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After some convincing - though not much - Wednesday had managed to talk Cleopatra into staying the night, it made Wednesday's heart stutter as he woke in the morning, his arms wrapped possessively around Cleopatra as she slept peacefully. He reached a hand up to brush her brunette locks from her face, revealing her flawless complexion to him. Wednesday traced her face with his fingers, lightly to not disturb her sleep knowing she often struggled with insomnia; no matter how hard she tried to keep it from him, he knew. Every moment with her made his heart feel full, his soul at peace and the burn of desire seared through his veins as his gaze lowered to her lips; the pink tone was beyond inviting to him.

He stilled as Cleopatra's eyes slowly opened to reveal the beautiful ocean blue that he loved. She blinked a couple of times before a soft smile appeared on her face, it hadn't been the first time she woke to Wednesday admiring her; a light tinge of pink formed in her cheeks. "Good morning, Wes," Cleopatra whispered as she snuggled in closer to Wednesday, his cooler body temperature was soothing against her warmer body. "Good morning, Mon Colombe," Wednesday cooed softly, tightening his arms around her and settling back into the comfort of the bed. Neither wanted to move, they were both enjoying this moment more than ever before; strange flutters formed in Cleopatra's stomach as the boy brushed his fingers against her bare waist - her night shirt had risen slightly.

"Will you be joining us for the Auction today?" Wednesday whispered, he had no desire to interrupt their perfect peace. "My parents are attending due to my Grandfather handing in some things," Cleopatra whispered back, she kept her eyes closed and felt herself slowly lulling back to sleep. The two were stirred awake at the sound of tapping on the door similar to Thing's steps in the halls, it was their warning to wake for breakfast. "Come, Mon Colombe, let's get you fed," Wednesday spoke before reluctantly pulling away from the girl he wished to hold for the rest of eternity. Cleopatra immediately missed the cold comfort the moment he unwrapped his arms from around her body, she nodded and moved out of the bed towards the desk of drawers where she had managed to claim two drawers for her clothing.

Wednesday had been the one to make the space, the idea of her items so close brought a comfort that one day, it would be her overtaking his space completely. Once both were dressed, Wednesday wore his usual look of a full black suit and a chain around his neck; rings adorning his pale fingers knowing that Cleopatra liked a man in jewellery. Meanwhile, Cleopatra had changed into a cute blue blouse that was tucked into a white pleated skirt that stopped mid-thigh, she had tied her back out of her face aside from two strands framing her face. She had stepped out of the bathroom adjusting the shirt tucked into the skirt when Wednesday turned to look at her, his eyes looked up and down before focusing on her long legs. He wouldn't openly admit it out of worry of making her uncomfortable but he loved her pleated skirts.

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The Addams Family were all settled in their usual seats at the breakfast table minus Pugsley who was most likely off causing trouble somewhere. Grandmama Frump works hard at the stove that's a coal-burning monstrosity; Flames belch out of the oven. The top is a gigantic grill where innards and various unidentifiable somethings sizzle. Throughout, Grandmama Frump flips these off onto family members' plates with Lurch's assistance. Morticia has seated Fester between Gomez and herself, she had given him an elaborate pewter place setting with a dragon motif, typically saved for honoured guests. Wednesday had pulled the seat out for Cleopatra, pushing it back in once she had been seated before taking the space next to her, moving his chair closer so that their thighs touched.

"May I have the salt?" Wednesday questioned in his usual monotone voice, his steely gaze on Fester who currently had the salt in front of him. "What do we say?" Morticia asked in a sweet yet stern tone, her perfectly manicured brow raised. "Now!" Wednesday demanded Fester who was startled by the darkened tone and harsh glare. Morticia smiled approvingly before grabbing the salt and passing it over while Fester avoided the glare from his nephew. "What is this?" Fester asked as he looked down at his plate. "Mama's specialite' de la maison," Morticia answered with a smile, her eyes watching Fester closely. "Start with the eyes," Grandmama Frump suggested with a devious grin. "Sleep well?" Morticia questioned Fester, she held suspicions about the man due to the way he presented himself.

