Betrayal
"Three." It was barely a whisper of breath on his tongue. Then he lost it. "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN BY THREE? Triplets?" he gripped me harder 'til it hurt. I waited for him to calm down so I could finish. "Where is the other one? Boy or girl? Why isn't he or she here?" he asked more calmly, also not meeting my eyes. Then he paused and gently lifted my face and loosened his grip on my waist. "You said 'they were three'."
Meeting his eyes behind my tears I told him. "He died." We were silent for a moment. "My parents went on a little trip for the weekend. I went to the mansion cellar for that fancy bottled blood you kept down there because I wanted to drown myself in misery and couldn't have alcohol. I never got to the bottles. I was in so much pain I collapsed on the floor. My water broke and there was blood everywhere. The contractions were awful 'til your granny's ghost came to help. Alex was first, then Lexy. I held two baby bats in my hands. I wasn't prepared for that and nearly fainted. When Granny lifted them with transparent hands, it was just on time because the pain started again and another came out with the placenta. I picked him up and stroked his little bat wings. He opened his big brown eyes and took a deep breath." I stopped and choked on the last part. "Then I watched him turn to ash in my hands." I let the memory overwhelm my thoughts, and I know he felt it. I wanted to scream and take his place instead. I begged her for a way to bring him back, but there was nothing I could do. I screamed and cried so loud that she had to possess my body so that I would sleep. "And like that, she took care of us." I didn't want to tell him why they were born so weak. I wouldn't allow myself to think it. But it seems that I didn't need to.
"You needed my blood during your pregnancy." I didn't confirm what he already knew. Why torture him with it? "My absence killed our baby. My stubborn ignorance killed my son." He stumbled back and I saw him more broken than I was. It was a child he would never meet. Guilt he would never let go. I cursed myself for this drama filled reunion. But I couldn't bear it alone.
'Deaths of innocent souls don't linger in the world of the dead; they are reborn. Alexander, we have two children that are still alive and need us, both of us. Please don't let this keep you from trying with them. I blamed myself nonstop for my own stubbornness. I reasoned that if I knew your blood was needed I would have told everyone in hopes of bringing you home. But because I didn't know, I let myself heal. So, I know now that if you knew what was at stake then you would have come for them if not for me.'
"That doesn't change anything, Raven." He cried now. Pride forgotten he felt the loss as I felt it. I went to him and reached up to circle my arms around his shoulders that trembled. He didn't back away from my touch, but leaned into it and held me tight. Like that we held each other and stayed silent. "Come on," he said after a few moments, "We have a long night ahead of us." And like that, he pulled away from me.
When we went inside the house, we heard Sebastian, Alex, and Lexy playing loudly. We followed the sound to the entertainment room and saw the boys, because Sebastian still was mentally, playing Guitar Hero and Lexy dancing. I was surprised to see Alex was still in his boxer shorts and t-shirt and Lexy in her sleeping gown. "Alex! Lexy!" I shouted above the noise and got everyone's attention.
"Yes mommy?" Lexy said innocently.
"What?" Alex said with attitude. I gave him a look and crossed my arms. That made him check him self, quick. Oh, no he didn't... "Sorry, I meant: yes mom?"
"Better. Why aren't you two showered and dress? Did you even brush your fangs?" I asked knowing very well that they didn't. Lexy dashed to the bathroom and we heard it slam shut.
"Look, mom, Lexy got to it first and she takes forever. So can I still play with Uncle Bastian?" I knew it! It was only a matter of time.
"No you cannot still play with Sebastian!" I put emphasis in each word. "We're not home Alex, there are other bathrooms you could use!" I scolded him and he started to move ever so slowly. "Alexander, get moving, NOW! Or so help me I will drag you there and bathe you myself." With that he sped off. And I huffed in exasperation and looked at the mess. Reluctantly I started cleaning up so Jameson wouldn't have to do it.
"Feisty isn't she?" Sebastian commented.
"I hope you're not referring to me because I could kill you right now if you don't start cleaning." I threatened without looking up.
"Yes ma'am" he said with a sigh as he began to help. I picked up the wrappers and boxes from the gifts that Alexander got for Alex. Sebastian picked up the controllers and guitars. Alexander found a place under the TV for Alex's XBOX360 then stacked the games neatly beside it.
