Tears now flowed down Hyka’s cheeks.
“I’m sorry he hurt you. I’m sorry Jarrett nearly took you from me. I’ll never let it happen again.”
Hyka sobbed and shook her head. “It’s not like that, Val. You don’t get to change things.”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
Hyka sucked in a breath and straightened up. One last wipe of her face and her stoic posture returned. “I mean, hold onto the happy moments. Even if you know how short they are. That was the last thing my father said to me.”
“What do you know, Hyka? What did you see when you dreamt forward?”
Hyka grabbed Valerie by the shoulders and pulled her tight. “I saw your beautiful baby girl. She’s perfect just like you. But I also saw myself beat the living shit out of Teresa.”
Valerie let out a cackle before catching more laughter with her hand over her mouth.
“There was no sense of time, and things came in clips, but I mess her up pretty bad.”
“Maybe she eats your last cupcake.”
“No one messes with my cupcakes.”
The women continued along the lit path in silence. Old fashioned streetlights allowed them to see clearly amongst the headstones.
“You go ahead and talk to your man. I’ll be right here.” Hyka sat on a bench and motioned her to go on.
The jacket Valerie had grabbed before leaving suddenly felt too thin for the cold air. The thick metal of her necklace sent a deep chill through her with every step.
“Are you here?” she whispered into the night. “I wish you were still here.”
Silence surrounded her. No organic energy. No hum of the Facility or voices of any kind, like she stared into the dark abyss of death itself. Alone.
“Is there another reality where you’re still here? And Caleb has his daddy? Show me how to rewind and take all of this back. You’d stay home, and we’d run away and hide like the others. We could wait for someone else to start the rebellion. I just want you.”
Valerie sat down and leaned her head against the cold stone. She stayed until the sun gave hint along the horizon. She stood, touched the locket on her neck, and walked to gently shake Hyka awake.
Hyka snored on the bed, but Valerie had never been more awake. She thought for a long time about the weight they both carried. She was positive Hyka was holding something back from her near-death vision, but Valerie wouldn’t dare press into the matter. Hyka let out a yawn, and Valerie followed suit in an empathy reaction. The hot coffee in her hand was a habit of the morning. Her nap on the couch the night before was her only rest in two days. She rolled the locket in her hand, running the charm back and forth over the chain by which it hung. Feeling no attraction to the object, Valerie knew the energy inside rejuvenated her. If only she had had this power before. Would she have allowed August to get so close? Would she have stayed long enough to let him? Would she stay now?
The clock took its time finding seven a.m. It was three hours before hair, makeup, Lalit, and Courtney arrived. Valerie didn’t dread the idea of being fussed over. She welcomed the pampering, thankful for a day worth celebrating. The energy harnessed around her neck even kept her depression at bay. Instead, she felt nothing for the baby in her womb, which was a drastic improvement from the utter loathing she lived with daily.
She did, however, feel awfully restless. The time for Caleb to get out of bed was close enough. She needed something to do with all her newfound energy. Lingering for a moment in the doorway to watch her baby sleep with his pouty lips and toddler cheeks, Valerie smiled at her son. She could be the mom he needed. She could be present and not forever looking over her shoulder or anticipating the next internal attack. Caleb was safe.
She gently kissed Caleb’s cheek and rubbed his back until he blinked up at her.
“Are you excited for Uncle Jack-Jack getting married to Miss Hyka today?”
Caleb nodded and smiled.
“Me too, buddy. You’re going to be the best ring boy ever.”
Valerie set the boy down at the dining table and went to get the milk for his cereal. A note hung from the refrigerator by a magnet. She must not have heard August get up.
Val-
Headed to the control room to work up the plan for Hijack’s trip. I’ll be back to help get Caleb ready for the wedding.
