Chapter Four – Caleb/Ruby POV

Caleb POV

I don’t think I had ever cried as hard as I did that night. Well, at least not since Ruby had been killed. I felt like she had died all over again, and once again, her absence was my fault.

I stood up, furrowing my brow. I rushed out the door with supernatural speed and made my way to Forgotten Hollow. I knocked on Inna’s door, when she answered, I immediately pulled her into a frenzied kiss, backing up against the wall in the foyer and pulling her with me, holding her body close to mine. I needed this. I needed a distraction.

She was surprised, but wasn’t complaining, grabbing my cheeks and kissing me with the same intensity. It wasn’t romance. It was lust and my need to forget. 

But even as I kissed her, I couldn’t forget. Tears filled my eyes and spilled down my cheeks, but I continued. 

Make me forget. Just make me-

I stopped and turned away, burying my face in my hands. Inna of course seemed alarmed, realizing something was wrong. But I didn’t want to tell her. I didn’t want to hurt her. 

“Caleb,” she said softly, touching my shoulder.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, strained. 

She hugged me from behind, resting her head on my back. “I’m here, Caleb.”

Those words. They were the same she said when I came to her after Ruby’s death. They brought me comfort, yet made me even more emotional. I clenched my fists against my head, trying desperately to make the tears stop. Instead, I sobbed into my hands, finally just allowing it to happen.

“Let’s go upstairs,” she said.

I nodded and followed her.

We sat on the bed, and she sat beside me, facing my side. She crossed her legs and patted them, prompting me to rest on them. I gazed up at her with bloodshot eyes and a tear tracked face.

“Ruby?” She asked.

I nodded and closed my eyes. “She came back, but only to apologize. She said she has started a new life. One without me.”

She stroked my hair as I buried my face in her shirt, wrapping my arms around her waist. “I didn’t want to hurt you. I said I wouldn’t let you go this time, and I won’t.”

“But you love her,” she said. “I understand. Don’t be afraid to hurt me, Caleb. Just as long as you don’t go ghost again, everything will be fine.” She sighed. “Really, what we have is wrong. You’re still with Morgyn.”

I growled. “Morgyn is married to his work. Like an addict. Even when I go home, I don’t see him.” 

She caressed my cheek. “Then tell him that. As much as it pains me that you may never come back, I don’t want to be the reason your relationship dissolves.”

“I’m not leaving you, Inna,” I said, my complex feelings finally surfacing. “I don’t care about the consequences. I shouldn’t have left then, and I won’t now.”

She pulled me up and hugged me. “Promise you’ll tell him, at least?”

“I promise.”

“Tonight?”

I hesitated. “Yeah.” I tilted my head up and gazed at her. “But not yet.”

“Not yet? Wh-“

I cut her off, kissing her again, just as frenzied as I had when I came in. I pushed her down and got lost in her. Yeah, sure, I’d tell him. But first, I needed her. 

Ruby POV

I returned at dawn, lucky enough to make it in before the first sun rays emerged. After dressing, I quietly went to the kitchen to surprise Connor with breakfast.

I had just finished it when he came down the stairs. “Oh, you’re back!” He smiled. “It smells good.”

“Have a seat!” I gestured toward the chair. As he sat, I put the plate in front of him, sitting across from him with my arms folded.

“Oh, you didn’t have to do this, Ruby.” He looked at me in awe. “Thank you. How sweet.”

Marco’s words replayed in my mind. As I gazed at Connor, I realized how right Marco was. I had kind of fallen for Connor, hadn’t I?

“How was your trip?” He asked, taking a bite.

“Eventful,” I said. “I amended some things and made peace. It was well needed.”

“Good,” he said with a smile. “You seem far more liberated.”

“I am. I think I’m finally ready to embrace this new life.”

“Well, that’s a positive way to think of it.” His words seemed like he wanted them to come out more excited than they did. Instead, he seemed nervous, giving me a hesitant smile. “I actually need to talk to you about that.”

I felt nervous too. Was this goodbye maybe? “What do you mean?”

His smile returned momentarily. “You’ll see. I don’t want to say it while I’m stuffing my face.”

I laughed softly. “So, when, then?”

“I’ll let you rest,” he said. “You had a long journey. We’ll talk this evening.”

I nodded, taking the hint. I was terrified, but didn’t let it show. This was my last day here, wasn’t it? 

Not everyone gets a happy ending.

I stood up. “Y-you’re right. I shall go do that.”

He gave me a warm smile. “Sleep well.”

I nodded and started for the stairs. I stopped suddenly when I thought I heard him murmur, “my little bat.” When I turned around though, he was still eating, facing away from me. I sighed. Just my imagination.

I made my way to my room, laid down and fell asleep quickly. When I awoke, it was late afternoon.

