Dinner in the Garden

At the lake house ,Lexi and Alex finely got dressed after they made love again this morning . They had a relaxing warm bubble bath together, and Alex gave her a great massage .

He had texted chef Rosa earlier,and ordered a delicious lunch . Alex made sure to tell Chef Rose to make all of Lexi's favorites. The menu he and chef Rosa came up with consisted of lemon garlic chicken , baked potatoes and bacon wrapped grilled asparagus ,with a beautiful fruit salad .

Alex heard the door quietly open by the maids delivering the food just a few minutes ago .After hearing the door softly close behind the maids when they left. He took Lexi's hand in his and gracefully descended the staircase. " Her eyes widened at the sight that greeted her . A bouquet of long stem red roses in a beautiful crystal vase set in the middle of the table the table was elegantly set with fine China . Rose petals and candles were scattered about among the heavenly smelling food dishes and champagne was being chilled in a silver chiller. The food smelled so delicious it made her stomach rumble.

"Oh , baked chicken can I have cola too?"She shouted out, lowering her voice ,she smiled "Oh And I almost forgot thank you for this special date. I love you." She gushed leaning against his shoulder as she held onto his arm.

Never being able to deny her anything, he chuckled " Yes sweetheart anything you want." He was hesitant to let her have cola and junk food after he drank her blood last night and this morning ,she needed to eat more nutritious foods.

Always thinking ahead he makes a deal with her "sweetheart you can have cola after you drink a glass of orange juice. You can always have your cola and junk food, but you need to eat nutritionist food first .We need to make sure you stay healthy."

"I know" she pouted, Looking around the great room ,she noticed her best friend and Jackson were missing. She looked up from her fruit salad with fresh whipped cream on her lips, she ask "Did Karmen and Jackson go fishing again?"

Being slightly distracted by the whip cream on her lips, thinking that's something new they could try .whip cream in the bedroom is always fun. After a few seconds he cleared his head managing to answer her ."Sweetheart, I know they didn't go fishing. Jackson text me earlier and told me they were going into town.The text he sent said they wouldn't be back until about midnight."

Not bothered by this information, because she knew Karmen would be safe with Jackson she ask "When are we going back to the castle ?"

"Sweetheart , it's getting late, we probably need to leave in about a hour. But we can do something at the castle together ,is there anything you want to do?"

"Yes, I really like the pool at the castle. I want to go swimming again and have dinner on that beautiful patio."

"Your wish is my command sweetheart" he said, as he leaned over and licked the whipped cream off her lips so that he could focus on the conversation they were having. Instead of being distracted by the naughty thoughts still roaming around in his head.

"Alex " she giggled

He continued the conversation they were having like he just didn't lick her lips at the dining table. " If you want to leave now we can, no need to pack anything. We can leave our clothes here. That way if we go on a trail ride, we can just stay here ,instead of rushing back to the castle."

"Maybe we can do that sometime this week, with Karmen and Jackson."

"Sweetheart I think Karmen and Jackson are dating." He nonchalantly informed her.

Her eyes went wide with this bit of information . She curiously ask " why do you think that?"

"It seems Jackson and Karmen ran into my Aunt Charlotte at the Art Gallery this morning, and Jackson introduced Karmen to her as his girlfriend. Mother called bent out of shape,ranting and raving about us not sharing information with her again."

"Do you think your mother will visit us tonight?" She ask worriedly

"It's possible sweetheart,all we can tell her is that we don't know anything."

With this new information she wanted to make sure Jackson will take good care of her best friend. Knowing the man stalking Karmen is a total nut , she was afraid if he finds her with another man he might try to kill her."Alex will Jackson be able to protect Karmen from her ex? He really bruised her up she's tiny and not very strong . He's a nut case, if he sees Karmen with another man he might hurt her really bad."

"Sweetheart, Jackson will protect her, but Jackson is kinda wild, he will definitely try to get in her panties."

She chuckled "Then I can't see them going on many dates. He will need a crowbar to get Karmen out of her clothes, she's a little prude. I don't even think ,I have seen her completely necked."

Alex raised his dark brows,and told her what he seen in the basement earlier."I don't know sweetheart, Jackson's shirt is down in the basement on the end of the

sofa .Someone's clothes came off last night."

Continuing to laughing historical, she stammered ,"His might have ,but I know her's didn't .The only things I can see they have in common is they are both really smart and like nice sports cars ."

"Yeah his only interest is fast cars and fast woman." Alex grinned as they continued to gossip about the younger couple.

"Well he's in for a big surprise, Karmen is definitely not a fast woman. I doubt she will even take her clothes off on her wedding night."

"Sweetheart look at us gossiping like two old women, when all we need to do is ask them tomorrow morning.""I know but it's funny ." She chuckled again thinking about her shy little friend going out with a man just as wild as her brother.

"Are you ready to go swimming in the pool and wait for mother's arrival."

"Yes, I think it will be a nice visit, for once it's not me and you ,in trouble."

When they arrived at the castle Mother Sophia was waiting for them in the dining room .They walked in together ,his arm around her waist ,upon seeing his mother waiting for them . Both Lexi and Agave her a warm smile, And when they came closer

Alex greeted his mother first " hello mother,

We will be having dinner in the west wing garden tonight , will you be joining us."

"We are going for a swim , please come join us."Lexi invited her , Happy that it wasn't her and Alex in trouble this time.

