I had been attempting to read the first page of my book for the last hour. Finally out of frustration I closed it and tossed it on to the ground.
ARGH, this anticipation is driving me nuts! It's only been an hour but I don't know how much longer I can hold off.
I know I shouldn't worry about something that hasn't happened yet and might not actually happen but what will I do if Dan tells me no?
I can't imagine not being able to see Blake again....or Helen...Jane...Jake...already they had places in my heart.
It might seem stupid to become attached to them so quickly but throughout the years, even though I was so happy to have Dan, all I had ever wanted was a family. Someone who would love us and take care of us. I learned long ago life wasn't fair and we don't get everything we might want but at this moment I was really hoping the universe would throw me a bone.
I heard a twig snap behind me and I twisted around in my seat to see what had caused the noise. Dan was walking back and he looked rather glum.
Oh no, oh no! He's probably thinking about how he's going to tell me I can't move in with Jane!
I could feel my heart beating in my chest, bashing against my rib cage and threatening to burst from it's confinement.
I swallowed slowly, "Did you have a good walk?"
Dan let out a loud sigh and sat down in the other folding chair by the fire.
"I guess I did. Also no offense, but I know what you really want to know is if I've made my mind up. It wasn't easy but I've made up my mind....."
I held my breath, waiting for him to continue.
"I think based off of your past behavior, you've shown me that you are responsible and if you can promise me that you'll stay that way.....I think it'll be good for you to get out of your typical environment for a little while."
Wait, what?! He's giving me the thumbs up?
"I, I can move in with Jane?" I asked, hoping I hadn't misunderstood.
Dan gave me a small smile, "Well, while it's a sacrifice for me to not be able to see you everyday, yes. I'm saying you can move in with Jane."
"THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!" I squealed and jumped forward to tackle Dan in his chair. "You won't regret this, I promise!"
He laughed and put his arms around me, "I better not! When were you thinking about moving in?"
"Well," I said sheepishly, "I was thinking I would start packing up as soon as we got back..."
"What?! Seriously? Sheesh, you're making me feel unloved over here."
"Daaaaaaaan, you know that isn't it. I'm just excited to begin a new adventure! Besides, I'll only be about an hour away from the city."
"That's true. Hey! I have an idea, if you're moving out for a little while, what would you think if I asked Jessica to move in? I didn't want to before since you were still living at the house and I thought that might have been a little uncomfortable but since you won't be there....."
He wants to invite the blonde spawn of satan to live with him? Not my first choice but I guess I can't really say "no" since I won't be living there.
"I mean if that's what you'd like to do, go for it! Just promise me you won't let her take over my room. I know I won't be there but I like the idea of being able to have my own place when I come back."
Dan chuckled, "Vic, you'll always have a place no matter what. Don't ever doubt that. However, for your sake, I will completely lock up your room as soon as you're out."
I felt invincible for the rest of the day, nothing could dampen my spirit. Even as we spent the rest of the day hanging around the campsite, I didn't mind Jess' sour moods or even her and Dan's PDA! (Well okay, I minded that a little).
That night as I lay in my tent, waiting in anticipation for the next day like a young child on Christmas Eve, I was startled by my phone buzzing.
As I looked at the screen, it showed I had recieved a text from a number I didn't recognize.
"So Jane tells me you'll be coming back to pay us a visit! That's great! I can't wait to tell Blake but I'm going to let him sweat a little longer. You should see the poor guy."
I quickly sent a response, "Jake, is that you? That's not very nice!"
My phone buzzed a minute later. "That's my name! Oh come on, he'll be fiiiine. It's not very often I get to watch him nervous about something, I mean he's stress eating for crying out loud!"
Before I could respond to him my phone buzzed again but this time it was a text from Jane.
"Sorry I know Jake is texting you, you can ignore the dufus if you want. Also I told him to break the news to Blake but since he's enjoying himself too much I'll just tell him myself. Sorry Victoria!"
I chuckled to myself, "That's okay, just let me know when you tell him!"
I put my phone down and snuggled into my sleeping bag, I can't believe I forgot to ask Blake for his number before I left. Seriously? Who forgets something like that? I didn't ask Jane for it because I just figured after she told him he would text me.
A noise woke me from a dreamless sleep and when I groggily opened my eyes, to my surprise it was already morning! I had no recolonization of even falling asleep. I reached to check my phone to see if I had missed any updates from Jane and the clock read 8:30. Oh! I had one unread text.
Hmmmm I didn't recognize this number either....
"Victoria I was going to call but figured you might already be asleep. Jane finally told me the good news because the pack idiot thought it would be funny to not tell me something so important. Anyways I just wanted to tell you I am so overjoyed and can not wait to see you again. Please text me whenever you wake up. -Blake"
Aw! Reading his text instantly gave me butterflies and made me feel as though I had a ball of energy buzzing in my stomach.