Love, Aug
“Love.” Valerie tried the word out loud. She had said it the night before, screamed it at Lucas Jarrett’s ghost. Maybe she meant a different word, but in the moment it seemed to best articulate her desperation. Today, there was no denying the attraction to him, but where her mind entertained the relationship the day before, a grounded numbness replaced her giddiness. The locket reactivated a familiar switch she had used in the emergency room. The one that turned off all emotion and allowed her to remain focused on the mission. Perhaps it was even her mission that was changing. What would really stop her from leaving this place? Monica’s help with the baby? Her duty to the orphans of the city? Would the people truly be without if she left it all behind?
At eight a.m. sharp, Valerie’s endless thoughts on new possibilities were interrupted by Teresa letting herself in. “Good morning! Well, aren’t you just glowing today?”
The compliment caused Valerie to reach up to her locket rather than smooth out her hair or wipe her face. “Thank you. Do you like it?”
“I could have sworn he was about to propose to you!”
“For a second, I did too,” Valerie laughed quietly. “Hyka’s still sleeping.” Valerie pressed a finger to her lips.
“I think the whole world was more surprised he didn’t, though,” Teresa whispered, setting down a fresh coffee for Valerie. “Another cup every now and then never hurt a pregnant lady. You’ll need the extra caffeine today, anyway.” She winked.
“So, let’s talk about my brother while we still have a few moments of privacy,” Valerie said roughing Caleb’s hair. He smiled back revealing a mouthful of cereal through his teeth.
“I just wanted to be very transparent with you. We hit it off quite well. I’m so sorry. I never meant for this to happen. I’ll even keep my distance until after Hyka returns.”
“No, Teresa.” Valerie smiled. She had rehearsed this discussion in her head a few times. Gaining her trust and buy-in was important. “If anyone can appreciate unexpected love, it’s me. As I’m sure you’ve gathered, though, he’s not very fond of me.”
“I think a lot of that has to do with him being older and having to follow orders from his little sister.”
“Yeah, Kev has a big issue with humility. But between you and me, he should absolutely be the one here in charge. He’s trained for this his entire life, you know.”
“I didn’t know that.”
Valerie could tell Teresa’s tone shifted from passive conversation to intent listening. The woman was on the hook, right where Valerie wanted her. “I was also thinking, once Hyka does return, I might start an actual outreach committee, and I’ll likely need a chairperson who has experience. I think it’s long overdue that you have some help. Would you be interested in that?”
“Umm, sure.”
Valerie’s play on her constant job advancement missed the mark. “Oh, for outward appearance reasons, would you consider that you and my brother are dating now?”
Teresa laughed, “Umm, I would have to ask him, but within my understanding, yes.”
“Okay, so you’ll be his date tonight at the wedding? Just so Courtney can prepare to answer for your relationship. There are very few secrets around here.”
Studying her response, Valerie sensed an apprehension. Bull’s-eye.
“About those secrets,” Teresa began, “I think Kevin’s animosity goes way deeper than a need for humility. I’m only saying this because I’m scared if I don’t and something happens, you’ll never trust me again.”
“Go on.”
“Kevin asked me to help him with something you wouldn’t approve of. He didn’t tell me
what and he also said I wouldn’t be alone in the task. He made it sound like someone else here in the hotel would be helping me.”
“Did he give you an idea of the nature of the task? Like are you smuggling drugs or stealing a thumb drive with important information on it?”
“Valerie, I think it’s something to do with you directly.”
“Okay,” Valerie said, gritting her teeth. She wanted to lock him up immediately. She would have to find his surveillance feeds first and pray the interaction was recorded somewhere. “It’s fine, Teresa. Just let me know if he tells you anything else, alright?”
“Yes, ma’am. And thank you. I really don’t think it’s anything to hurt you. And I really do like him.”
Letting them date was a mistake, and Valerie knew it as soon as the words left Teresa’s mouth. If what little information she did offer was not enough, Valerie would have to let them continue until she could catch Kevin slipping up. He would slip with her. He had to.
Before long, the eighth-floor dwelling was bustling with women, dresses, and excitement. Teresa sat on the couch, scrolling through her phone in the simple black dress Lalit gave her to wear. She ignored everyone’s attempts to make her feel welcome or part of the chattering group. She only responded to Valerie’s requests for help with Caleb or conveying messages to the kitchen for a last-minute menu request.
