by Donna Raider
Richie dragged his hands across his face. “Mom, I couldn’t stand it if anything happened to Sara or Adam.”
Mika observed her wife and son from the doorway.
“I wonder if she will have her powers back,” the priest expressed her fears. “If she does, she is in cahoots with someone stronger than Legion.”
“I am sure we will find out soon enough,” Leah sighed.
“I tried to talk to Legion,” Richie shrugged. “He said he had no idea what I was asking him. That all of your debts with him were being settled.”
“That’s what I am afraid of,” his mother scowled.
After checking all the locks and alarms, Mika informed Nana of the problems they feared and instructed her never to leave the children unguarded. Richie insisted on moving back to his old room, right next to the twins.
##
Leah stood motionless in the shadows of her giant oak tree. She could see the light in the Queen's Hill mansion. She knew her mother was in the house. She could feel her presence. All the horror of her childhood washed over her.
She staggered under the weight of the almost forgotten memories of her years with Jezebel and her forced marriage to the king. Her back found support against the strong trunk of the tree. She slid to the ground, wrapped her arms around her knees and released the tears she had been suppressing all day.
Dread overcame her. Deep inside she knew she might lose everything she held dear. She wondered why God had let her experience such total happiness. The happiness she knew her mother would destroy.
Her mind raced, searching for a way to protect her children. The twins shifted in her abdomen; their movement made her smile. She placed a protective hand over her stomach. She had a perfect life. Her wife made certain she was happy. She knew the driving force in Mika’s life was her happiness. She wondered why God had given her the mother from hell. She prayed for God's guidance.
I have changed, the once wicked queen thought. Mika’s love changed me. Maybe Mother can change, too.
She felt Mika’s presence before she showed herself. Wordlessly she sat down beside Leah. She easily lifted Leah onto her lap and cradled her head against her shoulder.
"Our bed was very empty," Mika whispered, her warm breath soft against Leah’s ear. "You know we are strongest together. You shouldn't be out here alone."
"I’m scared, Mika," Leah sobbed against her shoulder. "My mother still terrifies me. What if something happens to you or our children? An eternity with you is a dream come true. Eternity without you is my worst nightmare."
“What do you want me to do?” Mika kissed behind her ear. “I can send her to another planet or another country.”
“A big part of me wants so badly to do that,” Leah said softly. “Another part of me wants her to change and find redemption as I have done.”
“Then we will give her the benefit of the doubt.” Mika stood, still holding Leah in her arms. “Just to be safe, we will begin Operation Twin Watch.
“Promise me you will not leave our bed again without me,” her eyes bore into Leah’s dark ones.
“I promise,” Leah kissed her deeply.
##
“Good morning, dear,” Jezebel smiled up from her morning paper as Leah and Mika entered the diner. She was sitting in their booth.
“Mother, what a pleasant surprise,” the mayor cocked an eyebrow. “What are you doing here?”
“I have purchased the mansion on Queen’s Hill,” Jezebel smiled coyly. “I’m moving here to be close to my grandchildren. Mommy’s coming home, sweetie. Please, join me for breakfast.”
They sat down as Ruth placed two cups of coffee in front of them. “Thanks, Ruth,” Leah nodded. “I need this.”
“I hardly know Adam and Sara,” Jezebel sniffed the air, “and unless I am mistaken, I have two more grandchildren on the way. I want to be a big part of their lives.”
“Then you should join us at the bowling alley tonight,” Leah smiled a smile that touched only her lips. “We will be there with all three of our children.”
“Oh, my, I have offended you, haven’t I?” Jezebel’s smile was cold and calculating. “I forgot Harry, that boy you adopted.”
“Mother, you know very well his name is Richie, the same as Father’s.” Leah bit her tongue to keep from lambasting her mother.
“Oh, yes,” Jezebel leered, “Richard, the name of the father you murdered.”
“Ruth, we will need our coffee to go,” Mika stood, pulling her wife from the booth. They walked to the counter, paid their bill and picked up two coffees.”
