Disclaimer: Please see Part I for the usual remarks.
Author's note: I would like to acknowledge my heartfelt thanks to my beta-reader & best friend Mary who has supported me steady on throughout this odyssey.
Memory Ronin
Part XX
Epilogue
By Callisto
It had been a long night. Now getting up early in the morning seemed obscene at best. He stretched, yawned and scratched comfortably knowing he had put in a full day's work and his ever-appreciative boss would reward him for his efforts. He picked up the terry cloth bathrobe and headed downstairs to get the paper. He opened the door to find the paperboy had thrown the paper on the bottom step of his home, completely missing the larger target of the painted porch. He sighed deeply and stepping into some slippers he kept near the front door, he walked out into the chill morning air to retrieve the item long made redundant by the digital age.
When he straightened, he looked up briefly and stared across the street as though he were looking for someone. Finding the street empty the man shrugged and returned to the warm and comfortable enclosure of his home. Just as he was closing the door he caught the glimpse of something out of the corner of his eye and paused in anticipation—a lone jogger, huffing her determination to retain her near-perfect shape. With a small smile he closed the door, his mind filled with the memories of a certain event that occurred almost 8 years ago.
She must have been waiting out there for some time. When he finally emerged to retrieve his paper, he happened to look up to see her standing there. At first he wondered how she had found him but then her appearance took over his thought processes. She was even more incredible than the first day he had met her. Her thick dark hair looked luscious despite the weak light, her figure was as it had always been, slender yet shapely. And to top it all off, to his heart's delight, she was dressed in the same manner as he had last seen her almost 8 months before complete with a long, dark designer blazer, silk blouse, extremely short skirt and stiletto heels.
He was unaware of it but he was standing in front of his own house, wearing sports patterned boxers under a thin robe with his mouth hanging open and his eyes wide with shock. A smile formed on her lips as she walked, regally in his estimation, across the street to meet him.
"Close your mouth, Broots. It looks like you're trying to catch flies," she said softly as she paused in front of him. Her smile became wider as her gray eyes raked the length of his body. Raising an eyebrow as she brushed past him she muttered, "Nice shorts, sports fan." Broots looked down and saw the sash holding his robe closed had loosened revealing his underwear. Hastily closing his mouth as well as his robe, he followed his friend into his home.
He was still very angry with her. She was the most important person in his small world save his own daughter and she failed to tell him, to relieve him of the pain of believing she was dead. He was about to speak when she held up her hand to silence him. Turning around she looked her friend in the eye and spoke first.
"I'm sorry. I realize that is poor compensation for what you've been through; I just hope that somewhere in that big heart of yours you can find a way to someday forgive me. Keeping you in the dark was the only effective way to protect you and Sydney from Lyle's suspicions," she said firmly but keeping her voice low.
Taking a seat on one of the living room chairs, Broots looked up at her with a fierce expression. "I was disappointed that you felt you couldn't trust me after all we've been through together. Luckily Sydney was there to help me be more reasonable. Lyle did force all of us to submit to polygraphs after he returned from the Pennsylvania bombsite. At the time I just thought his questions were morbid 'cause he's so twisted but now of course I can see why."
"How are you and Debbie? Have you told her of my return?" She inquired hesitantly as her concern leaked blatantly into her words.
"Yes, he told me. Daddy told me that you were trying to keep us all safe but I'm still mad at you," Debbie's rapidly maturing voice answered from the stairs. Maggie turned to see the betrayed and saddened expression on the girl's face.
"That's understandable. I wanted, no needed to come here in person to apologize to the both of you for any pain I caused," Maggie said sadly.
"There is one way you could make up, at least a little bit for what you did…" Debbie began.
"What? Tell me what you would like me to do," Maggie prompted sincerely.
" Well, you can start by giving both of us a hug. Then I guess we can play it by ear from there," Debbie replied with a smile.
Maggie smiled with equal measures of relief and fondness at the request. Still smiling she shrugged her shoulders as Debbie ran down the last half of the stairs and gave her friend a long affectionate hug. Maggie reciprocated the gesture and kissed the top of the girl's head. When they parted she walked up to Broots who looked up at her in shock.
"Well, Broots now is as good a time as ever, especially since my husband isn't around," she said with amusement as she lifted the tech to his feet and embraced him.
