Notes: This is the final scene people read from the first version of chapter 19. I felt like something just wasn't resolved, so I ended up expanding chapter 19 in the middle and pushing this little scene into an epilogue by itself. Please go back and read the new content in 19!
Epilogue
The rest of the day was similarly peaceful. Evangeline hadn't made it to Marcel Germaine's the prior night because of the late hour and the even newer discoveries, so she and Angelique went to talk to him about all they had learned. Lector went to Adele's to visit with Gabriel, as promised, and brought the boy back to have lunch with them and play with Mokuba. Adele was also invited, somewhat to her surprise, and she agreed. When they arrived back at the house, they found Marcel had been invited as well.
The weather was just right to cook and eat outside without being miserable, so the entire group gathered on the back patio while Angelique made lunch. Mokuba and Gabriel ran around the yard and explored while they waited.
"Don't go past the fountain!" Evangeline reminded them.
"We sure won't!" Mokuba exclaimed.
"It's so nice to actually be able to relax for once!" Téa sighed in relief as she leaned back on a beach chair.
"No kidding!" Joey declared. "We've just been kickin' back all morning. I didn't even think that was possible here!"
"Even the cemetery looks peaceful today," Serenity smiled.
". . . Eh, let's not go overboard," Joey grunted.
Lector looked to his older sister. "Adele, did you know about the Germaines being related to us?"
"Not until I came over here and Evangeline started talking about it," Adele said. "I honestly had no idea." She frowned a bit. "I wonder what other secrets this old house is hiding."
"Probably a lot," Téa said. "But it'll probably take another trip or two before we find the rest. At least."
"Or maybe we never will," Mai said. "This house and its ghosts don't give up their secrets easily."
"Well, I'm glad one of the ghosts trusted us with these new secrets," Evangeline said. "Tomorrow everyone will know the full story of the Leichter and Germaine tragedy."
"Good deal," Crump said.
"And after lunch, everyone can come see the newly open rooms, if they want to," Evangeline continued.
"I sure would!" Serenity said.
"I think we all would," Yugi smiled.
Serenity giggled. "Look at Oreo!"
Everyone turned to look. The tuxedo cat was sitting on the patio wall, staring without blinking at the meat on the grill.
"Cat," Yami Bakura grunted. But he was staring at it too.
Bakura chuckled and shook his head. "You two," he commented as he was petting Oreo.
"I wonder how things are going back home," Téa said.
"Grampa says everything's fine at the shop," Yugi said. "But he and Mom are anxious for us to get home."
"Lumis and Umbra said everything's fine at the Black Crown too," Duke said.
"The problem with everything being 'fine' is that it never lasts for long," Nesbitt grunted.
"Oh, isn't it the truth," Téa groaned.
"Well, you know what? I'm gonna enjoy it whenever it pops up!" Crump declared. He grabbed a well-done burger and started building the ingredients on the bun.
Lector smiled. "That is a very wise decision."
Yami Bakura snatched a rare burger and bit into it with relish. Crumbs flew everywhere and juices trailed down his chin. Oreo promptly jumped over and licked them up.
"Yami!" Bakura exclaimed in mortification.
"Cat," Yami Bakura growled.
"Heh." Gansley shook his head. "I suppose to some extent it's refreshing that some things never change."
"So did anyone ever figure out where that Berserk Dragon went?" Joey wondered. "Just so, you know, it's not roamin' around the city or something."
"Grandmother said it goes back to its dimension after it helps us out," Evangeline said, "so I guess that's what happened. We'll have to hope anyway."
Marcel shook his head. "What am I getting into by joining this family?" he said with a playfully amused smile.
"Well, for one thing, you're getting a lot of fun friends," Angelique said.
"And houses full of ghosts," Joey shuddered.
"You know, we still don't know for sure how and why Dr. Raven teleported out of the prison when he did," Evangeline frowned. "It still doesn't make sense that he didn't do it before if he could always do it."
"Maybe he was waiting to catch everyone off-guard?" Johnson suggested. "They'd be expecting tricks from him at first, but if he waited, no one would be thinking he'd try something."
"That makes sense," Marik said.
Mokuba and Gabriel came running back to claim the food. "It smells really good over here!" Mokuba grinned.
"Good, because it's ready," Angelique smiled. "Help yourselves, everyone! Some of you already have been."
The group all gathered around, getting in line to acquire burgers, hot dogs, and all the trimmings. Oreo happily munched on a burger as well.
"Well," Yugi smiled, "I'd say things really are ending alright for all of us."
"I agree," Lector said. "This trip started horribly and went progressively downhill. But it's become very happy in many ways."
"I'm glad, Uncle Démas!" Gabriel grinned. "I want you to be happy!"
Moved, Lector drew an arm around the boy. "Just you saying that makes me very happy," he said.
