385. Ariel Angelic

ed note: On this date, two years hence, an image appeared and I wrote a few words of love. Almost 4oo postings and images later, The Story endures. As a tribute to so many loyal readers and fans, I offer a return to all that is good, the very fabric of love as seen in the pure heart of a child. Join me in the miracle of Ariel as we celebrate a story that is as much yours as it is mine. To mark the two-year anniversary, AutumnStorm has created The Official Fan Site for The Story. To say that I am blown away with the labor of her love would be a gross understatement.


"Home?" asked Em.

"Bravo, Em. Seems the commander dispatched a crew to repair our old mount," said Kyra. "She will be ready when we arrive, with a few improvements. Better than new it appears."

"I thought she was destroyed," said Trev.

"Just beyond our capacity to repair." Kyra measured the group, her hands still firmly holding the slate in front of her, the yellowish-green glow giving her face an ethereal quality in the dim light of the transport as a lantern might in a barn. "There is more."

The crew stood courtroom quiet before verdict read.

Kyra continued, "Upon our arrival, a dinner."

"What kind of dinner?" asked Von.

"The kind with a guest, call it a gift or perhaps an answer to a prayer." The words spun in the air as if weaving a patchwork quilt of hope, each member contributing their own swatch threaded on plea and petition.

Rog, never one for patience or prayer, broke the silence like a whip cracking cold air. "Oh pray tell, spit it out."

Kyra lowered an unhurried smile at Rog and then looked toward Em. All eyes followed. "Dr X."

"Holy Shiott," exclaimed Yul. "Does that mean what I think it means?"

"I think it does Yul."

Ariel tugged at Kyra's sleeve and whispered, "What does it mean?"

"It means there is a very good chance Em is going to see again."

Ariel looked at Kyra, looked at Em and then looked back again to Kyra. "Yes, yes, go."

With a skip more like deer than child, Ariel shot toward Em. "Did you hear that. You are going to see again. I knew it, I knew it, I knew it."

Em reached out and rubbed Ariel's head, looking almost embarrassed by fortune; her head swaying slightly like a tall building in the wind as if the words and thoughts themselves were a gale of possibility.

Ariel jumped up and down. "Aren't you going to ask me how I knew?"

"How did you know sweet child?" asked Em, unable to hold back a chary smile.

"I asked my mom for a favor. And she told me I could only have one so to make sure it was what I really wanted."

Em's fingers traced Ariel's face as if in the tracing she could see what her ears were not believing.

"Hey silly, aren't you going to ask me what I asked for?"

Enunciating her words to the throbbing beat of her heart, Em spoke as if before an angel. "What did you ask for?"

"That I wanted you to be able to see your mom again. That you wanted that more than anything in the world."