Hello! I'm very excited and worried about this chapter very dramatic! Hope you guys like, comment or review I want to know your thoughts on it. It's rly long!!! ~Luna
The sun was blaring down at us as we walked through the garden to the day care center. Matthew walked a little ahead from us for I was too busy watching Blake and Blake himself was busy staring at everything with the vigor and curiosity of a nine year old. From time to time Blake looked up at me; I don't know why but every time he did I felt like a mom or a big sister because he would look at me with admiration and sometimes almost as if he was questioning me if he was doing good. Every time I could only smile and continue walking but the feeling never fading making me wonder what this kid had gone through.
We arrived at a big shack with a banner at the front that read: Vampire Day Care Center. Ages 4-150, Enjoy your stay in Waikiki leaving your troublesome pets here. I scrunched my nose as we entered… we were leaving Blake in a place like this? The Lady at the counter was to my surprise a vampire, she looked over to us smiled, bowed,
"Good morning Your Highness, good morning Ma'am. Have you decided to leave Blake with us today?"
I scrutinized the place and the woman. I didn't mean to it was simply a reaction for I was leaving a minor here. The place seemed nice enough and she did too and Blake seemed excited. Matthew looked at me with a minor glare –most probably for scrutinizing –before turning to her,
"Yes, we're going to leave him here. What time should we pick him up?"
"Well, I'll need room number and around eight he'll be taken to your room," explain the vampire girl sweetly as she motioned for a paper on the counter.
I nodded as I walked over to fill it, simple stuff like my name, room number, phone number and address. Once finished, she came out from behind the counter and extended her hand to Blake. Once again, Blake looked up to me waiting my approval to which I nodded. He hugged me and ran to her giving her his small hand.
"Don't worry Ms. Moonlight we'll take good care of him," the girl tried to soothe.
I nodded and felt Matthew tug my hand. I waved good bye to Blake and allowed myself to be pulled out by Matthew.
"So, what first?" Matthew asked me.
I smirked at him and ran away. Matthew stared at me oddly shaking his head to my childish antics.
"CATCH ME!" I hollered once I was far enough.
Needless to say, Matthew caught me fairly quickly. We headed over to the meeting for surf classes. Fifteen minutes into the class, Matthew was bored.
"Come on," he whispered to my ear, "Lets get out of here… I'll teach you how to surf."
Without a reply, he was already dragging me away. Two surf boards, a piña colada and a chase later, we were in the water. I had never touched a surfing board in my life therefore was horrendous at it and couldn't maintain myself on the board. Matthew helped me up and explained while he performed and amazed me. Surfing vampire… now you don't see that everyday…
"Come on Luna," he called out to me from the waters; I was still trying to balance myself on the board near the sand.
I paddled my way to where he and his board were floating. He smiled at me reassuringly,
"The wave's coming try to ride it… if anything goes wrong I'm here."
I nodded still a little unsure. Paddling myself to meet the upcoming wave, I slowly raised myself trying to keep balance. I managed to keep myself on the board until the wave picked up and I was speeding on it. For a second I thought I was going to fall until I remembered I'm a daughter of the Goddess. With a smirk, I extended my arms willing the waters to push and balance me.
HA! Beet this one Matthew!
"You know this is cheating," I heard Matthew dangerously close to me.
Startled, I looked around and spotted him just a little above from me in the dying wave. I screamed at his proximity, lost balance and fell back but not before grabbing Matthew and bringing him down with me. When we resurfaced, we were both laughing. The laughter didn't last long for next thing I know my arms were resting on his shoulders while his were around my waist holding me just a little higher than him. Our stare closed as our lips touched.
The next thing I'm going to say is going to sound very Twilightish but its one of the little things I could agree with Bella. As our lips danced, I noticed how intoxicating he really was. His lips melded to my own in almost perfectly. I caressed his face, entertained my fingers with is hair and roamed his neck. His thumb drew circles on my thigh making thrilling goose bumps appear all over me, his other hand on my back holding me in place. I pushed my lips harder on his lips urging him to kiss me more but he was holding back. He always held back… just a kiss here and a kiss there but I understood him; he didn't want to risk biting me and more after the last "biting" incident. But that was good because it showed that he cared.
