A Twist of Fate

by Donna Raider

  Leah had no idea how long they remained in the altered state. She only knew it was a feeling beyond comprehension, something completely wonderful and foreign to her. Something she knew she couldn’t live without for very long.

  A far away sound dragged Mika from the sheer ecstasy of holding Leah in her arms. She couldn’t untangle her mind from Leah’s and really didn’t want to.

  “Radio,” Leah mumbled in some language Mika had never heard before but understood.

  Mika slowly extracted herself from Leah’s mind, her arms and her body, moaning with every reluctant move she made. She wanted to stay in this world with Leah forever.

  “Mom, Mika, do you copy?” Richie’s anxious voice kept repeating the phrase, obviously concerned.

  Mika loudly groaned as she pushed himself from her bed and staggered to the galley.

  “Richie,” she croaked. Her mouth was dry, and her mind wasn’t working properly.

  “Mika, are you and Mom okay?” The young man almost cried as he heard Mika’s voice. “We’ve been calling you for the past two hours.”

  “We’re fine,” Mika gasped, as her wife shoved a bottle of water into her hand. She drank, hydrating her mouth and tongue, hoping they would begin working soon.

  “I was getting ready to call the Coast Guard,” Richie huffed. “When you weren’t back at eight, I was afraid something had happened to you.”

  “Eight! What time is it?” Mika discovered her lips worked.

  “After midnight,” Richie exclaimed. “I know how you don’t like to run the boat at night, so I was concerned.”

  “Son, I’m sorry,” Mika rasped. “We fell asleep. I guess we were more exhausted than we thought. Your mom is still not quite awake.”

  “So, everything is okay?” Richie asked for reassurance.

  “Yes. Yes. We’re fine,” Mika assured him. “Is everything okay there? Are you and the twins okay?”

  “Yes, we are all okay. I have Grandpa and Grandma with me, and Amber, of course. I called Grandpa when I couldn’t get you on the radio. The babies are asleep.”

  “We’re only about two hours from home,” Mika informed him. “We just came out far enough to get out of the shipping lanes and dropped anchor. We’ll head back at dawn tomorrow. We will be back in time for church. Gloria is conducting the services tomorrow.”

  “Okay. Well, get some sleep. Tell Mom I love her.” Richie said with a heavy sigh. “Mika, I was so worried about you two.”

  “We’re fine, son,” Mika said quietly. “I’m so sorry we caused you concern.”

  “I love you, Mika. See you tomorrow. Richie, over and out,” the teen laughed as he turned off the radio.

  Leah led Mika back to bed and pulled her down beside her. She was still dazed by what they had just experienced. “What…How did…I can’t even talk,” she mumbled in that strange language Mika somehow understood.

  Mika pulled Leah into her arms and held her. As she always did when trying to sooth her, she ran her hand through Leah’s hair and down her back, making slow circular motions on her skin.

  “I have never felt anything like that, ever,” Mika spoke softly, almost as if she were afraid she might spook her wife.

  “Me either,” Leah’s soft exhale felt good against Mika’s skin.

  They lay in silence for a long time, trying to decipher what they had experienced.

  “I thought I had died and gone to heaven,” Leah’s voice was almost a whisper. “Such joy, such contentment, such love, your love.”

  Mika couldn’t suppress the tremor that shook her body. It came from her very core and spread out. She hugged Leah tighter. “I love you so much. I would never want to live in a world without you.” The sound she made was between a whisper and a sob. It came from her soul.

  Leah snuggled into Mika’s breasts. Words weren’t needed. They slept.

  ##

  Mika woke at dawn’s first light. Stealthily slipping from their bed, she pulled on shorts and an open-front shirt. She entered the galley, leaving the door open to their bedroom so Leah could see her when she awoke.

  Mika put on coffee and quietly placed two cups on the counter. She went top side and raised the anchor, punched Home on the GPS and started the boat.

