Blue Plague (Book 7): Hope

by Thomas A. Watson

  Giving a snort, “Far from it, Little Red,” Bruce chuckled. He looked up at the table, “Will everyone head to the front yard, please? We’ll be there soon.”

  As the others got up, Angela looked up, “What about the kids? They’re in school.”

  “Father Thomas is going to perform a three-way marriage?” Stephanie asked.

  Giving a shrug as he grinned, Bruce looked at Stephanie. “Don’t know, I didn’t ask him to marry us. Remember, I made one rule not long ago. Government doesn’t have anything to do in marriage anymore. It’s up to those that are getting married to decide what’s right and what they believe.”

  “Okay, Bruce, and in case I forget, this is the best day ever,” Stephanie said and kissed him.

  Bruce looked down at her low-cut blouse. “So, can I touch them?”

  “Bruce, you can always touch them, just be gentle,” Stephanie whined.

  Angela snorted, “Steph, you grimace when you put your bra on.”

  “They hurt,” she pouted.

  Reaching up and grabbing his head, Angela pulled Bruce down. “She is right about this being the best day ever,” she said and kissed him. Bruce looked at his watch and saw they had waited half an hour.

  “I’m glad you two are there for me, and I’m sorry I’ve given you hell,” Bruce smiled, giving those outside time to get ready.

  Angela snorted as she giggled. “Bruce, baby, I’m sorry you have to deal with us and we are trying not to drive you crazy.”

  “I don’t know what you’re trying for; because when you were brought into this marriage, you two were already perfect.”

  They both jumped, hugging him tight. “Oh, you are so going to beg tonight,” Stephanie cried out. “I swear, you’ll be begging for a time out.” He sat and held them for another half hour and felt his phone vibrate.

  “Time to go, if you’re sure this is what you want,” he said leaning back.

  “Hey, I told you, we were getting ready to throw you in the closet,” Angela laughed.

  “We were going to bring you food,” Stephanie reminded him.

  “How could I forget?” Bruce laughed.

  He led them outside and around the house to see Marcus and Mike waiting where not long ago, Angela and Stephanie had wrestled in the yard with Nancy. Both were wearing regular clothes which wasn’t unusual for Marcus but like Bruce, Mike almost always wore military outfits. “They will bring you around. I asked them to give you away,” Bruce said and kissed them.

  When he walked away, Angela looked at Marcus, “Where do we stand and what do we do?”

  “Child, you stand where you always do. One on each side of him,” Marcus smiled. “I’m escorting you to his left, and Mike is escorting Stephanie to his right.”

  Angela hugged his neck, “Thank you.”

  “We tried to get PJ to act as ring bearer, but he kept trying to eat the rings,” Marcus chuckled. “Cade wanted to put them in his slingshot.”

  “I told you not to get him one,” Angela laughed.

  Marcus smiled at her, “Every boy needs a slingshot.”

  They looked up and caught their breath as Buffy and Danny came around the corner wearing elegant dresses. “Don’t laugh,” Buffy mumbled.

  “Buffy, you and Danny look like princesses,” Stephanie shouted and hugged both of them.

  Angela came over joining the hug. “Your dad went and found you dresses?”

  Letting out a huff, “Hardly,” Danny said. “He bought me one of these every year to wear at Easter.”

  As Angela hugged Danny, she leaned back suddenly, “Danny, did your dad ask everyone to wear regular clothes?”

  “Yep, he said you two always asked him, so he asked everyone if they would,” she smiled. “For you two, nobody minded, not even Buffy.”

  Buffy looked up from under her curly hair. “No, not for you two and Daddy, but please don’t ask me to do this a lot.”

  They both hugged her again. “Buffy, you look beautiful.”

  “I feel…. fragile,” she said, looking down at the dress.

  Angela leaned back smiling. “That is one thing you will never be, my little Buffy. Like Danny, you are your father’s child and there is no doubt in that.”

  That brought a huge smile to Buffy’s face as Nathan came around holding the rings on a pillow. “I won’t lose them because Dad said he would throw me in the lake.” Angela and Stephanie looked down on the small pillow and saw the family rings that the kids had used to get married.

  Danny leaned down. “I would beat your daddy down if he did that to you. He may be the oldest, but I’m the toughest.”

