When he was given permission to kiss the bride, he stepped forward and lifted the veil. He could not help his lips twitching as he leaned in for a subtle romantic kiss. The whole congregation whooped with joy as they linked hands and faced them. A married couple at last. Franco recorded the marriage in their book of records and the deed was done. Two grand chairs had been set for them at the head of the table next to the arbour. After speaking to as many people as possible they took their seats and the festivities began.
It amazed Jenson that within minutes the hall was transformed into a reception venue, as chairs were passed around and rearranged around the tables. The ones who took responsibility for catering arrived with trays full of food and drink which they lay on the tables. No-one got served, everyone took what they wanted.
After the main meal had been eaten, his dad, Doctor Johannes stood up. He tapped his fork on his glass and the light tinkle hushed the crowd. ‘Family and friends, what a lovely couple. Today I have gained another daughter, thank you, Susanna, for agreeing to marry my son. He’s alright.’
A few chuckled.
‘No seriously,’ Doctor Johannes continued, ‘I’m very proud of you, Jenson, for the way you are and have no doubt you will both make each other very happy. Please everyone, raise your glasses to Susanna and Jenson. The happy couple.’
The entire audience repeated the words.
Jenson was sure his heart would explode soon from the way it was pounding. It was his turn to speak. He smiled at Susanna, took a deep breath, and got up. ‘Family and friends, thank you for celebrating this day with my lovely wife, Susanna, and me,’ he paused, to watch her blush, ‘we hope that you all enjoying this day as much as we are. The truth is that you could never be as happy as I am today. I am married to the most beautiful woman I have ever met, no offence to all you other ladies out there.’
‘None taken,’ Ingrid called out, a smirk on her face.
‘Thank you cousin,’ he nodded, as she winked back at him. ‘Anyway, I’d like to toast to Susanna, my soul mate, my friend and life companion – Susanna.’
Everyone raised their glasses high up in the air to toast and repeated her name.
Jenson faced Steven. It was time to pass the baton to his best man.
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Chapter 39
Best Man’s Speech
Steven stood up and faced the large expanse. A lot of faces stared in his direction. He took a deep breath, glanced quickly at Caitlin who gave him an encouraging smile, and began, ‘As best man, I suppose I should offer some insight into married life for the bride and groom,’ he paused, and stared at the table. It felt like forever before he looked up again. ‘Truth is, having never been married myself, I’m not sure I’m qualified to give any advice. I have no idea why Jenson thought I should be his best man.’
Steven stared into space.
He fidgeted with his hands, briefly closed his eyes, and mustered all the courage he had left to continue, ‘There is only one thing I can say to Susanna – if Jenson could become friends with a mongrel like me, and can show you the loyalty and support I have had as a friend, you can look forward to a very long, happy marriage. I…’ Steven faltered, now choked. He blurted out the final words, ‘I know you’ll both be happy. Please raise your glasses again for Susanna and Jenson.’
As the toast was done and everyone sat down again, Steven’s body shuddered momentarily and he relaxed.
Caitlin ran her hand along the back of his neck. ‘You did well.’
‘Never again,’ Steven whispered.
Caitlin smiled, ‘You did great, seriously.’
‘If you say so,’ Steven said. He turned to face her, and melted for a moment in her deep blue eyes. Right now, all he wanted was to get away. He picked up the glass of wine and downed it in one instead.
‘Thirsty? Not like you,’ Caitlin chuckled.
Steven gave a half-smile. ‘This once, a bit of alcohol can do no wrong.’
Caitlin sipped her wine. ‘Red is my favourite.’
Steven winked at her. ‘Mine too, funny that. Red is a great colour.’
‘Yes, it is,’ Caitlin licked her lips.
‘What do you think of marriage?’ Steven said, his voice casual.
Caitlin rolled her eyes. ‘Not much.’
Steven knew Caitlin never mentioned it, but now, in the middle of this wedding it was all he could think of. A life with Caitlin, a married life. He had no idea why the thought had become so powerful, it was probably the wine. Made him sentimental. He nodded and looked away. This was not the right time.
As the band started to play for the first dance, Steven watched Susanna and Jenson take centre stage. He had never seen two people look so happy, so in tune with one another. He had no idea if what he had with Caitlin was the same. He wanted it to be, he really did. He refilled his glass for the fourth time, the wine went down like water.
As the bride and groom’s parents took to the floor, followed by other couples, he held out his hand. ‘May I have this dance?’
Caitlin fluttered her eyelashes, and held his hand. ‘Of course.’
Steven led Caitlin out to the dance floor, now woozy from the alcohol. It made him take more notice of Caitlin’s figure as he imagined it under her long, sleeveless, tight brown dress. It had a range of amber beads sown into the hem and neckline, the colour was perfect on her. She was wearing some subtle makeup that kept her natural beauty, and just accentuated her eyes and lips. He found it hard to look away from her lips, he wanted to kiss them. Instead, he held her body to his and outstretched her right arm as he led her into a slow waltz, to the rhythm of the music.
