The Rescue Mission
Chapter 18
Written by rachel76m
Edited by Don Kaufman

We wake up in the morning at 7 AM again like yesterday. Everyone groans as we slowly get out of the beds.

“Merry Christmas, my fairies.”

They all respond together, “Merry Christmas, Omega, father, mother.”

I get out of bed and walk toward the kitchen. I check their shower setup in the sink. I see it needs a few more pieces of floral soap. I open the bag near the sink and take out a few more pieces of soap. I place them on the wooden bench I set up. I check the water skin to make sure it is still fresh by pouring some into a cup and drinking it. “Hmm . . . It is still fresh. That’s good.” I place the cup on the counter before I walk back into the bedroom.

“All right, your shower is ready to use. We will have a light bite here before we go over at 8 AM. I’ll be in the bathroom getting ready myself.”

“Thank you, mother.”

I walk into the bathroom to have another hot shower. I get done in about fifteen minutes. I towel myself dry and get dressed again in the bathroom. When I open the bathroom door, I hear all of them giggling and laughing as they get themselves clean in the kitchen sink.

I walk into the bedroom to finish getting ready for the day. Once I’m satisfied how I look by combing my hair and putting, some underarm deodorant and little bit of cologne on the face, I walk back into the kitchen.

“Are you almost done in there, my fairies?”

“We are, father.”

“Are we going to have breakfast here, before we go over there, mother?”

“We’ll be having it here, Esmeralda.”

“Okay.”

They fly out from the curtain fully dressed. They get what they want from the bowls and place them on the paper plates. I make another cold cereal breakfast with a banana and a cup of apple juice. I give the morning Thanks to the Creator. We then eat our morning breakfast in about twenty minutes. We clean up the place and get ready to walk and fly to the parents’ bungalow. I make sure Brianna’s present is in my coat pocket.

I open the door and the fairies fly out of the bungalow quickly. I close the door and lock it. I walk over to the bungalow and knock on the door. The door opens and I see Brianna standing there. We give each other a lengthy kiss and hug.

Charles yells out loud, “You’re letting the cold air in! Get inside and close the door!”

We break apart and walk inside in the bungalow hand in hand with smiles on our faces.

“Merry Christmas, everyone!”

“Merry Christmas, Richard!”

I see the video camcorder mounted on a tripod. I see it is plugged in and set to go.

“Okay, I’ll start the video camcorder.” Larry pushes the button to start recording the opening of the presents.

Everything went according to script. I get some more sweaters at least. Everyone appreciates the gifts I bought for the family members. But as they might have suspected, Brianna had a hand in picking out the gifts.

Brian looks at the gifts from me with a puzzled face. “I like the financial calculator, Richard. But, what is this box with the beads?”

“That is an abacus, Brian.”

“An aba’ what?”

Larry speaks up, “The Chinese people invented that, Brian. It is one of the first calculators ever made in the world.”

“What? It uses no electrical power?”

“It doesn’t Brian. In case your battery goes dead on the financial calculator, you have the abacus as a back up.”

We all smile at Brian. Then we all begin to laugh out loud.

Just as it is about to wind down after an hour of opening presents. I start my speech.

“Well, I have a present for Brianna. I didn’t want it opened until now. It would be a distraction from the other presents.”

Brianna looks at me with a smile.

“We understand that, Richard. One time, dad got a present that made it hard for us to open our presents. It was a trip to the Caribbean.”

“So, go on, Richard.”

I look at Larry and wink my eye at him. He immediately walks over to the camcorder to make sure it is focused on Brianna and me. I stand up and get in front of Brianna who is sitting in the sofa chair. “Brianna, I have loved you ever since we became neighbors. But, then we both found out why we are good neighbors to each other.”

“That’s right, Richard.”

“Then when I visited your dad’s house in Knoxville, you gave me a miniature rose pot. I thought about that gift from you for quite a while. Well, I would like to return a similar gift to you.”

“Yes, Richard.”

I take the box out from my jacket pocket. I bend the knee before her.

