Unwanted Entrapment

Part Eight

“Amazing how we got my old room ready for the babies and yet, they’ve been in our room every night,” Cheetara remarked holding Aiden in her arms as she breastfeed him. “It’s been over two months, Lion-O. It’s time to let them sleep in their room.”


Lion-O stood at the sink in the bathroom giving Ciara a bath. “It’s hard to put them in their room when they look so adorable.” Ciara moved around splashing water, happy about her bath. When she was clean, Lion-O picked up his baby girl and wrapped her in a soft cloth.


Cheetara thought Ciara looked adorable resting her head on her father’s bare shoulder, taking little bites at him even though she didn‘t have any teeth. Cheetara recall nibbling on Lion-O’s shoulder but for different reasons. He was shirtless as he gave Ciara a bath, which gave Cheetara free view of his strong back. The view left Cheetara recalling how long it’s been since she was intimate with her husband. Though she had the desire, she had to wait for her confirmation from her doctor tomorrow. She noticed Lion-O was having trouble waiting, too. Sometimes she caught him leering at her as she breastfed their children. When she talked to him, it was clear he wasn’t listening to her. Normally a woman would be repulsed by the thought of it but it didn’t bother Cheetara.


“They are beautiful children,” Cheetara commented and looked down at Aiden and greedy, too. “Aiden has a big appetite.”

“Like father, like son,” Lion-O quipped.


“Don’t I know it,” Cheetara said wryly as she walked out of the room. She removed Aiden from her breast, covered herself and lowered him in his crib. Lion-O went to the changing table and put Ciara in a fresh diaper, rubbed powder and lotion on her and dressed her in light nightgown, a gift given to them by Pumyra. Cheetara noticed the care Lion-O took to complete the task. “You’re such a softie.”


Lion-O looked at her puzzled. “What?”


“You’re such a softie. Ciara has you wrapped around her little finger.”


“Just like you have me wrapped around your finger,” Lion-O remarked.


Cheetara laughed at the accusation. “No, I don’t.” The idea wasn’t possible.


Lion-O turned Ciara in his arms so she could see her mommy. “See, that, sweetie? Mommy’s in denial.”


“What are you talking about?” Her eyes followed Lion-O as he lowered Ciara in the crib with her brother. Aiden lied in the crib entertained by the mobile moving over him. Panthro made it himself using small models of the Thundertank, the Cat’s Eye, the Feliner, ThunderStrike, HoverCat and ThunderClaw. Once in the crib, Ciara looked up in wonder at the mobile, too. “Lion-O?” She asked when he didn’t respond.


Lion-O put an arm around her. “I’m putty in your hands. It’s pathetic.” He said it without shame. He linked her hand with his and walked them to bed.


“I’m still not following you, Lion-O.”


“I’ll do anything you want just to please you.” Lion-O pulled Cheetara closer so she was sitting on his lap. “Remember in the cave when we conceived our children? It was you who wanted to mate to survive. I was hesitant but I wanted to please you and fulfill some fantasies I’ve had of you for a long time, but I mainly did it for you.”


Cheetara was wearing a long gown tonight but it didn’t stop Lion-O from running his hands under her gown. “You did convince me to marry you, Lion-O.”


“And you weren’t comfortable with me yet. It took us a few months before we were like a married couple. Again, I waited for you. I deserve that. I did pressure you to marry me.”


“Why are you talking like this?”


Lion-O stared at her with honest eyes. “I want you to know how much I love you and how much I love our children. I made some mistakes that I now want to admit. I’ve been in denial for so long. I forced you into this marriage. I knew you had doubts but that didn’t stop me. I wanted you to be mine so bad that I was selfish. I only cared about what I wanted.”


He was guilty for only loving her Cheetara realize. He didn‘t have to be guilty. It was she who had to be guilty and it was time to admit the truth. She couldn‘t hold back anymore. “No. No. It’s not like that at all, Lion-O. You did the right thing convincing me to marry you. I didn’t want to admit the attraction between us. I was scared and foolish. I’ve done so many wrongs to you.” Cheetara hugged him desperately as tears formed. “I love you so much. I don’t want to lose you.”


