Later
Marcus and Shari sat on a bench close to where they were staying holding hands and gazing at the stars. It was a warm night and the stars seemed unusually bright for within the city. Shari had her head against Marcus's shoulder and was perfectly content to remain right where she was for the rest of the night. Marcus's arm was behind her back and they both remained silent for a few minutes enjoying each other's company and of course star gazing. "You know it's funny," Marcus murmured. "I never thought I'd get married at least not until the rest of the family was settled anyway."
"What made you change your mind?" Shari asked, softly more interested in the answer then she let on.
Marcus turned and gazed at her amazed that she was unaware of the reason. "You," he finally said. "You made time for my family without even being aware of what you were doing. That meant a lot and it made me aware I could have someone to love and still be there for my family. I just needed to find the right girl to share my life with."
"I'm glad you picked me," said Shari.
"I could never have picked anyone else. I lost my heart the first time we met I just didn't know it yet. The more time we spent together the more in love I fell until it got to the point I couldn't imagine life with anyone else but you."
"I admit after I got over my embarrassment of how we met I started to fall for you to just as we stood there talking while they checked me out." Shari was referring to the incident of where she had been at a conference as a guest and Marcus had been there as part of the security. Shari had gotten a phone call and she tended to pace as she talked and had therefore gone in the wrong door much to her embarrassment. "That smile of yours was enough to make me feel all warm and good inside. I remember thinking at the time that I wished I could bottle it, because I figured we'd never see each other again after that night."
"Yeah, well, personally, I think it was fated—destiny if you will."
"I didn't think you believed in destiny," Shari teased him. "Or fate for that matter."
Marcus didn't respond for so long that Shari thought he wasn't going to answer when he finally spoke his voice was so soft she had to strain to hear him over all the other night sounds. "I didn't used to," Marcus finally admitted softly. "But how else do you explain that we met at the exact time you needed me the most? Right after that dinner your friend Carl and your dad were shot. I might not have realized at that time, but God made sure I was there in time to help you for only he could have known ahead of time what was going to happen."
"You sound as if you've thought about this a lot," said Shari.
"I have in my free moments and sometimes even in my not so free moments," said Marcus with a laugh. "Sometimes I can't help but think about it and how I found you at the exact time I needed someone. I might not have realized that it was time for me to settle down and think about starting a family of my own, but God did."
"Oh look there's the Eiffel Tower all lit up. Isn't it beautiful?"
"Yes it is that," said Marcus gazing out between the rows of bushes and trees to where Shari was looking.
"We'll have to go there," said Shari. "And have our picture taken in front of the Eiffel Tower."
"We will," Marcus promised, leaning over and giving her a kiss. She kissed him back with enthusiasm and soon they were kissing each other under the heavens and the stars seemed to wink at them from high up in the sky.
~~~Beyond the Future~~~
"So what do you want to do today?" Marcus asked, after breakfast the next morning. They had both slept late, especially for Marcus who was used to being up early. They had fallen asleep the night before in each other's arms after making love and Marcus wondered if with all their lovemaking they hadn't created another life.
"Oh I don't know," said Shari looking incredibly sated after their activities of the night before.
Marcus smiled, "You look like the cat who; has gotten the bowl of cream."
"And you don't?" Shari inquired with a grin.
~~~Beyond the Future~~~
The two weeks went by like the wind and they were soon heading back to the states. Shari was disappointed to leave, but was happy wherever Marcus was. They arrived at his apartment late that night and both were so exhausted they didn't even bother to unpack. They simply collapsed onto the couch, Shari with a sigh. They sat silently for a few minutes until Shari couldn't help but yawn.
"Time for bed minx," said Marcus helping her to her feet and leading her towards the bedroom. Shari undressed mechanically already half-asleep and pulled a light cotton nightgown over her head. She fell into bed and was instantly asleep.
~~~Beyond the Future~~~
When Shari woke up the next morning Marcus was already gone. Shari stumbled into the kitchen to find a still hot pot of coffee waiting. She sipped the hot brew and tried to wake up. She was well into her third cup of coffee before she was awake enough to notice the note and the single red rose beside it.
She picked up the note and read her husband's words.
Shari
Had to go to work but will meet you for lunch around one at the tandoor Indian restaurant. Call me about lunch.
Love,
Marcus
Shari sighed and picked up the rose and smelled its subtle scent then smiled. Marcus was so sweet and she loved him dearly, but she also needed to start campaigning for the elections of the congressional house seat.
