2 comments/ 18111 views/ 3 favorites Eternally By: eternalwytch Fiona had been gone to market selling the woolens she wove, eggs from her chickens and some scented beeswax that the nobles valued for candles. She had been gone all day, her brothers being too lazy to go or to even come along to help. She was footsore and weary, but looking forward to seeing her love when the rest of the village slept. Fiona was tall, slender and raven haired. Her grey eyes seemed to see through a person. She was strong of limb and her skin was a dark honey colour. Her father had been from outside of Ireland, a huge bear of a man with black hair and grey eyes. Her mother swore he was a god of some sort. Fiona just sighed and ignored her. Her mother complained that it was his fault Fiona was so different and blamed him for the fact that no man in the village wanted her for a wife, which was fine with Fiona. Fiona detested the touch of men. Her love was for a woman, Killeen. Her Kili was almost as tall as she, but where her skin was tanned, Kili was pale with hair of fiery red and eyes like the brightest emeralds. They had met months before while both were out herb gathering. Killeen had been caught out in a fierce storm and taken shelter with Fiona's family. The two girls shared a bed... and much more. Now they were lovers. Forever hiding it from their families and the rest of their small village. If they were discovered they would be killed for their love. As it was Kili was being pushed to marry soon. Fiona snarled softly at the thought of a ham-handed male touching her beloved. ~I'll no' let 'em! She's mine!~ Fiona was lost in thought as she made her way down the dark path towards home. She never saw him coming, no mortal would have. Suddenly she was yanked off her feet, ice cold hands pulling her head to one side, sharp teeth sinking into her neck. She fought madly but she was no match for the creature of the night, the vampire. The woman's sweet blood filled the being's mouth like fine wine. He drank deeply, almost lovingly. She held no sexual interest for him. He preferred his own kind for that. She was to be something special. Gahiji drained the woman to the point of death, and then with a press of a nail he opened his wrist, feeding her his dark blood. ~You will be my finest creation little one.~ He sat back on his haunches to wait for the pains. He stroked her hair and smiled. She was beautiful, a fine addition to his stable of 'children'. Fiona awoke to fire and pain. She arched as her body convulsed. Her afterlife was beginning as her mortal body died. Her insides were shriveling, her senses growing stronger. A hunger filled her, burning, aching. Gahiji pressed his wrist to her mouth. "Drink my child... grow strong." She was appalled, but he held it there and she felt her fangs... fangs, she had fangs?! With a moan of fear and need she latched on and drank deeply, feeling the hunger fade. Fiona drank until he pulled away, his eyes dancing almost merrily. "Now little one, you must rest. Tomorrow night we begin your lessons...." Fiona jerked away, eyes blazing. "Lessons? No' likely! I'm goin' HOME!" She got to her feet and stalked off, shaky but determined to get back to her Kili. He was suddenly in front of her, still looking amused. "You can never go back my child. You are now a daughter of the night, a vampire. No more may you walk among the living unless it is under the cover of night to feed. Fiona stared at him. "No... I'll no' leave m' Kili behind! Ge' out m' way!" She tried to push past, but he held her firmly. "No." He whispered a word and she slumped against him. Children, always so headstrong. He carried her to his temporary lair and settled her on a pile of leaves. He was well fed and willing to wait out her stubbornness until the following night. He settled in and smiled softly. She would be most entertaining to teach. Kili was beside herself with worry. Fiona was late, very late. She huddled in the stable, waiting until the light of dawn began to seep in. With red-rimmed eyes she stumbled out to begin her morning chores. ~Love? Where are ye?!~ Killeen did her work, silent and frightened. Fiona's family came to complain about her being missing. But all they wanted was the coins and goods she was carrying. Killeen was shocked at how callous they were! Her heart was breaking and Fiona's blood was fussing over a few coins! Maybe what Fiona was always telling her was true, they didn't care about her. Killeen made it through the day and as soon as all were asleep she slipped out and started searching for her lover. Fiona woke to a hunger that made her ache. She sat up and saw he was watching her. Her voice was hoarse as she spoke. "I'll no' kill...." "Yes you will to live you must kill. Feel the life around you! Smell them; hear their sweet blood pumping through their mortal veins. They are our prey, our meals. We are their masters! None can defeat us we can devour all who stand in our way. Fiona stood stock still and she could feel so much! She shivered as she smelled the blood from a passing rider, heard his heart beat. She shook it off with a snarl. Then she paused. Her family... they were hateful to her, calling her a changeling, a freak. A slow smile graced her lips. "I'm hungry." She left