Chapter 44: The Future

I waited until he was snoring lightly and slipped out of his arms, dressing in a nightgown and robe. I looked back at him, sleeping so peaceful and my heart ached, I wanted to stay with him forever. I opened the window and stepped outside, seeing the sunrise beginning to rise. I loved how the sun felt on my skin, I loved the warmth so much…would I truly have to give that up? Would I really make Neville choose to live in the darkness with me? I gripped the railing, feeling the urge to run away now, while he slept and end things before I could stop myself. I breathed deeply, it would be for the best, I know it. "Aethna…" Neville's soft whisper came to me and I glanced over, seeing him still sleeping soundly. Just dreaming of me…

I huffed and sat down, staring at the sunrise as it began to peek over the tree, the morning dew sparkling on the grass, the rays of the sun seemingly dancing in the mist. I was amazed at my eyesight now, it had to be 20 times more powerful, everything was more in dept, cleared, brighter, more focused. It was unbelievable, I watched the rays get closer to me, I would have to move soon. I chewed my lip, I really wanted to feel the warmth again, I'm sure I would be alright for a few moments more. My robe was now warming up to the heat, the light creeping up to me. I held up my hand, tired of waiting, I wanted to feel the warmth one final time. My fingers lit up at the light, sending warmth to every inch of my skin.

I stared at it hard, waiting for the skin to redden and crisp…I waited and waited… but nothing happened. Just the heat of the sun soaking into my skin. I smiled and tossed off my robe, exposing almost my entire body. My thin night gown was all but see through in the light. I twisted and turned, laughing now, loving the warmth I thought that I would have to give up. I twirled again and again…letting every inch of me bathe in the rays. "Aethna?" I paused and saw Neville pulling on his pants and shirt, seeing me standing in the sunlight. "Neville…look. I'm not burning. I'm fine." I showed him, making him smile and join me in the sunrise. "You're so beautiful. This is the best day ever."

He wrapped me into his arms, giving me a squeeze. I sighed, snuggling against him. This was perfect, the sun was shining bright, our future was bright. We stayed out there for a while, but Neville pulled me inside and looked over every part of me, making sure I wasn't burnt anywhere. "I'm alright, my love. Truly." he continued, kissing me in a few spots, sending sparks through me. He seemed to be happy and kissed me deeply, holding me flush to him. "What does this mean? Are you going to be able to continue on like before? Have you tried other things?" I shook my head, I didn't have time, this was the main thing, I mean the sun was the biggest deal to vampires.

"Well let's try to eat then. Breakfast. See if you can eat normal food like before. If not then we will make sure to stay stocked up on blood." I stopped him from leaving. "Neville, vampires don't drink blood like that. If I truly can't eat normal food anymore…I'll have to take fresh blood from people. It's different for full vampires. It has to be fresh." he paused, then nodded and pulled me toward the door. "Hey! I gotta get dressed! Hold up!" I argued, pulling my hand from his. He noticed my thin gown and nodded, saying he would let me change and then go see what's for breakfast.

I dressed into a sky blue blouse and a pair of jeans, then tugged my hair into a low ponytail, then braided it down. It was really getting too long, I would need a cut soon otherwise it would start dragging the ground. I paused before the door and turned back to the window, I grinned, maybe it was possible to us to be together and not have the world trying to tear us apart. I went downstairs and joined Neville at the table. "Where is your Grandmother?" "Oh, she said she needed to go to town to speak with someone. She'll be back by dinnertime. Here." he pulled my chair out and started filling my plate with the spread.

"Neville, calm down. I can't eat all this. Please…just relax. Eat." I explained and picked up a roll and tore a small bite off, chewing slowly. It was almost immediately after swallowing that I took off running, slamming myself into the powder room. I hurled the tiny bite out of my body and dry heaved for a minute after. I groaned and held my head, it was pounding and I was dizzy. "Aethna? Are you alright?" I splashed water on my face and opened the door. "Guess that answers that…no more normal food…ever again." he shook his head and took my hands, "Maybe it just takes time. I mean you couldn't stand in the sun for almost a day. Maybe your body just needs time to get back to normal. Don't give up."