Brianna’s eyes start to tear. Her lips start to quake. Larry focuses in on us closer.

I open the box before her. “Brianna, will you please marry me?”

Brianna looks in the box to see a pink rose. “All I see is a pink rose, Richard.”

“Look harder, Brianna. You will find my golden heart holding it.”

Brianna looks harder at the rose. She puts both hands to her mouth. “Gasp! There is a pink rose within the pink rose.”

“Yes there is, Brianna.” I take the pink diamond ring out and leave the wedding ring inside.

Everyone is astonished that I would do such a thing.

Charles speaks his thought out loud, “Oh, man. . . . That’s a big rock!”

“It looks like a pink rose!” Exclaims Anne.

“So, Brianna. I have yet to hear your answer.”

The three boys start to chant, “Do it! Do it! Do it! . . . .”

Brianna has tears going down her face. She slowly brings her left hand out toward me. “I . . . I . . . d. . .do . . . R. . . . Richard.”

I slip the ring onto her ring finger.

She looks at it closely. She is amazed by the intricate detail. Anne and Helen gather around to look at it closely.

“That’s a beautiful ring, Richard. How much did it cost you?”

“That ring was originally $1,000.00. The total carat weight was a half carat. However, I wanted the main diamond to be larger. The larger diamond is a three-quarter carat. That makes it a total of one carat for the entire set. It cost me twice that.”

“What! $2,000!”

“That’s right, Larry. It is totally paid for in the full amount. If you look inside the band, Brianna. You’ll find me there.”

She takes it off and looks inside the ring band. She reads it out loud, “From your hero & knight with the golden heart. Richard Moore.”

She puts it back on quickly, then Brianna stands up quickly and hugs me tightly. We kiss each other for a long time.

Everyone claps and cheers that we are now engaged. The fairies are dancing and singing in the air with delight.

The two can now become one,
for all eternity.
For they will help Earth see the One,
for all eternity.

Everyone gathers around both us. Brianna and I break apart as we hug each other and I get slaps on the back from the sons and dad.

“Welcome to the family, Richard!”

“You’ll make a lovely couple!”

“You better watch out, Richard. She snores!”

Brianna snaps right back, “I heard that, Charles! In fact, you and Brian both saw a lot of wood!”

Everyone laughs out loud.

“Oh man, what have I gotten myself into?”

Everyone laughs again at my question.

“Everyone at the Rescue Mission is going to scream, Brianna.”

“That’s right, Anne. You better bring your camcorder, dad, along as well.”

“I’ll have it with me.”

“Come, on now. Let’s do some cleaning up. We have a lot of torn wrapping paper around.”

“Yeee . ssss, mom!” Brian and Charles respond back at the same time.

I walk over to Larry, “Larry, the wedding ring is still inside the box. Do I hold on to it?”

“Yes, you’ll have to hold on to it until the wedding.”

“Yes, sir.”

We clean up the bungalow real fast. Even the fairies were able to lend a hand in finding the smaller pieces found under the chairs, the tables and behind the sofa. Once it is all bagged, Charles takes out the bag of trash and sets it near the trash cans for the bungalow.

Then Helen and Anne bring out some quarter-size sandwiches for lunch. I pour out some nuts and fruits for my fairies. We all have a good laugh in talking things out. I see Brianna stroking the engagement ring from time to time. She sits near me with her arm around my arm. We feed each other a sandwich or a chip snack from time to time.

“So, Richard. I need to ask a very important question. Have you done any financial planning?”

“I have, Larry.”

“Call me dad, Richard.”

Everyone smiles.

“Okay . . . dad. I have in the savings account $250,000.00, right now.”

Everyone has a look of astonishment. “What?!”

“Where did that come from, Richard?”

“I get a royalty through NC State because I built the 3D Server there, dad. Each time Secure-Sys sells a 3D Server I get a percentage for my commission. Then there is the 3D Software DVD. I get a smaller percentage from that. Anna, my attorney figures I will be a millionaire in about five years with sales from the other countries.”

