Ari's New Life

A Rose Called Miracle

Book #4, Part 6

Author's Note: This is the fourth and final Book of 'A Rose Called Miracle'. This is fiction. All characters in intimate situations are over 18. Any resemblance to real people, organizations, or businesses is simply coincidence. As with the first three books, it is made much more interesting by people of different races, religions, and sexual preferences. And I still believe the world would be a better place if Douravia really existed.

KARI'S NEW LIFE

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"Tears water our growth." William Shakespeare

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Book 4, Part 6

Robert took my hand, "Follow me." I was glad the wardrobe discussion was over for now. We left the ambassador's residence and walked downstairs to the public area. Robert led Valerie and me into a good-sized, comfortable looking room with a conference table suitable for at least ten people. Several beautiful paintings decorated the paneled walls. Trays of snacks, a coffee service, and bottles of water sat on a side table.

We weren't there more than a minute or two--long enough to grab a bottle of water--before a DNP officer knocked and stepped in. "Your Highness, Ms. Noonan, Colonel Santos-Marquez of the US Air Force and her associate are here to see Ms. Noonan."

Robert, Valerie, and I stood up. "Please, show them in." Robert gave me the tiniest shove in the back and I stepped forward to meet the Colonel, but she stopped and looked confused. She turned, looked behind her, and motioned another officer forward.

"Kari? Is that really you?" The second officer asked.

"Shanique? Shanique Kalvin! How are you?"

"God Kari! This sucks so bad! I can't tell you how bad everyone feels." She grabbed me in a tight hug.

"Are you still with William?" I asked as I let her go.

"Yes. We're planning to marry sometime next year--once I return to civilian life."

"That's wonderful." I turned to Robert and Col. Santos-Marquez, "I was there when Shanique...I mean Lt. Col. Kalvin...met William. When they saw each other, they totally forgot I was in the room."

"Ahem!" Col. Santos-Marquez coughed, "Perhaps, Lt. Col. Kalvin, we can continue with our mission?" She said stiffly.

"I beg your pardon Colonel but as you can see, Ms. Noonan and I are old friends." We stepped back and Colonel Santos-Marquez began a stiff, formal recitation of condolences from the president, secretary of defense, the joint chiefs, U.S. Air Force, and General Watson for the death of my 'loved one' in the line of duty. She was so cold ice cream wouldn't have melted in her mouth. Shanique, on the other hand, had tears coursing down her cheeks. I did too. I suppose that up until that moment I'd held out hope there'd been a terrible case of mistaken identity.

Robert stepped forward and took my hand, "Thank you Colonel, for your kind words. Would you care for some refreshments while we talk?" I was grateful for his help; I was thrown off-balance by Col. Santos-Marquez' stiff manner.

Shanique and the colonel each took a bottle of water and we gathered around the conference table. Col. Santos-Marquez innocently asked why we were meeting in a foreign embassy. I thought she was going to stroke out when I introduced Robert as 'His Royal Highness, Prince Edwin Charles Xavier Robert Devereaux, Crown Prince and Heir to the Throne of the Kingdom of Douravia' not to mention Douravia's ambassador to the United States.

I have to give her credit though, she recovered quickly, "I'm honored to meet you Your Highness." She began the meeting. It was hard for me, as it must have been horrifying for Brett as he faced his mortality. But he'd had time to plan and make his wishes known. He'd relieved me of almost every decision: where he'd lie in state; the funeral home; memorial service at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Chapel; Beethoven's 9th; eulogies by the Secretary of Defense and General Raymond Watson; he'd even chosen his casket--a simple, unadorned coffin of polished hardwood. Col. Santos-Marquez showed a photo of the casket; that's when I lost it and started sobbing. Valerie and Robert squeezed me between them but stayed silent and allowed me to deal with my grief.

Finally, when I'd settled down enough to function again, the colonel said that Brett would receive full military honors during his internment at Arlington National Cemetery; scheduled for 1400 hours, one week from that day.

I sat silently as Colonel Santos-Marquez finished going through her briefing. "Ms. Noonan, do you have any questions?"

"Just one: Why are you dealing with me, his ex, when he's married to that congresswoman?"

"I've been told that Representative Barron is...unavailable." She looked uncomfortable.

