Ch 30

Amy had trouble sleeping that night. She stared at the ceiling, watching the city lights of Athens dance across it like some distant, faint ghosts. She couldn't stop thinking about her mother and father. What kind of life had they lead? They obviously had started dating in the early 1980's, but they didn't get married until 1992. Eleven years seemed like a long time to date. Had they had trouble defining their relationship?

I wonder if mom ever tried to talk dad out of loving her? Amy thought. Did they ever fight about the same things we fight about? Surely, she must have wanted Dad to have a normal life. This thought made Amy inordinately sad, thinking of Hope pushing Arthur away, knowing that he'd run the risk of an early death if he stayed with her-if he married her. What if she had been successful? Amy thought. Neither she nor her brother would exist. The thought of Hope and Arthur both alive but alone invaded her thoughts and that idea made her even more melancholy. At least with the risk that love brings they had great moments of happiness. They had us, she thought.

At this, Amy glanced to her right. Jake was asleep next to her. His chiseled features more pronounced with the night shadows in the room. She studied his face for a long moment. This face that she loved so much, this selfless, brave individual would do anything for her—had done anything for her; he had nearly drowned in the North Atlantic trying to revive her with antidote before swimming them both to safety.

Amy took a deep breath and slowly let it out. She had made up her mind. It was time.

Jake and Atticus left early the next morning after a hasty room service breakfast of flaky pastry, aged cheeses, and fruit. They wanted to get to the University early where the team was to work on deciphering the Linear B stele. Their father, Dr. Rosenbloom, was flying to Greece as they spoke and would meet them there after he landed.

Jonah and Ham had to get back to the tour schedule. Jonah had a concert that evening in Lucerne. They said their good-bye's to Amy and Dan before a hired driver picked them up for the airport.

This left Amy and Dan with an entire day to themselves. Dan knew he probably should head back to his studies in Massachusetts, but he'd rather spend his time with Amy. They took public transit to the Acropolis. They had spent some time at the Acropolis on the clue hunt, but that had been five years ago and their time hadn't exactly been serene.

As they hiked up the tall hill to the famous structure, Amy broached the subject she had been pondering.

"Dan, I've been thinking." She started, "I think it's time we gave Jake and Atticus, Madrigal status."

Dan was quiet, so Amy continued. "They've more than proven themselves worthy of being a Cahill, and, I know it would mean a lot to them."

Dan nodded slowly before looking at his sister. "No complaints from me." He furrowed his brow, "but, I guess I thought you would have done this when you and Jake got married."

Amy blushed. "Well, there's no guarantee we will get married."

Dan rolled his eyes with incredulity before Amy continued.

"And, even if I did, it wouldn't help Atticus. Jake's mentioned to me a handful of time how fond I am of pointing out that they aren't Cahills. Well, this would solve that dilemma."

Dan simply nodded his approval. "Att hasn't openly voiced his opinion, but I think he'd love it; maybe even more than Jake. He is the last Guardian after all, and has been kidnapped, shot at, chased, stabbed and suffocated for the honor. I think his mom would want it too."

Amy beamed, trying to envision their reaction when they told them. This made her smile.

Amy checked her phone:

Going well. Have mostly decoded. Dad arrived, he's in heaven! Att and I are being interviewed by Athens team. Very thorough. Probably won't see you until much later. Love you.

Late that night a bedraggled Atticus and Jake slunk back into the suite after pulling an 18-hour day. Amy and Dan had tried to wait up for them, but as it was well past midnight, the siblings had gone off to bed. They had resolved to tell the brothers the news in the morning. Amy could hear Jake enter their bedroom in her sleep haze and when he slipped under the covers he curled up right next to her. His hands and feet cold; cold enough to make her jump. Jake let out a quiet laugh,

"Did I wake you?" He whispered with light-hearted undertones, a smile in his voice.

Amy's groggy voice answered, "where have you been keeping those things? A meat locker? Why are you so cold?"

In response, Jake snuggled even closer, wrapping his free hand tight around her ribcage. "It's been a long day. I can't wait to tell you all about it. It was the most amazing thing, Ames. I've been on digs with Dad where things of value have been found, and the frenzy of activity and response is electric, but this, today, was next level. It was such a high!"

Amy smiled and rolled on her back to see him in the moonlight.

