Julien Gregg's Moreau Witches Part Two Chapter 1

 ONE

Fifteen year old Lucas was packed and ready. Social Services was coming for him. His mother was dead, and there was no one else to take care of him. Of course, he could have gotten along on his own with his powers. He could get people to do what he wanted if he used a commanding voice and looked them in the eye. Plus, he could throw fire from the palms of his hands. His mother had told him it was because they were witches. She'd been telekinetic, but nowhere near as powerful as he was. She said that was because he was a Moreau Witch. He didn't know what that meant. He just knew that he'd studied witchcraft for a year and a day just like his mother wanted. He didn't know what it was for, but he could cast spells, use tarot cards, and so much more. His powers got a boost after the studying, too.

But he sat there, letting the adults talk. He had been staying with his mother's best friend, Lisa Medford. She couldn't keep him though. She had three kids of her own to take care of. She'd called Social Services. She told them who his father was. They said that they'd contact him and ask if he would come and get Lucas. They drove him to the office and had him sit there with his bag. They called Philippe Moreau and told him that they had his son in their offices and he needed a home. They told him that his mother, Antha Cresta had died of cancer and Lucas had no one if he didn't come and collect him. He could hear Philippe on the phone telling them that he'd be there.

They sat and waited. This was Santa Barbara, and Philippe was coming from Moonlight Bay. It was two hours away. She asked Lucas about school, and he told her that he was a freshman at the high school, but it was summer now and he was out of school. She nodded at this. He looked at her and thought about how pretty she was. She was a younger woman with long blonde hair and blue eyes. She wore a powder blue business suit with a blazer and skirt. The shirt she wore under the blazer was off-white with little blue flowers all over it. She had hose on her legs, and heals on her feet. She sat behind the desk and started on the paperwork for Lucas Cresta.

Two hours later, he saw Philippe Moreau for the first time in his life. He was amazed by how much they looked alike. They had the same dark, almost black hair and icy-blue eyes. Lucas was thin and Philippe was muscled, but that was just because he had food and a place to work out that wasn't moderated by a teacher. He shook Lucas's hand and introduced himself. He told him that he hadn't known that Antha was pregnant when she left Moonlight Bay. He said that he was overjoyed to be a father and couldn't wait to get him home to Moonlight Bay. He asked about his stuff, and Lucas indicated the bag. It wasn't much but it was all that he had.

Philippe filled out paperwork there in the office and then he took Lucas to his SUV. He chattered at him all the way to Moonlight Bay. He asked about Lucas's powers, and Lucas told him what he could do. He asked about witchcraft study, and Lucas told him he'd studied for a year and a day under his mother's watchful eye. Philippe told him that they'd get him initiated into Moondance as soon as they could. He also told him that his grandfather, Quinn Moreau had died a month ago, making Philippe the Heir to the Legacy of the Moreau Family. He told him it was billions of dollars, and businesses and stocks and bonds. He told him that he'd test him with the ring later to see if he was the Heir in Waiting. Lucas didn't understand any of that, but he remained quiet.

His first look at Moonlight Bay was two hours later. The town was a lot smaller than Santa Barbara with rather nice looking houses in neat little rows. Philippe drove to the outer edge of town to a huge house. It was brown brick and three stories tall with a huge round fountain in the middle of the circle drive before the house. The fountain had a mermaid in the center, pouring water into the fountain from a bowl. He parked in the garage and took Lucas inside the monstrous house. First he met Marla, the maid and cook. She took his bag and had him follow her upstairs. She told Philippe that she'd prepared the suite of rooms across from his own. Philippe said that was fine.

Lucas followed her upstairs to the back of the building where she went into a room. Lucas went in and was amazed by the size of the room. There were sofas and a coffee table with lamps on end tables. There was a wall of shelves that were empty. She went into another room from there and he followed. This was a bedroom with a huge king-sized bed, two nightstand with brass lamps on them, a chest of drawers and standing bureau with a pole for hanging clothes and drawers to put folded clothes in it. Lucas didn't have much in clothing, so he didn't know that he'd need all of that space. She showed him the huge walk-in closet and his very own bathroom with the toilet, a shower stall in the corner, a bathtub big enough to almost swim in, and a long counter with a sink in the center. A lighted mirror was above the sink. She left him in the bedroom.

He put his clothes away and sat in the sitting room. Philippe came to get him and told him that they were going to buy more clothes for him. He told him that once he filled out they'd probably have to buy more clothes. They went to a department store and got him a whole new wardrobe. Shoes, boots, socks, underwear, dress clothes, regular clothes, they got it all. They took it back to the house and handed it all to Marla who would launder it and put it in his room. He sat in the dining room after that with a huge plate of roast beef with carrots and potatoes. He loved it. Philippe had a plate of his own. He talked about introducing him to the family.

