Ephemeral: Chapter 36
Elpis light had turned golden and the native insects were tuning up for their approaching Elpis-setting symphony. It had been a full revolution of preparation and celebration – and this awkward parting was the only event which had not been kissed with gladness. "So you're really leaving, then?" Clara asked Aliyah.
Aliyah threw the last of her belongings onto the floor of the transport heading for Agilis. She put her hands on her hips and looked at her teammate. “Yes. And I guess you're really staying then, Mrs. Alden.” Aliyah smiled wryly. "Not that I blame you. Aaric's as solid as they come.”
Clara curled a tendril of long brown hair behind her ear. She'd changed out of her wedding gown and given her pretty head wreath of white flowers to little Sarah Rutger. “Thanks again for being my maid of honor. I know it must have seemed sudden ...”
Aliyah shrugged. “Time's so mixed up on this planet, it honestly didn't faze me. I truly wish you all the happiness in the world … for as long as you're here.” She turned and climbed up the hovercraft steps. “Well, the starship takes off from Agilis shortly after Elpis-setting. I should get going. And you have your own night to look forward to.”
Clara blushed, bent down to pick a piece of three-dimensional grass, and twirled it in her fingers. “Is there nothing I can say for you to reconsider? The closest wormhole goes to the Nicene colony nowhere near the Milky Way. What if the next Earth-bound wormhole from there isn’t for another thirty revolutions? You know what they're doing to the Passed back on Earth ...”
Aliyah held up a quieting hand. “Yes, you told me. But wormhole hopping isn't as risky as staying here. Even if it took me two decades to get back home, I’d still have years — not days — to be with my family. Seriously, Clara, don’t you miss yours?”
Clara looked down and fingered the silver band and green gem on her left hand. How her heart had ached as she’d walked down the aisle without her father. How she’d wished Sydney could have been one of her bridesmaids. They both would have loved Aaric. Loved Mother Alden. Loved feasting and dancing under a clear blue sky strewn with overhead ribbons and flowers. “Of course I miss my family,” Clara said, swallowing the lump in her throat. “And if you make it back to Earth – and I really hope you do, Aliyah – I was wondering if you could do me a favor?”
“Name it.”
Clara reached into her satchel and pulled out a thick, tan envelope with her Earthly address scrawled on the front. "Can you please deliver this to my family? It explains everything that happened here and why I'm not coming back."
“No problem,” Aliyah said as she received Clara's mail. “Oof! This thing weighs a pound! When did you have time to write it?”
“Before Elpis-rising while we were still in the city.”
“On the day of your wedding? Sheesh, girl. That would have been the least of my concerns.”
“Well … I woke up early and couldn't fall asleep again.”
Aliyah smiled and looked up past Clara. “Your knight in shining armor's heading this way on horseback and everything. I should go.” Aliyah revved up the transport and held out her hand to Clara. “I’m sorry you’re not coming with me,” she said. “But I truly wish you well here, Clara."
Clara grasped the offered hand and shook it firmly. "And I you, Aliyah."
Aliyah nodded and waved as the transport hovered to twenty feet, then accelerated toward the city.
Clara watched the transport and its rider disappear across the horizon and sighed. And thus the internship ends, she thought vaguely. She heard hoof beats on the path behind her, then Aaric dismount to the ground and approach with his characteristic side-to-side gait.
“So she really left, then?” Aaric asked as he drew up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
“Yep,” Clara said, her throat tightening. “She’s gone. My last teammate. I just hope she doesn't waste her life ping-ponging from one wormhole to the next.”
Aaric leaned forward and kissed Clara on the cheek. “I spoke with Governor Solidus this Elpis-rising before we left Agilis. He said the Nicenes are a peaceful people, skilled in space travel. If anyone can help Aliyah get back to Earth, it’s them. And who knows? She might even be at the tarmac to welcome you home.”
“What?” Clara turned toward Aaric. “You don't think I'd ever leave Elpis 7, do you? By the time my shuttle arrives, I'll be sixty-four in Earth years; that's way over the Passing limit. And you know how they treat the Passed. Besides, I just promised to make my home here with you.”
Aaric smiled. “I remember, and I’m grateful. But you also promised your sister you'd return ...”
“Aaric.” Clara held up a hand, “Are we really having our first fight before our honeymoon even begins?”
“I'm not fighting,” Aaric said. “I'm discussing.”
Clara smirked. “In that case, I think we should change the subject.”
“Fine by me.” He took her hands in his and kissed them both.
A thrill tingled up Clara's fingers.
“And now, Mrs. Alden, I have a surprise for you. Come with me!” Aaric got back in the saddle, then pulled Clara up in front of him. He clicked his horse into a smooth, rolling canter, and the two glided over green pastures for several degrees until they came to the edge of a great golden wheat field. Beyond it, a charming two-story green-gabled white farmhouse sat nestled between two small hills. Beside the house stood a classic red barn and a small apple orchard. It even had a fish pond!
“Whose farm is this?” Clara asked, hoping she wouldn't have to talk to any more extended Alden relatives.
Aaric brought his horse to a stand. “It's ours,” he announced.
“Ours?!” Clara sat aghast in the saddle. “But how … when ..?”
Aaric chuckled. “Let’s just say that both Almitas and Agilis wanted to express their gratitude in generous, practical terms.”
“So all this land is ours?!”
“All of it. And there's not a soul for forty-eight furlongs.”
“Then in that case,” Clara said as she slipped off the saddle and turned toward Aaric with a mischievous grin, “I’m going skinny dipping. Catch me if you can!” With that, Clara dashed through the field toward the pond. Laughing as she ran, she raised her shirt over her head and flung it into the wheat behind her.
Aaric watched, mesmerized, until he heard a splash. Then he clicked to his stallion and urged him across the field at an all-out gallop.
Happiness!