I love the Andrews family from my book Ominous Tales - here are three stories about them that i have written - one from the book and two subsequent ones - enjoy x
Just Desserts
By Rosemarie Martin
(One of the thirteen short stories from Ominous Tales by Rosemarie Martin & Nicky Jones (Barnes))Jessie Andrews stared guiltily at the ground. She did not dare look up at her father, he was so angry with her. He had sat her down and pulled her chair over to his, making that awful scraping sound on the tiled kitchen floor, obviously wanting to add to the angry atmosphere. She had been caught smoking, drinking and bunking off school. Her mother had had enough and was taking it out on her father, who was now having a ‘talk’ with her. He was not saying anything, which was way scarier than when he bellowed. Thank goodness he did not know what she had really been up to. She looked up at him now through her fringe. He definitely was a force to be reckoned with. She was always so proud when he picked her up from school. She knew that all her friends fancied him. He was tall and heavy set with thick shoulder length black curly hair and the darkest brown eyes that actually looked black. As a film producer he was also stinking rich which meant he could send Jessie to the best school. Her mother was beautiful and sexy. She was blonde with fake hair extensions, fake boobs, fake tan, and fake nails. They were a fiery couple, who even after twenty five years of marriage were still very passionate and envied by everyone who knew them. Jessie loved her mum dearly but she was definitely a daddy’s girl. In her eyes he could do no wrong. She also had three older brothers who she idolized. Stephen, Dane and Benjamin. They were very protective of her which she loved. The boys were all the spitting image of their father and when they all went out together they all got second glances. Jessie herself looked like her mum, well her mum before all the work, but she was still gorgeous. She had a lot of attention from boys and she was very happy about that! Although her father and brothers wouldn’t be if they knew.
Jake Andrews scrutinized his daughter. He was actually too angry to speak. He sat there for a long time just looking at her, knowing that even that was getting to her. When she was scared she chewed her bottom lip like she was doing now, he tried hard not to smile. Jessie was only fifteen but she looked way older, especially when she was dolled up in makeup and older clothes, which he desperately tried to ban. She was his princess. He adored his sons but she was the apple of his eye.
When he finally spoke it made Jessie jump.
“I pay a lot of money to send you to that school, your education is important.” He said in his deep husky voice, which always got women going.
“I hate it there, it’s so boring.” She said defiantly looking him in the eye.
“You will go and that’s an end to it. I never want to hear that you’ve been smoking or drinking again. Do you understand me?”
She did not say anything just gave a snort that only a stroppy teenager could do.
“You’re not too big for a good hiding you know.”
Jessie looked up and saw the twinkle in his eyes and knew that he was laughing. “Oh Daddy” She leant over then and gave him a big hug. She loved his hugs it was like hugging a great big teddy bear. She knew that not many people saw this side of him and she loved him even more for that.
Geena Andrews walked into the kitchen and saw that her husband wasn’t even shouting at their daughter.
“I cannot believe you,” she yelled. “Out,” she said to Jessie, who ran off up the stairs, she knew that her parents would have a big fight and she would be hearing the sound of glasses and plates being thrown any minute. It used to scare her but they had been doing it so long now she knew that it was part of their relationship.
Jake just laughed at his wife, which wound her up even more. She was so beautiful when she was mad. Ducking as a plate came careering across the room at him he ran over to her and grabbed hold of her arms. Thrusting them to her sides and holding her tightly he kissed her passionately, knowing that that was what was required. They would sort this out later in the bedroom. That was what made them so hot together. They both had fiery tempers and were always fighting but that was probably what kept them together. They loved each other deeply but it was passion they craved.
Later that night the whole family sat down to dinner, which was nice. They all had busy lives so it did not happen that often. Geena had done a huge stew for everyone, apart from Jessie, who had a salad as she had just become vegetarian. Everyone thought that was really funny as she was the biggest meat eater of all. Geena was a good cook and so was Jake, who was always coming up with weird and wonderful recipes.
A couple of weeks later Jessie decided to bunk off again. This time she had gotten a friend to call in sick so as far as the school was concerned she was genuinely not supposed to be there. Kevin Anderton looked up as Jessie Andrews walked over to his car, flashing a smile. He shifted in his seat, he always found her hot but she was way out of his league and he knew it.
"Hey," she said as she bent down to talk to him. This surprised him, as she had hardly ever acknowledged his presence before.
"Nice wheels," she said.