"The family is quite large," he said. "The Coven is even larger. You said you studied for a year and a day. I'll alert the elders of the coven and have them schedule an initiation to get you properly inducted into the coven. Tell me about your life."

"I went to school every day, and I did my homework," Lucas said. "Then Mom wanted me to study witchcraft for a year and a day. I studied runes, tarot, numerology, and astrology. I studied so much that I can't name it. I know how to use herbs and make potions. I can make tinctures and salves, I can cast spells on the plants to help them grow. Mom could move things with her mind, but she was nowhere as powerful as I am."

"You can throw fire from your palms, right?" Philippe asked.

"Yes," Lucas replied. "I can also get people to do what I want if I use a commanding voice and look them in the eye."

"That one is new, but the fire from you palms tells me that you're like me," he said. "I'm an elemental witch. I control the elements. You can probably call lightning, wind, and make it storm or calm a storm and make it sunny and bright."

"It rains when I cry, or it did when I was a baby," Lucas said. "My mother used to tell me that all of the time."

"Yes, an elemental witch," he said, smiling. "You also look a fair amount like me. I didn't know about you, and I'm sorry. I would have liked to watch you grow and discover magic for yourself. I wish Antha had stayed."

"She had trouble with being intimate," Lucas said.

"Because of her father," Philippe said, shocking Lucas. "She told me all about what happened with her father. She told me she was kicked out of Rios."

"Yeah," Lucas said. "Lisa Medford, the woman I'd been staying with until Social Services came to get me was also kicked out of Rios."

"There is no Rios now," Philippe said. "They were absorbed by Cirrus."

"I don't know either of those," Lucas said. "I've never been a part of a coven. Mom told me I was a solitary witch."

"Not anymore," Philippe said. "You'll be initiated into Moondance."

"Who's this?" said a man who looked exactly like Philippe as he came into the dining room.

"Marcel, this is my son, Lucas," Philippe said. "He's Antha's child."

"Is that right?" Marcel said with a smile. "Welcome to the family."

"Thank you," Lucas said. "My name is Lucas Cresta."

"Well, soon it will be Lucas Moreau," said Philippe.

"It will?" Lucas asked.

"Well, you're my son, after all," he said. He took the ring off his finger and handed it to him. "Put this on your finger for a bit."

Lucas took the ring and put it on his finger and then looked back at his father. He waited but Philippe didn't say anything for a few minutes. When he did he smiled. Then he took the ring back. "What was that about?" Lucas asked.

"If I needed proof that you were my son, that was the proof," he said. "The ring didn't burn or itch while you wore it?"

"No, should it have?" Lucas asked.

"It's spelled that way," Philippe said. "Because it didn't itch or burn you, you are the Heir in Waiting."

"What does that mean?" Lucas asked.

"It means that when Philippe dies or steps down, you'll be the Heir to the Moreau Family Legacy," said Marcel.

"Oh," Lucas said. He really didn't know what to think about being the Heir in Waiting. He didn't want his father to die. He'd just found him.

"Where are the twins today?" Philippe asked his brother.

"With Parker," Marcel said. "He took them to see something or another."

"At the Family Fun Center?" Philippe asked.

"Yeah," he said. "Listen, I wanted to talk to you about Tomas."

"What about him?" Philippe asked. "Shouldn't Lorette be talking to me about Tomas?"

"Well, like us there's nothing left to teach him at school or in magic," he said.

"So, let him graduate and be initiated," Philippe said. "You should really talk to Lorette about this."

"I have, Philippe," Marcel said. "You're the High Priest. I had to talk to you about initiation."

"Okay," Philippe said. "I'll schedule Tomas and Lucas at the same time. Lucas will be initiated as soon as I can get the coven together to initiate him. He's studied for a year and a day. Lucas, when is your birthday?"

"July third," Lucas said.

"Dad's birthday," laughed Marcel. "It's perfect."

"Yes, it is," Philippe said. "We'll initiate you on your birthday."

"He looks a lot like us," Marcel said.

"That's because he's my son," Philippe said with a smile. "Antha should have told me about him."

"How is Antha?" Marcel asked.

"She's dead," Lucas said. "She died about three weeks ago. It was cancer."

"That's terrible, I'm sorry for your loss," Marcel said.

"Thank you," replied Lucas.

"Sorry I'm late for dinner," said a dark-haired, green-eyed man as he came into the dining room. "Hello, Marcel. Who is this?"

"This is your grandson, Lucas," Philippe said. "He's Antha's boy. My son."

"Well, that's obvious," the man said. "Lucas, I'm Shane Moreau. I'm your grandfather. I'm sorry for your loss, and you should know that your grandfather, Quinn Moreau died a month ago."

"Don't confuse your grandfather with my son, Quinn," Marcel said. "I have twins, Quinn and Giselle. They are named after my father and my aunt. They're both gone now."

