Path of the Vampire forum

[OOC: Backdated to 25/12/15

<Peter Parkman> Christmas. It was the time of year the gifts should be exchanged - evenly, one thing for another. Peter was looking forward to the structure of it, the peace of an organised event. Technically, the 25th day started just past midnight - the rest of the world would be sleeping. They would not celebrate until they woke up, maybe eight hours from now. Maybe earlier, if they had children who could not wait. Maybe later, depending on how strong the sun was, or the enthusiasm of those involved. Maybe some wouldn’t celebrate at all.

He had already told Keara that he wanted this half of Christmas with Jersey. From midnight until morning, he did not want to spend it with anyone else, and he hoped that Jersey herself would not have plans. The next night, after the city had been celebrating all day, he might go to Keara. ‘Might’ was not a word that he used often, but he was willing to give. It was Christmas, right? And Jersey might have other plans.

The Cabin had been cleaned. It was their home, now. There was a tree that Peter had planted outside - a big tree, that they had decorated. The lights flashed brilliantly, as did the rest of the cabin. Inside, the decorations were tasteful; there was an order to them that pleased Peter, even if the cats sometimes liked to have their way. Sometimes, he thought that Jersey must teach them to misbehave - just the little things. Just to test him. Just that little bit.

Peter had been out, and he had tended to the animals at the shelter. Just because it was Christmas eve did not mean that they should not be cared for, or forgotten. Instead of going back to the Asylum like he normally might, however, he returned to the cabin early. Jersey was not there, which was what he was hoping. By now, he had the benches lined with candles. From the record player, there played light classical music - christmas music, but it was subtle.

Everything was ready, but Peter was nervous. He took off his coat, only to put it back on again. The dogs were all inside - calmed, so that they would not mess with the candles. Eventually, finally, Peter summoned Jersey. There was no other light but the flames from the dozens of candles that had been set. There was a smile on his face that he could not quite banish, nervous as he was.

“Merry Christmas,” he said. Despite all his dithering, Jersey was summoned at 12:01am, on the dot. Her present was heavy in his pocket, his fingers curled around it, lightly.

<Jersey> After leaving Clover’s apartment, stepping through the fadeportal to Larch court, Jersey tucked her hands into the pockets of her jacket and began making her way back to the Wickbridge station, taking her time in getting home. Despite the snowfall and the cooler weather, she felt comfortable in the winter weather and enjoyed the beauty that surrounded her. Because it was later in the evening, there were few people around. It was something she enjoyed with how little foot traffic there was - in places that had yet to be shoveled, she left footprints in the pristine, untouched snow.

After a few minutes, the blonde stepped off to the side and onto the road, checking the road for black ice before she crossed the street. Later, she would return back to this side of the city to finish delivering gifts before spending time with her sire and siblings at Kallista’s apartment, and then make her way to the Asylum to deliver gifts to Keara, Enver and Sean. When she would see her, Jersey would also deliver a gift to her boss of two years, Mora, a woman had given her a chance despite the fact she had no idea of her previous work experience.

The memories of her earlier life in Harper Rock as Jersey Thompson caused her to smile softly to herself, everything different then than it was now.

By the time she reached the station, Jersey checked her phone to make note of the time and mentally went through Peter’s schedule - he’d be heading towards the Asylum, wouldn’t he? The blonde pondered on it as she took a seat and shrugged out of her heavier jacket. Crossing her leg over the other, she reached down to brush some of the cat hair of her legging covered thigh before doing the same to some of the snow stuck to her boot and then leaned back.

She considered if she should stop in Honeymead and go see if he’d be planning on to continue with the rest of his businesses for the evening, but she remained seated. “He’s been taking time off lately for me, might as well leave him be. Maybe he’ll be home early.” She thought with a chuckle. Going through her email, Jersey pulled her cardigan over her long sleeved white shirt closer to her form and deleted what was needed until the transit pulled up to Bullwood station.

With her jacket over one arm, Jersey made it only a block on the walk back home to the cabin when she felt the familiar pull of being summoned. Her green eyes blinked once when she took in her surroundings, but she knew the scents immediately and the voice that followed. “Merry Christmas, handsome.” She smiled warmly, “Didn’t expect to see you home.”

