“True love believes everything, and bears everything, and trusts everything.” — Charles Dickens

  Antonio

  I was in the living room with Aiden he heard what happened and came by to check on Jane and myself. Honestly he company was most welcome at the moment it had been six hours since the accident, I spoke with her father he was away at the moment on a business trip but would be back first thing tomorrow morning to see Jane, I hated to hear the fear and panic in his voice it matched my to closely.

  “ Are you okay, you seem very” Aiden paused and took a sip of his wine. “ honestly besides intense I’m not sure how to describe you at the moment” he leaned back in his seat as he gazed upon me.

  “ I’m just worried aviator Jane” I finally said “This accident hit close to home, she lost her mom to a drunk driver” I paused shaking my head “ She was in the car when it happened, I’m worried this will do a number on her” from the way she woke up earlier damn near hysterical he was sure it was between her pain and pains of the past how much could a person take?

  “Wow shit I didn’t know” Aiden sat his glass down and rested his elbows in his knees and clasped his hands in front of him.

  “it’s not something she talks about they were very close” it had torn her apart when she lost her mom he remembered holding her as she cried, the nightmares the insomnia when she couldn’t rest and the chaos of her powers on top of it all.

  “I understand” Aiden said a faraway look in his eyes, I understand that look of old memories of old pains and wounds. With a deep sigh Aiden sat back in his chair.

  “How are you though?” he asked he started to pick his drink up sighed then left it alone, I suppose tonight and hearing about Jane’s mom put him off it.

  “ Honestly I’m not great all I see is her broken and bloody” they both sat up when they heard Jane moving around in the bedroom but her breathing didn’t change she was still asleep.

  “All I can think about” he paused and looked away.

  “Turning her into a vampire?” Aiden finished for him, I tapped my finger against my chair.

  “Yes, right now I want to change her it’s taking everything in me not to, I was so afraid I still am she’s so fragile” so precious to him he couldn’t loose her he absolutely fucking couldn’t but he also couldn’t change her out of fear.

  “ Have you two ever discussed this?” Aiden asked I nodded.

  “Yes, Jane told me she was open to becoming a vampire but then I left her, and I’m still building trust back with her what right do I how to ask this of her now” he stood and began to pace. Becoming a vampire, dying to become one wasn’t a little thing it was huge it was a choice you couldn’t take back it was permanent.

  “ I cant go hey this accident scared me shitless so I think it’s best to become a vampire” he said sarcasm in his tone “ she deserves better I want her to know it’s nor just out of fear but genuine love she’s my whole world” he didn’t care how sappy he sounded he meant it he truly loved Jane and was in love with Jane and he wanted her to know that was the reason.

  “ I hear you, and I think everything you just told me you should tell her once she’s healed mentally, physically and emotionally” Aiden’s word were what he needed to hear, with a sigh he sat back down and rubbed a hand over his face

  “So tell me how was your date with Mimi” Aiden smiled and rubbed his hands together.

  “Absolutely perfect” he filled him in on everything that had done leaving no detail out they had gone to an art gallery opening, Mimi was a big art fan and actually painted in her spare time. Then they had gone roller skating something he had never done and found he really enjoyed and was looking forward to doing again, he and Jane hadn’t gone skating since she was about sixteen, once she was feeling better he would take her skating again.

  “I’m glad you had a very good time my friend” I told him “ I don’t know her very well but she seems like a very nice women her daughter is a cutie”

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  “She told me about her” I wondered how he felt about that, being a vampire pretty much took kids out the equation unless you adopted which some did, but then eventually you would have to tell them the truth when they grow old enough to notice your not aging and why dropping the I’m a vampire bomb.

  “How do you feel about her having a daughter” I asked he leaned back with a smile.

  “I’ve always wanted kids” he replied as nonchalantly but I could tell the talk of kids meant more to Aiden than he was willing to let on and he wasn’t one to pry or pick at soft spots.

  “Me too” he replied he could tell by the shocked surprise on his face he hadn’t expected him to admit such a thing to him or at all.

  “I still do” Aiden looked at him as if he was trying to decide if he would speak his mind or not.

  “ Me as well” he finally said rising to his feet I rose as well he held his hand out I gripped it he pulled me in for a quick hug and pat on the back before heading to the door.

