Liz grabbed my arm, her voice wavering. “Is this a dream? Tell me I’m really home.”
I threw my arm around her. “We’re home, sis. We’re really home.”
My dad reached for a cigarette, then felt his pocket. “Forgot my lighter.”
“
Dad,” Liz said, “you’ve got four lighters right here. We’re all Immortals, and we possess the power of fire.”
His brown eyes twinkled. “When you were five years old, I told you that you’re gifted and unique, but this isn’t what I quite had in mind.”
Liz smiled and lifted her hand. A tiny ball of red light, as big as a dime, appeared. She softly blew it, and the little fireball hovered above my dad’s hand, just long enough for him to light his cigarette. Then the red orb dissipated into the air.
He smiled and ran a hand through his short brown hair. “Thanks, Liz.”
“
I thought you stopped smoking,” she said.
“
After all I’ve been through…” He let out a breath. “Don’t even get me started.”
My dad had been ripped apart by Liz’s disappearance all those years ago, and when he thought he’d lost me too, his world had shattered. My dad had been to hell and back.
My mom screamed Victor’s name and hugged him. “Victor, you’re alive!” He embraced her in his arms and hugged her tightly. My mom loved Victor after only knowing him a short time, and they got along beautifully. I could see how happy she was that he was alive. She then hugged me, Liz, and Charles, wiped the tears from her brown eyes, then said, “I thought I’d lost Liz, then Sarah when she disappeared during the expedition.” She clutched her chest. “Dark waves of grief gripped me. I was in absolute torment and pain. Losing your only two daughters is something I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.”
“
Mom,” Liz said, her voice wavering, “we never met to put you through any of this. We’re so sorry.”
I suddenly felt guilty for staying in Tastia. My mother had grieved my loss and had suffered deeply. I never forget the look on her face when Victor brought her back for my birthday party. We cried, we laughed, and we hugged. I loved my mother with all of my heart, and it was the best birthday ever.
I gripped her hands, and my mom continued, “I found my Liz and my Sarah, but we feared her dear husband was gone. I don’t think my old heart can take any more of these yo-yo emotions, but I’m so happy to have all of you alive and breathing. It’s nothing short of a miracle.”
Her eyes glistened with tears as she pulled me into a hug. “Please don’t leave. Please say you and Liz will stay here forever.”
I met her gaze and wiped a tear from her cheek. It was a promise I could not possibly make, but my mother was my world, and it killed me to see her so upset.
“
I can’t lose you again,” she said, gasping between breaths.
I wanted to say the two words she longed to hear: “
You won’t.”
She hugged me tighter. “I can’t do it again. I just can’t. Your father and I can’t live through that kind of pain.”
I rubbed her back to reassure her, but I couldn’t make her the promises she wanted to hear, and that tore my heart apart more than anything. So I just held her and hugged her. She was spilling out her pain, still feeling the darkness that had consumed her over the last year, but Liz and I were back. I was opening the door and letting the light shine brightly through. There was a bright future in front of all that pain and darkness.
She wiped her eyes with her sleeves, then hugged Liz. “Welcome home, baby. We’re going to have the best Christmas ever.”
“
We’re all together,” Liz said. “I couldn’t be more thrilled then I am at this very moment.”
My mom sobbed as she spoke, emotion consuming her voice. “I love you and Sarah so much. This is the happiest day of my life.”
“
I can make it even happier,” I said, my heart swelling with joy.
Liz met my gaze and smiled.
“
Having all of you home is the only Christmas miracle I need,” my mom said.
I gripped Victor’s hand and met my mom’s gaze. “Mom, Dad, I’m pregnant. Victor and I are going to have a baby!”
My dad threw his arms around me as my mom squealed. “This is truly the happiest day of our lives,” he shouted.
My mom and dad hugged me so hard that I could hardly breathe. It was great to see them so happy after all the tragedy they’d been through. They congratulated us over and over again.
My mom wrapped an arm around Liz. “You’re going to be an aunt.”
“
It’s wonderful!” she said. “Charles and I are ecstatic, and we’re going to spoil that kid rotten.”
“
Grandma is too,” my mom added.
Liz glanced slowly around her. “Charles, this place brings back so many childhood memories.”
He gripped her hand and smiled. “I can’t believe I am standing in front of the house you have told me so much about.”
A tear slipped down Liz’s cheek as she stared at the house. “I’m home, Charles. I’m really home…and it’s not a dream.”
He pulled her close. “No it isn’t.”
Liz snuggled into his chest, then glanced at my mom. “Is my old room still there?”
“
Just the way you left it,” she said. “Go look.”
Liz looked lovingly up at Charles. “Wanna go see my room?”
He smiled. “Lead the way.”
She smiled back, then darted into the house with Charles.
I threw an arm around my mom’s shoulder as we walked up the old, familiar sidewalk that I used to mark with chalk when I was a little girl. Liz and I had created the most beautiful sidewalk portraits, and I smiled at the memory.
“
We can do all our favorite Christmas traditions,” my mom said.
“
Are you going to make your famous Christmas eggnog?” I asked.
She couldn’t stop grinning. “Baby, I will make whatever your heart desires. Today is your day.”
“
Welcome to our home,” my dad said, motioning to Victor.
“
It’s not a castle, but we love it,” my mom added.
