Police were called the home of Malcolme Landgraab three times last week due to noise disturbance. Each time the noise was due to a loud party, often lasting into the wee hours of the morning. Mysteriously, by the time the police arrived the only person present was Mr. Landgraab.
"It's a disgrace," says neighbor Denise Jacquet. "Some of us have jobs to get to in the morning."
Landgraab has been fined and given a warning that next time he will be asked to do community service.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Naughty, Naughty
They had barely gotten started when the front door opened.
"Peyton?" Malcome called from downstairs.
They jumped out of bed, laughing silently, he pulling on his pants as he hopped around the room, looking for his boots, she pulling on a bathrobe and putting a towel turban on her head.
"Just a minute," she called. "I was just going to take a bath." She headed downstairs to meet her sugar daddy as Drake pulled on his shirt and stepped onto the balcony.
He smelled smoke and saw the flare of a cigarette.
"Naughty, naughty," said Tika.
"Oh, hello," Drake said.
"Having fun?"
"Yes, actually. You gonna squeal on me?"
"Nah," said Tika. "I like the thought of my brother as a cuckold. I just followed to see what he got up to every Tuesday. Now I know."
"Your ... what?"
"My brother. Half brother, actually. He arranged an accident for me, you see, a long time ago, but some vampire rescued me--must remember to thank him some day--and I lost my memory on the way to becoming the living dead. But I remember it all now."
"And back to seek your revenge, I suppose," Drake said, bumming a cigarette from her.
"Oh, yeah," she said.
"Out to destroy him? Push him off a bridge?"
"Oh, no, nothing so boring as that," she said, with an evil grin. "I'm back to make his life a living hell."
"Peyton?" Malcome called from downstairs.
They jumped out of bed, laughing silently, he pulling on his pants as he hopped around the room, looking for his boots, she pulling on a bathrobe and putting a towel turban on her head.
"Just a minute," she called. "I was just going to take a bath." She headed downstairs to meet her sugar daddy as Drake pulled on his shirt and stepped onto the balcony.
He smelled smoke and saw the flare of a cigarette.
"Naughty, naughty," said Tika.
"Oh, hello," Drake said.
"Having fun?"
"Yes, actually. You gonna squeal on me?"
"Nah," said Tika. "I like the thought of my brother as a cuckold. I just followed to see what he got up to every Tuesday. Now I know."
"Your ... what?"
"My brother. Half brother, actually. He arranged an accident for me, you see, a long time ago, but some vampire rescued me--must remember to thank him some day--and I lost my memory on the way to becoming the living dead. But I remember it all now."
"And back to seek your revenge, I suppose," Drake said, bumming a cigarette from her.
"Oh, yeah," she said.
"Out to destroy him? Push him off a bridge?"
"Oh, no, nothing so boring as that," she said, with an evil grin. "I'm back to make his life a living hell."
Rivals
Jax Delacroix hated his best friend, Nicholas Sullivan, but nobody knew that but him.
Everyone loved Nicky. He was the kind of guy you could call at three a.m. because your car had run out of gas. He was the kind of guy who took the time to make strangers smile, hold doors for people, carry their groceries, scoop up a kid if he was about to get into trouble. Everyone loved him, and it didn't make any difference that he was the ugliest man alive, because inside Nicholas Sullivan was beautiful, and that's what people saw.
And oh, was he ugly. He had a nose the size of a Jack Russell terrier, a huge peninsula that dominated his face and made him look like a funhouse mirror. Nicholas was well aware he wasn't handsome, but it didn't bother him a bit. He made jokes about his own nose, called himself Cyrano de Sullivan.
Jax, on the other hand, was handsome. Too handsome for his own good, he'd overheard his Uncle Alec say one day. He had exotic blue eyes that were striking in his dark-skinned face, strong cheekbones and a perfectly sized, perfectly shaped nose. He could have been a model. He was charming, debonair, suave, all the things that could coax a young woman to his bed for a night or two, until he tired of her.
All of these things might have led another man to pity Nicholas, not hate him. Or even admire him for being so completely who he was.
But Nicholas Sullivan had the love of the one woman Jax Delacroix was sure he could not live without. Her name was Alexandra du Maurier, and she was as breathtakingly beautiful as Nicholas was ugly. A beauty who was hopelessly in love with her beast.
And so Jax Delacroix hated Nick Sullivan, his best friend since childhood.
And nobody knew it but him.
Everyone loved Nicky. He was the kind of guy you could call at three a.m. because your car had run out of gas. He was the kind of guy who took the time to make strangers smile, hold doors for people, carry their groceries, scoop up a kid if he was about to get into trouble. Everyone loved him, and it didn't make any difference that he was the ugliest man alive, because inside Nicholas Sullivan was beautiful, and that's what people saw.
And oh, was he ugly. He had a nose the size of a Jack Russell terrier, a huge peninsula that dominated his face and made him look like a funhouse mirror. Nicholas was well aware he wasn't handsome, but it didn't bother him a bit. He made jokes about his own nose, called himself Cyrano de Sullivan.
