Disclaimer:
Anything you recognise does not belong to me; I'm simply playing around with Alan Ball's and HBO's lovely universe and delectable characters.
Author's Note:
More than 100 reviews! I am so ridiculously thrilled – thank you for the support!
xXx
10
Unfortunately, to make an 'informal meeting' seem informal you can't really use the word 'meeting'.
Had vampires not been involved, I might have considered doing some form of a dinner party. However, vampires were involved, and that really puts a completely different spin on the concept 'dinner party'.
And as my imagination was a bit limited I ended up standing in front of my bathroom mirror Friday night, getting dolled up, wondering why for the second goddamn weekend in a row I wouldn't be able to lounge on my beloved couch, eating Cheetos and catching up on TV.
It had been pretty easy, in the end, to get Skye to arrange for a meet-up. All I had to do was mention that it would be 'fun' to go out, and bring our vampire friends so they could meet… and stuff. However, as there was really no keeping anything private in our small shop, come Friday it had turned into a work-night out, with dates, though neither Dennis nor River were bringing anyone, and I think they just wanted to tag along to get to see two vampires interact. I couldn't really blame them; up until last week's party at Godric's house I would have been curious too – they couldn't know that vampires in groups were supremely boring.
So, yeah, I'd had to call Godric and inform him that we were going to a vampire-friendly bar with the classy name 'Snazzy', and that the rest of my colleagues would be joining us, too. He took it remarkably well, though I didn't exactly sense enthusiasm in his smooth voice at the prospect.
When Godric knocked around 9.30 I was wearing my skankiest outfit (as Skye had informed me that the dress-code was 'skin and sweat'), consisting of a short, tight, black dress being held up by spaghetti straps and a push-up bra, and my hair was up in a Dutch braid wrapping around my head.
I opened the door, pre-dancing wineglass in hand, and smiled brightly at him. "Come on in – I'm not quite ready yet."
He obeyed, without taking his eyes off me, which would have been rather flattering if it wasn't because I was fairly sure that he was just wondering why I looked like such a skank.
"Just adding makeup," I informed him, before disappearing back out into the bathroom. "Sit down."
It is a testament to Godric's patience that I got to finish my half hour in the bathroom without as much as hearing him clear his throat or otherwise try to hurry me up. When I finally emerged, now with a good amount of paint on my face, I found him by my bookshelf, leafing through a witchy book.
"Well, well! Look who's working on their prejudices!" I teased, smirking.
He didn't answer; just put the book down and stared at me intently.
"You said that this bar is for vampires?"
"Mhm?"
His lips pinched together.
"Why, is that a problem?"
"No," He answered, moving towards the door. "It is not, as long as you do not stray too far."
I sent him a confused look, and he offered a small smile I return.
"You look like vampire bait, little one."
That made me laugh. "Uh, thanks… I think?"
"Oh, it was a compliment." He gave me a good once-over that made blood rush to my chest and face, and I slapped his arm lightly for good measure.
"Be careful with those; I'm a very friendly drunk!"
He chuckled and led me outside, where his silver Lexus waited. For obvious reasons Godric was the designated driver of the two of us this evening.
Snazzy was located on the outskirts of one of the less-than-attractive areas of downtown Dallas, its placement perfect to give that feeling of a walk on the wild side that I assumed most patrons visiting a vampire bar were after, while still keeping some of the exclusive vibe from the downtown location.
As we approached the building I spotted a long line in front of its doors, and sighed loudly. I hate waiting, especially when doing so after having drunk alcohol – it's such a waste of happy-feelings time.
But Godric simply walked to the front of the line, with me pattering along behind him. I glanced at the queue and saw several glares in my general direction.
The vampire bouncers turned to us - or rather, Godric - recognising him on sight.
"Sheriff, what a delightful surprise," the female vampire chirped. "Business or… pleasure?" She said the last bit while glancing at my neckline.
His hand came up to rest on the small of my back. "Pleasure tonight, Sandy."
She gave me a leer before nodding politely to Godric and letting us in.
The music blaring at us was loud and ethnic and made me want to dance, and I eagerly headed through the throng of scantily clad humans and the occasional vampire towards the bar, where I'd spotted River and Dennis.
River lit up at the sight of me, leaning in to give me a cheek-kiss. "Sophie!"
