A Pair of Star Crossed Lovers, chapter 10
"NO way is my daughter married to some...some... white trash musician," Tony Montague screamed into the phone.
Adrienne was on the other end; her eyes were red as tears dripped down her face.
"You don't talk to your mother and I for ten years and then one day you call up with some news that you got married and I have two grandsons!," he screamed his voice becoming hoarse from yelling.
"Dad... please... just listen!," Adrienne sobbed.
"No, I would only listen to my daughter; but I have no daughter... . she's dead to me." And with that he hung up the phone.
Adrienne leaned forward and sobbed uncontrollably into her hands. Billie Joe walked into the hotel room and wrapped his arms around Adrienne in an attempt to comfort her.
"I knew I shouldn't have called... its just I missed hearing my fathers voice and... "
"Shhhh, it's ok," said Billie as he wiped the tears from her eyes.
"No it's not okay Billie... don't you get it. I gave up everything for you... I gave up my family!"
"Are you regretting it now... don't you love me?" he asked staring into her eyes with a worried expression.
"Of course I do BJ it's just... I'm so confused right now... .I need some time alone," with that Adrienne got up and grabbed her car keys. "I'm going for a drive."
She stormed out of the hotel room and down the stairs. One of Juliet's cars was parked in the parking lot and Adrienne got in. She sped out of the guest parking area into the muggy, humid night.
***
Juliet cradled a sleeping Mika in her arms. They had been watching TV for a while and had barely noticed as Mika fell asleep.
"I'm going to take her upstairs," said Juliet as she stood up.
She placed Mika in her bed and kissed her softly on the forehead before shutting off the light. As she was walking through the hallway a loud banging noise came from the door. Thinking it was Adrienne she jogged over to the door and swung it open. Unfortunately the person standing there was not Adrienne.
"Hey Juliet," they sneered. "We're gonna go for a little drive"
***
Adrienne had been driving for a while and felt much calmer about the situation. Around one in the morning she turned the red sports car around and started to head back to the hotel. She entered through the back door and up the loading dock elevator. As she neared her door she felt her heart stop as she saw that the lock had been shot off. She ran full speed into the room and started screaming Billie Joe's name but to no avail; everyone was gone and she had a pretty good idea who had taken them.
***
She sped along the highway and watched as the high-rises rushed by in a hypnotizing blur of colour. Her hear felt as though it had been ripped from her chest and her mind kept rushing around in circled. 'It was all her fault, her sins had come back to haunt her and take their dues.' She parked close to the home that belonged to Fulgencio Capulet, the one that had taken her life away from her. She got out of the car not bothering to close the door and climbed over the brick wall that separated her from her family. All the lights were off but she knew they were there. Adrienne held the semiautomatic in her right hand poised and ready to end the life of anyone who got in her way. She swung open the door and screamed his name as she shot a man who ran at her. He screamed and fell to the floor in a pool of his own blood. "CAPULET!," she yelled again. There was no response so she began her descent down the creaking basement stairs. Sure enough the lights were on down below and she could here hushed voices.
"Who's there," came Fulgencio's voice.
"Where are they?" she screamed as spit flew from her mouth.
Rounding the corner she saw them. Four Capulet's including Fulgencio. They were standing over the bodies of the one's she loved who had been bound and gagged with duct tape. Their eyes were wide with fear as they watched her with pleading expressions.
"YOU BASTARD!," Adrienne screamed as she opened fire. Two of the men fell instantly as bullets riddled their bodies. The other women ran at her and punched her square in the nose before she could react. Pain surged through her body as another blow connected with the side of her head. Her attacker threw her to the ground and Adrienne pointed the gun between their eyes and pulled on the trigger. The women fell to the floor writhing and twitching before falling silent. Adrienne's face was covered in specks of blood and brain but she paid no attention. She could here footsteps behind her as six people rushed in pointing handguns at her from all directions. She swung around and kicked the closest man; he fell backwards and shot at her but it missed and instead imbedded itself deep into the concrete wall. The five other surrounded her and she hit the taller of them over the head with the end of the gun. He grabbed at her arm and twisted it behind her back. She dropped the gun and with her free hand elbowed him in the crouch. Adrienne was about to finish the job when she felt a cold object pushed into the back of her head.
"So nice of you to join us," said Fulgencio and he held the gun against her temple. "Search her!"
Four hands rushed along her body as she was padded down.
"Let them go," she growled into his face.
