Inseparable

by Angelica Hill

"Follow Gabriel's relentless quest to reunite with his true love as he navigates the challenges of self-discovery and uncovers the mysteries of his origin."

8. Chapter Seven: Anastasia Part Six

Charles brought us to the train station, and he kept trying to hand me money for our trip. I reassured him that it wasn't necessary, but deep down, I suspected he slipped Ana some cash. Embarking from North Carolina, the train's wheels set the rhythmic tone for the journey to Atlanta. The anticipation among passengers is palpable as they settle into the ornate cabins. Our private cabin became a sanctuary, with its intricate details mirroring the train's interiors, from plush upholstery to polished woodwork. It was quite lavish, a place where we could hold each other close, letting our bodies intertwine, but the only downside was the cabin was not soundproof, and with my Ana, that turned out to be a problem. However, I found that the observation platform late at night was a good place where Ana's moans and screams went unheard. But in the day and early evening, many people enjoyed its panoramic view of the changing landscapes, beckoning those seeking fresh air.

After setting in and unpacking a few items and changing, Ana and I set out for the dining car. We were submerged into the atmosphere at once, with the many different conversations, laughing, and the clinking of glasses and silverware. The tantalizing aroma of well-prepared dishes filled the air, completing the ambiance. Ana looked stunning in a gorgeous plum-colored dress, and her cascading hair enhanced her allure. Her dress had a neckline that gave me a tantalizing peek at her gentle cleavage. I ordered champagne, and Ana chose a mouthwatering shrimp linguine. Although I didn't have to eat, I couldn't resist the succulent lobster. It was an extraordinary feast that we shared. We discussed our plans for arriving in New Orleans, whispered intimate promises for the evening, and details about what we wanted to do to each other. Amidst all the conversation, I suddenly felt her foot slowly moving up my leg. It sent tingles through my body as her toes found their way to the crotch of my pants. When I looked up at her, she had a mischievously guilty grin. After our meal, she spoke about how she had a large appetite and that we should indulge in a rich chocolate cheesecake adorned with strawberries dipped in decadent chocolate. It was an absolute delight to watch Ana's sweet tooth take over. After feeding me several bites, she devoured the cake and tempted me into a strawberry with a seductive soft moan of how sweet they were; she said, "Mmm Gabriel, I want you to taste me... Oh, silly me, I mean the strawberry." If not for her insistence on hearing the musical performer scheduled for this evening, I would have taken her to our cabin and showed her what a real appetite looked like.

As we finished eating, we sat at our small but intimate table for two and lost track of time. I could never tire of conversing with her. Despite her youth, she has traveled to many places and experienced so much of the world. I want to hear every intriguing story she has to share. She also loves it when discussing my past, but I tend to veer away from the darker moments. Instead, I share the exciting and unique adventures I've had and the fascinating people I've met. She was fascinated to hear that I had met Leonardo da Vinci and had engaging conversations with him. I recounted encounters with kings and queens, including an awkward meeting with the pope. However, I kept my loneliness and yearning for belonging to myself. She did inquire about what it felt like to live for as long as I have, and I couldn't lie to her. I told her about the occasional overwhelming sense of loneliness and isolation. But seeing her now, I genuinely believe my life has a purpose, and I have found true happiness. My sentiment touched her deeply.

Seeing the time, Ana hurriedly pulled me towards the train car where the entertainer was scheduled, but the violinist had just finished his performance. Ana felt a pang of sadness at missing it. So, I sat her down on a small loveseat, kissed her hand, and promised to return. Making my way to the violinist, I apologized profusely for missing his performance, handed him a generous tip, and asked if I could borrow his violin. He looked at the tip, then at me, and gladly handed it over, telling me to take my time. It had been 45 years since I last played this instrument, but some things you never forget. I played a song I had composed around 150 years ago, a melancholy and profoundly moving melody. Everyone in the train car turned their attention to me as I poured my heart and soul into the violin strings, never taking my eyes off my bride. I played another song, this one more upbeat and well-known. After I finished, I was surprised to receive a standing ovation. I handed the file in his back. His instrument spanked him again, ensuring I left him with another for his time.

Oh, the centuries, few of my kind I have found, most of them are either solitary, like myself, or part of a large clan or family. I always tried to limit my time with those who wanted to converse. I have long given up on the hope of ever finding who my maker was.

As we returned to our cabin, a faint smell of blood alerted my senses, and I immediately honed in on the sound of footsteps heading our way. I pull Ana behind me and tell her not to say a word. She never heard me use this tone or stern voice, and she immediately listened. A very tall man with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a handsome face met my gaze. "Good evening, Sir; so nice to run into someone like myself, and I see you are about to enjoy an absolutely magnificent crimson dinner."

He looks at Ana as he says this and winks, then sticks his hand out to me, and to keep things polite and moving along, I shake his hand."

"I'm Jonathan Devereux of the Devereux clan, and who do I have the pleasure of meeting?"

"Hello, I am Gabriel White, and this is my bride, Ana; we were just heading to our cabin for the night."

I placed a significant emphasis on my bride. And Devereux raised an eyebrow.

"Well, how interesting. I do hope the two of you enjoy your night."

He turns and walks away; I take Ana's hand without saying a word and lead her to our cabin. Once inside, I began to relax a bit.

"Gabriel, who was that? Why were you so worried I felt all the muscles in your arm stiffen?"

"That was the son of Pierre Devereux of New Orleans, one of the most influential and wealthiest vampire clans in the United States. Only second to Giovanni Berarducci's clan in New York. Those two families have entirely too much power. Not in the sense as physically strong, more like politics and human affairs."

"Gabriel, that's scary. Should we get off on the next stop?"

"No, my love, the vampires here in the United States are very cautious and extremely trained to obey their Father; no one would step out of line, and killing a human is a major crime now."

"But what if they come after you?"

"Ana, I am the oldest vampire I've ever met. Pierre Devereux works for someone who's technically a child. I think his name is Marcel Gerard, and I'm unsure how he got his position. The whole thing seems very unorganized. Now Pierre has the power of vampires whom he sired and who his family sired, but he's only 178 years old, and Giovanni Berarducci is 90-something. Vampires become more powerful as we grow, and we can sense the vampire age, for example, how long they have been turned. You picked the right Upir to fall for because unless I was to meet my maker, no one would ever try and attack me, and my maker and his children, if he has others, would not attack me; they would sense me as part of their family.

We changed trains in Atlanta. It just so happens that our vampire friend did as well, but I was expecting as much, being his father's home base is in New Orleans, the place we just so happen to be going. We had no other run with him, and I had no reason to worry at night when we arrived in New Orleans. I woke my love up; she had a sleepy, dreamy look and eyes. She asked me if we were there, yet a child innocent, she was wide awake eyes and ready to take the French Quarter. I told her that we would be heading to the beautiful Hotel Monteleone. She did her usual little pout, but soon, she was excited about the prospective hotel. She said she was definitely dying for a hot bath at the hotel in Bell-Hop; all of our bags ran Ana a hot bath. I joined her nice hot bath, which was soothing.

One of the things that I've always enjoyed was washing her hair and sponging off her body, making sure not to forget any part. After our bath, I had a small plate of food for Ana delivered to our room. When the food arrived, it was a large platter, various cheeses, and crackers, with fruits and different sauces to dip fruit in. I initially said I wasn't hungry, but soon, between the two of us, we had the platter devoured.

Ana:

On our first night in New Orleans, we walked down the French Quarter, and I felt like my eyes couldn't take everything in. The bright colors of the buildings and the smell of mouth-watering food filled the air. There were people everywhere, and I just wasn't prepared to see so much reveling—the sound of harmonious, fusion soulful melodies. I'd never heard anything like it before; I fell in love with the music and later learned it was the start of rag-time blues. Gabriel wrapped his around me and raised an eyebrow towards a man who whistled at me, saying, "Hey there, Red... looking sexy tonight!" I wore a dark blue dress. It was so dark and almost looked black, and it was form-fitting. The straps on it were scandalous for the time.