I returned the greeting, repeating it for Dennis. "You remember Godric, right?" It was a rhetorical question; Godric had been the topic of conversation in the store many a time. "Godric, do you remember Dennis and River?"
The vampire nodded shortly, and my two colleagues half-waved awkwardly. I guess that the less-enthusiastic greeting – when compared to the first time they saw him – was due to Skye's changed behaviour after getting into a relationship with a vampire; they were a little bit warier of his kind than they had been.
"So where are Skye and Tom?" I enquired.
River shrugged. "Probably on their way. Skye's always late these days."
It was true; the blonde had started to show up later and later for work, and sometimes not at all. I sighed and turned my attentions towards the bar, while River and Dennis found us a booth.
We were served immediately, which probably had a lot more to do with Godric's presence than it did my cleavage, but when I went to pay, Godric put his hand lightly over mine and shook his head before he handed over a couple of notes to the bar staff.
"You are here for me tonight – so it is my treat," he explained when he noticed my scowl.
I pinched my lips together at him, but he merely pushed my drink towards me with a finger, and – well – I did want to get my blood alcohol levels up enough to dance, so I snapped it up with a 'thanks' and led him to the table.
When Skye and Tom turned up about forty-five minutes later I was well on my way to getting drunk, but it was alright, because River was in a worse state; she was currently rubbing up against a somewhat freaked-looking Dennis.
It was weird, seeing Skye in the company of her vampire lover. When she was in work she was usually always very open and carefree, but as she followed Tom in she looked more quiet and withdrawn than I'd ever seen her, though she was certainly dressed the part of a vampire bar patron.
"Hi hun," I greeted her, pulling her in for a quick hug. She had lost weight, I noted, but my brain was too intoxicated to ponder further on it.
"Hi guys," she smiled. "Everyone, this is Tom. Tom, these are my colleagues and, uh, Godric." Her voice lowered when she said Godric's name, glancing quickly at her boyfriend's face.
Tom, who had gorgeous long, soft, curly hair but was otherwise a rather plain-looking man, albeit pale and with that certain deadly quality vampires tended to have, pretty much ignored the mortal part of the gathering, bending his head respectfully at the other vampire. "Sheriff."
"Thomas Mallerick." Godric's eyes were narrowed a tiny bit, but apart from that his face remained blank; an expression I had started to recognise as his vampire-mask – the one he used when he was dealing with his underlings.
"It is a true pleasure," Tom mumbled.
Godric inclined his head once, turning to Skye. "I trust you are well, child?"
Skye looked rather shocked at the other vampire's interest, but managed to nod and whisper a 'thank you'.
And then there was an uncomfortable silence while Godric sat silently staring at Tom, who seemed to know that he was in some sort of trouble and therefor was very uncharacteristically (for a vampire) fidgeting in his seat.
Dennis stared fascinated at the two, clocking on to the undertones, but River was way past noticing – or caring.
I inclined my head at Dennis towards the dance floor, and he sighed and got up, dragging a happy and clingy River with him.
I stole a glance at Skye, wishing I could just go dance and enjoy my buzz, but I didn't want to leave her with the two, sombre vampires.
"Go with your friends," Tom encouraged - or rather, demanded. I was starting to really not like this guy.
"Actually, I wish to speak with your human," Godric intervened, leaning back in his seat, pale fingers resting lightly against each other.
It was hard to tell who was more shocked; Tom or Skye.
The ancient vampire turned his gaze to the blonde girl. "Am I correct in assuming that you told Thomas about my friendship with Sophie, child?"
She blinked, blue eyes round with surprise. "Y-yeah?"
"I am aware that you are unfamiliar with the supernatural world, but for future occurrences you should know that any dealings between vampires, whether or not they involve a human, are best not shared with people that you do not know well." His mercury eyes never left her face, and she seemed somewhat mesmerised by them. "Sophie could have been badly hurt because our interactions became known in the supernatural world, without my knowledge.
Skye's gaze shot to my face, shock overtaking surprise. I smiled comfortingly at her, a little too drunk to be of much more support.
"Naturally, I do not blame you." Godric's tone was suddenly icy, and his eyes now focussed on Tom. Who swallowed a lump in his throat.
I took that as my hint and got up. "Come, Skye. Let's go dance with River and Dennis!"
She followed me, after a quick glance at her lover, who didn't take his – somewhat petrified – stare off Godric.
