Morticia Addams was usually nothing but gracious whenever she met an old flame of her husband's. Even meeting two conjoined, as were the Amour twins, Flora and Fauna. It was the night of Fester's leaving party, and the whole Addams clan – and quite a few acquaintances besides – were dancing and merry-making around their grand ballroom. Everything was a perfect wash of black, red and taupe, the air filled with greetings between long-lost cousins and old school friends; and, of course, old lovers. Gomez had warned Morticia as they had written their invitation list that there would likely be a fair few women in the group with whom he had dallied. They were always very open about their previous relationships, and while Gomez was given to fits of jealousy and brooding if ever Morticia spoke fondly of a ex-lover, Morticia herself was calm and collected – outwardly at least. There was the occasional pang of resentment, the odd tightening of her grip on his hand to assert her possessiveness of him, but it was nothing compared to the red mist that overtook poor Gomez upon such introductions. Perhaps for Morticia, it was the knowledge that Gomez adored her beyond words and meaning, that every old friend of his that she ever met told her in no uncertain terms that her beloved husband had never acted with any other woman the way he did with her. She was his life, his everything, and she felt blessed by the knowledge.
She glanced across the room as she sought out Gomez's familiar silhouette. It had now been a good ten minutes since she had left his embrace in order to seek out Wednesday and ask her to check on Fester, after which she had been caught up in conversation with Lumpy and Stumpy Addams. She was missing her man. Her eyes alighted on him as he made his way, ever the gracious host, to the Amour twins who had just arrived. She gently excused herself from her current company and drifted quietly over to Gomez's side. She had heard tell of the two ladies who had played such a key role in the troubled past between Gomez and Fester, and she was keen to meet them.
"Why Gomez, the Amor twins. I've heard so much about you."
The second he heard her soft voice approaching, Gomez's eyes were on his beautiful wife, the twins all but forgotten for a brief moment. As she came to stand possessively close to her husband, Gomez's arm rested easily around her waist. Gomez tuned back in to the conversation just in time to hear Flora and Fauna arguing over who had seduced the handsome Castilian all those years ago. Morticia's flawless social skills came to the fore, and she placated the pair with flattering words and an easy smile.
"Flora and Fauna, how can I compete? You're twice the woman I am."
Gomez smirked as his wife's faux flattery appeased the twins, earning her simpering smiles. He gently squeezed his hand at her hip, before turning and catching Tully as he passed.
"Tully, the Amor twins. They're waiting for Fester. Amuse them," he muttered. As soon as his duties were delegated to Tully, Gomez stepped back to Morticia's side, offering a hand and off they whirled, blending flawlessly into the dancing crowd once again, the twins' full attention and charms now focused on poor Tully.
"Is everything alright, mi preciosa?" Gomez asked as they waltzed, the mingled guests parting seamlessly to allow them to dance their path around the room, none but each other on their minds right then and there.
"Of course, mon amor," she replied, tilting her head to the side slightly as he raised her hand, already clasped in his, to his lips, not once breaking their stride. As the song ended, to polite applause from all present, Gomez was reluctant to relinquish his hold on his wife. He tightened his grip around her waist, eliciting a small smile from her ruby lips. His resolve was only strengthened as his gaze alighted upon the late guest just now arriving through the archway into the grand hall. Gomez hadn't seen Lady – this was indeed her given name – in eighteen long years. He froze as he tried to comprehend how she came to be in his home; the last woman he had dated before meeting Morticia, the one he had almost proposed marriage to. Morticia was still held fast in his arms, clearly resigned to her immediate fate, as she chatted pleasantly with Fester's old school mistress, a pleasant woman whose hair had been turned grey at the age of 26, all for the stress of trying to teach an Addams.
Gomez's posture stiffened as Lady met his gaze, and raised a hand in greeting. She began to make her way across the crowded room towards her most significant ex. Panic rose in Gomez's throat, and as if holding his own beloved close to his side was not enough of a warning for Lady to keep away, he found himself dipping Morticia in his arms, pressing his mouth against hers in a searing kiss. Lady turned on her heels and rushed from the room, almost knocking herself out as she bumped into Lurch. Meanwhile, locked in her husband's embrace, Morticia was somewhat taken aback. It is true that societal norms and protocol were not the Addams' strong points, and many is the time that the blissfully unhappy couple would find themselves overwhelmed with passion and desire in public, realising only later that their show may possibly have not been too welcome, judging by the faces of those around them. But something was a little different tonight. As Gomez bought their embrace to an end, effortlessly bringing his wife back to her feet, Morticia noticed his narrowed eyes focused on something – or someone – behind her. It was not the warm, passionate look she associated with these impromptu moments, but rather seemed a mixture of fearful and defensive. She stole a quick glance, and saw the retreating guest fleeing from the room, wondering briefly who it could be. No-one she had spoken to that night, she knew that. A hand tugged at her skirts, and she turned to face her young son, who was scowling up at her and his father.
"Pugsley, what is it dear?" Morticia asked, as she reached over to Gomez to wipe a smear of lipstick from the corner of his mouth.
"You and Father promised you wouldn't do that in front of people any more! Not after what happened at my last school play!" The young Master Addams ended his rebuke, and folded his arms, and looked sullenly upon his parents.
"You are right, my son, I apologise if we embarrassed you. One day you will understand how it feels to just be so taken with someone that you forget anyone else exists for a moment. Until then, I promise your mother and I will be more careful with our affection," Gomez placated his child, offering him one of his finest cigars by way of apology.