With that he scooped me into his arms and kissed me with a fervour that spoke volumes about the agony he had been through these last few weeks.
At first I felt shy and uneasy, uncomfortably aware of all the others present. But then I forgot about them. He made me forget them. All I could think of was he and that he was finally here, with me, that we were together!
“Ahem! Sorry to interrupt.” Paul’s mocking voice finally reached us. “But you are not quite alone here. And much as we like to see a passionate kiss, we want to finish that story today, you know. I am hungry and I gather there won’t be any food, before we haven’t finished reporting about our journey.”
Josh ignored him, but he let go of me enough to look at my face. “There are no words to tell you how much I love you, Lia! No words to express what I feel for you.” He whispered.
I felt shy again, but his beautiful face, his dark, loving eyes reassured me and I touched his face saying. “Ditto!”
“You can continue with this lover’s talk later, Josh, really!” This was Paul again.
But this time Alice stopped him. She punched him in the side looking at him disapprovingly.
“Don’t scold them. They love each-other, and, even though I really don’t like this kissing. It’s yucky, you know. Still, it’s love!”
It was just hilarious!
That little person talking with such grandeur about love! We all burst out laughing. Paul scooped her up into the air and embraced her.
“My hearts delight! Little one you are someone really, really special!”
Alice looked a bit peeved at first. She clearly hadn’t expected this reaction from us and didn’t quite understand why we were laughing so hard. But when she realized that we all simply burst with adoration and love for her and that nobody was making fun of her, she looked pleased with herself and squealed with delight when Paul swung her into the air once more.
Winter came over to me and gave me a hug. “I didn’t mean to upset you, Lia. It’s just, that I regard Josh like my younger brother. And I am very protective of him. But I meant no offence, never. I was afraid that you wouldn’t care for him as much as he does for you. But I can see that I have obviously been wrong. I wish you both very, very happy!”
She hugged me tight before walking back over to Rob who grinned at her affectionately. She smirked and sat down on his lap, kissing him passionately.
Josh kissed me one more time and then motioned for the others to listen.
“Okay, let’s get back to our story. Lia and I will sort whatever still needs to be sorted out later, just the two of us, if you allow, won’t we, Lia?”
I just grinned at him. How I loved this beautiful person!
Josh cleared his throat and continued their story. “Where were we? Ah, yes, when we drove away from that hideous spot. We drove on through the night as fast as we dared with the lights turned off. Paul was giving me directions as we passed through villages. Winter once or twice voiced her concern that us driving over these small rural roads was just too dangerous by halves. After all, as she put it, the chances of hitting upon anyone in this way seemed infinitely greater than if we had followed the highway. But Rob and Paul disagreed. They argued that the highways were more likely to be watched or used. As for me, I didn’t care much, my thoughts were with you, Lia, and all I wanted was to get to you as soon as possible. We kept on driving until almost midnight. By then we had entered the hilly terrain close to the border between France and Switzerland. The moon that so far had allowed us to continue in the dark disappeared behind a front of clouds. After we had almost careered off a road in the dark and had only narrowly missed a tree, we decided to call it a day and looked out for a place to stay the night. We parked the car aside of the road behind some trees.
“Paul dozed off right away, but Winter couldn’t sleep. At least she kept tossing and turning until Rob kind of fastened her down with his arms. I had volunteered to take on the first watch, because there was no way, I would have been able to sleep. Too much going on in my head. About what had happened these last few weeks, all the people who had been killed, what we had witnessed that day, where we were going and, as always, agonizing over what might have happened to you four, here in Berne.”
His voice trailed off as his gaze swept over the four of us, lingering longest on my face. Then, locking eyes with me, and with a little rueful smile, he continued in a strained voice.
