Lightning Strikes Twice

by Erik Schubach

  Mia’s eyes were twinkling as she asked, “Internal rant?”

  I gave a toothy grin. “Internal rant.”

  Everyone chuckled at my expense then Abbey pulled out her phone. Mia quirked an eyebrow. Abbey just smiled. “Cab.”

  I put a hand on her’s stopping her from dialing. I stood and walked to the key pegboard beside our garage door and plucked off a keychain that had a pink feather dangling on it and tossed them to Abbey. “Green Range Rover.”

  They smiled and gave hugs all around. When Abbey hugged me, she whispered, “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” I blushed and gleeped. She had an evil, evil, self-satisfied grin on her face as she dragged her bouncing fiance with her.

  There was silence for a moment then mom put on her game face and said, “Let’s sit and really talk girls.” Damn. Time for me to eat crow and beg for my parent’s forgiveness.

  We sat and then I took a deep breath and began, with Mia sharing her new strength with me through our clasped hands.

  Chapter 9 – Wedding Bells

  The next six months passed in a blur. We kept putting off finding me a permanent place to live. Mia and I would spend every night sitting with each other, either on my bed or hers, holding hands and discussing life, hopes, dreams, Abbey. Playing Slapjack… I always win against her because I cheat.

  I had got her to talk a little about our kiss. She had admitted that she had felt a pang of guilt, like she was betraying Valla, but then she shut up about it and held something back. I could never get anymore from her about it. I wouldn’t press, I knew if I did it would get locked into one of those endless loops in her head that just tortured her. So I knew it was just a matter of time before I would have to move out to a place of my own for both her and my own sanity.

  It was such a joy when the girls came home for spring break. They split time between us and the Roth’s and we all had an awesome picnic up in the mountains courtesy of Roberta and Blake Valentine. Sammie thinks that she is pretty sure, mostly, sort of, that Roberta is her only real aunt. Her parents comically won’t confirm nor deny it. I grinned when she started introducing me around as Aunt Vicky. I had joined the endless throngs of her pseudo-aunts and uncles.

  Abbey… what can I say about her. I’m constantly amazed at the strong and confident woman the sweet baby from my memories had turned into. I swell with pride at each of her accomplishments. I don’t think I could love her more if I were one of her actual mothers.

  I tried for so long to have children with Beatrice, but she never wanted children. My biological clock was screaming at me to no avail when I was with her. Now it is almost too late. I do find it ironic that the one thing she didn’t want, a child, is the one thing she got with someone else and was the catalyst for her divorcing me. I still wonder what is wrong with me, I know I could have loved her more, but was I not good enough?

  Mia, Skylar, Kimi, and I were heavily involved with helping the girls plan for their upcoming wedding in July, after their graduation. It brought so much joy into my heart that they were all treating me just like one of the parents.

  I had started noticing lately that wherever we went, Mia and I were always touching in some manner. It was quite addictive. I was worried she would feel uncomfortable with it so I started holding back for a while, but to my extreme pleasure, she just gravitated to me anyway and would grab my hand firmly.

  I wonder if she knew what it was doing to me and that it meant something more to me than her. I mean I could always smell her scent when she stood so close, and her lips were… 7-9-3-2-3-8-4. Gretta H. Franz, Tiberius L. Kessel. A group of Pug puppies is known as a ‘grumble.’ Mia has one hundred and three freckles on her arms. Shit, how did that get through the white noise?

  We woke up on that sunny Saturday. I grinned down at the sleeping Mia with her head laying on my chest, our hands still intertwined like they were when we fell asleep talking again. It was just a normal occurrence now, I almost can’t remember a time when we didn’t wake up together instead of in our own rooms apart.

  I stared down at the sleeping angel. I wanted so much more from her and I knew it could never happen. I decided right then as I traced the soothe lines of her face with my eyes that after the wedding I would have to seriously look for a condo or house of my own. I was just torturing myself laying with her every night, basking in her warmth, when I felt something different than the innocent contact she believed this to be.

