Charity Moon (25 page)

“Well—maybe a little, and seeing a werewolf in jeans definitely helps.”

Once the music started, Ashley came bouncing up to our table. “Come on, Charity, let’s dance. This is a great song, and you know how to rock a dance floor.”

 “Ash, I would need a full body transplant to dance like that right now. Besides, I’m resting up for the rocking I’m going to be doing tomorrow night.” Levi and I smirked at each other.

“Eww, I don’t want to hear this,” she said, covering her ears.

“Then go away.”

“Fine. Josh, come and dance with me,” she said, leaving our table and skipping to his.

“Can I ask you a question?” I asked Levi once Little Miss Perky Pants was gone.

“Sure, anything.”

“How did you know it was me when I came and sat beside you a moment ago?”

“What?”

“You took my hand without looking at me. How did you know it was me?”

“Hmm, it was so natural I didn’t realize I did that. I just sensed your presence. I felt you there.”

“Cool—can I do that?”

“Well, let’s try. Close your eyes and try to feel my presence.”

I closed my eyes tightly and tried to concentrate. “Hey,” I said after a short minute, “I can feel your presence, wow that’s—” I opened my eyes to find that I was sitting all alone. “Great, I suck at this.”

I squealed in surprise as Levi appeared beside me. “You’re right, you suck at this.”

“Thanks.” I rolled my eyes.

“Well, you’re human, Charity. You’re not supposed to be able to do everything. Isn’t it bad enough that you possess the power to capture the hearts of unsuspecting fools?”

“And you put yourself in that category?”

He laughed. “At the top of the list.”

“So you’re a fool then?”

“A fool in love,” he sang. “Come dance with me.” He helped me up and led me to the dance area. He took me in his arms and held me close as we slowly swayed together.

“Mmm, you smell so good,” I whispered in his ear. “I’ve always loved the way you smell. It blew my breath away the first day we met.”

He pulled away and looked down at me, his eyes wide with surprise. “Are you serious?”

“Yes, of course. Remember that first day in the cafeteria? I caught your scent and it almost knocked me out of my seat. No man has ever smelled that good to me, not even my dad. Is something wrong with that?”

“Um no, it’s just that humans aren’t supposed to be able to smell us at all. Our scent is for fantasy creatures only.”

“Well, I guess that’s just more proof that we’re meant to be together.”

“You never cease to amaze me.”

“Good, you’ll never get bored.”

“With you, never. But why don’t you let me heal you? Please.”

“No!”

“Please.”

“No!”

He opened his mouth again.

“No!”

He shut it.

As the LeAnn Womack song “I hope you dance” began to play, he pulled me up against him and held me close. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feeling. So much had happened that day, and yet I was safe in his arms again. I became overwhelmed with emotion and, to my surprise, began to cry
. Have I mentioned how I hated feeling vulnerable?

Levi pulled back and put both hands on my face. “Charity, what’s wrong? You’re supposed to be happy.”

“I am happy. It’s just that I didn’t think I was ever going to see you again. And when I was in the lake, I thought I was going to drown before I made it back to you. I was so tired and cold. Then once they spotted me and started swimming after me, I thought that was it. I was so close to you and they were closing in on me. But somehow I managed to out swim them. How did I do that? Then you were there, in the water with me. You saved me, Levi. And just like this song, I almost sat this all out because of fear. I was afraid to trust, afraid you would hurt me, and I almost missed you.” I cried, tucking my head into his chest.

“Oh baby, you’ve got it wrong—you saved me. But we’re both here—together, and—we’re dancing.”

I smiled and hugged him tighter. “Yes, we’re dancing.”

He wrapped his arms tightly around me. We stayed frozen in place, dancing as they played us another song.

I was so tired I became almost limp in his arms. I tightened my grip around his neck as he lifted me up, carrying me out of the room. We entered my room and once again he laid me gently on the bed and brought me some pain medicine. 

“I had someone put something for you to wear in your closet.”

“Oh, thanks. I was beginning to think clothes just miraculously appeared in there.” I got up painstakingly slow, took the nightgown out of the closet, and went into the bathroom. When I emerged, I was in awe at the amazing sight of Levi in his pajama bottoms and stretched out comfortably on the bed. I swallowed hard as I studied his tanned, chiseled upper body.

“Come here,” he said, reaching his arms out to me, his eyes overflowing with such love.

I climbed onto the bed and into his arms.

“I almost lost you today, more than once. Don’t make me leave. I want to hold you all night. My thoughts tonight aren’t sexual. I’ll behave, I promise.” He wasn’t asking.

“I wouldn’t let you leave if you tried.” With the covers pulled over us, I snuggled up close to him and laid my head on his bare chest, the sound of his heartbeat humming me into a deep, dreamless sleep.

I was alone when I woke the next morning. I got up, stretched, and realized I ached all over. Even my eyelashes were throbbing, but I would die of agony before I complained out loud. Levi was looking for any excuse to bypass my wishes and heal me anyway.

I opened my door and peeped down the hall. The coast was clear so I snuck across the hall to Levi’s room. I reached for the doorknob, squealing in surprise as Irena appeared beside me.

“He’s not there, dear,” she said in a sweet voice.

“Geez! How do you guys do that? You scared the sweet snot out of me!”

