A frown tugged at the corners of August’s mouth. He gently turned her to face him. Cameras went crazy. He held the locket and put it back against her skin. He leaned close and kissed her head.
For the cameras, Valerie thought. Her affection for him was there still, but she no longer felt obligated to be in love. Until last night, her life and the life of her daughter rested with him. Today she held her life in her own hands, and the liberty was worth every ounce of selfishness guarding her heart.
August entered the great hall first, escorting Valerie to her seat in the front row on the right side. Hyka’s side. He climbed the stairs of the platform, slower than the day before. He kept his head down and stood in position as Jack made his way up the aisle. Classic rock played overhead, a detail not divulged to Valerie. She found the musical choice fitting of the couple and even humorous. Caleb dragged Kevin down the long expanse of red carpet to the stairs. Her brother never once flashed a look of annoyance but laughed quietly at the boy’s determination. Kevin’s attentiveness to her son offered a welcome comfort he wouldn’t do anything to hurt the boy. Though she knew he was he was up to something.
As the rock ballad crooned the word “lay-day,” the attendees stood. The grand hall was at maximum capacity; hundreds of people filled the standing room where the rows of seats ended. At the giant doors, Duke held Hyka’s hand in the crook of his elbow and led her down the aisle. He, no doubt, kept her pace from a brisk walk to a relaxed step. Drums hammered out a march of sorts and, by the second verse, Duke stood with Hyka’s hand in his and extended it to Jack.
The music faded, and August asked, “Who gives this woman away to this man?”
“In honor of Austin Major, her father, I do,” Duke said, strong and authoritative.
Hearing the words created a ball in Valerie’s throat. Days ago, they had all laughed and celebrated the announcement of this very moment, none of them knowing their fathers wouldn’t be there to see it. Except for Major. He knew and chose to disregard the future for the moment of happiness. Just like Hyka knew. Valerie shuddered and caught a tear in her handkerchief.
As promised, August wasted no time getting to the point of the ceremony. Although, he did sprinkle the speech with the few formalities Courtney refused to budge on omitting. Valerie kept her eye on Kevin, who sat opposite her on Jack’s side, as the rings were exchanged. He sat where Courtney had placed him, to show equal family support of the two getting married, not separated intentionally on his part. Kevin remained attentive to the event next to Teresa versus showing signs of impending disturbance. Remembering his terrified face the night before made her laugh. Maybe he had nothing up his sleeve for once.
“Do you, Hyka Major…”
“YES.” Hyka yelled two decibels too loud into the speaker system that dangled from the ceiling, causing the room to jump. No one dared release the slightest giggle, though smiles spread across the audience, including the one threatening the corners of Valerie’s mouth. She covered her face to mask the smirk.
“Do you, Jackson McGuire, take Hyka Major to be your wife?”
“I do.”
“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Jack lifted the thin veil from Hyka’s eyes, took her face in his hands, and kissed her for the first time in public. Valerie dabbed the corners of her eyes, careful not to ruin the art that was her makeup six people worked so hard on. August tucked his notes under his arm and began to applaud the new couple.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, for the first time, Jackson and Hyka McGuire.”
Whistles, cheers, and applause erupted through the grand hall. White and yellow petals floated down from the ceiling as Jack and Hyka walked hand in hand at a swift pace for the door.
“Caleb,” Valerie called for the boy’s attention. He bopped over to her, bouncing the ring pillow off his knee with each step. August followed.
“They want us to take pictures on the platform stairs,” August said.
Valerie curled her upper lip to her nose and raised an eyebrow. “They forget so fast what took place on those steps.”
“We’re making happy memories, Val.” He took her hand. “They are happy, right?”
“Yes,” she said, giving a graceful smile. Even with his energy flowing through her hand and up her arm, his touch no longer arrested her heart. She moved with him for appearances. She was happy, but not for him or with him. They might pose as a family, but the longer he was beside her, the further she distanced her heart.
The housekeeping crew left no evidence of Jarrett’s shenanigans the night before in the reception hall in the hotel, but the atmosphere during the first half-hour in the hall was one of widespread caution. No one talked too loud or moved too fast. The sudden twang of an electric guitar startled the waiting attendees.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. and Mrs. McGuire,” Duke announced over the drumming of rock and roll which served as their theme music. The couple ran through the crowd to the dance floor as the intro music faded. A piano played, and Hyka draped her arms over Jack’s shoulders, leaning her forehead on his. Jack lifted his chin to close the gap between their mouths. He raised his hand to her face and subtly swiped a tear with his thumb. Hyka was crying?
Valerie sipped water as the song ended. Caleb, too antsy to sit still, slithered out of his chair to her. She scooped him up, and he didn't even fight. The party wore on and he fell asleep before salads were served.
“Running into nap time?”
She jumped, having forgotten August was beside her. She nodded. “Mine, too.”
Valerie watched the room as Hyka did her best to accept a few dances. Duke whisked her around, and Valerie caught a smile or two on Hyka’s otherwise stoic face.
