Chapter 84 – Delia and Lucas

Delia was sad when Valerie moved out. She felt grateful that she had Lucas to care for otherwise she felt her life would be unbearable. 

Delia had never been truly alone her entire life, she was always surrounded by her children and husbands – some not so good as it turned out, but Lucas gave her a reason to get up each morning and for that she was grateful.

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Nearly a year later, Delia was finally able to make good on her promise to take Lucas to the fair. It was in town again so she called Walter and Valerie to see if they could meet her there.  They said yes, however when Walter showed up alone, he apologized for Valerie. He said she had the stomach flu and couldn’t come. He promised Delia he would make sure she saw the doctor the next day if she wasn’t better. 

“Okay, let me know if there is anything I can do.” And then she looked at Lucas and said “I see horses!  Let’s go ride one!”

She took Lucas to the merry go round and put him on one of the horses with the other children.  He loved riding the horses and started crying when she took him off. “Okay, one more time and then we have to leave. Walter needs to get home to Aunt Val. She is sick.” 

Delia had as much fun watching him play on the horse as he did playing. She thought about the time when Lucas' grandfather helped his mother up on a rocking horse many years ago at a festival back in Bridgeport. I'm so sorry they are not here with you now. This would make them both so happy she thought. 

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Lucas’ 6^th birthday was already upon them. Delia couldn't believe he was already ready to start school. Because she still didn’t know a lot of people in Roaring Heights, even living there for almost 7 years, she decided to have a family party with only a few friends. 

When Valerie and Walter arrived, they had a surprise of their own.  Valerie was pregnant.  Delia was happy for her daughter but couldn't help feeling a little jealous. She would raise her child with her husband who adored her. Delia was raising her grandchild alone and now that Valerie would be taking care of her own child, that meant Delia would see less and less of her.

Delia helped her grandson blow out his candles with his favorite Uncle Walter cheering him on. Time was going so fast and with each milestone Delia began to get more and more anxious about her mortality and what it would mean for Lucas when she was gone.

Lucas took his cake and followed Walter outside and sat with him. Delia watched them interact.  She had no idea what they were talking about, but Lucas was obviously taken with everything Walter had to say. Maybe it was because Walter was a Magician, but whatever the reason, his Uncle was definitely a father figure for him.  

Delia had even thought at some point since Lucas and Walter got along so well, that if anything happened to her that Valerie and Walter might take him in and raise him as their own. She knew that could be hard on a marriage, but now with Valerie’s pregnancy, she had to reconsider her mortality. Lucas would never feel like he belonged with another child already in the family. There was always the last bottle of Youth Potion thought Delia. 

She shook off those feelings and after Lucas ate his cake, she gave him her gift; his own tablet. The same gift she had given to all of her children when they were old enough to go to school. 

As she looked at her grandson, Delia became concerned.  Something was different about him. Then she noticed his eyes. As he was getting older they were changing and began to have a glow, similar to the glow that they all had when they had still been cursed with vampirism. She didn’t think he had the curse; he seemed so normal and his skin had a healthy glow unlike her two children when they were his age. He did have a suntan and she remembered when she got too much sun as a vampire, she looked more normal. But she was certainly no expert on vampirism. At least she had a cure – or the ingredients for one anyway. She will just have to watch him. 

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Lucas started school and was doing very well. He was making friends; which Delia was happy about. He didn't have brothers or sisters, his only contact was with adults so she was worried about him fitting in. 

He also developed a love of chemistry so Delia let him loose with the Chemistry set. He spent countless hours mixing different chemicals. She figured he got that from her; the ability to mix different substances and come up with a completely new compound that would do things you have never thought possible.  

Summer was almost over so Delia decided a day at the beach to celebrate was in order.  Valerie was going stir crazy and decided she might as well make it a threesome and joined them. 

