My Alien Love (9 page)

       “Melody, in my country the husband and wife only share matching wedding rings.”  Looking into her beautiful brown eyes he added, “as well as their hearts and souls.”  

       “Because our engagements are always very short there has never been a need for “pre-ceremony rings.”  I've found out that your customs are different here.  Since we will be mixing our two cultures together, I thought that you and I would start our own new tradition, we'll also share pendants.  They will always be close to our hearts.”

       He opened the box and lifted out a delicate gold chain.  It was studded with very tiny diamonds and opals along the entire length.  At the end of the chain was a pendant.  She lifted it up to look closely at it.  It was a triangle (pointing downward) with a brilliant yellow stone in the center of the top bar, some type of crystal threads ran off to the right and left of the yellow stone.  A blue stone was connected to the end of the thread on the left and a green stone on the strand to the right.  From these two outer stones hung similar threads that connected together creating the bottom point of the triangle, there was a beautiful, large, sparkling diamond with four rubies around it. 

       “Jonathan, it's beautiful!”  For someone who only owned costume jewelry she had certainly lucked out, she thought.  “Will you explain the significance of the placement of these stones?  I get a feeling that I can almost understand it, then it leaves me.”

       He stood and lifting her long, dark brown hair and attached it around her neck.  After attaching it she felt him holding the clasp firmly with his hand, “Now, Melody it will never break.”

       She looked a little baffled but before she said anything he lifted the small pendant bending his head down beside her face.  “The yellow stone is God, the blue stone is the . . . .”  There was a little shuffling noise around the table, he paused and frowned, then everyone was silent.  “The blue stone is your country, the green stone is my . . . island.  The strands from these two meet to form the diamond that is the joining of our love.  The rubies represent our hope for the future.” 

       “Oh, Jonathan, that's the most romantic thing I've ever heard.  It's absolutely perfect . . . but my love for you is much stronger than any diamond.”  Without thinking she turned and kissed him.  She just floated with the warm tingling that their kiss caused.  Someone spoke and she remembered the disturbance their kissing had caused earlier.  Blushing she regretfully pulled away.  When she looked at the table again everyone was standing, then they applauded.

       As tired as she had been earlier Jonathan's last deep, hungry, wet kiss at her bedroom door had left her wide awake.  Even though it had been over two hours since Mark made her lock her door, she was still aroused.  Every nerve in her body was on fire.  Her quick shower hadn't proved restful.  She remembered the Jacuzzi outside on her ground floor balcony.  That would really rest her tired and sore muscles. 

       She got out of bed and walked out onto the balcony leaving the French doors open.  The air smelled sweet and reminded her of her Jonathan.  She untied the ribbon of the sheer, silk gown that she had found laid on her bed.  After laying it over a cushioned chair she stepped into the scented, bubbling warm water.  This was nice.

       Mark awakened to find Jonathan looking out one of the windows, looking down was actually more accurate.  He scrambled out of his bed that had been moved into Jonathan's large room for the night.  

       “Jon, what's the matter?”  He said walking up beside him.  Looking down, he saw what had absorbed all his friend's attention. 

       There in the hot tub was Melody.  Her head was leaned back and her eyes were closed.  It was times like this that Mark was really glad they had such good night vision.  Her long wavy hair was spread fan shaped on the surrounding table.  He watched in silence as she leisurely sponged her light, glistening skin with oils that were sitting around the tub.  Her pale skin highlighted her other dark features. 

       After a while she stood and stepped out.  As she briskly rubbed her body dry with a large towel Mark felt the stirrings again.  He enjoyed the sensation, it was stronger than ever before.  He watched in a trance as she strode naked around the balcony.  She was smelling the flowers he finally realized.  As she bent over to pick one he admired her soft, feminine shape.  He continued to watch longingly as she put her gown back on.  She suddenly turned and walked swiftly back through her door.

       Jonathan!  Where was he?!  Mark realized that Jonathan had disappeared while he had stood watching Melody.  “Oh, geeze!  What if he saw me excited?  I shouldn't have been looking!  I shouldn't have even let him look, not tonight of all times!” he yelled aloud angry with himself.