the cave, heading home. He followed with a smile. He knew now that she was going to be a wonderful daughter. Yes little one... let anger guide you, I will do the rest. They sped through the night like shadows. Fiona smiled when she entered her former home. Her brothers, unwashed and ill-bred slept like the dead. Her mother, face care-worn and pinched stirred restlessly. Her mother had never been kind to her. She had treated her like a servant, an unwanted one at that. Fiona knelt beside her dame and with no remorse sank her itching fangs into her neck. Warm red blood filled her mouth and she bit down harder, eagerly drain the life from the woman that had birthed her. Trickles of red ran down her chin as she fed and she shivered at the way it felt on her sensitive skin. Her mother made one single sound, a soft moaning exhalation of breath as she died slowly. Gahiji had drained her eldest brother and she wiped blood from her chin as she moved to take the youngest. He stank of the harsh homemade ale her mother oft brewed and Fiona wrinkled her nose. She drained him anyway, pleased when he awoke and struggled in her grip. She sank her claws into his flesh, relishing the tearing sound it made. Killeen had crept up to Fiona's home and shivered as she felt something was horribly wrong. She paused outside the door, listening. ~Could be footpads... come t' rob and harm. She hid in the shadows, heart pounding with fear.~ Fiona's head snapped up, her face bloody, her eyes glowing. She could hear her love's heart beat. She quickly splashed water from the bucket by the hearth and rinsed the gore from her face. She slipped out, calling Killeen's name softly. Killeen dashed from the shadows and into Fiona's arms, sobbing softly. She clung to her lover and hid her face against her neck. Fiona soothed Kili, rubbing her back and kissing her temples. Gahiji stepped out, looking slightly ill. "We are wasting time daughter. Kill her and be done with it." Killeen gaped at the pale man and then looked to Fiona, finally noticing how cold she was, how pale she had become. "Fiona?" Fiona held Kili close. "She is mine. Y'll bring 'er across –Father- as you did me, if she is willing. She looked to the stunned Killeen. "I am vampire now love. I'll ne'er walk th' day again sweet one. Bu' I love y' still Kili. Will ye be wit' me even in darkness love?" Killeen stared from one to the other, her green eyes wide. Then she took a deep breath and kissed Fiona deeply. When she spoke it was in a soft whisper. "I'll walk wit' ye through hell love." She clung to Fiona as Gahiji approached her. "She will be your responsibility child. I will not worry over her." Fiona nodded and looked Kili in the eyes. "There'll be hurtin' love. But I'll be wit' ye through it." They moved into the trees and Gahiji slowly sank his fangs into Killeen's soft neck as Fiona held her close. The cold seeped into her bones as her blood flowed from her body. She held tightly to Fiona as her vision faded. When the time was right, it was Fiona who fed her for the first time. It was her blood that transformed Killeen from mortal to the undead. Fiona held her as her slender body was racked with pain. There was just enough time to allow Killeen to feed before dawn drove them into a cave. Fiona and Killeen hid away from Gahiji' prying eyes and held each other close. Cold flesh still felt desire and soon they were moaning in pleasure. They drank from each other in new ways as their bodies writhed. Fiona moved to suckle a breast as Killeen's fingers probed her with loving skill. They shifted to lap hungrily at each other, moaning as they licked and sucked each other. Killeen nearly sobbed as Fiona plunged her fingers deep inside, teasing, tormenting. Killeen caught Fiona's rigid button between her lips and sucked it hard, tongue flicking it rapidly. Nips of sharp teeth drew beads of blood and they lapped at each other, crying out from the heightened sensuality. Gahiji shook his head and settled in to sleep. He was not at all pleased. Now they were forever joined, Fiona becoming Killeen's mother as well as lover. He felt it boded ill for him in some way. Dawn came with the women curled up in each others arms. They slept with the knowledge that they had all eternity together. Nothing and no one would ever part them. Undead they might be, but they would be proof that even the cold of living death could be made warmer with the ties of love and desire. Eternally Yours Joule D'Armon was perfect. In her he saw everthing he had searched for what seemed like his entire existence. In her eyes he could see the sun rise. In her arms he could feel her strength, In her soul he could live forever. Tonight was the night, it had been planned for weeks and nothing was going to stand in his way. Nothing. Least of all that bitch Katrina. It was their anniversary and Joule wanted everything to be perfect. Dinner at their favorite seaside resturant, champagne on the beach and dessert back at home. Steam seeped out from under the bathroom door mixed with the tangy scent of sandalwood, Katrina's favorite. Joule shed her clothes and disappeared into the heavy white cloud. Water sloshed over the rim of the garden tub when she lounged back into the heated paradise. "Mmmmm" she moaned, stroking