Juliet
Someone's hand was on my shoulder, gently shaking me, "Juliet."
Michael. "Hmm…"
"Wake up, honey."
"Why?" I mumbled, trying to shake him off in a playful way. He let go too quickly. I opened my eyes, worried he would leave; two men were staring at me—Louis was standing next to Michael. I sat up quickly, "S—. I'm in your room… Sorry, I—" Michael held out his hand, helping me out of the impossible situation. He half dragged me to my feet and hurriedly led me down the stairs. What was wrong with him? I had claimed Louis's room when we moved in four years ago—maybe I'd been a little presumptuous. I pulled my hand out of his and headed for the loo. Michael took hold of my shoulders, steering me away from Louis's dressing room and bathroom door. It would take me some time to get used to Louis being back. Guess I was back in my old room and sharing a bathroom. Michael pushed me into an empty room, closing the door behind us. It was the same one I used when Caleb was born. De ja vu. Still a little groggy from sleep, I crashed onto the bed, "What happened? Why are you back?"
"Usual check-in… And I had to bring Louis."
"Are we going back to America yet? We've been living in a stranger's house for four years… Where is my uncle?"
"On the farm… You want to go live there for a spell?"
I sat up, "Could we? Nothing would make me happier… Servants! No cleaning… What month are we in?"
"Are you feeling okay?"
"I don't know anymore… One day seems to drift into another… while I wait—" I interrupted myself before I asked Michael if he felt anything for me yet. "How is it going with you and your… 'friend'?" I air quoted the word.
"What friend?"
"Your special friend… Come on Michael… you know what I'm asking…" He said nothing and stared at the floor. "You look good, by the way… Lifting weights is doing you a world of good."
He smiled, "Yes… I kinda like it."
"I knew you would."
"You're not doing so bad yourself," Michael took a step closer, looking around the room, "I see you practicing like you're going into the MMA." I had to laugh—but stopped abruptly, thinking about the MMA... Maybe I should? I would go out of my mind otherwise… Ohh… Cage fighting! "Did you ask about the werewolf cages this month? Can I go? Please tell me Sam found a way."
"Samuel said yes."
"You're kidding," I jumped up and flung my arms around Michael's neck. He stiffened at the sudden proximity to my person—I played it cool, letting go of him, falling on the bed, pretending nothing had happened. Michael had had his human-pedo-walls up for the entire four years, unable to even react to any displays of affection I had unknowingly or knowingly tried to get across.
"You're getting pretty good on the bike, too."
I played with the sheet, "Oh, it is the best feeling in the world… Thanks, by the way. Know it had to have cost you a pretty penny, not that you lack money."
"No," he chuckled, "It was for your eighteen birthday."
Katty jumped on the bed; I picked her up and placed her on my chest; she immediately made biscuits on my stomach.
"Juliet…" Michael turned toward the door and put his hand on the handle, "Since the plane… there has been no one… I…"
I sat up and gently put Katty on my pillow and pierced Michael with a stare. He wanted to open the door— "Me too… I mean, since the plane… I… liked you from the start." Was this it? Would my efforts be rewarded?
"I had to wait… You can understand why?"
What a lame declaration of love… Michael, Michael, Michael…"No… I think it has much more to do with Louis's sudden appearance… Do you think I'm going to get married?"
Michael blushed bright red; he still had not grown a beard, and his embarrassment was very evident. Sheesh, why was it so hard for men to talk about feelings? I'd gotten used to his clean-shaven look, although I missed his rugged, long hair and vibe. This guy was, in many ways, not my Michael. Like Caleb said, I'm with other versions of themselves. How frustrating, "It's okay… I get it… Human laws and all… It's not like you would've kissed me when I was only fifteen."
He shook his head vehemently, "No, I would never."
I laughed, getting up off the bed, and cautiously approached him, holding his eyes with mine, "Would you kiss me now, though? Or should I… try to persuade you."
His hand fell off the handle, "I… don't need persuading… It's just… you're so innocent."
I repressed my laughter at my self-inflicted chastity. Cautiously, I lifted my lips in the air—hoping. Michael ignored my attempt at asking for a kiss; he took hold of the handle—again— "Okay! I won't do anything... until you're ready." He seemed to relax a little. I reached around him and opened the door a smidge, "Oh, Louis!"
Michael slammed the door, "Juliet, you're looking for trouble."
"No, Michael…" I playfully tugged on his shirt, "Maybe a first kiss…"
Without further thought, he wrapped his arms around my waist, picked me up, and hovered his lips over mine. Slowly, I closed the distance, melting into him as our lips met. His arms tightened around me, holding back his apparent desires, gently preserving my innocence with passionless hunger. It was a start. He still wore his hair short; there was not much to play with or feel under my fingers. Michael tilted his head and deepened the kiss—opening his lips. I moaned low when his tongue slid across my lips, all patience drained with one touch, "I need release… Will you?"
He promptly dropped me to my feet, "You said a kiss," he opened the door and stepped out, closing it behind him. I leaned forward and hit my head on the door; Michael was a freaking tease. Why did it take him forever to cross that freaking line? I spun around; he would probably tell me he wanted to get married first. I groaned and fell face-first into the bed. In less than a year, Qadir will take over Earth. I didn't want to be there anymore… I had plans! It had been four painstaking years of him living with us and keeping a very distant eye on me—never treating me like a potential lover.
