This Is Where I Want To Be

42. Seven Days Too Late

Juliet

Argh. All I remember was passing out half-naked on Marcus’s torso. I cringed inwardly. I never handled anything really well, did I? The mornings were the best in France. I never wanted to leave ever again.

“Marcus?”

“Yeah, Julie. I’m here.”

My whole body reacted when he called me that. A pulse between my legs that I had no control over. A brokenness that could only be healed by a touch. I groaned. What was it with me? I sat up and wondered if he was hiding in the corner again. Seeing Marcus like that reminded me of him bowing in front of me. I shook my head at him, seeing him on the floor again, “For heaven’s sake, Marcus. Lie down next to me, would you.” I fell back onto the bed. “Have you even slept? What about food.”

“You don’t remember? I brought someone last night. You sucked him dry in your sleep.”

“Did you eat, Marcus? What did you do with my friends? You didn’t make them watch, did you?”

“I ate before I got you, someone. I had a conversation with Carl and told him what was going on. I kind of believe that you should give children all the facts. They are still people and can speak for themselves.”

“Where were you the last three years. My mom and dad don’t feel the same way. They leave me in the dark. That is why I… am the way I am. Constantly doing the stupidest things.”

“I’ve never seen eye to eye with Liam on the way he raised you. There is control but also no control.”

I sat straight up again, “Right! How frustrating. But why do I still feel hungry?”

He shrugged, and I had to step out of bed and pull him up by the hand. “Julie, I’m not getting in that bed. There is no way. I claimed one of the rooms as my own. It’s the one closest to the dining room and the stairs. If you need me. You just have to call out. But my nursing stops today.”

I didn’t know what to say to that. Marcus had the self-control of a devout catholic priest. A real one. Or should I say Buddhist? Argh, what did it matter? Charlene and Carl came up the stairs, and he left. They both watched him go. “Juliet. There is something we need to tell you,” Charlene said, closing the door behind her. Carl listened for Marcus. “Okay. I think he is gone,” he whispered. They both moved to the other side of the room, gesturing for me to follow. I waited patiently as they decided who would tell me. “Jules… You’re pregnant.” Carl said it so low that I almost didn’t hear him. I jumped up and down, clapping my hands, regretting it as soon as I did.

Marcus stayed true to his word. He didn’t come upstairs again. He was quiet and mostly in his room. Later, Charlene and I decided to put on some music and dance. We played all our favorite songs. Carl sat and watched. It went on for about half an hour before I saw Marcus standing at the door, watching us. I couldn’t tell if he was angry, judging me, or… I didn’t know Marcus at all. His face never changed. The few smiles I got behind the mask in the ring seemed to have been a one-time thing.

Charlene and I moved up and down as our bodies danced to the music. My eyes were on Marcus to see what he would do. The anticipation was sexy. But he would probably point his finger at me soon. Our arms swaying, Charlene caught mine in hers. Marcus slowly walked out and sat next to Carl. He whispered into his ear. Got an answer from Carl. The song stopped playing. I walked over to Marcus and held out a hand to him. Marcus shook his head. “Why do you keep doing that?” I asked. His eyes snapped up at me. It took him a moment. With the most reluctance I had ever seen from a guy I had asked to dance. Marcus placed his hand in mine.

“What do you want to hear?” Charlene asked.

“Something slow. Let’s not scare Marcus. You really just have to stand there. I will do all the work,” That got a twitch around his mouth.

***

Chris

I probably listened to Juliet’s voice message a million times on the plane. I replayed our love-making over and over in my mind. Every word she had said and how angry we both were. But she had pushed me into the car. Every time, it made me smile. My gut would wrench at how stupid I had been. It felt like I would have to use the rest of my life to make everything up to her. If she still felt the same. It had been weeks since I put her into Louis’s arms. Maybe that was where I truly lost her. I could’ve followed them out. But then Marcus, Francis, and Jack… No, she would not have liked that. Love is a choice, they say. Juliet had left me no choice. I smiled again. I looked like a stupid fool, anxious to get to his lover. My thoughts wandered to the baby. I was going to be a father. Juliet was pregnant. Our perfect moment had turned into a perfect surprise. I couldn’t be happier knowing she was carrying our child.

Driving up to Juliet’s new French home made me feel like a complete loser. I was behind Louis in every way. He had the money. Been there for Juliet throughout everything. Accepting us sleeping together. He had to have known she could be pregnant. Liam had told me where they were, and I didn’t prepare them for my arrival. But neither was I to see the literal Alps behind Louis’s house. The beautiful hand-carved front door loomed before me. I took the few steps up to it and knocked. There was such a commotion inside that I didn’t think they heard it. I felt the door handle. It wasn’t even locked. I pushed it open. The interior was picture-perfect out of a magazine. I walked across the elegant living space in the direction of the music. Seeing Juliet and Marcus dancing together made me feel like I was walking into some alternate universe.

