A DEADLY NUPTIAL

37

Josephine's POV

" I can't believe your fiancée spilt his drink all over himself Josephine. It would seem he's a little bit clumsy." Lily laughed as we entered the mansion.

Casper groaned behind me, "I'm going to bed. You can have one of the maids prepare a guest room for your friend." He kissed my cheek heading upstairs.

"Come let's go to my room in the meantime."

"Yay! I can finally meet that cute little baby of yours!"

"She'll probably be asleep." I said as we went up the stairs.

I quietly opened the door to my room trying not to be loud. I motioned for her to follow me inside. I check Canzu's crib where she was wide awake.

"Look's like someone's still awake." I cooed picking her up in my arms.

"Aww! She's adorable! Can I hold her?"

"Of course," I set her in Lily's arms. Thankfully Canzu wasn't fussy with strangers. "You hold her while I go change into my pjs."

"Ok."

As I got ready for bed in the bathroom I couldn't help but think of Dark's kiss and his words. He had made me promise we would talk soon about us. I hated to admit it , but I wanted to see him again.

"Josephine?"

"Yes?" I called through the door.

"I think Canzu's hungry!"

"Ok, I'll be right out!"

I quickly brushed my teeth and went back to my room. Lily handed me Canzu, and I got comfortable in my rocking chair letting her feed.

"I fed Dark's son today," I said after silence had passed.

"You did what? When?"

"I breast fed him before the ceremony."

"Why?"

"I felt, so bad for him Lily. He's so neglected by Shine. I can tell Dark's the only one that cares for him."

"Poor baby."

"I know. When I was feeding him I felt this connection. It was like a bond. I don't know how to explain it."

"Then Dark held me in his arms, and it just felt so right. He also kissed me before we left."

"No wonder you looked so flush!"

"He says he wants to talk about us."

"Do you want to?"

"I do and don't. What my heart and head want are two separate things."

"I say follow your heart. Screw your head."

"Ha! Coming from you!"

"Ok, I admit I think with my head 99% of the time."

"Exactly. That's why we need to find you a boyfriend."

"Who needs boyfriends when you have books?"

"We really need to get you out more."

* * *

"So when's the wedding?" Lily asked the next day at breakfast.

"As soon as I get my divorce. Possibly another 3 months." I answered.

"Wow, anything could happen in 3 months."

"I know, that's why I have a meeting with my lawyer and Dark today."

"I'm going to be heading back in a couple of days before I head back to Havard."

"It's summer! Why are you still in school?"

" I want to be done with school as soon as I can to help out my parents at home."

"How are they?"

"The same, still struggling with money, but my dad thinks he might actually have good business soon."

"I hope he does."

"Me too."

"My mother on the other hand is getting crazier each day. She insists I find a rich man to marry." She groaned.

"Your mother hasn't changed a bit."

"Nope, never has and never will. I just want to find somebody who loves me for who I am and not for my money which at the moment is not that much."

Lily had always been the romantic in our group. She loved to believe fairy tales were true and that she would find her Prince Charming one day.

"Maybe you'll find him this weekend."

"Where?"

"My clothing line is having a masquerade ball to celebrate it's success so far."

"That sounds like fun, but I'd have leave before midnight. My flight leaves at 2:30 a.m."

"Not a problem."

Later that day I met with Dark at our old home. He had given me the address, so I actually knew where it was instead of all those other times when I was wearing those glasses.

I knocked on the big wooden door. Yusie opened it.

"Yusie!" I enveloped her in a hug "oh I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you too my sweet girl, but you should run along upstairs Dark has a surprise for you."

A surprise? I walked up the stairs looking around the house. All the memories, sad and happy, that were created here.

I could hear Dark's laughter coming from our or well his room. I knocked lightly on the open door finding Dark laying on the bed with Neil on his chest.

"Josephine, you're here." He smiled.

"So what's this surprise I hear of?"

"I wanted to bring Neil to the place where he was conceived."

"Dark, I do not need to know where you and Shine made love. Is that what you wanted me to know?"

I was disgusted.

