Chapter 38:

Hope everyone is still enjoying this so far. It's getting to be close to 1/3 of the way to completion; however, I am still very much in love with this story, (it's my baby.) I am not going to diverge from what I have outlined from the very beginning, but I want to maybe add small tangents here and there until I'm ready to truly finish and I know that it's time to bring this to a satisfying end.

Positive energy R&R!

"Mmmf." Larten stretched his limbs noticing he was practically cocooned in the bedsheets. He must have really moved a lot in his sleep.

He suddenly felt his neck flush as his dreams surfaced to the forefront of his mind. (That must have been the cause of the state of the bed.) He had dreamt exclusively about Erin and doing particularly private actions with her.

"Oh, gods," he whispered as he rubbed a hand over his face.

Larten continued sitting up in the bed, not moving. How could he go downstairs and see her in the flesh when all his dreams had shown how heated her—

Larten leapt out of the bed and immediately went into the bathroom, turning the shower on to ice cold.

He glanced at himself in the mirror. His shirt off showed his pale skin, thin-framed, but sinewy and muscular with the typical vampire scars here and there. As he let his thoughts wander to his dreams he noticed his body reacting to which he promptly stepped under the icy cold water, his arms outstretched, palms against the wall, letting the water run over his head and back. He took deep steady breaths, focusing on the cold water.

He closed his eyes. He would keep his composure and be the proper vampire he had been trained to be. They had both been tentatively exploring the boundaries between each other and Larten didn't want to jeopardize that, but, what if he would have to regress to what their relationship had been before? Their relationship had always been connected and close, both wanting more, and with their new recent developments, things were heading in the possible direction of his dreams.

But did she want that? All of it or was she too afraid knowing he was a vampire and their lives would always be different, never to ever be fully in sync? Erin was far too practical to not be aware of that fact.

If only they could enjoy happiness in one another until the season passed and Murlough was finally dealt with once and for all.

A stab of fear crossed Larten's mind. What would happen to them? Would he once again have to suffer the loss of a loved one because they were unwittingly pulled into his world of night?

Larten closed his eyes. He was truly torn. But he knew he couldn't abandon them like he had. No. He had given his word. He would not leave them until whatever was meant to happen would happen.

But until that time, could he allow himself to give in to his yearning for companionship? Wholly give in to what his heart craved? Would Erin allow caution to be thrown to the wind and give herself fully to him as he wanted to do for her?

No answer came.

Larten sighed as he began scrubbing his body. Deep in his chest he begged the luck of the vampires to be with him. He wanted at least one warm, happy winter to carry with him throughout the decades of his life.

"Good morning, princess. Did you sleep fine today?"

Brigid greeted him quite chipper, heating up some popcorn.

Larten glanced around the kitchen and into the living room.

"Where is Erin?"

Brigid opened the microwave door.

"She's out Christmas shopping. She said she'd be home soon. Oh, and she said to tell you that your cloak is hanging in the laundry room and that she ironed it for you, blah blah blah, I need to fold the towels and other stuff that I will do. Later."

She tossed a piece of popcorn into her mouth and leapt onto the couch.

She glanced back at him.

"You want some popcorn?"

Larten tugged at his black vest.

"No, thank you. I am not hungry."

"Okay. At least come sit down. You're making me nervous standing back there." Brigid commanded.

Larten acquiesced and sat down on the loveseat watching Brigid toss popcorn into her mouth and flip through the channels. He sat without watching, completely wrapped up in his head.

It was good that Erin was gone so that he would be prepared to see her when she returned.

"Yeah, about that, Larten." Brigid's voice cut through his thoughts.

He looked at her in surprise.

"What?" He asked, secretly feeling like Seba had caught him doing something he should not have been doing.

Brigid shifted her position to face him better. She really didn't want to go anywhere near this topic with him, but she had seen some sequences and they needed to be solidified so the next tangent could come about.

