“And I love being there,” he said, and pushed in and out of her.
He took up a steady rhythm there on her bed, bouncing her on the pillow, and their bodies soon grew warm. Content, she hoped he wouldn’t come too soon, wanted a nice long session with him. With her eyes closed, she groaned and whispered in his ear, and she pushed up and against him.
The door opened, light from the hall flooded in, and Tari said, “Are you busy? I need to ask...oh, what are you doing?” She stayed there, and Lori just waved at her, looked out, saw her, and her parents behind her in the hall, as they suddenly drew near to each other. So close, so lost in passion, she just closed her eyes again, and as Hunter slowed, said quietly, “Don’t stop, not now, keep going, it’s OK.”
Ever since the wild party at the Rothburgs on Ile de Palms, she could hardly object if her parents saw her again, they knew what they were doing. One part of her mind wanted them to see, to know of the joy they shared, of how well this guy pleased her, of his great body, and stiff prick. And wonderful balls, she felt them flopping against her bottom, she hoped they could see them, she pulled her legs even wider apart, so they could. A peek showed her parents still there, watching over Tari’s head. Someone said, “Nothing like a bit of danger to arouse the passions.”
She shuddered, close, knew she was gone, and with a cry she tried to stifle, and couldn’t and gave up on, she let her voice show her joy, as she began to climax, and shook and wiggled and cried again and again, as waves of electric power jolted her. Her eyes eased open again, she saw her parents smiling, heads close, just watching. Hunter kept on, not ready yet, apparently, and she squeezed a little, enjoying him still. He went in and out, making a smacking sound with their damp bodies, and suddenly gave a little shout, and jammed inside her, and stayed there while he shuddered, and moaned, and garbled her name, going on and on and finally collapsing onto her, a sweat soaked weight on her chest. She saw the light dim, and the door slowly closed.
They rested a moment, and Hunter rolled off to his right, flopping down onto the bed on his back. Lori pulled the pillow out, let it slip to the floor. As her breath steadied, she said, to Tari, “Yes, what did you need?”
“I did not know what...you doing...you were mating? I am shamed...”
“It’s all right, Tari, it’s not a shameful thing. It’s a good thing. A wonderful thing. We enjoyed it so. Now, what did you need?”
“I wondered where you want me to stay...oh, I am so sorry to have...”
“It’s OK. We have a guest room next to this one. Through there,” she said, indicating the passage thorough the half-bath.
Hunter pushed himself up on one elbow. He smiled at her. They giggled once.
“Want another shower, a quick one?” she said.
“Yeah,” he said, getting up and pulling the rubber off and into a tissue. “Good idea.”
“Well, I get to sleep on the wet spot,” she said, looking at the mattress after standing up.
“What is that?” Tari said, peering at the bed.
“The place where all our sweat collects underneath us. And I’m on the bottom. And it’s wet and damp and cold afterward.” She followed Hunter out into the hall and across to the shower. Through their parent’s open door, she could see them lying in bed, reading. Her father’s hand was under the sheet on her mother’s chest. She waved at them with a little smile. Both smiled back.
The shower did not take long, and they stopped in the parents room to say goodnight, everyone trying not very successfully to suppress smiles. When they returned, Tari held a pile of bedding in her arms. “Where does this laundry belong?” she asked.
“You changed the sheets for us?”
“Yes, it is the least I could do, so you do not sleep on the wet place.”
“Um, thanks. Leave the stuff in the basket in the bathroom,” she said, pointing.
Hunter left, and returned with a small glass of liquor for them both, and one for Tari, too. She joined them on the bed, asking questions about the mating practices of humans. Neither bothered to dress in the warm night, and Tari looked closely at Hunter’s genitals. He rose up and kneeled in front of her so she could see them better.
“They look very different now, than before,” she said, and he laughed.
Still not late, Lori clicked on the TV, found a show to watch, something simple, no news. Tari watched too, but soon her head rested on her hands, and she eased down onto the bed. Hunter peered at her a little later, said, “She looks asleep. Now what?”
“Leave her, there’s plenty of room.”
“How long do they sleep?”
