by Stormi Lewis
“A perfect gentleman,” Sophie added sheepishly. “Although, sometimes too stubborn for his own good,” she added frowning at his only flaw.
“So, he’s just like your father,” Jess stated with her wicked smile and her hands on her hips.
“More like your mother,” Jack retorted back mimicking his wife’s stance.
“Good to see you still getting along after all these years,” Sophie giggled at the both of them.
“Eternity is a long time to be stuck with someone you despise,” her mother warned. “He’s lucky I like him,” Jess added winking at Jack who looked at his wife with as much love and admiration as Sophie had always remembered.
“Just don’t nag him to death,” Jack chuckled. “Because it doesn’t stop there, and there’s no escape from it.” Jess stuck her tongue out at Jack, and he laughed and shook his head.
“So, we’re not going to talk about what’s going on, or what I’m supposed to do with the key, huh?” Sophie asked sarcastically already knowing the answer.
“You have the key,” Jack shrugged. “You will know what to do with it when time comes.”
“Very insightful, Father,” Sophie said rolling her eyes.
“Do your best to keep those deserving safe,” Jess stated matter-of-factly as if it was just a simple request, but that just stirred an unexpected anger from deep within.
“What did you do to me?” Sophie asked overwhelmed with emotion.
Jack looked at her confused, however, Jess knew exactly what she meant.
“WE didn’t do anything to you,” her mother said firmly. “What we DID do was make sure that we gave you the most tools and the best possibility to outlive us all,” Jess said as tears filled her own eyes. “Do you think it was easy to find out that not only had I been altered against my knowledge, but I had passed those alterations onto MY OWN DAUGHTER?” Jess said as she turned her back to her daughter to wipe away the tears that were escaping down her cheeks.
Jack immediately pulled his wife into his arms. Sophie felt a huge wave of guilt squash her anger immediately. She had always assumed it was her parent’s choosing to make her different. Not that it was forced.
“Mom, I’m sorry,” Sophie said going to her mother. She threw her arms around both her parents. “I didn’t know,” she whispered as she breathed them in. A gust of wind blew past them, and Jess pushed away from them both as she quickly wiped her tears.
“We’re running out of time,” Jess said as she cleared her throat. “And I look like a hot mess to meet your family!” she said fussing with her human looks.
“You look amazing,” Jack said kissing his wife on the top of the head. She looked at him lovingly. Sophie heard them before she saw them.
“They’re here,” Sophie smiled at her parents.
“Good!” Jack said getting excited.
The living walked into the cemetery and found the dead with Sophie in the middle of the it.
“You must be Sally and Roger!” Jess exclaimed as she eagerly shoved her hand towards James’ parents.
Sally looked at her husband in a bit of hesitation before she took Jess’ hand into hers. It was shockingly warm. “Hello, Dear. I’m glad to finally meet you,” Sally offered with a warm smile.
Jack held out his hand to Roger. Roger looked at it with hesitation. “It’s a bit deceiving, but it’s safe,” Jack assured. Roger took his hand and was shocked at how real it actually felt. Jack chuckled at his response.
“I’m sorry,” Roger apologized. “The doctor side of me is truly nerding out right now,” he said in pure fascination.
“Hello Mr. Harris,” Tina said breaking Roger’s trance. “I’m Tina.”
“Oh, call me Jack, Dear,” Jack said smiling. “I’ve heard a lot about you,” he said winking at Sophie.
“I hope it was all good,” Tina said with a bit of anxiety.
“Only the best,” Jack assured.
“This is my husband, Ben,” Tina said pulling Ben towards them.
“Hello again, Benjamin,” Jack said with a warming smile. “I’m sorry our first meet was so short.”
Jess was in deep conversation with Sally off to the side. Sophie took James’ arm and lead him to her father.
“Dad, this is James,” Sophie said suddenly very nervous.
“James!” Jack said with excitement. “So nice to see you again!” Jack slipped his arm around James’ shoulders. “There’s something I need to talk to you about, so if you all will excuse us,” he said smiling his Cheshire grin. “Jess, Dear,” Jack called to his wife. “Can you please take over?”
