Chapter 32
Hope and I lied next to each other dead asleep. There was a knock at the bedroom door.
"Ben?" Came Gwen's voice. "You awake?"
I mumble softly and got to my feet rubbing sleep from my eyes. I opened the door quietly.
"Gwen...what is it...you okay?"
"I'm fine it's just..."
"Something about the baby?"
"No...no she's fine."
"Is this about Harmione or Kevin?"
"No...it's about you."
"Me?"
"I'm just sorry I haven't been there like I should and...
"Gwen you have...besides you're 6 months pregnant I-"
"No please let me talk, I have to say this."
I leaned on the door frame and listened intently.
"Dweeb, I love you...okay...I know I went off to make my own life...and now with a baby on the way I created that life for myself...with what you told me almost 6 years ago I don't want you making rash decisions...I don't want you to get messed up again... and just by saying that; you and Hope are right for each other I think you always have been...I see that now. But I'm here and I've always been right here Ben. I know you're worried all the time. I know if you make a mistake it could mean the end and you're scared. I'm scared too. You're not alone and I wanted you to know it...I didn't do this before which is why I think you leapt before you saw what was ahead...and that was my mistake. I won't make that same mistake again."
She hugged me tightly. She and I both felt Genesis kick. It warmed our hearts and put us both at ease. I loved my cousin. Not romantically no. But Gwen really had been through it all with me. Being Genesis's Godfather meant the world to me. Proably as much as being Harmione's Godmother was to her. As a family we didn't lose our light when we had each other. I was proud of her and Kevin. I wished them every happiness, and planned to return as much compassion and support they've given me back to them. Not everyone has a cousin like Gwen. I considered myself lucky.
She couldn't sleep until she told me that. Though it was nearly dawn she went back to bed on the pull out bed in the couch next to Kevin. I entered Harmione's room. She was in bed holding on tight to her stuffed kitten. She had drool on the side of her face. I looked around the room and took a seat at her activity table. It was hard to sit down at, but I managed and watched her sleep. I didn't want to leave her. An hour later, I awoke in the floor next to her bed. I apparently was using her bear as a pillow. I got to my feet. Harmione wasn't in bed.
My mind began to panic. My heart jumped out of my chest.
I ran from the room and shouted into the main hall.
"Har!" I yelled.
"What?"! I heard her small voice yell back. Gwen and Kevin were now awake and in the hall by the bathroom door.
"What's going on?" Kevin asked and rubbed the back of his head.
"Sorry...sorry I woke you guys...I thought Harmione was missing."
Gwen stared at me with her arms folded. Kevin stroked her back. I knocked on the bathroom door.
"Harmione, you in there sweetie?"
I heard a flush. I exchanged glances with Kevin and Gwen. We heard the sink running, and then the sound of the doorknob turning. Harmione stepped out. Her hair bushy and messy.
"Sorry sweetie...I thought something happened to you."
I picked her up.
"I had to tee-tee." She replied.
"You did...well I'm sorry...you know you've been a big brave girl through all this."
"I have you Daddy...I'm not afraid."
I hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek. Her night shirt came up a bit as I put her down. I pulled it back down and stroked her hair.
"Go ahead and go back to bed."
She did so.
"Wow... She got up to pee...scary." Kevin said. Gwen punched his arm.
"That's your God child, you know you'd feel like shit if you lost her!"
"Yeah...sorry Ben."
"I'm just sorry I woke you."
"It's okay." Gwen replied for Kevin. "I've been back and forth to go to the bathroom all night."
With a baby on her bladder I knew that to be very true. Hope had to deal with that as well. Speaking of Hope, I left Gwen and Kevin to check on her. She was still asleep. It was probably the pain pills that knocked her out. She breathed gently under the covers. I got back in bed and wrapped my arms around her. Morning finally came, and this was the week Hope was going to start walking on her own, without the use of a wheelchair.
We left Harmione in Gwen and Kevin's care as Hope and I went to physical therapy. Hope was able to stand on her own, but she had some trouble walking on her own. I held her hand as we performed the exercises. When I drove us home, Hope was very relieved to get out of there.
"They worked you to death, didn't they Angel?"
"Yeah...but that's not why I wanted to leave."
I looked from the road to her back to the road.
"I need to be near Harmione...it's my fault Mom-"
"Hey." I said sternly. "Don't go there, don't do that to yourself...it's not your fault."
