Dark Layers (Volume 4)

by Gray, A L

  "Oh, fucking hell!" He cries out.

  He's cumming with me, and it's never ending. Once he's finished himself off, he slows and falls on top of me. His weight isn't too much, it's what I like, a real man all over me. We pant together, loud and fast. I can feel his warm breath smashing into my neck. We don't say one word to one another, nor do we get back into bed properly. He rolls to the side and pulls me into his arms, my back to his chest. He hugs me tightly and my sexual relief has made me tired. I close my eyes. He wraps his legs around mine so I'm completely covered in Elijah - it's a dream, a dream that has finally come true.

  I'M STANDING JUST INSIDE THE open front door of Elijah's cabin, grasping a hot cup of tea. The cup is nicely warming my cold hands, it's a little chilly outside, it's almost September. This morning we all decided to spend the day here; my Mother was overly excited, as was Gran. Elijah and I went to bed late last night so we didn't leave London until noon today. But it's a perfect idea, regardless of how late we got here. The image of them all sitting by the lake with the wild grass and flours surrounding them is captivating, it's worth it.

  At this very moment, we are all happy, and content - I'm happy. My Mothers memory of the clinic is far behind her, and Gran's life in LA is also astray.

  I stare fondly at them all sitting just before the lake. Elijah is wearing light blue jeans with a white Ralph Lauren sweater. My Mother and Gran are both wearing black trousers and long grey cardigans that reach their knees - Elijah brought the cardigans on the ride over, I even have one. It's so soft on my skin, and so, so warm wrapped around my body. It's chilly outside, but the day had to be stolen by us, we needed to seize this moment. My Mother is constantly laughing, as is Gran, I'm assuming Elijah is charming them both. I smile affectionately.

  "Anile, you coming out?" Elijah calls.

  I cannot help but stare at him, I want to stand here all day long and just watch them.

  "I will soon, just drinking my tea." I say, raising my white cup in the air.

  He smiles at me, like a child, and turns back around. He shuffles further between my Mother and his Gran. He looks so happy, and really does resemble a small child. I think he's missed the love of a Mother, and that's why he's basking in their company. I don't want to spoil this time for him, I want to watch him, watch them all. Gran turns and steals a glance over at me. I smile affectionately at her, and she gets to her feet and makes her way over to me. Elijah looks up at her but she winks at him - mentally telling him things are okay - and I come to realize that's where he gets that habit from, that winking habit. He doesn't follow Gran, he remains with my Mother, still giving her laughter. Gran makes her way onto the veranda, her small black heels clicking against the wood.

  "Are you okay, Dear?" She says worried.

  "I am, this is nice to watch." I say with affection.

  "Yes," she stops beside me and stares where I'm staring, at Elijah, "he does look content. I have never seen Elijah like this, not since he was a boy."

  My happy expression vanishes. "That's sad to know." I lower my gaze. "I'm glad you think he's happy now though."

  "I do believe he is, Dear, and it's all thanks to you."

  I blush at her compliment.

  "You know, that boy has lived a long and hard life, seen things people should never have to see, suffered wrongly. He's a dark soul, Anile."

  I frown while peering at her from the side. "Why are you telling me this?"

  "Because I want you to know that life will never be easy with Elijah. It will test you in dark ways - ways that are unexpected. I want to be sure you will always stick by him, because I don't think he will survive abandonment again, I think it would be the ruin of him."

  "I know everything about Elijah." I'm sure not to specifically mention anything or anyone. "I know what he's involved in, what he has been forced to do, and I'm still here - I would never, in a million years leave him. I love him."

  "I know you do, I see it in your eyes, child." She says breathlessly. "Just know that you will need to find your most powerful, strongest, inner strength to survive life with him."

  I slightly worry about her tone. "I cannot tell if you are warning me off of him or if you are telling me I'm better off without him?" I gasp.

  She turns to face me and steals one of my hands. She gently grazes my knuckles with the pad of her thumb, showing me real affection - I'm so confused by her aura.

