Ghost 5 – Thanks for the reviews Guys!!!
CHAPTER 3
Caleb dropped her back at the mansion.
"I'll see you later," she said in a distant voice
Caleb noticed the cold distant tone.
"Have I done something wrong?" he asked
"No," she said firmly "No you haven't, it's just complicated at the moment,"
Caleb turned her face toward him.
"Tell me what's bothering you," he whispered
"I..."
She got out the car and ran for the front door, leaving Caleb to stare after her in confusion.
"Did you have a nice day Miss Esther?" Marcus asked
"Yes thank you," she whispered "Where is my Aunt?"
"She is taking tea in the living room," he answered
Essie ran for the sun filled living room and found her Aunt sitting in her armchair.
"My dear child?" Sophia said in shock
Essie put her hand over her mouth and sank into an armchair.
"I..I think I'm in love with Caleb Danvers," she said in a near whisper
"Wonderful!" Sophia exclaimed
"I'm not sure," she said confused "I don't know if he kissed me because I've cured his father or if it's real,"
Madam Sophia rose from her seat and kissed her niece's forehead.
"You'll know soon enough," she said warmly "But I can tell you that when Caleb has strong feelings for something or for someone he won't get rid of them so easily, he's such a sensitive and caring boy,"
Essie was handed a cup of english tea.
"So after all this time, you've both discovered love," Sophia said proudly
Caleb drove back to his house to have his mother fling her arms around his neck and hug him tightly.
"He's back," she exclaimed
"I know I know," Caleb said sadly as he unclasped his mother's arms
"Aren't you happy?" his mother said in surprise "What's the matter?"
"Essie," he breathed before disappearing to his room
The moment he got there he through
himself onto his bed with his head buried in his pillows.
"You
stupid idiot!" he cursed himself "She hasn't even been home a
week and you're already trying to get her into bed,"
Essie had been acting strangely ever since he had taken her by Putman's Barn, there was something on her mind and he wanted to know what. Caleb would give anything just to get in her mind and find out what was going on, both Sophia and Essie knew something but they wouldn't share it deep down he knew something was coming but he didn't know what, he life had just become even more complicated.
Caleb got to Nicky's and found Nat, Kate and Chase talking and laughing.
"Hey guys," he said tiredly
"Hey Caleb," Kate said cheerfully
Nat looked at him curiousy.
"She's not here yet,"
He smiled at her.
"Don't worry Caleb, you know how Essie likes to turn up," she said reassuringly
He sat down and waited, to his relief Pogue turned up and gave Kate a kiss on the cheek and then gave Caleb a brotherly handshake.
"Be back in a minute guys,"
Pogue went to the bar.
"Two burgers, fries and coke Nicky,"
"Sure thing!" Nicky called
The sound of his two friends laughing drew his attention to the pool tables, he grinned when he saw them and went over.
"Hey guys," he said and gave each of them a high five
Tyler looked up and noticed a tall skinny girl stood next to the bar, he put ten dollars down on the table.
"I beat she's wearing cotton,"
"Lace," Reid said and put down ten dollars
"Guys," Pogue said reasoningly "That girl hasn't worn panties since she was twelve,"
"Well lets find out," Reid said mischievously
"Don't even think about it," said a sharp voice followed by a sharp tap on the back of their heads.
"Ow," each of the boys exclaimed
"You ought to be a shamed of yourselves," Essie said sternly
None of the boys answered, they simply stared at her in amazement.
"What the hell are you looking at?" She asked
"Nothing," Reid said quickly
She walked passed them and found Caleb playing table soccer with Chase.
"Hi," he said in shock
"Hi," she replied and gave him a kiss on the cheek
She went and sat with Nat and Kate.
"Girl you look so hot in that dress," Kate said with a grin
"No wonder all the guys are looking at you," Nat said in surprise
The girls sat looking at the boys having fun.
"I can't believe this, this isn't how it's done in England," Essie said with a bored voice
"How is it done in England?" Kate asked
"Firstly we don't sit and watch the boys have all the fun," Essie grinned up out of her seat
"What the hell is she doing?" Kate asked
"Being Essie," Nat muttered
The moment the music started blaring out of the juke box Essie grabbed Nat's arm and took her to the dancefloor.
"Come on girls,"
The girls began dancing away, not noticing the fight that had taken place at the pool tables and that Caleb had disappeared from the soccer tables. When the music stopped Essie looked at Chase seriously.
"Where the hell is Caleb?"
"Outside settling some business with Aaron I think," he explained
She gave him an annoyed look and went to find them, Aaron and his group walked passed her without a second thought.
"If you're looking for your friends, their outside," Nicky said as he walked away from the back door
"What will it take for you to get it!" Caleb yelled "It's addictive you moron,"
"Jesus Caleb," Tyler exclaimed
Essie saw Caleb send Reid into the crates of empty glass bottles, she looked at him angrily and to everyone's surprise Caleb also went flying into the crates.
"For crying out loud," she said furiously "I can't believe I've come home to find you guys are having a pissing contest,"
"He started it," Reid complained
Essie raised an eyebrow.
"I couldn't care less who started it Reid,"
Reid walked passed her and muttered an apology, Tyler quickly followed and left Pogue and Caleb behind.
"Caleb what in hell were you thinking?" Essie asked
"He sent a darkling I know it," Caleb said quickly
"Reid doesn't seem the type," she said softly "He looks up to you too much,"
Pogue looked at the two of them and shuffled his feet.
