Chapter Nineteen: Is This What Love Feels Like?

Celeste:

Waking up, you would have thought that I won the lottery. Avalanche, and Novi embraced me like their lives depended on it. His mother shoved them out of the way, neither one protesting. Fussing over me, my stomach growled. Scarlet burned my cheek, all of them running to the kitchen at once.

"Guys?" I uttered with confusion, my eyes falling on the coffee table. Empty plates and a large pile of tissues sat on the table, three mats laying on the floor by my feet. Arguing burst through the house, my feet crashing to the floor. Panic widened my eyes, my legs were strong enough yet. Crashing to the floor, my whole body ached. Tears welled up in my eyes, this feeling of weakness pissing me off. Laying on the floor, thanking god that I fell onto the mats. Groaning to myself, I was determined to stop the arguing. Dragging myself over to the wall, my whole body ached as I struggled to stand. Using the wall to keep me up, everyone looked up in shock the moment I leaned against the kitchen's door frame.

"Could you stop arguing like idiots, and help me out a bit." I snapped weakly, Novi scooping me up. "I am awake. I don't care who makes breakfast or whatever meal it is, but I am glad you all care for me. Thank you Avalanche for saving me. Thank you Novi for loving me. Mom, thank you for being the best mother a daughter can ask for. I love you all, so you don't have to smother me." Looking away in dismay, this was all too much. The thought of running plagued my mind, if only I could. A knock on the door interrupted the touching moment, Gregory and Declanos entering our home. Ignoring everyone else, the chairs creaked as they sat down across from me. Clearing his throat, Gregory slid a black gift box across the table. Bowing his head, embarrassment burned his cheek. How sweet of him. If I am being honest, this is probably all Declanos' ideas.

"We came to see if you were alright." He informed me briskly, attempting to not show emotion. "You looked a little worse for wear. So please accept my get well gift." Smiling warmly in his direction, my breath hitched at what was in the box. A black rock dangled at the end of a golden chain, confusion twisting my face, my palm holding the stone. A blast of golden light blinded me, the light dying down. Golden stripes lined the stone, his grin growing wider. Narrowing my eyes, this was a little suspicious.

"It won't kill you. Jesus Christ." He cursed irritably, rubbing the back of his neck. "That is a stone that my grandfather had in his safe box. It will make sure you don't go past your limit again. Also it calls us if you are in any trouble. Call it an extra bit of safety. I have to go now." Attempting to leave, my hand rested on his arm. Adjusting his black business suit, Gregory growled irritably. Declanos patted his back, his casual black t-shirt and jean look throwing me off.

"We would love to stick around. It's been a while since we ate with another person besides each other." Declanos chirped cheerfully, winking in my direction. "I will help in the kitchen. You two can catch up." Jealousy flashed in Novi's eyes, my unimpressed expression scaring him off. Clearing my throat, my body still felt weak. Gregory was hiding something and it wasn't pretty.

"You can just spill what you know." I snapped hotter than I wanted to, a migraine throbbing away. "Then we all win. I will wear your little gift if it means us working together, but I need help finding the other ones." Secrets sat on the tip of his tongue, just begging to be revealed. Cocking his head, he was seriously thinking about how to say it.

"I found the location of the first werewolf." He said numbly, causing me to choke on my spit. "We are trying to locate the witch and the vampire. No luck there. We would need your blood to get into the library of knowledge. The problem is that there are literally a million traps to it." The glass shattered the moment it hit the table, an intense migraine plaguing my head. Thump, thump! My head pounded faster and faster. Novi came out of the kitchen with a couple plates of food, his eyes falling on the broken glass. A fever burned my cheeks, clammy sweat drenching my skin. Something was wrong, a pair of golden eyes staring into my mind.

"Call me later." I stammered tiredly, cold water dripping onto my lap. "For now let's eat." The other two brought out the rest of the food, my migraine getting worse. Ignoring the pain, I did my best to pay attention to everyone's conversation. Tears of silent pain slid down my cheek, the food only hurting my stomach. Wrapping his arms around my shoulder, he slid the necklace over my head. Declanos and his mother took over the conversation, the weakness in my legs fading.