It didn't take either of us long to get lost in the music and atmosphere of the club, and in my case happily forget about the gloomy non-meeting taking place between the two vampires at the table. In fact, I forgot about all the vampires present all together, which is generally a really, really bad idea.
And if it hadn't been for Godric I'm sure the night had ended quite unpleasantly for me after I twirled around and went straight into the arms of a gorgeous, female vampire with cold, silver eyes.
"Well, hello, cutey," she purred, grasping my wrists in her slender but scarily strong hands.
I blinked, my intoxicated brain not quite able to understand a female looking at me with that kind of expression.
And then Godric was right behind me, an aura of power strong enough for even my drunk senses to notice radiating from him. "She is mine!" It was not quite a snarl.
The female vampire sighed, releasing my wrists. "You sure you don't wanna share now, sheriff?" She shot him a long, evaluating look.
This time a small growl did escape Godric's throat, and my back was suddenly pressed flush against his hard chest by an iron grasp around my waist. Well, mmh! I happily leaned back against him.
She laughed and turned around, shaking her head lightly. "Pity."
I looked over my shoulder and nuzzled my face against his before I lazily threw an arm back, hooking it loosely around his neck, bending my knees lightly so I could move against him to the music.
He went rigid behind me, making me laugh while I slid further down and then back up.
"Told you I was a friendly drunk," I hummed happily, leaning my head back against his shoulder, provokingly exposing my neck to him.
"That you did." It was a mix between a laugh and a growl against my ear.
I twisted around in his arm that was still wound around my midsection so I could face him.
"Hello you," I teased, noticing the darkness of his eyes and deciding to see if I could push him a little further. - Because drunk Sophie is a moron, apparently.
I tipped my head back, arching my back and pressing my hips into his while sliding my hands over his soft, grey V-necked shirt, relishing in the feel of his hard muscles underneath it.
The hand that wasn't holding my drunk form up shot out and grabbed the back of my neck, pulling me back up and pressing my ear close to his mouth.
"You are drunk." There was a clear, dark warning in his voice.
It should probably have scared me.
But unfortunately, it didn't.
And I leaned in and bit down on his shoulder. Hard.
A hiss erupted from him, and the arm around my waist and the hand on my neck pulled me harder against him for a second, making my entire, drunken body shiver in delicious want.
I opened my mouth to nibble at the place where his neck met his shoulder, but he caught my neck in time, pulling me back. "Stop that. Right now." It was a full, deep growl.
I pulled my head away, feeling entirely too pleased with myself for having pushed the tranquil vampire so far – until my eyes met his. They were pitch-black.
Oh... Maybe I'd pushed too far... A small part of my intoxicated brain felt a flutter of fear just as he grabbed my arm and dragged me through the crowd, up to the bar.
"0 negative," he snarled at the bar staff, who were quick to bring him what he asked for.
He tossed some money over the desk, grabbed the bottle and manoeuvred me towards the door. But the quick stop at the bar made my happy-drunk self take over control again as I was now certain he had sufficient self-control, so I just giggled as I stumbled after him outside and down the street towards his car.
After about a block Godric stopped and took a deep swig of the bottle.
"So… we're done dancing then?" I sighed, leaning against a building for balance. It wasn't meant to be a taunt, but it nevertheless earned me a dark glare.
"No more dancing."
"Bore," I sighed. "Did you talk to Tom?
He grasped my wrist in his bottle-free hand again and continued walking towards the car, but at a calmer pace, occasionally taking another sip. "Yes."
"And?" I prodded.
He sent me a short glance. "And while I am certain that he was not behind the attack he is the one who made my friendship with you publically known while aware that I had not claimed you."
"So… nothing will happen to him, right?" I didn't really want Skye's boyfriend to be pissy with me, seeing as I would be working with her most days.
The look he gave me made me shiver, and not in a good way this time.
"He spread this rumour knowing full well that it would put you in danger, Sophie." Godric's voice was calm, but so very dark.
I decided I didn't want to know any more about it. At all.
When I woke up the next afternoon I would have preferred just staying underneath my duvet for the rest of my life and never, ever going outside again, because unfortunately, I could remember most of the night before, including rubbing myself all over the two thousand year old vampire like a cat in heat. When the memory of biting his shoulder caught up with me I whimpered in utter humiliation. Why? Why did I do that?!
Glancing at my phone I saw a text from River, who mentioned something about making the biggest mistake of her life. She didn't elaborate, but I assumed it involved Dennis and future, awkward days in work. I sent her a text back asking for not-too-explicit details.
