The Seeker: Dreamer Part 18

"Grams, Mom, you've met Remy before. I told you he's an exchange student this semester from France. At least, that's what he's pretending to be. In reality, he's twenty-two years old and is a Seer. His grandmother is the Oracle." I decided it was better to drop the whole bomb at once.

"Well," said my mom as she sank onto the couch next to me. "Jack said earlier he was a Seer, which both Brian and Mat heard, by the way. But the Oracle..."

"My goodness," said Grams.

"Bonsoir, mesdames," Remy said quietly. "I apologize for keeping so much from you. I can only say I felt it was necessary."

"Remy," I held my hand out to him, motioning for him to sit by me. "I felt you, in my mind. Thank you."

He smiled tightly. "Of course. I'm glad Jack thought to call me."

"All right, sweetheart. You've gathered us all here. Now, what is it you needed to tell us? Perhaps you should start with the blue light?" Grams asked.

I shook my head. "I have no idea what that was. I saw the gun pointing toward Jack and I don't know. I-I couldn't let Jack get shot. I don't know what happened." They were all staring at me. I shifted uncomfortably. "What?"

Jack knelt in front of me and took my hands in his. "Sweetheart, that blue pulse...exploded from you. It knocked Moore and me down. I've never seen anything like it. It came from you, Ally."

"I didn't want him to shoot you, Jack," I whispered.

"Well, it seems you've developed yet another power," observed Grams. "We'll need to tell Ca.s.sie about this."

"There's more," I said. "I saw Ashley tonight. I actually spoke with her." At all the shocked looks, I continued. "After Moore knocked me out, I 'woke up' sort of," I used my fingers to make air quotations, "in a big white room with Ashley walking toward me. She told me what happened to her all those years ago."

"Ally, you don't need to tell us. Let me." Remy held his hand out towards me. Jack stood to allow Remy to take his place next to me.

I looked up to see Jack narrow his eyes at the sight of him holding my hand. I smiled and winked at Jack as I placed my other hand on top of Remy's. "That would be great, actually. Thanks." I closed my eyes and let him read my memories. I felt him probe into my mind as I went back over the entire episode with Ashley. When we were finished, he sighed, put my hand back in my lap, and patted it as he stood up, gesturing for Jack to take his place. I laid my head down in Jack's lap and he pulled the blanket up around my shoulders, brushing my hair back, as Remy began to tell my story. I tried to listen, but couldn't keep my eyes open.

I woke as Jack was gently placing me in my bed. "This is getting to be a habit," I murmured. He smiled and tucked the covers up around me.

"I'll come over tomorrow after work, okay?" I nodded sleepily. "I love you, Ally." He kissed me.

"I know," I mumbled. I was asleep again approximately thirty seconds later.

Brian showed up bright and early Sat.u.r.day morning to finish questioning me. Although Grams, Mom, and I would have preferred to wait to tell him about our psychic abilities until after this investigation was over so as to keep it from muddying any of his opinions, I was expecting him to ask about the pulse. There was absolutely no way he would let that go. It wasn't, however, terribly germane to the basic facts of what had happened: I received a call from Mark Graves and decided to meet Brian at the Graves' home. I walked over from school, but felt too weak from my recent food poisoning to continue. I stopped at David Moore's house because he was on the front porch and I asked him if I could have a gla.s.s of water and sit for a few minutes. I went to the bathroom and opened the wrong door. I saw the box on the floor of the guest bedroom and looked inside to find Ashley's backpack, her purse, and several pairs of her underwear. Moore found me spying and coshed me on the head with a lamp. When I woke up, my hands and mouth were duct taped, but I was able to stand up, grab the lamp, and sneak into the kitchen. I managed to hit him on the head, and although it didn't knock him out, it did give me time to escape. I ran out the front door and collapsed on the walkway right as he shot at me.

He nodded and finished writing in his notebook. Then, as expected, he looked up and said, "Okay. Now who is going to tell me what the h.e.l.l that blue pulse-thing was? And what on earth was Jack talking about when he said Remy is a Seer?" He looked at the three of us, who were looking at each other, not wanting to be the one to tell him.

Finally, Mom sighed and said, "Brian, honey, there's something I need to tell you." She took his hand in hers and proceeded to tell him about our family's little gift that keeps on giving. As he listened, the expression on his face went from incredulous to a kind of horrified acceptance as Mom detailed our powers. I jumped in and told him about the nightmares connected to Ashley's book and how she appeared to me when I was unconscious in David Moore's living room.

