Michael
Juliet was so peaceful when she was asleep. I smiled, looking down at her. The movements had stirred Louis. Groggily, he opened his eyes. They narrowed as he scrutinized me. I didn't care. There was no point trying to get the guy out of my mind the whole time. I was too tired and let my thoughts run, so he knew what was happening. He read me and rubbed his forehead with his fingers like he always did. I knew I wasn't at my best. An all-nighter with my ward didn't help. She slept for about half an hour, then woke up again.
"It gives you three days to calm down," I told him, kind of ticked off at how he handled her at the house.
He nodded, agreeing with me, "Yeah. Not my finest moment." Jack woke up across from me. I folded my arms in front of me and slept for the dead, knowing I would have three days of bliss. Thank you, little Juliet.
***
Juliet
Strange white curtains blew in and out with the breeze next to the bed. Stretching out a hand, I felt the sun's warmth, smelling the sea air. I couldn't wait to go to the beach. I closed my eyes and turned around, reaching out. It was a little game I played, "Try to figure out who was in my bed with me." I wondered how it would feel to wake up next to Marcus. What would set him apart from the others? I also thought three days was a long time, wondering what happened.
I touched hair. It was so distinct from the others. It was also the easiest way to be sure. I slid my hand down his back and scooted closer, spooning Louis. His scent was the next best thing and always gave him away. I ran my hands over his chest and stomach. He moaned and turned to face me, still sleeping as I kept caressing his skin.
"I need a wedding ring," his eyes popped open, "You should have seen how the people stared at me on the train with three guys and me… Without a ring on. Pregnant. We can be glad they didn't call the police." He pulled me closer, minding my bump. My lips found his.
The following week, we lived on a yacht off the coast of Nice, traveling up and down to and from Monaco. Michael and Jack were with us on the boat; there was really no point in them avoiding us anymore, and we needed the protection. Louis wanted them close to read Michael after what happened on the mountain. The men had planned all of it. My three husbands. Not to spend time with me. But instead, to do things that needed sorting out… I sighed, tilting my head up into the sun. It was the last sun we would have going into the winter months. The water was too cold to swim in, so we visited spas and tried to find ones with salt pools to release some of the weight of the pregnancy. I bought a ring and when I put it on… I never wanted to take it off. Louis and I talked about everything and nothing; he soon returned to his happy manners and treated me like he always had. If that was Louis's worst… I wasn't going to complain. We fell into our old rhythms—enjoying life. Marcus was on my mind, and I had to ask Louis if he knew what was going on. He didn't want to say. It was between Marcus and me, and Louis wouldn't interfere. Did Marcus have the self-control to keep his thoughts to himself—all the time so Louis wouldn't know what he was really thinking.
"No, he doesn't," Louis said. I smiled. He was still there with me. We sat with our feet in the water, the sound of the waves lapping against the boat. The shore in the distance seemed like a postcard. "And even then, he can't control his dreams." I laid back on the towel behind me. Louis ran his hand over my belly, "Juliet… I want to say something… but you have to listen first and try to stay calm."
"Okay."
"I think Michael should take you to Samuel's place for the next few months."
"Yeah, okay." I owe him anyway. It's not like you guys want me. Louis didn't comment on all the ramblings of my mind.
"That's not true, but I'm not going to complain if you go easily."
"Yeah… being here with you… out of the house makes everything seem normal again. You are the only one not going anywhere. You're always there, which, in itself, is priceless. You bring me peace."
He was quiet, "You don't know what it means to me. To know you actually mean that. From the bottom of your heart…." It took a moment before he went on, "We haven't talked about you thinking all of us together isn't working." I had not shed one tear in all the time we were alone... Louis reminded me things were still the same; I fought back tears. "Baby," he pulled me up and onto his lap, "What is it that has you like this. You gotta talk to me."
"You just don't know what's it like… I'm so over all this bad luck." I knew there was nothing he could say, and he didn't. He held me close, kissed the top of my head, and stroked my hair. Growing up sucked, and then every day after that sucked. I wanted to rest my eyes for only a minute but fell asleep.
