Juliet
I had been stalking Chris and Caleb for a few days, getting a sense of what their lives were like all those years. Every morning and evening, they gathered around the table. Zoreah was all about relationships, and I couldn't help being a little jealous of the peace the Riphaths enjoyed. I understood why Ira was so bent on not mixing the species. Nevertheless, Chris and I had two children together. I could do nothing about how things turned out or how Michael's one decision had changed everything. Chris was such a great father. Sammy had taken to him so well, and she listened to him. As a human, she was doing so much better, but Ira wanted her off-planet, and Michael had taken her home with him. It had all gone much better than what I could've hoped for. I didn't know how much longer it would be before they had that meeting of theirs. I needed and wanted to sit in. I didn't care what Ira said… I wanted to know the truth. So, most of the time, I stalked Ira, trying to understand what was going on.
When Michael and I returned to En-gannim, I forced him to send me back immediately. Invisible. He protested and said I was making a mistake. But it was our future… I went to the cave and sent him messages every day to tell him everything was fine. Ira never forbade me to come back… Caleb knew I was there, and sometimes, I would let him vanish with me. He loved the fact that I had an ability. We did some silly things, and we did some stupid stuff, spending time together. I would sit with him till he fell asleep, and afterward, I would stand staring at him like a creepy mom. Chris, Caleb, Sammy, and I would all die simultaneously in nine hundred years... If we all lived in the same place. It wasn't typical for any of the species. Not even for my mom and dad. They would die hundreds of years apart. Louis… and Marcus will pass hundreds of years before me. If Chris couldn't go back with me, what would I do? If Ira didn't let me stay, what would I do?
Eventually, it became so dark that I could see nothing. Sirrah had set, and the streets were quiet, leaving only faint voices of Riphaths inside their houses. I made my way to Chris's bed. I didn't have anywhere else to sleep, and for the few nights I was there, I had risked sleeping next to him.
***
Chris
I was frustrated and felt like pulling out my hair. Juliet got into my bed again at night, and I felt her there with me. She was not even disappearing because it was that dark. I've been waiting for her to be drowsy and forget where she was. Maybe even fall asleep and drape herself over me, clutch onto me like she had been doing.
So, I would pretend to sleep to see if she wouldn't cave. If she wouldn't just touch me… or talk to me. She must have been tired. That night, her breathing deepened for a few hours. I put myself as close to her as I could. Then it happened. She was too sleepy to hold herself back, rolled around, and I had to laugh that she really thought I wouldn't know the second she got in that bed… That she thought I still had my head up my ass. Not anymore, stupid girl. Her arm had touched my back when she rolled over and instinctively took hold of my waist, creeping closer, spooning me, her face at the base of my neck. I was the little spoon.
Slowly, I turned into her arm so that I was facing her. I was going to make it my mission to make her enjoy life again. To focus on the small things that made her happy and living on Zoreah wasn't going to help.
Yeah, I couldn't do it anymore. My hand slowly lifted to where I thought her face would be. I touched her cheek. She stirred and, with my finger, guided myself to her lips and put mine on hers. I could feel her body stiffen. Her hand had reached up in surprise. I climbed on top of her really fast. She wanted to protest, but I put my hand over her mouth while pulling my pants down. At least we didn't sleep in bodysuits. It was hot at night. So I didn't have much on but sleeping shorts. Or that's what I would call them.
She tried to stop me. "Ira will hear us…." She whispered
"Shhh, I'll be really quick."
Her legs and feet worked off her pants under me as our mouths collided. I slowly thrusted into her with as much self-control as I could muster. We both moaned, and I covered her mouth with my hand again. "Shhh, it's almost over." She giggled.
We heard the footsteps down the corridor. "Chris, is everything okay?"
We both stilled.
"Yeah, Ira, everything's fine."
"You having a wet dream again?" That made her stomach convulse into peels of silent bursts, and I sighed, resting my head on hers.
"No! Seriously, go back to bed."
"Ira, Juliet never left... You really should get your nose checked." Silvanus complained from his room.
Ira walked off, grumbling and mumbling all the way back to his room. "How should I know when she's in her vanished state… And I'm old… Give me a break."
