Dwindle: Populations Crumble: Book 1

by K. A. Gandy

  He shakes his head, “No, that’s the thing. Glitch, as you know, doesn’t necessarily follow the rules to get the information he does, and—well, he says the record isn’t normal. There’s no accompanying marriage record, and if it weren’t for the alert he set up he wouldn’t have been able to find it through normal channels.”

  “What does that mean, exactly? There has to be a marriage record somewhere, right?”

  “I don’t know what it means. Glitch is trying to dig more, but the information that’s available is really sparse. He loves a challenge, though, so I’m sure he’ll figure it out.” He looks at me with a grim expression. “I don’t want to sway your decision, but I think Mairmont is the best option for the honeymoon choice if you want a chance to find Josephine.” He rakes his hand through his hair again, and it falls back in a messy pile.

  “Thank you for telling me. Yes, we definitely need to get to Mairmont.” My burning desire to find out what happened to Josephine won’t allow any other choice.

  Now it’s his turn to search my eyes, “We? As in, we we, or uh—” he lets the question fade off, dangling into the void.

  I swallow, and look at my feet. How to broach this topic? “Uhm . . .” My fingers twist together behind me of their own accord.

  “Oh, I see. Well, I’ll let you get on up to bed then.” He looks away, but I can see the sadness etching itself into his handsome face.

  “No! Wait! Yes, we as in us, we.” The words stumble out in an inelegant rush. What is it about Patrick that always leaves me in a tangle? Mind, heart, words.

  He holds very still, and assesses me without speaking, waiting for me to say more.

  “I don’t know how to do this, but . . . I think I am going to release Matthew in the morning. I mean, that is, assuming you’re okay with that and marrying me and trying to have a baby. I mean, you’re in the program so I assume you’re still in, but I’m probably not what you were expecting. It seemed like we were doing well and you would be happy to marry me, but you can tell me now and I can release you instead if you prefer. I would understand; we still don’t know each other that well and you’re really handsome so you could probably have your pick of girls. Well, if girls were still allowed to pick. Oh, my Lord, would you please say something?” I stop the wreck that is my train of thought.

  A smile gradually replaces the sadness on his face, and he reaches forward to cup my cheek in his warm hand. “Sadie, were you by chance just trying to tell me that you want to have my babies?”

  I smack him lightly on the chest, and he chuckles before growing serious. Then, right there on the walkway in front of the dormitory, he sinks to one knee in front of me. He grasps my hands in his, and my heart flutters. Is he doing what I think he’s doing?

  “Sadie, beautiful, sweet Sadie. You are a kind, loving, spitfire of a woman. You have the biggest heart and the most intense spirit of anyone I’ve ever known. Would you do me the greatest honor of becoming my wife?” He looks up at me with a solemn expression, and I can feel myself shaking like a leaf in a hurricane.

  “I, uhm . . . Wow, I wasn’t expecting that at all,” I say, and my voice shakes.

  His lips quirk up in a half-grin, “Should I take it back?”

  “No! I mean, yes, I will marry you! Please don’t take it back.” I stop the train wreck of words, and think carefully before admitting, “I wanted it to be you, before I even knew you were an option.” The full force of his smile hits me like a ton of bricks, and he stands in one fluid motion and wraps me in a hug. I hug him back, and the shaking starts to subside. We stay there like that, and for a small eternity it feels like there are only the two of us in this whole screwed up world.

  Revelations

  The next morning, after going in for my mandatory STD test, I invite Matthew to meet in the courtyard between our dorms. He’s dressed in a suit, and his face is impossible to read. I tell him what I’ve decided, and he doesn’t look surprised.

  “Following your heart I see,” he says, his voice barely audible over the anxious pounding of my pulse.

  I nod, “I hope you know that I felt something for you too, Matt. I didn’t keep you here so long to lead you on. It just . . . well, you and I live very different lives. I may never be the wife you need, and I don’t know if you’d ever be content back home with my family. You are a great guy, I just don’t think our lives are compatible—even if our genes are.”

  He reaches out his fingertips and brushes them against my bottom lip, soft as a feather, just once. He smiles, but the sadness is clear in his tone, “For you I would have tried.” He clears his throat, and the businessman façade slides back into place.

