The Last knight and Beyond

by Olivia Jean Ecklund
Chapter 5

Nick and Natalie stepped into the loft. Reese struggled behind, carrying several flower arrangements, then went back for more.

Natalie was greeted by a big fur ball that threw itself at her. "Sidney!" she exclaimed, cuddling the cat close. "Thanks, Nick," she said, her voice muffled against the cat's fur.

"Hey, boy, how are you? Oh....my sweet baby," she cooed, rubbing his fur. She looked up at Nick, surprised.

"I thought I might as well bring the rest of the family here. Grace was only too happy to help," he shrugged.

Natalie looked at him, "Family?"

"Yes," he smiled, kissing her over the cat's furry back. "Wherever life leads us now, we will go together. Be it as Vampire, human, cat or Human, Human, cat... its together!"

"Or Vampire, Vampire, cat," she added.

Nick ignored her. "Twenty years down the road, someone might raise their eyebrows at the matronly woman with the young stud husband, but we can manage that, can't we?"

"Husband?" she asked.

"Of course... When you are better, we'll make it official." He turned away to help Reese with a new load of flowers he came struggling in with.

Nat looked after him astonished. It was more than she had hoped for. She laughed nervously. Men! How could he just make such a mind bending statement so causally. She smiled and hugged herself. Nick wanted to marry her! She watched them as they placed all the flowers on the seldom used kitchen counters and watered them. She hugged Sidney again before setting him on his feet.

Reese said, "Well, I guess I'd better get on home." They could hear the Reluctance in his voice.

"Joe, remember you're welcome anytime," Nick reassured him. "I'm going to take Natalie upstairs. She needs to rest. Oh, Joe, could you feed Sidney before you leave. Cat food makes me nauseous."

"Sure, Nick. See you, Natalie. Get some sleep."

"Thanks, Joe," she called across the room. "Good Night."

Nick took Natalie into his arms and flew with her up the stairs. They heard Joe's strangled cough below.

Natalie thumped Nick on the shoulder as he set her down. "Nick! You're going to give that man a heart attack, not to mention me." She added, "That was a very odd sensation."

Nick just gave her a devilish grin. "I'll run a bath for you," he said over his shoulder as he headed for the bathroom.

Natalie called, "What's that smell?"

"That's the new closet among other things," he said with a secretive smile.

She followed him, curious. "Did you have a tub put in for me....?" she asked... Her voice trailed off... Nick knew she loved a tub more than a shower. Inside the remodeled bathroom was a beautiful sunken tub big enough for four people. The wall behind it was mirrored. It had steps that led up to it, and; it was a peach marble. A thick, off-white carpet framed the tub. There were candles all around that Nick was lighting. The water was already running, and it was filling with millions of bubbles.

"Oh, Nick!" she squealed in delight, "How...?"

"You can get almost anything done in a day if you have enough money and hire enough men."

Natalie realized the smell was fresh paint. Fortunately she had always liked the smell of acrylic paint. She moved to Nick and caressed his cheek with her fingers, then reached up and kissed him gently. "It's beautiful, Nick... it's perfect!"

Nick lowered the lights and said, "Climb in. I'll be back in a bit to check on you."

She asked with a husky voice, "Will you wash my back?" She trailed a finger along his jaw.

Nick stepped back, though he grinned, blushed, and warned, "Nat, you1ll have to make this easier on me."

She sighed, "You're right... go on, I'll be okay." After he left, she looked around the rest of the room, marveling at how much it had changed. There were two matching sinks lined with mirrors. The commode was the same peach marble as the tub and a shower was tucked into a far corner. There was a new, bigger closet, too. The room was twice as big as it had been. She knew the loft sat in the middle of the big warehouse. There was room for expansion on both sides. She sighed, peeled her clothes off and stepped down into the warm water.

Nick flew downstairs freaking out Sidney, who scattered with a yowl and hid under the couch. Nick ignored him, grabbed a bottle from the frig and swallowed about half. He corked the rest, got a glass and took it back up with him. He was very nervous, yet he looked forward to holding Natalie close while they slept. It had been a dream that he had always awakend from, to find an empty bed. He drew close to the door of the bathroom. It was ajar a couple inches, and he could hear Natalie humming. He stepped closer to the door and asked, "How do you like it?"