Lion-O cupped Cheetara’s face in his strong hands. “You will never lose me.” Their lips met in a strong passion. Cheetara knew they couldn’t give in. Not when she had to tell him her secret. Sensing Cheetara’s thoughts, Lion-O pulled back. “We better stop. You have an appointment tomorrow and we should wait until then.”


Cheetara nodded agreeing, but not for the reason Lion-O was thinking. “We should sleep,” Lion-O said. “It won’t be long before the children wake up. They’re are nocturnal now.” Cheetara smiled and Lion-O kissed her once more before they settled in bed together.


Cheetara closed her eyes feeling the guilt rise again. She had to tell him but it was so difficult to do so. Time was running out on her as well. Tygra knew about Cheetara’s appointment and knew it wouldn’t be long before she’s active again and demanded she does what he wanted or he’ll tell Lion-O the truth. She vowed the truth would never come from Tygra’s mouth. Only hers and then everything she loved would be taken from her.

****

“Well, Lady Cheetara, your physical has gone extremely well. Everything is healing normally and if you want, you can proceed with intimacies with your husband,” Dr. Gorma’s nurse said.


“Thank you,” Cheetara said. She knew a certain someone would love to here that news but once she tell Lion-O the truth, he wouldn‘t touch her anymore.


Lion-O burst into the room, surprising Cheetara and her nurse. “Am I too late? I tried to get back from Antion as fast as I could.”


Cheetara laughed as she jumped off the table. “You’re just in time.” She saw the nurse looking puzzled. “He didn’t want to miss the children’s first exam.” The nurse nodded understanding. Cheetara turned her attention back to Lion-O. “I had my exam. All’s well.”


Taking his arm, Cheetara walked Lion-O to the other table where Dr. Gorma and his other nurse held Aiden and Ciara ready to give them their exams. Lion-O and Cheetara observed as the physicians weighed and measured the twins, observe the mobility of the children and their reflexes. All was going well, until their shots were administered. Lion-O held a crying Aiden while Cheetara held a screaming Ciara as a shot was given to them. They soothed their children after the shots were administered with gentle words, but Cheetara nearly broke seeing her children in pain no matter the fact it was for the best for them.


After the exam, they put the twins down for a nap in their own rooms for once. Lion-O grabbed Cheetara suddenly and pulled her to him so she could feel his body against hers.


“So, what did the doctor say?”


Cheetara drew circles in his chest with her finger. “Guess.”


Though Cheetara had lost weight since giving birth, Cheetara wasn’t at her pre-pregnancy weight and felt more comfortable wearing loose shirts and slacks. Lion-O freed the buttons at the top of her shirt and slipped his hand inside touching the warm flesh. It wasn’t long before he replaced his hand with his mouth.


She moaned softly at his advances. “You guessed right.” As much as she didn’t want to, Cheetara removed herself from Lion-O’s touch. “Not right now. For crying out loud, we’re in the children’s room,” Cheetara said as she buttoned her shirt.


“Tonight then?” Lion-O asked. “I’ll make Snarf check in on them.”


“Don’t you have a meeting tonight with the Lion Elders?” Cheetara asked. This was going to be their last time together, Cheetara knew and as much as she wanted to be with Lion-O, she didn’t want their intimacy hindering his work.


“I’ll get home early,” Lion-O promised.


“Take your time,” Cheetara said. “I’ll be here all night. Besides, I need some time to prepare for you.”

*****

That evening after Lion-O left for the meeting and Snarf promising to watch the children, Cheetara pampered herself. She took a nice long bath, filled with Lion-O’s favorite scents. Scented candles were placed around the room and the lights were turned low. It was to be their last night together so Cheetara wanted to make it as special and memorable for both of them. On her bed was a short gown she purchased months before becoming pregnant but never had the chance to wear.


As Cheetara looked herself over in the gown, Cheetara thought about her promise to tell Lion-O the truth. She was going to tell him but she wanted one last night with Lion-O, to remember what his love for her felt one more time before it was gone forever. It wasn’t a pessimistic but realistic of what will happen when Lion-O learns the truth. He’ll hate her and never want to be with her again. She only hoped he would be reasonable with the raising of the children.


