Chapter 5

 

 

The lessons learned during the first day’s work in the Darfur camp, enabled Alexandria to deal with the future losses she encountered during their time in Africa. The Nephilim remained in Sudan for three weeks, contributing where they could and restoring many broken and battered bodies, spirits, and minds.

Evenings were filled with fellowship amongst her brethren and with Jack. Alex felt uplifted by the love she was able to share and receive in return. As Gaius had predicted, she and Dibia could often be found in one another’s company, usually laughing so hard that both were wiping joyful tears away. Their laughter would spur the others on, and soon the entire gathering was letting go with them.

During several dinners, Ganymede and Haniel came to join them. Alex was grateful to have the time to simply talk with her angelic father and Gaius’ in what she considered a normal setting. Not one that was centered on the battles that had come their way months before.

And Alex found that while in the camp, she always had a small group of children trailing along around her to help her visit the multitudes. She knew them all by name once she had been introduced to each little soul, and she delighted in their response to her. They would reach up and take her hand, and she would squeeze their fingers while her aura rippled across their small arms. The children did not know what the transfer was, but once one had felt the power tingle throughout their person, word spread and many sought to experience it as well.

While visiting with a group of eighteen children one afternoon, Alex felt many auras near her and she looked up to find quite a few of her brethren gathered and smiling at the scene before their eyes. Alex was sitting outside a small tent in the sand with her legs crossed, and Gaius was by her side with his legs stretched out in front of him. Each had a child on their lap, and the other youngsters were either leaning against them or sitting directly before them, as Alex told them stories from her childhood travels.

They were all amazed by her adventures and each child had questions that Alex patiently answered. She quietly inclined her head in the direction of her fellow Nephilim and winked, then resumed her conversation with the little boy to her right. The child, named Dan, had asked her to tell him more about her strong, older brothers, and Alex was all too happy to comply.

Alex found that the children were also a great help as the immortals and Jack worked to build many new structures for the refugees to live in. There seemed to be no shortage of little faces willing to help when a new dwelling was going up. So, Alex pulled in as many as she could to assist, in the hope that they would learn the construction skills her brethren seemed to have mastered long ago. She loved hearing their laughter and the songs they would sing to celebrate any blessing that came their way. It was truly a thing of beauty to behold, amongst so much sorrow.

Throughout her days in the refugee camp, Alexandria also tried to connect with as many women as she could. She remembered keenly how so many had poured their hearts out to her during their previous trip, and she had been too weak and in pain to truly employ her aura for added comfort. Sabina, Ahadi, and Tomoko took many walks with her out into the vast area to engage in this aspect of their mission work. And though it was emotional for them all, it was cathartic for the women they sought to console and necessary for those they endeavored to help.

 

When it was time to depart the refugee camp on the final day, the Nephilim spent as much time as they could walking among the people living there and giving them a last bit of love and reassurance. Alex was able to find and hold little Sahansan, the babe whose heart Gaius had repaired on their first trip to the area. She kissed his tiny forehead and rocked him against her heart before she returned him to his mother’s arms. It was hard for Alex to leave the area, but Dibia assured her that the influx of immortals over the last month had worked many miracles and accomplished great deeds.

 

Upon their return to London, Alex and Gaius spent three days at their Mayfair homes, resting and saying good-bye to many of their brethren who were returning to their own homes and work in other parts of the world. Alex made sure to give each immortal her undivided attention before they took their leave, and promised to connect through her aura even when they were not physically close to one another.

After dinner their first evening there, Alex and Gaius asked Jack to join them in the sitting room. When they were all seated, Jack gave Alex a puzzled look. But she only smiled at him and took one of his hands in hers.

“Jack, Gaius and I want to invite you to come with us to Santorini in July, along with my family. After everything we’ve been through, you’re a part of us too. And we don’t want to celebrate as a family without you there. Will you come?” Alex asked him.

She saw a small amount of unshed emotion filter through his eyes, but she hugged him tightly. “Jack, you are just as much a member of my family as Wallace and Conner, and you’re not to be left out. Say you’ll come? Please?”

