“You would think so but yet, I am not horrified. I love her.”
Beatriz stared at Johan for a long moment and then at Eva, who now sat on the third to last step on the staircase. “Oh Father, you are truly blind.”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“So it’s true Eva and this fellow I have never met got married?”
“I’m very sure. His name is Theodore Lambros, and he is a very nice fellow she met in Larissa.”
“She met him in Larissa?”
“Told you great things happened there,” Zoe quipped.
Beatriz scowled at her. “She’s legally married?”
“She is. So is Zoe.”
“I don’t care about that child.” Beatriz waved her hand. “I’m only interested in my granddaughter.”
“Of course you are.” Johan held Beatriz’s hands. “Now we have a small problem.”
“I don’t see it as a small problem. Eva’s treatment in Aiden worked and she was healed from her deviant behavior. It’s obvious she needs more treatment.”
“You approved of this treatment?” Johan held up his hand to silence Zoe.
“Of course.”
“I’ve been told this treatment was used on others there as well?”
“I believe so. My son was very successful in treating this mental disease,” Beatriz proudly said. “As I said, I believe Eva may need more treatment. As a priest you must agree with me.”
“Were the other patients at this facility there by their own choice?”
“Why so many questions, Father Johan? Of course not all of them were there out of their own choice—like our Eva they were sent there to be cured. Their families sent them there to have my son treat them. Good, upstanding families who wanted this disease eradicated.”
Johan nodded. “What your son was doing was illegal.”
“No.” Beatriz shook her head. “It was legal and approved by the Fuhrer himself.”
“It was a war crime. Germany invaded Austria in 1938 and it was against the Geneva Convention. What your son did was a war crime.”
“I don’t believe that is correct.”
“It is. You are responsible for what occurred in Aiden during that time, and therefore you will also be charged with war crimes,” Johan said.
“I don’t own Aiden. It is owned by Eva.”
“She inherited the property when she got married four days ago,” Zoe said with a smile.
“Is Zoe correct?” Johan asked Beatriz.
“Yes.”
Zoe turned and watched as Abels and his partner walked down the stairs. Tessa, Stella, Thomas, and Theo followed the two agents.
Beatriz stood and picked up her handbag. “I think it would be a good time to leave.”
“You haven’t met the rest of the family yet.” Zoe got up from her makeshift seat. “This is Eva’s aunt Theresa Lambros, my aunt Stella, who you have already met, and these are Eva’s husband Theodore, and my husband Thomas.”
Eva came forward and stood in front of Beatriz. “Zoe forgot to mention these two gentlemen. They are War Crimes investigators. I called them because what you did was a war crime.”
“Eva! How could you do this? I love you.”
Eva took Beatriz’s hands. “How could I do this to you? You disowned and abandoned me. You encouraged and condoned what they did to me. I feel nothing but contempt for you,” she whispered. “I feel your pain, I do. Just like your felt mine.”
“I love you, darling, and we can sort this out.”
Eva shook her head and let go of Beatriz. Without a backward glance she took Zoe’s hand and they left the living room. They left the War Crimes agents to do what they were sent to do.
Epilogue
Somewhere Out In the Ocean Heading Back Home To Australia
Eva yawned for the second time in as many minutes. She turned to gaze at Zoe, who was asleep in the next bed. Zoe was sleeping soundly, and her light snoring made Eva smile affectionately. She closed the book she was reading and turned off the bedside light.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Mutti is in the blackroom.”
“Why is it called a blackroom?”
“Because it's black?”
“But it's red.”
“Red light is on.”
“That means we can go in, right?”
The two children looked at each other and then glanced back to their room. Without waiting any longer, Larissa took hold of the doorknob and entered, closely followed by her brother.
The door opened unexpectedly and Eva groaned loudly, causing the children to stop.
“Oops.”
“Oops, sorry, Mutti.”
Eva put down the film and turned to find two sets of eyes looking up at her through the red haze of the darkroom. She went down on her haunches and gazed at both children affectionately.
“What's the matter, my babies?” Eva said as she brushed Nicky's hair away from his eyes.
“There's monsters!” Larissa whispered.
“Yes, Mutti, there are, lots of them.” Nicky followed his sister's lead.
“Who said that?”
“Uncle Henry told us that monsters from outer space live under our beds.”
“Really?
Nicky nodded. “From outer space.”
“They made the light go out too.”
“There are monsters from outer space and they made the light go out?” Eva shook her head. “Where are they now?”
“Under Nicky's bed. I looked under mine and I couldn't see anything, but I think they went under Nicky's bed.”
“Hmm, maybe we should go tell the monsters to leave?” Eva suggested.
“Um… will they listen?” Nicky asked in awe that his mutti would do that.
“Of course, I'm your mutti—they listen to me.” Eva ruffled Nicky’s hair and stood. She took a look at the damaged film and sighed.
Larissa took Eva by her right hand and Nicky by her left as they led her out of the darkroom and to the room that they shared. They stood just outside the room and waited for Eva to enter. Eva flipped the switch but it wouldn't turn on. “Wait here.”
