Defiance (Significance #3)(23)

Caleb jerked me into the room and quickly shut the door as he flipped on the lights. "Well, that was just great," he said sarcastically.
"I'm sure she's seen your cute behind before," I told him as I went to my suitcase. "I'm sure she changed plenty of your diapers."
He grimaced. "I don't want to think about it."
I just laughed at him more. He went to the bathroom and put on his clothes. I knew he had to head upstairs to put on some real ones that weren't dirty cell clothes. He came out and stopped in front of me.
"I'm going to have to take another shower." He smelled his shirt and wrinkled his nose. "The cells were pretty disgusting, but I'll be back down as soon as I can. Let Rodney walk you, ok?"
"Yes, tyrant," I said sweetly and kissed his dimple.
"I'll have you know, this is not the tyrant," he replied playfully. "The tyrant would have you getting dressed and then coming with me. I think that I'm doing pretty good, considering."
"Considering what?"
"That my fiancé can kick my tush without moving a muscle. Makes a guy feel a little unneeded."
"Aww, and what a cute tush it is," I goaded and he grinned through a fake scowl. "I need you," I said soberly. "I need you a lot, especially this week. Especially today. Don't ever think I don't need you."
"I know," he said, letting his fingers tangle and jingle my star bracelet.
"Do you?" I asked him sincerely.
"Absolutely," he replied with certainty, his blue eyes locking on mine. "Hey, I'm fine. Why are you all of a sudden so worried about me?"
"I just don't want you to think that because of everything….the Visionary stuff, that I'll become some kind of robot that just handles everything and doesn't-"
"You're such a girl," he interrupted sweetly, putting his head to mine. "I am completely secure. I trust you more than anyone. Don't worry about anything. We aren't going to change, no matter what happens this week." I licked my lips and nodded. He leaned in to kiss me. "I'll see in a few minutes, ok?"
"OK," I told him and watched him go to the door. "I love you."
He turned as he opened the door. "I love you, babe."
As soon as he was gone, I started getting ready for the day, though entailed details I wasn't privy to. I had no idea what to wear, casual or dressy, and if I was going to bring my A-game today, I needed to be prepared.
The knock on the door drew my attention and I went to it. I peeked out only to find my hand maids once more.
"Ah," I sighed. "Thank you guys so much. I'm freaking out about what to wear."
I let Gran come in first and Rachel was right behind her. Jen walked with her hands on Maria's shoulders before Maria ran and bounded into the air to land in a giggling heap on my bed.
"Hmmm," Rachel said as she eyed me. "Once again, you seem to be well rested and in good spirits, but no Caleb in sight. Hmm."
I looked at Gran, sure she had spilled the beans about Caleb being in his skivvies in the hall. She just winked. Our secret, I got it. I smiled and then sat on the bench at my vanity. I didn't argue or wait. I just closed my eyes and let them work on me. They seemed so excited to do it and I was excited for one less thing to worry about.When I finally opened my eyes, Jen was just now finished my hair. She'd curled it with a big curler and it hung in fantastic curls that framed my face. The earrings someone had slid into my ears were little silver feathers, and when I looked at the dress Gran had laid on the end of the bed, I bit my lip. How did that old lady have such good taste?
It was a strapless blue, knee length dress with a silver belt. Maria was holding the silver flats in her hands and looking at the glittery bow on the front with envy. "Why can't shoes like this fit me?"
"One day," her mom promised. "Those are big girl shoes."
I laughed. "They look like comfortable big girl shoes. Thank you for that."
"You're welcome," Rachel said and beamed at me. "I told Caleb to tell you not to bring anything, but he said you'd insist on bringing your own things."
And he was right. Even though technically I hadn't worn anything of mine but pajamas, just having my stuff there and knowing I could wear my own stuff was enough to stroke my need to seem like I was in control.
"Thank you guys," I said and heard the catch in my voice. I cleared my throat. "I know you all had to get ready so much earlier than me and then to come in here and help me…and I know that you do it because it's me and not the Visionary. Thank you."
"Oh, shush, girl, or you're gon' make me cry," Gran said and pulled me from the bench. "Arms up."
