Once he entered the place he had run into Marlene who was on her way into the city. She smiled and inclined her head to him saying—
"I'm sorry Mr. Valentine. I didn't mean to cut you off in any way."
Vincent just crossed his arms and slightly shook his head as he said—
"Marlene, I don't ever remember you calling me Mr. Valentine when you were young so why start now?"
Marlene just smiled and cocked her head to the right and with a hint of a giggle said—
"Alright, Vincent."
"There, that's better," said Vincent with a slight twitch of the ends of his lips emitting in a quick smile. " . . . where's your father?"
"Oh he's off somewhere as usual," she said with a roll of her shoulders.
"I see," Said Vincent. "Where's Denzel?"
"He's in the city of Edge with a family of his own to look after," said Marlene shaking her head. "I usually visit him when I go there . . . yep . . . seems like everyone's growing up—but me."
"What happened to you Marlene?" asked Vincent narrowing his eyes a bit.
"I got sick," she said looking up at him. "Aaand I wouldn't wake up. So Shelke suggested the mako treatment. It worked, but at a price. They figured if I was taken off the treatment I'd go right back to sleep and so I'm stuck in my 17-year-old body."
"I'm sorry to hear that," said Vincent leaning back on his heels a bit.
"Don't be," she said taking her gaze to the right of her. "It's not that bad. Shelke told me that it's better to be stuck in the body of a 17-year-old than a 9-year-old. Don't you agree—Vincent?"
"Hm, that sounds like Shelke," said Vincent. "I guess if you believe so then it is, but might I add—if Shelke can pull through the addiction and live on her own then you can too."
"Thank-you Vincent," she said with a smile as she took his right hand in her hands. "Your words mean a lot to me."
She then let go and left. Vincent watched her leave until he felt a pair of familiar eyes near. He sighed and shook his head a bit as he lifted his chin and said—
"You can come out now—I know you're here."
"Uh—hi Mr. Valentine," came Zack as he scratched the back of his head.
"Why are you spying on me?" asked Vincent turning to him.
"Oh—it's not you that I—um," stuttered Zack casting his eyes everywhere.
"Oh . . . I see," said Vincent inhaling and straightening his back. "You like Marlene don't you?"
"Well—sorta," said Zack.
"What do you mean sorta?" asked Vincent. "You either do or don't."
"Well . . . she's different from other girls," said Zack finally meeting his gaze.
"Because of her 'real' age?" asked Vincent.
"Yeah," sighed Zack slumping his shoulders.
"Would that matter either way?" asked Vincent.
"No—I guess not," said Zack. "But since you and Shelke—I—I thought that maybe—"
"Things can be the same with you and Marlene," guessed Vincent for him.
"Yeah," said Zack scratching the back of his head again. "What do you think?"
"Hm, you're looking to me for advice?" asked Vincent with a small chuckle. "I think you're asking the wrong person kid."
At that Vincent began to walk off, but Zack took a step forward and said—
"I-If things were different—between you and Shelke—then what would you say?"
Vincent stopped and pondered his question. He slowly blinked as he looked upward into the blue skies that seemed to be getting redder as the sun began to descend from the heavens.
"I'd say," started Vincent. "To never give up on her."
It was late at night when Marlene returned. Once she entered the gates Zack was right there with a golden lily up to her face.
"Oh—Zack," she said comprehending everything and taking the golden lily. "Why did you—?"
"For one so pretty," said Zack with a smile and a tilt of the head.
"Ooh," blushed Marlene as she twisted her hips back and forth.
"Actually Marlene," said Zack backing up a bit and scratching the back of his head, his eyes wandering around a bit. "I was wondering if you'd like to go out some time."
"Zack I—" she started as her face became more solemn.
"You don't have to if you don't want to," Zack cut in quick as he held his hands out to her a moment. "Just thought I'd ask and all."
There was a slight pause as Marlene starred at the bright-eyed boy whose face was very similar to a pleading puppy. It was quite adorable; she didn't understand how anyone could withstand a face like that. Soon her muscles loosened and her face became brighter as she smiled and said—
"Okay."
"Really?!" asked Zack with a wide smile.
"Mhm," said Marlene shaking her head as if a bit shyly.
