"How much lonnnngerrr is this going to drag onnnn?" I whined like a child in Alexandre's ear. Everybody had been examined and cross examined, the final speeches were done, and now, we were waiting for the jury's verdict. I couldn't take it anymore. They wouldn't let us leave, but we didn't have to stay in the courtroom at least, thankfully, as long as they could reach us if the jury needed clarifications on something. Like what? We'd been less than helpful. So now I was hanging upside down from the couch as Alexandre lay on the floor playing with our daughter. She acted more adult than I, and she wasn't an infant, not even a year old, a fact that Alexandre delighted in telling me, repeatedly.
"Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma." Mina babbled, reaching for my hair.
"That's right! 'Mama'!" Alexandre enthused, then turned to mutter out of the side of his mouth. "I bet I know a few things that would keep you distracted." That dimly registered, making my heartrate spike, but I was staring at Mina broodily now.
"Is it just me, or does she seem a little advanced for her age?" I asked.
"Not unduly so. Plus we don't know how this virus is affecting her. Maybe she just is a 'better baby' or a better version of a human baby. If you ask me though, she has two incredibly intelligent parents and just inherited that." Alexandre shrugged.
"If you do say so yourself." I sad, flipping over on the couch so I could sit upright on the floor beside them. "But she's also teething so soon.." I worried.
"Cornelius and I have a theory about that. Though again-it's not really that early Carys, she's only a month or two ahead of the average." Alexandre remarked.
"What's your theory?" I asked, dreading the answer.
"Blood." Alexandre responded.
"Crap." I said.
"Yeah. We'll have to see how it goes. New territory and all that." Alexandre cooed at the baby. Mina giggled.
"Ba-ba baba ba-ba-ba!" She exclaimed.
"That's right 'Papa'!" Alexandre cheered. Mina giggled again. Damn if they weren't cute. What's that look for?" Alexandre asked suddenly.
"I'm just cementing this in my memory." I replied, badly quoting a memory I had of him saying something similar. Alexandre leaned forward swiftly and brushed his lips against mine.
"Mamamama-ma-ma" Mina held out her hands and Alexandre again praised her before passing her to me where she started making dissatisfied grunts while pawing at my shirt.
"I think it's lunch time." Alexandre observed with a twinkle in his eye.
"Yeah, got the message, thanks." I swatted at him. "Sheesh, I'm just a walking food dispenser to this kid." I said with a small smile.
The jury deliberated for two days. Cornelius was the one who knocked on our door to let us know everyone was being called back to hear the jury's decision. I sighed. It was almost over. The courtroom seemed more packed than it had been any day previously. We took our usual spots in the back with the cracked seat back. Someone had helpfully tried to tape it back together in the past two days, much to my amusement. Cornelius stood directly behind us this time, one hand on each of our shoulders. I wasn't sure if it was for moral support or as a method of restraint, should things not go in our favor. I had Mina in my lap until she started to squirm and I realized my grip was a bit tight. I let Alexandre take her with embarrassment. He squeezed my hand tightly as he did. The room fell silent as the announcement for the jury's verdict was made. Once the speaker read off the charge the room had scattered scandalized responses.
"Guilty, by reason of insanity, based on behavior the 'Nurse', Fran, has exhibited in the court room. We recommend she be institutionalized and seek treatment until she is deemed mentally competent enough to be held accountable for her actions." The juror said all this quickly and nervously as the judge looked on surprised.
"The jurors are aware a plea of insanity had not been entered?" The judge asked. The juror agreed, fidgeting.
"We just felt it was the best response considering her reaction to the witness and her own testimony..." The juror stammered.
"Jury in my chambers, now." They all filed out after the Judge's barked order. There was a long pause filled with scattered conversation before the Judge came back with the Jury. I found myself holding my breath. Alexandre leaned over and squeezed my thigh.
"Breathe." He murmured, and I dragged an unsteady breath into my lungs. The judge and jury came back.
"After discussing with the jury their thought process, I am going to agree with their judgment. Fran Clay, you shall be placed into the care of a state institution for the criminally insane until such a time as you are found mentally competent to face life in prison..." The judge said decisively. I let out a little bleat and heard nothing else, turning to Alexandre, kissing him swiftly.
"It's over." I murmured against his lips. "It's over!" He grinned against my mouth.
"Yes, love. You're free." He whispered and I twitched. I hadn't realized that's what I was waiting on.
We hardly made it into the hotel room before I was all over him.
"Love-Mina." Alexandre laughed. Mina echoed the laugh with a small giggle and we both stared at her for a moment. I was feeling nothing but relief in the moment, looking forward to my life with my husband and child. No more sword of Damocles hanging over our heads.
"Momma, this child is growing up too quickly on us." Alexandre said sadly. I agreed, but for a different reason. I nuzzled my face between the two of them, breathing in their scents. This, this was paradise. And I never wanted to lose it. Alexandre ran a hand up and down my spine. He unlocked the motel room door and slid it open behind us, pulling me inside after him.
"I didn't mean to distract you from your mission Carys. If you're still interested..." Alexandre slid his hand down my side to hover on my thigh. I responded by running a finger down his chest.
"Hmm... I don't know, seems another girl has all your attention at the moment." I teased. 'Maybe I should call the boys next door for a threesome." Alexandres growled and yanked me further into the room. Mina laughed at the unexpected motion. He trapped me against the wall, Mina held to one side and lightly grazed his nose along my jaw, my neck, my throat, my shoulder. I shuddered.
"In a few moments, Mina will be in need of her nap, won't she?" Alexandre murmured against my skin. I nodded breathlessly. "Maybe we should indeed invite Rory and Cornelius over for a little fun... Rory might know some donors in the area. I think a celebration is in order, and I'm feeling rather... ravenous.. myself." My body instantly reacted with a clench in my abdomen and an intense thirst. I moaned.
"I think I'd like that." I groaned, my head falling back against the wall, mouth watering. "Where can we put Mina so that she isn't disturbed?" Alexandre's teeth grazed my pulse and my heartrate jumped.
"What about with Antony? He was quite smitten with her, and it would not be the oddest request I've ever made of him." Alexandre asked. That peaked my interest, but Alexandre's ceaselessly roaming lips and nose were making it harder for me to think.
"I'm sensing a story there. I'm going to have to talk to Antony." I murmured. Alexandre chuckled.
"He's not likely to tell you much. He's paid very well." Alexandre remarked. I growled softly.
"Damnit. I'll just have to use my feminine wiles on him then." This time it was Alexandre growling. Mina let out a small whimpered complaint.
"Nap time." Alexandre and I said together.