A/N: This is it, guys! The last chapter, finally! I'm so glad you came along for the ride, and I hope this ending leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. I don't currently have any fanfictions in the docket to post, but if you're interested in my original stories (young adult fantasy, mostly), feel free to check out my profile where you'll find a link to my website. I'm pretty much always posting new chapters over there. ;) Thank you to everyone who's read and interacted with my stories. I love and appreciate each and every one of my readers. 3
A few hours passed in a haze of light and joy. The ship made it safely back to the space port, and Sarah embraced both Alice and Jim at the docks, weeping onto their shoulders, and gave Dr. Doppler an affectionate pat on the back.
"All of you are an absolute mess," she wailed. "Oh, my goodness gracious."
"Happy to see you too, Mom," Jim snarked.
"I'm so sorry you couldn't make it home," Sarah told Alice as she touched her cheek.
"It's alright," Alice replied with an earnest smile. "I'd hoped to have a new home…here in Montressor."
"Well, of course!" Sarah squeezed her hands. "I'll have to get the adoption paperwork, of course, and…"
"Um, Sarah?" Dr. Doppler put in as both teens opened their mouth to protest. He whispered something in her ear, and Sarah glanced between Jim and Alice and clamped a hand over her mouth.
"Oh!" She laughed, then winked at Alice. "Well. It wouldn't be right to make her your sister then, would it, Jim?"
Jim's eyes widened. "Uh…no."
"Alright, then." Sarah threw her hands up in the air. "I suppose a guardianship will have to do."
"Unless, perhaps…" Dr. Doppler glanced back at the Legacy as Captain Amelia strode off the ramp. She beamed at him and took his arm. "Captain…I mean, Amelia, dearest." He cleared his throat as Amelia smiled at him affectionately. "What do you think of adopting…as in, right now? Of course, we'd only have her for a year or so, until she comes of age. Still…she needs a place to call home." Dr. Doppler winked tenderly at Alice.
Amelia's eyes dilated like Dinah chasing after a ball of yarn. "I'm sorry, who are we talking about?"
Alice smiled and waved, and Amelia's ears perked up.
"That's brilliant, Delbert." Amelia leaned in and kissed Doc's cheek, then took Alice's hand in hers and patted it. "You've become very dear to me…and I have always wanted a family. Being a space captain hasn't left me much time for that, I'm afraid." She glanced at Dr. Doppler. "But perhaps now we can change that."
Dr. Doppler choked, and his cheeks turned beet red.
"I've always wanted a family, too," Alice put in with a grin. "It seems I finally have one."
She looked each of them in the eye—Amelia, who'd taken her under her wing, Dr. Doppler, whose quirky protectiveness had grown on her, Sarah, who'd taken care of her so lovingly…and of course, Jim, who'd put his own life on the line for her countless times during their voyage.
She loved each and every person standing around her…and it was clear, from the tender light shining in their eyes, that they loved her, too.
"Well, it's settled, then," Amelia announced. "Alice will stay with us."
"Oh, but I do want to help rebuild the inn," Alice put in.
"Well, of course, dear girl," Dr. Doppler put in. "We're all going to help."
"I did also promise to take her on a solar surfer ride," Jim noted with a smirk.
"Jim!" Sarah scolded. "You'll get her hurt."
"I trust him completely," Alice told Sarah firmly. "He saved us all with his solar surfing skills, you know. Not to mention his incredibly quick thinking and engineering talent." She winked at Jim, and he smiled gratefully back at her.
Sarah gazed wonderingly at Jim, and he rubbed his neck bashfully.
"Jim. Is that true?" She put her hands on his shoulders, her eyes watering as she smiled proudly at him.
Jim dropped his gaze to the ground, though he was beaming. "It was nothing, Mom."
"Oh." Sarah pulled him into a tight hug. "I always knew you were special. I just had no idea how special." She held him at arms' length, and Jim smiled at her, his own eyes welling with moisture.