Jax, on the other hand, was handsome. Too handsome for his own good, he'd overheard his Uncle Alec say one day. He had exotic blue eyes that were striking in his dark-skinned face, strong cheekbones and a perfectly sized, perfectly shaped nose. He could have been a model. He was charming, debonair, suave, all the things that could coax a young woman to his bed for a night or two, until he tired of her.
All of these things might have led another man to pity Nicholas, not hate him. Or even admire him for being so completely who he was.
But Nicholas Sullivan had the love of the one woman Jax Delacroix was sure he could not live without. Her name was Alexandra du Maurier, and she was as breathtakingly beautiful as Nicholas was ugly. A beauty who was hopelessly in love with her beast.
And so Jax Delacroix hated Nick Sullivan, his best friend since childhood.
And nobody knew it but him.
Love on the Side
Peyton had everything she had ever wanted. She had a big, beautiful house with its own indoor pool. She had a pile of pretty clothes. She had a red sportscar. She couldn't quite seem to break into showbiz, but she planned to keep trying. She had a rich boyfriend whom she despised with every fiber of her being.
Well, OK, the last one she hadn't counted on.
Malcome Landgraab collected pretty things and then set them on a shelf, and Peyton was quickly discovering she was one of them. Malcome never spent the night. It was hi, how are you, let's go to bed, and then bam, he was gone. No dinners or romantic trips to Venice. Just her, in her house, like Barbie in a box, hidden from the world like he was ashamed of her. Or worse, bored.
And for that, she hated him. She hated the casual way he treated her, like she wasn't special. When she pouted he pointed out he'd spent quite a pretty penny on this nice house and if that wasn't good enough she was free to move out. So she'd try to pretend she was leaving, but he always beat her at her own game. And she'd end up backing down, and staying. And to get back at him she'd go out with some other guy, who, if he gave her nice presents, might get lucky. Peyton liked presents.
She was a little afraid of Malcome and worried, sometimes, what he might do if he found out she was cheating. She had seen his dark side and it wasn't pretty. Like when his long lost sister had returned. He hadn't been happy at all, and Peyton had borne the brunt of his anger. He hadn't harmed her, but he had frightened her. He had been so cold, so angry. And Peyton didn't frighten easily.
Oh, how she hated him. But she lacked the strength to leave. She was afraid to, and besides, this is what she had always wanted.
And Peyton had a secret. An exciting, naughty secret whose very touch thrilled her to the core. If Malcome ever found out ... well, he wouldn't. He just wouldn't. They were very careful.
So tonight as soon as Malcome was gone she lay in bed waiting, tingling with anticipation. She heard a poof outside and a knock on her second-story balcony door.
"He gone?" asked Drake Callahan.
She pulled him to her with a kiss.
"Guess so," he said, smiling, and tossed her onto the bed.
Well, OK, the last one she hadn't counted on.
Malcome Landgraab collected pretty things and then set them on a shelf, and Peyton was quickly discovering she was one of them. Malcome never spent the night. It was hi, how are you, let's go to bed, and then bam, he was gone. No dinners or romantic trips to Venice. Just her, in her house, like Barbie in a box, hidden from the world like he was ashamed of her. Or worse, bored.
And for that, she hated him. She hated the casual way he treated her, like she wasn't special. When she pouted he pointed out he'd spent quite a pretty penny on this nice house and if that wasn't good enough she was free to move out. So she'd try to pretend she was leaving, but he always beat her at her own game. And she'd end up backing down, and staying. And to get back at him she'd go out with some other guy, who, if he gave her nice presents, might get lucky. Peyton liked presents.
She was a little afraid of Malcome and worried, sometimes, what he might do if he found out she was cheating. She had seen his dark side and it wasn't pretty. Like when his long lost sister had returned. He hadn't been happy at all, and Peyton had borne the brunt of his anger. He hadn't harmed her, but he had frightened her. He had been so cold, so angry. And Peyton didn't frighten easily.
Oh, how she hated him. But she lacked the strength to leave. She was afraid to, and besides, this is what she had always wanted.
And Peyton had a secret. An exciting, naughty secret whose very touch thrilled her to the core. If Malcome ever found out ... well, he wouldn't. He just wouldn't. They were very careful.
So tonight as soon as Malcome was gone she lay in bed waiting, tingling with anticipation. She heard a poof outside and a knock on her second-story balcony door.
"He gone?" asked Drake Callahan.
She pulled him to her with a kiss.
"Guess so," he said, smiling, and tossed her onto the bed.
Here We Go Again
"Nwad," Henry asked mildly, looking out the window onto the darkened front lawn, "Why does a vampire keep knocking over my trashcan?"
She came to stand beside him and his entire body was aware of her presence, like a cool breeze on a hot day. He knew that was corny but that's exactly what she reminded him of.
"Oh," she said, watching the vampire's retreating back. "That's Drake. I'm sorry about that."
They went outside together to pick up the trash.
"Remember when I said I was an example of, be careful what you wish for?" she asked as she set the can upright.
