Generation 2, Chapter 21

  Author's note:  I was listening to some music while I was thinking about this chapter and the over all theme for these two couples and this song seemed to sum up how they each feel about the other. 
For Better or Worse



They decided on a double wedding to share expenses and it just felt right as they shared everything else. As the wedding day approached Robert tried to console Patricia over the fact her mother had refused to let her father and brother come to the wedding. It had always been her dream to have her dad walk her down the aisle. Thanks to her mother her dream was shattered. She excepted Roberts idea of having William walk both her and Evelyn down the aisle together. It wasn't the same but she knew that William loved her like a daughter and was only too glad to fill this role for her. In the back of her mind she kept hoping her mother would relent or her father would stand up to her and come anyway.

While the girls dressed Robert and Shon joked around with the groomsmen. They had asked Casey and Gene to be their best men. Casey was doing well in school and still content to play the field. Gene had been clean and sober for the past six months after his enforced rehab he had taken his sobriety seriously. He was on target to graduate from high school in the spring despite the delays and set backs, he was finally able to see a future he never thought existed.

Robert secretly thought there was girl somewhere in the background as he watched Gene check his phone and smile. "So who is she?" he asked after the 3rd or 4th time of watching Gene check his phone.

Gene looked up and smiled "just a friend."

"She must be pretty special to have you checking your phone so often," Robert teased.

Shrugging Gene admitted "She's the best. She's concerned I might fall off the wagon. So she's sending me messages of encouragement to keep me on the straight and narrow."

"Gene I'm sorry ... I didn't think."

"It's ok bro, you had a lot of things on your mind other than your alcoholic brother. I have to learn to enjoy things sober." Gene smiled then froze as he looked into the crowd and saw their mother. "Just make sure she stays away from me and I should be just fine."

"We'll do the best we can. Actually that's Beverly's department. Looks like she's doing a pretty good job since she hasn't bothered anyone."

"I can't believe you invited her," Gene complained.

"It's not like I had a choice. What was I supposed to do? Tell her she couldn't come because she's a piss poor mother."

"That'd be a start."

"No thanks. I already have an angry soon to be mother-in-law I don't need our mother throwing a hissy fit on my wedding day."

"Ok, ok," Gene said throwing his hands up "you win. You better hope your mother-in-law doesn't show up uninvited and has a bonding session with mother dearest over their mutual dislike of you."

"That's so not funny," Robert said taking a swing at him.

Their attention was drawn to Shon when he said "What's he doing here?" Robert followed his glare across the room to an older man with dark, gray streaked hair. The man turned around and looked in their direction, his startling blue eyes clinched it in Robert's mind. "Is that who I think it is?"

Not taking his eyes away from the man Shon nodded and through clenched teeth said "Yes".

Robert leaned over and whispered to Gene "Go get Dad. Tell him we have trouble."

Nodding Gene went in search of their Dad. He knew Robert sent him away to remove him from a potentially stressful situation that could trigger his drinking. Shrugging it off he also knew he was doing his part to help.

The older man made his way over to them, stopping a few feet away, glaring at Shon before saying "It's been a while."

"Not long enough," Shon stated as his hands clinched into fists.

"I tried contacting you when I first got out," he said looking around him. "Not the way I imagined finding out my son was getting married."

"You weren't invited."

Smiling feintly "You haven't changed. You're still the same little shit I remember."

William came rushing up to the boys "what's going on here?" he asked sensing Shon was struggling to remain calm.

"I see you still can't fight your own battles. Is that why your marrying an alien, too afraid to say no? You worthless, weak, no good piece of shit, you never were worth much and your even more worthless now. You need a good beating to knock some sense into you. What are you thinking boy, marrying that thing?"

Shon stared helplessly into the face of the monster who tormented him from the day he was born and filled his dreams with nightmares. The person he hated most and who could have him shaking in fear in seconds. He balled his hands into fists as his heart hammered in his chest. Tears stung the back of his eyes but he willed them away, refusing to give his father the satisfaction. "She's not a thing. She's the woman I love and the woman I'm going to marry."

"Love? You love that ... that creature," he said astounded. "I should have killed you when you were born before you had the chance to disgrace me like this."

