A "Major" Snag
Chapter 45
XLV
"Are you ready for this, Mom?" Maria asked.
Amy looked at her daughter and smiled. "Honey, I've had some practice. The question is, are YOU ready?"
Maria nodded and grinned. "I'll never be readier, Mom."
"You look so beautiful, sweetie! I think I'm going to cry."
"Mom, don't! You're mascara will run! Just smile and think about you and Jim."
"Yeah… yeah," Amy agreed, realizing that Maria was right. But that didn't make it any easier when she looked at her daughter… her baby… standing there in her wedding dress. Maria was getting married! Amy still couldn't get her mind to totally accept that, though she had already given in to the reality. As for herself, technically and legally, in every way, she and Jim already were married. Reverend Garrett had married them at her memorial, when everyone thought she had died in the "accident" that General Hawkins staged to cover her planned "disappearance." But Amy had outfoxed the General. Then she had walked in on her own memorial… and on some very surprised guests… mad as a hornet with its wings clipped after walking back from the base without her car under the hot desert sun; and somehow, standing there covered in sweat and desert dust, she had wound up getting married to Jim… "because the preacher was already there." But later she had promised herself and Maria that she would have a "real, traditional" wedding, with Maria present, once they were all safe again. Now seemed to be that time… at least if it was going to be a real earth wedding with a real earth pastor officiating.
Only a few feet away from Amy and Maria, Vera Taylor, the nurse Jeff Parker had hired to take care of Liz while Liz was in a coma… and for a while after that… was checking Liz over carefully and sniffling.
"Is it okay if I cry? I don't care if my mascara does run. You look so… so…" Vera paused and sniffed again. "You're so beautiful, Elizabeth!"
"Just Liz, Vera. I'm still just Liz… especially for you."
Vera smiled at Liz lovingly. "For two months, I knew you only as a pretty little girl in a deep sleep who might never wake up. Then you woke up and you were a SWEET, pretty little girl who never complained about anything even though your legs… and even your arms, at first… were paralyzed, and I pushed you around in a wheelchair and fed you. But you refused to give up or ever feel sorry for yourself. Now look at you! You're so… so all grown up and beautiful and… and you're walking again. I can't get over it." Vera picked a napkin up off the table beside her and wiped her eyes with it.
"Aw, Vera…" Liz touched a hand to Vera's cheek affectionately. "You had a lot to do with it. If I hadn't had you when I needed you… I don't know what might have become of me. You encouraged me. You never let me be sad. You took me for rides in the park in my wheelchair. And when Judge Lewis stole my diary and I started yelling for help, you came running ready to take him on all by yourself."
Vera chuckled. "Your little friend, Alex, and Sheriff Jim got him first. Your little friend packs a pretty good punch for a little guy."
Liz laughed. "Yeah. Alex is not so little, though, Vera. He's getting married, too."
"I know," Vera said, attempting to nod while shaking her head at the same time. "But to me you'll always be my children."
"I think I like that," Liz said, smiling.
Now in her early fifties, Vera never had children of her own. She had once planned to, but her fiancé died in Vietnam when they were both young, and she never found another that she could love the way she had loved him, so she became a nurse and dedicated herself to helping children who needed her. It provided a sense of fulfillment and an outlet for the nurturing soul inside her.
A short distance from Liz and Vera, Isabel sat in front of a mirror. She looked radiant. It had taken Isabel longer than the others to realize that going to Antar was what she really wanted, even though she would be leaving her parents for no one knew how long. But she knew that she would see them again in time. Max and Liz and Michael and Maria had already said that they were going. This left Isabel in the difficult position of having to make a choice… whether to go with them or stay with the parents she had come to love on the planet that she already felt was her home. It was the sudden realization that she could be happy anywhere… as long as it was with Alex… that changed her mind. She looked up at the stars then looked at Alex. Alex saw the change come over her face… and he knew. Without missing a beat, he merely asked if they could see Antar through the New Granolith's observatory dome and how long it was going to take them to get there. It wasn't necessary to say anything more. In some strange way, Alex didn't have to say anything more… and neither did Isabel. They were going. It was as simple and plain to see as that. And there was one other thing that they didn't have to say… They were going together, as a couple. Now, less than twenty-four hours later, Isabel sat in front of the mirror, in her wedding dress, carefully touching up her hair, as Diane Casey assisted her.
