Progeny

by Erik Schubach

  Mia wanted us to tell her of our new adventures at the Art Academy, but Abbey spoke up, “Well actually mother, can we do that a little later. There's a story I want you to share with Sammie first if that's OK. It is pretty important. Could you tell her the story about how you and mom met? It's pretty epic.” Abbey's eyes were twinkling as she grabbed my hand and laced our fingers.

  Mia smiled softly and seemed to settle deeper into the couch for the story, she seemed lost in the memory. “I never get tired of sharing the story of my Valla and I.” She looked over at us and smiled fondly at us as she began.

  It was a tale of happiness and loss, of overcoming the insurmountable, of friendship found, of strength and character, and above all, a story of a love so profound it will stand through the ages. My tears were flowing freely at the end of the story. I felt the loss of Valla as a physical blow to myself. I just wanted to hold Mia and let her know how strong she was. I now understood that undercurrent of extreme pain in the woman. I hoped that I'd be able to experience a love that strong one day. I glanced over at Abbey... maybe I have.

  Mia finished with a tear on her cheek. “So... incredibly long story short, that's the story of your Mother and I. Why did you want me to tell it?” She looked at her daughter curiously.

  Abbey wiped her own tears from her eyes and looked up with a decidedly mischievous look on her face and said, “Well Mom, I was wondering the exact moment you fell in love with Mother.”

  Mia smiled in memory again and replied, “That's easy. It was right after she slapped me and said, 'Every day is a gift! It's how you fill that gift that defines you.'... why do you want to know?”

  Abbey turned to me, biting her lower lip seductively in that way that warms all the naughty parts of me and said, “You remember on the plane ride over when you asked me when I knew you were the one? And I changed the subject?”

  I giggled at that and replied, “Well if you call sticking your tongue down my throat 'changing the subject', then yes I remember.”

  Abbey smiled warmly and continued, “Well before I answered I wanted you to hear that story.”

  Wait... oh my God! Bloody hell! Understanding was spreading across my face over the similarity, and I whispered, “No fucking way!”

  Abbey was nodding at me with a hungry look in her eyes as she said, “Yes. It was that night of our second date in our freshman year. Do you remember what you said to me?”

  I nodded in shocked amazement and almost whispered, “I said that every day is a gift, and that I wanted to fill all my days with you.”

  Abbey was nodding like a woman possessed as she said, “Yes. That was the moment that I knew you were the one.”

  Mia seemed stunned at this revelation as well. I was caught in a happy haze as Abbey kissed me. Then my hand shot up to my mouth when Abbey took a knee in front of me and opened a little box. She repeated the words her mother used to propose, “Samantha Prudence Roth... will you make me the happiest woman alive and marry me?”

  My eyes were welling up in tears and all I could do was nod like a bloody git.

  Abbey laughed gently and asked, “Is that a yes?”

  I dropped my hand from my mouth then pulled this bloody beautiful woman to her feet and kissed her passionately. Oh wait! Quick, before she changes her mind! I reached my hand out for the ring, wiggling my fingers for it as I blurted out, “Yes! A thousand times yes!”

  Abby slid the plain band etched with intertwining script S's and A's onto my finger. Then she clasped my hand, our fingers lacing as we turned to a smiling and crying Mia.

  “I love you girls so much!” she exclaimed and pulled us into a hug. I was, at that moment, the happiest and luckiest woman on the face of the planet.

  Epilogue – Legends of the Northwest

  Mom was calling through the door, “Abbey, baby girl. It's time.” I stared at my reflection again, I wanted to look good for Sammie. She deserved it. God, I looked terrible. I saw each and every flaw in myself. Mom knocked lightly then walked in. She looked spectacular in her turquoise dress and Mom's combat boots. She tilted her head at me. “What's wrong Abbey?”

  I shrugged. “What if... what if she changes her mind? What if I'm not good enough for her? I mean, look at me.” I turned to the mirror again. She stepped up behind me and pulled my wavy hair back over my shoulders to spill back over my white lace dress.

