Disclaimer: Twilight is the property of Stephenie Meyer
This chapter is dedicated to Noble, Fadewind, M-Bianca94, BellaNessieCullen, Alphabloodwolf, lsb123, Alexsandra, Cara Gracious, Patricia and Jaboo101.
I awoke in the morning with Mal's arms hugged into my chest. He was a solid, reassuring warmth behind me and I sighed with contentment, remembering the passionate night we had shared before we had settled down together. I lay in his arms as he spooned me, revelling in the utter calm of the moment as he held me. After a few moments of lying in this bliss I wanted him to wake so that we could have some more enjoyment this morning.
I ran my fingers lightly against the back of his hand and it twitched a slightly. I grinned as I heard him murmur a little as he began to stir from his slumber. I ran my fingers lightly against his hand again, stroking his arm too in the hope of rousing him. His arms tightened about me and his lips brushed my neck.
"There's got to be better ways to wake me." He murmured.
"What would you prefer?" I asked, turning to him and placing my lips to his, wrapping my arms about his neck.
"Well I like this." He said against my lips, his hands exploring my back. "When did you get dressed?" He murmured.
"I'm not dressed." I replied, pulling my head back slightly. "It's your t-shirt. You do insist on filing them on the floor."
"It makes it handy for you." He said, and placed a big kiss to my cheek before he turned, pulling me to sit across his stomach. "Have you been doing midnight cleaning again?"
"I'm sorry." I said and kissed him. "But I couldn't sleep with the thought of all them dishes just sitting out there on the counter congealing all night."
"See. I knew you couldn't just leave them. You should have let me help you earlier." He stated.
"I had other things on my mind at that point." I said as I placed a kiss to his nose.
"Oh yes, I remember." He said with a wicked grin as his hands travelled up my thighs and then beneath his t-shirt to pull it off.
I pulled it over my head and then leaned back down to him, meeting his lips with great passion. His hands travelled over my back and legs, caressing my skin causing the heat to burst through me. It was very pleasurable and I had no intention to get up and face the world.
Until the alarm sounded from our bedside cabinet and I hit it in frustration.
"Do we have to buy a new one again?" He asked.
"No. It survived this time." I said with a laugh. "I would prefer to stay here warm with you all day, but duty calls."
"Do you really have to go?" He asked. "Can't you call a sick day?"
"No I can't." I stated. "And besides, you have an exam today."
"Unfortunately." He said with a sigh.
"You'll do fine." I assured him.
"No. It's just unfortunate there's something so important for me to go out for or I'd convince you to stay here all day with me." He said as he kissed along my shoulder.
"Have patience, it is but two days to the weekend." I murmured, placing my lips to his one last time and I rose from the bed.
"Perfect." Mal said with a wide smile and I smiled back before I stepped into our en suite to shower.
Mal was waiting near the door to use the shower when I emerged. I kissed him as we passed each other, something that still felt special and thrilling despite being part of our daily routine now. As he closed the bathroom door I went to style my hair and to dress for the day. Although inevitably I was still styling my hair when Mal emerged from the bathroom wreathed in steam and a towel tied about his waist.
"You look fantastic." He said and kissed my cheek before going to our wardrobe to pull out his clothes for the day.
"Now it is dry." I said smiling at him in the mirror before I too went to the wardrobe and pulled out my work uniform of stylish pants, blouse and sweater. "As I've said before, not all of us can pull off that just out of bed look."
I would have ruffled his hair, but settled for brushing my hands against it given that it was still damp.
"Oh I don't know, I like your bed head." He said, placing his arms about my waist and he kissed my forehead.
"Well you can admire it all day Saturday, but for today I need it controlled." I stated.
"I suppose I can mess it up later." He said, following the line of my ear with his nose and his breath tickled my throat.
I giggled and stepped away.
"I really should get dressed." I insisted, although not in least bit firmly. "And so should you. You're too ravishing in just a towel."
"That's not fair." He said.
"Why?"
"Because you're ravishing in whatever you wear and all I have to do is lose the towel." He said and went to drop it from his waist.
"Stop it." I said, tapping him on the arm and I went over to the bed to lay out my clothes ready to get dressed.
Mal dressed beside me, into his jeans and sweater for college. Once he was done he combed out his brown hair and he was watching me intently.
"What?" I asked, feeling myself blush a little for he hadn't watched me like that before, not with that intensity.
"Just admiring my beautiful girlfriend." He said with a smile.
"I'll…I'll go start on breakfast." I stammered, feeling as awkward in his presence as I had when I first realised I liked him but could see no reason why he'd like me back.
I escaped to the kitchen and prepared pancakes for breakfast along with strong coffee. We would need the warmth today for the forecast was for ice and very low temperatures, but it was hardly surprising for early December.
Mal agreed to wash up after breakfast for he had another hour before he had to leave for the University. I left our apartment building and managed to hail a cab to take me into the city centre, the fare would be cheaper than the fuel and parking if I were to take my own car.
It was a long day of whipping my subordinates into shape. It was nearing the end of the year, we had but three weeks in reality to get the department finances in order and to ensure everything was ship shape by the end of year meeting. It was my neck on the line if my department failed and that I would not accept.
I was glad when the day ended and I could leave the office behind. I decided to walk home, despite the heavy foot traffic in the city centre it would soon fall behind once I reached the outskirts, where my apartment building was located. The walk home would clear my head, and I rather enjoyed it despite the bitter cold and the heavy snow clouds gathering with promise overhead.
The snow resisted the urge to fall until I was a mere block from my apartment building, but it had been a frozen day and now the snow was coming down thick and fast but in those tiny flakes that promised a heavy snow fall. I was glad to be home and out of the weather before it would hinder movement. There was nothing worse than having to pretend to walk slowly through the snow as humans would.
I shook the snow from my coat in the small area between the two sets of doors before I stepped into the warmth of the building. I went to check if Mal and I had any mail in our box, but it was empty. I shrugged and locked the little door before stepping up to the elevator and using it to ride to the seventh floor. Normally I would have used the stairs, but I felt the urge to be at my apartment sooner.
