I felt Elijah's lips brushing against the skin of my neck before he pulled away, his eyes searching mine for a moment before his lips curved into a gentle smile. Turning slightly, he leaned against the headboard, pulling me carefully against his side as he reached over and grabbed the book.

"Are you ready for your story, Love? You seem to be enjoying this one." He waited for my slow nod before opening to the bookmarked page, his voice soft as he began reading the words printed upon the paper.

I curled into his side more, one hand slowly reaching over to grasp his shirt and hold tight. Like a child ensuring they would not be left alone.

--------

"It looks like your hands are finally healed, Love! Although, I am afraid the scars will likely never fully fade away..." I slowly looked up, hearing the sorrow within his voice at the last words.

"Love?" The word whispered past my lips, barely able to be heard.

"Of course I still love you! Scars or no, you are still the most beautiful, precious person in the world to me. And anyone who would even think otherwise deserves nothing but the most painful death imaginable." His laughter filled my ears as Elijah leaned in to place a kiss upon my lips, brushing against them again and again before pulling away. "You don't ever have to worry about me leaving you, Love. It is simply never going to happen. Even if I have to kill to keep you with me."

"Love... You.... Elijah..." He smiled happily at my quiet words, my eyes bright for a moment before growing dim again.

--------

"I was thinking we could watch a movie together, Love. A special treat, since you are feeling so much better of late. Would you like that?" Eli's breath was warm upon the skin of my shoulder as he whispered the words, his lips brushing against my skin softly.

"A movie..." My voice was only slightly stronger than it had been a few days ago as I responded, my mind healing much slower than my body had. "Yes... A movie... With Eli..."

"I'll get it ready then! Please stay here until I get back, Precious!" He nearly jumped off the bed in excitement at my answer.

He was so... Cute.

--------

"Careful, Love. Take the steps as slow as you need to. You haven't been walking around enough yet and you still need to gain your strength. Just let me know if you need any help, ok Love?" I could hear the worry in Eli's voice as I took the stairs one at a time, slowly making my way down to the room that held his vast movie collection.

"Yes, Eli... Careful, Love..." I told him, wondering which movie we would watch this time. We had managed to watch several together already, each one slowly writing over old memories and building a new feeling of warmth within my mind.

If only my heart could warm so easily.

--------

"Did you enjoy the movie today, My Precious? I picked it out special, just for you! Was it to your liking?" His sweet voice washed over me as the ending credits to Phantom of the Opera scrolled past on the giant tv screen.

"Yes... Thank you... My Dearest Eli..."

His lips pressed eagerly against my own at my answer before he gently pushed me down into the cushions.