"Do you fancy a ride?"
"Cool." She grinned getting in.
Kevin was an older lad who hung about the school gates selling drugs to kids. He could not care less what he sold, or who he sold it to. He did not have a conscience, he just wanted the money. A week ago at a party he had sold a dodgy E which had put a seventeen year old in a coma and he had not batted an eyelid. He did not even stop selling others from the same batch, knowing they could be bad. Even at posh schools you got your drug pushers, which always made Jessie laugh as Jake had thought this school was so much better because he paid for it, but it wasn’t.
Kevin and Jessie spent their day in the amusement arcades. He flashed his money around like he was some big shot. It was peanuts compared to what Jessie was used to but she did not say that. Even in the Arcade he was working, selling.
“I’m hungry.” Jessie said, bored now.
“Come on.” Kevin took her hand and ten minutes later they sat in his car eating fish and chips. After they finished he rolled a joint and lighting it, he offered it to Jessie. Imagining her father’s wrath if she tried it, she declined. If she went home stoned, she would not be allowed out of the house till she was a hundred. Kevin swigged from a bottle of water and popped a pill. The drug kicked in and he was well away. Jessie was shocked, scared even, the fact he was willing to drive like this. What an animal. She tried to get out of the car but he would not let her.
“You’re not going anywhere.” He said, the drugs changing his whole demeanor.
“Shit,” she said remembering that no-one knew where she was.
“My dad and brothers are so going to kill you for this.” She was really worried now. She did not want to be alone with him and even worse, she did not want him driving the car, especially with her in it.
“Whatever!” He said not caring.
“You really are a piece of shit aren’t you? Everyone said you were scum, but I liked you.” She burst into tears, she had been so stupid. Why hadn’t she done as she was told and stayed in school.
His driving was very erratic. They just about stopped at the traffic lights and she knew this was her only chance. She grabbed at the door and tumbled out. Cars swerved but she ran until she was out of sight of Kevin.
She rang her father and at this point did not care how loudly he shouted.
“Daddy, I’ve been really stupid, will you come and get me.” She sobbed into the phone.
Jessie sat at the side of the road and waited. She saw her mother’s sports car coming up the road and burst into tears.
“I’m sorry.” She said getting into the car
“You had to push it didn’t you.” Geena said and then seeing how upset her daughter was she softened. “Are you o.k?” She reached over and hugged her. Before driving off she said, “Don’t worry baby, Daddy will sort it out, he always does. He and your brothers will find this guy.” Jessie did not say anything.
Four hours later Jessie sat on the basement stairs watching her father and brothers hack up Kevin Anderton. Jake was wearing a butcher’s apron and disturbingly, a chef’s hat. He started to cut Kevin up with a meat cleaver. Geena came down the stairs in her high heels and white cat suit. She went over to the freezer. She took out a tray of meat. Looking down at it she said, “people really must stop upsetting this family.” As she stepped over what once had been Kevin but now was just a bloody mess, Geena looked up at her husband. He had blood spray on his face she wiped it away with her finger and then licked it. He kissed her deeply pulling her towards him. The smell of blood was really turning him on, then, he remembered his children were in the room so he put his wife down. Her white cat suit stained with blood, she walked towards her daughter.
“Who’s that?” Jessie gestured to the tray of meat
“Mr Price my Plastic Surgeon. He got a little bit too familiar whilst he was examining me,” she smiled excitedly, “still, he should be delicious. Although, I won’t tell your Daddy that, you know how jealous he can be.”
Jessie looked over at her beloved father and brothers and smiled. They all smiled back. Jessie was a diamond and they would kill anyone who hurt her, literally. Jake shook his head, he always enjoyed this part but today he would enjoy it more. At the thought that, this boy could have hurt his daughter, he hacked harder.
Jessie watched and shuddered. She hoped her father would never find out that she had used him. For a few months now she had been seeing a boy, bunking off to spend time with him. It was the only time that she wasn’t being watched by her loving, but over-protective family. Although she had to admit she was pretty stupid to think she would get away with it. Jessie was deeply in love with him but he had been lying in a coma for the last week, he had been the one that had taken Kevin’s dodgy tablet. Only taking it because he thought it would impress her, how wrong and stupid he had been. Well, Kevin would not be selling anything again. Jessie breathed a sigh of contentment and thought ‘thank goodness I’m a vegetarian.'
