Chapter 105-Victory

I snuggled closer to the body next to me and felt arms tighten in response. I inhaled deeply and was instantly comforted by a familiar scent. The sunlight streaming through the windows me me reluctantly open my eyes. His sparkling green ones were staring down at me. If I was dreaming, I didn’t want it to end.

“Good morning Beautiful.” He said with a warm smile.

I was filled with joy and a sense of peace; he really did come back to me last night. I stretched up and kissed him deeply and he responded enthusiastically. 

Marcus rolled on top of me parting my legs gently. I arched my back ready to accept him again. We enjoyed each other until I was exhausted last night. He always had impressive stamina but now as a vamp it was endless. I tried to remain quiet, but I knew facing the kids this morning was going to be a tad awkward. I ran my hands up his back as he settled his lean body between my legs. As our bodies joined again, I knew I was a fool for pushing him away and I was immensely thankful that he came back to me.

“I have to go back to the hotel.” Marcus said softly after we finished. My thoughts went to her, we didn’t do much talking last night but now reality was hitting me hard. He was still engaged to her. I didn’t know why he showed up last night, but now I guess I had my answer.

“You spent the night making love to me only to leave and go back to her?” I ask angrily pulling away from him. I suddenly felt very dirty and used and needed a shower to wash that away that feeling.

“Whoa! What?” Marcus replied quickly jumping off the bed to stop me. “I wouldn’t…you think I’d do that?” He looked hurt and mildly insulted by my accusation.

“I don’t know Marcus. You’ve spent the last week leaving me to spend your nights with her and…” my words faded out and I swiped at a stray tear that rolled down my cheek.

“Hey, no crying.” Marcus said softly. “Yes we shared a hotel room, but nothing else. I haven’t been with her at all while she’s been here. After that afternoon with you, I couldn’t and didn’t want to. I asked her to go back to Italy last night."

Relief washed over me when I heard him say that. Marcus turned me to face him and softly wiped away the tears that rolled down my cheeks.

"You know how sometimes something just feels…right. You can’t put it into words, but everything just fits. That’s what yesterday was for me. Being here in our house, surrounded by our children, I didn’t want to leave. Then talking to you, hearing you call me your husband still, hearing that you wanted me, wanted us. I realized I didn’t have to.”

The tears continued to stream down my face as I threw my arms around his neck. Marcus

held onto me tightly letting me take comfort in his arms for as long as I needed.

“I only need to go back to the hotel for clothes.” He said softly. “And to check out.” He continued pulling away to look at me. “I want to come home.” His eyes searched my face looking apprehensive about what my response might be.

“Well in that case let me be the first to welcome you home.” I replied circling my arms around his waist.

“I was hoping you would say that.” Marcus replied leaning down to kiss me.

“Oh and I never got rid of your stuff, I couldn’t so you can shower and get dressed. That should help make facing the kids a little less awkward.”

"Yes, the kids. Well since it's already going to be a bit of an awkward conversation..."

I let out a squeal of surprise when he picked me up and carried me into the bathroom. Somehow we did manage to finally bathe and get dressed. Once we made it downstairs we found all the kids hanging out in the backyard. I was nervous about facing them, Marcus took my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

“Good morning guys.” I said getting their attention.

“Good morning Mom. Dad.” They replied in unison smiling broadly.

“Hey mom are you feeling ok?” Finley asked running over to us.

“Yes sweetie, why do you ask?”

“Cuz I heard moaning coming from your room this morning. I was gonna come check on you cuz I thought you might have a tummy ache, but Elphie stopped me.” She said giving her sister a mean glare.

The triplets and Marcus all burst out laughing while I tried to figure out the best way to answer her question.

“What’s so funny?” She asked in a huff.

“Nothing honey.” I replied trying to stifle my own laugh. “Have you eaten breakfast yet?”

“Yeah, Ed fixed me cinnamon toast and eggs. Hey Marcus you're here early." She said scrunching her brows together for a moment. "But guess what, I got an A on my diorama that you helped with.” She beamed proudly.

“Great job! I was happy to help.”

“Ms. Vickers said we’re also gonna make a volcano, will you help with that?” She looked hopeful for a moment before her face dropped a little. “You probably will be gone by then though.”

“Actually.” He said dropping down so he was more on her level. “If it’s ok with you and your siblings, I think I might stay here for a while.”

“Like a sleep over?”

“Yeah, something like that.” He looked over at the triplets to gauge their reaction to his news.

“We’re gonna need earplugs.” Elphie said with a smile. They started laughing again and my poor innocent Finley looked very confused again.

After Marcus and I had breakfast, the triplets went with him to the hotel while I dropped Finley off at Carter’s house. He and Vicki were taking her rock climbing today at the new activity center and she was very excited. When I got back to the house, for once the quiet didn’t bother me. 

I plopped down onto the couch and pondered over how much my outlook on life could change in just a few short hours. Yesterday I was ready to end it all, and today my family and I are whole again.

I’m happy for you Love.

Don’t ruin this for me Mulo.

I wouldn’t dream of it.

How can I believe you? You’ve done it before.

I do want you happy and I know now that happiness won’t come from me. I lost my chance a long time ago.

Mulo…

It’s ok Love. Even a cynic like me can see that some things are just meant to be.

I need to be free Mulo.

I know Love.

I felt him close off again without expanding on what he was going to do about our link. There were a lot of things Marcus and I haven’t discussed but I knew this would be an issue at some point.

Over the next few weeks life started to settle. Marcus talked to Florence a few times, each time she called asking him to come back to her. He tried to be nice and I could see how it pained him to hurt her. I could never muster up any sympathy for her, however. My relationship with the triplets was on the mend and Finley had started calling Marcus dad mimicking her siblings. I felt more content and complete than I had in a long time. Mulo hadn’t made contact with me again and I wasn’t ready to see him in person yet. I knew I needed to sever our connection and the only way to do that was to have him turn me. Marcus hadn’t brought it up so I took my cues from him on how to proceed. We were just taking things one day at a time instead of trying to tackle too much at once.

Things were good but the morning I woke up feeling sick and craving the plasma drinks, I knew they were about to get a whole lot better.