TITLE: The Strong Sweet Quality

CHAPTER: 8, When we dance

LOCATION: San Diego, California


Epilogue

"Look Jesse! We have three names now." William had been practicing writing his name. Across the large drawing paper, printed in sprawling capital letters, William Vega Shepard

"And I know what Vega means!"

"You do not! You're not old enough to learn Spanish. Besides, you can't even spell Shepard."

"Can too! It's s-h-e-p-a-r-d and I can count higher than you. James promised that if I learn to count to fifty in Spanish he will teach me how to surf."

William doubted that very much. Surely he would learn first since he was older. He decided to save that discussion for when he was alone with James and John. Then as he glanced around his new awesome new bedroom, with the blue and green walls, the posters, model ships and his very own computer, he remembered to count his blessings. James had told him to remember to do that every day.

They lived with The Admiral and James now, in their own house. It was right on the beach. There was a small yard and The Admiral had built them a miniature obstacle course. The practiced their swimming almost every day. Someday, William planned to become a Navy Seal. His sister said she wanted to be a Navy penguin because they were cuter. Sisters...

Her bedroom was right across the hall. They'd let her paint it whatever color she wanted and she'd picked purple. Purple? She loved her new grown-up bed. It took several nights for her to learn to sleep alone. One of them stayed with her until the day she announced that a Navy Penguin was certainly brave enough to sleep along. Still there were often mornings when they'd find the two of them curled together sleeping or James and John woke to two extra bodies snoring softly between them. The healing had begun, but there are some memories that are difficult to forget.

James and The Admiral's room is located at the end of the hallway. It was a big house and there was always lots of people coming over on the weekends. They'd made new friends too. Nice people from Shepard's crew. Garrus Vakarian and Tali and Steve Cortez and Joker and a pretty silver lady named EDI. William especially liked his new friend, Kaidan. He was a marine just like his new dad and Kaidan told good stories and answered all his questions.

It felt good not to be afraid anymore.

William placed an arm around his sister. "What does vega mean."

"It means 'new' because we are a new family!"


When We Dance -Sting

If he loved you
Like I love you
I would walk away in shame
I'd move town
I'd change my name

When he watches you
When he counts to buy your soul
On your hand his golden rings
Like he owns a bird that sings

When we dance, angels will run and hide their wings

The priest has said my soul's salvation
Is in the balance of the angels
And underneath the wheels of passion
I keep the faith in my fashion
When we dance, angels will run and hide their wings

I'm still in love with you
[I'm gonna find a place to live
Give you all I've got to give]
When we dance, angels will run and hide their wings
When we dance, angels will run and hide their wings

If I could break down these walls
And shout my name at heaven's gate
I'd take these hands
And I'd destroy the dark machineries of fate
Cathedrals are broken
Heaven's no longer above
And hellfire's a promise away
I'd still be saying
I'm still in love

He won't love you
Like I love you
He won't care for you this way
He'll mistreat you if you stay

Come and live with me
We'll have children of our own
I would love you more than life
If you'll come and be my wife

When we dance, angels will run and hide their wings
When we dance, angels will run and hide their wings
When we dance, angels will run and hide their wings
When we dance, angels will run and hide their wings

I'm gonna love you more than life
If you will only be my wife
I'm gonna love you more than life
If you will only be my mine
I'm gonna love you night and day
I'm gonna try in every way

(I had a dream last night
I dreamt you were by my side
Walking with me baby
My heart was filled with pride
I had a dream last night)