My entire shoulders and arms were bare, but it was hot in Louisiana, and I had no intention of sweating! The material was a beautiful, shiny silk, and it flowed with my body. The evening was absolutely magical. Gabriel and I had the local cuisine. It was a mixture of French but with a massive amount of spices and herbs; I believe one of the ladies called it Cajun, and it's terrific. I was already in love with the food, and it's my love of the food that brought us back here multiple times. He bought us some drinks at this little bar with live music playing a soulful ragtime. I danced with Gabriel to a slow song, and he is as beautiful on his feet as he is naked in bed by the end of the evening. I felt like the princess who danced; all had to hurry back before she turned into a pumpkin.

It was pretty late when we were returning to the hotel, which was conveniently right there in the French Quarter. I hadn't even noticed how beautiful the hotel is when we arrived last night. The air was full of excitement and a sense of celebration without any special occasion, and it smelled of sweet Jasmine, quite intoxicating.. the sky was a dark midnight blue, and stars were sprinkled everywhere. I remember Gabriel twirling me around and dancing with me as we continued down the street. Suddenly, he stiffened, pulling me behind him. His entire demeanor, his whole being switched, in a blink of an eye. From the rooftop, five or six what I assume vampires jump down all of them, well dressed from saying a word and keeping their distance when the door of what could've been a home opens when I get my first meeting with Pierre Devereux.

Gabriel:

My Ana was stunning. She was captivating with her flowing fire and red hair, perfect body, and silk dress with every curve of her body. She absolutely enjoys the cuisine and has threatened me that she plans on coming here monthly just to eat after drinks and dancing, and we did many times. Now Ana is becoming a bit tipsy, so I begin to make our way back to the hotel. A familiar smell filled my senses with the distinct smell of other vampires. I immediately grabbed Ana, pulling her behind me. Several very young, almost fledgling vampires jumped from the rooftop around us. They posed absolutely no threat to me, but their presence made me uncomfortable. I had no desire to speak to any of them, but it soon became evident that their appearance was to support Pierre Devereaux, and right on cue, he came strutting across Bourbon Street as if he owned the entire state. I could sense his false confidence, and I could smell fear. He put up a perfect act.

"Mister Dascălu, what a pleasure it is to welcome you into our city. I hope you're enjoying yourself.

"Yes, we are enjoying ourselves, and I've been here many times throughout hundreds of years, but it remains a charming and friendly city.

" Indeed it does. I see you brought your wife; I believe what my son told me."

"Yes, that's correct, this is my wife."

"Well, why don't the two of you come and join me for some drinks?"

"I'm going to have to pass. We were actually headed back to our hotel, and to be completely blunt, Mr. Devereaux, my wife, and I are here on our honeymoon and have no intention of socializing with anyone of our kind.

"What a pity, and here I thought I could learn from someone as ancient as yourself." He was thinking...so the only reason you were here is for a honeymoon; you're not here; alternative motives. Then, a sense of relief washed over him, and he seemed to relax a bit.

I could read the thoughts, and they screamed that he had been afraid I had come to overthrow Marcus, then his thoughts darted to him having

one job: keep Marcus safe: if anything happened to him, Klaus would kill me and my entire line. This would be easy to correct.

"Yes, Deveaux, we are strictly here for a honeymoon. My wife has always wanted to visit; she has friends who live close by. So, I hope I put your mind at rest. I have no other intentions, and I do not plan on staying past this month. After this, we plan on stopping in several different countries and eventually making our way to China. So, if you do not mind, we'll be headed back to our hotel."

A sense of amazement washed over him, and his thoughts flooded with "he can read minds."

"Of course, it was an absolute pleasure to meet the famous Gabriel Dascălu. If there's anything that you and your wife should need while here in New Orleans, please don't hesitate to reach out."

He points across the street towards the door from the home he came from.

"That is one of my homes, and if you need anything, feel free to come by or send somebody with word of your request."

He removed his hat and tipped it towards me, and as he bent, he looked at me in the eyes and thought. "Indeed, it was an honor to meet you."

The minds of all the other vampires flooded with thoughts of how I was the first son of the original father. There was an unpleasant smell of fear in the air. It's been a while since my last encounter with several of my kind, and it's become undeniable that my power has definitely grown.

Ana doesn't say a word as we walk to the hotel. She has her arm linked with mine, pressed against me. But as soon as we get into our room, I am flooded with questions, absolutely giddy with the fact that she now says I am a famous vampire. The most famous of all vampires, making a very extravagant show of it. I reassure her that I do not want this title and that I do not claim that title. She giggles and kicks off her heels. She proceeds to tell me that someone with my fame and stature should have a proper show and enjoy the evening. She began to remove her clothes for me slowly. She dances against me; the act is so incredibly sensual I don't think she's even aware of her own power she has over me. That evening was filled with magic that my bewitching crimson minx conjured out of thin air. The following day, I asked her how long she had been practicing witchcraft, and she gasped at me. She said what do you mean? And I told her last night she put a spell on me, and I don't ever think it could be unbroken. She proceeded to giggle for the next five minutes or so. I took her to breakfast at a small café, where they served freshly prepared beignets almost day and night.

I've never seen more joy on a human face. She insisted I eat one, but after eating hers, she finished most of mine and insisted that we bring some for later and that we come back every morning to this exact café for breakfast the entire time we are here in Louisiana. I reassured her that I would have her back at the café promptly every morning for fresh beignets. Over the years, we ate breakfast at that exact café many times, and her expression and sheer joy of every bite never changed. Neither did her love for the city's food, yet she never gained weight. Well, besides her breast and slightly in her hips and just the right amount in her ass ... she filled out and became a breathtakingly beautiful woman.

On the eighth day, we had the pleasure of picking up May from the train station. John was not with her. Dove accompanied her when we inquired about John May. She informed us there had been quite a storm a few nights ago that damaged Alma's house, and he was repairing it. Alma's family will stay in the mansion until the repairs are completed. My Ana was elated to see Dove; the two of them gossiped and chattered most of the afternoon. After taking them by the hotel so that they could drop off their luggage, We showed them around New Orleans, and then we had a magnificent dinner at Antoine's. Ana ate a bit of everything, but her favorite was jambalaya. I smiled, and I told her, "My love, I'll buy you a house right here on this street so that we can visit anytime you like!" she looked at me in surprise and just giggled. About ten years later, we had a townhome off Bourbon Street.

The following day, after beignets, four of us headed to the home of Marie Saloppé, who is known all through New Orleans as the former VooDoo queen, with a woman named Marie Laveau, the new queen. We learned many things during our visit with this mighty, powerful woman. First, she was of Haitian descent, and every woman in her family on her mother's side practiced what she called hoodoo. Another exciting bit of information was that she herself had trained Marie Laveau and taught her many of the abilities and rituals that she practiced.

May:

As we arrived on the property of this priestess, waves, and waves of powerful magic came from the home. As we got close enough, I sent her communication.

"Good morning, priestess Saloppé. "

"Oh, what do we have here? You must be May TallTree. You just call me Marie. That's some mighty soul energy you got there—only one other person who is able to talk mind to mind. Now hurry up and come on in here; from your letter, it sounded like we got something extraordinarily powerful magic going on."

OK, I've talked to her. She knows we're here. She knows who we are, and she'd like us to address her by Marie. I begin to walk up the little pathway to Marie's home.

Once inside, after being greeted by a very handsome young man I can only assume has to be her son, we were led through the kitchen to the back of the house. I could see this is where she did all her practices. Many of the things I was not familiar with, but some of them, like small bones, feathers, particular signs, and marks on the walls and door. Some items I was very familiar with. The entire room had a certain haze about it. It was filled with the scent of cinnamon, Bergamot, and hemp.

I was not expecting to find a gorgeous, middle-aged woman but an old and withering one. She had dark brown skin, which was very similar to mine. Her features were perfect. Her hair was done up with intricate braids swirled to make a large bun. Her dress looks to be a colorful blue and purple cotton dress. The colors on it swirl together; she had many bracelets on her arms and rings on almost every finger, and she wore several necklaces, but the one that stood out to me was a large blue spear with a white eye in the middle of it, I never seen anything like that. Still, I knew it must be a protection of sorts. I ask her about it.