“Whooo . . . hoo!! All right! A millionaire!”

“He’s catching up to you dad!”

Brianna gives me another hug and smile while we look at each other.

When we see the time is one o’clock, we clean up again to get ready for the afternoon at the Rescue Mission.

Allen elects himself to use the camcorder while dad makes the announcement in the Rescue Mission.

“What about us, father? Do they know about us over there?”

Brianna speaks up, “Not everyone is hearing the Creator over there. There are still a lot of hearts and bodies that need healing. You’ll have to be in butterfly mode there, Bianca.”

“Okay, Brianna. Are there flowers inside the building?”

“There are plenty of flowers inside, Bianca. You’ll definitely have your fill of nectar there. However, the ladies and the children will have their hearts lifted up when they see you fluttering about. They see you as a precious gift of life from the Creator. Some of them have paper and colored butterflies in their rooms.”

Bianca smiles, “That’s good.”

The fairies change into butterflies while we put on our coats to walk over to the main building. We leave the bungalow and walk quickly along the sidewalks. We see our frosty breaths in front of us as we walk there. The fairies land on a shoulder or head to pick up some body heat from us while we walk there. Allen opens the door and walks inside first with the camcorder. He looks for the Director. She is found in the lobby area waiting for us.

“Is everyone here, Allen.”

“They are, madam. They are just outside. Where will you be having the gathering?”

“It is in the restaurant here. Why are you hesitating? Let them in. They are welcomed here.”

“Have your video recorders going on when we come inside. My dad has a big announcement to make.” He smiles at her.

She smiles back, “If you say so.” The Director turns around and opens the door to the restaurant and walks inside.

A large Christmas tree is set near the corner of the room. There is a large pile of presents for the adults there. There are some pieces of paper still on the floor from the time the children opened their presents in the morning.

“Karen.”

“Yes, Director.”

“Make sure the camcorders are on. Larry is going to make a big announcement when they walk through the doors.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Karen turns around and walks to the various camcorders that are set up in the room. The ladies ask her what she is doing.

“What are you doing, Karen?”

“I’m making sure they are turned on. Mr. Wilson is going to make a big announcement.”