"I'm sorry for your loss," Lucas said. "I was a twin, but my brother didn't survive the birth."

"I told you that there were a lot of twins in the family this generation," Marcel said. "Lucas, I'm sorry that your twin didn't live."

"So am I," Lucas said.

"Henri and Lyla have Stella and Stephan," Philippe said. "You have Quinn and Giselle, and Joseph has Pierre and Phillip. There are a fair amount of twins in this generation."

"Revanche has Parker, and then little Arina and Jean Luc," said Shane. "Pierre and Tom have April and Andrew."

"Wow," said Philippe. "I hadn't thought of it, but that is a lot of twins. Most are boy and girl, though. You would have been boys like us."

"Yes," said Lucas. "I wish that little Lestan could have lived."

"She was going to name him Lestan?" Marcel asked.

"Yes," Lucas said. "It's on his tombstone in Santa Barbara."

"Well, we might have him moved to Moonlight Bay now that I know about him," Philippe said.

"You can do that?" Lucas asked. "Move a grave?"

"Sure," said Shane. "It's done quite a lot lately."

"When do I meet all of these cousins?" Lucas asked.

"When I introduce you to the family," Philippe said. "I'm going to set up a meeting with the family to introduce Lucas. We'll have it at the Keller Center. I'll need food and drink for everyone, and a cake. I want it decorated. What's your favorite color, Lucas?"

"Green," he said. He finished his food after that.

"Well then I want green balloons, streamers in green and white, and I want green gems in the bowls with white candles on every table," Philippe said. "You getting all of this?"

"Yes," Marcel said. "You want green and white all over the place. Food and drink for the family. Now is this family only or are you inviting the entire coven?"

"The coven," Philippe said. "He's got to meet everyone. He's a Moreau. I've already got Lorette on making that official."

"Of course," said Marcel.

After dinner everyone went their separate ways. Lucas went up to shower and change into his new clothes. He had decided to burn his old clothes. He'd talk to his father about that later. He was so excited to be able to say "his father". He'd dreamed about meeting him all of his life. Now he had. He was about to change his last name from Cresta to Moreau, and he was a part of the Moreau family now. He was going to be introduced and then he'd know everyone. He couldn't wait.

It turned out that the party was to be held that Friday night at the Keller Center in Keller Village. Lucas didn't know what Keller Village was. His father explained that his great grandmother had bought an old army post and converted it into apartments and houses for the family. There was a convention center there that they had named the Keller Center. The party would be thrown there, and everyone was coming. They were curious about Lucas. They'd already moved the grave of Lestan, and his ghost was happy to be in Moonlight Bay. Lucas could see and talk to him whenever he wanted.

"Son, we have to talk about this ghost," Philippe said Thursday night. "He's been all over the house. He's Lestan isn't he?"

"Yes," Lucas said. "He's been with me all of my life."

"Well, that's fine, but he should go to the Goddess and be reborn," Philippe said. "He'll be stuck if he doesn't go soon."

"I'll tell him," Lucas said. "But I'll miss him like crazy. I missed him until you moved his grave here from Santa Barbara. He was so happy to see me again."

"I'm sure he was," he said. "But you have to encourage him to be reborn. He doesn't need to be stuck here as a ghost forever."

He met Rustan Moreau that day. His father and Marcel took him to see his brother at Moreau Medical. They couldn't do anything for him. He was in a coma. Lestan came with them and he got excited. He said that Rustan wasn't in the body. I didn't know what to think of this, but he merged with the body and it moved! Marcel watched this and began to concentrate. Philippe became agitated. He knew what was happening. He kept saying, "It's happening again" over and over. Then it was complete. Rustan opened his eyes and looked at them.

"I have a body," he said. "Lucas, I'm living again."

"Rustan wasn't in the body anymore," Marcel said. "He went to the Goddess to be reborn. Philippe, he's still your son, he's just not Rustan."

"I know who he is," Philippe said. "I'm mourning the loss of Rustan. He'll have to be Rustan or people will freak."

"I'll be Rustan," Lestan said. "I remember his life. I never had a life, so it's perfect."

"He's just like Shane," Marcel said.

"I'll love him," Philippe said. "Welcome to the land of the living, Rustan."

They got him released from the hospital and took him home. He had the adjoining room of Lucas's and it was perfect. Lucas was so excited that his twin now had a body. They looked so much alike, because Rustan was his brother. He was still his brother, just not the boy that he was before he'd been hurt. Now he was Lestan. It was perfect. Philippe and Marcel sat him down and told him exactly what had happened. Lestan had gone into the body of Rustan and Marcel had anchored him in the body. It had been done one time before when their father's husband had died. Charlie Bennett was his name. He had merged with the body of Shane McReavy. Their father, Quinn Moreau had anchored the soul into the body of Shane. Charlie became Shane just as Lestan had become Rustan.

