Author's note: On the picture, that's how Valerie is supposed to look in the book- possessing similar appearance like Kaylee from Coven though Valerie is prone to wear darker and goth clothes. :)

Later tonight

The moon hanged in the nocturnal sky with the sea of twinkling stars. The sky wasn't lucid at all. Mild, mist clouds sailed, slightly diminishing the clouds and the full moon's opacity. The night, itself, was far from clamorous, troublesome. Salem was peaceful in the evening hours.

Father McKenzie has already finished the dinner union with other priests, nuns and priestesses. Some of them blathered. Others ate in silence, relishing the meal that was served on the large dining table. Briefly, the dinner passed perfectly normal. Without argues. Without heated debates. Without quarrels. Without yelling. Without screams and shouts.

After the dinner, Father McKenzie returned back in his dorm, he prayed and prayed his heart out just like every evening. The night hours passed like an eternity for him. He loved not only Salem, but also his mother Laura and deceased grandmother, the church and God, ensuring him a home where to hide from the binds which he dragged with himself in Boston.

The second week was passing amicably, without encountering old foes.

It was already midnight as he couldn't fall asleep easily. The reason why the insomnia sinisterly tortured the young, ambitious priest was the thought of his mother Laura, who attended the church's yard earlier to venerate her mother's death. His mind was all occupied with the thought of the unpredictable reunion of a mother and a son which seemed to be like centuries have passed since the last time. He has never felt such a genuine bliss, oozing from him like a fountain of the happiness. Alexander was roundly looking forward for the family dinner where he's invited and to unite with his big family as he recalled his older brothers and younger sister even his biological parents. 

He was more than eager to figure out how's their lives nowadays especially during his absence.

As the juvenile man of the cloth didn't have any intentions to crawl into the bed, he sat on the desk as the candlelight illuminated partly his dorm, his silhouette reflected on the wall as if it was shadow of a beast. He determined himself to write a diary of his life, starting from his early years as far as he recalls the events. Father McKenzie rummaged one of the desk's drawers, searching for a pen as he picked it up by finding a blank sheet of paper and began scribbling on it, thinking pensively, considerately what to write down. 

His mind worked violently as the brain cells aided him to dunk in the abysmal, cryptical seas of his memories, whether discovered or obscure ones. 

***

"Father, what are you doing?" Valerie questioned her father, who was currently sitting on the ottoman, reading a magazine as his mammoth, vaguely wrinkled hands were wrapped around the magazine's pages, whilst Shona was drawing a painting with pastels on the desk, buzzing a song of the Beatles she loved.

"Oh, Val!" He sighed dramatically. "Reading cock and bull stories in this magazine!" Maksim replied dryly.

In the meantime, she walked up to him, leaning down to pry what he was reading in this moment. As he flipped a page forward, something grabbed the young housekeeper's hazel green eyes, cooling down as their temperature drastically dropped. An article's header under the name Father McKenzie's fortunate days in the church caused her blood to boil briskly, scorchingly, without halting. A frown crawled on her youthful face as her temple creased, due to the article's name that sounded murderously sarcastic, in fact, little did she know how contrasting was the difference of Alexander's reputation in the both small cities.

"Ha? I didn't know the media in Salem can write good things about him. They are such hypocrites." She stated sarcastically as her father couldn't help but chuckle.

"What, father?" Valerie rubbed lightly his shoulder, her fingers kneading his flesh. Moreover she enquired wondered.

"Your commentary made me laugh. What I can do about it?"

"Nothing. Since it renders you laughing, I am glad for you." She crossed arms, strolled around their reserved hotel room in sluggish pace, shaking her head as she barely believed in her eyes this fanatical, hypocritical, dreadful man of the cloth could be so likeable though Salem was unknown place. It was as mysterious as Pandora's box.

"Exactly! But have you ever wondered how everyone like him in Salem unlike in Boston?" The young woman furthered as her father shifted his eyes to her, shaking his head, pursing his lips.

"It's simple. They know nothing about him. Neither about his wrongdoings in Briarcliff, nor what he has caused to some people." Then the older man nodded his head in humble manner, listening to his daughter. "He appears like another person there. The one who means no harm." She progressed with her explanation, spreading her arms as she clapped ironically victoriously.

"Probably it's your second nature...if you say so." In the interim, she earned his inquering look, imprinted on his face. "I mean...to read speculations in this garbage magazine and to believe them blindly."

"Hey, Val!" He rebuked, peeping over the magazine, casting an exasperated, narrowed eyesbrows at his sole daughter. "Sometimes the magazines are trustworthy. Even beneficial."

"It depends of the information they jot down." Her barrier was activated, blocking the others' opinions as a cocky smirk blossomed on her youthful, beautiful face, admiring her youthfulness. "You cannot trust anything nowadays." She winked gamely, platonically at him.

"Let's not talk about 15 years later what would happen with the medias."

"Oh, we are going far in the future. Let's go far far away in the future," The red-haired lady paused as she fakely cleared her throat. "30 years later!" 

