Seal of the King (43 page)

“David, is everything
okay? You drove up so slowly.”

“
Everything’s fine, Dad. Aurora’s asleep, so I was trying not to wake her. Can you get the doors for me please, while I carry her inside?”

"Sure thing
." Gabe said as he headed up to the front door of the house.

"You be quiet now, Rusty
." David said as he scratched the dog behind the ears.

David went around to the passenger door
, and opened it slowly, unbuckled Aurora, and then taking her right arm, and putting it around his neck he rolled her out into his arms. She instinctively nuzzled her head into the crook of his neck but remained asleep. David carried her up to the house, and carefully maneuvered his way back to the bedroom where he gently laid her down, and pulled a blanket up over her. He would try to slip her boots off when he came to bed, but for now she was still fast asleep.

He walked back outside with his dad to shut the car door.
"That's one tired little lady."

“She sure is
, and I’m exhausted too. Where’s everyone else?”

“They all went to bed a little while ago. I was waiting up to hear from you
.”

“Sorry I didn’t call earlier. I didn’t think of it until Aurora had fallen asleep
, and I was trying not to wake her.”

“That’s
alright. I didn’t start worrying yet. You’re a grown man, and have certainly shown you can take care of yourself. Did you two have a good time today?”

“Oh yeah. I’m really proud of Aurora too. It was a lot for her to take in
, and she handled it all so well.”

Gabe mused, “There is no doubt she’s a special girl. I’m so happy for you, son.”

“Thanks Dad.” David said, “So how’s Mom holding up?”

Gabe gave a little laugh “Your mom is tough as nails. She was tired at the end of the day
, but if you didn’t know her as well as I do, you’d never have guessed all that she’s been through.”

“I’m so glad.
As much as I want Aurora and me to have time alone, I think moving to the cabin will give you and mom time to catch up too.”

“Don’t worry, Son. Your mom
and I love each other very much, and we’re going to be fine.”

“You don’t think I’m being selfish planning this wedd
ing so soon do you?”

“
Definitely not. A wedding is a joyous event, and after all we’ve been through, it is a terrific way to focus on something good.”

“You did always teach me to plan for the future
, but live in the moment.”

“And I thought you didn’t listen to me.” Gabe said with a chuckle “I suppose we should get to bed. Tomorrow will be a busy day.”

David gave his father a hug and squeezed him tightly “Thanks Dad, for everything. I missed you terribly all those years. Thanks for coming home. I had a small taste of what you must have gone through. I can only imagine how hard it was to hold on.”

“I wouldn’t have made it without you. Your faithfulness coming to see me all the time gave me the strength I needed. I
am so proud of the man you’ve become.” Gabe said, “Now If we stay up too late your mom will have our heads.”

They headed towards the bedrooms. “I hope she isn’t stressed over things.”

“Not at all. She and Molly are enjoying themselves, and I’m just doing what they tell me.”

“That’s
terrific. Goodnight Dad, I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Goodnight Son. Sleep well.”

“You too, Dad.”

David quietly pushed open the door to the bedroom to find Aurora sleeping exactly as he had left her. After a quick trip to the bathroom, he gently slipped her boots off
and fixed the cover, then he carefully laid down next to her. He closed his eyes, and lay there, listening to her soft rhythmic breathing, and before he knew it he was asleep too.

***

David found himself standing in an office. It was large with a glass wall that looked out over a city he didn’t recognize. The décor was dark and cold, and he didn’t like being there. Something was wrong, and his mind was racing trying to figure out what his options were when trouble started. He knew trouble was coming, he just wasn’t sure how and when yet. He walked over to the desk where a man sat with his back to him. He was staring out the glass, apparently completely unconcerned by David’s entrance.

As David drew nearer, it felt as if alarm bells were going off inside every inch of him. He stopped a few feet back from the desk. Without turning the man spoke. “It is so nice to see you again.”

Then he slowly turned around in his chair, his hands steepled in front of him, his elbows resting on the arms of the chair, he was calm and relaxed. David’s eyes went wide when he saw his face. It was Him, the Dark One.

Seeing David’s look of surprise,
He let out a horrible cackling laugh. David woke a little panicked, and sat up looking around. The room was bathed in sunlight. Morning had come.

“I’m sorry
, did I startle you?”

David turned to see
Aurora next to him then laid back down. She laid down too putting her arm around him, and said, “I was thinking about getting up, but didn’t want to wake you.” She was smiling.

"No, you didn't wake me,"
He said kindly “I had a strange dream that’s all. How are you? Did you sleep ok?” David asked, not wanting to put a damper on the day by telling her about the dream.

“Really! Was I in your dream?” Aurora asked with a coy smile “You were in mine.”

“What were we doing?”

"Hmm, I'll show you,"
she said as she leaned in, and gave him a soft sensuous kiss. Then with a little smirk she added, “I guess I better get out of bed. We can’t miss our own wedding.” She gently stroked the side of his face, leaving him breathless, and hopped out of bed.

He watched her walk to the bathroom, turn
, and give him a shy little grin as she stepped out of view. She had completely pushed the dream from his thoughts, so he got up, and went to the kitchen. Everyone else was already up and finished with breakfast. He was greeted by all their smiling faces, and his mother rushed over giving him a big hug.