the lather covered cloth across her firm breasts. Her nipples peaked as droplets of water cascaded down to her stomach. Her back arched as her hands ran between her thighs. The cloth was forgotten as her fingers slid between the soft folds of her pussy. Katrina, I wish it were your fingers, she thought as she thrust two fingers deep into her hot snatch. She let her legs fall open and thrust her hips against her hands. Nicholas "Nikki" DeAngelo stood at the window of his sixth floor apartment, muscles pulled at the seams of his jacket as he placed his hands on either side of the frame. "Come for me." Joule stilled her fingers and enjoyed the fullness she felt between her legs, the soft hairs tickled the underside of her wrist. With a wry smile she rose to her knees and took the shaving cream from the box beside the tub. "Oh you're gonna like this Katrina." she said aloud as she rubbed a generous amount of foam across her pubic hair. The razor felt oddly sensual as it raked the hair from her sensitive nether lips. She worked slowly making sure not a single hair remained. Rinsing her body off she marveled at the feel of water running over her nude pussy. She rose to step from the tub when the door swung open. "Very nice, little girl," Katrina purred. Joule jumped, "Kat. . . dammit, I wanted to surprise you!" "You have, now come here and let me see how that feels on my tongue." Joule opened her arms to Katrina, a shiver ran through her body as Katrina licked her lips and moved forward. How magnificent she was, how enticing her moans and whimpers. He could barely contain the heat building in his loins as he watched her stroke herself. He ground his hips against the window ledge, as she rose from the tub in naked splendor arms opening wide. . . Katrina! Snarling he shoved away from the ledge, not looking back or noticing the two deep holes his fists had made in the wall beside the window. Katrina pushed Joule back against the vanity, in a single motion she lifted her up onto the sink and spread her legs apart. "I can smell your heat, Joule." Katrina ran a single finger along the wet crease, she looked into Joule's eyes, "You belong to me, forever," she said as her finger drove completely inside Joule's slick cunt. "Forever," Joule panted. Katrina finger fucked her slowly, drawing her finger completely out and driving back inside ever slower. Joule writhed against her hand, begging for her to lick her clit. In answer Kat added another finger and whispered, "In good time. . . " Kat kneeled between Joule's spread legs, her mouth inches from the sweet smelling pussy and blew hot air aginsts Joule's swollen clit. Tonight she thought to herself, tonight Joule would be hers, forever. Katrina's tongue flicked across Joule's clit, at the same time she slid a finger into her tight ass. Joule gasped and bucked against Kat's hands and mouth. Her hands slipped around Kat's head and held her tightly to her throbbing body. She ground her hips into Kat's face, "Fuck me... Fuck me." Katrina had always held some of herself back when she made love to Joule, she didn't want to frighten her. Tonight she didn't, tonight she would see Kat for what she was. "I will baby, I will." Kat pulled her fingers out of Joule's dripping cunt and spread her pussy lips wide. She licked slowly across Joule's clit then lower to her tight fuck hole... her tongue darted in quickly, once. . . twice. . . Joule moaned "Yesssss." Katrina closed her eyes for a just a second before opening them again, "Joule, Look at me." Through a haze of passion Joule looked down to her lover. "OH My God. . . " "Hardly God, Joule." Her snakelike tongue flicked against Joule's flesh. "You are mine, as I am yours." She flicked again and Joule couldn't help but respond. She always knew there was something different about Katrina someting that drew her. She had her answer. It was there in the glowing golden eyes and sharp pointed canines, Katrina was a vampire. Katrina was her lover. Katrina was her destiny. Silently Joule stroked her hand down Katrina's cheek and pulled her mouth back to her heated flesh. "Make me yours. . . forever." Opening her mouth wide enough to cover Joule's entire pussy she drove her tongue to Joule's body. The thin snakelike whip probed against the tightly closed entrance to her cervix until slowly slipping inside to stroke the interior of Joule's womb. Fresh menstrual blood coating the sides began to drip into Katrina's mouth. She drew deeply of the life giving vitae, swallowing each precious drop that touched her lips. Her arms wrapped around Joule's hips as she pressed deeper into her body. Joule was lost in a haze of ecstasy like none she had ever known. The feel of a tongue actually lapping at the most private place in her body sent waves of waves of white hot pleasure to every nerve in her being. The door to the apartment was thrown against the wall and Nikki stormed into the room. The smell of sweat, sex and the pungent odor of blood permeated his nostrils. "Bitch," he hissed, "she is mine!" Katrina sensed someone, no something enter her haven, but was too far gone in her frenzy to respond. She grazed her teeth over Joule's now bleeding clit to pull more of the sweet liquid into her mouth. Nikki never looked at Katrina