Linda S. North - The Dreamer, Her Angel and the Stars

by Linda S. North

  She closed her eyes, remembering the moonlight, and Ariel. Images of Ariel beneath her, over her, and beside her. Ariel in command, wringing orgasm after orgasm from her until she thought she would die from pleasure. Ariel surrendering, hearing her soft moans and almost breathless cries. She could still taste her, feel her softness and the muscles flex beneath her hands.

  For the first time in her life, Kiernan was in love. For the first time in her life, she made love. Before, with others, it was all about sex and physical gratification, emotions played no part in it.

  For Ariel she sensed it was all about making love and not sex. For her sex was tied in with emotions of love and caring. Was that why she ran away this morning? She acted on the physical and not the emotional, perhaps feeling guilt, shame, and confusion.

  Kiernan knew Ariel liked her and desired her. In time, she might even come to love her. Ariel needed to come to terms with what happened in her own way.

  With Ariel probably feeling confused and vulnerable, now wasn’t the time for Kiernan to tell her she loved her. Ariel would think she was lying to get her way. But she could show Ariel she loved her. She could be patient, supportive of her goals, listen when she needed it, and be a friend. Kiernan also felt a niggling of fear. Fear that the progress they were making, the friendship they were forging, might be hurt by what occurred the night before. All she could do was wait—and hope.

  ALMOST AN HOUR later, Kiernan walked down the road from the mountaintop and turned the curve. She paused, startled for a brief moment. Ariel sat on the low stone fence of the orchard eating an apple. Ariel took an apple out of her jacket pocket and held it up. This gesture gave Kiernan hope things would be all right. She picked up her pace, almost running, and stopped breathlessly in front of Ariel “For me?”

  Ariel handed her the apple. “For you. Have a seat.”

  Kiernan clambered on top of the stone fence next to her and bit into the apple. Its crunch was loud, and she tore off a chunk with her teeth causing a fine mist of apple juice to spray. Around the mouthful Kiernan said, “Good.”

  Ariel took a bite of her apple.

  “How did you know I was up here?”

  “I asked Mrs. Belfort. She said you headed up the road a little over an hour ago.”

  “I never told her where I was going.”

  “I have a feeling all of your staff knows where you are at all times—and where I am as well.”

  “Yes, I suppose you’re right. Did you go up to the falls to search for me?”

  “No. I wasn’t sure where you were, so I figured if I sat right here you would eventually pass by.”

  They ate their apples in silence, glancing occasionally at each other and smiling shyly.

  Kiernan watched as Ariel’s expression became serious. “Kiernan, about last night. I have to be honest. I wasn’t ready for that. I’m sorry.”

  “There’s nothing to be sorry for. I understand, more than you know. Let’s chalk it up to the tango and the full moon.”

  Ariel smiled shyly at first, but in a blink, her expression became dazzling. “Would you like to watch a Star Wars movie with me tomorrow night?”

  Kiernan couldn’t keep the silly grin off her face, feeling things between them would indeed be fine. “Sure. What time?”

  “How about my place at eight? I’ll provide the movie, and you arrange for the popcorn and sodas.”

  “That I can do.”

  Ariel threw her apple core across the road, stood up, and brushed her hands on her jeans. “I guess we should head on back. It’ll get dark soon.” She held out her hand and Kiernan took it. Ariel pulled her up, but didn’t let go of her hand as they walked back down the road toward home.

  Chapter Thirty

  1:30 P.M. DISPLAYED on the LED clock on Kiernan’s desk. She glanced at it frequently, not only because she was anticipating her date with Ariel, but also because the clock was the bottom portion of a Plexiglas frame that held a picture of Ariel in her red dress. Helen had taken it at the fundraiser and e-mailed it to her the night before. Kiernan had printed it to photo paper and brought it into work this morning, replacing the picture of Celeste with it.

  Reluctantly, she went back to the various reports for the day, slogging through them until she came to the report from Dwayne Campbell about the recent completion of updates and engine overhaul for Celeste. She buzzed through that one with keen interest, delighted to learn that the ship was now ready for whenever Kiernan wanted to use her.