She purred, "It's wonderful! Please, Nick, I haven't had a good back scrub in years."

He wondered briefly who had given it to her, then thrust the thought away, took a deep breath and stepped into the bathroom. Natalie's shoulders were the only thing he could see above the bubbles. He sighed with relief, grateful that he'd thought of them. This was not easy on him. He pushed his desire to the back of his mind, knelt at the back edge of the tub and took the large sponge she was holding out to him. It was lathered with thick body wash. She had her eyes closed, and leaned forward a bit as he gently started to rub the sponge over and around her back.

"Oh, Nick, that feels so good," she murmured. "A little lower, please. Now go to the right... a little higher... ah, that's perfect."

Nick spent much longer than he needed to get the job done, but he was fascinated with the contours of her back, and his mind was forming the image of a painting he might do. When he finally came back to reality, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to her shoulder. She raised a wet hand and caressed his cheek, leaving bubbles all over his face. Some got up his nose, destroying the dangerous line of thought he was allowing himself.

"Nat!" he sputtered, pulling away and getting to his feet. She laughed at him and he grinned back at her.

She started to stand, giving him a devilish grin. "No. No! Nat!" he cried out and dove for the huge fluffy white terry cloth robe so he could hold out it out to her. Being chivalrous, he averted his eyes as she stepped up out of the tub and into it. He wrapped it around her and held her close to him, feeling the damp warmth that was radiating through the cloth.

Natalie giggled at his embarrassment and hugged his arms to her, holding them at her waist. It was wonderful to feel his arms around her.

Nick felt her damp hair touch his chin, and breathed in the fresh clean scent of her. She leaned back against him, and he felt his body respond to her. It nearly took all his strength to set her back up on her feet. He zipped away so fast he left Natalie teetering back and forth.

She grinned and gave herself a hug. It wasn't fair to Nick to tease him like that, but it was such fun to see him act like an adolescent boy and his shyness with her was wonderful. It made him seem new and clean in their relationship. Natalie looked into the closet and had pity on him. She found a baggy sweat suit, and slipped into the warm, thick material.

When she stepped into the bedroom, the lights were out and there were a few candles around the room in tall glass lanterns. She knew Nick wasn't fond of electric light. He was wearing black silk pajamas, and was sitting on the bed... a bit nervously, she noticed. A bottle of bloodwine sat near him on the nightstand. He took in the sweat suit and seemed to sigh with relief and thankfulness. He held out his arms to her and she slid into the bed beside him.

With a huge sigh they laid on their sides spooning themselves together. It was a perfect fit. Nick laid his cheek against hers. He pressed his lips to her cheek and realized she had already fallen into an exhausted sleep. He smiled and let himself drift off to sleep.

He woke about 11:00 the next morning and found himself alone. Had it just been another dream? Then, he heard the shower and Natalie humming. He smiled and let himself stretch like a long sleek cat. He realized he hadn't felt this content in centuries. He took the bottle from the side of the bed, poured a glass and sipped at it while he listened to Natalie going about her morning regimen.

Natalie came from the bathroom wrapped in the white robe. She smiled warmly at him. "You're finally awake," she said. "You do sleep like the dead," she commented, then leaned over the bed and kissed his lips very briefly. Nick realized the bloodwine was probably stopping her from a more affectionate kiss. He understood. Getting up, he hugged her briefly and slipped past her into the shower.

Natalie looked into the closet and discovered a good sampling of her own clothes there. "Thanks Grace," she whispered aloud.

Nick was so considerate to have thought of bringing her stuff here. She was warmed that he hadn't put up much of an argument for her not to come live with him. She slipped into some clothes hurriedly, before he came back from his shower.

"I see you found your things," he said. "You can decide if you want this closet, the one in the bathroom, or part of both."

She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him with abandonment. His fresh, minty breath tasted good.

He held her tightly for a moment, but when a noise from downstairs distracted them, they looked curiously at each other and went to investigate.