Sweet Desires
By Rosemarie Martin
(Sequel to Just Desserts from Ominous Tales)“Bastard” Geena Andrews raked her husband’s face with her false nails, causing him to take a sharp intake of breath.
“Bitch” he slapped her face.
Then they kissed in a mad frenzy tearing at each other’s clothes. Taking her roughly he pounded into her. It was the way they both liked it.
Geena looked at her husband, Jake. Even after all these years he still drove her wild. He was heavy set with thick shoulder length black curly hair, the darkest brown eyes that seemed to turn black when he was angry. She loved him even better when he was angry. He was also really tall, even that turned her on! Jake was a famous film producer, famous and rich. They were always in the gossip magazines and newspapers, being seen at all the right parties and with their tempestuous relationship, their rows were famous. Everyone loved them and loved reading about them, following their lives with interest. Jake being a film producer meant he could keep the whole family in the style they had become accustomed. They had a big estate out in the country, in the middle of no-where, behind huge security gates. This worked well, they could be here when they wanted to be alone, or in their London flat when they wanted some nightlife. They were able to send their children to the best schools, although two sons were now out working and one was at college it was only their fifteen year daughter Jessie who now benefitted. Jake could keep Geena looking the way she liked, fake. Fake hair, fake boobs, fake tan and fake nails.
Geena pulled Jakes curly hair and he slammed into her, they stared at each other throughout, they liked to see each other’s pain and came with an explosion. He pulled out of her and they both fell back onto the floor. After a few moments, he gathered her up and lifted her up onto a table. He entered her again, they both groaned, this was even better than before. They always liked to do it more than once, the first time they would get all the anger out of themselves and then it would make way for more slow love making later. When they were exhausted but satisfied, they led back on the hard floor, laughing and giggling like teenagers. After twenty five years of marriage, they still loved each other so deeply, it terrified both of them. Jake looked at his beautiful wife, she was gorgeous. Since meeting her he had never ever needed to look at another woman. Besides, she, was all one man could cope with! Jake was always scared that Geena would stray, that’s why he always found new ways to entertain her in the bedroom department. He knew that that was what she needed. She liked rough and passionate sex, more rough the better. That was what turned her on and that was what he had to provide. Geena was also scared that he would cheat but also liked it when other women admired her him. She knew when he spoke to women, or even some men, with his dark eyes and deep husky voice, they were immediately thinking what he would be like in bed, and secretly that turned her on too, but hey what didn’t?
They were in the basement and she could smell the fresh meat lying on the side. She got up and went to the cd player, pressing play and turning it up loud, the dark gothic rock music pounded through the air. Her husband looked at her and she could feel that familiar feeling when a look was all it took. Geena went over and kissed him, biting his lip, and drawing blood. Putting his hand to his lip he felt a trickle of blood. He got up and yanked her down onto the floor by her hair, even this action nearly caused her to orgasm. Jake was exhausted but he would not deny her.
Stephen, Dane and Benjamin, Jake and Geena’s sons had been out looking for their sister Jessie. When they were all together, they looked formidable, all looking like their father, gorgeous, with attitude. They knew how they looked and because of it they could get away with a lot.
The boys had not told their parents that Jessie had been drinking, as they would freak out, especially Jake. He idolized his daughter as all fathers should. Jessie’s friend had phoned them in a state, the two fifteen year olds had been sat in the park, drinking cider all afternoon and Jessie had passed out. When they found her, they were horrified. The other girl was in hysterics, they dropped her home, getting an earful from her parents. Now they would get one from their own! When they got home the brothers tried to smuggle her in to the downstairs bathroom, to clean her up, before their father saw her. Too late.
“What’s going on?” he roared coming down the corridor.
The three boys were not often scared of their father, but they knew how protective he was of all of them, especially Jessie and they had to admit that when he shouted, even at the age they were, Stephen was the oldest at 23, Dane was 21 and Benjamin was 18, he still scared them.
Jessie was completely out of it, she had been so unhappy lately and that afternoon her and her friend had stolen some cider and just drank and drank until, well, until she passed out, a state she quite welcomed at the moment. Jessie looked through bleary eyes and could just about make out her father who seemed to be shouting. She laughed, threw up and then passed out again. Jake had to say he was slightly concerned. His sons were holding up his Princess and now she had passed out. She did not look like his happy little girl, she looked so sad. Tears sprung to his eyes and he picked her up.
