I do not own any American Gothic characters, this is a work of fan fiction. This story is a continuation of my previous stories and follows on from Good Girl.
It was a pleasant sunny morning in Trinity South Carolina. A warm breeze blew through the trees, causing the leaves to rustle peacefully and there had been no sudden storms for close to a week.
Selena Coombs did her best to saunter down the quiet street, whilst attempting to hide her limp. She was still partly damaged due to being hit by her ex lovers truck and although her arm had healed nicely, her aching leg was a constant reminder of what had transpired.
It had been almost a week since she had been released from Jail for the attempted murder of Christie and she had been trying to lay low, in an attempt to re-evaluate her priorities in life. She had come to the realisation that she was not actually alone and she had an unlikely ally over the past few years that she had completely disregarded. It was strange for Selena to come to terms with such a thing, she had been used to a certain way of life for so long where her orders were taken from a man. She had been warned previously to change her ways and had not listened ; however, she had gained some clarity due to recent events and she was ready for a change.
Selena walked down the street past the large wall protecting the side of the property, then turned left towards the front entrance. She stopped outside the thick black gates protecting the front of the property and stared at the large black dog laying down on the step in front of the front door.
Gideon raised his head slightly, to indicate he was aware of her presence and began to growl. This person had no right being here and he was ready to do whatever was necessary to protect his Master, regardless of who may be watching.
Selena recognised the dog as one that used to appear on occasion next to Gail and took a deep breath to calm the feeling of uncertainty in her stomach, then opened the gate carefully and slowly started mounting the steps. This was only a dog and Lucas would not let anything tarnish his reputation of late; therefore, she was confident it was just there for show.
Gideon sat up from his laying position when she moved closer and his growls became louder. His eyes bore into her hungrily and he was ready to pounce at any given moment.
Selena stared at the dog cautiously and held her ground, she needed to do this and her intended target had remained locked away since the incident of the previous week; therefore, she had no other choice but to see this course of action through. Suddenly the large black door to the house opened and Gail knelt down next to the dog, wearing a thin peach vest and a short pair of pink cotton shorts. She held Luke securely in one arm, while she stroked the dog reassuringly with the other. Selena hated how content her nemesis looked holding her baby and had to shake of her feeling of resentment, remembering she had come here for a reason.
Gail had sensed the change in Gideon instantly and had used the excuse of taking Luke for some fresh air to establish what was going on. When she saw Selena before her, she let out a small laugh and sat down on the step next to Gideon then began stroking him. 'Did this nasty woman frighten you?' she asked Gideon playfully, when he rested his head comfortably on the top of her leg and nuzzled his nose into her.
Selena regarded Gail venomously for a moment, as her nemesis' long brown hair blew lightly in the breeze. The woman had a natural beauty that appeared effortless, even when she had been caught off guard in the morning and it was hard not to resent her for everything she had taken. Selena took a deep breath and shook of the jealous thoughts, then took a few steps closer now that the dog had been tamed.
'That ain't the one that needs tamin'' Lucas advised unimpressed, as he came to the door wearing only a short pair of boxer shorts. 'What are you doin' on my property Teacher?'
'I need to talk...' Selena started, then stopped at the sight of his warning gaze.
'I'm with my family, somethin' you have no concept of and never will...We'll talk another time Miss Coombs' Lucas stated and signalled for her to leave.
Gail watched the exchange closely, curious at the loathing her husband had garnered for his ex. When Selena shifted uncomfortable on the spot at Lucas' dominating presence, she stood up and leaned back into her husband. 'I don't believe the conversation she wants requires you sweetheart' she said sweetly and allowed him to wrap his arms around her possessively.
Lucas glanced down at Gail and nuzzled his nose into her neck. 'It's my vacation time and you ain't gettin' involved in anything other than what takes place in this house' he stated sternly, then kissed her shoulder tenderly.
