Winds of Change
The first sequel to "A Voice in the Wind"! This time we will all witness the action in third person. As with the other two, it has theme music – (When You Come Back to Me Again – Garth Brooks). Enjoy.
Janie wandered through the Castle halls after the sunrise had set her Clan into their stone sleep. Finally, she would have some time alone with Alexander! She knew if anyone found out what she had in mind, word would get back to her father. And how the giant gargoyle might react to her plan was a mystery Janie was ready to leave alone.
As expected, Alex was in his room lounging on his humungous antique wood bed. His mom was terrified of letting him up and about so soon after the awful attack. Janie saw that he had just pulled the only black books this rich bachelor owned – his diaries. Obviously, Alex had been thinking about the past too.
In his gorgeous eyes was a near audible plea. Janie thought to herself, "what is it that you want – besides my 'yes' to your frequent marriage hints – Alexander."
In his mind, Alex had been tracking his love from her father's side straight to his room. "This female knows me far too well for my own good. I wonder if mom is this way with dad, knowing his sliest moves," he chuckled to himself.
Without a moment's silence, Janie stared at the young man. "Alex. Can we talk without interruptions?"
Raising an eye and pulling out his most sly grin, Alex secretly begged her with his heart to ask what he knew she so longed for. "I guess, since you family's out of it for the day and mine is still not yet on speaking terms. Come on in and shut the door."
Without invitation, Janie jumped onto the middle of the immense bed and relaxed in her closest friend's arms. Only then did she wonder if he was still too hurt for what she wanted him to do – since the attack had only just occurred …
"Janie, I'm fine. All the brat did was make my muscles sore. Mom's just very over-protective of me. Are you that tired?" Alex knew full well why his lady was there, if she would only ask it.
She looked up into his eyes, her bottom lip trembling and eyes already full of unshed tears. But, before she could say a word, Janie broke down. Alexander had become accustomed to it, all of the grief was still in that sweet and wonderful heart he so adored and admired. "Just let it all out, love."
For nearly an hour, that's all that she did. The tears just didn't want to stop. Alexander knew that missing her mother was what had torn his Janie apart. Afterwards Janie slipped into worn dreams of feeling her mother's touch and kisses. Dreams of hearing her mother's voice herself. Dreams where her mother had not been killed long before she was due to be born.
She was tired, and Alexander knew it was because of everything hitting her at once. He asked Puck to make sure they wouldn't be disturbed so that she could rest. As the hours ticked by, Alexander held Janie in his arms – ready to defend her from any and all foe.
"If she'd just ask me, I could take all of that pain away." Alex complained to himself as he stroked her soft dark hair.
Almost as if she knew what he had been thinking, Janie slowly woke and tenderly nuzzled his chest – meaning that she was finally ready to talk. "Sorry for sobbing and then snoring – my sweet boyfriend."
For as long as Alexander could remember, that was all Janie had ever introduced him as – not a brother, uncle, cousin, or even as a friend. In turn, he quickly began calling her his love. Neither knew just how binding those titles would become – until that day. "You know how it annoys me when you say that - my starry angel does not snore. I'm here whenever you need me, my dear love."
"I just hope you can do something for me that I have been nice enough to wait till now to ask you for. Alex, I want to save my mom – and I know that you must be able to time travel, since you never stay away for long on Avalon and always stay for two or three weeks." She only told him what she wanted to do – not good enough!
Alex swallowed with tears in his eyes. If he said anything wrong, then he would never be able to cast the spell. "Janie … sweetheart …"
"Please Alex! This is the first time I have ever asked you to use your magick for me! I'm begging you … please help me save my mom." Again tears were streaming down that beautiful lavender face.
Alex pulled her back into his arms in his happiness; she finally did it! "I love you Janie! Let me leave a note, and then we'll be off."
"You knew that you could have saved my mom, and have done nothing until now? You jerk!" And with that, the torn teen punched Alex in the arm.
Alexander felt the bone jar, but she hadn't used her full strength – luckily. "I needed you to ask me for it without my interference. Lord Oberon set it as a rule – otherwise I was forbidden to ever cast the spell."
Janie's eyes filled with regret in a split second, "oh Alex, I'm so sorry! Did I break your arm?"
"I'll survive. At least I know to dodge you during our marital spats." For added emphasis (and to make her laugh again – or at the least smile), he raised an eyebrow and slipped into his cocky smug look.
