'I knew George would be having affairs when we married, and I have had my share of them, too. We didn't marry for love, we married to have a safe home together, and to raise children. And now, we try to help people in need.
I'm glad George has Hermes, suppose he were to date younger men from our own class, they'd be insufferable and there would always be the risk of the affair getting out. Hermes is a generous, sensible man, with no connections to our own society, and that makes him the ideal partner for George. Did you know he teaches Jonathan when he is here, Lukas?'
Lukas nodded, he did know, Jonathan had told him he was dying to try the language spell, and it had worked fabulously today. And introducing Rhoda to Jonathan was already working out quite well.
But there was one person who might disagree, and he asked: 'Do you mind if Hailee stays somewhere else, John?'
Showing true Victorian self-restraint again, John replied: 'I don't. Some part of me wishes her close, in my arms actually, but my common sense tells me we need to become re-acquainted to each other, and for that we need to live our own lives for a while.
And we'll meet regularly, I suppose, I work here, I'm here most of the day, and she knows where she can find me. If she cannot love me as a normal man with a paying job, there is no hope for us, for even if I do return to the old world, I will not be partying anymore, I'll be working in my own vineyard most of the day.'
To Lukas it sounded as if his former master had already decided to stay, no matter what property or easy life he left behind. Hera would always have him looking over his shoulder in ancient Greece.
John looked at his companions and realized he had shared love with all three of them, to mutual satisfaction, no doubt about that. So much love for him, why should he be sad about a silly girl when there were three sensible adults around?
The need for restraint was gone instantly, his mood improved immensely, and he asked Aphrodite: 'When the young crowd goes out to dance, will accompany me and allow me to show you the idea of a good time in London?'
'If Melissa doesn't need me, sure, I'd love to. Provided you don't mind, Frances?'
Frances smiled and said: 'I think it is a magnificent idea, I think you'll love a polka, Aphrodite. I like to go sometimes, but George will want to stay in and I don't want to be the only middle-aged person there. Besides, Ilsa likes to have company in the evenings.'
Rhoda wanted to stay at the manor very much. She'd have a comfortable room there and plenty of people to help her learn about England. And Jonathan would be there, though she was still a bit worried about her rapidly growing feelings for him, she knew by now he was a very ambitious student of magic, and if she associated with him she would be talking magic most of the time.
She did know much about magic, having been a superb student herself, and she still had sight, but Hera had told her she would never practise magic again, and her main reason for moving to this world was to escape its constant influence on her life.
But the most important reason for Rhoda to want to live at the manor was obvious: Paul. No matter how sincerely he had forgiven her, it must be a relief to him to enjoy becoming a real family without having to share his safe home with her. Her place was anywhere but around him, he might have forgiven her, but she had not forgiven herself, and seeing him was positively painful.
Hailee was not so sure that moving to the manor was such a good idea, she'd be unable to be with the master all the time, and she had come to this place to be with him. But she knew Rhoda wanted to stay, she clearly liked
that serious boy a lot, even though he was a lot younger than herself and almost bursting with magic.
And Hailee was not the empty-headed, will-less creature she appeared to be to the others, she was just misunderstood in her determination to give her master his due as a god, even in a world where he had no worshippers or status.
Being rather smart, she understood they might not be particularly wanted in Paul's home, they were soon to have a baby, and two visitors disturbed their peace. Besides, maybe her master might relent if she kept herself away from him for some time, and enjoyed herself with a tall, handsome young man.
Decision made, Frances showed them their rooms, next to each other. She explained the house-rules, dinner-times, chores and the way to treat the staff respectfully. Mostly for Hailee's benefit, she also told a little about Victorian morals on the subject of sharing love, though their own rules were more lenient. Frances didn't think Rhoda would be ready to share love for some time yet, but she needed to know that familiarity might breed expectation in this culture.
Chapter 33
They did go dancing that very night, taking the carriage to their favourite place, in the little park. The girls and Aphrodite got their fair warning about skipping rounds, and they practised the steps first, in the garden of the manor.
At the dance, spirits lifted instantly, the music was so infectious and fast they could only follow their feet towards the dance-floor, and they were soon tested, Jonathan leading Rhoda with more than a little excitement. After one dance they were heated and giddy, and they sat down for a moment to unwind.
Hailee and Marcus kept it up a lot longer, they danced until they were totally out of breath, then fell into one chair together, giggling and very dizzy.
John and Aphrodite made a real impression, with his trim shape and his excellent stamina John belied his meek appearance and showed the youths how to lead a lady. Aphrodite was delighted, she had never danced so fast, and it was exhilarating.
Lukas danced with his casual partners at first, he was a well-known dancer here, and attracted a lot of attention from the regular ladies who hunted for the fastest dancers, and hopefully a round somewhere totally different than the dance-floor.
When another regular wanted a turn with Jonathan, they all swapped partners, and Lukas claimed Aphrodite, to her great delight, for she soon found out why all those ladies waited for their turn on the floor with Lukas.
She flew over the dance-floor, and begged him for mercy after two rounds.
Marcus claimed Rhoda, and Hailee looked at John with a question in her eyes.
