Against The Odds (30 page)

“
Are you telling me we had a baby because of some
curse?”

“No, your baby
has nothing to do with the curse. It
simply saw a link to us and used the opportunity. It was a simple
question of timing. It was getting weaker and just trying to ‘stay
in circulation’. Your baby was simply an opportunity.”

“
Why did you do it?”

“Oh Jono, what
choice was there? There was no way we
could have even thought of not doing it. Anyway, Rowena’s parents
were also there. It was double trouble and the creature did not
have a chance.”

“Clayton, you did it for my baby, even though you knew you
might die or
be beaten to death?”

“
Yes, Jono, it had to be done. We could not tell you because
you were anxious enough.”

“
Was it that Wednesday, when Jackie saw the
butterfly?”

“Yes. It was really telling her it is okay. You see, Jackie
has known all along. That is why
she went so
crazy.”

“
Jono, there will be no more funny things, I
promise.”

Rebecca
went to him and hugged him.

“
Oh Rebecca, you took the chance that you might die for our
baby?”

“
Oh Jono, Clayton and I have a special power. It was not a big
deal, if truth be told.”

Jonathan
was crying now. He could not believe it that while he sat at home,
‘entertaining’ his wife; this pair had gone out into the bushes to
protect his daughter.

“And your parents?”

“They said that if we die to protect the children, then we
have lived
a good life. They were very philosophical about
it. Jono, they knew it was the only way. Remember, my mother is a
white witch. She lives to heal. They did not even hesitate. It was
the right thing for all of us. I’m sorry we never told you, but you
would have gone crazy worrying. Also, there was nothing you could
do but try to reason with us.”

“
But Clayton, why didn’t you just wait until her Protector
came?”

“That is exactly what we mean. You are logical and want to
work through all the issue. We did it so s
he would not have
to even know about Protectors.”

“I
doubt that will happen. Clayton wa
s already behaving like that on her first
day.”

“Yes, I feel a special bond to her. Don’t worry. I will
behave, except when those teenage boys come around. Boy,
will
I growl.”

He
laughed when he saw the horror on Jonathan’s face. Rebecca laughed
too.

“Whilst we are on the topic,
although the spell is broken,
Clayton still has his powers.”

“
Oh no, Clayton, no.”

“Yes, we kept all the good things. Although, I have not
bee
n able to shock Rebecca for a while, because we used up
all the energy, but in time, well...”

“
Are you insane? Why can’t you just behave like everybody
else, Clayton? Why the tigers, butterflies and God knows what
else?”

“Because we are special. And I like it
. I like that
Rebecca can go into my mind and I like all the little things that
have become a part of us. I was devastated when I thought we had
lost all that power.”

“I
will never understand that. But, I must say, I am very pleased that
you had those powers. Our baby is lucky to
have you, Clayton. I personally prefer to
live without all that stuff. Now, I had better go to the hospital
and check on my ladies.”

When
Jonathan left, Clayton was staring at her, is eyes a dark
blue.

“Rebecca, do you realize something?”

“
What now?”

“
That was the first time you accepted that you are normal. You
said we have special powers. Not that we are abnormal.”

“Oh.... so what?”

“So, you have finally accepted that I am not some strange
creature who entered your life. You accept me,
Rebecca, as a
man.”

“
Well, do I have a choice?”

He held
her. “Yes and you chose to accept me, at last.”

“
Clayton, you are making a big deal out of nothing...” He was
kissing her now.

“Stop pretending you don’t know what that means. You have
accepted me as y
our man, not some paranormal creature, like
you did in the beginning. So what does it mean, Rebecca? Tell
me.”

“
I don’t know what you are talking about. Leave me alone. Do
you want some coffee? I will go and make some coffee.”

“Rebecca, you know how your stalling
tactics piss me
off. Do you want to piss me off today when I have been behaving
like a tiger?”

He
looked at her and his mind ripped her blouse off.

“
Clayton, stop that. Okay, I will sit down, no coffee. Tell me
what you are thinking.”

He
was staring
at her, a dark blue definitely on the
way.

Will you also accept me as your husband? A normal
husband?

What?

You heard me.

Say it.

Why?

I want to hear the actual words, like all normal
girls.

If you insist. Nagging already?

Arrogant swine.

He
was holding her
hand, standing there in the middle of their
lounge, when he asked his best dark blue question.

“
Rebecca Raymond, will you marry me, normal, arrogant swine
that I am, Protector of you, as I am?”

“
Well, yes, I don’t have much of a choice do I? Who else will
protect me, shock and make love to me in my head? Yes Clayton.
Yes.”