kneeling on the floor as he entered the room, his eyes pinned Joule to the spot. Joule raised her arms uselessly as Nikki decended upon her fading body. Ruthlessly he bit down upon her breast, tearing into the tender flesh with a savage hunger. Blood spilled down her heaving stomach, he didn't care. His tongue, thinning slimmer than a serpents drove like a spear into her nipple, through the puckered nub into the ducts that produce life giving milk. The glands, stimulated by the probing in the womb began pumping the thin watery fluid into his mouth. He groaned as it mixed with her blood and flowed down into his stomach. Joule was losing consciousness quickly, she marveled that her body felt so. . . so. . . light. As darkness consumed her she heard the unmistakable sound of a couple in the midst of orgasm, felt the floor against her back and drifted away. With every care Nikki and Katrina cleaned their bodies, leaving not a single drop of blood to dry and waste. Their eyes met and for the first time in a hundred years they were in agreement. Joule awoke to find herself tucked between two sleeping forms. Nikki curled against her back, his thick cock buried in her cunt and Katrina against her chest suckling at her breast. Eternally Yours this story has character death and public nudity scenes. If it disturbs anyone. Then, they can read at their own peril. * Derek woke up to the beat of twelve drums and soft chirping of birds. Sunlight filtered through the thatched windows with the sound of the community slowly coming to life. The drumbeats were a signal that the sun had dawned, the hunters were returning, and it was time for the fishermen to get to work. The farmers usually woke to this signal to freshen up and be ready for their beat an hour later. But as he had taken the day off for this special occasion, he could enjoy an hour or more of sleep before getting ready for the trip ahead. It was lovers' day all around the world outside this island, and he wanted to make the best of it for himself and the lovely woman sleeping in his arms who had done everything she could to ensure he got all the happiness (she believed) he deserved in the world. "My love," he fondly thought, turning to his side and gathering the nubile form sleeping beside him in his arms, pulling her closer. Her naked figure fit perfectly into his angle. "My mind reader." His eyes fell on the digital clock set up on the mantle across the room, and a wicked smirk formed on his lips like every morning. There was no need for the clock on this island. The people kept an excellent time by simply tracking the sun and moon. This water-powered clock was just an otiose. His reply to the name bestowed in him. The heavy scent of morning sea and aromatic Blumes greeted him with the soft breeze. A smile formed on his lips at the thought of the beautiful, delicate ice-blue flowers. It was many months ago that he had come to this little island begrudgingly on his daughter's insistence, and the first thing he fell in love with were these morning blossoms of hibiscus variety, exclusive to this island. It's petals even had thin golden streaks across them that actually dazzled in the sunlight. Strange, how Blumes bloomed at dawn everyday throughout the year but never lived to see the noon. It seemed they only purpose was to greet the morning sun and early risers, and make the most effective pain reliever, and balm for lovers after passionate couplings. His morning erection twitched as he recalled the many times he was given him mind numbing handjobs by these dextrose hands and he had finger fucked her in return on the pretext of applying the salve, in the afterglow of their lovemaking. His hands moving lovingly over her arms and returning to wrap around her abdomen. Maybe he could even enjoy another round of lovemaking with his daughter, he thought a mischievous grin forming at the idea. He tugged her in even more snugly, his hands travelling through her soft belly to claim one of her breasts and knead them lazily. His erection rubbed against her butt clefts, and his mouth settled on her nape, kissing them gently at first but picking up fervour soon. He moved on to her shoulder and back as his lust overtook him and he felt her stirring awake responding to his ministrations. The love they had made last night had been long, hard and rough. They had finally fallen asleep sore and sedated. Yet he wanted to do nothing more than just that all over again. She turned around with a smile as he lifted himself up on his elbows so he could lie over her properly. "Good morning, Preizo!" her melodious voice greeted him as she shifted herself more under him and wrapped her arms around his masculine form. "Good morning, love," he responded diving in to lace her other nape with kisses before moving downward to take in her already erect nipple in his mouth. Her body opened up to the ecstasy that was her father. One of her hands buried their fingers in his hair nudging him closer, while her other hand moved over his back reeling in the passion. "Oh, yes Papa! Yes! Yes! Oh!" She writhed under him. "I love you, Iva! Oh baby, I love you so much!" He declared releasing the ravished nipple of his daughter before moving on to the other. But he was surprised when she suddenly