by J Armitage
Knock, knock.
The door opened and Anais pulled her hand back sharply. The light flickered wildly as a gust of cold air hit the candles, extinguishing some of them and bringing the studio into near darkness.
“Brought you these. Thought you might like them to help you sleep.” August stood there with two giant steaming mugs of hot chocolate, his huge form in silhouette thanks to the lights in the courtyard.
He turned on the studio lights causing Anais to blink a few times.
“Oh, not disturbing anything am I?”
He suddenly seemed embarrassed as he took in the scene of the candles, of which only a few were now still alight, and the rose petals. He plonked the mugs on the bedside table next to the muffins causing some of the hot chocolate to splash out.
“No, nothing.” Anais felt herself going pink. “It’s ok. Thank you.”
August apologised for the disturbance and quickly headed for the door. He couldn’t make his escape fast enough. He shut the door quickly behind him causing the remaining candles to flicker once again. Anais decided that she had better extinguish the few remaining candles. It would take forever to re light the ones that had already gone out. The studio now had a faint smoky smell and for the first time she realised that the paintings might be damaged by the smoke. She opened a couple of the ceiling high windows and the door to air the studio. It was a freezing night and she shivered as she waited a few minutes for the smoky smell to dissipate. When she could stand it no more, she closed the door and the windows and returned to the bed.
Tiny snores told her that Aethelu had fallen asleep after her extremely long day. Anais covered her over with a blanket and slowly stroked Aethelu’s face, knowing that The Light wouldn’t affect her now that Aethelu was asleep. Her skin was soft and slightly illuminated, whether with the moonlight which was seeping through the small windows or by The Light running through her veins. It was a subtle effect but Anais knew that if Aethelu opened her eyes, the flashes of silver in them would be intense. Aethelu murmured slightly at the touch. Anais felt something she’d not felt for the last two weeks. She felt at peace. She finally felt like home.
“Good morning sleepy.”
Anais opened her eyes to a wonderful sight. Aethelu was sat on the edge of the bed looking beautiful. The red clothes were still there but the red lipstick had been ditched. A tan from being on the boat gave her a healthy glow and her hair was still messed up from being slept on but that only served to give her a sexy look. She smiled at Anais and the whole room lit up. Anais heart leapt at the sight of having Aethelu near her finally.
Aethelu handed Anais a muffin from the basket. She reached out to take it but Aethelu pulled it back out of reach and making the most of Anais moving forward she kissed her full on the mouth. The sparks were there still but much less noticeable than the day before.
“Mmm, much better than muffin,” she grinned.
“Here, Eat!” She handed back the muffin, this time letting Anais take it. “Mama will kill me if she thinks you’ve not had any breakfast.”
“You’ve seen her already?”
“It’s eleven thirty.” She pointed out the clock on the wall. “I’ve been awake hours. I didn’t want to leave you but Ava and Alfred arrived in the middle of the night and Audsley just turned up a couple of hours ago too. Alex wasn’t best pleased. He picked up Auntie and apparently had just got back into bed when Audsley called and he had to get up and drive back to the airport to pick her up. Apparently one of the security guards recognised him the second time and detained him thinking he was up to no good, picking all these people up. It was only when Audsley tracked him down and explained to the officer that he was legitimately picking her up that they let him go. I think they thought he was into human trafficking or something.”
Anais almost choked on her lemon poppy seed muffin and then started to giggle.
It was so good to have Aethelu back. She’d not felt this light hearted in weeks.
“Poor Alex,” she said struggling to speak with laughter.
“Come on. I really want you to meet everyone. You’ll love Audsley, she’s a hoot.”
Anais was disappointed. She’d have liked to spend the day alone with Aethelu. She quickly thought of an excuse not to go back to the main house but even as she said it she knew it was lame.
“I’m still in yesterday’s clothes!” She noticed that Aethelu had changed although she was still in red. Today it was a long red gypsy dress with a red cardigan over the top.
