Cassandra's Challenge (82 page)

“We’ll just have to see what happens.”

“Cassandra…”

“Javiera, I’ll take precautions, I’ve conceived,
nothing is going to change that.” She takes her friend’s hand.
“It’s a happy thing.”

“Yes, yes it is. And it’s a happy day.”

“Yes.” Javiera sees the sparkle in Cassandra
eyes. “So are you going to help me get ready today?”

“You couldn’t stop me. 1500.”

“1500.” The two women grin at each other.

As time the time draws near William finds he’s
nervous. He dressed earlier, wanting Cassandra to have the suite to
herself. Now Javiera is with her doing all those mysterious things
women did before a Union.

Lucas and Kyle enter followed by Quinn. Quinn
walks over and starts to pour them all a drink as Barek and Jotham
enter the room.

“Majesty.” William nods.

“Colonel, are you going to stand there or hand
out those drinks?”

“Majesty.” Quinn starts around the room.

“I’ll propose the first toast.” The King raises
his glass. “May your Union be long and joyful.” They all take a sip
and the toasts continue.

“Cassandra….” Javiera is at a loss for
words.

“Aunt Cassie, you’re going to knock his socks
off!” Victoria is never at a loss for words.

Cassandra turns from the mirror. The violet
colored dress had turned out just has she’d envisioned it.
Strapless with a heart shaped neckline, the dress hugged her curves
until it reached about mid-thigh and then it flared out. Pazel had
found the perfect lace to compliment the color and Kia’s accenting
with crystals made the dress sparkle and shimmer elegantly. Turning
she finds the train follows nicely behind her. They’d even made a
shawl and trimmed it with the same lace and crystals. With her hair
pulled up her neck looked long and lovely.

“So?” She turns to them.

“It’s beautiful Cassandra. The Admiral will love
it nearly as much as he loves you.”

“Aunt Cassie, it’s great!”

“What about you Amina?” Cassandra looks at the
little girl who’d been very quiet.

“You look like a Princess.” She whispers.

Cassandra walks over sit down next to Amina.
“Thank you Amina, but can I still be your Aunt Cassie?” Amina nods
then gives her a big hug.

“You know, I think you look very pretty too,
both of you.” She looks over at Victoria. They’d each picked their
favorite dresses for the ceremony. “You too Javiera.”

“Thank you but you will be the only one anyone
will notice.” Javiera smiles at her. “Now it’s almost time.”

“Already?” Cassandra looks at the clock.

“Yes. Girls why don’t I walk you to the door,
Leander’s waiting to take you down.”

“Okay.” Victoria walks over to her Aunt. “I love
you Aunt Cassie.”

“I love you too Victoria.”

“Look what I’m wearing.” Victoria works the
necklace with Cassandra’s ‘lucky’ ring on it out from under her
dress.

Cassandra touches it, remembering. “That’s good
baby.”

“It’s yours maybe you should wear it.”

“No, you wear it.”

“Victoria.” Javiera calls from the other
room.

“I’ll see you in a little bit okay? You keep
those Zafar men under control.” Victoria smiles like she knew she
would.

“I can do that.”

Standing Cassandra walks over to the mirror
taking one last look. “I wish you were here daddy….” She whispers.
Taking a deep breath she turns and walks towards her future.

“Fuck Will you’re nervous!” Jotham exclaims so
only William can hear. He hasn’t seen him like this since they were
sixteen and trying to peek in the female cadets bathroom.

“Where is she?”

“Getting ready. Are you sure you want to do
this?” The eyes bore into his are deadly.

“Yes.”

“Then calm down, crap Will, you’re making
me
nervous. She’ll be here when….” Jotham trials off, seeing
Cassandra entering the garden.

William slowly turns. There she is, praise the
ancestors there she is. As she slowly walks towards him he final
realizes what she’s wearing. Violet. Pure violet. Moving he meets
her half way.

“I thought I was supposed to come to you?” She
whispers up to him.

“We come to each other.” Taking her hand he
places it on his arm and escorts her to Jotham.

“Family and friends, we are here this day, to
witness the Union of this man and this woman….” Cassandra listens
to Jotham finding many similarities between the ceremony here and
on Earth.

“Do you William Hale Zafar accept this woman
Cassandra Qwes Chamberlain as your wife, to love, honor and protect
until you meet the ancestors.”