"Yes," he said, putting the rest of the trash back into the bag, which fortunately hadn't spilled much, and returning it to the can. They headed back to the house.
"At one time in my life I wanted nothing more than a man to call my own," she admitted. "Now I realize I should have been more specific."
Henry laughed, and she smiled ruefully.
"I mean, sure, it was fun for the first ten years or so," she said, "Don't get me wrong. It's just, well, Drake's idea of elevated conversation is discussing the difference between a Ducati and a Harley, and his idea of culture is a football game."
They washed their hands together at the kitchen sink. Henry loved the way she smelled, like jasmine. They were alone. Alexandra was on yet another date with Nicholas.
"Just how long do faeries live, anyway?" he asked, amazed that she would shrug off a decade like that. Sure, there was the green stuff, but overuse had its price.
She shrugged. "Here? I don't know. Where I come from, forever."
Henry shook his head. Forever. What would that be like, he wondered. Would life seem more precious, or less so, if you had forever, if you never aged? It would be a bit like being a vampire, and that was something Henry had never wanted for himself.
"So, it grew old," he said.
"Yes," she said, snuggling up to him. "I love that you take me to art shows, and can talk about things that I am interested in, and that you are truly mine." She pulled back and looked at him askance. "You are mine, right?"
"Honey, I don't have the energy or time to cheat," he said, truthfully, and when she frowned he added, "And who would want to when he had you?"
She seemed satisfied.
They sat together on the sofa and cuddled, not saying much for a while.
"I am sorry about the trashcan," she said after a pause.
He shrugged. "No big deal."
"I would like to move in with you, I think," she said. "The toddlers are driving me mad. Luna lets River do whatever she wants and gets cross if I try to discipline her. And besides with two of them, there's always someone underfoot. It's not a big house, and there are too many of us there."
"How is Sparrow?" Henry asked, feeling guilty for not spending more time with the child, who was after all his grandson.
"Fine," she said. "Happy, I think. He and River are quite good friends, and his dad comes to see him often."
"Good," Henry said, distracted, not forgetting what she had said, but delaying answering her. Was he ready for her to move in? Would she one day cheat on him too? He knew it was in her nature, even if she said or thought otherwise. He didn't blame her for it, but he wasn't sure he wanted to get his heart broken, again.
"You do not answer me," she said, sadly. "You don't want me to move in."
"No," he said, "it's not that. I do want you to move in. I'm just ... "
"You are worried that I will cheat on you, like what's her name," she said.
"Maybe."
"Love doesn't come with guarantees," said Nwad. "And life is full of surprises. Who knew you and I would find each other again, after all these years, and that I would end up carrying your baby?"
"My ... what?!!!" Henry stared at her.
She smiled at him. "Your baby. I didn't want to say anything until I knew if you wanted me in your life for real, or not. But I think you do."
Henry felt ... he didn't know how he felt. But he did love her, and giving up present happiness for future what-ifs felt cowardly and silly. "Yes, of course I do," he said, and kissed her. "When can you move in?"
"Tomorrow," she said, "Only, I will not marry you, OK? I just ... faeries don't do well when we're constrained. We're much better if not. Do you understand?"
He smiled. "Honey, been there, done that. A piece of paper," he said, slightly bitterly, "means nothing. You want to stay, you'll stay."
"I knew you'd understand," she said, and then suddenly jumped up and ran for the bathroom, looking slightly green.
Here we go again, Henry thought, and followed her to see if she needed him.
She came to stand beside him and his entire body was aware of her presence, like a cool breeze on a hot day. He knew that was corny but that's exactly what she reminded him of.
"Oh," she said, watching the vampire's retreating back. "That's Drake. I'm sorry about that."
They went outside together to pick up the trash.
"Remember when I said I was an example of, be careful what you wish for?" she asked as she set the can upright.
"Yes," he said, putting the rest of the trash back into the bag, which fortunately hadn't spilled much, and returning it to the can. They headed back to the house.
"At one time in my life I wanted nothing more than a man to call my own," she admitted. "Now I realize I should have been more specific."
Henry laughed, and she smiled ruefully.
"I mean, sure, it was fun for the first ten years or so," she said, "Don't get me wrong. It's just, well, Drake's idea of elevated conversation is discussing the difference between a Ducati and a Harley, and his idea of culture is a football game."
They washed their hands together at the kitchen sink. Henry loved the way she smelled, like jasmine. They were alone. Alexandra was on yet another date with Nicholas.
"Just how long do faeries live, anyway?" he asked, amazed that she would shrug off a decade like that. Sure, there was the green stuff, but overuse had its price.
She shrugged. "Here? I don't know. Where I come from, forever."
Henry shook his head. Forever. What would that be like, he wondered. Would life seem more precious, or less so, if you had forever, if you never aged? It would be a bit like being a vampire, and that was something Henry had never wanted for himself.
"So, it grew old," he said.
"Yes," she said, snuggling up to him. "I love that you take me to art shows, and can talk about things that I am interested in, and that you are truly mine." She pulled back and looked at him askance. "You are mine, right?"
