Everyone filled their plates with the back yard style barbecue foods and took a seat around the table. The atmosphere was relaxing and warm just like a summer barbecue on any other weekend of the year, exactly how Lexi wanted it to be .
The conversation around the table flowed easily from one person to another laughter and chatter filled the air, as each person told a different amusing tale about Lexi and Alex's childhood adventures ,and the trouble they got themselves into.
Like the time Alex locked Jackson in the old dungeon and hid the keys in his bedroom so that poor little Jackson ,who was only five years old at the time would be locked inside until a man with a cutting torch set him free.
After Mother Sophia shared her amusing stories about Alex ,Queen Victoria or Karmen's mother would also share a similar one about Lexi.
Like the time when Ethan and Lexi locked Karmen in the bathroom when she was only one and Karmen's father had to remove the door knob to release her.
The rehearsal dinner had become more like a roast for the bride and groom. Causing everyone to roar out in laughter ,even the bride and groom laughed at the stories. With Alex teasing Lexi ,and in turn she called him a meany for treating his little brother so badly when they were children.
But the person who enjoyed the stories the most was King Evander , each time Mother Sophia told a story about Alex or Jackson ,his eyes would light up and a big smile brighten his handsome face.
Karmen leaned over whispering in Jackson's ear " Come to the bathroom with me." Jackson nodded, standing up to take her hand, they stepped out of the garden back into the castle together.
Karmen glanced behind her, looking around to make sure they were alone before telling Jackson the reason she had dragged him out into the hallway in the first place."I'm not going to tell anyone tonight about me being half demon, everyone is having such a good time ,and I feel like it would be wrong to interrupt Alex and Lexi's rehearsal dinner ,it's their night not mine."
" Yeah, Babe I know what you're saying, we should wait until after Lexi and Alex get married." He agreed, pushing her back against the wall again ,teasing her . " Now that we're out in the hallway how about a little quickie before we go back to the party."
Pushing on his chest, she rolled her eyes, huffing out in frustration " Forget it, we're not going to have sexy in the hallway."
She pulled him back out into the Garden to join the rest of the family.
When they arrived King Evander was standing next to a large flower arrangement that was setting on a table with a guest book and few candles .
A frown had settled on his gorgeous face, and his eyes had narrowed as he stared at the flowers in the vase.
His strange behavior prompted Jackson to check on him ,to find out why his mood had seemed to sour . Because the last thing they needed at the party was a thousand year demon king who could probably blow up the whole damm castle with a snap of his fingers ,pissed off at one of the other guests at the table.
"How's everything going for you tonight."
Jackson nonchalantly ask, as he fanned through the white guest book setting on the table.
King Evander nodded, "Just the person I needed to see." He said, with a devilish smile on his lips.
"Shell we take a walk." Jackson suggested
"I believe that might be best," King Evander nodded towards the vast garden area.
"Do you think it would be okay for my lovely wife to come along."Jackson ask, knowing his great grandfather wouldn't agree to Karmen coming along if he was angry or wanted to scold him for something.
"Of course," King Evander chuckled, because of the thoughts running through his grandson's mind.
Jackson waved karmen over to his side nodding towards the garden for his great grandfather to lead the way. When they had walked far enough away from the humans at the party.
He turned looking down at some beautiful white roses . It was the actual roses that had been used in the flower arrangementhe was standing next to . When Jackson had noticed him beside the guest book table.
"Karmen dear, Did you make that beautiful flower arrangement on the table."
" No,"
"Huh, Have you touched them or smelled of them or even been close to them." He questioned.
" No, What's going on, why do you want to know."
" Well, because a witch has touched everything on that table and these roses."
He explained. As he Pointed down at the white roses in the flower bed.
Bonus Recipe: Easy meatball subs
1 and 1/2 pounds of lean ground beef
1/2 large onion chopped
1/2 Tbs granulated garlic
Salt and pepper to taste
2 jars of your favorite spaghetti sauce
Directions: Mix first 4 ingredients together in a large bowl. Use a cookie scoop to scoop hamburger mixture and roll into balls with your hands. Spray cookie sheet with none stick spray and back at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes. Heat spaghetti sauce in electric skillet or pan on the stove. And server on sun roll with shredded mozzarella cheese, black olives , extra chopped onions, chopped bell pepper. And your favorite chips. [ Meatballs can be held in electric skillet on warm setting for party or game night. Or on warm in a crockpot.]
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