Chapter 72 - Party Crasher

Valerie’s 16^th birthday was coming up and she had asked Delia if Hope and Pierre and their kids could come to help her celebrate. Delia approached Vladimir. She knew he wasn’t keen on having people over and why, but Hope and Pierre already knew where they lived and they were certainly no threat. In order to assure Delia that all was going to be okay, he agreed to the family party. He didn’t dare ask Elvira to come, but instead asked Wogan to attend to help watch for intruders or anything suspicious.  

The day of Valerie’s party came and Vladimir stationed himself outside to greet the arriving guests. When Wogan arrived accompanied by his high strung and domineering wife, Morrigan, Vladimir was livid. Wogan apologized and told Vladimir he had no choice, he had to bring her. He had let is slip that it was a birthday party at Vladimir's house.

As far as Vladimir knew, Morrigan had no idea he was married, much less married to a mortal woman and had two children with her. As soon as Morrigan saw Vladimir, she started yelling at him for making Wogan work all hours saying, “It was much better before you came into power! I got to see my husband once in awhile. Now you just think he is your personal gofer that you can call on anytime of the day or night! Forcing him to attend your kid’s birthday party was the last straw! And who even knew you were married. Why keep it secret. I just had to come to meet the your ‘queen bee'. Why have we not seen her; where is this mystery woman?”

Vladimir was visibly upset that she was here and even more upset at her accusations and assertions.  It was actually Elvira that was keeping Wogan on call all the time, but truth be told, it was because they had indeed taken over and he had to keep his private life private or risk losing everything they fought for. Wogan, William and Elvira were currently the only ones that knew he was married to a mortal and where he lived. Now nosy, gossipy Morrigan would know it all too. To diffuse the scene, Vladimir apologized to Morrigan and said he would check with Elvira to see how they could reduce his hours. Then he excused himself and went inside where they were just getting ready to cut the cake.  

From left to right, Sebastian Striker - Hope’s husband, Emil Striker - Hope's son, Vladimir, Jill Goode – Pierre’s daughter, Benjamin Goode - Pierre’s son, Pierre, Hannah – Pierre’s wife, Delia and Hope.

Vladimir got inside just in time to watch his daughter blow out her candles and mark Valerie’s first steps into her teenage years. The whole family was in attendance.  

Valerie had gracefully matured into a beautiful young woman.

Valerie

Wogan and Morrigan made their way inside just before they cut the cake. Vladimir tried to keep her away from his family but she was bound and determined to find out just exactly what was going on in the Schlick household and why their leader wouldn’t allow anyone to know about his family. Poor Wogan was no match for his wife’s power, strength and will so he wasn’t much help.

Morrigan literally hissed when she saw Delia and the room full of human’s. She could tell that the young beauty was Vladimir’s daughter, she looked so much like him, but what of these humans and where is the mother of this child? There wasn't another vampire in the room save her useless husband and Valerie of course.

Vladimir nearly had to tackle her to keep her from attacking Delia and her human children and grandchildren.  Only Morrigan’s respect for Vladmir as their leader kept her from grabbing the nearest one and feasting on them. Then she demanded to know who the human’s were and if they weren’t here for them to feast on, then why were they ‘allowed’ to be invited to a great vampire’s home when his own kind apparently were not welcomed. Vladimir told her to back off and calm down without answering the barrage of questions and walked over to help Delia get Valerie's present while she ate her cake. 

Because Morrigan was getting no answers from Vladimir, she followed Valerie to the table and began to interrogate her. That was when she discovered that Delia, a mere human, was Valerie’s mother and all the other humans were her children and grandchildren. Morrigan leaned over to Valerie and in a low voice so no one could hear asked her how it felt to be a vampire and want to drink her mother’s blood. Then she laughed at her mercilessly.

Valerie just stared at her cake, pretending to eat it mostly ignoring the woman. She had no idea who this person was or why she would say something like that. Satisfied that she had upset the chestnut haired beauty, Morrigan called Wogan over and let him know it was time to go and they left. 

Vladimir saw them leave and was relieved.  He was determined not to let Morrigan ruin his daughter’s party and now things could proceed normally. He called his daughter over to give her the gift that he and Delia had decided upon. He had arranged for piano lessons. The box contained a few pieces of music and the certificate for the lessons. She would be allowed to practice on his piano. Being a virtuoso at heart, like her father, she was thrilled. She couldn’t wait to sit down at her Dad’s big red piano and begin to make music like he could.                                                                                    

Valerie ran smiling upstairs to get ready for bed having had a great birthday party with Hope, Pierre and their kids. Her little sister was sitting in the floor so she scooped her up to play a quick game of tickle monster before putting Victoria to bed.   

As soon as she had Victoria settled for the night, Valerie skipped back downstairs and sat down at her father’s piano. She ran her fingers lovingly over the keys and then picked out a few simple tunes in anticipation of what it would be like to make hauntingly beautiful music like her father. She was so excited that he was going to let her use the piano that she had almost forgotten what that miserable lady had said to her. She would ask her mother in the morning but for now she picked out “Happy Birthday” one note at a time and then went to bed. 

Vladimir and Delia were watching Valerie from the other room and didn’t want to disturb her.  This was her moment. They knew by watching her, that the gift of music had been the right one.  

After they heard her bedroom door shut, Delia asked Vladimir to play for her. He gladly obliged trying to put the events of the evening behind him for now. He had to leave shortly for work and he wanted to end the evening on a positive note.

