Chapter 142

“Alex,” she said softly. “I will be honest with you. We may never find Alexa. If she has gone away and does not wish to be found, it would be rather easy for her. She is not only a citizen of the EU, but also the Commonwealth, so she could go anywhere. And like you, she is a polyglot, she speaks many languages, so she’d be comfortable in many places.”

“My Klingon is better than hers.” I mumbled, smiling weakly. She smiled back, shaking her head slightly.

“You do not need to try and cheer us up, my friend. Let us be here for you. And to that end, let me promise you something, on Alexa’s behalf…”

Her tone was now quiet but serious as she stared into my eyes. “If we do not see her, ever again, then Jeanie and I will act as wives for you. We cannot replace her, we know that, but we both loved her, and we will look after you in her name. Even children. We talked about it on the way down when we suspected the worst. It’s… it’s what she’d want, she wouldn’t want you to be alone, Alex.”

I didn’t really have anything to say, but I smiled and nodded. She got back on the chesterfield and pulled a cover over us, in spite of the late summer warmth. The two of them nestled into me, caressing me slowly and whispering comforting words. In a cocoon, my weary mind drifted and I fell back asleep, wondering where my beloved wife had gone.

***

We were all sitting around the coffee table, staring into our cups. Mom and dad had been gone to their bedroom for several hours and I admit I slept for most of those. Dad had made some obligatory calls to the airport, of course, but they had no information to give him. We couldn’t even file a missing persons report, since Alexa was an adult and had left a perfectly cogent letter saying goodbye that indicated she was in no danger. She was just… going away.

How do you find someone who doesn’t want to be found? And even if you do find them… what then?

Jeanie had made some sandwiches and salad, and we all picked away at them dutifully, even if none of us felt like eating. Still, protein and carbs to help us think were not a bad thing.

I could tell dad was agitated- he wanted to make sure his wife wasn’t in distress, and he could do nothing about it. Thankfully, he didn’t blame me, because he clearly felt awful for me as well. Nothing was harder on my dad than not being able to help the people he loved. Why had I allowed this to happen?

“I still can’t believe she took off and none of us noticed,” mom said finally. “I didn’t, your father didn’t, you didn’t… she must have been so careful.”

“Can’t be sure, but she might have gone out her bedroom window and shimmied down that lattice,” dad mused. “She kept that window open a lot on pleasant nights.”

Freja nodded. “And she is, oh, how do you say it… a real monkey. She was always climbing trees and into her bedroom when she was out past curfew. It was amazing to watch how agile she could be.”

“Well, you said she was a good little gymnast, which accounts for her HR-inappropriate level of flexibility,” mom sighed. “So, when we were all asleep, she went out her window and took off to God-knows-where. I’ve contacted both sides of my family and told them she went AWOL, on the off-chance she shows up with any of them to learn more about herself. Obviously that won’t happen, but being thorough keeps me focused.”

Freja had told mom and dad about their offer to look after me in Alexa’s place. They both seemed to not really mind, but why would they? I wasn’t related to either of these girls and it did little or nothing to solve the primary aspect of this crisis from their point of view. Ancillary solutions were far from their minds at the moment. Since my parents hadn’t known about our relationship or that Alexa and I considered ourselves husband and wife, the offer was rather moot. I think everyone was just wanting to keep all lines of communication clear at this point, no secrets or surprises.

“You saw them marry one another, Freja?” dad asked, looking at her.

She smiled warmly. “Only after the fact, but they recorded it. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Even considering my wedding to Jeanie. They were so in love, Michael.”

“Alex?” mom intoned, looking at me. “Would you like to take us there?”

I hadn’t expected that question, but I also knew better than to say no. To be honest, I didn’t really feel a reason to say no either. What was the glade to me now, except a shrine of memory? I nodded my agreement.

“Bring your laptop along,” she said as she rose. “We’ll all go.”

“Then we will follow you.” Freja said, nodding. “We will take Jeanie’s car and meet-“

“No, come in the van with us,” dad said, his voice gentle but brooking no argument. “The family’s grown small enough recently, I see no point in anyone being separated, even for a short drive. We’ll meet in the living room in five minutes.”

I went and got dressed while the girls waited patiently. Dad was getting the van ready. I don’t know why, but I got into clothes one would consider a little bit dressy for a walk through a provincial park. I guess because I associated the glade with Alexa, and now it was almost a shrine to her in my mind…

I took a deep breath, steeling myself.

***

It was dark now as we stood in the glade. The night was clear, and the moon’s silvery rays pierced the canopy to touch the emerald grass and crystalline waters of the brook. A light breeze rustling leaves overhead was the only sound we could hear.

“It’s beautiful,” mom said quietly, almost reverently as she looked around in wonder. “I can see why you two chose it.”

“Thanks,” I said rather uncertainly, rubbing my neck. Jeanie and Freja were also standing nearby, holding one another’s hand, having removed their shoes and enjoying the feel of their grass under their feet. “So, uh, yeah… this is where it all happened.”

“The first time you made love to Alli, and where you married her,” dad mused. “I agree with your mother, it’s enchanting. Day or night, this place would be magical.”

“It’s a shame Alli’s not here,” mom said almost wistfully, although I could see her eyes were glassy with tears. It was as if she expected to never see her sister again. “Alex, I…”

“Yeah, mom?” I asked, wondering what she wanted to say.

“Do you have the video you took of you marrying Alli on your laptop? If you do… could we see it?”

I was quiet for a moment but then nodded. There was no need to protect anything now, was there? “Yeah, mom. I guess you should.”

She smiled and covered her mouth while dad took her other hand. “I guess I had daydreams of being at Alli’s wedding, either as her Maid of Honour or giving her away, since mom and dad aren’t with us anymore. And now, it turns out I… I missed the whole thing…”

Dad hugged mom and she fought back her tears while I pulled out my laptop, checking the battery power when I turned it on. It would be good for at least three hours. I gave it to mom and she knelt in the grass, with my device on her lap. Dad knelt behind her while Jeanie sidled into one side with Freja behind her and me on the other. I found the folder with the clip in question and clicked Play…

***