As the elevator rose I undid my coat and loosened my scarf. I pulled my hair from my collar and pulled it back into place after removing my hat. I placed my hat into the pocket of my big winter coat. Despite the hard day of work and the promise of heavy snow I was in a very good mood. I realised I was most looking forward to getting home, cooking dinner in time for when Mal returned and then slipping into a nice warm bath and unwinding for the evening.
The elevator came to a stop and I stepped out into the hallway, turning to the left to unlock my door. The delicious scent of food reached me and I smiled at Mal when I spotted him in the kitchen area frying something in the pan.
"What is all this in aide of?" I asked as I hung my coat in the closet and placed my shoes on the rack inside.
"So I'm not allowed to cook for you?" Mal asked.
"You're more than welcome to cook, I was merely not expecting you home already, let alone be in the process of cooking a three course meal. I feel spoiled." I explained with a smile as I went into the kitchen with the intention of taking over.
"Not tonight." He said, kissed my forehead, and then ushered me out of the kitchen area. "I've nearly finished the starter anyway. Go sit at the table and pour us some wine while I dish up."
"Very well." I said as my suspicions grew as to what Mal's intensions were this evening, he usually let me have my own way in the kitchen.
I went to the table that had been set for the both of us. There was a bottle of Merlot already opened to breathe. I poured out two glasses and took my usual seat and watched Mal as he removed what he was frying from the pan and placed it carefully upon the prepared plate, then he repeated this action with a second plate. He placed the pan aside and then came to the table carrying two plates. He placed one in front of me before sitting down with the second one.
"Scallops on a bed of rocket with a drizzle of sweet chilli sauce." He stated.
"Smells delicious." I assured him before I picked up my knife and fork and cut off a piece of scallop and ate it with the salad and the sauce. "Perfect." I assured him and I trailed my toes up his shin.
"Thanks." Mal said with a small laugh as he ate his own scallops.
"Are you going to tell me what this is in aide of?" I asked, placing my feet up into his lap.
"I got home early, mega early, and I thought I'd treat you since the weather's so bad. After we finish our meal I was thinking that we could take a bath together." He said, his thumb massaging the bridge of my foot.
"It sounds delightful." I sighed, slipping into the pleasure of his action in that moment and my imaginings of our time later when we would share a bath.
"Will you scrub my back?" He asked with a grin.
"Anything my love after such a wonderful meal." I said wistfully.
"Well you've only had the starter." He said, putting my feet aside a moment and stood up. "Wait for the rest before you make such a decision."
"Very well." I said with a smile as I watched him carry the plates to the kitchen.
He scraped them, swilled them and placed them straight into the dishwasher.
"Don't want you doing any midnight cleaning tonight." He said with a wink and I giggled as I sipped my wine.
Mal then brought the main course, braised sirloin steaks with steamed vegetables and sautéed potatoes. That was delicious too and I spent that course telling Mal of my day after he had inquired of it. It was a bliss filled dinner and I enjoyed being treated by Mal, normally I cooked. Although that was through choice, perhaps I should allow Mal to cook more often.
Once our plates were cleared he took them to the kitchen, placing them in the dishwasher too. He took two ramekins from beneath a cloth, one was light purple, the other white, it seemed somewhat strange that he had chosen mismatched crockery, but I would not allow it to affect my enjoyment of the meal.
"Now to finish these off." He said as he sprinkled the tops with sugar and picked up my culinary blowtorch and started the flame. "Well we want the top all nice and crispy." He added as he moved the blowtorch across what I knew to be crème brûlée. My anticipation for dessert grew tenfold knowing that it was one of Mal's signature dishes.
He brought the desserts to the table and placed the white dish in front of me and the purple dish in front of him.
"Oops." He observed and switched them around.
I give him a curious look.
"Are they different flavours?" I asked.
"Yeah." He said, although I was certain he was lying.
"How so?" I inquired further, hoping to catch him off guard.
"There's…cinnamon in this one." He said, so clearly lying now.
"How interesting." I said lightly. "May I try?" I asked, and reached my spoon out for his dessert.
"Crack your own crust, you can have a taste later." He said, pushing my spoon back with his.
"Well if you insist." I replied and broke through the caramelised top of the crème brûlée and brought some up to my mouth.
As expected, it was delicious. I scooped out some more of the creamy inside and placed it in my mouth, licking the spoon to have the full experience. I opened my eyes to find that Mal was watching me intently, just as he had been this morning, and he hadn't touched his own dessert.
"Are you not going to eat yours?" I asked.
"Oh, I find watching your enjoyment much better." He said. "You're making your bliss face."
I rolled my eyes and ate more of the crème brûlée, looking into his eyes this time as I licked every last morsel from the spoon. I ate some more, my eyes on Mal's as he watched me the whole while.
"When I am done am I allowed to watch you enjoy dessert?" I asked.
"If that's what you want." Mal said with his wicked smile and it still made my heart flutter.
I grinned in return and dipped my spoon once more into my dish. The spoon hit something unexpectedly. I looked down to see there was something dark in my crème brûlée. I inspected it with my spoon and I was suddenly aware of the nervous anticipation from the other side of the table as I fished out the small jewellers box from the custard.
I looked up at Mal in shock to find him smiling at me nervously. I raised my eyebrows slightly as if to ask if what I suspected was in the box was there. Mal nodded his head slightly, then reached out for the box from my spoon. He wiped it with a napkin before he fell to his knee before me and opened the box to display the ring.
"Elizabeth Black, will you marry me?" He asked with a smile.
"As if you need ask!" I gasped, feeling my eyes brim with tears as I held my left hand out to him.
Mal took it and slid the ring in place, it was gold with a single diamond, but it was sizable. I slid down off my chair into Mal's arms kissing him madly as he fell backwards.
"I take it that's a yes." He said against my lips.
"Yes. Yes. Yes." I said, between kisses as I lay on top of him. "Oh my." I added, springing to my feet and admiring my ring. "I had no idea this is what you planned."
"Really?" Mal asked, rising behind me and placing his arms around me, his left hand supporting mine so that he could look at the ring on my finger.
"No." I said, and turned to him. "And it's beautiful." I added, before pulling him down to me as I went on my tiptoes to kiss him.
