This Is Where I Want To Be

32. Meeting The In-Laws

Chris

It took me three days to get over what happened Sunday night, to decompress and face the world. I went home for the first time with my bodyguards, Francis and Jack, following me everywhere. The two had a lot of opinions to give... about everything.

Opening the front door made me gag; the smell of the moldy carpet overwhelmed us, and the house needed to be cleaned. My car needed fixing; the door was still on the garage floor. I sighed when I saw it, there was only one way of doing it; I put it in the trunk and would have to find a mechanic to fix it. “We know a guy, Chris. We’ll take your car. You stay here and clean the carpet.” I agreed and spent the rest of the day ripping it all up and throwing it all in dumpsters. I contacted a real estate agent and put the house up for sale. The only thing left to do was pack a bag, get everything I wanted out of the house, close the front door, locking Sita away forever.

I sat on the curb, waiting for Jack and Francis to come and pick me up. I was going to move in with Nicholas, for the foreseeable future. My life change so drastically that I had a hard time keeping up. We dropped the house keys at the real-estate office and only one thing was left to do. I sent the message I was dreading and realized for the hundredth time I still didn’t have Juliet’s number.

Me { I put the house up for sale.

Took all I wanted today. The rest is yours and the money for the house, if anything is left, we can split it down the middle.

Let me know if you have any footage of Friday. I still don’t remember anything.

Thank you for signing the papers }

I didn’t get a reply immediately. Sita was a werewolf and we were married for three years, and still, she didn’t want to talk to me. When it finally came through, her tone and manner made me thankful that it was all done.

Sita { I didn’t really have a choice.

You left me no choice.

I didn’t save the footage anywhere else.

It was only the one laptop }

I sent Sita the contact information of the real estate agent and told her that my keys were with him and that I wouldn’t be back. Jack finally pitched up, and we left. “Do you have Juliet’s phone number?” there was a silence between the two brothers, “What’s going on?”

“She said… that if you asked, we should say that… ‘if you wanted her number, you could ask her yourself.’ And personally, Chris… seeing as you haven’t asked and after the letter. We all think you should leave it alone and go on with your life.”

Did everybody know about the freaking letter—how embarrassing. Juliet was still upset, although out of the blue, she said she loved me. If I couldn’t figure her out before; it was way worse now and it seemed she wouldn’t throw herself at my feet—even after Sita left! Juliet haunts me when I’m married and then when I’m not, she doesn’t want me anymore. Did I push her too far? Probably. “Go to her house. It’s… that street right there,” Jack turned and stopped in front of their garages. I got out and went to the door, ringing the bell. Liam opened, if I still remember his name correctly.

“Chris. Hi.” He didn’t hesitate to open and invite me in. He led me down the two stairs that separated their sitting room from the rest of the house. It was to the left of the front door. It felt oddly strange to be in Juliet’s house—in front of her parents. I sat down, a little frustrated, running my hands through my hair.

Juliet’s mother came out of the hall and stepped down towards us. She came toward me, pulled me out of my chair, and hugged me. It wasn’t what I was expecting—but I would take it. “Thank you for saving Juliet. She would have died if you didn’t help her. Twice now, you stepped up, Chris… And we don’t know how to thank you.”

“I can’t remember anything of Friday night… Sunday with Marcus… was scary… I’ve never seen her scared before.”

“I think you have… We heard you can’t remember anything… I’m sorry about that. Maybe you should give yourself some time. This has been a whole lot to happen in the matter of one weekend. But still, I’m thankful and glad you were with her regardless.” Cindy, Liam, and I seemed to be roughly the same age. It felt weird that they were actually her parents. Cindy went to sit down and showed me with an outstretched arm to do the same, “It’s hard raising a child who is a creature in an uncertain world surrounded by other creatures.”

“It’s always good to have a lot of friends you can rely on,” Liam chipped in from the side.

“I was hoping I could speak to her… If you would allow it, of course.”

Liam’s gaze fixed on me for a while, just like Nicholas did, before he would drop life-changing truths into my lap. I rubbed my hand with my other thumb to numb the blow, “I’m afraid she is not here.”

“Can I maybe wait for her or come back to see her? I really want to talk to her. She has been avoiding me like I had the plague or something.”

