Next to Alex sat his other dad, Max. Max and Tess had married the year after the battle. They had two children now, Emily was seven; and Alex was six. Max had finished law school, and had been running his own office for a year. Tess had retired from cashier work, and helped with the Crashdown. She sat on the left side with Maria.
Maria and Michael had been married six months after the final battle. Liz's message had come in handy over the years, they were expecting their sixth child next month, already having two sets of twins. The oldest, Majandra, who they called Maja, and Brendan were eight, Colin and Sean were five. Michael had his own security company now, and Maria was preparing to settle down and just be a stay at home mom. She was giving the Crashdown to Juan as a wedding present. She said Liz would have wanted him to have it.
Susie and Kyle sat with Jim, Amy, Maria, and Tess on the left side of the church. Susie and Kyle had had two more children in the past years, Nick was eight, and Amy was five. Stephanie was twenty now. She was studying drama and music at the local collage. Jaime was eighteen now, and graduating in June. She already had a full scholarship to Harvard, she had found all of Liz's old notebooks on Molecular Biology when she was thirteen, and had become fascinated. Her dream was the same as Liz's had been all those many years ago. The two of them were both bridesmaids, and were already standing across from him.
Isabel and her husband sat with Max. She and Chris hadn't lasted long. But, less than two months after their breakup, she met Jessie. The two had married six years earlier, and she was expecting her third child any day. Their first two, twins, were five. Jason and Katherine were just like Isabel and Max had been as children. Jessie knew the truth, though the rest of his family was kept in the dark for now. He was a doctor at Roswell Memorial with Alex, and Isabel had indeed become a nurse, specializing in neonatal care. She loved working with newborns, and their parents.
Juan paused as he sensed a familiar presence. He looked to the back of the chapel and saw his mother. She smiled when he noticed her. She had appeared during major events in their lives since her death that day nine years earlier...
They had just left Frazier Woods when they saw the light from the center of the forest, a single star seemed to have fallen as the sun rose. At least, that's what other people in the area had thought. The light was really Kivar's forces returning to Antar. Although, they never made it. Kivar's forces had been brought here by the magic he had gained through his treachery. And, when Kivar died, his powers ceased to exist. Everything he had done on Antar, disappeared in that moment.
Katrina had been on Antar when it happened, she went there to confront the council and Kanare about what they had done. She was in the middle of a very unladylike speech when they felt the change, and watched as the land they loved changed back to the way it was before Kivar had destroyed everything. Only then did she learn that Kanare and the council had done what they did for a reason, if Kivar's death had happened any other way, Lacanna, Antar, and the other four planets would still be in ruin. Katrina had looked at her mistress's father and the other members of the council, and had left. Kanare understood why she had left, and forbade the other council members from holding it against her.
Katrina had returned to the safe house and told them what she had learned, she had gone with them when they went to get Beth's body. Katrina led them to her, and they were slightly shocked to find her looking like the same Beth she had been for many years. Juan had turned to Katrina wondering how that could be, but, Katrina was gone. As was Fire Star, everyone looked around wondering where she had gone, let alone the horse. Then they had seen them.
:-:-: Flashback :-:-:
Across the clearing was Fire Star, with Beth astride her. Beth looked as she had that night, except she wore a different outfit, under her cape was a dress they had never seen. It was looked like a medieval dress, but the fabric was like none they had ever seen. It appeared to flow like water over a waterfall, cascading in layers and ripples. It was a blue, so sky like that her eyes seemed to glow, and was of a see through material, but at the same time it wasn't. The sleeves were one piece that fell from her shoulders, becoming wider along her arms. The sleeves lay along Fire Star's side, ending just past Fire Star's stomach. Her hair was flowing along her back, with a single section along her right shoulder, and it too was different than last night, longer and curlier. The single section was almost as long as her sleeve, and was now truly raven in color. The hair along her back traveled in waves, but not really waves. The curl in her hair wasn't like Maria's had been, but in a way it was, the single section was one seemingly endless ringlet, with ribbons the same blue as her dress, interweaved within it. But, the rest of her hair seemed to be in ringlets, except there were hundreds of them, so long, that they reached past her back and cascaded along with her cape and disappeared into Fire Star's tail.
