Anything For Rachel – Episode 25

EPISODE_25

 

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My eyes fluttered open and I found Calvin’s beautiful face over mine.

 

I blinked sleepily as he came into focus.

 

His thin face, sharp straight nose, arched full lips, those dimples, and those big hypnotic smoky eyes. I could, and would, stare at him for the rest of my life if it was possible. His brown hair was falling down into his eyes and I reached out to brush it away, but he caught my hand, putting it on his face and smiling at me with his big perfect teeth. “I have to go.” He whispered in the dim light. “I was going to write you a note telling you that you were just too beautiful asleep to wake you, but you are also too beautiful to leave without a proper goodbye…especially after last night.” He grinned at me, his dimples sinking deeper into his cheeks. “Thank you for that, by the way.”

 

I pulled his face down to mine and kissed him gently, the need in me growing again already, but he pulled away too soon, laying his head on my chest and wrapping his arms around me. I held his head to me, brushing the hair away from his face and I smiled. Blissfully happy with him here like this. I wished for about the trillionth time that he wasn’t a vampire, or a king. I wish we really could just be Calvin and Rachel. I imagined our life together as we held each other. We’d be forever happy, him, me, and Rose. We’d go to movies, and ice skating, and spend time together as a family. Then at night, after we’d read Rose a story and she was fast asleep, we’d make love every night and wake up every morning wrapped up in a tangle of arms and legs like right now, encased in our own little bubble, away from danger. Just us.

 

 

“I wish you didn’t have to go.” I sighed, my voice still heavy with sleep. It had been very late into the day before we finally fell asleep together, both of us physically spent.

 

“I do to.” He replied. “Truthfully, I wish for nothing more than to remain in this room with you, doing exactly this, for the entire time that you’re here.”

 

“I could think of something else I’d like to be doing in here also.” I said lowly and he tightened his arms around me.

 

“You’re a little temptress, do you know that?” He chuckled. “As tempting as that is, and trust me, the idea does appeal to me,

 

I’m already late.” He told me propping himself up on his elbow to look down at my face again.

 

“Later then.” I winked.

 

Calvin smiled, but he bit his lip after. “Do you think that’s a very good idea?” He asked. “Trust me, I want that.” He chuckled. “But with the competition starting, won’t that be difficult, watching me with Lexton, and then me coming back to your room?”

 

I sighed, and rolled my eyes for good measure. “I told you, I don’t want to talk about her.” I reminded him. “As far as I am concerned, I am here on vacation, and you are mine, and I am yours. When I’m gone, I don’t want to wish I had done anything differently. I want to have you for every spare second that I can.” He grabbed my face and kissed me hard. “I love you, I love you, I love you.”

 

“I love you, too.” I whispered, our lips still brushing as we spoke.

 

“Now you better go before you’re even later.” I reminded him and he smiled. “Wouldn’t want to keep you from your kingly duties.”

 

“Sure you wouldn’t.” He quipped sarcastically.

 

I shrugged beneath him, biting my lip. “You’re right.” I grinned.

 

“You’re welcome to stay and ignore your meetings with me for as long as you want.”

 

“Forever.” He said quickly. “That’s how long.”

 

“Forever then.” I said softly.

 

Our easy banter had turned serious, and I felt like we were promising more in this moment than either of us really knew.

 

Slowly, he pulled his cold body away from mine and I cuddled the blankets closer to me to knock the chill off of my skin. I watched in admiration as he moved around the room retrieving his clothes from where they were thrown about the room and slipping them on.

 

I giggled when he found his white button down bawled up at the foot of the bed and he pushed his arms into it. “Well,” He chuckled as he looked down at it. Not only was it beyond wrinkled, it was also missing the top five buttons at least, only closing right above his navel and down.

 

“Sorry about that.” I said, hiding my smile with the blanket.

 

He narrowed his eyes at me and shot over to be sitting right beside me on the bed. “No, you aren’t.” He said shaking his head. “And neither am I.” He added, a little something in his eyes as he leaned down to kiss me again before standing.

