Chapter 34: Chapter Thirty Four

I had never realised that if I wanted to be with Stephen forever, then I may have to become like him. What would happen to my family and friends? Would I have to leave them to be with him? Would they accept us as creatures that we thought did not exist?

“I’m leaving now darling. It was lovely to finally meet you and I once again apologise for my son’s behaviour.” Marla, Stephen’s mother apologised before pulling me into a hug, my thoughts running wild.

“Think about what I said about becoming one of us. It isn’t as bad as it seems.” She whispered in my ear causing my eyes to snap towards Stephen to see if he had heard her. By the intense and slightly angered look in his eyes, I could tell that he was struggling to stay put, showing me that he had heard her.

“Bye to you two honey and don’t worry, I won’t bite,” Marla joked to an awakened and still slightly confused Jasmine. Sensing that she was scared of her, Marla simply shook Jasmine’s shaky hand, giving her a soft yet amused smile and then walked towards Danny giving him a short hug.

“It was lovely to see you again,” Danny smiled kindly.

“I’ll lead you out,” He insisted, placing her hand inside his arm as they walked of the room and to the front door where a cab was waiting.

We had explained to Jasmine what vampires were and that neither Stephen, nor his mother would hurt her but she still seemed slightly stunned. Sadly, since she was still a bit dazed, I couldn’t ask her about her pregnancy.

“I think I’m going to go and lie down. I’ll speak to you guys later,” Jasmine stated, slowly getting up from my bed where she had sat for the last twenty minutes. Her eyes shifted from mine to Stephen’s and back to mine before she left the room.

“It’ll take time for it to sink in.” Stephen whispered, suddenly behind me, his arms wrapped around my torso.

“I know,” I mumbled, leaning my body against his as his apple scent washed over me again. He tucked his cool, cleanly shaved chin into my neck and I sighed into him as my body welcomed the butterflies and tingles that I had been trying to suppress for too long. Closing my eyes as I savoured the moment, the idea of living with Stephen forever dawned on me again.

“You’re thinking too much.” Stephen groaned, his lips kissing along my neck, making it hard to concentrate on anything.

“Melanie, could I quickly speak to you for a second please,” Danny wondered as he peered through a gap in the door. I had no idea why he wanted to speak to me which made me somewhat curious as he stared into my eyes, waiting.

“Can’t you speak to her when I’m gone, I mean, we just got back together,” Stephen whined, removing his lips from my neck, his grip around my waist tightening a bit.

“It’ll be quick,” Danny assured, opening the door wider.

“I’ll be back, so don’t think about going anywhere,” I instructed to Stephen as I attempted to remove his arms from around my body, as much as I didn’t want to.

“Stephen, let her go,” Danny sighed, leaning against the door with folded arms.

“Your just taking up more time, she could have been back by now,” Danny urged, seeming highly impatient as his brown eyes watched us. Stephen’s arms slowly released my body and I felt saddened that our sweet moment had ended so soon.

“So, you two are back together? For real?” Danny questioned as he closed the door to his bedroom after we entered.

“Yes.” I replied simply, waiting to see where he was going with it.

“And you’re happy?” Danny asked, raising an eyes brow.

“Very.” I said, unable to keep a smile off my lips.

“Well that’s all I wanted to know. That you were happy.” Danny finally grinned and I couldn’t help but hug him tightly.

“You’re a great friend Danny and soon to be the best husband and father.” I stated, releasing him. Suddenly, I felt something weighting me down and instantly remembered what it was. The vampire issue.

“Danny, Stephen’s mum said something to me today that kind of caught me off guard.” I began, leaning against the wall whilst staring at the ground.

“And what was that?” Danny wondered, his voice sounding interested.

“She said that the only way that I could stay with Stephen was if I became one of them...” I informed him, too scared to look up at him. After a minute of silence, I glanced up at Danny to see his eyes closed and his hand on his head, as though he had a headache.

“To be honest, it’s up to you Melanie. I know how much you guys love each other and so would understand why you would become one of them but when it comes to family and friends that you’ll outlive, I’m not sure.” Danny finally stated, sounding uncertain.

“You’re not very helpful,” I groaned. I had already thought about everything that he said which was why I was so confused.

“Tell me this; if it was Jasmine that was the vampire, would you change for her?” I quizzed closing my eyes as I waited for his answer.

“Yes, if it was the only way that I could be with her forever, then I would do it.” Danny answered without hesitation.

Walking out of the room, I caught Stephen speaking to Jasmine before she gave him a hug, on the couch. The sight of the two of them getting along after the announcement made me smile as I watched them. I was glad that Stephen was trying to win everyone around me back, including my best friends. A bang on the door, caused both of them to look up at me and then at the door and since I was closer, I decided to open it.

“I can’t believe what that mother ----,” Jennifer started as she barged into the house only to find Stephen on the sofa.

“What is he doing here?” Jennifer yelled.

“I’m here to see my girlfriend, what are you doing here?” Stephen asked from behind me, obviously having used his superhuman speed.

“I thought that you cheated on her...” Jennifer started, not seeming fazed or confused about how he appeared behind me so quickly.

“Wait a second. Did you know?” I glared as recognition set in.

“Did I know what?” Jennifer replied.

“You knew that he was a vampire and you didn’t tell me!” I hissed.

“I thought we were best friends!” I cried.

“How long did you know?” Jasmine whispered, slowly standing up as Danny rushed to her side.

“I told her in college but I didn’t want you to freak out, so I made her promise not to tell anybody.” Stephen interfered.

“So she got to know but I didn’t?” I scowled.

