Eternity

Chapter 16

"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

Brian's POV

The room finally quiets down from all the excitement and Gwen sits down in the middle of the floor, crossing her legs, grinning up at everyone. "Well, where are all my fucking gifts?"

We all laugh and I sit back on the sofa wrapping my arm around Justin. As I squeeze him in close he whispers in my ear, "Sometimes I think she's a female version of you."

I kiss him on the forehead. "At times she can be, but thankfully she has Lindsay's heart and Melanie's strength."

He looks at me in shock. "I can't believe you just said that."

I laugh and nuzzle my nose against his. "Neither can I."

Jonathan sits down next to Gwen and kisses her briefly on the lips before handing her a gift. "For my Immortal Beloved." She blushes and kisses him on the cheek, then slowly starts opening the gift.

I move slightly away from Justin and sit forward. I am curious about this new pet name. "What kind of fucking endearment is Immortal Beloved? Is that some fucked up vampire thing I don't know about?" I glare at Jonathan pointedly, but I have to admit I really like this kid. He never skips a beat and he's not afraid to stick up for what he believes in. I think that's why I like to challenge him as often as possible.

Jonathan laughs almost mockingly. "Of course you would think so Brian. In actuality the endearment has a much more sentimental meaning than sucking blood and being some stereotype walking corpse." He gently wraps his arm around Gwen. "We both have had past life memories and our spirits have always been interlinked except for a few occasions." Jonathan smiles at Gwen lovingly then gently brushes his fingers upon her cheek. He looks back up at me and his eyes grow serious. "In those lives I was completely lost without her spirit with me. We are connected immortally. Our bodies may die but our spirits always live on together. That is why she is my immortal beloved and I am hers." Jonathan leans over and kisses Gwen then she puts down the gift she was opening. She lightly caresses his hair and deepens the kiss.

I can feel everyone's eyes on me, waiting to see what snide remark I will come back with. Jonathan and Gwen draw apart from their kiss. For once I am truly baffled on how to respond. I raise my brow and nod my head, then sit back against the sofa wrapping my arm around Justin. He kisses me softly on the lips and his warm breath soothes my confusion.

I am left pondering if what Jonathan has said has any actual reflection on our lives. Is there such a thing as past lives? I have never really thought about it on a personal level. I always felt it was an excuse people made up to feel better about choices they made. But now looking upon my daughter and her lover, I wonder if there is more to it.

I sneak a glance at Justin and feel it could possibly be true. Since the first time I saw Justin all those years ago I felt I had known him for years. I have been too stubborn most of my life to listen to my heart. Now for the first time I am starting to and I realize it can be painful. Maybe that's why I stopped doing it many years ago. I am worried about losing Justin, yet I know within the depths of my gut that he is my immortal beloved. That somehow we are connected always through time. It seems as though these thoughts are not even my own and I wonder where they are coming from.

I decide it doesn't matter where the thoughts are coming from because they feel so right and true.

"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

Gwen's POV

I notice the change in my father right away, and I am amazed that he is actually thinking over what Jonathan has told him. I have always felt Jonathan and I were Immortal Beloveds, but we are also interlinked with a chain of kindred spirits. I feel strongly that this circle of friends; our misfit family, has always been together through many time lines and past lives.

In my mind Justin and my father were always meant to be. I just hope Daddy sees it and doesn't fuck it up because he is scared. The love I see in Justin's eyes confirms to me that he would never let go without a fight. With Justin there is another, and it is rare but possible, that he has two beloveds. I often see Ethan's spirit walking alongside him, but it is Brian who has always called to him and penetrated into his deepest soul

I am drawn back to reality when Jonathan nudges me gently, setting me back to the task of opening my gifts. I am thrilled to see how well my family knows me. Every gift is a piece of them but something I also adore. I smile as the cameras flash non-stop. Finally I have only one last gift to open. I admit I am nervous to do so. Dad is not always the best gift giver. He tries and I will say his gifts are always extravagant but never what I would use or need.

I find myself holding my breath as I open the box. I gasp and tears begin to form when I see what's inside. I look up at Dad and can tell he is a bit anxious to see if I like it. I can't even express how touched I am by this gift. To know that my dad knows me better than I ever thought, touches my heart. I look into the box again and my eyes gaze upon one of the most beautiful belly dancing outfits I have ever seen.

Mom's voice breaks my spell. "Well, what is it? Are you going to show us?" I nod my head yes and I'm too emotional to speak. I take the outfit out of the box one piece at a time laying them carefully down on the floor.

I touch the thin material of the triangular, coin hip scarf and a set of finger cymbals that lie off on the side and bring them out of the box. I see a black full circle silk skirt and underneath it is a gorgeous detailed black and maroon beaded bra with fringe. I giggle when I see a card of jeweled bindies.

"Oh my God," Mom says with a gasp, "Brian, that is so beautiful. Where did you find such an exquisite outfit?"