"Yes, ma'am, this is called an evil eye, and it protects and guards and prevents bad spirits. Welcome. I am Marie, and it is a pleasure to meet all of you

Marie:

Welcome. I am Marie, and it is a pleasure to meet all of you. Please, why don't you tell me your name? No, wait, let me see. I bet I can tell you! Well, of course, you are May; I could feel your energy down the road. And you must be her daughter; what's your name, child? Oh, Dove, what a beautiful name; it's because your spirit flies free."

She approaches Dove, running her hand softly on her cheek, and says that she has a beautiful energy, pure and kind.

Moving on to Ana, Marie looks her over, runs her hand through her hair, touches her face, and examines both of her hands. She has her stick out her tongue, nods, and then says,

"And you, of course, are Ana. Your red hair was a gift from your father and your mother. Both of them had wild, free, and pure hearts as children, just like you. There's so much goodness inside of you; it radiates outward and forms a little protective force surrounding you... but there's also something else, and I think that's gonna take some digging."

She turns her attention to Gabriel, who stiffens slightly, and says,

"You ain't gotta be scared of Marie; you are strong, ancient, powerful. You have gifts and abilities you don't even know about yet, but we need to work on getting rid of the guilt that you carry. It weighs on you like a leaden cloak. There are many secrets about you, magical and profound. It's going to take some time. The one thing anyone could see is there is a connection between the two of you that God himself couldn't take away! I've never seen anything like it. I've never even seen love spells and potions like this. This ain't no love spell; this is something ancient; there's a beauty in it. Come on, y'all, sit on down; this is where I like to do my thinking."

"So there are a few things I wanna do that might seem a little strange or odd, but they're just part of my ways."

Marie begins to gather supplies from various cabinets and returns with a large wooden bowl filled with water, placing it along with other items on the table.

She starts chanting in her native Haitian language, performing rituals and speaking prayers. The atmosphere in the room feels charged with energy, and Gabriel responds with, "And so it shall be."

Marie looks up at Gabriel, cocks an eyebrow, and says, "Now, let's get to work."

" Well, aren't you full of surprises? "

"Mwen se yon renmen tout lang, espesyalman yon konsa bèl tankou lang Ayisyen an."

She gives a genuine, warm smile to Gabriel and continues with the gathering and the preparation for her ritual.

Then she reaches out and asks for Ana's hand; she pulls a needle from the velvet pouch, pricks her finger, and a few drops of Ana's blood drop into the bowl with the water. She adds a few things to the bowl and then asks Gabriel for his hand. She takes the same needle, and his finger takes a few drops of his blood and places it in the bowl with several bundles of different herbs that begin to smoke the room filled with smoke, not enough to make it uncomfortable, but powerful enough to make you cough, she dips one of the bundles into the water and extinguishes their smoke, she picks her finger, adding quite a few of blood to the bowl; her chant becomes intense. Her words seem to have a power of their own. A calmness fills the room; not human, not normal, fills the room. She's swaying back and forth. Her eyes are closed now; she loves her hands momentarily, and an invisible force strikes her; her body lurches forward, and then she opens her eyes, clouded. They no longer resemble human eyes. They're beautiful shades of cobalt and periwinkle blue. She runs her hand over the bowl several times; it produces steam and a cloud of smoke, and the water begins to boil. Her eyes locked on something not of our realm.

Suddenly, in front of my eyes, I see many things, small shapes, ethereal forms dance from the bowl, and seem to be pulled into Marie as she breathes. She reaches a hand towards Ana, and she reaches a hand towards Gabriel. The two of them are already holding hands, and at this point, something electric fills the room. I realize Marie is no longer in control.

A voice that is old and powerful begins to speak. It seems like it ran through several languages before it found English, and then it says.

"This is power. This is old power. This is power older than I am. There is a connection—two separate souls together by the hand of an ancient God. There was a punishment. This love intervened; they did the best that they could with the damage that had been done."

Marie's body takes a deep breath and sighs.

"Marie, girl, I'm old, and this is tiring. Go to John John out by the Bayou. I will let him know that you are coming now. I must be asleep again."

And with that energy in the room faded, Marie had tears in her eyes, but they were her eyes now; she looked at us and said.

"My naan takes eneryi; it hits me hard. She is strong even in the afterlife. It's a bit draining, but it does fill me with such love. I miss her dearly.

I need to rest, but tomorrow, come back early, right when the sun is coming up, because we have a journey to see John John Rulx Léon. This must be old and powerful to send me to him; no one disturbs him; he is a dangerous man. His power flows from all sources, good and bad and evil, but my. Naan said she will send word that we are coming. He will be expecting us, and we will be met as friends. But here, I want each of you to take one of these just to protect you while you're here in New Orleans. Sadly, not everybody is good."

She hands us all tiny little sachets and tells us to keep them with us in a pocket or a jacket. She called them gris-gris, and she said she made them herself.

As we were leaving, I could tell Marie wanted to say something else to me but didn't feel comfortable with everybody else in the room, so as we walked out, I talked to her inside my mind, and she said.

"The two of them were so intertwined while looking at their spirits that it's hard to see where one ends and one begins. From what I see, the girl carries the soul, and poor Gabriel bears the pain of the burden when their souls are not together. Something tells me this is not the first time the two of them have met; I feel they've been meeting like this for an eternity. I'm not quite sure, but John will know. I will be seeing all of you tomorrow."

Gabriel:

Another amazing, magical woman. This woman's power is as strong as May's but in different ways. May carries her power with her everywhere—Marie's power streams from channeling her ancestors. Marie and May both have their families' ancestors watching and guiding them.

Dove and my Ana wanted to go shopping, and May said she needed a nap. I wasn't comfortable letting the girls go alone in the city full of vampires, so I asked them if I could accompany them and have the pleasure of buying anything that either one of them wanted. Dove squealed with delight; she said, "Yeah, sure, you can come with us!" and Ana simply giggled and snuggled close to me—my sign to wrap my arms around her. I did and picked her up, bringing her to my lips, holding her there for a minute, looking at her beautiful face. Not a second goes by that I'm not thankful for her.

Of course, we had to stop and first have lunch. We found an extraordinary, hidden, out-of-the-way little place right off the French Quarter that sold what Ana told me were called poor boys. The girls devoured them, and I thoroughly enjoyed mine as well. Then we were off, first stopping at a dressmaker with beautiful gowns and dresses from France on delicate satin hangers displayed on racks. It was unusual to see fashion designed and already made in various sizes and not custom-sewn for someone. In the future, it became prevalent for most articles of clothing to be premade this way. The girls had a magnificent time trying on multiple gowns, and both found the "perfect one" after numerous attempts trying on different ones. I didn't mind waiting because, with each dress, Ana would model for me. Dove chose a light rose color dress. It had capped sleeves and a long, flowy skirt.

Ana's dress was pastel purple and had a sweetheart neckline, which I approve of because the cleavage was stunning. The material was satin. When the woman rang us up, Dove's mouth dropped when she saw the price. Ana was slightly more accustomed to lavish spending but was still somewhat shocked. I paid the woman, and we went to the next store. I gladly carried the bags we began acquiring. After several shops, the girls found a lingerie shop and refused to let me go in. Feeling comfortable, I could hear anything alarming. I discovered a small store across the street that sold custom gems and jewelry. I walked in, looking around for a bit, then immediately found what I was looking for. There was a beautiful pearl necklace with a two-carat teardrop diamond hanging from the center. I had the store owner wrap it up, and I tucked the necklace inside my jacket. I planned on giving it to Ana for her birthday, which was quickly approaching.

I tried desperately not to eavesdrop on the girls, but I did hear something about a lacey white negligée and a garter belt. And then something happened: there was a flash, an image that appeared in my head but disappeared as quickly as it came; Ana was in a dressing room and had her foot propped on a small pink round ottoman, pulling up a pair of silk stockings.

I had to know if this was just my imagination and fantasy or something more.

I moved with great speed, probably scaring the ladies in the lingerie store, and went to the dressing room; swinging the door open, my Ana was bent over with her leg up and her toes resting on the pink round ottoman.

"Gabriel!!! What are you doing here? You about scared the life out of me!"

I could hear Dove telling the other two ladies in the store that we were newlyweds and just couldn't keep our hands off of each other.

I entered the dressing room with Ana, closing the door behind us.

"I just saw exactly what you were doing. I mean, I was not even in the building, and an image came to me, and you were doing this."