  As she turned to go down to the galley, a tousled head of dark hair poked out of the lower deck entrance. “I brought coffee,” Leah said.

  They sat in silence on the deck sipping their coffee. Finally, Leah scooted against her, and Mika put her arm around her, hugging her close. They felt as if their bodies had been drained of all emotion except their love for one another. Their bodies were so void of feeling; they were surprised they could function at all. Their breathing was shallow and intermittent. This must be what true exhaustion feels like , Mika thought.

  Yes, Leah thought back.

  They were still in a trance when their little harbor came into view. Neither wanted to break the feeling by doing something as mundane as talking. Silently, they went about docking the boat then went below to get ready for church.

  Leah nodded her head, and both were in their Sunday finest. She even put Mika’s collar on correctly. Another nod and they were in Mika’s office at the church. She slightly brushed Mika’s lips; as if afraid any more contact would result in them slipping back into the incredible connection they had experienced previously. Mika cupped Leah’s elbow and guided her to their seats on the front row with their family. Leah smiled slightly. Mika’s smile was more of a grimace. Both appeared to be in a dazed state.

  “If they weren’t married,” Ruth whispered to Samson, “I would say that is the walk of shame.”

  “Queen Mommy, Mommy,” Adam and Sara reached for their parents, climbing over Amber and Nana. Leah pulled Sara onto her lap while Adam climbed into Mika’s lap. By the time Gloria started her sermon, both babies were asleep.

  Neither the mayor nor the priest had any idea what Gloria was saying. Reluctant to pull themselves from their stupor, they simply held hands as their minds filled with the feelings they were sharing.

  I can’t stop thinking about you and yesterday , Mika thought. You are gorgeous.

  Nor can I , Leah chanced a glance at her. You are the most incredible lover, my wife.

  ##

  By the time the services were over, they had regained most of their ability to interact with those around them. Richie moved quickly from the choir loft to take Sara from his mother.

  “I am so glad to see you guys,” the boy hugged his mothers with his free arm.

  Mika and Richie stepped back to let the ladies precede them down the aisle. As they made their way to the diner, Richie slowed down, dropping back from the three women.

  “Mika, are you and Mom okay? You seem a little disoriented.”

  “We are very tired,” Mika said honestly. “You know your mom never slows down. I guess we have both been running on pure adrenaline and having the time and place to do absolutely nothing but relax, just let the exhaustion take over. I’m certain we will be okay by tomorrow.”

  “I know Mom is concerned about the new resort casino trying to locate in our town. I agree with her,” Richie said emphatically, “I don’t like it.”

  “Legion is pushing it,” Mika frowned. “It can’t be good. That is the main reason your mom, and I have campaigned so hard against it. He always has ulterior motives.”

  Leah and Mika ordered coffee in the dinner, hoping the jolt of caffeine would make their vital organs: brain, lungs, and heart, begin to function properly.

  ##

  A month had passed since their night on the boat. Leah lay in Mika’s arms whispering her name.

  Mika pulled her closer, luxuriating in her softness. “What, darling?”

  “Last month, on the boat, I’m afraid we may have thrown off our timetable.” She whispered.

  “Seriously,” Mika grinned from ear to ear, “I’m going to be a mom again?

  “I am afraid so,” she began to explain, almost apologetically. “I just got so wr
apped up in Magic Mika I forgot to—”

  Mika stopped her lips with kisses. “It’s wonderful,” she said. “Are you okay with being pregnant again?”

  “Honestly, I’m thrilled.” Leah’s smile in the moonlight was devastatingly gorgeous.

  “I so hope for a little girl that looks just like you,” Mika whispered.

  Mika kissed down her body until she could lay her ear against Leah’s stomach. “I don’t hear a heartbeat,” she frowned.

  “You will in about a week,” Leah assured her.

  “Just when I think I couldn’t be any happier,” Mika kissed her lips gently, “God proves me wrong, with your help, of course.”