<Peter Parkman> Peter was not surprised that Jersey would not expect him home. Come hell or high weather, Peter stuck to his schedule; this was something that Jersey knew well about him. Except, it was Christmas. He shrugged. “It’s customary for people to take time off at Christmas. Specifically Christmas day,” he said, pulling his hand from his pocket only to glance at his watch. Even though he knew exactly what time it was, the gesture was a signal for Jersey. “It’s officially Christmas day,” he said, using the same hand to tug at Jersey’s hip, pulling her close for a greeting kiss.

Now that Jersey was here, he became a little more anxious. He wanted to do the gift-giving first - at least, then, the question of whether Jersey would like the gift or not would be out of the way and they could move on with their night. He didn’t question Jersey - about whether she had plans to be elsewhere, or if he’d pulled her away from something important. She seemed happy enough to be there. If she needed to be someone else, she would tell him. Right?

“Do you remember when I summoned you to the Asylum? And we caught up with Keara?” he asked, his fingers curling around Jersey’s hand so that he could tug her toward the couch. The couch that was right in front of the lightly crackling fireplace, the warmth spreading throughout the room. It was the same couch as he’d always had - he didn’t want to get rid of that couch, and he never really understand why. Until now.

“I got the idea, then. Of what I’d get you for Christmas,” he said, coaxing Jersey down onto the couch with him. he sat on the edge, digging the box out of his pocket. It wasn’t wrapped in Christmas wrapping. Peter thought the box itself was wrapping enough. He chewed on the inside of his cheek as he held it out to Jersey, now suddenly worried that he wasn’t saying the right thing. But he had practiced this. He had to keep going. He couldn’t deviate from his plans, now.

“We were apart for… months. We spoke… rarely. But we still loved each other. And now that you’re back, I realised how much I missed you. How much I think you belong here, with me. This… I think it’s the logical step,” he said with a nod.

“I would like to marry you, Jersey. If you’ll have me,” he said, opening the box to reveal the rose gold and diamond, floral themed ring within.

<Jersey> She chuckled at his words and gave a nod, “Well, either way. I’m happy you’re home.” The word caused her to smile even more and she looked down as he glanced at his watch. A laugh escaped past her lips when she stepped closer at the tugging, leaning up and into the kiss to return while her free hand lifted to cup the side of his neck. “And so it is. I thought you’d go and check to see that everything was fine at the other businesses, then come back early.”

Afterwards, she leaned into the man lightly before she looked around to take in the candles around the room fully. It created a romantic feel, but added to the decor within, and she loved it. She felt his hand before she heard him speak, catching onto the fact that he was as he mentioned summoning her to the Asylum. Jersey nodded and tossed her jacket lightly to the ground beside the couch - a purposeful action as she paused to remove her bag so that she could repeat it as she followed after him.

“Of course, love. There aren’t many times I can count when you summon me without warning.” She teased, dropping her bag carefully. There was a soft thud from the journal that she kept within it, but there was nothing breakable inside. Jersey squeezed his hand, “Not that I mind when you do.” She distracted him enough, and lately, she had rather enjoyed pulling him away from his work often.

For a brief moment, she was confused as she took a seat beside him on the couch and crossed her ankles as her legs stretched out in front of her. The blonde reached up to remove her hat, setting it on the seat behind her. A smile crossed her lips as she saw the box, finding it to be pretty before her green eyes lifted back up to Peter’s features as she traced her thumb along the design. “Oh?”

There hadn’t been a day where he hadn’t crossed her mind, and she since had admitted it over time. But, as he continued speaking, the smile fell where surprise crossed her features and she felt her jaw fall just a small amount. Silence took the place of words, her eyes widening while she blinked and looked down at the ring.

She found it to be beautiful and wanted to ask if he was sure, but all that came out was a squeak. She knew about his late wife and his past. But, she also knew that Peter didn’t do anything that he wasn’t sure of, it was something that she had liked about him from the beginning. Jersey then wet her lips and tried again, “I’ll always have you, Peter. It’ll always be yes.”

<Peter Parkman> It was a good thing, that Jersey didn’t ask Peter if he was sure. There were plenty of things that he could have said to convince her, but it wouldn’t have been romantic. It would have been logical. There’d have been calculations of days spent together and days spent apart. There was research he’d done about the benefits of having someone else in one’s life, especially when one suffered Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. A lot of thought had been put into this endeavour. But the idea had come to him on a whim, and that had been enough. That single idea was what had spurred the research, and the consequent search for a ring.
That was yet another thing that he didn’t particularly want to go into.

