Sacred Trust (25 page)

“Mother, later!”

Like me, Eonus had raised his voice, so unlike him
. I must be rubbing off on him
, I thought.
And not for the better
, which might not bode well for his mother letting him remain with me on Basili. However, Ilandus nodded gracefully and smiled at us, while Dad just stared at us. I noticed, though, he held Raen's hand. Their secret was out and no longer a surprise to any of us.

Speaking of hands, Eonus took mine and held it the entire length of our walk to the park. We sat down on a bench and stared at the river bed.

“Nara,” said Eonus, which forced me to look at his face. His voice held a strange lilt.

“What is it, Eonus?”

“You, me—couple?”

“Yes, we're a couple. You make me happy, Eonus. I'm glad we'll both be staying here—together.” He hadn't let go of my one hand, so I touched his face with my other one.

“Couple forever,” he said.

Couple forever?
I couldn't believe what I'd heard—at least my interpretation of it. “Do you want to be with me forever? Do you want to be my life partner?” I hoped my words had meaning to him. “Is that what you're saying?”

“Yes.” Eonus put his other hand on my face and stared into my eyes. “One and only. Always. Marry me?”

“Oh, yes, yes, Eonus. I will marry you...in a heartbeat.”

He didn't take his eyes off mine as he bent to kiss me. It wasn't like any other kiss he'd ever given me. Most of his kisses had been little pecks on the lips. Sweet but barely there. This one however was long and intense, and it sent little electric shocks zinging to the tips of my toes.

When he finally broke the kiss, it was all I could do to open my eyes. I stared up at him, utterly speechless.

“Time,” he said. “Tell parents.”

I nodded, feeling ready to burst. I wanted to tell the whole world how happy I was. The problem was, I couldn't say a word.

A half hour later, we walked back to our apartment building and took the elevator up to my apartment. Aron had left, but Dad, Ilandus, and Raen were in the kitchen.

“Dad, could all of you come out here for a minute, please. Eonus and I have an announcement to make.”

Before I had a chance to say another word, Ilandus rushed out of the kitchen and took the two of us in her embrace. “Welcome to family, Nara,” she said, with a smile before pecking me on the cheek. Apparently, she knew her son well.

Then Raen came out of the kitchen and said, “Congratulations you two. You make a fine couple.”

Dad emerged next, his mouth open as he looked from Ilandus to me and then to Eonus. And then he cleared his throat. “So what's the big announcement, children?”

I shook my head. “Dad, Eonus and I are getting married. You're going to have a son-in-law.”

Dad's eyes widened, and I thought he was going to pass out.

Fathers!
They were all alike when it came to their little girls.

Ilandus looked at Dad and Eonus, and then smiled at me. “Much planning.”

However, I knew Dad and Eonus had no idea what needed to happen so Eonus and I could be wed. And for that matter, neither did I!

Ilandus came to our rescue. “Tomorrow, plan,” she said. “Tonight, Nara joins Eonus in privacy.”

Afraid a heart attack was in Dad's imminent future, I pulled him aside. “Dad, I'm an adult. Eonus and I have long-term feelings for each other. You're well aware of that now. Spending a night together is not such a big deal. It's apparently part of their accepted ritual.”

He didn't look at Raen, or anyone else, for that matter. “I understand. I'm happy for you, daughter.” We hugged and then, loudly, he said, “Let's all reconvene here tomorrow morning for breakfast. We'll have much to discuss.”

I whispered in his ear, “Dad, you're a sweetheart.” I gathered up a few things from my bedroom and followed Eonus up to his.

* * * *

Breakfast in our apartment the next morning was hard to describe. Many humorous glances and giggles came our way. Apparently, Ruen had heard about Eonus and me spending the night together. But that was Ruen for you—sometimes maturity didn't come easy for her.

Her father tried to keep a straight face, but only minimally succeeded. “So when are you two getting coupled? I need to plan my schedule. I must be in attendance; considering all we have been through together.”

After Ilandus questioned Eonus and me about what we wanted for our wedding ceremony, and everyone else at breakfast had gotten into the act with suggestions, a plan of attack was formed. Not only did our wedding need to be planned; it needed to be held before the ambassadors' spaceship left tomorrow evening.

Finally, Ilandus issued orders—she called them tasks—to everyone, and we all hopped to it. The first item on my agenda was to get gowns for myself and my bridesmaid, Ruen. The ambassador took us to a nearby store, and the three of us found appropriate wedding wear.

Dad had been sent off to coax Ambassador Goul to officiate at our coupling, and Ilandus had whispered some instructions in her son's ear.

