Epilogue
They were on leave for a month and she was finally getting to meet Elm’s parents. The other siblings, Oak and his mate, Ash, and Maple were all with them even though Ash and Maple would be returning after a couple of days. It was a well-deserved break and they both valued their time together away from work.
While she had some family, they were scattered to the four winds. One sibling was on Earth, maybe more, but at least two were lost in space somewhere. Her parents? They died in the New York riots. Those occurred when people finally realized the Earth could no longer support them and that big business and corrupt politicians was to blame. Once her parents were gone, she was the only one who had tried to keep tabs on her siblings. She’d lost touch with them months ago.
There was no point in losing herself in her sorrow, she had a future and that was what she would concentrate on. Life was moving on past Earth and all the pain she’d left behind there. That had been the whole point in coming to the Mazlans and joining their military. As far as she was concerned it had worked.
She and Elm were solid as a couple and in time would expand their family, just not now. They would buy a house on Oison and build one near his family to prepare for the time they could afford to retire. Although their work was dangerous, she had found Elm hadn’t over stated her new abilities. If anything, he’d understated them. Her speed was substantially better, her endurance was amazing and she never seemed to be sick anymore. The strength she now had was incredible. All these things she hid from most people, but they would help her stay alive.
No fire abilities had made themselves known yet, but they could still appear. Elm explained few mates developed them, but those who did discovered them later. That was after all other changes were noted.
The shuttle was landing, all of them prepared to go moon side. It was more like a small planet with vegetation and animals. The Phoenix had built homes and other buildings. Everything was incredibly exciting.
“You’re lucky.” Angel said.
“Why?”
“You have a crowd with you. I met them with only Oak by my side and I was scared to death.” She admitted.
“But you said you liked them.”
“That’s true, but I didn’t know how they would be. They were sweet and everything turned out well, but I didn’t know that it would.”
“Elm said they will be great and Oak and you also. They have good children so I know they’ll be fine.” She explained. “Even had I met them alone it would be fine.”
“You’re braver than I am anyway.” Angel admitted.
“I doubt that is true. My experiences were just different.” She admitted.
“You lived on Earth?” Angel asked.
“I did, right in New York City among other places. My family lived in Chicago when I was younger and even Los Angeles when I was growing up. Always the big cities lured them in. My Dad was an engineer and my mother an archeologist.”
“That’s an unusual combination.”
“Not so rare as you might think. She made an amazing discovery beneath the subways system. He was called in to stabilize things so they could dig underneath. It was love at first sight. Their feelings for each other never changed.”
“That’s beautiful. We’re here now.” Angel said.
Ash and Maple just went right in and the two couples followed them. A sweet looking woman not old enough to have grown children ran to them hugging each in turn. “You’re Mike? I’m so happy to meet you.”
“This is my mom.” Elm confirmed.
“You can call me Mom.” She offered. “It’s what Angel calls me.”
“Hello, Mom.” She said.
“And I’m Dad.” A slightly older version of Elm and his brothers said.
“Hello, Dad.” So far this hadn’t been too bad. It was a nice house. Large, but then again they’d had four children.
“Lunch is almost done. Boys, you set the table while Maple and the girls help move the food out there.” The guys hurried out, all of them.
“I’ll put everything on a serving platter or in a bowl and we’ll carry it to the sideboard.” Mom explained. “Maple or Angel can show you where to put things.”
It was a feast for a large group, but with everyone helping, it was set up in no time. This was the type of family dinners she had missed after her parents died. She and her siblings had each ended up going their own way. While she’d tried to keep in touch, no one else had made an effort. The end result was none of them had any idea where the others were.
“This is a wonderful meal.” She said. Looking around, it felt good to be with these people, both those she knew and the ones she’d just met.
It was relaxing, even as they took a moment of silence for each of them to ask a blessing for this meal from whatever gods they prayed to. Once the moment was over, everyone was talking and passing the food around the table. Phoenix, even the females had good appetites but so did their mates. With all this food no one would go hungry.
The atmosphere reminded her of home, way back when. When she’d been a kid and even when she was older and her parents had still been with them. She blinked back the tears that threatened but those were good memories. The best even and now with her mate and his family, she would make new memories. Someday they’d sit at a table with their own children. It might not even be too far in the distance.
Elm rubbed her back lightly. He was always aware of her feeling and he probably even realized that she was recalling better times with her own family back on Earth. She smiled softly at him letting him know it was alright. Pushing back the old times, she began to eat her food as she listened to stories about Oak, Elm, Ash, and Maple. They had been the naughtiest kids. Soon everyone was laughing and she knew the future would be bright for all of them.
After all, fate had decided and now she had her perfect mate.