  She remembered when Ariel first boarded her, the excitement in her eyes, and the smile she couldn’t keep off her face. Those memories brought a wistful expression, followed by a brief laugh. “Why the hell not?”

  KIERNAN KICKED THE door to Ariel’s suite while trying to keep steady the tray full of soda cans and a big bowl of popcorn.

  “Come in.”

  “Ariel, open the door please.”

  A few seconds later Ariel opened the door, and Kiernan handed her the tray.

  Ariel sniffed loudly. “Yummy, hot butter on the popcorn. I’m impressed.”

  “You should be. I popped it myself.”

  “What else can you cook?” Ariel placed the tray on the coffee table and took her seat on the sofa.

  “A lot of things I’ll have you know.”

  “Oh? Name me three things you can cook—besides popping popcorn.”

  “Fried eggs, scrambled eggs, and boiled eggs.”

  “I bet you bust the yokes on the fried eggs.”

  “Do not. Before you start the movie, I have to make a trip to your bathroom. I’ll be right back. Don’t eat all the popcorn.”

  “I can’t guarantee that. Better hurry.”

  On the way out of the bathroom, Kiernan saw Ariel’s motorcycle helmet on the dresser and picked it up. She put it on, closed the tinted shield, and walked back into the sitting room. She stopped in front of Ariel, and gave her best Darth Vader harsh breath sounds.

  Ariel laughed. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  “Luke, Luke, I’m your daddy, Luke.” Kiernan’s voice was low and muffled by the helmet.

  Ariel snorted in amusement. “I’m your father.”

  Kiernan lifted the helmet’s face shield. “Funny, I never knew I had a father. And you certainly don’t favor either of my mothers.”

  Ariel threw a piece of popcorn at her. Kiernan took off the helmet, set it on the end table, and plopped down on the sofa. She reached into the bowl of popcorn between them and took a handful. Ariel ordered the EM to play the movie and they settled back to watch.

  A quarter of the way through the movie there was a knock at the door, and Ariel called loudly, “Come in.”

  Mrs. Belfort entered carrying six gold and six silver metallic balloons attached to a doll. Her expression was one of fleeting surprise when seeing Kiernan, which she soon replaced with satisfaction. “I have a special delivery for Ariel.”

  Ariel wore a puzzled expression as she went to retrieve the delivery.

  “EM, pause movie,” Kiernan said, watching Ariel with a glow in her eyes.

  Mrs. Belfort exited after handing Ariel a stuffed gold C-3PO doll with the balloons attached by foot long strings to his waist. Ariel examined the doll, searching for a card. Kiernan leaned back against the sofa cushions, trying to appear casual.

  Ariel squinted at her suspiciously. “What’s this?”

  Kiernan shrugged innocently. “Why don’t you ask C-3PO? If you press the little red dot on his right hand, he’ll tell you why he’s here.”

  Ariel did so, and a recording of C-3PO’s voice said, “Greetings, Ariel. I am C-3PO, and I am acting in my function as an official Protocol Droid, and as an Ambassador for Kiernan O’Shay. Be it known, your presence is required aboard Celeste, on December Second, to embark on a journey to the red planet, Mars. Kiernan guarantees you will have a good time.”

  Ariel’s mouth dropped open in surprise. She gazed in wonder at Kiernan, who said, “Cat got your tongue?”

  Arie
l plunked down on the sofa, and delivered a squeezing hug. “This is—wow!” They disengaged, and Ariel said, “That’s only two weeks away.”

  “I guarantee Celeste will be fully crewed and ready to go.”

  “Er—what about Christmas and my family coming over? Won’t we miss it? Not that I would miss a trip to Mars for the world.”

  “We should be back a few days before Christmas.” She said in her best command voice, “Ready to report for duty, crewman?”

  Ariel straightened up, with chest out and shoulders back, and saluted. “Reporting for duty, Captain O’Shay, ma’am.”

  Kiernan made an effort to keep her eyes on Ariel’s face and not on her prominently displayed chest. She gave a rakish grin. “At ease, crewman, before you slip a disc.”

  Ariel dropped her salute. “Permission to speak freely?”

  “Granted.”

  Ariel leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Ariel moved the popcorn bowl to the coffee table, scooted over beside Kiernan, and put an arm around her shoulders. “Now, back to the movie. EM on.”

