GianCarlo Ch. 07

*****

"Oh my god, Gian" Delia said breathlessly but he was relentless.

After the whole bathroom incident Delia was completely content with pretending that it wasn't real, that Gian wasn't a vampire. If she happened to see him drinking blood she quickly walked away. It wasn't until the end of the week that the curiosity got the best of her. She asked Gian questions he was all too eager to answer. Gian told her about all the other perks of being a vampire like the ability to compel people, his ability to phase to different locations within the blink of an eye and his ability to go invisible. Of course he mentioned the vampiric mating process as well as the abilities a mate can have like being able to tell whether their mate was telling the truth and vice versa.

"Have you ever compelled me?"

"No never, I couldn't if I tried" Gian said

"Why not?" She asked curious.

Gian wanted to tell her that it was because she was his mate and it was rarely possible to do so, but he feared that the idea of forever with him might scare her away.

"Some people just have stronger minds." was his answer.

When Gian got around to explaining his ability to phase and go invisible Delia demanded to see it with barely contained excitement. Gian phased from one side of the bedroom to the other and smiled when Delia laughed with delight. He did it a couple times more before completely disappearing.

Delia called after him with a smile. He didn't answer, she called again standing up to see if she would bump into him like a weird game of blind man's bluff. When he still didn't answer Delia face twisted in worry. That's when he pounced, grabbing her arms and tickling her gut. She laughed uproarious as she tried to fight off what she couldn't see. He backed away letting her wander away. She crept around the room anticipating Gian's attack.

"You better not let me see you, Gian. Payback is a bitch." She threatened with a smile. He appeared behind her making her jump.

"I should kill you" she said trying to tickle his ribs.

Gian laughed," I'm not ticklish."

"Wanna bet?" She said before pushing him on the bed and straddling his knees so that they couldn't move. She mercilessly tickled the bottom of his feet until he was red with the exertion of his laughs. She finally relented as she lay next to him on the bed. There laughter died down to a comfortable silence.

"Oh, I got you something." Gian said breaking their silence.

"You got me something?"

"For your birthday. Its next week isn't it?"

Delia smiled widely,"For real? When did you get it?"

"A couple days ago. I was wondering what you wanted to do for your birthday." Gian said

The thought made Delia kind of sad. This will be the first birthday that she and her sister are not going to celebrate together.

Gian, reading her features, said," I didn't mean to bum you out; I just didn't have any ideas."

"No, I'm alright. It will be my twenty first birthday. Maybe you can get me a bottle of Hennessey and we can get drunk and binge watch Mad Men."

Gian nodded before wordlessly walking off into the living room. He was back with a plain white box in hand.

"Is that my gift?" Delia asked

"Yes, I figured since your birthday will be really chill maybe you'd want to open it now."

Delia grinned,"I want to wait but I'm so curious to see what you think I'll love."

"You should open it. In case you don't like it, then I have time to get you another one for your actual birthday"

"Like a practice gift?" She teased

She took the box from him. It had quite a bit of weight to it so she decided against shaking it. She opened it and brushed by the paper and froze.

It was a couple books. Not just any books but poetry books many from Nikki Giovanni, her favorite poet. She was absolutely shocked. She never recalled mentioning Nikki Giovanni and was elated. She'd already read all two books Gian owned.

"If you don't like it, I get it, just say something."

"Gian I love it! I love it so much! I'm trying to figure out how you would know!"

Gian smiled a wide grin,"I feel like you'll think I'm stupid, but here goes: I remember you once said in a conversation" if I can't do what I want to do then my job is to not do what I don't want to do" but you quoted it as if I was supposed to know it. So I went home and Googled it. A couple days later you quoted"I cannot be comprehended except by my permission" and then laughed but I didn't understand why I was laughing along so I Google it. Long story short I realized you're more artsy than I originally thought, and I like that about you."

Delia wrapped her arms around him hugging him closely. She couldn't believe that he actually listened to her. Growing up in a big family no one listened to her. The only one who did was Denise but rarely and she didn't quite understand.

Gian did. Gian was excited. It was only a hug but it meant a lot, she hadn't been the least bit affectionate after she found out he was a vampire. He hugged her tighter, grateful for the contact.

