Caius's Mate

Sixty Nine

I woke up in the morning, shifting in bed.

"Good morning love," Caius whispered. 

"Morning," I whispered and looked up at him. I yawned and moved closer to him. I rested my head on his chest. I didn't feel too good. I was tired and my throat was sore. I closed my eyes once again. 

"Izzy, are you okay?" he asked. 

I nodded, "I don't feel well," I sighed, "I think I am getting a cold," I held onto his hand. 

He nodded and grasped onto my hand, "I'll make you some breakfast," he paused, "What would you like?" 

"Doesn't matter to me," I sighed. I wasn't really in the mood for food, but I knew I needed to eat something anyway. 

"Eggs sound, okay?" he asked. 

I nodded, "Works for me," I yawned. 

He kissed my head. I looked over at Lilith seeing she was still asleep in her crib. I sat up more and my head began to pound, "Can you get me some Advil too?" I asked, "And an ice pack?"

"Of course," he said, "Are you in pain?" he brushed his hand across my face. 

"Headache," I responded. 

He nodded and looked slightly worried.

"Do you think it is from your brain injury a few years ago?" he asked. 

"No... well, I don't know... I think it's just a headache, I just feel under the weather," I sighed. Was it that? I haven't had a headache since I had my brain bleed. It's just a headache Izzy. It's nothing. 

"Are you sure you don't want to go to the infirmary, just in case?" Caius asked looking concerned still. 

"Humans get sick Caius. There is nothing to worry about. If it doesn't go away by tomorrow, I will let you take me, okay?" I said and rubbed the back of his hand. 

"Okay," he said and squeezed mine. 

"I'm fine, I promise. It's just a cold," I sighed. 

He nodded, "I'll be back soon."

I nodded and yawned again. Once he left, I laid back on the bed closing my eyes. I curled onto my side. Then I felt an arm go around me. It didn't feel like Caius's arm. It wasn't cold like his, it was warm. A human. I knew that arm from anywhere. It was Peter. I opened my eyes to see him lying next to me. 

He smiled at me, "Good morning," his hand touched my cheek, "Our daughter is so beautiful," I could feel his touch. "I miss you more than anything. I'm sorry I couldn't stay," he said. 

"Peter," my voice cracked. 

"I'm right here, by your side. Always, even if you can't see me," he said. 

"Peter," I repeated, "Is this real, are you really here? With me? Right now?" I asked, tears formed in my eyes. 

"I am always here. I always have been," he smiled and squeezed my hand. 

I felt him squeeze my hand once more, I felt it, it was as if he was really right there. Then I threw my arms around him, "Oh Peter!" I hugged him tightly. I felt his lips on mine. His touch was so warm, "I miss you... I'm so sorry, this is all my fault that you are gone," I looked up at him, tears in my eyes. 

Peter wiped my eye with his thumb, "Shhh, don't cry. It isn't your fault. Sometimes things don't go the way people want," he said calmly. 

"But it was my fault. If I never told you, nothing would have happened. We would still be together," I reached out and touched his chest, "It's my fault," I whispered. 

Peter wrapped both arms around me, "Shhh, I'm here. It's going to be okay. Just know I am by your side every second of the day. I love you Izzy, more than anything," He whispered and kissed the top of my head. 

"I love you," I whispered. 

"It's going to be okay Izzy," he said and rubbed my back. 

"Why did you leave me?" I looked at him. 

"Because I had too. You weren't meant to be with me. You were meant to be with Caius," he looked at me. 

Tears formed in my eyes again. Then I started to feel guilt. I love Caius. I love Peter. 

"Hey, hey, don't be upset," he touched my cheek again, "I'm not mad that you love him. I'm not mad that you moved on for me. It's nice to see you happy again. Stop blaming yourself. I am still here. Right here," he said and placed his hand over my heart. "I will always be here when you need me."

"Don't leave me," I whispered reaching out touching his chest. 

"I will always be here," he said. 

"Why didn't you fight. You just had to hold on. I could've saved you. I could have," I said tears continued to fall. 

"I couldn't stay. I just couldn't. I didn't want to leave you, not at all. But it was my time. You did everything for me, for our misfit family. 

"I could have done more," my lover lip quivered. 

"You couldn't have. You did everything possible," he rested his forehead against mine. 

"It doesn't feel like it," I whispered. 

"I know," he said, "But it is the truth, you did everything for us."

"Why didn't you stay," I asked again, "We could've had it all," I cried, "We could have been a family," My cries turned into sobs. 

"Izzy, it was my time to go. You needed to get back to Caius. It was borrowed time that we had. I wanted to stay but I just couldn't. Please understand. I know this has caused so much pain for you. I hate seeing you in pain, but you are back where you belong with people who love you. You have a daughter to fight for. I love the name you chose for her. Lilith. I love you Izzy... forever and ever."

I closed my eyes and inhaled, "I love you," I whispered. I felt his lips touch mine.

"I love you, always," He whispered. 

"Always," I whispered. 

I jumped when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I opened my eyes and Peter was gone. It was as if he was never there, "No!" I gasped, "Come back!" 

"Hey... hey..." Caius said, "Who are you talking to," Caius said instantly sitting in front of me.

"No!!" I said again breathing heavily.

"Baby girl, what's wrong," he said, alarmed. 

"Peter," I said breathlessly.