 

“Later?” I called as he got to the door.

 

He turned back to me, his face light and happy, no longer long and gloomy like it had been when I’d first come back here, or even strained like he always seemed the first time I was here. He was free. Not hiding anything, not trying to do more than he could handle, not worrying if he was doing the right or wrong thing. He was just Calvin, if only for a second.

 

“If I can make it back tonight, you know that I will.” He smiled one last time before opening the door and turning away.

 

 

I couldn’t stand the sight of him leaving yet. “Wait!” I yelled, grabbing the sheet with me as I ran across the room and jumped up into his arms.

 

He pushed the door shut again and leaned my back against it while I held myself up with my legs around his hips. He chuckled lightly as he pulled the sheet tighter around my body. “That just isn’t fair to do to me when you know I have to go.” He smiled.

 

“I never claimed to play fair.” I whispered and his eyes dropped to my parted lips.

 

“Oh so we are playing now?” His eyes danced.

 

I shrugged. “If you want to.”

 

“Now I know I will definitely have to make it back here tonight.” He laughed.

 

“Good.” I grinned wickedly. “I’ll be waiting for you.”

 

He slid me down onto my feet and then kissed my neck up to my jaw. “Really?”

 

“However long it takes.” I promised.

 

His eyes lingered on mine, silently telling me things without words even being a necessity. He leaned down, kissing the tip of my nose and I slid my hands down his strong chest with a sigh. “In that case, I better not waste any time.” He said.

 

“Let me go easily and I swear to come back tonight, no matter how late, or if ten thousand fire breathing dragons try to stop me, I am coming back to you.”

 

I giggled at him and he squeezed me tighter. “Letting you go is never easy.”

 

He smiled down at me as he released me. “I’ve got to go.” He laughed again.

 

“Then go.” I said pointing to the door behind me.

 

“I don’t want to.” He laughed, grabbing my face again and kissing me for a few more minutes before he pulled away breathlessly. “Later.” He chuckled as I stepped out of the way and he opened the door and slipped out into the hall before

 

 

we could get distracted again. I walked slowly back to the bed and crawled in, rolling over and hugging his pillow to me and breathing deeply, trying to steal all of his scent that was still clinging to it.

 

“I love you.” I whispered into the pillow before I fell back to sleep, dreams of the big happy family that we should be dancing around in my mind.

 

When I woke up, I buzzed the kitchen for some food, realizing that I was completely famished after my late and exerting night. Within five minutes there was a knock on my door and Patrick walked in, holding a covered tray. “Majesty.” He bowed his head as he entered.

 

“Patrick, why have they got you doing the grunt work today?” I joked. “Isn’t it enough that you fix all of this amazing food, they make you run deliveries too?”

 

Patrick laughed lightly as he walked over to the little table on the side of the room and uncovered my food for me. “I, of course, wanted to be the one to hand deliver your meal.” He told me as I came to sit in the chair. “How are you?” He asked.

 

My stomach rumbled as I looked down at the fried eggs and toast with strawberry jam. “Starving.” I laughed, quickly shoveling in a large bite. “But other than that, I’m good.” I smiled at him. “I heard you and Pedro finally made it official.” I told him. “I’m so happy for you.”

 

“Thank you.” He said shyly, absently running his thumb over the gold band on his ring finger. “I finally convinced him.”

 

“Oh, I’m sure it didn’t take much. He loves you.”

 

Patrick bowed his head. “Speaking of Pedro, have you heard anything?” He asked quietly.

 

I raised my eyebrows. “You haven’t spoken to him?”

 

“No.” He shook his head. “They say it isn’t safe.” He explained.

 

“Only you and your…friend, speak to the little princess.”

 

 

“I’m so sorry.” I sighed. “I didn’t realize.” I admitted, having another bite of toast. “I will see what I can do about changing that. Pedro should be allowed to talk to you for at least a couple of minutes a day.”

