Their mother stood up and said, “Excuse me, I’ll be right back. Don’t go away.”
She returned a few moments later. She placed a small box in James’ hands. Inside were a modest diamond engagement ring and a simple gold band. She said, “That was your great grandmother’s. These are from Earth, and they’re over one hundred years old. If you like, and if you think she would accept, they are yours.”
James looked dumbly up at his mother and nodded, unable to speak. She looked at John, “I’ll loan you the money for a ring for Jessica. By the way, you are an idiot. For a man who claims to love Rumi, you are so slow I swear, you should have a cane.”
She held up a hand before he could speak. She asked, “Do you love the woman? We both know the answer to that question. Would she make you a suitable wife? Yes. Would you want her to be the mother of your children? Absolutely. So, tell me, my brilliant idiot of a son, why have you not asked Jessica for her hand in marriage?”
John sighed, feeling a new onslaught of misery, “The war. I promised that I would watch over James, but…I think the war is going to last a long time, but I don’t know if I will. Make it, I mean.”
His mother’s stern look softened, and she said, “So, what you seem to be saying is that you have…” she looked at an antique mechanical clock on the wall, “about eighteen hours of civilian life remaining to you, is that about it? Just those eighteen hours?”
John sat, looking with a haunted expression at his mother, struggling to understand what she was telling him. She said, very softly, “If I were Jessica, I would want to spend whatever time I could with the man I loved. Especially, if I had only eighteen hours. You are a grown man, you no longer need to listen to your mother, but in this instance you ought to pay attention, for she is also a woman.”
John asked, “What do I do?” His mother laughed and stood, surprising him, “Call her, the rest will sort itself out. You know, that way, you wouldn’t have to transfer your apartment to her, it would be hers as well. Now, stop talking to your mother, and call.”
She walked away, saying over her shoulder, “I’ll do anything I can for you, my son, but I won’t call your fiancé for you.”
John called. Jessica was not only awake, it appeared that she was sitting on Castidad’s bed, which was not only large, but judging by the sounds of multiple, excited voices, it was very crowded.
John said, “Jessica, since the moment that I walked into my mother’s home and saw you, I’ve felt two emotions. One was love. The other, fear, the fear that I would make plans, then leave and not come back. I did not want to do that to you. That is why I didn’t tell you what was in my heart, that I loved you.”
She said, “Just a moment.” He could hear Castidad’s voice in the background, asking Jessica something, presumably who was calling her at such a late hour, followed by an intense silence as the occupants of the overcrowded bed put one and one together.
After some rustling sounds, she said, “I’m alone now. John, I understand, I really do, and I’m deeply touched that you want to offer us your house. But, we are happy here, we’re loved and they certainly have the room. It’s just, well, hard to decide what to say, or do. You’re the only man I want to be with, you should know that by now. But, you’re right, you are going back to war, and you could get killed, and that makes this very hard. I’m sorry if it sounds like I’m being selfish, thinking only of myself, but in fact, I do have to think of myself, and my sisters.”
John said, “You are not being selfish, although if you were to repeat, now and then, what you just said, I wouldn’t mind. Um, I know this is not terribly romantic, but, what do we do now? I’ve got just one more day.”
She asked, carefully, “What do you want to do?” He sighed, “You mean, besides…” She giggled, “Yes, besides that. Although, if you must know, I’ve been thinking about that as well. Are you asking me if I want to marry?” He answered, “I’m doing a terrible job of asking you if you wish to marry me. I understand the problems you face by my asking you that, and in fact, that is why I didn’t ask you. The only reason I didn’t ask you. But, I’m very confused, crazy, insane, so I was hoping you might have the answer.”
She groaned, “If you were here with me, right now, I’d have you. But, you aren’t, and that’s possibly better. All right, this is the situation as I see it: you have a choice: you ask me right now to marry you tomorrow, giving us a few hours in your little apartment. Or, you wait until you come home for good. Which is it?”
John started to ask her how she would respond, but stopped in time – she had already given him a very large hint as to what she wanted him to do, but that this was his choice.
He temporized, “What about Castidad? Has she told her parents?” Jessica said, “Be Rumi!”
He startled himself by laughing, and all his tension disappeared. He realized in that instant that she did indeed truly love him. John said, “Jessica, I am in love with you, and I will be in love with you until I die. Will you be my wife?” She said, almost impatiently, “Yes. When?”
He said, “I don’t know when the office…” She interrupted him, “Eight in the morning. When?” He laughed, “When can you be at the office?” She said, “Eight in the morning. That is nine hours away from now, so perhaps you might understand that I have some preparations to make. Who will come?” John said, “My mother and James. My aunt is unavailable. What about you?” She laughed, “Oh, let’s see.”
He could hear her footsteps, a door opened and several happy voices talking over each other. The noise stopped immediately, and he heard Jessica say, “I’ve been invited to go to the courthouse tomorrow morning at eight. Would anyone be interested in going with me to the courthouse tomorrow morning at eight?” Apparently everyone in Castidad’s bedroom was available, loudly so.
