Chapter 28:
Sitting between Jim and his mom on the airbus, Zarabeth wrung her hands in anticipation as she looked out the window a seat to her right. The planet below them was a dark muddled color, with countless canyons and ravines breaking through its surface. Zara could see a group of lights, the lights of the town Benbow, on a plateau a few miles from them.
Seeing how fidgety she was, Jim gently pulled one of the girl's hands inside of his own, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "We're almost there."
Every few minutes, Sarah would turn her head casually to observe the two teens beside her. She still could hardly believe it. A few months ago, she'd let her son go flying across the galaxy, not knowing what to expect at his return. Whatever she'd thought he'd bring back, Jim coming home with a girl hadn't even remotely crossed her imagination. But there she was, Zarabeth. Sarah saw a look in Jim's eyes which couldn't be confused for any other, he looked at the girl next to him with a love so pure and gentle, a love that was true.
As the airbus steadily lost altitude, Zara felt her whole body go rigid with excitement. This was the beginning of something new and amazing. It was the beginning of her life as someone who no longer felt like a slave, regardless that she still was. For the first time, the girl's heart felt free.
Taking Zarabeth gently by the arm, Sarah led her down from the airbus platform to walk out into the street while Jim got their two bags.
Zara looked around in fascination at the new world around her. The houses and shops on every part of the street were built in the Tudor style giving everything a raw, earthy feel. As the lamps lining the road were turned on one by one, the clouded sky above them was quickly darkening. A loud clap of thunder shook through the atmosphere, announcing the fast approaching rain.
It was a short walk from the center of town to Delbert's mansion. The massive, three-story, brick residence Delbert called home was perfect for the astronomer, complete with observatory tower to the far right of the building.
The three let themselves inside just as the clouds broke open, bathing everything in a gentle rain.
Zara looked about the house in complete awe. She thought she'd never seen anything so grand or beautiful, almost every corner of the room stacked high with books, the bookcases in the walls glowing yellow and red with firelight.
As soon as he'd flown through the doors, Morph flew out of sight, his tiny chirping echoing through the halls as he explored the house.
While Jim got settled into his room on the main floor, Mrs. Hawkins showed Zarabeth to their room on the second floor. After putting her small bundle of clothes away, Zara finally got a good look at the room about her. The walls were a dark blue with white, molded baseboards lining every wall. A large closet took up one of the walls, a door leading to an on-suite bathroom kitty-corner to it. There were two identical twin-sized beds, each outfitted in white silk sheets, a few pillows, and a billowy dark blue comforter to match the wall color.
Zara stroked the fabric cautiously, enjoying the smooth feeling of the silk against her fingers. She'd never slept in such a fancy room before. She didn't know whether to feel excited or nervous, realizing that there were lots of unfamiliar things about starting this new life. Zara had always had simple things, things she wasn't afraid of breaking or ruining, because they weren't worth much.
One thought comforted Zara as her mind reeled in confusing emotions; Jim was with her, and so was Amelia. Things were going to be alright. For now, she should just enjoy playing make-believe, pretending that this kind of life was hers to enjoy forever.
After she'd finished unpacking, Zarabeth went downstairs to the large main room which served as a library, dining room, and living space.
Jim and his mother were already talking quietly as they sat in front of the roaring fireplace at the far end of the room.
As Zara approached, Mrs. Hawkins poured her a cup of tea, pulling forward another chair for her to sit next to Jim.
After everyone was settled, Sarah spoke up. "I know I'll hear everything about the voyage at dinner, but I can't help but wonder if you'll at least tell me about how you two found each other."
Taking Zara's hand in his, Jim smiled at the girl sitting beside him, the firelight dancing warmly over her face and hair.
Over the next hour, Jim and Zarabeth took their turns recalling things that had happened to them over these few months. So much had happened over a short period of time, but to them, it felt like an eternity.
With Jim holding her hand the whole time in support, Zara was able to tell Sarah everything about her situation, her parents, early life, her cruel treatment as a slave, and what was going to happen now.
