All characters in sexual situations are 18 or older. Thanks for reading!
"As I explained, we are now headed for station Tigov 19. What I must add is that we do not have enough fuel to change course back to New Canaan." Mary stood next to her son under the cross in the chapel. All of Jacob's other wives filled the pews. There were murmurs of worry among them. Mary held out her hands to pacify the women. "We can refill at the station." More whispers of discontent, as the women understood their plight and the difficulties they would face without any coin.
"You've ruined everything, Dr. Cole." Maureen's face was beet red as she stared at the back of Dr. Cole's head. "And this time you've endangered His plan for an entire planet."
"Dr. Cole, please come up here." Jacob was pleased that the women quieted down when he spoke.
"Yes." Dr. Cole stood. Normally, she would have some defense. But also, she would have been convinced that she had done no wrong. That wasn't the case this time. She felt she had done something horrible. Her stomach sank. Was this what remorse felt like? She hated it. The Errand was cursed, but she had somehow fallen in love with the demon behind all of it.
"It was Dr. Cole's plan to divert us to meet with her bygone husband." Jacob took Dr. Cole's shoulders when she was close enough and turned her toward the pews. She hung her head, and he noticed rivulets of tears on her cheeks. "But I stopped her plan. It was my decision to take us to Tigov 19."
There were gasps in the pews. "But why?" Heather's forehead creased in confusion.
"To spread the word." Judy, whose genius had not been affected by the Errand, had already figured this out.
"Yes, Judy." Jacob nodded. "It is the perfect opportunity to spread the word beyond our colonists and the new colony. We will stop there, meet new wives, refuel, and be on our way."
Humility and Heather made eye contact. It was clear that they were both thinking that they didn't want foreign wives. But who were they to argue with His will?
Penny raised her hand earnestly. "How will we pay for the fuel?"
"Come on, Penny. Think about it." Judy nudged her sister with her elbow.
"Um..." Penny looked at her sister, and then at Jacob. He was giving her his thousand-watt smile. "Oh. Oooohhhhh. Right." Penny nodded. "Jacob will ask and the station will give." Penny turned her gaze to her mother, but Maureen was still staring daggers at Dr. Cole.
"It was my will that we go to Tigov 19." Jacob swept his gaze over his women. "I have forgiven Dr. Cole. I want you all to do the same." He pulled Dr. Cole into his arms and kissed her passionately on the mouth. She returned his kiss at once, hungrily gripping his ill-fitting uniform. They kissed long enough to demonstrate her devotion, and then he gently pushed her away. "Any problems with absolution here?"
"I forgive her." Maureen's face softened. There were murmurs of assent all around.
"Very good." Jacob gave Dr. Cole a smack on the butt. "You may go sit down now." He watched her hurry back to her seat.
"Well, that's resolved." Mary beamed at her son. He was wearing the Lord's mantle so well. "There will be some unexpected challenges ahead, but I'm sure we will all rise to meet them. Now, every woman with a wedding ring, please bring it up to the front." Mary reached behind her, grabbed a small bowl, and held it before her with arms outstretched.
Heather was the first to arrive at the front of the chapel. "It goes in?"
"It does." Jacob nodded.
"Okay, then." Without a second thought, Heather pulled her wedding ring off her finger and dropped it with a little clang in the bowl.
She was followed by Humility, Pricilla, Judy, and finally Maureen. The explorer and adventurer was the only woman to pause. Maureen removed the ring, but held it over the bowl without releasing it.
"It's okay, Maureen." Mary spoke in soothing tones. "John will still be an attendant to Him and to Jacob. You are not saying goodbye."
"Right." Maureen nodded. Her reservations faded. It was what her new Lord needed. And just as the church supported Christ, she would support her new husband with whatever he required. Her hand opened and her ring joined the others in the bowl. She went back and sat next to her daughters.
"Excellent." Mary removed her own ring and dropped it in the bowl. She then handed the bowl to her son. "One last order of business. Errand into the Wilderness is still out of sorts after Mason's and Dr. Cole's efforts. We need the ship to be functioning flawlessly when we arrive at the station. Who would like to volunteer to fix the computer?"
Judy's hand shot up along with Humility's.
"I was hoping it would be you two." Mary nodded. The puzzle pieces were falling into place. "Dr. Cole will make herself available to you should you have any questions about what she did. The same for Mason. Now, meeting adjourned."
A sudden wave of nausea hit Maureen. Before she could even rise from her seat, her stomach rebelled. She turned away from her daughters and threw up on the floor. Everyone in the room turned to look at her. She threw up again and then retched. She felt Penny's hand rubbing her back. Finally, it was over and she sat up. "I'm so sorry. I don't know..." She stopped when she saw everyone in the room smiling at her.
"More good news." Mary started clapping, and others joined in.
"What?" Maureen wiped her mouth with the back of her sleeve.
"You carry the Messiah's child. This is a moment of joy." Mary gave her son a nudge.
"It is." Jacob walked over to her, careful to avoid the puddle on the floor. He took her hand and pulled her to her feet. He then rubbed her belly through her uniform. He had knocked up the amazing Maureen Henderson. A year ago, he would never have even dared to dream of such a moment. But here he was. His smile widened when she placed her hand over his.
"It's an honor." That wasn't quite right. Maureen didn't know what to say. "I'm filled with joy." She turned to look at her daughters. Judy smiled back at her. But Penny's smile was strained. She looked a little green. Maureen leaned close to Penny. "You feel sick, too?"
Penny nodded up at her mother.
"Oh." Maureen took one of Judy's hands and one of Penny's. "If you'll excuse us, I need to help my daughters."
"Of course." Mary turned to Pricilla. "Please have one of the attendants come and clean up the mess."
"Sure, Mom." Pricilla turned and raced out of the chapel.
Jacob watched his wives leave. Heather hung back. He could see the longing in her face. "Hey, want to play a little baseball in the holopark?"
"Um..." Heather rubbed her bulging belly. "I'm not sure I can bend down for grounders right now. Not that I'm complaining." She desperately wished she'd just said yes. This was a precious chance to be alone with Jacob.