As in that old quotation from William Congreve's "The Mourning Bride" (1697)

"Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned,
Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned."

I'd like to add, that perhaps, Paradise has no glory, like a woman satisfied.

(Thank you, Helena for "Paradise" when I used to say "Heaven".)

Josette Speaks

When I awoke I almost asked Pop if the coffee was made yet, and then I blinked. Oh, yes, I smiled, that's right. I'm married now and I live here, in my old room from so long ago. I turned to find Barnabas... but he wasn't there. I panicked into wakefulness.

"Where-?!"

"I'm here, Maggie. I'm right here," his rich voice softly calmed me, "it's all right. I thought of getting dressed and going for a walk but I wouldn't leave you. Not after everything. Not the first morning."

He was sitting in front of the fire but his chair was turned toward me. His elbow set on the ornate armrest and hands clasped together, gazing at me with that loving gaze some could confused with a dreary stare. I knew it so well, and I adored it.

I looked about the room. The portrait was still turned away. Many of the items we'd strewn from their places were put back in order. Did he do that? I finally asked him as I looked about.

"Yes," he answered, "I did. It was fitting to do. I preferred tending to it than have anyone else step into the room. You aren't exactly sheltered from sight... my wife."

My wife. The title chilled my innards. Connected by ceremony and consummation now... I was thrilled by that truth as he spoke it.

Covering myself under the sheets, I sighed, relaxing, "Well, why didn't you stay in bed with me?"

"I did," he answered, "I did for an hour or so. You know... my caresses seemed to please you, even in your sleep." And here there was a glow, almost a smile.

"Did they? Couldn't keep your hands off of me, could you?" I teased.

"No," he answered, and his lighter expression was removed, "and I was worried. I know bad dreams have haunted you before. I didn't want them to interrupt the sleep you needed."

"Wanted to make sure I was relaxed, Barnabas?" I grinned.

"Does that displease you?"

"No," I said, "but you know my sense of humour. I'm very touched... but I suppose with you," I lowered my voice, "I was going to be."

He stood up, his long black robe reaching to his ankles and wavering as he slowly stepped around the bed, holding on to a post, reaching the opposite side to where I sat and staring at me with those hazel eyes.

"Margaret Josette Dupres... you are a wonder," he told me softly and then sat beside me, taking my hand, "as beautiful to behold in the morning as in the night."

"Is it still morning?" I asked, practically.

"Only just. About half-past eleven."

"What?" I asked in surprise, "Did I sleep that long? I should get up right now and-"

"And what?" he interrupted my sudden change, "Hurry on to the day? Rush off to work? Forget what happened yesterday? Always running away from idleness, Maggie Evans."

It was his turn to tease me.

I laughed, "You have a point, my dear. How could I forget last night?"

"Think about it too much and it'll continue," he breathed.

"Isn't that what a honeymoon is for?" I asked.

"Is that what this is? We haven't gone anywhere."

"Yes we have," I pointed out, "we come forward in time. How's that for a get away?"

"Josette, you are a marvel," he smiled.

"Don't compliment me," I said, reaching towards him, "just kiss me."

He did and that melting down my center began to stir.

...

Now I look at the page as I pen these details. It was such a beautiful morning. From all that occurred the previous night, a ravish of adoration and then a relish of it later on. His love filled me so and my heart brimmed with compassion and trust. How horrible it all must have been for him. I've been so very proud at what he accomplished. My feelings for him obviously never changed. I kept coming back to the same places, across oceans of water and oceans of time. I must smile now. I finally was born in the right place; Collinsport.

...

Perhaps I am not Josette of old, but as he knows me now. And when I say he knows me, should I describe all the sensory and prescience of not just my body… but my very soul? For it is all one, when it comes down to it. Though I'd love to recount just how it's all been explored.

As I've been made to look upon so many people, it isn't so difficult to reconcile who I am with so many others. I've had to peruse the darker aspects of human nature, both in my long hours as a waitress and between other worlds. You see, I do understand other people, and as my husband says, I don't like to be idle.

However, the shocking realization of being so much more dominates my mind at times. I see Collinwood so much differently, although it is in keeping with my dreams as a little girl. No wonder the estate gave me a sense of dread. I saw Collinwood in flashes of varying beauty and horror. It would change on me to be ornate and shadowed in different ways. My eyes weren't playing tricks on me, my soul was remembering being here twice before. Old visions of it would impose themselves over the modern and the connection was fragmented... as I was.

Coming into being a combination was startling at first, but the more I aligned myself with what I experienced, a long life stretched before me as one and each change reminds me again of all my own changes in this lifetime alone. Are any of us the same as a child to who we are growing into adulthood? Something still retains as we all carry forward. I've looked at it like that. My life as Josette continues and has blossomed into the type of woman that makes sense for Barnabas now. Shared pain, long spells of tragedy, urges set forth through six generations of family history, and a love so strong I kept coming back.

But was this intentional? Pappa seems to believe so. He remembers even more of what the universe unfolds around us whereas I mostly retain what happened in the physical realm. Pop... Pappa? Why did we never guess on that one? Still, that makes sense, too. He's always been so philosophical. Perhaps not so much as Pappa, but as Pop a truer nature stands out.

