Chapter 12：Torment

I woke before anyone else. It was more of a I give up to falling asleep. Even Alora had still been sleeping. She normally dressed herself now in whatever she wanted to wear for that day. I went into the den taking the forgotten coffee that was still on the table. I washed the contents out starting a new fresh batch of coffee. I started my hollandaise sauce for the Eggs Benedict. I had never wanted to stay in my bedroom as much as I had today. I didn't want to come face to face with either Edward nor Seymour, specially Seymour. Just him being in the house made me feel uneasy. I placed English muffins in the oven to warm them, then started to boil water. I got the flat skillet out and started to fry ham on low. I went and set the table then came back to the kitchen to start my eggs just as Alora came into the kitchen. A red T shirt with a little black skirt on, bare foot.

"Ma your here!" She exclaimed and hugged me tight around my legs. I smiled down at her little innocent exclaim and patted her head.

"Want to go see if daddy is up."

"OK." She ran out of the kitchen and I heard her yelling down the hall. IF that didn't wake everyone up then nothing would. I took the muffins out, placed ham on each and then the eggs as I heard Alora escorting Seymour and Felicia into the dinning room. I put sauce on each egg and took it out to the dinning room. Edward was looking down into the fire place, Felicia was having a discussion with Alora, and Seymour was sitting at the table with his hands on his chin, and his elbow on the table. I sat the tray down as Felicia and Seymour looked up at me. I made sure not to go on the side that Seymour was sitting on.

"Oh... how did you know, darling." Felicia said. She was wearing a pair of tight white stockings and a white shirt that reached just above her knees along with a black belt. The V neck not hiding her small bust as it was short shoulder length. I smiled hearing Edward coming over.

"Just wanted to make something different." I said. "Does anyone have anything special they would like to drink."

"Orange juice is fine with me." Felicia said.

"Just coffee." Seymour answered low. I nodded knowing that Edward and Alora took milk. I disappeared into the kitchen again filling two cups of orange juice, two cups of milk, and two coffee cups. Creamer and sugar was already on the table and I poured the milk into the tea pot and took it all out on a tray setting it in the middle of the table as everyone had taken what they wanted.

"I figured with this you get your meat, egg, and bread all in one."

"Hmm...." Felicia said as I sat unwanted between Seymour and Alora. "This sauce is excellent. Where did you learn how to cook like this?"

"Not sure." I said shrugging my shoulder drinking my juice. "I guess I just picked it up from living here." I reached over and helped Alora with hers as I felt Green blue eyes watching me.

"Aren't you eating?" Seymour asked.

"Mommy doesn't eat breakfast!" Alora exclaimed giving her uncle a mean look. I let her, cutting her breakfast up. Seymour looked down at her, his expression blank as she then stuck her tongue out.

"That's a little too far." I told her, calm and low. A slight blush showed on her face as she looked down.

"I'm sorry mommy." And each time she said 'Mommy' she emphasized that I was her mommy. She then began to eat as I started to drink my juice.

"So, what are we doing today?" Felicia asked, savoring another bite of her eggs.

"I didn't have plans." Edward said. "Considering that you and Seymour dropped in unexpected last night." I stayed to my cup of juice looking over at the electric fire place.

"Why don't you plan something that gets you and Felicia better acquainted."

"Getting to know Alora would be a better choice." Felicia corrected Seymour with a smile.

"I don't want to!" She exclaimed. I knew she wasn't going to make this any easier. But I let her make it as hard as it could possibly get for them.

"Alora, it wouldn't hurt to get to know Felicia." Edward said as the words that came from the four year old seemed not to bother Felicia. She didn't indicate that it had bothered her at the lease.

"Why don't we all do something." She finally suggested. "Maybe go to the beach. I've been wanting to see your private beach Edward." She said looking up at him. Alora stock to her breakfast as they talked about doing something.

"We could do that this afternoon." He said, taking a bite from his eggs. Seymour was done and was nursing a cup of coffee. I was very surprised that he hadn't reached for me. He probably thought that Alora would attack him if he tried. I drank the rest of my juice as Alora had gotten done with her breakfast.

"What do you normally do on a Saturday?" Seymour asked his voice low, and almost in a jealous manner. Edward looked up at his brother, then those green eyes were on me, then a grin played on his face as I wiped Alora's face off.

