Consequences (36 page)

I follow Ann out of the bathroom and into
Christopher’s bedroom; she heads for the door, and I go to the
chest of drawers to grab a pair of Christopher’s sweat pants. After
quickly slipping them on, and silently cursing because they are too
long, I step out into the sitting room to join the others. Artemis
and Lune are standing beside Ann, who is talking to the chair next
to the stove. And Christopher has his arm around Ellie’s waist;
both standing in front of Ann, Cassandra and the dogs, with their
backs to me. As Ann looks in my direction and smiles, Christopher
turns and motions for me to join them.

Walking over to Ann, as I pass, I pat the
dogs' heads; Lune looks up at me drunkenly, and Artemis can't take
her eyes off of Ellie. Again, for the second time tonight, I feel
like I am picking up on something that has no effect on the others.
I knew that Artemis was special from the moment she was born, and I
have frequently noticed her effect on the people around her. Right
now, though, the only thing I can perceive from the pup is
overwhelming hostility.

Christopher's enthusiasm is staggering, and I
can tell that his hold on Ellie is permanent. I smile as he
gestures wildly, never letting go of Ellie’s waist. She quietly
moves around with his gentle pull, expressing a devotion to him
that is unwavering. They look complete, comfortable … as if home
could only be found in each other's arms. But mostly Christopher
just looks happy … more content than I’ve ever seen him before.

In a loud voice, like he is announcing it to
the world, he says, “Ellie and I are getting married … today. I
mean tonight.” Replying to a gentle prod by Ellie he amends his
statement slightly. “Well, I guess in the morning … seeing that
it’s already past midnight. I am hoping you two will be our best
man and maid of honor … if you don’t mind.”

Ann and I nod, unable to speak from the
happy, although unexpected, shock.

Ellie speaks for the first time, and a peace
washes over the room, “I think we can wait for the sun to come up,
Christopher. It’s been a long night for everyone; maybe we should
get a bit of rest.”

“As you wish.” He sweeps his eyes,
thoughtfully over her face, and without saying another word, guides
her to his bedroom and closes the door.

Ann is the first to break our surprised
silence, “Well, that was kind of … sudden.”

When Ann’s voice begins inside my head, I
know right away Cassandra is putting in her two cents. “Actually, I
don’t think that was sudden at all. You have to understand Ellie’s
modesty … for them to be together, she would insist on marriage.
Just because we have left your world, doesn’t mean we let go of our
beliefs from our prior life. While you two were otherwise occupied,
they ask if I would preside over their joining ... and I said that
I would be honored. Getting to know Ellie, and letting her into my
life, was a risk that I haven’t taken in a very long time. I love
her dearly, and identify closely with her affection for Christopher
… I believe that for the sake of their happiness, we should do
everything in our power to support them.”

Ann answers quickly, “Of course, you’re right
… what can we do to help?” Watching Ann’s lips move as she answers
her own voice’s declaration in my head, is surreal to say the least
… but I agree with the two women's decision, so I turn to Cassandra
and wait for instruction.

“You two will serve as witnesses. I don’t
believe that an ancient service, which would last three days, is
what they have in mind -- so I was planning to give a basic binding
ritual. Specifics don’t really matter at this point, because we are
setting precedent in performing the ceremony in the first place. I
think as long as we give our love and acceptance … that should be
enough.”

“What will happen afterwards? Will Ellie stay
human? Is Ellie even human? I’m sorry, but how will this all work?”
I don’t want to sound reluctant to join in on the celebration, but
my curiosity is getting the best of me.

“I'd like to believe we are still human. I
don’t know, Michael. As I said, we are setting precedent … nothing
quite like this has ever been done before, to my knowledge. I do
know that the energy to stay in your world all the time will put a
great drain on Ellie … she will have to take respites in the veil
regularly, to be able to remain with Christopher for any amount of
time. Beyond that … I just don’t know. They will have to learn as
they go along in their life together … and we will help whenever
possible.” I can tell, Cassandra is also questioning what the
future holds for our friends.

