Darkness Falling
Chapter 17
1 day to change things.
The next day
Early Morning.
Lexa woke up slowly, trying to enjoy every second of being in Jesse's arms. They had spent the night cuddling and talking before they fell asleep, and for once she was happy to be awake.
It was going to be a long day. She still had not forgive Shalimar, and today was going to be all about Shal. Jesse had plans to go pick up his present for his sister, and had mentioned something about going by a med school. She hoped that he was considering going back to finish his degree, it would be nice to be dating a doctor, as long as he was kept straight about who he belonged to that was.
She gently kissed him and laid her head on his chest.
Jesse woke up at the feel of Lexa's lips against his, and put an arm around her waist. "Morning, Lex." he whispered.
"Do you really have to go run those errands today? It would be a lot more fun for us to just stay in bed all day." she slid closer to him so she could whisper in his ear. "I picked up the new copy of Redbook and it had some very interesting ideas in it."
"Maybe tonight." he kissed her forehead. "We will have the place to ourselves because Brennan has a bit of a plan for Shalimar. He's taking her somewhere nice after dinner."
"Alright." she sighed. "But do we have to get out of bed now?"
"I guess we could stay for a while longer." He pulled her to him for a long, slow kiss. "But you have to make it worth my time."
"Oh I can do that." Lexa promised.
That Afternoon
Shalimar stood in front of her bathroom counter as she began to carefully style her hair. With slow motions she twisted up a section of hair around her curling iron, after a few moments she unwound the section and let it fall in a thick ringlet. One at a time she curled the sections of her hair until it was all laying in soft ringlets about her face. She pulled her hair back from her face with a set of diamond encrusted combs but let the rest of it fall loosely.
She quickly applied her make-up and then opened the zippered bag that held the burgundy dress. Very carefully she put the dress on and then her jewelry. With one final touch to her hair she was ready. On the way out the door of her room she lightly sprayed herself with her perfume and picked up her purse and shoes.
Jesse, Brennan, and Lexa were waiting in the rec room. Lexa stood in front of Jesse, straitening his tie and the collar of his shirt. Once she was satisfied that he looked right she lightly pressed her lips to his in a gentle kiss.
Brennan and Shalimar exchanged a smile as they watched the other couple. Brennan lightly kissed Shalimar and took her hand.
"You two ready to go?" Shalimar asked Jesse and Lexa.
"Yeah." Jesse took Lexa's arm. "Which car are we taking?"
"Two separate cars tonight." Brennan took a nervous breath.
"Then lets get this show on the road.' Lexa said as she started to lead Jesse out of the room.
Two hours later
The group of four sat around the table, laughing and talking. They had just finished their entrées and were waiting on dessert.
"Excuse me, Miss." The waiter said as he stood next to Shalimar. "This was dropped off for you earlier."
"Thank you." Shalimar said as she took the box. Looking up at the others she toyed with he ribbon that was tied around it. "Which one of you did this?"
The other three looked at each other questioningly.
"Its not from one of us, Shal." Jesse answered. "I guess we open it and find out."
"Alright." Shalimar untied the ribbon and opened the box. Lying in the box was a full length mink coat and a card. Shalimar opened the card and read what was written inside. "'Shalimar, although I cannot celebrate with you I did manage to send this to you. Knowing how you feel about furs they are not real, but do look as if they are. Happy birthday, Shalimar. Love Adam.'"
"He sent you a birthday present." Lexa smiled slightly. "I guess we should give you are gifts now." She handed the blonde woman a small white box.
Shalimar opened it and smiled at the stack of gift cards from various stores.
"Thank you, Lexa. I'll enjoy these." She answered softly.
"I've got two for you." Jesse handed her a small rectangular package and an envelope. "Open the package first."
"Alright." Shalimar carefully un-wrapped the wrapping paper and found a book with her name across it. Flipping thought the pages she found stories from her years with Mutant X, and pictures of her with the other team members. "It's wonderful, Jess."
"I had it specially made for you.' He smiled and raked his fingers through his hair. "Open the envelope now."
Shalimar carefully slit open the envelope and pulled out a piece of paper. She stared at it with confusion. "What is this?"
"What does it look like?" Jesse shot back, still smiling.
"A class schedule?"
"What kind of classes, Shal?" Jesse asked, trying not to laugh.
Shalimar carefully studied the courses listed. "Pre-med?" Her eyes widened as realization dawned on her. "You're going back to school to get your med degree?"
"My classes start in two months. Are you happy?"
"Happy! I'm elated!" She got up, walked over to him, and hugged him. "You are going to make a great doctor."
"I think one more person has a present for you, Shal." Lexa said softly.
"Alright." Shalimar gently kissed Jesse on the cheek and then went back to her seat.
Brennan got up, walked over to Shalimar, and knelt down on one knee as he pulled out the jewelry box. "During the last four years our lives have been insane. There have been many times when one or both of us have almost been killed, and there have been times when we have hurt each other. Each and every time that I have come close to loosing you have shown me how much I love you. So tonight I want to ask you to be my wife. Shalimar Fox, will you marry me?"
"Yes, I'll marry you." She leaned in and lightly kissed him.
Three hours later.
Brennan and Shalimar stood outside the door of the justice of the peace's office.
Brennan turned to Shalimar and looked at her. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"I'm sure. I cant wait another day to be your wife." She smiled at him. "I'm just glad that you're friend could swing this."
"So am I." Brennan gently kissed her. "After this is over we'll go somewhere special and when we get home in the morning you can announce that we are Mr. and Mrs. Brennan Mulwray."
"I love you, Brennan."
"I love you too, Shal."
Back at Sanctuary.
Lexa laid back in the bed, thoroughly exhausted from her marathon session of making love with Jesse. She closed her eyes as she waited for him to bring her the glass of water she had requested.
In the kitchen Jesse was carefully mixing a fine powder into Lexa's water. It was not how he wanted to keep her home the next day, but it was the only chance he would have. Loosing her would kill him.
He took the water to the bed room and handed it to Lexa. He kept his fingers crossed as he watched her drink it, and only relaxed when she had swallowed the last sip.
"I love you, Lexa." he whispered as he laid down next to her.
"I love you too, Jess." she whispered back, snuggling into his arms.
They closed their eyes and fell to sleep.