After a few minutes of pulling myself together, I opened the door and stepped out. Michael and my dad were busy in the kitchen, "I'm going for a run."
"Be safe."
"Will do."
I put my earphones in, tied my shoes, and came up, walking smack dab into Louis's chest. My hands jumped up and rested on his chest; I paused for a second—closing my eyes, keeping my mind void; inconsequentially, I took in his smell. Louis used a specific cologne that sent me spiraling. Louis rested his hands on my waist. Naturally, I thought about us dancing together on the night of my birthday at a club. His touch all over me—Louis cleared his throat. I took a step to the right and passed him, not looking back, smiling from ear to ear. I was right… It didn't matter what I did—Louis would find me. I missed him so much and was happy to see him. What are you thinking, Juliet? Control your thoughts.
I had taken the steps down off the porch and skidded to a stop, "F—."
"What?" Louis asked behind me. Of course, he read my mind and wanted to know how I could miss someone I'd never met. I spun around and took one ear pod out, biting my bottom lip to keep my excitement in check. The anticipation built and exploded. I jumped up and down and clapped my hands, wishing I could cut this journey short. Louis pulled his lips in disgust at my childish display, pretty much the way he did the first day we met. I burst out laughing—so loud I couldn't catch my breath or calm myself down—glad he had something else to focus on. "Are you all there?"
"I… I'm so happy… So, so, happy…" I put my hands in the air, and the chill rippled on my skin. "It's a beautiful day! You should try it sometime." I put my ear pod back, letting my thoughts run when I was far enough away. I kept thinking about why I was pregnant at the end of Marcus's timeline. My only conclusion—Louis was going to be a father. It had to be because I was already pregnant. When I was in his arms, it became a certainty. Oh, how I wanted to end it all, find him and tell him. Some days were more difficult than others to stay on course, managing so many variables.
After my run, I came back sweaty and headed for the bathroom. I wanted to go into the wrong door—Louis's dressing room—again. It was so ingrained that Louis and I were one; I was always welcome; what was his was mine… Except maybe that one time he tossed a towel in my face and denied me entrance.
After my shower, I came out with a book and wanted to head up the stairs. Louis's room was my favorite place in all the worlds, and in the real world, it didn't exist anymore. I pouted my lips. Why was Louis back at all? I turned and headed for the lounge and sat down in Marcus's reading chair. I stared at the couch for a while, thinking about all the times we had read together… Our honeymoon and everything that happened on that very couch... I couldn't wait for Chris and me. My thoughts drifted to Chris and me kissing under the stars. We were next… I would make sure Chris didn't marry that idiot and—
"What are you thinking about? You're all over the place. I can't keep up."
I jerked and spun around, "You know if you can read minds, you should ask permission first."
"Well, that would suck!"
"Too boring… Unromantic?"
Louis snorted, "Who's Marcus? Some dirty thoughts you have there… In my house! Don't tell me you've been having men over."
Unannounced, a hot redness crept into my cheeks. Louis laughed—at me! "Hey, not all of us had a kazillion women before we turned a hundred." Louis's eyes snapped up. I wagged my finger at him.
Intrigued, he sat down, "Who's Chris? So many men at your disposal—"
"Shhh!! Seriously," I glanced around.
"They left to go buy some stuff."
I tossed the book at him; Louis caught it, perusing the first page. He flipped to the second page; his eyes flickered up at mine. I gestured for him to continue. Louis read the first page, "Oh… I see… You're either too clever, or this is the—"
"The truth. I promise." I wasn't lying. It was the truth either way.
Louis pulled his lips in an impressed, upside-down smile, "Do you mind?"
"No, but you can't tell anyone."
"Who am I going to tell? You guys are the first real people I've seen in… a long time."
"Why haven't you gone to the compound for a wife?"
"I… don't know… Samuel has been bugging me to go to an auction. There is one again this week… some woman named Isla."
"No!"
He didn't even look up and chuckled, "One of your friends?"
"She was… but will you believe me if I say… bad stock."
"I think I'll believe anything you tell me… So what's going on with you and Michael?"
"Love of my life."
Louis stopped reading… His head slowly came up, "You meant every word."
"Why would I lie about that?"
"Spare my feelings."
"Do you have any?" I said, laughing, and got up just to sit down next to him. I leaned against him as I flipped the pages of the book I wrote to a specific number and tapped on it, "Tell me what you think."
He read a few lines, and his eyes met mine. He held them and took a good look at me, thinking. Louis went back to the pages and devoured the next two. Suddenly, he snapped the book shut, "It's very—"
"Romantic?"
"Porny… What is it with you, love and romance?"
"Love and Water… Someone once told me… it's all you need."
Louis shakily took out a packet of cigarettes from his pocket and lit one. He didn't offer me one. I pouted, "May I please share a fag with you?"
The packet was held out to me; I eagerly lit one, sitting back against the cushions facing him. I pulled one leg up underneath me and closed my eyes after the first puff, savoring the buzz. "How long?"
"Four years."
"Why?"
"Can't really take a car and drive an hour and a half for a smoke… And your stash was empty in the first month."
"My stash?"
"Yes, next to your sex journals." Louis coughed on his next drag… he looked at the book and smiled. "Seem familiar?" I asked. He shook his head. "Don't you ever delve into past experiences for… uhm—"
"Stimulation?" I nodded, taking another drag, "No… One thing about my ability is that I can control my own mind better than anyone else could theirs… Or… I would've gone mad… Did go mad at one stage… Anyway… I don't know why I'm talking so much… My journals don't have all the details in."
