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Family – Part 12
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Ana listened as they rummaged about the room, smiling as she realized they were leaving again. She had grown concerned with the missing show of intimacy she had come to adore in Spain. Pleased, she made note to herself to move her things to the third floor in the morning before she drifted peacefully back to sleep.
The morning had come early as usual with Isabel waking insistent for her morning ritual of feeding, bath, and playtime. Ana was thankful for this time with them, reliving some of her youthful motherhood and witnessing the maternal growth of her own daughter. She was playing with Isabel on the couch, cooing and caressing the tiny kicking feet, when they came in the ocean-side door. She could hear their playful antics and the quiet shushing.
Marina dropped the blankets and grabbed her from behind, once again attacking Jennys neck and shoulder, The sun came too soon.
Jenny whispered huskily, Stop it. Stop it, Ana will hear us, hands betraying her words, blanketing Marinas as they graze across her *****. Chagrined, she pulls her hand from her and hurriedly moves to the kitchen. Noticing Ana and Isabel, she glances knowingly back at Marina, Good morning Ana, as she sits the empty wine bottle and glasses on the counter.
Marina grins and heads to the couch, leaning and planting a noisy kiss to Anas cheek, Buenos dias, mama. She kneels beside them, kissing Isabels foot, almost singing, Buenos dias, Isabel Amata.
Jenny steps up beside her, brushing her hair gently back from her face, I think a shower is in order. She leans speaking softly to their baby girl, Bonjour ma chrie.
Ana agrees, Yes, a shower, youre covered in sand. Now, go, go
They playful hurry up the stairs, Ana glances over her shoulder in time to see a quick caress, Everythings under control here, you two take as much time as you need.
Jenny cannot stop grinning, Marina. Stop it, we need to get in the shower, happy to be in love, refreshed by their lovemaking.
Marina runs her fingers through Jennys hair gently working the rinse from it. Satisfied her work is done whispering to her lover, more I want more of you Warm and glowing is the heat lamp against their glistening bodies as they step from the spray of water. Each reaches for the other, caressing that place warm and inviting to their hand while lips crush the others. Light headed they move to their bed, hands groping at the other, lips stretching to taste the other. They burn from the heated touch of their lover, lost in flames, consumed by their dueling blaze.
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Ana and Jenny were surrounded by the girls at The Planet that day. Each wanted to see her, each wanted to hold her. Jenny turns to Tina, quietly asking, Do you want to hold her?
Tina takes her gently in her arms, enchanted by the beauty already possessed by the infant girl, I cant get over how pretty she is, loving, unafraid. Isabels little hand reaches up, grabbing a strand of hair, smiling back at her admirer.
Vee turns to Marina, Ana told me about your Thursdays, we can watch her for you. Isnt that right Shane, we can watch Isabel on Thursdays? Shanes eyes wide, brows high, she nods a surprised hesitant, yeah sure.
Tina looks to Jenny then Marina, finally to Bette, we can take turns. Bette and I can watch her on Thursdays, right Babe?
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Shane heads for the X-box and big screen TV as Vee takes Isabel from Jenny, she kisses her, love you Isabel, Isabel Amata. How did you come up with her name? Once again speaking her name aloud as if it were poetry, Its a beautiful name, Isabel Amata.
Jenny tells Vee of her dream in Madrid and explaining how Isabel is the Spanish form of Elizabeth and Elisheba. Its Marina that attempts to finish the story, Amata means beloved. It sounds much like Amura too.
Vee interrupts, ohh thats sweet. I bet Amura was pleased.
Marina nods and whispers, yes as her eyes drift to the rest of the story, the part she is not sure she can tell.
Jenny senses this, wraps her arm around Marinas waist and continues, Francesca helped with her middle name. With all that shes done for us, we wanted to give something back to her. Amata means beloved.
