Junction Pt. 02

They walked up to the counter with the aid of a cane still that he leaned on heavily, "You have a set of rings ready for me." Jace hit his secure comms in his head and transferred the balance to the owner while he stood there.

He looked over and smiled at Jace, "That was why you were so secretive, and the River effect you wanted makes sense now, knowing who you are."

He brought the rings out and showed Jace how the internal band connectors worked to adjust the finger size. Jace nodded to him as he took the 2 boxes and they walked out. Marshal Weber looked at him, "That ring looks fucking expensive."

Jace nodded, "Not a word to anyone. Including Coop. None of them know I have them yet. Rayne is worth it and more to me."

Webber nodded, "Alright, here's to her saying yes, like that is in doubt. Her whole family loves you."

Jace nodded, "I know they do."

Jace still had a hard time with that word. Saying it to others when he had yet to say that word to Rayne in regards to their relationship.

---

Not a day later Sylvia was the target of over 40 assassins as her protection status was removed but she was not informed. They succeed in bringing her reign to an end. The one who got her was one of the King's Royal Bodyguards; in her lab.

He stripped her of all augmentations and then drained her of all remaining Ki in her body except for 1Ki before shooting her through the head. She was strapped to her own table and left to bleed all over the floor.

The King looked at the report, "It was time for her to be retired."

The King ordered the contract to Jace to be paid out as part of settling her estate, with an equal amount sent to Jessica Winters for the pain Jessica was about to feel. He knew Sylvia had lied in the information on Jace's children.

She had broken the contract the day Jace was released. His assassin was on the move for the other asset. As Sylvia's body was sent straight to cremation with her case effectively closed almost immediately.

---

The following morning, they finally all left the hospital. The children finally being released from the hospital after having been born early. Rayne had some magical weight reduction and skin restoration treatments done to her.

The latter helped to remove any signs of stretch marks on her body. This was done at her request and Jace would deny her absolutely nothing. Getting them done while the children were still in the hospital was only prudent and it helped her self-esteem immensely. They were all released together.

He stayed with them as it was easier for the Marshals to guard them as one group and that entire wing of the hospital was sealed off for security. Marshal Cooper drove one of the cars to get them all home. He and Helen had 3 babies traveling with them while Rayne and Jace had the other 3 in his car as Coop had retrieved it for him.

Then another 4 marshals armed to the teeth in each of the other 2 vehicles. They were still under the protection of the Marshal Service. These people did not go after 1 of their own, but 2 and their families including a pregnant woman.

The telepaths gleaned enough to know other attacks were likely. That an underground bounty of 100,000,000 DC's was out on Jace, the capture was listed as the preferred method. The Royal Family had to go in and get that removed. Though they could not trace the source and it kept reappearing every few days before being removed again.

Jessica was the first to notice the change and she called, "Marshal Cooper, something is going on. I have 5,000,000 DC's sent into my account. What Sylvia was supposed to pay if I died."

Coop brought Jace into the conversation. His vehicle would hold all the children but for safety, they were divided during transport home. Jessica told Jace what she knew.

Jace checked his account, "I have it as well and I have a message pointing me to a news article that just popped onto the Weave. She is dead. I believe the Royal Family is making a very specific but hidden message that she was retired for her activity.

There is a report listing those who went through the program and if they are still alive or not released anonymously to the news agency. Then percentages. You do not want to go looking at that."

Jess sighed, "You know I am going to look."

Jace groaned, "Only because you asked and will not let this go. 3 of your children died the same day they were born, our daughters. Another 4, 4 of the males, are still alive and in the program.

The 8th died a couple of months ago due to gene therapy failure. Rayne's sisters' children both boys still live and are in the program. A third that was not mentioned to me, a female, died the day she was born. That means she violated our agreement before my release even.