Finally, I needed to breath and so broke away still held in the same position. I smiled at him both tauntingly and sexily. Yet before he could comment, I felt a tap on my leg making me squeal and jump thus making Matthew give me a quizzical look. I suddenly went under leaving Matthew to search for me under. I gripped tightly the gray fin as he and I blasted out of water. I screamed and laughed. I saw Matthew resurface, look for my laughter and laugh himself. I guess it would be pretty funny to see me hanging for dear life to a dolphins.
Later that day, we went and had lunch at a tropical bar. We took a snorkeling tour around the coastal area. Seeing again our friends the dolphins –which I knew their names to be Olaka and Pairu but Matthew only laughed it off –and other sea creatures along with beautiful reefs.
That evening we went to get Blake early at the day care center and left to have dinner at the Sea Life Luau with an amazing dolphin show and Polynesian revue.
The rest of the week we did so many things! Remember when I said the week in Alaska was my best or the time were I said the week with my cousins was the best well scratch that this has been the best week ever. We went to the jungle in a safari with a 4x4, a helicopter ride above the volcanoes, shark swimming inside the metal cage, scuba diving, luau dancing, bird watching, lounging, clubbing and simply enjoying each other's company. Blake has been having fun in the day care center and every evening he would tell us all about his day. I couldn't believe I still had another week to spend in this paradise. One thing I definitely liked was the fact that every vampire we've seen so far does have a collar but is working regular hours and no one has even raised his or her voices to him or her, though it is still weird to be bowed upon sight as we walk but I let it be.
No matter where I went, the media always found me and this was no exception. In a matter of days, there was a picture on every magazine… of not only Matthew and me but us two and Blake. Imagine the things they said… yeah apparently, Matthew and I adopted. I wondered why they decided now to say we adopted. I mean, the twins were seen with us all the time and not one were they accused of being our adoptive children… then again, those two were so hyper I doubt the photographers got the chance to take a picture. Though I must agree the pictures were cute. My favorite was our first night here in the Sea Life Luau, when we were watching the show. We sat at our table, Blake was sitting on my lap his head resting in my chest as he watched the show as Matthew held my hand discreetly. The other one I really liked was set after dinner, we were walking to our hotel; Matthew was carrying a sleeping Blake and I rested myself on his shoulder as we walked. We did look like a family…
On Sunday, I awoke around midday and ordered a brunch to be taken up to my room. We had decided to take the day to leisure after the whole week of partying. Matthew was no where to be seen while Blake was sitting in the living room watching TV. I ate slowly enjoying my meal as I watched Pokémon with Blake.
"Hey sis… are you going to take me to Sama?" asked Blake quietly still staring at the television.
"Yeah, why?" I replied not thinking much of the situation.
"I miss her but then I'll miss you," he spoke this time turning to look at me.
I smiled at him and scooted closer,
"No need to be. I'll come visit and Samantha and you can come visit me."
Blake nodded sadly before returning to the television. Once again I wondered what this kid had gone through. He seemed so lost and sad that the simplest things made him happy. Checking the clock, I had still another hour to kill before my spa appointment so I decided to stay with Blake watching Pokémon. After all, he hadn't any idea that tomorrow Samantha and her mom would be flying in from Seattle to pick him up.
We stayed like that for the hour until I decided to through his a pillow and thus starting a pillow fight. We were laughing so hard my belly hurt and he wad rolling on the wooden floor. The ring from the phone was what awoke me from my happy bubble to remind me that I had an appointment. Before I left, I put on my bathing suit and a cover up, reminded Blake to be careful and call room service if he got hungry and asked him Matthew's whereabouts to which he answered gym. So much for a day at leisure…
I arrived at the spa – a spacious tropical garden with separate cabanas. A Hawaiian lady welcomed me and directed me to my cabana. The cute cream-colored cabana was both cozy and filed with the essentials. Another woman greeted me and asked me to lie on the warm bed… I was ready for my three hours of pampering.
Do you know how fast three hours go by when you are enjoying yourself so much! Two massages, a manicure, a pedicure and blow dry for the hair. Heaven was lost too fast. I lounged around the bar enjoying a strawberry kiwi frappe and the evening breeze when two hands covered my eyes. Unconsciously I smiled as I told the owner to remove them.
"You, Mr. Matthew, have been MIA for the whole day…" I grumbled jokingly as he removed his hands from my eyes.
