Diary Of A Vampeen Part 18

"I didn't before. I grew curious and researched it Tuesday. It's a good book. He's quite a perfect vampire theoretically. No mortal or immortal compares," he replied. "And now I get to see the movie. Glad I've done my homework," he smiled with a dark, sarcastic gleam in his eyes.

Breathtaking. That's the only word I could use to describe Kellan in this moment. He's unpredictable, mysterious in that sense. It's part of his sinister charm. His dimple, glorious smile and beautiful green eyes swindled my logic with one showcase.

"Eat Lexi," he insisted. "I hear your stomach growling."

"Oops," I smiled shyly somewhat embarra.s.sed.

I opened the box to find my favorite chicken enchiladas with a side of chips and queso blanco. I dipped and bit a chip simultaneous to him pressing play.

The next six and a half hours I spent watching movies with Kellan in my bed. I felt completely safe with him. After this morning, I knew he would protect me at all costs. In that sense, I preferred Kellan over Mike. I knew Mike would die trying to protect me, but in essence, he would do just that die. Kellan I knew would come back to me unscratched or with few injuries.

We didn't touch during those hours. He kept his distance in typical Kellan fas.h.i.+on. It was all very innocent, very gentlemanly of him.

Chapter 15.

The credits began to roll when Kellan announced, "Time for dinner!"

"Huh?" I questioned, surprised by his spontaneity.

"It's 7:15; time for dinner. Come on," he repeated pulling me down off my bed and towards the stairs. As we reached the bottom I heard the coordinated crowd yell, "Surprise! Happy Birthday!"

We rounded the corner to a dining room lit with soft white candles of varying heights, white flowers of multiple angiosperms on the table and matching petals strewn on the floor. It was elegantly decorated with white and silver balloon bouquets filling the corners. The table held fancy plates and silverware sets. A big bowl of fettuccini alfredo dressed with freshly chopped parsley and parmesan shavings sat on one side, several almost raw steaks covered in red blood on the other and a beautiful white and silver cake was the centerpiece. I felt like I was walking into a wedding hall, not my dining room.

"What is all this?" I gasped taking it in.

"Happy Birthday Lexi," my Aunt Claire squealed excitedly.

"This is your last human birthday. We have to celebrate it somehow," my dad explained. He attempted to sound solemn in his words, but I sensed the underlying dread in his voice and tension in his smile.

My mother had her arm around him in a gentle open hug and added, "Let's eat, celebrate and enjoy your last hours as a happy family."

I smiled tenderly. "I wasn't expecting this... And you!" I turned to Kellan. "You knew this whole time and didn't say a word. You kept distracting me with movie after movie."

"I had no choice. Every one of them threatened me if I told you," he said pointing at the faces staring back at me.

I laughed, "I guess I can understand."

The next four and half hours I laughed, cried, and celebrated my life up until now. Al cooked the meal which tasted exquisite, as if it was imported from the finest Italian restaurant in Tuscany. My dad and I reminisced over my childhood. Up until middle school I was the epitome of a daddy's girl and still am at heart. In a special moment I reminded him of that which was what brought on the bought of tears by all the women at the table.

Beth shared stories from Spain while Al gave me a few more vampire facts to absorb. Aunt Claire shared stories from her and my mother's transformation. They laugh now at their hysterics and mishaps, such as running into walls, unable to stop abruptly when they didn't have complete control over their new abilities; but I knew back then they felt overwhelmed just as I did now.

The grand finale to the night was a gift from my mother, aunt, and Gran. "What is it?" I asked as I tore open the pristine white wrapping paper. All paper and ribbon removed, I saw it was a sc.r.a.pbook.

I flipped it open to find page by page pictures chronicling my years as a human. Comments and stories clearly written by my mom and aunt filled the s.p.a.ce between the photos. My heart stopped on the final page. I choked up, gasping for air. I looked at my mother who held the same fountain of tears in her eyes. Never before tonight had I seen my mother cry; never had I bore witness to such a tender moment as now.

I ran my fingers across the picture of me and Gran and moved down to the letter below it. I could feel the imprints of the pen where she had pressed down to write.

My Dearest Ally, (only she called me this) You are about to take the same right of pa.s.sage as all the women in our family before you. Without seeing you, I know whole-heartedly that you will surpa.s.s us all in performance and acceptance of your new ident.i.ty. You possess the inner strength I long to replicate and the unweathering heart I know we already share.

You have the wisdom of an owl, the morals of a Saint, the diligence of a scientist, the pa.s.sion of Pica.s.so, and the perfect beauty of a rose which is pretty despite its shape or size. I've heard your potential in every conversation we've had. There are forces you need to survive in our world. While others must develop them, you already hold them deep within.

