Forbidden

~Chapter Thirty-Three~

A/N: Hello, all! Thank you so much for being so incredibly patient! I see the reads going up over there, and I am so thankful for those of you that vote and comment. You're amazing; thank you so much!

And thank you to Kassilassie and AquaKatie! Those two sent me playlists that finally gave me inspiration to finish writing this. Thanks, girlies! K Times Two! ;-D

I had a free day today, so I decided to quickly finish typing this one up. I did! Hoorah! After this, though, I probably won't be typing until the weekend. I've had some issues sprout up recently, so...yes. Long story. Anyhoo...

To your right is a photograph of Betty White (Mrs. Gresham). I just kept picturing her while I was writing for the elderly woman's part, so...there ya go! Also, there is the song "Tyrant," which Kassi suggested to me. I think it describes a certain someone perfectly. ;-)

This chapter is dedicated to xIrelandKiss. She is an absolutely amazing interweb friend of mine: an inspiration, my "daughter," my sister, and the other half of our bromance, Monannon. (That is a very long story; I'd recommend not asking ;-)). She's so talented; her writing is addicting. She's also one of the sweetest, kindest girls I've ever had the pleasure of talking to. She's always there when you need her, to talk, to whine, to joke, to toss ideas around with. She's amazing. Plus, Monty's strong. She's been through a lot of crap in her life, some as recently as today, yet she still puts one foot in front of the other, no matter what. I admire her for that.

ENJOY!!!! <3

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~Chapter Thirty-Three~

Meaghan strolled casually out of the theatre, hand in hand with a newly forgiven River. A content smile upturned her pink lips: one that would be deemed scheming if River was paying attention. And so the fox gets the chicken, Meghan quoted to herself, suppressing the ridiculous pang of guilt that flashed through her, instead focusing on the feeling of warmth that resonated from River’s palm, his fingers fitting perfectly into the crevices of her own. If she were human, if she were truly Meaghan Burke, this moment would be flawless, one to be remembered forever. As it was, she remained Alexandra: for the moment to be perfect, River would have to be replaced with a certain blonde-haired foe of hers, and the battle would have to be won.

            Meaghan widened her grin, standing on her tip-toes to quickly kiss River on the cheek, swiftly pulling away to leave him flushing crimson at the adults’ nostalgic stares. She resisted the urge to let loose a contented sigh, realizing that the battle was already half-won. She had regained River from their enemies’ clutches, and with River came Layla, trailing behind like an obedient Chihuahua on a diamond leash. With the two of them, the fight tomorrow would be nothing but a short skirmish: with the Elliots, her side would quickly overpower the Purities.

            It had been even easier than she had thought to coax River back to their side. All it had taken was a saddened bat of her eyes, a lingering bite of her lip, and a hesitation before she forgave. He had been eating out of her palm. Even Jenna and Hayley, watching from around a corner, meticulously concealed, had whispered admiration to her. Wow, Alex. Good girl, Alexandra. She had barely held back a smirk of triumph: though River was mortal, he wasn’t an idiot, and a move like that would have set off his suspicion radar.

            As the two of them entered the windy atmosphere of the Midwest, Meaghan wrapped both arms around River’s, snuggling closer into the warm contours of his body. She felt him tense a bit, a gulp going down his throat before he relaxed, pulling up his other hand to entwine it with her own. She sighed in content, her heels clacking on the concrete as they walked slowly to their cars.