by Gayle Katz
“Sure. That’s a nice thought.”
“I mean it.”
“Of course you do.”
Turning to Jack, Scott presents the offer again, “If you need anything, please call.” Handing his card to Jack, he smiles and shakes his hand before walking away.
Staring at the vase with the flowers down on the end table, I see another bouquet that I didn’t notice before. There’s a card, so I reach over to see who they’re from. All it says is, “B & B.”
“Who’s it from?” asked Jack. “I didn’t see anyone else with flowers come into the room.”
“I don’t know,” I say. In truth, I had already given it a lot of thought and the only B and B I could come up with is Ben and Brie, but it didn’t make any sense and I couldn’t be sure.
Turning back to Jack, Chris, Liz, and Kelly, I can’t help but express my reservations about Scott’s visit. “How can you believe anything that guy says? His research team is the main reason why this zombie plague started in the first place. He pushed Ben… er Professor Carter to the tipping point.”
“Wait a second. Are you defending Carter? Why are you on his side? He’s just as much to blame as anyone,” Jack said.
“That’s silly. I’m not defending him, but I do wonder. Even if he refused Scott’s offers and demands from the very beginning, Scrycor might have still sought out someone else to do the job.”
“You can talk about what-ifs all you like, the Professor is still to blame.”
“Agreed. So is Scott and his company.”
“He’s making amends for that,” Kelly says.
“Making amends? I guess. Millions of people are dead, lives are ruined, and he’s walking around in snazzy suits throwing cash at everything and everyone. Are you telling me that makes it better, or erases what he’s done?”
“It wasn’t him, Jane. It was his team. He’s one of the good guys.”
“Good guys? He’s the CEO. He’s responsible for his team and their actions.”
“Listen, I don’t want to argue. You’ve been gone for a while and adjusting back into society may take some time.”
“Yeah," said Liz. "We know you’ve been through a lot, more than we’ll ever know, so get better and we’ll continue this conversation again soon, all right? Maybe you can help with the recovery efforts? There are a lot of people who need help, someone to cheer them up, someone to talk to. You could really make a difference in people’s lives, and your own. It’s time for all of us to pick up the pieces and begin the process of healing.”
Chris’s phone rings. He picks it up, excuses himself, and walks to the door, holding it open for Kelly and Liz, leaving me alone with Jack for the first time in what seems like forever.
“Finally,” Jack says. “I thought they would never leave.”
“I know. It’s good to see them, but I’m glad they’re gone. I love you, and I’m so glad you’re safe and that this whole mess is over. Come here,” I say, reaching out my arms. “Hop in.”
“Isn’t that against hospital rules?”
“Probably,” I say, grinning from ear to ear. “Who cares?” I shrug. “Get over here!”
“In a minute.” Jack walks over to the door and grabs the handle.
“What are you doing?”
“There’s someone else who wants to say hello, and since we’re already breaking the hospital rules, I figure now’s a good time.” Beaming, he opens the door. Rocky gallops into the room and onto my bed.
“How did you get him in here?” I ask, with Rocky licking my face. “I thought pets weren’t allowed?”
“I paid an orderly to play with him and hold his leash,” Jack says, walking back over to us.
“Just another reason why I love you.”
Jack carefully gets into the hospital bed and lies next to me while Rocky makes himself comfortable at the foot of the bed. “You know, when I lost you, well… er… your clone, I couldn’t believe it. I was devastated. My world was over, but then I got word that you were alive. I was confused, but elated. Talking to you over the satellite phone was like a dream come true for me. I didn’t believe any of it until I saw you at the airport. And then you shot yourself, and I went through it all over again. It was like someone stabbed me in the heart. The pain, it was so deep. I couldn’t breathe. Never do anything like that to me again, do you hear me?”
“Under one condition,” I reply.
“What’s that?”
“You have to quit your job, and you have to quit it now. No more flying around the world, leaving me alone for days or weeks at a time in order to get the next big story.”
He smiles a big grin.
“What?”
“Baby, I already did.”
