I don't think anything will match the bomb shell I dropped in Part 8. Maybe this will, but that's for you to answer.


Part 16: The Reasons Why

For the next hour or so, Delta and Sofia just sat there and watched the rest of the news. They figured that it would probably be a good idea to get as updated as possible. But at the same time, there was a bit of an awkward feeling between the two of them. Delta shrugged it off, and then looked over to the news paper. He picked it up and unfolded it so he could read it. He looked through all of the articles, and his eyes stopped when he saw something of interest.

"Huh," he said in interest, "so that's Vietnam." "What?" Sofia asked looking over to him reading the news paper. "This" he pointed to the article, "it's a country in south east Asia. Apparently, this is where the United States is at war right now. But, according to this, there is no real reason for them to be there." "Well that doesn't make sense." Sofia commented. "Well, the article also says that they are fighting to keep communist forces from invading. So, I guess that's the reason." They just looked over it for a short while, but both of them didn't give their opinions on what they thought. They knew that going into politics was not a good idea.

Upstairs, Eleanor was sitting in front of a mirror while Victoria was brushing her hair. Eleanor had just recently gotten out of the shower, and was now in a bath robe instead of her dress. "Ow" Eleanor felt her hair get pulled when Victoria brushed her hair another time, "Well if you stop fidgeting it won't hurt." Eleanor wasn't used to having someone else do this. "Are you sure your alright with this?" Eleanor asked, "If I wasn't, would I have offered?" Victoria replied jokingly. "So, does everyone dress like that?" Eleanor asked, "Well, not everyone. But don't worry, I'll get you something good to wear."

"Anything you pick for her to wear, will probably get her labeled a hippie like you." Erica said from the shower in the bathroom. "Just cause I'm a nonconformist, doesn't mean I'm a hippie." Victoria remarked, "Please, that is the very definition of a hippie." Victoria shot a dirty look at the door that led to the bathroom, "Give me just a second." she put the brush down and walked over to the door. She pocked her head in the door, and reached one arm inside. The next thing that was heard was the sound of a toilet flushing, and a few seconds after, a yelling Erica. "Oh my god, that's cold!" Eleanor heard from the bathroom, Victoria then took herself out of the bathroom and went back over to Eleanor with a mischievous grin. Eleanor put her hand in front of her mouth to keep a laugh in.

"That wasn't very nice." Eleanor said trying hold back her laughter, "Well, she's my sister, so I have a right to." Eleanor just shook her head with a smile. "Now just sit tight, I'm gonna go see if I can find something that will be good for you to wear." Victoria then left the room, leaving Eleanor to look around the room. There were three beds positioned in it, each one different from the other. The room itself was fairly large, and had a closet in it as well. Eleanor then heard the sound of a door opening, and turned her head to see Erica stepping out of the bathroom in a robe with her hair put up in a towel. "Oh, I'm going to kill her." she muttered, she then noticed Eleanor starring at her.

"Sorry 'bout the shouting, but that was really damn cold." Erica said rubbing her arms to help warm them up. She went and sat down on one of the beds, and then looked over to Eleanor. "Hey, there's a question I wanted to ask you." "What?" Eleanor asked, "How come your dad was giving me a weird look earlier?" Eleanor was unsure how to answer the question, because she didn't know herself. "I'm not really sure. Maybe, he remembers you from the past when you were a sister." "I guess that makes sense, I just thought it was strange is all." Erica said to Eleanor. Erica then thought that it would be a good idea to get Eleanor's thought off of Rapture.

"Your hair's really nice." Erica complimented, "Thanks" Eleanor said plainly. "No really, I'm usually the only one in this house that has short hair. But, yours has a lot of potential." Eleanor smile over to her, "What, are you planning on going to beauty school?" "Yes, I am actually." "Oh yeah, that will take you far." said a sarcastic voice at the door. Victoria had returned with the clothes she got for Eleanor, "Oh, what do you know?" Erica replied at her comment. "I will say one thing though, Miss America, you are right about her having good hair. It's a lot easier to manage then some of ours." Eleanor just smiled at them, "Well, I owe that to my dad." The two of them just smiled at each other, knowing they were helping her start to forget about that hell she used to live in.