       Mark quietly tiptoed down the stairs.  Before he got all the way down he heard someone whimpering.  Then he heard a groan.  

       “Please” he prayed, “don't let it be Melody.”  But he fearfully realized that it could be no one else.  Jonathan would try to kill him now if he tried to pull him off her, but he would have to try, Jonathan could unwittingly cause her serious harm in his present state.  She might then hate him and the marriage would never take place.  As he turned and faced Melody's door he saw Jonathan.  He was crumpled down at (thank the planet!) Melody's still locked door.  As he neared he heard her speaking softly to him through the door. 

       “But, I n-e-e-d you my Love . . . now!” Jonathan said begging as he raised his head to stare at the door he was talking through.  Mark's relief instantly turned to wild panic when he saw Jonathan's eyes had taken on a deep violet color and tears were on his face.

       “Oh, boy!” Mark said aloud.  He went to a wall console and tapped a button.  In a couple of seconds a male voice answered.  “Bring me the tonic immediately!  We have a serious problem on our hands,”  Mark hissed into the speaker.

       Melody felt periodic surges of unspeakable passion.  Just as she would start to unlock the door and let him in, to ease both their needs, it would disappear.  She was confused by these emotions until she realized Jonathan was trying to control her discomfort for her.  He wanted and needed her desperately but at the same time feared for her safety.

        He must really be in a terrible state, she thought.  The knowledge that his desire for her was that strong made her cry. 

       “Sweetheart . . . please don't cry.  Please . . . let me in.  I'll be gentle.”  He thought he heard the door knob, then panic returned to him.  “No, don't let me in!  I can't trust myself and I don't ever want to hurt you!”

       A wave of painful desire flooded over her, then he whispered, “Just one kiss . . . then I'll be all right.”

       Her sobs became louder.

       “Melody, listen to me,” it was Mark’s voice this time.  “I want you to take a chair and wedge it under the door knob!”   

       She heard shuffling outside the door, it began to sound like there was fighting going on. 

       “Drink this Jonathan!  You have to drink this,” some other man was saying.  There were more scuffling noises. 

       “He won't!” Mark exclaimed exasperated.

       “Jonathan, will you do me a favor?” Melody crooned through the door.  “Will you drink some of the tonic so you can help me?  The pain's getting worse and I don't know how to control it like you do.  I need you to help me.”

       “Anything, anything you want or need I'll do it,” came Jonathan's reply.

       “Here Jon, take the medicine to help Melody,” Mark's calm voice said.

       “He'll be okay now Mel, you can go back to sleep.  But don't move the chair!  Just in case.”

       “Goodnight Mark.  And . . . thank you.  Take good care of him!  He can't help himself, he's in terrible misery.”

       Nursing his bruised jaw he said, “Yeah, I know.  But I hope I give him total grief when I'm Pre-Ceremony!”

       Apparently the adrenalin rush had depleted all her energy stores because she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

CHAPTER THREE: THE WEDDING

Melody awoke to the sound of beautiful music.  As she sat up she discovered it was coming through the speakers on the walls.  Stretching like a cat she pulled all the kinks out of her muscles.

       Looking around she remembered where she was and what day it was. 

       “Little girl, you're going to get married today!” she sang aloud.  Going into the bathroom she brushed her teeth, used the bathroom then took a hot shower and groomed herself, being careful not to nick her skin.  Why must women be so hairy, she thought for the ten millionth time in her life?

       She noticed a pearl handled brush and comb on the vanity. 
They think of everything don't they?
she mused.  Lifting the lid of a frosted glass vanity tray she was really surprised to find all the make-up from her apartment was inside.

Well, I guess I might as well make myself presentable
, she decided looking at the make-up.  Seated on the soft elongated vanity bench she proceeded to put on her face.  When she finished she felt really good.

       Now to find her clothes.  She looked everywhere, they were gone.  Oh, no!  She suddenly remembered a woman asking for her clothes last night after her shower.  She moved the chair from the door and peeked out.  No one was around.  Where was everyone?
What should I do?
  Closing the door and looking around her room she spotted the intercom.  But, which button should she push? 