“I wouldn’t miss the trip for anything, guys. And thank you both, for making sure I’m still included. I can’t tell you what it means to still be a part of the Nephilim and the brotherhood I feel here. All we just accomplished in Africa… It’s not an opportunity I take lightly or for granted,” Jack smiled.

“You need never worry that your place among us will be rescinded, Jack. As Alex said, you are part of this family. Always, brother,” Gaius said tenderly.

“And believe me, that means more than you will ever know,” Jack said sincerely. He hugged Alex, and then gave Gaius a light tap on the shoulder.

 

Alex, Gaius, and Jack met Wallace and Emily for lunch in the city the following day, and Alex could sense the happiness radiating from the couple as they dined together. She placed her hand on Gaius’ leg under the table and squeezed lightly, transferring her pleasure through her aura over her brother’s contentment. He laced his fingers through hers and lightly massaged her, letting his aura convey his agreement and shared sentiment.

But it was at the end of their meal that Alex was completely taken over by emotion, when Wallace addressed them all.

“Guys, Emily and I have something to share with you, and we think you’ll find it to be very good news. Four days ago, I asked Emily to be my wife and she agreed,” Wallace said, smiling as he gathered Emily’s hand in between his.

Alex’s smile spread quickly, and she left her seat to hug her brother and his fiancée tightly. “Oh my, goodness! I am so happy for you both!” she managed to whisper through the emotion clogging her throat.

They all laughed through their moist eyes, and soon the small party of five was on their feet, hugging and celebrating together.

“Thank you, Alex,” Emily grinned. “I’ve never had siblings, so I’m glad to gain a sister and brother-in-law. Well, two brothers-in-law,” she said, shrugging at Gaius.

“This is very good news, indeed,” smiled Gaius, drawing Wallace in for a hug and a light slap on the back.

“Thank you, Gaius. I figured if my little sister could make it look so easy, then Emily and I could give it a go, too,” he laughed.

“No, loving your soul mate is not difficult. It’s as easy as breathing,” Gaius replied, and Alex felt her cheeks warm as he stared down at her.

Other diners took in the young group’s joy and smiled quietly to themselves. All five soon reclaimed their seats, and Emily told Alex that they had settled on the first Saturday in September for their wedding date and she asked Alex to be her Matron of Honour. Through happy tears, Alex accepted and told Emily she would help her in whatever way she could. She also told her that she would introduce her to a dear friend named Sabina, who was by far the best wedding planner she had ever encountered. All three men laughed and nodded in agreement.

 

When their visit came to an end and they walked outside the restaurant, Wallace pulled Alexandria to the side and smiled tenderly down at her.

“You know, I am very proud of you, kiddo. And no matter what the future brings for our ever-growing family, I will always find some way to connect with you. You will always be my little sister, no matter how far away you are,” Wallace said, past the rare emotion heard clearly in his voice.

She hugged her eldest brother tightly, and snuggled against his heart for a moment. “Wallace, I will always be just a phone call away. You know that. But you also know that I prefer to take my hugs in person.”

“Well, we’ll make sure we do that then, won’t we?” he said softly, pressing his lips together. They nodded in unison and he kissed her forehead before he released her.

Alex watched Wallace as he stepped back over to where Emily was talking to Gaius and Jack. She touched her fingertips to her lips and tried to stop the tremble that had begun there. Alex knew that her loved ones supported her decision to become a Nephilim, but she also knew that her choice would cost them dearly as a family.

It was the elephant in the room that she had avoided since the morning she awoke at Aeoferth after her transition: how her mortal family would deal with the reality that Alex would never age another day. She could not continue on in the occasional extended family gatherings for much longer, because Alex knew that they and other family friends would soon realize that she looked twenty-one far longer than she should.

But it was a topic that no one in her family had yet to broach with her; not even Jameason, who would usually delve into such serious subjects with Alex before her parents or brothers could. And though much had taken place since the night of her transition that had kept her attention otherwise occupied, Alex knew that she was guilty of putting the matter off. Mainly because she was afraid of what decisions they would have to make as a family, and what that would mean to her relationship with them all.

