Little Cherine Book 02 - BPost011
“You remember Robert how you used to read to me when we were in our flat? Would you like me to read to you?”
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“You might find it…yes, I would love you to. Even holding up the book tires me.”
The others were envious of her, but they could not read well enough, except for Meli, Em-e and Claudia. I pointed out that if they want to help me and read for me, they must study hard. I got the really young ones to read to me from their school fairy tales. Not one of them, from Cherine to the wee ones, ever felt upset or hurt if I dozed off.
I was chuckling to myself when Dommi and Laura walked in on me.
“What is so funny?”
“Just the irony of it. Here I was so full of myself. We, who shall live a thousand years. Who will not age. Here I am already living the life of a grandfather. Can’t you picture it, grandchildren coming to grandpa to read to him and he dozes off and they quietly, like little mice, creep out to let the old man sleep.”
Laura asked, “You feeling sorry for yourself?”
“Not one iota. I would not miss this for anything. No, just amused. Laura love, in a way it was good this happened. We were starting to think of ourselves as some kind of Superman. I forgot that even he has Kryptonite that can kill him. To tell the truth, I always was more of a Clark Kent than a Superman.”
I had been looking at Laura to avoid watching Dommi carry one of those funny shaped things they have for men to urinate in bed. It still embarrassed me to have my girls handle that side of my weakness. As Dommi returned I asked her. “Where is Alki? Even if he had a shit load of work he would have still come in during the evenings.”
“He had to go to Switzerland. He is returning tomorrow.”
“I’ll be glad to see the old bugger. As long as he doesn’t try to read to me my science fiction stories with his Greek accent.”
“You have another visitor. Can I show him in?” I nodded.
Charlie walked in. It pleased me to see him. He had lost a lot of weight and was looking well. I asked after his family and we talked about nothing in particular for a while.
“Okay Charlie. We had our chit-chat. What brought you? Any problems?”
“Yes. You. I have waited for your western ways to heal you. I can wait no longer. Robert, this is not working, you have been like this for over four months. Tomorrow morning we start using some of my oriental teachings.”
“I am in your hands.”
“We will see. The time difference, I need to go meditate and adjust my body. I will see you early tomorrow.” He walked out and the girls came in, their eyes large with fear. I gave a chuckle.
“Just when I was getting used to being pampered like an invalid! I suppose it could not last forever. I bet he will have me back on my feet and doing all kinds of crazy things. Come sweeties, I did need a wakeup call.”
If anyone was expecting a miracle, they were disappointed. The first thing he did was massage me. It left my body tingling. He gave me time to recover and returned with a tray filled with tiny needles. I thought to myself, ‘oh no’, but kept quiet. Seeing this large man with such big hands, it was amazing how gentle he was. I hardly felt a thing. While he stuck me till I looked like a pin-cushion he talked, explaining to Cherine and whoever came in, about the lines of force that run through our body. How sometimes the lines get obstructed. The tiny needles were supposed to open the pathways again. I felt no different afterwards.
He kept this up for nearly two weeks. One morning he came in and pulled the blankets off me. Instead of massaging me, he lifted me to a sitting position. He took hold of my legs and pulled them over the edge of the bed. The hospital bed I was in was high and I feared I would fall. He put my arm around his shoulders and picked me up. He carried me to the lounge. They had moved a settee to face the large glass door that opens onto the balcony and garden.
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“Your soul needs to be fed also. Here you can see the sky. Watch the treetops move and let them carry you into dreams. Tomorrow we will move you closer so that you can see the clouds. Enjoy yourself, I am leaving.”
“Where are you going?”
“To see the Parthenon. I have been here so many times and seen nothing. Dominique has offered to take me.”
I do not know how Claudia wangled it, but she managed to get time alone with me. She came with a cup of coffee and lit me a cigarette and opened the balcony door. She quickly ran and brought a blanket.
I warned her, “They will put you up against the wall and shoot you if they catch us.”
“They are being stupid. My grandma used to tell me when I helped her look after grandpa, that we must allow him to do things that are not good for him. She said some things that are bad for us are good for us if they make us feel normal again.”
