Secrets Powers.. [VOL.4]

[Decode]

Aimee nodded. "That sounds fun. I like it hear." She knew how hard he must be working to keep her happy. Aimee was hard to please- well, to herself anyway- and Gabriel was just plain stunning. She was going to enjoy anything he gave her, good or bad. Maybe Aimee had feelings for Gabriel, she didn't know. He was to beautiful, to amazing to seem real. And the fact he wanted her seemed even less of a reality.

"I'm two years older then Karin, and I'm ten years older then Yuzu. I enjoyed Yuzu's company all the time growing up, she was an important asset in my life. I took care of her when our parents didn't, and Karin took care of me, while Yuzu took care of Karin. Like I said, we were unusually close. There was no rivalry, because we all lived off each others love, and not just one individuals."

Stacey rolled off the counter, landing on his feet in a crouching position, deathly silent. He pressed him self against the kitchen wall, unseen, as he listened to them speak. He had left the blankets in a way so that it still looked like he was there sleeping. Stacey was even amused by their talk- A human could never own another human. And Liam's words just made him want to laugh out loud.

 

[Bunny_grl07]

Gabriel said, "If you want, as long as I don't have any work stuff to do, we could come out here all the time. And then maybe we could go to the southern part of the county, and the western, and the eastern, and just explore, and have fun. You know? I mean-- if you don't mind, of course. This is all about you, and I want you to be happy." He gently patted her knee, then concentrated on the road, becoming silent.

Arianna smiled wistfully and said, "I wish I'd had that kind of family. But..." She sighed. "I, unfortunately, was an only child. And my parents were never around, because my father was a businessman, my mother was a model. They were rarely together, and they were rarely with me. So, I stayed at home, had a private tutor, and was basically raised by my nanny and butler. I was a very lonely child, and I didn't have friends. I wish I'd had a sibling."

Liam peered into the apartment, and then he grinned maliciously. "So, this is how you got off the streets. By becoming a girl-for-hire! Wow, you never even let me touch you, let alone get that far. You've sunk real low, Eponine."

Eponine said, "He didn't hire me, and he was my first time! You don't know anything about me! I can't believe I loved you, ever, at any point in my life!"

Liam said, "Ah, but the rest of the world doesn't know that. I could buy out the papers, tell them what I want. And everyone would call you a slu--"

Eponine retorted, "I could just as easily say that you cheated on me, numerous times!"

Liam just shrugged. "It was all for business." He then handed her a card. "Since you're so intent on taking back the company, I'll expect to see you at the company gala, in downtown. Tomorrow night. Maybe if you're lucky, I'll take you back or something. Or hire you for the night." He leaned forward, planting a sloppy kiss on her cheek, close to her ear, then turned and left, slamming the door behind him.

 

[Decode]

"That sounds like fun. But what happens if something goes wrong, Gabriel?" she asked, looking to him. "I mean- disaster always seems to follow me, and I would not li--" She sighed, face palming. She had to let him help- she made a promise to him. Aimee noticed how hard he was concentrating on the road. How hard was it for him to not drive to a point that he went past the speedometer. She knew that's what she would have been doing with a ride like this.

Akadou hugged Arianna. "It's okay, dear. Sometimes, things got rough for us. I was just grateful enough we stayed together after some of the awful things we did to each other. You will never know what went on inside that house sometimes. There are ups and downs to these situations, the sibling hood." He laughed at some of the things that popped into this head.

Stacey came out of hiding, looking to Eponine. "You know what, Eponine? I can have Dolan take the business from him. Dolan doesn't have a high tolerance for a-holes like that. Dolan might as well make those types of people illegal. Don't worry about this, I can keep you safe." He walked up to her and hugged her, kissing the top of her head.

 

[Bunny_grl07]

Gabriel said, "I don't usually have passengers with me. So, I'm trying to be as safe with you as I possibly can. If anything happened to you, I would--" He shut his mouth immediately, not wanting to upset her or anything. "I usually drive much faster," he finally admitted. "Because I'm doing heavy duty work things. But I'm not risking you getting hurt."

Arianna said, "Yes, I suppose there are some upsides to being alone... I can't think of any that apply to my life, but I'm sure they exist." She grinned at him, giving him a bried kiss as she walked. "So," she said, changing the subject, "what should we do now?"

Eponine smiled and said, "I know you can keep me safe. But I want to beat Liam, fair and square. I'm going to go to the company gala, wow everyone there with my grace and intelligence, and start a fair fight to get my father's legacy back. Oh, and I need you to be my date to the gala, and I'm not taking "no" for an answer. Besides, you'd look hot in a tux." She grinned at him, ruffling his hair cheekily. Then her smile faltered, and asked, "So... how much of that did you hear?"