Cameras flashed occasionally, capturing the precious moment of mother and child, as Caleb slept in her lap. Knowing the photo would boast her maternal leadership on the cover of the city’s newspaper, she made a note to request a few to hang in the apartment.
“Care to dance?” Jack asked, offering her his hand.
“I should really get this dude to bed.”
“Nonsense,” Hyka said, lifting Caleb up and holding him to her beautiful dress before taking a seat Teresa had left vacant.
Valerie took Jack’s hand, and he spun her onto the dance floor.
“Remember, my center of gravity is off,” Valerie said, snapping into position in his arms. Applause rang all around them, accompanied by flashing lights.
“Hyka told you the plan for this evening?” he asked quietly under his breath.
“Yes.”
“I guess by now you know we’re expecting. Someone told August, and it wasn’t me.”
Valerie blushed. “Just August, I swear. Monica and I haven’t even discussed it, and I know she knows.”
“I’m terrified,” he admitted. “I’m scared something will go wrong. Not with our mission, but something here.”
“Jack, for the first time since this all started, I feel in control. Safe, even. Hell, I would even do the mission myself if you all would let me.”
Jack laughed at the suggestion. “Fat chance, miss.”
“When do you plan on flying out to Dallas?”
“We’re flying straight to Florida, then on to Georgia to find any others. The Hamptons are already on their way in position. They should touch down in Montgomery any minute now. A week is being generous. They refuse to stay any longer.”
“I’m so glad someone else is good at politics and strategic planning because it’s definitely not me. I have the best people supporting me.”
The song ended, and Jack kissed her cheek. “I always knew you would make it here, Valerie. Even when you thought you couldn’t.”
“Never without you or Hyka. Bring her back, okay?”
He nodded and released her to August, who bowed and held out a hand. She blushed as the flashes went crazy again, turning the dance floor into a techno rave. Acoustic guitar accompanied the slow lazy
vocals of a man singing a reverie in the face of something he already had.
“I don’t like you wearing the locket everywhere,” August said, pulling her out of her internal observations.
One corner of Valerie’s mouth rose. Something about August’s jealousy made her feel more wanted by him, if a stronger attraction were even possible. Of course he wouldn’t agree to her independence. Only one man would—her soul mate, and he was gone.
“What would the media say if I didn’t wear your gift? You gave it to me yesterday.” She thoughtlessly touched the copper piece.
August was not amused. He continued to dance through the song but said nothing else. Valerie had the upper hand for once. The power over him was intoxicating. She played a mean game and would allow herself the indulgence of not needing to rely on him for anything.
The ceremony and celebration were a success. No attacks. No stress to Valerie at all. The lights came up in the large space. Guests, filled with the magic of Hyka and Jack’s union, left in good spirits. Even Teresa and Kevin seemed to linger near each other as they moved toward the door.
“Who is piloting their plane?” Valerie asked as they made their way out of the hall. “A General Population pilot, or will another Conductor fly them? There would be consequences either way if something were to go wrong.”
“Conductor,” August said, his tone flat. “If the eastern states are hostile, it would be a bad place for General Population.”
Valerie’s amusement with August’s anger was giving way to frustration, denying her even one day of happiness. Her best friends were leaving, and her partner was aggravated with her. Wearing the locket was essential to keeping her balance. He would not take away the only thing keeping her together. It was a drug. A high that made her feel invincible. She was invincible. Who could rule over her now?
August withdrew to his room without a word. Accustomed to solo-parenting, Valerie changed Caleb’s clothes into something comfortable for their evening at the airport. Hyka and Jack needed to reach their destination before the sun set due to being literal beacons to the enemy at night. The eastern DiaZem still maintained military in Kentucky, DC, and New York. Lights in the night sky would make the team an easy target.
Valerie handed Caleb a picture book to look at and she walked across the apartment to August’s room, tapping lightly on the door.
“Can you release me from this Chinese finger-trap of a dress?” she asked the closed door.
He was brooding. She could feel it. He opened the door and twirled his finger in the air for her to turn.
“What the hell is this?” he asked, starting at the top of the twenty buttons in the middle of her back.
“I don’t have the lung capacity to reach back there. Lucky for you there is a zipper on the side,” she said, laughing, trying to break his mood. When he reached the bottom, she held the fabric to her chest and turned around. His brows eased just slightly, which made her smile.
“Give me about thirty minutes, and I’ll be ready,” she told him. “Maybe we could go for a walk after they leave.”
“Without the locket.”
“August,” she pouted.
“Damn it, Val, it’s driving me crazy.”
“I don’t want to take it off.”
“Think about why that is.”
“Because it allows me to be alone for once,” she yelled before considering the consequences. “I mean, I don’t have to rely on anyone.” Making it worse.
“Well then, if you don’t need me I can just head out to find the others within the region.”
“That’s not what I meant. I don’t need you, but it gives me the opportunity to want you.” She was lying and didn’t quite know why. If he stayed, she could keep her power over him while his was not reciprocated.
“I’m not so easily manipulated. You have a complete circuit with Lucas’ energy. Not mine. In some weird paranormal roundabout way, there is someone else in this relationship. Think about it from my angle.”
