Chapter 20: Life Lessons

“Parker, how are you doing?” Damien asked. He was sitting on the edge of his bed. Parker sat next to him, not entirely sure what to do or say. She’d felt detached since learning that her father wasn’t human.

“I’m fine,” she said with a nod. Damien shook his head.

“Are you, really?” he asked. She nodded again. “Okay. I wanted you to know, this doesn’t change anything between us.”

Parker turned to look at Damien, smiling warmly at him.

“I know that,” she said. She reached over and took Damien’s hand on hers, squeezing his fingers. Damien smiled back.

“I know it isn’t always easy being in a relationship with a vampire,” Damien said. “It takes a special kind of human to make it work.”

“Like…someone who is only half-human?” she asked playfully. Damien chuckled.

“Maybe so,” he said. “The point is, you’ve made me feel more connected and more alive than I’ve felt in decades. But, you know, being in a relationship with someone who is immortal can be…complicated.”