Armand watched as Daniel and Jamie reunited in truth. Every
whispered word, kiss, and thrust was like a jackhammer to his heart. He had
not been this agonized since Lestat had rejected him in Paris. Not even
Louis' rejection of him earlier this century in New Orleans had hurt this
bad.
Now he watched as the light was leaving his life.
He knew that Jamie had seen him before she fell asleep. It didn't matter to
him whether or not that she had seen him. He felt Daniel's eyes on him and
realized that he had been spotted. He watched as Daniel gently disentangled
himself from Jamie's arms and rise from the bed. He saw Daniel slip on his
jeans and walk towards him. He turned away from the door so he wouldn't be
faced with Daniel's desertion. As he lay next to Jamie, Daniel realized
that someone was outside, peering in. He probed out with his mind and felt
nothing, which meant that it was Armand. His rage burned white-hot. It
reminded him too much of the days when he was mortal and he had to “perform”
for
Armand, his demon lover. He planted a soft kiss on Jamie's head, and
extricated himself from her grasp. He pulled on his jeans and walked outside.
He
went and stood beside Armand. With his arms folded over his chest, he asked, “
Did I perform well, lover?”
Those words nearly sent Armand to his knees. Only then did Daniel realize
the look of utter despair on his maker's face. He had seen that expression on
Louis' face just after the “interview”, but he had never seen it on
Armand's face. In an instant the rage melted, and concern took its place. He
put
his finger under Armand's chin, and tilted up his head. Their eyes met, and
Daniel was rocked by the bleak hopelessness in Armand's gaze. “What is it,
my love,” Daniel asked, “What's wrong?”
Armand said simply, “You're leaving me.”
Daniel was stunned for a minute. “Leaving you?” he asked, “where did you
get such a foolish idea?”
Armand shifted his gaze away from Daniel, and murmured, “You have her
again. You need me no longer.”
Daniel folded his arms around Armand, and kissed the top of his head. “Oh,
Armand,” he sighed, “you foolish idiot. Don't you realize it yet? I'm
never leaving you.”
Armand looked up at him in surprise. “What do you mean?” he asked warily,
seemingly afraid to allow himself to hope. “You're not remaining with her?
I thought you loved her.”
Daniel smiled, “I do love her, very much in fact. I fully intend to keep on
seeing her at times, but it is you that I want to be with. Too much time
has passed for Jamie and I to be together again. She has her life, and I
have
you.”
Armand appeared somber as he said, “I wish I could believe you.”
A soft voice spoke up from behind them, “Believe him.” They both turned
around towards the entrance way and saw Jamie standing there watching them
with
an aura of sadness emanating from her.
I awoke as soon as I felt Daniel leave the bed, but I did not move. I heard
him put his jeans on. Through slitted eyes, I watched as he walked over to
the balcony door and went outside. He was speaking to the auburn-haired one,
Armand, I believe his name was. They were talking with their backs to the
door, so I quietly got out of the bed. I slipped on my robe and I tiptoed
over to the door. I wanted to listen to what they were saying to each other.
Daniel appeared angry at first, while Armand appeared desolate. He said
something that I couldn't quite hear, and Daniel's countenance went quickly
from
anger to concern.
I just caught Daniel's statement about still loving me, which made me smile
a little. I felt a sharp pang of hurt though when he said that it had been
too long for us, but he was correct in that regard. It had been too many
years for us.
When I heard Armand say that he wished he could believe what Daniel was
saying, I spoke up immediately, “Believe him.” Daniel and Armand turned
quickly and peered at me. They had been so involved in each other that they
didn't realize that I was awake and listening to every word. I was
overwhelmed by
a sadness that probably was reflected on my face. I noticed an unusual
glance pass between them, but I didn't inquire as to its meaning. I was too
focused on the problem at hand. “You heard then?” Daniel asked me.
I nodded, “Yes, I did.” My eyes locked on Armand's and I said, “It is
true. Too many years have passed for Daniel and I to just ‘pick up' where we
left off. It will never be the same for Daniel and me.”
