The committee had tried to make her chair, but she managed to get Patrice to accept the role. The one thing Jacques agreed with her on. She snorted to herself at this. Probably means she should have taken it.
Patrice, Antoine, and Eleanor (who was allowed to speak, but could not vote) all sided with her that the creatures remained the biggest threat. Jacques, who also did not have a vote, was pushing hard to prepare to defend themselves against the new German colony. Henri, a long time colonist who Marianne barely knew, was undecided about the more immediate threat. Jeannette was a new arrival and was definitely in Jacques’ corner. It seemed like tensions between The Foundation and Die Firma had been rising in the five years after the first wave left Earth. It sounded largely like an ego thing. On one side, was Francois Bernard, the billionaire who started The Foundation and organized the pacification of greater Paris after the collapse. Heinrich Schmidt had played a similar role in establishing a controlled zone over much of old Germany.
Although everyone at the meeting had served in a peace brigade. It appeared that only four of them had ever fired a weapon in anger, and she thought last week’s incident with the creature may have been the first for Patrice or Antoine. Which meant she and Eleanor were the only ones with actual battle experience. That concerned her.
They ended up recommending monitoring for now. The first priority, as voted by the committee was establishing some form of automated monitoring along the cliff edge. If something scaled the cliff, armed guards would be dispatched immediately to the site. If prepared, they knew they could take out a creature with two or three plasma rifles. Marianne agreed to be summonable if there was another incident. She viewed it as the cost of keeping the rifle.
Marianne and Eleanor managed to convince the committee that the new colony would not be ready to mount an attack immediately. Unless they’d been equipped with significant military hardware sent as cargo on the ship. In which case, Nouveau Gaul was in trouble anyway and they’d have to fight a guerrilla counter attack. Preparing for that would require diverting resources currently needed elsewhere. Jacques was taking this report to the council.
Marianne smiled and tried to get the meeting out of her head as Aziz’s house came into view. She hurried into the house eager to see all three of them. The house was still full of workers, but no family. There appeared to be a mostly working kitchen now, though, which was nice to see.
“We should be all done in here today,” the forewoman said. “I hope you enjoy it. I think this was the fastest we’ve gotten a house up. But we're all proud to work on a house for you.”
“Thank you, but it’s Aziz’s house. He's just letting us stay with him.”
She nodded.
“Have you seen Aziz and the kids?”
“He tried to get them to take a nap in here, but I think we were making too much noise. I didn’t notice where he went.”
“Thanks anyway.” Of course it was too noisy for their nap. And now they’re going to be over tired and super cranky all evening. She wondered where Aziz had them. She mounted Pascal and rode back towards her farm, but no sign of them. Surely he didn’t let them nap in the old house, did he?
She rode Pascal up to the barn to unsaddle him as she pondered where he would be. Just as she was dismounting, Aziz slipped out from the barn and signaled that she should be quiet.
“I finally got them napping in our stall in the barn. I told them that was where we slept while they were at Aunt Eleanor’s and that they could try to sleep there as an adventure this afternoon. But only if they stayed very quiet so they wouldn’t disturb the goats.”
Marianne laughed loudly for a second, before realizing the amount of noise she was making. “Brilliant move. I thought you didn’t know how to take care of kids?”
“I’m learning to improvise. I tried to think about what I thought Rania would’ve done. It did take some negotiating about where each slept. I suggested that Pierre could sleep where I did and Genevieve could sleep where you did, but they each wanted to do it the opposite way.”
“I think Genevieve shifted all her attachment from Rania to you. But Pierre doesn’t quite trust you. And I think he struggled more with being separated from me. How long have they been down.”
“A little over half an hour. It took a while to get them settled. They were both so exhausted that they went out like a light as soon as they were quietly lying down.”
“Still, that was a great idea. We’ll have to save this for special occasion napping when they’re too excited by something.”
“How was the meeting?”