"I'll leave you two alone,"
"Pogue," Essie asked "If it'll put this idiot's mind at rest,"
She gave Caleb a glance.
"Watch the twins won't you?"
Pogue nodded and made a quick exit, Essie folded her arms and looked at Caleb curiously.
"What in the hell is the matter with you?" she asked
Caleb stared at her.
"I...I don't know, I guess its anxiousness,"
"Come on, we better go," She said warmly
Caleb escorted her to his car and opened the door for her.
"Has anyone told you you're a wonderful gentlemen?" Essie asked
"Only you and your Aunt," he answered before closing the door.
"How come you seem to be prince charming and the other three are still to catch up?" She asked
Caleb sat down and fastened his seat belt and grinned at her, he started the car and pulled out of the car park.
"Come on tell me?" she urged
"Your Aunt taught me?" he mumbled
"Beg your pardon?" Essie asked confused
"Your Aunt taught me," he repeated
She looked at him curiously.
"I've been visiting her every two weeks for the passed three years," he said softly "The best mom I could have had,"
She grinned.
"Elle coeur du grand,"
He looked at her curiously.
"Your Aunt does that quite often too," Caleb chuckled
"What?" Essie asked
"Says the odd sentence in french," he answered
He paused for a moment.
"It's quite cute,"
She raised an eyebrow.
"Cest stupid,"
"Don't say that," he said quickly "And besides I think you have a beautiful french accent,"
"Thank you, I learnt from the best," she said softly "Aunt Sophia insisted that I learn her language when I first came here,"
"Teach me something," Caleb asked
"Like what?" Essie asked
"I love you?" Caleb answered
Essie looked at him in surprise, she started to slightly blush.
"Are you blushing?"
"No, just I don't want to tell you," she said quickly in a hoarse voice
"Why not?" Caleb asked
"Well what if you meet a nice french girl, the only thing you will have to say to her is I love you," she explained
"And I guess that will make you very jealous," Caleb said sarcastically
"Your life is your own Caleb, it would just mean that I would have to go out hunting for a nice guy perhaps Reid if he decides to grow up,"
The look on his face made her smile and then she chuckled.
"Now who's jealous?"
Caleb pulled slowly into the drive way of the mansion and stopped the car, he turned to her and was about to kiss her when she stopped him.
"Follow me," she whispered
Essie took Caleb by the hand and took him to the solarium.
"Wow," he breathed
The whole room was bathed in moonlight, Essie placed her right hand in his left and placed his right hand on her back.
"There's no music," he whispered
Suddenly violins began to fill the solarium.
"Dance with me Caleb," Essie whispered
Before he knew what was going on Caleb found himself waltzing perfectly with Essie.
"What have you done?" he asked
"Nothing," she smiled "Just turned you into Fred Astaire,"
"You always were a clever witch," Caleb said as she pressed her cheek against his chest
The music suddenly turned fiery and passionate and Caleb found himself dancing a tango, every move she made seemed to be an invitation to touch her and when the music died he felt a stab of painful disappointment. She stared at him almost expectantly and at that he kissed her, time seemed to stop and Caleb found himself immersed in a kind of magic that he had never felt before it was enduring and fierce and made him feel safe and loved instead of lonely and afraid. The lovers broke contact and just stared at each other silently for endless moments.
"Goodnight," Essie said softly
"Goodnight," Caleb said back before he punctuated it with a kiss
"No really Caleb goodnight," she said brightly
"Ok," he said and gave her a kiss
"I'm leaving now," she said with a smile
"Yes," Caleb replied
Essie backed away from him.
"See you tomorrow,"
Essie walked away toward the doors leaving Caleb to stare after her with a wide grin on his face.
"I'll see you tomorrow at the dance?" he asked
She looked at him curiously.
"I was hoping you could go with me?" he asked
Essie smiled at him and nodded.
"I was hoping I'd get to go with the birthday boy,"
"You remembered," he said in surprise
"Don't tell me you thought i'd forget that you ascend tomorrow?" Essie asked
Caleb didn't answer.
"I've got my best dress airing right now," she whispered and with that she disappeared through the doors
Caleb went back to his car feeling light headed and dreamy, every now and again he stopped to take a look at the house and imagine Essie in her room trying her dress on. He got in his car and drove away into the night thinking about Essie and his birthday and his ascension which he wasn't too happy about, would he go crazy like his father? He hoped not for everyone's sake, his friends and his mother depended on him for support and leadership Essie didn't need him for anything except his love.
Essie went into the library and kiss her aunt on the cheek.
"Did you have a nice night ma cherie?"
"Yes thank you," she replied with a smile
"Something has happened hasn't it?" the old woman asked
"You could say that," Essie whispered
"You and Caleb finally together?" Sophia asked
Essie nodded then let out a squeal of delight, she jumped in the air in a circle.
"He asked me to the dance,"
"You know what else is tomorrow don't you?" Sophia asked
"Yes," she said sadly "But he won't need to worry, he's got me to help him adjust to the new power he's going to get,"
"You seem to be a bit more enthusiastic about dating him," her aunt said thoughtfully
"I guess you got to through caution to the wind," Essie agreed
"I'm happy for you," Sophia said proudly
"I'm going to go to bed," Essie said pleased and with that kissed her aunt again