  She grinned with her eyes still closed as I watched her breathe. “You’re staring at me again you silly Brit transplant.” She snuggled in more.

  I released her hand and stroked her hair as I smiled down at her. Just like me, she always knew. “Yes I am. It’s time to get up woman. A busy day awaits. Can you believe she’s getting married today?”

  She opened one eye and smiled her trademark crooked smile, I don’t think she even knows the right side of her mouth goes up a couple millimeters higher when she smiles, then she whispered, “Our little girl is all grown up Vicky.” I grinned, then she added, “Valla would be so proud.” This shot a dagger into my heart, why was the universe so cruel, why did it have to take Vee from us so young?

  I smiled sadly at her as she sobered a bit too and I hopped out of bed, still in my clothes from last night. A common occurrence. She just rested her forehead against mine like she has gotten into the habit of doing. I stared at her lips in want. I swallowed then pulled away and changed the subject. “So, did Abbey clarify why they got dropped off last night from their bachelorette party by a police officer? I didn’t totally believe the rumors I heard about June’s Eight until that cop last night started babbling something about a Volkswagen, a kangaroo, and the mayor’s private putting green.”

  I don’t think I had ever seen a more tight knit group of friends than when the college friends of Abbey and Sam showed up to spirit them away last night. The student body of the academy had dubbed them, June’s Eight. Their exploits have become legendary and most people think of them as just urban legend. I only gave a little credence to the stories until last night. Holy crap on a cracker, does this mean the story about the Staten Island Ferry is true?!

  Mia scrunched up her face and chuckled a little as she said, “No, the girls just kept saying, ‘What happens in the Volkswagen, stays in the Volkswagen,’ then they just exchange silly glances at each other. I swear Vic, they are worse than we were in college.”

  I nodded. “But with fewer breakfast burritos.”

  She nodded back like it was a common fact. “Yes, with fewer breakfast burritos.”

  I snorted then I tilted my head at her to rearguard her. She blushed and blurted, “What?”

  I just grinned and said matter of factly, “You wound up being a hell of a mom Mi-Mi. Abbey is so lucky to have you.”

  She blushed again and hopped off the bed. “Get your hyper-blonde ass ready. There is still lots to do before guests start arriving.”

  I saluted. “Ma’am yes ma’am.” She swatted at me as I escaped to my bathroom. I called through the door. “You call the caterer and I’ll wake up the brides.” I heard her grunt an affirmative, then I leaned with my back to the door and let some of the heat from being close to her fade. Then I went about getting ready for a busy day. My smile was a permanent fixture as I thought about Abbey making this life affirming leap.

  After a quick shower and getting into a tank top and shorts, I made my way down to the hall to the girl’s room. I heard Mia on the phone in the great room confirming times with the caterer. I raised my hand to knock, but then an evil grin crossed my face, and instead I pounded loudly on the door. “Hey ladies! Get yer butts up and get some clothes on! I’m coming in!”

  I threw the door open to see exactly what I knew I’d find. Two half dazed, half shocked women with bad bed head still in their clothes from last night sprawled across the bed where they collapsed last night. Well, not last night, more like early this morning. Abbey was trying to push some of her hair out of her mouth with her tongue. She whi
ned, “G-mom. It’s…” she glanced at her nightstand clock, “..SIX in the morning?! We’ve only had four hours of sleep!” Sammie backed her by groaning something like, “Grufumfelll ugggh” in agreement through bleary eyes with drool on her left cheek.

  I blushed, I loved when Abbey called me G-mom, it was her way of shortening godmother, she is always saying she sees me more like a mom lately. I grinned my most evil of grins and said, “It’s your own fault. Now come on girls, chop chop, you got a wedding to attend today!”

  This got glowing smiles to bloom on their faces, then they exchanged longing looks at each other. I snorted and blurted out at mach four, “Hey now, none of that! Do we need to separate you two until the service? Oooo good plan, you aren’t supposed to see the bride before the wedding. I should call Sky and have her restrain the blondie while Mia and I cage the wild one and…”

  The girls were giggling. Abbey interrupted me, “Vicky, slow down, breathe. We are perfectly capable of…”

  She was interrupted by a grinning Mia, who appeared by my side saying, “Too late girls, Sky and Kim are already on their way over for Operation Cold Shower.”