"I'm glad you like it." Mal said, lifting me into his arms to kiss me more comfortably. "And this isn't too out of the blue for you?"
"Mal, I have been waiting on this moment for a long while now. If you hadn't proposed by your birthday I was going to propose to you instead." I stated in serious tones for it was the truth.
"I thought women could only do it on the leap year." He joked, rubbing his nose against mine.
"Perhaps, but I was too impatient to wait another year." I replied with a chuckle, resting my cheek on his shoulder, and then I sat up as something occurred to me. "We must go tell everyone!"
"Yeah." Mal said, hugging me back to him.
"Tonight." I stated.
"I'll go get the phone book." He said, placing me on my feet.
"No, no." I said, placing my hand on his arm to stop him. "This merits telling face to face."
"I agree." Mal said, "But does it really have to be tonight?" He asked as he whisked me onto the sofa and started kissing at my neck. "The snows coming down thick now we'll never make the Pines tonight and you got work in the morning and I thought that maybe you'd want to just relax tonight."
"I see your point." I said, wrapping my arms about his shoulders. "It is Friday tomorrow, so we can visit over the weekend. However I doubt we will do much relaxing this evening." I said lowly into his ear as I worked my hand beneath his shirt and began to stroke his side.
"I like this suggestion." Mal growled as he began to work his fingers beneath my sweater and shirt.
"Yes." I replied, but I put my fingers to his kissing lips to stop him. "But you must finish your meal first."
"What? Really?" He asked in shock.
"Yes. I have mine to finish too, and I really was enjoying it before I found my little gift." I stated.
"Actually, I made an extra one just in case." He said, rising to his feet and pulling me with him. "I'll just have to finish it off."
"Thank you." I said, leaping onto the sofa momentarily to kiss Mal before moving with him to the table.
I sat and watched as he completed a third crème brûlée and brought it to the table for me.
"Your dessert madam." He said as he placed it in front of me. "And this time without a hidden gift."
"Then it is a 'cinnamon' one?" I teased.
"Yeah." Mal replied with a grin as he broke the crust on his crème brûlée.
We ate our desserts, feeding each other as our feet tangled playfully beneath the table. I enjoyed these little moments with Mal, they added to our lovemaking. I cannot recall when I first thought of it, but every interaction between Mal and I was part of our love making, it all lead to it eventually. Whether it was brushing our teeth in the morning, sitting side by side watching television, even our arguments was a great heat that all led eventually to our bodies entwined. I loved it all.
After we had finished our desserts Mal cleared the last of the dishes away while I took our glasses to the sofa and choose a movie for us to watch together. I sat down and waited for Mal to sit beside me. I pulled my legs up beneath me as I settled closer to him. He reached for our wine glasses, passing one to me before pulling me into his side. I placed a kiss to his jawbone before resting my head against him as I pressed play and the movie began.
"What are we watching?" He asked.
"Nothing in particular. Just something for the background." I said, placing the remote control on the table and placing my hand upon his leg.
"Is that so." Mal said, kissing my head as his hand came to rest beneath my thigh and I began to run my fingers lightly along his thigh.
"I believe we have yet to watch a film in this apartment for its full length without us being distracted by each other." I mused.
"Oh there's been a few films." Mal said, as his hand moved up to stroke my earlobe for a moment. "But that's mostly because we've had guests."
I chuckled and turned my face to him and he met my lips on cue. I kissed him with my chin tilted up, my hand still upon his leg. His left arm still around me moved until it was aligned with my left arm and his fingers brushed mine, playing slightly with my ring. It made my hand unsteady and I pulled away from him with a chuckle.
"I think I should put this down before I tip it." I said and placed my glass on the table. "I should hate to have to try and remove red wine."
"Then I'll put mine down too." He said, and I waited until he'd placed it down before I moved my hand up to his cheek and kissed him.
I moved into his lap, kissing him as his hands found their way beneath my sweater and blouse to tickle the skin at my sides. I pulled back for a moment to remove my sweater before wrapping my arms about his neck again and returning my lips to his.
As his long fingers messaged up my back so delightfully warm I reached down to loosen his sweater and pulled it up and over his head. He had been wearing nothing beneath and now his chest was deliciously bare. I kissed up his chest before I met his lips again, and now his hands moved to unbutton my blouse ever so slowly and he kissed every patch of newly uncovered skin.
I giggled as my head fell back, enjoying the play of his lips against my body travelling lower until my blouse was completely undone and hands glided to my shoulders, pushing the blouse and I dropped my arms to allow it to fall to the floor. Mal's lips alighted on my throat, on a spot that was utterly divine and I found myself moaning before I put my lips to his again and lost myself in the feelings now circulating my body, building with promise of what might happen later.
There was no thought in our actions now, we moved as one without true communication. It was a natural progression and I was unsure whether he began to lower me or if I initiated it by lying back, but soon I felt the soft silk of the throw beneath my back, my head cushioned by the arm of the sofa as I maintained contact with Mal's lips my hands gliding across the smooth skin of his back.
I felt my stomach pull and a thrill deep within as I settled beneath him enjoying the kiss and the feel of his shoulder muscles moving beneath his skin as I settled my hands there. I felt so comfortable there beneath him as we kissed with slow burning passion. As engrossed in the kiss as I was I couldn't help but wonder, as always, at the fact that I barely felt his weight upon me, if I did it was a nice pressure, ensuring we remained in contact when we moved on to the main deed.
We could wait a while however, I was happy to remain here making out, and Mal seemed to be just as satisfied with this pace for the time being.
I was truly lost now in enjoying the kissing, which had progressed to a delightful play of tongues. I ran my fingers in his hair, it felt like silk and I remembered how strong sunlight brought out hidden gold tones in his locks. I had a brief flash of my fingers moving through his hair as we lay very much as we did now out in the forest, in a clearing as the sun bathed us in its light. I felt my cheeks burn in embarrassment at my sudden flash of memory, however it added to the pulsing warmth that was still steadily growing.
I ran my right hand down his spine and I felt his body react in my wake. I repeated the gesture knowing that it was something to get things moving in the direction I wanted and he moaned slightly into my mouth and that made my own body thrill more.
