Gwen takes Declan to the Sanctuary in Old City
They left from a small private airfield on the other side the RAF base Declan was stationed at. He had never been in a private Jet and found it rather luxurious. He observed Gwen was rather at home and knew the flight crew well enough to be on a first name basis with them. She explained she hadn't been back to the States in two years and she was rather excited. She was in better spirits and appeared to be feeling better; Declan was hesitant about where they were going, she had only given him limited information about the house her Aunt lived in called the Sanctuary. She explained that it was a private research facility.
They had been in the air about three hours and had about another two hours flight time left when she said "Oh Declan when you meet the Big Guy or as I lovingly refer to him as "Poppy" please try very hard not to act surprised by his appearance". Declan thought "Why" before he could speak it she answered "Because he's a Sasquatch that's why". She reached over and patted his hand and said "Declan if you choose to stay on with me you have to be aware of the world I grew up in and work in."
She then went on to explain the Sanctuary network how Helen's father Dr. Gregory Magnus had begun the work and how his daughter Helen had taken over after he mysteriously disappeared. She told him about all the Sanctuary locations and the different creatures that inhabit them. She did not tell him about "The Five" and the experiments with the Vampire Blood. She didn't want to overload him he was starting to get anxious. She told him "you'll be fine, just be yourself" he nodded but kept quiet the rest of the flight and Gwen did not intrude in his thoughts.
When the plane landed there was nothing around it was a small airfield not much different than the one in England. There was a black limousine and Gwen grabbed her bag and headed toward it Declan followed behind she tossed the bags in the truck and then got in. They were in the car about 35 minutes heading toward a large city, but it was not New York City or any of the big cities Declan had ever heard of It was called simply "Old City".
They arrived at a large stone building that looked to Declan like a cathedral surrounded by huge stone walls and an electric entry gate. The gates swung open and they pulled round to a large front door. Gwen smiled at him and said "we are here" she hopped out they grabbed the bags from the trunk when the large wooden entry door slowly swung open.
Declan thought of some old horror movie and Gwen giggled and said "yes it does look like that" and she just walked rite on in to a very large foyer and women came walking up to them and greeted them. Introductions were made and Declan was floored to see this beautiful young woman who didn't look much older than Gwen standing in front of him to be none other than Dr. Helen Magnus and Gwen giggled.
Then Gwen turned and yelled "Poppy" and headed off across the foyer and leapt into the arms of a large hairy gorilla looking man. Declan swallowed hard trying to remember not to look shocked and Helen stood there watching his face and smiling. The Big Guy was very happy to see Gwen and her happy to see him; they began speaking a language he didn't recognize The Big Guy looked over at Declan and looked him up one side and down the other with no expression on his face. Declan nodded to him and said hello but stood where he was next to Helen.
Then The Big Guy looked down and started talking to Gwen again in that language in a rather stern voice, he watched as Gwen's body language changed her shoulders slumped in and she started looking downward, her voice also changed in the language they were speaking.
Just then Helen put her hand on Declan's arm and said "Come along Declan I'll show to your room and get you settled in, Gwen will be along shortly" as they ascended the staircase Declan asked Helen what The Big Guy was saying to Gwen, Helen turned and smiled at him "well he's admonishing her" Declan asked why and Helen in a merry voice replied "What do all fathers admonish their daughters about?'
Declan chuckled and said "Bringing a boyfriend home" Helen winked and nodded her head in agreement. Helen showed Declan to a lovely guestroom and then Gwen arrived. A ten year old Henry Foss a resident there made his appearance he wanted see the new people and Gwen greeted him kindly.
Then Big Guy arrived and shooed Henry off he walked over to Declan who had to look up to him, feeling rather nervous about the closeness of the creature. The Big Guy raised his hand and smacked Declan rite upside the head and grunted at him, he looked over at Gwen and Helen who were hysterical and tried to understand what was going on when Gwen said "its OK Declan he likes you that's his way of showing it." Declan rubbed his neck and smiled weakly saying "yeah thanks"…
Gwen crossed the room to stand at Declan's side he was getting nervous, she was feeling a little guilty about throwing him into this mix but it had to be done. The Big Guy announced in English that lunch would be served in an hour and not to be late. Gwen went over on tippy toes she kissed his check and he softened in his look at her then he smacked her in the back of the head. Helen rolled her eyes and winked at Declan and they both left the room closing the door behind them.
Gwen and Declan were alone and Gwen announced "well that went better than I had anticipated" she kissed Declan's cheek and told him she was very happy by his behavior he did a good job. He just shook his head at her and kissed her back with a big hug.
Lunch went well and the conversation was lively Declan was rather enjoying himself but he and Gwen were getting tired the jet lag was setting in. She took him on a tour of the house but not a full tour. She led him outside to the garden and to the chapel. He was starting to yawn and couldn't shake it off she suggested they go back to their room and nap for a bit which they did when they awoke the both were feeling a little more energy.
