This Magic Moment

by Susan Squires

  “You want help?” Tris asked.

  Marrec glanced to Maggie and the kids. “I work better alone,” he said. Yeah. He wasn’t gonna take Tris away from that, even if he could have used help. And he had his hired guys.

  To Michael’s surprise, Brina spoke up. “You’ll always have a place here, Luc. You’re family now.” She gave a rueful shrug. “You always were. I was just too selfish to see it.”

  “Take some time here to recuperate, then, both of you,” Kemble said. “You too, Duncan.”

  Marrec looked at Jason, who looked back. They both shook their heads. “Best get to it,” Marrec said and got up. “Thanks for everything.”

  “We should thank you both,” Tammy said earnestly. “You hauled Thomas and I out of the explosion, Luc. Jason, you risked a lot to lift the Cloak to let us in and you lent us your power for Mom to save Thomas. And Duncan, you kept us from crashing down that shaft.”

  Duncan kinda glowed beneath a half-hearted glower. Guess he wasn’t used to praise.

  Marrec shook his head. “It was nothing, ma petite lapin.” He glanced to Jason. “For men such as we are, it is good for the soul to see what family means.”

  Jason got a hard look around his mouth. “Morgan wanted immortality. I hope she got it and that she burns in that hell forever.” He glanced around at the Tremaines, and his lips softened ever so slightly. “But you all have the only immortality men were meant to have—your children and your children’s children.”

  At that, both Jason and Marrec looked embarrassed. It was probably as philosophical as Jason had ever gotten. “We will go,” Marrec said. And they turned around and went through the living room to the Bay of Pigs where Brina had assigned them rooms last night.

  “Shouldn’t we send them a troop of soldiers or something?” Greta asked.

  “Marrec hires some guys for every job,” Michael said to reassure them.

  “Okay,” Greta said with determination, “Out there almost alone against…well, who knows what?”

  “They’re loners,” Dev said. “Don’t think that’s gonna change.”

  “It might,” Drew said, thoughtfully.

  “Is it okay if I accept your offer, just for a little while?” Duncan asked in a gruff voice.

  “Of course, my dear,” Brina said kindly. “And you know, I would think that levitation would be very useful in rescue operations. All that rubble, you know. Just a thought, if you’re interested.”

  Duncan gave her a shy smile. Brina hadn’t let all those rings in his face blind her to his pain, or the core of who he was that lurked beneath them.

  Thomas drew himself up. “If…if you don’t mind, I would like to go to a store today. But I must borrow money. I will pay you back…somehow,” he added doubtfully.

  “No problemo,” Tris said. “I’ll take you. What do you need?”

  “I need some food and some warm jackets and something called a bottle of Jack.”

  Eyebrows were raised around the room. “Uh, sounds good,” Tris said warily. “We’ve got a bar here if you need a drink. It’s a little early, but, what the hey?”

  “Oh, not for me,” Thomas protested. “There were nice men who live under the road near the airport. They let me sleep there the night I arrived. I offered them my shirt and my hat, but they wouldn’t take them. They asked for this bottle of Jack instead. But they need coats too. It was cold there and their blankets were thin. I know how hard it is to sleep when you are cold.”

  Michael could see the others felt as he did, that it was a marvel that this man, in spite of the harsh conditions under which he’d grown up, was kind and faithful and generous. Michael was glad Tammy and he had found each other.

  “Sure, kid. There’s a Costco right over the hill,” Tris said gruffly. “You don’t have to pay us back. Guess the family can spring for some stuff for the homeless guys.” He sent a challenging look around the room and met with only nods.

  “Sounds like something the Enterprises might take an interest in,” Kemble agreed.

  “Thank you,” Thomas said seriously. “I want to repay them for their kindness.”

  Drew cleared her throat as she put down a plate in front of Tammy and one for Thomas heaped with steaming eggs, toast, ham and sausage. “Not to change the subject or anything, but I, uh, have a small announcement to make.” She looked around the family until her gaze came to rest on Michael.

  Michael’s heart dropped into his stomach.