I waved my hands at her. "You; I just saw you doing this! Putting on those silk hose with your foot on the pink ottoman."

"You saw like a vision like one of Mays's visions?"

"I believe that's precisely what happened. It was amazing."

I take her hand and place it between my legs so she can feel how hard I am; her eyes widen.

"So, I take it you like what you saw? Does that mean I should hurry up with my purchase?"

"Yes, what size are you?"

Funny, the lady just did a measuring. I've never been measured before, well, except for dresses. I think she said that I had a 32 chest with a full C cup. 22 waist, and 28 hips. She said my chest was a bit large."

"Your chest, your waist, your hips, everything about you is completely perfect."

Kissing her on the forehead, I tell her to hurry and get dressed, closing the door behind me. I found the owner of the shop and apologized for my inappropriate behavior. I told her I would like to buy everything she had in Ana's size and any other items that the two young ladies had picked out. I handed her a wad of cash, giving her the instructions to provide Ana with anything left over. Her entire demeanor and personality changed. She was gracious and ultimately understood my behavior. She said, "honeymooners sometimes let their emotions get in a tither."

I left out of the shop with all of the bags. The girls came out of the shop with nine bags full of little boxes, some of them containing silk bundles wrapped in bows, their faces shocked.

"Did you just give that woman all your money and tell her to get me something of everything in the store in my size?"

" Indeed I did. Dove, I take it that you found some items for yourself, too.?"

She reassured me that she found many items for herself and probably wouldn't need new lingering for 20 years. I took as many bags as possible from the girls, and we returned to the hotel. Attached to the hotel was a famous restaurant, and we all met in the lobby to head to dinner. Ana and I might have been a bit late due to her impromptu afternoon riding session, but we instantly began to remove each other's clothes the second we entered our room after shopping. The girls were wearing their new dresses. May had a dark blue, very proper dress, her hair up in a bun with small heels on her feet, and the three of them made quite a lovely site walking into the restaurant. To say that every eye turns in my direction would be putting it mildly.

Another remarkable meal with the food bringing my Ana such delight, we had a bottle of champagne delivered to our table, opened with big flamboyance when we mentioned that we didn't order champagne, the waiter informed us that it was from Mr. Devereaux—looking at the waiter pointing, towards him at a table with several women and men dressed in high-end clothing, enjoying what appeared to be many bottles of wine, and only several plates of food. I'd seen him when he walked in, but I sensed no hostility or aggression. He didn't pose any threat to me or mine, but it was a pleasant surprise that he kept his distance and just sent regards via a costly bottle of champagne. This was May's first time having champagne, and she said she loved how it tickled her nose. A few glasses in, and Dove was taking May back up to their room as she giggled along the way. I never thought I would see May giggle.

After they walked away, Ana and I chuckled and were happy that May enjoyed herself. Ana ordered a dessert; the waiter came to the table to prepare it; he sliced bananas and cooked them in a sauce made with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and dark rum, and flambéed table-side, creating a dramatic presentation when the alcohol was ignited, it caramelized the sauce, and he began to flip the bananas in the pan coating them. Then he beckoned another waiter who brought two bowls of ice cream, and he poured the caramelized bananas over the vanilla ice cream. He hands the dessert to Ana and says, "Your Banana Fosters, madam."

To say that she enjoyed her dessert would not be doing her taste buds justice. She savored every bite, closing her eyes and making small moans with each bite. She fed me some, and I must admit it was delicious. This became another one of our many reasons to visit New Orleans.

As we left the restaurant, we walked by Devereaux's table, and I knew it would be rude not to thank him for sending the champagne.

"My wife and I would like to thank you for the bottle of champagne, Mr. Devereaux. It was quite magnificent."

"The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Dascălu, and, of course, let me not forget Mrs. Dascălu. I couldn't help but notice your table-side company. Are they friends of yours from Louisiana?

"They are friends of my wife, the young lady, and my wife grew up as sisters."

"If I may be so bold, but I haven't caught your wife's name; of course, everyone knows who you are, Gabriel, but who's this who has won your heart?"

"This is my bride is the former Anastasia Bauchman, daughter of famous writer Charles Bauchman. "

"Well, that is truly splendid. I have read several of his books; please pass on to your father. I am a big fan of his work."

He wanted to get her to speak. He wanted to hear her voice so he could distinguish it and the future, but I was a few steps ahead of him.

"We most certainly will let Charles know. I might see if I can get him to autograph and send you a book. Please have a lovely evening, and again, thank you for the champagne."

Back in our room, I explained to Ana that, as of right now, Devereaux couldn't distinguish her voice from other voices. I liked that fact, and we kept it that way. I didn't want him or his people to have any easy way of picking her out in a crowd.

I noticed a sleepy little yawn escape her beautiful lips, and I undressed her and then bathed her by the end of the warm bath. She was almost asleep. I wrapped the hotel robe around her and carried her to our bed. Tucking her in, she reached for me and said, "Please, Gabriel, come hold me." And being there is truthfully nothing I won't do for her; I undress and climb into bed, scooping her in my arms.

The next morning, we were ready to leave for Marie's before dawn. I had snuck out right before Ana woke and went to the café and bought all of us beignets. Ana was simply thrilled. Since we were unsure where our adventure would take us today, everyone wore comfortable clothing. Ana brought her riding boots just in case the opportunity to go riding arose so she would be prepared. Along with her very tight, black riding pants, she paired a cream short-sleeve linen shirt with a jacket she wore around her waist.

Her hair was pulled up in a ponytail, and she looked both stunning and adorable. The shirt was thin, and I could see the shape of her breasts as they peeked out of a satin bra that I assisted her with earlier, only because she wouldn't let me take it off. I whispered to her as we walked out of the hotel, "When we get back this evening, I plan on showing you why it isn't nice to tease." of course, she replied, " I hope so," with a wicked grin.

May then said, "Do you two ever rest?"

I blushed and apologized to May, and she smiled and said, "It's okay, boy; you can make it up to me by buying another bottle of champagne tonight ."

We took a carriage to Marie's. She was outside, waiting for us, in another bright, colorful, long dress. She carried two leather satchels with her. I asked if I could carry for her, and she said thank you and handing them to me, she climbed into the carriage with us. We directed the driver toward the bayou near John John Rulx Léon's. The carriage driver said he would get us within a mile or two, and he stated that the carriage wouldn't be able to go further. It was a two-hour ride, but with the canvas shades pulled up and the wind coming through, the heat wasn't too unbearable. May and Marie talked endlessly out loud and within their minds. The two had an instant connection, deeply driven by family and heritage.

Dove talked to Ana about her plans to possibly go to university and how she had broken it off with the deputy, and she was very excited to hear that news. We all chatted, and then Marie began to ask me specific questions.

" Gabriel, what do you remember of all your years? Have you met Ana before in another body that you can recall?"

I reassured her if I had, I would never forget. She nodded and asked me what I remembered about my life before my death. When I told her the parts that I could remember, she was quiet, more taking the information in than wanting to chat about it.

We arrived as far as the carriage could take us. I handed the driver a handful of money and told him that he waited here for us for however long it took, I would make sure he had twice that amount when we returned to New Orleans. He reassured me that he would be here till next Sunday if needed.

We took off following Marie; she knew her way well. The forest-like area soon grew dense; frogs croaking, insects buzzing, and numerous sounds invaded my ears. The crawling feet and flapping wings surrounded us, but I didn't sense anything intended us harm. As we neared the swampy area, Marie us about gators. I let her know that I would be listening for any sounds. We did see quite a few, but none of them looked interested in us or what we were doing. About a mile from the swamp, I heard running water from a small stream. I smelled venison; my sense of smell was on point; as we approached a small clearing with a little wooden shack, there was a large spit with meat cooking on it. There was an older man close to 75 or 80 but moved like a man in his 20s. He was tall and very lean with dark brown skin, and his eyes were brown around the outside and very unusual, almost lime green around the center of his pupil. He never looked up from what he was doing to see who was approaching or what was happening; he merely went about his business.

"Ah, now look at what we have here, Marie, daughter of Nadine and granddaughter of the famous Claudine Anne Laurent. The last time I laid eyes on you, you weren't but knee-high to a grasshopper. Now look at a woman grown. Your Nan paid me a visit last night. She told me that you all would be coming today. She told me to treat everyone nicely and not eat anyone, so I caught a deer instead."