When they reached the door, the priest turned around and walked back to her mother-in-law. “Do not ever sit in our booth, again. Do not engage my wife in conversation unless you can be cordial and kind.” As she walked away, Jezebel’s cup rose and tossed hot coffee in her face.
Jezebel turned to glare at her daughter, but Leah had already left the diner.
##
“Odette, please get the sheriff and Samson up here, now?”
The mayor swept into her office; the priest followed close behind her.
Leah paced the floor while Mika watched her from the sofa. Every nerve in her body tingled. She was certain her mother was here for evil purposes.
The sheriff shot into the room, “Madam Mayor, what is the problem?” she frowned. She didn’t notice the priest.
“My mother has purchased the house on Queen’s Hill. She is moving to our town. I want a twenty-four/seven security team on the twins and Richie.”
“Done,” the sheriff moved closer to the woman. “I’m so sorry this is happening to you.” She reached out to take the mayor into her arms, but Leah backed away.
“I don’t need comforting, Sheriff,” she growled. “I need my children protected from my mother.”
“What’s in it for me?” The sheriff moved to pin the mayor between her and the desk.
“Oh, Emily.” Samson’s voice was filled with disappointment as he watched his daughter from the doorway of the mayor’s office.
“Samson, thank God you’re here,” Leah addressed the man she had come to trust. “Jezebel is here to stay. I need a constant security detail on our children.”
Samson made a phone call and barked a few orders. “Four men are on their way now,” he informed the mayor. “I have posted two at each entry of the mansion. We will rotate to a new team every eight hours.”
“Thank you, Samson,” Leah’s smile was warm and appreciative. “Mika and I will be there daily to relieve them for their lunch hour.”
Oh, I think I hate Jezebel, Mika thought. Leah smiled at her from under dark lashes. Eye sex, Mika thought, she is the queen of eye sex. A slight shiver went through her. Mika knew Leah had heard her thoughts.
The mayor closed her office door behind the sheriff and her deputy. She walked to her wife and sat down on her lap. She kissed Mika, slowly fanning an always dormant flame in the pit of her stomach. “You are such a baby,” Leah teased. “You won’t die if you have to miss a few days of our usual lunch activity.”
“Man shall not live by bread alone, My Queen,” Mika’s eyes gleamed as she quoted from the book of Matthew. “It’s a tremendous sacrifice to make, but I’m willing to make it to assure the safety of our children. That doesn’t mean I like it.
“Can’t I just transport her to Diyarbakir?”
“Diyarbakir?” Leah raised a questioning eyebrow.
“Turkish prison,” Mika grinned. “Even that is too good for your mother when one considers what she has done to you.”
##
“Harold,” Jezebel greeted Richie at the bowling alley. “It is delightful to see you, dear.”
“Grandmother Carla,” the boy nodded, intentionally using a wrong name for her.
“Jezebel,” she snapped. “My name is Jezebel.”
Richie grinned mischievously and led the twins to the lane on which he was bowling with his parents. The lane beside them was designated for the twins.
; “We bowl, Bubbie,” both children squealed in unison.
“You bet,” Richie laughed at them. “Let Bubba get the bumpers put in place for you.”
“Mommy will get the bowling ramp,” Mika said.
Jezebel watched as Richie and the priest set up the bowling lane, so the children were guaranteed the success of hitting some pins.
“Leah,” Jezebel frowned, “Making it impossible for them to fail gives them a false security.”
“We prefer to teach them the joy of succeeding,” the mayor informed her. “The feeling of success is very euphoric, Mother. It makes one want to succeed. Failure is quite depressing and discouraging. I know. You taught me well.”
“Just look how you have turned out,” Jezebel smiled seriously. “I believe you are the epitome of the American success story.”
“Thanks to my wife,” Leah said emphatically. “She has taught me to succeed. She has taught me how to interact with others. She has taught me how to love and be loved. You only taught me about pain, hate, intimidation, humiliation and insecurity.”
“Oh, dear, you can be so dramatic sometimes,” Jezebel waved her hand as if dismissing her daughter’s comments as ridiculous.