“A wise old lady.” I was careful not to inhale, but she was right. Feeling the cigarette in my hand, sipping at the coffee, they all made me feel like I was Robert again, not some invalid they all tiptoed around.
“Tell me, are you really a brave girl?”
“If it is for you, I will be.”
“Would you sit on my lap like you used to and let me feel you lying against me. I miss that so much.”
I held her for as long as she could stay without being caught. I carried that warmth with me for the rest of the day. When Charlie returned he asked me if I had watched the trees and had it been good. I answered honestly that it had been very good.
Claudia is not that good at hiding. Dommi picked up what had happened; first she examined me with a light touch, hoping I would not feel her. She saw how good it had been for me. She told Cherine and they called another conference.
“Claudia, what you did today…thank you. Fear has blinded us. It made us forget what our Robert is.” She told the others what Claudia had done. “Robert only lives for one thing, for the love he has for us. We forgot that and stopped touching him. I felt the comfort Claudia gave him today by just treating him as a normal person. Cherine, would you like to sleep next to him tonight, to let him feel your love? Be careful to dampen any sexual feelings. Just love and happiness at being next to him.”
“Not me Dommi. I want to, but it would not be fair. I think the first night belongs to Claudia.”
“Nice of you Cherine. Very sweet. I am not interested in what is fair or sweet. You will have the first night because that is what will do him the most good.”
I heard Cherine enter the room, thinking she was about to sit by me for a while, as she often did. When she climbed into bed and lay next to me, her cheek pressed against my chest, it woke me up properly. I put my arm around her and whispered, “What is going on love?”
“We know about Claudia, she was wonderful. We have been so stupid. If you promise not to get sexy, then one of us each night will sleep with you. We need it too you know.”
“Claudia really did not teach you much, did she?”
“What do you mean Robert?”
“If I do not get sexy. That shows you only half understood. Can’t you see that if I do get sexy and you want me too, are not disgusted by this half corpse of mine, then it would do me more good than harm?”
She lit up with that fiery temper she gets into sometimes and pulling away from me she glared at me. “How dare you say that about your body and how dare you think that of me. Me!!”
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“What is wrong? You scared of slapping me? Not even your little fists against my chest? Can’t you see Cherine, you pussyfoot around me, treat me like I am fragile and I will be fragile. Claudia gave me coffee and a cigarette, things that are bad for me, but she lifted my spirits, turned me back into her Robbie. I could not be the Robbie I was, but what I could be was happy. The way you girls organised it, you make me afraid to even touch your hands in case you get afraid.”
“But if you have sex it will take energy away from repairing your body.”
“You think so? Sex first of all is also a form of exercise - god knows, I am not getting much of that. Do you know what the effects of sex are on the body? Do you know that married men who have sex on a regular basis live longer than single men who spend long periods without sex? Maybe you girls should find out what the effects of sex are before committing me to your unilateral decisions. I am not stupid love, my brain still works, I am just weak in my body. I would not be so foolish as to want to make love all night or to all of you.”
“Dommi says she apologises, it was her fault. That she gave the orders. It was not her fault, we all decided. I would not accept her orders about you if I thought she was wrong.”
“Dommi is right. She is in charge of trying to make me better. You all left that responsibility to her. That also means you accept her decisions, even if you think she is wrong. Now, you just going to sit back like that or are you going to hold me. I am tiring and will probably fall asleep soon.” As I’d hoped, I fell asleep feeling the joy of holding my darling girl.
“This too is good oriental treatment.”
“Morning Charlie. You really are an old fraud.”
“Anything that makes you feel this good is good oriental treatment. Today you watch the clouds. But first I leave you to look into those eyes and dream a little.” Chuckling he walked out.
I looked into her sleepy eyes and nodded. “He is right, looking into your eyes does make me dream.” Tenderly I kissed her and ran my hand over her face. I chuckled, “I’m not sure whether I’ve got a hard on because I want you or I just need to piss.”
