Nathan Hystad - The Survivors - Books 1-3

“Wait, I thought the government got all the stones back. Unless someone chosen didn’t tell them about it, and kept it,” I said, seeing the picture of his grown daughter on the wall. She looked athletic, strong, and just the type of person the Kraski would have selected for the mission. And she was now conveniently in Africa, away from prying ears and eyes. “Are you willing to part with it?”

His eyes misted over lightly, just for a moment. “That depends on the bargain.”

I hardly heard them negotiating, but in a few minutes, Magnus had the green-stoned ring in a bag, and we were looking at the other rings. Mary had told me she’d never cared about huge diamond rings. It was something she’d told Bob, but he hadn’t listened, and she’d spent the next few years walking around with a carat and a half on her hand. When I picked out a small pink diamond set on a thin band, they gave me inquisitive looks.

“Oh, very elegant,” Herman said.

Magnus had a huge princess cut for Natalia, and when we had matching wedding bands to go with the engagement rings, we were back at the door, the Scotch still in Herman’s office. Jasper got a last scratch behind the ear, and we were off.

“What else did you give him in exchange?” I asked as the door shut on us.

“I told him the Earth Defense wouldn’t come turn his house upside down looking for more alien jewelry. He was all smiles after that,” Magnus said, hefting the bag of rings in his left hand.

“You knew the whole time?”

“They were talking about a ring seller under suspicion of having one. Not sure how they knew. Maybe they found a way to track it, or they heard rumors of his daughter being one of those left behind. Either way, we have it, and I figured while we were at it, we can get our beautiful ladies some bling.” The word sounded quite funny coming from my large friend. I couldn’t fault his motivation.

Herman’s daughter had been left behind like us. I wondered about her story and wished I could talk to her. Working on wells in Africa was something worthy of the title Hero of Earth, and I hoped she found what she was looking for. Most nights as I went to sleep, I dwelled on what it would have been like if someone else had gone to space and I’d been left back on Earth.

We made a couple more stops, nothing too important, and in an hour, we were heading back to the base for the second-to-last night before the colony ship left for Proxima b.

“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this,” Mary said between big fake smiles.

“Don’t blame me. Blame Magnus. It’s their last night, and he wanted a send-off. Our engagement was the perfect ruse for it,” I said, instantly regretting that phrase.

Instead, she just visibly calmed and slid her hand into mine. That meant all was right in the world. We walked into the hangar, where a couple of the ships had been moved out. It was lightly decorated, and half a dozen folding tables had been placed inside, covered by some obviously borrowed tablecloths from what looked like an Italian restaurant from the seventies. LED lanterns were draped across the room, giving it a cozy backyard patio feel. It was perfect.

Mary was wearing her ring, and the other Earth Defense members flocked around her, asking for a look, and I realized something like this was a great distraction for the whole base. It was an event that could make them forget for a night that Earth had been invaded, and that we were now fighting for our lives.

Even President Patrice Dalhousie was there, with General Heart at her side. Slate, the oversized ED sergeant, loomed beside them. They waved at us, Heart sipping what looked like a Scotch while he stared at us over the edge of the glass.

Natalia walked in wearing a sleek black dress, the skirt slit to the thigh. I let out a low whistle, getting an elbow for my efforts. Nat was smiling widely at the beautiful setting, pointing at the lights and decorations. Magnus stood tall and wide beside her, filling out what could only be a custom tuxedo. I laughed, knowing how much the man hated confining clothing on his large frame.

“Congrats, you two lovebirds,” he said giving us a wink. “Dean, let’s go get a drink.”

“Nat, you look beautiful,” I said, before being pulled away by Magnus. Mary and Nat were hugging and chatting. I hadn’t told Mary about the surprise engagement.

“Change in plans, buddy.” Magnus shifted side to side, either nervous or excited about the proposal.

I didn’t like the sound of that. “What do you mean? Don’t tell me you’re not going through with it. She loves you. You guys are perfect for each other.” I looked back, getting a wave from Mary, who was beaming at all the attention.

“I really hate to do this at your engagement party, but just remember it was all my idea,” he said.

The bartender walked up to us, and I ordered a beer, getting Magnus a double Scotch, and wine for the ladies.

“Spit it out,” I said, tired of the drama.

“I’m not just asking her to marry me.” He paused, a big grin cast over his face. It was infectious, and I was smiling now too. “I’m asking her to marry me tonight .”

“Yeah, that was the plan.”

“No. I’m asking her to marry me, then getting married tonight.” He was almost jumping up and down in joy, and I put my hand on his shoulder, trying to calm him down. Only then I noticed the white-collared young man leaning against the far wall, chatting with Clare.

“Congrats to you, then. Don’t mind us. We’re the last people worried about wanting to be in the limelight. Take the spotlight. Take all of it!” I yelled the last bit, the room looking my way like I was crazy.

Lowering my voice, I told him he had my blessing. This got him laughing, and we hugged, quickly brushing it off as the room’s many eyes once again looked to us.

“You will be my best man, right?” he asked with a raised eyebrow, as if he had to ask.

“Only if she says yes,” I replied, and got a light shot in the arm.

Mary and Nat crossed the room to join us, and I passed them each their wine glasses. I raised my beer glass, the other three following suit. “To us. May we find new happiness in our new worlds.” We all clinked glasses and took a drink.

“Where’s Mae?” Magnus asked, and I felt a fool for not having noticed she wasn’t there.

“I haven’t seen her. I think she’s getting her stuff together for the trip. I have seen her canoodling with a guard, so maybe she’s having her own little love connection,” Mary said, trying to divert how upset she really was by Mae not being there.

The night was getting on, Dalhousie gave us a nice speech about love and hope, and we drank to it, me starting to get a little lightheaded with all the liquor and ambiance.

Music played through some speakers, the hangar becoming a dance hall, and couples and friends alike paired up, slow-dancing to some nice music. This was when Magnus did his business.

In the middle of a song, everyone walked away, circling the couple. Nat didn’t seem to notice, her eyes closed, her head nestled on his big chest.

He stopped moving, got to his knee and held her hand.

A tear slipped down her cheek, and the room was silent for a moment.

“Nat, baby. I’ve loved you for years. The second I saw you…” He stopped, probably not wanting to ruin it by reminding her of her capture at the hands of Russian mobsters all those years ago. “My heart loved you even then. A scared young woman, who took that negative part of her life and turned it from a scar to a badge. You are the single strongest person I’ve ever known, and the most beautiful soul I can imagine. I know I’m just a big oaf who sometimes speaks before thinking, and shoots before negotiating, but I’ll be there by your side for the rest of your life. You may think that I rescued you all those years ago, but the truth is, you rescued me. I’m forever in your debt. Will you make me the happiest man on Earth, New Earth, and Proxima b, and marry me?”