  This got a combined moaning, “Awwwww!” from the girls followed by grins, Sammie was coyly twirling her single pink lock of hair with a finger. I grabbed Mia’s hand and dragged her away as we chuckled. I called back over my shoulder, “Get cleaned up ladies. Somebody is getting married in six hours.”

  Mia whispered in mirth, “You are so evil Vic.”

  I mocked shock. “Why Ms. Jacobs weren’t you just doing the same thing?”

  She shrugged and wandered off to get us mugs of coffee, calling out levelly, “Yes, but I make it look good.” A well-aimed throw pillow to her retreating back elicited the laugh I required for allowing her to get away with it.

  A few minutes later Sky and Kim showed up. We all shared a light breakfast then they pried Sammie away from our girl and sequestered her away in Mia’s room to start the transformation into a blushing bride.

  We got the wedding planner and her minions, who had arrived to start setting up the house and backyard for the wedding, busy. Then we snagged a super nervous Abbey and dragged her to her room. She kept getting more nervous by the minute. She voiced her fears, “What if she changes her mind? What if I’m not good enough for…”

  Both Mia and I stopped her. Mia had her patient and loving mother look on her face as she said, “That woman has nothing but you in her heart. Everyone can see it from a mile away.”

  I nodded and added, “I have never seen two people more perfect for each other. I bet she’s with her parents having the exact same meltdown and they are telling her the exact same thing. You two together are greater than the sum of your parts.”

  This got me a sneak hug from Abbey, she whispered to me so Mia wouldn’t hear, “You two need to realize that too.” Then she released me and looked between us and said, “I love you two so much!”

  As I blushed I wondered what she was trying to say to me. I started dwelling on it, thousands of lines of thoughts on the subject assaulted me. The white noise wasn’t helping. My anxiety was building and the voices started shouting. I couldn’t filter it all out, there was too much and I was covering my ears in a fruitless effort to make it stop when suddenly my mind narrowed to laser focus on one thing, drowning out everything, Mia’s sparkling green eyes locked on mine, and a hand on one of my arms, pulling it down from my ears. She had a look of concern on her face.

  I glanced between the concerned women and just shook my head in embarrassment. “I’m fine.” I gave a half smile. Damn, I haven’t been that close to the edge in decades and that scares the hell out of me. I really did need to find my own place, I will never go back to the institution!

  I took a deep breath and ignored their looks and started brushing out Abbey’s hair. I said, “You look so much like your mother when you don’t straighten your hair Abs, you really should keep the natural waviness for the wedding, it will look spectacular.”

  She shot me one last concerned look then took my cue. She smiled and said, “You think?” She looked to Mia, who just grinned and nodded.

  Mia and I got ourselves ready for the wedding as well as we primped Abbey. After a bit, we had transformed Abbey from a beautiful young woman into the very vision of a bride, then I looked at Mia. “We better go make sure everything is coordinated.” She nodded. I gave Abbey one last hug and she kissed my cheek and I said, “You’ve never looked more beautiful Abs. I love you so much and am so very proud.”

  Her eyes were welling up as she smiled and said, “I love you too.” Then Mia was physically dragging me out of the room by my hand. We went around the property double-checking everything with the wedding planner that Crystal McKay had set up.

  I’m not sure how we got Sasha McGraff as her services were sought after around the globe. Crystal was just cryptic when she said offhandedly, “Sasha owes me a favor,” or some other nonsense like that. Everything was perfect, we couldn’t find any weak links. The way the woman blended into the background, you almost wouldn’t have know she was there if you weren’t looking for her.

  Guests started arriving and the Roth’s joined us. Sky grinned mischievously, “Meltdown?”

  Mia giggled a bit. “Yes, Sammie too?”

  Kim’s carved stone face broke into a silly smile. “Sam was a puddle in there.”