She remembers in finite detail the happenings on the night of Isabels birth. The message left by the duty nurse informing her of Francescas failing health. She had sat stunned for a moment before going to her, numbed by the strange mix of emotions, elated and desolate.
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I want to bring my baby here to meet her. No, you cant say no. You must do this for her. Please. Marinas eyes pleaded and demanded, fear and insistence beseeching them to comply.
Marina laid the small fragile bundle into equally frail arms as she introduced her, this is Isabel.
Delicately she turns back the blanket gazing upon the warm dark skin and hair, small legs and feet curled up tight, tiny hands clenched and waving. I understand now, as she begins to wrap her tightly back in her blanket. She looks as I wouldve imagined you as a baby, Francescas adoring words grow quiet, trailing into a peaceful silence, dark and beautiful, mi amata.
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May I speak with Marina, the voice was unknown to her, deep and soft spoken.
Marina takes the phone, Hello. Ah, yes… Her eyes momentarily give way to her pleasant surprise as she walks away from Jenny and Isabel towards her studio and out the door. Jenny only caught a fleeting glimpse of this before Isabel insisted her attentions be focused on her once again.
Who was on the phone? It is Marinas avoidance that peaks her curiosity further. The slow shift from curiosity to concern unnerves her. It had been long since she had wondered of her life before them.
Jenny, just business, thats all. Marina bends to kiss her and then Isabel, Im late, and I have to get to The Planet. Jenny recalls similar phone calls of late, hidden conversations, and the same avoidance from Marina.
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Watching her move about The Planet, her graceful charming of her customers, the sway of hips as she maneuvers between and around the tables, she is enchanted by her and overwhelmed with these feelings that bound her heart.
I always thought the same thing.
Shanes voice surprises her from her thoughts, what?
Shane squats down by the carriage kissing Isabel before plopping into the chair next to them, No offense, but, I always thought she had a nice sway, too. She grins at Jenny knowing where her thoughts were.
Jenny blushes ever so slightly, trying to contain the involuntary reaction to Shanes recognizing, do you think every woman thinks that about her?
Shane watches her from their table, in a wispy voice, yeah even the straight gals. She turns back to Jenny, sees disquiet on her face, whats up with the look, is something wrong?
Her voice quietly responds attempting to hide the question within the answer, no I dont think so Jenny turns her eyes to Shane, have you noticed anything here lately?
Noticed what? Alice startles Jenny from her brooding question.
Oh nothing Jenny shakes her head, looking to Isabel, hoping to stop the conversation from becoming the early morning discussion by the group.
Morning guys, Dana smiles and joins them, what? Whats with the looks? She looks from Jennys look of disbelief to Shane who shrugs and then to Alice.
I was just wondering the same thing. Alices frown gives way to the gloomy nature of the question and nods to Jenny.
That. Did you see that? They all turn to where Jenny is facing seeing Marina glance nervously in their direction as she motions the young woman towards her office.
Alice once again feels shes missing half of what is being said, ever conscious of the undertones in their conversations, What, did we see what?
Marina, she glanced over here as if as if she were afraid I might see them. There, shed said it. Shed finally voiced what had her so worried for these past days. Now she feared having said it aloud, it was there plain and simple to be scrutinized by them all.
Tina walks up, whos the gal with Marina? All eyes turn to her as if they cant believe shes actually spoken the question of day.
Alice nudges Shane, go find out. Nudging her again, Shane, you know you can just walk back there and find out. Marina always tells you, right?
She looks around the table finding all eyes are upon her, encouraging her. But its Jennys that alarm her, you know theres nothing going on, right? She sighs, Fine, Ill go back there. She leaves the table slowly heading to the office.
Tina touches Jennys arm, Jenny, whats wrong?
Jenny looks down shaking her head, it just seems like shes hiding things from me. I never felt that before. Jenny picks up Isabel, she sleeps almost all night now. Look shes getting dimples. They turn their attentions to Isabel, safe and comforting.