"Play games, read, take a walk, then normally a nap in the afternoon. I sometimes let Jaq have some free time. It's hard taking care of a child, cleaning and taking care of my drunk habits." I felt the rush of pink on my cheeks as he knew that I would blush. Seymour looked at me sides ways not moving his head. "Other then that, I guess I am open to suggestions."

"What about we take a trip to the museum." Seymour said.

"Why there?" Edward asked. He shrugged.

"It's relaxing, there is a children section, and I am sure that Alora would like to learn about things." She huffed, folded her arms over her chest and pouted.

"Its OK sweety. We can go." I said low. "It might be fun. I hear they have a star gazing machine that lets you look at the stars, even in the day." She perked up but slightly as the arms were still over her chest.

"As long as I am with you." She said then linked her arm with mine as she seemed like she was not going to let me go at all. I smiled.

"Then how about you help me clear the table and daddy can go start the van." She nodded standing taking each glass as I retrieved the tray, placing plates on it. "We will be out as soon as I get these things in the kitchen, cleared a little, and put in the washer. Won't take me long." I said smiling at the other three adults. Edward stood, then Felicia. Seymour stayed seated as they left. I reached around him and took the plate in front of him. He grasped my elbow then making me stop. He didn't put pressure on the elbow, but didn't let me go either.

"As long as I am here, you need to stay by my side, got that?"

"Alora isn't going to like that."

"I don't care what she is going to like or not." He stood, still with my elbow in his hand as the chair hit the floor with his force. HE was wearing black pants, boots, red button up shirt covered by a dark blue velvet vest. His hair held long, parting neatly in the middle.

"I got it." I said, low, pissed and definitely not happy. He let me go and left the dinning room just as Alora came in. She started taking the forks as I carried the tray in. We cleared off the dishes placing them in the washer and met everyone outside. Felicia sat in front with Edward. I placed Alora in her seat buckling her up. Edward's green eyes watching me as I sat in the back by the window and of course Seymour followed me. Not what I was expecting. I sighed, placed my elbow on the window sill and watched the houses and cars go by. Seymour leaned forward his green blue eyes on me half the time as he spoke to Edward. A random soft teddy bear was thrown at him from Alora until Edward yelled at her bringing me to look at the other adults, then at the tongue again at Seymour. She was really digging in. She meant what she said about not giving me up, and she was going to do everything in her small little mind to make Seymour feel very unwelcome. But then to egg the poor little four year old on, he leaned back in the van seat and put his arm over my shoulder, pulled me unexpectedly to him, making me place my hand at his thigh since his action was way unexpected. Alora only returned the jester with a frown, a huff, then the arms over her small chest. Edward watched and looked to be giving the mirror the same evil eye look his daughter was as if they both had rights to what was going to happen to me. I had excepted that I was not going to end happily ever after.

"Wow this is a big Museum." Felicia said moments after we had entered. Edward was paying at the booth as Felicia was standing next to me, Seymour behind me, and Alora hugging my arm on my right. I looked around at the main entrance. Seeing the paper flying machine that was still in the works above our heads. The statue of other Kings in other parts of the world. The world map behind it showing what section of the museum showed what region. I had noticed, where my home town was suppose to have been, a red mark. I walked over to the map, looking at our country. Alora having no other choice then to follow and I could feel Blue green eyes on me. I felt the arm at the ball of my back, and then the husky voice in my ear.

"They have a section on your parents." I gasped and swallowed at the same time causing myself to cough.

"Mommy?" Alora asked as Felicia and Edward came over, Seymour's other hand patting my back. Was that the real reason he wanted to bring us here? To show me this? To make sure that I know what happens when the king wants something?

"Jaq.. are you alright?" I heard Edward's concerned voice. I nodded.

"Why don't we take Alora and go to the star gazing." Felicia suggested holding her hand to the small girl. She only cuddled closer to my body.

"No!" She exclaimed grabbing a couple people's attention. I swallowed again, got down on my knees, and placed her small face between my hands. I had placed my forehead on hers and spoke to her between our connection.

