Chapter 72: Chapter 72 BLOOD MOON

Scarlet decided against driving to San Francisco, she was sure that she wouldn’t get tired but knew that the children might. They drove to Washington and took a flight to San Francisco. She was anxious to get back to the place she once called home especially to where her parents now rested.

On her second day in San Francisco, she rented a car and drove to her parent’s gravesite. She decided to rent a room to a motel close to there. Staying in San Francisco wasn’t a good idea, she didn’t want anyone to recognize her, she didn’t know how she could ever answer the questions that they would have about her children.

Scarlet took Chrissie out of her car seat and caught up to SJ. He was already standing at the side of his grandparent’s grave.

“I wonder how they were like.” He smoothed his fingers over the engraved names.

“They were awesome. They loved to travel, always got high on adventure and they were always supportive and loving.” Scarlet summed up the qualities she always knew her parents had.

“They were humans, how do you think they would have reacted to you marrying an immortal and having immortal children.”

Scarlet sat on the ground between her parent’s graves and settled Chrissie on her laps.

“Your grandmother would ask me if I am crazy and your grandfather would say ‘whatever makes you happy baby’.” She mimicked her father’s voice as best as she could.

“I like him, I bet if I asked him for a car he would buy me one.” SJ teased.

“I don’t doubt he would but you would have to give him something in return. He always asked me for good grades for everything he gave me. It was very much quid pro quo.”

“Something for something. I have to try that out with dad then maybe he will get me the Ferrari I asked for.” SJ had a mischievous look in his eyes and a grin to go with it.

“You run a thousand times faster than that car and what makes you so sure your father will splurge on a car like that.” She shifted Chrissie to her other hip, then put her on the ground when she began to fuss. Chrissie was more like a human child than SJ ever was which was strange considering she didn’t have as many human genes in her as SJ did.

“I am his firstborn and only son at that, besides he can afford it.”

“I don’t doubt that he can, but I don’t think he should.” Scarlet grabbed Chrissie’s leg and pulled her back to her when she began to crawl away.

“Now that we are on the subject of what should be done when are we going back home?”

“Don’t start with this SJ. Take your sister and sit with her in the car for a minute.” She handed him Chrissie and watched as they walked back to the car.

“Mom, Dad my life is so complicated right now.” Scarlet began, as she slowly pushed away from the stray leaves on her parent’s graves. “So much has happened to me already and this time I don’t know what to do. If it was just about love, it would be a no-brainer. I would immediately forgive Stephan and make strides in making us feel like a family once again. But love isn’t the only factor here, I have to think about my babies. He has done nothing but put them in danger but on the other hand, I can’t keep him away from them.

“What do I do? My children are my life and my husband... I know I can never be complete without him. I’m conflicted, I just don’t know what the right decision is. I wish you could just tell me what to do. Stephan claims that the danger is over now, but he said the same thing t me two years ago. Should I trust him once again? If I go back what happens when some other vampire jumps from behind a tree and takes SJ or Chrissie away from me, what do I do then?

“I need your arms around me right now daddy. And mommy I miss the way you used to brush my hair and boss me around. Do that now impose a decision on me because honestly I just don’t know what to do.” Scarlet leaned forward and kissed her parent’s tombstone.

She brushed the dirt off her jeans before heading for the car, but as she turned her heart fell to her feet at what she saw.

A lady was leaning into the car window where SJ had sat holding Chrissie in her arms. She didn’t know who it was or whether or not she was a danger to her children. She acted on her maternal instinct and regarded the stranger as a threat to her children.

She breezed to the car before the stranger could turn, she stood behind her and notice how familiar her posture was.

“Iris?” Scarlet asked flabbergasted. She wasn’t looking forward to meeting anyone she knew but meeting Kayla’s mother was a comfort.

Just as Iris turned to face her Scarlet rushed into her arms. Catching her off guard and almost knocking her off her bearing.

“Whoa! What’s the matter?” She rubbed her back as m=she made a soothing sound, “What’s wrong my baby?”

“Nothing, I’m just happy to see you.” Scarlet stepped back and regained her composure.

“So am I, but you seem like you have a problem.” Iris used her finger to lift Scarlet’s head when she looked down. “You know you can tell me anything. Where is that strong man you married?”

Scarlet fell silent and avoided Iris’s gaze.

“So that’s the problem. Were you hoping your ma and pa would help you?”

Scarlet nodded, she felt like she was five once again and a lovely lady was trying to help her find her lost toy.

“I was coming to see Nana for some answers too. But I ran into this lovely boy and this beautiful baby who I’m guessing is yours.”

Scarlet reached into the car through the window and took Chrissie from SJ. It hurt her to introduce Christina as her daughter and to hide the fact that SJ was her son. She had to besides Iris would not understand.

Iris took Chrissie from Scarlet and bounced her on her hip, “She is an angel and the spitting image of her Momma.”

“She is.”

“So finally you and Stephan decided to have a baby. I guess taking care of his brother made you realize you could be good parents.”

“I guess so Mrs. Cooper. Scarlet and Stephan thought that I was a golden child and it was easy for them to decide to have their own.” SJ bragged.

He slouched into the seat when Scarlet threw him a stern look. When Scarlet saw that Iris was distracted, cooing at the baby she mouthed Scarlet and Stephan at SJ.

“Why don’t you and the children come to visit Nana Cooper? This car must be getting too hot for them to sit in.” Iris walked away still carrying Chrissie.

“I will let that pass but if you try that again I will wring your ears out.” Scarlet cautioned SJ.

“So what I’m I supposed to call you? Or should I just call you Mom and Dad?”

“You can just call me Mrs. Jeraldi.”

“You have got to be kidding me. I’ll try my luck with mom.”

“What are you whispering behind there? Get out of the car and come with us.” Iris turned back to call the two.

“Right behind you Iris.” Scarlet let SJ out of the car and together they caught up with Iris.

“So when is your best friend planning to make me a grandmother?”

“Ah... I’m not quite sure you will have to take it up with her.” Scarlet couldn’t think of anything else to say.

“Is she still working herself as a dog? Such stress isn’t good for conceiving a child.”

Scarlet nudged SJ when he snickered, “I don’t think she is ready for any other kind of responsibility. But I am sure she will get around it soon.”

They stood over Nana Cooper’s grave. Iris talked to her for a while then said a prayer then they left heading back for the car.

Once the children were strapped in Scarlet hugged Iris goodbye, and while they were embraced Iris whispered in her ear.

“Thinking with your head is often best but don’t overrule what your heart tells you.”

“Thank you.” Scarlet stepped back and took out a piece of paper and a pen from her bag. “I know that it’s had to reach us sometimes, but here is the house telephone number, there is always someone around.” She scribbled the number down and handed it to Iris.

“Take care of yourselves and know that not every decision you make is the wrong one. Please tell my baby and her husband to come down for a visit.”

She waved goodbye until the car disappeared around the bend. Scarlet thought about what Iris said to her and for once she decided not to overthink everything that had happened.

“So what are we doing tomorrow?” SJ asked.

“I don’t know what do you want to do?”

“I want to go to the beach that you and dad often go to.”

Scarlet remained silent and swallowed hard. She wasn’t sure whether or not she wanted to go back there. “Can’t we go somewhere else?”

“You said what I want to do, and I want to go to the ocean, the beach where you and dad go to. Please, mom.”

“Ok, we will drive back in the morning and get to the beach by the afternoon.” She promised.