Sweeter Than Wine

Apology

I'm roused by a very chilled hand brushing against my bare back.

I groan, looking over my shoulder to see John climbing into bed behind me.

He smiles at me, "sorry, sweetheart, Georgie boy kicked me out in just me boxers, and Ringo isn't a very good cuddler, I need your warmth....."

He presses into my back, and I notice immediately he's disposed of his boxers as well.

I look back at him again, a cheeky smirk lighting up his face. His cold fingers skirt across the skin of my thigh teasingly, "I heard cuddling nude generates more heat..."

I grin, rolling my eyes and facing toward George again, pressing my face into his warm chest.

John rubs my thigh softly, the gentle movements of his fingers lulling me back into my dreams.

My dreams are nothing but an endless black void. It feels like I'm swimming through suffocating emptiness, the darkness like a vacuum sucking the life from my body.

My black surroundings slowly begin morphing into a deep, menacing red.

My body feels impossibly heavy, each movement I make taking every ounce of strength left in my weakening limbs.

My eyes flutter open, my body feeling as if I've been roasting in an oven for hours.

I take a deep shuddering breath, growing tired of my blood increasing so rapidly.

I crawl quickly down the bed, hoping I'm not disturbing John and George too badly.

As soon as I stand, I fall to my knees, gravity too much force to fight.

I crawl to the door, struggling, but finally opening it.

I feel blood start gushing from my nose, the hot blood pours onto the carpet below me in violet spats.

Suddenly Ritchie is kneeling in front of me, pulling me to him.

I throw my heavy arms around his neck, biting him to rid myself of this torture.

He groans at the unexpected pleasure, his hands sliding around my waist.

After releasing my excess, I drop my arms down to support myself against the cool wall.

I feel a pair of arms lift me to my feet. I look over my shoulder to see George, John standing right next to him.

"Why didn't you just bite one of us?" George asks, eyes trailing over the blood covering my mouth and arms.

I shrug, "well....you and John have had so much the last couple of days...I don't want Ritchie or Paul to go without..."

The realization hits them both at the same time. "...right...sorry Rings...." George mutters sheepishly.

Ritchie stands from his kneeling position, stretching his arms and yawning. "It's alright lads, just being near her is perfectly enough." He says, giving me a huge smile.

John finally speaks up, "ay, Ringo. Why don't we switch our guard up. You can head back to bed with them, and I'll sit by the door."

I grin, "awww, how sweet of you John.." I turn in George's arms to lightly peck John's cheek.

John smiles softly at me, pressing a gentle kiss to my temple, "better get her cleaned up, Georgie." With that he heads back to the room, returning moments later with his clothes.

George steers me to the bathroom, pushing me down to sit on the edge of the tub.

He finds what he needs, then delicately wipes the blood from my face. Kissing me periodically with gentle lips.

Helping me stand, he guides me to the sink where I wash my arms off. I glance at myself in the mirror, inspecting myself for any more blood. I see none, so I grip George's arm, "take me to bed, my love."

George grins, "as you wish, darling."

We walk back to the bedroom to find Ritchie already passed out under the covers.

I smile affectionately, crawling into the bed beside him, George pressing into my back.

"Goodnight boys, sleep well..." I say with a yawn.

George kisses behind my ear, "goodnight, my sweet girl. I love you...."

I sigh happily, "I love you....."

***In the morning***

I slowly open my eyes, the feeling of suffocating overwhelming me.

My face is pressed into the pillow, and two arms are pressing me down into the mattress by my ribs.

I groan, "...Geo....Ritchie....you're...crushing me..." my voice comes out as a wheeze.

Both boys immediately remove their arms, both spouting nonsensical babble .

I sit up, looping my arms around their necks. "It okay boys! Relax! Let's get some breakkie and coffee, and see how Emma and Mabel are doing, yeah?"

George kisses my cheek, "yes ma'am..." Ritchie salutes me and good off the bed, pulling his clothes on.

George and I follow suit, walking into the living room to be greeted with the faces of everyone. Emma included.

George steps in front of me protectively. Paul stands, "no George, it's okay! She had the same problem you did."

I peek around George, "meaning?" Emma stands, approaching us cautiously. I nudge George aside to allow Emma to stand in front of me.

She looks at our feet before speaking, "last night....I...I'm so sorry...I went out to try and check on you the other day, but was found on your property by him..he injected me with his blood...I stumbled through the forest following your scent...and it led me here...I'm just hoping that he won't find us with all the wards we've placed..."

I place my hand gently on her shoulder, "it's okay Emma...no one was....horribly injured by that...John is almost as good as new now..."

She drops to her knees, taking my hand, pressing her lips to it softly.

"I don't deserve your forgiveness..."

George slaps her hand from mine aggressively, "that's enough. She may forgive you, but that doesn't mean I will. I've run out of trust in you two. Especially you. If you're with us you have to be with us."

Emma flinches at George's harsh words
but nods her head shamefully. "...I...I understand...."

She rises back to her feet, "I'll..make us some breakfast and coffee.....

"Paul, go with her. Keep an eye on her." George commands, moving back to my side. He turns his attention to the others, "we need a plan."