It did the trick! In a second, Janie chuckled as she shook her head in disbelief. "As often as you have insinuated that we are to be mated, I have yet to hear a real proposal from you – boyfriend."
"You were the one who made us a couple long before our fathers would even allow either us to date! So, it's my turn to suggest our impending nuptials."
Janie glared and threw on one of her mom's old rebellious half grins, "doesn't make it so, Alex. Until I get a real proposal from you, no real answer will come from these lips!"
Alex finished what he was writing and looked over at the human/gargoyle hybrid that had his heart since before either of them knew it. "What was that Mrs. Xanatos to be?"
"Can I leave my dad a note too? That way it doesn't look like a kidnapping."
With a chuckle, Alex relinquished his journal over to Janie and got up from the bed – but not before he left a kiss on her lips. "I haven't a single problem with that, my dear love."
"At least you're not saying anything that is not completely accurate common knowledge this time." Janie winked, as she looked the guy up and down. How he had changed over the years – and all for the better!
"Are you so certain of that, little miss Janie Elisa Wyvern?" Alexander challenged her with his eyes glowing white.
"Alexander!" Janie growled before laughingly throwing a pillow at his head and lighting her own eyes red as rubies.
Before Alex could shut off his radio, a song came over it – it was one of his favorites. Lonestar's 'I'm Already There'. He just had to hear that first chorus.
I'm
already there
Take a look around
I'm the sunshine in your hair
I'm the shadow on the ground
I'm the whisper in the wind
I'm your imaginary friend
And I know I'm in your prayers
Oh I'm already there
"In my heart mom, I am." Janie whispered to the heart shaped locket hanging around her neck. The same one that Goliath had given Elisa for their four-year meeting anniversary. Inside were a picture of him and Elisa, and then a small mirror (for Elisa to see for herself who held tight to the Clan leader's heart).
In moments, they were ready. The journal was open on his bed (no way any of them, especially Puck, would miss that clue), the radio was off, and both of them were holding tight to the other's hands – both wearing the bracelets on their left wrists, and Janie held firmly to a long stem pink rose (courtesy of Alexander) in her right thumb and forefinger – it would be the first gift she'd ever give the mother she never knew. Time had come to cast the spell.
Stones of the Fairy Isle Avalon binds us to this our homeland
And help me send us back to the hour we have planned.
To make a dark wrong right in our past,
This spell in time I doth cast.
Love keep us safe from all harm,
We move and return with Oberon's will and Tatiana's paired charm.
Aid us to safely arrive to the night our loved one lost her life,
Our duty to save my love's mother and god-father's beloved wife.
The stones embedded within the bracelets began to glow with a light green light and vibrated softly, Janie closed her eyes and focused on every image she could remember of her mother. Alex focused on the events of that night as they were explained to him. The green light grew to quickly enveloped the pair, stirring their hair and raising them a half inch off of the floor. Then they were gone.
Puck leapt into the room through a portal, but he was too late. "Alex, what are the you two up to?"
Turning to his charge's bed, Puck found his answer within the heir's journal. "Oh Alex, you are going to be in such hot water for this one! Not even Oberon can bring you back once you've left."
"Which is why Alexander followed your advice, loyal Puck." A deep voice reverberated through the room.
Turning about, Puck's eyes were greeted by the sight of the rulers of Avalon – Lord Oberon and his Queen, Tatiana. The shaken fey bowed courtly before the couple. "He did?"
"Yes, Puck. Alexander came before us to petition for the right, and was granted such. You have taught him well, considering such a spell would be years beyond any other of our children at his current age." Tatiana spoke with a sweet smile on her face.
Oberon sighed and then said with a finality, "as reward for teaching the boy well, your powers be returned to you in part – you may use your magick as before that long ago night, except you are bound tightly to the Law!"
"No harm, and no meddling in human affairs without being asked to! No problems here, daddy dear!" But, before Puck could go on, Oberon and his Queen returned to Avalon.
In the Castle's courtyard, Fox and Angela were finishing off various stages of the next night's birthday party for Janie. Suddenly the air inside of the castle was a blaze of light as fireworks went off from seemingly nowhere.
"Heeeerrrreeee'ssss Puck! And boy is it great to be back – oh, the joys of being me!" The happy fey hugged himself tight and spun around in mid-air.
