A/N: I just had a dream of this moment and had to write it down. It can be longer, but I want to know if people are liking it enough for me to continue it. So be sure to Read and Review. Positive and Negative comments are accepted and apreciated. XD
I can't wait until my eighteenth birthday when I could finally move in with my vampire mate. My parents were absolutely furious at our decision to have a covenant ceremony. When Alexander and I came to my house to tell them about everything, they were very open-minded and accepting of vampires and Alexander being one. What they were pissed off about was that I practically had a wedding before I could attend and graduate from college. They were also not very forgiving about me not being able to go to school, especially because neither of them had the time or money to have me home schooled. Luckily, Alexander solved that problem. But one argument he couldn't win was my living arrangements. To remedy our recklessness, I had to live at home until I was eighteen and finish up my senior year with Jameson home schooling me at the mansion.
Alexander got me a beautiful black polished coffin. He carved an image of a raven on a perch and a bat flying above with the moon and night clouds in the background. Then he hand painted the markings. Inside, the coffin is lined with purple silk and black lace. My pillow was the same. But my sheets and blanket are Egyptian cotton with pictures of Jack and Sally embracing from the Nightmare before Christmas. Sometimes Nightmare will sleep inside the coffin with me. My parents cleared out half of the basement for me so the sunlight wouldn't reach. They used my room for storage for the stuff that used to be down here.
Today I woke up with an epiphany! All day I had dreamed about Alexander and all the wonderful things he had done for me. My knight of the night has never failed to surprise me and show me how wonderful life really is in this dull town I've lived in my whole life. I dreamt of his eyes and all they showed. His deep pools of chocolate held so much mystery, intelligence, and loneliness. I dreamt of our adventures and turmoil's. Jagger started a vendetta against him and only called a truce when Alexander took care of his little brother. Luna pursued him endlessly, until he made me his eternal bride. Claude, his own cousin, attacked and harassed him until he helped him and his half-blooded friends make their dreams come true.
Always, my Gothic guy proved how different he was to other vampires; an outsider for his kindness and gentle nature. I dreamt of how I could show him how special he was to me. I dreamt of a long-lost memory from a time I would explore the forest area. There was a place I was sure Alexander had never been. A place I came across by accident when I made it my mission to runaway from Dullsville to where no one could find me. A place I never spoke of because I wanted to keep it secret. I didn't want anyone to follow me there and discover it, so I never went back. But I never forgot where it was. It's one of the few beautiful places around here that's untouched by humanity. Tonight, I'm going to take my love on a date… to paradise. It was still daylight, but I couldn't lay still with all the excitement flowing through me. I needed to get ready. Slowly, I opened my coffin. I looked around my basement room to see what I would need.
I went to my dresser, and pulled out what I'd need to wear, then remembered that Alexander will need something too. So, I called Jameson and told him my plan and asked if he could have something ready for Alexander to wear, but to keep everything a secret. "Of course, Miss Raven, I know just the thing. I'll even prepare a basket of food and drinks for you both. It relieves me to know Alexander has someone to think of him as you have. I'll have everything ready for you in front of the door so he won't suspect."
"Oh my gosh! Thank you, thank you, and thank you, Jameson. You are the best! I don't know what we'd do without you. Okay, so I'll be there after sundown." Now I was ecstatic. This night was definitely going to be special. I grabbed my duffel back and put everything inside that I needed to bring. Once I double-checked, I thought of one last-minute thing and needed to make another phone call. "Hello, Becky?"
"Hey Raven! What's up? You will not believe what happened at school today… So 'The Prada bee's" were walking out of the cafeteria when someone pointed out Stacy had sat some sloppy Joe. Oh, Raven, you should have seen the look on her face as she ran to the girls bathroom, it was so worthy of your witty comments. She deserved it after all those times she made fun of us before." I was laughing at that thought and truly did wish I could see that. Somebody should have filmed that. But I wouldn't mind missing all the memorable payback moments, for a single memory of Alexander's happy moments. "So tell me what you're up to so early, Mrs. Sterling." I blushed but told her what I needed her to pick up for me at the store. "Awww, you are such a good girlfriend! I should do something for Matt too. Okay then, I'll go get it and have it at your place before nightfall. I think that'll be in about three more hours. See you then, Hun!" I have great people in my life, and so does Alexander.
