I wake with butterflies. Billy is pressed tight behind me, and I wonder if he's actually asleep, but I can see the clock from here, and I don't want to wake him. So, I pull his arm tighter around me and sink further into him.

"Good morning," he says.

"Good morning. Did I wake you?"

"No, I've been up, thinking."

"About me?"

"Yeah."

"Did you change your mind?"

He kisses my neck. "No. You?"

"No."

"But you're nervous."

"A little. I guess… I just don't like not knowing what I'm about to experience." I turn in his arms. "How do you do it?"

"I'm gonna feed on you, but I'll take more than I unusually do. A lot more. Then I'll pierce my wrist and let you drink from me."

"So, you'll be my first," I say with a small smile.

He smiles back, "Yeah," and kisses me. "Your neck will heal on its own as you turn, and then…"

"Then what?"

"That's when it starts to hurt."

I nod. "But you'll be here, right?"

"I'll be here."

"Can we do it now?"

Billy presses his forehead to mine. "Last chance. Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

He nods, then buries his face in my neck.

"I love you, Billy."

"I love you, my Desiree."

After a few kisses along my jaw, he sinks his fangs into my neck, and after a few minutes I feel the drain. He's never taken this much, and my instinct is to panic.

"Billy…" I clutch at his shoulders.

He doesn't stop. He brushes his hand along my face to comfort me. Just as the edges of my vision get blurry, Billy pulls back. He licks his lips, then punctures his wrist.

"Drink."

He presses the wound to my lips and after the first taste, I want more. I latch on, and Billy's lips part. I feel my strength return slowly, and Billy gently pulls his arm away.

"That's enough for now." He pulls me into his arms. "I'm sorry for the next part."

Suddenly, my insides feel like they're on fire. I open my mouth to scream, but only a whimper comes out. Billy has tears in his eyes, and now I know why he didn't want to do this to me. It's the worst pain I've ever experienced. Like a million red hot brands are searing through my body and bending me in ways I'm not supposed to bend.

Billy wraps his arms around me and holds me close as I writhe.

"The worst is almost over, sweetheart. Hang on."

Another hour passes before I stop spasming, but the fire still burns inside me. Billy keeps a cold compress on me, and keeps his skin pressed against me. It's surprisingly cool against my own.

"My head is killing me." I shut my eyes against the sunrise streaming through the window. "Too bright."

Billy pulls the curtains shut tight. "How's that?"

"Better. Can you do something about the noise?"

He pulls me back into his arms as he gets back under the covers.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. That's your heightened senses. You'll adjust."

"I didn't realize how bad…"

"Do you regret it?"

I force myself to look into his eyes. "No. It'll pass, right?"

"Right."

"And I'll have you. No regrets."

Billy pulls me closer and kisses the top of my head.

I wake up three days later for the first time without feeling like I'm burning from the inside out. I sit up and look at Billy's sleeping form. I know he's exhausted. He hasn't left my side. I move to get out of bed, and his hand shoots out to touch me.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just want to get up."

Billy sits up and runs a hand through his hair.

"How do you feel?"

"The fever… or whatever it was… that's gone."

"Good." He lets out a breath and sinks back onto his pillow. "That's the worst of it. From here on out it's you adjusting to your senses being heightened. It'll take time, but it's manageable."

I lay next to him and burrow my face into his chest. My lips brush his skin, and I smile. I kiss my way to his chin, and my smile spreads so wide that he grins.

"What?"

"You taste sweet," I whisper.

Billy pulls me into a deep kiss, and he moans.

"You still taste sweet, too."

"I guess that means our connection is still strong?"

"Yeah," he brushes my hair away from my face. "So, I taste good?" He smiles and winks.

"You always tasted good. Now there's just a sweetness to it."

I lick at his lips until he captures my mouth and flips me onto my back.

"That's how you've always tasted to me. It's you, but so sweet, too."

For the first time in over a week, I see genuine joy on Billy's face. Between getting shot, then arguing about turning me, and the change itself, Billy has been much more brooding. Now, he seems more like himself.

