Truth and Light

Chapter 25

I woke up the next morning feeling refreshed and happy. I don't think I'd ever felt this happy before. I could hear the shower running and wanted so badly to go in there and surprise Gabe, but I didn't want to bother him. I knew he had a big day today and I didn't want to add to his stress.

Will you quit it? Get your pretty ass in here. I didn't want to wake you up. You looked exhausted and you need your sleep. I heard Gabe say in my mind and smiled. Sunshine, I always want you with me.

I jumped out of bed and raced to the shower. I was naked from the night before, so I stepped into Gabe's waiting arms. I kissed him passionately and we washed away our love making from the night before.

After the shower, we dressed and went to the dining hall. I still felt awkward around his family. Awkward for having left and risked Gabe, Jaxon and Jace, and because they all knew we were together now. What if they didn't think I was good enough for him?

Gabe felt my panic, but he just took my hand and brought it to his lips as soon as we entered the dining room and brought me to the table Callie, the twins, Greta, Josh, Sue and Denny sat at. Even Vanessa sat there, next to Greta. Although most of them usually sat at different tables, they were showing their acceptance of me to the others at Illumination. They each stood, smiled, and gave me a huge hug.

"I have some announcements to make!" I looked up to find Gabe standing on a chair, everyone stopped and listened. It was eerie how fast they stopped and how silent they had become.

"First, since the Catalyst, we have no outside help coming," Gabe smiled sadly. "We will make one trip a month into town for supplies from the stores there. If there is something you need, please make a list and hand it in to Greta on the first of each month."

"The shield from the Light is up, we are incredibly grateful for it. Please make sure you don't cross it. All children should be supervised when outside of the building, so as not to cross the boundary." People all around agreed.

"Next is a personal issue, but one I'm happy to share with you," Gabe looked at me and I smiled. "Alina is my Fated, we have soul bonded." Cheers went up all over the dining hall, I still couldn't get the silly grin off my face. "If you haven't heard, we're also expecting a daughter." More cheers sounded all over the dining hall.

"Lastly, we'll be having a Fated ceremony," Gabe said. "For those of you who don't know, it's a lot like wedding reception, to celebrate our future together. We'll be having ours on the beach next Saturday afternoon. Everyone is invited and there will be a party after."

I looked at Callie to gauge her reaction and she had tears running down her face. I leaned into her, "I'm sorry, Callie, I know this is sudden. We should've asked you first."

"Do you love my brother?" Callie questioned me.

"With my whole heart, body and soul," I responded without pause.

Callie threw her arms around me. "Finally, I get a sister! I'll help you make your dress, and we'll get flowers from the garden and weave them into your hair. We'll ask Mama Sue to make you a cake, too!"

"Woah, Calla Lily, take a breath." Gabe sat down beside us, he pulled me on to his lap and put both hands on my stomach protectively. Callie saw the motion and her eyes misted.

Gabe grinned at his sister and then said, "I can't wait till you meet your Fated, payback will be fun!"

Callie and I glanced quickly to the twins who had turned a deep shade of red. Gabe thankfully didn't notice. They needed to tell Gabe soon, I was only going to be able to keep the secret for so long, especially when he could read my thoughts.

"I'm going to need Alina for a bit, since it's Saturday and all the kids are with their parents, we're going to plan the first Fated ceremony," Callie squealed in her excitement. Gabe kissed me passionately in front of everyone, which caused the whole dining hall to hoot and holler, my cheeks flamed as red as a firetruck.

Callie and I walked to her favorite room, the music room. She sat down at the piano and began to finger the keys.

"Do the twins know they're your Fated?" I asked her, sitting down next to her on the bench.

Callie didn't look at me but said, "Yes."

"Then why haven't you acted on it? You clearly feel the same way. I can see your cord, it's thinner than it should be but it's still strong, you can make it stronger."

"I can't tell Gabe; it will break his heart. They're his best friends," she told me with a look of utter despair gracing her pretty features.

"He'll be happy for you three," I responded. "Also, after you and them, you know, have sex, you can talk in each other's heads. Gabe is going to figure it out, not just because of the way you three act around each other but because I know."

Callie's face flamed, "I'll tell him after your Fated ceremony, I promise." I had a feeling that they had already soul bonded, but it was none of my business. I didn't say anything.

Callie placed her face to my stomach trying to listen to a heartbeat that she couldn't possibly hear, and then gave my stomach a big kiss. People seemed to like to kiss my belly a lot or touch it. People I hadn't even met were coming up and touching my belly. Sometimes I wanted to smack their hand and tell them to get their own pregnant belly, but I didn't want to have people mad at Gabe.

"Alright, let's go plan mommy a Fated ceremony!" Callie jumped up in excitement.