  “Keep me posted on Jane, see ya” with a salute he heading out the door. I shut the door and locked it before heading down the hall to check on Jane I moved to the side of the bed to peer down at her A soft glow from the bedside lamp cast a warm, ethereal light over Jane’s sleeping form. Curled up beneath the covers, she looked utterly beautiful. Her breath was slow and even, her features relaxed. I couldn’t help but marvel at how delicate and beautiful she appeared. A gentle smile played on her lips, a hint of a dream perhaps. As I gazed upon her, a wave of tenderness washed over me. Her long, dark hair cascaded over the pillow, framing her face. Her honey-brown skin was smooth and warm to the touch.

  I reached out and gently traced the outline of her face. Her eyelashes fluttered, and she stirred slightly, but didn’t wake. I pulled my hand away, reluctant to disturb her peaceful slumber.

  As I watched her, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude. She was my everything, my reason for being. I vowed to protect her, to cherish her, and to love her forever. As I sat by her bedside, a sense of peace washed over me. The quiet hum of the night, the soft glow of the lamp, and the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest created a serene atmosphere. It was in these quiet moments that I truly appreciated the beauty of life, the simple joy of being with the one I loved. A future with her, a future filled with laughter, love, and endless possibilities, was all I could dream of.

  As Jane slept peacefully, I decided to take advantage of the quiet moment. I carefully slid out of bed, trying not to disturb her. With a soft sigh, I pulled my laptop onto my lap and began to work. The soft glow of the screen illuminated my face, contrasting sharply with the darkness of the room. The gentle rhythm of her breathing provided a calming backdrop to my work. It was a strange sort of peace, a balance of productivity and tranquility.

  I worked for several hours, my mind fully engaged in the task at hand. Yet, every now and then, my gaze would drift towards Jane. The sight of her, so serene and peaceful, filled me with a sense of contentment. I knew that I was incredibly lucky to have her in my life. With a renewed sense of purpose, I returned to my work, determined to make the most of this time.

  “I love the ground under his feet, and the air over his head, and everything he touches and every word he says. I love all his looks, and all his actions and him entirely and all together.” — Emily Bronte, “Wuthering Heights”

  Jane

  The first rays of morning light kissed my eyelids, a gentle nudge to awaken .I stirred, a soft groan escaping my lips. My body ached with the weight of sleep, a heavy blanket that seemed to hold me down. Yet, the insistent call of my bladder and the gnawing hunger in my stomach proved too strong to ignore. With a reluctant sigh, I rolled over and pushed myself up, my body protesting the sudden movement.

  I swung my legs over the side of the bed, my feet finding the cool, plush carpet. A shiver ran through me as I stood up, the morning air nipping at my bare skin. I padded over to the bathroom, my movements slow and deliberate. The cool tile floor sent a shiver down my spine. The task at hand was simple, almost mundane, yet it required all my focus. I turned on the shower, the hot water a welcome relief to my aching muscles. The steam filled the small room, enveloping me in a comforting cocoon. As the water washed over me, I allowed my mind to empty, focusing solely on the sensation of the water on my skin.

  The warmth of the water began to soothe my weary body. I closed my eyes, letting the gentle stream wash away the remnants of sleep. As the water cascaded down my hair, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. For a moment, the world outside seemed to fade away, replaced by the simple pleasure of a warm shower.

  As I stood there, the water lulling me into a state of tranquility, a melody began to form in my mind. It was a song about memories, love, and the fleeting nature of time. Without thinking, I began to sing, my voice echoing softly through the steam-filled bathroom.

  The warm water cascaded over my skin, a soothing balm to my weary body. As the steam rose, so too did a different kind of fog, a mental haze. My mind drifted back to a day etched into memory, a day of chaos and confusion. The accident, a stark, surreal event, replayed like a twisted film reel. I couldn’t help but chuckle, a dark, hollow sound echoing in the small space. The irony of the situation, the absurdity of fate, struck me as almost comical. I wasn’t used to having these dark thoughts or feelings. I wondered if it had always been there and I hadn’t known until circumstances made me. Perhaps it was a defense mechanism, a coping strategy born from trauma. Or maybe it was simply a part of me, a hidden facet that had been brought to the surface. Either way, it made me think more deeply and examine myself.