held his head with both her hands and pulled him up to look into her eyes. He realised what he had done just now. He hardly ever called her by this name given to her by this island community, rather insisting on her birth name- Anne. He had called her Iva only sparingly in this past seven months since they were a pair, and always as a tease. This was the first time he had called her so in the throes of passion. He knew it would mean the world to her to be called that, but the name had never come naturally to him. Until now. He was not wrong. Her eyes shown with emotions never expressed before and her joy made her look even more beautiful with the flush already bathing her from their love making. He decided right then that this could make an excellent gift for her on this day. "I love you, Iva" he breathed again. It was another thing he had learnt early about his daughter. She was an excellent mind reader and if he wished to surprise her either he had to stop planning about it in her presence, or act on the spur of the moment. Like he had done now. The smile that broke on her lips this time at his repeating the name was precious, and she pulled him into a searing kiss that spoke more than any words could. The kiss soon deepened, unleashing their fires from within and melting their bodies into one. Without breaking the kiss he hunched himself up to line his erection at her core. He slowly caressed his cockhead over her clit making her gasp in anticipation. "Anne?" He rasped breaking the kiss. "Do you feel up to this one more time?" "Yes!" She encouraged him, urging him closer. He indulged her into another hot kiss entering her pussy, and her mouth at the same time. For a while he continued the slow teasing of his cock even inside her, relishing in the warmth as his tongue made love to hers seductively. The pleasant torture was however too much to bear for her, and she began to grind herself against him urging him to speed up. They were soon lost to everything as their kiss broke, their breathing became erratic, and their bodies caught a rhythm. By the time they were done, the drums signalling the hour of the farmers had rung and the island had come more alive. Anne snuggled into his embrace feeling euphoric over the past 8 hours spent in her father's arms on this bed. The passion he had shown was rare and she wondered if he already had an inkling of what lay ahead for them. His power of intuition, innate to him as part of this tribe, was strong after all! He had always caught a gist of future events even before coming to this island. It was true. He had a strong feeling of something truly special coming up since the past few days. But he had associated it with the excitement of celebrating his first Valentine's Day with her. "We must really get going now, love" he whispered still holding her close and planting a kiss on her forehead. "Oh, yes! You have planned a trip to the mainland for us today." She exclaimed all excited lifting herself up on her elbows to smile into his eyes. "I could not ask you last night, but is it what I think it is?" He loved this about her. She could read minds so easily. It was her innate power as a part of this community. Yet she often acted innocent whenever he tried to surprise her. "Yes. Happy Valentine's Day, Anne," he admitted playing with a lock of her hair without breaking eye contact. "Goodness! That's wonderful. Thank you so much. Happy Valentine's Day to you too." She leaned in to lock their lips in another passion filled kiss. "The boat to Meem leaves in an hour. So, if we are efficient we'll be able to catch it on time." He reminded her when they broke the kiss. "Oh, yes!" She agreed getting off the bed to rush into the shower for a quick bath. She also had to reallocate her duties as a recruit in the island's infirmary before leaving. Treilma Ara will hopefully take care of her newly adopted Sors in her absence. But she had to ask to be offered assistance. Her father must have already taken care of his work at the fields as he had planned this whole trip. (Their first date! She dared to admit to herself blushing at the mere idea of it). He suddenly surprised her by entering the bath right behind her. "It might save time if we take the bath together," he suggested showing her the jar of Blumes' balm in his hands. She moved towards him with an impish grin understanding the implication, took the balm from him and gently pushed him away. "I think not. I'll be out in a minute." He pretended to pout for a while, then left her to her privacy. He had only meant to tease her. Oh, How he loved this woman! The day was already turning out better than he had anticipated. He smiled as he recalled the way he had proposed the date to her. Every full moon the entire island gathered around The great golden Maple tree by the shrine and couples who had come together since last summer's festival danced under it celebrating their union. The game was to resist kissing the partner. Whoever of the pair gave in to the urge lost the game, and had to agree to whatever the victor asked for. It had been one such full moon last night, and Derek had pulled her up for the dance very early. She could construe that he had planned to do so, but couldn't read his mind clearly. He hid