A/N: HERE YOU GO GUYS. I'M SAD TO SAY THAT THIS STORY IS OVER. I'M
HOPING YOU GUYS LIKE IT. I DIDN'T WANT A SAD ENDING. I WANT TO THANK ALL
THE PEOPLE THAT REVIEWD, ESPECIALLY THE ONES THAT REVIEWED AND ENCOURAGED
ME A LOT. I WASN'T PLANNING ON WRITING THIS SEQUEL BUT HERE IT IS. THANKS
FOR EVERYTHING AND TELL ME WHAT YOU GUYS THINK.
Alec stood with a content smile on his face as he looked around at his family.
His family. And one big ass family it was.
They were all there. Max, OC, Jondy, Logan, Joshua, Brin, Zack, Syl, Krit, Zane and Jace. And of course the kids.
It had been three years since they last saw White. Three years since anything tragic has happened. It was like they had made a silent truce. White's way of saying thank you for getting his son back. That was the turning point. He left them alone ever since then.
Now, here they were all together under the blazing sun of Mexico, all relaxing by the beach.
Who would have thought that after all this time, after everything that had happened they would all end up in Mexico for one big family reunion?
Alec smiled as he remembered how it all started.
It had begun with Max and Jondy talking about their siblings. They seemed to do that a lot. What started as a sad conversation had somehow, which was beyond Alec's understanding, ended up into a squealing excited plan to go to Mexico to see Jace and her kid.
Alec and Logan agreed to tag along. Anything for their wives.
Then Syl who happened to be in Canada at that time heard and wanted to go too. Said that Canada was too damn cold and she needed some sun.
After that, the news spread like wildfire. By the time it reached Zack, it was already too late. Everyone was either already there or on their way to good old Mexico.
And somehow Zack ended up in Mexico as well. All thanks to Brin.
Alec looked at them now. It was like looking at an old photograph or watching some pre pulse movie. They all looked so happy.
He glanced around. There was Max. The wind was blowing her hair back while she squinted from the sun. She and Ben were making a sand castle that could have passed for art work. God, she looked beautiful. Things hadn't been easy for them but here they were, happy. He and Max had gotten married almost a year and a half ago. Alec had been so glad that he almost planned the whole wedding himself.
Ben was five now. He looked a lot like Alec except for the light tan and dark hair. He was smart for his age. Obviously.
Alec shifted his head to look at Case. He was talking to Charlie and Syl. They were the ones that took the longest to get here. It wasn't easy convincing Charlie to come along. Everyone knew Syl had something to do with it. They all suspected that something was going on between them but no one had the guts to say anything about it. It was Case actually, who finally got fed up with their whole denial phase that spoke up for everyone and told his dad and aunt to admit it already and get married.
That was a shocker.
But Alec couldn't help admire the boy. A part of him favored Case the most out of all the kids that weren't his. The poor kid had lost his mother but he was strong. Alec could see Manticore in the kid. Not just in the barcode on the back of his neck, but in his eyes. He had his mother's eyes. It reflected his mother's outmost courage, and strength and love and devotion. Alec admired him. He was a soldier. Not the kind of soldier that Manticore created, but the kind that Tinga had always wanted her son to be. A soldier made of love, and compassion, and goodness. It was like Case had taken the job of being big brother to the kids in his family, very much like Zack.
"There's Zack." Alec thought to himself as he watched the man chase two twin toddlers. Who would have thought that Zack was ever going to be a father? No one. It was funny and strange. But there was Zack chasing his twin kids Jack and Eva. Zack's and Brin's kids, Alec mentally corrected himself. Brin was sitting on a blanket quietly reading, letting Zack do all the work.
Zack hadn't wanted to come here. He was opposed to this reunion but Brin had talked him into it. She could always talk him into anything. But it wasn't that. Brin had, had a rough time during the pregnancy. She had a small frame and carrying twins were difficult for her. When the twins were born three months premature, it had scared Zack. Really scared him. He had thought that he was going to lose Brin. And the twins barely survived despite their genetic make up. The whole thing had scared everyone. Maybe that's why he was so willing when it came to what Brin wanted and so doting on his kids. Alec chuckled. When it can to Zack's kids and wife, the man was a sucker.