“No, August. My life depends on you. I almost died simply so you could take a vacation to Chicago. You have more power over me than I will ever have over you. We are not equal in this relationship. You won’t die if we’re not together. I can’t even hold my own child unless you are physically touching me to keep me from doing something terrible.” The tears broke through, but Valerie quickly collected herself. “For once, since the shit hit the fan, I am independent of needing. I am not reliant. I’m solely in control of the whole circuit, and you will not take this from me. You don’t get to have full control.”
Valerie walked away from him to her room but made it as far as the kitchen with August following her.
“That’s not how this works.”
“For the last four months, my daughter has been the one between us.” Valerie pounded a fist on the counter. “You don’t see that because you bear no burden here. None. It is all on me, and for once, this locket has made this burden just the tiniest bit smaller, and you can’t stand to see me any stronger than you.”
Duke opened the door slowly.
“Are you guys still coming? We should leave in a few minutes.”
“Mommy has an angry face,” Caleb explained to Duke.
“Yeah, buddy, she does.” Duke went to the boy and sat with him in the living room, picking up his book.
Valerie, still holding her dress to her chest, stormed to her bedroom across the large apartment. Even though she wanted to slam it, she closed the door gently and let the fabric fall to the floor. The mirror reflected her belly button, which stretched flat against her round stomach. Her breasts were full and firm with the locket hanging between them.
“Grace and strength,” she whispered to herself. She put on leggings, a T-shirt, and her tennis shoes. Collecting Caleb and his book in her arms, she didn’t wait for Duke or August. They made their way to the elevator as the doors opened.
“I can’t do this,” August said as the elevator doors closed.
“Are you going to leave, then?” Valerie snapped back.
“I meant I can’t fight with you, Valerie. I love you. Whether you need or want me to.”
Valerie looked down at Caleb, ashamed at her assumption. He would never leave her. Could she even leave him? The easy answer was yes. The honest answer was no. Her circle of trust was small and seemed ever-shrinking.
“I’ll take it off when we’re together.”
“Thank you.”
Bernie sat alert at the security booth. He was the gatekeeper of the airport, but Valerie wondered if he ever left his post. As if she spoke the thought directly to him, Bernie’s face lit up with recognition as they drew closer.
“I watched the entire blessed evening from the monitors right here. The two of you make the most handsome couple,” he declared to August with a bow.
“Thank you, sir,” August bowed to the man in return and handed him his identification.
Bernie studied the badge dutifully using his flashlight, holding it under the scanner, and, once satisfied, handed the card back to August. “Thank you, my King DiaZem.”
“And, madam, how are you feeling this fine day?” Bernie reached out for her badge.
“We’re great,” Valerie answered with a polite smile, patting her belly. “Sad to say goodbye but thankful it’s only for a short while. And for a good reason.”
“Yes. We’re well overdue for some good happenings around here. I hear Florida is perfect this time of year,” Bernie remarked, handing back her badge.
“I hope so. They deserve it.”
Bernie high-fived Caleb and waved the party through his security checkpoint. They moved down to where the train waited. Courtney and Monica were speaking with the McGuires on the platform. Kevin and Teresa stood further down the platform to board a separate train car to the terminal. Smiling, Valerie knew any words she said to her best friend would completely undo them both. She didn’t want to be responsible for making Hyka question the mission and leaving. Instead, concentra
ting on reading Kevin’s lips and posture from two cars away kept her mind busy. The train came to a slow stop at the A Terminal. Jack carried Caleb on his shoulders, giving August the opportunity to take Valerie’s hand while they walked.
Through the windows, red and blue lights flashed as fire trucks, police cars, and other security escorted the plane to the gate. Though the private jet boasted a commercial name, the small crew remained generically dressed, except for the captain who made his way up the ladder to the terminal.
“King and Queen DiaZem, I’m Captain Mitch Hutnik. I’m honored to be escorting your personal staff on this mission.”
“Your reputation and skill definitely set you apart from your peers. We hope you’re not required to use your evasive expertise, but we are confident in our choice. Thank you, Captain,” August said, shaking the man’s hand.
“Please bring them home safely, with or without extra cargo. They mean a lot.” Valerie fought the tears. Just a few more minutes and she could cry as much as she needed to.
“Madam,” Captain Hutnik said before taking Valerie’s hand and lowering his head to meet her knuckle with a kiss. “I take my responsibility seriously. I understand the state of the world is stressed. I’ll do everything in my power to ensure we all make it home safe.”
“That’s as much as we can ask. Thank you, Captain Hutnik.”
The captain took hold of Jack’s bag and followed Kevin and another crew member back to the plane to load the couple’s personal items. Valerie watched out the window while Kevin stayed on the tarmac chatting with the security detail. Hyka approached Valerie and wrapped her long arms over her shoulders squeezing what little air she had room for out of her lungs.
“Damn it,” Hyka said into Valerie’s hair. “Stay out of trouble. Just for a few days. I swear if you’re not okay when I get back, I’m killing everyone.”
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