by Lena Malick
Spidey had been right. Though there were still dark clouds sitting on the horizon, it was a picture perfect day, warm and sunny, with just a hint of breeze. Remnants of last night’s bonfire left a pleasant, woodsy smell in the clear, crisp air.
Terra looked at Nik, standing under the arbor with the minister. He couldn’t see her yet from where she was standing. He looked absolutely ravishing in a loose, tan khaki suit and white, open collared shirt. Terra felt a surge of emotion so strong it nearly buckled her knees. She never knew it was possible to feel so much love for someone.
Catching her breath and pushing an emotional tear away, Terra took her eyes off Nik—and they fell on Nik’s mom. She was easy to spot with her tall posture and raven hair, now sitting in one of the chairs at the front. Terra had hoped, foolishly she realized, that maybe she wouldn’t sit so close and it would be easier to block her out.
Terra searched for a friendlier face. She saw Red, who was standing near the back. Why aren’t you sitting down, Terra thought, looking at her. She glanced around for Soren, and saw him darting around the periphery with two cameras around his neck, already snapping pictures.
The reggae band from Circle Rock bar was set up on the sand. On cue, they started the refrain from the Beatles’ Here Comes the Sun. Carmine took Terra’s hand and turned to her. “Ready?” he said.
“For what?” she said, playing innocent.
“For the rest of your life,” he said with a grin.
Terra took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. She nodded to Carmine. They stepped off the porch, onto the wood planks. The guests turned in unison to look at them as they started their walk toward the arbor.
When Nik got his first look at Terra, he was flooded with gratitude. He saw everything he loved and everything he hoped for walking toward him. Terra looked at Nik, wanting to run the short distance into his arms. Carmine kept her at a slow, steady pace. Vicky was right—Terra felt a rush of love from all the guests as they watched her with open, radiant faces.
Half way down the wood planks, Terra saw a blur of crimson off to the side. She looked over and saw Red drop to one knee, holding her belly, her red hair falling toward the sand. Nobody else noticed her. Carmine tugged on Terra’s arm, thinking nerves had caused her to pause. The band was well into the song now. Everyone’s eyes were on her.
“Wait!” Terra said, loudly. Carmine stopped, his head swinging toward her. “Wait!” Terra said again.
The band came to a slow, halting stop, unsure what was happening. A confused look came over everyone’s faces. Terra broke away from Carmine. Gathering her dress in one hand, she dashed through the crowd to where Red was kneeling.
“Red,” Terra said, reaching her. “What’s wrong?”
“Oh, God, Terra. Nothing, I’m fine. Get married! What are you doing?” But as she spoke, her words trailed off until they were just a whisper.
Carmine arrived, crouching on the other side of Red. “What’s wrong?” he said. Red tipped to the side. Terra moved fast, falling to her knees and catching her. Others were gathering around now. Soren came bursting through. “What’s happening? Red—are you okay?” he asked, panicked, his cameras swinging.
Terra heard Nik behind her. “I got her,” he said in a calm voice, smoothly sliding his hands under Red and lifting her gently. Nik stood with Red in his arms. “What’s happening?” Soren continued saying. Red appeared limp.
Wedding guests talked in hushed tones, unsure how to help. “Take her to the medical clinic,” Terra said as she stripped off her heels. Guests separated as Nik started running toward the building, Red’s hair bouncing behind him. Terra ran to catch up.
Carmine turned the lights on in the clinic. Most of the equipment was still wrapped. Nothing was sterilized or set up to receive a patient. Terra hesitated, thinking maybe they should take her to the house. As she was trying to figure out what to do, Nik’s mother came in and strode up to Red, who was still limp in Nik’s arms. She felt the side of Red’s neck and lifted one of her eyelids.
“Anemia,” she said. “Terra, pull that bedding over. Quickly.” She pointed to the sleeping bags and blankets that Terra and Anna slept on the previous night.