Suddenly, Castidad was speaking to him, “Why didn’t you ask Jessica when you were here? We could have shrieked and hugged you and it would have been ever so more romantic.” She laughed before he could reply, “Well, I must say, I’m a little disappointed at your utter failure at living up to those stories Jessica has been telling us for all those years; still, this is kind of nice. Congratulations, Jessica is the most wonderful girl in the world, and if you ever hurt her, I promise to kill you. Slowly and painfully.”
John laughed shakily, “That would be after my mother got through with me.” She laughed, “What about your honeymoon?” She laughed again and then Jessica was there. He asked, “What about your sisters? How do you think they’ll feel?” She said, “Not a good time to answer that question, as you might imagine. Um, more importantly, what about…after?” John almost stuttered, “Oh God! I don’t…we could…what should we do?” She laughed in delight, “You are asking me? Perhaps I should reconsider my answer.”
John groaned, “Jessica, I’m acting like a complete idiot.” She said, “Yes, you are. You must promise me this is a temporary aberration. Now.” John laughed, “Jessica Chamberlin, this is a temporary aberration.” She gasped, and he heard her say, “He just called me Jessica Chamberlin. Oh. Do I meet you at the courthouse?” He could hear in her voice both a smile and sob.
John said, “Yes, all right. What about Castidad? Have they decided on a date?” She said, “They’re talking right this very second, but I don’t think it’s going to happen tomorrow. James will have to speak to her parents, they have to make dowry arrangements, all that stuffy stuff. Um, just how big is your apartment?” John said, “Oh, your sisters. Um, one bedroom and a small den. It’s too small I think. Maybe we could look…” She interrupted him, “Hell no! We can look when you return. I can look while you’re gone. I’ll leave my sisters here for the…” She began crying, and tried to apologize at the same time.
John said, over her increasingly desperate sobs, “Jessica, I love you. I promise to return to you.” She yelled, “Not only return, but in one piece. Understand? I want the same man I am marrying this morning at eight. Nothing less.”
Chapter 17
John ensured that his dress uniform was clean and spotless.
While he was frantically running around, his mind so scattered that he couldn’t hold a thought for more than one moment, his mother called, “Son, listen to me. You are going to be fine. Jessica loves you and I strongly believe that she will love you for as long as she draws breath. Now, to practical matters, while you are at the courthouse, I am sending over a pair of women I know who will clean up your home. James will stand in as your witness, Castidad as Jessica’s. Castidad’s mother will be there, and of course so will all of Castidad and Jessica’s sisters. Since Jessica’s parents are deceased, and there are no living grandparents, on Maya at least, Castidad’s uncle, a certain Fernando Padilla will be giving Jessica away. I don’t know, but he’s probably rich, so you might just receive a wedding present or three from that family. I am usually the romantic in this family, but today I’m going to be practical: my wedding present will be to help your bride begin to save money for a new home. She wants to stay with Castidad’s family while you are away, but once you return I intend that she have enough saved up to get you four into a nice home. I know that you have been very careful with your money, but if you wish to give me access, both Jessica and I can help build up your savings. Is that acceptable?”
John was mute. She sighed, “My son, you were always the passionate dreamer; now, today, your dreams have taken shape. Do not let Jessica regret her decision. You must set aside all your doubts about your future, and live for today. Do this and I believe you will find that you will have uncountable happy today’s in your future.”
John said, “Thank you mother. You have always known what to say, and when to say it.” She said, “You are of course correct.” She startled him with a girlish giggle. After another moment of silence she added, “I’ve informed your father, and I hope that he will be able to send you his congratulations before your nuptials. I left a message for your brother, but I do not know if he will have received it. Now, is there anything you need from me?”
John couldn’t think of a thing.
At 7:45 John and James stood under the overhang of the prefabricated courthouse, part of a large complex of new government buildings that lay at the edge of the sprawling city. It was raining.
Just before eight, a rare, for-hire vehicle trundled up to the entrance, and began disgorging a seemingly endless number of young women, one middle-aged woman who looked remarkably like one more young woman, and one man.
They all hurried up the formed concrete steps to the limited protection of the overhang. John felt relieved that Jessica had come, and stressed that she had shown up. James seemed to be somewhat more interested in greeting Castidad than the rest of her family. After a nice hug, she whispered something in his ear, causing him to blush, eliciting one of her patented, demure expressions. He nodded and quietly said, “I promise.” John made a mental note to ask just what it was his brother had so easily agreed to, but not that particular minute. Now, his hand engulfed that of his fiancé, and he found it difficult to look anywhere save at her golden eyes.
Jessica would look intensely at him, look away, and return her gaze back to him. She said, “I want always to remember this moment.” John smiled, “This wet moment. I love it – it never rains in space, except for those two minute showers we take.” She grimaced, “It’s ruining the hair of nine young women, so I’d suggest you keep that particular comment where it belongs.” He grinned, “And that would be…?” She promptly said, “In your back pocket.” He grinned, “This uniform doesn’t have a back pocket.” She sniffed, “Then you’ll just have to find somewhere else to hide it. Or, if you want, I can.”