"Are you glad you turned me?"

"I'm glad you're feeling better." He kisses my chin. "I'm glad you're mine. Forever."

"Forever, Billy. That's all I've wanted. You, forever."

He presses his forehead to mine.

"It's not that I didn't want that…"

"I know. Trust me. I understand now. That was the worst thing I've ever experienced." I cup his face in my hands. "But it was worth it. I'd do it again."

He kisses me, but gets out of bed.

"Let's get you on your feet. Take a shower. I'll fix breakfast."

"Good. I'm starving."

"Breakfast won't fix that. You need to feed. We'll go to the den tonight."

I nod, nervous at the idea of feeding on someone for the first time. Billy pulls me into his arms as I stand up.

"You'll be ok. I'll stay with you."

I kiss his neck and wrap my arms around him.

"I love you."

I stand at the door and look around the den.

"You ok?" Billy gives my hand a squeeze.

"Yeah."

"Nervous?"

"Yes."

He kisses my temple. "Come on. Pick your guy."

"You're ok with it being a guy?"

"It tastes better if you're attracted to the person."

"Oh."

Billy pulls me into his arms and presses his forehead to mine.

"Hey," he says, "attraction is only skin deep. What we have is eternal."

I smile up at him and kiss him. "Thank you."

"Just pick your guy, your fangs will extend when you're ready, and instinct should take over. Just remember to be gentle."

"You'll stay?"

Billy swallows hard. "I'll stay."

"You're sure?"

"I'll stay. I promise."

I find a guy with dark brown hair and dark chocolate eyes. Something about him reminds me of Billy, and the attraction is instant. He agrees to let Billy stay, and I sit next to him on the sofa. I can hear his heart beating, pumping a steady rhythm, and my fangs prick at my lips. I lean in and press them against his skin until it breaks, and his blood flows over my tongue. It's not sweet, nothing close to how even Billy's skin tastes, but it's satisfying.

After a few minutes, Billy puts his hand on my shoulder.

"That's enough for now," he says.

I pull back and lick my lips.

"Now, prick your finger and touch his wounds."

I follow Billy's instructions and watch the tiny holes close and disappear.

"Was that your first time?" The guy blinks at me.

"Yes."

"Thanks for taking it easy. I've been doing this a while. New vampires usually get over eager."

"I guess I had good support," I say as I smile at Billy.

"Well, next time you see me here, you don't even have to ask. Just come over and have at it."

He winks, and Billy takes my hand.

"Come on. I should feed before we leave."

He tugs me away, and I pull him to a stop.

"What happened to not being jealous?"

"Easier said than done, sweetheart. Especially when you're being flirted with."

"He was just appreciative of a gentle touch, that's all."

Billy scoffs, and I squeeze his hand.

"Hey… remember… attraction is only skin deep. What we have is eternal. Never forget that. I chose this life for you."

He kisses me, then presses his forehead to mine.

"I really do need to feed."

"Ok. I'll wait here."

"You sure?"

I nod. "Go ahead."

100 Years Later

I stand on the back porch of our two bedroom cottage, watching the first hints of sun peak over the mountains. Billy wraps his arms around me and kisses my neck.

"Time to come in."

"I hate to leave this place. It's been so peaceful."

"I know, but we need to put back into the money. It's expensive living forever."

"I've had you all to myself for the last seventy years so the world could forget us. Maybe I don't want to share you again."

"Sweetheart, I'd love to stay here, just us. But we need to make money to live on in the between years."

"I know."

He pulls me inside and shuts out the light.

"I won't need anything as high profile this time. Maybe a night janitor?"

"As long as you come home to me every day, I don't care."

"Or maybe… I learn something I can do from home?"

My eyes go wide. "Really?"

He smiles until he chuckles. "I find the idea of leaving you to be… less than desirable."

"'Less than desirable?'" I raise an eyebrow.

"Fine… it's fucking torture."

He kisses me and lifts me into his arms. Even after a hundred years, he makes me shiver with anticipation, and I'm sure he'll have that same effect on me in a thousand years… and on… and on.