Now, all that's left for me to do is shower and get dressed. I crept upstairs and slowly opened the basement door to make sure it was dark enough. Mom had bought heavier curtains to block out the light for when I needed to come up during the day for anything. Since it's the weekend, Dad decided to take mom out somewhere special, so they were going to be at a fancy hotel and back home Monday morning. They left yesterday before I woke up. Billy is staying over Henry's house so it was just me. I took my shower, brushed my fangs, and blow-dried my hair. I kept staring at the thin curtains mom put over the bathroom mirror so I wouldn't freak-out over my lack of reflection. But sometimes, I'd take a peek and stare at the empty spot where I am suppose to show. I'd then get this creepy feeling making the hairs on my neck stand and my body would shiver. Quickly I closed the curtain and after a while, started giggling. I'm just creepy that way, but I just love that eerie feeling! I went back down stairs to get dressed and apply my make up by memory. That was also really fun. My skin was so sensitive. I could feel when there's more eye shadow on one side, and if there's a stray mark anywhere from the eyeliner. I could tell from the weight how thick my mascara was, and if my black lipstick is applied evenly. Being a vampire is awesome! By the time I am done getting ready and grabbed my bag and phone for tonight, Becky was already knocking on the door. I opened it and stood behind the door so she could come in.
"I got everything you asked for and a little extra surprise from Matt." Becky was blushing so I was curious what it could be. I started to open the bag when she stopped me. "No! wait, don't open it yet! Wait until you're with Alexander. Otherwise you won't take it out. Trust me, it's much better to do it then." That only made me more curious.
"Okay… then I won't open it. Thanks again Becks." I thanked her.
"No problem, what are best friends for? So where are you guys going tonight?" she asked.
I didn't want Becky to feel bad about not knowing what I knew about the place. But I know if I told her, she'd tell Matt, he could tell someone else, and it would never be my secret paradise again. So I just kept it vague but honest. "I'm going to surprise him with a picnic in the forest." I answered her.
"Aw that's so romantic. Urgh! Now I'm definitely going to plan something for Matt… what do you think? How about I rip-off your picnic idea, but on the soccer field at night?" Becky was so adorable. I couldn't help but help her out.
"Or… you could do it on the school rooftop with a view of the soccer field. That way nobody would interrupt you if they happened to pass by or see you." I suggested.
"Wow, that's perfect! Thanks Rae, I'm totally going to plan that for tomorrow. We're going to the movies tonight, but we didn't make any plans for tomorrow. Ok! I'm going to surprise him. Do you want me to drive you to the mansion?"
"Thanks Becky." As soon as Becky dropped me off in front of the mansion gates on Benson Hill, I jumped out of the car and blew her a kiss before running up the driveway to the front door. There outside were the things Jameson said he'd leave. I put them into my duffel bag and knocked on the door. I am surprised to be greeted by Alexander at the door. "Alexander!"
My drop dead gorgeous mate wrapped me in his arms, and kissed my lips. "You look beautiful, as always, my love." He whispered into my ear. I shivered and felt my cheeks heat. "How was your sleep?" he asked me as he opened the door for me to step in.
I stayed outside, but answered. "It was great. I dreamt of us and in my dream I thought of a way to thank you for being so amazing." I told him.
"Oh?" Alexander's face was genuinely surprised. He is so modest that he doesn't even think that everything he's done for others could be so amazing. My heart swelled with my love for him.