***
Michael
I held my breath, listening to their conversation, nervously running sweaty hands over my shorts. Louis asked her if she would go to the farm. She said "yes" so quickly. I couldn't believe it. It was the moment that changed everything. Since the embassy, I felt I was slowly moving closer to her, no longer watching on a screen. It would be the time we needed, and it would either make me a part of her life or I would never see her again.
***
Sita
I was nervous the moment I sat down. You never know you'll regret something until it's too late. I regretted how things ended with Chris. It was loud in the coffee shop. People chatted and laughed, and I couldn't join France's morning atmosphere. I checked my watch, took a sip of coffee, and rechecked it. Chris was late. Although I didn't want to meet Marcus, I had no choice. A very dark Middle Eastern man sat down at the table with me, "Who are you?"
He stretched out his hand toward me. Reluctantly, I took it, "Marcus Ahmed."
"How did you know who I was?"
He gestured to the car parking down the street, "Chris pointed you out."
"So, he came?"
"Yes, he did."
I was relieved, "How is he?"
"Chris…? He's nervous. Other than that, he seems fine."
Chris came walking across the cobblestone road towards us. I almost didn't recognize him until he helped some old lady cross the street. He would never typically have worn anything like what he had on. His hair was actually short, highlighted and styled, gelled to the side. Flattering him. Beard shaven. A dark blue navy jacket with a black shirt underneath. Silver bracelet. Chris was definitely not wearing his chino's anymore. He kept his eyes on Marcus. When he sat down, he made eye contact, a coldness in his features. It hurt a little. "Hello, Sita."
"Hello, Christopher." The greeting was followed by an awkward silence, but he kept his eyes on me. Marcus wasn't leaving. "Do you think you can give us a minute, Marcus?" Chris nodded, and Marcus left to take a walk.
"Why am I here, Sita?" Chris asked, his tone clipped.
"I want you to come home."
"We have no home."
"Don't you think people have said that before? We were married for better or worse."
There was a tightness around his mouth. His lips moved over his teeth. Chris had a very expressive mouth. "You know… I've come to understand all people have limits. And I have some self-respect left. Juliet's love has taught me that I do deserve something more than what you could give me."
"Will she ever be able to focus only on you, though? I've heard from Nicholas about the situation there. How can you say it's better than trying to make our relationship work?"
I reached out to touch his arm. I wanted to show him I was completely over my issues with intimacy. At first, he was startled at the touch. I was relieved when he didn't yank away from me. I moved my hand over his and squeezed his fingers. "I am better. I saw someone. A therapist. To be honest. I went out with some other people. I might have longed for something else… Greener grass and all that. But I don't anymore."
I kept my hand on him, letting the sensation sink in. I wanted him to know how serious I was. "My summons to go back to my planet has come. I can't get over the idea of never seeing you again." Slowly, he pulled his hand out from under mine. "I want you to come back with me." I reached for his hand and pulled it towards me like he did with Juliet in the car, holding it tightly between mine. I could see the confusion in his features. It had been a long time since I had shown any initiation.
Chris shook his head as he asked me, "How did it change? What changed?"
"In the beginning, I really did love you… Then I had to lie to you, and the fear of me changing and you freaking out was too much for me. I couldn't be myself with you or give myself to you. We lived in two worlds, and I was stupid for not telling you. I kind of blame Nick for a lot of our relationship. He was so against me saying anything… Anyway, it doesn't matter… No, it does matter. I fell in love, and I felt guilty lying to you…" Chris seemed to relax a little. "Chris… doesn't it change anything for you? Maybe make you understand me a little better." I was still grasping his hand, and his eyes were fixed on me. Expressionless. I had no idea what he was thinking.
"What about the videos you threatened me with. That was a shallow thing to do if your intentions are to repair… us."