“Good morning dear. Come
, and have some breakfast. Your father said you two had a good day yesterday. We want to hear all about it.”

“Good morning, Mom. Hi Aunt Molly, Michael, Dad
; how are all of you?” David asked as he took a seat at the table.

“Good
. And where is your lovely bride?” Aunt Molly asked.

"Good morning everyone,"
Aurora said as she appeared in the doorway. She immediately went over to Ruth and hugged her. “I can’t tell you how much it means that you gave David your mother’s ring for me.”

Ruth, a little surprised at first squeezed Aurora tightly, “I couldn’t be happier for you both
, and after all we’ve been through, I’m proud to have you as part of our family.”

David looked at the two of them
and felt a rush of emotion. He felt very fortunate. All too often mothers and daughter-in-law don’t get along so well, and it’s a constant source of tension.

“Thank God we dodged that bullet
.” Gabe said, half whispering to David. “Your grandmother never liked me.”

“Gabe, you stop
that!” Ruth demanded as she and Aurora let go of each other. “She liked you just fine except for that one thing you did.”

“Dad, what did you do?” David asked as Aurora sat down next to him
.

“Your father was a bit of a jokester when he was younger.”

“You see, your mom wanted to make me dinner, and she was going to roast a chicken. She told me she was very worried about overcooking it, so….“

“W
hat did you do Dad?”

“I pretended to go to the car for some things
, and sneaked around to the kitchen, and….”

“He took the bird out of the oven before it even got warm
, and put a live chicken in there.” Ruth said.

“Unfortunately your grandmother decided to go check on it for your mom. You can imagine her surprise when she opened the door
and a very unhappy chicken came out squawking at her.” Gabe said, trying not to laugh.

Everyone else started laughing
, and Ruth said, “Mom wasn’t too pleased, and we heard her screaming in the other room.”

“It took us 30 minutes to catch the darn thing
, and it made a huge mess in the kitchen.” Gabe said laughing now too.

“And you still married him Mom?” David asked through a laugh
.

“I have to admit I thought it was funny too. Then after we finally caught the chicken, he looked my mother in the eye, pretending he was innocent
, and said ‘I guess she didn’t overcook it.’ I thought your grandmother was going to hit him with a frying pan.” Ruth said.

“With that thick skull of his, it probably wouldn’t
have hurt him” Aunt Molly said.

Aurora laughing turned to David
and said, “you better not get any ideas.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Michael declared “A wise man.”

“So tell us about your day yesterday. Bob Johnson called over here all in a twitter. He’s coming to the wedding
, by the way.” Gabe said.

“O
h that’s good. I hope you don’t mind that I invited him. He was so excited to hear the two of you were home, and I didn’t want to take the time to tell him the story. I’m not sure exactly what I would’ve told him.”

“Tell us what the two of you did to him. He was downright giddy.” Gabe said
.

“Aurora tried out every bow
he had, and I encouraged her to show off a little. She hit a bull’s-eye every time.”

“Wow!
You did?” Gabe asked.

“It wasn’t that hard” Aurora said, “The targets weren’t moving or anything.”

“Bob was so excited watching her shoot, he gave her a bow as a wedding present.”

“
I don’t think Bob has even given as much as a pack of waterproof matches away before. You must have really impressed him.”

“You’ve never seen anything like it. She barely has to look at the target
, and off the arrow flies… bull’s-eye. Bob was practically jumping up and down.”

“That’s all very interesting boys
, but tell us dear, did you find a dress?” Aunt Molly asked.

“Oh
, yes! It’s the most beautiful gown I’ve ever seen.” Aurora said, her eyes a little misty just thinking about it.

“You didn’t see her in it did you, David?” Ruth asked
.

“No, Mom. I got fitted for a tux while she picked it out.”

“It’s nice to know one of my boys listens to me.”

“I listen sometimes. I just have a different idea about things than you do Ruthie.” Gabe said mischievously.

Ruth gave him an exasperated look, and then said, “After breakfast let’s take a look at it. I can’t wait to see it. Now what else did you do?”

“
David took me to the mission. Then lunch on top of this frightfully tall building.”

“What mission?” Michael asked
.

“
Safe Haven, they feed poor people and provide shelter for women and children. Didn’t David tell any of you about it?” Aurora said giving David a quizzical look.

David looking a little embarrassed
said, “no I haven’t.”

“I’ve heard of it. They do
remarkable work there. The young woman, Rebecca, who runs it is well regarded.” Michael said.

“
That’s right. Without her, there wouldn’t be a mission.” David said.

“What is it son? What aren’t you telling us?” Gabe asked knowingly.

David sat looking at his coffee cup, and Aurora put a hand on his arm beaming at him with pride, and said, “David is the one who helped start it and provides money for it, but he doesn’t want anyone to know. But you shouldn’t keep something like that from your parents.”

“I wasn’t keeping it from them I just… “ David said weakly.

“Son, we’re very proud of you. Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with us.” Gabe said.

“He’s always been generous.” Aunt Molly said
.

“Full of surprises too. You are wise beyond your years, David.” Michael said, “Matthew 6: Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues
, and in the streets that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

Ruth noticing David’s embarrassment at all the attention jumped in to change the subject. “So tell us, what else did you two do?”