"Like the dead," Fester replied, he was hoping the response would suffice for the strange family that seemed so macabre. "Really?" Gomez spoke up with an expression of confusion, "Who knew the Bermuda Triangle could change a man so much? You used to toss and turn all night. We had to chain you to the bedposts." Cleopatra furrowed her brows, she was eating but at the same time watching Fester closely; she was only familiar with stories having never met him before but even she knew that there was something off. "It doesn't make sense," Wednesday added, his hand landed on Cleopatra's bare thigh as a way to keep himself calm. Fester had no idea a simple exchange could be so fraught with pitfalls, that he was feeling cornered by the family.

"The Bermuda Triangle is such a large and mysterious place. You'd be surprised at all the things you don't know," Fester told Wednesday in a condescending tone that irritated Wednesday, his eyes narrowed and the grip on Cleopatra's thigh tightened. "He certainly would. Wednesday adores the Bermuda Triangle. He studies it, death at sea - he's hooked," Morticia expressed to Fester in defence of her eldest son. "Ask me anything," Wednesday challenged in an attempt to throw Fester off while also impressing Cleopatra with his knowledge. Fester turns his back on Wednesday's challenge and addresses Gomez directly, "Being in my old room sure brings back memories. Remember Camp Custer?" Wednesday's grip loosened as Cleopatra placed her hand over his own, she interlocked their fingers and rubbed her thumb against his hand easing the tension.

"For pre-teen offenders?" Gomez replied, his face aglow as he remembered the memories of their younger years long before Fester had left home. "And I was thinking about Christmas. . ." Fester added with a whimsical sigh, though a part of him genuinely felt natural talking about such things with Gomez. "Waiting for Santa to come down the chimney. . ." Gomez continued for his older brother with a devious smirk appearing on his face. "Hanging our stockings. . ." Fester assumed with uncertainty. "Building a fire," Gomez' smirk deepened as he and Fester laughed mischievously. "Aren't memories precious? I'd like to spend today wandering through the house, remembering," Fester suggested to Gomez.

"No, no, no. Sorry, old man - no wandering today. Today we're going straight to the vault," Gomez replied to his older brother who had frowned at the words before they were interrupted by Pugsley running into the room, dragging a freshly stolen Stop Sign, still on its pole. Cleopatra shook her head fondly while Wednesday smirked, they all stayed silent as Gomez' raised a finger; the sound of screeching cars heading for a collision was heard before finally, the vehicles collided. There is a satisfying crunch of metal, and then the Addams' beam at the accident played out musically. "Who wants seconds?" Grandmama Frump asked after a moment of basking in the silence of the aftermath. Something in Grandmama Frump's soup yelps as she looks at Fester, "Don't be shy."

Cleopatra shook her head fondly before she stood from the seat, "Well, as much as I love spending time with you all, I must head home and assist my parents with the items for the auction." She blew a kiss towards Gomez and Morticia, kissing Grandmama Frump's cheek followed by the top of Pugsley's head before smiling at Fester who nodded back. Wednesday stood and held out his arm ready to escort her home safely - mostly to enjoy more of her company. The two seventeen-year-olds were silent as they left the Addams' home and made the short walk towards the Hayden home, Cleopatra was more focused on the strange feelings that had been spurring around her best friend compared to Wednesday who had been fighting off many thoughts about the short skirt Cleopatra was wearing.

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After wishing to see her before the auction, Wednesday left Cleopatra to help her parents. The brunette walked into the house to see her older brother Jasper sitting on the couch with a book in one hand but a cigarette in another, his brows furrowed in irritation. "Are you alright, brother?" Cleopatra asked cautiously. She and her older brother had always been close to each other, they relied on one another and got along with no troubles aside from the usual sibling stirring for entertainment. But Jasper had a few anger temperament issues that tended to show if his family got pushy towards his moods, so Cleopatra tended to be cautious when questioning him in said moods. "Just having a few troubles with my girlfriend, nothing for you to worry about," Jasper replied shortly, he didn't wish to get into it.

Cleopatra sighed, she knew better than to push further when it revolved around the relationship Jasper shared with his girlfriend who tended to let her own troubles control her words and actions, typically their little fights were petty and solved quickly. Cleopatra kissed the top of her brother's head as reassurance that she was there for him if he needed her to. Jasper smiled back at his younger sister before turning back to his book, Cleopatra left the room and headed off to assist her parents. Both were happy to see her, and they all began working on sorting through the generations of collective items that would be sold at the auction for a good cause. By the time lunch had passed, they had successfully put everything into the car ready for when the Hayden family left for the auction.