“Maia,” Terra said. “Maybe we should—”
“I said quickly,” Maia snapped, tying her hair back.
“Shouldn’t we—” Terra stopped, remembering what Anna had told her, that Maia used to be a nurse. Terra pulled the bedding out, laying it in the center of the room like a nest. Nik gently laid Red down in the middle. Maia was rolling up her sleeves and taking her rings off. “Hot water,” she said. “Is there hot water in here?”
“Yes,” Carmine said. “It was hooked up last week.” Red let out a low groan.
“Nikolaos,” Maia said. “Call the local hospital. Have them send an ambulance. We need supplies. She needs treatment.”
Nik ran outside to get better reception on his phone. Carmine followed him. As Nik was getting the number for the local hospital, Carmine went to Spidey’s tree. He looked up. Spidey looked down at him, and mournfully made his barking sound, sorry to give the bad news. Carmine went to Nik, who was now dialing the hospital. “Rain coming,” Carmine said. Nik lowered the phone and looked at the sky. Overhead it was still clear, but the dark clouds had moved off the horizon. Spidey was never wrong—rain was on the way. “Ambulance won’t make it through the mud, will it?” Nik said. Carmine shook his head.
Nik ran back into the building. Maia was on the ground, examining Red, who was moaning and writhing side to side. “Rain is on the way,” Nik said. “Ambulance won’t be able to make it on the dirt road when it turns to mud. I can make it on the motorcycle, though. Tell me what to get.”
Two minutes later, Terra heard the loud whine of Nik’s motorcycle as he took off. She feared for his safety. Maia had told him to hurry, so Terra knew he’d ride as fast as possible.
Maia ran her hand over Red’s abdomen and talked to her in soothing tones, telling her it was all going to be just fine, she was in very good hands. Terra had never seen this side of Maia.
Maia turned to Terra and asked her in the same soft tone, “Do you have any training?”
“In medicine? No,” Terra said. “I haven’t started medical school yet. We were going to hire someone for the clinic.”
“Is there a doctor, or anyone else here with medical training?” Maia asked.
Terra looked at Carmine, who shook his head. “No, I don’t think so,” Terra said.
Maia looked squarely at Terra. “Then it’s me and you,” she said. “Are you okay with that?”
“Yes. Yes, I can help you,” Terra said. Maia nodded and went back to examining Red.
“We’ll have to work together,” Maia said. “Wash your hands, and clear everybody else out of here. I don’t think Nikolaos will be back in time. This baby is coming early.”
Chapter 12
Nik didn’t make it back in time, and they did deliver a baby. A beautiful, healthy boy with a head of flaming red hair. The baby was breached, making for a difficult, painful birth. Maia was a steady hand, knowing exactly what to do, having Terra sterilize equipment as she needed it. Terra’s experience was limited, but she knew enough to realize that Red was in real trouble, and that Maia may have saved her life. As the two women spent hours working shoulder to shoulder through the difficult process, they gained a silent trust and respect for each other.
Red, pale and shaken but stable, drank coconut juice through a straw as Maia sutured her. Terra sat with the baby bundled in her arms. She was still in her wedding dress—now soiled and ruined. Rain drummed the roof. Maia looked up from her work, locking eyes with Terra. It was the first time Terra had ever seen Maia smile. Terra heard the far off sound of Nik’s motorcycle approaching.
By nightfall, the rain was coming down in sheets. Red had been given folic acid and a vitamin B12 injection that Nik brought back from the hospital. She was resting comfortably in Nik’s bed, with Soren lying at her side, holding their b
aby in a bundle of blankets.
Guest milled in and out of the house, mostly gathering in the living room. Once everyone was assured that Red and the baby were okay, the atmosphere changed from concern to celebration. The food from earlier was unwrapped and laid out. Wine was opened. More guests came in, shaking off the rain and cramming into the house.
