Chapter Four

When I got home from work one day, not long after Cinder had moved in...I noticed something strange about my house. It was bigger. I was a little worried...what had Cinder done to it while I was away? Surely not that much could have changed...I was only at work for a couple of hours...

I walked into the house to be amazed to find a TV and a couch!! Oh and a jelly bean bush! Oh what a surprise! The inside was also slightly bigger, allowing more room between what would be the living room and the kitchen! Too bad they shared the same room yet though...Huh. Then I spotted another door, next to the bathroom door.

Curious as I was, I peeked inside.

I just found a mysterious looking book and cauldron  I remembered the Alchemy shop had one like it. Must have something to do with Alchemy. Huh, why would Cinder want one of these? I would ask him when he came home.

For the moment, I plopped myself down in front of the television. It was nice to have one and it was of a decent quality. Even better!

When Cinder found his way home a couple hours later, I jumped up from the TV and launched myself into his arms. "Cinder what a wonderful gift!"

"I figured the house needed some add ons!" He gave me a goofy grin. I couldn't help but grin back at him. I gave him a kiss which led to other things and some sexy time in the shower...

Sometime later we found ourselves eating a yummy dinner of pancakes - he may be an odd cook, but at least Cinder can cook. I looked up and said pointedly;

"We do need to expand a bit more I think"

"Why?" He asked.

"Well, don't you want a child?"

"No. Not now" He said, shaking his head and holding his hands up. "The faeries in the trees say that now isn't a good time"

I huffed "There are no faeries in the trees Cinder!"

Okay so I was being a little mean, but I wanted a child, was that so bad? Every woman wants one in her own time I suppose. As it was, I realized that I shouldn't be focusing on a child, rather I should be focusing on fixing the curse on my tribe. It drifted to the back of my mind often enough though and I realized while I thought about this, that I had not emailed my mother in a long time. I suddenly felt bad.

Cinder was already washing his dish in a huff, probably upset from me snapping at him. I needed to save the night. I rose from my seat, abandoning my dirty dish and walked over to Cinder who stood a few feet away.

"I'm sorry" I whispered in his ear. "I won't push the issue. We can wait until you're ready too"

"Thank you Lefia. I'll know when the time is right"

To really make up we found ourselves cuddling in bed...which obviously led to more fun...

Afterwards, we went to sleep - at least I did. Cinder didn't join me in bed that night. It was the first night since he moved in that he didn't share the bed with me. I wonder why?

I did hear noises coming from the new room though. I had no idea what was going on in there or if I really heard the noises. I might just have been dreaming. Oh well...

I do remember Cinder slipping into bed with me very late that night...I tried to ask him where he was but I fell back asleep before I could. Perhaps this was all just a dream...

A few nights went by of Cinder slipping into bed very late. I figured he had to be in that room he had added on. What was so great about that book? He spent most of his time in the room with it now. Every once in a while I heard him giggling manically or talking to himself from within. He had told me to stay out of the room and when he was in it, he kept the door locked.

I had enough so while he was at work, I snuck into the room. I gazed warily at the book and its stand. It was old. I had enough sense to know that it was old and it was powerful. It was not to be messed with but I wanted to know what had my boyfriend so captivated.

I stepped up to the book and flung it open. I leaned over it and tried to read its ancient pages. Most of the writing was squiggly and had to determine what it was supposed to be telling me. I had just finished skimming one page when my phone began to buzz and ring. Startled, wondering if it was Cinder I let go of the book. It slammed shut.

"H-Hello?"

"Lefia! Hey! It's me Dante!"

"D-Dante! My goodness, hello!" I was so relieved to know it was my co-worker and not my boyfriend that I felt my voice squeak in relief.

"Lefia? Are you okay? You sound funny..."

"Completely okay Dante. What's up?"