“If you say so, Karen.”

~~~000~~~

Allen walks back and open the door for us. We walk into the lobby area and wait for the signal from the Director. We unbutton and unzip our jackets to look more comfortable. The fairies settle near some flowers in the lobby area. They get a quick drink of nectar before we go inside. Then we see the door open to the restaurant. We all walk inside. The butterflies flutter in quickly to find more flowers in the restaurant. They see hundreds of colorful flowers scattered about. The children notice them right away.

“Look mommy! Pretty butterflies!”

“Shhh . . . Mr. Wilson is going to make an announcement.”

She whispers back, “Okay, mom.”

Director speaks up, “May I have your attention. Mr. Wilson has an announcement to make.”

Everyone whispers quietly to get everyone else to be quiet.

Mr. Wilson steps forward. “First of all, Merry Christmas to everyone here at the Rescue Mission.”

Everyone responds back, “Merry Christmas, Wilson family and Richard!”

“Ahem, I am pleased to make the announcement that Richard Moore has proposed to my daughter, Brianna!”

Brianna and I wave to everyone.

Everyone screams and cheers with delight!

“EEEeeeek!”

Larry shouts out loud above the mayhem, “Brianna accepted!”

Then there is more cheering going on. All of the ladies rush forward to give her hugs and congratulations. The butterflies flutter about in delight above us. After awhile, they flutter back to the flowers to stay out of reach of the children. Brianna shows them the engagement ring.

“Oooh. . . . That’s beautiful, Brianna.”

“It’s like a pink rose.”

“Are those real diamonds?”

“How much did it cost him?”

Brianna answers back, “With the wedding ring, the total is one carat.”

“One carat?! That must have set him back some.”

“He paid $2,000 for it.”

“What!? You’re kidding me!”

Karen walks up to me and pulls me aside to give me a big hug quickly. “You’re a sly fox, Richard. Doing it on Christmas morning. How did you present it to her?”

“First of all, she gave me a small pot of miniature pink roses during Thanksgiving. The jewelers nestled the ring inside a real pink rose.”

“That’s a wonderful idea. I love it.”

“Brianna had to do a double take looking at the rose.”

“I’m sure she did.”

“Larry has it all recorded this morning.” I take out the box from my pocket and open it before her.

“I see what you mean, Richard. That is a beautiful presentation. I see all our hard work was not put to waste.” She smiles at me.

I smile back at her. “No, Karen. I still remember our times together when we were kids. That experience helped me keep a level head. There is also an inscription inside the band.”

“What does it say?”

“Well, she calls me her hero and knight in shining armor with a golden heart a lot.”

“So, you had that phrase shortened down.”

“I did Karen. She will always remember me now.”

“I love it. When is the marriage date?”

“I don’t know yet, Karen. First there is the marriage counseling while I’m here every other month. This is coinciding with my further training in earning the black sashes for the Shaolin Dragon Master series, and while I’m working in Charleston.”

“You will be very busy now. I see that now.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see a young teenager sitting alone from everyone else. Karen notices my quick look.

“What’s his story, Karen?”

“He won’t say, Richard. The best we can figure out he witnessed a killing of a gang member.”

“So, he’s being quiet to protect himself and the one who did the killing.”

“We think the killer threatened him to be quiet about the incident. If he doesn’t come forward after New Years, he’s going to jail.”

“That’s not much time to work with. His mother thought this atmosphere might open him up some more.”

“Yes, she’s hoping for that change in his life.”

“Well, you know I can take care of myself. I’ll give it a try.”

“Be careful, Richard.”

The crowd thins out from the excitement. Brianna walks to Karen. “Is he going to try and open him up, Karen?”

“Yes, Brianna.”

“He should be able to do it really easily. He got the situation diffused in Charles’ company of a serious problem that would have been a bad Christmas for everyone there.”

“Well, let’s hope Richard can do the same here.”

~~~000~~~

I approach the young teenager. He’s leaning his chair against the wall with his arms crossed. Some of my fairies flutter nearby and settle around some flowers to watch me talk with him. I speak up first as I sit down on a chair nearby. I stare at him. He stares back at me. Soon he has the glazed look in his eyes. His mother, the Director and the Rescue Mission attorney walk in carefully and take seats nearby to listen into our conversation. They were clued in what I’m to do by Karen and Brianna.

“Hello. My name is Richard.”

“Hello. My name is Steven.”

“Are you having a great Christmas?”

“If that’s what you call it. In fact, I hate Christmas.”

“Why’s that?”

“My dad was just put in the hospital a week ago. He’s barely hanging on trying to protect us. The stinking bastard came in and hurt mom as well.”

“Where were you?”

“Mom hid me in a kitchen closet. I saw it all through the cabinet. After my mom got raped, he turned around and quickly found me. He threatened my life to not speak of his Christmas present to his ex-girlfriend.”

“I see. Do you know where this ex-boyfriend is now?”

“He got caught robbing a jewelry store yesterday in downtown Charleston.”

I look at the ladies and whisper quietly to them. “I took him down with the officer’s help. This was just yesterday morning.”

“Oh my Creator.” Whisper the ladies.

Brianna and Karen put a hand to their mouths to keep themselves quiet. The attorney quickly writes down some notes on a pad of paper.

“Well, you’re doing just fine, Steven. You have a great Christmas now.” I then clap my hands, “Clap!”

“Huh!? What just happened?”

“You finally told us what really happened with your mom and dad.”

“I . . . d. . . did?” She looks at her mom with tears coming down her face. He has tears coming down his face as well, “I’m sorry, mom.”

“That’s okay. We’ll visit dad soon.” Then Steven’s mom comes over and sits next to her son. They both hug and cry on each other for about fifteen minutes.

“He must get better, mom.”

“I hope so too, my son.”