Gaius arched an eyebrow at her in question, sensing that something had caused her unease. She wiped the worry from her expression and gave him a smile in answer. But his eyes narrowed slightly, and she knew he was not buying her false bravado for one second. Alex shrugged and then turned her attention to saying good-bye to Wallace and Emily.

When they were in the Rover and headed back to Mayfair, Gaius reached over and gathered Alex’s hand in his. He gave her a gentle squeeze, though he kept his eyes on the road. Alex squeezed his fingers in return and then she mentally connected with him and shared what Wallace had said to her outside the restaurant. Gaius nodded, and he lifted her hand to place a single kiss against her skin.

“Alright, guys. I know you’re chatting away with each other telepathically up there, but I’m still in the car with you,” Jack drawled out from the backseat.

Alex burst out laughing and she turned in her seat to look at Jack. He was smirking at her and looked none too worried over their private conversation.

“I’m sorry, Jack. What I was saying to Gaius wasn’t private, it was just a sad topic, that’s all.”

“You don’t have to tell me, Alex. I was only playing,” Jack smiled.

“No, it’s okay. I was just saying that after lunch, Wallace and I talked about staying in touch with one another. And I know that sooner now, rather than later, I have to deal with the fact that I’m never going to age. And that decision will greatly impact my family.”

“Yes, it will,” Jack agreed softly. “None of you have talked about it with each other yet?”

“No,” Alex said with a shake of her head, and then she looked back at Gaius. He glanced over at her momentarily and then refocused on the road.

“But we will,” Gaius said gently. “We will be at Aeoferth for the next week and then at your parents’ home the week after that. We can have the discussion with them first, before we bring Wallace and Conner into the conversation.”

“Hey, don’t get too down on yourself,” Jack said. He leaned forward in his seat and met Alex’s eyes as she turned again to face him. “I haven’t told my family that I quit the security firm yet, either. I just figured that was a conversation I needed to have face to face with them. I know from experience that major life changes can be a little daunting to discuss with your family, and it’s better to have everyone around the table when you’re clearing the air.”

“Tell me about it,” Alex muttered in agreement. “And,” she added hesitantly, “I’ll have to tell Emily at some point what we are. I know that it should happen soon, because Emily is in Wallace’s life from now on. I’ve never seen him connect with another the way he has with her; and knowing she will be his wife, kind of makes the need to deal with this a pressing point for us all now.”

“Alex, your family is unlike any other I’ve ever known,” Gaius said. “They dealt with the truth about the Nephilim and your transition with such grace and understanding, that I have no doubt whatsoever they will work with us to come to a decision we can all live with. Have faith in them, just as I do.”

“I know you do, Gaius,” Alex smiled. She reached out to smooth a hand through his hair and watched his smile spread in response.

“But you are right to focus on this now,” he added. “We do need to plan for the future, Alexandria. And for the day when both of your brothers might become fathers. The secret can be shared with whomever we choose, but we will have to consider how many future generations could and should carry the knowledge of the Nephilim with them. For with each new generation born, the secret will be spread exponentially.”

Alex sighed and looked down at their conjoined hands. “I’ve honestly thought about my future nieces and nephews a few times already. When Sabina and I had an open and frank discussion about children before my transition, I considered that I might never know the children my brothers would eventually have.” She stopped speaking for a moment as tears clouded her vision and a lump formed in her throat.

“Sweetheart,” Gaius said softly, “this will not be an easy decision, but it is one you do not have to make alone. Remember, there are many within our family to help us navigate this. And we will, together.”

“Yeah, you have support all around, Alex,” Jack added. “Think of this as you have any other challenge you’ve faced over the last few months, and know we’re all behind you.”

Alex nodded and then drew in a deep breath. She gave Jack a slight smile, and then she turned in her seat to stare out of the window. As the streets passed by and they neared Mayfair, Alex considered what it would be like to never visit her parents’ home or see her brothers again. And suddenly, the reality of her choice to return to the fold, became a bit more overwhelming and daunting than it had before.