Broots leaned back against the cushions of the living room couch as the pleasant memories washed over him. There were times he could still smell the scent of the perfume she wore and the fresh fragrant smell of her soft hair against his face. That hug indeed relieved him of most of his former resentment. With that in mind, he resolved to call her later that day and have a chat—something they rarely did when they both worked for the Centre. Broots released a loud, heavy and contented sigh as he thought about fate. When he first met her, he called her the 'Ice Princess'. Now here he was years later, working for Miss Parker's youngest brother and with Debbie away at college. Parker married the man she had been mandated to hunt down and was the mother of 2 of his children. Sydney was right, life always has it's little surprises. Broots' thoughts had started to drift, as he thought about the retired psychiatrist and his determination to travel and see more of the world. A female voice stirred him from his reveries as Broots tossed aside his newspaper and returned upstairs to his latest girlfriend.
Naigu Shrine
Mie-ken prefecture, Japan
A light wind ruffled her long hair and dried the remaining tears that lingered on her face. She walked solemnly up to the small display and gave her sake offering in honor of her dearest friend. After lingering for a few short moments she walked outside and stood at the picturesque entrance of the shrine Oishi-san habitually visited. Several minutes later she found herself standing on the stone steps where the Isuzu River flowed past. Memories of her deceased friend flooded her mind. Fumi, Oishi-san's eldest niece, informed her almost immediately of the old woman's passing. It would be next to impossible for Maggie to have made the trip in time, so instead she mourned her friend alone in the Western way she knew.
She had been standing at the river's edge for over an hour before she heard a voice speak softly from behind. "It is beautiful here, a good place to remember a close friend."
"This was one of her favorite spots," she replied, finally giving up on trying to hear her friend's voice in her mind. Apparently her inner sense didn't include the now deceased Oishi-san.
The two friends fell into a comfortable silence. Maggie could feel his restlessness. He never could understand fully the mourning process Westerners subjected themselves to when someone close passed on. Finally he stepped to her side and looked down river at the abundant verdure, enjoying the light breeze and dappled sunlight. Maggie halfway turned to look at her old friend and an unconscious smile lit her features.
"Is it my imagination or are your children getting younger?" she asked with considerable amusement. Naizen looked the same, as handsome as ever as though the past 8 years had barely touched him and today the doting father was carrying a beautiful 2-year old on his arm. The child's dark hair shined brightly in the natural light.
A low, deep grunt was her answer for the next several seconds before he said, "Ah, Walter-san, ever the comedienne I see. Well you can blame my wife for this and yourself as well for encouraging her."
"I see, so I suppose you had absolutely nothing to do with this, mmm? Which one is this little beauty, number 3 or number 4?" she asked, the smile still in her voice.
"As if you don't know, Kameko is number 3, we have yet to name number 4, smartaleck," he answered with the same tone of voice.
"Well, that bun is still in the oven, last time I checked. You know I would recommend that you slow down. There isn't any need to repopulate the earth just yet," she said as she began to laugh openly.
"Go ahead and laugh. I'll be an old man with my legion of children gathered around me jumping up eagerly to do my bidding," he answered with a laugh.
Reaching out she took the toddler from Hideaki and kissed the child affectionately and received a friendly, slobbering kiss in return. "It is very reassuring to see you so happy. Emily's face can light up at least half of Tokyo by itself."
"Yes, quite the difference between my Emily and the Honshu harpy, you did well in choosing my wife," he said with immense contentment.
Maggie turned her face to Kameko and rolled her eyes in amusement causing the toddler to laugh along. "Speaking of the loosest woman in the East, have you seen Chiyo lately?"
"Yes, and with great satisfaction. When I last dropped off Ichiro for a visit with his mother, she sneered at me for my taste in Western women. I had the fortune of running into her when I took Emily into Ginza for some shopping. Chiyo took one look at my beautiful wife, her youth, her swollen belly and our clasped hands and looked quite ill. Shakespeare is correct, revenge is a dish best served cold, only by the time I got my revenge I didn't particularly care."
Maggie laughed heartily at Naizen's account. A light wind passed through her and in that moment she could have sworn she felt Oishi-san laugh along with her. Kameko smiled and looked knowingly into Maggie's eyes.
"Have you finished with the Centre yet? There seems to be little left now to harass and molest," Hideaki asked in an off-handed manner.
"I'm sick and tired of it and I think Jarod is finally ready to stop beating that dead horse. There are only a few minor matters to work out before he will let go," she replied. The Centre had been reduced to a mere shadow of its former malevolence due in large part to the efforts of both Maggie and Jarod.