Shon stepped back as his father spat in his face.   Robert grabbed the man and pulled him away "It's time you left."

"Not until I've had my say," he yelled and turned his attention to  William. "You should have drowned your green rats the day they were born."

Two men in uniform came up to them "Is everything alright here?"

Shon shook his head "this man is making threats about the bride and her family."

"This man as you say is your father boy," he sneered "Take heed if you go through with this marriage you'll regret it. I'll make sure of that."

The officers arrested him while he protested that he had the right to his opinion. Shon watched them leave, shaking as he wondered if his fathers threats were real or not. He wished the earth would just open up and swallow his father whole and he'd be gone forever.

"Son are you alright?" William asked for the third time.

"Uh yeah, I guess," Shon said bringing his thoughts back from his father. He tried to smile but it came off forced and weak. Robert threw an arm across his shoulder. "Looks like we both need eyes on the back of our heads."

"Don't you know it," Shon agreed.

"Well boys are you ready to get married," looking at each other they both answered "yes" at the same time.

"Then you better take your places, it's about to start," William smiled at them giving them the encouragement they both needed to pull themselves together. He just hoped the threats were empty and both young men had many years of happiness ahead of them.

As they stood waiting for their brides to join them they were distracted from their thoughts by a loud commotion from the direction the girls would be coming. All heads turned as their apprehensions rose.

Everyone took a collective sigh of relief when William emerged with Evelyn on his arm, both smiling. Robert started to walk towards them concerned as to why Patricia wasn't with them. William seeing him, waved him back, smiling he cleared his throat to project his voice so that everyone could hear. "Everything's alright and proceeding as planned." He motioned for the music to begin again as he walked Evelyn down the aisle to join Shon.

After a moment the the music stopped as Patricia came out with her father and brother on either side of her. All three were beaming with happiness as the music started. Patricia's eyes never left Robert's as she walked down the aisle. Her father kissed her on the cheek before sitting down beside his son.

Roberts voice quivered with emotion as he said his vows. 

"I Robert Matthew Bennett believe in you, in the person you will become and the couple we will be together.  With all my heart, I take you as my wife, Patricia Fern Bradford.  I promise to be faithful, supportive and to make our family my priority.  I will be yours in plenty and in loss, in sickness and in health, in failure and in triumph.  I will dream with you, celebrate with you and walk beside you through whatever life may bring.  You are my love, my life today and always."

 Evelyn turned to Shon, with tears in her eyes as she said her vows.

"On this day, I Evelyn Rebecca Bennett give you, Shon Robert Olivia my heart.  My promise that I will walk with you, hand in hand wherever our journey leads us.  Living, learning, loving together, forever."

  

Generation 2, Chapter 20

 

"Evelyn?" Shon asked trying to get her attention.

Looking up from folding laundry "What is it Shon?" her tone irritable.

"Have I told you how cute you are when your mad?" Shon said delighting at the spark that lit her eyes up.

"Are you trying to make me mad? I just spent hours at the laundry mat, I'm not in the mood."

Giving her his best smile "I'm not trying I'm succeeding." He side stepped the not so friendly slap she aimed at him. Chuckling at her he said "I have something to tell you, so if your finished ..."

"Alright I can tell you're not going to give me a moments peace until I give you all of my attention." She turned to him trying to stay mad at him but losing the battle when he went down on one knee.

"Evie I love you. I've loved you since the day you cried on my shoulder over that no good snake Evan. I knew you were the only girl for me. No matter how I tried to deny my feelings for you, you kept wrapping yourself around my heart. I can't think of living my life without you and I hope I won't have to. Will you marry me?"

"Yes." Evelyn said beaming at him "I've loved you since that day too. I never thought I'd see you again when we moved and I looked everywhere for someone like you but never could. Then I walked in the dorm and heard your voice calling me the 'green meanie' and I lost my heart all over again." She jumped into his arms and kissed him. Pulling back she said "by the way you are not to call me that ever again."

"How about I just call you beautiful?"

"That'll do," she said reaching up to kiss him again.

