Family Reunion (42 page)

There was so much on his mind that he had to tell her. This time, he decided, he would make Lena his wife as she should have been long before.

Mike watched his father out the side of his eye. His stomach was a ball of nerves because he knew that look in his eyes as they inspected his mother. He could just imagine the things that were going through his mind. He wasn't ignorant to what it would surely lead to. His father was tight with desire for his mother, as any man would be.
'My God, just look at her!'

With the clothes she was wearing, and her hair arranged in a loose comb leaving it to flow freely down her back and around her shoulders, she could easily pass for thirty something. Not even the grey streak in her hair made her look older.
'How God am I going to keep my father away from my mother?'
He thought; there was no way he was going to stand by and let him take her to his bed.

Hope felt it was time to let her parents be alone together, she felt her father needed this time to talk and reassure her mother. No one was going to stand in the way of them reuniting as they should. She would give her nephews and nieces five more minutes, then off to bed with them.

Although Lena was enjoying her grandchildren, she was worried – it would be their bedtime soon.
'Why didn't he tell me? Because he hasn't had the time, that's why!'
The voice of reasoning began.
'Gloria West! He's engaged once again to marry and here I pop up. Oh Lena, what perfect timing! Just in time to watch him marry someone else once again. He couldn't have been that heart broken to lose me, after all, he was willing to marry again. Come on Lena, be fair now, look how long after Katherine he waited, that should speak for something.’

‘
Don't go jumping to conclusions - you must give him time to admit the engagement, after all, you have both been surrounded by children all day. Lena, don't be a complete fool! He is, or was going to marry this woman, do you honestly believe he would just up and marry someone again after his divorce from Katherine?! Think about it!'

"I'm sorry baby, what was that you asked again?" Lena asked Felix who repeated the question. "How many brothers and sisters did you have grandma?"

"That's enough! No more questions and stories, your grandma is tired, you will say goodnight and be off to bed." Maria clapped her hands ordering.

"Aaah nooo, we want to hear-…"

"Hey! What did your mother say?" Mike asked briskly.

All quieted, getting to their feet without another word. Lena felt sorry for them. "Aaah hijo, I'm sorry… I am tired. We can talk some more tomorrow…um beso." Felix leaned over and gave his grandmother a kiss and a big hug, all the others followed suit.

Lena felt her heart quake in fear. With her grandchildren present, she could avoid Manny's heated gaze, but that was no longer the case. She chanced a look up at him and quickly looked away.
'God why is it after all this time, that look still has such an effect on me?!’
She could feel the heat in her body rising for him. With all her thoughts of resisting, that one look of his could easily be her undoing, and she knew it. It was that, that frightened her more than anything, this power he seemed to easily hold over her. She hated knowing what it was like to have his hands upon her body! To feel his lips doing their magic, and it had been so long…so very long. The knowing of what he could and would do to her, made her body act of its own will as she tingled and felt herself swell with just the thought of it. She knew he planned to love her that night, that fact made her
resent
him while she longed for it with all her might.

'Okay God, this is where you need to step in.'
So many men had wanted her, yet she had rejected them without thought, a few, more handsome than Manny. Yet after all of those years, he still had it, his look instantly lit her passions.
'All right Lena, stop all thought of him! Get a hold on yourself now, while he's saying goodnight to his grandchildren. Have you no shame? He has another woman, no doubt has had many since you! You know him! The way he is in bed. Are you going to be easy for him as always? Back to being his bed-wench! That's what you were before, and that's what you'll be again if you don't get a grip on yourself! Remember Lena, you don't really need him now. You've survived all this time without him. Remember what Sandra said…you have a home! Remember who you are, Princess Ceś alena, daughter of King LuMaden!’

‘
In the eyes of your king and father, he would be nothing more than a lowly white privateer. That is what you must remember ... not how much you love him!'

Mike felt his heart beating heavily against his rib cage; he knew that his father was going to make his move.

"Joe, Hope, I want the two you to stay on the ship tonight, there is plenty of room for you. I still fail to see why you keep that hotel room when there is ample room here."

Hope looked at her husband, who returned her gaze. "Would you like to?" Hope nodded. "Okay daddy, we'll stay."

"Good, you can take any of the four remaining cabins. Rory, you have already have a place with Esteban, get some rest son." He said over his shoulder walking towards Lena, who was frozen to the sofa.

He stopped and knelt before her. "You tired?" He asked softly. "I had planned on getting Gaitsu to make us some tea after everyone went to bed, so we can be alone and talk, would some tea help you to relax a bit?"

Lena swallowed but was never given the chance to answer.

"Father you forgot to tell mother where she'll be sleeping, the room right next to ours should be comfortable for her.” Mike suggested.

A funny look crossed Manny's features as he turned on his haunches from where he knelt before Lena, to look up at his son.

Hope was also looking at him as if he was crazy
.
'Don't you dare do this now! Don't Mike…please.'

Rory was standing at the door about to leave when Mike had made the suggestion. He looked at Mike, then turned and looked at his mother. With the attention of her children fully on her, Lena was truly embarrassed.

Manny spoke quickly. "Don't worry about your mother Mike; I will see that she is comfortable for the night." He then stood and turned to them. "So I will see you all in the morning." It was an obvious dismissal.

Rory hesitated a moment, knowing what was going on, he reddened at the thought of Manny making love to his mother and couldn't help shooting his mother a look of disapproval before he left the room.

