Chapter 55: Basement

By the time I looked up we were descending stairs into a dark basement. Curiosity peaked, I looked closely at my surroundings. I had no idea they even had a basement but I suppose it made sense since Chase was a vampire.

We turned a corner after the last step and entered a huge bedroom. The area reminded me more of a living room with how big it was but a huge bed sat in the middle and a couch at the end of it. The walls were mostly book shelves but the one bare wall had a few paintings hanging. A fire place currently unlit was situated underneath.

One painting in particular, positioned in the middle of the others, caught my gaze and held it. It looked very old from what I could tell. It was a beautiful landscape with rolling hills and a bright sunny sky. A lake glittered in the sunlight and the reflection made it twinkle like stars. It was so realistic as if I was standing right there. I could almost hear the water crashing and the birds chirping in the distance. It brought a feeling of peace and serenity. I had to wonder if James painted it or was he too young?

I didn't have long to dwell on the painting before Chase was sitting me down on the comfy red sofa. He walked into another room and proceeded to light a few candles. The lights flickered and I could see his shadow here and there and then water running. He must have started a bath or shower for me. The candles were the only light he used in this area. I looked above me where he clearly had electrical lights but maybe that light bothered him too? Or maybe he just enjoyed the candle light better?

My eyes travelled around to the books... how many books did this guy really need... they had a whole library and his room could be a library all on its own. The books down here though appeared very old some in bad shape with the spines falling apart. A musty smell of paper was in the air the harder I focused my sense of smell. I didn't mind the scent though. It just made me think of Chase reading to me earlier and had me smiling with the fresh memory.

Chase came out of the bathroom completely nude. My eyes followed from his hair, still a mess the way I like it, down to his marble chest, down to his... He cleared his throat with a smile and leaned down to pick me up again. Did he think I couldn't walk? I really shouldn't complain, I should just enjoy this while it lasted...

Chase brought me into the bathroom and put me down to stand on my own. He pulled the shirt over my head slowly. He then took my hand and led me into a huge shower with white and grey marble walls.

The water rained down over us and felt amazing. The temperature was just right. I leaned my head back letting the water run down my long hair. My eyes were closed as a soft voice broke the silence, "You are perfect", Chase said. My eyes opened and fixated on him. He was trying to be sweet but he was wrong. I know I am far from perfect. I wish so badly that I was for them though.

My face fell with my thoughts and Chase closed the distance between us. "You may not know it, but to me and to the others, you are perfect. We needed you here more then you will ever probably understand", he said matter of factly. I wasn't sure what he meant but I was too tired to fight him or to go into my past anymore today. When I said new and good memories that is what I was sticking to.

I balanced on my tippy toes and placed a kiss on his cheek, "Thank you", I said. "You're welcome darling", he responded.