"Uh, okay, so…sometimes when two people start to really care for each other, they sometimes get scared of their feelings because they know certain things will lead to them not being together. And sometimes these same feelings can lead to, um, particular ways of expressing them." Brigid shifted again, not really sure where she was going with what she wanted to say.

Larten kept a steely look on his face, but his ears were burning bright red. A child was giving him a talk on love and relationships. Why did they both have to be so bloody psychic?!

"Right, okay, so what I'm trying to say is, don't do that pseudo-noble bullshit where you pull back your feelings in order to protect the other, or yourself, from whatever the future holds. The future is going to do whatever the future wants to do, even if you can track things mathematically, it's still ultimately unknown concerning us, both as microcosms and macrocosms."

Larten furrowed his brow. Where was she going with this? He could not follow her.

"I'm not trying to be confusing, I just don't know how to properly say what needs to be said, so I'm just going to say it. If you love my sister, really do love her, I won't emasculate you in your sleep. And if you really do love my sister, love her completely and don't do the back-and-forth drama because of internal conflict. There's always going to be internal conflict, you should be old enough to know that by now." Brigid smiled.

Larten gave a thin-lipped smile in return, but really all he wanted to do was put a sock in her mouth and end this uncomfortable conversation and the knowledge that she knew what he wanted and what that wanting involved.

"Don't hold back if you really do care about her. Remember what I warned you? About not fucking it up? Well, then I'm reminding you to not fuck it up. Erin hasn't gotten what she deserves, so if you're going to prove that you deserve her, then do it right. We all know Murlough is coming. There's no way around that fact, but he isn't here yet and you are, so, I guess, follow your little vampire heart. I know Erin is trying to do the same. Meet her halfway and just…be happy, Larten. You're allowed that every now and then. Cut loose. You can be a stuffy, grumpy old vampire later."

Larten managed a small nod of his head as he tried to take in all that she had said. His heart had perked up when she had said Erin was trying to do the same for him in following her feelings.

"One more thing, though," Brigid said, not looking at him, "Do not have intercourse when I am in the house."

That did it. Larten started to sputter, his face the same red as his pants. He wanted to leap through the window and flit as fast as he could to escape the suffocating embarrassment he was feeling.

Brigid kept her eyes on the t.v., back to eating her popcorn, acting as if nothing indecent or improper had just been said out loud.

Larten couldn't control himself from jumping when he heard the garage door begin to open.

Brigid looked at him slyly.

"Remember what I said."

Larten's face started to contort into anger and then panic. The garage door was going down and he heard Erin's keys jingling.

Oh, gods, he couldn't face her yet. He needed to compose himself and quickly.

He leapt out of the loveseat and in a flash, was upstairs waiting on the landing to reorient himself and walk down as if nothing were out of the usual. He would make sure to be extra grumpy as a diversion.

He heard Brigid laughing at him which made his fists clench. He swore he would get her back for this.

"What are you laughing at?" Erin asked, cluttering the kitchen island with bags.

"Nothing. Joke in my head."

"Is Larten awake?" Erin asked, an odd inflection in her voice.

"I don't know. Let's see." Brigid cupped her hands around her mouth.

"LARTEN! LARTEN, ARE YOU AWAKE YET?"

"Brigid, stop!"

"LARTEN! IT'S TIME TO GET UP! WAKEY-WAKEY!"

Larten felt anger rising in his throat, but then realized Brigid had done that on purpose to give him a clean entrance and neutralize whatever awkwardness there was left. He secretly thanked her, but still planned on getting her back.

Checking his collar and tugging at the end of his vest, he stood straight and descended the stairs.

He entered the kitchen, a severe frown on his face.

"There is no need to yell, you impetuous nuisance." He snarled.

"Sounds like someone's been Googling big words." Brigid snapped back.

Larten opened his mouth to reply, but shut it.

"What is a google?" He asked.

She was making a joke of him and it sounded obscene. Googling?

