I do not own anything thought up by Ms. Klause but I do own the characters and settings I made for this story :D
Blood or Chocolate
Chapter 26: An Absolute Future
I let the cool air rush over me until Gabriel came to a stop in front of the inn. Immediately several of the pack rushed out to meet us, in a place this small news traveled fast and everyone was prepared to great us.
"Well finally, I was wondering when you were going to take that bitch out!" Esme's voice carried over the crowd.
"Vivian, you need attention!" Jenny's small voice carried out and she appeared at my side instantly, Bucky had shouldered her a way through the anxious pack.
"She does, back off," I hadn't noticed Gabriel was concerned for me until I recognized the worry in his commanding voice.
I glanced down at myself and saw all the blood, from the claw marks across my abdomen, seeping through the ragged and torn fabrics of my clothing. Strangely I just felt numb, I didn't feel the burn of the injury, just the odd faint feeling that came with blood loss.
At Gabriel's words the pack backed off enough for Gabriel to carry me into the foyer of the inn and lay me on the low patterned couch just inside the reception hall. Jenny was ready with a bunch of herbs and odd things I'd seen Aunt Persia heal with before. Her hands were shaking as she removed my shirt and I knew that this was the first time her healing skills would be put to the test.
"It's okay Jenny, you'll do great." I managed, feeling generous with my words.
"Vivian are you-" But I didn't here the rest of Gabriel's words because the world danced dark shadows before slowly blinking out.
. . . . . . ..
"Vivian? Baby? You awake?" Gabriel was at my side when my eyelids fluttered open.
"What's wrong?" I asked sitting up, then I flinched, I was still sore.
"Just worried." He smiled when I returned his light kiss.
"About what? Jenny did a fabulous job." I lifted up the T-shirt that had replaced my torn one, underneath was my skin coming together seamlessly, looking like a week old wound. Hopefully there wouldn't even be any scaring: Jenny did do a fantastic job.
"About what?" Gabriel asked sarcastically beneath his breath. "I've only watched you fall unconscious twice in three months, I'm obviously not doing my job."
"And what's that? Protecting me? Gabriel I can take care of myself."
"Obviously." His chuckle was a dark roll of thunder.
"Gabriel."
"Baby."
I smiled. "I love you."
"I know." He kissed me lingeringly.
"Viv!" Gregory burst into the room.
"You're awake!" Ulf cried.
"Vivie!" Willem came in next.
"Nice work. The bitch is completely destroyed. We saw her when they were escorting her out and w-o-w, was she messed up, she can't speak right and her face is a mess! Great work!" Finn came in last talking and didn't stop until he was at my side with the others, behind the five was Philippe.
"Philip." I smiled.
"Hey, Viv." He gave me a sweet smile then turned to Gabriel, "I tried to stop them Gabriel I really did, but they insisted on coming in. I only just got Pierre away."
"Never!" Pierre came into the room smiling.
"Why can't he be here?" I asked in confusion. I had thought since the night of my mocking that Gabriel had switched his hatred to Philip.
"He took a little too much pleasure in watching Jenny cut your shirt off. Not that anybody didn't, but anyway, Gabriel kicked his ass." Gregory explained.
"Let him be, for Moon Sake's, its not like he hasn't seen me naked!" It was hilarious to watch the play of emotions on Gabriel's face until he remembered the circumstance in which we met the twins.
"It doesn't matter, I want everyone to clear the cabin anyway." Gabriel said in his most authoritative thunder.
"Why Gabriel, you can't kick her loving mother out can you?" Esme pouted from the doorway.
"Yes I can. Leave us, all of you."
"Us too?" Ulf gestured to himself and Tasha.
"No, but you'll have to leave the room."
"G-G-Gabriel?" Jenny asked hoarsly from the hallway.
"Yes, Jenny?" Gabriel's voice turned exasperated.
"J-Just so you know-I don't think Vivian should have her wounds...jostled--at least for a few days." Jenny's expression was apologetic.
"That's fine. Now go-all of you."
"Impatient are we?" I asked when we were alone.
"I needed to talk to you."
"Well you could have just said so." I shifted to kiss him. "What is it?"
"Well…"
"The great leader who was in such a hurry to clear the room now has nothing to say?" I taunted.
"Vivian."
"Well go on, I'm all ears."
"Seeing you hurt like that again made me think."
"Yes?"
"I think we should set a date for our wedding."
I was so taken aback it took me a minute to gather my thoughts. Gabriel was never on the same frequency I expected him to be on. "Why so quick to plan?"
"Because I think we-and the pack-need a little certainty now. Things have changed so dramatically in the past two years and we all need something that is constant, something to look forward to. An absolute future."
I smiled at the thought of certainty of the stability I had longed for in the past year of unrest. "Okay, so when were you thinking?"
"Well I was thinking this summer actually: July, Thunder Moon, sort of an anniversary to when we were named mates. That gives us nine months to plan-"
"Gabriel, lean down." I cut him off.
"Yes, my queen?" He leaned down next to me on the bed, close enough for me to press my lips to his in a crushing, thought twirling kiss of blood and chocolate, thoughts and dreams, and hopes for the future.
I love tater-tots. Just thought I'd throw that out there :D But seriously thank you all for all the amazing reviews and encouragement throughout this story, only a few more chapters left so how about a review for your favorite author? Can I bribe you with a tater-tot? lol :D melissaturkey