Steeling myself, I open the door, then walk into the bedroom. Jack is standing in front of the mantle, gazing at the portrait, with his hands in the pockets of what I can’t help but notice is a pair of sexy, form fitting jeans. I always keep the portrait covered, so he must have pulled back the curtains. He looks so good that it’s all I can do to keep from jumping him right there on the area rug.
I sit on the edge of the bed, wanting him more than I can almost bear. Keeping his eyes on the floor, he turns away from the portrait, and walks around to where I’m sitting. In a movement that speaks volumes, he dips down, takes my face in his hands, and kisses me.
I’m so unprepared, that if I had any breath, he would have taken it away. This is not a goodbye kiss. This is a kiss that speaks of beginnings. All my anger melts. I feel as if I could cry. There is a telltale lump in my throat as I kiss the man I love with all my soul.
Jack pulls me up to my feet, “Millicent, I worship and adore you. I’ve never known anyone like you, and never will. Please forgive me for being such a fool. It was unfair of me to leave you hanging. This is a big deal, a life changing decision, I just had to be sure.”
“A life changing decision. Does this mean you’ve decided to join me, truly join me?”
“Yes, but not yet. I must take care of some things first, tie up my life, the best way that I can. And, first things first.”
Jack unties my robe and his left-hand moves around my bare waist, pulling me toward him. With his right hand, he gently bends my head to the side and begins kissing my neck, right below my ear. I’m so mad for him, I can’t wait. I throw my arms back, letting the robe fall to the ground, and push him onto the bed.
Pulling his t-shirt off, over his head, he laughs, “Impatient, much?”
“Much,” I say, playfully, as I tug off his pants.
He is ready for me, and I am on fire for him. Jack sits up on his elbows as I straddle him, impaling myself on his rigid penis. We moan together. Our mouths meet, as I begin to ride. With one hand behind my head and one on my back, Jack spins us around so that he is on top.
“Always so fast for you,” he murmurs in my ear, making me giggle.
He’s right. I typically feel such an urgency to have him, I don’t let myself savor the sensations. I wrap my legs around his, cradling him with my body, letting him take his time. As much as I try to hold back, it doesn’t take us long. I reach climax, right before he does.
Jack is exhausted from working long days on set, coupled with sleepless nights with me. Before he drops off to sleep, I give him the rundown about what I learned from my very brief stint as researcher. He is interested by the idea of karmic groups.
“So, you’re always tied to the people you love, that’s a very comforting thought,” he muses, and I agree.
“Is it important for you to know, Millicent? Really know, if I’m him?”
I don’t even hesitate. “No, it’s not important. Whether you are the same soul or not, makes no difference. You’re stuck with me.”
“Works for me,” he pauses, “I just thought of something.”
“Yes?”
“Are you actually letting me sleep over?”
I kiss the tip of his nose. “I guess, I am. But, don’t make a big deal of it, or I’ll make you go home.”
We get all snuggly, with Jack’s arms around me, and my cheek on his chest. After he falls asleep, I slip out of his grasp. This may be the time for Jack to sleep, but I’m still in the middle of my waking hours. I smile when I realize that soon we will be on the same schedule.
And just like that, my happiness disappears. I can feel Alexandre in the house, and I feel his anger. Deciding the robe is too revealing, I throw on some pink sweats. Carefully, I close my mind to my maker. This is not something I do often, as I have never had cause, and it is hard. He is pacing in the living room. I know he is waiting for me, and this will be ugly. Where did Annie run off to? I would feel much better if she were here to act as a mediator.
When I’m standing in the living room, it’s easy to see how tense Alexandre is. He is about to explode. He stands in the center of the room, head bowed, eyes closed, hands clasped behind his back, a vein bulging out of his forehead. He looks disheveled. His jeans and sweater are filthy, his hair is a mess. I wonder if he’s been sleeping underground. I want to remark on his appearance, but for some reason, I hold back.
I say simply, in a quiet voice, “Alexandre.”
He doesn’t answer me, he doesn’t look up. He appears to be working his hands together, behind his back. I suddenly have the feeling he is trying to keep himself from strangling me.
