Abbey's POV
"Benny?" I ask, confused.
Instead of answering, he leans down and kisses my lips softly and slowly, but still passionately. We stayed like that for a while, just holding each other and kissing until we were interrupted by my mom.
"Abbey!" she exclaims. "You're awake!"
She rushes over to me and hugs me tightly. Benny had let go of me so my mom could embrace me fully.
"Oh, sweetie," she croons, kissing my forehead. "I'm so glad you're awake!"
I lean my head against my mom's shoulder, enveloping myself with her familiarity.
"How long was I out?" I ask curiously.
"Three days," my mother answers. "How do you feel?"
"Weird," I reply. "Everything is so different. My eyesight isn't as sharp, my hearing is duller and I'm not craving blood."
"That means it's working," she smiles. "I was so worried about you, baby."
I pull away and smile at her.
"I told you I'd be fine," I remind her.
"I know," my mom sighs. "I should've believed you."
I then remembered that Benny was there, and I turn around to look at him.
"How long have you been here?" I ask him.
"Three days," he replies.
"He held you while you were changing," my mother says. "And sang to you off and on."
"I got here right after your mom had finished casting the spell," Benny explains. "When I saw you on the ground like that, I knew I couldn't leave. You looked so fragile and I wanted to protect you."
"Thanks," I smile at him, leaning over to him, kissing his cheek. "You know I did this for you, right?" I whisper in his ear.
"Yes," he whispers back.
"Good," I pull away, smiling at him again.
Just then, the door opens and Ethan and Sarah come in, holding a bag of what I hoped was food.
"You're awake!" Sarah cries excitedly, rushing over to embrace me in a vice-tight hug.
"Sarah," I gasp. "Not. Vampire. Anymore. Can't. Breathe."
Sarah immediately loosens her grip on me.
"Sorry!" she apologizes.
"It's fine," I assure her, after catching my breath.
"Are you hungry?" Ethan asked. "We brought you some food."
"I thought you'd never ask," I smile. "I'm starving."
It had been over a year since I started craving blood. Having that burden lifted off of me was all I could ever ask for. It felt like I had finally been cut free from the chains of bloodlust. I was free and it felt absolutely amazing. No more worrying about vamping-out whenever I smelled blood, no more getting testy when I was thirsty and no more having to hide what I was from the normal citizens of Whitechapel.
I had eaten the cheeseburger Ethan and Sarah had brought back for me, enjoying every single bite. I'd missed human food, burgers and fries especially. Nothing had tasted the same after I had been turned. I didn't want food anymore, all I wanted was blood. I was grateful that the spell had worked. Now all I craved was food when I was hungry. No more blood.
Abbey's POV
I was curled up on the couch with Benny, watching, of all things, Dusk, with my mother.
"Mom," I complain for the hundredth time. "Do you have to watch this?"
"Yes," she answers. "If you don't like it, you can leave."
"Can I go up to my room?" I ask, hopeful.
"As long as you leave Benny down here," my mother replies, not taking her eyes off of the screen.
"Ugh," I sigh, leaning my head back against Benny's shoulder.
I get off the couch, and motion for Benny to follow me into the kitchen. When I get there, I collapse into a chair at the table.
"Your mom is such a Dusker," Benny says.
"Thank you, Captain Obvious," I say, looking down at the wood grains in the table.
"Was it just me, or was she crying while watching the movie?" he asks.
"She was crying," I answer. "Probably has something to do with the fact that I'm no longer a vampire."
"You sure?" he asks.
"Maybe," I say. "Or she wishes that she had a vampire boyfriend like Jakeward."
He doesn't say anything, just sits in the chair next to mine.
"Do you wish you had a vampire boyfriend?" Benny asks, slightly teasing.
"Been there, done that," I answer.
"Yup," he says.
"Twice," I add.
Benny leans into me, close enough to kiss me.
"Looks like you'll have to settle for a Spell Master instead," he whispers.
"That's alright with me," I answer, leaning in a little more, so that our lips met.
He pulls away just slightly and got this wild look in his eyes.
"What?" I ask. "Is there something wrong?"
"Will you marry me?" he asks, serious.
I pull back, surprised.
"Like, now?"
"No, when the time comes. When we're old enough. Say, ten years from now."
I smile.
"Are you sure we'll still be together by then?" I ask.
"I'm counting on it," Benny answers. "I only want to be with you."
"Yes," I reply. "When the time comes, I will marry you."
"And you're not just saying that?" he asks.
"As long as all the drama stays far away," I promise. "I will marry you."
"You know," Benny says. "This is Whitechapel. There's always drama."
"True," I nod my head. "But, since it's mostly supernatural drama, and I'm not a vampire anymore, I can ignore it."
"Technically, you can't," he points out. "Even though you're human, you still might get your powers."
"I hope not," I sigh.
Judging on what my mother said about magic, I wanted no part of my powers whatsoever. Especially because it was more than likely that my magic would be Black Magic. I hoped when the spell said all that it would restore humanity back to whatever supernatural being, it meant getting rid of my developing powers too.
Abbey's POV
Ten years later…
"Count to ten and then follow me," Sarah instructs.
I nod my head, looking at her blurry appearance through the thin material of my veil.
It was finally time. I was finally marrying Benny just like I had promised. It had been ten years and we had stayed together this long, despite fights we had sometimes gotten into, but that was just healthy behavior of couples who were in love with each other.