  “I should have told Michael first, but well, I didn’t want anyone to know while we were all in such straits, and they all say you should wait until you’re sure and now…well, while we’re all together…”

  Michael felt his eyes go wide. She smiled and nodded, a joy inside her too bright to conceal. Michael took the two steps between them in one huge stride and swept her into his arms, clutching her against his chest as he kissed her dark hair.

  “You’ll crush me, you big lug!” she protested. But she didn’t mean it, so he just hugged her more.

  Congratulations were called out around the room.

  “Oh, honey, I’m so happy for you,” Brina said. “I had wondered…”

  “Don’t tell me, the Cards,” Drew sighed.

  “Between my Cards and your visions, we must be very annoying to other people,” Brina said, a glint of humor in her eyes. “You will have been having visions of babies, of course.”

  Michael looked down at Drew to find her blushing. “It’s a girl,” she muttered.

  “Good!” Michael himelf had a vision of a little Drew wearing pretty dresses and being a crack shot. How he would love making her Daddy’s girl.

  “I wonder what their powers will be,” Jane murmured as she looked down at little Brian.

  “We won’t know for certain until they find their Destiny,” Kemble sighed. “And that involves accepting partners for them when we know they aren’t good enough for our precious progeny.”

  “Difficult for a father,” Senior said. “Look what I had to put up with for my girls.” He looked around at his family, beaming. “Of course the girls my sons found are the making of them.”

  “The cards indicate that we’re in a period of the Sun. One cycle has closed and another is beginning. So, what do we do now that we’re free?” Brina asked.

  “I want two weeks on a beach in the South of France,” Drew said, “before I lose my figure.”

  “Museums!” Kee exclaimed. “Starting with the Louvre and the Gulbenkian and moving on from there.”

  “Maybe we could catch some surfing in Australia? I know a beach…” Dev glanced to Kee. “After the art museum thing, of course.”

  “Oooh, Australia. National Gallery, of course, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. We’ll alternate museums and surfing.” Kee tucked herself under Dev’s arm.

  “What I need is to get my hands in some grease,” Tris interrupted, rubbing said hands together. “Arturo says there’s a sweet little ’52 T-Bird in the shop for restoration right now.”

  Maggie just laughed.

  Lan and Greta had their heads together, whispering. Lan finally chuckled. “All I wanted to do for so long was escape this place, but if you don’t mind, I think we want to just stay home. Greta needs a break from adoring fans and paparazzi. And…and The Breakers isn’t a prison anymore, you know? It might be nice to get back to what it meant to us for so long, if I can.”

  “Do you mind if I move my big telescope out on the back lawn?” Greta asked shyly.

  “Oh, you won’t have time for research,” Dev smirked. “Lan isn’t going to let you out of his room.” Kee swatted at him.

  “When we get back from France, we can move back into the South House,” Michael told Drew. “Guess I better start painting a nursery. Pink.” He couldn’t stop grinning. A girl. When they had thought their time had passed. And one of Drew’s secret sorrows assuaged. Things couldn’t be better.

  They heard a call from the foyer. “Anybody home?”

  “In here, Dr. Tanet,”
Senior called. “Come on back.”

  Dr. Tanet looked like she’d seen a ghost. She, who was always so cool, competent and sure of herself, stood tentatively in the doorway. Instead of her usual white coat, she wore slacks and loafers and a sweater set in shades of gray. Under the doctor business she was a good-looking woman. Mr. Edwards shadowed her, his normally severe expression melted into a smile.

  “Glad to see you all back,” Dr. Tanet said, clearing her throat and visibly gathering herself. “Mr. Edwards here looked positively jovial, and…. The gate was open.” She glanced behind her to Edwards.

  “Yep,” Edwards said. “Things have changed around here.”

  “Meet the new head of security at Tremaine Enterprises,” Senior said with a knowing smile. “Since things are relaxing a bit, he’s moving up in the world.”

  “Yeah, well, I mean, now that you’re gonna move back into the Century City offices, you’re gonna need some help,” Mr. Edwards said, clearing his throat self-consicously.

  Dr. Tanet was still looking behind her.

  “Something wrong?” Brina asked.