 

“I’d be so appreciative if you did.” He said, shifting his weight on his feet and brushing his hand through his wispy hair. “I just miss him.”

 

“Of course you do.” I smiled at him. “I will talk to Calvin tonight if I can”

 

“Thank you.” He said softly, then looked up again. “Do you have any idea where they are?” He whispered. “It just feels so strange not even knowing where on the earth he is.”

 

I frowned and shook my head. “Trust me, I feel the same way, but I don’t know either. Calvin said it was better for only Pedro to know where they were going so that the information couldn’t get out.”

 

“I understand, I just thought I’d ask.” He dismissed it, checking the shiny watch on his wrist. “I better get back to the kitchen. The dinner rush is coming.”

 

 

 

“Is it that late already?” I asked, surprised.

 

“Yes.” He laughed a little, probably because I am sitting here eating breakfast in my robe and messy hair, while out there everyone is getting ready for dinner. “I’ll see you soon.” He bowed to me.

 

“Good to see you again, Patrick.” I called as he walked out.

 

I quickly finished eating, feeling like I’d wasted my whole day, although I can’t bring myself to feel too bad about it since while was sleeping, I was dreaming of Calvin.

 

After I ate I hopped into the shower, washing up quickly and then toweled off my hair and rummaged to find the bag of clothes that Octavia had given me. It struck me as odd as I dressed in the pair of dark grey sweats and long sleeved black t-shit

 

 

that I hadn’t seen her today. She’d helped me get ready for the ball, but she hasn’t come back by today. Not like I need someone to get me ready, but I kind of thought it was her duty to be here with me.

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There was a knock on my door and Octavia appeared in the doorway as if she knew I was thinking about her. “I’m so sorry I haven’t been by.” She said as she rushed in. “I…lost track of time.”

 

“That’s totally fine.” I told her. “I’ve been asleep most of the day…well, night.”

 

“Good.” She sighed, flipping her long ponytail over her shoulder and brushing it out with her fingers. “Can I do anything for you?”

 

I pursed my lips. “I think I’m good.” I shrugged. “I’m just going to go down to the library.” I told her. “If that’s alright.” I tacked on the end.

 

“No, of course.” She nodded. “You’ve got free roam, but make sure you-.”

 

“Take Cromley with me?” I filled in. “I know.”

 

She smiled and nodded. “You’re right, you know the rules.” She giggled. “I wouldn’t be too worried, but you just want to be sure that you’re being safe.”

 

“I will.” I promised.

 

“Alright, have a great rest of your night.” She said. “I’ve got council meetings to attend still, but if you need me, just call.”

 

“Will do.”

 

She went to leave, but she looked to the side of the room, then circled back. When she looked at me there was obvious excitement in her eyes. “Is that Calvin’s?” She asked, pointing to a black belt that was sticking out from under the dresser. The blush on my cheeks must have been enough to confirm it for her because she squealed and clapped her hands. “I’m so happy.” She laughed.

 

“I know it is none of my business, but since I’ve been gone has he….I don’t know,

 

has he been with anyone else?” I whispered. “I know you guys are close, so I figure you would know.”

 

She stepped forward and put her hand on my shoulder. “He hasn’t.” She assured me carefully. The confirmation was both good and bad. I wanted her to say no, but then if she had said yes, then it would have helped with my guilt a little. “And I know he doesn’t blame you, Rachel.”

 

I looked up to her carefully. “Octavia, I swear it’s like you read my mind sometimes.” I told her seriously.

 

She shook her head and laughed. “I just pride myself on being very perceptive.”

 

She grinned. “But I mean it, don’t beat yourself up.”

 

I nodded my head, hoping that I could take that advice, but unsure if I could. I felt horrible for hurting Logan, but I also felt horrible that Calvin knows I had Logan, and that he had me. I never should have given my heart away, but I know now that I never will again. No matter what happens here, I know I love Calvin more than I have the capacity to love any other man, and that’s just the way it is. I will never give my heart to any other man again.

 

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To_be_Continued

 

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ANYTHING FOR RACHEL