AFTERLIFE- Chapter 12

Afterlife 

12

“Stop checking your phone every five seconds.”

Did this woman have to see everything? Here he thought she was busy feeding the twins. 

Sighing, Michael put his phone back on the table, missing the old days of the flip phone. The snapping sound of closing it had been so totally satisfying. 

“I’m not. But she’s late.”

Frowning, he looked up and caught baby Finley studying him, her little forehead wrinkling as she obviously imitated his current expression.  Automatically, he smiled and then made a face, causing her to laugh, spitting half the food Lisa had just convinced her to eat back out.

“Michael! Stop making her be more of a little monkey than she already is.- Fin- you gotta finish your potatoes. Look, Harper is already done.”  Finley turned toward her mother and shook her head, her mouth pressed shut. Harper banged her cup on the tray. “Done!”  

It was so funny watching the girls interact. Harper was the image of triumph, while her sister remained uncooperative. It was like seeing all the emotions he knew to be on Lisa’s face on the little mini versions of her.  

“She looks like you when she’s mad.  Look at that face!” Michael could not help but laugh, feeling slightly bad, because he didn’t meant to undermine Lisa’s parenting.  But the little girl was a carbon copy of her feisty Mom right now.

The infamous frown was now directed at him.  “Great, Michael. I almost had her convinced to finish her dinner. You are not helping here.”

“Here let me try.”  Resolutely, Michael took the spoon from Lisa, turning toward the little tyke.  He would show Miss Sourpuss he had picked up a skill or two since she had known him as the goofball stepfather. If he was good at one thing it was setting boundaries with his kids.  

“Sure, go right ahead. I’m telling you. Once she’s distracted she just stops eating. Harper never is this fussy about food. - But you go ahead. Try. Since it’s your fault she stopped in the first place.” 

Judging by her eye roll, it was easy to see that Lisa was more than doubtful. When would she ever stop underestimating him? Showtime!

Michael took a spoonful of the mashed potatoes, eating it himself.  Finley followed his every move with great interest.  She clearly had expected him to feed her- and was thrown off by this adult eating her very own dinner.  “Hm…this is so good. Here- you want some, too, Finley?” He kept his voice soft and casual, making sure to not insert any playful cooing that might cue her in this was a trick. Kids were very perceptive.

Fin stuck out her bottom lip and shook her head no, but still watched him intently as the enjoyed another spoonful.  The bottom lip came in and her eyes got bigger.  One more load of potatoes entered his mouth. Suddenly, she pointed at herself and said “Fin."   

“Does Finley wants some, too?”  Her eyes big and sparkling, she nodded.  Then opened the cute little mouth right up.   Without any more fuss, she accepted her mashed potatoes, cleaning off her plate.

Out of his peripheral vision, he saw Lisa roll her eyes again and smirk. However, the smirk hid a smile.  She was impressed but too stubborn to admit it. Ha! Bet she could see he had been down the food refusal road a time or three. 

“There! What good girls you are. Yeah!!!!” Michael clapped, causing both girls to giggle and clap with him whole-heartedly.  He laughed, cleaning up the messy little face, and kissing her cheek.  God, Lisa’s babies were too cute! He could not get enough of playing with them. Thankfully, they had helped today, making time go by somewhat faster.  Of course, having the kids around had prevented much meaningful conversation- but it also got in the way of fighting. And since he had little sleep last night, that worked out well. He almost smiled about that…oh yeah…and for once the reason for not sleeping had been oh so rewarding. Still…he felt as if he was walking on eggshells. Lisa seemed pissed and was definitely holding back something. She never had said why she changed her mind. And she had been furious when he told her about Deb and her ploy to see Prince and Paris.  At least not at him, for once, so that was a nice switch. Then there was the topic of her marriage.  From what little she had said he surmised there had been some sort of fight with Lockwood. Didn’t she say they never fought?  Well, she also said they never spent any time apart.  Oh yeah, much to catch up on. 

“I ate all my food, too, Daddy.” Blanket, obviously feeling more than left out, came up, trying to squeeze into Michael’s lap. 

Michael scooted over to allow room for his sweet boy. “You sure did, big guy. And I’m sure Harper and Fin ate so well because they had you to look up to. You are such a great example!”  Michael kissed his son’s head. 

“Yeah- I think I will be a great big brother, right, Lisa? Paris always says I’m a baby…but I can be a big brother.”  Blanket’s big, dark eyes looked over at Lisa for confirmation.  Once more, Michael was amazed how quickly and naturally his youngest had taken to her. Of course, she loved kids and was more than maternal around them- and Blanket obviously sensed that.  Michael felt that twinge of guilt he usually was quite good at suppressing.  The eternal question if he messed up raising the kids without a meaningful female influence in their lives.  Nonsense… Single mothers all over the world did this every day.  So why should he not do the same as a single father? Plus, he didn’t want just any woman in their lives. He had always known who he wanted to be the mother of his children.  That had never changed. 

Michael blinked, and his and Lisa’s eyes met. Something unspoken passed. He could not name it… Maybe it was that both of them understood what another baby could possibly mean.  Or maybe both wondered for a second if it would be their baby this time.  And since they had been more than irresponsible on the protection issue… No, stop.  He chided himself.  Not this time- he wasn’t going to go down this road again.  No traveling the slippery terrain of hope and dreams only to break up and finding his heart in a cast.

Lisa cleared her throat and spoke first. “Sisters always tease their brothers. Riley did the same to Ben- and now he is a wonderful big brother.”  Having just lifted Harper out of her high chair, she came over and gave Blanket a big, one- armed hug and then kissed his forehead.  For the millionth time today, Michael felt like pinching himself. This was so damn unreal.  Lisa…here…with her kids…and his. Well, his son, anyway.  Given the two older children seemed to have been kidnapped by their insane biological mother.  Womb donor.  Why were men called sperm donors, while women who only carry the babies for their own reasons without planning to be a parent were still called mothers? Either way- this was odd. Different. They had only had their short fuck and run encounters so far- but after making love into the morning, they had enjoyed what could be termed family time.  

“Daddy- will be have a baby soon? You said we could have another baby one day.” Blanket’s innocent questions ripped him back to reality. And to Lisa’s steady, blue gaze.  The innocent words of a child made it seem so easy. Go and have another baby…

Words from way back drifted to the surface of the swamps in his mind. Angry words. Spoken from hurt and drowned by tears.

You fucking didn’t? What did you do? Go and buy another child? Who the fuck does that?  You don’t just go and get a kid whenever it pleases you. Or whenever I don’t cooperate with your latest family fantasy…

Swallowing, Michael reigned the memory back in like an unruly horse. Willed it to once again sink into murky oblivion. 

“I don’t know, Blanket. That’s in God’s hands. But yes. Lisa is right- if and when we do have another baby in the family, you would be a wonderful big brother.”

Blanket nodded with serious satisfaction, then his expression totally did a one eighty. “Daddy- can I watch Lilo and Stitch again tonight? Please?”  Wasn’t it great how easily kids were distracted. Now, if only women worked like that. But something told him Lisa filed everything just said away and wrote it in cement. 

