“Then there’s Helena and Bella with their new faux husbands, and their broods who matter to you greatly. So, no pressure! You’re allowed to be overwhelmed, but what we all notice is you’re not. We each feel that whatever time you spend with us is the best time we have each day, and we always know we are the only focus of your attention when we are together. Every kiss, every hug and every smile are just for us; only us. We have no idea how you do it. But let me say this to you now and clearly: we love you, and we love you with all our heart. All we want is to be a part of your life.”
“Adam began, tentatively, “Then why …”
“Why this? Why today. Listen up; this is important.”
“OK.”
“Have you ever thought about where the three of us plus Hannah and Vera fit in with you after the revelations of the Way? I mean what Noki’s role and my role and Alana’s role are now. And what Hannah and Vera will mean to you in the future?”
“No. I guess not. What do you mean?
“Let me say this in another way. If I wasn’t with you, who might I be with. Guy or gal?”
“Gal. Definitely gal.”
“What about Vera?”
“Ditto. But she’s not really with me.”
“Does she still sleep with you from time to time, every once in a while?”
“Sure.”
“Even though, like me, she’d rather sleep with an anatomically female blow-up doll than a man?
“I guess.”
“And Noki? She’s with you too, but how often do you hook up any more?”
“Physically about as much as with Vera. Ours is almost totally a relationship lived in our minds. But there we hook up there all the time.”
“But in our world, the physical world, not so much anymore. Right? Not since your son was born.”
“That’s right.”
“That leaves Hannah and Alana. If you could go back, and have a regular life, dating a cute girl in high school and college, growing up normally together, learning about love and sex, planning a future, a couple of kids and a career, who would that be with?”
“Besides you?”
“News bulletin!! It never would have been me. Not in a million years. It would have been Alana or Hannah, if things were normal. Like you grew up in Seattle with no Edward or the Eight Families around. No Mom and Pops, no Barrows Bay. No child prodigy, no mystical journeys with God. Just a boy meeting a girl and falling in love.”
“I guess …”
“It’s absolutely no matter what you guess; that’s what would have happened. And you know who else knows this? That’s right, both Hannah and Alana know it, and what could’ve been had the world been a little different. But for …”
“I see.”
“Doubtful. So, here’s the deal. They love you with that pure irrational puppy dog love tempered with the existence of an insane world they cannot believe exists. But here they are with you in the middle of that world. Not on the sidelines somewhere, but right smack dab in the eye of the storm.
“Crazy. Even crazier? Neither is married to you; both want to be. Both want to possess you in that complete loving, nurturing and lust induced way that boys want girls, and girls want boys. But that will never happen for either of them because this world is the one we inhabit, and, more importantly, because of what this world will become. Alana is key; so is Hannah. They know this and cannot escape what lies in front of them and, therefore, you. It’s maddening for Alana who’s pregnant and wakes up to this reality every day. Hannah has Vera and loves her deeply, but she still has days filled with such sadness she thinks she cannot endure. It is painful for Vera to watch.”
“I’m not sure that this cheers me up. You’re saying that everyone gets a little happiness, but no one is ever fulfilled.”
“In the old world yes, you’re right. But not in this world and the one to follow. I can promise you that everyone will be fulfilled, and beyond their wildest dreams. Just not right now.”
“Sounds like that Nickelback song.”
“Who?”
“Never mind. I don’t suppose you’re going to fill me in on the rest of this stuff?”
“Nope. That must unfold in your consciousness as you expand your awareness away from the cosmic to the earthly; the here and now.”
“I thought I was already doing that?”
“You were. Now you need to do more.”
“How?”
Misti paused. “I know about the other thing too. You should have said something to me and the others. They will not be happy.”
“You’re right. But you’re pregnant and already stressed out by being married to me.”
“Get up, go see Alana and assure her you love her unconditionally, and beyond your paltry ability to express the depths of your love even the greatest poets are unable to express. Tell her you love her today, tomorrow and forever. Whatever she will ever need from you, no matter how small or trivial it may be, will be your privilege to bestow upon her and your children. Remind her that the child she carries is your child, a child you will love as you love Alana.”
“Will she believe me?”
“Of course. She loves you and believes everything you tell her. She always has, always will. That will be your burden, but one easily carried in her case.”
Chapter 15
Adam approached his bedroom door, the bedroom Misti shared every night with Alana. He knocked gently, almost as if to avoid making any noise. The door cracked, and the sad, red stained face and puffy eyes of Alana peered outside.
She said, quietly, “Do you hate me?”
Adam opened the door as Alana turned away, and walked to the bed, sitting on the edge and waiting for him.
“No, no you’ve got it all wrong sweetie. I love you totally, unreservedly, and unconditionally. And our daughter too. I’m so sorry for acting like … well, me. The worst of me who doesn’t think, even though you’ve shown me how to be kind, and thoughtful, and forgiving, and accepting. Every inch of progress I’ve made, I’ve made because you showed me how. I’m so much better now, at least I thought so, until today.”
