Chapter Forty Five
To think that this day would actually happen would be nothing less than a miracle. If you looked at my life 7 years ago and think that my life would be like this now. You would never believe it yourself. Today should be a national holiday for goodness sakes. This is just insane. As I walk down the aisle I see people that I feel I've known forever. The things that we've been through and the things that we continue to live through for each other. I look at Max and Liz. Liz's face is priceless, as she looks at me admiration. Even she could never have guessed this would happen. She's really pregnant now. The doctor says that he expects her to give birth any day now. But of course Liz wasn't about to miss this. I look at Max's face. He's looking at me with pride. Why wouldn't he? He's about to have a baby and I'm getting married. I look at the rest of the group and smile at them as I pass. Kyle is smiling at me. Who knew that he would be like this? He was the guy that was Liz's stalker ex boyfriend, now he's a happily married sheriff. A sheriff?
I notice that there are two faces that I don't see. My mom and dad are gone. They're dead. Sometimes I wake up at night and think that they're still with me. I think that if I just pick up the phone I can call my mom. That last picture of my mom plays over and over in my head when I sleep. I break into tears still at the mention of it. Now I focus all my attention on the man that promises to be by my side for the rest of my life. Michael was there for me when Alex died and he was more than there for me when my mom died. When I would wake up crying, he would hold me until I fell back asleep. I compare him sometimes from how he used to be. He was the guy from the other side of the tracks and pushed me away every chance he got. But I've worn him down. He hasn't been an angel and he still isn't. There were times I wanted to explore my other options. I was vaguely tempted to think of Brody that way once but that was a long time ago and that wouldn't have worked out.
I look at his face right now and watch for any regret in his face. My Space Boy is not good at hiding his feelings. Whatever he's feeling he shows right in his face. It's annoying and comical all at the same time. He looks nervous. I can't tell if it's a sign to turn around and walk back out the door or to keep walking toward him. He looks at Max, who's standing next to him and Max looks at him reassuringly. He's uncomfortable that's evident. But he does something that I've seen him do only a couple times before, he wipe his eyes. He is crying?
I reach him at the altar. I look at Liz and she has tears in her eyes. I am crying like a baby myself at the emotions I'm feeling right now. Liz squeezes my arm before I turn to Michael again.
~~~~~~~~
The priest is talking but I'm not listening to a word he's saying. I've been a mess all day. I'm glad this is finally going to be done with. I keep looking at Max because he's so calm about things like this and right now I'm a wreck. Who knew getting married would be this emotional? I feel like crying every time I look at her. She looks up at me with hopeful eyes and I hope I don't disappoint her too much. I know she's been through hell for me and I hope I can pay her back the favor. I feel like kicking myself every time I think of the wasted time that I could have already been married to her. I know that she had plenty of other options. I would never tell her that but I know she did. It took a long time for us to get to this point but I'm glad we're actually doing this.
Michael looked down at Maria and marveled at her. Their strange love affair would finally become a strange marriage. They joined hands and looked happily at each other.
~~~~~~~~
Isabel watched from her seat. She was happy for Michael. Maybe he was finally thinking about the future. It was hard for the three of them to think about the future when they had the threat of two worlds on their backs constantly. But now it was just about behind them. She was alone to this wedding. She sat next to Serena and Kyle. Ava and Brody sat to her left. She felt a sigh of relief come over her. Michael was finally getting his act together. They could start having normal lives. If normal is what you could imagine for three aliens from another planet with special gifts.
This was a very small ceremony. A couple people that had worked at the Crashdown were here. Maria's family couldn't be there. The only family Michael had was herself and Max. Nobody from Antar was here now. They had all gone home. After that day in the desert, things were pretty crazy. The cheering was what she remembered the most. The soldiers there were cheering their hearts out. When it was all over, they all got back on their ships and left. Laric left first with the rest of them. We were all asked to accompany them. Max refused to leave Liz behind, which was predictable. After a lot of thought, we all decided that Earth is the only place we could call home. We all had comfortable lives and being royalty just wasn't entirely in us. It would be a lot easier for Max to go on, leaving that part of his past behind. Earth wasn't paradise but it wasn't the closest thing we've ever had to a home. We have parents who love us, we have friends we can depend on. I have to admit that the idea of being a princess was tempting. I wanted to go back to Antar for one reason and that was to be with Thaman. Yes it would have been hard to leave Earth but if it meant being with Thaman I would give it up.