"I'm sorry?"
"Arms. Up," she said haughtily. "You ain't got nothing I ain't already seen."
My mouth the 'oh' but it never left my mouth as I obeyed her. She removed my shirt and then my bra. I felt my cheeks heat to furnace levels. Then Rachel helped her put on a beautiful blue strapless lace bra before slipping the dress over my head.
I looked at myself in the mirror as Rachel zipped me up. Man, I loved this dress.
"Your shoes!" Maria said as if I'd forget and leave without them.
"Oh, thank you," I said graciously for her benefit as I slipped them on.
"Today is the dignitary luncheon," Jen explained, "and then tonight is the dance."
"Dance?" I asked, suddenly feeling ill.
"Not like what you're thinking I'm sure. A different family each reunification picks a dance native to their region and teaches to all of us. One year it was the Waltz, then the Rumba, last year it was the Tango," she laughed. "That was so much fun!" 
"But…" I was confused. "I don’t understand. Rodney said that they do lights out for the purpose of keeping people apart so as not to build…relationships outside of imprints that won't work out in the end. So why would a dance, especially dances like those be allowed where people are going to be all over each other?"
"Oh, only imprinted significants can participate, but it's still fun to watch."
"Can't your uncle just teach everyone the dance real fast like?"
"Yes, but then there'd be no fun in watching them all fall and trip trying to get it right," she laughed and pointed at Rachel who rolled her eyes graciously. I assumed there was a story there, but with the charmed room, I had to assume only.
"Alright, let's go," Gran said. "I've already peeked in there and the Vanderbilts have cooked up something yummy."
"The Vanderbilts?" I asked.
"Yep. A different family prepares the meal each day."
"Huh," was all I said.
We made our way out to the hall where Rodney was waiting for me. He looked about ready to fall asleep right there in the hall. I didn't understand, but then wrinkled my nose as I remembered that he'd guided me all over the palace last night and didn't have a significant to reenergize him like I did. "Ouch," I sympathized and he jerked at the sound.
"What?" he groaned. "I'm sorry, what?"
"I said ouch. I'm sorry. I didn't think about you being out so late with me."
"Are you kidding?" he replied good naturedly. He bowed slightly and spoke clearly and with a new fervor. "I am always here to serve you, Visionary."
"And I'm grateful, but please don't bow."
He stayed bowed. "After seeing you in action last night, with my own eyes, seeing the Visionary in her element and with purpose, I can't pretend that you're just some girl anymore. You are the Visionary and it's only proper that I treat you as such."
"Oh, boy," I grumbled.
"What is it?"
"I just thought out of everyone I could count on you to keep a sane head about all of this." I humored him playfully and curtsied to him. "You may rise, my humble guard. There are things we must attend to on this beautiful morn."
"Ha," he said and laughed as I took his offered arm.
"Well, if you want to treat me as some spoiled princess, I'll act like one."
"Ok, point taken." He stopped and looked at me. "But no promises. If you met the President and he tried to bump fists with you, would you, or would you feel awkward because you were being disrespectful?"
"I'd do what he wanted," I countered. "If I'm so special," I said smartly, "shouldn't my wishes count for something?"
"Of course," he conceded. "I apologize."
"I don't want you to be sorry, I want you to be normal."
"I've never been normal," he chuckled. "You're out of luck there."
"I'll take what I can get at this point." I sniffed the aroma that could only be described as divine as we got closer to the room. "What is that?" I asked dreamily."Smells like pancakes." His eyes lit up. "Oh, it's the Vanderbilts! They make these pumpkin and banana pancakes that are so good, they will make you want to slap your momma."
"I already want to," I muttered under my breath.
"What's that?"
"Nothing. Let's go. Caleb will be down soon."
"Awww," we heard behind us and turned to find Marcus. "Is our little Visionary imprinting her way down the Jacobson line?"
"I suggest you walk on, Marcus," Rodney said in a voice I'd not heard from him yet.
"You're just as testy as Caleb," he said and laughed. "I only wanted to spend a few seconds with my Visionary. She's not very good at being an unbiased girl. The Watsons have barely seen her at all."