The Fall (22 page)

Addison walked into the lounge room and sat next to Ace. Archer’s smile turned into a scowl, and Jake chuckled.

“Don’t scowl so much, brother. You will get wrinkles.” Archer went and pulled a bean bag from the corner of the room, pulling Addison down onto his lap. Ace looked at Archer and grinned smugly; glad to know he’d gotten a rise out of him.

“You know, your girl did seem to like my piercings.” He glanced at Addison. “Did you think I didn’t notice you checking them out, Addison?” His voice cracked with laughter. “I think she liked the tongue ring the best.” Addison made a noncommittal noise, and Jake burst out laughing. Archer’s grip on Addison’s hips got tighter, his fingers firmly digging into her.

Addison frowned. “We seriously need more women in this house.”

Archer lifted Addison around so she was straddling him and kissed her roughly, possessively. He stood with her and carried her off into his room, but not before stopping and pointedly staring at his brothers with his eyebrows raised, in a “Huh, I have her and you don’t kind” of way. Immature, maybe.

Addison rolled her eyes, then starting kissing Archer on his neck to distract him from the pissing contest. Archer took her into his room and laid her down on the bed.

“Okay I admit: the tongue ring was kinda hot,” Addison confessed. Archer growled and kissed her again, licking at her lips.

“You are mine, Addison. Don’t you ever question that, or I won’t be held accountable for my actions.”

Addison bit her lip nervously, which stopped Archer from proceeding with his next round of punishing kisses.

“Archer, I’m moving back to my apartment tomorrow. You know that, right?”

Archer sat up and stared at Addison defiantly. “Actually, love, I thought you could move in here. It’s safer, and I want you with me.” Archer brought her hand to his lips and kissed it attentively. Before Addison could answer, Archer smiled warmly.

“I have a surprise for you.” He lifted out a box from under his bed and gave it to her. She opened it to find the red dress he had bought for her. It was completely backless; the front modest, as if to make up for the former’s indecency. Mainly, it was because he didn’t want anyone else to see those luscious breasts. There were also a pair of simple diamond earrings, and Archer was happy to hear Addison gasp. Speechless, she looked up at Archer, her eyes shining with joy.

“I’m taking you somewhere tonight. We are leaving at eight.” He glanced at his watch. “That means we have about two hours to spare. I have a few suggestions on what we can do to occupy that time.” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, which made Addison giggle. At least, until he started undressing, then her smile fell away as her eyes heated lasciviously.

***

Addison couldn’t hide her excitement. She never liked getting her hopes up, but she couldn’t help but feel like tonight her life was going to change.

She had dressed up for the occasion. She wore the slinky dress that Archer had gotten her. It hugged her body and the back dipped low. Paired with black stilettos and some tasteful makeup, she felt good. Her smile was wide.

She walked into the kitchen where Jake and Archer were sitting. Jake whistled loud and low.

“Damn, Addy, you look smoking!”

Archer gave him a customary look of warning before coming over to her.

“You look beautiful, love,” he said, kissing her neck. “Absolutely beautiful.” Addison felt herself glow.

“Shall we get going?” Addison asked.

Archer nodded and walked outside with her in tow. He opened her door before getting into the car himself.

“So, where are we going?” she asked. He gave her a grin filled with mischief.

“It’s a surprise.” Addison felt her body tingle in anticipation.

They drove for about fifteen minutes before pulling into a lavish driveway. The house was gorgeous, but simple. The fences were high, and Addison got the feeling the owner didn’t really like people. When they knocked on the door and Quinn answered, Addison couldn’t hide her confusion.

“Come on in,” Quinn said, gesturing behind him. The inside was similar to the outside; simple and tasteful. Quinn led them into a room that has two simple armchairs and an additional swivel stool. There was also a table with an assortment of equipment. When Archer started taking off his shirt, Addison couldn’t hide her confusion any longer.

“What the heck are we doing?” she asked. Archer smiled at her.

“I’m getting your name tattooed on me.” Addison couldn’t hide her shock.

“What?” she asked incredulously. Quinn slid out of the room.

“This is forever, Addison,” he said with sincerity. “I want you in my life.” Addison smiled at his sincerity but couldn’t help but feel disappointed. Had she really thought he was going to propose?