“You want to find out?”
“Any other girl asks me that I would feel it was a sexy question. With you, I fear that if I answer yes, you will bring me that silly tube tray thing to piss in.”
“You are so romantic!! Are you forgetting I am only a little girl who needs to hear sweet things so as to feel good about having sex with you?”
“Hah!!”
“For that you get the urinal.”
More than sex could, the game playing with Cherine brought me back to life. Suddenly the whole house came alive again. As I heard the odd scream of laughter or running feet, I wondered to myself what kind of life my loves have been living for these months. Why had I not felt what it was doing to them? I watched them even when they thought I was not. At one point I heard a distant cry as one of them bumped into something and yet I felt nothing. It confirmed my suspicions. It was not too difficult to work out what they had done to my protector. I let matters remain as they were and did not speak of it.
Women have a talent for putting men on the spot, where if they do something they are damned and if they do not, they are damned. I think it comes from them expecting a sensitivity in their men that is not part of the male package. Over some days I came to realise I was putting the girls in the same spot.
They feared tiring me out. So they monitored me and if they felt I needed to be hugged, I was hugged. If my energy was low they would not touch me. It pissed me off. I wanted their hugs to be spontaneous. This put them in a difficult position and since they had blocked me from feeling it, I became rather insensitive to their problem.
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Charlie had me taking my first few steps and then got me to the point where I could get up, with a little help, and go to the bathroom. It was bliss for me and I banished the embarrassing articles I had used from the house. He had realised the distress it caused me and had pushed me to my feet faster than he would have otherwise. What did amaze me was when my healer reported that the acupuncture he is treating me with on a regular basis is having a positive effect.
Tina spent many hours watching and asking questions until Charlie decided she has a genuine interest and took time to teach her. The day she stuck the needles in me under his guidance, I felt the intensity of her concentration and the pride she was bursting with when he gave her his approval.
Two months after arriving, Charlie had me walking, sitting in the garden since summer had returned and he arranged with Alki for me to be collected on a daily basis and taken to a warm-water swimming pool where a physiotherapist helped to build up my muscles again.
The day arrived that we were all waiting for. The healer reported that my body is beginning to do the normal maintenance needed and will soon be doing all of it, my healer will then only have to concentrate on rejuvenating me.
I told my wives that if everyone could keep it very casual and not be upset if I left to go sleep, I would love to have everyone over for supper. I suggested we get a caterer to prepare us the buffet and drinks. The look on the face of Dommi, that she immediately tried to hide, told me there is a problem, even if the blocks were still in place.
“Spit it out Dommi. What is the problem?”
“Nothing Roberto. Just worried for a second whether you were up to it. Forget it.”
“There has been something very special about our relationships from day one. None of us ever lied to each other. Dominique, I know about the blocks and have known for months. I never spoke, for I saw it was for my good. Lying is not. It can only worry and upset me. Tell me the truth.”
“We cannot afford to have a party. Alki has been paying for the houses being built. I did not want to ask him for money for food and our other expenses.”
“Has he deposited any money into my account recently?”
“Not for two months now.”
“So we do not have a party. Was that so terrible? No, let’s have a party anyway. We tell everybody to bring some food and drinks with. Not the done thing in Greece maybe, but nobody will get upset with us.” I grinned from the memories that came dancing from the past. “It will remind me of the days when I was not earning enough to live from my art and this was the way we all had our parties. I don’t know why it now feels as if it was fun, since I don’t remember it being anything special at the time.”
Claudia laughed and clapped her hands, “We won’t even have to buy food for us. The Greeks always bring too much food.”
“There you are Dommi, our Claudia has even worked out that we save money by inviting them all.”
“You really are impossible Robert!”
“He has made me feel that way many times, especially when we were negotiating with the aliens. I think I am starting to like it when he is impossible.” Everyone grinned at the look of pride on the face of Sam.
I called the office and asked for the accountant. I asked him why there have been no deposits into my account. He replied that they had paid for expenses of mine to do with the house and I owe the company money. I asked whether he has been acting under orders from Alki. He replied he has not, it is just standard procedure.