"I forgot," She said trying to hold her tears at bay,"Denise gave me a gift before I left. I should open that too."

"If you want to." Gian said reluctantly letting her go to fetch the gift.

It took a few minutes for her to find it but when she did she came to sit next to him on the bed. She fumbled with the little box for awhile before opening it. Inside was a flimsy chain bracelet. It wasn't particularly pretty and didn't show nearly the thought that Gian had put into his gift. She put the box down to slip it on. Delia felt guilty for her disappointment.

"It's. . . nice" Gian said to break the silence.

"Yeah, I like it." Dee said.

"There's anote in here" Gian said picking up the box

Dee grabbed it and read it aloud,"Hey birthday girl, It's finally the day we've dreamed about since we were twelve and knew what a nightclub was. Its finally time to legally turn up, so get your ass up, put on your best"fuck me" heels and meet me at The Warehouse at ten. The bracelet will get you in. Its time to get weird! We're 21!"

"A party invitation?" Gian asked confused. Why would she give Delia this if she knew she was running away with Gian.

"It's more than that," Delia said,"Denise and her crew hosts these like outrageous underground parties. They're extremely exclusive. She dragged me to a few but it really wasn't my scene." Delia couldn't help but feel elated and yet there was sadness.

"She's never thrown one for us." Delia said feeling tears prick her eyes.

"I think she still gave it to you because she wants you to know how much she loves you." Gian said wrapping an arm around Delia to comfort her.

"Yeah, she isnt very affectionate so that's one way she would do it. It just sucks because that party would have been amazing."

******

"You look beautiful," Stefan said when he went to pick up Denise for her birthday. She had on what looked like a modest black dress, though fitted it covered her arms and chest and came down past her knees. When she turned it revealed inch upon inch of smooth brown skin from her neck to the dimples just above the curve of her ass. Her hair, which she normally wore straight, was curled and voluminous and her makeup was done to perfection including deep plum lips. He pulled her in for a hug running his hands down her bare back before groping a handful of her ass.

"Nuh-uh, that can wait until after you leave," Ms. Camden said coming up behind them. They broke away from each other.

Ms. Camden hugged her daughter, the only one she had left. Of course she was sad but she suppressed it, she wanted tonight to be perfect for her daughter. To her knowledge Stefan was taking her out to a five-star restaurant on south beach. Ms. Camden heartily approved of Stefan despite the obvious age gap.

"You grew up too fast." Ms. Camden said to her daughter as she embraced her."Just don't comeback pregnant." She warned when she released her, giving Stefan a pointed look then a gentle smile.

"You two have fun," she said as she saw them out the door.

"Wait, lemme get a look at you," Denise said as they walkd to the car. Stefan was truly mouth-watering that night in his slim fit black slacks and tailored black button down, his short hair pomade and styled.

"Mmm, Happy Birthday to me," she said pulling him in close for a kiss.

"You've probably got your lipstick all over me." He whispered against her lips.

"No, it's a lipstain. You think I was gonna go a whole night without kissing you?"

Stefan smiled before kissing her again.

"Are you sure they're coming?" She asked when they broke their kiss.

"Yes," He answered,"For the final time yes. Stop worrying."

"I'll try" She said taking a deep breath.

They both hopped in the car and headed for the abandoned warehouse.

*****

"Rise and Shine sleepy head," Delia heard Gian whisper close to her ear.

"What time is it?" She asked. It was irrelevant she had nothing to do and nowhere to be. She had fallen onto Gian's nocturnal hours.

"It is seven at night, you're going to sleep your birthday away." He said speaking normally.

"I don't care," Delia said rolling over.

"I got a surprise but you've gotta wake up now."

"Okay, five minutes," She pleaded

An hour later Delia was up, out of bed, and eating the birthday waffles Gian bribed her out of bed with.

"Was this my surprise?" She asked sitting on the bed digging into her pancakes.

"No I have an even better one, another birthday gift." Gian said from the closet. He had been rummaging around in there for awhile.

"Is it my Hennessey? Are we going to get wasted now?" She asked sounding too eager.

"You just woke up." Gian said poking his head out the door.

"Yeah, but my birthday is alost over."

He chuckled retreating back into the closet,"No, its so much better."

