Inner Fire and the Light

by Olivia Jean Ecklund
Chapter 11

The first thing Nick did when they got to town, was take Joe and Grace to get a new car. He gave them a gold card and talked to the dealer as he signed the credit voucher. "Pop, buy whatever you and Grace want. Consider it a wedding gift."

Joe protested, "No, Nick, I can pay for it."

Nick stopped him. "Pop, let me do this for you. The money I have means nothing to me unless it can benefit someone else. I could buy a thousand cars a day on just the interest my investments bring in."

Both Joe and the dealer's eyebrows raised to the sky.

"Nick!" Joe said, taking his arm and leading him away. "You should never say that out loud."

Nick smiled. "You're right, Pop." He squeezed the man's arm and nodded to Grace. "Just have fun and we'll see you back at the house tonight."

He shot over his shoulders as he headed out the showroom door, "Oh... get one that's good for mountain terrain in case we have some bad weather this winter."

He headed for the car, happy to help his friend and looking forward to having his wife to himself for the rest of the day.

Nick and Natalie found a Baby Depot and spent several hours selecting items for the babies. Their time was spent carefully pouring over the safety information on car seats and cribs, and making purchases of remote monitoring equipment and sensor pads for the beds.

Natalie laughed over rattles and stuffed toys, looking forward to when the babies could appreciate them. She bought blankets, touching them to make sure they were soft and warm.

The pair stocked up on draperies, paint, wall decorations, and anything else they felt they might need. In another store, the expectant parents bought diapers, pins, bottles, medical supplies... anything a doctor might need to help with the babies in their remote location. In the late afternoon, tired but happy, Nick took Natalie out to dinner. As the two sat in a secluded booth eating steaks, Nick said, "Day after tomorrow, they will deliver all the big stuff. I will start painting in the morning."

Natalie said, "I'd like to keep the babies in our room for the first six months in their bassinets, Nick."

He took her hand across the table. "Of course. We have so much room, it will be easier for the night feedings."

Tears sparkled in his eyes. "Nat, I sometimes can't believe I'm going to be a father. Do you know I have dreamed of this for centuries?"

"It's more than a dream, Nick," she said, rubbing her hand over her expanding midriff.

"You're right. Of all the women I have known in my life, I am so glad that it is you that I am proud and blessed to have these babies with."

"Nick, I would be happy right now just to watch our babies grow. I never want to take anymore blood samples, file paperwork or examine anyone dead or alive. I just want to be with my family."

"Natalie, if that is what you wish, I will support it, but put off making any decisions until you are with the babies for a while. You may want something more than motherhood after a while.

You're a wonderful doctor and a brilliant scientist. You have years to decide. Humanity can always use good, dedicated doctors. Let's talk about it later, maybe after a few years. For now, come dance with me." He drew her to her feet and onto the sparsely populated dance floor.

They giggled a bit when they found it was nearly impossible for them to get close, but they managed as best they could and danced slowly. Natalie rested her head on Nick's shoulder. It was wonderful to feel her husband's warmth, to hear the faint, steady heart beat. She thought about how much she loved him and how their lives had changed, and she thanked God.

Nick drew his head back and put a finger under her chin, lifting her face so he could look into her eyes. He kissed her with soft gentle kisses. They had to keep their passion in check, reminding themselves they were in public.

When the dance ended, he said, "We'd better get you home, my love. It's very late, and your doctor might skin me alive if he finds out you've been on your feet so many hours at this late state of your pregnancy."

She nodded, reluctantly. "It's been a wonderful day, Nick. Thank you." She pulled him down toward her and nuzzled his neck as she hugged him.

He smiled, caressing her cheek with his hand. Whenever he looked at his wife, he never failed to thank God in his heart, for her. It amazed him how the Lord had brought him through untold horrors and endless nights to have this joy in his life.

The van was brought to them and they got in. It was loaded clear to the back of their seats with all their purchases. Nick got in and Natalie scooted across the special bench seat he?d had built into their van. She snuggled against him and soon fell asleep.

He drove in silence, listening to her breathe, enjoying her warmth against him. He had been able to learn to enjoy the night, to see it's beauty again and feel a peace in it. There was such a contrast between it and the light of day. He was grateful to be able to live in both now.

Before, the night had been like a type of freedom in a cage. Unable to go out in the day, he had considered the night both friend and enemy. He still preferred the days. He looked forward to the summer now, to the longer days, and to being with his wife and babies.

