THE ART OF LIVING

CHAPTER ONE

As Laura looked at her beautiful girlfriend she couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. They had been together now for nearly 20 years and Carmilla hadn't aged a day. That was the thing about being a vampire you stay the same age that you were when you were killed. So Carmilla was over 350 years old but still looked like the 18 year old she was when she died.

Tracing the outline of her lovers face Laura sighed. How I wish I could look like you she thought to herself. Every time she looked in the mirror she swore that she found a new wrinkle or a grey hair coming through.

Carmilla started to stir as she started to wake up.

"Morning cupcake" she said as her eyes focused and she saw Laura sat there looking at her.

"Morning sweetheart" Replied Laura, her eyes looked away for fear of showing Carmilla how upset she looked.

"What's the plan for today Cupcake? You wanna do anything in particular?"

"You choose Carm. You know I'm a bit preoccupied I have to finish my story for the magazine for friday and I really don't know if I am going to make the deadline."

"Cutie you always make the deadline. You just worry too much!"

"I know Carm, but this one is really hard you know. I have to write about anti-aging stuff and all I keep thinking is become a vampire then you would never have to age." She says with a fake laugh.

Carmilla knew that Laura had a problem with becoming old, but it was just the way life was. Yes she had become immortal but she wouldn't have chose that for anyone let alone her beloved Laura. No-one should have to live forever no matter how cool it sounded.

Laura stood up from the bed and made her way to the bathroom she wanted to wash her face so Carmilla couldn't see that she was getting upset. Not that she enjoyed being upset in fact she was happier than she could ever imagine. She was doing the job she had dreamed of, she was with the woman she loved. How could she not be happy? Still she wanted something more though. Laura decided to get in the shower, she let the water run for a few minutes before she got in, letting the water run over her she felt a sudden whisp of cold air as the shower door was opened.

"I wondered where you had got to Cutie," Carmilla said before she undressed and got in the shower with Laura.

"I'm right here" Laura smiled back.

Carmilla reached out to Laura and pulled her close, gently kissing Laura's neck. She let out a small moan as she moved past the jugular. Laura placed her hands on Carmilla's hips and pulled them towards her, she wanted this woman so much wanted her close to her all the time. Laura whispered "Kiss me" to which Carmilla obliged. A soft gently kiss to start with, growing fiercer all the time, tongues exploring each others mouth. Laura pulled away from the kiss she always seemed to forget that Carmilla didn't need to breath.

"Sorry Cupcake" Apologised Carmilla.

Laura nodded and pulled Carmilla to her once again. Looking at the beautiful features Laura felt the huge pangs of love.

Taking Carmilla's hands they both walked out of the shower and back to the bedroom.

"I have a bit of time before Ihave to go to work." Laura winked as she said this.

"Do you now sweetie?" Carmilla smiled.

Laura nodded and pushed Carmilla down onto the bed, "Better make the most of it." she whispered softly as she lay down on top mof her girlfriend and started to kiss her again. Carmilla's reply was lost in the barrage of kisses she received. Giving up trying to talk she let Laura make love to her.

Laura sat up in bed 2 hours later and sighed. She hated leaving Carmilla.

"Don't go to work today Laura, spend the day here with me." Carm said. She wasn't the kind of person to be all soppy but she knew Laura and knew she wasn't really happy at work, she wasn't the kind of reporter she wanted to be. She hated everyone she worked with and all Carmilla wanted was to see her smile.

"I can't babe, it's this bloody article it has to be done. If I stay home with you I will never get it done!" she exclaimed but smiled her sexy smile at Carmilla.

Carmilla felt her heart melt like it had when she had first met Laura at Silas University. That seemed forever ago when she thought about it now. She thought back fondly at how she had realised after a few days that she had fallen for this amazing woman and she had made the right choice when she had betrayed her maman.

"OK sweetie, but don't be late you know I worry about you when your late." She teased.

Laura playfully hit Carmilla and made her way to the closet to get dressed. She decided on a pair of tan pants and a white shirt. It was chilly when she had got out of bed.

Getting herself ready Laura hummed to herself and Carmilla watched her from the bed.

"Laura?"

"Hmmm."

"Just want to say I love you."

Laura was shocked to hear this. In the twenty years they had been together Carmilla had never said it to her it was always "you know" "right back at cha" or "ditto".

"I love you too Carm" she finally replied

It was 10am when Laura finally kissed Carmilla goodbye. Carmilla settled back on the bed and tried to sleep but it never came. She had so much on her mind and the comment Laura had made about her article and telling people to become a Vampire instead of using anti-aging creams nagged at her.

She couldn't decide if she was reading too much into it thinking it was Laura's way of asking to be changed or if she was being serious about writing it.

'I would love to spend eternity with you Laura' she thought 'but I could never put you through what I went through. I love you too much to hurt you in that way.'

There had been a few times when she had, had to feed from Laura because she had been unable to get out of the house to get her regular blood supply but she had hated every moment of it. Laura had been willing but it had been hard because how could you hurt someone you felt that strongly for and make them ill in the process. The first time Carmilla had fed from her Laura had, had a seizure because she had taken a touch to much. The next time she had caught a bug as her immune levels had been down.

Sighing Carmilla took out her cell phone. Scrolling down the screen she found what she was looking for. Pressing the call icon she put the phone to her ear.