Quinn came back into the room wearing rubber gloves. He sat on the stool facing Archer’s back. Taking a pen he drew an elaborate design. Her name was written in script with markings surrounding it.

“What do those marks mean?”

Archer looked at her adoringly. “They mean “eternity” in our angel language, the one you heard Jake and me speaking in previously.”

Addison knew how lucky she was to have a man like Archer. He was thoughtful, committed, and attentive. If marriage wasn’t a priority for him, she wouldn’t press the matter.

Quinn changed gloves and prepared the tattoo gun. Addison felt nervous for Archer, although he was sitting there patiently. It was the sound that she found most uncomfortable. The buzzing seemed to drill into her eardrums, as though it was getting closer and closer.

As she watched the needle drag along his skin, leaving a line of cut skin and blood, she decided to turn away and focus on Archer. His face remained impassive, his defined features betraying no sign that he was in pain. He looked up at her with an excited smile, and she couldn’t help but grin back. He never ceased to amaze her.

A few hours later, Quinn was covering the fresh tattoo with some clear wrapping, taping the edges.

“Thanks man,” Archer told him before turning to Addison. “I’ve made dinner reservations, so let’s go eat.” She nodded and stood up, giving Quinn a wave goodbye. She couldn’t help but feel he wasn’t the hugging type.

***

Archer noticed that Addison was being a little distant at dinner. He was worried that he’d moved too fast, and the tattoo had scared her. When he asked if she was okay, she gave him a reassuring smile, and patted his hand affectionately. Maybe he was over-analysing things. On the other hand, maybe she was doing that thing that women do where they don’t tell you how they feel but expect you to just know. Still, Addison didn’t seem like the type to play games.

By the time they got home, Archer’s back had healed completely. Jake was sitting at the kitchen table assembling Legos.

“Hey guys,” he said, not looking up. He let out a groan and dropped what he was working on. “Is it just me, or has this stuff gotten way more complicated over the last few decades?” Archer assumed the question was rhetorical as Jake didn’t wait for an answer, but turned his attention back to the small blocks. He looked at Addison who gave him a confused shrug before she pulled out a few beers and handed one to each of them.

“I’m going to jump in the shower,” she said, making her way to her room. “Pick a movie to watch, ‘kay?” Archer watched as she left, admiring the way her hips swayed before turning to Jake.

“I think Addy is upset.” Jake looked up, his Legos forgotten in the face of his brother’s problems. Annoying bastard though he could be, Archer loved that about his brother. He was always there for him.

“What happened?” he asked, all business. Archer went through the details of the night. By the time he’d finished, Jake was shaking his head, and staring at Archer as though he were short a few brain cells.

“What?” Archer asked, clueless.

“Dude, you need to watch more romantic comedies,” Jake said with amusement. “Look, you told Addy to get dressed up and ready for a surprise after you’d gone through a traumatic experience and declared your undying love for one another. What do you think she was expecting?”

Archer shrugged, having no idea where Jake was going.

“She thought you were going to propose.”

“Propose what?” Archer was incredulous.

“Propose that you both go and get mani-pedis. Marriage, you idiot,” Jake slapped his hand against his forehead in frustration, looking like he wanted to bang Archer’s head against the wall. Archer froze.

“She … she thought I was going to ask her to marry me?”

“Well, yeah, I would think so. She is a woman, Arch.” Archer thought about it, and it made sense. As someone whose word God held as of little matter, he hadn’t really thought about marriage. Besides, to him it had become little more than a show of extravagance, having very little to do with love and promises. Especially after people started divorcing one another as often as they get a haircut.

“That … makes sense,” he said, dazedly.

“Do you want to marry her?” Jake was nothing if not blunt.

“I want to spend my life with her. If marriage is important to her, then there is no one else I’d rather share that with.”

“Then go fix this, dumbass.” With that, Jake turned his attention back to the Legos, a look of consternation returning to his face.

***

Addison couldn’t hide her surprise when Archer stormed into the bathroom, his eyes determined. He kicked off his shoes and stepped into the shower with her. His shirt and jeans were drenched in seconds, but he didn’t seem to notice.