At first, he couldn’t properly decipher the expression on Jersey’s face; for a few moments he was concerned that she would shake her head and say no. That it wasn’t right. Not yet. Not ever. That she wasn’t sure she would want to spend the rest of her life with someone like him. But he wasn’t given long to panic. There was that one squeal before she said yes, and a grin broke out across Peter’s features. He immediately and gently pulled the ring from its snug position in the box, and held out a hand for Jersey’s. He’d also done the calculations about the size of her ring finger; he’d been stealthy about it, but he had achieved what he had needed to achieve. He was ninety-nine percent sure that the ring would fit, when he slid it onto her finger. And once the ring was upon her finger, he tugged at the very same hand, shuffling closer so that he could press his lips to hers. The dogs flurried, a few of them gathering and pressing against their legs. The happiness, and the excitement, was infectious.

When Peter pulled away, it was to admire the ring as it sat against Jersey’s skin.

“Do you like it?”

<Jersey> He had asked her to be his wife. Even after she had said yes, the idea still stunned her as she looked down at the ring. Breathless, surprised. She felt excitement bubble through her slender form as she considered what it meant, both for them as a couple and for her. “We’re going to be married.” A soft giggle escaped past her lips and she looked up at Peter with adoration. She slid her hand into his reach, looking down to see the ring being placed onto her finger which made her wonder when he'd gotten her measurement and where her attention had been. Chalking it up to just be one of those things he could do while she was distracting herself, Jersey brushed her thumb idly over the ring.

Her hand enclosed over his as she leaned up to meet him into the kiss, happy. She scooted closer to Peter until she, too, was on the edge of the couch and let her lips linger against his. It was a way to simply enjoy the moment, to remember it and as they parted, she leaned into him before following his gaze to the ring.

She reached down to scratch absently at one of the dogs with her freehand while studying it. At his question, Jersey nodded. “I love it.” She looked down at the box that still rest in her lap, her thumb rubbing against the ring. “And I love you, Peter Parkman.” Her green eyes lifted to meet his as she grinned softly. It took a lot of her self restraint not to get up and spin, or to cheer out loud, so instead she moved her free hand to his upper thigh and gave a squeeze. Leaning forward, she pressed her lips to his once more to kiss him. When she pulled away, she ran her tongue along her bottom lip briefly. “How long have you been planning this?” The question was curious as she looked at the candles and then back to the man beside her.

<Peter Parkman> As Jersey scooted closer, Peter wrapped an arm around her waist. He pulled her closer even as the kiss lingered. Tonight was not a night for inhibitions. Tonight had been planned well in advance. The only way it could have been ruined was if Jersey had other plans, but she didn’t. And now that she had said yes, now that the present had been given and happily received, Peter let go of all his stress and anxiety. It shuddered from his body, washed away by unadulterated happiness. There was nothing else that Peter had to do tonight, but be with Jersey.

“Since the third of December,” he said. Of course Jersey was going to get a precise answer. Peter even remembered the exact time. “Keara said it was nice to see us both. She meant separately, I think, but in that moment I realised how good I felt to be there with you. It was a Eureka moment. When… all of the numbers aligned, and the equation finally made sense,” he said. While he spoke, his gaze had drifted, dreamily staring at one of the ornaments across the room. Now, it shifted back to Jersey, and the gleeful glow that radiated from her features. Peter was no good at reading other people, but there was no way he could not understand the expression now settled so steadfastly upon Jersey’s features.

“The next night I factored in some time to do some research. And on the fifth of December I want to the jewelry shop and commissioned the ring. I paid them a lot of money,” he said, and he blinked. A voice in the back of his head twitched - perhaps he shouldn’t tell her how much money he spent. That wasn’t a done thing, was it? He shrugged the voice away. He wouldn’t elaborate.

“They got it done quickly. I picked it up on the twenty-third,” he said, and then grinned. This was something that he had been very certain about.

<Jersey> Jersey settled beside him, surprised at the date that had been given before she smiled and looked down at her ring after she set her hand in her lap. “And the fact the man that doesn’t like surprises kept this from me for that long just amuses me.” She teased, but she simply leaned back up and pressed a kiss to the side of his neck as he spoke before she fell quiet and listened. Her hand found his, entwining their fingers together while she did.

