Chapter 54: Epilogue: Part 2: Sunday Evening Unloading

She scanned the small parking lot for her parent’s car, then started toward it. Wait, are we sure the rings are actually done? We finished much earlier than I expected us to.

I called to check while we were waiting for you. They’ve been in the display window for about an hour or two now. Apparently, he’s already had a few people stop and stare at them for a while.

Okay, now I really can’t wait to see them. Thank you Mamí. Vanessa waved at her mom and opened the front passenger door. “Why is Papá in the back?”

“Because I asked him to. ¿Podemos volver a hablar en español?”

[“Can we talk in Spanish again?”]

“Si de verdad quieres.”

[“If you really want to.”]

“Todavía me siento mucho más cómodo con él que con el inglés. Sí, por favor.”

[“I am still much more comfortable with it than English. Yes, please.”]

“¿Entonces... ?”

[“So... ?”]

“Iré directo al grano. ¿Pasó algo anoche después de que hablamos? De repente tuve un mal presentimiento.”

[“I’ll cut straight to the point. Did something happen last night after we talked? I suddenly got a very bad feeling.”]

“Ella llamó. Estábamos...” Vanessa glanced at her, and shook her head softly. “¿Papá nos está escuchando?”

[“She called. We were...”... “Is Papá listening to us?”]

“No, tiene música en los oídos. ¿Estabas abrazado después del acoplamiento?” Vanessa nodded her head. “Así que llamó en el peor momento que pudo. ¿Pensé que bloqueaste su número?”

[“No, he has music playing in his ears. You were cuddling after coupling?”... “So she called at the worst time she could. I thought you blocked her number?”]

“Yo hice. Ella robó el teléfono de un amigo en común cuando él no quería llamar.”

[“I did. She stole a mutual friend’s phone when he wasn’t looking to call.”]

“Muy astuto. ¿Que pasó?”

[“Very sneaky. What happened?”]

“Al principio, lo que suele pasar con ella. Primero probó untarme un poco con mantequilla, y cuando intenté decirle que no quería tener nada que ver con ella, estalló. Luego empezó a intentar quebrarme de nuevo, y yo hice todo lo posible por enfrentarme a ella y resistirlo. Pero ella ganó porque...”

[“At first, what usually happens with her. She tried to butter me up first, and when I tried to tell her I wanted nothing to do with her, she snapped. Then she started trying to break me again, and I did my best to stand up to her and resist it. But she won because...”]

“Porque todavía dudabas de ti mismo.”

[“Because you were still doubting yourself.”]

“Si. Todavía sentía que me faltaba algún tipo de conexión con ellos, a pesar de que estaba completamente “conectado a su web”, como diría Kara. ¿Sabes que puede ver auras?” Maria nodded her head. “Ella puede, al igual que su madre. También puede hacerlo un amigo nuestro; dicho amigo notó un...” Vanessa laughed softly as her mother shot her a very familiar look “lo siento. Todavía hago eso, ¿eh? Pensé que los había perdido cuando ... cuando ya no podía ‘oírlos’ o ‘sentirlos’.”

[“Yes. I still felt like I was missing some kind of connection with them, even though I’d fully ‘connected into their web’ as Kara might put it. Do you know that she can see auras?”... “She can, just like her mother. So can a close friend of ours; said friend noted a...”... “sorry. I still do that, huh? I thought I’d lost them when ... when I couldn’t ‘hear’ or ‘feel’ them anymore.”]

“¿En qué dirección doblo?” Vanessa pointed to the right. “Entonces, ¿qué pasó para solucionar ese problema? Definitivamente no has tenido ningún problema con eso hoy.”

[“Which way do I turn?”... “So, what happened to fix that problem? You definitely haven’t had an issue with that today.”]

“¿Recuerdas cómo Manny hace un arte marcial?” Maria nodded her head. “También Kara y Allison. Él y Kara aprendieron una meditación que lo ayudó a salir de un estado de ruptura similar hace años, y en el proceso dejaron pequeños fragmentos de cada uno de ellos con los demás. Bueno, me guiaron a través de esa meditación. Y el amigo que mencioné antes apareció con un regalo para nosotros justo cuando íbamos al patio trasero para comenzar. Mira, ella también es artista y dibujó lo que vio antes y después de que termináramos. Uno de ellos puede mostrarte los dibujos más tarde; en pocas palabras, antes de la meditación, me quedé solo con mi color de energía normal. Después ... tengo un remolino que tiene su oro, plata y bronce también. Y quizás aún más asombroso, Pia vio la parte del aura de bebé de Kara que de alguna manera es parte de ella en este momento. ¿Puedes adivinar lo que vio?”

