Gomez turned to see Uncle Fester smiling at him.
"Can I cut in, Gomez?"
Before answering, Gomez looked to Morticia. Her eyes told him that he had no choice, so he hesitantly offered her to Fester. The lovers shared one last glance before Gomez left to make sure everything was going according to plan while Morticia was taken into her Uncle's arms. As soon as Gomez was out of ear shot, Fester started talking.
"I thought I told you to forget him."
Morticia looked like a trapped animal, but she still tried to feign innocence.
"I don't know what you mean, Uncle Fester."
"Come on, Morticia. You know you're my favorite niece. I wouldn't say anything if I wasn't worried, but you're married."
"Uncle Fester,"
"I've seen the way you two look at each other. I saw it at his wedding, and I saw it at yours. I figured once you spent a little more time with Balthazar and he with Ophelia that this little infatuation would eradicate itself."
"It's not an infatuation, Uncle Fester. Gomez and I are madly in love."
Fester's expression changed to that of pity. Morticia had said those exact words the day Gomez married Ophelia. All of Fester's disapproving suspicion was morphing into sadness.
"Oh Morticia, I'm so sorry this is how things turned out."
Giving Fester's shoulder a little squeeze, Morticia accepted his offered sympathy. Her eyes scanned the room for Gomez, but she didn't see him. Balthazar was dancing with a tall woman in a beaded gown, and Ophelia was dancing with a dark stranger. Both seemed enraptured with their new partners which gave Morticia a small sense of ease.
"I saw him leave the room as we began to dance." Fester's voice stole her attention. "What are you two up to?"
Once again, Morticia looked like terrified prey being chased by a ravenous carnivore. She wasn't sure what to say. If she told him their plans, he would stop them. If she didn't, he already knew that they were scheming so he could still stop them. She chose to repeat her earlier statement.
"I'm not sure what you mean, Uncle Fester."
"Come on, Morticia. I've seen you together, I know something is awry."
She remained silent, thankful that the final chords of the song played soon after. Before Fester released her, he had to say something else.
"I won't tattle, Morticia, that's not nice. I couldn't do that to you."
"Thank you, Uncle Fester."
"Be careful. The game you are playing is very dangerous. I can't bear to think of what would happen if you got caught."
"We'll be careful, I promise."
Morticia kissed his cheek, leaving a red stain on his pale skin. His hand touched the spot as Morticia made her way to the side of the room, away from the couples beginning their next dance.
For another hour, Morticia was passed between various relations for a dance. Balthazar claimed her a few times, but complained about her lack of conversation. He even questioned why she was not more like Ophelia, who was happily chatting away with each new partner. Morticia learned that the stranger she saw hovering around her sister was a friend of Balthazar's named Vlad. Every chance he got, he stole Ophelia, and she seemed to beam every time. Morticia had difficulty looking at her sister for too long, her guilt and sadness would overwhelm her if she focused too long on the betrayal she was committing against Ophelia. That's why the smile that was illuminating Ophelia's face was so attractive to Morticia, it gave her a moment to believe Ophelia was still happy. It wiped her guilt away, and provided the illusion that all was well.
She was trapped dancing with Balthazar again when Gomez reappeared. His eyes found her immediately, and he offered her a charming grin as he puffed his cigar. It was as if everyone else became a giant blur, as she focused all her attention on him. Gomez was staring at her, almost with dangerous determination. It made Morticia light headed with desire and anticipation. Gomez started walking towards them, then surprised Balthazar by tapping his shoulder.
"Lurch just put out a new bottle of brandy, it was from our dear Uncle Squint's private collection. I thought you might want the first drink, before some of our heartier cousins get a hold of it."
"Yes! Thank you for letting me know, Gomez." Balthazar was ready to race to the bar when he half remembered that Morticia was in his arms. "Oh, would you mind?" He gestured towards Morticia.
"Of course not! Actually, I am in need of a partner as it seems my wife is taken."