Angela and Fox both stared at one another in stunned silence, before either could think of something to say the rest had gathered. Goliath looked over at the fey. "How is it that you are here without your student?"
"Well … that's a good question. Did I mention that Janie's with him?"
As the light died out around the couple, they collapsed soundly onto cement. Janie moaned, "ouch! Let's take the bus next time, that landing wasn't too comfortable."
"Hey, we got here – that has to be worth something. Janie?" Looking up Alexander saw his love staring through the window into that old apartment.
He remembered helping clear it out a few days after the Wind ceremony. Everyone else was breaking down, but he was chatting – asking all sorts of questions about Elisa and the things he saw the group packing away. It seemed to help the most, while the others were too stunned from the loss to speak.
And then Alex found a flower he had picked out for the dead woman months before – dried and lovingly stored in a little box by her bed. He had thought that she'd thrown it away after it died, but instead the woman had dried it so she would have it for the rest of her life. Only then did the little boy weep, harder than he had – before or since.
"Is this mom's old apartment, Alex? It's better than I imagined it." Carefully moving down the balcony towards the place her mother slept, Janie paused only a moment before jumping back. "The man who shot my mommy – he's in her room with the door opened! You did it Alex! Now I can save my mom!"
Both of them ducked down when the door opened and the lights came on. That first moment was magical in itself. Elisa Wyvern walked in the door smiling and talking to her mate on a cell phone. Dumping her bag on the floor, the obviously pregnant detective shut the door and locked it. When she turned around it all hit Janie – soon the woman would die. No, not again!
Before Alexander could say or do anything Janie had jumped up, opened the balcony window, and leaped inside. It was just then that the shooter started out of the bedroom.
Elisa was confused by the sudden appearance of this teenage gargoyle female who looked so much like her. "Who are you …" only then did Elisa see the gun out of the corner of her eye, "… Goliath!"
A shot rang out, Elisa screamed for her mate again, and the female gargoyle hit the floor. A young man who was strangely familiar to Elisa screamed as he tore into the apartment. "Leave my dear love alone! Like a jail bird caged in mid-air, for you that would be far more than fair!"
And with that, the gunman was trapped in an oversized birdcage hanging about three feet above the floor from a floor stand hook. Elisa gasped as she took a hard look at the young man who took the gun away from the equally stunned would-be killer. Without a word the obviously magickal rescuer dropped to his knees beside the gargoyle. "Hi aunt Elisa. Thanks for saving that rose I gave you, that meant a lot to me after we lost you."
"Oh my God! Is it really you Alexander? Then who is this?" Elisa's hands shook as she carefully gathered the limp teen's upper body into her lap.
The older Alexander smiled with a tear in his eye, "the baby you're carrying in your belly now. Mom was very shocked, but honored, when uncle Goliath told her you wanted your daughter to be named Janie."
"You brought her back to save me. Thank you. " Elisa gave him a kiss on the forehead, and then laughed when he smiled one of his father's famous grins and said, "took sixteen years to get a kiss from you – well worth the wait I think."
Looking down on his girlfriend, Alex whispered, "Janie, Janie open up your eyes – the ordeal is over and you have the prize!"
With a small groan, Janie slowly opened her brown eyes to see that it wasn't Alexander holding her, but Elisa Wyvern – her mother! "Hi baby girl."
"Mommy? We did it?" Janie broke down into happy tears as Alexander helped Elisa pull the teen up a ways, and Elisa gave her daughter a kiss on the cheek for the very first time.
Holding Janie's free hand, the rose appeared. "You forgot this outside."
Janie smiled and timidly offered it to her mother, "I never got to give you anything in sixteen years …"
"… so you brought me a rose, and my favorite color too. It's beautiful my baby guardian angel. I love it, just like I love you."
"And I never heard you say that either." Again Janie broke down into sobs. Elisa cuddled the teen in her arms with the sweetest of smiles on her face.
Then there was a loud dull thud and the sound of stone cracking out on the balcony – Goliath had obviously arrived. "Elisa?"
"I'm alright Big Guy. But you won't believe who saved me, love!" Elisa rested Janie into Alexander's arms and then rushed into her own beloved mate's embrace, as the Clan leader stormed into the apartment.
Goliath's eyes grew wide with shock as he carefully laid a hand onto his mate's slightly swollen belly. "Elisa?"