"What? No! That'a not what I meant! Open the envelope that's behind you on the table."

I turned around finding an envelope with my name on it. I opened it finding DNA results.

"What's this?" I asked turning around to face him.

"They're DNA results for you and Neil."

I read the results we were 99% compatible. My eyes blurred as I knelt to the floor clutching the results to my chest. Dark knelt before me.

"Josephine, Neil's our baby."

He handed me Neil who I nearly crushed to my chest. He was my baby boy. Nothing could describe how happy I was at that moment until Dark spoke.

"That means Canzu is my baby too." He said sternly. I froze and looked up at him. I gulped. "I think I deserve an explanation."

After Yusie had taken Neil so we could talk the atmosphere began to tense up.

"Explain." He commanded with arms crossed.

"When I left for Paris I didn't know I was pregnant until the day before the runway show."

"Why did you leave in the first place? Were you cheating on me with Casper?"

"What? Of course not! I have never cheated on you!"

"Really, so what about your engagement?!"

"This was all fake Dark! After I read Shine's stupid letter I was heartbroken. You were going to have a baby with another woman! I would not stand between that baby and you. He needed a father!"

"You read the letter?"

"Yes I read the damn letter! To know you were the one that cheated on me with several other woman and brought them to that apartment!"

"That's not true. I only slept with Shine the night before our wedding! After that, I never had relationships with any other women! But you! You ran off to Paris without any explanation! In your letter you described how you never loved me! How I was so stupid to fall for your love, and how you had been cheating on me!"

"What? I never wrote that!"

"Ha! You want me to believe that?!"

"I still remember every freakin word from that letter."

"I do too."

After we calmed down a bit Dark continued, "I think we were both played."

"I'm guessing it was Shine."

"It was. I talked to her and she explained everything."

"I'm sure she didn't want to talk."

"She didn't, but I made her. I also kicked her out of the house when I found out she had taken your baby to pretend it was ours."

"All this time thinking my baby boy was dead."

"Were you ever going to tell me Canzu was my daughter?"

I shook my head looking down at the ground.

"Why not?" He asked coaxing my chin up.

"In Paris I was heartbroken, and I didn't want anything from you. Casper said he could take responsibility as if they were his own kids."

Anger gleamed in his eyes.

"I wanted revenge," I continued.

"Revenge for what?"

"For all the pain you caused me. When Casper told me about Alex and my dad's car accident I thought it was you. I thought it was your plan to cause me even more pain."

"What? Never. I would never do that to you."

"I know," I said pulling away as I walked around the room, "recently the police have found clues near the accident. They found a Cuban cigar with the initials R.A.G."

I turned around to see Dark's frozen with a clenched jaw.

"My father. It makes sense. When he couldn't find you he said he was going to do something to make sure you would come back. I never thought something like that." He sat on the edge of the bed looking miserable with his head bent down.

"I know it wasn't you Dark," I said kneeling before him taking his hands in mine. "People have just tried so hard to separate us that I think it's best we stay separated."

"But Josephine I love you, and I know you love me. We can show those people we deserve to be together."

I shook my head standing up, "Is it worth hurting our families just to be together? I think I would rather have to deal with the pain of not having you then knowing you or someone I love getting hurt. I've already lost my parents Dark, and I was close to losing Alexander. I don't want to lose you too."

"Josephine please don't say that. We can put Shine and my father in jail for all they have done."

"We have no actual proof of what they did."

"Dr. Nex and Dr. Simon have fled the United States, but they left me a letter describing everything they did. My father paid for their silence."

"Where's Shine?"

"I don't know. She must have also escaped."

"You see?! That's what I'm afraid of! There out there and at any moment they could hurt any of us, including the babies."

He pulled me to his chest, "That's why we need to move in together, so we can be together. We can stay here. Nobody knows the location of the house."

"What about your father?"

"They're arresting him tonight. He won't even expect it."

"Oh Dark, please forgive me for everything."

He kissed my hair, "There's nothing to forgive. You did what you thought was right. I should be the one asking for your forgiveness."

"I forgive you," I said looking into those misty eyes I loved. He claimed my mouth with a fervent kiss then placed his forehead against mine.