Otsu Compound
Mie-ken Prefecture, Japan
Sensei was sitting in the garden on the stone wall; the sounds of childish laughter rang pleasantly in his ears. A pervasive feeling of peace drifted sprite-like into his lonesome heart. It was always good when Magdalena visited however he never took for granted the gift of solitude and privacy. He found himself missing her more as the years passed by. While he was contemplating this mild conundrum he felt a presence just beyond his peripheral line of sight.
"The children are full of spirit and joy. You both seemed to have turned out to be good parents despite your initial misgivings," Sensei stated proudly.
"Thank you, that means a lot. They always look forward to visiting you," Jarod replied.
"Please sit, there is something I would like to discuss with you," Sensei stated after a few minutes pause.
Remembering clearly the last time Sensei wanted to speak to him, the old man had provided a clearer picture as to what was so important about those lousy scrolls. Jarod sat down next to Sensei with no small measure of trepidation.
"I am, as you can well see, advancing in age. I would also suspect that you are aware after losing her longtime friend and advisor so recently, Magdalena would be reluctant in leaving me here alone," Sensei stated calmly. Without changing expressions or looking around, he twirled his walking stick and rapped the bushes behind them lightly. The small, high-pitched "Ow!" caused Jarod to turn around to find his youngest and most mischievous child, Edmund, kneeling in the foliage gingerly rubbing his knuckles. Laughing his amusement Sensei said, "Your mother tried that tactic on me once a long time ago. Come here, boy and let me have a look at you." A dark-haired, fair complexioned five-year old with brilliant, intelligent gray eyes revealed himself and stood dutifully in front of Sensei.
"You are the image of your mother. Jarod would you like me to demonstrate another trait your son has inherited from his mother? It's quite interesting to see."
"Eddie has inherited so much from his mother, I sometimes wonder if I he has any of my gene's at all," Jarod replied laughingly.
The older man chuckled softly in answer, never removing his eyes from the equally vigilant child. "Eddie, let's play that little game I taught you. I will attempt to touch you with my walking stick and you will try to avoid it while remaining within its reach," Sensei instructed. The game started out slowly at first then with increasing speed as the boy darted and for the most part avoided being touched. Jarod was taken aback at the grace and speed of his youngest son's reflexes.
"His mother is the same way—very intriguing. He has your curiosity and a type of bravado that is all his own. Very good young man, now you are free to return to your brothers so I may speak to your father," Sensei commanded.
"Okay, Grandfather," Eddie responded in fluent Japanese and darted off in the direction of his brother's voices.
"As I was saying, Magdalena will want to stay here with me and from my own observations, I have noticed the years have only brought you two closer."
"I'm very much in love with her and I don't imagine my heart or mind changing at any time. It also helps that we're still best friends," Jarod replied frankly.
After a moment's pause, Sensei continued, "Keep in mind, I am neither feeble minded or weak but I fear getting Magdalena to return home with you will be next to impossible. I want you to make a strong effort, you are extraordinarily intelligent—convince her."
"Are you saying you don't want us here? If we've been bothe—"
"No! You are misunderstanding me," Sensei interrupted. "I enjoy your presence and the presence of your children. There is someone else I am thinking about that I believe you should never overlook—Naizen."
"Why? He and Emily seem to be very happy together. They are on the verge of having their fourth child," Jarod replied in alarm.
Sensei again paused, allowing Jarod a moment to think about the turn of their conversation. "Naizen does love your sister very much. She has brought a light into his life that had long been missing. You must be aware that while your wife and Naizen are friends, she was the first woman to bring any light into his life. Oishi-san wanted me to pass on this warning if at any time it appeared as though Magdalena would consider settling down here. Naizen is not made of stone and Magdalena's presence would cause a strain in their friendship and his marriage, one that could be easily avoided. Intellectually, Naizen understands her love for you but he is blind to the depth of her passion for you. Take my daughter home with you and avoid living in close proximity to Naizen. Never forget that he is ninja."
It was Jarod's turn to remain silent for several seconds, as he carefully considered the wisdom of Sensei Otsu's words. He too had been saddened by Mrs. Oishi's passing and never took lightly or for granted her astuteness or advice. "Getting Maggie to come home without you will be next to impossible. You are her surrogate father and there is a bond between you she will never let go of. Leaving you here alone will be tantamount to forsaking you however, there is one way I can think of that we can get her to leave with a minimum of fuss," Jarod said as he narrowed his eyes and a sly smile formed on his lips.
