100C H A P T E R N I N E T E E N.
the best halloween ever.
I wanna love you forever.
And this is all I'm asking you,
10, 000 lifetimes together.
Is that so much for you to do?
'Cause the moment that I saw your face,
And felt the fire in your sweet embrace,
I swear I knew,
I'm gonna love you forever.
-Jessica Simpson(I Wanna Love You Forever)
Damien's POV.
I shifted nervously from one foot to the other. Honestly, I don't think I've ever been so nervous in all my life, and that's certainly saying something.
Azalea wrapped her arm around my waist protectively, reminding me of her presence in the room.
Why am I so damn nervous, you ask? I'm being stared down by Brody Patterson, who now, since I'm human and all, could probably kick my ass.
Actually, I'm almost positive the guy can kick my ass.
An hour ago, I had woken up with Azalea in my arms, and for once, I felt at peace with the world...
... then an hour later, her brother shows up and disturbs said peace.
Suffice to say, the minute Brody spotted me, he halted dead in his tracks and glowered at me, fuming with the utmost anger towards me.
I can't blame him, though - he does think I left his sister after professing my love for her. Therefore, Brody thinks I'm a pompous, arrogant, conceited, asshole of a jerk, and he's going to continue thinking of me in that way simply because I can't explain to him the real reason I left. It's not like I want to get sent away to some place for insane human beings, so it's kind of obvious that we're going to lie about the real reason I left.
Azalea and I had a long talk the night after I returned. I explained to her how it's possible for me to be human again, meaning I told her about Desdemonda, Clareese, and the decision I had to make. When she realized that I had chosen her over Delilah and Elise, she started crying, and then she scolded me for being so stupid, and then she kissed me again. I teased her about her bipolar attitude the rest of the night, and then she fell asleep in my arms. For the past couple nights, I've stayed at her place and we've caught up on some things, and discussed how we're going to explain the situation to everyone else.
Surprisingly enough, Abbey wasn't pissed at me, and Azalea said she had made me look like the good guy in Abbey's eyes, because Abbey knew I'd never leave Azalea willingly.
Brody, on the other hand, is the protective older brother, and he plays the part well.
How it got past him that I've been back for a couple days is beyond me, but since he hasn't been around to visit Azalea for the past couple days, I guess it makes sense that he wouldn't know.
"You've got some nerve showing up here," Brody seethed as he clenched his fists in front of him.
I took that as a warning and put up my hands in mock surrender.
"Dude, look, I'm sorry for leaving, but uh, I can expla-" I started, only to be cut off by Brody.
Azalea glanced nervously between her brother and me, unsure of what to do.
Hell, her brother was on the verge of beating up her boyfriend.
I'm sure there's not much she can do about the situation, you know?
"Don't," Brody spat, unclenching his fists and sighing deeply. "Abbey said you left because you had to leave, and I believe that, but if you so much as hurt my sister ever again, I will personally dig your grave and bury you alive." I wasn't exactly frightened by Brody's threat, but his whole protective brother stance kind of freaked me out. "Got it?"
A smirk graced my lips. "Got it," I answered, rolling my eyes good-naturedly. "So, we're cool?"
Brody chuckled halfheartedly and we banged fists. "Of course, we're cool, man," was Brody's reply. "So, you and my sister, eh?"
I rolled my eyes at his sudden change in attitude and Azalea excused herself from the room so that she could get changed into something comfortable to wear for the day. She wished me a happy birthday before skipping up the stairs to her room, leaving me to sit down on the couch with Brody.
"Oh, and uh, happy birthday," Brody blurted whilst flipping through the television channels.
I groaned. I am twenty-four today, for real. As that thought registered in my mind, I dwelled on what I had spent the last couple days avoiding. If I was ever physically scarred, the scars would stick - they wouldn't disappear like the scars I received as a demon. If I ever drink too much liquor, I'll get a hangover. I'll have to rid myself of migraines by taking pain killers, just like every other human.
Because I am human, and I'll be human until it's my time to die.
And when I die, hopefully, I'll go to Heaven, that is if I don't screw up while on Earth, which if I'm being honest, I have enough faith in myself to know that I won't.
"Hey, you should come trick or treating with the gang tonight," Brody chimed in once he threw the remote to the side. "The gang being me, Azalea, Abbey, and Liliana, of course," he added as an afterthought.
"That'd be awesome." And actually, it would be awesome. Whilst remembering last Halloween, I laughed. "You're not going to force me into a tux, are you?"
Brody shook his head. "I promise that I won't, but I can't make any promises when it comes to Liliana and Abbey. Those two are the dangerous duo."
I quirked a brow. "A dangerous duo made up of a twenty-one year old and a nine year old?" I questioned, my tone skeptical.
Brody shrugged nonchalantly. "Liliana may be my little sister, but she's also Azalea's, and she has Azalea's attitude, not mine. That nine year old is the spawn of all things evil."
I grimaced. That's like calling Liliana the spawn of Satan, and I can assure you, she is absolutely nothing like the devil.
However, it's simply an expression, so I kept my mouth shut and didn't press the subject.
"What about Abbey?" I teased. "Why is she dangerous?"
Brody sighed. "She's my fiancée, Damien," Brody growled. "Need I say more?"
"Point taken." What he means by that is that since Abbey is his fiancée, she feels the need to embarrass him every chance she gets. Their relationship is interesting, to say the least.
