Chapter 25: Chapter 25

Waiting was my least favorite of all activities. Not because I was impatient. I had patience in spades. I just didn’t like the suspense that accompanied it. The sofa reminded me too much of the night I almost gave myself to Nick. I couldn’t help but feel even more nervous. Would he reject me and say hurtful things again? Even if he did, I told myself, you won’t run away anymore. You will stand your ground.

Nick’s last words to me were a wake-up call. It made me realize many things about myself and my feelings for him. Foremost was that I couldn’t bear being away from him. And no matter what he was, I would still love him. Still, I needed to get into this with my eyes wide open. So, I spent the next two days learning as much as I could about vampires. None of it was 100 percent factual, for sure, because I was basing everything on literature, theories, and legends. Nick confirmed a few of those theories. It helped me get a better picture of what a true vampire was like. And as I read through the synopses of the subsequent Buffy seasons, one thing intrigued me. Both Spike and Angel had the chance to turn back into humans. Could Nick turn back, too? Spike did it for love. Would Nick do the same for me? Did he love me enough?

No, I wouldn’t think of that. Not yet. I must not get ahead of myself. It should be enough that Nick loved me back. We still had a lot of issues to deal with, and I didn’t want to muddle it further with thoughts of what-ifs. I also hoped he wouldn’t be too mad at Boris for letting me force him to fly us back home. It took all of my convincing powers, plus a bucket of tears, to make that hulking giant agree to my plan. I suppose he had his own reasons. Or maybe he was just a softie at heart. Nick would probably regret giving me Boris’s number after this. Too late, Nick. I already committed his number to memory.

An explosion of color outside Nick’s window caught my attention. As I watched the spectacular fireworks display from Nick’s unit, I felt a pang of sadness. I had planned on being with him before midnight. It would’ve been nice to greet the new year together. Unfortunately, we couldn’t leave as quickly as expected. And it wasn’t because of Jan’s tearful, but ecstatic goodbyes.

In order to leave quickly, I had to tell her a white lie. I told Jan that Nick hired a private plane to pick me up. The supposedly romantic gesture pulled at her heartstrings. I felt guilty for leaving earlier than we planned, but Jan assured me it was okay and she would explain everything to Liam and her parents. It was actually Nick’s pilot who caused the delay. He apparently thought no one would fly back on New Year’s Eve and had disappeared without leaving a word. It took Marcus, Boris’s companion, over three hours to locate the man and another two to sober him up. Thankfully, his skills were worth every penny Nick paid for him.

I almost thought Nick wouldn’t show up before daylight when a text message from Boris told me otherwise. Nick was already on his way up. Goosebumps broke out all over my arms and legs. I had looked forward to this reunion with Nick, but now that it was here, I was at a loss. I didn’t know what to do or how I should act. My inexperience in matters of the heart had put me at a disadvantage. It was frustrating. Just act natural, Mira, my inner voice said. Like I know what that means, I stubbornly thought. Digging deep inside me, I mustered as much courage as I could and stood in front of the door. I didn’t have long to wait. It slammed back against the walls, making me jump just a little. Swallowing the bile in my throat, I forced a smile through my parched lips.

“Hello, Nick,” I said, barely hearing my own words over the deafening drumming of my heart. It was so loud I feared Nick could hear it, too.

“Mira?” Nick said, a myriad of emotions flashing in his eyes.

“H-Hi! How have you been?”

What the hell, Mira? You sound so pathetic!

I wished the floor would open up and swallow me whole. What little courage I had left was quickly melting away.

This was a bad idea. You’ve just made a fool of yourself again, Mira.

“I-I just wanted to say...I’m sorry. I’m sorry for the way I acted.”

Say something, Nick. Please! I wanted to scream.

Why was he staring at me like that? Why won’t he speak? What was he waiting for? Was he expecting me to fly out the door? Anger flooded my veins, emboldening me.

“I know you’re probably still mad at me for running away like that. Especially after you saved me. Again. I said I just needed time, didn’t I? I needed time to think. That’s all. You’re the one who said goodbye. What the hell was that, anyway, Nick? Why did you end things like that? You said you were just trying to protect me. From those creatures, yes. But you didn’t protect me from you! Then, you gave me Boris’s number and told me to call him at the first sign of danger. And although I appreciate the concern, it isn’t what I need. It’s not what I want. It’s not—”

“What do you want, Mira?”

He said it so calmly, without a hint of emotion, it almost made me cry.