"I need to go take a shower or a bath." I blurted out, running up the stairs. Barely making it to the bathroom, my heart stopped for a minute. Clutching my chest, the marble cracking as I fell to my knees. A coughing fit overtook me, blood covering my hands. Crawling over to the toilet, all of the food I ate came flying back up my throat. A flash of white fur flashed in my head, a witch with golden eyes meeting my trembling eyes. A shrill scream exploded from my lips, my hands cupping the sides of my head. Rocking back and forth, it wouldn't stop. Novi kicked the door down. The guests watched in horror, Avalanche falling to his knees. The two of us couldn't stop screaming as images of carnage flashed in our heads, blood began to pour from our eyes and ears. The screams of lost lives echoed in my ears, Novi clutching me close to his chest. Whimpers of emotional and physical pain poured from our lips, breathing growing harder for the two of us. The screams stopped, Avalanche and my eyes rounding in terror. A mountain of bodies sat in front of us, a golden haired witch stabbing the giant white wolf. Blood covered her face, a wicked grin meeting my face. Blood pooled at our feet, my hands getting soaked with the stuff.

"It is time for you two to die." She shrieked shrilly, the chaos stopping. "You two will go to sleep just like us, except yours will be permanent." The vision ended, air flooding into my eager lungs. Novi had been snapping his fingers in front of my face, concern written all over his face. Avalanche sobbed violently, tears mixing with blood. Burying my head into Novi's chest, my pale face making a ghost looking tanner. My breath grew shorter, my fingers gripping Novi's dark gray jacket. The desire to forget everything grew more powerful by the second, the urge to run competing with it as well.

"Make it stop." I cried out desperately, Avalanche passing out in the hall. "I don't want to die. So much blood." Novi dismissed everyone, Gregory and Declanos bowing before they left. Shuddering in his arms, his scent wasn't making it any better. Lifting up my hands, red blood covered them. A kiss on the top of my head stopped my panic attack, Novi gazing lovingly down at me.

"Please don't leave me alone." I pleaded pathetically, him drawing a bath. "I need you so bad right now." Tossing a bag of lavender and herbs over the steaming water, his other arm still held me like his life depended on it. Undressing me slowly, he tenderly put me in the water. Taking off his suit, it fell to a pile on the floor. Water splashed onto the floor as he got in, his strong arms wrapping around my shoulders. Relief washed over me, him refusing to let go. He was home, and always will be.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked sweetly, shaking my head no. "Okay, you can tell me when you are ready." Soaking my head with warm water, his other hand massaged the shampoo into my hair. Washing it out, the lavender began to cause me to yawn. Shaking my head, sleep was the last thing I needed. The wash cloth slid over my curves, his touch nearly putting me to sleep. The sound of the water gurgling snapped me awake, Novi stepping out. His hair was clean somehow, drying himself off. Scooping me up into a fluffy towel, he carried me into our bedroom. Laying me down, he began to get dressed into his black t-shirt and black sweatpants. Tossing me one of his sweatshirts, he sat down next to me.

"I can't sleep." I whispered hoarsely, my voice broken from all of the screaming. "I just want to be by you." Smiling to himself, he pulled his black sweatshirt over my head. Offering me his hand, my trembling fingers intertwined with his. Pulling me into his office, he shut the door behind me. Sinking into his chair, his strong arms sat me down on his lap. A bright light blinded me, his computer screen flickering to life. Avalanche knocked on the door, telling us that he was leaving. The silence was deafening, his throat clearing. Typing in his password, a tender blush rose to my cheeks. Our wedding photo greeted me, his finger lifting up my chin.

"I love you, Celly." He proclaimed proudly, tracing my cheek. "You may hate yourself, and scare the shit out of me all of the time. My life would be nothing without you. Can I kiss you, the light of my life?" Smiling shyly, his lips pressed against mine hungrily. My breath hitched, his strong hand sliding down my back. Melting into his arms, this felt so amazing. Releasing me from his lips, he began to work. Every now and then he would kiss the top of my head, making my heart flutter. The darkness felt nice, his AC on full blast to fight the remainder of my fever.