“On it!” Jess said escorting Sally back to the group.
Sophie nervously watched Jack drag James off to the side. It was odd to see Jack against James. Her parents were timeless and not much older than Sophie and her friends. Sophie wondered briefly if they would get to be older than her parents.
“Stop fussing,” Jess demanded.
Sally put her arm around Sophie’s shoulders and whispered in her ear, “Don’t stress, Love. It’s just some man talk. Trust me,” Sally said with a wink.
“I’m sorry to be so brief, but time is running out,” Jess said to the group.
“What’s the man with the cane up to?” Ben asked outright.
“Who?” Roger asked confused.
“I think that’s the man after Sophie,” Sally offered.
“Unfortunately, we’re not exactly sure what he’s up to at the moment,” Jess said with a frown. “I had originally thought it was to take Jack and I away from Sophie, but I believe it to be much greater than that,” she added in frustration. “Dr. Corbin Dallas sacrificed himself in order to keep his teachings safe,” Jess said looking at the floor, taking a moment to mourn the loss of their confidant. “So, we will all need to keep our guards up,” Jess warned.
“How can we help Sophie?” Tina asked. She knew time was closing in and they needed to get to the point.
“Keep the key safe,” Jess gave Tina a knowing smile.
“What abilities does she have?” Ben asked in his doctor voice.
“Only Sophie will know that answer,” Jess said looking into her daughter’s eyes. “I had no knowledge of my alterations until Sophie was born. Jack and I noticed her gifts immediately,” she said giving Sophie a motherly smile. “We did our best to teach her how to use the ones we were aware of as assets to her. We just ran out of time,” Jess said with grief coming through her shaking voice.
A gust of wind circled them all with a whisper as it circled Jess.
“Jack, Dear,” she called to her husband. Time had officially run out.
“Here!” Jack shouted as he escorted James back to the group. “Sorry, Dear,” he said with a weary smile. “It was so nice to get to meet you in person, even if it was for only a brief moment,” Jack beamed at the group. He walked over to Sophie. “You have a good crew here,” Jack said, as he reached out and kissed the top of her head.
Sophie was filled with complete distress. “Don’t leave me!” she pleaded.
“We never do,” Jack said with an assuring smile.
Jess stepped in and pushed Sophie’s hair away from her face.
“We’re very proud of you,” Jess said with her voice cracking. “You are even more amazing than any parent could ever dream off,” she whispered pulling Sophie into a hug before she could witness the tears escaping Jess’ eyes. She quickly removed them behind Sophie’s back before pulling away. “He will try to mess with you, both mentally and physically. We will do what we can, but you cannot let him win,” Jess said in her motherly tone.
Sophie looked at her mother as tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Sophie,” her mother said firmly, indicating she wanted Sophie to confirm she wouldn’t let him win.
“I promise,” Sophie said, giving her mother a weak smile.
“Good girl,” Jess whispered before gently wiping her finger across Sophie’s forehead. Sophie’s knees buckled as she was forced into a deep sleep.
James caught her as she began to crumble.
“Good luck my dear boy,” Jack whispered as he did the same to James and caught both of them before they hit the ground.
Jess was in front of Tina and Ben before they could say anything and repeated the same gesture. Roger and Sally caught them as their knees buckled and they fell to the ground.
“They won’t remember anything other than the importance of the conversation,” Jess assured as she helped Sally sit Tina up against a tomb.
“Why?” Sally asked confused.
“It’s required,” Jack stated flatly. “They will be perfectly fine, though,” he added with a reassuring smile.
“And us?” Roger asked, curious what the children were experiencing.
“Not today,” Jack said patting Roger’s arm. “They have a long journey ahead of them. The man with the cane will make it as difficult as possible.”
“As a parent, it will be even harder for you,” Jess warned. “You must stay out of it to keep yourselves safe,” she added urgently to Sally. “We cannot keep you all safe, but we will protect the children as long as we can,” Jess confirmed.