And then I checked my missed calls and saw that my mum had called.
The day could not get any better.
Experiencing new and impressive levels of self-hatred I crawled to the bathroom and made an attempt at shaving off the layer of alcohol from my teeth and tongue before I turned on the shower and climbed in, hoping that the water would wash away the shame. And the headache.
It didn't.
Just as I had put on a clean pair of pyjama bottoms and a cotton T-shirt my phone rang. Mum again.
With a heavy, heavy sigh I answered.
"Sophie, you sound like you just got out of bed!"
"Hi mum. How are you?"
"You know only bums and drug addicts sleep until the afternoon."
I glanced at the clock – four thirty. "I went out last night… and I didn't just get up."
"Oh, God! Are you an alcoholic now?"
"No, mum. It was just a nice night out with some friends," I sighed, browsing through my pitifully empty kitchen cupboards. I should really have stocked them up when I knew I'd be hung over today.
I half-way listened while my mother talked and talked, mainly about what more or less exciting things she'd been up to since we last spoke. Unfortunately, there is room for a lot of arguments with the neighbours and loads of laundry during half a year. I put 'The Bachelor' on – muted – in the background and settled in for the long haul.
When it knocked on the door three hours later I was still on the phone with her.
"Mum, hang on a moment, someone's at the door," I tried interrupting, getting up from the couch. She ignored me and continued talking about the new dance class her and her boyfriend attended every Thursday.
I rolled my eyes and trudged over to open the door, phone still pressed against one ear.
Godric was stood outside, with a bag in one hand.
I stared at him with a rising sense of panic and mortification and had just decided on slamming the door – as my hung over brain didn't offer any other solutions -in his face when he said: "Good evening, Sophie," which made my mother stop mid-talk.
"Was that a man?!"
Oh, great.
"Yeah, that was Godric…" I stepped out of the doorway, defeated, so he could get in.
"Did he spend the night?!" my mother gasped in horror.
...
"No, he just knocked on the door – when I said 'just a moment, someone's at the door'…"
"Sophie Marie Hartt! Do not take that tone with me! Who is this man who thinks it is appropriate to visit a young woman this late on a Saturday evening?!"
This late being 7.30.
I quietly counted down from ten. "Godric is my friend."
"Yes, thank you, I am aware what sort of 'friend' you are talking about!" she snapped.
I highly doubted it.
"Mum... was there a reason why you called?" I glanced at the bag Godric had brought. He'd put it on the kitchen counter, and a promising scent of take away emanated from it. "I'm starving, and the food is getting cold."
"Aunt Ettie is having a big family Christmas this year, but because Aunt Gretchen is working on the 25th it will be held on Christmas Eve instead. I'm counting on seeing you there."
I made the mistake of groaning out loud.
"Sophie, you haven't been home for Christmas for three years! It is important that you come this year; Grandma has some important news…" I instantly felt ashamed over the rush of happiness that went through me when the thought that the news might be that she was suffering from some fatal illness popped into my head. "… and it has started to get noted that you have not been back in Louisiana in ages." She paused briefly. "Shall I tell Ettie that you will come on your own? Again?" Or is there a young man you would like to bring? You know your cousin Kathy has just gotten engaged, and to such a handsome young man."
It is incredible what motherly pressure and years of growing up in a toxic environment can do to your sense of rationality.
"No, I'll bring someone," I heard myself say.
"Oh good. I shall see you on the 24th at 7 then. Bye now, Sophie."
I stared mutely at my phone after she'd hung up. How did she do it?!
"Your mother?"
Godric's soft voice made me jolt in surprise – I'd forgotten that he was there.
My previous embarrassment returned, with a vengeance, and I hid my face behind my phone-free hand. "Okay, here's the bottom line: if you don't swear to forget that yesterday happened I will unfortunately have to kill you and bury you out back."
His chuckle made me glance up from my hand.
"As you wish, little one."
I exhaled gratefully and then looked questioningly at the bag that was emitting the enchanting scent. "So what-er..?"
"I recall you saying that humans find pleasure in a cheeseburger after having consumed alcohol." He sounded like it was a very bizarre notion.
At that moment I loved him a little bit.