  CHAPTER 17 - Growing Pains

  Leah watched as the townspeople gathered in the general meeting room of Town Hall. She and Mika had worked night and day to find alternatives to bringing a gambling casino and resort to their town.

  The mayor knew a gambling resort would bring people from all over the world, and there would be no way to control who they talked with or what they might discover.

  While many of the town’s citizens were very intelligent and blended in well with strangers, some of them were downright obtuse. If the world discovered a pocket of immortals living in Maine, it would only be a matter of weeks before they would be rounded up and herded off to research centers to be probed, prodded and dissected into small pieces in search of eternal life.

  After God lifted the curse, the original citizens had multiplied like bunnies. Leah and Mika had certainly done their part. The town was growing and citizens that were once teenagers were looking for jobs and housing for their families.

  All the citizens had a tremendous work ethic. Everyone wanted a job, and no one expected a handout. As Levi had so eloquently, put it. “If all I live off of is a handout from others, I am limited to what they will allow me to have.”

  Levi did have his sober moments of realization. As the mine foreman, he encouraged the smart ones to go to college and always had a job for those who wanted to make a living with their hands and back.

  The town citizens could come and go from the town as they chose. They could also make the ultimate choice to leave and never return. Many chose to cross the town line and never come back. If they made the conscious decision to live in the outside world, they lost their memories and immortality.

  Leah was watching the door for her wife. Mika said she might be running a little late. Leah didn’t want to start the meeting without her.

  Mika entered the room with Richie. Leah’s brilliant smile let Mika know how pleased she was that she was there. Leah watched her wife and son as they made their way toward her.

  The priest and Richie stepped up on the stage where Leah stood. “Hello beautiful,” Mika whispered as she kissed her quickly. Richie hugged her, then both took a seat on the front row. They were there for moral support.

  The City Council members, Amber, Ruth, Delilah, Levi, Mother Superior, and Legion joined the Mayor on the stage. Kathryn and the sheriff sat on either side of her.

  “Let’s get this over with,” Levi grumbled. “I’m ready for supper.”

  Leah stood at the podium and called the meeting to order. Quickly scanning those present to make certain only the original townspeople were present, she welcomed them. “As you know Mr. Legion has put forth a proposal for a gambling casino and resort for our town,” she stated dryly. A murmur ran through the crowd.

  “The majority of the city council and I are against this proposal because we feel it poses a great danger to the citizens of our town.” Leah paused to give her opening statement a chance to sink into the minds of the people. Never one to back down from a fight when she knew she was right, she had not minced words in her opening statement.

  “As you know, your city council has voted down the proposal many times,” she smiled sweetly, her honey-smooth voice mesmerizing the audience.

  “However, Mr. Legion feels that we do not represent how you feel about the matter. I have asked Mr. Legion to give you a complete rundown on his proposal; then the council has an alternative proposal. We would like you to give both proposals careful consideration before we take a vote on them tonight. It will be the last time we address the issues presented here, so whatever you decide is what will move forward."

  Legion observed Leah closely as she spoke. There was something different about her. She looked happy. She was glowing. She was…of course, she was pregnant again. He bowed his head to shut out all sound but her. Twins again. It is too good to be true. I must tell Jezebel .

  “Mr. Legion,” the mayor took her seat, turning over the microphone to Legion.

  “Thank you, my dear,” Legion whined into the microphone.

  “I have prepared a power point to give you fine folks some idea of the magnitude of what I’m proposing.” He grinned, the light bouncing off his gold-capped tooth.

  As Legion began dragging out his projector and computer, the mayor’s phone vibrated in her pocket. She slowly slid it out and smiled when she saw her wife’s face on the screen.

  Mika: One more month, then vacation with my gorgeous wife.

  Leah: After our short weekend on the boat, that is all I can think about.

  Mika: The sheriff is looking down your blouse.

