by Donna Raider
“The young man was so brave. He told me he had made his peace with God and was ready to die for his sister. I couldn’t do it. I just could not go into a surgery knowing I would be intentionally ending the life of another person.
“Of course, I discussed this with your wonderful daughter. We discuss everything—except wedding dates—and she asked me if there was any way to get a heart for the boy.
“I had contacted one of my best friends in England, a doctor, with whom I had studied at Harvard. I went into surgery, and he went into research in England. His research team has been very successful in the cloning of human hearts using stem cells from cloned embryos. They have been used successfully in over a thousand heart-replacement operations in other countries. I found out later that your brilliant daughter was the one who actually developed the process by which the proper cloning is possible.
“He and his team cloned a heart using stem cells from the boy’s sister. The only problem was the heart had to be transplanted within seven hours of maturity. No airlines on Earth could pick up the heart and get it to me in time.”
“So, I was standing by when it was ready.” Sara joined the storytelling. “I took it, left the hospital research lab, entered a service elevator where there were no cameras, and transported to Jennifer. She thought I used our private jet.”
“Timing is unbelievably crucial. The separation team began their surgery. I was standing by with an artificial heart just in case we were forced to use one.” Jennifer took up the story.
“We had it within thirty minutes of maturity, which gave us plenty of time to complete the separation and place the heart into the boy.” Jennifer smiled at her fiancée. “All I had to do was connect all the arteries, muscles, etc. That was four months ago. Both teenagers are doing great.”
“Wow!” Mika exclaimed.
“Exactly.” Jennifer smiled. “While there have been great advancements in artificial hearts, none have been developed that will sustain a long, healthy life.
“After the hospital held their news conference this morning, I was contacted by Homeland Security wanting to know how I smuggled the heart into the country.
“I have a meeting with them in the morning.”
“May we attend with you?” Mika asked. “I think we can help.”
“I would appreciate that so much,” Jennifer said, grimacing, “but I’m a big girl. I should handle this on my own.”
“Oh, it’s not so much for you, dear!” Leah exclaimed. “Our daughter is deeply involved. It is imperative that simple, believable information be provided for Homeland Security.”
Jennifer nodded. “Of course, you’re correct.”
The four dined, laughing and exchanging stories. Leah and Mika shared baby stories about Sara and some of her teenage antics. “She was no angel.” Leah laughed, then shrugged at her choice of words.
##
Mika made coffee as Leah led the women into the family area. “Leah made some awesome apple turnovers today. Anyone want one?” Mika offered,
“I do,” squealed Sara. “Queen Mommy makes the most awesome desserts. You have to try one,” she told Jennifer.
“Count me in,” the doctor agreed.
“Four, then?” the priest asked as she placed the coffee in front of them.
“Yes, dear.” Leah smiled at Mika.
“We have a private jet, the fastest made. It can make that trip in a little over five hours,” Mika began, after serving the dessert. “Leah will fix the necessary records, so it looks like it flew from London to New York on—what date?”
Jennifer supplied the date and time of the heart’s arrival.
“That should satisfy Homeland Security. Leah and I will be on hand to furnish copies of the flight plan and pilot’s records. She will say you contacted her, and she volunteered her jet.”
Everyone nodded that was a good solution.
“If Riley Rabbit showed up with her news crew, it would put Homeland Security in a bad light if it came out they were trying to arrest you for saving a teenager’s life,” Leah said thoughtfully.
Later, Sara and Jennifer waved bye as the elevator door closed.
Suddenly, Mika found herself in total darkness. Magic Leah was vibrating in her arms. Mika was standing on something soft and warm, carpet perhaps. She was naked, as was Leah. “Where are we?” Mika whispered.
Leah wrapped her arms around Mika and slowly pulled her down to the soft fur rugs. “The cave,” Leah said huskily. “I want to hear you scream.”
“Yes, my queen,” Mika gasped as she pulled Leah tighter against her and began kissing Leah with all the passion of one in love with a goddess. “Oh, yes.”