As you cross over, you will be tested. Your heart will fight your mind and your body will test your spirit. You should practice living daily; while procrastination is easy when you have forever, so is forgetting.

Stay strong in yourself Ally. Stay true to the powerful female vampeen I know is inside. Regardless of the distance between us, I have always and will always know your soul and proclaim with pride that you heir from me. I know you will never fail yourself or your family.

I love you my dearest Ally.

Gran I sat frozen, the tears quickly falling like rain.

"It's almost time Lexi," my mother advised softly.

Swallowing hard, trying to rid the lump in my throat, I looked around at everyone. "Thank you. For everything."

I couldn't believe the time had arrived already. It took so long yet happened so quick. Listen to me; I was so nervous I was contradicting myself!

"It's nothing honey," Al said.

"We love you Lexi. I know you'll be fine," my dad said with a tearful smile. I leaned over and hugged him. I then turned to my mother and did the same.

"I love you sweetie," she whispered in my ear.

"Love you too," I choked. "What time is it?"

"It's 11:47," Beth smiled at me. "You should probably go get settled in bed."

"Umm. I know it's a little late, but how does this work?" Ok, late was an understatement. I'd literally procrastinated to the last minute.

"At midnight, your body will feel heavy. Slowly you will drift out. Within thirty seconds you will be unconscious and asleep until midnight tomorrow," Beth explained.

"And the whole coffin thing?" I asked feeling my stomach flutter as my nerves took over.

"It's used traditionally, but isn't necessary. Kellan installed electronic blackout window seals this morning. You'll be in your bed the entire time," Aunt Claire advised. So that explained why he was peering through my window last night; he was probably checking measurements or something.

"Kellan and I will be in there the full duration to protect you. You have nothing to worry about," Al stated confidently.

I gave my parents and everyone else one last hug before turning to go upstairs. My parents and Aunt had tears flowing down their cheeks as they watched me go. "Thanks again. I love you all," I choked out between short breathes as the tears still slid down my face. It felt like I was saying good-bye forever.

"Kellan, go get her tucked in," Beth directed.

Kellan grabbed my hand and gave me a light squeeze. Hand in hand, side by side, we took the walk to my room.

"I feel like a death row inmate taking her final walk," I chuckled nervously trying to control my emotions.

"You'll be fine Lexi. I won't let anything happen to you," he rea.s.sured me.

I simply nodded my head. My throat had closed temporarily at the notion of what was coming.

Once in my room, I walked towards my bed slowly. With each step my stomach knotted tighter. Kellan checked around the room; I guess to make sure we were alone before grabbing a remote. Seconds later black coverings dropped down over my windows sealing them. He then closed the blinds and curtains over that.

"Thorough," I noted aloud. I lay down in my bed and pulled the covers up over me. The only light was my clock on my nightstand reading 11:56pm. Seeing the time for myself made the nerves kick into overdrive. Frantic waves rushed through me as a pulsating stir of antic.i.p.ation surfaced.

"Kellan?" I called in a little panic.

He grabbed my hand and s.h.i.+fted next to me on the bed. "I'm here," he said, though I couldn't see him given the pitch-black darkness. I'd never seen my room so cave-like.

"You promise it doesn't hurt?"

"I promise. You feel like someone injected you with anesthesia medicine. You'll be okay Lexi. You can stop shaking."

My palms were sweating as my nerves intensified with every pa.s.sing second. "Actually I can't. I'm really nervous. How much longer?"

"It's 11:58."

"Kellan. Thanks for being here. I know I've been crazy sometimes and I haven't known you that long but I appreciate you. I love you for all of that you've done for me," I spoke swiftly, jitters strewn within my voice.

"One minute," he announced. I squeezed his hand. "Lexi?" he called.

"Yea?" I gulped.

"Better late than never right?"

"Umm... I guess?"

"You're the one; you're my girl for eternity."

And with that he was on top of me. It was the kiss of death in pa.s.sion. We held nothing back. He grabbed my face and pulled me tighter to him. I put my hands behind his head and did the same.

Closer and closer, we couldn't be any tighter physically as our lips caressed each other with force yet sensual romance concurrently. I pushed towards him emotionally, mentally and spiritually, all my walls silenced. I reached into him like a telepath zoning in on the mind of a person. Pressing forward, I felt no barriers as I had earlier. I struggled to focus as... wait!

I was feeling a bit groggy; it must have been after midnight. I continued moving in stride with him, our mouths opening and closing in unison, our lips singing perfectly. We were still connected, but I felt my arms fall. A weight was beginning to press down on me. Five pounds... ten pounds...