Thinking of the babies made him go all soft inside. Sometimes his hands would tremble and his knees would weaken... terror would grasp him. It was a terror so pure he could barely comprehend or stand it.

He hadn't told Natalie any of this. He was struck by such a huge sense of responsibility... the raising and molding of two babies lives! Was it natural to fear this responsibility or was he just so unworthy? He could barely comprehend God's blessing him with two at once. There had been a time when he never expected to have even one.

How could he possibly raise these babies well? The only 'father image' He'd had for so long was of LaCroix the vampire father. Nothing in the life he had led had prepared him for fatherhood. He felt sheer terror, and it rose in his throat as panic.

All of a sudden he heard Tess' voice. "Relax, Baby, you'll do fine." He looked into his mirror and saw her reflected from it. He didn't bother to turn and look over his shoulder. He knew she wasn't there.

He thought. "Do you really think I'll be able to raise our babies all right, Tess?"

"Yes, I do, Child. You have the Lord now. He will color all of your future. Think about it... you know all the right things to do. You know what the worst and the best father can be like. Lucus will also be learning along side of you."

Nick felt the panic subside and peace enveloped him. "Thank you, Tess. I'll try to keep your words in mind." He glanced back into the mirror, and she was gone.

As he pulled into the drive way, Natalie stretched, yawned and looked around. They spotted a new SUV in the drive near Joe's house.

Hw smiled, glad to see that Joe had selected a good, sturdy vehicle. As Nick parked beside the new SUV, Joe and Grace came from his house. Nick and Natalie looked at the new car briefly, but when Grace noticed that Natalie was trying hard to stifle yawn after yawn, she said, "Come on, girl friend, let me take you on up to bed. We'll let the guys finish checking out the details.

She slipped her arm around Natalie's shoulders and led her to the lift. They went upstairs where she helped her friend undress and get into bed.

Natalie barely said, "Thanks, Grace," before she was asleep. A satisfied smile dancing on her lips.

Grace stood for several minutes, studying her friend's face. When they had left this morning, it had been lined and her eyes dark with worry and exhaustion from the past months. Just today's outing had taken years off her features.

Grace gently smoothed the hair away from the sleeping mother-to-be's face. Lately she had slipped more into the mothering role she had felt with Natalie over the years. She was only 6 years older, but since Joe was a father figure around here and she would marry him soon... She smiled down at Natalie, turned down the lights, and joined the men downstairs.

As she walked down the stairs, she thought about the things in her life that had changed since she had arrived here. There had been so many new things she had seen and learned. She sent a prayer of thanks to the Lord. It had been a most frightening, yet most joyous time. She wasn't sure she would have gotten through all of the bad if the Lord hadn't put Joe as a pillar of strength in her life.

She had almost entered the kitchen when she heard the guys practically cooing. She peeked out from the stairs and found that the men had brought in all the boxes from the van and were now examining the cute baby items. She watched from the shadows in silence, covering her mouth to stifle the giggles as she watched Joe and Nick "oooh" and "aaah"over the tiny baby dresses, hats, outfits, and toys. When Joe popped a pacifier in his mouth and set Nick to laughing, she laughed aloud too and joined them, relishing their embarrassed grins.

After they finished unpacking and storing all the baby items, Nick bid his friends good night and went to see how LaCroix and Janette were. He found them sitting before the big TV watching Casablanca.

LaCroix's head was resting in Janette's lap. He sat up and turned off the TV when Nick came in.

"Nicholas," he beamed, holding out his hand.

Nick took it and was drawn down to sit beside his father. The move sandwiched him in between LaCroix and Janette. He relaxed half leaning against his father's chest and shoulder.

There was no longer any tension or danger here, only peace. It was amazing to feel LaCroix's arm across his chest and to feel the warmth of his father radiating to him.

He took Janette's hand and drew her into the circle of his arms. They sat and shared their day for about an hour. Nick discovered that Janette and LaCroix had gone for a short walk around the backyard. They'd sat and enjoyed the sun for a while before coming inside. Nick told them about his day, the baby things they'd purchased and how much fun he and Natalie'd had.

Janette said, ruefully, "I tried to cook some of the hamburger Grace showed me."

LaCroix laughed. "They looked like little, black hockey pucks."

Nick laughed. "I guess we will have to ask Grace to give you some cooking lessons."