After a moment of quiet deliberation
Cassandra speaks again, “The Symboulio will always be a threat; and
Ellie has attracted attention from creatures inside the mist as
well. They will be waiting, searching, because they are always
watching. We will have to remain diligent in our vigilance. We can
never let our guard down.”

Although, tonight has earned the right to be
festive; we sit, no one speaking, a precarious tranquility in the
air.

**~~**

I wake to hunger pains; and can’t believe my
senses when I feel Ellie pressed against me. Sitting up on my
elbow, and resting my head in my hand, I look over the woman I
love. We talked for what felt like hours, but the conversation
seems blurry now. I can’t hear her thoughts, can’t see her memories
… but then again, I have no impulse to press for information. All
that matters is that she is back with me … soon to be my wife, to
stay with me forever.

I pick up a strand of her hair, feel it
between my fingers, and then brush my thumb across her sleeping
face. We fell asleep in our clothes, on top of the covers, holding
each other … finally finding the comfort both of us have been
craving so much, for so long. Burying my nose into her neck, I
remember thinking last night that she didn’t smell the same. I can
still smell the electricity, and even taste the ozone on the back
of my tongue … but something is different. When we first met,
trapped in her scent, I could imagine flying through clouds, and
letting the water molecules wash over every inch of my body; now,
though, there is something metallic in her scent, as if she has
lived underground.

As my breath tickles her neck, she fidgets
slightly, and then shifts back into a comfortable sleeping
position. I want to curl back up behind her … I never want to leave
her side again, but my stomach protests with an aching rumble.

I have to take care of myself now that Ellie
has returned, and I have to make up for starving my body of the
essential nutrients it needed over the past two weeks. When I swing
my feet over the edge of the bed and sit up, a dizzying headache
starts behind my eyes and my hands begin to shake. Standing, I sway
for a moment and have to acknowledge that if I don’t eat soon, I’ll
pass out.

Stepping out of my bedroom, I find Michael
and Ann curled up and spooning on some blankets in front of the
fire. Artemis is pressing her back against Michael’s, and Lune has
taken a comfortable position against Ann’s stomach. Smiling at my
memory of finding Ann and Michael last night in each other’s arms …
I can feel part of my heart healing, allowing me to truly rejoice
in my friends’ happiness. Thank you, Ellie.

“Good morning, Christopher.” I can hear
Cassandra’s voice coming from the chair closest to the stove.

“Good morning.” I cordially nod the greeting
to her, and walk into the kitchen to fix breakfast.

Grabbing a banana and scrounging through the
cupboard for a chocolate bar, I quickly feed the pain in my gut. In
order to stay upright, I need to eat something to satisfy my sugar
low, and then I will be able to make a big meal for everyone. The
thought of actually cooking for Ellie excites me, and before I know
it, I am darting around the kitchen creating a buffet.

By the time the coffee is ready and the cabin
is full of the smell of bacon frying, I can see Michael stirring.
He is torn between investigating the appetizing smell, and
remaining draped over Ann … I totally identify. When he finally
detangles himself from Ann and Artemis, and staggers over to the
kitchen table; I have a mug of coffee waiting for him.

Rubbing his eyes, and moving slowly, he
whispers grumpily, “It’s not right, having that much energy.”

“Good morning to you, too.”

“Please, tell him, I said good morning, as
well.” Cassandra’s voice has moved to the chair opposite Michael’s.
I can’t tell if she understands the sarcasm in our remarks, but I
relay her message nonetheless.

After a curious expression passes over
Michael’s face, he looks at a chair, and returns the greeting. His
mind whispers about how ludicrous he feels talking to thin air; so
I decide not to mention that he is speaking to the wrong chair, or
that Cassandra is laughing at his uncertainty.

Trying to hide my own smirk from Michael, I
nod to the chair where Cassandra is actually sitting, when she
starts speaking to me. “You are quite efficient at cooking … almost
makes me wish I still ate.”

“Thanks.”

I am not sure how to address her; and no
matter how hard I try, I am having a difficult time becoming
comfortable with her presence. I still can’t hear her thoughts or
see her memories, and even though Ellie loves her … I feel
vulnerable around her.