Brigid burst out laughing. She was laughing so hard tears were coming to her eyes as she rolled on the couch holding her sides.

"Erin! Did you hear him? What's a google?! I can't-I can't stop. This is the greatest moment of my life!" Brigid choked out, her laughter increasing.

Now he really was getting upset. He didn't like being made to look like a fool.

He looked to Erin to find her trying to stifle her own laughter with a hand, her shoulders moving up-and-down, her face red from trying to keep it in.

She quickly lowered her hand, trying to regain her composure, although it was near impossible. She struggled, but was finally able to answer.

"I'm sure you've heard of the Internet. Google is a search engine. You can type in a single word and results will show concerning that particular inquiry. It's used for finding information. Does that make sense?"

Larten's mouth was a thin, stoic line, his eyes severe and narrowed.

"Yes, it makes perfect sense," He snapped, "Something foolish that only humans would think of to add to the already pathetic laziness of their lives. Anything to make life easier instead of rising to the challenge of it and truly living. We vampires are true to ourselves, following who we are in our hearts, facing challenges head on that build our character, and make us honorable beings. You humans have lost this nobility."

Brigid stopped laughing. The look on her face had changed. His heart stopped. He must have gone too far.

"At least humans forgive unconditionally. You need to tone it down, grumpy cat." Brigid said, slightly narrowing her eyes, mouthing to him, 'What did we just talk about?!'

Larten cleared his throat and bowed to both Brigid and Erin.

"I-I did not think before I spoke. I was inelegant in my speech. I apologize."

He caught Brigid rolling her eyes at him. Erin slowly removed items from her grocery sacks. She wouldn't meet his gaze. A knife twisted in his gut.

"Is there anything I can assist you with, Erin?"

'Please look at me', he pleaded in his mind.

Erin glanced up, her usual smile across her face, only it didn't quite reach her eyes.

She tossed a bag at him.

"Marshmallows. Start the fireplace and Brigid will find sticks."

"Already on it, sis!" Brigid hurdled over the couch to the garden.

It was just Larten and Erin now. She had her back turned to him and was placing the final groceries in their places.

Larten racked his brain to figure out how to make her dark eyes sparkle like they usually did. He somehow needed to erase the sadness behind them that he had caused in remembrance of his past actions.

He slowly approached the bags of gifts. He gave a click of his fingers and had a package in his hand.

Erin had turned abruptly at the sound of his fingers snapping.

"Hey, put that back." She said, reaching for it.

Larten held it to his ear and shook it.

"Hmm, whatever could this be?"

"Stop, I still have to wrap it!" Erin made a grab again, but Larten was suddenly behind her.

"But it is wrapped."

"No, it has to be wrapped pretty."

Erin lunged at him again. He held the package above his head as she tried to jump multiple times to reach it.

"Give it back!" She said, trying to sound severe, but was actually laughing, her eyes back to their usual mirth and warmth.

Before she knew it Larten was standing in the living room looking the package over.

"You mean wrap it in that horrible, garish paper?"

Erin walked towards him with her hand out.

"Yes. And you'll just have to deal with it."

Larten sneakily relaxed his stance as if he was going to hand her the package.

Erin fell for the ruse.

She was suddenly spun around after grabbing onto his arm.

"That's it, you asked for it!"

Erin suddenly jumped on his back snatching the package out of his hand.

"Ha!" She cried out gleefully.

"I do not think so." Larten said as he tossed Erin over his shoulder and onto the couch with a whoomp!

Erin looked at him surprised before bursting out laughing.

Larten offered her his hand and helped her up, handing her the package.

Her clear laugh was music to his ears. He did not let go of her hand until there was an "a-hem" behind them.

Brigid stood in the kitchen with three long sticks.

Larten immediately let go of Erin's hand, yet again feeling like Seba had caught him doing something.

"Having fun? I thought you were supposed to be starting the fire." Brigid smirked at him.