It was a testament to the Antarians' technology… albeit the Antarians in another dimension… that tailor droids on the New Granolith were able to produce so many beautiful wedding dresses in a matter of less than twenty-four hours… and do it to the specifications and in the pattern that each bride had chosen. No one was complaining about the shortness of time to prepare, though. Everyone knew that within another twenty-four hours they might no longer be anywhere near earth; and Reverend Garrett, who had been asked onboard the ship on very short notice to officiate, was not expecting to make a trip to Antar.
As the girls put on their final touches, the door opened, and Tess looked in. Liz, Maria, Amy, and Isabel all looked like they were ready, and Tess smiled. "Everything's a go, girls. It's showtime… as soon as you're ready."
Liz looked at Tess and nodded. "I'm ready, Tess." Liz walked toward the door, with Vera helping her with her gown. Maria followed with Amy, and Isabel and Diane followed Maria. The girls all managed somehow to crowd into the ascension chamber together, and Tess took the chamber from the third level up to the fifth level. There, the chamber stopped, and the door opened. An anti-grav sled was waiting for them. The sled had actually been designed for use by the harvester droids… to assist them in moving large quantities of vegetables, fruits, and sometimes other items around the ship, but it had been spruced up and shined, and seats had been added for the occasion. With everyone onboard, the sled moved off slowly down the trail through the gardens. A minute and a half later, the sled stopped, and Tess got off. Then she helped the others off.
"We wait here until they start to play 'Here Comes The Bride.' Then you will each march to the edge of the pond and stop in front of Reverend Garrett. Your escorts will be here any minute…"
As Tess spoke, Jeff Parker, Phillip Evans, Jim Valenti of Antar, and Rahn came up behind them. Tess turned and smiled.
"And here they are! You guys ready?"
"To marry off my daughter?" Jeff Parker asked. "No way! But she'd never forgive me if I didn't now." Jeff winked at Liz, and Liz smiled back. "I think we're ready," Jeff said.
Tess moved Jeff into position with his daughter, Liz, on his arm. Then she positioned Jim Valenti of Antar next to Maria, since Maria's mother's new husband, the younger Jim, who was Maria's stepfather now, was getting married himself… to Amy. Jim and Amy were officially already married, of course, but Amy was keeping her promise to Maria… and besides, she wanted this herself. Tess then positioned Phillip Evans with his daughter, Isabel, and finally, she put Rahn with Amy and handed each girl her bouquet.
"I am to give you away," Rahn said to Amy.
Amy smiled. "It's an earth custom, Rahn. Somebody has to do it."
"I know," Rahn replied. "It is the same on Antar."
"Really?"
Rahn nodded.
At that moment, everyone turned to look, as someone else appeared behind them on the path.
"Angie Lee?" Liz exclaimed, looking the new arrival over. Omigod! You're… you're getting married, too? …you and… and Kyle? That's great! That's so cool!"
Angie Lee grinned and nodded shyly. "Grandpa and I talked it over, and he understands. We have to do this."
"Besides," Gray Hawk said, walking up on the side and taking Angie Lee on his arm, if I don't get them married and into their own place soon, I'll never get to watch what I want to watch on my new TV that Michael got for me."
Liz smiled, and everyone laughed.
"Kyle likes it, too, huh?" Maria asked.
Tess nodded. "Grandpa is taking this philosophically. He says he's not losing a granddaughter, he's gaining a TV."
Everyone laughed again. Gray Hawk, who normally managed to appear stern and sober on any occasion, even cracked a small smile. He had actually grown fond of Kyle and enjoyed having him around, and Angie Lee was more than a guest to him, she was family. But he knew that that arrangement was not meant to continue… at least in his house. Angie Lee had to leave the nest. All of nature did it. Little birds spread their wings and felt the wind under them… and the next thing, they were jumping out of the nest. If they waited too long, the mama bird sometimes encouraged them with a little push. Gray Hawk knew nature well… and he respected it. He knew when the time had come, and he knew that it had.
