Plans

Plans
Marcus

Fiona lies next to me on the sofa, moonlight streaming in the window next to us, and I still feel the echoes of what we just shared. I think of her curves pressed against me and the way I lost myself in her gorgeous eyes through every moan and gasp.

She’s beautiful, yes, but there’s more to her than that. Being with her, feeling her body against mine, it was more than desire. I realize we haven’t known each other long, but it’s true. I’m in love with her. 

I press a kiss to her forehead. “Would you like to go to bed?” I ask, my voice low.

She nods, a tired, satisfied smile on her lips. “Yes.”

We pull on our tunic and stola, and I lead her to the guest bedroom. Once we’re under the covers, she leans into me, and I wrap an arm around her. I keep thinking about how impossible this should be. She’s from two thousand years in the future, and yet, the pull between us is so strong that she found me. She saved me. And now, together, we’re going to save my city. She has to have been sent by the gods.

“Rest well, Fiona,” I whisper into her ear.

“You too, Marcus. Goodnight,” she whispers back.

I’ve always wanted a wife, someone I could protect and love. I didn’t know if that would ever happen for me, but as we fall asleep with our arms around each other, I let my mind drift to dreams of a life with Fiona.



I wake to find Fiona beside me, half asleep, morning light illuminating her golden hair.

“Good morning.” I nuzzle her gently.

“Good morning.” She stretches and yawns.

“So,” I say, climbing from bed and locating a fresh tunic, “today we’ll need to get Lucius out of the city.”

She nods, fixing her stola. I wish I had another to offer her, but I don’t. “And then we must convince your parents to leave the city as well. All while moving the festival to a different location.”

I grin. “It sounds like a long day. Breakfast first?”

“Definitely breakfast first.” She grins at me, running her fingers through her hair to untangle it.

We finish getting dressed and washing up for the day. Fiona braids her hair, and then we head toward the kitchen.

On the way to the dining room, we pass Felix. He lifts his head, rises, and follows us. When we reach the table, Aurelia is already there, setting out our plates and filling our cups.

“Thank you, Aurelia,” I say, nodding. “How is Lucius today?”

“He’s feeling much better,” she replies with a hopeful nod.

“Is he well enough to travel by carriage?” I pull Fiona’s chair out and then sit beside her.

Aurelia tilts her head thoughtfully. “I believe he could manage it.”

“Very well,” I say. “Please get him ready to travel. I am sending him to Neapolis.”

“Of course, Dominus,” Aurelia says. “I’ll see to it immediately.”

“Thank you, Aurelia,” I say as she bows and leaves the room. 

Fiona and I dig into our breakfast, and Felix eats from his bowl on the floor in the corner. 

“Are you going to tell Lucius the truth about why you’re sending him to Neapolis?” Fiona asks. 

“No.” I shrug and take another bite.

“How will you convince him to go?”

“I’ll send him with enough money to buy a house,” I reply. “And I’ll send my belongings so he can furnish the place he chooses. I’ll tell him to lie low in Neapolis for a while and hide from the people he is indebted to.”

She nods. “Wonderful idea, Marcus.”

“Thank you. I just hope it works.”

After breakfast, Fiona follows me outside, Felix at my heel. ”Where are we going?” she asks.

“I need to speak with Titus,” I tell her. I call for him, and he approaches, his head bowed.

“I need two carriages prepared,” I say. “One for Lucius and the servants and one for my belongings. Everything of value that can be carried from the house will go. The servants will travel with Lucius to Neapolis. You will take him there and see that he is settled. I will give him the money to buy a house, and you will make sure it is furnished with my belongings and livable while he recovers. I want everything and everyone ready to leave tomorrow morning.”

Titus hesitates, clearly confused, but he keeps his tone calm. “It will be done, Dominus.”

“Titus,” I say, softer now. “I promise, in a few days this will all make sense. Just trust me.”

He nods once and walks away.

Fiona watches him go. “Well,” she says, glancing sideways at me, “that went well.”

I laugh. “It could’ve gone worse.” I take a deep breath, reminding myself that most of my servants do not have families here, and those that do will be able to take them with them. “Now, would you like to meet my mother and father?”

“I don’t think I have a choice,” she jests, still smiling.

We walk toward my parents’ house, Felix running ahead, chasing after a bird along the road.

“Are we going to tell your parents about Vesuvius?” Fiona asks.

I shake my head. “No. I don’t think they’ll believe us. They will think I’ve lost my mind.”

“Then how will we get them to leave their home?”

“We’ll have to find another reason. Something they’ll accept without question.”

Fiona nods. “How many carriages do they have?” 

“They have three. One they use and two in the carriage house. Why? What is that brilliant mind of yours thinking?” I ask with a wink.

She shares her idea with me, and by the time we reach my childhood home, we have a plan to get my mother and father to Neapolis and safety. I am nearly confident it will work.

Before we go inside, I stop in the front garden and look at Fiona. “So all of this is going to be covered in ash?” I ask. “None of it will survive?”