"I will still release it if you don't want to come back with me." His hand stiffened in mine. He was trying to pull away. "Look, Chris. I am desperate. I want you to know… I'm not playing a game. From the moment I saw something was going on between you and Juliet… I was jealous… I want you back, and I want to raise your baby with you."
Chris was speechless. Marcus was staring at us. He could obviously hear our whole conversation. "We don't know what's going to happen to Juliet. What if she does change into some monster… Who will help you with the baby?"
I gave him a moment.
"You haven't made it official with her. Everyone can see you have one foot in the door. Can you honestly say you will stay with Marcus and raise the baby? On the compound? What if Juliet and Louis change? Isn't it better for me, you, and the baby to get out of here? You both can come with me."
Marcus seemed tired of waiting on the sidelines and came over to Chris. "Should I go? You guys can talk."
He stopped Marcus and told him to sit down. "Sita… firstly shows us what you have and how you plan on using it. What are your conditions?"
***
Marcus
I didn't think Sita would be so beautiful. When I sat down, I took a minute to appreciate her. She looked so sophisticated and striking. Her hair was styled, each strand in place with a slight curl, falling seductively over her face. Her lips were red, which matched the blouse she had on. She had a ring on every finger and earrings running up her ears. Her makeup was flawless and accentuated everything that needed to be. Her V-neck was low-cut and revealed enough to tease anyone around her.
She slid a phone with earphones over to Chris. It was unlocked and had a video ready to be played. Chris came and stood behind me, giving me one of the earphones. I pressed the play button. We heard a car door open and then another. Juliet sat down on the car's bonnet, her back to the camera. Chris was evident and sat next to her. They were arguing. Really passionately. Juliet manifested straight into the camera.
Chris jumped up and away from her, bewildered and shocked. Behind me, he put his hands on my shoulders. Juliet turned back to human, defeated at his reaction. Not her finest moment. It was certainly not how you showed someone what you were. The feed cut out, and another scene played. Juliet was seated in a house, all ripped up. I remembered it. I nearly lost my mind in the club when I saw Juliet so hurt. "That is what I send out if Chris doesn't come with me. It's straightforward… He leaves her… And her secret and everybody's secrets don't get leaked." Sita said as smoothly as she could. There was an arrogance to the woman. I understood why Juliet didn't like her.
"Where did you get this? If you had the footage all this time, why now?" I asked regarding her reactions and micro-expressions. She was terrible at hiding her feelings. There was no cover-up story, and she couldn't answer. "So, you got this recently," I snorted, "And you don't know how… Well, the only person who could be behind this is my father… You don't know who you're dealing with, Sita."
She leaned over, swiped to the right, and played another video. It was of Juliet killing person after person her entire life. Chris's grip fastened on my shoulders. The footage goes quickly from frame to frame until the last one. The video slowed to a 1x speed. Juliet was in an alley with… Louis. He killed three people. Juliet proceeded to suck one dry while Louis tossed the bodies into a dumpster. Chris muttered a swear word.
"This isn't good news, but they still won't be able to find her. Understand what's going on." I reasoned, trying to push her to show us her entire hand.
She sat for a few minutes staring at Chris. His hands gripped my shoulders tighter. He sighed, "Get to the point. What are your other conditions, Sita?"
"We have to sleep together before we even leave France… Then we have to have sex every week… You have to promise to stay at least 3 months. Give us a fair chance. I want to have enough time to show you how it will be in the future. When I leave, you can decide what you want to do."
I wanted to speak. Sita slid a stack of photos over to me, halting me mid-sentence. "This information reveals everything there is about Juliet… And Marcus, I'm not the one your father has a problem with. Either way, the little world you created will come crumbling down. I'm not thinking about anyone but Chris and myself."
I understood why Chris had to get up and stand behind me. He couldn't sit next to her and have her touch him. We were trying to control our anger. Chris didn't want to do something stupid.
The first photo was of the house in France. Some were of her school days. The location of where they lived when she was in high school. Another image of her pregnant belly. More photos of her with Carl, Charlene, and her parents. Everyone involved. Chris's nails dug into my shoulders.