Ninety Degrees Out

The brides gathered in the hangar.Even with three airplanes inside, the cavernous tent provided them with enough room to dress.

Deborah, Alicia, Catherine, Anya, Meg, and Sarah took turns in front of the one full length mirror Erik and Chay carried over from the lobby of the lodge. Each woman took the time to check their hair.Except for Alicia, all of them had longer hair than they were ever used to.

The door opened, and Captain Whipper came in. Her Coast Guard dress whites sparkled with medals and ribbons displayed across her left shoulder.

“What are you doing here?”Alicia winced as she asked.The question was rude.

Janice laughed, and answered, “I’m getting married just like you are.”

Conversation came to a dead stop.

“Who?”

Akira Stroman asked the question everyone wanted answered.

“Sarge.Stan and I have been seeing each other ever since the police station exploded.Command has assigned me here permanently.And since the two of us are the extent of law enforcement in Anchorage and area, we’ve spent a lot of our days together for work lately.”

“You look amazing.That uniform is really sharp.”Deborah adjusted her loose Kimono style dress.She still had a loose belly from the birth of her son.

“So do you all.Do I get to guess who the husbands are going to be?” Janice teased.

“You’ll see soon enough,” Alicia said.“You made it here just in time.Was that you in the helicopter that just landed?”

“Yes, and I brought a few of my officers with me.They brought Angel with them.You all know I’ve taken her in.The girl is working out, but we still don’t trust her all the way.She wants to say a few words before the weddings start,” Janice said.

“She’s been a terror since way back.”

Catherine wound her braids around her head in a coronet as she was listening, and her face showed her disgust.

“If any of you remember, it was right after her father disappeared, she started acting out.Things were rough for her. Give her a break if you can.She knows she has to prove herself,” Janice reasoned.

“We’ve given many a person a second chance,” Meg said.“Look at me, I was part of the bike gang too.”

“And good old John, he’s turned out to be an ace with the horses,” Deborah added.

“As long as Angel shows she is changing, we’ll give her a chance.I’m not sure what Arimina will think of her though.”

Alicia’s worried statement brought nods from the rest.

“We’ll take it as it comes,” Anya said.“It’s the way of the Stargazer community.”

More nods from the women.

“So, who are the husbands to be?” Janice asked.

Banging startled them all.

“Are you all ready in there?”Kel Stroman asked.“The judge is waiting with your men.We’re ready to get started.”

Akira asked, “Well are you ready?”

A chorus of yesses answer her, and she opened the door to lead them out.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The first day of August was a perfect summer day.The sun was almost directly overhead, but the temperature only reached the mid eighties.Chay was grateful the moderation of the daytime highs, but the reports of early winters hitting in the northern hemisphere were devasting.Areas which had escaped the deep freeze were cooling rapidly as the ice caps expanded.

He stood under a massive canopy erected mid runway.Beside him in the line stood six more grooms.Erik, as the tallest stood at one end, and as the oldest, Mike Ingersoll stood at the other end.In between, Earl, Jett, Aaron and Randy, Sargent Stan.Chay stood in the middle, comfortable in the midst of his friends.

The arrival of a Coast Guard helicopter as they were walking out of the lodge, had them all looking at Kelton Stroman as he led them toward the central canopy with it’s multiple tent peaks. The Stars and Stripes flew on two of the four flag poles extending from the canopy and the Alaska flag from the other two.

They caught a glimpse of Captain Janice disappearing into the hanger, and the surprise of the day was Stan, in his dress blue trooper uniform as he strode toward the canopy.Kel lengthened his stride and they all hurried after him.

Now they stood waiting for their brides to arrive, facing silver haired Judge Osserman.His wise counsel during the last month, brought a peaceful resolution to many conflicts.The new policy of the USA president when he was elected as head of the security council of the United Americas, enshrined the rights of communities to choose their own forms of security and punishment.Protection of home and property by any means necessary, ensured a quick end to most looting and other rogue behaviors.

