A Vampyre's Sunrise, Jeff Schanz [best summer books .txt] 📗

your teeth. Speaking of which –.” Brandt got up, kissed the top of Lia’s head, and went to the bathroom.

Lia smiled, but it was obvious she was disappointed. Brandt thought it was because she didn’t understand the time involved in planning.

“I will understand if you wish to plan something,” she said. “But I don’t care about the scope or glamour. I have no friends, so there is no one to show off to, even if I wished it, which I do not. All I want is you. And to be Mrs. Dekker.”

Brandt finished his teeth and toweled off.

Lia came into the bathroom and hugged him from behind. “I wish to be Lia Dekker as soon as possible.”

He “guffed” a short, nasal laugh and hugged her arms with his. “Sweetie, I would absolutely love that, but to be fair, I should probably clarify some things about this modern world.” She loosened her hug as he turned to face her. He met her eyes and said, “Married women nowadays have a choice. You don’t have to take the man’s name anymore. You can keep your own. I know your father’s name is royal and important, so I would understand completely. Or some women like to hyphenate. Or you can take the husband’s name if you…”

“Lia Dekker!” she said insistently. “I will have no excuses from you. I will be your wife and will carry your name proudly.”

He tried not to laugh, but couldn’t help a throat chuckle. “Honey, there is nothing you can do that I wouldn’t be proud of, especially carrying my name.”

“Mrs. Lia Dekker,” she repeated. She stared at him with narrowed eyes, daring him to challenge the declaration.

“Mrs. Lia Viktorovna Dekker?” he coached.

“Agreed,” she said, then pecked him on the lips. “Today.”

His chuckle grew. “We can sign the documents today, but you deserve at least something other than a courthouse handshake.”

Lia intensified her challenging stare.

“Ok, just hear me out,” he said. “There are all sorts of ways we can get married in a day, but they might require at least an appointment, or travel time, or something. We could find a little justice of the peace at some little quaint chapel in the mountains, or take a cruise and have the captain marry us on board, or…”

Lia brightened. “A captain can marry us? Let’s do that!”

“A ship wedding?” He nodded. “That kinda fits. Ok, we can do that. Just let me do some looking and find us a cruise.”

She shook her head. Suddenly she had a plan. “No. We will take your boat to Catalina and we will have a ship captain there marry us. And we will honeymoon in the same hotel we first made love.” Lia looked exceptionally pleased with her plan.

Brandt wasn’t getting by that stare of hers. And he didn’t mind. “Ok. But I don’t think we can get there and do all this today. It takes time to get the papers drawn up and signed. We have to get all our vital documents together, wait at the courthouse for someone to help us, and then drive back out to the pier, and then hours to get to Catalina, and we’d have to find a captain willing to do it. If they even can. I’m not sure how it works.” Lia’s stare wasn’t budging. Brandt gave her a gentle kiss. “How about we sign the papers today, and finish the ceremony first thing tomorrow on Catalina?”

“Tomorrow, I will be Lia Dekker?”

“Tomorrow, I promise.”

She flung herself into his arms. “You got a deal, sister,” she said, misusing one of his colloquialisms.

He laughed unrestrainedly. “God, I love you.”

“Good. Because you’re stuck with me.”

Stuck is good. I like stuck.

CHAPTER 4

 

 

 

 

Brandt tucked the boat into its slip at the Catalina harbor. It was a big Chris Craft that used to be the launch from Mikhail’s yacht. The government, specifically Tom, had given it to Brandt as a reward for killing The Russian and delivering the yacht to the Coast Guard. In turn, Brandt had used it as his residence while Lia was still on Makal Island. Once they became comfortable with being a couple, and Lia got to visit the mainland of California, she was intrigued with the idea of living among humans again. The ranch became their primary residence and the boat became less important, though still useful for things like this.

Lia held Brandt’s hand and skipped as they walked. With her usual fairy-like glide, and the parasol bobbing above her, her skipping resembled parasailing. She was levitating both physically and mentally. It was her wedding day. Brandt was concerned she might pass out using up all her energy in joyful anticipation, but for the moment, her cheeks were glowing pink and radiant with vitality. She had probably fed from one of the horses before they left Ventura, preparing herself for a day of vows and a night of passion.

They checked into a different hotel than the last time they were here. Lia wanted the same one, but they had broken the bed in that hotel, and Brandt was concerned the hotel may have issue with them if they returned. In this new hotel, they got the bridal suite with a beautiful view of the pool. It never failed. If you wanted an ocean view, pool view was all that was left, and vice versa. The last time they were here, Lia was gung ho for swimming in the pool since she had never done it before. Five minutes of wading in the shallow end and she had had enough. The reality of swimming wasn’t as fantastic as her dreams. She had been scared to death of drowning since vampyres don’t float, and nothing Brandt could say would mollify her. So, they had gone up to the room and had marathon sex instead. Decent trade-off.

Lia had her wedding dress and makeup in her bag and wanted to go up to the room to start preparing. Brandt gave her the key and told her he had arrangements to make around the island. She gave him a peck on his nose and skip-floated toward the elevator.

Brandt wandered over to the concierge desk. The guy behind the desk looked up and smiled brightly. His nametag read, “Nathan.”

“Yes, sir. Good afternoon! How may I help you?” said the chipper concierge.