“Beats me. Not as long as us, but most of the night, I suppose.”
Tari still slept when they got up for one last trip to the bathroom, and they let her stay there as they pulled up the sheet, and snuggled close, and finally fell asleep, too.
In the morning, Tari was gone when the alarm rang. The smell of fresh coffee and cinnamon cooking filled the house. Lori poked Hunter. “Com’on, someone’s got breakfast cooking, and I’m hungry. You getting up?”
He lifted the sheet. “I am up,” he said, exhibiting a fine morning erection.
“So I see. Wish I had time to take advantage of that.”
“Me, too. When will you?”
“On the honeymoon. Maybe. If people stop shooting at me by then. Let’s go, big boy, get it up and out.”
“Right,” he said slowly stretching and moving.
Chapter 12 - Wedding
On a splendid, clear, mild day in mid-September, Lorelei Saxon Sloane married Hunter Aaron Lindbloom, in the open, breezy air beneath a crystalline blue sky, on the lawn behind her family home in Huntington Bay, Long Island, between two tall and festive tents, in the company of her many friends, fellow explorers and travelers, military support staff, the Earth representatives of each of the other worlds, and not a few local, state and national political people, including the President of the United States and his wife.
Lori did not object when Amanda and her mother told her they’d decided to politicize the event. “It may be the best way to gain acceptance, or at least tolerance, for Eagle One–it will be there, and how can people object to it when it will carry the newlyweds off on a honeymoon trip around the world?”
“As it has on other occasions,” Ilene added.
“Think they’ll come?” Lori asked them.
Amanda smiled. “Word is leaking out and about that the alien ambassadors are all attending. The rush is on for invitations. The President’s staff called, inquiring. Imagine? It’s the wedding of the season, maybe of the year. Everyone, of any importance, will be there...”
“A cast of thousands? Oh, I hope not, really, Grandma...”
Holding her hands up, Amanda said, “Not to worry. It’s all in order, we did, ah, have to increase the attendance, a little...”
“How much”?” Lori said.
“Uh, we just doubled it,” Ilene said, “by 250,” and Lori rolled her eyes, “But we can afford it, there’s room, just needed another big tent, they’ll all fit...”
“I can hardly be expected to greet and mingle with 500 guests,” Lori said, her chin on her hand, elbow propped on the table.
“No, you won’t have to, and really, the added bunch won’t expect that.”
“No, they’re there to see and be seen, to mix and mingle, and all that.”
“I still gotta go and say hello,” Lori said.
“You will, you can, there’ll be the receiving line...”
“Take forever.”
“No, not so long, it’s arranged in two parts, family and close friends first, and other guests later.”
“Where are the ambassadors, I don’t want them waiting around, being pestered...?”
“They’re in the first group.”
“So how will everyone mix and mingle?”
“Later, after the dancing, after the meal. Be plenty of time for that.”
“Where will they all park? The air cars? T
wo, three hundred of them.”
“Some here, the highest VIPs. The rest all over the neighborhood. The neighbors are all invited, of course, and have offered their lawns, front and back. And if that’s not enough, we’ll shuttle them in from the school. The neighborhood kids all volunteered to direct arrivals.”
Lori nodded and said, “Can I see the list?” She smiled at the names of people who’d already wired acceptance. Then, solemnly, she said, “You need to set a place for Leta, too, at the main table, with family. At the setting will be a single, black carnation, in a small vase. It will be left empty. But she will be there, with me, in spirit. And I wouldn’t be here at all, if not for her.”
Her mother made a notation on her work pad, and nodded.
A few selected guests stayed at the Sloane’s house in Huntington–Dakota and her husband, Skip, and their two young boys, active and rambunctious, full of energy and curiosity, and looking for adventure after being on a starship for a couple of weeks.
Lori greeted her maid of honor, and college roommate, Carly Alexandra, and her football star husband, Todd Skeet, with gleeful abandon, and fussed over their kids, too, blond and beautiful little girls, four and two. Todd, Hunter’s college roommate, was the best man, and he kidded Hunter endlessly about waiting so long to marry the other roommate.
