The Genius

by Elin Peer

  Marco laughed. “Okay, so I was a little immature.”

  “Solomon was more mature than you were. He knew he wanted Willow from the first moment he saw her and he was willing to risk paying the ultimate price for his love for her.”

  Marco shrugged. “Putting your life at stake is stupid.”

  “Says the man who has competed in at least three tournaments.”

  Marco rolled his eyes. “Don’t make Solo sound like a fucking hero. He was nothing but a horny teenager.”

  “He loved Willow.”

  “Need I remind you that he’s down by the lake asking for her forgiveness because he fucked up?”

  I threw up my hands. “I’m just saying it’s a shame it didn’t work out between them. I thought they had something special together.

  “Not every love story has a happy ending like ours.”

  I lifted my head to look at him. “How do you know ours has a happy ending? We’ve only been married for a day.”

  “Because I’m planning to make sure you never introduce yourself as a sex-bot to another man.”

  I gave a deep sigh. “When will you let that go?”

  “Never. It’s the best story ever and now that you’re finally mine, I can even begin to laugh about it.”

  “As long as you’re not laughing at me.”

  “Oh, I will.” Rolling onto his side, Marco propped himself up on his elbow. “You say the most outrageous things, Shelly. Humor is key here.”

  I mirrored Marco’s position, propping myself up too. “I’m pleased that I can be of entertainment to you.”

  A line formed between Marco’s eyebrows and he looked down.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Marco picked at the grass. “I used to think that was all I was to you: entertainment.”

  “And now you don’t?”

  “Not after you said that you loved me.”

  “Yeah, but I love mushroom risotto too.”

  Marco’s eyes narrowed. “Did you just compare me to food?”

  I smiled and kissed him again. “It’s a good comparison when you think about it. Food is a source of survival while a husband isn’t, so in a way I’m elevating you to a higher level of importance.”

  Marco raised his eyebrows. “Wow, so you’re saying mushroom risotto has a higher ranking in your life than I do?”

  “I couldn’t eat you for survival.” I grinned. “Well, I guess technically I could, but that would be disgusting.”

  “So, I’m your entertainment and your back-up plan in case you need food for survival, is that it?”

  My laughter was bubbly as I cupped his face. “Isn’t it wonderful to have a purpose in life?”

  “It’s offensive is what it is.” Marco’s lips were twitching with his own laugh. “You’re supposed to be declaring your deep and eternal love for me and say romantic things like, I can’t live without you.”

  “Oh, Marco, my truest and most eternal love,” I said in an exaggerated way with my free arm swinging in the air. “You are the sun above my head, and the foundation under my feet. Without you my life wouldn’t be worth living. I would wither and die out of boredom and starvation.”

  Marco pushed out his chest and flashed a big smile. “Go on. You’re on to something.”

  “Marco, without you I would get a whole night’s sleep and wake up rejuvenated and rested, but what woman needs that when she can have a large virile man keeping her up all night with endless orgasms and sweaty bodies?”

  “You’re welcome.” He pulled me close and planted greedy kisses down my neck.

  I laughed out loud and giggled while pushing him away. “Stop it, we’re not alone.”

  “Not my problem. I have every right to kiss my wife.”

  “You’re just trying to rub it in their faces.”

  “I might.”

  We smiled at each other, enjoying the connection between us.

  “Do you think we should go down to the lake and see what’s going on with Willow and Solo?”

  “No. Archer already sent Mila down there with some lunch an hour ago.”

  I looked over to see Mila playing cards by a picnic table with three others. “I’ll go ask Mila what she saw.”

  “You were born curious and it gets you in trouble.” Marco pulled me down again. “Willow and Solo are grown-ups and unless he hurts her, it’s none of our business what happens between them. I’m much more interested in what will happen between us and if there’s a hammock in our new house by the beach.”

  “I’m sure we can figure something out.”

  “Good. I’m planning to write my book while we’re there.”

  “What genre?”

  “Sci-fi, I think. Something in the future where men and women are even in numbers and live as husbands and wives.”

  “Sounds like something from the past, not the future.”

  “Ah, but the past has a way of repeating itself. My book would be full of intrigues and drama.” He lit up. “And it would have these futuristic details with space ships and aliens.”

  “Sounds very entertaining.”

  “Maybe there will be some love too.” Marco angled his head. “Or at least some steamy sex scenes.”

  “Just don’t write a book about a woman who pretends to be a sex-bot.”

  Marco’s deep laughter attracted attention. “What’s going on?” Tristan shouted to us and got up from the group he was sitting with.

  “Shelly just came up with the best idea ever.”

  “You did? Is it something that’s going to benefit the world?” Tristan asked her with excitement.

  “No,” she said. “It’s nothing.”

  “She came up with the beginning to my new book. It’s guaranteed to make people smile. Does that count as benefiting the world?”

  Tristan gave a whistle. “You’re going to write a book?”

  “Yeah. I’ll have time now that we’re moving to the Motherlands. What else am I going to do all day by the beach?”

  “What’s the title.”

  “I don’t know.” Marco tapped his chin. “How about Brainy and the Pole Climber?”