“We need you to protect yourselves,” Jack nodded at Roger and stuck out his hand. Roger took it and gave it a solid shake.
“I miss you, old friend,” Roger smiled weakly to Jack.
“I miss you, too,” Jack smiled back. “You’ve done an amazing job with them both,” he said looking at Sophie and James resting against a nearby tomb. “Thank you for everything.” Roger nodded as he swallowed the lump forming in his throat.
“He’s a fine young man,” Jess whispered to Sally. “I couldn’t have chosen a better mate for her if I tried,” she smiled lovingly.
“Thank you,” Sally smiled with pride.
Black fog began to creep into the cemetery and surround them all.
“Get out immediately and don’t look back,” Jack warned before wrapping his arm around his wife’s waist, as she returned the gesture. They walked past the sleeping children, and the Moore’s watched them intently, as the black fog engulfed them both before disappearing as quickly as it came.
“What a beautiful couple,” Sally whispered once the fog had cleared and they were left without the presence of Jack and Jess.
“You have no idea,” Roger whispered back.
Chapter 8
S uddenly the children all began to stir at once. “What the heck?” asked Ben rubbing his head.
“Time to pack up and get going,” Sally ordered, taking control of the situation.
“What are we doing in a cemetery?” Tina asked confused.
“Don’t worry about that, Dear,” Sally stated firmly. “We have the man after Sophie a little too close for comfort, so let’s get going before he catches up.”
“Where are we headed, Boss?” Ben asked Sophie as he tried to rub the sleep out of his eyes.
Just then the phone in Tina’s bag went off. They all looked at each other, knowing no one else had their numbers. Tina dug for the phone and pulled it out suspiciously.
“Don’t open it,” James warned. “It’s most likely a trap.”
“Which is WHY we need to open it,” Tina said frowning at the phone in her hand. She flipped the front open. “We need to meet. See you in KC, Kid. -M” Tina read out loud.
“Who’s ‘M’?” asked Roger anxiously.
“Mario,” Sophie stated.
“How did he get Tina’s number?” Ben asked cautiously.
“Not sure, but if there’s an emergency, he would be the person to find a way,” Sophie replied.
“Then Kansas City it is,” James said handing Sophie her bag. “Indirectly of course,” he smiled as he kissed her on the cheek. Sophie’s hesitation was caught immediately. “What is it?” James asked her.
“I just never go home,” Sophie said in a light whisper.
“You’re from Kansas City?” Tina asked in a bit of surprise. Sophie had never mentioned where her home was. They figured she didn’t remember.
“Maybe you and I should travel together this time,” James offered as he gently put his hand around Sophie’s waist and pulled her in.
“No,” Sophie said after a second or two. “Spread out and meet at the Extended Stay America in Overland Park on 106th Street by November 18th,” Sophie stated. “Take your time and leave a mark. This is the second time he’s gotten too close for comfort. Let’s give him the chase of a lifetime,” she said with determination.
“On it!” replied Tina in a salute as she pulled out the phone to look for the nearest and fastest exits out of town.
“You sure you’re okay?” James asked Sophie with concern.
“Everyone has to go home sometime,” Sophie shrugged and gave him her best smile.
Roger helped Tina get some tickets ordered while Sally walked over to her son.
“Don’t worry about us,” Sally said. “I’ve been nagging your father to take me to London for a while now,” she chuckled. “That Michael McIntyre is so yummy! I would love to see him in person,” she said almost swooning.
James looked at his mother in awe. Leave it to his mother to distract them all. He shook his head, but the giggle that escaped Sophie’s mouth made him feel better. James stepped in front of Sophie and pulled her into his arms as their noses touched.
“I love you,” he said firmly, before kissing her as if it might be their last.
Sally looked at her husband and winked before stating, “As sweet as that is, Dear, you both need to get going.”
Sally pulled Sophie into a huge bear hug and Sophie accepted it graciously. Then Sally turned to James. “Don’t take too much time,” she warned her son.