I get up from the chair and step away from the reconciliation that is happening. I see Brianna walking up to me. We give each other a long hug. We break apart and step away from them. The attorney follows me.

“What did happen yesterday, Richard?”

“I was in the jewelry store to pay for the wedding ring at 10 AM. I got there a little bit early after 9:00 AM. After looking at the ring and deciding to put the inscription on the ring, the jeweler and the owner went into the back room. I turned around and noticed the car pulling up. The driver stayed in and kept the engine running. The robber came out and put his hands into his coat pocket. I looked at the officer and he looked at me. We nodded our heads and steeled ourselves for what is about to happen. I got the ladies down on the floor. The robber pulled down his ski mask before he came inside. Then for some reason, the car engine died and the doors locked. The robber turned around and saw his friend waving his hands. The officer and I pounced on the robber. I went for the body and did a constrictor coil wrap around him to pin his legs and arms. The officer went after the semiautomatic. Once he got the gun out of his hands, he cuffed him while I still had him bound up.”

“Well, thank goodness you were there to catch him.”

“I’ll be telling this same story some time next month when he is being arraigned.”

“Then I better be there with this testimony to make him stay longer in jail. The robbery is nothing compared to what he did last week. It will just compound his problems by ten fold.”

The rest of the day went great for everyone. All of the ladies who were on an edge back in October are now more at ease with men around them. You can see it in their faces and how they interact with the Wilson family and me. Brianna did keep a close watch on me as some of the ladies try to flirt with me.

“Aren’t you just being coy with me now, Brenda?”

“Coy? Me coy with you? Whatever gave you that idea?”

“Well, weren’t you trying to put your sex appeal on me by touching my arms and chest?”

Brenda looks at Brianna really quickly. She sees her with a big smile on her face. Brenda gives a quick smile back. She looks at me, “Hmmmph.. . . Of all the nerve. Someone figured me out. I’ve got to work harder on my ‘coy’ as you say it, Richard. Hmmmph!” She turns around quickly to join the other ladies.

Brianna comes up to me and puts her hand into my hand. “I’m glad you caught on really quickly. She has gotten into a lot of trouble with that flirting style she does. Just seeing her trying it on you just shows she doesn’t know when to stop and be satisfied with one man in her life. When she does land a guy, she starts flirting with another man right away.”

“Then the first man would feel like a real heel. If she crosses the wrong type of man, she could get hurt.”

“Yes. That is what happened. She got beaten up by a man who was very jealous for her love. When he didn’t see it returned, she ended up in the hospital for several weeks. Her sister called us to counsel her. Brenda has been here for almost a year now.”

“Now I have confession to make, Brianna.”

“What is it?”

We look at each other closely as we sit down together.

“If I get sweaty from working out, I will emit a certain pheromone that can attract the single ladies.”

“Then you better take a hot shower every time.”

“I do Brianna. I take one every morning and after a workout. Then I take a cold shower to close the pores. One of things I’m hoping, if and when we get married, my attraction pheromone will change and ward off the single ladies.”

“I hope so too, Richard. I hope so.”

I smile at Brianna and whisper to her, “Maybe that’s why virgin women are attracted to unicorns.”

Brianna smiles back, “If Brenda is still a virgin, then it’s a miracle she still is. Or her flirting is very addictive.”

“Well, I have been attracted to you since we were kids.”

“Same here, lover boy.”

We kiss each other quickly. We stand back up and join the crowd. We see them gathering around the tree. It is time to open the adult presents now. The Director stands in front of the Christmas tree.

“Well, it is time to open the presents for the adults. Everyone was assigned a number. Then we put a copy of the numbers into a bowl. The male guards took care of themselves already. Everyone else picked one number, if you picked your own, you put it back until you got someone else. The present has to be thoughtful and useful. It could be purchased for less than $15, given or made by the giver. We are now to go in order starting from number one.”

The first lady gets up and shows her ticket for being number one. She picks up a present and looks at it with a smile. She opens it to find a cosmetic case. Everyone claps and cheers.

