Ever After

by Heather McBride

  “You will be fine, remember you will always have a heart rate, but it will always be slower, than a normal human and you will be just like William.” He reassured me.

  I sat back and listened to them talk and got my mind ready to deal with the whole coming home thing.

  Chapter 11

  Departure

  The next few hours we spent traveling home, the weather held long enough for us to make it, before it started to snow again. Another storm was moving in, so we were very lucky to get back before it hit. I slept most of the way on Will’s shoulder. Will, Doc, and Pratt informed me of the plan on the way to the airport. It was pretty simple.

  Pratt or Doc would see me every day, posing the visits as “house calls”. I was to make weekly visits to Doc’s office at the hospital, to keep up the front we needed to keep dad and Sara from getting suspicious. If I had problems, I was to call Doc anytime day or night and he would come over or meet me at the hospital emergency room himself.

  Libby had been placed as my home care nurse, which wasn’t hard to do since dad had one hired for me after the Frat party incident. Dad had already had her room prepared for our visit, and he told Doc it was a very good idea to have a nurse there at the house. It was all simply a precaution, in case I got sick again.

  I would stay at home for the holidays, and then return to the coven house in Cambridge. Dad would think I was going back to the treatment center in Maine. Doc would keep him posted on my recovery, as usual. Once I was recovered enough, Pratt wanted me to come to France to his coven home.

  Once there, he would give me the final dose of vamp venom, in his laboratory in a highly controlled environment. This was to ensure complete success. I was pretty excited to be going out of the country. I had never been outside the U.S before.

  The next thing to happen was up to me. I decided I would tell dad when the time came to go to France that I was going to study abroad. It was very normal for students to spend a semester in other countries to further their studies. I didn’t think he would question what I was going to do; at least I hoped he wouldn’t.

  Doc would reassure dad I was well enough to go, and we would be all set. I figure that nasty skunk Sara would be happy to see me out of her hair for at least half a year! She was always trying to get rid of me. This would be just what she wanted, and I wouldn’t have to deal with her for a while.

  The airport was packed, when we arrived. The incoming storm was already delaying flights, most people looked pissed. I held Will’s hand tightly as we got off the plane onto the connector to the terminal. Doc and Libby followed. Lydia was not far behind with Andrew at her side. Pratt, Emma, and Will’s cousins were all on the next flight, it would appear too odd if all of us flew in together.

  I saw dad and Sara right away, standing next to a group of angry foreign executives complaining about their flights cancellation. Dad headed toward Will and me, he did seem a bit surprised to see Will at my side, but the happy smile never faded as he looked at me. Sara followed dutifully behind him, a weak and no doubt fake smile plastered on her too red lips. She looked like the Avon lady attacked her in the Airport bathroom or something.

  “I’m so happy your home,” says dad. He pulls me into his arms, he smells like a Cuban cigar and old spice. I was sent back to my childhood by that scent. I would forever think of him whenever I smelled either one, funny how that is.

  “Good to see you to dad!” I hugged him back feeling like I was seven years old again. “You too Sara, it’s good to see you.” I lied of course, it sounded good anyway, and dad was big on manners and being kind to others. I did it for him.

  “Yes, lovely to see you Corrine dear, you look wonderful!” I could see her narrow her brown eyes looking me over head to toe, then she eyed Will too, but for another reason.

  “Will, so good to see you also, we’ve missed you!” I wanted to puke she was flirting with my 19 yr old boyfriend (ok ok I know he’s technically older than her) right in front of dad. I could see the coy little smile she gave him; he squeezed my hand and cleared his throat. I knew she made him nervous Will was not use to being so close to a human woman who apparently wanted to attack him and make him her pet or boy toy.

  “Hi Mrs. Whitmore, nice to see you again too.” He said shyly looking quickly back at Doc who was amused by Sara’s open fondness of his “grandson”.

  “No dear, you can call me Sara, please don’t be so formal I’m not ancient you know. I’m not that much older then you and Corrine,” she says with a giggle. “You should have stopped and had dinner with us while Corrine was gone, we would have loved to have had you over.” She winks quickly at him, thinking I didn’t see.

  Dad was busy trying to get the airport wheel chair ready for me. I bet she would have loved to have him over, I thought to myself. I fumed as she eyed “my” William as if he was on the dessert menu.

  “I was pretty busy, or I would have stopped by to see you both,” Will said with a tense look on his face. He looked at me when he turned his back to Sara to help dad. I nearly busted out laughing he mouthed (what the hell) and made a pained face. Doc had to hide his laugh by faking a coughing attack. Libby was pretending to blow her nose and hide her face. I was so glad Roth was not here, he was such a dork. He would have said something for sure and embarrassed Will to death.

  “Good to see you Will. I didn’t know you were up in Maine?” Dad said nicely, but I knew he was wondering why in the hell, Will was on our flight.

