by Elsa, Sandra
Hmmm…have to put some thought into this. “I’ll let you know when I come up with something appropriate.”
“But you’ll go through with it?”
I carried the dress back into the fitting room and Emily had me in it and pins pinned and adjustments marked before I could protest further. Through the door I said, “I suppose there are going to be more than the five of us and a few troopers.”
“Every trooper from Two-Three-Seven. The fifteen from HQ, and Jerry and his mother. Annabel was arriving this morning, so I don’t know if she brought anybody else. As of last night, Dad wasn’t told, so hopefully he doesn’t get a second shot at a media circus.”
“Do you really believe that?”
“No. But you could let me pretend.”
Emily stripped the dress over my head and I slid into jeans and a t-shirt. “I’ll have it ready by noon.”
“Thank you. I guess. If something were to delay its alteration, I could probably pay extra.”
Harrison called through the door. “Whatever she offers, I’ll double it to make sure it’s done on time,”
I snatched the door open and frowned at him. “You could at least try to hide the fact you’re eavesdropping.”
He grinned. “My way cuts out the middle man where I sneak behind your back and then you suspect me of plotting against you.”
“Smartass.”
“You married me.”
“Yeah well what happens when the preacher asks me if I take you etc. etc. and I say, hell no.”
“You already signed on the dotted line. Today is only smiling for the parents. Too late to change your mind.”
“I can always shoot you.”
He leaned forward, grinning as he lightly brushed my lips with his. “I gave up worrying about that threat when you took my money as a client.”
“That long ago? There’ve definitely been a couple times since then that I considered it a viable option.”
“You can’t fight destiny, my love. We were meant to be together.”
I gave a disgruntled sigh. He had to play that card.
Emily finished hanging the dress and stepped out of the room, leading us to the front counter. Harrison handed her our chip and then we were on our way to the next prescheduled appointment with a baker where Nan had already chosen the cake. All it needed was final approval. Then off to the florist.
The bouquets had been ordered under Harold Jallahan’s name. I snorted laughter. I may not have grown up with him, but I doubted he took to this any better than I did. At least I wasn’t suffering alone. In fact, he did all the grunt work. I picked a gardenia wristlet and a bouquet with daisies, black-eyed-susans, and a couple other types of flowers that tended to grow wild by the source.
When we left the florist shop, I said, “I’m not likely to change anything anywhere. Is this really necessary?”
“It is to mother. She doesn’t believe me when I tell her this isn’t something you enjoy. I don’t think she believes I could possibly love someone who wasn’t feminine enough to be excited about planning a large wedding. She thought you should at least have final say on everything.”
“Oh for…They’re getting married too. I quit. I agreed to go through with the farce. This is more than I signed on for.”
“Good. Let me call the rest of the shops and let them know to deliver as ordered. Then maybe we can find a quiet corner and you can prove to me how feminine you can be.” He leered at me and waggled his eyebrows.
I lightly smacked his shoulder and grinned. “And you can remind me of what a superstud you are. Remind me why I ever thought marrying into your family was a good idea.”
“Deal. You drive, I’ll phone.”
“Where should we go?”
“Hotel?”
I hopped behind the wheel, then stopped to figure out where I wanted to go. The beach was too family oriented at this time of day. The house was likely to be overrun with family. I headed for the gate. By the time we passed outside the dome, Harrison had finished all the necessary calls. A car followed us through the gate and I sighed as our tail didn’t even bother to hide the fact he was there.
Harrison followed my glance to the rearview mirror and turned to look out the rear window. “Where we going?”
“Thought I’d just take it out to that little corner where we found that plant. But if he follows us, I doubt we’ll be doing much of anything besides checking on our plant. Rebreathers annoy me now that I know they aren’t necessary.”
“Agreed.”
I stomped on the brakes and slewed the car around, driving past our tail as he stopped and made a neat three point turn. I went back through the gate and headed straight for a hotel. “Thought I’d save some money, but that was Wally. Even if we didn’t care about who saw us without rebreathers, I’m not sure I could properly enjoy making love, with him watching.”