"I understand," Lucas said. He was crying, and it was storming outside because of it. "Dad, I'm so happy to have him alive. Please don't make him give up the body."

"Son, that's not what I was thinking," Philippe said. "You've got to calm down or this storm will be a big one. He's alive, Lucas. You can talk with him and everything. Rustan was already initiated, so he's got his full power."

"What was it?" Lucas asked.

"Telekinesis," Marcel said. "He was rather good with it, too."

It turned out that Rustan was both telekinetic and an elemental witch. He was just like Lucas. Everyone was overjoyed that Rustan was awake again. They didn't know that he was Lestan in the body of Rustan, and his father had insisted that no one ever know the truth. Lucas could keep the secret. He was so happy to have him alive that he could keep any secret about it that they wanted. Rustan was Lestan, the ghost of his twin that had been with him all of his life. That was all there was to it.

No one knew what to think of the fact that Rustan was suddenly an elemental witch. They were told that it had manifested when he woke up from the coma. Friday night they introduced Lucas to the coven, and Rustan was returned to them. He could remember being Rustan so he knew everyone. It was perfect. They told Shane what had happened, and Shane took a personal interest in Rustan. He hugged him and told him that he was like him now. Rustan understood and hugged him close. They were two peas in a pod all night.

Lucas had cake and hung out with cousins. He didn't know their names. Of course he knew what they were, he just didn't know who was who. Of course Quinn and Giselle he knew. They'd been at the house when they brought Rustan home. They politely told him who was who. They all looked so much alike. They were cousins and he loved them. They talked about his life before coming to Moonlight Bay, and he told them about studying under his mother and how he loved witchcraft. He had a favorite rune, and a favorite tarot card. They asked what they were and he told them he liked the rune for perseverance and the Ace of Cups in the tarot. They nodded at these. Then it was time for cake and the celebration of Lucas being introduced to the family. He had to stand at the front of the room with his father and Rustan and smile.

"I have two bits of excitement to share tonight," said Philippe. "Well, three of them actually. First, my son Lucas has been returned to me. He's about to turn sixteen and can be initiated into the coven. Second, my son Rustan is awake and among to living again. Third, Lucas wore the ring for ten minutes without being burned or having an itch."

The people really got loud about that one. Rustan smiled at Lucas when he heard about the ring. People raised glasses and toasted to Lucas, to Rustan, and to Lucas being the Heir in Waiting. They would go to Moreau Legal to make that official on Monday. Lucas had no idea what that meant. He was returned to the party, this time with Rustan at his side. They had cake and punch and made merry. Lucas was so excited to be part of the family and to have Rustan with him.

By the time the party ended, they'd both promised to go to the Family Fun Center with cousins to bowl, to throw darts, or to watch a movie and eat pizza. They got home and Philippe told Lucas that Monday morning they would go to Moreau Legal in Keller Village and confirm him as the Heir in Waiting. What it basically meant was that he was next in line and would be called upon to do the duty of the heir when Philippe wasn't able to do it for any reason. Lucas thought he understood, but he didn't really.

He and Rustan sat up until the wee hours of the morning talking about the lives they now lived. Of course this was the life that Rustan had always deserved. He was in a body now, and it was perfect. He used his power to bring the drinks from the table to each of them. They laughed about that. Then they got quiet and talked about their mother. She was buried in Santa Barbara. Philippe hadn't been interested in moving her body. They weren't married after all. Of course, Lucas would be a Moreau Monday. Rustan was already a Moreau. He'd been a Moreau before the coma and now that he was another boy entirely he was still a Moreau.

They finally went to bed when their soda was empty. Lucas fell into a dreamless sleep and slept until noon. Rustan woke him up to go shopping for clothes for Rustan. They went to the same department store and got clothes for Rustan, he'd outgrown everything he owned while in the coma. Now they both had matching wardrobes. They went to the Family Fun Center with Quinn and Giselle later that afternoon. They munched pizza and threw darts. Then they bowled and finally watched a movie. It was after ten when they got home. Philippe asked if they'd had a good time. They said they had and went up to shower and get ready for bed.

The night of Lucas's sixteenth birthday arrived and he was told to wear the robe that his father handed him with nothing under it. He was told to follow Marcel to the beach where the initiation was set to begin. 

Philippe said, "Who comes before us?"

"It is I, Lucas, child of Earth and starry heaven," Lucas said.

"Who speaks for you?" Philippe asked.

"It is I, Marcel, who vouches for him," said Marcel.

Philippe put the tip of the sword against Lucas's sternum and said, "You are about to enter a vortex of power, a place beyond imagining, where birth and death, dark and light, joy and pain, meet and make one. You are about to step between the worlds, beyond time, outside the realm of your human life. You who stands on the threshold of the dread Mighty Ones, have you the courage to make the essay? For know it is better to fall on my blade and perish than to make the attempt with fear in thy heart!"

