Chapter 108-A Long Time Coming

I awoke to the sound of raised and very angry voices.

Come quickly Love before I really hurt him.

I threw the covers off and rushed down the stairs. Aric stood in between his father and Marcus, the furniture was over turned, there were holes in the walls and some things were broken.

“Marcus stop!” I yelled when he attempted to lunge passed Aric to get to Mulo.

I’ve been holding back, but he’s trying my patience.

Mulo stood ready to defend himself should Marcus get past Aric. I hated seeing those two fighting but I hated even more that my son could get hurt trying to stop them.

"Marcus!" I yelled again.

This time he turned at the sound of my voice and came to me instantly. His face was bruised and bloodied just as Mulo's was. I knew he would heal, some of the cuts already were, but seeing him like that was a shock.

“Baby I’ve been worried. I thought you ran…” He stopped when he took stock of my clothes.

I forgot I was in Mulo’s shirt and underwear. I didn’t get a chance to explain before I saw the fury flash in his eyes as he let out this feral noise that I could only describe as a growl before he turned towards Mulo again.

“Marcus no!” I cried but Aric stopped me as I attempted to get to him. “Let go Aric!”

“No. You are in no condition to try and get between them. Even if you weren’t pregnant I wouldn’t let you over there.” Aric replied calmly.

“He’ll kill him Aric!” I pleaded trying to get free, but Aric used gentle pressure to keep me in place.

“No he won’t.”

I had to stand by and watch as those two attempted to rip each apart. Marcus was furious and with good reason. It was about more than me being here, it was about everything Mulo had done to hurt me, him, and our family. His life was stolen, he couldn’t get back that time and he had every right to want Mulo to pay for that. But I didn’t want him hurt. Mulo was older and stronger. Just like with his fight with Aric, I could see he was holding back, but I wasn’t sure how much longer that would be the case. How could I not think he would come for me once found out where I was? I should have known Marcus wouldn't just sit around waiting on me to come home on my own.

“What did you do to her?” Marcus yelled.

"Nothing she didn't want." Mulo countered with a smug look.

Marcus let out some sort of deep guttural roar, then I saw Mulo flying through air; he crashed through the glass window and skidded across the patio coming to a stop against the railing. When he got up I knew all bets were off. Thinking quickly, I flung my head back hard making direct contact with Aric’s nose and catching him by surprise. He released me on instinct and I scrambled quickly towards Marcus just as Mulo moved towards him. I braced for impact thinking I was about to be crushed between their two bodies.

Marcus threw his arms around me turning so that his back was to Mulo, allowing himself to take the brunt of the impact. I saw a blur and heard a thud as Aric tackled his father to the ground moments before he reached us.

“What the hell were you thinking?!” Marcus yelled at me.

I let out the breath I had been holding while taking a step back. My entire body was shaking from the fear and adrenaline. I have never seen Marcus like this; he’d always been so calm and understanding. This new out for blood him was scary, I never knew he had it in him to be so vicious. It was a little scary to see, but I had to admit it was also pretty damn hot.

 “She was trying to save you from imminent death.” Mulo said as he stood dusting bits of broken glass off his clothes.

Marcus turned and I knew it wasn’t over for him. The tension was long standing between these two and I had only made it worse by going with Mulo. I stepped around so that I was in front of Marcus again and Aric stepped in front of his dad.

“Marcus look at me.” He kept his eyes focused on Mulo. “Please!”

“Are you hurt?” He asked finally complying with my request.

He pulled me close letting his hand gently caress my face. Gone was the anger he had just a moment ago. It had been replaced with a look of concern as he ran his hand along my belly.

“No. I’m fine.”

“Why can’t you just leave her alone?” Aric asked turning to face his dad.

Mulo looked at me and smiled and I heard Marcus do a sharp intake of breath.

“If I had, she’d be dead right now. Feel free to thank me whenever you are ready.” He replied looking directly at Marcus.