None of my children were listed as deceased and my daughter with Rayne was not in the records at all. Likely why we both got paid on this. That means 5, 4 girls and a son inside the program are dead. It gives subject ID numbers for the parents and the children, no names for any of us. That means while we cannot pull them from the program, we know their current status.

A former member of the program Dr. Anton Reese made an official statement given the 'unauthorized release' of the file. In which he stated. 'The program would continue but they promised to work to heavily reduce the mortality numbers down from birth.

Parents have the option of having their children's services be bought out by their parents. After their mandatory 2-year commitments, provided there are no defects they wish to keep out of the public's area of concern. The escape clause if a child has to be recycled for Ki for 'a cause.'"

Jessica cried, "I have a use for the money and some children to pass it along too then because I don't want it. To those that survive the military or their commitments to the other services first, like you and I had to undertake. She killed all of my daughters, why?"

Jace sighed, "Also one with Rayne's sister. All of our daughters. Because she could not breed with females. Most of those that died on the first day were females. 95% of them.

It says here that word on the street was several assassins were gunning for her. Yet, I have access to the crime scene footage. This was a Royal Family directed retirement of her, based on the weapon damage through her forehead and after she had been stripped of all augmentations.

Sylvia showed up at the hospital the day my children were born and I was close to shooting her when she left. I made a call as she had gotten into my business one too many times. The King was fed up with her. He exposed a corrupted actor in the program and put in new oversight. Long live the program."

Jace was completely frustrated and furious at the program being continued but he could not state those thoughts on the matter because he was under constant surveillance by the Royal Family. He also knew his having a family with Rayne, while desired, gave the Royal Family an additional point of leverage to use against him.

"I will purchase out all of the children's contracts, set into a trust as we know they won't all likely survive. If they are not selected for service for some reason, I will get them at 18 unless they pull that clause. If not, then after they complete their 2 years mandatory. Even if they go into a career in a field.

My name carries a lot of weight in getting them released if they do not go career. The fact they have options and the assets regardless. I will let the son's we had together who survive to be set up to contact you when that happens. They can contact me as well, as always.

You can set yours up for life on the outside. I will do the other 2 as they are Cooper's Grandchildren and my 2 sons. Rayne's nephews. Now you have something else to live for. See those children get freed eventually. We hope."

He did not tell her he fathered 10 children with Sylvia in 3 births and she added another 12 since that day using her reserves over 2 more births. Of which 5 died the day they were born, and 7 others died in gene therapy. He didn't know she could not order a change to her own children's genetics.

It did not stop her from getting another doctor she had information on from making the changes she wanted. Always a female or two on the day of birth, if a female was in that set but he had 2 daughters out there from him biologically; his first two deposits with the devil, his bargain with her produced them. He would buy there's out as well and add a contact message.

Jessica cried even more, "All right. It is safe to contact you now. I hear anything I will contact you through the Marshal service, Marshal Cooper, or his boss. Nanci is going to freak out when she hears this news."

Jess looked outside in the hall, "I have cops at Nanci's open door."

She started screaming into the comms and one of the cops looked into her comms device, "Marshal Cooper and Rivers. The lady in this apartment appears to have been killed in the same manner as Sylvia Xioroz.

There is paperwork scattered around the apartment linking the 2 of them together. It appears she was being paid to be a lesbian lover to Jessica and to be a bodyguard and watch over her. Her day job was fictitious.

She had a husband in another suburb, who is being contacted about his wife's death. Apparently, that was where she spent her days. She was leading two lives. He is just as distraught and appeared to be unaware of this arrangement."

Jace looked at him, "Put Jess on her comm again."

Jess looked at Jace, "She never stopped monitoring me. I may never be free of her! According to the letters, she lived here for years with her husband, had a child with him, and bought a fucking house! He thought the condo had been sold. She was working a night job that paid really well. I don't know what to do, I have to go. I have to get out of here!"

She ended the call. 2 days later after she set her affairs in order, she threw herself in front of a tube train.