  Kiernan settled contently against Ariel’s side.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  “I SWEAR IT, it goes in one ear at the speed of sound and comes out the other ear at light speed,” Joanna said to the twins who sat on the sofa by Ariel and Kiernan. Joanna sat across from them in a chair. “I’m sorry, Kiernan. I told these two not to pester you about going with you and Ariel on the Mars trip.”

  Kiernan leaned forward slightly to say to the twins, “I’ll tell you what. How about I arrange for you two and your mom to take a tour of Celeste and stay aboard a couple of days when you have your spring break?”

  Leigh said, “Can we, Mom, please, please?”

  “Please, Mom,” Seth begged.

  “That depends on how well you two behave,” Joanna said, looking from one to the other. “So far, it doesn’t look good.”

  “We’ll behave. Won’t we, Seth?” Leigh promised.

  “Yeah. We’ll behave.”

  Joanna rolled her eyes. “For around five minutes.” She said to Kiernan, “Thank you. That’s a few months away, and I’m not sure what I’ll be doing at that time. But you have my permission for these two to go. I warn you though, they’re a handful.”

  Kiernan glanced at Ariel, a sly smile on her face. “Ariel can keep them in line, I’m sure.”

  “Just show me where the airlock is located,” Ariel said as she made faces at her brother and sister.

  “Mega supreme!” Seth said. “Wait ‘til I tell Larry and the gang.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” Leigh said.

  “Don’t thank me—thank Kiernan.”

  Leigh grinned. “Thank you, Kiernan.”

  “Yeah, thanks,” Seth said.

  “You’re welcome.”

  Kiernan and Ariel had arrived at the Thorsen residence some fifteen minutes earlier for Thanksgiving. She was nervous on the ride over, not knowing what kind of reception she would get, but the warm welcome she received from Joanna and the twins put her at ease. So far, they’d managed to avoid any uncomfortable topics, and Joanna had not brought up the new computer processing job she started a week ago at a credit union.

  A few minutes after arriving, Kiernan had surveyed the living room with interest to see whether there was any new furniture or anything else to indicate Joanna had spent any of the money Kiernan paid out as part of the prenuptial agreement. Granted, she had been in the house only one time and hadn’t taken a tour, but it appeared the furniture was the same older pieces showing wear from daily use. She also noticed the older model Saturn in the driveway when they drove up to the house.

  She was puzzled by Joanna’s returning to work when she didn’t have to and by the lack of material goods. Joanna could well afford to move into one of the upscale gated communities. The more Kiernan thought about it, the more she felt suspicious that something didn’t ring true with the notion that greed had been the motivating factor in Joanna’s theft of the new engine specifications. She decided that she would have the matter more thoroughly investigated when they returned from the Mars trip.

  A buzzer sounded from the kitchen and Joanna said, “I need to check on the turkey and a few other things.”

  “Are you sure I can’t help?” Ariel asked.

  “I have it covered. Why don’t you show Kiernan your picture album? I’m sure she wants to see your baby pictures.”

  “Oh, Mom, no,” Ariel whined.

  Kiernan glanced at her, seeing a flush of pink on her cheeks. “I’d really like to see them.”

  Seth and Leigh jumped up, jostling each other as they ran over to a bookshelf. They grabbed a digital album at the same time and tried to pull it out of the other’s hands.

  “I had it first,” Leigh said.

  “I did. Let go.” Seth tugged it away.

  “Alright you two. Hand me the album.” Joanna held out her hand to a pouting Seth who relinquished it with ill humor. She gave it to Ariel, and Seth and Leigh hastily took seats by their sister. Joanna admonished the twins. “You two behave,” and left for the kitchen.

  Ariel sighed. “Here goes.” She clicked on the album. The first picture displayed the typical newborn shot that hospitals provide to parents. Ariel was wrapped in a pink blanket, lying in a hospital baby bed. Underneath the picture were her name, Ariel Lynn Thorsen, and date of birth, April 21, 2073, 10:20 PM, weight 8 lbs. 1 oz. Length 22 inches.

  Kiernan couldn’t help but wonder whether their baby would favor Ariel. “Aww, you were a beautiful baby.”