Juliet kissed and licked my hand and arm, pulling it along her mouth while I was still inside her. I wanted to pull out, but her legs wrapped around me so tightly that I wasn't going anywhere.
"Shhh, just be really quiet." She whispered.
"You could just make us vanish."
"I can't. All I think about is you."
***
The meeting finally came the next day. Ira couldn't let it go any longer. It was held in a big open room with lots of little windows high up, open at the front and back. The same room I had sat down in so many years ago. Juliet was next to me with her head on my shoulder. Ira told her to leave that morning… but she didn't. The elders sat all facing us. No one wanted to say anything, so I started, "I don't think you trust me to take over." It was quiet. I didn't need to hear the answer. I knew they wanted someone else. Someone who embraced their way of life. "There is no point in denying that things have worked out the way they did… We have to accept it… I propose we decide on another clan to take over. I'm sure there is already someone on your mind." They all looked to the general. Her eyes were cast down to the ground. Her hand was running through the sand, dropping it again in a small stream to the ground. "You have to know with me there on En-gannim… It's like having a permanent ambassador. Someone you can trust. I would never go against you in any way."
"How are you so certain that she won't change her mind."
"You might have given your life over to her in service... but we would never." Another woman said.
The general wasn't saying anything. Ira was quiet, and Beatrice was leaning back against the wall. Silvanus was at the door, leaning against the frame. Jamal and Selena were waiting outside.
"It's too final." The General said after a long silence. "We can't destroy thousands of years of generations, Ira. Not because of fear." She met my father's eye, dusting off her hands. "If I take over… I will probably accept all her proposals except for them living here. No one should ever find out… what the vamps did to your father to get the technology they flaunt like it cost nothing… We should stay isolated. We should be discussing going back to the city and making decisions about who goes. How long do they stay, and when do they leave… I have no problem with taking over… But the changes would be tremendous and instant… I do not really care if you stay in power, Ira… We live for peace, and if you feel our race should call it quits… You have to be very sure… Because in nine hundred years, when Juliet dies… someone else will take over… The planet will go to someone eventually!"
Beatrice sat up and gazed out over the people. "I would like to propose that we give Chris some time… Nothing will happen in the next few years, let alone the next hundred… Let Chris go home and meet up with his family and friends… We had taken so much from them already… They have proven themselves. As long as Chris comes back once every week. I think I will be okay with giving Caleb some time to go meet his other family. We do not even know how Chris would handle going back."
"If I get to go back. I'm taking Jamal and Selena with me." Beatrice nodded.
"Then… I'm going with," Ira said. The words didn't really sink in. When they did, my gaze traveled to my father. "I made a mistake forty-five years ago… One I regret and have to pay for…." He looked at me and placed his hand on my shoulder. "You were right, Chris… And this is the only way."
"You hate her… How could I put her through that."
"Who said I hated her?"
Juliet appeared next to me. "Brylee," Juliet said. Ira smirked when their eyes met. He got up and held out his hand to me. "Come on… go send a message. General Sung and her daughter will take over in the meantime."
I held out my hand to Juliet and pulled her up and in under my shoulder. "He's just coming to make sure you don't brand me… You know that right." She said.
"Well, that's fine because I won't."
"How would I know if you really love me?"
"I have some ideas up my sleeve…."
She was intrigued. "Can you imagine if it was one of each… That's probably what the perfect ratio was supposed to be."
"Who did you have in mind."
"Jerry?
"Jerry?! Hell no. I would have killed him over and over, thinking about him hitting you…."
"It wouldn't have mattered. He didn't love me… I would have had an ugly scar on my ass… Werewolf guys are weird… The women even more… We should take over that planet and drown Brylee."
Selena and Jamal were going nuts… Not believing they were actually going to Earth. My gaze traveled back over my shoulder to Silvanus. "Are you coming? We need a babysitter." He smiled and followed us.