I was troubled. It will be a few more months before I can begin earning my salary. I agreed with Dommi that I do not want to ask Alki for money, even though I know he will be upset to hear they have deducted costs related to the house construction from my basic salary. I decided not to worry about it, to let the next day or two pass in the hope an idea comes to me. Allowing Dommi to use her money is not an acceptable alternative for me. I appreciate her respecting my archaic chauvinist prejudices.
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The next morning at about eleven the phone rang. Even from where I sat I could hear Alki shouting at Dommi. Her face was beetroot red and she was actually stammering when I took the phone from her. “What are you doing Alki? What did you say to upset her like that?”
“My accountant was troubled by your call yesterday and told me what he had done. How could she not call and tell me! To give you worries at a time like this…”
“The only thing that would worry me is to see my love being hurt. I am very proud of her. She tried to carry the problem on her own and I only found out because I wanted to have a dinner with all my friends. She could have asked you, she could have asked her parents or brother, or used her own funds. Her pride for me as her husband and provider prevented her. That is worth starving for.”
“Please tell her I apologise for shouting. I was hurt that she could not tell me. Tell her I too am proud of her. Robert there is no shame in asking for money that you earned. The house costs I agreed was a loan. It was a mistake that should never have happened. Your money is being transferred to your account right now.”
“Thank you Alki.”
“What is the occasion, what are we celebrating?”
“I am not going to tell you now. By the way, we decided, all the guests have to bring food and drinks. Better get Marian working.”
I sat by Dommi and pulled her to me. I sent the pride I feel in her and how it makes my love choke me. She cried a little. I waited until we returned to normal.
“You have a decision to make. Either you take away the blocks you put on me, or I do. Or else you promise me to share our family problems. I will not press for the blocks to be removed, I also think the little hurts and aches of so many hearts would drain me. I want them back, but I also want to be fully recovered, to know I can be there for all of you forever.”
“I promise.”
“All of you?” They agreed.
I took the arm of Dommi and we went to the kitchen. I made a cup of coffee and soon as we were alone I asked her softly, “Do you feel up to having one of our special showers with me and spending the night?”
“Are you sure?”
“You need to touch me to find out?”
“Oh you…”she laughed, her eyes shining with laughter and anticipation.
It did not take long for the news to spread throughout our home. I thought that it was just as well that Keith and Annabelle are no longer staying here, they would have picked up the cause for the excitement and I would not have liked that. I like my privacy. Alki had asked them to stay until I was better and that is why they have just moved. A positive side-effect is that the girls have all become very ‘tight’ with Annabelle, almost considering her one of them.
It was nice to feel how all the girls were happy for Dommi; not one envious thought amongst them.
During all this time I had remembered, as in a dream, the appearance of the twins. I had deliberately stayed out of their way, not even dipping into their minds and emotions. I feared them. I sensed they could get me so stressed with need for them that they would set me back.
I also recalled from the other girls how it had been when they first came and knew it is not fair to them. I took my courage in my hands and went to them, finding them as toddlers of about two, sitting on the carpet playing with their toys. Diana was watching over them - it seems she hardly ever lets them out of her sight. She panicked when she saw me, but I waved for her to relax. I sat down in front of the twins, who had stopped playing and were staring at me, their perfect tiny faces looking worried.
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I gave them a grin. “I have never understood why some people like sitting on the floor cross-legged, it is damn uncomfortable. Haven’t seen the two of you lately, not since you came in and nearly gave me a heart attack. I still remember your little incentive scheme. It sure worked!” They smiled at me nervously.
“You know something? It sure is great talking to kids of your age - at least you don’t talk back and make me look silly. For some reason your mum has never done that either. I suppose she will get around to it someday. With our mental gifts I should not be saying this, but I have been keeping out of your minds, in case you are just as beautiful inside and you enchant me and turn me into a frog. I don’t want to become a frog because I am not a prince so no beautiful girl will kiss me.”
Diana said, “But you are a prince Robbie. In Meli’s world.”