"Splendid!" He practically shoved Morticia into Gomez. "You are in good hands, my pet. Now if you'll excuse me." With that, Balthazar was gone and Morticia was once again in Gomez's arms.
The warmth of his body was refreshing and comforting. His strong scent filled her lungs, giving her the pleasure of being surrounded by him in every possible way. Time stopped as she treasured each whiff of him, the sweet but stinging smell of his tobacco mixed deliciously with his musky cologne. She was lost in him, completely entranced by his proximity. He pulled her closer, forcing their cheeks to rest against each other. There was a slight tickle against Morticia's neck as her hair was being manipulated by Gomez's breath.
"Tish" Gomez sighed. Hearing her name brought her back into consciousness. She pressed herself against his strong body, enjoying the small freedom of touch that dancing provided.
"Should we go, darling?" There was a slight tremble in her voice. She was excited to go, but worried that they would not get far.
"Not yet, Cara Mia. I want to hold you for a little while longer."
"But darling, we will have plenty of time for that later. We will have the rest of our lives, Mon Cher."
"Tish," His hand slid to the small of her back. "Please Querida, a few more moments."
She could deny him nothing, so they continued to dance. They caressed each other subtly, a gentle squeeze or swipe of the thumb had to suffice despite their hunger for more. Their breathing synced as they moved. Morticia closed her eyes, enjoying the way Gomez's love could be felt in every little touch. Then it hit her. A wave of nausea forced her feet to cement themselves to the floor.
"Morticia?"
She could feel the hors d'oeuvres she ate traveling angrily back up her esophagus. Her hands fell off Gomez, one covered her mouth and the other offered a small dismissive wave as an answer. A painful cramp throbbed in her abdomen and penetrated her form to wrap around her spine. It was crippling, and she felt herself falling. Gomez caught her before her body collapsed on itself.
"Morticia!?"
Her eyes were sealed shut, the fear of the effect of the light on her already spinning mind prevented her from attempting to look at her worried beloved. Gomez was growing wild with worry, he glanced around but no one had seemed to notice their little crisis. His plan of having a party filled with drunk guests that would not notice their sudden absence seemed to be working a little too well. Unfortunately, they were being ignored while the love of his life lay immobile in his arms. Morticia couldn't subdue the burning sickness any longer. She staggered to regain her balance, pushing against Gomez's firm hold. Reluctantly, he let her go. As soon as he did, she raced passed the intoxicated crowd and out of the ballroom. Gomez started to follow her, but was grabbed at the threshold.
"Mama?"
He was surprised to see it was his wild haired mother that had stopped him.
"Where are you going, Gomez?"
"Morticia,"
She cut him off.
"Oh, she'll be fine. Anyway, you better let Balthazar chase after her."
Gomez was utterly confused.
"Mama, Morticia is ill. Balthazar doesn't even know, he's at the bar."
"I'm sure he knows! He's the father!"
It took a moment for Gomez to piece together what she was saying. He laughed, assuming his mother was either drunk or had finally gone mad. She stared at him, not knowing what he found so funny about what she had said. When Gomez realized she was sober, his face contorted in tortuous pain.
"Mama, are you saying Morticia is with child?"
"The first months are always the hardest."
"How do you know? Did she tell you?"
"It was obvious, Gomez. She's gained a little weight, Balthazar said she's been nauseas, she kept touching her stomach like she was in pain. Those are all signs, dear."
Gomez stared open mouthed down the hallway. He pictured his darling getting violently ill from the new life growing inside her. It saddened him to think of her as the victim to this sudden sickness that accompanied growing a child. He wanted to run to her, but fear stopped him. If Morticia was expecting, it changed everything. How could he tear an entire family apart for his own selfish desires?
"You know, now that I think about it, it may still be early enough that she hasn't realized."
Gomez turned to look at Mama, all happiness was drained from his being.
"What's wrong, Gomez?"
"I should get Balthazar."
With that, he disappeared back into the party.