"Honey, I don't have the energy or time to cheat," he said, truthfully, and when she frowned he added, "And who would want to when he had you?"
She seemed satisfied.
They sat together on the sofa and cuddled, not saying much for a while.
"I am sorry about the trashcan," she said after a pause.
He shrugged. "No big deal."
"I would like to move in with you, I think," she said. "The toddlers are driving me mad. Luna lets River do whatever she wants and gets cross if I try to discipline her. And besides with two of them, there's always someone underfoot. It's not a big house, and there are too many of us there."
"How is Sparrow?" Henry asked, feeling guilty for not spending more time with the child, who was after all his grandson.
"Fine," she said. "Happy, I think. He and River are quite good friends, and his dad comes to see him often."
"Good," Henry said, distracted, not forgetting what she had said, but delaying answering her. Was he ready for her to move in? Would she one day cheat on him too? He knew it was in her nature, even if she said or thought otherwise. He didn't blame her for it, but he wasn't sure he wanted to get his heart broken, again.
"You do not answer me," she said, sadly. "You don't want me to move in."
"No," he said, "it's not that. I do want you to move in. I'm just ... "
"You are worried that I will cheat on you, like what's her name," she said.
"Maybe."
"Love doesn't come with guarantees," said Nwad. "And life is full of surprises. Who knew you and I would find each other again, after all these years, and that I would end up carrying your baby?"
"My ... what?!!!" Henry stared at her.
She smiled at him. "Your baby. I didn't want to say anything until I knew if you wanted me in your life for real, or not. But I think you do."
Henry felt ... he didn't know how he felt. But he did love her, and giving up present happiness for future what-ifs felt cowardly and silly. "Yes, of course I do," he said, and kissed her. "When can you move in?"
"Tomorrow," she said, "Only, I will not marry you, OK? I just ... faeries don't do well when we're constrained. We're much better if not. Do you understand?"
He smiled. "Honey, been there, done that. A piece of paper," he said, slightly bitterly, "means nothing. You want to stay, you'll stay."
"I knew you'd understand," she said, and then suddenly jumped up and ran for the bathroom, looking slightly green.
Here we go again, Henry thought, and followed her to see if she needed him.
Corwin
It's a boy. His name is Corwin, and he's perfect. He arrived in the middle of a sunny fall afternoon on a day when his daddy had the day off from work. Ten fingers, ten toes. Ellis held him and cried. He's feeding him now while I rest. We've been married two months and he still doesn't let me do a thing for myself. We're happy, just like I'd hoped we would be, and I know he's going to be a good father.
I'm a mother. I'm still in shock over that. In one instant my entire life changed forever. In one instant it was no longer all about me, or Ellis, or anyone except our son.
Our beautiful, beautiful son.
I'm a mother. I'm still in shock over that. In one instant my entire life changed forever. In one instant it was no longer all about me, or Ellis, or anyone except our son.
Our beautiful, beautiful son.
Taking the Plunge
Just because he's won doesn't mean I have to let him know. I'm enjoying being wooed. He's really good at it. I barely have to lift a finger. Right now I'm taking a bubble bath while he makes dinner.
Tofu isn't that bad once you get used to it.
I rise from the bubbles and pull the plug, feeling more like Orca than mermaid at the moment, and wrap myself in my favorite robe. Something smells good so I waddle to the dining area.
There are flowers everywhere. A woman sings in French on the stereo and Ellis has lit about a million candles. He gets down on one knee and holds out the ring, the one I threw back in his face all those months ago.
What can I say? I love him. It may not be the smartest thing I'll ever do, but I can't do otherwise. Not doing it means a lifetime of what if. What if we're deliriously, wonderfully happy? What if that little nagging voice in my head is wrong? I owe it to me, to my baby, to at least try to make this thing work.
And so I become Mrs. Lily du Maurier.
Tofu isn't that bad once you get used to it.
I rise from the bubbles and pull the plug, feeling more like Orca than mermaid at the moment, and wrap myself in my favorite robe. Something smells good so I waddle to the dining area.
There are flowers everywhere. A woman sings in French on the stereo and Ellis has lit about a million candles. He gets down on one knee and holds out the ring, the one I threw back in his face all those months ago.
What can I say? I love him. It may not be the smartest thing I'll ever do, but I can't do otherwise. Not doing it means a lifetime of what if. What if we're deliriously, wonderfully happy? What if that little nagging voice in my head is wrong? I owe it to me, to my baby, to at least try to make this thing work.
And so I become Mrs. Lily du Maurier.
Grief
London said nothing at the funeral, didn't even touch Spike, didn't look at him, and he knew that meant trouble. She was holding something in and when it exploded he had better be there to pick up the pieces. So he kept a close eye on her all the way home in the taxi and as they sat in their house, quietly, like regular people after a funeral, she staring at the fire, he pretending to read.
Raven and her boy were off commiserating. She'd be all right. Losing an elderly parent was a normal part of life. Sad, but not unexpected.
Losing a child, on the other hand. That was something else.