Instead of having to leave Earth, there was another summit meeting held in New York. But this time, the four of us were there. Max named Ryu the new King of Antar. Many discussions followed about the alliance between the five planets. It seemed to last forever, but soon everyone had reached a compromise. Two of the other ambassadors were more unwilling for compromise. They still had a grudge against Max for not giving into Kivar's treaty so long ago. Ryu is now King and they couldn't have picked a better King. I worry sometimes that a little of Tess will surface in his personality. But Thaman taught him well. Thaman had to escort Ryu back to Antar and promised to return to Earth. I half believe he's actually going to come back. That's Thaman's home. It's been 8 months since Thaman left and it's killing me. We haven't heard anything since he left.
~~~~~~~~
" Man and wife " repeated Liz in her head. This was finally happening. Maria and Michael were actually married. The news that I was pregnant was a shock to me. You would think that if I were pregnant I would be the first to notice. I can still see Ryu and Max's face when they saw the baby. Max had more love in his eyes than Ryu but the expression had pretty much been the same, they were both happy.
I used to worry to myself about this happening. If I got pregnant, how Max's reaction would be. I don't know how his exact reaction was when Tess told him that she was pregnant. His face brightened up in a way I haven't seen since we were married. Don't get me wrong. Our spark hasn't died yet but there are special moments when a special glance is important. I was glad he didn't regret it. He's been wonderful. Ryu assured us that the baby would be in human form. Ryu was human and couldn't change his appearance. So that doesn't worry us anymore. I know Max hated the thought of not being with Ryu. He was still very young but Max trusted him. We would probably never see Ryu again. We both cried when he left that day with Thaman. I was left only to imagine how Max felt having to lose his son all over again when we tried so hard to rescue him.
Watching at how happy Maria is makes me turn to see the other people in our group. Everyone was now married except Isabel. But it was only for a short time now. Any day now Thaman would return from Antar and come back to her. He had to. Thaman wasn't the kind of person to make a promise and then break it.
~~~~~~~~
I can't believe Michael actually went through with it. He kept looking at me for strength and I got a little worried. I look at how happy Maria is and feel glad for her sake. Michael is rough around the edges, but she seems to get along fine with them. They're happy but they can never be as happy as Liz and I. I hate to be comparative but things weren't as complicated than Liz and me. Not to say that Michael and Maria haven't had their obstacles. I'm amazed sometimes that Liz doesn't regret anything that she's done for me. The things that she's had to go through for my sake. I could never repay her for the things she's done. I can only try and make her happy that I'm here. I promised her that I will never leave her. That's why I decided to stay on Earth. I knew that Liz wouldn't want to leave her parents here on Earth while we were in the other part of the universe.
Her parents were thrilled when they found out we were having a baby. Her mom has gotten softer on me. She still talks about our elopement like it was the worst thing to ever happen to her. It probably was. I have to admit that. I might be in her same position when our child gets married to someone. I think I may have finally won her over though. As for her father, we have this mutual understanding. I thought maybe it would be the other way around but he's been really helpful.
Liz has started complaining and asking me if she looks fat. I tell her no and she doesn't believe me. She doesn't realize that I'm telling her the truth. I don't think she's gotten fat at all. I watch her and it amazes me how well she's going through this. I'm proud of her. Just what I love about her, like a true scientist, she's learning everything she can. This brought a whole new prospective to her. She's always hard at work in her lab and talking to the baby as she does a lab. Nothing dangerous of course but I know that kid will love science just like her.
~~~~~~~~~
The wedding was great and party afterwards was plenty of fun. I must be getting old because I don't feel as energetic as I used to. I wasn't a wild child to begin with but I had a lot more energy for parties. Maria and Michael didn't dance too much. Michael has two left feet so Maria didn't really push him. Max and Liz were in their own little world as always. Kyle and Serena were hilarious as always. Kyle got a little drunk so he was extra ridiculous. Brody and Ava were the quiet ones as always.