He then burst out into laughter and "Oh, I'm mean, and I'm bad, but I don't have a taste for no human flesh." And he continues to laugh.

"So I understand you got questions, and you know John John has answers, but what do you have for me?"

Marie walks over to him with a small leather pouch that she opens, and he dumps in his hand five or six small, bright green gems in his hand. From here, they appear to be peridot, but I can't be sure. Then May walks over to him and nods in respect.

"I am May Wind TallTree, Wife of the slain chief TallTree. And my gift for you is this."

May pulls a scroll from her tiny black bag and hands it to the old man.

"TallTree, you are a legend. Tribes of the original people speak of you; they talk about the devastation and the slaughter that you brought about to the white man."

He laughs, a wicked, ominous, deep, and long laugh, almost maniacal.

"Anyone who has killed as many white men as you have is welcome here."

Ana squeezes my hand. I don't believe she's ever heard the story, and it's not mine to tell. He opens the scroll, looks it up and down, and says, "This is ancient Navajo. This is a powerful spell. Are you sure this is a spell you want to give me?"

"May smiles. I am sure this spell is powerful, but it only brings about growth and regeneration no matter whose hands it's laid in."

Again, John laughs and smiles at May and says, "If I were many years younger, I would try to court you for a wife."

He laughs again and beckons the rest of us to come over.

Dove is first to go, and as she approaches him, he winces lightly as if in pain.

"That's good. Girl, you stay right there; you have many, many protections around you, so many it makes this old man uncomfortable."

He looks at May. "Is all that you're doing?"

May shakes her head and tells him that their ancestors have blessed her and travel with her at all times.

He nods and points for Dove to stay right there.

He beckons Ana, and I smiles and says, "Vieux Dieux! Magic from the old gods."

He explains that there's no need to waste any more time. He knows what he needs to do. Moving like a man no older than 25, he builds a fire under a large black cauldron. As the fire began to build under the kettle, blue-green-purple smoke appeared around the entire area. It came from nowhere. Speaking over 300 languages, I couldn't recognize the one he spoke. I turned to Marie to see if she had any idea what he was preparing for, she says.

"He is calling the Voodoo to start communicating with Papa Legba."

Suddenly, from the sky, a single blaze of green fire emerges from within the Earth and shoots out into a stream that enters the bottom of the cauldron and then shoots towards the heavens. The sky becomes darker, and my Ana curls up against me. I send a wave of calm over us. John looks my way directly into my eyes, points a thin finger, and shakes it scoldingly.

"Sometimes fear is needed. Will we will leave all emotions alone."

I'm beginning to wonder if this wasn't a mistake.

That's when I heard May and a very calm voice say, "It's okay, boy; he is not gonna hurt us, but listen to what he tells you, and do exactly as he says."

I see Ana shake her head yes and realize May was talking to both of us. "The magic that he uses doesn't have any boundaries; there is no leaning to good, there is no leaning too bad. He summons the magic; it takes control and becomes what it chooses, good or bad."

And then all of us hear his voice inside our head

"Listen to the Navajo beauty; she has much knowledge, and she is not leading you astray."

I think even May was startled by his intrusion.

All of us remain silent and still as he continues his ritual. During part of it, I hear him say "Obeah," which is a Caribbean sorcery. I learned about it briefly during my time visiting the Caribbean islands many years ago.

The old man pushes both hands towards the west, against an invisible force, and begins to speak ancient Egyptian, which I am unfamiliar with, but can recognize a few Egyptian words, one of them being hekat, which is the magic practice of Heka.

I assume that didn't bring him any results, and he changed his language again, moving to a very ancient version of Norse. It's a language that I am unfamiliar with, but the dialect is still understandably Norse; this does not provide the answers he seeks.

He beckons to Ana and I to come forward. She's very hesitant but comes to the cauldron with me. Then he walks towards us and pulls a knife, stabbing his palm, and blood pours into the pot. When he moves his hand, it's completely healed. He takes Ana's hand, and she jumps at his touch ever so lightly. He pricks one of her fingers and begins to squeeze it until three large drops of blood enter the cauldron. He repeated the same thing with me and then shooed us away.

As Ana and I were walking away, we heard thunder in the sky; as we reached May and Marie, we turned to see a lightning bolt come from the sky and make its way straight into the cauldron. The ground shook, and the air smelled of lightning. Ana clung to me tightly. And there was a loud thunderous boom, and the sky cleared.

I began to see what he was doing. He was invoking ancient gods, each of whom he'd forced here to answer his question, but each so far responded that they were not to be held responsible.

Then he walked out of sight and returned with a giant rooster, holding it over the cauldron; he sliced it straight up the middle. It's guts and blood into the mixture. He began to speak a language I had no understanding or had ever heard. The air grew hot, almost wet from the humidity and heat. From the cauldron shined bright red smoke; thick liquidy, it began to seep from the sides down to the ground. Everything became a bit darker than a snake, about 15 feet in length and as thick as my thigh, emerged from the fiery pot and slithered its way towards myself and Ana. It stops about 3 feet away from us and darts its forked tongue several times, turns and begins to slither back towards the cauldron, and disappears into it.

A man's voice emerges from the blackness of the magical vat and declares, "So what is it you ask of me?"

As he says this, a man is now standing before John. He is tall and stunningly more beautiful than anything I've ever seen, even more so than my Ana. He has long blonde hair that shines golden. His facial features are flawless, as are his crystal blue eyes. He is perfectly built and wears a black robe, and from the back, there are two massive wings on his back, and as if he knew I was admiring them, he spreads them. They are as tall as him and at least ten feet across; they are golden as his hair until he spreads them, and once he does, a blackness emanates from them in every direction. The darkness spreads like tendrils around the air. His wings were not like anything I'd ever seen; beautifully cursed. From the outside, they appeared celestial, but on the inside, they were darkness itself. Thousands upon thousands of black feathers gave the illusion of falling, almost causing vertigo. I believe I was fairly confident about who we had with us. An icy chill ran down my spine.

"My old companion, what will you have of me? Why have you summoned me saying you have a question that will receive an answer, so ask your question."

"What is it that you know of about the two lovers? Is that your work?"

"The human and the Upir?"

"Yes, is that of your doing? If it is not, do you know who has done it?"

His human form walks back towards Anna, and, with my knowledge of who he is, he is much more terrifying as a human than he was as a snake. And I'm afraid I might be killed here now because I will not allow him to touch her.

"Nu ai de ce să te temi de Gabriel, pe cât de mult mi-ar plăcea să-mi pun mâinile pe tot corpul ei, pe cât mi-ar plăcea să-i sărut buzele perfecte să-i gust din sânul ei să gust între picioarele ei pentru a umple înăuntrul ei din păcate nu pot și din tot ce văd nu voi fi niciodată o fată atât de bună.

Am cunoscut o astfel de dragoste odată ce a fost numele ei. Lilith și ea erau lumea mea. Nu m-aș amesteca niciodată cu ceva atât de personal."

Ana asks me what he said, and I tell her he said, "You have nothing to fear, Gabriel; as much as I would love to put my hands all over her body, as much as I would love to kiss her perfect lips, suckle at her breast, taste between her legs, to feel inside of her, unfortunately, I can't; and from what I can see I will never be able to. I do, however, know who is responsible."

He looks towards me sadly and says, "The two of you became caught between a scorned witch and an unfaithful husband. I only heard of this because of my relations with the demon she summoned, and I do not have details beyond this. I will not return again as a friend, John. Is this understood?"

John nods and tells him he understands.

"Zherra, who was once my lover and cursed to be a demon because of her love for me, was forced to do the will of those who summoned her. She became bitter and cruel and took pleasure in making lovers suffer, and when a witch summoned her twenty or thirty years before the life you remember, she was asked to take vengeance on all involved in causing her pain. Zherra saw the two of you and mistook you to be the witch's husband and his mistress. She noticed the absolute love and genuine connection between you, so she cursed the two of you never to have your souls find one another for the rest of your lives."

I would never interfere with something so personal."

He glances at us and says, "Despite the rumors, say I'm not the bad one."