Alec looked further and saw Zane and Joshua talking. Zane was barbequing. His dogs were right by his feet. Joshua was standing right next to him, eating corn happily and talking at the same time. Joshua and Zane had become good friends over the years.
Alec smiled as he thought of Josh. No one had imagined that Joshua would ever be able to go out in public. But that was over now. People had somehow grown a backbone and accepted transgenics as their equal. It had taken a lot of effort, destroyed a lot of lives but somehow it all seemed worth it.
Alec spotted Jace, OC, Krit and Jace's little daughter Max. They were all talking and laughing at once. Jace was beautiful and still had Manticore in her. She was tough with a bad habit of being blatantly honest. She reminded him of Max.
There was something going on with OC and Krit. But everyone knew about it. They were "seeing" each other as OC would put it. They weren't into the whole denial phase. She wasn't the type to hide anything. Alec thought it was amusing. OC always blurted out that Krit was her "honey boo." Turned out Krit liked her too.
"Hey," A soft voice interrupted Alec's amused reverie. He looked up and saw Jondy. She had grown her hair long.
"Where's Logan?" Alec asked.
"Over there." She pointed out. There was Logan holding their little daughter Beatrix, whom everyone liked to call Trix and three year old Lex following his father. "He's going to feed the kids." Jondy added.
Alec smiled softly. He liked Jondy. She was quiet and graceful and laid back with a startling habit of surprising people with her attitude when she's pissed off. Alec loved her like a little sister. They looked so much alike that people assumed they were brother and sister.
"Funny how we all ended up here." Alec said softly. "I never would have imagined this happening."
Jondy nodded. This was something that they always dreamed of happening but never seemed to be possible until now. A few years ago, Zack would have been furious if this happened. He was against the idea of all of them being in one place at the same time. That was too reckless. It was dangerous.
"Neither did I." Jondy said. They both sat there for a few more minutes, looking at their family. They were all there, having the time of their lives, relaxing and not worrying for once. They weren't here to save someone or fight off anyone. They were here to be together, to have fun and let the kids run around.
This was a gift. A little reward for everything that they went through. After everything that had happened, they finally got their wish. They were all together.
It seemed surreal.
Jondy sighed, and thought of her kids. All the kids. They were second generation X5s. It had been decided that they would all know of their heritage. Case and little Max already knew. Charlie didn't want to keep anything from his son. Jace just thought it was easier than lying to her daughter.
Zack and Brin were going to teach their kids how to fight. It was obvious. Zack wanted his kids to know how to protect themselves.
And as for the rest of them, they just wanted their children to grow up, to appreciate what they have and to love and protect each other.
Alec and Jondy looked up to see Zane calling everyone. Time to eat, he was saying. They all stood up, dusted the sand off of them and walked over to the tables and huddled there and laughed and talked of everything and nothing in particular.
Alec took Max and Ben's hands.
Logan kissed Jondy.
Zack lifted his kids and told them to behave and be quiet. Brin just smiled.
Jace was telling Charlie to pass her the hot sauce.
Syl complimented Zane on the cooking and he grinned proudly. He finally got Jondy's not so secret recipe.
Krit was sitting next to OC. They were both eating.
Joshua was talking about something with little Max on his lap and Case beside them.
They were here, all here. Despite the heartache and loss, and tragedy; despite the torture and pain that they went through they were happy. They would always remember who they were, learn from their past mistakes, and remember the people that they had loved and lost. They would pass what they know to their children and hope they would do just fine with who they were.
All of those who sat around that table were brought together and strangely had Manticore to thank for that. They had been tested and torn apart by circumstances. But they had won over that. They were together again.