##
“I truly enjoyed dinner with your parents.” Jennifer laughed as she opened the door to her apartment and turned on the light.
“They like you very much.” Sara smiled as she leaned in to kiss her fiancée. “Mom loves the ring you gave me, as do I.”
“Your parents are something,” Jennifer added. “I have never met two people so much in love. You said they have been married over thirty years. They act like newlyweds. Mika really has it bad. Sometimes she isn’t even aware anyone else is at the table. Leah is her world.”
“Don’t kid yourself.” Sara laughed. “Queen Mommy is just as crazy about Mika. She can’t keep her hands off Mika. I am sure you noticed they give a whole new meaning to eye sex.”
“Yeah, I noticed that.” Jennifer exhaled sharply. “What’s with the occasional jerk from Mika? Does she have Tourette’s?” Jennifer frowned.
“That’s Queen Mommy getting her attention.” Sara laughed as she thought of how she had witnessed Mika’s sporadic jerking all her life. “She sends a little shock of electricity through Mika when she wants her to take an action or pay more attention to her.”
“That’s why she keeps her hand on Mika’s thigh.” Jennifer nodded as if everything had suddenly been made clear to her. “I also noticed that if she moves her hand, Mika quickly pulls it back where she had it.”
“Mika likes Mom to keep her hand on her leg,” Sara agreed.
“Can you do that?” Jennifer asked, curious about what her fiancée was capable of.
“I don’t know.” Sara laughed. “I’ve never tried it.” She leaned to kiss her fiancée again. “There is something I need to discuss with you.”
“Dates?” Jennifer raised her eyebrows questioningly.
“Yes.” Sara nodded. “I have an incredibly busy schedule over the next year. I don’t—”
“I don’t care.” Jennifer pulled her closer. “We can go to the justice of the peace and get married next week. I don’t need a big wedding.”
“No!” Sara stomped her foot.
“Is this a tantrum?” Jennifer laughed.
Sara had to laugh at herself for resorting to such a childish outbreak. “No. I just don’t want to look like we are hiding anything. I want a church wedding. It can be small, although nothing is ever small with my family. I am proud to be marrying famous heart surgeon Dr. Jennifer Jordon. I want the world to know I love you.”
Jennifer sat down on the sofa, pulling Sara into her lap. “But…?” She frowned. “I sense a ‘but’ coming.”
“Just hear me out,” Sara said. “I have to go on vacation with my parents this summer. It is something I must do. It is not open for discussion.
In September, I must go to Geneva for at least a month and then the tour of the countries. That will take six or more months. I will be transporting back and forth to help my mom and Mika as they oversee building the new research facility. Then there will be the job of equipping and staffing it. Of course, I will transport to you every opportunity I have. I love you.”
Jennifer looked down at Sara’s hand and touched her engagement ring. “Are you sure you have time in your life for me?”
“I will make time,” Sara cried. “You are the most important thing in my life, but we have things we must accomplish. Things our God wants us to do.”
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“Sara,” Jennifer said sadly, “with Carlie, I took second and even third place to everything else in her life. For once, I would like to be placed above all else.”
“You are,” Sara sobbed. “I love you above all things. I want to be with you. I want you with me. Please, just help me balance this seesaw on which I find myself right now.”
Jennifer gazed into the most soul-searching blue eyes she had ever seen. She knew she couldn’t stay away from the woman in her arms. “Tell me what you want me to do. I will do anything for you.” She kissed the young woman with all the pent-up passion in her. “Please don’t make me wait too long.”
##
The meeting with the Homeland Security agents was a circus. Leah had given Riley Rabbit an exclusive on the story, promising to have lunch with her after the meeting to answer any questions she might have.
“She just wants to have lunch with you,” Mika had grumbled as Leah put on her dangling earrings. “Those earrings are way too sexy,” Mika huffed. Her throat was still raspy from the way Leah had made her growl, scream, and plead the night before.
