A/N- Thanks for the great reviews, everyone! I’m really pleased that everyone seems to be enjoying this, and I’m sorry for the wait on this one. I got focused working on Untested, trying to pre-write the chapters until I finished it. Well, anyway, enjoy this one!

Youth and Innocence: Scene Six

Proposal

Lisa laughed quietly to herself as she rounded the corner and emerged on the pathway that led to her home’s front door. She wiped her feet against the wooden stairs outside and opened the door, careful not to be too loud. Mavis and Owen were usually asleep by this hour, and she loathed waking them. She hung her cloak on a hook by the door and found that she could not wipe the bright smile from her face.

She had been seeing Dracula for a little over a year now, and as far as Lisa could tell, he had kept to his word. He had confessed to her, early on in his promise, that it was most difficult to do without human blood, having survived on it for so long. He described the thirst for his accustomed human blood like the way some of the patrons of the tavern seemed to need the beer, not just want it. But he was holding to his word. All to please her. Lisa almost danced into her home’s sitting room, and almost right into her father’s statuesque figure.

She stopped, the smile still present, and stood on tiptoe to kiss the older man on the cheek. Owen Farenheights’s hair was the same color as his daughter’s, only with a few darker streaks in it. He was much taller than both his daughter and his wife, both had to look up to meet his eye. He was broad-shouldered and square-faced, and could look quite fierce if the need presented itself. His eyes were a light amber color and he had a pale brow arched, currently, at his daughter.

“You’re home late, Lisa,” he said evenly.

“My apologies, Father. I was…enjoying the moonlight,” she replied, which was not really a lie.

Owen made an “hmm” noise and gestured his daughter into the sitting room. Lisa went without protest, but was completely lost in curiosity. Her mother was nowhere to be seen, which probably meant that she was still asleep. Lisa slipped into the chair across from the one her father was now occupying. Owen crossed his legs and leaned back, eyeing his daughter. After a few moments, Lisa narrowed her eyes.

“Is there something wrong? Have I done something you disapprove of, Father?” she asked.

Owen shook his head. “No, no, not at all, really. It just occurs to me that you are eighteen now, Lisa. Your mother and I were speaking the other night, and we’ve come to a decision.”

Lisa leaned back in her chair, becoming increasingly worried about the direction of this conversation. She remained silent, waiting for her father to continue. Whether he was taking his time in order to make her nervous or whether he was simply trying to find the right words, Lisa felt like she was going to scream. Finally, Owen sighed.

“We’ve decided, Lisa, dear, that it’s time that we find you a suitor, a husband,” he said.

She was sure her heart had stopped. A husband? Her breathing was becoming heavy, erratic. No, this could not be. Her parents would never force her into a marriage. They had never forced her into anything else. Lisa put her hand over her chest, willing her heart to start up again. She swallowed once, hard, and evened her breathing before she spoke.

“A husband? Who?” she asked.

She knew that it would be in vain to hope that they meant Vladimir. They knew very little about him, about their relationship, and had never actually met him. Owen smiled gently at his daughter.

“Clarence, from the village. The blacksmith’s son,” he answered.

Lisa searched her mind for a face to match the name. Once the connection was made, her eyes widened.

“Melody’s brother? Oh, Father, I could never—!” she said, but cut herself off, not quite sure how she should word how she felt about that.

Melody and Lisa had never been friends. In truth, the only real friend Lisa had was Imelda, but she had always been able to at least get along with the other girls of the village. All except Melody. For a blacksmith’s daughter, she often strutted about as if she were the child of a higher born man and woman, looking down her long nose at those lesser beings—like Lisa.

“Lisa, it is time that you became a wife and a mother. Your midwifery skills should serve you well, and your mother and I were hoping that a marriage between Clarence and yourself would mend the…tension between our two families. I’ve never ordered you to do much of anything, not like the other parents, Lisa,” Owen said, sitting forward now in his chair.

Not Clarence. Never Clarence. Lisa was breathing heavily again. She could not enter a loveless marriage, for the sake of mending relationships between two men of the same social standing. Lisa did not hate a single soul in the whole village…but she did highly dislike Melody’s and Clarence’s family.

“Father, I am grateful beyond words for the freedoms you have allowed me in this life,” Lisa said slowly, diplomatically. She had to make her father understand. Let him know that her heart was not hers to give anymore…it belonged to another man altogether, a man who was not quite a man…but Owen need not know that.

Her father nodded slowly and gestured for her to continue. She took a deep breath, as if about to plunge into a lake right at the beginning of the warm season, before the waters had had time to be warmed by the sun.

“Father, I love you with all my heart…but I…already have a suitor,” she said.

She thought that she would have to chase her father’s eyes as they popped out of their sockets and rolled around the room, but thankfully, both amber eyes stayed in place…only a little wider than usual.

“A suitor? The man you have been meeting with?” Owen said, an edge to his voice.

Lisa remained calm. She would have to make her father understand and ease any worries he might have at the same time. She prayed in a quick moment for the Lord Almighty to give her patience.

“We have been honorable, Father. He has confessed feelings for me, only recently,” she said.

She prayed forgiveness for her small lie. She had known of Vlad’s feelings for her for a little while now. She continued.

“I beg your forgiveness that I have not introduced him to you. But…I am quite in love with him, Father. Please, don’t make me marry Clarence…not when my heart belongs to someone else.”

Silence as her father eyed her cautiously. He had never before doubted his daughter’s word, having never had reason to. She prayed further that he remembered that in his consideration. Finally, he nodded once.

