“I’d much rather be getting a suntan or flying a kite on the beach, but I don’t have much choice when you keep us locked up down here against our will.”
He folded his hands on the desk. “Yet, you came in here asking for permission to marry. Why? So you can bear a child and stay down here with your lover, even though you despise the place so much? You must make up your mind, Sky.”
“If you’re going to force me to choose between freedom or the man I love, know that I’ll pick love every time.”
“Then I hope you’ll be happy down here for the next ten years, because Brent will be serving as a diamond for the next decade, whether the two of you like it or not.”
“It’s Brett!” I said. Then I took a deep breath and tried to swallow my anger, realizing a change of subject was long overdue. “How are my dad, Sherry, and Ben?”
“They’re just as opinionated as you are. It must run in the family. They seem to like stirring up trouble.”
“If I could just send them a message—”
“No, Sky. You know the rules, and I will make no exceptions. Now, if I were you, I’d keep my mouth shut. I would punish you for your defiance, but out of respect for your grandmother, I’ll let it pass this time.”
“Punish me? For what? For disagreeing with your tactics?”
“No one gets away with speaking to me the way you just did. I am cutting you some slack because you’ve lost your grandparents and parents. Even your aunt has trouble handling you.”
“If you’d just let us all go up to the surface, then we wouldn’t—”
“You are trying my patience, Miss Hammons. We cannot afford an uprising down here. If we see even a spark of rebellion, for the safety of all, we must crush it before it turns into a hostile inferno. Now, this is your last warning. If you make a mockery of me again, in this office or in public, you will be escorted to the surface so fast that your pretty little head will be spinning. If that happens, I swear to you that you’ll never see your precious Brett again.”
I bit my lip to keep myself from saying another word, as I now realized it was useless to try to have a battle of wits with the witless.
“Aw. Did I piss you off, young lady? Why don’t you go back to your greenhouse and start pulling weeds. I heard it’s a great stress reliever.”
Yeah, and Mom said it was like pulling the devil’s hair, I thought but dared not say, glancing at the top of his head. It took everything I had not to punch him. I had a bit of an anger management problem, something I’d been told I’d inherited from my father, but somehow, I managed to stay calm, cool, and collected. I sucked in a slow breath and let it out slowly, then calmly said, “Thank you for consenting to our marriage, Mr. Marcellus.”
“You’re welcome.” He stood and had the audacity to reach his hand out for a shake.
I wanted to rip it off and fling it across the room, but instead, I pasted on a huge smile—as fake as his—shook his hand, and left, in a hurry to get as far away from that devil as I could.
Chapter 34
I knocked on Rachel’s door.
When she opened the door, she cocked a brow. “What’s going on?” she asked, noticing the huge smile on my face. “Brett left today. How can you be so happy?”
“He didn’t leave,” I squealed. “He was chosen as a diamond.”
“Huh? So he has to stay five or ten more years? But you’ve gotta leave in three months, so why are you smiling like that?”
My face beamed as I held up my diamond engagement ring. “Because we’re about to tie the knot.”
She screamed, then hugged me. “You’re getting married? Really?”
“Yes!” I shouted in delight.
She screamed again.
“I even got that jerk, Dante Marcellus, to sign off on it.”
“Ugh. I hate that guy.”
“Tell me about it. Who does he think he is anyway? We were all on the same level, and then he just suddenly took over and made himself out to be the king of the new world.”
“I guess he figures it’s his, because he was the first to go out and explore it. It’s sorta like those guys we read about who put their little flags on the moon. Neil Diamond or somebody.”
I laughed. “Armstrong. You’re thinking of Neil Armstrong, Rach. But anyway, what’s left of the world belongs to all of us, and I hate how Dante bosses us around.”
“He’s a creep, but I’d never say that in public.”
“Yeah, have you seen him lately? He’s freaky, with those bulging black eyes, that pale skin, and that ridiculous ponytail.” I laughed. “All he needs are some plastic fangs and a cap, and he could pass for Dracula.”
“Well, yeah…and he sucks too,” she said.
We both burst into laughter.
“But how is this thing with Brett gonna work, since you have to leave in a few months?” she asked.
My eyes lit up, but I didn’t answer her right away.
“Oh no. I know that look. You’re hatching some big master plan, aren’t you?”
I couldn’t stop grinning. “Mm-hmm.”
“Spill it, Sky!”
Happiness overwhelmed me as I announced, “I’m gonna have Brett’s baby.”
“What!? Well, that’s definitely a reason to stay,” she said.
“Well, that’s not the only reason. Brett and I have always talked about having a family, and I love him and truly want this child with every fiber of my being. We just have to start a little earlier than planned. I love kids, and I know I’ll love his.”
“You’ll be a great mom,” Rachel said. “But what happens when he has to leave in ten years? You won’t be able to go until the child is eighteen.”
“I haven’t figured that out yet, but we’ll find a way. At the very least, we will be able to spend the next ten years together, raising our child.”
“But your dad, your brother, and your sister are up there waiting for you. They’ll be devastated.”
