Jack pushed the bike in and stopped to look around. A ramp led downwards into a big cave. A large gate, not visible from outside the cave, blocked the ramp. The cave had been remodeled and now looked more like a transit station than a cave. A guard approached from a small enclosure on a wooden platform beside the ramp and opened the gate.
"Hey, Stew", Calli smiled at him. "I would like you to meet my husband, Jack." Stew nodded politely at the older man.
"Hey, Mrs. Lelland, Mr. Lelland", he said. Jack acknowledged the greeting. Calli glanced across the room.
"I see there's a shuttle in port. Is it ready?", she asked.
"Yes, ma'am. It was examined less than an hour ago."
"Good.", Calli said. She motioned to Jack. "Just park the bike down there in that area, see where it's marked? Then we'll go in."
"What is this place? You've never mentioned it.", Jack said as they went down the ramp.
"No, I haven't. This is one of the most secret places in the wasteland. It's Arhome. Hawk and I found this place and we've made it what it is. You can't tell anyone about this, Jack. Its safety is dependent on its secrecy", she said seriously.
Calli had Jack settle into the shuttle while she talked to Harkness. She climbed in after him and secured the door. Jack looked around as the shuttle began to move.
"No windows?", he asked.
"No, we're going to be travelling through a highly irradiated area. Windows would allow radiation to pass into the shuttle. This whole thing is completely sealed in a radiation proof substance I have specially made. It's the only way to get into Arhome", she explained.
Jack looked a bit nervous. "How highly radiated?", he asked.
"Enough that if there's a breach we'll be dead in less than 15 minutes if it happens in the center of the valley. An old human wouldn't last a minute.", she said.
"Um, how long will this take?", he asked.
"About an hour.", she said. " We designed the shuttles to move slowly to reduce the possibility of an accident if something has blown onto the tracks. A derailment could be fatal. There are radiation suits in the locker there but they wouldn't do much good for an old human. Mutants like us could make it out with them and some radiation meds."
"I see." Jack said. "Well at least it's comfortable. I guess the lightings adjustable."
"Yeah, I can turn it down if you want. Oh, and I want to warn you. As we approach the end of the line you'll hear the water hitting the shuttle while we go through the decontamination area. Otherwise the dust from the Valley of Death would still contain enough radiation to poison us when we get out of the shuttle. I'm not sure how much radiation you can withstand now, but I don't think it would kill you. I'll show you the Valley of Death later."
"Valley of Death." Jack repeated, settling back. "Tell me about this place."
So Calli told him about finding the remarkable cave and accompanying valleys. She told him how they carried in supplies over the years, built the rails and shuttles, the house in the valley they now called Arhome, how Hawk had created the waterfall to bring life to the valley.
"Arhome.", he said. "How did you come up with that name?" Calli raised her eyes to his.
"It was to be our home, Jack.", she said calmly. "Mine and Hawk's. Now it will be our children's home, yours and mine."
Jack had always known that, as much as Calli loved him, he would never be allowed to come between her and her partner. The many years they had been together she had never mentioned this place that was special to her and Hawk. He felt a pang of jealousy course through him. All he could think of to say was "Well, I'm glad you decided against the blindfold." Calli laughed.
It was early afternoon when the shuttle pulled into the bay and the lock clicked open. Jack stepped out of the shuttle and looked around. The roar of the waterfall caught his attention. He looked toward it, the faint rainbow woven in its mist as it fell into the small pool and meandered off into the land. Green plants grew along its banks with a tree here and there beckoning him to follow the river. A packed path ran off into the distance into the nothingness of the desert.
Calli nodded at the path. "The house is that way", she said, pulling on her pack. They would carry in supplies and small gifts for the children. Calli was quiet as they set off down the path. Jack watched her warily. He knew better than to push her when she was like this.
The farm rose from the desert, an island of green and color amidst the expanse of brown. They were still a ways from the house when the kids spotted them.
"Aunt Calli! Uncle Jack!", yelled Lori, sprinting toward them. Joel was close behind her.
"Uncle Jack", Joel said excitedly. "Where have you been? What happened?" Jack raised his eyebrows at Calli. When had they become Aunt and Uncle to these kids? She didn't smile at him.
"I'll tell you all about it", he told them. 'Where's your Mom?"
"In the house", Lori bubbled. "I'll tell her you're coming." She took off at a run for the house.
Mattie met them at the door. She had sent the children to find Joe. She grinned broadly when they approached.
"Jack, Calli, hey. " She reached out and took Jack's arm. "I'm so glad to see you. What happened? Everyone was afraid you were dead!" Jack smiled down at her.
"I'll tell you all about it later, Mattie. I really want to see the twins now."
"Oh, of course, this way. They're in the living room. Here, let me take those packs."
Jack and Calli shrugged out of their packs and went into the living room. The twins were lying on a rug on the living room floor, surrounded by toys. They both looked up toward the doorway as they entered. Jack fell onto his knees beside them, reaching out to gently touch them. He picked up the little boy and pulled him onto his lap, unfisting his little hand, looking wonderingly at his tiny fingers, running his hand gently over the golden brown fuzz of hair. He hugged him gently to him.
Settling the babe in one arm he reached over and picked up the little girl, nuzzling her hair and hugging her gently. He held his babies, grinning broadly up at Calli.
"Look at them, Calli", he said proudly. "They're perfect. Our babies."
Calli stood outside the rug, bleakly watching him cuddle his babies, kissing and hugging them, cooing at them. The babes made little cooing noises in return, hitting him with their little fists, wriggling contentedly in his grasp. She hugged herself tightly. Her chest felt like it was being constricted with iron bands. She couldn't let herself be part of their lives! She wouldn't be a good influence on them.
