And then, all of a sudden, Lipton stopped moving, lifeless as a worm. Seconds later, he erupted into raucous laughter, rolling on the ground, clutching his stomach.
“Lipton!” Jesse cried, her heart leaping to her throat. “Wh-what is going on?” She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. One minute, Lipton was writhing in pain on the floor, looking like he was going to change into Catan, but never did. And another minute, he was laughing his head off?
“It’s April Fool’s!” Lipton cried, his face red from all the laughter.
When Jesse realized that she had been had, she sprang toward Lipton and began to deliver playful smacks and punches all across his body. “I almost thought it was real! How could you! I could have died of a heart attack, you know? After all, I’m a human now.”
“I’m sorry, OK?” Lipton apologized, trying hard to contain his laughter. “It was just a joke. After all, you wanted us to live a human life, right? I’m doing things the human way … and honestly, I’ve never felt better.” And with those words, he slapped Jesse’s mouth with a long, deep kiss.
Jesse’s heart melted the minute he did that. How could she be angry with a man who just planted an earth-shattering kiss on her lips? She wasn’t really mad at him to begin with, but she was slightly annoyed that he would pull such a trick on her. But she knew that it was silly to be mad at him for doing such frivolous things, which she would have found amusing if she hadn’t panicked moments ago thinking that Catan would manifest at any moment. She definitely didn’t want to see Catan ever again in her life, for as long as she lived. And the kiss he had just given her had completely melted her, and how could she not forgive him?
“It’s OK, Lipton,” Jesse said with a sigh after she pulled her head back from the kiss.
“I promise I’ll never do that again. It’s a Wingman pledge.” Lipton crossed his heart with his fingers, looking apologetic. Jesse had to admit that Lipton looked kind of adorable doing that, but she wasn’t going to say that out to him.
Jesse slapped him on the shoulders again, but lighter this time. “You almost scared me to death, you know? I-I thought …” Jesse paused, her heart constricting at the thought of his name.
“He’s never going to manifest anymore,” Lipton said firmly, when he saw the fear flash momentarily across Jesse’s eyes. “He’s never coming back. That I can be sure of. I’m really sorry for pulling that on you. All the April Fools’ stunts which I’ve pulled on you over the past couple of years were all kind of lame … I wanted to do something which was more extreme for this year’s April Fools’, but seeing the fear in your eyes made me regret doing it. So I’m really sorry. This will be the last time.”
Jesse sighed, and smiled in spite of herself. “It’s OK, Lipton. Yeah, I know it’s kind of a cruel prank, but you know I can’t stay mad at you for long, right? When you pulled that stunt earlier, I was positive that he was coming back … I-I … well … I really panicked. But I’m cool with it, hubby.” Then, she wrapped Lipton in a tight embrace, while Lipton caressed her hair with his fingers.
“I’m so happy to hear that, wifey,” Lipton said, the relief evident in his voice. “You know what? To make it up to you … let me fly you up to the sky. Maybe we can join the kids in their game.” Lipton sprang up to his feet, and held out his hand.
Jesse took his hand, and leapt to her feet. “Wow. I haven’t been up in the air with you for a long time. You know what? I still remember the first time we flew in the sky, gazing at the world below us … I think that was how I first fell for you.” With that, Jesse let out a chuckle, causing Lipton to gave her a playful squeeze on the chin.
“Yeah, I still remember that night I flew you around in the sky with you on my back. I could tell that you thoroughly enjoyed the ride.”
“I really did. The view below us was so … breathtaking. I could still remember every scent, every emotion, every detail … it feels like it just happened yesterday. It’s all so vivid in my mind …” Jesse trailed off, a dreamy look on her face.
“Then shall we revisit the past? Walk down memory lane? Maybe it’s time we create a new memory again … up in the sky …” Lipton arched his body forward so Jesse could climb onto his back.
Once Jesse was settled in a comfortable position on Lipton’s back, he began to flap his wings, high and majestic, ready to launch up into the air.
“Let’s conquer the world!” Lipton declared proudly, and shot up into the sky, heading toward the drifting clouds.
Jesse screamed in exuberance as Lipton sailed insouciantly through the clouds, spiraling around like a roller-coaster.
“Hey, I see our kids ahead!” Jesse pointed out, her hair whirling about her in the gushing wind.
“Let’s go chase them!” Lipton bellowed, grinning. “You and me!”
Jesse cried in unadulterated joy as Lipton zoomed across the sky like a carefree bird, tilting her head downward to gaze at the stretch of the meadow below. Everything was so picture perfect. Everything was so beautiful, and Jesse was never ever going to forget that.
She flicked her glance to the front, the vision of her flying children looming ahead.
“Let’s get them!” Jesse roared, excitement bubbling in her voice.
Lipton flashed his wife a quick glance, smiling. “You know what? I love you, I truly do.”
“I love you too.”
That afternoon, beautiful white wings could be seen flashing across the cloud-woven bright sunny sky, permeated with the sound of laughter, joy and … love.
The End
Author’s Note: I hope you enjoyed reading In Love With A Vampire. Do remember to leave an honest review on Amazon Kindle and let me know what you think of the novel. Have a great day ahead!
In Love With A Vampire Page 50