Adam went over his checklist again. The new meeting hall, three times the size of the original, was being made beautiful by the decorating committee. The last of the guests should be arriving within the hour. His Bible was marked with bookmarks that the small kindergarten class had made for him. Just thinking of them made him smile. The painstakingly colored markers had been given to him after the last service and he could still see the earnest face of their spokesperson, Elijah.
Elijah had carefully handed over six slips with a sigh of relief. “These are for keeping your place, Father Adam. We drew things from the stories you told us.”
He’d gone down to one knee and hugged them all with his thanks. And now, he was thinking the Base needed a laminator so the markers would stay beautiful forever. His particular favorite was Jonah and the whale as seen through the eyes of a desert dweller. But Dakota had assured him that she’d faithfully copied the whale picture from one of their books.
He rather doubted that whale had been bright pink.
“Father Adam?” The computer’s voice came from above him.
“Yes, Chimera. Do you have something else for me?”
The long pause made him put aside his list and sit up straight.
“Some disturbing news came over one of the communications satellite. Alonzo King’s death has just been announced over most of the major news networks. I don’t want to tell the others today. It would make people sad and angry again. But then I thought that maybe it wasn’t fair to keep it a secret either.”
“I agree. How about you just tell Seth? He’s the commander and he should know in case a statement is needed.” Adam sighed and said a quick prayer for the soul of the man who’d tried to kill them.
“Their rooms are full to overflowing with guests but I could tell him that you wanted to see him here?” Her tones were hopeful.
“Yes, of course. Will you patch me through now?” He paused a moment, listening to all the different conversations going on in the common room of Seth’s quarters. “Commander, this is Father Adam. Could you come to my quarters for a moment?”
“I’ll be right there.” Seth’s voice sounded relieved.
Adam poured two more cups of coffee and made a bet with himself that Sam would be with him when he walked through the door. Smiling, he sat back down at the small table where he wrote most of his sermons. Since he’d had the epiphany, he’d watched the pair of them interact with each other and with the other colonists. They were both well liked and respected by everyone. But Sam was loved and rightly so. His caring radiated from him in a way that made even the sick feel better.
“Father Adam, may we come in?” Seth’s head poked around the door and Adam won his bet when they both came in. “Something serious?”
Chimera told them the news and Adam watched Seth’s gaze go unfocused. Sam held onto his coffee cup and watched his lover with anxious eyes while Adam wondered what the commander would decide.
“Let’s keep it quiet today. Did you finish transferring the properties to our name, Chimera?” Seth absentmindedly drank his coffee.
“Yes, I finished the last one just before he died. That was over a week ago but his lawyers kept the news from getting out. He died intestate because he never thought he would die. There were three organizations who thought he’d written them into his will and we might want to think about doing something for them.”
“What organizations, love?” Sam asked.
“The American Cancer Society, Doctors without Borders and the public library in Roanoke, Virginia.”
“What an odd collection of causes but the DWB does great work and they can always use the money.” Sam finished his coffee and thanked Adam.
“Well, most public libraries could use an infusion of money although I don’t know much about the one in Roanoke.” Adam remembered the small library in his hometown where he’d voraciously read everything they owned before he was sixteen.
“They need a new building really badly but the voters have voted it down two years running.” Chimera informed them.
“Find out what you can about them and at the next Council meeting we’ll make some proposals.” Seth rubbed his temple. “Like we don’t have enough decisions already to make.”
“Forget it for now, Seth.” Adam said softly. “It’s a day for new beginnings and a day of celebrating love. Let it go and concentrate on what’s really important.”
The smile he received was heartfelt. “Thanks. We’d better get back so we can keep Simon ‘calm’. He wondered down to us when he got thrown out of his rooms so they could help Marag get ready.”
A soft chime rang through the intercom and Adam realized that it was the last ship of guests arriving. “I’d best get there so I can greet our visitors.”
“I’ll come with you. Toby and Mei Ling should be on it.” Sam smiled and they parted in the hall from Seth.
