Vampire Heart 37

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Scroll 38: The Homegoing
Nora couldn't keep her eyes off her daughter and Vicente. They were closer in spirit than any words could explain, and it was fascinating. She watched them as they held hands and walked in-step with one another. "Naoko, could I speak to you alone?" Nora asked.
"Of course, mom," Naoko broke away from Vicente and accompanied her mom a good few feet away. "What is it?"
"Your father and I are renewing our vows," Nora replied. "It's next month. We're having the ceremony in the backyard."
"That's great, mom," Naoko replied. "I'm not a bridesmaid, am I?"
"No, I'm not having them. But I did buy you a dress," Nora replied. "It's at the house. I'll just hand it to you, and the shoes."
"Thanks mom," Naoko replied. "I am saying hello real quick though."
"Let's get going, shall we?" Nora and Naoko rejoined Vicente.
"Did you drive?" Naoko asked.
Nora nodded, "I parked just outside of the woods."
"Alright, that halfs the trip," Vicente noted.
Vicente closed the car door and slumped forward with his hands in his pockets, "How long do you want to stay?"
"I don't want to get back too late," Naoko muttered.
"We can stay for as long as you want," Vicente assured her.
Nora smiled when she heard their conversation, I can see what Dameon met by courtly love.
"What is it?" Naoko asked.
"Oh, nothing," Nora replied happily.
Nora opened the door revealing Rakela and Yoshi who were ready to greet Naoko and Vicente.
"We missed you!" they chorused as they embraced their sister.
"Vicente's here, too!" Yoshi cheered before embracing Vicente.
"I missed you too," Vicente embraced Yoshi with one arm and Rakela with the other.
"Are you guys coming home to stay?" Rakela asked.
"It's too dangerous for us to do that," Naoko replied. "We'll come and visit every now and again, though," Naoko promised.
"Are you slaying evil vampires, still?" Yoshi asked.
"And living with a few more," Vicente replied.
"There are more?" Rakela asked.
"We live with three more so far," Naoko answered.
"I bet none of them are as cool as Vicente, though," Yoshi muttered.
"Vicente's still the best," Naoko replied.
Nora handed Naoko a bag and kissed her cheek. "You're welcome here anytime," Nora assured her.
"I'm glad, but I promised Vicente that he could sleep for a bit," Naoko replied.
"Can we come and visit you?" Yoshi asked.
"You sure can," Naoko replied.
"Vicente'd protect us, right?" Rakela embraced Vicente more tightly.
"I'd always protect you both, and Naoko," Vicente replied.
"Because you like her?" Yoshi guessed.
"Uhh, well..." Vicente turned puce.
"I mean, you have to like your mistress right?" Yoshi asked.
"I know I do," Vicente replied with a yawn. "You two are smelling delicious which means I need to sleep or feed."
"Come on, then," Naoko said simply.
"The second," Nora said simply to Naoko.
"Alright, mom," Naoko replied. "Give dad my love."
"I will when he gets home," Nora replied.
"Then we'll see you later," Vicente nodded to Nora before embracing Rakela and Yoshi one last time.
"Bye," they all chorused as they watched Vicente take Naoko's free hand in his own.
"He still loves her," Rakela muttered.
"It's deeper than you might think," Nora replied.
"He seems different," Yoshi muttered. "I get new vibes from him. It's like he's more loving, now."
"He is," Nora replied.
"Did you meet the other vampires?" Rakela asked.
"Yes, and Claude can cook," Nora replied.
"What are they like?" Yoshi asked.
"More human than you might think," Nora said simply.
"What on the second and what's in the bag?" Vicente asked.
"My mom and dad are renewing their vows and my mom bought me a dress and shoes for the ceremony," Naoko replied.
Vicente smiled, "Don't most do that on the anniversary or Valentine's Day?"
"Any holiday named after an ancestor of mine is a tacky day to celebrate," Naoko replied.
"I wonder what the dress and shoes look like," Vicente muttered.
"You won't know until the day of the ceremony," Naoko replied.
"Awe..." Vicente muttered.
"How much attention do you pay to me?" Naoko asked.
"As much as I can," Vicente replied simply. "Why?"
"Just wondering what your priorities are," Naoko shrugged.
Vicente smirked, "You are the only priority to me...other than torturing rapist."

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Vampire Heart 39