They spent the next couple hours discussing wedding dates.  They had almost decided when they were interrupted by someone pounding on their door.  The pounding was joined by the shrill voice of  a woman yelling "let me in.  I know you're in there."

"Who the hell could that be?" Shon asked annoyed at the interruption.

Shrugging Evelyn shook her head, moving to answer the door. Grabbing her arm Shon said "I'll get it,"  as he wondered if it could be someone irate over a ticket he had given them. Shon opened the door to find an older, heavy set woman poised to pound on the door. "Can I help you?"

"Not unless your Robert Bennett," she said loudly, stepping around him and into the kitchen.

Turning to follow her Shon said "I'm not and he's not home."

"Then I'll wait," she said sitting on the couch.

"He won't be home until late tonight," Shon told her trying to be polite. "You should come back tomorrow."

Ignoring the obvious attempt for her to go the woman sat staring obstinately ahead. Sighing Shon was at a loss as to what to do next. Evelyn came up beside him whispering "who is she?"

Shaking his head "I haven't got a clue." He walked over to the woman "Who are you and what do you want?"

Smirking up at him she said "that's none of your business."

"It is since your in my house."

Looking disdainfully around the small room she laughed "I wouldn't be so proud of that if I were you."

"I can have you arrested for trespassing," Shon told her even though he hoped he wouldn't have to.

She laughed at him "just try it sunny."

Shon shrugged "have it your way." He reached into his pocket for his phone, he was about to dial the police when Patricia walked in.

"I found the perfect dress," she announced excited. Turning to close the door she spotted the woman on the couch. She froze, losing her smile as the woman stood up. "What are you doing here?"

"To put a stop to your wedding plans," she announced "I won't allow my daughter to give up her life to live in this hovel."

"Your delusional mother," Patricia shouted.

"I'm delusional?" her mother asked. "I'm not the one throwing their life away by marrying someone who can't even put a decent roof over their head. And that" she pointed at Evelyn "I suppose is your fiance's sister. I simply can't let you become associated with that .... thing."

Evelyn's face blanched at the insult, Shon put his arm around her.

"Mother you're not welcome here. Leave. Now." Patrica said pointing towards the door.

"I'm not leaving until you agree to call off the wedding and come home where you belong."

"I won't. I love Robert and I'm going to marry him. This house may not be much but it's filled with love." Grabbing Evelyn's hand she squeezed it tightly. "Evelyn is my best friend and I love her like a sister."

"Think about your future children, they'll be stigmatized by having that as an Aunt."
"No they'll be traumatized by having you as a grandmother." Patricia hurled back at her, fighting to stand her ground. "I want you to leave or I'll have Shon arrest you."

"You wouldn't dare," her mother said not believing her daughter would dare defy her. Seeing the determination written on her face to follow through on her threat she said "I'll go but I'm not finished."

Watching her mother walk out the door, she began to shake. Wrapping her arms around herself she started to cry. Evelyn hugged her, offering what support she could. Shon watched from the window to make sure Patricia's mother left.

"Well she's gone," he announced turning towards the girls.

"She'll be back," Patricia said through her tears.

"It might be a good idea to look into puttig a restraining order on her."

"I can't, she's my mother." Patricia protested.

"I know but sometimes they're the very ones you need protection from," Shon said quietly.

Later that night as Robert was coming home from the diner. As he walked towards the house a strange woman approached him. "Robert Bennett?"

"Yeah, can I help you?" he asked swallowing a yawn.

"Call off the wedding."

"What? No," he said walking away from her.

She reached out and grabbed him. "Don't brush me off, it could be a deadly mistake."

Shaking her hand off he glared at her "I won't call off the wedding." He wondered who this crazy lady was.

"I won't let you ruin my daughters life," she spat in his face.

"It's not your choice to make. I love Patricia and if you loved her you wouldn't be trying to destroy her happiness."

"You're not the one for her."

"Says you. She obviously doesn't agree with you." he walked rapidly passed her and into the house. He locked the door behind him and glanced out the window to see her standing where he left her glaring at the house.

  

Generation 2, Chapter 19

"Patricia come away from the door," Robert requested holding out his hand. "You promised Shon he'd have some privacy tonight."