How could things change so drastically in only a few weeks? She was so scared of him. Her hands were all over him. He wasn’t really into it. It was more her playing than anything else. A feeling that things wouldn’t go how I thought washed away the joy of seeing her. Suddenly, Louis’s words sunk in with full force. Would I be able to share her? Marcus would have her the morning. Would I sleep with her later in the day? I didn’t have a choice to change my mind. Walk back out the way I came. All four saw me. It was an abrupt stop from everyone. Marcus didn’t let go of her, and she didn’t push him away. I frowned. Inwardly groaned at seeing her in the arm of yet another man. The new marks on her back caught my attention. Lashes. Her face had a cut, a fresh bruise. A bandage near her hairline.

My groaning turned to disappointed rage. I wasn’t there. I had slept with her. For a month, she had to carry around the idea that she might be pregnant… It really wasn’t her fault for choosing the guy who stayed by her side. She gave me so many opportunities to choose her. I could’ve kidnapped her that night. Liam would have given me a prize for manning up.

“What are you doing here, Chris?” Juliet said so matter-of-factly.

Ohhh, that hurt. The slate blue of her eyes caught me off guard. I had never seen that look before. Her tone made me cower. Felt like I took a punch to the gut. But I deserved it. “What happened to you? Was it him?”

“Does it look like it was him?” Oh, my soul, that mouth of hers.

Marcus smirked at me.

I saw two options. I could pick her up, manifest run into the mountain, and keep her there. But that would be what Marcus wanted to do. She wouldn’t like it. Or would she? I couldn’t really take the chance. Seemed I would have to wait at least a hundred years before she forgave me for everything. Accept the two other men that would have her in turns.

“I was hoping that I could talk to you.”

“No! Wait! He has to do it in front of everyone,” Marcus said out loud.

Juliet’s eyes met his. She shrugged, “I really don’t care right now. If that’s what you want.” Marcus smirked again. I didn’t expect to have to enter a cockfight. But I deserved it. I had sex with her. No… I was her first… Forgot about it. Couldn’t say that I loved her. He branded her without consent. Wanted to kidnap her. At that moment, I thought I was worse off.

I stepped outside, and Carl handed me a beer, smiling at me, “Welcome to the freak show.” That got a laugh from her. I wanted her to look at me so badly. All I wanted was to see what had always been there. That all my hope wasn’t in vain and that we could connect like we always had. She didn’t and, with eyes cast to the floor, said, “You might as well take a seat, Chris.”

“Where is bachelor number three?” Everyone didn’t look up or say anything, and Juliet still avoided my gaze.

“I know you and Louis slept together, Juliet.”

Both their heads snapped up at the same time. Marcus spun towards Juliet in anger. Him she saw, her eyes genuinely full of concern. Liam had prepared me for it. But Marcus had not known. He let go of her. She grabbed his hand, and he flung her off. “When?” he asked. So much pain in his voice. Juliet bit her bottom lip and didn’t say anything. He pointed his finger at her, “You could’ve said something! I’ve been here for almost a week.” Marcus turned to me. “I thought you didn’t love her! What are you doing here?”

I played with the beer bottle in my hand, wondering if he knew we slept together. I didn’t think so. He certainly didn’t know about the baby.

“A week and a half ago.” Charlene intervened and walked over to Juliet, picking up and showing the necklace to Marcus. Two little plates were hanging. Marcus took it and read it. Murder in his eyes. I was left wondering what romantic thing Louis had done. “He asked her to marry him.” Marcus’s body was hard as stone. She kept trying to take his hands in hers. He kept flinging her off.

“But that’s not all,” Carl said, looking at me. “You better prepare yourself.”

I cut him off. “You’re pregnant with my child. And Louis branded you.”

Marcus’s face drained of all color. “What the hell were you doing when you went off the compound?! Did you freaking sleep with half the men in the town you were hiding away in?”

A tinge of red stained her cheeks. Then she pointed at Charlene and Carl. “It’s all their fault,” all three of them burst out laughing like this was some kind of joke.

Marcus lost it.

I put the drink down and turned to go into the house. I walked out the front door the way I came. I had told myself I would do whatever it took. But she had two husbands. Marcus was already there. I was too late, and I didn’t know what to do. We were an instant family. Me and her. I walked down the road, not knowing where I was going. Needed to clear my head. Juliet pulled me around and made me face her. Her eyes were almost closed... pinching the bridge of her nose. It took me by surprise. “Really? So what? That’s it?” she said, struggling.

“You let Louis cover Marcus,” my hands flew to my face as I searched for strength in the sky. “All I needed was seven days… You couldn’t wait freaking seven days?”

“How long did you want me to beg you to love me, Chris? You probably don’t even love me now… You’re only here because you remembered we slept together, and you feel guilty because, wait… what was it? I’m too young. Or worse for the baby.”

The words hurt… It wasn’t true. I walked up to her and shook her, “I have always loved you! You idiot…! You’re so stupid.”

