Chapter 31-The Time Has Come

I prayed this day would not come. This was going to be the hardest thing I've ever done.  I could only hope she would forgive in time because forever is a long time to be hated.  I climbed out of bed.  Nothing would be the same after today.

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"I'm so proud of you honey." I said giving her a big hug.
My baby was graduating today.  Aric and Nina had promised to be there.  I hadn't heard back from Mulo, but I wasn't going to be sad about that today.                                                               
"Mom...I can't breathe." she said. 
"Sorry, didn't mean to hug so tightly." I said wiping the tears from my eyes.
"Mom don't cry again.  We haven't even made it through the ceremony." Bynni said rolling her eyes
"Ok, Ok.  Let me get your sister and we'll head out."

The ceremony was lovely.  Bynni graduated with high merit and was voted most popular.  With all the stunts she pulled while in high school, it was no surprise.  I was happy when she finally got back on track with her grades.
"What time will TK be over?" I asked on the way home.
"Around 5.  His dad wanted to spend some time with him.  I think they were headed to visit his mom's grave."
Aric told me Nina had to work so she wouldn't make the party.  We were all just hanging around having a good time dancing and being silly.  It was a wonderful moment and none of us expected what happened next.
"Ms. Vinson." TK tapped me on the shoulder "I just wanted to say I was sorry for all the trouble Bynni and I gave you over the last few years.  I want you to know I do love your daughter."
I got a sick feeling in my stomach.  I closed my eyes for a moment and thought please don't let her be pregnant, please don't let her be pregnant.  Before I could say anything he was down on one knee.

"Bynni Vinson.  I love you and would like to know if you would do me the great honor of being my wife."
"Yes, yes, yes!!!!!" she squealed jumping up and down.

I couldn't believe it.  I though for sure I would have a daughter in law before I got a son in law.
"Congrats honey.  I'm so..."  I didn't finish my sentence as I looked and saw Mulo walk in with her.

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The moment I walked in I saw the range of emotions through her eyes.  First disbelief, then sadness, and finally anger.  I didn't want to do this to her.  The tension in the air between us was so thick I could have choked on it.  No one else seemed to notice.
"Dad not now." Aric spoke to me through his thoughts.  I looked at him.
"I don't have a choice" I replied motioning towards Marisol.
"Please just let her have this moment."
I looked back at Amari and then to Bynni who was standing with her now fiancee.  She'd never looked happier.  As Amari approached me I glanced towards Marisol.  She was enjoying this immensely.  I knew she was heartless but this was a new low even for her.

"Just remember our conversation." she said in a tone so low only I could hear her.  I didn't respond but I didn't need to be reminded.  I had thought of nothing else for the last few weeks leading up to this day.

"Marisol this has to stop.  It has gone to far and I won't be a party to your torture any more."  I was furious when she told me what I had to do.  There was no way I could, I wouldn't be able to live with myself.
"It's too late to back out now." she said smugly

"Like hell it is.  I don't even know how I let myself take it this far.  It's not worth it I would rather be forced to share your bed for the rest of my existence than continue with this."

"It has gone way beyond you not wanting to share my bed any more Mulo Drakul."  The fire burning in her eyes was more intense than I had ever seen.  It was at that moment I knew things had gone from being more than just about Amari's father.
"You think I didn't notice you had fallen for that human!"
"I don't know what you are talking about." I said trying to deny the truth "I just don't want to continue playing these childish games any longer."

"Oh please, do you think I am an idiot.  You're no better than him."  I still didn't know why she had just hatred for Amari's father and I could see she was now projecting that same fury towards me.
"You're crazy and I'm done.  We are finished after today are you clear on that?"  I turned to leave.
"We are finished after you do what I have asked or you will watch as I bled her dry."  I could tell by her tone that this wasn't one of her statements for dramatic effect.  She was very serious.
"We part ways after this." I said without turning around to face her.  I was afraid if I did I would rip her throat out.  I left knowing it didn't matter because to do what she asked would mean the end to it all.

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"How could you?  How could you come here and bring that woman?"  I was more hurt than angry but I refused to cry in front of her.  She had done enough with my emotions with all her innuendos.  Mulo had done a lot of things to hurt me but this had to be the worst.
"How could you do that and ruin Bynni's day?"

"Amari, please it's not like that." he started talking but I just couldn't listen to his lies today.
"You...you know how I feel about her."  Marisol was silent as she stood and watched enjoying every minute of my torment.

"If you want to be with her, that's fine but did you have to let me know like this? Today?"  I felt the anger being replaced with sadness.
"Ceula go to your room."  Aric spoke harshly to his sister and it shocked us both.  She didn't complain but instead ran up the stairs wiping tears from her eyes.  I looked at him and she saw the shock on my face.
"Mother I'm sorry."  There was something in his face when he said that.  He hadn't called me mother in a long time and I could see that the apology had a double meaning to it.  Bynni and TK were just as confused as I was to what seemed to be happening.
"Aric?  What's going on?"
"Mother it will be ok."  I just stared at him
"Mom, what's happening"  I could hear the fear in her voice as she walked to me and took my hand.

"I don't know dear, hopefully your brother can tell us."

"This is turning out better than I could have hoped." Marisol said gleefully
Mulo looked at me.  There was so much torment on his face, as sadness in his eyes I'd never seen before.  He looked at Bynni who was clinging tightly to my arm as he walked closer to me.
"Mulo please tell me what's going on.  You are scaring me."
But he didn't speak he stood so close to me I could feel his breathe on my face. 
"Mother please, step away." I heard Aric pleading but I couldn't move.
Everything started happening in slow motion.  Mulo leaned close to my ear and his closeness made my entire body tingle.
"Please forgive me." he whispered before kissing me softly.
Then all at once his face, his entire demeanor changed.  I heard Bynni scream when she saw him.  TK charged forward to get Bynni but in an instant Aric grabbed him.  TK sounded as if the wind had been knocked out of him as he struggled against Aric's grip.  The room started spinning.

It looked as if Aric had blood dripping from his lips as he approached me.
"Mother?"
"Get away!" I screamed as I stumbled backwards.  I looked at Aric and then to Mulo I didn't recognize either of them.
"What are you?"