Focus Lexi! Search for his soul, feel for his inner core, ...remain diligent in your quest. I was losing control, going under. Pus.h.i.+ng mentally and emotionally through an invisible layer, sc.r.a.ping to be entwined with him in every format; I was trying to do the undoable.

Giving all of me over to him, sacrificing my conscience to salvage our final seconds together, I finally hit it. I knew I'd hit it because sparks flew within me. I felt a moment so concentrated, so deep in an overwhelming power that I couldn't control myself. It's as if our destinies collided head on; the stars and moon reversed orbit. This was the feeling every person on this earth hopes and searches aimlessly for. It's beyond words as an immensely awe-inspiring thrust projects through every part of you into that of the person you are with, proving s.e.x is not necessary in the world of spirituality.

"Kellan." I tried to call, but nothing came out. "I felt it, I touched it. Our souls became one," I wanted to yell at the top of my lungs. All guards down in the heat of a dying moment it happened.

I could feel the internal sedation kick into overdrive. My body was winding down as if I was in a coma. They say you can hear but can't respond, which was my current state.

"Tell me you felt it." I wanted to scream, but the pounds pressing down on me had since multiplied making it impossible to project any noise let alone pure air. My body was numb, completely paralyzed physically; I realized I was only there mentally, but I couldn't help but scream inside, "Tell me you felt it Kellan!"

My last seconds were drawing close. I saw the black hole clouding my mind slowly. I couldn't fight sleep much longer. As I drew my last breath of mental awareness, I finally heard it. "I felt it, my love."

Chapter 16.

Voices whispers, noises, music and a fish tank.

Subtle sounds were awakening me mentally. My hearing was not the megaphone I a.s.sumed it would be, but it's at least five times more than I had. It's as if I was wearing a hearing aid turned to max. The whispers were m.u.f.fled at first, like a crowd buzzing, but it started to clear up, to distinguish and separate in voice distinction as they inhaled to breathe in rhythm.

"Shh! She's waking up!" my aunt declared.

I inhaled deeply to the lingering scent of roses, carnations and another flower I was unfamiliar with. Those must be my birthday flowers. Breathing again, I caught Kellan's cologne, strong and poignant yet appealing as if he was standing beside me.

I ran my fingers along my comforter. I felt every fiber, each string of thread woven to create the intricate cotton blend. Remembering the promise of a figure I could appreciate, I began to pull my hands to my stomach carefully hesitating momentarily, acknowledging I would be devastated if I was the only fat vampeen. Before I could feel for my waist, a warm smooth hand entwined with mine.

"Lexi, sweetie, can you hear me?" my mother asked softly.

"Y...Yes," I replied. I was shocked to hear I sounded the same. No melodic, angelic voice, as I dreamed of hearing, escaped my chords; merely a slightly hoa.r.s.e version of my own.

"Open your eyes sweetie. It's 12:02. It's all done and you're... you're... beautiful!" she gushed. I heard the hushed single tear slide down her cheek and splatter lightly on my comforter.

It was relatively quiet yet far from silent. I heard the sound of a few stray birds outside, the fish tank in my dad's office humming, and the steady breathing of the six people I sensed the energy of around me matching the six pitter-patter beats I a.s.sumed were their hearts.

My eyelids flittered as I opened them to the dark room. I was still able to see every detail within but in a muted color pattern. I have night vision!

I looked to my right to see my mother still holding my hand, smiling with pure elation and relief extending from her. Next to her was my dad. I knew he couldn't see me, I remembered how I was just twenty-four hours ago. Seeing the fear still stretched across the wrinkles in his forehead, hearing his heart accelerate with each pa.s.sing second of silence, I knew he felt left out in this moment. He's the blind man at a silent motion picture movie.

"Dad," I called.

He took a deep breath; I saw him choke back a few tears filling the basins of his eyes. "How do you feel?" he asked, nerves shaking him.

"Ok, I think," my voice was beginning to clear. I reached out, much faster than I meant to, and embraced him. He squeezed me with all his might, which would have crushed me before, but felt like a gentle brush from a willow's branches. "I'm ok Dad," I reiterated.

As I was leaning over my bed on my knees pulling him into me, I noticed the most awkward thing: the waist of my capris is almost at my knees. I released my dad and tugged up my pants immediately. "Sorry about that," I chuckled feeling embarra.s.sed by my free show. I felt the rosy red of heat lift into my cheeks.

"Here," my aunt handed me a white box. "This is my gift to you," she smiled.

"Can we turn on the light? I want dad to see too."

"Thanks sweetie. Glad to know you still think about your old man." Even in the darkness his joy was visible.

The light flickered on from the chandelier over my bed. My eyes adjusted quickly and the colors that warmed my room turned vivid, brilliantly reflecting every ray of light.