Everyone looked up suddenly, as strains of "Here Comes The Bride" drifted through the air. Liz looked at her father and nodded, and Jeff swallowed and walked forward with Liz on his arm. As they rounded the corner and marched toward the waterfall, they saw people seated on both sides of the path around them. There were actually quite a few guests present considering the extremely short notice. Liz marched down the "aisle," on her father's arm, smiling radiantly; when she reached a point about half way to the waterfall, Maria began her walk on the arm of her stepfather's double, Jim of Antar. She, too, was smiling radiantly, as were the others. Isabel followed, on her father's arm, then Amy, on Rahn's arm. Angie Lee marched down the aisle after Isabel, on Gray Hawk's arm. Each bride started her walk when the one before her reached the half-way point.
Liz stopped beside Max, who was waiting for her, along with the other grooms, at the edge of the pond. She turned around and stood with him, facing the guests. Maria followed, taking her place beside a very dapper-looking Michael, then Isabel marched down the path to the edge of the pond and smiled at Alex, as she, too, turned to face the guests beside her future husband. Amy followed next, stopping and turning to face the guests with Jim, then Angie Lee marched down the aisle and stood with her future husband, Kyle, who had managed to slip into the lineup at the last moment before the brides' march had started.
Liz glanced at Max and smiled, and Max smiled back at her. He looked so handsome all dressed up. The tux he wore fit him absolutely perfectly. But of course, it would have, since it was made for him. Liz thought that she had never seen Max look quite so handsome, which was saying a lot, because she had never seen him at any time when she thought he didn't look handsome. It was just natural for him. He couldn't help it. Max, for his part, had watched as Liz walked down the path, in absolute awe of her beauty… and something else. He had loved her when she could walk… and he had loved her when she couldn't. But now, as she marched lightly, even gracefully, down the path toward him, her smile lighting up her face, he realized that the joy he was seeing in Liz was a reflection of her love for him… and every step she took became a step deeper into his heart.
Maria looked at Michael and felt exactly the same feeling that Liz felt toward Max. To Maria, Michael was too handsome to be legal. It made her heart leap knowing that Michael was hers and she was his… and soon, they would be joined in name as well as in heart and soul. Michael had never really opened his heart to anyone outside of his own little "alien" group… but that was before Maria. Maria was special… and never more so than right now, as she walked toward him down the "aisle," looking more beautiful than he could ever have thought possible.
Alex had that special smile on his face and that sort of indefinable sparkle in his eye. It always got to Isabel right where she lived. She didn't know why, exactly, but she couldn't help it. It reduced her to jelly inside. What she couldn't understand was that Alex worshipped her as the closest thing to a goddess that he had ever met. To Alex, just the fact that Isabel, who could have had any guy she ever wanted, had ever gone out with him at all was a miracle. That she was marrying him now was something he dared not even try to figure out. He might wake up and find out it was all a dream.
Jim was ruggedly handsome, and Amy had always been attracted to him… ever since as far back as she could remember… but the attraction had been mutual, too. Still, as fate or whatever would have it, they had both married someone else, and it hadn't worked out. Now they were both getting a second chance at happiness together, and both of them knew that it was right.
Angie Lee didn't know what it was that she liked about Kyle… maybe it was just everything… his good looks, his wit, the way he looked at her, the way he kissed her. One thing she did know, though… she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. Kyle knew it and wanted it, too. As a fairly popular school jock, Kyle had been used to the girls gravitating toward him. He could have probably had almost any girl in school, and he knew it. But he didn't want just any girl. At one time, he thought he wanted Liz. But her heart wound up being "alien-abducted." Now he was actually glad. He hadn't known Angie Lee then. Angie Lee was different than any other girl he had ever known. Angie Lee captured his heart the way Max captured Liz's, but Kyle suspected that good old human hormones and feelings had more to do with it than any alien powers.