All along the hair on her back were similar ribbons to the first, and flowers that seemed to bloom in her hair, various sizes of a flower that reminded Juan of a rose, but at the same time he knew it wasn't a rose. The flowers were a white that was so pure in color, they seemed to glow from within. And, on top of her head was a crown, the crown, too, seem to be a part of her hair. It was gold, but unlike any crown every made on earth. It looked like various strands of gold came from her hair and weaved themselves together, and separating in other strands so it began to form a triangular shape pointing towards the heavens. Everywhere there were sections where openings were left and her hair could be seen through them. At the very tip of the crown was a stone almost like a diamond in design, but, was a shade of blue unlike any on earth or ever seen in the universe. It was almost the same color as her eyes, but was in a way, darker and lighter at the same time.
Nothing they had ever seen prepared them for the sight before them. Even Fire Star looked different. Her coat was glossier, and her mane and tail were the same color as Beth's. Her coat, though still white, appeared, like the flowers to shine from within. And, intertwined in her hair were ribbons with flowers. The ribbons were different shades of red that appeared in fire, and the white flowers glowed like tiny stars.
Next to Beth and Fire Star, Katrina sat astride another horse. Her hair was indeed blonde, and traveled along her back to join the tail of her horse. Unlike Beth's it was so straight that most people would have thought it impossible to get hair that straight, and it was so blonde, that it was really silver rather than blonde. Her eyes were a shade of green, almost like that of the purest emerald you could ever find. They seemed to glow and sparkle as if from an inner source of light. She wore a dress similar to Beth's, although the sleeves were much shorter, and it was green rather than blue.
Her horse had hair the same color as her own, and was so black that it shined. At her side was a sword much like those used in medieval times, but slimmer, and was of a metal that appeared almost red in hue.
Beth and Katrina moved towards them, and, though it seemed like forever to the group, it was only a matter of moments. Everyone watched almost in awe as they moved towards them, the horses seeming to move on air. They stopped a few feet away from the group and waited. No one spoke until, at last, Alex did.
"Beth? How? Why?" he asked softly. "You look beautiful."
"Thank you Alex. It doesn't matter anymore love, our names are ours again. I came to say goodbye for now. And to let everyone know about Antar. Juan, you are the heir to the throne of Lacanna, but, you will never have to claim it. You can stay on earth for the rest of your life, or, if you wish, you can visit Antar. I would suggest you all do it once in your lifetimes, it's a beautiful place.
"Max, you don't have to return either, but, one of your children will. Larrick can rule the kingdom in trust, but one of our children will have to become king or queen. Unfortunately, you will not get to decide. It will be up to your children, they will know who is the one. You too will know, because they'll know from birth. They will live on earth, but a part of them will be a part of Antar. It's in their blood. Nothing can change it, no matter how much you wish it could.
"I can't stay long, I'm needed back in Lacanna."
"What, how?" Juan asked softly
"I died here, but my spirit is free in a way. I was destined to rule Lacanna, and now I shall. When all of you die, you can come to Lacanna, and live there in peace. There are things you never learned of the land where I was born. You have heard of Inish, and of Lacanna. What you don't know is that they are one in the same.
"Lacanna is where the Sorcerers travel to when they die, and Inish is where everyone else travels to. They exist within the same place, except the Sorcerers help lead the people. It is just like life was before, the Sorcerers help people without directly interfering in their lives. Lacanna is just a continuation of the life before, but without illness or evil. Those who were evil in their first life cannot enter Inish, unless the repent of their ways. They travel to a place no one wishes to go.
"There are two gods in our world, the Father of all, and Him, the leader of darkness. He gets those who are evil, and tries to create more evil. The Father wants to protect people, and leads the sorcerers to do so. But, he knows that ultimately it is the choice of every person, and so the sorcerers who follow him do as they have for as long as any can remember. We try to show the people the right way, and help them whenever there is need, but do not make them do anything that they do not wish to do."
"Sashenna, we must go soon," Katrina said softly.
