In this life

Chapter 40

I drove straight home. I was raging. I didn't know what to do. I needed to speak to someone and get some advice. Someone other than Daniel. But, the people I'd usually turn to for help, Johnny and Ronnie, didn't know about Daniel, so I couldn't talk to them. I tried calling Harry.

"Hi Rosie" he answered, slightly breathless.
"Harry, are you busy?" I got straight to the point, I didn't care about pleasantries.
"Well, I'm just with Ronnie..."
"Oh right, ok, don't worry. I'll speak to you another time"
"You ok?"
"Yeah, fine" I tried to keep my tone light "have a good evening"
"Ok... You sure? you sound, odd"
"No it's nothing" I lied "See you Saturday, yeah?"
"Yeah, ok then"
"Bye"

I hung up and paced the living room. Trying to work out how I could keep Liam from Daniel and stay with Daniel. No matter what ideas came to mind they all seemed flawed in some way. I was getting myself worked up and was close to breaking down in tears. I picked up my phone again to make another call;

"Hello?"
"Adam?"
"Who's this?"
"It's Rosie"
"Oh..." He sounded surprised "To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"I... Are you busy?"
"Nothing I can't postpone, why?"
"Can I talk to you about something please?"
"Ok...." He sounded apprehensive, "what's on your mind?"
"Erm... Do you think you could come over?" I was hesitant because this could been inviting him in, to which I wouldn't be able to ever un-invite him, I decided I didn't care "I'm at my flat"
"Sure... I'll be there soon"
"Ok. Thank you. Bring beer!"
"Deal"

I hung up. Questioning my own sanity and continued pacing until eventually I heard the intercom buzz.
I walked briskly to the receiver and pushed the button to tell him I'd be right down. Grabbing my keys from the table in the hall, I jogged down the stairs. As I turned the final corner and descended the last few steps I could see Adam. He held up a six pack of bottled beer and smiled.
I opened the door and he stepped backwards to let me out.
"So what's up? What can I help you with?" He asked kindly. Not fazed that I hadn't invited him inside.
"I don't even know where to start, but ok...." I took a deep breath and I told him about Liam, what he had seen that night, Karen, about Sophie's sister and told him about the conversation we'd just had.
Adam listened intently but when I finished his expression was normal. Like he wasn't surprised or baffled or... anything.
"Ok, so you're asking me what I think you should do, right?"
"Yes"
He inhaled deeply and then blew it out his teeth making a quiet whistle. He gestured for us to go over to the grass and sit down. We did and he opened the beers, biting the cap off the bottle and passed it to me, taking one for himself.
"It's a tricky one Rosie, because I'm slightly biased. But taking all things into consideration..." He paused and looked at me "the only option you have is for me to take Liam out of the equation" he flashed me an evil grin.
"No" I laughed "as much as I despise him right now I don't want to serve him up to you for dinner, thanks anyway"
"Let me know if you change your mind" he took a casual swig of his beer, as did I.
"Does Daniel know you're talking to me about this?"
"No" I looked at the ground.
"Hmm" he nodded like I had confirmed his suspicions, "So what way are you leaning?"
"If not being with Daniel keeps him alive...." I picked at the label on the bottle "but I just can't leave him. I don't want to!"
"So if you stay together?"
"Liam will keep trying to kill him and make things very difficult"
"And if Daniel turned you?"
I looked up at him "He won't"
"But if he did?"
I shrugged "Then, I don't know. Knowing Liam, he would probably try and kill us both"
"In my experience..." He adjusted his posture slightly "it's very hard for a human to actually kill a vampire y'know. We're a lot stronger, a lot faster, every sense far out ways you lot. So for one of you to actually succeed in killing one of us.... It's very rare"
"But possible"
"Anything is possible Rosie. You and Daniel are both proof of that"
I smiled sadly.
"But it's very, very rare" he emphasised his point "just like you and Daniel" he smiled kindly.
"So you're saying I should stay and ride it out?" I asked quietly.
"I'm saying, that the future is always going to be unpredictable. Who knows what will happen. But-" he looked me in the eye "-if I were you and had the love you two have, I'd want to be with that person for as long as possible"
I nodded slowly.
"You and Daniel are meant to be Rosie. You can't resist fate"
After a moment in silence, while I absorbed Adam's words I nudged him playfully, "You're very wise do you know that?"
"I'm eight hundred and sixty five years old Rosie" he nudged me back
"I'd be a dick if I hadn't learnt a thing or two by now"
I laughed "fair point"
We finished our beers together.
"Thank you Adam. I know we don't really know each other that well, but, I really appreciate..." I thought for a moment, "you, right now"
"Well, thank you. It's nice to feel needed for a change" he was genuine. His words adding deeper layers to him that I'd not thought about before. I wondered if he was lonely. I felt sad for him.
"Who knows, with a bit of luck, I might convince Daniel to turn me and the three of us can be eternal buddies" I giggled.
"I'm sure you'll persuade him. He won't want to loose you. Trust me" he stood up "He's just trying to do the right thing by you right now"
I stood with him, grateful for my new friend.
"Now" he handed me the rest of the beers "If that will be all? I had my eye on a tasty looking blonde that I'm going to get back to" he winked "Might I suggest you call that eternal stud of yours and get him to come over?"
"Yes, thank you Adam. I will" I smiled kindly.
"Good. I bet his balls are aching!"
I laughed out loud.
"Until the next time" he tipped his invisible hat to me and I waved as he put his hands in his pockets and strolled away, whistling to himself.  

I felt much better. Who knew Adam would be the one to say exactly what I needed to hear. He didn't exactly answer any of the questions I'd had, nor offered a solution. Somehow, he'd simply just put it all into perspective.

I walked up my stairs and called Daniel, asking in to come over. When he arrived I opened my front door wearing nothing but a smile. He made a face instantly to show that he very much liked what he saw, pursing his lips with a small frown, then that little, naughty grin spread out from the corner of his mouth as he grabbed me in his arms, I wrapped my legs around his waist. He kicked the door shut behind him and went to throw me on my bed.

We lay panting together. I was utterly exhausted. It had been a very long day.
After a while Daniel asked "I'm assuming things went well with Liam?"
"Not at all" I turned on my side to face him. He looked confused.
"I was raging when I left, but I had a good chat with someone and I'm just going to ignore Liam. I want to be happy with you. I love you so much"
He smiled.
"If Liam wants to make a fool of himself over that, then so be it. He's not strong enough to hurt you"
"Tis true" Daniel tensed his muscles like a bodybuilder and I giggled, "he'd  have to catch me completely off guard..." He kissed me briefly "which I'm sure will never happen"
I moved closer to him and we got comfy together. As I was falling asleep I heard Daniel whisper.
"Besides... I'd rather die by your side, than live another second of my life without you by mine".