I turned still smiling. My drink slipped off my hands and unto the ground spilling the reddish substance with a sickly appearance to blood. I was sure I was as pale as a vampire was at the moment, my eyes wide and my mouth slightly agape. I couldn't move, my mind didn't register my commands… I was frozen on the spot completely shut down. In front of me was a woman with wavy brown copper hair to her waist and hazel brown eyes both piercing and motherly warm. She was fairly tall and amazingly beautiful with ivory skin. She smiled at me knowingly and almost lovingly laying a hand on my shoulder. In front of me was no other woman than Matthew's mother –Queen Eris of Vampires. She lowered herself to me embracing me in a motherly hug. I couldn't respond to her hug I was still frozen though I felt tears fall to my shoulder. I needed not to hug her to feel her raw energy emanate. Parting away she smiled at me again, showing me her tear stained face, placing a hand on my cheek at the time. In that moment, my body reacted; I stood and abruptly ran away. I ran without looking back until I arrived at the crystal elevator and entered. Inside the confinements of the elevator I breathed rapidly, I was shaking, sweating cold and my heart wanted to explode. Thankfully I was alone. I walked to the glass wall and searched for her in the multitude, finding her right where I had left her staring up at me with her piercing eyes knowing I was looking at her. Her gaze never left me as the elevator lifted and just before the wall covered the glass she waved goodbye. I stepped away ready to sprint to my suite though no wall would stop her if she wanted to follow me.
Upon entering the suite, I closed the door and slipped on it to the floor both hands covering my mouth as little tears sprang from my eyes. Matthew's mom was the President's pet… no more because Matthew's mom was no longer in this world. How was I supposed to tell him? How would I explain to him that I saw her? Why did she come see me instead of him?
Blake came to the foyer curious as to why I hadn't continued to the living room, his innocent eyes widening as he saw me sitting in the ground crying.
"Sis what's wrong?" he asked me as he came running to me.
I couldn't reply… not yet. My voice had left me sometime ago and my only thoughts were on how to tell Matthew. I shook my head and opened my arms for him to hug me. I needed a hug, I needed someone to tell me everything was going to be all right but at the moment the only person that could do that was the same person that worried me to no end. Blake hugged me shortly before pulling me up with his vampire strength,
"Come, I'm taking you to the bathroom to wash your face."
How a ten year old kid raised me from the ground as dead weight? He's definitely a vampire. Little Blake guided me to the washroom where I splashed water on my face. I looked up to see my reflection… ironic, in the state I was in, no one would have imagined I had spent the last three hours in the spa. My salon hair was now sticky with sweat; my pupils were slightly dilated making me look sort of crazy and I looked awfully pale the bags under my eyes visible.
"Blake, I'm going to take a bath… yes?" I spoke softly; my voice breaking slightly it wasn't every day I got to see my boyfriend's mother's spirit.
Blake nodded and exited the bathroom but not before telling me that Matthew had gone to buy pizza and would be back later. My bath was warm. I needed the warmth more than anything. I surely staid there staring to oblivion for quite a while, before coming out and getting dressed in my pajamas –a spaghetti strap Happy Bunny blouse with Happy Bunny boy shorts. Everything was automatic and robotic. Once out, I found Blake asleep in the couch with a plate of pizza crust on his lap. Smiling lightly I took the plate to the kitchen and went back for the kid. It wasn't easy for me to carry a ten year old vampire by myself –though his size was more of a seven year old –but I managed to bring him to his room and tuck him in.
Matthew wasn't anywhere around the suite, I wasn't sure if I was relieved or worried but the feelings were mixed. After I cleaned the plate, I opened the fridge and pulled out my Chocolate Fudge Brownie Ice Cream and sat on the granite countertop eating it. I had made sure to turn off all the lights except for a small reading light in the kitchen countertop that emitted a strange bluish glow, hoping that Matthew wouldn't notice me here when he arrived… though he would when he'd see my empty bed.
"So tell me, after a spa day we simply eat chocolate ice cream in the dark?" asked Matthew, who was leaning against the wall at the entrance to the kitchen.
Lesson learned, never try to hide from a vampire –they always find you. I didn't dare look up; I had no idea how'd I react. Matthew stood straight glancing at me before walking over and lifting my chin up,
"Hey, why so gloomy? Did you miss me?"
I chuckled lowly my eyes looking everywhere but him.