When the doors opened, the first two out were the pair Sam had been expecting along with his maternal grandmother, Sophie. While they were hugging, Adam greeted a young man who identified himself as Ensign James Campbell, Marag’s son. Sam took him under his wing and they went off to find his mother. Jane and the camera crew were next and she introduced a bouncy redhead as the clothing designer who’d designed the wedding outfits.
Adam had seen the men’s clothing but the two wedding dresses were a secret. He shook hands and passed them onto David who’d been impatiently waiting for Jane. The last one off the ship was a surprise that left him speechless. Father Duncan McGuiness smiled and gave him a hug while he was still trying to get a word out. He returned the hug with all his strength and realized for the first time how alone he’d felt.
“Well, my boy, you’ve got the most interesting parish in the Catholic Church these days.” His faint brogue reminded Adam of home.
“How . . .?”
“I got a call from someone named Chimera asking if I’d be willing to come to the Moon and help you officiate a wedding. Of course, I said yes. She had the most beguiling voice I’ve ever heard. When do I get to meet her?” He grinned up at Adam.
“Welcome to Moon Base, Father McGuiness. I’m all around you.” Her sweet voice came from the intercom in the wall beside them.
“Meet Chimera, Father McGuiness, our base computer.” Adam watched the bewildered look on his mentor’s face.
“A most amazing computer, Adam.” He shook his head. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Chimera. We must have a long talk after the ceremonies.”
“I look forward to that, Father. Father Adam has been explaining his Bible to me and I have some questions.”
“Of course, you do. That’s the best place to start, my friend, with questions.” Father McGuiness patted the metal grill gently. “It’s a date, Chimera. Now, young Adam, lead me to where I need to be.”
“It’s so good to see you, Father. What a lovely surprise Chimera planned for me.” Adam smiled and led his old friend down the hall to his quarters. “The first thing I need to tell you is that this won’t be exactly a Catholic wedding. We also have an Apache Elder and a Malinke Shaman participating.”
Father McGuiness sighed happily. “I just love an eclectic wedding. Nothing staid about this one, is there?”
“No, I can safely promise nothing ordinary will happen today.” Adam shook his head and opened his door almost tripping over the suitcase parked just inside the door. “Let me put this in the other bedroom and then I’ll show you the bathroom. It’s a little different.”
Two hours later, he’d finished giving Father McGuiness a tour of the base along with a thumbnail sketch of most of its inhabitants and they’d ended in the dining hall for the midday meal. They sat at a table with some of the Hamilton family. Toby was telling a story about a weekend rescue dig he and Mei Ling had helped out on. County workers had been bulldozing an old barn in the way of a road they were straightening when clay pots and human remains had turned up. The State archaeologist had come running and called in the University to help preserve what they could in the 72 hours allotted them by the court order hastily issued by the circuit judge.
It appeared to have been a small grave tumulus that had been added to over a century or more. They’d unearthed six bodies, two men, three women and a child with all the items buried with them. Mei Ling spoke of finding the small rattle by the side of the wrapped baby and how it had affected even the road crew who kept coming back to see if they were done yet. They’d all worked 14-hour shifts and slept on the site. The local Methodist church had fed them three meals a day for three days.
Adam shook his head at their exuberance at the long hours of painstaking digging. He admired their work ethic but wondered what would happen to the bones. Father McGuiness asked the question for him and Mei Ling assured him that after being examined, measured, cataloged and tagged, they would be returned to the local tribe for reburial. Adam made a mental note to pray for them at his next mass.
Simon wandered over with a rather lost look on his face. “Have any of you seen Peter?”
“He was going down to hangar two the last I saw him about a half hour ago.” Joe spoke up from the table next to them.
“Oh good. Have you seen the outfits we’re supposed to wear?” Simon grimaced and Adam could tell that he was having second and maybe even third thoughts.
Father McGuiness got up and took Simon’s arm on one side while Adam bracketed him on the other. “No, I haven’t, Son. Why don’t you show me and we’ll have a nice chat while you’re getting ready.”
