Chapter 2

‘Ian,’ Mirren said, adding some volume to his voice, so it carried into the waiting area.

Ian stepped through the door to walk down and stand before the Council. Natalia could see out of the corner of her eye that every woman was watching him intently. She had the feeling that he could snap his finger and say he wanted to breed them all, and every woman would shred off her clothes. Even her.

‘Afternoon,’ he said, showing respect with a slight bow of his head. ‘Thank you for allowing me this time.’

Natalia caught his scent. He had some Undent cologne on him. She found she could sit there and smell him all day.

‘Go ahead.’ Mirren said, jarring Natalia back to where she was.

‘I would like permission to marry.’

‘Marry?” Corean said.

Natalia knew that Viperians didn’t marry.

‘An Undent woman,’ he said as if this explained everything.

‘Oh, shit,’ Natalia said, reliving the last time a Viperian man came with an Undent woman.

The Undent woman had gone berserk, having gotten turned into a teddy bear from too many bites. It turned into a bloody mess. The woman died.

Ian’s eyes turned to her.

‘How many times have you bitten her?’ Natalia said.

‘Once. Just once. Almost seven months ago. We’ve been together a year. I love her and want to marry her in her way, but… in order to have children together...’

‘Absolutely, no,’ Natalia said firmly.

‘I’ve already spoken with Uri,’ Ian said. ‘There is a book on this that contains all the requirements.’

‘Uri showed you the book?’ Tia said.

‘Uri is part of this. He put you up to this,’ Natalia said with some distaste.

‘No. I went to him. Because he did it. He did it with you,’ Ian said. ‘To answer your question, Tia. No. He didn’t show me the book. Uri said there was one requirement that she had to meet before it was even possible to go any further. She’s met that requirement.’

‘And what requirement is that?’ Natalia said.

‘Her blood type. It is type O.’

Natalia looked at Tia.

‘I have type O?’

Tia nodded.

‘How did you figure that out? Can Uri taste that? He knew before? How…?’

Tia shook her head, giving Natalia a look.

‘Never mind,’ Natalia said.

She already knew Viperians were crafty, and figuring out her blood type was probably easy to do.

‘I don’t think this is a good time to bring this up. A pregnant lady can be testy,’ Tia said.

‘I’m just uncomfortable.’

‘Yes, but you’re uncomfortable because you’re pregnant and has nothing to do with her being a Viperian child.’

Natalia flashed her eyes.

‘Ahem,’ Mirren said, ending the discussion. ‘What does the young lady say?’ he said to Ian.

‘She doesn’t know much or the risks. I wanted permission to do so before I even let you know who she is. This isn’t political. This isn’t business.’

‘She needs to know everything before you begin,’ Natalia said.

“Yes, that’s why I need you,’ Ian said.

‘Me?’

‘You’ve been through it. You can help her.’

‘It’s dangerous,’ Natalia said, remembering people saying she could have been dead and what the odds had been.

‘Not as dangerous as you think,’ Tia said.

Natalia glared at her.

‘If she has type O, then the odds are in her favor,’ Tia said.

‘Everyone kept telling me I was lucky to survive.’

‘You were, but that was because Uri went by the book. Any deviation and you would have died. If Ian follows the book with Uri’s help, then she will survive,’ Tia said. ‘Uri is the key to his success. You are the key to her success.’

‘Who is the young lady?’ Mirren said.

‘I don’t want to say until I have approval,’ Ian said. ‘I don’t want this to become political or some secret business of the Council.’

‘I’m pleased that you spoke with Uri.’ Mirren said. ‘To proceed, we need a unanimous vote.’

‘At least we’re not dealing with a teddy bear,’ Corean said.

‘Does anyone need any further information?’ Harold said. ‘He has made his request. It is time we voted.’

‘Nattie is already going to vote ‘no’ so why proceed?’ Tia said.

‘He is obviously showing his love and respect for her,’ Jasmin said.

Natalia eyed her. Jasmin was the owner of a beauty supply company and used many of her products. She had heavily applied her makeup to appeal to her Undent customers. Despite how ditsy her makeup made her look, she had a cool and logical head on her shoulders.

‘Nattie,’ Mirren said. ‘What are your concerns?’