"Ohho! Thank-you Marlene!!" he squealed as he hugged her tightly then took off.
Marlene just starred at him in confusion as he vanished in the night. She just inhaled and smiled. She turned and left every now and then lifting the lily to her nose to smell its sweet fragrance.
Zack, on the other hand, had ran off to find a certain someone who helped make this all possible. When he found him he took his hand in both his hand shook it rather hard and quickly as if in excitement.
"Thank-you Mr. Valentine! You were right! Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!" he exclaimed in excitement.
At that last 'Thank-you' Zack let go and ran off into the night just jumping up and down like he had just won a battle. Vincent just watched him run off and just smiled. He was so young and so full of happiness—Vincent remembered when he used to be like him . . . but that was a long time ago.
"You know if this works out between the two he's gonna invite you to his wedding," came a voice from above.
Vincent looked up and there sat in one of the branches of the tree he stood under was Gilmore. Vincent couldn't help but smirk and sigh saying—
"That's the whole idea isn't it?"
Gilmore then landed lightly on the ground a couple feet from Vincent and said—
"I never remember you being so bold as to give someone a plan to ask someone out."
"If I wasn't so bold then you wouldn't be here now would you?" said Vincent nodding his head slightly to Gilmore.
Gilmore then made a face that Vincent thought he'd never see. It was the face of a child as they were told about the intercourse of their parents. The face of that of horror, shock, and disgust. Vincent couldn't help himself but laugh—he laughed a laugh that he thought he was never able to laugh.
The burst of laughter was so surprising Gilmore jumped back and looked at Vincent as if he was insane. Vincent knew the look his son gave him, but he still couldn't help but laugh. The laugh went on for a minute or so until Vincent controlled himself and cleared his throat.
"I'm sorry—I don't know what came over me," said Vincent. "Just the look on your face was so . . . entertaining."
Gilmore just rolled his shoulders and said—
"It's okay . . . it's good to laugh every now and then."
"So I've heard," said Vincent looking at him.
There was a slight pause in time as they starred at each other until Gilmore crossed his arms and asked—
"Why did you come back?"
"To make amends with you and your mother," said Vincent. "I know I can't restore our family to what it was before, but I'd like to restore the broken relationship. I don't want to distance myself from you or Shelke just because there's nothing that I can do about you two—I want to still be there for you two . . . if you'd have me."
"I guess so," shrugged Gilmore casting his gaze away for a moment.
"So I have your consent?" asked Vincent.
"You're my dad aren't you?" asked Gilmore with another shrug.
"Thank-you—Gilmore," said Vincent with a smile as he placed his hand on his son's shoulder.
There was a slight twitch from Gilmore like he moved away from Vincent's touch as if it numbed his shoulder. Gilmore's mouth opened slightly and his eyes flashed wide for a split second. Vincent had noticed this strange reaction and wondered what he had done. He figured it was because he had first touched him, but he hadn't understood the full extent of the touch and what it meant.
"Well—it's getting late—I should go," said Vincent slowly taking his hand off Gilmore. "I'll return when I can. Take care son."
As Vincent left Gilmore just looked around and then at his wings. With a twitch of his wings he looked back in the direction Vincent left. He inhaled slightly until he turned around and walked off himself.
The next day wasn't so expected by Vincent seeing how he believed he just started to repair the relationship with his son and wife perhaps. Once he awoke from the couch he slept on in the cottage and decided to head outside an angry Shelke met him.
"Shelke!" he gasped slightly as he saw her standing before him.
"What did you do to him?!" she asked, hints of anger emotion heard finally in her voice.
"I don't understand," said Vincent narrowing his eyes and turning his head to the right a bit.
"Gilmore!" she said raising her fists near to her chest. "He's not like himself now!"
"Is that good or bad?" asked Vincent.
"Don't play games with me Vincent Valentine!" she said slamming her fists onto his chest.
Vincent's reflexes quickly threw his hands onto hers to keep her from slamming them on him again. He backed up into the door way as Shelke cried out in anger just wanting to know why.
"Why—why must you try and change the inevitable Vincent Valentine?" she asked now with her head bowed and tears beginning to stream.