Chapter 19
________________________________________
SIX MONTHS LATER
“I still can’t believe you waited so long to get married,” I say to Nora. Nora was a news person at the college radio station alongside Jack back when the zombie infestation broke out on the Scarlet Peak University campus. Today she’s marrying Connor, her fiancé and the only salesperson who survived the initial outbreak at the station. Unfortunately, Jayce and Abigail weren’t as lucky.
“We were waiting for the right time so you and Jack could be here to help us celebrate,” Nora replies. “We almost had the wedding with… that other Jane, but then she got sick, and it just didn’t feel right to celebrate our happiness when Jack was so heartbroken. We tried to be there for him. Connor hung out with him many times, but he just wasn’t the same Jack. At first, he just kept blaming himself. If he hadn’t gone on that last trip and gotten captured, you wouldn’t have followed him and put yourself in danger. And then when he thought you came back, he told us he thought something was off. But he stuck it out just in case you might have developed some form of PTSD making you act strangely from being in that war zone. And then you… errr… your double died. That was it. Jack was so depressed. We visited him, but all he wanted to do was sleep. We thought the Jack we knew was gone forever until he got word from Chris that you were alive and finally coming home.”
“He didn’t tell me about all of that.”
“Then let’s keep this between you and me. That’s his story to tell, not mine.”
“Sure. OK.”
“Listen, he probably wants to forget about it. Bringing it up again by telling you likely only makes him remember when he was at his lowest.”
“It’s a lot for one person to handle, that’s for sure. You and Connor are good friends. I can’t thank you enough for keeping an eye on him and Rocky while I was… away.”
“How could we not? You and Jack were the only reason Connor and I survived that zombie nightmare at school. Well, that and having Wyatt watch over us until help arrived. We owed it to everyone to wait until we could all be together again. It just wouldn’t be right to do this without the whole gang here. Say, did you get a chance to say hello to Wyatt? He’s somewhere out there in the crowd.”
“Not yet. It’s been way too long since we’ve seen each other. I can’t wait to catch up with him.”
“Definitely! And those crazy guys, Bill and Logan are out there, too.”
“Ha! I can’t believe it.”
“Yeah. We rounded everyone up.”
“Well, we’re finally all together again and you look beautiful. No more talking about zombies or the past. I’m only interested in the future from now on. And, I’m delighted you wanted me to be your Matron of Honor. There’s no place else I’d rather be. I’m so happy for you both,” I choke out, trying not to cry during their happy occasion. Nora and I embrace, careful not to smudge our makeup.
“Ladies, it’s your turn,” the wedding planner says. He claps his hands, hoping to get our attention. “Come on! Get ready!”
Right now, the doors to the main hall are closed so that, when the bride’s processional music starts, the wedding planner can open the doors and make sure all eyes are on Nora, dressed in white lace.
In the meantime, I peek through one of the cracks in the door. I see the Minister in the center of the alter with a smiling, somewhat tense Connor standing next to him. Next to Connor is Jack. Both are looking quite dapper dressed up in their black tuxes. They already made their way down the aisle. Now it’s our turn. Thinking back to our wedding, Jack and I didn’t have anything so lavish when we got married a few years back, and I think I know why. I’m not sure Jack and I were up to all of this pomp and circumstance. It’s just a little too fancy for us.
As the music begins, I take my place in front of Nora and her parents. Suddenly, the double doors swing open, the bright sunlight from the huge windows in the front of the hall hits me, and the wedding planner waves me on. I start walking slowly down the aisle. With each step, I’m nervous, but I focus my eyes only on Jack, and that gives me the strength to ignore all the eyes fixed on me. As I take my place on the other side of the altar, Nora and her parents are already walking down the aisle together. No more pressure. Everyone will be staring at the bride.
Halfway down the aisle, Connor walks away from the alter and meets Nora still with her parents on both sides of her. He hugs her mother and shakes her father’s hand and, in return, her father gives Nora’s hand to Connor. Nora’s parents sit down in the audience, and the two lovebirds, now holding hands, walk the final few feet to the alter and take their places in front of the Minister.
