Okay, everybody calm down; we're all very glad at this big reunion bash, so let's see the morning after the party, shall we? By the way, the unparenthesized part of the title is from Paul Harvey's radio show, 'cause his ending line is "Now you know...the rest of the story!"
"But what are miles across the ocean to the heart that's going home?"-Enya, Long, Long Journey from the Amarantine CD
Chapter 26: Now You Know (Unwritten)
Cindy was once again the first to wake up.
'No matter where you go,' she thought, shielding her eyes, 'there's always a sun to wake you up.' She sat up and yawned. She looked over and saw Libby shaking Sheen as Chemnal and Leriah yawned and stretched.
"Hey," Libby was whispering, "Hey." Sheen shot up straight.
"MUTATED PUPPIES!" he yelled.
"NINJA HAMSTERS!" That was Carl.
"Master Sheen, you're really funny!" Chemnal giggled.
"Miss Libby," Leriah tugged on her, "is he always like this?"
"Honey, this is only the beginning," Libby rolled her eyes.
"Hey, where did everybody go?" Coraham sat up. They looked around and saw that all of Karen's subjects were gone. Only Karen, her children, April & crew, and the other 13 elves remained. The queen herself had just stirred.
"Good morning, children!" she chimed, "Did you sleep well?"
Now that the bulk of the excitement had passed, Cindy got a chance to have a proper look at Alex's apparent ancestor. She was beautiful! Cindy was stunned to see a woman with such unearthly grace and self-assurance, to say nothing of her mother attitude added to impossible beauty. Her startling green eyes confirmed it: No way in this or any world could she be anyone but Alex's ancestor.
Karen helped Cindy up and hugged her good morning. As Jimmy had been, Cindy was drowned in the scent of lillies from Karen's hair.
'That's gotta be Tresseme she's using!' she thought breathlessly as Karen let her go.
"I trust you especially slept well, dear one?" the queen smiled.
"Yes, ma'am," the child nodded (compared to Karen, she is a child!).
"Good, good," Karen said, "Well, if you'll awaken sir James, I'll have breakfast prepared."
"Thank you, your Majesty," Cindy dipped her head to her, "And I don't just mean for that...Thank you for everything."
"No trouble, fair one," Karen smiled fondly and walked off.
Fair one? Cindy was mystified.
"Cindy?" Libby appeared by her, "What's with you?"
"She called me 'fair one,'" Cindy answered humbly, "And she's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen!"
"Perhaps the queen sees something inside you that you don't," Coraham told her, "After all, she is like unto her Greek gods."
"Couldn't have said it better myself, Coraham," said Jimmy's voice as he sat up.
"Master, you're awake!" the elf chirped and hugged him.
"You want to tell her the good news, Cindy?" he asked his fiancee. She knelt by them and took Coraham's hand in hers.
"Coraham?" she asked gently, "Did Jimmy tell you that he wanted to adopt you?"
"Yes, ma'am," she nodded, "but only if you agree to it."
"Well," the young woman smiled, "we talked about it last night, and I agree. Coraham," she touched her small face, "I'd love little more than to be your mommy." Coraham's eyes shone.
She'd never had parents before: Space elves were born from "pieces" of old stars that had exploded and died. The elder stars took care of them until they were 4; then they were taken to places where their services were needed. In the case of Coraham and Taram and the others, they were needed on Calypso's Comet with Sneris. If they had stayed when Sneris died, and if Sneris had not already appointed a successor as she had to Jimmy, the elder stars would have taken them to find new work, most likely separating them.
Now Coraham and her friends had a chance for a life out of the workplace, with a family on a planet, without a lifetime of travel and slavery.
"Really?" she grinned with tears in her eyes. Cindy nodded. The girl could hardly contain her joy, and she didn't know which person to hug first. She finally decided on Cindy; she was closer. She threw her arms around her neck and used the word "mommy" for the first time.
"Mommy!" she cried joyfully, melting Cindy's heart instantly. Then she turned to Jimmy and jumped on him, crying, "Daddy!" Cindy turned to see Libby tossing Leriah up and catching her again; they were both laughing happily.
"What's up with you two?" she raised an eyebrow as the two were hugging with flushed cheeks.
"Well," said Libby, "since you and Jimmy are adopting Coraham, I figured I'd follow the trend: Leriah's gonna be my baby!"