As the dawn approached London rose silently and walked toward the room where they kept their coffins, as if intending to go to bed, but she suddenly changed to a bat and flew toward a broken window and out into the approaching dawn.
Swearing, Spike ran after her, not bothering to transform, sprinting for all he was worth and catching her as she transformed into herself in the front yard. She struggled against him, hitting him with her fists, screaming and crying like a wild thing, finally giving way to her grief.
"Let me go, let me go, let me die, I want to die ... " she howled.
"No," he said, and he was crying too. "No, I won't." He started to drag her towards the house but she fought him. She had always been nearly his equal in strength and he was having a hard time getting her to budge. "Please, London, I'm nothing without you, please, luv, come inside ... I couldn't bear it without you ... " He repeated it over and over as he half-dragged, half carried her toward the house. "I love you, London," he shouted, finally. "If you die, it will kill me."
She stopped fighting and collapsed, still crying as he lifted her easily in his arms and ran back inside, just as the sun crept across the pavement toward their front door. He dropped her into her coffin and climbed in with her, shutting the lid behind them with a bang. It would be crowded, but he had to be sure.
He could not lose her too.
It would be the end of him.
Raven and her boy were off commiserating. She'd be all right. Losing an elderly parent was a normal part of life. Sad, but not unexpected.
Losing a child, on the other hand. That was something else.
As the dawn approached London rose silently and walked toward the room where they kept their coffins, as if intending to go to bed, but she suddenly changed to a bat and flew toward a broken window and out into the approaching dawn.
Swearing, Spike ran after her, not bothering to transform, sprinting for all he was worth and catching her as she transformed into herself in the front yard. She struggled against him, hitting him with her fists, screaming and crying like a wild thing, finally giving way to her grief.
"Let me go, let me go, let me die, I want to die ... " she howled.
"No," he said, and he was crying too. "No, I won't." He started to drag her towards the house but she fought him. She had always been nearly his equal in strength and he was having a hard time getting her to budge. "Please, London, I'm nothing without you, please, luv, come inside ... I couldn't bear it without you ... " He repeated it over and over as he half-dragged, half carried her toward the house. "I love you, London," he shouted, finally. "If you die, it will kill me."
She stopped fighting and collapsed, still crying as he lifted her easily in his arms and ran back inside, just as the sun crept across the pavement toward their front door. He dropped her into her coffin and climbed in with her, shutting the lid behind them with a bang. It would be crowded, but he had to be sure.
He could not lose her too.
It would be the end of him.
Sad Week
This has been a sad week. On Monday, Ellis's great-grandfather, Apollo, passed away. We went to the funeral, which was at dusk, a weird time unless your family is full of vampires like theirs is.
Holden du Maurier was Apollo's son, which means he broke up his own nephew's marriage. Lovely guy. He looked truly broken, though, standing with his twin sister, who is a vampire. She had her arm around him. They didn't cry, just stared at the grave.
Spike and his wife were there, standing far apart from everyone else. Apollo was their only child. How weird it must be to have your child die of very old age while you're still young. They didn't speak to anyone, just stood quietly side by side.
Both of Apollo's wives, his current and his ex, attended as well. They just hugged each other and cried. I guess if that much water has gone under the bridge it might seem silly to hold a grudge. What's done is done. I wonder if Rory and I will be the same at Ellis' funeral, which I hope is a long time from now.
The thought of Ellis dying made me panic and I realized how much I love him, how little I care what the future holds, and how much I want him in my life. I held his fingers and he squeezed mine back. Our eyes met and he smiled at me sadly, then leaned down to kiss my forehead. I leaned my head against his chest and gave in, finally, to the inevitable.
If he asks me again to marry him I'm going to say yes.
I love him too much not to.
Holden du Maurier was Apollo's son, which means he broke up his own nephew's marriage. Lovely guy. He looked truly broken, though, standing with his twin sister, who is a vampire. She had her arm around him. They didn't cry, just stared at the grave.
Spike and his wife were there, standing far apart from everyone else. Apollo was their only child. How weird it must be to have your child die of very old age while you're still young. They didn't speak to anyone, just stood quietly side by side.
Both of Apollo's wives, his current and his ex, attended as well. They just hugged each other and cried. I guess if that much water has gone under the bridge it might seem silly to hold a grudge. What's done is done. I wonder if Rory and I will be the same at Ellis' funeral, which I hope is a long time from now.
The thought of Ellis dying made me panic and I realized how much I love him, how little I care what the future holds, and how much I want him in my life. I held his fingers and he squeezed mine back. Our eyes met and he smiled at me sadly, then leaned down to kiss my forehead. I leaned my head against his chest and gave in, finally, to the inevitable.
If he asks me again to marry him I'm going to say yes.
I love him too much not to.
Reconciliation
"I'm a bloody hypocrite," I say when Scarlett opens the door. "And I miss you."
Her face crumples and she hugs me tight. "I miss you too." She releases me and holds the door so I can enter the house. "Come meet my baby."
Tallulah is beautiful, brown skinned and bubbly. I make a fuss over her until her grandmother, Jaden, takes her upstairs for her nap. "You two have a nice visit," she says, beaming at me. "I'll take care of Missy here."
