Author's Note: This is the last chapter of this story. My first completed story and I would like to thank everyone who reviewed and sent me a PM. I appreciate it greatly and I hope you enjoyed the story. I do have a sequel planned for this story but my next work will be a Second Draft for Vampire Reality. I'll file it under a new story and update the current Vampire Reality story title to indicate that it is the first draft. I hope you 'tune in' to that story if you enjoyed this one but it will be a bit different than this story while still being about Vampires. I hope you all have a great day (or night) and hope you give my other stories a read and if you liked the story, Favorite the story if you are interest in reading it again at another time and if you want constant updates on whatever i'm working on, follow the author

Chapter 38

They made good time back to the cottage. All told they had left around 11:45, and arrived back close to 4:30 which would give Mitch and Rebeca just enough time to change and get to their dinner reservation at 5:15. They were both half dressed, facing away from each other when Mitch got a strange feeling and turned around to see Rebeca looking at him. He had his black slacks and an undershirt on. She had her skirt with her tanktop on.
"What's wrong hun?" Mitch asked. She shook her head like she was shaking herself from staring off into space.
"Sorry. Just a question," She said turning back around and continuing to get dressed. ?Mitch did the same, turning around before saying saying casually.
"Shoot,"

"You haven't really talked about where you lived before New Falls," She said and Mitch blinked. Had he not? He couldn't remember, and he triecd. He didn't have many memories before New Falls.
"Well... What did you want to know?" Mitch asked, putting a tie on now.
"Well... Did you have a lot of friends? Family? What the heck is the town's name?!" She asked laughing a little.
"It's my hometown, a small thing barely on the map, Coleton, Washington. It's only about a week drive from New Falls. I had some freinds, more family there than here," He said, keeping his answers short.
"Are you avoiding something?" Rebeca asked and Mitch's heart skipped a beat for some reason.
'You are! Spill it!" She said moving closer to him and he turned to her. She was only missing her jacket. Mitch sighed heavily.
"I had a number of friends and one, a woman, who was more than a friend," Mitch said, looking at Rebeca who was suprised, greatly, more than she should've been if she was honest with herself. Mitch wasn't unattractive and he had a kind heart, even before his change.
"I don't know why I had assumed..." She trailed.
"That you were my first girlfriend?" He finished her sentence.
"No, you are not, and I've done my best to give you that impression," Mitch said, looking away, somewhat ashamed.
"You intentionally avoided this subject?" Rebeca asked, she sounded hurt and Mitch felt it through their Link.
"No hun," He said, taking a knee and holding her hands.
"I did not avoid this topic but it never came up. You never asked about it so I never said anything about it," Mitch said, looking up at her.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel hurt or make it seem like I was hiding something. It's not something I like to talk or even think about," Mitch explained.
"That begs the question Mitch, why?" She asked. With lighting quickness it appeared like he almost teleport because one instant he was kneeling before her and the next he was by the window on the far side of the room, looking out it, he was quiet for over a minute and Rebeca opened her mouth but Mitch started talking before her.
"Because it's my fault, my shame, that we are not together," He said quickly, his voice low in volume.
"She thought I had cheated on her and didn't believe me when I told her..." Mitch's speech was so rapid Rebeca had a hard time keeping up when Mitch suddenly stopped, his posture changed, his stance and he turned away from the window...

Mitch's face was that of Michel, Mitch's Beast. His facial features were subtly bestial, his eyes were like shining emeralds, they almost glowed.
"Michel?' Rebeca asked and Michel nodded.
"Good evening Rebeca, my apologies for cutting Mitch off. He is not here right now, he had withdrawn into himself. He is rather fragile now... You have inadvertently brought something up that Mitch has shut out of his mind for years and is now internally dealing with it. I am here to inform you of this and answer any questions you may have as Mitch had asked of me," Michel said, his voice a slightly distorted version of Mitch's that caught Rebeca off guard ever time she heard it.
"Well... Damn... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause Mitch a breakdown..." She trailed, Michel nodded.
"Mitch understands this," Michel said. Rebeca shivered. Michel's presence made her uneasy, she knew Michel would never hurt her but... his manner was not human, not really, he was polite as could be but it was obvious he was trying to mimic being human, mimic being normal but he never quite got it right. For example... He didn't breath, or it didn't appear that he did. He didn't move, no small habit movement, no hand gestures, no body language to speak of. It was rather unsettling and then it occurred to Rebeca that Michel had not had hardly any real time outside of Mitch's mind so maybe that's why he couldn't get the whole human appearance thing down.