"You have every reason to be proud of this young man," Amelia concurred with a gentle smile at Jim. Dr. Doppler nodded and patted Amelia's arm, and Alice watched it all, her heart full.
She couldn't agree more.
A few days passed, and Alice, BEN, Morph, Sarah and Jim got settled in at Dr. Doppler's home. Sarah was staying there, too, whilst efforts began in earnest on rebuilding the Ben Bow Inn, and BEN made himself useful, helping Sarah out in the kitchen.
Alice was put in charge of making the tea—a much easier task, since she didn't have a whole crew to make it for. When Amelia came to visit, though, she had to make multiple pots, though she didn't mind one bit if it meant a lovely chat with the former captain.
Amelia and Doppler were married shortly after in a civil ceremony, with just a few key loved ones in attendance. Alice caught the bouquet, much to Sarah and Doppler's amusement—and hers and Jim's embarrassment.
The paperwork for the new Dr. and Mrs. Doppler to adopt Alice went smoothly, though the court officials were baffled by Alice's apparent lack of origins. They didn't bother explaining the portal, or Treasure Planet, or the massive explosion that had taken away her only route back to her own time and place. It would have only confused them further.
Alice smiled as she signed the documents and officially took Doc and Captain's new last name.
"It's only temporary, you know," Amelia told her. "The minute you marry Mr. Hawkins, you'll have to change names once again. Nasty business, what we women go through to have a family." She winked and laughed at Alice and Dr. Doppler as both of them reddened.
As they returned to the Doppler home—Alice's new home—Jim, BEN and Sarah met them at the door.
"It's official," Dr. Doppler straightened his coat and patted Alice's shoulder. "We have a new daughter."
Morph burst into confetti and chirped with glee.
"Oh, it's so beautiful!" BEN sniffled and pulled Alice into a hug. "I haven't cried this much since Flint's shipwreck."
"I always wanted a daughter," Amelia added, resting her cat-like hand on Alice's other shoulder. "I do hope you'll be happy with us…we'll only have you for such a short time, after all."
"Don't be silly." Alice pulled the prim captain into a tight hug. "I already love you to the moon and back."
Amelia patted Alice's hair and hugged her back. "My dear girl."
Sarah and Jim pulled the three new Dopplers into a hug and showered them with congratulations.
"I made something for the occasion." Sarah led them inside to the lavish dining room, where she'd laid out a banquet.
"Oh, Sarah, everything looks lovely," Alice cried.
"It's a feast fit for kings and queens," Dr. Doppler concurred. "Sarah, we're so honored."
"Oh, it was nothing. BEN and Jim helped, too, of course." Sarah blushed a bit. "Now let's stop talking and dig in!"
Jim pulled out a chair for Alice, and the night passed in a delightful haze of roast meats, pies, and coffee after dinner—made by Jim, of course.
"My heavens," Amelia remarked as she tasted Jim's brew. "This could wake the dead."
Jim laughed. "Did you ever try waking up Silver's crew?"
"Fair enough." Amelia shot him a playful glare over the rim of her cup.
"So, Jim," Dr. Doppler asked once they'd all stuffed themselves full, "when are you heading off to the Interstellar Academy?"
"Well." Jim scratched his chin. "I hadn't decided just yet. Kind of wanted to make sure Mom's inn was finished first."
"You'll do wonderful," Alice told him with a smile. "It's where you belong."
"Yeah." He smiled at her, then arched an eyebrow as he studied her. "You know, the Academy could really use a cartographer, too. Don't you think, Captain?"
Amelia's eyes lit up, and she and Doc exchanged glances.
"A…mapmaker, you mean?" Alice clarified. Her heart buoyed with hope. She'd already found a home…perhaps she'd find the perfect place for her talent as well. And if it kept her by Jim's side…oh, how wonderful that would be.
"Yes, yes, of course!" Dr. Doppler nodded excitedly. "I've seen your skills, young lady. Spacers are always in need of detailed maps."
