by Mina Carter
Somnus looked at the smiling little boy in his arms. "Well, he seems to be fine now. Why don't I take him out for breakfast so you and Val can rest for a few hours?”
"That would be great buddy. Thanks. Let me get his bag."
Cupid returned to the kitchen, handing Somnus some things the baby might need. "I really appreciate this."
Somnus smiled. "It's not a problem. I enjoy spending time with him." He put Kane down to walk. "Say goodbye to Daddy."
Kane ran over his father with open arms and squeezed his neck. "Bye Daddy."
Cupid put his arms around his son tightly. "Bye son. Be a good boy for Somnus."
As Kane made a b-line towards the door, Somnus yelled after him. "Kane! Wait!" He quickly glanced back at Cupid who was shrugging his shoulders.
"He's your problem now." Cupid said jokingly before Somnus closed the door behind him.
The two walked down the street to a small diner. Somnus ordered them pancakes and bacon, Kane's favorite breakfast. Halfway through their meal Somnus' cell phone rang. He looked at the caller ID, not recognizing the number. It rang several times before he answered. "Hello."
There was a slight pause before the woman replied. "Hi. Somnus?"
Somnus' heart caught in his throat when he heard the woman's sweet voice, recognizing it immediately. "Laila?"
Her voice sounded sounded shaky as she hesitated to speak. "Yes, it’s me."
"Is something wrong? Wait, how did you get my number?"
"You gave it to me."
"No, I didn't. Besides, I thought you never wanted to see me again after you threw me out of your apartment yesterday."
"Somnus, you wrote your phone number on the note with the flowers you sent me."
"No, I...." Somnus was confused by the whole situation. He didn't send her flowers. Especially not after the dream he'd had. His plan was to stay as far away from her as possible. "Laila, look on the back of the card and tell me what store the flowers came from."
"You sent them to me. Don't you remember what store you bought them from?"
"Laila, please humor me."
Somnus waited a minute or so hearing Laila shuffle through what sounded like her purse. His heart beating so fast and hard he was sure she could hear it over the phone.
"They're from the Garden of Love Floral Shop. Somnus?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you. They're very beautiful. It was very nice of you to help me yesterday and send me flowers. I'm sorry I threw you out yesterday."
He cursed under his breath. The Garden of Love was owned by Val. How dare she and Cupid interfere with his love life, or lack thereof? When he brought Kane back home he would have a little word with his so-called friends.
The sincerity in Laila's voice broke his heart. There would have been nothing he wouldn't have done for her if the circumstances were different. But, he had to cut off all ties with her. No matter how hard it was for him. "It's okay. I understand."
"Somnus, would you mind stopping by later. I feel like I owe you an explanation after what you did for me."
"Laila, you don't owe me anything."
"Somnus, please. Just give me a few minutes of your time, that's all I ask."
By the time he processed what she was asking his answer already left his mouth. "Okay."
"Do you remember where I live?"
"Yes. I'll be there in about an hour. Is that okay?"
"Yes, that's fine. See you then."
Somnus waited for Kane to finish his breakfast before scooping him up in his arms and rushing back to Cupid's house. He was eager to give his friend a piece of his mind. When he got to the front door he pounded on it so hard he thought it would surely come off its hinges.
Cupid came running to the door and swung it open. "Are you crazy? Why are you banging on the door like the police?"
Somnus rounded him and set Kane down in living room to play with his toys. He motioned for Cupid to follow him into the kitchen so the baby wouldn't hear him yelling at his father.
"What is the matter with you Somnus?"
"You are meddling in my life is what's the matter. Did I ask you for any help with my love life because I don't recall doing so?"
Cupid's eyebrows furrowed confused by what Somnus was talking about. "Somnus, what in the name of Olympus are you talking about?"
"You know damn well what the Hell I'm talking about!"
Cupid pulled up a stool, and sat next to the marble island in the middle of the kitchen. "No, I really don't."
