Hey xx I hope you're all okay xxxx So I've decided that I will probably do between 6 and 9 more chapters and then finish. I have a plan for the ending and a couple of things to happen in between, I just have to piece them all together. Hmm I don't think I have anything else to say accept thank you once again. Your reviews make me a very happy gir
Thalia's Tree x x x
Claire's POV
This evening has been so fun.
An hour and a half later and Michael was still going, after a quick break of course. He played and sang a lot of his own music but due to the fact he was slowly running out of songs he was also performing some others and taking requests. Everybody nattered among themselves and would occasionally walk past our table which was one of the closest to the buffet.
I'd gone up earlier and put a few sandwiches and sausage rolls onto a plate and began to eat them, but after about 20 minutes I rushed to a not-so-posh toilet stool to throw up. I hadn't been able to eat a lot lately, which was definitely not fun. I know that I'd lost my appetite but it would be nice if now and again I could eat without feeling more crap than I already did.
"Maybe we should go home." Shane had suggested as he gently rubbed circles on my back as I knelt in front of the toilet seat. "Michael won't mind . . ."
"No." I had said firmly. "I'm staying, for Michael and for Aria. I need to do this." I groaned "Now help me up before I decide to stay here for ever."
I blinked myself back to the present time as Shane touched my hand from across the table.
"Okay?" He asked. I nodded and smiled. My finacee gestured for me to come to him and I happily obeyed. I walked the short space between us and sat down on Shane's lap, snuggling into him. He kissed me on the cheek and rested his head on my shoulder.
"Love you." I whispered.
From the stage Michael took off his guitar and placed it to the side, taking the microphone in both hands and also moving away the stand. I smiled to myself. He really looked at home up there. It was what he was meant to do.
"Okay. I'm nearly done here for tonight." He said, which earned lots of sighs of disappointment. "I know I know, but I've pretty much ran out of songs! You guys have been great and thank you so much for all the support you've given me." Michael laughed. "And who knows, maybe I'll be back here next year. But for tonight, I have one last song I want to sing to you." He looked behind him, gesturing for someone to play the backing tape.
"This is a song for all you love birds. A beautiful song that I would like to dedicate to my gorgeous wife." He looked directly at our table, and I looked next to me to see Eve gasped.
Michael continued, looking at Eve with so much love. "No matter what life throws at us, we'll get through it. I promise, I won't let go. . ." The music began to play and Michael's voice filled the park once more.
It's like a storm that cuts a path
It's breaks your will, it feels like that
You think you're lost, but you're not lost
On your own, you're not alone
Michael held out his hand and, with tears in her eyes, Eve moved up to the stage and took it, dancing slowly with her husband as he continued to sing.
I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you've done all you can do
And you can't cope
"May I have this dance?" Shane whispered into my ear.
"Yes." I laughed, getting off of his lap and tugging on his hand, leading his towards the 'dance floor'. More couples joined us and began slow dancing too. Even though there were a lot of people here with us, it felt like it was just Shane and I, the only one's in the world.
I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I won't let go
I looked up to were Eve and Michael were dancing on the stage and saw that they were in their own little world as well. Eve was crying, but unlike lately, they were tears of happiness.
It hurts my heart to see you cry
I know it's dark, this part of life
Oh, it finds us all
And we're too small to stop the rain
Oh, but when it rains
At this point Shane leaned in so we were one. I rested my head on the crock of his neck and held on tightly, knowing that he was doing the same. Leaning down slightly he began to speak the words that Michael was singing into my ear, making them feel personal to us. I knew he meant every single one of them.
I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you've done all you can do
And you can't cope
I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I won't let you fall
Tears formed in my eyes. It was perfect. Right now, everything was perfect. I had my friends all around me, each one of us being able to relate to the lyrics of the song. To my left Aria and Chace were dancing happily. Chace had lifted Aria up so that her feet were on top of his and her arms were wrapped around her brother's neck. Chace had stood by her through it all, when their mother died, when their dad was away, when she was at her worst and at her best. He meant every word of the song and I knew that Aria understood that.
Michael sang to Eve, also meaning the words. He was going to help her through all the crap that life had suddenly thrown at her. He was going to be the perfect husband and dry Eve's tear, help her through it, fight her fights. He was that kinda guy, and I knew Eve understood that.
And then there was Shane. He had already told me in so many ways that he would be there for me, even if it wasn't always in words. He'd told me that he would fight this with me, and that he would never back down, never leave me by myself. He proven this by promising himself to me by proposing. I loved him. He was the best thing that had ever happened to me. I would be lost without him, and he would be lost without me. I understood that.
Don't be afraid to fall
I'm right here to catch you
I won't let you down
It won't get you down
You're gonna make it
Yeah, I know you can make it
"I'll never let you fall." Shane repeated.
"And I'll never let you down." I told him.