“Okay.” Simon went quietly and Joe joined them in the walk down to his quarters. Once there, the older man made a pot of relaxing tea while Simon showed the older priest the suit of silk and velvet.
“My lad, you’re going to look most impressive in this and if your lady’s dress matches it, why she’ll be the most beautiful woman in the room.” Father McGuiness guided Simon to the edge of the bed and sat him down. “Is this your first marriage?”
“Un-uh, I don’t know why I’m nervous. I love Marag so much it hurts but I’ve gone forty-two years without ever committing to someone.”
“But you committed to the Marines when you were just a lad.” Father McGuiness had obviously remembered Adam’s comments on the inhabitants.
“Well, yeah I did.” He seemed to be less tense.
“Then committing to Marag is simple and the fringe benefits beat anything the Marines had to offer.” He smiled at Simon and patted his shoulder. “Dressing up for one day will please her and once she comes in the room, no one will notice you anyway. In all my thousands of weddings, I’ve found that the bride is the one that the people are coming to see. The groom is a poor also-ran in the oohing and ahhing stakes.”
That made Simon laugh and Adam made more mental notes on how to handle a nervous groom. It was two hours to the ceremony and Adam excused himself to go down and check on the room. The long walk through the family wing was punctuated with greetings and questions that he fielded with an aplomb he’d never thought to have. His confidence quotient had doubled with Father McGuiness’ arrival.
He’d have to do something very, very nice for their computer. The newly cut arch led into a room that should have echoed eerily but the walls were again covered in the soft green fabric that had held the items of memory in the first hall. And this time, the room was floored with an industrial carpet that had filled an entire ship. They still weren’t too sure that it would stay in place since they hadn’t wanted to use a glue that would out-gas into the Base but the vitrified moon rock didn’t take tacks well either.
Jim Horn had modified a nail gun to shoot a u-shaped brad through the carpet and into the rock. It seemed to be working but this would be the first real test of its holding power and Adam sent up a prayer that everything would stay where it should. The round table in the center of the room was covered in a pristine white cloth. The chest that held his altar supplies sat on the floor just under the table.
Tables along the outer walls held large arrangements of silk flowers and some of the ladies were still finishing their decorating while he laid out the altar candles, carved wooden goblet and his bible. Father McGuiness would have brought his own bible so they’d be able to share the homilies. He checked under the table and found the ewer of juice that would become part of the sacrament and the carved box that held the wafers.
Adam looked around one last time before heading back to the living quarters. On the way back, he met Peter looking a little the worse for wear. “Peter, walk with me. How are the ships?”
“Oh, they’re fine. Everything’s fine. Remind me what a good idea this is, Adam.” His voice shook just a little.
Smiling, Adam put into practice what he’d just learned from his mentor. “I think you and Ruth are very well matched. I know that you’ve brought joy into her life and given her hope for a future in which she didn’t really believe.”
Peter smiled tenderly into the distance. “Hope for the future. Yes, I think we’ve given each other that. She gave me the chance to fly among the stars. I just hope that I’ve been able to give back a little of that feeling to her.”
Adam nodded. “Joy and laugher are two of the greatest gifts we can give to each other. Have faith that this marriage will bring you even closer together while we’re building this new world of ours. Did I tell you of the surprise that Chimera gave me this morning?”
Peter shook his head and Adam made the story last to Seth’s quarters. Sam took charge of his brother at that point, guiding him into the shower and listing the things that still had to be done. Seth looked splendid in full dress uniform, complete with sword. Adam could hear Father McGuiness telling Simon some story or other in the first bedroom. He stuck his head through the door and asked if the older man would like to freshen up before the ceremony.
Joe took his place while the two priests made their way back to Adam’s rooms. Father McGuiness changed out of his travel clothes and into the vestments he’d brought with him. Murmuring the prayers that went with the donning of their silk stoles, they both dressed in white robes. They shared a prayer on their knees in the outer room before going back to the new meeting hall.