"So," Scarlett says, looking at my bump.
"Like I said, hypocrite," I say.
"Does your dad want to roast him on a spit, too?" she asks.
"Pretty much." We laugh, though it's not all that funny.
"What are you going to do?" she asks.
"I don't know," I say. "I don't trust him, so I don't think I can marry him."
"But you love him," she says.
"Of course."
She sighs. "Tell me about it. I'd offer you a drink, but under the circumstances ... tea?"
"Yes," I say, privately thinking I may float away on a wave of Oolong. "Tea would be great."
Her face crumples and she hugs me tight. "I miss you too." She releases me and holds the door so I can enter the house. "Come meet my baby."
Tallulah is beautiful, brown skinned and bubbly. I make a fuss over her until her grandmother, Jaden, takes her upstairs for her nap. "You two have a nice visit," she says, beaming at me. "I'll take care of Missy here."
"So," Scarlett says, looking at my bump.
"Like I said, hypocrite," I say.
"Does your dad want to roast him on a spit, too?" she asks.
"Pretty much." We laugh, though it's not all that funny.
"What are you going to do?" she asks.
"I don't know," I say. "I don't trust him, so I don't think I can marry him."
"But you love him," she says.
"Of course."
She sighs. "Tell me about it. I'd offer you a drink, but under the circumstances ... tea?"
"Yes," I say, privately thinking I may float away on a wave of Oolong. "Tea would be great."
Henry's New Girlfriend
Henry's got a new girlfriend, Aurora's aunt, Nwad. I've seen them around town together. She's really beautiful. He seems happy, and I should be happy for him, but something inside me hurts.
I want to trust Ellis, but I don't. I want to be happily married to someone I know is sleeping in my bed, and no one else's. I know Ellis can't offer me that, and yet ...
Every time I see him I feel happy. He takes care of me. He fixed my toilet the other day, and cleaned the whole house, and even washed my car. I want to believe he'll be like this when we're married but I don't. I don't know that much about men, I'm the first to admit it, but I do know this: They like the chase. At least men like Ellis do.
But what happens when he catches me?
I want to trust Ellis, but I don't. I want to be happily married to someone I know is sleeping in my bed, and no one else's. I know Ellis can't offer me that, and yet ...
Every time I see him I feel happy. He takes care of me. He fixed my toilet the other day, and cleaned the whole house, and even washed my car. I want to believe he'll be like this when we're married but I don't. I don't know that much about men, I'm the first to admit it, but I do know this: They like the chase. At least men like Ellis do.
But what happens when he catches me?
Friends No More
Aurora is playing with her son Sparrow in the front yard of her house. It's green, the color of moss, with latticed windows and a greenhouse in back. I heard she shares it with her birth dad and his sisters.
"I'd like to talk to you," I say.
She looks up and frowns. I hate that. We used to be friends.
"Please," I say.
She shrugs, and leads the way inside, holding Sparrow's small brown hand in hers. He's really cute but doesn't look much like Ellis. I look up and see a man looking at me, at least I think he's a man. He's so perfect looking he might be a statue. The grown-up Sparrow, except for the eyes. His are teal like Aurora's, Sparrow's are violet.
"My father," Aurora says. "Fenris, this is Lily."
"Ah," he says, and takes his grandson by the hand, leaving us alone.
"Tea?" Rory asks.
"OK."
The house is nice, filled with plants. The walls are green inside the house, too, and there's a bubble blower in the foyer. No one's using it right now.
"When are you due?" Rory asks, handing me a teacup as we sit down.
"Four months from now," I say, putting my hand automatically on my stomach.
"Boy or girl?"
I shrug. "We'll find out when we find out."
"So," she says, "What's up?"
"I want us to be friends," I say. "I'm not sure we can, anymore, but I'd like us to try."
"Even though we both have kids by the same man."
"Yes."
"That seems optimistic," she says, sipping her tea.
"Maybe," I say, "but you already said you don't want him full time."
She looks at me.
"What if I do?" I ask. "I'm not saying I've decided, I just want to know."
She's quiet for a long time. Finally, she says, "You didn't come here to be friends again, Lily. You came here to stake out your territory with my man."
"Your--"
She stands up. "I don't want him full time, you're right, but be honest, Lily. If you know he's seeing me on the side you won't be happy. You're here to break us up."
I stand up too. She's right, but I didn't realize it until this moment. "So, you're going to keep seeing him?"
"Of course," she says. "There's the door. Don't let it hit you on the way out."
I changed my mind. I don't want to be friends after all. I want her to stay away from Ellis.
Her man. We'll see about that.
"I'd like to talk to you," I say.
She looks up and frowns. I hate that. We used to be friends.
"Please," I say.
She shrugs, and leads the way inside, holding Sparrow's small brown hand in hers. He's really cute but doesn't look much like Ellis. I look up and see a man looking at me, at least I think he's a man. He's so perfect looking he might be a statue. The grown-up Sparrow, except for the eyes. His are teal like Aurora's, Sparrow's are violet.
