The rooms of Avebury Manor echoed with the sounds of William practicing piano. In between his piano lessons, William would also spend hours in the library, where he stumbled upon an illustrated book on astronomy. The vast expanse of the universe and the twinkling stars captured his imagination.
On Challenger's many visits to the estate, he often found himself in deep, although age-adjusted, conversations with young William. The curious boy was always eager to learn, and George, with his vast knowledge, was more than willing to impart wisdom and share knowledge.
"William, have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered about those twinkling dots?"
"They're stars."
"Correct. Now, apart from those stars, there's something more fascinating called the solar system. Think of it as our neighborhood in space."
He opened the book to a page showcasing an illustration of the solar system. "See this big glowing ball of fire? That's our Sun. And around it, there are nine planets, including our Earth, all revolving around it."
"What are the others?"
George pointed at each one, "This one closest to the sun is Mercury, followed by Venus, then our Earth. Mars, the reddish one, Jupiter, the largest, Saturn with its rings, Uranus, Neptune, and the smallest, farthest away is Pluto."
"There are so many! Do people live on them?"
"As far as we know, Earth is the only one with life like us. But the universe is vast, and our solar system is just a tiny part of it."
"What is beyond these planets?"
"Beyond our solar system, there's a vast space filled with billions of stars, possibly with their planets. All of this is part of a galaxy. And there are countless galaxies out there."
"It's so big."
"Indeed. And somewhere out there, in that vastness, are areas where everything, even light, gets sucked in. We call them the black holes."
"So, with all these planets, stars, and galaxies... Are we alone in the universe?"
"That, my dear boy, is a question that even the brightest minds still ponder. With such a vast universe, many of us wonder the same. You know, William, there's a way you can look closer at those stars and planets."
"How?"
"A telescope. It allows you to look at distant objects as if they were much closer."
"Can I get one?"
"Well, how about this? Next time I come here, I promise to get you a telescope of your own. That way, you can explore the universe every night."
"Thank you, uncle George!" He threw his arms around the man in a heartfelt hug, already dreaming of the nights he would spend gazing up at the vast cosmos.
Later that day George, Marguerite and John sat in the library, drinking tea and coffee.
George said, "You know, it's not merely the things William knows that astonish me. It's the depth with which he understands them, the connections he makes. It's quite remarkable."
John smiled proudly. "He has an innate curiosity and an eagerness to learn. We want him to explore his potential, but it's essential that he enjoys a balanced childhood."
"Balanced, yes, but with a mind like his, the sky's the limit. I'm looking forward to seeing the path he'll take. You know, at this early age, you have the unique opportunity to guide his direction... I would suggest quantum physics."
Marguerite's eyes sparkled with ambition, "I agree that we must nurture his mind, expose him to challenges that stimulate his intellect. We can't let such potential go unexplored."
John protested, "Marguerite, I understand the need to nurture his mind, but I want him to climb trees, scrape his knees, and make friends. I don't want him buried in books and theories at such a young age."
"John, I'm not suggesting we rob him of his childhood, but we can't ignore his gifts. He needs both – a grounded upbringing and intellectual stimulation. I won't let our son's potential be wasted."
"And I won't let our son lose his childhood to the insatiable appetite of academia!"
Marguerite crossed her arms defensively. "John, his mind is like a sponge right now, soaking up everything around him. If we don't foster his intelligence, who knows what opportunities he might miss?"
"Marguerite, opportunities will still be there when he's older! Why rush him into adulthood? Why can't we let him enjoy the innocence of childhood?"
George watched the back-and-forth with a concerned expression, sensing the depth of the disagreement.
"It's not about rushing him, John! It's about making the most of his potential. I don't want to look back and regret not giving him every chance to excel!"
"And I don't want to look back and regret stealing his childhood from him! He needs time to be a child, Marguerite, without the pressures and expectations!"
The room was fraught with tension, the air almost crackling with the heat of the argument. George, ever the mediator, raised his hands in a calming gesture.
"Let's find a middle ground here. William's happiness and well-being should be our priority. Both exploration and play have their place in shaping a child's mind and character. There's no need for you two to argue over this. We all have the boy's best interest at heart. Let's focus on finding a solution that nurtures both his mind and his spirit."