I figured since he said to text him whenever I woke up, I might as well do it now....but what to write? Suddenly I was nervous about what to text, I didn't want to sound too silly, or needy, and I definitely did not want to sound like a immature teenager.
I started a text and deleted it three times before I was happy with the results.
"Morning Blake, I'm sorry about you being the last one to know about me getting the go ahead to move in. I know Jake had convinced Jane to let him tell you but we didn't realize he wanted to keep it a secret from you. I'm really excited about this change as well! Quick question, when's a good day for me to move in?"
I sent it hoping he wouldn't think I was babbling. Or what if he thinks it's not very caring? I didn't even ask how he was doing! In all honestly, I'm still not really sure how to talk with him. It already feels like my heart belongs to him but then the reality hits me that I haven't known him for more than three days.
So can my heart really belong to him so fully? Whenever I think about him I can feel my cheeks heat up, my heart starts racing, and the ball of energy comes to life buzzing away in my stomach. It was like I had no control over my own body.
Also while asleep I experienced something that had never happened before, while most of the night I was in a dreamless sleep, every now and again it was like I could hear someone calling me, pulling me. It was something I couldn't even fully explain and as I thought back to it, it faded from my mind like a distant memory.
How odd....
My phone buzzed and brought me back to the present.
"Well, not to come on too strongly but I already miss you like hell so would tomorrow work?"
Blake's response made me laugh, partly just from the excitement that came from him saying he missed me and partly because he thought I could actually pack in one day.
I decided to be honest with him, "As much as I miss you, I think it'll take me at least two days to fully back all of my belongings."
"Damn. Well can I help? Will that make it faster? I don't want to spend any extra time away from you if it can be helped."
"I'm not sure I'd be able to explain to Dan who you are if you come to help me pack. Haha. But don't worry, I want to be back at the cabin ASAP so I will work nonstop to get packed!"
"That's true, I hadn't thought of that. When do you think you'll be leaving the campsite?"
"Probably in a couple of hours. This was just a quick weekend trip."
"Well it turned into a lot more then that. Haha. If it's not too much to ask, please text me whenever you get a chance, I just want to make sure you're safe. I'll see you soon Love."
Love, he called me love! That for sure isn't helping the butterflies.
"Of course! I'll talk to you later."
I regret that I didn't put anything mushy in my text but I just had no idea what to say....because honestly I wanted to call him so many affectionate things but I just wasn't sure how to do it.
I put my phone down and quickly changed out of my pjs. I was just putting my hair into a ponytail when Dan started to unzip my tent.
"Hey sleepyhead! I was thinking we could leave in an hour or so? Do you think you can pack up by then?"
I rolled my eyes playfully, "You mean I have to pack up this whole tent in only an hour?"
Dan chuckled, "Yeah tough luck, that's what I'm saying."
"Can do!"
An hour and a half later we were on the road back to our house. And for the record I had my tent packed in 15 minutes, Jessica on the other hand....it was just sad.
We didn't live that far away, maybe around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic. I spent most of the drive wrapped up in my own thoughts, pretty much all of them were about Blake.
What would life be like living with him, Jake, Jane, and Helen? Actually what would life be like living with a bunch of werewolves? I mean seriously, how does one prepare for something like that? I should probably pack a lint brush.
As soon as we pulled up into the driveway and Dan shut off the truck, I was leaping out of the car and to the front door.
I quickly unlocked the door and went inside. I charged through the massive front hallway and into one of our many entertainment rooms. This one was mainly used when my Dad had the occasional business party at our house. It was a large open space covered with marble and granite. He had hired an interior decorator but to this day I'm not sure why, the only theme he ever went with was, "expensive." But considering that's all the information he gave her, she did a wonderful job at making the house look lavish.
Although it's hard to live in a house where you are afraid to break anything because it's more expensive then your first born.
We had a spiral staircase that led to the second floor on the left side of the room and I took the steps two at a time.
Once at the top, I turned right and went down the hall to the very last door. Sigh, my room.
I opened the door and a feeling of nostalgia hit me, while my room had changed over the years, the memories didn't.
I could remember being five again and sitting on my rug playing with my stuffed animals while Dan played with his G.I. Joes.
I could remember the night my mom left, I had been crying in bed thinking it was all my fault and Dan snuck in and spent the night hugging me and telling me it was going to be alright.
One of my favorite memories was when I was ten and wanted to paint my nails but for the life of me I couldn't do my right hand. I asked Dan to help me and like my own personal super hero, he swept in and painted my nails a "fabulous shade of red." His words, not mine.
I never had to miss my parents, Dan was always there for me. He was always supportive, loving, generous, and kind.
Well....I guess I better grab some boxes.
