Love for Eternity (Seth's Imprint)

Chapter 31

Dixie's POV:

I couldn't bring myself to look at Seth, knowing that he knew my entire story as well as the fact that I have this.......demon part of me that I can't control and I don't even fully understand. I feel another wave of calm wash over me and I shoot Jasper a small smile in thanks. He's probably the only reason I'm not having a panic attack right now.

"Dixie, what I'm going to ask you do may seem irrational but I feel that it's necessary for the rest of us to understand better." (C)

"You're......you're not asking me to let it loose are you? There's no guarantee that I can reel it back in without someone getting hurt." (D)

"I believe in you dear, as does Rose and Carlisle." (E)

"I do too Rubes." (S)

I finally bring myself to look at Seth and see that he's watching me with a soft smile in his eyes. I look at everyone else in the room and see similar looks before I take a deep breath. I let go of mom's hand and move to a corner of the wall before turning to face them again.

"It'll probably be a good idea for Jake and Seth to stay behind everyone else with Nessie. I don't know what will happen once I bring it out willingly. I've never willingly allowed it out, not since the first time it happened." (D)

"Everything will fine Dixie, you'll see." (E)

"Edward, I'll probably have to bring out some of the more volatile memories. I'm sorry in advance for what you may see. Jasper....don't calm my emotions until it's out." (D)

I see him offer me a nod and sad smile in understanding as he and Bella stand in front of Nessie, Jake, and Seth. I feel Jasper withdraw the calm he had sent my way and I feel only fear. I close my eyes as I start picturing the battlefields of the Civil War, the betrayal of Jesse's gang member followed by Jesse's death, the bloody death of the man that betrayed Jesse, the man trying to rape the girl in London, a man in Venice abusing his wife, another man in Bucharest abusing his son, and so many more that cause anger to course through my veins.

Unlike all the other times when I try to hold the angel back in, this time I basically invite it out and I'm left with only anger, hate, and the overwhelming thirst as I smell the one that's mine. Strawberry and maple and they're keeping me from him. I hiss at the eight pair of golden eyes as they stare at me with mixed reactions. I look at the girl with fearful brown eyes and a scent similar to mine before my eyes find the one that's mine.

I crouch down preparing to fight my way to him before he moves closer. I see his brown eyes shine with worry as he pushes through the sea of golden eyes until he's just a few feet from me. I hear one of the golden eyes warn him to move back but he doesn't listen, even as I hiss at the one trying to stop him. He just continues to come closer until his hand is on my face. I lean into his warm hand, hearing his pulse and smelling the scent even stronger this closer, before I hear him start to sing.

"We parted by the river side, the moon looked down on you and me. The stars put on a look of pride, the river murmured to the sea. The dew drops kissed the blushing rose, the gentle winds did sigh. One word broke nature's sweet repose, that sad word was, good-bye." (S)

I feel my anger extinguished by his voice and the warmth of his hand on my face as I stare at him. I close my eyes as I feel the thirst and the anger leave before I open my eyes to see him smiling at me. I look back to see everyone else smiling as well, but it's mom's look that catches my eye the most. I swear if she could cry I think she would be right now, she looks like she would be.

"How did you do that?" (D)

"Do what?" (S)

"You just calmed it down and it.....willingly went away........it's never been that easy to get it to go away." (D)

"I guess you just like the sound of my voice when I sing." (S)

I feel myself smile for the first time in what feels like forever before laughing a bit. Eventually Carlisle reminds me that he wants to check my side and I go up to his office with, Seth following closely behind. I'm pretty sure it's healed but I also know that it'll hold a scar for a while. He peels the bandages off and I'm left with the knowledge that I was right.

The eight perfect looking slash marks start just below my breasts and end at my hip. I see Seth look at the scars with a wince and then he looks away from me in shame. Carlisle says I'm good to go and I leave the office dragging Seth with me to the bedroom Esme gave me. I pull him inside and shut the door, with as much good as that does me with eight vampires in the house.

"Seth, don't worry about the scars. They'll be gone in a few months or so and they're not the worst I've ever had." (D)

"I'm just so sorry that I ever did that to you Ruby. Forgive me?" (S)

"Silly wolf, I've already forgiven you. You've done more than earn my forgiveness for this. Now let's go see if Rose can help me with me car today." (D)

I watch as his smile eventually mimics my own before following me back downstairs where Rose is already waiting by the door with a smile on her face and keys in her hand. I laugh some as I follow her to her own bright red BMW, while Seth decides to follow behind in his truck. I soon realize that Rose is in heaven just as much as I am in the garage, and it reminds me again of how much like home this feels like.