The alcohol made him more brazen as he took control of the dance and spun Caitlin slowly around. She giggled and did not seem to mind. After all her jokes in the past, about his ballroom dancing lessons at school, he finally had the chance to show off his moves. He was impressed she kept up. Caitlin had not lied when she told him she was also a good dancer.
When the number finished and a slower one started, Caitlin put her hands around his waist and nestled her head into his chest. Steven leant his chin lightly on her head and wrapped his arms around her as they slowly rotated clockwise to the beat. In that precise moment, Steven felt like nothing in the world could go wrong.
After a minute, he eased off her head and whispered in her ear, ‘Will you make me an honest man, Caitlin?’
Caitlin stood still. Hesitant, she said, ‘You are an honest man.’
‘You know what I mean,’ he smirked.
‘You don’t mean it,’ she went all serious.
He tilted his head to the side. ‘You think I don’t mean it.’
Caitlin shrugged her shoulders, pursed her lips, and shook her head from side to side.
Steven liked a challenge, and right now he had something to prove. It was about time. He stood back, headed towards the band and grinned, ‘Watch me.’
Caitlin’s jaw dropped and she started to protest as he gave her a wicked smile.
When he got to the stand, he glanced in Caitlin’s direction. As expected, her face had turned a shade of pink and her eyes had widened, her hand waving him back discretely.
Steven was not going to be put off. ‘Can the music please stop? I have an announcement to make.’
The band stopped playing after Jenson nodded in their direction. At least his friend didn’t mind his impromptu speech.
‘Sorry everyone for interrupting. But, I think as best man I have the right to add something else on to my speech.’ Steven faced the bride and groom. ‘Jenson, Susanna is the most beautiful woman in the room for you, and I can appreciate why, but I forgot to add that Caitlin is the most beautiful woman in the room for me. Since I have felt the same way about her from the moment I laid eyes on her I hope you do not find it inappropriate that I make my declaration.’
Jenson shouted out, ‘Not at all.’
Susanna beamed.
Steven walked back towards Caitlin, as
the entire room froze, watching his every move for the second time. Fuelled by an irrational force, his knelt on one knee. He started to get concerned by the dagger stares Caitlin was giving, but he was not going to be put off. He held out his hand and lightly held Caitlin’s. ‘Caitlin, I have no doubt that you’re the woman I want to spend the rest of life with. Please, I am begging you, make me an honest man. Caitlin, will you marry me?’
He stared up at Caitlin, who now looked away. He started to worry again, as a second became a few and still she gave no answer.
‘Go on, Caitlin, give him your reply,’ Gideon called out, impatient as usual.
Caitlin seemed to jump out of her trance and made eye contact.
The fact she was not smiling rang major alarm bells.
Steven continued to smile, he was desperate for the right answer.
Caitlin opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. Her eyes became watery, she bit down on her lip, and she removed her hand from his. In the faintest whisper, she said, ‘I’m sorry, Steven. I’m not ready to say yes yet. I have to go.’ She turned around and walked away as the crowd parted for her in stunned silence.
Steven dropped his head to the floor, and slowly stood up. He could not meet anyone else’s eyes as he walked in the direction Caitlin had gone. His romantic gesture had failed. He had been a fool to act so irrationally. It was not the right time, not yet.
***
Susanna could not believe what had just happened. Caitlin had walked away from Steven. She had turned her back on marriage. She could not understand why she would do such a thing. Not unless, she was not in love with Steven. She had her suspicions, as much as she had not wanted to admit it until now. To embarrass Steven in front of the community, she could not believe it.
Tears were streaming down her face at her own wedding. It did not seem right.
Jenson cupped her face in his hand, and wiped her tears away with his thumbs. ‘I love you so much, don’t worry about Steven. Think about us. Thank you for marrying me.’ He leaned in and kissed her.
‘Can we go for a walk? I need some air.’
‘Of course,’ Jenson said, as he squeezed her hand and they got up. A few people looked at them and smiled, most let them be. ‘Shall we go to our new room?’
Susanna blushed, ‘I’d like that.’
The fact they barely spoke for the walk spoke volumes. Susanna now buzzed with a nervous anticipation that had replaced the sadness.
At the doorway, Jenson picked Susanna up and carried her into the room. Susanna could not help giggling. It was such a silly tradition really, yet it was fun to be held like a baby. It broke the seriousness of the situation. She could not believe she was now married. The scary thing was nothing held them back. They were free to do as they pleased.
Jenson put her down, held her hand and kissed it gently, a glint remained in his eye. She could not help looking away, overwhelmed.
‘We can talk if you like. I don’t want you to rush into anything.’
This was why she had married Jenson. He really got her. ‘I’d like that. I can’t help being nervous to finally be alone with you. I half expect someone to come and turf us out.’
‘I know, it’s great isn’t it.’ He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a cuddle. It was perfect. He stroked her hair and whispered, ‘Do you want to know when I first fell in love with you?’
‘Tell me,’ she replied, as she leant back to look at him.
‘When you were eleven, something about you made me curious. I’d been helping to chop some wood with my dad, when you appeared with your mum. You were laughing about something and looked so happy that I was immediately smitten. I knew there were tenuous family links between us, so I tried to forget you. But then, as we got to know each other, it became impossible to ignore the way I felt.’
