THREE YEARS LATER

Talia's pov

I observed my face in the bathroom mirror. Not a single change. No wrinkles, no dark circles under my eyes, and no imperfections. That's how I've looked for the past three years. Today's my birthday, but I stopped caring about them a long time ago. Stacey still likes to give me presents and bake a cake for me with Nicoli; even Darcia says I should celebrate them.

Don't get me wrong, I got used to this life with the help of my dear friends, but I sometimes do miss my human life. Everything hits you once you recall the memories of your previous mere human life. Not the bad parts of it, of course, but the ones when I was genuinely happy.

I'd lie if I said, I don't cry on my birthday. I like to keep the tears to myself, though. Darcia still blames herself for what became of me. But I think it was my destiny to be immortal.

Darcia thinks I should just live as a human, but how can I ignore my insane thirst for blood when I'm near humans? I learned to control it with the help of Nicoli and Darcia. Especially because Stacey is human.

I'd never push her into becoming one of us, because I know how difficult living a life as a vampire is. But I cannot imagine myself witnessing her death. Nicoli and I talked about it before, and he thinks Stacey will change her mind.

He wouldn't even admit it to me, but I know he desperately wants her to change. He lost his lover once, and he doesn't want to experience it again. Stacey and Nicoli began dating a year after my transformation. They visit us almost every single day, and I couldn't be more overjoyed to have my family so close to me.

A familiar voice interrupted my chaotic thoughts.

"They're almost here, my love," Darcia murmured against my ear, locking her arms around my waist. That always makes me tickle.

I shivered from her touch and locked my eyes with her in the mirror reflection. Her eyes darkened, and a mischievous smile formed on her face.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked and raised my eyebrows.

She chuckled, and she bowed her head to hide her smile. I frowned and spun around. Then I pushed her against the wall and pinned her hands above her head.

Her smile dropped, and instead, mine appeared. I stared at her with a triumphant look for maybe three seconds. before she grabbed my forearms, twisted me around, and pressed me against the wall.

"You always forget, my dear, that I'm quite stronger than you." She said, and I rolled my eyes.

She then pressed me harder, and her body was magnetized to mine. "Did you just roll your eyes at me?" Darcia asked, and I had to suppress a laugh. She hates it when I do that.

The entrance door suddenly opened, and I smelled Nicoli and Stacey as they came inside.

"We should go, Darcia," I whispered. "They're here."

"Go here?" Her mouth was on my bare shoulder. "Or here?" It moved to the crook of my neck, and I let out a breath.

"D-Darcia." Her hand sneaked under my cropped shirt and cupped my breast. I gasped. She nuzzled into my neck, her soft lips leaving a trail of kisses.

"I can't ever get enough of you, sweetheart," Darcia said, and she turned me around to smash her thirsty lips at mine. Our passionate kisses intensified, our lips moving in sync as we lost ourselves in the intoxicating taste of each other. Every touch, every kiss, fueled the fire between us, leaving us craving for more.

I broke our kiss, and Darcia immediately drew her head closer to continue our kissing session. I pressed my palm to her mouth, and her eyes widened.

I had to catch my breath before I spoke again. "We can't continue with this. We both know well that it will never end up with us just kissing." I reminded her.

Her tongue licked my palm, and I yanked my hand away. Her face moved so close to mine that I bumped it into the wall. "But I feel so untouched right now; it's so hard to resist you." She said and dropped her crimson-red eyes on my lips again. Rapid, hard breaths left her mouth, and I had to use my strength to get away from her barricading arms.

I headed to my closet and quickly slipped on a white sundress. When I turned around, Darcia's hand was leaning against the bathroom door frame, and her eyes kept undressing me. If my heart were still beating, it would be on the verge of an explosion.

I shifted to the door, and right when I opened it, Darcia said, "You are running away now, but that doesn't mean I won't have you later in the evening." I swallowed hard. "You will be greatly punished."

I smirked. "Can't wait for that." I exhaled as I walked through the door. When I moved to the living room, Nicoli was glaring at me, and Stacey had a huge smile on her face.

I sighed, and I took a seat on the couch. I poured a drink into the glass and then folded my arms. My gaze lifted as both of them stared at me. "What?" I asked, my brow raised.

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Nicoli crossed his legs and said, "Every time we come here, you two can't catch a break, it seems."

"As you two, as well." Darcia chimed in, taking a seat next to me, and she wrapped her arm around my shoulder.

I glanced at Stacey, and she was flushing. I wanted to gasp, but it would seem disrespectful. I have no idea why I found it shocking that those two have the same thing going on as us. I guess it's hard to believe it when it's your friends.

"Keep your mouth shut, Darciana." Nicoli scolded, and I swear I saw a hint of blush across his cheeks.

Darcia laughed and squeezed my shoulder. My gaze snapped at her, but she ignored me. I sighed and focused on Stacey. She had a large box right next to her, and I couldn't help myself, but be curious about what she brought me.