Marguerite and John, still glaring at each other, slowly nodded.
However, John's patience had worn thin, and he found himself unwilling to engage in further discussion on the matter. Sensing the need for a change of atmosphere, took William outside to ride a pony.
Inside the manor, Marguerite and George remained, the atmosphere still charged with remnants of the heated conversation.
"You've seen it, haven't you?" Marguerite asked, as she paced the room. "The way John dismisses my concerns about William's potential? Sometimes I feel he's too casual about it."
"I think John is just trying to ensure that William has a well-rounded experience of childhood. But I've also seen him beam with pride every time William demonstrates his intelligence."
"I want to ensure we're giving our son the best opportunities possible. But every time I bring it up, John immediately jumps to the defense of a 'normal' childhood. As if nurturing his mind means robbing him of his innocence."
"Marguerite, both you and John want what's best for William. You might have different approaches, but your goals are the same. Perhaps, if you two sat down and discussed this without the heat of an argument, you could find a middle ground?"
Marguerite sighed, "Perhaps you're right. I just wish he would truly listen to my concerns instead of dismissing them outright."
George smiled gently, "Give it some time. And remember, William is fortunate to have parents who care so deeply for him, even if they occasionally disagree on the methods."
When they set off George to an afternoon train Veronica and Marguerite found themsevles in the master bedroom, the soft coos and giggles of the twin baby girls filled the space as they played with them.
"I would naturally agree with John..." Veronica said, "If it wasn't for my mother's peculiar interest in William. When we left the Plateau, she asked me to observe him closely, to notice if there was anything unusual, and to report back to her upon our return. I suspect she foresaw this."
"Not the tale of magical conception in Avalon again." Marguerite muttered, almost under her breath.
"All I'm saying is that there's something more to it, Marguerite. I'll make sure to ask my mother for more details when I see her again.""
The door to the bedroom opened, and John stepped inside with William trailing behind him. Without any hesitation, William ran and climbed onto the bed, hopping over to where his sisters lay.
With exaggerated slowness, he leaned over and gave each of his sisters a gentle peck on the cheek.
"It looks like someone missed his sisters." Veronica said.
William nodded vigorously, cuddling closer to the twins, protective and affectionate. Marguerite, momentarily forgetting her earlier frustrations, smiled warmly, appreciating the pure joy of the moment with her family.
John settled into the armchair next to the mirror, a sigh escaping him as he observed his family on the bed.
Marguerite met John's eyes. "John, I…"
"Marguerite, I know. I'm sorry. We both want what's best for William."
"I shouldn't have let my frustration get the better of me."
William looked up at his parents, his eyes round and curious, "Mummy, Daddy, were you fighting?"
Marguerite pulled him into a gentle hug, "No, my love, we were discussing some things, but we've sorted it out now."
"We're just figuring things out, Will. But we always do it together, as a family." John added warmly.
The door opened again, and Malone peeked inside. "Ah, there you are... I was wondering where you lot are."
With a friendly smile, he walked further into the room and settled himself in an armchair next to John. He casually crossed one leg over the other, creating an air of relaxed companionship.
"I knew you were fighting because of me." William said.
John and Marguerite exchanged glances.
"Oh, William," Marguerite said, reaching out to hold his hand. "It wasn't a fight, we were just discussing what's best for you. We both love you very much."
"Exactly." John confirmed. "We both love you very much, and sometimes we have different opinions on what's best, but we always find a way to agree in the end."
Malone tried to lighten the mood. "Arguing is just their unique expression of love, Will. You should have seen them on the Plateau."
Veronica shot Malone an annoyed glance. "That's not helping, Ned."
John, observing the interactions and cherishing the moment, said, "I'm going to miss this, all of us together like this. It's been seven years since our fates intertwined on the Plateau, and that several months apart before you joined us here in England was the longest we've been separated. Once you return to the Plateau, there's no saying when we will meet again."
"We'll always find our way back to each other." Veronica assured.
William's eyes shimmered with tears, his lower lip quivering just a touch.
"I don't want you to go." He whispered, snuggling closer to his mother for comfort. Marguerite stroked his hair reassuringly, whispering words of comfort as the room absorbed the bittersweet truth of inevitable farewells.
THE END (but it's not really an end...)