"It's not hard to—"
"Fill in the missing bits?"
I chuckled, "Yes… So are you going to tell me?"
"Help you with that guy! No chance in hell! You'll have to drug him… He's so clamped up and—"
"Human… Yes, I know," I sighed heavily, "No lust in his veins."
Louis smiled—his genuine big smile where the corners seemed to almost reach his ears; the amusement in his eyes lit up his face, "You… that smile alone could make me do things… but I shouldn't."
"So, what's your name?" I stuttered, remembering we'd never even introduced ourselves. Louis laughed, reading my mind, "Juliet? Peculiar name… Not common."
"No… Don't know what possessed my parents… But it's not Juliet, it's Sheila."
Louis laughed, "Sheila…? Classic… Samuel," he said between chuckles.
"Yes, my uncle is a gem in the rough… Loves you like a son."
Louis's smile fell. I reached out a hand, "I believe you have to allow yourself to receive love." Louis's eyes were on my hand on his arm. I removed it and pushed my bud into the ashtray. "Are you coming to watch me fight?" After I said it, I realized… I didn't think, "I'm sorry… Where is my head at." He pointed at the book. I laughed, "No… celibacy is my middle name. I'm getting so good at it… I might go fifteen years."
"Try fifty."
"No!? Not once after Jacklin?"
He shook his head and put out his own bud, "I don't know… Something about sleeping with someone and then… walking away."
"Leaves a sour aftertaste?"
He smiled quickly, "Sour… No… more like regret."
"Oh, we should never live in regrets."
"Suppose not… Unavoidable nonetheless… I try to conquer—" Louis cut himself off, "How is your French coming along."
I ignored his question by switching to his native tongue, "Where have been the last four years? Are you not upset about foreigners squatting in your house… It's beautiful, by the way."
Louis smiled, sat back, and we were very companiable on the couch together, "I see you like my room… I want to tear it down…" Louis gestured to the house.
"I think someone will… One day…"
"Question is what then?"
"Oh, I have a million ideas… But it will be your wife's home."
"We both know that won't happen…"
"It is uncertain times, for sure… If you go home? Maybe your uncle can give you a job. A wife."
"Yeah… my summons came when you guys left the compound."
"It did!? Ahasuerus missing family… Poor guy losing all his children at the hands of another."
"Yes, my cousin is not—"
"Right in the head… He would've been hot if he wasn't so evil."
"Hot? I've never seen him."
"You'll be surprised how much you two are alike."
Louis picked up the packet and held it out to me; I took another. "Want to have a beer outside?" I suggested.
"Beer?"
"Please… No one's home… Michael and my parents will be back soon."
"Fine, but you're underage." I scoffed. "Why do I feel this won't be your first."
"Because it's not."
Louis had gone into the kitchen and opened the fridge. He took out two and popped off the caps, "So what do they think happens to the beer when they get back?"
"They don't say anything." I shrugged. "My mom thinks it's my dad… My dad thinks it's Michael…" Louis handed me my bottle, and we headed out. "You know what I could never figure out… Why we were the only two with abilities—"
"You have one? I thought I was the only one."
I disappeared, and Louis smiled, "Nifty."
"Very," I said, coming back.
"I don't know… It doesn't make sense."
"Or it does, and we had a good Samaritan."
"Samuel?"
"It had to be… I think he and—well anyway—the older folk have a lot of... stones… buried in their pockets."
Louis frowned. "Weird way to say they have secrets… I guess it could've been him… If there is a way."
It was quiet while we finished our drinks, staring at the view. He glanced at his watch, "How do you do it?"
"Meditation… Years of painstaking practice… I'll do you one better." I flung my feet off the deck chair, disappeared, and spoke. Louis sat up. I came back, "That was speaking. Now—" I disappeared again, thought about something, and came back to watch his reaction. Louis's needy eyes were fixed on my lips… He had that look… As if he wouldn't ask. Before I threw away four years, I said, "Well, that's my queue… I know what you're thinking."
"You're going to leave me hanging… After everything that just happened? We fit in every way…! If you and Samuel talked about me… You must know how long I've waited."
"I do… But like I said—"
"Michael… What is it about him?"
"He… He's fun… kind and—"
"Spoils you?"
I scoffed, "You saw the bike."
"Hard to miss the two standing in the garage."
"Yes—"
"The cat in my room… And he knows every detail about you… If you give me half a chance and let me in."
I smiled, sitting back again, singing in my head, finding it very difficult not to tell Louis everything. He followed and finished my song, "For a couple of hours… On a beautiful day…" Louis fidgeted with his bottle, "You're making it really hard not to ask."
"Then don't! If you don't know what to do, don't do anything."
"Oh, I know exactly what I want to do."
I changed the subject, "How I would love to have your ability for a day."
"Don't! It's a crutch," he whispered.
"Can't say the same about mine."
Louis slapped his hands on his legs and got up, "This has been… the hardest thing I had to endure in two hundred years… So I'm going to leave before—"
"You ask if you can kiss me."
"Yes," Louis walked away, "You seem to know my thoughts anyway."
I watched him go. Before he reached the door, Louis hurried back toward me. I stiffened and shifted as he stood over my chair, waited a moment, bent down, and slowly closed the distance between our mouths. He held my eyes and lingered before our lips actually touched.