"So, uh, are you in on what everyone is planning tonight?" Brody's train of thought amazed me. He changes the subject super quickly, but I'm not complaining.
I shook my head. "I've kind of been cooped up the past couple days," I admitted sheepishly, grinning like a fool, I'm sure. "I haven't really had time to see everyone else just yet."
Brody grimaced. "I do not want to know what the two of you have been doing," Brody grumbled, dismissing the subject with a wave of his hand.
To be completely honest, Azalea and I hadn't done anything other than talk, watch movies, and make out. I don't think we're anywhere near ready to take the next step - we're still easing into the relationship. It's new and fresh to not just her, but to me, too.
I rolled my eyes good-naturedly. "So, what is the gang planning for tonight?"
"Well, it's really just me and Abbey that are planning it," Brody started, "but we're going to surprise Azalea with dad's release from rehab."
A huge grin broke out on my face. "Your dad is being released today?"
Brody nodded. "Yup!" he quipped. "That's where Abbey is right now, actually," he added as an afterthought. "Az and I's mom would have picked him up, but she didn't want to go anywhere near the rehabilition center. I swear, she's got something against that place - it's like a new phobia that she invented or something," Brody teased.
I am very well aware that Mrs. Patterson detests the rehabilitation center her husband was shipped off to nearly a year or so before. Over the course of her visits to see her father, Azalea has attempted to convince her mother to come along, but her attempts have always worked to no avail. When Azalea told me that her mother kept refusing to visit her father, I took matters into my own hands by reuniting Alexander Patterson with his family on Azalea's birthday - I figured it was the least I could do for someone that I just so happen to love. I have to admit - the reunion between Mr. and Mrs. Patterson was just about the sweetest, most romantic thing I had ever witnessed. I had seen plenty of loving reunions on television, but I have never witnessed them personally.
"I don't think I should partake in that little plan of yours," I finally replied, cocking my head to the side as if in deep thought. "It wasn't really my idea, and well, I can't take credit for something when credit is due somewhere else."
Brody's eyes widened in disbelief - he probably had it in his head that I really am a jerk.
But I will not be deterred.
Brody heaved a frustrated sigh. "I guess I was wrong about you," he commented, once again banging fists with me. "I should go, though. Abbey and I have to head to Amy and Ethan's and pick up our ridiculous costumes, as Ethan so quaintly put it. Abbey, Liliana, and I will be here around seven tonight to pick up you and Azalea. We'll bring your surprise costumes with us. Amy says you two won't completely hate the outfits, because apparently, they're amazing. Then again, she is the designer, so of course, she'd say that they're amazing." Brody laughed, as if remembering some inside joke. "Hell, once upon time, I dated the girl, and she always bragged about how amazing her designs are." He paused and added, "They are amazing, though. Anyway, I'm going to shut up and leave now before Abbey hunts me down and kills me."
I rolled my eyes good-naturedly at his rambling and waved at his retreating figure as he disappeared out the front door and then shut it behind him.
Approximately ten seconds after Brody disappeared, Azalea came skipping down the stairs, dressed in sweats.
"Is that what you refer to as comfortable attire?" I teased as she straddled my waist and placed a chaste kiss on my lips.
She tasted like chocolate, I noted. "Where'd you get chocolate?" I blurted, causing Azalea to flush crimson.
It was absolutely, positively adorable.
Azalea grinned widely. "There were some dove chocolates left on the dresser in my room, so I ate those quickly before getting dressed," she answered as if it were supposed to be obvious.
Maybe it should have been, considering I'm the one who bought the damned chocolates.
Azalea chewed her bottom lip nervously, and I quirked a brow.
"Something on your mind, bobble head?" I piqued. Azalea scowled, namely because I continued to refer to her as bobble head. That is my nickname for my beautiful girlfriend and it will forever remain my nickname for her. "You look nervous," I teased, running my right hand up the back of her shirt and tracing her spine with my index finger.
An involuntary shiver slithered up Azalea's spine and her beautiful emerald orbs glazed over, appearing darker than normal.
Perhaps that explains why in the next millisecond, my lips were moving against hers, in perfect synchronization. A deep growl resonated from the bowels of my throat, and I bit down on Azalea's bottom lip, forcing her to open her mouth and emit a whimper. I took that as the perfect opportunity to add tongue to the kiss, and the first thing I tasted was the most delicious chocolate. As cliché as this may sound, I could kiss Azalea forever, and be perfectly happy with my life. This is what I had been missing, but the wait was worth it, because since I waited, I get to be with her forever. I don't have to worry about Satan stealing her soul anymore. It's all over, and in the end, I got the girl, and there isn't a damn thing that monster can do about it.
Azalea forcefully pushed me down onto the couch and lowered herself on top of me, deepening the kiss, which caused me to snap out of my thoughts. It's impossible to think straight when the girl you love is taking control like that. Neither of us pulled away, even though our breathing was shallow, but I don't think either us cared. Actually, I know I didn't care. Just as Azalea was about to pull my wife-beater over my head, her front door swung open, causing us to snap our heads up, only to find ourselves facing a very shocked Nikolas.
This is when I wish that Azalea had friends who actually knock.
"Erm, hi, Nikki," Azalea blurted awkwardly in between deep, ragged breaths. "Please help me get off of you," Azalea whispered in my ear, causing involuntary shivers on my part. I had no clue what she was talking about, but then I realized we were in quite a compromising position, and that the only way for Azalea to get off of me would be for me to carefully push her off me.