“That doesn’t count. Have you told them the story about the prince who was turned into a frog?”
“Not yet.”
“Ah, that explains why they are looking at me as if I have gone bananas. What I wanted to ask was, which of you is Nicole and which Alexis? Nicole, put up your hand.” She did so. I turned again to Diana. “Apart from their mental differences, the difference of their signatures, how do you tell them apart? Have they got any small differences I can use?”
“Not even mentally Robbie. They finish each others sentences and seem to think of the same things.”
“That means they are going to be able to play lots of tricks on us. I had to come here to ask the two of you for a favour. You heard we will have a lot of guests tomorrow?” They both nodded vigorously. “What I want is for you to make yourselves about ten or eleven years old, put on a lovely party frock and join us. Even if...”
“Robbie!! They mustn’t!”
“Don’t worry about me love. I was going to...”
“No. Not for you only! Dommi is afraid Niko will fall in love with them.” That made me sit back.
“What are we supposed to do with them? Hide them for the rest of their lives? You two, you want us to hide you?” They did not respond, only staring with fear in their eyes again.
“I will talk with Dommi. I want the girls to come. The condition I was going to put was, if you see I cannot handle seeing you, if you feel my emotions getting out of control, then you will have to be two very sweet and brave girls and leave immediately. Is that a promise?” They looked at each other and then nodded for me. I leaned over and kissed their soft cheeks. “I feel as if there is already something special between us. I wonder how you two are going to change my life - for change it you will.”
“You feel the link Robbie because you left a piece of yourself in both of them.”
“That was naughty of me. Wonder why I did that.” They grinned and I got up to leave. They came, as one, and grabbed a leg each. I caressed their heads and they let go.
Dommi and I discussed the twins and Niko. I explained that the problem will have to be faced at some time. I hope Niko will not fall in love with them, but I will not hide my girls for anyone’s sake. I am proud of them and I want to show them off. She responded that most parents only show off their daughters after fifteen years.
“Not any Robert Teller babies!” She gave in.
“What about you? That worries me more.”
“I will adjust, as I did with Diana. They have promised to leave if they see or sense I cannot handle their beauty. How long do you give me?”
“Not even one minute.”
“I’ll have to manage longer than that! Can’t have the poor dears dressing up for just a minute.”
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Chapter Seventy Seven
All my girls have a healer, even the babies, so they do not ever need more than six hours of sleep. This means that they usually go to sleep between eleven to twelve o’clock. It is not unusual in Greece to see small children up at that time, so it never causes any comments. I find that by eight I now need a snooze.
When I woke up I found all my girls in the room with me. The babies were in their cribs which left Dommi, who was lying next to me, Cherine, Wendy and Diana. The others had stayed at home with their parents.
“God, but you all look so tempting!”
“I told you Dommi, we should have slept in the other bedroom.”
“You can stay Cherine. Even if I want to, I do not think I could. Just that I hope it does not mean you will suffer. Dommi love, thank you. I had thought you might want a night alone with me.”
“I do. I thought that if you had chosen someone else I would lie wishing I could have at least been with. Don’t worry Robert, it is not a sacrifice, I’m glad they are with us.”
“I wonder what that Dommi who came to Ydra would say if she could hear you say that.”
“She would say I am a pervert. But then she did not love them as I do and anyway, she had a lot of things wrong with her. She did not really know what love is - you and Cherine, you taught me.” Cherine gave her a kiss for that. I had noticed that Dommi had changed her age. She looked about late twelve, with small breasts that would not fill my hand, but delightfully rounded already.
I chuckled. “Were you afraid that in my weakened state I might not be able to? Buying insurance?”
“Actually, this is a compromise. I wanted to be about ten, but with you being such a pervert, I did not want you getting too excited.” I loved that she is teasing me.
“I can tell you something, I think this must have been your loveliest, sexiest age. God but those tiny breasts are delicious. You are a mixture of the purity of a child with the promise of womanhood just beginning to announce itself. You could not have chosen a lovelier age.”