He then walks over to where John is and says, "You, my friend, have been very busy and made quite a few people unhappy. You may be untouchable now, but that won't be the case forever."

"Gods exist because people believe they do. They gained power from people, and as long as people believe, they will continue to exist."

"Now all y'all be gone, and you, Marie, tell your grandmother I did as she asked, and make sure you do. I don't need Claudine Laurent cross with me. Chieftess Talltree, it was a pleasure to meet a true legend amongst many people."

No one spoke as we walked from the swamp. Everyone was happy that the carriage was still there, but I believe the driver was even happier to see us. He told us that he heard all kinds of sounds and saw all kinds of lights come from the swamps and hoped that we were not dead. I'm assuming Marie and May had a conversation on the way home. Dove fell asleep against Ana, who was asleep against me. It's been a very long day, and I was left with the information to fill in one of the missing pieces of my past but no answers on how to fix it.

After dropping off Marie at her home and thanking her for everything that she had done, we all decided that no one felt like dressing for dinner. May and Dove headed to their room, and Ana and I went to ours. Once in the room, neither of us said much as I ran us a hot bath. Once in the water with her body pressed into mine, I finally began to feel a sense of ease.

"Gabriel, this is all too much to believe. Part of me still thinks I died falling off Winter, or this is all part of a fever dream. Gods and VooDoo, and was that Lucifer?"

"Yes, I'm still processing everything, but I believe that was the dark Prince himself. As for Gods, most people would believe that they exist before they will believe vampires, witches, werewolf exist."

" Wait, werewolves exist? What else is true?"

"Well, almost all of our legends and fairytales come from truths."

"So my father's belief that souls come back is true?"

"It appears so, but I still would prefer to have known more."

Ana:

I think back to the first time I ever put eyeliner on myself. We were in Barcelona, Spain, of course, with Dad and Gabriel, but John and May had decided to stay back in Paris at the hotel. She said she loved the beignets, and she was getting too old for all of this country hopping and kind of what we did; it was that was the thing. We love to travel; we were always on the go. I've seen and been to every continent in the world, and I've been to every country.

I have visited small villages. Most people have never seen or will ever see in Siberia all the way down into the Congo. I've been everywhere, and I've done it the entire time next to Gabriel's side or in his arms or on his cock. Gabriel says I have a foul mouth now, but he says it with that beautiful smile and that smirk. He was right when he said I would rule him one day. We went through a period where he and I pretty much switched roles. I dominated, and he loved it, but I missed that look in his eyes, and I missed being that helpless, wanting girl. We still get wild, and God knows we have done some kinky, crazy things, a lot of things that people would say are scandalous, but in our lives, there wasn't a time after New Orleans when things got a bit wilder.

I will never in the rest of my life Australia, because of how beautiful it was and the extraordinary places we got to see and hold the baby kangaroos! Some of the most unforgettable sex we ever had happened in the villa we were staying in outside of Brisbane. It will forever burned into my memory. I never dared Gabriel to do anything after that trip ever again. It still brings a smile to my face and a tingling between my legs. I think the time that brings me the happiest, most joyous memories is when we went to China; everyone, even May.

She loves the people, the culture, and the beautiful land, and she even meets someone very similar to herself who has the same gift as her. Now, I would never gossip, but I believe that during the two months that we were in China. May and Mr. Woo were doing quite a few naughty things, but she felt like keeping that a secret. He accompanied us and was a fantastic guide. We even met his family. His wife had passed away a few years ago. When we visited, his daughter-in-law, who was a an splendid cook, always made dumplings for me. I love the customs, and they just became natural. I never learned to speak Chinese, although Gabriel could translate for me the entire time there. The whole family had a wonderful time; it was special. That's also where Dad met Caroline; she was an archaeologist. Wow, thinking about it, my dad was the age I am now, and he and Caroline were instantly attracted to each other. She loved his red hair, kindness, and sense of goofy humor. Before we left China, my dad was married to Caroline. I adored her whim and sense of adventure; it matched my father perfectly. She said that she had been orphaned as a small child and raised by a very elderly aunt who passed away when she was ten years old. Caroline said she'd always been independent and had a sense of adventure. She told us how she ran away from the foster home and lived in the public library basement for a week before a very kind man found her and took her in.

The man she met was a very, very well-to-do man who often traveled with his partner. Caroline said that by them moving city or city all the time. Nobody was able to determine they were gay. Caroline said that the two of them loved to travel. She stated she became like a daughter to them and thought of both like fathers. They put her through University, where she developed a passion for digging in the dirt, as she calls it. She and my father took off to Egypt after, and John and Alma escorted May, without Mr. Woo, home.

China was amazing. I have so many beautiful memories. I wear the jade ring Gabriel bought me; he always bought me jewelry. He spoiled me rotten. I don't have the fingers to wear all of the rings. I have so many necklaces, but he insisted, which made him happy. He'd never even need to give me a single solitary gift; I only required to be next to him. We traveled around the European countries, seeing sites and towns, and I finally convinced him to take me back to Romania to his home, Transylvania. So many years had passed, and I told him no one knew him. The people he was related to had already had children, who had children who had children. Still, I could tell he was a bit nostalgic when he got there. We didn't stay long; we merely just passed through, and then we enjoyed the rest of Romania, which was breathtakingly beautiful. He showed me the castle where Vlad, the Impaler or Dracula, had lived. There was a rumor that he was the original vampire. Of course, it is not true Gabriel was a much older vampire.

It was during our time in Romania that he opened up about his atrocities, as he called them. He told me as a fledgling; he took five or six lives accidentally learning to feed. Gabriel explained to me how the blood lust was very intense as a fledgling. I honestly was expecting him to say he slaughtered an entire village, with the guilt he beard . Of course, I still loved him, but hearing me say I still loved him made him feel a little less guilty We met other vampires during our travels. Each of them showed extreme respect towards Gabriel, seeming able to sense his power, and some even seemed in fear of my sweet, loving husband. We even ran into Mr. Devereaux again on a visit to the French countryside. He was caught off guard initially, maybe thinking Gabriel was after him. Mr. Deveau said he was no longer in the United States and had broken all ties with his associates in New Orleans.

Gabriel was very possessive and protective of me but never made me feel weak or incapable like I've seen so many other men do to their wives, but he did make sure his kind knew I was his wife and not just a random human woman. Over the years, I watched him grow stronger in his vampiric powers. He was ultimately able to read almost anyone's thoughts. He doesn't want me to think he's invading my thoughts, but I told him he can invade them all he wants; they're always about him and his cock. He could turn a room full of chaos into peace, sending out a wave of relaxation and practically a slight euphoria. Everything about him is spectacular, and how he still looks at me after all these years melts my heart.

I get a bit older each day, but I'll swear on a stack of Bibles, the man's become more beautiful every year. I finish my face; looking in the mirror, I see that sixteen-year-old girl still glistening in my eyes as she stares at a fifty-year-old woman. Enjoying my memories and slipping into my pink lingerie, fastening my hose to my garter belt, and slipping on a pair of heels. I make my way to the bed where my husband, lover, and best friend sleep.

Standing over him, I wonder how someone can be so beautiful. Naked on his back, one arm over his head accentuating his abdominal muscles, I admire his chiseled perfection. He has one leg slightly bent, and his cock lays flaccid on his thigh like a sleeping python. I lick his cock and put my mouth around it. His cock begins to grow firm, and I feel Gabriel set up slightly. He's now on his elbows, watching me smiling with that sexy smirk. He tells me, by all means, please don't let me stop you. Taking as much of his cock as I can I feel it against the back of my throat, and I swallow and suck him hard. He moans with pleasure as I fuck his cock with my mouth, never taking my eyes off of his. He strokes my hair, runs his fingers down my neck, grabs a handful of my breast, and squeezes he pushes my top down enough to find my nipple, and he rubs it, making it hard. I give him a few slow, deep thrusts into my mouth. I am about to climb on top of him to straddle him. Before I knew what was happening, my heels were gone, my legs were in the air, and this beautiful man on top of me kissing me, filling my mouth with a bit of blood. He works down my neck, kissing it, then sinking his fangs into me, slowly sucking taking blood sip by sip. And then I feel him deep inside me all at once—no warning, just how I like it.

