Chapter 43:

(Reminder this is a high level T story in multiple aspects; it has been and will continue to be so.)

Making connections here and there. Enjoy!

Larten blearily opened his eyes. Everything was fuzzy until he blinked several times. He looked around. He was still in the living room the sun had not set completely. He must have fallen asleep downstairs, but he wasn't quite sure why.

He went to sit up but there was something laying alongside him half across his chest that hindered him from moving freely. He looked down.

Erin was splayed across his chest nudged between him and the couch, a leg tangled with his. She was still asleep, lips slightly apart. Larten moved his arm to brush her hair behind her ear. She moved her head wiggling her nose before settling once more. He smiled. It seemed this was a new responsibility for him.

He glanced at the coffee table. There were three bottles of wine and the t.v. was still on. The stocking Brigid had made for him caught his eye causing him to shake his head. All these months, event after event, and here he was; fate was an odd mistress.

He needed to get up without disturbing Erin, but didn't quite know how to go about it. Well, if she woke up he would simply tell her to go back to sleep.

He slung a leg off the couch carefully moving out from underneath her, but once he had shifted her off of his chest she woke up raising a hand to rub her eyes.

"What time is it?" She muttered.

"It is late evening. Go back to sleep."

Larten tried to put a pillow underneath her head but she pushed up into a sitting position looking around blinking rapidly just as he had done. When she went to stand up she teetered a bit, Larten grabbing hold of her arm to steady her.

"It seems someone had too much wine last night." He chuckled.

She gave him a humorous look.

"I had a few glasses, but not three whole bottles. I thought it took a lot to get a vampire drunk."

Larten blushed.

"Wine is a weakness of mine."

Erin laughed, running her hands through her hair.

"I need a shower."

"I will take one after you." Larten said.

Erin shook her head.

"No, I'll take one in Brigid's bathroom. You go in mine. Then we'll figure out dinner. Probably take-out tonight if you don't mind." Erin stretched.

"Whatever is convenient for you."

Erin smiled at him. She started to blush slightly and before Larten knew it she was standing on her tip-toes to place a kiss on his cheek near his lips.

She didn't say anything as she looked into his eyes and turned to walk upstairs.

Larten stood in the empty living room. His heart rate had started to increase when she gave him such a small, chaste kiss.

He shook his head and hurried upstairs into the bathroom. He turned the shower on, shed his clothes, and immediately immersed himself into the cold spray. He felt the cold water turn to hot as he let it run down his back making his shoulders relax.

It was time to admit they had kissed and kissed with clear intent fully cognizant of their actions. Yes, there was wine, but the wine was not to blame. They had both wanted it and it finally happened. Larten actually felt something akin to relief about the whole thing. It was over and done with and the next phase, well, whatever happened would happen. He was sure some of his fellow vampires would say this was not the time for such things, but Larten would disagree. For whatever reason, his stars had aligned in such a way to bring him to this point. His mind would struggle at times, but his heart knew this was where he was meant to be for however long it was meant to last.

Larten turned the knob and stepped out shaking his head. He wiped the steam from the mirror and looked at himself. He chided himself severely but he couldn't stop the ridiculous grin of happiness spread across his features. He tried to regain control and scowl, but he simply couldn't.

As he dressed, Erin was also processing about what had happened between them, as well.

Erin toweled off slipping on new panties and bra. She plugged in the hairdryer and flipped her hair to blow dry it. She stared at the floor not paying much attention to drying her hair properly.

They had kissed. She had kissed him and then he had kissed her and it went like that for some time until both couldn't fight falling asleep. Erin couldn't help remembering her dream from the night before—she was also fairly certain that Larten had experienced similar feelings. However, those concerns were for another time.

Erin unplugged the hairdryer as Brigid burst into the bathroom causing Erin to jump in surprise.

"Hey, sis!"

"Oh my god, Brigid, don't do that!"

"Sorry, sorry." Brigid raised her hands in apology.

"Can you run downstairs and grab me some clothes? Larten is in my room."

Brigid started to say something but closed her mouth. Erin narrowed her eyes.

"What?"

"Nothing. Just-uh, you and Larten were pretty snuggly. Neither of you even heard me all day. I also saw the wine." Brigid smirked.

"I will disown you if you bring it up," Erin pushed Brigid out of the bathroom door, "Get me clothes."