"Well... What was he going to tell me?" Rebeca asked, sitting down on the bed.
"It is good that you sit. Mitch assures me that this will be a shock to you. Mitch was raped a couple months before he moved to New Falls," Michel said with no hesitation or preamble. Rebeca's jaw dropped and her eyes widened. She was quiet for a few seconds.
"Oh Mitch..." She trailed standing up. She was halfway across the room when she realized that Mitch was not there, only Michel who tilted his head to the side.
"Mitch will need your comfort when he returns," Mitchel said nodding and Rebeca crossed the rest of the distance, standing beside Michel.
"Is that why we hadn't..." She trailed embarrassed.
"Had sex? Mated?" Mitchel said, blunt. Rebeca's face reddens even more embarrassed. Rebeca returned back to the bed's edge.
"Mitch had been hoping to wait until you two were married but we both suspect that what happened to him has something to do with that decision. e both think you are very pretty, attractive, sexy," Mitchel said. Rebeca bit her lip and redden a little at Michel's words.
"Mitch is sure some subconscious within him knows what happens and he is sure that the reason you two have not... been intimate?" Michel said furrowing his brow and the last part sounded like a question and shook his head. It would appear very strange but Rebeca was sure Mitch was communicating with Michel. They were both quiet for a moment, until suddenly Michel appeared at Rebeca's side, sitting on the bed, making Rebeca jump.
"Jesus Michel, I can't see you when you do that! Don't do that unless it's necessary please?" Rebeca asked, trying to get over the shock.
"My apologies, I will keep that in mind. Mitch is going to come back,"Mitchel said and Rebeca nodded. Wrapping her arms around Mitch/Michel and in an instant. Michel was gone and Mitch was there. His body instantly slouched a little and he laid his head against Rebeca's chest and she hugged him gently, not sure what to expect. In response Mitch wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close. They were both quiet for a time.
"I'm sorry Rebeca," Mitch finally whispered, his voice horse, strained. He must have been yelling and crying in his mind and his body responded accordingly to his mental state.
"You need not apologize to me... I believe you," Rebeca whispered that last part in Mitch's ear and he holds her closer almost instantly.
"Thank you. I do not know what I'd do if I lost you" Mitch said looking off into space.
"Your not going to lose me," She says holding him tight for a moment before releasing him and he took a deep breath.
"Do you want to talk about it?' Rebeca asked tentively. Mitchwas quiet for a few seconds.
"Mot now. I will to you but we have a dinner and concert," Mitch said getting up.
"Are you sure hun?' Rebeca asked looking up at him from the bed.
"I am. I have a surprise for you at the concert, something we cannot miss," Mitch said and Rebeca gave him a suspicious look.
"It's a good surprise, I promise," He said holding his left hand to his heart and offering her jacket to her with his right hand.
"Fine," She said getting up and putting her jacket on after accepting it from Mitch. Mitch got up too, he shook his head and took a deep breath.

"Ready?" Rebeca asked concerned, worry evident on her face.
"Yes,' Mitch said and Rebeca slipped her arm into the small circle he made out of his side and arm and he closed the circle around her arm and gave it a little squeeze, in response Rebeca squeezed his arm with her hand and they walked out of the room and both of Rebeca's parents were there, armed with cameras and they both started taking pictures and Mitch and Rebeca both smiled. They photo assault only lasted a few seconds before Thomas and Anna said their good byes and Mitch drove himself and Rebeca to a fancy 5-star restaurant. A valet took the rental car when they arrived and they were walked straight to their table in a quiet part of the restaurant, which was surprising they had such a thing given that despite it's exclusivity it was rather crowded. Mitch's eyes glanced over the crowd but did not notice anything out of the ordinary. A waiter was over to their table quickly and they both placed their orders, they had studied the menu when he had decided to go to dinner before the convert and knew what they both wanted. Not long after the waiter left Rebeca started to look nervous, ansy, like something was on her mind and Mitch could feel it too, through their link.
"What is the matter Angel?" Mitch asked using his nickname for her brought a smile to her lips despite her mood. She shook herself out of a thousand yard stare and turned to him.
"Fair is fair, I'll tell you about Mr. Delacroix's son, Adam, and me," She said, swallowing.
"You don't have to if you don't want to," Mitch said, but she shook her head.
"No...You have a right to know. But I was afraid... Afraid you would be upset with me and not want me anymore... but...For as long as I could remember me and Mr Delacroix's daughter, Monica, we have been the best friends for years and years, it helped that the Delacroix's and Bruno's have usually gotten along well. Anyway... Since I was Monica's best friend, Adam, her slightly older brother was also my friend. For almost as long as Monica and I have been friends, I even had a little crush on her brother until I was 13... When I was 15 or so right before I moved to New falls. I had not even been planning on moving. Mr Delacroix had talked to my parents and I was going to stay with him until my parents moved back but... a couple days before my parents were to move..." She paused for a second but Mitch patiently waited for Rebeca to continue.

