He would do anything for this beautiful woman. Right now, he was going to show her how much he loved her. He leaned down and passionately kissed her. Her response left him wanting more. He lifted her into his arms and carried her up the stairs to their bedroom. This was still their honeymoon, after all!
Chapter Twelve
JUST AS RICCAN had imagined, they enjoyed one another’s company greatly, and now they were relaxing in bed with one another. He stroked her arm and tried to imagine himself with anyone else and failed utterly. There were so many reasons for him to be thankful; Amanda had dreamt about him and sought him out. He had no idea how he had gotten so lucky, but he was not going to take any of it for granted.
“So,” Riccan spoke softly, “what’s this about the girls being mine now?” He smiled as he looked down on Amanda.
“It’s the truth. They are yours,” she smiled up at him and added, “I just didn’t happen to mention that they are mine as well.”
Riccan knew what Amanda had been doing. “I know you want your parents to meet them. Don’t you think they’ll see a resemblance to you though?”
“I’m actually hoping they do,” Amanda admitted. “It would sure make life easier to handle if they actually knew the truth about everything. I think my dad would be okay with it all; it’s just my mother who has a hard time adjusting to bizarre situations.”
“This definitely fits that bill,” Riccan agreed.
“I just feel so bad for all of the hardship I’ve put them through for so long. It’s made even worse because I didn’t even know they were hurting. I lived a whole other life while they were sitting at my bedside, praying for me to wake up. I stole seven years of their lives, Riccan. Can you understand how guilty that makes me feel?” Amanda closed her eyes when she felt the tears threaten.
“I do understand, Amanda. You’d do the same for your children, I’m sure. Your parents love you, and they’ll love the twins as well. Right now they’ll believe them to be my children alone, but eventually, we’ll tell them the whole truth. One day, they’ll be ready for it.”
“I sincerely hope so,” Amanda sighed. She had to sit up since the impending tears were making her nose stuff up. She breathed deeply and looked down at her husband. “I wouldn’t change a thing, though. It’s all worked out fine so far. We have our children, and we have each other. We can get through this together.”
Riccan smiled at her optimism. He fervently hoped everything would turn out as she imagined. He decided to change the subject and asked, “How did the girls seem when you dropped them off at school?”
“They were clearly excited. Oh, and the girl who gave us the tour at the open house was waiting in the receptionist’s lobby to help them navigate the school. Wasn’t that nice of her?”
“Very,” Riccan agreed. “Maybe she’ll turn out to be a good friend for them.”
“I hope so, she seems very nice,” Amanda mused. Her mind returned to the dinner planned with her parents for that evening.
“I guess you met the housekeeper this morning,” Riccan stated breaking into Amanda’s thoughts.
“Oh, Riccan, that was just terrible. I discovered Mary standing right in the hallway when I finished my breakfast. She scared me half to death, causing me to drop my bowl, which shattered all over the floor. She had no idea who I was and, likewise, I didn’t know who she was. It was so embarrassing.”
“I’m sorry; it slipped my mind to tell you. She’s the only staff member who comes into the house, and she only comes on every other Friday morning. I also have three groundskeepers who come once a week on Wednesday mornings. They take care of all of the grounds as well as the pool. When they come again, I’ll be sure to introduce you to them so you won’t have another scare like this morning.”
“Speaking of this morning, where were you when I came home?” Amanda suddenly asked.
“Oh, I finished writing the anti-collision software for the telepod, and I wanted to try it out,” he said offhandedly.
“Really? How do you go about testing something like that?” Amanda suddenly had dire visions of his telepod popping into existence in front of an airliner, and she shuddered.
“I went to a location which is known to have a large bird population. I figured it would be relatively safe if I accidentally impacted a few birds if the software didn’t work.”
“Safe for you, but what about the birds? Poor little guys,” Amanda teased.
“Well luckily enough for them, the software performed perfectly. No animals were harmed in the testing of the equipment, and I successfully avoided all collisions,” Riccan announced with pride in his accomplishment.
“Well good. We wouldn’t want any lives to suffer for progress. I’m glad you developed the software so fast. It will be one less thing for me to worry about when we travel. Speaking of which,” she paused to gather her thoughts. “What are we going to do when you have to go back to work?”
“I was thinking about that same thing today. I only have one more week off, and I still don’t know. I want the girls to be able to live here and learn what they want to about Earth. But I have commitments to my job as well. It’s a hard call to make. Do you have any suggestions?”
“I do have one suggestion, actually.” Amanda leaned forward and ran her fingertips down his naked chest.
Riccan grabbed her hand and shivered at the way the light touch had made him feel. “I like the way you’re thinking…”
“I was actually hoping you’d hire me to work for you again,” Amanda smiled teasingly. She saw he was considering the idea and went on to say, “With the children in school all day, I can’t see why we shouldn’t work together in Tuala. We can come home in the evenings just like any other working parents.”
“I actually like your idea a lot,” Riccan said as he tried to imagine how he could turn it into a reality. “I can make a few inquiries on my patil later. Hopefully, we can get something worked out before I have to go back.”
