Tears of Joy

A One-Shot by: -FacelessxAuthor-

I clutched the bag of birdseed in my hand, trying to resist the tears. He wasn't here.

It had been my last hope that he was alive and well—that I hadn't killed him (even though it was Isabel that had injected the blood). Still, I couldn't help but feel guilty.

Just as I was about to take one step onto out deck, I heard a subtle change behind me. A breath. But—no, it had to be another wolf…Beck, maybe? If not another member of the pack, it just had to be a deer or raccoon or something. I wanted, so badly, to believe that it really was Sam's breath I had just heard…but, if it wasn't, it would just hurt more when I saw another common forest animal.

Regardless, I turned slowly.

There was nothing there.

I was ready to turn back when the crunching of snow beneath feet (human feet it sounded like) interrupted me. The first thing I saw were his eyes, and that made me think that he was just a wolf. At least that doesn't mean he's…dead. I thought practically.

But then I saw his limbs, his legs, his broad shoulders, his floppy black hair.

He walked forward slowly, keeping eye contact with me. I couldn't find any words to say. Carefully, he came to a stop in front of me. His eyes were pleading, apologizing.

"Grace," His voice was soft and sad, just like I remembered it. "Say something.

I took me a moment to find my voice. I realize that he was really and truly standing in front of me. "Sam." His name had barely left my lips when he was crushing me to him. And, by then, I had no will power left; I had nothing except for the most uplifting thoughts. He was alive! "Oh, God, Sam, don't-don't do that again! Do you know I bad I felt, thinking that you were-you were…" I couldn't even say the word.

"I'm sorry, I—it took me a couple days, but, somehow it finally worked." His voice was deep and familiar. I regretted every second that I hadn't heard it.

"Why aren't you a wolf?" I lowered my voice, paranoid that someone might over hear.

He thought for a second while breathing soft Sam-breaths into my ear. "It was the blood, I think. I think that the little dosage you gave me—it helped. It healed me…I don't think I can change back anymore."

"Oh, God, I'm so sorry!" Tears spilled out of my eyes, down my cheeks, and to the trampled snow beneath us.

"Don't be," He soothed. "Because now we don't have to worry about any of that."

I nodded slowly.

"There's no use in crying, angel." He said. I loved it when he called me angel, it was so sweet. "We're together now, right?

"Right," I whispered. But, really, they were the purest tears of joy.

And we stood there: a mess of limbs, and tears, and warmth. I don't know how long though, but I knew one of us was going to catch a cold if we didn't get inside soon.

I was about to reluctantly pull myself out of his arms when, suddenly, his lips were on mine and the sensation of kissing Sam shut down everything. He pulled back a moment later and I could see how happy he truly was. "I love you, Grace."

I grinned, feeling almost drunk on Sam. "I love you, too, Sam."

That was short.

As you can see, I expanded on the ending of Shiver AND, these should not be considered spoilers 'cause you shouldn't even BE here if you haven't read the entire book. :)

Anyways, hope you enjoyed, I don't feel like I did either of them much justice…but, it was what I could come up with. Thanks for reading!

Seth: That was weird.
Lisa: Unfortunately, agreed.
Me: THAT'S BECAUSE YOU TWO HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK!
Lisa: *shrugs* Okay. Where's you copy?
Me: Right there. *points*
Seth: I'm not reading anytime soon…
Me: *glare* You suck, Sethypoo. Just get on with it.
Seth: But what about—
Lisa: *far off* NO! I'M READING!
Seth: *sigh* FacelessxAuthor does not own Shiver or any of it's charcters, blah blah blah…
Me: *grins happily*

Faceless.
Seth.
Lisa.