Nocturnal Bravura Book Two: The Healing

24

Beta'd By Spikeslovebite



Vows

It was a normal night. As normal as any night could be when one lived on a Hellmouth. The demon activity was almost nonexistent. To the point that Lizzie seemed completely relaxed while holding William’s hand as the walked through the cemetery.

“It’s strange. I almost feel at peace, if that’s possible.” She was saying.

William squeezed her hand and smiled as she scooted closer, nudging his arm around her. He squeezed her, holding her close to his side.

Things had progressed for the strange couple nicely. They were more comfortable around each other. Their relationship focused more on the present than in the past. The future was an entirely different subject. Neither of them wanted to delve into that particular subject.

For William, it was like living on borrowed time.

For Lizzie, it felt like all she had was time. Too much time. William could die at any time and she would be there alone.

Pressing questions hung over their heads constantly, but both knew better than to voice them.

Then there were moments like this one, when things were quiet and they could pretend like they were normal.

Not a Slayer

Not a Vampire.

Just a boy and a girl.

No past, no future.

Just that moment.

William gulped hard. He had been planning this night for a week now. Getting everyone’s help. He wondered how Lizzie would react.

“Will, you o.k.?” She asked, her voice ripe with concern.

He nodded, looking in the distance. “I want to show you something.”

Lizzie allowed William to drag her forward. “That’s the old church.” She said as they drew closer, pausing to look at the dilapidated old building.

Lizzie marveled at the sight of the old structure. Even in it’s ruined state there was still an air of beauty and charm to it.

“Come on.” William said, taking her hand to lead her inside. When they came through the door, her green eyes went impossibly wide.

The main room was lit by thousands of tiny white tea candles, their heady vanilla scent wafting through the air. She looked around, her expression awestruck.

William turned to face her, drawing her attention back to him. He smiled down at her animated face.

“You did this for me?” She asked, amazed.

“No, I did this for us.” William said seriously. He held her hands in his and gazed into her eyes. Before he lost his nerve, he bent down and kissed her.

Lizzie closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of William’s lips against hers.

He pulled back slightly and begun to whisper in her ear.

“No more be grieved at that which thou hast done:
Roses have thorns, and silver fountains mud:
Clouds and eclipses stain both moon and sun,
And loathsome canker lives in sweetest bud.
All men make faults, and even I in this,
Authorizing thy trespass with compare,
Myself corrupting, salving thy amiss,
Excusing thy sins more than thy sins are;”

He put his arms around her, drawing her deeper into his embrace. Lizzie stared up into his eyes in wonder while he continued.

“For to thy sensual fault I bring in sense,
Thy adverse party is thy advocate,
And 'gainst myself a lawful plea commence:
Such civil war is in my love and hate,
That I an accessary needs must be,
To that sweet thief which sourly robs from me.’

Lizzie rocked a bit, taken in by the melody of William’s voice. She smiled up at him, tears spilling from her eyes.

“Not mine, pet, but those of my name sake.” William said, his eyes filled with love.

“It’s still beautiful.” she whispered, her cheeks glistening with tears.

“They’re Shakespeare's words, but I understand the sentiment behind them.” He answered. He caressed Lizzie’s cheek and kissed her forehead, then drew back and looked into her eyes.

“We have to forgive ourselves Lizzie for everything or else none of it would be worth it. We won’t be able to move on and I think it is time for us to do that. If we don’t then I can‘t tell you what I need to.” William said.

“What is it William?” Lizzie whispered trying not to sound afraid.

“I’m not an idiot Lizzie. I know there are things against us. Big things. The past. The present. Even the future seems to be working against us. But, I...I wanted you to know how I felt about you. I used to be so scared to tell you what was in my heart. And now I’m scared not too. I don’t want to feel like I let go of a second chance.” William said.

She started crying harder. “William…”

“Don’t. I’m not telling you this to hear you say anything back. I just want you to know something.” He took her hand and placed it over his heart. “You’re a part of me. More than my blood; your’re part of my soul. You’re my family.” He said.

Lizzie sobbed, her thin shoulders shaking.

Family.

Belonging.

She, who felt that she didn’t truly belong anywhere anymore. But, here was William. Her strength. Telling her she did indeed have a place somewhere.

