"You can't know that for sure," Alex protested.
"Yes I can. He's an immortal. It's different with them. It took me a long time to see that, but it is." She shook her head with disgust, and muttered, "I swear if Mom and Dad were here, I'd have a word or two to say to them."
Alex raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Mom and Dad were okay."
"Then how come we're so screwed up?" she asked dryly. "They weren't around most of the time, Alex. And when they were, they were pretty critical and demanding rather than loving and supportive." Her mouth twisted bitterly. "Do you know I left Mortimer dangling for eight months before agreeing to the turn? Why? Because I didn't feel like I could hold his attention, that it must be some mistake, that he couldn't possibly love me. I was scared silly he'd suddenly notice I wasn't good enough and perfect like Mom and Dad always insisted we had to be. It wasn't just my ex that made me feel that way. It was because Mom and Dad seemed to love that damned business more than they did us."
Alex stared at her wide-eyed, recognizing every feeling she'd just described. It was kind of shocking to realize that Sam had come out the same way. "Do you think Jo feels like that?"
"I don't think so," Sam said on a sigh. "She was younger, and we both looked after her and gave her the love and support Mom and Dad didn't."
They were silent for a minute, and then Sam said, "I know you're afraid of making a mistake, and I know it's scary. But if you love Cale, then say yes, Alex. The alternative is to lose him forever as well as-"
Alex raised an eyebrow. "As well as what? "
Sam hesitated, but then shook her head. "Nothing. Just take a chance and say yes. I know Jack hurt you, but would you really rather not have enjoyed the year you did have before he betrayed you? Do you really want to give up centuries of being with Cale on the off chance that something might go wrong in the future? He's been alive more than two thousand years and never met a life mate before this. Trust me, he will cherish you."
"Two thousand years?" Alex gasped.
"Oh." Sam grimaced. "I thought you knew."
"Two thousand?" Alex asked.
"Yeah, he was born in 280 B.C. or something. He's pretty old, huh?"
"That's kind of an understatement, don't you think?" Alex asked dryly. "He's fricking ancient."
"Yeah." Sam nodded. "But he still looks good."
Alex gave a snort of laughter, and then sighed and ran a hand wearily through her hair.
"You look exhausted," Sam said sympathetically.
"I haven't slept since I got here," Alex admitted.
Sam's eyebrows rose. "Why not?"
"I was thinking. Trying to decide what to do."
"Alex, you've never been any good at decision making when you were exhausted. Get some sleep. It will clear your head, and then you'll be able to decide."
"You're right." Alex grimaced. She was always a little foggy when she was exhausted, and she was more exhausted at that moment than she'd ever been in her life, in spirit as well as body. Between being attacked, taking her relationship with Cale to the next level, and then this whole vampire bit, a lot had happened in a very short time. It would have been hard enough to take it in after a good night's sleep, but without it, it seemed impossible. Sleep definitely seemed a good idea, but Cale was waiting.
"I'll tell him you've gone to rest," Sam said quietly when Alex glanced reluctantly toward the bedroom door they stood in front of.
"Thanks," Alex said with relief, and turned to move toward the room Marguerite had led her to when they'd had their talk.
"Alex."
She paused at the door and glanced back in question.
"I love you," Sam said quietly. "No matter your decision, I want you to know I love you. I never want you to forget that."
Alex smiled quizzically. "I love you too, Sam."
Sam smiled sadly and turned to enter Cale's room, and Alex turned back to her door, wishing she had a map or instruction booklet to life. She just wanted someone else to tell her what to do, which decision was the right one. Should she leap impetuously after love,or would it be smarter to stand on the shoreline and watch the love boat sail away?
"The Love Boat," she muttered with disgust as she entered her room. Now she was just getting sappy. She definitely needed to sleep.