They all know that the fight isn't over yet. There is still more to come but whatever it will be, they would always hold on to each other, to this moment of happiness that seems to last forever. They would fight for each other if they were called to it because there was nothing greater than what they had now.
This family.
This family that survived and endured everything that came in their way. This family that stuck together when it almost seemed impossible. This family that would kill and be killed for the people they loved.
There was no greater love.
THE END
Alec stood with a content smile on his face as he looked around at his family.
His family. And one big ass family it was.
They were all there. Max, OC, Jondy, Logan, Joshua, Brin, Zack, Syl, Krit, Zane and Jace. And of course the kids.
It had been three years since they last saw White. Three years since anything tragic has happened. It was like they had made a silent truce. White's way of saying thank you for getting his son back. That was the turning point. He left them alone ever since then.
Now, here they were all together under the blazing sun of Mexico, all relaxing by the beach.
Who would have thought that after all this time, after everything that had happened they would all end up in Mexico for one big family reunion?
Alec smiled as he remembered how it all started.
It had begun with Max and Jondy talking about their siblings. They seemed to do that a lot. What started as a sad conversation had somehow, which was beyond Alec's understanding, ended up into a squealing excited plan to go to Mexico to see Jace and her kid.
Alec and Logan agreed to tag along. Anything for their wives.
Then Syl who happened to be in Canada at that time heard and wanted to go too. Said that Canada was too damn cold and she needed some sun.
After that, the news spread like wildfire. By the time it reached Zack, it was already too late. Everyone was either already there or on their way to good old Mexico.
And somehow Zack ended up in Mexico as well. All thanks to Brin.
Alec looked at them now. It was like looking at an old photograph or watching some pre pulse movie. They all looked so happy.
He glanced around. There was Max. The wind was blowing her hair back while she squinted from the sun. She and Ben were making a sand castle that could have passed for art work. God, she looked beautiful. Things hadn't been easy for them but here they were, happy. He and Max had gotten married almost a year and a half ago. Alec had been so glad that he almost planned the whole wedding himself.
Ben was five now. He looked a lot like Alec except for the light tan and dark hair. He was smart for his age. Obviously.
Alec shifted his head to look at Case. He was talking to Charlie and Syl. They were the ones that took the longest to get here. It wasn't easy convincing Charlie to come along. Everyone knew Syl had something to do with it. They all suspected that something was going on between them but no one had the guts to say anything about it. It was Case actually, who finally got fed up with their whole denial phase that spoke up for everyone and told his dad and aunt to admit it already and get married.
That was a shocker.
But Alec couldn't help admire the boy. A part of him favored Case the most out of all the kids that weren't his. The poor kid had lost his mother but he was strong. Alec could see Manticore in the kid. Not just in the barcode on the back of his neck, but in his eyes. He had his mother's eyes. It reflected his mother's outmost courage, and strength and love and devotion. Alec admired him. He was a soldier. Not the kind of soldier that Manticore created, but the kind that Tinga had always wanted her son to be. A soldier made of love, and compassion, and goodness. It was like Case had taken the job of being big brother to the kids in his family, very much like Zack.
"There's Zack." Alec thought to himself as he watched the man chase two twin toddlers. Who would have thought that Zack was ever going to be a father? No one. It was funny and strange. But there was Zack chasing his twin kids Jack and Eva. Zack's and Brin's kids, Alec mentally corrected himself. Brin was sitting on a blanket quietly reading, letting Zack do all the work.
Zack hadn't wanted to come here. He was opposed to this reunion but Brin had talked him into it. She could always talk him into anything. But it wasn't that. Brin had, had a rough time during the pregnancy. She had a small frame and carrying twins were difficult for her. When the twins were born three months premature, it had scared Zack. Really scared him. He had thought that he was going to lose Brin. And the twins barely survived despite their genetic make up. The whole thing had scared everyone. Maybe that's why he was so willing when it came to what Brin wanted and so doting on his kids. Alec chuckled. When it can to Zack's kids and wife, the man was a sucker.