As they came down the stairs, they spotted Capt. Reese in the kitchen. He was busy emptying groceries into the frig and cabinets.

He looked up at them, "Hey, I hope you guys don't mind. I went shopping to get some supplies for you, Natalie."

Natalie was touched. She went to him, gave him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Great, I'm starving," she said thankfully.

Reese glanced at Nick, "Did you sleep well?"

Nick nodded, "Yes, Pop, very well."

Reese looked a bit startled, then touched.

"I hope you don't mind," Nick explained. I always wanted to call LaCroix, Pop, but, of course it didn't fit, and he would have drained me if I had."

His two guests stared at him a moment, then Natalie started to laugh and pretty soon they were all laughing.

Reese croaked out, "LaCroix... Pop! That's funny, Nick."

Natalie said, "I'd love to have seen his face!" She giggled.

Then Reese sobered, "I'd like it if you'd call me 'Pop'. My girls did."

Natalie attacked the grocery bag that still stood on the counter, "Grapenuts! That's a favorite of mine. How1d you know?"

Reese looked smug. 'I asked Grace. By the way, she's thrilled you're going to stay here. She wants you to call her tonight.'

"She's a good friend. You know, Joe, she's got a crush on you." Reese was startled, but only smiled.

Nick stood back watching the easy banter back and forth between his love and his new father. The happiness he felt, overwhelmed him. He turned away, feeling blood tears sting his eyes. He felt Natalie's arms wrap around him, so he turned and buried his face in her hair.

"Nick! What's wrong?" she asked anxiously.

"A few nights ago I thought my life was over. Now I have a beautiful woman that I love here with me, and a father I can respect and love. My life is so full."

Natalie and Reese both held him in a circle of love. They stood in silence letting the emotion pass over Nick in waves.

Chapter 6

Days passed as the three built a life together. Nick had a room and bath built on the first level of the loft for Reese to stay in when he couldn't face going home.

Some nights, the three friends would sit with Reese's dying wife and read or talk to her in Reese's big house. Natalie had taken a three month leave from her job to recover. She would go at night to sit with Denise. After awhile, she started to read the Bible to the sick woman. It seemed to bring her comfort. Natalie started to take in the words of the Bible, and renewed her faith in the Lord, praying for hours for the relationship that she and Nick were building.

Sometimes, the three would sit at the loft and Nick would tell stories about his many lives and the times he had lived in. Reese got a small laptop and started to write the details down. Nick had given him permission to write a book about characters living in those times. It made him feel good that some of the lives he had touched would not be forgotten.

There were times when Nick would take Natalie out for a late night walk or a movie. Tracy had recovered and was back at work. On occasion they would meet her and Vachon and see a movie together. One night the guys took the girls flying. Tracy seemed to love it but Natalie clung to Nick so hard she nearly strangled him. They set down on a hill over looking the city. The lights twinkled forever. It was a warm summer night.

"Natalie, you nearly strangled me," Nick complained, though he was grinning from ear to ear. She slapped his shoulder, "You love scaring me half to death!"

"Giving you a thrill is more the idea." he pouted.

Tracy remarked, "I love it. It's so freeing and so amazing up there. Someday I'll be able to do it on my own."

Natalie and Nick both looked at her and said in unison, "No!"

They looked at each other, then Natalie said, "Tracy, think about this very carefully before you decide. There is so much that goes with the perks of being able to fly."

"Yes," Nick said, "Like never being able to stand in the sunlight? constant hunger? being dangerous to the ones you love. The darkness is the worst."

Tracy sighed. They'd had this conversation a lot, but she'd pretty much decided that she would have Vachon bring her across in about 5 years. "I'm already living at night, exclusively. I can't imagine life without Vachon," she said, taking his arm and pulling him close to her. "He has no desire to live in the sun, so I will live in the darkness."

"What about faith? Religion? It could be lost to you," Natalie pleaded.

Tracy shrugged. "It's never been a part of my life, Natalie. I don't see that I will miss it."

That night, conversation had faded off into the darkness. They finally gave up and flew back to the Loft. After that, the four friends saw less of each other. The gulf between those who wanted humanity and those who wanted vampirism grew.