So much has happened to me it can alarm some that no one wanted to tell my story. I presume they ask how can someone of so little complexity as I be of any use to anyone? Well, I must take some umbrage at that assumption. I've had to re-live other times as myself. So, you might imagine, that kind of harsh reality can make me pretty unhappy in others assuming its worth-less-ness. Though, when it comes to this town, I don't mind so much as long as I can help everyone. And from what Mr. Loomis has told me, they all appreciate what I might be able to do here.

Yes, I've picked up that odd habit from our other helpmate and find myself calling Willie, Mr. Loomis. He took it in stride at first and then I saw that reflection arise. That grin of his with closed eyes, folded arms, and stance so filled with smirk at times.

"Yeh know," he told me, "I'been called that plenty of times but it ain't like now, is it, Maggie? Why is that?"

"Because we call you that respectfully. Other people likely did it to taunt and look down on you. You've earned too much taking care of us to be spoken to like that anymore."

His understanding of this slowly lit up his expression. He recognized what I was telling him in a mystified repose. How far we had come together and how much farther he'd brought himself to create a better place for us here, and for himself. Ah, Willie Loomis: Once the worst of troublemakers, now, our darling man.

And yes… sometimes I just want to wrap Mr. Loomis in my arms and kiss him tenderly on the cheek, and perhaps I have, but when my husband looks on, he doesn't mind so much. We're all friends here, aren't we? Besides, there's another girl coming to see Mr. Loomis soon. We believe she loves him and he'll be surprised at how he feels about her. That strapping fellow deserves a mischievous girl… and he's going to get one if we have any idea about the matter.

However, I haven't had a chance to tell my story. As you know, I did send more than a glance toward the lover I've been waiting several generations to have. And perhaps, if I hadn't gone through that hypnosis, I may not have known. But I did want him, before I knew all the rest… and afterward, when I had time to reflect, and Barnabas has time to prove he was worth forgiving… I was happy to find out he was able to prove other things to me.

Hmm… and what was that? You have obviously wondered. Well! The ability to do more than satisfy on all points of pleasure. It's his own precious beauty that shows me all we need is a simple flow from Him to me. It's all I need. Although it's not all I get. His love is wide enough, and I am patient to explore what he has to offer. Why else were we all in love with him? I am willing to share the details, hence these memoirs, you know. Why else would I be telling all of this?

Moreover, what of this requited love? He's done more than adore me... for ever so long... but what no one has ever understood is that I felt the same way towards him in return. The forceful side of me has come out more often than anyone took notice of... except Barnabas Collins. We've watched each other struggle throughout nearly two centuries. Thwarted repeatedly, but as I've said, our destinies are one.

I had no idea how much I would enjoy myself as this new creation, nor the taste of his blood, but after having to return so often and in this new way that wasn't cursed, perhaps staying longer, existing longer and with him was what we needed. The two of us wanted to spend an eternity together. Now that we had that possibility I wondered how it would turn out. One never knows, but the idea of trying was never in question.

You see… he'd waited more than one lifetime, but *I* had waited three… and that's a l-o-n-g time to wait for such yearning. That first night together comes to me in flashes still. The intensity of it began a new memory that haunts but in delightful, thrilling ways, and made us both desire more. There could never be enough time to probe every particle of each other.

And yes, the painting did fall down… and the frame was lightly singed from the hearth fire, as we were. But I've been considering having a new one made anyway, now that I know all that I am and have been. And he's been wanting that as well, not from such strong desire, but a quaint and subdued curiosity. Still, I was very proud when I could relax and he could take over, and that was how we were thrown against the wall and my old and tormented portrait fell. And I did laugh.

I have been so tired of being objectified.

Although, when it comes to that, I have no objections to him fondling my parts, or biting at my ankles, or kissing me all over as I've so ever waited to experience. And as I've responded in kind tohim, as well. It really has been a long time.

You may ask, shouldn't I be shy about all of this? Well, I'm not likely to include any of it in holiday letters, no. But a little journal that certain close friends and relations will someday enjoy? That's all right. I've been around too long to concern myself with the display of affections untold. Goodness knows we've all had plenty of violence, and really, which is of higher value? I think my husband knows the answer to that now.

Oh, dear, I have run on more about my reflections than of that next day together, but I see Barnabas across from me penning the same thing. Perhaps he'll put it down more accurately than I could. I'm hoping to enjoy his details of it. It should inspire even more...

He's been so desirous and far more demonstrative of it than he lets on. It's helpful, considering what a complete fool he's been. But I still love him dearly. I only wish he'd been blessed with more street smarts when it comes to these things. But that's all right… I shall teach him. Of course, in my current capacity, I'm the only one… who can.

Still, that might only be because I've had this most recent life-time. As I've told him, perhaps I was so wealthy the other two times, and poor this time around to understand where it would be that monetary help would make the most impact. When I explained that, after we'd imbibed on each other, do you know what he said?

He said, "If my wealth can make any of that easier, it's at your disposal."

"How can you do that?" I asked, "Simply giving me all of what you own… like that?"

And he answered, "Well, you've already given me… yourself."

Thanks for reading. Would love know what you thought or any highlights you enjoyed, as always.