“I noticed some of your clothes up stairs. You can change into those. Have you been sleeping here whilst I was gone?”
“Yeah I did for a bit,” Anais was embarrassed “I missed you.”
“Oh god I love you, you complete nutter.”
“Thanks a bunch!” Anais grinned.
Dressing in some of the clothes Aethelu brought down for her, she decided to meet the rest of the family and then steer Aethelu back to the studio as soon as she could politely get away.
They found Aethelu’s aunt and uncle having tea and scones in the parlour.
A woman, Anais assumed to be Ava jumped up and hugged Aethelu and then Anais herself. Unlike all the other Guardians, Ava was extremely petite. Anais had to bend down slightly to receive the hug and that was with Ava on her tiptoes. She had dark blonde curls which bounced around her heart shaped face. Her skin was bronzed with the sun and the laughter lines around her eyes showed she smiled a lot. Indeed she was smiling now as she spoke and her whole face was animated. She shared none of the features of her brother Aldric, and Anais would never have guessed they were related, never mind brother and sister.
“Pleasure to meet you. Pleasure, pleasure.” She shook Anais hand so hard that Anais worried it might fall off. He voice was light and tinkly. “Aethelu has told us so much about you. Didn’t she Freddy?”
She turned her attention now to her husband.
“Yes Dear.”
“And she told us how beautiful you were, and I must say she was right, wasn’t she Freddie?”
“Yes Dear, Very pretty.”
He held his hand out for Anais to shake. He was at least a foot taller than his wife but he shared the same bronze tan and healthy glow. He had a thick head of grey hair which made him look debonair rather than old. It was styled to the side and matched perfectly the moustache which had been curled at the sides. He too had laughter lines around the eyes but unlike his slim wife, he carried quite a few extra pounds around his middle. They seemed like a couple that lived well and enjoyed life. Dressed in a Navy blue sun dress and chinos and t-shirt respectively, it was obvious they hadn’t packed for the English weather. Unlike Judith, who was also unused to the British weather, neither of them seemed to notice that it was just over freezing outside and they were dressed for a sunny day. The large fire which someone had thoughtfully lit probably helped though, making the room warm and cosy.
Anais accepted a cup of tea and sat down. Ava chatted away about travelling the world, stopping every so often to confirm a fact with Alfred who uttered ‘Yes Dear’ at each of these points as if on cue.
Alfred seemed content to let his wife speak for both of them. In fact it seemed that he was actively enjoying listening to her tell stories of their adventures together. He was rapt by her story telling as if he’d not been on these adventures himself and heard the stories before. Every time Ava told them about something funny Alfred’s moustache would jiggle as he laughed. His hand never left Ava’s knee except when he was pouring her another tea. When he dropped a bit of scone. Ava had picked it up and placed it back on his plate before he’d even noticed, talking all the while.
They were totally in synch with each other. After six hundred years together they had become a well-oiled machine working perfectly together as one. Anais marvelled at how they could stay in love for so long but looking at Alfred now she could see the adoration for his wife in his eyes.
Ava, despite talking nonstop kept turning and smiling at her husb
and at shared memories.
She barely paused to take breath skating from one adventure to the next, each more exciting than the last. It seemed there was no place they hadn’t visited and nothing they hadn’t tried.
Anais was exhausted just listening to her talk but she had led such a fascinating life that Anais could have happily listened to her all day. She probably would have if it wasn’t for the arrival of Audsley an hour later followed by Arcadia and Rafe.
The doors flew open and there she stood, obviously used to making an entrance. She took after her mother with her height and impish face. She had the same white blonde hair as the others but instead of dying it to make it look more natural she’d added flashes of pink and black. Her outfit consisted of a black and pink plaid shirt over a pink bustier, black jeans and hot pink cowboy boots. Silver bangles decorated her wrists and the look was completed with a pierced lip. She looked she couldn’t decide between Goth and cowgirl style so had somehow managed to wear both at the same time. She had managed to make it work too. Despite the heavy eyeliner she looked extremely youthful. If Anais hadn’t of known better she’d have placed her at about 17 years old. It was hard to imagine that this tiny thing successfully running a tourist ranch employing 15 staff.
