5 Darkness Falls

by Christin Lovell

  Hesitantly, I moved towards him. I didn’t bother hiding my tears or trying to stop them. I stopped a few feet in front of him; in front of everyone. I swallowed hard, trying not to choke on my emotions anymore than I already was. “What are you doing here?”

  He handed me a bouquet of red roses. “Happy birthday, babe.”

  “Oh. My birthday. Right,” I faltered, my tears instantly halting. That’s all this was. He couldn’t be seen not giving me something for my birthday without seeming like a jerk. I gnawed on my bottom lip, unsure of myself.

  He stared at me, long and hard. He slipped his hand around mine, bringing it towards his chest, towards his heart. “This is about more than your birthday. I brought everyone here because at some time or another I’ve disrespected you in front of these people. That wasn’t right.” His nerves showed as he shifted. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes; we both have. I can’t promise I’ll never piss you off again, but I can promise that I’ll never take you for granted again; I’ll never treat you as if you don’t matter, because you do. I didn’t realize how much you mattered to me. My world isn’t right without you. This probably makes me a dick, but I’m so glad Kai took the fall. Without him, I wouldn’t have had the chance to make things right with you like this.”

  His words hit me hard. They were all I’d longed to hear. We both had to take responsibility for where our relationship ended up.

  My breath hitched as he dropped down to one knee. He pulled a ring from his pocket and held it in front of my left ring finger. “Lexi, Leka, I love you. While I can’t promise you perfection, I can assure you and our baby boy happiness. If you’ll marry me, I’ll be the best man I can be, the best vamp I can be, and the husband you deserve. Will you allow me one last chance to be all you deserve?”

  I smiled wide, unable to speak as the tears returned, sitting on the edge. I hated crying so damn much, but this time I had a good reason. I nodded. “Yes,” my voice cracked.

  Cheers and sniffles erupted around us as he pulled me into his arms. Someone took the flowers from me so I could hug him back.

  “You look so handsome. I love the tux.” I squeezed him to me, the baby pressed between us, completing our little family.

  He nuzzled my neck. “I’ve missed you.”

  I leaned back and cupped his face, searching his eyes. “I've missed you too.”

  “Woohoo! Let’s go, people!” Aunt Claire declared. “We have a flight to catch.”

  I turned towards them. “Where are you rushing off to?” I riled her.

  “Not me, all of us. We’ve got a destination wedding to plan.”

  My eyes widened, immediately going to Auggy. “You finally popped the question?”

  “Hell no. She’s gotta work harder for that title.”

  Aunt Claire slapped his chest. “Don’t get fresh, Augustine.”

  “Then whose wedding are you running off to plan?”

  “Ours,” Kellan replied. “We wouldn’t be together if it wasn’t for him, so I decided we should get married in Hawaii. But I don’t want to wait anymore. I want you wholly mine in every world, if you’ll still have me.”

  A single tear trailed its way down my cheek. “Of course I will.” The baby chose that moment to kick around, knocking Kellan and me both.

  He chuckled. “He’s going to be a damn good fighter. He’s already got good combat skills in there.” He pulled away enough to rub his hand over my baby belly.

  “Let’s go, Lex!” Mel squealed.

  “I know! Stop holding us up. We have a ton of work to do these next few days.” Gabi extracted me from Kellan. “You’ll have the honeymoon for the mushy stuff.” Gabi looked around the room. “Beth, Claire, Francesca, let’s go ladies. We have no time to waste.”

  In the midst of the women stealing me away, I caught Kalel’s gaze. He stood with his hands tucked into his black pants. He was so different from Kai, yet similar enough for me to immediately see the resemblance. He offered me a small, wistful smile, but the pain was evident. He still hadn’t let go. My heart ached for him.

  Will walked up to him and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, squeezing it. I could tell he wanted to be angry with the man for allowing his brother to go through with this, but the logical part of him told him that Will couldn’t have stopped him. No one could have. Kai made his choice. He chose love. He chose to love me more than I could ever love myself. He chose sacrifice. He chose to sacrifice himself as the greatest show of love.

  I was pulled around the corner towards the door. I frowned. “Um, guys, I need to pack a bag.”

