Every pair of eyes in the room homes in on me. I am once again the dual-headed human. “Well, it seems a reasonable question. How was it ever tested?”
No one responds.
Finally, Sabin says, “Serena, how would you propose we do that? If it works, no one would be left alive to say, ‘Oh, well, now we know it does what it’s supposed to.’”
“Good point. So I guess we have to go on the assumption that it does.”
I get no response, because none is needed.
“Serena, you know the stone possesses certain qualities. It’s a given that there has to be something powerful about it.”
He’s right. When I would wear that thing, it was almost creepy in a way. But it also made me feel … confident.
“We protect it and will continue to do so.”
Our serious conversation is broken up by a ruckus outside the room and then Walter shoots in the room like a rocket, with Graylyn on his heels, yelling something about how she’s going to transcend him into the next galaxy. She screeches to a halt, and says, “Oh, my apologies, L’han. Miss,” and does her little bow. Then she resumes her cursing of Walter under her breath as she chases him.
Rafe bends down and snatches him up, only to find he has a pair of my panties in his mouth. Dammit, Walter! Rafe finagles them out of his mouth and dangles them by a finger. “These belong to anyone?”
Edge says, “They’re not mine.”
Verus is next. “Nope. Not mine.”
“I don’t recognize them,” Helios says, grinning.
Drey shakes his head saying, “Not my color.”
Drustus walks up to Rafe, bends down to get a closer look, and says, “Nah, can’t say they’re mine.”
Sabin walks over to Rafe, holds out his hand, and Rafe drops them into it. “While I can’t claim them as my own, I will claim them, because the true owner has consented to marry me, and I suppose that gives me certain rights where her panties are concerned. Oh, and there’s something else. Serena and I are having a baby.” His hand automatically covers my belly, where it always seems to end up lately. He is going to be a very protective father. I can already tell.
A huge shout goes up in the room and then all the men congratulate us. While all this is taking place, Walter runs in a circle and happily urinates over everyone’s feet. I imagine that’s his way of celebrating.
If we thought there were questions before, now they ambush us. But the best one of all is Edge’s.
“Serena, I hope you’ll let me be your man of honor.”
If a pin were dropped, it would be heard, it is that quiet. But then I say, “I wouldn’t have any other, Edge.” Before I know it, he gives me one of his bone-crushing hugs, while Sabin reminds him I just got over my broken ribs.
Then all the guys ask him if he’s going to wear a dress. He says he’ll wear anything I want him to. That’s some kind of friend.
Sabin and I decide to get married the following week. It’s only the The Seven, the next best thing to a minister he can find, Graylyn, and Kernell. Walter is there, too, but I’ve put a diaper on him. I can’t have him peeing on my dress. It’s only a simple white long silk gown, and it’s very plain, but I won’t have my puppy ruining the dress I wear for my wedding.
Verus walks me down the short makeshift aisle on the terrace, and Rafe is Sabin’s best man. Edge is mine and he grins during the brief ceremony. At the end when the minister, or whatever he’s called, proclaims that we’re married, Edge almost shoves Sabin out of the way to hug me. I have to remind Edge that Sabin kisses me first as Sabin glowers at him. Edge has the decency to look like a scolded child. Walter barks and tries to pull his little diaper off.
“Edge, as man of honor, you need to take care of Walter.”
“Oh, right.”
While he grabs Walter, Sabin gets his long awaited kiss in as I giggle at the whole thing.
Then a thought fires up in my head. “Hey, I have a question,” I say, pulling away from him.
“Hmm,’ he says, pulling me back.
“What am I? Mrs. Sabin?”
He stops and starts laughing. Hard laughing. “No, we don’t use those titles here. You are simply Serena. Or, Serena of The House of Lhu’hantran.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes. Did you want more?”
“No, but how will everyone know I’m yours?”
“Oh, they’ll know. Have no worries about that.”
Then he kisses me and I guess I’ll just go with what he says, because I’m not gonna lie, I’m pretty crazy about this man. And what can I say? He hasn’t steered me wrong yet.
