Theron's Hope (Brides of Theron) (26 page)

“For right now Michael, you will have to trust me.  I assure you that I am not mad or crazy and I am a willing participant in this plan.  I have not been brainwashed or manipulated in any way to want to do this.  Where I am going, I will not need this money.   Zane has enough of his own to ensure a wonderful life for us and potentially the family we will have to come.  Please, listen to me.  You need to trust me.”

“Fine, if you will excuse me for a moment, I think I need some air,” Michael said as he took his coffee and went out on the terrace.

“Gracie, I really wish you would let me talk to him.  Maybe if I did he would trust me and lay off you for a bit.  Frankly, I don’t like the way he is talking to you,” Zane said shaking his head.

“Zane, he is my cousin but he treats me like a sister.  He is just as protective as a big brother would be.  There are many men on this planet who would love to marry me just for my money.  I have a very large fortune by this world’s standards.  Some people would kill for it.”  She held his hands as she looked into his eyes, “Please Zane, he is about to lose one of the closest members of his family in four days time and never see me again.  We need to cut him some slack.  He knows that something is very odd, he is not stupid.  He is one of the smartest men I know with the best instincts out there.  Can you please go easy on him and put yourself in his shoes?”

“I am sorry Grace.  I did not think of it that way.  I will do as you ask.”  He looked away and asked for his breakfast.  She took the casserole out of the oven and made him a plate.  She set out an additional empty plate for Michael in case he decided to come in and join them.  She made herself a plate and poured her and Zane another cup of coffee.  It was quiet for a minute or two before Michael walked back in.

“Look,” He said, “I don’t know what the hell is going on and I am not sure how to take all of,” he gestured with his hands, “all of this.  Emily says you are the real deal Zane, that she believes that this is the happiest she has ever seen Gracie.  Reluctantly, I have to agree, I have never seen her happier.  However, I cannot shake the feeling that there is much more to this story that essential for me to fully understand it.  I am willing to trust you, Grace and Zane.  I will do everything you ask of me, on one condition, you will both tell me precisely what is going on before you leave.  I want the truth.  Grace, you know I can handle it.  I will keep it secret, even from Em if that is the way you want it.  But, I want to know what is going on.”  He sat down as Grace got up to take his plate and get him some casserole.  

Zane looked to Grace for permission to speak.  She nodded to him as she placed the plate in front of Michael.  “Michael, I know that you are worried about Grace.  I promise that I will protect her with my life if necessary.  I love her and cannot imagine my life without her.  Right now, at this stage in our mission, we cannot tell you anything but when we leave you will have the proof you seek.  I have read that it is customary to ask for the father’s permission for his daughter’s hand but since he is not available, I wish to receive your blessing.  It would be an honor if I could have your blessing on our marriage.   It would mean a lot to Grace as well.”

Michael looked at Zane, “I knew her father well.  I really looked up to him.  I am sure that he would approve of you Zane.  All he wanted for his children was for them to be happy and productive adults.  I will be happy to give you and Grace my blessing.  Emily already has given her blessing.  She really likes you Zane.”  Michael looked to Grace who now had tears in her eyes and a smile on her face. 

It meant the world to have his blessing.  She could lie to herself all she wanted but at this moment it was clear how much she needed his approval.  She went over to Michael to give him a hug and a kiss on his cheek, “Thank you Michael.  This means the world to me.  Thank you.”

Michael made his way back to the study after eating his breakfast leaving Zane and Grace to clean up the mess.  He had to start drawing up the trust and the paperwork for the transfer of the penthouse to Jo and Miguel.  Grace wanted to transfer the use of the penthouse with the added bonus of a monthly allowance and taxes paid on the property to come out of a fund she set aside.  After they both died the property would be turned over to Michael’s son Jacob for his use.  She wanted William to be offered a job as the firm’s driver.  He would get a bonus of $20,000 whether he took it or not.  He would also get the car he drove her around in.  

Michael thought it did not make sense.  It was like she would be gone forever.  It was not the fact that she was giving all her money away.  He could expect something like that from her because she had always been
very generous person.  What weighed heavy on him was the way she was making all these arrangements.  He had a feeling that after Thursday, he would never see her again.  He told Emily this as well.  She got very upset and started working on another one of her projects to take her mind off it all.  He decided that he would go ahead and put in a call to his mom.  She might be the only buffer to a volatile situation with Grandmamma Agatha during tomorrow’s board meeting.  Grace was going to need his mother as an ally.

Grace was quiet for some time. Zane asked her, “What are you thinking about.”

She was pulling on her bottom lip.  He noticed she did this when she was deep in thought.  “I was just thinking we are going to need proof to link the Brides of Theron and their children.  Do you have any ideas?”

“I was thinking about that too.  How technologically advanced is your planet with regard to DNA analysis?”  Zane asked.

“I think we have a grasp on that technology.  I did a story on an Egyptian mummies and how they used Mitochondrial DNA to trace their lineage and discover that they all shared the same maternal line.  I am sure that our ability to test DNA is good as well.  They use it for crime scene analysis as well as parentage.  By the time we make it back, we could assume it should be even better than it is now,” Grace said.  “What are you thinking?”