"Thank you!" Hands already half down the bag I shot a quick glance over my shoulder. "You better look away; this won't be a pretty sight." Without even considering banalities such as a plate I unwrapped the burger – double and so big that I could only just have it between my hands – and took a giant bite. I continued devouring it, leaning over the kitchen counter, humming with pleasure, and I don't mean to brag, but I'm pretty sure I set some sort of record for timed cheeseburger eating.
It wasn't until I was in the process of swallowing the last bite and wiping the juices off my face with a hand that I realised that Godric – the giant arsehole – was leaned against the kitchen sink, watching me with a grin.
"Oi! What did I say!" I snapped, though without being able to muster too much anger. He might have been watching me like some sort of zoo attraction, but he did bring the food.
"I wanted to see if it truly smells as attractively to you as blood does to a vampire," he said, innocently.
I quirked an eyebrow. "And?"
His eyes sparkled with mirth. "You may have been correct in your assumptions."
Snorting, I started for the bathroom to wash burger off my face. "Do you mind getting a bottle of blood out yourself?"
He shook his head and opened the fridge.
When I came back – dragging my duvet along – he was sat on the couch with a bottle of TruBlood, watching the channel I'd had on while talking to my mother.
I plopped down next to him and threw the duvet over my legs. "Just change the channel if you want," I sighed. "I'm too tired to do anything meaningful anyway."
The dark-haired vampire left the channel unchanged and leaned back. "What did your mother want?"
"Guilt trip me, mostly. And force-invite me to go home for Christmas." Oh, why hadn't I come up with a quick lie about having to work?
He watched me closely, the blank expression he frequently defaulted to on his face. "And you will be bringing a… guest?"
I groaned involuntarily. "No! I don't know why i said that! Or yes, I do know why; it's because I'm weak and still let myself get manipulated by those horrible, cold, unreasonable…" There just wasn't a strong enough finish for that sentence.
"You have a strained relationship to your family?" he asked softly.
I buried my face in my hands and pushed all my issues from my upbringing down, as I'd made a habit of doing since I left my mother's house at the age of eighteen. "I'd really rather not to talk about it right now, ok?"
"As you wish, little one." His hand gently patted my duvet where my ankle was hidden underneath.
And then I eyed a possibility.
"Uh… Godric?"
"Hmm?"
"What are you doing for Christmas?"
If he knew where I was going with this he pretended not to. "I do not celebrate Christmas."
...
"...Godric?"
"Yes, little one?"
"Do you remember that all together horrible vampire party you made me go to last week?"
The corner of his mouth twitched. "Yes, I recall it."
I narrowed my eyes a little, trying to imagine him in a reindeer sweater, but the picture just wouldn't form in my head. "Is there any possible situation where you – out of sheer gratitude that I didn't die from boredom or vampire attack – would consider going to Louisiana with me to visit my family this Christmas?"
His eyes calmly locked in mine. "There are one or two scenarios where that could happen. But are you certain that you would want that?"
I thought of my family's general ignorance towards everyone who wasn't like them. And I thought about how I had never been like them. And about having calm, strong Godric by my side through what was bound to be a nightmarish experience. "I am absolutely certain. And the dinner is at night on the 24th so there won't be any, hm, light-problems. But…" I sighed. Full disclosure needed. "I have to tell you that it won't be a pleasant experience. They are not… very nice people."
Godric watched me with his head slightly tilted for a little while, and then nodded once. "Very well. I shall book our plane tickets when I get home tonight."
I sighed in relief and leaned back in the couch. "A million times thank you. You really are the best thing that's ever happened to me."
"As you are for me," he said quietly and seriously.
A blush spread across my body alongside a warm feeling of happiness. I still had no idea why he chose to spend just a little bit of his immortal life with me, but one thing was for sure; every fibre of my being was thankful for it.
We spent the rest of the night watching Vampire Diaries, occasionally interrupted by Godric's contemptuous snorts, and at some point I fell asleep with my feet in the vampire's lap. I half woke by the sensation of floating and tiredly cracked an eye open just as I was put down on my bed.
"Hmm?" I sighed.
"Dawn is almost here, little one," a soft voice spoke above me. My duvet was laid out over me, and I sighed happily and went back to sleep.
He came by again the next night, but instead of coming in when I opened the door he took a step back. "I believe I owe you another bit of flying?" His light tone was almost drowned out by my excited squeal when I spun around and ran in to get my coat and shoes.
When I came back out I quickly locked the door and then jumped on Godric's back, as he offered it, without hesitation.