 

[Decode]

Aimee blushed. "I didn't know you cared so much," she whispered, inching a little bit closer to him on her seat, her hands in her laps, folded tightly. "But, continue what you were going to say." Aimee had a vague idea what he was going to say- and it scared her slightly. Even her own parents hadn't cared about her this much. She remembered how they were always speeding.. to have a person care though, that was different. It was awkward to her- something new, fresh. Was this a chance to start over with human kind? Gabriel... was he the key to a successful life? She thought hard, looking up at Gabriel. "I think we should do more then just.. dinner."

Akadou tilted his head in thought. He had to think of things that wouldn't induce labor or emotional behavior. He wrapped an arm tightly around her waist and said, "We could go back to my place and watch a Jimmy Neutron marathon on Nickelodeon." He laughed out loud at this idea and looked at Arianna. "I'm sorry baby, we could do something more romantic if you want."

Stacey froze for a moment. Was honesty the best policy in this case.. possibly.

"I heard every word he spoke, and I just want to rip his throat out with my bare teeth, which I'm thinking of hiring my werewolf friends to do," he said, grinding his teeth together angrily. "But I'll go to the gala with you, and I will behave as best I can."

 

[Bunny_grl07]

Gabriel sighed and quietly said, "If something were to happen to you, I would go insane with grief and self loathing. I couldn't bear to think that I was the reason of your pain." He moved his arm, placing it around her shoulders. "Aimee, I've fallen in love with you, and I just... I want to take care of you, and keep you with me, and make you happy, for all time. And if you just let me do that, I will be the happiest man in the world." He then listened to what she said last, and his face reddened slightly. "If you would like, my dear... then will do whatever it is you ask of me- want of me, I should say."

Arianna said, "Honestly, I have no preference about what we do. As long as we're together, I'm happy." She kissed his cheek, then kept walking beside him, burrowing close to him and beaming. "Plus, there's not very much I can do right now. But whatever you want is fine with me." Sometimes, she still couldn't believe that he was hers, and she was his.

Eponine kissed him playfully, ruffling his hair in her usual, carefree way. "Okay then, darling," she whispered in his ear. "If you behave well at the gala, I'll give you a reason not to behave later." She grinned, then went to get completely dressed again, pulling the black halter top on again, then the pair of jeans. "By the way, Stacey, I really love your poetry. I wish I could write something like that."

 

[Decode]

Aimee's eyes widened a little. "You love me?" she asked this as though she didn't hear it right, or as though he was being sarcastic. She just let her mind wrap around it before she reached behind her and moved his arm into her lap, taking his hand in both of hers. "Gabriel... that's... so... beautiful," she whispered. "I wasn't expecting you to say that to me, and I... I love you too, Gabriel."

Akadou laughed a little, kissing her ear and whispering, "I love you." He smiled at her, beaming like the sun almost. He said, "We can do something fun. I'll make smoothies, or show you my latest invention. I'll do anything that involves you being happy and around me at all times. Cartoons can be hasty and I want to make a nice, lovely, slow evening, us two together. Us three, actually." He smiled.

Stacey chuckled. "I've been inspired, since I've lived during the years of some of the world's greatest poets. I've traveled so much, seen so much, experienced so many things. These things weren't always positive, just so you know, and sometimes, I just wonder what it would be like if I hadn't lived during those periods of times. Tudor England was no fun- so much drama, all the time, whenever you could have it. It was like hot chocolate. It was burning hot on the first sip but you kept drinking it, putting your hand in the same fire. And then the times of Mark Twain, and the Revolution, and France... So many things, and I have so much time on my hands. I've almost run out of things to do."

 

[Bunny_grl07]

Gabriel stopped the car, right in the middle of the road, not caring if people got mad, not caring about anything but her. "Aimee.... you're so beautiful." He leaned over, taking her face in his hands, and kissed her, passionately, but not roughly. And he didn't pull back for quite some time, lost in her, lost in his love with her. "Aimee," he whispered, pulling away, "your love means so much to me. Everything to me, really."

Arianna said, "I like the first two things you said. First of all, I love smoothies, and they're good for me. Second of all, you're so smart, and I can't wait to see your new invention. I mean, if you don't mind showing me, dear." She rubbed her stomach idly, feeling the baby kick against her stomach. It made her so happy, every time Kate made herself known. She felt so lucky, that she had the family she had always hoped for-- a loving fiance, and a beautiful baby on the way.

