Finally, an update! You all must be so irritated with how slow I update so I decided to add a little mushy-filler chapter before the next big one. (Seriously, the next chapter is a good'un) This is just a short little clip of how Seth and Kris spend their time together. I thought they both deserved a little love.
Thank you again reviewers. I love you all (especially lostmidtranslation, who never fails to cheer me up) Also, thanks to KJ (anonymous reviewer) for all your constructive criticism. It's super helpful and I'm going to try and go back and correct all the mistakes in past chapters. I agreed with everything you said so thank you!
Disclaimer: You know it all. Thanks Steph.
Krista Hughes
September turned into October, which drew into November. The air developed an icier edge; whilst all Forks' birds migrated south, save for the robins and other such critters. By the time December came around, I was waking early every morning, drawing back my midnight blue curtains to see if snow had fallen overnight. Each morning was the same however. No snow, only frost. The frost was still pretty though: covering everything in a thin sheet of ice so that it seemed that everything had a coating of pixie dust.
Vera was becoming increasingly difficult to drive down the frosty roads, even with the chains on the tyres that mum had put on for me. Mum and I were getting on a lot better than we had been. I suppose I had Seth to thank for that. The day after Seth and I redecorated, way back at the beginning of October, I went out and job-hunted. There wasn't much work to be had in Forks or La Push, but knowing the Quileute's proved pretty useful. I made some pocket change babysitting Claire whenever Quil couldn't – which wasn't very often – but Billy Black managed to get me a job as a checkout girl in La Push Garage-cum-grocery-store. It wasn't good money, but it meant that the Quileute kids came and hung out with me a lot, keeping me company when custom was thin. Plus it kept my mother happy.
Seth sat with me every day. I told him he didn't need to of course, but there was no getting rid of him. He mainly just sat beside the counter, chatting at me incessantly or stacking shelves whenever the store manager – Mr Abraham – asked me to. I was afraid at first that the manager would tell Seth to shoo, or else give me the sack, but I guess Mr Abraham was pretty good friends with Sue and Billy as he didn't seem to mind.
"Another job for Mr muscles here." He joked daily, whenever he had a stacking task for Seth to do.
Eventually I started making Seth do homework whilst I worked behind the counter. He moaned about it, but after Sue had come down on him like a tonne of bricks about his half semester grades, he agreed. He'd sit on his stool, asking me for help on the occasional calculus question – not that I was much help – or quietly scribbling in French or Spanish. I tried to get him to write some poetry for our English assignment once or twice, but it had ended in disaster:
Roses and red violets are blue
Kris you're a weirdo but I love you
"Kris, you should've dated Shakespeare if you wanted poetry. It's sonnets or six-packs." Seth lifted his shirt and strutted around the shop like the moron he was. I laughed despite myself and pulled his shirt down.
"That's for my eyes only Seth. I'm sure Mrs Robertson over there doesn't want to see your fat belly." The elderly Mrs Robertson glared at the pair of us, and set down her pint of milk, leaving in a huff. This only made me laugh harder as Seth poked me in the ribs.
"Who you calling fat?" He demanded, lifting up his shirt once more to reveal his perfectly toned stomach. I slapped it, my hand making a satisfying clapping sound on his bare skin. Seth collapsed in mock-pain. "Oof… Oh God! I'm dying! Kris, you killed me!"
"Stop playing silly bollocks." I grinned at him, moving back behind the counter to serve a customer. "Lets see some more of your poetry."
I handed the customer his change before wiping my hands on my apron, and walking over to Seth's perch.
"Right. Assess this one!" Seth handed me another sheet of paper. On it was four lines.
Kris is the love of my life
She gets me in the mood.
But it is it her sexy body?
NO, it's the way she cooks my food.
I laughed again. "Seth you are SUCH a muppet. No wonder your grades are spiralling downwards."
"To be honest, it's not like I'm going to need them." Seth yawned. I eyed him sceptically. "I mean, I'm not getting any older, looks-wise."
