by Elle A. Rose
*
“I miss you.”
“I miss you, too.” I have been looking forward to this night all week. Tonight I am going to attempt to push my abilities to the limits. It has been almost three months since Dominick and I had our little talk. We had to smooth some of the rough spots out in our plans. Somehow I ended up caving more than I wanted too, but I think we have finally come up with a solution that makes everyone happy. After making a couple of phone calls and signing a few forms, I was able to bring Dominick home that night. Sheriff Braxton did not seem too happy with the late night phone call he received from the program manager to make sure it was okay to release Dominick to my care. Dr. Palmer thought I looked a little too young to be the adult requesting the discharge for Dominick. Once that matter was settled, we were on our way back to the Grayson’s residence. Neither of us spoke on the way. Dominick, however, did insist on holding my hand during the trip. Although I tried to fight it, I did love the warmth he gave off as he stroked the top of my hand with his thumb. It reminded me of a backwards Christopher; instead of feeling the vein on the inside of my wrist, Dominick was feeling the smooth part of my hand.
At the house, our first step was to talk to Maddie. I was longing to see my dear friend and show her that her grandson was fine--for now. My chest ached when we walked into the bedroom she once shared with Lance. She laid on the right side of the bed, her now all-white curly hair lay splayed out across the pillow. Her skin was thin and transparent. I could see all of her veins pumping blood throughout her body. Her hands, the hands that once looked strong and healthy were now weathered and dry. I could hear the fluid bubbling in her chest as she tried to breathe. The oxygen tank seemed to be working overtime to help her breathe. I was truly amazed by how much she had aged in the last few months. Still holding my hand as we walked in to the room, Dominick’s grip seemed to tighten upon seeing his grandmother. I could tell without reading his mind that he hurt. He hurt for her, and for all of the stress he had put her through.
It did not take her long to see us holding hands. I watched a smile begin to broaden her lips as she reached up to remove her oxygen mask to speak. I dashed to her side and placed my hand on top of hers. “No, you don’t. Leave that mask on. There is nothing that you need to say out loud.” She smiled and looked at Dominick, who had come to stand next to me. Not wanting her to speak out loud, I opened a silent communication link between the three of us. “If you want to talk, go ahead. Dominick and I can hear you.” Glancing out of the corner of my eye, I could see a look of understanding come over Dominick’s face. He stiffened at first, hearing my voice in his head again, but he made up his mind then to just go with the flow.
“Amber, this isn’t necessary, I can talk”
“I’m sure you can, but if it is easier for you to breathe, then we will do it this way.”
“Grandma,” his voice came out a little shaky. I do not know if he was unsure of himself or just nervous. “How are you? I’m sorry I wasn’t here. I’m sorry for upsetting you.” Reaching up to pat his hand, she calmly assured him everything was fine.
“Son, don’t worry about it. I understand. You have been so good to me. I know all of this must be hard on you.”
I sensed he was close to tears. Reaching over, I placed my arm around his back.
“I’m assuming Dominick knows your secret?”
“Yes, I guess he has known for some time.” I did not want to upset her with the news of the letters. I think that is something that shall stay between Lance, Dominick and me. “I wasn’t doing as good of a job at hiding who I really was from him.” Smiling once again at us, I could see the wonder in her eyes. Maddie wanted to know if I was finally ready to stop fighting the feelings I had for her grandson.
Looking at Dominick’s handsome face, I knew my answer was yes. “Yes, Maddie.”
Answering her silent question, her smile broadened even more. “There are some things we need to work out, but I am going to uphold the promise I made to Lance, and the promise you have asked of me. Somewhere in-between there, Dominick, and I will see where that leads us.”
“That is music to an old lady’s ears. I love the both of you very much.”
Dominick remained quiet during the conversation, although, he leaned against me for support, his eyes never left his grandmother’s face. “We love you too, and until you get to be my age, you’re not old.” I bent to kiss her on the forehead. “Now, get some rest, Dominick is home safe. We can talk more later.” With Dominick in tow, I turned to leave Maddie to her beauty sleep.