  “Oh, no,” the doc said, coming to herself. “That very frightening looking man I passed on the way in….”

  “The one with the eyes like blue marbles?” Kee asked.

  “Uh, no. The…the one with the scar.” She looked confused. “He looked rather like….”

  “That’s my stepson, Luc Marrec,” Brina said firmly. “I’m sure you’ll meet him here one of these days. He’s not so frightening once you get to know him.”

  “Well, actually I won’t,” the doc said. “That’s what I’ve come to tell you.” At their blank stares, she continued hastily. “I mean, Brian, you don’t need me any more. And we’ve taken on another doctor for the practice. I…I just need a change. So I joined Medecins Sans Frontieres.”

  “Doctors without Borders for you non-Francophiles,” Drew explained.

  “They do good work. We encounter them often in disaster situations,” Senior said. “And if ever you get tired of them, you have a place in Tremaine Enterprises. I had thought to approach you about it. Just didn’t get there in time,” he added ruefully.

  “So, you’re ready to get back in the saddle?” Dr. Tanet asked.

  “I am,” Senior said. “Thanks in large part to you.”

  “You have an iron will, Brian. You can thank that for your recovery. And your family.”

  “But is Tremaine Enterprises ready for you?” Brina teased Brian.

  “Absolutely,” Kemble announced. “It’s time we all got back in action. We’ve been neglecting our work.” Like he hadn’t been driving himself and working way too hard trying to save the family. Kemble was all about work, though Jane had softened him. Michael suspected that his baby would soften him further. But Kemble was still the responsible one. Nevertheless, he’d relaxed about Senior too. Maybe he’d realized that they each contributed something different, that it really wasn’t a competition between them. Senior was an Adapter, but Kemble had gifts too, now. They’d make a great pair, running the giant conglomerate.

  “True,” Senior agreed. “The Enterprises will grow into even more of a force for good in the world. Everyone will have his or her role. Dev, I’m really proud of you. That cheap desalinization process looks great. Now we’ve got to get a plant built. We’ll ramp up production on Tris’s recycled fuel. Drew, you’re in charge of disaster warning systems. That will improve our first response.”

  “Dear me,” Dr. Tanet chuckled. “I guess you are ready to re-engage.”

  “Geez,” Lan said. “Can’t we have our well-earned vacations first?”

  “Of course,” Senior blustered. Then he swallowed. “But there will be one change.” He looked over at his eldest son. “Kemble, the Enterprises are yours now.”

  Kemble looked like he’d been struck by lighting. “Me? I…I’m not ready.”

  “Sure you are. You’ve been running it alone for the last eighteen months.”

  “Only until you…” He trailed off, seeing the determination in his father’s eyes. “What will you do?”

  Brian looked out across the lawns to the sea. Everyone held their breaths. No one could imagine Brian retiring unless ill health forced him to. In the silence, you could hear the waves breaking against the rocks at the base of the cliffs. “I’m going to go into politics, I think.”

  “What?” Several voices echoed each other sharply.

  Brian looked down, and gave a half-chuckle. “There are other ways of preventing disasters. Policy, laws. We need to look the future in the face as a society and take responsible action. I’ll start locally. You can have more impact there. I…I think I’d be pretty good at convincing people to do the right thing.”

  “Yes, you would, dear,” Brina said, looking up fondly at him. “I think it’s a marvelous ambition.” She turned to her older son. “And Kemble, you’ll do just fine with the Enterprises.”

  “Don’t worry, Kemble, we’ll help,” Lan said. He looked surprised. “I’m actually kind of looking forward to it. I was thinking of exploring the effect of music on the mentally ill, maybe with Brina’s help? Maggie, that effort might include you too. And sound waves have a lot of scientific possibilities….”

  “Save it, baby brother,” Tris said. “We can hear all your theories at dinner.”

  “Well, I’m off. I actually just stopped by on the way to the airport,” Dr. Tanet said.

  “Keep in touch, my dear,” Brina said. “I feel like you’re one of the family now too.”

  Dr. Tanet grinned. “Will do. Leri Tanet over and out.” She saluted and did a military turn. They watched Mr. Edwards escort her out to the front door.