"My God, Gabriel, it's so hard, and you feel incredible deep inside me! I love you so much!"

Gabriel:

"I love you too, Ana. You look stunning. I increase my pace. She comes for me long and hard, her body still trembling. I flip us, and she straddles me with my cock deep inside her. I take her by the ass and hips, and I am working her up and down my cock, watching her face and it's is sheer perfection and pleasure. Watching her breast jiggle up and down on me, she orgasms hard; her moans flood my ears, only increasing my animalistic needs. I don't wait for her trembling to subside or for her to breathing to regulate her body mid-orgasm; I just continue pumping her up and down on my cock. Looking at her beautiful face. I cum hard and long load after load. I'm not sure if it's a vampire thing, but my orgasms are more intense and longer now. I've always had intense orgasms with lots of cum, but now it seems like it's almost an excess. We lay together; she is wrapped in my arms with her fiery red hair making waves across the pillow.

Laying there looking at her, I whisper, "You're a Goddess, Ana; never do I want you to think for a second the thought that went through your mind just now. I try to avoid invading your thoughts, but this one was loud and full of emotions. Ana, you are as flawless today as you were the day I married you. Your inner beauty is angelically perfect, and your outward appearance still turns heads when you walk into rooms. The thoughts that run through men's minds are full of lust, and many women's minds are spewing jealousy over your perfection; those people do not even know your inner beauty. I do, and I find everything about you gorgeous and flawless."

She curls up beside me as I lay on my back; she wraps her leg over me, and her hand strokes my face. She has tears in her eyes, she whispers. "Oh, Gabriel, you are welcome inside my mind, heart, and anything else you want." She says the last part with a little giggle, lightening the mood, and then she says, " I'm so happy with you. You've made every single second of every single day. Incredible. I couldn't even imagine having never met you. The thought is actually terrifying! I love you with all of my heart and our soul!" she winks after saying, "Our soul."

Tomorrow, we make our way to Ireland. She wants to see some distant relatives that she hasn't visited since the death of her father.

So much has changed with the people that we love and care about. John and Alma, of course, got married and have five children who have given them three grandchildren. They're beautiful and rambunctious toddlers, and they keep John on his toes. Dove Finished her medical degree and taught gross anatomy at Harvard for a few years. That's where she met her husband. He was one of her students and was twelve years younger. When she realized she was in love with him, she did what she thought to be the proper thing and resigned from her position, stating she was moving across the country, and she was her and her husband, Daniel, moved back to North Carolina. Daniel and Dove tried for several years to get pregnant, and she pretty much gave up the thought of ever having a child , but at forty-five years old, she gave birth to her daughter, whom she named

May Ruby Morning Talltree-Thomason. She said she had to keep with the tradition and give her daughter more names, and she'd never be able to keep up with like her best friend. Then she could keep up with . They called her Ruby, and she is an absolute gem. Ruby is a wonderful child, brilliant, and it seems that she has inherited her grandmother's abilities, as well as John's eldest son, River, who read thoughts and could do small acts of healing. Charles had left the ranch, quite a substantial amount of money for her, and John John and Alma ended up building a home on the ranch as well.

We visit there anytime we're in the States. My Anna loves city life and shopping. She loves to go out at night to go dancing to listen to music to take a show. She lives every single day with passion and then absolutely love for life. I do make her see a doctor regularly and keep up on top of her health, but the doctor jokes around and tells me that she is healthier than I am. Still, I am always reassured when I hear this. I could technically take care of myself, but it's nice to have that reassurance from another doctor, maybe.

Sometimes , no matter what we do, no matter how hard we try, and no matter what lengths we go to, we're unable to keep things in our control. Sometimes, we're unable to have power over anything. I realized that during the week that I watched Ana become sick, it was influenza, and her body was strong, but this virus was stronger. I fed her my blood, and I tried to keep her fever down. She was wrapped in my arm; whenever she wasn't coughing, I took her to every doctor, but the entire city was riddled with the flu. Hospitals were overwhelmed and understaffed, and not much could be done for those infected. It's challenging for me even to put this into words, but I think I must remember every single bit of the details. I remember her and me attending an opera in New York and the beautiful red dress she wore. She wasn't sure if she should wear it because she thought it would clash with her red hair; she was stunning. I remember when we were in Brazil, and the area was so beautiful. I had rented a small island, and we had it to ourselves. There were all sorts of exotic birds. One of them had taken to Anna daily. It would fly straight to her, and they became closer and closer. I remember how she cried when she had to leave this Cockatoo; she had me higher a local man to go and make sure all of the birds were fed weekly. I remember one time when we were outside of Italy, and a small child, maybe five-year-old, walked up to us asking for money, saying that their papa had died and that their mama worked and worked and still didn't have enough money for her or her younger siblings. I had to translate the entire thing.

Ana insisted on word-for-word with the child, and she had me ask where the child lived. The girl said up the road, and I had to pick her up, and we walked towards their home. As I picked up the small, underfed, dirty child and held her against me, stroking her hair and telling her everything was going to be okay now, she cried with relief. We walked to where the little girl said their home was. It was minimal. She took us inside, and there was another child, maybe about the same age as this one, with one year old and a baby old enough to set up. They were all cold, underdressed, and hungry. We asked this small girl. "Where is your mama?" The girl replied, "She is in town at her work." Anna had the two smallest girls bundled in her own jacket, holding them, and had me carrying the other two. It wasn't that cold, but she insisted that they had to be freezing because of how thin they were.

We found their mama. She was covered in flour, her hands, and dough. The small restaurant and bakery combination was a little business. Still, the woman, whose name was Estelle, explained that she and her husband had opened this restaurant and bakery, and it had been thriving. They were doing very well, and they actually had lived in a house right down the road, but then her husband became very ill and wasn't able to work. They couldn't afford their home, so they left it, moving to the smaller one they are in outside of the city. still work in the bakery every day. The small child who approached us, we found out her name was Angela. She was five and a half years old, and her sister Sophia was four; the next child, Nathaniel, was two, and the baby, Marcel, was nine months old. Angela watched all of them while their mother worked, and the father slowly became sicker and sicker until he finally passed. She told us that her husband was buried in a pauper grave, and she could not afford a headstone. initially, when we walked up with her four children, she thought we were there to take them away from her, and fear racked her a wave of calm over everyone, and I began interpreting for Ana..

Tell her that they would never have to worry about money again, and they never did. Anna and I bought their original home and signed the deed to Estelle. We paid the loans that she had on the restaurant. We set up money and accounts for each child to be able to attend school if they chose to attend. Ana and I ended up staying in that village for a little over seven months, and all four children looked at aunt, looked at Anna lovingly, and were taken to her immediately. Estelle told the children that Anna and Gabriel were angels and their father had sent them. Every time she saw us initially, she wept with happiness. we ate at the restaurant almost every night. It was truly a magnificent restaurant, her cooking with some of the best Italian food I had ever eaten, and Anna, being the lover of all foods, was in complete bliss. We would take care of the children initially while Estelle worked until we could find people to come and work in the bakery kitchen and the restaurant. After a few weeks, Estelle began to feel more comfortable with the success of the bakery and the restaurant. The young man who we had hired name was named Giovanni, and I do believe he was smitten with Estelle, even though he was five or six years younger. I saw romance begin to bloom between the two of them. He is a very handsome and brilliant young man, and he immediately falls in love with all the children. After a month or two, he began to show up at dinner; by the time Anna and I had left, we were certain they would be together; no doubt they were in love. It was so bittersweet for us. I had grown close to all four, especially Angela. She was a magnificently young girl. She was fascinated with medical books, and I bought her many she could read, but most of the words in these books were way beyond her education level. but she said she would read every single one of them and grow up and become a doctor just like me. All of them, Giovanni, all four children, and Estelle, bitter farewell at the train station, and in our car, Ana wept over, leaving them she was racked with grief. I just held her and kissed her, knowing there was more. She finally broke down and apologized to me for never being able to bear children. I kissed her, held her, and reassured her. I knew she truly believed me when I said that she was the only thing I needed in my life. We traveled to cities and countries, and Ana and I became somewhat of a humanitarian figure in many parts of the world. and now here, back where I met her in North Carolina, and our bed and our home. The same home that I proposed to her, the same home that I made love to her for the first time. She's lying on me, her head on my chest, her chest against mine, and I can feel her breathing. It's labored and ragged, her body burning with fever, periodic bouts of chills swept through her body, causing her to shake violently, which usually led to a series of coughing for a week. I never left her side, and Sunday with the sun beginning to rise. Her fever seems to have broken. She lay there, and we talked.