Liam smiled, “Juliet is rather headstrong,” I nodded, “Strong-willed,” I nodded again, “Opinionated,” and yet again. “And she doesn’t like people who do not know what they want out of life, Chris… To me, it seems like you are just going through things rather than choosing what you want out of life.” I was caught off guard, I’ve never had parents in my life. Growing up in an orphanage and having someone to dish out advice; wasn’t even possible. Suddenly, I had Nicholas and Liam freely digging into all my shortcomings. Didn’t Nicholas say Liam was three hundred years old? It felt redundant to get offended.

“You can’t blame him, Liam. He has only been alive for thirty years. The werewolves lied to him for all that time… And they manipulated him.”

They were playing good cop, bad cop.

“Juliet is my daughter! What I’m trying to say is… She knows what she wants and when she wants it. She has never doubted her decisions, and when she makes them, she won’t go back on them.”

Where was this guy the first time I brought Juliet home? She told me then that she said what she meant and did what she said she would. “I have never met anyone like her.”

They both laughed lightly, “That’s for sure.”

“What Liam is saying Chris is… we don’t want you talking to Juliet or going near her if you’re not one hundred percent certain you can love her—unconditionally.” My eyes came up to meet Cindy’s at this statement. Juliet must’ve told them everything. “Especially not knowing what you are or what will happen in the future… What abilities you have, and if you will draw attention.”

“We really don’t want Juliet’s whereabouts out in the open… I can’t tell you all there is to know about Marcus and the compound… She will have to tell you herself,” Cindy nodded at Liam’s words, and he stood up and went to sit next to her.

I really didn’t have any argument against what they were saying. They would accept our relationship… It was something else… something I couldn’t understand yet. Cindy got up and went to make tea, leaving me alone with Liam. I had to decide if I would ask again if I could talk to her. Everybody knew, even Francis and Jack; if I ever approached Juliet again, it would have to be forever—even if it was only for five minutes. They knew she loved me. Louis knew she loved me. Juliet had told me she loved me and I couldn’t say it back. I didn’t say it back. I was still too much in my head. For someone like Juliet, it really was all or nothing—heart and soul.

“While you’re deciding, let me tell you something… A while ago, Cindy and I contacted her uncle… He is the oldest living vampire alive today. He holds the registry of all known vampires in the world. Classified by age, family, or any kind of cross-referencing, you’d need to find someone… Anyway, we contacted him because we could see Juliet was ready to settle down.”

I smiled, shaking my head.

He smiled as well, “You don’t agree?”

“She is a little young but then there is Marcus and that all happened years ago… So, my way of thinking won’t be able to wrap my mind around it just yet.”

“The times have changed for sure. But you have to understand, where we are from, humans had their first kids at sixteen, even younger. Maybe not everyone but young girls have been known to marry older men, Chris.” Liam watched for my reaction, “Girls of sixteen was the normal age for a woman to go out and start families… Creatures have needs and they are primal and unpredictable… So a girl like Juliet….” Liam gave a heavy sigh, “How can I say this… If she would be married and have a family… It would channel all that loyalty and love she has to give and pour it into the people close to her.”

I saw how she was with Charlene and Carl. I had seen for months how she was with me. I had heard how she was even with Jerry. She was willing to do anything for the people who she loved. She had gone up against Marcus for Louis.

“Anyway, I will get to the crux of the story eventually… We found Louis… And after much consideration, we thought it best that he come and meet her and make the decision first. In our race, we have some small customs we would like to think about when making this decision.”

Cindy put down the tea tray and poured me a cup and handed it to me. It smelled funny; the milk seemed off, “No, thank you,” I put the cup down, “I… Uhm… seem to not be able to drink tea today.”

“Are you feeling okay?” She seemed genuinely concerned.

“I can’t really say. I have these spells after Sunday. Seem like my last manifestation had brought about other changes.”

“It’s your smell attribute that wants blood and meat.”

I didn’t really care about me changing into a monster. I wanted to hear what Liam would say about Juliet and Louis, “Can you please finish telling me about Louis?” When I said it, though. I had a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach as if my head was deliberately screwing off, rather than on right.

“We introduced Louis to Juliet. They hit it off the first night. They hunted together and, as you heard, went through things together….”

That same pain I had the morning after pierced into my skull, “Stop talking about Louis,” I got up, “Bathroom… Please,” Cindy helped me up and pushed me toward the guest toilet.

“Was that necessary, Liam?” I heard Cindy rebuke her husband.

He chuckled, “No better place for him to manifest. We haven’t seen sport in a long time.”