Chay frowned when the Judge beckoned to Angel Whitman.The girl was a plague.What was she doing at this ceremony, when she should be locked up, or at least confined to the Coast Guard base?Two very serious officers accompanied the girl.

The women arrived as he opened his mouth to protest, and he snapped his mouth shut.

“I know this is a bit of an awkward moment for you all,” the judge addressed the crowd which circled the center where he stood awaiting the soon to be married couples.

“I want you all to hear what Angel has to say.The flip has offered the world a second chance.The Stargazer Ranch community has been an example of caring, sharing and love to many who needed exactly that.” He nodded toward John, Edward, and Meg.“Angel, please come to the center.”

“I’ve come to say I’m sorry.Especially to you, Olivia.I’m so sorry I hurt you. I was caught in a loop of wrong thinking.I don’t expect any of you to believe I can change.But I will.I’ve found something to do that will prove it.”Angel turned toward each of her guards.“These women are rescue swimmers.I’m am going to be one.To honor my father, who is missing.I finally figured out my mother’s anger at me wasn’t for me, but him.I’ll explain more if you want to hear it later.But for now, get the wedding going.I’ve made my commitment to Coast Guard training.You are all invited when I pass the last of my testing.”

Angel stepped back and her guards followed.

“Angel, Angel!”

Arimina’s voice cut through the hum of questions as Angel retreated.The little girl jerked her hand out of Uki’s hand, and she ran toward her.

Angel stopped and waited.

“I’m sorry I had to shoot you.” Arimina grabbed Angel’s hand as she spoke.

“Don’t be sorry.You woke me up.You gave me a second chance,” Angel bent down to hug Arimina.“Is your mother getting married today?”

“Yes.”Ari pointed toward her mother.

“Then go stand beside her.I can’t wait for the party afterward.I’ll answer anything the rest of you want to know then.”

Angel gave Arimina a gentle push toward Alicia.

Judge Osserman raised his voice as the women stepped between the men and everyone arranged themselves in a loose semi-circle around him.

“We are gathered here to witness the marriage of these people.To encourage and honor their commitment to each other.In any form they desire, they are now considered legally married.This is something we have agreed, as a new law in the United Americas, is a necessary thing.Families are what we create together.”

His words brought a huge smile from Kanti, Hakan and Armaruq, and Sarah’s eyes glimmered with tears as she stood between Aaron and Randy.

“No more discrimination.Love comes in many forms.

He walked toward Sarah.

“Do you Sarah accept Aaron and Randy as your lawfully wedded husbands?”

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Chay lifted Ari up so she could see, settling her on his hip.He pulled Alicia under his arm, and whispered, “We’re next.We agreed to this order, to make it clear there’s as new way of looking at love and family in the world now.”

“I can’t wait for the rest of our lives,” Alicia said softly, patting her lower abdomen.“Especially for this little one.”

Ari nodded.“I want twins!One of each.That way I can have a baby brother and sister at the same time.”

Smothered giggles erupted at her declaration, as the judge finished the ceremony for Sarah and her men.

“Aaron, Randy, you may kiss your bride.”

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Dr. Mike Ingersoll, danced with his new wife, Anya and as the waltz ended, he led her out onto the grassy runway and across to the hospital tent.

“What do you think?Do we have a chance?” he asked.

“As long as we continue to care for each other like we started out, no problem,” Anya said as she pulled the door open to the infirmary.“Are we going to carve out a spot in here for us?”

“I thought of that.We might as well live in here.”He tugged her through the door to the storage room and flipped on the glaring overhead lights.“See that new door, and the wooden walls?”

Anya gasped.“When did you pull that off?”

“While you were at the homestead dealing with foaling mares.”

She opened the door, to find a small studio apartment.A king sized bed, a small kitchenette, and a bathroom.

“I even figured out how to get our own water supply and tie us into the wastewater system,” Mike said.

“I feel like I’m twenty all over again.” Anya kissed him softly.

“Except we’ll be having grandchildren instead of babies.”

Anya rolled her head back and laughed.Across the field the party rocked on, as she pulled her husband toward the bed.