Baser Urges

It was a weary group that arrived in Montana. I had spent almost the entire trip bringing Bernardo up to speed and explaining Edward’s miraculous recovery to my family. The open mouths in the back seat had started to piss me off before hour 2 and I was wishing for some flies. Maybe then they’d close their mouths and stop annoying me. It’s not my fault I’m stuck with this shit, and besides, it came in handy for saving Edward. What would we have done if Edward had died and we were left with Olaf still after us. Fuck. They just need to accept it and move on. Or not. By hour 17 I just didn’t care anymore. Especially since we still had at least another five hours to go before stopping. The only thing that relieves some of my tension is when I look over at Josh and can’t help but smile. He looks so adorable with his legs tucked under himself and his face pressed into the window. He’s going to have a hell of a crick in his neck by the time he wakes up but I don’t have the heart to wake him. We finally reach our destination to find log cabins stretched as far as the eye could see. Thank God! With Bernardo checking us in and Edward getting us food, my family and I took advantage of the break and just lounged by the lake. We all tacitly agreed that we needed a break from, well, everything and no one wanted to talk. Bernardo and Edward came walking towards us together. They look like night and day next to each other. Both very attractive. But only one of them made my body react. Speaking of bodies reacting, I think that I’ve just about used up a big chunk of energy and I’m not going to be able to wait another week before feeding the ardeur again. Fuck! That’s probably why I was out for so long after the bitch from hell finally got put back in her box. Oh well. Worry about food first, fuck later. No time to be too picky about it. But, as usual, I’ll hold out as long as I can so I can get some answers. 

Hopefully it won’t take too long.

“Everything set?”

Bernardo nods.

“I got us two cabins way in the back but still accessible by the road.”

Edward jingles a set of keys and turns to me.

“Just for tonight I think we should all bed down in one…. What’s wrong now Anita?”

He interrupts himself as I shake my head vigorously. 

“A couple of things really. One, we all need our rest and, if we are all crammed into one little cabin, it won’t happen. Two, you and I have a lot to talk about and I don’t think…”

I look meaningfully at Josh.

“certain ears should hear.”

Edward and I stare at each other for a few moments while Josh looks like he’s going to argue. Edward turns to Bernardo.

“What do you think?”

Bernardo just shrugs. So nice to know it’s a guy thing.

“I think she has a point. You two bunk down together and ….”

“I’m old enough to know what’s going on too. I’m not a baby. If this is just for me, forget it!”

Great. Now Josh decides to be a teenager. And he was doing so well.

“You are not old enough to be involved in this discussion, Josh. Hell, I’m not old enough to be involved in this discussion and I’d avoid it if I could. But I can’t. So please go with Judith and Dad and let Bernardo do his job.”

I can tell he doesn’t like it but he just bites his tongue. Thank God. I don’t think that I could handle teenage drama right now. Judith and Dad are in so much shock that they just let me handle it. That’s not good. Oh well. I’ll just have to try to be more careful about what Josh overhears. Gesturing to Edward and Bernardo, I step aside to finish our conversation. As I close the gap between us Bernardo finishes the thought that was interrupted by Josh.

“I’ll guard your family. This will give you two some ‘alone time’ like engaged couples need.”

He ducks the punch I send towards his head and smiles cockily at me.

“You two sure take your roles seriously. I mean, when I met you…”

He gestures at me with his right hand.

“you had two boyfriends and there was nothing going on between you and Edward. And you…”

He waves his left hand in Edward’s direction.

“you were with the new age mom who thought you had a thing for Anita. What gives?”

We both start to speak and he waves at us to keep us both silent.

“And don’t tell me it’s just the situation. Something changed. What?”

Edward and I looked at each other. What do we say to that? I take a deep breath and let it out in a huff as Edward speaks before I can form thoughts.

“Bernardo, we need your help with protecting Anita’s family but I don’t think you need to stick your nose into our personal lives. If anything’s changed, it’s that things are much more tense due to the new situation. Can we get back to the matter at hand?”

Bernardo just smiles at Edward.

“Alright. I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone and go get the family settled.”

We watch Bernardo walk away and stand in silence. Brave of Bernardo to give us his back after that comment. Clearing my throat loudly I turn towards the water. Putting some space between me and Edward is my top priority right now. There is no one around and, while there could be people right behind us, there really is no reason not to discuss what happened earlier. Fuck! I jump at the feel of Edward’s arms surrounding me. He turns me into his chest and forces me to look at him.

“Where did Raina come from?”