After dinner they all went to the Library when The Big Guy arrived with a tea service, he took Gwen aside and in that same language he was speaking to her but to Declan it had a more rhythmic sound as if it was a chant and Gwen would only reply every so often Helen looked somewhat surprised by this and when they were done the Big Guy served just Gwen and Declan tea ignoring Helen. Gwen explained to him that the tea was a symbol of luck. She lied….
After they finished the tea Gwen got up and practically dragged Declan from the room making their goodnights, Declan thought this was odd and said so while she was dragging him down the hall but she did not answer him she was just insistent they go to their room.
Back at their room she walked in and asked him if he felt warm and preceded to throw open the window Declan felt a little warm and started to unbutton his shirt. Gwen just started stripping her close off there in front of him, Declan's jaw dropped this was so unlike her she was rather prim and proper.
She crossed the room to him and started tugging at his clothes to get them off him. He asked her what was going on and she answered" It's the tea it's an aphrodisiac, Poppy thought I needed it he gave us his blessing". Declan couldn't stop himself he grabbed her and began kissing her in a hungry urgent way he picked her up and put her on the bed. He almost fell over trying to get out of his pants Gwen had the covers pulled back and was pulling off the last of her clothes off and sat totally naked on the bed. Declan got out of his clothes and joined her on the bed and the kissing and hands everywhere.
This was their first time, Gwen wasn't over thinking this she was just going with it, and in fact she really couldn't think straight but Declan was and he was leading her in what was pleasing to him. Declan was so excited he was finally making love to the women he loved with his whole being he was trying to slow down but that teas was making him feel drugged and awkward and he didn't want to hurt her he knew she was a virgin he was trying to be gentle. He tried not to thrust to hard into her he couldn't help himself and he felt her wince beneath him, he couldn't control himself and finished quickly dropping down on to her breathing hard.
He lay on top of her trying not to put his full weight down burying his face in her neck and her hair. She was relaxed and held him close to her; he slowly raised his face to her and asked her if she were alright. She smiled and said yes, she reached down and pulled the covers up over them it became chilling in the room since the window was wide open.
They made love several times that night and slept well together in each other's arms, they slept in the next morning when The Big Guy knocked then entered with a tray. Declan gave him a sideways glance and asked if the tea was spiked, the Big Guy grunted and said no.
Gwen stirred under the covers, Declan was up and dressed in sweats and a t-Shirt, he looked so good she thought, he handed her a robe she shrugged into and she held her head. He dug in her bag and pulled out the bottle of Tylenol he took two and handed her two and cup of tea.
She looked at the cup and asked him if Poppy brought it and if it was spiked. Declan said he asked the same thing and told her it wasn't it tasted like normal tea, Gwen felt like she needed a shower she was slow to rise and felt hung over she got a look at the sheets and was a bit surprised by the mess. Declan sat on the window seat looking out at the river and the city across, he was giving her some space to let her absorb what had happened and he hoped she wouldn't be regretting it.
She called over to her shoulder asking Declan if he was joining her in the shower, he was on his feet in a second and pulling off his shirt. The shower was long and enjoyable she was learning things with him and she was having fun with him and he wasn't complaining for sure.
After they got dressed they headed off to find Helen, she was there working in her office when they came in and Gwen asked her to give Declan the full tour of the facility. Helen raised an eyebrow at her and reluctantly agreed but Gwen wasn't joining them she was off the find the Big Guy to talk to him about some things.
While they were alone Helen was able to ask Declan more about what he was doing in the Marines and if he has contemplated what he was going to do when he got out? He hadn't given it much thought before he had always thought he'd be a lifer in the military. Helen in an off handed way was extending a job to him within her network.
He fully understood what she was getting at and when she showed him the weapon locker he began to salivate. She nonchalantly asked if he'd meet James Watson. He told her no and that Gwen had nothing to do with him, Helen whistles a little and said "both stubborn and pigheaded, you realize you are going to have to get the two them together". He didn't want to think about that now and said so "not now".
They continued the tour down a long semi light corridor that opened to a large round room with 2 tiers on the bottom floor where they were was large glass walls and the second level had solid doors that looked like cells.
When Helen starting explaining what some of the residents are and how they "needed to be protected from Humans and in some cases Humans needed to be protected from them". Declan stopped in his tracks in front of a large water filled enclosure and was absolutely shocked to see a Mermaid swim up to the glass he took two steps back.
The Mermaid looked over at Helen and she raised her hand to the glass which Helen mimicked and placed her hand on the glass directly over the Mermaids. Helen spoke allowed, "Yes this is Gwen's mate" the Mermaid looked over at Declan and smiled a kindly smile at him then turned again to Helen who again said allowed "Yes he is handsome"
Declan was a little embarrassed but he approached the glass and put his hand up on it. Helen was surprised and pleased the Mermaid removed her hand from Helen's side put her other hand on the glass over Declan's, he wasn't sure so he spoke out loud "it's a pleaser to meet you Ma'am" he was surprised that he could hear her voice in his head it's sound was light and musical like tiny tinkling bells as she said it was nice to meet him also then she lowered her hand smiled again and turned and swam away.