The doors to the patio opened, "Juliet!?"
"Yes, Mom! Louis was just leaving." He scoffed and tilted his head so we were even closer, his breath soft on my lips… While our eyes had their own conversation, I let my thoughts run, picturing the two of us in some sweaty situations. He gripped the back of the chair and snarled, manifesting. A few foot treads were headed our way; my dad cleared his throat. "Daddy has spoken."
Louis pushed himself up, spun around, and said, "I think I'll lock my door tonight."
"Good idea."
Louis let a string of French cuss words flow.
My mom came closer, "It seems we found our beer thief."
***
Michael
I was about to move and stab Louis in the neck with drugs if he did anything Juliet didn't like. The creatures around me—their sudden mood changes—manifesting for the slightest provocation was something I'd not get used to. Another reason Louis was way out of my league. He would be able to handle her and share a side of her I never could… Juliet could have him in a heartbeat. It's why Louis wasn't allowed to come back before she was mature enough to handle the man—make proper judgment calls about her future. After I watched his feed, I understood why Sam had asked him to stay away.
Juliet had kissed me… Asked me to get her off… What did I do? I ran… I couldn't with all the people in the house; her parents—right there—weird. I caught Liam watching me; would it be inappropriate to talk to him about Juliet and me? He walked past me into the living area, "You have to get in there, or I can't help you…" Seemed like he didn't care.
Four years ago, after Juliet was so upset on the plane about me sleeping with anyone, I had taken a moment… well, a year to realize how jealous she was. Territorial… about me. It was only small comments—jabs here and there—mockingly asking how long it's been. Every time I left the house, she would ask if I was going to meet my mistress. Our situation was an adjustment all around. How could I trust she knew anything about serious relationships… After the compound—understand anything else going on in the world.
Back then, I didn't want to do anything to upset her or the situation... At the time, I was her only friend—the one closest to her age she could interact with. Going out for the first time to feed and then being there, watching her kill person after person every week. Sometimes, we had to take the train only to put some distance between us and their food. We spent hours on a train together. Juliet would cuddle up against me and fall asleep on my shoulder. I would have no choice but to rest my head on hers… When she was done eating, she would tilt up her head to me so I could clean her mouth—she knew how much I hated her wiping the blood off on her sleeve. (The stain was too tricky to get out sometimes.) My punishment for nagging was to clean her myself if I didn't want her to do it. I ended up palming her neck and using my other hand to carefully wipe her mouth while she begged me to kiss her. Had I been tempted in the last four years? Every f—ing day.
I don't really know when I fell in love with her, but I did. From grueling confinement to unlimited freedom had been a strenuous, chastising learning curve for both of us. It didn't help that she used every excuse to touch me. Begged me, in the beginning, to ride Princess on my bike after urging me to buy one.
Soon, I was dragged in to help her study and finish high school. Teaching her to ride a bike… It had been me and her for so long; what would I do if Louis did make his move?
After we landed in France and I had them settled in the house, I left for some time to meet with Qadir, Bertram, and Samuel. He had come right out and told them about her ability and said that if she were to stay on the compound, it would be too dangerous. Qadir agreed. He didn't care if Liam was there or not. Samuel was asked to come to En-gannim to see Ahasuerus; after two hundred years, he wasn't so angry anymore and let it go that we helped them escape—leaving me to stay with all three most of the time while Juliet was still being monitored.
So, later that night, I watched her feed… and listened to her conversation with Louis. When she told him how she felt about me… I had to get up, pause the feed, and pace… A million questions jumped out at me. Unable to find an answer to any of them, I sent the file to Samuel—Juliet knew way too much. Was too mature in many ways. Although something was off with her from the start. She had been a totally different person overnight…
A smile played on my lips—Louis had pretended to kiss her on purpose—to make me jealous… Jealousy wasn't going to make me give it all up... It was too dangerous. One of us could die. Probably me.
It wasn't a minute after Sam would've been done with the feed.
Samuel { I'll be there tomorrow for lunch. Don't make a big deal of it. }
Me { See you tomorrow. }
The next day, I waited at the teleporter spot and paced until Samuel came out in the bushed. He looked down and frowned, "Your math is failing you."
"Yeah, was in a rush back then… So?
"Well, I don't know? You're her watcher! You've been here for so long; why didn't you figure out what really happened that day in the bookstore?"
"She is so different off-screen… Juliet terrifies me."
Samuel laughed as we walked up the few steps. Juliet had been reading in a specific chair since Louis's appearance. "Why did you send him back?"
"He needs family. Even if it's only being related in species."
Juliet looked up when I pushed open the door. She regarded us for a second, "So Michael is still watching. But not Ahasuerus." Her eyes met mine. I couldn't look at her, too scared of the daggers piercing me. Samuel walked towards her and sat on the coffee table opposite her. The two were the same mold. Blunt. No fuss. Confident. He leaned forward and waited. "Swatches. Rooms and trouble."
Samuel jerked to his feet, looking down at her. After some time, he sat again. Juliet held out a packet of cigarettes to him. He took one and lit it, watching her with narrowed eyes. He stood to leave. Juliet pulled him back onto the table, "Sit down, Sam! We have like forty years to figure it out… Nothing's going to happen in the next two hours… You can go see him later… Have lunch with us and tell us some more stories about Louis."