Natalie, with her new faith, was worried about Tracy's soul.

A week later, Denise Reese died. Joe was devastated. He planned the service for the evening so that Nick and Vachon could come. They had all stood in the light of garden torches looking down on the grave sight, silent in their own thoughts. Nick finally spoke quietly, "Pop, please come and stay with Natalie and I on a permanent basis. I know you do not want to go back to your house alone."

Reese had looked at him with tears streaking his face, "Thanks, Son. I will come."

A voice came from behind them, "Dad, what are you saying! You can't leave Mom's house."

Reese turned to his daughter, Laura. "Please, honey? we will talk about this later."

"No, Now!" Laura, his distraught daughter demanded. "First, you have mom's funeral in the dark... She always loved the morning."

"You know Nick's allergic to sunlight," Reese reminded her.

"So who is he to us... to mom? Rachael is so upset about this she refuses to even talk to you. Now you're just walking away from all of it?"

Grace, having come to the funeral along with half the department, came from the larger group of officers to see what the commotion was. She touched Natalie's arm, her face full of questions. Everyone was taking notice of the raised voices.

Natalie shook her head, mouthing 'not now'. Natalie took her Grace's and held her friend close for support.

Reese begged, "Please don't do this here. I know you're hurt that mom is gone, but these people have been at our side for months... you haven't..." He said angrily and a bit too loudly. "Pop, please...let's just go to the house for now and you can .....", Nick started.

Laura, becoming hysterical now, struck out at Nick, "Pop? He's NOT your father, and he never will be!" She turned again on her father, "Dad, come with me now!"

Reese said, "No, Nick and Natalie have offered me a place to stay and I Can't go back to the house now... not tonight, at least. Please understand, that house is too empty for me right now."

Nick looked at Natalie desperately. "Laura?" she spoke to the woman. "Please try to see your father's needs in this matter. You're welcome to come to our place to talk with him."

"I don't intend to. He belongs with us... at mother's house."

Grace added quietly, "Your mother's gone. You need to think about what your father needs."

"Who are you? His girl friend?" Laura snapped.

Everyone stared, open mouthed.

Nick explained, "Grace is only a co-worker. Your father would never cheat on your mother." He allowed the beast to surface a bit. His voice was deep and dripped with anger.

Natalie let go of Grace and dragged him away. Vachon, who was with Tracy, followed.

Many of the officers felt for their Captain and started to herd the on lookers away.

Rachael had left her husband's side and came to join in the argument. Before Long, it became a shouting match and ended with the girl's husbands dragging them away. Reese was devastated and fell to his knees before the grave. Grace looked around and found she was alone with the torn man. She knelt beside him and he blindly grabbed hold of her and held on, sobbing for his loss... for the pain and embarrassment his daughters had caused him. She soothed him by rubbing his back and softly humming, 'Amazing Grace'. A few minutes later, Natalie returned and changed places with her.

"Natalie?" Grace heard him say as she walked away. She wondered, as she left the cemetery, if Joe had even realized, that she had been there with him.

Reese came to stay with Natalie and Nick.

About a week after the funeral, Joe told Nick, "Take Natalie out, Nick. Make it a special evening. You've put your lives on hold for me for too long. Sidney and I will be just fine."

Nick smiled, "Thanks, Pop. I have been wanting to ask her a very special question."

"Well, well," Reese said. "It's long over due, son. Go on... make your plans."

So that evening Nick found himself sitting before Natalie in a very posh restaurant in a secluded side room. She was so gorgeous. She was dressed in green velvet, and had small, emerald earrings on. Her reddish brown hair was piled high on her head, with tiny curls slipping down her neck, making it a very inviting place. Nick felt his fangs itch.

She smiled a knowing smile. Sometimes she ached for his fangs to bury Them selves in her neck, too. The sensations she had felt the night Nick had taken her blood overwhelmed her.

Nick seemed to shake himself. He reached out to take her hand. "You know how much I love you, Natalie. Soon it will be time for us to try again."

He stood, came closer, and then went down on one knee. He could already hear her heart beating faster. "Marry me, Natalie. Make our first time together, be really together. Make this a holy union between us. If it's God's will that we be together, let's do it right."

