Okay guys this is it. The final chapter of The Dreamer Awakens. Its been a long time coming. Thanks to all of you who never gave up on my story. I know at times it seemed as if it would never be completed, or as if I abandoned it, but I made a promise at the beginning of this story. And now I can finally keep that promise. I wanted this chapter done a lot sooner, but I received some shocking news that threw my life for a loop. I'm pregnant again. This wasn't planned and I kind of lost my focus. But now I'm back and I can view my daughter as a blessing. So now I can FINALLY…FINALLY say "THIS FIC IS DONE"
After explaining to the Evans' about why Tess and Max hid their marriage, life fell into a nice boring routine. Diane insisted that Tess and Max renew their vows…in a church…in front of family and friends. They were more than agreeable.
Max wanted to proclaim to the world once and for all that Tess was his queen, the keeper of his heart. Tess for her part only wanted to be bonded once again to her love…her soul…her king. Planning a wedding was right up Isabelle's alley. If everyone thought she was bad at Christmas , she proved that she could be down right ruthless at weddings.
With there combined powers, no expense was spared. The church was decorated with blood-red and snow-white orchids. Every pew was draped in flowers and silk ribbons. An arched trellis stood at the front of the church awaiting a bride and groom. From the ceiling hung snow-white silk panels that sparkled with hundreds of diamonds.
Guests began to arrive, many exclaiming over the lavish decorations and the string orchestra in the balcony. Tess sat in the bridal suite at the back of the church, watching with amusement as Maria and Isabelle rushed around.
"TESS…HOW CAN YOU JUST SIT THERE?" cried Isabelle. Tess gave a serene smile. "Why should I be nervous? My first wedding was held in front of a million people. The crowned heads of a dozen worlds witnessed me pledging my life to your brother…the King of an entire Federation of planets. This wedding, while special is just a dress rehearsal for the ceremony that will take place on Antar when we return" she said.
At Tess' words, Isabelle's mind flashed to her brother's wedding day.
FLASHBACK
Ambassadors and other royals had been arriving at the palace for weeks. As Avaria's Prime Handmaiden it was Vilandra's job to help the future queen to dress. The gown that Avaria was to wear was a work of art. It was sheer silver and appeared to be made of liquid moonlight. It floated with every step she took. Avaria's hair was left loose to fall about her hips. It was symbol of her purity. Vilandra pulled a brush through Avaria's long silvery tresses, all the while keeping up a running monologue to keep Ava's mind off of the upcoming spectacle that was her wedding.
"…and the Dhamine of Tartus got so drunk that he threw up all over Kyren Ty Leer' said
Vilandra. Avaria let out a peal of laughter, picturing the bloated face of Kyren distorted with horror. " Oh Lonnie you are so wicked!" she giggled. Vilandra smiled, glad that Ava was distracted.
Casually she placed a plain wooden box on Ava's lap. Eyes wide Avaria asked " What is this?" "Just open it, it is a gift for my new sister" said Vilandra. Avaria drew back the lid. Inside, nestled in a bed of velvet was a matching set of Davarian light stones. Tears flooded Avaria's eyes, making them shine like liquid sky.
"Oh Lonnie…" said Avaria. "Don't say another word. They belonged to my grandmother, now I'm giving them to you' said Vilandra. Carefully she helped Ava don the bracelet, earrings, and necklace. Avaria turned and embraced her future sister. " This is one of the happiest days of my life…thank you my sister" In tears, Vilandra replied "You are welcome… my sister"
END FLASHBACK
"Okay…so you've been there done that, but this is new for me" cried Maria. "Calm down Maria…you look great, everything will be fine" assured Tess. Indeed Isabelle and Tess did look beautiful in form fitting blood-red silk gowns. Their hair was upswept and adorned with the same orchids that decorated the church.
Just the Diane entered the room. "Oh my…you all look so beautiful. I can't believe my baby is getting married…I feel so old" she gushed. "Oh mom, don't look at it like you losing a son, you're gaining another daughter" said Isabelle. Diane came and embraced Tess. "I know that. Welcome to the family dear" whispered Diane.
