When I appeared in Mark's room, I looked to the bed, but Mark wasn't in it. I heard the shower going and looked to the bathroom. The thick mahogany door was ajar, and mists of steam crawled out upon the ceiling of the bedroom, where it dissipated. Curious, although I shouldn't be thinking of this, I quietly padded to the door and peeked inside.

The shower doors were made of glass as I saw Mark's powerful outline. It looked like he had a hand against the wall of the showerhead and fixtures. His head was bent forward, like he was exhausted. My eyebrows furrowed. Was he suffering? Was he still hungry? Feeling what I did for him, I would give him anything; as much of my blood as he desired and more.

Anything for my Vampire.

I didn't want to disturb him, so I turned and walked back towards the bed, sitting down upon its edge. I looked down at my phone in my hands and thought back to the conversation with my Mom and Dad. She would try to accept Mark, but it would be rather hard for her. For my Dad, I really had no clue. It looked like he'd honor Mark, but I could be wrong. I knew they were grateful that their youngest daughter was still alive, but I believe she didn't accept what I was now.

I sighed and placed my phone on the bedside table. But Dad is a Phantom so how could she not accept me for who I am now? Did she view me as a monster now? Gosh, it hurt if she did. The Ancients did what they knew was right so there was no other recourse but this one. I laid back against the mattress, leaving my legs to dangle over the edge of the bed, as a melancholic feeling crept into my soul. I tended to overthink things but now didn't seem like one of those overthought times.

I would always be their youngest daughter as they would always be my parents. I would always love them as they would always love me. But Mom wouldn't look at me the same again, now would she? Even though my father was a Phantom, she would find some reason to dislike the situation at hand. Tears filled my eyes. I was enthusiastic earlier when Mark proposed to me but now, I knew I'd never leave. That aspect didn't scare me as much as my mother's emotions were. I came here a Phangel and now I would visit them as a Phantom.

I crawled into Mark's bed and pulled a pillow tightly to my chest. Maybe this was done for a reason. I thought as a warm tear trailed sideways to the pillows my head was on. Sure it was for a reason, good reasons actually. One was that Mark wouldn't be alone anymore and second, well now I would no longer be alone. But Mom wouldn't accept me.

I cried silently, the thought of it all sinking in finally. Yes, I found the man of my dreams and I loved him dearly, but I wouldn't return to my parents as I've done before. Maybe I could visit here and there. Change was rather hard to deal with, but I knew that it all was done for the best; to save Mark's life as well as mine. So what was I crying for?

I rolled over and looked at my rose on the bedside table and wondered how it got from my room to his when the shower suddenly grew silent. Mark must be finished. I saw my beautiful rose begin to wither and I grew wide eyed. I felt like when my lovely rose withered, so did I begin to wither. I sat up and wiped my eyes then reached over to the table and lifted up my rose. My mood suddenly lifted, and I smiled softly. The Ancients would see to it that everything would be all right. Obviously one of them must like me up there.

My rose began to bloom beautifully once more.

Suddenly the bathroom door opened wide and I looked toward it. Steam billowed out as misty clouds, dissipating up towards the ceiling. Mark finally stepped out and my eyes nearly popped out of their sockets at the magnificent sight of him.

Black sweatpants hung low upon his waist, but no shirt hid his beautiful chest and torso from me. He was beautiful, even male models would envy him. His slightly pale chest was broad, his tattoo covered biceps were toned beautifully for his large build. I looked at those various tattoos and found them rather sexy on him. Upon his chiseled torso was a large tattoo. It read B S K Pride and I wondered what it meant. More importantly, I wanted to trail my tongue against the letters, against his warm skin. I shivered. He was nearly seven feet tall, so his muscles had to be big. Upon his right bicep was a golden band with a T and two nails crossed behind it. How appropriate.

My body was responding so well to his because my nipples beaded as my sex grew wet. Okay, so this would be happening every time I saw him half naked? Or Ancients forbid, when he was solely naked? I've never really felt these emotions and temptations before, so it would be easy for me to give into them and surrender. But would Mark want that for me? I didn't think he would.

His auburn red hair was damp and disheveled, water dripping from the ends. My gaze caught one water droplet that trailed down his magnificent sculpted chest. My hungry yet shy gaze followed that water droplet as it trailed down his rippling torso. Under my curious gaze, his torso continued to ripple with each harsh breath he took.

Trembling now, my gaze dipped to the thin auburn red happy trail of hair beginning beneath his flat navel and traveled down into his hip hugging sweatpants. I shouldn't be looking at him so intently! Oh Ancients, I shouldn't be doing this! But this magnificent man was so beautiful, and he wanted me and only me. What did I do to deserve such good luck?

