My Alien Love by LaVenia R. Boswell

clothes?
     
           “Baby, my love, before you speak again throw all the switches, except the one under number twelve.” 
     
           She did as instructed then angrily began to ask, “How do you know . . . .”  Suddenly realizing that she had no idea how many people were listening she shut up.
     
           Her finger was still on the button when someone knocked at her door.  She quickly ran to the bed and put on the robe that didn't really hide much, then slowly opened the door. 
     
           There stood Mark and Jonathan, Mark quickly looked down at the floor but not before he saw her robe get caught on the doorknob, pulling it halfway open. 
     
           Jonathan held a dress in his arms.  It had the most beautiful material she had ever seen.  “My sweet soon to be wife, this is your wedding dress,” he said, walking in boldly and laying it on the bed.  “Your family will be here in about forty-five minutes.  Mark, where's the box with the other stuff?”
     
           “It's right here,” he said setting it on the chair. 
     
           Melody was shocked to see a rather large bruise on Mark's chin.  “Mark, what happened?!”  She went to him and touched his face.
     
           “It's my fault,” Jonathan said looking truly ashamed.
     
           “Your fault?”  Then she remembered the scuffle outside her door last night or was it this morning?
     
           “I went a little crazy.”  His face was blood red beneath his tanned features.
     
           Suddenly she remembered, “What do you mean my family will be here soon?!  They're not to arrive until just after three o'clock .”
     
           “Sweetheart, it's after two.”  Seeing her shocked face he explained, “Somehow, (he looked pointedly at Mark) my Aunts heard about my early morning escapade.  They decided that it was better to let both of us sleep, that way we would be refreshed for the ceremony.”
     
           “Are you feeling better?” she questioned as she looked him over.
     
           “Yes, he’s feeling much better,” Mark stated rubbing his jaw.  Then laughing he hugged them both.  “You know Mel, it's going to be great having you in the family.”
     
           “Darling, do you need any assistance with your gown?”  Jonathan asked.
     
           “No, I think I can handle it.  If you gentlemen will excuse me, I won't have to stand here half naked,” she smiled, watching Jonathan constantly move in front of Mark, continually blocking his view.  “By the way, where is everyone?”
     
           “Most are in the garden, the rest are greeting the guests,” Mark volunteered, bending his head around Jonathan.        
     
           “Guests?  I hadn't realized that there would be others.”
     
           “We're a wide spread family but everyone lives within walking distance from here.  Oh, Melody, several of your friends will be here and a few of the professors at the University, a couple of government dignitaries and most of your cousins, aunts and uncles,” Jonathan said smiling.
     
           “But how?  I didn't notify anyone but my mother?”
     
           “Aunt Cassandra talked with your mother last night and got the names and numbers of your relatives and friends.  My family contacted most of the others.”
     
           She immediately became nervous.  “Jon, are you sure this is what you really, really want to do?”
     
           He saw her shaking.  Holding her close to his chest he brushed her hair with his hands and soothed, “I've never been so sure of anything in my entire life.  Now, don't worry.  When we enter the garden all you have to do is look at me.  When you find yourself getting nervous just look into my eyes.”  He kissed her tenderly, reached into a pocket of his baggy pants and handed her a chocolate candy kiss, then left.