Chapter 3：Date night

It's Friday and Marie is watching the clock at work. Her and Vale are going to spend some quality time together tonight. The butterflies are building up until she starts to feel a bit nauseous. She has never really felt this way about someone so she is experiencing so many things for the first time. "Focus on your work!" Marie scolds herself and dives into her task. At five o clock she has completed her remodel and submitted it for approval, before sending the document to her client. Marie pokes her head into the bosses office and smiles. "Hey George, I sent you the complete remodel for my client. I just need the approval and I can send them the document for their approval. I don't know if you want to get the number guys involved yet, but if you could email me I'll fix anything from home."

"That's fine Marie, are you leaving on time today?" George raises his eyebrow at her.

"Yes I actually have plans tonight." She smiles back at George.

"Have fun, I'll email you." George turns back to his computer.

"Night!" Marie practically skips out of the building to catch the bus home.

Vale wakes as the last rays of sunshine disappear over the horizon. He stretches and rubs his eyes. "Oh boy, another night." He yawns, then gags as he realizes he has plans tonight. It took everything he had not to stalk her last night, as he was feeling slightly guilty for causing her to cry. He jumped out of bed and tidied up before heading to the shower, whistling a happy tune the entire time.

Marie gets home with enough time for a shower and decides to order a pizza. She puts on a comfortable dress and brushes her hair while she waits for the pizza to arrive. At seven the bell rings and Marie answers the door ready to pay the pizza guy, but Vale is standing there with the pizza instead. she looks down the hall and back at Vale.

"I already paid the pizza guy" he smiles

"How much do I owe you?"

"Don't be silly" he smiles as Marie steps out of his way. Vale walks to the kitchen and sets the pizza boxes down on the counter.

Marie reaches into the counter and grabs two plates. "I have pop in the fridge. Please help yourself. Sorry I didn't really dress up or anything, but what you saw at the party is as dressed up as it gets! My sister hates it but I would rather be comfortable most of the time. Plus I stay home most of the time." Marie hands Vale a plate and smiles "What about you? What do you enjoy?"

"Same, I like the peace but it is nice to go out from time to time. You never know who you will meet." Vale takes the plate and gets two slices of pizza, then places two on Maries plate. "So what do you want to do tonight?"

"I have a large collection of movies, you can pick!" Marie smiles

"Sounds like a perfect night to me!" Vale cant wait until she is all his.

"I'll grab the pop. The movies are on the bookshelf in the corner"

Vale grabs the pizza and heads to the living room as Marie grabs some cans of pop and follows. When vale sets the pizza down and looks at Maries movie collection he realizes most of it is classic horror films. He grabs Dracula and hands it to Marie. They laugh and talk through the movie. "Want to go for a walk?" Marie asks "I need to digest." She smiles as she pats her belly.

"Sure" Vale agrees and they put on their shoes. "Do you often go for walks in the middle of the night?"

"I guess, its just so peaceful there are less people out, less noise. My sister says that I should be out in the country." Marie laughs "But I have no reason to leave everything behind, and I'm quite happy." Marie smiles to herself as they step outside.

"Interesting my best friend says that about me too." Vale smiles. Would he eventually be a good enough reason? If he doesn't scare her away first, maybe. His heart is filled with hope for the first time in over a century.

They spend hours walking and talking. When suddenly vale hears the morning birds! Oh no! He completely lost track of the time! They are almost to Maries building so he starts walking a bit faster. Marie looks at him confused and speeds up as well.

"Are you in a hurry?" Marie asks a little concerned. She doesn't mean to keep him longer than he can stay.

"I just realized what time it is and we have been walking all night!" Vale can see the rays hitting the top of the building and begins to panic. As they rush for the door and slip inside. He takes a deep breath and sits in the lobby chair. What's he going to do now?

"Are you ok?" Marie notices he has gotten quite pale.

"Actually, I'm allergic to the sun, so when I saw the light I got a little panicked." Vale crosses his fingers that she buys it. But how is he going to get home?!

"I've never heard of anyone being allergic to the sun before." Marie looks doubtful.

"It is very rare!" Vale has to do something!

"Ah, I can call my friend, he has helped me out a couple times before when I was younger." He is afraid this might be the end.

"If that is what you want to do. Come up and call him." Marie smiled "Ill make some coffee."

"Your an angel." Vale follows Marie back to her apartment.

Vale calls his friend Max from the bathroom as each ring taunts him.

"Please leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can!" Voicemail!

"Man I need your help! I'm at Maries and I lost track of the time! Call me!" Vale hangs up and takes some deep breaths before going back to the living room to talk to Marie. "He isn't answering, so I left him a message. I can go wait in the lobby if you want."

"Nonsense, I made coffee and we can have a movie marathon! Not many people like these movies anymore." Marie pats the couch next to her.

"Well how can I say no." Vale sits and Marie starts a classic werewolf movie as she sips some coffee.

"Hey I'll be right back. I just need to go check my email real quick for work." Marie jumps up and rushes off.

Marie had totally forgotten about the final edits! She sat down and quickly opened her email. There it is! George had only emailed her about an hour ago, thank goodness! She opens the email and he has simply put a thumbs up. Marie sends the attachment to the customer for their approval and takes a deep breath as she heads back to watch the movie.

Vale was sitting on the couch and looks at her when she returns. "Everything ok?"

"Yea, I just had to send an email for work." Marie plops onto the couch.

"What is your day job anyway?" Vale looks at her with curiosity.

"I design for home remodels. I do a digital remodel for the client so they can see it before they actually do it." She really enjoys her work

"Sounds interesting"

"I enjoy it, what do you do for work?" Marie smiles

"Well I design homes actually, I do pretty well working from home." No ones ever really asked him that before. He smiles to himself.

They settle back into the movie again. When Vale looks over Marie is sound asleep leaning on the arm of the couch with her legs curled under her. He smiles to himself.

Vale nearly jumps out of his skin when his phone buzzes, and he rushes to the bathroom to take the call. "Max! Where have you been?"

"Man, I'm out of town! You lost track of time?!" Max sounds amused.

"It's not funny man. Where are you anyway?"

"Pack business, your stuck man! Hope she's cool with you being there all day bro!"

"Ugh! Ok well I'll catch up with you when you get back." Vale mumbles.

"Good luck man!" Max is laughing when he hangs up.

Vale returns to the living room, and Marie is still sound asleep. Not knowing what else to do, he chooses another movie and sits back on the couch. Before the movie is even half way through he is fast asleep too.