Larten picked at his cuffs and cleared his throat and knelt down to start the fireplace, a light blush across his cheeks.

Erin walked past him giving him a playful punch on his arm. He looked up at her and couldn't stop a small smile in response.

It wasn't long before the three of them were sitting by the fireplace roasting marshmallows. Larten had never roasted marshmallows before and he tried to hide that he really was enjoying them. Erin liked hers burnt and sticky while Brigid only got them a little brown. Larten was encouraged to try multiple ways until he found the one he liked best. How Erin could cook the whole outside and slide it off with her fingers to eat was beyond Larten.

"What?" She had asked when she caught him looking at her.

"He thinks it's gross and I agree." Brigid answered before taking a bite of one off her stick.

"I like them burnt." She shrugged.

"Oh, I forgot to ask. Did you get stuff for s'mores?"

"No. I completely forgot. I was focused on roasting marshmallows. I'll get the ingredients tomorrow. I need some extra flour for cookies, too." Erin said licking her fingers.

"I'm assuming you've never had a s'more," Brigid said to Larten, "but we'll introduce them to you. They will rock your world."

Larten furrowed his brow. Brigid's youthful sayings of this time were incredibly confusing.

"They're good. You'll like them," Erin said confidently, "The only condition is that you can't tell their culinary secret to any other vampire ever."

Brigid snickered and Erin smiled at him mischievously.

"We don't know if the vampire world is ready for such an advancement in the art of delicacies."

"Yes, yes, of course. I promise to not divulge this information of utmost secrecy and importance." Larten jabbed back trying to look as serious as he could.

Erin and Brigid laughed out loud which caused Larten to chuckle.

The three spent the evening joking and almost roasted the entire package of marshmallows.

"Yikes, looks like I'll have to buy two bags tomorrow." Erin said closing the back with a clip.

Brigid stuck the sticks on the windowsill near the fireplace for later use. The fire was slowly dying down. Larten turned off the gas to let it fizzle out.

"Alright, Brigid, it's bed time."

"Ugh, I know. I'm not five. I don't have morning practice so I'm good." She bear hugged Erin before traipsing upstairs to her room.

"Good night, sis. Good night, er, day, Larten!" She called down before closing her door.

Erin stretched and grabbed her bags of things to wrap, placing them near the Christmas tree. The ornaments shined reflecting the multi-colored lights. Larten watched the colors change across her face and her hair like a silhouette. Her outline was soft and womanly. It reminded him of his dream last night.

He felt heat rush into his chest as he tried to shake away the memory.

She walked over and sat on the couch resting her feet onto the coffee table.

She looked at him and patted the cushion next to her.

"Come sit. I haven't fulfilled my half of the bargain."

Larten looked at her quizzically as he sat next to her.

"What bargain?"

"The bargain where I said I'd read to you in exchange for helping put up decorations, remember?"

"Yes, I remember." Larten nodded.

"Well, tomorrow night I will uphold my end. Is there anything in particular you like?" Erin pulled her knees up to rest against his thighs.

Larten shifted his position on the couch and slowly stretched Erin's legs to rest on top of his thighs. He kept a hand on her ankles and stretched the other along the back of the couch. She laid back, fluffed a pillow to keep herself propped up against the arm rest of the couch and looked at him.

Larten could feel his pulse increasing, but maintained his composure.

"Hmm. I have not thought about it. What would you suggest?" He asked.

Erin scrunched her face.

"I don't know. I know I read you one of my favorite poems on my birthday. But I'm trying to think of a good book. I have a lot of favorites, though."

"Then it is a good thing we will have many evenings to spend together so that you may introduce me to all of them." Larten replied.

Erin slightly tilted her head, an imperceptible look in her eyes as she studied him. Larten returned her gaze, his eyes clear and sincere.

A slow smile spread across her face. Her eyes were gentle and full of fondness.

"Yes, I guess we do, don't we?"