It’s hard to explain everything I’m feeling in this moment. This is a man who has done nothing but protect me, care for me, for over two centuries. I have never had reason to fear him, yet I fear him now. My fear runs to Jack, sleeping helplessly upstairs. My strength is significant, but I have never tested it against Alexandre’s. It seems clear to me that on my own, against him, I would lose.
As I’m running through all my options, which are pretty much nil, Alexandre finally raises his head, opening his eyes. My options being scarce, I decide to try and keep it light, turn on the charm. It may sound stupid, but it’s all I’ve got. It has never been difficult for me to charm Alexandre. But then again, I’ve never been so frightened around him. I will have to put on my own performance and had better make it a good one. Trying to affect a face full of concern, I try again.
“Alexandre, are you ok? I’m so worried about you.”
Clasping my hands in front of me, like a sweet nun, I take a step toward him.
“Stop and sit.” Alexandre points to the sofa, his eyes are hard, frightening.
“Of course, come sit next to me.” It’s all I can do to keep my voice clear, so he can’t see my fear.
Sitting, I pat the cushion next to me. Alexandre ignores me, continuing to stand. He now has me in an even greater position of weakness. He fixes me in his fiery gaze.
“I will speak, you will listen. I’ve had enough, and it ends tonight.”
I want to ask him what he’s had enough of, and what does he think will end tonight, but my smart-assery will only make this situation worse. I can’t help but think I am the only one of his children he seeks to control. He could care less where Annie is, or what she does. I bide my time and taking his advice, remain silent.
“240 years, Millicent. That is how long I have waited for you to get over your thoughtlessness. What other man would wait so long? Julien was weak. He couldn’t save you. I saved you!” He points to himself, face red, eyes glowing. “I took you in that night, I went to the chateau. I single handedly annihilated that waste of skin you called a husband and his buffoonish friends. When I found Julien in the cellar, do you think he was trying to escape, trying to get to you, trying to find a way out? He was sitting in the corner, nursing a bloody nose! Weak and stupid!”
It takes me only a moment to process what I’m hearing, but then I know. I know what he is saying. My fear multiplies, but so does my anger.
“He was alive.” My voice a whisper.
Alexandre’s completely unfazed. “Yes, he was alive. The band of fools that included your husband were side-tracked by your disappearing act. I was not expecting a man like him to come along. Julien threw a wrench into everything, everything I had planned for us.”
“Annie was right, then?” He knows what I’m really asking.
He nods his head. “Annie has always known my true feelings for you. I tried to seem ambivalent, but I’ve just been waiting for you to come to your senses. Waiting for you to see me as the hero, as you should have always seen me, waiting for you to love me in return.”
“Love you? I have loved you, Alexandre, just not in the way you wanted. To feel romantic love would be impossible, and more than you can understand. Right now, all I feel for you, is hate.”
His face is like stone, and I know I’ve made a fatal mistake, but thoughts of charming this man are gone forever.
“I’m leaving. Jack is coming with me.”
I start to get up and, in an instant, Alexandre is on top of me. His massive body, pressing me hard, into the sofa. I put my hands against his chest, and try to push him away, but I can’t.
“It’s gone too far for that, I’m afraid.” He spits out the words in my face, “You’re not going anywhere. If you think I’ll let you leave with him, you’re crazy.” He grips my arms, shaking me violently.
“Alexandre, you’re my friend and you’re hurting me! You’ve ruined everything I’ve ever felt for you. I thought I could count on you, always.” Blood tears spill from my eyes.
Alexandre freezes. His face changes. He puts his forehead on my chest, his arms around my waist, crying blood tears of his own. We lay in this awkward position for several minutes.
“I’ve really lost you, now.” I hear the anguish in Alexandre’s voice, but my heart doesn’t soften toward him. What he has broken is irreparable, though I still have to think about Jack.
“Don’t hurt Jack, Alexandre. Please, just let him be and we will see what time has in store for us.” I know Jack’s life depends on my convincing Alexandre that I could, maybe one day, forgive him. But none of this matters.
My body reflexively jumps when I hear Jack yell, “What the hell is going on?!”
He is running toward us, then everything seems to happen in slow motion. Alexandre pushes off me, grabs Jack, and bolts out the front door. I try to run after them, but they are already gone. “Don’t hurt him, Alexandre!”