Part VI - Only Love:
Part A:
There was a soft knock on the loft door and Belle rushed to answer it. Adjusting Claire on her hip, she opened the door and was met with Mimi's stoic gaze. The two friends, who had been like sisters once upon a time, stared at each other with contempt in each pair of eyes. Mimi's gaze landed on Claire and the remorse that always came when she saw the baby filled her. She saw Belle hold the baby tighter, a gleam in her eyes, and Mimi wondered silently how a lifetime of friendship came down to this.
"Mimi." - Belle tried to keep her voice casual and light, but failed miserably. "What's are you doing here?" - she moved away from the door when Claire began to fuss; obviously picking up on the tension filling her mother.
"I came to tell you that you've won." - Mimi said as she stepped inside and closed the door behind her. She didn't advance any further; she truthfully had no intention of setting foot in the home Belle shared with her husband and daughter. However, the words she were about to say, she knew Belle never wanted anyone to hear...and she would allow Belle one last courtesy.
Belle turned back after placing Claire in her playpen and stared at Mimi with a narrowed gaze. "What have I won?" - she asked, slightly bemused.
Mimi scoffed, wondering had Belle always been this much of a bitch and if so, how did she miss it? "The chance to reclaim the great love of your life." - Mimi said, hoping the anger and bitterness she felt did indeed show. "I've told Shawn the truth about Claire...and he's going to hate me for it."
Belle stared at the other woman before speaking. Searching her eyes, reading her; Mimi was always so easy to understand. She wore her heart on her sleeve. "Why now after everything?" - Belle asked.
"Because I love him." - was Mimi's simple answer. "I love him and he deserves to know the truth."
Belle nodded sagely. When Claire began to coo contentedly, Belle ran her hands softly through her daughter's hair and looked at Mimi again with that gleam in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Mimi." - she tried to sound sympathetic and again failed miserably. "I really am."
Mimi scoffed and rolled her eyes. "No, you're not, Belle. You've wanted Shawn your entire life. You've wanted a family with him your entire life. Now, you'll have it. That's the way it was meant to be." - she noticed a small smile begin to curl the corner of her friends lips. "No matter whose life had to be destroyed in the process."
Anger flashed in Belle's eyes. She crossed her arms over her chest defensively, but stayed in her spot. "You knew what was going to happen when you married him, Mimi. You knew how he would react once he learned the truth and you married him anyway. I'm sorry for your hurt, I truly am, but I will not take the blame for ruining your life."
"I'm not asking you to take blame for ruining my life. I did that all on my own." - she agreed and saw in Belle's eyes that gleam again. She had yet figured out what it was, but she knew she didn't like it. "But you are ruining Philip's life...and you should take blame for that. You led him on for months when Shawn was away. Led Shawn on for months when he came back. Then you and Shawn did...whatever...while Philip was fighting a war and instead of you telling him the truth and maybe sparing him some pain, you lied and continued on. You're playing with your daughter's life. Allowing her to bond with another man as her father while wanting to rip them apart and the drop of a hat." - Mimi's eyed blazed with anger. "You should take blame for that. You should be sorry for that."
"I am." - Belle whispered. "Philip's a..."
"Please don't say he's a good man, Belle." - Mimi cut her off. "You have no idea how good a man Philip or Shawn is. And you don't deserve either of them." - she yanked the door open and was about to leave when Belle stopped her.
"And you do?" - Belle asked, snidely, and Mimi figured out what that gleam was. It was the gleam of a spoiled, pampered bitch who never had to fight or work for anything. A lifetime of friendship and Mimi realized she didn't know or like Belle at all.
Turning to face her former friend, Mimi felt stronger than she had in a long time. "No. I don't deserve Shawn. I don't deserve his love, compassion, understanding, trust or friendship; and I'll regret for the rest of my life pissing all over that." - silence fell between them. "But if Shawn never forgives me, or decides he never wants to see me again, I'll at least be able to look at myself in the mirror. I'll have my self-respect and maybe someday somebody can love me again. But you, Belle, no matter how much love you and Shawn share, you'll always have the fact that you would have allowed another man to raise his child as their own because you couldn't stand the thought of Shawn being with me."
She slammed the door and never looked back.
Sitting on the porch of the home Jason shared with his wife, Mimi let the memory of her last encounter with Belle wash away all the persisting bitterness she felt. Staring out onto the beautiful horizon, she felt a little more at peace than when she first arrived two days ago. She was sure Shawn had gotten her letter and had gone to Belle. Everyone in Salem now knew that she was liar and they hated her for it. Now, more than ever, she was glad she was thousands of miles away. No points and stares passed her way. No whispering behind her back. Yes, she was glad she escaped that.
But...part of her felt like a coward. Felt like she deserved the whispers and the stares and the pointing.
She had taken the coward's way out, like her father before her, and left.