Hope sighed heavily.
"You hungry?"
"How can you think about food when-?"
"What do you want?"
"Ben...I'm not hungry...I'm worried about Harmione."
"Me too...Burgers or Pizza?"
"My mother is after her and you-"
"Look, Harmione said she wasn't afraid...I think it would be less stressful if we weren't afraid."
"So that's it, we're just gonna ignore it!?"
"I didn't say we ignore it, babe...I said be less afraid of it."
"I have no idea how to do that."
"Sure you do...You said if worse comes to worse we have to do what we have to do...we have to survive...for Harmione...and I think right now if we put on a brave face for Harmione we could do a lot for her..."
Hope sighs and folds her arms, then lies back in her seat. I drove one handed and reached over to her and stroked her hair.
"It'll be okay."
"Pepperoni."
"What?"
"Pepperoni, stop and get two large pepperonis for us, Harmione, Gwen, and Kevin."
"Thought you weren't hungry."
Hope glared at me. I smirked.
"Ben?"
"Hm?"
I glanced at her and she pointed her middle finger at me. She had on pink salmon nail polish at the tip. I smirked. She sighed heavily and sat up pulling her hair behind her ears.
"You gonna be okay?" I asked. She only nodded, then touched my hand. I put her hand in my lap and held on tight to it as I drove.
Everyone enjoyed the pizza, and Harmione was thrilled to see her mom walking around again.
"Did you get new legs Mommy?"
Hope laughed at bit.
"No sweetie, these are my legs."
Harmione chowed down on another slice of pizza, and drank her juice. As Hope and I sat next to her Kevin entered drinking another soda.
"Why do you have to be such a pig?" Gwen asked.
"I don't know, why'd you marry one?" He replied back.
"Fair." Gwen mumbled.
"Gwen, I've been meaning to tell you I got a body pillow in the closet...I used to put it in between my legs while I slept...helped me a lot when I was pregnant with Har." Hope explained.
"Thanks." Gwen said with a smile.
Harmione suddenly let out a scream that was very shrill. We all covered our ears and looked at her.
"Jesus, I think I'm deaf." Kevin said aloud.
I looked at Harmione she didn't react when Kevin spoke. She started to fall backward.
"Ben!" Hope shouted. I reached out and caught Harmione before she could fall. She wasn't moving, and her eyes were closed.
"Harmione!" I screamed. "Har!"
She was breathing but she still did not awaken. I carried her into the living room. The others followed us. I slowly put her on the couch. She wasn't choking, and it didn't seem to be a seizure. I wasn't sure what was going on.
Harmione slowly opened her eyes.
"Harmione...sweetie?" Hope began. Abruptly, Harmione's eyes began to glow bright pink. Mana shot out from her body hitting me, Hope, Gwen, and Kevin. Harmione arose from the couch and floated in mid-air. Her hair blew sideways as if wind were present. I rubbed my shoulder and got to my feet.
"Harmione!" I screamed.
She turned toward me.
"Power down sweetheart please!" I shouted.
"She would if she were in control...but she's not here right now." Harmione replied back to me.
"Ghostfreak..."
"I told you I would return for her...and I have."
"Let her go...let her go you basturd!" I turned the dial on my watch and Hope pulled my arm.
"No!" She screamed. "No, you'll hurt Harmione!"
"But she-"
"Is under his control..."
I lowered my arm. Kevin got to his feet and helped Gwen to hers.
"Gwen, you okay?" He asked.
"Yeah...yeah I think so...no I have to sit back down."
"Gwen." I got on my knee next to her.
"I'm fine..."
"Let my baby go!" I heard Hope shout.
"I can't do that Charmcaster..."
"That's not my name!"
"Nonetheless, I cannot let her go...I've found a new destiny...Hadara was very straight forward...I'm not even supposed to be talking to you."
"No please not Hadara!"
I got to my feet and stood next to Hope.
"My mother isn't in her right mind whatever she promised you is a lie!" Hope cried.
"I will allow the child to live...if Ben does a little favor for me."
"What?"
"Ben no!"
"If it's between me and Harmione, I'm picking Harmione, what do you want me to do?!"
"Allow Hadara to take you instead..."