While they waited for Valerie to arrive, they settled underneath the umbrellas and Lucas began to make as many sandcastles as he could before they would wash out with the surf. Watching him play in the sand like any other kid, you wouldn't dream he was so intent on working with the Chemistry Set. Delia was happy to see him enjoy building the sandcastles. 

Delia laughed when she saw Valerie waddling through the sand to join them. Delia couldn’t resist patting her stomach and cooing to the baby within. 

“Oh!  It kicked me!” exclaimed Delia when she felt the movement.

“No, mom,” corrected Valerie, “it kicked ME! This kid thinks my insides are a punching bag!” 

“Well, go get your suit on and we can cool off in the water. Lucas has been dying to get in but I made him wait for you. He even has his floaties on already.”

Valerie changed and the three of them waded in. Lucas was doing really well swimming, especially with his floaties on so Valerie challenged him to a race to which he readily agreed. “Don’t go too far out!” cautioned Delia. 

After they swam they went back up to the beach. Delia joined Lucas making sandcastles while Valerie soaked up the sunshine. 

After a few minutes, Valerie turned over to get sun on her stomach.  Then she called over to her mother laughing and said, “This gives new meaning to the term ‘beached whale’!  I think I need to give the poor folks a rest from looking at this spectacle.  It’s time to go before we get sunburned – if I can get up!”

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A month later, Valerie gave birth to a little girl they named Angelica.  What a sweet name for a sweet baby girl.  Delia couldn’t wait to go see her granddaughter and of course, Lucas couldn’t wait to see Walter.  They went to their house and Walter and Lucas settled in for a game of chess and ‘men talk’ while Delia cooed over her granddaughter.

Valerie put on her wedding dress and paraded herself into the living room.  “Look Mom!  I can fit back into my wedding gown!  Much better than the beached whale look - don’t you think?” 

Delia laughingly agreed.  “But you still have your golden tan and it really shows up against your white dress. Seriously though, Val, there is something I wanted to tell you about Lucas.”

“Lucas, is he okay?”

“Yes. It’s just his eyes. They almost glow in the dark. I am worried.”

“Mom,” whispered Valerie so Walter wouldn’t hear, “look at him over there with Walter.  He is perfectly normal.  It is probably just a little of the vampire curse lingering.  You do still have the cure-right?”

“I don’t have any prepared, but as he gets older, if it seems to be that he does have the curse, it can’t hurt to give him the cure, I hope.”  Then Delia said, “Angelica is sleepy, I am going to put her down and then we need to go. You look great Valerie; and thanks for making me feel better.”

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Chapter 83 – Valerie & Walter

After Delia and Walters ‘talk’ he and Valerie had began dating regularly. Walter knew it was finally time for them to be together. Tonight, he would take her out to the café on the beach where they could be alone and he would propose.

They arrived and after a small dinner, sat outside and drank coffee, just enjoying being in each other’s company.  Valerie talked about work and how her mother was coping after her sister’s death. “Lucas is so cute.  He calls mother 'mommy'. Now she is beginning to refer to herself as mommy when she talks to him and he talks ALL the time! Of course, she has been like a second mother to him since he was born so I suppose it is normal for him to call her that.”

“Your mother is a very strong woman and loves her family very much. You know she gave me the third degree when she caught us in each other’s arms after your sister died. I never told you what we talked about. She was worried I was taking advantage of you at a vulnerable time and practically threatened my life if I hurt you in any way. It was then that I realized that I loved you and I told her as much. Valerie, I told your mother how I felt about you before I told you. That is how sure I was we were meant to be together." Walter laughed before he continued, "I don’t think she was totally convinced but she did back down after that and sent me to you.” 

Walter got up and walked around the table and pulled Valerie out of the chair. He was suddenly a little shy as he continued his narrative.  “Valerie, I love you more than I thought was possible. You are sweet and beautiful and kind.”