  We all went outside and took in the breathtaking scene. It reminded me so much of Mia and Vee’s wedding here. I think that may have been the point. We watched as the guests were seated in the dozens of rows of chairs on the lawn leading up to the dock on either side of the red velvet carpet running from the house to the white arbor set up on the dock.

  I had to grin a little at the guests. If I hadn’t been accustomed to being around famous individuals, I would have been fangirling out at the virtual who’s who of the Seattle area. Fine whatever, I was fangirling out.

  It was odd to have police and hired security at the front door to keep the reporters and the curious away. The group of women attending were being dubbed the “Legends of the Northwest.” I even saw a couple police helicopters over the lake, keeping news choppers away.

  I glanced around at some of the occupants of the chairs. I grinned at June’s parents, Mandy Fay Harris-West and Congresswoman Anabella West, and June’s ball of energy little sister Lizzie, she was close to graduating college too. Then there were Sammie’s pseudo aunts who took up two rows all by themselves. Roberta and Blake Valentine. Jane and Crystal McKay. Reese and Sarah Qualls. Sandra and Penny Franklin-Callahan with their twins, Lessa and Brandye. Kylee and Amber LaLaine. Then of course Sammie’s parents, Satin Thunder themselves, Kimi and Skylar Roth and Sammie’s grandmother, Prudence. Others I believed were just as noteworthy even if the reporters couldn’t see it were Mrs. Zatta from The Pike Bakery, Missy Hannigan and her husband Steven and my parents.

  As things started settling down, Mia and I took our seats beside my parents across the aisle from Sky and Kim. We exchanged nervous and excited smiles.

  Mia’s head started nodding almost imperceptibly, I had to smile at her when I recognized her coming to the end of a countdown. Then right on cue, she smiled as June and that cute little goth woman, Zilrita, in their pretty turquoise maids of honor dresses started walking toward the house to retrieve their assigned brides. Mia gave my hand a little squeeze and released it as she and Sky stood and rushed back to give their daughters a last word of encouragement.

  I was buzzing with energy if I were a cyborg I’d have been able to bench press a city bus. Ooo I’d so make an awesome cyborg! My excitement for Abbey and Sammie was off the charts. A couple minutes later Skylar came back out and sat, shooting a grin at me from across the aisle. A few seconds later, a smiling and watery eyed Mia came back to sit beside me. Our fingers were interlaced before I even knew it.

  The musicians started playing a slow understated violin march with a supporting bass and cello undercurrent that was more felt than heard.
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  It was instantly silent with only the music playing. All heads turned and looked back. A moment later, Samantha Prudence Roth, the epitome of grace and beauty came marching down the red carpet on the arm of Zilrita. Wow, I have never seen Sam look so gorgeous. I was so proud that she would be my goddaughter’s bride in just minutes. I loved this girl as much as I loved Abbey.

  They took their places on the right side of the arbor in front of the preacher. Sammie looked so regal standing there. I grinned when she broke character for a moment to give a tiny wave to her parents and then to Mia and me, before returning to her polished demeanor.

  Moments later the entire band started an elegant and formal wedding march. Everyone stood and we all turned back again. I couldn’t see anything, grrr… ok, this is one of those rare times I don’t love being short.

  There were gasps and smiles and finally, I could see Abbey as she passed us on June’s arm. She shot us a loving look and we just smiled back in reassurance. By the lords of Kobol, she was a vision! I could just barely see her hand on June’s arm shaking.

  The service that followed had me in tears, June’s hands were signing everything the preacher said in a graceful pantomime that held a beauty of its own. Mia and I shared a handkerchief, dabbing away our tears to try to keep our makeup from running. I was so happy when Abbey said “I do,” that my heart actually hurt. I wanted nothing but joy for her in her new life with Sam.

  Then Sammie’s excitement caused us all to chuckle when it was her turn for the vows when the preacher started asking “And do you Samantha Prudence Roth…”

  “I do,” the little blonde blurted out as she too gracefully signed with her hands.