My breath caught in my throat a little and I looked at my feet. This had always worried me – this, anti-aging thing. Sure, it was fine now: Seth had the body of a twenty-five year old, and technically, he would always be a year older than me. But eventually I would start getting older, and looking older, and what then? My rational half was always telling me I was stupid to believe that Seth and I would be together forever, but somehow my heart told me that this was an in-it-for-life kinda thing. To tell the truth, I wouldn't have it any other way.
Seth obviously didn't notice my small moment of panic, as he sat down to his English assignment once more.
"Ugh. Shakespeare was such a pain in the ass!" He complained, throwing his book of sonnets on the floor. I picked it up and hit him over the head with it.
"At least he was romantic. Which is more than I can say for you, Romeo."
Seth jumped to his feet, scooping me up into a hug. "I'm romantic!" He protested. "You don't need to write poems to be romantic." I rolled my eyes, grinning. "I'll show you how romantic I can be." He kissed me before setting me down. "How about… be outside your house at eight tonight. I'll pick you up."
"Seth, you still can't drive."
"That's what Jake's bikes are for!"
"Wow, sounds so romantic already." I couldn't help but be sarcastic. Seth looked at me wearily.
"Fine, no bikes. I'll think of something, Krissy. Don't you worry." And with a wink, he was gone; out the front of the shop.
I sighed. I didn't get off work for another hour and a half.
Lucky bugger.
----------------------------
At eight o'clock, I was standing outside my house in the freezing cold. Seth had promised something romantic, so I thought I'd better dress up a tad. I had decided to wear my black leggings with my brown, suede knee-high boots, topped off with a cream jumper dress. Looked lovely, but bloody freezing.
I heard Seth approach before I saw him. The noise of an engine reached my confused ears; Seth couldn't drive? A pale white car pulled up in front of my house and I walked towards it.
"Seth?" I called, trying to peer in the window. The back door opened and Seth hopped out. He looked absolutely, bloody gorgeous. He was wearing a white linen suit with a dark black t-shirt. I think I've used the phrase 'sex god' to describe him before, but I will again. Sex. God.
He smiled a heart-melting smile and offered his hand. "Krista Hughes, may I have the pleasure?" My knees almost buckled.
I accepted his hand with a smile, trying to look cool and collected when inside my heart was racing so fast I thought I was going to die of a heart attack. He led me to the open back door and escorted me inside. Getting in, I voiced my burning question.
"Seth, who's driving?"
On cue, the driver, wearing a black suit, black cap and shades, turned round to look at me. He cheekily pushed his shades up and I gasped as I recognised the grinning face.
"Quil!"
"At your service, madam." He winked. "I will be your chauffeur this evening." Dropping the façade he pulled a face at me. "I don't know how Seth talked me into doing this." He confessed as I giggled. Seth climbed into the seat next to me.
"Where are we going?" I asked eagerly, grabbing his hand. Seth tapped the side of his nose with a knowing finger.
"Surprise." He said. "You wanted romantic, right?"
I nodded, a little numb. This was definitely more than I expected. I had been anticipating dinner maybe, at a restaurant or something. But Seth dressing up and Quil driving… this was above and beyond the call of duty.
"You alright?" Seth asked, squeezing my hand, a huge grin plastered over his gorgeous face. I nodded.
"Nervous." I admitted. "Dunno why though."
"Don't be." Seth kissed my cheek. "You'll love it." He then wrinkled up his nose. "At least, I hope you'll love it."
I hastened to reassure him. "Of course I will. I just wish I knew where you were taking me."
Quil made a noise from the front seat and Seth leaned forward to talk to him. I couldn't hear a word of it, they were muttering so quietly, but I was contented just to stare out the window at the pitch-black sky. Eventually Seth leaned back in his seat.
"Nearly there." He said. I grinned at him, albeit crookedly.
"Whose car is this?"
"Mine." Quil called from the front seat. "It's my baby."
"He bought it in some junk sale and Jake did it up for him." Seth explained. "Took some convincing to get him to agree to drive us."
"Begging and pleading more like it." Quil laughed. Seth glared at him.
"Yeah… well. No need to go into what I had to do to get you to agree."
I laughed. That was something I'd definitely have to get out of Quil later.