“Walter, you are making me blush,” she said as she smiled. “You know that I love you too.” Then she laughed. “I remember that day too. I thought my mother was going to make you leave. When you came outside and found me I was so relieved I didn't care what you guys talked about!”

Valerie wasn’t prepared for what Walter did next.  He got down on one knee in a very traditional way and presented Valerie with an engagement ring. 

“I never want you to think that someone or anything could ever separate us again. Please, Valerie, I would be honored if you would spend the rest of your life with me as Mrs. Walter Russell. Will you marry me?”

Valerie was overcome with emotion.  “Oh Walter!” she exclaimed, “Yes, yes, yes! I will marry you!  I love you Walter!!!!”

Walter placed the ring on her finger then she flew into his arms. She never dreamed when she watched him give her a tattoo over a year ago, that they would wind up together – forever.  

He kissed her sweetly and whispered, “Thank you for making me the happiest man in the world”.  Valerie just said, ‘mmm-mmm’ as she continued their kiss not ever wanting it to end. Finally as people around them started clapping, they broke apart laughing.

“We should go break the news to your mother,” said Walter.

“Oh, mom!  I know she will be happy for us, but she will be alone. I am worried about her,” replied Valerie.

“You forget, she has Lucas,” said Walter.

“Of course, she adores him and he her.  Okay, let’s go!” said Valerie.

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When they arrived back at the house, Walter asked if he should come in with her and Valerie said no, that she would prefer to tell her mother alone. He kissed her goodbye and left. 

When Valerie walked in, Lucas was in his playpen so she scooped him up and began showing him her ring. “Look Lucas! Walter gave your Aunt Val this pretty ring and now you are going to get an Uncle!  Walter and Aunt Val are going to get married!” 

“Wawer! Where Wawer?” asked Lucas. Lucas loved Walter. Walter always played with him when he came over. Then the little boy dissolved into giggles forgetting about 'Wawer' as Valerie played tickle monster with him. 

Valerie put him back in his playpen and found her mother.  She wasn’t sure how she would take the news.  

When Delia saw her daughter she was grinning from ear to ear so she had an idea already what Valerie might be going to say, then she saw the ring on her finger that confirmed it.

“What is it Valerie, you look so excited?” asked Delia so she wouldn’t spoil Valerie’s surprise.

“Mom – I – Walter – he proposed!  Look – the ring – it’s beautiful.  We are getting married!  Oh mom, please say you are happy for me.”

Delia just grabbed Valerie and hugged her tightly. “Valerie, I know that Walter loves you and I can see by your face that you love him too – my goodness you may just be glowing. Of course I am happy. That is all I have ever wanted for my girls; to be as happy as your father and I were." 

"Well,' said Delia, "it looks like we have a wedding to plan!" 

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The next few weeks flew by with wedding plans. The couple didn't want to wait long. Delia went to get Lucas for his bath time to take a break from the stress. She loved this time together with him. It relaxed them both and Delia needed to have something to do to occupy her mind so she wouldn't be sad about Valerie leaving. 

Her little girl had grown up. Delia thought about Hope’s wedding day and then she laughed to herself remembering that Valerie was born that day and she missed most of Hope's wedding since she went into labor during the reception. She remembered Hope telling her she looked beautiful and reassuring her about being hugely pregnant instead of her reassuring her daughter. 

Well she had yet another child to care for on Valerie’s wedding day, but at least she wasn’t pregnant! Nor did she plan to ever be again. She thought that her two girls would be the last children she would raise from infancy to adulthood and now she was raising her grandchild.

Delia brushed the memories away and focused on her sweet little boy's bath. As he played with the toys and the bubbles she had to keep reminding herself that he was her little boy. He loved Valerie and especially Walter. Walter spoiled him. But they weren't going to be around. 

When he tired of playing with the bubbles Delia started talking to Lucas. He had learned quite a few words and loved to talk. “You, my little man, are getting so big! Walking and talking and going potty like a big boy.You will be in school before long. Instead of me worrying about the boys taking advantage of my little girls, you handsome little devil will be fighting the girls off with a stick. Come on now – bed time!” 