"My father," Aurora says. "Fenris, this is Lily."
"Ah," he says, and takes his grandson by the hand, leaving us alone.
"Tea?" Rory asks.
"OK."
The house is nice, filled with plants. The walls are green inside the house, too, and there's a bubble blower in the foyer. No one's using it right now.
"When are you due?" Rory asks, handing me a teacup as we sit down.
"Four months from now," I say, putting my hand automatically on my stomach.
"Boy or girl?"
I shrug. "We'll find out when we find out."
"So," she says, "What's up?"
"I want us to be friends," I say. "I'm not sure we can, anymore, but I'd like us to try."
"Even though we both have kids by the same man."
"Yes."
"That seems optimistic," she says, sipping her tea.
"Maybe," I say, "but you already said you don't want him full time."
She looks at me.
"What if I do?" I ask. "I'm not saying I've decided, I just want to know."
She's quiet for a long time. Finally, she says, "You didn't come here to be friends again, Lily. You came here to stake out your territory with my man."
"Your--"
She stands up. "I don't want him full time, you're right, but be honest, Lily. If you know he's seeing me on the side you won't be happy. You're here to break us up."
I stand up too. She's right, but I didn't realize it until this moment. "So, you're going to keep seeing him?"
"Of course," she says. "There's the door. Don't let it hit you on the way out."
I changed my mind. I don't want to be friends after all. I want her to stay away from Ellis.
Her man. We'll see about that.
Decor Wars
"I hate this house," Tika said.
"Good," Malcolme said, smiling for the first time since she'd arrived. "There's the door."
"Oh, I'm not leaving. It's just that is place is way too stuffy. It needs something new." Tika pulled a can of spray paint from her jacket pocket.
Malcolme looked like he might faint.
"Relax," Tika said, grinning. "This is for later. Unless you'd like?"
"No, no," he said.
Tika opened the door. "OK, you can come in now."
A troupe of people all in black carrying cans of paint, tarps, and brushes entered the foyer.
"What in the ... " Malcolme spluttered.
"Interior designers," Tika said.
"Forget it. No way."
Tika shook the spray can.
"Where would you like to set up?" Malcolme asked the designers, faintly.
"Good," Malcolme said, smiling for the first time since she'd arrived. "There's the door."
"Oh, I'm not leaving. It's just that is place is way too stuffy. It needs something new." Tika pulled a can of spray paint from her jacket pocket.
Malcolme looked like he might faint.
"Relax," Tika said, grinning. "This is for later. Unless you'd like?"
"No, no," he said.
Tika opened the door. "OK, you can come in now."
A troupe of people all in black carrying cans of paint, tarps, and brushes entered the foyer.
"What in the ... " Malcolme spluttered.
"Interior designers," Tika said.
"Forget it. No way."
Tika shook the spray can.
"Where would you like to set up?" Malcolme asked the designers, faintly.
Breaking it to Mom and Dad
Finally, I tell my parents. They sit in stunned silence for an unbearable age before Dad says, real quiet, "Are you going to marry him?"
"I ... haven't decided."
Mom puts her hand on mine across my kitchen table and says, "Whatever you decide, honey, we'll support you."
I can barely look at Dad. I'm afraid to see the disappointment in his eyes. But I force myself to look and all I see is concern. He starts to say something but Mom repeats, "Whatever you decide, Lily."
They stand up to leave and I watch them walk across my small front lawn to the car. I hear Dad say, "I want to have a talk with him."
"No," Mom says. "They need to work this out for themselves, David."
"Can I at least punch him?"
"Now, what kind of an example would that be for the Chief of Police to set?"
Dad mumbles something I can't hear as they get into the car.
I watch them drive away.
"I ... haven't decided."
Mom puts her hand on mine across my kitchen table and says, "Whatever you decide, honey, we'll support you."
I can barely look at Dad. I'm afraid to see the disappointment in his eyes. But I force myself to look and all I see is concern. He starts to say something but Mom repeats, "Whatever you decide, Lily."
They stand up to leave and I watch them walk across my small front lawn to the car. I hear Dad say, "I want to have a talk with him."
"No," Mom says. "They need to work this out for themselves, David."
"Can I at least punch him?"
"Now, what kind of an example would that be for the Chief of Police to set?"
Dad mumbles something I can't hear as they get into the car.
I watch them drive away.
Left for Dead
Malcolm Landgraab opened the door to see ... "You," he croaked. "I thought you were dead."
"Left for, you mean," Tika corrected, pushing past him. "Nice," she said, looking around. "Yes, this'll do."
"What do you mean?"
"You owe me, big brother. After trying to have me killed and all, I mean. It nearly worked, too. Took me a long time to piece it all together."
"You're a v--"
"Vampire, yes," Tika said, smiling to show her fangs. "And your new roommate."
"Over my dead body," he said, but he was trembling.
"Oh, believe me," she said, "That can be arranged." She pulled an urn out of her bag and kissed it. "Honey," she said, "we're home."
Malcolm looked disgusted.