  She smiled. “I have never seen you look so beautiful, and Sammie is so completely in love with you baby girl. She has good taste.” I had to giggle at her silly grin, always the mother. I grinned over the fact that Sammie was already calling her Mummy. I took a deep breath and nodded. Mom grinned and said, “I've got to get back to Vicky, you'll be great Abbey. I'm so very proud of you and love you so much. You have four hundred and thirty six seconds.”

  I looked at her as she headed toward the door of my bedroom. I smiled, I was so happy that she finally found someone that made her happy after all these years alone. Vicky was proof that lightning could sometimes strike twice. I grinned knowing it was just a matter of time before the two of them were in the position I was in now. I was already more than ready to cross out the “god” from godmother with Vicky. She was awesome. Now if I could just get those two to admit it!

  I couldn't believe that Sammie and I had graduated only a month ago. The four happiest years of my life.

  I glanced at the clock confirming Mom's exact timing. That was one “gift” of mom's I wish I had. I swear that clocks are jealous of her ability to keep time.

  I heard the music start up, that was my cue. I took another deep breath then turned to the door in a mixture of excitement and terror. But I knew who was waiting out there, as a smile bloomed on my face as I thought of Sammie.

  I stepped out into the great room that had caterers scurrying all around the buffet tables and up to the glass door looking out to the lake. I looked out to the red carpet running across the lawn to the white arbor on the dock, seeing the object of my affection in her stunning white dress. And then I looked at the hundred chairs lining the corridor to her in rows.

  It still shocked me whom they were filled with. The news agencies, which were all denied access to the wedding were calling the people in attendance, the “Legends of the Northwest.” Police helicopters that were patrolling the lake were keeping the news choppers away.

  I stepped outside, and June, in her turquoise maid of honor dress, offered her elbow. I grinned, I won her in the coin toss! Go me! I took her elbow with a smile. It made me so happy that her and the rest of June's Eight were in attendance. We had a hell of a reunion party last night, the city may still be cringing.

  As she led me down the aisle, I looked at the people in attendance. Most still had me stunned. Among them were June's parents, Mandy Fay Harris-West and Congresswoman Anabella West, and June's little sister Lizzie. Then Sammie's endless stream of pseudo aunts. Roberta and Blake Valentine, I still couldn't believe Silent Bob was there! Jane and Crystal McKay. Reese and Sarah Qualls. Sandra and Penny Franklin-Callahan with their twins, and Missy Hannigan and her husband Steven. Kylee and Amber LaLaine. I grinned at Mrs. Zatta as I passed by. Then of course... I smiled at Sammie's parents, Satin friggin Thunder, and Sammie's grandmother. Then my mom and my godmother Vicky Davenport and her parents Frank and Maira Davenport.

  I couldn't suppress a grin as I noted Mom and Vicky's hands were clasped together. The butterflies in my stomach threatened to overwhelm me as I looked up to my little blonde angel standing under the arbor beside Zilrita and the preacher.

  I have never seen Sammie look so spectacularly beautiful. It literally took my breath away as my eye met her sparkling blues. As I took my place in front of her and June moved to the side all I could do is mouth, “Wow.”

  The music stopped though different music was playing in my head. I only had eyes for this beautiful creature in front of me. She had chosen me... can you believe that? I was the luckiest woman alive.

  The preacher started talking and June started signi
ng what he was saying with her graceful hands. Sammie kept smiling or raising an eyebrow at me, keeping me mesmerized. There was a pause. Oh crap, that's my cue. What the hell was I supposed to... oh yeah. “I do.” I said smoothly, belying the excitement inside of me. She slid the platinum ring on my finger.

  Then the man started saying “And do you Samantha Prudence Roth...”

  “I do,” she blurted and gracefully signed with her hands, interrupting him.

  He said, “I haven't finished the question.” The guests chuckled a little.