Not meaning to get off the subject Vincent couldn't help but ask her—
"Why must you always call me by my full name? Why not just Vincent like you used to?"
"Because if I do I'll—I'll—" said Shelke as her blue eyes scanned around them trying to find the answer.
"You'll do what?" asked Vincent softer now seeing Shelke's anger soon turned to sorrow—just like Lucrecia used to do.
"If I call you Vincent I'll—" said Shelke looking into his eyes so close now that she had grown to near his height. "Do this."
At that she slammed her lips into his. Vincent wasn't expecting this reaction, but he had a feeling—neither did Shelke. His eyes widened for a split second only to have his instincts kick in.
His arms quickly wrapped around her body and pulled her chest closer to his. Shelke felt her feet slightly lift from the ground, but her thoughts weren't on where her feet were at the moment, but where her heart was. It was just a quick reaction that she never intended to go so deep. She thought she had complete control of herself, but she had forgotten that this part of her was still Vincent's.
The same with Vincent. He thought he had so much control, but he forgot what Shelke did to him. He couldn't ignore her anymore. He was tired of fighting his own heart what it desired—her.
Vincent backed up into the cottage as his lips ravaged Shelke's own. Once inside he moved to the side of the door just to slam Shelke up against the wall to have a better balance with her. Slamming her against the wall was so rough Vincent feared he had broken something—since last he attempted this act Shelke was so young and frail, but now that she had grown into her full body she could handle a lot more of his motions.
Shelke let out a groan in Vincent's mouth as he slammed her against the wall. She was so focused on him though, and the feel of his body pressing into hers, to even care about the slight pain of her body being crushed. Just the feel of his body made her forget everything.
Her right leg had been hooked on Vincent's left hip where her other one just hugged the side of Vincent's right leg. She felt Vincent's claw grab her thigh just feeling the bare skin that was visible from her scrunched skirt. The claws inched further up her thigh and once near her hip she felt the grip tighten and the ends of the claws prick her skin. She would have gasped out in pain but soon Vincent began to kiss her neck and her body went numb to all else but his lips.
Oh she begged for him to never stop as her arms wrapped around his neck tightly just wanting him to be as close as possible. Feeling Shelke wrap her arms around his neck and tighten only edged Vincent on. Soon his lips returned to her lips in a hungry kiss. Oh for so long he's been starved of her and now was the time to get his fill.
Shelke could feel his aching need for her and she wanted to help fill that need. Her hands just rested on his head as his lips once again trailed down her neck to her shoulders and soon collarbone. With her eyes closed she slammed her head against the wall and managed to gasp out—
"Please."
Vincent heard the small gasp as his tongue trailed her collarbone. He soon began to suck at her skin only to get another gasp/moan out of her.
"Please!" she gasped hurting so much from his love for her.
Her wish was his command. Vincent wrapped his strong arms around her waist and backed away from the wall. He let out a small sigh as Shelke placed both her hands on his face and kissed him all over. Even with his eyes closed he could still find his old room.
Vincent plopped Shelke on the bed and quickly laid on top of her. His hands pushed her arms beside her as his rained kisses on her. Once he loosened his grip just the slightest on her arms she managed to get free of his grasp and let her hands fall on his hips making Vincent let out a small gasp. This gasp only urged Shelke to go on and she did.
Her hands trailed inwardly to his belts and soon her soft hands had unbuckled him. Once done she went to take off his cape. Vincent was too busy nibbling at her tender skin exposed by her low-cut shirt to even notice what she was doing. Before he knew it he was bare of a cape and two tender hands worked on unbuttoning his shirt.
When he noticed this he looked at Shelke's hands trying as fast as they could to unbutton his shirt. He looked at her hands and then at her who seemed to be in a trance. Her eyes only focused on the buttons, but soon she was finished and as she slowly slid her hand in his skirt to trace his chest her eyes slowly met his. Their blue aura hypnotized him so.
A smile came to curl at the end of her lips as he closed his eyes and moaned. A smile that she was unaware of. It soon vanished as he leaned in closer to her slowly. Both their eyes closed slowly at the same time as Vincent came to kiss her tenderly and long.