A few hours later, Maggie retuned from the cemetery carrying Kameko and accompanied by Naizen who drove her home. Jarod walked outside to greet them and smiled fondly at his youngest niece.
"Every time I see you, you get more beautiful," Jarod said happily.
"Flattery will get you only so far buster," Maggie replied smilingly.
"I was talking to Kameko," Jarod said with a smile in his voice as he lifted the child from his wife's arms. Maggie was taken aback for a moment until she spotted the amused grin on his face.
She laughed with him and taking another step closer to him, whispered, "I need to have a word with you—privately."
Nodding his understanding, Jarod kissed his niece's forehead and reluctantly handed her back to her father, saying to him, "I love the boys to distraction but sometimes I wish we could have had a girl. You must be very proud."
Once they were alone, Maggie turned to her husband and stated, "I not leaving, Jarod, I can't just hop on a jet and return to our comfortable existence leaving him here with no one to look after him." She ended her declaration with a note of desperation.
Having already anticipated her, Jarod watched her impassively. "I don't believe we have spent more than two weeks apart in all the years we've been married. If you stay than we all are staying."
Relief flooded her face and she released the breath she had been holding. She walked up to him and intending on giving him a heartfelt thanks, she instead reached up and held him close whispering her thanks and love as her fingers became entwined in his thick soft hair that was beginning to be graced with just a touch of silver giving him an additional air of distinction.
Jarod enjoyed their closeness for a few moments longer until he felt her begin to pull away. When they were partially separated, Maggie placed her hands on his shoulders, looked in his face and asked apprehensively, "Do you have any ideas on how we can make this work?"
Jarod smiled into her troubled eyes and replied, "We have a number of obligations back home. Ethan will throw a fit the minute he finds out. He needs our help with the business."
"There's got to be a way. Perhaps Broots can move out west to help out at Polaris in our absence?"
"The East Coast division is starting to really take off. We're lucky he moved to Boston immediately after leaving the Centre. His connections out there are invaluable."
Maggie tilted her head to one side as she released a frustrated sigh. Jarod seeing this as his prime opportunity of springing his idea on her said, "What would you say if Sensei Otsu came home with us? That way, Ethan wouldn't feel it necessary to hunt us down and kill us and Broots wouldn't have to rearrange his life to accommodate us."
"God, did I sound that selfish? Don't answer, I already know. Sensei won't leave here, Japan is his home," she replied with an air of defeat.
"I've already broached the subject with him and he's agreed to leave with us. As for this rambling house, Emily and Naizen need a larger place to raise their tribe."
"Are you sure, Sensei said he is willing to live with us permanently?"
"Let's go in and talk with him about this. There are probably a few minor details we need to iron out before we toss him over our shoulders and run off with him," Jarod said with a smile.
Maggie and Jarod found Sensei Otsu in his home office. Maggie rapped lightly on the door and entered when she heard his response. As she stepped forward and passed the threshold, she noticed that Jarod hadn't followed her, when she turned around her husband nodded encouragingly to her, indicating that she should speak to her sensei alone. She slid the door closed as Jarod turned to leave.
"You have come to ask me to leave my home and everything this old man has become accustomed to," Sensei stated without preamble.
"I remember the summer when Daddy disappointed me by breaking his promise and not joining me in France as he had the year before. I called and told you what had happened. The next day a special messenger arrived at my door with airline tickets to Buenos Aires and an invitation for me to join you there. Those months were the most enjoyable I have had as an adult in the presence of a parent," she replied quietly as she came to a stop in front of his desk. She gave him a deep bow and remained standing respectfully. He returned her bow slightly, befitting his rank and standing with her.
Smiling at the memory she continued, "That was the year I learned how to tango, discovered the beauty of salsa music and came to understand the way an over-protective parent truly acts."
Sensei nodded slightly to each recollection and smiled very slightly at the last observation. Usually his face was expressionless but whenever he looked at her his eyes betrayed his feelings of love and pride. She openly returned the shared sentiment by smiling lovingly at her former teacher.
