Aligned

by Jaci Wheeler

  “Yes, I’m becoming quite the ladies’ man. I hope you aren’t too jealous now,” I say waggling my eyebrows.

  She slaps my arm gently. “You know, I’m actually not. To be honest, though, I was worried I might be once you got a girlfriend.”

  This shocks me. The grape I put in my mouth falls right out. “Why were you afraid you would be jealous?”

  Roz laughs. “Calm down. I’m not telling you I am madly in love with you. But you’re my best friend, Wes, you always have been. Sure, Molly’s always been in our lives, but you and I have always been a package deal. I guess I was worried once you got a girlfriend you wouldn’t need me anymore.”

  “Hey,” I say, lifting her chin so she looks at me. “We are still a package. No matter who comes in and out of our lives, it will always be us, Roz. You’re stuck with me!”

  “Well good, you’re stuck with me too. And for what it’s worth, I really do like Andi. I knew as soon as we met her there was something between you two.”

  I raise my eyebrow. “I don’t know about that, but yes, Andi is special.”

  “So are you guys getting serious?” she asks and I can feel the lump in my throat at the thought.

  “You know me, Roz, I’m serious about my studies, my work, knowledge…I don’t do serious relationships. I mean, I hardly even do relationships at all.”

  “Yet you are in one.”

  I sigh. “Yes, I am.”

  “Does she make you happy?”

  “Of course she does. There isn’t anything about her I don’t like. She puts up with me, she’s smart and funny, and isn’t silly like most girls. I don’t think I’m the kind of guy who settles down and gets married, heaven forbid even bringing the idea of children into the mix.”

  “Wes, just because you don’t think you’re that guy doesn’t mean you aren’t. You didn’t think you were the dating type either, and now look at you.”

  Well she has me there.

  “We’ll see. Can we enjoy this time and not talk about significant others? Unless you want to bring me up to date on the Jeff Adams, Dexter Vaughn situation?”

  “Nope. Silence is exactly what we need right now.” Roz lays back to soak in the sun.

  “Yes, just what I thought.” I lie down next to her and stretch out my legs.

  I can’t believe I’m a Council member. I am an actual member of the Foundation Council, and have a girlfriend. Geez, what happened to me? And why does this oddly seem right and not panic inducing?

  Epilogue

  Ten Years Later

  Rosaline

  Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I can’t believe this day is finally here. Even though I’m twelve years older and have been successfully running a country under my belt, in a lot of ways I still feel like that sixteen year old girl who came to an unknown place with her two friends and nothing else. Now look at us, all grown up and getting spouses of our own.

  “Rosaline Scarlett Thatcher, I swear on all that is holy you can’t be late today of all days!”

  I smile at Wes. Twelve years hasn’t done a thing to calm him down. I thought those babies would have, if nothing else.

  “Oh stop your fussing. There’s plenty of time, Wesley. Aren’t you going to tell me how beautiful I look?”

  “Of course you look beautiful, but what does that have to do with that fact that you should have been at the church twenty minutes ago? I have a nervous groom on my hands and you know I’m not the right person to calm anyone down, let alone a nervous groom.”

  Well, he has a point there. I guess it’s time I get myself to the church.

  “All right I’m ready, let’s go.”

  We quickly make it to the church and I can sense the excitement in the air. I can’t believe the day is finally here. I walk down the aisle and see Jeff’s handsome face beaming back at me. His smile is absolutely radiant and I can see the relief in his eyes once he finally sees me. I get to the front and take my place beside him.

  “You look absolutely beautiful,” he says kissing my cheek.

  I smile widely. “Thank you, Mr. Adams. You don’t look half bad yourself,” I reply, throwing him a wink.

  The music starts and Molly makes her way down the aisle.

  I still have a hard time believing that my two good friends are marrying each other. Jeff and I got extremely close while working together, and he assures me there is no one he’d rather have stand up for him. Since Molly has always been one of my best friends she agreed as well.

