Caleb sat with Charlotte, who looked like she was waiting for the gallows. Her skin paled further. A steady open and close of blue eyes. A glossy film covered them resembling the dam at breaking point. The jaw hung loose, with lips parted and a shallow, unnecessary breath. She snuggled close to Caleb, trying to warm herself. Rich wood panels surrounded them. Like the rest of the house, it had hardwood floors with rugs thrown down to soften the space. A leather suit sat by the window. Bookcases filled with century-old manuscripts and a desk filled with intentions. Caleb convinced Charlotte one day, he would write his memoirs.
The attractive man sitting opposite appealed to both Caleb and Charlotte. He wore a pastel blue jacket and sweater, emphasising the blue of his eyes. Dirty blonde hair was curly and disobedient, held in place by sheer will. When he moved, it flopped, forcing him to brush it back into place like one of those hair commercials. The kind that made a person believe they could be this sexy if they used that shampoo. The Ministry employed humans willing to sign a non-disclosure agreement. It protected their patients. Yet did nothing to deter the patients from devouring or casting spells on those who came to help. Dr Oliver Beck was one of these humans, specialising in psychiatry.
His relaxed posture intended to persuade his vampire patients he was not afraid. A composure betrayed by a low underlying purr, a flutter of his heart, and unsteady breath when they moved. Charlotte had not felt the warmth of a human body pressed against hers in years. The taste of their skin as the blood gushed forth. She could imagine herself standing up, swaying her hips as she walked. Dr. Beck would be accommodating as she settles in his lap. Caleb would watch as Charlotte whispered loving hypnosis in his ear. She would feel the doctor’s desire stir beneath as she wriggled in his lap. Kisses would move along his neck, raising the hair on his arms. Charlotte would remove the stuffy jacket and jumper. Loosen the shirt a few buttons to slide her hand against his hot skin. Dr. Beck would be falling in love. His hands might wander over her thighs, waist and breasts. He may want to undress her, but Caleb would stop him, stepping in to remind Dr. Beck this was an illusion. She licked her lips as the desire grew, fantasising about the taste of his blood. How much did he want her? Caleb seemed to read her mind, circling his fingers across her palm and gripping tight. It snapped her back into the present and the pain of her unlife.
Dr. Beck preferred they called him Oliver. Despite the formality of their meeting, he wanted Charlotte to feel comfortable. A first-name basis, Oliver believed, made for a friendlier interaction. He reviewed the questionnaire and considered each of her answers with care. Charlotte had been uneasy with declaring herself sad and without happiness. It was selfish. The emotions appeared long before Caleb, a spiral of despair since her sister ran away. Charlotte latched onto friends, her education and Caleb. In her desperation, Charlotte lost sight of what she wanted or needed. Eliza’s departure fractured their happy home or was that a trick of her childish mind? Her father, Rylan, had such high hopes for his children. Her sister was a prodigy, gifted in music, communication and athleticism. Eliza could have achieved anything. Rylan pinned his hope on her, and when she left, Charlotte and Patrick were spare parts. They were below par. Charlotte pushed herself to be the best daughter, with talents equal to her sister. Yet, she wanted the darkness of Caleb’s world long before they met. She needed it to fill the hollow emptiness created by trying to fill the void Eliza left. With the love Caleb brought into her life, Charlotte wanted it to save her. Instead, she destroyed his efforts and the family they created.
Caleb squeezed her. None of that last part was true. He loved her and married her because of the love she gave. In a dozen lifetimes, he had loved and lost. Charlotte was different. She brought joy into his life and more love than he had experienced in all his past relationships. Caleb knew when he looked into the faces of their children. They created these vampires with the same passion. The wild temperaments of the twins and Cornelius, his focus would make him a formable force. As for Damien, a tender infant who seemed able to reach Charlotte through the black fog of her mind. Caleb wished she could see this in their children and in herself. These qualities their children possessed were parts of Charlotte and everything he loved.
Tears tumbled, she had believed for so long that there was nothing in her life bringing her joy. Getting out of bed took energy, but she did it for Damien. Holding him gave her peace. Charlotte did not know if that was a mother’s love or a blessing from the child. Oliver listened, scribbling notes. Charlotte looked between him and Caleb, not wanting them to take her children. She promised to be better. The doctor paused; he was there to help, to assess the situation and advise the couple. He understood entering their home; the children were well cared for by a devoted family. Charlotte needed to see a future where this hopelessness would stop being all-encompassing. Oliver made a promise she could, if willing, live with the depression residing in her. It may seem desolate, with a maze of ever-changing walls designed to trap her, but there was always a solution. Charlotte could be happy and fall in love with her life.
If you are struggling there are charities that can help: https://www.mind.org.uk/
Charlotte and Caleb: https://www.patreon.com/posts/simmerianne93-05-58724845
Oliver: https://www.patreon.com/posts/beautiful-83856769
Charlotte and Oliver Fantasy: https://akuiyumi.tumblr.com/post/699660456933179392/nsfw-3-8-couple-poses-all-in-one-download-on-my
By the Grace of Sim Gods 