Downstairs, Jack was giving Sofia and Delta a quick news update on what was happening recently, apart from what they already knew. "So, now we have a new President, Richard Nixon. A lot of people think that he's gonna be the one to end all of the stuff going on in Asia. I don't know personally, I generally try not to pick sides on those kind of subjects." "That's understandable." Delta agreed. Then every one heard footsteps coming from the top of the stairs. Victoria stopped midway on the stairs, and looked at everyone with a smile. "Everyone, may I introduce, the new Eleanor Lamb." Eleanor came down the stairs very slowly, not knowing what her parents would think. She came into full view on the stairs, she had on a pair of red pants and a white short sleeved shirt. Both Delta and Sofia looked at her with eyes firmly fixed on her.

Eleanor smiled over at them, "What, do I look that bad?" she said quoting her father from earlier. "No, you look great." Delta said with a laugh, "Yes, you do look great." Sofia added. Eleanor smiled at them, and went down the stairs to join them in the living room. Victoria then walked up to Jack, "Hey dad, please tell me you made a decision on that, little request I made." "He's not gonna let you go to Woodstock." said Erica from the top of the stairs. "You don't know that." Victoria shouted back at her, "Please dad." she looked at him with face that was sickeningly sweet. "It's four months away Victoria, just give it a little more time." "OK," she said and then gave him a quick peck on the cheek, "I love you dad." then she scurried upstairs again. "Yeah, I love you too." he said shacking his head with a half smile.

Jack turned back at the group, the three of them were all looking at him. He knew what they were going to ask, so he answered them ahead of their words. "Woodstock, is a big concert that's going to be on for three days in New York. She wants to go, but I'm unsure if I should let her." "Well, is she going with anyone else?" Sofia asked, "I don't know yet, she hasn't said anything about that.", "I wouldn't let her go." Delta replied. "Your probably right." Jack agreed, "But I know she really wants to go to it." "Well, it's not my decision to make Jack. But what ever you do, just make sure she doesn't get in any trouble." Delta said. "That's harder then you think with teenagers," Jack laughed, "But, you'll know soon enough."

The rest of the day went on without much anything else happening. Most of the day, Jack, Sofia and Delta were busy with paper work. They were trying to establish the right documents for the younger girls, so it would be easier form them to say they were theirs. They stopped a few times during the day, mainly to take breaks. All of them had lunch together, and they chatted away about things that had been going on since they had last talked. It was difficult work getting all of the paper work together, mainly because they had to extract specific information from the younger children. Also, they had to find out where the children that had families lived. Eleanor was busy learning about all of the things she would need to know from Jacks girls. Many of them were eager to teach her, mainly because they really wanted her to feel normal for once. Later in the day, Jack and Sofia went out to get some basic supplies for the. The reason that he took Sofia, was because he trusted Delta a little bit more then her. The main reason being, he talked to him more then her. They got a few things, along the lines of a few things for Delta to change into, and a few hygienic products, like toothbrushes. After the long day, it was getting late into the evening, and everyone had just finished dinner.

Jack set his fork on his plate, and let out a content sigh. He then looked over to Sam and Katie, "Sam, Katie, it's your turn to clear the table." both of them just nodded, and started picking up the dishes at the table. "Well, I think we'll need to make some sleeping arrangements." Jack said to Sofia and Delta, both of them just nodded their heads. "Marsha, will you go set up an area for the younger ones to sleep in please?" she nodded her head, and went upstairs. "Victoria, Erica, can you two take Eleanor and find a spot for her to sleep in your room?" they both nodded, and followed Marsha upstairs. "You two," Jack said pointing at Sofia and Delta, "I have a place that's all set up and ready for you guys. Come on and I'll show you." Jack stood up with them, and he started to lead them down a hallway.

When they got to the end of the hall, they came to a door. Jack opened the door, reveling a guest bedroom. The room consisted of a large bed, with a night stand on either side of it, each one having a lamp situated on it. It also had a bookshelf in one of the corners, containing numerous books. There was also a dresser on the far end of the room, with a small television set on top of it. "Well, you two should be comfortable in here." Jack said to them, "It's a small room but it should serve you well." "It'll be just perfect." Delta responded, slightly uneasy about sharing a bed with Sofia. He didn't know it, but she was just as nervous as he was. The two of them weren't sure how this would play out, but they figured it was a lot better than sleeping on the floor.