She smiled with tears in her eyes, "surprise. I found out a few nights after I left, but I couldn't leave without putting everyone – including our daughter – at risk. And, yes I know we are having a baby girl. After all, who do you think just saved my life?"
Janie smiled and pulled herself up at little taller at the mention of her actions, but she wouldn't take all of the credit. "It wasn't just me mommy. After all, Alexander had to bring me back. If it weren't for you Alex …"
The girl's parents watched on as the young man silenced their daughter by resting his fingers on her lips. "Janie, I wouldn't have been able to come back at all if you hadn't asked me. So let's call it a draw this time."
Goliath's eyes almost popped out of his head when the young pair tenderly kissed as if no one else was there with them in the room. "Elisa is she …"
"Uh huh."
"And is he …"
"Uh huh."
"And are they …"
"Yes dear love, and don't even think what I know is running in the mind of yours. After all we'd be hypocrites to say they can't be together but we can. And they did save my life." Elisa smiled as she curled into her mate's hold and softly kissed him on the chest.
Goliath spoke so loud that the pair couldn't have misunderstood a single word. "If he ever hurts MY daughter, not even Tatiana and Oberon could keep him away from my vengeance! Am I understood Alexander Fox Xanatos?"
"Completely uncle Goliath. But does this mean that we now have the okay from you two to get hitched?" Alex chuckled as Janie slapped his chest, but he went pale when she growled in pain. "Janie, what's wrong?
"I thought that I dogged the bullet, but I guess I was wrong. It's in my shoulder, Alex!"
Elisa and Goliath rushed over to their child's side. Alexander had tears in his eyes because he hadn't prevented his girlfriend getting hurt. At least he could take her pain away.
This bullet is not where it does belong,
Where it rests now is all wrong.
Stop hurting my love what once would have made her mother fall
Now go rest in that yonder wall!
In the blink of an eye, there was a hole in the wall Alex had pointed to and Janie was fine. Goliath pulled the teen girl into his arms as he smiled uncertainly. "Our baby girl? Elisa she looks just as you did when Puck changed you into a gargoyle, except for the fact that she has my color."
"Mom was turned into a gargoyle by uncle Puck! Why wasn't I ever told about that?"
Elisa smiled, "I'll bet it was hard to get your dad to talk about me, am I right?" When Janie nodded, Elisa glared at Goliath. "I figured that would be the case. And you love that she has her father and sister's color!"
"What I love is that our daughter is certainly her mother all over. And now you get to know your mom on your own little one. What were you named baby girl?"
"Just what mommy asked you to name me – Janie Elisa Wyvern."
At that a deep Scottish chuckle rolled into the room, "I doubt that not … Janie is it? Yer mother respects Fox a good bit, and she'd know we'd want ta name ya after her."
Janie smiled as she caught a glimpse of the other two people in the apartment. "Hi uncle Hudson, hi aunt Maria! You're right, mom knew that it would hurt everyone for me to carry her name directly but she decided that it would help dad if I at least carry her name as my middle one."
Elisa smiled as she kissed her daughter's cheek again. Maria was startled, "so let me get this right. You are Elisa's unborn baby? Wyvern you are officially on maternity leave as of this moment, am I understood?"
"Completely. Besides, I think that we are going to need time to get to know our little Janie. Am I right Big Guy?" Elisa chuckled.
Alex smiled, "well, that's why grandma gave us a three day leeway. Can't wait to see how my folks are going to take this."
"Yer mom will love to see how ya gonna turn out, lad." Hudson nodded to him.
"Alex, you know that your dad will try and use this to his advantage. Please …" Elisa started, but he was prepared for that.
"Don't worry aunt Elisa, I already have been warned by granddad. I give dad any tips, Oberon has threatened to make dad pay one hundred fold for it. I was never one for hurting family."
Goliath wouldn't let it go. "Learned from your father's past?"
"Let's just say that I learned from the same guy dad learned from. I hope that you aren't upset at Janie and I when we get home. I kind of kept this to myself because I was afraid that you wouldn't agree with this trip."
Goliath shuttered at the idea of losing his mate and unborn daughter. "Since you have already changed how this line of time is to head, I doubt that you will have to worry about having an argument from me. However, I think that the two of you will be under my careful watch while you are here … understood?"
"Daddy! I'm one day shy of sixteen years old! I'm not a little hatchling anymore!" Janie cried out, her cheeks turning a darker shade of purple.