“Leave her” he said gently to the boys. The fact they had seen their father with tears in his eyes made them sad too. They were a very close family and when one hurt, they all hurt.
Jake went into the bathroom and put Jessie in the shower, the cold water bought her round, it also made her sick several times. She started to struggle and then looked up at her father, she felt safe and wasn’t scared that he would shout, she was just past caring. Jessie clung onto him then, letting the cold water wash over them both. She was frozen but it was calming her down. Clinging onto her Daddy she sobbed and sobbed and did not think she would ever stop. Turning off the shower he dragged Jessie out onto the floor putting a big fluffy towel round her and sat beside her. He lent her against him and let her cry. He was angry she had got into this state but he could tell it was not a case of teenage rebellion, this went deeper.
“I’m sorry” she whispered through chattering teeth.
He did not say anything just held his daughter. She seemed so tiny in his arms, like a baby again.
“What’s wrong?” His heart ached, he could tell she was in pain.
Bursting into tears again she said, “I’m so unhappy” and cried and cried.
Now they sat together at the kitchen table. He passed her a cup of coffee.
“Are you pregnant?” he was trying to keep his temper in check now and he was trying very hard not to blow his top at this one. He really did not know what he would do if she said yes.
“No” she laughed as she saw the relief on his face.
“I was seeing someone, I had someone…….. someone I really loved ……… but he died”.
“Oh God, Jessie” he went round and hugged her, how could he not know, what she must have been going through.
“When? What happened?”
“He was Seventeen and he was lovely” she sobbed again. “We were at a party and he took a drug because he thought I would find him exciting and he had a reaction to it. He
went into a coma and never came out”.
“You did not take anything though right?”
“No I didn’t take anything” she said a bit annoyed. She was trying to talk to her father like an adult but he was just treating her like a child as always.
“I’m so sorry. I thought we were close, why didn’t you tell us about him?”
“You would of killed him!” she said a bit too loudly.
“I’m not an animal Jess” he said sadly, he was a bit hurt. He thought they spoke about everything. He and Geena had brought all the kids up to tell them anything, no matter how horrible, or how much trouble it might get them in.
“No but you are a Cannibal!” she retaliated
“We have never killed an innocent. No, I would not have liked you having a boyfriend and your right I probably would have gone mad. You’re my Princess, my baby, I’m not supposed to like it am I? Did you sleep with him?” he felt very uncomfortable talking to her about sex but he had to know. Geena would only ask her later anyway.
“No, but I really liked him Daddy” she cried again. She had kept this in for weeks and it was such a relief to tell her family.
Jake felt bad that their family secret had stopped his daughter from telling him something as important as this. He felt like a very bad father.
“There’s something else”
“What?” he was dreading hearing what this could be.
“The man who sold him the drug, it was Kevin Anderton”
“Kevin Anderton? You mean the guy we killed”.
Jessie nodded “The guy you all sat down and ate”. She looked grim.
Jessie had set Kevin Anderton up. Knowing full well what her father would do to anyone who hurt her. Kevin had given Jessie a lift in his car and she had called them because he had gotten stoned out of his mind. They taught him a lesson. He would not be doing anything again.
Jake stood up, now it all made sense.
“You set me up, you set us up. I cannot believe it, you conniving little . . . . .” he laughed.
“You’re not angry with me?” she was relieved.
“I guess you are more like me than you care to admit!” he said laughing.
For years the Andrews family had been cannibals. It just seemed to give them such energy and they could always come up with new and exciting recipes, so it was never boring. They never ate anyone that did not deserve it. They took their revenge on people they thought needed it. That’s what gave them the buzz, thinking they were doing the world a service. They had been doing it for years and that was another reason why they lived out of the way, in the country. They had a basement where the meat was hacked up, walk in freezers, a furnace, and once there was only bones and teeth left they were mostly dissolved with chemicals. Any that weren’t were ground up and sprinkled on the many beautiful flower beds on the estate. It was the blood which was a bugger, not that Jake minded that, as far as he and his family were concerned, the messier the better. He knew that should they be found out, they would be portrayed as monsters. Maybe people would be right to think that, he did not know. No, it was not normal what they did but it’s not like they actually went out and murdered people for the sake of it or anything.
“Why didn’t you just tell me? You know Kevin
Anderton would have ended up fodder either way?”
“I was scared you would not do it, and I hated him so much for what he had done, he was pure scum. Even though he knew that he was selling bad drugs, he continued, standing outside school, selling them to kids. How evil is that?”