"Miriam." - she heard the soft lilting accent calling her name and turned her head toward the door and found Jason's wife standing there. On the plane, when Jason said his wife was beautiful, he was doing her an injustice. His wife, Mimi decided upon seeing her, was some type of exotic goddess. Long, jet-black hair that cascaded down her back. She was tall, easier taller than Mimi, about Jason's height with legs that went on for days. Wide hips, taut stomach, perfect breasts, a swan-like neck, delicate facial features, a creamy caramel brown complexion, and a pair of emerald eyes that shined like the brightest jewel. She was smart, funny and just a perfect match for Jason. Mimi had never seen a couple so obviously made for one another. "Here's your tea, love."
Mimi smiled as she sat down in the chair next to hers. "Thanks, Samara." - she said before she sipped the hot liquid. As soon as the hot, mint taste exploded on her taste buds, Mimi's eyes drifted to a close. "That's excellent." - she whispered and opened her eyes to see Samara smiling at her.
It had only been two days, but Mimi felt an immediate connection with Samara. When she picked Mimi and Jason up at the airport, she noticed that Mimi had been crying.
"Are you alright?" - Samara asked Mimi. Pulling a handkerchief out of her purse, she handed it to her husband's friend. Jason had gone to get the bags and left the two women to get acquainted.
"Yes," - Mimi lied as she took the tissue. "I'm fine, thank you." - she turned her head but could still feel Samara's eyes studying her. "It's the first time I've ever been so...far away from home." - Mimi said after a moment of silence ; she turned back around and tried a smile. "I'm a little frightened."
"Don't be." - Samara told her; her accent thick and husky. "You have the spirit of a warrior. You'll find your way." - she appeared to be reading her. "Even warriors get weary sometimes, Miriam. But they never give up. It's simply not a part of them to give up. Remember that."
Nodding, Mimi chose to not delve too far into Samara's meaning. Still, the words the other woman spoke struck a chord deep within her. "Thanks for letting me crash at your guest house until I find a place. That's really generous of you...and Jase."
Samara smiled, a beautiful crooked smile, and said, "Oh, please, don't mention it. Any friend of my husband's...who can still stand him that is...is a friend of mine."
"She meant that as a compliment to you," - Jason began as he wrapped an arm around his wife's waist; the baggage attendant was behind them with the cart full of luggage. "But, I fail to see the compliment at the mention I received." - he kissed her cheek gently. "Why is that, Sama?"
"It was a compliment to you, sweetheart." - Samara began with a wink to Mimi. "If Miriam still likes you then you must be doing something right." - Jason narrowed his eyes between them; both beautiful women standing before him, their faces the picture of innocence. He began to walk away with Samara and Mimi, who had linked arms, laughing and trailing behind.
The memory faded from behind Mimi's closed lids and she was again met with Samara's gaze when she opened her eyes. She smiled, warmly, the sunlight beating down on her face and felt a greater sense of peace. "Thanks for letting me stay here." - she said again. "It really means a lot to me."
"Of course, love." - Samara replied. "You looked lost in thought when I came back out. You thinking about your husband again?"
"Always." - Mimi whispered. "I'm always thinking about him."
"You miss him, Miriam. You miss him like air. Why don't you call him. At least tell him your alright."
Mimi shook her head. "No. He wouldn't want to hear from me. I'm...I'm sure he hates me."
"You don't sound too sure." - Samara pointed out.
Knowing truth to be in that statement, Mimi felt it best to leave it alone. Changing the subject, "Do you and Jason have to go to the hospital tonight?"
"Yeah, we're doing the night shift. You still want the information about the nursing program?"
Mimi nodded. "Yeah, please. I don't know how I'm going to pay for it since I haven't found a job yet, but..." - she checked her watch. "Where is Jason? I haven't seen him all day." - an absent smile crept across her lips. "Don't tell me he's still asleep."
Samara laughed and tried to hide the amusement in her eyes. "No, he went out. Said he had something to pick up." - she grabbed Mimi's wrist and checked the time. "He should be back by now." - she commented; her brow creased in confusion.
On cue, Jason's car came speeding down the path leading from the main house. Mimi's eyes had drifted closed again as the warm tea lulled her further into a sea of tranquility. She heard the doors of his car closing twice but thought nothing of it. Perhaps what he went to get was in the backseat.
"Honey, I'm home." - Jason joked. Mimi didn't need to have her eyes open to know that both Jason and Samara were smiling.
"What took you so long?" - Samara asked as Jason moved closer to her.
"My 'package'..." - he made air quotes around the word. "...was late."
"Ah, but at least it arrived in one piece." - Samara countered with a grin.
Falling asleep, Mimi ignored their conversation. When a large form stood in front of her and blocked her sunlight, Mimi didn't even bother to open her eyes. "Move, Jason, you're blocking my sun."
"Hi, Babe." - said the form in front of her said. It wasn't Jason's voice either. Opening her eyes slowly, the voice still ringing in her ear, she saw the form that was blocking her sun and Jason's 'package' was staring down at her.
Her voice, even in her own ears, seemed dreamy. This had to be a dream. He could not be standing there. Or worse yet, this was a nightmare sent to torture her again. Either way, it was cruel and she was unprepared to handle it. "Shawn."