"Grandpa!" Jed scooped up his granddaughter and gave her a tight squeeze. "Did you get Roy? Is my mom ok?"
"Your mother and everyone else is fine and you don't have to worry about Roy. He won't be bothering us ever again." Jake answered and gave her a kiss. "Are you ready to go home?"
"Yes but…" Emma pouted. "Can't we show Grandpa around a bit before we go?" Emma was excited to show him all the treasures the Library held. Jake reluctantly agreed and became their tour guide as they walked up and down the rows of bookcases and looking at the various displays.
"You are quite the expert son." Jed looked around marveling at his son's knowledge of the artifacts and the artwork that adorned the walls. Jake could sense the pride his father felt and it felt good to finally be able to share this part of his life with him. It was something he never imagined would happen. They reached an area only meant for Librarians and Jake led them back to the main room, to the door and then home.
The ride home was unusually quiet. They were about ten minutes from Jed's house when Emma said what they were all thinking. "You're going to erase our memories of the Library aren't you?"
Jake's frown gave them their answer. Jed nodded and looked out the window, Emma's eyes watered as the thought of forgetting Mr. Jenkins, Ezekiel and the rest of the team overwhelmed her. "But I don't want to forget. I love it there."
"It's not so easy Monkey. The Library has to be kept secret so that we can do our work. If everyone knew the power of real magic then things would become more chaotic than they already are. You've seen what power in the wrong hands can do and if anyone who wanted that power knew that you know about the Library, your lives will always be in danger." He bit his lip and avoided looking at them. He parked the truck in front of Jed's house.
He helped Emma out and she clung to her grandfather, her grief evident by her sobbing and shaking. Amy came running out and took her daughter embracing and kissing and her as she took her inside the house.
"I know it's for the best son, but something as grand and wonderful as the Library and what you do there is hard let go of. Promise me you will take care of yourself."
"I will." He saw the love in his father's eyes and it shook him to the core of his soul. He grabbed on to his father and let his emotions for him pour out for the first time in a very long time. "I love you Dad." He cried over and over as he tightened his hold over him.
"I love you too son. You do what you need to do." Jed patted his son and whispered in his ear to soothe him. "Shhh… it's alright, it's alright. Come on, they need to see the strong Jacob Stone right now. They're going to bombard you with all kinds of questions you know."
Jake let go and wiped his face. He straightened his shirt, ran his fingers through his hair and walked inside. Just as Jed predicted they had a ton of questions for him and he took his time to answer them all. Cassandra came from the kitchen with celebratory drinks for all of them. She winked to Jake as they each took a cup. He watched as they took their sips.
"You have about a minute to erase their memories. Do you have your story straight?" Cassandra asked.
"Yeah I do." He said in a sad voice and began.
"None of you will remember any of what happened today. It was a normal day like always…" His voice trailed off. "I can't do it Cassie. Maybe I'm being selfish but my dad finally understands me, he accepts me for who I am. I like having him back."
"I know." She put her hand on his shoulder. "I don't think Mr. Jenkins and Flynn would mind if you make one tiny exception."
He walked over to his father, his eyes staring vacantly in space waiting for instructions. "Except you, I don't want you to forget, but it's our secret ok?" Jed blinked back. He then went over to Emma and held her hand. "And you too. It's our secret, yours, Grandpa's and mine." She smiled and blinked.
He motioned for Cassandra to join him at the front door. "Give us two minutes to leave, then you will all wake up. You all came over to see how Emma is feeling and Amy is about to get dinner ready for everyone. No better yet, Josh is going to treat you all to a night out." He finished his memory wipe.
Jed took Emma's hand as they got ready to go to dinner. At the restaurant they smiled and lifted their glasses to make a quiet toast to each other. "To Jake." He whispered. "To Uncle Jake." She replied. "And please Lord, keep him and the others safe."
"You're terrible you know that? Poor Josh." Cassandra teased as they drove away.
"Yup." He smirked, proud of himself. They were soon at the door to the Library.
"Hey," Jake took her hand. "Thanks for your help." He gave her peck on the cheek. "I'm glad you were there with me again."
"You…You're very welcome." She felt the heat rising in her face and avoided looking directly at him.
Jenkins and Ezekiel were back from their errand at the prison. "I trust that you took care of things on your end." Jenkins took the bottle of water from Cassandra and put it away.
"My dad and Emma still know." Jake said and winced, waiting for the lecture from Jenkins. It didn't come.
He opened his eyes. "You're ok with that?"
"The Library is. I noticed three sheets were pulled from the clippings book. They match the edges of the paper she used to write the letter to herself. If the Library didn't want her to know, the words on the page would have simply disappeared. She is meant to know and it's good that your father knows too so she has someone to share her memories with." Jenkins explained. He had some flowers with him and started to hum softly as he arranged them in a bouquet.
"So I guess everything's ok at the prison?" Jake asked Ezekiel as he and Cassandra watched Jenkins with curious looks.
"Oh, sure we cleaned it all up. No one is the wiser." Ezekiel answered.
"What's up with Mr. Jenkins?" Cassandra asked.
"He's got a date with certain Dr. Page."
"Myrna? You asked her on a date?" Jake grinned. "Good for you Jenkins."
Jenkins finished his bouquet and gave them a wide smile.
"Goodnight to you all, and don't wait up."