Hey guys, so sorry. Junior year is killing me here.

cramming everything this year so senior year is a free year.

Theodore

I grabbed the back of her neck before she could kill Stephanie, crushing her neck. I felt uncontrollable anger. Anger powered by the stupid Vampire mating thing. All I could see was vengeance as Ximena scratched and gagged under my mercy.

She was hurting my woman.

But then, Stephanie's eyes opened. She wasn't on the brink of death, I could feel it. Even though the wrath of the mating curse was almost unbearable for letting my mate get seriously hurt, I was able to tame it, to attend to Stephanie. "Petrificus Totalus." I whispered, casting a witch spell to immobilize Ximena. I took out my handcuffs and cuffed her before attending to Stephanie.

She was breathing hard, meaning she was fighting for her. Her insides were almost crushed, but she smiled at me, tears streaming down her face. "I thought I..." she panted as I stood in awe. "I thought I was gonna die."

I shook my head, kneeling beside her. "You're such a dumb ass." I whispered and she chuckled, coughing out a bit of blood. "I'm going to heal you, ok? Just shut up."

She nodded. "Ok." she whispered, slowly closing her eyes.

"Not yet, idiot. Don't close your eyes." I almost shouted. "If you close your eyes, you'll be my whore and you'll never get the chance to tell me that I am your slut." I tried desperately to keep her awake.

She smiled. "Ok,"

If she died, I couldn't perform the spell to heal her. Stephanie couldn't close her eyes.

"Ashe, ashe, ashe," I whispered, closing my eyes. I could hear her groan and grab my arms. I know it was painful but I needed to save her.

"Theodore," she whimpered in pain when I finished.

"Shh, sh, back up is coming, Stephanie. You did it, you survived. Please stay strong, I know it hurts."

I was humbled.

Very humbled. By this woman and it scared me. I don't worry for anyone, I don't feel for anyone. I was an egocentric, vain, pretentious detective. But now, I'm a man in love.

This just proves that I can't be in love.

I brushed her hair back, frowning. Stephanie almost died because of me. I don't want her to be near me if this is what's going to happen. I love her too much.

I need to let her go.

 ‿̩͙‿ ༺ ♰ ༻ ‿̩͙‿

Stephanie

I wish I could say I had a dream during my comatose state, but I didn't. All I remember is pain and Theodore and Ximena. I remember Theodore cursing Ximena so she was paralyzed for life. She's not a real vampire, she was not even fully turned. I heard the conversation between them.

Theodore was able to take away her power, the only downside was her paralyzation. She would never forgive Theodore for that, but she was on Death Row now. She wasn't making it now.

Judea told me that she was telling the police about vampires and other stuff but they ended up putting her in a psych ward until impending death. I heard it, even though I was in a coma. Rosemary told me she missed me, and so did Theodore. I wanted to smile and hold his hand but I was stuck.

But today, when I tried to force my eyes open for the hundredth time, it actually worked. I was able to slowly open my eyes, slowly because the lights were almost blinding. When I finally opened my eyes fully, I was able to squeeze the hand holding mine.

"Stephanie?" Theodore raised his head.

I smiled. "I–"

He didn't let me finish speaking, he pushed a glass of water toward me and forced me to drink. "I was...worried about you. I'm not particularly skilled nor did I pay attention to healing spells."

I smiled widely when he held my hand tighter, kissing it. "I missed you too." I whispered. "I thought I was going to die." I sniffled, frozen in shock when Theodore initiated a hug.

"I was never going to let you die." He kissed my cheek, holding me for what seemed like forever, and I had no complaints.

"My parents?"

Theodore sighed, pulling away and standing up. "Your mother was too hysterical and therefore was not allowed in your room. Your father and his family have weekly visits, but your dad, himself–" sounds of glass breaking caught our attention at the door.

"Stephanie?!" Dad's eyes widened.

"...comes every day." Theodore finished with a sigh as Dad squished me in a hug.

"Hi, dad," I smiled.

"I missed you so much, kiddo." Dad caressed my face as I smiled.

I sighed. "I'm ok, I promise."

Dad nodded. "Tell that to your mother,"

I snorted. "I would like to see her, now that I'm ok. I want to calm her soul. I know she's been up all night, plus, I miss her too."

Theodore looked at his watch. "I'll get her." Theodore walked out in search of my mother and my dad's attention went back on me.

"I've never seen him this way," Dad said. "I'm glad someone loves you the way that your mother and I do."

I laughed in disbelief, shaking my head. "Stop it, dad."

"Seriously, Stephanie. I'm happy for you." He ruffled my hair which was still surprisingly intact. "You will soon see it."

I scoffed. "Theo–"

"Oh my god!" Mom ran into the room in tears with Theodore behind her. Dad moves to give her some space and she almost hugs me tightly. "You almost died, Stephanie." She sobbed. "What would I do if I lost you?"

I swallowed hard, actually feeling bad. This time Mom wasn't being dramatic, she was...genuine. "I'm sorry," I whispered. "I missed you."

Mom swallowed me in a hug again. "Oh darling, I missed you so much. I couldn't contain myself and so I wasn't allowed to visit. I'm so sorry I couldn't be here."

"It's ok, mom." I said quietly as she cried. "It's ok." I looked at Theodore, who was rolling his eyes, and my dad, who was smiling and joyful.

After a while, more people came to visit and I recited the same thing toward them because it was true and there was nothing else to say. I had missed all of them. When my life flashed before my eyes I saw every single person. All of them. Hearing their voices made me miss them even more, hence my hard work to try and wake up.

I was at peace, but I knew it was only the calm before the storm. There was something else that I felt was going to happen.

And no, it's not mom fighting Theodore in the hospital. That kinda already happened and was taken care of. I love my mom, but we can't take her nowhere.

There was something off about Theodore that I knew would become a problem later on because the look in his eyes told me it was something that bothered him excessively.

 In the wise words of D'Angelo Wallace, whether u see me in 24 hours or 24 months is anyone's guess 😜