"Lead the way my subject."
As they walked to the stable, Jackson asked, "Any idea what car you want to take?"
"I think maybe the yellow Lamborghini."
"Ah, the Murciélago , good choice." He retrieved the keys from the board and tossed them to her.
"No, you drive; I'll drive on the way home, okay?"
"Sure. Where would you like to go?"
"Want to go apple picking?"
"Great I know just the place. They have a restaurant. We can have lunch when we're done."
***
When they returned, Elisabeth said, "It's such a beautiful day. Let's go to the park and feed the ducks."
"All right, let me just run in and get some bread. Wait here."
Sarah was in the kitchen. "Where's Elisabeth?"
"Outside. We're going to Coronet Park."
"How's it going?"
"I keep putting it off."
"You know, you don't have to do it today."
He contemplated her words for a moment, then shook his head. "Yes I do. I need this behind us."
***
They walked through the woods arm in arm. When they reached the park, they sat on the same bench they shared last time. As ducks waddled toward them, Elisabeth chuckled. "You know, these ducks are the reason I agreed to go out with you."
"Really? I guess I owe them a lot more than bread then."
"I thought I had you all figured out, and then you showed up with bread. It just seemed so sweet. I wanted to know you."
"I'm happy you changed your mind, and I will be forever grateful to my friends here."
Walking through the woods near the house, Elisabeth pulled Jackson's arm. "Are you ever going to tell me what's bothering you?" He stopped and closed his eyes. She faced him and held his hands. "I'm worried about you."
He put his arms around her, held her close and spoke into her hair. "I need to tell you something that is going to change everything for you, and I am so afraid of losing you, I just don't know how."
Elisabeth pulled back see his eyes; they were tortured. "Trust me."
He inhaled deeply and his hands started to shake. "I have been keeping something about myself from you. Please believe that I love you, and I would rather die than hurt you."
"Of course, I believe you."
"Do you have any knowledge of the supernatural?"
"Yes, quite a bit actually."
Jackson gazed into her eyes, trying to convey all his feelings as he said, "I am a vampire." He braced himself for the fear or disbelief that did not come. What he found in her eyes instead was profound sadness.