The wedding march started and Erica walked slowly to the pace of the music, hopefully smiling, down the aisle.
It seemed like no time before Sarah was following her, glancing back at me to make sure that I was paying attention.
I look down at my bouquet of white and red roses, counting to ten in my head. I lift my head up, taking a deep breath, and start heading down the aisle to my future.
I was the blushing bride as I walked down the aisle while my cheeks were burning bright red from the prolonged attention. My heart was beating like a hummingbird's wing in my chest. My anticipation grew as I drew near to Benny and the minister.
The march was over quickly, and I was soon standing in front of a grinning Benny, with my hands in his.
I steal a quick glance and make sure that it wasn't Stern and this wasn't a variation of my nightmare. When I recognize the minister we hired, my attention went back to Benny.
Time seemed to pass quickly while exchanged our vows, and promised to love and cherish each other until death did us part.
"I do," Benny vows, when the minister finished.
"I do," I vowed when it was my turn.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the minister declared. "You may now kiss the bride."
Benny slowly lifted the veil and his grin got even wider. He leaned down and kissed me softly and passionately. In that moment, I knew he truly loved me, and I truly loved him.
Abbey's POV
"Would my bride like to have this dance?" Benny asked me, extending his hand towards me.
"Yes," I answer smiling. "Yes she would."
Benny lead us out onto the dance floor, where everyone made room for us in the center.
I caught a few glances of our friends on the dancefloor. I saw Ethan and Sarah dancing, with Sarah's head on Ethan's shoulder, I saw my mom with the new guy, Ted, that she'd been dating on and off for the past three years. Even Rory had someone to dance with.
When the song was over, I walked back to the table Benny and I had been sitting at. I look over the crowd of people and I saw a dark figure leaning by the door, arms crossed.
"Is that who I think it is?" I ask, pointing at the figure, trying to get Benny's attention.
"Jesse," Benny answered simply. "You should go talk to him."
"Are you sure?" I ask skeptically.
"Go ahead," he says. "I'll be right here."
I get up from the table, and edge my way around the crowd of dancing friends and family.
"Hey, stranger," call out when I get up to him.
Jesse looks over at me shocked.
"Abbey?" he asks. "You look so beautiful."
"Thank you," I smile. "I wasn't sure you got my invitation."
"I did," he answers. "I was just confused as to why you invited me."
"I invited you to show you that I still think we can be friends."
"That's why I came. To show that there were no hard feelings."
"Good," I reply.
"Would you like to dance, Abbey?" Jesse asks, edging closer to me.
I steal a quick glance towards Benny, who was dancing with his grandma.
"Sure," I answer.
He moves closer to me, and places his arms around my waist, while I place mine around his neck.
We stayed in the shadows so his presence wouldn't cause a stir.
"So, how's being a human again going?" Jesse asks.
"Fine," I reply. "I don't really miss being a vampire."
"I should've never bitten you," he frets. "I don't know what I was thinking, taking your choice away from you."
"Hey, there are no hard feelings," I say. "Not now anyway, since I got my humanity back."
He smiles sadly.
We dance in silence for a few minutes, until Benny comes up to us.
"Mind if I cut in?" he asks politely. "I'd like to dance with my wife again before the night ends."
"Sure," Jesse says, stepping away from me. "It was nice dancing with you Abbey."
Jesse vanishes before I can say anything else.
I was glad that I got to see Jesse one more time. I needed to know that he was okay with everything. Sure, he had let me go easily, but I wasn't sure if it was all an act or not. I was surprised he even showed up, though I was hoping.
"Dude, that sounded so weird," I point out.
"What?" Benny asks.
"You calling me your wife," I say.
"Yeah, I know," he answers and he leads me back to the crowd of people while another song starts.
He wraps his arms around my waist, and I place my head on his chest, closing my eyes, enjoying the moment.
"Heart beats fast,
Colors and promises.
How to be brave,
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall?
But watching you stand alone,
All of my doubt,
Suddenly goes away somehow.
One step closer…
I have died everyday waiting for you,
Darling don't be afraid,
I have loved you for a thousand years,
I'll love you for a thousand more.
Time stands still,
Beauty in all she is.
I will be brave,
I will not let anything take away what's standing in front of me.
Every breath,
Every hour,
Has come to this.
One step closer…
I have died everyday waiting for you,
Darling don't be afraid,
I have loved you for a thousand years,
I'll love you for a thousand more.
And all along,
I believed I would find you.
Time has brought your heart to me.
I have loved you for a thousand years,
I'll love you for a thousand more.
One step closer…
One step closer…
I have died everyday waiting for you,
Darling don't be afraid,
I have loved you for a thousand years,
I'll love you for a thousand more.
And all along,
I believed I would find you.
Time has brought your heart to me.
I have loved you for a thousand years,
I'll love you for a thousand more."
In those moments spent dancing with Benny, everything seemed perfect. I knew we'd be together until we died. I know I've said this before about past relationships, but this time I felt it absolutely to be true. I loved Benny with all my heart and soul.
I hope you enjoyed this story. I know a few of you wanted her to end up with Jesse, but Benny has loved her from the beginning and she finally realizes it!
Anyway, please continue to read and review.
The song is A Thousand Years by Christina Perri