“Sure..okay…while we’re waiting for Paris and Prince…”  That odd feeling again in the pit of his stomach. Why did he let them go? He should have just hired a better lawyer. Delayed her ass in court.  But there was Paris…and her pleading eyes. Her excitement.  God- Deb knew how to worm herself into someone’s life. And now she seemed to have her sights set on his baby girl. 

“Do I have to go visit with Miss Debbie one day, Daddy?” Blanket’s face had turned worried as he had tuned into his father’s thoughts without problem.

Over my dead and decaying body! 

“Oh, hell… I mean, no, no, of course not.  You sure don’t have to do anything like that. Ever.”  

Look what Deb had done now! Almost caused him to curse in the presence of his son.  That evil bitch! 

His son’s question shook him.  It was highly disturbing that Blanket even knew the woman’s name.  And now he feared having to go with her?  God, what a mess! What had he been thinking? Why didn’t he consider the day the kids would be older- and Deb would play her ultimate card.  Prince was pretty smart on the matter…but Paris…his little princess… She was so vulnerable.  She had always loved the fairy tales he had told her. Even the ones with the little white lies about his marriage to Deb. How else was he supposed to do it?  How was he supposed to tell the little girl with the huge blue eyes that he never loved her ‘mommy’ as a husband loves his wife.  And that even his love for his dear friend had been killed by the snake’s venom.  So- he stuck with sweet stories.  And now the little white lies had grown like mushroom clouds.  Poisonous and destructive. Like the woman at the center of it all. 

“Okay, good. Cause Prince said he didn’t want to go today, either- but I guess he went to watch out for Paris. That’s what he said, anyway.”

Michael felt like throwing up.  What was he doing to the children? And where the hell was his medication? If this kept up he’d have a panic attack in no time flat.  Then again, medication came in all kinds of forms.  He looked over at Lisa.  A smile played on his lips.  Contrary to her words, the prescription had not run out.  Seemed it had been refilled, instead.  

Feeling his gaze, Lisa turned and studied him. The expression in her eyes was one of worry… Great. Just like he wanted her to be…worried.  What a great reason for her to be here.  Maybe he was her charity case.  Flying in to save him.  While thoughts of her in a cape were enticing indeed, he didn’t want her to feel as if she constantly had to rescue him.  He wanted her to want him for himself…not because she thought he was falling apart.  And Lisa…Lisa always loved to save him.  Which was not what he was after.  He was after her loving him. For the man he was. The man he had become.  

So, how ‘bout you man up, and stop falling apart, then. Seemed pretty easy, right?  

“Michael, if you got Fin, I’m gonna help Blanket with that movie. And Harper needs a change. Right, stinky girl?”  Resolutely, Lisa picked up her daughter, and Blanket reached for her hand.  Man, this was killing him. This was what should have happened.  The way things should have gone down. Him, Lisa…children.  No worries about crazy, money hungry women and husbands who at some point would surely be fed up with his kids being gone and his woman playing house with someone else.  

“Michael?  You alright? I mean… I can take both girls, if you don’t want to…”

What? Oh, no… Lisa obviously had misread his silence. He set his chin.  There, he got this. He’d show her. 

“No, I got her. Right, Fin? You and me- we got this thing. Let’s get you cleaned up, little potato face.” Fin laughed and started to babble, reaching her messy little hands up to him. She was so cute. Acting as if she had known him forever.  Should he do this? Should he allow himself to get close to them?  But heck, not like he could help it.  

After cleaning Finley up, Michael put her on the floor, playing with the blocks laying around.  Earlier he, Lisa, and Blanket had partnered with the twins to build a kick ass castle. That they then had destroyed.  Finley obviously remembered the earlier game and helped him build one heck of a tower.  Getting a cheeky little grin on her face, she then said “BOOM” like Blanket had taught the girls earlier and pushed the creation down.   Michael pretended to be totally surprised, which made her laugh. Then she handed him a block to start over, batting her pretty eyes.  Oh, gosh she did have all her Mom’s little tricks already!  And so they played for quite a while. The little girl got the biggest kick of them building towers and her knocking it all down, making him make a big fuss, tickling her, till she crawled away, only to come back and demand “‘gain!!!”  

After the last time, he crawled after her, giving her a little race, making her laugh and giggle so hard, she got the hiccups.  Looking up, he suddenly realized, Lisa was standing at the door, looking down at them. No telling how long she had been there. He had been so immersed in the fun with her daughter he never heard her come back in. Something in her eyes made him stop.  There was an odd look- an expression he could not name.  As if she wanted to laugh. Or cry. Or both. 

“What?” Crossing his legs, he reached his hand up to her.  

Lisa gave him a lopsided grin. “Nothing…just…nothing. Did you give her hiccups?”  Playfully narrowing her eyes, she took his hand and he pulled her down.  She came to sit in front of him and he put his arms around her.  Finley got up and collected some more blocks, then brought them over to her mother.

“Mama- bocks- BOOM!” 

Her serious face made them both laugh, till the little tike proudly also started to laugh.  Hey- it was something awfully amazing to make those big people laugh! 

“Possibly. I’m hilarious, you know. Your daughter appreciates that.” He kissed Lisa’s cheek.

“Yeah, a laugh a minute.” Despite her tone, she snuggled against him. God, this felt so…amazing.

“She’s like her mom..always coming back for more.”

“Indeed?  Well, her mom has to have a word with her about that.”

Tipping Lisa’s chin, he could not resist a little kiss.  Maybe it was not a good idea to do this in front of her children, but she didn’t seem to mind. Which surely had to be a good sign.

“Where’s Harper?” He kissed her nose for good measure, then held her again. 

“The nanny stayed with her and Blanket. Hope that’s okay with you. I’m gonna get this little funny bunny, and then it’s bath time.”

Time…Time was ticking away. A major cloud darkened his mood. 

“Yeah…getting late…” Michael looked over at the clock. Dammit! Where the hell was Deb? At what point should he call the police? She had no right to keep the children out past six. He had told her he wanted them back before then.  That woman never knew when to stop.  And now she was trying to get her claws into his children.  Into Paris.  

“What time did you tell her?”

“Six.”

Lisa rolled her eyes and scooted out of his embrace.  “Fin- come on- let’s pick up the blocks. Bath time!”  It felt as if Lisa wanted to say something but was biting her tongue.

“No!” Finley set her little chin.  She put her little hands on her hip.  

Michael giggled, but turned away.

Lisa shot him that look.  Oh, yeah- that brought back memories. He had gotten that warning glare from Momma Bear Lisa more than once when he had goofed around with Ben and Riley.  

“Well, shocker, anyway… Deb not sticking to the rules. I’m so .…not surprised.”  Biting her tongue obviously only worked so long.  Without looking at him, Lisa started to toss the blocks into the pail that held them earlier. He could tell she was mad.  She had made it clear earlier that she thought it was a huge mistake to give Deb any access.  How had she put it- How many limbs do you have to lose before you stop giving her your little finger. 

Oh, he had another finger in mind he wanted to give Deb, alright.