"Why? What's wrong with what you're wearing now? I'm sure Larten would- "

Erin threw a hairbrush at Brigid as she ran down the stairs laughing. Erin buried her face in her hands.

"How's this?" Brigid barged in again.

Brigid threw a pair of grey skinny jeans, green tank-top, and purple-plaid long-sleeved shirt at her.

"Thank you."

"Y'know," Brigid began-

"Please, Brigid, don't." Erin pleaded.

"No, for real, listen. I'm happy you guys have finally gotten to this place. Like, finally! It's been torture waiting for it."

Erin looked at her suspiciously.

"Yep, it's been in quite a few of my equations. Like, a lot, but when is always somewhat unknown. But it's now and I want to say I am so happy for you because you deserve it. I know it, well, we know it won't be a forever sort of thing, but, god, Erin, you do deserve to be happy and loved and to have those memories for forever."

"Brigid- "

"Just go for it. All the way. I know I've told you this, but I'm reminding you, okay?"

Erin sighed.

"I know. It's not that I don't want it, but…"

"Murlough will come. Trouble is coming. But isn't it always? There's always something, but for the immediate time being, it's Christmas and this is your time. With him. Just don't get gross when I'm around!" Brigid pulled a face.

Erin rolled her eyes, buttoning her shirt.

"Are you still going to Ellie's tonight?"

"Yep. We're going to exchange gifts and have a small Christmas party with friends from school, play dirty Santa, etc. And, yes, Ellie's parents will be there."

"I wasn't going to ask that. I know the standard Christmas party you guys throw."

"No, you would have asked passively, so I'm telling you now."

Brigid threw her coat on and grabbed her duffel bag. Erin followed Brigid down the stairs.

"I'll text you when I get there. Love you, sis!"

Ellie had just pulled into the driveway as Brigid walked out the front door. Erin waved as they drove off.

Erin turned to find Larten standing in the kitchen. He was wearing his full red outfit sans cloak. Larten couldn't stop a grin splitting across his face and he was glad to see it reciprocated by Erin.

"So, what is on the agenda for tonight?" He asked.

"Well, would you be terribly offended if I ordered us a couple of pizzas?"

Larten shook his head.

"No, I will cook for you as I promised."

"Are you sure? I can help."

Larten gave her a stern look showing that he meant business.

"Yes, I am sure."

"Well, then, I will just sit here and relax and watch you work your magic." Erin opened a bottle of wine and sat down at the bar pouring herself a glass.

"Must you watch so closely?" Larten asked pulling food from the refrigerator.

"I'm not watching. I'm enjoying having the experience of a vampire cooking for me." She smiled, giving a small wink as she took a sip of her wine.

Larten smirked.

"You will not regret it."

Erin propped her chin with a hand and looked at him.

Larten noticed and furrowed his brow as he turned on the stove.

"What is it?" He asked.

"Would you like to take a walk after dinner?" Erin asked quickly.

Larten noticed the subtle blush on her face, her eyes were shy, but gleamed like she knew a special secret he could never guess.

"Yes, that does sound nice."

"Great!" Erin beamed.

Larten started cutting vegetables still smiling.

"I just figured we could do something while Brigid is at Ellie's for the next day or two."

"Time without that brat should be taken advantage of. Er, I mean—it's just, for us to be alone together…" Larten stuttered, kicking himself in his head.

Erin burst out laughing.

"It's okay, I know what you mean. Time for just the two of us to be together alone will be nice."

Larten cleared his throat, picked at his cuffs, before cutting strips of meat. He stole glances at Erin as she sat at the bar. Her hair was full and he could smell it throughout the house. The green and purple against her skin, the way she would absentmindedly touch the gems of her necklace, her smile whenever she would catch his eye. If he could, he would drop his knife, ignore the food, and cover her mouth with kisses, run his hands through her hair, and trail kisses down to where her necklace hung.

"Larten, water."

Larten quickly flipped the burner off and moved the pot to another one to let the vegetables finish steaming. He blew to keep the water from boiling over.

"Sorry." He muttered.

"It's fine." Erin giggled, "Would you mind if I put on some old Christmas music? I think it would liven things up a bit."

"As you wish." Larten said, not looking up.