“Actually don’t even answer me. We’re happy now; I don’t care if she knew. It doesn’t matter.” I breathed, trying to calm myself down before I killed her.

“Well then, maybe it’s time for me to go...” Jennifer guessed, slowly walking backwards towards the door.

“Nope, we’re all going to get a drink to celebrate. I and Melanie are back together, forever and those two are expecting,” Stephen instructed, pointing to the cosy couple as Jasmine’s eyes widened in my direction.

“It’s okay Jasmine, I know and I’m not going to pounce on you or anything,” I smiled, even though it still slightly stung to hear that she was having a baby and I wasn’t.

“Well let’s go then, no standing around!” Jennifer insisted, holding the front door open for everybody. I sighed walking past her, realising that she had also known about the pregnancy, showing that I was the only person who had been left in the dark.

“Push!” The doctor urged whilst Jasmine’s grip on my hand almost crushed it to death as it tightened.

“It’s almost out...” Danny cried attempting to pull his hand back from Jasmine.

“I can’t do it!” Jasmine yelled, gritting her teeth whilst her eyes squeezed closed, just when we heard a baby cry.

“You can do it and you did,” I smiled, wiping the beads of sweat along her forehead with a cloth as her legs collapsed onto the hospital bed.

“Congratulations. It’s a baby boy,” The doctor grinned, after cutting the umbilical cord, handing the loving couple the tiny baby as they hushed him in their arms.

“Hello Phillip William Joseph. Welcome to the world,” Jasmine cooed, tears running down her cheeks.

“I hope he likes us,” Danny joked, wiping away his tears too. Feeling my phone buzz in my pocket, I slowly slipped away from the beautiful scene and answered it.

“Hey,” Stephen’s husky voice said on the other line.

“Hey, she just gave birth and it’s a boy. They named him Phillip,” I gushed, having finally gotten over my miscarriage after loads of much needed help. It did not mean that I had forgotten what had happened of course.

“That’s great, I just got to the hospital and I’m walking inside now. I should see you in a little bit.” Stephen informed me before the line went dead. My heart began to hammer again my chest when I realised that I would see him in less than five minutes. Six months had gone by without any problems and I had been over the moon ever since. Walking out of the room, I instantly saw Stephen walking towards me, his lips stretching into a smile when his dark eyes met mine. He sauntered towards me and pressed his cool lips against mine in a slow, sweet kiss, taking my breath away as usual.

“How was work?” I grinned, unable to keep a straight face as I gazed into my soul mate’s eyes.

“It was okay. That ring looks beautiful on your finger Melanie.” Stephen smirked proudly as he gently lifted my left hand to look at the gorgeous diamond engagement ring that he had put on my finger only a week earlier.

“I know.” I smirked back, giggling as he rolled his eyes.

“Shall we go and congratulate the couple?” Stephen suggested intertwining our fingers.

“Yes we shall,” I smiled opening the hospital room which now held my godson.

“He looked so cute and tiny. I could have just eaten him alive,” I stated, falling lazily onto the bed since my body was exhausted.

“Yep, soon we’ll have ten of our own running wildly around the place.” Stephen smiled, looking into the distance as he kicked off his shoes.

“Oh my gosh! You wish Stephen,” I laughed, horrified.

“That would kill my body Stephen and unless you want a dead wife, then I suggest that you rethink the amount of children that we’re going to have.” I added when he fell onto the bed beside me, pulling my body into his as I welcomed the usual butterflies and tingles all over my body.

“Nope, your body will be fine, especially since you’ll be like me ---,” Stephen smiled, his lips falling into a firm line when he realised that he had said. We had not spoken about me turning into a vampire ever so what he said made us both silent. That however, did not mean that I had not been thinking about it ever since his mother had put the idea into my mind. My family knew what he was and my mother had somehow, apparently suspected it, but I had decided on what I wanted to do months ago, except hadn’t been sure how to tell him.

“I would love to become like you Stephen. I know we haven’t spoken about it, but that doesn’t mean that I haven’t been thinking about it. I love you so much Stephen and I want to be with you forever, even if it means that I’ll have to become a vampire.” I explained, playing with the collar of his work shirt, not able to meet his eyes.

“Melanie look at me.” Stephen commanded and my eyes slowly looked up to meet his darkened ones.

“You don’t know how great it is to hear you say that, but I don’t want you to regret the choice that you’re making. I love you even more than I love myself, or anyone else on this earth but I want you to be sure. Just so that you know, you won’t have to drink from anyone but me since we’re soul mates, but are you sure?” Stephen questioned, the intensity of his eyes holding me in my place as my brain attempted to work. The realisation that I would not have to harm any humans lifted a huge weight off my chest and made my decision even easier.

“Yes Stephen and I want you to do it now.” I replied, knowing that the boldness that I had in me at that moment may never come back.

“Now? Melanie are you sure?” Stephen frowned.

“Yes and if you ask me once more, I may accidently kick you in your baby making machine.” I threatened trying to ease the serious atmosphere.

“That means that you won’t have any children, if you’ve forgotten.” Stephen smirked, pressing himself into me, causing me to suppress the urge to moan.

“How could I forget?” I joked, wrapping my arm around his neck as he pressed his hard body against mine before closing the distance between us. My whole body ignited when his tongue touched mine, slowly exploring my mouth as he kissed me passionately and deeply whilst my hands roamed through his silky mahogany hair.

“I love you Melanie.” He whispered against my lips.

“I love you too Stephen,” I breathed as his lips kissed me along my neck.

“To forever...” he added before his teeth sunk into my neck causing me to sigh in bliss just as my eye lids slowly closed and I felt myself slipping away.

To Forever.