Armand looked confused, “But what about....?”
I smiled at him, and my humor must have reflected in my eyes, because I
caught a glimmer of a smile from him. “You mean about what happened a while
ago?”
When he nodded, I continued, “What happened before was a purely physical
thing. I was angry at Daniel for lying to me all of these years. Although I
now understand the reason for the lies, I was still pretty pissed off and I
wanted to make him pay, which seemed to work like a charm. And Daniel, of
course, was pissed at me because I chose Lestat over him last night. The
mutual anger turned to passion, end of story.” I winked at Daniel who simply
grinned broadly at me.
Maintaining a serious pose once again, I emphasized my next point to avoid
confusion. “Daniel and I have reunited, yes, but we haven't reconciled.
Armand, Daniel and I grew up together, and we were best friends long before we
ever became lovers and spouses. If I have anything to say about it, he will
continue to be my best friend.”
Both Armand and I looked questioningly at Daniel, who nodded. Daniel said, “
Yes, Armand, Jamie is still my best friend. Now that I've reconnected with
her, I fully intend for her to remain my best friend. But that does not mean
that we are getting back together, because we aren't.”
I said, “That's right. We are NOT getting back together. Daniel has his
life with you Armand, and I have my life back in Texas, which satisfies me to
no end.” Briefly the images of Michelle and Michael ran through my mind, and
I wished I could tell them that their father is indeed alive and well.
Daniel spoke up sharply, “Why do you say it like that? Surely you're not
leaving yet?” he asked.
I nodded and said softly, “Yes, love, the day after tomorrow. I've been
away for much too long. I have responsibilities that need my constant
attention.”
Daniel shook his head in denial, “You can't leave yet, Jamie. We just
found each other again.”
I smiled at Daniel and Armand, “You two are welcome at my house any time.
Daniel, beloved, if you don't come visit me, I'll kick your ass. And you know
that I won't be afraid to do it, even if you are a ghoul now.” Daniel
laughed heartily, and wrapped me in a giant hug. I returned his hug with one
of
my own.
But then I released Daniel, and walked straight up to Armand. “Well? Are
we friends? Or do I still have to persuade you as to my lack of intentions
toward your lover?”
Armand laughed his soft, beautiful laugh. “No, Jamie, my dear, you have
convinced me to my satisfaction. And yes, we will definitely come visit you.
I
am most anxious to know what Daniel was like as a child.”
Armand winked at Daniel, and I laughed at the horrified expression on
Daniel' face. Suddenly Armand embraced me warmly. I returned Armand's
embrace,
and I had to fight back tears as I said, “Go on, now...the two of you. I
believe you have some making up to do. Just be sure to come see me before I
leave.” All the next day I spent most of it packing my things up. That
night
as I was resting, I pondered at what had occurred over the past few days.
First , I found out in truth that vampires do indeed exist; second, I found
out that my beloved, not-so-dead husband was one of these creatures; and
third,
I had made love to not one, but two of them. What a caption that would make
on a postcard.
I then sensed a presence in the room with me, and I recognized it
immediately. I smiled, and said, “Lestat.”
He walked up to me and grabbed me in fierce hug. He kissed me hard, and
then said, “You're leaving. Why?”
“Because I have to, love. I have things at home that need to be taken care
of,” I said, softly.
Lestat waved away my remark, “Hire someone to take care of them for you.
I'll pay for it if it would please you.”
I laughed and rubbed his cheek. “I'm sorry, love. This is something that I
have to take care of myself. I have enough money, thank you. But you will
come to visit won't you?”
Lestat picked me up and twirled me around, “Just try to keep me away. Louis
and I might visit quite often, you know. I'm very possessive of my new
friends' time.”
Getting dizzy, I said, “I have plenty of rooms available. I have my room,
Michael has his room, and Michelle has hers. Besides those three, there are
three more.”
Suddenly he stopped all movement. I looked up at him confusedly. He
asked, “Who are Michael and Michelle?”
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