Blueblood 3: The Others - 19. Decking The Halls Again

It was all set up for a nice party. There were good smells coming through the house from the kitchen and the combination of the greenery for Christmas that had the effect on me telling me it was that special Season. Yes, it was my favorite time of year. I could almost forget there a threat out there. Almost.

Amasis’ hair had begun to grow out and Gabriella came early to give him a haircut. In the clothes we had gotten him, he and Amir were looking like they did belong in this century. We had brought them to Wentworth Manor to limit the amount of exposure to modern culture. Colin and I didn’t think Amasis was ready for hustle and bustle of Manhattan. The fact that Wentworth Manor was isolated and there weren’t a lot of people in this part of the Lowcountry was a good thing for Amasis. Amir was seemingly ready for more, but the other isolation Amir had in Amasis’ City had not really prepared him for the world; that and the language problem. Amir had enough English to be alright, but he needed more. Amasis was learning more but was still heavily dependent on the translator. We all wore the little earpieces, including Amasis and Amir. The program Delkenzie put out was amazing. There was another reason for the party. To see how Amasis would handle being with others that didn’t know about him…or us.

The doorbell rang and both Colin and I went to the door and Mitch was on the other side, along with two others that were his family. One was a large man in his mid to late fifties. He was about six feet and six inches tall with bronze colored hair that was starting to show grey through the hair. The other man was in his early to mid-forties with black hair that was starting to turn grey at the temples. He bore a striking resemblance to Mitch like a sibling would probably be. They were smiling when we opened the door, but when these two with Mitch saw us, their eyes widened.

Mitch looked at them. “I told you.” He said. “Eerie, isn’t it? He looks just like Tony.”

The dark-haired man looked at Mitch in disbelief. “He looks like Tony? They look like both of you! I’m looking at another Mitch and Tony!”

I nodded at them. “So, we’ve heard.” I waved to the interior. “Welcome to Wentworth Manor.”

Mitch chuckled as he walked in. “Thank you.” He said removing his coat. He waved at the other two. “This is my cousin David McKenzie and his husband and very good friend of mine, Sasha Ledebev.”

Sasha was still staring in shock but shook my hand almost absently as he stared. It wasn’t until David nudged him in the gut for him to say. “Oh, it’s nice to meet you.” He smiled. “Weird, but nice.”

I nodded to him and David. “Well, welcome to the House of Weird.”

Colin chuckled. “As if we weren’t already running over with weird here.” He muttered to me.

I introduced Colin and they came in. David looked at the entrance foyer and the large brightly lit, decorated tree that sat in the center, towering up almost touching the crystal chandelier above it like a giant star on top.

“Now that…” David said pointing at the tree. “…is a big ass tree!”

I nodded laughing. “And not easy to decorate, I can tell you.”

Mitch nodded. “I bet not.”

Sasha looked at the house and his eyes grew. “Wow.” There was decorative garland with red ribbons, the occasional hurricane glass coverings over the wide red candle that we lit. The tree’s lights were the tiny white ones that glowed like stars in the greenery and silver, gold and red glass balls hung in the bows, tensile and the lights refracted off crystal and clear balls to make it shine even more!

Mitch chuckled. “Wow?” He looked at me. “He’s so articulate.” He grinned at Colin and me. “He’s the reason the Delkenzie program works as well as it does. Especially with Russian. He brought his five-year-old son Alik here, who didn’t speak English and we began using the program to understand him.”

David nodded. “That’s why it works so well with Russian.”

Colin smiled. “And it’s expanded to include so many languages now, even seldom-used languages or languages that are dead.” He waved them all in. “Let us have your coats, and I’ll introduce two others that are helping to further the program.”