Alec looked further and saw Zane and Joshua talking. Zane was barbequing. His dogs were right by his feet. Joshua was standing right next to him, eating corn happily and talking at the same time. Joshua and Zane had become good friends over the years.
Alec smiled as he thought of Josh. No one had imagined that Joshua would ever be able to go out in public. But that was over now. People had somehow grown a backbone and accepted transgenics as their equal. It had taken a lot of effort, destroyed a lot of lives but somehow it all seemed worth it.
Alec spotted Jace, OC, Krit and Jace's little daughter Max. They were all talking and laughing at once. Jace was beautiful and still had Manticore in her. She was tough with a bad habit of being blatantly honest. She reminded him of Max.
There was something going on with OC and Krit. But everyone knew about it. They were "seeing" each other as OC would put it. They weren't into the whole denial phase. She wasn't the type to hide anything. Alec thought it was amusing. OC always blurted out that Krit was her "honey boo." Turned out Krit liked her too.
"Hey," A soft voice interrupted Alec's amused reverie. He looked up and saw Jondy. She had grown her hair long.
"Where's Logan?" Alec asked.
"Over there." She pointed out. There was Logan holding their little daughter Beatrix, whom everyone liked to call Trix and three year old Lex following his father. "He's going to feed the kids." Jondy added.
Alec smiled softly. He liked Jondy. She was quiet and graceful and laid back with a startling habit of surprising people with her attitude when she's pissed off. Alec loved her like a little sister. They looked so much alike that people assumed they were brother and sister.
"Funny how we all ended up here." Alec said softly. "I never would have imagined this happening."
Jondy nodded. This was something that they always dreamed of happening but never seemed to be possible until now. A few years ago, Zack would have been furious if this happened. He was against the idea of all of them being in one place at the same time. That was too reckless. It was dangerous.
"Neither did I." Jondy said. They both sat there for a few more minutes, looking at their family. They were all there, having the time of their lives, relaxing and not worrying for once. They weren't here to save someone or fight off anyone. They were here to be together, to have fun and let the kids run around.
This was a gift. A little reward for everything that they went through. After everything that had happened, they finally got their wish. They were all together.
It seemed surreal.
Jondy sighed, and thought of her kids. All the kids. They were second generation X5s. It had been decided that they would all know of their heritage. Case and little Max already knew. Charlie didn't want to keep anything from his son. Jace just thought it was easier than lying to her daughter.
Zack and Brin were going to teach their kids how to fight. It was obvious. Zack wanted his kids to know how to protect themselves.
And as for the rest of them, they just wanted their children to grow up, to appreciate what they have and to love and protect each other.
Alec and Jondy looked up to see Zane calling everyone. Time to eat, he was saying. They all stood up, dusted the sand off of them and walked over to the tables and huddled there and laughed and talked of everything and nothing in particular.
Alec took Max and Ben's hands.
Logan kissed Jondy.
Zack lifted his kids and told them to behave and be quiet. Brin just smiled.
Jace was telling Charlie to pass her the hot sauce.
Syl complimented Zane on the cooking and he grinned proudly. He finally got Jondy's not so secret recipe.
Krit was sitting next to OC. They were both eating.
Joshua was talking about something with little Max on his lap and Case beside them.
They were here, all here. Despite the heartache and loss, and tragedy; despite the torture and pain that they went through they were happy. They would always remember who they were, learn from their past mistakes, and remember the people that they had loved and lost. They would pass what they know to their children and hope they would do just fine with who they were.
All of those who sat around that table were brought together and strangely had Manticore to thank for that. They had been tested and torn apart by circumstances. But they had won over that. They were together again.
They all know that the fight isn't over yet. There is still more to come but whatever it will be, they would always hold on to each other, to this moment of happiness that seems to last forever. They would fight for each other if they were called to it because there was nothing greater than what they had now.
This family.
This family that survived and endured everything that came in their way. This family that stuck together when it almost seemed impossible. This family that would kill and be killed for the people they loved.
There was no greater love.
THE END