by Donna Raider
“Queen Mommy, Mika,” Sara and Adam greeted their parents with smiles and hugs. Amber and Jennifer were all smiles too. Sara sat down next to Leah and hugged her shoulders.
As if summoned, Joe arrived, pouring wine for everyone but Leah. “Penta water,” he said. “The purest water made.”
Mika knew he was right. It wasn’t the most expensive, but the purest. Just to be safe, she took the bottle and poured her wife’s water. Now she knew it was pure.
Leah had almost gone into a fit when she discovered that states allowed a certain amount of arsenic in bottled water. “Don’t they know what arsenic can do to babies?” she had cried. From that time forward, Mika had purified her water before she drank it.
Leah glanced around the table, noticing Jennifer’s ring and the ring Amber wore. Both rings were uniquely beautiful, but she could tell her eldest children had collaborated on them.
Adam cleared his throat nervously. “We wanted to talk with you about our wedding plans.” His eyes danced as he glanced at Amber and then his sister.
“We have decided on a date for our double wedding, and we hope it’s okay with you,” Sara addressed her mother more than Mika.
Leah nodded, encouraging them to continue.
“May first,” they blurted out in unison.
“Six weeks.” Leah smiled. “That is perfect.”
Jennifer was pleased to see how easily Leah accepted the short notice. She jerked as she thought that she hadn’t even informed her mother of her plans. Her mother had never liked Carlie. She wondered if she would like Sara. Who wouldn’t like Sara? she thought. She made a mental note to call her mother tomorrow. She hadn’t told them about marrying and divorcing Carlie. They had always considered Carlie a phase she would outgrow.
The rest of the evening was spent planning the wedding. Amber, Sara, and Jennifer agreed on everything right down to the colors and flower arrangements. Joe was turning down the lights as he tried to encourage other diners to leave. It was way past closing time. “You stay as long as you want,” he said as he smiled at Leah. “I’ll be cleaning up, so there is no rush.”
“We are going to take a week off immediately following the wedding to go on a short honeymoon,” Jennifer informed them. “Any ideas on great honeymoon spots?”
“Mika,” Adam said, clearing his throat, “I thought that maybe you would let Amber and me borrow the boat.”
It took all the self-control Mika possessed to keep from yelping when Leah sent a bolt of electricity through her. Mika bowed her head to hide the salacious smile that danced on her lips.
“No,” Mika said slowly, “but would you allow your mother and me to make arrangements for you to use a sailboat for your honeymoon? It would be our gift to you.”
“That would be awesome.” Adam laughed. Somehow, he had suspected Mika and Leah would be reluctant to share their yacht, and he understood. It had always been their private place.
“How about you two?” Mika directed her question to Sara and Jennifer. “Want to honeymoon on a yacht?”
“Yes, that would be perfect.” Jennifer nodded. “Unless you had something else in mind?” She turned to her fiancée.
“That would be extremely secluded.” Sara tilted her head as if trying to figure out why so much privacy was needed.
Her mother leaned over and whispered something in her ear. Sara’s eyes opened wide. “Oh,” the blonde goddess gasped. “I…I didn’t know…”
“I am thankful for that.” The gorgeous brunette raised her eyebrows at Jennifer and smiled at her daughter.
##
In the shadows, across the street, Latimore Cruzar watched the happy family as they laughed and talked. He wondered why they were so happy. Oh, yeah, they don’t know Priest Mika Cross is about to die, he thought.
He had been following Cross for weeks, trying to determine the priest’s routine. The truth was the priest had no routine, except for locking herself in her office every day from noon to two.
In March, Cross and her wife had disappeared for two weeks. Cruzar had tried everything to find them, but they had just disappeared from the face of the Earth.
He had followed Cross to the twin towers where the entire family lived but could find no way to access the tower used by the Cross family. He had tried to pretend he was a resident of the tower, but an armed doorman had forcibly restrained him from going any further than the first set of entrance doors. The doorman assured him he did not live in the tower, perhaps the other one, the man had insisted. There was no way to enter the parking garage. It was totally enclosed. The only way in or out was through a solid iron gate that slid open when the Cross family cars entered. It instantly closed as the vehicle passed it.