Susanna knew that feeling was mutual. ‘I remember the day. The way you looked at me was disconcerting – in a nice way. Then when you stood up for my brother when he was being bullied, I just knew you were looking out for me.’
‘You noticed then?’
‘Of course, you always let me through first, if I dropped anything you always seemed to be close by to give me a hand. It was difficult to not get to know you, and then I knew. I knew there was something else.’ She dropped her gaze for a moment. Mustering her courage, she looked up again. ‘And here we are.’
‘Here we are,’ he repeated, as he placed his hand on her jaw line. ‘Thank you for becoming my wife. You have no idea how proud I was to see you walking down the aisle to join me.’
‘I kept pinching myself the whole time,’ she said, unable to avoid biting her lip, ‘I thought I was dreaming.’
Jenson took the cue and leaned in. His lips moulded into hers perfectly for a slow and meaningful kiss. Susanna sighed, and let her head rest on his chest. She could hear his heartbeat pounding. She wondered if he was also nervous. She hoped so. Her stomach lurched in anticipation. The feel of his body against hers, even though fully clothed was making her think of it again. She wanted more. It was just so alien.
As if reading her mind, he started to run his fingers down her back. She could not withhold a shiver. Following his lead, she caressed his lower back working her hands up towards his shoulders in slow circles. Jenson moved his hands towards her breasts and when he cupped one gently she gasped.
Without any further hesitation, he kissed her again. This kiss was different. She could not help it and she started to let go of her inhibitions. It was as though some primeval instinct had kicked in. The shackles undone, free to discover each other at last.
Later, Susanna panted slightly. It had taken her by surprise. She was out of breath, in awe, shivering, in some pain. So many responses for one action. It was incredible. ‘Now I know what all the fuss was about,’ she sighed.
Jenson hummed a response. He also seemed lost for words. He held her tightly in his arms, wrapped the blanket around them and fell into a deep sleep.
As she listened, his breathing become deep and slow. She could not help wondering how he managed to fall asleep so quickly. She had a million thoughts running through her mind. A part of her felt guilty that she should be experiencing what she considered to be true love when Caitlin appeared to be so lost. She wondered what could make someone who must have been so in love, from what she had been told, now doubt it.
She hoped the same thing would never happen to her. She wanted to believe that they would be together forever. A break up was practically unheard of in the community. They knew of something called divorce. She could not even begin to imagine what that was like, especially if children were involved. She had no idea how it could work.
Nevertheless, if people could try relationships, without the binds of marriage, it might lead to love. There were a lot of single people in the community who could not find their match, they did not have the certainty, and so preferred to stay alone. Ingrid was a good example. If she had been able to try a relationship with many of the men who had sought her hand in marriage she might have been tempted. She just never wanted to marry any of them.
Susanna gave a deep sigh. It was stupid to think about this now. Now, when she was in blissful happiness.
Finally, after what felt like hours, but was probably only five minutes, she dozed off. The last thing she remembered was the look of pain on Steven’s face. He had to find happiness. It was only right that he did.
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Chapter 40
Eyes
A one-night stand could lead to a miracle, a miracle in a supposedly barren wasteland. It would be easier on the children to have a father, but somehow Lucy doubted anyone would ever guess who the father was, and she certainly wasn’t going to tell. Lucy stroked the head of her daughter as she suckled on her breast. She found the human body incredible. The fact she could actually feed her children after everything she had been through, regardless of what she was.
‘Lucy, you look so peaceful.’ A voice interrupted h
er thoughts.
Lucy looked up, ‘Caitlin? What are you doing here? I thought there was a wedding tonight…’
‘There was,’ Caitlin replied.
Lucy was struck by the way Caitlin’s shoulders drooped, her eyes also looked red, as though she had been crying. She chose her next words carefully, ‘And was it a good wedding?’
‘It was a great wedding.’ Caitlin made her way over to the chair next to Lucy and sat down.
The way Caitlin stared at her baby made her uncomfortable. As her daughter released her nipple, her head lolled back as she fell into a deep sleep. Lucy made herself decent, then lifted the baby to put her in her cot.
‘Can I hold her?’ Caitlin said.
Lucy hesitated for a spilt second, then said, ‘Sure.’
She placed her daughter in Caitlin’s arms and watched in a subdued silence.
Lucy picked up one of her sons and started to feed him on her other breast. Feeding was a constant job with three hungry babies. They had brought in supplementary breast milk from a community donor to appease the babies. Lucy could barely meet the demand.
As her son suckled, Caitlin stood up with her daughter and placed her in the cot. She was still fast asleep. Her other son was not.
‘Shall I get him?’ Caitlin asked.
‘If you don’t mind,’ Lucy sighed. ‘His milk is over there. In that blue container, you’ll find a bottle waiting for him.’
‘Sure,’ Caitlin said.
Once Caitlin was ready with the bottle in hand, she went to pick up the now screaming baby boy. Lucy was convinced young babies sounded like animals in pain.
As Caitlin picked him up she froze. The cries intensified.
Lucy could not understand what was wrong. ‘Caitlin?’
The Evolution Trilogy: Hybrid, Complications & Return Page 89