Chapter Eighteen: Mother

Chapter Eighteen: Mother

Isabel stared blankly into the mirror, a frown on her face. Tess smoothed out her veil. "Don't worry," she told Isabel, "everything's going to work out fine. And, in two days, we'll be back on Earth." Isabel turned away from the mirror. "I hope you're right." She sank onto a sofa, fingering the lace around her neck. "Where are Max and Michael?" she asked, the fifth time of the hour. "They're with the army," Tess answered, "you know that. Everyone's getting into position. The question is, are you ready?" Isabel let out a deep breath. "I have to be. We can't afford to make any mistakes." She and Tess looked at each other thoughtfully.

"Vilandra, dear?" Isabel stood, smoothing out her gown. Lara paused in the doorway, a hand held to her chest. "You look absolutely beautiful, darling." Isabel smiled. "Thank you Mother." Lara went to her daughter and kissed her cheek, taking her hands. "I wish your father were here," she mused, her eyes welling with happy tears. Isabel nodded, staring into a face that was so much like her own. For a moment, she felt a deep feeling of regret. How can she leave the woman that gave birth to her, who sacrificed her own happiness to save them and send them away? Who loves them unconditionally and can't bear to let them go again? She remembers her last birthday on Earth, and how she missed the woman standing before her terribly.

Happy birthday, Isabel. I'm 18 today, mother. October 25th. At least that's the day we've always celebrated as my birthday. But you're the only one really who knows the real day. I guess that's why I came to this place, the only place I've ever seen you. I hold ... I hold on to that day, but you disappeared, and the picture of you is already fading, and it's all I had. I was so happy because you were beautiful and warm, and I even thought I looked like you. But it wasn't you, not really. God, I don't know what you look like. Maybe I'll never know. It isn't fair. It isn't fair. I need you. I need you. Where are you? Oh, God, it's my birthday. We should be together. How could you leave us? How could you tell us all this important information about destinies and saving the world and then just disappear? Oh, God. I …I killed a person, an enemy, an alien? Does that make it okay? Oh, God. What was she talking about? What was she talking about? She said I betrayed my family. Is it true? Is it true? Am I a terrible person? Answer me. Answer me. Come on, answer me!

"Vilandra?" Isabel shook her head, clearing away the memory. She threw herself into her mother's arm and hugged her tightly, tears rolling down her cheeks. Lara held her, stroking her long hair. "What is it, darling?" she wondered. Isabel shook her head, turning her cheek and breathing in the scent of her mother, burning it into her memory. "I love you," she whispered fiercely, "never forget that, mother." Lara pulled back from the embrace, regarding Isabel with a sad expression. "I know you do, sweetheart. I've always known it." She paused. "You're leaving me, aren't you?" Isabel exchanged a glance with Tess, who stood by the window, feeling like an intruder. Tess gave her a small smile of encouragement.

Isabel looked back at her mother, holding their joined hands to her chest. "I'm glad that we came here," she said softly, "because now I know. Now I know what you look like, what you feel like, what you sound like. And now I have all these memories I never had before." Lara wiped at a tear that slipped down Isabel's cheek. "Mother, I wish there was some way for me to be in two places at once. I wish I could stay and be with you forever. I know when you sent us away the first time, you didn't intend for us to choose there over here. You couldn't have understood the way our other lives would change us; how we'd become human." Lara shook her head slightly. "I'm so sorry, mother. I'm so sorry for hurting you." Lara leaned in to hug Isabel again. "It's alright, darling. I understand. I'll be alright." She placed her hands on Isabel's cheeks. "This time I get to say goodbye. And I'm grateful for that. So grateful."

They heard someone clear their throat and turned. Max walked towards them, a sad smile on his face. Lara pulled him towards her and hugged him. "Is everything okay here?" he asked, standing between his mother and sister, holding their hands. Isabel nodded, wiping her cheeks dry. "Mother understands now. It's okay." Max sighed with relief. "You know we'll always love you, right mother?" She nodded. "I know." Looking at the two of them, she shook her head in wonderment. "If I'd known sending you away would turn you both into such wonderful, mature adults … I'm so very proud of you. You've been my only joy since the moment you were born. I will always cherish our time together, but I know that you have to leave. Just promise me that you won't forget this life, your legacy. And know that I will always be in your hearts, as you will be in mine." As she gathered them in her arms, Isabel was crying all over again, and tears of sadness ran down Max's cheeks as well.

Tess hated to break up the goodbye, but they couldn't wait any longer. "Isabel," she called softly, "it's time to go."