“You are descended of the Egyptians, corazon,” Pipo said, Sandia still crying with disbelief and happiness. She embraced her grandfather for the third time in as many minutes.
“This sundial is ancient,” he continued, holding out his hand to her.
In his palm, about the size of a half dollar, sat a golden timepiece that glowed in the brightness of the room. She had seen sundials before, but nothing like this.
“It was made in 1000 BCE, Heliopolis, in the center of astronomy in ancient Egypt. The Sun City. It has been upgraded since then, of course. But it still bears the wings of Aman-Ra etched on the back.”
Sandia turned the coin-sized treasure over and saw the beautiful Egyptian symbol.
“What does this mean, Pipo? I’m still so confused...about everything.”
“It means, querida, that you come from an ancient tradition of time travel. Just like Senor Wolfe, only different. We have our own way of Time Dancing,” Pipo said, winking at Caleb, “and it is clear that your destiny has found you.”
“But, why didn’t you tell me? Why did you--”
“Fear, corazon. We wanted to protect you. It is a long story for another day, but I swore off my time travel adventures long before you were born and vowed never to involve my family again and put them in danger. But it found you anyway...and it is good. You are stronger and braver and wiser than I ever was, or could ever hope to be. And I am so proud of you.”
Tears formed in her grandfather’s eyes as he took her in his arms.
They stood, holding each other for a long moment before Pipo pulled away and said, “Now, you must bring this boy home to meet Lala. She has been waiting to meet the man who would be your match for ages. I’m surprised she survived it...keeping her mouth shut all these years.”
“Oh...Pipo, Caleb and I aren’t really...together.”
Caleb grabbed her hand, taking her by surprise. She looked up at him, startled by the intensity in his expression.
“Oh, yes, Pipo, we most certainly are,” he smiled. “You ain’t getting rid of me, Miss Melon.”
“Is that right...and what makes you think--?”
“Because I love you, Sandia Maria Molina. I’ve loved you since the moment I first assaulted you in that bathroom.”
Sandia couldn’t help but laugh. The truth was, she had loved him from that moment as well. It just took a few hundred years for both of them to figure it out.