“You’re a Giles, Elizabeth, just as much as Dawnie is. In my heart, you’re the only girl I would ever give my name to.” William said.

“William don’t say that. You can’t believe that. You can still have everything. A wife A future. Something besides this world filled with demons and darkness.” She insisted.

“This is my world Lizzie, and you’re a part of it. Always have been. I should have said something before. I just wanted you to know. Here in this place, that will never change. Ever. You’re my heart, Elizabeth. Regardless if what was in the past, or what the future brings, I promise you that will never change. Not even when I leave this earth.” He vowed.

Lizzie looked down at their clasped hands, then back up. He green eyes glowed as she stated her words. “William, you’ve taken care of me since the day I came into your life. You have been everything to me; my best friend, my brother, and my lover. I can’t begin to tell you what that means to me. I love you more than I know how to say. I promise you this; I will always be here. I will never leave your side. I swear to you that I will be the last thing you see when you leave this earth.” Lizzie promised.

They sealed their vows with a kiss, their tears mingling on their lips.

Reluctantly pulling away, William walked over to a small radio and turned it on. He pushed play to start the CD and stretched out a hand to Lizzie. “Dance with me?” he asked.

Lizzie accepted, stepping into the safe haven of William’s embrace. They held each other tightly, swaying to the music.

“Darling don't you understand I feel so ill at ease
The room is full of silence and it's getting hard to breathe
Take this guilted cage of pain and set me free
Take this overcoat of shame
It never did belong to me
It never did belong to me”

Lizzie pulled back first, shrugging out of her jacket. She then slowly removed William’s. Her hands slid down his chest until she tugged at the hem of his shirt, pulling it up and over his head smoothly.

“I need to go outside
I need to leave the smoke
'cause I can't go on living in this same sick joke
It seems our lives have taken on a different kind of twist
Now that you have given me the perfect gift
You have given me the gift”

William undid the buttons down the front of Lizzie’s shirt and slid it down her arms. She unclasped her bra herself, letting it fall to their feet. Resting her forehead against his bare chest, she sighed as she felt his lips caressing the top of her head.

They danced on, their movements reminding them both of their first dance so long ago. The night Lizzie drew her last breath. This time, though, it wasn’t a dance filled with sorrow. It was a dance filled with promise.

Promise. And love.

“For we have fallen from our shelves
To face the truth about ourselves
And we have tumbled from our trees
Tumbled from our trees”

Lizzie and William stood before each other, naked. Not only physically, but emotionally. They laid themselves completely bare to each other. She kissed him, allowing him to deepen the kiss as she took his hands in hers, twining theirs fingers. She began to sink to the floor, taking William down with her.

“And I can almost... I can almost feel the rain falling
Don't you know it feels so good
So let's go out into the rain again
Just like we said we always would...”

Outside a storm began to rage. The wind seemed angry; the rain violent as it lashed at the windows. The fury outside was matched by the fury within as William moved over her, his touch burning her skin as he sank deep inside her, his movements strong and sure as he gave her a glimpse of the heaven she would never know. She cried out his name in a lost, broken voice and clenched tightly around him.

Thunder cracked, shaking the ancient building as William threw back his head bellowed her name to the raging skies. His release seemed to go on and on, pleasure bordering on pain as he filled her writhing body with his very essence. At last he fell limply against her, his head pillowed on her chest as he struggled to catch his breath. He was still nuzzling her soft breasts gently when sleep overcame him.

Lizzie caressed and petted William’s hair as he slept. The storm continued outside as she wished for the same sweet relief of sleep that he enjoyed. She shifted slightly, smiling as his grip tightened subconsciously around her, needing her close even at rest. Finally her eyes started to drift closed, lulled by the gentle ebb and flow of his breathing.

Just as she was about to find her own peace, she bolted up, dislodging William’s body from hers. Afraid that her sudden movement might have awakened him, she looked down to make sure he was still asleep. Much to her relief he turned to his side, muttering softly.

Lizzie stood up, pulling on her long coat around her. She walked over and stood at the window, watching the rain pour down.

Something was calling her…Beckoning her out into the night. She fought it; afraid, not knowing what is was. Finally the urge stopped. Lizzie stood against the windows frame, trying to understand what had just happened; lost in her own confused emotions.

So lost that she did not even feel herself gently stroking the pin prick scars on her neck.....


End Of Book Two