Days of Darkness

Chapters 34

"It looks like someone is hungry," Anthony said as he grabbed a towel off the counter and wiped his hands. "breakfast wasn't satisfying little one," he cooed.

"She would eat until she burst if I let her," I chuckled.

"A woman after my own heart," Anthony said sweetly. He had an addictive charm about him. I watched as he moved to the fridge and withdrew a covered bowl from the top shelf. "I whipped up some apple sauce special for her, no sugar so Abigal won't yell at me." Abigal's eye roll made me smile. It may be a prison, but it was a friendly one.

I sat on a stool at the counter and settled Teegan in my lap. She slapped her hands on the countertop, insisting that Anthony hurry. Anthony set the bowl just out of her reach and handed me a small spoon he retrieved from a drawer. Then he leaned down placing his elbows on the counter and his chin on his hands. He smiled, waiting for Teegan's response to his applesauce.

Miss Impatient tried to lean forward to grab the bowl. I held her back and filled the spoon. Teegan's coordination had increased dramatically over time. She grabbed the spoon by the handle and brought it to her mouth. You would have thought she hadn't eaten in a week. As fast as I could refill the spoon, down her throat it went. When I didn't move fast enough, she pounded her hands on the counter and grunted.

"I knew she would like that apple mix," Anthony said, "the Honey Crisp and Melrose were made to be blended." I smiled, not wanting to tell him this how Teegan always ate.

"You have a new fan," I said, "you're going to spoil her."

"All babies should be spoiled," Anthony said, standing straight again, "And I have something in the oven for you as well." I raised my eyebrows and shoveled more applesauce into Teegan. "It was a challenge to mirror the onion soup from 58 Tour Eiffel. No one would give up the secrets, but I think I've done it."

"I thought I gave you hopeless task," I said with a sly grin, "I'm sure the atmosphere of Paris was as much responsible for the flavor as the soup itself."

"Oui, Oui, Madam," Anthony said. He opened a drawer and retrieved a tourists replica of the Eiffel Tower. I have the same one stashed in a box somewhere. I smiled brightly as he placed it on the counter.

"The real tower is a bit taller," I joked.

"If you squint you eyes," Anthony said, "your imagination will carry you back to Paris. The smell of the soup and my terrible accent will complete the picture." I had to laugh at his confidence. I pulled the nearly empty bowl of applesauce closer to Teegan. Her hands were already coated so letting her dig out the rest seemed justified. She wasted no time getting to work.

"The bowls will be hot out of the oven," Anthony continued, "We'll have to make sure that Teegan doesn't touch them." Victor had passed the word quickly.

"I'll have a crib brought down," Abigal said.

"Thank you," I replied, making sure Abigal didn't think I was still angry about her barging into the room. We shared a smile before she moved off to organize the crib.

"How did you get corralled into this situation?" I asked Anthony. I wasn't sure what to call it without being insulting. He wasn't someone I wanted to insult. I liked the guy.

"I love to cook," Anthony replied, "and I especially like watching people enjoy what I prepare. Teegan has already made my day." He showed his bright teeth as he watched Teegan struggle to get the last bits from the bowl. "Hiding in some restaurant kitchen was never for me. Here I get to cook for friends and the pay is better."

"How long have you been here?" I asked. Anthony opened another drawer and pulled out a clean towel.

"We've been here for almost a year," Anthony answered. He understood my question was deeper than surface definition. "Mr. Corbett has been preparing for Teegan's return for a while. You, of course, are a pleasant addition to the plan. I was a little afraid that Teegan would be denied human touch. I think we all were." He wet the corner of the towel in the sink and traded me for the bowl that Teegan had scraped clean. I started cleaning her hands and mouth.

"She needs contact," I said, nodding, "the lack of it would warp any child."

"Mr. Corbett was to provide it," Anthony continued, "but his business takes him away often." He raised his eyebrows, "he should be back here tomorrow. I understand he is pleased that you have decided to stay."

"Did I have a choice?" I asked, smiling at Teegan struggling to avoid the wet towel.

"Not if you love her," Anthony admitted.

"You have no idea," I said, then regretted the quickness of my admission. The strength of my feelings shouldn't be out in the open. My dislike for a man I never met grew. The thought that Corbett was forcing me to choose between Sam and Teegan was unconscionable. That he wrapped it in kindness and Egyptian cotton sheets, made me angry. I didn't want to like it at his estate. I didn't even want to consider that it might be better for Teegan. I certainly didn't want to become Corbett's personal baby incubator.

"Life can be good here," Anthony said, selling the corporate line. I sighed and nodded my head. Arguing seemed pointless. It was better that they all thought I was resigned to my fate. Thankfully, Abigal returned with some black-shirts carrying the crib. I wondered what security thought of the whole situation. Were they as aware as Anthony, Abigal, and Victor or just muscle for hire? They all had that ex-military look about them, and I had the impression that they weren't allowed to talk with me. No matter, I didn't want to get to know them either.