Eponine grinned and said, "Your life sounds so amazing, though. And interesting and everything. Oh, I wish I had as much time as you. But I only have the life of a mortal." She sat down in an empty chair, and asked Stacey, "But now that I'm in your life... is there at least some form of excitement or happiness?" She reached over and started making more coffee.

 

[Decode]

Aimee blushed to the point her ears were red as well. "You're love is what keeps me going, Gabriel. The only reason I've stayed in Secret Powers Burg this long and..." she trailed off, hoping that he would get the gist of what she was saying. She unbuckled her seatbelt, fumbling with it, before she leaned forward and kissed Gabriel back, smiling as she then bit the tip of his nose. "You're also the first love I've ever had, and I ho-- know we can make this work."

Akadou smiled and opened the door to the house, deciding to keep it open for the fresh air as he went into the kitchen, gathering the fruits he would need to make Arianna the best smoothie she would ever taste. After gathering everything and cutting up the fruits, he placed them in the blender as he went to his room to fetch the invention.

Stacey honestly had to think about that. He'd been through so much, he didn't remember a time where he was ever this happy. He looked at Eponine and smiled. "Well, I've never been this happy in my life. Ever. And I intend to give you immortality at some point, just not to soon. I can't be hasty in my decision making." He trusted her- more then with just the immortality, but he didn't want her to go insane either.

 

[Bunny_grl07]

Gabriel shook his head at what she said first. If she had killed herself, he wouldn't have her, they wouldn't be together like this. And that thought killed him. the more he thought about his life, trying to picture it with her, it became clearer and clearer. He couldn't imagine his life without her. He chuckled when she bit his nose, and couldn't help but lean forward more and nibble at her ear. "You're the first person who's ever ignited such emotions within me. And I love you, always," he whispered, kissing her hair delicately.

Arianna was sitting in the living room, and couldn't help stretching herself out a bit, feeling more comfortable now that she wasn't on her feet, with all of the baby weight. She smiled, wondering what kind of invention Akadou had made. She was glad he was so smart: he would be a great father, who could help her with schooling and such. Plus, she liked to listen when he said really intelligent things.

Eponine grinned at him and said, "Wow. So you really want me to stay with you that much, love?" She sat on the counter again, drinking her new cup of coffee. She leaned over and kissed his cheek, then told him, "You can't let me get too old before you make me immortal, though. I don't want to look like a cougar." She laughed, but it was obvious that she was joyous over the fact that he intended to keep her with him-- forever. "You don't know how happy you've made me, Stacey."

 

[Decode]

Aimee's face was completely red. She probably looked like she had a fever... well, maybe she did. She was burning up at his touch, this all being so new to her. She sighed gently, closing her eyes. "I think I may love you more, and in case you are wondering, that's not a threat." She opened her eyes, fluttering her eye lashes. "It's a promise. I will always love you more then you love me."

Akadou came back in with a necklace, although it looks pathetic, one single gem embedded in it, there was more to it. "When Kate's born, this is what I want to give her. This necklace... well, it's pretty amazing. If she has powers, it will help her keep a little more stability so she doesn't accidentally hurt people as a young girl. I know I had struggles with my magic, and I want to make sure she's stable. And this necklace does a few other minor things, like giving an extra boost in a battle, maintain certain thoughts, etc. It's just to get her on her feet," he said. "I don't mind if you don't like it, but, you know." He went into the kitchen to get the smoothie, pouring it into two glasses, coming back into the living room and handing Arianna the necklace and smoothie. He sat down in the recliner, staring at the ceiling. "She won't always want our help, and that will help her when she needs to figure things out for herself."

Stacey said, "Well. I was thinking of waiting until your mid twenties. I have the body of a twenty seven year old, I think, but I would appreciate it if you stayed maybe until twenty five. You can't ^&*% with immortality- you either want it or you don't, and there will always be some kind of problem." He looked at her carefully, his eyes shifting. "Eponine, I don't want you to be like everyone else, and I'm going to keep you extra safe against me, no matter what you say."

 

[Bunny_grl07]

Gabriel chuckled quietly and withdrew from her, ruffling her hair in a playful manner. "Now wait a minute, lovely girl. I think you're clearly mistaken. I love you just as much as you love me. And I don't think you should make a promise like that, because it's one you can't keep. Because if you knew how much I love you, you would understand." He started driving again, his mind racing with thoughts of her, and only her. It amazed him how one girl could make him feel dizzy inside, completely happy, make him feel like a hero.