“Whatever works for you.” A glance at his face said there was a lot more than agreement in that statement.
#
We arrived at the church with time to spare to find that it had been overrun. I drove straight past. Down the road I stopped and Harrison called Nan. “Mom?”
I couldn’t hear her end of the conversation but he responded with. “Look, Frankie’s been going along with everything up ‘til now. But I don’t think I’m going to talk her through that crowd. I take it Father figured out what was going on?”
Silence again while his mother spoke.
Then. “Of course she did. I told you she would. She’s a private investigator for the love of god. Didn’t really try to hide it from her.”
Silence. Then, “Do you have any idea how hard it is to use something even basic like illusion around her? Especially when she’s not willing to allow it.”
There wasn’t even any faint buzz so I assumed his mother was stewing. Trying to figure out the next move.
“A back door? What’s to stop them from chasing around the building?”
“Jordan Drover!” I heard that. “Get your ass in here.” Mom was pissed. Kinda wished I could be a creeping vine on that wall, but apparently she calmed down enough to take the conversation below the decibel level I could hear at.
Finally Harrison said, “Just as soon as the crowds are gone.”
We drove around the back of the church and waited until the phone rang again. Harrison didn’t answer it because we could see for ourselves the majority of the circus had moved on. Or at least withdrawn. We made a dash for the door. Nan already wore her dress, she was absolutely gorgeous.
A woman with red eyes stood beside Sergeant Kallas holding a hairbrush and combs and…oh dear god, a makeup case. I glared at Harrison, but Jerry and two troopers were already dragging him off. I spun to assess the red-eyed woman. I looked her up and down then said, “Annabel?”
“Yes.” Her voice quavered, but she held her ground. Could this shrinking violet actually be Jordan Drover’s sister? Another woman stood five feet away. She was tall and heavyset. Reminded me of some of the women I’d seen working the front door of a bar as a bouncer. I didn’t recognize her at all, but when Annabel flinched it was in her general direction. My mind flashed through possibilities. The woman was either family or a lover. Nobody ever mentioned Jerry’s father, so perhaps the second. God knows she rose up like a mama bear every time Annabel flinched. Nobody bothered with introductions. They all looked like they were walking on eggshells except for the mama bear and even she didn’t actually say anything.
In a corner of the room, a familiar face separated from the other hoverers. I stepped past Annabel and Sergeant Kallas and wrapped Dee in a hug. She returned it enthusiastically then stepped back and shook her head. “Uh-uh-uh. We got some work to do here, Frankie. I love you like a sister, but I can’t let you get married looking like that. You’re gonna sit in this chair over here in this room, close your eyes, and not threaten anybody.”
“How the hell are you here, Dee?”
“Red-eyes come down and talked to Gyros.
Old man give me up right quick. Said it was for a worthy cause.”
“Well I’m glad you’re here. At least there’s one friendly face I trust.”
“You were all the talk for a long time in Eleven. Cynthia’s clients have started looking elsewhere. Seems not many of them care for the perpetual scowl on her face.”
“You’re wicked, Dee. That’s why I love you. Girl after my own heart.”
“So tell me about the guy I kissed just before I left you last time. Not sure I understand what you were saying about what I did to him.”
Frankie turned to look at Annabel. “This is Jerry’s mother, Annabel. President Drover’s sister.”
“No shit? I kissed the president’s nephew?”
“And left him owing you, big time.”
Never one to need it spelled out, Dee said, “But enough about old times, we’re on the clock. Get your ass in there, sit down, and shut up.”
I draped an arm over Dee’s shoulders and allowed myself to be tugged to the room where the dress hung under plastic. I sat in the chair and took Dee’s advice, closed my eyes and let it happen. At this point it would be unavoidable.
