Missing Vampire: Reward Available (Hypernaturals 6)

Red Letter Day

My fiance and I were dunking each other and slipping in underwater intimacies hidden by splashing when Helen and Jessica appeared in the water. I was not paying attention to their arrival for some distracted reason.

"So THIS is where everyone is," Jessica sounded slightly annoyed, but it was a put-on.

"Mommy Mommy!' Diana shrieked "Watch this!" as she was tossed from Fiona to Gavina to Sophie in rapid succession. Helen swam over and intercepted her in mid-flight "Gotcha!" and more happiness ensued. I love watching Helen-the-hardass with our little girl. She turns into a big softie.

Jessica swam over to us, and Morgan stayed with her arm around me, hand openly caressing my backside which surprised me ever so slightly. I know Morgan intends to go public, but it is one thing to kiss me in front of people we just met, and another to hold on to me in a semi-intimate way in front of Jessica. Morgan's staying attached and loving drew a line under it. In the past when Morgan and I have been speaking to each other about personal things, Morgan shut it all down around others.

This is an open declaration without words.

"What are you two up to?" Jessica asked.

Since it's out in the open now: "Hugging my Morgan. Being hugged back. Secretly playing with her cute Tukas underwater. Watching our little girl get spoiled," I answered. I figure I will help Morgan with the going public thing.

Jessica made no comment about Morgan holding onto me or me her or my comment. Jessica wouldn't. She slid in on the other side, pulled me into her as well, and we three watched and laughed. Jessica played with my tush as an acknowledgment that she heard what I said, her arm across the top of Morgan's.

Morgan looked up at a large analog wall clock hung on a stone pillar. "Fiona? A rest time, please? Diana is getting tired."

Diana heard that of course. "Mommy!" She protested, as Fiona scooped her out of the air, and started to the poolside.

"Diana." Morgan replied evenly.

"Ok. Ten minutes?" came the meek response.

"Ten minutes, my love. Rest. We'll all be here to play with you after you are done resting."

"Ok." Diana said sullenly.

"Why, honey?" Morgan asked her gently.

"Because you love me and you don't want me to hurt myself." Diana said sullen still.

"Do I love you, Diana? Really? Because you seem to think I am punishing you and I am not." Morgan asked gently.

"You love me a whole bunch." Diana told her, brightening.

"Thank you, Fiona. I appreciate the assistance. Can you watch her for a few more minutes? I need to have a small family conference about something that recently came up."

'Up' and 'In', I did not say. Morgan heard it in my mind anyway and gave me a squeeze. Or maybe it was her innuendo about 'up'.

"Of course, Morgan. I am going to tickle her toes." Fiona replied

Fiona played with Diana's toes, and soon had peels of laughter.

Morgan said to me "Fiona is worth her weight in gold. Whatever you pay her, it's not enough."

"Well, as it seems this is my place now, I will look into that immediately," I replied

Morgan cocked her head. "I thought place this is Helen's?"

Jessica explained "It was a surprise for Adrian that he ruined by having the poor taste to be pursued by the HPA again. Helen made him a new European identity. Here, in the human world, he is Adrian Claremont. The first male heir of the Claremont Estates in five hundred years. Owner of the surrounding countryside, the winery, the pool we are in. That young blonde woman over there is his wife, Helen Claremont, talking to the Council and Crew members. She has a cute little Tukas too. Smaller than yours, but fun to play with. I am their beloved mistress, although sometimes I think they only love me for my mind."