by Andi J Feron
Allie’s counselor suggested I hire someone to live with her when I couldn’t be home. He recommended a retired adolescent counselor named Glenda, who was in her fifties. She kept her graying hair in a bun and wore gold wire-framed glasses over her brown eyes. I hired Glenda after interviewing her. I ran Glenda through the Loctorian database, which had better check systems than the FBI. She came up clean. I introduced her to Allie.
At first, Allie protested, but then Glenda offered to teach Allie to sew, something Allie had been wanting to learn for several years now. I made sure Glenda knew when and how to contact me. I told her to contact me at the first sign Allie was slipping and I would be back within hours.
The clinic got Allie regulated on some antidepressants, and she was doing well when I decided I could head back. I missed Seraphine greatly and needed to be back with her. I wished bringing Allie back with me wouldn’t mean stealing her normalcy, because I would have done it in a heartbeat. I decided I would come back between missions to ensure Allie was continuing in the right direction. I made it to Saturn base and, despite the late hour, Seraphine was waiting for me.
“I got your message that you were coming back today. I checked the docking schedule to make sure I didn’t miss you,” she said.
I wrapped her in a hug. “Wouldn’t you much rather be in bed?”
“Of course not.”
I looked into her bright green eyes and knew she could wipe all the stress of the last few weeks. I kissed her.
Seraphine and I walked back to my quarters so I could put my things away.
“How’s Allie?” Seraphine asked as soon as we sat on the couch.
I filled Seraphine in on all the details of the last couple of months.
“I’m glad Allie’s doing better. I know it’s difficult being millions of miles from her, but I think you’ve done your best for her. You always have,” Seraphine reassured me.
“I hope it’s enough.”
“She’ll be ok. I still remember how tough she was as a little girl. She’s a Cooper, she has fight in her.”
“That’s what I’m worried about—her being a Cooper.”
“She’s not your dad, Talon. She has your mom in her, too, and she has a big brother who would fight hell and high water to keep her safe and thriving. You always take care of everyone else. Let me take care of you tonight.”
I was looking at the floor but glanced up at her words. I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. I wasn’t sure what she meant, but I liked the sound of it. She kissed me and led me back to my bedroom.
Chapter Twelve
Seraphine - January 20, 2009
Talon threw himself back into missions and battles as though he hadn’t been gone for two months.
“Man, we missed you, Talon. I forgot how spoiled we became since you arrived.” Elliott was commenting on the ease of getting everywhere with Talon’s help.
The next few weeks were a whirl with three battles, two diplomatic missions, and one aide relief post. The last mission was on a planet that I was told was the Vegas of outer space. The planet was the opposite of Earth. The ground was blue, and the oceans were green and brown. The planet was inhabited by a race of aliens called the Nasitoabns, who looked very similar to humans.
The only difference was they had twelve fingers and fourteen toes. They had natural blue and green highlights in their hair and pointed noses. They had read about Earth and became fixated on being an entertainment hub like Las Vegas. Many of their cities patterned venues and businesses on what they learned Vegas was.
A tornado had wiped out one of the towns, and the Nasitoabns needed help locating all of the survivors. The tornadoes had torn up the ground throughout the towns. Sinkholes started to open up and swallowing debris along with trapped survivors. For this reason, the missing victims needed to be located quickly. The Nasitoabns asked the Loctorians to supply them with a high level tracker and with Talon being the best tracker, he was assigned to the mission, and our team went along to help.
When we arrived at the tornado site it was unclear that there had ever been a town. Twisted metal beams laid over piles of wood and shattered glass. A camp had been set up on the edges of the debris with large orange tents for survivors to stay in until their town was rebuilt. My ability was pretty much useless here, but I handed out blankets and water. At the end of the day, I would project fun stories for the children to take their minds off of their current circumstances.
Helen would heal who she could, and then she would have to retire to our ship to recover. Elliott made food for everyone, and as usual, my taste buds exploded when his food traced across my tongue. The others all completed various jobs to help rebuild. During relief efforts, our team was attempting to suppress excitement due to being granted a five-day vacation on the planet at the end of the mission.
The Nasitoabns were so grateful they comped our entire trip and told us to pick any city and hotel. Talon and I walked on the promenade in the large city of Torookosh. Our hands were clasped together as we took in the sights. Tall buildings with bright flashing lights rose in every direction; even the streets were lit with a neon blue glow. Transparent circular pods drove inhabitants around the city. A juggler was tossing spiked balls in the air and I cringed, thinking about them continually hitting his hand. I looked at the end of the street we were on and noticed a cute little chapel.
I laughed. “They even copied the spur of the moment marriage facilitators.”
Talon looked at me, and I could tell there was more to his look than simple amusement.
“Talon Cooper, you’re insane.” I didn’t think he could be serious.
“Why not? Seraphine, marry me on this remote planet in the middle of nowhere.”
“You serious?”
“Completely.”
“What if we’re divorced in a year?”
“Then let’s hope it’s a great year.” He grinned.
