Alien in the House

Chapter 97



ALL THE GUESTS who weren’t our friends and family were gone. Jamie was asleep on Chuckie’s shoulder while he and Naomi talked to his parents. “She fell asleep while we were dancing,” Chuckie said. “Didn’t have the heart to wake her up.”

Gave his mom and dad a big hug. “When did you two get here?”

“Just a few minutes ago,” Jeff answered for them. “We’ll be back. Keep Jamie, will you, Chuck?” Chuckie nodded as Jeff walked me over to Christopher.

“What was that all about?”

“Tell you later.”

“Fine. Is my cake still around anywhere?”

“No, it got cleared with everything else,” Christopher said. “And before you whine to me about it, you know you can get more any time.”

“It’s not the same,” I muttered.

“I’ll get you more, baby. In a while.” Jeff left me and went over to Pierre. They were instantly in deep discussion. Reader joined them.

Decided not to worry about it. Found Nathalie. She was leaning against the wall. “How’re you doing?”

“Oh, alright, I suppose.” She sighed and I put my arm around her. “Tomorrow I get sworn in, to do a job I never wanted to do, to replace the husband I never wanted to lose. Then there will be his funeral, and Santiago’s. I must plan Edmund’s and I wish to attend Santiago’s. I believe your Embassy will be making the arrangements.”

“I’m sure we will.” Maybe that’s what Jeff, Reader, and Pierre were talking about.

“I just . . . I would like to have something happy, you know? Christmas has no meaning for me, at least today. I would like to celebrate life and honor the lives gone. Your daughter’s party was lovely, but all we did was talk about political work that needs to be done.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean.”

Jeff looked around the room. “Great, everyone’s here. Gather up your belongings, folks. We’re taking a little excursion.”

Saw a floater gate appear, one of the big ones. “Haven’t seen a gate like that since your wedding, Kitty,” Michael said to me.

“The wedding I missed?” Caroline asked with a laugh.

“Everyone’s a critic. Where does Jeff have us going? And why?”

Others were asking this, but they were going through the gate. Raj joined us. “I’ll escort Missus Brewer,” he said, as he took Nathalie’s arm. “We have eight Field teams in the infirmary.”

“Thanks, Raj.” This way, Nathalie wouldn’t be at risk from my barfing on her and we wouldn’t be at risk of anyone wandering our Embassy unattended. Tito and Nurse Carter were missing out on the excursion, whatever it was. Figured I’d find out soon if they’d be relieved or disappointed later.

Jeff had Chuckie keep Jamie for the gate transfer. Assumed this was because he knew he’d have to carry me. Which he did. “Where are we going?”

“You’ll find out.” Jeff held me a little tighter and I buried my face in his neck. Always the nicest part of a gate transfer.

This one was a few seconds, so I knew we were traveling some distance. Felt us stop and, once my stomach settled, opened my eyes. “This place looks familiar.”

“It should.” Jeff put me down. “Let’s go, everyone, we’re on a schedule.”

“What’s going on?” Chuckie asked.

“I have no idea. Jeff won’t tell me. If Jamie’s too heavy I can take her.”

Chuckie shot me the “oh, please” look. “I think I can manage one little girl.” He looked around. “We’re in the Mandalay Bay.”

“You’re sure?” Looked around again. “I guess we are. The question is why?”

We walked into a room that had a lot of chairs set up in neat rows with a wide aisle between them. Elvis was in there. Well, someone dressed like him. As we got closer, realized it was Gower. Looking somewhat embarrassed. What was going on suddenly dawned on me and I started to laugh.

Jeff heard me and grinned. “Let’s get this show on the road.” He took Jamie from Chuckie now. “Hope you like the costume. It was the best we could find on short notice.”

Chuckie gaped. “Ah, is what I think happening actually happening?”

“Yeah, it is.” He looked at Raj. “You’ll be able to do it more quietly.”

Raj laughed. “Would everyone who is unaware of what’s going on and why we’re here please find a seat and sit down?” His voice carried to all parts of the room, without the walls shaking. Everyone moved as requested. Troubadours really had a lot more going for them than Christopher had led me to believe.

