Revelations(89)

But I also know that can’t be, I was gone, and I know I was. “You didn’t…” I begin apprehensively, “make another deal with Lucifer to get me back, did you?” He gives me a horrified look, and I realize I’ve said a bit too much. But as I’ve said before, I won’t ever lie to him. “I know about the deal you made…”

“I’m sorry, Jude, it was for—”

I stop his words with a kiss. “Shhh, it’s all right, I made the same deal with him…We both got fucked, I think.”

He begins to laugh, and after a moment we’re laughing together. And just like that we know what’s happened to us. Everything becomes crystal clear. We’ve just been given the chance to work this out, the way we’ve always wanted to do but never could. Together. And in a timeframe of our own choosing. Which means we’re free to live out our lives naturally—together.

“Thank you, Father,” he whispers fervently, and I second his emotions, mindful of my father-in-law’s parting admonition. Let him watch me. I intend to be good as gold. I have what I want now; he’s all that I need. All I’ll ever need.

“Is Kathy Kaplan all right?” I ask, suddenly remembering the brave woman who put her life on the line to protect us. Last seen, she was in a world of trouble herself.

“She is,” he replies. “In fact she was only in the hospital for a day, and they sent her home. Apparently, her bruises looked worse than they were. She’s come by every day to see you, Jude, she’s been as worried as the rest of us.”

“I’m glad she’s not hurt.” I’m relieved to hear that everything’s worked out well, that she isn’t being made to suffer for championing us. To know her family is intact and they’re happy and together and safe. Not good that they worried, of course. I didn’t mean that.

“Take me home,” I murmur into his soft flesh. “I want to go home with you…”

“Home where, Jude?” That’s a good question. We have no actual home, never have. We’ve spent all our lives on the road, moving from one place to another.

Never set down roots of any kind. It’s time to change that, I think. He nuzzles his face against my chest, contented moans that are almost purrs issue from his throat.

“Jude, what’s in your pocket?”

Pocket? I have pockets? Holy shit, I’m actually wearing a hospital gown and robe. And a damned ugly one at that, what I can see of it. But there’s a suspicious lump there. He reaches in for me, as I’m rather clumsy at the moment, and pulls out a small box. Things are becoming clear to me now, with startling clarity. I have a sneaking suspicion just what’s in that box. And if I’m right, I owe Him another one.

“Open it,” I urge him, “go on, see what’s in it.” He snaps back the hinged lid, and inside is—can’t you get it, surely? What else comes in a box that size?

Seriously? It’s a ring. Two rings even. Matching gold bands, inlaid with small onyx stones. And some sort of engraving. It looks Aramaic. “What does it say? I can’t see very well.”

“I am my beloved’s,” he reads the inscription aloud, “and my beloved is mine.” Such beautiful words. “Your father has great taste,” I tell him, smiling, before I turn serious. “Jesus…” I make a half-assed attempt to rise, but he forbids that, and I have to admit it sounds better in theory than in practice, so I’ll have to do this a different way. “Jesus, if I could, I’d fall upon one knee, and I’d do this right, and I’d be dressed a hell of a lot better than this…” God, this gown is disgusting, but I can’t do anything about it right this moment, so it’ll have to pass. “I would take your hand in mine…at least I can do that much.” He gives me his hand, which helps, and I raise it to my lips and kiss it fervently, gazing into his eyes. “Joshua bar Joseph, I have loved you for as long as I can remember, and I never had the nerve to tell you before. I’ve wasted a lot of time in wishing that I could, but I’m going to tell you now. You are my alpha and my omega. You are my everything.

You complete me in every way. Except one. Will you please take my hand in marriage, and will you be my husband, for as long as we both shall live? I have it on good authority that’s gonna be a pretty long time.” I look hopefully into his eyes, unable to say anything else. That one speech cost me, but it’ll be worth it, I know.

“Judas Iscariot,” he replies, his voice thick with emotion, grasping my hand tightly, “there’s nothing more that I would rather do. Yes, I will marry you. Once you heal, of course. I know the perfect place where we can be wed…” Already? I just asked the question. That speaks volumes to me, and I feel my heart simply melt. “You’ve…you’ve thought about marrying me?” I ask, incredulous.