DISCLAIMER: The Hollows and its characters/inhabitants are the property of Kim Harrison. No infringement intended.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is the second part (and probably the last) in my Weathered Love series, making this the second story I've published. Once again I ask you to be kind and if you can't e kind, be honest. I welcome reviews (and mild criticism) at: sims2472@Yahoo.com
ARCHIVING: Only with the permission of the author.
Rained In
By J. Sims
"It's official," Rachel Morgan said exasperatedly, "Mother Nature hates me." Looking out the window in the church's kitchen to see the heavy pouring rain drench her garden, as well as the tree stump her pixie friend and landlord used as a home for him and his family. Rachel had asked if they wanted to stay in her desk again but he politely refused, claiming that their home was water sealed. Rachel was just upset that the three day long thunderstorm was keeping her friend and his family away. Luckily her girlfriend, the living vampire Ivy Tamwood, was doing everything she could do to cheer her up, despite the efforts of the mythical mistress of the world.
"What do you mean," Ivy asked as she poured herself a glass of orange juice. Rachel turned to see Ivy; dressed in baggy black pajama pants and a loose gray tank top, looking sexy as ever. "Earth to Rachel," Ivy said loudly, "Hellooo!"
"Sorry," Rachel replied blushing, "I was Ivy-Watching again."
Ogling Ivy's tall sexy body had become a new and favorite past time for Rachel and Ivy was well aware of it. Ivy grinned wickedly as she turned back to put the orange juice away, adding a little extra sway to her hips.
Rachel blushed deeper as she heard Ivy chuckle softly then repeat in her silky smooth voice, "What do you mean."
"I mean," Rachel answered upset, turning back out as lightning lit the sky followed soon by a loud crash of thunder, "That every time we make plans for a date some freak storm front comes in and forces us to stay in. I had finally managed to save up enough money to take you out to a nice restaurant on the river front and it's close to being flooded."
"Rachel," Ivy said soothingly.
"I know," Rachel huffed, "You said I didn't have to go to so much trouble. It's just that, you've paid for the dates we managed to go on and I just wanted for once to do the same. Mother Nature has it out for me though."
"No she doesn't," Ivy said laughing.
"This isn't funny. I'm being serious," Rachel said sternly, glaring up at the dark cloudy sky, "I have demon smut on my soul, I deal with them on occasion, and am even being taught by one. The only way she can get back at me for that and spelling a few curses is to ruin my love life. She's nothing more then a petty vindictive." A loud crash of thunder shook the window, cutting off Rachel's tirade and knocking out the power.
"I think she heard you," Ivy said teasingly.
"AAAhhhhh," Rachel shouted angrily.
This was just what she needed, a blackout. Rachel saw faint glowing coming from the backyard and assumed it was her pixie back up, trying to brave the storm to check on them. The wind and rain was too much though as the glow soon disappeared. Rachel leaned her head against the cold glass of the window and began to sob softly. Ivy was behind her in an instant, thanks to vamp speed and seeing in the dark, holding tight to Rachel's waist.
"It's okay dear heart," Ivy said calmly trying to soothe Rachel but to no avail. Rachel continued to sob as she leaned in to Ivy. Ivy could feel that something was bothering Rachel and it wasn't the blackout or even a ruined date. It was something deeper; something she wouldn't say.
"What is troubling you Rachel," Ivy asked curiously. Rachel just stayed silent as she let the warmth of Ivy's body fill her.
"Rachel," Ivy breathed softly in to Rachel's ear, "Talk to me. I know this is about more than just a missed date." Rachel continued to stay silent which was starting to slowly tick Ivy off.
"Rachel please," Ivy said softly, feeling their auras merge together from their contact, "Talk to me. I'll learn the truth in a second anyway."
Rachel closed her eyes and let out a pained sigh as she twisted out of Ivy's arms, breaking their still unknown aura connection as she took a few steps back until she bumped in to the table. Rachel didn't need to have night vision to see the hurt look on Ivy's face.