I suddenly realized that he was shaking as his big hands fisted at his sides. Did I really have such a strong effect on him or was I just tempting him? I looked up into his green gaze and knew immediately that I had a strong effect on him. But just how strong was it?

"Very strong, woman." He said deeply.

I gasped and looked away, blushing deeply. I had almost forgotten that he could hear my thoughts and that I could hear his. Another aspect I had to get accustomed to. My eyes grew wide when I heard him say telepathically to me about how hard a certain body part of his was. When I looked at him with wide eyes, he smirked and laughed then flitted to his dresser. My wide gaze watched him bend as he opened a drawer to retrieve a black silk shirt.

When he straightened, my gaze immediately focused on his large back. All of the muscles were perfectly arranged as my fingers itched to touch him everywhere. I loved seeing those tattoos on him as whomever inked him did it lovingly.

Lucky bastards.

His big biceps and back muscles flexed as I admired him. This man was gorgeous, like a Fallen Angel.

But why did he want me?

He suddenly turned to me with a determined gaze. His lips were set in a thin line. With the black shirt squeezed within his big fist, he flitted before me. He placed the shirt down on the bed beside my thigh and knelt before me, grasping my hands in his and looked into my eyes.

"I want you because you are the woman that accepts me for who I am and is not scared of me. I want you because we are meant for each other. I love you because you have the biggest, most beautiful heart and soul that I have ever seen. I also love you because you have brought my body, heart, and soul to life after seven hundred years. I love you, Angie St. John, and I always will forever. And I am sorry about last night. Please forgive me."

I looked into his eyes and felt helpless, but in a good way. Helpless with falling more in love with him. I smiled softly, feeling the same for him.

"Thank you, Mark. I love you, too and I am sorry for last night as well."

He smiled as well. This became or was leading into a romantic moment as we slowly leaned toward one another. But when our lips were a hairs breath from touching, my phone buzzed. I gasped and leaned back, grasping my phone from the bedside table as Mark grasped my wrist gently.

"Can't it wait, darlin'?" He asked gruffly.

I bit my lip and looked down at my phone then up at him.

"What if it's my parents?" I asked worriedly.

He leaned back on his haunches then, a sad light within his green eyes. I wondered what it meant when he shook his head then stood.

"You're right. Your parents are first priority right now." He said and grasped his shirt and shrugged it on.

Frowning now, I looked back down at my phone and opened the message. It was from Mom.

I hope that your father and I can come see you. We love you, Angelica. We hope Mark makes you happy because you need a good man that will treat you as the queen you already are. I hope Mark is that man for you. Be safe and text me when we can come. Love Mom.

I still had to tell him about the conversation I had with Mom and Dad. I sighed and looked up at him. His back was facing me as he pushed in the drawer he opened when he retrieved his shirt. I hoped he wouldn't be too upset at me for what I did. But why was he acting like this? Did I do something wrong?

Biting my lip nervously, I spoke.

"Mark, there's something I have to talk to you about."

He straightened then turned, leaning back against the dresser with his arms folded against his chest and looked down at me.

"I'm all ears."

I released a breath then began…"

Space

"They want to meet me here? Well, that's something." He said and for some reason, I thought he looked uncomfortable.

"Mark, are you all right? Did I say something wrong?"

He looked like he was having an inner conflict with himself. He shook his head then stepped to me and grasped my hand in his.

"Come with me."

He flitted us to the library where he let go of my hand then walked to his chair behind a huge mahogany desk. He sunk down into it slowly with a frown and a sad light within his eyes. Wanting to ease the pain he felt and not knowing why he felt this way, I floated to his side and became corporal. I stood at his side then leaned against the heavy desk.

"What's wrong, love?"

He rubbed his face with his hands, wishing he could have a loving mother like his female did. It hurt him to his soul. When he was younger, he would always see children with their mother figure and noticing that he didn't have one, he once asked his father, "How come I don't have a mother?" His father took the time to explain to him that she was a fellow Vampire but didn't have the means of taking care of a growing boy.

"People will instinctively dislike you for being a Vampire. But those people, like your mother, are ignorant. You're an amazing person and when you find your destined female, she will emphasize my words."

I couldn't help but to listen to his thoughts. My heart went out to him and I loved him even more. How could she have treated him so badly? He was only a child. Anger rose within me.

"How could she hate an innocent child that was her offspring? I despise her for such a bigoted act."

Mark looked at me then with a raised eyebrow.

"So you know what happened? You know why I'm… sad?"

I nodded. "I heard your thoughts just now. How could she have been so racist against her own child?"

He frowned then shook his head.

"I don't know, Angie. All I know is that I hate her fucking guts. I will never forgive her for hurting me as she did."

I shook my head.

"I don't blame you, Mark. Wouldn't it be a slap in the face for her to see how amazing you really are? How far you've come in life?"