Epilogue
Sabin
Serena stands with her hand on her hip, a very luscious hip, I should add. “Are you sure about this?”
“I’m positive. I wouldn’t suggest it if I wasn’t sure.”
“And it’s safe. I won’t have to worry about staying on Earth because honestly, I really love Nyan’trua.”
Grabbing her, I pull her into my arms. “I’m glad you love it here. No, you would not have to stay there. I only brought it up to see if you wanted to have a little fun. You know, get back at those douche wipes who fucked with you all those years.”
She taps her toe as she thinks. Then a toothy grin appears on her face. “I think I’d like that.” But then her eyes darken and narrow. “You’re not going to kill any of them, are you?”
The thought has actually crossed my mind, but I’ve backed down from that. “No, sweetheart, not unless you want me to.”
“Sabin, you know the answer to that. I couldn’t live with myself. I mean they did bully me all through elementary, junior high, and high school, but I still don’t want them to die for it.”
“Then you have nothing to worry about. But I might teach them a lesson or two, especially with regard to your hair. You know how I am about your hair.”
Her infectious mega-watt grin is back. “Oh, I know. I might be doing a little teaching too.”
Two days later, we show up at a reunion her high school class holds every year. Serena wears a form fitting deep green dress that I hope can last the night without me tearing it off her. You can’t tell she’s pregnant yet, as her belly is as flat as a board. Her mahogany waves hang loose down her back, and her shoes … I’ll have to keep my eyes off them. They’re sky-high pumps and have fuck me written all over them.
“Quit drooling,” she teases.
“Not a chance. If you didn’t want me to drool, you should’ve worn ruffles up to your neck.” Right as I say that, we walk into the party room and some chick is sporting a ruffled blouse that buttons all the way up to her chin. Serena’s bubbly laughter fills my head.
Serena grabs my hand and drags me over to the table where you can fill out nametags. They’re the peel-off kind and I stare at them, aghast.
“What the hell?”
“Just go with it.”
She’s written “Serena Callahan” on hers, and “Mr. Sabin Callahan” on mine. I shake my head.
“You could at least put a little smiley face on mine.”
She grabs mine back from me and does exactly that. When she places it on my chest, she leans in and says, “Have I ever told you how sexy you are in black?”
“Yes, but don’t let that stop you from saying it again.”
I score a kiss for that comment. Then I hear, “Excuse me, are you part of this group? This is the Magnolia High School Annual Reunion party.”
It’s some sour-faced woman, but Serena says, “Yeah, we are. And you are?”
“Do I know you? I’m Lauren Lincolnwood. I was class president. And you are?” She sneers.
“I’m Serena Callahan, just like the name tag says. And this is my husband, Sabin. I think I remember you, Lauren. Didn’t you used to say nasty things on the bus to me? Call me really ugly names? Tell me I smell?” Serena’s smile is wide and perfect. She’s beautiful and confident, while this Lauren chick is not.
“I, uh, well, I … “
/> Serena pats her on the cheek! On the fucking cheek like she would a child. “It’s okay, Lauren. I mean, come on. The past is the past, right?” She uses this sing song voice and she gives her hand a little wave as she leans in closer to Lauren. “How has life treated you? Good, I hope?” Lauren looks like she’s been struck by lightening. “Well, I’ve got to move along. My husband here will need his hourly dose of sex soon so I need to make the rounds fast. Isn’t that right, lover boy?”
I smile and say in the sexiest voice I can muster, “You’d better believe it, and who can blame me?” I look at that Lauren girl and mouth, “Isn’t she hot?” motioning toward Serena. Lauren’s jaw drops as I pull Serena next to me and kiss her. I can hear Lauren gasp as we move away. Serena giggles.
“One down, a few more to go.”
“You were awesome. I love the little cheek pat.”
“Yeah, I did, too. I think I’ll use that on those asshole boys. I’m sure some of them won’t have hair.”
As we circulate, I can see all the men giving Serena the eye. And I mean the body scan. We get to the bar where I get us sparkling waters, and a man sidles up to her other side and starts chatting with her.