  Once the preacher starts talking, I let my gaze wander over to where Wes and Andi are sitting. It still blows my mind that Wes was the first from the group to get married and have kids. He was adamant neither would ever happen to him, but it goes to show how we never know how things are meant to work out.

  Andi is sitting next to him holding their daughter Rosie, while Wes is holding their son Albert. They are only a few months old but already giving Wes ulcers. Poor Andi must have the patience of Job to put up with Wes and twin babies, although she says nothing is as bad as a paranoid Wes while she was pregnant. She had to put up with nine months of nonstop panic attacks and pregnancy statistics. I thought Wesley was going to have a heart attack when she went into labor.

  He swore Andi was going to die and that he would never forgive her for getting pregnant. Her labor went as planned, and within an hour he had two healthy babies and a happy wife.

  Surveying the room, my eyes connect with none other than Dexter Vaughn’s. He is looking right back at me and I can see the longing that must be reflected in mine. Dex will always hold that place in my heart nobody else will ever reach. I love him. I’ve always loved him. After I got back from building the other two compounds Dex and I sat down and talked about our future. He was making such huge strides in therapy and was finally able to bury some demons of his past. However, even though none of our feelings about each other had changed, we decided it would be best to wait until I was out of office until we were officially a couple. While some days like today I kick myself and wonder if I made the right decision to put my work over a relationship, in my heart I know I did the right thing.

  I am President of United America, and with that I took on the huge role and responsibility of being there for my country and its people. I know me; if I got married and had a family they would become my focus and the most important thing in my life. I made a commitment to my people that I would always put them first. So that’s what I did. I have thrown myself into running the country to the best of my abilities. I thoroughly enjoy my job but I won’t be president forever. I only have a few more good years left in me, and then I will step down and let someone else take over. There are already a few candidates we have had our eyes on for a while.

  The new monitoring system is a huge success. Wes continues to monitor it and make updates as needed, but it has really helped us bridge the gap.

  My latest achievement is something I am proud of. The prison rate for child abusers was alarmingly high. After Wes filled me in on Andi’s past I looked into the child abandonment rate and it surprised and saddened me greatly. After talking to many of the inmates and child abuse victims I came to the sad conclusion that many just didn’t know better. A lot of them were abused as children, and were doing what they knew. Of course that doesn’t excuse their behavior in the least, but it gave me an idea for my latest Act, which is going to take effect tomorrow. As a part of prenatal care, both mother and father are required to take mandatory parenting classes. It will cover everything from the physical needs to emotional needs. The classes will take place for the entire length of the pregnancy and will hopefully give parents the tools they need to properly care for a child. After all, they are molding a life; it’s the most important training they may ever receive.

  After the ceremony is over a beautiful reception follows. I take a few moments to disappear from the crowd and sneak over to a corner so I can watch the merriment from afar. Sometimes I still can’t believe how fast time goes by. While I am watc
hing Grace, my eyes tear up with pride. She has come so far from the scared little girl I met. She is a breathtaking young woman now, surrounded by admirers while she dances with her friends.

  “It’s amazing how far she’s come isn’t it?” a voice whispers in my ear.

  I jump about a foot off the ground and Dex chuckles.

  “It isn’t polite to sneak up on people, Dexter Vaughn! For someone so big you sure are silent.” I try to bring my pulse rate back to normal. “You’re right, though. I was thinking about how far Grace has come. I can’t believe what a gorgeous young woman she is becoming. She will make an amazing teacher.”

  Dex shines with pride. “Yes, she really will. Although I could do without all those boys sniffing around her all of the time. Grace is much too sweet to tell them to get lost.”

  “Good thing for her she has a big, scary brother to do the dirty work for her.”

  He grins widely. “It is indeed.” He shifts his gaze from Grace and looks down at me.

  “You know, Roz, I couldn’t have raised her on my own, and you are a major reason why she’s done so well. I mean look at her, talking and laughing, teaching…I don’t know what we would have done without you.”