"Unavailable!" I hissed angrily. "How can that bitch be unavailable when her husband has died? That no-good cock sucking whore..." It's a good thing Constance Barron wasn't there because I'd have killed her. Robert grabbed me and pulled me to him, "Kari!" He demanded, "Settle down and hold your temper. You need to hear what the colonel has to say." It was the closest to an 'Angry Master' voice I'd ever heard Robert use.

"Fine!" I was still shaking with anger as I faced back to the colonel. I took a deep breath, "I hope you'll forgive my outburst. Please continue Colonel."

"Thank you Ms. Noonan, I know this is terribly difficult." The colonel actually looked human for a second or two. "Rep. Barron has disappeared. Rumors are she ran away with a...paramour." I saw Shanique roll her eyes and I knew the colonel was concealing information. "Besides that, in his instructions Col. Noonan prepared six-weeks ago, he explicitly prohibited Ms. Barron from having any input, participation, or presence during his services. He wanted only you and your daughter with him. Finally, Brett...I mean Col. Noonan...asked me to deliver this letter to you. He asked that you read it in private."

I took the letter; it had an elaborate red wax seal holding it closed. "Colonel Noonan was adamant that no one see this except you and your daughter." She smiled for the first time. Her body sagged, "Ms. Noonan that is the end of my official duties." She wiped a hand across her eyes, "On a personal note, I just want to add that in the time I worked with Brett..." She paused, "I have never met a better man, officer, or leader. He was an inspiration to everyone on the task force. The other members of our unit all asked me to tell you that if you need anything... call and ask, we'll be there to help."

"I appreciate that."

"Colonel Santos-Marquez?" Robert spoke up, "Will your people be involved in Colonel Noonan's services?"

"Not that I know of. Although every single member plans to attend."

"Perhaps a few of your members would volunteer to serve as pallbearers and escorts for Kari and Valerie?"

"Absolutely. They'll be honored."

"Excellent."

After that Colonel Santos-Marquez pulled out a folder marked 'Financial' and passed it to me. "You should take time to read this when you have a moment. Brett prepared carefully and left you a step-by-step checklist.

I recognized Brett's handwriting. I quickly flashed back to his early 'slave to do' lists. For a few seconds I missed the simplicity and security of just following his instructions; but the feeling didn't last. I knew, now, that I could make decisions for myself and my daughter and function effectively without his orders. I glanced over to Robert; I think I smiled for the first time in a couple of hours. I hoped that my grief hadn't screwed up our relationship. While I knew I no longer depended on a master or dominant, I still craved companionship and love.

The meeting ended after that. I had a written timeline for the next several days for the places I'd need to be and the times I needed to be there...starting in two days with the first of two sessions of viewing at the funeral home.

When we finished the meeting I thanked both women. Robert invited them to stay for dinner. They both declined. Colonel Santos-Marquez had a husband and four kids to feed that night; Shanique and William had a date.

Robert, Valerie, and I ushered them out then returned to the family quarters. Valerie and I sat across from each other at the dining room table. "Why don't we look at the finance folder first? Let's see what kind of expenses we need to prepare for." I suggested. Valerie nodded and smiled as if she knew something I didn't--which, when I thought about it, she almost always did.

She was right, of course. Instead of the bills I'd expected I found a neat stack of receipts; Brett had already seen to every detail of his own funeral. I set the receipts aside. The first page of the next bunch of documents was Brett's Serviceman's Life Insurance, valued at $500,000; Valerie and I as beneficiaries--payable upon presentation of the death certificate. Next was a copy of Brett's military Survivor Benefit document. It seems that even before we'd married, he'd begun setting aside a percentage of his military retirement pay, the result of this was that I would receive a monthly check from the government for the rest of my life.

We were getting ready to look at the next pages when Agatha came in and told us that dinner was ready and we needed to clear the table. I closed the folder and took it with me back to the bedroom and stuck it on the table next to the bed.

Robert came into the bathroom and found me staring into the mirror while I rinsed my face with a cold washcloth. He gently rested his hands on my hips, "How are you doing Sweetheart?"

"I'm coping. I think I'm past the shock of Brett's death. I'm still angry about the whole situation." I turned to face Robert. I kissed him. "Let's go into the bedroom. This isn't something I want to discuss in a bathroom." We went out and sat on the edge of the bed. "I'm worried about you." I began.

"Me?"

"Yeah. I know you have strong feelings for me. And I know I love you. But my mind and my emotions are so screwed up and unpredictable...I wonder how long you will tolerate my flare-ups before you say 'that's enough' and push me away?"

