by Donna Raider
“Oh, I have many ideas, dear,” Leah stood, pulling her to the bed. She flicked her wrist, and all the lights went out.
##
Later, Mika lay holding her close, “Thank you,” she whispered.
“Umm, the pleasure was all mine,” Leah said in her low sultry voice.
“Just for the record, your ideas were wonderful.” Mika kissed her slowly, enjoying the feel of her from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet. Every place they made contact sparked with magic.
“I suppose Mother will rear her ugly head tomorrow,” Leah worried. “We have to make her leave before we can go on vacation.”
Mika groaned. “I know. I wouldn’t feel safe leaving the children, with her in town.”
“Any thought on what we can do with her? Leah breathed softly against her breasts.
“We can transport her to one of the planets with no life.” Mika grinned, thinking of Jezebel foraging for food and water with no one to intimidate. “Or a Turkish prison.”
“What’s a Turkish prison?” Leah began kissing down Mika’s stomach.
“What are you doing?” Mika moaned.
“I just had another idea,” Leah chuckled deeply.
“Don’t you want to hear about Turkish prisons?” Mika teased.
“Oh, yes, dear, but later. Much later.”
##
Leah rolled off her, panting as if she had run a three-minute mile. Mika was already flat on her back, but just as out of breath.
As her heart rate neared normal and she began to breathe properly, she thought about her child Leah was carrying. She wanted to hear its heartbeat. She slid down into the bed, bringing her head even with her wife’s stomach.
“Oh, no, baby, please,” Leah pleaded. “I can’t take any more tonight.”
Mika laughed quietly. “I’m just checking for the heartbeat.”
“Oh,” she chuckled softly. “Can you hear it?”
“Yes,” Mika slowly slid back up her body. “You aren’t going to believe this, but there are two.”
“Twins,” Leah smiled happily, “aren’t you the prolific little devil?”
“Um, I am certainly the happiest woman in the world,” Mika kissed her gently. Leah moved her soft lips against her wife’s.
“When you kiss me like that, it is the most wonderful feeling in the world,” Mika whispered in her ear.
“Um, Leah purred, “of all the sensations we share, I have to agree with you, kissing is the most pleasurable.”
##
Mika and Leah were having breakfast in the diner, when Jezebel entered the front door, pretending she had just arrived in town.
“Mother, what a pleasant surprise,” Leah rose to greet Jezebel. “Please join us for breakfast.”
“Did you just get into town?” Mika stood until her mother-in-law was seated.
“Yes,” Jezebel glanced at the priest then addressed her daughter. “Darling it has been so long since I last saw you. I have missed you,” she pretended to pout. “I thought that you would surely visit me when you and the boy’s band recorded their last album. But I suppose you were too busy for your old mother.”
“We truly didn’t have any spare time,” Leah smiled just as falsely as her mother.
Ruth tentatively approached Jezebel with a menu. “Would you like to order some breakfast?” she asked.
“Yes, thank you, dear. I’ll have coffee and toast.”
“You are as beautiful as ever, darling,” Jezebel turned her attention to Leah. “Were you going to wait until my grandchildren were grown to tell me about them?”
Leah glared at her mother. She wondered how Jezebel had heard of the twins. Probably Legion. “Honestly Mother, I don’t want you near my babies.”
Jezebel was shocked at her daughter’s honesty. “I’m sorry you feel that way. Although I enjoy New York, I do get lonely for my family.” The old witch squeezed a tear from her eye and blotted it with her napkin.
“What do you want, Mother?” Leah wasn’t playing games where her children were concerned.
“May I just see them?” Jezebel asked.
“No,” Leah said emphatically. “You really should return to New York.”
“May I at least know their names? Are they male or female? After all, they are of my bloodline.” Jezebel looked grief stricken at her daughter’s attitude.
The door of the diner swung open, and Amber and Richie entered, carrying the twins. Leah inhaled deeply as she realized her children were about to be exposed to her mother.