“Howdy!” Her voice was a lot bigger than her size.
“Audsley Darling, you’re English!” Arcadia reminded her.
“Well yeehaa, I know it silly. Now is this my cousin’s new girl?”
Her loud voice and enthusiasm more than made up for her diminutive height. She also had a very noticeable American accent which obviously irritated Arcadia. She danced through the door, grabbed Anais and kissed her extravagantly on both cheeks before turning to Aethelu and doing the same to her.
“Sorry it took me so long to come down but I was chatting to Andrews charming girlfriend and lost track of the time. She is such a sweetheart aint she? Who'da thought it. Little Andrew finally getting laid after all this time.”
“Audsley! Language.” Ava gave her a stern look.
“Sorry mom!” She gave a faux sheepish look and sat in the only available chair grabbing a scone on the way.
Audsley had also inherited her mother’s love of talking and between them they dominated the conversation.
It was like watching a tennis match. Anais swivelled her head from one to the other as they both jabbered. The constant talking punctuated with the occasional “Yes Dear” from Alfred.
Despite having not been able to get a word in edgeways all morning, Anais very much liked the newcomers. It was a nice change to hear about life outside the manor. When Winnie and Alex turned up later, the pair were still in full throttle.
“Lunch time!” Announced Winnie brightly. She’d brought two giant platters of sandwiches and a fresh pot of tea. Alex had obviously been helping out in the kitchen.
The silver platters were placed on the coffee table and everyone tucked in. Alex sat on the floor as there were no spare seats and Aethelu joined him to allow her mother to sit on a chair.
Ava pecked at a small triangle of sandwich and carried on talking. She had free reign now as everyone else was too busy eating to talk. Even Audsley was quiet as she wolfed down sandwich after sandwich, eating far more than anyone would expect for such a slight girl. Once she’d had her fill she quickly got back into trying to out talk her mother.
Eventually both women ran out of things to say and Alfred took advantage of the pause in conversation to finally get a word in.
“Winnie, tell us of the situation. Aethelu says that Jago is somehow blackmailing Aldric to make more elixir is that correct?”
“I’m afraid so Fred. He’s made some kind of virus which will in effect wipe out most of the people on the planet. Aldric is working on an antidote but he’s run into some problems.”
“I’ll say!” Said Alex.
“What problems?” His moustache twitched.
“It’s an extremely complex virus. Nothing seems to be able to kill it except our antibodies. The problem is, our antibodies are so strong that they will kill off a human before the virus does.”
“Can’t he just brew some more of the elixir?”
“He says he can’t remember the recipe. Even if he could, do you really think giving this maniac the key to eternal life will be a good idea? Who knows what he’d do with it.”
“Mmm” Alfred’s moustache wiggled as he thought the situation through “It sounds like we are all in a sticky pickle indeed.”
“Anais is going to save the world” Alex looked proudly at her as he spoke. “She’s having my baby.”
Anais felt all eyes turn to her and suddenly felt very uncomfortable. Aethelu didn’t seem any happier by Alex’s announcement than she was.
“I thought you were dating Aethelu? Is this some kind of modern love triangle because I must say...”
“Let the girl talk Freddie Love.
Anais would have found it ironic that it was Ava telling her husband that he was talking too much but she was just grateful that he’d stopped talking at all.
She’d have given her right arm not to have to explain her situation to these strangers especially now she could see both Aethelu and Alex looking at her, waiting to see what she would say.
“I am Aethelu’s girlfriend.” She could feel herself going red as she spoke. She purposely kept her eyes away from Aethelu and Alex; she didn’t want to see either of their expressions as she told the story. “The baby was solely conceived to have the correct DNA to enable Aldric to make an antidote. When it has been born it will be brought up by Aethelu and myself as its parents.”
