Page 8 of Freedom Fighters
“I know a few Vistarians like that,” Calli murmured.
“I want Vistaria to be run by people like that,” Olivia said. “I want Serrano thrown in a jail cell forwar crimes. I will do whatever I can to make that happen.”
Minnie and Calli looked at her steadily. Then Calli stirred. “All right, then.” She pulled a cellphone out of her back jeans pocket. “I’ll see what I can do.”
Minnie held out a garment toward Olivia as Calli left the room. “She’s good at getting things done. Now, let’s get you ready.”
Less than an hour later, Minnie stood back and studiedOlivia from head to foot. Calli came into the bedroom carrying a beautiful bouquet of cascading blue flowers, which she held out to Olivia.
Olivia took them. “They’re beautiful. Are they…wisteria?”
“Vistaria,” Calli told her. “The national flower of Vistaria. I have no idea where Daniel found them, but there you go. Now you’re a proper bride. You even have a veil. Do you want anyone to walkyou down the aisle, even symbolically?”
Olivia shook her head. “No one. No men. Although it would please me if you both came with me. Not behind me. With me. I have a feeling we will be working together a lot from now on. It feels right that if anyone walks me down the aisle, it be you two.”
Calli grinned.
“I like her,” Minnie declared. “Let’s get her married before I steal the delicious Danielfor myself.”
Calli rolled her eyes and stepped over to the bedroom door. “She’s only got the sexiest full-blooded Vistarian I’ve ever met as a husband. Ignore her. Minnie keeps forgetting she’s a wife and a mother-to-be and reverting to her old ways.”
“I’m happy,” Minnie protested and waved Olivia toward the door. “So let me be happy.”
Me, too, Olivia thought, as she stepped out of the bedroomand walked down a flight of old stairs. She was wearing a floor length skirt in a cream color and a silk top that floated around her waist. If she lifted her arms up, her flesh was revealed. The veil was a small thing, clipped to her hair, which was trailing loose around her shoulders and brushing her waist. She had refused to let Minnie pin it up. It seemed even more appropriate to her that shewas barefoot, for no shoes in her size were to be found.
Calli opened a set of glass doors and both women, as requested, stepped up alongside her. Beyond the door was a room that was much newer than the rest of the house. It smelled faintly of fresh paint. There was no furniture in the room. Four people stood waiting, all of them men.
The priest was in the middle of the floor, watching her approach.Off to one side stood two men. One was tall, a typical Vistarian in coloring and good looks, wearing a dark green uniform with four stripes on the sleeve. That would be Duardo. Next to him was an equally tall man with red hair. Olivia recognized him from TV clips and news items. Nick Escobedo, the heir presumptive to the country…if the Loyalists won.
The last man was Daniel. He wore a militaryuniform, too. It didn’t fit properly, although it looked good on him. He came forward and picked up her hand and smiled. “I hope you don’t mind, but it’s just family.”
Family. That was something neither of them had cared to lay claim to a few days ago. Olivia looked up at him. “Just family is perfect.”
Daniel turned her toward the priest.
* * * * *
After they were married and the priest congratulatedDaniel and hurried away, Nick stepped in front of them. “As Presidentpro tempore, I am honored to welcome you upon Vistarian soil.”
Calli handed him a small card and smiled at Olivia, as Daniel took her bouquet from her and held out a bible.
“Put your left hand on the bible, please,” Nick said, “and raise your right hand.”
Olivia’s heart gave a little skip and she followed the instructions.
“Please repeat after me,” Nick said and looked down at the card. “I solemnly swear…”
The simple oath that Nick led her through moved her and brought tears to her eyes. Daniel had arranged this…and Calli. They had honored her wishes. Truly, she was blessed.
Nick dropped the card to his side. “Congratulations, you are now a Vistarian and one of the family.”
This time, Daniel’s kiss was thorough.“I love you,” he whispered in her ear, before turning back to face Nick.
Duardo stepped up beside him and Minnie and Calli joined the circle. Nick looked around the small group. “Daniel and Olivia, I’m sorry to cut the festivities short. We planned to take you to one of the best restaurants in Acapulco, although even that plan has been abandoned, because Duardo needs to report back to GeneralFlores and Calli is still talking to every general and executive in the Situation Room at the White House.”
Duardo nodded. “I could only arrange a four-hour leave and I’m nearly at the end of that. I have orders to distribute before I go…but first, Nick?”
Calli’s cellphone beeped. She grimaced. “Sorry, everyone. Minnie, take notes and report back, please.” She walked away, bringing the cellphoneto her ear.