his surprises well these days. They had danced over an hour and he was being rather teasing. It was soon clear he wanted her to lose. Finally giving in to her curiosity she had pulled him into a passionate kiss. He had laughed with joy when they had separated, and proposed the trip to her. He had never asked her to return to the city since she had performed the Palma Treivo rite, and so was rather shocked at the proposition. But she knew her father no harm can come out of this trip, for he loved her immensely and she had agreed. He must have gauged her uncertainty, for he had lifted her in his arms on her response and carried her off to their abode. The night they had since spent cleared all her doubts, and he had even allowed his mind to slowly reveal his plan to her. Two hours later saw them on the neighbouring island of Meem. The trip to Meem was short and after they got off the boat he eschewed her off to the local post office where he kept a postbox, to collect the necessary items and give her his first gift for the day. A pretty delicately flared ice blue dress inspired by the colours of Blumes. It even had tiny golden skiens woven intrinsically so that they dazzled in tiny streaks when she moved. It was paired with a crocheted shawl which matched her traditional tiara perfectly, and a blue and silver stilletto shoes. Anne was beyond herself on receiving the gift. She looked even more beautiful in it, after they had changed their clothes to more mainland style at the nearby inn. The dress complimented her deep cream complexion well. It came up to her mid-calf and clung to her curves perfectly. It hung from her shoulders by only a pair of spaghetti straps and was deep cut on both sides. Nothing too suggestive but showed decent cleavages and gave her back a bold appeal. So, it made the shawl an even more sensible addition providing the necessary protection against the chill breeze, and ogling of men. "Blumes!" She suddenly realised noticing the way the dress dazzled with golden streaks in the sunlight. "You designed this?" Derek only nodded in assent, proudly happy at the way his first gift had turned out just like he had imagined. "How?" She breathed. "Meem has a wonderful network spread across the world," he simply explained. "And Internet is a wondrous thing. You can get anything done through it. One only needs to click at the right places." "This is so beautiful! Thank you." She had thanked him feeling overwhelmed to be the object of such affection. "You are beautiful!" He softly complimented her in response. "Let's go." There were several boats to mainland India from Meem that would cover the distance in a couple of hours. Anne was not surprised when he took the boat to Diu rather than Panaji which had been their hometown less than a year ago. There were many happy sad memories of their past life in Panaji, and the local folks knew them well. They might not take well to the new status pro quo of their relationship. Going to the mainland however, was not as easy as Derek had assumed it would be. Even with Anne by his side. The memories that invaded them were too strong and the pain still raw. It was on the eve of Valentine's Day last year that the world they had built for themselves had crashed, leaving them both shattered beyond measure and with nothing but each other to cling to. Till last year Derek Meigo had lived a normal life as a grocer with a beautiful loving wife, Roxanne and two equally beautiful daughters - Anne (20) and Lisa (12). Just the kind of man who lived a healthy lifestyle, was always there for his friends, loved life and never shied away from hard work. He had no other family except for these three, and he loved them all immensely. It was to be his 25th Valentine's Day with his wife and Anne had insisted on making it special for them. She had planned it all to perfection and had coaxed him to take them all for shopping a day before. He had been too busy to comply, but his wife had relented on seeing the pouting sisters. Derek however had a strange ill boding about the trip and really tried to convince them to not go. Roxanne however like always shrugged his fears off as paranoia and taken off in their car with challenge. Everything had gone well even up till the end, when on a sharp bend around a corner fate had decided to play a cruel joke and their car had crashed with a speeding lorry and skidded off the road for at least half a mile. Roxanne had been the first to regain consciousness inside the badly damaged and upturned car. She had immediately set about to rescue her family by tactfully managing to pull herself out of the car and then urging Anne (who was nearest to her) to come to senses and helping her out. She had pushed Anne to safety and turned to Lisa when the vehicle had suddenly caught fire killing them both on the spot. Derek's ill feeling had increased as evening fell and he had borrowed his friend's car to go after his family. He had reached the spot just in time to see the fire consume two of his beloved family members. "So, what is special on this occasion in Diu today?" Derek suddenly asked the boatman, snapping himself and Anne out of their reverie. Yes, the loss was huge, and the lost still dear but he would not allow anything to ruin the