“Thank you, Riccan. I loved working for you before. I’m sure I won’t have any trouble with it again.”
He smiled at her belief in her dream reality. He mentally shrugged when he realized she had been so accurate in her dream about the new prophecy and also about her relationship with himself. Maybe she was right to believe it could work out so nicely.
“What would you like to serve for dinner tonight?” Riccan changed the subject to a more urgent matter.
“I have no idea. I was hoping you’d have a suggestion and possibly you’d fix it as well. I’m actually pretty miserable in the kitchen,” Amanda confessed.
“I see. You waited until after we were married to tell me I was going to starve to death unless I continued to make the meals?” Riccan teased.
“You’ve done pretty well for yourself. I can see the evidence right here,” she playfully pinched the taut skin on his tummy.
“Oh, really? For that, you’re going to pay.” Riccan rose up and loomed over the top of her. He swooped down and kissed her neck playfully until she began to squirm and giggle underneath his body. Conversation officially ended as they began kissing with renewed passion.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elder Daven had never received a direct summons from Jehoban before, and he wondered why, at this point, he was being asked. Not to mention, his wife was also requested to attend the meeting. Something was definitely afoot, and he was wary of what it might mean for his family. As soon as he had opened and read the message, he called for Nena to get ready to travel.
Luckily for him, Nena seldom asked questions until after they were on their way to whatever emergency happened. She had known Daven long enough to trust him when he said they needed to leave immediately. Once they were in the telepod and she saw the location he had entered, she raised her eyebrows and continued to keep her own counsel until they were safely transported to their desired location.
They touched down on the landing grounds before Nena finally asked, “What’s going on, Daven? Has something ba
d happened?”
Since he did not know himself, he honestly replied, “I don’t have the first clue. We received a summons this morning to meet with Jehoban. I believe we’ll find out shortly, however.” He could see one of Jehoban’s assistants walking toward their telepod. Daven tipped his head toward the window and said, “It looks as though our escort has arrived. Let’s go find out what’s going on, shall we?”
Nena smiled at Daven’s attempt to remain calm and collected. She could tell he was just as curious as she was herself. She unfastened her seatbelt and stood up to leave the telepod first. She could feel her husband right on her heels.
Daven palmed the side door to close and turned around to meet the guide. As she approached closer, he discovered it was none other than Rasa, the cousin to his new grandchildren. For the first time, he could see the marked resemblance between the twins and Rasa. She had darker blonde hair, and she was older, but the resemblance was clear. He smiled and asked, “To what do we owe this great honor, Rasa?”
“Elder Daven, Nena,” Rasa addressed the two of them formally as she stopped in front of them. “I haven’t been told the reason for your requested visit, only that I’m to bring you to the meeting once you have arrived. Shall we?” She gestured for them to walk with her as she turned to go back the way she had come.
“Are there others in attendance?” Daven asked as he walked beside the petite woman.
“Yes,” Rasa answered simply. She did not volunteer anything further.
Daven did not press her for any further information. He would simply have to remain patient, and soon all would be revealed. He squeezed his wife’s hand as she remained strangely silent walking beside him along the garden pathways.
As many times as he had walked along these grounds, he never lost his wonder in their beauty. Jehoban had created a perfect paradise, and he had been honored to grow up among it all. He still remembered how disillusioned he had been when he first traveled away from Acaim. He had been surrounded by such beauty for his whole life; he had naturally assumed the whole world was equally as radiant.
They entered the palace through one of the many intricately carved, golden doors. Daven could feel an inner peace settle through himself. There was nothing to fear when Jehoban was near. He could feel His presence even without knowing exactly where He was in the palace.
The courtyard they passed through was new since he had last visited. He looked around with wonder at how perfectly serene the setting felt. There were both potted and planted shrubs lining the spotless, polished pathway. Everywhere he looked he could see flowering plants in every shade making a kaleidoscope of color all around him. He took a deep breath and enjoyed the floral scents throughout the enormous courtyard.
They left the enclosure and entered an inner hallway. Rasa had set a pretty brisk pace, and Daven lengthened his stride to keep up. The assault on his senses continued as he found the windows had been replaced with fantastic stained glass scenes. Again, the light from outside shone through the colored glass to make a rainbow of colors dance through the hallway. He divided his attention between where they were going and above his head to try to figure out the theme of the windows.
Nena stopped Daven from running into Rasa who had stopped at an inner doorway. Daven felt himself almost blush when he realized he had almost run over the girl while he was gawking at Jehoban’s latest creation. “Sorry,” he mumbled as they stood at the closed doorway.
“It’s understandable,” Rasa smiled. She opened the door and instructed, “Go ahead and pick a seat. The rest of the guests will be here shortly.”
Daven was surprised to find Elder Debbon was already seated at the grand table. His wife, Chelesa, was also present, which made Daven wonder what this meeting could really be all about. This was obviously not a meeting of the Elders since the wives were present. He could not imagine what could possibly be happening.