  This comment set the twins to giggling. Kiernan looked across the album, seeing them rolling their eyes. Apparently, they didn’t share her sentiments.

  The next was newborn Ariel in the arms of a proud, handsome, and tall man with light blond hair.

  Ariel said, “This is my dad holding me right after I was born”

  “I can see where you got your height and blonde hair. He was a very handsome man,”

  “Ariel’s a red raisin,” Leigh said.

  “No, a sun-dried tomato,” Seth said.

  “Will you two put a lid on the comments, or leave?” Ariel said in an irritated voice.

  “Nope,” Seth said.

  “Mom!” Ariel called out.

  Reluctantly, Leigh said, “All right, I’ll behave.”

  Seth said, “Me too.”

  “Yeah, well, see that you do.” Ariel clicked to the next picture which showed a young Joanna holding a wide-eyed Ariel who wore a yellow knit cap on her head. There were more pictures of her being held by parents and sleeping in her crib.

  Ariel came to one of her dressed in a light blue jumper and sitting, or rather propped, against the back cushion of a sofa. She appeared to be around three months old and wore a light blue ribbon with a bow around her head.

  Kiernan examined the picture closely, thinking Ariel’s hair was so pale and fine she appeared bald. On closer inspection, Kiernan saw, in fact, that she was bald, and teased, “My, what big beautiful blue eyes you have—and beautiful locks of golden hair.”

  Seth snickered. “Ariel’s a buzzard head.”

  “Bald as a buzzard and stinky diapers I’ll bet,” Leigh teased.

  “Yeah,” Seth said, “so stinky a momma buzzard would tote Ariel away to her nest thinking she was her baby.”

  Kiernan was losing the battle to keep a straight face. A sharp elbow poked her in the ribs. In a low voice out of the side of her mouth, Ariel muttered, “Et tu Brute? Now see what you started?”

  Both twins giggled, and Kiernan bit the inside of her mouth to keep from laughing, but an undignified choking sound escaped.

  Ariel scrunched up her nose. “Ha, ha, look who’s talking. You two weren’t even around when I was born, but I sure was around to see both of you—and smell you, too. You two had heads shaped like buzzard eggs. We couldn’t put you two in the sandbox to play without every cat within a six block
radius getting a whiff of your stinky diapers and coming over to cover you up.”

  Kiernan burst out laughing, and Ariel joined her.

  The twins were not amused. They crossed their arms, their faces sullen. Leigh stuck out her tongue.

  Kiernan focused once again on Ariel’s picture, wondering whether their child would be that precious—and bald. “I think you look sweet and adorable.”

  “Sweet! Adorable! Yuck!” Seth blurted. He stuck his tongue out and jabbed his right forefinger toward his open mouth while making retching noises.

  Leigh giggled and said, “Ariel sure was one u-glee bay-be!”

  “Mom! Make them leave!” Ariel called out toward the kitchen. She clicked off her album.

  “All right you two,” Joanna said as she walked into the living room, “get in the kitchen now. I need some help,”

  “But, Mom, I want to see the pictures,” Leigh protested.

  “Yeah, me too,” Seth said.

  “You two have seen those pictures a hundred times. Now,” Joanna said sternly, “I need some help in the kitchen.”

  “We never get to have fun.” Seth got up from the sofa, and headed toward the kitchen, Leigh following.

  Joanna said, “I’ll keep the kids occupied and out of your hair.”

  “Thanks, Mom,” Ariel said.

  “Dinner should be ready in thirty minutes.” Joanna headed back to the kitchen.

  Kiernan reached for the album on Ariel’s lap, but Ariel clutched the album tightly and said, “Oh, no you don’t.”

  “But I want to see more pictures.”

  “Only if you promise to show me pictures of you growing up.”

  “Sure. I have an album with nothing but baby pictures, and another one full of childhood pictures.”

  “I bet you had a bald head.”

  “Did not. I was born with hair, and kept it.”

  “Red hair?”

  “Let’s say, redder hair. It darkened when I grew older.”

  “You know what they say about redheaded babies,” Ariel said in a matter-of-fact voice.

  “No. What do they say?”