The beige living room looked exactly as I remembered it, from the white upholstered sofas and chairs with brown toss pillows, to the dark wood end tables paired with an oversized leather ottoman. A thick white rug lay across the floor, and cascading brown draperies hung from decorated curtain rods. Serene landscape paintings hung across the walls.
“
It’s beautiful,” Victor said. “I’m honored to be a guest in your home. Thank you for your kindness.” He glanced up, stunned at the crystal chandelier hanging in the entryway.
“
We don’t use wrought-iron chandeliers with candles,” I said. “We use glass and electricity.”
He stepped into the living room and walked over to my mom’s porcelain lamp and touched it. “This is the lighting you told me about.”
“
Yes, electricity. We can turn it on or off the lamp by simply turning the black knob.”
His eyes lit up. “When you told me about it, it was hard to comprehend. I could not understand the existence of such power, but seeing it with my very own eyes…it’s truly amazing.”
“
Imagine this technology in our castle,” I said.
“
Your world is so different. Your lighting and transportation is completely different from ours. Words can’t describe it.”
Grinning, my dad motioned to the fireplace. “It is so warm and toasty in here, yet there’s no fire.”
The lines in his forehead crinkled. “How is that possible?”
“
We have a gas-powered furnace that pumps warm air into the house.” My dad pointed to the thermostat. “We can control how much heat we want with this.”
“
I see your world has many amazing things to offer.”
“
I have so many good memories growing up here,” I said, glancing around. I walked over to the fireplace mantel and picked up a fifteen-inch porcelain doll, dressed in a flowing dress. She was holding a bouquet and was etched with a golden sixteen. The last time I had seen it, it was in my apartment. I couldn’t even begin to imagine the grief my parents suffered when they packed up my belongings, presuming me dead.
My mom touched my arm, her voice wavering. “I kept this out because it reminds me of you.”
I swallowed hard. “I never thought I’d see it again.”
Wrapping an arm around my waist, my mom smiled through the tears. “You have no idea how much strength and inspiration this music box gave me. I hoped you were somehow still alive somewhere.”
I turned and hugged my mom tightly. It was an emotional reunion. My mom was more to me than just a mother; she was my best friend, and I loved her more than life itself.
“
When I saw it at the mall, I knew it was the perfect birthday gift,” my dad said. “The girl looks just like you.”
I wound up the music box and watched the girl twirl around as a sweet melody filled the air. “You got me this for my sixteenth birthday.”
The corner of my mom’s eyes crinkled as she grinned. “We were at the mall, and your father and I fought over whether to get you this or the pearl necklace.”
“
And who ultimately won that struggle?” Victor asked.
My mom’s face beamed at the memory. “Sarah got both.”
My dad chuckled. “Yes she did.”
I looked up at Victor. “I’m so blessed to have such beautiful parents.” He wrapped an arm around me, pulling me close. I felt like I was back home again. I had my parents and my sister and the man of my dreams standing at my side. Best of all, we were having a baby. We were safe, and nothing felt better. It was the first day of the rest of my life.
My mom gripped my hands, smiling. She let go, but my hands continued to clutch hers. I didn’t want to let go. I couldn’t bear to be away from my mom. I desperately wanted her to be part of her grandson’s life. I could see us moving to another state, but never another dimension. My heart sank the more I pondered.
When a scream echoed from the kitchen, my heartbeat spiked. I darted through the doorway, my nerves on edge. “What was that?”
Liz flung open the refrigerator door. “A fridge…and I’m starving.”
“
Geez, Liz,” I said, laughing. “I thought something was wrong.”
Victor and Charles rushed in the kitchen.
“
Are you all right, my dear?” Charles asked.
“
Better than ever!” Liz pointed. “Behold, a box that keeps food cold all the time. Gentlemen, this is best invention of all time.” She opened a can of Pepsi and took a long drink. “Liquid heaven.” She handed everyone a can and began digging through the shelves.
Charles tapped on the can, then shook it. “How do you open it?”
“
Not like that, silly,” Liz said. “It’ll explode all over the place.”
“
Pull the tab back,” I said, “but wait until it settles down.”
Unfortunately, he didn’t heed my warning, and the cola fizzled all over the floor. We all burst out in laughter.
Liz pulled out a candy bar. “Let me introduce you to a friend I’ve missed desperately, Mr. Chocolate.”
I broke off a chunk of the Hershey bar. “Victor, you’ve had plenty of first times—first step, first kiss, first date—but you will always remember your first taste of chocolate.” I watched as he tentatively bit into the candy.
As the chocolate melted in his mouth, his face lit up with surprise.
“
Well?” I asked.
“
It’s sweet and creamy. I’ve never tasted anything so delightful in all of my life.”
I felt special witnessing Victor try something new for the first time. He was hundreds of years old, but in my world, there was still plenty to show him. The thought made me smile.
“
It’s pure heaven,” I said, taking another bite.
Liz began pulling out ingredients to make sandwiches. “You guys are gonna love this! I’ve got ham, turkey, and roast beef.” She handed the bags of meat to Charles. “And we’ve got to have all the fixings.” She handed Victor an onion, a tomato, a green pepper, a jar of mayonnaise, cheese, and a head of lettuce. She smiled as he fumbled with everything. “You got everything, Highness?”