“Outside school?” he bellowed, running his hands through his curly hair.
Jessie nodded
“You did the right thing Jessie” and it was left there. She would not have to say anymore.
Geena Andrews flicked her hair out of her face, put on her sun glasses and climbed into her Jeep. She swore as she checked her phone, eleven messages. She listened to them, hands free as she drove.
“Where the hell have you been?” Jake exploded as she walked through the front door.
“Getting my nails done, then onto a wine bar with some friends”.
“Liar. I rang Julie at the Salon and she said you weren’t booked in for today”.
Busted. Geena thought but seeing how angry Jake was she chose to stay quiet.
“So?” he glared at his wife.
“So what?” she walked past him, shrugging him off as he made to grab her. “Where’s Jess?”
“Where have you been?” He blocked her way.
“Why? Don’t you trust me?” She laughed at him now.
“Just tell me” he was getting really riled now.
“I made a mistake on my booking and went shopping instead, it’s no big deal” she said sarcastically.
“Bullshit” he said storming off.
Geena went into her daughter’s bedroom. Seeing her so pale and sleeping, she got into bed beside her and was sorry that she had not been there. It could not have been helped. Jessie woke up and felt her mum beside her, she cried some more.
“Uncle Max” Dane greeted his Godfather.
“Dane” Maxwell Jordan said shaking his hand. Maxwell was a well known actor and had been Jake’s best friend since they were boys, they had grown up together.
“How’s your sister? Your mother rang and said your father could do with a visit. Where is the moody bastard?”
“Cooking up a storm in the kitchen”. Dane left him to it. The boys were going out tonight. They could not deal with their father when he was in this mood. Ever since the other night when their mum had come home and lied about her whereabouts, they knew their father was convinced she was sleeping with someone else. It was crazy, although more crazy was the fact that she point blank refused to say where she was. She took it as a sign he did not trust her. The boys however could totally see their fathers point on this one. Though they always usually took their mother’s side, on this particular occasion they agreed with him.
“Jake?” Max said as he entered the kitchen, “ooh something smells good”.
“Steak” he muttered.
“What’s up? Geena said you needed a shoulder” he grinned.
Jake laughed “She had no right to call you. She’s driving me mad that’s all and then all this stuff with Jessie”.
“How is she? Geena told me what happened. Do you think she slept with this guy?”
If Jake had been less preoccupied he would of wondered why Max would bring this up but as it was he just said “No, she told me no and I believe her”.
Jessie came in to the kitchen and Max walked over and hugged her close. Noticing not for the first time that when he hugged her he held on to her a bit too long, not long enough for anyone else to notice but long enough to make Jessie herself feel uncomfortable.
Max looked at Jessie, she drove him crazy. He was in his forties and he had been in love with her for a few years now, he just could not get her out of his head. He knew it was wrong, his best friend’s daughter, her age did not even come into it with him. He could not see he was doing anything wrong. He had thoughts about her all the time he just could not seem to help himself.
Geena, Jake, Jessie and Max sat down to dinner. Max was getting drunker and drunker and kept on laughing and hugging Jessie. Jessie was feeling really uncomfortable now. Her parents were not noticing what was going on. He had been friends with her father for many years. She used to adore him but for the past few years she knew that something had changed and whenever he was around she always felt very weird and uncomfortable.
Jessie was just coming back from the toilet as Max stumbled into her, getting a quick grope as he went.
“Uncle Max please don’t do that” she said.
“I didn’t do anything honey” he leered
“Please” after what she had been through lately she really did not need this.
“I love you Jessie” he breathed alcohol fumes all over her. “I want you and I know you feel it too”.
“You don’t know what you’re saying” she was shocked. “I’ll tell my Dad”.
“Like he’ll believe you over me”.
“I’m only fifteen!” she was aghast.
“I can teach you all my moves!”
“You are sick!” She yelled slapping his drunken bloated face.
“Jessica!” Jake came out of the dining room only hearing the tail end of the conversation.
“Apologise, now” Jake said through clenched teeth.
Jessie just stayed quiet, giving Max a filthy look.
“Don’t get pissy with me young lady. Apologise now” Jake was fuming.
“Sorry” she mumbled.
“See” Maxwell said to her.
Jake took her to one side.
“I know you’re going through a rough time, but you do not take it out on a guest in my house, do you understand me?”
She nodded.