And we chatted for a while. I wandered out of the forbidden room, hoping Cinder would see nothing amiss when he got home. Dante was telling me about his girlfriend who he was expecting a child with. I congratulated him - who knew Vampires could have children with mortals? - but I was so jealous. I wanted a child. It was a selfish want, but I wanted it all the same.

I was eating leftovers when Cinder came home from work. He smiled at me and waved before heading to the shower. I wasn't sure exactly what his job was, he never really talked about it. I heard him saying something about having a gift. I never really got most of his babbling though. I cared dearly about him, but the man had a few screws loose.

Well he came out of the bathroom a few minutes later, dressed in his swimming trunks of course, and went right into his secret room. I watched with a pout. I had wanted to spend some time with him tonight. Well that plan went right out the window.

I took my own shower, staring dejectedly out the window afterwards. I realized there was no use in trying to get him to come to bed. I had tried other nights and he either ignored me or told me he'd be there in a moment. That moment didn't come till I was fast asleep, however.

Frustrated, I went to our room and fluffed up my pillow before collapsing into the bed. I just wished he would stop doing...whatever it was he was doing and just come to bed. I was pretty frustrated with Cinder to tell the truth, I just wished he'd listen to me long enough and seriously enough so I could get my point across.

Once again, it seemed he was going to spend most of the night with his magic book.

Little did I know, he didn't plan on coming to bed, at all.

In the morning as I ate my breakfast, he strolled out of the room, still in his swimming trunks. I ignored him, focusing solely on my breakfast but instead he called me over. I ignored him again but I did have to get up and do my dishes...

He waited a bit behind me, staring at nothing. He did tap his foot a little but I expect that was because he was waiting for me to say something.

I tried to walk away but he cornered me. "Lefia, listen." He started. "I know I haven't treated you the best of lately. I'm really sorry. I just got caught up in my work. I think I figured out a way to make something important."

"Like what?"

"Ummm....I dunno. It's just important. The-"

"Faeries are telling you. Yes, I'm aware you speak to Faeries that don't exist" I was annoyed.

"Aw...Lefia, can't I make this up to you?" He was so cute when he pouted. I relented.

"Only if you get dressed and take me on a date somewhere. Today."

"You got it! Give me a moment!"

And he grabbed me and kissed me quick. Then with a wink he ran off to the bedroom to grab some clothes. I rolled my eyes and trotted after him. Going in my nightie wasn't an option for me either.

We ended up going to a local bar called 'The Toadstool'. Not the most flattering name. Cinder had apparently been there before because he trotted up the stairs, calling me up after him. He switched on a radio sitting there and then turned to me.

"Dance with me?"

"Of course"

"Oh! Oops! Sorry Cinder! So sorry!"

"Ha" he laughed "It's okay. Be more careful though, okay?"

We danced for a while, swaying in each other's arms. I couldn't have been happier. He pulled me closer for a moment.

"I need to go check on something" He whispered against my lips. "Go have fun. I'll join you in a minute"

I pouted as he walked down the stairs. I sighed. How could I not figure that he'd wander off? I wandered downstairs and saw something I figured could keep me occupied for a little while.

A claw machine! I ended up winning - twice!

Cinder soon found me once more, a grin on his face. I couldn't help but be a little doubtful of what his intentions were. He had a plan. I was curious and a little worried. His plans could get a bit crazy.

"Lefia" He grabbed my hands. "You know I love you right?"

"Yeah, I love you too Cinder"

He reached into his pocket and suddenly he dropped a black box. I looked at it and he suddenly turned red, clearly embarrassed since he dropped the box in a bar full of people.

Not missing a beat, I scooped up the box.

"Cinder will you marry me?"

"Of course!"

We partied into the wee hours of the morning at the bar. Drinks were on us, though we had limited funds for such a thing. When he finally did go home, he crawled into bed with me instead of going into his secret room. The happiness didn't last long though...

I woke, my stomach aching something fierce.

I made it to the bathroom just in time to puke my guts up. Ugh, what was wrong with me?