“I told you- she got her visitation rights amped up. After I have shown to be obviously a crappy father…an unstable influence…danger to myself and others…or whatever else shit she told a judge.” Michael glanced over at Finley, regretting having used a bad word. “Sorry.”

“Yeah- my kids never hear words like that. Keep it down, will y’a?” Lisa looked dead serious, then broke down, laughing at his face. “Dude, chill! I’m kidding.”

“I’m just trying to tell y’a why she’s back. After you flipped out last night.”  

Lisa had been furious when she heard he was on the phone with Deb.  And livid when he filled her in about the new visitation rights. Her reaction was still so very raw and fresh. But hey- he could not really blame her. She had seen through his dear friend from the start. When he had been winning the dumb ass olympics. 

“You done told me. No need to do it again.” Lisa clamped down. Her face controlled. Her mouth tight. Yup, she was still pissed. Her body screamed I told you so.  No words were needed. 

“Do you think I should call the cops? I mean- maybe she took off with them? Maybe she plans on keeping them away? Demanding money…”  He felt his heart rate elevate. His throat tightened.  This was all his fault. He had given Deb this power.  What a fucking idiot he had been!

“Or maybe she’s just playing games. As always.  If she doesn’t call you soon, I think you should call her- tell her to have them back or you will call the cops. Make some fire under her f… her ass.  Or you could just call the guys you sent along to lasso her in like the cow she is.  I’d say they should tie her up, but she might like that.”

Lisa made him almost laugh. Only this was too serious. 

“Yeah- but what if she …you know…what if she uses Paris to get to me… Fills her head with more…stories…”

“Seems like Paris already has an interesting story about how Mommy and Daddy were  happily married and they all were the perfect family.  And I don’t think that’s a new story from the way she told me…”

Oh shit!

“She told you? What did she tell you?”  The last thing he needed was Lisa judging him for keeping Paris’ world a softer place. 

“She told me that you always told her how much you and her mother loved each other. How she was made from love.”

“She was made from love.”  His love for children.  His love for his daughter.  

“She was made from sperm, and egg, and a turkey baster. Or so you told me.  But then again, you’ve always been good at stories.”

Not that again.  Didn’t they have enough to deal with without constantly hinting at the past? 

“Lisa…what was I supposed to tell her?”

Lisa picked up Finley and headed toward the door. “Yeah, you’re right. The truth would be too bizarre. How you made babies with Miss Deb, while you and Miss Lisa dreamed of a future together. Or at least Miss Lisa did…”

“Lisa…don’t do that. You know I wanted that more than anything.”

But she had to be inpatient. Get that itch scratched by more than inadequate losers. Give him ultimatums. Play games… No, he had to stop that.  This was not helping. 

“Yeah…”  Lisa got up and picked up Finley.  “Bath time, little one. Then we go off to our room so we can sleep.”

We? Surely, she didn’t mean she was going to her own suite.  He had tried all day to get her to move up here with him. There was plenty of space after all. 

“Lisa! Don’t do this… And why don’t you just move the girls into one of the other rooms on this floor?  And yourself into the bedroom…”

“Do what?  I’m not doing anything. I’m gonna give my kids a bath. It’s getting late.  As you keep pointing out.”  Seemed she was not inclined to entertain his invitation.  Or acknowledge it. Well, he’d work on that. Once the kids were back safe and sound. 

“No- I mean don’t insinuate I didn’t want us together. I wasn’t the only one messing up.”

Meaning, if she had avoided men-hopping every time she feared he was not going to come through and started to flip her shit about being alone. he might have felt a little bit more secure about trusting her. 

“Yup. You’re right. But it seems you’re suffering from your own mess-ups right now. Not from mine.”

Touche! 

“Okay- well, alright. I know that. You could be supportive you know, instead of busting my balls.”

Lisa stopped at the door to glare at him. “Oh. You got no idea how supportive I have been all day. Cause there are things I wanna do to your balls based on the latest shit you pulled…like, you got no idea!”

There it was again. She had hinted before that she was mad about something. Could she possibly have found out about his little investigation? No, surely not. Because he’d have heard about that before now.  Last he checked she was horrible about keeping things in. Or at least, the woman he knew before had been. Seemed she was not the only one who was in the process of making the acquaintance of the new version of an old love.

“Well, we gotta talk- and we will. There are lots of things we gotta talk about, Lisa- so you better get your sweet…” he looked over at Finley, “…you sweet bootie back here and we can get some stuff straight.  But first I’m gonna call my guys and have them bring the kids home. Now. I’m done with that crap.”

“Oh, we’ll talk alright…”

Before she could strut out of the room, his phone rang.  Thank you, Lord! It was Michael Amir.  Informing him the kids were on the way back up. And no, Miss Rowe was not with them. Smart woman.  She always had been a master of self preservation. 

+++++

Several hours later, Michael left his daughter’s room for the last time. She still was not asleep, but she seemed to finally settle down. He couldn’t remember the last time, Paris had been this keyed up.  

Dammit! What a fucking nightmare this whole thing was!

Michael headed straight for the minibar and poured himself a drink. And then another one.

God! If the kids weren’t close by, he’d throw the glass. The problem was, he was so upset, he might smash everything in sight. And Lisa might have a problem with that.

Shit!

Lisa!  He raced over to the hotel phone, dialing her extension. Nothing. Voicemail. Calling her cell got him the same reply.  He sent her a text.  

Kids are in bed. I really need you something bad.

Which was the understatement of the year.

While waiting for Deb and the the kids had been bad, it was nothing compared to Paris’ attitude when she got back.  He didn’t know for sure what crap Deb was filling her head with, but this wasn’t gonna fly.  Paris was almost rude to Lisa, and that wasn’t happening. 

Lisa was more than understanding and had excused herself within minutes of Prince and Paris returning, sensing the overall mood. And realizing Paris’ head had been full of lies her so called mother had told her.

As soon as Lisa had left, no, fled the scene, both Michael and Prince turned toward the little princess riding high on her attitude.

“Paris! What in the world has gotten into you? I have never seen you this rude to anyone, and I better never, ever see it again.”

His daughter looked at him defiantly, tossing her hair. 

“I wasn’t being rude. I was just asking why she was still here when she has her own family.”

Yeah, that wasn’t rude at all. He never thought he’d say that but he had been horrified and embarrassed at her words. 

“Paris, you really shouldn’t talk to Dad’s friends like this.” Prince  chimed in, his eyebrow raised in disapproval.  

Paris turned toward her brother. “You heard what Miss Debbie said… Daddy loved Miss Lisa a lot. And then we saw what happened. Why would I be nice to someone like…someone like that?”

We saw what happened?  This didn’t sound good at all. 

“Prince- what is she talking about?”  Michael looked for some insight to his son.

An exchange passed between his two children, Paris looking at Prince with a somewhat pleading look. Prince seemed to consider it, then shrugged, “Miss Deb let Paris use the Internet to look up things about you and Miss Lisa.”

“Prince! You said you wouldn’t tell!” Paris, her face red, whined.

“No, I said, Daddy would not like this. And you did it anyway!”