“Get to your room, I don’t want you at the table anymore tonight” had he been sober he would of asked what was going on but he was not.
Bonny Bonnitti was sat in her mother’s shop ‘The Arcane Chapter’ (another story featured in Ominous Tales) the supplier of magical and mystical supplies. She did fortune telling. Bonny nearly passed out as Maxwell Jordan walked in, she could not breathe. She had mooned over him on the television for years. He was nearly as gorgeous in real life as he was in his films.
“My friends recommended your shop to me. I need a love spell”.
Bonny looked sad then, she could see who he needed a love spell for.
“Please don’t do this. She is too young for you”. Bonny pleaded.
“I came here for some hope, please help me” he said. Bonny could see he was being driven crazy by love, even if it was the wrong sort of love. It bothered her but she could not do anything about it, there was nothing to be done, he would find that out for himself soon enough.
“I will not help you with a spell, but I can tell you that she will grow to love you”.
Maxwell smiled and left the shop, all his hopes and dreams were coming true. He felt lighter as he walked.
Back at the house Maxwell walked in and Jake, Stephen, Dane and Benjamin were all waiting.
“You know” Maxwell said as he saw their faces.
“I can’t even look at you” Jake was openly crying in front of his old friend.
“What are you going to do?”
“Oh, I don’t know, probably kill you and eat you”.
Maxwell laughed, assuming they were joking, trying to frighten him.
They stood in front of him and then he knew they were not joking, well at least about the killing part.
“What?” he was terrified of his friends now. “You can’t kill me, I’ll be missed, I’m famous”.
“Max, we’re the closest thing to family you have, anyone else you sold out long ago. Don’t worry though, I’ll make sure I put enough rumors round the industry that no-one will miss you. This family are used to making people disappear”.
The boys dragged him down to the basement kicking and screaming. His screams would do no good. He saw the huge freezers and the furnace and smelt the pungent smell of death. He had stayed with them hundreds of times, how come he had never been down here? Then he looked over and saw Jake sitting on the stairs. He saw the look on his old friends face and did not even try to struggle. The boys opened the freezer and Maxwell saw all the meat in there and knew now that when they said they would eat him they were not kidding.
“How long have you been doing this?” he looked at Jake horrified. “How did I not know?”
“Too many years to remember. Just think Max, you’ve been coming here all that time and didn’t realize you were eating real people”.
Max threw up on the floor.
Jessie ran down the stairs and said
“Daddy, you don’t have to do this for me, he’s your best friend. You love him like a brother”.
“And you’re my baby girl”. He was numb.
Jessie walked over to Maxwell and said “You have betrayed this family but worse than anything you could have done to me, you betrayed my dad. You were so cocky and thought he would take your word over mine. I knew I was right not to believe you. Do you know what Uncle Max? I was vegetarian, but it will give me great pleasure to know that I’m eating you. I may even grow to love meat again.
With Madam Bonny’s words ringing in his ears he sunk to his knees. He begged them not to hurt him but as the slaughter of Maxwell Jordan started and the first of many blows rained down on him and the blood sprayed out he knew this was the end. His screams intensified and he laughed with pain and hysteria. His last thought was ‘when Madam Bonny said Jessie would grow to love me this is not quite what I had in mind’!
Jake did not take part, he couldn’t. He left them to it. He went up into the garden and sat out on the patio, with a glass of wine.
Geena came out.
“I’m so sorry”
He did not say anything, he could not speak. He had just sentenced to death probably the only person besides his family he had ever loved. Max was his best friend and could not have been closer if they had been blood.
“Are you going to leave me too?” he whispered.
“You big dope” his insecurity touched her heart and she held him close.
As he put his arms around her waist he said
“Do you know what, in the back of my mind I always worried that Max would try it on with you, it never entered my head that he would try anything with Jess, I mean, why would it?”
“Babe I know this is not the right time but I have got something that will cheer you up”.
“What?” nothing could cheer him up tonight.
“I’m pregnant”
“What?” he shot out of his seat.
“How?”
“Jake, we have got four other children, I think you know”
“But you’re on the pill”
“I took antibiotics and I guess it just slipped my mind. Jake the other day when you couldn’t find me, I was having a scan”.
“I can’t believe you kept it to yourself” he took her in his arms. This was the best news ever.
“I had to wait until I’d had the scan, after last time”. A few years before she had had a miscarriage and they had been devastated, Jake especially, she did not want him going through that again.
“You must have been going through hell baby”.
