Eternal Love

Always and Forever

CHAPTER 5

Always and Forever

“Would you like to go out tonight? Or do you need to rest?” Gabriel asked as he continued to stare down at her. “Out?” Sage asked, slightly confused. “Yes. A bunch of the others are going into the city for some amusement and entertainment. Do you want to go too?” “Would you be going?” “Only if you want to, otherwise, if you wish to stay here, I would as well.” “What kind do they look for?” He chuckled. “For many, it is the bar scene. There are others however that prefer festivals, concerts, carnivals, movie theaters, you name it. Everyone has their different preferences.” “And you? What is your preference?” “Making you happy.” He whispered as he lowered his head and brushed his lips against hers. She giggled like a schoolgirl on a playground.

“So what do you want to do? Because I can tell you what I want to do.” “And what's that?” “Did you open your gift yet?” “No. Why?” “Open it.” Gabriel said as he sat up and reached for the package at the foot of the bed. Sage sat up and took the box as he laid it in front of her. She watched him for a moment as he rose from the bed and walked to the closet, admiring his backside as he pranced around the room in the nude. Gabriel glanced over his shoulder as he was pulling on a pair of boxers, noticing she was staring at him instead of opening the box. “Watching me isn’t going to open that box any faster, princess.” Sage smirked as she realized she was busted.

“So what is in here?” Sage asked as she tugged on the perfectly tied, red ribbon. She lifted the lid and gasped, glancing up at him in shock. “Did you already know what I was going to say?” “Sweetheart…the way you respond to me, to my touch, and the longing in your eyes…yes, I knew what your response would be. You’re too good for me, but if you ever thought I would ever let you walk out that door once I’ve had a taste of you…then you were sadly mistaken. You’re mine.” “You know…I think that is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.” Sage replied as she lifted the beautiful white, silk dress out of the box, spreading it out on the bed. “When?” “Is tonight too soon to ask for?” “Tonight is perfect.” Sage whispered as she turned around to face him.

Expecting to jump into his arms, Sage was at a standstill. Gabriel was down on one knee, a red velvet jewelry box in his hand. “Sage Montgomery…will you do me the honor of becoming this old man's wife?” Sage smiled as she gave him her hand. “If you can make this legal tonight, you can bet your ass I will. And I’ll make an honest man out of you yet.” She laughed as he slid the ring on her finger.

Sage held her hand up and stared at the ring he placed on her finger. “This is so beautiful Gabriel…and expensive.” “I didn’t spend a dime on it either.” “What?” “You know the saying, five finger discount.” “What!!!” Sage shrieked. Gabriel chuckled as he wrapped the fuming little woman in the circle of his arms. “Got to give a queen the very best…even when you're broke.” He laughed even harder as Sage struggled to pull away. “I won’t wear it!” Sage continued to rant. “Then I guess you don’t want to wear the dress either.” “Let me guess…a five finger discount for that too?” Sage snapped. “Like I said, princess, only the best for my queen.” He chuckled as he lowered his head. “Do you know that you’re even beautiful when you’re angry?” He brushed his lips against her ear before whispering, “the ring is centuries old, and it has been passed down through generations to every female in my family. It was my mothers…and now it is yours.” “And the dress?” “I bought that.” He chuckled. “You’re not marrying a pauper sweetheart. I have had centuries to build a fortune. And once you take my name…you will be a very rich little girl.”

Sage huffed as she smacked his bare chest before leaning into his embrace. “You’re a mean old man, Gabriel.” Sage mumbled against his chest. “You know it.” Gabriel smiled as he hugged her tight before releasing her. He walked over to the door and swung it open. Betty came rushing in. “We need to hurry.” She chimed happily as she shooed Gabriel out of the room. “Your clothes are laid out in the next room, Gabriel.” “Thankyou Betty.” He said as he disappeared from the room. “You knew?” Sage asked Betty, as she watched her pulling the undergarments from the box. “Of course…everyone knows. Why do you think an unexpected trip to the city was planned? Gabriel is always one step ahead.”

Betty was assisting Sage into her clothes when Margaret slipped into the room. “Is she just about ready?” Margaret asked as she spread out a ton of make-up and hair products out onto the vanity. “One last button…there. She’s ready for you.” Betty said as she ushered Sage over to the vanity. Sage was amazed with Margarets handi-work. Margaret had Sage’s hair and make-up done in only the matter of fifteen minutes, and she was beautiful. “Magnifico.” Margaret said as she looked at Sage through the mirror. “I am honored to call you family, sweetheart.” She said as she leaned down and kissed Sage’s cheek. “Me too, Aunt Maggie.” Sage smiled back.

One hour later, all the vehicles were packed to capacity with occupants and on their way to the city. “Have I told you how beautiful you look?” Gabriel asked as he leaned down and kissed Sage’s cheek. “You just did.” She smiled. “I want to flip up those skirts and take advantage of you this very second.” Gabriel groaned into her neck. “What? And ruin this dress you couldn’t even afford.” She laughed. “You are going to be the death of me, woman.” He groaned, kissing and licking her neck. Sage pushed him away, staring at him. “You are not allowed to leave me on this earth without you, Gabriel.” Sage replied seriously. “I love you…and I expect you to love me to my dying day. Please do not speak of death on our wedding day.”

Gabriel stared at Sage for a moment, contemplating his next words carefully when he finally sighed. “No one lives forever Sage…not even vampires. We may live for centuries but eventually we die out at some point, but I will make note to live out your years.” “You better, because I don’t know if I could go on living without you.” He leaned down and roughly kissed her, devouring her mouth with hunger as he slowly pressed her back into the seat cushion. She moaned into his mouth as her own desire grew stronger. She broke free of his kiss, “To hell with this.” She muttered as she tugged her skirts up to her waist. He tore her underwear in his haste to remove them, but once he was embedded deep inside her, it was worth the waste of a perfectly good pair of undergarments.

