“Jayce.” I started to tear up. “Don’t get me wrong. I want to be with you more than anything, but this just won’t work right now. Daray is in hiding; no one knows where he is. This means he could show up any time and I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you.”
“Shanntal, I’ve never felt the way I do for you, ever in my entire life. I can’t bear being away from you. When you’re gone, it feels like half of me is missing. I know you feel the same. Please say you’ll have me, because I’m not going anywhere unless you say you don’t want me. Can you do that?” He looked sternly at me with his big deep brown eyes.
“You know I couldn’t say those words to you. You know I want you to stay, but Jayce, it’s just too dangerous. I can’t live with the fear of something happening to you.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Especially, if it happens because of me. Don’t you understand that I’m trying to protect you?” I felt frustrated and needed him to understand my reasons. “I have to get things settled with Daray. He’s a big piece of this puzzle and I know he’ll be able to set things right for everyone.”
“Daray? So, we’re back to this again?” Jayce pulled away and got up from the couch.
“Jayce, please understand.”
“I don’t get it and I don’t think I ever will.”
I felt completely torn. I needed Jayce so badly, but wanted him to be safe. If he stayed with me I’d be happy because he was close, but on the other hand, he’d be in too much danger. If he left, without a doubt I’d be miserable, but he’d remain protected. Why did this have to be so difficult?
Kaleb walked over and stood in the middle of us. “Sorry to intervene, but Shanntal, what are you doing?”
“Kaleb?” I stood up, placing a hand on my hip, warning him.
“I’m sorry, but I think you’re wrong here. The nightwalkers win if you continue living your life in fear. Put Daray in the past and leave him there. Doing this will enable you to pursue the future with each other.” He said, pushing Jayce and me closer together.
“Geez, Kaleb! Way to gang up.”
He smiled briefly, but then his face became serious. “I feel your pain and how much you hurt when Jayce isn’t around. I know how much you love him.”
I nodded and looked down. I couldn’t handle Jayce staring at me so intensely.
Kaleb continued, “Jayce is a big boy. He’s well aware of the dangers. Keep in mind, he’s also free to make his own choices and if I’m not mistaken… I think he’s chosen you.”
I slowly lifted my head and looked at Jayce. The moment our eyes met, I knew we were meant to be together. I also knew I didn’t want him to leave me again because I needed him with me. I was at my best when he was by my side. Confused, I broke eye contact and looked away.
Jayce took another step forward, closing the gap between us. He gently placed his hand under my chin and lifted my head upright, holding it in place. My eyes drifted back to his.
“I was a fool before. I shouldn’t have let you go. We are meant for each other, I see it. Don’t you?” His head tilted to the side and he looked deeper into my eyes.
I felt the need to look away, even pull away, but I couldn’t move. He was everything to me and if I didn’t choose my words carefully, he might give up on me, and I wasn’t sure I could ever live with that outcome. I went to speak, but he cut me off by placing a fiery hot kiss on my lips. I didn’t have the strength to fight him off nor did I want to. I gave in and handed my heart back to the man who meant the world to me. I wrapped my arms around him and got lost in our kiss.
Kaleb, who was still standing beside us, shouted out, “Now that’s what I’m talking about! Do you see this love here?” He looked over to the others. “This is the kind worth fighting for.”
“Hear, hear,” Kael said back.
Jayce and I broke out of our embrace. I looked over at my aunt and uncle who stood side by side with their arms around each other. They both smiled and I saw how pleased they were.
Kaleb nudged Jayce. “Good to see you again, man.”
“Likewise, Kaleb,” Jayce said.
“Uncle Dane, Auntie Steph? I know this place isn’t the biggest, but would you mind if we all stayed here for a few nights, just until we can get some place else arranged?”
“You can stay as long as you like. All of you!” Auntie Steph said. “Don’t forget about the basement, it’s quite spacious down there. We can easily set up some beds. There will be plenty of room for everyone.” She looked at my uncle for approval.
“For sure,” he agreed.
“See! It’s all set.” She grinned happily.
Auntie Steph and Uncle Dane were satisfied with the outcome. We were all staying and I was delighted to be back home. Back in the place where I could sleep safely in my own bed, take a nice warm shower and change into fresh clean clothes. I was looking forward to the sweet satisfaction of all the small things home was going to provide.
Everyone came out of the kitchen to join us in the living room. Jayce sat by my side and held my hand the entire afternoon. I wasn’t sure he’d ever let it go again. I felt safe and secure, but most of all, I was happy.
I sat in a state of awe surrounded by the love of my life, my family and my closest friends. There wasn’t any place I’d rather have been in this particular moment. It amazed me the sheer joy I felt just being surrounded by the people I loved, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Dinnertime came around and I was starving. I took notice as Auntie Steph got up and headed into the kitchen. I followed her lead.