It was only a few months before elections after all. Shari made herself some breakfast then called Marcus to tell him she would be happy to meet him for lunch then she did some campaigning calls. Before she knew it, it was almost twelve-thirty and time to meet Marcus for lunch. Shari grabbed her purse made sure she had her car keys and headed out the door.
~~~Beyond the Future~~~
It was a stormy Sunday morning and all the O'Malleys wives and husbands included were sitting in a small Chicago church together. Between the thirteen of them they filled up a whole pew. They're should be fourteen Marcus thought sadly trying to concentrate on the service. He couldn't help looking at the empty spot where Jennifer should have sat beside Tom. She had been dead for over a year and the family was still silently suffering and grieving without her happy presence. But he also knew that Tom, as her husband; a husband who knew the possibility was great, that she would die was suffering the most. He also knew that Jesus had suffered far more than any of them when he had died on that cross over two thousand years ago. Of course, it didn't feel that way, but no matter what they all felt he knew it to be true.
It had taken him a long time, but he had finally admitted that Jesus was real and that he loved him even after he had abandoned his faith as a child, because of his mother's death. He had prayed for her to be healed and she had still died. It had taken him over twenty years to get over it. He wasn't even sure he was completely over it, but now he trusted someone higher then himself to take care of him and to take care of his family. If he had to die someday to protect someone in the family or even a total stranger so be it. Suddenly, he came back to himself as his wife Shari squeezed his arm with a questioning look and a whispered, "Are you okay?"
He nodded his head, letting her know without words that he was fine. The service ended a few minutes later and the O'Malleys stayed put waiting for everybody else to file past they're pew. Lisa had been; wanting the whole family to meet her preacher for the last four or five months—a fellow by the name of Edwin Griswald.
Lisa and Quinn were splitting their time between Chicago and Quinn's ranch in Montana, mainly because of Lisa's job as a forensic pathologist specialist. Finally, the church was empty except for their small family. They all filed out of their pew and Lisa led the way to where the pastor had gone into his small office.
"Uh Pastor Griswald?" asked Lisa poking her head in the office door.
"Yes Lisa?" asked Griswald looking up for whatever he was going over.
"Remember, I mentioned I wanted you to meet my family?" asked Lisa.
"Yes and if I remember I said I'd be delighted," said Griswald
"Well now is the time. They're waiting in the church." Griswald followed her out of his office and looked at the group waiting for him. He looked kind of shocked to see a dozen people standing there causally relaxed. He had known she came from a large family but he hadn't expected it to be quite this big. As a group, the O'Malleys could be a bit overwhelming to people who had never met them.
"May I Introduce Quinn Diamond my husband," said Lisa.
"It's nice to finally meet you Quinn. Lisa mentions you quite frequently," said Griswald.
"I'm glad to hear it," Quinn drawled with a grin.
"My brother Marcus and his wife Shari—my sister Kate and her; husband Dave Richmon—my sister Rachel and her fiancé Cole Parker—my brother Jack and his wife Cassie—my brother Stephan and his fiancée Meghan, and finally my brother-in-law Tom Peterson.
It's a pleasure to meet you all at last. Lisa has told me quite a bit about each of you," Griswald offered.
"It's a pleasure," said Marcus being the spokesperson for the group. "Lisa has told us a lot about you as well."
"All good things I hope," said Griswald.
"Of course," said Marcus. He was beginning to like the pastor of the small church near where Lisa worked. He was polite, cheerful and from the sermon he had heard this morning not easily discouraged by his congregation who wasn't interested in hearing the truth. He knew a lot of people who considered themselves Christians then didn't practice what they preached. Oh, they went to church on Sunday, but they figured one day a week was enough and the rest of the week they thought they didn't have to follow through on the principals the bible taught.
A year ago he had considered himself an atheist, but not since he had met Shari. She had challenged him to reevaluate his doubts and the bible from an adult perspective and not the perspective of a child. He had accepted and fallen in love in the process. Now he couldn't be happier. He had married the woman he loved and they had been trying to have a baby for about six months. They both wanted at least three or four children.
They talked for a few minutes then, they all left except for Tom and Quinn.
~~~Beyond the Future~~~
A few moments later, Quinn and Tom sat in the pastor's office. They had stayed behind to talk to the pastor about planning Stephen's and Meghan's wedding as well as Rachel's and Cole's. They had been given representative status by both, parties and they were hoping to plan another double wedding.
"What can I help you with?" asked Griswald.
"We were hoping that we could have a couple of weddings here sometime within the next month," said Tom.
"I would of course be happy to, but why here when you've only known me for an hour?"