Albeit reluctantly, I obliged, and sat up after pushing Azalea to the side a little. Azalea smoothed the lines out on her jeans and t-shirt and then we both turned our attention towards Nikolas, who was gaping at us with complete and utter amusement twinkling in his eyes.
Nikolas cleared his throat awkwardly before asking, "Am I interrupting something?"
His voice held a hint of amusement and that made me kind of want to pummel him, but I refrained from doing so.
He is practically family, after all. Besides, when Azalea and I realized what Nikolas was wearing, we burst into uncontrollable bouts of laughter.
We were laughing so hard that somehow, I ended up sprawled out on the living room floor, whereas Azalea was leaning over the arm of the couch, clutching her stomach so that she wouldn't double over.
I looked up, and the opaque expression on Nikolas' face just made me laugh even harder.
It was kind of impossible not to laugh, though. Who the hell wears a tuxedo in the morning?
Eventually, though, our laughter subsided and Nikolas flashed us a bemused look.
"I just came here to say Happy Halloween, because Joshua and I are going out of town tonight," Nikolas explained, but I could tell there was something he wasn't sharing with us, and I'm sure Azalea felt the same way, because she was the one who called him out on his vague goodbye.
"Where are you two heading?" Azalea questioned, her tone skeptical. "I am your best friend, after all, and you know you can tell me anything, Nikki."
Nikolas grinned wryly. "Joshua and I are getting married," Nikolas announced.
As if on cue, Azalea and I's mouths dropped open, and we kind of just gaped at Nikolas.
"You're getting married!?" Azalea squeaked, jumping up off the couch and throwing herself into Nikolas' arms.
If it weren't for me knowing that Nikolas is, in fact, gay, I'd probably be jealous.
Nikolas chuckled nervously before prying my girlfriend off of him. "Azalea," Nikolas drawled, "don't make such a big deal out of it."
"Dude, you're getting married," I interjected, not bothering to move from my seat on the couch. "That's a pretty fucking big deal, don't you think?"
Nikolas rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "I know, and we'd invite you guys to the wedding, but we have to be inconspicuous about it. Joshua detests his parents, and if they found out that he was getting married to me, the guy who they think turned him gay, they'd blow a fuse. Not that it matters - I mean, he is an adult. They don't own him." Nikolas took on a far away look, and I had to admit, I kind of felt bad for both him and Nikolas. Having to keep their engagement a secret from Joshua's family must be a huge blow to their ego and self-esteem. Stupid hypocritical, homophobic parents.
Whatever happened to loving your children no matter what?
But, uh, I digress.
"... kick their asses and throw them off a bridge." My brows furrowed in confusion. I had no clue what he had been rambling on about, seeing as how I was lost in thought, but I pretended to know what he was talking about, and gave him a thumbs up for not letting anything stand in his way of true love. I have to admit, I respect the dude.
Azalea chuckled quietly. "Nikki, don't get me wrong, I love you to death, but you're an airhead," Azalea teased.
Nikolas glowered, though I could see a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"Why, thank you so much," Nikolas replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Azalea rolled her eyes at Nikolas' saracasm. "Congratulations, Nikki. I'm happy for the both of you." She frowned, and I had to admit, it was kind of cute. Oh, great, I'm going to be one of those boyfriends - by that, I mean the kind of boyfriends that take note of every adorable thing their girlfriend does.
Surprisingly enough, I don't care if I'm that kind of boyfriend.
Azalea is adorable, and she's all mine.
"Something wrong, sweet stuff?" Nikolas questioned, frowning now.
I frowned - hell, everyone else was doing it, so why shouldn't I?
Azalea shook her head. "Nah, I just kind of wish that I could be there. I always wanted to be at your wedding, because I knew you were going to get married to Joshua someday. I wanted to be your maid of honor, or Joshua's - I guess it depends on who gets to be the bride in this scenario."
I bit down on my bottom lip - hard - to keep myself from laughing at the awkwardness of her words.
Nikolas smiled bemusedly. "First, no one is going to be the bride, and second, you would have been my maid of honor, seeing as how I've known you longer."
"Way to be possessive," I murmured, glad that neither of them seemed to hear me.
"Go get married," Azalea blurted, grinning from ear to ear. "You deserve all the happiness in the world, Nikki."
"So do you, sweet stuff," Nikolas whispered before pulling Azalea into a tight, bear hug.
I watched the scene before me and smiled to myself. This is why I chose to be human.
Here on Earth, I have friends - people I care about that care about me in return. I could have been with Delilah and Elise, but what good would have come out of that? I'm getting a second chance to live, and to be human, and to have friends and family. As much as I loved Delilah, and as much as I wanted to meet my own daughter, I couldn't just leave this life behind. I couldn't leave the people I care about behind. It would have been extremely selfish of me. When Albert Schweitzer's quote popped into my head whilst I was at the entrance of Heaven, I knew God was talking to me and trying to tell me something important. Fortunately for me, my brain comprehended the message, and I realized that it was Azalea and Abbey who had rekindled the light inside of me. Satan took it away and they gave it back.
How could I not choose to be human again after realizing something so important?
I waved goodbye as Nikolas retreated out the door. Once he was gone, I whirled around so that I was facing my very beautiful girlfriend.