I struggled to hear Liam, my anger almost uncontrollable; chest burning, I splashed cold water on my face. His words kept echoing in my mind, ‘They hit it off… They like each other. They chose him for her.’ She was ready to get married. The more I thought about Louis and her together, the more pain my head was in. Marcus’s hand reached out to touch her, and I pulled her in behind me. I could feel myself changing; there was nothing I could do about it. Juliet held on to me so close and desperate.

It didn’t seem that my creature side liked the idea of sharing Juliet with anyone. I fought it; whatever was happening, I fought it with every fiber I had. My head was screaming… and flashes of… images… I had a vision or I guessed a desire. Juliet was naked under me. Her eyes were closed and she touched my neck and grabbed onto me. Her other hand squeezed my shoulder. Her back arched to better accept me. I felt it; I could feel myself inside her like she was there. I could smell her… feeellll her warmth on my skin. She was happy. We were together. The vision disappeared. I had never had such a vivid fantasy in all my life. I fell on my knees against the toilet. Hearing it, Cindy opened the door, “There is no need for you to hide in here.”

I grabbed onto her arm, “It hurts. It hurts so much.”

Liam came past her, picked me up like I weighed nothing and carried me down into the basement, “Go call the Werewolves in the car, just in case.” Cindy scrambled and ran for it. I freaked out when my hand grew twice its size and pads formed under my paws. Claws grew out of my fingertips… long, sharp, and black. “You’re fighting it, Chris… If you don’t want it to hurt, stop fighting it.”

I shook my head… “No! I don’t want this.” My hand returned to normal. I breathed out the breath I was holding.

Cindy, Francis, and Jack came down the stairs, “What’s the point of us being here. We can’t do anything until tonight. Isn’t he supposed to be in control of himself?” Francis asked.

“I’d thought you would have your dart gun ready. What’s the point of checking up on him if you can’t do anything?” Liam admonished the boy.

Francis and Jack’s eyes met in mutual understanding. Francis ran back up the stairs. “It’s in the car,” Jack said, feeling rather stupid, rubbing the back of his neck. All I heard was ‘dart gun.’ So that’s what knocked me out like that for days; the reason I missed talking to Juliet. My heart ached and burned some more and I had another vision… Juliet grabbed me around the neck and kissed me all sweaty, throwing her head back so I could kiss her neck. What the hell was that? Now? Why would I see her like that? In her parents’ house; a little inappropriate, Chris.

“Maybe you need a little push?”

“Are you sure, Liam? What about Juliet.”

Liam bent down and whispered in my ear, “She has Louis…and he will make her his soon,” My claws dug into the cement floor. I dragged them through the concrete like it was sand. It scared me; the strength I had. Killing that enormous man or creature when Juliet was in danger. I could… hurt her parents… Liam was mocking me... His eyes were laughing at me.

“It would break Juliet if I hurt you!” I roared, more to myself than them. The pain flowed away. My paws were gone, and that burning in my heart disappeared. I remember why I wrote the letter and stepped away from her. Because I didn’t want to hurt her anymore, all I did was hurt her and make her cry.

Liam stood, “Well, that was disappointing. You really didn’t have to worry about us. We could probably take you on.”

Francis came running in with the dart gun, “Don’t shoot me,” I sat back on my ass with my hands in the air—still catching my breath.

“You were in total control Sunday. What happened just now?” Jack exclaimed.

“I don’t know, maybe it was Liam and….” I kept quiet, not wanting to voice every feeling I had.

Liam laughed, “The first night in the car when Louis came with us to take Juliet hunting, she had so much pent-up energy that she stared at him the whole way there. If we weren’t in the car, she would’ve jumped him.”

Francis and Jack laughed. Cindy smacked Liam on the arm, “You are really looking for trouble.”

“It’s my daughter!” Liam yelled. “And this guy cannot choose her… She is the one that chooses.” Liam got angry and manifested, roaring at me. My eyes must have been like saucers because he came back immediately. “You need to feed Chris and soon… Or you’ll do something stupid. Next time, don’t fight it, okay,” he clapped me on the shoulder. Did this guy have a split personality… Well, I suppose we all do.

Driving back in the car, I stared into nothingness, “So? Did you get her number?” Jack burst out laughing. They gave each other high-fives. It was uncalled for; I had no one, I have no one. For three years, I didn’t have a wife. Before that, I didn’t have a family. I was turning into this creature all by myself. “I need to get drunk.”