“Do I know you?” he asks.
She checks him out from head to toe and I want to laugh. The dude is classic. Khaki pants and a button down shirt that’s so tight it looks like the buttons are going to pop. He’s obviously put on a few but hasn’t updated his shirts to accommodate his new girth. He’s an eyeful. But his stand out feature is the comb-over hair-do. The dude is on fire. It’s the worst comb-over I’ve ever seen.
“As a matter of fact, I think you do. It’s been a long time, Jeremy. You used to cut off chunks of my hair in class and on the bus. Serena Callahan here and this is my husband Sabin.” She extends her hand and he stands there with his jaw on the floor.
He finally discovers his voice and says, “Uh, Serena, you’ve changed.”
My nostrils flare because this is one of the assholes that fucked with my wife’s hair and made her cry. My eyes pin him and he knows. He knows I recognize him for the bully he is, or used to be. And this little prick wouldn’t stand a chance against me.
Serena puts her hand on my arm.
“So you remember me, Jeremy.”
Jeremy eyes Serena and slowly nods.
She starts in her sing-songy voice again and I know this is going to be good.
“So Jeremy, what’s been happening with you? Are you married?”
He nods again and croaks out, “I married Lauren. Lauren Lincolnwood.”
Oh, this is gonna be good.
Serena claps her hands like an adolescent. “Really. How wonderful! I was just having a lovely chat with Lauren and she never mentioned you.” Serena makes a moue with her mouth. “Tell me you’ve given up your bullying ways, Jeremy. See, the thing is, you live in this small town so you think you’re a big fish in a small pond. But the world is a huge place these days and small towns change, Jeremy. You know what else? When you bullied me every day—wrote nasty things on the backs of my blouses and cut off my hair—I was unable to fight back, but that’s not the case anymore.” She leans in close with her hand on his chest and says, “I know how to fight, Jeremy, but the truth is, I don’t have the time or energy to waste on things like that.”
Jeremy only stares.
“I hope you’ve matured over the years and become a better person.” She stands back and pats the top of his head. The entire comb-over shifts, and now he looks even more ridiculous. “Whoa, use a little product there, huh, Jeremy?”
I can’t help the snicker that escapes.
“You know, you’re a lot quieter than you used to be. You have kids, right?”
He nods.
“There’s something I want you to do. I want you to teach your kids not to bully. Do you understand?”
He shakes his head up and down.
“Good. You’d better be a very good teacher. In fact, I want you to spearhead an anti-bullying campaign in town. Do I make myself clear? I want you to take the lead. And Jeremy, I’ll be checking up on you. See my husband behind me? He will, too. We’ll follow up to make sure this is an ongoing thing, because no one deserves to be treated the way I was in school. Sometimes being different is good. Don’t you agree?”
He nods.
She leans in and kisses me. “Thanks for the drink, babe. I think we need to leave Jeremy to his own.”
“You were very poised, there. I knew I loved you for a good reason.”
“I love you, too. Hey, I’ve had enough of this place. I mean, look around here. Check these people out. Is it just me, or do you feel like you’re trapped in an episode of The Brady Bunch? I mean look at the hair in this room.”
“Sweetheart, I would agree with you if I knew what The Brady Bunch was. But …” I hold up my hands in surrender.
“Oh, I forgot. I was forced to watch those awful reruns with my mother. Ugh. It was a TV show from back in the ‘70’s. The hair and the clothes … just ick. And to think these idiots made fun of me.”
“Those were my thoughts when I got a good look around here. But there’s one thing I need to do before we leave here. What are all the names of the douches who cut your gorgeous tresses?”
“Why? You’re not going to do anything crazy, are you?”
“Depends. But if you mean bodily harm, then, no.”
“Okay. Well, there was Jeremy, Randy, and Jessie.”
“Point out Randy and Jessie, please.”