“They are for you, darling.” Leah rose on her tiptoes to kiss her. “Not Miss Rabbit. Do you want me to take them off?”
“No.” Mika pouted. “I will remove them myself later.”
“I was counting on that.” Leah smiled.
##
Three agents were waiting in Jennifer’s office when she arrived. They introduced themselves and flashed their credentials.
“How may I help you?” Jennifer smiled. She looked cool on the outside, but various organs on her insides were having a contest to see how fast they could make her throw up.
“This is pretty impressive.” The HS agent named Hanks pitched the newspaper onto her desk.
“Also, pretty illegal,” Agent Clown from the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health snapped at her.
Suddenly her door flew open, allowing Riley Rabbit and her film crew to swarm into her office, filling every available space. “Don’t mind us,” Riley directed, “we just want to get the complete story on this ground-breaking operation.”
“Dr. Jordon.” Leah flowed gracefully into the office with the separated twins and their parents. Then Priest Mika slipped in, wearing her most impressive priest garb. Mika had added a cross around her neck, something she rarely did. “We came to drop off these documents you thought you might need. Air traffic controller stuff,” the actress said as she waved her hand in the air, “or something like that.
“You are to be commended for saving this wonderful boy’s life.” Leah pulled the teenage boy front and center for the camera. “What a remarkable young man. I believe you told me he said he had made his peace with God and was ready to die for his sister.”
“Yes.” Jennifer fought to keep the smile from her face. Damn, she is good, she thought.
“And here are the parents.” Leah pulled the father and mother beside the boy along with his sister. “Miss Rabbit, you probably want to ask these people some questions.”
Leah slipped away to stand beside Mika while the parents praised and thanked Jennifer for all she had done to save their son. Then they started shaking the hands of the three agents, telling them what a wonderful country America was and how nice it was of the government to honor Dr. Jordon.
“Sir, what is your name?” Riley asked as she placed her microphone in front of the children’s father.
“I am President Alajuha Frohman of Baha—” The man was interrupted as one of the agents jumped to his feet.
Riley was impressive. She shoved the microphone into the agent’s face and said, “Agent… I am sorry. I didn’t get your name or the department you represent.”
“We were just leaving,” the agent growled. “We just wanted to thank Dr. Jordon for her outstanding work and helping to further international relations.” The three agents almost ran from the office. Leah shoved the flight information into the hands of one of them.
“As long as we are here,” Riley said, smiling into the camera, “with the beautiful star of Marked for Murder Leah Redman, I have a rumor I would like to lay to rest.” She moved so the microphone was between her and Leah. “Is it true that you are leaving Marked for Murder?” she blurted out.
Without hesitating, Leah smiled her most gracious smile. “That is not true,” the actress said. “I am taking the summer off to spend time with my family. I will be back on the set and ready to work in October.
“I do have a real scoop for you, Miss Rabbit.” Leah smiled at the reporter. “Mika and I are expecting a baby. I will be taking off for that happy occasion, but I can guarantee your viewers that they will see my face on Marked for Murder for a very long time.”
“You saw it first here, folks.” Riley beamed into the camera. “Leah Redman is pregnant.
“That’s a wrap, fellows, pack up and let’s move on to our next assignment.”
“Thank you so much, Riley.” Leah smiled at the woman as she moved toward the door. “Call me when you have time for lunch.”
“Yeah, sure.” Riley frowned. Babies weren’t exactly her cup of tea. “Thanks for the scoop.”
As Jennifer’s office emptied out, the doctor walked to Leah and hugged her enthusiastically. “You are marvelous. I understand why Sara adores you.”
“Thank you.” Leah laughed. “That is quite a compliment coming from my future daughter-in-law.”
Mika’s cell phone rang. “The church.” She frowned slightly. “Gotta go. Lunch, darling?” She smiled at Leah.
“I can’t wait.” Leah looked delighted.