  He started again, “Do you, Samantha Prudence Roth take Abbey Victoria Jacobs as...”

  “I do!” She blurted and signed again, causing the crowd to laugh.

  He shot her a chastising look. She was almost bouncing with energy and she shot him an apologetic smile. He started again, holding a finger up, stopping my angel from speaking. “Do you, Samantha Prudence Roth, take Abbey Victoria Jacobs as your lawfully wedded wife?”

  She squinted an eye at him, scrunching up her nose cutely and he nodded then she blurted and signed, “I do!” And just as I slid the ring on her finger, she pulled me down to her lips and I was in heaven. The preacher cleared his throat. Oh. We broke the kiss and looked at him in apologetic embarrassment. There was more chuckling from the spectators.

  He just winked at us and said, “I now pronounce you wife and wife. You may NOW, kiss the bride.”

  He didn't have to tell me twice. I bent down and gathered her up in my arms at her waist and lifted her up and we shared a kiss of promise. A kiss that warmed our shared soul. A kiss that finally made me understand the epic love that mom had with my other mother all those years ago. I belonged to Sammie, and she belonged to me.

  We finally broke the kiss, gasping for air to the cheering of the crowd. We ran down the aisle to the reception area set up in the house. We were of one mind... to get this over with quickly so we could run off together on our honeymoon and into the next exciting chapter of our lives.

  I whispered, “I love you Sammie.” She whispered back, “I love you too Abbey.”

  Books in the Music of the Soul universe...

  (All books are standalone and can be read in any order)

  Music of the Soul

  A Deafening Whisper

  Dating Game

  Karaoke Queen

  Silent Bob

  Five Feet or Less

  Broken Song

  Syncopated Rhythm

  Progeny

  Girl Next Door

  Short Stories in the Music of the Soul universe...

  Misadventures of Victoria Davenport: Operation Matchmaker

  Books in the Valkyrie Chronicles series...

  Return of the Asgard

  Bloodlines

  Folkvangr

  Seventy Two Hours

  Books in the Fracture series...

  Divergence

  Books in the Drakon series...

  Awakening

  Sample Chapter from the Valkyrie Chronicles: Seventy two Hours

  Prologue – Blaze of Glory

  My footsteps clanged and echoed on the grated decks of the Ragnarok generational spaceship as I ran through the corridors. Alarms were screeching and klaxons were blaring in a cacophony of sound and discord. Control panels and access tubes were exploding all around me as I ran through the smoke and sparks. My nano-lattice was flaring brightly as it absorbed energy and deflected shrapnel from the explosions.

  I could just make out father on coms over the deafening chaos around me. “Kara? Daught... ...ituation report. Are y... ...incoming...” Then static screeched as the coms went dead. I growled and took it out of my ear and threw it to the ground as I ran on. I shook my head sadly. I knew this was a one way mission when I volunteered for it, but there was no way I was letting Kat attempt this.

  An explosion from a wall panel threw me violently into the opposite corridor wall. My lattice absorbed most of the impact that would have crushed someone not protected with one. Even so, I felt a rib snap. My nanites started attacking the damage instantly as I jumped back to my feet and continued to run while they healed the injury.

  Lights were flickering with the power fluctuations, gravity was unstable between sections. The vessel heaved and I lost gravity altogether, my momentum keeping me moving forward in free fall until I smashed back down roughly onto the grating when I hit a high gravity pocket. I forced myself to my feet, it had to be two or more standard Ragnarok gravities. I forced myself forward a step at a time until I hit a normal, one gravity section and took a deep breath then started running again.

  I turned a corner and then I saw the Ragnarok commander, Intark, in his EVA suit just ahead of me, with his helmet sealed. I poured on the speed to catch him. I saw the last escape pod at the far end of the corridor.