Shelke's hands rested on his shoulders by his collar as his head pushed her back into a soft pillow she hadn't laid on since that night when their son was . . . Vincent soon got a slight gasp/moan from Shelke as his right hand trailed up her thigh to some sensitive areas only for her husband to access . . . well . . . it's a good thing he still was her husband then. Her hands gripped his shoulders until she loosened her grip to slide Vincent's shirt down his shoulders. Vincent could care less about his shirt—his attention was solely on loving her right there and right then.
Once his shirt was off Shelke gripped his shoulders tightly as she let out a gasp. Her head falling back in a whisperful sigh. Vincent's left hand had trailed up her back and pricked her. Soon his metal claws traced their way back down her back near the small of her back making Shelke arch her back and press her chest harder into Vincent's. She felt Vincent inhale as she did this and so wrapped her arms around his shoulders and laid her head against his neck not wanting to let him go and let him know that this was her so close.
Vincent let out another gasp that was accompanied with a quick widening of his eyes as Shelke placed her hands down his waist. He gripped Shelke's shoulders tighter and definitely pricked her once again with his claw digging into her right shoulder. His heart raced with hers and he found it difficult to control his breathing.
Seeing him so excited and in the mood only made Shelke the same way. Her breathing began to match his own only sensing the strong need for her right then. She felt Vincent's hot breath on her ear and she knew he could feel hers on his. The grip on her shoulders only tightened the more she edged him on.
After a moment or so Vincent finally turned his head to Shelke and saw her mouth agape just slightly. Her chest rose and fell in an even fast motion. She was still ever so beautiful and now more full in every way.
Vincent's hands trailed up to her neck and wrapped around the slender curves. His thumbs caressing her slick jaw line. Once they rested near her ears he slammed his lips back onto hers and kissed her with all the kept up passion he harbored those long lonely 18 years.
Their second lovemaking was just like their first. It seemed so new to them and ever more the pleasurable. It had been too long since they had such intercourse with each other—too long.
But this was different. Shelke was no longer a little girl. She was a full woman now with a lot more to offer Vincent. It didn't matter to him any way—he still loved her just the same, in whatever body she be in.
It had been 18 years since their first lovemaking—such a long time to wait, but no—the world had taken away their time together and now they were just trying to make up for it . . . no matter the consequence. Their hearts were focused on each other and that's all that mattered at the moment. In each other's embrace was where they felt they belonged . . . why couldn't the world see that?
Gilmore sat by himself on a bench covered in the shade of a couple of trees. His arms wrapped around him like he was hugging himself. His eyes rapidly scanning thought as if he was mad. His lips uttering silent words unknown.
Many wondered what be wrong with him, but few asked. They knew if something bothered Gilmore it was best to leave him alone. He could get quite snappy if you interrupted him and his thoughts . . . something Zack never heeded.
"Hey Gil," he came up to him with a smile. "What's up?"
Gilmore's eyes ceased scanning and looked at Zack with disgust of some sort. There was a sneer on his lips as he looked at him and said—
"Leave me alone!"
"What happened to you?" asked Zack tilting his head to the side.
"It's none of your business!" spat Gilmore with a slight rock of his body.
"What illness did you come down with?" asked Zack as he let his arms hang limp by his sides. "I've never seen you this way before."
"Well now you have. Now leave!" he glared at him darkly.
"Did your mom get you for something?" asked Zack really wanting to know what bothered him.
"No," said Gilmore shaking his head like a madman.
"Where is she anyways?" asked Zack.
"I don't know!" shouted Gilmore continuing to shake his head.
"Why can't you tell me what's bothering you?" asked Zack coming closer.
"Because then I'd have to kill you!" he said turning to him with his wings outstretched and flared.
With a great flap he took off. Zack backed away from the sharp wind that struck his body. Once he was gone he looked up and watched Gilmore fly away and land on top of the taller buildings of the facility. He sighed and left seeing how there was nothing he could do.
Gilmore landed near the edge of the building and just watched the people below do their business. He sneered at them all like they were insects that needed to be squashed for it was what they deserved. He was too thick in thought to noticed someone come up behind him and pinch his cheeks saying—
"Smile Gil!"
