Chapter 68 – Preparations

Vladimir was working harder than ever and seemed to be pre-occupied with things going on at work.  He talked on the phone a lot when he got home and always checked the gate to be sure it was locked and armed. She knew he only wanted to be sure they were safe and well taken care of. 

Delia had Valerie down for a nap and relished watching the child sleep while she rocked. 

Vladimir startled her as he came into Valerie’s room as she didn’t hear him. She was amazed at how quietly he could enter a room. “I knew this is where I would find my beautiful girls,” he said as he came through the door. “I bet you say that to all the girls,” laughed Delia as she got out of the rocker to give him a hug. 

“Dee – let’s have a house warming party. It would be good to see Hope, and Pierre." he added quickly, "and I can invite over my colleagues.  We should also ask Elvira. We need to properly thank her for helping us get this home,” he said hoping Delia wouldn’t object to the Elvira part. They needed to check out the security at the house.  Things were going to go down sooner rather than later and they needed to be ready. “Sure babe,” Delia said unenthusiastically, and quickly added in a brighter tone, “It will be good to see the kids!” and smiled a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

She thought about Elvira as she warmed herself by the fire trying to get rid of the chill that woman’s name sent down her spine. She knew there had to be a long history between Elvira and Vladimir. Was she just jealous or was there something else. She couldn’t read Elvira like she could most people, but then she was a vampire and likely was closing her mind and after that 'party' at her house and the way she flirted with Vladimir, she decidedly did not like that woman. 

Vladimir could tell that Delia wasn’t thrilled about the idea of a party and saw her standing alone by the fire.  He went over to her and asked if she was okay.  “Now that you are here by me and by the fire, I am perfect. Seems we have a party to plan!” she said trying to keep the distress at having to entertain Elvira out of her voice.  Vladimir was right, we did need to properly thank her…she just better behave thought Delia. 

The night of their housewarming party was upon them. Delia was not feeling very well. She was so nervous because she was going to have the vampire clan in her house again. She figured that was what comes with being in love with a vampire so she better get used to it. 

Delia was ready and Vladimir was warming up playing a song for her on the piano. Delia loved listening to him play. 

Of course, the first to arrive was Elvira looking all smug. She complimented Vladimir on the piano and listened a bit too dreamily to him playing. Delia couldn’t help but notice the looks exchanged between the two of them. 

She found herself wishing they could take Hope and Pierre’s family and move out of Bridgeport.  That was ridiculous.  To get those thoughts out of her head, Delia busied herself pouring drinks for the arriving guests.  But as she did, she kept watching Elvira out of the corner of her eye. 

Pierre soon arrived, but he was alone. As Delia greeted him and handed him a drink, he told her that Hannah sent her apologies.  She wasn’t up to a cocktail party since she felt like a beached whale and needed to keep off her feet.  Their baby was due soon.  Pierre looked so handsome in his tux and Delia found she became even more protective of him. She dared Elvira to even talk to him.

When Hope arrived, Vladimir sensed it immediately. He stopped playing to get up and welcome her.  He hugged her fiercely.   

  

Vladimir visited with her briefly and realized he missed her a lot.  He didn’t miss feeding from her, he really had grown very fond of Delia’s daughter, almost as if she were his own.  He thought she was too good for Sebastian, that clown she was married to, but she seemed happy and that was all that mattered. 

At the insistence of his guests, Vladimir returned to the piano and began an encore performance while Delia watched from the back of the room sipping wine.  She was getting sick at her stomach.  She wasn’t sure if it was the wine or just the stress of that ‘woman’ in her house and the unspoken bond between her and Vladimir. 

Delia couldn't fight the nausea any longer.  She ran to the bathroom. She threw up the wine and had to change her dress. How humiliating. She went back to the party and barely managed to make it through the remainder of the evening.  Finally the last of the guests left and she gratefully went to bed not feeling any better. What a disaster she thought.  Vladimir probably thinks I am a loser now. 

