“But?”

He looked back at her with a rueful smile. “I had to say goodbye. And I didn’t want to live afterward. You have nights you still debate living as a vampire? Well… so do I. So I’m probably biased.”

Her heart broke for him; she walked over and kissed his forehead. “We’d miss you if you were gone.”

“I’m sure he’d say the same thing.” Lucien squeezed her hand. “Better get out of here if you want to catch that sunset. You can take a picture for me.”

“You got it.” She patted the phone in her pocket. It was new. Baojia broke them every six weeks or so. It was a good thing the guy was loaded.

Natalie left the hospital, walking into the afternoon sun and down the path leading toward the ocean. Her new home rested on top of the cliffs with a winding path that led down to the beach. She was still working on making that walk by herself without a cane or a helping hand, but she’d get there eventually. For now, she sat down on a clump of rocks that overlooked the Pacific and watched the scarlet sun set into the water. She took a few pictures to show Lucien later, and she waited.

The salt spray rushed up the rocks as the tide came in, tickling her nose with the scent of the living water. The ocean here smelled exactly right. She worked as much as she wanted to and had a new life growing in her. Change was good. Change was living. And the world was always changing. What wonders would she see if she lived as long as Lucien? Would the world still excite her? Could she ever grow bored? An eternity stretched in front of her if she wanted it. An eternity with Baojia by her side. An eternity to watch him change. Watch herself change.

Natalie heard the door to the house close just after the sun slipped below the horizon. The sky was growing dim, but it was still lit with a last wash of glorious color when Baojia settled behind her, wrapping his arms around her belly and laying his cheek on her shoulder. He placed teasing kisses on her neck, brushing her hair to the side and pulling her closer.

“How is everything?” he asked quietly.

“Good. Everything looks good and normal and no problems.”

“Excellent.”

She knew her short response wouldn’t satisfy him, and he’d seek out Lucien later for a full report. He was thorough that way. The thought only made her smile.

He craned his neck around. “What is that smile for?”

“You. You make me smile.”

“That’s good news.” His hands teased under the shirt the wind was blowing up. “I’m hungry.”

“Lucien says you’re stuck with donor blood until my labs come back. He wants to make sure I’m not anemic.”

“Not that kind of hungry,” he growled.

“Oh.” She blushed. “Got it.”

“I love that you still blush.”

“I’m glad one of us thinks it’s funny.”

He turned her in his arms and kissed her, worshiping her mouth as his hands held back her unruly hair and the breeze whipped around them. She felt her body responding to him as he pulled her closer. His lips teased along her collar, then up to her ear, whispering promises of what he would do to make her blush more. She could feel his smile against her skin. A year. Ten years. An eternity. She didn’t think she’d ever stop wanting him.

“Why don’t you go for your swim, and I’ll go in the house?” she said.

“Why don’t you do that?” He kissed her once more, then stood, walking toward the edge of the cliff and pulling off his shirt as he walked. He turned at the edge of the rocks, smiling and beautiful. Startling creature that he was. He was incandescent against the dying day. He ran the last few feet and leapt off the edge of the cliff. She gasped in delight as she watched him. He soared over the water as it rushed up to greet him. The wave caught him in midair and pulled him toward the churning ocean, welcoming him as he laughed.

Baojia laughed. The deep, joyful sound rushed up the cliff and spread on the breeze, causing her own smile to bloom when she saw him dive deep. His happiness only fed her own.

“How could I say goodbye to that?” she whispered. Then Natalie turned and walked home.

THE END