When Azalea looked up at me with her beautiful emerald orbs, I knew none of what happened in the past matters anymore.
What matters is now.
"Wow," Azalea breathed, most likely reveling in the news we had just received. "Nikolas and Joshua are getting married," she whispered, clearly still in a state of shock. "Looks like everyone is getting their happily ever after."
I raised my eyebrows and I was sure she could detect the skepticism in my tone when I spoke. "Do you really believe in happily ever afters?"
Azalea shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "Truthfully?" she piqued. I nodded. "Not really, but as it turns out, I met this stubborn, pigheaded, pompous, frustrating, sexy, intelligent, sweet guy that made me believe in true love. So, maybe happily ever afters aren't everything that they're cracked up to be, but I do believe that with a little hard work, they might just exist."
I laughed slightly at her description of me. "That insufferable asshole better be me," I teased, my tone mock threatening.
Azalea grinned, her eyes sparkling. I could just see the love she had for me in her eyes, and in case it isn't obvious, I definitely made the right choice.
Not just for me, but for Azalea, too.
She deserves to be happy and I'm going to make it my mission to make her happy.
We may hit rough patches, but what's a relationship without a few mishaps here and there? One fact will always remain: I'm in love with Azalea Laurel Patterson.
"You bet it is," Azalea whispered before pressing her lips against mine in a soft, chaste kiss.
Perfect. Absolutely perfect.
Azalea's POV.
Liliana tugged at my hand, forcing me to look down, which I instantly regretted doing.
The nine year old was looking at me with those pretty puppy dog eyes of hers.
I immediately went soft and forced a smile onto my face. "What is it, Lilypie?" I questioned.
Liliana scoffed at my nickname for her. Over the course of the year, she's grown quite an attitude, and a strange distaste towards my nickname for her.
I pray it's only a stage, but with little kids, one can never be too sure.
"Don't move," Liliana ordered. How is it possible that an adorable nine year old wearing a pink, frilly ballerina dress, can be so damn intimidating? Damien smirked, amused that I was allowing my little sister to boss my around. Brody, Abbey, Damien, and I watched as Liliana skipped across the street and lined up behind the other kids waiting to ring the door bell and retrieve their goodies.
"Quit staring at me," I snapped teasingly before intertwining Damien and I's fingers.
"Awe, come on, she's adorable," Abbey interjected.
I rolled my eyes, and heaved a frustrated sigh. "She may be adorable, but she's in a pain in my ass."
Brody scoffed. "At least she didn't make you dress as Peter Pan," Brody mumbled, albeit bitterly. I guffawed with laughter. You see, our oh-so-adorable nine year old sister forced Brody to dress up as Peter Pan and Amy designed the outfit down to a T. Brody resembled a much taller version of Peter Pan - well, he was taller and more toned.
It's true - I mean, Peter Pan resembles a stick.
I, on the other hand, was forced into an outfit that I actually kind of... liked. Not that I'd admit that out loud or anything. I've always kind of adored the movie Tristan and Isolde, so out of kindness towards me, Liliana requested that Amy make an outfit that would make me look like Isolde. I must say - she did an amazing job. Damien, of course, is my Tristan - I wouldn't have it any other way.
That leaves Abbey, and she, of course, is Wendy - only, a much more adult version.
Our little sister definitely has quite the imagination, don't you think?
"Speak of the evil one and she shall appear," Brody grumbled as Liliana skipped over to us whilst swinging her trick or treat bag back and forth.
"Next house!" Liliana sing-songed gaily before forcefully grabbing Brody and I's hands and dragging us towards the next house, which just so happened to be a block away. By the time we arrived, my poor little feet were aching, no thanks to the shoes I had been forced into. The shoes were the only thing I had a problem with, though, so I didn't complain for the sake of not having to listen to Liliana whine about how I'm unappreciative and blah, blah, blah.
"Last year, she was absolutely adorable," Damien started, leaning over to whisper in my ear. His breath tickled my ear, causing involuntarily shivers to slither up my spine, despite the warmth that emanated from his body, which just so happened to be extremely close to mine, not that I minded. "Now, she's an adorable beast," Damien added, his tone teasing, though I detected a hint of annoyance in his undertone.
"Yeah, she can certainly-" I started, only to be cut off by the loud cheers of my nine year old sister.
Ugh, such perfect timing that little girl has, and yes, I'm being sarcastic.
"Azalea, let's go," Liliana drawled, her tone demanding. Liliana tugged on my hand, and my feet kind of just stepped forward of their own accord.
It's official - I really, really detest, loathe, hate, despise, and every other synonym that means the same as dislike, trick or treating.
It's just so... pointless.
Hmm, maybe the reason I've hated Halloween all these years is because of trick ortreating - the concept is just so, so stupid, for lack of a better word. Well, it may not be the only reason I loathe Halloween, but it is part of the reason. I mean, seriously, what is with trick or treating? Kids can just as easily buy candy without having to go from door to door to retrieve candy from strangers - sure, maybe sometimes they know the person, but more often than not, they're getting their candy from strangers. What if those strangers poisoned their candy or something? Don't laugh at me - I'm not the only one that has that fear, so it isn't irritational. In fact, it makes perfect sense. Some sickos do poison wrapped candy and all that junk, so that's why my mother would always make us check our candy before we actually ate it. Plenty of times, I've had to throw out a bunch of jolly ranchers and stuff, that is until I quit trick or treating altogether. Since Liliana won't give up on trick or treating until she's older and more immune to the hype that is trick or treating, I have to go through her candy and throw out the pieces that look suspicious. Although, sometimes, I do steal her candy.