Looking at him with her brown eyes wide, giving the impression of innocence, she replied "He has privacy."

Laughing at her, Robert took her by the hand and led her away from the door "Not if you have your ear pressed up against the door he doesn't."

"But," she protested trying to turn back towards the door.

"No buts, you promised," Robert said leaning forward to kiss her.

Smiling up at him, she asked "Are you trying to distract me?"

"Yes. Is it working?" He asked with a cheeky grin he kissed her again. "It'd be a shame to waste this opportunity. Alone in a room together. There's so much more we can be doing other than eavesdropping on Shon and Evie."

"Hmm I think I like how your mind works," she said as she pulled towards the bed.

"Did I mention we're alone," he asked as Patricia tugged on his shirt pulling it over his head.

"You've mentioned it a time or two," she said as she kissed a trail along his collar bone. "It'd be a shame to waste our time together," she said as she worked on removing his pants.

Moaning in agreement he worked on removing her clothes as they took advantage of what little time they had.

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"You hear that?" Shon asked rolling his eyes.

"Yeah, sounds like someone is enjoying their alone time a little too much," she said laughing.

"Let's go outside and let them have at it," Shon suggested taking her by the hand as he led her towards the door.

Sitting on the ground Shon gazed up into the night sky.

"What do you see?" Evelyn asked look at him.

"What do you mean?" he asked confused.

"When you look up into the sky, what do you see?"

"I see the moon and stars, it's beautiful," he said staring up taking in all it's beauty. "It's takes my breath away." He fell silent for a moment contemplating the beauty before him.   Moving close to Evelyn, he wrapped his arms around her. Somehow he knew she saw something vastly different then he did. "Tell me," he said gently "what do you see?"

Looking up into the sky she shivered. She felt Shon squeeze her tight, reassuring her "I..." she began as her voice faltered. Turning to look at Shon, seeing him smile at her she continued "I see danger, for me, for you, my family and everyone else. Somewhere out there in that vast empty space lurks an evil presence."

"Hon just because the aliens abduct people doesn't automatically make them evil," Shon attempted halting at the flash of anger Evelyn gave him.

"Yes they are. I've spoken to them. They have one goal. To fix their reproductive problems before they all die. They don't care who they hurt or the lives they destroy in the process." She wiped tears from her eyes as she continued "I'm the reason why they continue. I'm their first success and because I exist they continue to abduct people in the hopes of replicating their success. Rob's an example of that. They took him to prepare his body so he can carry a hybrid child like me. The aliens know they can replicate their procedure, just look at Bryan he's proof that they can." She laughed harshly "My family are their pet project and I'm afraid it will destroy them."

Shon pulled her close "I'm sorry. I didn't know."

She cried into his shoulder mumbling "I hate them. I wish they were all dead."

Her vehemence shocked Shon prompting him to say "Evie you don't mean that."

Nodding her head she reiterated "Yes, yes I do. They're all evil, using my family like lab rats, destroying their lives," her words dissolved into tears.

Taking her head between his hands Shon looked into her eyes "Not all the aliens are evil monsters. Somewhere on their planet is a couple who desperately wants a child and hoping their government will find a solution before time runs out. It's their scientists and leaders that are to blame not the entire species. They probably don't even know what's going on."

Shaking her head she said "I don't care. I just want them leave us alone."

Gathering her close, holding her as her body shook with her sobs Shon rubbed her back wishing there was something he could do or say to ease her fears.

Sniffling a little Evelyn shifted in his arms. Sighing she let herself be comforted by him even as her thoughts raced. Reaching up she stroked his cheek whispering in his ear "Thank you."

Looking down at her he said "it was nothing."

Smiling, she shook her head "no it was everything." Getting up she pulled Shon up with her. He gathered her into an embrace. He looked deep into her eyes as she gazed into his. Their lips met and they became lost within each others touch.

Breaking the kiss Shon mumbled "I wish the bedroom wasn't occupied."

Flashing him a mischievous grin "the shower's not," she said as she resumed the kiss. Shon picked her up and carried her into the house.