"Adam, Monica and myself were staying over at my parent's house, a sleepover. My parents were gone for the night. Monica had forgotten something at her house and was going to get it as her and they were not staying in a house not far away on business. Leaving me alone with Adam... I don't even know what started it or how it happened but him and I...we had sex. At the time and leading up to it, it felt right... We had finished before Monica had gotten back and both of us acted like normal. The morning after... I felt sick to my stomach at just the thought that I had given my best friend's brother, my virginity that is when I decided to move... I couldn't be anywhere near him, let alone live in the same house as him so disgusted with myself that I was. I didn't even tell Monica... I'm sure she knows by now but I'm afraid to talk to her again, and to Adam. Especially now... Luckily I didn't get pregnant but... You deserved to know," She finished, looking down. Mitch got up out of his chair and walked over to Rebeca, she didn't look u so she was surprised when she felt his strong, cool arms around her and pulled her close to him.
"This changes nothing about us. I love you, no matter what," Mitch said, saying the second part when she looked him in the yes. One of her hangs held the side of his face and she pressed her forehead against his lightly.
"Thank you," She said, wiping a couple tears looked up sharply but relaxed and returned to his seat mouthing.
"Your welcome," Their food arrived and they both ate in silence both thinking about what they had learned about each other.

They ate for about 20 minutes or so. Mitch was having a steak that he was sure he'd need a thesaurus in order to properly pronounce the name of his dish. Much to Mitch's surprise though, Rebeca actually ordered her dish in Italian and made small talk with their waiter. He also got the impression this wasn't her first time in a fancy restaurant, like it was for Mitch.
"So... You know Italian?" Mitch asked after the waiter had left and they had ordered desert.
"Oh! I'm sorry Mitch, I didn't mean to be rude but yes," Rebeca apologized. Mitch smiled and waved his hand once.
"I don't mind and don't need to know what you were saying but I'm just surprised. Where did you learn?" Mitch asked, taking a drink of water.
"Italy. I was born there, lived there until I moved to New Falls," She said simply and Mitch nearly choked on his drink. He cleared his throat before talking again.
"You were born in Italy?" Mitch asked. Surprised that he was just now learning about this.
"Yep. I'm surprised you didn't ask where I was born earlier," She commented.
"Probably because I assumed you were born in America. Both of your parents look like they are from here," Mitch admitted, feeling a little bad.
"My father was born in America and I got most of his genes so that's why I look America, my mother was born here," Rebeca explained.
"I do have to admit it's kind of attractive," Mitch said with a smiled and redden a little. Rebeca smiled back.
"Ti amo, Mitch," She said smiling. Mitch tilted his head to the side, making Rebeca's smile widen.
"I love you, Mitch," She said, translating. Mitch smiled back.
"I love you too Rebeca," Mitch told her. They stayed like that for a couple minutes until their desert came. Their waiter came by and informed them that their meal had been paid for and they both nodded. Knowing Selena was paying for this meal. It wasn't long before they had finished eating and headed out to the car to go to the concert. It was already dark out but Mitch could see perfectly.

They got to the car and started making their way to the theater Paramore was playing at. It was big, taking up the whole city block, then again. Paramore was popular even in Europe. Mitch and Rebeca parked near by in a nearly vacant parking lot, seeing that the main parking lot was nearly full. They both exited the car and Mitch checked for the tickets he had procured later that month. Mitch froze just for a moment and smiled to himself when his fingers brushed against the small box that was also in the pocket that held the tickets and he suddenly felt nervous but clamped down on it. It was suppose to be a surprise.