The deal was made. He released Harmione and I followed Ghostfreak to the pier. There a portal would open up to the Ledgerdomain, as Hadara said it would. Unknown to Ghostfreak was that Hope and Kevin followed me while Gwen stayed with Harmione. Harmione was fine but was knocked unconscious. I was happy to be going with Ghostfreak to give Hadara a real piece of my mind. We travelled through the interdimensional portal that lead us to a long spiral staircase made of rock. I followed him down the long winding stairs. Hope and Kevin stayed out of sight inches behind us. When we reached the bottom, a large sapphire blue coffin opened. Hadara stepped out of it.
"Ben?" She questioned. "Where's the girl?"
"Sorry, Hadara but Ghostfreak and I made a new deal...you get me instead."
"Well isn't this a surprise...I really expected better of you Ghostfreak."
She grunted furiously and purple mana shot from her hand. When it hit Ghostfreak, he was electrocuted. He fell flat, steaming the ground. I gasped.
"Hahaha!" Hadara laughed. "You like my surprise too, wondering how I got my powers back?!"
"How...Hope said-"
Hadara held up her other hand and a blue sapphire necklace swung back and forth. She threw it toward me.
"My stupid husband...The fool never thought I could regenerate and heal myself... Or that a ghost might someday possess my body and remove the sapphire from within."
"Ghostfreak you idiot..." I mumbled.
"Now...what was it he said? I get you instead..."
She walked closer toward me and circled me. She scanned my body up and down.
"I imagine there's more meat on you than on your daughter."
"Hadara...that day you said something about me not knowing all about Harmione...and that I may have disreptected your daughter somehow..."
"Oh...so sorry dear...its not just you...it's all men...it was man that put this awful curse on me, and as for Harmione she's just like her mother...She could be deadly if you don't watch it."
"Harmione's brave...and strong...a lot stronger than you Hadara!"
Hadara sighed at me, then used her powers to fling me into the air. I grunted and groaned as my body hit the hard ground. She walked over and got on top of me. She held my wrists down. I could see Hope and Kevin in the distance. Hope started to move and I shook my head. She gasped softly to herself and stayed put.
"You know Ben...maybe I was wrong about you...you're not like other men are you?"
She sniffed me and took my face in her hands.
"You're actually a lot of different men...but out of all of them I bet you taste the sweetest..."
"And if you do this...what then?"
She stared deeply at me.
"Your granddaughter wouldn't have a father...your own daughter would be without a husband."
"True...but even so...I gave up my dream for a family a long long time ago...there's nothing you can do or say that will change me...I'm alive and free...and...mm.."
She kissed my cheek and licked my face.
"Hungry."
Her nails grew, her teeth elongated and turned sharp. Her eyes turned to a deep cold black. She opened her mouth wide drawing in a lot of air and spit. Drool leaked from her mouth.
"Mother!" Hope screamed. Hadara turned and growled at her. She wasn't her human self any longer. She was some sort of beast. Body of a an old hag, face of an evil monster.
"Leave. Him. Alone."
Kevin ran over to the necklace and absorbed it. He's body turned into the blue sapphire rock. Though it wasn't enough to weaken Hadara. Hadara rushed them. I rolled over and turned into Jet Ray.
Kevin managed to knock Hadara back. She grunted and growled. I shot rays at her from the sky. She tried to dodge my blows. Her agility was unreal. She sped past Kevin knocking him down and was about to hit Hope head on. I swiftly transformed into Goop and stretched toward Hope. I picked her up and stretched us away from Hadara.
"Angel, are you alright?" I asked as Goop.
"Yeah."
I transformed into Diamondhead and stood in front of her. Kevin was trying his best against Hadara.
"Ideas babe?"
"I'm thinking..."
"Think faster honey, your Mom's not messing around."
I left Hope to her thoughts in order to aide Kevin. We fought valiantly against her, but she was strong, fast, and recovered quickly.
Kevin hit the ground hard again. I ran towards him only for Hadara to pick me up by my throat. Without warning I transformed back into myself.
"Yes...I have the power to morph your pathetic body..."
I began to choke as she held me tight in her grasp. A rock creature body slammed her side and she released me. As I fell two more rock creatures appeared. Hope held her hand out.
"Keep mother entertained and remember I don't care if you kill her!"
The rock creatures did as Hope instructed. I stood up and ran over to her. Kevin rubbed his head and met us halfway.
"We gonna kill your Mom or what?!" He exclaimed.
"I found an incantation that night Ben and I were looking through those books..."
Hope took out a crumbled up piece of parchment from her jacket pocket.