I allowed him to clean up and get settled before we launched into a heated argument on how we were going to handle our future. We ended up calling my family. I felt it was necessary for them to have input if I was going to someday bring Dominick home. We decided that for now, Dominick would stay in Boston with Maddie, she had a nurse who came daily, but Dominick would be that backup support. We felt it was best not to uproot Maddie and to try to keep her as comfortable as possible in her last few months. If Maddie should pass before the end of the school year, Olivia would come stay with him until the summer. Then, we would move him in with us. I wanted to stay, but Lisa reminded me that we were trying not to raise too much suspicion. If Dominick would most likely be living with us by his senior year of high school—which he and I would attend together—then it was best for me to come home as soon as possible. The doctors gave us a timeline of at least four more months for Maddie; however, we know that it is only an estimate. If she is able to hold on throughout the summer, I will stay for the summer, and return to finish my senior year at home with my family. The same plan of Olivia coming to stay with Dominick will go into effect anytime after that. I offered for Dominick and I to go away together after we finished high school. This was the only time Christopher spoke. Somehow it also was the only thing Dominick and Christopher agreed upon. I did not want to think about the look on Lisa’s face as Christopher threw his fit about me leaving the family again. They were still newly engaged at the time. She will never say it but I am positive that had to hurt a little. Dominick only gave the phone a perplexed stare as Christopher went on his rant. I have not had the chance to explain Christopher’s and my complicated relationship. I am really not looking forward to explaining how my brother is in love with me yet has settled for my old human officemate now turned vampire sister.
The only thing that calmed Christopher and his rant was Dominick’s response to us going away.
‘No, Amber. I don’t want us to go away. When I’m finished with high school, we can look for a local college or something. I can even start a new lawn care business within town so we can stay with your family. The last thing I want to do is take you away from them, again. You have done so much for me, and you are always willing to come to our aid. I don’t want to be in the way of taking any more time away from them, than my family and I already have.’
I believe that statement won the hearts of Lisa and my mother. I wanted to argue it, I wanted to tell him this was all a dumb idea, and he was risking his life. Somehow I knew I lost the battle the moment I said ‘yes’. I was tremendously excited that my family—well, all but Christopher--was on board with the plan. I have to say I worry about one part of the arrangement save I have to have faith that it will work out. Lisa was the first to volunteer to come stay with Dominick after Maddie passes, but I talked her out of it. With planning for a wedding and not really knowing when the time would come, I was able to nicely decline her offer. Not to say I do not trust her, but she is still a new vampire. Yes, I know she is around people all day, yet it is a lot different when you are living in a house with a human. I would have preferred Isaac to come stay with Dominick except he did not offer, and I did not want to make a scene or hurt Olivia’s feelings. The only downside to Olivia coming to stay with him is she still at times likes to get her blood warm from the tap. Unlike Isaac and myself, we only drink from animals or from the blood bank, well, Lisa too, but like I said, new
vampire. I will feel more comfortable once Dominick and I are under the same roof, even if it is with four other vampires. I doubt any of it will be necessary, still, I am the strongest of the family so I know he will be the safest with me.
After going over a few other minor details we hung up the phone with my family. Dominick and I needed to talk about how we were going to have a long distance relationship. Neither of us had ever had one and I wanted to make sure we were not about to set ourselves up for failure. There were a few things he needed to sleep on, but besides that, the next morning we shared our plans with Maddie. Neither Dominick nor I were comfortable talking about Maddie’s death in front of her. The conversation seemed to go much smoother when it was just a plan on ink and paper. Nonetheless, once we had to look my closest human friend in the eyes and talk about what we were planning on doing after she died, it was a little too surreal. Maddie on the other hand was okay with it.
“Sweetie, when you get to be my age.” She gave me a lopsided grin that I could see under her mask. “My human age, and everything hurts. Or when you start to miss all of your friends and in my case, your husband, death isn’t always a bad thing.”