Declan was fascinated and a little frightened but mostly fascinated and he wanted to know more of these creatures and about the work done here. He was thinking of Gwen and how growing up in a place like this shaped her into the person she had become and how strong a personality she was. He also began to understand why she didn't really want to come back to it to work he thought of James Watson and began to understand a little more but he needed to talk to Gwen.
The tour continued he could not get over the medical facility and the laboratories it seemed Dr. Magnus had every new device and computer on the planet. There were a few other people working at the Sanctuary and Helen introduced them to Declan and described their jobs to him.
She returned him to the Library where he meet up with Gwen and the Big Guy they were hunched over some large books and Gwen was taking notes. She looked up and smiled at him, the Big Guy paid him no mind other than a sideways glance. Declan strode over to where they were and decided to look at what they were working on and join in, what the hell he thought he was into all this now; as the old saying goes In for a penny in for a pound.
It was a book on herbs and plants mostly common to central England Gwen was sketching a green house she was intending on building on the property and listed the plants and their locations she would start with. The Big Guy disappeared and returned some time later with food for them, Gwen continued to work on her new project and she and the Big Guy discussed certain plants and so on. Declan took his tea and pulled another book off the shelf and lost himself in that.
A little bit went by and Gwen asked Declan if he was ready to go home? She told him they could leave later this evening and she explained it was better for them to travel at night it raises less suspicions.
He felt he'd had enough and was missing England he told her Yes he was ready to go home, she suggested he return to their room and pack up she would go make the arraignments.
On the plane ride home Declan and Gwen spoke about things at the Sanctuary and Gwen stressed to him how it was necessary to keep it a secret. He was most enchanted with the Mermaid and Gwen laughed "yes she was most smitten with you to Darling".
Declan turned to Gwen and put his arm around her, he said "There's something I have to fix when we get home" he went on "I've been thinking that I don't want to leave you again without you having a way to contact me or get information, there will be times where I'll be gone again and won't be able to contact you". "I was thinking that we have to get married, wives have certain privileges, they won't tell you where I am sometimes but there are services on the base, someone for you to talk to."
"So will you marry me" He asked her, her "Yes" was swift and fast, he explained he'd have to go round the base the next day to fill out the forms and talk to his CO. Then they'd have to decide where they want to get married either on the base or in the village church and when he only had a little over week left on his leave.
Gwen wanted to get married in the village church and have Jaclyn standing at her side; Declan thought it shouldn't be any other way. The next day was busy they got out the house early and over to the base then into town to the village church to talk to the pastor and his wife.
They had a day and a half to put this together. The wedding would be Sunday afternoon, Gwen and Jaclyn and the Pastors wife took off to get a dress and flowers and a cake. Declan had picked up his dress uniform when they were at the base and as far as he was concerned things were taken care of. He went to the pub and hang out with the guys.
Sunday arrived and things went well the entire village turned out for her wedding much to Gwen's surprise, some of Declan's unit and the Company Commander attended.
Gwen stood in the back of the church she had decided that she would walk up the isle alone, she thought of the Big Guy and how she wished he could be here with her but having a Sasquatch walk her up the isle would cause rather a stir. Her thoughts turned to James then they turned to that ugly place she reserved just for him.
She thought of the look on Declan's face when he rang up his mother and asked to attend and how she had chided him about not giving her more notice and that she had other plans that day. She felt his pain and disappointment even though he hid it well; there wasn't anything he could truly hide from her. They were together in this; both had uncaring parents who had wanted nothing to do with them.
It was a lovely party in the Pastors yard after the ceremony they had a very beautiful unseasonable day the weather was very warm, the village band played music and Declan danced with his wife. Gwen couldn't have been happier and it showed in the bright happy smile she flashed at everyone. The village photographer was there snapping away, and Jaclyn met up with one of the anesthesiologist from the hospital whom she left with.
Gwen and Declan had a lovely wedding night and the next morning went back to the base to fill out more paperwork, that afternoon they went round to Gwen's attorney so Declan could sign some things and Gwen wanted to sign the new draft of her will. That is when Declan saw the full extent of his new wife's net worth, it was needless to say he married well.
The week went by quickly for them Gwen having worked on the Thank You notes for the lovely gifts that arrived; they received a gift from every head of house except London's in the Sanctuary network. They also received gifts and notes of congratulations from the Prime Minister and former Prime Ministers and other foreign dignitaries. There was a box that arrived via a special courier, Declan opened it and handed Gwen the card. It was a small silver bowl and Declan turned it over he was surprised to see the Royal Seal he turned to see the look on Gwen's face as she read the hand written note card. She handed him the card and they both stood in stunned silence as he read it. He handed her the card and box and turned and walked out of the house, he was shocked that their sovereign Queen had sent them a gift.
When Declan returned to the base his company commander commented that he was surprised to see him, he told him he thought he'd have to send the MP's to retrieve him.
Declan settled back into base life and as did Gwen with her medical practice, the weeks went by and Declan came home when he had down time. Declan's unit was reassigned to another base down south for additional special training and he was gone again.