  "Neither Dear." She smiles weakly at me. "I think you are an amazing young woman, Anile. And I think Elijah is lucky to have you." She gazes down at our hands. "I just don't want you blindly marrying him. I believe every woman should know what they are getting into, especially when the person they are marrying is involved in darkness - like Elijah was. I feel it is my duty to protect you, as well as my Grandson."

  I place my cup on the window ledge of the cabin and press my hand above hers. "I know all I need to know. Elijah has told and shown me all his darkness, and if anything, I love him more. I would never leave him, and I will always try to be strong for him, I promise." I say in a low voice. "And I will also be okay, you don't have to worry, Gran."

  She smiles tenderly at me, her eyes welling. "I look forward to the day I can officially call you my Granddaughter." She says, and my heart swells in my chest at the idea of having such a loving woman be a part of my family.

  "It's here!" Elijah calls out excited, making Gran and I jump in shock at his loud tone.

  "What is, Dear?" Gran asks.

  He rises to his feet, pulling my Mother with him. He makes his way over to us, his phone in hand.

  "I brought something for you all this morning, here look."

  He passes me his phone and I frown while taking it from him.

  "What is this?" I ask confused.

  "Now, don't think I'm going all mooshy," he jokes, "but I have brought stars and named them after us. Here, look Gran." He shows his Gran his phone by pushing my hand towards her. "I have named constellation stars after you and Fraya, and I have collided Anile's and my name together, Anilijah, and named a binding star after us."

  "Oh, that is the most sweetest thing, Elijah." My Mother gushes, her hands over her mouth in shock.

  "Yes, Dear, that is wonderful. I never thought such a thing could be done." Gran says tenderly.

  I eye Elijah, affectionately, lovingly, I just cannot stop falling more and more in love with him. The more grounded he becomes, the more normal his ideas and actions are - it's enthralling to see how he's changing so perfectly.

  "Fraya, shall we go for a walk?" Gran asks. I think she can sense I want Elijah to myself for a moment.

  "Sure." My Mother says.

  They both leave quickly, and I try to say something to Elijah, but I can't, I'm just so happy that all words fail me.

  "Princess, you okay?" He says, one arm sliding around my shoulder. I rest my head against him and pull my cardigan around me.

  "I am." I say in a low voice. "I'm so happy right now."

  "That's nice to hear, Princess." He squeezes my shoulder a little.

  I *sigh*. "It's nice to be here with my Mother and your Gran and you, with nothing but nature and each other."

  "We will have many more days like this, I promise." He says.

  The minutes fly by, and we just stare out onto the lake. The trees in the forest that surround the lake are still so green, I'm surprised Autumn hasn't stolen their colour. And the day is not perfectly sunny, thick white clouds occasionally block out the sun, but it's okay, we have our own sun in each other.

  "You looked really happy with my Mother and your Gran."

  "I am happy with them, it feels nice to be surrounded by family who genuinely care for me - I feel safe enough to let my guard down."

  I peer down at my hand that's now rested against his chest. "We do care for you, so much." I whisper.

  He tenderly kisses my forehead. "That's why I plan on taking care of you all."

  I tug at his T-shirt. "We will all take care of each other, Elijah."


  He exhales with relief, he sounds so content. "That sounds like a good idea."

  I *sigh* long and hard, I feel carefree. He pulls me right into his arms, and I wrap my arms around his waist and bask in his loving embrace.

  "One day, we will bring our children here, and they will enjoy this place as my Mother did - as we do." He says.

  "Children? Not child?" I ask in shock.

  He presses his lips against my forehead and smiles. "I plan on having a large family with you, Princess. I want two boys and two girls. The idea of lots of us living happily together makes me joyful."

  For a while I say nothing, I just daydream of a family with him. Two boys and two girls, I'm definitely up for that!

  "The image of our children running through the wild grass is captivating." I breathe.

  "Isn't it? I love the idea, the idea of chasing you all through the forest on a hot day, the idea of swimming in the fresh cool lake, the idea of fishing, playing ball with my boys, maybe even riding a pony with my girls - our future excites me."

  I cannot help but smile against his chest. To find someone so magnificent, so beautiful, and successful in this lifetime is a miracle. I'm a lucky girl.

