Chapter 1.
The sunrise kissed the Wakandan valley like a million fireflies. The sun uncovered lush jungles accessorized by waterfalls and birds of every color. The sounds of the jungle were soon overshadowed by an oncoming jet bearing the royal crest of Wakanda. Upon a hillside, an opening appears just as the jet gently lands on it. Without powering down the jet is swallowed into the hillside without a trace.
King T'Chaka stands with anticipation as he waits for the jet doors to open. Joining at his side is his wife, Ramonda. She announces her presence with a gentle squeeze to T'Chaka's hand.
"have you heard from him?" Asked Ramonda.
"Not since he left Seattle. I wanted to give him some time to himself. He has been through a lot as of late. "the king replied.
Even in his own palace, King T'Chaka and his queen were surrounded by dozens of guards ready at the drop of a hat. The jet door begins to open and T'Chaka gently squeezes Ramonda's hand. She kisses his shoulder as a way to let him know he should walk forwards.
Many servants approach the jet and begin to remove suitcases and boxes. From the opening of the jet, a man appears. His grey hair and matching gray beard stand out on his olive skin. Doctor Maximos Demetriou sees his old friend standing in the distance and a small smile adorns his lips. T'Chaka walks to his friend and they embrace by joining their foreheads. T'Chaka looks down at the small bundle Max carries in his arms. He folds back part of the blanket to reveal a sleeping 6-year-old girl. T'Chaka smiles.
"She looks just like her mother.", T'Chaka says placing a gentle hand on Max's shoulder.
Ramonda approaches the men with caution as to not interfere with the conversation. Max looks at the queen with kisses both her cheeks.
"As beautiful as ever Ramonda.", Max says to the queen with a light smile.
She takes her turn taking a peek at the sleeping girl.
"T'Challa will be thrilled to learn of your arrival. He is so excited to have someone else to play with.", Ramonda added that caused a hearty laugh from T'Chaka. He soon gets a smack on the arm from his wife.
"Hush husband, you will wake this sleeping angel.", Ramonda said in a hushed tone.
Max laughs loudly and peeks down at his daughter.
"You don't have to worry about that my Queen. Artemisia could sleep through anything.", Max said.
Looking around at the loud surroundings, the three broke out into laughter. T'Chaka placed his hand on Max's shoulder gleaming with both joy and sorrow for his dear friend.
"Come, let me show you to your quarters.",T'Chaka said as the three turned and began to walk towards the large metal door that leads into the palace.
King T'chaka was more than generous to his people but also his oldest friends. He sat at the dining room table with Max sipping on whiskey in silence. Max fiddled with his wedding band still wrapped around his finger.
T'Chaka could sense that there was something on the tip of Max's tongue but he didn't want to push him to talk. He placed his hand on Max's making him look up to meet the King's eyes.
"How long have we been friends Max? Thirty or so years. I hold a place in my heart for you as I do my family. I know what you are going through but at the same time, I know that everyone heals differently. When you are ready, you know you can talk to me about anything.", T'Chaka says in a hushed tone.
Maximos meets his eyes and nods his head gently. They are both startled by the appearance of a small girl in the doorway of one of the bedrooms.
Artemisia's long, curly, blonde hair falls down her back. Her dark brown eyes light up her pale skin. Her skin is the opposite of her father's tan skin but they share their eyes. Max stands up and approaches his daughter.
"What are you doing out of bed, Mia? It's late.", he asks getting on one knee to get at eye level with his daughter.
"What did they do with Spirit? I can't find him.", Mia asked in a desperate tone.
King T'Chaka stands up and comes over to approach the two. Mia's sleepy eyes light up as she sees the king approach.
"UNCLE CHAKA!!", Mia screams as she runs towards him wrapping her arms around his neck. T'Chaka picks the little girl up in his arms and embraces her.
"Every time I see you, Mia you have grown at least a foot!", T'Chaka exclaims as he twirls around with Mia in his arms.
"You said that last time!", Mia shouted as she held on for dear life.
T'Chaka placed Mia back down to the ground and kneels down to place himself at eye level with her.
"I am so happy to have you and your father here in Wakanda. There are so many fun things to do here. ", the king begins to tell Mia as she stands there fighting sleep from her eyes.
"Well, we can start having fun tomorrow, it is way too late for you to be out of bed my little cub.", Max interrupted and takes his daughter by the hand.
"Daddy, you know I can't sleep without Spirit. Where is he?", Mia asked her father shooting her big brown eyes up at her father. Max was a strong man but those eyes were the only thing that could bring him to his knees.
"Spirit is getting a bath and once he is finished, he will be in the bed where he belongs.", Max explained to his daughter.