“I’m sorry, dear, but I’ve been watching the hall all morning, making sure you two don’t sneak to see each other. You’re not supposed to see each other on the day of the wedding, you know. Levi left out of your room early this morning to shower. He tried to sneak back in, twice as a matter of fact, but I’m sharper than he thinks. He got mad and left, said he had some errands anyway, but don’t worry, he’ll be back in plenty of time.”

She took my arm and led me back to my room, shutting the door behind us. “I want you to try on your dress.” At that moment, I noticed it hanging on the outside of the closet door. Had that been there before? I don’t recall seeing it—weird.

“I can’t wait,” I said with excitement as I shimmied out of my nightgown, not feeling the slightest bit embarrassed.

Irena grabbed the dress then turned to me and gasped. “Charity honey, have you seen your back?”

“No, but I feel it. Is it that bad?”

“You have a huge bruise in the middle of your back. Oh, Levi’s not going to be happy when he sees that. Are you in pain?”

“Well actually, I am quite a bit sore.”

“Do you think you’ll be okay for tonight, you know, after the wedding?”

“You’re kidding, right? As if anything could ruin that moment for me. But speaking of that, do you have any advice for me. I want it to be as special as it can be.”

“Oh honey, you’re in love, and it’s the first time for both of you, it will be special no matter what. And you’re going to be staying in a secluded suite at the opposite end of the facility from the rest of us, so you’ll have plenty of privacy.”

“That’s a relief. I was wondering about that. You know, Irena, I’m not sure I can go all day without seeing Levi.”

“I know, dear. Levi said the same thing, but you can, and it’ll be time for the wedding before you know it. Now, let’s try on this dress.”

I stepped my feet into the silky fabric and pulled it up around my chest, marveling at how good it felt against my bare skin. Irena zipped me up. It was a strapless gown with rhinestones along the edging. It fit tight like a bodice to my waist and then hung loose to the floor. Vintage lace was layered over the bottom half of the dress with tiny rhinestones throughout, causing the light to catch and reflect.

“Irena, it’s beautiful. It looks so much better than the picture. I love it. Thank you so much,” I said, hugging her.

“Honey, it was my pleasure. You know, it fits you perfectly and even covers your bruise on your back, but just barely. I’m not sure you’ll even need a bra, though I have one for you in my shop.”

“I really need Ashley to see this. Do you mind getting her for me?” I knew she’d be where ever Josh was.

“Not at all, dear. I saw her headed for the R Wing earlier. She and the others were going to play some Xbox to pass the time. I’ll be right back.”

Once she was gone I walked over to the closet and opened it. On the back was a full-length mirror. My mouth fell agape as I took in the full view of the dress. It was more beautiful to me that anything I could’ve bought at the store. Though I did think it would look better with a bra. I wished my mom could’ve somehow seen me, but Ashley was with me, and that would just have to do.

“Oh, Charity, it’s gorgeous,” Ashley said with excitement as she bounded into my room.

“Isn’t it?”

“Irena, you did a great job! Turn and let me see.” She took my hand and turned me around to face her. “How are you going to wear your hair?”

“I don’t know. What do you think?”

“Well, you have great shoulders and beautiful, creamy skin. I think you should wear it up.”

“I definitely agree,” Irena chimed in. “We have a girl here named Sissy. She’s a hair stylist, and she’s brilliant. We’ll get her to create you an amazing up-do. I think we should keep your makeup light except to accent your incredible eyes.”

Ashley added, “Girl, you’re going to be so beautiful. After Levi sees you we’re going to need a defibrillator to start his heart again.”

We all laughed.

Once I was out of the dress, I went into the bathroom to freshen up, brush my teeth, and get dressed. It was amazing to me how clothes just appeared in my room and in the right size too. When I emerged from the bathroom, there was a box lying on the bed. I opened it. It was a beautiful set of white, lacey lingerie. I reached for the note. It was from Ashley, and it said simply ‘Have fun’.

Ashley, Irena, and I went into the meeting room, which I assumed was the biggest room in the facility. They seem to use it for every kind of event. People were working feverishly transforming it into a beautiful wedding room. Two men were assembling an altar on the stage. There was also an arbor with fresh flowers in purple and pink cascading down it and a prayer bench where Levi and I would pray together. All of a sudden, I started to feel very nervous.

“Charity, are you okay? You look pale,” Ashley asked, reaching her hands out to me.

“Actually, I’m not feeling so well. I think I need some fresh air.” I put my hand over my mouth and moved swiftly out of the busy room and down the hall until finally I was out the door and into the forest. I felt better instantly.

It was a beautiful day out, and I took a deep breath, enjoying the fresh, warm air. I loved the Drake House with its amazing space and beauty. It reminded me of an underground castle, very colorful and elegant, although sometimes I felt claustrophobic, but considering there are no windows, I guess it’s logical.

It felt refreshing to walk about the forest alone, the warm air teasing that summer was around the corner. Summer is my favorite time of the year, when I can frolic in the sun, run barefoot across the grass, lounge on my back on my picnic table and gaze up at the lazy clouds, and chase the ice cream truck through the neighborhood in my Civic. Yes—it’s a glorious time. But this summer will be different. This summer I have Levi. Maybe we can go to the beach and walk barefoot in the sand, collect seashells, and splash in the surf.