Sam relaxed and smiled. I went into the kitchen and got all three of us a beer. If she'd asked me for cigarettes, I would've bought some for her. I knew she had a beer every now and again, but I guess there were some things she wasn't comfortable talking to me about. I didn't like how easy she was around Louis.
The gentleman in question appeared on the stairs leading from his room, catching all our attention. He paused when he saw us. Juliet smiled so genuinely, seeing him—all my jealousy was kindled. If she could have us both, it would probably be heaven for her. Louis coughed and stared at me wide-eyed. He had to know what effect he had on her. She was like a giddy schoolgirl around him. And at that moment, she jumped up and dragged him by the arm to sit down with us. Samuel chuckled, shaking the man's hand, "You made a friend."
Louis and Juliet shared a look. Louis broke the gaze and said, "I want to go with you later."
"Really? Ready to leave Earth?"
Louis nodded and took a cigarette, "It's time." His gaze flickered to Juliet, whose smile had fallen. What was she thinking about? Was she disappointed he would leave?
Juliet left the room, out the patio doors, and stood outside on the deck. I followed like the idiot I was. I should walk away. They could go together and live on En-gannim... Have a house, kids, some kind of life. What was I going to do? Be connected to my wife and sleep when she sleeps.
Shoulder to shoulder, I looked down to see her expression—read her mood. Juliet's lips pulled, holding back tears. To comfort her, regardless of how our story would play out, I put my arms around her waist, standing behind her. Juliet leaned into me, closing the distance between us. I rested my chin on her head. She opened her hand, inviting me to take it. I intertwined my fingers with hers. They moved together, lacing and unlacing; I could imagine it would be one of those things we did after we slept together, lying in each other's arms. "Michael…"
"Hmm?"
"What happened with Marcus? Do you ever hear from Kubra?"
"I do… Both are still on the compound... Qadir's plans will be realized in the next year."
"Get Sam to take him back… Maybe it will be better if he and Louis get to know each other."
"Okay… But how would I have any say?"
"After today, things will change."
"Are you ever going to tell me what you meant with swatches, rooms, and trouble?"
"Michael… Where is Chris?"
"I haven't heard from Warden in a while… He is still being watched… How do you know about—"
Samuel and Louis stepped through the door. Louis walked over to the pit, placing down wood for a fire. Liam and Cindy came down the path from a walk. It was going to be a good night.
Juliet was sitting next to her mom a few hours later. Sam and Liam were drunk. Juliet had fallen asleep on her mother's shoulder. I'd been disconnected from her since almost the first day. It felt weird not sleeping at the same time. I enjoyed watching her sleep and sat thinking about everything I had seen. All we had been through.
Louis was entertaining Cindy; she laughed, her shoulders shaking, and roused Juliet, who sat up—immediately looking for me and smiled when our eyes met. 'Love of her life,' she had said. Juliet gestured for us to go to her room, and before I could say anything, Samuel clapped me on the shoulder, "We're leaving."
"Where are you going?"
"Canada."
I looked at Cindy for support, "You have our full approval, Michael…" Louis stood and held out his hand to Cindy, who took it, and he led her out of the house. Liam and Samuel followed, leaving only Juliet and me, watching the front door close. I turned to her, stuttered, and sputtered, "I… am only human… Juliet… What am I doing here? Your world is not my world. We won't make it. It could never work." She smiled. "Louis is a much better option for you… I can see something is going on with the two of you… He's not even been here for a day, and I… don't think Ahasuerus will allow you to have his nephew and me as husbands." Juliet lifted her head and laughed. I turned to the door and took a few steps, "I think I should leave as well... You're too young to understand how dangerous this is."
"Sit down, Michael," I spun around; she's never spoken to me like that, "Please, sit down… I have a lot to say... I'm sorry… I didn't mean to snap."
Frustrated, she headed for the patio. "It's okay… We all have our bad days."
"F— I forgot how you were before— No, it's not a bad day… It's a new way… One I have to juggle… Michael, I am on a planet called Mirach; in the next galaxy over… They have a room that allows you to go back in time." For this, I had to sit down. Juliet paced slowly in front of me, "I am twenty-four, and we've been together since, well, for us in real life… since I was born, you were there… I have… four husbands. You, Louis, Marcus and Chris… In a way, you were right about something going on between Louis and me, but not here… Here… I didn't want to tell you… But you always need to be in control and," she laughed, "Watch me… Maybe watch out for me? I don't know."
"So, you're figuring out who of us will give you a favorable outcome…. I guess we didn't get along."
"No, you did… In the end… figure it out… But then… Soren—"
"Soren… Five? Juliet!"
"And you don't even want to touch me… I have been pent up for four years, Michael… I was with Marcus before this, and he took me without question when I was sixteen."
"How long?"
"Ten years."
"So… I have six years? But then you're—thirty-eight."
Juliet stopped moving and turned around, "S— Holy s—! I'm old. I'm going to be ancient when I'm done… I'll be catching up to you soon."
"Guess I don't really have to be jealous… Seems rather redundant… You can stop at any time?" She nodded. "Then I'll have to behave myself… Make you stay. Make it work out, and solve all your problems. So, in the end… you'll choose me."
Juliet smiled, walked over, and pushed me down on the couch. She mounted me, clenched my sides with her knees, and her mouth came down on mine. I tilted my head away, unable to kiss her the way I wanted to. Juliet laughed and laced our fingers. "The last time I had to manipulate you into sleeping with me..."
"I don't believe you."
"No, really… it took you years."