With much less pain than anticipated, and many visits from Nan, I was ready before the preacher arrived. Once Dee declared me perfect, Nan grabbed my hand and led me up to the floor level of the church, explaining her plan as we went.
I stopped dead when I realized it entailed actually permitting Jordan Drover to touch me as she planned to have him walk both of us down the aisle. “There has got to be somebody else.”
“We were going to have Jerry do the honors, but he’s already scared of Jordan. He won‘t argue; as long as Jordan wants the task, it’s his.”
“Why did you do this?”
“What?”
“The whole wedding thing. Harrison and I are legal. Married. I didn’t need all this.”
“And didn’t want it, obviously. But you’re not alone in the world and it means a lot to other people to see it done right.”
“By which you mean yourself.”
“And your father. And even if he uses it to look like a family man, Jordan Drover wants to make sure it’s done right.”
“I guarantee that man’s reasons aren’t the same as anybody else’s.”
She took my hand and wrapped it around her elbow. “I’m sure you’re right about that. But do this for a couple of sentimental old fools.”
“I’m here. But it has more to do with Harrison, than anybody else. He needed to do this to make you happy.”
“He needed to do it because he loves you so much and he wants the world to see pictures of his beautiful bride.”
“Considering how long that picture ran on the newsnet they’ve already seen me. It’s a bit late to worry about wedding pictures when the world knows we’re married.”
“I guess I won’t make you see any sense in this, but you won’t regret it.”
“I’ve been regretting it all morning.”
“Smile, sweetheart.”
Jordan Drover came into view standing in front of an open pair of oak doors. Through the doors I could see every pew was filled. People stood around the walls. Many, many cameras aimed at the open doors as organ music filled the church.
Jordan placed a hand on Nan’s elbow then snugly wrapped his fingers around mine. I walked as far away from him as I could without actually tugging him. Before we walked through the door he whispered, “Where are your weapons today, Mrs. Kendrel?”
I snorted. “Strapped to my thighs.”
He stopped and stared as though assessing the truth of my words and I was reminded of Harrison informing me his father could tell when people lied to him. Did it frustrate him to not be certain? And what did it matter anyway?
“I’ve been in two firefights since I’ve been here. Do you really think I’d go anywhere without them?” Going without my nine-mil was one thing nobody was going to talk me into.
The organs began playing a song I’d only listened to a couple of times in my life--wasn’t generally into happily ever after--I called it the wedding dirge and honestly, why would people choose such a depressing bit of music? Technically I suppose it was a march and it was the end of life as the bride knew it…My thoughts trailed away as Jordan Drover straightened and tugged me forward.
Nan walked willingly and I decided that unless I wanted people to think me unwilling to declare my love to the world--which I was, but I didn’t want it to reflect badly on Harrison--I should probably do the same. Cameras flashed as we strolled down the aisle.
Harrison stood beside my father to the right of the priest, who stood upon a pulpit. An altar contained a huge book with gilt-edges and a violet bookmark holding it open to the needed page.
Good thing I’m not particularly religious or I might have worried about God striking down somebody who’d shot something close to thirty people in the past two months. At least the pews on the left side were half-filled with HQ blue and Two-Three-Seven’s sea-green uniforms. Maybe the watch could explain to God it’d been self-defense.
Distracting myself with inane thoughts I made it down the aisle while Harrison smiled reassurance. Annabel and Jerry sat with a man I didn’t recognize, but by appearances, must be Jordan’s brother. The big woman who had stood behind Annabel, sat next to the brother. Dee sat in the next row back and I saw she hadn’t come alone. Beyond the second row on that side, I didn’t recognize anybody.
I breathed a sigh of relief when Jordan stopped in front of Harrison and Jallahan. He turned so Nan stood in front of my father and I stood in front of Harrison then gracefully stepped out, going to sit beside Annabel.
I scarcely listened to the priest. Harrison squeezed my hand when I needed to pay attention and say or do something and then he stepped up and kissed me, and miraculously it ended. I’d survived.