Why was she not surprised he’d been doing research?

The thought amused her as she watched Peter with a soft expression, but her mind traveled back to trying to figure out all of what she’d been doing while he had been planning this. With the time and effort put into it, Jersey was happy to realize that he was sure.

“I like the way Jersey Parkman sounds.”

She, too, grinned and then looked at the animals scattered across the cabin, watching Mew and Quentin playing with a red ornament that had fallen at some point during the evening while Jersey had not been home. Chuckling quietly at the animals, she curled into Peter’s side and slipped her arm around the man’s stomach as she tried to remember where his gift had been put.

“What about you, handsome?” Jersey asked with a lazy smile as she looked up at him afterwards, remembering where the gift had been hidden - in her bag that she left by the bed; it held her journal, which she no longer carried around with her, and her old journal.

<Peter Parkman> Peter laughed; he knew what the cats were doing, but he refused to look at them, or to watch. If he did, he’d have to get up and get the ornament and put it back where it belonged. That was the thing about cats; he hadn’t noticed when they’d knocked it down, or how. They were sneaky. They were silent agents of destruction. But it was in their nature, wasn’t it? And when they looked at him like they did, when he scolded them, he couldn’t help but forgive them.

He didn’t want to have to get up and fix the ornament because he was comfortable where he was. Comfortable, laughing at the fact Jersey thought that just because he didn’t like surprises, he couldn’t give them.

“I know you aren’t as strict as I am. You like to give surprises, so I could only assume you like getting them. I knew it was going to happen, so it didn’t bother me. Except… well, except for the fact that I couldn’t plan your answer,” he said, watching as their fingers intertwined. He had imagined this moment; he had imagined the way the ring would look on Jersey’s finger. Jersey Parkman. It did sound good. He could have mentioned that, had they met as humans, she wouldn’t be Jersey Parkman. She’d be Jersey Pembroke. But he was no longer Arthur. Pembroke belonged to another man, and another life. Another woman, one who had died because of the family she hadn’t been able to extract herself from. He had let that life go. Now he had this one. He had Jersey. And he wasn’t going to let her go again.

“Jersey Parkman. I like it. If you want to take the last name, it’s yours,” he said, smiling as he leaned down to press a kiss to her forehead.

<Jersey> When the ornament rolled closer, the blonde nudged it away with the tip of her foot before Quentin followed. Her neck healed, the black and white cat adopted into the household was clearly happy in life. As Mew chased after, Jersey could only grin while listening to Peter’s laugh. It was a sound she doubted she'd get tired of hearing. Behind them, a soft thud was hear and then the scramble of paws. Whoever had been the cause of the thud was fine. The muscles in her body relaxed, her eyes falling shut for the time being as she just enjoyed the moment.

As Peter called himself strict with surprises, she gave a little snort of disagreement. “You’re getting better with handling them.” Jersey pressed a kiss to his chest and then lifted her shoulder.

She lifted her head to look up at her fiancé - the idea of it causing the euphoria she felt to grow. “But yes,” She chuckled, “I do like surprises. Good ones, mind you.” Looking at Peter, she remembered how difficult it had been to get him to admit he, too, cared for her at the beginning. She gave his hand a loving squeeze as she sat up a bit, “Well, you’ll never have to worry about not having to plan my answer again. It’ll be yes, for as long as you’ll have me, Peter. I’m yours.” Jersey looked down at the ring, at their hands and had no intention to take it off, other than to keep it clean and in perfect condition.

Engaged. Marilee hadn’t been there yet, she'd never been sure if she wanted it. It was just another thing different to her old self that she had, and she loved.

“I think I will.” Jersey closed her eyes as she felt his lips, chuckling softly as she squeezed his hand gently once more. “I guess you falling over the couch arm for me worked better than we thought, hm?” She teased softly before opening her eyes and looking up at Peter with a tender expression playing across her features.

<Peter Parkman> Peter had changed. It might have taken him a long time to acknowledge it himself, but he had. For worse, and then for better. If Jersey had not come back to him, he would have remained as he was; a recluse who rarely got out, who rarely met new people. Who never met new people. A man bereft of any purpose but to follow a schedule, and to care for others via the businesses that he had curated. It didn’t do Keara any good, he knew, but Keara did not need him. Keara had Enver. Enver was all that she talked about; he was her reason for living. To lose Peter would not do her much harm, in the long run. At least, that was what Peter had accepted.