Mother Sophia came to the castle a little upset,thinking she is getting left out of her children's life's again. But upon seeing the happy couple it made her heart smile. This is exactly what she wanted for her boys , Alex and Lexi are beaming with love and warmth today. Mother Sophia held her hand out for Lexi ,greeting both her and Alex at the same time." Good evening darlings, you two look refreshed and gorgeous today."

" We just got back from our camping trip, remember mother. " Alex reminded

Lexi excitedly said , " Mother Sophia you need to come with us next time, we have a beautiful lake house now."

She peered over at her oldest son raising her brows, she ask "Why did you build a lake house?"

He hugged her close to him something he hasn't done in a while repeating what Jackson' said at the lake , " Because I want my children to have memories of catching fire flies at the lake, like I have. Looking over at Lexi he tells her "Sweetheart go ahead and put your swimsuit on , mother and I will wait here in the dining room for you."

Lexi skipped up stairs to slip her swimsuit on and Alex and his mother took a set at the dining table. Alex cut right to the chase professing his and Lexi's innocents."mother if you come here to ask about Jackson and Karmen , I don't know anything. Lexi and I went to bed early. We left them in the basement playing pool and this morning I got a text from Jackson saying they were going into the city. The text said they wouldn't be back until about midnight."

She worriedly creased her brows together, placing her hand in her chest she took a deep breath trying to find the right words and after a few seconds she ask.

"Alexander, is this young lady like your brother?"

Alex smirked , trying not to burst into laughter he questioned."What do you mean mother? "He couldn't help himself, he waited patiently to see how his prim and proper mother was going to describe her younger son, the party animal ,gigolo.

Aggravated with her oldest son's coy behavior,she blurted out " Alexander , don't toy with me , you know exactly what I'm asking you."

He chuckled" mother in one aspect yes ,she is exactly like Jackson. She too is extremely smart, she's not even nineteen yet, and she is in her second year of Medical School.But she isn't the type of girl Jackson usually dates.

Now she was more confused, and even concerned she ask , "Alexander is this young lady sick? Charlotte told me she was pale and week , She also told me , the young lady almost fainted in the Art Gallery and Jackson had to help her to the car."

"I don't think so, Lexi said she's really shy maybe she found it to daunting to be around so many vampires at one time."He reasoned, "But you don't need to worry to much about it.. I think he's just curious because he's never been with a girl he can have an intelligent conversation with."

While waiting for Lexi to change into her swimsuit, Mother Sophia's phone rang, Glancing at her phone, she see's it's Jackson. She answered.

[Hello,]

[mother , are you at home ?] Jackson

[ no ,I'm setting in the dining room at the Castle with Alexander, Where are you?] Mother Sophia

[Having lunch at Gabby's, I was going to come by your Penthouse , but that's ok I'm over in the historic district anyway , I will just go to my house.] Jackson

[ Jackson your Aunt Charlotte called and told me , she met you and your girlfriend at the Art Gallery. Are you hiding something from me?] Mother Sophia

[ No mother, I was bringing her to your penthouse this evening , she needs to change her clothes. We are going to the sunset concert tonight at the park.] Jackson

[bring her by after the concert, I would love to meet her .]Mother Sophia

[ it might be late mother]Jackson

[ that's okay, come by any way.] Mother Sophia

[ok, got to go mother, they just brought our food.] Jackson

She looked up at Alex "I guess you know that was your brother."

Lexi entered the dining room with out her swimsuit on , Alex ask, "Sweetheart, I thought you were going for a swim.?

She waved her hand in the air telling him, "

"I decided not to.We can just have dinner out in the garden." She lied ,when she put her swimsuit on upstairs, she noticed all the love bits Alex had left on her body last night. She couldn't wear a swimsuit in front of his mother looking like that.She decided dinner in the garden tonight will be fine .

Alex had no clue why she changed her mind, but he is happy doing what ever she chooses."If that makes you happy sweetheart, that's what we will do."

Mother Sophia set happily smiling to herself. When she talked to Alex about biting Lexi to protect her, she also told him the whole truth behind the ancient ritual. Not only does it help him know when danger is close to his wife, but it also makes him a more dutifully husband. She is delighted to know her son is such a devoted husband. Happy wife's make happy lovers, and they will have her lots of beautiful grandchildren. She smiled , " Yes Lexi dear, it is a beautiful evening to eat dinner in the garden."

Alex pulls the chair out beside him telling Lexi " Sweetheart come sit beside me, mother wants to know a little more about Karmen , we will have a drink and then we will go out to the garden."

Feeling like celebrating the weekend he picked up his phone and text the Kitchen staff ,ordering himself an extra dry martini , his mother a glass of wine and Lexi a sex on the beach.

Lexi reached out to Mother Sophia holding her hand and began telling her about Karmen. " Mother Sophia, Karmen is very shy and very sweet. She's smart too. And beautiful, she has big brown eyes and dimples on her cheeks. And you never see her with a hair out of place. Jeans and t-shirt's are just not her style. She is kinda Petite , and I can only guess. She is the one who wanted to go to the Art Gallery that's something she likes to do." Lexi praised

"Oh! She sounds like a delightful girl." Mother Sophia gushed, but in her mind she was still confused why a lovely young girl like that would go out with a cad like her younger son.

"She's one of a kind, and I love her dearly." Lexi stated.