Chapter 65 - Fatherhood

Vladimir was close to taking over as the leader of the Bridgeport vampire colony. Just a little longer and he will be able to oust the current leader. There is only one problem, well two to be exact. He is married to this amazing human woman who not only tastes sweeter than honey wine and is an amazing lover, she also gave him Valerie, his precious child and those two people changed his life - forever.  

Vladimir was conflicted.  He adored his family.  But he shouldn’t have a family. That wasn’t supposed to happen.  He is a vampire and can’t pretend he isn’t.  Lots of vampires have befriended willing human donors but don’t fall in love with them much less father children. Why is Delia different? This must be love and it is very powerful. He finally realized that he not only needed Delia, but he indeed loved her and there had never been a doubt in his mind that he loved his precious Valerie.  

Now he had to be sure they were protected in the midst of this takeover. He felt terrible. This was one secret he could never expose Delia to. He had no doubt she would take Valerie and leave him and that simply wasn't an option. 

As he held his tiny baby daughter and kissed her, he tried to come up with a plan to protect them. He couldn't send them away, he needed to keep them close. The contents of her basement may help, but they haven’t been down there since before Valerie was born. He figured he would have to do this himself without benefit of the whatever might be in the basement. There would be plenty of time for that later anyway. They had a lifetime to dig though that mess, and this was no time for maybes. 

Valerie’s birthday was coming up so he would have a party for Valerie as an excuse to invite his ‘friends’ over and have them meet Delia and Valerie. They could work together to make sure she was protected so he could make his final move and take out the current leader.  Once he is in charge, no one can touch his family; until then, they were in imminent danger as the struggle for control heated up.

Delia watched her sleeping daughter and thought about what the future might hold for her new family.

Vladimir couldn’t get enough of Valerie.  Delia hardly had to do anything.  He loved his daughter almost to the point of obsession.  Delia thought that was so much better than the alternative which she had been terrified of when she told him she was pregnant.  During her pregnancy, he seemed like he only placated her. He wasn’t even present at Valerie’s birth.  But all of that changed the first time he laid eyes on his daughter. It was love at first sight; and he completely changed.    

Valerie had her father’s coloring and silver eyes.  Delia wasn’t sure if that meant she was a vampire or not. Delia hoped not.  She was not equipped to care for a vampire child, but then she had Vladimir to help her through it and he could not be accused of being an absentee parent.   

Vladimir told Delia he would like to throw a party for Valerie’s birthday. Delia smiled remembering Daniel’s first birthday. Her first child’s first birthday. This was Vladimir’s first child’s first birthday. She knew what he was feeling and certainly wouldn’t remind him that Valerie would not remember this and let him plan the party. Maybe she would get to see Pierre and Hope. And of course, it would make wonderful memories for them as a family. That warmed her heart. Delia needed good memories. Too many of her memories were painful. 

Delia was touched at the change that Fatherhood brought about to Vladimir.  The only children she had that ever really had a father were Francisco’s.  The love she felt for Vladimir deepened immensely. This was indeed her normal and she wouldn’t have it any other way.  Having him drink from her was pure heaven.  The connection she felt with him during those times was indescribable.  He was so gentle and loving and she was no longer afraid.

The day of Valerie’s party arrived. A lot of people Delia didn’t know came. These were Vladimir’s work associates and she knew that most of them were like him, Vampires.  On a brighter note, Sebastian, Pierre and Hannah came.  Hope was pregnant and not feeling too well so she stayed home.  Sebastian came out of respect for Delia as there was no love lost between him and Vladimir. He knew Vladimir didn’t like him, he figured because he and Hope were so close and he took his favorite away. 

As the party carried on, one of Vladimir’s associates, Elvira Slayer, tried to hit on Pierre.  “MMMM, you DO smell delicious! Come here you sweet thing!” cooed Elvira. “Uhhhh, noooo, I am, uh, married!” exclaimed Pierre and extracted himself from Elvira’s grip. “Too bad baby, you would have been scrumptious,” purred Elvira.  

Pierre quickly found Hannah and laid one on her to validate that she and he were a thing.  “Pierre!” exclaimed Hannah, “what...mmmm…baby…whoa….what was that for?”  “Just so you know I love you,” sighed Pierre.  “Well, don’t stop now,” whispered Hannah, “I think we can hide out in that time machine out back.” 

Later, Pierre and Sebastian went out on the "meditation porch" (as it had come to be known) to cool down. Delia saw them heading up and followed them to catch up. She missed her kids and wanted to find out how Hope was feeling and what trouble her grandson, little Benjamin was getting into. Hope’s baby was due any day and the doctor told her to stay off her feet for the next few days.  Well, Benjamin, he was walking and talking and into everything!