day for Anne and him today. They had already been through hell. She deserved this happiness. Especially after all that she had done for them. "What, saar? What question you ask?" The boatman asked back in his heavy Meem accent. "This is a simple town. Only foren people, college students, or newlyweds like you celebrate it." Derek laughed at the assumption and Anne blushed deep pink. "How did you know that about us?" Derek asked genuinely intrigued. "What, saar? What question you ask?" The boatman asked back again. "It is clear to see. The way maadam smiles at you, the way you look at her, and the way she colours now... Only newlyweds do that. You both make a beautiful pair, saar." Anne blushed deeper still and Derek laughed heartily, colouring a bit himself now. "Thank you. You are a good man." It was the boatman's turn to colour now at the rare compliment. His chest broadened and he sat up straighter. "This one is for you and your lovely maadam, saar." He announced before picking up a beautiful folk song that rejoiced in eternal love and unconditional commitment. Derek sent the boatman away after giving him a generous tip on reaching Diu, and they turned towards the town. "Where do we head to from here?" She asked tugging her arms around his. "I was thinking you would enjoy watching SRK's new movie in cinema today," he suggested with mock doubt flourishing the e-tickets he had downloaded at Meem. "There is a new movie of him?" She squealed in delight snatching the tickets from him. "You are amazing! Do you know that?" "What, maadam? What question you ask?" He replied mimicking the boatman, and then immediately shifting into SRK style, "Of course I know I'm amazing." She giggled at his funny attempts and tugged him along. "Come! Let's go! I don't want to miss the first scene!" Ten minutes into the movie, Derek found his thoughts again wandering to his life since that fatal night. He chanced a glance at Anne. She was engrossed in the movie, lost in the world recreated by her favourite stars. He smiled in relief. The girl had gone through hell and emerged as an enigmatic woman. It was a joy to see her smile and rejoice now. She had surprised him yesterday when she had arranged for the Heinmo Sor ceremony for his wife and Lisa. It was an anniversary ceremony for the dead wherein a family member adopted a Sor (a tree, a bird or an animal allocated for this very purpose) in honour of the dead. Whatever produces or benefits were received from it was distributed among the locals and dedicated to the departed soul in hopes of sending them peace. Anne had adopted a Passion fruit tree for Roxanne (the dead's favourite), and a sheep fowl for Lisa. Deiro had informed him that though both promised great benefits both also called for great care, especially in the initial years. The entire day had been hard for both. Life had resumed its normal course after the ceremony but the memories of past haunted both painfully. It had also convinced Derek the importance of this Date. Anne had done her duty as a daughter. It was now his turn to make her happy as a lover. The full moon fiesta had come as a welcome respite at nightfall, bringing them out of their melancholy, and giving him the perfect opportunity to propose her. She still had nightmares sometimes about the accident, but the first two months had been a nightmare for them both. Anne's fracture and physical injuries had healed with time, but she was ridden by a guilty conscious for having insisted on the trip. If not for her idea, her mother and sister might have been still alive and her father wouldn't have turned from a happy family man to a lonely widower. Nothing anybody said could convince her. For a month friends and neighbours had consoled them with constant moral support and little favours. But their help could only come so far. By the end of March, Derek and Anne had only themselves left to lean on each other and work towards normalcy. The problem was both didn't know what normal was anymore. Anne used to wake up in the middle of almost every night screaming for her mother. On other nights she would writhe in a tangle of sheets unable to break free from her nightmare and had to be forced awake. Derek had always cradled her back to sleep in his arms every time, whispering words of comfort in her ears. It was on one such night he had told Anne how he had named her so taking a part of her mother's name. For him she had looked so much like her mother even at birth. It was as if she was a part of her. So, as long as she was with him he would never be lonely. By the time April came, he knew his girl needed therapy to emerge from her trauma and had sought the treatment of the best psychiatrist in Goa. Amidst all this, with life moving on, even if troubled, and his personal loss taking on a back seat, his body too had begun to recuperate from the shock, and miss the companionship of his wife. He was just over 45 after all and had always enjoyed a healthy and active sexual life since he had met his wife. His bed felt empty without her, and he often spent the night hunched near the floor gazing at the ocean in the distant, or let sleep take over him before the telly. So, it did not at all feel like a sacrifice for him to be by Anne's side in her despair.