Masked

VIII

I went through the hallway silently and towards the girl's room. Knocking on the door politely I asked, "Amelia can I see you for a second?"

There was movement from the bed and the door opened slightly. Amelia stuck her head out, "what do you want Michael?"

I lowered my voice to where Lacie couldn't hear and Amelia had to lean in. "I heard mom and dad talking about something and I need your help."

Amelia looked back at Lacie who was staring out the window.

"Okay, hang on," she went back to tell Lacie she had to do something real quick and then came back. I led her to my room and explained everything.

Amelia looked at me expressionless, "Michael I would talk to Lacie before mom and dad talk to you."

"That's what I think too," I nodded.

 "But when will you do it?"Amelia asked, and making it seem like she had already made plans with Lacie for tonight.

"Probably tomorrow," I said unsure of how to do that with Mark and Liliana around.

Amelia was already one step ahead of me as she said, "don't worry about mom and dad, I'll come up with something. But if I get in trouble after this, I'm blaming you."

I laughed at her remark, not seeing how we could get in trouble, "okay. Fine with me."

Amelia left my room as she went back to Lacie. I shut the door and thought about just exactly I could approach this.

"What if I'm wrong about all of this?" I questioned, "no I can't be if Lacie is here with my family and loves me."

Staring at a mirror, I realized how ugly I would look to a human. Sure I guess you could say I was human to some extent but not entirely.

We had a human body with enlarged hands and feet and wings on our back that we folded up beneath our clothing. Normally all I wore was black shorts and a white T-shirt. My parents wore normal clothing as well, Amelia was the only one who tried to see what fashion styles she could manipulate to fit her. So one day it was a mini skirt the next a halter. I already knew that Lacie and Amelia had some similar tastes in clothing, since that's what they always talked about. Me on the other hand, knew nothing about style except for when I would listen to them speak.

"Amelia will probably ask them to go shopping with her tomorrow," I thought out loud, "which could take hours." I chuckled to myself at the image of my dad holding a ton of shopping bags with clothes inside that he had no idea were used for.

"I guess I'll have to find a way to pay her back," I realized knowing it was going to have to be a huge favor.

Going to my bed, I laid down and began dreaming of Lacie until dawn broke the next day. The aroma of bacon woke me up as I slid on some jeans and a cleaner shirt before heading downstairs.

"Smells good mom," I said knowing that we really didn't cook very often to begin with.

"Thanks Michael," she began laying down plates of bacon and some raspberry pancakes.

"What do you think Lacie?" she asked trying to gauge her reaction as she took a bite.

 "It's extremely good Mrs?" she paused not sure what our last name was.

"Well we don't really go by a last name... but let's go with Owen? Lacie you can just call us Mark and Liliana like what Michael and Amelia do sometimes."

"Got it," Lacie said smiling at her then me.

Once we finished breakfast, Liliana and Mark went with Amelia to go shopping. Our plan had worked so far, well her part had. Now I just had to see if mine would.

"Hey Lacie can I ask you something?" I tensed up as I waited for her to reply.

"Sure Michael, ask away," she said walking out to the hot tub.

We laid down on the lawn chairs as I contemplated how to start this.

"Okay, so... how are you liking this trip so far?" I said trying to keep the conversation light at first.

"It's been amazing seeing you and your family interact."

"I'm glad to hear that," I paused and looked at her, "Lacie. How much do you love me?"

She stared at me, unsure of where I was going with this. "Michael I love you so much I can't even describe it."

I sighed silently in my head and then asked the question that I was dreading but dying to know the answer too; "I do too Lacie and this is why I'm about to ask you something very important."

Lacie looked at me with a serious note in her eyes as I tried to remain calm.

"Lacie since you love me as much as you say and I feel the same... I was wondering if you would want me to change you into a gargoyle, so you could live forever?"

I saw several different emotions flicker across her face, making me regret asking her. I saw joy for her to become what I was and live with me. Surprise because she didn't expect me to ask her... and terror, because she had no idea what it was like to change.

"I'm sorry I asked," I muttered and ran out the door.

Pushing further from the house, I unfolded my wings and shot off into the sky.

"Stop! Michael come back!" Lacie yelled as I flew away from her.

How could I have been so stupid to even mention changing her. I could tell she was hadn't been expecting that and was scared.

I stopped flying and just landed abruptly, "Lacie just leave okay? I can't let you be with me if it means changing you into a monstrosity and not having a normal life."

"Michael," Lacie began but I cut her off.

"No Lacie this was a mistake. I can't be with you. What if you die before the change completes itself? I would never forgive myself. Please Lacie for me, just forget any of this ever happened and move on."

I turned away hoping she would leave but I didn't hear any footsteps.

Lacie came over to face me, "how can I forget any of this? Especially you? I don't care if I died while I tried changing. I love you too much to leave and I know you wouldn't try and kill me. This is my life Michael. I've been chasing and experimenting with different creatures my entire life."

I stared at her, unsure of what to say.

"Please," she begged me, her blue eyes full of tears "I want to be with you."

"I do too Lacie but,"

"But nothing Michael. We both want each other in our lives and here we are. Let's just forget about everything else and start a new life?"

"Okay," and thought in my head, 'I hope you're right.'

Lacie smiled before kissing me so hard I thought she was going to bruise her lips before pulling back and giggling. "Together and forever," she murmured as she kissed me again without waiting for a response.

I thought in my head as I continued kissing her, 'Yes Lacie, together forever and ever.'

When we finished, we headed back to the house in silence. I looked at her cautiously, "are you mad at me for asking you?"

"No, I'm more so flattered."

"Good," I flashed her a smile and sat down next to her on the couch.

"Let me tell you how the process works."

"Okay," she looked at me as if I was going to do it right after I explained the process.

**Another chapter done! It would've been much longer but I've been splitting them up into two or three instead. Until the next update!!**