***
Juliet
I held Caleb's hand so tight, but he didn't even complain. We walked out onto the platform of En-gannim universal travel. Jessy and his men bowed down onto one leg in front of us. I chuckled because they bowed to whoever had the stone around their neck. I tested the theory and put it on Caleb, and they did the same thing. "See, you can take over one day," I said, but Caleb wasn't even paying attention. It was his first time on En-gannim. His first time anywhere else but the desert. I pulled him forward to the platform's edge, where the best view was. It was so high off the ground that it felt as if you would be able to see forever.
His fingers clasped around mine. "It's so different."
"It really is… Wait till you see Earth and Palmyra." I pointed to a building. "That is our home… But if you feel suffocated by having no space. I will take you to my favorite spot. There is nothing but space." Caleb was taking it all in. "The pink stuff kills anything. So steer clear." I rubbed his cheek. I was slowly getting used to the weird feelings. Caleb was also getting used to all the touching and nestled into my hand. I pulled him in for a hug. When we peeked back, there was no one else on the platform. It was only the two of us.
"Come, let's go. I want to introduce you to someone."
We traveled to my mom's old Island and came out at the community center. She was operating the station that day and looked up, seeing an arrival. Her eyes were full of wonder and emotions, and she slowly walked over. Mine were brimming with tears, thinking about how much it had cost us to get him back. She pulled Caleb in for a hug. He didn't mind and squeezed back so hard, picking her up. She pushed him away, taking in all of him, wiping at her eyes with a flat hand. She took his other hand, and we practically dragged him to my father's workshop.
My dad had started some type of business; I didn't even know what. Soren helped when he could, so he was there that day and not at The Tower. When my dad saw us, he was stunned. He wasn't expecting us back so soon. He walked up to us and held out his hand to Caleb.
I nudged him in the ribs. "Like I taught you."
"Oh yeah… Hi, my name is Caleb. It's nice to meet you."
"Hi, Caleb…" Liam's voice broke a little. "My name is Liam. I'm your grandfather." Caleb gave him a solid shake, and my dad pulled him in for a long hug.
We were all teary-eyed, and I needed a minute. I turned to step out, and Soren wanted to come to me. I waved him off. I needed to take a minute. He wasn't going to be a part of it after all. I took a walk all around the Island. It wasn't big, but it was their home. Everyone on the island had come to meet Caleb. I could hear them in the shop. I didn't really know what to make of everything working out so well. My mom came to me eventually, giving me a side hug as we stared out over the pink expanse in the distance. The blue star was setting. It made the water so purple that it was a sight to see. "Are you okay, Julie?"
"I hardly know… What are we going to do now?" She laughed lightly. "I'm sorry for everything I put you and Dad through." Her chin quivered, and mine followed.
She turned me towards her, and we were both crying. "I'm the one that has to apologize. Your father and I have a lot to do with everything that has happened to you." We both tried to smile.
My dad came walking over, laughing, crying, and pulling me closer. "I am so proud of you, Julie."
"Can I take some time off now?" I asked.
"No! The fun is only starting. Come, I want to meet this Ira fellow."
***
The five of us traveled to The Tower to join the others. Caleb was tossed around for a while, getting to meet everyone. After some time, I took him around the floors of the house, showed him where he would be sleeping, and introduced him to Warden. We heard voices and two girls giggling. Carl and Charlene were reading bedtime stories to Sammy and Miné. Their narration of the characters was getting better. Caleb and I walked into the room. The two stopped abruptly when they saw us. Charlene's eye darted from mine to Caleb. "Hot damn!" She blurted out. Carl and I chuckled at her. "He is a pretty boy."
"You can say that again… How old is he again." Carl asked.
"What is hot damn?" Caleb asked.
Charlene jumped off the bed and came closer. She held out her hand. Caleb did his little introduction speech. "It means she thinks you're handsome."
Caleb smiled a little too much.
Carl stuck out his hand, and he was shaking his head. "This is a little bit unreal…."
"I know, right."
"The last time we saw you… You were a small little baby… So it's true about the time."
I nodded my head. "I'll take you guys soon."
Sammy had come over and jumped into my arms. I hugged her tightly. She held out her arms to Caleb, and he hugged her, too. His gaze drifted to the bed. "Who is that… Is it another sister I didn't know about?"
"Kind of. That's Charlene's little girl."
He looked from Carl to Charlene. "You guys married?"
