2 Getting Things Together
I estimated that I had a few hours before Mary woke up so I decided to utilize her shower but unfortunately she had no clean clothing for me to change into so I need to go out and scrape some things together.
I stepped out of the back door back into the crisp night air. I took a look through some windows of the various houses in Mary's neighborhood looking at family pictures and such trying to see if there was someone that would have clothing that would fit my muscular frame. Around hour of searching I hit the jackpot. I came across a home that had pictures of a family with 3 sons that appeared to be triplets and were fit looking, and the best part was nobody was home. The doors were all locked but I did find a window on the second floor that looked like someone left it cracked open. Jumping from the ground to that height was child's play for a vampire such as myself.
I opened the window and drug myself into the cozy home. A quick search through the rooms I came across a few sets of clothing from each of the teenager's rooms. A few pairs of holy jeans, some fitted t-shirts, some basketball shorts, some cutoff sleeve t-shirts, some socks, boxers, an older pair of joggers, and some motorcycle boots that were in the back of a closet. just enough clothing that they hopefully wouldn't miss them. I found an old ratty cloth satchel that one of the kids had some old homework in, after dumping it out and storing the stuff in the top of the closet I stored all my newly acquired clothing inside the bag before tossing it out the window I came through. After climbing back through and closing the window on my way out I made my way back to Mary's.
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Mary's POV:
'What an odd dream..' I mused fighting to open my eyes. I went to stretch like I normally do to warm up my muscles and to ease my back which I've had problems with for years.
'Well that's odd... I feel fantastic' I thought as my eyes shot open in confusion. I took a look at my surroundings. I see the familiar living room of my house but everything looks somehow much more... Like I can see every single detail of every piece of furniture and the hidden pockets of dust that didn't get cleaned. I then have to cover my ears from the rush of noise I'm hearing. The dogs barking a few houses down, the next door neighbor and his insistence on mowing so early ever Saturday morning. It was beyond overwhelming and I was starting to panic.
Then in an instant a pair of arms was wrapped around me with my head buried in the offender's chest. "Sshhh, it's okay Mary I'm here.." A smooth voice said in my ear comfortingly. "I know it's a bit overwhelming but you need to focus. Focus on only one thing, and just that.... That's good Mary, now control your breathing and just relax" The voice coached and somehow I knew I could trust him so I did as he said and began relaxing into his embrace.
When I got myself under control a bit I glanced up at the young face and mop of red hair. 'It's the boy from last night... I guess it wasn't a dream then' I thought looking at him in awe. With my new enhanced vision I saw every detail of his face, from the dimples in his cheeks to the vibrant green eyes. "Y-you're real.." I said feeling a tear threaten to leave my eye.
"Of course I am Mary." He said with a heart melting smile. "You must be feeling alot of complex emotions. It's normal after turning if the one who turned you is near. Do you remember last night and our talk?" He asked and I thought back to last night.
"Yes... You asked me to be your family and I agreed.." I answered.
"That's right, very good. You're doing great Mary. Now I meant it we are family now so I will always be there for you and I will help you through this. But don't worry, it will get easier after about a week of adjusting with my help." He told me while rubbing my back to calm me down. "But we do need to address something that I'm sure you'll appreciate." He said taking my hand in his and pulling me with him. I feel complete trust in this young man so I comply before another realization hits.
"Wait.. What is your name? You never told me..." I asked him, pulling him to a stop.
"How rude of me. I do apologize. My name is Ray Thatch! I will tell you my story later Mary. First you need to see this.." He introduced himself before pulling me again towards the bathroom. 'He did say he wanted a motherly figure so I know he wont try anything with me.. Goodness.. I'm a mother again.. I feel so happy and a bit sad that my Susan wont know her big brother...' I thought. Funny how the mind works when so many shocking events take place.. He pulled me in front of my large full length mirror and covered my eyes as he faced me to the mirror. "Now brace yourself Mary, you look a bit different." I tensed at his words scared at what kind of monster I would see when he uncovered my eyes.
Then I felt his hands disappear from in front of my face. The woman staring back at me from the mirror wasn't the same one I had looked at the night before and for the last 10 or so years. This was the girl I used to see. I apparently went from my early fifties back in time to my mid thirties in a single night. Where crows feet and laugh lines were now there was only smooth skin and my dulled blue eyes looked bright and lively once again. Then I looked at my body. My bust was now standing perky once again and the love handles and fat pockets on my body melted away to the now hourglass figure of my prime. I ran my hands along my body and face in disbelief, this was simply too much... "H-how..." I finally managed to stammer out.
"The bite.. It changes us.. Re-configures our bodies to their best condition and enhances everything from our senses to our musculature. Our bodies are primed to be the most efficient predators in the world. Stronger than werewolves, faster than kitsunes , magic resistant to witches and druids and the like. The perfect killing machines." He told me and for a moment I worried about what I had gotten myself into at his words about being killing machines completely glazing over the other supernatural beings he brought up. It must have shown on my face because I suddenly felt a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Mary, I told you last night that you didn't have to harm anyone if that's what you wish, but I will expect you to defend this family if it comes to it, though with me around it shouldn't come to that as I'm quite capable." He said easing my nerves a bit.
"That's a relief.. This is alot to take in Ray.." I said to him releasing a breath I wasn't aware I was holding when something clicked in my mind.."Did you said werewolves and witches?" I asked with widening eyes.
"Haha, yes Mary. Most of the horror stories and supernatural beings you've heard stories of are real." He said but somehow the news didn't scare me when he said it in that tone and even laughing like it wasn't a big deal. I guess I just trust him enough that he wouldn't let anything happen to me.
