The immortal/twin pairs walked into the villa grounds. Fitz had a small, sneaky grin on his face, while Rebecca looked innocent and unknowing. Nope, not a clue. Ritchie looked pleased. Darius looked...elsewhere.
Joe and Methos looked up from their respective barbeque projects, carving utensils close by. Joe beamed, while Methos smiled and said, "Welcome home. A walk in the woods often helps for clarity, doesn't it?"
Rebecca nodded and smiled at Methos, "Of course!" She slipped an arm into Fitz's. Methos' eyebrows went up a bit. Fitz shrugged and looked sheepish, "The lady knows her stones. And can play a ruthless game of chess." Rebecca smiled impishly.
Everyone then looked at Richie and the disastrous state of his garments, "Lad, what happened to you? Did you take on a full grown bull elephant?" Fitz said wonderingly.
"Nah. Bigger," Richie said, "I won." He folded his arms.
Darius snapped out of his reverie and looked at Richie, "I was there. That's not what it looked like."
"Dude, I had it under control," Richie said, with a come-on-go-with-me-on-this glare. "Everything was going to be copasetic."
"What does copasetic look like?" Darius asked, all innocence.
"Like what happened," Richie said with confidence.
"Yeah. Copasetic," Darius said, after a moment, looking at everyone else. Both Richie and Darius grinned at everyone else.
"You sure you don't want to change first?" Joe asked, after a pause.
"Nah, I like the way it shows me off," Richie said, flexing a bit.
Joe shook his head with a chuckle, "I think it's time we got this show on the road, don't you?", he asked, turning to Methos. "Wanna do the honors?"
"Sure," Methos said. He began ringing an iron triangle, while Joe shouted, "COME AN' GET IT!!"
Duncan, Amanda and Anne came out of the villa, carrying a big, ornate cake and other foodstuffs, singing loudly.
"Happy Birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday, Rebecca and Darius, Happy Birthday to YOUUUUUUU..."
Joe, Methos, Duncan, Richie harmonized like a Barbershop quartet plus one. Fitz's was the strongest voice, and he soloed, going into a screech at the end, dropping to one knee, head bowed.
Darius looked stunned. Rebecca put one hand to her forehead and "fainted", falling into Fitz's arms. He caught her deftly, as if he had had years of experience catching fainting groupies. She then opened her eyes, wrapped arms around his neck, and gave him a light peck on the lips.
Fitz grinned and helped her up, and said, "Easy, lass, today is your birthday. You're getting presents, not me."
Rebecca smiled as she gained her feet. Fitz gestured her to the table. She curtsied and walked to the table. Richie slapped Darius on the shoulder and gave a "C'mon" gestured. Darius sat down, gazing over the repast in wonder.
Duncan gestured at Joe, who bowed his head and gave the meal a brief blessing, wishing happiness, long life and understanding to all present.
"Amen," everyone said. Darius' was just a quiet murmur, however.
And they dug in. A moment of quiet. A moment of peace. A moment of family and friends, enjoying a meal, and a special occasion.
Fitz saluted Joe and Methos with his knife, "Gentlemen, may I pass complements to the cooks? Absolutely outstanding, fit for kings. Better than most deserve, having know a few, truth be known."
Darius was struggling with spaghetti noodles, trying to find an approach to put them in his mouth. Richie said, "Two schools of thought on this. There's the wuss approach, that is, cutting it up. Then, there's the way REAL spaghetti eaters do it. Roll it up on the fork...like so."
"Or you could just use your hands," Rebecca quipped. Darius narrowed his eyes at her.
"I remember the days before silverware," Methos said. "Among the complexities of more recent history, this is one I certainly embrace wholeheartedly."
"Who made the bread?" Rebecca asked.
"I did," Anne said. "Actually, when I went through medical school, we experimented with bread recipes in the 'chem lab'."
"Hooray for science students," Duncan said, lifting his glasses.
"And yet again, you wow the ladies with your culinary skills," Fitz said, returning the gesture. "They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach."
"I wonder if the same is true for women?", Joe said.