His laughter rumbled against me, probably over the contrast to the first time, and he set off after wrapping his arms around my thighs.
I had, unfortunately, not gotten better at not screaming.
We landed on the same roof as last time, and I slid off his back, happily breathing in the night air, walking closer to the edge to look at the lights below us. I could feel Godric's eyes on me.
"Have you tried that meditation technique I showed you last time we were here?" I asked, before turning around so I could see him.
He lay stretched out on the roof, propped up on an elbow. Effortlessly he sank down flat on his back and let his eyes find the night sky. "Yes."
"And?" I plopped down next to him with considerable less grace, also with my gaze turned up to the sky.
"I feel... something. There is... something. But I cannot reach it."
His soft, melancholic voice reminded me of something I had planned to tell him ever since I had processed our fight from the week before.
"Godric? There's something I have to tell you. Something you need to understand. It is important." I kept my eyes locked on the sky even though I sensed that he turned his head to look at me. The times we'd had deeper conversations I'd always had my drawing pad in my lap to focus on, and I wasn't very good at being open and personal without having some form of filter between myself and the other person.
He waited for me to continue in silence so I took a deep – and a little shaky – breath. "Last week you said that the guilt you carry over your past actions almost made you… end your life. That it was too much to live with. And I think that… you are trying to repent, if that disaster with the fellowship is an indicator. And you said that there was something about me that made you reconsider, wait. The thing is; I know what it is." I made myself turn my head towards him. Shadowed eyes met mine. "It is so I can explain this to you: If you have two thousand years' of crimes on your conscience, the only way for you to repent is to give two thousand years of good deeds back to the Universe. For every innocent life you have taken you must save one, for every atrocity you must help another soul. And I know it will hurt; I can't imagine the weight on your shoulders. But Godric, if you don't give the Universe this before you die, your existence will have had a negative impact on the world. And… I… I could not bear it." I felt tears rise and fought to supress them, which made my voice hoarse. "I have never met… never thought that there was someone like you. And I know that when it is your time, your soul will have found peace. Do not leave this life before you have done what you need to. Please."
A single, dark tear rolled down his face as he lay there, watching me, and I saw anguish in his eyes, but also hope. "You believe that there is peace to find for me?" he asked so quietly that I was only just able to hear him.
"I know there is." The sight of his one tear made my own overflow.
He turned around so he was fully facing me, and cool fingers gently wiped the tears off my cheeks.
"My little light," he whispered. "My salvation."
That just made my tears come harder and faster, and he must have given up brushing them off because his hand gently cupped my cheek instead of wiping it. "Human tears for my fate," he mused quietly. "In this I see God."
He let me cry myself out in silence, his cold hand a constant, calming presence against my face.
When the tears finally stopped, I slowly - and with a warmth that spread from my heart and into my toes and hands - became aware of his presence, and for three, long seconds I was staring at his lips, wishing with every part of me that they were against mine.
And that is when I for the first time really, truly understood that our time together had an expiration date; that I sooner or later would lose him. As closely intertwined as our lives seemed now, as shortly it would last.
Coldness pressed against my insides and I sat up and hugged my knees into my chest, breaking the intimate moment. It was well past time that I started to think of this so I could prepare myself mentally for when it would finally happen.
"Will you remember what I've said? Also when I'm no longer around?" I asked.
I could hear him sitting up next to me, but I kept my eyes focussed on the horizon.
"Are you going somewhere, Sophie?" His voice was like soft velvet, and I shivered at the sound of my name.
"Someday, I will. You know it is inevitable." I forced myself to give him a weak smile. "I am not immortal."
"And I have two thousand years left." His voice was quiet.
My smile became a touch more genuine. "I didn't necessarily mean two thousand years in the most literal sense. It's more quality than quantity where the Universe is concerned, I think."
"It will nevertheless take more than one lifetime to make amends for all the evil I have done."
I rested my head against my knees and looked at him over the arm that was folded around my legs. "Will you remember what I have said?" I asked again.
His eyes bored into mine. "Yes, Sophie. I will remember."
I smiled and turned my head again, resting my forehead against my knees so I couldn't see him. "Good." A world with Godric still in it would be a better place to live, even if I couldn't be in his life. I had already been in Dallas longer than I had planned, and even though I wasn't ready to let go of Godric yet, it was only a matter of time before I had to wrench myself away from him so I wouldn't get crushed.