“She let you do what?” Michael had whirled toward his daughter.  Oh God. The Lord had to give him strength or he’d wind up in jail for killing the evil viper. How dared she expose his children to the filth that was out there?  When he had spent every waking moment trying from protect them from all that?  

For how long…how long did you think that was going to work?  How many times had you woken up in sweat and tears dreaming the kids were surfing the web and reading all that garbage..all those lies…

Michael swallowed hard. 

“Daddy- I don’t understand. If you loved Miss Lisa..and if she loved you, why did she say such mean things about you? I watched part of this interview with some tall weird man and she was so mean!” 

Paris’ eyes had filled with tears. Fucking hell! Deb let them watch the Stern interview?  Paris looked so lost and confused,  he could not help but hug is baby girl.  She was just a little girl. Bewildered and lost. Exposed to things she could not possibly understand yet. Which was why he had tied his best to keep the children away from too much information. The right information was power. The wrong kind of information could lead people astray and into hatred and despair.  

So, he had launched into damage control mode. He told Paris that Lisa had been upset at the time.  And that people sometimes said things they didn’t fully mean when they were very angry. But that adults can work things out.  And that he and Lisa had done just that- had worked things out.  No matter how he had been pissed at her goddamn verbal diarrhea back then. He didn’t tell Paris that part, of course. Instead, he finished his little speech by telling her that the past was just that and that he and Lisa were the best of friends now. 

Okay, another white lie. But he could not very well tell his baby, he had just fucked his friend into a near coma the previous night. And damn well planned to do it again. That he never wanted to let her go.  And that he wanted Lisa and her children to be part of their family. No- some of those truths would come later. Little bit at a time.

As penance for his little fibs, he  then he had to sit through stories of the wonders of Miss Deb.  At one point he almost jumped out of his skin.

“And Daddy- she said that one day she hoped we might call her Mom. How amazing is that? That’s all I ever wanted! A real mom like everyone else. I always thought she didn’t want us. But she does. She loves us. She wants to get to know us.  And we can call her MOM! How amazing is that?”

Michael really did not know what to say. He was scared to death in his current state of shock the truth would bubble out. Out of the corner of his eyes, he spotted his son who had made a face and rolled his eyes. Yes! Thank the Lord! All was not lost. 

“Daddy? Can I be excused and go watch the movie with Blanket?”

Prince, his face showing clear disgust, clearly wanted to be nowhere near this minefield.  Maybe he should not have told his son certain things. Then again…he much preferred Prince’s reaction to Paris’. By far. So maybe where he screwed up was to not include Paris on some of their talks.   He had spared her and now made life that much harder for himself. And ultimately her.  Because surely Deb could only keep her mask on so long. 

“Yes, you may.  Are you okay, son?” Michael got up and placed his hand on his son’s shoulder.  

Prince, as always so mature and serene way beyond his years, grabbed his hand and gave it a strong squeeze. “Yes, Daddy. I’m fine. But I just am not as excited as Paris.  And I don’t want to call Miss Debbie Mom.” He turned toward his sister.  “She has not raised us. Daddy has. She is not our mother, Paris. We don’t even know her.” 

“Prince! Are you mad at me? Please don’t be mad!” Paris faced her brother, as always hating to have him disagree with her.  

“Nope. Not mad. Just…. I don’t know. Fed up. But I wanna go see Blanket.  And I’d like to go say goodnight to Miss Lisa.”

Now it was Paris’ turn to roll her eyes.  It was a small roll, though, as she obviously knew she was outnumbered here. 

With tears in his eyes, Michael hugged his oldest. “Yes, of course. You can go see her. I have brother Amir take you down to her room.”

“Why is she not staying with us?” 

Smart kid. Good question. 

“Because she and Daddy are just friends. She’s not family or anything. She has her own children.  She’s their mother, you know.” And just like that Paris staked the boundaries of her world as she saw it.  

“Yes, and she’s a real mom to her children. She didn’t leave them- like…”

“But Mo… Miss Debby explained that… She said she loved us and she knew Daddy needed us more.”

Prince looked at Paris as if she had lost her mind. “You think Miss Lisa would leave her kids if someone told her their Dad needed them more?”

Paris launched into another defense of Saint Deb, and Michael left the room to grab a glass of wine. Holy shit! This was real bad. Thank goodness Prince was solid.  

In the end, both his sons decided to go see Lisa and tell her goodnight, while he tried to talk to Paris some more.  Calmly. But with determination. And he almost bit his tongue off to keep from saying that Deb would have to walk over his dead body before he’d allow the scheming cow to be called Mom or Mother or anything like that by his children. The nerve! If he wasn’t so worn out, he’d call her today and set her straight. But he was done with her crap for tonight. He didn’t want to get trapped into her web. He wanted to be with Lisa.  To hold her. Inhale her.  Be restored by her. 

Except she didn’t answer when he called down there.  It was idiotic she insisted on her own suite anyway. Why bother?  At times she drove him crazy with her hard head.  Well, fine.  If the prophet didn’t come to the mountain…He got up and grabbed his key card.

Still, wouldn’t it be kinda rude to just show up?

Well, really, she just kinda showed up, and he was so upset he treated her to a night of pleasure.

But women were different. Fine.. 

He picked up his phone one more time. And got exactly nowhere by calling.

So he texted one more time.

Imma gon head down to you. Need you BAD. See u in 5

The text must have worked miracles, because he knocked on the door exactly once before Lisa opened.  Phone in hand.  On the phone, to be precise. Looking stressed.  Oh- must be Diane Keaton’s twin brother on the other line. Good thing he never stressed his girl out like that. 

Michael kissed Lisa on the cheek and sauntered by, trying real hard not to listen in. Okay, bullshit. Actually, he was trying real hard to not let on he was majorly interested in the conversation.

“No, I did not have to discuss this with you.  And of course they are fine! Since when do you question how I take care of my children. …. Fine, whatever. Our children.”

So, it sounded like Mr Presley was upset his wife had flown the coop. With her children. Their children.  Whatever. 

“It was about business, I told you.  I…” Lisa glanced over at Michael, and turned her back.

Business?  Well, he certainly hoped she didn’t conduct all her business meetings like the conference they had last night.  Which was mutually satisfactory after all positions had been explored… Maybe she should mention that to her uglier half. 

“Well, if Mom told you that already, then why do I have to repeat it?  … No, I did not tell T Bone not to talk to you about it, and if you got the impression he wasn’t telling you everything maybe that’s on you, not me.”

So, this was partly about business. And T Bone Burnett was involved?  Shit… An ugly thought occurred.  Did she know?  

Oh, did she find out you were totally unethical and borderline illegal, paranoid, and nosy?  That you could not stand not knowing what her new songs were about and thought you didn’t have to wait to the release date?  Did she find out that?

Well, first of all, he didn’t even get all her songs.  So it’s not like there was some corporate espionage involved.  Not like he wanted to record her stuff.  He just wanted to know where her head was.  Or her heart. As that was the part of her anatomy she guarded most closely from him. And second…last time he checked he still was in one piece, and Lisa had not separated any limbs or other important parts so it was highly unlikely she found out he had discovered a way to get a little sneak peek. 