BLIP.

There was a heavy snow falling as Erin and Larten walked through the park hand-in-hand. The houses sparkled with Christmas lights. The moon was full, unadulterated whiteness everywhere. Larten looked handsome wearing his red cloak over a knee-length black coat, a red vest, white shirt, and red cravat. Erin was bundled in her black down coat, hair cascading from under a warm beanie, a snuggled scarf, black wool skirt, complete with dark, thick stockings, and knee length fur-lined heeled boots.

Larten thought her lovely as snowflakes landed on her face, her nose and cheeks tinged red from the cold. Her breath came out in steamy puffs as she admired the serene landscape. Larten thought back to the brutal cold of Russia in Stalingrad. He was thanking his lucky star that he now had a better winter memory to replace it with.

Erin shifted her head to look up into his face. He was so tall, his frame made her feel safe.

Larten took his thumb and brushed snowflakes off her nose and gently across her cheek. He kept her face cupped in his hand. He was doing all he could to etch this moment into his memory.

"Kiss me." She said smiling up at him.

"Just what I like. A woman who knows what she wants." He chuckled quietly.

Larten lowered his face as Erin stood on her tip-toes to reach his mouth. She put a gloved hand behind his head to keep their lips locked.

BLIP.

Erin's eyes began blinking quickly and closed as she shook her head trying to clear it. She had just had a future flash. She opened her eyes to find Larten looking at her tense and concerned.

"What did you see?" He demanded.

Erin shook her head again. Against her will her cheeks were starting to flush.

"Nothing serious. No attacks. No Murlough. Just something…silly." She said, waving a hand as if it were nothing, though she knew her cheeks must be a shade of pink.

Larten relaxed and noted the slight blush across her face. He couldn't stop a sly grin appearing.

"Are you sure it was nothing?" He asked innocently.

"Yes. Nothing serious. Just something…nice."

"And what does this 'something nice' consist of?" He kept teasing.

"Nothing! It's a future thing. You'll see." She tried to keep her blush from deepening.

"Oh, so I am in this future nice thing?"

"Keep teasing me and I'll make it not happen." Erin pretended to pout.

Larten laughed.

"I give in then. I will not press the matter. I do not want to miss out on this nice future thing, as you say."

The two of them spent the rest of the night and early morning hours making small talk. Larten had her talk about their Christmas traditions in greater detail.

As dawn approached both were beginning to feel drowsy.

Erin sat up rubbing her eyes.

"I think it is time we went to bed." Larten said, unable to stifle a yawn.

"Mm-hmm," was all Erin could manage in reply.

Larten stood, pulling her up with him. They ascended the stairs and as Erin turned to go into Brigid's room, Larten instead pulled her with him into her bedroom.

"Larten, what have I said about sleeping in the closet?"

"It will just be this once." Larten said, pulling back the covers for Erin.

"Hold on. I need to change."

Erin stumbled towards her dresser and pulled out striped flannel pajama pants and a pink tank-top. She quickly changed in the bathroom after brushing her teeth.

Larten couldn't keep his eyes from noticing her smooth shoulders and soft breasts underneath the pink top. He was thankful it was not bright so that he could hide the flush of heat to his neck and face.

Erin walked over and slid into the bed without arguing. She was so tired and being in her own bed felt heavenly. She inhaled deeply and sighed, barely able to keep her eyes open.

Larten smoothed her hair back and kissed her cheek.

She hummed quietly in contentment and was quickly asleep.

Larten grabbed a pillow and an extra blanket. He stood looking at her sleeping form. He desperately wanted to crawl into the bed to be beside her, feeling her chest rise and fall against him, the feel of her breath against his skin, her arms draping across his chest, legs entwined.

Larten set aside his fantasy as he entered the closet and laid down. As he felt himself drifting off to sleep, he sighed, completely content, his last thought about the 'future nice thing' that, he hoped, would be sooner rather than later.