It Had To Be You

Chapter 15

Copyright © 2024 Cassey9

Third Person P.O.V

Lea kissed her mother on the cheeks as she greeted her good morning. She was on cloud nine. Ecstatic and eager to conquer her day. How could she not? Especially when she got to awake to her vampire's sweet, melodic voice, over the phone, ushering her into the new day. One more day, Lea internally repeated to herself. One more day to go and then her mom and aunt would be back home with them.

"Hello to you too," Hazel greeted and turned to accept the warm hug Lea was offering. A quick once over at her daughter revealed the ecstatic state Lea was in. "Someone's perky this morning, Aren't you chirper today, sweetheart."

"Yes, Ma. I'm just really happy," Lea beamed and took a slice of a pealed apple from the plate.

"Well I hope it lasts forever."

"Me too, Ma," Lea chuckled at her mom's true statement. In fact, her mother had unknowningly hit the nail right on the head, she wanted to feel this way forever.

"Can I ask the cause of such a shift," Hazel playfully prodded. Days back, Lea had been sullen, sad and unsocial but the young woman seated before her was the epitome of joy and laughter.

"Ma, have you ever felt like everything is falling into its rightful place and all your worries and pain stop and... and all that is left is a feeling of contentment, bliss and just peace."

"Yes. Everyday with your mother, you and Liam feels like that, sweetie," Hazel proudly declared with a hearty laugh.

"Now I fully understand how you feel," Lea whispered with a smile. "I never want it end, Ma."

"Wait a minute," Hazel uttered as she paused in her serving. "Are you seeing anyone?"

"Yes," Lea eagerly spilt unable to contain her excitement.

"Who?"

"Just someone, Ma."

"One of your friends? Have I met him? Are two finally exclusive, sweetie? Is he your boyfriend?"

"Lea has a boyfriend... Lea has a boyfriend..." the shrill singsongy voice had Lea releasing an annoyed groan. She clicked her tongue when she spotted Liam's infuriating smile. "Lea has a..."

"Shut up Liam!"

"Who would want to date you even?" Liam playfully jabbed at his older sister, "You just so, you!"

"And you're just so nosy, shortstop!" Lea shot right back at him. "Now and come eat so I can drop you off."

"I don't believe it," Liam exclaimed loudly and in disbelief. He gawked at his sister, "You! You have a boyfriend? Impossible."

"Shut up," Lea warned sliding a plate towards her brother and then took hers.

"Liam stop antagonizing your sister," Hazel warned her son. "So tell me more sweetie."

