Vacation Surprise

[Cian Romulus]

Cian glanced down at the phone he had just purchased within the local Wal-mart. It wasn't really anything fancy, it looked a lot like a brick in his opinion, but it would make phone calls without the need for him attempting to input a social security or present any other form of identification. He had paid cash for the little device and several of the 100 minute cards on the display beside the phones. Flipping one of the cards over, he followed the instructions on the back and within a few seconds after inputting the code into the phone display, his communication device was now active. Almost immediately, he saved Marly's phone number into the directory on the device. He glanced into the basket he had been pushing around the store.

Chips, sandwich meats, bread, disposable cameras, three different types of beverages were just among the few items he had dropped into the buggy. Since the places he had been planning to take the fascinating femme were quite public, he couldn't just fly the two of them to their destination. For that reason, the vampire purchased a brand new Dodge Caliber. Expecting a long drive, he had obtained what he felt to be the proper items for sustenance and hydration. There would be, of course, the occasional stop for biological needs and fuel, but he hoped to able to complete traversing the distance as quickly as possible. A few minutes later, the vampire had checked out his groceries and stuffed them into the back of the Caliber, making sure the perishables were covered with ice in the cooler he had bought along with the food.

Closing the hatchback and pushing the cart into one of the many receptacles in the parking lot, Cian situated himself back into the driver seat of the vehicle. He had been happy with Lorana, content with Cecilia, but with Marly, the experience was completely different, as if he was a completely different being. She was his angel, his savior from the abyss. Cian found himself twisting his ring again, as if making sure it was safely upon his finger. He didn’t need it at this moment, the sun having set several hours ago, but it did make him feel a bit better knowing it was there.

The vampire cursed himself, starting the engine to the vehicle. Marly would be leaving work soon, and he had promised to pick her up. Hopefully, her boss had given her the time he told her to request off, or the careful planning for this whole trip to Florida would be for nothing. He smiled to himself, imagining the reaction he’d get from her when he finally revealed their vacation destination.

[Marly Ann]

A fourteen hour workday, yet the toll hardly seemed to take effect on Marly Ann’s countenance. She was as bouncy and enthusiastic as ever, with the help of a little coke and the good news she had received. So long as she agreed to work over the Thanksgiving holiday, she could take the week off. And Marly didn’t mind that ultimatum one bit. After the phone call she had received about a week ago, she was none too eager to return home for the holiday anyways. But those thoughts had drifted far from her conscious mind at the present.

So now the dark haired female stood in the lobby of the hospital, watching as some anxious families kept an eye out for a doctor to tell them any news about the condition of their loved ones. She had already offered to pray with two of them, which had been of some help, but she knew they would have no peace until they knew for sure what happened. Though it was a common sight to Marly, she couldn’t help but feel each family’s pain. Thus, instead of looking towards the exit for any sign of Cian, she too found herself waiting for information on the patients. If the surgery had been a loss, she would grieve with them, offer some comforting words, and utter another prayer. If not, she would merely smile and thank the Lord above for another miracle.

A grumble coming from her tummy tore eyes that lit like the sun away from the family and to her stomach. She really hadn’t eaten much of anything all day – only half a sandwich at lunch since she had given the rest of her meal to a homeless man that had been lounging in the lobby. That and a bowl of Cap’n Crunch early that morning.

~I could really go for some fries and a chocolate frosty at Wendy’s right about now,~ she thought to herself.

[Cian Romulus]

The sun had been below the horizon for two hours by the time he reached the hospital where his darling female companion worked. As always, the remaining parking had been limited so the vampire had to leave the Caliber somewhere near the far end of the parking lot. After shutting down the engine and making sure the windows were up, doors locked, and the anti-theft device had been activated, Cian approached the hospital, pausing the moment he reached the automatic sliding doors. He knew there was no mortal disease that he could have possibly been infected, but the hospital was always a place he dreaded, almost feared. Cian always felt sorrow when he drew near any such establishments, knowing within his heart and mind that there were good people here, needlessly suffering from pain and illness.

"Excuse me, sir," an elderly woman rasped behind him. Jostled from his thoughts, Cian smiled and stepped aside to allow the woman entry into the hospital. He almost chuckled as he heard the woman mutter under her breath, "Young punks..." Searching the lobby, he wondered if Marly had gotten off yet, or if she was volunteering her free time once again. That girl was so dedicated to helping people. It was one of the reasons that Cian decided to take her on this little excursion. She needed some time to herself, some time to actually enjoy life. He realized that helping the masses brought her great joy, but he had also heard her thoughts, her constant worries of struggling patients. The vampire caught such a thought now. She was worried about a father in his mid-50's undergoing a rather risky heart surgery.

Her thoughts, fortunately, quickly changed to her own biological needs indicated by a rumbly tummy. Chuckling to himself, he slowly and gently wrapped his arms about Marly Ann stomach and pressing his cold cheek against her own, whispered, "How about we go get that frosty before your boss tries to put you back to work?"