Chapter 1.8 - Human?

Amber hadn't stopped worrying about Bonnie since that call from Ayden. She wondered whether she should invite him over sooner than Bonnie's birthday to see if he could tell whether she was a vampire or not. She decided against it, Ayden had told her that the signs would only reveal themselves as she grew older so Amber waited impatiently for Bonnie's birthday.

"Hi Ayden, I just wanted to make sure you were going to be here today."
Yes, I will be there. Have you thought about what you want to do if she's like me?
"I don't know...if she is a vampire, I don't know how to raise her...I'll need help."
So would we be living together? Because there is always a place for you in my home.
"Yes, I suppose that would mean we would have to live together."
You sound like that's the worst scenario ever, do you not want us to be a family, do you not want us to live together?
"No...I don't want to, but if it's what Bonnie needs, then yes I'll do it."
I only have one condition to you living with me Amber.
"What's that?" Amber asked, she already knew what he was going to say next
Marry me?
"Well let's not rush things Ayden. She may still be human. She doesn't seem like a..." monster "...vampire"
Well, let me be the judge of that.
"Ok Ayden, the party is at 11. See you later." Amber hung up and took a deep breath. Today was going to be a challenge.

It was almost time for the party and Amber was restless. She had cleaned everything three times already, just trying to take her mind off the fact that her daughter could take after her father.
Wouldn't I be able to tell? I am her mother after all. Amber thought to herself. Maybe Ayden was just finding an excuse to be here today.
Sometimes she felt guilty for doubting her adorable little girl, How could I think you're a monster? She would think to herself whilst holding her darling daughter in her arms, You're not a monster, you're my Bonnie.

Ayden was among the first to arrive, with every intention of declaring his love for her he held himself back for once. He believed he had made his feelings all too clear already although Amber seemed to think he had an ulterior motive concerning her.
She probably thinks I want to use her as my personal plasma bag. As the thought crossed his mind he couldnt help but smile just a little.
Not wanting to make a fool of himself he avoided her gaze. She probably didn't want to call any unwanted attention to their relationship.

Thank God! Amber thought. She had been so worried about Ayden trying to convince her to marry him again. He needed to realise she didn't want that.

Although she had to admit there was a pang of jealousy as she watched him dance with someone else.
She remembered the way he had danced with her...maybe she had dismissed his romantic advances for creepiness, or was it because he hid his nature from her til way too late? Either way, there was no chance of future romance between them. Right?

Amber decided to take her mind off of Ayden. Her boss, David Pok, had shown up to the party. Amber wasn't sure if he would be interested, but was eaager to strike up a conversation.
"David...I wanted to thank you again for the promotion. I know I haven't been back long since maternity leave, but..."
"Amber, how many times do I have to tell you not to thank me. You're great at what you do." David said. "And I am glad you are back at work, things weren't the same while you were gone." He looked away briefly, seeming embarrassed.
"Thanks David." Amber smiled.
There was an awkward pause, Amber didn't know what to say. Luckily David saved them from the silence.
"So, spooky day is coming up, it's quite a popular holiday around here. You got any plans?" He asked
"Not really, no. I know the Hoppcraft's are having a party, I might take Bonnie, see if there is anything there for kids her age."
"Well...if you want to, the two of you are welcome at mine, I am sure she will enjoy all the candy I have for the trick-or-treaters." He smiled.
"Thanks David, I'll be sure to swing by." Amber said.

Eventually it was time, Amber was dreading this moment, she wasn't very optimistic about how this was going to go. Amber brought Bonnie out of her bedroom and lit the candle on the cake. Everybody gathered round to see the baby girl grow up to a toddler.
Amber carefully blew out the candle and placed Bonnie on the floor.
Well, here goes nothing... Amber thought.

As Bonnie aged up, a magical light surrounded her. Amber waited with trepidation...
Ayden was stood not to far away, watching intently. Amber wondered what he was hoping for, he probably wanted Bonnie to be a vampire so he could play happy families.
I hope not...is all Amber could think.
She had tried considering what her life would be like with a vampire child, but she couldn't see it working out. She would need help, and she really didn't want Ayden to be that help.