“What do I want? What have I ever wanted from the moment we met?”

“I don’t know, Mira. That’s why I’m asking.”

“I WANT YOU, you ass! You’re all I ever—”

Nick’s lips came crashing down on me in an instant. I was so shocked by his reaction, I didn’t even see him coming. But then my own deep hunger replaced it instantly. I responded in kind and kissed Nick back with all the love and longing I had been holding back. I loved him so much I wanted to be engulfed by him.

“Do you really want me, Mira?” Nick whispered into my lips. “Do you really want this?”

“Yes, oh, yes, Nick,” I breathlessly replied.

“I am not normal, Mira. Do you still want me despite that?”

“Oh, gods, yes!”

“I’m not like you. I’m not human. Do you still want me even though I’m different from you?”

“Yes! Oh, yes, Nick,” I breathed as Nick’s lips graced my throat.

“If I look like this, will you still want me?” He said, pulling away.

When I opened my eyes, I saw Nick’s vampire face staring down at me. His eyes were bright yellow, his skin as pale and smooth as marble. And behind his half-smiling lips were his sharp, deadly fangs, glinting maliciously, tauntingly.

I had seen this face before, and it didn’t evoke fear or revulsion.

It’s okay. You’re safe now.

This vampire's face gave me assurance, a feeling of safety. I wasn’t afraid of it.

“Yes. I want you, Nick. I want all of you, fangs and all,” I said.

“Fuck, Mira,” Nick groaned and buried his face in the crook of my neck. When he looked up again, his face was back to normal. He smiled down at me and kissed me gently. “I want to take it slow this time, Mira. I don’t want things to happen between us in the heat of the moment. I want it to be special because you’re the most special girl I’d ever met. I don’t want to rush you. I want you to get to know me better. Now that you’re back in my arms, I’m not letting you go again. I hope you’re ready to stay.”

“S-stay? You mean to stay here or stay in your life?”

Nick chuckled and lifted me up in his arms like a newly wedded bride. He sat down on the sofa, still cradling me in his lap.

“Both? I’d really like for you to stay with me. It’s an enormous leap for both of us, I know. But you’re safer here. I have an extra bedroom. You can set it up in whatever way you like. Or do you think we’re moving too fast?”

Yes, things were moving fast, but I didn’t mind. I wasn’t afraid of Nick or his vampire friends. If I were to base my opinion on Nick and his men, Boris and Marcus, those two big teddy bears, I’d say not all vampires were creepers. And if there really were people, or creatures, after me, then Nick was right. This was the safest place for me. If I stayed with Nick, Jan and Mel wouldn’t be in danger anymore.

“I don’t mind. Actually, I kinda like it. I’ve been doing a lot of research about vampires and you could help debunk a lot of—”

“Oh, fuck, no,” Nick said, rolling his eyes.

“Oh, fuck, yes,” I said, punching his chest. “You, sir, are going to help me understand your world by answering all my questions.”

“All of them? Really? Can’t I just order Stefan or Boris to do that?”

“Stefan? Who’s Stefan?”

“Marcus’ twin.”

“Marcus has a twin?” I said. Nick laughed when he saw the incredulous look on my face.

“Yes, he has. You must remember, sweetheart, that vampires used to be human, too.” Nick said, kissing the tip of my nose. “We were not born vampires.”

“So, you’re saying that no one is born a vampire? But in Blade, there were Purebloods.”

“Well, there are some who were born vampires, but they’re a minority. And they’re all Royal because only Royals can have children.”

“Oh? Is that so? You mean...if you’re not a Royal you can never have kids?”

Nick paused. There was a tinge of sadness in his eyes. “Unfortunately, no. Do you want kids?”

I had always dreamed of having my own family, but I couldn’t tell Nick that. It would only create another gap between us. For now, all I wanted was to be with him.

“I don’t know. I never really thought about it,” I said, leaning back against his broad chest, hoping that he would not ask me to elaborate. He only nodded and kissed the top of my head. Case closed.

There were still a few fireworks going up in the distance, lighting up the sky with its colorful tendrils. It was the first New Year I ever celebrated in the arms of a man. Or with a man in my life, period. “Happy New Year, Nick,” I said, reaching up to kiss Nick’s chin. But his eyes were already closed, his face set in quiet repose. He was asleep. “So, vampires do sleep,” I said as I settled back into his arms and closed my eyes as well.

It was the perfect way to greet a brand-new year.