"Really?" Jimmy, Cindy, and Coraham all said with surprise. Coraham jumped up and grabbed Leriah in a hand-holding dance.
"Oh, Leriah!" she bubbled, "You will have a mommy also! Mozel tov!"
"Hey, don't forget about us!" Sheen came up with Chemnal sitting on his shoulders in all smiles.
"You, Sheen?" Now Jimmy, Cindy, & Libby were all thoroughly shocked as Jimmy said, "Sheen, are you sure you can handle parenthood?"
"Hey," his face turned serious, "if I can go through eight years' worth of death-defying adventures in the name of love and friendship, I can be a Dad." Libby looked at him with a newfound admiration.
"Same here!" Carl piped up with Chidori on one of his shoulders.
"What about Sherem?" Chidori asked, "And Marthis, and Taram?"
"Actually, I've thought of that," Jimmy stood up, "I was thinking of letting Taram live with Alex, Marthis with my parents, and Sherem with yours, Cindy, if all's well."
"I think that's a good idea," she smiled, "As long as we get to keep this one!" She picked up Coraham, who giggled. Taram & Marthis hugged each of Jimmy's legs.
"And what of the others?" Chidori asked with concern.
"We have all agreed," said one of them, "and Queen Karen has agreed to take us into her home and employ our services!"
"And you three," Jimmy addressed Taram, Sherem, and Marthis, "are going to Earth with us. I know the perfect parents for you."
"Well, then!" Karen reappeared, "I believe this calls for a celebratory breakfast! It's all ready!" They all situated themselves and ate their fill.
"Foremother," Jacob asked Karen, "How long have you and your children been here now?"
"Well"– she started, but a knock was heard at the door. Kirby and Icarus ran to it and found a box big enough to hold a 24" tv. They dragged it over to the long table.
"It's addressed to you, Miss Libby!" Kirby grunted, "Here's the note." The others crowded around her as she opened it.
"What's it say, mommy?" Leriah asked in her lap. Libby couldn't help but smile from her future title, and read the note.
"Our dear Queen Libby," it read,
"We are returning the product of our bargain with all due respect. We have decided to re-try for Ellen Degeneres. You may consider us your faithful servants abroad, and we will place ourselves at your disposal and defense if ever you need us. Your handmaid Leila is additionally equipped with an emergency distress signal. She will explain it to you at your convenience. Until we meet again, we remain forever
Cordially Yours,
The Council of Twelve
Shemp, Darko, Lacky, JT, Thomas, David, Fargo, Harry, Henry, Gordo, Justin, Dudley
"P.S.-
We're keeping the 'Johnny Lingo' DVD."
"Nice calligraphy," Cindy commented appreciatively. Libby smiled again and refolded the letter.
"That was nice of them," she said, turning her attention to the box. She opened it, and out popped
"Whee! Hello again, peoples! Space travel goooood!"
The ones who knew him groaned in dismay. Jack stared at the strange young (and I say this VERY lightly) "man" in confusion.
"Libby," he asked, "who is this?" She put her head in her hand and sighed.
"Mr. Turner," she said wearilly, "meet Bolbi Stroganovsky."
"Er," said Jack, "nice to meet you, Bolbi." The elf children were wide-eyed and looked disturbed as they hid behind their respective future parents. Bolbi joined in the eating (he'd just been shipped across a galaxy!)and April soon came in.
"Jimmy!" she said with excitement, "My ship is all ready! We can leave as soon as possible!" The others cheered as Jimmy briefly hugged April.
"Thank you so much, April," he said with happy sincerity, "You have no idea what this means to me...to us." He turned his head to Cindy.
"On the contrary," April said, "I have every idea." Yet another occurance happened at the door.
"WAIT!" a small familiar voice called, "DON'T GO YET!" Jimmy gave an "oof!" as the little princess tackled his gut in an enthusiastic hug.
"Vagan?" he looked down at her, "What are you doing here?"
"Not me," she grinned, "Us." She motioned toward her family as Vince came to hug him, too. Princess Katie came and affectionately greeted her twin, acknowledging Icarus. Vagan shared a loud reunion with little Diana, and the rulers of the Camper Tribe, along with their twins, approached. Chief Corin and Queen Mary were atop two star deer.
"We wanted to bring you and your promised one some parting/wedding gifts before you leave," Katie said, "if it's all right."