  “We took care of it, sweetie.” Beth smiled, her face glowing with delight. She was happy for us. “I’m so happy you two worked it out.”

  Chapter 39

  “You look beautiful, honey. So stinking beautiful.” Tears stained Aunt Claire’s eyes.

  “Kellan is going to die. Seriously, Lex, you’re gorge.” Mel gave me a hug, being mindful of my baby belly.

  “I’m jealous, but so happy for you, chica.” Gabi gave me a kiss on the cheek.

  “Flowers are here,” Drexel announced. He held a box in his hand as he came into the bridal suite at the resort. He passed a small white bouquet to each woman. He stopped in front of me, his eyes sweeping over me. “He’s a very lucky man.” His eyes sparkled.

  I smiled, feeling color flush my cheeks. “Thanks.”

  He handed me my bouquet, larger than the others, with an array of flowers in white and cream. “You’re welcome, sweetie.”

  “Can you all give me a minute with Lexi, please?” Aunt Claire grabbed a tissue from the box on the vanity and dabbed the stray blood-red tears before they did any more damage to her make-up.

  The others filed out of the room, giving us some privacy.

  She openly gazed at me, swallowing hard, as if she could swallow back her emotions. I knew all too well that they always came back up. “I never imagined that it’d be me here alone with you today. We always thought it would be both of us sharing in your special day. This is a memory I know she was looking forward to.” She took a deep breath.

  I struggled to keep the memories at bay. I didn’t want to open that floodgate, not today.

  “You’re so beautiful, honey, and I’m so proud of you and Kellan. You’ve done amazing things together; one of which is in your belly right now.” She smiled as she rubbed my belly. “I know your parents are looking down on you right now and they’re so happy for you, bursting with pride and overwhelmed by the woman you’ve become. You’re going to be a wonderful wife and mother. And don’t think for one second that because I didn’t give birth to you that I won’t be playing the role of grandmother to that baby or that I won’t be there for you through it all. I love you. I love Kellan, and I love that little miracle inside you.”

  I was on the verge of losing the little bit of control I’d summoned not to break down. The gaping hole I’d grown accustomed to feeling seemed to become a vortex, sucking all of my strength, sucking all I had inside. I missed them; all of them. I was sad to know they wouldn’t see me today; I was brokenhearted to know they were missing so many moments, that they’d sacrificed so much for me to have these moments and then they weren’t here to share them.

  “I love you too, Aunt Claire. You’ve always been there for me when I needed you and I really appreciate it. I know Mom would be proud of the woman you’ve stepped up to be; so would Gran.”

  Without warning, she hugged me, her tight squeeze making it impossible to breathe. I emphatically reciprocated nonetheless, relishing her love. That was one thing I was grateful for. I had lost people I loved, but the love never stopped coming. I was surrounded by love; I was in love.

  A sharp knock sounded on the door before Auggy burst in. He fidgeted with his button-up shirt.

  “I’m damn near suffocating in this stuffy outfit,” he grumbled.

  Aunt Claire released me, and both of us appraised the burly man. She rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. It’s a pair of khaki pants and a
nearly sheer white linen shirt. You’ve damn near uncovered your elbows in the thing and no one wants to see that much of your chest. Button a few more buttons. You’re lucky we’re not stuffing your feet in alligator shoes; it’s not every day a girl decides to have a barefoot wedding.”

  He mumbled something as he fastened a few buttons, leaving two open at the top.

  “I’ll see you outside, sweetie. You look beautiful.” Aunt Claire kissed my cheek. She stopped by the vanity, quickly retouching her make-up. She slapped Auggy on the chest. “Stop complaining and compliment the beautiful pregnant woman you’re about to give away.”

  He scoffed, as Aunt Claire strolled out, closing the door behind her.

  Auggy slowly lifted his gaze to where I stood. His hands immediately fell away from where he was still fussing with the shirt; his eyes crinkled in the corners. His chest ceased to rise and fall for a minute as he looked at me.