He looked at me and nodded, a ghost of a smile upon his face.

"Yes it would. And for her to see that I have found my female, who accepts me for who I am would make my day." He said and wrapped his fingers gently around my hand as I placed my other hand upon his cheek.

He briefly closed his eyes and sighed softly.

He was the most handsome man I have ever seen. He was handsome, kind, and sensible. And all he wanted was to be loved and accepted.

My Vampire.

He was the man I have yearned for all of my life. Happy tears filled my eyes as I smiled softly. His eyes opened and grew concerned when they focused on me once again.

"What's the matter, darlin'?" He asked as he gently wiped a tear from my cheek with his thumb.

I gave a broken laugh and shook my head with a smile upon my face.

"Nothing is wrong, Mark. I'm just so happy that I took a chance and fell in love with you. I'm the luckiest woman in the world, now and forever."

He smiled as well then stood and bent, kissing me softly. As happy as I could ever be, I wrapped my arms around his neck as his big arms found their way to my waist. He lifted me off of the ground and I gasped, surprised against his lips. With his towering height, my feet hardly touched the floor.

Giddy, I tossed my head back and laughed. He smiled then set me upon my feet once more. I trailed my hands down to his chest when he then backed away from me. I frowned and was about to protest when he held up a finger.

"Wait here," he said then flitted away.

"Like I've a choice…" I grumbled then sat down in the chair behind his huge desk.

I smiled anyway. I loved him dearly already and clearly could not get mad at him for anything. So this was what love felt like, hmm? My heart was overflowing with such strong emotions such as passion and compassion for him that I had so longed to feel. Now I was, and I cherished them like I cherished Mark.

Suddenly my phone buzzed, making me jump. I brought it here with me from Mark's room? For the life of me, I couldn't remember how I accomplished such a feat. I grasped it from my pocket and looked at the message. It was from Mom again.

"Well, are we coming or not?"

I bit my lip. The answer was probably no but I would still ask Mark anyway. Besides, where was he? Before I could worry, he appeared within the room with a genuine smile upon his face. I wondered what he had up his sleeve when he flitted to me. I opened my mouth to say something when he spoke over me.

"I've a gift for you, love. It is time to make this official."

I had a pretty good idea about what he was referring to when my phone buzzed again. Sighing, I looked down at the damn thing as he squatted before me.

"Who is it?"

I looked at him.

"It's Mom. She wants to know if she and Dad can visit here soon."

There, I said it. I hoped that he wouldn't refuse. I bit my lip more nervously as I watched for his reaction. He frowned.

"They want to visit now? She and your father want to come here, to Aeroso?"

I nodded. If he refused, I'd beg if I had to. His green gaze searched mine then he sighed.

"Please Mark?"

He then grew stern, a kingly look that was so natural to him replaced any emotion he portrayed. I was desperate here, damn it!

"Tell her that she and your father can come here within the hour."

My eyes grew wide as a smile brightly spread across my face. His lips twitched but he schooled his features to remain stern. But his green eyes were happy. I could distinguish such now. I quickly sent Mom a triumphant text then placed the phone upon the desk before me. He then grasped my hands in his and pulled me up. I wanted to wrap my arms around him but anticipating my actions, he shook his head. Frowning, I stood there as he then pushed a hand into the pocket of his sweatpants, pulling out a small black velvet box.

My eyes widened as he got down on one knee and opened the lid of the small box. A beautiful black and red diamond fishtail engagement ring twinkled up at me, I gasped as my heartbeat sped up excitedly. The band was made of gold as five medium sized diamonds sat in a neat row. The breath left my lungs as he grasped my hand in his free one and looked up into my eyes.

"I bought this ring six centuries ago, in hopes of giving it to my female. I've waited for the right woman to wear this ring and now, I've finally found her in you. So without further ado, Angie St. John, will you become my wife and queen and stand by side for eternity?"

Happiness bloomed within my chest as tears blurred my vision. I nodded enthusiastically as he took the ring from the small box and slid it onto my finger.

"Yes, Mark! I do!" I cried then flung my arms around his neck as he stood.

He smirked then twirled me around. I laughed then looked down at the beautiful ring that sat so comfortably upon my finger. I would always admire its ethereal beauty.

"You waited six hundred years to present this ring to me? How romantic." I said, looking up at him as he placed me upon my feet once more.

"Yes," he said with a nod. "This is the engagement ring, love. The wedding band is gorgeous. I hoped to propose to you romantically and I hope it was." He said with a shy smile.

Smiling, I jumped up and flung my arms around his neck again. He smiled as well and hugged me close then sighed. I pulled away and looked up at him inquisitively.

He smirked and shook his head.

"Grab your phone for we shall get ready for your parents' arrival…"