What is going to happen next, well of course I know…..
"I can not believe how much they look like him, Gemma. It is almost eerie in the resemblance in Kiran," Felicity whispers as we tiptoe from the room where we had just placed my sleeping children. I smile as Fee shakes her head to clear the ghosts of memories that I am sure are running through her mind.
"I know, but Felicity, they don't just look like him. They act just like he did. It is as if Kartik's soul was split and divided amongst the three of us. Kali, she has Kartik's romantic side, his love for destiny and dreams. Kiran has his sense of adventure and his stubbornness," I say in a rush, trying to convince myself that it is possible for children to possess pieces of their dead parent.
"Oh, now. Kiran got his stubbornness from his father, hmmm. He may not have inherited your flame of a hair color, but his stubbornness, that he has obtained from you my dear," Felicity says with a smile mocking her lips toward me. I am about to argue when another voice interrupts me.
"Oh mon Dieu, Felicity, how can you mock that hair? It is simply stunning, darling. Is that natural?" A petit brunette with a light French accent steps in to the parlor. I am about to respond when she continues on as if I had all ready answered, "I know women in Paris who would simply kill to have that hair. Look at those curls, oh, and that shade of red. Très incroyable!"
"Umm, thank you, but pardon me, I am afraid I do not know your name. Have we met before?" I become even more confused by the wicked smile Felicity flashes the new girl. Cleary they have met before.
"Gemma, this is Charlotte. Charlotte is ma petite amie. My lover." Even though I know Felicity's inclination toward other women, I still gasp at the sight of Fee's real life love interest.
"Forgive me about the hair, chèrie. I work as a hairdresser at the salons in Paris, and, mon dieu, I have never seen a shade so vibrant before. It is simply breathtaking my darling," Charlotte prattles on until Felicity gives her a little cough. I am surprised by the slight blush that colors Charlotte's cheeks. I can remember the feeling, it does not matter how long you are with Felicity, she can still make you feel uncomfortable with just a slight sign of admonishment. "But enough about your hair, I have heard many other things about you besides your fantastic hair," Charlotte says as she takes a seat on the sofa behind her and gestures for me to take one as well. "Oh, do not worry; all of them are très bien! Fee has only nice things to say about her amies."
I nod and take a seat on the settee across from Felicity and Charlotte as I try to mask the confusion clearly displayed on my face. Charlotte chatters on about how thrilling are past must have been, how terrifying those monsters must have been. I raise an eyebrow at Felicity, how much has she told Charlotte, and if she has divulge as much as I think she has, then how serious is Felicity and Charlotte's relationship. Felicity merely smiles back and mouths later.
"Charlotte, darling. It is getting awfully late," Felicity says interrupting Charlotte's rather graphic description of a Parisian customer who took quite too many liberties with her. "And we do have a long day tomorrow, why don't you head off to bed, and I shall show Gemma where she will be sleeping.
"Oh, of course, how foolish of me. Bonne nuit, Gemma. I shall see you and your darling children in the morning. "Charlotte says already heading to the staircase. Once she is gone I look over to Felicity.
"You have a lot of explaining to do, Felicity. How serious is this relationship, and pray, what have you told her about me?" I demand in a very unladylike fashion.
"Well Gemma, I am so glad to see all those manners you learned at Spence put to such practical use," Felicity teases before continuing, "Charlotte and I have been together for a bit over two years, and our relationship is quite serious, thank you. She knows about our adventures and past indiscretions. As to your secrets, I have divulged none, except the fact that you fell in love with Kartik who is now imprisoned in the realms." I sigh at Felicity's assurances that my secrets still remain secrets.
"And Ann," I question, "is she doing well." I had hoped that when last saw Ann she would have found her courage at last and made her way to the stage, but I have yet to speak to her outside of her rather brief letters.
"Yes, very well indeed, it seems that the Parisian stage loves her. And she has found a beau, perhaps you remember him, Charlie Smalls. They are to be married next spring. But what is it Gemma, you look as if you have something."
"Perhaps, perhaps it is foolish. I only thought that if maybe the three of us could come together. Never mind, is it nonsense." Perhaps is such a powerful word, perhaps we could become the closest of friends again. Perhaps I could tell my friends all my secrets. Perhaps I could speak to Kartik again.
"Gemma, tell me. It is about Kartik? It is, isn't it?" I nod my head as she waits patiently for me to speak.
"I have a plan."
Oh Cliffhanger. What will happen next? The return of Ann? A trip to the realms. And when in the world will Kartik come back? The more reviews the faster I write. evil laugh