"Rachel please," Ivy said softly with an edge of panic to her voice, "You're starting to scare me." Rachel just stood there silently with her head bowed.
"Fine," Ivy shouted angrily, "Stay here and cry your eyes out, see if I care! I give up! If you won't tell me what's upsetting you I can't help you Rachel!"
Rachel just continued to stand silently in the dark feeling even worse now for hurting Ivy. That's the last thing she wanted to do but she honestly didn't know how to put in words what was upsetting her. It had been nagging at her ever since Ivy first kissed her in the church's main hall, basically telling her how she felt about her. Rachel had always suspected but that was the first real proof she had received about Ivy's true feelings. Now that same nagging thought had sent the person she loved more then anything away from her. That thought was what it took to shake Rachel out of her stupor and send her in search of Ivy, a feat easier said then done.
Rachel slowly made her way in to the living room, hoping that's where Ivy was. She should have grabbed a flash light, lit a candle, something to help her see but she wanted to talk to Ivy before she really got mad.
"Ivy," Rachel said as she stopped, listening carefully. She could hear soft breathing but couldn't place the location.
"You're ignoring me to get back at me aren't you," Rachel asked. No response.
"I'm sorry I'm an idiot," Rachel said softly, "I guess I really am a stupid witch." Rachel heard a light chuckle but once again couldn't place it, which gave her an idea.
"Marco," Rachel said jokingly.
"Polo," Ivy responded softly. Ivy seemed to accept her apology but wanted her to work for it.
"Marco," Rachel repeated moving to where she thought she heard Ivy.
A soft wind blew past her followed by a whispered, "Polo." Rachel whipped around fast and reached out with both hands to catch hold of something soft yet firm and also familiar.
"Rachel it's not time to make up yet," Ivy chastised. Rachel knew Ivy could see her face take on the same red shade as her hair as she realized what she was holding in her hands. Rachel found herself unable to let go and began squeezing them softly.
"Rachel," Ivy breathed through gritted teeth as she grabbed her wrists, "I am not going to let you get distracted, no matter how good it feels. You apologized and if you want to be forgiven you better tell me what's bothering you this time."
Rachel let go of Ivy's chest and asked softly, "Can we talk about this somewhere brighter." Rachel suddenly found herself being picked up, her arms instinctively wrapping around Ivy's neck as she carried her out of the living room and deeper in to darkness.
Rachel soon felt herself being lowered down on to soft sheets. Ivy lit a candle on a nightstand and soon Rachel could see that she was in Ivy's room, she should call it their room since Rachel now slept and practically lived in here. Ivy lit a few more candles on the dresser before leaning against the wall; facing Rachel with her arms crossed and a concerned look on her face.
"Now," Ivy said calmly, "Tell me what upset you so much Rachel."
Rachel sat Indian style on the bed in her jeans, black t-shirt and white socks, looking up at Ivy as she said, "You're going to think it's silly."
"From the tantrum you threw in the kitchen I already think it's silly," Ivy said knowingly, "Tell me anyway."
Rachel let Ivy have her fun as she took in a deep breath and began to explain, "I really wanted to take you out on a date for a change. You've paid for every date we've been on and I just wanted to return the favor."
"I already know that Rachel, but why," Ivy interrupted, "I don't care if you buy me dinner. I don't mind spoiling you a little. I love you and would do anything for you."
"I know that. It's just," Rachel said as she lowered her head sadly, "This is the silly part. Sometimes I feel that I'm not worthy to have you as a girlfriend and wanted to show you that I could take you somewhere nice and expensive too. I wanted to prove to myself that I deserve you." Rachel waited for the standard rebuttal from Ivy but was shocked when all she heard was laughter.
Ivy was hugging her sides cracking up laughing.
"What?" Rachel asked looking up at Ivy with a confused expression, "What is so funny?"
