Moments later, I was laid in James’ arms as he made soft kisses along the top of my back and shoulders. I could feel goosebumps appearing on my skin as his touch sent tingles through my body. As tired as I felt, my husband still got me flustered and made my pulse race. I pushed up against his firm hard body, and I could feel his body heat, hot against my back.
“Blooming heck, I love you, woman,” James said as he nuzzled his face into the back of my neck and my long thick hair, “more today than ever.”
“Mmm...” was all I could manage as he re-positioned himself, so his whole body was wrapped around me. My husband didn’t need me to say anything more. I gently pushed him back in our bed, giving myself room to turn around, and then I showed my husband just much I loved him.
It took a few moments for us both to recover, and when I looked at James, he was staring lovingly at me with a sexy grin on his handsome face.
“You really are the most magnificent woman I’ve ever seen, and ever known,” he almost purred.
“You’re only saying that because you’ve just emptied your brains, husband of mine,” I giggled.
“I don’t keep my brains in my bits, woman,” he said as he tried to sound offended. The look on his face looked so comical and I almost snorted with laughter.
“Oh, the decisions you’ve made over the years after we’ve made love, would dispute that fact my husband. That’s how we ended up with so many kids,” I laughed.
“I can’t really argue with that, baby,” he said as he slid himself up against me, wrapping his arms around me again and pulling me closer, “We certainly did had fun making them,” he chuckled, I can’t imagine our lives without them and I can’t wait to meet this little one,” he added as he placed his hand on the side of my bump.
Within minutes, we both drifted into a deep sleep.
Chapter 17
Weeks and weeks had passed, and absolutely nothing had happened. We’d all been keeping ourselves busy preparing for the forthcoming battle, but with every new day that came and went, we all became a little more relaxed and complacent. More and more women had opted to wait until after the battle to birth any more animals, leaving me somewhat redundant. They wanted to be part of the fight, and my admiration for our race had grown.
We truly were one race now, and all the social barriers that people had seeded and rooted were now as dead as those who’d started them. There were so few survivors left that it wouldn’t be long before everyone was a bit of everything.
We’d spend a lot of time with our friends, and I’d made a real effort to meet as many of the other survivors as possible, as well as James’ and the kids’ friends. The angels had made a big effort to build relationships with the survivors too, and Christik was very happy to tell us of the progress the Viziers and their angels had made in the other locations.
My bump felt like it was growing by the day, and our daughter was running out of room to do her somersaults, although she did enjoy trying. Her feet wedging underneath my ribs wasn’t fun and trying to get a full night's sleep was becoming impossible. Unfortunately, I couldn’t expect the angels to be at my beck and call every time I was woken up with raging heartburn, and to be honest, I needed a crane to be able to turn over in bed.
I was resting in my room when Tracey, Mimi, Trudy arrived for a girl’s night. It had become a regular event, and James loved hanging out with the guys to reminisce about past sporting events. Sports was one of the things that the guys really missed, especially the big games, such as the Super Bowl and the soccer World Cup. James had even talked to the other survivors about teaching the kids the various sports games, so the knowledge wouldn’t be lost.
There were many things that we were trying to make sure weren’t lost, and the angels were happy to help us write down and log important knowledge and information for our future generations. After all, our kids couldn’t just search Google anymore, or watch a YouTube video, and not everything had been written in a book.
I looked down at my feet, wondering if they looked puffy when the girls knocked and then hollered as they walked in. Mimi, Tracey and Trudy were all smiling, so I knew straight away that they’d had a good day.
“You all seem very happy with yourselves!” I said as they walked over and took turns giving me a friendly hug, “Are Hulaz and Livik coming over?”
“Livik is helping Christik and Lindaz with something, but Hulaz is definitely coming over, and she’s bringing some snacks with her,” Trudy said.
“Helping Christik and Livik with what?” Tracey asked immediately.
Mimi raised her eyebrows at Tracey like a teacher looks at a naughty school kid.
“I’m a nosey toad, so sue me!” Tracey told Mini with a smirk and mischief in her eyes.
Mimi rolled her eyes and sighed, knowing that Tracey was going to do whatever the hell she wanted. Tracey turned her attention back to Trudy.
“Well lady, what are they up too, and why weren’t we invited?” Tracey demanded.
Trudy was as cool as a cucumber, and she stared back at Tracey with an unwavering stern look.
“I’m not telling you what they’re up to, woman, and we weren’t invited because we aren’t artistic,” Trudy told her while trying not to laugh.
Tracey glared at Trudy for a moment, and then she released a huge sigh of defeat as her shoulders dropped.
“Frick me, you’re good!” Tracey told her, “even John would have crumbled at that look.”
They both plonked themselves down in the comfy chairs next to me.
“You’re both in a really good mood,” I told them just as Hulaz arrived with the snacks.
We all dipped our heads to the angel as she walked towards us, and she returned the nod with a beautiful smile. We all thanked her as she placed the stone tray laden with food on the table before sitting down next to Trudy.
“Oh my god! Is that avocado!” I asked in a squeak of excitement.