“Queen Mommy, Mommy,” both children squealed in unison.
Richie stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Jezebel. He put out a hand, pushing Amber behind him as if to protect her from the old witch.
“Harry, darling” Jezebel sprang from her seat and rushed to the children. “It is so good to see you, again.”
“Richie,” he watched Jezebel suspiciously. “My name is Richie.”
“Of course,” Jezebel touched her temple with her hand as if trying to think. “See, I have been away from you so long I’ve forgotten your name. This lovely girl must be your wife. Are these your children? They look just like her.”
Leah and the priest moved quickly to take the children. “Don’t be ridiculous, Mother,” Leah barked. “You know these are my babies.”
Jezebel pretended to look aghast. “Leah, I can’t believe you have children this age, and I knew nothing about them. How could you care so little about me and my feelings?”
“I care more about my children,” Leah growled menacingly at her mother. “I will not let anything, or anyone hurt them.”
“Oh, darling,” Jezebel cooed, “I would never hurt your children. They are just as beautiful as I knew they would be. Although, they certainly don’t look like you. Do you think all of your children will look like this priest?”
“I certainly hope so,” Leah smiled faintly, then continued to glare at her mother. “What do you want, Mother?”
“To be with my family,” the old witch answered sweetly. “And now that I know I have real grandchildren; I want to spend more time with them.”
Leah glared at her hateful mother. “All of my children are my real children, Mother.”
“Not really, dear. He’s adopted,” Jezebel pointed an accusing finger at Richie.
“Please leave, Mother,” Leah growled, a deep menacing sound. “You aren’t welcome here.”
“Queen Mommy, we eat,” Adam squealed.
“Oh, and they call you Queen Mommy, how sweet.” Jezebel laughed convincingly. She ignored her daughter’s blatant disapproval.
“Now is not a good time for family visits, Mother,” Leah remained steadfast in her distrust of her mother. “We are in the middle of a major improvement project for our town. It is taking all of my attention.”
“I see,” Jezebel nodded as if disappointed. “Perhaps I could just spend the night. You could give me a tour of what you’re doing in the town. I will leave tomorrow. I’m interested in you, dear, and all you’re accomplishing.”
Leah looked torn.
“I am very proud of you, Leah,” the old witch flattered her daughter.
“I would be happy to show your mother around,” Mika took her wife’s arm and began to steer her back to their table.
“I would much prefer my daughter,” Jezebel’s smile turned into a grimace.
Mika bent down, so she was eye to eye with the old crone. “Either way, you will have to endure my presence,” she growled, trying to antagonize her mother-in-law.
Briefly, Mika saw the slightest glimmer of fire in Jezebel’s palm. She knew the witch had somehow regained her powers. Just as quickly, Mika wiped them from her.
Jezebel whipped around to face her daughter as she felt the magic drain from her body. “What?” Leah asked surprised by her mother’s hateful glare.
“How could you? You, ungrateful little harlot…”
Butterfly time thought Mika and her mother-in-law began to spew the be
autiful insects from her mouth.
“Butterfyes,” Sara and Adam clapped their hands. “Pwetty butterfyes.”
“Let’s finish breakfast and begin the tour,” Leah smiled. “I know you are anxious to return to New York, Mother.”
Did you know she had regained her magic? Mika thought to her wife.
Yes, I could smell it. She thinks I stripped her powers, again?
The priest frowned at her wife. I suppose she’s going to interfere with our lunch date.
I am afraid so, dear. I’ll make it up to you tonight! She placed her hand on Mika’s thigh and sent a warm vibration throughout her body.
Constant interruptions from excited citizens kept the family from enjoying their time together. It was almost as if the mayor were holding court in the diner. If someone wasn’t standing at their table talking to her, Leah’s phone was ringing or dinging the arrival of a text message. She intentionally did not stop any of the intrusions, hoping her mother would see how busy she was.
“I can see you are very busy,” Jezebel scowled. “Perhaps I should return later.”
“Next year would be good,” Leah smiled patiently.