  I don’t know what else to say, so I just give him a sad smile in return.

  “Well, my helicopter will be here momentarily. If you’re ever in York, feel free to look me up. I’d love to hear how things are going.” He says it briskly, as if I’m a business acquaintance.

  “Yes, I definitely will.” I say. I give him one final wave and then head over to the main hall for breakfast.

  When I arrive at the dining hall, I see all the remaining girls lined up at one long table. It reminds me of my very first day, when we stopped for those tacos on our way here. Some of the faces have changed, but here we are again, back on the precipice of a huge life change. I grab an empty seat.

  “I’m just saying, I’m ready. I don’t see the point in waiting months more to get this show on the road, get knocked up, and get this over with. My next fertile phase is in three weeks. I’m going to ask him to schedule the wedding three days before. Rip off the band-aid!” Jenna pronounces.

  “Marcus will be so thrilled to hear that you think sex with him will be like ripping off a bandage.” Margaret says primly, while dabbing at her lipstick with a cloth napkin.

  Jenna snorts, “Well, they say it hurts the first time, so, if the bandage fits . . .”

  Faith chuckles, “You’ll all be fine! It’s over before you know it. Now, I’d like to change the subject to some news, now that Sadie has joined us.” She pauses for effect. “We’re getting married tomorrow!”

  “Congratulations!” Leigh says with sincere excitement.

  “Yeah, that’s awesome Faith, Teddy seems like a great guy,” Elena says, glancing at me to gauge my reaction.

  “Darn straight!” I agree with the sentiment, and I hope my encouragement will ease any fears Faith might have lingering about her acceptance into our family.

  Faith looks at me pointedly, and it takes me a minute to realize what she’s getting at. As I’m about to share the news, chopper blades can be heard overhead.

  “What is that?” Charlotte asks, sounding worried.

  “Oh, Lord have mercy, please don’t let it be more kidnappers.” Jenna says with irritation.

  “Uh, guys, I don’t think it’s kidnappers.” I raise my voice just enough so they can hear me better, before the noise cuts off. “It’s Matthew. He called a chopper to take him back to York.” I look down at my lap, and smooth a non-existent wrinkle on my well-worn blue jeans.

  “Did you release him, too?” Charlotte asks softly.

  I nod, “Patrick and I are going to be getting married. Tomorrow,” I add, that last bit almost as an afterthought.

  “Oh my gawd, you chose!” Nell blurts out.

  “Took you long enough,” Margaret says, haughty as usual.

  I roll my eyes, not willing to engage with her today.

  “I chose!” I address Nell, who is shoveling hash browns into her mouth.

  Nell doesn’t stop chewing to ask, “Why the rush? I mean, I get why this one is ready to go,” she points a thumb at Faith, “but why are you so Johnny-on-the-spot? Can’t wait to get your hands on Patrick-hottie-O’Roarke?”

  I chuckle, “No, it’s not that. Teddy doesn’t want to go until I do, so I’m going, too. No sense holding up the lovebirds.” I tease Faith, who blushes again. “Besides, what’s the point in dragging it out? When are you and Atlas going to get hitched?�
�

  She chews as she considers, “Probably soon. I’m not in a rush, but he’s finally won me over. He’s not as scary as I originally thought. Well, to me anyways. It’s kind of nice to have all those muscles on my side for a change.” She spears a breakfast sausage and pops it into her mouth behind the potatoes.

  “Ugh, we do not need to see your food. What are you, twelve? Have some class,” Margaret says.

  The waiter arrives at the table with a steaming plate of breakfast for me, so I dig in and the conversation moves on to what kind of dress Faith is going to wear, and what she chose the first two times. I’m only half listening when our table is approached by the ever personable Dr. Mitch. Eric is trailing behind him, but for once he’s not a walking toothpaste ad. He looks so concerned, I set my fork down and await their news. This can’t be good.

  “Excuse me, Margaret, I need you to come with us,” Dr. Mitch says in a cool tone.

  Margaret gives him a once-over, taking in Eric standing to the side, “What is this in regard to, Doctor?”