Luckily Rebeca either didn't notice or didn't say anything and they approached the entrance to the theater. The front was crowded to say the least and it took them both a minute to figure out where the line was to get inside. As they were standing, waiting in line Mitch got a strange feeling and he looked around but didn't spot anything or anyone who would be giving him that feeling.
"Can you hold our spot? I just got a weird feeling and I'll be right back," Mitch said and Rebeca looked nervous.
"You sure hun?" She asked and Mitch nodded.
"I'm sure it's nothing but I want to make sure," He answered her and she nodded her head. Mitch took a hand and squeezed it before going out into the crowd. He started feeling like he did in the nightclub the night before, graceful, mysterious, a wolf among sheep. A predator now that Mitch thought about it.
*Is this you Michel?* Mitch asked.
Yes... a variation of your dominion extended to many minds rather than focused to one Michel explained.
Whoa... That's interesting and new Mitch commented.
Not really. It comes as naturally to me as breathing comes to you Michel explained.
Mitch continued through the crowd trying to sense anything out of the ordinary but he couldn't find anything and returned to Rebeca's side a few minutes after leaving. She took her hand in his and looked up at him.

"I didn't find anything," Mitch told her and she nodded before laying her head on his shoulder. They continued in line for another 10 minutes before they got to the front of the line.

Security took their tickets and searched them making sure they didn't have any hidden weapons or anything suspicious, neither of them did and security let them go and they continued on inside and they went up towards their seating which was towards the front. The security and line had almost made them late for the start of the show. Only a couple minutes after they took their seats the lights dimmed significantly, and the bad came out and the crowd roared like thunder at their appearance, Mitch and Rebeca adding their voices to the lead singer greeted the crowd and said they had a special occasion before they started they wanted to share.
"Would Michel Teir and Rebeca Bruno please come up to the Stage!" She yelled and the spotlights shined on Mitch's and Rebeca's seating area. Surprise, shock and confusion rippled through her and through their Link to Mitch and she looked at Mitch and her eyes grew wide with realization.
"You knew?" She asked as Mitch just stood up and smiled at Rebeca holding out a hand for her. She stood dumbfounded and when she took Mitch's hand to lead her through the crowd up to the Stage.
"Rebeca, Mitch had a few words he'd like to say to you," Paramore's lead singer said smiling and she handed the microphone to Mitch who took a breath before he started talking, the theater becoming mostly quiet and still.
"I know your a little more than confused but all will become clear when I finish. First, I apologize for all the weird stuff that has happened the last few months but despite that and at risk to yourself you have stuck by me, through thick and thin. Even for the last almost two and a half years. You have always been at my side, or had my back. I've experienced the worse tragedy in my life and you have been there for me every step of the way. I love you Rebeca Bruno and I have just one question for you," Mitch trailed before getting down on one knee and pulled out the little black box from his coat picket and he presented it to Rebeca who gasped and her eyes went wide, a hand going to her mouth. Mitch heard a number of gasps from the crowd as well. With one finger he opened up the box revealing an engagement ring. With one hand on the box, the other holding the microphone he asked Rebeca.
"Rebeca Bruno. Will you Marry me? She smiled wide and took the microphone from him.
"Of course I will Michel Valentine," She said. Using his new last name. She knew he intended to change his last name to match his House. Mitch stood and took the ring out of it's box and put it on her left hand's ring finger.
"Whooo!" They both heard the lead singer yell and the theater erupted with sounds. Shouts of 'yeah' 'whooo' and whistles. They turned to leave and Mitch pointed to someone in the front and Rebeca's mouth dropped open and eyes widen as she saw Jene standing there with a camcorder. Mitch had gotten in contact with Jene before heading to the meeting and asked if she had been serious about trying to make amends, she said she was. He told her of his surprise, to propose to Rebeca at the concert and he asked her to record it for them and she agreed without hesitation, adding.
"You two look like a great couple.'

Mitch hadn't forgotten what led him to this point. the pain, hardship, the awkwardness, the guilt but he wouldn't have changed a thing because it led him to Rebeca. The fallowing weeks, months even would be a trail, rough, most likely with lots of hard decisions Mitch was sure but he knew he could get through them with Rebeca at his side. Tomorrow was a big day, like many days to come but for tonight. Mitch could almost forget, getting lost in Rebeca's eyes.