Reverend Garrett cleared his throat, as the sound of "Here Comes The Bride" suddenly stopped. He looked around at the brides and grooms and at the guests gathered in seats along the sides of the path. They were surrounded by roses and flowers of every imaginable type and color. In fact, some of the flowers in the New Granolith's vast gardens may have actually been unimaginable. Reverend Garrett was certain that he had never seen some of them before. Behind him, a waterfall dropped over some large rocks, from a height of around fifteen feet, into a large, clear, sandy-bottomed pond that reached a depth of about thirty feet near the falls. All together, it was a beautiful picture… the serene, clear pond with its cascading waterfall behind him and the colorful flowers all around. The only thing missing from this idyllic picture seemed to be the bluebirds.
As Reverend Garrett looked around, he noticed that a pink-rose bush on his left and a red-rose bush on his right had, at some point while they were standing there, changed into pure white roses. Max just smiled.
After rubbing his eyes and looking again, Reverend Garrett decided that it was best not to question, and he raised the little ceremony book in his hands and addressed the guests…
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered today to celebrate the unions of these four… uh… five couples who have professed their eternal, undying love for each other and their desire to partake willingly and joyfully of the blessed rite of matrimony. Marriage, some would say, is a partnership. But it is much more than that. Truly, marriage takes what was once two and makes it henceforth and forever one. The five couples before me today are here to say… before God… and before all those present here in this… in this, uh… garden… that this is their wish. What God chooses to join together, let no man tear apart…
Maxwell Evans… do you take this woman, Elizabeth Parker, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"Elizabeth Parker, do you take this man, Maxwell Evans, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"Who gives this woman away?"
"That would be me," Jeff Parker said.
"Is there a ring?" Reverend Garrett asked.
"It's okay," Liz whispered to Max. "I know there wasn't time."
Max looked past Liz and made a nodding motion and a quiet whistle. Suddenly, there was a commotion in the gardens, and people began to whisper and gasp. From the other side of the pond, a very large cat… with two huge tusks… appeared and then trotted over to Max. It almost looked like it was smiling. Reverend Garrett took a couple of steps back and gave it plenty of room. Max reached down and looked at a collar around the cat's neck, then he removed something from it. It was a small box. He opened it and removed two rings.
"Liz, I give you this ring as a symbol of my intentions… my intention to hold you forever here in my heart and my intention to make you my wife." He slipped a diamond ring onto her finger. "And I give you this ring…" He slipped a gold band onto her finger. "As a symbol of my undying, eternal love."
"Then by the power vested in me by the state of New Mexico and God above, I declare that you are husband and wife… You may kiss the bride," Reverend Garrett said.
Max held Liz and kissed her, as Liz slipped one hand behind Max's head and returned the kiss joyfully.
Reverend Garrett gave them a respectful amount of time and then ahem'd.
"Sorry, Max. There are others who want to be married today."
Max nodded and smiled.
Reverend Garrett moved to Michael and Maria.
"Michael Guerin, do you take this woman, Maria DeLuca, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"Yeah, I do."
"Maria DeLuca, do you take this man, Michael Guerin, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do, too."
"Who gives this woman away?"
"Me," Jim of Antar said.
"Is there a ring?" Reverend Garrett asked, glancing at Jung-Jo cautiously and stepping back again just in case. Jung-Jo trotted over to Michael, and Michael removed a second small box from the collar. He opened it and removed two rings.
"Maria, I was nobody until I met you. You gave my life real meaning. Just as this diamond may once have been a piece of carbon, you changed me and made me better for it. I give you this ring so that you will always remember that you did that for me and I love you for it." Michael slipped the diamond ring onto Maria's finger. "And I give you this gold band so that you will always know that, just like this band is a circle and has no end, our love will have no end either."
"Then by the power vested in me by the state of New Mexico and God above, I declare that you are husband and wife…" Reverend Garrett said. "You may kiss the bride."
Maria smiled, as Michael took her in his arms and kissed her passionately. Reverend Garrett looked around for a few moments and took a deep breath, then he tapped lightly on Michael's back.