  Chapter Twelve

  I'VE BEEN ENGAGED FOR ALMOST A WEEK. I have just showered and now I'm staring in the mirror, in the en-suite bathroom, testing my appearance to see if I look any different now I'm engaged. I looked different after I had sex, more womanly. I purse my lips and pull funny faces. I feel different, I feel more solid with Elijah. And to think he was trying to send me away. I roll my eyes.

  I dress myself in the bathroom in a pair of light blue skinny jeans, matched with a tight pink T-shirt. I roll my hair up in a wet bun and clip it in place with bobby pins - I'll let it out later and it will go nicely wavy. Once I have applied my face with a little mascara and peachy pink lip gloss, I hang my towel over the towel heater and head into the bedroom. I woke alone, but hopefully Elijah will be in the bedroom waiting for me. I pull open the en-suite door and freeze in place with my mouth wide open. I'm not met with Elijah, I'm met with hundreds of red rose petals, covering the bed and the floor. I frown while smiling to myself - what's he up to? I walk over to the bed, slowly, there is a note on my pillow.

  Meet me downstairs at 9:30. X

  I cannot help my face splitting smile. I check my watch, I'm a little late it's almost ten. I don't think to wait around - I'm too excited! I pocket my phone and bomb it out of the bedroom. Once I'm in the hallway, I see the red petals continuing across the cream carpet, in an elegant pathway, leading through the hallway, down the oak stairs, and out to the back garden through the French back doors. I stop at the French doors in the living area and try to see around the garden. Strangely I see nothing out of the ordinary, just the rose pathway stretching across the grey patio area. I quickly run to the front door and collect my converse and run back to the French doors. I open the doors and steal my way out, sneaking my head around the garden. The petals continue around the garden and look like they are leading to the front of the house - what the hell is going on? I forget the sneaking out and just stroll around the side of the house. It's a lovely morning; there is a light chill in the air but it's refreshing. The sun is shining and the skies are so blue with not a single cloud in sight. I inhale the fresh air, it tastes so clean - that's the countryside for you. Once I'm around the side of the house, I stop, shell shocked. In the centre of the acre green lawn, to the right of the house, there is a huge white marquee. It's elegant, and the pitched roof is pointed so high that it takes a while to cast my eyes over it. The entrance of the marquee is a beautiful square, white wooden archway, dressed in pink flowers. The curtain doors to the marquee are closed. I hold my mouth in shock. There is a pink runway with white edging, leading across the grass from where I'm standing, and it enters the marquee. I make my way over to the marquee, overly excited. Is it someone's birthday? I reach the door and pull back the white silk curtains.

  "Congratulations!" I hear tons of people scream.

  I almost fall over in sheer shock. I cannot stop holding my mouth! Everyone is dressed in white; my Mother, Derek and Aliyah, Elijah's Grandmother, some of my old school friends, my Mother's best friend, Kelly, and a few more people I don't recognize. I spot Elijah standing in front of everyone, dressed in an impeccable white, three piece suit, with a pink neck scarf that's tucked into his collar. Beneath his suit jacket he's wearing a waist jacket, it looks good on him, I love a man in a waist jacket. The contrast of white on his olive skin makes every feature of his jump out, his eyes mostly, framed by perfect thick eyebrows.

  "This is to celebrate our engagement." He casts his hand over everyone while making his way towards me.

  I peer down at myself - I'm not exactly dressed for the occasion! He could have laid out an outfit for me - but who cares, it's too late now. He reaches me toe to toe, and my heart falls through the floor when he drops to his knees in front of everyone. I cannot calm myself, tears fill my eyes and I'm still seizing my mouth in shock. He takes my free hand and pulls it to his chest.

  "Anile, you are, and always have been the love of my life. I want to give you everything your heart desires; happiness, children, love, protection, a home with me. I want you to have everything. I will pick you up when you fall, carry you when you are sick, make your days brighter when there is no sun. I want to care for you, take any pain you ever suffer with away." He swallows hard. "I love you more than you will ever know."

