Erasure and Affirmation (Hypernaturals 11)

Mangagement

Danny showed off his ring to Morgan and I. Wiggling his ring finger and grinning like an idiot. There is so much I love about that. My happy nerdball semi macho friend so happy. I imagine that even though it was embarrassing for him, knowing what is wrong with why they have not started a baby and that it is fixable is a load off his mind. Now this. Danny is having a great evening. When Lori says those are her 'boy toys', she follows through!

Lori explained, reaching over to spin the ring on Danny's finger a little. "It's called a 'mangagement' ring. When I decided that I am ready to get married, I also decided I did not have to wait for him to ask me. That's stupid. I live in a family that does nothing by human traditions. Morgan asked Adrian..."

"After I asked her..." Jessica pointed out. "A bunch of times. It turns out if you are having sex with her while you ask, it works better with her. She's a tart."

"... So, anyway, I checked around. Found that one. I liked it, it is masculine, but it has a nice rock, and I decided I was going to ask and get this show on the road." Lori concluded as if Jessica had not just inserted her comment.

"It's amazing, Danny. Congratulations." I said. "I got married three times, and I never got one of those." I complained. "Of course, I was not engaged very long the first two times. The third time went on forever, though.

Morgan gave me a studied look. "It did not. In defense of my so-called tart-i-ness, from the time I asked you in the deep end to the time we were married in the shallow end wasn't any time at all, to speak of."

I returned studies look with a grin. "I mean, Detective Tart, since you decided you were going to marry in, and we all KNEW you were, and you jumping in the deep end: That took forever. Or, if you prefer, all those times Jessica asked you while I was wandering around eastern Europe. Shorter, but still forever."

"That was forever. Forever and a damn day." Jessica agreed.

Morgan nodded her surrender. "And so you will have a ring, my love. I did not know that type of ring was even a thing. I should have checked. I complain all the time about how women are treated unequally, but this is a way in which men are not. It shall be rectified."

"I am just..." I started

Morgan cut me off. "You will have one, my not-so-blushing-but-always-eager groom. Jessica and I will pick one out or design one. Probably design one and drive our jeweler insane."

"Damn straight." Jessica agreed. She looked at hers. "We need to give this design some manly male-like design notes."

"Do not work a penis into the design." Morgan warned. "Or... If you do, on the back, where only we can see it."

"Sure, because I am such a macho dude." I was lightly sarcastic and underlined it with an eye roll. Not a huge one. Just enough to comment on the proposed design.

Vera looked at her ring, then at Angel. "I love ours." She said, and Angel kissed her, which may have been the point of the comment.

Anne looked like she is waiting for Denise to comment on the rings.

Denise noticed and asked her "What?"

"You aren't going to say anything? You usually jump in on golden opportunities like that."

"Morgan just said she and Jessica are going to fix it, so I can't. He'll already have one." Denise pointed out reasonably. "As I am a delicate flower of Crew killing efficiency, mine will be properly lady like, and match theirs, so ... What is there to say?"

"I thought I knew who you are. When did you get so lovesick? I mean... You even walked away from Nico! Proper male vamp that he is." Anne asked.

"Which you promptly jumped on and covered with your body like he is a hand grenade. Not like you have taken me to bed since you got his pretty ass. I am not lovesick. I have reasoned it through. I have had the rest there is out there and for centuries on end. I understand the menu and what it offers. Now I want the best there is for me that matches what I want out of it. It is not like it is happening anytime soon."

"Because you followed Council orders..." Anne said.

"Following orders does not get me off. If anything, it bugs me that I seem to care more about that than, say, the people that gave the orders. However, you are not seeing the bigger picture, my friend and occasional lady lover when Nico is not taking up all your time. I don't want to only have babies. To get the ring and the family that goes with it, I have to convince ALL of them I deserve it. That might take a while."

I found that interesting. Denise is not only doing her penance but she is holding people like Rachel and Helen to account for their orders to kill male Vamps. I am glad she waited to say that when neither of them is here. Helen converted to my cause so fast she got herself booted from my subcommittee. Even if they were slow to come around on Boot Camp, they came around. If Denise wants into our marriage, pissing off Helen is not the right way to do it.

"I have faith in you, Dear." Carol told Denise. "In the meantime you can come to my wedding at Claremont. Apparently the afterparty is going to involve a pile of sweaty bodies. Or so I am told by my wedding planner."

"Who is your wedding planner? I did not know you had one." Anne asked.

"Adrian." Carol said.

"You are kidding me." Denise said in tones that underscored her real disbelief. I understand. I wouldn't believe it either.

"For real?" Anne asked.

"All planned." Carol said.

"And that plan is?" Anne asked.

"Get married at Claremont, by or in the pool. To be decided. Then the orgy. Then reception, maybe the next day once everyone has recovered. Very Vampire."

Anne looked at Dewayne. Raised an eyebrow. "Did you know about this?"

DeWayne shrugged. "I told her whatever she wanted is fine with me. I might have guessed that would be how it ended up after everything I have heard about Conclaves, though."

"Oh, boy!" Lori enthused. "I can finally get me some lady, legally! Helen better be ready...! Danny can't say a thing! It's a Vampire wedding!"

"Huh." Said Danny.

Lori grinned at him. "Don't you worry, honey. Lots of chicks there for you too. All your eager heart desires." Lori grinned around at the group. "You ladies are going to like what I just put a ring on. Sweet. Just the right amount of loving and lusting. Perfect mix."

"Huh." Danny repeated. He looked very shell shocked. It is that kind of evening for him. Maybe it is best that one of Jessica's treatments for his injury is turning Vampire. Sounds like Lori has Vampire flavored plans