“I do and beyond.” Jotham raises an eyebrow.

“And do you Cassandra Qwes Chamberlain accept
this man William Hale Zafar as your husband, to love, honor and
obey until you meet the ancestors?” Cassandra raises an eyebrow at
the King.

“I Cassandra Qwes Chamberlain vow to love, honor
and
protect
William Hale Zafar until I meet the ancestors
and beyond.”

William smiles into Cassandra’s eyes, he’d
forgotten that part of the vows. Leave to his life mate to make
sure she didn’t promise anything she didn’t mean. Jotham clears his
throat.

“Yes, well I’ll take that as I do.” There’s soft
laughter behind them. “The ring.”

William sees the shock in Cassandra’s eyes. “I
know it’s very old fashioned, but I want you to wear my ring.”
Another thing he hadn’t asked. Jotham watches her slowly nod.
William slips the ring he’d always worn off his smallest
finger.

“With this ring,” William slips it on
Cassandra’s index finger, already knowing it would fit. “I make you
my
wife
.” He sees the tears start to fill her eyes. Lifting
her hand he kisses where he’d just placed his ring.

“Ladies and….”

“Wait!” Cassandra looks at William, then turning
walks to Victoria, kneeling down. “What do you think?” Victoria
looks at the Admiral and nods pulling the necklace over her head,
handing it to her Aunt. Removing the ring she hands the chain back
to Victoria.

Rising she walks back to William. Back at his
side she shows him what she has. William’s eyes widen. Cassandra
looks at Jotham, who frowning nods.

“With this ring,” Cassandra slips in on
William’s index finger, a perfect fit. “I make you my
husband
.” This time the tears slip out. William gently wipes
them away.

“Kiss your wife Will.” Jotham tells him.

Framing her face William leans down giving her a
hard reverent kiss.

“Ladies and gentleman, I announce the Union of
William and Cassandra Zafar.”

Hutu arranges refreshments and small bites for
after the ceremony. As everyone mingles talking William holds up a
plate to Cassandra a devilish look in his eye. Watching her look
down he sees her eyes widen. Slowly she picks up a wafer, taking a
small bite.

“William….these are so good!” She quickly takes
a bigger bite.

“Chocolate chip cookies?” He enjoys the pleasure
in his wife’s eyes.

“Yeah.” Her eyes close as she finishes the
wafer.

“You know what you told Hutu.” He teases.

“I know. Where is he?” William turns her to see
Hutu refilling the refreshments. Cassandra walks over, William
following behind. This will be interesting.

“Hutu…”

“Yes Princess?” He turns.

She reaches up to pull his face down to hers and
gives him a firm kiss, right on the lips. The room goes silent.

Releasing him she smiles. “Thank you.” Hutu is
bright red. Looking at the Admiral, he sees no anger and smiles
back.

“Aunt Cassie? What’s going on?” Victoria is
never afraid to ask the question.

Cassandra takes a wafer from the plate William
still holds. Everyone watches the little girl’s eye widen
reverently she takes the wafer from her Aunt then takes a bite.

“Chocolate chip cookies!”

“Yep, Hutu made them.”

“Really!!! Hutu you’re the BEST!” Victoria jumps
at him, he instinctively catches her. Victoria imitates her Aunt by
kissing him. “Thank you Hutu!”

“You’re very welcome.” Hutu sets her back
down.

“Thank you Hutu.” The Admiral nods.

“Sir.” He nods at him then leaves the room.

William holds the plate back up to Cassandra.
Smiling she takes a bite of another wafer.

“Uncle William, can I have another one?” Tori
looks at him hopefully. William looks down enjoying his new
title.

“Why don’t you take the plate and share with
Amina.” He smiles at her.

“Okay.” Victoria hurries off with her prize.

Still smiling William hands Cassandra a glass.
“What if
I
wanted another cookie?” Cassandra smiles at
him.

“Then I guess you’ll have to ask Hutu.” William
teases. “But give the man some time to recover. I thought he was
going to drop when you kissed him.”

“Oh please.” Cassandra laughs.

“You don’t realize the effect you have on
others. That kiss will ruin him for all other women. I speak from
experience.” He gently caresses her cheek.

“Will.” The both turn to Jotham. “We have to go,
meetings.” He’s not going to tell him they have to do with him. He
has enough going on.

