Love That Lived In The Next Life

24

The rest of the day went by in a blur. Everyone feasted with some of Duke's favorite dishes that he cooked only on special occasions. They were pitiful recreations, but they added to a nostalgia that befell the family. Everyone had chosen to stay the night at Castle Dimitrescu. Elena and Caiden were set with wine in their glasses and plates filled high with cookies. The two decided that binging on their favorite dessert was the best way to cure a broken heart and soul. They clambered into a room that no one used and took their seats with a view of the balcony. The two ate and drank in silence. When the second bottle was opened, Elena broached the topic.

"So how are you going to cope?"

"Cope?"

"Caiden don't play with me. I know that you are not taking this well." Caiden's lips pursed as she stared back at her sister. A sadness glinted in her eye as she trailed back to the view on the balcony. The mountains stood as shining beacons against the contrast of a darkening skyline. A cookie tapped the edges of Caiden's lips before she took a bite.

"I never really thought about it." Caiden's admission was soft. "To be fair, I don't know how to deal with any of this. None of it seems...real. Not entirely. Like I'll just wake up and go back to being a servant for the Beneviento house. Where Donna and I are practically strangers and Angie terrorizes my day." The tear in Caiden's eye tugged at Elena's heart. "But, at the same time I don't think I could even picture this as a nightmare even for myself, so I know it's real." Caiden's knees dug into her chest like she had seen her kids do on multiple occasions when they were upset as children. "What is the best way to cope with this?"

"Well, some drink, like Alcina. Others hide like Donna. Others smoke kinda like Heisenburg."

"And what do you do?"

"I cry," she said softly. "I lock myself away and cry if I don't have a panic attack first."

"Is it healthy?"

"Healthier than the other options," Elena deadpanned. "If you want, I can lock the door and cry with you." Caiden slowly nodded her head. Elena smiled softly toward Caiden as she got up from her seat. The door locked with a clear click. By the time Elena made it back to Caiden, the woman had tears in her eyes and a cookie in her mouth. Elena only scooted the woman to a side of the chair, wrapped an arm around her, and let her cry into the other's shoulder.

Two women were locked away from the world until stars pricked through the darkness. Two bottles of wine were emptied. Caiden and Elena laid against their seats emotionally exhausted. Red-rimmed eyes stared at the balcony while a hand rubbed away the fatigue from her temples. Elena comfortably sat beside her with the final cookie in hand and split it for the two to partake in. A humorless chuckle tumbled out of Caiden's lips as she took her half of the chocolate chip cookie.

"You know, the original girl for this body would be throwing a fit right now if she knew how many cookies we just ate." Elena laughed in reply. "They call people like her nutrition nazis."

"Oh really?"

"It's an American thing, I guess." The two laughed as they bit into their cookies.

"I don't care where someone is from though. No one can deny my baking." Caiden slowly nodded as she finished her half in three bites. "Do you feel any better?"

"A lot, actually."

"See? Crying works." Caiden only nodded her reply. A knock on the door took the two of them by surprise. The two stayed still. The justle of keys brought a groan out of both of them simultaneously. The vampire opened the room and crouched in. The light was turned on a moment later and stung unexpected eyes. Elena and Caiden covered their eyes with their hands as grunts of annoyance chorused the room.