Indwell (Chasing Natalie's Ghosts) (17 page)

“I don’t want you to worry. I am not going to leave you. I am here to keep you safe. I am all yours now, I promise,” he assured me. I wanted so much to believe him. I wrapped my arms around him. I didn’t want to be alone like that again. I needed him more than I realized. He was my protector now. Adam saved me from myself but Hayden had to save me from the living departed.

“I have been capturing Geist’s for many years now and I know their limits. They may not have boundaries like the other spirits but they do have limits,” he told me over lunch later that day, when he felt I was ready to hear more.

“I am compensated when I deliver them to the Seekers. They keep order in this realm and the next.” I was still as Hayden said this.

“I remember the first time Adam kissed me. He disappeared for hours, thinking he would have to face condemnation for breaking some rule. He was seriously worried he would be punished,” I told Hayden.

“Was he worried about you or the others?” I asked.

“Possibly, but I don’t believe kissing someone that doesn’t object was high on my list for capture. Although for personal reasons I would have delivered him,” he said smiling at me. I was silent after this.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you,” he said moving closer, reaching for my hand. I nodded.

“Why did you have to capture Bradley?” I couldn’t help but ask, he was my friend and very sweet, he was so young. Hayden sighed and looked at me seriously.

“Bradley was a child, he was alone and believed Shelly was his mother. Do you remember seeing his bedroom? Were there any pictures on the walls of him? Did you see Shelly talk to him at all?” Hayden waited for me to go over all this. All I could do was shake my head. When I talked with Bradley, we were always alone, either outside or in the living room alone watching T.V.

“The only time I remember seeing him talk to anyone was with Joe, I mean was with you. He wasn’t afraid of you?” I asked.

“He didn’t know who I was. He accepted the fact that he could only talk to a few people. You made him very happy, but I knew I couldn’t let him stay there. I met Shelly through another Seeker. Shelly knew the spirit of a small boy was in her house and she wanted the child to leave. I was asked to do it. Shelly knew why I was there.” Hayden was still staring at me as he explained this.

“Why did you use a different name then?” I wished I had realized it was him earlier.

“That my darling is a long story, which I will explain another time.” He abruptly stood up and began cleaning up. As I watched him move around the kitchen I compared him to the man I first met all those years ago. The only difference I could see was that his hair was shorter. He really hadn’t aged at all. I couldn’t believe I didn’t recognize him earlier.

After lunch I went to go lie down. I was still feeling tired after being out so late. When I awoke, I realized I had been sleeping for over four hours. I walked out into the living room and there was Hayden smiling at me. He had pink balloons and pink and white roses everywhere.

“What is this about?” I asked, shocked.

“Do you know what day it is today?”

“No. Not really,” I haven’t really looked a calendar in a while.

“Do you know what month it is?” I could tell he was holding back laughter.

“Oh my god. Yes!” I laughed, finally remembering it was my birthday.

“Wow, I completely forgot. That is so crazy. I guess with everything going on I just simply forgot. How did you know?” I hugged him tightly, jumping up and down. He reached for me and kissed me sweetly.

“Your mother called to wish you a happy birthday. You’ll have to call her back. Now come here my little birthday girl. How many spankings do you get today or would you rather kisses?” He reached for my hand and led me to the kitchen.

“Eighteen kisses would be much nicer than spankings, but I’ll let you decide,” I winked at him, grinning.

Hayden was sweet enough to order in for dinner and he even had time, while I was napping, to buy me a beautiful birthday cake. I had never seen a cake look so lavish. It was covered in pink, white and yellow roses. It had three layers and each creamy center just melted in my mouth. I was so happy.

“Thank you Hayden, this is so beautiful, so perfect.” He kissed me and placed a small box in my hands.

“Oh, Hayden, you shouldn’t have,” I was shocked to be given a gift.

“Please, open it.”

“Thank you Hayden.” I undid the pretty pink bow and opened the case. Inside was a beautiful pair of diamond earrings. They were so bright. I could actually see them twinkling in the light. I was stunned by this expensive gift.

“Hayden, thank you so much, they’re so beautiful. You spoil me.” I had tears in my eyes again. He put the earrings on me and kissed my neck. I tingled everywhere.

