The gathering at Spyglass Cove lasted late into the night, with eating, singing, and a lot of conversation. Patli had many questions, and everyone was happy to answer them.
Karen had brought a surfboard, of all things. James and Atxi had never seen one before. Neither had Patli; but seeing Karen riding the waves had thrilled her. Patli had never even seen an ocean before, or learned to swim; but there was plenty of time for that.
James had lit a fire on the beach and they’d roasted snacks as the stars came out. The night was mild and Irsu produced a guitar. James and Atxi had danced for a while, eyes locked on each other. They could see the youthful energy there, slowly coming back; ready to last for eternity.
Finally, the night came to a close. James had slept on the beach, lulled by the ocean. He hadn’t slept so well in years. Irsu had done the same. Smitty had strung his hammock between some trees. Atxi, Karen, and Patli had returned to the ship for sleeping bags and cots.
~oo00oo~
The next morning, James had awoken to find Karen already holding out coffee. “Morning.”
“Good morning.” She told him. “Listen, as much as I’d like to stay and keep this party going, I have to head back to the Expo. We finally got the go-ahead to start work on the Nemo, and I’ve been invited to sit in on some of the planning sessions.”
James was digging around the ashes of the previous night’s fire, wondering if he could coax it back to life for breakfast. “It’ll be another hundred years before they get the thing built. Have you even started on the designs yet?”
“That’s what we’re meeting about.” Karen explained. “Captain Diaz isn’t that far away, heading towards the Expo. I called from your ship, had her divert here to pick me up.”
James nodded. Karen said nothing, just sitting and looking at James earnestly, as though waiting for him to say something.
James took a deep sip of the coffee. “Karen, I promise, if Atxi and I decide to jump the broom today, and we’ll do it before you leave.”
“I would have thought you’d make that a priority.”
“We discussed it. But remember, to Patli, Atxi is still a Temple Priestess. We agreed not to overload her too much, and…”
“And the wedding will bring questions aplenty for a while.” Karen nodded. “If you want to ease the new girl into the world gently, we better warn Atxi that there’s an Airship arriving in a few hours.” She took the cup back and sipped herself. “Y’know, James… It’ll be years before the Nemo is ready to launch. If you were looking for a goal to chase…”
James shook his head. “No. Going under the water was code for ‘death and destruction’ in my time. The Ocean is my world. The Ocean Floor may well be yours.”
“I hope so. Because I plan to do more than just build this thing. I want to be on it.” Karen said. “And just so you know, I never would have looked twice at the waves if it wasn’t for meeting you.” She held his hand tightly. “I know you’ve only been part of our family for a day, but you’ve made such a big impression on my life. You’ve changed the course I was on for the next few centuries, possibly a lot longer. And before I go, I just wanted to say thank you.”
James didn’t realize she meant more than just offering sentiment, until a few minutes later when Smitty and Irsu came back from the ship with Karen’s huge cargo crate between them. “What is that thing anyway?” James asked again.
“Well, it was going to be your wedding present. But I suppose you can open it now.” Karen smiled secretly as they freed the lashings. James pulled the crate open, and actually gasped. It was the figurehead from the Stargazer. Pinned to it was a small note:
Compliments of Captain Diaz. Welcome to the Family.
“How did she know?” Smitty asked.
“She didn’t. But she knew that if things had gone the other way, I’d have wanted Karen to give the boat to you, Smitty.” James said with a smile. “Sorry to snatch it away from you at the last minute.”
“I’ll live, Cap’n.” Smitty said with biting understatement and a smile on his face.
~oo00oo~
Beyond the beach, beyond the small house, there was a natural orchard of fruit trees. Atxi had collected a basket the day before, but there were still plenty of fruits ripening on the vine.
Her sister was with her, taking a bite. “The food is amazing.” She said. “Are you very sure we aren’t in Tialocan?”
Atxi almost burst into hysterical laughter at the irony. “Pretty sure.” She squeaked.
After they had refilled their basket, Atxi linked her arm with her sisters’, and led the way back. “Patli, I very nearly made the wrong choice. But I’ll tell you the best advice I got when I arrived here, and I pray you’ll actually take it instead of looking the other way as I did: Look around. Experience everything. This world is proof positive of the one who provided it.”
“And… That is good?”
“That is very good.” Atxi said emotionally. “The things you’ll see, sister… I envy you. I really do. You’re just at the start of something wonderful. There’s so much to see.”
Patli was looking at her, eyes wide at her sincerity. “Like what?”
Atxi smiled eagerly. “Like ice cream. I like the choc-mint flavor most. And all sorts of extinct animals back. And conversations with Kings and Paupers alike; and eating honey straight from the beehive without fearing a sting. And sailing fast on an ocean so still you’d swear it was the sky above; and friendships that last forever. And being able to run all day without getting tired. And hearing music of every kind in every place you go. And rolling around in the grass with a leopard cub. And popping bubble wrap, and-”
Patli was lost, a little disturbed at the intensity. “What’s ‘bubble wrap’?”
“-and falling in love. And knowing that you’re loved in return, and seeing them gain eternal life.” Atxi had tears in her eyes. “And seeing your family raised from the dead. Oh, sister; you’re just at the start of the most incredible story.”
~oo00oo~
It had been twenty years since their baptism, and in that time they had built their cove into something that would last forever. They were not alone there for long.