This soon snapped him out of his thoughts and he quickly turned in surprise only to be met with a pair of lips on his own. His thoughts were so mixed he didn't know what to do. Plus he couldn't move because of the strong pair of arms that held him by the neck. Once the kiss ended the girl pulled back revealing her brunette hair and bright smile.
"Good day to you," Barbra said with a smile.
Soon Gilmore regained control of his mind and wiggled out of her grip. Barbra looked surprised and confused as he walked away from her like that.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Leave me alone—all of you!" he growled as he took off once again.
"Uh . . . Gilmore!" she called to him through the wind.
Shelke opened her eyes and with a yawn inhaled. She stretched her arms until she felt skin-on-skin. She froze and looked beside her to see Vincent Valentine peacefully sleeping . . . Something he rarely does. She gasped slightly as her eyes widened with the realization at what she had done.
She quickly pushed herself up on her forearms and looked around as if trying to remember what happened as to how she got in this predicament. She groaned slightly as she turned her head to look at the claw marks on her back. Her hand trailed the red lines and once she moved her right shoulder it stung just a bit—she had to remember to watch out for Vincent's claw. Her mouth hung back open with her head tossed back as she rolled her eyes and got up.
"Oh my gosh—what did I do?!" she scolded to herself as she scooped up her clothes from all corners of the room.
Once she gathered them together she started getting dressed. She tried to as fast as she could so not to wake up Vincent or even be there when he woke up. She glanced at him and saw him still asleep and so she sighed as she got her skirt fixed. Once her bra was situated and her shirt on right she fixed her hair and glanced one last time at Vincent.
This time he had rolled over onto his back . . . and this time his eyes were open starring right at her. Shelke jumped seeing this and gripped her chest for fear her heart was ready to fall right out.
"Why in such a rush?" he asked just starring at her with almost emotionless ruby eyes. "Was it that bad?"
"Nuh, no, no," said Shelke casting her eyes down as she blushed. "It was quite fulfilling and—oh I mean . . . I have to go!"
At that she gave a quick bow and turned and left trying to hide her red face. She walked hastily out the door and soon she had left the cottage.
"Shelke, wait!" said Vincent jumping to his feet hoping to stop her.
Shelke was already halfway down the road by then, but Vincent was fast. Sure it was a bit difficult getting redressed in such a hurry, but he managed to put some covering on. He ran after her catching her turn down a hill.
"Shelke, wait!" he stopped her as he stood but a few feet from her.
Shelke stopped only holding herself. As the wind blew by them Vincent came to speak but found no words came out. He shook that off and inhaled then saying—
"Shelke why must you always leave me?"
"Leave you?" asked Shelke as she turned to him with watery eyes. "You were the one who left me—with your legacy growing in my womb!"
"Shelke I—I didn't mean for it to seem that I—" said Vincent trying to find the right words to say. "I don't want to leave you again . . . so don't you leave me."
A hand came to Shelke's eyes as it wiped the tears away. She sniffed and inhaled as she cast her eyes upward and away from Vincent.
"Shelke I don't want our relationship to just be based on this!" he said almost like a bellow.
"That's what you said before!" she snapped at him with so much emotion Vincent thought it impossible for her. "But then you took me in your arms and slept with me!"
"You consented of it," pointed out Vincent.
"You seduced me!" she also pointed out.
"You cut it off in the middle, but you still returned to bed with me!" said Vincent. "And what about today? Was it not you who seduced me?"
"Vincent Valentine!" she said with a scrunch and shake of her fists.
Never before had Vincent gotten so much on her nerves before. She thought it was impossible for him to ever do this to her—until now.
"That was a freak reaction!" she pointed out with a stomp of her foot.
"Hm, you haven't changed Shelke," said Vincent with a shake of his head.
"But you have," mumbled Shelke, but Vincent heard her.
Vincent's eyes narrowed at her as he straightened and stood his ground as he said—
"You were the one who wanted me to change Shelke. I promised myself I would—for you. I promised myself to no longer be that man who just hid away in his mind and let life pass him by. I decided to do something and so I did."
"We can not do this Vincent," said Shelke shaking her head as tears crept from her eyes. "No matter how much we want to, we just can't."