He closed the kiss on my lips but he barely moved his mouth from my skin as he began to trail down until he was kissing and nuzzling my cleavage. His hand came to rest against my breast and his thumb gently pulled aside the material of my bra and I was lost for a moment as I felt his warm breath against my nipple, and his mouth followed and that was truly divine.
I was moving beneath him in order to remove my bra when Mal lifted his head and frowned. I sensed it too with so much of my skin touching his. There was someone coming up to our floor on the elevator. I recognised the two sets of footfalls in the hallway and Mal and I looked at each other in alarm before we leapt up from the sofa and began to gather our discarded clothing.
"I expect Mal and Liza are out for the night." Alec said from outside the door and I realised he was trying to buy us time so we could relocate to our bedroom.
This we did and I turned the lock just as I heard the apartment door open.
"Yes, all clear." Alec said in a bright voice and I heard him lead somebody in.
"I thought he was visiting Lamia." Mal whispered, and I placed my finger to his lips for a moment.
"So we have the place all to ourselves?" His guest replied and I realised it was Lamia.
Mal and I exchanged looks as Alec out in the room said, "That may be so, but we know not when they'll be back. Shall we retire to my room?"
"Can you at least feed me first?" Lamia replied in a joking manner and I tuned out the two in the room as my body was wracked with silent giggles.
"What?" Mal asked in a whisper.
"It brings back memories of old times." I said, as I wrapped my arms about his waist, and going up on my tiptoes I kissed the highest point I could reach unless he leant down, which was somewhere below his collar bone.
Mal chuckled.
"So you want to stop?" He asked.
"Hell no." I said. "We had no idea Alec would return tonight let alone bring guests, just ignore them."
"With great pleasure." Mal said with a grin as he swung me up into his arms then transported me to the bed. "Now where were we?"
"I believe I was about to do this." I said and pulled off my bra.
"I believe you were." He replied and kissed along my jaw for a moment while we both still sat.
I was enjoying his kissing and I let out a moan of delight.
"What was that?" Lamia asked, and I was rather impressed a human could hear us.
"Hang on a mo." Mal said and kissed my lips before he ghosted to our stereo system and switched on adequate cover music.
"Mal and Liza are not out." Alec said, sounding amused. "Perhaps we should turn up the volume of the film?"
I looked at the locked door, then remembered the bathroom door was still open and we shared that with Alec. I went and closed it and turned the key in the lock on this side before turning back to Mal. I growled and then launched myself at him, landing as I had planned with my legs wrapped about his waist. I crushed my lips to his and he stumbled back, falling down onto the bed.
I raised my head and looked down into his eyes, smiling the smile I only ever gave to Mal as I ran my hands about his chest. Then I lowered my head and began kissing him all the way down to the waistband of his jeans. I slipped down to the floor and reached out for his button and zipper. I undid them and pulled his jeans off, I removed my own pants for good measure before I climbed back on the bed beside him and I pulled him on top of me.
It was Mal's turn to growl now as he nuzzled at my neck and began kissing down my body before paying attention to my breasts as he had meant to before Alec's interruption. It was delightfully good and I tangled my fingers into his hair as he continued to tease me with his tongue. He knew now how to get my juices flowing and I had high hopes for our lovemaking.
It was absolutely fantastic as usual as Mal and I loved each other through the night. I was left somewhat exhausted when we finally settled to sleep, but was definitely well sated. We settled together and into sleep and Mal's scent was delicious after sex. It always was and I loved how he always held me to his chest and played with the curls of my hair before sleep really took me and I turned my back to him and he held me as we both slept.
I woke before Mal, but he had no reason to get up so I decided not to wake him this morning. I turned my alarm off so as not to wake him when I went to shower. I don't know why I pulled on my dressing gown beforehand, perhaps it was premonition I had picked up at some point from Aunt Alice. Whatever the reason it turned out to be prudent for I unlocked the door and stepped inside the bathroom to be met with a scream.
I looked into the frightened eyes of Lamia who was sitting on the toilet.
"Please forgive me." I said. "You should ensure the bolt is drawn on all three doors."
"I'll remember that." Lamia said, looking at me with pleading.
"Let me know when you are finished, I have to shower for work." I stated.
Lamia nodded and I stepped back into my room and closed the door.
Mal stirred, felt for me in the bed then opened his eyes to look up at me.
"Midnight cleaning?" He asked.
"No." I said, and returned to the bed to sit beside him. "It is morning and I was intending to shower ready for work, but Lamia is currently occupying the bathroom. She forgot to slide the bolt."
"Guess it's a good job it was you who walked in on her and not me." Mal mused as he moved closer to me and wrapped his arm about me.
"That would have been interesting I am sure." I said. "Although her screams may have brought Alec running."
Mal laughed and then there was a knock at the door of the bathroom.
"I think I can use it now." I said and jumped out of bed.
"Do you want to take a sick day?" He asked with a grin.
"I would, but the office would fall apart without me." I returned to the bed and kissed him. "I will be home early today and then we head to Tregarran to tell my parents of our news."
"Can I get a few hours alone with you first?" Mal asked, grabbing about me and twisting so I now lay with my back to the bed and Mal was kissing me.
"If that's what you require." I giggled and hit him with a pillow. "Now please, I must get ready for work. Why don't you go back to sleep and dream away half the day so you do not miss my presence so much."
"That sounds like a good plan." Mal said, and he kissed my lips. "But I won't sleep without you."
Regardless he allowed me to rise from the bed and I entered the now empty bathroom. I ensured all three doors were bolted, not that I had a problem with Mal joining me but he would distract me from my morning ablutions and I would not leave the bathroom all day for the fun we would have. It was with great reluctance that I removed my ring and placed it upon the bathroom counter before I went to shower. It was the first thing I put on after I was washed.
I pulled on my bathrobe and left the bathroom to find Mal waiting for me. He kissed me as we passed in the doorway.
"You could remain in bed." I assured him.
"I know, but it's not the same without you there." He stated and kissed me again. "Now go get ready, you'll be late for work." He added as he guided me into the room.