"It won't break the curse but it will put her into an eternal sleep."
"Hope!" Hadara bellowed. She threw a rock creature at us.
"Look out!" Kevin hollered. He rolled on the ground to his left. I rolled on top of Hope, rolling to my right. The rock creature crumbled behind us.
"Well...whatever you're gonna do, do it fast!" Kevin yelled.
Hope hid her face on the ground and I covered her head with my hand as rock debris flew over us. I helped her to her feet and she looked back at the paper.
"I can't do it fast!" She cried out.
I took her face in my hands and kissed her. My wedding ring gleamed on my finger.
"Do what you can, we'll keep her busy." I transformed into Swampfire and threw a fire blast at Hadara. She screamed. Kevin jumped through the smoke to pound her into the dirt.
Meanwhile Hope floated toward the blue sarcophagus. She closed her eyes and pink mana shot out from her palm. The coffin floated upward. Hope's hair blew sideways. She opened her eyes and waved her hands about. Pink glitter moved through the air as she flicked her wrists.
"Quamquam ego non desideres oportet..." She began. The coffin began to glow.
"Sanguine iacebat in lectulo vos, pars in medio."
The coffin circled Hadara. As the large amount of blue sapphire drew closer to her; Hadara transformed into her human form once more. Only this time naked and bare. I transformed back to myself and watched Hope from a distance.
"Vestrum mortuis. locellum de hyacintho reditus ad pythonissam!" Hope cried.
"Hope noooo!" Hadara screamed. "How can you treat your own mother like this!?"
"theres nihil possum facere vobis!" Hope screamed loudly. Her eyes bright pink. Hadara screamed and fainted into the blue coffin and Hope using her magic sealed it shut.
Kevin and I watched as the coffin fell flat on the ground. With a loud thud it was quiet once again. Hope floated down in between me and Kevin. She held her head and groaned. I caught her as she stumbled forward.
"Angel?"
"I'll be okay."
"And your mom?" Kevin asked her.
"With that spell I'm the only one that can awaken her...she'll sleep until I really can break the curse."
"And you will." I told her. I kissed the side of her head.
"What about him?" Kevin pointed to Ghostfreak. Hope opened another portal and we sent Ghostfreak to the Null Void.
Seven months past and Harmione had both her 6th birthday and her kindergarten graduation. With Hadara in eternal sleep I allowed her to go back to school. Gwen finally had her baby. And even though she won't remember it, Genesis did get to see cousin Harmione walk across the stage to get her kindergarten diploma. We cheered loudly from our seats. I think we annoyed the other parents when her time on stage came up.
"Next, from Mrs. Brunner's kindergarten class is Miss Harmione Kay Tennyson."
Harmione's beaming smile could be seen from outer space. She had on a little pink dress with Mary Jane shoes. Her chocolate mousey brown hair pulled back in a curly ponytail. On her ears, a pair of sapphire earrings. They were a birthday present Hope and I both could agree on. After the ceremony, we all gathered outside talking. Hope and I talked to a few other parents and Mrs. Brunner just outside the door. Gwen and Kevin left early to put Genesis to bed. Harmione got to see her friends and talk to them. I was glad even after everything she was able to make some. We went out to eat and returned home. Hope and Harmione had a small ceremony of their own, to congratulate Harmione on learning her basic magic. They stayed up watching movies. I went to bed.
It was probably the best slept I had in over a year. I couldn't believe just how comfortable and relaxed I was. By morning, Hope carried Harmione to bed as she fell asleep on the couch. Her arms and legs dangled in Hope's arms.
My girl was really growing up, and she was safe. We were safe. I wasn't sure if or how long it'd stay that way but I wanted to make the best of it.
I heard Hope enter the room and felt her lie down next to me. She began to spoon me and wrapped her arms under mine touching my chest. I grinned and touched her hands. She placed her chin on my shoulder.
"Thank you..." She whispered her breath close.
I slowly opened my eyes and turned toward her, the sound of the sheet ruffled as I did. The springs squeaked, and I held her hand.
"For?" I asked.
"For seeing me better than anyone, for always providing me with never give up speeches...for helping me...I never thought I could have a life like this."
I smiled and stroked her hands with my thumb.
"You go along with everything I say and everything I do without question...and you've given me freedom...a home...a family...I don't think I thank you enough. She explained.
"You being alive...and happy is all the thanks I'll ever need Angel."
