Chapter 15

What do you wear for things like this? Mary-Lynnette had never been one for the malls, the crowded food court and the loud screams of children that wanted something from the department stores. But this was a bit of an emergency and she had no idea what her lifesaver would look like.

"I think you're over thinking this." Mary-Lynnette said from the twelfth dress rack that they had filed through. But Poppy North was determined; she wouldn't leave the mall until the perfect dress popped out at her. It seemed like a hopeless endeavor that would hold little results.

"I think that your aren't thinking about this enough." Poppy stated, "Ash even said to dress nice tonight, formal if I'm not mistaken?"

Yes….Ash had found her in the garden, where other place would she be? She remembered the awkward moment, the clench of her gut at recalling the fact that he might want to talk about those nights. The ones were she waited for him, hoping that he would show up early to find her awake and waiting for him…. And even those nights when she was falling asleep and wanting him to see her like that; a punishment that she wanted him to for take.

But a small smile made her heart pause for a moment, a kind clumsy smile that made her knees slightly give and the ice around her chip away. When Ash said those words she couldn't believe him, the idea of a real date, one that wasn't in the back of her pick up trunk with chips to keep them satisfied. He wanted a real date that would unfold out to her in secret, one that wasn't held in a place that was surrounded by people. But he wanted her to dress nice.

Mary-Lynnette recalled watching as those brilliant light blue eyes danced at him the moment that she said yes.

The night that would play out before her tonight would be perfect…. If she could only find a dress that was perfect, maybe then she could feel better about tonight.

They left the department store with nothing, she had tried on nothing and there didn't seem to be anything that would look good on her. The once dark tanned skin that she once had was beginning to fade away from all the hours of sleeping in and waiting up for Ash, against her dark hair it seemed almost faded out and washed away. Mare was beginning to debate trying to convince Ash to let her come in sweats and a t-shirt; that she would have no trouble pulling off.

"There is one more place that we should try, it's a little bit out of the way from home but Lady Hannah and I have gone there on occasion when we have the free time."

"How long ago was that?"

Poppy thought for a moment, her fingers strumming against the steering wheel. " I would say about 7 months? There hasn't been a need to actually go there since then."

"What happened 7 months ago?"

Poppy smiled to herself, "It was Lady Hannah's birthday. The first time in all of her lives that she was able to be 17 years old. It was a need to celebrate, that and the end of a vampire called Maya."

Mary-Lynnette wanted to ask more but Poppy waved her away, "Today is about finding you a dress, not talking about bad events. I swear if we can't find you a dress here we shall result in making a dress for you! Michaels is right around the corner!"

Under the safety of bag Mary-Lynnette crossed her fingers in desperation. Dear Goddess…. Poppy with sewing materials? It was something that she wasn't looking forward to.

For a few moments she fretted over that fact but they weren't in the store for more then a few moments when squeals came from the young vampire, startling the poor sales clerk in the far corner. "The search it over!"

Mary-Lynnette had been blown away but the site before her. Ash gave her an address to follow and instructions on what to do as she as she arrived.

But at the moment she was left it utter amazement. Her drive had taken her to Lake Tahoe, where the water was as blue as the sky itself and the breeze felt warm against her skin. It was amazing. A rented out Cottage sat at the water's edge, the sands pulling out away from the grass to show rocks that were prefect for skipping stones. For only two people the place was large enough with three bedroom and bath for each one. The kitchen was vast, and even though she could really call herself cook, she could imagine herself in her trying to learn recipes and succeeding—or failing—the dish. The living room was surprising warm and small, but definitely cozy with no TV, but a fireplace instead. But it was the porch that really made her giddy with excitement. It was larger and so much better then the one that she was forced to leave back at home. A telescope, that had the capacity to get even a better look at the stars (Sorry I don't really know about these things!) where the rings of gas surrounded a star would be seen with a swirling mist.

Her fingers trailed over the cool metal wondering exactly what his plans were for the evening. It was true that they never had a first date… but I know that this isn't exactly on the same lines as one. What did Ash have in store?

She quickly looked down at her watch and saw that already she was behind schedule… not very smart for Ash to do, but maybe this one she would let it go. But I needed to get ready.

With her overnight bag thrown onto the bed she dumped her all her make-up and jewelry onto the bed spread…. She looked helplessly at the amount of make-up that Poppy had picked up for her. Right now, amidst all this, she really wished that Rowan was here and absently remembered the hairstyle that Rowan had done or her and wished that she could duplicate it.

Maybe I can pull off a messy braid with the dress….

At that moment she looked like a lost Puppy.

There was so much that he wanted to plan tonight, so much that he wished that he could pack into something that didn't seem like it had enough hours in the day for. He had rented the place for three days, right by the water and enough of the forest for things to be secluded and where the animals were easy to get. Plus the view, the stars that seemed so close Ash swore that he could touch them.

He already saw her car parked off on the side by the time he pulled in. Ash had wanted to pick her up, to be with her right from the very start of the day, but there were things that needed to be filed and reports to finish. He had hurried through them as fast as he could so that he could hold even more moments and seconds with her.

Ash reached out to her, looking through the rooms of the house, already excited about the plans he had for tonight, the things that he wanted to say and prove.

But she wasn't there. He doubled checked again, yet there was so sign of her. Strange—well not really, she must be out hiking somewhere in the woods, no doubt trying to see where the best place to put the telescope was. What Mary-Lynnette didn't know was that he had already panned for that, a perfect spot on the ledge of a mountainside.

Well this gives me more of a chance to plans a few more things out for her.

Nothing was going to take away from tonight, nothing!

And there in the entrance way was a letter address to Ash on the small table by the door. Mare? Why would she leave a letter?

He opened it and before even being able to unfold the letter a small slip of—paper? But it was a glossy finish portraying a picture made his heart stop and an icy feel of fingers grip at him.

No no no no no no no no no no no no no no NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!

Ash Redfern's fist collided with the wall, his arm pressing further into the wood, not caring that the splinters were pushing into his flesh and the burns that were already searing into him, his eyes were brimming with tears and silver sheen to the color of endless black.

The Nightworld had gone too far.

Did you seriously think that everything would stay this way? I did promise you that things would be happening as the chapters pushed on! Ain't I a stinker?

Please Review, I know that this was shorter then I wanted and the end a little rushed but the next chapter is going to be long and intense! Please stay tune and be patient! It will be out soon!

Till then

~Triss