The next jitney to come up the street dropped his mother off. She ran up the stairs, her long dress held up off the standing pools of rainwater. John said, “Wow, she runs like a girl.” Jessica giggled, “I hope you don’t. You don’t do you?” John said, “I most certainly do not run like a girl. James however…”
James was standing a meter away, and said, “I have been accused of running after girls, but not running like them.” John told Jessica, “The man runs like a two-legged horse with arthritic knees. That is the reason he’s a fighter pilot – he gets to defend the federation from a comfortable couch.”
James laughed, “You are, improbable as it may seem, getting married to a woman who is obviously masking deep emotional trauma over being way too tall. Because of that, I shall refrain from telling your bride-to-be that when you were thirteen you got beat in a martial arts tournament by an itsy bitsy little girl.”
Jessica giggled, apparently forgetting for the moment that she was standing outside the courthouse on a very damp spring morning, preparing to marry a man who that very same day would return to the war. She asked, “Is that true?” John grinned, “I was unconscious for thirty seconds.” She gasped, “How long did the match last?” James laughed, “Thirty-one seconds.” John added, “If that. The only thing James failed to get right was that she was fifty centimeters taller than I was, and cute.” Jessica asked, “Do you still know her?”
James grinned, “She asked him over to her parents house for supper, maybe three years later. I wish you could have seen the expression on his face when he went out the door – he looked white as a sheet.” Jessica murmured, “Goodness. So James, you seem to be telling me that I am about to wed a man I can easily intimidate, and if not, I can pummel him unmercifully?” James howled with laughter, along with virtually everyone else crowded under the canopy.
The front doors unlocked, and everyone gratefully entered the building. Once inside the largish room, Castidad, who had failed entirely to stray from James side, asked him, “So, John is not a good martial artist?” James grinned, “He rarely ever lost a match, and was a terrific older brother to have on those long walks home from school – he could usually bluff our way past the crowds of bullies, and if not, he could take on pretty much anyone, as long as it was only one or two at a time.” She put a hand to her chest and gasped artfully, “Two at a time?”
Castidad looked up at James, her eyes suddenly innocently wide, “And, now, today, if you were assaulted by an itsy bitsy girl, what would you do?” James looked down at the raven-haired woman, “I assure you, Miss Castidad, that I would be able to handle the, um, situation without need of assistance.” Jessica muttered, “Thank goodness for that.” Castidad gurgled, an interesting mixture of a laugh and a giggle, “I couldn’t agree more.”
Milla showed up at John’s side and announced, “They are waiting for us in Aula three. Let’s get the lead out, we only have thirty minutes.”
Jessica looked up at John and asked, “Are you ready?” John nodded, “I’ve been ready for five years.” She smiled blindingly, “I was ready first. Let’s go sailor boy.”
Forty minutes later, their small group of mostly long hair was impatiently ushered out of the small room. John’s right hand was gripping the left hand of his new wife. Everyone’s face registered a mixture of emotions, ranging from happiness to utter joy. The exceptions were Castidad and James, who were very quiet, and not looking at each other.
Jessica caught John’s eye and flicked her eyes at James. John turned his head and nodded. They walked over to his brother and he said, “James, Castidad, may I ask you a question?” James nodded, looking numb. John asked, “Do you love Castidad?” He stared hard at his brother for a moment, then turned to look at Castidad. “Yes, I love Castidad.” It was clearly a declaration of intent. John asked the same question of the young woman. She didn’t speak, merely nodded. She appeared close to tears.
John said, “Your love, if it is anything like mine, feels something like a knife in your heart. You – the two of you – have discovered the most precious and powerful force in the universe, and in just a few hours, you are getting torn apart, just as Jessica and I are. It kills me; however, I will ta
ke away with me the knowledge that I am loved. I believe that this knowledge will help me through the next six months or so until the war is won. While we are apart - our two couples - our love will connect James and I with you two beautiful women, and I believe that when we return, Jessica and Castidad will be waiting for us. It is my hope that Castidad will still be under the illusion that James is a good man. I can only hope.”
Castidad’s eyes had begun to tear up, but at the end she was shocked into laughter. She said, “James, tell me the name of that girl who beat up your brother. If she did it once, she can do it again.”
James said, “John is my boss – if you did that he’d end up in the hospital and I would have to do all his paperwork.”
The small crowd of people waited under the dripping overhang until a jitney came up the street, and then they dashed down the steps through a sudden downpour.
Twenty minutes later everyone congregated at Milla’s home for a small and very last minute reception. Castidad’s uncle came, surprising John a little, until Jessica told him that she thought the uncle wanted to check out John’s family, meaning James and his intentions towards Castidad, the daughter of one of the wealthiest industrialists on the planet.
Hawk Genesis: War (Flight of the Hawk) Page 18