Epilogue
Queen Hippolyta slipped into the hospital after dinner was served. Things had quieted for the day, especially with the last shift change, and the slowness allowed her to slip in without anyone saying anything. The nurse allowed her to head to the room containing former DEO Agent Todd Smith and her daughter. She could hear them chitchatting – J'onn and Nia's work earlier in the day had cleared the man of Enigma's spell.
"Daughter you've been here all day and did not call," Hippolyta announced from the doorway. Both Marie and Todd froze. The latter had yet to meet the Queen of the Amazons and he worried what she would say.
"Mother, I'm sorry," it was all Marie could say before she found Hippolyta's arms around her. Marie happily returned the hug. When they pulled apart, Hippolyta turned to Todd.
"Your Highness…" he was worried that she was judging everything he did.
"I know that this would not have been the way that Marie would have wanted us to meet," Hippolyta started. Todd just nodded and let her continue.
"I think we both know that if you were to let something happen to her, what would happen to you." Todd swallowed hard. Admittedly, he knew that once Marie told him just who she was, he had concerns but those concerns were overridden by his feelings for her.
"I mean this with all due respect your Highness… Marie is the most wonderful person I've ever known. I would never let anything happen to her. If my actions to this point have not proven this, I will just have to keep trying," he said. The look on Hippolyta's face remained unchanged and Todd worried that she might end him right there. After a few more moments a smile crossed her face.
"Words of a true warrior and of one in love. Remember that your actions speak louder than words, Todd. We'll be keeping an eye on you," Hippolyta told him.
"I would expect nothing less," Todd smiled back. The Queen turned to her daughter – there was one more thing left to address.
"Marie, you know that I love you, that Diana loves you. All of Themyscira loves you. Sometimes though, you must let the one you love go," Hippolyta started.
"Mother… no…" Marie started.
"I am not letting you go from our love nor from our home. You are more than welcome to come home whenever you need. What I am releasing you from is the bond of service. Live your life as you want to live it. All of this has reminded me that you jumped with both feet into our cause, without question and without anyone asking. No one questions your loyalty or your love for your sisters. An opportunity has come for you to build a life, a normal life, and I will not let our cause get in the way," the Queen told her.
"Mother…" Marie didn't know what to say. She felt like the carpet was being pulled out from under her.
"My daughter, I never meant for you to get in such danger. I expect Diana to get into trouble but she is a gift from the gods, who was born into this life. You are a gift from the gods as well, Marie. I know that one day I will lose you but I cannot bear the thought of it prematurely," Hippolyta was having trouble keeping her emotions in check. Tears threatened to spill over her cheeks and suddenly she felt Marie's arms around her and her shirt getting wet. The two held each other and cried.
"What will my sisters say?" Marie asked as they pulled apart and she wiped her face.
"That you are a great warrior who has earned her retirement," Hippolyta said.
"I should tell them myself. I owe it to them," Marie told her.
"They will not want to let you go. If you want to speak to them, then I will tell them you'll come once Todd is out of the hospital and you have everything straightened out here. We will throw you a party that has not been seen for over a thousand years," the Queen smiled. Marie chuckled.
"Will you see me off in the morning?" Hippolyta asked.
"Of course," Marie smiled.
"Good. It was nice to meet you, Todd. I hope that you are better soon and I hope that you can join Marie when she makes her trip home," the Queen said. Marie looked at her mother. The last time a man stepped foot on the island, he was quickly dispatched. In fact, Steve Trevor was the last man to survive a visit to Themyscira.
"We will make an exception for him as he is your guest. Much like Steve was Diana's," Hippolyta promised and Marie took a breath, which did not go unnoticed by Todd.
"I would be extremely honored to do so," he smiled. Marie received another hug from the Queen and then she left them.
"That's a lot huh?" He asked after a few minutes of silence.
"Yes, it is," Marie nodded.
"Look if you have any qualms about this, about us, anything… I don't want you to…" Marie stopped him.
"If I had any qualms, they were erased as you followed me into hell and almost died," she said.
"You almost died too. I know this is relatively new but I know that I would not have recovered if that had happened," he said, putting his hand on hers. Marie scooted him over in the bed and climbed in next to him.
"Pretty sure the nurse would frown on this," he teased.
"Yeah, but I need this," Marie admitted.
"Yeah, so do I," he said before kissing her forehead. They stayed that way and fell asleep. When the nurse came in hours later to check on Todd, she found them, did her quick check as quietly and quickly as possible and ducked back out of the room. The adventure had come to an end but a new one was just beginning.
THE END