"It's true," Amelia put in. "Maps are what make or break any voyage, as we all know well." She winked at Jim and Alice.
"So…so you're saying…I could go to the Academy, too?" Alice mused with a smile. She glanced at Jim, who grinned back at her.
"Sure thing, Miss Tea Cozy. I want to be a space captain one day…and I'll need a first mate." He winked at her.
Alice clasped her hands over her heart. "You really think…oh, I couldn't possibly…"
"Oh, tish tosh," Amelia interrupted. "As your new mother, I'll send in my recommendations alongside those for Mr. Hawkins. It's settled."
"Well…" Alice's eyes were filling with tears as everyone at the table smiled at her. "Well." She cleared her throat. "It seems I'm outnumbered."
"Definitely." Jim laughed and threw an arm around her shoulder. "But if you're gonna be my first mate…you gotta learn to solar surf."
"You think we could try now?" Alice asked eagerly.
Jim grinned, then helped her up from the table. "Let's see if you can handle it."
"Jim," Sarah cautioned. She glanced between the two of them, concern and affection battling in her blue eyes.
"Don't worry, Mom." Jim chuckled. "I'll bring her back in one piece." He glanced at Amelia and Doppler with an amused grin. "And I won't turn her into a ne'er-do-well."
Doppler cleared his throat. "Now, Jim, when I said that…"
"Carry on, Mr. Hawkins." Amelia put her feline hand over Doppler's and waved them away from the table.
"Bye, you two! Have fun!" BEN sniffed. "Oh, they grow up so fast."
"Tell me about it," Sarah agreed, putting her arm around BEN's shoulder.
"Here she is. My first love." Jim pulled a sheet of fabric off a little vessel—no more than a flat board and a solar sail, the fabric patched in several sail had a long handle running the length of both sides.
"She's beautiful," Alice gushed as she clapped her hands together. "This looks very similar to what you made back on Treasure Planet."
"Yeah. She was the model." Jim laughed. "Though I did add a few pieces." He pointed to the patches. "She got a little beat up at the impound lot. I hope you don't mind."
Alice gasped and covered her mouth.
He'd used the fabric from the scarf she'd given him to patch the sails, and each patch shimmered blue like the sky.
"It was my good luck charm, after all." Jim winked at her. "I thought it should be a permanent addition."
"How lovely." Alice beamed at him.
He grinned back, then held out his hand. "You ready to meet her?"
"Absolutely." Alice let him lead her to the surfer. He stepped on first, then helped her on and wedged her between him and the sail.
"Bit of a squeeze. Hope you don't mind," he murmured close to her ear. His hands grasped the steering bar in front of her, locking her in place.
She blushed and stifled the urge to lean back against him.
"Of course I don't mind," she told him shyly.
"Alright then, Miss Tea Cozy…or should I call you Miss Doppler now?"
"Either name is perfectly proper," Alice replied. She recalled what Amelia had said about marrying Jim one day, and her blush deepened.
Jim touched a button on the board with his foot, and the engine roared to life.
"Ready?" He asked.
"Ready." Alice put her hands over his and grinned.
Jim had once lived to surf, and had thought there couldn't possibly be anything better than him, his board, and the wide open sky.
Now, as he soared through the darkening sky, with Alice pressed close to him, her tinkling laughter in his ears, he knew he'd been wrong.
There'd been someone missing.
She took to it like a natural, moving and swaying with the board, taking her cues from him as he maneuvered the board through the air. Her blonde hair streamed away from her face, and her wide blue eyes took everything in as they soared over the buildings and houses of Montressor.
Her hands gripped the steering bar, and he put his hands over hers.
"I'll teach you how to steer." He leaned close to her ear so she could hear him over the roar of the wind.
She gave a nod.
"If you want to go right, lean back and pull the bar."
She tried it, and the board veered right, maybe a little too sharply. It was fine, though. She was doing great.
