The Anchor in the Storm
Dan woke up early the next morning, a feeling of foreboding making his heart twist painfully in his chest. He suddenly wanted to thank Jessica from the bottom of his heart. He had been so sure that his plan was foolproof. Who would have thought a such a predator would stumble across his Amber.
He had read the reports from Miller, Lance Security, and Virginia's team. Six cases with a woman formally stalked then murdered with the small toe of the right foot removed after death and soot somewhere on or in her body had been found by Miller. Dan had to fight his urge to run with Amber and an urge to vomit at the same time. Both Albert and Samuel sent special teams to surveille the area and maintain a perimeter.
It was decided that from that moment forward Dan wouldn't even use his satellite-tower hop to communicate. He and Amber were officially dark and it didn't look like he would be able to promise her freedom before their baby was born.
Then he became nervous and checked the systems - Someone had already synced with the system. Someone had already entered and had done so hours ago. He had gone to the upper most floor and then to a small observation deck that looked like a natural hill on the surface. He used his satellite phone and called Rebecca. His sister would now monitor the systems closely and inform Samuel and Virginia of anything anomalous.
He closed his eyes to the memory, exhaled slowly, then pressed a soft kiss to Amber's bare shoulder. She stirred beside her. She rolled over to him, their son causing her to actually exert effort. They both smiled at each other for a long minute.
Then Amber spoke, her voice gravelly with the remnants of sleep. "Today will be about you. I want to make your favorite foods, and treat you to a spa day."
Dan smiled and put a hand on her rounded belly. "I am supposed to be making you two comfortable." He kissed her stomach gently. "You don't have to worry about this. We can..."
Amber narrowed her eyes and then pouted. "And why can't we do things for you?" She paused and her eyes filled with tears.
Dan's smile fell and his eyes widened. "Don't cry my love. Don't cry. I am so sorry." He reached for her and drew her into an embrace. "If you want to me a special day then give it. I accept. He kissed her softly in the lips and then gave her soft little peck all over her face and neck - until she was giggling.
Amber rose from bed showered, dressed, and completed her morning routine - all with a wide relaxed smile. She went to the hydroponics wing and collected things to cook and to use for a relaxing spa for Dan.
She came across an area that was cooler and the lighting seemed a bit different. Her eyes went wide when she saw the sea buckthorn. She smiled as she picked the ripe fruit.
Dan enjoyed a day of pampering as Amber enjoyed cooking for them and preparing unique baths for them to enjoy together.
They enjoyed three meals together and two unique snacks.
Amber used the sea buckthorn pineapple to make a jam. This they used on toast in the morning and then she made empanada with it for a sweet treat. Then she marinated fish with the sour berries, grilled the fish and placed it on top of a garden salad. For dinner she blended the berries into a salsa apples and pears and served it with juicy pieces of pork loin.
Dan looked at her as she washed dishes. This woman was brilliant, capable, and he knew she would be a wonderful mother. Once again he knew how much of a fool he had been - falling for Jessica solely because of her outward demeanor.
"Amber." He sighed as he walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed the back of her neck. "Can I please wash the dishes?"
"No."
Dan smiled. "Can I at least present my case?"
"No."
"Are you denying me due process?"
She frowned and looked at him. They both fell into laughter. "Can we compromise and I dry? We can bond?"
Amber smiled at him with narrowed eyes, like she was trying to see if he was lying, but she handed him a drying towel.
As Amber and Dan were finishing their day Rebecca Trace got an alert on her secure phone. A signal trying to sync with the underground complex's new communication configuration. She frowned and as messages were automatically sent to Trace-Progressive Security, Blue Serene Security, Samuel, Virginia, and Albert and she began tracking the intruder threatening her older brother.
Her frown deepened as she lost the signal twice and she realized that the hacker had detected her. Her jaw set and her expression hardened. She would lead him on a wild goose and give her brother a chance to disappear again.