"I need to go, Canzu's at home, and I have to talk to Casper." He tensed in my arms.

"Do you know what it felt like to see you two all lovey dovey?"

"Calm down. Things never went beyond kissing."

"I should have been the one by your side when you were pregnant. I should have been there when you gave birth."

"You were there afterwards."

"Seeing in pain nearly crushed my heart."

"Forget about it. We're together now, and we'll always be together."

I unwillingly left him and Neil returning back to the mansion not knowing how to break it to Casper. As I entered the mansion I heard shrieks and giggles coming from up stairs. I went up just in time to see Casper and Lily having a tickling match. They had no clue I was there watching. With Lily straddling Casper they were inches apart from kissing. Being the party pooper I cleared my throat. They instantly broke apart both growing red.

"Josephine, how was your meeting?" Casper asked sheepishly.

"It went great. That's why I need to talk to you."

"Josephine, it's not what it looks like." Lily pleaded. I held up my hand not wanting to hear anything.

"Casper please come to my room."

I walked away feeling Casper at my heels. As soon as he closed the door he also tried to explain. I couldn't stand being serious even longer. I beamed.

"Casper, you don't need to give me any explanations."

"But-"

I then explained to him the whole scenario which he took surprisingly well.

"I'm glad you and Dark are together again."

"So am I. I'm going to have all my stuff taken to our house while they find Shine and the doctors."

"What am I going to do now? The house is going to be lonely."

"I'm sure Lily won't have a problem staying here."

"Lily?"

"Casper don't try and deny anything. I can see there's a spark between you two. Personally, I think y'all would be adorable together."

"Aw hell- Josephine you make me turn like a cherry tomato," he said in his country accent.

"She loves accents," I winked making him turn an even darker shade.

* * *

Josephine's POV

I woke up snuggled in the warm arms I had missed the most. Not wanting to get out of bed I snuggled deeper into the warmth. There was a happy sigh in my ear pulling me closer.

"Good morning beautiful," Dark whispered huskily in my ear.

His voice still thick with sleepiness made me shiver unconsciously.

"Morning handsome."

There was a cry from the twins's room. I groaned, "I'll get it."

"Thanks." I put on my robe remembering last night. It had been out first night together reunited.

* * *

Flashback

We had just set the twins to sleep in their new bedroom. It had taken all week to unpack and a remodel one of the guest rooms. Last night it was finally complete and we could sleep in our beds without having to deal with trying not to squish the twins.

I collapsed on the bed exhausted. I felt the lights turn off as Dark went and opened the balcony doors.

"It's so hot," I complained sitting up.

"That's why I opened the doors."

He pulled me onto his lap massaging my shoulders.

"That's feels so nice," I moaned feeling something in his pjs harden.

He kissed my back followed by my shoulders which he shrugged off my straps from my night gown. I turned around letting him continue as he kissed my neck. Heat was the only word I could think of. The heat of bodies both released as we kissed. Heat radiating of our bodies as it became one.

* * *

Present day

I smiled heading to the room which was down the hall. I opened the door to an eerily quiet room. "That's strange" I thought. I peered over the cribs. They weren't there. In their place sat a note made up of letters from different magazines.

Josephine,

When you read this I'll be long gone with your babies. If you want them back you'll have to meet me at the masquerade ball.

H.

"Dark!" I screamed.

"Josephine, what's wrong?!"

"They're gone," I wept handing him the note.

"Who's H?"

"Vegon."

Shine's POV

I sat in Hulk's apartment watching over the two things. As much as I wanted to kill them I couldn't. We had to go according to plan. We were going to finally get revenge. Hulk could get his revenge on Josephine while I dealt with Dark. I couldn't wait to see his face when he realized I was a full vampire. Brown had turned me, and I had turned Hulk. I had told him we should killed the twins, but he said there'd be no fun in that. I could that wasn't the reason why. He was still in love with that brat and adored her babies.

* * *

The Ball

Josephine's POV

I sat in the limo twisting and pulling my handkerchief nervously.

