Spooks & Specters: A San DeLain Short Story Collection

Chapter Three

HUDSON HAD no idea weddings were so… involved. Intense. Chaotic. Flat-out insane. There were invitations to be picked out and printed, cakes to be ordered, clothes, venue, flowers, catering, and the list just went on and on and on.

Why in the world anybody would take this on without help was beyond him.

Kit had touched on how he wanted red roses at the wedding, and lots of them, so that was one hurdle out of the way. And Hudson wasn’t worried about the venue. One way or another, they’d get the place and date they wanted.

“Okay, before we go any further, we need to set a date,”

Kit said. “And we’ll probably need to set it a year from now.”

“A year?”

Hudson asked. That made no sense. “That seems to be a long time to wait for something you want.”

“It usually takes that long to plan a big wedding, though,”

Kit pointed out.

“Ordinarily, yes, I could see that. And if you want to wait that long, that’s fine with us,”

Hudson said. “But we don’t have to.”

“What do you mean?”

Hudson shrugged. “What’s that old saying? Oh yeah, money talks. Pick a date, and I will make it happen.”

Kit’s mouth fell open. “That’s crazy, you know that, right?”

Again, Hudson just shrugged. “Anything for you.”

Connie jokingly stuck his finger under Kit’s chin and closed his mouth. “He’s not kidding when he says any day, but could I remind you that the Halloween Bash will be happening in October, and the masquerade ball is in December. It would be easier not to do it in those months.”

“But we will if that’s what you want,”

Hudson said, glaring at Connie.

“Okay, okay, let’s not make things too hard on Connie. You might be able to make it happen soon, Hudson, but it still takes time to print invitations, cook food, and custom make wedding finery. Just… just give me a second to think here.”

Hudson reached over and patted Kit’s hand. “Take all the time you need.”

“I’m going to freshen up my coffee. I’ll be back in a second,”

Kit said, getting up.

Hudson watched Kit walk back inside the house. He wasn’t kidding when he said he’d make this happen in whatever time frame Kit gave him.

“Can I just point out that doing it in October or December means he would have to share the limelight with the other two events? And he doesn’t want that. That’s why I suggested not doing the wedding in those two months,”

Connie said quietly.

Well now, Hudson felt like an ass. Of course Connie had Kit’s best interest at heart. Standing up, he moved to where Connie was sitting and knelt next to him. “You’re right. I’m sorry, sweetheart. I didn’t think.”

“Your dragon is wanting to give Kit whatever he wants, whenever he wants, right?”

“Yes.”

“Which I completely understand. But your dragon doesn’t understand that things take time, no matter how much money you throw at something.”

“You’re right. You’re the expert in planning things.”

Standing, Hudson bent down and kissed Connie on the cheek.

Connie turned his head so their lips met. After the kiss was done, Connie poked Hudson in the ribs. “Just keep repeating that, and we should be fine.”

“Repeating what?”

Hudson asked as he made his way back to his seat.

Connie smirked. “That I’m the expert, and that I’m right. It’ll probably save you a lot of apologizing.”

Hudson was still chuckling when Kit rejoined them.

“I called my mom and dads right quick to make sure they didn’t have anything going on in November,”

Kit said. “We don’t have anything going on in November, do we?”

“No,”

Connie said. So, you’re looking at November? If so, that would work. Just maybe not the last Thursday, since humans in the United States celebrate Thanksgiving then.”

“I thought about that. I’m going to assume that’s something you guys don’t do?”

Kit asked.

“Not usually, no, but we can if you wish,”

Hudson said.

Kit shrugged. “The reason for the season is kind of offensive, if you ask me, although I wouldn’t mind having turkey and dressing some time.”

“I’m sure that can be arranged,”

Connie said. “So? What date did you pick?”

“November seventeenth. What do you think?”

Kit asked.

“I think that’s perfect,”

Hudson said. “Connie?”

Connie checked his calendar. “We have nothing going on that entire week. It’s perfect.”

Kit bounced in his seat. “Oh wow, okay, well, look at that. We have a wedding date. Wow!”

“And that’s this upcoming November?”

Connie asked.

“Oh boy. Do you really think we can pull something as massive as this together in that length of time?”

Kit asked.

“Absolutely,”

Connie said, reassuring Kit.

“Then, God help me, yes! Oh man, oh boy, we’ve got to get serious about this now!”

“Um, weren’t we already?”

Hudson asked.

Kit just cackled.

HUDSON HAD no idea just how serious serious was. How hard could it be? Apparently, very hard. Two hours passed in a flurry of discussion over what type of food would be provided. Just food.

