Chapter 63 - Hope is a "Goode" Thing

Vladimir stood in the bedroom window silently watching his wife and step-daughter talk.  Hope's birthday is tomorrow and he figured they were probably planning a party or something. He really didn’t care about that; he did care that he would soon be able to drink from little Miss Hope Goode.

Vladimir had done a lot of thinking since that night in the basement.  Delia had become somewhat complacent and was always willing whenever he needed to drink and never refused him in bed. He was insatiable in both departments so this was a good thing. He was pretty sure she was in love with him, but now she seemed a little afraid of him too. He was surprised that it bothered him that she might fear him. Had he fallen in love with her too he wondered. Of course, he said the words, but he had to. He needed her. Perhaps he was confusing his need with love.    

When Hope left, he went outside to talk to his wife. She must get over this fear of him. He needs to know ALL of her secrets including the ones she doesn’t even know. 

When he came outside, she jumped, then smiled and reached out to him in an attempt to hide it. “Hi babe. What are you doing out here? Are you - thirsty?” she asked sweetly. Oh Delia, he thought, I won’t hurt you, ever. I NEED you. Then he thought, that’s it, she thinks all I want from her is to drink from. Well, she isn't far off. Maybe I should give it a rest for awhile. There’s always Hope Goode. He laughed to himself at the double meaning her name had for him Hope and Good.  

“No Delia,” he answered. “I just came to talk about the other night. There are still unanswered questions.” Then he paused and changed his tactic. “Delia, you do know that I love you very much. You mean everything to me. You are not just a convenient snack. In fact, if you want, I can get nourishment elsewhere.” That last part was difficult to say, but he had to, for now anyway. 

Delia smiled as tears burned in her eyes and replied, “I love you too. There is no need to go elsewhere." That thought tore a hole in the pit of her stomach. She continued, "You said it, if I loved you, I would let you. It isn’t bad – at all. In fact, it's the opposite. I am just afraid I will not let you to stop, and - and that I will be turned.” Vladimir was shocked at that statement and replied, “I will NOT let that happen! Trust me on that one!" 

He figured the rest of the conversation could wait until another day. He moved on to safer ground and asked,“What were the two of you discussing?” “Girl talk," she smiled and continued,"Hannah and Pierre’s baby is due very soon. We were just talking about how happy they must be and what to get them for a gift. Oh, and don’t forget, tomorrow is Hope’s birthday!” “Yes, of course it is!  And I have just the birthday present for her,” said Vladimir, “I promised to help with her Ballet exercises and it is time I fulfilled that promise.”  “She will love that! Thank you. Let’s get inside. It’s cold out here,” replied Delia, now slightly more relaxed than she had been in the weeks following their confessions to each other.

Vladimir saw Hope had gotten ready for bed and was dancing in her P.J.s.  He took the opportunity to earn more brownie points with her so he joined her to wish her Happy Birthday a day early. They laughed and danced together to a couple of songs. 

He then told her that they if she wanted to go upstairs, he would show her more dance moves on the Ballet Bar before she went to bed - an early birthday present. She readily jumped at the chance. He worked her out until she was ready to drop.  

Hope’s Birthday had finally arrived.  She was so happy. Graduation was soon and she was pretty sure her long-time boyfriend, Sebastian Striker, would propose. 

Hope had grown into a gorgeous young woman and had all of Delia’s genes. She was the spitting image of her mother. 

Vladimir was very happy to see it was her birthday as well.  She was finally old enough he could feed from her without harming her, then erase her memory as he had done with Delia in the past. This would give Delia a break and perhaps help her relax even more. Delia had seemed so tired lately. He just had to be sure she never found out he was feeding from her beautiful daughter.

Delia was tired, probably from the worry and the sheer amount of blood he was taking from her so she went upstairs to take a much needed nap. The timing was perfect. Vladimir and Hope were now alone. They had developed a good relationship; she thought he hung the moon, so it was very easy for him to get close her. Vladimir wasted no time and as it turned out, feeding from Hope was a piece of cake and proved to be the delicious treat he had expected it might be. Not Delia delicious, but still quite satisfying. Yes, the perfect appetizer. Hope is a Goode thing.