When we finished cleaning we waited on the couch for the kids to return. "Raven, Sebastian, we need to patch things up." Alexander said to the both of us then turned to Sebastian and said, "Raven's angry with you because you didn't help her when she needed it." When Sebastian sat up to speak, Alexander didn't give him the chance because he turned to me and continued. "Sebastian and everyone else weren't allowed to tell you where I was nor what I was doing. But I know they would have done everything to bring me back to you if they knew about everything." I wanted to speak then but he wouldn't let me either. "Everything that's happened was my fault. I wasn't honest with Raven and didn't take her side on something important. I was unreasonable towards the both of you. I spoke with you both who have been more than I deserve to forgive me. I need you two to forgive each other for keeping quiet for so long." I can't Alexander, even if it was only because of you. I've come to hate them after all this time. It's not the same as forgiving you. You're someone I love and want to spend my life with. They… he isn't.
"Fine by me," Sebastian said. "Raven, please forgive me for not helping you when you asked. You have awesome kids and I really wished I could've been there to help you raise them. We left you alone in the dark and I'm really sorry." Well, fuck me! I hope he doesn't think we'll hug, eat cupcakes and paint each other's toenails.
"Raven?" Alexander encouraged, with a warning. Stay out of my head.
"I'm sorry, Sebastian… for not beating the shit out of you, tossing garlic powder around your coffin, and not holding a stake to your heart with hopes that you'd spill before I had to-"
"RAVEN!" Alexander started to scold me.
"Don't you dare talk to me like a child, I'm not gonna go kiss and make up. I have nothing to apologize for and forgiveness towards him has left the building many times over. So no. And by the way Sebastian, it must be nice to wish for something, to be with someone when you would but couldn't doesn't it? Feels real fuckin' dandy, huh?" I stood and tried to leave but Alexander blocked me.
"We're not done." He said.
"No? Well, that's a shame 'cause I am." He blocked me again.
"The kids slipped your notice, but you knew she moved out with roommates. Why did you wait until I got back to tell me this? You're friends with Luke, so this shouldn't have been news for you either." He asked Sebastian.
"Because I knew you'd feel jealous not being close to her, or upset that she left the mansion. I didn't want you to feel bad about it. She was alone and had Billy, I figured she needed a friend to talk to. And I know Luke he's got a wild streak and he's kind of badass, but he wouldn't do anything to hurt Raven or Billy. He's cool."
"I'm not worried about him hurting her, though the thought has slipped my mind, but you, my friend, seemed to have slipped on the little detail that he's been sleeping with my bride." Alexander, he hadn't known… until now.
"But daddy, Luke's really nice and he lives with us. He even has his own room, please don't hate him." OH MY… WHEN DID SHE… DAMMIT ALEXANDER! Startled, we all looked over to see a beautiful little black-haired girl in a gold and purple ball gown with gold ribbons tied into bows on each side of her precious little head. She's so beautiful.
"My little princess, I didn't know you were there. I've been catching up on what I've missed. But don't worry yourself. You look stunning, you make the dress a masterpiece, I'll have to paint a picture one night." Alex…
Alexander turned more fully to see a stunned Alex. "Alexander, are you ready for the night, son?" Alex was quiet and didn't move for a moment. I went to him and put my hand atop his head like I always do. He pushed it away and stepped back.
"I'm not stupid. I watch enough TV. I know what that meant. Lexy does too, she's just pretending to be dumb." He said quietly. I gaped in disbelief.
"Shut up, Alex. Mom can do whatever she wants. She's a grown up. And granny said it's none of our business, so stay out of it." Lexy said seriously with a roll of her eyes.
"I CAN'T STAY OUT OF IT LEXY! Every time we came home I felt weird. All dizzy, tired, excited, and mushy! It was gross. I thought Luke and Uncle Billy had their girlfriends over again because that's how it feels when they do. But it was mom! And Luke!" he said in disgust. I put my hand over my mouth and felt sick. I'm a horrible mother, I can't believe I didn't realize… GODDAMMIT!
"Alex, I'm SO, so, sorry sweetie. I had no intention of putting you through that it hadn't even crossed my mind." I pulled him to me and he let me, so I hugged him tight.
"I know you didn't mom, I'm not mad, but it's still gross. I'm mad at Luke, though. It would be okay I guess if you Are married but your not. And he can have sex with whoever he wants except you; you're my mom so you're off limits to have sex." I didn't know what to say about that. "Shouldn't you be doing it with only dad?" okay, this has gone on long enough. It's just weird talking about it to my seven-year-old son.