Maybe he should regret his little project, but when he read the lyrics to her song Weary it had almost been worth it all.  The way Lisa used words was unmatched.  She was probably one of the most gifted lyricists he knew, even though she always had doubted her immense gift.  It was all there- her regret for not having been there for him…her forgiving…her love.  The part he didn’t like was the “you can move on, dear”… When did she write this?  When she thought he was dying?  Or later? Cause he sure as shit didn’t want to move on. Not from a love like that.  The ‘plane’ song also rang a lot of bells…especially to that conversation after the trial. But who knew. Lisa wrote songs in such an intricate way one had to be careful.  In the past she had made fun of him once or twice for interpreting that everyone of her songs was about him. 

I do think about other things and people aside from you, you know?

To which his answer was the question if any other thoughts made her as mad as thinking about him. Lisa had thrown her head back, laughing. 

Dude, you got me there. Probably not!

So, while he knew he probably should not have invaded her songs like that he could not muster feeling too sorry.  It had been as if he was opening a treasure trove- and revealed the jewels of her inner thoughts and feelings.  Feelings about him. Feelings that were tortured- but strong and  …unbreakable.  

Lisa’s voice brought him back to the task of eavesdropping.  Trying to appear extra unfazed he sat on the couch and composed a little email himself. Just in case…

“Stop being ridiculous. And again- I’m not leaving you out of the loop…”

That comment almost made Michael laugh.  Well, if Lockwood was not out of the loop, he either didn’t care about his wife exercising conjugal activities on someone else’s balance bar, or …or he was on his way with the rest of the vultures from Jungle Book getting ready to break this party up.  

Otherwise, what kind of man was he?  Why would he put up with shit like this? And why would Lisa be with someone like him?  Even Danny had shown more balls than that. Despite his precious church asking him to hand them over so they could be most helpful in landing the golden goose.  Which didn’t happen. Greed had clouded their so called morals.  It didn’t matter that they helped dissolve the marriage of two of their followers- who cared if you could land what they thought was a quick and easy score.  Yes, they thought he was a gullible child without a brain.  Man, he had been in love like no tomorrow, but he could still think- and still knew they were a sect. Even if their help in getting the quickie divorce had been appreciated. What he didn’t know at the time was just how dangerous they were. Anyway…Danny, as brainwashed as he’d been,  had still bucked against Lisa being obviously involved otherwise. But this guy…he was just gonna take it? Mind-blowing.

“I’m about done fighting with you. …Discussing- whatever.  I will get back when I’m good and ready.  … What the fuck does that mean?”

Lisa was getting loud, and Michael could tell she was frustrated from her pacing back and forth. Her flushed face. Her playing with her hair nonstop.

Suddenly, there was a small cry from the bedroom.  Lisa turned on a dime. “Shit…shut up for a moment. You made me yell, and I think one of the girls woke…”

A second voice joined in.

“Both girls…”

Michael got up and looked over at Lisa, mouthing the question if he should go and see if they were alright. Maybe the nanny was there anyway, but he was pretty good at putting little ones back to sleep.  

Lisa nodded, and he went over to the door, opening it, finding both sweet girls sitting in their beds, crying. It took him a minute to check diapers and then try to find ways to calm them down.  Finley was pretty happy once he restored her pacifier and gave her her blanket, which she grabbed and rubbed against her face, the little sleepy eyes closing already again while he rubbed her back, humming some soothing melody.  Harper seemed a bit more awake, and he couldn’t find a pacifier for her, so, not to wake her sister back up, he took her out of the bed and approached the door, where Lisa was still on the phone.

“Lise…” he tried to whisper, but possibly wasn’t very successful.  “Her pacifier?”

“She might have thrown it out of the crib, if you can’t find it, there are others in the basket on the dresser.”  Lisa had answered quite automatically, then she covered the phone too late, mouthing “shit!” again.

From the increase in yapping coming out of the phone and her rolling her eyes, he knew Lockwood must have asked who was there.

“The nanny. .. Yes, I hired a male nanny. You know what? I gotta go and take care of our children. So, fuck off and keep you crap to yourself. I’m not interested. …. And yeah- fuck you to …and stop threatening me!”

Michael turned and covered Harper’s ears, intensifying the humming till he was back in the bedroom.  Finding the pacifiers, he sat down in the rocking chair with the little girl, rocking her for a bit while still singing to her quietly as to not wake Fin.  This twin business was tricky!  Finally, he felt her relax against him, felt her breathing deepen.  Staying outwardly cool and calm, so she would not get alarmed by his own heart beat flying, his own thoughts raced.  Lockwood was threatening Lisa?  With…

Looking down onto the blond head resting against his chest, his heart skipped a beat. Of course! He had been such a damn idiot! Certainly, if Lockwood finally caught on to what was what he’d use the only leverage he had to keep Lisa in line: the twins.  

Damn! This certainly was familiar territory. Danny in the past…then Deb threatening him over and over…Now Lockwood- and Deb again. Not threatening directly, but using her evil wiles to dig into his vulnerable child.  Maybe this was all a mistake. Maybe him and Lisa needed to just cut all ties.  

He looked up and into Lisa’s eyes.  She was standing at the door, leaning her head against the frame…her expression some odd mixture of fatigue, anger, and… that strange look she had earlier. 

Here she was.  His dream.  His lifeline so many times.  All these thoughts and worries clouded his mind- but one words rose up and became stronger and stronger. No. No!

No, he would not give her up again.  They had every right to have another chance.  This was not planned. They did not set out to hurt anyone.  Somehow his idiotic and dangerous close encounter with death head shocked Lisa’s heart back to life.  This was fate.  Divine intervention.   She remembered.  Yes, there would be pain- but if they got their shit right this time, they could do it together.  It was worth it.  She was worth it. And he could only hope that she thought the same about him.  And after glancing at some of her words…man, it sure looked as if she had it pretty bad herself.  

They both had been burned before.  He understood she was more than gun-shy.  Things were different now, though. He was different. All she had to do was see that and trust that what they had, what they could not kill and not evade, was worth it. Worth the pain. And worth the fight.  What worried him a bit was that the red hot anger in her previous songs had been replaced by something that almost seemed like sad resignation. As messed up as this was, he was not going to let her give up. And he was done sitting by passively, feeling sorry for himself. 

Almost as if she read his thoughts, Lisa came over and bent down to kiss her daughter’s hair.  Lifting her head, she looked at him.  Their faces were oh so close.  Her features almost out of focus. And yet so very clear.  Michael reached out and touched her cheek ever so softly.  Her eyes closed and she leaned against the touch like a little cat. 

When the blue light of her soulful gaze wrapped him in their velvet cloud once again, he could not resist. With just one finger on her chin, he brought her closer.  Eyes open, connected, he kissed her, sensing her hesitation.  She held her breath, and yet her lips did not resist.  Softness. Breath of life.  The kiss was strange- it was not rushed, not hungry.  It contained a slow, stable, sweet quality he wanted to savor forever. 