He had tried to find floorplans for the towers, but neither one had ever been filed, or the city secretary’s office had lost them over the years. No one seemed to know how old the Cross Towers were.
On many occasions, he had watched the priest’s office, waiting for her to leave work, only to see her walking to work the next morning. It plagued his mind that he hadn’t seen the priest leave her office.
Although he had been watching Cross for some time, he knew nothing about the priest except that she was a devoted spouse and parent. He wasn’t even certain how he was going to kill her, but he was certain he would. His employer had placed the highest price imaginable on the beautiful priest’s head. The price he was being paid for killing Priest Cross and the Pope was enough to buy a small country. He planned to retire and enjoy the rest of his life. Two more kills added to a long list of murders. Cruzar had no idea how many people he had sent to the afterlife, and frankly, he didn’t care.
##
It was after midnight when the Cross family moved their little party from Vincent’s to Cross Tower. The elevator stopped on the newly engaged children’s respective floors as they bid one another good night.
“Finally.” Mika exhaled sharply as the elevator doors opened into their penthouse. She quickly caught Leah in her arms and kissed her soft, sweet lips.
“How about a nightcap, Priest?”
Mika nodded. Leah only called her “priest” when she was in trouble or when she was fantasizing about making love to a woman of God. Right now, she was certain it wasn’t the latter.
Mika carried her glass of wine and Leah’s water to the living room, where she was seated on the sofa. Mika sat down beside her and took a sip of her wine. Leah pulled Mika’s head down for a kiss. “I love the taste of wine on your lips.” She grinned. “It tastes so much sweeter that way.”
Good, she isn’t furious with me, Mika thought.
“A May first wedding,” Mika said, watching her eyes to make certain she was truly okay with the marriage of their eldest twins. “Are you okay with that?”
“I am.” Leah smiled slightly. “Are you?”
Mika nodded.
“I wanted to thank you for not sharing our boat.” Her eyes darkened. “I don’t mean to be selfish, I just…”
“It’s our special place,” Mika said, smiling, “like the cave. We won’t be sharing that either.”
Leah smiled in agreement.
Mika finished her wine, slipped off her shoes, and shifted to lay her head in Leah’s lap. Leah looked down at Mika. Mika looked so young. Her looks were deceiving. Mika was far older than anyone she had ever met. She knew that Mika’s innocent baby face gave her a distinct advantage in many of her dealings. People often underestimated her and her abilities. Mika’s eyes opened wide.
“I can hear their hearts beat,” she whispered as if a sudden sound might make them stop. “Two.” She beamed.
Leah leaned down and kissed Mika’s soft lips.
“What did you tell Sara about honeymooning on a boat?” Mika pressed her ear tighter against Leah’s stomach, smiling at the steady rhythm of the tiny heartbeats.
Leah laughed. “I told her out in the middle of the ocean, one could scream as loud as one wished. I was pleased to see it took her a minute to fig
ure it out.”
“You know, in a penthouse, one can scream as loud as one wishes too,” Mika noted.
“That is a theory we should reconfirm.” Leah smiled as she leaned down to kiss Mika again.
##
“Elbert,” Rose Jordon called for her husband, “come quickly. I am putting you on the speakerphone, dear, so your father can hear too.”
“Hi baby girl,” her father used his usual term of endearment for Jennifer. “How is the world’s greatest heart surgeon today?”
“I am great, Dad.” Jennifer couldn’t keep the excitement from her voice. “I am more than great. I am awesomely happy.”
“Sounds like love to me,” her mother said hopefully.
“Actually, that is why I am calling.” Jennifer rushed ahead, not giving her parents a chance to comment. “I am getting married May first and would like to fly you out next week to meet my fiancée and her family before the wedding.”
The total silence on the other end of the phone told her that her parents were digesting the information she had just thrown at them. She waited.