"Oh you could never do that."
'Cause I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you've done all you can do
And you can't cope
And I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I won't let go
Oh, I'm gonna hold you
And I won't let go
Won't let you go
No, I won't . . .
Michael finished the song by leaning down and kissing Eve. We all cheered and began to kiss our partners too. I kissed Shane as if it was our first and last kiss. That's what I had always been taught when my mother and I would talk about these things. She told me that you never knew when you were going to lose the one you love, so always make everything you do with them as special as possible. . .
oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
I looked at my watch, which read 9'oclock PM. Not late, but late enough I think. I tried to hide a yawn as I began to say goodbye to people. Michael, Eve, Shane and I stood at the entrance of the park as all the guests left for the night.
"Thank you for coming." Michael said for the hundredth time. A few more minutes passed until the last people were leaving, Aria and Chace. My friend was in her wheel chair and currently linked up to her oxygen pump and what looked like a feeding tube.
I smiled down at the smaller girl and with effort she smiled back up. With obvious struggle she attempted to push herself up out of her chair to hug me. I lent down to meet her half way and held her close. I could feel her shaking. Ignoring it I said, "I had a great time tonight."
Aria coughed sharply before replied in a tired voice, "I told you that you would." Eve leaned down to give Aria a hug too and the boys each gave her a kiss. Aria giggled at the attention. "Stop it." She told them. "We wouldn't want your girlfriends getting jealous."
"It'll be our secret." Michael laughed. Chace stepped forward and shook Michael's hand.
"I'll get Aria to let you guys know how much we raised tonight." He said. "With your help I'm pretty sure it will be a lot. Thanks man."
"No problem Chace. Anytime."
Aria went into a coughing fit behind us. With a sigh Chace turned around and suctioned her quickly and effortlessly, showing us just how many times he had down it before. As he turned up the oxygen flow he said. "Alright?" His sister nodded. "Lets get you home Missy A. I think you need a good beating."
My eyes widened. "Sorry." Chace laughed. "Bad CF humor. Alright, we'll see you guys soon!"
"Bye!" Aria said with a wave. Chace wheeled her out of the entrance and with that they were gone.
"Great kid." Eve said in awe.
Yeah, I thought. She really was.
Oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Michael's POV
"Lets get going guys." I said. I tried not to sound too nervous. It was getting dark, and bad things happen in the dark. . .
"Hold up Michael this stuff is heavy!" Eve complained.
"Do you want help?" Claire offered.
"Hell no, not from you CB you ain't carrying anything."
"Seriously," I cut in. "We need to get moving." I looked around, using my vampire senses to try and figure out if there were any threats.
"What's up bro?" Shane asked, stopping in front of me.
I shrugged. "I dunno. I just have a bad feeling."
And that's when it all happened.
I heard a sudden scream from behind me and I wiped around at lightning speed to see that my wife had been grabbed by a man who was holding a knife to her throat.
Correction, it was a vampire.
The Nocte Malum.
Eve whimpered against the knife and I could see her trembling. Out of the corner of my eye I could see that Shane had stepped in front of Claire protectively, holding onto her wrist tightly.
"Let go of her!" I yelled, clenching my fists together. The NM didn't reply, just simply snarled. I don't think he could talk. The thing's skin was all oily, wrinkly and an offish grey colour. It's clothes were in tatters and dirty from countless nights scrounging around the streets.
"Oh I don't think so." A voice said from the shadows. "Ever heard of leverage?" A figured stepped forward, followed by several other less educated Nocte Malum. "Michael Glass I presume."
"Amara." I hissed.
"That's right." Amara agreed with a nod of his greasy head. Compared to the others, he looked almost normal, clean. He wore a ripped up suit and his eyes were bright red. From his fluent speak it was obvious that he had been well educated, and that he was very very old.
"What do you want?" I asked in a low dangerous voice. I kept my eyes on Eve, silently warning her to keep very still and very quite.
"Apart from a new suit? I want power Mr Glass. I want lots of power and you, my friend are in my way of achieving that." Amara licked his lips hungrily and began to circle around Eve, using one sharp nail to trace the lines of her veins in her neck. "I had a lovely lady like you once. Unfortunately, once her blood was gone she was of no use to me. They're fun while they have the delightful red liquid flowing through them." I tensed as he leaned forward to rest his mouth against my wife's ear. "Would you like to play a game? It's called Cat and Mouse."
"Let her go." I repeated, my voice becoming louder. "It's me you want, not her."
Amara laughed a dry laugh. "How brave, wanting to save your pretty wife." I gasped. "Oh yes, I've done a lot of research about you Michael. I found it all very interesting." He sighed, continuing. "But alas, it is indeed you that I want, so you may have your human back." He grabbed Eve roughly around that wrist, pulling her away from the NM and pushing her forcefully towards me. "Enjoy."