He really wanted to dance with her, show her a side of him she'd never known, so he took her hand, spinning her at lightning speed, showing her a variation on the normal steps, leading her with bright eyes and a glad face.
Even at this speed Hailee enjoyed being in his arms, suddenly she understood why he ate sparingly and drank little wine and only in the evenings. The man she knew could never have led her through a dance at this
speed, he never moved if he could help it.
Held in his arms, close to his body, she could smell him clearly now, similar to the old days, but different, in a good way. This was his scent as it was supposed to be, very masculine but fresh, and very enticing.
How she managed to let herself be totally taken in by his presence at the speed they were going was a testimony to his expert lead, and at the end of two dances her giddiness was not solely due to the turning and skipping.
They both returned to their original partners with a feeling of optimism, Hailee starting to realize that skinny had its advantages, and that working hard made playing afterwards even more fun. She danced another two rounds with Marcus, then two spectacular rounds with Lukas, and two with Jonathan.
And then she was claimed once more by her master, no, this was not her master, she should really respect his wish to be called John, so she said to herself, I'm dancing with John, with John, and she secretly wished the music would slow so she could kiss him.
But of course it never did, so they danced until it stopped and then she kissed him, and he answered her kiss with frenzy. So there was some hope for her yet. When they had finished that kiss, Marcus claimed her again, and he was her partner so she went with him, but in an even better mood. All would be well yet, and in the meantime this young man was great fun to be with.
They were fetched at a very decent time, and in excellent spirits. Rhoda and Jona
than were talking again, and Marcus was clearly eager to do more than talk with Hailee. She considered the idea with pleasure, she did feel like sharing love, and she knew the master would spend the night with the goddess of love warming his bed.
At the manor they parted, Hailee had decided she'd spend the night with Marcus so she followed him to his quarters, Rhoda and Jonathan shared one chaste goodnight-kiss, and Lukas, Aphrodite and John cycled home.
Lukas had worked up quite a bit of fervour dancing, but his steady devotion to Melissa so close to the birth now showed its disadvantage, for his potential partners were involved with each other. Still, getting some sleep would be nice, too.
He expected to crawl into a bed with two sleeping people, but as he walked quietly to the empty side of the bed, he heard a whisper from the opposite end: 'Lukas, will you come to me? I've missed you.'
Melissa wasn't even sleepy, she was in bed, wide awake, eager to have company. He snuggled in her arms, difficult because of her now huge belly, but with a little more effort he managed. She kissed him with passion, and scratched his horns quite firmly, making him gasp.
'That's too much, love! I've been dancing, I'm all worked up, you're driving me mad with lust!'
She laughed at his protest, and said: 'Good, I want you mad with lust, for I've been very horny all day, and Paul can't seem to bring himself to put some spirit in it anymore, I suppose he is embarrassed towards the baby. But I don't care, I just want it rough, I've been lying in wait for you for at least an hour, hoping you hadn't shared yet.'
'There is no-one to share with, they're all paired. I admit I'll feel a bit embarrassed, too, but you can help me along quite easily. Beloved, now we know for certain that we're getting a son, we can think up a name, can't we?'
It appeared her patience had run out, for she massaged his horn-bases so blissfully, that he lost all ability to speak and just took her, roughly, exactly as she had wanted. She groaned in exaltation and wanted him to kiss her, not an easy feat to manage with her belly in the way, but of course she got what she wanted.
After the rough first round, they were both calm enough to enjoy some much more tender loving, which they both relished intensely, knowing it might be their last for some time to come, for Aphrodite had warned Melissa against having intercourse soon after birth. They could love each other of course, but differently. Besides, they would be incredibly busy.
Lying close together they let themselves drift off, sated and happy, Melissa finally ready to find some sleep.
She must have slept well, for she could hear birds outside when an uncomfortable cramp in her belly awoke her. Needing to use the privy, she got up and felt something drench her legs instantly. That was it, it had started.
Checking the bed, she saw Lukas still asleep, what a fortunate coincidence that she had woken just before sunrise on the morning that she needed him the most, another half hour and he'd have been off.
The cramp came back and she breathed as Aphrodite had taught both herself and Ilsa. She decided she'd have plenty of time yet, so she went to the privy, bringing a mop back to clear up the mess. Then she decided she was not going to bother, within half a day she would be able to bend over again, let Lukas do it this time.
She got Paul's watch from the night stand to time her contractions, and woke Lukas. Going to the privy she had had another one, and she guessed they must be about seven minutes apart, they weren't all that painful yet either, so there was probably plenty of time left. Still she liked to know exactly, and she wanted Lukas' company, it was getting light outside, the time he usually awoke, so he wouldn't be grumpy.
And he wasn't, he was delighted, and he mopped up the mess with a broad smile, checking the colour of the fluid, and telling her happily it was clear as water, a good sign.
He took away the mop, and returned with a load of towels, one of which he laid on the bed for her to sit on: 'Why get the linen dirty when we can have the towels washed?'
'Better use some more, then, Lukas, for according to everyone I've asked, birthing is a messy business,' Melissa remarked.
She had timed the cramps at six minutes already, which she supposed was quick, and they were regular and rising in intensity. This was indeed the real thing.