Talon routinely emphasized responsibility as a priority and hearing him want to push away all inhibitions excited me enough to agree. He grabbed my hand, and we walked up to the chapel. The chapel was white, with a charming little bell tower. Before giving logic any thought, I was in a white silk dress, walking down the aisle carrying a bouquet of alien wildflowers. While I was getting ready, Talon called our team to join us.
While most of them told us we were crazy, they were overall supportive of our spur of the moment life-altering decision. They happily witnessed us vow to be husband and wife, forsaking all others until death severed our mortal connection. As I looked into Talon’s eyes, hearing how he told me he loved me, I knew this was how it should be, and I prayed it always would be, with him and me against anything life chose to hurl at us.
“Woohoo!” Talon yelled out the window of our hotel room. “Seraphine Mallow is my wife! I got married today! Hear that universe, she’s mine, all mine!”
Talon stuck his head back in, and I shook my head at him with a grin.
“What is it?” he asked, smiling back.
“You’re a complete goof, husband.”
“What did you call me?”
“A goof.” I could feel my grin grow bigger.
“No, the other part.”
“Oh, husband.” I gave a slight laugh.
He moved in close to me. “Husband! I’m your husband, and you’re my wife.”
He pulled me to bed, and I laid on top of him.
“You’re a bit excited about that,” I said, not able to stop the smile on my lips.
“Excited? No, I’m ecstatic! I’m thrilled! I’m exuberant!”
“Those neuron stimulators really did wonders on your vocabulary, Mr. Cooper.”
“Naw, I’m just naturally smart, Mrs. Cooper.”
I put my finger to his lips and began kissing him. Every part of me wanted to be closer to Talon. He pushed my short, red, silk nightgown up my leg. I felt we were never more alive, breathing as one in unison. I held him tightly in my arms, unwilling to ever move past this moment.
When we got back to base, we were granted a bigger quarter space together. We were assigned a three bedroom unit with more space than we had use for. Talon suggested one become an art room for me and, having no other use for the room, I agreed. Art was my therapy and dispelled stress from my body.
When I was brave enough to show others my creations, I was told I was an exceptionally gifted artist. I was unsure of how accurate people were on my talent, but I knew I enjoyed creating. Talon was my biggest supporter and insisted we hang several of my canvases throughout our quarters. Talon and I settled into married life naturally, and any doubts our spontaneous wedding rose in me faded within the first couple weeks.
Three months into me sharing his last name, Talon was called away on a search mission and, while he was gone, I painted the living room his favorite shade of blue. It was a birthday present for his nineteenth birthday. I also set to planning him a surprise party. Talon never brought attention to his birthday since he was used to no one paying it any attention. Now that he had me that was going to change.
When he arrived home, our team, his friend Morgan, and the Monroes were there waiting for him. I invited Dr. Monroe because Talon had been playing racquetball with the doctor every Saturday he was home. Talon viewed the doctor as a mentor and valued his advice. They had become close enough that Talon called him by his first name—Jasper. Jasper’s wife Kayla recently received a promotion to base recruitment manager, and she would handle any issues with incoming recruits.
“How’s married life treating you?” Elliott asked Talon.
Talon squeezed my hand. “Any day with Seraphine is a good day.”
Ajax snickered. “You have it bad now.”
“What do you mean now?” Jasper asked. “He’s had it bad for years. I knew it as soon as I couldn’t get him to leave my waiting room. This boy didn’t care visiting hours were over. He was going to sleep on the sick bay couch on the very off chance that Seraphine would need him at two in the morning. ”
I glanced up at Talon. He never told me he hadn’t left me the entire time I was in the hospital.
Talon shrugged. “I would have left your couch alone if you had accepted we didn’t have to be blood or married to be family.”
“I guess we don’t have to worry about that now. Congratulations you two!” Jasper patted Talon on the back.
The evening was full of laughter and good-natured conversation with our friends. Elliott was kind enough to make the cake, and everyone gushed over it being the best cake they had ever tasted. In Talon’s absence, I also modified our guest room, but was unsure of how he would take the changes I made. When everyone left, I took a deep breath and told myself to show him.
He glanced around the room. “It’s very purple. Is that a sewing machine? It looks like all things Allie exploded in here.” He turned to me, confused. I smiled, hoping he wouldn’t be mad. “You made Allie a room?” I nodded, and he continued, “Why would you do that?”
“I don’t know. If she ever comes to visit or live here, she’ll have a place to make her feel at home. You’re her guardian. It’s not a stretch that she would come to live with us.”
“Except she won’t be.” He turned and went down the hall to our room.
Maybe not the best idea I had ever had. Part of me really wished Allie lived on base or could at least come to visit. I liked the idea of a little sister, and I wished Talon could have her close. It would relieve a lot of his constant worry about her being far away.
“I’m sorry if I was out of line, Talon.”
“It’s fine. You wasted your time is all. Allie can’t ever come here. As soon as she knows about this place, they will take her, and they will drain every last ounce of innocence she has within her. She can’t have this life. She can’t feel the suffocation war inflicts on a person’s soul.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“Your intentions were good. But I can’t have Allie here. I need her safe on Earth.”