"Let's change the topic." Maksim insisted persistently as he was evidently weary of keep commenting the topic about the media. "What do you think about this city?"

"It's aesthetically mystic and amazing." The Russian-American housekeeper admitted, sitting on the edge of the bed, unfolding her arms, her hazel green eyes darted to her father's light coloured orbs. "Don't you think like that, father?"

"Of course, I do. I have been there twice." Radiant, optimistic smile curled up in the corner of his lips. "The first time before your birth and the second is...actually 5 years ago."

"Splendi-" When the young mother was about to resume her utterance, all of a sudden Shona got from the desk as she rushed up to Valerie, demonstrating her masterpiece.

"Mom, what do you think about this?" The maid's hazel green irises shifted down to the drawing, snaking an arm around the little girl's neck, running fingers through her silky scarlet red's braid, tipping it. 

"It's pretty, my little artist." Then she pecked a kiss on her cheek, rubbing her back. "Who's that?" She pointed with a forefinger at the other figure with the shaggy grayish hair, indicating his position. 

"Uncle Frank!" The single mother nodded, affirming her words as she chuntered "Mmhhmm!".

"You did a great job but his hair is a bit shaggy." Valerie refrained to inform her daughter about her obsession over Frank in mocking manner though it was true the both females loved him in platonic way. Nothing more!

"Thank you, Mom!" Afterwards the young girl moseyed to her grandfather. "Grandpa, what do you think?"She stood alongside him.

"I like it so much." He couldn't oppress a blooming gradually smile, liting up his a tad wrinkled face. "I haven't seen such an authentic drawing since you were younger."

"Thanks!" Shona responded demurely. 

***

The Howard children were already in their beds, sleeping and wrapped up warmly. The midnight hours loomed on the horizon as the motion of the night was as swift as a jab, rendering them to pass in haste. 

Satin slip, garments and pairs of lingerie were tossed on the floor. In exceedingly lax way. Lacking of considered manner. Perspiratory bodies breathing fresh air. Cigarette dim spreading in the room. Jude's mane of unkempt golden curls spilled on her cotton pillow. An arm under her head. Throbbing encumbered hearts in their chests, due to avidly breathless, passionate and sultry motions and inclinations. Heavy eyelids are kept opened and blinking. Their sweet mouths already savored each other. Heavy breaths were audible. Everything took its place a couple of minutes ago. They yearned to last for eternity. It stretched probably hours in the universe, seeming like seconds or just 5 minutes. For sadly, the time couldn't be brought back. They weren't capable of setting it backward, rewinding in the past and extend their remarkable moment together.   

Jude and Timothy laid naked in their king-sized bed after making love to one another as the former nun held between her fingers a cigarette, whilst the gramophone was currently playing a serene, vivid song, blaring in the background:

"Only fools rush in. But I can't help falling in love with you."  

Jude couldn't contain a raspy chuckle between the puff of her cigarette as Timothy had an arm dangled around her waist, their dark orbs casted a blissful stare up at the ceiling.

"I love this night so much." She confessed, grinning unrestrainedly. "This roleplay acting like a couple on a first date was bloody amazing, wasn't it, Timothy?" The blonde scoffed.

"It was definitely one of the most romantic nights we have ever had after attending the party in Ireland in the hotel and so forth romantic nights which weren't like this one." Naturally blossoming smirk distort across his lips. "I cannot disagree with you, honey!" He promptly agreed with her.

"Oh yeah!" Jude burst out, recalling one of the most extraordinary romantic nights when the both of them were pretty intoxicated and made passionately love to one another, and returning in Boston, she found out she was pregnant with Agnes at last. "Ireland..." Jude exhaled elated. "...and our sexy inebriated night after dancing, and speaking to Val on the phone." She closed her eyes, imagining for a while this overwhelming experience that heaped in their memorable, marvelous memories which they have ever had as a couple. 

"Shall I stay? Would it be a sin...If I can't help falling in love with you?" Elvis Presley's song carried on to be sang, swimming in the background like a melodious wave, colliding in the walls.

Jude and Timothy couldn't suppress a guttural laughter, escaping their lips. The Irish memories that have populated their minds, intoxicating them with gleeful cackles and casually discussing them, their obvious euphoria escalated. 

"I remember it. When I phoned her to make sure if our kids were alright and you started to grind on me, and tried to seduce me though the alcohol prevailed your rationality." Timothy retorted through a snicker as they faced, a pair of chocolate irises met hazel ones, locking up her eyes. 

"Exactly! And when I told her in soft voice. 'And we will have so much fun extremely soon. Just two of us.' And then she helplessly blushed, feeling uncomfortable to hear my dirty talking." The former nun couldn't restrain, however, guffawing impulsively as she took another drag off her cigarette. Dim quitting her mouth and frail nostrils like smoking chimney. 

"Like a river flows. Surely to the sea. Darling, so it goes."

"It was quite embarrasing, to be honest. You were actually the kinkier then." He exclaimed in jesting, blunt manner. 

