Lover Redeemed

Chapter 3

[Apologies for the LONG delay. Some details of the mansion might not be totally accurate. Feel free to pipe up. I haven't had time to reread the series as I wanted. ~ Starnyx]

Chapter 3

Darla's look of incredulity shifted first from Mary and then to Beth. Then a grin broke through.

"You have to be messing with me," she scoffed. "Vampires are real?"

Beth leaned forward. "Not the kind in books and movies. They didn't get the details right."

"Oh good, cuz I can't stand those sparkly SOBs," Darla quipped and leaned back.

When neither of the women shouted, "You've been punked!" Darla began to frown.

Mary smiled and spoke up. "It's a lot to take in, we know. We had no idea about all this when we met our hellren – our husbands – either."

"Look, when I met Wrath several years ago, and he explained all of this, I didn't believe him either. It took some convincing as I expect it will with you. I just ask that you be patient, stay with us while you get used to things," Beth said, leaning back. "Later, we can talk about what you would like to do – say, start college, find a job, apartment – we can help get you set up with any of that."

A long dormant feeling bubbled in Darla's chest, but she ruthlessly quashed it. Promises had been made, believed and broken too many times in her short life. She looked to the short-term now. She had a roof over her head, good eats, a bed, and hot shower. If these kindly, well-intentioned women wanted to help her for their church or social program, she could play along until something else come her way.

Darla looked down at herself in her comfy, likely-expensive hospital pajamas. "Can we just start with some clothes first? And something besides TV and magazines to do?" she asked.

Beth looked startled and turned to Mary, who smiled indulgently.

"You're right. Beth and I will find some clothes for you. You're welcome to use the gym down here if you like –" Mary started to say.

"Down here? Where is here exactly?"

"A private home. It's kind of a big home, mansion, really. Several of us live here together," Beth answered, seemingly uncomfortable with the explanation.

"What? Like a commune?" Darla responded. "Look, I appreciate all this..." Darla lifted her hands in a vague gesture," but, if you wanted sex from me –"

"No... no..." Mary was quick to stop Darla. "Not a religious or hedonistic commune. We live together because we might have come from different places like you, but we've all become close. We take care of each other, keep each other safe and...," Mary smiled briefly at Beth, who smiled back with a nod," we love each other like family."

Darla didn't look convinced but didn't respond.

Beth stood and smoothed her pants as she said, "Let us get some clothes together for you. Then we'll see about introducing you around."

Mary stood as well with notepad and pencil in her left hand. "For now, don't leave your suite. There are some who, let's say, could startle you. At least, we have a chance let you meet everyone now that you're feeling better."

*************************************

Darla sat in one of the winged-back chairs in her suite paging through one of the novels Beth had brought down. Clothes and some books, even a blank journal and pens, had been delivered. She was finally wearing something other than hospital couture. The heather gray sweatpants were soft against her skin. The three-quarter sleeve forest green top had a cowl-neck and was a bit looser across the chest as if it had been bought for someone more endowed than she was. On her feet, black slip-on sneakers finished the outfit.