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As the months passed and their relationships deepened the small house and the lack of privacy was proving problematic. They were coping best they could and adjusting, taking advantage of any time they may have to be alone together as couples.

"Shon, are you happy," Evelyn asked concerned by his quiet demeanor.

"Sure. Why?" he asked coming over to her.

Shrugging she said "no reason other than you don't seem like yourself. Is anything wrong?"

Smiling a little he explained "just a lot of things on my mind lately. Nothing to worry about."

Eying him suspiciously, she wondered if he was holding something back.  She asked "Shon will you promise me something?"

"Depends upon what it is," he said unwilling to commit himself before knowing what he would be promising.

Sighing a little Evelyn looked down then back up at him, the corners of her mouth lifting a little "Will you promise that when you receive another job offer in your line of work that you will discuss it with me first before making a decision. I don't want a repeat of last time."

Smiling at her Shon replied "I think I can do that."

"Good," she said firmly looking at him.

Hugging her closely he asked "Do you know something I don't?"

Shaking her head "No it's just that I don't want you to pass up another opportunity on account of me."

Lifting her chin up Shon smiled "I promise. Does that make you feel better?"

"Some" she said as she cuddled into him. He smiled as his arms went around her slim waist. "Evie I love you," he whispered in her ear.

"I love you too," she said looking up at him. "My home will always be where ever you are. Home is where your heart is and my heart is right here," she said as she placed her hand on his chest feeling his heart beat under her palm.

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Walking through the park Robert thought about the ring in his pocket. Today was the day he was going to pop the question, the one that will determine his future. It all hung on two little words, yes or no, either would effect his life for good or bad. He believed he knew the answer but what if he was wrong? The what if's were holding him back from taking the ring from his pocket, keeping it there for the past three months.

Smiling nervously Robert wiped his hands on his pants leg hoping to rid them of their clammy feeling.

Looking up, Patricia asked "Is something wrong Rob?"

"No everything's fine," he sighed as he watched Patricia go back to her book. 'You idiot' the voice in his head yelled. 'What if she says no?' he asked the voice. 'At least you'd know. Now open your mouth and just do it.' 'I can't' 'You can, just do it.' The internal debate went on inside his head as he groaned from frustration. Patricia looked up in concern. 'Shit that was out loud. Now what?'

"Rob I know something's wrong. Want to talk about it?"

He was trapped, he knew it, there was no backing out now. His mouth opened but no sound came out. He tried again managing to squeak "I ..." before is voice cracked and gave out. Taking a deep breath trying to calm his breathing he tried again. "Patricia I love."

"I love you too," she smiled up at him. She hoped this was the moment she had waited for. He seemed so nervous, she'd bet her life he was going to ask her to marry him. She tried to still the growing excitement as her anticipation grew. She wanted to scream yes before he even asked her.

Robert fumbled trying to get the ring from his pocket as he stumbled to his knees. All the while Patricia was watching him with her large brown eyes He kept telling himself to breath as he felt like he was suffocating. Looking down for a moment to gather his thoughts, he tried to remember what he had rehearsed but all his mind came up with was 'breathe'. His mind was blank, he wanted to run but he forced himself to stay and see this through. In panic he blurted "Will you marry me?" he asked looking up at her, his eyes pleading as he waited for her answer and all there was, was silence. His hand started to shake as he held the ring out to her, as the silence lingered his face fell in disappointment.

When the moment came and she heard those four little words.  Patricia felt all the air bleed from her body, leaving her weak and tongue tied. Her mouth refused to form the simple little three lettered word that would bring a smile back to his lips. She watched as his hopeful look turned to one of defeat and she felt tears fall from the corners of her eyes. She shook her head firmly telling herself to get a grip and say something, instead she held her hand out so he could put the ring on her finger.

Robert watched as Patricia held her hand out.  He hesitated wondering if she wanted him to give her the ring. She was nodding at him as tears flowed down her cheeks. He took a deep breath as he managed to slip the ring on her finger. No sooner was the ring in place, he was knocked off balance by Patricia throwing herself at him, wrapping her arms around him repeating yes, yes, yes over and over again in his ear. He smiled as he held her tight.