  Angela and Stephanie looked at each other. “He gave birth to her,” they said together.

  “You ladies ready?” Marcus asked, holding out his arm to Angela.

  “I look like crap, but yes I am,” she smiled and took his arm. Buffy and Danny walked in front of them and Nathan followed.

  Mike took Stephanie’s arm, “You know, you’ve always been a part of this family.”

  “I know, but this is special,” she said, wiping her eyes. “I just wish Debbie was here with us. I thought she was crazy for bringing me and Angela in, but I finally understood why. Then when she thought she had beat it, she told me she didn’t regret it and thought this would be great, all of us together.”

  “I know, Steph, she told me the same thing,” Mike said, leading her out and wiping his eyes. “She knew what she was doing and who to choose.”

  When Stephanie came around the house she smiled, seeing Carroll standing at the altar and holding her Bible. “He couldn’t have picked anyone more appropriate to marry us,” she sighed.

  “Yep, and if you try and run away, I’m sure Marcus has a switch somewhere for her,” Mike whispered, making her giggle.

  When Mike moved her to Bruce’s right side, he stepped over to the spot as Bruce’s best man and Carroll looked around at the small group of people. All the family was there, along with all the first people Bruce had brought in.

  Carroll smiled warmly at the group. “This be a joyful day for our family,” she said. “These three come before us to declare for God and all: they will face this world together.”

  As Carroll started reading the vows, Stephanie gave a startle, seeing several camera teams around the area. She knew them because she worked with them. “Are they broadcasting this?” she whispered out of the corner of her mouth.

  “You ashamed to be marrying me?” Bruce whispered back and Angela looked around, seeing the cameras.

  “No, but I look like crap,” Stephanie whispered back. “My boobs are almost hanging out.”

  “Like I said, that never applies to either of you in my eyes,” Bruce mumbled and squeezed her hand, trying not to laugh.

  Giving Bruce’s hand a squeeze, Angela whispered. “I’m letting you off since you’re marrying me, but I wish I could’ve worn better clothes.”

  “Hey, I wanted everyone to wear togas, but Carroll threatened to spank me,” Bruce whispered and they both chuckled, then bit their bottom lips to keep from laughing.

  Carroll looked at the two trying not to laugh and smiled, remembering her own wedding long ago. “Bruce, Angela, do each of you agree before God to take Stephanie as a wife into this marriage? To have and hold through sickness and health until death do you part?” Carroll asked, smiling at them.

  “I do,” Bruce and Angela said together.

  “Then each of you, hold the ring and place it on her finger and repeat after me,” Carroll said, looking down at her Bible. “I do solemnly vow, I will love, honor, cherish, and protect you for long as I live.”

  They repeated as they put the ring on Stephanie’s finger. Then, Carroll looked at Stephanie and Bruce. “Stephanie, Bruce, do each of you agree before God to take Angela as a wife into this marriage? To have and to hold through sickness and health until death do you part?”

  “I do,” they said together.

  “Then place the ring on her finger together and repeat afte
r me.”

  As Carroll read, Ted leaned over to Carl. “I still feel kind of sorry for Bruce even though they are great, but he has no chance of ever winning an argument.”

  “Monica asked me if I wanted two wives and I told her ‘hell no’. After seeing what Bruce put up with, I have reservations about one,” Carl whispered back and Ted nodded in agreement.

  Carroll looked at Angela and Stephanie and chuckled. “This is what you twos been waitin’ for and I’m glad for ya,” she cackled. “You got ‘im.”

  Everyone laughed and Bruce forced a chuckle as the color drained from his face, wondering if this was so wise. Then, a peace settled over him and a scent he dreamed of, filled his body as he closed his eyes smiling. He felt a hand brush his face as a ring was slipped on his finger. “I’m with you always my love. I do,” he heard Debbie whisper.

  Bruce felt Debbie’s touch as Carroll looked at his face, smiling. “Do you three enter into the marriage for each other for all times and pledge yourself only for this marriage?”

  At the same time Bruce heard ‘I do’, they all said “I do.”

  Carroll looked around the family. “Before God, I pronounce this marriage bound. You may kiss the brides.”