The old witch finished her breakfast, said her brief goodbyes to the Cross family and drove away in her Cadillac.
“Lunch, then” the priest grinned.
“Certainly, darling.” Rich brown eyes danced as Leah smiled.
##
M didn’t bother with the niceties of entering through the lobby; he just appeared in her living room as she watched television.
Jezebel moved toward the bar to fix him a drink. “You’re late,” she frowned. She poured the Everclear into a large tumbler and carried it to him.
“Yes, I thought I would collect a few new souls while I was in town,” he toasted her before downing the entire glass. “Oh, Satan, that hurts,” he loudly exhaled as he moved to refill his glass. “These human bodies truly are puny.”
“Thank you for coming,” Jezebel smiled. “I’m pleased you could mix business with pleasure.”
“Politicians are the easiest,” he grinned, “they’ll sell their greedy souls to the devil to get elected. “Of course, there are a few pompous religious leaders who fool themselves into believing they are doing God’s work. Actually, they are doing my work.”
“My, aren’t you the philosopher tonight,” Jezebel eyed him apprehensively.
“I understand we are about to begin the arrangements for my upcoming marriage to your daughter.” He laughed gleefully.
“You haven’t kept your end of the bargain,” she challenged him.
“I beg your pardon,” he snarled. “I believe I returned your powers to you.” The woman was getting tedious. If he didn’t need her, he would send her to hell right now.
“You were supposed to make me stronger than my daughter,” Jezebel whined. “You didn’t.”
“Ah, she has once again stripped your powers from you,” he narrowed his eyes and stared hard at her. Jezebel truly was a stupid woman. He did wonder how strong her daughter was.
He waved his hand, and she could feel the magic surge through her. “Your daughter no longer practices black magic,” he growled. “She possesses powers I cannot bestow on you.”
Jezebel formed a fireball in her palm. “I can make do with this,” she grinned. “This time, I will be more careful.”
“How much longer must I wait,” he hissed. “I have lives to ruin and souls to steal. I do have a quota, you know.”
“Soon,” Jezebel said softly, “very soon.”
##
Leah watched her wife’s muscles ripple under smooth, golden skin as she manually hoisted a small sail whose hydraulics weren’t working properly. Her passion for Mika was totally unrestrained. Her inexplicable, constant need of her was maddening and wonderful all at the same time. The fact that she was again carrying Mika’s children both thrilled and terrified her. Thrilled her because they would be living, breathing affirmations of the love they shared, just as Adam and Sara were a testament to their love. Terrified that something might rip it all from her.
She knew this vacation was more than just time alone with Mika. It was the final preparation for a battle she knew they would have to fight sooner or later.
It had concerned her that Nick and her mother had shown up in her town and were consorting with Legion. She could see they were gathering their forces. She didn’t know if her mother knew she was again carrying twins. They had not announced their happy news to anyone. The return of her mother’s powers terrified her. Obviously, she was consorting with someone powerful enough to undo the priest’s handiwork. That frightened her most of all.
Mika manually set the sail, holding the rope until she was certain it was in the proper place. She watched Leah as she guided the boat out of the harbor and set sail for the open ocean. Leah’s extraordinary beauty made her heart skip a beat. Leah smiled at her igniting every nerve ending in Mika’s body. They couldn’t reach their destination fast enough. She secured the rope and walked to Leah slowly, savoring the anticipation of kissing the woman who ruled her entire world.
“Obviously, we can’t make love until we drop anchor,” Leah kissed Mika, tentatively exploring her lips, then moving to engage her tongue. It was pure heaven to be touched by her. “So why don’t you give me any additional instructions or training that is possible on the boat.”
“There is one thing you need to work on.” Mika smiled, watching in fascination as her beautiful lips parted.
“Do tell,” Leah tilted her head in that way that filled Mika’s body with overwhelming sensations.
“You have a tell,” Mika informed her.
Leah looked behind her as if expecting to see a tail. “I don’t think so,” she grinned.
