Chapter Fourteen; Part Two
I handed Ted a cup of coffee before taking one myself. I sat across from him in a chair as I was in a strange mood. Skittish, I’d say. Not because we’d had sex already, but because my body was changing. I knew it wouldn’t be long before I had to explain my precarious situation, but I didn’t want it to be tonight. Unfortunately, that probably meant no hands-on fooling around as the signs were unmistakable. Then again, he was a man. What did he know about pregnancy? What I knew was that he was looking at me with puppy-dog eyes, wondering why I was so far away. I hesitated a moment before giving in to my impulses and plopping down besides him on the couch. He pulled me to him, careful not to jostle my coffee. I set down the cup on the table because I didn’t trust myself not to spill.
“Thanks for dinner,” Ted whispered in my ear before nuzzling my neck. I shivered as I draped my arms around him. My hormones were triumphing over my brains as usual, and I quickly gave in. “Is there any way I can repay you?” He slid his hand over my breast, frustrated at the limited access. One problem with dresses was that there was no graceful fondling of naked breasts. Ted realized that trying to worm his way in on top was futile, so he dropped his hand to my knee and slid it up to my thigh. He met with more success on this route.
“Why don’t you show me your bedroom?” Ted asked huskily, removing his hand from my thigh. I nodded as I stood up, holding my hand out to him. He grabbed it to pull himself up, leaving his coffee behind.
“This is it,” I said, gesturing around me. I hadn’t done much with it as I didn’t spend much time in it. However, I had pictures of my family on the wall which gave it a homey touch.
“Maybe we could keep the lights off,” Ted suggested, eyeing my mother’s stern face in consternation. I suppressed a giggle as I complied; turning off the lights benefited me as well.
We shed our clothes quickly, neither of us in the mood for a prolonged tease. I hit my shin on the edge of my bed in my eagerness, but I didn’t give a damn. Ted and I fell onto the bed, glued at the lips. I slid my hand down his chest, marveling at how smooth it felt. One thing I liked about Asian men was the lack of body hair—I couldn’t stand all the furriness when I was getting intimate with someone. Wind, on the other hand, reveled in furry men. She said it made her feel so feminine. I just felt grossed out when I touched all that hair. Luckily, no problems here.
“You taste so good,” Ted said as he kissed his way down my body. He stopped at my breasts, paying them generous attention which I liked. I once had an ex who didn’t notice my breasts at all. She didn’t last very long. Ted moved further down, then stopped when he reached my belly. “What the—” I could tell by the tone of his voice that he’d found something he couldn’t understand. My heart sank as I realized what it was. “You’ve been eating too much good food, Margaret,” Ted joked, then added, “Or are you pregnant?” I could have played it off, but I suddenly had the urge to tell him. I pushed him away, much to his dismay, then sat up.
“Ted, I have something to tell you,” I began, glad it was too dark for me to see his face. There was no way I could deliver the news with him staring at me in disbelief. “It’s going to be really fucking hard to understand, but all I ask is that you let me tell you the whole story before you say anything. OK?”
“Should we turn on the lights for this talk?” Ted asked, his voice tentative. “I’d rather leave them off, if that’s OK with you.” I reached out to touch his knee—at least I think it was his knee—to reassure him.
After receiving his consent, I took a deep breath and spilled my guts. I started from the moment I met God, telling how He’d impregnated me. There was a snort of disbelief coming from the vicinity of Ted, but he remained true to his word and didn’t say anything. I related how I had no choice but to be the mother of the next savior. That earned another snort. I didn’t blame him as my reaction had been multiplied tenfold. When I brought up Lucifer, however, Ted couldn’t handle it.
“You’re attracted to the devil?” Ted shouted, jumping off the bed. I could hear him stomping around in the dark though I couldn’t see him. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.” Interesting. He found that more incredible—and insulting, apparently—than me being impregnated by God. I was sure that meant something significant, but I didn’t have the luxury to think about it at the moment.
“Ted, please,” I said, my voice taut. “I’m not through yet.” Ted calmed himself with difficulty and sat back down. I was so glad I couldn’t see him as I was sure I’d never be able to finish if I actually had to look at him. I told him everything, including how I’d met Alan Rickman as a result of God intruding in my life. Of course, Ted had to ask who Alan Rickman was which derailed our conversation for a good ten minutes. When we were back on track again, I finished up what I knew. I realized it wasn’t much, but it was more than I’d known when this whole things started. When I ran out of things to say, I stopped, waiting miserably for Ted’s reply. My saga sounded even more bizarre when spoken out loud, and I knew I would have a hard time believing it if our roles had been reversed.
“Margaret,” Ted said carefully, as if he was sorting through a hundred things he wanted to say. My hackles rose immediately, though I tried to keep my temper under control. “Have you ever thought of seeing a therapist?” I sat in stunned silence at his question. Whatever I’d been expecting, it wasn’t that. “It’s not a shameful thing, you know. I think you’re just having difficulty with your breakup with your ex. Reasonable, especially if he’s the one who got you pregnant.” Funny how it hadn’t angered me when I was the one considering Gary was the father when it infuriated me now. Therapy? Did he think I was hallucinating?