"Okay... Well, as I've said I don't really want to harm anyone or kill people but I will defend this family if the need should arise. " I stated with determination. "I've lost my family once and I will not lose this one." I said and I could see something in his eyes.
"You should know something. When we bite someone on the neck and they die within 12 hours they will turn into one of us, if you're around when they awaken they will have a sense of loyalty to you, it's out of their control.. That's why I asked if you were sure if you wanted this..." He told me with guilt clearly written all over his face.
I turned to him and took his head in my hands. "Am I your first?" I asked him. He just nodded and wouldn't meet my eyes. It was cute but sad at the same time. This boy had been alone for a few hundred years or that's what he told me last night. "Ray I agreed to be your family last night.. That means there was going to be a bond between us regardless, so don't you dare feel guilty for this, you gave me something I desperately needed and I will be forever grateful to you for it!" I told him with a smile and I could see few tears form in his eyes. I just wiped them away and brought his head to my shoulder and wrapped him in a hug. I could feel my shirt dampen a bit where his face was. 'I'll care for you like you need Ray..' I thought as my own eyes dampened.
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MC POV:
A few hours later Mary had cleaned herself up and changed into some different clothes and we had gone over some plans for the future. I unfortunately had to lie to her a bit and tell her a seer had told me that there was going to be something happening in a few months in Beacon Hills California and that I had to be there to make sure fate played out like it should or there would be unforeseeable dire consequences.
I had made my choice about Scott and decided that I didn't really want his whining in my coven. Scott never wanted to be apart of the supernatural world and acted entirely too childish about the whole thing and I just really didn't want to have alot to do with that so I'd get him bit by Peter that night alongside Stiles so maybe he would accept it a bit easier that way if his best friend goes through it with him.
Other than that I needed an identity and the appropriate papers for day to day life. I'm forever 19 years old so but with my looks I could pass as anywhere from 17 to 20. It's a crazy ageless state you obtain with vampirism. It's all about the expressions one makes and mannerisms. So basically if I act 17 that's how people should see me. Doesn't make alot of sense I know but it is what it is.
Mary was pretty helpful in this instance however. She apparently had an acquaintance that works at the local court house that I could use my persuasion on, then I could go to the local school and get one of the office workers there to doctor us some transcripts for me to attend school.
She however wasn't as thrilled with me when I explained where I had gotten my new clothes from as she always liked the family that lived in that house. But she understood that at the time I couldn't very well go on a shopping spree to get new clothes and I had slept a few hundred years in a dusty crypt so the clothes I had previously were in tatters and I was in desperate need to be clean. She did feel a bit better that I hadn't really taken anything that expensive other than the boots I took.
Over the next few weeks I went about enacting our plan to obtain the things I needed to fit into modern society. A drivers licences, school transcripts, some new clothes, a cell phone on her phone plan, and some adoption papers along with a change of name. Now to the world I am Raymond Thatch James, Ray for short. I wont lie and say being adopted by Mary wasn't emotional for the both of us.
She did have to call off work for the first week to adjust to everything and wouldn't drink directly from animals but would have me bleed them into a metal tumbler so she didn't have to see it at first. I did find that funny but whatever helps her, she'll adjust eventually. When she went back to work after I had taught her the basics she did have to persuade a few people that the changes to her person were due to a new work out routine and a better diet along with the happiness from adopting me.
Yesterday she received a letter from the hospital in Beacon Hills that a position in the pediatric ward was hers if she wished and we started making preparations for the move within the week putting us in Beacon Hills about a week or so before the story begins.
I must say that turning Mary and creating a coven with her was the best possible decision I could have made.
Now we're sitting on a bench at a nearby park just site seeing and celebrating everything that's happened over the last few weeks.
"Mary, I have to say, you've taken to this even better than I did at first when I was turned. I want you to know I'm very proud of you and I'm very grateful you decided to join me in this adventure." I told her wrapping my arm around her.
"Of course Ray! This has been a balm for my aching heart and has really been a blessing for me." She said happily laying her head on my shoulder.
"Mary, I know we talked a few times about adding other members to our coven and we would decide on a case by case basis, but I was wondering if maybe I could do anything for you?" I asked.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"Well, I was alone for along time. I didn't realize how much I longed for the company of another, and I plan on living differently this time. I want to find someone to love me and to love them... Romantically I mean. I know we have decided to have more of an aunt/nephew type of relationship and I was wondering if maybe we came across a nice man or woman that caught your interest would you maybe want me to turn them so you could have someone to hold dear to you in the same way?" I explained.
She was quiet for a few moments contemplating a response when finally, "I don't think so Ray... My John was the love of life and I know he would want me to be happy but I just don't think I'll be ready for anything like that for a long time... But we are essentially immortal so maybe in the future. Right now though I just want to help take care of you and enjoy things for a while before I try dipping my toe into the proverbial pool again, hehe." He said with a chuckle.
"Whenever you're ready just let me know Mary. You deserve all the best and I will do all I can to ensure you get it." I told her giving her a light squeeze.
"This is enough for me for now thank you Ray." She said smiling brightly at me accepting my side hug.
(AN: So I'm sure there will be someone because there always is, Ray and Mary will not be doing anything romantic and I'm not sure about pairing Mary with anyone. Maybe much later but for now she'll just be a caretaker and emotional support system for our MC. Some may say that this Fic is too sappy and to those that think that, I'm not really sorry, you don't have to read this. There will be alot of sappy wholesomeness in this story along with some sad parts and some thrilling parts hopefully. If this isn't your cup of tea please don't be negative and comment with all the hatefulness just move along and thank you for reading and giving it shot nonetheless. To those that enjoy this so far thank you for reading too! I cant promise regular updates but I will when I can!)