Hey, I'm only human!
I'm just going to shut up before I give myself a migraine.
"Azalea!" Liliana shouted, permanently snapping out of my thoughts, and worsening the pain in my forehead.
I stared at her, and everyone else, as though I were a deer caught in the headlights.
"Next house, silly!" she sang gaily before skipping off, leaving the rest of us to follow her like a pack of loyal wolves, or dogs, if you prefer.
I repeat, I detest trick or treating.
"Mommy, I'm home!" Liliana sing-songed as she skipped inside of my childhood home, only to be followed by me, Brody, Damien, and Abbey. I made sure to shut the door, and immediately upon turning around, my eyes went wide with shock/disbelief, and I felt like doing some kind of childish, happy dance. Liliana was now sitting on my father's lap, and my father just so happened to be snuggling close to my mother, who for once, looked really happy. She wasn't wearing that fake smile she normally wears - she really, truly looked genuinely happy. In fact, she looked ecstatic, which in turn, made me ecstatic.
A knowing smile formed on Abbey, Brody, and Damien's lips once I whirled around to face them, intent on asking them if they knew about this.
The looks on their faces told me that they did.
Normally, I would be fuming, but I'm too damn ecstatic to be angry.
I stalked over to the couch and placed a kiss on my father's cheek. "I'm glad you're back, dad," I whispered, and I'm sure he could hear the honesty in my tone.
We could be a family again, and there would be no more alcohol.
I know my father will never be the alcoholic he used to be. He's a changed man.
I made a mental note to send something to Dr. Riley as a thank you for saving my dad. Mostly, though, I was thankful that our family was reunited, and that my mom could be happy again.
I really missed my mom's happiness, and now, she can be happy... with dad, and Liliana.
I may not live with her anymore, and neither does Brody, but she'll always have us as well, and I think she's kind of always known that.
And even if she doesn't know it, she also has Abbey, Damien, Nikolas, Joshua, Ethan, Larry, and Amy.
We're all one big, happy family.
My lips curved into my most brilliant smile as I let all the things that had happened over the course of these past couple days sync in. I have an amazing boyfriend, a father who is out of rehab, and the most wonderful brother, sister, and friends that I could ever ask for.
My life may be far from perfect, but as far as I'm concerned, that's okay, because at least I have something that a lot of people don't have...
... I have people who care about me, and that's more than enough for me.
"That was so not fair," I whined in a shrill, girlish tone of voice. Damien cringed before taking a seat beside me on the couch in my mom and dad's living room.
Guffaws of laughter broke out, but I immediately shushed everybody, reminding them that a very annoying, very hotheaded nine year old was sound asleep upstairs.
We were all dressed in pajamas, since we all decided that we were going to sleep over tonight with my mom and dad. They didn't mind - although they did warn us that we might want to sleep outside, so being the crazy idiots that we all are, we went to the store and bought tents, so that we could camp out in the freezing October weather.
(Needless to say, mom and dad think we're all a bunch of dumb asses that belong in an insane asylum, but it's not like we actually listen to them. We're crazy like that, you know?)
But before anyone goes to sleep in their tents, we all decided to play a game of flag football. Playing flag football when it's three girls against three athletic men isn't exactly the smartest thing I've ever done. So, I started complaining because Brody was using his height to his advantage, and Damien kept tackling me to the ground - he was gentle about it, of course, but it still pissed me off.
It's not like we were actually playing real football, so there was no need to tackle me, you know?
Damien's way of apologizing was showering me with kisses, which in the end, turned my face into a tomato(not literally, you imbeciles).
Having your boyfriend ravish you with kisses in front of your friends and family is kind of embarrassing, but totally romantic at the same time.
Have I mentioned how much I love him?
Well, if not, let me just say that I am irreversibly in love with Damien.
And when I say that, I mean it.
I rarely ever say something that I don't mean - rarely being the operative word here.
But... I'm getting off subject again, per usual.
Before I even knew what was happening and before I could stop him from doing so, Damien began tickling my sides, which caused me to burst into uncontrollable bouts of laughter.
"Dami - en - stop - it - before - I - kill - you," I choked out in between my giggles/guffaws of laughter.
Having had too much, I nudged Damien, maybe just a little too hard, and he immediately quit tickling me.
"Ah, the joys of young love," my father mused as he watched us, the amusement twinkling in his emerald orbs.
My mother placed a chaste kiss on his lips and an involuntary smile formed on my lips at the sight.
Oh, how I had missed it when those two were together.
But the past is in the past, right? Right.
"That's going to be us one day," Damien whispered, making my heart burst with joy. It's amazing how one sentence can make my heart dance and fill me with the faith I had once lost. Someday, that will be Damien and me. I intend on being with him forever, even if forever seems far-fetched to most people.
Then again, before I had my heart broken the first time around, I truly believed in a forever kind of love.
I'm positive that I've found that particular kind of love and I'm not about to lose Damien for anything, or anyone.
God wouldn't put us through so much if he meant for us to lose one another in the end. He did everything to bring us together - I truly believe that.
People have always said that God works in mysterious ways, and well, I guess they're right.