"I see." Robert frowned. "And I suppose there will be occasions where you'll be thinking about your time with Brett and will not be paying attention to me." I knew he had a point, and I hated myself that he was correct.

"Yes." I whispered. "I want to deny it; but you're right."

"And if your Brett..." He was challenging me, "Walked into this room right now, said everything was alright, and asked you to go with him...you would?"

I felt like my world was getting ready to fall apart again; but I couldn't lie, "Yes."

"I understand." Robert wrapped me in a strong embrace and we fell back onto the bed kissing. After several minutes, by which time Robert had a solid grasp of my bottom, he leaned back from the kiss. "Thank you for being honest. I know it must have been hard. But now I have to be honest; I also have episodes where I am absorbed in the memories of my Sascha. It's been nearly 18 years and I still think of her nearly every day." He stared into my eyes. "And, like you and your Brett, if my Sascha walked into this room...I would go to her in a heartbeat."

"So, are you saying we should go our separate ways? Not see each other?" My heart pounded; I thought it was trying to break free of my chest.

"No." He smiled and ran his thumb across my chin. "What I'm saying is...We're perfect together. We each know the sorrow and loss the other feels and can understand and forgive the occasional retreats into the past."

"I suppose you're right. I..."

"DAD!!" Someone pounded on the bedroom door, "Hurry up! Dinner is ready and we've been waiting half an hour for you."

Robert and I untangled ourselves and got off the bed. We took a few seconds to straighten our clothes; I discarded my suit jacket and we left the bedroom. When we entered the dining room, Stephen and Valerie stood up and greeted Robert.

The dining room was quite attractive, if muted. The walls were beige, accented by brilliant white woodwork. The table, which could seat twelve comfortably, sat on a room-sized beige, floral-themed oriental carpet. The highlight of the room was an elaborate crystal chandelier hanging directly over the center of the table. Robert pulled out my chair and helped me adjust it, then took his seat at the head of the table. Only when Robert was seated did Stephen and Valerie sit. The four of us joined hands and Robert said a short prayer of thanks for the food, friends, and family. "Amen."

After that it was just like any other family dinner. Valerie reminded me that Mrs. Watkins insisted on taking us shopping in the morning. She wanted us each to have four separate sets of 'mourning' clothes. I waited until Valerie had a mouthful of Ms. Diana's delicious marinated and roasted chicken to tell her that Mrs. Watkins also intended to take her shopping for a new, more appropriate, wardrobe. With her mouth full, all she could do was roll her eyes in disgust. Stephen bragged that he was going to be a starting mid-fielder on the school football (soccer) side. Robert brought him back to earth by ordering him to go do his homework. Val laughed at his obvious discomfort...until I reminded her of the mid-term exams she was missing. But she shrugged it off saying she could pass them easily.

"I'm glad to hear that." Robert answered her. "I'll have Colonel Brasseaux contact your school and arrange for you to take the tests here. Don't smirk young lady, the embassy has a secure and accredited remote testing laboratory. Our proctor loves catching cheaters. She lives for it."

"I would never cheat!" She flushed angrily. Then smiled, "At least not since I got a family. When I was on the street...I did what I had to do to get by."

Eventually we finished eating. I stood, "Val, help me with the dishes." I ordered. Robert tried to intercede but I wouldn't listen. "Nonsense. We'll do our part." I insisted. Robert surrendered gracefully and pointed out the way to the kitchen. We carried everything in and found a commercial-strength dishwasher. Agatha was there; she reluctantly demonstrated the proper way to load and operate the machine.

"Mom, why do we..." Val hesitated as I raised my hand and pointed at her.

"Valerie. Stop. I will not allow you...or me...to become lazy, pampered, or entitled. We will NEVER be afraid to get our hands dirty...or God forbid...chip a nail when there is work to be done. Do you understand me?"

"Yes Ma'am."

"Good." I glanced at Agatha and the dishwasher. Agatha smiled; the dishwasher seemed to be running okay. "Come on, Sweetie, let's go join the others."

Back in the dining room, Robert still sat in his chair. Stephen had left to do his homework. Valerie decided to go to the embassy's library and try to find a good book. Robert and I talked for a while about absolutely nothing of importance. At last, he stood up and helped me from my chair. "Let's take a walk around the building. If I remember correctly, tonight is a social night for the embassy staff and families."

