Anastasia's Story

Chapter 35

Chapter 35

The rice flew in the air as Marilyn and Donald walked hand-in-hand down the aisle, now man and wife. Her soft simple lace dress was complemented with freshly picked violets. Marilyn was smiling ear-to-ear and I couldn't help but envy her. For her there was a sure future.

"I envy her." muttered Rebekah. I could tell she was very bitter.

"I do too, I must confess."

"Why? You and my brother are perfect." she replied, a little shocked.

"Rebekah, do you want children? Or did you... before you were turned into a vampire." I asked cautiously.

"I didn't when I was human but now as a vampire I do wish I had had that." she offered, as she threw more rice a little too roughly.

I looked down at the wicker basket and looked at the grains of rice. Why did I have to choose between the man I love and having a child? Was this some cruel twist of faith? And why did I make him stay when I could've allowed him to leave at the beginning and spared myself? Did I do it to torture myself or was this some kind of destiny working its magic? Was I destined to fall in love with him and rethink everything, even my desire to have children?

Finally, the newlyweds hopped on the carriage and were off to their honeymoon.

"Where are they going?" Rebekah asked jealously.

"Marilyn told me they are going off to Italy for two weeks. Pastor Harmond got an offer to train some new preachers there so they bumped up the wedding." I started to turn to Klaus who was nowhere in sight. I figured he might have something to add about the food or wine in Italy but he had vanished.

I searched around for about half an hour until finally, I found Klaus drinking the blood of a wedding guest in a pulpit.

"Klaus!" I chastised, worried that he was being so brazen and clearly enjoying himself.

He seemed startled to see me and took a moment to heal the poor woman and send her away.

"Klaus this is a wedding. Can't you restrain yourself for two hours."

"I'm sorry, dear. I just got swept up in the moment, I guess." He offered with a grin. He wiped the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief and offered me his arm.

I declined. "Klaus, is this what it is like being a vampire? Sudden cravings. No self-control. Hurting innocent people?"

"Darling, it takes time to learn how to control urges but eventually it all becomes quite normal and civilized. You learn how to handle yourself around humans. There are occasional slip-ups but indulging once in a while can help to ease those urges." The way he explained it made it seem all-consuming.

"I'm not feeling well, I think I'll just meet you at the governor's ball tomorrow night." I lied to excuse myself. I could tell he was bewildered but I was panicking.

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I stared at myself in the mirror. I liked who I was... or at least who I was before I had met him. But I had become so much more aware of who I was with him. If I became a vampire I could become a totally different person. A cold, lifeless person who hurts people. Or I could still be the me I liked. But either way, if I was a vampire I would never be able to have children.

Conchita interrupted me as she walked into the room with a vase of blue hydrangeas- my favorite.

"Need I ask who they are from?" I smiled.

"No ma'am." Conchita replied knowingly.

Klaus had sent these over. He really was the man I had been waiting for.

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The quartet began the waltz music and I looked around for Klaus. I had worn the sapphire necklace he'd given me and a matching sapphire gown.

"You look radiant, Miss Beardsley." I heard him say behind me.

I turned around and saw the look on his face. Why was I making things so complicated?

"Why thank you, Mister Mikaelson." my smile ignites a light in his eyes.

"May I have this dance?" he asks with an outstretched arm which I gladly accept.

We spin and glide across the dancefloor, simply enjoying each other's company. We both can't help but admire the governor's lovely house.

When the song is over Klaus leads me upstairs to a quiet room where we sit on a red velvet sofa. Klaus turns to me and clasps my hands.

"Anastasia, I've been thinking about all that's happened and I want you to know that I see a future with you. In fact, you're it. You're my future. I want you to be my wife .... forever. I want you to let me turn you into a vampire." He pulls out a huge diamond ring.

I'm speechless. After I take a deep breath I respond. "Klaus you are the love of my life. I want nothing more in this lifetime than to be able to say yes to you. But I'm afraid I can't."

"Why not?" he is in a complete state of disbelief and simmering anger.

"Klaus, I want children. So, I am going to accept Marcus's proposal."

He stands up and begins to pace and then he begins to yell. "I can't believe this?! You and MArcus could never compare to what we have!"

"I know that." I begin to say crying.

"This is a very stupid choice." He says finally.

"But it's my choice." I reply. He collapses onto the sofa in deep thought so I leave him alone to think.

I almost ran into Rebekah as I fled the room. "Rebekah? I thought you were still dancing. I'm sorry I didn't look where I was going."

Rebekah just smiled. "I came to look for you guys and couldn't help but overhear everything so I brung you a glass of wine." She seemed sympathetic.

I accepted the glass of wine and downed it but couldn't help but notice how odd it tasted. Rebekah looked straight into my eyes and jabbed a dagger straight into my abdomen. She watched as I hit the floor. She bent down and whispered in my ear, "You broke his heart, now you don't get a choice. Enjoy a lifetime alone because if I ever see you try and approach Klaus I will kill you."

Everything started to go dark and I saw her walk into the room I had just ran out of to console Klaus and soon I heard their footsteps as they snuck through another room to get to the back entrance. They were leaving town.

I woke up five hours later. The party was over and it was the middle of the night. My body felt out of control. I had insatiable hunger pains and my eyes hurt. I felt stronger as I made my way down the stairs and exited through the front door of the governor's house. Luckily, my estate was not that far from the street I was now on. Although I felt so out of place. I felt ripped apart from my world. When I finally got home I could feel my gums aching as my fangs wanted to emerge, I could feel the veins under my eyes erupt in hunger. I could smell blood- a lot of it.

When I opened the door I saw my mother's body on the floor. She was dead and lying in a pool of her own blood. I cried and felt my body betray me as hunger won out and the fangs and everything else that accompanied them made their debut. I bit into her and drained whatever blood was still left in her.

Rebekah had done this. She had destroyed my life. Now I had neither- no future with kids and no future with Klaus. I guess the joke was on me.

(A/N): Stay tuned for the Epilogue and announcement. Feel free to rant, react, and vote!