"Actually, not so much," Amanda interjected, cutting off Duncan's response. "We DO enjoy a good meal, but we are far more impressed just by the effort," she said, kissing Duncan on his cheek."
"Ah yes, but you gentlemen, flesh preparing champions, I salute you," raising his glass to Methos and Joe.
They nodded in acknowledgement.
"I made the salad," Amanda said, looking a bit pouty.
"And a fine salad it is," Fitz said. "Royal roughage, to help in the digestion."
Another toast.
The meal continued, when Joe offered a toast, making sure everyone's glasses were filled, even Rebecca and Darius'. Yes, they were technically "underage", but this new scenario, the adults had agreed beforehand, the rules should be tossed out the window. Just don't let 'em get hammered, and things should be ok.
Joe said, "My friends, with God's blessing, this is the first of many birthdays."
"Hear, hear."
Duncan then stood, his glass raised, "To my friends, thank you from the bottom of my heart. To Amanda, allowing me to share this remarkable experience. To Rebecca and Darius, to opening up an area of life I thought closed to me forever." He went over and hugged and kissed them both. Rebecca warmly returned it. Darius did to, but looked awkward and bewildered.
Amanda then stood, "Me. A mom. ME! I mean, PLEASE. But thanks to everyone here, especially Anne, and most especially, the best Daddy a kid could have, and best man any woman could have to experience this with, thank you."
She hugged and kissed Duncan vigorously. She then showered warm hugs and kisses upon Rebecca and Darius. Rebecca returned it just as warmly. Darius squirmed a bit.
Then, Rebecca stood up, "I have no idea how this is all going to end. I do have some idea how it goes for others, immortals, anyway. And I know, what I have, what I've experienced, is a blessing. If it were to end today, I would be sad, but I would carry happy memories with me. And I owe that to all of you. Duncan, my father. Amanda, my mother. Darius, my brother Methos, my teacher. Anne, my cheerleader. Joe, my repository of wisdom, Ritchie, my big brother, and Fitz, dear Fitz, my best friend."
She stopped for a second, one tear going down her face.
"I thank you."
Glasses were raised before misty eyes around the table.
Darius stood. Everyone looked at him. He looked down at his place. He finally looked up, and stared into the expectant faces.
"Thanks," he simply said, and sat down, looking down. Everyone looked on wonderingly. Rebecca looked concerned.
Methos looked at Darius intently and raised his glass, "You're welcome."
Duncan looked at Methos questioningly. Methos briefly acknowledged him, then drank out of his glass.
Towards the end, the cake was introduced, one side with a Pegasus and a pink candle, the other with a Jack of Spades and a blue candle. Darius and Rebecca looked at each other, doing a silent countdown. They blew them out together, and everyone cheered.
As the cake was enjoyed, the presents came out. Among the highlights included a Grateful Dead tour jacket from Methos for Darius and a book on gem identification and classification from Anne for Rebecca. Duncan had pulled an antique chess set from his collection on the barge for Rebecca, and Amanda had pulled a bikini from effects left on his barge her as well.
Fitz tried hard not to comment.
Darius had gotten an ancient printing of Sun Tzu's "Art Of War" from Duncan, and from Amanda, an Indiana Jones style fedora.
"Befits an adventurer," Methos had commented.
"Looks cool," Richie said, "Stylin'"
Darius gave him a look.
Richie pulled out something in a package, "Found this in an antique store in England. Got it for a steal. A genuine bastard sword forged in the British Isles. Sharpened, ready for combat. The real deal, man."
Darius unwrapped it, stood, held it in a combat stance, and gave it a few tentative swings.
"It's you, bro," Richie said encouragingly.
Darius nodded with satisfaction and thanked Richie with a modest grin.
Then Fitz presented his gift to Rebecca. A pearl necklace, with a diamond pendant hanging at the bottom. "From Africa, a particular artisan, his work reknowned, one of a kind, my dear. As are you."
He placed it around her neck, with a kiss on top of her head. The pearls settled onto the muscles and bones of her neck and shoulders, the diamond settling into her cleavage.
She smiled dazzlingly, "It's perfect, Fitz."
Fitz nodded knowingly, puffing on his pipe.
She leaned forward and kissed him briefly, yet fully, on the mouth.