"I love you, Alexander. I love you so much it hurts not knowing how to express it so you could know. So tonight… I'm taking you out on a date. It's a complete and total surprise so I'm going to need you to come with me now. We have to walk there." Alexander smiled and his cheeks turned a shade of pink. I was so overcome with anticipation for his reaction to my surprise. He closed the door and noticed my duffel bag. "That's part of the surprise, no peeking." I told him. I picked up the bag with ease and we started walking.
"Here, let me carry that for you," he offered. I smiled but shook my head.
"Nope! You're always being such a gentleman. But tonight is about you, so just relax. Besides, since you've made me a vampire, I'm stronger now so it's not a bother." We held hands as we walked along the treeline of the forest, I didn't want to walk inside yet until we were at the part where no cars drove by, and I just had to walk straight until I reached that huge boulder, then turn left downhill.
"So, then… since I'm not allowed to know the surprise, tell me about your dream." I told him about our adventures and pointed out his endless selflessness. Then I told him about how I felt on our most memorable dates together and the ceremony. Then I started to tell him about when I ran away.
"I was starting junior high and everybody was starting their little cliques. I was left out of course, not like I wanted to be apart of any of them, but still… being the outsider, or loner made me the subject of rumors and a lot of bullying. I never told my parents, until one day, I got suspend for fighting at school. They wanted my parents to come in and talk with my teachers. They all agreed that if I could try to not draw attention to myself, it would stop the bullying and teasing, and then I wouldn't end up fighting and getting into trouble. So my mom made me turn in all my black and Goth clothes. I was so mad. And the one day that I wore something 'normal' to them, I got my period for the first time." I was blushing and Alexander was too, which made me blush even more. "Anyways, I stayed home that week because due to my mortification. When I went back, I found out that Trevor started up a rumor that I was using my 'condition' to attract my 'bloodsucking lover'" Cue the blushing for us both. It was really getting awkward, now. "So that started the harassing again, and this time I was fighting the boys who were making lewd comments and suggestions.
"It was horrible, but my parents wouldn't let me stay home anymore or transfer to a different school. My mom had hidden all of my normal Goth cloths, so I ran away. I didn't know where to go. Rumors travel fast in this town and Becky's parents wouldn't let me hang out with her. Kids started throwing unopened condoms outside the cemetery. So I packed up some things for what I thought I'd need for survival (Twizzlers, soda pop, water, iPod, book, some not so humiliating clothes, and my diary). I wanted to go where no one would find me and I could just be alone, so I walked out here and discovered this place…" we had just reached the part of our little journey where there was a really huge boulder with a tree leaning into it. There was an opening at the bottom, but it's been so long since I was last here. The spot where the opening is supposed to be is covered up with vines and debris. "We have to go through here." I pointed to the spot and Alexander helped me clear the spot. "Leave the vines there, it looks nice and private."
"I wish I could have known you then," Alexander said after a while. "You wouldn't have been alone. I'd have been here and you'd always be able to come to me. I'd have protected you and defended you in the night, so you'd never be bothered in the day." Again I am reminded of what an amazing person Alexander is. I wish I could have known him then too. But now we have forever to be together. Once I saw what was beyond the opening, I beamed with excitement. I crawled through and told Alexander to push the bag through.
"That would have been awesome, I know for sure." Once I got the bag through and Alexander started to come through, I informed him, "But then I may have never been able to show you this…" Alexander stepped through and the look on his face was going to be forever engraved in my memory. What he was looking at was a beautiful waterhole surrounded by long and soft dark green grass. There was a rock wall from the mountain that produced a beautiful waterfall. With the moon shining down, like a spotlight, you were able to see clearly into the blue water and make out the rocks below, the shallow water parts, and the deeper parts. There were some fireflies out tonight and the stars were twinkling above us. The night was perfect. Somebody in heaven knew Alexander needed this and helped make it perfect. I'd bet granny Sterling has some influence up there too. Alexander is stunned speechless. His mouth is relaxed and slightly agape, and his eyes were wide and misting as he took in his surroundings. "Welcome to Paradise, Alexander."