By the time I pull the blueberry muffins out
of the oven to cool, and start the omelets, the girls are waking
up. After letting the dogs outside, Ann sits down between Cassandra
and Michael. Lune is moving slowly, but at least he is getting
around by himself. When Ellie emerges from the bedroom, she pulls
another chair over to the table so that she can sit between
Cassandra, and me. Then she helps me move all the food over to the
table that Michael has already set. We talk, laugh and eat, until
we all feel like going back to bed, and I soak up the feeling of
actually having a family.

The dogs sit patiently between Ann and
Michael waiting for scraps to be given. Artemis keeps staring at
Ellie, but makes no move to try and address her. I dismiss the odd
behavior as jealousy, and continue to enjoy the conversation.

Michael and Ann clean the table, while Ellie
holds my hand and talks with Cassandra. Eventually Ann comes over
to Ellie and asks her if she is ready to get dressed. Ellie looks
confused for a minute, her eyes shifting from Cassandra to Ann,
until Ann finally takes her hand and leads her to the loft. I can
hear Ann explaining that she has a dress that will be perfect for
Ellie to wear … even if it is going to be a little short.

Watching the girls walk up the stairs, I jump
when Michael puts his hand on my shoulder. “Guess we probably ought
to get ready, too.”

I can feel how genuinely happy he is for me,
but I can also hear how uncertain he is, concerning my future.
Given his misgivings, what comes out of his mouth next, surprises
me, “Ann and I ran to my place last night, while you were sleeping
-- it occurred to me that you didn’t have rings for today. I mean,
why would you?” He stutters a little, uncomfortable with expressing
his consideration. “My mom gave me these when I was a teenager --
they were her and my dad’s promise rings. I know they aren’t
extravagant, just simple Irish rings from Claddagh, but I think
they might work for you. You wear the crown toward your knuckle, to
show that your heart is held by someone. The image is supposed to
show that your heart is taken.”

He drops the rings into my hand and I
understand what he is talking about. They are basic in design and
smooth from age; but still visible, carved into the gold, are two
hands holding a heart that seems to be topped with a crown. I nod,
not knowing what to say … but I can’t think of a better
representation of the hold Ellie and I have over each other.

He goes on explaining that it’s a tradition
for the rings to be given as a gift … that they should never be
purchased by the wearer. I think he probably could have gone on for
hours about the history of the rings, trying to downplay the gift …
but he stops when I shake his hand and thank him.

We are much quicker at getting ready than the
girls, so we use our extra time performing tasks for Cassandra. She
chooses a spot west of the cabin, where the trees bow over a small
trail that leads into the forest. Michael explains to me that Ann
and Cassandra spent hours last night discussing how the Priestess
of Delphi was going to perform a simple Hand Fasting ceremony that
was usually reserved for Celtic pagans. The only thing that
Cassandra insisted on was that Ellie needed to wear a veil until
the binding was complete. Apparently, it was an important wedding
detail from Cassandra's past.

As we set my kitchen table at the mouth of
the trail, and place two candles on top of what is now an altar, he
continues telling me about how interesting it is to learn about
ancient Greek weddings, and how incredible it is to have ‘The
Cassandra’ marrying Ellie and me. I have to laugh at his
enthusiasm, which is thankfully a great change from his discomfort
earlier when he gave me the rings.

After everything is ready outside, Cassandra,
Michael, Lune, Artemis and I wait by the altar for Ellie and Ann to
appear. When they turn the corner around the cabin and slowly start
walking toward us, my heart begins to race, and then seems to drop
into my feet. Ellie is beautiful in a plain, white dress and bare
feet. She has a delicate lace veil covering her face that moves
subtly when she breathes. I don’t think she could possibly be
anymore awe-inspiring, even if she was wrapped from head to toe in
silk.

When she finally glides up to me and grabs my
hand, I start feeling dizzy again. I try to focus on what Cassandra
is saying, but can’t calm down … even when I hear Ann proclaim,
“Blessed be.”