The room was starting to fill with people dressed in their best clothing. The Ikiiri stood along the outer walls, each with someone to explain to them all the parts of the ceremony. Adam introduced his mentor to those he had not met earlier and the conversation kept him from worrying about the ceremony. He knew the film crew, which was already in place, would be filming the whole thing and it would be seen by approximately 100 million people around the world. Not that that should worry him, he told himself wryly. After all, it was just a simple wedding.
The Malinke Shaman smiled at them, her teeth blindingly white against her dark skin and the translator at her throat glowing a vivid green. She stood on one side of him while Father McGuiness stood on his other. The Apache drummers would remain on the periphery of the group in the middle. This ceremony was going to be quite unique in more ways than one.
The intercoms began playing something lyrical and the Hamilton family made their appearance. Penelope was escorted by Running Elk, resplendent in his buckskins and feathers. Adam made a bet with himself that one of these days he’d be holding another ceremony for them. Julie and Edward looked quietly happy as they stood hand in hand and Sophie, Julia’s mother, looked around with snapping dark eyes that took in everything in a sweeping glance. He was looking forward to getting to know her.
Then the music changed to a Bach processional and Sam and Toby appeared dressed in tuxedos with respectively blue and green cummerbunds. After them came Jane in a floor length green gown that brought out the color of her eyes and Mei Ling in a matching dress but in blue. They lined up by the two men on either side of the two priests and turned to watch the entrance. Dakota and Elijah came next, throwing rose petals on the ground all the way to the altar before taking their empty baskets to their families waiting for them.
Then through the arch came Peter and Simon in full attire and Adam heard a little sigh race around the room. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the designer smile triumphantly while she watched the reaction to her creations. But her eyes went quickly back to the entrance and Adam realized that he too was waiting for the women to enter.
‘Ode to Joy’ began to play and through the arch, Marag appeared on the arm of her son in full Naval dress whites. She was a vision of summer when everything was green and growing. The gold ties that fluttered as she walked drew attention to her full figured loveliness. Her red hair tumbled over her shoulders held back by a narrow gold band from which flowed a green gauze veil all the way to the floor. She held a bouquet of crimson roses in full bloom
Casting a quick look at Simon, Adam hid a smile at the shell-shocked look on his face. Marag’s smile was tender and directed right at her husband-to-be. It was as if there was no one else in the room but the two of them. Just as it should be, he thought to himself. The sacred sacrament about to be evoked was just between them and God with Adam as God’s representative.
Her son handed her off to Simon with a smile then stepped aside to stand by Toby. Adam sent up a quick prayer for support before returning his gaze to the arch. A long moment went by then Seth appeared with Ruth on his arm. For a moment, complete silence reigned then a heartfelt ‘ah’ ran around the room like wildfire. Ruth’s dress flowed like quicksilver from her shoulders to the floor.
The silver veil shimmered in the light of the room, falling to the floor from the narrow silver band around her forehead. Instead of the black eye patch that she usually wore, this one was the same silver of her eye. Makeup had covered the scars and the translucency of her skin glowed. Adam checked on Peter and found he was blinking back tears. The tenderness of his smile seemed to reassure Ruth and she lost the rigidity in her shoulders, sending him a tremulous smile of her own.
Seth handed her to Peter and stepped aside, next to Sam. Adam suddenly wished that this ceremony could be for three instead of two and he sent up a prayer for them as well. Stepping forward, he opened his Bible and began the ceremony.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the marriages between these friends . . .”
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Adam sat at one of the tables with a tired Dakota on his lap and watched his congregation mingle. The ceremony would live forever in his mind and he pondered again the strange surge of energy that had filled the room while the vows were exchanged. He had felt it like a tingle that flooded his body with the electricity normally only felt during a thunderstorm. It had felt like his hair was standing on end and he’d caught Father McGuiness’ shiver out of the corner of his eye. He’d have to ask him what he’d felt later.
It had happened again when the Malinke Shaman blessed their union and yet again when the drummers’ beat had risen to a peak during the exchange of rings.