“I know, and it hurts to think about it,” I said. My heart ached, because I missed my dad, Ben, and Sherry something fierce. I’d been dreaming about our reunion for years. Still, the thought of being ripped away from Brett was like having a knife thrust deep into my heart. I couldn’t breathe without him. “I have to follow my heart, though, and my heart wants me to stay here with Brett.”
“This is like your mom and dad all over again.”
“It is. Now I’ll know firsthand how she felt when they took my dad. They were ripped apart like star-crossed lovers. And now I’m reliving their story. I’ll be stuck down here when Brett’s diamond term is done. I’ll be down here raising our child. He’ll be on the surface and I’ll be down here, just like my mom and dad. Deshavue.”
“What about me? I’ll be leaving in six months. If you have a baby, I won’t see you again for at least eighteen years.” She sucked in a deep breath, then let it out slowly. “I’m gonna lose my best friend for way longer than I thought.”
I had been so busy trying to hold on to Brett that I hadn’t really thought about what it would all mean for my best friend and me. We wouldn’t be able to have any contact whatsoever for almost two decades. To be with the love of my life, I’d lose touch with my best friend, and I’d miss out on the chance to see my father and siblings again after so many years. Because of Dante and his stupid rules, I stood to lose someone I loved, no matter what choice I made.
I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “I’ll never forget you, no matter how long we’re apart, Rachel. Remember, it’s only temporary.”
Her voice wavered. “But it’ll be so long, and they won’t even let us talk.”
“When I do get up there, it will be just like old times,” I said softly.
She wiped the tears from her eyes. “I’m happy for you. I know you and Brett are meant for each other. You’re soulmates. Still, the selfish part of me is hurting. I didn’t think I’d lose my best friend like this.”
“I still can’t believe that you and Sean are talking
about marriage,” I said. “You guys only went on five dates.”
“We’re childhood friends, and I’ve known him my whole life. It’s not like he’s a stranger. We’ve just got this…amazing chemistry.”
“I’m glad you found each other. Sean is a great guy. I really like him.”
“Thanks. He wants to get married and start a family too.”
“Hey! We could raise our children together,” I said. “It might be fun.”
“Hmm. I’ve always wanted a baby,” she said, scratching her chin as if she was considering it.
I smiled. “Me too.”
“But we have a wedding to plan first,” she squealed.
A wave of excitement washed over me. “Yes, we most certainly do.”
“I’ll get all the girls together, and we’ll start planning immediately,” she said.
“Will you be my maid of honor?” I asked.
A tear rolled down her face, and she started fanning her face. It took her a minute to regain her composure before she answered, “I’d be honored.”
I embraced her in a long, tight hug.
“What should I wear?” she asked.
“Just pick a pretty dress. I’m not picky about the color or anything.”
“I’m so excited!” she squealed.
“Me too. I think somebody needs to pinch me.”
“I’m sure Brett would be happy to,” she said with a naughty wink.
We both burst out in laughter.
***
After leaving Rachel’s place, I ran into Walter.
“Hey, Sky,” he said.
“Hey. What’s up?”
He frowned. “I heard the news. Is it true?”
I couldn’t help but smile as I held up my finger and flashed my engagement ring at him. “Yep! I’m getting married.”
His jaw dropped, and hurt registered on his face. “Congratulations,” he said flatly, then walked off.
“Walter, wait!”
He glanced over his shoulder. “I’ve gotta go. I’ll see you next month, when I come back down.”
I felt bad for him. Walter was a good guy, and he’d saved my life. I was truly sorry that I didn’t have the same feelings for him that he had for me. There had just never been a spark between us, and I knew there never would be, because my heart was set on the man I was going to marry. Walter was a good friend, and he’d offered me diamonds once, but Brett was the only diamond I wanted.
Chapter 35
Brett and I decided on a simple ceremony in the temple sanctuary. Dozens and dozens of colorful flowers brightened my spirit, and Rachel and her girly-girl friends had done a wonderful job with the decorations. The glass wall in the front made for a beautiful ocean backdrop, with colorful fish swimming peacefully by, as if Neptune himself had commissioned them to help us celebrate our nuptials.
I decided to wear a simple, white wedding dress, the one my mother had passed down to me. It had a sweetheart neckline and was made of beautiful, dainty lace. I looked at Rachel as I pulled the material down over my shoulders.
A tear rolled down her face as she adjusted my veil and diamond tiara. “You know who you look like?”
“Who?”
“Cinderella,” she said, wiping her eyes.
“We musta read that story a thousand times when we were little.”
She grinned. “I know I promised I wouldn’t cry, but I’m so happy that your fairytale is finally coming true. You deserve to be happy.”
I gushed with emotion. “I’ve dreamt about this moment my entire life.”
Her eyes gleamed. “I know! You’re gonna be Mrs. Brett Panders!” she squealed.
I couldn’t stop grinning. “I’ve never loved anyone the way I love Brett.” Tears welled in my eyes, and I tried to fan my face to keep my mascara in place. “This is the happiest day of my life.”
She reached for a tissue. “Stop! If you start bawling, I won’t be able to quit.”
