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THANKFULLY, IT WASN’T the last time I got to see them. Nor was it a long time before I got to see them again. Elysian was true to his word, which, considering he had been reborn, I shouldn’t have been so surprised about, and St. Brendan came the following week.
It was early New Year’s morning when Raiya and I, along with Lyra and Lucas, boarded the Meallán. It was so nice to see St. Brendan again. I think he missed us, too—he picked me up into a hug so fierce I thought I was going to be squeezed in two.
We went up through space, heading up to Polaris, where Alora resided. She was still in the heart of her castle, in her pool of Time, but she was very happy to see us—even Raiya.
My children, from Aria down to Lee, were attending to the care of her castle. All of them played in the Gardens of Time as we visited.
Aleia welcomed me just as enthusiastically as St. Brendan, and I felt my heart truly regenerate at their kindness.
Raiya was my home, but these were friends I had missed more than I realized.
Elysian, the new river guardian and one of Alora’s protectors, also came down to give his welcome. I was, like always, as happy to see him as I was to fight with him.
When the fighting calmed down some and we made our way to Raiya’s Star to patch up the hole in Time’s power, he asked me how Mikey and Gwen’s wedding was.
I told Elysian the truth; I honestly didn’t remember a lot of it, other than all the red and green party favors, because a week later, I married Raiya. At last, she was mine, in all senses of the word.
Hearing this, rather than his congratulations, Elysian gave me his largest, most soulful eyes. “So you didn’t bring me any of Rachel’s cookies?”
I laughed and promised him I would bring him some next time we came to visit. That seemed to settle him some, even if I saw him moping about it later as he complained to Alora.
We fixed the fabric of Time, placing it back where it belonged. Somehow, as the tear mended itself with the help of our power, I felt—just like that—the pieces of my life had come together, and everything clicked into place.
It was a miracle, a miracle made out of many small and seemingly inconspicuous miracles as much as larger ones, with nothing short of divine providence guiding me home.
☼Epilogue☼