He knew she meant about asking Sophie to marry him. Now was not the time. Although he couldn’t trace his steps from the moment Sophie encountered Hellen to the time they randomly ended up in the cemetery, he sensed it had been enough for one day.
“Yes, Mother,” James muttered as he hugged Sally and kissed her on the cheek.
They said their goodbyes, and all headed in opposite directions. Sally squeezed Sophie’s hand as everyone left one-by-one.
“You’ve got this,” Sally whispered to her. “Your parents did an amazing job with you,” she said looking down at Sophie. “So, make sure you keep making them proud, because they are Sophie. So proud.”
Sophie fought the need to uncontrollably sob as she squeezed Sally’s hand in return. “Now let’s go kick some ass, what do you say?” Sally asked and Sophie let out a laugh.
“Yes, ma’am,” Sophie responded with a loving smile.
“Oh, call me Mom, Love,” she winked and took Rogers arm to follow him to get to the airport. The wind whipped around Sophie forcing her hair to fly chaotically around her face. She breathed in the crisp fall air.
“You’re gorgeous, but it’s time to get you out of that dress,” said James once Sophie exited the cemetery. He had waited for her just on the other side of the wall.
“You’re supposed to be getting out of here,” Sophie said staring at James in disbelief.
“Like I was going to let anyone else besides me help you get out of that dress,” James said with his boyish grin. “Come on,” he said holding out his hand to her. “I have just the place.”
Sophie took it without hesitation and walked with the man she loved down the empty streets of New Orleans.
“What is this place?” Sophie asked as she entered the abandoned apartment. It was bland and covered in simple furniture with white, beige, and wood providing the only color.
“An old CIA safehouse,” James said with a shrug as he pulled their bags inside. He walked up behind her, moved her vibrant dark red-wine hair off to the side, and gently traced the back of her neck and shoulders with his fingertips.
“We don’t have time for this,” Sophie whispered, letting her head fall back as she enjoyed his touch.
“I’m just helping you get out of your dress for safety precautions,” James whispered in her ear before n
ibbling on it. Sophie groaned in pleasure. “You didn’t say HOW I had to take it off,” he murmured against her neck as he worked his way down it with kisses and nibbles. Sophie gasped and bit her bottom lip in anticipation.
James fingers worked efficiently at the ties that kept her body trapped within the corset. Sophie held up her now fallen hair and looked over her shoulder as he loosened the laces. She could finally breathe again! She heard the zipper move down and she released her hair to fall gracefully onto her shoulders. James slipped his hands gently down the front of her and cupped both her breasts.
“I spent all night thinking about how much fun it was going to be to take this off you,” James whispered in her ear with heat and need.
“That’s good,” Sophie moaned. “I’ve been waiting for you to take this damn thing off me all night,” she said as her Cheshire grin made an appearance.
James gently pushed the dress down her body and held her hand for balance as she gracefully stepped out of it.
“The tennis shoes are a nice touch, but God would I love to see those legs in some heels,” he said taking her in.
Her breasts were bare, and she wore black lace underwear to match her dress. Her legs were lean with athletic curves from her hips to her calves. The black tennis shoes did give him a chuckle.
Sophie pressed her naked breasts against his body as she threw her arms around his neck. “I suppose we have a few minutes,” she breathed with need and desire oozing in her voice.
“Yes, Ma’am,” James smiled back as he crushed his mouth against hers and carried her to the bed.
He needed her like never before. He needed her to know how much he loved her, and he didn’t care if it took all night to do so. James looked down at Sophie, with her dark red-wine hair spread like a sun around her face. “You’re keeping the red,” he ordered before he bent down to fill her with all the love he had to give.
After an amazing night full of more love than Sophie could physically handle, it was Hellen that invaded her dreams that night. Not that she thought James would go back to her, or that Hellen ever had a chance at changing James’ mind. It was the reminder of James having a normal life that haunted her as she tossed and turned that night.