Mrs. Hawkins listened in complete silence to everything they had to say until they were finished. She looked happy, but there was another emotion which showed only in her eyes. It was a mixture of pity, compassion, and love which Zarabeth saw. The room was quiet, save the crackling of the fire, before Sarah finally found the rights words to speak. "Ever since you were born, Jim, I wondered and dreamed about what type of man you'd become and who would someday capture your heart and earn your love. Seeing the man you've grown into, I could never have accepted a less worthy person to deserve you. Look at her, Jim. Do you see how much she loves you? I do. And I see that you love Zarabeth too. I couldn't be more proud of you, or happier to have you become a part of our lives, Zarabeth." Saying this, Mrs. Hawkins leaned forward far in her chair, hugging them each in turn. Holding Zara at arm's length, Sarah spoke again. "I can already see how tender your spirit is, but also the strength of your heart. Even so, no bird belongs in a cage. We will keep fighting until you are free. I promise." With no more left to be said, Mrs. Hawkins stood, picking the tea tray up from a small table. "Now if you two will excuse me, I have a celebratory dinner to prepare. Let me know when Delbert and Amelia get back."
As the sound of Sarah's footsteps faded into the distance, Jim and Zara were left alone in the silence of the vast room, the fire chattering quietly to itself as it continued to burn.
Putting her cup aside, Zara closed her eyes as she let her head fall to the side, cradled against Jim's shoulder as a wave of fatigue suddenly threatened to pull her to sleep. Yawning quietly, Zara whispered up to Jim as she tried to fight to stay awake. "I love your mom."
Jim spoke just as quietly in response. "Yeah. Me too. I think we surprised her pretty good."
Zara looked up at the boy as she laughed. "Ya think?" She covered her mouth as another yawn escaped from her lips.
Planting a small kiss in her hair, Jim whispered as Zara's head rested once more against his shoulder. "You must be exhausted. Close your eyes, stop talking, and just relax. If you fall asleep, I'll wake you up when doc and Amelia get back. Ok?"
Zarabeth took in a deep breath as she closed hers eyes. "Ok."
Before long, Zara's mind was swept away into soft darkness as she lost herself in sweet sleep.
About an hour passed before Zara was gently shaken awake by Jim. Amelia, Doppler, and B.E.N. had just returned from the spaceport and dinner was finally ready to be served.
As they ate, everyone listened intently to Amelia as she told Sarah all about their voyage. In her eloquent words, even their most nail-biting experiences sounded like small inconveniences.
After the dishes had been washed and put away, everyone gradually gathered back in front of the fire to relax for the rest of the evening.
Zara was sitting on the floor, her back propped against Jim's legs as he sat in a wing-back chair behind her. After her short nap earlier, Zarabeth felt much more awake, but she didn't feel like talking. She felt like listening. She listened as B.E.N. and Doppler discussed the formation of nebulas and black holes. She listened to Amelia and Mrs. Hawkins as they went over Sarah's plans for rebuilding the Benbow Inn. She listened to Jim sitting behind her as he looked over the treasure that Silver had given him, carefully scrutinizing each piece before moving onto the next.
Zarabeth watched the flames dance about the fireplace, mesmerized by their unpredictable movements. She couldn't help but let her mind wander as the sounds around her became muffled and mixed.
She thought about Silver, and how much she already missed him. She thought about how much had happened over the last three days. Zara instinctively raised her hand to feel the hairline cut on the side of her neck that Regulus had given her the night she discovered the mutiny. It was almost healed already, nothing but a small scabbed line now. Was it really only three nights ago? It felt like an eternity. Zara remembered how defeated she felt. Everything had fallen apart so quickly, but it was amazing how little time it took to be remedied again. It was comforting, almost, thinking about how things had turned out alright in the end. It was almost as if it were just meant to be.
Life in general had suddenly changed so much. Zara had hope now, something she hadn't had in years. She knew that even if, at some point, she had to leave with Amelia, she'd be back and Jim would be waiting for her. Even if her body wasn't, her heart was free; free to love again, free to enjoy again, and now, free to hope again.