When the party was done everybody went home with their partners. I have to walk home by myself. Max and Liz had offered to drive me home but I wanted to walk home tonight. If you could call it still nighttime now. It was about 4 in the morning. I can see the soft orange lights of the sun coming. I wanted to get home before sunrise.
As I walk, the last encounter with Thaman crosses my mind. I had wanted to go with him but he said that it would be better if I just waited for him to come back. After a lot of convincing I agreed to wait for him. I knew he was right, he always is. I tried to smile at him but failed miserably. I know he knew what I was thinking. I doubted he would actually come back, but he didn't say anything. He just looked at me for a long time without saying anything. He had that blank expression on his face and I couldn't see anything else. He can hide his emotions so well I can't stand it sometimes. I was about to ask him why he was looking at me like that.
" I will miss you " he said touching the side of my face.
" I will miss you too Thaman " I said holding his hand. " Please come back to me "
" How can you love me? " He asked.
I looked at him impatiently. I was about to argue my case yet again.
" I do not mean it in a demeaning way " he said reading my thoughts. " You are still young. I am a shape shifter. I have no real image. I am many years older than your human body is " he placed her hand on his chest. " There is not beating in here. I have no heart as you have. I have something else helping my blood to flow "
" I don't care Thaman, " I said " Nothing about me is normal. I'm a hybrid. Why would you want a carbon copy of an original? "
He smiled at me when I said this but I knew he wasn't convinced. He had that look in his eyes for just a second. That look that said he was planning something. Everyone had by that time boarded the ship he was taking. He looked at the ship and looked back down at me.
" I must go now, " he said.
I nodded as I looked down at the floor. He bent down and kissed me on the forehead.
" I will come back for you. I promise "
" I love you, " I said looking up to see him run into the ship. He turned around as the doors closed and waved at me.
I sigh loudly as I put my key in the door and turn the knob.
The silence in the house is almost deafening. It's so bad that she could hear the faint noises from outside. She doesn't bother to turn on any of the lights. She just walks over to her bedroom and changes into her pajamas. The sky outside is a deep ruby color as the sun begins to creep into her windows. She walks over to her window and looks out at her street. Everything is quiet. She took one last look at the street before she closed her curtain and crawled into her bed. Isabel blinked her eyes a couple times before she closed her eyes.
" Aunt Vilandra " she heard as she opened her eyes again. Isabel looked up and saw that she wasn't in her room anymore.
" Ryu? " she said turning around and seeing him to the side of her.
" Yes "
" You're in my dream? "
" This was the fastest way to communicate with you " he said. " Please forgive the intrusion "
" That's fine. Is everything all right? "
" Everything is fine "
" Is Thaman all right? "
He just stood there.
" Ryu, is Thaman all right? "
" He is fine "
" Why are you here? "
" I just felt the need to tell you what happened "
" What happened? " asked Isabel anxiously. " What happened to Thaman? "
" He's changed "
" What do you mean changed? " Isabel could feel herself waking up. Her vision was getting more and more blurry.
" He is like you "
" What? What do you mean he's like me? " she tried to scream but nothing was coming out of her mouth. She could see the image of Ryu grow farther and farther away from her. " Ryu tell me what you mean? " she said as she tried to run after him. " Ryu! " she cried as she sat up on her bed. She was covered in sweat and her phone was ringing. She looked at her clock. It was 4:00am. She had only been sleeping for thirty minutes. Now who could be calling her? She grabbed her phone. " Hello? "
" Isabel "
" Michael? " she asked in disbelief. He sounded anxious. " What's wrong? "
" Liz is having her baby "
Author's Note: I have tried to make it more interesting as things are coming to their conclusion. This story is about to finish. I'm just finishing up some storylines that I have started. Thaman as NOT returned yet so I hope you will wait to see what happens when he does come back, which should be soon. I hope you are not disappointed. As always I would love to hear what you thought of the new chapters.