The three of us were amused. "No… She is a werewolf. We are both humans. And only friends." Charlene answered.
Caleb's eyes widened. "I have a lot of catching up to do."
"You do, but we have all the time in the world." I put Sammy down and led her to the bed. "Mommy and Caleb are going downstairs. You go to sleep, okay. We will see you guys tomorrow." I said as we walked out of the room, and Carl and Charlene kept reading.
***
There was a commotion in the dining room. It was packed with everyone I knew. Everyone that meant something. Caleb wanted to go in, but I held him back, putting my finger on my mouth. I waited. Then I heard it. Chris's voice around the table, telling them some story. My hand gripped Caleb's again. I heard Michael speaking, and he sounded so happy talking with Chris and recounting all my stupidity. Caleb and I chuckled… I didn't know how to handle four guys and one that I would have to dump. Louis's words came back in full force, "When Chris walks into this mess. I don't want to be you."
So I ran. We ran.
I took Caleb to Earth. I took Jessy with us. We came out in Washington. Everyone greeted me, standing still. I was like royalty there. Everyone was to get out of my way and be quiet. We traveled again until we were in the undergrowth.
"Jessy, can't we change the location of this one. Really, should I have to change the coordinates myself so that we come out three meters to the right, so we're actually on the road?"
He laughed. "I think it's nostalgic." I laughed lightly, making my way out, but Caleb stood motionless.
His eyes darted… everywhere like a kid in a sweets shop. He pointed at the mountains. "What is that and all of these."
"Those are mountains just like yours, and these are plants and trees."
"Those are nothing like ours."
The snowcapped peaks did leave a picturesque feeling. We all did stare at them a lot ourselves. I pulled him towards the house, his feet dragging a little. "Is that a house? One house."
"That's our home, Caleb. It needs to be big. Here we are, one family." He squeezed my hand, and the three of us went in. "This is where everything started." I finally let go of Caleb, and he could look around, touching everything. He went outside and stared at the pool for a long time.
"No, don't drink that water." Jessy and I said at the same time, laughing. He walked around some more. We went out to the pens and ate. Caleb had to catch his own dinner. We laughed again.
"Why do you keep laughing at me."
"Because you're so cute." He shrugged and kept trying to get a hold of one of the things running from him.
After that, I took him upstairs. "Here is my favorite place in the four worlds."
He was amazed by it all. Walked around the room and felt the glass. The sun was setting. It was beautiful. I had missed it. He marveled at the wood and traveled up and down the stairs until I fell asleep. He got in next to me and draped his hand around my waist.
***
Chris
Standing on the platform and traveling from Zoreah was the best feeling I'd had in a long time. I could let go and feel again and didn't have to fake my way through life. Getting out of there was what I'd wanted for fifteen years. Caleb and Juliet were in front of me, my father and Silvanus were behind us, and Jamal and Selena were next to me. Everything and everyone I wanted was there.
Marcus was waiting alone. I was so happy to see him. Of everyone, we had the best connection, and it showed when he hugged me like I hadn't been gone for fifteen years. Once I let him go, I got a chance to take in where we were. The platform was so high off the ground that it gave us all slight vertigo. It took some time to get used to, and we dared to walk to the edge to take it in. En-gannim was so clean. So beautiful and serene. It had a constant glow around everything.
Juliet introduced the rest of the party to Marcus. He was focused on Caleb and shook his hand. It had to be the strangest thing. To see a baby turn into a man in three years. Marcus didn't kiss Juliet or pull her into an embrace but instead focused on the other people. When Juliet pulled Caleb aside to show him the view, Marcus ushered us into the next teleporter, giving them some time.
We came out in the corner of a big room. It was probably a family room. There were couches and massive glass plates mounted on the wall. A table in the middle of the room. It took so long to introduce everyone. The room was filled with people. Ira was the model of geniality. He was a different person, and it didn't even seem like he was faking. He managed the room. Silvanus next to him.