Jack then left, leaving the two of them to do whatever they were going to do. They just stood there for a few moments, starring at each other. Delta then turned and walked to the bathroom across the hall. He walked inside, and closed the door behind him. He did his business, and turned to face himself in the mirror. The turned the sink on, and splashed some water on his face. He took off his day clothing, and put on a pair of sweat pants and an under shirt that Jack had gotten for him earlier. He walked out of the bathroom, and walked back into the bedroom. He walked in, and saw Sofia was sitting on the bed and taking her shoes off. After she took them off, she rubbed her feet slightly from them being sore. She stood up, and pulled the covers of the bed back.

She looked up, and noticed Delta looking over at her. He walked over and helped her pull the covers back so they would be able to get in easier. Sofia just looked at him, and then slid her legs into the bed. Delta did the same, and both of them just sat there on the bed for a second looking at each other. Delta then turned to the night stand, and picked up a similar device to the one in the living room. Jack had explained earlier to them, that it was a remote control, and it could control the television from a distance. Delta hit the button on the remote, and the television sprang to life. The channel they were on was still the news, but both of them just sat there and watched.

It was late, and everyone was starting to bed down. The young girls were situated in the room with Marsha and Sam, and Eleanor was in the room with the three others. Most of the lights in the house had died, all except for the ones in the guest room. Delta and Sofia were sitting there on the bed, the covers over their legs, and just starring at the television. For about half an hour, the two of them just sat there, not saying a word to each other. There was a very strong awkward feeling between the two of them. At the same time though, this was just the opportunity that Delta was looking for. They were alone now, and he could now speak to her. He turned his head to her, ready to address what was on his mind.

"So, when did you plan on telling me?" he asked, "What?" she said turning to him. "When did you plan on telling me, that our daughter tried to kill herself?" her eyes widened slightly, not expecting him to be so forward. She was unsure how to answer, so he asked another question, "What did you do when you found out?" She didn't want to answer that, because she knew that he wouldn't agree with her answer. "Are you addressing that matter, or me?" she questioned him back, "It's both." he replied sternly. She just looked at him, and then thought of another way to deflect. "I thought we already went over this." she said, "No, we went over why I felt terrible. What I want to know, is what's wrong with you." Her eyes went wide, she was both surprised and slightly insulted. "There is nothing wrong with me." "Oh, I beg to differ." he said after her, "There's no way that someone could be driven to extremism, without some form of influence. What happened to you?" she merely answered him with a stare. "Sofia, I want this to work, but we need to work together with this. I care about what happens to everyone, but I need help with this. Please, talk to me." She looked very timid, but again only answered him with a stare.

"Sofia, please, tell me something. I don't care what it is, just tell me. Let someone in, and show who you are. Please." She was starting to look scared, but still refused to answer. He turned his head away from her, and shook his head in disappointment. He sighed, "Good night." he said in a disappointed voice and turned to click off his light. He turned the TV and his light off, then rolled over on his side to face away from her. Sofia just looked at him for a few moments, thinking about what he said. She turned her head away, and leaned over to turn her light off. She rolled over on her side, but she found it hard to fall asleep. There were so many thoughts swirling through her mind that she couldn't even think about sleep. Eventually, exhaustion took over her, and she fell asleep. There were no dreams that night, only silence.

Sofia woke from her slumber, noticing she was alone. She lifted her head up, and looked at the clock on the wall. It was half past five, the sun was just starting to rise. She looked around the room, wondering where he might have gone. She notices that the covers were pushed back, and the door was open. She immediately knew he left the room. She turned herself so she could get down from the bed, and placed her feet down on the floor. The carpet felt soft against the bottom of her feet, which was welcome from the slight chill in the air. She moved to the door slowly, and poked her head out to see if he was near. She walked out on the hardwood floor of the hallway, and looked around. She walked down the hallway, wonder where he may have gone. She came to the living room, she looked around, but he wasn't there.