I left later on that night. I really did not want to leave Maddie’s side. I worried about her and how Dominick would cope with everything. I know it will all work out the way it is supposed to. On my way out the door, I encouraged Dominick to call his long time friends, Timothy, Thomas, and Ryan. I assured him that with some talking, they would forgive him and hopefully they would get back to being good friends. The boys did not like Dominick’s reckless behavior or the new kids he was hanging out with so they have kept their distance. “You’ve all been friends since kindergarten. Believe me, friendships are not thrown away that easily. Yes, they may be a little hurt, but I’m confident they’ll see you’re back to your old self. Just give them some time.” Pulling me into his arms and kissing me—it once again took my breath away—was his way of telling me I was right, and he would do it as soon as I left. I did not want him to let me go but knew it was time to leave.
“Amber, I love you.” He gives a mental chuckle. “I take it you’re day dreaming again. Can that go down as another talent of yours?”
“Sorry, yes, I guess my mind did wander for a minute. What did you say before that? And I love you too.”
“I was asking you how this was going to work. But then again, seeing how you were just able to let your mind wander and still keep this communication between us open; that it won’t be as big of a challenge for you as I would have thought.”
“I’m still not sure I can do it but here goes nothing.” Closing the long distance telepathic communication line between Dominick and me, I open my mind up to his. It is not in the way I would to talk or read his mind. No, this time, I am attempting to pull his mind into mine. We are a little over seven hundred and sixty-nine miles apart. This is why I am worried I will not be able to pull it off.
Ah, yes, I have his mind now. Bringing our psyches together, I find him standing in front of me clear as day.
“Wow, you did it!”
Stepping closer to me, he reaches out to pull me into a hug. It is so good to see him. I will need to work on this. The touch does not seem to feel as real as it should. Dominick does not seem to mind. After missing each other so much, I decided to try to pull both of our minds together and go on a, well, I am calling it, a virtual date. I am unsure how else to explain it. Everything is formed from my thoughts and Dominick and I are here together even though he is in Massachusetts and I am in Ohio. In some ways, it is like what I did for Christopher’s and Lisa’s engagement, but the distance was much closer.
“A carnival? I was kind of hoping for something a little more private.”
Pulling me back from his hug I glance up and meet his gorgeous gray eyes, “Yes, there’s one ride I would love to take you on.”
“Oh, so you don’t want me to win you a big stuffed animal or some other huge prize you can lug around?” I believe he is joking.
It is weird. He is here with me. I have the carnival noises just right, all of the attractions seem to be up and running, and I have plenty of people, but the smell and the feel of everything is a little off.
“Amber, what are you concentrating so hard on, everything is perfect. Show me the ride you want to go on.”
“Give me a moment, I want to figure out why I can’t feel the warmth of your skin and…” Putting his hand under my chin, he lifts my head to meet his eyes again.
“It’s, perfect. Trust me, this is more than I thought I was going to get. I’m just glad I get to see you. The time will come soon enough for me to hold you. Believe me, I’m looking forward to it just as much as you are.”
Bringing his head closer to mine, he places a light kiss on my lips. Although I feel the pressure from it, I wish I could feel the warming sensation that comes with his kisses in person.
Trying to change my mood, I smile and step back from the embrace. I take in the surroundings. I am pretty pleased. There are fifty or so other people walking the grounds. Some are interacting with others, some are playing the games and others are roaming around as if they were looking at all the different attractions. Checking the attractions out, there are: dart throwing, basketball, rope climbing, ring toss, water gun and target practice booths. The rides consist of: the Love Canal, Tea Cups, a giant Swinging Sea Dragon, Bumper Cars, a mini Roller Coaster and a giant Ferris Wheel. Ah, the Ferris Wheel. When we talked about this date, Dominick left it up to me to decide where we were going to go. I could not tell you why, but this was the first thing that popped into my head. The rest of the carnival came into play once I knew this was what I wanted. “Over there,” I point in the direction of the huge wheel. “I want to ride that first.” With no hesitation, he turns and starts to guide me towards the wheel. Stopping at the foot of the ride, we need to buy two tickets. “Two for the Ferris Wheel, please,” I say as I began to reach into my pocket to pull money out but Dominick stops me.