Despite the fact that I had already stiffened, I felt no irresistible urge for gratification. I felt like I had all the time in the world to enjoy the sight and feel of her. I lay on my side, my head raised by my one arm as my left slowly felt its way over her. I was enjoying the texture of her skin, the warmth within the palm of my hand. I would feel how she swelled here and dipped there and it was lovely.
“My libido has dropped to a very low point. I was afraid it would spoil it for me. Now I find it is wonderful. It gives me time to really look at you, to feel the delightful softness and warmth of your body. Your tummy is so flat, it makes your mound seem to stick way up. I can’t believe how lovely your legs and thighs are, still slim all the way to those non-Greek narrow hips of yours. I want to feel all of you, slowly, taking my time, and then I want to taste and drink in your scent before passion robs me of this pleasure.”
Dommi could feel the pleasure I was getting out of her and it gave a warm rosy glow to her body and emotions. I saw the same was happening to my other girls and it pleased me that Cherine was spreading our feelings, but not allowing me to be overwhelmed.
Though I could have carried on forever like this, I half rested my body over the adolescent body of Dommi and kissed her lightly. I spread my butterfly kisses over her face until there was nothing but her lips left to be touched. I kissed her sweet lips and tasted the difference, the still lingering childish purity of her childhood.
If I am to believe Charlie that I have a serpent of energy at the base of my spine, it certainly began to waken and send its flames racing through my blood.
I could not get enough of her nipples and pert soft roundness and tenderly paid my dues in adoration. I tasted of her skin over her flat tummy, reaching the firm swelling of her mound. I deeply inhaled the fragrance and sucked and teased until I felt the need in both of us demand the invasion of her small, still un-stretched once again, love canal.
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As I lifted my body into position over my love, she raised her knees and the sweet warmth of her small hand took hold. As she raised her hips to me in her urgency I pressed down on her and she opened to welcome my tip into her. I felt the obstruction and realised she really is a virgin for me - which does not happen with Dommi that often.
I waited, giving us both time to savour the feelings and lowered my body to lie on top of her and feel her warmth and softness all along my own body. I kissed her as I tore through.
As my senses slowly returned to me, I felt the bodies of my other loves thrashing around and I pulled them in to be close, to be against me, until they too capsized and drowned within the fiery lake of their needs.
I had forgotten how wonderful it felt to have my body surrounded and warmed by so many bodies and I tried to ensure I caressed each of them with a love that started from the innermost parts of my heart. As we slowly relaxed, their bodies quietened, I remembered and swiftly rising to my feet brought our babies to our bed and placed them over me, softly, ever so gently caressing them.
I sensed them almost as a purring of warm satisfaction as I felt myself sinking. Exhausted, I slipped into a dark well of sleep with my heart at rest.
I woke up the next morning and I felt so relaxed and alive I could hardly believe I had ever been sick. It was something like the false dawn, for when I arose, I was weak and my one leg still limped, but it mattered not to me. The way my heart felt, the love I was flooded with, those were all that mattered.
Cherine grinned up at me. “Your healer says no damage.” She turned to the others and there were tears in her eyes as they clung to each other in relief.
“Hell, I could have told you that!”
They grinned at me and Dommi pulled me to them in a hug, “Oh you crazy man!”
For me, the best part of having all my friends and loved ones for supper was the way I felt surrounded by love. Individually each one, from baby to men and women, the delight they showed in seeing me up and about again, the outpourings of love from them were the best tonic I could have been given. They still tended to treat me as if I were fragile and watched out for me, waiting for the slightest sign of weariness in me. I was forced to speak about it.
“You are all drowning me with your gentleness and fear. I have promised my loved ones, that without any offence to you all, soon as I find the need to sleep or lie down comes upon me, I will do so. The girls have all agreed, because they have become aware of what a terrible coward this illness has made of me. Please relax and just be happy for me.”
Just before supper was to be started I turned and stared at the door towards the passage to our bedroom. They all sensed the awe and anticipation in me and the room became silent as they looked to see what I am waiting for.