  “I think we’d better discuss that privately.”

  “Ooh, Miss Perfect’s in trouble,” Elena jokes.

  I’m not laughing, taking in the look on the doctor’s face. Something is wrong.

  “Would you shut up! You’re all so childish! I swear, I can’t wait to be away from all of you.” Margaret seethes at Elena as she slams her napkin to the table and rises, causing the silverware to rattle in protest against the breakfast plates.

  “Doctor, I already did my testing this morning, ridiculous as it was for you to require that again. What more could you possibly want with me?” She puts a hand on her hip, and glares at him.

  He is not swayed by her attitude, “I wish you’d have agreed to do this privately, but fine, if you insist on making a public scene, we can. Eric here has tested positive for the same STD as nurse Carolyn. He has provided a list of all his sexual partners, and you are one of the names on the list.” Gasps come from the whole table, and the color drains from Margaret’s face as she looks to Eric, who’s looking at his shoes. “Now, if you will please come with me, I’d like to discuss your necessary treatment in private, and then the program director will need to discuss the ramifications of this situation with all of the involved parties.” He looks nonplussed, and gestures towards the doorway.

  Margaret looks around at us all gaping in shock, and storms past Dr. Mitch and Eric. As she walks by, Eric tries to grab her arm.

  “Don’t you lay a filthy finger on me, you pompous, no-good PRICK!” She snatches her arm away and flees out the door.

  We all watch in shocked silence as they exit the dining room. After a beat, Jenna says, “Dude.” We all look around the table in disbelief. “I mean, Eric? She was hooking up with the cruise director? I’m almost proud—I never would have guessed she had it in her.”

  “I guess that answers the question of whose room I heard him in a while back,” I muse.

  “Shut the front door!” Leigh blurts, “You knew he was hooking up with someone in the dorms, and didn’t say anything?” She’s stopped mid-stir of her coffee to gape at me.

  “Well, I didn’t know, know. I heard him say something suggestive and I assumed, but I didn’t know whose room he was in.” I give them a shrug.

  “Yeah, but how do you just sit on that kind of juicy info and not spill it?” Leigh shakes her head, as if the idea of not immediately sharing something is a foreign concept. If only she knew.

  I just shrug a shoulder, “If something’s not mine to share, I really try not to. Plus, I wouldn’t have wanted to get one of you into trouble.”

  “I wonder what her match is going to do when he finds out? They aren’t scheduled for a wedding date yet, and he might be able to back out based on grounds of infidelity and unfit health now,” Charlotte says, ever the caring one even when Margaret has been so unkind to her.

  “Her dad’s some important politician in South Georada, I doubt he’ll let him weasel out of marrying her over a little cheating. I mean, I feel for the guy, but Margaret doesn’t play. You think Daddy Dearest is going to lay down like a kitten when his daughter’s reputation is on the line?” Jenna says, sarcasm thick.

  “Her family will probably have to pay a fine, but I don’t think they’ll let her out of her match,” I speculate, remembering last night’s conversation about the program’s penalties.

  We finish up breakfast, and speculations continue flying over who else was on Eric’s list, and what’s going to happen to all of them. I can’t really get into it with thoughts of Josephine’s mystery situation plaguing the back of my mind. While I sincerely hope Margaret gets just a slap-on-the-wrist fine, there’s no hard and fast rule. And I’m not rooting for any woman to end up on the wrong side of this program’s penal system.

  I decide to see if Patrick is available to discuss the wedding and make some choices with me, and he responds “yes” almost instantly and asks me to meet him at the pond with my mini-tablet so we can go over the details.

  A brisk walk later, I arrive to find him waiting for me with a smile, and I see he’s set up a pretty blue picnic blanket with a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries settled in the middle. His handsome face draws me in like a moth to a flame, and I can’t help but smile back at him. He’s wearing his guard uniform, but he looks at ease.

  “Were you on duty?” I ask. “I hope I didn’t interrupt something important.” I hope he doesn’t mind my asking him to meet me so out of the blue.