       Since no one appeared to be close by she threw them all, then shyly spoke into the microphone.  “I need some clothes, I don't have any clothes.”  She paused, then asked, “Is anyone here?”  Looking at her hand on the button she figured she might have to let it go for someone to respond. 

       As soon as she moved her finger the deep masculine voice she loved spoke, “I'll bring you your clothes.  If you insist you need them.  Personally, I think you look beautiful without them.”

       Heavens!  She'd forgotten how his voice made her tingle.  Well, there wouldn't be any shenanigans today.  How did he know how she looked without clothes?

       “Baby, my love, before you speak again throw all the switches, except the one under number twelve.” 

       She did as instructed then angrily began to ask, “How do you know . . . .”  Suddenly realizing that she had no idea how many people were listening she shut up.

       Her finger was still on the button when someone knocked at her door.  She quickly ran to the bed and put on the robe that didn't really hide much, then slowly opened the door. 

       There stood Mark and Jonathan, Mark quickly looked down at the floor but not before he saw her robe get caught on the doorknob, pulling it halfway open. 

       Jonathan held a dress in his arms.  It had the most beautiful material she had ever seen.  “My sweet soon to be wife, this is your wedding dress,” he said, walking in boldly and laying it on the bed.  “Your family will be here in about forty-five minutes.  Mark, where's the box with the other stuff?”

       “It's right here,” he said setting it on the chair. 

       Melody was shocked to see a rather large bruise on Mark's chin.  “Mark, what happened?!”  She went to him and touched his face.

       “It's my fault,” Jonathan said looking truly ashamed.

       “Your fault?”  Then she remembered the scuffle outside her door last night or was it this morning?

       “I went a little crazy.”  His face was blood red beneath his tanned features.

       Suddenly she remembered, “What do you mean my family will be here soon?!  They're not to arrive until just after
three o'clock
.”

       “Sweetheart, it's after two.”  Seeing her shocked face he explained, “Somehow, (he looked pointedly at Mark) my Aunts heard about my early morning escapade.  They decided that it was better to let both of us sleep, that way we would be refreshed for the ceremony.”

       “Are you feeling better?” she questioned as she looked him over.

       “Yes, he’s feeling much better,” Mark stated rubbing his jaw.  Then laughing he hugged them both.  “You know Mel, it's going to be great having you in the family.”

       “Darling, do you need any assistance with your gown?”  Jonathan asked.

       “No, I think I can handle it.  If you gentlemen will excuse me, I won't have to stand here half naked,” she smiled, watching Jonathan constantly move in front of Mark, continually blocking his view.  “By the way, where is everyone?”

       “Most are in the garden, the rest are greeting the guests,” Mark volunteered, bending his head around Jonathan.        

       “Guests?  I hadn't realized that there would be others.”

       “We're a wide spread family but everyone lives within walking distance from here.  Oh, Melody, several of your friends will be here and a few of the professors at the University, a couple of government dignitaries and most of your cousins, aunts and uncles,” Jonathan said smiling.

       “But how?  I didn't notify anyone but my mother?”

       “Aunt Cassandra talked with your mother last night and got the names and numbers of your relatives and friends.  My family contacted most of the others.”

       She immediately became nervous.  “Jon, are you sure this is what you really, really want to do?”

       He saw her shaking.  Holding her close to his chest he brushed her hair with his hands and soothed, “I've never been so sure of anything in my entire life.  Now, don't worry.  When we enter the garden all you have to do is look at me.  When you find yourself getting nervous just look into my eyes.”  He kissed her tenderly, reached into a pocket of his baggy pants and handed her a chocolate candy kiss, then left.

      
Everybody will be here!  Absolutely everybody! 
She popped the kiss into her mouth absentmindedly then turned her attention back to the dress.

       She needed to do something before she went any further.  Melody went to the side of her bed and knelt on her knees.  “Father, things are happening really fast around me now.  I need your peace and help.  Please don’t let me make a terrible mistake.  If Jonathan is not the man for me, then throw a wrench into this ceremony somehow and stop it from occurring.  Help me be the lady you created me to be.  Amen.”