I roughly flipped her onto her back—Juliet yelped on a high pitch, laughing. I stared into her eyes and reached for the buttons of her shirt. Slowly, I undid them one by one, revealing more of her soft skin. When three was done, she came up so I could pull it over her head. I struggled, my eyes gorging on her breast, pushed up and bulging. I stroked a knuckle over them. I had seen her come into them over the years. The thought alone made me doubt—waver. How would I get over it? Sleep with her when I saw her be born… It was all sorts of wrong… No wonder it took me years. I must've been so desperate… I looked up into her eyes, watching me, "Is there any other way? I can't."
Juliet thought for a bit, wiggled out from underneath me, and came up on her knees so we could talk face-to-face. "The last time a lot happened before you even considered it... I'm kinda springing it on you."
I agreed. Juliet smiled, thinking while touching my cheek. Suddenly, she laughed and bit her lip, "I have an idea." Excitedly, she got off the couch, walked to a chair, and placed it in front of the fire. I frowned while she came at me, pulled me up, and led me to sit down. "I don't know where this is going," Juliet ignored me, walked to the counter, and did something on her phone. A song began to play. What was she doing?
I shifted in the seat when she moved her body, dancing seductively. I gripped the arms of the chair. All the blood in my body drained to my groin. I couldn't move. With practice, she swayed her hips across the floor toward me—around me with teasing fingers, moaning needily in my ear. My eyes were fixed on the vision in the firelight, undressing herself. By the time her underwear dropped, I was biting my thumb between my teeth, holding back with every ounce of self-control I could muster. Juliet moved around me and, from behind, ran her hands over my chest, leaning closer. Even through my shirt, I could feel her nipples brush against my skin. "F— F— F— It's working." Her hands kept going, reaching for the hem of my shirt, slowly lifting it over my head. Juliet twirled around me, flipped a leg over my lap, and, totally naked and exposed, watched me as I took in all of her. Her hips rocked over me, lifting her hair with her hands stretching out in a sexy way. I was dripping, looking down at her naked thighs— catching glimpses of her shaven lips moving over me. She unbuckled my belt, undid the button, and unzipped my jeans, "You can touch me if you like."
"Hold on." Juliet's head jerked up, confused, disappointment in her eyes. "I mean, hold on to me… Don't let go or—"
She laughed and wrapped her arms around my neck. I got up, Juliet dangling while I pushed down my pants. Her feet helped me work them to the ground. I stepped out, feeling every inch of her skin on mine. I dared to slide my hand over her ass and in between her legs—cupping and stroking wet folds. Juliet drew in a low gasp, "Ahh." My fingers drew a quiver from her, "This is so hot… I want you."
I carried her to the couch and came down on her. Juliet's legs were already bent; I took myself in hand and rested my head at her entrance, deliberately and hesitantly working myself into her. She complained sweetly—whimpered softly with every thrust. I pulled back a little, "I'm okay, don't stop." I lowered my mouth to hers, teasing her lips to open for me; she was clenching down on me something fierce. I was waiting for her to relax, slowing down a bit. I didn't mind that we both got lost in the intimacy—giving the aching tension building between us time to settle. I unlocked our lips and kissed her down her neck, over the curve of her collarbone. Juliet's body softened. The next thrust was going to hurt—I slid in—fully immersed in ardent love. Juliet bit my neck, her nails dug into my sides. I let out an insistent, hungry grunt, feeling every inch of her… On the verge of surrender, I moved slowly inside her… As if she knew, Juliet moved her hips to get me at the spot. "Right there," she opened her legs a little more. I dipped into her, grinding against her. Her moans deepened, breathing ragged. Juliet reached for my hand and placed it on her breast. I was almost undone by the heat between her legs and the softness of her breasts. I willed myself to make this memorable, teasing and rubbing her nipples, cupping her breasts— building her up to her peak. Her nails dug deeper, "You're killing me." Juliet couldn't kiss me anymore, too overwhelmed by her building climax; her breath hitched and sobbed with my next thrust. I tightened my hold on her mounds and took a nipple between two fingers. She convulsed around me, shaking, quietly holding her breath. Again, I waited, slowing down, feeling for her to let go. "I love you, too," I whispered. She opened her eyes. We stared at each other as I pulled out and thrust in again, wholly focused on her. I was as ridged as I could be and, after a few more strokes, savored my own pleasure.
Spent and sated—absolutely overcome—I stayed there for a moment, asking, "Did I find you in the previous one? The way I feel about you… is not… normal."
"You did." I wanted to pull out. Her heels dug into my thighs. I squirmed. "Don't do that," she said softly. "Don't let go before I'm ready." I nodded and reached down to take her bottom lip between mine, sucking and asking for more. Juliet let the pressure go. Seeing my opportunity, I slipped out of her. "Hey! That's cheating." I reached for my jeans and pulled out a packet of cigarettes. "Oh well, for cigarettes after sex, I'll never say no."
"I had to coax you through the whole process… You were as nervous as a virgin."
Juliet laughed, "I was. In a way. Four years is like…" her shoulders shuddered, thinking about something. "I didn't think you would let me go first."
"What do you take me for?" I shook my head, reaching out and cupping her breast, sliding my hand up her chest to her cheek and holding her face in the palm of my hand. She turned and kissed me. I couldn't stop touching her, feeling every part, taking in how she looked across from me—flushed and disheveled.