“I will never forget that night. As I sat there in the dark pondering my worst nightmares. Not knowing what I would do, how I would possibly survive if anything were to have happened to you. Now, I realize of course, that it was just a result of that day’s horrors that lingered on in me. That, plus the long time we hadn’t had any news from you. Last night I felt like a caged animal with no options left. I was yearning to go on, to drive here and see for myself. And at the same time I was afraid of what we might find. After that day’s events there was no room for doubt that the Nemesis collective really mean to exterminate whoever they consider their enemy. On a global scale. And as I sat there in the dark, this feeling of despair pretty much overwhelmed me, leaving no room for optimism, no shimmer of hope for a life even under these difficult circumstances.
“Thankfully, that’s when Paul woke up and joined me, officially to take over the watch, but really to cheer me up. And, I’ll forever be grateful for that, brother.” He beckoned to Paul, who just gave him an evil grin. “Paul showed me on the map how close we were to you. That we might actually reach you by noon the next day. He had figured out the way and was anxious to get going. He clapped me on my back and told me to brace up, to take an optimistic view at things and stop feeling sorry for myself. At first I frankly felt like hitting him. I had had enough of his boisterous cheerfulness. After all, I was living through a very real personal crisis here, wasn’t I? But then I saw the concern in his eyes. All the while mocking me. And I understood. Finally. I had behaved like a fool and a coward. Whatever lay ahead of us, I would have to face it. But it was way too early to despair. As we sat there, talking about how to proceed next morning, today, I still can hardly believe it, I gradually wound down. And finally, somehow, I even managed to catch some sleep. Just a few hours, but by the time we woke up, shivering from the cold, I felt refreshed and, looking back at my despair, also kind of silly. Vulnerable and silly.
“We left while it was only just getting light. And it really turned out to be an easy ride all the way to here. We remained cautious, but we wanted to make it here today and so we drove faster than before and never encountered any problems. Just north of Berne we happened on a scene of recent carnage, though. We didn’t stop but there were piles of dead people visible and packs of wild dogs, devouring them. That wild dogs roamed around convinced us that no one was near. But it was a horrible sight, and made my heart race, full of fear again what might have happened to you. It looked like the Nemesis people had had some kind of a base here, but had abandoned it some time ago. We saw burnt down houses and the entire area seemed to have been bombed out. It all looked like a war zone. We couldn’t drive on the road we had followed any further as it had been destroyed. And seeing that everything looked abandoned, we decided to take the highway. And then we weren’t sure which exit to take and left the highway one exit too soon. But Paul navigated us here, nonetheless.”
Josh paused, took a deep breath and held me tight before going on. “As we approached your area, I felt like a wound-up spring. We saw the destruction and the bombed out houses and it seemed to get worse the closer we got to where your house was to be. My hands were sweaty and I had to force myself to breath normally. Everyone was careful not to look my direction. They all guessed how I felt. And then, Paul had just informed us that at the next roundabout I was to turn right, when we saw three figures in front, in the distance. Two grown-ups and a child! ‘Blime me!’ Paul exclaimed. ‘After all those days finally someone – and here of all places!’ Me, I couldn’t utter a word. I clung onto the steering wheel and accel
erated the car. My heart pounding, because … ‘They are running over toward where Lia and her family must live. Do you think it could be them?’ Winter voiced aloud what I didn’t dare hope. Such turmoil going on inside of me, hoping for the best while all the while fearing the worst, cautioning myself not to hope for too much, while feeling almost jittery with hope and anticipation! What would we see? Who were these people? Could it be you? Those last few seconds before we rounded the corner! It was absolutely crazy!! And then, as we drove into the roundabout, we could just see two figures disappearing into the wood and the third one turning around, raising a gun. Within a split second I knew that this must be you, Lia.” His voice almost choked with emotion now and he held me very tight for a moment. “I felt weak with relief when I realized that this was you! And true to form! With a gun, ready to defend your family! How I loved you that moment!”