Then as she thought about the time when Lucas indeed would be fighting the girls off with a stick, it occurred to her that she would likely not be around to see him do that. She was already 79ish (Delia had no idea how old she really was in normal years) and beginning to slow down. She quickly put that out of her mind as the wedding was tomorrow!

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Today was Valerie's big day. It had already been more than three years since she met Walter in the salon where she got her tattoo from the 'man with the chocolate eyes' and now he was hers.

Delia was in charge of Lucas. She had decided to bring him rather than leave him with a sitter. She got herself ready and then put him in his little suit. He was handsome all dressed up with his tie and would probably steal the show. Delia told him where they were going. “Aunt Val and Uncle Walter are going to get married. We are going to watch and eat cake!” 

“Wawer and cake! Yay!  I want cake now!” said Lucas.  Delia worried that she might just miss Valerie’s wedding too because of a child!

Valerie arrived at the church and went inside alone since Delia was trying to keep Lucas under control.

She looked around and thought everything was perfect.  

The guests began to arrive and one of the women actually had on the same style gown as her wedding dress.  

She approached Valerie obviously unhappy about the similar dresses.  She told Valerie the designer said it was a ‘one of a kind’.  Valerie just laughed and said, “It is - yours is buttercup and mine is white!”

  

It was finally time for the ceremony to begin.  When Valerie saw Walter her knees got weak and she had to hold on the back of the pew to keep from falling down. The man with the chocolate eyes was delicious in his tuxedo and he was hers.

She walked to stand beside him underneath the wedding arch and they said their vows and exchanged rings. 

When they were pronounced husband and wife they shared a chaste kiss. 

  

Walter was having none of that and as everyone cheered, he twirled her around and dipped her and kissed her passionately. 

The happy couple didn’t stick around very long after the ceremony.  They had a honeymoon to go on.  Valerie and Walter shared a bed for the first time that night.  Walter had kept his promise to Delia’s mother that he would never do anything to hurt her daughter and although she probably would have allowed it, after seeing what her sister had gone through, he didn’t want to risk her thinking that sex was all he wanted from her.  They had never made love until that night – all night.  

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Delia and Lucas finally got home. Her little guy was so tired. She learned that you don’t take a three year old to a wedding. She missed most of the ceremony trying to keep him quiet. But that was okay, she would have worried herself sick if she had left Lucas with a sitter. “Well Lucas, it’s just you and me kid! Wasn’t your Aunt Val beautiful and your Uncle Walter, well he cleans up good!”

“I want Walwer!” said Lucas at the mention of his Uncle’s name.  Delia just laughed and said “Sorry handsome, your Uncle Wawer is busy with your Aunt Val! And it's bedtime for you.”

Delia changed Lucas into his PJs and took Lucas to his crib. “I want Walwer!” he protested. 

“Shh Lucas,” said Delia, “How about we go to the fair next week?  Maybe Uncle Walter will join us. How does that sound? Now you need to sleep and so do I."  Delia planted a kiss on his sweet little forehead and tucked him in his crib.

Once Lucas was settled, Delia went into the kitchen to scrounge something quick to eat since she didn’t have time to eat anything at the wedding.  She found some leftover pancakes in the refrigerator and heated them up in the microwave. 

As she sat there alone eating her leftovers, she thought about what her and Lucas’s future would be like.  It really is ‘just you and me kid’ she thought. 

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When Valerie and Walter returned from their honeymoon, they came to the house to gather the last of Valerie’s things. Delia stood in the drive and watched them leave.  She couldn’t imagine what she was going to do with a giant house like this with only her and Lucas. And it had bad memories.  Whenever she saw the pool, all she could see was her daughter floating at the bottom.  Maybe it was time for a change and a smaller house.