"What do you think the boys are doing?" Abbey questioned as she placed the flashlight in front of her, following me through Lexington Avenue. Last time I checked, it was approximately one in the morning, and at that exact time, Brody and Damien had disappeared, lugging a flashlight and two wallets along with them.
Out of mere curiosity, Abbey and I followed, which was turning out to be a huge mistake.
I'm not terrified of the dark or anything, but this is New York, and well, let's face it, the crime rate in New York is huge. Abbey and I could be mugged, not that there is anything for the robbers to steal, or worse, we could be thrown into a dark alley and raped(not that we're close to a dark alley, but still). I might be slightly paranoid, but who wouldn't be?
As I stated before, this is New York, and it is pitch black out here.
So, I honestly have no clue whatsoever on what the boys could be planning. Hell, they're probably off to buy some shaving cream and toilet paper so they can prank us.
But not if we get to them first.
Yes, I am aware that I can be a tad insane.
Give me a break, it's a little after one in the morning, I'm walking around Manhattan in the pitch black of the night, and it doesn't help that I have no idea where we're headed.
On that note, I took the flashflight from Abbey, if only so I could see better.
At one point, Abbey squealed because she 'swore' she spotted a snake. I reminded her that this is, in fact, New York, and that the likelyhood of finding a snake on Lexington Avenue is slim to none. Abbey grumbled something about how I always have to be right, and blah, blah, blah. Clearly, I ignored her ignorant banter and continued on my search for the boys, who were more than a few feet in front of us. The only thing keeping me from losing sight of the two idiots were their silhouettes. Ah, the wonders of a flashlight.
About twenty or so minutes later, I halted, causing Abbey to slam into my back. Thankfully, I didn't fall over. I helped Abbey regain her balance once I regained mine and that's when I noticed that Brody and Damien had come to a stop in front of a jewelry store. Hmm... had we really been walking that long? Not wanting to be caught, I turned to Abbey and whispered something about how we should get back to the tents before they realized we had followed them. Surprisingly enough, Abbey agreed that walking, or more like, running, back to our tents would be a smart move.
So, that's exactly what we did - run, I mean.
When we returned, we climbed into the tent Damien and I would be vacating for the night, and pretended like we hadn't just followed them to a jewelry store.
Curiosity got the better of me. What had they been doing at a jewelry store, especially at this time of night?
I was a little more than confused - I was... curious, completely and utterly shocked.
I fiddled with strands of my hair, which is something I did when truly anxious, and that was the only way to describe how I felt right about now.
"What do you think they were doing?" I blurted, unable to keep my curiosity to myself for a minute longer.
Abbey's head shot up - she had been staring at the poptarts, probably deciphering whether or not she should eat some - and she furrowed her eyebrows.
Before she even got a chance to speak, I began rambling nonstop.
"Who goes to a jewelry shop at this time of night, anyway?" I questioned, unable to stop my babbling once it had started. "Seriously, it's not like, you know, they have any reason to be there." My words were nothing short of incoherent, I'm sure. I spent the next twenty minutes or so explaining why I think Damien and Brody are insufferable assholes who have no compassion towards anybody, and how they shouldn't be going behind our backs to some jewelry store in the middle of the night. Each time I would pause, Abbey would open her mouth to say something, but I would abruptly cut her off, too busy sharing my annoying thoughts with her to let her get a word in. By the time I was finished, Abbey was gaping at me, and I could see the annoyance etched into her features.
Not that I blame her - I was kind of being an obnoxious imbecile.
"Don't you think it's kind of unfair to call your brother and your boyfriend insufferable assholes?" were the first words out of her mouth, much to my surprise, and my dismay.
Now that I think about it, though, Abbey does have a point.
I groaned inwardly. "Fine, they aren't insufferable assholes, they're simply two idiots that belong in an insane asylum."
Abbey's lips twitched, but she refrained from smiling. "And why is that?" she questioned, bemused.
"Because-" I started, only to cut myself off. Why do they belong in an insane aslyum again? Oh yeah, they're walking around Manhattan in the pitch black of the night. "What sane person walks around in the dark just to go to a damn jewelry store!?" I shouted, albeit louder than I had intended.
Abbey visibly cringed, clearly annoyed that I was shouting, and that my tone sounded slightly on the verge of a squeal.
You see, that's what happens when people make me paranoid.
And Damien and Brody? They've definitely made me paranoid, though I really shouldn't let it bother me so much.
It's no big deal.
It's just a jewelry store.
"Take a chill pill," Abbey murmured. "It is just a jewelry store. It's not like they're going out to a rob a bank or anything."
A deep growl emitted from somewhere in my throat and Abbey backed up a little, clearly taken aback by my sudden change in attitude.
"Yeah, uh, I'm just going to, uhm... rest my eyes," Abbey blurted before curling up into a ball and 'resting her eyes,' as she so quaintly put it.
I, on the other hand, kept my eyes open, waiting for the boys to return from whatever the hell they were doing.
Stupid idiots.
Damien's POV.
"I swear, I saw them following us," Brody blurted as we exited the jewelry store we had spent the last hour in, searching for a gift for a certain someone that I hold very dear to my heart.
I groaned and rolled my eyes. We had been arguing about the possibility of Brody having seen Abbey and Azalea for the past fifteen minutes, and I continued to believe that Brody had gone insane.
Then, he explained to me that there was no way he was just seeing things, so I just chose to believe him.