I let Neville eat in peace as I sat in the sunroom, enjoying the warmth on my skin. He came in later and I moved so I could sit in his lap and we could lay together. I felt tired, as if the sun was still draining my energy somewhat. I listened to the steady beating of his heart as I closed my eyes, wanting to nap right here. "Hey…you okay?" I fluttered my eyes open slightly, looking up to see his worried face. "Fine…just tired…" his fingers brushed my cheek and he lifted my chin to kiss me softly. I turned until we were facing each other and our kisses deepened. I pulled away and began to kiss along his neck, making him groan under me. "Aethna…take my blood…please…" his whisper was soft and if I didn't have vampire hearing, I wouldn't have heard it.

I sat back and looked at him, shaking my head. "No, I'm not going to. I'm fine." his fingers pressed to my lips. "You are so pale…and look like you are about to die…you need to feed." I glanced into the reflection and noticed I was paler than before, I had dark circles under my eyes, I did look like I was about to just fade away. He turned my head back to him, giving me a sweet smile. "It's alright. You did it before, you stopped. Just do it in same spot. I want to do this. Let me make you strong." I sighed, then moved to reach the small marks that were just about healed. I slid my fangs out, still twice as long as before, it would hurt more.

"Are you sure?" he nodded without a second thought and pressed my face to him. I couldn't bare it anymore and I pierced his flesh, sinking down with ease and blood filling my mouth. I moaned deeply as I retracted my fangs and sealed the wound with my lips, beginning to suck. Taste overwhelmed everything else and I gripped him tight, making sure he wasn't going to move an inch. My hearing tuned into his heartbeat as his breathing began ragged. I forced myself to pull back, releasing my mouth from the wound. I licked it gently, my saliva stopping the bleeding.

I sucked every drop off my lips and sat back, feeling awake and looked down at Neville. He was a little pale, but he was breathing still and his eyes opened and looked up at me. "See…you look better already…I just need to rest…" it didn't take long before he was snoring and I laid against his chest, listening to his heart to make sure I didn't take too much. I wasn't tired anymore, his blood running through me, making me jittery. I just laid there, loving how he felt against me, we didn't have to hide anymore, his Gran already knew. We could be ourselves here, this was our spot.

I heard a car pull up and opened my eyes to see Augusta walk in, her eyes go wide slightly at us cuddled up together. I slid out of Neville's arm and walk over to her, "Forgive me for the way I acted. If it is alright with you…I would like to continue to stay here." her hand dismissed me and she held up a pair of letters. "Hogwarts letters my dear. One for you and one for Neville." I opened the one with my name on it and read it quickly, seeing that I had passed all my exams and would be in the same year as Neville again! I smiled brightly and couldn't stop myself from hopping on Neville's lap and shaking him. "Wake up! I've got to tell you!" I tried again and again, but he wouldn't budge. I placed my fingers along his neck, feeling for a pulse…but there wasn't one!

I gasped and pressed my ear to his chest, where was his heartbeat. It was just there a few minutes ago! "Neville! Please wake up!" I began to press on his chest in the correct movements. There was no way I took too much…was there? Did I really just kill my love? I shook my head over and over, trying to rid the thoughts as I pressed my lips to his, blowing air into his body. "Please! Don't be gone!" I cried over and over as I beat his chest harder, trying to force his heart to beat. "Neville!" I screamed out, shooting up from my place.

"Geeze! Scared me to death!" Neville's voice came to me and I saw him lying beside me, in the pool of our forgotten clothes. I was shaking so hard that I couldn't even move. His hands found mine and I whipped around, jerking him against me as tears poured from my eyes. "I'm so sorry Neville!" I cried hard and he just let me, making sure to hold me close and waited until I wanted to talk. After what seemed forever, I leaned back and checked his face, his neck, every part of him to make sure he was really alright. "Aethna, what's wrong?" I shook my head and looked around, seeing darkness surrounding us. "It was just a dream." he said…but I corrected him, "It was a nightmare…horrible…"