“Hi, Nathan. I have some requests if you don’t mind. My fiancé and I are getting married in a couple hours and I want to do something special to our room once she’s finished dressing.”

“Certainly, sir! And congratulations.”

“Thank you. Here’s a list of what I was thinking. Money is no object.”

Brandt handed the man a piece of paper. Nathan read it and smiled. “Not a problem. And very romantic if I may say so.”

“Thanks. And I have another question. I’m looking for someone willing to do a shipboard wedding. She wants a ship’s captain to do it. But I hadn’t found any so far that either can or are willing. I kinda promised her it was already arranged. Can you help me?”

The concierge rubbed his thumb and finger against his chin. “Oh, dear. There was a cruise ship captain here two days ago, but they’ve gone. The only ships in port are private or commercial charters. And most of those men aren’t licensed for weddings. It’s the slow season, I’m afraid.”

Brandt had found out from last-second research that not any ol’ ship captain can marry people. Only some held a license to do it, and usually those were the big cruise ship captains. He chagrined and put his hands on his hips.

“Shit. I already gave her a time, so I’ve only got two hours to figure this out.” said Brandt, angry at himself for not doing more before they got to the island. He figured there had to be some captain somewhere on this big island that could do it.

The concierge stood and reached out a hand to place on Brandt’s shoulder. “Don’t you worry, sir,” he said. “Your lady will get the wedding she wants and on time. You’ve got my unequivocal promise.” The concierge winked at Brandt and snapped his fingers. “I’ve got some ideas.”

 

 

 

The little golf cart raced up a cobblestone road, bouncing its occupants in their seats. It skidded to a stop in front of a little wooden building. The exterior used to be sea moss green, but had faded to greenish-grey. The shingle out front read, “Father Vestor’s Chapel of Bliss.”

It’ll be bliss if this guy will do it.

“Third time’s the charm?” said Nathan.

“I think this is the fifth,” said Brandt, his mood sinking darker than it had been an hour ago.

“Positive thoughts,” said the perky concierge.

I’ll positively be surprised if I survive this.

The two men went inside and were immediately greeted by an all too happy middle-aged man in a sky-blue suit. His tie looked like it was made from Hawaiian shirt material.

“Good afternoon, gentlemen!” said the minister. “Nathan, so nice to see you. And the handsome gentleman with you. Are we looking for a wedding package today?”

“So to speak. A kinda unconventional one,” said Brandt, shooting a hopeful glance sideways at Nathan, who nodded his reassurance.

The minister cracked a goofy smile. “Oh, have no fear, sir. I’ve done this plenty of times before.”

“Maybe not quite what we’re going to ask you to do,” said Brandt.

“Gentlemen,” said the minister. He placed a hand on each of their arms. “Gay weddings are perfectly legal in this state and I adore doing them.”

Brandt’s eyes flew open. He looked at Nathan who blushed and rolled his eyes.

“Oh, no, Father. That’s not why we’re here,” said Nathan calmly. “This man is getting married to a lovely lady.”

“Oh, please excuse me!” said the minister, abashed. “I’m so sorry, sir. Mr…?” The minister pinched his brows as a silent plea to ask Brandt’s name.

“Brandt,” said Brandt.

“Mr. Brandt. What can I do for you and your beautiful bride?” asked Father Vestor.

“No, Dekker. I mean Brandt De… never mind.” Brandt was about to launch into the unconventional request when Nathan held up a hand.

“Father, do you remember the wedding you performed a year ago on that diving boat?” asked Nathan.

“Diving boat?” It took a couple of seconds before Father Vestor beamed, “Ah, yes! The snorkeling couple. Goodness, that was a strange one. What about it?”

Nathan grinned. “Well, I have in mind something similar for this gentleman.”

Before Nathan could continue, Father Vestor exclaimed, “Oh, my.”

Nathan waved a placating hand. “This one will be far easier. You won’t have to snorkel, and you won’t have to wear an Elvis costume.”

“Thank heavens.”

“But you will be impersonating someone,” said Nathan.

“I see. Who?”

“A ship’s captain.”

“Oh?” Vestor put his hand on his chin and considered. “I certainly don’t mind, but I have no captain’s outfit. I only had the Elvis one because I used it for Halloween.”

Nathan smiled conspiratorially. “Leave that to me. I have a key to the wardrobe of the theater. There are several sailing outfits in there. I’ll apologize to the stage manager later.” Nathan’s smile became a little awkward when he said that. “All you have to do is put it on and show up. And act like a captain.”

Vestor nodded, but then looked a little uncertain. “How does a captain act?”

Nathan shrugged.

Brandt said, “I guess, think of ones in movies. You know, confident, in charge, and all that.”

Vestor shrugged too, then nodded. “Alright, then. It’s certainly slow here, so I’m free anytime today.”

“In one hour from now, please be at…” started Nathan. Nathan turned to Brandt. “Where will it be held?”

Brandt swallowed. “Shit.”

 

 

 

An hour later, with the sun hiding behind the Catalina peaks, Brandt was in a tuxedo standing on the deck of someone’s yacht. He took a deep cleansing breath, trying to drown his sense of panic. Lia was about to make her entrance any minute. Brandt took one more moment to look around and see if his situation had magically improved.

The yacht they were on was a private boat owned by a software magnate: a middle-aged, crass, and extremely large man. With him