"You mean a great deal to me. Every time Daddy rebuffed my attempts to be closer to him, I was disappointed instead of hurt. The thought of you and your regard for me saved me from excessive repining. Now I have something else to ask of you: Please allow me to finally treat you as the parent you have always been to me. I want you to live with my family. Teach my children the traditions and customs you have taught me as a true Grandfather in his latter years is expected to do," she asked in a voice full of respect and love.
"I never realized that I taught you to be so formal. I had my reasons for complying with your husband's request; you have just given me another, daughter," he said with a fond nod.
Walter's residence
Sausalito, CA
The distinguished elderly gentleman stood uncertainly at the wrought iron gate. His hands clutched the bars like a cell house prisoner as he peered from the outside looking into the garden bursting with the vibrant colors of flowers and various shades of verdures. He had dressed with care and it showed from his precisely creased pants to the nearly intentionally well-worn herringbone blazer. The whiteness of his hair and the cragginess of his face serve to emphasize his difficult life and the hard choices he had been forced to make, not to mention the sorrow some of those choices had caused him. He stood there for several minutes entranced by the simple beauty that lay before him when he was suddenly roused from his trance-like state by the arrival of a sturdy-looking SUV.
He first observed the passengers alighting from the vehicle with an eager interest, and then seeing that neither adult bore any resemblance to the face he sought, the spark of anticipation in his eyes died like a flickering ember. An elderly Japanese man looked at him with cautious interest as two young boys jumped happily out of the vehicle. The driver looked at the elderly man questioningly, then was given a small nod as confirmation that he was free to leave. The two active boys were quickly corralled and speaking in Japanese the elderly man gave instructions to the eldest boy.
Nodding his understanding the child took a few steps forward and addressed the visitor. "May we help you?"
Smiling at the boy's polite manner and tone, the visitor smiled and answered, "Yes, I'm looking for some friends of mine. They gave me this address but I'm unsure if this is the correct place."
"Who is it that you're looking for?" the child asked with blunt curiosity.
"Well, one of them is named Jarod. I'm not too sure what his last name is and I have been searching for him for some time."
"That's my daddy's name!" the younger boy exclaimed with a smile. The elderly Asian placed a restraining hand on the younger child's shoulder.
The spark in the visitor's eye returned along with a tentative smile. "Really? My name is Sydney and I'm an old friend of his."
The Asian man spoke in rapid Japanese to the older boy who kept a wary eye on Sydney. "My Grandfather says that he's heard Daddy mention your name. You're welcome to come inside to wait, my father should be home in a few minutes."
As Sydney was considering the invitation, a silver Audi station wagon pulled into the driveway. Both young boys turned and rushed towards the vehicle as the Asian man continued to stare mutely at Sydney. As soon as the tall man got out, the boys started speaking loudly to him, each vying for their father's attention. Sydney watched the scene with a full heart as he saw his former protégé greet his children. Jarod hugged, then kissed the top of the older boy's head and lifted his younger son into his arms. Jarod listening to their chatter, looked up in surprise the second he could understand what they both were saying. He put down the child and a large smile creased his face as he looked into the aging face of his former mentor.
"Sydney! How are you? Did you just arrive?"
"Jarod, you look great. It's wonderful to see you again," Sydney said with a large, affectionate smile.
Jarod walked up to Sydney and embraced his old friend. It had been over 5 years since they had seen each other personally; they usually kept in touch via the Internet. When Jarod pulled away he caught Sydney's arm and pulled him into the home. As they walked into the expansive kitchen, Sydney had a chance to get a quick look around and was immediately impressed. The kitchen was large and expensive-looking but had a homey air about it. The Asian gentleman followed them inside then quickly disappeared further into the house. Jarod's eyes were still on Sydney and apparently he hadn't noticed his father-in-law's exit.
Sydney was slightly confused at this development. He clearly remembered the picture Jarod had faxed him featuring himself holding Miss Parker. Jarod had referred to Parker as his wife, so how was it that his father-in-law was Japanese? The questions swirling in his mind must have shown in his face as Jarod smiled indulgently and instead of explaining he proudly introduced Sydney to his sons.
"Sydney, I would like you to met my sons. This is Reijiro and the younger one is Eddie, Timmy our oldest son is at soccer practice. Guys this is Sydney, he took care of me during my childhood."
Sydney nodded and looked at the eldest child more closely. The boy was very comely with straight dark brown hair, fair-complexion and inquisitive hazel eyes. While he bore a strong resemblance to Jarod when he was that age, it was obvious that Parker was his mother from some of his unconscious mannerisms. The boys murmured shy hellos to their father's guest. Sydney nodded at Reijiro as the questions in his mind began to mount and turned his perplexed gaze on Eddie. The younger child was clearly Parker's; everything in his face and manners reminded the old man of his former colleague.
