Immortal Embrace

by Charlotte Blackwell

  Chapter 38

  Staying

 

  Back at the house, I notice white lights hanging in all the trees that line our driveway, all the way up to the house. I walk in and see the biggest Christmas tree I think have ever seen in someone’s home. It’s standing beautifully in the family room, right next to the fireplace, perfectly placed in front of the huge bay window. Boxes of decorations are lying everywhere. Everyone appears hard at work decorating the house, hanging mistletoe and stringing garland throughout the huge house.

  I see Nathanial sliding down the banister of the grand staircase, and he lands right in front of me. He opens his arms to me. “I think this entitles me to a kiss.”

  “What do you mean?” I question, with a slightly puzzled look.

  He points just above my head, and I look up.

  I’m standing under a large bunch of mistletoe. I smile at Nathanial. “I guess it does,” I answer.

  With his arms around me, he dips me down and plants a big kiss on me, as if he were Fred Astaire. I giggle like a little girl. “Hey, sweetie. Did you enjoy your time with Ebony? How is she doing?” he inquires.

  “She’s good. We had a lot of fun. I got to hang out with her sister a little too.”

  I love it when he calls me “sweetie,” his little nickname for me. It’s so cute. Just seeing him makes me smile, but I really enjoy seeing him in my family’s home, alone with my family, as if he really does belong.

  “What time do I have to return you to your parents?” I ask.

  “You don’t. I called and explained that Alex is helping me with something, and I am allowed to stay the night.” He surprises me with a grin.

  “Really?” I say with excitement.

  “Yeah. They spoke with Elijah and agreed, once he assured them I would be in a room away from yours.”

  We all laugh.

  “Cool, I get to keep you.” I move back in to his arms.

  “Only for forever,” he whispers.

  “You can’t live forever,” I said with a hint of suspicion and a dirty look toward Constance.

  “I can if I become like you.” He is very blunt.

  “And how would your family feel about that? What would we tell them?” I ask.

  “They would understand my decision. They are very supportive,” he begins to appeal.

  “What about all your plans? Don’t forget about football, college, and well...life,” I argue.

  “Things always happen in life that can change a person’s plans,” he rebuts.

  I decide it is not worth the argument and ask, “Can’t we just enjoy things a bit before making any permanent life altering plans?”

  “Don’t get that pretty little head of yours in a knot. I am just playing with you. Alexander told me that would bother you. I’m really just teasing. I’m sorry. I’m quite happy to allow the chips to fall where they may.” He looks at Alexander, and they both snicker.

  “What is...oh, never mind. I don’t even want to know.” I give Nathanial a kiss and go to put his gift in a safe place.

  When I come back downstairs, I grab some ornaments and begin to help with the decorating. The stereo is playing all our Christmas favorites, and we are all dancing around singing and laughing.

  Florence comes out of the kitchen and shouts, “I made some homemade eggnog with a little spiced rum, if anyone wants any.”

  We all enjoy a glass. Alcohol, in moderate amounts, is another thing that helps to curb our cravings, and everyone knows eggnog is a Christmas tradition. Thanks to our day crystals, we can partake in such traditions and formalities as Christmas dinner, and traditions are very important to our family.

  Isaac decides to make a toast. “Here is to friends, family, home, and eternal love. Thanks to Nate, another of our family has found love and is complete.”

  “Cheers!” everyone shouts.

  “So Sophia, on Christmas Eve, my family walks the streets of town and looks at all the lights and decorations. Would you be interested in joining us this year?” Nathanial requests with a glimmer in his eyes.

  “I would love to. I was also hoping you could sneak over here on Christmas day for a little while,” I request.

  “I didn’t really think about it. I just assumed we would be together on Christmas. I’m sure I can manage some time away,” he states. “We usually get up and check to see what Santa has left us. Dad makes breakfast, and Mom preps for a huge dinner. We sit around and play games like football and such. Then we eat and the exchange our gifts. I’m sure I can sneak out after breakfast.”