"I tread the path with perfect love and perfect trust," said Lucas.

"Prepare for death and rebirth," said Philippe.

He took the sword and cut off the robe that Lucas was wearing. He stood there, naked, still blindfolded. Philippe ground the sword into the sand. He tied a cord around Lucas's wrists and said, "And he was bound as all living things must be, who would enter the kingdom of Death. And his feet were neither bound nor free."

He led Lucas around to the rest of the coven. 

Everyone in the Coven, starting with Philippe, kissed him and said: "Thus are all first brought into the world, and thus are all first brought into the Coven."

Philippe lead Lucas to each of the four corners and introduced him to the Guardians, going deosil. "Hail Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East and all the Mighty Ones of the Craft. Behold Lucas, who will now be made Priest and Witch." He repeated this for each of the corners. Then he took Lucas back to the altar. He knelt and gave him the Five Fold Kiss, both feet, both knees, his stomach, both nipple, and his lips, while saying, "Blessed be thy feet, that have brought thee in these ways. Blessed are thy knees, that shall kneel at the sacred altar. Blessed be they breasts, formed in beauty. Blessed are thy lips, that shall utter the secret names."

He kissed his son on the lips, and embraced him length to length, with their feet touching each other. "Are you willing to swear the oath?"

"I am," Lucas said. 

"Are you willing to suffer to learn?" Philippe asked. 

"Yes," Lucas said.

Philippe pressed a needle to Lucas's finger and pricked it. He squeezed a few drops of blood out onto the sand. Lucas knelt and placed a hand on his head and the other beneath his heal and repeated what Philippe told him to say.

"This is the Charge of the Coven: That I will keep secret what I am asked to keep secret, and never divulge the names or dwelling places of our people unless by their consent. That I will learn and try to master the Art Magical; but ever remember the rune: 'What good be the tools without the inner light? What good be magic without wisdom sight?' That in due course I will strive to find a worthy pupil in magic, to whom in future years I can hand down the knowledge I acquire. That I will never use the Art Magical merely to impress foolish persons, nor for any wrongful end. That I will help the Craft of the Wise, and hold its honor as I would my own. That I consider these vows taken before the Elder Gods; and that if I betray this Charge I accept as my just reward that retribution of destiny which overtakes those who basely betray the trust and confidence that others have placed in them. Know that none can escape the fate, be it curse or blessing, which they make for themselves, either in this life or in another life."

"Repeat after me: 'I, Lucas, do of my own free will most solemnly swear to protect, help and defend my sisters and brothers of the Art and to keep the Coven's Charge. I always keep secret all that must not be revealed. This do I swear on my mother's womb and my hopes of future lives, mindful that my measure has been taken, and in the presence of the Mighty Ones.' All between my two hands belongs to the Goddess," said Philippe. 

Lucas repeated the oath, and the coven shouted, "So mote it be!"

Philippe said, "Arise and be anointed." He made an X mark on Lucas's forehead, nipples, and genitals saying, "May your mind be free. May your heart be free. May your body be free. You are one of us now, Lucas."

The rest of the coven grabbed him and lifted him and carried him around the circle three times, laughing and shrieking. They lay him down face down before the altar and pressed him into the blanket on the sand. Gradually, they changed from pressing to stroking as they chanted his name, raising a cone of power over him. The blindfold was removed and he was told, "Know that the hands that have touched you are the hands of love. Thus all are first brought into the world, and thus are all first brought into the coven." 

Philippe handed him the cord that had been tied around his wrists and said, "In the burning times, when each member of the coven held the lives of others in their hands, this would have been kept and used against you should you endanger the others. But in these more fortunate times, love and trust prevail, so take this, keep it or burn it, and be free to go or stay as your heart leads you."

There was a party at the manor for Lucas that night. It was his birthday party and his initiation party. They had cake and ice cream with bugers and chips. There was soda and punch to drink. All of the cousins were there and more than half the coven. The grand hall was full of people. Marla and a few hired servers moved through the crowd, filling drinks, and handing out saucers of cake with a dollop of ice cream. They took plates that had been emptied of burgers and chips. Everyone had fresh glasses of soda or punch.

Lucas danced with Henri's daughter, Stella for a while. Then he was in Giselle's arms and spinning around the dance floor. Then April's and finally back to Stella. She laid claim on him that night and he was happy enough. They danced for a long time. Then he sat beside his brother and tried to catch his breath. He was introduced again to Stephan, Stella's twin brother. They sat with him and Rustan and talked about the initiation. They were pleased that he'd been initiated. They asked what his power was. He told them he was an elemental like his father and could make people do what he wanted by speaking in a commanding voice and looking them in the eye.