"May I suggest something?" I offered cautiously, hoping he wouldn't get mad. "Maybe we could have a quarterly banquet, so everyone who wants to come can get to know each other by what they cook. You can really tell a lot about a person by what they bring. For example, if they bring a crock pot of beef stew, then they are most likely down to earth." Laughing warmly to himself, he checked the watch on his wrists. God, I felt so stupid saying something like that. The expression on his face telling me otherwise, hoping it wasn't going too far.

"Okay. I don't see why not." He answered with his crooked grin, his stomach grumbling. "It is already five o' clock. Time certainly flies with my hot wife on my lap." A slight blush burned my cheeks, his words making me want to take right there and now. Ruffling my hair, he tossed me over his shoulder. Passing me a pair of knee high socks, and my gray sneakers, his white socks covered feet slid into a pair of converses.

"You aren't going to dress up into one of your usual suits." I asked oddly, hoping it wouldn't make him want to change. "I think you look amazing in what you are wearing, so please don't take offense." Shaking his head, his arms wrapped around me. Fixing his hair, his car keys jingled in his left hand. Something was off about him, a strange anxiety buzzing around him.

"My mother told me to bring you by for dinner. I kind of stand out if I wear a suit to the restaurant. Also I feel just like dressing down for today." He explained happily, pulling a black hoodie over his head. "You look so cute today anyways. Why would I want to outshine you?"His hotness attracted every girls' attention, so I don't know why dressing in workout clothes was going to change anything. Kissing the top of my head, his hand guided me out to his car. The trees flashed by my window, his parents' diner a few feet in front of us. His mother rushed out, the customers watching as she ripped open my door. Practically ripping me out of her car, she smothered me in a sea of never ending kisses. Please never end this, my secret dream of having a real mom reached.

"I haven't seen you out like this since Tammy." She commented honestly, the hurt flashing in his eyes. "I like it. It is nice to see you comfortable again." Wrapping my arms around her neck, her attention turned back to me. Taking me in, she placed us at the only table left. Smoothing out her blue dress, stress wore on her face.

"How about I wait for you?" I offered sweetly, tears welling up in her eyes. "It looks like you are a little short on help today, and he can help in the kitchen." Before she could refuse, his father tossed me a uniform. Dashing into the back, I ripped off his sweatshirt. Pulling the blue dress over my white lace bra, the buttons had issues buttoning over my larger tender breasts. The dress emphasized my bump, the feeling of working feeling nice. Rushing out, Novi was already helping his dad out. The two of them looked alike, the only difference was the gray hair. Tie a white apron over my bump, his mother gushed over me. Plastering a large smile on my face, my fingers wrapped around the ordering pad. The evening was fun, her and I dominating the front of the house. It was nice to get out of the house, and to help the only mother figure in my life. The fifties music helped the time pass, the two us bringing in the last of the dishes. Checking my apron, it was overflowing with tips.

"This belongs to you." I said softly, trying to give her my tips. "You guys could always use the money. After all I ow-" Shaking her head, she flashed me a Novi smile. Pressing them back into my palms, she chuckled to herself. Of course she was going to refuse.

"It's yours. Never have any of my waitresses been as nice as you. I think even a few new ones came in tonight." She chirped cheerfully, fighting back tears. "Novi tells me that you are good with the books. Do you mind doing ours for about three hundred bucks a week? I will pay you more when the money is a bit less tight. Please eat, it is eleven and I am certain Novi is going to die of starvation. He always was a hungry boy." Novi came out of the kitchen, covered in grease and flour.

"We made a few stacks of pancakes." Novi announced gleefully, glancing over at me. "You look so sexy in that uniform. Didn't I tell you that I love a girl in a uniform? Also, pancakes are one of the only things that doesn't make you sick." Boy was I lucky to finally have found my family.