Atxi had studied with her sister for almost a year, and after enough time had passed, she had taken Patli to see Huitzilin. The meeting was long overdue for all of them. In fact, many members of older, forgotten religions were having the same re-entry trouble that Atxi’s family did, and the Cove was being talked about in some circles as a good place for such devout followers to visit first. Atxi knew how to lead them gently to the Truth, both secular and scriptural. Over two dozen such persons had been convinced by Atxi and Irsu, working together in their private little island Haven.
“It’s not exactly Thirteen Heavens.” She had told James. “But it’s what I always wanted. To be closer to God, to be part of Him. Prosperity and Joy for my family; eternal service to a loving creator. The God in question was one I never saw coming, but he heard my prayer and answered it.”
“I get the feeling that Jehovah has been waiting for a chance to answer a lot of prayers.” James had agreed.
James had cracked open some of the old caves where stolen goods had been hidden in the Old Days; and converted them into proper warehouses. With so much cargo and so many passengers on the move, there was always work for a well-placed storage depot; and an experienced ship captain. James had taken some time to teach a class on shipbuilding, and had found himself a good crew in the process. With The Depot gaining a small list of regular customers in the area; James had settled into a management role in Spyglass Cove, and let ships and crews come to him for instructions.
“It’s not a title and mansion on a large acreage; but it’s a prosperous enough life for a gentleman.” He had told Atxi. “The ironic thing is, if I’d managed to become a Patron myself, and build a shipping company of my own back in the day as I planned; I would have had to be wary of pirates and thieves.”
The rest of their own families had been returned, one by one. As time passed and the two of them had grown young again, Atxi had expressed a desire to have the whole family together; and to update the wedding album to reflect how they would always look from now on.
“I know we don’t ‘renew our vows’, any more than we get baptised twice.” Atxi had said. “But our appearance in those pictures isn’t accurate anymore, and to be honest, I don’t like reminders of how close we came.”
“I would think it’d be important to remember.” James had countered.
“It is, but… Can you even tell that the woman in that photo is me?”
James had agreed, and made the call. It took almost no effort to throw a party anymore. The sun coming up was usually reason enough. Getting their families and friends together for a reunion was an annual event in many households.
“And I think Irsu might want to talk to my parents.” Atxi had teased quietly. “Just a hunch.”
“Oh, is that the reason we’re in such a rush to pull this together?” James chuckled. “You still trying to play matchmaker for Irsu and your sister?”
“Mmmmaybe.” Atxi drawled.
“You know that people need a better reason to get hitched than just having the family all in one place, right?”
“I know, but Patli’s been talking about it for a while, so it’s not so terrible a reason.” Atxi smiled hugely… before pulling James’ hand to her stomach. “Besides, if we put off the pictures for another two or three months, I won’t fit in the dress anymore; and we’ll have to do this all over again.”
“A third time would be pushing it.” James nodded automatically; before his jaw dropped open and his eyes bulged out. “Wait. WHAT?!”
~oo00oo~
Smitty had taken over command of the Nicholas, and ferried cargo and passengers out to the Cove. For the party, he’d have to add on an extra trip and bring the extended family.
“And of course, we’d want you to attend too.” James had told his best friend. “You were my best man at the Wedding, so it stands to reason you’d be there. You still have that suit?”
“I do. You’re hardly the first people to retake your Wedding Photos, you know. In fact, there’s a whole Industry for it now. There have been dozens of those photoshoots done on the Stargazer. An airship’s view makes for nice pics.”
“Really?” James was surprised. “With the ‘photographs’ only being around for a century or two…”
“Yeah, but there were still plenty of them taken.” Smitty nodded. “Anyone who’s settled on a different hairstyle, or hates what they wore on the day. Or for that matter, needed glasses or a cane. To say nothing of all the reunited couples who married before there were such things as ‘cameras’ and want to have one of their own.”
“To say nothing of looking forty years younger since we wed.” Atxi put in lightly as she came up behind her husband. “People want a ‘timeless’ moment captured on film, they can have one now. It’s why we’re doing it.”
“That, and it’s time our families met each other at last.” James returned, smooching her warmly. “Happy anniversary, luv.”
~oo00oo~
At the head of the table sat James and Atxi, smiling at everyone they knew. Huitzilin was there, smiling back at Atxi. After far too long, she had finally sat down with him and sorted things out. James had been with her the entire time. James had done the same with each member of his old crew; and life went on.
“So much of the old world feels like a bad dream now.” Atxi said quietly to her sister. “In another thousand years, we won’t think of it at all anymore.”
Patli shivered. “I still don’t know what the future will bring, but I’m not afraid to find out. And I’m glad you’re here.”
On a perfect beach, framed with trees on one side, and ocean on the other, with an elegant sailing ship docked, and an Airship parked overhead, the extended family gathered around long tables piled high with food and drink. Almost a hundred eternally young people, raised to a world full of love and family and friendship, gathered to tell each other wonderful stories of all they had seen and done.
Atxi caught her husband’s hand, and made him stand with her a moment. She pulled him a bit away from the table, giving them privacy. James was about to ask why, when she bowed her head, eyes closed.
“Jehovah, thank you.” Atxi prayed quietly, just for them. “Thank you for everything. I look around and I see everyone I love, and everyone they love too.”
James took up the prayer automatically. “Atxi and I both had things we would have given our lives for back in OS; and now we have those dreams, fulfilled to a degree we never could have imagined. After a lifetime of ignoring, opposing, and screaming at you; we are so grateful to you for being so willing and ready to forgive us; and bring us into your world.”
“Your wonderful, beautiful world. We vow always to be grateful to you for your generosity and abundance. Forever and ever.” Atxi agreed. “Amen.”
“Amen.” James agreed.
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