  I tugged on the dress, trying to cover more of myself. It was a white dress that made me feel like I was wrapped in silk. Layers of smooth linen surrounded my body, tight against every part of me from chest to knee. A cream colored bow spanning half of my width sat low on my back, giving the appearance of all those layers of silk fusing, ending eloquently there.

  Aunt Claire had bought me a platinum necklace with a single pearl dangling on the delicate strand, representing the most important person I’d lost. Lastly, she gave me Gran’s pearl earrings, the same ones my mother had worn on her own wedding day. My chest cracked open, my aura darkened at the thought of them both. Would the pain ever disappear? Would there ever come a day that I didn’t mourn the loss of someone?

  Auggy slowly approached me. His lips curled up as he grabbed my hand. He kissed the back of my hand. “Kellan’s a very lucky man.” He winked. “You look breathtaking. Any man would be fortunate to have you.”

  I felt my cheeks warm. Auggy wasn’t a mushy man, but I knew he was the right man to walk me down the aisle. “Thanks.” Tears welled again. I felt like a leaky faucet; the tears never seemed to leave.

  “Awe. Don’t cry, Lex. I don’t do tears too well.” He let go of my hand and grabbed a tissue from the vanity.

  I took it from his extended hand. “Sorry. I’m going to blame it on the hormones.”

  He chuckled as I wiped the tears away, for now. “I’m glad I’m not a woman.”

  “I don’t think the world could handle you as a woman. You’re moody enough without the PMS.”

  “Do you want an escort or not, Jackson?”

  I rolled my eyes. “You can’t fool me, Auggy. I know you love me.”

  He pursed his lips, lifting his chin slightly as if to consider me. “Just this once, but only because you’re pregnant and I want you to stop crying, I’ll admit it. I love you like you were my own. Somehow you got around all my defenses and beat the grouch out of me.”

  “Thanks, Auggy.” I hugged him, planting a kiss on his cheek.

  Mel opened the door and nearly leapt into the room. “It’s time, Lex!” she squealed. Gabi and Aunt Claire were right behind her, bouquets in hand.

  “Let’s go, honey.” Auggy held out his elbow for me to slip my arm around.

  I picked up my bouquet and let them lead me towards the beach.

  ***

  Kellan

  Soft music played in the background. An intimate group of people we loved stood in the sand, waiting with me for her to walk down the aisle. Craig stood beside me, just as anxious as I was. Kalel rubbed his hands together beside Craig. It was hell waiting. I didn’t know how I was going to survive labor, and I wasn’t even the one who had to suffer through it.

  My mother came over, pretending to fix my shirt. “You look so handsome, sweetie.” She patted the side of my face. Bloody tears reddened her eyes. “When did you grow up? It seems like just yesterday I was picking up after you.”

  “Oh, Mom.” I kissed her cheek. “I’m not moving away. I’m just getting married.”

  “Yes, but that’s a big step in life, Kellan.”

  I met her gaze. “I know. I wouldn’t be doing it if I wasn’t ready.”

  She smiled as she nodded. “I love you, sweetie. You’re going to be a good husband.” She gave me a hug and made me bend down so she could kiss my head. She quickly sauntered back to my dad’s side.

  He smiled and nodded towards me. Al was a man of few words, but I never doubted his love for me. I knew he would do anything for me, and he would always be there to support Lexi and me.

  Suddenly, the music changed. I saw Drexel escort Claire down to the makeshift front row on the right side. Gabi walked down next. Her tan skin looked beautiful next to the blue of her dress. I didn’t know much about women’s clothes, but it fit her shape well.

  Then Mel came forward. I heard Craig’s breath catch as he watched her, mesmerized by her beauty. Mel winked at me as she passed to stand on the other side of the preacher.

  I heard the waves crashing against the shore behind us. Everything slowed in the moment she stepped forward. Emotions splitting my chest; the Earth turned on its axis as she came into view. I’d never seen anyone more beautiful. She took my breath away. I knew in that moment what it was like to feel your soul dance, to feel a dead heart race as if it were human again. Her hair fell in curls around her face, framing her flawless luminescence. She radiated in white; silk fabric wrapped her up like a gift just for me.