"Good! Now to go left, do the opposite. Lean forward and push against it."
This time Alice got the hang of it right off the bat. She then alternated between the two, sending them in a zig-zagging pattern across the indigo sky.
"I've got it!" She cried, grinning at Jim.
He laughed and nodded. "You're pretty good at this."
"I have a great teacher," she replied with a wink. "Tell me, Captain Hawkins. How does one go about a spin?"
"A spin?" Jim smirked. "Oh, you want to do some tricks, huh? Those might be a little advanced for you. But I can demonstrate."
"Please do." Alice's eyes were alight with the same fire he'd seen in her when they'd chased the comet on the longboat.
"Alright, First Mate. Hang on tight." He pressed close against her, then took full control of the surfer.
Alice laughed with glee, the sound mingling with Jim's own cry of exhilaration as he sent them hurtling straight up into the sky. They slowed, then stopped, seeming to hover for a breath or two near a wispy cloud.
"Ready?" Jim whispered as the surfer began to fall.
"Yes!" Alice could hardly speak past the adrenaline surging through her chest.
Jim tucked her against his chest with one hand, then leaned fully back, sending the surfer into a spiral as they fell through the sky. Just like their comet chase on the longboat, Alice lost track of which way was up…and she didn't care. Her eyes watered against the wind, and as Jim steadied the board and sent them flying back towards Dr. Doppler's house, she laughed until her sides hurt.
"That was…incredible!" Alice gushed as Jim landed the board and helped her off. "When can we do it again?"
Jim laughed, his eyes wide with joy. "You really liked that, huh?"
"Of course!" Alice pulled him into a hug. "You truly have a gift."
Jim hugged her back. "So do you…and we can do this anytime you like, Miss Tea Cozy."
She pulled back and gazed at him, taking in his breathless wonder, his messy brown hair and twinkling blue eyes.
He gazed back at her, then brushed his fingers against her cheek and pulled her close.
Alice rested her hands against his chest and closed her eyes in anticipation, but a merry little burbling sounded nearby.
"Morphy!" Alice laughed as the little pink blob darted around their heads, trilling a teasing song.
"Not this time, Morph." Jim tucked a squealing Morph into his pocket, never taking his eyes off Alice. Then he pulled her close and kissed her cheek, a gentle, lingering kiss that sent a rush of delight through Alice's veins.
"Aww!" Morph sighed from Jim's pocket.
"You know," Jim remarked with a smirk as he pulled back, "I think I found my new favorite hobby."
"Solar surfing with me?" Alice offered shyly.
"Well, that too." He brushed her wild, blonde hair back behind her ear. "But I meant this." He leaned in and kissed her other cheek, entwining his fingers in hers.
"It is…quite enchanting," Alice admitted with a grin as Jim gazed down at her tenderly.
"Jim? Alice?" They heard Dr. Doppler's voice from the back door and let go of each other quickly. Jim glanced at Alice and chuckled softly, giving her a wink.
"Don't want your new dad on my case for kissing you," Jim whispered.
"You did promise him you wouldn't turn me into a ne'er-do-well," Alice teased with a blush.
"In my defense," Jim retorted, "you were already wild." He ruffled her loose hair playfully. "All I did was point it out."
Alice snuck a glance back toward the patio door. Dr. Doppler had gone, and she grabbed Jim's hand as he turned to go inside. When he turned around in surprise, she leaned in and kissed him back.
"There," she told him triumphantly. "Three kisses, for the three we should have had by now."
Morph giggled mischievously from Jim's pocket.
Jim gave her a lopsided grin. "Oh, you kept track?"
"Why, Captain Hawkins," Alice teased. "I'm your first mate. That's my job, remember?" She winked at him.
Jim beamed at her, alight with joy and wonder."We're gonna rattle the stars, you and me." Jim took her hand, his eyes glowing with confidence and affection. "I just know it."
Alice grinned back as Morph burbled and settled in on her shoulder. "We certainly are."