Dracula's Groom

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO: The Burning Question

Dracula

Nearly six hours later we arrived in the City of Paris. At a local café within walking distance of the famous Eiffel Tower, Nathan worked on sipping his coffee while enjoying the scenery that came with such a beautiful place. When he finished, I signaled for the check and paid with what little money we had left before taking his hand in mine and going for a relaxing stroll. Couples did the same as they walked passed us, their arms wrapped firmly around one another as the air started to show signs of colder weather.

"You feeling alright?" I asked as we neared the end of a small bridge.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little tired from driving all day. What about you though, are you okay? Are you hungry?"

"Nonsense, my dear. Never worry about me. I am in total control. But I'm good for a while."

"Fair enough."

The air grew colder the further we walked, while antique street lamps showed us the way. I pulled Nathan in close, my vampiric senses scanning over three times the average normal city blocks, searching for any signs of danger. With Dahlia and the king of Romania dead, who else knows what might be out there plotting against me. For their sake, I hope not. And then on Rue Emile Borel, a long list of shops crowded both sides of the street. One shop in particular caught Nathan's eye as he went to go investigate.

I waited outside and like a gentleman bought a single red rose from an elderly woman across the street. I think she actually blushed at first, her eyes looking down as she played it coy and told me it was on the house. In the end, I kissed her on the cheek and smirked when her old heart fluttered in her chest like a young teenager. When Nathan returned and I handed him the rose, he didn't know what to say.

"It's beautiful, thank you." He said. "Where'd you find it?"

"From the little old lady behind me."

Nathan peeked around, watching the old lady pat her cheeks. "Dracula, what did you do to that poor old woman?"

I shrugged. "Nothing, really. She took one look at me as I selected a rose and told me it was on the house. And as a 'thank you' I gave her a little kiss on the cheek."

"Well, that was awfully nice of you. Now I guess it's my turn."

With an arched brow I watched as Nathan jogged across the street and tipped the old lady some money. She was much too happy to form any complete sentences. Instead, she just hugged him and waved at us both as we continued our way elsewhere. The night was still young in fact that I decided it was time to take matters into my own hands. Our course changed and soon we were standing underneath the basking glow of the Eiffel Tower. While other people were taking pictures and sharing an intimate kiss or two, I got down on one knee and asked Nathan the one question that had been burning on my tongue all those years ago.

"Nathan, I've loved you for a long time and will continue to do so for as long as I am breathing. So tonight, and in front of all these other people, will you do me the honor of being my husband?"

He stood there surprised, the look in his eyes smolder with happiness. I think I already knew the answer before he spoke it. "Yes! Yes I will!"

I smiled with triumph as the crowd of onlookers applauded and cheered, leaving Nathan speechless. I reached inside the pocket of my jacket and pulled a small box that I had been carrying around for weeks. Inside was my mother's ring which was unisex back in those days. But after centuries without care and upkeep, the ring was dirty and the stone had to be redone. I'm glad I got it done when I did, I think it turned out great. I took it out and slipped the ring on his finger where it would always stay for all eternity.

"Perfect fit." I said.

"It is perfect," Nathan replied. "I love it."

"And I love you."

After the many well-wishes and camera flashes had passed, we retired for the night to a little French hotel near the water. Though the room was small, we certainly made it work with just us two. I pulled Nathan towards the bed as I laid him down and kissed tenderly on the lips. I could tell his body was ready as was mine from the way he got into the swing of things. And the more I made love to him, the more I wanted to mark him for good so that nobody would ever dare try to take him away from me.

"Are you going to try and turn me tonight?" he asked.

"No. Tonight's not about making you into a vampire. Tonight I'm going to make love to you."

"You're so romantic, darling. You certainly have away with words."

"That's because whenever I look at you, I see nothing else but you."

"Okay. You better stop or you're gonna make me cry."

I grinned. "Cry all you want baby. It still won't change how I feel about you."

That night we made love and where it lasted untilthe early hours of the morning with Nathan by my side. As the sky began to showits true colors, the ring on his finger caught the early morning rays as itsparkled in the pale darkness of the room. I whispered in his ear that wouldallow him to remain asleep until the following night. And I figured that sincehe's going to become a vampire soon he might as well start to learn how to actlike one.

Author's Note: Good morning my lovelies! I hope you all enjoyed this little chapter...:)) And I'm so glad that Dracula finally popped the question. Nathan sure is a lucky guy. *sniffles*