Arianna handled the necklace carefully, loving it not for the way it looked, but for how much effort she knew he put into it, and how special it really was. She quietly said to him, "I think it's the most wonderful gift ever, Akadou. And I know she'll cherish it for her whole life. I wish my parents had cared enough to do something so wonderful for me. But I had to suffer through my powers alone. I never want her to feel like she has nowhere to go." She then sipped from her smoothie, and immediately grinned at him. "This is delicious, dear. Thank you."

Eponine quietly said, "No matter what you say, or what you do... I won't be able to stay away from you, or leave you, ever. And if anything should happen to me... i would be happy, because I had been ab le to spend time with you."

The next day, Eponine got up to go dress shopping. She wanted to get something to surprise Stacey with when she wore it. she also wanted to show him something he'd never seen, and her actual feminine side. She was trying to sneak out, so he wouldn't be able to ask if he could go along. If he did, she would probably give in.

 

[Decode]

Aimee stared out the window again, thinking hard. She had learned even from her own parent's marriage that love was never equal, it was either 60-40 or 70-30. But those numbers could fluctuate at any time and possibly make it 50-50, give or take. But she knew she couldn't be certain. She looked over at Gabriel, smiling at him weakly before looking back towards the scenery outside her, longing to be out of this car and in a field or building. All though, it felt very personal in that tight space and Aimee couldn't help but become wanting of his touch again, that unfamiliar flame perching on the edge.

Akadou looked to Arianna, smiling. He got out of his chair, walking over to Arianna. He took her face in his two hands and stared into her eyes. "You'll never be alone, in any way shape or form again. I promise you." He kissed her cheek gently. "I love you."

Stacey was one of those amazingly sound sleepers. He didn't awake easily, ever. There could be nuclear war outside and he wouldn't wake. It was just who he was, sleep was key in his immortality. He was dreaming, his breathing even and sharp.

 

[Bunny_grl07]

Gabriel finally pulled into a hotel, in the early evening. It was a lovely place, with flowers and greenery everywhere, which created a very exotic, romantic feel. He took Aimee's hand and said, "Do you want to stay here tonight? With me? I mean, you know, we don't have to stay here, but it is evening, and I don't want to be driving all night, you know. Plus, my gas tank is running low." He stroked the top of her hand with his thumb, looking at her longingly.

Arianna kissed his forehead, smiling at him. "I love you too, Akadou. And I promise, I will spend every day of the rest of my life trying to make you happy, and to be a good wife to you, and a good mother to Kate. All I want is your happiness, I couldn't ask for more." She kissed him gently, then tensed as the baby kicked.

Eponine jotted down a quick note and stuck it to the fridge, smiling to herself. She grabbed her jacket and walked out the door, then meandered in the general direction of the nearest department store. She visualized different dresses in her head, trying to figure out what she wanted. She didn't want to fit the frou frou theme. She wanted something sleek, classy, and elegant, as well as something very sexy.

 

[Decode]

Aimee was stunned as she looked around. She never had seen a place so... perfect. The most amazing place she had ever seen was a trip to Niagara Falls back when she was five. This hotel, out somewhere she didn't know, was absolutely stunning, romantic, and the most perfect place to be with someone like Gabriel. She looked up at him, blushing crimson. "This place is... beautiful, Gabriel. We can stay here forever if you want," she murmured, stammering on her last sentence a bit. She felt odd.

Akadou laughed and patted her stomach gingerly. "Don't worry Kate, you'll be out soon. No need to be anxious, my dear. I'm sure Mommy could use a break from the activity." He chuckled, using one hand to stroke the side of Arianna's face. "You promise to much. We will take care of each other, love each other equally, and do equal work, so that nothing ever falls out of balance. And Kate will grow up around a good example- hopefully," he chuckled on the last bit, obviously teasing. He knew she'd have the perfect example.

Stacey woke up, as though any other day. He went into the bathroom, combing his hair as he stared in the mirror. He placed his hand on the glass. The man in the mirror was different. Warm, gentle. He lost his hard-^&* features. He liked it. "You look good today, Stace," he murmured to himself, oozing toothpaste out of the tube as he lifted the brush to his teeth. Pearly white. Like they would always be.

Once done brushing his teeth, there was a knock on the door. He got his jeans on quickly and raced to the door, Dolan in the doorway. "..Dolan."