Diana appeared, she just stood there and her attitude betrayed her fear. She stood as if waiting for me to change my mind, or in the hope I would.
“Diana love, you still have the magic. Just the sight of you makes me tremble from the love and need I have to drink in your beauty and hold you to me. Yet, it is time to allow some more magic into my life, magic I have been dreaming of for a long time.”
In a last desperate appeal she looked to Dommi, but she only got a nervous smile from there. She stood aside and gestured to my soul mates. They walked in, simply dressed, at an age of about thirteen. There was a glow about them, the look of children who feel surrounded by a very deep love for them and know they are cared for. Slowly they walked over to me and I became aware of them also monitoring me. I got the healer to reinforce me and dampen some of my reactions to the sight of them.
The room remained silent, but underneath that silence was a mixture of emotions wildly out of control. For the first time for a long time it was I who now monitored and looked at their feelings. I do not believe that there is one perfect kind of beauty that appeals to all. But when there is great beauty and it is accompanied by that something extra, whether it be personality, a glow that comes from within or I know not what else, then the beauty, it seems, becomes universal and enchants.
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The twins have it all. They are as if designed for me, as was their mother. From the shapes of their almond shaped eyes, their sweet noses, the shape of the face and chin, their slim long arms and legs, those heavenly bodies, all were my ideal. The long glowing hair rich with the sheen of perfect health would have been the dream of any advertising mogul. I just knew that once their scent touched me my healer will no longer be able to help me resist them. Soon as I touch that golden skin of satin I will be exploding with such love and adoration I’ll be left to be little more than their plaything, no longer able to resist them, whatever the cost of such passion and need.
They stood in front of me, but kept a distance of about two metres. They dared a smile and I felt my knees would not hold me up. I had to speak, try to take my mind off the turmoil within me. What gave me the strength was the fear I felt in them. I also felt their reaction to me and I could not believe how they too were affected. I could not allow them to be hurt in the slightest way. I steeled myself and smiled back at them.
“My dearest friends, I thought it was time you all meet my lovely twin daughters Alexis and Nicole. As you all know, their mother is our lovely Diana. I think that she and nature have outdone themselves and given us the rarest beauty with which to brighten our lives. I know their souls too, and apart from the slight taint of a sliver of my soul, I would say these are two of the most glorious souls I have ever seen. Those of you who are feeling they could fall in love, be warned, they are already spoken for, they belong to my circle and I will not give them up for anyone.
My sweet daughters, welcome. I hope I live a thousand years so that I have time enough to give you a hint of the love I feel already. I promise to greet you properly with my arms about you soon as I am well enough to bear holding creatures made of so much beauty and love.”
“Father, we have waited” - “so long to feel you are not disappointed” - “in us. We have feared you would find us” - “not worthy of the sacrifice” - “you made for us.”
“Are you two always going to speak like this? Verbal ping-pong?” They gave a sweet giggle and nodded.
“I think we will have to dress you in different colours so that we know what to call you.”
“It does not matter father” - “we do not mind being called by either name.”
“I mind. Now, I suggest you go meet each of our friends so that we can all relax, sit and eat.” I had not known I would have the strength, but I managed to tear my eyes away from them and went to put my arms around Diana.
“Thank you my love. I am so glad you wanted to have them. They are divine. To think that such miracles could come out of the two of us.” I pulled her chin up to look into those eyes that make me dizzy. “Please do not fear that they can ever take your place. There is a special place in my heart that belongs only to you. Can you feel the way you make me feel?” She wanted to cry, but there were too many people around, so she took hold of my hand and brought my fingers to her lips. I did not reprimand her. I took her fingers to my lips and smiled at her. “Mother of my children, you are all you ever could have hoped to be.”
There was no limit put on the stay of the twins. They were courted by all, their own hearts not only touching but being touched. I heard their giggle as they answered someone and every now and then looked at them. They were such happy sweet angels that I wondered, could there be one person in the whole world that would not love them, treasure them like a rare and impossible dream? That brought back the memory of the photos and I had to slam my mind shut so fast it was felt by all. Cherine was instantly at my side, but I had by then locked it all away and opened myself to her again. I could not help the sadness as I smiled at her.