She does and I tell her to have a seat at the bar and I’ll be back. In about fifteen minutes, I return with Jeremy, Randy, and Jessie in tow. They all come up to Serena and apologize, but she has a hard time keeping a straight face. There’s a good reason for this. All three of them are completely bald. I’ve taken the liberty of shaving their heads. But here’s the thing. They have no idea. I’ve sort of put them in a little trance. When they come out of it and look in the mirror, they’ll get the biggest shock and so will their significant others when they see them. For Jeremy, it’ll be an improvement. But the others, they had thick heads of hair. They won’t be happy. Oh, and I forgot to mention. I didn’t shave them clean. I did a sloppy job of it. Left spots here and there so they look rather mangy.
After they walk away, Serena says, “Good thing you’re not a hair stylist.”
I laugh at the image they make from the back. “They deserve worse, but I wish I could hear everyone’s remarks.”
“Yeah. I’m sure they’re catty. Let’s get out of here for good.”
As we walk out into the moonlit night, I grab her and ask, “You’re not sorry you left, are you?”
“Not in a million years. I wouldn’t trade my life with you for anything.”
“Okay, last stop. You ready for this one?” I ask.
She rubs her hands together. “Oh, you bet.” Then we transcend to the front porch of her parents house.
We walk in, and her mom sits on the recliner and her dad on the couch. Neither of them bother getting off their asses to hug or greet Serena.
“Hi, Mom and Dad. I was in town for the reunion and I wanted to stop by to introduce my husband.”
Her mom’s expression is priceless. I know I have an effect on women, but I don’t pay much attention to it. After a while, it got old, and I was over it. But the scrutiny her mom gives me is something else. I don’t think her mouth closes for a full five minutes.
Then I turn on my charm, by using all sorts of mind reading and trancing. I don’t totally trance her. I only get her to agree with nearly everything I say and have her eating out of my hand.
Serena’s dad doesn’t stand a chance either. Of course, in all fairness, he’s a spineless human to begin with, so he is easily manipulated.
Our visit’s ultimate moment for Serena is when she shows her mother pictures of our home. But then says it’s in another country and she won’t be coming home very often to visit.
“And oh, Mom, I have tons of servants and
a top-notch chef that prepares the most amazing dishes. You wouldn’t believe what Kernell comes up with. Isn’t that right, honey?”
I kiss her and say, “Yes, dear, Kernell is the best.”
When we get up to leave, Serena promises to tell her mom when the baby arrives.
“Baby?”
“Oh, I forgot to tell you. I’m pregnant. Well, we have to go. Our private jet is waiting.”
We say our good-byes and leave. Serena told me we wouldn’t have to worry about not having a car. They don’t get out of their seats to say good-bye to notice.
Once outside, I ask her again, “You sure you don’t miss your life here?”
“You’re not serious, are you? Did you look at them and see the love?”
She’s right. There was none. But I wasn’t referring to that. “I am a little serious. I mean you loved diving. Would you trade what you have for another dive here?”
“Not even a gazillion dives here. I have the most important thing standing right before me and inside of me.” She rests her hands on her belly. “And all the dives in the universe can’t even come close. Now let’s go home, husband.”
And that’s all I needed to hear. As long as Serena’s by my side, my life is complete.
Six months later, Serena and I are sitting by the pool when she goes into labor. Giving birth on Nyan’trua is much easier than on Earth. The medical advances have found a way to block the pain without the use of drugs. Within a short time, our daughter is born. Then I realize I will have to protect two females, and the idea of that turns me into an overwrought, agitated husband and father.
“What’s wrong?” Serena asks.
“We have a baby girl.”
“And?”
“We should’ve let them tell us the sex.”
“Why’s that?”
“I could’ve been better prepared. What the hell am I going to do with two women now? And when she grows up, there will be boys trying to get into her pants.”
“Sabin, calm down. I think we have a little time before we need to worry about that.” And then Serena has the damn nerve to laugh at me.
“It’s not funny. If anyone tries anything with her, I’ll kill them.”
The Hart Brothers Series Box Set (Including the bonus book Sabin: A Seven Novel): Freeing Her, Freeing Him, Kestrel, The Fall and Rise of Kade Hart, Sabin: A Seven Novel Page 146