She left Jace a message with her will, "Now I know I am free of her. I left the money to you to get to our sons in the shared account, only give them what they need to live simple lives. I never opened a private account. I left it all in the shared account to avoid death taxes if I ever decided to go that route.

I thought about it often because of her. It was not you...it was her that drove me to this. I sold the condo for 25 DC's to a nice young couple. I told them I came into some money, was spreading the wealth a bit, and moving. I have left nothing for you to have to settle. Spread the wealth.

You were and are a decent and caring man. Especially toward me. The only honorable person I dealt with during my time in the program, hell for my entire life. Just tell them that I passed, you do not need to tell them how unless it will make a difference. With all of my remaining love for our children.

I wish for you to see to their needs as well if any more issues should arise. Your friend and reluctant mate, who I came to care for. For everything, you tried to do for me. My best and only true friend. I loved you as a friend. Find true love for yourself and stop feeling guilty about what we had to do together."

Jace cried on Rayne's shoulder, "I have already sent the money into a trust to do the buyout. I have to change the instructions for the other 3 to contact me. That I hold an inheritance to all of her surviving children.

He looked at Rayne and the children, "I believe I truly love you. You have given me everything and you think it is the other way around. You are my rock, my lover, and before we have sex again...my wife. Will you marry me?"

Rayne threw her arms around him and cried with him, "What about funeral stuff?"

Jace shook his head, "She paid for all of that and wanted no service. The police report said she gave several people Ki including the young couple giving them a full measure of life. She gave one homeless woman the vamp unit she used along with the last of her Ki and the empty Ki storage unit. She wore only a simple dress in the color of her hospital gown during the program."

Rayne sighed, "I am so sad for her and what that bitch put everyone through. I did not want you to realize you loved me from this tragedy!"

Jace shook his head and pulled out the ring, "I bought this 2 months ago. Started it then anyway it took time to get them built. I had picked them up 3 days ago while we were still in the hospital. I wanted a couple of days without death before asking you. I could not get it and I needed you to know immediately.

I put one large diamond in the middle to represent our love. 3 smaller diamonds on the top and 3 on the bottom; for our six existing children. Then these blue marquee-cut wavy sapphires off each side.

To look like a river and the journey we are on feels like one at times. A raging river. I had chosen to ask you today. I just got the bad news that reminded me to find love and I have it in you."

Rayne nodded, "Yes I will marry you. Your life has revolved around death. If we ever waited for a completely good day with no death occurring, we would never do this. How big is that diamond?"

Jace smiled, "6 carrots and flawless. Took me forever to find one at exactly 6 carrots and then six at .6 carrots, that were all matched and flawless. 3 in a semi-circle along the top and bottom of the river going around the center diamond.

Then the blue sapphires 30 carrots uncut. With 18 in AAA, 6 AA, and 6 A grades. That was the starting weight for them after all the cutting and shaping to get all of the smaller stones, it is 12.7 carrots of marquise-cut sapphires on the ring.

The different grades to get different shades to the water. For everything, we have gone through and will go through. You work to keep me from drowning in that river, every day. They go all the way around in 3ish wavy lines.

Except when it gets to the diamond and it breaks into 4 with 2 being smaller thinner lines breaking from the middle line and going around to flow around it. The 3ish are along the sides where it is narrower as 2 points and wider along the bottom where it is wider mostly. I chose platinum bands.

He pulled out the box with the wedding bands in them. "Pure platinum bands with plain platinum wedding bands; except mine is wider and had 5 of those marquise-cut sapphires formed into a wavy line across the top to complement your ring.

Three different size stones. That is your engagement ring. I spent hours designing it with them. They had rarely seen this complex of a design on an engagement ring. The sapphires for mine are all AAA as when you marry me, I wanted it to be clear crisp water for us. The plan and you know what they say about plans."

Rayne laughed at him and hugged him after he put it on her finger. Rayne smiled, "It feels very loose."