Lena ducked her head and thought she would die. It wasn't until that look on Rory's face that Hope began to realize how Mike must be taking this, but she knew that her father loved their mother and they needed to trust him, what was obvious was that they didn't. Mike was thinking from the point of view that every man felt that all things were best settled with a woman in bed. He had no intention on letting his father settle anything with his mother in bed! Hope, quick to give aid to her mother and cover any embarrassment, went straight to her, kissing her cheek.

"Good night
mama, don't forget those promises." She whispered, rising after she had hugged her. A stiff nod was all Lena could manage.

"Goodnight daddy." Hope went to her father rising up on tip toes to kiss his cheek as he lowered himself. "Good night chicken." He'd taken to calling her that of late, Celina was lil'chicken and Hope was just chicken. Grabbing her head, he kissed her on the forehead.

Joe nodded, saying his goodnight and followed his wife out the door.

Hope stopped to see why her brother hadn't followed. He was standing near their parents, making no move to come out.

"Pssst Pssst!" Hope sounded to get his attention. When he looked at her, she gestured with her head in clear indication for him to leave. Mike silently shook his head, walked to the door and closed it in his sister's face.

Hope stood with her mouth gaping, so angry she wanted to scream.

"He's going to ruin everything! I just know he is!" She cried, trying to keep from exploding.

"Come on Hope, let's go to bed." Joe gently ordered.

"Okay, as soon as I get my brother out of there!"

"No! You leave him to it! He is merely doing what he feels should be done for his mother. Even if it means he must go against his father."

"You don't understand Joe, this is going to cause trouble, I know it is!"

"What is meant to be will be, regardless of trouble. He is defending his mother. If he is wrong to do so, then he will have to face his wrong, but if he is right, then he will reap the reward for standing up for what is right in the end! Now, you will either walk with me to our cabin, or, I will carry you - which will it be?"

Hope knew that gleam in her husband's eye. Now she really wanted to scream! Instead she bit into her bottom lip and marched off before him.

"Is there something wrong Mike?" Manny asked, wondering why Mike closed the door but remained in the room; his actions were trying Manny’s patience. Mike took a deep gulp of air and asked, "Where will mother be sleeping tonight? I wish to see her to her room, I know she must be exhausted ... come on mama, there's a room right across from mine you can-…" Mike started, stepping towards Lena when Manny stepped before him. "What do you think you're doing?!" He asked in a sharp low tone.

"I just want to see my mother to bed that's all."

"I-told-you, I'll take care of her, now good night!"

Lena
came to her feet, worrying her bottom lip, stunned to see father and son facing off in such a way; it was beginning to scare her.

"No." Mike returned.

Manny's jaw clenched tightly.

"Um, Michael-…" Lena started nervously.

"No!? No! What do you mean – no?!" Manny demanded.

"I'm not leaving until my mother has her own room, which she will be going to shortly! If I leave her alone with you, you think I don't know what's going to happen?! Not this time dad, not this time!" Mike swallowed, feeling fear swell within him.

"Manny look, um... it's al-…" Again she was cut off and ignored.

"Michael! Let's get something straight between you and I, here and now! Whatever arrangements exist between your mother and I - is – our business, not yours! God help you if you push this ...
son
!" Manny warned.

Mike cleared his throat and went on. "I'm sorry dad, but this time ... I'm making it my business. You won't be taking my mother to your bed tonight! Her services to you may have been in your bed-..."

"Michael please!" Lena was fighting tears as she came up beside him.

"...-at one time, but not ever again! You'll have to marry her to get her there this time!" He plowed on, ignoring his mother.

"Oh no!" She groaned. "Manny please don-…"

Manny was quaking with anger. "Who in the hell – do you think you are!?! As long as I am your father – you will not! Not, tell me what I will do – when it comes to this woman!!" Manny bellowed furiously.

"That woman happens to be my mother!!” Mike bellowed back, “And I will not stand by and let any man, including you – treat her like a kept whore!!"

"Manny nooo!" Lena screamed as his fist connected sharply with a resounding smack to his son's mouth, knocking Mike back against the door. Manny charged at him, grabbing him roughly by the front of his shirt slamming him against the door, while his thick forearm struck his jaw, knocking his head sideways, pushing him high. He rammed the same forearm underneath his chin at his throat, pinning him, hanging him there on his arm as he blew deep and hard, inhaling and exhaling to calm down and not hit him again. Hot and heavy rage had every muscle in his body tensed as he shook. Veins stood out on his forehead and his nostrils flared as he leaned heavily against Mike, his face not an inch from his sons. Mike was struggling for air, the tips of his toes barely on the floor as he tried to push his father away.

"Don't - you - ever!
Ever!
As long as you live, dare to use the word ... whore in the same sentence you speak of your mother! Ceś alena ... has never been - my whore – nor ever will she be!"

Lena was pulling and pushing with all her might to get between them and separate them. "Please Manny don't hit him anymore, let him down, please! Let him go Manny, I beg you - let him go-o-o – he can’t breath…let – him - down!" She screamed, hitting him in the chest with a balled fist.

Both men were breathing hard. Mike knew that he dare not even think to hit his father back, out of natural respect and commonsense, but his forearm was choking him.

“
Mannie-e-e!” Lena shook him, gripping his shirt.

Manny gave just enough to ease him to the floor, but his arm remained. Mike wasn't crazy, and he wasn't about to get the hell beat out of him... but he had to bring home the facts of what he felt, and what their "arrangement" would look like to everyone else.

"Dad – please… I just - I just - don't want you - treating her, like one! If you love her - as you say - marry her first - do right by her – for once. Don't you think - she deserves it?" Mike ground out with his jaw jammed and his chest hurting like hell. His mouth was bleeding with his lips throbbing and swelling.