"Ahem."
Michael smiled at Maria as he released her, and she smiled back at him.
Reverend Garrett moved on…
"Alex Charles Whitman, do you take Isabel Amanda Evans to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"Isabel Amanda Evans, do you take this man, Alex Charles Whitman, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"Who gives this woman away?"
"I do," Phillip Evans said.
"Is there a ring?" Reverend Garrett asked, stepping back without looking this time. Jung-Jo trotted gingerly over to Alex, and Alex smiled and patted him on the head then removed a third little box from the collar. He opened the box and removed the two rings.
He slipped the first ring onto Isabel's finger. "Isabel, like the stars in the sky, let this ring always speak to you of our love, because as long as there are stars in the sky, my love for you will never die… and when there are no longer stars in the sky, my love for you will still shine on." Alex slipped the band onto Isabel's finger. "And this gold band is my heart. It has no beginning and no end. It just is… and so shall our love be… forever."
Reverend Garrett smiled, then he realized that it was time for him to speak again.
"Then by the power vested in me by the state of New Mexico and God above, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Alex kissed Isabel, and she kissed him back with passion.
Reverend Garrett moved next to Jim and Amy, and he suddenly realized who they were. Remembering the ceremony at the memorial, Reverend Garrett glanced at his book. "Will I, uh, be needing this," he whispered.
Jim nodded and smiled. "We're doing it the long way this time."
Reverend Garrett nodded. "James Valenti, do you take this woman, Amy DeLuca Valenti, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"Amy DeLuca Valenti, do you take this man, James Valenti, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"Who gives this woman away?"
"I believe I have that honor," Rahn said proudly.
"Is there a ring?" Reverend Garrett asked.
Jung-Jo trotted over to Jim. Reverend Garrett forgot to step back this time, but then he realized that he felt safe enough right where he was. Apparently, this saber-tooth tiger… or whatever it was… was not afraid of him and did not show any signs of being aggressive. Jim reached down and looked at the collar around Jung-Jo's neck, then he removed the fourth small box, the one with his name on it. He opened it and removed two rings.
"Amy, this is what I should have had the sense to give you a long time ago." Jim slipped the diamond ring onto Amy's finger. "And this gold band is pure and beautiful… and endless, like my love for you will be." Jim slipped the band onto her finger.
"Then by the power vested in me by the state of New Mexico and God above, I declare that you are husband and wife… You may kiss the bride," Reverend Garrett said.
Jim kissed Amy, and she kissed him back. Then Reverend Garrett moved to the final couple…
"Kyle Valenti, do you take this woman, Angie Lee, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"Angie Lee, do you take this man, Kyle Valenti, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"Who gives this woman away?"
"I do," Gray Hawk said sternly.
"Is there a ring?" Reverend Garrett asked.
Jung-Jo trotted over to Kyle, and Kyle removed the final box, which had been added to Jung-Jo's collar at the last moment. Kyle opened the little box and removed the two rings from it.
"Angie Lee, this diamond ring is like my love. Like this diamond, my love for you is pure… in truth and in intentions." He slipped the diamond ring onto her finger. "And this gold band will never tarnish. Just like my love for you, it will shine forever." Kyle slipped the band onto Angie Lee's finger.
"Then by the power vested in me by the state of New Mexico and the will of God above, I declare that you are husband and wife… You may kiss the bride," Reverend Garrett said.
Kyle pressed Angie Lee to him and the two of them kissed each other passionately. Reverend Garrett watched for a few moments then shrugged, deciding that since there were no others to marry, he would let them be. Eventually, they had to come up… even if it was only for air.
Reverend Garrett looked at the big cat in front of him and reached out and patted it on the head…
"You make a pretty good best man. You didn't lose a single ring."
Jung-Jo turned his head and looked at Reverend Garrett, and the Reverend could have sworn that the cat smiled at him.