Goliath gave his teen daughter a look that left nothing to question, "Sixteen is not eighteen young lady. Until you are of age you will follow my rules."
"Bad flash back." Elisa chuckled. Seeing the shocked expressions of the others she went on, "my dad told me the exact same line when I was her age, only it was about me going off with a group of my friends on a road trip. This time I will not do as my mom and keep silent. Janie Elisa Wyvern, you will listen to your father and that's that! And Alex you two are on restriction until she is eighteen!"
"Mom! Ugh this is not how I saw this happening!" Janie groaned as she leaned back into her boyfriend's arms.
Alex grinned, "it looks like I'm not the only one planning for a ritual between us, love."
"Alexander! Just because my mom and dad are cool with us being a couple doesn't mean that I've said yes! Not until you ask me right!" Janie fumed as she stormed out of the apartment onto the balcony.
Alex just smirked. "Uncle Goliath, I hope that you were wrong about Janie being her mom made over. If you're right, then I am in deep trouble!"
Elisa shot a dirty look at the young man. "Watch yourself Alex. You are talking about me while I'm still in the room – and I do get annoying to Xanatoses. Just ask your folks."
"Aunt Elisa, I know all about how you put dad in his place – mom too. Would you believe that losing you ripped them apart inside? Janie's the only one who can get dad to act like his old self."
That startled Elisa. "Missed his nemesis? Good luck getting him to admit that right now. But, thanks for getting me the inside info on your old man. Oh, and that doesn't change my mind – eighteen, and no sooner."
Elisa climbed outside to comfort her baby. "Janie honey, are you okay?"
"I love him so much mom. But, he is still as irritating as uncle David sometimes. I'll admit that I started the idea of us as a couple back when I didn't know what a boyfriend really was. I have always felt that way towards him." Janie was fighting her tears, just as her mother would.
Elisa remembered the months she had wanted to tell Goliath how she felt. "What is it that is irritating you so much?"
"He insinuates that we're going to get mated soon, but he has never asked me straight out! I'd just like him to ask me rather than assume that I wouldn't say no." Janie rested her head on her mom's shoulder as the tears let loose.
Elisa smiled. She never knew that she and Xanatos were so alike. That is until the pair of them played out through their children. "Honey, didn't you do the same? Did you ever ask Alex if he wanted to be your boyfriend?"
"No."
"Have you ever told him how you feel?"
Janie's sigh told Elisa better than any word could. "No. Do you think that I should? I'm scared that it will pushed him away."
Elisa pulled Janie into her arms. "Baby, I felt the same way before I told your dad how I felt about him. I was so scared that he would turn me away because of my being a human. When we finally faced that we were brought through all of the terrible acts of others for us to be together, we knew that it all was to make us stronger when we decided to become one. The same is true with you and Alex. You both have survived a lot I'll bet, and it has brought the two of you together all the stronger – am I right?"
"Yeah. I want to tell you everything mom. How bad things could get without you there. Thanks for helping me with this."
"That's a mom's job. Do you really love him, baby?"
"Yeah. I really love him. I have since before I knew what love was. Would it be so bad if he and I mated?"
Elisa looked at her little girl with a smile. "Janie, I probably will never fully trust David Xanatos. But, given that he obviously kept his promise to protect our Clan – and that he has helped to raise you to such a beautiful and strong young woman – then I will give him a little more credit than I have since that Hunter's Moon case. Okay?"
"Yeah mom. I love you so very much. I have dreamed about holding you and hearing your voice other than from recordings. To know the real you." Janie relished the feel of her mother's touch and embrace.
Elisa was burning into her memory every second of her short time with her teen child, "And now you get the chance. I thought it would be another twenty-six years before I'd be having this talk with you."
"No, sixteen years mommy. I was pulled from my incubation tank four months after you died, and I hatched three months later. Nine months, like any other human pregnancy." Janie smiled at her mom's shocked expression.
Seeing Alex out of the corner of her eye, Elisa knew that this was one moment her little girl would have to face on her own. "I think that you and Alex need to talk before we go home."
Elisa slowly climbed back into the apartment with Alexander's help. "Be very careful to not break her heart Alex. Remember that both of her parents are a few feet away. I see that you are different from your dad, just make sure that it continues."
"Sure thing aunt Elisa. I missed you." Alex was desperately fighting back his tears as she gave him a peck on his cheek.
"Thanks for rescuing me. I just hope I can pay back the favor."