"Want to talk about it?" he asked me yet again making a shake of my head the answer.
He sighed shortly. A silence dragged in –a silence I wanted to escape.
"I like the brownies…" I mumbled picking up a spoon full of ice cream.
Matthew chuckled, still standing against the countertop opposite to mine. I didn't look up not for the world; I still had the memory of Eris' motherly smile imprinted and every time I saw him instead I saw her. He had the same brown copper hair and full lips.
"Give me some…" he replied after a moment, stepping off the cabinet and onto me.
I looked at him strangely momentarily forgetting the reason why I wasn't looking at him,
"Uhm, you don't eat human food..."
"I can… it just won't taste the same –good."
I nodded slowly, going back to my ice cream and taking another spoon of it. Just as I looked up at him again, he captured my lips in a passionate kiss. His hands took away my ice cream and set it down on the side of the fridge –without breaking the kiss –allowing me to rest my hands on his chest. I felt his hand running up my leg while the other held my face in place. Then I felt his tongue slid upon my lips asking entrance but I feeling daring didn't open up to him. I heard him growl making chills go up my spine. Huskily, he grabbed my lower back and thighs and lifted me from the countertop. As a reaction, I locked my legs around his waist allowing him to carry me easier. With the same easiness, he shoved me against the fridge, pushing me against it until there was no space between us or me and the fridge. The sudden rush of cold that penetrated my thin pajamas made me gasp in surprise allowing him to invade my mouth… not that I cared much at this point. His hands were gently stroking my sides and making me shiver slightly. The kiss was passionate, rough, lustful and just upright thrilling. He left my lips and stared at me strongly. I saw the same passion I felt in the kiss right in his eyes as he stared…
"Do you trust me?" he asked me huskily and almost out of breath.
"Of course," I replied softly, allowing my hands to roam him.
Matthew kissed me again as equally rough as before. Leaving my lips, he placed hot butterfly kisses along my cheek and neck. I couldn't control myself, not anymore. I was in cloud nine, all the way up. He was addictive, my own little pill to take me to new heights –exotic, spicy and exuberant. I allowed –more like automatically let my head fall back allowing him better access to my neck, where he kissed, sucked and nibbled. Small gasps that couldn't be helped escaped my slightly parted lips. My hands had somehow ended under his shirt, exploring and tracing his chiseled chest. Matthew returned once again to my mouth lustfully devouring it before leaving and looking at me again.
"I need to… even if we don't…" he began but was not able to finish, he growled angry with himself and punched the fridge far enough from me leaving a small indent.
"It's all right," I answered to his unfinished statement almost perfectly sure about my decision.
Matthew stared at me, asking me with only his stare if I was sure. Slowly he kissed me again to with I replied with as much passion as I could. I wanted him to be sure. He went back to my neck and stopped at a particular area before kissing it softly. Suddenly, I felt him sink his teeth into me. A large gasp escaped my lips as my whole body tensed. The pain was excruciating, a thousand needles in one point. Unconsciously, my left arm extended to its full length hoping to grasp something to which I could smash or squash in pain; instead I found my ice cream tub and my middle and ring finger dipped inside the chocolaty substance burying deeper from the pain. Not long after Matthew retracted his fangs from my skin allowing my tense body to relax. He licked his lips and looked at me with worry before kissing me softly on the lips. Just then a small cough made us break apart and look over to the side.
Instantly my face was red. Little Blake stood in the kitchen entrance, his eyes big as saucers as he looked at his to peers pressed against one another against the fridge. Matthew lowered me, checking if I could balance myself –I could.
I cleared my throat as I smoothed out my clothes,
"What is it, Blake? Do you need something?"
The boy shook his head innocently,
"I just heard noises so I got up to see what it was."
My blush deepened smiling embarrassedly at Blake. Matthew passed by us, muttering an, I'll be back later just as the door closed. I turned to Blake offering to take him back to bed to which he agreed. Guiding him to his room, I cursed myself for forgetting that he was there. How could I let my desires control me to the point of forgetting a minor?
Blake jumped on his bed before lying down and me tucking him in.
"Good night Blake, sorry about that," I mumbled as I went to close the door but his voice stopped me, though I didn't really understand what he said,
"What?"
"Are you going to be our Princess?" he asked again.