Terra, exhausted from the emotional roller coaster, stood in the shower. She could hear voices and laughter in the house as she let the hot water drill against the back of her neck and shoulders. Her muscles were stiff and sore, but she felt good. In fact, she felt great. She kept thinking that her wedding was ruined, and she should be upset, but she wasn’t. Helping to deliver Red’s baby was the most amazing experience of her life. She was filled with the pride and satisfaction that comes from doing something truly remarkable.
When Terra stepped out of the shower, she could tell by the noise that more people had arrived. As she toweled off, Vicky stuck her head in the bathroom door.
“Hey, doctor,” Vicky said.
“Hey, yourself.”
“Good job in there, kiddo.”
“Thanks.”
“Seriously. Rock star stuff.”
Despite wanting to seem casual, Terra grinned from ear to ear. “Have you seen Nik?” she asked.
“Not for a while. He was talking to Carmine, then they disappeared. The house is filling up, fast. It’s like everyone is cramming in here.”
“Speaking of Carmine,” Terra said to Vicky’s reflection in the mirror as she brushed out her hair.
“Yeah?” Vicky said to the ground, suddenly looking bashful.
“He likes you.”
“Well, I can be quite alluring.”
“What about you? Another trip to the rodeo?”
“He’s alright,” Vicky said.
“Just alright?”
“Okay, he might be more than alright. Maybe a lot more. But I’m trying to play it cool, you know?”
“Vik, that’s big city stuff. Don’t play strategy. Just go for it.”
“Oh, you’re giving the advice now? You’re not even married yet, you know.”
“Yeah. I’m not sure how to fix that one,” Terra said.
“Well, let me know what you come up with. I already planned one wedding. I’ll try to find Nik.”
Terra finished in the bathroom and went into the walk-in closet she shared with Nik. The sounds from the house were even louder now. She shut the closet door and took her time dressing, thinking about everything that had happened that day. She put on a pair of jeans, sandals, and a simple yellow blouse. She was about to go out and try to find Nik, anxious to find out what he thought they should do about the wedding, when there was a soft knock from outside the closet. Terra opened the door. It was Maia.
“May I have a word with you?” Maia asked.
“Yes, of course,” Terra said. She came out of the closet, but quickly realized the noise would make it hard to talk. “Here, why don’t we go in here,” Terra said, leading Maia into the closet. “Yes, this is fine,” Maia said. Terra shut the door.
Terra waited, an awkward silence spreading between them. Maia looked at the floor as she fingered the medallion around her neck. “You did very well. You’re going to be a good doctor. Yes, a very good doctor.”
“Thank you.”
“You are compassionate. This is… This is very hard for me.” Maia took a breath, looked directly at Terra, and spoke softly. “I was wrong. About you. And I’m sorry. You gave up your wedding day to help someone. You showed me your—your true character. I hope you can forgive me.”
“Maia,” Terra said, “I want you to know that I will always love your son. Nikolaos is the love of my life, and I will love him forever.”
Maia’s face cracked. Tears filled her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. “That is everything a mother could want for her child.” She lifted the medallion and placed it over Terra’s head. “This belongs to you now.”
Chapter 13
After Maia left, Terra composed herself and stepped out of the closet. She paused, listening. The house was strangely quiet. She peaked around the corner. Red was sitting up in bed, holding her baby, looking blissful. Soren appeared to be resting next to her, his eyes closed.
Terra was about to go into the main house when Carmine came through the bedroom’s double doors, quickly shutting them behind him. “Hey!” he said, looking a little flustered.
“Hey, Carmine. Have you seen Nik?”
“Yes. No. Well, maybe.”
“What?”
“Wait, before you go out there, I need to ask you something.”
“Okay. Is everything alright?”
“Oh, yeah, everything’s fine. No problem-o.”
Terra got the feeling he was trying to stall her. “So… what did you want to ask me?”
“Um, right. So, where are you and Nik going to live? I mean, after you’re married.”