Finally finding what he was looking for Gian came out holding a big box. It was wrapped beautifully and Delia knew he didn't wrap it himself.

"Gian, you didn't have to." She said with a huge grin. Gian lived for that smile, it was infectous.

"Oh don't be that person, you know you love it." He said placing it before her.

With no hesitation she ripped it open and brushed past the paper. Inside was neatly folded fabric. If there was something Delia loved more than poetry it was clothes. She paused to give Gian an even bigger smile.

"You read me like a book," She said before delving into the fabric. On the top was a shirt. She held it up to herself. It was a black crop top with long sleeves and a high round neck. Beneath that was a black tulle skirt and Delia almost screamed.

"How did you know I wanted one of these!" She squealed.

"Keep looking there's more," Was all he said as he laughed with infctious joy.

Beneath the skirt was a plain black box, she pulled the top off and stared at the contents. Tears pricked her eyes as she held up the black mary-jane pumps with red bottoms. She jumped up wrapping her arms around Gian holding him tight.

"Do you realize that it has always been a dream of mine to own a pair of louboutins? I cant fucking believe how amazing you are." She said into his embrace. After at least five minutes she let him go.

"How were you able to afford these? We're saving up to move west."

"It was courtesy of Durante Contiello," She looked panicked and Gian rushed to explain,"It was a cash advance from his credit card. I do it all the time and I gave the money to your sister through Stefan and she bought them. He'll never know. It's my"fuck you" to him."

Delia laughed. She couldn't believe him. She decided then that tonight she was going to tell him that she was irrvocably in love with him. She didn't want to seem shallow for telling him after a gift like this, but he had to know that it wasn't the gift but the thought he'd put into it.

"Go try it on," He urged.

"I'm dirty I just like rolled outta bed and..."

"Then go take a shower first I'll wait." He said ushering her to the door.

After she showered she changed into the whole outfit. She loved it. The crop top ended just below her breast and the tulle black skirt was high waisted and ended mid thigh. Paired with the pumps it was breathtaking. She was almost positive Denise picked it out and they were definitly the most expensive thing she'd ever worn. The look of awe on gian's face was a gift in and of itself. He ogled her curvy shape and her legs that went on for days. She did a little twirl. In her heels she came eye to eye to Gian.

"You look gorgeous," He said,"I got an idea. How about we get all dressed up order some food and pretend we are out at an expensive restaurant, we'll even use utensils and napkins."

Delia laughed at the last part,"That sounds awesome, I'll do my makeup and hair and even pick you out a nice outfit. It could be fun.

After about an hour of watching Dee expertly do her makeup with red lips to match her new pumps and straighten her coils to a mass of tousled wave. He let her dress him, picking out a pair of black slim fit jeans, a pair of black converse, a black v-neck, and tailored blazer that she had no idea Gian even owned. He wanted slick back his dark hair. Delia thought he'd look like some lame Fabio. She ruffled his dark wavy hair and he looked great. Standing it front of the full length mirror, Gian couldn help but think how wonderful they looked together. He looked like the man he believed Delia deserved.

"Damn, we look too good to stay in." He said.

"I know, it sucks" Delia said oblivious to his mischievous tone.

"Wait, we need a few more things." He said, he disappeared then returned holding two pairs of sunglasses. He gave one to her before putting on his.

Delia laughed,"Why do we need these?"

"Because we're busting out." He said.

"Don't even play," She said putting on the black wayfareres that matched Gian's and admired their reflection.

"I'm not," he said taking her hand and placing the chain bracelet from Denise's gift on her wrist.

"You're seroius? How?" She said both excited and wary.

"Like this," He said placing an arm around her waist.

Before she could form the question the world fell away around her, It was disorienting, as if she was spinning quickly and at the same time standing perfectly still. It was over in a few seconds and she found herself standing in an alley in Midtown clutching Gian for dear life.

"Ohmigod!" She said, if Gian wasn't holding onto her (or more accurately if she didn't have a vise grip on him) she would have fell.

"I didn't know you could transport someone with you."

"it wasn't easy," He said looking a bit dizzy himself,"But I finally mastered it. Older vampires are better at it."

"Gian, you've literally swept me off my feet." She said,"You had this planned all along hadn't you?"