Alex swallowed hard at that moment. "Just try to make an impact on my little brother. I'd rather not have him blasting me before he gets shipped off to military school without his powers this time around."
"Noted. I'll keep Goliath, Hudson, and Maria busy. Try and make peace with my baby." Elisa grinned as she rushed into her mate's arms.
Alex walked up softly to Janie, knowing fully that she could easily sense him. "Hey love. Did you like that private moment with your mom?"
"This is my best birthday ever. I never knew how good it would feel to have her holding me. Thank you my sweet boyfriend. You don't know how much this means to me." Janie leapt into his arms.
Alex softly kissed her nose. "I think I have some idea. I want you to have the best birthday ever beautiful. Did I ruin it though?"
"What? No, I just had it all hitting me at once. I'm so sorry for blowing up in front of everyone. I love you so much, but I'm scared that …" Janie didn't know how to say what she was feeling.
Alex read her heart and mind's battle in a second. "Janie, you know that I read you as good as you can me. You hate that I assume things rather than ask you. You have for as long as you have had your own opinions. I know that you think that I'm just being like my dad. But I swear on all that I am, I would never willing or knowingly harm you or our families. You are my world, please let me prove it."
"You have … time and again. I'm just scared of losing the you I love so much." Janie kissed his lips tenderly.
Alex pulled a box out of his pocket and dropped to one knee before her. Janie was too shocked to say anything. "I had this as a back up. In case you didn't ask me for the gift I have wanted to give you for years. I know that you get peeved at me sometimes, but I hope my assumption is right this time, or I would rather live my life alone. This isn't because of what you said before we came back, or in there. I have had this in my pocket for two years. I love you Janie Elisa Wyvern. Would you honor me by being my wife or mate or whatever you want us to be."
Neither of the young persons noticed that the adults were watching quietly from inside the apartment. Elisa held back her mate, whispering into his ear, "Love, he has proven himself to me. I know that he loves our baby as much as you love me. Let's let Janie choose her own future."
That stopped Goliath's thoughts of ripping the young man apart for trying to take his baby away before she was of age. The look of pure joy and love in his daughter's eyes told the Clan leader that Janie was happy.
That was an understatement. "You know how to keep surprising me, Alexander Xanatos. I have known about the ring for about a year now. I just got irritated that you hadn't asked me yet. I love you more, Alex. Yes, I'd be your mate, wife, or whatever!"
Alex slid the ring on his fiancée's hand before twirling her in his arms, both giggling in their happiness. Elisa quickly wiped away her tears of pride as her mate wrapped his wings around her. They were guaranteed that at least their daughter would one day be very happy. That's when the couple came back to reality.
"Hey everyone. Um … just how much were you guys privy to?" Alex held Janie tight in his arms, as if daring the others to tear them apart.
"All of the important stuff. Just remember this Alex – you hurt my baby, I hurt you. Kapeesh?" Elisa smiled as she walked over and held her daughter tight.
"Mommy!"
Elisa then gave her daughter a warning look, "and … nothing until you are eighteen. A ring doesn't change that rule. Give your dad and me these last two years of being just a mom and dad – please baby girl."
Looking over at Alexander's teary-eyed smile, Janie simply chuckled. "Okay. But no arguments after that … right?"
"Right. Now let's all go home. We can come back here and do all of the packing tomorrow night. Tonight, I want to spend as much time with my little girl as I can." Elisa smiled as Goliath cautiously gathered her and their unborn Janie into his arms.
Maria waited for the patrol to show up and collect the dumfounded assassin wanna-be, but vowed to be back at the castle within two hours. Then the rest of the group took to the air. Elisa snuggled happily in her mate's arms, knowing that the timeline had been changed by a teen that was every bit her mother made over. Goliath was careful, but held on to his beloved somewhat tighter than he normally would.
"I missed you, Goliath. Are you upset that I didn't come home as soon as I found out about our baby girl?"
Goliath had never lied to his mate before, and he wasn't about to start now – not after coming so close to losing her. "I am upset that there was no other way, but not at you my Elisa. I still cannot believe how close you came to …"
Elisa silenced him by laying her fingers on his lips, just as Alexander had their daughter before. "Don't say it. Our baby Janie came back and fixed that mistake. She's so much like her father – thinking of everyone before herself. I know that you would have raised her right, my mate."