"Your sick." I snapped as Eve fell into my arms and I gently guided her towards Claire, who was behind us.
"Yes, I am. But its not my fault." Amara began pacing again.
"I used to be so much more than this." He began. "I was one of Amelie's 'favourites', in her high court if you like." He stopped still and stared at each one of us in turn. "But I guess I wasn't the easiest vampire to work with. Apparently I got too greedy." Amara laughed again. "I have been told that greed is my deadly sin. She said that I had become a threat, and at some point I was going to try and take over. Well, I guess she got one thing right."
There was a chorus of hideous laughter from behind the leader of the Nocte Malum as he followers began to mutter among themselves. There was about 20 of them now, and they were slowly making a circle around us. I had to think of something, and fast.
"Of course, that was just and invitation for trouble. You could say I made a bit of mess that evening, if know what I mean." Amara continued. "She exiled me to Blacke to live with other strays. I did for a while, but I knew that I couldn't live there forever. So . . ." He spread his arms to indicate to the rest of the NM. " . . . I built my army." The wind picked up and the air became bitterly cold.
"Some army. An army of flea bags more like." I heard Shane mutter next to me. Unfortunately so did Amara.
"You may underestimate them Shane Collins." He snarled. "But would you like to see what they can do to your dear, precious Claire?"
"Don't you dare threaten her!" He yelled. "Or I'll kill you with my own bare hands!"
"Oh." Amara's eyes blazed red, his fangs extending to show yellow, sharp teeth. "I'd like to see you try."
All hell broke loose.
The next thing I knew was that Amara had pounced towards Shane and the girls, the rest of the Nocte Malum following suit. With my vampire reflexes I intercepted Amara, sending us both rolling towards the edge of the road. He clawed at my throat and I kicked him in the stomach, giving me enough time to shout, "Shane get the girls out of here!"
"We're not leaving you!" Claire replied loudly.
"Just go!"
Amara scratched my face and I attempted to roll over to get more of an advantage, but he was so strong. From the corner of my eye I could see that Shane was fighting off about 7 Nocte Malum and another load were cornering Eve and Claire towards the side of a building. Claire was clearly not doing great though she tried desperately to help Eve fend them off.
"Here's whats going to happen," Amara hissed on top of me. "I'm going to kill you and your pretty little friends, then I'm going to kill the Founder and take over this God damn town. And there's nothing. You. Can. Do." He arced his back, preparing to bite and drain me.
I love you Eve.
As he swooped down for the kill, Amara suddenly tensed, falling slowly onto his side next to me. Completely confused I looked up to see that Oliver was in his place, in full vamp mode. What?
"He was starting to annoy me." The older vampire stated, taking of a glove and reaching out a hand to help me stand. I took it and looked back down at Amara's still body, a silver stake sticking out of his back, showing clearly that it had gone straight through him and had punctured his heart. Suddenly, the body began to dissolve.
I looked around to see that the exact same thing was happening to the rest of the Nocte Malum. Each one of them had fallen to the ground and were dissolving.
"How . . . ?"
"Amara had fed them his blood to make them stronger. They had a blood oath set. If the leader dies, they all die."
"Thanks for telling me." I replied sarcastically. I turned to look at my friends. "Everyone alright?"
"I think Claire might faint." Eve stated, holding her best friend's arm.
"I'm not gonna faint." Claire insisted. "I'm just tired." Shane walked over and took Claire into his arms. I did the same with Eve.
"Well," Oliver said. "That was exciting. Lets go home."
"Hang on." I cut in. "Is that it? No more Nocte Malum?"
"I should think not." Oliver replied. He hesitated slightly before adding, "You did a good job. I'm just glad I was in the neighborhood when they attacked you. Thank you Michael, I understand that what I asked of you was a challenge, but I don't think we'll have to worry about Amara ever again. And for helping, you may leave Morganville whenever you wish, to pursue treatment for Miss Danvers.
"I won't be needing it." Claire muttered from next to me.
"But . . . we will except the offer. Thank you." I added.
Oliver just grunted, nodding his head and walking off into the darkness. Everything was silent. I half expected something to jump out at us.
"Maybe its situations like these that's making me not be able to have kids." Eve said, with a hint of sarcasm, though I knew that deep down she was secretly contemplating the idea. I kissed my wife on the forehead and held her tightly, not ever wanting to let her go.
"Well, this evening has been interesting. Shane stated.
"Not one i'm going to forget in a hurry." Claire agreed. "I still don't completely understand why -"
"Come on, lets think about it later." I said. "I think we should go home. We've deserved the rest of the night off . . ."
I hope it was ok, to be honest I didn't know how to write it, action isn't my strongest point. But i wanted to round the Michael thing off xxx
BTW the song Michael sang is called 'I won't let go' by Rascal Flatts xxxx check it out xxxxx Bye!