“Thank you Jotham.” He shakes his friend’s
hand.

“Yes Majesty, thank you.”

“Jotham.” He tells her, seeing she
understands.

“Thank you Jotham.” Cassandra steps forward,
resting her hands on his shoulders kisses him lightly on the
cheek.

“You’re welcome,” Jotham says slightly pink.

“Barek, thank you for attending.”

“Wouldn’t have been anywhere else Admiral.”
Barek smiles at the two, with just a hint of sadness in his eyes.
“Congratulations.”

“Thank you Barek.” Cassandra smiles at him.
Turning Barek follows his father.

Over the next several minutes people begin to
filter out, each giving their best wishes until it is just the
immediate family.

“Aunt Cassie, can I stay at Amina’s tonight?”
She gives William a concerned look.

“You don’t want to sleep in your own bed
tonight?”

“I want to stay with Amina’s, it’s been
forever
!”

“Well I don’t see a problem, if it’s okay with
Leander and Javiera.”

“It is.” William tells her, Cassandra raises an
eyebrow.

“If there’s a problem you’ll call?” Cassandra
looks at Lucas.

“Yes.”

“I’ll be fine Aunt Cassie.” Victoria reassures
her. She nods.

Kyle walks over, carrying a tray of glasses. One
for each, including Victoria he raises his.

“A toast, to Cassandra and Victoria,” He winks
at Tori. “Welcome to the family, I hope you know what you’re
getting into.” Touching his glass to Tori’s, she giggles and they
all take a sip.

“To Dad and Cassandra, and the little one on the
way, may he be as smart as his mother,” Lucas nods to Cassandra.
“And as good looking as me.” William can’t help but laugh.

“To my wife,” there’s no doubting the pride in
his voice, “and niece”, or the love. “Beautiful additions to our
family.”

“To the Zafar men, each and every one of you are
a gift in our lives. Isn’t that right Victoria?”

“Right.” She agrees.

“Admiral.” William turns to Hutu who seems to
have recovered from Cassandra’s kiss.

“Yes, Hutu?” Lucas and Kyle leave the room with
Victoria.

“Sir, the suite is been prepared per your
instructions.”

“Thank you Hutu.”

“Sir, Princess.” Hutu nods than leaves.

Cassandra looks up at William. “What was that
all about?”

“Hutu has prepared a meal for us. It’s up in our
suite.” He wraps his arms around her, around his wife.

“That was nice of him.” She leans into her
husband.

“Should we go enjoy it?”

“I could eat.” With his arm around her he leads
her out of the room and up the stairs to their suite.

Entering the private living area Cassandra
stops. It isn’t the room she’d left to get married. Candle light
fills the room, furniture has been moved so there is a lone table
in the middle of the room, set with china and crystal, silver domes
covering the food. Music played softly over the comm.

“William….” She turns wonder filled eyes to his.
Stretching up she gives him an emotion filled kiss. “It’s
beautiful.”

“I want our first meal as husband and wife to be
special.” He cups her face, his thumbs caressing her
cheekbones.

“It is.” The love in his eyes takes her breath
away.

Guiding her to the table, he pulls out her
chair, seating her. Lifting the covers he pours a golden liquid
into their glasses. She watches him unable to speak. He went to all
this trouble,
for her
, he truly is a special man.

Smiling at him she looks down at her plate,
Zebu, the first meal they’d ever had together, after the first time
they’d made love. It touches her heart that he remembered.

“Eat before it cools.” He tells her.

As they eat they talk. William tells her stories
about Kyle and Lucas growing up, things they’d done. She tells him
more about her family.

“You have a cabin in the mountains?”

“My great grandfather built it. Every generation
adds something.”

“Really? Do you get there often?”

“Only between tours Kyle uses it a lot
though.”

“Can we go sometime?”

“You’d want to? It’s pretty remote.” William
leans back looking at her.

“I’d love too.”

“I’ll arrange it then.” Standing he walks around
helping her up, pulling her into his arms he slowly moves her
around the room to the music. Sighing Cassandra lays her head over
his heart her arms wrap around his waist.

Lowering his head William’s mouth starts at her
temple before continuing its journey down to nuzzle her ear.

“Hmmm.” Her hands grip his back as she turns her
head allowing him better access to her neck. William takes
advantage by exploiting all the sensitive spots he knew so
well.