Connor greeted me happily. “Hey.” His voice was softer than usual. “How’d you sleep?”

“Quite well, given the circumstances. I suppose I needed the rest.”

He tilted his head. “Given the circumstances?”

Oops. “Well, yes, I-I mean, there is quite a bit on my mind, you know.”

He nodded. “Maybe I shouldn’t add to it tonight. I didn’t even think of that.”

My eyes widened. “Oh, no, no! Please, I’d love to hear it.” I stepped closer. “What is it?”

He laughed softly. “You seem quite jumpy! You’ll find out soon. Don’t worry.”

I was left stunned as he walked away. Was this man trying to torture me? I growled and sat down on the couch. I waited what felt like forever until the lights dimmed.

I looked up and Connor was gesturing for me to join him outside.

“It’s a nice night,” he said. “Perfect for stargazing.”

I nodded. “Yeah. Ha. It is.”

He took my hand, gazing at me. “Really, Ruby, what’s wrong?”

I turned to face him. “I’m scared.” I gazed into his eyes.

“About what?” He asked placing my hand on his chest. His heart was racing.

“I…” I stopped. “You are too. Why?”

He laughed softly. “You first.”

“You said you needed to talk to me. I’m worried maybe this is maybe my last night here. Have I done something wrong? Do I maybe need to work harder here?”

He held his hands up. “No, no! Ruby, calm down, it’s alright.” He stepped closer. “You don’t ever have to leave here if you don’t want to. However, I did want to talk to you about that. Come on. Let’s gaze at the stars.”

He led me into the field, and we sat down, looking up. My breath was immediately stolen by the beauty.

“Wow.” I was stunned. “It’s so pretty. I’ve never seen so many stars.”

He laughed. “You haven’t come out here this past month?”

I shook my head. “No, I never really thought about it.”

“I feel like you still have so much to learn about the world.” 

Once again, his voice was soft, yet shaky. He took a deep breath and spoke again. “These past few years have been a roller coaster without my wife. I was scared to do a lot without her. How was I supposed to continue my life when the one I was meant to share it with was no longer in it?”

I gazed at him. Our eyes met, and he smiled warmly. “For the first time since then, I’ve felt that maybe it’s finally okay to take that step again. To find love. It’s a good feeling, you know?” 

I nodded. “Yes. It’s healthy, and I’m sure your wife is very happy with you.”

“I sure hope so.” He also nodded.

“Whoever you find will be a very lucky woman.”

“Do you…consider yourself lucky?”

I smiled. “Of course I do, Connor. By some strange chance I found this place, and you so willingly gave me a home and a job. Kindness and warmth. I’m incredibly lucky.”

He moved toward me and touched my cheek. “Maybe you’d feel even more lucky if you were that woman?”

I stared at him, wide eyed with shock. My expression shifted to excitement. “Yes! Of course! I…I’ve developed feelings for you, but never wanted to interfere with what you still shared with your late wife.”

He inched closer to me. “I’m ready to move forward with my life, Ruby.” His lips came intoxicatingly close to mine. “And I want it to be with you.”

I reached up and took the hand he had on my cheek as he kissed me under the moonlight. I felt my body go weak. Was this really happening? I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him closer to me. I felt dazed, but so happy. And yes, surely incredibly lucky.

We broke the kiss and smiled happily at each other. “I want that too,” I whispered. “More than anything.”

He rested his forehead on mine. “I’m so happy to hear that. You make me very happy, my little bat.”

I giggled and nuzzled his face. “I suppose it doesn’t have the same effect as a small, furry creature, hmm?”

He playfully kissed my cheek. “Oh it does.”

We laughed together, lying in the grass to watch the stars some more. It was the perfect scenario. 

And then, the perfect week. We continued being silly and playful, but with added affection. A week after that first kiss, we laid together in his bed, watching a movie in the darkened room. He affectionately rubbed along my side, relaxing me, and I leaned into him, kissing his cheek softly. He tilted his head down and we kissed. As he focused on that, his fingertips gently ran across my ribs and I giggled, squirming a little and breaking the kiss.

He tilted his head with a smile. “Why are you laughing?”

“You began to tickle, is all.”

He grinned playfully, pinning me on my back and tickling my sides as I squirmed and laughed. “I didn’t know you were ticklish, my dear!” He slowed his fingertips, still tickling, but not enough to make me laugh. Instead, I began to feel a much different sensation. It reawakened something within me. Something familiar, but dangerous. Lust.

“Are you alright?” He asked as my expression shifted and I closed my eyes. He stopped moving his hands.

I gazed up at him with a smile. “Yes, I’m fine. Better than fine. I really enjoy your company. Just, what you were doing….”

He waited for me to finish, but I didn’t. He started again. “This?”

I but my lip and nodded. “Mhm.”