"What do you mean?" I asked sincerely, I had no idea why he was asking that.
"Will you be our future Queen along side Matthew?" he asked me again.
I was left without words. What was I to tell him? Obviously, I wouldn't because our paths were destined to brake away and collide but the hope in Blake's eyes had me stuttering.
"I don't know, Blake… I don't know. Good night," I replied finally, closing the door behind me.
Blake's question had resurfaced memories of late Queen Eris and her apparition. I decided to ignore them and head off to bed. As I lay there, falling asleep my problems dissolved. All that was left in memory of what happened moments ago was an abandoned tub of ice cream, toppled over and dripping the melting substance down the ivory cabinets and to the floor.
Next morning, my Iphone rang at seven. Laurent was on the San Francisco Airport with Samantha and her mother ready to board the plane to Honolulu. Sad yet excited, I called room service and ordered food for both Blake and me. In a matter of minutes, I was out of the bathroom wearing a summer dress. I went down to Blake's room and gently awoke him. As he did his morning routine, I went to the front door to receive and tip the room service. Once Blake came out, we both ate in relative silence except for Yu-Gi-Oh! on the TV.
"Why did we wake so early? What are we doing today?" asked Blake sweetly taking a croissant for himself.
"Well, I've got you a surprise!" I replied smiling deviously.
He cheered up and ate faster eager to get to his new surprise. The problem was Samantha wouldn't arrive in five more hours, which left me with five more hours with little Blake before he left me for good.
"Yeah but before the surprise we're going swimming with the dolphins, shopping and Matthew hunting since he's nowhere to be found," I declared thinking fast what fun things to do with the kiddo.
"Okies, but Matthew has his reasons to be out…" replied Blake smirking knowingly.
"Really and what are those reasons?" I asked him, glaring jokingly.
"Sorry, I can't say… so when are we leaving?" answered Blake not looking at me.
I smiled shaking my head as I stood up and took my keys,
"Let's get going then."
We went down to the parking lot and got inside the black convertible Mercedes I had rented for me in our stay –Matthew had the red one. I started the car as Blake buckled up.
The next two hours we spent swimming with the dolphins. Swimming, playing and having fun. The place wasn't full yet since it had been around 8 in the morning. Around eleven we left to the shopping mall near by, I wanted Blake to take a token to remember me by. We searched and window-shopped, bought clothes and took pictures. My special token for Blake was a little shell locket with a picture of Matthew, him and me with to parrots taken at the beach a few days ago. Finally finished, I checked my watch –12:30pm. Samantha would be arriving in around 45 minutes, which gave us enough time to wait for Matthew and arrive at the airport. I needed to buy Matthew a phone, every time I he was away –that wasn't too often that's why I never bought it – and I needed to talk to him I had no way to do so because I didn't have the means. I checked my bracelet; he was over a thousand feet away heading southwest.
We decided on going back to the room to "wait for him" which instead consisted in me packing up Blake's luggage. I felt bad for doing it behind his back but first I didn't want to get him sad and second I knew he'd be happy when he'd see Samantha.
After a half an hour, I had his things in a bag and Matthew arrived. All three of us headed to the airport. Just as we were nearing, I blind folded Blake for his big surprise. He seemed to be jumpy and excited, his grin never fading. I couldn't help but laugh at his expression.
The airport was busy as expected. Matthew linked his hand with mine intertwining fingers while I took Blake's hand with my other. The three of us walked around until we arrived at the Luna Airways terminals and I saw Laurent, Samantha and her mother. We stood little away from them when I took the blindfold off. Blake curiously watched his surrounding until his eyes landed on Samantha. They both ran to each other's arms. Sama started crying while they hugged. I couldn't help but to get teary-eyed and lean against Matthew's frame in a side hug.
They both came towards us, smiling –little Samantha sniffling. Side to side, I could really see that Blake looked unnaturally smaller than Samantha did even if she was a year younger than he was. They held each other hand afraid that if they let go they might get separated again.
"Thanks sis, best surprise ever!" grinned Blake.
"Yeah, thanks Luna, you've done sooo much for me," thanked Samantha as well.