“My friends, Ned and Wind, saw Him, too,” I said icily, drawing my knees to my chest. Suddenly, I wasn’t in the least bit horny, and I wanted to put my clothes back on. That would mean turning on the light, however, so I didn’t bother. “Are you telling me that we all hallucinated simultaneously?” My tone should have told him to tread lightly, but he wasn’t paying close enough attention. He scooted over to put his arm around me which caused me to stiffen as he patted my shoulder.
“I know you believe you met God,” Ted said earnestly, adding a little squeeze. I shrugged, but he wouldn’t remove his arm. “I’m sure Ned and—Wind, did you say her name was?—were just trying to be supportive. I mean, come on, Margaret. Think about it rationally. What are the chances you actually saw God?”
“I suppose you think I’m making it up that I had dinner with Alan Rickman as well,” I retorted, hopping off the bed. I fumbled for the light on my desk, squinting at the harshness when it turned on. I rummaged through the top drawer, pulling out that precious piece of paper. “Here.” I thrust it at Ted so he could see Alan’s autograph and cell number. Ted scrutinized it before returning it to me.
“I’m not saying you didn’t meet Alan Rickman,” Ted said patiently, causing me to grit my teeth. He was using the same tone of voice I used when one of my students was saying something delusional. “It’s the God impregnating you part that I’m having difficulty with.”
“Why?” I demanded, carefully placing the piece of paper back into my drawer. Even though I had the information on my computer, I didn’t want to lose the souvenir from my night with Alan. “He did it once before, you know.”
“You’re not exactly the Virgin Mary,” Ted laughed, trying to lighten the moment. Funny how that’s also what I’d said to God, and it pissed me off as well to hear it from Ted. I wasn’t expecting him to swallow my tale without a few questions, but the way he immediately dismissed it as impossible irritated me.
“Get out,” I said, turning my back to him. I didn’t want to listen to his scoffing any more. I’d had such a difficult time dealing with the situation myself; I didn’t need his doubt on top of it. I jumped when I felt his arms slip around me.
“Don’t be mad,” Ted whispered into my ear. “It’s not easy to believe what you’re saying, you know.” He kissed my neck, his hands cupping my breasts. Despite my anger, something inside me stirred. “Come back to bed. It’s not every day I get to have sex with the Mother of God.” That did it. He couldn’t let it go, could he? He was just humoring me, which I hated. Or, was he just saying what he thought I wanted to hear in order to get me into bed? Either way, I was having none of it. I broke away, turning to face him. I tried not to notice how ready he was as I shook my head.
“I want you to leave,” I said, my voice trembling. “I didn’t expect you to believe me right away, but you could have at least had the courtesy to think it over.”
“There’s nothing to think over,” Ted said in exasperation, losing his cool—but not his erection—as well. “There’s no way you can be the next Mother of God. It’s ludicrous.”
Instead of replying, I gathered his clothes and threw them at him. He tried to protest, but I simply glared. I could be one mean bitch when I wanted and right now, I wanted. Ted dressed reluctantly, having a difficult time tucking his erection in his briefs. I would have giggled at the sight if I weren’t so pissed off. As it was, I simply dressed myself in a pair of sweats and a t-shirt so I could escort him out the door. He tried a few more times to talk to me, but I refused to respond. He gave up, dressing hurriedly. I walked him to the door, waiting for him to put on his shoes. The minute he was out the door, I closed it and locked it. I didn’t want anything to do with him.
“Way to go, Margaret Marilyn,” Lucifer said, clapping his hands in slow motion. “That was showing him. Why’d you kick him out?” I was relieved to know that he hadn’t heard my conversation with Ted since I wasn’t sure God wanted him to know about my pregnancy yet. Come to think of it, I didn’t know what the fuck God wanted at all. I also didn’t want to deal with Lucifer, but I knew it was no use saying so.
“We had a fight,” I said briefly, walking into the living room to pick up the coffee cups. I decided to treat Lucifer as if he were a pet—which meant paying absolutely no attention to him. I deposited the cups in the kitchen before going to the dining room to clean up.
“You should cook for me some time,” Lucifer said, eyeing the leftovers. “After all, I hosted you in my home. It’s only polite you return the favor.” I stared at him in disbelief, disconcerted to see him laughing. It wasn’t his evil laugh but a genuine one, and I had no idea what he was up to. It wasn’t that I wanted him to be evil, but the devil I knew was better than the one I’d never met before.
“Would you go away, please?” It killed me to say please to Lucifer, but I thought it might get him out of my place faster. Fat chance. He followed me into the kitchen where I deposited the dishes. I didn’t feel up to doing them, so I’d let them sit in the sink overnight. My mom would have a fit if she knew, but she’d have a fit if she knew I was talking to the devil, so who gave a fuck? At least I’d washed the pots and pans I’d used cooking. That was a start.