  

Downstairs discussions regarding the takeover were in high gear. Elvira and Wogan were discussing the disastrous place where their potential new leader lives - or Elvira was. What gives she thought? And why are we eating birthday cake. For real? Where are the humans?  Blondie’s kid smelled delectable but he bolted. 

“Wogan, I need to have a little talk with Vladimir. He has to get out of this dump. He had a penthouse before Blondie came along. She and Valerie are not good for what we need him to do. Ichhh…Look at what I am sitting on! If he isn’t up to this, then maybe I should take over. Then we can dispose of Blondie and that kid he dotes on!” ranted Elvira. 

“Settle down, El,” said Wogan, “You know we need Vladimir. He has a cooler head than you and he got us out of Twin Brook. You would screw things up and we would be sent back there to that swamp. Ugh,” said Wogan. “Screw you, Wogan! I will talk to him. You stay out of it. There is a place across the river that is vacant. We can help guard it and having Vladimir closer to the hangouts will send the right message,” replied Elvira. “Okay,” sighed Wogan, “Here he comes, get to it.”

“What IS this place Vlad baby?” asked Elvira.  “None of your business,” replied Vladimir.  “I guess it IS," sneered Elvira, "You cannot really expect to live here and take over from this cardboard box you call a house?  Get a grip Vlad.”  Vladimir didn’t like her telling him what he needed to do as he was well aware he needed to do something. She was jealous that he hadn’t chosen her.   

Vladmir hissed back at her showing his fangs, “And just WHY do you think I let you into my home?  I wanted your support, not criticism.  I need to be able to protect Delia and Valerie and I need your help. Not your sarcastic remarks. I can send you right back to Twin Brook. So shut it up El!”

“Hah, you think you are big stuff showing your teeth. Well two can play that game big boy! And just TRY to send me back.  I have connections.  So you better play nice with me if you want to be the illustrious leader in Bridgeport and protect your precious Blondie and that brat,” screeched Elvira.

 

“Okay, calm down.  This isn’t getting us anywhere and people are looking.  What is your suggestion?  What is the next move?” asked Vladimir. “Exactly, move.” said Elvira, “There is a vacant house on the West side of the City across the river in the suburbs. It will send the right message to the other side.  I don’t know why you never moved from this dump anyway.”   

“It’s complicated,” said a much calmer Vladimir, “but those complications have resolved themselves.  Give me the details.”  “Come to my house next week. I am having a dinner party," said Elvira, "I will get you the keys then. And don’t bring the brat. Bring Blondie if you must, but be aware if she smells as good as that blonde hunk of a kid of hers, she may not last long.”  “We will come after the festivities have ended.  Bye Elvira – get out now. Oh - and Elvira, dear, leave Pierre alone or you will have me to answer to!” warned Vladimir. What has gotten into me? thought Vladimir. I am defending Pierre?

As everyone was leaving, Vladimir was drained. He desperately needed to reconnect with his wife and child. Being with them made him feel – human – he thought. Is that it?  It makes me feel…I haven’t felt anything for anyone in a very, very long time, maybe never. God help me, I love them, he thought again. It was new to him and surprised every time he realized it. He scooped up Valerie and tickled her to help release the tension from Elvira's conversation.

"Come on Val sweetie, let’s get ready for bed and find mommy.  We are gonna get a new house and you will have a BIG room with lots of toys.  Daddy’s gonna get you everything you need. I will have my piano back and can play for you. You can learn how too.  I will teach you"

“Ahhh, Val. There's mommy!" said Vladimir, “Hey De – Delia --- you look awesome.” “Thanks baby. Man, what a crazy party. That woman, Elvira, tried to hit on Pierre.  For heaven’s sake, this was a child’s birthday party, not some frat party!” then looking at her baby in her father’s arms, she cooed, “Hey sweetie, are you ready for bed or are you permanently glued to your father?”  

“Sorry Delia,” said Vladimir, “She feels so right in my arms. I will put her to bed, and then I have a surprise for you.  Meet me upstairs in our room and we can talk.”  “Talk? I love your surprises!” she giggled. 

As they cuddled in bed Vladimir told Delia about the new house.  Her first instinct was to say no because of all the things in the basement, and then she remembered, she didn’t need to hide anything from this man. They had no secrets. Then she began to get excited. She knew what the houses on the other side of town were like. They were beautiful.  When he told her they had to go to Elivra’s party to get the keys, she was less enthusiastic, but when he kissed her, she melted into her husband’s strong arms. 

Vladimir gently brushed the hair from Delia's face and made love to her like she was the most precious thing on earth.  She clung to him cried with emotion when they were spent. He asked her what was wrong. “I have never been this happy, or felt this loved in my entire life and I am so afraid of losing you,” she cried. “Don’t be,” he said simply and pulled her closer to him as they both fell asleep.

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