“Uncle Rich! Look what I can do!”
Rich watched as the little girl leapt into the air and began to shape shift into a tiny dragon.
“Wow Gina, that’s a great trick! Maybe you can teach me how to do that sometime!”
The child giggled. “You know you can’t. You’re human.”
“Yeah, that’s unfortunate. At least you and your mommy are special.”
Rich turned his eyes to Amy. They twinkled, and she smiled back at him. He was the only one who would ever have believed what had happened to her. She was so grateful that her daughter could have such a great uncle in her life.
“As for you, Dr. Amy, what do you think of this weird lump on my leg. Should you have a look at it?”
“It’s probably just fibrous tissue,” Amy said, examining Rich’s legs carefully. “But it would be good to have it looked at and tested, just in case. I don’t want anything happening to you. You mean the world to us.”
“Ah, shucks,” Richard said, smiling.
“No, she’s right,” Carter said, slapping Richard on the back. He was coming out of the house carrying a plate full of hot dog buns. “Without you, I don’t know how she would’ve gotten by in this world. It’s been very hard on her, and you made it as easy as possible. We owe you a lot.”
“You really don’t. She’s family.”
Richard smiled and grabbed Gina out of the sky, sitting down on the bench beside him. “It’s time to eat, kiddo.”
“Yes, I love hot dog buns,” Gina said, giggling.
“We know you do, honey,” Amy said with a laugh.
“Eric was asking about you, you know,” Richard said. “Everyone is pretty jealous that you were able to get your degree and become a doctor like this. Carol, at the bank, is green with envy. She is starting to match the money.”
Everybody at the table began to laugh. “It’s good that I don’t have to stick around where I’m not wanted anymore,” she said. “Ever since Carter rescued me and they started to help me understand my powers, everything has been going so much more smoothly.”
“Speaking of these powers,” Richard said. “You still haven’t shown them to me yet. How do they work? Are you a dragon?”
Amy and Carter exchanged knowing looks and she smiled at him. “Well, if you really want to know.”
Amy held her hand out, and it was glowing a beautiful white color. Richard gazed at it in wonderment and Amy smiled at him, reaching down to cover her hand over his leg. Little by little, the mass began to shrink, until Rich’s leg was as good as new.
“Usually, this only works on people who are like me. But apparently, one of my unique talents is in healing. I can use it on anybody, but I’m still new at it. Otherwise, I would have offered sooner to help you with your leg. I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“That’s incredible, Amy,” Richard said, staring at her. “And your eyes! They look like dragon’s eyes.”
“That’s because she is a Sun Dragon and a Loni hybrid,” Carter said proudly. “They have special powers. Everything they do comes from a magical place. A place that is connected to Gina and the other children like her.”
Richard let out a low whistle. “You guys are blowing my mind. I love it. Anyway, I’m starving, what’s for dinner? Other than hot dog buns?”
Everybody laughed again, and Carter grinned. “Sit tight and I will show you.”
Amy stared proudly at her husband as he disappeared into the house. He had really begun to start getting used to his role as a husband and father on Earth. At first, the adjustment had been difficult. But being together had softened the blow. He was beginning to truly find things to appreciate about her and had actually begun to get quite a fondness for cooking. He was obsessed with trying to achieve the same types of flavors that were available to him on his own planet. Carter told Amy time and again that he was determined that his daughter would know what real food should taste like.
It was a great hobby that kept him busy and helped them to learn more about Carter’s life before Earth. Amy was grateful that he was willing to share that with them.
“All right, again,” Carter said, reappearing again, and setting down a tray of delicious smelling food. There were fruits and vegetables of all kinds, mixed with certain types of meat and spices that filled the air with a delicious aroma.
“Now that’s what I’m talking about,” Richard said, grinning at Gina and handing her a plate full of hot dog buns. “Let’s chow down, little darling.”
Carter sat down beside Amy, lacing his fingers into hers. He didn’t have to speak to tell her how happy he was. She could feel it. They were connected. Tied together by the strings of fate. And as they ate and sat with their family and the home they had built together outside of Brookside, Amy knew he was as happy as he was ever going to be. His home planet would always be missed, but he was finding a new home here with her and their child, and that was all either of them would ever need.
They were happy.
The End