"Alex," I cautioned so he'd end the topic. He didn't.
"I think you should; you're much happier when you do." He continued when he stepped away to look at me. I couldn't stop blushing.
"Alex!" I warned.
"I get it, I get it… but it's true, he makes you feel much more better than Luke does. Does that mean dad's better at it?" Lexy and I both gasped.
"OH MY GOD ALEXANDER VLADIMIR STERLING THE SECOND THIS CONVERSATION ENDS NOW AND WILL NEVER BE BROUGHT UP AGAIN FOR AS LONG AS WE ALL LIVE!" deep breaths, Raven, deep breaths. "Do you understand?" he smiled and nodded. When I turned around to see everybody on the verge of tears trying to hold in their laughter, the look I must have had on my face sent them doubling over. Thinking about the way they saw it made me laugh to. Did my son just dictate whom I'm allowed to have sex with? That's just wrong. Why did he need to explain, I could only take so much awkwardness.
'He has made his father very proud right now. I should have had him watching you instead,' Alexander sent.
'Hearty, hearty, har! That's not funny Alexander you could have stepped in at anytime you know.'
'Which part? The part where you're off limits? Or, was it the part where you're much happier when I do it? My favorite part was when he asked if making you feel better meant I was better at it. He's very observant, love.' I could hear the humor and pride behind his words.
'So happy, darling, that you took pleasure in my discomfort. Sometime very soon I expect you'll be having the sex talk with him? Because, after this discovery, I may have to have it with our daughter as well! Does this mean we can officially drop the subject?'
That made him sober up. 'No.'
"Alright you two, Jameson has the study ready for your first check ups." They whined and made to leave when Sebastian called out to them.
"So what show have you been watching?" I missed that part. Whatever it is it's officially banned from the TV.
"True Blood." They both said before leaving. Dammit! I loved that series. Alexander chuckled and motioned for me to sit back down on the couch with him and Sebastian who looked like a deer caught in headlights. Then he remembered what we were talking about.
"Why would you sleep with him Raven? I thought you were just friends. He never said anything. We hung out so many times. We're in a band." Sebastian sounded like a little boy who'd been left out of a game.
"Um, it was none of your damned business. Being in a band doesn't entitle you to everybody's privacy. You don't get to question me. I explained all that I had to say to Alexander, and he forgave me. So bud out. And by the way, that band happened because of me. You're in it because of me. So if you plan on dropping it now, know that I'll never recommend you for anything… ever!" I replied with aggravation.
"I won't drop it, but now that I think about it… Onyx did mention something that I should have picked up on…" Shit, why did she have to talk about it?
"What happened?" Alexander asked. Just drop it, please? "What does Onyx have to do with it?"
"She was really happy when she and Luke started dating. It was official. He wasn't flirting with other girls. We all thought she'd fallen in love. Then one night she came crying and bloodied." They looked at me. Just great! "She said he had a 'friendly' thing going on with a roommate. She was okay with it. But when he invited her over for a movie, she caught them messing around in the kitchen. FUCK Raven, did you have to beat her up over it?"
Then I got defensive and slipped on a few details. "Um, excuse me, but she came after me first. She was not going to attack me in my own home. And it's not my fault he preferred me to all his girlfriends. I hooked him up with them, told him not to cheat and give it a real shot, but he keeps coming back to me. She should have seen what she was getting into." Then I crossed my arms like a spoiled brat.
"And you let him…" Sebastian dragged on and I wanted to stab him.
Hell had just broken loose. "YES! Sebastian! I let him. I was the one who got left behind. Remember? When he was sad, angry, horny and frustrated, he knew he could come to me because I needed to be needed and wanted, and to feel like a woman again. I took everything he gave me and gave it back. I already told Alexander, but you're just trying to make it worse because I wouldn't fuck you after you kissed me at The Crypt!" DUMBASS! Quickly I remembered that Alexander was listening in on my thoughts. Did your best friend tell you that Alexander? Does this mean you're done with the reports and digging in the past? I just wished you had dropped it. Stop trying to rub salt on the wound; I'm not the only one to blame.
Alexander stood up quietly and left the room without a word. "You just had to bring that up!" he accused.
"Don't f-f-f-fucking speak to me. Ever!" I got up to leave and when I got to the doorway, I turned around and added, "And stay away from my kids."