It took forever until the professional photographer Nan hired decided he had a sufficient quantity of photographs. I was all for getting out of the stupid dress. Preferably naked and under Harrison, but I’d attended enough of these things to realize we were probably heading to a reception. Hundreds of people stood in front of the church and I pulled back as Harrison urged me forward. “You owe me. You owe me big; and I will collect.”
“I’m kinda counting on that.” He grinned like he’d just won a prize. “I love you.” He curled his arm around, bringing us face to face and kissed me as we stood just inside the church door, which brought another round of flashes from those cameras close enough to get the shot. “Should we finish this?”
I glanced back out the door, pasted on a smile, and we strolled outside. Sergeant Wallin sat behind the wheel of a Hummer at the foot of the steps. Rollick held the back door open. Nan and Jallahan were already climbing into the Hummer in front of us. President Drover slid in beside me and I climbed into Harrison’s lap.
“I don’t bite,” Jordan said with a wry tone.
Wally pulled out onto the road and headed toward the beach.
“You tried to bind us with hedge-witchery. I’d rather you just kept your hands to yourself.”
“We’ve come to an agreement. I’ll leave the two of you alone for now. Although I’d like it in writing.”
“Not a chance. And I’m definitely not signing anything in blood. Guess it’s time for me to start reading up on hedge-witches.”
“You might try pagan beliefs and spells as well.” His smarmy smile made me grate my teeth.
“Aren’t you supposed to be busy running the world? How the hell do you find time for all this reading?”
“Always time for family,” he answered without answering.
Images of him with an open book on the podium reading about pagan beliefs as he was giving a speech about overpopulation flashed through my mind. The man could obviously multi-task with the best.
“So tell me about the gentleman that went swimming with the two of you the other night.” Persuasion carried clearly in his tone.
Wally said, “He was six foo
t, maybe six one—“
President Drover rolled his eyes. “That’s enough, Sergeant. I already have your report.”
“That was you, Wally? Get an eyeful?” I wasn’t sure if the anger creeping into my voice was for Wally doing the prez’s bidding, or for the prez putting him in that situation.
“And then some,” Wally’s languid voice remained level, maybe even a touch of humor. “Just when I’d about given up the possibility of ever seeing you naked. You know it’s not a good idea to make it obvious you’re unarmed when you’ve had as many problems as you have around here.”
“My pistol was only three feet away until I went in the water. And as long as Harrison’s around, I’m not exactly unprotected.” I kissed Harrison and he smiled at the trust I declared for him.
“I guess that means you don’t plan to tell me about the man with you?” President Drover put himself back in the conversation.
“Why would I?”
“Then how about the dolphin?”
“What about them? Dolphins have been admired for their intelligence for millennium.”
“There’s more than the one?”
“What the hell did you come to the beach for if you’re not going to spend any time there?” I grinned at him, knowing full well he wasn’t here for the sights. “If you’d spent an afternoon down there you’d know there’s a whole pod of them. I guess they design them not to reproduce. Don’t think they’re hunted like the deer in Eighty-Six, so there must be some manner of population control.”
“But this one took you for a ride.”
“That was her idea. But it was kinda cool.”
Harrison’s arms tightened around my waist. “It was. But it scared the hell out of me when she took off with you. Not like either of us are long distance swimmers.”
The dress bunched underneath me as I scooted in his lap and I tugged at it. “She didn’t exactly tell me what the plan was. Just started bumping my legs.”
“And you of course, spread your legs and invited her to take you.” Jordan’s voice didn’t sound like that of someone who’d just made an exceedingly lewd comment.
I gawked at him for a moment. Somehow I hadn’t pictured him ever coming up with something like that. To me, that was proof positive there were no hidden cameras or recording devices in the car. Harrison nuzzled my neck and said, “He likes to say things like that when nobody can prove it. Thinks it keeps family off stride. Never quite sure what to expect.”