I’d never been one to get excited over food, and James certainly hadn’t married me for my cooking, but things were different now. When there was a new food that we could eat because the angels had been growing our food, it was always a major event. Not all the seeds that our scientists had saved were viable, and even with the angel’s power, it had taken time to repair the seeds to how they should be.
“Yes, it is avocado, Mel. A human someone told me you were in need, and I found out that some were ready,” Hulaz said with a big smile.
James was the someone, and I loved him for trying to keep up with my pregnancy cravings. Even when they were in the middle of the night, and I had to have something. The poor guy needed a fricking medal.
I reached for a slice of green delight, and as I ate it, I felt like I’d died and gone to heaven.
“So, ladies, why are you both in such good moods?” I asked as I gave Hulaz a wink.
The angel loved a bit of gossip as much as we did.
“We’ve just seen Holly and Nalik. They look so happy,” Tracey said.
“Tracey and Akhenaten are getting it on!” Trudy blurted out, positively bouncing in her seat.
Nalik and Holly’s married life was blooming for sure. James and I were absolutely thrilled for them both, and luckily, we still got to spend lots of time with them because they wanted and loved being part of the family. However, Trudy’s news about Tracey and Akhenaten was a serious news update.
“Spill it, woman!” I told her jokingly, giving her the ‘I’m waiting’ eyebrow lifted look.
Tracey actually blushed, which surprised all of us.
“This is going to be good!” Trudy chuckled evilly while rubbing her hands together.
Tracey rolled her eyes at her friend while trying to keep a straight face.
“Ok, I confess!” Tracey declared, instantly grinning like the cat who’d got the cream, “
Hulaz, Trudy and I were instantly on the edge of our seats, poised for the new information Tracey was about to divulge. She held up her hands in surrender.
“Alright. I admit it; Akhenaten and I have been seeing each other, and things are moving quicker than expected,” she said, sounding unsure. “It still feels as if John died yesterday, but being with Akhenaten feels so right. I feel like I’m betraying John, but I think Akhenaten is the one.”
I could sense that we all felt torn. We were friends with John, and we all cared about him, but life was so precious now.
“John understood what a blessing finding love is, Tracey, and I think he’d want you to grab this chance of happiness while you can,” I told her.
“Mel is right, Tracey,” Hulaz added with a soft smile.
“So how far have you and Mr. Golden balls got then?” Trudy asked as she raised and lowered her eyebrows repeatedly at our friend.
Tracey actually blushed a deep pink, and she looked extremely guilty.
“Well, you little minx!” I declared, bursting into laughter.
“You did the deed, didn’t you?” Trudy asked as she began to laugh too.
“You and Akhenaten are a whole?” Hulaz asked excitedly.
“Yes, Yes and Yes!” Tracey declared with a huge smile lighting up her face, “Yes, I am a little minx, that’s why Akhenaten loves me. Yes, we have done the deed, repeatedly, and yes, we are whole. Akhenaten is my one, my own.”
The three of us were all beaming at Tracey; it was clear that she was very happy.
“So, is it true that the male angels can change the size of their you know what’s to any size?” Trudy asked with wide eyes.
Tracey’s blush appeared to glow to another level.
“Mmm, yes it's true,” she said with a grin, “Any size, I checked and unlimited stamina.”
That was it, Trudy and I began laughing so hard that we were both struggling to breathe, and Hulaz was laughing at our reaction. Before long, we were all cracked up, especially when Tracey started to indicate with her hand just how big. She was just like a fisherman showing how big his catch was.
“Well this explains why Holly is always smiling,” Trudy stated.
“Damm lady, I don’t want to think about that, she’s still my baby girl as far as I’m concerned. I’ve only just started getting used to her being married, and I don’t want to think of my daughter doing the deed with anyone, even an angel!” I declared.
Trudy held her hands up in surrender as Hulaz and Tracey laughed.
“Anyway, getting back to you; you hot mess of a woman. How on earth did you keep up with Akhenaten if he’s got endless energy?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at our outrageous friend.
Her responding smiled told us that she had a great answer.
“Well,” she said, pausing to build our already growing interest, “It turns out that during our hot encounters, Akhenaten shared his energy and power with me.”
“What!” Trudy exclaimed in disbelief.
“I know right, it’s freaking crazy, but I can go all night too, and I swear it’s the most minding blowing relationship I’ve ever had,” Tracey declared, “It’s as if the git can read my fricking mind.”
I couldn’t help laughing at her words, and Hulaz began to laugh too. Tracey and Trudy looked at each other as if we’d lost the plot.
“Ok, what’s so freaking funny you two,” she demanded as she placed both of her fists on her curvy hips.
“He can read your mind, you loon!” I told her.
Hulaz and I could see by their faces when they remembered the times when the angels had known what we were thinking and feeling. Suddenly, we were all bursting our sides with laughter.
“Oh, my god, I freaking forgot, no wonder he knew that I liked kinky shit,” Tracey squealed as her face started to go red.
“We take pleasuring our other halves very seriously because we can feel their pleasure,” Hulaz told us with a very serious look on her face.
