Chapter 7：Snowed In

I watched out the window as the snow got heavier and heavier. There was no buildings to be seen, no other cars and definitely hard to see the road. I took a look over at Edward as his eyes were squinting to see the road. Why on gods snow earth would he risk his life and the baby's life in weather like this to come look for me? I'm sure the neighbor could have looked after the baby while he was at work for a little bit or while he went looking for me. Either way, taking the risk of something happening to Alora away.

"Edward. Maybe we should stop and let the snow let up." He shook his head.

"We are in the mountains. It isn't going to let up anytime soon."

"But… you could get into an accident. Miss the road or even a animal you cant see." He didn't respond as the car slid. I gasped but he gained control of the deadly vehicle. "There is a hotel not far from here." He looked over at me.

"How do you know that?"

"I slept on their back porch with their dog a few nights back." His face turned red as he looked forward again. "You do have enough stuff for Alora and yourself right?"

"What about you?"

"I'll manage." He didn't seem to want to buy that at all.

"I prefer to get home as soon as possible."

"What's wrong with hotels? I'm sure you've stayed in them."

"I have. I don't like them at all." I turned in my seat looking at him.

"Well, take your dislike of them, set it aside so that we can get your child to a safe place before something happens." He turned his head to me and within that few second lost complete control over the vehicle. I slammed against the door as the last thing I heard was the sound of metal hitting metal.

I woke to a small crying. I straightened myself up and rubbed my head feeling a bit unbalanced. Edward wasn't moving as blood dripped from a small wound above his eye brow. I moved towards him when the car violently rocked. I gasped and moved back where I was. The car was tittering between the safe, snowy paved road to a icy watery death trap. I gasped and stayed still as much as possible. I looked over at Edward as He started to Stir awake. As he moved and Alora screamed the car tilted forward and started to slide off of the road. I gasped as Edward teetered forward and fell unto the steering wheel giving that little extra push forward. The car fell completely off the road. I held my breath as I used my abilities to hover the car inches from the watery death. I maneuvered the car back unto the road to make it look as if we had just hit the guard rail and that was it. I looked back at Alora as she stared at me. Her thumb in her mouth as we were safe on the road. Her brilliant eyes watched me further as I scooted closer to Edward to see if he was OK. I grasped his face to move him back against the seat.

"DA!" Alora squealed. He moaned and started to sit up. His hand went straight to his wound as he huffed a breath in. He looked hazily at the blood now on his hand. His clear eyes look over at me as he rubbed his hand in his pants and straightened up.

"Jaq… what happened?" He looked confused. I shook my head.

"You hit something on the road. Maybe ice… or soft snow and hit the guard rail." He looked at the guard rail now not even there anymore. "Edward…" He looked over at me. "Are you OK… to drive?" He nodded and took his cloth out of his middle compartment looking in the back seat as Alora still stared at me with her thumb in her mouth.

"Is she OK?" I nodded.

"Now… back to our argument." I said. His hand came over and was placed on my knee. He wiped his brow as the cut didn't look too bad from how I saw it.

"no more sorries please." He looked over at me his eyes grew a lighter shade of green and his eye lids looked lazy.

"Lets go to this hotel you know of, OK." He squeezed my leg reassuringly. I nodded again and turned in my seat placing the seat belt on. He started the engine again and even slower he continued on.

One hour, Two slips of the car, Three gasps and four more sorries later we had come to the small hotel. The parking lot looked empty as we pulled in. He pulled into the spot in front of the inn. Alora was sleeping now as she was tired and she didn't need to be up anyways. He put the car in park then looked up at the building. He looked over at me with tired drained eyes, his arm on the top of the steering wheel.

"I will go in and get a room. Stay here with Alora. I will come out and help you get her stuff. I know the couple here." I nodded. He hesitated for a moment then opened and closed the door. I shivered in ward at the cold night air. I sat and waited saw his figure disappear behind the small door. It took him about fifteen minutes. He came back out and opened the trunk then my door. "Get Alora. I got this stuff." I nodded and got out. I pulled the seat forward to climb in to get her. I wrapped her in a blanket and stepped out. He hadn't moved from his spot as I was only inches from him. The baby in my arms, her small head on my shoulder. I looked up at him as he finally moved away and closed the door as I stepped away from the car. His hand came up to my now reddened cheek as the I'm sorry went to come out of his mouth but he stopped it then climbed the steps into the hotel. I followed as he went up another flight of steps. He stopped. The floor had only one door to it as if it was the only room on the floor. He placed the cases down and pulled out a key to unlock the door. He opened the door and looked down at me. "Go a head. There is a crib in the main bedroom." I nodded and went in. I turned into a bedroom with a king sized bed and like he said a crib in the far corner. There was another adjoining room, the door opened. The bed looked well made but a size smaller then the one with the crib in it. I placed Alora in the crib and the diaper bag next to it. I bent over and changed her diaper as she sighed and stayed sleeping. I stood and straightened my shirt. "I will be right back." I heard Edward and then the door opening then closing. I went into the sitting room and sat on the couch as I waited for him to come back. The clock said it was ten o clock at night.