  “Maybe we should put off dispersing to the globe until we hear what Thomas’s and Tammy’s plans are,” Brina said, all innocence.

  Oh, yeah. There’d be another wedding. The last of the Tremaine kids needed to tie the knot with Destiny. All eyes turned to Tammy and Thomas.

  Both blushed furiously. Tammy never could hide a blush with her fair skin and red hair, but Thomas was a blusher too. They looked at each other and jerked their heads back to the front. “We…we haven’t discussed it,” Tammy stuttered. Thomas looked like he was in pain. Was there trouble in paradise?

  “Well, it’s soon,” Brina backtracked. “We just returned. We’ve hardly had time to regroup.” But her little side-glance to the couple said she had caught that there was a problem too. “You and Tammy have hardly had a chance to get to know each other.”

  “Oh, it isn’t that,” Thomas protested. “I…I love Tammy with all my heart.” But then he looked unhappier than ever.

  “Me too,” Tammy explained, looking anxiously at Thomas. “I mean. I love you. You know that.”

  “I know.” But Thomas didn’t look any happier.

  “Then what is it, son?” That was the kindest expression Michael had ever seen on Senior’s face. Perhaps it had been good for him not to be the Captain of Industry for a while. Adapters were leaders, sure of themselves, and that could make them come across as a little cold. Brina let him know when he crossed a line by calling him the King of Wands. But now Brian had seen his own vulnerabilities up close and personal. It might just have added that last touch of empathy needed to make him damnably perfect. And he’d make a great politician—one the people deserved, not what they were used to getting.

  “We’re all a little much, aren’t we, Thomas?” Jane asked in her soft voice. “All the couples and babies and purpose.” Leave it to sensible Jane to see what might be wrong and bring it out into the open. “It’s okay to not know what you want yet.”

  Thomas swallowed, and looked confused and distressed. “You’re all so…so much better than me. So much more useful. I had wanted to ask Mr. Tremaine…but why would he agree? My power is fire. Not useful in saving people. It’s a Clan power, destructive. And I am ignorant of the world. Not worth…not worth Tammy.”

  “Thomas, that’s not true at all,” Tammy protested. �
�I’m the one who’s not worth you. I’ve always been selfish—the baby, who everyone always took care of. And I liked it that way. Dear God, I took it personally that Daddy was hurt and my little world was changed. I was that self-centered! But you’re pretty much the opposite. You gave your all for your purpose. Do you know how admirable that is? You sacrificed yourself to try to make sure Morgan wouldn’t succeed. You died for what you believed in, for goodness sake. How many of us can say that?” Tammy looked so fierce as she challenged her family that once he would not have recognized her. But Michael had seen glimpses of the new Tammy lately. Now here she was, in full form.

  “I don’t think you’ve been a baby for a while now, honey,” Senior said softly.

  “Yeah. A baby wouldn’t have bullied me into helping her escape and come up with a plan and engaged a mercenary for protection to get me to agree,” Michael observed.

  “I might remind you it was you who led the charge to the hangar,” Jane added.

  Thomas drew himself up. “There is something you all do not know.” He swallowed. “I cannot lie, not to you, who have been so kind to me.”

  Brina raised her eyebrows. What had the kid done so horrible it rated a public confession?

  “Well, what?” Tris asked, frowning. He was getting ready to kill Thomas if the kid broke his little sister’s heart.

  “I…I have defiled Tammy. I took her virginity.” Everyone around the table relaxed. There was an errant chuckle, and several badly hidden smirks.

  Tammy turned on Thomas. “Don’t be ridiculous. I defiled you too, in that case. And anyway, I wanted it. A lot.”

  “I know Michael said I should do what you wanted. But families never want their daughter to lose her virginity before marriage. They might be unkind to you, and I will not allow that.” He turned to the full room. “And I will not live without Tammy either. But I know Tammy will not be happy away from her family…”

  “Don’t get yourself worked up, son,” Brian said. “I think your concept of ‘defiling’ is a little dated. We won’t be unkind to either of you just because you had sex before marriage.”