After the ceremony, the newlyweds changed their clothes then joined the guests in the galley, which had been nicely decorated for the reception, considering the short time available. But the Antarian group had given it their best effort while their younger doubles had been choosing wedding dresses and rings and getting measured for tuxes. The droids onboard made the wedding dresses for the brides and the tuxes for the grooms. The individual grooms chose the rings they liked, which were then purchased from a local jeweler with funds mostly provided by Max from Antar. It was Antarian money, but the jeweler wasn't complaining. It was gold… and probably collectible besides, due to its rarity.
Deputy David Cotter sauntered up to Jim and nodded. "I guess you were serious after all, huh, Jimbo! You've married Amy twice now! You think it finally took?"
Jim smiled. "It took the first time, Dave. This was something Amy wanted to do for Maria… and for her, too. The wedding at her memorial was legal, but you know… well… it's the circumstances. She wanted to be able to say we planned it and didn't back down."
"Well, you didn't back down, Jim. You're married for sure!" David laughed.
"That's okay, Dave… someone will catch you one of these days… then you'll see what it's all about."
"No, no! Not me, Jimbo! I'm too much of a wildcat."
"That didn't keep me from lovin' Jim," Amy said, walking up behind Deputy Cotter at that moment. "In fact, it's one of the things I like about him."
Jim grinned. "There you go, Dave. See? Your days are numbered."
Dave nodded good-naturedly. "Well… congratulations, Jim. I think you're a lucky guy."
"Thanks, Dave. Yeah… I am."
Nearby, Jeff Parker hugged Liz and kissed her. "I'm gonna miss my little girl."
Liz grinned. "Your little girl's grown up now, Daddy. She's already gone. But I'm here."
"You're still my little girl, Liz. You're just… well… my grown up little girl now."
Jeff turned to Max. "Be good to her, Max. Take good care of her."
"I will."
"I'll give you the list when I'm finished making it," Jeff added.
"List?"
"Yeah. All the things you promise to do to make sure my little girl stays happy."
"Oh, Daddy!" Liz scolded. "Daddy's kidding you, Max."
Jeff shook his head, but Max smiled.
"Don't worry, Mister Parker. I'll make her happy."
"He will, Daddy," Liz added. "Trust me… I mean, him." Then she turned to Max and kissed him. "You do, you know, Max."
Phillip Evans walked over and congratulated Max then gave Liz a kiss on the cheek, then he struck up a conversation with Jeff. Max took advantage of the interruption to excuse himself and disappear… with Liz… over to where Michael was standing.
"What's it like having a father-in-law now," Michael asked, noticing Max talking with Jeff Parker.
"You should know."
"No. I've only got a mother-in-law."
"You've got Jim," Max reminded him. "He's your father-in-law now."
Michael swallowed. Somehow that fact had not yet occurred to him.
"But Jim's cool," Max said. "He's okay."
Liz smiled and winked at Max. "Yeah, at least Jim probably won't write up a list of things you have to do to keep Maria happy like Daddy says he's going to give to Max."
"Oh, Amy already did that," Michael replied. "Did Mister Parker have you sign it, Max?"
"Sign it? No! It was a joke!"
"Amy made me sign it… in triplicate. She gave me one copy, She's keeping a copy, and she's putting a copy in a bank vault."
Max started to chuckle then broke out laughing. "Amy would!"
"Well, I'm her only child," Maria said, grinning impishly. "She's just trying to look out for me." Maria kissed Michael. "But I don't need a copy, Michael. I know you'll keep me happy."
"Did Gray Hawk make a list of things you're supposed to do to treat Angie Lee right," Liz asked Kyle, who had just walked up. Kyle shook his head.
"He doesn't need to. He knows I've seen his tomahawk."
Angie Lee winked at Liz and smiled.
Max turned around, hearing someone call his name. Varec waved at him from the other side of the room, and Max from Antar was with him.
"We'd better see what they want, Max said. Michael nodded, and the two of them, together with Liz, Maria, Kyle, and Angie Lee, walked over to where Varec and Max of Antar were.
"There's a transmission for all of us in my quarters. We need to take it in private. Follow me," Max of Antar said. He turned and walked out of the galley, and the others followed.
"Alex and Isabel are on their way. I spoke to them right before I called you."