“Now you’re talking!” they cheered, “Don’t think I have seen you get drunk in three years.”

“No… I don’t really like the feeling. But what else are we going to do?”

“Yeah, I get you… The next three weeks will be long… for all of us. Why not enjoy ourselves.”

It was almost evening. The sun was setting when we stopped at the bar next to the road. The 26th of April looming over my shoulder. I couldn’t get the image of Juliet under me out of my mind, me moaning on top of her. Shot after shot and beer after beer, we sat there in silence. A table of women joined us, telling us how boring we were just sitting there and not asking them to dance or chat... Francis and Jack weren’t really into them. I was wasted; my face rested in my palm, observing the room, getting lost in the spinning. “I resigned from my job… I’m jobless… homeless, and my… friend...” I didn’t want to call Juliet that. Friends were Jack and Francis.

“My girlfriend,” I agreed with myself out loud, “Yes, that sounds better. She is only a teenager.”

The women around the table went really quiet. I burst out laughing at how disgusted they were. “I know, right, a thirty-year-old with a seventeen-year-old. You would think that it was wrong.”

Francis and Jack shook their heads. They were wasted, too, “She’s not seventeen anymore… She wants you. Why fight it.”

“Ewe, you guys are disgusting,” one of the women said.

“She was seventeen only a week ago… And now she is angry at me for not telling her I loved her… and I don’t have her number.”

“That was cold, Chris… And in front of an ex,” Francis’ voice slurred.

“I hadn’t thought of it like that. Probably why she was so disappointed….” I scratched my head in frustration.

“You should have lied,” Jack commented.

“No!” I pointed at him… “Not about that.”

“You should’ve at least said you have her every night.”

I turned to the girls… “I didn’t touch her! Wrote her a letter telling her it will never work.”

They seemed to relax, “So, you’re not some creepy dude who only likes young girls.”

“No! I was married until three… four days ago.”

Francis and Jack nodded when the girls didn’t believe me, “Our cousin,” Jack said.

The girls went crazy at... what was my life, “Sam, bring this guy another drink. I think he needs it. Is Ashleigh here?”

“Coming up… Outback, I think.”

“I’ll be right back,” the blond in the very short skirt ran away on her toes. Her heels didn’t even touch the floor. It reminded me of Juliet trying to cover her thigh by pulling down a skirt… her blushing. That stupid dress she had on at the party—couldn’t even sit on the grass.

“Chris… Juliet isn’t normal… We don’t care about age.”

I stood up, “No! Obviously not. But I do!”

“You’re stupid. Juliet is hot,” I grabbed Francis’ shirt, “Don’t talk about my girlfriend like that.”

“She isn’t! She is gone. She is in France with...” Jack put his hands over Francis’s mouth.

“Don’t say his name,” Jack said.

“He… that can’t be named,” they both burst out laughing.

“He might just turn and kill us all.”

The ladies didn’t like the turn the conversation was taking. Still, they stayed, having nothing else to do in the backcountry place with bars between towns instead of gas pumps. I shook myself, “What did you say?” I grabbed his shirt again, “Where is she.”

“Juliet is in France.”

I staggered back and forth, “France…?”

“Oooh… I would love to go to Europe,” all the ladies said and agreed with one another.

“Why is she in France?” I asked, remembering Carl and Charlene talking.

Francis waved his hand, “Not saying. We’re not allowed to say.”

I shrugged, “I’m not allowed to have her number… I’m not allowed to know why she is in France… I’m not allowed to talk to her if I don’t love her… un…con….”

“Unconditionally,” one of the ladies helped me.

“Yes, that!”

The blond came back, running into the bar with someone in locked arms with her. A brunette with just as short a dress on.

“Here, this is Ashleigh,” we all waved at her. They placed her next to me and told her my sad tale. Ashleigh was very sympathetic.

The brunette wasn’t ugly and rather attractive. When she put her hand on my leg and bumped shoulders with me to say “Hi.” I smiled… What else was I supposed to do? The blond spoke to Francis and whispered in his ear… he nodded. The blond winked at Ashleigh, who took it as a sign. She pulled me off my feet and dragged me onto the area where a few couples were dancing. She put my hands on the small of her back, reached her arms around my neck, pulled me closer, and moved her body against mine in quick, jerky movements, “Why don’t we have a good time tonight?”