The children chose to follow Eva into the kitchen, where she rummaged around in a drawer and found a flashlight. She tested the light by shining it on Larissa's face, which made the young girl giggle. They returned to the room and once again the children stayed outside.
Eva went down on her knees and looked under the bed, using the flashlight to search for the monsters.
“Be careful, Mutti. They have big teeth and are invisible.”
“You stay here, Nicky. I'm going with Mutti to protect her,” Larissa told her brother.
“Invisible monsters with big teeth?” Eva repeated as the redheaded little girl followed her inside the room. Larissa knelt by the bed as Eva wiggled her long frame under it, with only her legs below her knees sticking out. “Monsters with big teeth, go away!” Eva yelled out so the children could hear. “I think the monsters are all gone.”
“Wow!” Nicky stuck his head on the other side of the bed. “Really?”
“Want to see?” Eva asked as her fearless daughter joined her under the bed, cuddling up close to her. Larissa looked around one more time and then looked at her mother.
“Wow, you made them go away!” Without saying another word Larissa leaned in and kissed her mother on the cheek. Eva's blue eyes sparkled with love. She heard footsteps coming towards them. She grinned when Zoe bent down and looked under the bed.
“Hey, is this a new game?” Zoe chuckled.
“Mutti was telling the monsters from outer space to leave,” Larissa explained to her mother.
“Oh, did they listen?”
“Of course!” Nicky exclaimed.
“Mutti, the Monster Destroyer.” Eva chuckled as she wiggled herself out from under the bed. She sat cross-legged at the foot of the bed and looked at Zoe. “I made them leave.”
&n
bsp; “Mutti is the Invisible Monsters with big teeth destroyer,” Larissa exclaimed, perched on Eva’s right knee. She cupped Eva's face and kissed her on the cheek.
“Yeah!” Nicky followed his sister's lead and also sat on Eva's left knee.
Eva's eyes popped open and it took a moment for her to register what had just happened. She laughed. She sat up in bed, put her hands over her face, and couldn't stop the bubble of happiness she felt from infusing her whole body. “Invisible monsters with big teeth,” she said softly and started to laugh anew.
Zoe stirred. “What's funny?”
“Invisible monsters with big teeth.” Eva chortled.
Zoe turned on the bedside light. “What's the matter, Evy?” She scrambled up from the bed and looked around the cabin to see what Eva was laughing at. She turned to Eva and her words died in her mouth.
“What?” Eva grinned.
“Y...y...your eyes!” Zoe raced to the main light switch. She flooded the room with light and ran to Eva’s bed. She faced Eva and cupped her face in her hands. “Your eyes, Evy.”
“If I think what just happened, happened, then something is going on, right?”
“They're white,” Zoe whispered in amazement. “Can you see?” She held up two fingers, to which Eva nodded.
“Uh...”
“What happened? Why are your eyes white?”
“I had a vision.”
“You had a vision?” Zoe tilted Eva's face to the light. “Oh god, your eyes. Do they hurt?”
“They…ah…feel gritty,” Eva replied and got another fit of the giggles.
Zoe smiled at Eva's exuberance. “What did you see?”
“Our babies,” Eva said in wonder as she blinked. Her eyes felt like sand had been thrown at them.
“Our babies? More than one?”
Eva smiled. “More than one…twins.”
“Oh, dear.”
Eva looked right into Zoe’s eyes and smiled. “Remember your mama's wish that you have a daughter just like you? Well, I think she is getting her wish and mine too.” Eva chortled with delight. “Red hair, green eyes and fearless.”
“Oh, dear. The other one?”
“You are getting your wish.” Eva grinned. “Dark hair, blue eyes.”
Eva laughed as Zoe held her face to the light. “They wanted me to scare the monsters from outer space with big teeth under Nicky's bed.”
“Nicky? As in Nicholas?”
“Larissa and Nicholas.”
“Sweet Mary, Mother of God!” Zoe exclaimed and crossed herself. “We have two babies.”
Eva couldn't stop grinning. “Um…what color are my eyes?”
“Green.” Zoe giggled. “You look great with green eyes, but I prefer the blue.”
“Oh god, Zo.”
“Do you want me to wake Tessa?”
Eva nodded vigorously. “It was amazing. I know I wasn't asleep…I just finished the book and um…”
“Your eyes are dark blue,” Zoe said. “I'm fascinated by this.”
“Oh good, one of us is.” Eva put her hand on her heart and took a deep breath. “Zoe, that was—”
“We are going to have very beautiful babies. Oh look, here's the sky blue I love so much,” Zoe said as she kissed Eva tenderly on the lips.
“Zoe…this is everything I've ever wanted and more.”
“It is and you deserve it.”
“We deserve it,” Eva amended. “That little girl of ours is you all over. Fearless. And the little boy…what an absolute sweetheart.”
“God help us.” Zoe giggled.
“Can you go get Aunt Tessa now? I'm getting a really bad headache.”
“It's from all the laughing you have been doing.” Zoe kissed Eva before she got out of the bed. She put on her robe and slippers and bolted out the door.