"Because Lisa recommended you," said Quinn.
"Because Meghan's church in Silverton is too small," said Tom.
"That to," Quinn agreed. "We offered to handle the details."
Griswald raised an eyebrow in surprise. "And they accepted? All the women I know like to plan their own weddings."
Both Quinn and Tom chuckled. "That's usually true, but Rachel and Lisa and all the rest just finished planning Marcus's and Shari's wedding less than a year ago," said Tom.
"And before that Jack's and Cassie's, Dave's and Kate's and mine and Lisa's."
"And before that, mine and Jennifer's," Tom's voice choked on the name. Quinn put a comforting hand on Tom's shoulder. "It's okay Tom."
"Oh God I miss her," said Tom his voice sounding near tears.
"We all do," said Quinn gently. "She was friend and companion to us all."
Tom struggled to control his emotions. I'm okay," he said he voice still sounding slightly choked. "It's just all this talk of weddings is getting me down."
"Maybe I should handle the rest of the details," Quinn offered.
"That's okay I offered, I'll see it through," Tom denied shaking his head.
Griswald watched all this with interest tempered with sympathy. Apparently, Tom had just lost his wife recently and he was still suffering from it. The man seemed to be steeped in grief.
"You know it's weird," said Griswald changing the subject for the moment so Tom could get his emotions under control. "But I noticed none of the family look alike. It's like they're not even related."
Quinn chuckled. "Technically you would be right."
"I don't understand," Griswald said confused.
"They aren't related by blood, but by choice," Tom explained looking up. "All of them grew up as orphans including my wife Jennifer."
"They all ended up in Trevor House, which is where all the older kids who aren't adopted young went. They eventually decided that as soon as they were old enough they'd change their last names legally and become a family. A family, that that takes care; of each other. They finally chose the name O'Malley and they've been family ever since. I've seen Marcus literally catch a flight from wherever he is at a moment's notice if one of them sends him their emergency pager code. It doesn't matter if he's in the middle of a case or not. He's there when he's needed. The same goes for any of them," Quinn explained.
"They all have relatively dangerous jobs," Tom added.
"Marcus is a U.S. Marshal. I used to be his partner before I retired. Jack is a fireman. Stephen used to be a paramedic in Chicago before he moved to Silverton," Quinn continued.
"He still is a paramedic, although there aren't as many accidents in such a small town," Tom added.
"Rachel works for the Red Cross as a trauma psychologist. Kate used to be a police negotiator before she married and got pregnant. Now she works in robbery and fraud and my wife Lisa is a forensic pathologist."
"You're right they all do have relatively dangerous professions," Griswald commented, intrigued in spite of; himself.
"Now back to the wedding plans," Tom said getting a notebook out of his suit jacket pocket and opening it to where he had the details written down. "Let's see…"
~~~Beyond the Future~~~
Several days later, Shari awoke early to a feeling of nausea in the pit of her stomach. She tried to get up quietly so as not to disturb Marcus and headed to the bathroom where she promptly threw up into the toilet her dinner of the night before.
Am I coming down with a virus? She wondered, because usually she was as healthy as a horse. It had been happening on and off for the last week. She hadn't wanted to bother Marcus with it. The poor man worried enough as it was and she loved him for it.
Suddenly the objects of her thoughts walked in the bathroom door. "Shari honey; are you okay?" he asked concerned. He'd woken up when he had turned over and not felt her warm body next to his own. For a second his half-conscious brain had panicked until he had heard her in the bathroom retching into the toilet.
"I must be coming down with a virus," said Shari looking up at his handsome face to see his look of concern. "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."
"It's okay, but I'm getting you an appointment with the doctor I usually go to as soon as the office opens."
Shari made a face at him. "I hate going to the doctor."
"Shari..." Marcus warned his tone deadly serious. "I want to know if it's something serious or just the flu. I love you too much to lose you to neglect."
"I love you to. Besides, I didn't say I wouldn't go only that I hated to," Shari told him.
"And I'll be right beside you," Marcus promised.
"What don't you trust me?" Shari asked making a face at him.
"Sure I do, but I'm still going with you," Marcus replied hiding a grin.
Shari nodded and gave in, just as her stomach rebelled and she retched over the toilet again.
~~~Beyond the Future~~~
Later at the doctor's office
"Shari O'Malley the doctor will see you now."
"I'll wait right here for you," Marcus promised. Once; her back was turned and she was walking away he let his worry show. Lord please let her be okay. I don't think I could stand losing Shari after just losing Jennifer.
~~~Beyond the Future~~~