  “Today is my last day, actually. Most of your matches had to put their jobs on hold at the beginning of the process, so they kept me longer than expected. I’ll be off with you indefinitely, so you did me a favor, springing me a little early.” He gives me a hug, and I lean my ear against his chest, and am lulled for a moment by the beat of his heart. He places a gentle kiss on the top of my head before stepping back from the hug, but he doesn’t release me.

  “So, we’re doing this thing, huh? Tomorrow?”

  I nod, “Yes, if you’re still okay with that plan? Teddy won’t set the date unless I do, too. He’s worried I’ll get kidnapped and he won’t be here,” I admit.

  “I can’t blame him, I wouldn’t leave you either. But I won’t let anything happen to you Sadie, I hope you know that. No matter what, I’ll protect you.” His voice is determined. He takes my hand and leads me to the blanket. Once I’m settled down, he sits next to me, close enough for me to feel the heat radiating from him, but not quite touching.

  “So, what do we need to hammer out?” he asks, getting straight down to business.

  I pull up the tablet, and open the Bachelor Book. Faith told me that as soon as I requested a date, I’d be sent a questionnaire with all our wedding and honeymoon preferences. She did hers last night, but I’d wanted to wait for Patrick. It’s his wedding too, after all. I click it, and select the “schedule wedding” option.

  It’s surreal; just over a month ago I run into this man in the halls, and hope my match is half as good looking as him. And now I’m sitting on a beautiful afternoon date, planning to marry him tomorrow. It’s almost too good to be true. I think of Leigh with her match that’s more than twice her age, and James the politician that I let go early on. Not to mention Spencer. It could have gone way, way worse. I feel a deep gratitude that despite how we came together, that I’m sitting on this blanket with someone who’s kind, honest, and genuine.

  He reaches over and brushes his fingertip across my knuckles, “Having second thoughts already? I thought you were supposed to wait for that until right before you walk down the aisle to me, so you can make a dramatic escape in your running shoes and gown,” he jokes.

  I roll my eyes, “Have you been watching old movies? I’m not going to run away. I hear the place is guarded anyways; I don’t think I’d get very far.” I look at him pointedly, and rake my eyes down his guard’s uniform.

  That pulls a deep chuckle out of him, and his eyes lock with mine. He leans in, and I hold my breath
as his lips meet mine. The kiss starts out gentle, innocent. His lips mold to mine, and his hand wraps around to the back of my neck underneath my braid. The sudden contact makes me shiver, and he deepens the kiss. His other hand comes around my back, and slides down low, just above the waist of my jeans. I’m entranced by the small circles he’s drawing there with his thumb. The spell is broken, however, when the hand on my neck slides down my shoulder and grazes the edge of my bra. I stiffen, and he drops his hand and pulls it back as if I’d burned him.

  “I’m sorry, I—” I start to stammer, but he stops me with a gentle finger to the lips.

  “Don’t ever apologize. We’re in no hurry, and nothing is going to happen that you’re uncomfortable with, not ever. Deal?” His face is sincere, and I relax again. Once I nod, he continues, “You can always talk to me, tell me what you want and when. Or how, okay? We’re building a relationship here, and it has to work for both of us. I have no desire to rush it to check off one more baby for the marriage program a month sooner, do you?”

  Blushing, I shake my head and look down. I can’t find the words for this conversation just yet.

  His thumb grazes over my knuckles again, and I enjoy the simple contact. “Let’s get our wedding planned. What’s on this list?”

  Back on track, I pick the tablet up from where it slid onto the blanket, and we get to work. Time, venue, colors, flowers, musical theme, dinner preference, the whole she-bang in one simple list. It takes about an hour, but then it’s done. Wedding planning: check.

  I set the tablet down, but it dings almost immediately with a notification. I pick it up, and it says my wedding dresses are being delivered to my suite.

  He bites into a strawberry, and I watch the juice slide down his chin as if my life depends on it, before he captures it with a finger. He catches my stare, and I can feel myself heating up again. I quickly stand, putting some distance between us.

  “Well, I guess I’d better go figure out what I’m going to wear tomorrow.” I’m reluctant, not wanting our afternoon to end but also starting to feel the nerves. I’m getting married tomorrow.