“I’m not stupid! You are!” She pushed me off her. “How many times?” She yelled.

I cut her off. “One time!” I yelled. “I loved you that first day I saw you in the hall in your freaking school uniform… Can you please give me a break? Just this one time… If you can forgive him….” I pointed at the house. Three pairs of eyes were on us, sitting at the front door. I had to concede. That was my life from that moment forward. There would always be someone checking up on me. “Can you not forgive me for taking a month to get myself together. How is it my fault that I forgot about sleeping with you?”

“No! It’s much worse than that. It wasn’t one month for me,” she struggled to get the words out. For her, it had been years of energy spent. “Why could you not call me… You… make this so much worse for me. I want to die every time you touch me, and I can’t have you. Every time our eyes met, knowing there would be nothing from you. Would you please let me go! You do not love me!” She yelled the last part so loudly. All her words were not what I had expected, and a spark of hope ignited. “You pushed me and pushed me away, Chris. Even though I knew how you felt. You fought me so long. Why must I wait for you… Long for you… Yearn for you until you choose me. It seems a bit unfair for you to come in here and say. ‘Okay, I am ready now. Let’s do this,’ her hands dramatically gestured next to her.

I wasn’t even hearing what she was saying. She was venting, and I was okay with that. My mind was going at a million miles a second… I couldn’t say I loved her. It didn’t seem to be enough. I couldn’t tell her this was where I wanted to be because Louis had proven that more than me. They were linked in death. All I had with her was a... I still wasn’t sure what we had… She kept going, “Look, I don’t know why I fell in love with you. But I can’t take the rejection any more! You, out of everyone, must understand it!”

I did understand Juliet, but I didn’t care… I smiled and smirked and exhaled slowly, knowing exactly what I could say. She was indignant and grunted at me, “What the hell is so funny, you ass!” she pushed me on the shoulder.

“Let’s play a game….” she instantly smiled, pressing her lips together, giggling nervously. “I got you. You stupid girl… You get five—” She didn’t let me finish. Her legs had already wrapped around me at the exact moment her lips were on mine. She was kissing me with everything she got. Every emotion had boiled into one moment. Me acknowledging her. Getting what she wanted. I cried with relief that I had not lost her. I didn’t even feel like I wouldn’t be able to share her. If she would be like she always was. Even in front of Marcus… I didn’t care. Tears fell over us kissing. She wiped them away with me grabbing her ass and holding her up.

“So, how is this going to work? Will you sleep with all of us? Because I don’t think I will be able to handle it.” She jumped off, throwing her arms around my neck, and pulled me so close to her. I did the same and buried my face in her neck and in her hair. I took in the smell I had longed for. “And! I’m not doing that to you… Because I really don’t want to.” She kept kissing me. I pushed her away, “Juliet. This is serious.”

Stepping away from me, she licked her lips. Her eyes were on my mouth, “That was my five minutes. Okay, I’m done.” She was happy. Seeing her so happy made my heart beat faster. “Your time starts now. What you do with it is your problem.” She laughed out loud, ran flat over the grass and all around the house with me chasing her.

I had to manifest and teleport to catch her, “Tell me, woman!”

“No! I’m not choosing. You tell me what I need to hear.”

I fell at her feet onto my knees, hugging her stomach and holding her close. Juliet and our kid in my arms. “Our love was written on the stars… I’m sorry I hurt you by trying not to hurt you… I love you… I love you so very much! This is where I want to be, no matter what.”

***

Marcus

Watching Chris and Juliet fight made me oddly jealous, and not in a way where I wanted to rip his head off his body. I had not even considered him… Seeing him there out of the blue floored us both. But I wasn’t angry. If she would fight with me like that. We were so close a few days ago. To connect in even the slightest way. Like she said… Satisfy that desire.

When she kissed Chris, I wanted to protest. But I was reminded of our first kiss… No, when she kissed me the first time. She had… It made me smile? My brand was on her for so long, and I have yet to give her one proper kiss. It was worth it… To let her decide. To wait. And even knowing she was kissing someone else didn’t make me feel like running away. It made me want to prove myself. That I could love her like that. Like they did. Chris also asked about it, and it would be interesting to see how it all played out.

She ran, and Chris chased her, manifesting into that massive creature teleporting as I had seen in the hotel. It was funny as hell, and even I had to chuckle. An enormous creature chasing a small girl over the lawn. I had never seen it. He was a legend. I sighed, knowing that Chris was there. My father wouldn’t be able to ever hurt her again. Chris was suddenly not a competitor but someone who could protect her when I was a coward.

Their display of affection gave me hope that she and I would one day work out everything. I was more than happy to wait for her to open up that part she had locked up. Juliet had so much love to give. To deny her to do it would be wrong. I looked at Carl and Charlene. We were sharing a moment, knowing all of us were in it for life. I had thought that another covering over me would feel wrong. But it was liberating, knowing I could pursue Juliet freely.