Cheetara heard the door slid open and footsteps approaching. She thought Lion-O would be a little later but apparently he was eager to be with her. That wasn’t surprising. Cheetara removed her wrap and laid on top of the bed, looking seductive as she waited for Lion-O.


Tygra entered the archway, smiling maliciously. “So nice of you to prepare for me.”


Cheetara gasped. “Tygra.”


Tygra moved closer to the bed. “I hope you didn’t forget about our bargain because it certainly felt like it.”


Cheetara covered herself in her wrap. “What do you think you’re doing?"


Tygra smiled wickedly as she looked Cheetara over. The thought was sickening to Cheetara as she viewed Tygra undressing her with his eyes. “What does it look like? I’ve come to collect on our deal.”


“I never made a deal with you.”


Tygra crossed his arms over his chest. “Oh, so you rather Lion-O find out the truth? You set up the incident in the cave so that he would sleep with you and get you pregnant.”


Cheetara rose from the bed, keeping a safe distance from him. “What you’re doing is blackmailing and I won’t let you blackmail me into sleeping with you.”


“I’m offering you an easy way out,” Tygra said easily.


The nerve of him! He had no honor in him at all. “You call cheating on my husband an easy way out?”


Tygra laughed. “Some husband. He doesn’t know what you did to him. Admit it, Cheetara. Your marriage is in name only.”


“That’s a lie. Lion-O and I love each other. You may not believe it but it’s true. The things we talked about, the feelings we share…. It’s love.”


Tygra considered her words. “Maybe Lion-O does, but you on the other hand….” he shook his head. “You don’t love Lion-O. You only love yourself because you only care about yourself and getting what you want. All this time you could‘ve told Lion-O the truth but didn‘t in fear on how it would affect you.” He grabbed her suddenly. “We have a lot in common than you think. I care about getting what I want to and that’s you!”


Cheetara broke from his grasp. “Don’t you ever touch me again and get out of my room!”

“I will…” Tygra promised. “Once I have my way with you. Lion-O is at the Elders and isn’t due back for a couple of hours. That should give us enough time. That boy’s been around here so much I didn’t think he would ever leave so we could have some time alone.”


“That’s because Lion-O’s a man and wants to be home with me and our children.” Cheetara was disgusted with Tygra’s behavior. He was no longer the honorable ThunderCat she worked along with for years. “How could you do this to him? You’re his friend, a ThunderCat. Doesn‘t that mean anything to you anymore.”


“I could say the same about you. What kind of ThunderCat are you to deceive your Lord like that?” He threw the words back at her. “When he finds out…” he smiled cruelly, “and he will unless you sleep with me.”


“Never! I will never sleep with you! I’ll tell Lion-O and I’ll lose him but there’s no way I will let your scaly hands touch me!”


Tygra didn’t look at all pleased with that but Cheetara was ready to take him down to prove his point. He could take her down but Cheetara had her telekinesis to aid her. He’ll have to back down. “Fine. Don’t sleep with me. Enjoy your last night with Lion-O, Cheetara because by morning he will know the truth.” With that threat hanging over her, Tygra turned on his heals and stormed out of the room.


It was over Cheetara knew. Tygra would make good on his word. Either by her or Tygra, Lion-O would know the truth. Cheetara hated to admit it but Tygra was right. All this time she was selfish and thought how it would affect her and not Lion-O.


It was time to put an end to this. Cheetara turned the lights on to full power and blew out the candles. It was time to stop hiding and tell Lion-O the truth. She would accept the consequences. She wouldn’t have Lion-O’s love anymore but she was going to have her children. She would fight Lion-O to the death for custody of them and Lion-O wouldn’t want this public. He’ll be discreet as possible.


Cheetara was going to change when the bedroom door opened and Lion-O entered. The door slid closed behind him and Lion-O zeroed in on Cheetara. “Wow.”


“Lion-O. I wasn’t expecting you so soon.” She thought she had another hour at least.


“I ended it early. There wasn’t much for us to talk about anyway.” He strolled closer to her. “Look at you.” He walked around her taking her in her appearance vision in a short lingerie. He grabbed her suddenly. “I took a shower early tonight. I’m all yours.” He kissed her.