“Geeze, do you need to know this now? I really want to try to find Nik and—”
“Yes, it’s very important,” he said, blocking the doors.
“O-kaay. I’m applying to medical school in Athens, but I’ll be here all summer, getting the clinic started. At least that’s the plan. Carmine, why are you blocking the doors?”
“What? I’m not blocking the doors.” A soft wrap came from the other side. Three deliberate taps, like a signal. Carmine glanced over Terra’s shoulder to Red. Terra turned and saw Red nod to him. Soren sat smiling, wide awake. Terra turned back to Carmine, confused. “Ready?” he asked her.
“For what?” she asked, baffled.
“For the rest of your life,” he said, pushing the doors open.
The house was lit with candles. Every guest held one. Every part of the house, from the kitchen, to the living room, to the deck was filled with guests, standing in silence, each holding a candle and looking at Terra as she stood, framed in the doorway. Guests were dressed in shorts and jeans, some with rain water still dripping off them. The only sound was the rain, pounding on the roof like a steady round of applause.
Terra caught her breath, her hand going to her mouth as she realized what was happening. A narrow path was cleared from the bedroom doors to the center of the living room—enough room for two people to walk. At the far end of the path stood Nik and the minister, lit only by candlelight.
Nik reached his hand out to her.
Someone in the kitchen strummed a ukulele, playing the first distinctive notes. Someone else tapped the kitchen counter with the familiar beat.
Anna, standing near Nik, sang the first words in her clear, beautiful voice, Here comes the sun…
All the guests sang, Do do do dooo.
Then Anna sang, Here comes the sun, and I say, it’s all right.
Carmine slipped his arm into Terra’s.
Everyone sang together, Little darling, it’s been a long cold lonely winter.
And Carmine walked a weeping Terra down the aisle.
Chapter 14
They snuck out in the middle of the night, without a word. The water was smooth as glass and completely calm. The storm had passed, leaving the sky blanketed in stars that reflected on the water. They had earlier told everyone they were going to sleep in the clinic. Red tried to insist they have their bed back, it being their wedding night and all.
The passing of the storm brought warmer air. Nik lit the mast light. Spidey jumped off the pier and onto the boat, perching himself at the bow like a figurehead. Terra untied the rope and pushed them off.
Lit by a bright, full moon, Terra steered them around the white cliffs, using familiar landmarks on the terrain to guide her. When they made it to the island, it looked ominous, as it always did when they approached in the dark. The island birds and animals began making a racket as the light of the boat approached.
As they neared the shore, the sounds from the island grew louder, like a chatter of gossip. Spidey let out loud squawk, as if announcing the couple. The island went instantly q
uiet. Nik threw the anchor over.
They took off their clothes. Nik dove in first. He went down and began turning on the underwater lights. Soon the whole shoreline was lit up. He surfaced and rolled on his back, gazing up at her, looking like a Greek god, his dark hair floating lazily around his head.
Terra dove in. The warm water swooshed over her body, welcoming her. She opened her eyes and saw a swirl of colorful fish twirl like a mini cyclone just below her. She surfaced and rolled onto her back, next to Nik. His hand found hers. They floated, looking up at the stars.
Everything was still, like the world had stopped. There was no sound. His hand was firm in hers—strong and certain.
The medallion settled on Terra’s chest. As she looked up at the vast night sky, she felt she was looking into her future—a future full of possibility. She felt something warm on the side of her face. Tears.
Warm tears, tracking down, as if drawn to the ocean water. Tears of joy and gratitude. She felt the gentle weight of the medallion on her chest as the salty tears rolled off her face, mixing with the salt water that held them both up—held them up as if they were being cradled in the palm of God’s hand.
#
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed the story of Terra and Nik. If so, I hope you’ll consider leaving a review. Thank you! ~Lena
About the Author
Lean Malick is the author of numerous erotic romance stories. She also writes extra hot erotica under the name Juliet Beltrey. Search for her by name at your favorite online book retailer.
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