She took one free hand and placed it on his arm, giving him a squeeze, "I'm so happy for you. I want to hear all about it—tomorrow."

Jake smiled, "You got it," he said, kissing her gently.

Amy ran her hand across his bare chest, a tiny shiver traveling to her toes. She looked up into his expressive, sharp eyes; eyes she loved so much and saw pure love reflected back at her. She let her hand travel up and rest along his jawline as she studied him.

Jake's expression changed, "what?"

Amy's expression had changed and she looked contemplative now. She couldn't wait until morning, she had to tell him now. Propping herself up on her elbow, she turned to face him. Her long hair falling in a cascade over her right shoulder. "I want to tell you something."

Jake said nothing, intent and impassive.

"Dan and I talked today. We both think it's time that we made you and Atticus official Madrigals. I've wanted to for a while, and it feels like the right time." Amy paused, trying to see his reaction in the moonlight. He was still impassive.

"There's no official ceremony, just your name recorded in the Cahill database and—"

Jake leaned in and kissed her, letting it linger.

"Thank you," he whispered. "This is perfect."

"You're happy?" Amy asked.

"This is the perfect ending to a perfect day."

Epilogue

The remainder of that semester was an unforgettable one for Amy, Jake and Atticus. It turned out that the find at Rhamnous was the greatest Linear B find anywhere. After it had been deciphered and dated, then the press got involved. Both brothers were interviewed for archeologist magazines and journals. They were invited to speak as prestigious visiting scholars at Universities in Rome, Athens and even Oxford. The department head at Oxford even encouraged Jake to apply as a Rhodes scholar for graduate school.

When Amy and Jake returned to Cambridge in June, the Cahill cousins, including Nico, Nellie, Sammy, Amy, Dan, Jake and Atticus all gathered at the headquarters to officially welcome Jake and Atticus as Madrigals. Nellie said a few words of welcome as the only other non-Cahill to ever be granted Madrigal status.

"When Grace hired me as the kiddo's au pair, I had no idea when I was getting myself into. I've been shot, chased, dragged, stabbed, kidnapped, drugged and left for dead."

Everyone in the room looked sheepish; Nellie had not had an easy road of things since becoming a Cahill.

"But, despite all of that, I wouldn't change a thing. Because of you" She looked at Amy and Dan pointedly, "I've grown as a person, become braver than I ever thought possible, seen the world and met the love of my life." At this, she squeezed Sammy's hand.

"I, along with everyone else in this room, welcome you both to the official ranks of the insane—I mean, the Cahills. In specific, as Madrigals."

At this, Nellie walked over and kissed Jake and Atticus on the cheek before turning to Amy.

She took up the narrative where Nellie left off.

"Jake, Atticus, when Dan and I met you in line for the Colosseum three years ago, we had no idea what you'd both become to us. Atticus, I knew you were Dan's best friend, but you've become so much more than that now. You and Dan are like brothers now; you're the second brother I didn't know I was missing. We would have failed or died long ago if we didn't have you. You are an invaluable member of our Cahill family and we welcome you."

Both Amy and Dan hugged Atticus who was all smiles and fairly bouncing on his toes.

Dan spoke up next, they had arranged for Dan to speak about Jake at this event since Amy didn't think she could get through it without crying.

"Jake, ditto for you." Was all Dan said. Eyebrows raised all around the room, glancing between Jake, Dan and Amy.

Amy's brow furrowed and she cuffed Dan on the shoulder just as Dan's serious face cracked into a wide grin.

"Alright, alright, back to the serious stuff. Levity over." Dan said, Jake shaking his head in disbelief but with a grin on his face.

"Seriously though bro, we've needed you. There's no way my sister would be alive now if it wasn't for you. I know you love her, and that's good, because you've seen her at her worst, and that's pretty bad, we all have to admit."

Amy smacked Dan on the arm a second time and gave him a pleading look—get serious!

Dan nodded apologetically and continued on, "I guess what I'm trying to say is, we're both crazy-grateful to you. We're alive and whole today because of you. And Atticus. There are no two people alive today who deserve to be added to the family like you both."

Jake gave Dan a brotherly hug with back pats before turning to Amy who threw her arms around his neck and Jake pulled her in tight for a sustained hug. Eyes closed, neither one spoke but just savored the moment.

Someone started clapping and it caught on. Soon the room was applauding the two newest Cahills.

The brothers were all smiles.