Mattie leaned down to Jack, catching his eye. Reaching down, she gently removed the little girl from his grasp. He reluctantly let her go, looking up at Mattie quizzically. He watched her take the small babe and walk over to Calli.
"Calli." Mattie's voice was gentle as she addressed the brittle woman. "Here, take your daughter." Calli shook her head.
"I gave them to you, Mattie. I meant it. They are your children. I'm no good for them.", she said tightly.
"Listen, Calli, Joe and I will do our best for these babes. But these kids are going to need more than we can give them. They can stay here with us, but they need you and Jack too. It's going to take all of us to raise these kids. Joe and I can't do it alone. You can't just abandon them! Kids are very adaptable, they'll be happy to have 2 sets of parents."
Mattie held out the little girl. The small babe looked at Calli, her hazel green eyes bright and trusting. "Ga", she gurgled, trying to stuff both fists in her mouth, staring at Calli. Calli's eyes widened. She reached out and took the small child. She pulled her close, burying her face in the soft red hair. She looked up at Mattie with bright eyes.
"I would never abandon them, or you.", she said fiercely.
Jack held out his hand to her encouragingly. Calli slowly reached out and took his hand. He smiled, pulling her down onto the rug beside him. Mattie stood back, watching the little family scene. She hoped they were going to be all right now. Joel and Lori bounded into the room and tumbled onto the rug. With a laugh Jack and Calli welcomed them in.
They spent the afternoon playing with the children. After dinner Joe took Calli and Jack to show them the fields they had planted the previous spring, now full of squash and a vegetable called tomatoes from seed they had taken from the vault. They had eaten some of the fruits at dinner and agreed they would be a good product for sale in the wasteland. Jack wondered about the plant life in the valley.
"Where did all this come from?", he asked wonderingly. "Did all this come from Bob's seeds?", he asked.
"Oh, no, I haven't planted any of those in here. Harold can 'see' through their leaves. I don't want him to know about this place. Sometimes he forgets and might mention it to someone. The trees I planted years ago along the river and by the house from seed from the vault of life. Those are silver maples with the spreading limbs and big leaves, the ones that look like they're drooping are willows. They've done really well. I'm not sure where the plants and life in the river have come from, probably they came in with the river, eggs or seed I expect. The frogs are fun though, aren't they? I like to listen to them. Oh yeah, I guess I haven't told you about the Vault of Life, have I?", she questioned him.
"Uh, no.", Jack said. So Calli and Joe told him about the vault.
"I'll take you there sometime. Probably not this trip, we won't have time. Listen, Jack", she said seriously. "I know you think I keep a lot of secrets from you. You're right, I do. I know a lot of secrets about the wasteland. Many of them aren't mine to tell. The Enclave knows this, that's why they're always trying to get me. With my secrets they could rule the wasteland, or the Brotherhood could. I have to keep some things to myself. You understand that, don't you?"
"Yes.", Jack replied. "But I don't have to like it."
Calli sighed. "Neither do I.", she said, turning away.
"Hey, Joe", she said. "What plans do you have for now?" They discussed the expansions they would like to do the next year, but they were going to need more help. Jack and Calli would have to scout the wasteland and bay areas to find permanent residents for the new valley.
They were very interested in building a large barn and fences so they could start raising livestock. There were so many varieties in the life vault. It was posing a challenge to bring in the materials needed to expand.
The next morning Jack and Calli took packs and went to hike to the lake cave. After leaving the oasis the land was barren, dry and dusty. They didn't follow the river since it wound about in the land and would take longer. By going straight to the cave they could be there in just a day, crossing the river in two places due to its winding nature. They wore the wide brimmed hats and light clothing Mattie had determined was the most practical for the hot desert conditions. They would walk until the noon sun became too warm and then rest under the protection of a tree by the second bend in the river. After the land cooled later in the evening they would complete the trek to the tunnel.
They approached the round tunnel before dusk. They stood on the bank and watched the water flowing sedately into the tunnel.
"How long is the tunnel?", Jack asked, eyeing the river. There wasn't any bank in the tunnel and the water was deep.
"Not so big, less than 3 miles. That's why we have that.", Calli said, pointing to a flimsy looking raft lying on the bank. "We'd like to bring in a boat, but it's just too big to get through the Valley of Death."
Jack eyed the raft dubiously. "You sure that thing will float?", he asked.
"It's supported Hawk and me so far. We've done some looking around in the cave. It's really huge.", she answered. "The river's deep now. The first time Hawk and I went down it we just waded but its cut deeper every year. I'm pretty sure we can get a boat up it now."
They decided to wait until morning before going into the tunnel. They had a cold, but rather good, dinner of cold chicken sandwiches, tomatoes, and some apples Calli had brought from the Settlement, accompanied by the beer she usually carried with her.
After dinner they spread out a thin thermal blanket and made love under the bright desert stars beside the gently gurgling river. They held each other close just enjoying the quiet night.
"I'm sorry, hon.", Jack said softly. "I would have been there for you if I could. You know that, don't you? I would give anything to have been there when you were pregnant, to have held your hand when you had them."
"I know. I'm just so glad you're here now. I'm sorry I didn't trust you. I should've known you would do what is best. I was so afraid you would take them away.", she said softly.
"I would never do that. I would like to have them with me sometimes when they're older.", he rejoined.
Calli smiled at him. "We'll talk about it later."
Snuggled under a blanket together against the cool night they slept safe and snug until the morning light roused them from their pleasant slumber.