Ren - Gen 5 Ch 7

I stared in surprise at my in-box. An e-mail from Mel? I hadn't heard a word from him since the night he left, the night of Colt's sixth birthday. Occasionally there would be vague rumors down at the station of a pale ebon-haired beauty and her handsome chestnut-haired escort, moving up in the shadowy underground world of the Bridgeport Syndicate, but I'd had no contact with him, until today. I clicked to open the message.

"Wedding Pics.

Sorry I didn't shoot you an invite, but I didn't think Maureen would let you come anyway."

Ceremony at Plasma 501

Ceremony again

Dancing at the reception

Toasting the bride

Honeymoon- Hotel in Al Simhara

Sightseeing at the Pyramids

I think this was the Sphinx

Hanging out at the local watering hole

Showing the bartender how to make a decent drink

El likes my big snake (wink wink) LOL

El's favorite - she made me send it

PS - Come visit sometime

************************

Some of that old restlessness stirred in me again, as I studied the photos. It sure would be nice to see Mel again. Might be kinda exciting to meet some of the Bridgeport nightwalker community. Besides, I still have those blasted urns down in the old crypt that I can't find a home for, and Elvira did mention that she recognised that ancient map down there. Suddenly my reverie was broken by an urgent call echoing from a long ways away.

"Daddy! Daddy! Come 'ere quick!"

It was Heather. I followed the sound of her cries all the way down to the old crypt.

"Heather, honey, what are you doing down here again? Is everything okay?"

"They're still waiting, daddy. You promised you'd take them home, but you didn't do it."

I sighed.  Heather is showing all the signs lately, of having inherited the family 'gift'. 

"What do you mean, sweetie?"

She continued in an exasperated tone,"You know what I mean, daddy. Grandma freed them, and they are happy for that, but they still want to go home."

I knew she was right, I had put this little chore off long enough.

My only lead at the moment was the old map, and for that I needed to see Elvira. But I know Maureen will never agree to me visiting Mel; she blames him for 'corrupting' me, or some such nonsense. She had been ecstatic when I had informed her he'd moved out of town for good.

So I put on my best innocent face.

"Hey babe, I need to run to Bridgeport for a few days, need to do some research for an important client. Do you want me to bring you back anything?"

"Well, I do need some art supplies, that I can't find here. Let me make you a list."

"Great, and as soon as I get back, we'll leave for France, sound good?"

So that is how I found myself, standing in the lobby of a high rise apartment building, scanning the list of names. Ah, here it is - "Slayer, Meloire & Elvira". At least he took her name. I'd hate to have the family name associated with the syndicate - bad for business.

"Hey bro! Glad you could make it!"

"Good to see you again, too, Mel."

"Come on up, let me show you our place!"

"Let me make you a drink while El is finishing getting ready."

"This drink is amazing."

"Why thanks, bro. Have another why don't cha."

After a few of Mel's amazing drinks, we headed out to the Plasma 501. I was nervous at first, but noticed the guy at the end of the bar actually eating nachos, so that calmed me down a bit. We had a few more drinks, which calmed me down even more, then Mel excused himself to head to work.

After a while, Elvira pulled me out onto the dance floor. I don't remember how long we danced, or much about the ride home.

But once back at the apartment, we were both in a uproariously good mood.

"Come on, Ren, let's get in the hot tub!"

She led me into the next room, past a martial arts training area, to the hot tub, both of us giggling and laughing the whole way.

I tried to change into my swim suit, but she wagged her finger at me, laughing.

"Nuh uh uh.. no swim suits allowed."

"Uh... what about Mel?"

"Silly Ren, Mel isn't going to care. He knows my heart belongs to him. I'll tell him all about it tomorrow, and he'll laugh at you, wait and see. Now, come here!"

"Eep! What are you doing?"

She just laughed. I thought of Maureen for a second, but things get really fuzzy after that....