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***Christian's POV***

"Hold on." I speak loudly to Leah as she holds tightly to the rusting metal bar. My fingers grip every other rail while I spin the merry go round with as little strength as I can. Her blonde hair flies effortlessly through the night air whipping around to cover her face. Josie squeals manically as he holds on for dear life. Tony's guffaws are loud amid the abandoned park.

I smile as our beloveds enjoy the feeling of spinning around. Josie is still just as childlike as a vampire as he was as a human. Given the fact that he has little to call a childhood, I am glad to be providing him with memories that he can enjoy.

"Timeout." Leah giggles as she holds her ribs. I slowly bring the spinning apparatus to a complete stop. Watching as Leah comes off of the merry go round, I jump forward to help her wobbly steps. Tony grabs Josie up quickly stopping him from face planting when his legs betray him.

"That was fun." Josie giggles while Tony kisses his neck, essentially scenting the boy who is none the wiser. Not that I think that Josie would mind even if he was not oblivious. Josie is smitten with his Sire.

"What's next?" Leah bounces beside me while grabbing a hold of my arm. I turn to her, letting her see my smile. I am so thankful that she is having a good time.

"What would you like to do?" I tease lightly as my beloved looks around the park. She darts off towards the swings. A child like laughter fills the air behind her as she freely moves through the small park. I quickly rush to follow her.

As we both take a seat in the side by side swings, I am at a disadvantage. Leah is already peaking the top of the swing set before I am even able to remember how the thing works. I don't miss the way Leah pokes her tongue at me as she swooshes past me. I quickly try to catch up.

Pulling my legs in, I kick out hard, unsatisfied with my initial momentum. After a few more pumps of my legs, Leah and I pass by one another like opposite pendulums. Leah kicks her legs forward while leaning back allowing her sun kissed blonde hair to cascade towards the damp Earth.

Lost in the sight of my beloved, I don't notice that I am not keeping up with my legs pumping. At a slow drift from back to front, my feet drag the sand before I am completely still. Leah passes by me again and again. I am so captivated by the smile that shines from Leah's deep lips I can't possibly continue to swing.

The moving picture continues to tease me as Leah escapes into the juvenile world where the only matter of substance is the wind in her hair, the swinging of her body as it moves through time. It's hypnotic to see her in such a peaceful state. I just continue to observe her every facial expression. The serenity makes her seem much younger than she is.

"She is beautiful." Josie walks over to me on my left side, out of harm's way. He smiles at me from his stance. I smile briefly towards him without completely losing sight of Leah.

"I am not sure that she has ever been so free to be herself. Imagine the beauty she bottles inside trying so hard not to give other's anything to steal from her. You two are so much alike. It makes me sad thinking of both of you. You were prisoners inside of your own worlds. That's not fair." I whisper my worry into the air hoping that Leah isn't listening. I don't want the weight of my epiphany to break her moment.

"It's not fair. It wasn't. However, Christian, you have a way of healing that. You do it so naturally, saving the lost even when they don't feel worthy of salvation. What may have been unfair has lead me to all of this. Don't mourn for the victims while they are busy celebrating the journey. It's unfair for us transfer our sorrow on to you. I'm willing to bet that your beloved feels the same." Josie places a kiss on my cheek before disappearing once again to find his Sire. His words have his intended effect. I allow the pain to ease as I replace it with the memories.

This is a new beginning. Tonight is my first chance to instill love and joy into my beloved. I refuse to allow what she has gone through to dictate my actions. Instead, I will fill her with so many new memories that the old ones will need to take a backseat.

"Christian, that was exhilarating. It's almost as good as flying through the treetops or running at top speed." Leah huffs gently, panting away the breaths as she smiles broadly. Her cheeks are flushed while her nose is tinged red from the wind burn.

"It was nice to see you smile so freely, love. Happy looks good on you." I reach for Leah's hand to get out of my own swing. I am surprised when Leah moves to sit on my lap without being prompted.

As Leah lays her head on my shoulder, I sway gently in the swing. I wrap one arm around her while keeping a firm grip on the chain. Leah hums softly while we swing back and forth in companionable silence.

"Do you think this is how it feels when teenagers first start dating?" Leah looks up at me sweetly. The sparkle in her blue eyes makes me want to break out a triumphant grin. Instead, I shrug. I wouldn't know how teenagers feel. I'm over a century old. This is my first taste of being smitten.

"I suppose so. I imagine that seeing the person that you choose to be with happy is something akin to the way I feel in this moment. Leah, your happiness, your safety, it is all that matters to me. You are who I want to protect, nurture and eventually love."

"I can't promise this is going to be easy Christian. I'm not a typical young woman. I mean, I am a shifter, after all. My life has been difficult in many ways. That has not left me unscathed. Please understand that I wish to never cause you pain. However, I cannot make a promise of smooth sailing. I do promise this, if you are willing to be patient, I will give this my best effort." Leah snuggles into me. I stop the swing so that both of my arms can wrap completely around my beloved.