“Margaret Marilyn, you’re so tense,” Lucifer said, placing his hands on my shoulders. I was about to push him away when he started massaging the knots right above my blades. I couldn’t help moaning as he worked the tired flesh. He led me to the living room and gently laid me on the couch face down. Just as he was about to get on top of me, my cell rang. “Leave it,” Lucifer murmured, but I grabbed it, anyway. It was Ted, so I didn’t bother answering. There was nothing I wanted to say to him, especially with Lucifer in the room. I turned off my ringer so the phone wouldn’t bother me any more before setting it on the floor.
“Lucifer, why do you torment me so?” I asked, my voice muffled by the cushion beneath me.
“We are so alike,” Lucifer explained, pressing his thumb into yet another knot in my back.
“Like hell!” I exclaimed, struggling to push him off. There was no way I was like Lucifer. How dare he compare us?
“Think about it, Margaret Marilyn. You’ll see I’m right.” Despite my negative reaction to his words, I couldn’t stop thinking about what he’d said. Was it true? Was I like Lucifer? If so, then why had God chosen me to be the Mother of God? There was no way God would want someone as evil as Lucifer to nurture His child, was there? Hell, no. I wanted to think of Lucifer’s words as a ploy, but I couldn’t dismiss them completely.
“You think I’m evil?” I knew I shouldn’t ask Lucifer that, especially not in that tone, but I couldn’t help it. I had to know what he meant.
“You’re focused on what you want. You’re direct. You don’t let anybody get in your way. You have nerves of steel. And yes, you can be evil when you want.” Lucifer slipped his hand under my shirt and started kneading my bare back. I must have fuzzed out because the next thing I knew, he was massaging my ass.
“No knots there, Morningstar,” I mumbled, tensing my buttocks. “Stop it.” I knew my voice wasn’t as forceful as it usually was. The thing was, I was still residually horny from coitus interruptus with Ted, and Lucifer was an awfully attractive—he was awfully attractive. Oh, hell, I was rationalizing. The truth was my resistance to Lucifer was eroding by increments just as he predicted. I didn’t want to stop him; I didn’t want to kick him out of my apartment; I wanted to fuck him until I was raw. Even as I knew that was not something I should be thinking—or doing, the desire persisted.
“Margaret Marilyn, this is one way you are not like me. You insist on placing false moral values on sex. You will not be damned if you have sex with me. I can guarantee it.” His voice sounded so sincere as his hands continued to caress my ass, but he was the fucking devil. Lying wouldn’t be any great hardship to him. I didn’t know if he was telling me the truth, and the one being who could tell me would probably take my head off if I dared to ask Him. Lucifer slid his hands under my stomach and flipped me over without lifting himself. I didn’t know how he did it, but he was suddenly sitting on my stomach. His erect cock was pointing straight at my face, and it had never looked more enticing.
“Get off me, Morningstar,” I said in a strangled voice. It took every ounce of willpower I had not to reach down and grab his cock. Sure, I’d seen it countless times before, but never while I was in heat. Lucifer ignored me and pushed my shirt up, exposing my breasts.
“I like these,” Lucifer said happily, fondling my breasts. In that way, he was like most men—fascinated by two mounds of fat. I arched my back as Lucifer consumed one breast while pinching the nipple on the other one. “You’re weakening, Margaret Marilyn,” Lucifer crooned, his voice mocking. “I think tonight’s going to be the night.”
“No, it’s not.” I pushed Lucifer, catching him off-guard. He tumbled to the ground, landing on his face. I didn’t feel a whit of remorse, especially as he couldn’t be permanently hurt. At least, I didn’t think he could be. I’d have to see what I could find out about that. “Get out, Morningstar,” I said, grabbing the charm around my neck.
Before Lucifer could say anything, Li Ling materialized. This time, she was completely swathed in black like a ninja, only her eyes showing—no red edging on her clothing this time. She didn’t even speak as she circled Lucifer who eyed her warily. Before he could do or say anything, she struck. I couldn’t help crying out as she chopped him in the neck. I hadn’t expected a HK action flick in my living room, but I guessed that was what I was getting. Li Ling didn’t say a word as she whirled into motion. She was a blur, hitting Lucifer from this way and that. He couldn’t regain his balance as she continually chopped away at him. By the time she was done, he was bleeding heavily.
“Go now, Morningstar,” Li Ling said, her voice almost loving. “Before I kill you.” The words shocked me as her tone was gentle. Was she kidding? Apparently not because Lucifer unfurled his wings and took off. He didn’t even bother shouting warnings over his shoulder as he flew off, an indication of how whipped he was.
“Thank you,” I said humbly, bowing my head to Li Ling.
“It’s what I’m here for,” Li Ling replied, her eyes infinitely sad. She touched me on the cheek, staring at me hard. “Be strong, Margaret Marilyn. You will need it.” With that, she disappeared. I wanted to call her back and demand to know what the fuck she was talking about, but I didn’t think that would be very prudent of me. Something about her tone of voice disturbed me, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. I just had the sense that she’d been trying to tell me something without speaking. I wished she’d been more clear, but apparently, she’d learned from her Master. I went to bed in disgust, vowing not to have anything further to do with otherworldly beings—as if I had a choice. However, it made me feel better to think I had some control, so I kept my illusion. Not for very long, though.