[“You remember how Manny does a martial art?”... “So do Kara and Allison. He and Kara learned a meditation that helped him out of a similar break state years ago, and in the process left little bits of each of them with the others. Well, they guided me through that meditation. And the friend I mentioned before showed up with a gift for us right as we were going to the backyard to start. See, she’s also an artist and drew what she saw before and after we’d finished. One of them can show you the drawings later; the short of it is that before the meditation, I was left with only my normal energy color. After ... I have a swirl of that has their gold, silver and bronze too. And perhaps even more amazingly, Pia saw the bit of Kara’s babies aura that somehow is a part of hers at the moment. Can you guess what she saw?”]

“¿El antes era solo oro y bronce, mientras que el después tiene los cuatro colores?” Vanessa nodded her head. “Espero que sepas que no puedes cambiar de opinión en este momento. No unido como todos ustedes.”

[“The before was just gold and bronze, while the after has all four colors?”... “I hope you know there is no changing your mind at this point. Not joined the way you all are.”]

“No creo que pudiera incluso si fuera una opción. Se sienten como ... en casa. Todos ellos, incluso los dos monstruos.” She glanced away for a moment, a profound sense of sadness washing over her. “No es mi intención ... uhm...”

[“I don’t think I could even if it was an option. They feel like ... home. All of them, even the two monsters.”... “I don’t mean to ... uhm...”]

“Nuestra casa no ha sido tuya durante mucho tiempo, y está bien. Es normal que los niños construyan nuevos hogares con la familia que eligen tener. Eso es solo parte del crecimiento. Siempre y cuando todavía llamen y visiten de vez en cuando.” Maria pointed to a store front. “¿Ese es el lugar?”

[“Our home hasn’t been yours for a very long time, and that’s okay. It’s normal for children to make new homes with the family they choose to have. That’s just part of growing up. Just as long as they still call and visit from time to time.”... “Is that the place?”]

“Si Mamá. Por favor, piense en qué tipo de pizza usted y Papá quieren comer esta noche para que uno de ellos pueda pedirla.”

[“ ... Please think about what kind of pizza you and Papá want to have tonight so one of them can order it.”]

“That’s easy! Sausage. Whatever vegetables you all want will be fine.”

They’ll have what we usually like. Do you know what Miranda and Andy want?

Yup. We’re almost there; I’ll place the order, plus a few appetizers to share. Classic stuff. Are you almost there too?

We just arrived. Mom’s finding parking now. “Mamá?”

“Sí?”

“You won’t be sad if I ask you and Papá to stay in the car while we’re in the store I hope.”

“We’ll see all of the rings soon enough anyway. That’s fine.” She put the car into park and looked around. “Are we the first ones here?”

“Apparently. Allison’s close, and I’m not sure about Emanuel and Kara.” Manny, Kara?

Some of these details are new Darling.

Not new per se ... more ‘things I don’t usually think to include’ for one reason or another. Anyway ... she snapped at me that ‘That box is NEVER to be opened. Understood?’ Bear in mind, I’m pretty sure that was the first time she snapped at anyone like that. So I did my best to obey the unusual rule. And for four more years I was able to stop at just looking AT it. But then, maybe a few weeks before my birthday, I couldn’t resist any longer, and made plans to open it when she was out grocery shopping. But when I went back into the room it lived in, it was gone!

What happened to it?

I didn’t know at the time. Nor did I find out until much later.

Allison waved at her through the glass. Yeah, about four and half years into our marriage.

Kara waved at her from down the block. Exactly. That’s why I was surprised when it left the house, and nearly flabbergasted when she gave it to me to open.

How did she know ... her ability? Vanessa glanced at the five of them approaching and began to get out of the car. “We’ll try not to take too long.”

“Don’t rush your sister if that’s what you’re thinking. We’re not the hungry ones.”

“No, but the kiddos might be.” She closed the door behind her. “Hello again, my love.”

Allison grinned and nodded; the rest of them finished their approach. Exactly right, my pillow. She could always tell when any of us were scheming something. “Lets go see the rings!” Vanessa quickly followed Allison, turning to face the window once they were all near it. “Now, from what Clara said, they should be ... where are they?”