When it ended, Lisa closed her eyes for a moment.  She felt it, too.  That deep connection surpassing the passion of the previous night. 

“Let me put her down…sleepyhead…” Lisa whispered, picking up Harper, who made a cute little sound, but didn’t wake back up.

Michael got up and walked behind Lisa, making sure Fin was still out as well.  Lisa covered them both, kissing both their little chubby baby cheeks lightly.

Stepping back, he reached for her hand. Their fingers connected.  Intertwined.  

“Fin snores…like you…” Michael whispered in Lisa’s ear, kissing her cheek. 

“I don’t snore… Look at them. They’re pretty perfect aren’t they?”  Lisa looked down on her twins.  Her expression was one of wonder and pure love.  

His arm closed around her protectively.  “Yeah- amazing. Like their mom.”

Slowly, they left the room. Hand in hand. Connected. One. 

Coming back into the living area, Lisa pulled her hand from his, and went for the mini-bar.  Okay, there went the magical moment.  But it was okay.  She obviously needed some sedation after her sparring match.  Michael watched her intently.  It hurt to see her look so tired.  And the battle was no doubt just starting.  Unless she decided to give in- and give up.  That thought scared the holy shit out of him.  Realistically, Lisa could pull back. Kick him to the curb, take her babies and go back to being Mrs Scarecrow.  One thing to write songs full of love and regret. Quite another one to jump into the eye of the storm again.  So much to figure out.  He knew so little.  Damn, she had always accused him of playing it close to the vest.  Did she learn from him?  How many layers had the mouthy woman who always just yelled out everything she felt acquired?

“Want one?”  

“Make it a double…”

Lisa laughed in a very dry way. “Yeah, good idea.”

He sat down on the couch, watching her like a hawk, trying to decipher her mood.  Not looking at him, Lisa came over, handed him his drink, and sank back into the couch. 

“Well…what a fucking nightmare this day turned out to be.”

“I drink to that!” 

She smirked at him. “Cheers.”

Clinking glasses, they downed the vodka Lisa had poured. 

“So- I got your text. You need me? Not sure I can be of much help with anything. I excel at fucking up more than helping, myself. Seeing I made a fucking mess of this swamp called my life…again. And if you give me a minute, I’ll no doubt screw yours up in a jiffy.”

“I take it Lucky is not happy you felt the urge to gamble?”

“Oh, he was thrilled. And that was before he found out I hired you as the new nanny.”

“Did you tell him I came real cheap, and I’m letting you pay me in ass?”

Lisa laughed. “You’re a mess.”  Well, good. 

At least he could still make her laugh.

“Well, maybe he’s just worried about you not being a thrifty wife…”

“No, he’s worried about me being a cheating wife. Which I am… Let’s face it.”

Well…duh.  He had tried to point that out a time of two.  But it seemed Lucky finally bought a clue.  

“So…he knows?”

“He knows I have been emotionally absent. And physically absent a lot of the time.  He felt the tension between us.  He said I look at you…a certain way.  I don’t know…”

“Well, you know…You do tend to undress me with your eyes… It’s kinda embarrassing at times.”  

Lisa finally turned her head and looked at him straight.  Her face staying serious. “Fuck you!”

He burst out laughing. “See? Now you wanna fuck me in the middle of a conversation. No wonder he caught on!”

“Could you stop being so damn happy about it?”

Michael put his glass down and reached for Lisa’s hands. Time to be serious. “Baby…I’m not happy.  Not happy you’re in pain.  I’m also not happy he’s in pain. I like the guy, I told you. I mean, other than him being married to you. He seems nice.  I can tell you guys…had something. Something stable and good.  But Lisa…  I feel like I got another lease on life. God wanted to teach me something. I ain’t got it all figured out yet, but it’s gotta do with you.  I know I love you. I messed up, and I gave up when I should have tried harder.  You were there- you’ve been honest, and you’ve been one of the only people calling a pile of manure shit and not chocolate mousse. So I’m not happy you gotta go through this. But I’m happy it’s out.  That we’re…this….is out.”  Hopefully his gesture would get across what his words could not.

“This…what exactly is all this?  I mean…other than a huge mindfuck. First Deb, Lockwood…us…you being…”  Words left her.

Which was rare.

“Me being what?”

“I don’t know, what…No, I know.  Okay, a shithead. That’s what. You did it again! You cut me out again- you didn’t talk to me for weeks. Pulled your pouting crap again. You know I can’t stand that.  I hate when you slink into some little corner and pull that woe is me bullshit.”

What?  Why was she attacking him? For trying to protect himself, no less. Trying from keep himself from being crushed by the immense pressure all around. Pressure to which she added by being indecisive and wishy-washy. 

“I had asked you to come with me. And you wouldn’t. Or couldn’t. What was I supposed to do? Celebrate?”

“No! But you could have talked to me.”

“Well, we’re talking now. I’m talking.”

“And funny it is here in Las Vegas. Exactly where you wanted me.”

What? Like he was some wizard or something? Had once again made her do something she really didn’t want to do…like the kiss at the MTV VMAs or the short film?  

Funny how she accused him of playing the victim and yet pointed out how coerced she had been.  Again.

“Hey- I didn’t make you come here.”

As a matter of fact he had given up hope. Had started to slide back into that deep, dark hole again.

Lisa started to say something, then looked down. She downed the rest of her vodka. “More?”  

Silently, he handed her the glass.

“You never said why Vegas.”  Lisa sauntered to the minibar and refilled their drinks.

Why Vegas?  Well…he had the Cirque Du Soleil deal to work out.  But really, he had to get away from anything to do with the shows for a while. Joke was on him. He seamlessly had hopped from the fire of Philips and all that shit into the frying pan of his father showing up trying his best to talk him into a Jacksons reunion tour.  This crap was never ending.  

“I like the strip shows.”

Lisa laughed and handed him his drink. “You’re a mess! Fine, don’t tell me.”

“No…just some time to get away. I hoped to find some peace here once again. But it’s different now. I did work out some stuff with the Cirque people and it looks like my show will happen. So that’s exciting.”

“Dude! Yeah! that’s wonderful.”

They both took a sip. 

“So, why are you here? After telling me you weren’t gonna come.”  Michael watched the ice cubes in his glass, avoiding Lisa.  She had arrived pissed. Wanted to have some serious talk.  He had waylaid her at the time.  But he had not forgotten how strangely she acted after they made love. Until she heard about Deb and he explained how he had been basically coerced to let the viper see his children.  Somehow, whatever had been on Lisa’s mind had been put on the back burner.  But he knew her.  Something was still bugging her.  And when things were brewing inside Lisa, the explosion was often less than pretty.

“I heard there was an amazing strip show in this suite…” Surprised by her husky tone, his eyes darted up just in time to see her dirty grin.  Butterflies in his belly.  Electric static buzzing through him.  Damn! He felt The things that crazy little woman could make him feel with just a silly off cuff remark and a lopsided grin. 

“Girl…you keep that up, and there will be a repeat performance before you know it…”

Lisa giggled, then got serious.  She looked down at her glass. Her hair obstructing his view.