Ilandus arranged for our ceremony to take place at the park we'd frequented so often—my place of peace. She'd also organized food and drink for a small reception to take place at the park immediately afterwards.

By the time all that had been accomplished, Ruen and I were exhausted. But Eonus and I had one more task—we needed to write our wedding vows.

We chose to write them separately, and then get them edited by our respective parents. I suggested to Eonus we spend the rest of the evening apart, but with our own parent. Dad and Ilandus would be gone in only a day, and it seemed only fair to spend some time alone with them. Eonus agreed and kissed me goodnight before leaving with his mother. Ruen had left earlier with Raen. It was the first time I had seen my Dad kiss her. Both Ruen and I smiled at each other.

My evening after that passed in a blur.

* * * *

“You shouldn't see Eonus this morning after breakfast,” said Ruen.

“But Ruen, I—”

“Yes, yes, I know you have seen everything there is to see but, I also know this is your tradition, so just honor it, okay? And, besides, there are still a few things you need to do as the bride.”

Ruen could always make me laugh. “Like what?”

“Your top priority is to get some gifts. They only need be a token of your affection. Something for Naru, Ilandus, Dad, Ambassador Barain, and me.”

That's right; Aron Kikess had agreed to be Eonus' best man.

“Okay, let's get to it,” I said. We wandered around Basik for a couple of hours. I wouldn't have been able to come up with appropriate gifts without Ruen's help.

Then Ilandus helped us don our gowns. Ruen's was a bright, frilly mass of yellow that bared her shoulders, but I'd chosen a more sedate white gown that plunged in a lacy vee at the neckline to almost my waist. With it just baring the inside curves of my breasts, it was the most daring part of my gown. The skirt was a simple A-line in shiny satin from waist to toe. A huge bow rested just below my waist on the slope of my bottom. It made me look...older, and I loved it. I hoped Eonus would too.

Dad had arranged vehicles to take us to the park. I guessed you could call them open-air touring cars—that was the closest description I could come up with.

Finally, we were all in position.

Ambassador Goul sported a huge grin, as he stood before Eonus and me. And, much to my surprise, Karon stood beside him.

“I represent the people of Basili,” said Ambassador Goul, “and Karon represents our ancestors.”

Karon bowed to us and smiled. “It pleases me to be here today to see you off on your lives together.”

“Eonus and Nara, we are privileged you asked us to help you start your life together. Eonus, please proceed,” said the ambassador.

My husband-to-be unfolded a sheet of paper and began to read.

“Nara Scotia, chosen one:
True friend, companion, lover, partner.
Student, teacher, leader.
“Kind, patient, forgiving.
Generous, honest, loyal.
“In health and sickness.
“In sorrow and success.
“Always and forever...together.”

Eonus touched my forehead with his hand.

Tears streamed down my face, but Ruen wiped them away.

Then it was my turn to recite my vows.

“Eonus Tata, I believe in you,
In the person you will grow to be
And in the couple we will be together.
With my whole heart,
I take you as my husband,
Acknowledging and accepting
Your faults and strengths, as you do mine.
I promise to be faithful and supportive
And to always make our family's
Love and happiness my priority.
I will be yours in plenty and in want,
In sickness and in health,
In failure and in triumph.
I will dream with you,
Celebrate with you, and walk beside you
Through whatever our lives may bring.
You are my love and my life,
Today and always.”

Ruen wiped my cheeks again, and then her own.

Eonus took my hands in his and put his forehead against mine, our smiles filled with happiness.

“We have just one more thing to do. Eonus and Nara, if you please...,” said Ambassador Goul.

Eonus looked panic-stricken, until Aron slipped something into his hand.

My partner lifted my left hand and snapped a binding band around my wrist. The jewelry was adorned with small blue stones that I'd picked out myself. Ruen then gave me a matching bracelet with stones all in black and white to fasten on Elonus' wrist.

Once that was completed, Ambassador Goul continued, “With these bands, I now pronounce you, Eonus and Nara, coupled for life.”

I couldn't contain myself any longer; I jumped into Eonus' arms and we kissed for what seemed like forever.

The End

I have been reading science fiction since about the age of eleven when I discovered “Miss Pickerell Goes to Mars” by Ellen MacGregor.

The years passed by while I had careers as a computer programmer, music teacher, insurance office administrator, and logistics coordinator for an international freight company.

I took early retirement in June 2010. Six months later, I decided to put to use all the books on writing that I had accumulated over the years, and actually start writing.

For your reading pleasure, we invite you to visit our web bookstore

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