She continued walking around the house, and then found a door she hadn't seen. She walked up to it, it was a glass door that led outside to a back yard. She looked outside, and there he was. He was standing in the middle of the yard, his back to the house with his hands behind him. He was just standing there with his head craned slightly upwards to the sky. His eyes were closed, he was just standing there, drinking in the morning peace. Sofia looked at him, and wondered what she should do. But, then she realized what she needed to do.

He took in a deep breath, feeling the fresh air in his lungs. He didn't even notice her watching him, until she spoke to him. "John, is your name." his eyes shot open, and spun around to face her. "What?" he asked surprised, "Your name, is John. John Michael Crissinger." He was shocked by this, she knew his name all along. She walked slowly to him, until she was only about a foot away from him. He was going to say something, but she beat him to it. "I should have told you that long ago. But, there are a lot of things that I should have told you." He looked at her, she was starting have a look of pure sadness on her face. That's, when she began to reveille herself to him.

"When I was young... my father a I never got along. From what my mother told me, he never wanted a daughter. He made it very clear to me that he didn't want me around. He never gave me anything special in my life. I just thought that was how life was supposed to be. I thought that, no one was allowed to have anything special." She moved a little closer to him, fighting tears in her eyes. " That's when I started founding my ideals. I thought that everyone was supposed to have the same, no matter how bad things were. It also seeded a deep haltered of men in me. I thought, that they would all be alike. So, I pushed them all away, thinking they were all alike. Then... I met you." She came full in, and rested her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around his back. He was caught slightly off guard by this, but he put one arm around her. "John..." she said in a voice that sounded like she would tear up at any second. She lifted her head up to face him, she looked so miserable. "I was a cold woman John. You were the only thing that ever warmed my heart, and I pushed you away. Oh John, forgive me."

She then pressed her face into his chest, and broke down. "Forgive me... forgive me... forgive me." she whimpered into his chest. He put both his arms around her, and found it hard to contain the tears swelling in his eyes. It was done now, they had all broken. Now, all that remained of Sofia Lamb, was this mess of a woman. She had broken to him, and was now begging for his forgiveness, and a new start. She was now like clay, and someone needed to mold her into something better. He picked her head up slightly so she could look into his eyes. He spoke to her in very compassionate and gentle voice, "Sofia, I know you've had a troubled past, but you must learn to let go. Remember your past, but don't dwell on it. If I never let go, a lot of people would be dead."

"Do you remember when I fought those two big sisters?" she gave him a nod. "When that last one was ready to die, I freed her. I did it, because I knew it was the right thing to do. Just to put her out of that torment. And after that... I prayed with her. I don't even know if I believe in god, but I did it to let her know she wasn't alone." Sofia looked dead into his eyes, and saw that he felt pain over what he had done to the other big sisters before. "I want you to know, that you are not alone. I will be here for you, when no one else will. I will be your support when you're trouble. I will be with you, from now on."

The two of them just stood there in each others arms, looking at each others faces. He could feel himself unconsciously leaning forward, and noticed she was as well. Their faces were inching closer together, and their breath was starting to mix and swirl. There was a momentary pause when they were only about an inch away, for they were unsure. But slowly, he moved forward, and closed the gap completely. Their lips met in a very deep, and passionate kiss. His lips were slightly dry, but hers were soft and inviting. And for them, in this one moment, everything was right in the world. There was no more hatred between them, and something new was beginning to take its place.

They pulled apart, and looked into each others eyes. It was then... they truly saw each other. She came back to him, and he held her close to his chest. She felt the rhythm of heart, and helped her relax. They finally understood each other, and what they would need to do. Both of them wanted the same thing now; to have a family, and be happy. The whole time that they were having their moment together, they didn't notice that someone was watching them. In the upstairs window, Eleanor was watching them. A smile was on her face, but not the devious one she had to them earlier. This one, was of pure happiness. She no long had had just a mom and a dad... now, she had parents.

"And then father, the Rapture dream was truly over. You taught me that evil is just a word. Under the skin, it's simple pain. For you, mercy was victory. You sacrificed, you endured, and when given the chance, you forgave... always. Mother believed, that this world was irredeemable. But she was wrong, father. We are Utopia, all of us now. And in forgiving, you left the door open for her... and even invited her in."


Well, I hat eto say this... but we are nearing the end. There will be one final part, but then I must move on. All good things must ocme to an end.