"Later Ma," Lea said throwing a sideways glance towards her brother. If Liam heard more, then her brother would be armed with information that would make her life miserable. In fact, she would never live it down. Still, the fact they'd all assumed that she was dating a boy baffled Lea.

~~~~~~~~

He pocketed his phone and watched in awe as his heart beat in crescendo. Her mere presence and beauty was one that always made him stop and pay attention. Sam took a deep breath and swallowed the rush of emotion that consistently swarmed him whenever Lea was close by. Sam grabbed his backpack that lay a top the roof of his car and swung it on. He'd been patiently waiting for her arrival and now that she was here, Sam wanted to shoot his shot. Lea's golden locks and the short dress she had on flailed angelically in the wind. She was a vision to behold. He couldn't help but fall deeper into the feelings he held for her.

Unaware of his presence, Lea picked through the content of her tote bag. Her airpod case seemed impossible to find amidst the sea that was her school stationery.

"Lea, hey?" He called out finally getting her attention.

Lea looked up and smiled at the familiar friendly face. "Sam, hi," Lea greeted as she came to a stop before him. "You just got in too?"

He rubbed his hand at the back of his neck, "Um, no. I didn't see your car at it's usual spot so... so um, I waited for you."

"Okay, um thanks," she muttered unsure of what more to say.

"You look beautiful," he complimented wanting to save face. "As per usual."

"Erm... thanks," she dragged out, her voice flat and lacking in enthusiasm. "You look nice yourself Sam."

"Let me help you with that," Sam offered with an ear to ear smile. Treat a woman right, make her feel special and you'll have her eating right out of your palm, he vividly remembered his dad's advice. Sam had planned on doing just that. His charms and effort would finally pay off when Lea finally agreed to become his girlfriend and hopefully his wife in the coming future.

Lea stepped back and held on to her bag, "I'm fine, but thank you Sam."

The rejection hit fast and hard like a nuclear war head, obliterating all of his self confidence in a snap. Sam strained to keep his disappointment and sadness in check. He nodded and smiled at the only woman who time and time again continued to turn down his advances.

"Well, let's go then," Sam uttered and fell in step with Lea. Walking in silence made him anxious especially when he turned and caught Lea smirking at her phone. His presence completely oblivious to her. "So, about that date?"

"Huh?" Lea asked absentmindedly. Maddie teasing texts were hilarious and Lea couldn't wait to meet up with her friends later on in the day.

"So?"

Pulling her attention from her phone, Lea looked at Sam, "What did you say?"

"Did you settle on a day for us," he explained, his tone slow and deliberate when he noted confusion in Lea's face. "Our date? Remember? I'm free whenever are you."

The conversation from weeks back finally clicked in her mind and Lea felt a little perturbed by it. She'd totally forgotten about it. Lea placed her phone in her bag and turned to give Sam her full attention, "About that, Sam. I don't think I can do that anymore," Lea softly spoke intent on letting him down gently.

"Why not?"

"I'm seeing someone at the moment Sam."

The news was shocking, unnerving, like a rotten egg smashed right up his nose. Sam nodded and stared far off in attempts to pull himself together. "Oh, that's a pity," he finally spoke and escorted his words with a strained laugh. "For me, obviously."

"I'm sorry," she uttered and took his hand. Lea squeezed his palm, noting how hot it felt against her own. Her aunt's hand was cooler and far softer as it effortlessly and perfectly intertwined with her fingers. Lea shook off the thoughts and let go of Sam's hand, "I wish things were different Sam, but they aren't. You are a good guy and deserve to be with someone else. Someone who will always make you smile and more importantly, return your feelings. I'm not that someone for you, Sam. We can't be together. I'm sorry."

"It's fine, Lea," he uttered calmly despite the chaos unfolding within him. His faux admission felt like sand paper grating torturously against his throat. "I'm happy for you, Lea."

"Thank you."

"So friends," Sam asked extending his pinkie out which in turn made Lea giggle at the child-like gesture. Still, Lea linked their little pinkies together in a friendship vow as old as time. She embraced him, with the snug hug as a final seal to their deal.

"We are still friends of course," Lea agreed and playfully jabbed Sam on the chest. "Come on let's go now before Mr. Marsden kicks us out for tardiness."

"He can be such an ass, that old man."

"No," Lea defended the lecturer as they both picked up pace in their strides. They still had around 20 minutes to reach the lecture hall and that was time enough. "He's one of my favorites. I like him."

"Of course, only the teacher's pet would say so," Sam teased and earned himself a scowl that had him cracking up. Despite the deep pain lingering in his chest, it was hard not to enjoy Lea's company. Lea was as captivating as she was funny and easy to be around with.

The lecture hall came into view and both Lea and Sam filed in with the rest of their classmates. Sam followed Lea to the middle of the huge room and they each took their usual seats.

"Evan isn't here..."

"You can't say no to this," Sam spoke in tune with Lea cutting her assessment short.

"Say no to what?"

"It's no longer going to be a date, I swear," Sam started softly and gazed into Lea's inquisitive eyes. "But I'd like to treat you out to lunch tomorrow. It'd be rude for you to say no. We'll go just as friends. No strings attached."

"Oh, okay. As friends," Lea repeated with a grin. She'd expected things to be weird and strained with him, but, taking a look at her friend, Sam looked seemed to be taking things in great strides. "Sure, can Maddie and Vanessa also come?"

"Of course, I'll text them both about the place we'll meet. It's a new spot actually," Sam lied. He was way in too deep with his plans to even contemplating on pulling out. "And, I'll text you too Lea. About the details."

"Sure."

"Guys, hey," Jake greeted sliding into the empty seat next to Sam. Lea high-fived the offered hand just as the sound of a throat obnoxiously clearing was heard throughout the lecture hall's overhead speaker. Lea gazed towards the podium, the professor was present and as usual on time.

~~~~~~~~~

Her eyes followed her mother in silence from the moment she entered her room. The wide grin on her mother's face gave Lea an idea of what was to follow. Lea rested the book she was reading on her torso and continued to watch her mother as she gently set her wine glass on the nightstand and got onto her bed.

"What?" Lea asked as her mother reposed against the pillows and started sipping slowly on her drink.