Goliath loved hearing his Elisa say those two little words, and she knew it. The small act brought out his smile again as he embraced his mate and unborn daughter tenderly. "Janie is her mother all over, doing whatever it takes to see to it that justice is served. And yet, she too nearly paid for the fact that I was not there to guard you both. Forgive me my mate?"
Elisa chuckled as she softly kissed Goliath's cheek. "You couldn't have ever known I was in danger. Heck, I didn't even know myself. But, that is now what would've been. For now, I plan to make up for every moment we were apart – after our teen aged daughter is tucked in bed that is."
"How can you be sure that she will allow you to 'tuck her in'? I think that she's accustomed to Alex performing that task."
Elisa smiled as she glanced over at her half grown daughter gliding quiet close to a levitating Alexander. Oh boy, would Xanatos love this turn in the story their lives had become. "Mothers know love. She hasn't had any time with me in her entire life; it will be hard to pull her away from me now."
The moment they all landed in the Castle courtyard Goliath barely had time to hide Elisa's stomach before the Clan swamped the group. Bronx acted confused when he sniffed the two newcomers. He knew them, but didn't know them. The rest were equally confused.
"Goliath, what happened? We heard you scream out Elisa's name and then you were gone! Oh sorry, welcome home Elisa." Brooklyn rambled out, barely able to keep a wary eye off of the new couple.
Elisa looked up to Goliath, who gave her the agreement she was seeking. "Thanks Brooklyn. As to what happened … I almost died."
"What?!?!" was chorused and echoed by all.
"Elisa was nearly shot by an unknown …" Goliath began before Elisa interrupted with, "I know the creep Goliath."
Janie chirped, "yeah, the same guy she trusted through the whole case was out to kill her for a stupid hard disk."
"Haser wanted this? Baby, do you know how much he knew was on the disk?" Elisa asked, ignoring the shocked looks from the others.
"He knows every fragment that's on it mom. That's why he was out to kill you, in case you backed it up and hid the second copy better than the first. He told me so when he asked me to kill him a few years later."
Angela broke up the discussion suddenly and decisively with, "hold it! Mom? Baby? Does this mean what I think this means?"
Elisa smiled up at Goliath who nodded as he pulled away his wings to reveal Elisa's lightly swollen belly, "um, surprise?"
The group broke into cheers and laughter as they congratulated the couple. Just as the teen half-breed began to feel left out, Angela embraced her tight. "So you are my baby sister?"
"Yeah, who else would have the nerve to do this? That is out side of Alex." Janie grinned as her love shot her a dirty look.
"Alex? Are you really my little Alexander?" Fox gasped in her shock as she closely examined the young man's face for all familiar features.
"Yeah, it's me mom. Hey dad, like how I turn out?"
In the years that all of them had known David Xanatos, this was literally the first time any of them had seen the man stunned into silence. He just couldn't believe that his son was standing before him – a grown young man!
"Nice job Alex! You've bowled him over. So what's in the stockpile for your encore?" Janie stuck her tongue out after her male's teasingly dirty look. Her male, how she loved the sound of that.
Alex lit his eyes in answer to his love's challenge, "how does putting you in your place sound?"
"You wish …" Janie lit her eyes red with a giggle before there was a throat cleared.
"If the pair of you are quite finished, I think that a more complete explanation is in order – especially from you master Alexander. How is it you and Ms. Wyvern got back in time without the Phoenix Gate? You realize that now that you are both here that …" Owen's scolding stopped suddenly when Alex and Janie showed the unusual bracelets.
"Granddad gave me the okay, thanks to your advice. As to the rest, I think since grandma gave us a three-day visit privilege so that Janie can get to know her mom that we have plenty of time to tell all."
Xanatos finally grew one of his infamous smirks now that he had gotten used to all that had just unfolded before him. "And if Alex is anything like his mom, the pair of you will be here for longer than that."
"Oh no dad. That is Janie's privilege I'm afraid." Alex's smirk equaled his father's, sending shutters down each and every spine that was in its correct time.
Janie glared at her love with red eyes for that, but before she could make a move the teen felt a firm hand grab her arm. "Alex, that's not dad's claw on my arm … is it?"
"No sweets, it's not." Alex chuckled at his loves knowing grimace.
"It's mom holding me back from killing you, right?"
"Yeah, it is. Though I don't see you killing me. Not for a few years at least."