“Thank you?! You are the reason she is here in the first place. You are the reason she was almost hurt.”

“She asked me to bring her here. Well not here, but she didn’t want to go home so this was as good a place as any.”

“What? What the hell are you talking about you lying bastard! There's no way she'd willingly come here and especially not today!”

“I’m not lying. I didn’t take her. I saved her, from your ex. Then after it was all over, she didn’t want to go home. Don’t believe me? She’s standing right in front of you, ask her.”

Marcus looked down at me as Mulo walked out to the patio to fix himself a drink.

“He’s right.” I said quietly meeting Marcus' questioning gaze.

“Florence took you?” I nodded. “From the chapel?” I nodded again. “Why didn’t you scream for help or something? I was there, Aric, the other kids.”

I frowned hearing the tone in his voice. “Why didn’t you tell me that she was a witch?” I countered. The scowl from Marcus’ face dropped. “That was something that would have been nice to know. And it’s the reason I couldn’t let anyone know. She said she did some sort of cloaking spell.”

“I didn’t think about it. She didn’t really practice it much.”

“Well I guess she had reason to change that thanks to you.” Mulo interjected picking up his knocked over chair to take a seat.

“Dad stay out of this!” Aric warned.

He merely shrugged before finishing off his drink then held the empty ice filled glass to the side of his face. I hated to have this conversation in front of Mulo or even Aric, but I rather get it all out now.

“I guess I’d have to agree with Mulo on that because she was intent on making you suffer by killing me.”

“Baby, I didn’t know. I thought she was still in Italy. Last time I spoke to her I made it clear I wasn't coming back. That you and I were getting remarried.” I heard the remorse in his voice.

“I’m not blaming you Marcus. You had no way of knowing she would come after me.”

I took a deep breath because I knew the next part was going to be hard for him to hear. I placed my hand on his cheek and stretched up to kiss him softly. “Mulo was able to find me.” I said quietly. “After he…” I looked back at Mulo for a moment before continuing. “after he killed Florence I was a little shaken up. He was going to bring me home but I didn’t want to go. So he brought me here. I showered and changed, then slept. That’s it. He only did what I asked of him, so if you want to be mad, be mad at me.”

Marcus slid his hands around my waist pulling me closer to his body. We stood there not talking as he processed everything I told him.

“Why didn’t you want to come home? You knew I would be worried.” He said finally.

“Because.” I answered without expanding on the reason. When he looked at me, I knew he understood. The confusion on his face changed to anger.

“Go change, I’m taking you home.” He ordered.

“I can’t.”

“Yes you can. You have children; they want to see you, so let’s go.”

“No I mean I...I can’t change." I replied. "I have nothing to wear. My dress got dirty and I wouldn’t want to put it back on anyway. So it’s this or nothing.”

I wouldn’t mind the nothing.

I shot a glare at Mulo who winked in response. Marcus took a step forward and I put my hand on his chest to calm him but he shot me a look that made me take a step back.

"Mom do you need to stay with me for a bit?" Aric asked shooting a look over at Marcus.

“No son, thank you, but I'll be fine." I replied looking back at Marcus who was clenching his jaw so tightly I feared he would crack a tooth. "But how's your nose?” I asked remembering how I hit him.

“It’s fine mom. I don’t think you broke it.” He replied smiling while rubbing the bridge of his nose. “But I’m gonna tell Nina it came from breaking up the fight. I can’t let people know my mom got the better of me.” I gave him a hug and a quick peck on the cheek.

"Are you sure you are going to be ok?" He whispered.

"Yes."

Marcus may have been angry with me, and with good reason, but he wouldn't do anything to me. I knew he just needed time to calm down and then we would be able to talk about everything.

“Mulo” I said looking over at him.

“No need to thank me Love. I’ll always be there for you.” He looked up at Marcus when he said the last part.

Stop making this worse. Please.

Sorry Love, I couldn’t help myself.

Marcus mumbled something under his breath, before grabbing my arm and pulling me towards the door.