"Adi you're in no condition to be giving orders right now," he laughed showing his yellow teeth.
"Let them go and I'll give myself up, no hassle," she said her voice loosing its edge. "I killed your son, that's got to count for something."
Billie screamed through the duct tape but it was muffled and incomprehensible.
"There is a high price on my head that you can collect if you let all of them go," Adrienne pleaded.
Fulgencio smirked and put his gun back in the holster that was attached to his hip.
"Release them all and escort them out, "he ordered to the man Adrienne had kicked.
He turned back to Adrienne whose face was covered from blood that was spurting out of her nose.
"So the great Adrienne Montague does have a weakness. I should have come after you family years ago."
Adrienne turned to him and spat in his face. Fulgencio pulled back his arm and slapped her across the face.
"Montague Scum," he screamed as he wiped the spit from his face.
"Adi!" screamed Billie the second he was released. He ran to her side before the others could grab a hold of him. "Don't do this please!"
Adrienne could feel hot tears run down her face as she turned and kissed him gently on the lips.
"I love you," she whispered into his ear. "I'll always love you."
Billie Joe screamed and kicked as Juliet pulled him away. She looked at her sister with tear rimmed eyes before turning away.
Adrienne watched as her family and friends were pushed and shoved out of the room.
"MOMMY!" screamed Joey and Jakob in unison as Tre and mike carried them out.
When the room had been cleared Fulgencio turned back to her.
"You took my son, so I will take your life," he spoke in an eerily calm voice. "I will make sure that by the end you are begging us to kill you."
Adrienne whimpered slightly as he pushed the gun against her forehead.
"YOU KILLED MY SON!" he screamed which caused her to jump. Fulgencio was an older man but at that moment the look in his eyes terrified Adrienne.
***
Outside of the room Juliet and the others were being led out the door. Just as one of the men pushed Tre forward Juliet spun around and grabbed the gun out of his hand. She pulled the trigger and bullet exploded in his stomach. Juliet turned around and fired upon the other three until they dropped to the ground.
***
Adrienne stared wide eyed at the open door as the noise of gunshots echoed through the room. The Capulet shudder slightly at the noise.
"Looks like plans have changed a little," he said as he pulled the trigger.
***
Billie Joe, Mike, Juliet and Tre ran down the stairs. As they rounded the corner Juliet was hit over the head by a two by four that was being swung around by Fulgencio. She dropped to the floor as the gun skidded across the room. Tre dove after it as Mike swung his arm back and hit the older man. He stumbled back but held his ground as he hit Mike in the stomach. Mike grunted and clutched his side as he was hit again on the shoulder. Fulgencio's eyes were wild as he repeatedly hit Mike again and again. Billie Joe jumped on the man's back and tried to grab the board from his hand. Tre finally reached the gun and turned around and fired at the man. His aim was off and it hit him in the leg, but it was enough. The Capulet dropped the board and fell to the ground. Juliet got up from the floor and grabbed the gun out of Tre's hand. She watched over to Fulgencio and fired the gun until the man stopped moving and even then she continued to pull the trigger. She didn't stop until the handgun had been emptied of bullets and she was emotionally drained. Tears streamed down her face as Mike wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into a hug.
"ADI!" Billie Joe screamed tearing everyone's attention away from the corpse. Adrienne lay in the corner blood pouring from her stomach. Billie Joe ran to her side and scooped her up in his arms. Her face was pale and already her lips were turning a shade of blue.
"Oh god Adrienne," he sobbed. "Don't die on me!"
Adrienne reached up and ran a shaking finger along his jaw line. Her eyes were squinted and unfocused. She tried to open her mouth to speak but she could only muster a faint gurgling noise as blood poured from her lips.
Billie cried pressing her forehead against his own.
"Is... is everyone safe," she whispered as she took in deep rattling breathes.
"Yes... everyone's fine," sobbed Juliet as she fell to her sister's side. "And you're going to be ok as well... alright." Juliet's tears fell onto Adrienne's blood stained jacket as she tried to apply pressure to the wounds.
"I love you all," she whispered as she turned to look at her husband "I love you Billie Joe. I love you, Jakob and Joey with all my heart."
"I love you so much Adrienne," Billie sobbed. "Please just hold on. You have to stay strong."
Adrienne took one last shaky breathe and then lay still. Billie Joe screamed as he pulled her silent body to his chest.
"NO!" Juliet screamed. "Adi wake up, WAKE UP!" She shook her sister's lifeless shoulder in a vain attempt.