  Bruce pulled both close and kissed them. When they broke the kiss, Stephanie grinned. “No escaping us now.”

  “Why on Earth would I want to?” Bruce laughed then leaned down, picking both up. “Thank you, hot momma,” Bruce mumbled. “I’m still giving you a spanking.”

  He swore he heard Debbie’s laugh, faintly off in the distance as everyone ran to them.

  Bruce sat the two down as they were swept away by the women and Mike ran over, wrapping him in a bear hug. “I’m proud of you.”

  Hugging Mike back, Bruce leaned to his ear whispering. “This is what she wanted, more for the girls than me. She knew I already viewed them as a wife.”

  Letting Bruce go, Mike leaned back grinning. “I know, brother. I’m just glad you did it for them.”

  “You do know I’m going to go insane, right?” Bruce said with a serious face.

  Mike chuckled. “You won’t have the time, trust me.”

  As the guys came by, shaking his hand and hugging him, Bruce looked over and saw Buffy standing off to the side looking at her dress. He finished shaking hands and walked over beside her. “Hey, BB, what’s wrong?” he asked, kneeling down.

  “Oh, nothing. I’ve never worn a dress like this before.” She looked up, smiling.

  Bruce reached out and hugged her. “Well, you’re as pretty as a princess. If you want, you can wear them all the time.”

  In a panic, Buffy pushed back. “No way, I can’t fight in this. If someone tore it, I’d have to shank their ass.”

  Bruce pulled her back hugging her tight. “Yeah, Debbie was right. I’ve corrupted you. Buffy, baby, you don’t have to fight all the time. Daddy will protect you.”

  “I know Daddy, but I want to,” Buffy said hugging him tight. “Don’t tell anyone I like wearing this dress,” she whispered.

  “I won’t, but will you wear one sometimes just for me? So I can see my little princess?”

  “Okay, but only sometimes. I have a reputation,” she whispered.

  “Yep, you’re mine alright and I swear, I don’t remember ever cheating on Debbie,” he laughed and Buffy squeezed him harder.

  Letting her go, Bruce stood up and held her hand, leading her over to the family. They took pictures and when it was all the women for the picture, Bruce moved over next to Mike.

  “Bruce, why did you bring the TV crews here to film this?” Mike asked, watching a camera man move around.

  “I wasn’t having everyone come and this way, the whole clan could see,” Bruce shrugged. “Besides, I don’t have my hat on with my recorder, but I’ll still have a record of today.”

  Patting Bruce’s back as he laughed, “Sometimes, you are so weird,” Mike said.

  “Yep, and don’t forget it,” Bruce smiled.

  “Do you sit and watch all of those recordings?”

  “Not all,” Bruce said dropping the smile. “Most the recording I do watch and cut out the mundane stuff, so I can watch what I do and not make the same mistake twice.”

  Mike nodded, sorry he’d asked. “I hope you are happy, brother,” he said, trying to change the subject.

  “As I can be,” Bruce grinned. “In a world of hell, I’m doing pretty damn good.”

  “You will be taking the day off, I hope you know,” Mike said and jerked his thumb over toward Marcus and Carroll. “I cut a switch for her myself, in case you tried not to.”

  Looking over at Carroll, Bruce nodded. “Yeah, she told me I had to and just to let you know, Marcus does have a plow line, and be damned if I get spanked with that.”

  A shiver ran down Mike’s spine. “I love them to death but man, they can put the fear in me.”

  “Yep,” Bruce said and waved at Ted, then pointed at Mike.

  “What’s that about?” Mike asked, seeing Ted run off.

  “Your raise. That’s what took me so long this morning. Had to run into Shreveport to find it.”

  “Dude, you know I was only fucking with you,” Mike laughed.

  Turning to Mike, Bruce grinned. “I know but man, did I find you a raise.”

  The smile fell off Mike’s face. “What is it?”

  “Hold on,” Bruce chuckled and Mike started getting worried.

  When Ted came back he was carrying a box and handed it to Bruce. “Here you go, brother. Don’t say I never gave you a raise.”

  Taking the box somewhat nervously, Mike shook it. “You’re not pranking my ass, are you?”

  “If it’s a prank, I’ll let you rip the hairs off my balls with duct tape,” Bruce vowed with a serious face.

