In Darkness, Angels

Chapter Two: Parties and Plots

Anthony woke to the sound of a bird singing outside his window. He sighed, then looked over at the woman curled up next to him, and ran his hand up and down her arm before planting a soft kiss on her collarbone and climbing out of bed. He pulled on his trousers and walked out onto the balcony, the cool morning breeze a comfort on his bare skin. He pulled a cigarette out of his pocket, turning it over and over in his hands before sighing ruefully and pitching it over the railing. He sighed again, then headed inside, sitting on the edge of the bed and twisting his hands nervously.

"Anthony? What's wrong?" Amy scooted over to where he sat, wrapping her arms around him from behind. "What's the matter, babe?" He sighed and pointed to the silver cigarette case that lay on his bedside table. Amy looked over at it, then back to him. "You're going to quit?"

Anthony turned to face her and nodded, placing his hand on her stomach. He gestured for his pad, and Amy handed it to him. 'I don't want to hurt the baby, Amy. I'm not dumb; I know that cigarettes are bad for him.'

"Or her," Amy said, grinning. "But I'll help you get through this, I promise." She giggled. "Wait here, I'll be right back."

Anthony watched as she walked naked to the bathroom, growling in appreciation at her lovely backside. She emerged a few moments later clutching something in her hands.

"Here, this might help with your cravings." Anthony chuckled as she placed the item in his hands-a lock of her hair, tied with a length of dental floss. He twisted it in his fingers, rubbing it against his cheek in ecstasy, and Amy chuckled and sat next to him. "Will that help?"

Anthony nodded, then gave a low growl and pounced on her, pinning her underneath him before kissing her breathless. Amy kissed back, easing his trousers down and caressing him, and Anthony moaned as she coaxed him into hardness. He slid his hand in between their bodies, stroking her sex, and felt her grow wet. Amy moaned his name, and he parted her legs before entering her, a soft cry escaping his mouth at the blissful feeling.

As he moved inside her, he crooned in her ear, communicating his message without words. 'I love you, my angel, my love…my savior, my light…my soul…Te iubesc, Amelia…my soon to be wife."

Amy clung to him, her voice low as she answered his crooning. "I love you, Anthony. My silent angel, my savior, my life and soul. Te iubesc, Anton, my future husband."

After love, they dressed and walked out onto the balcony, Anthony carrying his cigarette case. He opened it and dumped the contents out over the railing, snapping the case shut. He looked over at Amy, and she grinned. "Good job, love. Are those the only ones you have?" He nodded, and she nodded. "Okay. So, what do you want to do today?"

He glanced back at the bed, then at her, smirking, and she rolled her eyes in affectionate exasperation and smacked his shoulder. "Besides that." Anthony pouted, and she laughed. "You are insatiable, aren't you?" He grinned and took her into his arms, kissing her. She sighed and kissed back, and he was about to steer her back into the bedroom when her cell phone went off. "Damn."

Anthony frowned as she detached herself from his arms, fumbling in her pocket for her phone. She pressed it to her ear, speaking in a perturbed voice. "Amelia Chase, this had better be good."

"Hey Amy!"

Amy sighed. "Hello Katherine. What do you want?"

Her sister's voice was apologetic. "Well…are you and Anthony doing anything today?"

"Not so far as I know, why?"

"Well, do you think you could come by the apartment later today?"

Amy thought for a moment. "Yes, I suppose we could. Why?"

Kitty chuckled. "It's a surprise. Could you come by at about three?"

"Yes, sure. Now, have you been going to school in the morning?"

"Yes. Are you done spending the night at Anthony's?"

Amy giggled. "For now. When we get there, I'll talk to you some more. Bye Kitty."

"Bye."

Amy ended the call, and Anthony looked over at her, a questioning expression on his face. Amy shrugged. "Kitty wants us to stop by the apartment at three. She says she has a surprise for us." Anthony grinned, and she laughed. "I do wonder what it could be." He shrugged expressively, then began to steer her back to the bed, and she sighed in pretend resignation. "Insatiable."

Malcolm sighed as he stared ahead at the tile wall of his jail cell. The first thing he needed to do was to get out of this place, then he could set his revenge plans in motion. But the first step was proving to be near impossible. He had no money for bail, and nobody that he could call. Even his court appointed lawyer-whom he had met a few hours ago-had been astonishingly incompetent at his job. Malcolm had clammed up within five minutes of meeting him, realizing that saying anything to the buffoon would be disastrous.

"Hey, Deavers! You've got a visitor!"

Malcolm looked over at the person standing in front of his cell. "Who the hell are you? New lawyer?"

The visitor laughed a sound that was filled with coughing. "No, I'm…a friend. I have a…well; I guess you could call it a business proposition. I'll pay your bail, and help you with anything else you might need."

Malcolm frowned. "What's the catch?"

"No catch, Mr. Deavers. This is a one time deal. You answer yes, and I pay the man out front and you walk out of here a free man. Answer no, and you'll walk out of here when you're old and bent double. I'll give you ten minutes to come up with an answer."

Ten minutes later, Malcolm had his answer. He smiled at his visitor. "I'll take the deal."

