What Keeps Our Hearts Beating

Epilogue (One Year Later)

Brasen held Lacey in his arms, kissing her naked body lovingly in his embrace; the grass and spring daisies stuck in her golden curls.

"We can't keep doing this," she said, kissing the scar over his chest, the same scar she bore over her own body.

"Why not?" he asked, with a twinkle in his eye, his hands holding her close in his embrace. "I'd rather be out here making love to you beneath the heavens than cooped up in that house."

"That house that is now our home," she reminded him, the school now under her father and her control since Weber had been arrested. They re-did the entire left wing to erase any memories of the torture chamber and even the left spire was taken down. It was a fresh start and Brasen would be working with some of the top minds in the country to help utilize new serums with his blood for leukemia, and other blood related disorders. Even Victor got his own room, though he still had it out for Lacey, she was growing on him.

"And school is in session starting next week so we'll need to be on our best behavior."

"That sounds like someone is trying to set rules. And you know I love to break them."

They quickly dressed as Lacey noticed the sun at its zenith and knew the rest of the Rapscallion Round Table would be joining them on the terrace soon. It had been 6 months since Brasen and his father had been cleared of all charges. And 5 months since Brasen made the decision to swap his heart for Lacey's.

Lacey had been on her death bed, when Brasen had returned to her. He said he couldn't live with himself or stay hidden when he could save her life. That he of course stole her blood tests and impersonated an intern at the hospital to complete his research and realize that their hearts were compatible.

Lacey was completely against the idea, but Brasen was determined, said the poison inside him should kill off the infection in her own heart that was causing the disorder. Despite her protests, he persisted, saying, "For too long I had no choice in who my blood saved or harmed. This is my choice. And I choose to try to save the woman I love."

After a tough surgery and an even longer rehabilitation, both surgeries were successful. Lacey knew she was still on borrowed time, but it felt like she was given a second chance. And she loved Brasen even more for taking that chance.

"What's the book we were supposed to read again?" he asked, picking up his jacket off the bench.

"We have another winner you're going to love," she said cunningly. "Pride and Prejudice. And don't pretend like you haven't read it."

"Mr. Darcy is my idol," he chided with a smirk. "But seriously, what is it about that guy that makes him so irresistible? She was better off with that Wickham fellow..."

"Wickham? Are you crazy? Mr. Darcy's courting with Elizabeth, the love hate relationship, it is one of the best books ever written and..."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "You are just trying to get me riled up, aren't you?"

He laughed and she started chasing him in that meadow, the grass tickling her bare feet as she nearly caught up to him. He whirled around and picked her up, swinging her around. "Without you, who else would I have to debate books with?"

"Hey, be careful with that heart of mine," she said, laughing as the wind rushed through her hair, encircling them there in the beautiful gardens, the fragrant scents of roses and magnolias making her head spin with joy. She heard voices screaming out to her and she shielded her eyes from the sun to make out Raiph, Zoey and Ming on the terrace, the huge manor house beckoning to her, calling her home.

"Come on you love birds!" Sandra yelled down at them. "We have work to do!"

Zoey was smiling brightly on Raiph's shoulders, waving down at them while Ming was on his computer, already hacking into the network to find out information about the new students, how best they could help them.

"I guess we'd better go," Lacey said, her sundress whipping against her legs as he gently put her down, her bare feet against the blades of grass.

"They can wait one more minute," he said, his blue eyes twinkling in the sun.

He kissed her longingly in that field. It was Brasen's blood that ran through hers. Her blood that ran through his veins. And yet two hearts with different dreams and different goals and different minds...but one love.

Life is one amazing thing.