       She had redone her hair and make-up five times when there was a knock on the door again.  She opened it and there stood her mother with Aunt Cassandra.

       “Darling . . . you're absolutely stunning!” her mother exclaimed barging into the room.  Melody smiled at Aunt Cassandra knowing her mother hadn't meant to be rude, she was just pushy when she got nervous.

       “My sweet, here's the head piece.  Remember when you place it, that the priest will be putting a crown over it during the ceremony.”  With that said, Aunt Cassandra kissed her sweetly on the cheek, squeezed her hand, and whispered, “We're very proud of you, and are so happy you will become a member of our family,” then she left.

       “Mother, I'm so nervous, all I can do is pee.”  She turned to go to the bathroom again. 

       Calling out from the bedroom her mother said, “Melody, I was really upset when you called.  But, I have to admit, it looks like you really landed a great one.  Jonathan is so handsome he almost took
my
breath away.”

       “You've met him already?”

       “Yes, him and those aunts of his greeted us at the door.  That friend of his, Mark, isn't it?  He'll soon be available or so he’s saying to everyone.  He asked me if there were anymore like you around, if there was he wanted her.  Oh, everyone has been so nice and this dress they made for me is absolutely gorgeous!  Don't you think?”  Before Melody could answer her she continued, “This house is huge and the garden where the wedding will be is beyond description!”

       Melody stepped out and asked, “What do you think?”  Her dress was completed with the headdress.

       “Melody . . . you are beyond description!”  Her mother was stunned, “That's the most beautiful wedding ensemble I've ever seen!  And you make it even lovelier.  I thought it was a dressing gown, but now . . . it's fabulous!”

       Melody had added the super sheer iridescent cape-train and the head piece.

       “You look like an Egyptian Queen!”  The dress was ankle length in front and about two feet longer in back, the material was a pleated clingy type of white iridescence that molded against her figure perfectly.  There were real pearl buttons at her neck and they continued down the entire length of the dress front.  The one piece white silk slip fit straight across her breasts and remained snug to the hemline. 

       There were no undergarments provided except for a tiny white garter belt that held up the sheer iridescent stockings.  Raising her hem she showed her mother the diamonds on the white silk heels of her shoes and on the toes. 

       Over the dress was an almost transparent floor length wrap that turned into a train as it billowed out in back, when she walked.  It flowed to the end of the dress.  The front and hem borders were woven in heavy silver and gold thread with thinner threads running throughout the width to the hem. 

       The dress had long, clingy, tight sleeves made from the same material as the cape, they came to a point at the tops of her hands.  At the peak on each hand were pearls. 

       Her head dress was a small half-inch band of silver, which she had placed straight down on her head and rested it on her forehead.  Her face was framed with silver and gold strands that hung down from the headband on both sides of her face, with tiny sparkling stones at the end of each.  The top of her hair was pulled back and covered with a see through cloth that spread out and covered her long hair completely, giving the appearance of her having diamonds glittering throughout her hair. 

       “It's time Melody,” Aunt Cassandra said as she knocked on the door.

       “Mother you go out and get seated first, then I'll wait a minute and follow after.”

       Her mother hugged and kissed her with tears in her eyes.  With her lips quivering she walked out of the room.

        In less than a minute Mark's voice called to her at the door, “Melody, I'm to take you to Jonathan . . . .”   He waited a short while then asked, “Are you all right?”

       Opening the door she replied, “I'm ready, but Mark, you may have to hold me up.  I can't quit shaking.”  Then she stepped out.

       Mark was knocked off his feet.  She was the most beautiful female he had ever, I mean ever seen.  Seeing his dumb struck look she feared she had put the clothes together wrongly. 

       “Did I dress okay?”  She waited, then, “Mark?  Am I all right?”

       Finally putting his tongue back in his mouth he stammered, “You're the most perfect woman I've ever met.”

       Her smile melted his heart and he added, “Ole Jon better make this the Bond of the next three centuries or I'm sunk.”  Then with a very serious face he asked, “Are you
sure
it's Jonathan you want?”