  Suddenly the sheriff began flapping her arms and swatting at bees that were circling her head. “What the hell?” Emily screamed as she jumped from her seat, overturning her chair and running from the room.

  Leah: Happy now.

  Mika: Very.

  Legion stopped his presentation. “It appears our sheriff is in distress,” he growled.

  Mika: You really should wear slacks for these meetings. Skirts reveal a little too much under the table. Know what I mean?

  Leah: See anything you like, priest.

  Mika: Everything.

  Leah: I truly want this vote to go my way.

  Mika: Oh! You are evil!

  Leah: Yes, dear.

  I want so badly to rip that dress off you and … her thoughts were interrupted by her wife.

  Easy baby, I need to concentrate. I have no idea what Legion has said. She smiled demurely. But, on the ripping off part, please save that for later.

  Mika blushed as she realized Leah was receiving her thoughts. “Have to learn to control this,” she mumbled to herself.

  The sheriff returned to the room. One eye was swollen shut from a bee sting. She flopped down in her chair and glared sullenly at the mayor with the other eye.

  “There will be plenty of jobs for all of you,” Legion’s voice droned on and on.” We will need security guards, cashiers, food workers, accountants, dealers, machine maintenance crews, increased support businesses. You get the picture. Our casino will draw wealthy men with money to spend.

  “We all know what kind of men are drawn by casinos,” Naomi yelled from the crowd. “The kind of men who want female companionship,” the wizened woman stood. So how many of you want jobs as prostitutes? Or maybe your daughters could work in Legion’s pleasure resort.”

  A rumble went through the room. Legion could see he was losing the audience. “Surely you understand that our town is growing, and there aren’t enough jobs or houses for our children. We must do something to bring jobs here, to make our town grow.”

  Everyone began nodding their heads in agreement and talking among themselves.

  Leah moved to the microphone. “Thank you, Mr. Legion, for your presentation.”

  “Let’s hear your solution to the problem, Madam Mayor” Samson stood in the audience, fully aware that the mayor had a plan.

  “The other council members and I have been working on building businesses that our people can own and supervise. This town has tremendous, replenishable resources. We can export products and create a booming economy without allowing outsiders to invade our community or our women to be reduced to sex objects.” The mayor surveyed the silent crowd. “I don’t have to tell you what would happen if the outside world discovered our existe
nce and began asking questions.”

  “Pray tell, Madam Mayor,” Legion smirked, “what are your grandiose plans for our town and its citizens?”

  As the mayor talked, Mika moved to shine her power point onto the screen.

  “We have men here that built ships, in our kingdom that rivaled any ever built. I am confident we can create a shipbuilding company that will build the finest ships this world has ever seen.”

  “Our first customers should be ourselves,” she continued proudly. “We need a fishing fleet which will require a cannery. The council has already voted to allot two hundred acres on the south shore for the shipping yards and cannery. My family will donate the land.”

  “We can form a construction company to build housing and commercial facilities, as needed,” she was getting excited just talking about all they could accomplish.

  “We are in the ideal position to build a hydroelectric plant using tidal power technology. I have spoken with politicians and power company representatives who would welcome the input of our power to the national power grid. Our power would be a clean source of renewable energy. Everyone I have spoken with tells me Maine has significant tidal power potential.”

  “Dr. Strand has already gained high recognition in the world of cardiology. This country seems to love its cholesterol,” she grinned as a titter went through the crowd. “We can build a medical center specializing in heart disease. We will need doctors and nurses and administrators.”

  She stood surveying the audience much as a queen would scrutinize her subjects. She was impressive.

  “We are in the ideal place to build a biological research center,” she smiled. “We will provide jobs for doctors, researchers, analysts, the list goes on and on.”

  “We, you and me,” she smiled, slowly looking around the room, catching every person’s eye, “have the potential to build a storybook town without resorting to lewd jobs and demeaning our citizens. Most important of all, we can do it without opening ourselves to scrutiny from the outside world.”