Deanna Kinney - Raven's Rose

Raven’s dreams were coming true. In a few hours Sophia Rose Jameson would finally become his bride. He hadn’t believed this day would ever come. There was a time when he thought he was destined to live this cruel life alone—forever. But, as Charity’s God, and now his God, would have it, fate had dealt him a sweet hand, and one he would cherish with all he possessed. He would not mess this one up, and he would protect this woman, and his new life, with his own.

Rose had finally, but reluctantly, agreed to an outdoor/daytime wedding. Eli had let it slip that she’d always dreamed of a lovely, sunny outdoor wedding. He knew she had changed those dreams to accommodate him—to protect him. But he couldn’t have that. It was his job to protect her, not the other way around. Besides, they would actually be safer from his old coven of vampires if the wedding was during the daytime hours. His new, crazy wolf pack were sparing no expense in shielding him from any and all sun rays, including plans to drive him to the ceremony, located in the lovely Windrake Mountain Park, in the darkest tinted car he’d ever seen. Was it even legal for them to be that dark? He didn’t really care. As long as he made it to the site on time to marry the woman of his dreams.

Raven smiled as he thought of his new family. He never would have imagined this new life of his. He used to think that maybe he was crazy for even considering joining this pack, but now he knew better. He was just blessed, plain and simple.

He was still smiling, adjusting his tie in the mirror, when Charity burst into his room without even knocking. “Raven!”

He spun to face her, recognizing the fear possessing her lovely face. “What is it?” His gut twisted with dread.

“Rose is gone!”

He stiffened. “What do you mean ‘gone’?”

“I went into her room to help her finish dressing and she was gone! We’re searching the facility now!”

She flew from the room with Raven hot on her heels. She was fast, with her new powers given to her by the triplets within her, but too soon Raven blurred past in a whirlwind that caused her dark hair to whip around her.

Moments later, Levi and Eli had caught up to both of them and they were all searching every closet, corner, and doorway. They were just running through the lobby when they all came to an abrupt stop, recognizing laughter coming from the wing to the left. They peered around at each other in confusion before the realization dawned. In unison, they bolted down the hall and into the room, freezing at what they saw next. Rose was sitting at a table with, of all people, Grandmammy, laughing hysterically while Grandmammy topped off her tiny shot glass with a dark liquid they all recognized. And before any of them could stop her, she downed her drink with eagerness.

Raven turned paler, if that were possible.

“Grandmammy! What are you doing?” Levi, Charity, and Eli shouted in unison.

“Oh, just givin’ her a somethin’ to calm her nerves. She was shakin’ worse than a bloody stump in an alligator pond, she was. My moonshine will cure anythin’ from a cough to the flu, it will.”

Rose burst into a fit of giggles as she shoved her glass in for another refill.

“Oh no you don’t!” They all said, racing in to take her glass.

Raven finally snapped into action, taking Rose by the arm and pulling her up and into his arms. “Let us get you out of here.”

She stumbled, giggling as Charity took her other arm and together they led her out.

Rose peered up at Raven. “Oh, Raven, you look so handsome.” Then she did the unthinkable—she burst into tears.

“Here, take this,” Charity said, shoving a bowl of popcorn in Raven’s arms. She knew he was addicted to the stuff.

Staring blankly into space, he shoveled the tasty snack into his mouth—one handful after another.

Okay, so the situation seemed serious, but Charity had been through worse. She could help these two through this. Couldn’t she? “It’ll be okay. You’ll see. She’s on her third cup of coffee. She’ll be fine by the wedding.” Charity was saying the words but she wasn’t buying any of them—and it seemed neither was anyone else. She glanced around at the faces surrounding them; Eli, Hector, Josh, Ashley, Irena, Joseph, Mr. and Mrs. Jameson, and finally, Levi. He gave her a sympathetic smile which she returned. But she had worked too hard to get these two people together to let a stupid thing like the bride being hammered disrupt things. There would be a wedding even if she had to hold the bride in place herself. She glanced again at the usually strong Raven, still staring blankly while shoving more popcorn in his mouth, and was spurred into action.

“Okay, let’s get this show on the road.” She walked over to Rose and pulled her to her feet. “Let’s take you to get dressed. Ashley, Mrs. Jameson, can you two help me?” The two women joined Charity and together they ushered Rose away.

Rose’s vision was still slightly blurred as she watched the women dress her, careful not to jerk her too hard. She wasn’t able to be of much help yet. “What was in that drink that crazy old woman gave me?” she slurred, then giggled.

“It’s not your fault, Rose,” Ashley began, “Grandmammy makes the strongest moonshine anywhere around, and she loves to share it with any willing body that she thinks might have an ailment.”

Rose studied this Ashley girl. She was very cute, with short, blonde, cropped hair, and she was pregnant as well, although not as far along as Charity. She remembered hearing that Josh, Levi’s beta, and Ashley were having a little girl. They were naming her Glorianna. Glory was for what they felt God deserved for blessing them, and Anna, Charity’s middle name, was a way to honor her best friend, a name Ashley said she always loved. As Rose continued to study her, she decided that she definitely liked this girl. After all, she was helping her into her panties, all the while chatting animatedly about something completely irrelevant. This girl was perky beyond reason, but she still liked her.

“So, do you guys know if vampires can have babies?”

The question obviously caught them by surprise based on the way they were looking around at each other. Charity was the one to answer. “Well, you see, Rose. Umm, actually, no. I’m sorry, but they can’t have children.” She said frankly.

Rose shrugged. “Thanks for being honest with me.”

“Rose,” Charity began, “you and Raven have a special love and connection. You have been gifted with each other. Some people never have that. Try to focus on that. Okay?” She smiled and squeezed Rose’s hand.

This touched Rose deeply. “Okay. Thanks, Charity. I appreciate that.” She started giggling again. “Did you know I used to be jealous of you? I thought Raven was in love with you. I still think he has strong feelings for you that even he doesn’t truly understand.”

“Well, there is only one woman for Raven, and it’s you, Rose. He loves you very much. He would do anything to protect you. I hope you know that.”

The mood had turned serious, but Rose did know that what Charity spoke was the truth. Raven would die to protect her. She knew that if she didn’t know anything else.

The music began, and by the time her father took her gently by the arm, and planted a sweet kiss on her cheek, Rose was finally sober enough to walk straight. She would have to remember to steer clear of that strange Grandmammy Goodfeeling. She peered over and spotted the woman seated by the back. She quickly smiled a strange, toothy grin. Was something wrong with her dentures? She thought they looked as if they didn’t fit quite right. Someone cleared their throat pulling Rose back into the moment.