Guests assembled, the ceremony began at exactly three p.m., military and civilian security air cars overhead, nearly out of sight, keeping an open perimeter, safe from the prying lenses of the media air cars. The Sloane’s own cambots, tucked against the tents, or otherwise not obtrusive, would record the ceremony, and dignitaries assembled for it.
Lori and her father walked the short distance from the back patio of the house, on flower pedals scattered by the kits, preceded by her Maids-In-Waiting and two ring bearers, one each from the other couples in the wedding party. She wore a long, off the shoulder white dress, no train, that glittered with sparkling diamonds from Uta on the bodice. On her head, a thin veil with a barrette of polished pale blue obsidian from Serum Laut reflected the sky. Her neck held the Dragon’s Eye of Stephanie. She carried, or wore something from each of the other planets she visited, as well.
At the end of the path between the tents, on the small raised platform surrounded by flowers and sprays of greenery, Hunter and Todd awaited her, both smiling broadly, eyes on the bride. Behind them to the side, Eagle One sat a half meter above the ground, at the very edge of the platform, all polished and gleaming. The ceremony proceeded, the time for the vows approached.
Lori turned toward Hunter, as Eagle One drifted up to her side. Eyes moist, she looked at him, and her left hand moved to rest against the front of the air car. The spot felt warm to her. Hunter could see the gesture, maybe a few of the guests, too, most could not. A total hush enveloped everyone.
“Hunter,” she began, her voice quiet, so soft, a mini-bot moved in to catch and amplify her words. “Through time and space, you waited for me. When I returned, you found me, and became my friend, and my champion, when others would demean me and my works. You were there, with encouragement, praise in your voice, and good cheer for me. You called me your girlfriend, with obvious pride, and an act of courage. Then, later, in the battle, in the night, in the terror of the dark, you came for me, and found me and fought for me and rescued me. In my time of sorrow, you crossed the vacuum between worlds, and comforted me. Throughout, your easy smile, good humor, gentle encouragement, wonderful conversation, and total devotion, filled me with joy. And in the depth of illness and my utmost despair, you gave me of yourself, and your blood flows in my veins. I live today, because of you. My love for you is unbound, and unending.” She stopped, face ready to crash, eyes wet, and struggled, swallowing. A tear coursed from one eye. Slowly lifting her left hand from Eagle One, she took both of Hunter’s in hers, and said, “I welcome you as my life-mate, my husband, for all the days of my life.”
Not a sound in the place. Just the slow and soft flutter of the scalloped edging of the tents in the warm breeze.
Hunter, his face serious, said, “Lorelei, from the first time I saw you, and danced with you on a warm summer night, and held your hand, and saw your beautiful smile, I knew you were special, so special, you impressed me, and I could hardly speak, or know what to do. Over the years I watched you, and waited for you, and when the time came, even got the courage to talk to you, and be near you. But I had not the courage to say to you what I felt, what I believed, what I thought of you, from the very first day. That would take longer, your presence so overwhelmed me. And then I despaired in the loss of you, to the stars, and beyond. But now, finally, in the maturity of years, I found you once again, and discovered an even more wonderful, interesting, intelligent, and courageous woman than I ever imagined. I am privileged to stand here beside you. Let everyone know, and remember, I would storm the gates of hell for you, and follow you to the ends of the universe itself. I am so proud to be joined with you today, and I pledge my life, my love, my honor, my devotion, and my very being, to you, my wife, for all the days of my life.”
Neither knew beforehand what the other would say. Hunter rubbed the wet trail of her tear from her face. They stood there, staring at each other, eyes moist still, and slowly smiled.
The minister interrupted with the formal vows, the rings were exchanged with more vows, the newlyweds kissed gently, and turned to face and wave to the standing, cheering crowd.