Tess who up until that point was unemotional, began to tear up. "HEY…none of that I spent an hour on her make-up!" cried Maria. All three women shar
ed a laugh. " Are Jim and Kyle here?" asked Tess. "Yes, Jim's waiting in the hall" answered Diane. Tess' heart swelled. Her mind went back to a night two weeks ago…
FLASHBACK
"Are you sure you want to do this?" asked Max. He, Andre, and Tess were standing on the Valenti porch. "Yes, I owe it to them. I forgave you all so quickly…but Jim and Kyle…I haven't even spoken to them. Jim has never held Andre. I've been so wrapped up in the drama that was the Tess, Max, Liz love triangle that I forgot about the other important people in my life" she said. Guilt cut through Max. Wordlessly he knocked on the door.
Inside they heard Kyle call out "Dad, the pizza is here." The door opened to reveal a shocked Jim Valenti. They all just stared at one another. "Can I come in Jim?" asked Tess breaking the awkward silence. Hurriedly Jim stepped back from the door. As they came in, they saw Kyle sprawled out on the couch.
However when he saw them, he sprang to his feet. "So…what brings you by? Is everything okay?" asked Jim. Tess saw that while his words were directed to her, his eyes were on Andre. "Yeah, everything's fine. I just…can we talk?" asked Tess. "They all settled in the living room.
"I just …I just came by to see how you two are getting along?" said Tess. Kyle's eyes narrowed. "So now you care?" he said. Tess lowered her head. "Look, I know that when I first came back, I was a grade A bitch. But, I'd just spent the last few months being tortured and beaten. I felt betrayed by my family. I'm sorry if I hurt you when I threw you across the room" said Tess.
"It's alright. No harm done" said Jim, who was still staring at Andre. Tess saw the longing in his eyes. Wordlessly she placed her son in his arms. Jim's expression melted like butter. "His name is Andreas" said Tess. Kyle just stared at them. "Look…Kyle, Jim I'm so sorry about how things were when I returned. I was angry and hurt. You guys were my family…I thought that if no one else would believe me, you would. I just came to say that I'm sorry, and I want you two to be a part of our lives" pled Tess.
"Tess…you are a part of this family. We can get past anything. I'm sorry that we didn't believe you. I'm sorry you had to give birth to Andre alone. I just want you to know that you can always come back home" said Jim. Tess smiled brightly at him, and turned to look at Kyle to see if he felt the same.
"You know you're my favorite Martian" he said pulling her into a tight hug. Tess laughed through the tears that sprang to her eyes. "HOLY COW! WHAT IS THAT?" Kyle said, pulling Tess' left hand up for a closer inspection. Tess looked down at the five carat oval cut diamond that adorned her hand. "That dear brother is an engagement ring" she smirked.
" So you finally realized you love her, hey Evans?" said Kyle. Max blushed and smiled. "Congratulations" said Jim. "There was another reason I came by" said Tess. "I wanted You and Kyle to be in the wedding. Kyle I would really love it if you would be one of Max's groomsmen, and Jim I would be honored if you would give me away" she said. They both agreed.
END FLASHBACK
After some last minuet fussing from Isabelle and Maria, Tess joined Jim at the back of the church. Despite her earlier words, Tess clutched at Jim's arm when she heard the first strains of the wedding march. "Don't worry Tess. Just think, when this is all over you and Max will never be apart again" Jim whispered to her. Tess let his words calm her. She watched Isabelle and Maria walk serenely down the aisle. Tess' eyes found her son who was sitting in his grandmother's lap. The mini tuxedo was absolutely adorable.
"You ready sweetheart" asked Jim. Tess turned her blue eyes to the man she aw as a father. "Yes dad, I'm ready" she whispered. Jim gave her a misty smile, and escorted her down the aisle. Tess had eyes only for Max. He looked so handsome standing straight and tall awaiting her at the end of the aisle. The black of his tuxedo made the gold of his eyes shine that much more brighter.
When their eyes met, the world fell away. They were both hardly aware of what was happening around them. When Jim placed her hand in Max's, he pulled her close and whispered his love to her. The ceremony passed by in a blur of exchanged vows and rings.