‘You were only ill one day,’ Tia said in a soft voice. ‘Better than most Undent pregnancies.’

‘How are you going to handle her diet? If you marry her way, I assume you will set up a house her way. She’ll want her own servants or maids or her friends to help her,’ Natalia said to Ian.

‘I’ve considered that,’ Ian said. ‘She is good friends with my sister and cousins. Should she decide in that regard, I know she will choose a Viperian because my sister will make recommendations I know she will take. I’ve also already purchased a house with Viperian neighbors, so I can surround her with our culture. I am devoted to her. And her to me.’

‘And with your help and recommendations, success is more probably,’ Tia said to Natalia. ‘I helped you. Time for you to pass on that knowledge and help her.’

Natalia knew Tia was right. Tia had guided her through the process and was still providing parenting advice, although it was through Uri, who she saw almost every day at work.

‘I want to know who she is before I make my decision,’ Natalia said.

‘No,’ Ian said. ‘I want no prejudices to be part of this decision.’

Harold nodded his approval. Natalia noted other nods after Harold’s.

‘Does this hinge on Nattie?’ Corean said, looking at all the other council members.

‘I approve. He’s gone about this in all the right ways,’ Mirren said.

‘Approve,’ Tia said.

‘Approve,’ Tammy and Jasmin said together.

‘Approve, definitely,’ Harold said.

‘Approve,’ Smyrin said.

Natalia could smell Mudd’s diner on him. He was the owner of the restaurant.

‘Approve,’ Corean said. ‘I appreciate he hasn’t turned her into a teddy bear.’

There were a few moments of silence.

‘Bernie? We haven’t heard from you,’ Mirren said.

‘Is this going to become a regular occurrence? I mean, once he’s gone through this, he can pass it on to all the other Viperian men on how to do this. We’ll have a flood of new Viperian Undent women who haven’t gone through the proper process to learn our culture.’

Bernie owned the shipping company that handled all of Viperia’s supplies and he managed the shipping warehouse within Viperia. He was always very attentive to what was good or bad for Viperia.

‘Good question,’ Mirren said. ‘We swore Uri to secrecy about the process. He has divulged it to no one.’

‘He told Ian of the one requirement,’ Bernie said.

‘That is only a prerequisite,’ Tia said.

‘They are following the proper procedure,’ Mirren said.

‘We require education on teddy bears and have placed heavy penalties on those who break the law,’ Corean said. ‘The number of teddy bears violations is greatly reduced.’

‘Ian, do you swear on a bite that you will keep this process secret? That this will be between you and Uri and no one else?’

‘I swear on a bite,’ Ian said.

‘I will approve,’ Bernie said. ‘That was my only concern.’

Everyone looked at Natalia. She felt cranky that she was the one to make or break this deal. Her eyes moved to Ian. He looked and sounded sincere, but she wondered why he kept insisting that this wasn’t political or business. That almost made her think it was.

Matilda shifted. Natalie felt a flood of relief. The baby must have been pressing against a nerve.

Natalia had to admit to herself that Ian was going about it in the right way. And even she had to agree that consulting Uri was the best thing Ian could do.

‘Do you know how busy I am?’ she said to no one in particular.

‘You, yourself, have said that your clothing shop is running smoothly. Your bank is successful,’ Tia said.

Natalia noted the voice she was using. It was soft and almost hypnotic.

‘I’ve purchased a condo in Hell as well,’ Ian said. ‘We are going to spend our honeymoon there. It will put us close to you and Uri.’

‘When is this wedding to take place?’ Natalia said. ‘Sounds like you already have it planned.’

‘I don’t. We don’t. I haven’t asked her, but we’ve had talks. She doesn’t want any big, fancy wedding. I figured she would be happy with a small ceremony. Perhaps, in Hell. She loves that area.’

‘You’ve planned out a lot already,’ Natalia said.

‘I think this is the sort of thing I better have thought out,’ Ian said. ‘I love her. I don’t want to lose her.’

Natalia could only admire his forethought.

“Based on this, I will approve,’ Natalia said, hoping she wouldn’t regret the decision.

‘The Council approves,’ Mirren said. ‘Now who are we dealing with?’

Ian flicked his wrist to send a picture from his phone onto the wall.