"Daddy, if I finish my homework now, may I watch TV?" Reijiro asked suddenly.
"Yes, but no computer games until you're completely finished, clear?"
"Thanks Daddy. Come on Eddie, let's go upstairs," Reijiro said to his younger brother herding the little boy out of the room before him. Just as they were about to leave, Reijiro turned and with the utmost politeness said, "It was nice meeting you Mr. Sydney."
"Bye, Mr. Sydney!" Eddie rejoined loudly.
Before Sydney could correct them about his name, both boys had quickly left the room. For the next hour over cups of coffee, Jarod visited with Sydney. There was so much to catch up on that many of Sydney's recent questions laid in his mind forgotten in favor of relating to Jarod his own adventures touring Europe with his son, Nicholas and the tentative rekindling of his relationship with Michelle. They were still talking when another door in the house slammed shut and the loud stomping of tiny feet rushed towards the door as both boys were yelling in unison, "Momma!"
Jarod, used to receiving as well as hearing this noisy greeting from his children, continued on with the conversation without pausing. Sydney, distracted and extremely curious looked keenly at Jarod. "Is that Parker?"
He looked at his elderly mentor curiously and said out loud, "Who else would it be?" Her children loudly recounting their day drowned out the softer, practically inaudible responses from their mother. The sounds of the family quickly faded and Sydney was left with yet another question and some disappointment in not seeing his old friend.
Jarod noting Sydney's disappointment answered his unasked question, "She usually goes upstairs to change out of her work clothes then comes out to hunt me down," Jarod stated with a laugh. "Some things never change."
Sydney shared in the laugh and twenty minutes later, like clockwork; Maggie came down looking for Jarod with Reijiro in tow.
"My God, Sydney, it's been so long since I've seen you. How are you doing?" Maggie inquired congenially.
There were only a few, rare times, mostly away from the Centre in which she had used that tone with him. Involuntarily he smiled at her and rising to his feet, he answered her question sincerely. He noticed she held back politely as though unsure of what his reaction to her would be. Still smiling he replied, "My day would be a lot better if I could embrace my old colleague."
She smiled beautifully and obliged him gratefully. Sydney stayed another hour, enjoying their company and watching with barely hidden astonishment as Maggie held Reijiro in her lap and quietly talked with him. Jarod watched Sydney's face with a smile but said nothing. She was the kind of mother he had always suspected she would be: loving, considerate and interested in a manner she could only have learned from her mother. When it was finally time for him to leave, having turned down their offer to stay for dinner, he asked a favor from Maggie.
"Parker, there is something important that I need to do next week. I was hoping to elicit your help."
"Of course, Sydney. I may have a few meetings scheduled depending on the day but nothing I can't rearrange."
It was at this point the Asian gentleman from earlier entered the kitchen. Sydney watched with amazement as Parker bowed and seamlessly switched languages and spoke in rapid fire Japanese. She then turned to Sydney and said, "Sydney, I don't believe you have ever met my mentor. Sensei Otsu this is Sydney, he and I worked at the Centre together for a few years. I believe I have mentioned him to you before."
"Yes you have. It is a pleasure to meet you Sydney," Sensei Otsu said in heavily accented English.
"The pleasure is mine. Meeting you answers a number of questions I have always had about Parker but could never elicit a satisfying answer from her," he replied with a smile.
Matherly Academy
Sausalito, CA
The bright afternoon sun was almost blinding in its own relentlessness. The only relief from the heat was the waves of cool ocean breezes that wafted in infrequent intervals across the broad expanse of the enclosed field of play. A sleek black limo glided smoothly to a graceful stop at the curb, commanding a full view through the chain-link fence of the schoolboys at play. Inside the two male passengers looked eagerly out of the heavily tinted windows attempting to catch a glance of the subject of their trip.
Maggie leaned back comfortably in her seat as her eyes quickly scanned the field and found a familiar figure running eagerly with his schoolmates. "He's the one on this side of the field—number 14 wearing a blue jersey," she replied to their unasked question. The three passengers watched with interest as the boy, his attention completely rapt in the game, sped forward unexpectedly and retrieved a pass from his teammate and expertly kicked the soccer ball towards the goal. The ball was about to be deflected when another blue jersey intercepted it and booted the ball home for another score. The team cheered the last boy who touched the ball and patting each other on the back, they quickly moved down field as the game continued.