He heard Erin slide off the stool and soon Bing Cosby, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole started playing throughout the house. He followed Erin with his eyes once more. She danced around, straightening decorations here and there. The music did have a wonderful effect. Even he felt more cheerful with the music on.

Erin danced over to him peering over his shoulder as he placed the cooked meat onto their plates. She was close behind him like she had been the other night when he had lost his temper. In all honesty, he wished she would wrap her arms around him as she had done; to feel her holding him again.

As if on cue, she lightly put her arms around him, not holding him as tightly, (the stove and all and he was cooking), but she had her arms around him, her face still peering over his shoulder. He knew she was on her tip-toes. He felt his body relax naturally. He didn't want to move, but the food was ready.

Erin let go and grabbed her plate quickly returning to her seat at the bar. Larten watched her closely as she took her first bite.

"Wow, this is delicious! For a vampire, you are quite the cook." Erin smiled at him as she chewed.

Larten stood at the counter eating with her.

"I do not know if I have said it before, but I firmly believe one should know how to cook."

Larten and Erin chatted, joked, and enjoyed each other's company. When they had finished and the dishes in the sink they each slipped into their coats for their walk. Erin had changed into a thick wool skirt and thick stockings to wear her warm boots over. Larten adjusted his cape stepping through the front door which Erin locked behind them.

The moon was out, snow falling, and the park trees were wrapped in lights. Erin slipped her gloved hand into Larten's. His bare fingers closed, holding her hand tightly.

They walked down the shoveled path in silence. Every now and then Larten would glance down at her. Her face was soft, a gentle smile continually on her lips. He could tell she was happy. Serene. It finally clicked in his head that he was feeling the same thing. How long had it been since he had ever felt truly serene or at peace?

Thick snowflakes landed on Erin's cheeks. He stopped and used his thumb to wipe them away. He did not remove his hand. Erin smiled at him.

It clicked in his head.

"So, this is the future nice thing you foresaw." Larten stated.

"Maybe."

"I must agree it is very nice." He kept her face cupped in his hand.

"Kiss me."

Larten chuckled.

He lowered his head as she stood on her toes.

Their lips met sweetly as Erin raised a gloved hand to hold his head and deepen the kiss.

Slowly they pulled apart.

"You're rather handsome tonight in the snow." Erin grinned up at him.

"Am I not handsome everywhere else?"

Erin laughed shoving him playfully.

Larten laughed and pulled her back into his arms kissing her again.

"And you are quite lovely, my dear."

Erin blushed and smiled. Larten took her hand and continued their walk. Suddenly Erin stopped and her face went blank.

"What is it?" Larten asked, alarmed.

"Nothing, nothing. I just had a flashback. This is where it all began." Erin said quietly.

"Murlough, you mean." Larten replied concerned.

"Yes. How did you find me? I've wanted to ask, but didn't know when. How did you know?"

Larten looked across the snow thinking back to the beginning when he had been tracking Murlough and discovered that Erin and Brigid had been his key targets. Murlough had finally kidnapped Erin and had started his ritual. Larten knew Murlough was close but had lost the path and had been searching as quickly as he could to stop Murlough from killing.

Larten shook his head, thinking about how to reply.

"I do not know how to answer. I can only say I felt something reaching out to me. It seemed to be a force drawing me there."

"That might have been me." Erin said thoughtfully.

"What do you mean?"

"When I knew I was dying, I reached out with my mind hoping someone would, I don't really know how to explain it, but that they would "hear" me and find me even if I was dead. That maybe if they did Murlough could be stopped somehow."

Larten nodded.

"That must have been how I found you."

"I'm glad you did." Erin teased, trying to lighten the mood.

Larten looked down at her seriously.

"Don't look like that. Please. I didn't mean to ruin our walk."

"You did not. You have never ruined anything. You saved my life as well and for that I can never repay you. I— "

"Kiss me again. We're here now and that's all that matters."

Larten's seriousness softened.

"I will kiss you whenever you want."

"Well, feel free to surprise me at times, too. You are a magician, after all."

Larten chuckled as he pulled Erin to him.

"We should head back soon. The snow is getting heavier." He said, breaking their kiss.

"I guess. I do need to work on some wrapping while Brigid is gone. Good thing I have you to help." Erin said, pinching his side.

Larten's face immediately soured. Erin laughed, placing a playful kiss on his cheek.

"Come on, you."