My mom was so ready to get out of the hospital. I had visited her last night after work and most of our conversation was her complaining about how she didn't understand why she had to stay a whole week, although we did also talk about my job and Langdon's upcoming visit. I had also called Naomi last night after I had gotten home since it would take entirely too long to text out everything that happened in the last few days. As predicted, she was offended that I hadn't told her everything sooner but got over it in her excitement for my new job. I promised again to keep her updated on my mom's condition and now my new job—for real this time.

It was Friday, practically the weekend. I wasn't antsy to be done with work for the week, although I couldn't help but think about what I would do over the weekend. Visit Mom of course. Langdon said he might visit too, but he always cancels. Maybe I could just have a day at home in my pajamas. I'll watch TV, and eat popcorn and ice cream, and just be generally lazy for the weekend. That would be great. Maybe I could even revisit my business idea.

"Are you stuck?"

I glanced up at Viveca. We were in our office, both at our desks. My laptop was open, but I had been staring at it aimlessly while I thought. "What? Oh, sorry, no, I just got distracted. Sorry." I've got to focus while I'm at work. I need this job. Does Viveca think I'm wasting time on purpose?

She gave a chuckle. "I get it. It's Friday, I'm beat too. Have any plans for the weekend?"

"I'm going to visit my mom and just relax, I think."

"That sounds nice. Manny and I are going to see a concert. We haven't gone to one in ages, but it's up in Tennessee, so we'll have a bit of a drive."

"I'm sure that will be fun." I hated concerts if they were the kind with pop or rock singers, they were loud and full of people, not my idea of a good time.

Someone knocked on the door, but didn't open it, so Viveca called for them to come in. A vampire popped his head in. He had dark brown hair that was tied up in a man-bun on top of his head. "Hey, Salvador," Viveca said. I nodded at him.

"Buenos tardes," he replied, opening the door the rest of the way. "I brought you a package, Viveca." He held out a small box.

I think he's the only person I've met here with an accent.

Viveca jumped up and crossed the room to take it from him. "Thanks, Salvador. And the cost?"

He grinned. "I asked my wife "can you help me with this crossword clue? It says overworked mailman." My wife says, "sure, how many letters?" and I said, "too many."" He snorted with laughter at his own joke and Viveca scoffed with a smile on her face.

"I don't know where you get all these. Do you just look up mailman jokes online?"

"Viveca, a magician never reveals his secrets."

"Yeah, yeah. Have a good day, Salvador."

"Adios." He closed the door behind him.

Viveca sat on the corner of her desk. "I know what this is." She took a moment to rip it open without the use of scissors, then pulled something long and thin out and walked over to hand it to me.

I flipped it over and read, Alessandria Sharp. "Is this my name plaque for outside the office?"

"Bet your bottom dollar," said the elf. "Now it's officially your office as well."

I smiled at her. "Thank you."

"Let's put it up!" she said, tugging me outside our office. I carefully slid the thin plaque into the plastic compartment on the wall while she quietly cheered and tapped her hands together. "There is it—12, Viveca Laurent, and Alessandria Sharp. It looks perfect."

"Ladies! Are you on your way to the cafeteria?" A vampire with vermillion eyes was walking down the hall towards the elevator. He had a European accent, Italian or French it sounded like.

Huh. I guess if you meet one vampire with an accent you're bound to meet more.

"Why would we be going to the cafeteria, Gheorghe?" Viveca rolled her eyes. "It's almost three o'clock."

Gheorghe passed up, raising his hands to his side, palms up. "Did no one tell you? Work is off an hour early for Addison's party. It starts in the cafeteria in a few minutes."

Viveca groaned. "You guys never tell me anything. We'll be down in a minute." We returned to the office to pack up our stuff, then headed down to the cafeteria. Just like Gheorghe had said, the party was in the cafeteria, and it was as busy as it had been at lunch.

A few minutes after we entered, Damon jumped onto one of the tables, holding a champagne glass in the air. "Good afternoon everyone! For those who don't know, Addison has a special announcement!" He helped the other vampire onto the table, then took a step back.

Addison was blushing, but she raised her left hand, a ring glittering triumphantly. "I'm going to get married!"

A cheer went up from the crowd of Ashdown Properties employees, along with excited clapping and whistles. When the sound died, Damon came forward again, putting an arm around Addison's shoulders. "Now, I'm not sure if you knew this or not, Addison, but we prepared this party just for you to celebrate your recent engagement." She was beaming as she nodded, but around her eyes looked a little red, so I guessed she had also been crying a little. Hopefully tears of surprise and happiness. "There is champagne for everyone, but the rule is you can't have too much because you all have to drive home. There are also some gifts for Addison, but I wanted to present mine first." He reached down and someone handed him what looked like a purse. Addison put her hands over her mouth. "I know that you prize your fancy purses, so I bought one just for you. I have on good authority that you don't have this one." He winked at someone in the audience. "So, I would like to present this to you as an engagement gift from Ashdown Properties." He handed the purse over to the woman, who held it reverently then gave Damon a hug. I couldn't hear what she was saying, but it looked like she was crying again. I clapped alongside everyone else, but quieted when Damon raised his glass. "To Addison and Charles!" Everyone echoed him, then clapped again. Music started up as Damon and Addison stepped off the makeshift stage and merged with the crowd.