"Sure," Jimmy stepped towards her, "Cindy?" She stood beside him, and the royal family formally assembled themselves.
"Vagan, you first," Queen Mary nodded, wearing pink. Vagan (in a paler pink) nodded and stepped toward Jimmy & Cindy.
"Her Divine Majesty, Queen Karen of Yort," she said, "is a great friend to my people, and sends us music of Earth. Now, I offer you a 2-disc collection album. The first includes hits from the 70's by artists such as Elton John, the Bee Gees, ABBA, the Jackson 5, the Osmonds, Chicago, and my favorite, Earth, Wind & Fire! The second is a greatest love song mix, including 'Endless Love' by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross. My wish is that you 'keep on rockin' till the night is gone!'" Jimmy took the CD and thanked Vagan, who curtsied and stepped back. Vince came forward with a pair of silver ipods, complete with earphones.
"Her Divine Majesty also shares electronics of Earth, with a touch of Yortian modification," he said, "These iPods will not only play whatever songs you want, but they have 18,000 different songs in about a hundred track lists as well. Plus, if you don't know what you want to hear, they will pick out just the song for you all by themselves! It is my wish that your lives will always have music."
"With these things and your sister's CDs, I don't doubt we will," Jimmy said, "Thank you, Vince." The boy bowed and rejoined his twin as Katie came up.
"My gift is actually for you, Miss Cindy," she said, "It is the weapon of my people, the lightsaber. It is a sacred instrument of justice, and it is my wish that you wield it in protection of those you love and compassion for the innocent. Oh, and the blade is green to match your eyes!" She smiled. Cindy held it in one hand: The handle was straight silver, with a slide-switch as the button.
"Thank you, princess Katie," she said, "I will honor this gift and use it with the same." Katie curtsied and was replaced by Kirby, who carried a crystal jar with no opening in the top. Floating inside was a glowing glittering rose with a diamond-clear stem and a clear white head that was dripping sparkles of starlight.
"This," he said softly, "is a star rose that I was given by the elder stars on one of my guiding trips. It is my wish that you keep it safe, for it is one of the most precious treasures of the universe."
"We'll treat it as such," Jimmy said, dazzled as he held the jar, "Thank you very much, Kirby." He let Libby carefully hold it as Chief Corin and his wife Mary slipped off their star deer and led them to Jimmy & Cindy. Chief Corin placed the stag's reins in Jimmy's hand, and Mary handed the doe's to Cindy. (It was the same one she rode in the last chapter.)
"Chief," Jimmy said with wide eyes, "We couldn't..."
"We insist," Mary smiled sweetly, "Star deer are highly intelligent, and clever at hiding themselves. They are seen only in the night or in space, or the common darkness; their food is moondust, and their water is the light given off by the stars. All you need to do is simply let them out at sunset, and they will safely fly undetected to space for their meals."
"We have a moon we could keep them on," said Cindy as she stroked her doe's nose, "They might be safer there."
"Yeah," Jimmy agreed, "Thank you, Chief." Chief Corin and Mary nodded and stepped back.
"If ever you need our help," Chief Corin said, "raise your saber upward and cry 'Expecto Patronum.' Our Rescue Party will be at your side in minutes. Cry 'Semper Fidelis' and our entire army will join you in the heat of battle."
"Goodbye, Jimmy, Cindy," Katie hugged them, "Spirits of the Star Tribe be with you." She turned and left with the others, but Vagan stayed behind and looked sadly at Jimmy.
"Will I ever see you again?" she asked.
"You bet, kiddo," he smiled, "Someday we'll meet again, if your Tribe ever floats over to the Milky Way." Her little lip trembled and she hugged him around the waist one more time.
"I'll send you a transmission every day," she promised with her eyes pinched shut, "and I'll pray for you every night until we meet again." He knelt down and cradled her head.
"Come, Vagan," her mother called. Vagan finally wriggled away, kissed Jimmy on the cheek, and ran to Katie, who picked her up in a fun swoop and walked out with her. Jimmy & Cindy watched them go. The scent of lillies drifted on the air as a gentle hand touched Jimmy's shoulder.
"Children," she smiled gently, "Your vessel is ready. You can all go home now."
Jimmy put an arm across Cindy's shoulders.