The priest kissed her wife and bid Jennifer good day.
“Do you have time to visit for a minute?” Jennifer asked hesitantly.
“Of course, dear.” Leah settled in the visitors’ chair in front of the doctor’s desk.
“I… I, uh…” Dr. Jordon seemed unable to find the words to begin. How do I tell my fiancée’s mother that I am going crazy over her daughter? she thought.
“You want to talk to me about Sara,” Leah said knowingly.
“Yes.” Jennifer nodded. “She seems hesitant to set a date. She has all these excuses for putting off our marriage. I’m not looking forward to a long engagement. I know I love her.”
Leah nodded. “Mika and I were engaged for two years before we married. We abstained for two years because she was waiting for permission from the church to marry me. I would have slept with her the second night we were together. I knew within twenty-four hours I wanted Mika in my life forever.
“Rumors began to circulate that we were sleeping together. Truth is Mika did spend every night in my home. Not in my bed, but on my sofa. I was going through a very difficult time in my life and her presence calmed me. When she learned of the rumors, Mika was extremely distraught. Mika gave me an engagement ring and went before her congregation to tell them that I had accepted her proposal of marriage.
“Then she told them she had heard the rumors and assured them there had not been, nor would there ever be any use of carnal knowledge between us until we were wed.
“I have to admit, it was hard, but worth it. We didn’t go against Mika’s beliefs and obeyed her God’s rules and our lives have been pure bliss.
“My daughter is very beautiful. She has dated many men through college and her work, but nothing serious. You are her first true love.
“I know it is unusual to find a twenty-five-year-old virgin in this day and age, but that is what you have in my daughter. Give her time; I can assure you she will be worth the wait. She is passionate, like Mika.
“I honestly don’t know how Mika maintained her self-control during our engagement. I think that maybe the fact that she was a virgin had something to do with it. I am not sure she could do it now.”
“A virgin,” Jennifer gasped. “Priest Mika was a virgin. Isn’t she ancient, like two thousand years old or something?”
“Yes.” Leah laughed. “She knew what she was
looking for and settled for nothing less. Thank God it was me.”
“But you weren’t so pure. Sara said you had been married and had a relationship with a woman.”
“Yes,” the beautiful actress answered. “In the past—before Mika—I had taken many lovers. They meant nothing to me, just serviced my needs. My biggest regret is that I didn’t come to my wife as pure as she came to me. I strive every minute of every day to let Mika know how much I love her. She is my life. I’d rather be dead than live without her.”
“I know how you feel.” Jennifer nodded. “Sara is going to spend her summer with you and the family. Three months without seeing her. Maybe I can join you? I can’t stand the thought of being away from her for three months.”
“Why don’t you discuss it with Sara? Can you be away from the hospital that long?” Leah asked.
“I will do anything to be with her,” Jennifer said softly. “I will take a leave of absence. I haven’t had a vacation in five years. I have been obsessed with my work, and Carlie didn’t want to take time away from hers.”
“Were there other lovers before Carlie?” Leah inquired.
“No. I met Carlie when she was shot, and I treated her in the ER. It was my first year out of med school,” Jennifer volunteered. “I thought I was in love, but the feelings I have for Sara are so much more, so completely consuming.”
Leah nodded. “I understand.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
“How would you feel about Jennifer coming to Texas with us?” Leah pulled the sheet over her and settled against Mika’s shoulder.
Mika laid down the folder she was reading and leaned over to kiss her wife. “I am okay with it. What do you think?”
“If Sara wants her to, I think she should.” Leah snuggled closer into Mika’s side. “She’s going to be a member of the family; she needs to hear and see what we are going to do with the children.”
Mika nodded. “Should we let Sara know it’s okay to bring Jennifer? We certainly have plenty of space.”
“I think so,” Leah said. “What were you reading?”
“Rachel’s white paper on quantum tunneling and instantaneous travel. Leah, your children are so brilliant.”