The next morning neither Joshua nor Mia mentioned the horrifying events of the night past. He went to fix breakfast as she discovered the wonders of the master suite’s bathroom. Thoughtfully, he had blocked out the windows there as well. She was delighted to discover a huge tub meant for long, luxurious soaks. He had provided all that she required. Candles, bubble bath and a bath pillow. On one section of the double vanity she found combs, brushes, hair clips, shampoo, conditioner and body wash. She was so pleased; she gave a little squeal of pleasure.

Joshua had watched from the bathroom doorway and smiled. He had done a lot of listening in their time together. Mia Sheppard had loved to be pampered with the good things in life. She had been a sweetly spoiled daughter of wealthy parents. Before her kidnapping, beautiful clothes, jazz music and long baths had been some of her favorite things. “Happy, Mrs. Chasez?” he asked quietly.

She flew at him, giggling. She hugged his neck and showered his face with kisses.

“I take that as a yes.” He chuckled.

“Oh, yes! You are so wonderful to me! So generous!”

“I’d give you the world if I could, baby.” What he truly wanted for her was a cure for what kept her in the dark.

“I don’t want the world; I only want you,” she told him earnestly.

“You so have me.”

“And all you get in the bargain is me.”

“More than enough for me, Mia.”

She laid her head on his shoulder and sighed happily, “I haven’t known life and happiness in twenty-six years, beloved. You have given both back to me.”

Most of the time it felt like being married. Joshua would leave her in their bed during the day to go to the studio. Mia would laze the daylight away reading, watching television, listening to music, surfing the Internet – or taking sinfully long baths. When night fell, he returned and they would spend the evening together doing married things. Making dinner together, laundry, household chores – or he would take her out. She loved going out! Whether it was for dinner and dancing or merely a drive.

Joshua watched Mia blossom. She was a dazzling creature when she was happy! She sparkled – like the champagne she had once been compared to. She smiled easily. Her girlish giggle was music to his ears. She was curious about the world, open to new adventures. This...this is what had been denied her far too long. She thrived and grew more beautiful by the day.

Still there were moments he would catch her in an unguarded moment of melancholy. For all that she had gained, some things remained impossible for her. She could not follow him into the daylight. She could not see her parents. And she could not give the man who called her ‘wife’ a child. If he came to her at such a moment, she would deny her thoughts. Or perhaps she would rail at herself for being such a selfish, ungrateful creature – just look how much he had given her! Or if she were particularly weak, she would weep inconsolably until she had no more tears.

Workmen had been in and out for weeks when Joshua pronounced her basement apartment was complete. He hated to relegate her to the underground, but he realized it was the only way to keep her safe when he couldn’t be with her. With its own kitchen, bathroom and laundry, she could be self-sufficient for a week or so. He would simply lay in supplies before he would leave.

“Keep ‘em closed,” he said of her eyes as he led her to the door of her new sanctuary.

Mia laughed at his little-boy excitement. Even if the place were hideous, she would give him high praise. He had put so much love and care into the project.

The place didn’t smell of paint and new construction. He’d had it thoroughly ventilated for a week so fumes were not an issue. The place smelled new and clean.

“Okay, open.” he announced as he stood behind her just inside the spacious living room, his hands on her shoulders.

Slowly, Mia eased her eyelashes upwards. What greeted her eyes amazed her. The room was airy and comfortable. Done in blues and neutrals it was calming. The lighting emulated soft, diffused sunlight. The generous use of plants and flowers added to the natural feel. Pictures of gardens decorated the walls like windows.

“Well?” He prompted at her silence.

“It is truly lovely, Joshua.”

Indicating the entertainment center in front of the plump sofa, he said, “Big screen television, DVD player, full stereo.” Pointing at an armoire off in one corner. “Computer with cable Internet. Web cam – when I’m away I can still see you.”

He led her off to a small kitchen with breakfast nook. Again the feel was of space and lightness.

The bedroom could be seen through the arch between it and the living room. The theme was the same as the rest of the apartment, cool and airy.

“Umm...Joshua, why do I need such a large bed?” she asked of the king sized bed with a sky blue comforter.

Teasingly, he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to him. “Cuz sometimes you’ll have to share,” he told her with a grin.

“I don’t think that’s a problem, darling.” She looked at what he had so lovingly planned as her sanctuary. It made her humble. “You have been very thoughtful and over-generous, I think.”

“No. Nothing is too much when it comes to you.”

He led her to a wide door. “The piece-de-resistance, Mrs. Chasez.”

She hesitated – he’d done so much already...

“Open the door, Mia.”