"Who is it," Michael asked.
"I don't know yet. We all have to be there."
The seven of them took the ascension chamber one floor up, to the living quarters on the third floor, then they walked to Max of Antar's room. Liz and the other Antarian members of the group were already there. So were Alex and Isabel of their own group.
"What's the big secret," Michael asked his Antarian counterpart.
"Let's find out," Michael said, passing his hand over a sensor. The vidscreen came on.
"Eagle One!" Kyle whispered, using the caller's code name.
The caller looked up at the screen. "Oh, good! I see you're all here. First, I guess I should say, congratulations! I understand that there were some weddings on your ship today."
"Yes, sir," Max replied. "We invited you, but your staff said that you were tied up."
"That's true. Sorry I couldn't make it. But I took the liberty of accepting the 9th Circuit Court's offer for you."
Max looked at Michael, and both of their mouths dropped open.
"I thought he was on our side," Michael said to Max.
Max shrugged. "I thought so, too."
"Here's the deal," Eagle One continued. "If you remember, I told you that I might be able to make lemonade out of some lemons you had been offered…"
"You said out of some lemons on the bench, I believe," Michael corrected.
Eagle One smiled. "So I did. Anyway, I found the trump card I was looking for, so we can all have lemonade if we like… sweetened with plenty of sugar!"
Max looked at Michael, and Michael shrugged.
Eagle One continued. "Even though we could appeal to the Supreme Court if the 9th Circuit tried to illegally restrain your movements, that would take some time, and it was best to avoid a bad situation to start with, so I talked it over with General David Strickland, and we decided on a strategy that will make you impervious to any rulings that would attempt to legally or illegally restrain you. General Strickland has agreed to this. Both of you, Max Evans and Max of Antar, are as of this moment, majors in the U.S. Army."
Michael looked at Max then at Eagle One. "I wasn't planning on enlisting, sir. As you said, I may be leaving here soon anyway."
Eagle One waved his hand dismissively and nodded. "I know. It's alright. The two of you will be your own unit… wherever you go. It'll be an undercover thing. Actually, you'll be free to go wherever you please. It's just a way to protect you from any hastily drawn up laws that wouldn't be legal anyway to keep you here. No circuit court can make any law that would restrain the free movements of a special operative in the armed forces. They can't touch you."
"Do they know this," Liz asked.
Eagle One smiled. "Not yet. I intend to tell them myself… right after they've given you the keys to the estate. It's my little wedding present. Okay, it's their little wedding present really, but that's a technicality."
"We, uh… we… appreciate it, sir," Michael replied, "but if we're leaving, we won't be needing the estate."
"Well, I was hoping that we might convince you to return sometime… of your own free will, of course. There are many of us here who really do appreciate you and want you here. And we certainly do owe you a lot. If you accept the offer, you will always have the estate in Montana to come to whenever you come back. It's a very secure estate, and it's in beautiful countryside. Most of us in this nation would love to see you take the estate and give us some hope that one day you may return… even if it's only for a visit."
"And the 9th Circuit?" Max asked.
Eagle One smiled. "They'll get over it."
"Sounds to me," Liz said, "like their plan just hit a 'Major' snag… Major Max Evans, that is!"
Maria nodded. "Do I get to pick my own room?"
"There are thirty to pick from," Eagle One said. "Pick two… heck, pick three or four. You've got thirty bedrooms, thirty baths, a guesthouse, horses… and acres and acres of private countryside and woodlands… Oh! And a river with lots of trout!"
Max smiled and looked at Michael again. "It is a beautiful estate."
Michael nodded and looked at Maria. "Maybe we could spend a couple of nights there before we go, I guess. What's a couple of more days? You think your mom will be impressed, Maria?"
"How could she not be?"
Michael smiled. "Yeah, right! How could she not be, right? I'm gonna take real good care of you, Maria! She'll see!"
tbc
Coming up: After a relaxing six-day honeymoon in Montana, the group sets its sights on Antar, and the Antarian group makes plans to return home to their own dimension once their younger doubles are safely settled in on their Antar.