The next day she felt better and apologized to her husband for ruining his party.  He assured her she didn't ruin it. Everyone had a great time and it was wonderful to see Hope – and Pierre – he added quickly. She knew they didn’t get along that well so she appreciated the gesture. 

He told her he had some errands to run and would be back in a couple of hours.  He kissed her sweetly before leaving.

After Vladimir left, Hope was fussy because she wanted her Daddy. She loved Vladimir. Delia picked her up and went to the rocker to tell her more stories and soothe her. While she was rocking Valerie, it hit her like a ton of bricks. 

She wasn’t drunk last night. Nervous, yes, drunk no. She was pregnant again. After she got Valerie settled, she got out the trusty pregnancy test to confirm it. Baby number 9. What would her older children think. They would think she and Vladimir were having a lot of sex!  And that was okay.    

In the meantime, Vladimir needed to make final preparations for the takeover that would be happening in the next few days. He went to Elvira’s apartment to discuss the details and find out the status of the surveillance that was setup while the party was going on. 

She answered the door apologizing for her dress, or lack thereof, saying she just got out of bed. She sweetly invited him in and said he could join her there if liked. He was disgusted and told her to back off. 

“Oh, baby. Don’t be that way,” she purred, “I see you liked the baby grand, wouldn’t you like to thank me for it?”  “That is not what I am here for and you know it,” shot back Vladimir. 

Ignoring his protests, she continued, “You know, Blondie can’t hold her liquor. Seems she threw up all over that cutsie little blue dress and had to change into a frumpy one. Why do you stay with that mess of a woman when you can have this? We are alike. You and I. You know that and you NEED me, handsome, whether you like it or not. Why not have ALL of me - again?”

That was all he could take.  His fangs came out in rage as he yelled at her, “I will KILL you Elvira! Stop this now before I do something we will both regret!”

“Hmph. Can’t blame a girl for trying. You once loved me Vlad, what happened?” whimpered Elvira.

“I never loved you Elvira,” replied Vladimir, “You know that as well as I. It was nothing more than sex; it was a convenient relationship based on mutual needs. But now we do need each other in order to FREE ourselves of each other. I need your hacking and electronic skills and you need my power.

As soon as this takeover is done, I won’t need the same type of protection. I will be respected and feared by all vampires in Bridgeport. And as my second in command, so will you. Things will calm down and the fighting will cease. You can then seduce anyone you like. Just not me. Now can we talk?”

Yes, thought Elvira, convenient, but such a nice convenience.  “You may take over” she said, “but you will ALWAYS be in danger as long as you keep Blondie around. She is a weakness that you can’t afford.  So far no one seems to know about her except our close group.  But eventually, she will be found out and we won’t be able to protect her.  Don’t you get that Vlad? You put us all at risk.” “Let me worry about that. Now, Elvira, the plans, please so I can get out of here.” 

“That hurts, Vlad,” replied Elvira as she walked over defeated, to the bookcase.She pulled the plans out of the hiding place while Vladimir, exhausted with her, grabbed a plasma drink. 

Elvira told him the security at the house should be fine.  Her team was monitoring the cameras from up the hill.  She handed him the plans and said to call her when he got home and they would go through them. There was only one way in and out so it would be easy. 

He gladly left with the plans.

When Vladimir arrived at home he had no idea the surprise that Delia had in store for him.  The visit with Elvira drained him. She always did.  He was so happy to see Delia. She met him at the door and said they needed to talk. She had some news.  He was perplexed wondering what it could be. He never expected to hear the words "I am pregnant".  

Vladimir was happy.  He loved Valerie and being a father. He promised Delia he would be a much better expectant father this time and would be by her side through all of it. He hugged her and felt her relax into his arms. Then an ugly thought popped into his head. How many does this one make for this woman?  But he dismissed it as quickly as it came. It didn't matter, that was then and this is now. We are a family; they are mine. He was happy. 

As he hugged her, she whispered in his ear that they probably needed to stay out of the hot tub!  He just laughed and hugged her tighter. 

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