Lisa's POV
It's been fifteen years. Today, we were gathered here to celebrate and commemorate again. I was flanked by my family: Uncle Zane, Aunt Jondy, Emily, Max Jr., and many others. My father was standing beside me, holding my hand. I knew that this was an emotional day for him. My mom's wish and dreams had finally come true. Today, we, the transgenics, had become citizens of the United States of America. Granted that the phobia was still there, but we were being accepted. Uncle Zack was up there making the profound speech as the leader of Terminal City. But I think it was never questioned that Dad was the true leader.
Dad… I had never known him before my mom died. It was something that mom had always kept from me. I would ask her who my father was, but she would never reply. At times, I thought maybe it was the human that my mom left. But then again, it couldn't. Uncle Zack told me I was what they considered the perfect child. The one who's genes and DNA structure was flawless, and that my abilities were incredible and immeasurable. I was only four at the time, but I understood. Then a year later, dad came into my life. I had lost a parent, but regained the other.
To some degree, it was weird being here with everyone. On a daily basis, dad and I would come here, to talk to mom. This was always the place that he would tell me stories of how mom, or Max, as he called her, was like. Then yearly, on the day of mom's death, the inner family would gather. My uncles and aunts would come from wherever they were, and pay respects to mom. As I grew up, this ritual was something I had looked forward to, because on days like that, I would feel closer to mom, because they knew her so much better than I.
As the years past, I noticed that dad would sneak away from time to time just to spend some alone time with mom. I could tell that he loved her a lot. Right after her death, he took me on a short trip to LA. He said that we needed sometime alone. And of course, he was right. In a few short weeks together, I learned a lot about him, and a lot about mom. Over the years, he'd never once brought home another woman. I think that he wanted to stay faithful to mom, even after all that had happened between them.
One time, I had followed him, and heard that he said "Max, I love you. I hope you're waiting for me, because I'm waiting for you. We'll see each other again, I know it."
I felt like crying when I heard that. This proved to me that he loved me, and mom and no one else. And that I was a wanted child.
I would hear him tell stories of my exploits to mom. He'd tell her the times of when I got in trouble, or when I couldn't control my strength. At times like those, I had come to realize what an important role my dad played in my life. Without him, I probably wouldn't learn properly how to control my strength, or fight properly.
He trained me, eventhough he said "Your mom would so kill me for this".
I would laugh, and he would too. We had some incredible times together. But there were some sad times too. In the first couple of years we were together, Dad, or Alec as many called him, spent a lot time hunting down the people who killed mom. He succeeded, of course. From what I've heard, Dad has never failed a mission. For him, that was more than just a mission, it was revenge. And to some degree, he got it. White and his cult were taken down with the power of the transgenics. Those who controlled the cult were also killed. All the manuscripts, myths, and legends were all destroyed. This way, according to dad, was the only way to safeguard our future.
I'm twenty now. He knows that he has to let go soon. I've found a connection with Liam, another second generation transgenic. But on a day like this, he still holds my hand like I'm the child that he had first met that fateful day. I love him, truly, because without him, I wouldn't be here. Nor would we have accomplished the dream that mom had always wanted fulfilled.
As we all went inside to eat, dad stayed behind like always, so he could have a moment alone with mom.
"Max, we've done it," he said quietly. "We're citizens now."
I could see the tears trickle down his face. I had to turn away, it was too emotional.
"There's so much to tell you. Lisa's finally found someone. His name's Liam. I like him; I think he'll be good for her. She's too much like you; she needs someone to take care of her. I only wished I had been able to take care of you. That's my only regret."
As he continued, I walked away towards the future for all of us. I decided it was time to introduce Liam to the family. I kind of feel bad for him. They're going to grill him so badly. Maybe I can get dad to layoff.
THE END