The options were endless. Did they want fancy? Or did they want finger food? Did they want plated? Or did they want buffet style? What about allergies? If they went with plated, how many choices were they going to offer? Meat definitely had to be offered since so many paranormals needed that, but the mers mainly ate seafood, so that was a consideration too.

Hudson wasn’t shocked Connie immediately gave his thoughts on that subject—he had certainly planned enough events that involved food. Fortunately, the caterer Connie usually used was more than happy to do their wedding, and they picked their menu.

They ended up with three main entrées.

Another hour went to the discussion of offering a full-service bar, along with nonalcoholic drinks. Then another hour to talk about a dessert table, and if hors d’oeuvres would be served before the dinner and dancing—lobster rolls, garlic bread steak bites with horseradish cream, and cranberry-glazed meatballs were just a few chosen for that.

Kit jolted with surprise as Connie repeated the quote for the food and bar service, causing him to nearly fall off his chair. “Mother of all!”

Hudson gave the okay, and the caterer swiftly sent over a price list to Connie.

Glancing at the extensive list of food items on the contract, Kit’s voice trembled as he spoke up. “That seems like an awful lot of food. Dear God.”

“We’re paranormals, Kit. We eat a lot,”

Hudson calmly reminded his mate.

“But good grief, this much?”

Kit asked in disbelief.

Connie nodded. “Yes, they actually gave us a great deal since we’ll also be using them for the ball in December.”

“Good Lord,”

Kit muttered under his breath. “Okay, so no freaking out about the price.”

“We can afford it,”

Connie reassured Kit firmly. “I promise.”

“I know, I know,”

Kit replied sheepishly. “It’s just… that’s an insanely pricey menu. And jeez, there’s enough food here to feed a small army.”

“There will be a large number of guests attending,”

Hudson interjected. “Isn’t that what you wanted?”

“Absolutely,”

Kit said with determination. “I want this to be the event of the year.”

“In that case, we’re going to need enough food to feed a small army,”

Hudson stated matter-of-factly.

“And it’s going to cost,”

Connie chimed in. “Maybe we shouldn’t tell you the exact amount if it stresses you out? But I can assure you, this is not the most expensive menu I’ve ever put together.”

Kit ran a hand through his hair. “I keep forgetting that Connie is used to dealing with extravagant affairs like this.”

“Oh, he excels at it,”

Hudson said, giving his mate a proud smile.

Connie winked playfully at both of his mates, his confidence and expertise shining through.

“On to the invitations.”

Kit rubbed his hands together. “And yeah, let’s not share what stuff costs. If you two are good with the prices, I need to stop freaking out about it.”

“Exactly,”

Connie said.

“If there is more to discuss, though, I’m having someone bring us lunch,”

Hudson said.

“More?”

Kit giggled. “My love, I hate to tell you this, but we’re just getting started.”

Connie chuckled at Kit’s response.

“Before we start on invitations, we need to get an idea of who we’re going to invite,”

Hudson said. “Connie?”

“I can start the list on my phone,”

Connie said, then groaned. “Although, this guest list could start wars.”

“Only if we let it,”

Hudson countered. “But we do need to ensure representation from all the paranormal clans—vampires, werewolves, gargoyles, daemons, mers…. Everyone needs to feel included.”

“And let’s not forget the diplomats from the human sector who are in the know,”

Connie added. “It’s always good to include them. And celebrities.”

“How do we even start? I mean, how do you choose?”

“Like this—starting a draft list,”

Connie said. “We can adjust as needed based on responses and political necessities. Definitely the mayor of San DeLain gets an invite, plus any of his people. I’m also going to write down a few celebrities. All the daemons, the wolves, the mer, and the gargoyles. That’s a couple hundred people already. I haven’t added our court nor our families.”

“Good grief. Okay, we’re going to be working on that for a little while. So, after that….”

Kit trailed off mid-sentence. “What next?”

“We’ll need to finalize security arrangements,”

Hudson said. “Given the mixed guest list, we’ll need discreet but effective protection.”

“Absolutely,”

Connie said. “I’ll have to get in touch with some contacts I have who specialize in paranormal security. None of our people are going to want to miss the wedding in order to provide protection.”

“Of course not,”

Hudson agreed.

“And entertainment,”

Kit added suddenly. “We’ll need music that can cater to all sorts—perhaps a DJ with experience in supernatural gatherings?”

“Good thinking.”

Hudson nodded. “It’ll keep the atmosphere lively.”

“This is going to be the wedding of my dreams,”

Kit said softly. “Thanks to both of you. I can’t wait.”

The Pendant

Warning: bullying, slurs, a character is jumped