To think that this day would actually happen would be nothing less than a miracle. If you looked at my life 7 years ago and think that my life would be like this now. You would never believe it yourself. Today should be a national holiday for goodness sakes. This is just insane. As I walk down the aisle I see people that I feel I've known forever. The things that we've been through and the things that we continue to live through for each other. I look at Max and Liz. Liz's face is priceless, as she looks at me admiration. Even she could never have guessed this would happen. She's really pregnant now. The doctor says that he expects her to give birth any day now. But of course Liz wasn't about to miss this. I look at Max's face. He's looking at me with pride. Why wouldn't he? He's about to have a baby and I'm getting married. I look at the rest of the group and smile at them as I pass. Kyle is smiling at me. Who knew that he would be like this? He was the guy that was Liz's stalker ex boyfriend, now he's a happily married sheriff. A sheriff?
I notice that there are two faces that I don't see. My mom and dad are gone. They're dead. Sometimes I wake up at night and think that they're still with me. I think that if I just pick up the phone I can call my mom. That last picture of my mom plays over and over in my head when I sleep. I break into tears still at the mention of it. Now I focus all my attention on the man that promises to be by my side for the rest of my life. Michael was there for me when Alex died and he was more than there for me when my mom died. When I would wake up crying, he would hold me until I fell back asleep. I compare him sometimes from how he used to be. He was the guy from the other side of the tracks and pushed me away every chance he got. But I've worn him down. He hasn't been an angel and he still isn't. There were times I wanted to explore my other options. I was vaguely tempted to think of Brody that way once but that was a long time ago and that wouldn't have worked out.
I look at his face right now and watch for any regret in his face. My Space Boy is not good at hiding his feelings. Whatever he's feeling he shows right in his face. It's annoying and comical all at the same time. He looks nervous. I can't tell if it's a sign to turn around and walk back out the door or to keep walking toward him. He looks at Max, who's standing next to him and Max looks at him reassuringly. He's uncomfortable that's evident. But he does something that I've seen him do only a couple times before, he wipe his eyes. He is crying?
I reach him at the altar. I look at Liz and she has tears in her eyes. I am crying like a baby myself at the emotions I'm feeling right now. Liz squeezes my arm before I turn to Michael again.
~~~~~~~~
The priest is talking but I'm not listening to a word he's saying. I've been a mess all day. I'm glad this is finally going to be done with. I keep looking at Max because he's so calm about things like this and right now I'm a wreck. Who knew getting married would be this emotional? I feel like crying every time I look at her. She looks up at me with hopeful eyes and I hope I don't disappoint her too much. I know she's been through hell for me and I hope I can pay her back the favor. I feel like kicking myself every time I think of the wasted time that I could have already been married to her. I know that she had plenty of other options. I would never tell her that but I know she did. It took a long time for us to get to this point but I'm glad we're actually doing this.
Michael looked down at Maria and marveled at her. Their strange love affair would finally become a strange marriage. They joined hands and looked happily at each other.
~~~~~~~~
Isabel watched from her seat. She was happy for Michael. Maybe he was finally thinking about the future. It was hard for the three of them to think about the future when they had the threat of two worlds on their backs constantly. But now it was just about behind them. She was alone to this wedding. She sat next to Serena and Kyle. Ava and Brody sat to her left. She felt a sigh of relief come over her. Michael was finally getting his act together. They could start having normal lives. If normal is what you could imagine for three aliens from another planet with special gifts.
This was a very small ceremony. A couple people that had worked at the Crashdown were here. Maria's family couldn't be there. The only family Michael had was herself and Max. Nobody from Antar was here now. They had all gone home. After that day in the desert, things were pretty crazy. The cheering was what she remembered the most. The soldiers there were cheering their hearts out. When it was all over, they all got back on their ships and left. Laric left first with the rest of them. We were all asked to accompany them. Max refused to leave Liz behind, which was predictable. After a lot of thought, we all decided that Earth is the only place we could call home. We all had comfortable lives and being royalty just wasn't entirely in us. It would be a lot easier for Max to go on, leaving that part of his past behind. Earth wasn't paradise but it wasn't the closest thing we've ever had to a home. We have parents who love us, we have friends we can depend on. I have to admit that the idea of being a princess was tempting. I wanted to go back to Antar for one reason and that was to be with Thaman. Yes it would have been hard to leave Earth but if it meant being with Thaman I would give it up.