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Chapter 82 – Moving On

After Victoria’s death, Delia ran upstairs to hold baby Lucas. She needed to feel his soft little arms around her neck and look into those sweet amber eyes.

"Lucas," she cooed, "I promise you I will always love you and take care of you the best way I know how. And you know, little one, I have raised a quite a few children in my day! That is our secret!"

Fortunately Lucas was only 18 months old and would not have to suffer losing a parent in the same way that his mother had. No doubt it would be hard on him anyway. He would grow up without his mother, but not without love, Delia would be sure of that.

Delia put Lucas down for the night and climbed in the bath to calm herself and wash off the chlorine smell from the pool. 

She was still upset and she and Valerie hadn’t said much to each other and she knew Valerie was also suffering even though they weren't close. While in the bath she heard music wafting up from the sitting room and figured Valerie must be playing the piano.

There was something decidedly familiar about the scores that were being played. It sounded more like the haunted tunes that Vladimir used to play. Delia hadn’t thought about him for awhile and a pang of sadness overcame her before she pushed it back. She dressed and headed downstairs. She needed to be with Valerie.

When Delia walked into the sitting room, she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Vladimir was sitting at the piano playing the same tunes he played in life.  He must be grieving for his daughter.  But now, weren’t they reunited in death?


She stood and watched her husband’s ghost playing a mournful tune before she couldn’t hold back any longer and the tears began to flow once again.

Then she turned and saw Valerie coming in.  Valerie didn’t seem to see or hear her father playing the piano.  Was she the only one that could see him?  She wondered.  But now wasn’t the time, Valerie needed her mother and Delia quickly pulled her into a hug, comforting her as best she could while Vladimir continued playing his songs for her and only for her. 

After one final song, Vladimir wordlessly vanished in a puff of red smoke and left the two women alone.

Delia and Valerie continued to comfort each other until they were too exhausted to stand up anymore and went to bed to get some much needed sleep.

Valerie had a good job with a promising future and couldn’t let this get in the way. She has a life to live and it would be wrong for her to stop living.

And Delia, well, she now had a little child that she was going to have to raise as her own. There was no way that she would ever let Glen know that this little boy was his. Lucas was all she had left of her daughter and she’d be damned before she let anyone take him away from her. 

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Fortunately Valerie had the next day off from work. She got up and got dressed to appease her mother and then because she just needed someone to talk to, she called her best friend Walter and told him she really needed to see him. He came right over.

When she met him at the front door, Valerie told Walter what happened. Then she fell into his arms and he held her while she cried. Walter wished the circumstances were different. He liked holding her in his arms. She smelled so good and he had an overwhelming urge to kiss her, but figured now was not the time. 

She pulled back and Walter kept holding her hands while they talked not wanting to lose contact with her just yet. He wanted to comfort her more. She just looked so sad.

Then impulsively, Walter embraced Valerie and told her he would do anything he could to take the hurt away.








As they locked eyes, his embrace quickly turned into a kiss.  Walter couldn’t help himself, besides he was pretty sure she wanted it too by the way she kissed him back.

Valerie hugged him tightly after he kissed her. She couldn’t believe how warm and tingly his kiss made her feel.  She was afraid to look at him. What if he didn’t feel the same way?

But when their eyes met again, he quickly kissed her a second time; this time more deeply and urgently than before and then she knew it wasn’t just her. He felt it too. The hurt was definitely melting away in his wonderful kisses.  Valerie was on cloud nine and very much in love with this beautiful man.

Walter knew right then and there that this sweet, unassuming woman was the one he had been waiting for. She was not like all of the others that had thrown themselves at him at the salon and even at his magic shows. He knew was in love.  

Neither Valerie nor Walter had any idea her mother was watching the whole scene play out from the window. Delia was worried. She knew that Valerie really liked Walter and he liked her too. They had become friends. She just hoped he wasn’t taking advantage of her.