“A ‘tell,' something that gives away your actions before you take them.” Mika explained. “Throw a small fireball into the ocean.”
Leah immediately held her hand palm up, materialized a fireball and tossed it into the ocean.
“See,” she said. “You moved your hand, turned its palm up, materialized the fireball and then tossed it into the ocean. I could have annihilated you before you even made the fireball because I knew what you were going to do.” Suddenly a fireball shot from Mika into the ocean. She hadn’t moved a muscle.
Leah gasped, amazed at her effortless action. Mika had nonchalantly tossed the fireball into the ocean in the middle of a calm conversation with her.
“Your mind is what works the magic, not your hands,” Mika smiled. “Your hands are just theatrics that give you away. They alert your opponent.”
Leah tried it again. She found she had great difficulty separating her hands and her mind. After over an hour of practicing, she finally threw a tiny fireball into the ocean. Another hour and she threw softball sized flames into the ocean, without flinching.
“That is so much better,” Mika praised her.
Leah smiled and tiptoed to kiss her. Suddenly a basketball-size flame sizzled into the ocean. She hadn’t moved a muscle. Mika jumped away in surprise.
“That’s my girl,” Mika beamed at her. Leah had always been a quick study no matter what they were doing.
CHAPTER 39 - Mommy’s Coming Home
Leah looked up from the contract she was reading to see what was causing the commotion in Odette’s office. “I don’t need an appointment. I need to talk to her!”
The mayor’s door swung open. “I think you will want to see this,” Kathryn scowled as she pitched a small stack of forms onto the mayor’s desk.
It only took a moment for Leah’s blood to turn to ice.
“Legion has sold your mother the house on Queen’s Hill. The one just up the road from you.” The deputy mayor paced the floor in front to Leah’s desk. “Is all hell going to break loose in our town?”
“I don’t know,” the mayor said hesitantly. “I wasn’t aware she was moving here.”
“You do remember the destruction she caused the last time your mother went on a
rampage here?” Kathryn lifted her eyebrows questioningly.
“Yes,” Leah said simply. She grabbed her cell phone and sent a text to Mika. “I need you.”
Kathryn was amazed at how quickly the priest arrived. “I was just getting off the elevator when I received your text, honey.” Mika bent to kiss her wife.
Wordlessly, Leah handed Mika the copy of the title change for the Queen’s Hill house.
“This is disturbing,” Mika scowled.
“Exactly,” Kathryn blurted out. “What are we going to do?”
“I’m not sure,” the mayor said slowly as her mind shifted thru legalities to prevent the sale. She found none. “I’ve stripped her of her powers,” Leah thought out loud. “I’m not certain what she’s up to.”
“You can bet it’s no good,” Kathryn snorted. “Can’t you just exile her somewhere like the Antarctic where the elements will take care of her?
“Is she in town?” Mika frowned.
“I haven’t seen her,” Leah answered. “I don’t feel her, either.”
“I am sure you will soon,” Kathryn grumbled.
“We need to check on the children,” Leah stood and took her wife’s hand.
##
As they entered the mansion, squeals of laughter and Richie’s growling told them their children were okay.
“Queen Mommy, Mommy, help us,” Sara and Adam screamed as they threw themselves at their parent’s legs.
Leah scooped up Adam as Mika swung Sara high over her head.
“I fly, Mommy,” the tiny girl squealed and giggled at the same time.
Leah hugged Richie and carried Adam into the family room, where the family played with the babies.
The twins sat on the floor playing with stuffed toys. Nana soon joined them. “Time for baths and jammies,” she laughed. Mika swept both babies into her arms and ran up the stairs with them. Nana was close behind.
“Are you okay, Mom?” Richie asked. He had noticed the dark look in her eyes, and she seemed distracted.
“Jezebel has purchased the house on Queen’s Hill,” Leah grimaced. “Obviously, she plans to live as close to us as possible. We must be extremely vigilant with the twins. There’s no doubt in my mind she is here for them.”