Caesar's Pearl 2 Epilogue
By the time Margo returns to the house Malcolm had already arrived. He's gathering his family and preparing to leave.
Ranger spots her advance first.
Ranger leaps off the front porch barking as he's in a dead run towards her. Margo braces her lower body to catch the enthusiastic border collie in her arms as he collides with her chest. He wriggles uncontrollably in her arms licking every inch of uncovered skin that he can reach. Ranger was scared to death she was never going to come back. So he's overjoyed to see her with his own eyes.
Burring her face in his fur, Margo laughed "I'm happy to see you too, Ranger."
Margo pats Ranger's stomach, getting him to settle down. No need for him to get overexcited at his age.
Margo now sits on the old porch swing watching Malcolm, Ellie, and Alex complete their preparations.
In spite of Malcolm's initial desire and basic instincts to stay in San Francisco to assist Caesar and his apes as much as possible he heeds the warning. He's packing up and getting them out of there right away. Malcolm had nabbed some stuff from their apartments before completely leaving the tower. Luckily that part had been partially intact enough for him to retrieve some treasured and essential belongings.
Soon it's time for the trio to be on their way. They're not going with just the clothes on their backs and the things Malcolm was able to grab in time. Out of the goodness of her heart Margo shares some of her own supplies with them. Not a lot, merely enough to last them a little while so they don't go nuts over what to do next. In reality it's a small amount she can spare, but she has a strong inclination that they'll make it work somehow. This trio has proven resourceful in so many clever ways. Truthfully Margo wouldn't be surprised if they made it all the way.
Except Alex can't leave without doing one last thing. Something he's been meaning for quite some time since this whole mess began.
His parents already seated in the car Alex climbs the steps to say one final farewell.
Scratching Ranger on top of his head, Alex asks "You sure you don't want to come with us?"
Shaking her head, somewhat aloof yet appreciating the thought, Margo said "Thank you, but my place is here. I just found my brother. I'm not going to lose him again. From now on I'm going to do everything I can to make sure he and his people come out of this oncoming conflict safe and victorious in however way he wishes."
"Right," said Alex, awkwardly, shifting from foot to foot as he rubs his neck in an awkward manner. "Well, I guess this is goodbye then."
Softening, Margo said "Let's not think of this as a goodbye. We may very well run into each other again."
That is unlikely, but she had to say it.
Smiling, Alex said "Yeah, you're right. I hope everything works out for you, Margo."
Nodding, voiced filled to the brim with genuine sincerity and goodwill, Margo said "And to you."
What Alex does next surprised and left Margo flabbergasted.
Out of nowhere Alex leans in and pecks her on the lips.
It all happens so fast that Margo didn't know what went down until Alex bolted, running straight for the jeep. Alex left an incredulous and incredibly mind blown Malcolm and Ellie grin at Alex as he dives inside. Alex tugs hood on the sweatshirt he's wearing over his face in embarrassment though he too it all smiles.
A burning blush blooms on Margo's cheeks as it hits her. Margo's hasn't been kissed before. That was her very first one.
Personally Margo finds Alex's behavior insufferable yet endearing. Thus she can't help but tough the tips of a finger to her lips as she watches them drive away into the horizon.
Margo then fells something crumpled in her hands. Turns out Alex had slipped her something. It's a scrunched piece of paper. Margo unfolds it and beams.
It's a well-done rough sketch. Alex drew her and Caesar standing together overlooking the village and San Francisco holding hands together.
A warm contentment spreads in Margo's heart.
Margo has a feeling that she'll never see them again. She wishes them well in whatever the tightknit family sets out to do in the future.
Now Margo has a serious choice to make about her own infinite prospects.
Her entire life Margo has always dwelled in this house. She's never left it. The idea never once crossed her mind. In the past it had constantly been the one link Margo possessed that connects her to the family so wrongly deprived from her. An outcast from the struggling remnants of society living on the brink. Afraid to step out and ashamed of what resulted from her father's actions. That is until she finally found the will inside to forgive him.
But Caesar's back in her life changes that.
So many paths with alternate options for this young woman to choose from.
Question is which one to pick?
.
In some new places on some new faces I've never seen
I might find where I belong someday
And there may even be another dream for me
Waiting there somewhere along the way
Who knows where I go from here
So many voices
Only one thing's clear
There's nothing to lose
Nothing to fear
The past is gone
I must move on from here
.
There isn't really anything to deliberate.
Margo can't continue to live in the past. Nothing good will ever come of it if she does.
Margo needs to look forward, not back.
Together Margo and Caesar will mold a brand new destiny. One where they'll never be separated again and everyone can live in serenity. Just as they deserve.
At least they'll try.
Who knows what's in store for them. Every new step taken is like another page in an open book. You never know what new outcome the tale will take you. You just have to harness your courage and take the chance.
Authors Note:
And there you have it folks. The end of the line to this part of the three-part saga.
Now it's on to War For The Planet Of The Apes. A lot of drama gonna be happening in that one.
The song here is Where Do I Go From Here Reprise. As many of you remember the original Where Do I Go From Here was written in earlier in the story. So I thought last night that it was only fitting that the 2nd part be added in.