My name is Jessica Carioch.My name is Jessica Carioch." "Oh," Denni said, taken aback. "I'm... I'm sorry." "We'll have to take this up with Samuel, surely," Jessica said. "He will have a few words on the matter." "That depends on what the words are going to be," a new voice introduced itself. "How are you, son?" "Father!" David said, crossing the room and giving a large, strong- looking Neorat a warm and familiar hug. "I'm doing well, thank you for asking." He paused, making the introductions all the way around, until he reached Dennielle. He took a deep breath and introduced her the same way. "Samuel," David's mother said, "Surely you're not going to give this your blessing." "Shut your mouth, Jessica," the melRat said calmly. "You should know by now we never talk David out of anything, so we may as well give him our blessing and let him be on his way." "And, what about having the wedding here?" she asked, critically. "Oh, sure, sure," Samuel smiled. "We haven't had a good party on the Elohim grounds in, oh, four or five years, I think." He walked over and stood in front of Denni. "So tell me, young lady, aside from being just one more Pendorian, do you have any pedigree worth speaking of?" "Dad," David said calmly. |