He pulled out a chair for his wife next to Chelesa’s seat. He acknowledged Elder Debbon with a nod before he sat down in the chair beside his wife. Somehow it did not seem proper to converse until Jehoban began the meeting. It seemed Elder Debbon had felt the same way since he merely nodded in return.
A few minutes later the door opened to admit Bryon and Alena Kesh. They both walked silently and reverently through the room and selected seats next to Elder Debbon. Alena had been taught the skills to be a wise-woman by First Elder Debbon, so she felt most comfortable being near him.
They remained silent in the room. Jehoban did not appear to commence the meeting. There must be someone who was still expected. The people at the table seemed to be preoccupied with their own thoughts on the imminent meeting.
Again the door opened. This time Rasa entered the room ahead of her parents, Captain Ahn and Barla. The newest members seemed startled to see the people assembled in the room. Rasa motioned for her parents to take two of the remaining four seats for themselves.
Rasa broke the silence and stated, “Everyone is now present. I will request Jehoban to come to start the meeting.” She closed her eyes and stood still as she used the power in her crystal to speak directly with Jehoban. She smiled slightly and then opened her eyes before she took one of the remaining chairs next to her mother. “Jehoban will be here momentarily,” she announced unnecessarily.
As if her statement had created the truth, Jehoban appeared at the head of the table, directly in front of everybody. Chairs immediately scraped across the floor as everyone rushed to stand in the presence of the Creator. Jehoban smiled at His children and said, “Please be at ease. I have a very important matter to discuss with you all.”
A rustle of activity followed Jehoban’s greeting as the people resumed their seats and Jehoban also sat down. He turned to Elder Daven and asked, “Elder Daven, did you bring the prophecy as I requested of you?”
“Yes, my Lord,” he replied as he fumbled to retrieve it from his tunic pocket.
“Please be so kind to read it aloud for everyone present to hear.”
Daven placed the piece of paper on the table in front of him and cleared his throat before he began to read:
“From a far-away land
There will come in time
Intuition is in hand
Strange details known
With ties to the people.
From one of my own
There will be a sign.
Those born to this one
Will transform all.
Lucinden will pursue
Elders will fall
Then all made new.”
He finished speaking, and the room remained silent as the people processed what they had just heard.
Jehoban spoke one ominous sentence. “The time has come.”
Alena was the first to respond to Jehoban’s simple statement. “How can we help? I’m assuming you have brought us all together because we will each have a part in fulfilling this prophecy.”
Jehoban smiled and nodded as He said, “Alena, you are as quick and as wise as ever. Yes, you are correct. However, I’m not going to reveal to you what each of your roles will be in this. Your actions must be of your own free will.”
Elder Debbon had closed his eyes to recite the words to himself. He was troubled by the fall of the Elders and asked, “May I ask if all the Elders will fall, or only ones who have been swayed by Lucinden?”
“I will let you decide how to answer your own question,” Jehoban replied. “Look around this room and know the people who are present. Follow your hearts and this will turn out for the good and Lucinden will not have the final victory. Trust in yourselves and in the people here today. When you are approached to do your part, you will remember this day, and you will be ready.”
“It sounds so simple,” Barla said as she frowned with concern. She could not imagine how she had been included in this elite group of powerful people. This was turning out to be quite the mystery to solve. She only hoped she would be able to do her part in making the prophecy come to fruition.
For the first time since reading the new prophecy, Elder Daven spoke, “I believe the person who will come in time is my new daughter-in-law, Amanda. She married my son last mesan. She is from Earth and has intimate knowledge of every person in this room.”
A chorus of disbelief rose around the table. Daven raised his hand and said, “Amanda has a unique ability. She was transported back in time and delivered a set of twins who also happen to be the biological children of my son. I will let her tell her own story, if and when you ever get the chance to meet her. I believe the twins will also play a role in these changes. Their names are Juila and Jena.”
Barla gasped as she realized Elder Daven was speaking of the two girls she had raised until they were nearly six anons old. She began to see why she had been included in this extraordinary meeting. If those talented girls were the offspring of a woman from Earth, then she knew they were in for quite an adventure. She looked forward to meeting their mother and hopefully, the girls as well. Barla turned her gaze back to Jehoban and realized He was no longer in the room with them.
“Jehoban has left us,” Barla announced. The room went silent as each person confirmed what Barla had stated.
Elder Debbon, as First of the Elders, took over the meeting. He stood up and said, “I think it’s safe to assume we should keep the matters of this meeting private. If Jehoban had wanted more people to know about this prophecy, then He would have invited them to the meeting. Now that we know something is coming, and Jehoban has confirmed the time has come, then we must be willing and able to assist Amanda, Juila, or Jena whenever they come to us for help.”
Debbon felt a sense of pride that his son was betrothed to one of the people who would bring this prophecy to pass. He had watched Jena grow up from a little girl, and he respected the power she possessed. Now it made sense why Jehoban had granted his request for the betrothal. It had not made sense at the time, but now he believed he understood. He was more likely to help someone he already knew than a perfect stranger.
Levels of Ascension BoxSet Page 12