The rest of the day seemed a blur to Lori–endless reception lines, toasts, drinks, food of some sort, people wishing her well, pressing credit chips and old fashioned cards to her, asking for a quick moment with requests she couldn’t remember, nearly continuous photographs, everyone wanted their image with the newlyweds, especially the aliens. She made a point to visit the several tables for them–the illi-illi, all polished and shiny in their dark shells, with glittery jewelry here and there, the squat bigboys, in flowing gowns that fairly glowed in gold and silver threads, the regal Anawoka, bowing to her, their feathers shiny with dusted gold flecks, the Pokoniry, sashes of honor across their necks and chests, and the Kobi, looking distinguished in formal attire not unlike human tuxedos. The Damai, sitting with her family, were brushed and reserved, the target of endless visits as well, but demure and poised.
Lori danced with the President, and made a point of dancing with a representative of each of the other races, not always sure of whether she moved with a female or male, even by the names, which everyone told her each time she visited them.
The sun set, lights came up, tiny ones around the perimeter and the seams of the tents, candles on the tables, hovering AG arrays just above head height, creating a mystical look to the scene. At nine o’clock, fireworks began out over the Sound, from a barge anchored just off shore, dazzling the guests with sound and color, the booming of the shells rushing over them, and drifting smoke and ash providing a pungent aroma in the cooling sea air. Music continued, dessert and the wedding cake appeared, people stayed on to mix and dance, as Lori returned to her table, to nibble and sip at the delicacies all around her. Knowing the party would go on for as long as she and Hunter were there, she and he left about eleven, to countless more photos, in a shower of confetti, rice, and birdseed.
Inside the relative quiet of the house, with just family and the bridal party around her, she eased the shoes off her feet, and thanked everyone for the most memorable day. She called Eagle One inside, too, it slid into the bay, and closed the doors. She really wanted to spend the wedding night inside the air car, and with only a little encouragement from the family, she and Hunter did so. They went up to her room to undress for a shower, and heard cheers from outside when they turned off the light. Laughing, they returned downstairs, wearing only a thin robe, Hunter’s already poking out a little in front, to more cheers from the family nearby. Their coupling was no secret to the group, of course, and Lori felt proud to open the robe, and show off her husband’s ardor.
Next to Eagle One, they dropped the coverings, stood naked f
acing everyone, then turned and kissed. Hunter felt warm and strong, his arms around her, his embrace powerful. She turned her head toward everyone else, and said, “See you in the morning,” and tugged his hand, bringing him closer to the air car. There, the sleeping shelf was already extended, covered by a soft, silky mattress, strewn with rose pedals, and Eagle One played pleasing music. She shrieked as Hunter lifted her up, and carried her inside, and sat her on the shelf. They shared the small glasses of champagne waiting on a tray, and slowly Lori lay back and down, looking up at her husband in the dim light.
“Do you know how much I love you, Darling?” Hunter said, as he bent over her to kiss her once more.
“I think so. I hope so. And do you know my love for you is the same?” she answered, then kissed him without waiting for an answer. His hand ran over her body, and down to between her legs. She opened them for him.
Lori told people at the house that she enjoyed breakfast the next morning as much as the wedding itself. Actually, she enjoyed it more, the anxiety and the stress of the ceremony over, only close friends and family around her, and the tone relaxed and cheerful. Outside, a crew from the caterers worked under the canvas and around the lawn, gathering up the debris, stacking the tables and chairs, and preparing to strike the tall tents.
The kits, waiting for them outside the air car, with a growing impatience, shouted as she and her new husband stepped to the carpet, “You had the sex!”
Hunter smiled, bent to poke at the kits, and said, “Yes, several times, did you know?”
“How many? You can more than one time?” the kits said.
Lori smiled at Tarue, and discreetly held up a hand and three fingers. Tarue held up her own hand, the four fingers splayed, and Lori giggled.
Dayu asked, “How can you do that?” The kits held each of their hands as they walked to the kitchen.
After embraces and long hugs for everyone, the newlyweds sat down to a big breakfast. Lori, her appetite absent yesterday, made up for it this morning. She asked how long the reception lasted, and was told until about 1 a.m. As they finished a second cup of coffee, the kits, and the other human children, began bringing in some of the wrapped gifts, hoping they might be opened. Lori sat on a bench, and with her mother and grandmother recording everything, let the kids help unwrap the presents. The pile next to them grew.
T-47 Book II (Saxon Saga 6) Page 21
