Bad Choices (Hypernaturals 8)

Beware the Hot Tub

Morgan knocked on the front door, then went in after hearing a 'come in' from somewhere in the house. It is a pretty nice house. Bigger than two people probably need. Proximity to our house overcame practicality. We offered this house to Danny and Lori if they wanted more privacy, but they like their little house and its proximity to the kids and also, according to Lori, my cooking. She often says she is going to just give in to my tamales and marry me. It's only twenty-five percent innuendo, but seventy-five percent hedonism. Lori would (will?) make a great Vampire.

Marvin and Skye got this house instead. They may be the ones that need a higher level of privacy right now: they are like newlyweds most of the time. Free of Vampire rules for the first time in four decades: Skye not sneaking around and hiding what she is from her family (fat lot of good that did her: Morgan found her anyway), and Marvin finally being allowed to have contiguous memory of her.

Marvin is in the living room, reading a book by Brian Greene. I am guessing he is studying up for another conversation with my dad. My dad, being among other things, a physicist, means occasionally esoteric conversations. He and Marvin have grown very close, united in their love of science and their children. Skye came in from elsewhere in the house and sat next to Marvin.

"Hi, Dad. Mother." Morgan greeted her parents. Morgan has repaired most but not all of her issues with her mother. Their disagreement over forcing Marvin to try to turn underlines their occasional problems: Skye remains in many ways a much more traditional Vampire, and that includes some of the female Vampire superiority over males. She is not as bad as some: her love for Marvin and her dedication to returning to him rather than hunting and feeding elsewhere showing a non-traditional streak. Skye wants no other man. That is part of why she had an issue with our more open approach. I had that same problem at first with Helen, and Morgan really had to mull it over. We both had to learn to think differently about long term and long lived Vampire relationship styles.

Despite Morgan and Skye's reconciliation, she is still her fathers' girl. He raised her. Thus the diminutive 'Dad', and the more formal 'Mother'. My parents, to Morgan, are also 'Mom' and 'Dad', but they are that for everyone in the family except their three granddaughters. Diana, being the oldest finally sorted it out as Grandma and Grandpa for all her grandparents. No diminutives. No Mimi's. Nothing like that. Rachel followed her sisters' lead, and Laura does not talk yet: The opposite of Diana in that regard. By age one Diana was an ever-flowing fountain of happy chatter.

My job, as bloodhound and medical / spousal support, meant I stood next to Morgan to underline what she is going to say. Immoral support. By traditionalist standards I am not very moral where Morgan is concerned. Or Jessica. Or Helen.

"Dad. Sorry for the unannounced drop-in. I need to tell you that it is time for you to make a decision about whether you are going to try to be Vampire or to seek human medical treatment. You know how Adrian and my senses work. What we can tell from your scent. You have been maintaining status quo for a long time, but your scent is changing, and now it is our Vampiric and well-informed opinion that you are out of time. I know this is very blunt, but you and I have always been able to talk to each other plainly." Morgan launched directly into the heart of the matter.

Marvin sighed and set the book down. "Yes. I know. I have been feeling a bit run down. My exercise program is getting harder to do. I agree my dear: It's time to decide."

We waited. Marvin finally added "I guess that there is not really even a choice. These last few years with your mom and I have been wonderful. Seeing how happy you are. Having grandkids. I don't want to have a mere few more years and fight and fight the medical establishment and insurance for every treatment. Not when I have a much scarier but possibly much better alternative. At the very least, I will share the fate of my family as a family. It is hard to imagine going through everything that I must and to literally become another species, but I have to try that path first. I trust Jessica and Sally. Getting to know them has been one of the gifts of my life. Exceptional people."