Jace nodded and pulled out platinum inserts for the ring, "Your wedding ring has this as well. It is sized a little larger so when your fingers swell during pregnancy the inner ring can be removed. There are 3 sizes for each one and they can be used together or adjusted to be none. To keep from having to have your ring adjusted over the years. I think we will just try the largest of the 3 first."

Jace pulled it and took her ring and fit it into the inner groove. He put it back on and Rayne smiled, "Comfortable and not too tight."

Jace nodded, "When I was talking with him about pregnancies, he highly recommended that modification as it will change over the years and keeps it with you and not constantly being sent off to be fixed or on a chain."

Rayne looked at him, "How much is on my hand, DC wise?"

Jace smiled, "135,000 DCs for all of the rings. 131,000DC's for that ring alone. He pulled up an image of a home and then a second one next to it, 450,000DC's each in a double gated entitled community. The inner section is shielded from incoming teleportation. The outer one from airstrikes. You can teleport inside of your own home.

We can set it so it goes to both homes. A new home for your parents. Lower master bedroom and 12 upstairs bedrooms, with 2 maids who can cook as well. A pair of nannies for our home, Cassy and Renna Weathers, took the same last name and married. Both pairs of ladies are lesbian lovers. They will have one room per couple. I already backgrounded checking them all.

All 4 came out of the program and the 2 cooks have combat training from their military service. The ones who would work as maids and cooks would be out of the service in a few weeks, Shelby and Molly.

They are looking at using the same last name and marrying after they get out, Velvet is what they have settled upon. They are out-processing now; they both had culinary training as they worked the officers' mess and officers' club.

The other 2 were released also in the CGR program as breeders, came out, and got into a nanny training program. They met and fell in love with each other and married. They were in love with each other while in the program from what they told me.

They both completed their training at the top of their class. Getting a job for both of them to be together is more than ideal for both couples. None wanting to bear more children but the 2 wanted to work with children.

A good-sized pond on the back of both properties, privately owned by us if you want this. If your parents want this. I have not talked with them. I need to know soon to lock them in as they are under construction and if you want particular colors or flooring you will need to let them know. Yes, it will cost more."

He threw up the blueprints and they were identical layouts and she pointed to one part. Jace pointed, "Top floor, bottom floor, sub-basement on both of them for this one very large room in the middle of the home only. It is a three-story panic room.

Coming off of the nursery, the master, the lower floor has a full up security monitoring of the property and, of course, access to communications and a kitchen. In case it takes more time than necessary to get assistance.

The cooks will use it for storage of excess food and bring it up and cycle new groceries into there. For the safety of all in the house. It gives you a back way into the nursery. Those are not standard and cost extra."

Richard and Helen came in from the nursery down the hall in the safe house.

Rayne flew into her parent's arms and then showed them the ring. Richard smiled, "That is some engagement ring."

Jace nodded, "Took 2 weeks to design going back and forth from the general layout to the layout of particular stones to get the effect I wanted. Another 5 weeks to build them. A river going full circle."

Jace pointed, "Showing her a home in a double gated entitled community. I wanted your thoughts on it because I am looking to buy 2 of them side-by-side. I really damaged your existing home.

I know it is being fixed as I have crews on it, with your permission of course. They should be done next week. We cannot stay under the protection of the marshal service forever. Yet with those hunting us, that home will not work for any of us."

He showed them all of the features. Richard looked at him, "That number is not the finished cost of what you got here."

Jace smiled, "I am figuring the price will double on both of them; I am certain of that because of the panic rooms. We can get them to set up teleportation from one house, anywhere in the main house except the panic rooms, to the other house's foyer.

Panic rooms are completely shielded from magical entry; based upon the material. You get staff for your home and we will have to vet them. I already hired the 4 ladies for ours. I have a 2-bedroom apartment set up for them for 60-days. I expect we will be in the homes sooner."