Natalie was so touched that tears ran down her face. She had been waiting for months for Nick to ask her to marry him. They'd been sleeping in the same bed together since she had come home. Some nights had been easy and other nights had been hard. Sometimes Nick slept on the couch... others she did.

She thought back a few nights. Nick had been pulling away, almost afraid of physical contact, and he'd snapped at her several times. Finally she had grabbed him and turned him to face her. He'd seen the hurt in her face and had been aghast. He took her in his arms and had pulled her stiff and unyielding body close. She'd had to will herself to relax against him.

"What's wrong?" she'd pleaded with him, her voice loud, her fear radiating from her.

Finally he had admitted, "I'm afraid. It will be okay soon to be with you, Nat. I nearly killed you the last time. I don't know if I can take that chance again. I can't live without you."

"Nick," she'd said, sternly, "Things are so different now. We're sleeping together most of the time. I know it's been a struggle at times, but you have learned a lot of restraint."

Nick had admitted slowly, "That's true. It is easier now."

"You're not hungry all the time, anymore"

Nick nodded in agreement, his fear receding. He knew that no matter what they talked about, he would never be totally sure he could pull away. Natalie's blood was like a sweet nectar. It was very rare for a Vampire to find a mortal to love one who could love them back with equal strength. The taking of her blood had made him feel so alive. If it hadn't been for the pain of nearly losing her, he would have been in heaven. The well being he had felt from her blood touched his very soul. He hadn't felt like that since he had knelt before the cross as a crusader and pledged his life to the Lord's service.

LaCroix had felt it in Nick's blood, and had pursed him over the centuries to feel that life again each time he had taken Nick's blood; sometimes by mutual agreement, sometimes by force. At first, Nick had loved him fiercely, bestowing on him all the love that he hadn't gotten from his father. When LaCroix had brought him across he had felt that unconditional love from Nick. That's why he could never let Nick go, knowing that only in those moments they were together would he feel that life. Nick understood him a bit better now, having been filled with Natalie's blood.

As Natalie looked down into his eyes, she saw all his love and his fear, yet now she knew he was ready to join with her again no matter what the cost. In her heart she knew Nick would not hurt her again. All these thoughts had flashed through in a second and Nick was still awaiting her answer.

"Yes!" she cried, throwing her arms around his neck. "Yes, Nick. I'll marry you."

Nick stood, drawing her to her feet. He kissed her with wild abandonment. Then he pulled the small, red velvet box from his pocket. She took the box with trembling hands and it crackled as she opened it. Inside was a beautiful heart shaped diamond of about four carats. "Oh, my! It's so beautiful, Nick."

"You are my heart and soul, Natalie." His fingers trembled as they took the ring from its velvet cushion and slipped it on her finger. It seemed to catch the many lights from the beautiful chandelier above them and the facets danced as the tiny lights reflected all over them. It seemed as if bells rang and they both looked around.

"What?" Nick asked the air.

Natalie giggled, "Wow! Do you think there is some truth to the saying, about a marriage made in heaven?"

Nick answered, "What would heaven want with me?" Sadness flashed across his face.

Natalie leaned forward and kissed him. "Heaven knows of you. You just have to find your way back, my love." Knowing it was not the time to get into one of their conversations, Natalie asked him to dance with her.

They stepped from their private alcove and onto the main ballroom floor. Natalie in her velvet gown and Nick in his black tux, garnered attention. Soon all eyes in the room locked on the two lovers as they glided around the room. Their feet didn't even seem to be touching the ground. In fact, Natalie realized she was slightly elevated.

"Nick, put me down. People are watching," she whispered. "It's a good thing my dress is so long." She giggled against his neck as she felt her feet touch the ground again.

He drew his head back and grinned at her, "Guess we'd better get out of here." He guided her back to their dining table and soon they sat gazing at each other. Nick had a special bottle delivered to him by a waiter who was a member of the community, and Natalie dined on a fine steak as they planned what kind of wedding they would have.

End Chapter 6


By Jeannie Ecklund Gersknightlady@cs.com





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