“Damm, Trudy, you and I are missing out lady,” I told her with a grin, “we need to trade our two in for a couple of amorous angels.”
Hulaz seemed a little shocked, but she didn’t say a word. It wasn’t in her nature to judge. I placed a hand in her arm.
“Don’t worry, Hulaz your angels are safe. It’s taken me this long to train James, and he definitely knows what I like. I don’t want to start all over again with someone else,” I giggled.
Hulaz smiled, and I knew she was only concerned for our husbands.
“Are you and Akhenaten going to get married?” Trudy asked excitedly.
“We haven’t really had that conversation, but he’s told me that I’m his one, his own,” Tracey admitted.
Hulaz slid herself forward, so she was on the edge of her seat, and she took Tracey’s hand in hers.
“If Akhenaten has told you this after you have joined, then in his eyes, you are already married,” Hulaz said in a serious tone.
For a moment, Tracey looked stunned, and I could feel her torn emotions again, her grief for John and the enormous guilt that she couldn’t shake.
“Tracey, we don’t know what’s going to happen when the Marilians get here. We may not be here the day after they invade. I think you should grab this chance of happiness with Akhenaten. You’ve both been through hell and back. You really do deserve to be happy,” I told her with all my heart.
The room began to feel heavy with emotions, and even Trudy could feel it. As I looked at Tracey, a single tear slowly trickled down her cheek, leaving a thin wet trail.
“I agree with Mel, Tracey,” Trudy said softly. “Tomorrow is never promised to any of us anymore, so grab every day with both hands.”
We sat there, all nodding our agreement. There was a stretched silence as we all contemplated Trudy’s words, but we were all such good friends that the silence wasn’t awkward in any way. After minutes had passed, Tracey stood from her seat, and she walked over to the only window. She seemed to be looking up at the stars in the night sky, and with no light pollution anymore, there were thousands upon thousands to be seen.
“If Akhenaten believes us to be married already, then I don't think we need to worry about a wedding ceremony right now,” Tracey said as she turned to face us. “I think I would rather wait until after the Marilians have been and gone. I would like to have a very, very long honeymoon period,” she added.
“Bloody hell, woman!” I exclaimed, “from the sounds of it, you’ve already been on your honeymoon period, you nymphomaniac you.”
The rest of the evening was full of lighthearted giggles, holding our sides belly laughing, including the odd snort from Trudy. Which only made us laugh even more. We were all savoring our time together.
It felt quite late in the evening when James and the kids got back, and it still felt strange not to see Holly walk through the door with them. The kids all appeared to be tired, and I was looking forward to finding out what they’d been up to all afternoon and evening. James, however, didn’t look happy whatsoever. Abruptly, Hulaz stood from her seat, and her face looked ashen.
“I am afraid that I have to leave you, Mel,” she said with a serious tone.
As Hulaz glided out of our room, I looked back to James, and a sense of dread washed over me, from my head to my toes. It was as if someone had poured ice-cold water over me. My baby started to move and kick as my heart began to pound rapidly in my chest, and my breathing started to quicken. My eyes connected with James, and I could see the fear in them.
“They’re here, aren’t they?” I asked, but I already knew the answer.
The kids stopped in their tracks, and their faces spoke a thousand words.
“Yes baby, they’re here,” James said as his lips thinned, and his brows furrowed.
“How long have we got?” I asked, dreading his answer.
“Christik thinks we have about a day and a half before they reach our atmosphere. We’re very lucky that the angels’ crafts just outside our atmosphere picked them up so quickly on their sensors,” he told us all.
“We’re going to have be quick to get everyone who isn’t fighting to Cubanaz, the underwate
r city,” I said as I looked at our kids’ faces.
My heart was slowing down, and my protective instincts were beginning to take over, not just for my family but for every single remaining survivor. I could feel the adrenaline rushing through my system.
“Who else knows?” I asked.
James seemed more determined with each second that passed, and I knew that his protective instincts were kicking in the same as mine.
“Christik and the other angels are telling everyone else now. I need to get you to the hanger ready to leave, so the kids and I can start getting ready,” he said matter of factly.
I was very tempted to demand that I should stay with them, but I knew James wouldn’t have it, so I nodded and turned to my kids. The thought of them fighting made my blood run cold.
“Please remember everything you’ve been taught and stay together, ok, you’ll be stronger as a team,” I told them as I looked into their innocent faces.
’This is going to change them all forever,’ I thought. I approached the kids and gave all of them a big hug in turn, savoring the moment, and by the time I finished hugging them, I had to force myself to walk away.
“Are you ready, baby?” James asked.
I knew he was desperate to get me on board the smaller craft and safe, so he didn’t have to worry.
“Yes, let’s go,” I told him, fighting off the tears that threatened to shed.
We left our room, and as we headed towards the hanger; angels constantly glided past, us obviously rushing to prepare for the fight. James and I didn’t speak all the way to the craft, but I felt some comfort just having his hand in mine. Worrying thoughts were rushing through my mind, and I guessed that James was the same.
The Marilians Page 19