Finally, Bonnie looked up. She was beautiful, but that didn't answer Amber's concerns. She glanced at Ayden who caught her gaze and gave a silent shake of his head.
Amber gave a sigh of relief. Her daughter was human. A beautiful, wonderful little human girl. Amber couldn't be happier.
When he saw how happy Amber was, Ayden couldn't bear to look any longer. He snuck out while nobody was looking. Later, once the party was over, Amber got a text on her phone:

"I know you're glad Bonnie is not a vampire,

I know you want to raise her on your own.

But you need to realise that she is still my daughter,

And I want to be a part of her life.

I know might not have handled everything perfectly before,

I lost my composure, I am sorry.

I just wanted us to be together, but it's not something that can be forced.

Please don't cut me out of my daughter's life.

Yours,

Ayden"

Amber read and re-read each line of text, each word over and over. Had she completely misjudged Ayden, was he not as twisted as she believed? She was prejudiced against him the moment she had found out he was a vampire, stories from movies and books painting a picture in her head. She let this picture influence her perception of him.

I can't let Bonnie grow up without knowing her father. Amber thought. Ayden is right, he has to be a part of her life.

Spooky day wasn't far away and slowly but surely Bonnie was taking her first steps. Amber hoped that she would be able to take her little girl trick-or-treating and have her totter around in her first ever costume. But if she had to carry her from door to door, she would still look just as adorable.

Spooky day arrived, the weather was freezing so Amber decided against the costume she had brought for her daughter, deciding instead to wrap her up warm.
She decided to take Bonnie to the party at Miriam Hoppcraft's house, she had stayed in touch with Miriam since adopting Simon and the two were becoming pretty good friends.
Arriving dressed as an air-pilot, Amber entered the house to find Miriam dressed as a hot dog!
They chatted for a while, but the party seemed to have fallen kind of flat, Amber was not impressed, there was no music, no food or anything.
"Well, I have got to get Bonnie to bed, she was up early this morning. Thanks for the invite." Amber said, as she left.
"No problem, thanks for coming, and thank for bringing Bonnie along, she is absolutely adorable, she looks just like you!"

Instead of going home, Amber headed to David's house. He seemed surprised to see her.
"Trick or treat!" Amber said in a cheerful tone
"Amber!" he exclaimed, "I didn't think you were going to show up!"
"Well," Amber said, "I couldn't ignore an invite from the boss now could I?"
"Huh, I hope you're not just here out of obligation."
"Of course not, Bonnie wanted that candy!" Amber grinned.
"Ah, I should have known, come on in!"

While Bonnie stuffed herself full of sugar, David invited Amber out onto the deck for a drink.
"You know, I'm glad you came over." David said, "There's something I want to ask you."
"Oh?" Amber asked
"Well, we don't really get much of a chance to talk at work, and I would love to get to know you better, so I was wondering if you wanted to have dinner together sometime?"
Oh my God! Amber thought, Is my boss asking me on a date? What do I do?
"Oh well of course, it's important that you know your team." Amber wanted to keep their relationship as professional as possible for now. "Sure, we can get dinner together."
From the deck, Amber heard Bonnie let out a cry.
"Although maybe another night?" David suggested, "It sounds like your daughter needs you.
"Yeah, I'll let you know." Amber said.

As they got home, Bonnie was asleep in Amber's arms. She wasn't used to so much sugar and had crashed in the taxi. Carrying her to the bedroom, Amber reflected on everything that had happened in the past few days: Bonnie's birthday, Ayden's text, David asking her out. Amber smiled to herself, remembering how relieved she was to find out her daughter was human, now they had a chance for a normal life, and perhaps she could find a normal man to live with (David seemed ok) and they could be a normal family. Although she still wasn't going to leave Ayden out of Bonnie's life.
"How could I ever think you were going to be a monster?" She whispered to her daughter who slept soundly in the crib, "You're perfect!"