Paul chipped in here. “Well, maybe you were relieved, but I certainly wasn’t, at first that is. Rather, something like ‘Bloody hell, here we go. We’ve made it this far only to be shot now! This just can’t be true!’ Honestly, it took me a few seconds to realize that Josh was beaming with joy. When he stopped the car and opened the door, I yelled at him not to be fool and wait. But he ignored me, he had eyes only for that girl over there with the gun When she dropped the gun and ran toward him, I finally understood. Wow, what an end to that journey.”
Everyone had to laugh at that and the tension of before suddenly evaporated.
We all of us had witnessed too much lately. It would take time to deal with it.
And it would take time for me and Josh to realize that we might be granted happiness, at least for the time being.
Right now, we were all just relieved to be here, together, in the safety of our shelter. That we had nothing to fear and had won a little breathing space to recover and to get to know each other.
I turned around to peck Josh on his lips, “You’ll have to tell me a lot more about all of this, you know. But for now, I am just blissfully happy that you came, that you made it and that you are all well and okay. I could simply burst with joy! Pinch me, no better still, kiss me to make me see that it is all real and not some dream.”
“But gladly, my heart’s delight,” he pulled me in and kissed me passionately which left me breathless but beaming.
Alice wanted her share of attention now. She squeezed close and said in a whiny voice, “Lia, I am tired and hungry. Let’s have dinner! It’s late already. Piglet and Malinda want to go to bed.”
It had been a long and exciting day for us all, but for her it must have been quite confusing, too. Not just that there were suddenly four more people. And one of them seriously competing with her for my attention. But also the distressing and gruesome tale they had told. The things they had witnessed. It must have been a bit too much for her and I hoped that she wouldn’t suffer nightmares because of it. She was still only a little child after all, needing her routine and security. I felt sorry for her.
So, lifting her unto my lap I said. “Of course, little tiger. About time you got some proper food, you, Piglet and Malinda. How about this: you and Nin see to it that everybody will find a place to sleep while Yuki and I will start cooking dinner. When you’re done with the beds you can come and help us lay the table. Is that a deal?”
“Oh yes! Come on, Paul!” She enthusiastically gestured Paul to follow her. “I will show you. But, you know, I will sleep with Lia. Your story frightened me and I want to be close to her. You and Josh can sleep on the spare beds in our room …”
Paul grinned at her and let her show him where she wanted him to sleep. I glanced up at Josh and said apologetically. “She needs me, now. Today, more than ever. It is all very exciting but also very confusing for her. And, I am her main point of focus, so to speak, you know…”
Josh just smiled down at me and teasingly pinched my nose. “Don’t you worry about me; Paul and I will be just fine.”
When he saw my face he grinned, scooped me up in his arms and whispered in my ears, “I may not feel like ever leaving you out of my reach again. But Alice is first priority, and our time will come, you’ll see.”
I felt myself blush as he kissed the hollow of my neck before letting go of me.
Yuki smiled at me sweetly from the other side of the room, as if she were very content with what had been going on. Smug would be the right word. I grimaced at her and she kept on beaming at me.
Winter and Robert glanced over at me. “If it is alright with you, we can sleep here,” Robert said. “I can see that you have a spare bed over there, near the stairs. We shall be just alright there. If that’s okay with you, of course? Otherwise, it might get a bit crowded in your sleeping room.”
We all agreed and Nin showed Winter and Rob where they could get bed-sheets, towels and everything. Winter opted for having a quick shower and disappeared with Rob in her tow.
“Come on, Lia. Cooking, and pronto!” Yuki urged form the kitchen.
So, I heaved a big sigh which prompted a laugh from Josh and a derisive snort from Nin and headed for the kitchen.
It was pasta, again. And while we were preparing the sauce, Yuki lovingly teased me a bit. I felt so happy that I had to embrace her quickly. And when I went back to stirring the sauce she said. “I am so happy! For you just as much as for myself. Now that Josh has arrived and it is so obvious how much you love each other I can finally be happy for myself and Nin. You know, silly as it may seem, but before I always felt kind of guilty – that Nin and I should share this happiness and you not, I mean.“
“Don’t be a goose, Yuki.” I replied. “Though, I can see your point. With all this bliss within, I, too, want everyone to share my happiness. It’ll wear off, I guess, this feeling of utter joy, a little at least, after a while. But for now, I am as happy as it gets.”