“May first,” her mother finally said. “That is barely more than a month. How long have you known each other?”
“Three years,” Jennifer answered.
“Who did you say you are marrying?” Rose asked.
“Her name is Sara Cross,” Jennifer said patiently. “You will love her.”
“And you are getting married in a church?” Her mother’s disapproval was palpable. “Is she Catholic?”
“Yes,” Jennifer said.
“You want us to be there?” Elbert sounded as if she had asked him to jump into an active volcano.
“Yes, of course I want you to be here. You are my parents.” Jennifer exhaled the breath she had been holding.
“I don’t know if we can get away,” her mother began to make excuses. “We will need to get a pet sitter for Sal and Mandy. I don’t have anything to wear.”
“We will call you back, sweetheart,” her father said, and the line went dead.
Jennifer looked up at Sara. “I didn’t expect this reaction,” she said softly. “I was with` with Carlie for so long; I thought they had gotten over their homophobia. They didn’t like the way Carlie treated me. They never liked Carlie, but they tolerated her and were always nice to her. They never knew we were married.”
“It will be okay.” Sara pulled her into her arms, stroked her hair, and down her back. “Living with a woman is one thing, but marrying a woman is another thing entirely. Give them a little time to get used to the idea.”
##
Two days passed and Jennifer’s parents hadn’t called her back. Sara was concerned. She didn’t want anything to disrupt the happiness of their marriage. She decided to discuss it with her mother.
Leah was standing on the set while Haley touched up her makeup. Sara watched from the shadows. She thanked God every day for her parents. It hurt her to see Jennifer’s hurt over her parents’ slight.
Leah began to speak her lines. She didn’t just speak them, she lived them. Sara watched, mesmerized by her mother’s perfect impersonation of the detective she was playing. No wonder she wins so many Emmys, Sara thought. She is spellbinding.
When the director called “cut,” Sara realized she had been holding her breath, watching her beautiful mother deliver an exceptional performance. Without realizing what she was doing, she began to clap her hands. The actress certainly deserved applause.
Leah whirled toward the sound of the applause and smiled broadly as she realized her daughter had been watching her. “Sara.” She quickly reached her daughter and hugged her tightly. “What a wonderful surprise.” She caught Sara’s hand and led her to her dressing room. “Have a seat on the sofa. Give me a few minutes to change, and we can go for a drink. I am parched. Well, you can have a drink. I’ll just have water.”
Almost as if on cue, Mika appeared in the dressing room, facing her wife. Mika didn’t see her daughter. She stepped toward her wife, pulling Leah into her arms. Leah kissed Mika briefly, then pushed her away.
Mika raised her eyebrows. “I believe you lost the bet, and you promised me…”
“Darling,” her wife said sharply, “we have company.”
“Oooh.” She sighed softly before slowly turning to see who their audience was. Lord, Mika is cute, Leah thought. She couldn’t stop the smile that lit her face at Mika’s reaction. I will be keeping that promise, she thought.
“Sara, sweetheart, is everything okay?” Mika’s initial thought was always to check to see if her children were all right.
“Not really, Mika.” She frowned. “I am glad you are here too.”
“What is it, dear?” Her mother sat down beside her and put a protective arm around her shoulders.
“The reaction of Jennifer’s parents to our wedding invitation wasn’t exactly a good one.” Sara grimaced as she told her parents what had happened.
“What did they say when they called back?” her mother asked.
“They didn’t call back.” Sara looked as if she would cry. “Jennifer is very hurt over their treatment of her. She is their only child. It isn’t as if they haven’t known for years she was a lesbian.”
“I am certain they will approve once they meet you.” Leah smiled encouragingly. “To know you is to love you, my precious little girl.”
“I am afraid not everyone is as accepting and loving as you and Mika,” Sara pointed out.
“Why don’t you give them until tomorrow evening and if they don’t call back, call them again?” Mika suggested.
“That is really all we can do,” Sara agreed. “I just want everything to be perfect for Jennifer. She has been so patient.”
