FORBIDDEN

CHAPTER 6

Cassy had a fitful sleep that night. She tossed and turned as she was bombarded with one Vision after the other. Jared, linked to her, Saw them too. Just as Cass thought they were done,a new one started. This time it hit a little closer to home.

Everyone stood in a circle. Each in pairs of two. Andrea and Nick in the first, Clarissa and Jace in the second and Cassy and Jared in the third. Each facing different directions. Each a different sight. Each keeping watch. It was not enough. Darkness enveloped them all. Suffocating them, blinding them. Each one clutching for air and straining to see. All too soon a scream rang through the night air,angry clouds blotted out the stars and moon and a storm like no other hit the earth. Screeching filled the air and the Darkness was gone. Leaving only six lifeless bodies on the ground. Taking over the world. Blocking out all possible light and leaving only the most evil, horrid things to walk the earth for eternity...
Cass screamed as she woke, wet and shaking. Jared woke with her gasping for air. Jace and Clarissa rushed into the room.
"Cass? Jared? What's wrong?" Asked Clarissa as she sat on the bed.
"Mom, He was too strong for us."
"What are you talking about?"
"We Saw it. We Saw our death,yours and that of my parents," said Jared.
"You were linked again?" Asked Clarissa.
"Yes," said Jared,still shaking.
"Wait, again?" Asked Jace.
"They've been linked before," said Clarissa,"That's when I started making Jared sleep here with Cass."
"This isn't good. We must be ready. They'll have to miss school until this is over," said Jace.
"School is on a short break,"said Jared," we only go back in three weeks."
"Oh, well that helps. We'll need to be prepared at all costs."
"We will be. I am not letting that Vision happen. He kills us all and takes over the world. He let's out the most horrible creatures imaginable. I can only guess they are from His dimension," said Jared.
"We won't let it happen. We'll be okay. I think we should get Andrea and Nick to start sleeping here until this mess is over," said Jace.
"Good idea," said Clarissa,"I'll give them a call."
"Good. I don't know if this can wait until morning."

Soon enough, the Hale's were in the guest bedroom. Everyone was together. They were safe. For now...

Everyone woke early. They all met up in the kitchen and had strong coffee along with breakfast.
"How are you two holding up?" Andrea asked Jared and Cass.
"We've been better,"said Cass.
"Could do with peaceful sleep," said Jared.
"I can imagine," said Jace, "I can't think this is easy on you."
"We've had a rough time this last week," said Jared, "but I've been there as much as possible for Cass."
"No one thinks otherwise, Son," said Nick.
"I just wish it could stop, though," said Cass.
Clarissa hugged her daughter.
"We know, sweety. We wish it could be over too," she said.
"We want you to enjoy your lives. Not have to go through this," said Andrea.
"Why don't we do something to take our minds off of this a bit?" Asked Jace.
"Well we could talk about the wedding, I suppose," said Clarissa.
"Wedding?" Asked Jace.
"Oh, I thought I told you, my angel. Jared and Cass are getting married."
"When?" Asked Jace in a panicked tone.
"Don't worry," said Clarissa laughingly, "Only after they've finished school."
"Oh," said Jace, "That's still not long though."
"No it isn't," said Andrea," but you better get used to it. I'm not giving up my daughter - in - law ."
"Neither am I," said Nick.
Jace laughed.
"I wouldn't expect anything else from you," said Jace.
They all discussed the plans, when it would happen, where, what the catering would be and so on. Before they knew it, everything was planned out roughly and the sun was setting. The day had come to an end.
The good moods did not stop there as everyone headed outside where Nick and Jace made a bonfire and started a barbecue.
"This is nice," said Cass as she sat next to Jared.
He pulled her closer.
"It is. You've got your dad back and my dad has his best friend. He always talked about your dad in the highest regard. Never saying a bad word about him."
"I'm glad. It just feels so surreal. Like I'll wake up tomorrow and he'll be gone again." Cass looked sad.
"Hey, that won't happen. Okay? He's really here and he's here to stay. I doubt he'd search for ten years and skip out of town after one night. You'll see. You'll wake up and he'll still be here."
Thank you," said Cass.
"Pleasure, but why are you saying thank you?" Asked Jared.
"For everything. Being here, supporting and comforting me, for always reassuring me when I have doubt and for loving me beyond my imagination."
"I will always be there. Always support and comfort you. And I will always and forever love you. Okay?"
"Okay."
Jared kissed Cass lightly. Her lips tingled afterwards and she felt as if she could fly above the clouds and among the stars. She moaned.
"Don't worry," said Jared," I won't leave you like that. You're not getting away that easy." He smiled.
Cass reached into his mind and saw his thoughts. She'd be damned if she missed out on what he was promising! She giggled and snuggled closely next to the love of her life as food finished up and plates were passed round the table.
After everyone had eaten they all caught up on the happenings of the last few years and laughed as one or the other made a joke or remembered something funny.
Clarissa and Jace were as happy as ever. The were sitting so close together Cass thought if they moved any closer they'd be on top of one another. Andrea and Nick were just as cheerful. Cass watched the two married couples with such amazement. After all these years, they still loved each other unconditionally. She hoped that she and Jared would be the same. She looked at him. He was watching just as eagerly as she had been a moment ago. She smiled. This was going to be a good life.
I know it will, said Jared in her mind.
I didn't know you were listening, she said back.
I heard it all, my love. We will be like them. That I can promise you. We will have children too. Not too many. Just enough.
She looked at him, shocked. I didn't know you were planning that too, she said.
Oh, my dear, if only you knew what I have planned, he said with a soft laugh.
"Well don't the two of you look happy?" Asked Andrea, shocking them out of Mindspeak.
"Is it that obvious?" Asked Jared.
"Yes," said Nick, "but not as obvious as the fact that you were having a conversation that we did not hear."
Cass turned blood red and hid her face.
Nick laughed.
"Don't worry," said Andrea, "Nick is just jealous that you learnt how to Mindspeak faster than any other witches in history."
"Hah, take that one, Dad," said Jared jokingly.
Clarissa and Jace laughed along with everyone else as they started feeling a bit woozy.
As the adults went to bed, Jared pulled Cass into the bathroom and opened the shower taps.
"What are you doing?" She asked.
"I told you you're not getting off that easy," he answered.
Cass giggled softly.
"Well? The shower won't help us in," he said as he undressed and got in.
Cass followed shortly after. He closed the door behind her and pulled her against him. His chest was warm as the water ran down between them. She embraced him and felt his muscles tighten as he tried to restrain himself. He leaned down and lifted her chin with his finger.
Water splashed down on her head as he kissed her. He teased her lips open with his tongue, rolling it around, tasting every inch of her. She gasped and pulled him lower, deepening the kiss, exploring him in her own way. Her knees started giving way as he caught her.
She felt him shudder at the close contact. Cass moaned softly which made him kiss her even harder.
He held her tightly and kissed her lightly on the forehead. She smiled and hugged him tight. They let the water wash over them as they embraced one another. It felt like time had stopped. Like it was only the two of them in the world. There was no one else.  For those few minutes the world was perfect. Peaceful. No prophecy, no Darkness. Nothing else mattered. Just the two of them. In the arms of the other. Connected to their very cores. That was what mattered. That was what was important. That they had one another. Nothing could tear them apart.
"I love you," Cass whispered in Jared's ear.
"And I love you," he whispered back as they stood in an embrace that felt like it would last forever.
                            ***