I poked my tongue out at him and he wiggled his nose as he closed the door. I rolled my eyes but sighed with affection as I went to my dressing table and I began drying my hair. I was pulling the last curls into place when Mal emerged from the bathroom, although this morning he was dressed in sweats and a t-shirt, his lounging about the house uniform, rather than that delightful towel.
I gave him a questioning look.
"Thought I should put something on in case Lamia was waiting for me to unlock the door. Thought it might not be right for her to see me in just a towel." He explained as he locked the bathroom door with the key.
"Do I have to fear competition?" I asked in jest.
"You're the only girl for me bach." Mal said, coming behind me and kissing my cheek. "I thought I made that clear last night." He added with a smile as he held up my left hand.
"Just checking." I stated, turning my head so I could kiss his cheek.
Mal hugged me briefly then went to lie on the bed watching me. I applied the little makeup I needed then went to gather my clothes for the day. It was Casual Friday so I opted for jeans and a light t-shirt beneath a sweater. I was expecting it to be cold this morning, but the temperature in the office was regulated and the chance to remove my sweater would be ideal toward the end of the morning.
The sweater was green and as I regarded my reflection in the full length mirror I realised something was missing, and I could wear it today for jewellery regulations were not so strict on Casual Friday. I opened up the jewellery box that held my most treasured pieces and pulled out the green malachite heart on its silver chain. The heart was too big for usual office attire, but it would be perfectly ideal for today. Mal came behind me.
"May I?" He asked, reaching for the necklace, and I allowed him to place it around my neck.
"Just right." I said, moving the heart into place, then I turned to him and kissed him. "Shall we breakfast together?"
"Yes." He said, stroking behind my ear.
I smiled and took his hand and we exited our room to find that Lamia was sitting at the table wearing a black dressing gown and Alec was in the kitchen. There was the scent of something burning and I moved quickly and guided Alec away from the frying pan and looked down at the bacon that I could only identify by its shape because it was so charred.
"Alec, you really should accept those cooking lessons from me." I said with a sigh as I scraped the bacon into the food bin.
"I'm sorry Liza. I wished to treat Lamia." Alec said, dropping his head.
"Perhaps stick to cereal right now." I said and tapped his shoulder. "I will prepare breakfast for this morning."
Alec nodded and went to sit with Lamia at the table while Mal came to help me in the kitchen by preparing the coffee while I took out my other frying pan and began preparing bacon and some pancakes. I made up three plates and carried them to the table as Mal took the coffee.
I placed the plates down in front of those who required food. Alec poured himself a cup of coffee. He wouldn't drink it, merely cup his hands about it for the warmth and also not to look too out of place at the breakfast table while we ate.
"So how come you guys eat and Alec doesn't?" Lamia asked. "You're vampires too right?"
I felt a guilty start, I was still unused to Lamia knowing our secret, Alec had only told her six months ago and we hadn't seen much of her since.
"We're dhampir." I stated. "Half vampires and therefore half human. We may require the red stuff, but we also need to eat."
"So can't vampires eat?" She asked, looking at Alec with her pale blue eyes, from his look I realised this was something he'd already answered, but Lamia was looking for confirmation.
"They can eat." I said. "But they are unable to digest food."
"Meaning?" Lamia asked, turning back to me.
"That there's only one door to the vampire stomach, food comes out the way it goes in." Mal answered before me. "All the vamps I've talked to who've tried it says it's very uncomfortable when the food's inside them and it's disgusting when they have to regurgitate it."
"Right. Ok." Lamia said and she bit her lip, which was free of its usual black so early in the morning. "If you'd just explained that I would have understood." She said, placing her hand on Alec's. "I'm sorry about trying to get you to eat."
"I should have explained better." Alec said, taking her hand and kissing the back of it. "I forget your capacity to handle the stranger things in life."
"Yeah. And it took you long enough to tell me about the whole vampire thing." She said and rolled her eyes.
"I was averse to confiding such secrets in you if we were not meant to be." Alec said solemnly. "After all it is death to any human who would spread the secret. I liked you too much to risk you with the secret if we had broken up."
"But now you know I won't blab." Lamia said. "I never would have before you know, and if I did who'd believe the weird Goth girl?"
"All it would take is for one person to suspect." Alec said, taking her hand. "If I was not serious that we had a future together I would not have confided this secret to you."
Lamia smiled and then she gave a snort.
"I must have sounded ridiculous to you lot, with my worship of the 'revered dead' when we first met." She mused.
"Not entirely ridiculous." Alec assured her with a smile. "In fact it's what first attracted me to you. The thought of those long interesting conversations about the darker things in life, yet low and behold you had even more to give. Such warmth and light I was a moth to the flame. It was only my sister's cautious words that held me back…" Alec trailed off and blinked, looking as if he knew he'd said too much.
"Held you back from what?" Lamia asked.
"So Mal what plans have you today?" I said, talking over her. "I have a shopping list if you would care to pop out for me."
"Of course bach." Mal replied. "What do you need me to get?"
"Just a few supplies for our journey." I stated.
"Journey?" Alec asked.
"We are going to visit Mother and Father over the weekend." I stated. "You and Lamia will have the apartment to yourselves for a few days."
"Why the sudden trip home?" Alec asked.
"Are you saying I need a reason to visit my parents?" I demanded.
"No. It is merely unprecedented for you to do such a thing on a whim." Alec observed, but I had a sense that he suspected the reason and was trying to get me to admit to it.
"I am somewhat homesick and Mal has agreed to accompany me." I stated, angered a little by his games and not wishing to reveal my good fortune before I had chance to tell my parents.
"So it has nothing to do with the box I found on the counter last night?" Alec asked and I felt my blood run cold for a moment. "Why hide it? I am happy for you and Mal to take this step."
"I wanted my parents to know first." I stated, holding out my left hand. "Is it not right that I do that?"
"That's a pretty ring." Lamia said, taking my hand, but my eyes were still focused on Alec, waiting for his answer.
"Of course you should inform your parents first. I am sorry I pressed the subject." Alec said humbly.
"Yes." I replied to Alec then turned to Lamia. "It is a pretty ring, although the ring matters not for it was given by my Malachite. I would have accepted a plastic one from a coin machine as proof we are together."
"If only I'd known that before." Mal teased me.