One by one, the ladies get their presents. It takes about two hours to go through all of the presents. There are about two hundred ladies on the island. Some got jewelry, a book, perfume, or even a cameo to put a picture in. The female guards appreciate the gifts they received as well.

By 3 PM, we get done with the presents. Then the place is straightened up to get ready for dinner. Pitchers of cold ice water are brought out to each table. I see Charles and Brian get roped very quickly by some of the single ladies to sit near them. Allen and Anne are invited to sit a table by some of the ladies. Brianna informs me of the sitting arrangements.

“There is a counselor at each table group. We have to keep an eye on them very closely, especially with my brothers present.”

“Some could be fighting over them.”

“That’s right, my love. The guards are especially vigilant as well. This is first time in a long time. They had men sit near them.”

Then the Director stands up from behind the head table. I see the attorney, Larry and Helen sitting up there with them.

“We want to thank the Wilsons for being here with us this Christmas day.”

Everyone claps their hands briefly.

“Let us give thanks to the Creator for this Christmas dinner.”

A lady from a nearby table stands up. “Creator, we just want to thank you very much for this day. We are gathered here from all walks of life with similar or different experiences. We are thankful to be alive and well. For we can always help each to recover faster. We thank you for Richard. He helped us to hear your voice a lot clearer back in October. We thank you for this food that you have provided for us. Let it give us the strength we need to do more each day. Thank you, Creator.”

Everyone responds together, “Thank you, Creator.”

She sits back down. Then two ladies from each table get up and walk to the kitchen port windows. They are handed plates of food to be brought back to the tables. A plate is placed in front of me. I see it has the traditional trimmings for roasted chicken. The spices are typical this time of year, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, etc. The vegetables are sweet potato, peas and pearl onions, carrots and a sprig of parsley.

There is a flower arrangement in the center of each table with three candles lit as well.

We eat and talk about many things throughout the hour. I talk about my time in Charleston that I will be here every other month for the next six months at least. However, I don’t tell what I’m doing specifically here in the Charleston office.

Brianna tells them that I will be seen here visiting the marriage counselor here at the Rescue Mission at least once a week for an hour. More if needed as the weeks go on. The ladies definitely approve of that idea.

“On top of all that, I’m still earning the next sash for my martial arts style.”

“You need to know more than that what you did last October, Richard?”

“Yes, Sarah. I need to know more. There might come a day I will come across someone who knows more than I do. Then I must use all of my abilities to find a way to come out on top.”

“I don’t envy you there, Richard. Brianna, how are you putting up with it?”

“Well, I’m still learning about our relationship. This is just another facet in his life. I’m there to help him keep focus and calm downed. I’m sure we have heard of stories of men who are martial art masters. They used that knowledge for the wrong reason like hurting other people on purpose. I have to trust Richard that he will keep it under control and use it for the right reasons.”

“Have you killed anyone with your training, Richard?”

“I haven’t, Carol. My sensei made sure of that when I was learning the beginning moves when I was younger. It is used only for defense. If it is used for offense, then I harm the person to not stand up and yet live. Hopefully, during their recovery period they will see the error of their ways.”

“Well, stick to your principles, Richard. It looks good so far.”

After we get done eating the main meal, two different ladies get up to pick up the dirty plates and silverware. They return with the desert. We wait until everyone is served. The desert is spiced pumpkin pie with whip cream and a cherry on top. It doesn’t take long for us to eat the desert. It takes about fifteen minutes to eat it, but we talk for another fifteen as well. I see the time is approaching close to sunset.

Then Director stands up again. “We have time to watch the sunset ladies. Walk out in an orderly and calm fashion now.”

Everyone cheers that they get to see the sunset on Christmas Day.

We walk out of the main building and down the sidewalks to the beach. We have our coats on to keep us warm. My fairies flutter about in butterfly mode. They come to a rest on the tops of the trees to watch the sunset. We look up in the sky to see the colors change and see the stars come out. It is a clear night to see all of the stars. The lights from Charleston are not too bright by the island. The moon phase is a small crescent.