“I love you so much Jake, you’re my life. I could not bear it if anything happened but even worse I did not want you to have to go through it again”.
“Come here” he hugged her, he could not get close enough to her, he loved her so much that it physically hurt him.
A year later Jake walked round the garden cradling his baby daughter, Tia. She was a beautiful princess, just like Jessie and Geena, and he would do everything in his power to keep her safe, like he did the rest of his loved ones. He was nothing without his family, they were his life. He worshipped his wife, even the thought of not being with her made him feel sick. He lived for her and his children. He loved them with his whole heart and would protect them until the end of time and whatever it took to do that, he would do.
THROUGH THEIR EYESFifteen year old Mira Sands peeped through the curtains and looked into the audience, from the stage. She was beyond the usual feeling of disappointment at her parents not being there, they never attended anything like this, felt it was beneath them. No, she was looking at her best friend Jessie’s family, they were wonderful, that’s the family she wanted. Handsome Jake Andrews, the famous film producer, his beautiful wife, the ex glamour model Geena, their three gorgeous sons and baby Tia. All the girls at school fancied the sons as well as the father and Mira knew that Jessie loved that.
Jessie peeped out too, there they were, her family. She loved them, what more was there to say. Her dad, who seemed to tower over everyone else’s and out shadow them with his shoulder length curly black hair and ‘almost’ black eyes, her mum, with her fake blonde tresses, fake tan, fake breasts, false nails, and false eyelashes. Jessie’s three brothers, all looking like their father, dark and brooding and her baby sister Tia. Mira watched them, why couldn’t her family be like them? Her mum and dad were always too busy with their careers to care much about her or her brother. She watched Jake with baby Tia, cooing and smiling, while all the women around him were beside themselves.
Jessie watched Jake with Tia and for some reason was slightly jealous, she did not know why, she was a lovely baby and Jessie loved her dearly but now the fifteen year old knew she was not Jake’s only princess.Mira saw Jake hand the baby to one of his sons and lean back in his chair. One of the mothers sitting in front of him turned round and said something funny and he laughed, the lines crinkling round his dark eyes, and the woman was pleased Jake was paying her some attention. Geena smiled sweetly at him and he lovingly touched the back of her neck.
Jessie laughed to herself as she saw the woman talking to Jake. She could tell that he was not listening, just being polite and nodding and laughing in all the right places. She also saw the look her mother gave him, she may have smiled but inside she was saying ‘please don’t find that woman more attractive than me’. Stupid Stupid. Her father would never find anyone more attractive than her mother. He loved her so much that Jessie knew it physically hurt him. Jake touched Geena’s neck as if to reassure her. Mira was getting nervous now, in a few minutes the play would start, had she remembered her lines? There were so many people. She wished her parents could have spared the time but they would only have embarrassed her by looking down their noses at everyone, even though most of the other parents were equally as rich or famous. It was a very good school after all! Mira peeped again through the curtains, the lights were dimming now and she could see that Jake Andrews was now sat with his legs splayed out in front of him, looking perfectly at home. His son’s were looking around at ‘the talent’ and Geena was leaning into and having a serious conversation with a dad to her left.
Jessie squinted through the curtains as the lights were dimming. She was now embarrassed as her father looked like he was about to go to sleep. This annoyed the hell out of her, this was her play, she had written it, her night, not for once, his. Her mother was now flirting with the man sitting next to her, trying to make her dad jealous, to punish him for earlier talking to the other woman. Jessie knew that Geena flirted with other men to drive Jake crazy. They had a very tempestuous and passionate relationship, it was what had held them together all these years and it was what kept them going. Some of their rows really made her cringe.Again, going over her lines in her head Mira continued to peek out, she did not want to let Jessie down, her beautiful wonderful Jessie who had befriended her when everyone else thought she was a stuck up little cow, when she was just shy. Jessie had seen different and Mira loved her for it.
Jessie giggled with Mira, as they hid behind the curtains. She loved her friend, right from when they first met. Jessie had taken her under her wing and Mira had blossomed from a very shy girl into an outgoing one and she was proud of her.
Mira took one last look at her fantasy family and went backstage. Again thinking what a lucky girl Jessie was to have such a close, loving family.
Jessie took one last look at her family and hoped they would be proud of her, she knew they would, they always were, whatever she did. She knew she was a very lucky girl, to have such a close, loving family but all families had their secrets and hers was no exception.
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