"BATH! Spirit hates baths! You have to take me to see him now daddy! He's probably scared and thinks there is something wrong.", Mia said pulling her father's hand towards the apartments front door.
Just as Mia was opening the door, a servant was there soaked in water looking really agitated. "Your Highness, the beast is bathed and ready to return to Lady Mia.", the servant said.
T'Chaka laughed silently and just simply nodded his head. You could soon hear the thumping of pads and claws hitting the marble flooring. Knocking the servant over, a rather large wolf runs into the apartment sniffing the air around him.
"Spirit!", Mia yelled locking eyes with the wolf. His ears perked up and ran up to the little girl. Spirit bathed her face in kisses while Mia giggled and rubbing the top of his head.
T'Chaka stood back afraid to make any sudden movements. He looked at Max who was just smiling and laughing at the show of affection between Mia and Spirit.
"Some children ask for a goldfish as a pet, but I guess it is fitting for the daughter of Maximus Demetriou to have a wolf as a pet.", T'Chaka cautiously exclaimed.
Max looks to T'Chaka with humor in his eyes.
"Spirit is a special case. He found Mia. From the moment he laid eyes on her, I knew Spirit wasn't a threat to her. ", explained Max as he watched his daughter comfort the large beast.
Spirit sat back on his hind legs as Mia wrapped her tiny arms around his neck. She squeezed as hard as she could as if she hadn't seen him in years.
"Don't be angry, Spirit. They only wanted to make you smell nice after our long plane ride.", Mia said as she looked into his copper eyes. The wolf huffed in agitation but soon relaxed under the embrace of his tiny owner. Max and T'Chaka stood back and watched the pair.
"This has to be one of the most extraordinary relationships I have ever seen.", the king stated as he continued to watch Mia and Spirit interact. "They are truly beauty and the beast."
Max took in the words of his friend with furrowed brows.
"If you only knew who the true beast was my old friend.", Max thought to himself.
"Alright, its way past bedtime for both Mia and Spirit. Get on with it young lady.", Max stated as he pointed to her bedroom.
"Come on Spirit, come look at our room!", Mia screamed as she ran towards her new room. Spirit followed cautiously taking in the new surroundings. He sniffed everything including the windows that led to the jungle outside. Mia jumped back into the bed and under the covers with the help of her father. Spirit sat back watching the two as he waited for his invitation to join Mia in the over-sized bed.
Max turned and motioned towards Spirit and said, "Come on Spirit, it's your turn big guy." Mia lifted her little head up out of the pillows and patted the space on the bed at her feet. "Yeah come on Spirit, its time to go to sleep.", Mia said grinning from ear to ear.
T'Chaka leaned on the door watching with his arms folded over his chest. The joy he was feeling was apparent from the large smile framing his face. Artemesia was Max's world and to see his old friend with a smile on his face, was a blessing in disguise. T'Chaka and Max had many things in common but the most heartbreaking thing they shared was something that would always keep them bonded as brothers for eternity. They both shared the heartbreak of losing the loves of their lives.
"Daddy can you sing Mama's song?", Mia asked with heavy eyelids while she stroked the top of Spirits head. Max looked at T'Chaka with pained eyes. The pain from his wife's death was still all too new.
"Would you mind if I give it a go, Mia? I am after all the one who taught your mother that song.", T'Chaka said as he sat down on the bed next to Mia. She nodded and pulled the blanket up to her chin. The king soon started with his serenade to allow Max to be able to leave the room quietly. It was all still too soon for Max to be able to let those beautiful words leave his lips without his wife accompanying him with her voice.
Mia was soon asleep as the king finished the lullaby. Max stood out on the balcony looking out to the jungle that met it. He took a deep breath in and exhaled as to let out all of the fear, anger, and sadness that had built up inside of him these past two weeks. T'Chaka greeted Max out on the balcony with a glass of Wakandan rum. Max accepted it with a smile and a nod. T'Chaka raised his glass towards Max.
"To new beginnings, my oldest friend on the planet. I am truly honored to have you here with me.", T'Chaka toasted. Max was able to get a small smile on his lips as he gently clanged his glass with the kings. They both took a small sip and made a face as if they were both on fire.
"Holy shit.", Max stated as he cleared his throat.
"Gets better every year doesn't it?", T'Chaka asked with a laugh.
Max and T'Chaka spent the next few hours before sunrise talking about anything and everything except the death of Max's wife. As the sun began its journey over the jungle treetops, both men went silent. Taking in the beauty of their surroundings. Max knew that this was a new beginning for not only Mia but himself as well.