“Oh my!” she gasped.

A huge bathtub was before her eyes – in a sizable bathroom. Above the tub was a light panel of his own design. When it was on, it appeared to be a window overlooking a shady English garden. When it was off, it was the same garden in moonlight.

Putting her hands to her face, Mia began to weep.

This wasn’t the reaction he had expected. “Baby?”

“It—it reminds me of the garden when I was young.” She sniffed against his chest.

“I know. You told me about it. You said it was one of your favorite places. Do you like it?”

“It is wonderful. I don’t deserve this – any of this. I don’t deserve you,” she stated.

“Sure you do. I deserve you.”

“You made a poor bargain, beloved.”

“No, I didn’t.” Joshua kissed her softly. “I fell in love. Anything I have is yours.” Taking her hand he led her back to the bedroom. “Everything. Even my blood when you need it.”

She hadn’t taken from him but three times, and he knew how difficult it was for her. He didn’t count the night the beast had over taken her. It hadn’t been Mia who abused him that night.

“I plan to take no more.”

He shook his head. “I’m not naive enough to think you conquered that part of you fully, Mia. Just know you can ask. I don’t want you to fade or waste, okay.”

“Joshua...”

“Promise me, Mia.”

“But...”

“Promise.”

Finally, she nodded weakly. “I promise.”

“Good.”

Taking his hand, she led him to the bed. She pulled back the comforter and other bed linens until revealed clean sheets. “Shall we initiate this bed to seal our pact?” she asked as her hands slid beneath his tee shirt.”

“Works for me, angel.”

Some time after dawn, Mia became aware of the strip of sunlight invading her bedroom. Snatching herself from the rays, she cowered against the wall and looked at the high window. The board that had been hammered over the small window appeared to have been kicked in. Looking around, she saw as the day wore on, the angle of the sun would spread the light to where she now stood. How ironic! She had used her wits to evade capture lo these many years – today she would parish into hellfire simply because of a childish prank of vandalism!

“Mia!” Joshua called at her door. He gave it a cursory rap before he used his keys. She’d probably still be asleep. He smiled. That suited him just fine. He’d simply crawl in next to her to love her when she woke.

“Mia?” He looked at the empty bed. Light streamed through the window – sunlight! His heart pounded. What if?...

A whimper caught his attention.

She lay on the floor in a ball of misery. Three more inches and there would be no more evading the burning rays. At least, this particular hell would be over for her consort. Joshua deserved better...

“Damn!” Joshua snatched up a heavy throw rug. Climbing on a chair, he managed to cover the damaged window temporarily.

“Are you okay?” He crouched before her. Taking her hands, he felt her chill and her terror. “You’re like ice.”

Mia hardly had the strength to lift her head. Fear had sucked all energies from her.

“Mia? He lifted her to bed; she was limp as a rag doll. “What can I do?”

“Nothing,” she whispered.

“You rest. I’ll go fix the window.”

When he returned twenty minutes later, she still hadn’t moved. He now recognized the signs. Climbing on the bed, he brought her to his chest. “You need to drink.”

“No...”

“It’ll make you strong again.”

“No.”

“Your defenses are gone, Mia. They’ll find you. If they find you, they’ll destroy us.”

A most compelling argument. She also knew with every drop of blood she took the less human she became. “It hurts you.”

“Losing you would hurt much worse.” JC pulled his collar down to reveal the two nearly healed wounds from her last taking. Leaning towards her, he lifted her head so her face was against his throat. “Drink.”

He had no idea how dangerous his selfless gesture was. She could smell the tantalizing fragrance of his blood through his skin, feel it pulse against her lips. Once her teeth sank into his flesh, would she be able to stop at a mere taste? The last time she had nearly killed him! She had become a ravenous creature of death once his sweet blood touched her tongue. What would stop her from draining him of life?

“C’mon baby,” he urged her quietly. “I love you. Don’t let us die.”

With a tortured sob, she scraped her teeth along his flesh. Rewarded with a trickle of crimson nectar, she drank greedily, becoming a hideous creature.

Once again the exquisite pain akin to rapture swamped him. Joshua held her close and felt her grow stronger as he grew weaker.

Mia felt him fading and pulled her head back. “No!”

Joshua’s arms dropped as he sank bonelessly to the mattress. “I-I’m okay...Just...give me... a minute.”

She wept against his chest. “You should have let the sun take me!”

“No,” was all he said for many moments. After a while, he raised a hand to stroke her hair. “Don’t cry, Mia. I’m okay.”

Mia could have sworn she heard Lilith laugh.