“Do you need any help?” I asked.
“Oh sweetie, I’ll always accept your help.” She turned and gave me a quick hug.
“I love you, Auntie Steph,” I said, as we broke out of our embrace.
“Look at us two,” she said, quickly wiping her eyes, which had started to tear up. “We’re supposed to be preparing dinner, not standing in the kitchen crying. I’m just so happy to have you back home.”
“Me too. I missed you guys a lot.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Well now, before I start crying again, let’s get dinner ready for all these men.” Auntie Steph said, smoothing her brown shoulder length hair and straightening out the sweater on her tall thin frame. A few seconds later she was back to her happy self.
“Spaghetti is filling and pretty easy to make. Think we should do that?”
“Smart girl. Not just a pretty face.” Auntie Steph ran her hand along my jaw line. “Double threat!” She giggled as she went into the cupboard and pulled out the noodles and a couple of cans of tomato sauce.
“Can I offer you ladies any help?” Jayce asked as he wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed my neck.
Oh, how I loved the way his kisses lingered. I was turning into mush in his arms.
“Hey Jayce, what do you think you’re doing, man? Let those girls be girls,” Kael said jokingly. “They’re doing exactly what they’re meant to, preparing food for us hungry men. Ha-ha!”
Auntie Steph and I both shot Kael a warning look. He needed to know that if he wanted dinner, he’d better quit while he was ahead or he would be the one in here making it for everyone else.
“Help? Going once, twice, my final offer,” Jayce said, as he smiled his devilishly handsome grin at us.
“As tempting as your offer is,” I said, “I must decline because it looks like we’ve got it under control. Thanks though.” I winked and he went back over to join the others.
Auntie Steph and I enjoyed our girl time as we prepared dinner. It was great to be able to escape from the men for a little while. I was growing tired of being the only female around nowadays. It was really nice to talk to another woman because I missed my mom and sisters. I’d grown up talking mostly to girls and I found talking to men was an all-new experience.
The big pasta feast was ready. Just in time because everyone seemed good and hungry from the wonderful aroma of basil and oregano coming from the food
. There were only four stools along the breakfast bar, so we decided to spread out. Jayce and I made ourselves comfortable around the living room table. The candle burning in the middle added quite the romantic touch.
Uncle Dane held up his glass for a toast. “To true love and dear friends.”
“To true love and dear friends,” we repeated.
He was absolutely right. At this moment, life was perfect. I was with my best friends, Kaleb and Kael, my family and the love of my life.
Jayce and I ate our pasta in our little love cove, while the others enjoyed their dinner around the breakfast bar. After everyone finished, they made their way back into the living room. I retreated into the kitchen to help Auntie Steph start cleaning up some of the mess.
Uncle Dane and Jayce entered the kitchen.
“Out you girls go. You’ve made us a wonderful dinner and now it’s our turn to clean up.” Uncle Dane grabbed the cloth out of Auntie Steph's hand and took over the washing of the larger dishes that wouldn’t fit in the dishwasher.
Jayce took the drying towel out of my hands, but not before placing another fiery hot kiss on me. Auntie Steph and I joined Kaleb and Kael.
“Great dinner, ladies,” Kael said. “It hit the spot.” He put his hand towards his mouth, kissed his fingers, then pulled his hand away as he opened his fingers up to throw us a kiss. “Fantastico!”
“Thanks Kael. I’m glad you enjoyed it so much,” Auntie Steph said, blushing from the compliment.
After a while Jayce and Uncle Dane re-joined the group. As Uncle Dane sat down he asked, “So what have you guys been up to?”
Kaleb began explaining how we left Jayce and the others. Kael got quite excited as he reminisced about our adventure. Then Kaleb sat quietly, while Kael explained how we’d run into Lakylee down at the beach and how I convinced her that I didn’t love Daray, but knew she did. He spoke of how we’d gone back to the vampire house and freed two of the doomahorns. He got up out of his seat as he mimicked my fight with the werewolf. He described how it attacked me not only once, but a few times and shredded my arm. He mentioned how he and Kaleb tried to help, but couldn’t get to me.
I looked over at Kael trying to quiet him down, but he never paid any attention. It was a great adventure story and he was too proud not to share. Thankfully, we’d all made it out okay. I looked over at Jayce, who shot me a glance that I’d never forget as long as I lived. I couldn’t have said anything to make him understand my reasons, so instead I turned my head and looked away.
Kael continued by sharing the gory details of my blood squirting everywhere. I rolled my eyes in protest. He got the hint and went to the part where the doomahorn transformed into a unicorn before our eyes. He enlightened them as he explained how the unicorn ended up killing the attacking werewolf and how she healed my arm.
“Unicorn?” Jayce asked.