They may have seen us go inside the store, but they didn't follow us in, which means they have no clue why we were there in the first place.
And that's all that matters.
"It doesn't matter if they saw us or not," I grumbled, falling into stride beside Brody, who was speed walking through the streets.
"I'm sure Azalea is just dying to know why we disappeared," Brody blurted, albeit randomly, though I knew what he said was probably true. Azalea can be a very impatient, and very anxious person, and if she did see us, then that means she's wracking her brain right now trying to comprehend why we would be crazy enough to walk to a jewelry store in the middle of the night, especially whilst in Manhattan.
Crime rates are ridiculous in New York, but it's not like we're in Brooklyn or anything, and I've never been afraid of a good fight.
I'm going to refrain from scolding Azalea and Abbey for following us into the pitch black of the night, but only because that would make me a hypocrite.
I detest hypocrites, so of course, I'll refrain from morphing into the very thing I cannot stand.
"So, you really think that she'll like it?" My tone of voice clearly stated that I was nervous, which kept me from having to admit as much out loud.
Brody chuckled, cleary amused by my nervousness. I scowled. "Look, dude, if I know my sister as well as I think I do, which I do, then I can assure you that she is going to absolutely love you after this."
I scoffed. "What?" I blurted. "You don't think she loves me now?" I teased, my tone sarcastic.
Brody rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Shut up, Damien. We have to get back before all hell breaks lose."
I chuckled.
I know what hell is like, and well, that statement doesn't really bother me anymore.
It's impossible for anything to feel like hell when you've actually been to the place itself.
I shoved that thought to the back of my mind. The only problem with being human again is that I'm always going to remember that I was a demon - that was part of the deal, I guess, and I'm sort of okay with that. If I ever start to act like a pompous, arrogant jerk, I can just remind myself that I've been to Hell, and that I was a given a second chance for a reason.
Thankfully, once Brody and I returned to the backyard of Mr. and Mrs. Patterson's home, all thoughts of Hell drifted to the deepest, darkest corners of my mind, and remained there.
Brody unzipped the tent I would be sharing with Azalea and the both of us poked our heads inside, only to discover a disgruntled Azalea and a sleeping Abbey.
I surpressed my laughter at the sight, though it was highly amusing.
Brody let out a blood curdling howl, causing Abbey to bolt upright from her sleeping state and Azalea to immediately open her eyes.
Once the both of them realized that it was just us, Abbey attacked brody with weak punches and Azalea glared daggers in my direction, that is until she took notice of the small, sapphire box I held in my hand.
Abbey seemed to notice the box as well, because she abruptly quit punching Brody in the abdomen and gawked at me. Abbey glanced at Brody questioningly and Brody just smirked.
"What's in that box?" Azalea asked pointedly, jabbing me in the stomach with her index finger to grasp my full attention, not that she didn't already have said attention.
I swear, sometimes girls can be so damn oblivious.
It amazes me. Really, it does.
Note that sarcasm, people - just note it.
I held the beautifully sculpted, sapphire box out to Azalea. "Why don't you see for yourself?"
It was more of a suggestion than a question... obviously.
Albeit reluctantly, Azalea took the box from me and ran her index finger along the edges, grinning up at me, though I could still see the confusion and curiosity in her beautiful irises.
Hesitantly, Azalea opened the box. Immediately upon seeing the gift inside, her draw dropped and the tears began welling in her eyes. I hoped they were tears of joy, and when she smiled at me, I knew they were. "I-it's b-b-beautiful," she stuttered, too shocked to even speak. "B-b-but wh-what will I do with the other n-necklace?" she stammered as the tears began pouring from her eyes.
Abbey and Brody watched the cliché, romantic moment unfold before their very own eyes. Brody grinned knowingly and Abbey just gaped at me, aghast that I had bought Azalea another, more beautiful necklace than the one I had bought for her on Christmas.
"The other one isn't going anywhere," I assured as I retrieved her new necklace from the box and placed her old necklace in the safety of the box. "Besides, I can always get you a smaller chain for it and make it a bracelet," I added, grinning from ear to ear at her reaction to the new necklace. I carefully placed it around her neck and embraced her in a hug that seemed to last for an eternity.
"Keep it close to your heart, because that's where I'll always be," I whispered reassuringly in her ear. "I meant it when I said I'm never leaving you again. You're stuck with me."
Just then, I pulled away and Azalea placed a sweet, chaste kiss on my lips.
"I love you so, so much," Azalea managed to choke out through her tears of joy.
A bright smile broke out on my face. "I will forever love you," I promised, and in that moment, I gave everything to her.
And she would always have my heart even after we were both gone.
Azalea's POV.
As Damien and I sat outside the tent, gazing up at the stars, I continued to fidget with the necklace hanging from my neck.
I still couldn't belive that Damien had bought me another necklace, and this one was more beautiful than the other one, not that I didn't still love the other one. Abbey had given me a chain from an old bracelet of hers, so I was now wearing a beautiful bracelet and an even more beautiful necklace.
The necklace bears a heart of 14K white gold, a gorgeous Leo Diamond, and is laser-inscribed with a unique Gemscribe serial number.
I didn't bother asking how much it cost, knowing very well that if he told me, I would most likely faint.
After all, he did buy the necklace from Kay Jewelers, where every kiss begins with Kay.