“Mutti.” Eva grinned in delight as she fell back on the bed and started to laugh.
The End
(For Now – Series Continues in Book 6: “No Good Deed” )
Thank you for reading ‘Awakenings’ and I hoped you enjoyed it. Can you please leave a brief honest review on Amazon? All reviews help!
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The Intertwined Souls Series Continues…
NO GOOD DEED
(Intertwined Souls Series Book 5)
Eva and Zoe Lambros are back in Sydney after their journey to Greece and Germany. On their return to Sydney, Eva is offered a new job and it looks like they’re finally ready to settle down into a contented, normal life. Those plans are put in jeopardy when Eva is involved in a life-threatening accident.
Eva’s accident reveals yet another family secret. A decision taken by Eva’s mother to protect her child has major repercussions. Eva’s wish for an uneventful life is shattered by the accident and the revelation.
Zoe finds out their wish for children will soon be fulfilled when she gets the news that she’s pregnant. She must deal with Eva’s accident and the shocking aftermath.
How will this latest unexpected revelation change Eva and Zoe’s plans for the future?
Who is the mysterious figure from the past that holds the key to Eva’s destiny?
No Good Deed is more than a lesbian romance. It's a story about secrets, centuries old mysteries and good deeds gone awry.
Truly no good deed goes unpunished.
The Muller, Haralambos and Lambros Family Tree
About Mary
Mary D. Brooks lives in Australia and has been writing for forty years including short fiction stories for various Australian magazines and some non-fiction articles. Mary published her first novel "In the Blood of the Greeks" in 2001 and it soon became evident that there was more to the characters and their story that needed to be told so the Intertwined Souls Series was born. Mary works as a web designer in addition to being the chief editor and owner of the AUSXIP Network. When she's not writing, reading, creating art or designing new sites, Mary travels when the travel bug hits and is always on the lookout for new adventures. Mary’s latest venture is to open the doors of her own publishing company AUSXIP Publishing.
Links
AUSXIP Network - http://ausxip.com
Official author site http://nextchapter.net
AUSXIP Publishing http://www.ausxippublishing
Social Media
Facebook: http://facebook.com/marydbrooksfiction
Facebook Intertwined Souls: http://facebook.com/evazoeseries
Twitter: http://twitter.com/marydbrooksfic
Other Novels by Mary D. Brooks
IN THE BLOOD OF THE GREEKS
(Intertwined Souls Series, Book 1)
In the Blood of the Greeks is set against the backdrop of World War II. The novel begins in a most troublesome period of human history where subjugated by the might of Nazi Germany two women meet under extraordinary circumstances. This is the story of Eva Muller, the daughter of a German Major in command of the occupying force in Larissa, Greece in 1942.
Through the intervention of the village priest she meets Zoe Lambros, a young Greek woman with vengeance in her heart and a faith in God that has been shattered by the death of her family. Eva and Zoe must work together and overcome their hatred for each other while facing down their own demons. Hatred turns to friendship as they find common ground while helping Jews escape from the Nazis.
WHERE SHADOWS LINGER
(Intertwined Souls Series, Book 2)
PostWar Lesbian Romance In the Land of Milk and Honey
Secrets. Passion. Intertwined Destiny.
Where Shadows Linger is a inspirational story about two extraordinary women Eva Muller and Zoe Lambros and the second book in the Intertwined Souls Series. It's a story about passion, hope, dreams and facing your fears with courage. It will take you back to a Post World War II Australia where Eva and Zoe are still very much in love. They are forging a new life for themselves and wanting nothing more than to fulfill their dreams and hopes for the future.
Eva struggles with the ram
ification of her tortured past. She is determined to find a way to overcome the brutal aversion treatments that have marred her life.
Zoe's dream of seeing what is beyond her war torn town finally comes true with Eva's love, help and support.
They try to fit into a society marred by prejudice and the machinations of old enemies plunging them into mortal danger.
It's more than a lesbian romance. It's a story of secrets, passion and an intertwined destiny.
HIDDEN TRUTHS
(Intertwined Souls Series, Book 3)
Lesbian Romance In A Post War World
It's 1950, and Eva and Zoe have settled in Australia, forging a new life for themselves. They are happy and finally finding some peace in a world that doesn't understand or tolerate their love.
Whilst there is peace in Australia, it was different story back in Greece where a Civil War had raged after World War II. After years of war and bloodshed, the Civil War has ended and with it comes the news that the Greek Government has asked all Greeks to return to their homeland to reclaim their property. Zoe is reluctant to expose Eva to the pain of revisiting Larissa, the town that almost killed her. She ignores the pleas of her friends, including Eva, for her to return and reclaim her inheritance.
Eva is adamant that Zoe should go back and rightly claim what is hers. To not go back would allow the Nazis a win years after they shattered Zoe's life. While at an impasse of what is to be done, the decision is made to not only go back to Greece but also back to Germany. Eva and Zoe are aware that the journey back home will be filled with painful memories that have haunted them for years.
Awakenings (Intertwined Souls Series Book 4) Page 33