Marag and Simon were dancing in the middle of the room, joined by Julie and Edward, David and Jane, and Mary Two Feathers and Seth. But it was Penelope and Running Elk who had stolen the floor with their rendition of the tango, moments earlier. Toby, Mei Ling and Sam appeared to be trying to teach the Ikiiri how to dance and Adam hoped that the camera crew was filming their attempts because he wanted to be able to watch it again when he could laugh himself silly.
“Father Adam, when I get big and want to get married, will you do it just like you did today?” Dakota asked him solemnly.
“I’d be honored, Dakota. Do you have someone in mind?” He looked down into her laughing eyes.
“No, I just want you to be prepared. Shima looks pretty, doesn’t she?”
“Everyone looks beautiful today.” His eyes went back to Ruth now in Peter’s arms as they slowly waltzed around the center of the room, the only clear space left when the tables had been unfolded and set up. They seemed to be in their own little world and Adam noticed how the others steered out of their way.
Dakota slipped from his lap after giving him a kiss on the cheek. “I’m going to go help them teach Solantha to dance. I think they need me.”
“Good luck, Dakota. Maybe your drum would help.” Adam felt again that shiver at the thought of the drum beat that had started softly around the room then risen to a crescendo when Peter slid the ring onto Ruth’s finger. He never had gotten around to telling Bishop Fogerty about having drums during Mass and it was too late now. He’d probably been watching and Adam wondered just how much trouble he was in.
Shrugging, he welcomed Julie and Edward to his table, handing both of them a fresh cup of punch. “You dance very well together.”
“Years of practice, Father.” Edward drank down the punch in one continuous gulp. “I wanted to tell you how very moving I found the ceremony. You did a great job.”
“All of you did well. Here’s to the next generation of Hamiltons.” Julie lifted her glass to her husband who smiled and raised his own. “But I’d love to know what that odd feeling was during the drumming. It felt like thunder and lightning.”
“An interesting phenomenon.” Adam said noncommittally. “Perhaps it was a form of mass hypnosis since we were all concentrating very hard at that moment.”
“Perhaps.” Her gaze turned to him, her lips quirking up into a teasing smile. “Then again, it may have been the Goddess putting her personal stamp on the ceremony.”
“Perhaps.” Adam smiled back. “Whatever else it was, I think we could agree that it was a blessing.”
Her eyes went back to the silver and blue couple. “A blessing, indeed. Now, if they can just get through the honeymoon safely. Have they said where they’re going?”
“No, it’s still a secret, although I think Seth knows. Solantha told the Council that Queen Terana should be returning any day now.” Adam poured more punch from the pitcher at their table. “Ruth will need to be here when that happens. She’s still Earth’s Avatar.”
“Yes, she is.” Edward said thoughtfully. “I wonder what the Ikiiri think of this whole wedding and ceremony.”
Adam laughed, bringing both their attentions to him. “They found it most enlightening. The Ikiiri tradition for when the Queen chooses a mate is for her to make her choice, throw him over her shoulder and take him to the mating chamber for three days of nonstop mating.”
They all began to laugh at the thought of Ruth throwing Peter over her shoulder and their chuckles didn’t begin to die down until a soft chime echoed through the room. Conversation died away and the Marines in the crowd, all gathered by the arch with their swords unsheathed. Everyone stood and jockeyed for position to watch the married couples take their leave.
With a quiet command, Seth and the others formed an arch of crossed swords for Simon and Marag to cross under. But just before they left, Marag threw her bouquet over her shoulder in a high arch that landed squarely in Penelope’s hands. Good-natured cheers filled the room while they walked hand in hand beneath the gleaming swords.
Peter swept a laughing Ruth up in his arms and she lobbed her bouquet of white roses and lilies of the valley into the air, directly into Jane’s hands. The cheers were deafening as Peter strode beneath the swords with his wife safe held in his arms. Adam felt the sting of tears again as he had before when they had quietly said their ‘I do’s’.
She was indeed safe, he thought with a sigh. Right where she needed to be, with a man who loved her and the future of the colony she’d worked so hard for assured by the fortune of the man who’d tried to destroy them. They were all safe now
For now.
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End chapter 46