I smiled at both of them smiling motherly and beckoned both to hug me. Sammy, Blake and her mom would be boarding another jet back to Seattle. I had insisted for them to stay a couple of nights, to make it easier but Sam's mom had to work. I was getting teary-eyed again,
"Well, you two take care now. You've got each other don't allow to be separated again! We'll see each other soon now okay?" I looked at Blake, "You got to protect her now Blake. When the time comes you need to promise me to protect her with your life until help arrives. Promise?"
"But when is that time?" asked Blake lost in my words.
"You'll know… just promise you will…" I answered keeping the information still a secret.
H nodded solemnly. Samantha's mom came over to us telling the kids that departure was soon and thanked me. I handed the bag of belongings to Blake and bided my farewells. Laurent waved from afar, we'd see each other soon enough a week from now. Matthew and I stayed there until they went through the gates once again. I sniffled lightly; I really was going to miss the little kiddo.
"Hey we'll see them again… don't cry…" soothed Matthew sweetly to whom I simply nodded and let myself be guided out the airport by him.
Blake had been a nice kid, if it hadn't been because Samantha was waiting for him I would have taken him home with me –Mom would have been delighted. My thoughts on the boy didn't stay there for long because Matthew had me on the beach surfing minutes later. I didn't tell Matthew but after the bite I hadn't been feeling normal. As I had read all those months back, the first mark was superficial Matthew wasn't supposed to take not one drop of my blood yet I completely remember Matthew's blood stained lips –my blood. I know, still, that he did inject toxins into me, I could feel them so this bite was somewhere in between the superficial bite and the deeper one. I wondered if this would now interfere with my destiny in some way…
The rest of the week went away so fast it was sad though Matthew and I had lots of fun. Hawaii was fun! Although, we had our own personal fun too, specially after that ice breaker Sunday night. Thankfully, late Queen Eris never found me again though I made sure that the news didn't reach Matthew even if every now and then he would disappear without so much as a goodbye but no one even dare give him the news and I planned to keep it that way until we were home.
Saturday morning, my Iphone rang but I didn't remember putting the alarm. Never the less, I begrudgingly opened my eyes but instead of my phone I noticed a white calla lily resting on the pillow next to me a letter next to it. I sat up smiling and took both the items; the flower I sniffed gently entranced by the sweet aroma and the card I read:
'Morning! Sorry to wake you. I had to go out earlier, hope you have a good day, have fun, relax I'll see you at dinner. I took the liberty of arranging an appointment at the hotel's salon at five! Love, Matt.'
I read the message again slightly confused –we hadn't made any plans to go to dinner. I checked the time, 10:00, and got up to order food. My last day in Hawaii, Matthew had left for Goddess knows what reason and I was just sitting in my luau. For the thousand time today, I checked the clock -11:45… that was it! I took my sunglasses and left the room. I headed down to the beach simply to walk around. Yet on my way outside, I stopped by a bunch of native children,
"Luna! Luna!"
They circled me all asking questions at the same time. I could only smile trying to understand what they were saying. Finally, I understood… they wanted me to go play with them. I laughed… I could never say no to children. I nodded and allowed myself to be guided by them until we arrived to the corner of the street where a hydrant was open and lots of people were playing under the water. The children looked at me expectantly before I took off running to the water. I had so much fun, running around, dancing, and playing tag all under the sprinkling water. I was drenched from head to toe after I left. I really had fun playing with them. I went down to the beach still drenched and gave out one last try to surfing before I left. Of course, I failed at it without my abilities but I got to see Paiku and Olaka for one last time.
When I came out it was nearing five… I ran to the hotel, grabbed a towel form a housekeeping girl's cart. Still dripping, I arrived at the salon making everyone turn to me to scrutinize me. I smiled apologetically as one of the ladies came to me and ushered me to a back room. She handed me a towel and ushered me inside the shower room. I took a quick shower, dried and put on a spa robe. The same woman was waiting patiently outside; she smiled at me,
"Well, Ms. Moonlight call me Hana. We'll be making your hair and make-up not to mention getting you in that beautiful dress of yours."
Hana took my hand and guided me to the salon chair all while I was wondering, which beautiful dress of mine? Hana gave me my Ipod –don't ask me how she got it –to listen to while she blow dried my hair and set loose curls on it. My make-up was done really simple except for the eyes that were really dramatic and made to make my eyes pop my eyes.
After she was done, Hana ordered me to follow her to the side where a gorgeous red dress was being worn by a mannequin.
"This is my dress?" I asked innocently as I awed the amazing silky material.