I woke to feeling arms under my neck, under my bent knees and the smell of mixed whiskey, and musk. I stirred slightly as I heard a moan placing my hand on a warm, shirtless, smooth chest. The dim light seemed to go into darkness as I was carried into a darker room. Wait! The last thing I remembered was running from Seymour! I jerked up sending the person off balance and falling unto something soft. Had fallen on the bed myself wide eyes taking in everything around me. Oops. OK now that memory was back, Edward. His sudden approach, baby wailing, car skidding, way too many sorries, and one hotel later. That was where I was. Edwards smokey green eyes looked at me. He was leaning on his side on the bed that I was now sitting on. It was the smaller bed across from the main bedroom. His slight grin dark bags under his eyes, and the way he just laid there made me aware that he had been drinking. And not to mention the smell of whiskey. Yuppers, he will be sick later.

"Edward, didn't we have this discussion before. Drinking…"

"Isn't good for me, I will get sick, not a good roll model, oh and definitely a big no no." Even his words started to get slurred. He had had way too much again.

"Drinking the right amount is OK. But you splurge." He only smiled. I sighed. "Look, go back to your room, don't wake Alora up and go to bed."

"What if I don't want to sleep alone?"

"Ed…." He had gotten completely on the bed on all fours. His green clear eyes not leaving my face. I swallowed hard and backed into the head board. He crawled up to my straight legs, over them, placing his hands on either side of my head. His legs were parted as he was kneeling over me. He didn't move as agile as I was use to watching him walk around the house. Sitting straight up. As if not just rich but also royalty. He wore only his black jeans. No shoes. No shirt witch now I realized my hand had just been laying across before I freaked out. His face was inches in front of mine as he stared at me.

"You should call me Ed more often." His hand moved the small piece of hair away from my eye, as his features softened. "I did not mean to hurt you, Jaq." His voice was low and husky. His eyes held hurt and sympathy. His body was shaking suddenly as he looked at me. "There has been nothing else going through my mind then the hurt in your eyes. The tears falling down your face. The way you had to close your eyes just to drown out the hurt so plainly in them. I was up for hours even days to think of how I could fix this."

"There-There isn't anything to fix." His hand then rested on my thigh. Oh dear Lord! I exclaimed in my mind.

"I-" The sound of Alora screaming from the other room seemed to have gone through his head. He winced at the baby's cry. The small rattling of the crib came next as she started to calm down.

"Should I-" Before I could move or retaliate not that I would want to his lips were pressed against mine. His hand came up and entwined in my hair. The slight taste of whiskey was on his lips but it changed. His lips tasted sweet and as his tongue traced the inside of my mouth making me gasp more. I had some how slid down the length of the bed as he was still over me. Our lips never leaving each others. He gave a low moan as I returned the gesture. His other hand trailed along the side of my body as he pushed his lips even more into mine. It changed. As if he wanted more. My arms wrapped around his neck as I did the same thing to his mouth. My tongue tracing the inside of his mouth. He moved slightly and I gasped. I could feel, not that it wasn't a pleasant "feel", just how much this kiss was effecting him.

"I want to feel you." He said against my lips. His breathing was ruff matching mine. I pulled away from him against the pillow. I looked up at smokey green hazy eyes. "Your skin. I want to feel the softness of your skin against mine." OK, if he lost control last time he was damn close to it now!

"Edward…" I cleared my throat from the huskiness. I didn't hear Alora anymore as I placed my hands on his smooth chest. "Your not going to feel that way in about five minutes."

"I have always felt that way. Since the moment I saw your drenched little body getting muddied by those boys. I would never allow a stranger into my home. Then I saw you all dirty and cold. Lonely just as I had felt since my wife had died. Then, when you just took over Alora, knowing what was wrong, knowing just how to make her stop crying, my heart leaped. I tried to stay away. I tried to control my hand wanting to touch you. I tried to…." Then, his face turned green.