"So, you're telling me you are all psychic, right? I am supposed to believe my fiancee, her mother, and her daughter are like, mind readers or something?" he said.

"No, Brian. Grams and Mom can't read minds," I clarified.

"But you can?"

In response, I reached over and placed my hand on his arm and closed my eyes. I concentrated hard; it was crucial I clearly read his thoughts in order to convince him. "You're thinking about how we are probably all crazy, but you're also thinking it explains a lot about what happened, especially how I knew it wasn't Scott who murdered Ashley. You're also hoping the baby won't be like us. Finally, you're still wondering what the h.e.l.l the blue pulse was about. Well, I'm wondering the same thing, Brian."

"You don't know what it was? How is that possible? It came from you, Ally! I could swear it came from inside you!" he was almost yelling.

"Brian, sweetheart, calm down, please," Mom pleaded.

"She knocked two grown men flat on their a.s.ses! That doesn't happen every day, Jennifer!" He stood, running his hand through his hair. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't yell at any of you. I don't understand what's happening here." He pulled my mom into his arms. "I'm sorry, Jen."

Grams and I took the opportunity to escape and let Mom finish talking to Brian, hopefully a.s.suring him his child would not be a complete freak.

They finally called us back into the living room and Brian asked a few more questions before telling me to get some rest. "I don't know what to think about all this, but I know what I saw in front of Moore's house. I can't explain it and I will certainly not be including it in my report." We all laughed quietly. "I do know I am marrying your mother and you will be part of my family, Ally. You, too, Adele. And I will protect my family. I won't tell anyone about this, I swear."

"I've said it before, but you're a good guy, Brian Keller," I said as I hugged him. "Thanks. And don't worry: your kid won't be a freak."

Grams brought me lunch on a tray and otherwise fussed over me for the rest of the day, which was comforting.

Jack came by after work around six o'clock. As I hugged him, breathing in his freshly showered scent, running my fingers through his still-damp hair, I felt a strange lump in his shirt. I backed away, reaching up to feel a soft mound in his shirt. I raised my eyebrows. He chuckled and reached inside the blue chambray b.u.t.ton-up he was wearing untucked over a black t-shirt. He had the sleeves rolled up, showcasing his sculpted, brown forearms. I got distracted for a moment, running my fingers over his skin. s.e.xy, manly arms are really my thing. Mmm.

"Ally?" Jack chuckled. "Am I interrupting?"

I felt my face flush at being caught. "What? Can't I admire your hotness?" I tried to brazen it out.

"Whatever," he said, embarra.s.sed. "Do you want your present or not?"

"Ooh, yes. Definitely! You brought me a present?" I danced up and down a little. He brought out a small, adorable stuffed cat. I squealed and hugged it. "Thank you, Jack."

He smiled. "So, you're not going to complain about me bringing you a present?"

"Not today. You can always bring me presents the day after I almost get shot," I allowed.

"There had better not be any more of those days, Ally. My heart can't take it." He brushed his knuckles over my cheek. "Anyway, I figured you needed a cat to go with the dog you threw at me from your bed."

I gave him an offended look. "Oh, yeah? I don't remember you complaining much last night." I started lightly beating him with the stuffed cat, laughing as he tried to grab it, which he did quickly, holding it high above my head. I was laughing so hard I could barely stand, trying to jump to reach it. He grabbed me before I could fall, pulling me against him and we both suddenly realized a much better use for our time. He lowered his head and laid his warm lips against mine. I clasped my arms around his neck and gave myself over to simply feeling for the moment. We both opened our mouths together and reveled in the closeness as our tongues moved against each other. I could forget the rest of the world when I was kissing Jack; I could feel the delicious shivers all the way to my toes.

"Good gracious, Ally! Every time I turn around you are mauling that boy. Let him in the door at least," Grams said as she brought in a tea tray.

We broke apart and went to sit together on the couch. "I really don't mind, ma'am."

"I'm sure you don't," she said with a sniff.

We all had tea while Jack told us about his day, regaling us with a story of a customer who showed up to pick up her car, dismayed to discover it was red. She insisted she had ordered a blue paint job and would not be convinced otherwise until Manny showed her the original work order with her own signature on it requesting red. Grams then left us alone to watch a movie Jack had brought, a sci-fi thriller I had wanted to see. She went to her room to watch television. Mom had gone home with Brian and I wondered whether she would be home early or whether she would stay the night like she frequently did on weekends. She hadn't done that until we all found out about the pregnancy, and I don't think she would have done it then if I hadn't pointed out the ridiculousness of the situation.