“Do you think he’s already boxed them up?”

“Maybe, Manny. It’s possible he wants to...” she began to reply as William motioned them inside. “I guess we’re about to find out.”

Vanessa stepped over to the door and held it open for the others. “I’m...” equal parts super excited and nervous; if that makes any sense.

It totally does Honey.

“I don’t know how the old man does it, but he somehow predicted when the first of you would arrive. Are you...” Vanessa watched her eyes travel past them to Miranda and Andy “friends of yours?”

“My sister Miranda and her partner Andy.”

“So, are you two here to also see...”

“Lena, you need to practice the skills I’ve been trying to teach you more” William started, coming out of the backroom carrying a cloth draped tray of some kind “they’re here for custom work.” He turned to the two of them. “I hope you won’t mind if I finish this first.”

“We were planning to wait for that anyway” Andy replied with a smile.

“Excellent. Now, you four, please come to counter.” He held the tray over the counter top. “Are you ready to see your new rings?”

“More than ready” Allison grinned. “Can Vanessa do the honors?”

Matron`, I’m grateful that’s where your mind went first, but I think the kids should do the reveal. If not them, the craftsman himself.

If that’s what you prefer.

I’ll ask them. “Isa, Petra?”

“Yes?” they replied in unison.

“Do you want to lift the cloth?”

Petra looked like he was about to say something when Isa shook her head. “Luke’s mommy makes pretty things for people, and Luke says she thinks the crafsman should do that.”

Translation Allison started she WANTS to, but is trying to be considerate.

“Okay.” She looked back at William. “The honor is yours.”

William laughed softly under his breath and gently put the tray down on the counter. “I hope these bring you many years of joy.” He carefully lifted the cloth, putting it to the side as the row of rings came into view. Vanessa felt her breath hitch as her eyes fell upon the one with a ‘V’ in front of it. “I labeled each one with the initial of the person I sized it for.”

So, unlike the originals as far as I’m aware. Do you want us to do a small ceremony with them now?

We can save that for the ‘official’ event, Patron`. But I would love it if one of you put mine on.

Kara grinned. Let me! Vanessa watched her gently pick up the ring and slide it onto the appropriate finger. How’s the fit?

Perfect. Absolutely perfect. I call Allison.

Then I’ll do Manny’s and he can do Kara’s. Does that work?

Allison nodded her head. I’m ready Honey. Vanessa felt herself blush slightly and slipped the ring onto Allison’s finger. You’re right, it really is a perfect fit. I mean, the original one was pretty damn close, but this is amazing. She picked up Emanuel’s ring and slipped it on his finger. Well?

And I thought the original one was comfortable. Ready Partner?

I’m a little worried it might not fit me in a few months. Like Ally’s stopped fitting in the last trimester.

And if that happens, you might need to wear it on a chain for a little bit. It’ll fit again at some point. But for now you should be fine.

Yeah, you’re probably right. Vanessa watched Emanuel slip Kara’s ring onto her finger. I’m glad we’re getting these now, and not a few months later. I would have hated to get a gorgeous new ring and not be able to wear it properly. Actually, now that I’m thinking about, you didn’t run into the problem very often, Ally.

Because of advice from your mom. Not every ‘natural’ trick worked, but enough of them did that I only recall having a few really bad days.

“What do you folks think?”

“They’re about as close to perfect as anyone can expect.” Not just in physical fit, either.

I know exactly what you mean Darling.

“Do you mind if I help the other couple then?”

Vanessa grinned and pointed to Miranda. “She’s my little sister. I trust you’ll be able to help them as much as you did us.”

“That’s my aim with every customer.”

Exactly. The closest things ever felt to this was those moments where you were actively dating all three of us. I mean... she watched Kara glance at the kids rapidly moving about the shop they changed EVERYTHING, sometimes in ways we weren’t expecting. But even there, their lives have been at their happiest when it was the FOUR of us being parents to them.

I guess I never realized until the last day or two that ‘Aunt’ can sometimes just be another word for ‘Mom’.

Now, don’t think this is going to be all fun and games.

Oh, I’m quite aware of that Patron`. Marriages like what Mamá and Papá have don’t stay strong on just feelings of love alone. I’m prepared to put in the work too.

Emanuel simply smiled at her, then turned to look at Miranda and Andy. They seem considerably more ... happy than they were earlier.