Gail turned her head to meet his eyes 'Since when do you control me husband?' she asked seriously, then reached up with her free hand and pulled his head to hers for a passionate kiss.
'Since I can't trust you to play nice wife' Lucas advised sarcastically, when he broke free from the embrace and stood his ground.
Gail let out a small sigh and rolled her eyes. 'It appears I'm not allowed to play today Miss Coombs' she mocked, taking pleasure in Selena's hatred of their affection for each other. 'When Daddy leaves, I'm sure we can try this again'
Selena shook her head at the display, then watched as Gail was dragged inside abruptly and the door closed in her face. She stared down at Gideon with irritation, then hurried off the property when he began to stalk towards her with his hackles up.
'That was uncalled for' Gail said, as she placed Luke in his crip in the Study and began walking towards the kitchen.
'Daddy?' Lucas asked, still in disbelief at the comment.
'Well you're old enough to be mine, aren't you old man?' she smiled, then wrapped her legs around him when he picked her up and slammed her against the wall.
'Maybe if you stop actin' like a child I'd be able to stop insertin' my dominance' he mocked as he held securely against the wall.
'And maybe if you stopped covering up my actions I'd stop feeling like a child with an over protective parent' she stated, careful to keep her rage under control.
Lucas had been avoiding the subject of her actions of late, so not to overshadow Caleb's birthday which was nearly upon them. He really wanted to delve into her dark urges; however, his son was more important right now and he was determined to ensure everything ran smoothly. 'It ain't the time for this conversation love, we have a birthday to plan' he advised sternly, whilst stroking her cheek.
'Just because Lucas Buck took vacation time doesn't mean the way of the world stops...Just tell me what you did with the body, then I can get back to my Step Motherly duties and all my focus can be on our eldest' she feigned innocence and ran her lips over his seductively.
Lucas knew better than to trust this innocent act of hers, she had fooled him once by lulling him into a false sense of security and he would not be played again. This obsession with Christie was consuming her and although he understood her need to ensure that a certain task had been completed, if Gail was allowed to fatally eliminate her oldest friend the action would devour her soul and he was fond of her exactly how she was right now.
'Just fond? Wow, you really know how to make a girl feel special' she mocked, reading his mind.
'What do you want from me Gail?' he asked, beginning to get agitated. 'This is all new to me too and I'm really tryin' hard here'
'Just tell me what you did with her and I'll go right back to being the Gail you fell for...I won't even make you elaborate on your true feelings for me, it'll be our little secret' she whispered, then sucked his bottom lip teasingly.
'Say it' he ordered, liking the sound of the words on her lips more than he ever thought he would.
Gail gazed deep into his eyes, then stroked her fingers through his caramel blonde hair softly. 'I love you' she whispered and smiled when he brought his lips down to hers. This was too easy, who knew that all she had to do was destroy her own barriers and voice her true feelings to convince him to her will.
Lucas sensed her smugness and laughed when their lips parted. 'If you think that's all it takes Darlin', you're in for a rude awakenin'. Now, come on...we've got some time before Caleb's awake and I plan on using it wisely' He smiled seductively, as he carried her into the kitchen playfully and lay her down on the kitchen table.
Merlyn stroked Matt's soft blonde hair as he lay peacefully on her chest, tired from the activities they had just finished. She had awoken before him and had wanted to give him something unexpected to wake up to; therefore, she had decided to pleasure him with her mouth and was surprised at the reaction she had gotten.
Matt had awoken as soon as her mouth closed on his manhood and although he was still tired from the previous nights activities, he was more than willing to take her again and again. Her stamina was amazing for someone so inexperienced and her desire was nearly insatiable, he was finding it hard to keep up with her after his long shifts in the hospital; however, he was determined not to disappoint her.
When the alarm rang, they both let out an exhausted moan and laughed at each others reaction. 'Do you really have to go?' Merlyn asked sadly, wanting him to stay here with her for a little longer.