“I-I can’t help it,” I said, sniffling. “I’ve never ever been this happy and excited.”
“This is only the beginning,” Rachel said. “You two are gonna have a fabulous life together.”
I smiled. “We are, aren’t we?”
“Definitely!” she said, squeezing my hands in reassurance.
I had never been more elated in my life. The ceremony began, and I walked down the aisle, with friends and family smiling at me from both sides. The priest read some scriptures, and some of our friends sang romantic songs for us. It was a touching and beautiful ceremony. I only wished my parents could’ve been there to see it. I longed for my dad to walk me down the aisle, for my mother to see me in her dress. Even though they couldn’t be there with me, I was sure they’d be proud of me, and I planned to tell Daddy all about it when I saw him again someday, when his grandbaby was all grown up.
The priest cleared his throat and opened a thick, leather-bound book. “Brett Panders, wilt thou take this woman to be thy wedded wife? Wilt thou love her, honor her, keep her, and guard her, in health and in sickness, as a husband should a wife, forsaking all others? Wilt thou cleave only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”
Brett met my eyes and smiled. “I will.”
“Sky Hammons, wilt thou take this man to be thy wedded husband? Wilt thou love him, honor him, keep him, and guard him, in health and in sickness, as a wife should a husband, forsaking all others? Wilt though cleave only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”
Brett looked into my eyes deeply, and I held his gaze. I moistened my lips and tried to speak, but my breath caught in my throat. Finally, with my lips trembling, I blurted out, “I will.”
The priest continued, “Do you take Sky Hammons to be your wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health, till death do you part, if the Holy Church doth ordain it? And thereto plight her thy troth?”
Brett smiled. “I do.”
The priest turned and repeated the same vows to me.
“I do.”
The priest then said a blessing and joined our hands. He turned to Brett. “You may pledge your allegiance, love, and undying devotion.”
I smiled as Brett pulled a ring from his pocket and cradled it in his palm.
“Put the ring on Brett’s finger,” the priest whispered.
With trembling hands, I slid the ring on his finger, then gazed up at my groom’s beaming face.
“I love you so much,” he said.
“I love you too,” I said, feeling like the luckiest girl in the world.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. Brett, you may kiss your beautiful bride.”
I’m married! Oh my gosh. I’m a wife! I have a husband.
In slow motion, Brett’s face lowered onto mine, and he took my mouth in a sweet and gentle kiss. His hand wandered to the low of my back, drawing me closer, my chest pressing against his as his lips came down harder. I’d read many fairytales in my life, but nothing could compare to being caught in one of my very own.
Chapter 36
I laughed as Brett carried me over the threshold of our new home. The suite wasn’t very big, as none of them were, but it was perfect for us. The occupants had returned to the surface, and no one had lived here for months. We would have to clean and dust the place, but it was our newlywed paradise. It made no difference to me where we lived, as long as we were together. I just wanted to be with the man I loved, the guy who’d stolen my heart the very second I’d met him, when he moved into the suite next door when I was five. Even then, I’d told my mother that I was going to marry him someday. She had laughed, but now that prophecy had come true, and it made me the happiest girl in Asha.
He kissed me, then set me down. “Home sweet home,” he said.
I glanced around. The far wall was made of glass, so we could watch countless species of fish swim in and out of the colored reef. I flicked the light switch on, flooding the room with bright light. The suite was
furnished with a couch, a coffee table, and a nice dining room table, with a vase of silk red roses for a centerpiece. The walls were brown and worn but I couldn’t help but admire the beautiful portraits of the ocean. “I love it!” I squealed.
“I love you,” he said, wrapping his arms around me.
“Who would’ve known two people could be this happy down in a dome deep underwater, trying to survive an apocalypse?”
“Are you kidding? I’d be stuck down here all over again if it meant I’d meet you.”
I cupped his face. “You are the sweetest husband in the whole, wide world.”
“And you are the best wife in the universe.”
I kissed his lips softly.
“How does it feel to be Mrs. Sky Panders?”
“It’s freaking awesome!”
“How does it feel being officially married?”
“Hmm. I feel…wiser, smarter, and more balanced, now that I have the perfect partner. it’s like…I could wake up looking an absolute mess, but I don’t have to worry about it.”
He stroked my hair. “I don’t think you ever look like a mess. You’re gorgeous no matter what.”
“You have to say that. You’re my husband.”
“I mean every single word.” He kissed my lips. “I’m just wondering why we didn’t do this sooner.” Then he scooped me up, and our lips met in a passionate kiss as he walked to our bedroom.
Chapter 37
A month had passed, and I was still enjoying our wedded bliss. I started dinner while I waited for Brett to come home from work. When he walked in, I smiled.
He ran over to me and swung me around.
“How was your day?” I asked.
“The cow had a calf,” he said.
“Aw. That’s so sweet.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty intense to watch a new life come into the world, even if it is just cattle.”
I grinned. “In that case, you’re gonna love the news I have for you.”
Rebel Princess - Book 2 (The Hope Saga) Page 17
