Ok, here's what Elijah is up to during the 60's. He has had rough time dealing with his loss.

Chapter 50

Happy together

"Looking good baby! Wanna give us a sponge bath?"

Ava rolled her eyes and ignored the group of young men sitting on the bench and smoking cigarettes. She was wearing a nurse's uniform. For some reason men seemed to like that. She walked to her car and sat onto the driver's seat. She started the car and turned the radio on.

Imagine me and you, I do
I think about you day and night, it's only right
To think about the girl you love
And hold her tight, so happy together

If I should call you up, invest a dime
And you say you belong to me and ease my mind
Imagine how the world could be, so very fine
So happy together

I can't see me loving nobody
But you for all my life
When you're with me, baby
The skies will be blue for all my life…

Ava loved this song. She sang along and tapped the steering wheel while driving. It helped her to forget two of her patients she had lost today. Being a nurse was a hard work but she needed it. It was her way of seeking salvation. She had been a servant of nature and now she was abomination. It had been her own choice and she would make it again. Maybe she was a fool.

She had sacrificed everything for a man who had never said that he even wanted to be with her. But he needed her. She wasn't sure how to define their relationship. It was some kind of companionship based on mutual respect. The problem was that she wanted more than that. She wanted his love. Ava wanted to slap herself. She was pathetic. She had never spoken about these things to him. She didn't want to admit it but she was afraid that he would reject her.

And he hadn't been the same after losing his family. His grief had lasted for decades. Ava wasn't sure if he would ever get through it. But that didn't matter; she would stay by his side either way. She stopped her car in front of an old Victorian house. She hummed when she picked up her purse and headed inside. She heard footsteps when she entered the hall.

"Miss Wilson."

Ava turned and saw Mrs. Norris who was the housekeeper. She was a very sweet and hardworking woman.

"Hello Mrs. Norris", Ava said smiling. "How is he?"

"I took him some tea and lighted a fire in the fireplace. He told me not to open the curtains."

Ava nodded.

"Thank you. Are you leaving?"

"Yes, miss Wilson. I will see you tomorrow."

"Yes. Good night, Mrs. Norris."

Ava headed upstairs and stopped in front of a dark mahogany door. She knocked before opening it. The room was dark but that didn't bother her. There were some perks of being a vampire.

"Elijah?"

She didn't get any answer. He was sitting on an armchair in front of the fireplace. The tea tray was on the table untouched. It seemed that this was one of those days. Ava kneeled next to the armchair and took his hand.

"Elijah?"

"Hmm?" he mumbled.

"I brought you some dinner."

She picked up a class bottle from her purse. It was filled with red liquid.

"Straight from the hospital freezer. Bon appétit."

He took the bottle without saying a word. Ava kissed his cheek and got on her feet.

"I'll leave you alone", she said and turned to the door.

"Wait", he said. "Please."

Ava looked at him surprised.

"Do you need something else?" she asked.

He shook his head.

"Sit with me."

Ava smiled.

"Of course."

She moved a chair next to his armchair and handed him two classes. He poured the red liquid into both classes. Ava crossed her legs and took a sip from her class.

"Have I ever told you that I love that uniform?" he asked.

She smiled.

"No but you're not the only one. You should see me working though, there's nothing attractive about it, believe me. It's just messy."

Elijah looked at her.

"You know you don't have to work. Just tell me what you need and I…"

"No", Ava interrupted him. "I need this. I need to make amends."

"What do you mean?"

Ava bit her lip.

"Nothing, I just…"

Elijah leaned towards her and took her hand.

"Ava, please tell me."

She closed her eyes.

"Sometimes I feel guilty for being…what I am. Please don't get me wrong, I don't regret my decision but it's not so easy to forget all the things I was taught when I was a witch."

"You think that being a vampire makes you evil?" Elijah asked calmly.

"No, it's not that. Not really. But when I have an urge to sink my teeth into someone's neck… it scares me."

Elijah lifted her chin.

"My sweet Ava", he said warmly. "You have the kindest, most loving heart I know, even if it doesn't beat anymore. You have done so much for me and I haven't even properly thank you. For that I am truly sorry."

Ava shook her head.

"No, Elijah, you don't have to thank me. I just want you to be happy."

For the first time in a long time, Ava saw him smiling. That made her smile as well. He pulled her onto his lap and kissed her.

"I don't deserve you", he mumbled.

She caressed his cheek.

"But I'm yours. And I always will be, as long as you have me."

There was a strange look in his eyes. Ava was afraid that she had gone too far. She didn't want to pressure him. He was quiet for a long while before he spoke.

"I must have been blind. But now I'm done feeling sorry for myself. 46 years is more than enough. It won't bring my family back."

"No it won't", Ava said. She was afraid to hope that he was serious.

"I see now what I have to do." He paused and looked at the fireplace. Ava was waiting anxiously to hear the words she had hoped to hear for so long. "I'm going to make my brother pay."

Ava stared at him. Seriously? She got on her feet and walked to the door.

"Ava, where are you going?" he asked.

"I have some chores downstairs", she replied without looking at him and walked out.

She wanted to break something. He really was blind. And she was a fool. But she didn't even think about leaving. This was where she belonged.