"Josephine, relax. Everything's going to be ok. We're going to get them back, I promise."

"I don't know how I'm going to do this Dark. Hundreds of people are waiting for me to talk about the collection and you, and I don't know where my head is. I can't concentrate I just keep thinking about our babies," I frantically said in one breath.

Dark rubbed my arms, "Just breathe love."

We arrived at the old palace in the city where the ball would be held. Photographers were eagerly waiting for access to enter the palace. Of course we weren't going to let any of them in. It felt like deja vu with all the cameras flashing.

"Josephine! Over here!"

"Dark can you answer a few questions?!"

He looked at me knowing I was not in the state for answering questions, but I nodded nonetheless.

"Only a couple," he responded.

"Have you two reconciled?"

"Yes, we have. We had a few bumps in our relationship, but we have settled everything now."

"What about your relationship with your secretary?"

"It wasn't a relationship. We were just together because she was expecting a child of mine. Sadly the child was a stillborn."

"Josephine what about your relationship with Casper Honks? Who's getting custody of Canzu?"

"Canzu is not Casper's child. She's Dark's daughter."

The crowd of reporters began to murmur confused causing a greater stir among them.

"Casper," I continued, "was willing to take responsibility for Canzu, but that won't be happening anymore. Now if you'll excuse Dark and I must make sure everything is set."

* * *

Lily's POV

I attempted to walk out of my room in Casper's mansion in heels. At the moment it wasn't working. I hate these stupid things. I mean why couldn't I just wear freakin converse or at least flats? I held onto the rail of the staircase trying to go down, and in other words I went down. My foot slipped on one of the steps causing me to fall on my butt. From behind I heard a masculine laugh. I groaned picking up my shoes and deciding to return to my room. I walked past him as he was still kneeling over laughing like a maniac. I slammed the door shut in my room heading to the closet and grabbing my things. I was a special guest model for Josephine's special event. Lorenz, Josephine, and I had always dreamed of being models since we were little. Josephine had decided the best was to be a designer since modeling was no longer her passion. Lorenz was going to be modeling for Josephine's clothing line. I wished I could but college was my biggest priority. I grabbed my bag and slipped on flats shoving the heels in my bag. I was putting on my contacts when Casper barged in.

"Ever hear of knocking?"

He shrugged, "It's my house, I can do whatever I want."

I also shrugged, "Whatever." I stood up placing my glasses in my bag and looking around the room.

"What are you doing?"

"Making sure I've left everything packed."

"You're leaving?"

"Did you expect me to stay forever?" I asked sarcastically. "Of course I'm leaving I have to get back to school."

He stood there quiet for a moment before speaking, "What a nerd."

I shot him a glare grabbing my things to go. As I was walking out the door I felt an arm pull me back.

"What?" I asked annoyed.

"I didn't mean to laugh when you fell. I was watching you-"

"You were watching me?" I raised an eyebrow. He looked away blushing. I had to admit he looked cute blushing. Now it was my turn to blush why was I thinking that?

"I accept your apology," I impulsively kissed his cheek, "see you later." When I really knew that meant never.

"That wasn't supposed to be an apology!" He yelled as I was almost out the front door.

* * *

I reached the palace entering through the back doors. I was quickly put into hair and make up. In the mirror I could see Josephine frantically walking from dress to dress making sure each one was perfect, but something didn't see right.

"Josephine," I called. She turned to see who was calling her, giving me a small smile.

"Lily, I have something for you."

She left then returned with a shoe box.

"What's this?"

"Just open it." I opened the box finding a pair of black flats.

"I thought you might need this."

"You know me so well," I said.

"I know. I made sure to get you some out of all the chaos."

"Chaos?" Everything seemed to be going smoothly.

"Nothing," she said shaking her head clearly in her own thoughts.

"Josephine, what's going on?"

At that moment Dark arrived with a serious look. They looked at each other without speaking any words. He gave her an envelope whispering something in her ear. He took her face in his hands trying to soothe her. I looked down as the hair stylist continued working on my hair, and I didn't want to be caught in their moment. I looked up to see if they were there, but they were gone.

* * *