"Oh, didn't I mention?" she said. "Vampire sister Barbie comes equipped with her own ghost. Now, where's my room?"
"Left for, you mean," Tika corrected, pushing past him. "Nice," she said, looking around. "Yes, this'll do."
"What do you mean?"
"You owe me, big brother. After trying to have me killed and all, I mean. It nearly worked, too. Took me a long time to piece it all together."
"You're a v--"
"Vampire, yes," Tika said, smiling to show her fangs. "And your new roommate."
"Over my dead body," he said, but he was trembling.
"Oh, believe me," she said, "That can be arranged." She pulled an urn out of her bag and kissed it. "Honey," she said, "we're home."
Malcolm looked disgusted.
"Oh, didn't I mention?" she said. "Vampire sister Barbie comes equipped with her own ghost. Now, where's my room?"
Lily Makes a Discovery
I found out what Peyton's been up to. And may I just say, I'm not really all that surprised. A little shocked, yes. Surprised, no.
She's got herself a sugar daddy. He's set her up in a nice house downtown, a huge townhouse all to her little lonesome. Wonder if he's the only Richie Rich on her string ...
Meow, I know. But I can't stand that woman.
Speaking of men of mystery, I finally found out who the father of Scarlett's baby is. Ellis told me that his dad told him because it turns out that the daddy is ... Ellis's uncle, Ivan Gorey.
I hear Scarlett's dad is out for blood.
She's got herself a sugar daddy. He's set her up in a nice house downtown, a huge townhouse all to her little lonesome. Wonder if he's the only Richie Rich on her string ...
Meow, I know. But I can't stand that woman.
Speaking of men of mystery, I finally found out who the father of Scarlett's baby is. Ellis told me that his dad told him because it turns out that the daddy is ... Ellis's uncle, Ivan Gorey.
I hear Scarlett's dad is out for blood.
Life with a Teenager
Alexandra wasn't mad at him. He'd been worried she might be, but all she said after Nwad had sashayed into the bathroom, having decided to stay the night after all, was, "That your new girlfriend?"
"Possibly."
"Good for you." She kissed his forehead. "Don't wait up. Nick is taking me to the late show." She and Nicholas Sullivan had been seeing a lot of each other, lately.
"Come home right after," he said. "I will wait up."
She sighed. "Yes, Daddy. Have fuuuun," she sang, running out the door as Nick honked the horn.
"Smart aleck," he said, but he smiled.
"Possibly."
"Good for you." She kissed his forehead. "Don't wait up. Nick is taking me to the late show." She and Nicholas Sullivan had been seeing a lot of each other, lately.
"Come home right after," he said. "I will wait up."
She sighed. "Yes, Daddy. Have fuuuun," she sang, running out the door as Nick honked the horn.
"Smart aleck," he said, but he smiled.
Inevitable
Somehow they ended up in bed. Somehow, with Nwad, he always seemed to end up in her bed. Only this time it was his bed, in the new house he shared with Alexandra. Nwad got up and started rummaging for her clothes.
"What's your rush?" he asked. "Stay for breakfast."
She eyed him askance. "Nice guys always say that, but what they really mean is, that was fun but so long."
"I'm not that nice."
"Oh, yes, you are, Henry."
"Too nice?"
She smiled at him, tipping her head to one side. "Uh, no, I wouldn't go that far."
"Good." He reached for her and pulled her, laughing, back into the bed.
"What's your rush?" he asked. "Stay for breakfast."
She eyed him askance. "Nice guys always say that, but what they really mean is, that was fun but so long."
"I'm not that nice."
"Oh, yes, you are, Henry."
"Too nice?"
She smiled at him, tipping her head to one side. "Uh, no, I wouldn't go that far."
"Good." He reached for her and pulled her, laughing, back into the bed.
Drinking Buddies
"Hey, Henry," said a familiar voice. He looked up to see Nwad, who took the stool next to his and ordered a beer of her own. She drank a swig and made a face. "Bleeaaah."
"Why do you drink it, then?"
"I wanted to see what all the fuss was about."
"And?"
"Bartender? Martini, please."
Henry smiled. "It's been a while. How've you been?"
She shrugged. "Fine."
"Uh-huh."
She sighed. "Ever hear of be careful what you wish for? I'm a walking example."
"How so?"
"I don't want to talk about it. What about you? Last I heard you married some sweet girl and settled down to have babies."
He frowned. "I don't want to talk about it."
She tipped her martini glass to his bottle in a toast. "Here's to not talking about it."
"I'll drink to that."
"Why do you drink it, then?"
"I wanted to see what all the fuss was about."
"And?"
"Bartender? Martini, please."
Henry smiled. "It's been a while. How've you been?"
She shrugged. "Fine."
"Uh-huh."
She sighed. "Ever hear of be careful what you wish for? I'm a walking example."
"How so?"
"I don't want to talk about it. What about you? Last I heard you married some sweet girl and settled down to have babies."
He frowned. "I don't want to talk about it."
She tipped her martini glass to his bottle in a toast. "Here's to not talking about it."
"I'll drink to that."
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