Confessions Of A Vampire (15 page)

There was so much that needed to be said, but this was not the time for words. For just once in my existence I let myself do nothing but feel. And it was the greatest gift I'd ever given myself.

We lay there
for hours
, content just to be together. Neither of us spoke, each knowing that words would not be enough. We'd said everything that needed to be said in our lovemaking. As he played with a lock of my hair, I clung to him. This man was home to me and even if we lost our way at times, we'd always find each other again.

Soon the days were passing too quickly and we'd fallen back into our normal routine. The twins grew at a normal human pace since I'd forbidden Severus from taking them to Hell. I wanted to enjoy them as long as I could.

“Was Malachi as accepting of his return as you were?”

I tore myself out of the memory and shook my head, a sad smile forming.

“No
.
My
son is the type to hold a grudge and he didn't trust that his father was home to stay
;
and
with good reason
.
  Malachi had a hard time accepting his father into his life again.”

Aaron frowned and for the first time I began to understand that he was invested in this story emotionally. My smile was warm and I reached out to touch his hand. Somewhere along the way, I'd begun to like this young human.

“Mrs. Severus, why was Malachi so reluctant to give his father another chance?”

Chapter Eighteen

My chest rose and fell with the deep inhalation of breath. “That's tough to say, my dear, but if I were to guess, I'd say he didn't understand how Severus could leave us. You see, Malachi had recently found a young woman that he cared a great deal about and he would never have just up and left her. As much as he was like his father, he'd also inherited a few traits from me. Mal loved Izzy with all of his heart and he'd never do anything to bring her pain.”

The memory came flooding back and I was off on yet another tale.

Izzy was a dear friend of mine, one I considered family but I never thought she'd end up my daughter-in-law. Malachi had known her his entire life and they'd been good friends when he was little. I watched with great interest as he set his sights on her
now that he was
a grown man.

Poor Izzy never stood a chance with that Severus charm directed at her. Malachi was very much like Severus in his ability to lure any woman he wanted into his bed. And if Izzy was who he wanted, then Izzy is who he'd have.

Now
,
to Izzy's credit
,
she didn't just rush right in. She'd changed his diapers and I think that held her back some. But anyone could see that she was falling for my sonny boy.

Malachi stood a little over six feet tall and he was a walking wet dream, or so I'd heard from the girls that he brought home. His thin frame was covered in tattoos and he leaned toward leather more often than not as a clothing choice. His long black hair was often streaked with reds or pinks. He was the type of young man that old people were scared of and girls wanted to throw themselves at.

His pale blue eyes shone with intelligence and he loved to debate any subject. But his beauty wasn't only skin deep. Malachi had a kind heart when it came to those he cared about. Now don't get me wrong, that boy is evil to the core, but if you were lucky enough to be considered friend or family, he'd protect you with his last breath.

And Izzy was the one who made him want to settle down. To be honest I wasn't sure he ever would, especially with everything he'd witnessed between his father and myself. But Izzy was the girl for him.

She was stunning. Long dark hair flowed down her back, and brushed teasingly at her waist. Her g
reen eyes sparkled as if she knew secrets we’d never learn
beneath thick lashes. Her full lips were naturally red and her skin was pale and soft. She wore short skirts as if they'd been created to show off her long legs. To say Izzy was beautiful was an understatement. This young woman was destined to be a star and my son was in love with her.

I couldn't have been happier with his choice but I worried that she'd never see him as more than the kid she'd babysat. I cautioned him to give her time to adjust to him being grown up so quickly. But Malachi is a lot like his mother in the patience department
and he set about wooing her with a passion
.
Every day he sent her her favorite flowers and arranged romantic dinners on secluded beaches. My son was a pro when it came to making the girls swoon and Izzy was no exception.

Before she
knew what was happening they were dating. He brought her over for dinner and I sat smiling at how they held hands and she giggled up at him. The way he brushed her hair from her eyes reminded me so much of when Severus and I had first fallen in love. They seemed well on their way to happiness and it brought such joy to my heart.

A little over three months after they started dating, Malachi asked Izzy to marry him. It was a magical time in our lives. The only thing missing was Severus.

This all took place during the time he was gone and we all felt his absence at every turn. The wedding plans were coming together quickly and they didn't want to wait any longer than absolutely necessary. I could understand the rush, even if Izzy's family was a little more hesitant.
It wasn't every day that your
daughter was marrying a demon who was part vampire.

I did my best to reassure them that she was safe but they still worried.
Even
with that uneasiness, I could see they loved my son as much as I loved their daughter. Soon our families would be joined
and I missed having my husband at my side to enjoy it with
.