Damien squeezed my hand in a loving gesture that made me smile as though I were some love sick school girl, which is basically what I feel like right now.
I am so deeply and madly in love with him.
It amazes me how open I can be with Damien, because I never thought I'd be that open with a guy ever again. Just goes to show how wrong I was.
And boy am I glad that I was wrong.
"The stars are magnificent," I breathed, stealing a glance at my wonderful boyfriend before returning my attention towards the stars.
I could feel Damien's eyes boring into me, but surprisingly enough, I found the willpower to not look at him.
I knew if I looked at him, I'd completely forget about the stars, and I wanted to see the stars, seeing as how they do look exceptionally beautiful tonight.
Abbey and Brody are sound asleep in their tent, so Damien and I decided to watch the stars together. In its own way, watching the stars with your boyfriend is a very romantic thing to do.
After all, clichés are clichés for a reason, right?
"Are we really going to resort to talking about the stars?" Damien teased, smirking that annoying half smirk of his.
Ugh, I still wanted to slap that damned smirk off his face, even after all this time.
I glowered at him, not caring that looking at him might make me lose all train of thought.
Much to my dismay, but not to my surprise, I did lose all coherent train of thought.
"Must you always be so infuriating?" I grumbled, barring my teeth in attempt to appear intimidating.
My attempts did not offend, nor frighten, Damien in the least bit.
It figures - I had to fall for someone who is just as stubborn and pigheaded as myself.
Oh well, I guess that's what keeps things interesting.
No thanks to that thought, my anger melted away into nothingness, leaving me whole and happy.
"Tsk, tsk," Damien taunted, making me cringe each time he'd click his tongue off the roof of his mouth. He was doing so simply to annoy me, and much to my distaste, it was working. Still, I couldn't find it in myself to retort with any witty remarks, so I remained silent. "Cat got your tongue?"
"I-I," I stuttered.
Way to be intelligent, that annoying voice in my head teased, it's tone dripping with sarcasm.
Ah, great, now my conscience, or voice, or whatever, has a tone!?
This is one hundred percent, completely and utterly ridiculous!
I should not have a voice in my head. Last time I checked, I am not schizophrenic.
Come up with a witty reply now or else he's just going to tease you more.
Not that I care.
Because really, I don't.
So what if I don't come up with any witty retorts when Damien teases me? At least I get to be in his company.
Great, you're one of those girls now. I never pegged you as the type to succumb to such cliché ideals of what a girlfriend should be.
I groaned inwardly. My inner voice is beginning to get on my nerves - must squish said inner voice.
Good luck with that, honey.
I wanted to come up with a witty retort to that, but I refrained from doing so. If I replied to the voice inside of my head, I would really be insane.
"Earth to Azalea," Damien blurted, waving his hands in front of my face like a frantic two year old. I rolled my eyes dramatically and grabbed his hands so as to stop him from waving them in my face. "Quit doing that," I hissed, though all my annoyance faded once I gazed into his grey eyes - the ones with the spectacular specks of green.
The same eyes I had dreamed about every night before going to sleep were now the eyes I would see before falling asleep, and when waking up in the morning, and every moment in between.
"This was the best Halloween ever," I blurted, rendering Damien momentarily confused.
"Bobble head, it's no longer Halloween," Damien reminded me oh-so-kindly.
I groaned inwardly. "Until I see light outside, then to me, it is still Halloween," I seethed. "So, as I was saying before you rudely interrupted me, this has been the best Halloween ever, and I wouldn't change it for the world." I mentally gagged as the words escaped my mouth. Could I get anymore mushy?
Gross. I have got to quit watching so many romance movies and reading so many romance novels.
They are brainwashing me, let me tell you.
Damien quirked a brow - just another feature of his that looked absolutely perfect under the stars.
"So, have you finally gotten over your petty hate towards Halloween?" Damien questioned, grinning knowingly.
Though I knew he was only teasing me when he asked the question, I actually took the question to heart, and thought about my answer. Do I hate Halloween? Honestly, I can't think of any reason to detest the holiday anymore. Sure, I still loathe trick or treating, but that's not all Halloween is about. It's just a day to have fun, and another holiday to spend with the ones that you love and care about the most. What's the harm in that?
Cocking my head to the side, I smiled, and said, "Yeah, I think I have."
My answer couldn't have sounded more honest, and that's only because I truly mean that.
I no longer hate Halloween.
Wow, what a revelation.
I've spent more than half my life detesting every Halloween, and now, all because of one person, I realized that the holiday isn't that horrible.
Hmm... maybe Halloween and I have a bright future, and it's all thanks to Damien, who is my future.
He's my present and he's my future, and I'm not going to let anything change that.
"You, my dearest girlfriend, are one confusing woman," Damien teased, leaning in closer - so close that I could smell his wonderful scent.
Cinnamon, I thought, my absolute favorite.
"And you, my darling boyfriend," I started, "are one infuriating man."
And with that, we kissed under the stars.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Ah, such a cliché moment there at the end, but it still made me squee, and I'm the author. This story may have irked me to no end, and may have frustrated me, but I think, now that it's over, I'm kind of going to miss it, and maybe the frustration was worth it. Besides, the frustration is what motivated me to actually finish the story, so I guess I should be frustrated with my writing more often. I knew this story was going to be a challenge, and I never back down from a challenge. :)
I'm going to save the long author's note for the epilogue, which will follow this... immediately.
:) Kara.