“When we have a minute,” Hyka said, “I have to tell you something.” She never revealed what her conversation was going to be about through the tone in her voice. She could have exciting news just as easily as bad.
“I don’t think we’ll be alone for a while,” Valerie answered over a blush brush held by one of the many people working on her. Someone stuck a straw in her face. After looking at the glass of water, she drank and waved it away. They offered Hyka the same, but instead she took the glass and drank it down without the straw, handing back an empty glass.
“Why am I so damn thirsty all the time,” Hyka said, straining as a mascara wand approached her eyelid. “If someone could just put a watermelon in the blender and give me a straw, I’d marry them instead of Jack.”
“I can call Jack, tell him to order it from the kitchen, and bring it to you at the altar. That would solve both issues.”
“It’s about the honeymoon,” Hyka said, locking eyes with Valerie. “And Kevin.”
Hyka nodded her head toward Teresa, who nonchalantly put her phone away. Valerie kept her eyes on Hyka but could see Teresa in her peripheral turn her head toward the conversation.
“I feel like he’s coming around,” Valerie lied, to show Teresa her trust in keeping the secret from even her best friend. “I think I’ll have him over here more while you guys are away. You know, to help with Caleb.”
The hair and makeup crew offered Valerie one last sip of water before relinquishing their positions as Lalit shooed them off.
“Teresa, go do something,” Hyka said, waving the other woman off.
With a deadly glare, Teresa gathered her purse and left.
“Stop doing that! I think I’m onto something here,” Valerie said with a sigh.
“You have August. You don’t need her.” Hyka added, “I don’t like her.”
“She doesn’t like you either,” Lalit laughed taking Hyka by the hand and leading her to her gown hanging across the room.
“When it’s just her and me, she really isn’t that bad. She and Kevin are a thing now.”
Lalit’s smile faded into a thin line as she offered a hand to Valerie and helped her out of the chair and into the bathroom. “Here is your dress.” She hung a black garment bag on a hook and closed the door but for a one-inch crack.
“I’m guessing it’s safe to talk now?” Valerie spoke loud enough for Hyka to hear from the bedroom.
“The Hamptons have agreed to help us recover the East Coast DiaZem left in Florida and Georgia.”
Valerie’s jaw dropped. She didn’t even bother to fasten her dress. She held the loose fabric to her breasts and walked back into the room. “Are they interested in maintaining the new footprint?”
“We’re hoping to introduce a team to cover the southeastern part of the country loyal to us. This would open trade routes on the East Coast, which is huge. Chances are if the solo DiaZem haven’t already joined the Council, they won’t.” Hyka pulled her bra off while holding her dress to herself like Valerie, and threw it onto the bed. “Besides, the Hamptons are Texas. They would never take up shop anywhere else.”
Valerie nodded. “I wonder why the eastern team moved. You think they’ll take over our military too? I mean if they are housed at the Pentagon,” Valerie trailed off. They could command from DC. There were a million reasons to move and sacrifice the footprint of the southern states or any state. “You’re leaving tonight, aren’t you?”
“After Caleb goes to bed,” Hyka answered like it would soften the blow. “Don’t let Kevin live here while we’re gone. Ship that dude off as soon as you get the chance. The chick with him.”
Valerie considered Hyka’s warning. She touched the locket around her neck and remembered her own strength. Inhale. Exhale. She would be fine. One week and everything would be back to normal.
Lalit zipped the side of Valerie’s dress, then move across the room to do the same for Hyka.
“My boobs hurt,” Hyka said, roughly adjusting her top half into the fabric.
“You look amazing.” Valerie’s eye watered. She wished Major could see his daughter, the rough-around-the-edges tom-girl all dolled up with her sleek short black hair. Her high cheekbones sparkled with the slightest shimmer. Her lips were painted a sheer pink. She looked even taller in her antique gold dress. Lalit had sewn black beads into a sheer fabric along her arms, back, and the otherwise bare space of her chest. The pattern of the beading mimicked the tattoos Hyka had lost in the Awakening. The intricate details sparkled in the images that were once permanent on her skin.