"Listen honey, I need you to be good. I know that you don't want change, but maybe nothing will happen." She gave me a sour look. "I don't want daddy knowing who I am, and Uncle Seymour brought me here to show me the section on my people."

"OK mommy. I will go." Out loud I said.

"Be good, OK. Daddy wants time with you. He works hard and doesn't see you all the time. Felicia is a good friend, and wants to get to know you, OK. Even if her and daddy doesn't work out."

"OK, I understand. Friends are good right?" She said falling into place.

"Yes. The more you have the better." She nodded again, swung her arms around my neck, then went to hold Felicia's hand. Edward made no move to touch Felicia as Seymour made all the moves to replace his hand at the small of my back. I was forced to watch the family that I love walk away with another women, then turning the corner, the green eyes caught mine before they disappeared. I took in a deep breath, rounded on Seymour then said. "What was your real intention in this?" I asked, my voice harsh. He smiled.

"You may see me as a heartless bastard." He stated, pulling his arm around my waist then bent down to remind me, "And don't forget this is a public place." I sighed knowing he wanted me to play the 'perfect girlfriend' as he ushered me further in to the museum. Everyone would know who he was, and everyone did. They turned and whispered. Some wondering who the young women was with him as he grinned. He walked into a dimly lit room. We were met by the walls being painted as the city would look like. The castle in the middle. I had stopped as Seymour had turned to address a worker before the doors were closed. He stood, by those doors looking over at me. "As you probably think I brought you here to remind you of what happens when you cross my family, I did not bring you here for that." I turned, looking at him. My violet eyes stinging with salty water as I stared at him. He didn't move however as he stood still, in the shadow of the front doors. "I know how uneducated you are of your people. This, is the only museum with anything related to you." Floors lately seemed to have glue all over the place. I couldn't move even though there, in front of me was a whole room about my royal family, people that used the same kind of magic I did, the lay out of the city. He moved then, coming towards me as I looked away from him, not wanting him to know how I have craved the knowledge that I lacked. His arm linked with mine as he removed my glued feet and started walking around the room. He started with the crest witch was painted gold, a hundred times bigger then the normal one would have been. It was a golden sun and under the sun it said 'Always Shining Peace' Under the big sun was a small city my guess the town. His arm had moved to around my waist as we looked at it. He read from the plaque. "Virgoians believed in peace in every race. Even till the day they were destroyed, the King and Queen tried to talk their enemies into it. However, King Harold of Trinity country did not want their magic and technology to reach past their own boarders. He wage war on the people, March 3rd to show that even they had no power over his army." I held my hands to my lips in small fists. The crest looked just like the back of my birth certificate did. Seymour then moved to a picture of a beautiful women in the arms of a handsome man. Both had violet eyes like mine. The women had black raven hair as the man hand graying auburn hair. I swallowed heavily as Seymour read on. "Queen Jessybell and King Jared, died in war March 3rd. Rumored to have had a baby girl before the war. She however was never found. To this day, it remains a mystery." The tears rolled down my face. My body shook as he didn't move for a moment. Looking down at me, his arm tightened about my waist. He then, still tightly with me at his side, moved to a few machines that the plaque stated were not operational because the amount of magic that was used to operate them, was no longer around. I took a look at it, knowing it was a telescope that was able to look past our galaxy unto the next and even send signals. I knew the magic to use it, but did not say so as we moved to a few books. One was badly burned, the pages coming out of the binder as I could see the words. I bent over the case to look at the words, how it explained the cooking method to steamed carrots and chicken. I chuckled. "What's so funny?" Seymour asked still tightly at my side.

"Why would they have a recipe book here?" He looked down at the book I had mentioned, looked at the plaque then at me.