Now that Jersey was back, however, a light had entered his life that he had not recognised before. Before, the light had been slow to grow. And when it had disappeared, it had been like the falling of night. It was natural. Except the morning had never come. Until now. Peter didn’t know how to explain it. To Jersey he appeared changed; his acceptance of surprises and his willingness to shift in his schedule might be odd to her. But it was all for her.

“Jersey Parkman,” he said, repeating the words that spread the warmth across his lips. The memory added to his good humour; leaping over arms of couches to escape her advances, once, and now here they were. Engaged.

“I have changed,” he said, shifting a little. The fire was warm and the memories were strong. Memories of good times, right here. On this couch. “I didn’t know what I had lost and now that I have it back I don’t want to lose it again. I love you… Jersey Parkman. There’s more to life than a schedule. You are not part of my schedule. You are more than that. You are… above it. The schedule comes second, okay? You should know that,” he said. Not too long ago, he had allotted Jersey a certain amount of time in his night. Now? He realised that was the wrong way to go about it. Jersey would come first.

Again, he kissed her. Not a quick kiss. Not something hasty, but deep. A kiss to match his words. Proof as to their truth, their sincerity. There were already so many memories attached to this couch - and he wanted to add more.

<Jersey> “Mm, I don't know if I like hearing it from your lips more or saying it myself.” She would always be a Sinclair and told the name, but she would want to be able to honor her marriage when it happened, too. It made her happy as she giggled a bit, thinking of their relationship. Steps had been taken, they’d had their ups and downs.

Jersey straightened her ring on her finger. She couldn’t stop playing with it - she didn’t know if it was giddiness that made her so fidgety or happiness. Looking over the arm of the couch, she chuckled. She remembered the first time she had stepped into the cabin when she’d gone to walk the dogs. The first time she’d seen Peter when he'd first woken up and she’d gotten a fright, having expected him to be at work rather than in bed.

She looked to Peter again, curious as he begun to speak, her head tilting. “I love you, too, Peter Parkman.” Jersey scooted a bit closer to him on the couch, leaning forward to press a kiss to his cheek. “And alright… the schedule comes second.” It was something that surprised her, but she liked it. It had always been a compromise from the j his OCD had gotten worse, something she had accepted and gotten over quick, she'd adapted. Until she’d begun to try and pull him out of it, coming back.

“You won't lose it again.”

Her arms slipped around his shoulders as she returned the kiss, mindful of him as she slid into his lap. It had been where she was more comfortable. Euphoria traced through her body, her fingertips tracing against the back of his neck. She'd never been happier than she had at that moment, with him.

<Peter Parkman> There were no more questions. No more introductions to new topics of conversation. There was the satisfaction of reassurance; he wasn’t going to lose her again. She had said yes; she wore a ring on her finger that was the first step to binding the two of them together. Forever. They did not die. They were immortal. Given no reason why their lives should be cut short - aside from the destruction of the Earth - Peter could easily say that they would be together forever. Even if he didn’t quite like the word ‘forever’; the infinite nature of it. The exact number of days or hours or years could not be pinned down. But that was okay. It was dizzying, but in a good way. Because it was Jersey.

Once upon a time he had clambered over the back of the couch to get away from Jersey and her advances; too concerned for her safety and wanting to avoid, at all costs, the eventuality of a fadebeast baby, he had avoided her. Any hint that she gave that she wanted to have sex, Peter had backed away. And if they did fall into bed together, he’d spend the next couple of weeks touching her belly every evening, pressing his ear to the smooth expanse. Just to make sure.

For all his shortcomings, however, Peter was still a man. There were certain needs that he had, like every other man, that hadn’t been met at all for the duration of Jersey’s absence. And tonight was the perfect night. It was Christmas, and she had said yes.

As she straddled his lap, Peter’s fingers inched beneath the tight white top that she wore. He shimmied the bottom hem up until his fingers could touch her bare skin. It should have been hint enough. Jersey probably would have got the hint. Still - he cleared his throat.

