Chapter 17
brIAR
I gasp when I see the small tent BuK has been staying in all this time. “BuK, honey, my closet is bigger than that thing.”
“I do not need much, just a place to put my things and to sleep. Be careful, it looks like one of the poles has snapped, and the other one is barely holding the back side up I do not want to have to dig you out if it collapses on us.”
BuK sits me down by the front flap. “Stay here a tic, I will see if I can get some of the snow off before we head in.”
BuK ducks inside, pushing the walls outward, and the snow starts falling off the sides.
I duck inside when he yells for me to come in, and when I do, I stop two steps in.
Not only is there no room for both of us, but it’s sad.
Here’s a guy who says he has money but is living like he’s homeless.
There is nothing in here but a cot, a thin blanket, and two large packs.
“Okay BuK, this is bullshit! I am not excusing myself here either, as I should have asked or paid more attention, but did your dad know you were living like this?”
“This is the normal setup when we go from planet to planet on jobs or missions. I mean, do not get me wrong, I like a nicer dwelling, but I always knew this was temporary, and honestly, I would have stayed in it forever to be close to you.”
BuK pulls the biggest pack up on his back before picking up the other. I am still standing here with my hands on my hips, pissed, but not sure who to take it out on. When I reach for the smaller one, he moves it out of my reach.
“It is heavier than it looks, and the paths are still slick.”
My feet and hands are cold by the time we make it back to my pod, and I will admit the warm air that hits me when the lower door opens is welcomed. BuK sits both packs on the lift and we both head up the stairs.
The smell and comforts I’ve added to this space instantly relax my shoulders. Taking off my coat, I let it fall to the ground. “Would you like to join me in the ionizer? I need to get warm, and I’m hungry.” When I turn, I see BuK standing there somewhat stiffly. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
“You are alright with me being here, in your space?”
“Look, I don’t take returns … I’m not Walmart. You are mine and I’m keeping you, so you do whatever it takes to make this place as much yours as it is mine.”
“Briar, those words made no sense.”
“They did in my world, so get naked and join me in the bathroom. After we rub bellies, we’ll grab one of those thick ass robes out of the closet and raid the kitchen. Then I want to sleep for a week, so keep that anaconda of yours under control for a few hours, as I am sore as hell.”
His laughter surrounds me right before his hands grasp my hips, lifting me straight up off the ground, twirling me around, before heading toward the bathroom.
The next thing I know, we’re curled up on the couch, snacking on some of my favorite things out of the replicator, watching as huge chunks of snow and ice fall off the cliffs into the ocean … lake, through the patio glass.
“Your pod is much nicer than I realized.”
“Says the homeless alien.” He spanks me on the ass, and I throw a chip at him. Never have I been this relaxed or comfortable around anyone before. The sound of ice sheets letting go from the mountainside below has both of us standing up and walking out onto the balcony.
“Wonder how long it’ll take for this all to melt?”
“It is already fifty-five out, so I would think a few rotations.”
“Now that we’re practically married, will what we’re doing stay the same?”
“When we get all the pods done, we will move on to the next thing. Or that has been my life up to this point. Father commed earlier when you went to the refresher to confirm they would be landing early next rising. So, we should rest while we can.”
“Party pooper! Fine, let’s go snuggle, but no touchy.”
BuK’s large, warm hand against my back, leading me toward the bedroom, is one of the last things I remember, as I must’ve fallen asleep before my head hit the pillow.
The weight of his arm and, for once, being overly hot has me turning over in the bed, only to open my eyes to a version of BuK I’d never seen before.
Turning on his back when I moved, he has one arm thrown up over his head, and his features are relaxed, making him look much younger. A beep on his comm unit has me reaching over him to shut it off as I want him to rest just a little longer, but his bright yellow eyes are instantly alert.
“Good rising”, he says sleepily.
“Morning. Looks like the world is calling, so I’ll go make some coffee while you answer that.”
He pulls me back for a quick kiss, and I make myself get out of bed when the comm goes off again.
I can hear him walking around, talking low to someone as I take my cup of coffee and walk outside, wrapping my robe closed as I go. Most of the snow has melted while we slept, and I close my eyes while I tilt my head up, enjoying the heat bouncing off Etherium all around us.
Large arms surround me from behind. “That was father. They have touched down and he wants me to join them in the search for KyT, as he still has not checked in. Lacie is heading to the main tent and wanted to know if you would help her straighten the tables up from the wedding?”
“Looks like life is resuming and our vacation is over, so we’d better get dressed.”
He kisses the top of my head before turning away. When I walk into the room a few minutes later, he’s sorting through the bags, looking for something.
“When we get back this evening, we need to get your stuff hung up in the closet. This isn’t just my home now BuK, it’s yours as well, and if you would rather pick out another pod together, I’m fine with that too.”