Hyka touched the wings of the beaded bird spread over her chest in an elegant pattern. “I might need a whole new wardrobe, Lalit.”
“One and done. I made this once, and I will not do it again. I can adapt it into another dress in one year, but I will not recreate this masterpiece,” Lalit said, admiring her own artwork.
A pounding on the bedroom door snapped Valerie out of her admiration.
“What?” Hyka yelled.
Teresa opened the door. “You all have to leave in twenty minutes.”
“Is Caleb ready? August?”
“We’re ready!” August hollered from the living room.
“Are you ready?” Valerie looked at Hyka, far more excited than her friend.
“Let’s get this over with.” Hyka snatched a small sandwich off a plate. Careful to not smudge her lipstick, she fit the entire piece in her mouth.
“Teresa, do you have any gum?”
“Not gum,” Lalit interjected. She produced a minty mouth spray from her bag and handed it to Teresa. “Before the door opens to the wedding. Two sprays, no more.”
Teresa took the spray and tucked it into her purse.
“All right, now?” Valerie asked, looking around the room. With no objections, she walked past Teresa, who cut everyone else off to follow her.
August stood up from the couch, openmouthed. It reminded her of the first day she regressed in age, the way Scott had looked at her in the shower when the effects of the DiaZem gene took hold of her body.
Courtney rambled on beside her about when and where’s, but Valerie couldn’t hear over the pounding of August’s heart. She could feel it in her own chest though he stood over twenty feet away. His black suit and green bow tie matched her dress of dark green with black beading. The lights brightened ever so slightly, but not by her doing for once.
“Are you my date?” he finally asked.
“No,” Lalit said, pushing past Teresa. “She is Caleb’s date. At least until the dinner.”
“I blame all of this on you, Lalit. She’s already stunning, and you made he
r irresistible,” Courtney said, finally taking a breath to admire Valerie.
Lalit turned to Courtney, who wore her own Lalit design. “Is this not what you ask me to do? Make the most beautiful woman into the most stunning mother they have ever laid their eyes on?”
“Yes, Lalit,” Valerie said, leaning over and leaving a kiss on each cheek of her mother figure. “Thank you very much. But for the last time, this isn’t about me!”
Valerie turned to put the attention on Hyka, but the bride had yet to leave the bedroom. Walking back, Valerie found her sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Ready?”
“Damn it,” she whispered and shoved herself up to follow Valerie out of the room. Applause erupted from the group in the apartment. Hyka walked straight by them all and to the door leading to the elevators.
“Well, let’s go!” Courtney clapped and motioned everyone to the exit.
Valerie took Caleb by his hand. She felt taller, stronger; like the leader Courtney worked so hard to portray. When she walked through the hotel and down to the train platform, her shoulders were back and her chin up. Her wounds scarred over, which left a hard exterior few would ever see beneath. The genuine smile of admiration for August she adopted just the day before was replaced by the graceful strength she no longer needed to be reminded of. Not waiting for August to accompany her off the train, Valerie stood in front of a staged backdrop and posed in the wedding gown Lalit adapted with her signature design and her favorite color. The August joined her in a photo with a hand in the small of her back.
“Is everything all right? You seem distant,” he asked in little more than a whisper.
“I think I am finally coming out of the fog,” she smiled. It was true. She was more like herself, in control and independent to even August. She spent her marriage being separated from her husband for various amounts of time between deployments and field exercises to the unpredictable railroad schedule. Valerie handled everything herself, but the DiaZem gene had taken her freedom. She relied on August for survival. With the energy trapped in the locket, she was free. Her strength was hers alone, not the helping hand of her partner’s proximity. The locket which trapped Lucas Jarrett’s ghost had set her free. A just punishment, she thought.
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