"Tell me the deets," Hazel exclaimed, the joy in her voice matching the glitter in her eyes. "I want to know everything. Serve me some juice."

"Ma, please, don't talk like that," Lea groaned embarrassed for her mother.

"What? Your friends always comment on how I look like your sister. Your younger sister infact," Hazel joked and chuckled proudly at the pure look of horror her daughter's face took.

"No one says that!"

"Yes they do," Hazel teased and was happy to see Lea laugh aloud with her. Her heart gladdened as happiness streaked through her entire being like a comet at just being seated and sharing this hearty conversation with her daughter.

"You really want to know?" Lea asked her mother who eagerly nodded in reply.

"Yes. Tell me about him? Where did you meet him? Is he cute? Handsome? What does he do?"

Lea fiddled with the book in hand as she finally pulled it shut to fully immerse herself in the conversation. "Why are you assuming it's a he, Ma? You are happily married to Mom. A woman. Can't I also be in a rela..."

"So, you are seeing a girl?" Hazel quickly deducted the truth from her daughter's fast paced ranting.

"Yes. But she's isn't some girl, Ma. She's an amazing woman. More mature," Lea declared boldly despite her face feeling inflamed and turning scarlet.

Realization dawned on Hazel and she swallowed the remainder of her wine with a single gulp. "Oh, I see. A woman?" asked Hazel in a calm voice. She rested her frame against the bed's fluffy pillows and gave Lea her full attention.

"It's just that using the term girl, feels a little odd when describing her, Ma. She's a woman, a beautiful one at that and I... I love her. So much."

"Okay," Hazel uttered as her motherly instincts started to kick in. "How old is this said woman? Is she way older than you?"

Lea nodded and watched her mother's face contort in horror then surprise, "Stop looking at me like that, Ma. What about mom? The age difference between you two is astro..."

"It's different for me, sweetie. You know your mother is a..."

"A vampire, I know," Lea interjected and finished the sentence for her mother, "My girlfriend isn't like an old feeble elderly person. So calm down, Ma." Surprise, surprise she too had a vampire for a mate. Besides, comparing her age to her aunt's felt unimportant, trivial. She couldn't help the vast age difference and wouldn't change it even if she could. With age came a certain level of wisdom, thrills and skills that Lea couldn't wait to experience firsthand with her vampire.

"Okay. What's her name, Lea? When can your mother and I meet her?"

The questions she'd been dreading finally made there presence known. "Uh? We just started seeing each other, Ma. We are fairly new to this," Lea uttered.

"Does she make you happy?"

"Yes. More than I can describe with words Ma," Lea answered.

"Is she good to you, Lea? Does she treat you with utmost love and respect?" Hazel continued to question her daughter.

"She does, Ma," Lea fervently confirmed. She felt special to her vampire. Aunt Jillian always made her feel like she was the only one in the world.

"You are our only princess, sweetie. Your girlfriend should treat you as such. You are royal. Remember that," Hazel continued on. As much as she didn't want to admit it, Hazel knew her daughter was now an adult and would soon venture out from their nest. "You shouldn't accept anything less than what your mom and I have taught you."

"She's more than I expected Ma," Lea murmured and shuffled towards her mother. Hazel welcomed her daughter's closeness and embraced Lea who rested her head on her mother's chest. "Being with her is more than I expected Ma. Her smile is enlivening and when she touches me I feel..."

"Hey, stop," Hazel cut her daughter short. She wasn't ready to listen to the intimate details of Lea being with a woman.

"What?" Lea questioned as she peered up to look at her mother.

"Please stick to the 'PG' stuff , sweetie," Hazel teased her daughter. "I don't think my ears can bear listening to what my daughter does with her girlfriend." Lea's face flamed up and she let out a groan whilst begging her mother to stop. "On a serious note though, when can I meet her, Lea?" Hazel asked when they'd both calmed down.

"Soon. I'll bring her around, Ma. I promise."

She pecked her daughter on the forehead and tightened her arms around Lea, "I'm happy for you sweetie," Hazel commented softly. "It's good to see you this happy. But I should warn your girlfriend when you finally bring her home. You know your mother, right? She's very protective of you Lea. So this girl, sorry, woman better not hurt you. Or she'll have hell to pay. From the both of us."

Lea smiled at her mother's final statement. She and her aunt had a long way to go, "I know Ma. I love you. I love you and Mom very much."

"We love you too, sweetie," Hazel whispered peppering more motherly kisses on her daughter's head.