  Tristan wrinkled his nose. “Not very catchy, is it?”

  Marco laughed. “Then we’ll have to come up with something better.”

  “Is the book about you and Shelly?”

  “Noooo… of course not. Just inspired by us, a little.”

  “I can’t wait to read it.”

  “Tristan, please don’t encourage him.” Shelly gave me an exasperated glance. “Marco can find a thousand other more interesting things to write about. We’re not that special.”

  “You could write a story about me,” Tristan suggested. “It could be an action book with fast drones and women throwing themselves at me.”

  “See, that plot would fit right into the fiction category,” I pointed out.

  Tristan made a sound of mock offense. “I’ll have you know that your sister has invited me to visit her, and Nicki asked if I wanted to stay in touch.”

  I chuckled. “Wow, I take it back then. The women are literally throwing themselves at you. How will you choose from the hordes?”

  “I’m not sure. Nicki is quiet and your sister can be very bossy.”

  “It runs in the family,” Marco teased.

  There was no apology in my tone of voice. “We’re strong women.”

  Marco took my hand and kissed the back of it. “Which is why you need a strong Nman.”

  “Hey, I’m an Nman too,” Tristan exclaimed. “That doesn’t mean I like being bossed around.”

  “You’re a crossover, Tristan.” Still holding my hand, Marco let his thumb trail back and forth over my knuckles. “You were fifteen before you discovered the Nman side of you. I’m afraid the damage was already done.”

  “What damage? I can deal with strong women; I grew up surrounded by them.”

  Marco looked at Tristan. “Yeah, and I’ll bet you aren’t attracted to a single one of them.”

>   Tristan looked away and I followed his eyes to the lake trail, my heart sinking a bit when I verbalized what I’d suspected for a while. “You like Willow.”

  He squatted down, touching the grass. “It’s hard not to.”

  I frowned. “But she doesn’t like you that way – she said so herself, remember?”

  “Maybe she will in time. Sometimes love can grow out of a strong friendship.”

  “It’s not impossible,” Marco agreed.

  “Willow isn’t like other Motlanders,” Tristan argued. “You heard her. She wants to marry and have children. Do you know how rare that is?”

  “That’s because Solo filled her head with talk about it since she was twelve.”

  Tristan had a determined expression on his face. “I want to be that man for her.”

  “It’s not enough that you want to be that man. She has to want it too.”

  “Why are you being so negative?” Tristan rose back up again.

  “I’m not. I just don’t want to see you get hurt. You’re my friend.”

  “Don’t worry about me.”

  “It’s a little hard not to worry when you’ve gotten yourself entangled in the whole Willow and Solo drama. Did you see how big Solo has become?”

  “How could I not? He was blocking the fucking sun.” Tristan chewed on his lip.

  “What if he decides to come after you? Did you stop to think about that?”

  “Shelly, I already have a mom, I don’t need you to fuss over me. Solo isn’t some irrational lunatic who will come after me. I’m pretty sure he understands that he blew his chance with Willow seven years ago.”

  My eyes strayed in the direction of the lake again. “I wish we knew what was going on down there.”

  “Me too.” Tristan walked off, throwing a last comment over his shoulder, “All I know is that there are more ways to win a woman than in a tournament.”

  “He’s right about that.” Marco looked after Tristan. “What did you think about Mila’s suggestion to have these gatherings once a year?”

  “I’d come. I’ve had fun and it would be a wonderful reminder of the most magical wedding I could have imagined.”

  Marco’s smile was warm. “Really? You don’t mind that it was informal?”

  “Not at all.”

  “Do you think your family will be upset that they weren’t there?”

  “Rochelle was here.” I trailed a finger along the bridge of Marco’s nose. “I’m sure my mother prefers to pretend there was no wedding.”

  “You will tell her, though, right? I don’t want it to be a secret.”

  “Oh.” I laughed. “I don’t think we could keep it a secret even if we wanted to. I bet there are already rumors spreading and soon the media will be asking for a comment. You’re going to be in newspapers around the world as the Nman crazy enough to marry Shelly Summers.”

  “You mean lucky enough.”

  “Now you’re just sucking up to me.” I grinned and leaned down to nuzzle my nose against his. “Some people in the Motherlands will adore you like they did when you climbed that flagpole. Others won’t like you no matter what you do.”

  “I don’t care, Shelly. All I want is to be with you and for us to raise our kids together.” His hand rested on my belly, his face soft with the crinkles at the corners of his eyes.

  My hands played with his curls. “I say the wrong thing often, so I want to get this right.” My eyes grew moist and my voice a little wobbly. “Marco, I truly admire and respect you. You’re funny, warm, generous, and patient with me, even when I’m insensitive, obstinate, and lecture you on things you don’t care about. I’ve known for ten years that if I ever were to be with a man it would be you.”

  Marco stared at me with wonder. “I don’t know what to say. That was a real declaration of love. I’m impressed.”

  I licked my lips and remained serious. “Maybe I’m not good with declarations of love, but I needed you to know how I feel.”