"I'm talking about Laila."
"Who's Laila?"
"Don't act stupid with me Cue."
"Look Somnus. Now, you're getting on my nerves. I don't know what you're talking about and I don't know this Laila who you speak of. And if you call me a liar again, I'm going to punch you in the face. Now, what the Hell is going on and why are you acting like a mad man?"
Just as Somnus pulled up a stool to sit next to Cupid, Val came into the room rubbing her tired eyes. "What is wrong with you two? I can hear you yelling all the way upstairs."
"Then it must have been you Val who sent Laila the flowers." Somnus accused.
Val was too tired to deal with more than one baby this morning crying and whining. "Somnus, I haven't slept in days and I'm exhausted. Please get to the point."
"This morning Laila got flowers from your shop with a card attached, with a note from me, with my phone number on it."
Val reached into the overhead cabinet, pulling out a jar of coffee beans. She threw some into a grinder before putting the freshly ground powder into the coffee maker. "Somnus, I don't know who Laila is and if you haven't noticed, I am still in my pajamas. I haven't been to my shop this morning yet."
"Then how the Hell did she get the flowers this morning?"
Cupid interjected. "Why don't you first start by telling us who Laila is?"
"She's the sister of the woman you invited to the party for the kids that were in the NICU with Kane. Kristal was the baby's name I think."
Valentina recognized the child's name. "Yes, her mother's name is Karen right?"
"Yes. Well, Karen has a sister named Laila. You guys met her briefly when Kane was born. You probably forgot with everything that was going on at the time. Anyway, Laila was supposed to attend the party, but she suddenly got sick in the parking lot and almost collapsed on the floor."
Cupid was intrigued by the story. "What do you mean almost?"
"Well, I caught her before she hit the ground. She was in so much pain so I put her to sleep and took her home. I tried calling you guys, but you were busy speaking with the director of the hospital so I had to call Hercules for help."
Cupid put his head in hands, digging and rubbing his fingers into his eye sockets. "Let me get this straight. You used your powers in view of the human world. Then you ask Hercules for help?"
Somnus stood pacing the floor. "That's not all."
Cupid stood and grabbed a mug with coffee Val had placed on the countertop for him. He took a sip. "I don't think I want to hear anymore."
"Well, you're gonna have to hear more because this is serious. Last night when I went home I fell asleep. I was yanked out of my dream and pulled into Laila's. Cue, I couldn't control my powers or what was going on in the dream. It was like something took control over me. A feeling I haven't experienced before. And if that wasn't enough, my whole personality changed inside the dream."
Val was curious about Somnus' newfound trouble with his powers. She was now worried about her son since they shared the same gift. Could Kane one day lose control of his powers if an experienced God like Somnus was now having complications? "What do you mean your personality changed Somnus?"
Somnus took a deep breath before he looked at Val, replying with the shake of his head.
Val slammed her hand on the hard marble countertop. "Somnus! Tell me!"
"I...I raped Laila. In the dream...I couldn't get control of myself. I was like a caged animal that hadn't been fed for weeks and was
finally let out to consume my prey. It was horrible."
Val's eyes were filled with tears as she fled the room. Her bare feet stomping across the hardwood floors. Somnus looked in the direction she left and attempted to follow her. "Val, wait please."
Cupid grabbed Somnus' arm. "Somnus, let her go. She's upset. I'll take care of it. Sit down a minute. I have known you all my life. In all that time I have never seen you hurt so much as a fly. There is no way that man in your dream was you. Something else is obviously going on."
"Cue it was me! It was! Dreams never lie. I have to admit I was attracted to her the minute I saw her. This was my deepest desire and I hurt a human being on purpose. I am the worst God that has ever lived."
Cupid adamantly disagreed. "No, Pluto is the worst God that has ever lived. Remember where he is now. Down in the depths of the Underworld tending to his garden of lost souls. Now, he creeps me out. You, on the other hand are not that kind of God at all."
