What Happens After the First Dance?
Amber sat at the long table with Dan, her parents, his parents, and all their siblings. The first dance had been like a dream; it all felt so surreal, and she didn't want to wake up or for it to ever end.
She smiled out at the people before them, but her gaze caught Jessica speaking angrily to a server. She frowned, but was quickly distracted when her father stood.
"I want to give the first toast this time." Everyone quieted as the head of the Lance family began. "I want to toast my beautiful, smart, and savvy daughter, and my capable and intelligent son-in-law. Here is to their happiness. I pray you two weather any and every storm!"
A cheer went up, and Amber saw Jessica coming towards them eagerly with two teacups. She looked to her eldest sister curiously. Then, something happened. It was like Jessica tripped over her own two feet. Their brother, Samuel, caught her, but the two cups went flying.
The hot orange liquid seemed to move in slow motion until it splattered all over Amber's beautiful satiny-pearl gown. The room went silent. All eyes shifted between Amber and Jessica for several long moments. Then, suddenly, time resumed when Amber spoke. "Dan, it seems my sister found sea buckthorn." She looked to her sister. "Thank you, Jessica. It is his new favorite flavor." She stood. "I'd better go change and maybe soak this if I want to save it."
Two of the event managers were at her side in an instant. Dan finally snapped out of his shock. "No, no. I am carrying you over the threshold. If you have to change, I am going with you."
"Okay, but you two better come back!"
Amber turned to her cousin, who had just spoken. "We will be back. We have another announcement."
For a moment, Dan was just as surprised as everyone else. Then he smiled and swooped Amber off her feet without warning. She squealed and threw her arms around his shoulders. "Shouldn't you wait until we cross the lake?"
Dan shook his head. "I am carrying you the entire way. David, bring a broom!"
Amber laughed wildly, and everyone threw their biodegradable confetti at them as they walked onto the flat-bottomed boat. The eight rowers began the journey back to the lake house dock.
As Amber and Dan moved into their future, Jessica was trying to keep her emotions in check. All of her siblings and both her parents had asked if she was okay, keeping an eye on her since her "walking incident." She was wearing flats because of her back, and it seemed she could not walk well even in those.
She had tripped over air; her feet just hadn't wanted to obey commands. She had planned it all so well. The tea had been made, and she had prepared it for them—adding sugar and opening a capsule into one—and she was taking it to Amber and Dan.
Then her feet had stopped listening to her mental commands.
Jessica Lance was furious as she watched Dan standing, straight-backed, with Amber Ann in his arms. Amber's giggles crossed the lake, intensifying Jessica's anger. Not only had she failed in the attempt, but now they were bonding even more, intensifying their union.
Anthony had assured her that the capsule would be effective against the strongest will and could help break the strongest bonds. Even with that assurance, Jessica feared the longer they were allowed down this path, the harder it would be to separate them.
Samuel stepped closer to her, sipping his drink and watching the boat row away. "Everything okay, Jessica? Mother is worried."
Jessica's eyes flicked to her mother - her head never moving. She saw the worry in her eyes and Jessica fought with herself not to roll her own. "I am fine. I will go talk to Mommy."
Samuel noted the tension in her voice and responded casually. "Okay. Just one thing... we were wondering if we should have the tea analyzed." He sipped his drink slowly again. "Just to make sure everything is okay. I never could find Shaw, and my contacts say he has gone back underground."
A slow, wide smile spread across Jessica's face as she finally looked at her brother. She glanced down at the now-pristinely clean floor. "Check the tea—if you can—and don't complain to me about your own incompetence." She eyed him contemptuously, her gaze slowly sliding from his face to his feet. "Great family protector, indeed."
Jessica turned and walked toward her mother, her calm contempt fully restored. Samuel watched her walk away. He was now completely sure there was an issue with that tea and that she was still in league with Anthony Shaw. He sighed. None of this was done. He hoped he would not need to sacrifice one sister to save another.