When I came to, I discovered that I had a full room. I was
stunned to see that Daniel was sitting by me on one side of the bed, and the
twins were on the other side of me.
Daniel held my hand in his and he was gripping it too tightly for my
comfort. I was about to say something when I became aware of the tension in
the
room.
I then realized why Daniel was gripping my hand so tightly. He knows, I
thought. He was staring at Armand, Lestat, and Louis. He was asking, "You
knew
and you weren't going to tell me?"
I had to speak up then and there. "I wouldn't let them Daniel," I said.
Every eye turned towards me, but my eyes were locked on Daniel's. "I
wouldn't let them tell you," I repeated.
"But why?" he asked me.
Lestat derailed that question by asking me, "Chere, how are you feeling?"
I looked at Lestat in surprise, and said, "Surprisingly well, but I
shouldn't be, should I?" I was beginning to feel a little panicky as I saw
the
expression on his face. "What's wrong?" I asked, the panic revealing itself
in
my voice.
Lestat said abruptly, "Okay, everyone out....except you, Louis. I need you
here." He looked at Michael and Michelle and said, "Just for a minute. I
need to speak with your mother....alone."
Michael was about to protest when I squeezed his hand. I said, "Please,
son, just for a second." I gave him a quick smile. "I'll be okay. I
promise," I cajoled.
Michael looked uncertain, but his eyes were flashing with humor. He knew I
was going to be fine, because I was using that tone of voice. I had used it
on both he and Michelle when I wanted them to do what I wanted them to. He
leaned down and kissed me on the forehead, as did Michelle. "Well, okay,
Mom, only since you asked so nicely."
I looked up at him, smiling at his indulgent tone. But then my smile fell
as I caught a glimpse of Daniel's face as he heard Michael call me "Mom." He
visibly flinched, and the tears welled up in his eyes. He quickly left the
room, with Armand and David on his heels.
Michael and Michelle looked at me, and then at each other. Michelle
shrugged and said, "We'll be right outside, Mother. Just give a holler if you
need
us." She looked uncertainly at Lestat and Louis, and then left the room
with Michael.
Daniel watched as the twins, his twins, exited their mother's room. He
couldn't believe that he was actually a father. He had never dreamed of this
ever happening to him.
He looked at his daughter. She looked just like her mother. He couldn't
get over how they favored each other. Then he looked at his son, and it was
like gazing into a mirror--same colored hair, and same color eyes.
He tried to probe their thoughts, but found it was difficult to do so. They
were strong yes, but not as strong as their mother was. He could sense
thoughts and emotions, coming from them. They were thinking constantly about
their mother, but they were also wondering about the strange people in this
house.
Daniel noticed that Michelle was beginning to sway a bit, and that Michael
was looking a little unsteady too. He realized with a start that they could
feel his intrusion. He withdrew from their minds, and watched as their eyes
cleared. They were very sensitive, he realized. He would have to be more
careful in the future when probing them. I looked at both Lestat and Louis.
They both wore twin expressions of worry and excitement on their faces. I
was really beginning to freak out, when Lestat sat down beside me on the bed
and said, "Relax chere, everything is going to be all right."
But I refused to be comforted. "Lestat, don't pull any of that French shit
with me. Tell me what the problem is."
Lestat looked at Louis, which I did as well. "Louis, you were there...you
saw what happened. By all rights, I should be dead now. Why am I not dead?"
I was on the verge of a real panic when Lestat embraced me. "Shhh," he
said, "calm down. I promise you that we will get to the bottom of this."
His voice was so soothing that I had no choice but to calm down. As soon
as he sensed that I was calmer, he said, "Jamie, there is something you need
to see."
"What?" I asked.
He began to lift up my gown, and I gasped at what I saw on my stomach.
Nothing was there....not any indication that I had even been shot. I looked
up
at Lestat and Louis in total and abject horror.
**************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel
deal here.
(http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)