Matt let out an irritated breath, this is the first time in a long time that he wanted to call in work sick; however, he had patients to attend to and he could shirk his responsibilities so easily. 'I'd love nothing more than to stay here with you all day, but I wouldn't be the man you knew if I did' he sighed, then placed a long passionate kiss on her lips and slowly got out of the bed.
Merlyn let out an exasperated sigh and pulled the covers up over her naked breasts. She knew he was right and she would never expect him to give up his responsibilities for her. 'Alright, you be sure not to stay too late today and I may just stop by at some point for an unexpected visit' she teased and smiled when he shot her a longing look.
'What are your plans for today?' he asked, trying to take his mind off her toned body under the thin bed sheet, just inches away from where he stood.
Merlyn sensed his desire for her and kicked the sheet off, then leaned casually against the wooden headboard to show him what he was missing. 'With Christie gone, Gail's Editor Mark wants to talk to me about where I see my career goin'' she advised sweetly, then bit her lip playfully when he could not take his eyes off of her.
'M that's great. You didn't mention that last night' he smiled, trying desperately to control his urges.
'Well you didn't give me much of a chance to talk when you got back after your shift' she laughed, then reached out for his hand and nipped at his fingers playfully.
Matt shook his head at his lack of willpower, then picked her up into his arms and carried her towards the bathroom. 'How did I get by without you?' he asked in awe of her, then kissed her lips softly.
Merlyn savoured the taste of his tongue in her mouth, then stroked her thumb gently over his lips. 'You lived a very borin' life Doctor, but that's all about to change' she smiled and looked forward to continuing their fun in the shower.
Caleb sat on a secluded bench under a tree on the field behind his school playground, eating a turkey sandwich and reading Stephen King's The Stand. After all the strangeness that had been going on in his life recently, Caleb had decided that he wanted to get back to basics and had started enjoying the quiet time by himself that he had previously been fond of.
It had been different since Gail and Lucas got married and Caleb was not sure whether he liked the change. Not only had his cousin's mood of late been very questionable, random children were attempting to be his friend because he was now officially family to the Sheriff of Trinity. At first the change in children and adults amused him; however, now he did not know whether people were being genuinely nice to him or just acting false to get on Lucas' side.
Caleb wanted no part of falseness, he had enough going on in his life than to have to perform for people he did not know; therefore, he had started to keep to himself and get back into his reading, life was easier when he switched off from the world around him.
A strange feeling in his stomach caught his attention and Caleb pushed the feeling away automatically, he then felt his darkness attempting to rise within him and he concentrated hard to keep it locked up. He did not know what had caused the sudden reaction; however, he just wanted to be left in peace to read his book and he was not entertaining anything to do with that part of himself for the time being.
'What are you doin' all the way over here away from your friends' Poppy Bowen asked curiously, as she peered through the school railings.
Caleb's heart skipped a beat for a moment when he heard her sweet southern accent, then he turned around excitedly and smiled when he saw her beautiful face. 'Hey! What are you doin' here?' he asked, as he put his sandwich and book down to approach her.
'I was just goin' for a stroll on my lunch break, Abe's tryin' to be more involved in the Store again so he's given me an extra hour.' she shrugged, 'I thought I might catch you out here with it being lunch time, I've not seen you in forever'
Caleb's grin grew wider when he realised she was here for him and his darkness began to rise again. 'Wanna go somewhere?' he asked, without thinking of the possible consequences.
Poppy thought for a moment, then narrowed her eyes at him. 'I don't wanna get in trouble for you missin' school, your cousin is off with me as it is these days'
Caleb laughed and waved off her concern. 'Gail's probably busy and she's not like she used to be. Besides, she's my Step Mom now and my Daddy has my back'
Poppy eyes grew wide. 'Lucas Buck's your Daddy?'
'He is now I guess' Caleb shrugged not going into details, then carefully climbed over the railing and left his lunch with his book on the bench, as he strolled away with Poppy.
-To be continued-