Fitz started, but smiled.
Duncan's dark eyes went hard for a second, but he then forced a smile, and the party went on into the evening.
Companions, comrades and family, enjoying a beautiful moment. In centuries, beautiful moments are often oases in deserts of strife. Everyone, mortals, immortals and newborns, knew to enjoy this one.
Nighttime, the men were in the living room of the villa, quietly talking.
"Mission accomplished, gentlemen," Methos said, acknowledging his compatriots. "Especially you, sir," saluting Joe.
"Well, all those fairs built up to this," Joe said. "How about you, Richie? You gonna change those clothes?"
"Think I'll keep 'em. These will be my permanent mountaineering clothes," Richie retorted.
"Cute," Joe said, "So, how's Darius? How's he been taking to all this?"
"Darius?" Richie said, "Darius is a good kid. He keeps things close to the chest, but he's got a good heart. I think, in many ways, he's struggling with all this. I mean, born just a couple months ago. Already a young adult...how do you cope with that?"
"Rebecca is managing," Fitz said thoughfully.
"Yes," Methos acknowledged, "Darius seems to be..."
"Struggling?" Richie offered.
"With what?" Duncan asked sharply.
"I...I'm not sure," Methos said, looking down.
Duncan looked hard at him. Methos shrugged.
"Rebecca isn't struggling, my friends. That young lady has a peace, serenity. Did you know she communes with the life forces, the Quickenings she carries?"
The collected immortals and mortals looked astounded. "What?!?" Joe exclaimed. Only Methos didn't seem shocked.
"It's true. Quite uncanny," Fitz nodded.
"Has Darius mentioned anything like that to you?" Duncan asked Richie.
"Huh? Ah...no, not really. But...he often seems withdrawn, distracted. Occasionally surly. I put it down to youthful restlessness. I mean, come on, I can relate. And he's hardly got the corner on brooding, Duncan," Ritchie said with a grin at Duncan.
"Ha ha," Duncan mouthed.
"But Rebecca, she has a serenity I only have seen in one other being my entire life. Curiously, that would be Darius. Remarkable girl."
Duncan looked at Fitz.
Time passed, and the men retired for the evening.
Duncan asked Fitz to stay.
Fitz looked at Duncan questioningly, but kept his place.
Duncan fidgeted and looked down, his face hard, yet conflicted.
"Out with it, Duncan MacLeod," Fitz prodded, "You have something you must say, say it."
"Fitz...I want you to stop spending time alone with Rebecca," he said, his voice a bit choked, his eyes on Fitz's.
"I see," Fitz said quietly, sadly.
"Fitz, I can't thank you enough for being the friend you have been to her. You were instrumental in caring for her since the beginning. Things wouldn't have gone as well as they have without you, but...dammit..."
"She's becoming a girl in a woman's body," Fitz finished for him, "I noticed."
Duncan sat quietly.
"Duncan, you are the protective father, I understand. And I'm quite aware of my reputation with the ladies. Quite deserved, I might add. I've never brought that particular line of sins before a priest, as said clergyman would die from old age before I could finish that confession."
He chuckled, and said, "This is the first time I have been in the 'big brother' position of a 'little sister' in my life. And I realize, it's a sacred task. I didn't ask for it, but she took to me from the beginning. She's a girl, they usually do. Such is my lot."
He stood and said, "You are my friend, Duncan, and you are her adopted father. I would never dishonor her, or you. I confess to being disappointed in your concerns, but I do understand. I will do as you ask. I will let her know in the morrow."
He quietly stood and left.
Duncan sat in the dark. He slept little that night.
The next day, a weeping Rebecca walked swiftly away from Fitz, who stood there, watching her go away, his shoulders sagging.
Duncan stood in the doorway of the villa, listening to her retreating sobbing. He hung his head, then squared his jaw and looked up.
Amanda stood opposite him, watching her go, and watching Fitz walk back towards the barge. She then met Duncan's gaze, and her dark eyes burned with anger at Duncan.
She whirled and stalked into the back of the villa.
Duncan sighed. He then went and changed clothes, picked up a sword, then went for a workout.