"It says there are no words on the papers..." He trailed off. "But you can read it?" I looked up at him. Violet teary eyes looked up at the green blue amused ones. I didn't know how to take the amusement in his eyes, or the tight squeeze he gave me next. We laughed however, at the concept that everyone might be thinking that this book held all the secrets to Virgos. We moved on to another machine, then a few paintings of how the inside of the castle looked. Then, the next page with the plaque stating it had no words on it, looked to be hand written. I looked down at the paper. Reading it said:

"We are a quiet nation. Our land is plentiful, loving, and peaceful. We thrive on our ability to make peace, to bring forth the love of the world. However, with each meeting, with each moment spent with King Harold, the man grows greedy. With his first wife gone, Peace be with her, he has asked for one of our madans to marry. I had presented that we have plenty of women, however, they are willing to serve their country. we entered an agreement. He gets his choice as we get our peace. No more will we meet. No more will he talk of war with our nation. He agreed to the terms. Marium was chosen and went peacefully with him. She had given birth to a boy, giving him and his eldest an heir to his other country. We pray that the Gods watch over her. May our God's watch over our people, for war is coming soon. I fear for my un born child, for she will take on the burden of placing this world back together. It is written in....."

And the rest of the page had been burnt. I read, then re read what the paper said. That can't be true! Does Seymour...... does Edward know that he is part Virgoain? That would mean, as small as it could be, Alora was too! I wasn't the last one left! I gasped slightly as I had almost forgotten about Seymour being next to me.

"What did it say?" He asked, his arm protectively around my waist as I felt the sting of fresh tears. I shook my head.

"Nothing, just a diary entry."

"A bit emotional?" He asked I nodded.

"My fathers..." I said not lying to him, but also not telling him the full truth. I had to talk to Edward. I had to ask him if he knew anything about his mother. But I couldn't do that with Seymour around.

"Hm.." He hummed slightly. He turned me to the closed door as we had spent over an hour and a half looking at my history, well now Alora's and Edwards. I swallowed the moan before it had escaped my throat. Felicia, Alora and Edward was looking up at a picture. Seymour's arm around my waist still as we walked over to them. By the way Seymour acted it seemed as if he didn't know about Edward's mother.

"Mommy!" Alora exclaimed as she came over to me hugging me at my waist as Seymour walked over to the other two adults. I smiled down at her and hugged her tight. For the rest of the museum trip, I was more in a daze then anything and did not feel much like fighting Seymour with his arms and affection. We resumed our sitting arrangement in the van as we then talked about what to do next.

"I think we should go to the beach." Felicia said as she was hooked on going. I stayed looking out the window.

"We can pack a lunch and go to the beach." Seymour said next to me. I sighed as I watched the same buildings go by as Edward headed towards the house. I sighed as Seymour looked over at me.

"That's a great idea." Felicia said as we went on the highway.

"I cant go..." I said low. They all looked over at me as Edward looked at me through the rear view mirror.

"Whys that?" Seymour asked huskily looking down at me.

"I.. don't have a suit." I said low. I looked from the blue green eyes to the green ones in the mirror. "I never really found a reason to own one."

"Oh let me pick one out." Felicia exclaimed. "Stop at the mall, Edward. Jaq and I will go in and pick a suit for her."

"It's not really necessary." I tried to get her to not want to do that but I knew better.

"Non sense I love shopping." I sighed, caught Edward's gaze in the mirror before looking out of the window. We got to the mall sooner then I really wanted to. Edward parked and we all got out of the van.

So her swimming suit shopping turned into a full blown get me more cloths that shows off my beautiful shoulders and bust. I let her all the time making sure my pendant wasn't showing. I had a feeling I was going to have to use a invisible charm on my necklace. I was carrying three bags out of the clothing store as Alora was playing on the in door play ground. Edward was sitting next to Seymour with his elbows on his knees, his head bent down, and his eyes watching his feet. He didn't look too thrilled at what the siting straight, smug Seymour was saying. He actually looked pissed, and jealous.

"Oh that was fun! It's been weeks since I was able to buy a new friend clothing. We should go to the spa sometime." I just smiled as we came to the guys. Seymour stood, coming towards me leaving a sizzling half brother on the bench. He took the bags from me as I looked up at his thrilled blue green eyes.

"Did you enjoy yourself?" He asked, his body so close to mine I couldn't look around him to see Edward or Felicia who had just walked up to him setting her hand on his back.

"No." I said low. He laughed. Edward, Felicia, and Alora came over and we left the mall getting back in the van as we traveled back home. Nothing was said in the van besides Felicia babbling about this and that. Alora napping and Seymour's arm around my waist as he pulled me closer to him. Edward's arm was on the door, head on his hand as he drove nodding every few minutes at what Felicia was saying. When we got home, I took Alora out of her seat, she moaned rubbing her face in my shirt.