"The ring is perfect my love." I said and placed my hand to his cheek to kiss his lips. "And I probably would have encouraged you to buy me a real one at some later date."
"But you do like it?" He asked, looking suddenly worried.
"Yes." I assured him and kissed his lips again. "You know me well my Malachite and you know well what I like. The ring is perfect."
Mal smiled and I smiled in return.
"And after this wonderful conversation I must go to work. I may have to walk this morning, although I'm hoping the snow ploughs have been around and I can take a cab." I mused, rising to my feet and taking my cup and plate to the kitchen ready to be washed, then I went to brush my teeth.
When I returned to the main room Mal was in the kitchen washing the dishes while Alec and Lamia were nowhere to be seen.
"Lamia went to get dressed and Alec has to help her. Apparently." Mal said a little disgruntled.
"Is he still pretending he is above washing dishes?" I asked.
Mal nodded.
"In that case tell him he owes me a new frying pan." I said and stopped by the kitchen to kiss Mal's cheek. "And for being so brave I will give you a special treat later."
"Suddenly washing the dishes doesn't seem so bad." He whispered into my ear and I giggled and kissed his cheek again.
"I must go now." I stated. "I will see you at lunch time, perhaps we could go shopping together."
"I'll come meet you at the office." He said.
"That will be nice." I replied.
"And I'll change first." He said before I could. "They probably wouldn't let me on the same street as the building never mind into the reception if I turned up like this."
I chuckled.
"Now get going." He said in mock reproach. "You finish at one right?"
"Right." I replied, and we kissed for a long moment before I pulled away and went to fetch my coat and such from the closet.
I blew a kiss to Mal as I left the apartment and felt particularly buzzed as I descended the stairs to the ground floor. I was even happier when I left the building to find that not only were the roads clear but so were the sidewalks. I managed to hail a cab and climbed into the back and gave the driver my destination.
I watched the buildings go by outside and was happy when the office building came into view because it meant that I could finish my work for the week all the sooner and see Mal once more.
My team seemed to work hard, possibly because it was Friday and like me they knew that once our targets were met for the week we could head for home. Thankfully we had everything completed by one and we were able to retire for the weekend. I made my way down to the atrium where Mal was waiting for me, blending in with a group of tourists who had come for the tour of the building. There was a viewing platform on the twentieth floor that offered great views of Seattle.
"Were you planning on taking the tour?" I asked behind him.
"No need to. My fiancée works here and has already given me the tour." He said, then turned to me with a smile. "You ready for shopping then bach?"
"Of course. I'm all done and dusted for the week." I said, and I took Mal's hand and turned around to find Nigel from my department watching us. "Can I help you Nigel?" I asked.
"I…" He shook his head and almost stumbled over his own feet to leave our presence.
"That man is very peculiar." I said, shaking my head sadly.
"Nah. He just fancies you." Mal commented. "Nothing peculiar about that."
"Oh dear." I said aghast. "What shall I do about it?"
"You don't really need to do anything unless he starts harassing you or something. I mean he's got a crush, but he knows you're taken for. There's nothing really you can say to him. But if he does proposition you at all remind him of the work policy. If he continues the go to human resources."
"Sound advice." I replied. "Where are we going to shop?"
"Thought we'd hit the out of town store so I brought the car." Mal said, leading me toward the parking lot.
"It will do for our needs today, and we will miss the crowds." I conceded.
"Especially this close to Christmas." Mal said. "I've never seen the city so busy."
"Why do you think I settle for Olympia as opposed to Seattle?" I said with a smile as I slid my arm behind his back so I could settle into the comfort of his presence as he wrapped his arm about my shoulders.
"I am driving." I stated as we reached the parking lot.
"It's my turn today." Mal replied.
"Yes. However I have a plan." I said with a smile.
"And what plan would that be?"
"That if I drive this afternoon I get to sit back and relax in the passenger seat when you drive all the way to Olympic Pines." I crooned.
"Ooh, you're cunning." Mal said and kissed my forehead.
"I know how to get what I want." I said, and slipped my hand carefully into his pocket and took the keys spinning out of his arm and waving the keys at him as I stepped up to the driver's side door.
"Is there any more new skills you haven't told me about Eliza?" He asked, trying to look serious and failing in his attempt not to laugh.
"Now that would be telling." I said in a sultry voice before blowing him a kiss over the roof of the car then ducking inside.
I of course had to adjust the seat because of the differences in our heights.
"We could already be out of the car park if you'd let me drive." Mal stated, adjusting his own seat.
I poked out my tongue and he wiggled his nose and we both laughed as I started the engine. I pulled out of the parking lot and into lunchtime traffic. It took a few minuets to make any progress, it was due to the lights.
"Do you suppose you could control the signals?" I mused as we stopped for what felt like the hundredth time in five minuets.
"I could. But the question is whether the other people would take notice. Plus it would take a hell of a lot of concentration." He replied. "I don't think I could do that with you in the car."
"Flatterer." I said and rolled my eyes. "Of course I could boost you?" I offered, waving my fingers in the air.
"Not when you're driving." He said and kissed my cheek. "You still haven't got it down pat and we don't want you getting drowsy."
"That's true." I agreed.
"Anyway, what's the hurry? The weather's not too bad and we get a few minuets of solitude, just us with no one else to spoil our little haven of solitude." He mused.
I laughed.
"You make it sound as if we spend no time together." I observed after I thought his words through fully.
"We spend time together, but aren't these moments nice? Just normal human moments?" He asked.
"Yes. Being stuck in traffic is a very human moment." I said, and then paused. "Are you feeling out of sorts?" I asked in concern.
"No. Just musing." He said with a smile. "It's not often we travel together now. We're always leaving at different times or coming home at different times."
"It's unavoidable given that my office is at the opposite end of the city to the University." I stated.
"Yeah, the city." Mal said with a sigh.
"Are you growing tired of the city?" I asked.
Mal shrugged.
"Are you growing tired of school?"
"No. Not school, just…" He trailed off and sighed.
"Just city life." I realised.
"If it weren't for my studies I'd take you somewhere else where we could be just Mal and Liza together. Not Mal the student and Liza the admin goddess only seeing each other at night."