"I know," She replied turning towards Katrina, then looked back at her loved ones. "If you visit Antar, you cannot visit Lacanna, but, I will watch you all. And, whenever something important takes place, I'll be there. I promise. Now, I have a few things I want to tell each of you. Jim and Amy, thank you for being you, you showed me the love that my own parents could not give me. I'll always love you both.
"Kyle, we've been through a lot in our lifetime. Ever since that first summer. Even when I broke your heart, you still supported me. You helped me remember who I was. Thank you. You have an amazing family. Your daughters will constantly surprise you, and they will be amazing women in their own right. And, your son will finally break family tradition, and become an amazing man."
"Liz, are you sure, we don't have a son," Susie said softly wondering if Liz was well.
"Yet," Liz said with a smile. "Isabel, you are an amazing women. Through everything that has happened in your life, you have found the strength to survive. That strength makes you who you are. And, will help you in the years to come. You want to help people in a field that includes much heartbreak, and your strength will help you survive. As will have your family, your little blessing on earth. Someday this will make sense though it does not now," Liz finished and Isabel smiled.
"Michael, I wish you and Maria all the happiness in the world. And all the patience. Remember, not all mountains can be climbed, and not all molehills are mountains. Take care of Maria. She may not want to admit it, but she needs you," Liz said with a wink.
"Tess, we never got a chance to be truly close, but I know that you are a kind and wonderful person. Enjoy the life ahead of you, and all it's surprises. You have the family that you sought for so long, remember that they will always love you.
"Max, trust your heart. What you have lost is nothing compared to what you will gain. The future has yet to be determined, you do make your own destiny, regardless of what is seen and not seen. Let your heart live, let yourself live. You will find happiness unlike you have ever known," She said with a smile, glad to see Max smiling in return, really smiling.
"Maria, my dearest friend, finally the life we always dreamed about is yours, enjoy it. Don't mourn for me as I know you could. Life is to be lived to the fullest, not spent in pain and anguish. Too many years have passed that way for us. Take care my friend." Liz finished with a smile that Maria returned.
"Cassie, so much awaits you. The world is yours to explore. Don't let anything stop you. Nothing is truly lost, and everything that is true, is always yours. Don't grow up for the sake of growing up. Live life to the fullest. And let no one tell you that anything is impossible"
"Juan, my little one. I know that you don't want to believe that I'm gone. But there is so much around the corner waiting for you. Find it, let the past go. So many people love you, let them love you, and learn to love them in return. The future is yours, you are free of all that tried to claim you before. Find your place, and let life control itself. I'll always love you.
"Alex, I love you. Always remember that. No matter how hard lives seems, I'm always there, and I'll be waiting for you. But, don't you dare come before it is truly your time. Stay and watch our son grow. He needs you now. Let the anger go, let yourself become who you were meant to be. Please," Liz ended softly, her eyes pleading him to listen.
Behind them the sun began to rise, Liz looked towards it. "I must go. Remember all I've said, and don't hold anything against Antar for this. I love you all," She said with a small smile.
Katrina turned her horse, and Liz began to follow, but stooped long enough to reach down and run her fingers softly along Alex's cheek, and run them along Juan's hair. "Goodbye," She whispered to them both as they stood side by side. The two of them turned and galloped towards the sunrise, as they reached the edge of the clearing they seemed to disappear completely. Alex turned and picked up her body. As they left the clearing, they left behind all the hiding and the secrets. A new day had begun.
:-:-: End Flashback :-:-:
Liz lifted one hand and two doves appeared. The doves flew to the front of the room and landed on the steps. Everyone looked at them in surprise while Juan smiled. His mother waved once then shimmered away. Those who didn't know about them smiled thinking the doves were planned. But, his family knew different, and smiled, knowing Liz had given her blessing. Juan looked up as his soon to be father-in-law handed him his fiancé's hand. Juan smiled as she lifted her veil and the song 'Friends' began to play. Tradition continued once more, both knowing the song was another gift from Liz. They turned to the minister who began.
"We have gathered here today to join Juan Alexander Whitman and Cassandra Marie Guerin in holy matrimony."