  “Good to see you sir, I was up for a visit, and since I have to be back at school after New Year’s. I hopped on Doc’s flight in.” He smiled as he pulled the handle to the nineteen sixty’s looking wheel chair so it wouldn’t fold up with me in it.

  “I asked him to come up too dad.” I smiled like an angel at him. He looked at us both and slowly smiled.

  “Well, I guess you are both adults,” says dad with a pained smile. “I’m glad Corrine has some company anyway, she hates to fly.” He patted Will on the back. “You will be over for Thanksgiving dinner won’t you?”

  “Yes sir, I would love that, very much.” Will says with a smile, slowly letting his guard down. Dad looks over at Doc and walks over to shake his hand. “Good to see you Doc, how’s our patient doing today?” They both glance at me.

  “Good to see you again John. She is doing even better than we had expected!” He looked very confident, and very professional.

  Dad and Doc talked quietly, Doc was no doubt laying the groundwork for my visit, and then later he would talk to dad about me going to Europe to study. Sara seemed preoccupied, as she looked around. She looked at Will several times, and if I could, I wished I could have knocked her in the head. This was so disgusting, why was she like all into Will all of the sudden?

  I mean, I know why in a way, he was gorgeous, and majorly hot, but he was MY boyfriend, and she was my stinking stepmother. Oh did I forget to say she was still married to my dad! I was so grossed out, she was a total cougar! I tried to ignore her. Will as usual felt my tension, put his arm around my waist, and spoke to me in a whisper.

  “Ignore her love she’s crazy,” he says as he kisses my cheek softly.

  “Promise you won’t leave me alone with that hag!” I nuzzled into his shoulder.

  “I will be with you, not a moment will pass that you will be alone, you may not always see me, but I will be close by.”

  I smile knowing he meant every word, he never made promises he did not mean to keep. I still had the fear of being alone sticking with me. If something went wrong, and I died not even the brilliant skills and vampire magic that Doc and Pratt had, could not bring me back from death.

  After Doc and dad finished talking, we all parted and headed home. Will winked at me, as he and Doc headed in the opposite direction. He pointed to his watch, telling me he would be over to my house shortly as he promised. I discreetly nodded and blew him a kiss, and waved.

  I had at first, hated the idea of that wheel chair, but now I was getting tired and gladly l
et dad push me out to his waiting car. The ride home was longer than I recalled, or maybe it was Sara blabbing away about how she was re doing the kitchen again, or how we needed to have a big party for my homecoming. That was just another chance for her to show off.

  The house was just as I remembered, of course it wouldn’t have changed, but it was good to see it again. Gran greeted me at the door, with a warm hug. I missed her the most. She had been my rock, my source of strength, always willing to listen to me and to support me. The fact Gram knew all about Will, made it great for me.

  I did not have to hide what was going on, or how I really felt around her. Gran with her knowledge of vampires, and her tribe’s acceptance over the years of William’s coven, made it even better. I couldn’t imagine life without her, she was my Grandmother, and my mother all in one.

  “You look lovely Corrine!” I could see how happy she was in her eyes. Before she let me go from our hug, she whispered in my ear. “Doc called me and I know where we’re at honey.” I understood her; she knew the story and would help us keep my secret from dad and Sara.

  “I missed you so much Gran, I love you.” I said softly as she slowly let me go from her arms.

  Dad talked to me and Gran for a few minutes, Sara took off upstairs, thankfully. It was nearly 10pm now and Libby came in to tell dad I needed to be getting to bed. Doc wanted me well rested while visiting. Libby had a way of speaking, which made people do things. Not to mention that if she stared at a human long enough, she could trance them, and control their actions and minds. I didn’t think we would have any trouble as long as Libby was in the house. She wouldn’t allow anything to happen to me, the same, as Will wouldn’t.

  I said goodnight, to dad and promised to have breakfast with him. Gran and I followed “nurse” Libby up to my room.

  “It’s so good to have you home honey. I hated you being gone,” says Gran as she sits slowly down in the armchair next to my bed, as Libby helped me get settled.

  “I’ m ok, Gran. Doc and Pratt have everything under control now. I feel so much better.”

  “Yes, Doc told me everything, had I known you were so ill, I would have been there. Doc didn’t want me to worry, I suppose. He knew I would have been up there to see you!” She sighed. “Dr.Pratt must be a brilliant doctor having discovered this serum.”

  “He is. They are all so wonderful in the coven, so kind and caring to me through all of this.” I watched her as Libby helped me get me into nightgown. I had washed my face when we got to my room, and forgot my new “color” or shall we say lack of.

  “I know… I know,” I say with a shrug of my shoulders. “I’m really pale; did Doc tell you I was already halfway changed?” Gran didn’t look shocked, but just like she was interested in my new appearance.

  “Yes, honey I know. I’m just trying to get use to it, you are simply stunning. You were before, but now you seem to glow with an earth real aura, vampirism does agree with you!” She smiled at me giving me a wink.

  “I’m still me Gran don’t worry, but thanks for the compliment. I’m not too sure sometimes about how I look.” I looked down at my hands, feeling embarrassed.