  “I was also hoping to spend the holidays together, but I did not want to be presumptuous,” I explain.

  Once we finish with the decorating, we finalize our plans for Christmas, and then Nathanial sneaks off with Alexander again. I don’t know what to do with myself right now. I feel so giddy knowing that Nathanial is in the house. I just want to see him and hold him. I know I will get my chance in a while. I know when he’s done doing whatever he’s up to with Alexander; he’ll come and find me. I think I’ll wait in my room and have a little down time. Today was pretty busy, and I still have not had the chance to talk to the family about seeing Ebony and about seeing Caspian. I throw in a DVD of The Christmas Story, hoping it’ll put me to sleep since I’ve seen it a hundred times. It’s awkward sleeping so much, as I’ve always needed just a small amount of sleep, maybe ninety minutes a day. Lately, I’ve been resting more and more, maybe because I found what I was looking for and am completely at peace now. Normally, I spend my nights reading, writing, or learning something new. There is so much to do, so why waste it sleeping? I always joke that I can sleep when I am dead.

  S S S

  A few hours later, I hear footsteps heading toward my room, followed by a light knock at the door. “May I come in?” Nathanial asks softly.

  “No need to ask.” I sit up and run my fingers through my hair, trying to comb it out a bit.

  He walks over and sits on the bed next to me. He brushes my hair out of my face and gently kisses my forehead. “Sorry I woke you.”

  “No, I am glad you did. Are you and Alex finished with whatever you were doing?”

  “Yep, and you are not getting anything out of me,” he snickers.

  “Okay, I won’t ask,” I huff and fold my arms over my chest.

  He lies back, and I snuggle right into his arms. I feel so safe and warm with him, like I am right where I belong.

  Nathanial is asleep almost immediately, so I just cuddle up to him. I enjoy watching him sleep. He’s so peaceful. I only wish I could see into his dreams. I lie wrapped in his warm embrace, enjoying the aroma that is coming from him. It’s so intoxicating and tempting. I fully remember the scent from his stabbing and how bad I wanted him. His scent is imprinted in me now. I can imagine it and almost taste it, but it does not pain me any longer. I can easily get lost within the rich bouquet of Nathanial.

  I need to get my mind off of his scent and just enjoy being in his arms with him next to me. I decide to pick up a book; closest to me is a compilation of Hemingway’s work called The Wild Years. I recall that it was published posthumously. I always enjoy his work, as it speaks to me in a way others don’t. I just finished reading The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank. I think I like that one because I saw with my own eyes the horrible atrocities committed by the Nazis. I can understand what she went through and felt. I relax and enjoy reading my book while the only man I have ever loved sleeps peacefully next to me.

  I finish my book and I snuggle into Nathanial even closer. It feels so right, yet so wrong to be in his arms. I almost feel like it is wrong to be this happy, this in love. I know I don’t deserve him, so I wonder how I am so blessed to have him in my life. I close my eyes and imagine what it would be like to be a mortal again.

  In my mind’s eye, I see Nathanial and me enjoying high school and then college together. After both of us get our post-secondary degrees, we move back to Wenham and fi
nd jobs. I imagine if I was mortal, we would then begin to plan our wedding. Nathanial would ask my father for my hand before proposing, and he would plan the most amazing proposal. A small smile comes across my face at the thought of what could have been if I were someone else, and I continue my daydream a little more. After the most amazing wedding and a tropical honeymoon, we come back and announce to our families that I’m expecting. Nine months later, I give birth to a handsome little boy, who looks just like his father. As I imagine this perfect life for Nathanial and me, I feel my face become damp. I can feel the tears streaming down my face like never before. I have always wanted children, a little boy of my own, and I picture him being just as amazing as Nathanial.

  I have to stop imagining what never will be. I’ll never be a mother and never have a happy ending. I’m grateful for finding love with Nathanial, and I need to focus on now instead of a future that can’t exist. Christmas is nearing, and that is something I can be happy about, at least for a little while.