Marianne rolled her eyes and shook her head. “What do you expect when she stuck Jacques on there. Fortunately, he doesn’t have a vote. I talked Patrice into being chair — they wanted me to do it — and he’s rational. Antoine, Patrice, and I all tended to vote together, so we kind of make decisions regardless of the others. Eleanor can’t vote either, but she’s allowed to argue for rationality. So we ended up in a reasonable place. Jacques doesn’t care about the creatures at all, he wants to prepare for war with the Germans. I think I now know why Renee voted for this — it was the only one of Georges’ proposals she voted for. Did you hear anything about Die Firma getting into it with Francois or The Foundation before you left?”
“No, but we were in the wilds so all we heard were rumors that no one believed.”
“Jeannette Marcotte, who was on your ship with you, thought things were getting heated between Francois and Heinrich.”
“Heinrich?”
“Heinrich Schmidt, the German counterpart of Francois. They both have planet sized egos.”
Pierre came out, rubbing his eyes, crying a bit. “I wet my pants.”
“That’s okay, mon caneton. It’s been a very different day. Uncle Aziz will go run over to the house to get clean clothes. While we’re waiting, why don’t you tell me about your afternoon. Did you have fun sleeping in the barn? I hear you slept on the hay that I’d been sleeping on.”
“The hay was scratchy. Did you and Aziz really sleep in there while we were at Aunt Eleanor’s?”
“Yeah, our old house isn’t safe anymore. It did everything it could to protect us from the creature. It did its job, but it was hurt when it did. So we had to wait for them to build Aziz’s house. We will live in his house for a long time yet. Do you like his house?”
“It seems pretty much like our house. I liked having my own bed last night. And I liked you being here with me last night. I missed you.”
“I missed you so much Pierre. That’s why I came twice every day to see you and Genevieve.”
“Is that when you started kissing Aziz?”
Marianne blushed. “Earlier today was actually the first time we’d ever kissed.”
“Is he going to be my new Poppa?”
At least Aziz is not here right now to hear this, she thought. “I don’t know, Pierre. That’s a big question and it'll take a long time for Aziz and Momma to know if that’s the right thing to do or not. Maybe, but I promise I’ll discuss it with you before we make that decision.”
“I like him. Do you want him to be my new Poppa?”
“I think so, Pierre. But I’m not sure he’s ready for that. He still misses Aunt Rania a lot.”
“I miss her, too.”
“So do I, Pierre. But Aziz and Rania were very special to each other, like Poppa and I were. They had expected to have children of their own.”
“If Aziz is my new Poppa, will I get more brothers and sisters?”
“I don’t know, Pierre. I don’t know. Would you like more?”
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
“At least a brother would be nice. Jean-Luc has a brother but I don’t.”
“But you have a sister and he doesn’t.”
“I like Gennie, but she’s a girl.”
“Aunt Eleanor and I are girls.”
“But she’s good at playing. And you’re my Momma.”
“Once Genevieve is older, I want you to play with her. I think girls need to grow up to be just as tough as boys. Like Eleanor and I did.”
“Were you a little girl like Gennie?”
“A very long time ago on a whole different planet.”
“Hi Aziz,” Pierre said, a little overwhelmed by his mother's last answer.
++++++
Marianne sent a request to the council to borrow a horse cart for a day to move her stuff from the old house to Aziz’s house. They had carried some more stuff up from the old house, mostly more clothes, a tea kettle, and a few things to be able to cook dinner.
They got the kids baths and then to bed not long after dinner. Pierre let Aziz put him to bed while Marianne nursed Genevieve and then settled her for her night’s sleep. There was still nothing to sit on in the house, so Marianne and Aziz went ahead to their own makeshift beds.
Aziz wondered whether he should kiss her goodnight before he climbed into bed. He was still trying to decide where their relationship was.
The kiss had surprised him, but he really enjoyed it. He’d liked the time alone to think. And he’d taken a moment while the kids were asleep to tell Rania about it. He was sure she would’ve been happy.
Lying on their own beds, Aziz decided to try to broach the subject of their relationship with her. “So am I going to be the new Poppa?”
Marianne laughed nervously. “Did you hear that conversation? I thought you might have been far enough away to not hear it.”
“Both you and Pierre have voices that carry. I was less than half way back when I could make out the whole conversation.”
“So should you be his new Poppa?”
“Well, I’m trying to be a father to him now.”