"That's an awesome power," Stella said. "You could use it to be the master of the world."

"I have no desire to be the master of the world," Lucas said. "I'm just happy to be a part of the coven and my family. The great family."

"Yes, the Moreau family is quite large," Stephan said. "You were a surprise but we're happy to have found you. And we're happy that Rustan is awake."

"I'm happy to be awake," Rustan said with a smile. "Stella, are you perhaps crushing on my brother?"

"I am," she said. "But he and I would have to have a long discussion before things went further."

"Well, we can have that discussion any time you like," Lucas said, smiling at her.

"Why don't we go somewhere a bit more private?" she asked.

They stepped into the conservatory and sat at one of the tables out there. She told him that she really wanted to get to know him and be with him. He said they were cousins. She countered with the fact that she was his sixth cousin so they were barely related. They could be together and be married and everything. She asked him if he liked boys, too. He looked at her for a long moment and then put his head down. Yes, he told her, he liked boys, too.

"Stephan will be your boyfriend if you are mine," she said. "He so wants to be with you, and I will share."

"You are the most confusing woman I've ever met," he said and kissed her lips.

"So, shall I tell him it's a go?" she asked as she pressed herself against him.

"Sure," he said. "If my father doesn't skin me alive. It's a go."

He told his father later that night that he was bisexual and what Stella had suggested about herself and Stephan. Philippe surprised him by laughing out loud. He said that Stella always surprised him. But he was happy to have him with them if that's what he wanted. Lucas assured him that it was what he wanted. Philippe told him not to get her pregnant or he'd be married before he knew what hit him. He promised not to be so stupid. Then he went off to tell Stella that it really was a go. She was thrilled and so was Stephan. Rustan wanted to know what was going on, so Lucas explained it to him. He slapped him on the back and called him a dog. Lucas smiled from ear to ear. Things were really changing in his world. Now he had a girlfriend and a boyfriend. It was unreal.

The next evening he went on a proper date with Stella. They had a great time at the Family Fun Center, and they cuddled together while watching a movie. The other kids in the place paid them no attention. They were used to the Moreau kids all dating each other. It was sick in their opinion but it was what it was. Lucas didn't care what the others thought. He had Stella Moreau in his arms. That's all he cared about. He was happy.

The next evening he was out with Stephan. They did pretty much the same thing as he and Stella had done the night before, but they didn't cuddle at the movies. He spent the night with Lucas and they made out all night and finally had proper sex. Stephan was a wild man in bed, and Lucas had a great time. He admitted that he'd never touched another human being, so Stephan had gone easy on him. There had been anal sex, but Stephan was on the receiving end of it. He'd encouraged Lucas, and Lucas had rose to the occasion, twice.

Rustan said he'd heard them all night long. He was jealous and couldn't wait to find a girlfriend or boyfriend of his own. He found it in Tomas. He was Lorette's son. They were both boys so it didn't matter how close they were in relations. They had a great night together in Rustan's bedroom the following night. Stella couldn't spend the night with him. That wasn't proper no matter what anyone said. She took him to a place where they could have sex. It was Lover's Lane and other kids were there having sex as well. They had a wonderful night together and then she went home like a good girl. She'd been a bit put out that he'd worn a condom but he said he'd promised his dad that he wouldn't get her pregnant. She said she was on the pill, but he insisted on the condom for extra protection. They were Moreau's after all. Things happened to them all of the time.

Things were looking up for Lucas and Rustan. Lucas had gone to Moreau Legal with his father to learn all he needed to learn about being the Heir in Waiting. He shadowed his father on Legacy deals and meetings. There were loan papers to go over, businesses to check on, and family disputes to weigh in on. He was surprised to learn that he was the cause of one family dispute. It seemed that Heather Moreau had designs on him and was fighting with Stella Moreau because she had him. He weighed in on this one himself. He told Heather that though she was lovely, he was already deeply involved with Stella and would remain with her. That settled the fight between them. It caused Philippe to shake his head.

What he was not expecting was a checkbook and credit card to be issued to him from the Legacy. He was told that he would have an allowance of twenty thousand for every six months. He could not go over twenty thousand in six months or there would be hard questions to be answered. He couldn't think of what he'd spend twenty thousand on in six months, but Philippe reminded him that he now had a girlfriend and a boyfriend. He laughed at this.

He did spend some money to fill the shelves in his sitting room with books that he liked. He was an avid reader and wanted to have all of the books of Jewels Verne and other science fiction writers. He loved all things science fiction. Then school stated and he was enrolled at the private school in Keller Village with the rest of the Moreau children. Here he knew everyone. They were all his cousins or his brother. The school was funded by the Legacy and there was even a football team, a baseball team, and a track team. He wasn't interested in playing any of those sports. He did go to the games with Stella and Stephan. Stella was a cheerleader. She convinced him to try his hand at football. He did and did not make the team. He did make the baseball team though. It seemed he was a power hitter. Stephan went out for baseball with him and made the team. Even Rustan made the team. Tomas didn't try out.