  I didn’t realize I’d forgotten to breathe until I gasped for air, reaching for the unattainable, feeling as if I was floating through air, as she smiled at me. This was what I’d been blessed with for all of eternity; it was an indescribable love with an indefinable woman that I was committing to today. She was my reason to keep breathing; her soul breathed life into me every day that I spent with her. Life would be hell without her I learned.

  Auggy placed Lexi’s hand in mine. Her eyes shimmered as she gazed up at me. There was no one but us; we were alone in the world for this one moment in time. I caught movement along her dress, and smiled wide, recognizing the moves of our baby boy. Apparently, vamp babies were a bit stronger in the womb than human ones. Luckily, Lexi wasn’t as fragile as a human. She was tough and tender; vigilant and breathtaking.

  The ceremony was a blur; I was lost in her…lost in the affirmations of our commitment.

  “Do you Kellan Alejandro Phoenix Bancroft take Alexa Lorrayne Jackson to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

  I smiled at her, feeling the weight of my words in my chest. “I do.”

  “Do you Alexa Lorrayne Jackson take Kellan Alejandro Phoenix Bancroft to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

  She smiled at me, her eyes watering. “I do.” A single tear fell down her cheek.

  “By the power vested in me by the state of Hawaii, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Kellan, you may kiss your bride.”

  I yanked her to me, one arm cradling her back, the other caressing her face, as I crashed my lips down upon hers, craving that closeness. The planets aligned as our souls collided; every part of us seemed to stitch together in that second, proving that marriage was more than just a piece of paper. It was a commitment that signified our unity; that transcended our unity.

  Her lips melted into mine; the taste of her, the essence of her, rolled over me. She was soft, pliable; strength at its gentlest. I felt her heart beat against my chest; I felt our baby rolling around in her stomach against me. For the first time, it felt like we were fully connected. She was officially more than the love of my life; she was my family.

  I felt her energy flowing through me, surrounding me. She was a deep-rooted part of me; she was at the core of me. She and our baby were the center of my world.

  I slowly lifted away from her becoming aware of gentle gasps and whispers around us. I opened my eyes, fear constricting my chest for a brief moment. Lexi and I were swathed in her electricity. When I caught the stricken look on her face, I panicked. I knew she didn’t mean to do it. “Thank God this is a private beach,” I chuckled lightly.
I was grateful for the High Authorities insistence that they rent out the entire resort for the event.

  “I’m not hurting you, am I? I mean…you…you’re not in pain, right?” Her brows drew together as she worried her bottom lip.

  “The only thing that could hurt me would be you leaving me.”

  She smiled, sighing as she threw her arms around me.

  I hugged her, waiting for her emotions to settle, waiting for the blue to fade. Abruptly, I felt a sharp jab. Air escaped her in a groan.

  “He’s not even here yet and he already knows how to kill the mood.” I frowned, waiting for her to look up at me so I could make sure she was okay.

  “Maybe some food would make him happy.” She smiled up at me.

  “Then let’s go eat.” I kissed her lips, laced our fingers and led us into the swarm of well-wishers.

  ***

  Lexi

  My belly was full and my baby had calmed. Kellan stood and extended his hand towards me. “May I have this dance, Mrs. Bancroft?”

  “Always.” I beamed.

  I stood and let him lead me to the middle of the dance floor. As if sensing that this song was just for us, the others watched from the sidelines.

  “I picked this song just for you,” he said, pressing a kiss to my lips as he pulled me into his embrace.

  Our eyes locked as the music flowed around us; the lyrics embracing us in a moment of assurance, a rebirth of our vows strung together in a beautiful melody.

  I have never been so sure of anything before,

  Like I am in this moment here with you

  Now for better or for worse are so much more than only words

  And I pray everyday will be the proof

  That I mean what I say when I say 'I do'

  Yeah I mean what I say when I say ‘I do’

  Every girl dreams of finding Prince Charming, though her definition of him may vary. I felt like a princess, living the dream Disney sold. With my arms stretched up and my fingers firmly gripping Kellan’s neck, I was in a perfect position to get lost in his beauty. His arms wrapped around my upper waist, ensconcing me and our baby together. Our bodies swayed; our souls swirled together as our hearts intertwined.