  

The next day, Pierre called to say he had taken Hannah to the hospital and she just gave birth to a little boy they named Benjamin. They wanted to stop by before heading back home into the city to show off the new addition to the family. They also wanted to tell Hope a Happy Belated Birthday and would be there shortly. 

Delia couldn’t wait to see them. She missed Pierre a lot.  She was a little afraid he might know something was up though. Pierre had always sensed something was different about Vladimir. Fortunately he didn't know what and had seemed to back off after their conversation before he and Hannah married. Somehow she and obviously Hope had not picked up on it. Thank goodness, Hope is still oblivious. At least Delia knew the truth about him and he knows more about her than anyone has ever known and he didn’t think she was crazy. He actually believed her. She loved him all the more for that. It had been a relief to unburden herself. But now, she had questions about him that she needed answers to.

When Pierre and Hannah arrived, Hannah wanted to have a chat with Hope so she handed baby Ben to Pierre with along with a bottle.  He looked at Hannah with a terrified look on his face and resigned himself to try to get little Ben to take the bottle. Pierre looked like a fish out of water trying to feed his newborn son. Fortunately he was too preoccupied to pay any attention to anything other than trying not to break his new baby.

Hannah turned to Hope and told her Pierre had shared his concerns about Vladimir with her before they married. Hope was so confused at Hannah’s remarks and very surprised that Pierre still felt jealous of him. “Vladimir is awesome! He adores our mother and treats her like a queen.You should see the way he looks at her, like he wants to devour her. I hope I have love like that someday! He dances with me and is teaching me ballet. You just don’t know him and Pierre is just jealous,” said Hope.  “Okay, Hope. Pierre just wanted to be sure you two were okay here with the Creepster,” replied Hannah. “Stop calling him that! He might hear you,” scolded Hope and then she turned her attention to Pierre, “Now, Pierre, let me hold my nephew!”

  

That night, Francisco paid a visit to Delia. He hadn’t been around in a very long time. He usually only made an appearance when Delia was not in a good place emotionally. Well, she had been through alot in the past few weeks with the basement and learning about Vladimir. When he showed himself, he just floated over to Delia and hugged her without saying a word. Her sweet Francisco; always there to comfort her. He seemed more like a best friend than her deceased husband and former lover. Her feelings had changed for him over time but she still loved him, just not the same way she loved Vladimir.

Vladimir came down the stairs and saw her embracing a ghost. It truly spooked him. In all of his years, he had never seen a real ghost before, however he knew exactly who it was from the stupid pictures in the basement; her first husband. He ran over to them and began to yell at Delia to get away and for Francisco go back to his Urn where he belonged. He wanted no interference with his plans for Delia from anyone, dead or alive.    

They started arguing and Delia tried to get them to stop before things got out of control. Francisco didn’t like Vladimir one bit and the feeling was mutual. Francisco finally gave in because he knew it was upsetting Delia.  He backed off and began floating down to the basement when Vladimir took this opportunity to get one last shot at mind control in for good measure.  “Humph! That ought to keep him away for a while,” thought Vladimir to himself.

After Francisco’s ghost left, Vladimir looked at Delia. She was crestfallen.  He apologized and confessed he was jealous.  “I am sorry, it’s just it was so hard seeing you hug that thing - him.  Do you two commiserate often?” he asked sarcastically and then quickly apologized again, “Sorry, I am just upset and we need to talk,” continued Vladimir, “Not just about this, but about what else is in that basement of yours. We have to figure out a plan. Yes, there is a lot more we need to discuss; but not tonight. I have to leave for work and you look like you are about to pass out.”  

Delia agreed – yes they DID have a lot to talk about and not just the basement. She needed to know more about him too. She was honest with him before when she said she was afraid when he drank from her. But right now, she was exhausted. She could barely get through each day without at least one nap. Right now, she just needed to sleep. “Tomorrow then,” said Delia. Vladimir touched her gently on the cheek before he turned and left for work. She headed gratefully to bed. 

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