Page 112 of How To Take Down A Cult At The End Of The World
“Thank you.” I burst into tears again. I’m ugly crying, I know I am. There’s nothing I can do to repay Mort, not ever for what he’s done for me. “Thank you, whatever you need, whenever you need I’ll be there. I swear it, Mort.”
Mort gives me a slight bow. “A most gracious offer from a friend that I accept.”
“We’re the best of friends. Not just friends,” I tell Mort.
I look back at Jaak and shake my head. “I feel like I’m dreaming. Please don’t tell me I’m dreaming or if I am, don’t wake me up. Leave me here in my delusion. I’m right where I want to be.”
Jaak gives me an affectionate squeeze. “You are not dreaming, but if you were I would wake you. I would want you to live a long and beautiful life. That is how I would go on, Meadow.” The sincerity in Jaak’s voice makes me want to cry. I’m not bringing up the fact that I was ready to bring down the Chamber of Commerce on myself to avenge him. We’ll save that for another day, another day a very, very long time from now.
“No more talking as if you aren’t here. You are, and you’re never leaving me. We’re going at the same time and that’s final.”
Jaak chuckles and dips his head in acquiesce. “As you wish, my heart.” When he says that I burst into tears again. I can’t help it. Everything feels like a dream but for once it’s not a nightmare, it’s a dream come true.
I give Jaak one last kiss before he puts me down. I grab his hand and start to drag him towards Buffy. “Come on, there’s someone I want you to meet.”
Buffy is smiling ear-to-ear when she sees us and she’s not alone. Sunday has driven a car right through town, probably the only car that’s ever been on these streets, and parked it in the town square right beside Buffy. She’s outside and looking around like she doesn’t approve of the town or people here. I bet no one even says a word to her about the car. Elijah, Nina, and Wrath get out of the car, Wrath a little slower and with Elijah’s help.
Buffy goes to him and helps him walk over to us. The second Wrath comes to a stop in front of us, his face goes funny. Maybe he’s in pain? I hope not.
“Everyone, I’d like you to meet my husband, Jaak.”
Sunday looks Jaak up and down and lets out a low whistle. “Powerandan older man, Meadow? Nicely done.”
I roll my eyes at her. “That’s Sunday, she’s just like that,” I tell Jaak before I grab Buffy’s hand and introduce her to Jaak.
“This is Buffy, my best friend, and her husband Wrath.”
Jaak steps forward to take Buffy’s hand with a bow when she offers it. “ An honor to meet someone so dear to Meadow. Thank you for coming today.”
She shakes his hand and drops into an awkward curtsy to his bow. “It’s an honor to meet my bestie’s husband. I’m glad you’re, you know, not dead. We tried to come sooner. I thought I was going to help with the fight but Meadow had it all handled.”
Jaak smiles affectionately at me. “My wife is fierce. There was no other outcome but victory today.”
“Why are you curtseying?” Nina asks. “He’s not the Queen, Buffy.”
“I don’t know! He’s bowing, it just seemed right,” Buffy tosses back to Nina. “That’s Nina, she’s dead.”
“And proud of it,” Nina replies. “Nice to meet you, Jaak! That’s Elijah.” She points to Elijah who waves enthusiastically at Jaak.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. I hope you’ll join us for dinner tonight.”
Jaak nods at everyone, greeting them warmly with smiles and assurances to Elijah that he will make himself available to judge cinnamon rolls in the future. Charlie and the others have joined us by now and my heart feels full seeing everyone together. This is how it should be. This feels right.
Nina tilts her head to the side and looks us up and down like she’s just realized what we’re wearing before she points at Charlie. “Why are you all dressed like Robin Hood?”
Charlie throws his cape out with a flourish and encourages Dina and Mort to do the same. “It’s calledfashion, honey. Look it up.”
I giggle. “It’s a long story, but we can talk about it over dinner.”
“Dinner is perfect. Dinner is great. I love that. What do you think, Wrath?” Buffy asks. It’s then that I realize the only person that hasn’t said anything is Wrath. He still has a weird look on his face, but I don’t think it’s from pain. Not with the way he’s looking at Jaak.
Buffy looks between Wrath and Jaak. She’s just noticed what I have too. “Wrath?” Buffy pokes him in the side. “Is something wrong?”
The poke snaps Wrath out of it and he nods at her. “Yes, everything is perfectly fine, my treasure.”
“Then what’s with the awkward staring. You haven't even said hello yet.”
Wrath looks uncomfortable. He blushes when he looks at Jaak again. Holy hells, why is he blushing? I look at Jaak to see if I can read his face but there’s nothing there. He’s looking at Wrath with curiosity too. He doesn’t know what’s going on either.