  Marco brushed his thumb across my lips and kissed me. “Shelly, I feel it. It’s there in your kisses and your touch. When we make love you give me everything, and I feel so fucking blessed that you picked me.”

  Our hands intertwined and we sat up with Marco hugging me from behind.

  It was the sudden silence around us that alerted me that something was happening.

  “Shit,” Marco whispered. “I guess that means they are done talking. He doesn’t look too happy, does he?”

  Solomon was walking fast, his head down, his stare fixed to the trail in front of him, and his hands folding and stretching, giving an impression of a heated internal dialogue.

  A minute later Willow appeared from the woods with Hunter next to her. The two siblings walked without talking.

  “Solomon,” Mila ran after the giant man, who was aiming straight for his drone.

  I was pushing up from the ground.

  “Shelly, I mean it. Don’t meddle,” Marco warned.

  “I just want to know how it went.”

  “It’s obvious how it went, wouldn’t you say?”

  “Maybe they just need a mediator. Athena and Pearl are up by the school. I bet one of them could smooth things out.”

  “Shelly.” Marco got up too. “We all want what’s best for Willow and Solo, but maybe a friendship is too much to ask with their history and all.”

  “I just want to help.”

  “I know you do.” Marco pulled me into a hug. “I think people are getting ready to leave anyway, so why don’t we go ask Hunter if he and Willow are ready to fly home? I know I am.”

  CHAPTER 34

  Four Months Later

  Marco

  Reading the words over in my head, I smiled. “I think I have a beginning for my book.”

  Shelly, who was tinkering with something inside the house, called out to me, “What did you say?”

  Raising my voice for her to hear me better, I repeated, “I think I have the beginning for my book.”

  “That’s great. What is it?”

  “You want to hear it?”

  My beautiful wife came to the doorway and leaned against the frame while unconsciously supporting her belly bump. “It’s a good place to come up with creative ideas, isn’t it?”

  “The hammock?”

  “Yeah, yesterday I got a brilliant idea. You know how we have brain implants here in the Motherlands?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “I think we could make one for animals as well. There has to be a way for us to enable them to communicate with us.”

  “You want to make animals talk?”

  “Not all animals. I’d start with dogs.”

  I broke into easy laughter. “You’re not serious, are you?”

  “Why not? We’re already using technology to help people with speech impairments. We could develop a system to give non-verbal beings like monkeys and dogs a voice.” Shelly’s eyes lit up. “Maybe even babies.”

  I held up a hand. “Remember that deal we struck that I’d tell you when an idea was more than just normal Shelly-crazy?”

  “Yes.”

  “This is one of them. If you can make pets talk, fine. But you’re not messing around with implants in babies’ brains.”

  “But think about how practical it would be if a baby could speak.”

  “Practical? Did you ever wonder if it’s a blessing that they can’t speak? I doubt they’d have anything interesting to say except demanding things of you the whole day.”

  “I see your point. Then maybe not babies.”

  “Definitely not babies.”

  Shelly tapped her lips. “But dogs. I’ll bet dogs would have something interesting to say.”

  “Like what? When is dinner ready? Can we go for a walk? Have you seen my ball? Stop blaming me for farting?” I grinned. “There, I just gave you the whole breakdown of a dog’s world.”

  Shelly was biting the inside of her cheeks, her face in that thinking expression I’d come to know so well. “I’l
l think about it,” she said and walked back into the house.

  “Hey, Brainy, come back here,” I called from my hammock. “I was going to read you the beginning of my story.”

  “That’s right. Sorry, I got distracted.” Shelly came back and this time she walked over to sit in the foot end of the hammock, her right foot still on the ground to keep her balanced.

  Looking down at my text, I began to read aloud. “Of all the tall alien women, the one in the middle caught his interest first. She had humanoid features but her dark red skin color, yellow eyes, and green hair gave her an exotic look compared to the women he knew from Earth.”

  I looked to Shelly. “What do you think?”

  “Ehm… why does she have red skin and yellow eyes?”

  “Because she’s an alien.”

  “You said she’s tall. How tall is that?”

  “Don’t dissect what I wrote, just tell me what you think.”

  “I think it gave me questions more than answers.”

  “It was two lines. You’re not supposed to get answers. You’re supposed to understand that this is sci-fi and that there’s a man and woman involved. Did you get that part?”

  “Of course.”

  “And did you feel hooked? Like you wanted to hear more.”

  “Sure, like what planet is she from and how did the other aliens look if they weren’t humanoid. Were any one of them dangerous in terms of bacteria unknown to humankind?”

  I laughed. “I thought about giving her three breasts but maybe that would be a bit much.”

  Shelly raised her eyebrows and her tone turned sour. “Why not five while you’re at it? She’s your dream woman.”

  “She’s not.”

  Shelly walked away and I used swearwords while getting myself untangled from the hammock to run after her. “Don’t get jealous of a fictional alien. That’s silly.” Moving up on her from behind, I rested my head on her shoulders and placed both hands on her belly. “You didn’t want me to write about you, so I have to come up with a fictional character who is just as hot.”

  “With three breasts?”

  Shelly couldn’t see my smile. “It’s kind of cute that you get jealous.”