They had baseball practice every week to get to. He had Legacy meetings to shadow his father at. There was a mountain of homework to do, and of course Stella and Stephen demanded his attention at times. He spent his nights at lover's lane or at the Family Fun Center with Stephan. It was a busy life, but he loved every second of it. He was made captain of the baseball team and had to spend time with the players from time to time. Of course Stephan was on the team, and Stella was his girlfriend so she was with them every time they did things as a team.

He and Rustan spent a lot of time together, too. When Lucas went out with Stephan, Rustan and Tomas came along. He met Lorette, and she was a great cook. She cooked for them each time they came to her house. He asked about her husband, and she told him that he had died a few years ago. He told her he was sorry for her loss. She thanked him. Then he sat in Tomas's room with him and Rustan. They were all over each other, so he just read a book he found on Tomas's book case. It had been on top. It was a story about aliens from another world who had come here. They were being hunted by aliens from their own planet. This one was number four or something like that. It was a good book. He really enjoyed it.

Later at home, he ordered all of the books from that author to be added to his bookshelves in the sitting room. Rustan had asked him to order some books for him, too. He'd done that. But Rustan's interest was horror. He had King, Rice, and Koontz on his shelves. Lucas had science fiction authors on his shelves. He also had Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time on his shelves. Stephan had recommended them to him. He was currently reading the first book in the series. He was enjoying it rather a lot.

They didn't have a baseball game until Spring so they just had practices. He had the team over for a cookout in the back yard. They were duly impressed by the house and the grounds. He told them that he was impressed as well. They all knew his story. But they didn't know Rustan's. He told them he'd been the victim of a hit and run and had spent almost a year in a coma. Now he was awake and trying to catch up to his old life. They thought that was amazing.

He had classes and homework to get through a lot, too. He finally told Stephan and Stella that he needed a night to study alone. They were upset about it but he needed it. He studied and got everything done and then he hung out with Rustan. They watched a movie in his sitting room. Rustan had a television and a DVD player in his sitting room. Lucas decided he wanted one, too. His father told him he'd get him one the next day. They went to bed alone for the first time in a long time.

The next day Stella was all over him. She'd missed him last night. Stephan was beside him all day. They had baseball practice after school that day. Stella told the girls that she would be at baseball practice. They told her they were going to be there, too. Lucas didn't care if they were there or not. He only had ears for the players and the coach. The coach was none other than Revanche Moreau, his uncle. He was in batting practice at first. Then he was pitching. He wasn't sure he liked pitching, but Revanche told him he was only a relief pitcher. He'd be on second base for most of the game. He liked that idea. When practice was over they showered and changed into their regular clothes. He and Stella went to the Family Fun Center and had pizza. They bowled with the girls from her cheerleading squad. Then they watched a movie and cuddled. They ended up at Lover's Lane to have sex. He was tired of having sex in the back of his SUV. But she didn't know where they could have sex in a bed. He told her to come to the house. They'd risk it.

The day she came no one said a word when she went upstairs with him. They had made love on his bed, and he had his trusted condom on. She still thought this was unnecessary, but he insisted. There was to be no child to derail his high school days. She said she understood, but she didn't like it. She wanted to feel him inside her. He kissed her and told her that would happen when they were married. She liked the sound of that. She went home afterward with a smile on her face. He went to sit with Rustan.

"It was a different sound coming from your room tonight," Rustan said with a grin.

"You don't like girls, though, do you?" Lucas asked.

"Girls are fine," Rustan said. "Right now I have a boyfriend. I can't have a girlfriend and a boyfriend. I'm not you."

"Well, you never know," Lucas said with a smile.

They went down to dinner that night and Philippe told him not to make it a habit to bring Stella into the house to have sex with her. He blushed and told him he wouldn't. Then they ate dinner like nothing had been said. He was loving living in Moonlight Bay. He told his father that he loved him, and Philippe smiled and told him that he loved him so much it wasn't funny. That made him smile and feel good. He was loved. That was amazing.

After dinner he sat in the living room with his father and Shane to watch a movie. Rustan sat with them, too. They said nothing, but Philippe refilled their soda glasses twice. Then when the nightly news was on they went up to go to bed. That night he dreamt of a baby. He didn't understand why he was dreaming about a baby, but in the dream he was happy. He woke up, shaking his head about that dream and went to breakfast. He didn't say anything about the dream, but it stayed with him all day long.

The next time he was with Stella the dream came back to him. He didn't even know that the condom broke until it was over. Then he was worried. She told him there was nothing to worry about. She was strangely happy the whole time. He didn't put it together then but it came back to him later. It was just before Halloween that she told him she was pregnant. Then her happiness came back to him. He asked her if she'd stopped taking the pill. She said she'd had to because of her menstrual cycle. The condom had broke but she hadn't thought she'd get pregnant that one time. He told her that he needed to think and left her at her house.