  Startled, Mike stumbled back. “Damn, now that’s a guarantee you can’t argue with,” he said opening the box and sucked in a breath. “Ruby slippers,” he gasped, looking at the sparkling high heels.

  “Told ya,” Bruce laughed and Mike looked up with lust. Getting scared from the blatant lust on Mike’s face, Bruce stepped back balling up his fist. “Mike, I swear, you come at me, I’ll break your face.”

  Mike never heard him as he slowly turned around almost drooling. “Mike, you better relax because Nancy might shoot your ass looking at her like she’s on the menu,” Bruce warned but stepped back further, not wanting to be near Mike.

  “Grrrr,” Mike growled, looking at Nancy drooling.

  “Dude, wait till they throw the flowers before you do anything. I can guarantee you, Nancy has a gun somewhere in that dress she’s wearing,” Bruce said, but didn’t get any closer.

  Angela and Stephanie tossed their flowers and Sandy caught one. Bruce looked around and laughed, seeing Buffy standing far away beside Carroll. Hearing the girls get quiet, he looked back and saw Gene on one knee in front of Sandy, holding out a ring.

  “More power to ya, brother. I have to at least be able to understand some of the words they say,” Bruce said as Sandy dove on Gene, knocking him to the ground.

  The girls started breaking away and Mike let out a growl, charging over, grabbing Nancy and throwing her over his shoulder. “Mike, what the hell are you doing!” Nancy cried out as Mike ran for the house with her hitting his back.

  “I’m putting Nancy in for a medal,” Bruce said, shaking his head as Mike kicked the front door in.

  Angela and Stephanie ran over. “What the hell is wrong with Mike? I swear he looked rabid,” Stephanie said.

  “Do you two remember the movie, The Wizard of Oz?” Bruce asked and they nodded. “Well, I found some ruby slippers in Nancy’s size.”

  They both stepped back. “Whoa,” Angela said. “How did you know that would drive Mike crazy?”

  Shrugging, “Didn’t really, but I remember the last time we watched that movie with the kids, Mike got a funny look in his eye when Dorothy showed them off,” Bruce said, hearing a door slam inside.

  “That woman is tou
gh,” Stephanie said, glancing at the house. “So, where are we spending our day off?”

  “Wherever you two would like,” Bruce said, bowing.

  They looked at each other grinning. “It’s time for you to beg for a time out,” Stephanie said grabbing his hand.

  Bruce snorted, “Not likely.”

  “I’m willing to bet on that today,” Angela said and Bruce started to get a little worried as they pulled him inside the house.

  Chapter 13

  It was a week later as Bruce sat down in the Center after working out. He looked over as Ted and Carl sat down and Bonnie stood off to the side, holding her rifle across her body. “She still won’t sit down and eat?” Bruce asked, looking at Bonnie.

  “Nope, she eats after we do,” Ted said, grabbing his coffee. “Have to admit, she’s some kind of tough.”

  “Never doubted that,” Bruce laughed as Mike came in wearing his workout clothes. “It took you that long to run four miles on the treadmill?”

  “No, I did six, wiseass,” Mike snapped, dropping into his chair.

  Bruce laughed, grabbing his coffee. “Still reeling that Nancy made you cry wearing the slippers, huh?”

  “Hey, it caught me off guard,” Mike shrugged.

  “Mike, I hate to tell you but when Nancy wears red heels, only one of your heads work,” Bruce said putting his mug down. “And it’s not the one between your shoulders. I still want to put her in for a medal.”

  “Hey, she won that round,” Mike said looking up. “I never passed out when she wore high heels before.”

  “You don’t have room to talk, Bruce,” Ted laughed. “I’m surprised Stephanie didn’t announce on her broadcast that you begged for a time out because she still tells everyone at the command meetings.”

  “They caught me off guard,” Bruce mumbled as Millie sat his plate down. Hearing the door open, he looked up to see the kids running at him followed by Angela and Stephanie. Looking at their faces, he knew one of the kids was in trouble, or he hoped it was one of the kids.

  “Bruce,” Angela said, stomping her foot. “You have to deal with PJ, now.”

  Looking down as PJ tried to climb in his lap, Bruce nodded. “I’ll kill him after breakfast, what did he do?”