“And I hope that it will last a long, long time, like with me and Nin. You really deserve it,” she answered.
“I feel surreal somehow, though. I mean, after all this waiting he is finally here. And every now and then I find myself wondering how we might never have come together in the normal, old world. I know why I love him and that he’s the one for me. But I can’t quite see why he should have fallen for me.” I admitted, all the while feeling silly.
“Now don’t you be a goose, Lia! Really!” Yuki scolded exasperatedly. “Why would you think something like this? Josh would be a total idiot not to love you. You two match so well. In the old, normal world, if you must call it that, it might have taken a bit longer for the two of you to get together. But I am dead certain that it would have happened eventually. Stop worrying about such things, Lia! Be happy! Enjoy the moments with Josh. After all, we never know what will be, won’t we?” Her voice trailed off pensively, but then she shook her head as if the shake off an ugly thought and smiled at me. “Be happy, Lia! Then I can be happy, too.”
“I will. I am, my best of all friends!”
“And, don’t you worry about Alice. She’ll be alright. Give her a day or two and she’ll be perfectly okay with the new situation. After all, there will now be seven of us kicking up a fuss over her. Am sure she’ll enjoy it. So, don’t you worry about that, Lia.”
I had to hide a smile. She was right, Alice would love to be the only child among seven adults. Have everyone’s attention and all. Still, this entire business was very though on her.
So, I cautiously answered. “You may be right about Alice loving to be the centre of attention. But she’s only nine after all. Everything must be so weird for her. Being away from Mum and Nate, having to face this new dangerous world and that difficult journey ahead of us. I think she’s entitled to a little attitude!”
“I beg to differ on that point.” Yuki replied. “I am sure that she will adjust to our new life much easier than any of us. What she needs is an emotional safe haven, if you like. And that she has, what with you, us, Josh and his friends. We will all do our utmost to help her cope. And cope she will, just you wait and see. She ha
sn’t lived twenty and more years in the other life. She will learn fast and adjust quickly. As long as she has us nearby, I am sure of that.”
“Yeah, you might be right.” I agreed pensively. “Maybe I judged this wrongly. Maybe she is stronger than I thought. Or, I know what you mean. Maybe she’ll adjust easier than we will, because of her young age. It would come as a great relief, should it turn out like that.”
“She will, you’ll see.” Yuki gave me a quick hug and began carrying the plates with the food out to the central room.
“Need any help?” Josh walked into the kitchen and before I could answer he pulled me close and smiled at me broadly. “I still can hardly believe it. That we made it here today. That you are all well and okay. That I am finally holding you in my arms! After all the worries and horrors of the last few days. It feels a bit strange. Wonderful! But definitely kind of strange.”
I knew exactly what he meant and I reached out and touched his face, his wonderful eyes gazing lovingly into mine. “I know! I am so happy that you are finally here!” I whispered. “I love you so much!”
“Ah Lia …”
“Are the two of you finished any time soon?” Paul mockingly inquired from the door. “Or should I come back later. We are hungry out here, you know.”
I blushed, Josh laughed and let go of me after one last kiss. Walking past him, he teasingly punched Paul in the side.
“If you were in my shoes, you’d understand, dude. But I’ll bear with you for the time being.”
“Uh, how magnanimous of your highness! Am flabbergasted!” Paul teased, but his eyes held a lot of sympathy and he grinned at me affectionately. “Like I said before, no offence to you, Lia; just teasing Josh a bit.”
“It’s alright, I understand. Did Alice help you with the sleeping arrangements?”
“Ah, she is such a sweet one?” He smiled. “Yes, we did what we could to please everybody. You might be surprised at how we rearranged the beds, though.”
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