"Michael, do you mind getting me a tissue or something. I'd hate to stain Louis coaches if we haven't already left a mark."
I stood with a contented smile on my face, "We were on one of his throws, so I think we're safe…"
As I opened the door to the house, I noticed a figure in the living room. Louis's head was in between his legs, hung down low. He was on the floor. "What's wrong?" Juliet asked and got up. I thought about stopping her. "What in the world? Why do you do this to yourself."
Louis jumped up and tossed a blanket in the face, "I didn't leave with the adults! I wanted to know what was going on. You know too much."
"What is it with the two of you wanting to know… every, little, detail… Marcus asked me twice in ten years."
Louis groaned. "Why is he taking it so badly, and I'm not?" I asked.
Juliet smiled, "You were always very open to anything… He didn't even know about our planet until… well, I escaped… And you loved me more than he did… It's always been an issue… He says you spoil me."
"I can see that happening… Is there anything else I can do for you?"
Louis groaned again, "So it's true? This isn't even real? How can that be? And why would you need to go back in f—ing time to… do what?" Juliet had wrapped the throw around her and headed for the bathroom. "Where are you going?" Juliet ignored him. "Hey, I'm talking to you."
He wanted to go after her, "You need to calm down, man."
Louis turned around, "Urgh, put some clothes on. This is still my house."
I went outside, reached for my pants, and heard Louis knocking on her door.
***
Louis
Juliet opened the door and turned away from me, "May I come in." She nodded, swiping at her eyes with a flat hand in a jerky, irritated manner. I felt like going mad, letting everything go, and giving in to all my darkest wants. Why had I come back? I was so curious to see Samuel's niece and brother. Meet anyone I could have any kind of connection with. A last lifeline to the solitary existence I hated. When I saw her sleeping on my bed with a book laid open next to her—I was already done for. It was the picture, the idea, the dream. She fit into my life in every small way. A little young, but after what I had seen reading Michael from the lounge, it all had to be true. Every move she made in her dance had dragged me down into a pit of despair, knowing none of it was real. I had crumpled when she had cried out the first time. I had read both of them at that moment it would hurt. Why did I put myself through that?
Juliet sat down on the bed, dressed. She was naked, and I had seen her body. I couldn't care less about any of it. I would do it again. Be in a harem with the other men for her. Like Michael said, our feelings were not normal toward her or about her.
"I forgot how you were with me before you knew me… Louis, I'm not one of your whores who you can manipulate. I am not a vampire wife with a veil on who you can command and order about to be about your every whim… Now…! The next time you speak to me, you will behave yourself, or I'll make you behave."
I laughed sardonically—the audacity—she was playing with our lives like it meant nothing, "If there is one thing I hate, it's when women ask for it and can't take it when a man actually follows through."
Juliet was in front of me before I could lift a hand to block her. The first punch landed in my stomach, knocking the wind out of me. Her elbow came down on my ear. She circled me and hit me behind the head. I slowly met the Earth. Juliet was over me, pulled my arm back, and popped out my shoulder. I screamed. The door burst open. Juliet leaned down close to my ear, "Now I'm going to tell you what I told him in our previous life when he tried to kill me… I will cut you to pieces before I let you or anyone else hurt me… Do you understand me?" I nodded submissively. Guess a lot happened to change us all—if we ended up together.
There was a knock at the front door. Juliet stood to her feet and looked at Michael, "My parents?" All he could think about was her dancing. I let out a groan and came up on my knees, clutching my shoulder, struggling to the front door.
I opened it and saw two people I'd never seen before. Juliet ran past me, deliberately bumped my shoulder, and threw herself on one of the men. Her arms went around his neck, her legs around his waist, and she clung on for dear life, "I haven't seen you in fourteen years."
"Do I know you?" He tried to shake her off. She clung on harder.
"Come in. Are you Marcus or Chris?"
He looked bewildered, "Chris. How did you know?"
"Marcus, Louis's shoulder is dislocated," Juliet mumbled, "Will you please help the man."
I raised a hand, backing up as he stepped toward me on a mission. "Where are you going?"
"It hurts."
"What happened to you?" Marcus asked as he gripped me in the right places and had me fixed in no time.
"I was disrespectful."
"You learn fast," Juliet said while Chris carried her to the couch and sat down.
"Are you ever going to get off me… " Chris groaned from more pressure around his neck.
Juliet suddenly sat up, "What are you guys doing here."
"This guy manifested and killed his wife." At first, Juliet laughed softly; it only grew until she was on her feet clutching her stomach, fell on the couch, and laughed her ass off. "He created an interplanetary situation which I was tasked to sort out… This was the only place we could hide him while he gets a hold of himself." Marcus tried to say above her laughter. Juliet held out an open hand. Michael placed a packet of cigarettes down, and I cursed loudly. The guy will become a slave. Juliet laughed some more while lighting the thing, lying down on the couch, staring at the roof, and playing with her hair.
"Is she crazy?" Chris asked.
Michael approached her, mounted himself on her, and kissed her with repeated languid strokes of his tongue. Juliet let out a filthy noise. He lifted his head, "If none of them want you. I want you…" He watched her for a moment, "What will you do now? It doesn't seem like your plans work out… Did this happen in the previous life, too?" She nodded. "You can't run away from it… We're all destined to be…" She shook her head. "Then what?"
"Oh, we're going to finish our ten years, honey."
"How will we get rid of them?"