She blushed at her pet name.
"Ben?"
"Yeah?"
"Why do you think we couldn't have been together sooner?"
"Because we needed to feel a little pain first...that's life...what's love?"
I took her face in my hands.
"Showing and sharing that pain with someone else...showing them the ugly side...and they don't run...they don't hide...they stay...and together you endure."
I pecked her lips and she pecked mine. She rolled over on top of me as we kissed. She sat on my stomach, her hair falling forward. I stifled a laugh as I brushed it behind her ear gently. We slowly kissed again, this time my tongue met hers. We made-out for a moment and she placed her head down on my shoulder. She nuzzled my cheek and kissed it.
"Ben?"
"Yes?"
"Gwen told me about the cigarettes and how lost you seemed."
"She did?"
"Mm-hm...I don't want you to hurt like that should something happen to me...I don't want you to be sad."
"Then...give me another kiss and I swear I won't be sad ever again."
She looked at me.
"Promise?"
I nodded. She kissed me.
"It won't be easy...and it scares me...a world without you...but that's something else about love...you make the most of it while you got it because tomorrow is never promised...and I love you so much."
"I love you too."
"I think my only solution is to tell you that everyday and make sure you know just how much."
"You and me Ben."
"Me and you Hope.
I sighed and closed my eyes against the pillow. She pecked my cheek and stroked my fringe. She then leaned in toward my ear and whispered.
"Previously on..."
I opened my eyes and looked at her. She smiled.
"From to be continued..."
"I remember before we first started dating you said that to me."
"I never continued did I?"
"You saved my life that same day." She replied.
"You saved me back then too."
We kissed again. She removed her over-sized T-shirt, and sat on me kissing me in her undergarments. I held her back as she kissed me. She gasped and kissed me again. I held her close as she lied back and we rolled over on her side of the bed.
As I lay on top of her and we kissed she grabbed my hand and ran my palm down her stomach. She mumbled into the next kiss, and placed my hand down the front of her panties. I caressed her in the way I knew she liked. It had been a while since we were this intimate with each other. Where the outside world didn't exist, and all we had was each other. The night grew late, and the sun was begging to rise. By day, we once again lied next to each bare under the covers; I stroked and kissed her shoulder blade. It was almost noon when we got out of bed and got dressed.
It was Harmione's summer vacation so sleeping in was okay this time. Harmione was wide awake though and was watching cartoons in her room when I entered.
"Hey baby?"
"Hi Daddy."
"You hungry?"
"No thanks Daddy...I had toast."
"Toast?" I asked. "How did you learn how to make toast?"
"Grampa in the kitchen gave me some."
"Oh okay..."
I shut her door and opened it again.
"Grampa?"
"Yeah, he's in the kitchen."
I quickly darted for the kitchen. Hope came out of the bathroom wearing a pair of shorts and my jacket. Her hair in a messy ponytail.
"Ben?"
I slid into the doorway of the kitchen. Hope ran up behind me.
"What is it?!" She screamed.
"Oh I see you're finally up..." Came a voice. It was a voice I recognized. Grandpa Max sat at the kitchen table reading the paper. It fell forward to reveal him from behind its pages.
"Waffles or Pancakes?" He asked.
"Grandpa!" I ran over to him hugging him. He laughed and hugged me back tightly.
"What are you doing here, how'd you get in?!"
"You're not the only one that knows were you keep the spare key... and I had to come see my great-grandaughter...and to be fair I knocked and she let me in."
"Hi Grandpa." Hope said softly.
"Hello sweetie." Grandpa said and gave Hope a loving hug.
"Harmione came in here about three hours ago and told me she wanted toast with strawberry jelly...she was very specific."
"You been here that long, why didn't you wake us?"
"Oh, I couldn't...I heard about everything from Gwen...about your mom, seven months ago Hope...I'm very sorry..."
"Thank you..."
"And I thought maybe like the two of you I could use a break from the Plumber business and spend time with who truly matter to me."
I held Hope's hand and kissed the side of her head.
"I stopped by the see my other great-grandbaby yesterday...Genesis looks a lot like her mother...More like her everyday."
Hope smiles shyly.
"And I wanted to see you two lovers, and my little Harmione so here I am..."
"It's good to see you Grandpa."
"It's always good to see you Max." Hope replied after.
"Good to see you too...it always feels good and smells so sweet after a storm."