Adrienne's eyes which had once been so full of life now stared blankly across the room.
***
One week later
Juliet stood at the podium and stared across the sea of people. She stared to her left at Billie Joe and his two sons who sat close together tears streaming down their faces. Beside them sat her and Adrienne's parents. Her mother was blowing her nose into a handkerchief and her father stared straight ahead his eyes red and strained. Right in front of her sat the dark mahogany coffin that held her sister's body; it was surrounded with red and white roses. Juliet stared of into space for a moment in effort to keep her composure.
"Our fair city has been destroyed and ripped apart by civil war. Two families in constant battle for a goal that has been lost through the ages. Adrienne lies here today as a result of the constant bickering that paints our streets red with the blood of the innocent. I ask you today, is it all worth it? Are we truly so ignorant as to believe that this fighting has a purpose. Does the death of a Capulet or a Montague bring us any closer to what we are trying to achieve? I have lived here my entire life and I have seen this city brought to ruins. This city which once stood so proud and strong now lies in ashes and despair. I ask you not as a Montague, but as the friend, the cousin, the sister of the fallen to end your quarrel before the quarrel ends us. Let us cast down our weapons and end this once and for all."
"She's right" Juliet stared down at her father wide eyed. "She's right," he said louder so everyone could here. "Capulets and Montagues, we have lost our children and our loved ones for nothing. Let us end this today... it's... it's what Adrienne would have wanted."
"He's right!," said Tybalt as he took his gun from its holster and emptied the bullets onto the floor.
The church was suddenly filled with commotion as various people copied his actions, casting their weapons onto the floor.
Juliet smiled as tears ran down her face.
"For Adrienne!" she cried as she cast her handgun to the ground.
"For Adrienne,' repeated everyone else in the church.
Juliet coughed as she cleared her throat. She removed a piece of paper from her pocket and placed it on the wooden slate.
"We are two household both alike dignity
In fair Verona where we lay our scenes
From ancient grudge has broken out new mutiny
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A star crossed lover loses her life
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
Do with her death bury her parent's strife
The fearful passage of her death-mark'd love
And the continuance of her of her parents rage
Which, but their child's end nought could remove
Is now the two hours' traffic that takes up this stage
For never was there a story of such woe
Then that of Adrienne and her Billie Joe."
Adrienne was on the other end; her eyes were red as tears dripped down her face.
"You don't talk to your mother and I for ten years and then one day you call up with some news that you got married and I have two grandsons!," he screamed his voice becoming hoarse from yelling.
"Dad... please... just listen!," Adrienne sobbed.
"No, I would only listen to my daughter; but I have no daughter... . she's dead to me." And with that he hung up the phone.
Adrienne leaned forward and sobbed uncontrollably into her hands. Billie Joe walked into the hotel room and wrapped his arms around Adrienne in an attempt to comfort her.
"I knew I shouldn't have called... its just I missed hearing my fathers voice and... "
"Shhhh, it's ok," said Billie as he wiped the tears from her eyes.
"No it's not okay Billie... don't you get it. I gave up everything for you... I gave up my family!"
"Are you regretting it now... don't you love me?" he asked staring into her eyes with a worried expression.
"Of course I do BJ it's just... I'm so confused right now... .I need some time alone," with that Adrienne got up and grabbed her car keys. "I'm going for a drive."
She stormed out of the hotel room and down the stairs. One of Juliet's cars was parked in the parking lot and Adrienne got in. She sped out of the guest parking area into the muggy, humid night.
***
Juliet cradled a sleeping Mika in her arms. They had been watching TV for a while and had barely noticed as Mika fell asleep.
"I'm going to take her upstairs," said Juliet as she stood up.
She placed Mika in her bed and kissed her softly on the forehead before shutting off the light. As she was walking through the hallway a loud banging noise came from the door. Thinking it was Adrienne she jogged over to the door and swung it open. Unfortunately the person standing there was not Adrienne.
"Hey Juliet," they sneered. "We're gonna go for a little drive"
***
Adrienne had been driving for a while and felt much calmer about the situation. Around one in the morning she turned the red sports car around and started to head back to the hotel. She entered through the back door and up the loading dock elevator. As she neared her door she felt her heart stop as she saw that the lock had been shot off. She ran full speed into the room and started screaming Billie Joe's name but to no avail; everyone was gone and she had a pretty good idea who had taken them.
