Eternal Fire (30 page)

She blinked. “The tree’s so old. I told them ages ago to chop it down.”

“
Good. Now go.”

She nodded and left the room.

Victor helped Liz to her feet.

“
Are you okay?” I asked frantically. I feared the energy had been too much for my sister and that her heart couldn’t handle it. I was stupid to suggest something that hadn’t been tested, putting all our lives at risk.

She stood. “I’m fine. How’s Beth?”

Beth’s eyes fluttered open.

“
Beth!” I said. “Are you okay?”

“
I’m all right,” she said, smiling, “and I think I can actually feel my legs.”

“
You can?” I asked hopefully.

“
I can!” she shouted again, this time even louder.

“
Can you walk?” I asked, reaching for her hand.

She slid to the edge of the bed and put her bare feet on the floor. She put weight on her left foot, then her right. With a burst of excitement, she screamed, “I can walk! I can walk!”

We all exchanged happy glances. A group of nurse walked in and looked at the tree, but then their gazes shifted to Beth.

“
She’s walking!” one nurse shouted. “Her spinal cord was completely cut.”

“
How is that possible?” one yelled, completely stunned and shocked.

“
Get Dr. Moon now!” another yelled.

When security flooded the room, we knew it was time to go. I said a quick goodbye.

Beth gripped my hands. “Thank you,” she said. “I’ll never forget this.” She then flung her arms around Liz and thanked her just as heartily.

Charles grabbed Liz’s hand. “We need to go.”

Rushing out of the room and trying to stay inconspicuous, we darted down the stairwell and out of the hospital.

“
Looks like your gift does work on people,” I said.

“
You only need to learn how to control it,” Victor said. “I can teach you how.”

Chapter 18

We spent our first night in my mother’s house, and Victor and I chose to stay in my old room so we could have privacy. One of my massive headaches kicked in, and my compassionate, carrying husband held me throughout the night without a single complaint. I didn’t fall asleep till around five a.m., and when I woke up, my headache was gone.

Victor took a long walk outside by himself to think. I offered to go with him, but he declined my offer. He was getting all broody again, and I wished he’d let me in. He was gone for hours, and I knew he was contemplating everything that had happened. I also knew how worried he was about me. The headaches were getting worse, and we both knew something was drastically wrong.

When he came back, I made lunch for him, then put on one of my favorite movies. I sat on the sofa, snuggled up to Victor. It was still hard for me to comprehend that he was sitting in my mother’s living room. I had grieved his death, and he came from another world, but there I was with his strong arms wrapped around me. I’d never expected to be in his embrace ever again. It was mind-blowing, and I couldn’t stop staring at the gorgeous man next to me. When he caught me looking at him, he winked at me, his blue eyes twinkling. I smiled; I had taught him how to wink, and it made my heart melt. I laid my hand over his and grinned widely. I’d never been so happy in my entire life.

My mom walked in the living room and smiled at me. “I was hoping we could go shopping for the baby.”

Liz laughed, shooting me a glance. “You go shopping with Mom, and you’re gonna stimulate the economy big time.”

I turned to Victor, a big smile still plastered on my face. “That means my mom is going to buy out the entire store for the baby.”

“
Then I will be stimulating the economy also,” Victor said. “I shall purchase the entire market.”

“
Me too!” Liz chuckled. “We’re going to spoil this baby rotten.”

“
Mom, I just got here,” I said. “There’ll be plenty of time for that later.”

“
I know. I guess I’m just excited to be a grandma.”

“
I’ve got an idea,” Liz said. “Mom can give me her credit card so I can get us all some clothes. I can’t stand looking at Charles in dad’s clothes any longer.”

“
How about you, Victor, and Charles go shopping for clothes, and I’ll take Sarah baby shopping?” my mom said.

“
I love it!” Liz said.

“
Mom,” I said, “Victor doesn’t want to be stuck with Liz all day.”

“
Speak for yourself,” Liz said. “Men love me.” I smirked, and she giggled, turning to face Victor. “Okay, all kidding aside, knowing my mom, she’ll have Sarah out for hours looking at cribs, high chairs, and baby outfits. The stroller technology will baffle your mind. Trust me on this one. When I used to babysit, I could never get the dang thing open.”

My mom laughed. “She couldn’t.”

“
You’ll be bored to death,” Liz continued. “I know you enjoy being with Sarah, but this time, it’s best you come with us. I’m dying to show you and Charles around.”

I gripped Victor’s hand. “It’s all right, darling. I’m sure my mother just wants to spend some time with me.”

“
You deserve time alone with your mother,” Victor said.

I hugged him. “I couldn’t ask for a more understanding husband.”

He wrapped his arms around me and embraced me tightly. “As you say, you’re stuck with me.”

I smiled. “Hey! That’s my line.”

My dad walked past us. “If you wanna save a buck or two, Victor and Charles can try on some of my clothes that I stored in the attic. They’re a little bigger.”

“
No more of your clothes, dear,” my mom chimed in.