Instead of having to leave Earth, there was another summit meeting held in New York. But this time, the four of us were there. Max named Ryu the new King of Antar. Many discussions followed about the alliance between the five planets. It seemed to last forever, but soon everyone had reached a compromise. Two of the other ambassadors were more unwilling for compromise. They still had a grudge against Max for not giving into Kivar's treaty so long ago. Ryu is now King and they couldn't have picked a better King. I worry sometimes that a little of Tess will surface in his personality. But Thaman taught him well. Thaman had to escort Ryu back to Antar and promised to return to Earth. I half believe he's actually going to come back. That's Thaman's home. It's been 8 months since Thaman left and it's killing me. We haven't heard anything since he left.
~~~~~~~~
" Man and wife " repeated Liz in her head. This was finally happening. Maria and Michael were actually married. The news that I was pregnant was a shock to me. You would think that if I were pregnant I would be the first to notice. I can still see Ryu and Max's face when they saw the baby. Max had more love in his eyes than Ryu but the expression had pretty much been the same, they were both happy.
I used to worry to myself about this happening. If I got pregnant, how Max's reaction would be. I don't know how his exact reaction was when Tess told him that she was pregnant. His face brightened up in a way I haven't seen since we were married. Don't get me wrong. Our spark hasn't died yet but there are special moments when a special glance is important. I was glad he didn't regret it. He's been wonderful. Ryu assured us that the baby would be in human form. Ryu was human and couldn't change his appearance. So that doesn't worry us anymore. I know Max hated the thought of not being with Ryu. He was still very young but Max trusted him. We would probably never see Ryu again. We both cried when he left that day with Thaman. I was left only to imagine how Max felt having to lose his son all over again when we tried so hard to rescue him.
Watching at how happy Maria is makes me turn to see the other people in our group. Everyone was now married except Isabel. But it was only for a short time now. Any day now Thaman would return from Antar and come back to her. He had to. Thaman wasn't the kind of person to make a promise and then break it.
~~~~~~~~
I can't believe Michael actually went through with it. He kept looking at me for strength and I got a little worried. I look at how happy Maria is and feel glad for her sake. Michael is rough around the edges, but she seems to get along fine with them. They're happy but they can never be as happy as Liz and I. I hate to be comparative but things weren't as complicated than Liz and me. Not to say that Michael and Maria haven't had their obstacles. I'm amazed sometimes that Liz doesn't regret anything that she's done for me. The things that she's had to go through for my sake. I could never repay her for the things she's done. I can only try and make her happy that I'm here. I promised her that I will never leave her. That's why I decided to stay on Earth. I knew that Liz wouldn't want to leave her parents here on Earth while we were in the other part of the universe.
Her parents were thrilled when they found out we were having a baby. Her mom has gotten softer on me. She still talks about our elopement like it was the worst thing to ever happen to her. It probably was. I have to admit that. I might be in her same position when our child gets married to someone. I think I may have finally won her over though. As for her father, we have this mutual understanding. I thought maybe it would be the other way around but he's been really helpful.
Liz has started complaining and asking me if she looks fat. I tell her no and she doesn't believe me. She doesn't realize that I'm telling her the truth. I don't think she's gotten fat at all. I watch her and it amazes me how well she's going through this. I'm proud of her. Just what I love about her, like a true scientist, she's learning everything she can. This brought a whole new prospective to her. She's always hard at work in her lab and talking to the baby as she does a lab. Nothing dangerous of course but I know that kid will love science just like her.
~~~~~~~~~
The wedding was great and party afterwards was plenty of fun. I must be getting old because I don't feel as energetic as I used to. I wasn't a wild child to begin with but I had a lot more energy for parties. Maria and Michael didn't dance too much. Michael has two left feet so Maria didn't really push him. Max and Liz were in their own little world as always. Kyle and Serena were hilarious as always. Kyle got a little drunk so he was extra ridiculous. Brody and Ava were the quiet ones as always.
