Chapter 30

The Final Goodbye

They wanted to see how well Isabella would do during the night so they watched over her closely. By morning she wasn't thriving like her sisters. Annabelle and Mirabelle were given to me so I could introduce them to the family. We were planning on introducing Isabelle some time later. Charlie left to pick up Bryan from Jen's. To my surprise everyone came to see the babies. My entire family, my friends. Deanna and Rodney and their son Harvey. My grandparents, and even my great grandparents. I was then alarmed to see Grandma Hadara. She was her true self and was up walking about out of the Ledgerdomain.

"Hello pumpkin." She said sweetly.

"Grandma?"

Mom walked in behind her.

"I found away to free her Harmione..."

"Really?" I asked. Tears found their way to my eyes.

"Really." Hadara answered. "I can finally be apart of the family I wanted to be."

We hugged each other. Among our hug was 4 generations. Grandma Hadara, Mom, me, and in my arms little Annabelle and Mirabelle. We now have three little girls to carry out the legacy.

"Don't forget you aren't the only grandma here...scoot over and let me see those babies!" Grandma Verdona exclaimed. We all laughed. I looked around Gwen and Kevin were there with Genesis.

"Look Kev, looks like you Ben, and Charlie got your work cut out for you; keeping boys away from these girls."

"Hey now don't count me out, I'll beat all those boys off with a stick." Grampa Max said with a laugh.

"Dad..." Pawpaw Carl replied after.

"I can help babysit!" Genesis piped up.

"Me too Har!" Irene said.

"Oh let me and Adam!" said Kim.

"Hey if anyone is going to help out that's me...that's the best friend's job." Deanna retorted.

"It's a cousin's job too." Sierra replied.

"No...its definitely an Uncle's job." Justice told her. "Right Jess?"

"I don't mind looking after the babies...but Pat and I go out of lot." Jesse started to explain.

"Oh nonsense you're young kids. You don't know anything about babysitting." Nana Sandra scolded.

I laughed.

"Guys! You all can help..."

I then frowned thinking I might have two babies instead of the original three. My sadness was interrupted when I heard Bryan's voice.

"Pretty babies!" He shouted.

Charlie brushed past them carrying Bryan. He put Bryan on the bed with me.

"Watch Mommy's stomach now...its sore." He told him. I watched Charlie sit back down next to me in his chair. He smiled at me.

"Hi sisters! I'm Bryan!"

Bryan then frowned.

"How come they not talking?!" He yelled.

We all laughed.

"They don't know how yet baby...you'll have to teach them." I explained.

"Oh...what are their names?"

"Well this one in the purple blanket is Annabelle, and the blue is Mirabelle."

"Hi Anna, hi Mira, I'm your brother, where is my other sister?"

I looked at Charlie. Charlie sighed.

"She's uh...sick right now Bryan." Charlie told him.

"Will she get better?"

"We don't know baby." I said with a frown. I saw tears in Bryan's eyes. He put his head down near the babies. I looked back at everyone. The room grew silent. Out of everyone there, there was one person I didnt see. I couldn't believe I didn't notice it before.

"Mom, where's Dad?"

"Guess." She replied somberly.

I looked down.

I left Hope and had gone to see my grandbaby Isabelle who wasn't doing too good. She had an infection in her lungs and was starving because she didn't want to eat. They had her on fluids and all sorts of medications. She was placed in the NICU for futher observation. She had to sleep in an incubator to keep warm and to monitor her heart rate. The nurse let me in to see her. I had to stick my hands through these circular tubes in order to touch her.

After all the trails and tribulations I've been through I couldn't believe where I was standing. I was turning 50 in a few months and here I was at the hospital stroking the cheek of my 4th grandchild. Gwen and Kevin had a girl in college. I had two boys about to graduate high school, and three newborn grandbabies. Grampa Max was to celebrate his 96th birthday this year. It was unbelievable.

I often think back to that day when I was 10, and I found the Omnitrix, I never knew what sort of life I got myself into. I was just playing the hero. Years have gone by and I've had so much time to think about my life. I wasn't just playing a hero; I was. I didn't do it to just protect everyone I loved; I did it to protect other people, other people love. Without me some would have never gotten the chance to stand where I am. All the past drama, the hate, and the pain looking at little Isabelle it didn't matter anymore. Doing all that, I did paved the way for her to live. For all of them to truly live. That's the meaning of my charmed life.

When I started out I made jokes like some stupid kid. But that was me living the only way I knew how. I've made so many memories now that they've made me stronger, and wiser. I've accepted it all because without my acceptance this world would be a lot scarier, and a lot darker than it is. I gave every difficulty an opportunity as Paradox told me too.

When all of this started I never thought that taking a chance on Hope would lead to all this.

"Ben?"

I turned to see Hope standing there. Despite the fact we've both aged I still see that beautiful woman that came into my life. A woman's life like everyone else, still has life to live; because of me.

"I thought I'd find you here."

"Yeah...I came by and saw the other two yesterday...not that I don't love them any less it's just-"

"I know."

She walked over to me and put her head on my shoulder. We closed our eyes against each other and sighed heavily.

"They're gonna look just like you know...I think green eyes runs in the family." She said softly.

I smirked.

"Yeah...but I don't know they might change color on us...get some magenta or brown in there...just like Charlie...he's a good man."

"Yeah...but you're even better."

I scoffed.

"Angel..."

"Hm?"

"Paradox said...that I had to take a chance...when I took a chance on you I never dreamed I'd be standing here."

"Neither did I...remember?"

I looked at her. She was right.

"I was always so stuck in the past that I couldn't live in the present, and I could never really see the future."

"No one can but Paradox."

"Yeah... but do you think he saw this future...right here."

"I..."

We were interrupted by Isabella crying. A nurse came into check on her. Apparently, Isabella hadn't cried in sometime. The fact she was now; was a good sign.

"And oh...she just wants to eat...hm...I don't know maybe you being here Grampa gave her good vibes." The nurse said and tended to Isabelle.

Hope and I looked at each other.

"It was almost time for their next feeding...do you want to feed her while I tell the family the good news and give the other two their bottles?"

"Yeah, I mean yes mam...I can do that."

"Great...and because she's crying I have feeling she'll take this bottle from you."

And she did.

I sat in a chair feeding Isabelle as Hope stood over me. Isabelle finally decided to suck on the bottle.

"There we go..." Hope said with a smile. "Once we get some food in you, you'll be ready to get out of here."

The medications were doing there job. Soon all three girls would get to leave with Harmione, Charlie, and Bryan.

I just stared down at Isabelle. She had finished half the bottle as I rocked her.

"My goodness baby...you were hungry." I told her in a sweet tone.

"Ben..."

I looked up at Hope. She got on her knees in front of me.

"Paradox must see hundreds of thousands of futures...so many outcomes...but I truly...and honestly believe they all end up the same."

"And how's that Angel?"

"Like this...nothing would be different...nothing would change...he didn't just send you back in time to save me...he sent you back so he could save you..."

I smiled shyly.

"And he did."

Another nurse came in.

"Oh I see she's doing just fine now...Dr. Payton says she can see the rest of the family..Congratulations to you all. Here...I'll take her...there we go." I handed her off to the nurse.

As they left down the hall it was like watching my future take flight. Bigger and better things were in store for my family. My blessed, lucky, normal, charmed family.

I wrapped Hope in a hug then kissed her. We walked arm and arm out of the NICU to face the world again. To fight every difficult task and treat them as opportunities. Without that we have nothing.

Without having that as our secret weapon, or as our good luck charm, my life would have never been as charmed as it was.

The End