“Mika, darling, please bring me some water.” Leah frowned. “I feel a little queasy. These two certainly haven’t been as easy as you and Adam.” She smiled at her daughter as she lightly touched her stomach.
“Maybe we should skip the drink and let you go home and get some rest.” Sara’s concern for her mother showed in her eyes.
“Perhaps you’re right, dear.” Leah hugged her daughter. “We’ll talk later.”
Mika closed the door behind her daughter. “What was that all about?” she asked. Mika knew her wife was feeling fine.
“You and I are about to make a visit to Jennifer’s parents.” Leah smiled as she dressed them in their Sunday best. “My, Priest, you are so lovely. I know why church attendance has almost doubled since you have been here.”
“I don’t even come close to your beauty, my queen.” Mika leaned down to kiss her. When Mika opened her eyes, she found herself standing on the front porch of a rambling ranch house in Hemet, California.
“I will not allow Jennifer’s parents to spoil our daughter’s wedding.” Leah smiled as she knocked on the door.
“I agree.” Mika nodded as footsteps approached the door.
An older version of Jennifer opened the door and stared at them as if seeing a ghost. “Yes?” she asked hesitantly.
“Mrs. Jordon.” Leah smiled her sweetest smile.
It was always a joy to watch her when she turned on the charm. Mika knew Elbert and Rose Jordon didn’t stand a chance.
“Yes.” The woman nodded again.
“My name is Leah—”
“Elbert, come here,” the woman screamed as if Leah had thrown hot water on her. “You’re not going to believe this.”
A slight-built man with salt-and-pepper hair ran into the living room, skidding to a stop beside his wife. “Rose, what on earth is wrong?”
“I think I am hallucinating,” Rose whispered to her husband. “I think Leah Redman is standing on our porch.”
Leah chuckled softly. The soft, sensual sound she used when melting any resistance she might meet. “Believe me, Mrs. Jordon, I am no hallucination.”
“Invite them in,” Elbert ordered. “Don’t just leave them standing outside.” The man reached around his wife and opened the door, motioning for them to com
e in.
“I am so sorry we didn’t call ahead.” Leah’s voice oozed honey. “We had an unexpected flight layover in Ontario, and since we are so close, we thought it would be nice to meet Jennifer’s parents before the wedding.”
“Miss Redman,” Rose gushed.
“Please, call me Leah. After all, we are going to be family.” The gorgeous actress smiled her most enchanting smile.
“This is Sara’s other mother, Mika. Our real name is Cross. Redman is just a stage name.”
“Oh my God,” Rose gasped as she looked at Mika. “You both are so gorgeous.”
“Please forgive my wife.” Elbert smiled. “Come in and sit down. May we offer you something to drink, water, tea, soft drink?”
“Water would be wonderful.” Leah smiled, putting them both at ease.
“I would like water also,” Mika added.
“Jennifer is marrying your daughter?” Elbert said after bringing them water.
“Yes, we are so pleased.” Leah nodded. “Your daughter is quite remarkable.”
“Jennifer told us what you did when the Homeland Security people tried to railroad her for saving that boy’s life,” Rose spoke, in awe of the beautiful TV star. “We saw it on that special report by that investigative reporter, um…Riley something or other.”
“Wasn’t that the most ridiculous thing you ever saw?” Leah smiled. “Only an insane government would prosecute a doctor for saving a life.”
“It was pretty incredible,” Elbert agreed.
“How do feel about your daughter marrying another woman?” Rose directed her question to Mika.
“I love my daughter and your daughter.” Mika smiled. “One isn’t defined by their sexuality. We are defined by our accomplishments and our commitment to God. Jennifer is a brilliant heart surgeon and Sara is a world-renowned geneticist. They both love God. They live their lives by the Ten Commandments. That is how I feel.”
“Jennifer said the two of you might come for a visit before the wedding so our families can get to know each other.” Leah sipped her water. “Mika and I have plenty of extra space and would love to have you stay with us.