‘Rene Booksbox.’

Natalia had never heard of her.

‘The Booksbox oil baron Booksbox?’ Bernie said.

‘Yes.’

Natalia looked over at the picture of the woman. She had a pretty face with dark seductive eyes and was what a Viperian would call voluptuous. An Undent would call her fat. She was chunky. However, Natalia could see why a Viperian would be interested in her. Her breast were huge. Her face was kind. Natalia hoped she wasn’t a spoiled, rich brat.

‘That’s all of our business for the day,’ Mirren said, ending the meeting.

‘Thank you. I will be in touch with you, Nattie,’ Ian said.

Natalia remained seated while everyone stood. She could see that every woman watched Ian leave.

‘I can go fetch the girls from the park if you want to rest,’ Harold said.

‘It’s not far. A stroll will be good for me. Besides, Matilda shifted off my nerve.’

Harold laughed. ‘Yep, children get on your nerves even before they’re born.’

He continued to chuckle as if he had told a joke while he stepped from his chair and headed toward the door. However, he stopped to wait for her.

‘You do look ready to burst,’ Tia said, coming up behind her.

‘A few more weeks. Damn girls that take longer.’

Both Harold and Tia laughed.

‘How is Bonnie doing?’

‘Ready to burst. She’s going to have a big girl.’

Tia followed them out to the parking lot. Natalia was still feeling good, now that Matilda had shifted.

‘At least I know we won’t have any blood stained little girls,’ Natalia said. ‘That park is hunted out.’

Harold laughed. ‘Yes, that is true, but don’t tell them that.’

‘I’d be surprised if there is still a squirrel or rabbit left in Viperia,’ Tia said. ‘Have a good one, you two. I have to get back to work.’

Harold took Natalia’s hand to lead her along.

‘You’re going to get your wife, Nadine, jealous.’

‘Nattie, anyone is going to take one look at you and be jealous. You’re gorgeous.’

She laughed and almost peed herself.

‘Harold, I’m a big fat bloated whale.’

‘That’s how you feel. That’s not how you look.’

“You are much too kind. I see what Nadine loves about you.’

“She treats me well,’ he said.

He frowned. She wondered what unpleasant memory had surfaced, but she didn’t have to wonder long.

‘She gave me two wonderful, tall sons. I thought I was invincible and all my children would be tall like Nadine. Then we had Becky.’

He looked sad.

‘I love her so very much, but wish I hadn’t stamped her with my height.’

‘She’s beautiful and has a good disposition. I think she will be a force to be reckoned with when she becomes an adult.’

Harold smiled. ‘But with her size, she will never have children, or at least shouldn’t. It will be too difficult.’

‘She will stamp the world with her presence, not her children.’

‘Now, you are being too kind,’ Harold said. ‘Well, well, what are they doing?’

They crossed the street to the park. Becky and Victoria were slowly pacing along the edge of the pond, with Tail stalking in front of them.

‘Goose hunting, it looks like to me,’ Natalia said.

‘Ahem, girls,’ Harold said.

Both children stopped. Their focus changed from the geese, who were keeping just out of reach, to the water’s edge as if they were looking for pretty stones. Mag, who was about twenty feet behind the girls, just smiled.

Harold release Natalia’s hand and took a couple of steps onto the grass.

‘Come along. Those geese are off limits.’

‘We were just trying to pet them,’ Becky said, running up to Harold.

‘The geese aren’t there to pet. They’re just there to make the pond look pretty.’

Harold took Becky’s hand. Victoria ran up to Natalia to take her hand.

‘We’ll have to go to the big park to find rabbits,’ Harold said. ‘I think mom and your brothers would like some.’

They walked, using a slow stroll, back to the parking lot. Mag lagged behind them.

‘Have a good day, Natalia. Victoria. Mag,’ Harold said, opening the car door for Becky.

‘Bye, Victoria.’

‘Bye, Becky.’

The two children said their goodbyes, as if they would never see each other again.

Mag stepped ahead toward their car. Natalia let Mag fastened Victoria in the backseat while she slowly eased herself into the passenger seat.

‘No geese hunting,’ Natalia said, looking back at Victoria.

‘Mag said we couldn’t catch them if we tried.’