“Lise? Why did you come?”  His tone was very quiet.

Silence at frist. 

Then a scoff. “According to my lovely husband I’m here to fuck him over and to endanger my kids.”

It did not escape Michael that Lisa answered without giving info on her reason at all.  However, what she said, and the meaning of the statement prevented him from calling her on it.  Lisa was an amazing mother.  Nothing was worse to her than when her devotion to her babies was questioned. And Lockwood no doubt knew that. 

“How are you endangering the girls?  ‘Cause of me? He thinks I’m a danger to them?”

His liking-Lockwood-meter dipped lower.  Maybe he had been exaggerating. Like was too strong a word. More like tolerate…

“No, he thinks I’m a danger to them. Cause I make bad decisions.  I’m volatile. I’m fucking around on him.”

Well…on that last one…

“I mean…what did he think when you left? Or was he too busy picking out mismatched duds and odd hats?”

“He wasn’t there.”

Oh, really?  Now that was new intel. 

“I thought he went to Graceland with you?”  

‘He did. And then left. His dad is sick. And we had a fight.”

That little piece of glee inside was totally misplaced. But hey- he had been a little bit tired being constantly told how cool and wonderful the guy was.  Seems he was human after all.  

“I thought you don’t fight?”

Lisa looked over at him. “Really? You gotta rub that in now?”

“Well, I’m just saying… You said you don’t fight and you don’t spend time apart.”

“Things change.”

“Obviously.” He smirked. 

Oops.  That was in bad taste. Maybe he could hide the little grin real quick.

Lisa smacked his arm.  Dammit! And ouch! 

Michael turned and grabbed her arm, pulling her into him. 

“Presley- you better curb that violent temper or Imma gon spank that ass.”

Her eyes darkened. “Oh really? You think you’re man enough, huh, Jackson?”

“I’m man enough to do all kinds of things to you.  And we both know it. As does dude. Since you tend to fuck me with your eyes and all…”

Lisa’s eyes narrowed. “I really don’t know why I love you…” she whispered.

This time the butterflies strapped on turbo engines. With rocket launchers.  

“But you do love me, don’t ch’a?”

Her eyes closed for a moment- then opened.  They were so close, all he saw was her soul...her honesty.  

“I do.  Heaven help me, I love you so damn much.  And it’s not gonna get me anything but shit once again…but I do.”

“It’s gonna get you me…ain’t that nothing?”

Lisa’s free hand touched his face.  “It’s everything…You’re everything…”

Michael teared up.  He really didn’t know what to say. For once he was shy of a quick, sarcastic, witty comeback. These words…  God, how long had he longed to hear them.  

“Lise…girl…”

He leaned in and his lips took that sweet mouth.  No words were needed.  He would communicate just what her little confession did to him.  How it filled his empty tank.  Made him fly.  Made him hope.  How he loved kissing her. Loved biting that pouting bottom lip. Loved feeling her warm response.  Adored how she opened to him.  Holding her face, he slanted his mouth one way, then the other, keeping the kisses almost chaste until Lisa deepened the contact, coming in with that skilled tongue.  Little sparks.  Lightening racing through him.  Bees being woken by visions of her honey. Still kissing Lisa, he pulled her into his lap and she snuggled against him once they broke away to get some air. 

It felt so good to just hold her for a moment.  No words.  Just her breathing.  Her warmth. Her heart beating against him. 

Michael took a big breath.  

“He’s threatening you with the girls, isn’t he?  I mean…to take them somehow.”

Lisa trembled against him.  Michael’s heart ached.  To hear ones worst fears spoken was painful.  And yet- he had to know.

“Lisa?’  He tipped her face up to him. Her eyes were screwed shut.

She nodded.  Took a deep breath, then looked at him. Blue eyes swimming in tears.  

“Yeah… Not outright… But…but he insinuated that a judge might be interested I am cheating on him.  And really, Michael… Who’d understand?  Who’d think what we’re doing is right?”

The eternal question of their complicated relationship. How many rules had he broken for Lisa?  How many had she bulldozed down for him?  They both had gone against their convictions time after time.  At some point, in the depths of his pain, he was convinced that he had given her everything and compromised in too many ways while she had taken the easy road. Only now, with their hearts showing the track marks of time, he knew they both had suffered. Had struggled. To be together. To be apart.  Struggled against the craziness of some universal power that kept pulling them back into each other’s orbits.  At times with their willing cooperation- at times totally against all odds. 

“He can’t fight us both, girl. He can’t win.”

“He’s not Danny. And there’s no church holding him back.”

“But you said he’s such a great guy. Would he really wanna hurt you like that? And what about the girls? They’d be miserable without you. They need their Mom.”

“He was a great guy. Is a great guy.  Patient. Understanding. But now he’s hurt.  I’ve hurt him so deeply.  He had every reason to believe I was done with this…done with you.”

Well, yeah.  Lockwood had been the cowriter on some of Lisa’s most painful songs. Most painful to him, Michael.  And Lockwood was the man she had identified as the love of her life.  What a damn joke that had been.  Only he hadn’t been laughing.  As, he was sure, Lockwood wasn’t laughing now. 

“I mean…bad enough he says I pined away for you…But for real… who understands their wife not giving it up for like 5 months indefinitely.”

Say what?  Okay…  This was a question that had been on Michael’s mind quite a bit… But so far he had not had the balls to ask.  But here it was. She said it.  Lisa had not done it with her husband? Wow! 

Okay, man. No throwing confetti.  Remember, you’re being mature and supportive.  Keep that grin in check, too.

“What?” Lisa noticed his surprise. “You think I’d do you and him…Really?”

Leave it to Lisa to turn everything into an accusation.  Michael didn’t know what he had thought. Really, he had banned all of those thoughts far, far from his mind most of the time. So what, if he had laid awake so many nights in agony. And all this time Lisa had been faithful to him, Michael, in her own way.  Their way.  Damn- they were totally fucked up.  

“No…I mean…I know you were married and all. And we…”

We had this stupid arrangement you came up with to somehow make you feel ...what, exactly? Better or worse. Cause it sure was hell for me.  Sex only, my ass! 

“Well, guess it wasn’t just sex for me, Jackson…” She smirked at him, snuggling against him again, while also reading his mind.

“I’m just that irresistible, I know…” he joked.

“It’s your humility that keeps a girl stuck…”

“Naw- I think it’s my charm.”

Lisa wiggled against him and he felt something growing.  “It’s considerable, I know…” She probably felt it, too.

“Getting there…”

Lisa laughed. “You’re too much, you know that?”

Kissing her, he grinded against her once more. “Getting there…”

Another kiss… 

Just when he thought if it would be really bad taste to make out with her on the couch after she just had a fight with her husband, Lisa lifted up.  “Hey!” he protested.

“I need a refill…”  

Well, he needed a refill, too. But not of alcohol.  But okay…while she was getting hers she might as well fill him up, too.  This had been a fucked up day.  

Pouring the drinks, Lisa, her face turned, asked. “So, what happened with the mother of the year?  How bad was it? You said you needed me, and all I’ve done was jabber on about my soon to be ex. What about Miss Debbie?”