“Cherine baby, after supper, could we form the golden ring of love? Not as we did for the broadcasting. Just a sweet and gentle loving by each of us to all of us. I need to be reminded that hate is a weakness, not a strength.” She stared at me, concern in her eyes, but nodded her agreement.
We formed the circle of love and it was the perfect ending to a lovely evening. I expected questions, attempts at probing once we were alone. Instead what they did was take me to our bed, undress and hold me tenderly, all of them keeping their thoughts and feelings gentle with love for me until I slept. Perhaps I should be ill more often!
810
I began to do a little work again, though, whenever I got inspired it took the anger of my girls to pull me away. I spent time going to movies with them, for walks in parks or a drive up to the mountains, where we walked amongst the fir trees, our lungs filled with the scent of their resin.
Since I was not allowed to jump, we took drives to the beach and played games, relaxed in the sun and ate delicious foods at tavernas that were unknown to tourists but frequented by the locals. Within the Athens area it has become more difficult to find a decent taverna that does not charge exorbitant prices - the locals discovered the snobbish pleasures of tasting French, Italian and other national dishes. It is considered ‘modern’ to be seen there, not at the tavernas - and thus the cost of eating at tavernas has risen too high. I assured the girls that all things come around in a circle and someday the Greeks will re-discover their own cuisine.
This time of recuperation became also a time of drawing closer, of getting to know each other better. I learnt, again, that loving the girls is only a small part of our relationships. Getting to know them and like them is just as important. I discovered to my delight little quirks to their personalities and find I now treasure them even more. I hope they too feel the same about me, though I doubt it.
One morning, sitting at a beach taverna enjoying dishes of grapes and other fruits (instead of the fizzy cold drinks the girls had wanted) I noticed that Meli was lost deep in thought. I assumed she was making up some story and did not disturb her.
“Robbie, Alki - all of you. I’ve been trying to find a name for us. I think I’ve got it.”
“Tell us love.”
“I like the name…you might think it sounds silly.” She hesitated. “The Cherinians.”
Cherine hated the idea and cringed at the tumultuous agreement by the other girls. Marian kept quiet, but the tears on the face she averted spoke for her.
“Melinaki mou, you would name us after my granddaughter?”
“Yes father. All we are we owe to her and Robert. Robertinians does not sound so good and anyway, she is the true Giver of the Gift. From her comes all.”
“Do I have a say in this?” They all looked at me and Cherine groaned with dismay. “If Cherine would allow us to call ourselves the Cherinians, she will be doing us a great honour. My love, will you make it official by giving us your consent?”
“It sounds horrible Robert.”
“Will you do us the honour?”
Her face sank out of view as her hair covered it, looking down at her shoes she nodded.
“Cherine, this is too solemn a moment for us to accept a nod. Please answer us, will you do us the honour?”
Softly she whispered her “Yes.”
“That was brave love. I say brave, for your name will be hated by many.” She looked up at me in dismay. “All the humans who see the Cherinians as a threat will hate your name. When we are threatened and killed, when we are tempted to kill, when we are reviled, betrayed and suffer, we will all be able to lift our heads high and say, ‘I am a Cherinian, named after the Mother of our species.’ And that will give us the pride and courage to carry on. You, and Meli, have given us a great gift today.”
Alki was staring at me with his mouth hanging open. A great fear was in his eyes, but he waited until we were alone. “You have prophesied for us Roberto? These things will come to pass?”
“No. Common sense says they will happen. We will have to try to find ways to make the world accept us, see us for what we are. However, there will always be the many who fear what is new.”
“You are an artist Roberto, my daughter is a story teller. Cannot the two of you, between you, find a way to make the world welcome us?”
Αλέξανδρος Ζήνον Ευσταθίου
(Alexander Zenon Eustace)5th May, 2019
* posted on Steemit: 5th May, 2019
@nikosnitza