*****

Rebecca
and Clayton had a beautiful wedding. Despite the inconvenience to
some of their guests, like his parents, they insisted that they
would have it in the Dragon Mountains at the San Sanctuary.
Clayton’s parents had stayed with them for a few days before the
wedding and they agreed that Rebecca was good for Clayton. He had
lost that boyish, wayward look and had an air of manly protection
about him. He also adored her so much that his mother relaxed and
accepted the girl. She was a little strange, but that was not
surprising given her strange parents. They said they were witches,
which was not funny at all. They did strange things in the morning,
like talk to the plants and Anne Giles could have sworn she saw the
mother talking to a butterfly. But no matter, the girl was good for
Clayton and she was pleasant and charming. Also, she was a
professional woman, who would not put the strain on him as his
first wife had. She had her own life and they saw how she sometimes
came home late because she was busy. They also liked the fact that
their son seemed to come home early from work, something that he
had never done in his first marriage. They never said any of these
things to their son and were surprised to see how he had such a
strong bond with George Raymond. They talked and laughed and shared
secrets. Daniel Giles felt a little put out when he saw this. His
son would never whisper and talk to him. He only spoke about law,
but even then, he said very little. But their son was happy and
that was all that mattered.

The ceremony was outdoors and they looked staggeringly
beautiful. Rebecca wore a white dress, which set off her dark eyes
and hair and Clayton wore a black suit, which contrasted sharply
with his azurite eyes. Jackie watched them, remembering the last
time they were at this place.
Today, again, they stand here, the life force, in
balance, the yin and the yang, opposite but equal forces. Well,
also the green dragon and the white tiger. Never mind, that image
does not work now.
She
was thinking about how amazing they had been, how they had risked
their own love and future for little Mia. She looked at Mia, so
named by decree of Jonathan. He had gone mad when she wanted to
call her Portia, or even Rebecca, because he was not willing to
take any risk of association for his precious daughter with the
Curse of Darkness.

“
She needs to start her own life, no strings attached, make
her own destiny. I will have no association with anyone, living or
dead.”

He
had decided that
his
daughter
shall be named Mia and that was that. Mia, now four months old, was
gurgling loudly, as their ceremony went on.
Okay, she agrees with
them.
Fine,
fair enough
. Clayton,
true to form, the Protector, looked up and smiled at
Mia.

Jonathan groaned.
That bastard must not even try to play tiger now.
I will rip his throat out.
But Clayton just smiled, as if he was having a conversation
with her. This brought no comfort to Jonathan. He wished Clayton
would not be so protective over
his
daughter. He did not like it, because, with Clayton, there
might be butterflies, tigers and shocks. As much as he believed
that it was over, he was taking no chances. Already Clayton would
pick her up and she would smile like they were old friends. Once,
she had been crying when Clayton paid one of his regular visits. He
just picked her up and she stopped. Jonathan didn’t like it one
bit. But, then again, it was with Clayton’s ‘special powers’ as he
put it, that he had been so willingly to protect his daughter. He
looked at Rebecca and he battled to believe that such a serene,
exquisite woman had been followed around by a creature. It was
beyond comprehension. And, standing there next to Clayton, it was
even less imaginable that she was the ‘source of his power’. She
smiled sweetly and looked so vulnerable. She was nervous and
Clayton was squeezing her hand.
At least they had the decency to behave
like a normal couple, just this once.
But he spoke too soon. He saw her eyes flashing at
him and the silent conversation began.
Oh, why could they not have saved
that for their honeymoon? Really, Clayton must have started it
because Clayton would not be able to resist an opportunity to tease
her.
He looked around
and nobody seemed to have noticed.
Well, they seem to be making up now, thank
God.

Rowena
and George watched the ceremony with tears in their eyes. Their
precious Sweetpea had finally found her Protector and had finally
beaten the curse. Rowena was so happy and George, so proud. They
looked so beautiful together.

The butterflies have never let us down.

I know
. These two would have taken forever to get
married.

George, what else did you wish for?

A son for them. A strong healthy boy who looks like
Clayton.

George, I don’t think he wants kids.

Well, then he is very confused. He loves Mia as if she was
his own. If he doesn’t have his own child, Double J will have to
leave the country, the way he behaves.

I thought you told me not to interfere?

I didn’t. I just helped them along.

Y
ou are a wicked man.

And you an old crone. Shut up, I want to hear the rest of the
ceremony.

Rebecca looked at her parents and smiled.
They are at it
again.

Clayton
looked at her.

Normal enough for you, Princess?

Yes, thank you, Protector.

For what?

For trying to give me what I thought I wanted.

Thought you wanted?

Yes, I always thought
there was something normal out there, but look around, who might
that be?

Us, of course.

Yes, Clayton, yes, I love you.

And I love you too, Princess. Now, please pay attention. It
is your turn to take your vows. No mistakes or I will deal with you
now.

Piss off arrogant swine and stop looking at Mia. You are
making Jono nervous.

Yes, perhaps I shall make you nervous?

But it
was her turn to vow to love him and cherish him and she ignored his
threats.

Clayton?

Shhhhhhhhhhh.

I love you, I really do.

I love you too, but can you save your energy for later? You
are going to need it.

And he
laughed out loud and she laughed with him. Everyone could not see
what the joke was, but accepted that the couple had a private
joke.

Later,
Jonathan made an impassioned speech about his best friends. He
started off by saying,

“
Clayton, my friend here, has a belief that he is normal, but
I want to tell you, today, that you are not. And Rebecca, my dear,
you have all my sympathy.” Everybody laughed. Clayton just smiled
and Rebecca gave a look of mock fear of him.

Don’t tease me woman, remember later.

Go away, I want to hear this.