"Hey buddy~ Came to check on you ^~"

 

[Bunny_grl07]

Gabriel stroked her hair, then the side of her face. "Aimee, this place is very special, just like you, the most special girl I think I've ever met. You're so wonderful, and beautiful, and I feel like you're the only woman I ever want by my side. Aimee, I will do anything for you, absolutely anything." He kissed her forehead, then got out of the car, and opened Aimee's door for her, extending his hand. "Shall we?" He asked, his voice deep and husky.

Arianna rested against the couch, smiling slightly up at Akadou, reaching out to brush his hair from his face. "I can't wait until Kate is here. We'll be able to hold her, and feed her, and dress her, and rock her to sleep... and I'll even be excited to change her diapers. Okay, well, maybe only the first few times. After a while, I'm sure I'll dread it. But our own daughter-- I can hardly believe it. Of course, she'll need a sister or brother-- hopefully a brother. I want a big family."

Eponine went into a store, and came out pretty soon afterwords, having found what she had wanted easily. She started walking home, keeping the bag with the dress close to her chest, wanting to make sure that when she arrived at home-- which was odd for her to think about-- Stacey wouldn't be able to see the dress. She wanted to wow him before the big gala. Which would only be in a few hours. Crap. And she had no idea what to do with her hair, or her makeup. She sighed as she walked into the apartment complex.

 

[Decode]

Aimee unfastened her seatbelt and took his hand, amazed by what he said. No guy had ever said such nice things about her. She kept trying to wrap her head around this, his love for her. She smiled. "I feel... the same way, Gabriel. Maybe even more unconditional and more dedicated." She knew he would protest against this, and only sighed, leaning against his body slightly as she looked at him, fluttering her eyelashes innocently. "I love you."

Akadou laughed, then turned serious. "Arianna, I'm getting worried about my sister... would you mind if she moved in with us? To help around when Kate gets here?" He had been worried about his litter sister, living with Leslie. Of course he trusted her, but he knew Yuzu's relationship with Beetlejuice could cause trouble. He looked at Arianna and sighed. "She's getting engaged.."

Dolan walked inside, looking around. "This is the same dang house, dude. The one you, Kinsey and I lived in back in the day," Dolan said, looking around. "Only difference is you painted the walls.. goody."

Stacey only shrugged, going to the freezer to get some of the margarita he had stashed away and poured it into glasses, tossing some salt and sugar on the edge of the cup. "Enjoy, man&^*%."

 

[Bunny_grl07]

"I love you too," he told her, guiding her into the hotel. The inside was even more beautiful than the exterior, with high arched ceilings and beautiful Caribbean blue walls, with tropical plants in various pots, and some even grew from the tiled floor. Gabriel went to the front desk and made a quick reservation, taking a wad of cash from his jacket pocket and handing it to the man at the desk.

Arianna thought about it for a minute, before nodding slightly and saying, "She can move in with us. But, she can't cause trouble, or bring trouble into the house. And there can't be any sort of smoke or chemicals brought in the house, for Kate's sake." She looked down at her stomach, and rubbed it gently. "The doctor said I need to relax and keep away from smoke, chemicals, and alcohol, among other things."

Eponine walked in, then looked from Dolan to Conrad, then back again. "Uh... hello..? I guess you're Dolan... the president one. Nice to meet you." She went to the closet, baffled, and put her dress inside, trying to keep it hidden.

 

[Decode]

Aimee looked at Gabriel. "T-thank you." She thought about the feeble amount of money she had with her. How little her parents had left, and how it could hardly be stretched between the three sisters and Aunt Gin. She bit on her one finger, thinking. She would need to get a job eventually. She couldn't live off of Gabriel's money, she wasn't that kind of person. She sighed lightly. Aimee needed this place, the Caribbean blue walls around her allowed her body to relax, to stop being so thoughtful.

"Yuzu isn't like that. I make sure we have a close bond so that she never goes off and does something stupid. The last thing I want is a suicidal little sister," he said, chuckling. "And she's always told me how excited she is to see Kate and that she wants to help out. I guarantee there will be no trouble for Kate's sake, and yours." He smiled warmly and hugged her. "I wouldn't ask if I didn't think it was safe."

Dolan nodded. "Yha, that's me."

Stacey chuckled. "Isn't she just the hottest little thing out there?"

Dolan rolled his eyes. "I hate women."

 

[Robonekro]

M.A.1 had decided to rummage around Leslie's place, something in his mind driving him to find..something.

Beetlejuice carelessly watched him, even taking score of how much mess he made in the process.

Shadow had fallen asleep on the roof again, looking very relaxed.