“You look beautiful Natalie.” I looked into his eyes, feeling so overwhelmed.

Later that evening we curled up to watch another movie when his phone rang. He quickly went to answer it.

“Yes!” he replied.

“I see,” he said flatly, not expressing any emotion.

“That can be a problem,” he continued.

“I will be in touch.” He ended the conversation and placed the phone down. He came back over to me and held me tight in his arms.

“Is there anything I should be worried about?” I asked sensing his tension as he held me.

“No my darling, please don’t worry. I’m not leaving you tonight,” he said, as though he had to convince himself of this. I tried to smile but I wasn’t feeling very calm now. After the movie I was getting ready for bed in Hayden’s room, when he called me. I walked out of his room and he held my hand as he led me toward the tub. When did he do this? He had the tub full and it was overflowing with rose scented bubbles. He had lit candles all around the tub and strewn rose petals on the sides and on the floor. He had carefully placed a large glass full of sparkling champagne on the ledge.

“For you my darling Natalie, please relax and enjoy,” he said grinning. I was giggling as I wrapped my arms around him. I hugged him and looked up waiting for him to kiss me. He kissed my forehead and told me to soak. I was concerned by this reaction, so many mixed emotions from him. I let go of him and began to undress before he had a chance to leave. I heard him sigh as he turned to leave and closed the door. I climbed into the warm water. It was wonderful. I turned the jets on and enjoyed the feeling of the water swirling around me. There was a knock on the door.

“Come in,” I told him. He slowly opened the door.

“Are you decent?” he asked

“Yes, all the bubbles have been strategically placed so as not to offend you,” I replied feeling a little rejected again.

“Good,” he answered as he walked over to the side of the tub and looked at me sweetly, smiling.

“Sometimes you confuse me,” I told him.

“I’m sorry,” he said, with a look of anguish. “I just don’t know if my being here with you is wrong or not and it scares me.”

“You, Hayden, the most in-control person I have ever met is scared? If being with me feels good then it can’t be wrong. So I guess the only question you have to answer is does it feel good?” I said sinking in to the tub and then rising back up to reach his waist. I knew I was starting to expose myself as I knelt in the tub. He ran his hands down my back reaching my lower back and stopped. He kissed me with more urgency then I have ever felt from him before. I pulled him closer to me.

“You really shouldn’t tempt me the way you do,” he sighed as he pulled away from me.

“I’ll be waiting for you when you’re done.” He turned to leave as I sunk down into the tub again. I noticed a smile cross his face as he left the room. I decided I would let him wait for me. I soaked and enjoyed the scents and the warmth. I eventually rinsed and emptied the tub. I toweled off and put on the new red nightie Hayden gave me earlier. I decided to pass on the robe tonight. If I was cold then Hayden would just have to warm me up. I combed my hair and rubbed lotion on my arms and legs. I smelled like a newly blossomed Lily. I walked out to the living room and saw Hayden reading on the couch. He almost dropped his book as soon as he saw me. We both knew that there would be no resisting tonight. He quickly walked over and put his arms around my waist. Kissing me sweetly, he picked me up and carried me to his room, closing the door behind him with his foot. He laid me down and slid onto the bed beside me. He touched my face, looking me in the eyes he rolled on top of me, careful not to put his weight on me, he kissed my neck and my chest, moving further down, I was trembling with pleasure.

“Oh Hayden,” I moaned. He came back up and kissed me so eagerly. He was pressing himself against me and I wanted to feel him so much. I ran my hands down his back, scratching him. He kissed me hard and I bit his lip. He didn’t flinch as he continued to love me.

“I love you Natalie, you belong to me,” Hayden whispered. I have heard this before, but coming from Hayden it was different. He held me in his arms as we lay on our sides, exhausted. He kissed my shoulder and neck. I was still trembling. I was so happy at that moment that all my fears of the other ones vanished. All that mattered was that Hayden loved me and wanted me. I belonged to him now.