“I’ll change it back next weekend.”
He sighed. “No, leave it. You put a lot of work into it, and it looks a lot better than the bland grey color scheme. If we ever have a guest, they’ll get to experience a teenage girl’s dream room.”
He smiled then kissed me. I felt him relax his arms around me. The next morning, Talon told me he was leaving for Earth to spend time with Allie. I surmised that the guest room made him think it was time for a visit. I walked him to the docking bay. I would miss him, and I secretly longed for the day we could be a family together. I didn’t want Allie in the war, but I wanted her closer than millions of miles away.
Chapter Thirteen
Talon - April 28, 2009
I kissed Seraphine’s beautiful red locks on the top of her head. The scent of lavender glided into my nose, and I could stand there for a good hour smelling her hair. I loved her so insanely much I felt every pore in my body would burst.
“I won’t be long. A week maybe,” I said.
She gave me one last kiss before I left for Earth. I pulled up to my old home. I knew Allie would be at school, but it would give me time to ask about Allie without her around. Glenda was cooking at the stove when I walked in.
She smiled. “Welcome home. I’m making some stir fry, if you want some.”
“No, but thank you. I would, but I ate about half an hour ago. I was wondering how Allie is?”
“She’s doing great. We talk daily, and she’s good about opening up. She’s been a quick learner on the sewing machine. She made her own prom dress.”
“Prom? Isn’t she a freshman?”
“Yes, but a senior asked her. Also, her friend who is over here all the time, John, he started dating another senior, Mary Ellen. Allie thought it was a wonderful coincidence they could now all go together. I knew it was so John could go with her. Those two are attached at the hip.”
“Always have been. Now what’s this about a senior?” My guard went up as I spoke. I had enough of seniors after they ran my sister into an electrical pole. I also knew what senior boys wanted, and that wasn’t happening with my little sister.
“A senior named Craig asked Allie to go.”
“When is prom?”
“In two days. Allie worked very hard on her dress, and it turned out amazing.”
It would be difficult for me to put a halt on prom after Allie made a dress. John was going, too, so I would talk to him about not letting Craig take my sister anywhere alone. I was sure it was against my better judgment, but I decided not to interfere.
Allie came home and leapt for me. “You want to see my dress?”
No, don’t want to think of you all dressed up to go out with a boy.
“Sure. I heard you made it yourself.” I forced the words out of my mouth.
Prom night arrived, and Allie was still getting ready when the doorbell rang. I opened the door to see John, Mary Ellen, and Craig standing there. Craig was barely a year younger than me. He put out his hand to shake, and I could feel it was a bit jittery. I grabbed it extra firm and held a little beyond when he tried to release. He was probably around five foot eleven, and I towered over him.
“Craig.” His voice sounded just as shaky as his hands felt.
“What are your intentions with my sister?” I stared him down, and I heard John let out a small laugh.
Before Craig could respond Allie called from the top of the stairs, “Craig, don’t let Talon intimidate you, he wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
I widened my eyes, looking crazy as I shook my head slowly at him, indicating Allie’s words were one hundred percent false. I heard Craig gulp, then his attention went off of me and to the stairs
. My sister walked down with her soft pink dress, fitting a little too perfect for my liking. The dress had spaghetti straps and was ankle length. Her dark brown curls fell gently around her face, and she had dolled herself up with makeup. While I was away battling and recruiting, my baby sister had grown up. I didn’t like it. Concerns over the Loctorians recruiting her was now added to by the close-level threat of boys.
Her date Craig was practically drooling as she made her final approach. I wanted to sock his gaping jaw shut. Craig’s reaction was expected, but it was John’s that unexpectedly caught me. His date was standing next to him, but his eyes were locked on Allie. The look he directed my sister’s way was on another level. He was struck and down for the count. I was sure if someone called his name into a megaphone at that very moment the sound would have been lost on him.
Note to self: no more sleepovers for Allie at John’s house.
I was curious if Mary Ellen would miss what I was seeing, and she seemingly did as she told Allie how the pink of her dress brought out her eyes perfectly. I cringed. I knew Allie hated people talking about her eyes. Allie simply thanked Mary Ellen as she allowed Craig to pin her corsage on.
“Midnight, Althea!” I said firmly as I attempted to indicate I would not allow wiggle room.
Allie scowled and rolled her eyes. “Come on Talon, I’m almost fifteen. I don’t need my big brother demanding I stick to my curfew on prom night.”
“I think maybe I’ll come chaperone then. That sounds like a good idea.” I was not playing games.
“Talon! Fine! Midnight!” She stomped toward the door, and Craig followed helplessly behind her, trying to rush and open the door for her. John hooked arms with Mary Ellen, and they all headed out into the limo Craig brought. All I could think was Craig better bring my sister back as she left or there would be nowhere for him to hide from my tracking skills.
I glanced at the clock, and it read five before midnight. Allie was cutting it close, and it was not beneath me to crash prom night. The front door opened and shut. I jumped up from my spot on the couch where I had been reading.