Octavia (Completed - 2018 Watty's Longlist)

Chapter Twenty Eight - Octavia

As I turned yet another page of my favourite book I felt my dormant heart ache for the millionth time today. Some days it was almost unbearable. It seems to be the only thing I feel lately, other than severe depression and yearning for the person I love most in this world. I find it difficult to breathe, especially when I think about it. I feel almost numb in a way. Numb to the point where I don't feel anything other than the ache in my chest. And that until I am with my true love, will I feel anything again.
It felt awfully overdramatic to Audrey. She simply could not understand or empathise for she has never loved someone like I love Edmund - as a vampire. Of course she loved her partner before she became a vampire, but that love was never as intense as a vampire's love. Our love is so pure, so strong that if we lost our partner, we could not want to live without them. Before I never understood the pain of losing the one you love. And though, thank heavens I haven't, if I lost Edmund I simply could not exist in a world where he didn't.

I wondered if this is what heartache felt like. To feel like your heart isn't your heart, but just a dull ache in your chest that never goes away. If this is what heartache felt like, I don't want to ever experience the real feeling. It caused me too much pain, such pain that I doubt a human could survive it.
The weight of it was so heavy, I could feel it crashing down on me. Each second that went by it got heavier, closer to crumbling. I knew that when it crumbled it would come crashing down on me. So, I prepared myself, and waited for the inevitable. I thought to myself, if Edmund doesn't come home soon I was either going to go insane or that weight would crush me. Either way it wouldn't be pleasant.

Edmund went to California to visit his grandparents so they could congratulate him on his graduation. I knew it would be important to them to see their grandson graduate high school. Which is exactly why I suggested he go. I was all for it, I practically bought the ticket myself. Though when I did, I never anticipated that it would cause me so much pain to be away from him for so long. It's been an entire week since he left, but to me it feels like much, much more longer than seven days. I know that when he returns I won't ever be able to let him out of my sight or be without him for more than a second.
And that scares me.

The sun rose only a few hours ago and as the morning ticks by I can hear the number of cars increasing on the highway a few miles away. It proved to me that time was actually going by, meaning each dreadful second that went by was closer to seeing Edmund.
Edmund rang me last night to inform me that his flight will be landing in the morning. When I heard his voice I had to literally sit down. The relief and joy I felt was overwhelming. Where his grandparents lived didn't have very good reception, which resulted in us mainly texting each other. So when I heard his voice for the first time in a week, it was like hearing an angel speak.
I insisted that I picked him up from the airport, though Edmund wouldn't let me and told me to stay home - he was going to come to me. I wasn't a big fan of the idea. I wanted to see him as soon as I could and I didn't want to have to wait. Though Edmund begged and pleaded that I didn't pick him up and so, of course, I did as he wished.
Now I was flipping through my pages impatiently, waiting. For a vampire who has lived for two hundred years you would think I would be more patient. But when it comes to Edmund, I am never patient.

Audrey appeared in my bedroom doorway and I gave her bored glance, going back to flipping through my book. She wore a knowing smile on her face. "Lover boy is here." She told me, though I was already down the stairs before she finished. My dormant heart leaped out of my chest and was soaring, almost as fast as I was running down the stairs. I have never felt such relief, such happiness in all my life.
I heard the tires of Edmund's truck turn onto our gravel driveway. Before he was even parked I was opening his door, nearly pulling it off it's hinges in the process. For a second as I opened his door I stared at him, looking for any signs of changes. I knew that humans grow and change every day and I had to make sure I hadn't missed anything. Then, as I saw that his green eyes were still as beautiful as ever, that his hair was as soft as always, and that his cheeks were flushed red, I jumped into his lap and showered his face with kisses. I kissed every inch, memorising each and every detail. I saved the best for last, though Edmund had the same idea and moved my lips to his.

These last couple of days I had never felt so cold. And now that Edmund was here, I was warm again. I could feel and touch his warm, soft skin. I was so happy to see him that my body was tingling with excitement and I had to restrain myself.
I pulled away from him, missing his sweet taste, and rested my head on his chest - his heart was pounding. I felt his lips touch my hair. "I've missed you so much." I sighed, content.
What an understatement. . .
Edmund chuckled, his laugh reverberating through my body. I never knew how much I would miss it until I heard it. His laugh was beautiful - like an angel's. "I wasn't gone for too long."
I growled quietly to myself, strongly disagreeing with his words. "It felt more like a lifetime to me. Next time you go, I am coming with you." I insisted and felt his smile against my hair. I wanted to lift my head and place his lips to mine again, though I was enjoying his warmth too much at the moment. Now that he was back we had plenty of time for that. I smiled at the thought, giddy.
"I think you should too. You know, they asked about you." Enormous pleasure surged through me at his words. I felt honoured to have his grandparents ask about me. "Really?" I asked, hopeful.
"Yes." I smiled, though he couldn't see it. I lifted my head to look up at him, into his green eyes that I missed so much. They looked impossibly greener.
"Well, then, I should definitely meet them." Edmund's eyebrows raised in surprise.
"You would?" He asked and I could sense the unsureness of himself seeping through. I pecked the tip of his nose.
"Of course, I would." I promised, assuring him. Edmund stared at me, thinking. Then after a few moments he reached to the back of his truck with his long arm, grabbing something.
"Well," It seemed to be heavy for him as he was struggling a little. "I have a surprise. . ." Before I could offer giving him a hand he brings out a picnic basket. His car was instantly filled with different flavours and spices. For a second I was intrigued by what food he had brought. Edmund was very good in the kitchen and I had no doubt that what he made was delicious - for a human. And seeing as I am not a human, that interest only lasted a second.
Edmund looks at me, hopeful.
"A picnic?" I question. I wished Edmund hadn't forgotten the fact that I don't eat food.
"Yes - for me." He winks and I feel myself swoon. It wasn't fair. No one should be so perfect. "I wanted to take my girl out on a date." I swear my already dormant heart stopped beating. My girl, cue the swooning. "I figured that seeing as we haven't really had a proper one in a while, and as I just got back it would be perfect timing."
I opened the basket slightly, the aroma slapping me in the face. I forced myself not to cringe away. "Your timing couldn't have been any more delayed. I've been waiting a very long time for you." I combed my fingers through his incredibly soft hair, and as I did I tried to memorise how each strand of hair felt against my skin. Incredible. . .
I hopped out of his lap and was sitting in the passenger seat in under a second. "Now don't make me wait any longer, Parker. Let's go." I teased and he reached over, kissing me on the cheek. The warmth of his lips lingered on my skin, then vanished. I wanted to reach into the air and grab it and place it back where it belonged.