"I'll go pack a lunch." Felicia said as I turned to look at her as we all stood outside the van. Edward seemed a bit distant, as his hands were in his pockets and his attention apparently on the ground again. His weight leaning to one side.

"But.. that's my job." I exclaimed as every ones attention was on me now. I felt my cheeks flush as I realized I had probably stepped to far. "I'm sorry...." I said low, looking now at that apparently interesting ground. "I will just go take Alora in." I said and went into the house. No one followed witch was a surprise to me. I placed Alora in her bed, took out a sun dress and her bathing suit then turned as the door was opened. Bags were dropped almost at my feet as big hands grabbed my face. I looked up at the green eyes as my heart skipped a few beats. "Edward... what are you doing?" I asked him, my voice low as he looked down at my violet eyes.

"Marry me." He said his voice husky at his question. It took me a moment to know who I was talking to. He had only asked me that in a far away dream. Not exactly like this, or in this room, but always only in my dreams.

"But.. what.. what about Felicia?" He shook his head.

"I don't want her." He said almost in a slow motion. He didn't move from where he stood. Great! So, he wants to marry me, but hasn't said anything about loving me. I felt the sting of tears at the back of my eyes, gave a sigh and stepped away from him. His hands falling to his sides as he watched me pick up the bags he had discarded and looked over at him.

"Sorry Edward... your a little late." I got to my door as I heard him moan. I stopped and looked over at him.

"It can't be Seymour." He said his eyes on me, his hands in fists, his jaw clenched. "That bastard is still looking for that Virgoain but yet he comes in here acting love sick to you!" He must have been holding this in because he had never used that voice before. Low, angry, twisted in with jealousy. I opened my door and tossed the really unwanted cloths in to the bedroom, leaving the door opened, I turned back to him and looked at him.

"No... not in the sense you are thinking." I said standing by the door. I gave him a small smile as he was looking right at me. "Why don't you get Alora up, get her dressed and we can have a afternoon on the beach.. hm." He didn't move to do what I suggested. His stance so tense you would need a saw just to cut through it. "OK.. Edward."

"Yea." He said low. I turned, went into my room and closed the door behind me making sure I locked it. I sighed looking through the bags as I put the two piece on then the sun dress making sure my pendant was invisible. I looked at my self in the mirror and did not like what I saw. The dress was something I never would consider wearing specially since Seymour was around. But as Felicia said, the beach was hot at this time of year. I sighed and exited my room going to go sit on the couch in the living room.

"Mommy you ready?" I heard Alora and stood to look at her, Edward and the approaching Seymour. Both men's eyes were on the sun dress as Alora came and swung her arms around me, making the skirt of the dress ride up my thigh as she expressed her emotions. Seymour was the first to move as Edward's cheeks turned red, his hands going to fists as Seymour ran his hand through my hair for the millionth time that day. I just gave him a small smile.

"Is Felicia done packing for lunch?"

"No pendant? Smart girl."

"That's none of your business." He chuckled as I tried to move from him but his other hand was fast on my waist pulling me closer to him.

"You will learn, my love that..... Ow!" He yelled suddenly as he pulled away from me the same time Edward and Felicia came in the living room with the basket of food Felicia had prepared. I looked down at the angry Alora. Her small hands on her hips, her lower lip sucking in her top lip, her green eyes on him as she stood there giving him a mean look. Her foot was visibly in front of her as if she had assaulted Seymour's leg with a swift kick of her sandal.

"Hands off my mom!" She yelled and I had to look up at the ceiling to stop the chuckle that was going to escape my lips. Edward came over and grabbed her arm, making it unravel from her chest. He pulled her away from the towering Seymour, knelt in front of her as Seymour's green blue eyes watched the father and daughter as he talked to her.

"Alora, we have talked about this, you don't go hitting people no matter how upset you get." Her lip was still puckered but her eyes were looking down at those lethal sandal feet.

"OK, I'm sorry." She said low and not really to Seymour but mostly to Edward but he let it pass as if she had said sorry to Seymour, stood and grasped her hand. He looked over at me, the look made my heart fall to my feet as Seymour only kept playing the 'love sick man'.