"Yeah, it took a lot of brainstorming and a diversion tactic from Stefan. He has my tail following false calls in West Palm Beach looking for me. We've got a few hours before he catches on and by then you'll be back in our little hideaway house." He said with a satisfied grin.

"I owe you an amazing birthday, I do" She said as they began walking down the street to the warehouses.

******

Denise paced in the hall that opened to the huge party space. She couldn't help but be nervous, this plan could get Gian and Delia found out and lord knows what would happen then. She wanted so badly to see her sister but she was starting to think that maybe this was a bad idea.

"Calm down," Stefan said behind her placing a hand on her back.

"I can't! They arent here yet, something could have happened." She said.

In that moment Chad, who manned the door at the end of the hall cracked it open and mumbld something unheard to who ever waited on the other side. It was probably another false alarm but Denise stopped and waited anyway.

Having gotten the clear from Chad the first person to walk through was Gian. Denise was filled with elation, Delia followed and tears nearly pricked her eyes. High heels be damned, Denise took off towards her. Delia did the same with much more grace. They ran into each others embrace so hard they spun with the force of it.

Arm and arm Delia and Denise walked into the open space. They held on to each other as if they feared the other would disappear. On entering Delia marveled at the off beat grandeur of it, it's many stations set up around the warehouse and the bright disco lights and deep pounding music. Denise marveled at the turn out. There were people milling everywhere and she spotted everyone she invited from Delia's friend list. Gian marveled at Denise's planning skills. Everyone milled around in their white attire making the foursome stick out. Stefan was so impressed by Denise handiwork he found himself falling for her all over again.

Delia spotted a group of girls toward the center of the room and squealed. It was her friends who all went off to college. She thought she'd never see them again. She took off toward the group and Gian was inclined to follow but Denise held him back,

"Imma warn you, I planned this party when you and Delia were separated. There's a lot of guys here I invited solely because they're interested in Dee."

Gian smiled wryly,"I guess this means I have competition."

"Only if you want it," Stefan said before escorting Denise away by the waist.

"Gian!" Delia called and Gian went to join them.

Delia was overwhelmed, it seemed everyone she knew was there, even her cousins who were around her age, they mercilessly teased Gian but he gave as good as he got. they thoroughly approved of him and it made Delia glow, or maybe it was the five shots she was forced to down.

Apparently, Denise informed everyone of trigger words and once Delia said them she had to have a shot before she could continue talking to whomever she was talking to. So far, they were: birthday, turn up, and any phrase with the word fuck in it. Delia succumbed to the fact that she'll be fucked up and tore back by the time she left. Gian found it so amusing.

"Having fun?" Denise asked when she found her sister in the array an hour later.

"Fuck yah," Delia slurred a bit."Oh shit, I did it again!" she said on a laugh, listing heavily on to Gian

"You sure did," Denise said producing a shot from the make shift bar behind her.

"She might have had enough," Stefan said.

"Bullshit," Denise said,"she has that Camden blood, she'll take it like a champ." She poured herself one and passed Delia hers, they cheers and threw it back together. The burn didn't even bother Dee anymore.

"Now it's time to dance!" Delia squealed pulling Denise onto the floor.

"Oh God," Denise half heartedly groaned as she allowed her drunk sister to drag her along.

Stefan and Gian stayed back and watch the two dance as a group of girls quickly descended on the sisters.

"How are you holding up?" Stefan asked.

"Good," Gian said keeping his eyes on Delia. She was having so much fun and he only wished he could have done something this big for her.

"I've been blocking guys from her all night, makes me question why she was single in the first place."

Stefan smiled,"Women, they think they understand men but they really don't. She's probably been oblivious to it all"

"It seems so." Gian agreed as he watched Delia pull one of her friends to her, a girl just as tall as her wearing white slacks and a matching button down with her chest hanging out. The girl, her name was Sharon, she danced a bit too closely to Dee and Gian wondered if she was a lesbian. Sharon turned Dee around to grind with her. Dee seemed to enjoy it and Gian wasn't sure if he should be threatened, he'd thwarted so many advances from so many guys that night that it seemed tiresome to look on the girl with suspicion, besides, he wasn't sure if it was such a bad thing. He looked to Stefan and he gave a knowing smile.