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Meanwhile, Gomez took Fester to the bookcase that held the secret passage. Gomez pulled on a book titled "Greed" and the passage opened up. "I feel like we're children again," Gomez said to his big brother with a grin. The two brothers made their way down the staircase and came across a room with multiple chain levers hanging from the ceiling. "I feel like - we're children again. Tag, you're it!" Gomez pulled on a chain and a trapdoor opened underneath them, the two slid down a spiral slide and landed on a dock. "Smell the air, Fester. Like a tomb," Gomez breathed fondly, however, Fester was lying on the ground recovering from what just happened.

Gomez hopped into a boat and turned excitedly towards Fester, "Tutti a bordo, fratello mio. The sea, your second home." Fester stood up and looked towards his younger brother before sarcastically saying, "Ship ahoy!" Gomez grabbed a pole and started rowing the boat down the stream. Gomez and Fester finally approached the family vault, the two climbed out and Gomez entered the combination. "Two to the right. Ten to the left. And then around to..." Gomez trailed off for Fester to continue, "Uh... five?" Gomez shook his head, "Eleven. Two, ten, eleven. Eyes, fingers, toes. So many years."

Gomez opened the door and stepped inside before looking back at his brother, "Welcome back." Fester sheepishly smiled, "Thanks." The room was filled with old furniture that was covered in cobwebs. "Our secret place. Sanctus Sanctorum. If these walls could speak, eh, old man?" Gomez said to his brother, a nostalgic smirk on his face. "What, uh, what would they say?" Fester questioned him. "You tell me," Gomez chuckled. "You first," Fester laughed back. "Uh-uh. Senior partner," Gomez replied. "Junior spaceman," Fester guessed. "First a brandy. Do the honours," Gomez said after a pause, "I've got a real treat in store."

Gomez walked over to a chest while Fester walked over to the alcohol. Gomez dug through old tapes while Fester poured them some drinks. As soon as he took the cork off of the bottle, the room turned leaving Fester face to face with a bunch of gold. As soon as he reached out to touch the gold, the room turned back around. Once it did, Gomez turned around and held up a tape. "Showtime!" Gomez announced happily. The two brothers were watching tapes from their childhood when they caused all kinds of mischief together.

They were dressed as sharks to scare people in a boat and then they held a case of dynamite to blow stuff up. After that, it showed Gomez and Fester as young adults in suits approaching two women who were twins. "There. The Debutante Ball. Remember that fateful night?" Gomez asked his brother. "Of course, your first cigar..." Fester guessed uncertainly. "What?" Gomez questioned confused before saying, "Come on, old man. I've smoked since I was five, Mother insisted." Fester quickly recognised the girls on the tape and pointed them out, "Flora and Fauna. Quite the pair, eh, Gomez?"

"Can you ever forgive me?" Gomez asked him with a frown. "What?" Fester questioned with a creased brow of confusion. "I didn't love them yet I wiped them both out of foolish pride. You were so dashing, you could have any woman you wanted, dead or alive. I was jealous ─ insanely jealous. I admit that now. But I didn't mean to drive you off. Not to the Bermuda Triangle," Gomez insisted and pleaded with hopeful eyes. "Water under the bridge. Forgiven. Forgotten," Fester replied to his brother. Gomez smiled and hugged Fester before putting him in a chokehold.

"Come on, say it. Say the secret password," Gomez told his brother who tried to escape the tightening hold. "Password? I..." Fester choked, his hands holding Gomez's arms. "Come on, stop fooling, you remember," Gomez encouraged. "Please, I'm choking. Please!" Fester pleaded and Gomez released him, a confused frown upon his face. "You forgot our secret password, the word we used a hundred times a day, our special private name for each other?" Gomez questioned his older brother incredulously. "That was a long time ago when we were children!" Fester snapped with a growl, "You almost killed me, you demented freak!" Gomez sighed, "Poor devil, what did they do to you in the Bermuda Triangle?"

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Rosemary Speaks. . .

Sorry for the slow updates, suffering with Writer's block at the moment.

What do you wish to see in this book, by the way?

Thoughts, Suggestions or Questions

See you in the next chapter!