We introduced the others here, my mother was just beyond words seeing Mitch. All of my family here were moved to almost speechlessness meeting Mitch. Then I introduced Amasis and Amir who were the only ones wearing the translator and earpieces. I watched from a distance to see how Amasis would do and it seemed to go well. Mitch was spending a good bit of time with him deep in a conversation. It wasn’t too long before we went to eat dinner and everyone watched, as they always did at the amount of food Colin and now Amasis ate. Amasis would be a big eater from now on. There was light classical seasonal music in the background as we enjoyed our dinner. I felt Colin touch my hand, so I looked up at him.

“Do you think they suspect anything…odd?” Colin asked me quietly from the head of the table.

I looked over as Mitch was still talking to Amasis and Amasis seemed to like talking with Mitch. There was the inevitable delay as the conversation would have to be translated and a reply given, but it was Mitch’s program and Mitch was aware of what needed to happen, so he was patient. “I think it’s going well.” I smiled and then shrugged. “It is possible for Amasis to say something that would give it away. We’ll just deal with it when it happens. This is a test run.”

“What do you think we say if they suspect?” Colin asked.

“The truth?” I suggested. “Mitch, David, and Sasha might have a hard time with it, but I think they could be trusted with the truth.” I shrugged looking at Colin. “They might prove useful in the future. We can’t enough friends on our side.”

“The whole truth?” Colin asked. “I mean, about all of us?”

“We shouldn’t leave those things to question when they happen,” I said.

Our mother and Willie were looking happy. Gabriella and Alex were very happy. Everything seemed to be working out fine. We were in the library while I was talking with Sasha. He was a quick, funny person. He often fell into this act where he claimed to not understand and shifted to Russian, but he understood just fine. I liked him. I like all of them. I noticed later as I saw Mitch sitting by the tree in the library. The library was decorated for the holiday and the tree was lit. A fire burned merrily in the fireplace and it all looked perfect…except Mitch looked a little lost at the moment. Amasis was in a conversation with David now. I walked over and sat by Mitch.

“I hope you’re having a nice evening,” I said.

Mitch looked up suddenly from his thoughts and smiled. “What?” He looked around at the pleasant surroundings. “No, the party’s great! The house is gorgeous and the company is wonderful.” He nodded touching his wedding ring. “I was just having a moment with Tony.” He said fondly in thought. He looked up. “I do that occasionally. There are times I miss him so much more.” He chuckled. “This is one of them. He proposed to me this time of year.” He chuckled as he explained. “I was on a carriage ride around Central Park this time of year...” He held his ring up, “…the night he gave me this.”

I felt for him. “He sounds like a romantic guy.”

Mitch nodded with a sad smile. “He was. He really was.” Then Mitch grinned and pulled out his phone. “Here, let me show you.” He turned it on and pulled something up and held the phone to me the screen. “I always keep this.” He chuckled. “I’ll never forget his face, but…”

I looked at a picture of…it was Colin! I knew it couldn’t be Colin because of Tony’s darker complexion, but the face of Tony was the face of Colin. “Wow,” I said holding it out. “Now, I understand everyone’s reaction to Colin.” I smiled handing the phone back. “He’s very handsome.”

Mitch nodded and said almost sweetly. “And the most beautiful soul. He would send me a single rose every week…just because he loved me.” He said as a tear was coming.

“I wish I’d met him,” I said.

Mitch nodded again. “He would have liked you and Colin.” He laughed. “But it’s all good.” He said at last. “I’d give anything to have him back, but…” he shrugged. He leaned back and looked at me. “Now, explain about this…Amasis.”

I was not prepared for this sudden change of subject. “What about him? We got him out of trouble in Egypt. Now he and Amir are good friends.” I waved at Amasis.

Mitch nodded. “There’s more here. I’ve spoken with Amasis a good bit tonight.” He looked at me. “Let me just say…it’s like he’s from another time.”

I smiled. “He’s from a remote part of a desert community. They are outside of time.”

Mitch nodded. “There’s more and it’s a secret. Don’t tell me if you don’t want to, but there is something…old about the man. How he sees things in the world and what he remembers. It’s…” he shrugged, “…old. It’s almost regal, but’s old.”