‘Those geese are actually there to keep people from swimming in the pond,’ Mag said. ‘Those geese can get rather vicious. They protect their pond.’

‘And you were letting my daughter stalk them?’

‘As long as they didn’t go into the water, they were safe.’

‘Did you hear that, Victoria?’

‘Yes, geese eat little girls.’

Natalia laughed. ‘Did you tell her that?’

Mag shook her head.

‘Tail said so,’ Victoria said.

‘Maybe I should tell Yiggy to put some geese up with the goats. That might keep all the Viperian youngsters from drooling about fresh meat.’

Mag laughed. ‘You might be right. Guard geese.’

The drive home was slower than usual. All the school buses were out dropping off children from summer camps or clubs. When they were getting close to home, Mag tapped the steering wheel.

‘Call Grazie.’

The call connected right away.

‘This is Grazie. You girls need a ride home?’

‘We’re a few minutes out,’ Mag said.

‘I’ll meet you in the parking lot.’

‘For the love of golf carts,’ Natalia said with a sigh.

The parking lot was almost full when they arrived.

‘I love reserved parking,’ Mag said, pulling into a space with a sign marking it reserved.

‘I’m glad they did that. Makes sure all the people who live here have a space. Make the shoppers use the parking garage.’

Mag laughed. ‘Jorge is using his horse carts to carry people. They should just approve the trolley bus.’

‘They’re getting closer to doing so, especially now that this place is so popular.’

Mag came around to help pull her out of the car. Grazie stopped the cart by them.

“Afternoon, ladies.’

“A sight for sore feet,” Natalia said.

“Tia just looks at you and the planning for our next child goes on the back burner,” Grazie said with a laugh.

“You have enough children.”

“One fewer. Tracy just moved out to a bachelor house. She’s starting college this fall.”

Grazie, despite he was in his early twenties, had inherited Sherri’s children because he was the last man to have a child with her.

Natalia eased herself into the front of the golf cart. Mag and Victoria slid into the backseat.

“How is Hell, Grazie?”

“Just wonderful. Tenants are paying rent. All is wonderful.”

Grazie drove with care. The intersections still had stop signs. He slowed and stopped. A cart horse trotted past in front of them. The trees that Uri had complained about purchasing and planting were all leafed out and providing shade. The scene was rather idyllic.

Grazie made the turn onto their street. A crowd had gathered in front of her clothing store. However, it was the people beyond that crowd that caught Natalia’s attention. The limo was there in front of their apartment.

“Bonnie,” Natalia said.

The golf cart sped up.

‘What’s up?’ Mag said.

Natalia looked back at her, but saw she was on her phone.

‘Zena is driving her to Viperia. Elsa is on her way.’

Elsa was the name Bonnie and Travis chosen for their daughter.

Grazie slowed when they neared the crowd. The limo passed them. Someone in the crowd made a snide remark about the vehicle ban.

‘We’ll catch up to them,’ Mag said to Natalia.

‘Is Travis with her?’

‘Yes.’

“Nattie.”

The voice was familiar, yet not familiar. She looked over to see Ian. He was standing by a heavy woman, who Natalia immediately recognized as Rene. She felt some irritation go through her because she suddenly felt rushed. Bonnie was heading to the hospital. Ian wanted her to meet Rene. And she really needed to pee.

“I won’t take up much of your time,” Ian said while Mag helped pulled her out of the cart. “I want to invite you and Uri to dinner on Friday night. I’ll call with the details.”

Natalia couldn’t even think what their schedule was.

“Let me check with Uri. I have to go. Bonnie is in labor. That was her going to the hospital. I have to get off my feet.”

“Yes, of course,” Ian said.

Natalia noted that Rene stayed in the background.

“Nice to meet you, Rene,” Natalia said, remembering some manners. “Excuse me.”

Rene nodded apologetically.

‘Get me upstairs before I wet my pants,’ Natalia said to Mag.

Mag almost cracked up laughing while taking an arm to guide her toward their building. Victoria raced to the door with Tail close behind her, but it was Grazie who reached the door first to open it for them.

“Thanks, Grazie.”

Natalia hurried up the stairs.

‘You should have gone potty before we left,’ Victoria said.

Natalia kept herself from laughing, or else she would wet herself.