"He looks like a fine boy, you should be very proud," the elderly man commented gently to his companion.
"He's very athletic and popular among his classmates. I've made it a point for him to learn the piano. He's very good but refuses to believe it. Right now his mind is preoccupied with learning martial arts and excelling in mathematics," Maggie said with a gentle smile. The other man nodded absently to his friends' praise, as his eyes remained riveted to the boyish figure in the number 14 jersey.
"It would seem that you have done a wonderful job with the boy. He seems to be leading a perfectly normal, stable life," Sydney replied softly as his eyes finished their assessment of the woman sitting across from him whom he still occasionally addressed as Parker.
Maggie stared at her former colleague silently for a few seconds before shrugging and stating in an equally quiet voice, "It was the least I could do. I owe his father so much, there isn't anything I wouldn't do for him." She suddenly felt a warm hand envelop her own lightly. Slightly startled she turned to look at Angelo as she turned her hand over to clasp his. Sydney noticed the contact and smiled gently.
"It was good of you to bring Angelo with you. I understand from Jarod that you were traveling through Canada when you decided to drop in on Angelo for a visit."
"Yes. I did that on purpose to see him in the Toronto sanitarium, just to make sure he was still comfortable and well looked after," Sydney replied with a nod. "The doctors there agreed with me that this trip would be therapeutic for him."
Angelo turned to his old friend and squeezing her hand briefly said clearly, "Thank you."
Looking into Angelo's eyes she smiled sadly at him and nodded mutely. "If you would like to meet him, I would be more than happy to arrange it," she asked gently.
"No. Timmy happy. Loves daughter. Meet Angelo will be sad," Angelo replied forcefully.
Leaning slightly towards him, Maggie stared into Angelo's eyes, "I can explain things to him or better yet Jarod can get him to understand…"
"No!" Angelo replied as he snatched his hand away in emphasis, all the while shaking his head.
"It's alright Angelo. We won't do anything you don't approve of, alright?" Sydney said soothingly, his calm voice, slightly settled Angelo's agitation. Noticing her withdrawal, Sydney sighed inwardly. He understood her guilt over Angelo's condition but was still slightly bemused over it. He had heard rumors of some of the questionable acts she had committed while working for the Centre and nary saw her bat an eye when faced with the consequences. Playing mediator, Sydney guessed there was one thing that would make the savant extremely happy and remove Parker momentarily from the constant reminder of her guilt.
"Parker, would you do a favor for both of us?" Sydney asked smoothly. When she turned to look at him, his only reply was a raised eyebrow. "I believe the game is just about over, could we just sit here and watch you congratulate him on his team's victory?"
Maggie remained quiet for several minutes longer before shrugging slightly and alighting from the limo. She walked over to the chain link fence and walked along side the field until she came to an unlocked gate, she gingerly stepped through it.
Sydney took up Maggie's vacated seat and watched as his former colleague walked onto the recently emptied field. Time had barely touched her face or figure and he watched her with interest, taking note of her more conservative but still expensive attire. She had a beautifully tailored, navy blue blazer, under which she wore a light blue silk blouse and fashionably cut pants, which matched the blazer. She wore her hair longer than she had while at the Centre which served to emphasize her resemblance to her deceased mother. She stopped when she reached the middle of the field and appeared to be looking for the little boy.
"Momma!" A high-pitched male voice yelled from the tight group of soccer players. An energetic pre-teen broke away from the crowd and ran happily to the woman standing in the middle of the field. The child's speed didn't decrease much as he approached his mother. He ran into the woman with some force as she opened her arms to him and swung him to the side. She leaned over slightly and hugged him to her affectionately.
"Did you see the assist I made with the last goal? We won again!" the excited boy yelled enthusiastically.
Laughing at his eagerness she smiled at him, and gently brushed the sweat-matted hair from his brow and casually draped an arm around the boy's shoulders. "Well we're just going to have to go out and have some ice cream in celebration. You name the place and your brother's, Grandfather, Daddy and I will all be there."
"Awesome!" he replied with a happy grin. An expression of slight surprise came over his features when he spotted her limo. "Are you going to take me home? What about Grandfather?"