He continued.
“And for all the pain I’ve caused, for my insensitivity and selfish behavior to you, I cannot describe how sorry, how badly I feel. I love you and our baby, and I always will. I will always be near to you and you will always be first in my thoughts.”
“Morning breath and all?”
“There is nothing that can stop me from loving every part of you. Please say you forgive me and let me start today being the man you want and need to love you.”
Alana burst into tears.
“I thought you hated me, would never forgive me for being so … so crazy. I didn’t mean a single word and was horrified by what came out of my mouth. Truly, I don’t know what happened. I just … just went crazy.”
Adam said, “Tell me what I need to do. Everything changes from this moment forward. For you, for me and for our little girl.”
“Love me. Love us. That’s all I’ll ever need along with the warmth and certainty that you’ll always be here for us. I cannot live long without you and to lose you would be my end. I feel so silly for needing you so much, so much every day. I’m not a weak, crazy, clingy girl begging for attention by acting out. I’m not. I just feel so much stronger, so much braver when I deal with life and the world out there when you’re by my side. I won’t degenerate into a chocolate mess when you have to go, but just knowing that some part of you is mine is enough. Reassure me that I’m not alone in this world and I can face anything the world throws our way.”
“I don’t need to promise that; I will show you what my love means every day. When our daughter arrives, I will show her too. I will never be far, away and you will always be at the forefront of my mind and heart. I can’t wait for our little girl to arrive and for our little corner of the universe to begin our journey together.”
***
The pair spoke, shared tears and simply held each other f
or a very long while. Eventually they were right with each other and Alana changed the subject to a couple matters that had troubled her for some time.
“I have been talking to Misti and the Fortizi sisters for the past month or so. I understand there are a couple of things coming up that will mean you have to leave us all for a while, and that what may happen afterward will be dangerous for you. Very dangerous.”
“Yes, for me, and for everyone else in this family is far more accurate. I will have to leave you, leave all my family for a long while. On the bright side, Octavio will be with me. Between now and when this all finally ends, I have two tasks to perform, both deadly, but I am confident that this will bring the threat, and terror to a rapid close.”
Adam paused. “While I’m gone, you, Misti and Noki must begin preparations for what happens when the world begins again.”
Alana bowed her head. She knew everything, but wished she knew nothing. “When?”
“Soon. That’s all I know too.”
Chapter 16
Adam was sitting on a couch with Alana one evening, Adam reading a book on ambient electrical charges, and Alana watching her favorite British TV show. Alana was suddenly startled, then Noki and Misti swiftly entered the living room. Alana’s cell phone rang, and Helena and Bella were on the other end asking if they had just received the same telepathic message. Vera and Hannah were already knocking on the door.
Apparently, Adam hadn’t gotten the news flash.
***
A young woman in her mid to late twenties looked sheepishly around the corner of the hallway leading from Misti’s private quarters and bedroom. Adam could see she was wrapped in a long pink silk robe, bare foot and sporting a short cropped, pixie style hair style, with jet black hair. She was to Adam the quintessential English lass: pretty, rosy cheeked, and a wonderful inviting smile.
If remaining hidden was her objective, she had failed miserably. Adam spotted her, and with Alana now gathered with the rest of the cabal in the dining room, he spoke to her.
“Would you prefer to hide out in Misti’s room or join me here on the couch. I promise to make no untoward advances and will act the perfect gentleman. If you want, I can sit on one end while you sit on the other. I think I know who you are, but I’d like to get to know you better. It seems my wife has taken a rather intimate interest in you, which always pleases me.
“Seriously? Pleases you? Nobody is that progressive in their thinking. Certainly not on this side of the pond. Not among us Brits, anyway.”
“Well, I’m mostly Canadian and we’re quite progressive in our thinking. Actually, that makes us cousins of a sort. The Queen and all you know. C’mon I promise to behave.”
“Alright, but I have trust issues with men, so if you get out of line I can defend myself. Proper training for blokes like you whose hands like too wander uninvited to all the wrong places.”
“I’m forewarned. I am guessing that you are the relatively new MI-5 placement, and that would make you Kendra Boles. Am I right?”
“The only two people who know that are Misti and …”
“And?”
“Oh, I’m so sorry, you must be Adam St. James. I meant no disrespect, I just didn’t recognize you.”
“Better or worse?”
“Sorry?”
“You didn’t recognize me. Better or worse than my photo on file with you chaps?”
“Better, far better. I will take you up on your offer, and no, we don’t have to sit on opposite ends of the sofa. Your reputation, good and bad, precedes you but you are, I am assured, a proper English gentleman. Canadian version but very similar.”
“Well, I shall have to grill you on my reputation, good and bad. I am very interested in all opinions of my character.”
“Top secret, you know. Can’t breathe a word unless instructed or under extreme duress.”