Daddy shrugs his shoulders. "I found it online. " He looks over at me. "Is it all right? I know you wanted a new outfit."

I nod my head and get up off the floor walking over to give him a big hug. "Thank you so much! It's beautiful," I declare, and then kiss him on the cheek.

I notice right away the unusual grin on mother Mel's face. I know she and Daddy have never really gotten along all that well, and I always fear what one of them might say to the other. I hold my breath and wait to see if world war three is going to break out any time soon.

"Jesus, Brian, are you trying to show us all up with that amazing gift?" She laughs to take away the edge and winks. Dad laughs good naturedly, leaving me feeling very confused by this exchange and wondering what transpired so that they seem almost civil.

"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

Brian's POV

I am very relieved to see that Guinevere likes her gift. When I came across it online, I was so taken by it and there was something that seemed so familiar about it.

"Why don't you try it on, pumpkin? See if it fits all right." She smiles and then runs upstairs to try it on.

A few moments later Gwen walks down the stairs and the Gypsy that has always been very evident in her features is now very pronounced. My breath is taken away by the strong young woman standing at the bottom of the steps. She is no longer a little girl. No longer Daddy's little girl. I admit it breaks my heart to even think about it.

She smiles at everyone and slides on the finger cymbals. She raises her hands above her head clicking them twice, then shimmies her hips. The clinking of coins alters my mind as I watch Gwen try out her new outfit. There is something so mystical about the way she moves her body with such serpent like mannerisms.

I am drawn into the serenity of the dance and for the first time since my youth I have an overwhelming sensation of something higher and greater. I feel it transpiring within me and going beyond my control. I close my eyes and listen to the finger cymbals click and the coins that hum rhythmically with each shimmy. In my mind I can hear the beat of tribal drums and the world around me is dark. The only light is that of a bonfire that crackles into the evening sky. Then I can feel my own body moving to the same rhythm.

There is an awareness of soft scarves caressing my skin. I feel a warm body next to me and looking over I see a woman with long brown hair. Her skin is golden and looks kissed by the sun. She moves gracefully as she sways her body to the drum beat. Her skin brushes against mine sending chills up my spine. I am drawn to her tranquility and she takes hold of my hand leading me to a young woman lying upon soft linens. Her breathing is labored and that is when I notice her swollen belly.

The young woman grunts in pain and takes hold of my hand. She speaks in an enchanted tongue but I am able to understand it in English. "Mother, it hurts. "

I lay my hand upon her cheek. "I know it hurts. Breathe deeply; she will be here soon."

The young woman clinches onto my hand tightly and I can't bear to see her tears. Looking closer I see an innocence in her eyes and a desire of life and hope. In that moment I recognize her spirit. She is Guinevere.

I feel the presence of the woman from before glide up behind me. She gently lays her hand on my shoulder and I turn around to look into her deep brown eyes. My breath catches in my throat when I recognize Justin's spirit.

I feel my breath coming rapidly and I am confused by my thoughts and by these visions. I try to pull out but I am too deeply entrenched in the vision.

I feel someone jostling me. "Dad? Daddy, are you ok?"

My eyes flutter open and Gwen is kneeling next to me, concern written across her face. Then I notice the whole family is watching and I'm lying on the floor with my head resting on Justin's knees. His hands are tenderly resting on both sides of my head, but I can feel the tension in his body. I smile up at them weakly. "I don't think we're in Kansas anymore, Toto," I say with a grimace.

A relieved smile spreads across Justin's face and he leans down to rest his forehead on mine. "Don't you dare fucking scare me like that again."

"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

Justin refuses to let me drive home. I was informed that apparently I stood up from my spot on the couch and then fell over; none of which I remember. Tonight's events keep playing over and over in my mind. Did these visions come upon me because I hit my head? Or was I seeing a glimpse into the past?

Justin pulls up to the loft and insists on helping me out of the Jeep. "Sunshine, I promise you, I'm fine. You don't need to fawn all over me."

He smirks playfully. "Hmm, I don't know about fawning all over you, but how about a fondle?"

I raise my brow. "I thought I was an invalid." I smile gently to ease the harshness from my words.

Justin presses me up against the Jeep. "I never thought that, but you frightened me, okay? So are you going to tell me what happened?"

I furrow my brow. "You told me I fell."

Justin shakes his head. "Brian, you and I both know there is more to it than that. You looked positively spooked before you fell over. Were you thinking about the double wedding thing?"

I glare at Justin and growl, "No, but fuck you very much for reminding me. You can't possibly be thinking of wanting to have a double wedding?"

He shrugs his shoulder and smiles innocently. "I thought it was a sweet gesture."

I wrap my hands around the back of his neck and lean my forehead against his. "That it is, but I'm not sure if I want to take away from my little girl's moment."

"Brian, Gwen and Jonathan suggested it. I think this is something they really want to share with us. Just think about it, okay?"

I look down at my lover and I am so drawn into his deep blue eyes that it is difficult for me to deny his wishes. "I'll think about it."

Return to Eternity