Subj: Where Are the Angels chaper 38
Date: 7/8/01 5:44:16 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Melissa

Josette sat down and waited for Barnabas. Joshua had told them about a place that was perfect for their meetings. It was the old deserted house that had been used by the groundskeeper. The windows were all boarded up so there was no fear that someone passing by would see inside. He would be here soon, she thought, she couldn't wait to tell him the name she had chosen for their baby.

Barnabas entered the room by the back way; he did this as an added precaution so that no one would see him enter. He placed his hands on her shoulders. "I'm sorry I'm late Josette," he said.

"You're here now," she said rising from her chair, he took her into his arms.

"How are you feeling," he asked eyeing her.

"Better now that you're here with me," she said.

"How did things go at the party," he asked as they sat down together.

"It was nice, your mother did so much, I don't think I could ever thank her enough for all that she did. She sent for my Father and Aunt Natalie, I can't begin to tell you what a wonderful surprise it was for me."

"I can imagine," Barnabas said smiling at her, "Did anything else happen that would be of any interest to me?" he asked curiously.

Josette smiled, "Well as a matter a fact there is, I did decide on a name for our daughter."

"Well what is it," Barnabas asked, "don't keep me in suspense like this."

Josette laughed, "I decided on the name Mireille Beatrice Clémence duPrés Collins," she looked at him to see his reaction then said, "Well what do you think?"

"It's perfect," he said kissing her tenderly. "Do you know how long you father is staying in Collinsport?"

"No I don't know, he hasn't said anything about when they plan on leaving, why?" she asked him.

"Because we won't be able to see each other as often. You won't be able to excuse your absences as easily."

"But I don't think I could bear to be apart from you," she said.

Barnabas stood up and began to walk about the room; this was going to be so hard on her. She would have to say goodbye to him soon. It had to be this way; it would be impossible for them to be together once the baby was born. How would they explain it to their daughter that she could never speak of her father to anyone because he was dead to everyone.

"What is it Barnabas?" Josette asked.

"Nothing honey," he said. "I was just thinking about the way things are," he took her hands and pulled her into her arms, "I hate for you to leave, but you have guest that you need to be with now." He led her to the door, he placed his hands on her belly, and he felt his child moving from inside Josette's womb. He knelt down before Josette and kissed her stomach. "I'll always love you little one," he whispered to the child.

When he rose he saw tears in her eyes, he wiped them away and kissed her, "I'll see you soon," he said.

Josette nodded and left the cottage and made her way back to Collinwood. Barnabas watched her until she was out of sight. Where was Angèlique? Is it possible that she was gone? No he would never be free of her that was part of his curse. She had told him that she would never leave him.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Once in her room Josette broke down in sobs, this was too much, she couldn't stand not begin with Barnabas. It would have been better if he had died, then she wouldn't have to suffer so much when they had to be parted. She knew that the day would come when she would never see Barnabas again, but she didn't want to think of it. Barnabas was trouble by this she had seen it in his face tonight. Would there ever be another person she could love like him?

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

From her room Natalie heard someone crying, she opened her door and went down the hall. She stopped before Josette's door. It was coming from her room. It broke Natalie's heart to hear Josette's sobs. She wanted to go into her and comfort her, but she knew that it would do no good. Time would eventually heal all of her wounds; Natalie knew all too well what that kind of pain was like.

She turned back and went into her own room. She knew things were still not right here, but her sense of things wasn't as strong as it used to be. Something seemed to be clouding her mind.