Mika joined her wife and mother-in-law. She dropped to her knees and slipped off Leah’s shoes and replaced them with her bowling socks and shoes.
Richie helped his grandmother with her bowling shoes.
“Thank you, Richie,” Jezebel smiled sincerely.
Richie spent the rest of the night explaining the finer points of bowling to his grandmother. Mika and Leah alternated between interacting with their children and the adults.
Jezebel watched her daughter and the priest. They were constantly touching, looking and smiling at one another. Whenever the opportunity presented itself, Leah would hug her wife from behind. Mika often returned the affection, leaning down to whisper in her wife’s ear. Leah would blush and squeeze Mika’s hands.
“I will drive you home, Grandmother,” Richie smiled as he led Jezebel toward his pickup.
Jezebel accepted the young man’s offer graciously. She was appropriately impressed with his truck and the fact that he had paid for it himself.
Slowly, but surely, Jezebel found she loved being with her daughter’s family. The priest was funny and loving with those close to her. She included her mother-in-law in her affections, often hugging Jezebel’s shoulders.
Richie and the twins were always happy to see her. Richie often picked her up to take her to special functions in town. She learned to laugh honestly. Maybe, even to love a little.
##
Leah and Jezebel were in the kitchen preparing dinner while Mika and Richie played horsey with the twins. Jezebel laughed at the faux-horses’ antics as they slid around corners and raced on all fours. Leah noticed a sparkle in her mother’s eyes she had never seen before. Maybe her mother was changing.
“So beautiful,” Jezebel commented more to herself than to her daughter.
“My wife or my children,” Leah smiled knowingly.
“Your wife,” Jezebel nodded.
“She is truly marvelous, Mother,” Leah agreed. “I never knew people like her existed. She has changed my life.”
Leah could feel her mother’s magic and knew it had been returned to her by a being more powerful than Jezebel. She knew her mother had not used her magic so she could keep it hidden. Leah dared to hope that her mother might love her.
Jezebel watched the priest as she scooped the twins up in her arms and carried them to Leah for a kiss. Each child leaned forward and hugged its mother, kissing her on the cheek. Leah hugged and kissed both.
The priest stood still, not moving. Leah raised a questioning eyebrow. “No kiss for the horsey?” Mika grinned, leaning down to her wife. Leah placed her hands on either side of Mika’s face and kissed her soundly.
“Hurry, darling,” Leah muttered, “dinner is almost ready.”
Mika put the twins in their high chairs then she and Richie set the table. Dinner was enjoyable as Richie regaled his parents with stories of Delilah’s mishaps in the science lab.
“Is that why she got a burr haircut and her eyebrows are missing?” Leah laughed.
“Yes,” Richie nodded, laughing as he recalled all the hair on Delilah’s head being singed and smoking.
After dinner, Nana took the twins upstairs for their bath and pajamas. Mika and Leah tucked them in and read a bedtime story to each of them.
Jezebel and Richie were playing scrabble when the couple returned to the family room.
“You are correct, Grandmother,” Richie laughed as he held up the dictionary in a salute.
“Mom, have you ever heard of the word xystus?” Richie grinned as his parents entered the room.
“I don’t think so,” Leah said thoughtfully.
“How about you, Mika? Richie asked.
“Yes,” Mika nodded. “It was a long, open portico we used for exercise in bad weather.”
Jezebel’s head snapped toward the priest and Mika realized she had provided her with much more information than she had intended.
“It’s a Greek word,” Mika informed them. “I was assigned to Greece for many years. That is where I learned the language.”
“Mika has been all over the world for the church,” Leah looked admiringly at her wife.
“Your Greek word just cost me the Scrabble game,” Richie laughed. “Good job, Grandmother. I may have lost the game, but I learned a new word.” He folded the gameboard and boxed the tiles, putting everything in the game closet.
“Have you been to Greece,” Mika asked as she joined her wife on the sofa.
“No, but I do play Scrabble on my iPad,” Jezebel smiled.