"Why not?" asked Vincent.
"What of Reeve?" asked Shelke looking at him with watery blue eyes.
"What of Gilmore?" asked Vincent countering her question.
Shelke soon cast her eyes down at her shadow caused by the sun that just began to fall behind her.
"Do not use Gilmore on me Vincent," she whispered sounding like Lucrecia for a split moment.
"He's my child just as much as yours," said Vincent moving closer to Shelke.
Shelke still kept her eyes down though. She would not look at Vincent, but then again she wasn't running away from him like before. This reminded Vincent of the time when Lucrecia wanted to partake in an experiment that he knew wasn't right for her. He wasn't going to let Shelke now make a mistake she'd regret for the rest of her life.
"Shelke," he said taking a step toward her.
"Please," she said taking a step back with her hand held up to him. "Don't come any closer."
"Shelke don't shut me out," said Vincent. "Can we at least try?"
"I've been trying," said Shelke.
"No you haven't," said Vincent. "You just—"
"Yes I have!" she said cutting him off. "Our second time Vincent . . . in 18 years that we have been married . . . our second time making love. Don't tell me I haven't tried. I threw away everything just to find the nerve to kiss you again and then . . . I found I could not stop."
"You were not the only one Shelke," said Vincent in a low tone.
"I threw away everything Vincent to try just a little," said Shelke. "I can't do this—I know that now."
"Shelke . . . you have Lucrecia's data fragments inside you . . . you of all people know the mistakes she's made and how much she regretted them . . . don't make the same mistakes as her—you know you'll regret it," said Vincent.
"It's a little too late for that—Vincent Valentine," said Shelke as she straightened, turned, and left.
Vincent watched Shelke walk away. His heart just seemed to break at what Shelke said. His eyes cast down in sadness wishing there was something to be changed, but what? The sadness overwhelmed his desire to go after her and because of that—he regrets so much.
"Shelke—where have you been? I've been worried sick about you," said Reeve running up to her as he saw her return.
"I have spoke with Vincent," said Shelke.
"About Gilmore?" asked Reeve. "What did he say?"
"Nothing," said Shelke casting her eyes away from him and walking just a bit past him with her hand around her neck gently.
"Nothing?" said Reeve confused as he looked at her. "You've been gone most of the day. I know it takes a while to just walk there, but what could you two have spoken about if it was just nothing?"
Shelke didn't answer this time. She inhaled softly and just wished to be left alone. The reason why she covered her neck is to prevent Reeve from seeing the love-marks where Vincent had left evidence of his lips. She didn't know what Reeve would do if he found out about today.
"Shelke did he try to hurt you?" asked Reeve trying to put things together as best he could.
"No, never," she said casting her eyes up into the night sky.
"Then what?" asked Reeve coming to her and turning her to him quickly.
Reeve then froze seeing Shelke had forgot to cover her neck. His mouth lay agape slightly and then took his hands off her and said—
"I see."
Shelke soon backed away and covered her neck again with both hands. She cast her eyes down as if in shame. She blinked and tried to find the right words to say to Reeve.
"Reeve I did not mean—"
"Did he force himself on you?" asked Reeve out of the blue. "I know he's been acting strange lately, but I never imagined he'd—"
"NO!" said Shelke stopping any more gibberish.
Reeve's eyes widened slightly at Shelke raising her tone of voice to him. He nodded and halted himself as he said—
"I'm listening Shelke."
Shelke closed her eyes and as if in pain as she inhaled opened them again and said softly—
"I did not mean to Reeve, it was just . . . my heart was so lonely and he asked me a question I couldn't answer."
"What was that?" asked Reeve.
"Why I couldn't call him just Vincent like I used to," said Shelke looking at Reeve with teary eyes. "I wish he hadn't have asked me . . ."
"And what happened after he asked you why?" asked Reeve crossing his arms.
"You know very well Reeve what happened," said Shelke her eyes getting darker. "But don't worry—this will not happen again. I told Vincent Valentine we can't be the same as we were before . . . I cannot."
At that Shelke walked off. Reeve just sighed watching his fiancé walk off in the darkness. She still couldn't control her feelings all too well, much let sort them out.