Chapter the Thirty-sixth: Epilogue.

Jon and Susan reminded us of our humanity (in it's new definition) by producing a gorgeous baby girl on December 21st: the Winter Solstice. The birth was a tender event for all of us, merged as we were and able to assist and experience it with her. The baby was named Beth, not, as you might think, after my eldest daughter, who loves her new cousin with a motherly passion, but after the birch tree that marks her Yuletide birth.

My daughters are a wonder. Where once, I might have had worries that they would outstrip my abilities to help them with their algebra homework, I now found myself marvelling at their colossal magical talent. We have to move off to the Sidhe realm almost weekly to gain guidance from Iysla and Bran so they can use them with better control. If the uncontrolled lust of a (nearly) middle-aged man are impressive, imagine the effect of a pair of mages going through puberty!

Jacqueline has blossomed into a beautifully whole member of society. Her guidance, able to steer many people towards good ends, has enabled her to move her business empire into whole new areas of ethical investment. It prospers now, unlike any business before it.

The fact that she manages to enjoy a sexual release with me, doesn't make it easy for her to forget the past and I am studying the limits of my ability to alter the memories she has. She doesn't want a false history but I simply can't allow her to relive the horror. So, she makes regular visits to the farm to see what I can do. She's a superb woman, desperately needing all the good things that life has to offer. She says she sometimes knows how an alcoholic must feel; when the only way she can orgasm normally is under the influence of my spells.

Her history makes the use of magic somewhat 'unnerving' for her. There's not a lot I can do to limit her dependency, if anything it seems quite healthy. I am sure she enjoys the total release but I still haven't been able to convince her to genuinely enjoy another man. Lesbian advances aren't really for her either.

She told me that she quite likes the intimacy that another woman's touch can have but it doesn't really do much for her. Having said that, she does like to play act for me, knowing how much I love the sight of two women pleasuring each other. I guess, it's the old, 'time will heal' thing. She's certainly very good at meeting people and I am sure she will, one day, meet Mr. Right.

It might be that she'll eventually accomodate her religious beliefs once more. I can't really help her there, can I? But she still surprises me with her ability to believe.

Angela has met a 'nice' boy during this, her first year in a new school. He seems good for her, indeed I made sure of that fact. She is a virgin, in the physical sense at least, and we have all worked with her mother and herself, to clear her of the nightmares she had after her rescue. Amy and Valerie are like favourite cousins and the three of them robustly enjoy themselves when they get together. I don't think there's a male in the whole town who hasn't had at least a wet dream because of their dalliances.

Angie's brother is going to be a fabulous leader I think. His academy training has nothing to do with that. He was born to lead and has such a compassionate heart that he will always succeed. Even at his young age, he is head and shoulders ahead of the crowd. I soothed the memories of years of slavery at the hands of the monster with carefully woven spells. Jacqueline cried when she saw her son smile for the first time in his life.

Valerie and Amy shine in my eyes too, as they grow into truly lovely souls.

Their parents visited them both only a month or so ago. There was none of the problems I might have anticipated. Of course, we didn't immediately burden them with the full extent of our relationship and both girls giggled nervously throughout the visit as I made a few 'alterations.' Daphne Robertson, Amy's mother, emerged from her veil as if she's just walked through a summer shower. The soaring joy in her eyes as she saw things clearly for the first time, was bright and excited. Her husband, Jack, wasn't able to join her but it was clear they made a good couple. The years and years of togetherness can produce their own form of magic. Valerie's folks, too, received their 'rebirth' with a feeling that some weight had been lifted from their shoulders. The couples sat together on the sofas, the tea things on the low table in front of them, and looked at each other with new eyes. Jack and Bill were suddenly aware that their respective wives looked radiant and that the visit was indeed a worthwhile exercise. The conversation became warm and friendly, for no apparent reason, all of us chatting like old colleagues.

Eventually they rose to go see the farm, at their daughters' request. Daphne alone, remained with me to finish a conversation. She took my hands when we found ourselves alone, the others, seen through the window, walking as a straggling group in the meadow.

"I think I know something about what has been happening to my Amy since she's met you. She's grown into quite a... woman... hasn't she?"

I understood it was a question she didn't really want me to answer and so I let her continue.

"I can't say I understand what this visit has done to me today, but I know it has helped me to feel more comfortable with Amy's relationship with you." Her eyes were serious, staring deep into mine. She was looking for a sign that I might be some sort of monster.

" Amy is a fine person Daphne," I said directly, and then; "she has your eyes."

Daphne smiled and suddenly realised that she'd always known what was going on.

"She loves you very much, you know?" She said, her head cocked to one side and a warm smile on her lips. "And young Valerie, the two of them seem to be happy."

"I know, and it is a true love, really. All we are trying to do, is include everyone."

"Well, my Jack won't understand all this new-age stuff but I'm sure he's going to be happy when he realises how much she wants to do this; especially after I have talked to him about it." She squeezed my hands and smiled again. "Just what is it that you did to me?" she asked.

"I think I just allowed you to see things a little better, isn't that how it feels?"

"Yes, I think it is."

"You'll find that your whole life is going to be a little different from now on Daphne, you'll be... more productive." I chose the word carefully. The lovely smile again, like a mirror of Amy's and she rose to go find her husband.

The two couples left the farm with a reassured happiness. I had given both mothers a solemn vow that the girls would find their lives wherever, whenever and however they wanted. They kissed their daughters goodbye and told them to be good. Our whole group waved them from the farmhouse gate then we wheeled around as the car disappeared over the hill and, arms around each other's shoulders, made ready for bed.