The Island Boy

Chapter 66- Passion

"Wow, seems like you guys have an interesting family reunion."  Jake nodded, and glanced back at the clock. "It's time for us to make an appearance." 

Jake got up from his seat and started to walk into the ballroom. It was during occasions like this that the ballroom was dressed up extra fancy.  The people were starting to show up, and the room was quickly filling up. But there was no sign of Kai. Jake sighed, and turned to his trusted soldiers. "Go around the room and make sure Hope isn't here... That's an order." 

"Yes, sir." General walked over to Jake and gently smiled. "Seems like you're getting used to this whole system now..."

Jake nodded, and walked up the steps that led to the stage. He kept an eye on the door, waiting for his wife to walk through. But minutes passed... and she still wasn't there. Jake just wanted to run home to see if they were alright. From here, he could see everyone in the room. The soldiers were surrounded by their families. Some of them even had children. With a sigh, Jake started to play with his wedding ring again. 

He wanted to see Lily so badly. He wanted to see Kai smiling. He wished they were here already, so he could hug them tightly. He was thinking about the house they were moving into tomorrow when General tugged on his shirt. "Jake...we have a problem."

The soldiers ran up the steps, huffing and puffing. "Sir! We have an extra guest! He claims he is General Gray's son, but he possibly couldn't be! Last time we saw him he was about the age of five! But now he's around the age of twenty! This couldn't possibly be the same boy!" Both men glanced over at the boy leaning against the wall. "I'm going to talk with him. Keep up the good work." he dismissed himself and walked down the steps. Jake, without realizing it, started twisting the ring around his finger. 

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"Are we late?!" Madam asked, running into the building. "I'm not sure, but it looks like everyone has arrived before us!" Kai gently held Lily against her blue dress. They walked into the ballroom, and glanced at all of the people there. Her eyes widened once she saw Jake standing on the stage. Before she could walk over, a young man gripped her shoulder. "Mother, it is nice to see you again..." He pecked her on the cheek and smiled. "

"Hey!  What do you-" He gently lifted Lily up, and smiled. "She's as beautiful as I imagined."

"Hey! Don't touch my daughter!" Jake yelled. The young man slyly smiled, and kissed the top of Lily's head. "What? You told me to pursue my dreams didn't you?"

"Cedric, that's enough." A cold voice echoed. "Father, isn't it nice to meet you again. It seems you're ready for war. How about you Jake? Have you gotten all the people yet?"

"Cedric?!" Kai said, glancing over at his navy shirt. It had tons of buttons, and a whole bunch of awards. Cedric sincerely smiled, and gently held Lily's hand. "That's enough... hand the baby back to them..."

Smiling, he looked into Lily's eyes. She smiled back. "What? I'm bargained off into Hope's side by my own family, and this is the treatment I get?"  Cedric handed Lily to Jake, who gladly scooped her up in his arms. "You know that isn't what happened. You are over-reacting as usual."

"I am not over-reacting. You are sugar-coating it. That is why it looks like I am the bad-guy. But have I ever been the bad-guy here?"Cedric grabbed my hand, and smiled. "Care to dance?" 

Kai glanced at everyone else, who seemed very irritated, especially Jake. "Maybe... later?" Slyly smiling, he led me into the dance floor. "I won't be taking no as an answer. I have an important thing to tell you."

"Cedric, I don't think it's such a good idea to leave them there... I mean, I just arrived and-" Cedric laughed. "Don't worry about them. I wanted to talk to you about Lily."

"You see, I love Lily very much, ever since she was very small... I wish to marry her one day, if that is fine with everyone else..."

Kai silently grunted. In her mind it all didn't click. Lily was her daughter. She hasn't been in this world long enough to even talk. It bothered her deeply, and Cedric could tell.

"I will wait for her." He added, twirling Kai. "However long it takes, I will be ready for her."

After that dance was over, Cedric excused himself, and headed back to where Lily was. "May I have this dance?"

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Jake was calm now. His family finally arrived, alive and in perfect health. Kai gently smiled from his offer, and nodded. This was the life Jake dreamed of. A wife that loved him, and a beautiful child of his own. They didn't really need to talk when it came to moments like these. Jake just stared into her color changing eyes. She was beautiful, imperfections and all. "I love you."

Kai gently smiled, and twirled around in her dress. "I love you, Jake."

Jake could hear his fellow soldiers muttering about them. Some of them were "muttering" so loudly he could hear their perverted words. He leaned into Kai's ear and muttered some of the things they were saying. He waited for her reaction, and smiled when he got the reaction he wanted. "Jake!"

He laughed. "General Gray is taking care of Lily tonight..." Kai blushed, and hid her face in his shoulder. "What's wrong? Embarrassed?" 

Turning bright red, she kissed his cheek. It wasn't much, but it was certainly a different reaction than what he had expected. Smiling, Jake kissed the top of Kai's head. "My fellow soldiers are very jealous of me... because I got everything I ever wanted."

Kai gently smiled, tears of joy dripping down her face. "I... I have everything I've ever wanted in the palm of my hand... that's why I need you to promise that whatever happens to me... whether I don't make it back, or I do... keep me in your heart."

Kai chuckled, and wiped her tears away. "You are always in my heart."