"Of course, I thought you'd recognize it," she replied as she began to take it off.
I was dressed soon enough, the red strapless dress perfectly form fitting to by body. I never liked mermaid dresses but this one looked gorgeous. Hana tied the brick-colored sash right under my bust making it even more form fitting. The back of the sash tied with a half bow and left to cascade down to the floor along with the dress.
Hana handed me a pair of red stilettos, then a diamond necklace –really dramatic choker styled but with triangular and pear-shaped diamonds straying away –and simple earrings with a simple bracelet.
"Well, Ms. Moonlight, you're ready and just in time too. The limo is down outside so you should arrive in time," declared Hana thinking I knew all these things. I simply nodded, thanked her and left.
Sure enough a black limo waited at the entrance of the hotel. I got on and allowed the driver to take me wherever it is we were heading. I watched the sun that was still far away from the horizon but still close. We neared a fancy restaurant near the beach –not anything like Keith's restaurant that was on a cliff side but actually on the shore. The driver stopped at the entrance and opened the door.
"Ms. Moonlight, please, right this way," beckoned the waiter at the entrance.
I followed inside hands clasped together and strangely nervous. The place was amazing much more fancy than I had imagined. I stared in awe at the high ceilings, the white everything and the harp player. The waiter guided me out of the restaurant to a little balcony over looking the ocean, on the border in the sand was a table for two on a small marble platform and there sat Matthew.
The moment I stepped on the sand, he looked my way and smiled instantly getting up and arriving to my side. With a glance at the waiter he left and Matthew turned to me,
"I hope you liked the dress, you look beautiful in it."
I smiled, feeling awkward. Matthew laughed and guided me to the platform. Do you have any idea how hard it was to walk on sand with stilettos? Matthew had to pick me up and take me there. The table was lighted with candles and decorated with white rose petals. There was a bottle of wine –or what I presumed to be wine –water and the plates. Matthew was kind enough to bring the chair for me to sit. Really romantic if you ask me.
"What a way to end our vacations," I commented as I scanned the menu.
"I wanted something special. Do you like it?" he replied looking at me sine he would not eat.
I nodded finally deciding on my dinner. By now the sun had touched the horizon and the sky was painted with orange and pink hues. Matthew and I spoke about our vacation and ourselves. Even if we were simply talking I felt so happy to be spending time with him. Out of the corner of my eyes I saw something in the waves that caught my attention. I turned to it and noticed that it was a bottle –the kind that has a message inside.
"Matthew look! A bottle with a message thingy," I said awed by it, I had never seen one in my life –not for real at least.
"Good eye. Go get it, Luna," he replied chuckling at my childish antics.
I took of my stilettos and ran to the shore until the waves caressed my new dress. Childishly I stretch to try and reach it but it was still too far so I waited until the waves brought it to me. Finally, the bottle was within reach. Suddenly, Matthew was beside me,
"What does it say?"
"I don't know I haven't opened it but look, there's a clamshell inside," I observed excitedly.
I took off the top of the wide mouth and toppled it over. The rolled up message and shell fell into my hand. Handing over the bottle, who simply threw it to the side near the table; I opened the message and gasped. I desperately and almost fearing opened the clamshell and gasped again. My eyes watered and I couldn't help but start shaking. My breathing became labored; I didn't dare look over to Matthew. The message read:
Will you spend forever with me?
And inside the clamshell was a beautiful, staggering, big rocked engagement ring. Matthew took it from me and bent down on one knee. My hand flew up to my mouth, the tears running down – no wonder Hana had applied waterproof makeup.
"Luna, I'm in love with you. I can't help but to look back to our first days and laugh at my behavior because I thought humans were all the same but you, Sarytza, you showed me different and that's why I have brought you here tonight… because I need you in my life. Together we might be able to stop your visions. So what do you say? Will you spend forever with me? Will you be my Princess? Will you… marry me?"
I couldn't speak… I didn't know what to say. My heart was screaming yes! I knew I loved him, and I knew that I did want to spend my life with him but my mind told me to stop, would it affect my destiny? Could I really stop my vision? I hadn't been prepared for this, not one bit. Then I remember something Mau had once said, don't give up your own happiness for others', everything happens for a reason Sary and the Goddess knows.
"Yes, Matthew, yes," I answered through tears.