“When Vesuvius erupts, it unleashes ash, heat, and debris,” she says. “Entire buildings will collapse under it. Some houses, shops and walls are buried and preserved, but most of what’s exposed is destroyed. And people… they’re buried where they fall. That’s why your city is one of the most important places for archaeologists like me—people who study history from the Earth itself—to dig. We have been able to make plaster molds in the places where the bodies lay for so long. Mothers’ bodies bracing over their children—families reaching out to one another—so hauntingly sad, Marcus. Their lives are preserved so we can learn from them.”

Her description rolls over me in waves of grief and pain. I wipe a tear from the corner of my eye and take a deep breath to calm my nerves before speaking with my parents.

Fiona seems to see that I’m struggling and reaches over to squeeze my hand. “We will save them. As many as we can,” she whispers. “Let’s make sure your family is safe first.”

I nod. “You’re right.” I open the door, and we step inside the foyer.

Lydia greets us immediately. “Good morning, Dominus,” she says. “I’ll fetch your parents.”

“Thank you, Lydia.” I escort Fiona into the sitting room while Felix lies down near the front door. We sit on the sofa together. I try not to let my nervous energy turn into a fidget. A moment later, footsteps echo in the hall, and my parents enter.

“Marcus,” my mother says, crossing the room to wrap me in a warm embrace. 

My father sits in the chair across from us. “It’s good to see you, son.”

“It’s wonderful to see you both. This is my very good friend, Fiona.” I gesture to where she stands nearby. 

My mother smiles at her. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Fiona.”

She nods. “It’s a pleasure to meet you as well.”

“Welcome,” Father says with a smile.

“Thank you,” Fiona says. “You have a beautiful home.” 

“Thank you,” my mother says. “To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?”

I take a deep breath, bracing myself for their reactions. “Mother, Father, I have something very sad to tell you.”

Mother leans forward, worry written in every wrinkle on her face. “Whatever it is, son, I’m certain everything will be all right.”

Father’s voice is rough, tight with anxiety. “Well, just tell us, Marcus. Don’t make us wait.”

“Lucius was beaten again,” I say. “Fiona and I were able to save him, but his injuries were far worse than before. He nearly died.”

Mother clutches her hands to her chest, and her face turns pale. 

“What… what are we going to do with that boy?” Father asks. 

“I’m sending him to Neapolis,” I tell them. “He’ll have plenty of money and furnishings to set up a home. It’s the only way he can get away from those he owes debts to. He needs safety and distance. I need you to go to Neapolis, too,” I continue. “Take your furniture, your valuables, anything sentimental, and your servants—everything you’d want long-term. I need you to stay there and live near Lucius. You have to make sure he’s safe, support him, and keep him from harm. Fiona and I will join you within the week.”

Father looks at me, then Mother, and then back at me. “Surely, you’re not serious?” he asks. 

“Marcus, we’re old. We’ve lived in this house our entire marriage. We can’t just leave,” my mother adds.

I hate to strike at their hearts, and I hate to make them feel guilty, but I know it’s the only way to save their lives. Fiona said the people here will all die—that they’ll pass away holding the ones they love—and I just can’t let that happen to my mother and father.

“Would you rather keep your house… or your son?” I ask bluntly. 

Mother’s hands fly to her mouth. Her eyes glisten, but she swallows and nods. “We’ll go, Marcus. We’ll leave… for now. We can always come back later, when it’s safe for Lucius, too.”

Father gives me a nod. “Yes. You’re right. We’ll go. Whatever it takes to keep Lucius safe.”

“We’ll start making plans to leave,” Mother says.

“I need you to be ready to leave by tomorrow morning,” I say.

“Tomorrow morning? That’s far too soon. We can’t even pack that quickly,” Father protests.

Fiona speaks up cautiously. “If I may interject… Lucius said he didn’t want to go either. He needs to leave, and if you’re ready and leaving at the same time as him, he’ll be more willing to go.”

After a moment, Father sighs. “All right. Tomorrow morning it is. We’ll make it work.” 

“Well,” Mother adds, “at least we’ll have all of our servants with us. And my cousins, Antonio and Aemilia, live in Neapolis—it will be good to see them. We can always come back as soon as we like. It’s not that far away.”

“Yes, Mother.” My heart breaks at having to bend the truth to keep them safe. “It will all be worth it.” I take a step toward the door. “Fiona and I have things to attend to at the festival today, so we can’t stay, but just remember to take everything you’ll need. Pack your clothes, furnishings, anything sentimental that you care about—and meet me at my house at dawn tomorrow with all three carriages full.”

Mother and Father walk us to the door, and I hug them each goodbye.

“It was lovely to meet you,” Fiona says as we step outside.

“Lovely to meet you as well,” Mother replies. She disappears back inside the house, probably to begin packing.

Father pats Felix on the head before my dog joins Fiona and me in the front garden. I watch as he closes the door, and then we step out into the street.

As we walk, Fiona looks at me. “Did you think that would work? That your parents would go along with it so easily, or did you expect them to be more stubborn?”

I shake my head. “I hated putting them in that position, and using guilt to guide them, but I’m relieved they agreed. They’ll be safe, and that’s what matters.”

“You’re right. You did the right thing. Are you ready to move an entire festival?” She smiles and takes my hand.

I laugh. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

The sun has climbed higher, and the day will be over before we know it. Now that we have a plan to save my family and our servants, an entire city still needs rescuing. It sounds intimidating, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s the incredibly beautiful, fair-haired goddess by my side.