Quil pulled the car into the driveway of Seth's house. I frowned. "Your house?" I questioned.
"Casa Clearwater." Announced Quil, laughing. Seth laughed too, gazing at my puzzled, frowning face.
"Come on." He grabbed my hand and made as if to pull me out the car before stopping. "Oops. Sorry, forgot I was meant to be romantic." He got out instead, rushing to open my door for me. I stepped out, trembling slightly.
"What have you planned Seth?"
"Wait! Don't ruin the surprise." Seth grabbed my hand before turning to Quil. "You can go now. Thanks man."
"And miss her reaction? No way." Quil grinned at me, rearranging his cap. "Lead the way, lovebirds."
I blushed and leaned towards Seth as he opened the front door. He walked me through the front hall to the stairs, with Quil trailing behind. I assumed we'd be going to the kitchen, but instead Seth led me upstairs onto the landing.
"Seth, where on earth-"
"Shh!" Seth cut me off, cupping a hand over my mouth. "Just be patient."
Seth turned me so I faced down the landing. I gasped. There, at the very end, was a set of stairs, ones I hadn't seen before, leading up into the attic. They were obviously the foldout ones from the hatch that led up to the loft. Wrapped around the steps were dozens of white, twinkling fairy lights. I gaped at Seth.
"You did this?"
"Wait." Seth pushed me gently towards the stairs. "Ladies first."
Slowly, hardly believing my eyes, I ascended the rickety steps, taking them very slowly – one at a time – to ensure I didn't tread on any stray light bulb.
The loft itself was better than I ever could have imagined.
The tiny space had been completely cleared, lit dimly by two candles standing on a white-clothed table in the centre of the room. Two chairs were arranged around the table, which had been set with silver cutlery. A small trolley with dishes covered with lids stood to one side. Moonlight flitted in from a window in the roof, just above the table. I clung onto Seth's arm.
"You… you did all this?"
"I helped." Quil called out indignantly from the stairs behind me. "Took all day to clear this room; sweep it, vacuum it, polish cutlery etc. Your boyfriend's such a slave driver!"
I was too stunned to laugh. I just stood still, clinging onto Seth as though my legs were about to give way.
Seth leant down to whisper in my ear. "Do you like it?"
I stared up at him. "Like it? Seth I'm completely flabbergasted! It's amazing… I…" Speechless, I just stood and stared, unable to keep the enormous grin from my face.
"Come on, the food'll get cold." Seth pulled out a chair for me and I obligingly sat down. Seth sat opposite. "The starters just salad." He confessed. "The main meal took so long to cook I ran out of time." He grinned sheepishly.
I looked at the array of greenery before me. "You know me Seth-o. Love my rabbit food." I raised an eyebrow at him. "How are you keeping the mains hot?" I asked, puzzled.
"Heated plates."
"Ah." That explained it. Quil coughed from the stairway.
"I'll just leave you two to it then?" He said a little mournfully. I beamed at him.
"Thank you Quil. You're a wonder."
This cheered him up. "For you two, anything. I'm off to read Claire her bedtime story. Call me when you need me to take you home." He waved before descending the stairs.
Seth poured saffron coloured wine into our glasses. I raised my eyebrows, impressed.
"Wine? In America? Under twenty-one? Surely not!"
"Well, neither of us are driving and mom has a whole cellar-full. I thought, why not?"
I raised my glass. "Cheers." He mirrored me.
"Cheers."
The wine was nice: sweet, yet dry. It reminded me of the Chardonnay dad used to pick out back in the UK. It made me smile. The salad was good too. Obviously Seth hadn't spent much time making it, though it was arranged perfectly on the plate: almost too pretty to eat. I eventually brought myself to spear a piece of rocket, placing it delicately in my mouth; chewing then swallowing.
Seth watched me nervously. "Like it?"
"Love it." I grinned. "You could make a living out of this: Chef Seth."
Seth wrinkled up his nose. "Makes me sound more like a Looney Tune character." We ate in silence after that. I couldn't draw my eyes away from how perfect his face was, lit by the soft, flickering candlelight. His uneven face: so soft, with laughter lines already creasing at the edges of his eyes when he smiled; his perfect hair that seemed to glisten in the moonlight; the curve of his mouth that seemed impossibly delicate, even when eating.