"Cue, Laila called me while I was out with Kane. She wants me to go see her at her apartment in an hour. I told her I would, but I can't. What if I hurt her for real this time?"
Just as Cupid was about to answer Hercules teleported into the kitchen. "Good morning one and all." He looked from Somnus to Cupid's forlorn expression. "Jeez, who died?"
"Somnus was just telling me about his problem with Laila."
Hercules sported a huge mischievous grin. "What problem? Didn't she get the flowers I put in front of her door?"
Somnus lunged at Hercules slamming him against the stainless steel refrigerator, putting an enormous dent in it. "You?! You sent her the flowers. Who the Hell do you think you are butting into my private life?"
Hercules didn't even bat an eye. "First of all, why do all of you insist on trying to hurt me? You know you can't so just stop it already. Second of all, I thought human women liked all that lovey dovey shit. You should be thanking me."
"Thanking you?! Thanking you?! I hope you know that you may have just killed Laila." Somnus didn't wait for a reply, he instead released Hercules and teleported out of Cupid's house.
Cupid walked over to the sink. He turned on the faucet and splashed some cool water on his face. "I think I may be getting my first headache."
Hercules sauntered over to the refrigerator. As he opened it the door came off its hinges. He tried to fix it, by putting it back in place, but the door was too bent. He held the door in one hand passing it over to Cupid. "Sorry bro."
"Thanks. But, you're buying a new one."
"Me?! But what did I do?"
"You're the one who caused this mess with Somnus. Having him act like a crazy maniac around my wife and kid."
"I didn't do anything wrong. He's in love with her. I was just trying help him out. He's in denial."
"Hercules, this is serious." Cupid began to explain to his muscle bound ignorant friend the story Somnus had just told him. Hercules stood with his mouth gaping open listening to every word. He didn't say anything until Cupid finished talking.
Hercules slumped on a stool. "Wow. Poor guy. I didn't know all that happened."
"Speaking of what is happening this morning. How did you get those flowers and deliver them to Laila."
"Uh, I teleported. Duh. I grabbed whatever flowers that were laying around, wrote out a card, and brought them to her house."
"How did you know where she lived?"
"I have my ways."
Cupid shook his head. "I don't even want to know. I have to get Kane ready for his first visit with Jupiter. I don't have time for all this today."
"I'll take him. Where is the little booger anyway?"
"He's in the living room, and you most certainly will not take him. You have to go buy a new refrigerator by the time Val and I get back, or she'll have your ass."
"I better hurry then. Your wife scares me." Hercules said jokingly.
Cupid replied with the same levity. "That's okay, she scares me too."
Chapter Six
Laila didn't know what possessed her to call Somnus. Especially after the horrible nightmare she'd had last night. It was the scariest dream she'd ever experienced. Not once had a dream felt so real, so tangible. She wanted to have sex with Somnus desperately. The heat of his skin against her naked body left a blazing trail of pure lust. She thought she would at least be safe while sleeping. There would be no pain, only pleasure.
The need to possess him caused her body to ache, wanting him to fill her with his hardness. But, something had taken a turn of events. Somnus was no longer the sweet gentle man she'd met that had taken her home in her time of need. His eyes became dark and soulless as he forced himself inside of her over and over no matter how much she cried and protested.
Frightened by the event she woke with a start, scrambling backward against the headboard. She looked down checking for a pool of blood between her legs. She was relieved to see there was no sign of blood anywhere.
Not long after the doorbell had rung. The flowers from Somnus were left on her doorstep with the card asking her to call him. She contemplated dialing the number numerous times before she decided to pick up the phone.
Now, he would be there any second. Her heart beat faster and faster with each minute that passed by. Maybe she would be lucky and he would change his mind. Then she wouldn't have to be so anxious around him.
There was a faint knock on the door. Laila fixed up the pillows on the sofa. She straightened her blue thigh high cotton dress and went to look through the keyhole. Somnus was standing on the other side of the door.