“Allow me.” With a goofy smirk on his face, he reaches into his back pocket and pulls out two dollars to pay the fare. “Only you would have a ticket booth in the middle of a day dream.”
Chuckling, he takes the two tickets and hands them to the wheel operator as we step into the next available car.
As we sit the wheel operator shuts the metal door behind us and says, “Have a nice ride, kids.”
With that, we slowly begin to progress forward. The moment we begin to move, Dominick scoots as close as he can to me. Placing his arm around me, he brings his lips close to my ear.
“Are you going to tell me why you chose this ride? I guess this could be considered kind of private.”
“I rode a wheel like this back in the late 1800’s. It was the first wheel ever made and it was on exhibit at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. I remember the view. It was absolutely breathtaking. When I thought of what I wanted to share with you, something from my past, this was the first thing that came to mind. Granted, this isn’t the same scenery. I thought from on top of the wheel this landscape would be just as astounding.”
Leaning in to kiss me on the side of my neck, I, once again, wish I could feel the warmth of his lips, but in a way I am grateful that I have nothing to tempt me right now. I am able to replicate his heartbeat, but I do not have the allure of his blood pulling my attention away from us and this time together.
“That’s amazing, Amber. You’re right, this is breathtaking, but it is still amazing to think that you were able to ride the very first wheel. I wish I could have been there with you. I do look forward to all of the memories you and I will be sharing from here on out.”
Resting his head on top of mine we slowly watch the scenery spread out in front of us.
“Amber, I know so much about you already, but it seems as if there is still so much more to learn. I understand you don’t like to talk about your human life, but I was wondering, what year were you born?”
In the past few weeks, he and I have tried to get to know each other better. He claims he had a guideline from Lance, but there are still many gaps. I have not been too forthcoming with my human life. I am ashamed. Here I sit with a man who loves me, with someone I am willing to throw all of my hard work away for, and he does not know of my birth. “I was born August 16, 1782, to James and Mary Wilson. I had two brothers, James Jr., my oldest brother by two years and, William, my younger brother by eight years. We lived on the outskirts of a town called Biddeford in Maine. I was eighteen years old when I became a vampire.” I try to say it with calmness in my voice, but I feel his grip become tighter as I speak. After all these years, I still have trouble saying any of that out loud.
As the wheel finally makes it to the top, it comes to a slow stop. Taking in the layout of the land, Dominick moves forward to see everything. I have not considered fall one of my more favorite seasons in a long time, yet I knew with the view we have, it would only be right to have it take place in the fall. The wheel looks out over a massive pond. All of the trees incasing the pond have orange, yellow, and red leaves on them. The ground around it is sprinkled with the same colors. Looking closely, you can see some of the grass trying to poke out from under the fallen leaves. The sun is starting to set, and it casts a beautiful yellowish orange reflection off the water. A few boats are in the pond. Seeing the sun is setting, the people in the boats are beginning to pull their fishing gear in so they can make it back to land before it gets too dark.
“Wow, Amber, this is astonishing. Does such a place exist? Did you live somewhere like this or did you just think of it?”
“While living in New York, I stumbled across this place, while out, um, walking through the Adirondack Mountains.” He catches my slight stumble in words, and glances over at me with a smile on his face. He begins to rub his hand up and down my arm as if to warm me on a cool evening.
“You don’t have to be afraid, I understand our eating habits are different. I’m guessing while on your walk you were able to get a bite to eat?”
Once I realized he was not going to let me walk out of his life, I wanted to make it very clear to him what my diet consisted of. I also made him aware of each of my family members’ choices.
Turning his head back to the fall scenery, he pulls me closer. “How long can we stay up here?”
“As long as you like.”