She hadn’t discussed this with Alex and she knew that she was hurting him but what else could she say? To lie and say he would be anything more than the biological father would only end up hurting him more. She’d never promised him anything but she despised herself now as Alex made a lame excuse and left the room.
She felt herself get even hotter as she looked into the eyes of three shocked faces, obviously horrified at what she had told them.
Even Ava and Audsley were lost for words as they stared at her open mouthed.
She made her excuses and left the room to cool down. Running back to the studio she heard footsteps behind her. Looking back she saw Aethelu following her. She slowed her steps and let Aethelu catch up to her. Once inside the confines of the studio she started to cry.
“Please don’t cry!” Aethelu held her tight, her voice full of concern.
“I hurt him.” Anais sniffed, tears pouring down her face.
“He’ll come round. He must have known that the baby was never going to be his”
“He knew. At least I think he knew.” She thought back. Had she ever told him that he was never going to be a father to this child? She couldn’t remember. She remembered back to when they were alone in the library, before she’d fallen asleep and before Aethelu had come back. He’d been talking of happy families then. Why hadn’t she stopped him? Because deep down she wanted it to be true? She was so confused that she didn’t know what to think.
Aethelu wiped the tears from her eyes. The buzz from The Light made her blink.
“He’ll be off chasing some girl and getting into arguments with Rafe over her in no time. Once the babies arrive he’ll have forgotten his part in it all.
Anais shook her head. As much as she’d like to believe it, she knew it wasn’t true.
“He told me he loved me.”
“He did what?” Aethelu’s tone was incredulous “I’ll kick him all the way to next week the slimy toad.”
“He wasn’t coming on to me. He just told me matter-of-factly.”
“Still!” Aethelu still sounded annoyed.
“Don’t be hard on him. Look at what he’s going through. He’s having to father a baby against his will and then being told that he’s not going to be anything to the child.”
“He would be favourite uncle”
“It’s not the same and you know it. He’s heartbroken and it’s
all my fault.” The tears once again began to fall.
Aethelu softened “You are right, he’s been placed in a horrific situation. I can’t blame him for falling in love with you. If he didn’t I’d probably wonder why. We are all in a horrible place right now but it’s not your fault. It’s not anyone’s fault.”
“It is someone’s fault.” Anais wiped her eyes and adopted a look of steely determination. “It’s Jago’s fault. He has done this to all of us. I cannot wait to find him because when I do I’m going to...”
“Kill him? I don’t believe you would ever be able to kill anyone. You don’t have it in your heart.”
“Maybe not but I hate him.”
“We all do honey. We all do. Look. If you like I’ll go and talk to Alex. At the end of the day does it matter if these babies have two mothers and a father? Surely the more people that love them the better off they’ll be at the end of the day.”
“Do you really mean it? Thank you.” She hugged Aethelu tight.
“Of course I mean it. I’d do anything for you. You know that.”
With that she left Anais, heading back through the studio door to the main house.
Anais hugged her tummy. “You guys are so lucky!”
It was the first time she’d spoken to her unborn triplets.
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
When half an hour had passed and Aethelu still hadn’t returned, Anais began to get bored. She had a quick look around the studio for something to read but found nothing. Remembering all the boxes of books that Alex had brought back from the shop yesterday she wished she’d picked one of them out and brought it back with her. It was then that she remembered she had brought a book back with her. Her father’s journal. She’d slipped it into her pocket just before she’d fainted in the storage warehouse car park the day before. She found her coat hanging on a little hook by the studio door. Putting her hand into the coat pocket she quickly brought out the book. The noise of something metal hitting tile made her jump before she realised she’d brought her mother’s necklace out along with the book. She hadn’t noticed and now it had fallen onto the floor. She picked it up and brought it back to the bed along with the book. Settling down in bed, she hung the necklace on the bedstead and opened to the first page of her father’s Journal. She flicked through until she found what she was looking for. The first mention of her.