I looked at Mitch carefully. “You won’t believe it.”

Mitch leveled a look at me. “Try me.”

So, I did. I told him where we found Amasis and the circumstances that made us look for him. I told him the truth about Colin, me and Amasis. I told him everything except about my mother and Willie and the others. No one else needed to be told about now. Mitch listened, never interrupting. When I was done, I waited for him to…call the police, or say I was crazy or laugh at a joke…something! Instead, he just nodded.

“Okay.” Was all he said.

Now, I was not okay. “Just like that?”

Mitch laughed. “Oh, come on, Devon. That story is too absurd not to be true. I believe you.” He smiled. “You have to admit, and we both deny it, but…I see the similarities in us. Between you and Colin, me and Tony. I know we’re so similar it’s like…” he thought, “…who or whatever created us thought we were such good matches…he or she decided not to waste it, but duplicate it! I’m sure there are many others of us out there.” He pointed outside of the house. “In fact, I’m sure there are many Mitches and Tonys out there; living all kinds of lives, not only now, but in the past and in the future. Even in places we think are only dreams. You and Colin, me and Tony were…” he smiled, “like magic! Our pairings were so good; it was repeated and will be repeated again and again. There is a place for us in reality. That gives me hope!” He said happily.

I wasn’t expecting this. “How does it give you hope?”

“I miss Tony so much.” He smiled as a tear came down. “I loved him so fiercely. I see you and Colin and see you two feel the same for each other. I know Tony and I will be together again. I simply know it!” He shrugged.

I smiled. “You’re okay with all this?”

Mitch nodded. “I can’t wait to see Tony again, but I know I will.” He chuckled. “There will be tales about matches like ours. Ours is a love that needs to be told about. The tale will give guys hope for their own lives.” He laughed. “Imagine, a story like Cinderella with the main characters being male!”

I shook my head. “I don’t think the world is ready for that.” I smiled.

Mitch looked at me thoughtfully. “I don’t know, it might be, little boys and young men need tales that make them dream. Little girls dream of Prince Charming, well, we’ll let young men like us know they can dream of a Prince Charming of their own. Get them to dream.”

“You can’t name it Cinderella,” I said simply.

“How about…” he thought. “Cinderfella?”

I laughed. “That may be possible, but pushing the limits.”

“So, let’s push!” Mitch smiled as he looked up. “I think your version of Tony is looking a little concerned.” He pointed at Colin.

I looked to see Colin not upset but had a look of curiosity on his face and concern. I patted Mitch on the arm. “Do I tell him we’re good about this whole vampire thing?”

Mitch nodded. “We are. I might tell Sasha and David because they’re both sharp and probably suspect, but don’t worry, we’ll keep this whole…vampire thing to ourselves.” He took a deep breath. “If anything, I owe you and Colin a great debt. You’re taking that program to new heights. If you need anything, I’ll be there to help. I can help with Amasis’ socialization and getting to know customs as needed.”

I nodded standing. “We will probably do that. He needs about two thousand years of catch-up learning.”

Mitch stood as well. “I think he’s doing just fine.” He walked over to speak to my mother, who was still looking puzzled at Mitch.

I went over to Colin.

“You two were in a pretty deep discussion for nearly an hour!” Colin said. “Is everything alright?”

“Everything is just fine.” I smiled at Colin and pulled him into a deep kiss which he responded to instantly as his arms came around me. “Who needs mistletoe? I’ll take any excuse to kiss you.”

Colin chuckled. “Who needs the excuse?” He shrugged. “We just do it because.” He hugged me. “Merry Christmas, baby.” He said next to my ear in a whispered voice.

“Merry Christmas, Colin.”

The evening had to end as all good events do. We offered our guests a place to stay if needed, but Mitch shook his head. He had hardly drunk anything to mess with his driving and said he needed to go back home. He’d had one glass of eggnog and that was it. Mom, Willie, Gabriella, and Alex would stay in the rooms they always did.