  Time seemed to slow down and I swear to the Tree of Ages that I saw the energy blast bloom from the Frost Giant vessel off our port side though a viewport. I leapt at the commander and just barely snagged the handle at the back of his helmet, and yanked him back, as the end of the corridor and the escape pod ceased to exist in the torrent of energy that tore through the vessel. I was already taking a deep breath, knowing what was coming next.

  My lattice flared to twice its normal maximum, hardening my skin as the atmosphere rushed out of the ship with explosive decompression, sweeping me and the Intark out into space, he hit his head on the bulkhead on his way out. My shoulder slammed into the opening as I was torn out into the harsh environment beyond, but I managed to hold on to the commander's now limp body. I could feel my nanites straining, they were screaming in my head with the effort. All sound had ceased. We were battered by the debris that was blown out of the hull breach with us.

  I pulled the unconscious Ragnarok to me as I tried pulling up a shield like mother, Kat, and Arina can create to deflect the larger chunks. The shield I could generate was pathetic, I'm better suited for brute force and destruction, so I switched to the power of Thor to destroy the deadlier chunks as lightning lanced from my free hand. It had the desired effect as the pieces were torn asunder and passed on either side of us... but the counter force just sent us into an uncontrollable spin.

  We ricocheted off of a huge hull fragment floating past, with me cushioning Intark's body. I felt another rib snap. I gained my bearings and shot Thor's power blindly in the opposite direction of our spin, countering the force of our rapid, weightless spin, the compressed magnetic force lightning discharge slowed us to a gentle spiral.

  As we tumbled slowly in space I saw the gaping hole in the Frost Giant ship that we had enlarged after Kenatar's suicide run had breached their hull at an engine pod. That engine was dark now... dead, and the other two were damaged.

  My lips curled into a sneering smile as I saw the five mile long vessel heaving, as its damaged engines fought unsuccessfully to keep it from falling into the gravity well of the planet. I knew I was already dead but I took extreme satisfaction knowing that we took the enemy with us.

  I thought out to the universe... Know this Frost Giants, while the other women of Valhalla still stand, you will do no harm to the innocents of this galaxy or any other. I was but one, my sisters are many! I Kara the Wild One, Daughter of Odin, Daughter of Geiravor, was your death. I AM VALKYRIE!

  I shielded my eyes as a the antimatter containment bottles on the smaller, mile long Ragnarok ship failed. It was consumed in a great fireball in the silence of the vacuum of space, dealing more damage to the unshielded engines of the Frost Giant vessel. I wrapped my body around the commander's as the energy shockwave hit us.

  I silently screamed as the energy slammed into me, burning my flesh, even through the nano-lattice, causing me to lose the last of the oxygen in my lungs. We were flung down toward Folkvangr at breakneck speeds as I started gasping for non-existent air and my lungs felt as if they were on fire with need. My nanites and their nano-lattice were valiantly preventing the unforgiving vacuum of space from ravaging my body and lungs. I had nothing but prid
e for their valor.

  My nanites, my friends, my protectors, my Verr, refused to give up, even though I could feel that they knew it was futile. I stopped gasping, I knew that they were shutting down my system to try to preserve my body as long as they could. I started to feel the heat on my back as we began to hit the atmosphere of the planet.

  My Verr were consoling me in my mind. Sending me their love as flames started building up around my slowly failing lattice while we plummeted to the planet below like a meteor. I don't know why I kept protecting the commander with my body. It's not like I could save him. He was lucky he was unconscious so he wouldn't feel our fiery death.

  I reached out with my nanite link to my mate and my family. Kat, Arina, Inatra, and the children. I could barely feel them in my head as my body slowly died. I sent out to them in a calm tone, “I love you.” and “I'm sorry.”

  Then I screamed silently in pain as my lattice failed just as I was losing consciousness. It was the most excruciating pain I had ever experienced as my body started to burn up in the atmosphere.

  I smiled as the world went black when my heart stopped beating, knowing that I had died with honor, with great valor... protecting the innocents of the galaxy. I, Kara the Wild One, would pass to the ages in a blaze of glory!