"Your goddess is waiting." I said teasing as he jumped off the bed and headed into the bathroom that was connecting this smaller room. I shook my head. I got up went to his suit case and pulled out the pain killers, tooth brush and paste. I went into the bathroom my eyes still rolling. I took the glass and filled it with water as I have done over a month ago. I knelt next to him with a cold cloth and ran it over his forehead. His hand grasped my wrist, rather ruffly.

"My pocket. My phone." I then heard the vibrations. I took it and handed it to him. He answered it with a moan. I stood wetting the cloth again as he stood. He took the cloth and ran it all over his face. "That's none of your business." I handed him the water and pills and he drank the water taking another glass to down it and the pills. "No, I am busy at the moment." He handed me the glass as I refilled it. "It's one am in the morning, man!" He yelled into the phone as he took another drink. I watched as the muscles at his chest tightened. Whoever was on the phone definitely made him nervous. "Well, I hope you got what you deserved. No they don't." I slipped out of the bedroom and went into the big bed room. Alora had hugged the blanket, her thumb in her mouth, and she was fast asleep again. I ran my hand on her head as exhaustion took place. I turned as Edward came out of the bathroom. His hair now wet but his ear to the phone. "Look, even if they still existed do you really have to go on looking? I mean, when father destroyed them, wasn't that enough. Who cares if one more still walks this earth." I froze. Brother? Destroyed? One more? He didn't look up at me as he sat on the couch. His body bent forward as he still spoke on the phone. "I think your making that up. How come after years of looking after the church you now have found her?" I moved to where Edward couldn't see me. My breath moving ruff as I listened to the one sided conversation. "You didn't find evidence at that church. All you did was scare a few nuns and the priest there-----All I am saying is you are chasing a dream. Someone who doesn't even exist anymore---- yea only in your head---- Alora is doing good---- No, no wife yet---- Man, you change the subject too much. When you actually have proof that this person really does exist, that's when you call me. Then you can tell me I was wrong like always." With that he had cut the phone tossing it on the couch. I took a deep breath, grabbed one of his t shirt to pretend as if I was looking for it for him and left the bigger bedroom. I stood in front of him as he looked else ware. "Ever hear of Virgoians?" My heart quickened. If he was looking at me the heart race would probably have given me away.

"Yes. I think just about everyone has." The want to twirl the pendant at my neck grew as I fought to not do it.

"My brother thinks that one still lives. But, as far as father and his men were concerned they killed them all." He leaned back in the couch as I sat next to him. I held unto the shirt tight as he spoke.

"Your brother and father?"

"Yea, Lord Seymour is my half brother. He is fathers first son from his first marriage. I am the second from the second wife. Father's poison bleed into Seymour's head as a kid about how magic was evil if not used by us."

"So, you can use it?" I asked curiously and trying so hard to make him think I knew nothing about it. I knew Seymour could use it. I didn't know they were related. If they were, that meant I had to leave as soon as I could. Get Alora attached to him, hope for the best and leave again. Preferably before Edward's drunk wants go any further. If so, the man would be having my heart sooner but not giving back his.

"Some. I didn't dab into very much. The more innocent the mind is the better. Alora might be able to if I was to teach her." Or if I was to. I thought to myself. As long as Seymour doesn't visit…

"How often does he come to your place. I have never seen him." Edward laughed.

"I can set up a meeting." He looked over at me as I tried so hard to hide the fear that enveloped my heart.

"No, that wont be necessary. I hear he isn't worth getting to know anyways." Edward nodded.

"He come and goes as he pleases. I prefer the fast pace of technology where he is still stuck in the carriage age. Most of his lands don't have the technology I have. If you cross the boarder between his land and mine then you will tell a difference."

"So, you're a Lord too?" He nodded again.

"I… didn't want that leaked." I blushed.

"I wont tell on you." he looked down at the floor.

"Go to bed. I think we both need it." With that he stood a bit wavering as he did so. He went into the big bedroom and closed the door. I went to the small one and did the same. The darkness encasing me with fear and doubts. I realized I wouldn't be able to be with Edward now. Not that it mattered. He didn't want me for a wife or a mother for Alora. Just someone to take care of her till he says so. I curled up in the blankets closing my eyes. Surprisingly sleep found me pretty fast.

