Chapter Thirty-Four: Lauren Meets Her One True Love, Part Three

Matthew De Clermont's Lab Office, 2009

"Wait, are you telling me you met me when I was a baby?" Lauren asked, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Matthew leaned back in his chair, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Yes, I did."

"How's that even possible?" she replied, trying to wrap her mind around the idea.

Matthew chuckled softly, his gaze fixed on her. "It's a long story, but let's just say that time works differently for me."

Lauren narrowed her eyes, her curiosity aroused. "Different how?"

Matthew leaned forward, his expression turning more serious. "Well, when you're a vampire, you age much slower than humans do. What feels like a few years to me can be a lifetime for you." Lauren's eyebrows knitted together as she processed this.

"That's incredible," Lauren finally said, her voice a mix of awe and disbelief.

Matthew smiled, sensing her intrigue. "It's hard to wrap your head around, I know. Most people consider immortality to be a gift, but it comes with its set of challenges."

She tilted her head, encouraging him to continue. "Like what?" she asked, her fascination growing.

Matthew took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "Isolation, for one. Watching everyone you care about grow old and pass away while you remain unchanged can be quite lonely."

Lauren's expression softened as she considered his words, the weight of this reality settling in.

"Then how long have you been a vampire?" Lauren asked, her mind racing.

Matthew paused, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. "It's been over seven centuries now," he replied, his voice steady yet laced with a hint of sadness. "I've witnessed the world transform in ways I can hardly describe."

Lauren's eyes widened as she tried to comprehend the vastness of his experience. "That must be both fascinating and heartbreaking," she said softly, sensing the depth of his burden.

Matthew nodded, a faint smile breaking through his somber expression. "It is, indeed. The beauty of life is often overshadowed by the weight of loss, but I've learned to cherish the moments that make it all worthwhile."

Lauren then says, "You said we met multiple times. Besides the hospital."

Matthew's eyes sparkled with a hint of nostalgia. "Yes, we did," he replied, his voice steady.

Lauren then asked, "When was the next time we saw each other?"

Matthew's gaze drifted momentarily as he recalled the memories. "The second time we saw each other was when you were three years old," he said, his tone softening. "It was during your speech therapy sessions."

Lauren's excitement grew as she leaned in closer. "I don't remember that at all. What happened?" she pressed, eager to uncover the details of their shared past.

Then Matthew began to remember that day. Steadying himself, he looked into Lauren's eager eyes and continued, "It was a bright afternoon, and the sun streamed through the window of the therapy room. You sat there, small and determined, practicing your words. I was there to help, just a volunteer, but you had this spark that drew me in."

Lauren listened intently, her skepticism increasing. "What do you mean by a spark?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

He smiled at the memory. "You weren't shy at all. You'd laugh when you stumbled over a word, and that laughter was contagious. I remember thinking how brave you were, facing those challenges with such a big heart."

Lauren's eyes widened, and she leaned in even closer, as if trying to grasp every detail. "I wish I could remember that! What else happened?"

He chuckled softly, his gaze drifting to the window where the sun began to set. "You took every setback in stride when it came to your speech therapy, turning each mistake into a lesson, and that's what made you truly shine."

"Were you at every one of my speech therapy lessons?" Lauren asked, her mind racing.

He chuckled softly, his gaze drifting to the window where the sun began to set. "Yes, I was."

Matthew then added, "I remember you always being nervous, but you never let that stop you."

Lauren felt a rush of warmth at his words, realizing how much his support had meant to her. "It's hard to believe I managed to overcome those fears," she said, her voice filled with gratitude.

Matthew smiled, his eyes reflecting both pride and nostalgia. "You've come so far since then; it's inspiring to see how you've embraced new challenges."

Lauren nodded, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over her. "I couldn't have done it without friends like you cheering me on, even if I didn't know it," she replied, her heart swelling with appreciation for the bond they shared.

Matthew leaned closer, his expression earnest. "I will always be here for you, no matter what," he promised, his voice firm yet gentle. Lauren felt a warmth spread through her at his words, a reassurance that fortified her resolve to continue facing her fears. Their growing love was a beacon of strength, guiding her through the uncertainties ahead.

"Thank you, Matthew," Lauren said, her voice filled with gratitude. She looked into his eyes, feeling the depth of their connection. "Your support means everything to me."

As they stood together, an unspoken understanding passed between them, solidifying the bond they had forged. With each passing moment, Lauren knew that with Matthew by her side, she could tackle any challenge that life threw her way.

Yet, there was so much more she wanted to express. The weight of her thoughts pressed against her chest, but she hesitated. Now wasn't the right time. Instead, she took a deep breath, allowing the warmth of his presence to fill the silence. The future loomed ahead, uncertain, but with Matthew, it felt a little less daunting.

Lauren then says she needs to get to her next class before she's late. She glanced at her watch, the urgency of the moment breaking through her contemplative thoughts. "I really have to go," she said, forcing a smile despite the words weighing heavy on her heart.

Lauren took a deep breath, allowing the warmth of his presence to fill the silence. The future loomed ahead, uncertain, but with Matthew, it felt a little less daunting. Lauren then said she needed to get to her next class before she was late.

She glanced at her watch, the urgency of the moment breaking through her contemplative thoughts. "I really have to go," she said, forcing a smile despite the words weighing heavy on her heart.

"Of course," Matthew replied, his voice steady, though the hint of reluctance lingered in the air.

With a final look at Matthew, she felt a pang of regret for the things left unsaid. "I'll see you later?" she added, hoping he understood that their conversation was far from over.

As she turned to leave, she carried with her the warmth of their shared connection, promising herself that she would find the right moment to share her feelings.

Then Lauren left Matthew's lab and made her way to her next class.