"No, you'll still go home with your Grandfather. I took the chance that your game hadn't ended yet. Have I told you that I am very proud of you?"
"No but thanks Mom! Jiro's team also won today, so could we have two day's of ice cream?" he asked slyly.
"That's great news and no, slick, there will only be one day of ice cream. Wish me luck; I'm actually going to try to pry your Uncle Ethan away from the office to join us. Now is the moment for me to embarrass you, give me my kiss," she demanded.
Rolling his eyes playfully, Timmy kissed his mother's cheek when she leaned over and throwing his arms around her neck, gave her a hard hug and ran back towards the bleachers waving good-bye to her.
When Maggie returned to the limo and gave her driver instructions, she settled back in her seat now directly opposite from Angelo and Sydney.
"Baby Timmy loves daughter and friend. Will love new baby too." Angelo stated cryptically with a wide smile. Sydney looked at Maggie with widened eyes.
With a small chuckle, she leaned further back into the seat and smiled at Sydney and Angelo. "Well, with you around Angelo, there isn't anything a girl can keep secret." Taking careful note of Sydney's surprised smile she added with a note of cynicism, "I'm sure you're eager to congratulate your horny Pretender for knocking me up again only this time would you mind including in your testosterone fueled backslapping that I am too old for this? I can't believe he did this to me!"
"I am still amazed that you and Jarod are married. I suspected this was his goal all along but I must admit that I had my doubts he would ever actually achieve it. Tell me more about your family."
"Alright, Reijiro is 7 years old and Edmund is 5 you met them last week. We have 3 nieces and nephews with one on the way and another acquired by marriage for a grand total of 5. If I can get Ethan to look up from his computer long enough and out of the guest bedroom, there are a number of his colleagues eager to get their manicured nails into him. Trent, better known to you as Gemini, finished Medical school far ahead of schedule and is close to completing his residency. Jarod's parents are still together after a couple rocky years. I think that's about it," she replied with a smile.
"There is something else I would like to know. Your children, do they exhibit the same marked intelligence as you and Jarod?"
"Yes, we've been very careful with them and have informed their schools not to administer any tests to them without our expressed permission. Barring that the boys understand to answer incorrectly at least 10-20% of the questions on any formal tests they are given without warning."
"You said Ethan is preoccupied and Trent, I believe you called him, is finishing up his medical residency. So who has the 5 children?" Sydney asked incredulously.
"Emily, Jarod's sister, has a husband who is almost as horny as mine," she replied with a laugh.
"You sound very happy. It's a relief to see you this way; it has been a long time coming. I'm still amazed that it was Jarod who affected this change," Sydney said with a distracted air.
"I'm sure wonder-boy will talk your ear off about this pregnancy. All the test results show I am having a nice, healthy little girl, who says her name is Ayame. Any other questions?" she asked amusedly.
"Have you heard anything about Lyle?" the psychiatrist inquired.
"No. I haven't wasted too much thought on him," she lied smoothly. Abruptly changing the subject she began talking about Ethan and his unprecedented business success. Sydney smiled at her deflection. He remembered her reluctance in talking about her own inner sense once she returned from the ill-fated trip to Scotland. It was obvious here that she knew exactly what was going on with Lyle and the voices were her primary source of information. The pregnancy probably exacerbated her gift.
"What have you been doing with yourself while Jarod is at the office with Ethan and the children away at school?"
"I told you once a long time ago that I could never see myself chit-chatting with the girls over a latte at the mall. Well, I did just that a few months ago with Emily in Tokyo. Time changes everything, doesn't it Sydney? Ethan has drawn me into the business as well. It was all I could do to avoid having my picture in that stupid magazine article written about the company. For little brother's sake, and my sanity, I am CEO, amongst a host of other titles, of the damn octopus he named Polaris."
It took several seconds for Sydney to stop laughing at the silly look of disgruntled contentedness, which settled on her face. He remembered the article she spoke of and in addition to touting the innovation and imagination of the founder of Polaris; the article went on to talk about the skill, cunning and uncanny perception of the privately owned firm's CEO. Sydney guessed she must have made the whole family millions from her business acumen alone.
Later that evening, after the ice cream feast for their children and leaving them in the vigilant care of her Sensei, Maggie and Jarod joined Sydney and Angelo for a late dinner. There they reminisced and told Sydney of their final plans to destroy the last remnants of the shattered Centre.
Just as it was predicted in the scrolls, but that's another story.
~Fin~