Just warning you, this is a shorter chapter, but I'm updating the next chapter as soon as possible and there will be some revelations.
I looked up at the topaz blue sky, it was crystal clear, without a cloud marring or masking the blueness, just the suns hot, heavy gaze beaming down on the deserted beach. The sand tickled between my toes and a soft wind blew causing small ripples to cascade over the ocean. I sighed; knowing where this dream was heading, the bright colours and upbeat atmosphere was very familiar. I gazed down at myself. My skin was nice and tanned, shining from being smothered in sun screen. I had a white bikini on, well if you could call it a bikini, it barely contained my breasts and the bottoms only covered the essential parts, being tied at the side of my legs. Let's just say, even for me, in the old days, the outfit was too revealing, I usually liked to leave a little more to the imagination that this outfit did.
'Adrian! What have I told you about putting me in these skimpy outfits?' I yelled out to the deserted beach. I knew he was around, the question was, where? There seemed to be nothing for miles around me, but then again this was a dream, he could probably appear out of thin air if he wanted.
'Little Dhampir, this is a substantial improvement to the last dream I dressed you in.' He chuckled, coming from behind me and placing his arm around my shoulders.
I sighed, trying to shrug his arm off. He was right, last time he had put me in a bra and thong matching set with garters and all the trimmings, as you can probably imagine, I was not amused. I told him then and there with my most threatening voice (which even I have to admit can be damn scary) if he valued his life he would never dress me like that again. I shook my head. I suppose he listened to my warning... to an extent.
'Can I at least have a sarong?' I asked, crossing my arms, then realising that the stance emphasized my impressive chest so dropped my arms to my sides.
He sighed and shook his head. 'Fine.'
A blue and white striped sarong appeared around my waist, tied in a knot at my hip. 'Thank you.'
I smiled at him, but the smile felt alien on my mouth. I couldn't remember the last time I had smiled and to be honest I didn't feel now was an appropriate time to be happy or show any kind of happy emotion. I slowly walked down to the sea, keeping my gaze over the horizon, the relaxing ripples constantly flowing rhythmically felt soothing and being near it was helping to relax me.
The atmosphere changed suddenly. There was sadness in the air, like Adrian knew my mind was on Lissa. 'How is she?' He asked. He had been at the hospital almost as much as I had, but he had left before me earlier today, so I think he was hopeful for a positive update.
'She's the same.' I said.
I felt him approach me and wrap his arms around me. I didn't usually allow this sort of personal contact, but I just needed to be held today. I needed someone to keep me together because I was feeling like I would fall apart at any second. I leant back into him and rested my forehead against his cheek. 'She'll be okay.' He whispered. 'She has to be.' He muttered the last bit more to himself than to me.
I felt a tear escape the corner of my eye. I just didn't have the energy to fight my emotions anymore. Through the last week, I had to stay strong. For Rosie, for Adrian, for Lissa. But now I needed someone to be strong for me because I couldn't cope anymore. I needed to be allowed to just cry. I turned so I was pressed into Adrian and he tightened his grasp on me, I buried my face into his neck. 'I don't think she will this time Adrian, I don't think she is coming back.' I sobbed. My whole body shaking with the gut wrenching sobs making their way up my throat.
Adrian didn't offer anymore words and to be honest if they were going to be as negative as mine had been, I didn't want to hear them. The one thing I did need though was silence. I needed to work things out in my own head before I had to get up and start the routine of being with Lissa and hoping that there would be some sort of change in her condition, only to be shot down when the doctor informs me she is still the same. So Adrian and I just stood there in the middle of a lonely beach, wrapped tightly in each others embrace. If it had been a film or picture, people would deem it as romantic, two people in love holding each other. But to me, it was my release. With Adrian's strong arms around me, I no longer needed to hold myself together, for once, in a very long time, I had someone looking after me, and I have to admit, I loved the feeling... a little too much.
I sighed. The last thing I needed was to become dependent on someone. I was Rose Hathaway for god sake. I neither needed nor wanted anyone to look after me. I think with everything going on, I was becoming too soft. I chuckled to myself. Yeah, like that was going to happen.
The colours and surrounding began to get a clear tint to them, like they were fading. I looked up at Adrian startled but he just smiled at me half heartedly. 'You're waking up Rose, that's all.' I nodded, but clung to him tighter, I wasn't done with my grieving. He could see that in my eyes and he raised his hand to wipe away a tear. 'I'll see you tomorrow. Call me if you need anything.'
Then I opened my eyes and I was back in my room, but there was someone gripping onto my arm and shaking with their little hands.
'Aunt Rose, can I stay with you tonight, I woke up and I can't get back to sleep.'
I smiled at Rosie and nodded silently, moving over to the other side of the bed and lifting the quilt so she could climb in with me. She jumped onto the bed and curled up, snuggling into me. I stroked her hair gently and within minutes, we were both fast asleep, in dreamless unconsciousness.