Brianna and I walk with our arms around each other. Some of the kids run around to chase each other. However, their moms tell them to slow it down or they will get sick. But actually it helps heat the body up to keep it warm. They like watching the fog come out from their mouths. Brianna and I look up at the sky to watch a plane move across the sky. Then all of a sudden it stops in midair.

I whisper to Brianna. “Did you see that, Bri?”

“I see it, Richard. Is that a UFO?”

“I don’t know yet. I’ve been told we are watched in the Heavens by the Emissaries.”

Then the light moves on very fast in another direction.

“Then let’s hope that is one of them.”

Then Carol approaches us, “What are you looking at, Brianna?”

“We saw a shooting star, Carol.”

“Did you make a wish?”

“We did, Carol. We hope the next year will be the best ever for everyone.”

“That’s my hope as well.”

We continue walking down the beach, then we turn around and return to the main building. We go inside to get warm. We see pitchers of hot chocolate and Christmas cookies are placed on each of the tables with plenty of cups. We sit down in the chairs and pour ourselves cups of hot chocolate. Some of the people dunk the cookies into the hot drink before eating them. Once we get done with that, the Director stands back up again.

“Before we go to bed, we need to thank our cooks for the wonderful Christmas dinner.”

Then everyone claps and cheers as the cooks come out from the kitchen. They wave and bow as they are appreciated for their contributions to the Christmas dinner. Then they return back to the kitchen. We get up and mingle among ourselves again. Eventually everyone walks back to their room. Brianna guides me back to her room and invites me in.

I sit on the chair and she brings another one besides me. She walks back to her desk to pick up a scrap book. She sits down besides me. She opens it to page one.

“This is the scrapbook of our time together, Richard.”

“Oh, man. I haven’t seen these since we were kids. They sure bring back a lot of memories.”

“I know, Richard. Now we must make new ones.”

“Yes, we will, my love. Especially for our children.”

“Yes, they must know where they come from. Do you still have scrapbooks back at your dad’s house?”

“Yes, there are several, Brianna. My mom kept them for safe keeping after I left for college.”

“That’s good. I want to see them, especially after our families split apart. We need to fill in the gaps of our lives.”

“Don’t I know it, Brianna. I mourned our break up very much.”

“So did I.” Brianna closes the scrapbook.

We hug each other hoping no one would let go first. We see the clock approaching 9 PM. Brianna lets go of me.

“It is time for curfew, Richard.”

“I thought as much. I’ll see you tomorrow morning. At what time, Brianna?”

“I’ll see you tomorrow morning at 9 AM. How about I have breakfast at your place.”

“That’s fine, Brianna. I’ll set up an additional place setting for you at that time.”

“What are you having for breakfast?”

“I’m planning on hot oatmeal, fruit juice, a hard fruit and toast.”

“Good, I’ll be there.”

I get up from the chair. We hug and kiss each other again.

“I love the engagement ring. It’s very beautiful. It will remind me of you every day.”

I take out the box and show her the wedding ring.

“It’s a perfect match, Richard. You better not lose it.”

“I won’t, Brianna.” I smile at her, “I have a bunch of fairy children that will remind me.” I put the box back into my coat pocket.

She smiles back, “Ah . . . then the Creator did the right thing in making you the Omega Unicorn.”

“Uh huh . . . with all of them around me, how can I forget you.”

“Wait until we have kids and grand kids of our own. Then we’ll really going to need them.”

We hug and kiss each other again. Brianna opens the door, I walk outside. I turn around a blow a kiss to Brianna. She puts her hand to her cheek. “Good aim, lover boy.”

“Silly girl. It just shows I’m still crazy about you.”

“Silly boy. I’m just as crazy about you as well.” Brianna closes the door. I hear some giggling from behind the doors as I walk down the hallway. Then I see Charles and Brian come out of from two different doors. I see lipstick kisses on their faces.

“You didn’t do what I think you did in there. Did you?”

“No, we didn’t have sex with them, Richard. We just did some good old fashion submarine races.”