13. LESSONS

Hayden and I secluded ourselves for days. We spent every moment together. We barely left the apartment. It was like a slumber party that didn’t end in the morning. We had food delivered. Hayden even had champagne and chocolate covered strawberries delivered just for me. I have never felt so adored. I knew it would have to eventually come to an end. My doubts still lingered though. I used to believe that nothing good could last forever, until I met Adam. Adam gave me hope. He made me believe that happiness could be a part of my world but then he left me. I tried not to blame him anymore, it just hurt a lot and it shattered my faith. Now I have Hayden but I still have my doubts as to how long this bliss will last. I try and tell myself to take a step back and brace myself for the inevitable, but I can’t. I want to be in the moment. Taking a step back would hurt. For now, I have thrown myself into the world and if it all ends tomorrow then I’ll just have to deal with it tomorrow.

I slowly awoke to Hayden stroking my head and kissing my bare shoulders. I moaned and rolled over grabbing his face between my hands and kissed him. He stood and put on his robe and turned to look at me. He was smiling but I could tell by the look in his eyes that he had something else on his mind.

“Is something wrong?” I asked, sitting up leaning against the pillows.

“I have to tell you something. I’ll meet you in the kitchen after my shower,” he said as he left the room. I laid there praying this wasn’t the end I was so worried about. It seemed too soon. Maybe I was too easy, he liked the challenge better. What have I done? I have to change his mind somehow. I climbed out of bed and walked to the dresser. Hayden had given me a few drawers even though all I needed was one. He had told me he wanted to take me shopping. He said he didn’t want his doll to just look good at bedtime. He was too good to me. I knew something was going to ruin this for me, I just hoped it wouldn’t be so soon. I slowly grabbed my clothes and dressed. What was the point in showering for this? I was having trouble keeping the tears from falling when I finally walked out to the living room. Hayden was already dressed and making coffee. He noticed my mood immediately because he dropped the coffee and came running over to me. He held my shoulders and looked straight into my eyes searching.

“What is it? Did you hurt yourself?” he questioned me.

“No, physically I’m fine I’m just trying to prepare myself for this `talk’?” I said looking up at him, taking a deep breath. He just looked at me for a minute, slowly understanding what I was afraid of. He held me close and kissed me.

“No silly, we are not having that talk, at least I don’t want to have that talk?” he questioned my devotion.

“As if I want to leave you,” I said holding his waist, resting my head against his chest. He squeezed me and led me to the stool in the kitchen while he finished making the coffee. He was smiling now, as if he was laughing at some inside joke.

“What?” I asked, starting to feel embarrassed for being so insecure.

“I am just so happy that you are here, I can’t imagine what I did for you to think I was going to let you leave,” he explained. I smiled, loving the security he wanted me to feel.

“It was just your serious request to
talk
. I didn’t know what could be so serious so I started thinking the worst,” I told him.

“I see, well I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound so severe but I am starting to run out of time and I need your help,” he said mysteriously.

“What could you possibly need my help with?” I asked sipping the coffee he placed in front of me.

“Oh I can think of a few things,” he said grinning, coming around to sit on the stool beside me.

“Well that doesn’t sound so serious,” I said placing my foot on his leg. He smiled then quickly looked away trying to compose himself for the discussion he needed to have with me.

“Millicent and Joshua explained a lot to you a few days ago. What I need to do now is tell you exactly what I do and why,” he explained. I grabbed his hand.

“I am ready, I promise I won’t run.” Leading him toward the couch, I knew this was going to be a long discussion and I wanted to be comfortable for it.

“I’m ready now,” I said giving Hayden my complete attention. He smiled.

“Yes, I believe you are ready,” he squeezed my hands, kissed them then took a deep breath.

“I am a hunter of ghosts, as I have told you before. I seek them out. My reasons for this are all noble I assure you. I am not the devil and I am not evil as Adam may have told you,”

I shuddered out of habit when I hear Adam’s name, even coming from Hayden. He quickly glanced away as if I had slapped him and I immediately felt awful. I reached for his face and stroked his cheek, thankfully he smiled and nodded. He continued on.

“I do not do séances or exorcisms. I don’t believe in any of that, but that’s not to say that there are no body snatchers around, I have just been lucky enough not to run into one. I can’t imagine the young ones being able to concentrate enough to do it, but a ghost that has spent many years walking amongst the living may be able to figure it out.” He stopped to watch my face, to make sure I was still with him and not looking at the door. I grinned.