Cheetara sighed, almost on the verge of crying. She would never have this again, have him kiss her like this, hold her as if she was the only thing that mattered to him. She had to stop him before it was too late. Cheetara put her hands on his chest pushing him away.


“No, we can’t.”


“We can’t?” Lion-O frowned. “I thought the doctor said it was fine.”


“I am, but I’ve been deceiving you, Lion-O,” she began seriously. “There’s something I’ve been keeping from you and when I tell you, you wouldn’t want to be with me anymore.” She swallowed hard. “I think you better sit down.”


“I rather stand,” Lion-O said noticing the seriousness in Cheetara’s voice. “Tell me what’s going on, Cheetara.”


Cheetara paced. How was she going to tell him? She couldn’t believe she was going to break his heart. Cheetara stopped staring at Lion-O head on. She couldn‘t turn back not anymore. “There isn’t an easy way for me to say this but here goes. I… I… the incident on Mount Kenney where we created Aiden and Ciara wasn’t by fate. I set it up.”


Lion-O didn’t move. He looked as if he heard her but didn’t understand what he heard. “What?”


“Two weeks before we were trapped on Mount Kenney, I went to a fertility doctor. For years I wanted a baby and cheetahs aren’t the most fertile creatures. Some of us can be sterile by thirty. I’m only twenty-six and my doctor told me I could be sterile in two years. I panicked. It’ll take me two years to find the right guy and marry him, so I did something underhanded.”


“You trapped us in that mountain so I would get you pregnant?” he said cuttingly, the hurt on his face was apparent. “Why me? It’s clear you didn’t care for me as I stupidly thought.”


“I knew I would have to sleep with someone to have a baby. The only people I could think of were the ThunderCats. You were my only choice, Lion-O, because I thought you were the easiest.”


“And what does that mean?” he growled.


The hurt look on his face was killing her but she knew she had to go through it. “Since you were young and with you dating so many women, I thought you would see me as another notch on your belt, and when you learn I was pregnant, you wouldn’t want anything to do with the child since you weren‘t ready for fatherhood. I never thought you were inexperience.”


“Let me get this straight,” Lion-O said still having a hard time at what he was hearing. “You thought if I got you pregnant, I wouldn’t own up to my responsibilities and be a father to my own children?!”


Cheetara stared into his eyes, knowing she couldn’t look away. “Yes.”


“And you thought this because I’m young?” He was insulted Cheetara would think that. Hadn’t all these years as Lord of the ThunderCats proved to her how mature he was?


“Yes. I never knew you were inexperience. I thought with all the women…” she let the rest of her sentence hang. “If I had more time to think, perhaps I would’ve reconsidered.”


“I highly doubt that!” Lion-O grunted.


Cheetara nodded agreeing. “No. Perhaps you’re right. I was too selfish and only thinking about what I want to consider what you thought.”


“You also didn’t think much of me besides being your personal sperm bank! Did you really think I wouldn’t want any part of my children because I’m young?”


How cold the words sound now it was being thrown at her. Yes, she did thought that never considering how cruel it sounded until it came from Lion-O’s lips. “You were dating so many women, Lion-O, I didn’t think you were ready to settle down. I was fully prepared to raise the child on my own.”


“Because that’s what you wanted,” Lion-O understood, seeing Cheetara’s twisted thoughts from months before. “Is that what you want now because if you do--”


“No!” Cheetara stopped him before he could finish. “I don’t want that. I see how foolish I was. A father needs to be with his children.”


Cheetara reached out to touch him but Lion-O stepped back. “So, all this time. All this time you kept this secret from me. You even married me? Why?”


Cheetara closed her eyes, not believing she was going to say this. She knew how much it will hurt Lion-O. “I didn’t want to marry you but I thought you would grow suspicious if I kept resisting. I feared you would learn the truth and take my babies from me.”


“So, you didn’t love me at all. All this time when we were together.”


“I suppressed my true feelings for you long ago…before we resettled on Thundera, but I never could deny the deep attraction I had towards you. When we were on Third Earth, I remembered when I fell in love with you and I‘ve grown to love you more by each passing day.”


Lion-O crossed his arms over his chest, doubtful of Cheetara’s words. “If that was the case, why didn’t you tell me sooner? Why wait until after the children were born?”