"Do you think she will?" Janette asked eagerly. "I know desserts but not real food."

"I can almost guarantee it," Nick replied. Finally, reluctantly he stood to leave. "I must check on Natalie," he told them as he leaned down and planted a kiss on LaCroix's forehead and then Janette's cheek.

The tears of gratefulness that sprang into LaCroix's eyes touched his heart. He left them with his own eyes filled with bright tears of thanks to God that LaCroix had come to accept the Lord.

He turned off most of the lights at his place, leaving only the kitchen and the passageway lit between his and Joe's house. He had seen Joe and Grace sitting on Joe's porch as he had returned. He wanted Grace to be able to see her way back to her room.

Natalie was sitting on the edge of the bed when he entered their room.

He hurried to her. "Nat, what's wrong?" "Brakston Hicks, I hope," she said, straining to rub her back.

He got up on the bed behind her and started to gently, but firmly, rub her back.

"Oh, that's good, Nick," she groaned. "How are LaCroix and Janette tonight?"

"They're good. How did you know I went to see them?" he asked, curiously.

She smiled, "I can smell his aftershave on you, as well as Janette's perfume." "Do you mind that we are still so close?"

"No, Nick, they are your family... your father and your dear friend. I understand that you are now getting the emotional support you should have gotten centuries ago. I'm happy for you all."

She moved, and Nick helped her to recline on her side across the bed, facing away from him. He continued to rub her back carefully.

She said, "It was a wonderful day, Nick. Everything was normal."

He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Yes, it was normal. It was wonderful!" He told her about unpacking the baby things with Joe and how Grace had laughed at them.

Natalie stiffened again. The pain was harder this time. "Maybe I should have Grace give me something to stop the labor. It's to early to have these babies."

Nick hurried to get Grace, and she administered a low dosage of medication to Natalie to try and stop the contractions.

Nick helped his wife to lay on her back with pillows propped under her knees. "If this doesn't work, Nick," Nat warned him, "we could be on our way to having these babies. I would like to hold on to them a few more days if possible."

Nick lay against the length of her back, snuggled up to her shoulder and prayed with her.

Chapter 12

After a time, the pains, thankfully, stopped. They both breathed easier and finally drifted off to sleep.

The next day, Nick allowed her to come downstairs, but made her stay seated most of the day with her feet propped up. The women gathered around her and made plans for the wedding.

Since it was Grace's wedding and neither Nat nor Janette could cook, Janette called a caterer. Then the ladies decided only the family at "Saving Grace" and the minister's wife would be the guests. They directed the men, as they set up the tables, chairs and wedding decorations.

Joe and Nick built an arch that would be set in the garden later for roses. For the day, though, they placed it in front of the house. The women decorated it with ivy and flowers.

Since there would only be the six of them plus the minister and his wife, only a few chairs were needed. Grace had commented, when she had told them about finding a minister, that the minister's wife seemed frail.

Grace had no family to invite, and Joe had called his daughters and told them. Their reactions had been less than enthusiastic. They had yet to forgive him for the funeral he had planned for their mother. He hoped they would understand later.

About noon the next day, the minister arrived. His wife was a small pale woman with a glow of grace around her. The family was pleased to find that the three angels had returned to share this day with Joe and Grace. It always surprised them to see the three appear out of no where and often fade back into it.

At one o'clock, the eight people and three angels gathered around the arch. Grace wore a full length white dress with an over blouse of white lace. It had lace sleeves to her wrists. She had pearls running though her hair. Janette and Natalie had worked hard to make her hair perfect.

Joe was dressed in his Captain's dress uniform.

Grace had a bouquet of garden flowers that Monica had brought to her tied with a pure white ribbon.

The Minister, Patrick Coleman, looked around the group. They were an interesting bunch. He could tell there was a good fifteen year difference between the bride and groom. His skin was the color of ebony and hers, a rich, dark honey brown.

The blond man and his pregnant wife seemed the most average, of the group. The beautiful French woman and her companion, a strange tall man with long silver hair, had a Roman look about his profile. When the minister looked into the man's eyes, they seemed to hold the wisdom of the ages . He was thin and gaunt and must have been, or still was, ill.

The minister glanced at his own wife, Charity, and saw the illness in her face. He stuffed the pain down into his heart. She suffered in silence. He was so proud of her and loved her so much. He prayed for the ten thousandth time that God would see fit to heal his beloved wife.