'Lukas, I think I've been sleeping through some of it, I think this is not going to take the usual eight hours. Maybe you'd better warn Aphrodite, I've heard that sometimes it can go really fast. She needn't come, yet, but...'
Melissa couldn't talk as another wave of what could by now be called pain hit her. She checked the watch, marking the time it started, and the time it lasted.
When it was gone, she finished her sentence: ...she might want to wake up and dress.'
Lukas now decided to wake Paul, he wouldn't be grumpy during the birth of his own child, and when Paul opened his eyes, Lukas said: 'It's started, better make some coffee.'
Then he was off, and Melissa could hear his hoofs on the stairs, taking two steps together at least.
Paul said something, but she didn't hear it, she checked the watch then let herself be taken along on a wave of pain. Five minutes, this was going very fast.
She felt herself being taken in his arms, the watch laid on the night stand for now. 'Can you bring me up to speed, love? What can I do for you?' he asked concernedly, but also with excitement.
Melissa replied: 'You can check the time between contractions, I think it
is going a lot faster than usual, we need to keep track. And you can kiss me.
And when Lukas returns we need to think of a name, we totally forgot!'
She was kissed first, very gently but passionately nonetheless, and then Paul picked up the watch once more, and asked: 'How are you, beloved?'
She answered truthfully: 'Not too bad. It will get worse though. I'm mostly scared that..there's another one, still getting stronger.'
Of course Lukas brought Aphrodite back with him, and she took over immediately. 'Paul, you make some coffee, to wake us all up. Lukas, come here and watch me, for when it's Ilsa's turn, if you know specifics, you can be of real help.
Melissa, I saw Paul with a watch, how far apart are your contractions?'
Sending Paul away was not Melissa's idea of help, but she answered nonetheless: 'Five minutes.'
'Five minutes already? Did you wait very long to wake Lukas?'
'No I didn't, my water broke and I needed him to clear up the mess. Can I go to the privy? I need to go.'
'Yes, by all means, take Lukas though, I'm sorry I sent Paul away, I thought it would take ages yet, it usually does. Do you want me to call him back? I really would like some coffee...'
Melissa held on to Lukas un-gently in the throes of another contraction, with Aphrodite telling her to remember the special breathing. She felt foolish huffing and puffing like Dionysus climbing Mount Olympus, and she said so, making both Lukas and his aunt laugh.
'Still, it does work, though it seems you don't need it that much, you're not fighting the pain. Keep going, and hurry with the privy, then when you come back I'll check how far along you are.'
It was good to have Lukas along, for she experienced two more contractions before she was back in the bedroom.
Aphrodite carefully timed the next ones, Melissa had no idea who had taught her to use a watch, but she did, and she seemed to have an instinctive understanding of time. When she asked, the goddess was amazed, and said:
'You should be screaming in pain, cursing Lukas for doing this to you by now, instead you observe and make jokes. Don't you feel any pain?'
'Nothing very bad, no,' Melissa replied, it wasn't very comfortable, but not excruciating either.
Nonetheless she was happy to have Paul come back with coffee and cups, for she felt emotional and wanted him close. The contractions were speeding
up a lot, and soon Melissa had no time to make jokes anymore, this seemed to be going way too fast, she couldn't keep up.
Aphrodite asked Paul to take Melissa in his arms, and asked Melissa
permission to let Lukas feel inside as well, so he would know what she was talking about. 'By all means, let him touch me, he does it often enough I should say.'
'Lukas, I forgot you have very easy access to hot water, please get me a bucketful, plus any soap you have, quickly.' Aphrodite was no in a panic, but this was going very fast, usually first births took hours and hours, and she was not quite in the mood yet, she felt rushed. Still, babies did things in their own time, and this one was inherently fast.
Both Lukas and Aphrodite washed their hands with soap in very hot water, Lukas cringing a little at the touch of the near boiling water on his sensitive new skin, then the goddess showed him how to feel the dilation of the womb.
She momentarily forgot Melissa, who was in good hands with Paul, and concentrated on Lukas and the technique. She felt a strong dilation already, almost enough for Melissa to start getting the urge to push, and she quickly made room for Lukas, telling him what to feel for.
He estimated the opening correctly, and she told him to use sight, which he did. 'Everything just fine,' he said, 'strong heartbeat, head is down.' She told him what else to check, and he did.
By now, the contractions were nearly continuous, this was hard work for Melissa, but rewarding as well, for every contraction seemed to help the baby down to where it should go. She was still rather relaxed, considering the circumstances, just a bit overwhelmed by the speed at which everything was happening.
Now she wanted to push, and the goddess checked again. Another few contractions, and she might, but not yet. 'Hold on, use the other breathing rhythm I taught you to keep from pushing for two more contractions, you're doing incredibly well, but if the baby comes too fast he can damage you and that hurts for weeks, so control yourself.
This was going too fast to properly instruct Lukas, she checked again and the way was clear. 'At the next contraction, Melissa, push along with it, but not too hard, quietly, as you have been all along. Is that it already? Good, do your best, you may sit up if you prefer, but if you can manage lying down it
is better the first time.'
Past Lives Page 56