First Morning

I woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside and warm summer air blowing into my room. I sighed softly as I rolled onto my back and sat up. My balcony doors were open and there were a few birds standing on the banister of the balcony. I smiled and climbed out of bed slowly starting to remember how the Undertaker put me to bed last night. I gently touched my chest as I reached the balcony remembering how gentle he was with me. I was a little confused by it honestly. He was such a monster and yet…he treated me like gold.

Gently I picked up the small blue bird and lightly pet its head with my finger. As I did so I glanced down at the backyard and was shocked to find it looking a whole lot nicer than it was before. The graveyard was still there, but the grass was a beautiful green with flowers everywhere and a new gate and fence surrounded it. I wasn't sure if the Undertaker had done all this to impress me, but he sure was winning points.

"Good Morning."

I gasped at the sudden sound of his voice. I turned around and looked at him. He was walking towards me from the bedroom door with a smirk on his face.

"Um…Good morning." I said.

"How are you feeling?" he asked. "I hope you got plenty of rest."

I nodded as he stood before me, gently reaching out to touch my chin. He closely examined my face in the sunlight before taking my hand and leading me back into the room. I looked over my shoulder and released the little bird that was in my hand.

"Now…since you've made the decision to remain here with me once again, I thought we should start having our meals together." He said as he stopped at my closet and pulled out a light pink robe. "I've arranged a special breakfast this morning especially for you."

"You have?" I said as he helped me put the warm robe on. "You didn't have to do that really…"

"Oh but I did darling…remember it was you that said that I had to earn your love and I plan to do that." He said as he gently held my shoulders.

I narrowed my eyes at him unsure if he was truly serious. "And how do I know that this isn't all a big trick or another revenge plot to get at my friends and family."

He laughed and gently shook his head, "Still don't fully trust me huh?"

"No." I answered,

"Then you'll have to get use to me." He said. "It been a long time since I was able to be with a woman…and when I saw you growing up through the years…I knew I had to have you."

I bit my bottom lip as I looked up into his green eyes. "I'm sure I'll get use to it, but you'll have to excuse me if I seem distant for a while."

"I wouldn't expect anything less from you," he said before gently kissing my forehead. "Now come, you need to eat something."

I nervously took his hand and let him lead me downstairs to his dining area. I was real surprised to find a hot plate of Eggs Benedict on the table with a side of applesauce.

"This is my favorite breakfast," I said as he pulled the chair out for me. "But how did you-"

"As I said, I've been watching you closely over the years Leah. You're a diamond in the rough and you have been for quite some time. It's high time that you're treated like the queen that you really are."

I shook my head as I sat down on the chair. "So why didn't you just come talk to me whenever I was alone?"

"Because your parents wouldn't have allowed me to take you away so easily. Why give them a choice when I can make the decision for them?" he asked as he pushed me up to the table and then took a seat at the head of the table.

I dropped my gaze and moved some of my hair behind my ear. "And all the people who got hurt in the process? Were they really worth it?"

He sighed, and looked into my eyes. "If it meant getting you away from dangerous people….then yes. I understand this must all be hard for you to understand but I cared deeply enough about you to take you from that place you called a home."

I smiled and picked up my fork, "Well if my family was able to kill you and cover it up as if it never happened, then I suppose I should thank you for taking me from them. That won't stop me from missing them though."

He nodded and started eating his food. I wondered what else he had planned for me while I remained here in the Estate but at the same time, I wondered if there would ever be a chance of me seeing my friends again.