Alien in the House

Elves.
    “Yeah, this isn’t my blood. Need you two to park that Bentley in our garage. While I go change clothes.”
    The boys nodded and went to the car. Jeff took my hand and we went inside and up to our apartment. “Can I put on jeans and a T-shirt now?” I asked as I stripped off the bloodied dress and jumped into the shower.
    “No. I think I want you in something nice. But I’ll take my hat and coat, if that’ll make you happy.”
    “Definitely.” Didn’t have to wash my hair, so I was out of the shower fast. “Where are we going?”
    “Surprise. Just waiting for the rest of the guests to leave. Take your real purse, though.”
    Dumped my handbag into my purse while Jeff handed me the dress he wanted me to wear. It was the green dress I’d had on for our dinner party or, more likely, a duplicate. Akiko had started making duplicates early in her relationship with our Embassy. “You sure this isn’t courting bad luck?”
    He grinned. “Nah, it’s just a sexy dress and I’d like to see you in it again for a happy occasion.”
    “Okay. You’re the boss.”
    Jeff snorted. “Since when? You’re the boss of me, baby, and you always have been.” Then he kissed me, and I decided to table that discussion for another time.



CHAPTER 97
    A LL THE GUESTS who weren’t our friends and family were gone. Jamie was asleep on Chuckie’s shoulder while he and Naomi talked to his parents. “She fell asleep while we were dancing,” Chuckie said. “Didn’t have the heart to wake her up.”
    Gave his mom and dad a big hug. “When did you two get here?”
    “Just a few minutes ago,” Jeff answered for them. “We’ll be back. Keep Jamie, will you, Chuck?” Chuckie nodded as Jeff walked me over to Christopher.
    “What was that all about?”
    “Tell you later.”
    “Fine. Is my cake still around anywhere?”
    “No, it got cleared with everything else,” Christopher said. “And before you whine to me about it, you know you can get more any time.”
    “It’s not the same,” I muttered.
    “I’ll get you more, baby. In a while.” Jeff left me and went over to Pierre. They were instantly in deep discussion. Reader joined them.
    Decided not to worry about it. Found Nathalie. She was leaning against the wall. “How’re you doing?”
    “Oh, alright, I suppose.” She sighed and I put my arm around her. “Tomorrow I get sworn in, to do a job I never wanted to do, to replace the husband I never wanted to lose. Then there will be his funeral, and Santiago’s. I must plan Edmund’s and I wish to attend Santiago’s. I believe your Embassy will be making the arrangements.”
    “I’m sure we will.” Maybe that’s what Jeff, Reader, and Pierre were talking about.
    “I just . . . I would like to have something happy, you know? Christmas has no meaning for me, at least today. I would like to celebrate life and honor the lives gone. Your daughter’s party was lovely, but all we did was talk about political work that needs to be done.”
    “Yeah, I know what you mean.”
    Jeff looked around the room. “Great, everyone’s here. Gather up your belongings, folks. We’re taking a little excursion.”
    Saw a floater gate appear, one of the big ones. “Haven’t seen a gate like that since your wedding, Kitty,” Michael said to me.
    “The wedding I missed?” Caroline asked with a laugh.
    “Everyone’s a critic. Where does Jeff have us going? And why?”
    Others were asking this, but they were going through the gate. Raj joined us. “I’ll escort Missus Brewer,” he said, as he took Nathalie’s arm. “We have eight Field teams in the infirmary.”
    “Thanks, Raj.” This way, Nathalie wouldn’t be at risk from my barfing on her and we wouldn’t be at risk of anyone wandering our Embassy unattended. Tito and Nurse Carter were missing out on the excursion, whatever it was. Figured I’d find out soon if they’d be relieved or disappointed later.
    Jeff had Chuckie keep Jamie for the gate transfer. Assumed this was because he knew he’d have to carry me. Which he did. “Where are we going?”
    “You’ll find out.” Jeff held me a little tighter and I buried my face in his neck. Always the nicest part of a gate transfer.
    This one was a few seconds, so I knew we were traveling some distance. Felt us stop and, once my stomach settled, opened my eyes. “This place looks familiar.”
    “It should.” Jeff put me down. “Let’s go, everyone, we’re on a schedule.”
    “What’s