Louis greeted me, and we spoke for some time. Michael and Marcus joined us, and it was like being reunited with my family. My real family. Louis's gaze drifted, and he nudged to the corner of the room. Juliet, Caleb, Liam, and Cindy came out. There was a boy… and I knew it was Soren just by looking at him. Liam and Cindy came around to greet me. I was so happy to see them. How much they did for me and everything we went through together came flooding back. My history… I scanned the room. Even if Marcus didn't permit their relationship. Soren was next to him. They talked, and it seemed that they were on speaking terms. Jerry came to mind. She always liked long hair on a man. Marcus saw my eyes on them, and he smiled, bringing the new addition closer. I shook his hand. He was a little too pretty. A bit boyish. I couldn't picture them together. Which was a good thing, I supposed. Another guy in my wife wasn't what I wanted to be thinking about.
Caleb and Juliet left the room after he met everyone.
Louis ushered us into the dining room. There were two big tables next to each other. I placed myself next to Marcus. I didn't know how Juliet would be or where she usually sat. After some time, we all heard her and Caleb outside the door, listening. I wanted to see her so bad, but I kinda knew she wouldn't come in. After everything, she told me… It would be worse with me there. I was going to try and make it better. They left, and I smiled. I was going to follow them soon. I just needed the awkwardness over. I also knew Louis was probably in my head. We ate, and everyone retired. Louis sent me to Earth. Warden was with me, and it felt like old times. He stayed in Washington.
It was dark in France, but I knew the way. "Evening." A voice said to my left.
A guy was on Charlene's porch. The same one that was bowing in front of her on the platform. His vantage point had an excellent view over the road and the driveway up to the main house.
"Hi. Who are you?"
"My name is Jessy." He got up and shook my hand. "I'm her other half."
"On who's orders?"
"Kubra."
My head tilted in confusion. "He and Charlene." I smiled, and Jessy shrugged.
"How do you find your job?"
He glanced up at the house. "Worth it."
"Thank you for your service."
Jessy laughed lightly and saluted. I walked up the familiar path we had climbed a hundred times. The house was quiet, and I could hear them sleeping. I climbed the stairs and stood at the door. My eye caught sight of the chains glimmering in the moonlight, hanging in the far left corner of the room. I made my way over… Touching the steel and the diamond. I got in bed with them, Caleb in between us.
***
"I want to go to school." That was the first thing Caleb said the following morning. I was still sleepy, and his voice was groggy.
I turned on my back. Juliet was also awake, "Yeah, sure. Where do you want to go."
I rubbed my eyes.
"Where did you go?" Caleb asked Juliet.
"Hell no, I'm not moving back to that… place."
I had to laugh. There was no way I would ever go back.
"Why? Was it that bad?"
I shook my head… "No, not bad at all." She said.
"It's where your mother met me and lost her virginity."
Caleb sat up all ears. "How old were you."
I sat up on my elbow to meet Juliet's eye. "Seventeen." We both said at the same time. Her eyes spoke volumes, and she yelled, "Jessy!"
He came running. "Yes, boss."
"Take my son on a hike."
"Okay. Come on, Caleb! Your mom and dad want some alone time."
Caleb jumped up, eager to do something.
We lay there staring at each other for a long time. Until Juliet started touching me. Fingers trailed my face and raked through my hair and beard. I opened my arms, and she nestled in. I held her like I knew she wanted. Like I always did. She didn't let go of me for a long time. Caleb came back and sat with us. He seemed worried. It would be something he would have to get used to. It was going to be a learning curve for all of us. "Why don't you go keep yourself busy. She's okay." Juliet was already drifting off. Jessy had put on the TV and was busy in the kitchen. She fell asleep, and when she woke up, I was still there, holding her. Juliet turned into me, burying her face into his chest. "You're exhausted. You've been sleeping for hours." I whispered, pressing my lips onto her forehead.
"You know… I'm never letting you out of my sight again. No matter what you say. You will never put me into someone else's arms again."
I tightened my hold on her, and she lifted her lips. I kissed her back. I kissed her and kissed her until she asked me to stop. Just so she could catch her breath. "You'll get sick of me. You won't ever have to ask again."
Juliet fell asleep again after. I didn't think I understood what had happened over the last three years for her. How much all of it took out of her. And only after having me back could she relax.
"Mommy." I heard Sammy from downstairs.