There was indeed a social night in progress. People of all ages danced with people of all ages. Lots more sang in a language I didn't understand while standing around a large piano. "What are they singing?" I asked Robert as we approached the piano crowd.

"It's an old Douravian folk song. A sad tune about leaving one's family behind."

"I don't understand the words?"

"Douravians speak many languages. This song switches frequently between German, French, Italian, and here and there a few words of English and Dutch...just to confuse things."

"Does every Douravian speak all the languages you mentioned?" The singing ended with a long, soft, sighing note.

"No. French and English are the two most common; but there are also significant pockets of German and Italian speakers."

"I've noticed you have a bit of an accent. Which languages do you speak?" I asked as Robert spoke to the pianist.

"I speak French and English fluently; they were my 'cradle' languages. I communicate well in German; though I'm not up to date on some of the more obscure meanings, phrases, and nuances. I have a working knowledge of Italian; but if it's important I'd want a translator available."

"Can you say something in French for me?"

"Oui. Kari, tu es ma copine et tu es très belle et je t'aime beaucoup."

"And that means...?"

"I said 'Yes. Kari, you are my girlfriend and you are very beautiful, and I love you very much'." He held out his hand and we continued to circulate around the room greeting everyone, asking about families, laughing at jokes, and introducing me. We'd been there for almost an hour when Stephen and Valerie arrived and started socializing. Robert looked around, "Okay." He whispered to me, "Let's go and let the people relax."

Robert and I spent the next couple hours in his quarters' living room. Wrapped in a warm, multi-colored afghan, we watched a romantic crime caper movie. We were in the middle on a nice warm kiss when someone discretely tapped on the door frame behind us. Robert turned to look.

"Please come in and have a seat Mr. Charles. Would you like to watch the movie with us?"

"Thank you Sir, but no. I just came in to give you a copy of your revised schedule for tomorrow. Mrs. Kulokowski rescheduled all of today's appointments as you requested. I'm afraid you'll be very busy.

"Thanks Mr. Charles." Robert ran his eyes down the list. "Wait...I see the Brazilian Commercial Attaché here. Will I need a Portuguese translator?"

"No Sir. I spoke with the Brazilian embassy and they assured me the attaché speaks perfect English."

"Fine. Is there anything else I need to be concerned about tonight?"

"No Sir. That's all. Wait! You asked me to remind you to take care of that project on your desk."

"Thank you Mr. Charles; believe me, I had not forgotten. I'll see to it as soon as the movie ends."

"Very well, Sir. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Mr. Charles." We relaxed back into the sofa, held hands, and watched the end of the movie as the two thieves reunited in an Asian train station and made their getaway.

"Okay. That was fun." Robert laughed. "Come on. I want to finish this one task tonight; then we'll get ready for bed."

"I'm kind of tired. Do you really need me?"

"Yes. You need to start seeing and understanding what I do." He pulled me off the sofa and led the way downstairs. As we passed the library we met Valerie coming out with a book in her hands."

"Hey Mom. Whatcha' doin'."

"The prince has one piece of business to take care of before we go to bed. He wants me to see what he does." I turned to Robert. "Is it okay if Valerie watches?"

"Absolutely."

He led us to his study, not his ambassador's office as I'd expected. "This will just take a second." Robert said as he stepped behind the desk and rummaged through the drawers. "Ah. Here we go." He closed the drawer and came around the desk.

He stopped in front of me, took my hands, and waited until I looked up and met his eyes, "Kari Noonan, would you do me the very great honor of agreeing to marry me?"

"YES! YES! YES!" Valerie exclaimed as she danced and punched the air while I stood there and stared at Robert (Valerie later told me I looked like a grounded fish gasping for air.)

"Okay." I finally managed to whisper. "I mean yes. I'd be honored." Robert leaned over and kissed me.

"Way to go Mom!" Valerie commented with a huge grin. "I knew you two could figure it out."

"If I let go of your hands for a minute will you promise not to faint...or run away?" Robert watched me carefully.

"I won't faint... I can't promise I won't run screaming from the building." I hoped I smiled enough to reassure him I was joking.

"Now that you've said yes, I have something for you." Robert reached in his pocket and pulled out a small jewelry box.

As he started to open the box I knew, obviously, that it was a ring...it had to be. But when I saw it, all I could do was stare. It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen; yet completely unexpected. I was afraid to touch it; I just looked...taking in the details. "It's beautiful." I finally whispered.