Jezebel turned her attention to Leah. “I thought we might have lunch tomorrow,” she smiled coyly, “just the two of us.”
“I can’t, Mother,” Leah frowned. “We relieve the security detail for lunch every day.”
“Exactly, what do you fear?” Jezebel frowned.
“Legion,” the three Crosses answered in unison.
“Legion,” Jezebel snorted. “Surely he is no match for you, dear,” she smiled knowingly at her daughter.
“That is exactly why I can’t leave the twins alone for lunch,” Leah nodded.
“I see,” Jezebel nodded slowly. “Perhaps I could cook dinner for your family. I eat here all the time. It is about time I reciprocated.”
“You don’t have to do that, Mother.” Leah’s smile was wry. “It is no trouble to add one more plate for you.”
“I insist,” Jezebel persisted. “I have a new recipe that feeds more than one person, and I have been dying to try it.”
“The security detail will be here,” Leah said thoughtfully, “I suppose we could dine at your mansion.”
“Friday night, then,” Jezebel suggested. “All three of you.”
Leah nodded hesitantly.
##
“Mom, the coach is making us stay late for practice tonight,” Richie began talking as soon as his mother answered the phone. “Please tell Grandmother I’m sorry.”
“Oh, Richie,” Leah sighed. “She will be disappointed. As am I.”
“I have to stay, Mom,” Richie said sadly. “I am the quarterback. Our district game is tomorrow night and Coach wants us to add a new play to our passing game. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay, dear,” Leah assured him. “Please try to get home as early as possible. I will feel better if you are with the twins.”
Richie grinned. He liked that his mother depended on him to take care of Sara and Adam. “I will. Love you, Mom.”
“Love you, too, dear.”
“So, just you and me walking into the lion’s den,” Mika teased as she pulled her wife onto her lap.
“We do have an hour and a half before we have to be at mother’s home,” Leah teased Mika’s lips with hers.
“Umm, and with Richie gone, there’s no one sleeping in the room next to ours,” Mika kissed behind
her ear and down her neck. “I’ve missed those sounds you make.”
##
They arrived at Jezebel’s right on time. Jezebel opened the door releasing the delicious smell of home cooking.
“Something smells wonderful,” the priest smiled as she presented her mother-in-law with two bottles of wine. “Red and white, we weren’t certain which would go with your dinner, so we brought both.”
“Thank you, dear,” Jezebel tiptoed to kiss her daughter-in-law’s cheek. “The red will be perfect for tonight.”
The dinner conversation was enjoyable, and the meal was excellent.
“Let’s retire to the drawing room,” Jezebel suggested as she led the way to a pleasant room where sherry was waiting. “I want to hear about the shipyard and how everything is progressing.” She motioned for Leah and Mika to sit on the sofa, as she served the sherry.
Leah explained to her mother some of the difficulties they were having with the shipyard construction. Jezebel made a few suggestions that sounded useful.
Jezebel refilled their sherry glasses as they continued to visit.
“This is excellent, Mother,” Leah sipped her second glass of sherry. Mika nodded her agreement.
“I am so glad you like it,” Jezebel smiled. “I made it myself.”
##
Leah woke to darkness and silence. It took her a few minutes to realize she had no idea where she was. Her first thought was of Mika then her babies.
She tried to stand and realized she was shackled to a cement wall. “Mother,” she hissed as she pulled at the chains.
“Mom! Mom! Are you here?” The frantic sound of Richie’s voice told her something was wrong.
The beautiful witch instantly escaped the shackles and transported to her son. “Richie, are you okay?”
“Yes,” the young man sobbed, “but the twins and Mika are missing.”
“Where’s Jezebel?” Leah growled.
“She’s gone, too,” Richie cried. “What happened?”
Leah looked at the clock on Jezebel’s mantel. It was after midnight.
“Apparently Jezebel drugged us and took the twins and Mika,” Leah looked around the room. “I was shackled to the wall in her cellar. I have been out for over three hours.”
“What can we do?” Richie was frantic.