“Do you think that it would be alright if another warrior came here for a couple of hours tonight?  I have to speak to Zeb about this before it is a go, but I think I have an idea that will give you conclusive proof of the lineages of the Theron brides,” Zane said as he was clearly thinking out his plan.

“Sure, you should consult with Zeb.  However, I am not a flight risk.   I am not going anywhere that does not include you for the rest of my life.  Do you really have to send someone else down?”  Grace looked a bit upset at the notion of having to possibly explain another large man in her apartment.  “Besides, we have dinner with Jo and her husband tonight.  Can’t you just call Zeb and set up a meeting with him tomorrow evening?”

“I will go and contact him now.”  He kissed her long and slow.  “The last 24 hours have been the best of my life.  I love you, Grace.”

She smiled at him and said, “I love you, Zane.”

Zane made his way into the bedroom and closed the door behind him.  He took the transmitter out of his pocket and began to speak into it.  “This is Dr. Zane.  Please connect me with the commander.”  He heard the warrior say, “Yes, sir.”

A few seconds after, he heard Zeb’s voice. “Well, Well, Well.  I finally hear from you.  How is everything going on the surface?”  Zane thought to himself if only he knew, but he wasn’t one to kiss and tell.

“It is going well.  Two parts of the plan are fully initiated and the trust is being constructed as we speak.  We have one small item that needs your assistance.  Grace’s cousin, the lawyer, who is drawing up all the paperwork needs some proof or evidence that can be used to conclusively prove who the Brides of Theron are as well as the children born from them.  They have the ability to test for DNA as well as Mitochondrial DNA.  I was wondering if it would be possible for us to collect several cheek swabs from each woman that we took as well as several on their mates.  I would be by tomorrow evening to collect the samples as well as supplies for me to collect them for Grace and myself.”

“I see no problem with it.  I am sure that the council will see no problem with this as well.  I will run it by them first and then let you know when I get that answer.  I will look forward to seeing you tomorrow.  However, the council will never approve of Grace being left alone on the planet.  Do you have any objections to my sending Ceran to look after her?”  Zeb suggested.

“Ceran would be fine with me.  Do you think that you could relay this message to Jeeka?  I want her in charge of collecting the swabs.”  Zeb said.  He was hoping the council would approve of this measure.

“I will call Francescon and Vencenza now.  I will get back with you in 30 minutes.”  Zeb said to Zane as he signed off.

Just as he ended the transmission, Grace entered the bedroom.  “Is everything alright?  Were you able to get Zeb?”

Everything was perfect.  She was perfect. “Yes, my love.  He is going to get approval from the council for our request for evidence.  He will contact me again in 30 minutes.  I asked him for cheek swabs on every female we took as well as those from the men who are mated to them.  Do you think that would be enough in the way of proof?”

“Yes, I am sure of it.”  She smiled and gave him a hug.  “Do you think I have some time to work out?  I have been dying to do yoga practice for a week.”

“Sure, will you be in the workout room down the hall?”  Zane asked.

“Yes, I am going to change first.”  She went into the bathroom and returned minutes later in tight leggings with a tight sleeveless tank top.  ”I will be done in about an hour.”  She said as she walked out the door. 

Zeb called a short while later saying the council gave Zane permission to take the samples.  Zane called Jeeka on the ship to check in as well as give her instructions on sample collection and storage, letting her know that he would be up to receive them tomorrow evening.  Jeeka had done similar work before and would have no trouble complying with his orders.  He also wanted to make sure that she was doing all the necessary things on the checklist to prepare for departure.  “Really Dr. Zane,” Jeeka said exasperated, “Have I ever failed you in the past?”

Now that the plan to obtain evidence for the trust was progressing nicely, he had in mind to ask Grace about this infamous Grandmamma Agatha.  Just how prepared was he going to have to be for her? 

After Grace worked out she went to check on Michael.  “How is it going?” She paused a moment in the doorway waiting for a response, but none came, “Zane is working on the proof we need to collect in order to fulfill the criterion we will give you for the trust.  I am going to write that up as soon as I can and we will include it with the evidence.”  Grace could see the unanswered questions were getting to Michael.  She wanted to answer all his questions.  She wanted to tell him everything just like she did when she was a little girl.  But, this was bigger than her.  It involved too many people.  Most of all, it was not her secret to tell. 

He rubbed his tired eyes.  “I could sure use some more coffee.  Can you make me some?”

“I sure can.”  She gave him a weak smile and took his empty coffee cup from him.  She went into the kitchen to brew a new pot. The secrets were taking a toll on her.  Michael and Emily were her rocks.  She could tell them anything and everything, but not this.  His not answering her was just another nail in the coffin.  Zane came in and stood behind her wrapping his arms around her as she put on another pot of coffee. 

“I have excellent news, my love.”  He kissed the top of her head. “The council approved our request.  Jeeka is out collecting the cheek swabs as we speak.”  It looked like she was about to crumble.  The tears started to run down her face as she looked into his eyes.  Where did this come from?  “Grace, is everything alright?”