“I’ll instruct my wife to put you under the most extreme of duress’s. Then we’ll get to the bottom of this whole mystery.”
“Or you could threaten to forbid me playing with your wife. That might work too.”
“I would use that extreme tactic, but if the evil fairy-goddess ever found out, she’d beat me up. Nasty temper when it comes to men.”
“I know. Dreamy, don’t you think?”
“Only because I’m her one exception; otherwise, no.”
“If you forbid me, I promise never to divulge a word. Promise. Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye. We can spit in our palms and shake on it too if you’d like.”
“Not necessary, but you are hereby forbidden to play with my wife ever again unless you tell me everything. Video too, if you have it. And I need the scoop on you too while we’re at it.”
“And you’ll do the same?”
“Seems only fair.”
***
The women were in the main dining room and the story they each told was exactly the same. It was a message, out of the blue, each had received that was short in duration and to the point.
“She was born a human, hidden from her life history, but now sent to assure that the Chosen One performs the will of the Creator. She has fully transformed this day and will monitor your progress and his. She will destroy him when instructed, so as his mates, it would be best for you to convince him to follow her instructions and the will of the Creator.”
They had no idea who this message was from, how it arrived or why they would all be referred to as his “mates”. Misti was Adam’s only “mate”, at least some of the time. The other women were merely close friends and colleagues with exceptional benefits.
Alana was confounded. “What do we do?”
This was the question shared by all, but one.
Misti said, “We find her and we kill her before she attacks Adam. What other option do we have?”
Hannah said, “Talk to Adam first, then if he says so, then we find her, then we kill her. I doubt Adam will allow us to act though. He’ll want to meet this being, or whatever she is and decide for himself if she’s a danger to him.”
Misti said, “Alright then. Let’s go see what the Chosen One wants to do, then we need to chat about this more tonight before we break up. He doesn’t always make wise decisions about his own wellbeing.”
They convened in the living room to find Adam and Kendra deep in discussion about something. Both wore serious expressions of intense interest, but occasionally broke out roaring in laughter.”
“Ahem!”
“Oh, ladies do come in. You must hear some of the things that MI-5 thinks I’ve done. And Kendra is pure magic at storytelling. Honestly, this is some of the funniest stuff I’ve ever heard.”
Misti smiled, “I thought you despised all men, my little one. Now this?”
“I despise all but one. Your husband is quite charming and a perfect gentleman. He only eyes my tits when he thinks I’m not watching. And, he keeps his hands to himself. Not on himself, though I wouldn’t mind seeing that someday.”
“Well, anything can be arranged when the correct incentive is in place.”
Kendra smiled, “Anything my mistress, anything at all. You need only command.”
***
The ladies sat down on sofas and chairs to take up the business of the very odd communication they had each received. Misti sat on one side of Adam, while Kendra moved in closer on the other, touching him body to body, but not intimately. She carefully followed the conversation as it progressed and each response or query that Adam made.
In the end, Hannah was correct, Adam wanted no part of killing anyone or anything he did not know anything about. Besides, Adam thought, he knew the will of the Creator, at least thus far, and was amenable to carrying it out. Correct the mistake; bring the races together. Create a better world.
“Let’s wait,” he said. “Let’s not rush to judgment before we meet this being. She may be the life of the party for all we know.”
***
If it could be said that a woman who hated men
and was only interested in members of her own gender could be “smitten” by a man, then Kendra Boles was “smitten” by a man. What she felt wasn’t exactly the chemistry that precedes sex but rather an attraction of unknown origin. She, like all the women close to Adam in his life, felt a sort of safety around him that wasn’t usually in the air around other men.
But what did that mean in the context of a male? She was wary of her own instincts, however; this was a man and she had only ever had bad experiences with men beginning at an early age. Her teenage years were a horror and her home life a misery. University was an escape and MI-5 a dream job. Nobody, male or female would ever abuse her again. MI-5 had taught her how to prevent unwanted attention and, although having a reputation for having a bit of a hair trigger, she was collegial with all her co-workers.
The men of MI-5 found her attractive but unavailable. The women felt very differently, and she never lacked for companionship.
Adam found Kendra immensely attractive with all the qualities he most admired in a woman; smart, funny, physical in terms of martial capabilities and fitness, computer literate and able to hold up her end of a witty conversation. She was topical and open; she understood the threads of relationships flowing through complex concepts; her thinking was intense and nuanced.
Her vocabulary was immense and her manner of expression intriguing. She often buried sarcasm deep in her explanations of things ordinary, and things extraordinary. She was an excellent companion, he guessed, and suitable only for a very few lucky individuals who could truly “get” her. He doubted many would.
Instead, he expected that appreciating her open and attractive nature, her wit and charm and her physical attributes would be the extent of his interest in her. Many might actually be put off by her personality; they would get lost in her introspective and brilliant qualities and shy away from the whole woman.
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