Chapter 25
Jason's Rover rounded the corner to our driveway faster than usual. I knew he was excited, there was the game in Baltimore tomorrow and getting together with his mom for the first time since my rescue.
"Mom." I called upstairs.
"Be careful, dear." Elizabeth said, arriving next to me from the back of the house. "It's still very soon." She grabbed my jaw and turned my face to hers and stared into my eyes. Her expression was surprise—obviously she'd noticed the crimson rings were gone. "Please be careful, Izzy."
"I will, Mom."
She kissed me on the cheek. "Thank Nancy for the lovely flowers."
Out front, Jason's door closed.
I pulled her into an embrace. "I love you, Mom. Thank you for trusting me I know it hasn't always been easy."
"You are a remarkable young woman, I know there are great things in your future." She pulled back. "Now go have some fun, but—"
"Be careful." I finished for her. "I know. Goodnight."
I opened the door, just as Jason knocked. He looked surprised, but tapped his fist lightly on my forehead.
"Anyone home?"
"Cute."
"Oh hi, Mrs. Faulkner." Jason said, looking past me into the foyer. "I won't keep Izzy out too late, promise."
"Is your big game tomorrow?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Well good luck, we will all be rooting for you."
"Thanks. By the way, exactly how late is too late?"
"Jason." I warned and then turned back to Mom. "Don't worry, I'm not going to keep him up late before his big game."
"I should hope not."
Elizabeth remained in the doorway as Jason and I ran down to the Rover.
By the time we turned onto the street where Jason lived, the moon was up. It wasn't full, but close. It was going to be one of those cold, crisp, clear nights bathed in moonlight—beautiful and exhilarating.
"You nervous?" Jason asked.
"Should I be?"
"Nah, but like I said, Mom is different since—well—since you were abducted."
"Because of how it affected you, right?"
"Sure, that's part of it—I mean she saw first hand just how much you mean to me, but it's more than that."
"Like?" I prompted.
"I don't know for sure, she just really empathized with you during your ordeal. I mean, like I said, she kept telling me to get out there and help find you. And you know Mom, she was in prayer mode the entire time." Jason pulled to a stop in the driveway, next to his mom's car. "Ready?"
Jason's mom burst through the back doorway and started down the steps, but stopped halfway. I noticed her visual exchange with Jason. They'd discussed our reunion. We both climbed out of the Rover and started toward her. Jason scooted in close and put his arm around me.
As we got close to the bottom of the stairs, Jason's mom just couldn't contain her enthusiasm any longer and rushed down the stairs. She threw her arms around me and gave me a hug—I now knew why Jason had insisted I wear a heavy winter coat. Even so, she looked a little surprised.
"Mom." Jason complained.
Jason's mom stepped back. "I'm so happy you're safe. I don't have to tell you how frightened the two of us were for you. Oh, you look so beautiful tonight."
"Thank you," I said, I think it's the moonlight, the way it reflects off my hair."
"Well, it's beautiful, a nice touch of shimmer." She glanced at Jason for approval. "I'm being rude, please, come inside and make yourself at home. How is Elizabeth?"
"She's good. She wanted me to thank you for the flowers, they were so sweet of you."
Jason and I followed his mom up the stairs and into the kitchen.
"Nonsense, it was the least I could do under the circumstances. Why don't you kids make yourself comfortable in the family room? I'll get some chips and soda."
"Thank you."
Jason plopped down on the couch and pulled me down next to him. "See? I told you." he whispered.
"Are you sure she's okay?"
"Here we go." Jason's mom set out a tray with two soda's and a bowl of chips with some kind of salsa dip. She sat down in the chair next to the fireplace—the one under my human photograph. "So, are you going to try and make the game tomorrow?"
"Absolutely."
"Would you like to ride with me?"
"Actually, I was planning on riding with Cathy—but I guess—"
"Let me give Mrs. Hall a call—if that's okay with you? The trip can be a bit expensive with gas and parking in the city."
"Sure, that'd be great."
"Alright then, I'll be right back." She got up. "I'll make the call from upstairs." She winked and walked over to the staircase. She paused a moment with this kind of admiration in her eyes as she looked over at us, and then, without saying another word, went upstairs.
"Wow." I said.
Jason slipped his hand though the hair at the back of my neck and pulled me into an amazing kiss. All my senses responded—thirst and longing. I pressed my lips more forcefully against his. I let my senses simmer and then slowly rise to a boil before I pulled back.
"Wow." Jason said, flopping back against the couch. "Now that was a kiss. Think we're talking a cold shower before bed."
"Sorry."
"You kidin'?"
"Your mom's coming." I said as she started down the steps.
Jason grabbed a pillow and stuffed it in his lap.
I slugged him in the shoulder playfully. "Not funny."
Jason pretended I hurt him and grabbed his shoulder. "Oh, please, not the arm."
"Well," Jason's mom said walking into the room, headed back to the chair by the fireplace. "it's all arranged. We're all going to ride together. Cathy and her mom will pick us up at the school at nine o'clock so we can give the team a proper sendoff, then we'll follow the bus to the Raven's stadium in Baltimore. Mrs. Hall said she and Cathy went to the Inner Harbor over the summer and knew a good—safe place to park. How does that sound?"
"Ah, incredibly generous." I said. "Thank you."
"Wonderful. Do you want me to pick you up, or would you prefer to meet us at the school?"
"I'm going to pick her up in the morning, Mom." Jason said.
"Won't that be a distract—"
"The opposite."
She smiled. "Yes, I can see that. Well, you two kids have fun, I'll see you tomorrow. Not too late, Jason."
"Don't worry Mrs. Whitaker, I'll make sure of it."
We waited until she'd gone into her room and then almost leapt into one another's arms. After a great deal of kissing, Jason rolled us over on our sides, me against the back of the couch.
"So," he said, "I have a question."
"Okay." I replied, hesitantly. There was something inquisitive in his voice.
"Does your kind get married?"
"What?"
"Do vampires get married—you know, like for example are Benjamin and Elizabeth married?"
"Uh, well, I don't know exactly. Marriage is kind of a religious bond, not really our thing, so I don't imagine they are."
"Hugh."
"Dare I ask why?"
"Just wondering."
"Jason, don't let that pretty head of yours get any crazy ideas." I sat up. "I like where we are, don't you?"
"You mean the till my death do us part, thing?"
"Jason." I warned. "This is not the time—you have the game tomorrow—maybe even your football future."
"Yeah, I know."
"Focus, Jason. Focus on the game. We're fine—more than fine." I pressed forward and kissed him and then pushed him off the couch. He landed flat on his back and groaned.
"Hope this isn't a precursor for tomorrow."
I slid off the sofa on top of him. "Really?"
"Well, not this part."
I let him pull me down into another long, beautiful, loving kiss.