"What?" Seth broke into my daydream. I blinked, looking down at my plate.
"Sorry." I mumbled. "It's just hard to concentrate sometimes… with you around. You dazzle me." (Author Note: Familiar line?)
Although I wasn't looking at his face, I could hear the smile in Seth's voice. "You think you have a hard time of it? Try having to create coherent sentences with you around. It's all I can do to stop myself spouting gibberish whenever I look at you."
I felt my cheeks redden, too embarrassed by the compliment to feel any genuine pleasure. Seth's throaty chuckle echoed around the tiny room, his aura filling the small space and engulfing me entirely. I rolled up the sleeves of my jumper and quickly finished my salad, suddenly feeling far too hot.
"You want more?" Seth asked, looking at my now-empty plate. "There's loads more stuff for salad downstairs, I can just nip down and get-"
"No." I smiled at him. "I'm fine."
"You sure? You look kinda red. More so than your usual rosy-cheeked self." I waved his concern away with an impatient hand.
"I'm fine. It's just hot in here, that's all."
Seth rose from his chair and reached up to open the skylight, letting the cool, wintery breeze drift into the room. I closed my eyes and breathed in the icy air, getting a good lungful.
"Better?"
"Much." I nodded. "Now what's for mains?"
Seth grinned again and leant forward to kiss my forehead before serving up the next course: cooked salmon in a pesto sauce, with roasted vegetables on the side. I put my hand on Seth's shoulder as he served up, stroking it adoringly.
"Seth, this is amazing! You never told me you could cook!"
Now it was Seth's turn to blush: his perfect face gaining a cute pink tinge. "It's nothing. There was more but Quil ate some already, as he stayed to help with the cleaning."
"Did he help cook as well?" I asked, a little surprised.
"Nope. That was all me." Seth blushed again. "It's not that good Kris, you haven't even tried it yet!"
"Well it looks fantastic. Jamie Oliver himself would be proud."
"Who?"
"Never mind." I rolled my eyes, remembering that Seth had never heard of the naked chef.
"You're funny Kris." He mussed my hair adoringly. I batted him away.
"Gerrof." I picked up my fork, using the edge to break off a piece of salmon before popping it in my mouth.
"Good?" Seth hovered by my chair, obviously too anxious to sit down. I closed my eyes, savouring the taste. If Marmite was my favourite food in the entire world, green pesto came in close second.
"Good would be an understatement." I murmured, eyes still closed. "Seth, this is divine."
I opened my eyes to see Seth beaming at me. "Really?" He gushed, "You like it? It's not overcooked is it? Because I think I overdid it on the fish a bit. I might have put too much pesto on it too but I couldn't be sure. The recipe called for a whole jarful which I thought was a bit much but-"
I cut Seth off by jumping up, placing a soppy, wet kiss on his cheek. "Stop worrying!" I teased. "Now shut up and eat."
Seth obliged, kissing me back before sitting back down opposite me. We chatted amiably for a while, eating the delicious food. Seth had completely exceeded all my expectations, but then again, he always had. My expectations of moving to Forks in the first place had not been hopeful. Really, it was Seth that changed all of that.
By the time we'd finished our meal, the wine bottle was empty too and I was feeling ever so slightly light-headed. Seth had made me laugh producing two chocolate soufflés before proceeding to tell me how he hadn't made them himself, but only cooked them. Cooking was one thing; apparently baking was a whole different kettle of fish.
I groaned, leaning back in my chair, full to the brim.
"That's it, I'm never eating again!" I complained, rubbing my belly. "I don't think you should cook too often Seth-o or I'll weigh twenty stone in a week!"
Seth grinned at me. "It's not over yet."
I looked pleadingly at him. "Please, no more food! Please!"