With all of the excitement of the wedding, all I can do is smile and look over at Jack, who’s already looking back at me. I still can’t believe everything we’ve been through. And, through it all, we never gave up on each other. That’s true love in my book.
With everyone focusing on the bride, I take the opportunity to look out into the audience. While I don’t know most of these people, I do spot a few familiar faces.
There’s Wyatt, my old mentor from the college radio station. When we were all leaving to seek refuge and help, he bravely stayed behind. He remained on the air in case he could help by continuing to coordinate people and direct the authorities to those who needed assistance. He’s a good man.
And then my eyes catch a glimpse of Bill, the radio station’s resident engineer, and Logan, the sports guy who usually worked mornings with Jack and Nora. Both Bill and Logan helped us get off campus that fateful day. Who knew that zombies would still be such a major part of our lives almost ten years later.
Turning back to Connor and Nora, I see them exchanging rings, kissing each other, and walking back down the aisle together. The audience is clapping wildly for them and I raise my hands to do the same. With their ceremony over, the festivities will begin shortly. As the hall begins to empty and guests start to flow into the reception area, Jack walks over and wraps his arms around my waist. I respond by putting my arms around his neck.
“Have I told you how gorgeous you look today?” Jack asks.
“Yes, but I never get tired of hearing it,” I reply.
“You know you’re the prettiest woman at this wedding, right?”
“No. Today is all about Connor and Nora. She looks beautiful.”
“To be honest, I didn’t notice. I was too busy staring at you the whole time,” Jack winks. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” I say, resting my head on his chest for a moment before looking up into his eyes.
“Well, it took a while, but they’re married,” Jack says.
“Yeah, they sure are. And we are both here to celebrate with them. It’s a miracle.”
“Listen, I know we lost a lot of time and our wedding was pretty low key, so I’ve been meaning to ask you… Did you want a big ceremony like this one? We can renew our vows and plan a wedding that’s got everything - blooming flowers, a huge cake, fireworks, and anything else your heart desires.”
“That’s a nice thought and so sweet of you, but nah. I kinda loved our little, impromptu wedding. And, right now, I’m happy just to have you in my arms. That’s really all my heart desires. Everything is so perfect. And look at that,” I say, pointing at the empty hall.
“Look at what? I don’t see anything.”
“Yeah, isn’t it great? No zombies. Finally, I don’t need to have my heart in my throat every time I turn a corner, hoping, praying that zombies aren’t around the bend ready to pounce. Now there’s nothing, except our love and a future filled with happiness.”
Jack and I pause for a moment, glance around one last time to make sure we’re alone, and kiss.
Thank You
________________________________________
Did you just finish book 6? Congrats! Between you and me, I'd definitely want you on my team, fighting the good fight against the zombie invasion! Zombies are in my blood, ya know? I bet they're in yours too!
At this point, Jane deserves a chance to live a happily ever after with Jack in a zombie-free zone, but since we never tire of the zombie struggle, stay tuned for my next series. While I'm not ready to let the cat out of the bag yet, I can tell you it's another zombie adventure that'll knock your socks off and keep you awake at night!
If you have time, one of the best ways to help me write more books is to leave a review. Tap here to rate and review the trilogy on Amazon.
Again, thanks so much for reading my books, reviewing (if you choose to do so), and supporting me!
Best,
Gayle
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You’re reading the second trilogy in the Jane Zombie Chronicles.
About the Author
Born and raised outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Gayle discovered her passion for zombies when her husband introduced her to video games in 2009.
Gayle writes about the undead because they scare the bejesus out of her and she likes it! She’s also an advocate for always facing your fears as she’s an author of self-help, nonfiction books too.
If you’d like to find out about Gayle’s new releases, exclusive promotions, and snag your FREE copy of the Jane Zombie Chronicles Prequel, Strange Start, (if you haven’t already!), hop over to her website to sign up.
Tap here to get started!
If that link doesn't work, click here: http://strangestart.gaylekatz.com