled before pulling her along.

Hannah didn’t believe any of this poppycock. She was 18. Didn’t 18 year olds graduate, move out, and go to college? She had a right to that…and traveling. The reality of it all didn’t sink in until she walked down the aisle. Tristan, seeming a bit upset but smiling, waited for her and it all hit her at once. Vampires were at least a possibility. She took his hand. This wedding was really happening. He spoke his vows. And her life was a lie. A big fat lie.

“Do you, Hannah Juin Andres, take Tristan Lucian Giovanni as our husband, to have and to hold for all eternity?”

The words were being stolen by the sting of tears in her throat. Tristan grabbed both of her hands, looking concerned. She didn’t realize she wasn’t breathing. She didn’t realize it was her mom, his parents, and Caleb. Or that their priest was also a vampire. Tristian. His greyish blue eyes were holding worry, her worries.

“Hannah…are you okay? You’re pale.” He said.

“I do but um…excuse me, please.” She said before rushing away.

Tristan followed her to the bathroom, holding her hair as she threw up. Stupid stomach and the way it reacted to anxiety, pressure, and change. So much change. Her stomach was dry, nothing but air escaping. The last thing she remembered was being picked up. Tristan carried her bridal style.

“She’s a bit um…overwhelmed.” He said before taking her upstairs.

He set her on his bed, the wedding taking place in their backyard at night. She looked peaceful in her sleep. Less bothered. He grabbed her hand and slid the ring on before putting the ring on his finger. Tristan sighed and laid next to her, closing his eyes. This wasn’t Twilight. The boy needed his sleep too. Hannah curled into him for heat. He didn’t have much to offer but she didn’t seem to care. He simled but then frowned. He still wanted to know her…everything had happened to fast. He doubted she would let him in and with aanother sigh, he drifted off to sleep. What was going to happen to Hannah and Tristan Giovanni?

Even they didn’t know.