“Yeah, we tried to see how long we could do it on one breath.”

“But if you breathe through the nose, you can kiss nonstop, Brian.”

“Come on you two Casanovas. It’s time for bed. The both of you were just like my brothers.”

“Well, we are your new brothers if you’re part of our family now.”

“Uh huh . . . Mike and Kenny told me plenty of stories from the summer camps you did with them. Some of the stories were incredible to believe in. That’s if they’re true.”

“Ah . . . Mike and Kenny. We had some great times with them. We can tell you some more while we watch a football game this week.”

“Save the stories until then, Brian and Charles. In fact, I have a better idea.”

“What is it, Richard?”

“Come with me, I knocking on Brianna’s door.”

“Okay.”

We walk down to Brianna’s door. I knock on it two times. “Knock! Knock!”

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, Richard. I have your two brothers out here. Get your digital camera for proof. It’s suitable for framing.”

“Oooh, I’ll be right there.”

Five seconds later, she opens the door. Brianna giggles at the sight of her two brothers. “Giggle. . . That must have been some love session. That gives me a idea. I want to make it three of a kind.”

She walks back into her room and refreshes her lipstick. She comes back out and plants several red lipstick kiss marks on my cheeks beside the usual on the lips.

“Okay, now get together side by side and smile.”

I put my arms around Brian and Charles. We give our biggest grin. She takes several photos one with a flash and one without the flash feature. “I love it. I can’t wait to print it out. I definitely have proof that Charles and Brian still have it.”

Both Charles and Brian respond back at the same time, “You’re welcome, sis’.”

“Come on, the three Casanovas need to get cleaned up.”

“Si, Senor Richard.”

Brianna turns around and returns back into her room and closes her door. Then we hear her giggling out loudly. “Giggle . . .giggle. . . I love it . . .”

“Thanks a lot, Richard.”

“Hey, at least she has the proof. If you told the story tomorrow and your face is cleaned up, she probably wouldn’t believe either of you.”

“You do have a point, Richard.”

We walk down the hallway back into the dining area. My fairies see me with Charles and Brian. They flutter to me quickly, some land on my shoulders or head. Brian and Charles open the doors and exit through the lobby area then main doors to the outside. We are greeted by some cold air. We walk briskly back to our bungalows.

I open the bungalow and we enter in quickly. My fairies change back into fairies quickly. I turn on the lights and make sure the heater is a bit higher in temperature for the night.

I wash my face really good to get the lipstick kisses off. Then I change clothes and get into my sweats for the night. Croin flies into the cave carving for his night sleep. I see he blows some small flames on the inside cave surface to keep himself warm for the night. My fairies also put on their warm night clothes as well. I turn off the lights as we get under the covers for a good night of sleep. During the night I get a most unusual dream that I have never had before.

I see myself standing in the flower field that I have been to before. I see Brianna standing right next to me. Then the rest of the Wilson family shows up next to us. My fairies show up as well, even King Oren’s fairy troop as well.

“Brianna, are we having this dream together?”

“I think we are, Richard. Where are we?”

“We are in one of the flower fields in Heaven. I have met my mom and dad here a few times by those benches over there.”

She looks where I’m pointing. “I see them. Then why are we here?”

“I think we are about to find out. I see a lot of people and beasts running and flying toward us.”

“Do you recognize any of them?”

“I sure do, Brianna. I see Caliber, mom, dad, my brothers, our ancestor’s King Arthur and Queen Guinevere to name a few. It looks like we are going to have a huge Engagement party up here.”

“I like that very much. Let’s not return back to Earth right away.”

“I like that idea very much, Brianna.”

We put our arms around each other as they get closer and closer to us. I estimate more than a thousand people coming toward us. Larry, Helen, Allen, Brian and Charles have big smiles on their faces as they see my family run toward us. King Oren, Queen White Dove and the rest of the fairies from Caliber have big smiles on their faces when see him and his mate running toward us. My fairies and Croin's memory are present as well.

Nobody is going to forget this party.