Seth laughed, "No, no more food." He stood up, walking behind me to the opposite side of the room. "Don't turn around." He commanded. I obliged, wrapping my arms across my full stomach. I heard muffled scrapings and scratchings, resisting the temptation to turn around and look. Suddenly, the scatchings turned to something else. A slow line of melody melted into my ears and I had to physically suppress the urge to turn around. The notes blended together so perfectly, it made me want to cry. I closed my eyes, allowing the music to seep into my mind. When I opened them, Seth was standing by my side, hand outstretched.
"May I have this dance?"
I stoop up slowly, biting my lower lip. "I… I've never…" Seth took my hand in his and led me away from the table, placing his other hand on my waist.
"Don't worry." He whispered in my ear, making my shudder with delight. "I'll lead."
We stepped in slow, circular movements in time to the music. I leaned my head on Seth's chest, not being tall enough to reach his shoulder. He hummed along to the music, leading me round and round the room. I glanced at the sound system in the corner and was surprised by what I saw.
"Vinal?"
"My father's. It hasn't been used since he died. Mum put it up in the attic and I found it when Quil and I were cleaning. Still works." He chuckled softly as I held him tighter.
"Do you miss him?"
"Every day." Seth sighed. "But less so, now that you're here; someone to distract me. Is that bad?"
"No. It's human." I smiled, leaning further against his chest and closing my eyes, breathing in his intoxicating scent.
"Good. One more human point for the freaky wolf boy."
I pinched him playfully. "What song is this anyway? I never took you for listening to classical music?"
"Clair De Lune. It's by Debussy."
I smiled against Seth's chest. "It's beautiful."
"Edward burnt me a CD a while ago. This was on it." Seth admitted. "Then I found it on vinal when we were cleaning and I thought, 'why not?' It's pretty."
"It is." I agreed. Seth chuckled. I looked up at him, wanting to be in on the joke. "What?"
"It's just… a story Edward told me, about this piece of music. How he played it to Bella, right back when they first met… I dunno; call me a superstitious fool but, I kinda think of it as a lucky charm."
"Superstitious fool." I teased.
"I don't know Krissy. it just came so naturally to them. I've never seen anyone as in love as those two."
"Except us." I pointed out
"Except us." He agreed.
I leaned my head against his chest once more, swaying against his burning body. After a while, I spoke again "I suppose, maybe, it's about time I met them I guess."
"Who?"
"Bella and Edward."
Seth lifted my chin with his finger. "You mean that?"
"Do you want me to?" I asked, uncertainly.
"Of course!" Seth stroked my hair with his free hand. "They're like my best friends, apart from the pack of course! And Jake will be thrilled you're finally meeting Nessie."
"Their daughter?"
Seth nodded. "You don't have to, of course. It's just…" I saw the enthusiasm in his eyes. "They're really cool. You'll like them. Everyone does."
I smiled at him. "Then, I suppose that settles it."
"Soon." Seth promised, gushing with enthusiasm and excitement. "We'll have another barbeque on the beach."
"In the cold?" I muttered, doubtfully.
"You'll have me. Personal radiator, remember?" Seth rubbed his nose against mine. "Plus vampires don't feel the cold."
I winced. "Can we not use the V word? It sounds so silly."
"I guess." Seth shrugged. "If you want. They won't hurt you though, I promise. They would rather die than-"
I cut him off. "I know. It's not that, it's just… I'm a simple, girl from a very small island where vampires and werewolves only exist in the pages of Harry Potter. Whilst I get the whole 'wolfy' thing, vampires – evil, blood sucking creatures by definition – are a little hard to grasp right now." Seth looked a little hurt. I hastened to comfort him. "But I'll get there, Seth-o. You know I will."
He smiled.
"I know." He agreed, leaning forward to press his lips to mine. At once, the world melted. The warm room became stifling. My knees buckled and I could feel that Seth's arms were the only things holding me up. The music reached a dramatic climax as Seth lifted me up and held me, lip locked, in the light of the moon.
Ta-dah! Cute or what? I love writing the fluffy, mushy chapters. I'm almost done writing the next chapter so it should be up soon.
Please review. I'm very happy that so many of you have favourited this story, and put it on your alert list but please, if you have, just leave a review with your thoughts. I love to know what you all think and what could be improved on. Thank you!
Rose x