I woke to a small baby face in mine. The thumb in the mouth, the finger on my ear lobe. Then came the smile. Then, came the bigger arm around my waist. I gasped and turned expecting to smell whiskey but all I smelled was the musk of the cologne and aftershave as Edward was looking down at me. His hand on the side of his head, his arm supporting his weight. I rolled on my back as it made the contact more intimate. Definitely not what I wanted. Alora made sure that it was broken when she flung herself over me giggling.

"DA, Ma." Was all she said as her little arms swung around both of our necks. She pulled us together as Edwards and my head hit each others. Alora then crawled off the bed and sat on the floor. She was playing with her favorite shape block. Then, unexpectedly Edward was sitting over me again sitting across my middle with his hands on either side of my head trapping me between the bed and him.

"Edward!" I exclaimed. He placed his finger on my lips and formed a Shh with his lips.

"Alora is playing on the floor. Don't grab her attention." I swallowed as he leaned forward just a little. "I know I was drunk last night but I know what I was saying."

"Are you going to apologize again?" He shook his head.

"No. I can not apologize for something that was the total truth."

"What about loosing your control? That's what you said sorry for last time." He shook his head. His green eyes clear, No desire set in them what so ever. As if the only way he will ever have that look is if he was drunk. I started to wonder if he used that look on anyone else since his wife. He only drank at home but for some odd reason he wouldn't use that look on me while he was sober.

"Not even for that."

"Then why are you sitting over me?" He looked down at the many many valleys and curves of my body then looked back up at me. The look still wasn't even there.

"I thought it to be amusing." He just smiled. The dimples on both sides of his face showing.

"Well, I am glad you think its amusing." I wasn't getting at all angry at him but frustrated. His eye brows arched in as he rolled to the other side of the bed. I stood fixing my shirt.

"Jaq, what's wrong?"

"Nothing." I said. There was a million and one things going through my head. Seymour was still close by. He wouldn't hurt his own family would he? What if Edward found out who I really was? What if Seymour came for a unexpected visit? How would I hide? How would Edward take that he has been living with the last remaining Virgoain? Should I just tell him? Why doesn't he give me the desire look when he isn't drunk? Control? Why did I have to love him so much? Why did I let him kiss me last night? What would he say if I told him my feelings? Laugh? Think it's a joke? If he wanted a suitable mother for Alora why didn't he ask me? Specially if his bed was not my concern in the deal?

"Your mind is a million miles away." He said. No husky drawl. No incantation about anything bothering him or about what he was thinking or feeling. That was one skill I would not use. Only to find someone I used it for.

"Did you love your wife?" I asked standing there not turning to look at him.

"Yes, of course."

"Did you give her those looks willingly or did you have to be drunk?" I heard the bed creek as he got off of it. I heard his booted foot steps but he did not come to me. He stood at the door way of the room but he was turned to me. He blocked any light coming into the bedroom. I looked down at my hands.

"All the time. But, never did I want to feel her skin against mine as I want to feel yours." I had to hold a gasp and looked up at him. His eyes were on me but I could not read his face. Great! So if he was looking at me that way there was no way I could see it.

"Your just saying that. You have been without a female company for almost two years. I bet you can pick up any girl and want them to share your bed." Why was I having this discussion with him. I shouldn't have even said anything to him. I went over and picked up Alora. "I am sorry. I totally stepped out of line." He moved for me to go through the door. I set Alora down on the couch but she just crawled right back off and followed me into the kitchenette. I took from the diaper bag a bottle of formula and a jar of food. I picked her up with everything in my hands, ran water in the bottle to warm the formula and to mix the powder. I turned as he had not moved from the door way. I took Alora back to the couch and sat her down. I continued to feed her as she ate the whole jar. Edward didn't move as all he did was watch me. She was done eating so I took her into the main bathroom and gave her a bath. She played in the water. I took her out, diapered her and went back into the living room area. He still stood by the door. "Edward?" He looked up at me. His arms over his chest as his eyes met mine. "You have been standing there for over thirty minutes." he didn't say or do anything as I continued to dress Alora. "Are the roads clear?"

"Yes actually they are. Its not snowing anymore so if we leave it shouldn't be bad. It will take us the rest of the day to get home." His voice even wasn't changed. I nodded.

"Lets get going then." He nodded himself. He went into the bedroom and gathered his stuff. I picked up the bundled baby and followed him outside. It was bright and cheerful. I placed Alora in her car seat as he went back in after placing the suit case and bag in the trunk. He came back out, got in and started the car. It had a huge dent on the front witch my guess was caused by the crash last night. I stayed silent as he drove. He didn't say a word as his eyes were on the road. Even Alora was quiet.