She went outside and interrupted their little tete-a-tete and asked Walter to come inside. She needed to have a talk with him - privately.

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Walter followed Delia into the Dining room.  “Sit down Walter,” started Delia, “we need to talk. What are your intentions with my daughter? She just lost her sister and I will not have you waltzing in here like a knight in shining armour and break her heart.”

“Mrs. Schlick, I have nothing but the best intentions when it comes to Valerie. She is the sweetest, kindest most unassuming person I have ever known. I would NEVER hurt her,” said Walter. “In fact, if you must know, I am in love with your daughter.”

“Don’t you talk to me about love!  I spent the last two years trying unsuccessfully to heal the broken heart of my daughter who thought someone loved her. We just buried her, and instead of watching her graduate from high school, I am going to be raising a child born of that so-called love that was nothing but lust! I will not have that happen to Valerie.”

“Mrs. Schlick, please. I do LOVE your daughter.  I am not a 16-year old with raging hormones.  Look at me. ”

“I know your type. 16 or 25, boys or men want the same thing.”

“Listen to me right now!" exclaimed Walter, "I resent that. I have been over here several times to visit Valerie and could tell she was – uh – inexperienced so I took it slow. I have NOT forced anything. Today was the first day I even kissed her. I have been nothing but respectful. So with or without your blessing, I do plan to let her know my feelings.”

“Okay, Walter.  Perhaps I jumped the gun. But you must understand, my nerves are shot and my emotions are raw. I just lost one daughter and now it appears I may be losing another one. You do seem like a very nice – man - well, gentleman. Go find Valerie.  She obviously wants to be with you right now. She called you to come by and I am keeping you two apart. You have my blessings….but mark my words Walter, if you hurt her, you will sorely regret it.”

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Valerie was so embarrassed when her mother came outside and saw her kissing Walter right there in front of the house. She was so caught up in the moment she could have been standing in the middle of a crowded room and wouldn’t have cared.

She went outside and sat down in the swing in their back yard thinking about what had transpired between the two of them and waited.  She only hoped her mother didn’t make Walter leave. 

Valerie was so deep in thought she didn’t hear Walter walk up behind her.  “Hello beautiful,” said Walter.  Her heart leapt into her throat when she heard his voice. “That looks fun, how about I push you?” he asked. Valerie smiled. Thank god her mother didn’t chase him away!

Walter pulled the swing back and he let her swing back and forth for a few minutes gently pushing her while he gathered his thoughts.  After his discussion with her mother, he knew that he was going to ask her to be his wife. But he needed to give her a little time and it had to be perfect. He would never hurt Valerie.

Valerie could feel all the stress leaving her body as Walter gently pushed her on the swing. Such a simple activity made her love him all the more.  When he stopped the swing, she caught her breath hoping….

He didn’t disappoint.  He walked around to the front of the swing and took her hand. He picked her up out of the swing, laid her back and kissed her passionately. When he released her he told her that he loved her. She began to cry and told him she felt the same. He said he had to go, but would call her the next day. Valerie floated off to bed.

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As Delia cared for Lucas in the months that followed she knew she would probably be losing her daughter to her handsome prince. She thought ironically, now I am doing it, the prince and the princess.

She was just so tired these days. Lucas’s total care had fallen to her. He had cried for his mom for a few days after her passing, but was easily distracted and eventually, when he started talking called Delia momma. She didn’t correct him. For all intents and purposes, she was his mother and she loved him as if he were her son.  

Delia had lots of alone time to think about their future now that Valerie spent all of her free time with Walter. He was true to his word and was treating her like a princess. He was as much in love with Valerie as she was with him. Delia knew she was just feeling a little jealous. She and Valerie had become so close and she had hoped to have time to explore her mom’s journals with Valerie by her side. That might not happen now. Perhaps she would do it herself once Valerie and Walter got married and Valerie moved out. She expected he would propose soon. That would be exciting – a wedding!

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