“So, I left to protect you, because the vampires wanted to kill your family.” Autumn says, looking down at the note.

I kept it all these years, tucked inside one of Autumn’s favorite books as a child. I watch her. After two weeks of taking care of her, I’m still amazed she’s back. I drink her in, not letting my eyes leave her for a second.

“Yes.” I confirm.

Her fingers brush the paper, touching something on it. “And I loved you.” She says.

I nod, staying quiet. That was one thing she was having trouble remembering. Her feelings still got confused about people. For a while she thought she loved her real father like she loves mom and dad. I remember her journal and grab it from the living room.

“Here.” I say, giving it to her. “Read this, it may help.”

She takes it from me and I watch her open it.

“I wrote these?” She asks, her eyes looking over the first page.

“Yes, you wrote those pages while you were with the vampires.” I tell her.

She stays quiet, turning the page, her fingers lingering on the words.

“I’m uh, I’m going to go for a walk. I’ll be back later. Call me if you need anything.” I tell her, grabbing my jacket and walking out the back door.

I take a deep breath as I reach the tree line. The winter air brushes against my exposed cheeks and I shiver. The woods quickly block the house and I close my eyes. She’s gotten so much better over the last two weeks, but she still doesn’t remember how she felt about me.

I rub my hands together and keep walking deeper into the tree. Her feelings and memories of us were hidden deep. Just how afraid of loving me was she? I shudder as I remember the night she went on the date with Sidney’s cousin, or even how horrible her dad had been. Of course she’s afraid of loving someone. But she knows I would never hurt her. I push thoughts from my head, wanting to not think of anything right now, and continue walking.

*******************

I walk back onto our property and look at it. Autumn is in there and she’s read the journal. I take a deep breath and begin to walk up to the porch.

The door bursts open and before I can even react to it Autumn is flying towards me.

“Levi!” She exclaims.

I catch her and she pulls my face up to her, pressing her lips against mine. She smells like coconut and the sunscreen Aunt Spenser made for her.

“I remember.” She whispers. “I remember everything.”

“You do?” I ask her, shocked, still trying to process the fact that she reached me from the door that quickly. I wasn’t used to her speed yet.

“Mhm.” She laughs, pressing herself against me and kissing me again.

I pull her tight to me and kiss her back. Her fangs brush softly against my lips and tongue, but I don’t care. I don’t care she’s a vampire, or that she didn’t remember her feelings. All that matters is she remembered, and she’s back.

I pull away from a moment to laugh and she lets loose a laugh as well, leaning back a little.

“I love you.” She says then takes a deep breath. “I love Levi Belle!” She screams to the empty house and forest around us. She untangles her legs from around me and takes my hand.

“Levi,” She says, looking into my eyes. “marry me.”

I look at her, “What?” I say.

“Marry m-“ She begins again.

“No! Don’t you finish that sentence! I’m going to be the one to propose to you, and it’ll be done right, with a ring, and over the top gestures. We will not propose here in the woods. You deserve more than that.” I say, laughing.

“I don’t care. I don’t care how big it is. I don’t care if there’s a ring. I just want to be your fiancé right now and your wife as soon as possible.” She says.

“Fine. Then I’ll do this as right as I can.” I kneel down and take her hand in mine. “Autumn Morris, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”

“Come here.” She says with a smile, pulling me into the house.

“What are we doing?” I ask her as we stumble into the living room.

She just laughs and keeps pulling me across the house. She drags me into the bedroom and turns to me, smiling.

“What?” I ask her.

She steps close and looks at me with her bright eyes.

“I love you Levi Belle, and I think we’ve both waited long enough to be with each other.” She smirks, kissing me softly.

I pull back and look at her, studying the shadows on her face.

“You never answered my question.” I say.

“I’m answering you right now.” She whispers, pulling me towards the bed.