***
She sped along the highway and watched as the high-rises rushed by in a hypnotizing blur of colour. Her hear felt as though it had been ripped from her chest and her mind kept rushing around in circled. 'It was all her fault, her sins had come back to haunt her and take their dues.' She parked close to the home that belonged to Fulgencio Capulet, the one that had taken her life away from her. She got out of the car not bothering to close the door and climbed over the brick wall that separated her from her family. All the lights were off but she knew they were there. Adrienne held the semiautomatic in her right hand poised and ready to end the life of anyone who got in her way. She swung open the door and screamed his name as she shot a man who ran at her. He screamed and fell to the floor in a pool of his own blood. "CAPULET!," she yelled again. There was no response so she began her descent down the creaking basement stairs. Sure enough the lights were on down below and she could here hushed voices.
"Who's there," came Fulgencio's voice.
"Where are they?" she screamed as spit flew from her mouth.
Rounding the corner she saw them. Four Capulet's including Fulgencio. They were standing over the bodies of the one's she loved who had been bound and gagged with duct tape. Their eyes were wide with fear as they watched her with pleading expressions.
"YOU BASTARD!," Adrienne screamed as she opened fire. Two of the men fell instantly as bullets riddled their bodies. The other women ran at her and punched her square in the nose before she could react. Pain surged through her body as another blow connected with the side of her head. Her attacker threw her to the ground and Adrienne pointed the gun between their eyes and pulled on the trigger. The women fell to the floor writhing and twitching before falling silent. Adrienne's face was covered in specks of blood and brain but she paid no attention. She could here footsteps behind her as six people rushed in pointing handguns at her from all directions. She swung around and kicked the closest man; he fell backwards and shot at her but it missed and instead imbedded itself deep into the concrete wall. The five other surrounded her and she hit the taller of them over the head with the end of the gun. He grabbed at her arm and twisted it behind her back. She dropped the gun and with her free hand elbowed him in the crouch. Adrienne was about to finish the job when she felt a cold object pushed into the back of her head.
"So nice of you to join us," said Fulgencio and he held the gun against her temple. "Search her!"
Four hands rushed along her body as she was padded down.
"Let them go," she growled into his face.
"Adi you're in no condition to be giving orders right now," he laughed showing his yellow teeth.
"Let them go and I'll give myself up, no hassle," she said her voice loosing its edge. "I killed your son, that's got to count for something."
Billie screamed through the duct tape but it was muffled and incomprehensible.
"There is a high price on my head that you can collect if you let all of them go," Adrienne pleaded.
Fulgencio smirked and put his gun back in the holster that was attached to his hip.
"Release them all and escort them out, "he ordered to the man Adrienne had kicked.
He turned back to Adrienne whose face was covered from blood that was spurting out of her nose.
"So the great Adrienne Montague does have a weakness. I should have come after you family years ago."
Adrienne turned to him and spat in his face. Fulgencio pulled back his arm and slapped her across the face.
"Montague Scum," he screamed as he wiped the spit from his face.
"Adi!" screamed Billie the second he was released. He ran to her side before the others could grab a hold of him. "Don't do this please!"
Adrienne could feel hot tears run down her face as she turned and kissed him gently on the lips.
"I love you," she whispered into his ear. "I'll always love you."
Billie Joe screamed and kicked as Juliet pulled him away. She looked at her sister with tear rimmed eyes before turning away.
Adrienne watched as her family and friends were pushed and shoved out of the room.
"MOMMY!" screamed Joey and Jakob in unison as Tre and mike carried them out.
When the room had been cleared Fulgencio turned back to her.
"You took my son, so I will take your life," he spoke in an eerily calm voice. "I will make sure that by the end you are begging us to kill you."
Adrienne whimpered slightly as he pushed the gun against her forehead.
"YOU KILLED MY SON!" he screamed which caused her to jump. Fulgencio was an older man but at that moment the look in his eyes terrified Adrienne.
***
Outside of the room Juliet and the others were being led out the door. Just as one of the men pushed Tre forward Juliet spun around and grabbed the gun out of his hand. She pulled the trigger and bullet exploded in his stomach. Juliet turned around and fired upon the other three until they dropped to the ground.
***
Adrienne stared wide eyed at the open door as the noise of gunshots echoed through the room. The Capulet shudder slightly at the noise.
"Looks like plans have changed a little," he said as he pulled the trigger.
