Epilogue - Time Jumps
Two months later...
Emmy walked through the door and into the visiting room. Her hands were clasped together behind her back. Even now, she was still anxious when it came to seeing her father. She remembered what her older self had told her:
"He'll never hurt you again. And the nightmares, well, they'll stop in time. The more you see him, then the more your mind will become tolerant to him and before you know it, the nightmares will soon be gone. Trust me."
The professor wrapped an arm around his fiance's shoulders. "Are you ready, Emmy?" he asked.
Emmy nodded. Just as she was about to take a seat, she saw him enter through the door opposite them.
"Emmeline," Aleks smiled, holding out his arms. "How are you, my dear girl?"
Emmy stepped forward hesitantly and gave him a quick hug. "I'm very well... Thank you. Er... We have news for you, why don't we sit down?"
"So, what is it that you want to tell me?" Aleks asked.
Emmy smiled. She took the professor's hand and held out her other hand, showing her engagement ring. "Hershel and i are getting married."
Aleks beamed. "That's wonderful news! Congratulations!" he took Emmy's hand and studied the ring. "It's very like the ring I once gave to your mother. It's beautiful."
Emmy's smile widened. "And there's something else..."
"Oh?"
"You're going to be a granddad."
"What? Really?" Aleks grinned from ear to ear. "That's fantastic!" He jumped up to his feet and held his arms out for another hug. Emmy beamed and wrapped her arms around him. The professor smiled as he looked on at the scene.
"How far gone are you?"
"Nearly twelve weeks."
"So you should be getting your first scan photo soon?"
"Yeah."
"I still have yours. Have a look."
Emmy sat down beside her father as he pulled her old scan photo from his pocket.
"Everything is going to be okay," she thought. "I just wish I came to see him sooner..."
Meanwhile in Holloway Womens Prison...
"So what do you have planned for after your release, my dear?"
Andrea smiled at her father. "My plan is ingenious. I can hit them where it hurts most. He'll lose everything the instant the pieces of the puzzle are fitted together. All of Aleksander and Paloma Chovanek's secrets will be revealed... And Emmeline Bronev won't know what hit her..."
14th December 2014
"It's time, Professor."
The professor smiled calmly. "Right you are, my boy..."
The organ suddenly sounded as everyone stood up. Flora started to make her way down the aisle, throwing rose petals to the floor. Dressed in a pale peach colour, she beamed at the professor and Luke as she approached them.
"She's beautiful," Luke commented.
The professor stared at the bride and nodded.
Emmy now started down the aisle with Bronev at her side, dressed smartly in his black tuxedo. Bronev was barely recognisable; he had cut his hair shorter and gelled it back and he had shaven off his infamous goatee for the occasion.
The mere sight of his soon-to-be wife took the professor's breath away. Her white flowing floor-length dress was adorned with flowers stitched into the design and she wore a matching flower in her hair, which was up in a bridal-style bun with the thin veil over it. Her baby-bump was quite visible at this stage - now seven months pregnant, the professor could practically feel a motherly glow resonating from her. Just looking at her made his heart melt.
As she arrived at his side, Emmy took his hand in hers. Bronev tucked a loose hair behind her ear and smiled.
"You look beautiful, my darling. We're all so proud. Good luck." he kissed her gently on the cheek before stepping back.
Emmy beamed and turned to the professor. "You look so handsome... More handsome than usual, that is." She wrapped her arms around his middle and kissed him on the cheek.
"Is everyone here?" the priest asked. "Best man?"
"Here," Luke nodded, clapping the professor on the back.
"Maid of honour?"
"Matron of honour," Celeste corrected, placing a hand of Emmy's shoulder.
"Then let's begin." he cleared his throat. "We are all gathered here today to celebrate..."
Fifteen years later...
The professor was sat at his desk, marking papers as usual. He had been in this job for over twenty five years now, and knew exactly what he was doing. Tick, tick, comment, next paper. The professor continued on like this until he heard his wife and son enter the office.
Emmy beamed at him as she sat down on the sofa with their son, Alfendi Layton in tow. "Nearly finished?" she asked.
"Almost," the professor replied, scribbling one last comment on the end of the paper in front of him.
Emmy cleared her throat. "Er… do you know what day it is, Hershel?"
"Tuesday," the professor replied.
"The date?"
"15th May, 2029," the professor replied. Then he stopped. "Ah… I remember." He suddenly looked quite anxious.
"What is it, mother?" Alfendi asked.
Emmy sighed. "We have to go on a mission. All of us. And it starts today."
"We never told you about this particular adventure, did we my boy?" the professor smiled, turning around to face his son.
"No. I want to hear!" he said enthusiastically.
"Alright," the professor smiled. "Well, it will really begin today, with what your mother and I am about to do, but really, it all began fifteen years ago…"