Juliet giggled, "You are going to brand me with a flaming hot poker… I'll sleep while you're contained until you can control yourself." Michael seemed confused. "You'll turn into all three of the bad, be able to travel across galaxies… And then you'll whisk me away to so many worlds… We're going to so many places and have one grand adventure."
"With your ability, we would be the ultimate power couple."
Juliet slapped him on the shoulder, "That's what I said."
Chris, Marcus, and I said at the same time, "No! Absolutely not."
Michael and Juliet laughed. She held out the cigarette to him, "Do you want to?"
"More than anything. How will you contain me? Why would you need to? You said all three?"
Juliet pointed at Chris, "Show him." Chris manifested into a creature I'd never seen. I took a step back. "Your ability would be teleportation… Ahasuerus will help us… or else his grandfather will die if he doesn't," Juliet pointed at Marcus… "Louis's mother will die if she doesn't help us, and Chris's father will die if the three idiots don't help us… And Ahasuerus knows everything, so he won't care."
"My mother?"
"I'm not talking to you."
Juliet never did speak to me again for six long years. We were all whisked to En-gannim and stayed there for some time for the two new creatures to find themselves. Juliet and Michael traveled to so many planets and places, sending us pictures and coordinates. I didn't know why she wanted Marcus to have them. It's not like either of them could take it wherever we really were.
I sat on my bed, looking at one photo that stood framed on my bedside table. Juliet and Michael were hand in hand with their backs to the camera in a room with columns three stories high. The floor and walls built with precious stones and gold. The couple were staring out from a balcony, and in the distance—what they were looking at was an alien city with pointy buildings as white as snow against a peach-colored sky. Michael was dressed in cream-colored pants and shirt. He had a long cloak about his shoulders and a staff-like spear in one hand. Juliet's hair was long and styled back away from her face with a golden plated band over her head, keeping it all in place. Juliet wore cream-colored tight pants and a lighter color body suit tank top. Her boots were laced up to her ankles and white with very thick high heels. She looked absolutely gorgeous—like royalty.
We were all pretty jealous of the two, but not one of us could move on with our lives after we met in France. The three of us were frozen in time. Juliet had given me a lot of work via a plate. My first job was to take a guy named Rodrigo to my mother, whom I met and got along with pretty well. Juliet said it was because we were exactly the same—unhinged. I don't know what happened in our real lives to make her choose this path, but I figured with her underlying tone toward me—I had to have something to do with it.
Anyway… I had to get Rodrigo to work on a solution around Juliet's struggle with interspecies pregnancy. All the doses, durations of the formulas, and every little detail needed to be cataloged and shown to Marcus. Rodrigo and Juliet had many lengthy discussions over the course of those six years. We were never allowed to participate in their conversations; she said I talked too much.
My second job was to join her and the other three on a planet called Mirach for a diplomatic meeting. Once we landed, a man with a heavy, soft, velvety afro met us. Juliet explained to him what was going on, and he almost ran out of the room to gather his things and follow us to Earth. His family cheerfully waved him off. I was tasked to stay with him at my home in Paris, allowing him time to get accustomed to how things worked on Earth. He found it very difficult for a few months, although determined to see it through.
I had to wait until he was ready to meet a woman named Charlene and then had to set up a house for him close to hers so they could 'bump' into each other. I had to get him enrolled at her university, and from there, I had to read Charlene and help Romero with courting her in a 'worldly sense.' It was fun to see the two meet. Charlene was head over heels within two weeks. I gave Romero access to my accounts, and the two lived the life I had planned to have with my wife. They flew across the world in my plane. Sailed around Europe with my yacht. Charlene quickly gave up her studies and enjoyed the high life with her new partner. The two were pregnant within a year and had a beautiful little girl named Fia. She was a shadow, and the two had to move to Mirach; Charlene was even happier there. Juliet and Michael visited them, and the four became great friends, traveling together across the cosmos.
By the tenth year, Juliet was round with child—glowing—and even more the picture of what I'd wanted for a life. She sat us down and said it was time she left. Michael cried his eyes out—on his knees, begged her to stay. Juliet stabbed him in the neck with two vials, showing no mercy or remorse. Once he was out, she turned to me, Chris, and Marcus. In turn, she met all our eyes on the verge of tears herself. Her gaze landed on me last, and I braced for some sarcastic remark. Juliet rested a hand on her belly, "This baby is yours—" I stood and took a step toward her. "It's why I can't stay more than ten years." I reached out a hand. "I'll fix this."
"Juliet! Please. Don't."
"Don't what?"
"Make this decision by yourself… Choosing only one of us… Don't." She looked away. "You didn't ask us, did you? What about our children? My child!" I touched her belly and felt movement. The idea of our family stirred up so many emotions, "Please go back and fight… You must be exhausted and desperate to do all this… Feel like you're out of options… And I'm sorry I'm not there for you." Juliet's eyes misted. "You're angry at me… I'm sure I hurt you in some way… After your set down six years ago, I guess it's because I have no manners… Blame it on my lonely upbringing—mixed in with some generational curses." Juliet snort-laughed. "Give us another chance… Hey, what did you tell me, 'If I don't know what to do, I should do nothing.'" It got her attention, and she turned to me and bobbed her head—agreeing with me. "Now, get out of here so you can tell me you're pregnant… I'm sure it will make all the difference." The corner of her lips pulled into a weak smile. Juliet closed the distance and kissed me for the first time in ten years.