She slowly turned the doorknob thinking this was her only chance to back out, but her body was telling her to do the opposite. A soft smile splayed across her face as she invited him in. When he passed her she could smell his cologne. The woodsy scent captivated her, taking over her senses. Her heart was racing faster at the sight of him in his blue jeans and tight black t-shirt. His washboard abs visible through the thin fabric. She wanted to reach out and run her hands across his hard chest, down his stomach, stopping at his...
"Laila? Did you hear what I said?" Somnus questioned, pulling her out of her daydream.
"No, I'm sorry I didn't. What did you say?"
"I just wanted to apologize for yesterday. You were right. I should have taken you into the hospital. It could have been much more serious than it was."
"Somnus, no need to apologize. I really didn't want to go to the hospital anyway. I hate hospitals, and doctors." Laila leaned against the counter that separated the kitchen and living room. "I should explain what happened yesterday. You deserve that much for what you did for me."
"Laila, you don't have to explain anything to me."
"Yes, I do.” Laila walked into the kitchen and poured herself a glass of water, her mouth suddenly parched. He was making her unbearably nervous. She cleared her throat. "You want some?"
"No, thanks."
"Well, I guess there's no easy way to say this. So, here it goes. You see when I was a teenager I started having these stomach pains. As months passed with no signs of the pain subsiding, my parents took me to the doctor. I was diagnosed with Endometriosis. It's a condition where tissue that's supposed to grow in my uterus grows in other places in my body." Laila paused thinking why she was even sharing this with him. She didn't know him from a hole in the wall. Now, she was sharing personal health problems with him. Something she hadn't told any one of her previous boyfriends.
Somnus moved closer to her taking her hand in his. "Laila, you don't have to say anymore."
Laila noticed how warm Somnus' hand was. It was much warmer than it should have been. It was scorching. "Somnus, are you feeling okay?"
"I feel fine. Why?"
Laila reached up and put her hands on both sides of his face then placed her hand on his forehead. "You're burning up. And your eyes are all glassy. You don't look well at all. Here drink some water and come sit down." Laila pulled him over to the couch.
"Laila, I told you I feel fine. I'm as healthy as an ox
. I don't get sick."
"Everyone gets sick."
"Well, not me. Now, please continue with what you were saying."
She reluctantly continued. "Okay. Anyway, there's really nothing more to discuss. I've been dealing with this for years. Only yesterday there was an added symptom to the ones I already have. Blackouts. That has never happened to me before. It was really scary and I'm sorry I was so mean to you. I should be thanking you for what you did for me."
"I don't blame you. Anyone in your position would feel the same way. Is there anything that can help you?"
Laila stood with her back facing him, wrapping her arms around herself. "Huh, I wish. I've had surgery after surgery and have taken every medication in the book. Nothing helps. I've given up." She wiped a single tear that escaped her eye before turning around to face him, but he was already standing. He placed his finger under her chin and gently tilted her head up to meet his hungry gaze. Laila's breath caught in her throat as his soft touch sent chills through her body. She closed her eyes as he leaned in to kiss her.
********
Somnus was drawn to her like a moth to a flame. He tried his best to keep his distance from her, but that task was proving to be more difficult than he could have ever imagined. His lips gently pressed against hers. At first she was hesitant, but then she parted her lips allowing him entry. He slowly slid his tongue along the seam of her lips.
Laila was like putty in his hands as she melded her body to him, crushing her mouth against his. He took this as an invitation to delve his tongue deeper into her mouth, kissing her with abandon. A soft moan escaped her lips as Somnus pushed her back against the counter.
He placed his knee between her legs, sliding it up her bare thighs. He brought his knee up higher, rubbing it against her moist panties. Laila's hands made their way to the back of his head as she pulled his mouth to her neck. He trailed blazing open mouth kisses over her soft sensitive skin.