Alice nods to them, Look, as they return from the office. Shane is nodding her head as if in agreement to something the young woman has said, as she walks out the door with her, leaving Marina heading for their table. Surprised, realizing this has not turned out the way theyd hoped with Shane returning to the table with assurances, guess she cant tell us.
Marina says hello to everyone and leans next to Jenny, I have to leave for awhile. Ill call you later at the house. She kisses Jenny and Isabel then leaves.
***************************************
Marina, youve been acting different I dont understand why we have to get so dressed up to go to Bette and Tinas. They didnt tell me it was a dressy occasion, just a get together.
Marina sits on the bed beside her, Maybe theyre having special guests. Besides, you look so pretty dressed up I wont be able to take my eyes off you. Marina smiles and reaches around her, but Jenny jerks up and away from her.
Fine, Jenny wonders why Marina doesnt understand her need to be answered, You dont care that Im upset do you? Thats what I mean when I say youre acting different. That and youve been keeping secrets.
Marina tries once more to hold her, this time, however reluctant Jenny allows her, Jenny, of course I care if youre upset. I want us to enjoy our evening, tell me what you want me to do.
She looks up at her defiant and firm, I want to know why youre keeping secrets from me.
Marina sighs with a faint glimmer of sadness, brushing the hair back from Jennys face, her look shifts slowly to a soft loving gaze do you know what day it is? Jenny looks at her questioning, Marina steps away from her and pulls out a bag from the closet. She hands it to Jenny, gently leading her to sit on their bed, open it.
I dont understand.
Open it and you will.
Inside the bag is a gift wrapped box. It is wrapped in what looks to be ancient papyrus with a silk yellow ribbon holding it in place. Jenny takes it gently from the bag, slowly pulling the ribbon and unfolding the delicate paper, she sees the hardback copy and looks to Marina.
It is traditional to exchange paper, open the cover. Jenny turns back the outer bind revealing a note-card, handwritten, it says, Happy Anniversary. To our life, together, rich and full of possibilities. Love, Marina. Jenny is speechless, emotion welling up inside of her, tears instant with her contorting face.
Marina continues as she points to the signature, read here.
Jenny reads aloud the authors words, Jenny, It is easier to tell the story of how people wound one another than of what binds them together. Always remember, your hearts tell all that need be told. Best Wishes to you and your Marina, Anne Carson.
Jennys tear stained face cannot look at her, If Not Winter, Fragments of Sappho. She gasps hard sincere in her desire to express what is inside finally she looks to her, Marina
I didnt mean to make you cry, I only wanted to make you happy. She wipes tenderly at the tears with her fingertips as Jenny turns and stretches her hand under her hair around to the back pulling her to her. Softly their lips touch and their eyes drift closed as they breathe in the essence of the other.
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The carriage is waiting for them at Bette and Tinas as they take Isabel from them and wish them an enchanting evening. The horse-drawn carriage clops serenely along the streets to the ocean side restaurant where they dine in exquisite splendor and speak tenderly of their remembrances of their year of love.
After, the carriage drives them along the beach, as the last rays of sun disappear beyond the horizon and moonlight joins them drifting, shimmering across the contour of their lover. The carriage pulls up to a private dock with a small yacht adorned with bouquets of flowers, I thought it fitting we should be on the water. Hand in hand, they once again walk onto a floating garden and resume their dance of love.
The End
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oh, Mattie, I can’t tell you how sad it is knowing that there will be no more chapters in this wonderful story. You created a kind, sane, loving Jenny that is ‘worthy’ of Marina—even compliments Marina in a way that makes it wonderful to see them together. And you also created a Marina that is kinder, gentler and able to allow her beautiful soul to shine through her outer facade of cool aloofness. It has been a truely wonderful journey with you. A GREAT sotry!
Oh, and thanks for the last little bit about Fran. I dont’ know why, but I love her and this last bit, about the baby’s middle name, just touched me!