"I have no false hope of miracles. Your effort is all I ask for. Let me take the lead when you feel lost. All I want, is this chance. I won't break you. I can't. You don't have to worry over my intentions. My every dream is to see you happy." I pick Leah's chin up softly. My hand slides around her jaw as I descend carefully upon her lips. Leah lifts to meet my lips, helping to mold us together quickly.

The kiss is tender. I do not slide my tongue between her parting lips. My lips gently move with hers, allowing us to convey our promises with a seal of flesh. I feel Leah'a hand as she cups my neck. The pull of her hand brings us closer. She beckons the kiss to go deeper which I willingly comply.

Without haste, we entangle our tongues. My heart pounds with the passion that builds for this beautiful girl. Before I realize, Leah is straddling me, lifting up at her hips as she kisses me from above. Her fingers dig into my shoulders and the bottom of my skull. A small moan slips from her sweet mouth, echoing inside of my own.

My hands grip her thighs, steadying the rocking motion as she gets lost in the moment. My body stirs as she sparks my emotions with the intensity of her touch. Sexual tension builds, mirroring the heat that is trapped between our lusting bodies. Of course, my smaller me does nothing to encourage decency. Standing at half mast, my cock twitches with every wanton moan that continuously vibrates in my kitten's chest.

"Baby, calm, please." I stroke her thighs with my thumbs trying to get her to settle down. If she continues, she may find herself pressed against a tree with my urges demanding more from her willing body. I am trying to be good. I don't want to behave at all.

"Later." Leah pulls away slowly. My lips chase hers as I seek one last kiss. A small peck is my reward, followed by consecutive kisses that threaten my sanity. Her body does little to hide the sexual arousal that she builds with her continuous affection.

"I promise." I stand quickly, moving my legs to the ground after setting Leah on her own feet. My junior adamantly disagrees with my chivalry. Wanting nothing more than to claim her body at this very moment, I breathe slowly to help dispel the lust racing in my veins.

"Are you hungry?" I take Leah's hand, sliding it around my waist while I sling my arm over her shoulder.

"In more ways than one." Leah giggles at her own hint. A chuckle leaves my lips. I will deliver my promise later, after we have food.

Walking towards Tony and Josie, I smile as I see them chasing one another around the trees. Josie shows off his new speed while Tony pretends that he is not as quick as I know him to be. Witnessing my Sire hold back, for his beloved's amusement, brings joy to the surface. Tony has always been a nurturing handler. It appeases me to see him continue, especially when it comes to the boy that holds his heart.

"When you two are ready, I believe it is time to quiet our roaring stomachs." I laugh as Leah rubs her tummy. It growls loudly, admitting it is indeed time to be fed.

"Now is good." Josie laughs as he launches himself into Tony's unsuspecting back. Tony catches Josie easily, pulling him to his chest before hugging him firmly.

"I love you, although you take advantage of me my love." Tony pecks Josie's lips. Josie smirks with his angelic curls bouncing softly.

"Where to?" Tony walks towards the truck without really directing the question to anyone in particular.

Josie and Leah both answer Italian in unison. This is quite amusing. The two have more in common than I knew. Both would rather eat pasta over anything else.

"Then Italian it is." With that, Tony slides Josie into the seat. Leah and I take the back of the cab. I let her in first before sliding in beside her. Leah scoots closer to me than necessary. It is a victory on my behalf. Her tiny steps towards affection are evidence that she is indeed trying to fulfill her end of our promises.

As we eat, Josie goes in to full detail about his wishes regarding another date. My eyes roll playfully when he brings up a trip to the beach. It is not a terrible inconvenience but, we are not accustomed to full sun. However, knowing that Leah has confirmed her desire for such a trip, I agree enthusiastically.

By the time we make it home, I'm exhausted. The trip took longer than expected. I am not complaining. It was an amazing night having Leah open up to me willingly. I am thankful for the advances in our relationship.

I slip into bed beside my beloved after getting ready only moments before. I sigh in contentment when Leah curls up against my chest. My eyes close on their own accord before they open just as unsolicited.

Leah rakes her nails down my chest before kissing my flesh with her tongue chasing her lips. It takes only a few assaults of those full lips before my body is ready to make good on my promise from earlier in the night. I encourage her by pulling her up onto my chest.

The night moves forward with our bodies speaking words that we have no energy to convey. Every touch, every kiss, every small moan of enjoyment sends thrills through me. Leah takes command as she mounts me without prompting. I get lost in the movements of her hips as they rock across my lap. Hours pass with our bodies connected as closely as possible.

It is only after we both reach our climax that a yawn slips from Leah's lips. As her chest rises and falls to match my own labored breaths, she positions herself with her back to my chest. I wrap my arms around my beautiful beloved whispering sweet everythings into her ear. Leah's breath tapers into soft puffs of air while I consume the peace between us. I slip into a restful slumber knowing that tonight I made the best of my first chance.