“
But I have a pinstriped suit that’d look wonderful on Victor.”

“
No, no, and no,” Liz said. “There are two kinds of people in this world, the ones who are hot and the ones who are not! We’ll be heading to the mall, thank you.” She touched Victor’s arm. “You would like to be in the hot category, right?”

“
I am not too warm at all,” Victor said, confused.

I playfully slugged Liz. “Of course he’s hot, and Dad’s clothes are off limits.”

“
I heard that!” my dad called from the next room.

“
Sorry, Daddy,” I said.

“
No offense taken.” He laughed. “You were a fashion queen back in Tastia. Has the world of glamour cast a spell on my daughters, no matter what dimension they’re in?”

Liz chuckled. “Yes, yes, and yes again.”

We all laughed. I loved being with my family, back in the house I grew up in. When I’d first made the decision to stay with Victor, it tore at my heart that I wouldn’t see my parents. They were my best friends, my world, and they meant everything to me.

“
You haven’t a tailor to personally create your clothing?” Victor asked.

“
Nah,” I said. “Colorful silk, fur, leather, and luxurious fabrics are nice every once in a while, but for everyday living, it’s pretty much out the door.”

“
Where do you find this clothing?” Victor asked.

“
At the mall,” I said. “It’s something like a very large indoor market with several vendors.”

Liz met my gaze. “Don’t worry. I’ll have Victor looking hot when we go to Club Z tonight.”

“
What?” I gasped.

“
After what we’ve been through, I could use a drink or two…and so could the guys.”

“
Liz,” my mom said, sounding disappointed.

“
Come on, Mom! I just wanna hang loose, let down my hair, and have some fun. I’m finally back home after a million years. It’s time to celebrate, and I’ll be back before midnight. Have you forgotten that I’m not a little girl anymore?”

“
But Sarah’s pregnant,” my mom said.

“
I know, Mom.” She smiled. “She’s pregnant, not dead. She can have just as much fun without drinking.”

I grabbed my mom’s hand. “It’ll be fine.”

My mom grabbed her purse. “No vodka shots. Try a virgin
strawberry daiquiri or a
piña colada
.”

“
Aw shucks! Then I won’t have the guts to dance on top of the bar,” I joked.

My mom laughed. “I’ll buy you an outfit while we’re out.”

“
Great, because she sticks out like a sore thumb in your clothes,” Liz said. My mom playfully shook her head as Liz continued, “Can you drop off Sarah at the club by seven?”

I opened the door and glanced over my shoulder. “Mom will drop me off. See you there.”

Victor kissed my lips. “We shall meet again soon, my love.”

“
I hope Liz doesn’t talk your ear off.”

“
It will be nice to get to know Charles and your sister better.”

Liz looped her arm in Victor’s. “And I, for one, would love to get to know my warlord brother-in-law a little bit better.” She gave Victor a nudge. “When I’m done with him, he’s going to look hip, macho, and kingly, but in a modern way.”

“
We won’t be long,” Charles said to my dad.

“
Oh, honey,” Liz said, pulling him along, “it’s so sweet that you believe that.”

I grinned. “Good luck.”

“
You’re gonna need it.” My mom chuckled.

“
Mom!” Liz laughed as we walked out the door.

Chapter 19

I squeezed through the crowd and strolled to the far end of the bar, where I opted to sit in a padded booth covered in black velvet. I tapped my fingers on the table to the bass tech
-thump reverberating off the steel walls, echoing in my ears. My gaze shot past the round tables to the DJ in the booth. He was talking on a cell phone, and I could hear his conversation as he fought with his girlfriend. Turning my gaze to the bar, I focused on the bartender and could hear ice cubes crackling in a drink. In the dim light, I could see a diamond ring sparkling from across the room as a man proposed. My Immortal senses were amazing.

I was dressed in a sexy little black dress and heels. It was expensive, but I wanted to impress Victor. Glancing down at my new watch, I wondered where they were. Through the flashing strobe lights, the most gorgeous man in California—or in the world, for that matter—walked toward me. A lucky black t-shirt was glued to every muscle of Victor’s powerful physique. It was tucked into a pair of tight blue jeans, showing off his ass in all its sculpted perfection. I had to admit that Liz had done well with my renaissance man, and I couldn’t stop smiling.

“
Nothing is more contagious than a beautiful smile,” he said, hugging me. He ran an appreciative glance over my sexy outfit.
“You look beautiful.”

“
Thanks. You look pretty amazing yourself, Highness.” I playfully slapped his butt. “Ultra-stylish, killer denim.”

He cocked a brow and opened his mouth to speak, but I wouldn’t let him.

“
The pants you’re wearing are hot.”

“
I don’t feel too warm,” he said, still confused.

“
No, silly! Hot means you are attractive and sexy.”

“
Oh! If only the people of Tastia could see me now. What would they say?”

“
That you were born to wear jeans. You look better than a Calvin Klein model.”

“
A what?”