"Come on, Mom," I said. "It's not like I don't know you two are sleeping together. It's that whole birds and bees thing, you know? Go be with the guy you're in love with. Grams and I are fine here."

"Oh, sweetie, it's just that, well, I don't feel like I'm being a very good role model for you. I certainly don't want you spending the night at your boyfriend's house."

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure Trina and Manny wouldn't be huge fans of that, either. But I think this is a little bit different situation. n.o.body's judging you, Mom. Besides, you guys are engaged." It had apparently made her feel better about staying with him a few nights a week.

"Ally, have you talked with your mom and Adele about your living arrangements after the wedding?" Jack asked during the previews.

"Yeah. Mom is moving in with Brian and Grams and I are staying here."

"You're okay with that? Are you going to miss your mom?" He caressed my neck as he talked.

"Mmm. I'm having a hard time concentrating with you doing that. Don't stop," I said when he halted. "Yeah, I'll miss her, but I think it'll be better for the newlyweds. And I will miss out on all the midnight baby crying this way."

He laughed. "Yeah, I hadn't thought about that. What about next year? Are you going to live here while you go to the university? Or are you and Tara going to move into the dorms?"

"Why? Are you offering something else?" I asked hopefully, thinking back to our conversation during his birthday dinner.

He stopped caressing my neck as I felt him freeze. I sat up and looked him in the eye. "Don't panic. I'm teasing, Jack."

"No, that's not it at all. I got a visual of us living together and I liked it a lot. But as wonderful as it sounds, I can't do it. I guess I'm too old-fashioned to live with someone before marriage."

I leaned in to kiss him sweetly. "Yeah, me too. I think the commitment should be all or nothing." I kissed him for another minute before asking him something I had been wondering about lately. "What about everything else? I mean, you know..." I was too embarra.s.sed to finish.

"Everything else? Ally, are you asking when we're going to start having s.e.x?" He held my face in his hands, looking very serious. I nodded, unable to meet his gaze. He pulled me in close. "Sweetheart, believe me, I have never wanted anything so badly, but I'm really, really trying to wait until you're at least 18. I think you should be older. And I kind of think we should be at least engaged. I know it's really old-fashioned, but, Ally, sweetheart, you're a white-picket fence kind of girl."

"I am?"

"Definitely. It's a good thing, querida, so don't look so depressed. Are you okay with that?"

I finally looked into his eyes and nodded. "In the cold light of day, yeah, I agree with you. When we're in the middle of making out, not so much. But I know I'm not ready."

He laughed and pulled me back. "I totally get it. We're going to have to show a lot of restraint, babe. We've got at least a year to wait, maybe longer. When we finally do sleep together everyone is going to know, so it needs to be totally above board, sweetheart."

"How is everyone going to know?" I asked, shocked. I'd never heard of that before.

He leaned in to kiss me. "Because I'm going to have a ridiculously smug look on my face afterward. And I might need to shout it from the nearest rooftop."

"Oh." I laughed. "I thought maybe there was something I had never heard about that was a giveaway. Whew. That's a relief. Hey, maybe you could just tweet it out," I suggested.

He pretended to ponder this. "That would probably be much more efficient. Good idea, babe. Seriously, Ally, I never want it to be something we have to sneak around for or that we're ashamed of."

I sat up and looked at him seriously. "Jack Ruiz, you are the most amazing guy. How did I get so lucky to get you?"

He smiled my favorite smile. "I'm definitely the lucky one, querida."

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

"The wheel is come full circle."

Shakespeare King Lear (5.3.176) After the excitement of solving Ashley Hayes' murder, the rest of the semester seemed boring in comparison. My non-school time was taken up with final wedding preparations. I spent countless evenings addressing invitations, cataloguing wedding gifts, and putting table decorations together. I made a mental note to elope to Vegas when I got married. I wondered what Jack would think about that and then was embarra.s.sed to realize I was already planning our wedding. What a girly thing to do! Next thing you know I would be writing 'Mrs. Jack Ruiz' all over my notebooks! Yuck! There was so much to do for this wedding I had to fight for time to spend with Jack, who was leaving for basic training the morning after the wedding for eight long weeks. I was leaving the following day for a month in Ireland, during which I would be working with the Seer Council to try and figure out whether or not I was the up-and-coming Oracle.