“I wanted to but I had fallen in love with you and feared you would leave me and take the children. The guilt was killing me. It was affecting the pregnancy.”


Lion-O eyed her suspiciously. “You mean your morning sickness and being force to stay in bed? Those two events happened months apart. After we came back from our honeymoon everything was fine.”


“It was because I was happy and in love with you. I wanted to be with you.” Cheetara stepped closer to him. She caressed a cheek, staring into his eyes trying to show him how much she loves him. “All the time we were together, the things I said, they way you made me feel, it was all real, Lion-O. Please believe that.”


Images of those moments filled Lion-O’s mind. He was happy and deeply in love with Cheetara and now her secret tainted it. Lion-O snatched Cheetara’s hand away. “No! Don’t try to sugarcoat it! It was your guilt getting to you that caused you to be in bed the rest of the pregnancy. You could‘ve killed my children and you never answered why you waited until after they were born.”


“The truth is I wasn’t going to tell you. I wanted to spare you this pain, but I was forced too.” She took in a deep breath. “Tygra found out my secret and blackmailed me. He said if I didn’t sleep with him, he would tell you. This was around the time of my collapsed, Lion-O. I was scared you would find out and the thought of being with Tygra made me sick. I knew I had to tell you and face the consequences.”


Lion-O scoffed and his voice grew with each passing word. “You would have me believe that Tygra found out and blackmailed you. The same Tygra who found you unconscious on the floor and got help? The same Tygra who saved you and the babies!”


“It’s the truth! You must--”


“Believe you?” Lion-O said incredulous! “I shouldn’t believe anything you say after what you did to me!” He turned his back on her. “I want you out of this room in an hour.”


“Lion-O, please think about this,” Cheetara pleaded as she cried, “Don’t turn us away. I love you. I really do. I made a mistake. If you could forgive me….”


“For all I know, you’re lying to me now,” he turned back to her his eyes filled with anger, “PACK UP AND LEAVE!” His roar thundered across the room. Cheetara jumped in fear. She never saw him so angry before and it was directed at her. Lion-O turned his back on her and stormed out of the room.


Cheetara fell to her knees and collapsed in tears.

****

Lion-O paced the halls of Cat’s Lair a good ten minutes before going into the babies room. He needed to see them now, especially after his awful fight with Cheetara. He found Snarf in the room changing Ciara’s diaper. Snarf looked up at Lion-O.


“Sorry if I disturb you and Cheetara. I’ve got it.”


“No,” Lion-O said calmly. “It’s okay. Why don’t you go back to your room? I’ll watch them.”


Snarf frowned. “I thought you and Cheetara were going to spend some time alone together.”


Lion-O shook his head. There won’t be any of that anymore. “No, Snarf. I’m not in the mood. Just do this for me, will you?”


Snarf nodded as he finished with Ciara’s diaper. “All right. I’ll see you in the morning. I have the bottle warming for Ciara and Aiden. He’s bound to wake up soon.” Snarf left the room without a word.


Lion-O picked up Ciara and sat in the rocking chair. Ciara smiled at her father and Lion-O returned the smile. Spots were forming on Ciara’s arms and legs as they were on Aiden who slept soundly in his crib.


What was going to happen now Lion-O asked himself as he reached for the warm bottle and gave it to Ciara. She happily drank the milk unaware of the plight of her parents. No matter what he was stuck with Cheetara now. There were two strong reasons for that. Right now Lion-O couldn’t look at Cheetara, but the children would need to see her. The milk she pumped for the children will only get them through the night.


Cheetara would have to see them in the morning. He’ll be gone by then. All this time Cheetara deceived him. How could she be so cold? And that accusation about Tygra? There’s no way he could believe her. Tygra would never do something so cold and callous like Cheetara did.


But there was the way she looked. She stared into his eyes so he could see for himself that she was telling the truth. Lion-O shook his head. He looked into those same eyes before thinking it was love from a woman he deeply loved. How could he trust what was in her eyes?


Lion-O removed the empty bottle from Ciara and put her over her shoulder, patting her back gently so she could burp. Could he believe Cheetara? No, he couldn’t. He wasn’t sure he could trust her ever again.

Poor Cheetara. Will L&C get divorced in Part Nine?

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