“I don’t think that’s what any of us are talking about. Don’t dodge the question, Aziz.”
“Why did you kiss me?”
“Because I want you. I want you physically.”
“I want you, too, Marianne. I think you know that. You certainly had to realize I enjoyed that kiss.”
“But? I can hear a big but coming with that answer.”
“I’m not sure I’m ready yet. I’m sorry. I care for you deeply Marianne and I know Rania wanted this to happen, but it feels too soon.”
“Let me know when you’re ready. I’m more than ready for some relief, at the very least.”
“Good night, sleep well, and sweet dreams, Marianne.”
“You too. You know who I’ll be dreaming of.”
++++++
The council called another meeting of the defense committee early the next week. As Marianne rode in, an unusual number of people waved to her and a few saluted her as she passed. That felt very odd. As she was approaching the town center, one settler she didn’t recognize called out, “You ready to kill some Germans for us?”
Unsettled, Marianne went in to a meeting that was even more unsettling. Sometime in the last few days, Antoine had been convinced that the Germans were now a more significant threat than the creatures were, bringing Henri with him. The power on the committee swung, and all efforts for protection from the creatures were suspended in favor of more protection from the Germans. Marianne’s and Eleanor’s arguments about the realities of any battles with the Germans were ignored. Danielle Allard was directed to set aside all other projects and focus purely on the design for defensive fortifications for the plateau.
The meeting with the leader of the German colony later that week did nothing to squelch the war fever that seemed to be spreading. There were now open calls for a mandatory military service to fill a plateau army, with Marianne as the ranking officer. She managed to dodge every call for the army and her commission with the simple statement, “If they bring war, we’ll respond and I’ll be there with every other brave citizen.” Eventually, she got Georges Clements to send out a joint message from Eleanor and her, as an official council notice sent to every household.
Right now we hear the war drums banging in almost every corner of the plateau. While these drums can stir the heart, they can mislead the mind. War is not glorious. No one wins in war. We’re already redirecting much needed resources to prepare for a war that will hopefully never happen.
If the German colony does bring us war, we trust all the citizens of the plateau will respond bravely. We, Eleanor and Marianne, will be at the front line, fighting for the colony, our colony, until our dying breath. But for now, our efforts need to be targeted at preventing the war, not fighting it. We already have too many other problems to resolve to devote our energies here. War is too horrific for us to consider it except as a last resort
Marianne Laurent, member, Plateau Defense Committee
Eleanor Marceau, alternate, Plateau Defense Committee
++++++
Marianne was sleeping in her bed, with Aziz lying on the other side of the room on his air mattress, when they were awakened by the sounds of hoof steps racing towards their house. The horse stopped in front momentarily, then rode off again.
Marianne looked out and could see something in their front yard. She went outside and pulled whatever it was into the house. In the light, she saw it properly, a crudely painted German flag.
With fury raging in her eyes, she ripped the symbolic protest into tiny pieces.
Aziz came over, holding his device. “Eleanor just sent us a message. They did the same thing to her. It looks like she included Georges on the message.”
“Why don’t they understand? No one should want this war. We came here to escape the wars, not to spread them.” She began to sob.
Aziz came over and held her while she cried. It all came out. All the horrors of her years in the peace brigade. The disappearance of Andre and her mistreatment by the council. Her hatred of Aziz and Rania when they arrived. The death of Rania. And now this.
All through this, Aziz held her quietly, listening to her tales of woe and the plaintive sobs that were intermixed throughout. Finally, she seemed cried out. After a few minutes of silence, she said, “Come to bed with me. I don’t want to do anything but hold onto you tonight, but I do want to hold onto you all night. And have you hold me.”
Aziz simply nodded and took her hand and led her into the bedroom. They lay on the bed together, and held each other. He wore just his briefs, she had on a panty and a light tight fitting shirt — their usual sleeping garb. She laid her head on his chest while he soothingly rubbed her back. She was asleep within minutes.
++++++
Aziz lay awake for a few hours, caressing her back and cheek every time she started to whimper, which was often. Sleeping in the same room as her for two weeks, he’d become used to her nightmares. For one night, at least, he was hoping to give her a peaceful night. Maybe she’d really dream of him now.