Last, but certainly not least, there were the three friends. The minister felt power emanating from them. It seemed as if he could feel a spirit of purity, and agelessness.

The strange group seemed to revere the three who did not live here. He looked again at his wife and raised an eyebrow. She knew where his thoughts were and nodded, agreeing this was an interesting group.

There was no doubt that these people loved the Lord. The spirit of God surrounded them and emanated from their faces and eyes. This was one of the reasons he had agreed to marry these strangers.

Andrew discreetly snapped photos, and Monica monitored a video camera Nick had set up on a tripod. Joe had wanted to have something to show his daughters.

After the minister read I Corinthians 13, they exchanged vows. Joe and Grace pledged their love and devotion to each other and to their friends. Finally, the minister pronounced them husband and wife.

Joe pulled Grace close and kissed her gently. She threw her arms around him and kissed him back ferociously, making all their guests laugh. Her cheeks were wet with tears.

Nick helped Natalie up from her chair, and they both hugged the newlyweds, pressing kisses to their cheeks.

Janette and LaCroix stood back a bit. Joe came to them, surprising the two former vampires by giving each a hug. Joe whispered to LaCroix, "You're next old man." He indicated Janette with a twist of his head. "She's a prize to be cherished."

"Indeed she is," LaCroix said, turning a gentle look on his companion. He whispered back, "She has already let me know that she is interested."

Joe stood back a bit, but kept his voice low, "You are a blessed man, Lucus."

"I agree," LaCroix replied.

Grace came to join them and kissed LaCroix on the cheek.

He seemed warmed by her show of affection. LaCroix still had problems believing he could be forgiven and accepted by these people. He was touched each time they showed him love or affection, by touch or deed.

"Congratulations, my dear," he said to Grace.

"Thank you, Lucus," she said, using the unfamiliar name.

Nick was talking to the minister off to the side. "Yes, sir, there is something different about us and this place. What you are sensing, Pastor, is a renewal of faith so profound that you can have no conception of the changes in myself, my Father and Janette. Sir, do you believe in angels?"

"Yes, of course I do."

"Do you believe that they come among us and physically minister to humans... even take on the appearance of, and be physically indistinguishable from humans?" "I've heard many stories of miracles from people, Nick. Some talk of ordinary looking humans who are like angels and others speak of glowing beings. It's obvious something exists."

Nick glanced at Tess, who was close by listening to their conversation. She nodded now to him. "Go ahead, Baby, tell him. He has great favor in the eyes of the Lord." Nick saw Monica and Andrew come to stand next to Tess.

The rest of the group noticed the angels gather, stopped their chatter and turned to listen and watch.

Nick waved his hand toward the angels. "Pastor Patrick, these wonderful beings you see before you are angels. They were sent by God to deliver the three of us; Janette, my father, and myself, from hundreds of years of demon possession."

"What?" the startled minister exclaimed incredulously. His face paled.

His wife, Charity, came closer. "What's going on, Patrick?" She could sense the power in the air.

Suddenly the three angels started to glow. The minister and his wife fell to their knees. Andrew came forward. "Please," he said, "do not bow to us. Bow only to the Lord, your God." He helped them to their feet.

"The Lord charges you with the job of overseeing these new Christians. They need your wisdom and guidance. They need you to instruct them in the Word."

Monica came forward and took the ill woman's hand. "Charity is a name fitting for one who gives so much of herself. Your body is being ravaged by cancer. You know it wouldn't be long without a miracle. The Lord wants to bless you and heal you so that you can be a witness to the people of your church and to these people, and a teacher to the women."

She drew Charity into her arms and a glow grew around the woman and filled her with gentle warmth. Charity gasped as the warmth engulfed her. Immediately all her pain was gone, and she became strong and healthy before their eyes.

Patrick, weak at the knees, realized Tess and Andrew were holding him up. The love that flowed through him was like the brilliance of a sun. "The Son," he thought to himself.

In a few seconds, he found his strength and rushed to engulf his sobbing wife. They both cried, while the rest of the group thanked God. After a while, Patrick looked to Tess for answers and details.

Nick was surprised that she was forthcoming with all the facts about vampirism and the demons that caused it. Most surprising of all, was that he didn't seemed surprised... more like relieved.

Nick finally realized... "You've seen a vampire before?" "Yes," the Man of God agreed, "in New York. I had just become a minister. I went on a mission to New York City to pass out blankets to the homeless. It was late and I had gotten a bit lost. I heard something in an alley, and slipped carefully into the shadows to take a look."