Michael frowned. “She fucked with Paris’ head real good. Oh- and get this..she let her do a cool little google search about you and me.  About the interviews you gave. And I think she might have seen you and Howard Stern chatting it up. Paris might not send you a Christmas Card this year, I’m afraid.”

Lisa turned and stared at him. “What a fucking bitch! Did you call her and threaten to sue her till she can’t even beg for straw for her horses? What the fuck is her deal?”

“No, I didn’t wanna talk to her. I wanted you. Just you…”  Lisa handed him the drink and he pulled her back down. She landed next to him, and once again snuggled up close, her legs drawn beneath her.

“Oh and get this…” Michael took a sip, his daughter’s words once again making him sick, “She suggested to the kids they could call her ‘mom’ one day, maybe. Mom! Who the fuck does she think she is?”

“Well…she probably thinks she’s their mother…”

Michael turned and put his drink down, then grabbed Lisa’s upper arms. “No. No, she is not their mother.  She is a surrogate.  Even Prince could figure this out.  Don’t even give her power by calling her by that name. She don’t deserve it.”

“A surrogate whom you gave way too much power.  You married her, remember?  I…” Lisa took a sip before she could finish. Okay fine… So she was still making her point.  

“Yeah, I know. I know you told me. Over and over. And over.”

“I’m sorry…” Suddenly, she started to laugh. The sudden change startled Michael. For a second, he thought she was sobbing.  But no- that was laughter.  Great. Now she was losing her mind, too. Why did all women around him go totally nuts?

“What?  What’s so damn funny?”

“Oh shit….this…this whole mess…”  Lisa doubled over, laughing hysterically now.  

He failed to see what was so damn funny. 

“Lisa…girl…you better tell me what’s cracking you up. It ain’t funny at all…”

“Yes it is…. You…me… Lockwood..Deb… Shit, Mike… and here I thought you dying on me was the main problem.”

Well, him dying would have been a problem. But him not dying had started all this crap. 

And it wasn’t funny. 

“Lise…really…”

Lisa looked up, tears in her eyes.  “I know!”

She knew?  She knew what?  Maybe it was a mistake traveling without a doctor. Lisa seemed to be slipping on some mental banana peel…

“What are you talking about? You know what? How to stop Deb? How to stop Lockwood? What?”

“Fuck them! Let’s go out. Let’s get out of here. This is Vegas, baby! Let me call the nanny back. You, me, this crazy city… Come one… Let’s have some fun.”

Fun? He had planned on having fun, alright.  And it involved her little body wrapped around him all warm and snug.  In his bed.  That’s all the fun he ever wanted. All he needed. Especially now, that she basically told him she was all in. 

“I don’t wanna go out… We can have fun right here.”

“What? Are you chicken? You owe me. You made me come here.  You made me love you again…You…did all kinds of other shit- I don't’ even wanna think about.”

He did…what?  What shit?  That nagging feeling again that he wasn’t all cued in. 

“What did I do now? Other than not die?”

“Michael, you know you did some dirty shit! And I don't’ wanna talk about it right now- but you’re gonna own up to some shit later. Right now, I wanna go out. Let’s go places where none knows us.”

He’s gonna own up to…what?  What the heck did Lisa think she knew?  

“Where can we go where no one knows us?”  Surely she had not forgotten that he was not some unknown, silly dressed guitar player.

“This is Vegas- we fit right in with all the other freaks. Come on…Get freaky with me, baby…” She tossed her hair and looked at him seductively. No, he was not even going to entertain this idiotic idea! He was gonna stand his ground and bring some much needed adult sanity to this room.

“Lisa Marie, you done lost your ever-loving mind. I’m sure as shit not gonna go out and traipse round this city in the middle of the night. You got the wrong nigga if you think that’ll happen…”  

And so, an hour later, the limo dropped them off down on Fremont street, Lisa in jeans and a baseball cap, and him with a hoodie and glasses.  He was so going to kick her ass for this! 

What has she said? They’d fit right in with the freakiness?  Well….he might just be out-freaked here. He had totally forgotten how wild and crazy it was down in this area at night.  Back when he lived in Vegas, he had at times driven his car thought, wishing to be part of the crazy experience.  Longing to be out there with the lights and the madness.  Shit! Watch what you wish for! They had only been around for about five minutes and he already saw some scantly clad showgirls, dancing without any rhythm on a street bar, a guy with a veil, who could be the short, rounder version of Dennis Rodman, and then they spotted Cupid. Or more fitting, Cupid spotted them.  Cupid had well earned his AARP card, needed a hair transplant, and some clothes. As the thong he wore did not do his flat, flabby butt cheeks any favors.  Nice wings, though: all pretty and sparkly in pink.  

“Ohhh…what a lovely couple…I’ll get you…You need my arrow…wait..stop!!!” Having obviously just ran out of other horrified people to harass, he immediately set his sights on them. 

“Shit, Lisa, run!” 

“But he’s so cute!” Lisa actually turned and blew cupid a kiss! Damn her little inciting ass!

“Yes, Lovely lady…come here! I shoot you up good! You might just fall in love forever!”

“If you don’t watch it, I might just leave you and let you deal with his scrawny arrows,” Michael growled as he grabbed Lisa’s hand and took off, which seemed to entice Cupid some more.  Lisa, laughing hysterically, took the lead, as he was hampered by his stupid hood and his glasses were falling off. What a mess! He knew this was a stupid idea! Blindly, he was dragged into some store.  Michael, his glasses half on, half off, blinked, willing his vision to adjust. After the bright lights of the “The Fremont Experience” the interior he now found himself in seemed dark and murky.  

“Lisa…shoot. If that damn Cupid had touched me being all bare naked like that, I’d seriously have gone off!”

“I thought he was cute…Oh… Look, Mikey…seems we hit the candy store! Let’s go shopping!”

He looked up to check out what she was so giddy about.  And turned beet red.  

Holy. Shit.

The darkness, interspersed with red and blue lights revealed displays of a great variety of…sex toys.

Seemed their refuge from Cupid had landed them in a sex shop. 

His mouth dropped open, which gave Lisa enough time to disappear behind a curtain.

“Lisa!”  He hissed, trying hard to not draw the attention of the other patrons who seemed busy enough looking at the display cases.  

He should just leave! For real- leave her little ass down here and make it back by herself. 

From somewhere behind the red curtain he heard her unmistakable laughter.  

Dammit! 

Cursing like a sailor, hoping none would recognize him, he pulled the curtain aside and stepped deeper into the den of sin.  

The things that crazy woman made him do! 

(to be continued) 

©2014 Erika B Michaels. All Rights Reserved. This story is a work of fiction. Any names, places, and other identifying features are used in a fictional manner, for entertainment purposes only, and are in no way representative of actual events. This work may not be reproduced, copied, transmitted, or stored without expressed written permission by Erika B Michaels. All photos and images, mentioned songs or song titles are copyright their creators. ABSOLUTELY no disrespect is intended to any persons portrayed in this work.