“I do not care where we live as long as we are together. This rising when I woke up with you in my arms, I had to pinch myself to make sure I was not dreaming.”
“I hope you always feel that way. We’re gonna fight, that’s inevitable. You’re a guy, and I’m a girl. We’re not always going to see things the same, but we’re stronger together than apart.”
“Get dressed before father comes beating on the door. You are way too tempting in that robe, especially since I know you are naked underneath.”
I tease him, slightly pulling the top over just enough to show the side of my boob, and he lunges at me.
Laughing, I barely jump out of his way as I head toward the closet.
Gathering my hair in a ponytail, I grab one of the gray jumpsuits since we’ll be working all day, then head out. BuK is waiting on me but seems nervous.
“You seem jittery. Are you worried about KyT?”
“Yes, that and a few other things. Come, they are all waiting.”
He takes my hand in his, swinging it playfully as we make our way down a now muddy path. The tall trees that have consistently provided shade in the warmest part of the day are bare; their large leaves now crumpled across the wet ground.
I’m shocked by the crowd gathered around the tent, several of them in nice clothes. Before I can say anything to BuK, Kira runs up, hugging me tight, and I feel her hand something to him.
“Oh Briar, I’m so happy you two are alright. This event could have ended in disaster.”
“Honestly, I don’t ever want to play that game again.”
She laughs at me before turning me slightly, only for me to find BuK down on one knee in the middle of the muddy path.
“BuK?”
“Briar, the Lord of Light has blessed us with a true bond, but I know your world only upholds the vows of promise, so I ask you here in front of mine and your people, will you marry me? Will you take my promise ring and wear it for all to see, always knowing that I will hold vows in my heart?”
The ring is stunning, a stone unlike anything I’ve ever seen as it sparkles in a blue and pink mix of our favorite colors. I realize that while I’ve been standing here admiring the ring, everyone is waiting for my answer.
“YES!”
BuK sags in instant relief, and I feel bad for making him wait. BuK slides the ring on my finger, then jumps up, hugging me tightly as tears flow down my face. He pulls away slightly, wiping the tears away. “Go get cleaned up, and I will meet you at the altar.”
“What?”
“You just said yes, we are getting married.”
“Like right now?”
“Everyone is here, and after everything we have gone through we need, what did you call it … Ohhh, a honeymoon break.”
Before I can say another word, Kira has me by one arm and Lacie has the other. “Come on dear, we need to get you ready and quickly.”
I’m kinda in a daze when Lacie starts to pull on my shirt. “We need this off so we won’t mess up your hair.”
“Lacie, what am I going to wear?”
“Well, my dress, of course! I think we should make it a family tradition … any girl either of us has will have the option to wear it.”
“God, I love you!”
“Love you too, now don’t make me cry.”
Kira is running a curling iron through my hair while Lacie works on my makeup, and all I can do is sit here and smile while looking at the sparkles in this ring that reflect us together.
“It took me two planets and SAGE’s help to find that ring.
I think I sent BuK a dozen pictures before he said, ‘That’s the one’.
Bless his heart, he was determined to find just the right one to show the world your unification.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man so excited to get married since it’s usually the other way around. ”
“Thank you, Kira. This means the world to me, and I know BuK feels the same, but now that you’ve said that who’s going to marry us?”
“James. Tyberius talked to him about it before he left, as he knew he couldn’t always be here.”
“DaR or any of the men would be happy to walk you down the aisle.”
“I know they would, and I appreciate it, but I’ll do this alone, as I can’t imagine anyone but my real dad doing that for me.”
It seems like only minutes later, I’m standing at the mirror, dressed and ready to go, waiting for Lacie to slip on the dress I’d worn for her wedding. We all three walk around the communal tent together. Lacie and Kira are doing their best to keep my dress from getting dirty.
“Briar, give us a minute to get ahead of you, and when you hear the music start, come on it. You look beautiful, honey.” Kira kisses me on the cheek, all smiles as she walks into the tent.
“Don’t fall and do not run.”
“Got it.”
Lacie blows me a kiss, almost running up the aisle while waving to everyone I can see through the crack in the main flap.
Standing alone, I take a deep breath, allowing myself a moment to feel sad as I wish my mom and dad could be here with me.
Just as the music starts, I feel something warm against my side, and when I look up briefly, I see my dad smiling down at me as my mother’s perfume surrounds me.
Two bright streaks cut across the sky, and I know that they are watching over me, always.
With tears in my eyes and a smile on my face, I step through the entrance, my eyes noticing everyone around, until they land on BuK. I don’t remember even walking up the aisle until he grasps my small hands in his larger ones.
“You take my breath away,” BuK whispers before James starts the ceremony.
“Briar Ann Spears, do you take this man to be your wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?”
“I Do!”
The End
What’s happening with KyT, … Ricky … possibly HaL??? All answers to these questions are coming.