Vampire P.I., Double Trouble

Chapter 5: The Ultimate Question

*Claire*

I let the warm water cascade over my body. It spatters against the glass doors and creates the perfect amount of white noise as I close my eyes and absorb the warmth of the steam around me.

My fingers brush over my skin, gingerly touching the places where I remember Nathaniel's hands being, pressing into my flesh as carefully as he could as he pulled me close. Every part of my body tingles and shivers as I think of the way he moved in me, kissing my neck and being as careful as he could with his strength that could crush me in an instant.

Our close call a couple of days ago with law enforcement when Nathaniel needed to tap the assailant to a crime made us more careful when going out, which lead to a lot more time alone together in our room. So, the past few days were ones where Nathaniel and I preoccupied ourselves with pushing the boundaries of our relationship, seeing how careful Nathaniel really does have to be when we are having s*x.

Not that I minded, of course. I may not be one for rough s*x, but Nathaniel somehow managed a perfect balance between creativity, force, and consideration.

I bite my lip and feel the place where his teeth had accidentally nicked the edge. The taste of iron is still present on the tip of my tongue. I rub it clean before stepping into the stream of water.

My body slick with soap, I wash my frame before turning off the water and wrapping a towel around me. The steam lingers in the air, fogging the mirror, so I make sure to be careful as I step out onto the tile floor and comb out my hair. Finally finished, I slip into a fluffy robe which is on the back of the door, and step out into the slightly chilled air.

I hear Nathaniel in the kitchen, most likely making some kind of lunch for me. My heart flutters with adoration, thinking about how well he takes care of me. I pad into the kitchen, bare feet leaving slightly humid footprints behind as I walk.

He turns when he hears me sit down and smiles.

“Welcome back," he smiles. “Did you enjoy your shower?" He steps forward and sets a plate in front of me which is laid with a perfectly wrapped grilled chicken wrap filled with greens and several vegetables. He kisses me on the temple before taking a seat across from me.

“It was lovely, yes, and thank you for making lunch. You're way too sweet to me," I say.

He winks and folds his fingers in front of him, waiting for me to try this new creation of his. I oblige, feeling my insides craving sustenance, and instantly want to melt into the meal. It is flawless and divine, and I give Nathaniel an approving look, which makes him smile broadly.

“I'm glad you approve," he says. “Evidently, my culinary skills are still satisfactory."

“Satisfactory? Nathaniel don't humble brag. You could easily open a five-star restaurant and make a killing. You're good and you know it," I scold gently.

Nathaniel laughs and shakes his head. “Hardly. I'd prefer a quiet life where I can live happily with the love of my life," he says softly, that charming twinkle in his eyes. I feel my insides flip and my cheeks get warm.

“And who might that be?" I ask teasingly. Nathaniel gives a disbelieving look, but winks.

“No one you know," he smiles. He leans back into the chair, hands still on the table, and bites his lower lip. I can tell simply by the position he takes in the chair that he is interested in talking about something.

“What?" I ask. “You have something on your mind?" Nathaniel's quirky half-smile makes my heart skip a beat, but he does nod.

“I did have something I wanted to talk to you about," he says. “It's nothing too concerning, but I did want to ask you a few things if that's all right."

The warm bubbling excitement in my chest threatens to vaporize when he says this.

Talk?

Talk about what?

Ask me a few things?

What kind of things?

I swallow dryly and nod, trying to keep my composure, setting down the delectable wrap and wiping my hands clean.

“Shoot," I state, bracing for whatever it is that he has in store for me.

“We—that is, you and I—have been together for some time," he says directly. “We've had hours of conversation, I would like to think our relationship is mutually beneficial, and our careers are similarly aligned, despite our initial rift."

My stomach churns. I think I know where he's going with this, and I do not know if I am ready.

“One question we have never addressed, however, is one of our long-term future together," states Nathaniel.

Hearing this, I feel relief spread over me. I don't know what I was expecting out of him, but it wasn't this. Nathaniel isn't usually the type of guy to spring something on me unless he says there is a surprise waiting for me.

“Our future?" I ask.

Nathaniel, looking curious, nods and smiles.

“Yes, I assume you agree that you and I are compatible on several relevant factors. Seeing both of us have… mutual affection… for one another," says Nathaniel, pausing just for a moment to smile charmingly. “I was wondering what you had in mind."

I usually am an intense planner, but this is one of the only times in my working memory that I have not thought about something intensely.

“Well," I say, thinking quickly about what I want for the future, “I see my future with you. I see us fighting the bad guys and throwing them behind bars. I… see myself—us—having kids, if that can be part of our future, and I imagine living together for the rest of our lives."

“So, you see us being together?" he asks. I nod, leaning forward and smiling. “Possibly being married?"

At hearing this, I feel my body stiffen ever so slightly.

Married?

I think about it but ultimately nod my head slowly.

“You hesitated just then," points out Nathaniel in an observant tone. I wince, knowing he called me out to keep me accountable.

“I… do want to get married, but I… I don't know if I'm ready," I say guiltily. Nathaniel always takes everything in stride, and this is no different. He nods slowly and smiles.

“And that is okay," he reassures. “I wouldn't want to force you into anything too soon if you weren't ready. I know the life we have together now is comfortable and I have loved this time with you so much. Claire, you've given me life again when I thought I would never know such a thing again. I shall endure forever if that's what spending that time with you means."

I smile, feeling his words warm me like the steam in the shower. I lean forward, heart fluttering once again in my chest, and kiss him, placing my hand onto the side of his face and keeping him close.

I know in my heart that I do want to spend my life with him, but another question undoubtedly loomed under Nathaniel's initial query: how long would our lives together be? My lifetime? Or forever?

Am I ready for forever?