“I want to meet him. He must obtain my blessing, you know. For all your freedoms, Lisa, I am still your father,” Owen said, standing.

Lisa leapt to her feet, throwing her arms around her father’s neck in a tight hug. He smiled at her and kissed her cheek.

“Tomorrow night, Father, I give you my word. I will bring him here tomorrow night!” she said as she dashed off to bed.

The next day passed all too soon, as it often does when one dreads something. It was not that Lisa dreaded Vladimir meeting her parents, or anything like that…she dreaded something that she had not yet found a name for. She had not prepared him, nor her parents, for this meeting. She found herself more worried about Vlad’s reaction. After all, he was a vampire who tried to associate as little as possible with humans, because, eventually, humans would discover him…and destroy him.

What if he refused to come with her?

That would not happen, Lisa was almost sure. She was certain in Vlad’s feelings for her, which meant that he would have to meet her parents to ensure that she would not be married off to Clarence. Surely he would not let that happen.

Trepidation in every step she took, Lisa made her way to the recreational area she always met Vladimir in. For the first time since their first meeting in this place, he had arrived before her. The worry must have been evident on her face, because his eyes narrowed and he strode quickly towards her.

“Lisa, whatever’s the matter?” he asked, trying to lead her to a seat.

She stopped, shaking her head. “My parents want to marry me off to Clarence, the blacksmith’s son.”

His eyes widened, a faint reddish glow in them. “I will not allow it.”

This provided some relief for Lisa, who sighed. She closed her eyes slowly, nodding. When she opened them again, the red was gone from Vlad’s eyes, but he still looked quite concerned for her.

“I was hoping you would feel that way,” she smiled at him. “I…hope you don’t mind, but I told my father that you, Vladimir, were my suitor. And he asked to meet you. Tonight.”

Lisa breath was caught in her throat as she awaited his reply. To her utmost relief, he smiled and held out his arm for her to take.

“Lead the way, my dearest,” he said.

Lisa slipped her arm, which was a good deal tinier, into his and did as he had requested. Moments later, she was inviting him inside and ushering him towards the sitting room. Mavis and Owen, both dressed in their very best clothes, were already waiting for them. Mavis’s hair was a coppery red and was pulled back in a tight bun while her husband’s hair was being held back in a neat ribbon. Both were wearing muted colors and were smiling at their guest as they gestured for Vladimir to sit across from them. Lisa sat beside her suitor.

“Mother, Father, this is Vladimir Tepes Dracula,” Lisa said. She turned to Vlad and added, gesturing to each in turn, “Vlad, this is my mother, Mavis Farenheights, and my father, Owen Farenheights.”

The three exchanged civil greetings as they all settled into place. As soon as the formality was done with, Owen lost no time in getting right to business. He eyed Vladimir, and Lisa noticed that his look was not unkind. In fact, Owen looked quite please with the suitor that Lisa had captured the attentions of. Mavis was also smiling in approval. Lisa bit down a grin as she wondered if Vlad could read her parents’ looks as well as she could.

“Well,” Owen began, “Lisa informs us that you have been courting her. She calls you her suitor. Is this true?”

“Very much so,” Vlad answered with no hesitation.

Lisa’s heart swelled. Owen nodded, taking in this answer.

“May I ask, what is your pedigree? Are you of noble blood?” her father continued.

Now Lisa blushed. She had never heard her father been so blunt with anyone. Hers was a family raised on formality and manners, and it could be considered quite rude to so openly question one’s heritage, no matter the reason. Thankfully, Vlad smiled as he answered, appearing to have taken no offense.

“I am, so to speak. I can assure you that I want for nothing, if I may be so bold.”

Owen and Mavis looked quite pleased by this. Now, it was Mavis’s turn to ask her questions.

“I have but one concern, and I’m sure that it is one that all mothers have concerning their daughters,” Mavis said, pausing as Vlad nodded her on. She added, “What are your intentions with my daughter? This isn’t…an idle way to pass your time, is it?”

Lisa was sure that she would never rid herself of her blush now. But still, Vlad only smiled.

“Not at all. I love your daughter well, and my intentions are pure. In fact, I was most pleased to hear from Lisa that you wished to meet with me. I was going to arrange a meeting with you myself soon,” he said.

“You were?” Lisa asked, unable to stop herself.

“Yes,” he smiled at her before turning back to her parents. “I wish your blessing on me, kind sir and madam. I wish to ask your daughter for her hand in marriage, and I would like your permission before I do so.”

Mavis clapped both hands over her mouth, stifling a shocked and excited squeal. Lisa gasped, her eyes wide, and Owen was grinning from ear to ear.

“I could never deny my daughter’s hand to one of such a noble birth as it is obvious that you are from,” Owen said. “You would provide nothing but the best for her, I suppose. And she has claimed to love you dearly. Yes, you have my blessing.”

Vlad smiled and turned to Lisa, taking her hand in his. “May I have the honor of taking you as my wife, Lisa?”

She was speechless. She had known that Vlad loved her, never questioned it. But, after discovering his true identity, his vampiric nature, she had thought that a marriage to him would be impossible. But now, here he was, asking her hand. A sturdy kick from her mother brought her back to her senses. She smiled and nodded emphatically.

“Yes, I’ll marry you. Of course I’ll marry you!” she said, hugging him tightly before she thought better of it.

End Notes: Okay, so, what did you think? I know, they approved him rather quickly, but they suspected he was nobility…they weren’t going to pass that up! I hope everyone enjoyed. Oh, and a quick pre-warning for the next chapter…its rating will be considered M, for some obviously mature content.