Two sets of feet were coming up the stairs. One large and one small. Sammy stood at the door and held her arms up to Louis. "Daddy. Up… Who's that?" She asked. Louis picked her up in one swoop.
Another set of footsteps. "Marcy, who's that?" Louis walked in with her, but she wanted Marcus. He took her, kissed her cheek, and fell down on the bed next to Juliet. Sammy on his stomach. The little girl laughed as he tickled her. Juliet was waking up. She turned and reached out, and Sammy fell into her arms. Louis fell down on my other side, pulling me into his arms. I had missed it. The family… "Mommy, who's this?"
Juliet rubbed her cheek. "This is daddy. I've told you." Sammy shrugged and fell on my chest. "Daddy." I wrapped my arms around her. She didn't feel like mine yet, but she was such a part of all the men's lives that who her birth father was didn't matter. I hoped they would connect with Caleb like that.
We heard Michael with Caleb downstairs. His voice was so deep that you really couldn't miss it.
"Chris, we need to talk," Louis said.
"What is it? It's a bit soon for a serious discussion." Sammy got off Juliet to go look out the window. "And no… I won't manipulate her time." I answered him before he could say something. Everyone was quiet. The tone in my voice told Louis to back off. "And I'm not branding her... Michael will do it." Louis sat up regarding me. "And the schedule is a stupid idea…." My eyes traveled from Louis to Juliet. "How the hell could you do that. Above everything else that went on… I think it's because you are all so old." I fell back on the bed, irritated already. "If I were here, I would have killed you. Doing what you did… Both of you." Juliet laced her finger in with mine. She turned to me and put her head on my chest.
"You've changed, Chris," Louis whispered.
I sighed heavily.
Another set of footsteps. No shoes. Michael took off his boots when he came into the house. He stopped at the door. There really wasn't any more space on the bed. Juliet got up and went over to him. She reached around his waist, and he kissed the top of her head. Marcus turned around and dug his head into the pillow. I watched the whole show with interest. Everybody's reactions. Louis was a little ticked off at my outburst. At Michael… There was tension. Maybe I was wrong, and he didn't read her. For all, Michael had told me about the situation. He had not prepared me for what was really going on. Marcus wasn't even close to accepting Michael, let alone a young boy.
Juliet stood on her toes and pressed her lips onto his. Michael didn't mind and picked her up, pushing her against the glass window. Her legs wrapped around him, holding her up. He kissed her so hard that I was jealous. Marcus had known what was coming. "Seems like I've been replaced. What were you ever worried about, Louis?" She laughed and jumped off of him. Juliet led him to the bed and pushed him into her space on the bed. Her eyes drifted over all of us. She took in a deep breath and sat on the edge of the bed, watching us. Louis wasn't saying anything.
Marcus turned around, coming up on his elbows. "Come on, Louis… share."
"Oh, I don't read her anymore. Haven't for months. Since that first day on En-gannim."
Juliet and I shared a moment, smirking. We were both wondering. Juliet had told me that she could control Louis out of her thoughts. But I couldn't. And I didn't think he was reading me at that moment. Because he was confused… She was back to blocking him out. What was she doing? Marcus and Michael were dead quiet. Seems like there was no communication. "It always ends in a fight," Louis said. Answering my thoughts, falling back on the bed, exasperated. He was reading me…
I bobbed my head and sat up. "So then you have to tell us… What are you thinking."
"I'm wondering what I get out of all of this." We all laughed. She stood up on the bed. "You all want something. Have ultimatums," she pointed her finger at Marcus. The glow of the tattoo ran up her open middle. Marcus was forcing her down on him. Made her sit legs over him. He was forcing her arms to move…. Her hands lifted towards the seem of her shirt. He was going to make her take off her top slowly. Michael punched him in the stomach. Louis and I told Michael to be quiet. Marcus didn't listen and kept watching her, sitting up on his elbows. A challenge in his eyes. She was about to lift when he released her. She almost busted out of her seems, falling back onto her back, laughing so hard, lying sideways on the edge of the bed. At our feet… "You're such a coward… You can be glad I don't have that power."
Yeah, it was already better with me there. She was laughing. Juliet was happy.