"We need to work to live. Our money is not infinite and will run out eventually. Regardless of where we go this is real life now and that requires working for a living. We can not live forever off our parents' money." I stated.
"I know that." Mal said. "But I've been thinking, maybe after I graduate we take some time off together. Just you and me, somewhere away from everyone else. Somewhere special."
"Like a honeymoon?" I asked with a smile.
"Like a year long honeymoon." Mal said placing his hand over mine.
"That would be nice." I mused. "When do you graduate?"
"If I knuckle down I could be Doctor Malachite Llewellyn by the end of January. I'm glad I took that assistance to get all my achievements recognised in my own name. I don't think Doctor Mal Rogers would suit me really." Mal said wrinkling his nose.
"The end of January?" I gasped. "Why did you not tell me it would be so soon? This is joyous news indeed and merits celebration."
"I need to get there first." Mal said firmly.
"Of course." I agreed. "But, would you not rather go straight into practicing your art?"
"I could take over a small country surgery." Mal suggested.
"And then I would never get to see you given that you will most likely be the only psychiatrist there." I observed.
"Or I'll have no business at all because the locals don't want their heads shrinking."
"But that would be bad." I stated. "I thought your life's dream was to become a psychiatrist."
"And I will be. I've proven myself capable of getting the qualifications." He said firmly.
"Are you telling me that your dream was to become a psychiatrist but not necessarily to practice?" I asked in amazement for I had not known this before.
"I've proven I can do it and if I want to practice in the future I can do so without feeling guilty that I haven't earned the right. That's why I went to college, to prove to myself that I could do it. And I'm glad I chose to do it the hard way or would never have met you." He replied and gave me a lovely smile at the end.
"You are very strange my Malachite." I said with an adoring smile of my own.
"For being glad that I met you?" Mal asked, joking around.
"For going to all that trouble of studying and earning your Doctorate just to prove that you can." I explained.
"There's a simple explanation." Mal stated. "I never got to go to school, ever. I had all this knowledge in my head and nothing to prove it. I wanted to prove it."
"Then you had very good reason." I stated. "And I am beyond glad you chose to attend Riverside."
"Me too." Mal replied with a smile. "Even if I did have a lot of trouble those first few months settling in."
"And for that I am eternally sorry."
"Why? It was exciting." He said, and brushed his lips to my cheek. "Of course I do prefer that we're together now and have the chance to live in peace. But I didn't mind all that excitement either. Made things interesting."
"And also very nerve rattling." I stated. "I'm glad I'm no longer running for my life and having ex boyfriends framing me for murder. I am also glad that I know where I stand with you. I hated that time of not knowing where I stood with you and nearly losing you due to my own stupidity."
"Liza, have I ever made you feel bad about going to Simon? Didn't I recognise it was something you needed to do just to set your mind at ease because of the promise you made to Simon? And if you hadn't gone to him then you wouldn't still be in touch with him and you never would have got him together with Dove. Two years of happy marriage, that's a record in their industry isn't it?"
"But I still almost threw it all away." I said mournfully.
"Hey, stop this now. It's all in the past. We're together now, that's all that matters." He said firmly, and he brushed his fingers against my cheek. "And you're about to miss our turning."
"Oh." I said and quickly turned into the correct lane causing a hail of horns from behind me. "Just let them try to road rage me." I muttered, glaring into the rear view mirror at the unshaven beefy man in the car behind.
Mal chuckled.
"What?" I asked.
"Looking for the excitement are we?" He teased.
"Oh no. You give me enough excitement bach, and without the threat of ending up in the ER." I replied lightly. "Well figuratively speaking. I heal too quickly to require the aid of professionals, but you are excitement, but with safety my Malachite."
"Thank you." Mal said with a laugh as I pulled into a free space.
I got out of the car as another car pulled into the space next to me. It belonged to the badly shaven, beefy man who now as he emerged from the car I could see that he was also heavily tattooed. He thought it made him look tough, and he clearly believed this as he stood in my way blocking my path from between the cars.
"You cut me up bitch." He growled.
"That I did." I replied. "And I apologise most profusely. Would you care for some form of compensation? Would ten dollars do for that momentary hindrance to your day?"
"You're kidding right?" He demanded, glaring at me.
"Then obviously you're after some form of altercation." I observed.
"Could be." The man threatened.
"Leave my fiancée alone." Mal growled behind him, and Mal towered over him, but he looked weaker if only because the man had body builder bulges that were no good for application.
"No Mal, I can handle this." I said levelly as I looked up into the man's piggy eyes. "If the rude man really wishes to make himself feel bigger by hitting a little girl then let him."
"Liza, back down." Mal said. "You don't want to hurt him."
The man was looking confused now.
"He is rude and obnoxious, traits I find most unbecoming in people, I should like to teach him a lesson." I said calmly, still looking steadily into the man's eyes.
"I ain't got time to deal with this crazy." The man said holding up his hands and he backed away from me and would have bumped into Mal had he not stepped aside.
The man looked up at Mal as he passed him and he shivered a little. Perhaps he knew the difference between working muscle and show muscle after all. Or perhaps it was the air of danger Mal was radiating. Mal watched the man walk away and then he turned to me with a frown.
"Are you crazy?" He demanded. "Why were you egging that deadbeat on?"
"He was rude and he annoyed me." I stated.
"Please Liza, don't do that again." Mal said, wrapping his arms about me. "I don't want to lose you, especially to some idiot like that."
"I'm sorry." I said, hugging Mal.
"Just don't do anything like that again. He could have hurt you even if he didn't kill you and then I would have had to have killed him."
"Then I will do nothing so foolish in the future." I promised. "For your sake my love."
"I hope so bach." Mal said, tapping my back. "Now lets go shopping."
"Yes." I agreed and took his hand before we went to retrieve a shopping cart to aid us in our shopping.
We spoke of mundane things as we shopped. The seriousness that had surrounded us in the car had left us and I was glad. This was our first time out in public after becoming engaged and the last thing I wanted was to be in a dark mood.
We managed to keep it light until we were in the apartment again and preparing lunch.
"Was it our conversation that made you all annoyed with that idiot?" Mal asked, and I realised he'd been mulling it over the whole time but had been waiting to raise the subject.