"Hey!" She took a puff of her cigar length, pressing her soft, flamboyant lips on his in foolhardy way as his body reacted, pulling her to him in a cuddle, their foreheads resting against one another, his hand moved up to her ruffled hair, dragging it off the pillow as it descended her stark upper back, caressing its honey softness. "I am always in charge everywhere, remember that, darling."

"Some things are meant to be. Take my hand, Take my whole life, too."  

Response wasn't necessary at all. Timothy acknowledged the fact she was in charge everywhere. Jude's grin glistered, omitting a wicked, tempting chuckle.

"W-what, sweetheart?" Timothy enquired as he couldn't help, joining her, running his fingers gently through her untamed curly tresses, tangling them between his fingertips. 

"Nothing. I just love to chuckle." She inflated the cigar, stumping it out in the ashtray on her right nightstand table. "You are making me very happy woman. That's all!"

"I couldn't be more glad and proud of pleasing you, because in front of you there's as equivalently wonderful circumstance as your happiness that I beget." 

"For I can't help falling in love with you. Like a river flows. Surely to the sea. Darling, so it goes."  

"A happy man, rare bird!" They nuzzled as their lips were hardly centimetres away from one another. Muffled, sweet moans dwelled out of their lungs. 

"Some things are meant to be. Take my hand, Take my whole life, too..."  

Afterwards he cupped her face in his both hands, his palms warming her complexion as they admired one another's faces in a continuous, magnetic stare, unable to take their eyes off each other as they never got enervated as her arms were thrown around his neck, running her fingers through his dark hair.

"I love you very much, my love!" Jude stated boldly, seconds before kissing.

"I love you more than anything, rara avis!" 

"For I can't help falling in love with you. For I can't help falling in love with you." Eventually the song still played in the background, whilst their muffled, slurped sensual sounds of kissing invaded the bedroom as their lips crashed, capturing one another's mouth-watering lips as their kisses suddenly grew ferocious without opening their shut eyes as it was time their moist tongues to dance against one another until Timothy plugged his tongue inside her mouth, deepening the kiss, their heart racing. 

***

Flashback

A few hours prior

"Timothy, please, don't stop!" Jude was unbuckling his belt as she was sitting on his lap after the dinner, his secure, strong arms, encircling her waist as she straddled him. She urgently cried in the hollow between the passionate kiss.

He didn't answer as he was eagerly focused on holding her, grinding together as she unbuckled with ease his slacks, unzipping them as he wore still his plain shirt, clothing his toned chest. Their passionate cries were sailing in the kitchen, unable to pare down, tasting one another's mouths in a deep, French kiss as his tongue was put inside her mouth. 

Ellie, Tristan and Agnes were put to sleep with a lullaby from an hour ago.

Suddenly the phone was ringing on the counter top as Timothy held her waist as they got of their chair, swaying lightly her hips as they were approaching the counter plot, placing her to seat as she took the retro phone's earpiece after his trousers and belt established on the floor, nigh the kitchen table. His lips were brushing her collarbone, planting kisses on her cleavage as she was dressed up in a black dress with long transparent sleeves and plunging neckline, the hem dropping down to her knees, her legs as long as tower, layered in a knock-out thin dark pantyhose.

"Timothy, Valerie is phoning." Her moans and groans escaped her ravishing red lips as she lifted up the earpiece, running her fingers through his dark brown hair. "H-hello? Val?" She echoed through the handset, attempting to control her voice undertone.

"Oh hi, Judy! How are ya?" The younger woman replied enthusiastically.

"I am excellent." In the meantime, Timothy's hands lowered to her dress hem, pushing it as he peeled off her pantyhose of her legs until it pooled her ankles as she released her feet from the classy black stilettos. "Hooow about you too?" 

"Oh god, Judy? What's the matter?" The red-haired woman posed the question concerned, noting something fishy as the unpredictable, sultry moans which were impossible for regulating for frequency's deficit aroused her inquisitiveness to ask. 

"I know it's very awkward." Timothy's hands moved under her dress's hem after her pantyhose was already on the kitchen flooring, his colossal, smooth hands reaching up for her bra, pawing her breasts as he squeezed them in a single grip as she buckered her hips, sensing her folds already soaked. "Tell me briefly how is in Salem because...Ooh! I am so busy. We should hurry up, Val."

"It's wonderful in Salem. Thanks! How is your evening passing?"

"Perfect!" Then Jude removed her hand from his head as her hand shifted up to her back, unzipping her dress as much as she could, whereas her other hand was with a handset. 

"If I am worrying you Jude...we can talk again tomorrow or probably later on."

"Alright! Good night!"

Hence, she set the earpiece on the phone without hesitancy, her another hand holding his shoulder as she squeezed it to steade her balance, her legs spread like wings. 

"Honey, take me upstairs!" She cautioned softly as he dangled an arm around her spine, whilst another one under her legs, lifting her up in a bridal lift as she clasped her arms around his neck. He obeyed her immediately, without expostulating her exclaimation. 

To be continued...