Gabriel hugged him around the neck.
Crump snapped a picture. He wanted that sweetness saved for years to come. And, he was sure, Lector would too.
Adele smiled. "Not everyone was affected by the tragedies of this family. I'm so glad Gabriel is still pure."
"I believe this family can rise again," Ishizu said. "It has been splintered, but not broken. It is very encouraging that you and your mother want to make amends now. Perhaps someday, Marie and the other boys will as well."
"I don't know about them," Adele sighed. "Phillipe's feelings run very deep. But let's not think about that right now."
"Yeah!" Joey agreed. "Let's think about food!"
"You always think about food," Mai remarked.
"Because it's a great thing to think about!" Joey defended.
"And safe," Tristan added.
"And delicious," Crump grinned.
Lector laughed. "Well, I can't disagree there. And Angelique is very skilled at making delicious food since she owns her own restaurant."
"She does," Nesbitt agreed. "And I've always enjoyed your cooking as well."
"You cook, Lector?" Téa said in surprise.
"From time to time," Lector said. "I make a pretty mean gumbo."
"You are totally making that for us when we get home!" Joey declared.
"I think every family has their own gumbo recipe," Angelique remarked, "and sometimes each family member does too. But I got hold of the recipe Lector uses and I think that's my favorite." She smiled. "I'd like to offer that in the restaurant."
"You are certainly welcome to it," Lector said.
"Does that mean you'd get royalties every time she makes it?" Joey asked.
"Joey!" Téa exclaimed.
"What? I'm just asking!" Joey defended.
"Well, for the here and now, this food is just great," Téa beamed.
Everyone echoed their agreement. There would no doubt be more chaos to deal with sooner or later, but for now, all was peaceful and the group could happily enjoy their time together.
"Hey," Mokuba said suddenly, "do you guys see that?"
All eyes looked to where he was pointing. For a brief moment it appeared as though several transparent figures were standing by and observing the gathering. They had come out from around the nearby trees and stood there, expressionless, but there were no ill feelings from their presence. Then, in a shimmer, they were gone again.
"G-Ghosts!" Joey wailed.
"It's okay, Joey," Serenity said. "They were nice ghosts. I think they wanted to let us know they're happy with all of us being together."
"I think so too," Evangeline mused.
Lector looked thoughtful. Perhaps the family, living and dead, would be united at last. It was long overdue.
"I wonder if the ghosts will stop watching us and trying to trick us into going into alternate floor plans," Atem said.
"I'd love if they'd have mercy on us like that," David said. "Maybe seeing them like this means they're giving their blessing?"
"Or what if they're saying we're doing too much on their property?" Joey worried.
"Ugh. Let's not worry about it," Mai said.
"I'm going to take it as a positive sign," Evangeline said. "But I won't be surprised if they keep watching us, at least."
"Hey, what are we going to do about that yellow ring?" Duke wondered, deciding they should change the subject.
"I think we should take it with us for now," Yugi said. "Maybe it's nothing, but maybe it's important."
Yami Bakura grunted. "I couldn't find any magical properties when I scanned it."
"So it's probably not important," Tristan said. "Unless your Ring was acting up again."
Yami Bakura scowled.
"You know, there were seven Millennium Items, but only six rings," Mokuba said. "Roland's ancestor didn't have one of the rings. It's a long shot, but . . . what if this ring is for real and it was his?"
"Then why wasn't it in the box with the others?" Seto grunted.
"And what element would it represent?" Gansley wondered. "There are only six Duel Monsters elements, which is what our rings are based on."
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Mokuba relented. "It was just a thought."
"It's a good thought, Mokuba," Lector said. "Hopefully we'll be able to find out what the deal is with the ring. We'll take it with us for now."
"And put it with all the other junk Shadi hasn't bothered to come for yet," Joey scowled. "Seriously, how long is he gonna make us wait?!"
"Shadi does everything on his own time table and in his own way," Rishid said with a note of disapproval in his voice. He wasn't sure he would ever forgive Shadi for misleading Marik about his father's death. But of course, he also wasn't guiltless in that matter. He had allowed the misleading to continue, fearing for Marik's sanity if he learned the truth.
"Let's just hope we will never need to use any of those objects ourselves," Atem said. "Especially the statue of Reshef."
"I'm hoping!" Joey exclaimed.
"And also hope they will not be stolen," Ishizu said.
"Speaking of items, Vivian Wong and the Paradox Brothers will be coming back soon to look for that medallion in the river," Gansley said with a scowl.
"I haven't forgotten," Lector sighed. "I must admit I am dreading it."
"Then let's forget it for now," Evangeline insisted. "Let's just enjoy today."
Lector smiled again. He could certainly get behind that, and the others felt likewise.
He leaned back, looking up at the sky. It really was a beautiful day.