"A dark figure was bent over a man he was holding to his chest. Just then, a cat ran from the trash can I was hiding near and knocked over another can that rolled away. It created such a clatter, I think my heart almost stopped. The thing raised it's head. It's eyes were glowing, and I saw the glint of teeth from the light of a passing car."

"A second later, and it had vanished as if it had never been there... except for the body. The man crumpled onto the ground. It was too late for him, but I summoned help anyway. The police thought I was a bit crazy. They said it must have been a cult blood-draining, and I just saw some psycho drop the body."

"I've never told anyone except Charity. We have prayed for my peace of mind for years . As fantastic as this may seem, it's a huge relief to finally know there really are vampires."

"Baby, nothing happens that God can't use in some way for good if we give it to him... even what others would use for evil..." Tess remarked.

The relieved pastor looked around. "I'm sure we'll speak more of this later. For now, there is much to celebrate." He hugged Charity to him again, and cried with relief for her, himself and his new friends.

"Come on, my friends, let's turn our attention to the bride and groom."

Everyone took seats at the table in the garden. They sat and talked, enjoying each others company. They took pictures. Since everyone now knew the 'BIG secret,' as Grace called it, the former vampires told funny stories of previous weddings they attended through the years.

There was a beautiful, two-tiered cake, Janette had made. It was covered with white, delicate flowers and tiny, amazing white doves.

Everyone stared in amazement at it. Janette had just shrugged. "You don't live over thousand years and not learn a few handy trades." She smiled, pleased with their compliments.

As the sun set, a long, white limo pulled into the drive.

Nick turned to his newlywed friends and said, "Gentle Lady and Sir, your coach awaits to take you on a special night stay at a fabulous hotel in the city. I know you don't want to leave Natalie at this time, Grace, but Nat and I agreed that she should be alright for a couple of nights. After the babies are born, I promise to send you both for a month to anywhere in the world you want to go."

Tess and Andrew brought out the couple's bags. After hugs and kisses, the bride and groom where driven off into the night.

Nick asked Patrick and Charity to stay the night since it was so late. Tess assured them that the guest room was already prepared for them.

Finally everyone was settled in, and Nick and Natalie crawled into bed.

"It was a wonderful day, Nick," his tired wife said. "I think Grace and Joe are happy. They received a huge blessing by having that wonderful miracle on the day of their wedding."

Nick nodded. "Yes, it was a blessing. Pop said the Lord led them to this minister's door. He had given up trying to find someone who would come up here on such short notice. He saw their little church and decided to make one final request. Obviously he was guided by our Lord." Nick turned to his wife and realized she was already asleep. He smiled and kissed her face gently. She snuggled in toward him, and he gathered her close and slept.

In the limo, Joe held Grace close. The driver was concealed behind the tinted glass of the luxurious limo. There was a TV, telephone, fully stocked refrigerator and bar, soft gentle music and champagne that had been chilled on ice.

He opened a bottle of Champagne with a pop and poured his bride a drink. She took the glass with a smile. Joe leaned to kiss her, his desire mirrored in her eyes. "To my wife!" he toasted, lifting his glass. "You are aptly named, being filled with grace and love. You are truly a blessing to me."

Grace toasted him back with, "To my husband... a gorgeous hunk of a man. You are a very welcome and unexpected blessing in my life."

The glasses clinked together, and they drank, laughing as the bubbles tickled their noses. The emptied glasses were set aside, and Joe drew his wife into his arms. Their lips met in a gentle kiss, but soon they were raining kisses all over each others faces.

Eventually the car stopped, and they reluctantly drew apart. The driver opened the door for Joe who got out, then reached back taking Grace's hand to help her out.

They found themselves standing before a huge Ritz-Carleton. A footman came forward to take their bags, as an assistant manager appeared to guide them to their room.

Joe and Grace looked at each other in surprise when they were taken to the penthouse.

When Joe tried to give the man a tip, he waved it away. "No, Sir, it's all been generously taken care of. Please enjoy your stay."

Joe assured him, "Oh, we have no doubt that we will."

The manager closed the door to the suite behind him, and the newlyweds turned to look at their home for the next two nights.

End Chapter 12


By Jeannie Ecklund Gersknightlady@cs.com





Inner Fire and the Light 13-14
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