  He reaches into his suit jacket pocket and pulls out a ring box. I start to pant harder and faster - I'm trying to insure I don't cry! The box is blue suede and opens in the centre. He opens the box with one hand, revealing the Princess cut diamond he picked.

  I lean down a little. "How did you get this all done so quickly? The ring, the marquee?" I whisper, my voice broken by my rising tears.

  He smiles affectionately and shakes his head. "Can you let me finish?"

  "Yeah, sorry." I croak.

  "Anile, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"

  I seize my mouth again, I know I'm going to burst out crying any second!

  "Yes, I will."

  Everyone starts to clap loudly and Elijah rises to his feet. He pulls out my hand, elongating my ring finger and he slides the ring on. I'm surprised to see it fits properly. The ring is white gold or platinum, and the diamond, well, it sits perfectly on my finger. He leans into me, almost touching my neck with his delicious lips.

  "I had every ring premade and on standby with Harry Winston. I thought the loose diamonds were a nice touch." He whispers tenderly, nuzzling my ear.

  "They were." I say sweet.

  He kisses my neck and pulls me into his arms. I grasp his neck, happy, excited for our future. I cannot help my tears, they are happy ones. He swirls me around in circles while I'm in his arms and everyone behind him starts to make their way to us. Once he sets me back on my feet, I see my Mother just behind her friend, Kelly, dressed in a sweeping white gown. It's a halter neck, and plunges down her chest into a deep V-neck. It hugs her small frame and falls to her ankles. It's a stunning gown.

  "Mum." I say, eyes welling further.

  She glides over to me and immediately pulls me into her arms.

  "Congratulations, Sweetheart." She whispers into my ear.

  "Thank you. I love you, Mum." I cry.

  "I love you too, Anile." She releases me, and steals my hand. "That's a beautiful ring." She gazes down at my hand, fondling the ring with her thumb. "I hope Elijah brings you all the happiness you deserve, Anile."

  I smile up at her. "He will." I whisper.

  Once my Mother releases me, Derek scoops me up in his arms and twirls me around and around.

  "I'm so happy for you, Anile." He almost screams. "I hope I'm your maid of honour, or whatever it's called."

  "You'd look great in a dress, Derek." I joke, snuggling into his neck. "Of course you will be my, man, of honour." I laugh.

  He sets me down and I fee
l dizzy. I shake my head and try to grasp exactly what's going on. This engagement party is truly making things official, I will soon be a Darks! Holy shit! Elijah slides his fingers down the inside of my arm and grasps a hold of my hand.

  "Everyone, if you could make your way to the breakfast table, breakfast will be served."

  "Why breakfast? Why not an evening thing?" I whisper.

  "I couldn't wait another day to tell the world that you are mine, forever." He smiles down at me and I blush furiously while gazing up at him.

  "I love you." I whisper.

  "I love you too, Princess." He kisses my cheek tenderly.

  Once everyone clears to the sides of the marquee to take their seats, the breakfast table is visible. It's stunning. One long table that's fit for fifty, maybe sixty people, covered in a soft white table cloth. The chairs are also wrapped up in white with a pink bow tied around the backs. The crockery is white and gold, expensive. The centre pieces are magnificent, red roses frozen inside squares of ice. There are twenty rose ice sculptures, dotted across the centre of the table, in front of every three people. I gaze up at the ceiling of the marquee, there are white and neon blue fairy lights dusting the edge of the ceiling. Gentle piano music is in the background, caressing my ears with every note. I take a seat next to Elijah at the head of the table. Five waiters serve everyone breakfast. The menu is - of all things - bacon sandwiches, or continental. I peer over to Elijah, he's staring at me and smiling viciously.

  "You didn't think a nice posh breakfast would have been more appropriate?" I giggle.

  "Not for someone who loves bacon sandwiches. This suffices." He laughs. "And anyway, I don't care what anyone else wants, I only care about what you want."

  I turn puce on cue. "You know, for a bad ass Bastard, you really are so sweet."

  He takes my hand and kisses it once. "Only for you."

  This is so perfect, exactly what I would have planned for our engagement party - although, I would have had it in the evening.