A little over six months after he’d returned as a grown man,
Malachi and Izzy's wedding day dawned bright and sunny. Thanks to the gift I'd been given when cast out of Hell
,
I could walk safely in the sunlight so I was eager to help with all the plans. They'd decided to marry at the Severus Estate in Rome and the house was abuzz with preparations. The scent of orchids lingered on the breeze as it danced over the curtains. The front foyer was filled to brimming with gifts arriving from many different realms. It was shaping up to be the social event of a lifetime.

I dressed carefully in the emerald green gown I'd chosen for the event. Clipping pearl earrings in, I gave myself the once over in the mirror and smiled at my reflection. I didn't look a day over twenty-five and had it been any other family, that may have caused a few raised eyebrows.

Stepping into my stilettos I made my way down the hall and knocked softly on Mal's door. I opened it slowly when he called out for me to come in. Peeking in
,
I tried to hold ba
ck my tears at the sight of him and failed
.

There standing in front of me was my son, all grown up
and looking more like his father than he ever had
. His black tux was impeccable and he looked happier than I'd ever seen him. I could tell he was nervous by the way he paced the room and I did my best to calm him. Drawing him into my arms I hugged his tightly to me and kissed his cheek.

I pressed a gift into his hand and watched in silence as he examined the pocket watch that had belonged to his father. He traced a finger over the inscription and a single bloody tear slipped down his cheek as he tucked into his pocket.

“
Thank you, Mom.”

My own tears falling, I nodded my head. “He loves you, Little Evil. Even if he's not here to tell you.”

“
I hope so,” was the last thing he'd say on the subject and he hugged me again. I straightened his tie and kissed his cheek once more before I excused myself to go speak to his bride.

I rapped lightly on her door and cracked it open, sticking my head in. I caught sight of her and nearly gasped aloud. She stood in front of a mirror, clad in a
fitted,
white lace gown that seemed to hug every curve. Her hair fell in soft ringlets that framed her heart shaped face. I hurried to her side and hugged her.

She flashed me
a
smile that put
me
at ease almost instantly. This young woman that was about to marry my son, was kind and loving. She'd treat him well and for that I was eternally grateful. She proudly showed me the roses that Mal had had delivered just that morning and I could see her excitement bubbling over as the hour approached when she'd walk down that aisle and marry her Prince Charming.

Their love story was something fairy tales were made of and for the second time that morning, I found myself missing Severus. This was something he'd never get back. And something I wasn't sure Malachi could forgive him for missing.

As the clock struck
four
, I hurried down the hall and took my son's arm. Stepping into the grand foyer I stopped him for just a moment, kissing his cheek and telling him how very proud I was of him. Then we walked the few steps into the living room and I took my seat as he stood before the High Priestess that would unite them in marriage.

As the music swelled, we all stood, watching in awe as Izzy made her way down the aisle on her father's arm. I wiped
bloody
tears
on an antique lace hankie
as they exchanged vows and rings. My son had never looked happier than he did at that moment.

A few hours later, I shared a dance with Malachi and the sadness that lurked behind his smile was enough to rip my heart out. His eyes kept going to the door, and I knew that he was hoping that Severus would somehow magically appear. I longed to give him that but it wasn't to be. Once again, his father had let him down.

Later that evening, after the last guest had said their goodbyes, I faced the night alone. This should have been the time that I'd be undressing and discussing our son's wedding with my husband. But nothing ever seemed to go the way I'd planned when I'd fallen in love with that demon. Our lives had been spent apart more than they had together and I was beginning to believe that our fairytale was nothing more than a nightmare.

Aaron’s
voice pulled me from the memory again. “Well it makes sense why Malachi wasn't so quick to
be
forgive
n
. How do you do it?”

“Do what
,
my dear?”

“Forgive him so easily.”

“I wouldn't say it was done easily, as I've spoken of earlier. But I love him and he loves me. It's the kind of love you only find once in a lifetime.”

“But don't you get tired of his disappearing act?”

I began to laugh then, not sure I'd be able to stop. “Yes, I do.”

“Then why forgive him? Surely you could find someone who would stick around.”

“I'm sure I could, if I wished, but I'd always be comparing them to Severus. And they'd never come close. Even with everything we go through, I love him. I only feel
whole when I'm with Severus. There are times
I wish that weren't the case, but it is and I have learned to live with the long absences. I have a life outside of our marriage and it keeps me busy.”

Aaron stared at me with a frown for a long time before he spoke. “But, Mrs. Severus, you shouldn't have to feel so alone. He should make more of an effort to be here for you. A woman like you is rare, in any world.”

“You're very kind, my dear, but I've told myself all of this a million times and here I sit still, waiting for the day he returns and my world is complete again. It's not a life I'd have thought I'd be living, but after asking myself would I be happier without him, I came to understand that I could never be happy without my husband.
I don’t expect anyone else to understand my choices, including my children.
”

He merely nodded at that point, not bothering to try to understand the arrangement we had. He began to pack up for the night and I smiled softly at him, hoping he didn't think me a fool but shrugging it off as he bid me goodnight and let himself out.