Chapter Eleven: I'm Happiest When I'm With You
The ships returned to Earth in the quiet of the night in a large military fort in Texas. It was the safest place they could land without detection from the Synod or the priests. From there, they made the portal back to DC in groups. Street leapt into Auger's arms when he came back. Renee and Liam hugged Da'an and Auger. Da'an took Ariel back to Link's apartment. They were both exhausted from the journey, but their spirits returned to them when they saw Link.
"Go on," Da'an said to Ariel. "Go to Link."
She pushed Ariel towards the couch. Ariel walked right into a stunned Link's arms.
"She's walking?" he cried. "When did this happen?"
"While we were away," Da'an said smiling.
"Oh, man. I can't believe I missed it," he said. "I've always wanted to see an infant's first step. It must've been awesome."
"Actually, it felt just as wonderful as it did to you when you saw her walk to you," Da'an said. "You did not miss a thing."
"Thanks," Link said kissing her and Ariel. "The little hobbit's growing fast."
Da'an chuckled.
"So…I heard it sucked," Link said putting Ariel on the couch.
"Oh, Rembrandt it was awful," Da'an said. "I never want to go back there again."
"The feeling's mutual," Link said. "I spent four hours testifying to these asshole lawyers representing the plaintiffs. The bastards had me feeling like I was selling my soul to big business. I don't think I've ever felt like that much of the bad guy since I was in Iraq. Then, we got to round two. Another three hours later, the lawyers used my evidence to make those plaintiffs look like con artists. They settled when they saw that that kind of muckraking was gonna keep going on for months. Then, I got to go home."
"How long did it take?"
"Too freakin' long," Link said. "But I guess you can relate."
"Oh yes."
"Well, I figured you could use some cheerin' up, so Liam and I put our heads together and whipped up a little surprise for you."
"Really?"
"Yeah, but you and the hobbit gotta close your eyes."
Link picked up Ariel and helped Da'an rise from the couch. With their eyes closed, Link led them into the bedroom.
"Can I open them?" Da'an asked when Link left her and Ariel.
"Not yet," Link said turning on the lights. "All right…now you can open them."
When Da'an opened her eyes, she saw the simplest and yet the most perfect surprise. Inside the room, next to the window was her small white tree that had decorated her office in the embassy.
"Oh Link," Da'an said in a flattered tone. "How did you get it?"
"Yeah, apparently T'than's comfortable enough in your seat to believe he's gonna be there for a long time, so he's throwin' out all your stuff. Liam saved your tree before it got stuck on the goodwill truck."
"He's giving my possessions to goodwill?" Da'an exclaimed angrily.
"I'm joking," Link said. "Zo'or gave him the green light, so T'than's having it all sent to the Mothership. But still, Liam and I saved the tree."
The tree fascinated Ariel. She ran to play with the ornaments hanging from its branches.
"Rembrandt," Da'an said kissing him, "this is best thing you have ever done for me."
"Really? Gee you're easy," Link said humorously. "I sure hope you're still like this when our anniversary comes up."
Da'an laughed and kissed him again. "I am glad that I have you, Rembrandt. Tay'jay and Ar'ron were right. I am happiest when I'm with you."
"I hope it stays that way," Link said.
They sat on the bed together and just stared at the little girl playing with the tree.
"You know, this tree was a gift to me from my grandparent," Da'an said. "He gave it to me in celebration of my joining the Synod. It's actually a funny story."
"Tell me about it. I could use a good story."
Ariel heard Link's words and rushed to get in bed with them. Apparently she was up for a good story too.
Da'an laughed. "Well, it happened when I was in my late forties or early fifties. We Taelons do not really keep track of our ages once we mature into adults. We were celebrating my induction in a close-knit party with some fellow diplomats when I spotted the tree. I had always had a fascination with that tree. The rumor was it was as old as Ka'li. Well, we were exchanging gifts. They were not material gifts typical to the ones you would find on Earth. They were simple things like flowers, little trinkets or even advice written on fine materials."
"Kinda like cards."
"A little, but less cliché. Well, anyway, I get to Ka'li, and he suddenly realizes he's forgotten to get me a gift. He looks around for something to give me and he saw me staring at the tree. He asks me, 'Do you like that tree?' I said, 'Yes. I find it interesting.' He said, 'Excellent. It's yours.' And he took the tree from where it stood and handed it to me. He told me, 'The Commonality willing you will get to live as old as it has.'"
Link laughed. "I get it. You're never gonna live to be as old as that tree because as you get older, so will it."
"Exactly," Da'an said, laughing with him, "but it was sweet of him to give it to me. He always liked that tree."
"You're probably the only person he'd do that for too," Link said.
"Actually, he never did do that for anyone else," Da'an with an as-a-matter-of-fact tone. "Quo'on joined the Synod a few years later, and Ka'li openly admitted that he forgot to bring a gift and left the party."
"Oh, that's harsh man. That is harsh," Link said.
They both laughed. They continued to regale each other with humorous stories. They made a competition out of it: who could tell the funniest story? It was the best kind of peace their situation could provide.
The End