Hopeless Romance

Chapter Twenty Five

In Arana, May rescued the most girls she ever had at one time: four girls.  She told me the story on our drive back to the caves.  The girls were crouched under a light blanket, and May and I shivered in the front seats because we had the AC on high for them.

May said, “I wanted to rescue more girls. There are so many there.  It may be the biggest Comp girl site from my observations.  I knew this vehicle could only hold so many.  Anyway at the Comp girl site five girls are chosen at a time to go into the live video shoots inside a separate building from the apartments that housed them.  Only one girl got ready at a time, the other four waited in dressing rooms for their turn.  The videos involved makeup artists, hair stylists, and of course camera men (and women) and other technical personal.  Mostly Rachiese, but there were some Alumen’s too.  It was surprisingly easy for me to blend in.  I had brought a black wig and other things for a disguise but I didn’t need them.  I slipped a note to each girl, except the one with the bad luck of being first, saying simply, ‘Ride a horse to freedom. 30 minutes.  Back door.’  Then I waited up on a branch of a nearby tree, pistol in my hands, as one girl after the other quietly opened the door to the parking lot in the back of the building, one foot in the door as they looked around confused and unsure.  Each one smiled big when they saw the horse on the mustang, then shaking like leaves they walked towards the car and climbed in under a blanket in the back seat.  I watched for a few minutes for anyone else, someone alerted to the escape, but after all four girls were in the car no one else left the building.”

I reached over and squeezed softly, right above her knee, not enough to tickle her as that could be dangerous while she drove- she is very ticklish! 

“Great job May.  I can’t believe you got four girls out of there!”  I loved how her face lit up with my praise.  She really had a puppy personality and if she had a tail I knew it would be wagging wildly. 

When we got back to the cave I decided I deserved a little relaxing. Some time with less stress!  RR missions always left May full of life, but I felt completely drained.  I went to the library for a book. 

When I entered the library I quickly noticed Sophia in the corner, in a rocking chair Robert had brought back recently from one of his missions.  She was holding both our babies as they slept and her eyes were closed too, her lips turned up in a peaceful smile.  I also noticed a man sitting close by that looked out of place and uncomfortable sitting with an open book, but really had eyes only for Sophia- a look full of so much love and warmth I looked away.  But not quickly enough, because I realized I knew him.  He was the gardener I had seen Sophia with once.  He looked over and I could tell he recognized me too.  And, that he hated me.  Then, Sophia opened her eyes, and quick as a Wild Cat took in her surroundings and knew what was going on. 

Sophia yawned and said, “Hey, Michael, your back from the RR?” Casually, like a friend. 

“Hi, Sophia.  Just got back today.  It was really successful: four girls this time.  I need some time vegging out though.”

“I totally know what you mean.  Hey, want to rock your babies a bit?  This is the best thing for calming nerves I’ve ever happened on…unless they are crying of course!”

“I’d love to, if you don’t think I’ll wake them.”

“They’ll be waking soon enough, and I know they’d like to spend some time with their daddy.”  She smiled.  She smiled at me a lot since the babies were born.  She seemed generally happier.  I heard new motherhood was stressful for lots of women.  Robert, Frank, and other people close enough to us to know I was the father of Sophia’s babies would occasionally ask me in a conspiratorial whisper, “How is Sophia really handling everything?”