“Can we have sex now?” he asked, gaze turning upward, eyes wide and inquisitive as waited for Jersey’s response. Maybe she did have other plans. Maybe she wasn’t in the mood. It was always polite to ask.

<Jersey> Time was something that she hadn’t quite put her mind to yet, but she was happy to contend with. To spend eternity with Peter, it was something that Jersey looked forward to, especially at that moment. She wouldn't leave him again, she had learned over time that he made her feel complete, whole. It was something that Jersey couldn’t quite explain other than calling it wrong. And she was happy to know that she wouldn’t feel wrong again, tracing her fingertips softly at the back of his neck. Simply enjoying the moment there in the cabin with him.

She slid her hands down, resting them on his chest as she situated herself on his lap. Her fingertips curled into his shirt and she moved to press her lips lightly to his jaw, moving slowly down to his neck, along the skin there. A content and soft noise of approval was made approval his touch, Jersey pulling back only when she heard him clear his throat.

At his question, she couldn't help the laugh that escaped past her lips and she looked down at Peter adoringly. “Yes, we can have sex now.” Despite the quirks and ways others didn’t see past, she loved him and she grinned lightly, leaning down to kiss him once more until a glint caught her attention. “But, one thing.”

Jersey pressed a kiss to his forehead before she leaned back a bit more so that she could access his wrist better. Skillfully, and in a way that she might have been embarrassed had it not been another situation, she removed his watch. “This stays off for tonight. I trust what you said, but it's either I tuck it away or I break it.” Jersey then tucked it into the couch cushion beside them, leaning in to nip his bottom lip playfully.

She couldn’t help but ask, “Couch or bed?”

<Peter Parkman> Peter knew that she would laugh. He didn’t laugh with her, though. He just blinked. It was a legitimate question, and the answer was still required. It was only when she answered in the affirmative that he smiled; excitement curled within his chest, blooming outwards to envelope his entire body. Nerve endings were frayed, seeking a certain kind of touch. A certain kind of satisfaction.

A satisfaction that was delayed, as Jersey reached for Peter’s wrist. He watched, confused, as she removed his watch. The time piece was soon tucked away. It didn’t bother Peter. From his vantage point, there were other clocks that he could see. The numbers were always there, in the back of his mind. Though he didn’t point it out - it wasn’t something that he himself acknowledged, on the surface. It was just a comforting subconscious knowledge - the time was never out of sight.

“I… am not sure why you keep buying me watches, then, if you don’t like them,” he said. Though it was a mumbled statement, one that didn’t require much of an answer. It didn’t require a discussion. As soon as he said it, he wished he hadn’t. He was eager to get on with the sex. So as soon as he’d mumbled the words he wished them away with a grin, his hands continuing their journey upward, seeking to remove any and all layers from Jersey’s upper half.

“Couch. I like this couch. There are memories attached to this couch. I think this will be a good one to add to it,” he said. The fire was still strong, the warmth eddying around them, gentle against their skin even though the city outside was frigid, like ice. In here, they were warm. Heart, body, and soul.

<Jersey> Jersey would never laugh maliciously towards him, she didn’t think she ever could. It was the simple things, such as his bluntness, that she found endearing about him. He had been that way when he'd told her about being a vampire, when she’d confronted him about lacking a shadow. Peter hadn’t bullshitted her, he’d tried denying it at first but it was something that was understandable. As she watched the smile on his lips, she was glad to know how far they’d come together.

“I like watches, fine.” She lifted a shoulder and glanced down to make sure it was out of sight. Jersey knew about the others, but she planned to make sure he wouldn’t be looking at them. “No time keeping, not tonight. Just us. You’ll fall asleep at sunrise as you always do.” She leaned down and brushed her lips against his, a soft smile tracing the curve of her mouth before she closed her eyes to enjoy his touch.

A shiver traced her spine and she moved when needed to help him, reopening her eyes as she felt her hair fall down her back once she was bare. “The couch it is.” She nodded and pushed his jacket off his shoulders for it to rest behind him until he would move. Then, later. Jersey didn’t care as she reached down to pull his shirt from his pants, afterwards her hands slid to his belt to undo it.

He was right. The couch held good memories, she couldn’t think of any negative as she leaned down to kiss his jaw, his neck and then his shoulder. Returning to his lips, she slid her hands back to his chest and pushed so that he would lay back.