Gabriel f****d her like there was no tomorrow, and she was well ridden by the time they departed from the limousine. “For Christ’s sake you two! A bunch of kids you are. Couldn’t even wait an hour.” Margaret scolded as she refixed Sage’s hair. “Sorry…aunt Maggie.” Sage sulked. “She’ll get over it…won’t you auntie?” Gabriel smirked as he leaned down and kissed Margaret’s cheek. Margaret huffed in frustration as she stared at Sage. “You really do love him, don’t you?” Margaret sighed. “I do. What’s there not to love?” Sage asked as she stared off into the distance. “It feels as if I have known him my entire life…and maybe even more, like in another lifetime. I was drawn to him the second I laid eyes on him. Is that wrong? Am I doing the right thing? Marrying him I mean?”

Margaret looked at Sage for a moment. “In the human part I would say no, only because you’ve known each other for less than two days, but on the vampiric side I would have to say yes. There are such things as fated destinies that can be intertwined through the generations.” “What does that mean?” “It means that you could have been mated centuries ago, and this was the only way for you to meet. Soulmates, sweetheart. I believe you to be Gabriels soulmate as he is yours.” “So what you’re saying is that we are meant to be together?” “Yes.”

Margaret looped her arm through Sage’s and guided her into the building behind all the others. “How is this going to be legal Maggie?” “Gabriel has his ways, sweetheart.” She chuckled. “But how? I really want to belong to him and not have to worry that my step-father can rip me away from him.” Margaret sighed. “Gabriel traced your lineage and located a distant aunt that was actually granted guardianship of you if anything ever happened to your mother. She is your father’s last living relative. She was his great-aunt I do believe, and she has your mothers original will. Tim Hallaway never had any right to you…your mother saw to that.” “Really?” “Yes, and speaking of which…” Margaret said as she stopped in front of a little old lady, maybe in her fifties. ”Johanna Montgomery, this is Sage.”

“It is so nice to finally meet you Sage.” “Same here, aunt Johanna.” Sage said in awe of the woman. “Joan please.” She said as she embraced Sage. “I wondered why I hadn’t heard from your mom for a while now, and when I spoke to Gabriel, I believe he said his name was, I immediately pulled out your mom's will and retrieved a copy of Anna’s death certificate from the courts. Tim had some nerve though, he petitioned for guardianship of you the day your mother died. He was never supposed to have any type of custody of you…my lawyers are on a rampage to take him down.” “Wow. I wish I had known about this…I would’ve notified you immediately.” “I know you would’ve, sweetie. I bet Tim was just as much of a bastard to live with as it was for your mother.” “You don’t even know half of it.” “Well…as much as I would love for you to come and live with me, are you sure about this? Is this what you want? To get married at such a young age? He’s not forcing his hand is he?” “I love him, Joan, and he loves me. He is very wealthy so you won’t have to worry about my being taken care of, and his family has already accepted me with open arms.”

“I’m glad to hear all of this, Sage, but I want to meet this boy before I give my approval.” “Joan?” “Yes dear?” “How old do you think he is?” “Well…around your age, why?” Margaret chuckled, “my nephew is anything but a boy, Joan.” “And how much older is he to Sage?” Joan asked hesitantly. “Twelve years, ma’am.” Gabriel said as he approached their small group. Joan glanced up at Gabriel in shock, her eyes never leaving his large form as he wrapped his arms around Sage’s waist from behind. “That would make you, what? Twenty eight? Twenty nine?” Joan asked in astonishment. “Twenty eight.” Gabriel replied before kissing the top of Sage’s head. Joan leaned close to Sage, “You’re not pregnant are you?” “No ma’am.” Sage replied as her hands unconsciously covered Gabriels. Joan nodded. “And this is why you needed me…because you’re a minor?” “Yes ma’am. Tim would’ve never approved especially if he wasn’t getting paid for me.”

“Paid for you?” “It’s a long story.” Sage replied uncomfortably. “Well you will have to tell me…and sometime soon. The more dirt I have on that bastard, the better.” Sage nodded. “Will you give me your blessing, Joan?” “Only if this is what you want.” “It is.” “Then I guess we better get you married off.” Joan replied as she turned to go into the hall. “Joan?” Sage called. Joan stopped in her tracks and turned to glance at Sage. “Yes dear?” “Since I have no father to walk me down the aisle, and you are apparently my last living blood relative…would you do me the honor? As well as you, aunt Maggie? An aunt from both our families? One on each arm?” “I would be honored, sweetheart.” Joan replied. “So would I.” Margaret said, a big grin on her face.

Half an hour later Gabriel and Sage stood at the altar reciting their own vows. “I, Gabriel Macallister, take thee, Sage Montgomery, to be my lawfully wedded wife always and forever. Ye are blood of my blood, and bone of my bone, I give ye my body that we two might be one, I give ye my spirit til our life be done.” “I, Sage Montgomery, take thee, Gabriel Macallister always and forever, to be my lawfully wedded husband. Ye are blood of my blood, and bone of my bone, I give ye my body that we two might be one, I give ye my spirit til our life be done…and I promise to try to be the good wife you need, I promise to always be faithful, to give at will, to be brave in time of need, and to always stand at your side through our journey through life and death.” Gabriel chuckled after Sage completed her vows. “Try to be good?” He repeated as he jerked her into his arms. “I love you Sage.” “As I too, love you Gabriel.” She replied just before his mouth covered hers. “Allow me to now introduce the happy couple.” The minister said. “Mr and Mrs Gabriel Macallister.