He went home and told Rustan that Stella was pregnant. Rustan hugged him and told him he was sorry and kind of excited at the same time. Lucas told him he'd be excited after he told their father. This was what he was afraid of. He went to his father's study and told him the truth. He told him about the condom breaking and how happy Stella seemed when it happened. Philippe was quiet for a long time. He looked at Lucas with a passive expression on his face. Then he picked up the phone and called Henri. He told him exactly what Lucas had told him. He told Philippe that she had told him she was pregnant. They were taking her to Moreau Medical to confirm. He would call him back.

"You did nothing wrong, Lucas," Philippe said. "Condoms sometimes break, but she should have told you that she'd stopped taking the pill. Henri told me there was no problem with her cycle. She stopped taking the pill on her own. She did this. Not you."

"I'm going to have to marry her," Lucas said. "That's what she said."

"Well, yes," his father said. "We'll wait until it's confirmed but yes, you have to marry her if she is with child."

It was confirmed. Then suddenly Henri and his wife and my father were having a private talk. Stella and Stephan sat in the dining room with me and Rustan. Rustan gave Stella a cold look. She flinched at his look. Stephan wasn't happy with her either. They were in the study for a long time. Lucas waited patiently. He took Stella's hand and she smiled at him. His dream about the baby made sense now. He was going to be a father. He was sixteen years old and he was going to be a father. He hoped that it didn't derail his life completely.

Suddenly they came out of the study. They came to the dining room and sat down. Lucas let go of Stella's hand. Henri looked at his daughter like he'd never seen her before. He said, "You trapped Lucas into this pregnancy."

"I didn't trap him," she said. "I stopped taking the pill because he always used a condom."

"But you were happy when the condom broke," Henri said. "Don't deny it. I've been in your dreams. I know what you've done."

"Daddy," she said. "You aren't supposed to invade my dreams."

"And you weren't supposed to tamper with his condom," Henri said. "You trapped him. Plain and simple. Lying won't help you here."

"Lucas, I'm sorry," she said. "I wanted to keep you so badly. Heather told me that you told her that you would leave me for her."

"I never talk to Heather," Lucas said. "She's supposed to be interested in Rustan not me."

"Well, that's what she told me," she said. "That's why I did what I did. I figured if we were having a baby you'd stay with me."

"I'm going to do more than that," Lucas said. "I'm going to marry you."

"Yes," said Philippe. "You two are to be married. Stella and Stephan will move in here. All of the cards are on the table now, Lucas. Henri knows about your relationship with his twins. We don't want to penalize you for what Stella did."

"So, we're to be married?" Stella asked.

"Yes, you are," said Henri. "I hope you know what you're doing, Stella, because you'll be married for the rest of your life."

"That's what I want," she said.

"What about what Lucas wants?" Philippe asked. "Do you think he wanted to be a father at sixteen years old? Did you think he wanted to be married at sixteen years old? You did this to my son. I'm not happy with you."

"I'm not happy with you," Henri said. "If I had my way you'd be going to live with your aunt Sarah. We'd give the baby to Philippe so that Lucas could raise it. Hell, I'm almost convinced that this is the way to go."

"Please, Papa," she said. "Don't do that to me."

"Why shouldn't I?" he asked. "You did this, Stella. It didn't just happen. You planned it."

"I don't think they should marry," said his wife. Lucas didn't know her name. "I think we should send her to Sarah and give the baby to Philippe. Do you agree to this, Philippe?"

"Lucas will raise the child," Philippe said. "I'm sure that Rustan and Stephan will help him. Stephan can still move in here and be with Lucas, but Stella can go to Sarah. It saves my son from marriage."

"Then that's what we'll do," Henri said. "Say goodbye to Lucas and Stephan, Stella. You're going to Santa Barbara until that baby is born. You may come back once that happens if you want, but the baby goes to Lucas."

"Papa, please," she begged. She was crying now.

Lucas was upset because it was clear that she'd trapped him, or tried to. He was happy with what had been decided, and he was seriously thinking about what he felt for Stella. He wasn't so sure it was love now that he knew what lengths she'd go to for the money in his pockets. He knew instinctively that this was the reason for the trapping. It was because he was the Heir in Waiting. He felt sick inside because of this, but he would go along with what his father said.

"So, it's settled," Lucas said. "I'm not getting married. I'm just getting a baby. Stephan will stay here in the manor with me, and Stella will go to Santa Barbara to have the baby and then the baby will come to live with us."

"You're going along with this?" she asked Lucas. She was still crying.

"Of course," Lucas said. "You've been treacherous. I don't believe I know you at all."