"Be grateful that it's mom holding me, or else …" Janie spat through clenched teeth.
Xanatos recovered his composure with a thick sly smirk on his lips. "or else she'd be a widow before she gets to be a bride." He had obviously seen the engagement ring on the girl's finger. Which brought out more cheers and laughter. Especially when Elisa answered his smirk.
"Janie, you're not allowed to hurt Alexander Xanatos, but that rule does not include his father." Elisa glared at the one man she had the most mix feelings towards.
Xanatos' face quickly drained of all color, matching his wife's face. "Janie? Your name is Janie?"
"Yeah … Janie Elisa Wyvern. Hey Alex, is that how aunt Fox looked when daddy told everyone my name?"
Alex grinned when he looked over at his mom. "Just about. So how this for a birthday present?"
"Better than any you have ever gave me in my entire life!" Janie jumped into his arms, a split second after her mom wisely let go of her arm.
"Now that they are very close to being mated. Do I kill him now or after she falls asleep?" Goliath whispered into Elisa's ear, making her bust into laughter.
"Daddy! I heard that! I may be half human, but I have the hearing of a gargoyle!" Janie screeched.
That sent one and all into howls of laughter.
Within an hour the castle was a buzz with activity. Janie and Elisa were seated on the couch, playing with the young Alexander Xanatos. The older Alex leaned against the wall watching them. Then he got a reality check in the face from himself. "Go away ... she's mine, not yours!"
"Excuse me. Look kid, you are me …" A startled grown Alex started, but was cut off by his possessive younger self.
"Don't care! She's mine, so go away!" And with that, little Alex cast a spell that made his older self seemingly vanish.
"Uh, Alex … where is my Alexander at?" Janie gasped in shock.
Little Alex grabbed a hold of Janie as if someone was trying to take her away from him. "He can play with grandma and grandpa … you are mine."
"A few years from now, yeah. But, not right now squirt. Your Janie is inside of her." Janie chuckled as she pointed over to Elisa, who was gently rubbing her swollen belly.
"Oh okay. But, you'll still play with me right?" Alex shot up the saddest puppy dog look that Janie had ever seen on his face.
"You know I will. Now will you please bring back my Alex? I think he's been with your guys' grandparents long enough."
Alex startled both ladies as he started chuckling. "Sweetheart you forget how I have been able to send myself to Avalon and back since I was nine. So you can stuff trying that again, kid. I explained everything to grandma and grandpa, and got some information we didn't get before."
"Like what, dear love?" Janie eagerly grabbed a firm hold on her Alex to keep him in her line of sight.
"Oh other than because you got hurt, your three days turned into three weeks. Hope that doesn't mess up anyone's plans." Alexander gave his younger self a dirty glare of warning.
"Three weeks? Mom is that alright?"
Elisa smiled. Three weeks with the daughter she had yet to bring into the world. "That would be terrific."
The Mazas and the Mutates showed up a half hour after that and heard all about whom the new young people were. Diane began taking to Janie right away, as she was able to spoil the girl before her birth – that is when the woman wasn't busy hovering over Elisa like a mother hen. Peter and Derek thanked Alexander, despite the young man's charade of how Janie helped him too.
All through dinner they were a happy family. And then things began to take a twist for the weird – seeing as it had turned a few hours before.
When You Come Back to Me Again by Garth BrooksThere's a ship out
On the ocean
At the mercy of the sea
It's been tossed about
Lost and broken
Wandering aimlessly
And God somehow
You know that ship is me
'Cause there's a lighthouse
In the harbour
Shining faithfully
Pouring its light out
Across the water
For this sinking soul to see
That someone out there
Still believes in me
On a prayer, in a song
I hear your voice and
It keeps me hanging on
Raining down
Against the wind
I'm reaching out till
We reach the circle's end
When you come
Back to me again
There's a moment
We all come to
In our own time and
Our own space
Where all that we've done
We can undo
If our heart's
In the right place
On a prayer, in a song
I hear your voice and
It keeps me hanging on
Raining down
Against the wind
I'm reaching out till
We reach the circle's end
When you come
Back to me again
And again I see
My yesterday's in front of me
Unfolding like a mystery
You're changing all that is
And used to be
On a prayer, in a song
I hear your voice and
It keeps me hanging on
Raining down
Against the wind
I'm reaching out till
We reach the circle's end
When you come
Back to me again
When you come
Back to me again