"My love, my absolute everything. I'm so sorry; my heart is breaking, and I know I'm about to leave you alone. I don't want to leave you alone. I don't want to go; I don't want to be able not to see your face, not to be able to kiss your lips. "

Each breath, each word was a struggle for her.

I looked into her eyes as I stroke her and reassured her that it was only temporary, and the both of us knew there were more lives yet to come for her and I. And I would find her no matter what I had to do. I would find her in one of her lives, and I would love her and cherish her the exact same as I always have.

"Ana, you have brought me life; you made me whole. I have been happier and felt true goodness, true love, true happiness every second, every minute, every hour of every single day since I first saw you. When I saw that beautiful girl with those mesmerizing green eyes, they captivated me the moment I locked. If I could go back and change anything because someone granted me a wish, there's absolutely not a single moment I would change. I love you, Anna. I will always love you. I will always find you.."

Ana insisted on word-for-word with the child, and she had me ask where the child lived. The girl said up the road, and I had to pick her up, and we walked towards their home. As I picked up the small, underfed, dirty child and held her against me, stroking her hair and telling her everything was going to be okay now, she cried with relief. We walked to where the little girl said their home was. It was minimal. She took us inside, and there was another child, maybe about the same age as this one, with one year old and a baby old enough to set up. They were all cold, underdressed, and hungry. We asked this small girl. "Where is your mama?" The girl replied, "She is in town at her work." Ana had the two smallest girls bundled in her own jacket, holding them, and had me carrying the other two. It wasn't that cold, but she insisted that they had to be freezing because of how thin they were.

We found their mama. She was covered in flour, her hands, and dough. The small restaurant and bakery combination was a little business. Still, the woman, whose name was Estelle, explained that she and her husband had opened this restaurant and bakery, and it had been thriving. They were doing very well, and they actually had lived in a house right down the road, but then her husband became very ill and wasn't able to work. They couldn't afford their home, so they left it, moving to the smaller one they are in outside of the city. She still works in the bakery every day. The small child who approached us, we found out her name was Angela. She was five and a half years old, and her sister Sophia was four; the next child, Nathaniel, was two, and the baby, Marcel, was nine months old. Angela watched all of them while their mother worked, and the father slowly became sicker and sicker until he finally passed. She told us that her husband was buried in a pauper grave, and she could not afford a headstone. Initially, when we walked up with her four children, she thought we were there to take them away from her, and fear racked her a wave of calm over everyone, and I began interpreting for Ana. Tell her that they would never have to worry about money again, and they never did. Ana and I bought their original home and signed the deed to Estelle. We paid the loans that she had on the restaurant. We set up money and accounts for each child to be able to attend school if they chose to attend. Ana and I ended up staying in that village for a little over seven

months, and all four children looked at aunt, looked at Ana lovingly, and were taken to her immediately. Estelle told the children that Ana and Gabriel were angels and their father had sent them. Every time she saw us initially, she wept with happiness. We ate at the restaurant almost every night. It was truly a magnificent restaurant, her cooking with some of the best Italian food I had ever eaten, and Ana, being the lover of all foods, was in complete bliss. We would take care of the children initially while Estelle worked until we could find people to come and work in the bakery kitchen and the restaurant. After a few weeks, Estelle began to feel more comfortable with the success of the bakery and the restaurant. The young man who we had hired name was named Giovanni, and I do believe he was smitten with Estelle, even though he was five or six years younger. I saw romance begin to bloom between the two of them. He is a very handsome and brilliant young man, and he immediately falls in love with all the children. After a month or two, he began to show up at dinner; by the time Ana and I had left, we were confident they would be together; no doubt they were in love. It was so bittersweet for us. I had grown close to all four, especially Angela. She was a magnificently young girl. She was fascinated with medical books, and I bought her many she could read, but most of the words in these books were way beyond her education level. But she said she would read every single one of them and grow up and become a doctor just like me. All of them, Giovanni, all four children, and Estelle, bitter farewell at the train station, and in our car, Ana wept over, leaving them she was racked with grief. I just held her and kissed her, knowing there was more. She finally broke down and apologized to me for never being able to bear children. I kissed her, held her, and reassured her. I knew she truly believed me when I said that she was the only thing I needed in my life.

We traveled to cities and countries, and Ana and I became somewhat of a humanitarian figure in many parts of the world. And now here, back where I met her in North Carolina, our bed and home. The same home that I proposed to her, the same home that I made love to her for the first time. She's lying on me, her head on my chest, her chest against mine, and I can feel her breathing. It's labored and ragged, her body burning with fever, periodic bouts of chills swept through her body, causing her to shake violently, which usually led to a series of coughing for a week. I never left her side, and Sunday with the sun beginning to rise. Her fever seems to have broken. She lay there, and we talked.

"My love, my absolute everything. I'm so sorry; my heart is breaking, and I know I'm about to leave you alone. I don't want to leave you alone. I don't want to go; I don't want to be able not to see your face, not to be able to kiss your lips. "

Each breath, each word was a struggle for her. I looked into her eyes as I stroke her and reassured her that it was only temporary, and the both of us knew there were more lives yet to come for her and I. And I would find her no matter what I had to do. I would find her in one of her lives, and I would love her and cherish her the exact same as I always have.

"Ana, you have brought me life; you made me whole. I have been happier and felt true goodness, true love, true happiness every second, every minute, every hour of every single day since I first saw you. When I saw that beautiful girl with those mesmerizing green eyes, they captivated me the moment I locked. If I could go back and change anything because someone granted me a wish, there's absolutely not a single moment I would change. I love you, Ana. I will always love you. I will always find you.."

"Love you too, Gabriel. I love you so deep..."

She was trying to say deeply, and I finished it for her on her face on her lips. I held her against my body. I sent wave after wave of calm, so the only thing she could feel was peace, and as she took her very last breath, I whispered to her.

" I will find you; I will always find you. I love you. Our love is inseparable."

I held her. I don't know how long I couldn't let her go. Tears would not stop streaming from my eyes. I had held them back this entire time, only wanting her to see happiness and calm and no fear, knowing anxiety, and now everything was set free. My emotions were ripped and torn into bloody pieces. I felt my entire body lose happiness, lose the joy in the meaning of life.

It wasn't until that evening that John found us; he wept. He knew she had been sick, and towards the last day or two, he and Alma knew she would not make it. I think he had been grieving secretly so that Ana couldn't see his sadness.

" Gabriel, I'm so sorry. I know words are meaningless right now, but please know you have all of our love and all of our condolences. We are here to be strong for you and to help you. We are here and will always be your family. Gabriel, you are like my brother, and Ana has always been my sister."

He walked to me and allowed me a moment to kiss her lips. She was cold. John helped me wrap her in a blanket. Then he picked her up with his strong, massive arms and carried her like a baby, carried her out of the room as he had carried her into my office the day that I met her. The next few days seemed just to run together. Dove arrived with her husband and family. Other family members and friends began to show up, and on Wednesday morning, on the ranch, John performed a Navajo ceremony to send her soul to peace. Still, he made sure he included that the ancestor guided her soul swiftly back to me. I had white roses placed inside the coffin. I insisted that her ring not be removed. I dressed her in a light blue dress; it was one of my favorites. We had bought it during a trip to San Francisco just a few months earlier. John placed several items that were deeply connected to Navajo traditions for peace and guidance for her transition in the coffin along with her. After the ceremony, the same tree we were married. John and I dug her grave. It was right next to her father, in between her mother and May. I lay on top of the ground and talked to her for several days. I don't know how long I know it rained; I know it got cold. I know they came to me to try to comfort me, but there was no comfort to be found.

On Saturday, I showered, shaved, and dressed in Ana's favorite suits. I said goodbye to Dove and John and Alma and all of their children. I told him I would see them again, but now I had to start looking. I had to find clues on how I could be sure our souls would meet again.

I placed an order for her headstone as I left town.