I glanced at Viveca. "I might have to get married soon if Ashdown Properties gives out gifts like that." I laughed, bobbing my head to the music.

She giggled as well. "If you get married, I'm willing to bet you'll have a lot more than some fancy purse."

"What makes you say that?"

"Never mind. Do you want some champagne?"

It had been a long time since I had last tasted that drink. I wasn't sure if I would like it, but I shrugged. "Sure." We started towards the counter that had snacks and drinks but were intercepted by Damon.

"Hello, Alessandria, Viveca. How are you ladies today?" He fit right in with the crowd of people wearing dressy work clothes. His suit fit him well, it had probably been personally tailored.

"Doing well, thanks for the party," said Viveca, then looked at me. "I'll bring you back a drink, okay?" I nodded and she scurried away.

"You and Viveca seem to get along well," mentioned Damon. He looked extremely elegant holding a champagne glass in one hand and the other tucked into his pant pocket.

I smiled. "I enjoy working with her." I glanced at my watch then remembered what I had been waiting to tell him all day. "I'm wearing my watch on my left wrist now." I held it up for him to see.

He raised his eyebrows. "So you are. I am very proud, you're a quick learner." He flashed a grin at me. I had never been specifically attracted to vampires like some people I knew were, but I couldn't help but admit there was something about his fangs that added to his good looks. I had never imagined being overly interested in a vampire, but something in his grin and deep red eyes had my heart skipping a little.

I've got more important things to worry about, I scolded myself, glancing away. Mom is in the hospital, and I still need to pay off the bills for that. Delilah is trying to send her to a retirement home, Carl can't hold a job, Langdon has kids to take care of and so does Emmalynn. I don't want to drag anyone into my family's crazy life. I'm not sure if I would be able to handle anything else on my plate right now.

"Do you dance?" asked Damon, leaning a little closer.

I shook my head apologetically. "No. I've never been good at that, and I've never really had the passion to learn. Do you?"

He smirked a little. "I'm over two hundred years old, Alessandria. I know how to do all manner of things."

Of course he knows how to dance. Like he said, he's two hundred years old, why wouldn't he? "When were you born?"

"1800."

"Oh. That's... a long time ago." I realized I had mistaken in thinking the day he turned human was also his birth date. "The 1800s are interesting. That's Jane Austen time era, isn't it?"

He raised his eyebrows slightly. "Indeed. Do you enjoy her books?"

"It's been a long time since I read them," I admitted. "I like the Pride and Prejudice movie though. And the BBC version of Emma is good if I remember right."

A drink was thrust before me. "Here you go," Viveca said, taking a sip from her own glass. "Sorry to interrupt. What are you two talking about?"

"Jane Austen," Damon replied.

Viveca nodded slowly. "I remember her. Very quiet, but very smart. Her books are brilliant, but her knowledge of the outside world was lacking. Her handwriting was a bit difficult to read though."

I took a sip of my champagne, clearing my throat when the bubbles tickled it. "Did you know her?"

"I wrote to her once or twice, and she wrote back. We did get to meet in person once, but she kept herself busy with her career, so it was one time only."

I turned my body to face her, eyebrows raised a little. "So you're as old as Damon?"

They both laughed. "I'm actually a bit older," she said, a twinkle in her already sparkling eyes. "I was born in 1215, which puts me at eight hundred seven years old, but elves don't reach maturity until they're at seven hundred fifty years, so I'm still considered quite young.

My eyebrows shot even higher. "You're eight hundred years old?" I shook my head. "I never would have guessed." I thought I heard my phone go off in my satchel, since my skirt didn't have pockets I had to keep it there. When I checked, there was a message from Mom.

Langdon isn't coming this weekend anymore.

My heart dropped. Mom was really looking forward to his visit. What is he thinking cancelling like that? He better have a good excuse. Mom's going to be upset. She might want some company.

"Everything all right?" Damon asked.

I hadn't realized my brow was creased until he spoke and smoothed it out as best I could. "Um, yeah. I think I should go see my mom though. Do you mind if I leave early?"

He looked a little concerned but didn't voice his worries if he had any. "No, that's fine. I hope she's doing all right."

"She'll be fine," I said, tucking my phone away. "I'll see you guys on Monday." I made my way through the crowd to the elevator. My mind fretted about my mother the whole drive to the hospital, but when I arrived I didn't say anything about Langdon, I just slid into the bed and put my arms around her. 

I had planned on this being another thirty thousand word story, but we're already at twenty thousand words, so I'm guessing its going to be a bit longer. Thank you for reading and please be sure to vote or comment since there's nothing more encouraging!

Stay happy!

~AJ.