When the party was done everybody went home with their partners. I have to walk home by myself. Max and Liz had offered to drive me home but I wanted to walk home tonight. If you could call it still nighttime now. It was about 4 in the morning. I can see the soft orange lights of the sun coming. I wanted to get home before sunrise.
As I walk, the last encounter with Thaman crosses my mind. I had wanted to go with him but he said that it would be better if I just waited for him to come back. After a lot of convincing I agreed to wait for him. I knew he was right, he always is. I tried to smile at him but failed miserably. I know he knew what I was thinking. I doubted he would actually come back, but he didn't say anything. He just looked at me for a long time without saying anything. He had that blank expression on his face and I couldn't see anything else. He can hide his emotions so well I can't stand it sometimes. I was about to ask him why he was looking at me like that.
" I will miss you " he said touching the side of my face.
" I will miss you too Thaman " I said holding his hand. " Please come back to me "
" How can you love me? " He asked.
I looked at him impatiently. I was about to argue my case yet again.
" I do not mean it in a demeaning way " he said reading my thoughts. " You are still young. I am a shape shifter. I have no real image. I am many years older than your human body is " he placed her hand on his chest. " There is not beating in here. I have no heart as you have. I have something else helping my blood to flow "
" I don't care Thaman, " I said " Nothing about me is normal. I'm a hybrid. Why would you want a carbon copy of an original? "
He smiled at me when I said this but I knew he wasn't convinced. He had that look in his eyes for just a second. That look that said he was planning something. Everyone had by that time boarded the ship he was taking. He looked at the ship and looked back down at me.
" I must go now, " he said.
I nodded as I looked down at the floor. He bent down and kissed me on the forehead.
" I will come back for you. I promise "
" I love you, " I said looking up to see him run into the ship. He turned around as the doors closed and waved at me.
I sigh loudly as I put my key in the door and turn the knob.
The silence in the house is almost deafening. It's so bad that she could hear the faint noises from outside. She doesn't bother to turn on any of the lights. She just walks over to her bedroom and changes into her pajamas. The sky outside is a deep ruby color as the sun begins to creep into her windows. She walks over to her window and looks out at her street. Everything is quiet. She took one last look at the street before she closed her curtain and crawled into her bed. Isabel blinked her eyes a couple times before she closed her eyes.
" Aunt Vilandra " she heard as she opened her eyes again. Isabel looked up and saw that she wasn't in her room anymore.
" Ryu? " she said turning around and seeing him to the side of her.
" Yes "
" You're in my dream? "
" This was the fastest way to communicate with you " he said. " Please forgive the intrusion "
" That's fine. Is everything all right? "
" Everything is fine "
" Is Thaman all right? "
He just stood there.
" Ryu, is Thaman all right? "
" He is fine "
" Why are you here? "
" I just felt the need to tell you what happened "
" What happened? " asked Isabel anxiously. " What happened to Thaman? "
" He's changed "
" What do you mean changed? " Isabel could feel herself waking up. Her vision was getting more and more blurry.
" He is like you "
" What? What do you mean he's like me? " she tried to scream but nothing was coming out of her mouth. She could see the image of Ryu grow farther and farther away from her. " Ryu tell me what you mean? " she said as she tried to run after him. " Ryu! " she cried as she sat up on her bed. She was covered in sweat and her phone was ringing. She looked at her clock. It was 4:00am. She had only been sleeping for thirty minutes. Now who could be calling her? She grabbed her phone. " Hello? "
" Isabel "
" Michael? " she asked in disbelief. He sounded anxious. " What's wrong? "
" Liz is having her baby "
Author's Note: I have tried to make it more interesting as things are coming to their conclusion. This story is about to finish. I'm just finishing up some storylines that I have started. Thaman as NOT returned yet so I hope you will wait to see what happens when he does come back, which should be soon. I hope you are not disappointed. As always I would love to hear what you thought of the new chapters.