Ivy didn't answer, she just continued laughing. Normally Rachel loved hearing Ivy's laugh. It was warm and strong and as rare to hear, as her warmest smile was to see, now was not one of those times.
"Don't make me hurt you," Rachel said evilly.
Ivy laughed harder as she slowly slid down the wall till she was sitting with her knees to her chest. Rachel knew she couldn't hurt Ivy physically, she could if she threw some ley line energy at her but Rachel would never do that, no matter the circumstances, making it nothing more then an empty threat but it was all she could think to say at the time.
"Breath Ivy breath," Rachel said as she waited patiently for Ivy to calm down. Ivy's laughter was beginning to quiet down until soon all Rachel could hear was labored breathing.
"What was so funny," Rachel demanded angrily, "Is it so hilarious that I'm a stubborn witch with a demon smutted aura, capable of giving birth to the next generation of demons who feels unworthy of being in love with Ivy Tamwood, the beautiful living vampire of one of the oldest and most influential families in Cincinnati and The Hollows."
"Yes it is," Ivy answered honestly, smiling warmly at Rachel's dumbfounded expression.
"Please explain," Rachel asked.
"Rachel I know all about your problems just as you know all about mine," Ivy said softly moving closer to the bed, "I sometimes feel like I don't deserve your love either. The things I've done, been forced to do and enjoy by Piscary. I'm a monster Rachel."
"No you're not Ivy," Rachel said sternly, "I don't ever want to hear you say that ever again."
Ivy sat down next to Rachel as she said just as sternly, "Then I don't ever want to hear you say that you're not worthy to be my girlfriend. I fell in love with the person you are Rachel. I don't want you to be someone you're not just because you think it will impress me. I love you for you and nothing will ever change that. Besides, I like spoiling you. Your life is so chaotic that I just want to make it a little easier on you. When I take you out to dinner or to go dancing, your face lights up and you look so happy. It fills my heart up with so much joy every time that I feel like I'm walking on air. I would do anything to keep that look on your face."
Rachel leaned in to Ivy as she let her words sink in. Since the moment their relationship changed, Rachel believed that it was her job to keep Ivy smiling and laughing since she always kept herself so isolated and her emotions so bottled up. Now Rachel knew that Ivy was trying to do the same for her. Both of their pasts were filled with torment and misery that seemed to continue in to their present; so it's not surprising that they'd do whatever it took to make the other one happy in their new relationship. Rachel felt so loved at that moment. Ivy felt just as much joy at her happiness, as Rachel did about Ivy's so she figured she might as well continue to let Ivy spoil her. Rachel could always make up for it in the bedroom. They were certainly an unusual couple but neither, it seemed, would have it any other way.
Rachel fell on to the bed and said teasingly, "That's a relief. I have to admit, I do like being spoiled."
Ivy straddled Rachel and leaned down over her, the golden tips of her long black hair brushing against Rachel's face as she said warmly, "Good. Now, no more talk about how undeserving of each other we are."
"Agreed," Rachel said softly, "From now on we just accept the love."
"Deal," Ivy agreed as she moved in to kiss Rachel.
It was a soft kiss that soon became heated as Ivy licked Rachel's lips. Rachel eagerly opened her mouth and soon their tongues were caressing each other's, as the kiss grew more heated and more passionate.
Ivy pulled back and smiled warmly down at Rachel as she said, "That doesn't mean you don't have to spoil me every now and then. If you want to I mean." Rachel laughed then moved in close to whisper in Ivy's ear as an idea at how she could spoil Ivy right now came to her.
Ivy was shocked and looked down at Rachel as she said, "You are wicked dear heart but I like it." Ivy jumped up and blew out the candles on the dresser then looked back to see Rachel taking off her jeans. Without warning Ivy pounced on top of Rachel and tossed her jeans to the ground, an evil glint in her eyes that sent shivers down her spine as Ivy blew out the last candle, plunging the room in to a welcoming darkness.
The End