***
Billie Joe, Mike, Juliet and Tre ran down the stairs. As they rounded the corner Juliet was hit over the head by a two by four that was being swung around by Fulgencio. She dropped to the floor as the gun skidded across the room. Tre dove after it as Mike swung his arm back and hit the older man. He stumbled back but held his ground as he hit Mike in the stomach. Mike grunted and clutched his side as he was hit again on the shoulder. Fulgencio's eyes were wild as he repeatedly hit Mike again and again. Billie Joe jumped on the man's back and tried to grab the board from his hand. Tre finally reached the gun and turned around and fired at the man. His aim was off and it hit him in the leg, but it was enough. The Capulet dropped the board and fell to the ground. Juliet got up from the floor and grabbed the gun out of Tre's hand. She watched over to Fulgencio and fired the gun until the man stopped moving and even then she continued to pull the trigger. She didn't stop until the handgun had been emptied of bullets and she was emotionally drained. Tears streamed down her face as Mike wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into a hug.
"ADI!" Billie Joe screamed tearing everyone's attention away from the corpse. Adrienne lay in the corner blood pouring from her stomach. Billie Joe ran to her side and scooped her up in his arms. Her face was pale and already her lips were turning a shade of blue.
"Oh god Adrienne," he sobbed. "Don't die on me!"
Adrienne reached up and ran a shaking finger along his jaw line. Her eyes were squinted and unfocused. She tried to open her mouth to speak but she could only muster a faint gurgling noise as blood poured from her lips.
Billie cried pressing her forehead against his own.
"Is... is everyone safe," she whispered as she took in deep rattling breathes.
"Yes... everyone's fine," sobbed Juliet as she fell to her sister's side. "And you're going to be ok as well... alright." Juliet's tears fell onto Adrienne's blood stained jacket as she tried to apply pressure to the wounds.
"I love you all," she whispered as she turned to look at her husband "I love you Billie Joe. I love you, Jakob and Joey with all my heart."
"I love you so much Adrienne," Billie sobbed. "Please just hold on. You have to stay strong."
Adrienne took one last shaky breathe and then lay still. Billie Joe screamed as he pulled her silent body to his chest.
"NO!" Juliet screamed. "Adi wake up, WAKE UP!" She shook her sister's lifeless shoulder in a vain attempt.
Adrienne's eyes which had once been so full of life now stared blankly across the room.
***
One week later
Juliet stood at the podium and stared across the sea of people. She stared to her left at Billie Joe and his two sons who sat close together tears streaming down their faces. Beside them sat her and Adrienne's parents. Her mother was blowing her nose into a handkerchief and her father stared straight ahead his eyes red and strained. Right in front of her sat the dark mahogany coffin that held her sister's body; it was surrounded with red and white roses. Juliet stared of into space for a moment in effort to keep her composure.
"Our fair city has been destroyed and ripped apart by civil war. Two families in constant battle for a goal that has been lost through the ages. Adrienne lies here today as a result of the constant bickering that paints our streets red with the blood of the innocent. I ask you today, is it all worth it? Are we truly so ignorant as to believe that this fighting has a purpose. Does the death of a Capulet or a Montague bring us any closer to what we are trying to achieve? I have lived here my entire life and I have seen this city brought to ruins. This city which once stood so proud and strong now lies in ashes and despair. I ask you not as a Montague, but as the friend, the cousin, the sister of the fallen to end your quarrel before the quarrel ends us. Let us cast down our weapons and end this once and for all."
"She's right" Juliet stared down at her father wide eyed. "She's right," he said louder so everyone could here. "Capulets and Montagues, we have lost our children and our loved ones for nothing. Let us end this today... it's... it's what Adrienne would have wanted."
"He's right!," said Tybalt as he took his gun from its holster and emptied the bullets onto the floor.
The church was suddenly filled with commotion as various people copied his actions, casting their weapons onto the floor.
Juliet smiled as tears ran down her face.
"For Adrienne!" she cried as she cast her handgun to the ground.
"For Adrienne,' repeated everyone else in the church.
Juliet coughed as she cleared her throat. She removed a piece of paper from her pocket and placed it on the wooden slate.
"We are two household both alike dignity
In fair Verona where we lay our scenes
From ancient grudge has broken out new mutiny
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A star crossed lover loses her life
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
Do with her death bury her parent's strife
The fearful passage of her death-mark'd love
And the continuance of her of her parents rage
Which, but their child's end nought could remove
Is now the two hours' traffic that takes up this stage
For never was there a story of such woe
Then that of Adrienne and her Billie Joe."
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