“Archer …” she began but quieted when he dropped down to one knee. He looked up at her with a look filled with love.

“Addison, I love you. I love you so much, more than I ever imagined I could love someone. You’ve changed my life. I have spent thousands of years thinking I would never be this happy, thinking I didn’t deserve to be this happy. The truth is, any man would think the universe was off if he were lucky enough to spend his life with you. I’m asking that you let me be that man. Addy, baby, will you marry me?” Addison dropped down to him, essentially straddling him. She thought nothing of her nudity or the water but was focused solely on the man before her.

“Archer, I love you, and nothing would make me happier than being your wife.” Caressing his cheeks, she pulled him in for a deep kiss, filling it with her love for him. She pulled away and looked at him, her lips quirking into a smile. “What took you so damn long, anyway?”

“I guess I’m just stupid,” he said, smiling. He pulled something from his pocket.

“Is that Malachi’s cuff?” she asked in confusion.

“Yes,” he said. “It’s much more than that.” He ran his hand over the gold item, whispering a chant in Enochian. It began to glow and transform. The gold was remodelling itself, forming a cup.

“Archer, is that …?” she said, unable to finish her sentence.

“Yes,” he said, his eyes glowing with happiness. “The Holy Grail.”

**

Epilogue

Addison was nervous as the doors to the church opened. She was sure she wanted to spend her life with Archer. She wasn’t so sure that she’d be able to walk down the aisle without tripping. When she looked up and saw Archer waiting at the end, a smile on his face, her worries slipped away. All she could see and think about was him.

The procession was slow, each step bringing her closer to the man she would spend her life with. “All Of Me” by John Legend played softly in the background as Kitty and Jake walked down the aisle, side by side. She didn’t have any other friends but was happy to keep the wedding small. She stepped out. Seeing Archer at the end of the aisle, she couldn’t seem to be able to get to him fast enough. Finally she was before him. Her father kissed her on the cheek before giving her hand over to Archer. She looked up at him.

“You look beautiful, Addy,” he told her, his eyes warm.

“You clean up pretty good yourself,” she told him, in the understatement of the year. He looked amazing in a fitted black suit, a slim tie around his neck. His beautiful brown eyes were fixed on her, that sensual mouth giving her a permanent smile. Chance, their celebrant, cleared his throat.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate this beautiful union between Addison O’Donnell and Archer Lucas.” Addison smiled, loving that her new surname would be a tribute to Archer’s mother. She had encouraged him to use Archius rather than Archer, but he said it was easier to stick with Archer. She didn’t really mind.

“I have been lucky enough to know Archer for a long time. Sometimes, it seems like thousands of years.” There were a few snickers from the crowd. “He is a good man; kind, strong, and caring. In all our time as friends, I have never seen him so happy.”

Chance turned to Addison. “Addison, you complete him. You are perfect for him, and you make him a better man. Never have I seen two people who complement one another more. You are meant to be, and I wish you a life of happiness. Please, bring the rings and exchange your vows.”

Addison mouthed a thank you before turning to Kitty, her maid-of-honour, who held Archer’s ring. Archer took her ring from Jake, his best man.

Addison went first. “Archer, I take you as you are. I love who you are now, and who you are yet to become. I hope to grow with you, change with you, listen to you, and learn from you. I will support you and accept your support. I’ll celebrate your triumphs as my own, and mourn your losses as though they are mine. I will love you and have faith in your love for me, for the rest of eternity.” Smiling, she slid the ring onto his finger.

Archer took her hand. “Addison, I have always taken life so seriously, and it has cost me happiness. You taught me how to let go, and how to live. You gave me life. I promise to spend the rest of our lives together, proving to you that I deserve you. You are my everything, love, and I plan on giving you my everything. You saved me.”

Tears slid down Addison’s face as he slid her dainty ring on her finger.

Chance, smiling, brought forward a stunning archaic cup. It was time. Turning their backs to the crowd so that the humans wouldn’t see, Archer took a small dagger from his jacket and cut along his wrist. Blood dripped into the cup and it was passed to Addison. Smiling at Archer, trying not to think about the fact that she was about to drink his blood, she gulped it down in one go.