He believed in his heart he was in love with her. But his mind still had doubts. This was too soon, under too much stress. They were too different. Regardless of the doubts, his heart knew. He finally drifted asleep feeling his love for the woman lying on his chest.
He awoke to a kiss. He opened his eyes to see Marianne smiling as she looked down at him. She said “Shhh” and began to kiss her way down his chest. As she passed his navel and began to pull down his briefs, he said, “Marianne, should we be doing this?”
“We both want this and we both need this. And after holding me all night, you deserve this. This is not a long term commitment, but a release for both of us. Lie back and enjoy.”
She could say no more, as her mouth was now engulfing his quickly growing cock. He was starting to worry about his staying power when she pulled off. She straddled his crotch, and, pushing her panty to the side, slid onto him. It had been forever since he’d been in a woman. This felt so good. He was thinking of nothing else when she grabbed his hand, guiding it to her breast. The breast he had grabbed accidentally two months ago. It seemed like a different time. He brought his other hand up and was enjoying their feel through the thin cloth.
She was apparently enjoying it too, soft moans filling the room. He knew he wouldn’t last much longer. She reached a hand into her panty, he assumed to find her own clit. His release came first as he erupted into her, rocketing his cum into her harder than he could remember ever doing before. Before his spasms stopped, hers started. He could feel her pussy grasp his cock, trying to squeeze every last drop out of him.
When her climax receded, she leaned down and kissed him. As soon as she freed his lips, he said, “Marianne, I lo -“
She put a finger on his lips and said, “Hush. None of that now. We can wait and see how we feel after a few days. For now, just enjoy the feeling. I think we’ll both feel better for this.”
++++++
Eleanor came by mid-morning. She saw Aziz out in his field, presumably turning the soil in preparation to plant. She poked her head in Marianne’s barn, finding her tending both her children and the goats.
She took one look at Marianne and laughed. “You did, didn’t you? I came over because I was worried you were fuming all night. No, you and Aziz were fu - .” She stopped mid-sentence, realizing the children were listening closely. “ - were having your own fun last night. Has this been going on without you telling me, or did you two celebrate being called traitors to the colony.”
“I cried last night. A lot. And Aziz just held me all night, stroking my back and my cheek every time I started to stir. I gave him a reward this morning for his efforts.”
“Purely selflessly.”
“Purely.”
Both women laugh.
“Pierre, can you show Genevieve how to lead the goats out into the yard?” Marianne asked her son.
“More grown-up talk? About Aziz being my Poppa?” he asked in return.
She shooed him out the door as Eleanor laughed. “I forget how much difference that year makes between him and Jean-Luc.”
As soon as the children were outside, Marianne said, “He asked me last week if Aziz was going to be his new Poppa. Right after that first defense committee meeting when I kissed Aziz. He understands a lot more of the adult world than we assume.”
Eleanor chuckled. “What did you say to him?”
“I said I didn’t know, but I hoped so. And I would talk to him about it before we decided. And then I found out that Aziz could hear the whole conversation.”
Eleanor burst out with a loud roar of laughter. “So did you talk to Pierre about this morning first?”
Marianne wagged a finger at her friend. “You know very well I didn’t. But we agreed this was not a long term commitment, just a quick release. And a thank you for last night.”
“And you believe either of you aren’t going to treat this as a long term commitment? Now you'll just need to tiptoe around that for a while before you both accept the inevitable. I have to hand it to Rania for seeing this coming. I sure didn’t.”
“How did you know? Did Aziz tell you about this?” Marianne asked haughtily.
Eleanor laughed again. “Don’t blame him, blame me. I was asking him how he was doing and how you were doing when he came over to pay back my time with the fence. It was obvious he was avoiding telling me something that Rania had told both of you. I told him if he told me, I could help you find your way through this time. He bought it, hook, line and sinker.”
“You weren’t trying to help me?”
“God no, I’m just a curious bitch who wanted to laugh at you.”
“You lie, girl. Like you breathe.”
They both laughed again. They knew each other way too well to slide anything past the other at this point.