She noticed me looking at it and smiled. "We baked you a cake with Nicoli." She said.

I immediately shifted next to her and tightly hugged her. She was always so thoughtful when it came to me. I truly don't deserve such a great friend.

"But it's not the only gift I have for you." She said and pulled away from our hug. Nicoli left the living room, and in the next second, he was back with something pretty large. It was another box, but this one was shaped very weirdly.

He placed the box on the couch next to me. "Happy birthday, Talia." He said and smiled at me. With the excitement, I didn't know how to act. I didn't want to celebrate my birthday, but it's always worth it when you're surrounded by the people you love.

"Hurry! Open it." Stacey urged.

With my claws, I tore the large box apart and gawked at the leather guitar case. I looked up to Stacey and then Nicoli. I was amazed, and in complete shock. I opened the case and stared at the beautiful red electric guitar.

"It was my idea, but Nicoli changed the guitar from acoustic to electric. He said it suits you more." Stacey informed me.

I quickly stood up and embraced both of them in my arms. "Thank you so much. I love this gift. It's by far my favorite." I whispered.

"Well then, I hope you will like mine as much." Darcia's voice alarmed me, and I spun around, finding her down on her knee with a huge, glaring diamond ring in her hand.

I took a sharp breath, unable to process what I was seeing. I was speechless as I looked at the ring. It must have cost a fortune.

Darcia looked at me with anticipation, and my heart sank as I realized what was going on. I've never thought I'd be experiencing such things in my life, but I was wrong about many stuff, as it seems.

I noticed how her hands were shaking uncontrollably, and I badly wanted to take them into mine to calm them down. But then Darcia started to speak.

"I know I've put you through many difficult situations, and I know it's all my fault." She cleared her throat. "But I'm a selfish being, and I cannot imagine an eternity without you by my side. Talia, you came into my miserable life and turned it into heaven. Every morning, when I wake up and see your mesmerizing face, I wonder what I did to deserve your love." Darcia suddenly stopped speaking, and I noticed a tiny tear rolling down her cheek.

"So, I'm asking you the most important question. Talia Laurer, will you marry me and spend eternity with me?"

It was like the world had stopped spinning and I was no longer alive. I didn't try to push the tears away. They were flooding my eyes; it was hard to see.

Finally, I managed to find my voice again and stammered, "Yes, a thousand times."

Darcia stood up and whirled me into her arms. Nicoli and Stacey began to cheer, and I was smiling so hard, it hurt. Darcia never let me escape her arms. She kept holding me, like I'd turn into dust.

Her hand found mine, and she slipped the ring on my finger. She then stretched my hand to her lips, and through her eyelashes, she stared at me as she kissed the top of my hand.

After Nicoli's and Stacey's congratulations, we moved to the kitchen to slice the delicious cake they baked for me.

As we were all eating it, I noticed how Nicoli had been looking at Stacey. I think he was reminded of the fact that she's not one of us yet.

So, I decided to break the silence about it and asked, "Stacey, have you given a thought about becoming one of us?"

Stacey stopped eating and met my gaze. I sensed how uncomfortable she suddenly got, but I didn't regret it. I saw how relieved Nicoli was that I asked her that.

"Well, it's not an easy decision to make. I really like my life as it is now." Stacey said. Her music career is slowly building. She even decided to go to college.

"But I've been thinking about it." She added.

I looked at Darcia, and her mouth was covered in chocolate. I rolled my eyes and wiped it away with my thumb. She looked at me with surprise, but I only smirked at her.

"And how did you decide?" Nicole suddenly asked.

Stacey turned to him with a smile on her face. She gently grabbed his hand and intertwined her fingers with his.

"I decided that I want to be one of you in the future, but for now, I'd like to remain human," Stacey replied, embracing Nicoli in a tight hug.

"I told you it's better to be immortal," Darcia mumbled, eating the last bits of the cake.

We simultaneously snapped our heads at her, and I sighed.

Darcia will always have a sharp tongue. No matter who she is talking to, and I don't know if that's good or not.

"I'm so happy, Stacey. That we'll spend more time together." I said to her and caressed her arm.

Darcia suddenly got up from the couch and carefully took out my new guitar.

"Would you mind if I borrowed it from time to time? It looks so fabulous, especially the color." She remarked and observed every inch of it.

"But we both don't know how to play!" I exclaimed, and Stacey chuckled.

"Don't worry about it. I'll gladly teach you how to play. Even Darcia." Stacey joked, and Darcia rolled her eyes.

Together, we spent the whole afternoon together while it was raining. We talked about the future we want to have and how we imagine it.

I'll keep doing statuary, and Darcia and Stacey will be focused on music. When it comes to Nicoli, he's still finding himself, but I think Stacey is helping him with that.

There are many pros to being immortal, one of which is spending our lives together. Enjoy it, and try a million other things if we don't succeed in one of them.

No matter how hard some days are, I still wouldn't change a thing from my past. It made me who I am. And now, I know where I want to be and who I want to be.