Midnight Rays

Chapter 15

  It was still daylight when Emily awoke.  She walked downstairs and found Lena sitting at the table with a cup of coffee. 
  "There's still some in the pot, fix you a cup and then we have some serious catching up!"
  "Oh girl, don't I know it. And I want to hear ALL of what you have to say," Emily said winking at her.
  Emily fixed her coffee and sat down with Lena at the table.  She filled her in quickly about everything that her and Samuel had worked out with the Council.  Then she looked at Lena, waiting for her update.
  Lena just grinned at her, not saying anything.
  Emily jabbed her with her elbow, "spill the beans girl!  What are you waiting for?"
  Lena laughed at her.
  "Ok, ok! I'll tell you..."
  She paused, just smiling.
  "Lena, I swear, if you don't start talking..."
  "Ok!  So, you know we hung out while y'all went to speak with the Council.  Well, he took me to this amazing cafe and I had a ham and cheese croissant.  It was soooo good.  Then we walked through the park and just talked and talked.  When we got back to the helicopter, girl I kid you not, he howled at the moon and it was the funniest thing ever.  Then we sat on the bench and ya'll showed up.  When we got back here we just sat on the porch and talked.  He told me all about his family, and they sound so delightful.  Then when he left, he kissed me on the cheek.  The cheek!  Like, he didn't try Anything!  He was just the most amazing gentleman I have ever met!  We exchanged numbers, and he has Already texted me, he wants to see me again, and I just cannot wait!  You would love him, Emily, he is nothing like any of the other guys I have ever dated!"
  Emily smiled at her friend, seeing the happiness just flow from her as she talked about Jamal.
  "I am so happy for you, Lena.  You deserve nothing but the best, but know this, if he ever hurts you, I will make sure noone ever finds his body..."
  Lena laughed at this.
  "I love you Em, and that is why!  You are definitely the best friend any girl could ever hope for."
  Samuel came walking down the stairs then, rubbing his eyes.
  "Why in the devil are you girls up so early, and so Loud.  You literally woke me from a dead sleep."
  They both laughed again.
  "Just some girl talk and bonding going on.  You may want to start getting used to it, my night owl."  Emily said to him, grinning.
  "I will, just a wonder of when."  He walked to her and placed a small kiss on her forehead, then proceeded to the fridge to warm up a glass of the life sustaining liquid.
  "So," he said as he waited for the microwave to finish, "I have put some thought into our little issue.  I am thinking of paying our dear Vastin a visit tonight."
  "Samuel, I don't think that is a good idea.  He doesn't know where we are, so maybe we just continue to lay low until he gets over his little vendetta against us."
  He took his glass from the microwave then and took a sip, enjoying the warmth the liquid provided to his cold body.
  "You don't know Vastin like I do, he can hold a grude for a century."
  "Well...you know Lena's birthday is tomorrow.  And we have a night planned of music, drinks, and having some general fun...then, um, afterwards...well....uh..."
  "Girl, just spit it out!"  Lena said, knowing how long Emily could drag this out.
  "Well, I was just thinking maybe I would get you to turn me then, Samuel.  Ya know, after our little party, so as to not take the night from Lena."
  Lena gasped.  Samuel sat his glass down and just looked at her.  They were both too stunned to say anything.
  "A-are you sure?"  Samuel finally said.
  "You have been putting this off so long," Lena finally spoke, "and now all of a sudden you plan to?  Are you Really sure this is what you want?"
  "Yes," Emily replied, "I have been thinking about it for some time.  And it just feels, I don't know how to really explain it, right?"
  "If that is what you truly want then I stand behind you and your decision, Em," Lena said as she hugged her.
  "I will only go along with this if you are very sure this is what you desire.  I don't want you to do it for any other reason."  Samuel then walked to her and held her in her arms.
  She looked up at him and smiled.  "I'm positive."