"Ready to take the journey one more time?" he asked her. She held his gaze unwaveringly and answered sincerely, "I followed you this far. I'm not going home without you." He smiled at her, kissed her forehead, and followed Karen and April to the docking bay with their future child at his side and and his friends following behind in triumph. Jack and Leila were guiding the two star deer in the back by the reins in silence. Jack was in humble ectasy: His family had saved him in more than one way. His daughter had charted the course that led them to (tho accidentally) find him by the wayside, his foremother was pointing him directly to Earth, and he was with his daughter's friends. After nine years, he was going home, and the first thing he intended to do was get his wife out of the psychoward and rebuild their life together in Retroville, where Alex was.
Leila was quietly happy, and looked forward to serving Libby and her future daughter. Libby herself was happy that their mission had been a success, with some delightful perks: A child and a handmaid! (Not to mention the tiara).
Sheen & Carl were happy that they'd found their third amigop alive and well, and that the adventure was (for the most part) over, and that they'd found their own little additions to the amigop clan.
As for Jimmy and Cindy, they were thinking the same things: We're together again; we're going home; we're getting married!
On April's ship, Karen bade them goodbye one last time. She hugged Jack first, then Jimmy and Cindy.
"Know this, Jacob Turner, child of my line," she told Jack, "I am immortal and omnipotent, and I will linger with your daughter and guide her through life, and I will watch her as I would my own Diana."
"Thank you, foremother," the man bowed his head, "I will never forget you as long as I live." The queen nodded and hugged Jimmy and Cindy.
"Your story will be told throughout the ages," she beamed, "And I will remember you forever."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Jimmy said, "for all you've done for us."
"I will always be with you, dear ones," she spoke softly with shining eyes, "And never forget: Today ends where your book begins." The two smiled; they all k new that song.
"The rest is still unwritten," they said in unison. Karen smiled, nodded, and took little Diana by the hand; she'd already said her tearful goodbyes to Coraham, and couldn't bring herself to cry over anyone else. Icarus shook hands with everyone and escorted his mother and sister off the ship. While Jimmy and his friends went in the back chamber to relax and celebrate, April happily strode to her raised captain's chair. Despite all they'd gone through, she'd kept her word; and it was worth it to see him so happy again.
First Officer Caltor was standing in front of her at the helm.
"Caltor," she said proudly, "set the course for Earth!"
Author's Review:
DON'T GO AWAY YET, FOLKS! Don't forget, we still have the subplot of Alex's mom dilemma! Stay tuned for the plot twisting epilogue!
References, yay!
Okay; Karen's parting line, obviously, is from Unwritten by Natasha Beddingfield.
Libby's line, "Honey, this is only the beginning" is from Everybody Loves Raymond, on the 2-parter eppy of Robert and Amy's wedding when Marie interrupts and Amy leans to Deborah and asks, "Did she do this to you?" And Deborah rolls her eyes and says the above line! It's hilarious!
The whole "mutated puppies" thing was suggested to me in long previous reviews from earlier chapters, and "ninja hamsters" was a card I just pulled out for lack of anything else.
All the artists Vagan mentioned when presenting her gift are several of my personal favorites; I love 70's music! And her "keep rockin' till the night is gone" line is from an ABBA hit that I don't expect any of you to know called "On and On and On." It's a fun song!
The handle of Cindy's lightsaber is supposed to be a tribute to Padawan Barriss Offee from the Star Wars Clone Wars cartoon, volume 1.
Okay, the Council of Twelve's names...Shemp and Darko you know from chapter 12, Lacky I just made up, JT is a reference to TJ's geek name from "Recess," Thomas was one of the 12 Apostles, David is my cousin's name, Fargo...I think that's a movie title, but I've never seen it. Harry is from Harry Potter, Henry I made up, Gordo is from Lizzie McGuire, Justin...made it up, and Dudley is also from Harry Potter. (Whew!)
Tresseme is a real-life shampoo. I don't buy it, but everybody seems to make such a big deal out of it, it sounded funny.
The Johnny Lingo thing is also from a previous chapter, but it is a real video. My church made it in the 60's, and it was redone recently as The Legend of Johnny Lingo. They're both pretty great, I think! It's become a trend in my church, too. Anyone who wants to hear the story (the 60's one is pretty short) can ask in your reviews. Thank you!
'Expecto Patronum' is from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
'Semper Fidelis' is the tag line of the...Army, I think.
(...) I think that's it for this one. Any questions will be answered! ;D STAY TUNED FOR THE EPILOGUE, PLEASE!!!