  “You are lovely and I’m so thankful to Doc and Pratt, for saving you,” she says as her eyes tear up. She pulls out an embroidered hanker chief and dabs her soft blue eyes.

  “The night of the Halloween party, I feared you might die. Doc called me later that night, and told me the truth about what had happened in the garden. All your father and Sara knew was that you passed out and were rushed to the treatment hospital, as they both agreed to do, if you took a turn for the worse.”

  “I was worried he might think something was up since it all went down so fast.” I sighed.

  “Well, Doc’s a fast talker, and your dad had no time to argue about it by the time. When Doc was done explaining what happened to you, your dad was hugging him, thanking him for knowing how to help you so quickly.”

  “Wow” I smiled.

  “Doc told me how horrific the attack on you and Will was, and how you valiantly stepped in and saved William’s life.” I winced, thinking of Vincent, and that horrible night again.

  “He would have done the same for me, and I would never let him die if I could help him.” I picked a fuzz ball off my quilt, deep in thought. “What else did Doc say about Wills condition?” I knew all about me, but nobody told me the details about Will. Gran seemed uncomfortable as she looked down at her hands, avoiding my eyes.

  “Gran, you know something don’t you? Please tell me. William is my life you know that. Is he sick or in danger what are you not telling me?” I leaned over and took her hand carefully, and made her look up at me.

  “I will tell you, nobody told me not to, but I’m sure they did not tell you for a reason my dear,” she says in a low voice.

  “Why is that?”

  “You heard Doc, no stress honey you need to focus on yourself now and get stronger. They don’t want you worrying about anything.” She sighs as she looks back down at her hands.

  “Gran, I’m much stronger now. Please let me decide what I can handle. It’s going to worry me more and stress me more knowing, there is something going on with William and I’m the only one who doesn’t know what it is.”

  “You must promise me you will not tell Doc or William, about this conversation.” I felt a little sick to my stomach. It must be bad if I had to pretend I didn’t know.

  “You know, Will was very sick after Vincent’s attack don’t you?” Gran shook her head and takes a deep breath.

  “Yes, of course but my blood was supposed to help him.” I looked at her, confusion washing over me.

  “Corrine I won’t lie to you, Will was so weak even after you ...” she seemed to be lost for words. “Donated your blood and Doc was worried he would not make it. The effects of the blood he was forced to drink were extremely serious.”

  I pulled my bed sheets up to my neck, for some stupid reason where Will had bit me seemed to ache when anybody talked about the night it happened. Gran was one of those people whose facial expressions told you everything going on in their head, hers was tense and strained. I did not like where this conversation was going.

  “Please go on Gran,” I pleaded. “Will won’t tell me anything about what he went through, he just tells me he’s fine and I can see he’s not.” I shook my head sadly.

  “He’s sick Corrine, very sick for a half blood. You know they are stronger than humans are, but Will seems to nearly be as weak as he was in his human life. Doc was able to help him regain some of his strength, but not all of it. Will’s extremely vulnerable to an attack from the Dark coven. Doc tells me he sleeps nearly eight hours at a time, and he’s been sick twice since the attack with typically human illnesses.” She looked away sadly, unable to look at me.

  “He’s been sick all this time since Halloween, and I knew nothing about it? How could I be so blind?” I feel tears welling up in my eyes.

  “Corrine, no don’t say that. You could not have known all of this. They are vampires, masters at hiding things; they wanted to protect you from worrying too much is all”

  She reached over and hugged me, patting my back. I just could not believe my invincible, strong William was suffering in silence. I sat in shock for a few minutes, and I did recall some odd things about his behavior over the last few weeks.

  “I should not have told you,” she whispers wringing her handkerchief in her tiny frail hands. “It might cause you to have a setback. Doc warned me to keep you stress free.” She threw up her hands. “Look what I have done now!”

  “No Gram, I’m not in shock I was just thinking about the last few weeks and if I could think of anything strange about William.”

  “Did you?”

  “Yes, now that I think of it I did notice some things. I remember he would disappear for long amounts of time, but I was out of it a lot. I saw him several times with his head down, looking so tired. He thought I was sleeping, but I saw him closing his eyes a lot
fighting the sleep. I also recall Doc and Pratt watching him all the time, their dark eyes seemed filled with concern. It all makes sense to me now.”

  “Corrine, don’t be upset please .Dr.Pratt and Doc are caring for him, and watching him.” Gram tried to make me feel better. “He will recover, Doc told me he and Pratt think it will just take time for him to regain his strength.”

  I could see she still was not telling me all of it. She could not hide anything from me. She was acting strange, and I knew there was more to this story.

  “Gran, what’s the part you’re leaving out?” I tilted my head as I stared at her.

  “Well it’s just that Doc’s concerned for Will’s safety. The Dark coven may retaliate when they learn of Vincent’s death. Doc and the coven leaders have been meeting about it all week,” she says with a frown on her face.