The foursome returned to present-day Northumberland County. They wasted no time getting into the manor and turning on the old television set. However, the screen remained black. "Mom," Astra called. "Mom, are you still here?" It was quiet throughout the house. The young sorceress clenched her hand tightly. She hoped, for some reason, that they didn't arrive too late. "I need to talk with you."
Suddenly, Natalie's ghost flew from the study room into the foyer. She didn't control the old television set; she instead drew near Gideon and spoke in a hushed tone. The AI-human hybrid somehow understood what the apparition said to her and nodded. "I'll be back," she told her friends.
Astra's eyes blinked in confusion. "Where are you going?"
"Physically speaking, nowhere far." She, Behrad, and Spooner watched as Natalie took over Gideon's body. The elder was a few inches taller than her daughter. She looked exquisite in a loose silver dress with slippers. The remaining Legends were either terrified or in awe of her. "It's all right. Gideon is unharmed." Turning to Astra, she warmly inquired, "What do you want to discuss?"
"Dad—er, Logan gave me a box holding what's left of yours. He thought I would need them more. Did you write these volumes of spells yourself?"
"Yes, most of them were crafted before I met John. I stopped weaving spells after I met your father." Astra looked intently at her mother's face. She continued as if she was answering a question, "I didn't regret giving up witchcraft. I loved the life I had with you and Alex."
A smile tugged at the corners of Astra's lips. She opened the book she was reading on the jumpship. "The real reason I wanted to see you…" The enchanter dangled a golden chain with a star pendant. A quarter-carat cut garnet was embedded in its center. "Was this yours?"
Astra could've sworn her mother was going to cry. "I was going to give it to you for your 10th birthday. I hid it there, so you won't find it. He fulfilled my request after all those years." She looked around the empty manor. "I have been tied to here for a decade. I want to move on, but... how is Alex?"
"He works as a cobbler; he even owns a shop. He loves it."
"Has he… found someone new?"
"He has only explored a few relationships so far."
"That's good. I want him to be happy." Natalie took the necklace from Astra's hand. The latter gave the book to Spooner prior to holding her long locks. The former put the beautiful pendant on her daughter. "I'd wanted to do this." As Astra swiveled around, her mother spotted tears forming in her eyes. She gently cupped her cheeks.
"Are you ready to cross over?"
She nodded, "I've bided enough time. Besides, you now have someone to look out for." Natalie acknowledged Behrad and Spooner as they witnessed this tender moment. "You two, take care of her."
"Yes, ma'am," the totem-bearer affirms, clearing his throat.
"Will do," the empath vows.
"Goodbye, mum."
"Goodbye, my precious girl. You're all grown up." Natalie exhaled out of Gideon's body. The four Legends witness the liberated spirit disappearing into the air. The manor wasn't drafty anymore.
"You all right, amiga," Spooner inquired her with a pat on the back.
The sorceress looked at her As Astra wiped her tears away, a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm all right." She didn't feel absolutely happy; however, she wasn't mournful anymore.
Behrad queried, "Have you found what you're looking for?"
"A lot more than I hoped for." He planted a sweet, comforting kiss on her eyebrow.
"We should go," Gideon voiced. "Everyone on the team will be wondering where and when we've been."
"Yeah. Let's go home." The four Legends exited the manor. Gideon locked the door and hid the key under a potted plant on the porch. As she, Spooner, and Behrad treaded on the rock-hard pavement to the jumpship, Astra hesitated. She turned back for one objective look. What did she see? The answer was simple. Just a house. The sorceress smirked to herself and joined her friends, her family.
A/N: This ending was written 5 months and 12 days later.