“I’m serious, it healed her arm. Look! Shanntal show them! Show them!” Kael said excitedly.
I shot Kael the dirtiest look I could muster before lifting up my sleeve. I twisted and turned my arm showing them all angles. “I’m alright and yes it’s true.”
“Wow. I never knew they were real.” Jayce sat back in the seat. I watched as he tried to wrap his mind around the fact that unicorns were very much alive. “I’ve never seen one,” he said.
“Maybe you’ll get a chance to meet one day.”
Auntie Steph and Uncle Dane didn’t say a word or even blink as the different stories came out. Kaleb and Kael were on a roll as they traveled back through their lifetimes of various adventures. Occasionally, they’d let out an ohhhh or gasp, which made me smile, as I imagined this was all quite mind-boggling for them.
With all the stories flowing I found myself wondering about the conclusion of another one. Would Jayce and I ever get to go up to the heavens? When things went right between us, it was truly euphoric. Lately, we’d had so many trying and bad times. Yes, we’d worked through them, even when it was really hard and didn’t seem like there was any hope left. Now here we were, together again, we’d managed to persevere one more time. I hoped and wished this would be the time we’d get it right.
It started getting dark as the sun retreated and the moon and stars readied for their appearance. Kael and Kaleb offered to split watch, thinking it’d be better to be safe than sorry. Ten o’clock came around. Sure as sunrise, Auntie Steph passed along her good nights to us.
“The basement is set up for whoever wants some sleep. Jayce, you’re in with Shanntal, right?” Uncle Dane asked.
This threw me off. He was letting Jayce stay in my room?
“Yes, Dane. She won’t be left alone,” he answered.
Now everything became clearer. Uncle Dane didn’t want me to be by myself. I felt safer knowing I wouldn’t be alone, but was also very nervous and excited to be spending the night with Jayce.
Uncle Dane walked over and gave me a kiss on the head. “You’re in safe hands. Good night, Shanntal.” He turned, walked down the hall and disappeared into his bedroom.
I looked over at Jayce. “Clearly, you’ve won over the family.”
“Clearly I have.”
We stayed up for a while with Kaleb and Kael. The four of us sat in the living room chatting. It was nice hanging out like normal people did. Granted one of the guys was constantly glancing out the window, but other than that, this was what I considered to be normal.
Kaleb let out a yawn followed by a stretch. I felt the same way. Totally beat. The lack of sleep over the past few days was really starting to catch up.
“Kael, are you okay on first watch?” I asked.
Kaleb looked over at me. “What? I’m fine. I can take first watch.”
Kael let out his famous laugh. “Dude, you look like a zombie.” Making a creepy face, he stuck his arms up in front of him like a zombie would and mockingly took a few steps towards us.
Kaleb sneered in protest.
“I’ve got first watch covered. Get some sleep while you can.” Kael returned to his normal pose.
“I’ll be back in a sec,” I said to Jayce.
I led the way and Kaleb followed me down the basement stairs. Uncle Dane and Auntie Steph had set everything up. The arrangement was quite welcoming, a couple cots with nightstands, bedside lamps, even a dresser and some photos in fancy frames. This didn’t feel like a basement at all; more like a bedroom.
“Not too bad,” I said to Kaleb. I would’ve slept comfortably down there if I hadn’t had my own bed upstairs.
“Not bad at all,” he said, letting out another big yawn.
“Kaleb?” I asked as he was lying down on one of the cots.
“Shanntal?” he said, trying to fight off another yawn.
“I just wanted to thank you for talking some sense into me.”
“Anytime.”
“I’m also sorry for all the pain that you’ve felt because of me. I never meant for you to carry this burden.”
“It’s okay.”
“I wanted to let you know, I’m really glad you stepped up and made me shut my big mouth before I caused us any more grief.”
“You’re welcome. Now, do me a favor?”
“Sure, anything you want.”
“Shut up one more time and let me get some sleep.” He pulled the blankets up around him.
“Kaleb!” I pushed him in the chest.
He groaned.
I leaned down and hugged my friend. “Seriously, thank you,” I pulled back the blanket and whispered in his ear. I wished him a good night’s sleep and gave him a kiss on his cheek.
I headed back upstairs to be greeted by Kael and Jayce.
“You gonna tuck me in, too?” Kael asked sarcastically.
“Only if you want me too.”
“Perfect, I’ll wake you up when I’m ready to get some sleep… ha-ha!”
“I dare you to try it, muscle boy.”
“Oh, look who’s talking tough.”
“You know I am,” I said, flexing.
“Okay you two, before this turns into some kind of wrestling match… I think Shanntal… that you umm… you should say good night and get some sleep while you can. No offense, but you look a mess.” Jayce waved his hands in the air as he outlined me from head to toe.
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