I placed Teegan in the crib, and she immediately sat down to examine the toys they had brought along. It surprised me how calm she was with all the changes that were occurring. Maybe to her, always feeling Sam and I meant no change. Only the scenery had changed, and her security remained intact. Whatever the reason, I suspected my coming son would be less cooperative. I smiled at the thought of a crying child. A cry only I could soothe. I had a surge of visions, Sam wrestling with a young boy, laughing. Teegan, older, egging them on. I begging they don't hurt each other. A home where love ruled and spontaneity kept it fresh.

"Is everything alright Natalie?" Abigal asked. I straightened and returned to the counter.

Just dreaming," I responded. Abigal seemed to accept it and sat down next to me. Anthony opened the oven, and a wonderful scent filled the kitchen. I had forgotten the reality of Paris, but the smell brought it all back. With mittened hands, Anthony produced three small brownish crock pots out of the oven and placed them on a butcher board. They were each crusted with browning cheese that overflowed the edges of the pot. The cheese covered a piece of thick bread whose square outline was prominent at the top.

"They look perfect," I said with surprise. Anthony smiled, and Abigal stifled a laugh. They exchanged a look that meant something to the both of them. Abigal eyes moved away from mine when I looked at her. "What?" I asked, wanting to understand the communication between them.

"The proof will be in the tasting," Anthony said, ignoring my query. He placed crocheted hot pads, one in front of me, on for Abigal, and another for himself. He then transferred the pots one at a time to the pads. It smelled wonderful and looked equally good.

"Poke a few holes in the cheese and let it cool for a moment," Anthony warned us as he handed out spoons. The cheese needed to be pulled more than poked before it broke letting the steam escape.

"It smells wonderful," I complimented. I remembered being on the Eiffel Tower cooling my soup in almost the same way. "Even the pots look authentic," I said out loud though it was more of a thought. Abigal stifled another giggle, and I knew I was missing something. They were playing with me, and I resented that I didn't know how.

I watched Anthony fill his spoon with steaming broth and blow on it gently. Once cooled enough, he tasted it and smiled. Abigal and I followed his lead. The only thing the soup was missing was the tower itself. My taste buds agreed it was a perfect replication. I slowly took more sips to savor the flavor without burning my mouth. I looked up from the bowl with surprise to find them both grinning at me with meaning I didn't understand. I looked back at the miniature replica of the tower and back to the pots the soup was baked in. I matched their smiles.

"This is the real thing," I said with confidence. Abigal burst out laughing, and Anthony nodded, trying not to lose the soup that was in his mouth.

"It is quite good," Anthony said, taking another sip. I too had some more, scraping some cheese to add to the broth. It was stringy and required a fight to break it away from the bowl. Well worth the effort. I began to think I was enjoying it too much. I didn't want to be happy here, not without Sam and our freedom. I was about to lay down my spoon and become obstinate when it occurred to me that it would give away too much.

"You flew this across the world for me?" I asked, dipping my spoon once again. I would suffer the luxury to keep up appearances. At least, that's how my taste buds justified it and it tasted good.

"The kitchen refused to give up their secrets, and I had never tasted it before," Anthony said. He took another sip and digested it like it was a fine wine. "I think I taste a hint of brown sugar, maybe they caramelized some of the onions first." To me, it was food of the gods. I wasn't even sure I wanted to know how it was constructed. "They did allow me to finish it here, but the broth itself was prepared in Paris."

"There is nothing we won't do to make your life more comfortable," Abigal added between sips, "our resources have very few limits." Frank walked in while we were eating, a clipboard in his hand. I hadn't seen him since I had arrived and welcomed the intrusion. I like that he made me a little uncomfortable. I needed to be more uncomfortable.

"Mr. Corbett will be here tomorrow afternoon," Frank announced, "he would like to meet with you around 2:00, Natalie." He made it sound like a question, his eyebrows up with an uncommitted expression. I briefly wondered what would happen if I declined.

"That will be fine," I replied as if my approval wasn't a forgone conclusion.

"Good," Frank said, writing something on the clipboard, "then he will meet the child..."

"Teegan," I interrupted, and was astonished when it was in unison with Abigal. Frank looked up.

"We don't want to dehumanize her," Abigal said, giving me a knowing look. I nodded. Frank smiled.

"Of course," Frank continued, "Mr. Corbett will meet alone with Teegan around 3:00." Alone was not what I hand in mind. My opinion of Corbett was lowering with each hour. Putting my foot down so early in the game may do more harm than good. I knew he wasn't going to hurt her, but what if he felt her growth in power? What if he sensed Sam? What if he found out his future baby factory was already pregnant? I wasn't sure how much I could influence someone else's bond, but being there seemed preferable.

"Are you sure I shouldn't be there?" I asked as innocently as I could, "What if she gets frightened?" Everyone looked at Teegan, happy in the crib.