Tara's long-delayed party finally took place three weeks after the ill-fated first party date. I was positioned in her front hall, greeting guests, when Remy arrived with his date, which he had managed to keep under wraps this entire time. I nearly dropped my soda when I saw him walk in with none other than Veronica Albluth on his arm, looking radiant and more alive than I had seen her look for many months.

"Holy c.r.a.p! I mean, um, wow, Veronica. You look great. I'm really glad you came. Remy, can I talk to you for a minute?" I turned around and walked toward the kitchen, daring him not to follow.

"What the h.e.l.l, Remy?" I demanded when he arrived in the kitchen.

He smirked. "What do you mean? You don't like my date? Are you perhaps jealous?"

I ignored the last part of his comment as unworthy. "I like your date very much. Do you know what she went through last semester? Do you have any idea how fragile she is?"

"Will it surprise you to know she told me everything? Calm down, Ally. I have no intention of hurting Veronica. She's a beautiful girl and I enjoy spending time with her. Besides, I am interested in seeing an American prom and Veronica is willing to go with me. We should all go together."

"You're too old for her," I countered, ignoring his suggestion.

"Oh, that's rich coming from you. How old is Jack? I forget." He pretended to think.

"Shut up. He's only two years older than me. You're like, four years older than Veronica!"

"She's 18, a legal adult. Calm down. I'm not doing anything. It's only a date. I'll be going home soon, and she's understands this is simply a fun, easy relationship. Neither of us is serious. She's enjoying some positive attention for a change."

I stared him down, hoping to make him squirm. He stared back. d.a.m.n him. Jack came in at this point and put his arm around my waist.

"Everything okay in here? I think your date is looking for you, man," he said as he kissed the top of my head. Remy always brought out the possessive side of Jack, which I usually found somewhat amusing.

"Yes," Remy replied firmly. "We're done here. I need to get back to my date. Have a wonderful evening. Let me know about the prom." He stalked back to Veronica.

"What was that all about?" Jack asked.

"Oh, nothing, I guess," I sighed. "I'm trying to stick my nose in someone else's business and I'm not very good at it. Come on. Let's not waste one of our last nights together." We went back into the living room and I concentrated on enjoying myself and minding my own business. This was not a typical party like the one Veronica had thrown last semester. We had planned some board games and a movie. There were only a handful of our really close friends and the various dates they brought. There was no alcohol and absolutely no drugs. I preferred to hang out with people who didn't rely on artificial means to have a good time. I watched Veronica all evening and was surprised to find she was enjoying herself like the rest of us. I had become so used to her partaking in the popular kids' idea of fun I was amazed she could get into our kind of party. I was eventually able to relax and enjoy myself.

I was sitting between Jack's legs, leaning against his chest as he leaned against the couch watching the movie when he leaned forward to whisper in my ear. "What did Remy mean earlier when he said to let him know about the prom?"

I shrugged. "Oh, nothing. He wanted us all to go together to the prom, that's all."

"Are we going to the prom?" Jack asked, surprised.

"No, of course not." I shrugged again. I frowned, wondering why I was feeling unsettled about this. I had never had the slightest desire to go to my prom, but when Remy mentioned it, I had felt the strangest spark of envy.

"Come on." Jack stood and pulled me up, leading me into Tara's kitchen. He put his hands around my waist, lifted me to sit on the counter, and stepped between my legs to look me in the eyes. "Talk to me," he ordered.

"I don't know, Jack. I've never wanted to go to the prom, but when Remy said he and Veronica are going, I felt a momentary desire to go. It'll pa.s.s, don't worry."

"Why should it pa.s.s, sweetheart? I'm sorry I didn't ask you; I honestly didn't think about it. But I'm asking now. Ally, will you please go to the prom with me?"

"Oh, Jack, you don't have to. I know prom is probably the very last thing you want to do. It was super-sweet of you to ask me, though." I leaned forward to kiss him.

He pulled away a moment later with a stubborn look on his face. "Are you turning me down? Are you seriously refusing to go to the prom with me? Because if you are, I need to find another date."

"What? You're not going to ask some s.k.a.n.ky girl to the prom! I'm the only one you'll be taking to the prom, mister."