  I place my hand in his. “You’ll never have to find out, Dex.”

  I see so much hope in his eyes it chokes me up.

  “Promise, Roz? Do you promise me?”

  I nod.

  “Then what are we doing? I’ve tried to be patient, not rush or push you into anything you aren’t ready for, but for goodness sakes, Roz, all of our friends are married. They are all moving on with their lives and we are still stuck ten years in the past.”

  I can’t say much because he’s right. It isn’t fair of me to continue to make Dex wait, and until this moment I didn’t think I had another option besides running my country, but now my heart has taken another path. Dex gave up the life he loved to come back here and join the Council for me. I know now he never would have left the O.C. if it wasn’t for me, and it’s about time I repaid him.

  “What do you think we should do, Dex?” I ask, barely above a whisper.

  “Quit our jobs and get married,” he says without hesitation.

  I can’t help but laugh because he’s played right into my hand.

  “Okay.”

  His head whips around so fast I think he’ll fall over. “Okay?” he almost screams back.

  “Yes. I’ve been the president for a while now, and even though I might have a few more good years left in me, they have plenty of good candidates ready. As much as I love my job, I realized today I’m done with that season of my life. I’ve given the country my best; it’s time.”

  He yanks me off the ground and into his arms, twirling me around.

  “Dexter Vaughn, you put me down right this minute!” I giggle.

  He does as I ask, however reluctant he is to let me go. I can tell he doesn’t quite believe me, because I’ve never even alluded to marriage before.

  “Are you serious? You’re ready to leave this all behind?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Roz, I know you. How are you going to live in the Ministry and not be the president? Your heart hasn’t been fully yours since you entered the O.C.”

  I’ve always known the O.C. is where I truly belong. I only came back because of my sense of duty to my country, and Dex only left for me.

  “You’re right. So are we really going to do it? Leave our jobs, go back to the O.C.? The Council is going to flip!”

  Dex chuckles. “That they will, but I don’t think any of them will be surprised. Not even Wes. As much as he loves his job, I think he’s ready to step into mine. People already know him, he’s the youngest, and it makes sense for him to take over as rep. As much as he hates change he only wants the best for you. I’m sure you will be back visiting each other on a weekly basis. Grace has already been talking to me about starting an integration program for the children in the O.C. schools, setting up fieldtrips with the Ministry kids, playdates. The Council is approving her request and putting her in charge so we’ll be able to see her often.”

  “So we are actually doing this?” I ask, still in disbelief.

  Dex drops down to one knee and takes my hand in his. “Yes, Rosaline Scarlett Thatcher, if you promise to be my wife, we are actually doing this. So will you, Tink? Will you marry me, quit your job, and move back to the O.C. with me?”

  “It took you long enough to ask me, Dexter Vaughn! Seeing as I now have nothing better to do, I suppose so,” I say with an impish grin.

  Dex lifts me up once again twirling me around.

  “You, my little pixie, are going to be the death of me. But what a way to go.”

  The End

  Acknowledgements

  To my hubby for embracing this crazy life I've taken on.

  My kids for having to share me with my readers. A huge thanks to the limitless team and the awesome authors who have helped me out along the way. (Jodi, Debrorah, Tiffany, Kay Renee you guys rock!)

  And most important thanks to my readers. You guys absolutely amaze me. When I started this was just a fun project I didn't think anyone would read but maybe a few close friends and family members. The out pour of love I've gotten from readers from all over has absolutely floored me. I read every e-mail, message and review and they all mean so much to me! You guys are the best! As much as I hate to see this story come to an end for now, I'm excited to bring other characters to life and hope you take the journey with me.

  Mad love for you all!

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Jaci Wheeler is an up and coming author in the Young Adult Genre. Her combination of believable worldly scenarios and relatable characters make her a must read. A mother of two fantastic children, she is an avid reader and loves taking her kids to the park. She enjoys cooking, not baking, planning birthday festivities, and having family dance parties in the kitchen.

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