Colin and I settled in for our night as we got in bed as I told him what I said to Mitch.

“…and he didn’t question any of it?” Colin asked in disbelief as he slid in between the sheets.

I shook my head. “He was okay with the weird. All of the weird.” I said moving over the top of Colin. My hands knew the path it liked as they traveled over Colin’s wonderful chest. I leaned in kissing him. “Now, let’s be a thing of future legend.”

Colin smiled, but not certain about what I meant. “Legend? I know we’re good in bed, but legendary?”

“We have to strive to be that!” I said as my arms went around him. “I love you, Colin.”

He smiled. “I know.” He kissed me back. “Make love to me?”

I smiled. “You don’t even need to ask me.”

It was Christmas morning and we came down to the library and the excitement of Christmas morning was felt, but not the childish excitement of the past with toys and other presents. We had our coffee; or rather, Colin had his needed coffee. I was finding Amasis had developed a strong love of Colin’s Death Wish Coffee. I still got my iced vanilla latte’. We had all agreed not to buy each other anything, but Colin came up to his daughter and future son-in-law. He presented them with an envelope. Gabriella looked surprised at the envelope.

“What’s this? We said not…” Gabriella began taking the envelope.

Colin nodded. “I’m your father, Gabby. That means I’m above the rules.” He smiled. “Even my own.”

Gabriella smiled and kissed Colin on the cheek and opened the envelope. She looked at what was inside and her eyes grew. “What?” She stammered and showed Alex the check. “Why?’

Alex looked surprised, too. “That’s too much!” He said.

Colin raised his hands to stop them. “Are you kidding? Do you think we don’t have the money? Gabby, you’re my daughter! Alex, you’ve become an important person…not only in my daughter’s life but mine and Devon’s. Not because you’re both vampires, but because we both love you two. You’re marrying. You want a house. This will help with that. Whatever you need to get that, I’ll do all I can with no regrets.”

Gabriella pulled Colin into a tight hug and Alex sort of wrapped his arms around Gabriella and Colin.

I came over to Mom and Willie. I gave them an envelope. “Mom and Dad, you have the house on James Island. That’s fine. I grew up there and love it.” I said as Mom opened the envelope and her eyes did was Gabriella’s did and grew. “Take this, renovate or remodel or both. Buy another house. That’s up to both of you.” I looked at Mom. “I love you, Mom. You always are in my corner.” I looked at Willie. “And you…” I grinned as Willie smiled at me. “When Colin told me how important you were to him…that you were a father figure to him all those decades underground in New York…I didn’t know you, but you became such an important person to me! I see you now as a man I need to model my life after.” I waved to my mother. “I’m not talking about how important you became to my mother, though that says a lot about you. You stepped in and you let me call you Dad. You are my Dad. I love you, Willie. This is just a little to help you two to continue your lives together.”

Willie wiped his eyes and stood. He pulled me close in a hug. “You are my son, Devon.” He said in the hug. “I do love you. I hope I will always be someone that deserves the love you give so easily.”

I tightened the hug. “You do and you are.”

Amasis and Amir watched our family. This was not a holiday they really knew, but the feelings they did know.

Amasis took off his translator and said. “I hope…I say right…my words.” He began. “You, Colin. You, Devon. Become more…than friends to Amir…to me. I know…I die…if you not come…but now…I live…with you.” He smiled. “I want…give…more to…vampire together…bringing together. I want…” he looked at Amir and said something, which Amir said back. “…yes…purpose. I want purpose to be…here.”

Amir nodded. “I’m not a vampire.” He said. “But I want to help. Is there a place for us in your group?”

Colin and I hugged them, too. “There is,” Colin said. “There is.”

“And we will help you all the way, Amasis and Amir,” I swore.

Amasis nodded as he listened to make sure he understood and finally nodded. “Good.” He smiled. “That good!"