After he played for his wife and prepared for work, he was famished. Delia noticed him going into the kitchen and offered herself to him instead. He gladly held her and greedily drank deep. He needed the fortification for the conversations he was going to have to have with Elvira, William and worst of all, Wogan. They had to figure out if Morrigan would be a threat.  As bad as he felt for Wogan, it was his fault for bringing her. If he couldn’t trust her silence, then they would need a plan.

The next morning when Vladimir arrived home, Delia was waiting.  She seemed sad and he knew what he had to say wasn’t going to make it any better. Things were not good. 

“Vladimir, I am glad you are home," said Delia, "Valerie is a bit upset. She was telling me about the woman that came with Wogan to the party. Who is she? And why was she here?” 

“She is Wogan’s wife, Morrigan,” replied Vladimir, “Why is Valerie upset about her?”

“Valerie said this Morrigan asked her how it felt being a vampire knowing that she would one day want to drink her own mother’s blood,” said Delia and demanded, “Is this true, Vladimir, did she say this to Valerie?  Tell me it isn’t so!” 

If Vladimir could have become any paler he would have at Delia’s words. This was a discussion they were going to have together with Valerie when she turned 18. Not now. Not yet. Not like this. He was devastated and didn't know if he could trust himself around Morrigan again, Wogan’s wife or not. She had destroyed Valerie’s innocence.  

This further complicated things and only made what he was going to tell Delia worse so he decided to wait. Instead, he began, “Delia, I am so sorry. Morrigan wasn’t supposed to even be here. I had no idea. I will have a talk with Wogan. She is no longer welcome in this house," he sighed and added sadly, "It looks like we are going to have to talk with Valerie sooner rather than later. She is strong. She will be able to handle it and who knows, maybe it is better she has more time to prepare for what is to come.”

Delia looked at Vladimir with sad eyes and said, “If only I could have found the stupid mushroom, we wouldn’t have to have this conversation.”  “It’s okay Delia, you tried; we tried,” replied Vladimir, “And we have each other, vampire or not. I love you and the girls. We WILL get through this together. I can teach them how to deal with it.”

Delia sighed and smiled at her husband, her strength. “I love you, too,” she said simply and added, “Let’s wait a few days before we talk to her. Right now she thinks Morrigan is a crazy lady. I need some time to let this sink in. Besides, we have another birthday coming up. Our baby, Victoria, will be 6 and starting to school in a week’s time," and she quickly added, "and before you say anything - I will forgo any parties for now! Just the four of us will be enough.”

Vladimir was relieved at Delia’s acceptance. Once again, she has accepted everything he has thrown at her. He vowed he would make this up to her and his girls.  His girls, he thought. All three of them seemed to love him unconditionally. How had he gotten so lucky? But he still had one more bombshell to drop. But not today, he had time, but not much. 

At the meeting last night it was determined that Delia would have to be turned; it was for her own protection as well as the protection of all of the vampires in Bridgeport. In light of what Morrigan told Valerie, he just couldn’t bring himself to do it. Not yet. Not now. Not like this.

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Victoria

Soon it was Victoria’s birthday and she would be starting school.  She was a feisty 6 year-old with golden eyes and high cheekbones like her father. Delia simply made a cake for her and the four of them had a quiet evening at home.

Victoria and Valerie were becoming closer and closer the older they got. Victoria always asked her big sister for advice with school work or anything she could think of. She worshiped her big sister.

Pillow fighting was always a favorite pastime for the two sisters.
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Vladimir knew he was running out of time to talk to Delia.  His three co-conspirators asked him every night if he had done it yet - if he had turned Delia. They had agreed Morrigan was right – how could mere mortals be allowed to freely come to the home of the most powerful and influential vampire in Bridgeport and their own kind were forbidden to even know where he lived. Rumors would take hold and they would become more and more at risk. He decided it would be today.

After the girls left for school he told Delia he wanted to take a dip in the hot tub.  They hadn’t done that in a while. Then he winked conspiratorially at her. Now that they had privacy it could be delicious fun he flirted. She was as ready as he was for some alone time.   

They wasted no time and ran laughing to the spa and quickly shed their clothes and got in.  

They made love in their own private sanctuary and afterwards, Vladimir held her and they enjoyed the beautiful vista. Delia never wanted to be anywhere else except right here with her dysfunctional family in her husband's arms. 

  

It was time. Vladimir hated to spoil the mood, but it was now or never.  While they rested and let the steam and jets soothe them, he began and told Delia what they wanted her to do and why. He said he wouldn’t force her. It would be her choice and if she decided not to join them in vampirism, then they would have to have another plan of action which he wasn’t entirely sure would be as safe. He felt bad pressuring her to make what he felt was the right choice for their family. 

She closed her eyes and tears threatened to fall at his request. She didn’t know if she could do it, but he was right. Her daughters were vampires, her husband was a vampire. It would make things much easier for their children if she was to become a vampire as well and she had Vladimir to help her through it. What was making her hesitate? 

Delia scooted over next to Vladimir and kissed him sweetly and told him for the millionth time that she loved him. Then she asked if he could give her time. He didn’t want to add more pressure, but they had to act quickly before word spread. He didn't know why he thought she would readily agree.  She hadn't read her mother's journals in nearly 2 centuries. He told her she had two days.

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