“It’s…it…oh!” He stopped again. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to take it that direction.”

I took his hand. “Connor, don’t worry. I didn’t mind it.”

“Do you…want me to continue?”

“Are you ready for that step?”

He also bit his lip. “Yes. I think so.”

“Then yes, if you truly want to.”

He watched my movements as he continued, starting as a slow, light massage. I closed my eyes, enjoying the many sensations he gave me, from intensifying my lust to relaxing me. I had never felt anything like it. It was always one or the other, but not both. It was as if my body couldn’t fully process exactly what it was feeling. Regardless, I didn’t mind at all. No matter what direction we took, it still felt good all the same.

The relaxation slowly melted away as he continued, stroking my sides on a clear mission. Yet, still slowly and sensually. I bit my lip again, craving more, yet not wanting him to stop. 

“Was it like this when you were a bat?” He laughed nervously.

I shook my head. “No. That was affectionate. Don’t worry, you weren’t being creepy.”

He laughed again. “Good. That would be quite strange.” He moved his hand to the bottom of my shirt, brushing his fingertips slowly against my bare skin. “Is this okay?”

“Yes,” I whispered. Each touch made me crave him. I arched my back a little as he slowly moved up to my ribs, then back down again.

Finally, as he moved them back up, he kissed me. His kiss was far different than I had felt so far. His desire for me was very apparent. His soft strokes became teasing, and I began to crave him wildly. I held it back. I didn’t want to appear too eager, but I was. I was very eager to have him.

It didn’t take long for me to get my wish. I saw a much different side of him that night. He was soft and gentle, like his personality, yet very seductive. He whispered in my ear a lot. Much of it became what I had come to know as dirty talk. Something I wasn’t used to, but loved. He could be fierce and passionate, but romantic and sensual too. It depended on the moment. 

He made me feel a way I never did with Caleb. Not that Caleb was worse, but much different. I didn’t realize this one activity could have so many methods of expression. He was right. I still had much to learn.

We laid together when we finished, pulling the blanket up as I snuggled into his arms. The movie had long since ended, and we were in darkness. It was the first time I slept at night in a long time, and I didn’t mind at all. Being in Connor’s arms made it easy to sleep and be at peace. 

In the following days, Vanessa came to visit. Connor wanted so badly for her to meet me, and we were thrilled when we finally did.

“Dad has spoken so highly of you for a long time.” She smiled. “I knew this would happen eventually, and I’m very glad it did. I haven’t seen this bright of a smile on Dad’s face in a long time.”

I leaned into Connor as he kissed my forehead.

“She is an incredibly special woman,” he said. “I’m lucky to have her.”

Vanessa smiled and sat beside us, hugging both of us tightly. “Welcome to the family, Ruby.”

“Thank you, darling.” I smiled and closed my eyes.

Her father told her everything. Including my bat form. At first, Vanessa was a bit freaked out, but she calmed and wanted to see it.

I laughed softly. “Then I’ll be right back.” I headed into the bathroom and transformed, flying out of the open door and perching on Connor’s shoulder.

Vanessa shrieked, then laughed. She moved closer. “you’re actually kind of cute!”

I closed my eyes as she brushed the fur on the top of my head.

“Can you talk like this?”

I blinked twice. Connor translated. “No, she can’t. We use the blink method when she’s in this form.”

“Oh, like, yes or no questions? Blink once for yes, twice for no kinda thing?” She looked at me. I responded with one blink.

“Oh that’s so cool!” She exclaimed. She held out her finger. “I’m scared, but can you fly to me?”

I blinked and spread my wings, gently landing on her finger and nuzzling her to make her feel better. She giggled. “Oh my, my future stepmom is so adorable!”

I let out a surprised squeak, and Connor did similar. “Uhh, I, I think it’s maybe too soon to think that way,” he laughed nervously.

I blinked once, but kept my eyes wide after. Marriage? I couldn’t even think of that! Not just now, but ever! 

After a little longer, I flew off to the bathroom to transform again. After dressing myself, I looked in the mirror. 

Marriage. I hadn’t even thought of that since my engagement to Caleb. But, I loved Connor, and I would be honored to share the rest of his life with him. But marriage? Something so formal and final? I didn’t know if I could do that again.

I made my way back out into the living room, where Vanessa and Connor were having a pleasant conversation. I retreated to the guest room to relax. I had a lot to think about. Or maybe overthink about. That was a habit, of course.

I sighed. “Marriage….” What if he did ask? Would I accept? I didn’t know. But if I didn’t, what would become of us? The thought of losing him brought me an incredible and overwhelming feeling of sadness. No. I couldn’t do that.

I closed my eyes, envisioning what our life would be like, slowly drifting off to sleep without meaning to.

Chapter Five (Click here!)