Erika and Stanley Gower were here. They sat with Chuckie’s parents. Jeff kissed Jamie and got her to wake up. Pierre gave her a little pink basket with rose petals in it.

Jeff and Reader each took an arm and led Chuckie up to where Gower was standing. Pierre motioned to me, and I followed him and Jamie to find Michael, Abigail, and Naomi. “You sure you want me here?”

Naomi grinned. “Yeah, I’m sure. Are we doing what I think we’re doing?”

“Yeah, we are. You’re getting married by your brother, who is also an Elvis Impersonator. At least for this hour. It’s a convenient thing that we were all dressed up for Jamie’s party.”

Music started. “Blue Christmas” by Johnny Mathis. Pierre coached Jamie down the aisle. I followed after her, then Abigail.

“We’re breaking with traditions,” Gower said. “Because the only traditions that truly matter are that we love one another, fight for one another, protect one another, and cherish our time together.”

“Hear, hear,” Tim called from the audience. The song changed to “It’s Now Or Never” by the king himself.

“We’re missing a few people we’d like to have with us,” Gower went on. “But circumstances ensure that there are always a few people missing at any wedding. What shouldn’t be at a wedding, however, are governments and political agendas. All there should be is love between two people and the people who love them.”

The room applauded. Clearly all those in attendance agreed.

“Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis came on now, as Michael walked Naomi down the aisle. Saw Amy and Caroline start to cry.

“Who gives this woman to marry this man?” Gower asked.

“We all do,” Michael replied. He kissed his sister’s cheek, then joined Caroline and his parents.

Chuckie took Naomi’s hand and brought her up to Gower. “I just want to tell you both that there are only a few people I’d dress up as Elvis for.” This earned a good laugh, which meant that those of us tearing up got to have the fun of laughing through our tears.

“This ceremony can be quite long. It can also be sped up. I think you two have had a much longer engagement than either of you wanted. So let’s see if we can make the wedding go a little faster. Do you, Charles Martin Reynolds, take this woman to be your wife, in sickness, health, good times, bad times, richer, poorer, until death alone parts you?”

Chuckie cleared his throat. “I do.”

“Do you, Naomi Marie Gower, take this man to be your husband, in sickness, health, good times, bad times, richer, poorer, until death alone parts you?”

Naomi smiled. “I do.”

“The rings, please?” Gower asked. Jeff stepped forward and gave them to him. Gower handed one to each of them. Chuckie slid the ring onto Naomi’s finger. His hand shook a little. I started to really have to blink a lot to stop from crying. Naomi slid the ring on his finger, and her hand didn’t shake at all.

“These rings are symbols of your love and your union—unbroken, never-ending, precious, never-tarnishing, enduring, and beautiful. And with the rings willingly given and happily received, as Sovereign Pontifex, I pronounce you married. What has been joined will never be broken, in this world or the next.” Gower paused for a moment, then grinned. “Now, kiss your bride, and make it good.”

Chuckie grinned and pulled Naomi to him as “Viva Las Vegas” from Elvis came on. He dipped her, and kissed her, while the crowd cheered.

Once they’d straightened up, Gower put his hands up, and everyone quieted. “Let me be the first to present Mister and Missus Charles and Naomi Reynolds.”

More cheers, as they walked down the aisle. They reached the end and turned around. “Where to now?” Chuckie asked.

Jeff grinned. “Back home. The Embassy should be all set up for your reception by now.”

Chuckie shrugged and picked Naomi up. “Guess I’ll carry you through the gate versus over the threshold.” He kissed her as they stepped through.

The rest of us followed them. Jeff picked Jamie up. “Can you make it through without me carrying you?”

Took Jamie from him. “Nope. You get to carry both of us.”

He laughed and picked us up. “That will never be a problem. Holding my family in my arms is the best part of my life.”

The transfer wasn’t nearly as bad as normal, possibly because I kissed Jeff through the entire experience.