"No. It was the fact that I had become so distracted that I had to abuse the laws of the road. The man had every right to be angry, I was in the wrong. However he went the wrong way about it and I was on edge regardless." I stated.
"Because of our talk?" Mal ventured.
"No." I said firmly. "Because I was less than cautious. And the man was rude."
"Ok." Mal said. "So what do you think?"
"About what?" I asked.
"About taking a year out just you and me somewhere nice and quiet. Or maybe even travel?"
"I'll have to think about it some more." I stated. "I know I am not awfully fond of my job, but I will have to give proper notice."
"You have until the end of January." Mal said and kissed the top of my head.
"That's true." I said with a smile as I carried the salad bowl to the table and Mal brought the potatoes and ham. "Perhaps we could truly make it our honeymoon."
"Really?" Mal asked.
"Well if you are determined to take a break once you have earned your title and I am to resign from my current occupation then we may as well have an official reason." I replied.
"You mean that we get married at the end of January?" He asked in shock.
"Possibly early February just to ensure you have completed your work." I stated.
"You want to get married so soon?"
"Why wait? We wish to be married and long engagements are so passé. Let us be wed within two months and then have a year long honeymoon." I observed. "We could ask Esme for use of her island and you could show me your farm and that spot upon the common where solitude is levitated above desolation by the addition of one other. We could, not travel Europe that would be foolish, but we could travel Britain and Ireland."
"Maybe Uncle Brendan will give us a tour." Mal said with a smile. "It sounds wonderful bach. And I do want to marry you, or I wouldn't have asked. But will you have enough time to organise everything? I always imagined you'd want the whole shebang."
"Of course I do, but I've been planning my wedding day since I was two years of age. I know exactly what I want and it's just a case of bringing it all together." I stated. "And with the help of Marlin and Alice it will truly be fantastic."
Mal was watching me with his cheek in his hand and a look of amused admiration on his face.
"What colours are you going with?" He asked.
"Cream and gold, with dark grey suites for the men. White would drown my skin since I am so pale and the gold enhances my eyes. It is also a good enhancer for green eyes." I said with a wink.
"See. We were destined." Mal said, taking my hand and kissing it.
"It's true." I said with a smile. "I was always looking for you."
"Yes, I heard all about your 'type'." Mal teased.
"Have those blabber mouth twins been gossiping again?" I asked in mock annoyance.
Mal chuckled and so did I.
"Wow. So now we not only have to tell your parents about our engagement we must also tell them we'll be married in two months?" He remarked, sobering a little.
"When people announce their engagement people ask 'have you set a date?'. We get to tell them yes, we plan to be married in February." I replied.
"But what date?"
"Hmmm…. How about the fourth? Would that be good?" I asked.
"Maybe." Mal said looking thoughtful and then he smiled. "Or we could move toward the latter end of February and we get married on the eighteenth, or would the nineteenth be more accurate?"
"What is so significant about…" I began, but trailed off. "Oh…" I felt myself blush a little. "What do we say if anyone else asks the significance of that date?"
"We tell them it was the day we finally knew we were inevitable and let go of all other options." Mal said lightly.
I smiled, and then fell into a thoughtful silence.
"We should make it the nineteenth." I stated. "It was almost after midnight when we arrived at the cabin. Besides, the eighteenth had Simon in it, whereas the nineteenth there was no one but us. And of course the nineteenth falls on a Wednesday this year, so we will wed on a WED-nesday." I said with a grin.
"Does that make me Solomon Grundy?" Mal quipped.
"Oh god I hope not." I said aghast. "I hope to have you with me for eternity and should hate for you to die by the Sunday."
Mal chuckled as we finished our lunch. I washed the dishes because Mal had been left with them the last few times. Mal sat down to watch the afternoon news in the hope of catching the forecast for this evening.
"Cold, a little ground frost, but driving conditions should be ok." He said with a smile. "What time do you want to leave?"
I wiped the last dish and slipped it into the cupboard before I turned to him.
"About half an hour after I've finished with you in the bedroom." I said, ghosting over to him and taking his hand.
I kissed him before I pulled him to his feet and led him into the bedroom.
We didn't emerge from the bedroom for hours. In fact it was fully dark and well into the evening by the time we hit the road. It was a little after seven when we finally reached the interstate and there was a two-hour drive ahead of us.
Mal was driving and it was warm in the car with the heater on to stop the windows from misting. The music on the stereo was soothing and after an hour I felt myself dozing. I tried to keep myself awake for it wouldn't be fair on Mal.
"You can sleep if you want." Mal said. "If it means we get to cuddle more later." He added with a grin.
I laughed lightly, and then allowed myself to drift into sleep.
I felt…I felt afraid, no not afraid, I felt terrified! This had not gone to plan at all. They were supposed to be my friends but now they were…they were hurting me. They were monsters and they were really, really hurting me. They were hurting me and they were killing me and nobody would help me. Nobody knew where I was. Mommy would be so sad, and that made me cry more than the needle they were putting into my arm…
I gasped and jumped forward, hurting myself as the seatbelt snapped into place.
"Are you ok?" Mal asked, he'd pulled over to the side of the road and was looking at me with concern.
I turned to him, my mouth and eyes wide.
"We have to help Billie." I whispered, my voice shaking as the memories from the dreams still had hold of me. "She's in trouble and she's close. There's a road here, there has to be a road. A turn off somewhere. We have to get to her Mal before they kill her!"
"Oh my god! You're serious." Mal gasped.
"Why would I joke about something like this?" I snapped.
"I mean this is real. Not just something you dreamed." He clarified.
"It is the connection. And I could explain again, but the longer we sit here debating the more of my sister's life flows away." I said on the verge of tears.
"Ok. Which way?" Mal asked.
"That way." I said pointing.
"Hang on." Mal said and closed his eyes.
I took his hand and closed mine, concentrating to boost his power.
"Yeah, there's a dirt track up ahead, it's over five miles long, I can't read further than that." He stated.
"She felt the bumps. She's there." I said.
"Ok. Sit back. I'm gonna floor it." Mal said as he put the car back in gear and we sped into the night.
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