The next day, no one could help noticing the happiness that emitted from Jared and Cassy.
"It looks like the two of you slept well," said Andrea as they sat down.
"We did. It was nice to sleep through with no dreams or Visions," said Cass.
"Yep. We sure needed that one," said Jared.
"So that's it?" Asked Nick.
"How do you mean?" Asked Jared.
"That's why the two of you are shining more brightly than ever? Good night's sleep?"
"That and everything just feels better today. Everything feels good. Feels okay. Feels right," said Jared.
"Wow," said Andrea, " those are positive words. You really must tell us your secret. We could use some of that."
Jared laughed and held Cass tight in his arms.
"I think the highlight of it all is that you're here, Dad,"said Cass.
Clarissa choked on tears.
"Come here,you," said Jace.
Cass ran to her father and hugged him tight.
"I love you, Daddy. So much. Never ever go away."
Jace felt a lump in his throat.
"I love you too, baby girl," he said," and I won't go away ever again. I promise. I will not leave until it is my last day on this earth. Nothing will take me away from you and your mother. I love you too much."
Clarissa joined in as father and daughter beckoned for her to come. The three of them stood in a tight circle as three Hale's made it bigger.
"Okay, okay,"laughed Cass, "I'm in the middle you know!"
Everyone laughed as they let go to give her some room.
"Sorry, darling," said Nick," it was in the heat if the moment."
"I know. Next time though, I'm so not the piggy in the middle."
"You have a deal. Next time it can be Jared," said Andrea.
"Hey," Jared protested.
"I've got an idea," said Clarissa, "Let's play some boardgames. I've got some in the spare room."
"That sounds like a plan," said Jace.
"We're in," said Andrea.
"Us too," said Cass.
"Alright then. Let's do it."

They played well into the afternoon and stopped to eat lunch.
"That was fun," said Cass as they finished up.
"It sure was," said Jared.
"Oh you are only saying that because you two won most of the games," said Andrea.
"Not our fault we had to play against old people," said Jared and dodged a pillow.
Cass laughed.
"I love you and all. But there, you're on your own," she said.
"Not fair," answered Jared as he tickled her.
She laughed until tears came out of her eyes and managed to turn the tables and pin Jared down.
"How the--" said Jared  surprised.
"Way too many tickle fights with my mom," Cass answered proudly as she helped him up.
"Well how about we eat out tonight?" Asked Jace.
"Ooh, sounds good," said Clarissa.
"Okay," answered Nick.
"Majority wins," said Jace," go on then. Get ready. We'll leave in fifteen minutes."
Everyone rushed to get dressed for dinner. Soon enough, they were headed to the mall.
An hour and a half later they were back at home, stuffed to the fullest.
"Pudding anyone?" Asked Clarissa.
"Please no. There's no more space!" Argued Jace.
"We agree," said Andrea," I couldn't fit a teaspoon in if I tried."
"We're good too, Mom," said Cass.
All heads nodded.
"Good because I wasn't planning on making anything," Clarissa said, laughing.
They watched a few movies and headed off to bed where four adults fell asleep fast. Cass and Jared lay talking late into the night before turning out the lights and drifting off.