It was only when they shared their first kiss as husband and wife, that it all became real to Tess. Max stared into her eyes and whispered "This is it. You and I will never be parted again." The tears that Tess had been holding back spilled over. Their guest cheered when Max picked her up and spun her around . Joyful laughter spilled from them both.
After a myriad of pictures, a white limo carried the newlyweds to the reception. They greeted their guest, and in return they where showered with smiles and well wishes. Tess had never felt more happy or content. She and her king were finally joined, bound to each other the way it was meant to be.
As they shared their first dance as husband and wife, they exchanged whispered promises and words of love. "Are you happy baby?" he asked her. "More than I ever thought possible" she replied. "This is only the beginning my love. I'm going to show you how much I love you every day of our lives" he whispered softly in her ear. This earned him a brilliant smile.
"I'm going to hold you to that" she said. They were then pulled apart as Max had to dance with his mother and Tess had to dance with Jim. The reception was in full swing. After the cutting of the cake, it was time for Tess to throw her bouquet. All of the single women lined up eagerly. Tess laughed at all of the playful shoving going on among the women.
Isabelle and Maria joined the mob. Tess eyed her two closest friends, and wished them all of the happiness that she was feeling. A wicked idea began bubbling in her head. Tess turned her back to the women and tossed the bouquet in the air.
Using her power she made the beautiful bunch of flowers divide into two, each mini bouquet landing in their intended persons arms. Isabelle and Maria were stunned. Tess merely gave them a small smile. Isabelle then glanced shyly at Michael, who gave her a look that promised many things. Maria twirled hers in triumph. She didn't have a boyfriend, but seeing the love her two best friends had gave her hope.
It was almost time for Max and Tess to leave. Tess asked Maria and Isabelle to join her in the bridal suite to help her change into her traveling clothes. That was nearly forty minuets ago. Max had already changed and was holding Andre while talking with his parents and Michael. "I wonder what's holding them up?" asked Diane. "I bet Isabelle wants Tess to look absolutely perfect" said Michael, knowing his former wife's obsession with perfection.
"I'll go get them" said Max as he handed Andre to his mother. "I'll come to, in case Isabelle tries to give you a hard time" said Michael. They made their way to the lavish bridal suite. When Max touched the door knob, he got an uneasy feeling. Michael also tensed.
They exchanged uneasy glances, and both readied their power. What met their eyes when they opened the door was total destruction. The room looked like a war zone. Everything was overturned and ripped. A mirror was shattered, glass was everywhere. Max and Michael were nearly frozen in shock.
The need to find their wives overrode any fear. They rushed into the suite, searching for any sign of them. What they found chilled each to the bone. Tess' beautiful white wedding dress lay in a heap by the window. Max picked it up and all color left his face when he saw that it was covered in blood.
There was no sign of Isabelle or Maria. It was apparent however that a battle did take place. Marks from Isabelle and Tess' power littered the wall. "What the hell happened?!" yelled Michael. "I don't know…"said Max. A small silver box caught his eye. It looked like the projector that Larek showed them.
When he picked it up, it began to project an image on the far wall. Tess, Isabelle, and Maria were shown bound and gagged. Bloody, but alive. A shadow fell over them. "Ah…Your Majesty…Let me get right to the point. If you and your General ever want to see your wives and their Handmaiden again, you will come to Antar and renounce your throne." hissed a malevolent voice.
Max gazed at the women, each wore a look of defiance, anger, and a touch of fear. The screen went blank. Michael gave a roar of rage. "What are we going to do?" he growled. Max gave him a look that would have chilled his enemies to their souls had they been present. " We are going to rescue them, and destroy our enemies once and for all" he said, his voice ringing with the power and authority of the King of the Antarian Federation of planets.
THE END
And that's a rap. I know I'm evil. Well it took a while to get here, but "The Dreamer Awakens" is finally complete. Look out for the sequel. I don't know when it will be posted, but hopefully it will be soon. THANK YOU !!!!!!! to all who reviewed, you were my inspiration, and my reason to keep writing.