His visitor smiled maliciously. "Excellent, Mr. Deavers. Now, it will take me a few moments to pay your bail, and then we can get started."

Twenty minutes later, Malcolm's benefactor led him out of the jail and towards a black limousine. A large man wearing a chauffeur's uniform stood in front of the passenger door, opening it as they came near. Malcolm slid into the backseat, feeling a bit nervous, and the other person slid in next to him. The chauffeur got behind the wheel and drove off.

Malcolm turned to face the other passenger. "Okay, what's your role in all this?"

"I am an old…friend of the man you shot. I would love nothing more than to get my revenge on both him and that pathetic slip of a girl he seems to have fallen for."

Malcolm growled in anger. "That slut falls for a silent baboon like him and won't give me the time of day. She was meant to be mine, and if I can't have her, then neither can he!" He dug his fists into the leather seats, an insane smile making his features ghastly. "She will regret rejecting me."

"We've got many things to discuss, Deavers. Welcome aboard." They shook hands, and the limo wound its way through the crowded streets.

At the same time, Anthony pulled his car up in front of Amy's apartment. Amy looked up at the windows, sighing. "Well, she's definitely home. Kitty likes to leave every light in the apartment on when she's there. Our electric bill can be murder sometimes." She unbuckled. "Well, let's go see what she wanted."

Anthony nodded, and they got out of the car and headed upstairs. Amy opened the door, and she and Anthony were immediately assaulted by a loud cry of "SURPRISE!"

The apartment had been decorated. Blue and gold balloons were everywhere, and a large banner on the far right wall read 'WELCOME HOME!' A large table with food and drinks sat underneath it.

Amy and Anthony looked at the apartment, then at each other, and then back again at the decorations, completely and utterly bewildered. At that moment, Kitty came out of the kitchen, beaming at them. "You made it! Guys, they're here!"

Amy stepped into the apartment, followed by Anthony. "Katherine, what is going on? Hello Dylan."

Dylan, who had walked in from the balcony, smiled and waved. "Hello!"

Amy nodded a greeting, and then turned back to her sister. "Explain."

Kitty gulped and looked at the floor. "I wanted to throw you a welcome home party, but I didn't know who to invite or what to bring, so I called Dylan and asked her if the Angels would help. She said they'd be happy to, since you're a friend, and they love parties. Alex and Natalie went out a few moments ago to get some more drinks-just sodas!" She smiled. "I made the banner myself. Are you mad at me?"

Amy smiled and hugged her, planting a soft kiss on the crown of her head. "No, Kitty. But I am surprised."

Kitty smiled in relief and looked over at Anthony. "Are you mad?" He gave her a soft smile and shook his head, then went over to the drinks table and grabbed a can of Coke. Dylan grinned at him. "Nice to see you again."

Anthony nodded, smiling, and Dylan reached into her pocket and pulled out a cigarette. "Want one?" He shook his head, making a slashing motion, and she chuckled. "You quit?" He nodded, and she shook her head in amazement. "Wow." He gave her a look that clearly said 'I have my reasons', and she dropped the subject. "Nat and Alex should be back soon."

At that moment, the two other Angels entered, both laden down with drinks. Nat grinned at Amy. "Hi! So glad you could make it!"

Amy chuckled. "Well, it is my party. And I say that we should get started!"

A few hours later, when everyone was sitting in the living room talking, Amy looked up at Anthony, a small smile on her face. "So, do you think we should tell them our surprise?" He nodded, and Kitty gave them a penetrating look.

"What surprise?"

Amy grinned. "Well, actually, it's two surprises. But we won't tell you if you don't say please."

A chorus of "Please" followed, and Amy chuckled. "Very well. The first surprise….we're getting married."

The Angels and Kitty broke into wide grins and began spouting out congratulations, overlapping each other.

"That's marvelous!"

"Wonderful!"

"I'm so thrilled for both of you!"

"Can I be a bridesmaid, Amy? Please?"

Amy laughed. "Yes, Kitty, you can be a bridesmaid. Would you care to hear the second surprise?" Everyone nodded, and she took a breath before continuing. "I'm pregnant."

Kitty beamed. "I'm going to be an Aunt?" Amy nodded, and she whooped in joy. "ALRIGHT!" She leapt off the couch and hugged her sister, then-much to his surprise-Anthony. Kitty giggled. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you."

Alex smiled. "Congratulations, both of you. Anthony…did you…"

He glared at her, scribbling on his pad, then handed it over to her. 'No. I asked because I love her. The fact that she is having my child is simply a lovely bonus.' Alex nodded, satisfied, and Nat broke the awkward silence by raising her can of Sprite.

"Well, I propose a toast! To Anthony and Amelia, may they be happy!" Everyone raised their drinks. At that moment, a cell phone rang, and Dylan smiled apologetically.

"Sorry, that's me. Hello? Hey Boz, what's up?" A dark frown appeared on her face. "Are you sure? When? Right, thanks." She snapped her phone off, a frown on her face. Nat looked over at her.

"Dylan? What's wrong?"

Dylan sighed, and then looked over at Anthony and Amelia. "Malcolm Deavers has been released from jail."