Fourth Vector Ch. 50

"You think so, huh?" teased Jack. "And what name do you want to go with? Someone in your family? An older relative?"

Abigail gave him a sleepy smile. "Not exactly. In fact, I was thinking we might call her Jocelyn. I think that would be a fitting name, don't you?"

Jack tried hard to swallow the lump in his throat. The sudden memory of his adopted family hit him very hard. Though he was most pained that they couldn't be with him today, taken far too early, Abigail's suggestion hit him straight in the chest.

Jack found himself looking at his daughter and repeating the name in his mind. Finally, he smiled at his wife.

"I think Jocelyn would be a good fit for her," he said, his voice weak.

"She'll be named after someone that's still very much loved and missed," explained Abigail. "And someone we wish to honor." Abigail craned her head to look at their baby. "What do you think, Jocelyn? Do you like your name?"

The baby shifted positions suddenly, nudging closer to Abigail's body.

Abigail grinned. "I think she likes it."

Jack struggled to contain his tears. "She's not the only one."

*****

The next morning found the small family tired but happy. Though Jocelyn didn't have many needs throughout the night, her mother still had a hard time sleeping knowing the responsibility that was now on her shoulders. And since Abigail wasn't sleeping, neither was Jack.

Therefore, both of them were struggling to stay awake in the morning as the visitors resumed.

However, the first visitor was also the most important. It was just after eight o'clock when Kat brought John into the room for the first time since his sister was born. Kat hoisted the toddler into her arms and let him peer at Jocelyn, still cradled in Abigail's arms.

"See the baby, John?" asked Kat, pointing to Jocelyn. "That's your sister! That's baby Jocelyn. Can you say Jocelyn?"

John struggled with the word but he wanted to be brought closer to the baby. When he did so, he placed the tiniest kiss on her head, right in the fuzz that covered her scalp.

It was an adorable scene. Jack couldn't help the feelings of pride and love that came with looking upon his family. Seeing his beautiful wives and his children with them filled him with something that he'd been searching for ever since he found out about Galicia.

A sense of belonging. That feeling was finally complete upon the birth of his daughter.

It just all seemed like the future could begin. That the war that they had fought for so long was finally over and that the future that it won was worth fighting for.

As Jack took his daughter in his arms a moment later, the only thing he could do was say a silent prayer for the blessings he'd been given.

It had all been worth it.

*****

"And do you, Trevor, take Nina to be your wife? Will you support and love her for the rest of your days?"

Trevor couldn't help but smile as he looked over at Nina at that moment. She looked radiant in her simple white dress, and when framed against the backdrop of the Tyrolean mountains, there was never a more beautiful sight.

Trevor looked at the officiant and answered in a firm, clear tone. "I do."

The officiant, an old friend of Nina's from Bushing, smiled at both of them. "Then I now acknowledge that you are man and wife. Congratulations to both of you!"

Trevor scarcely heard anything after the first statement. Nina had pressed herself into his arms and was now kissing him with every ounce of passion she had. Trevor did the only thing he ever wanted to do.

He kissed her back with equal intensity.

They didn't have to worry about embarrassed spectators. Nina had been quite firm in her desire to get married once they were back in Tyrol, and she wanted the moment to be as private as could be. It didn't get much more private than the bridge, groom, and the officiant, and Trevor had to admit everything was just a little easier that way.

It had been more than three months since the ending of the war and the dissolution of the Tyrolean Army, and everywhere that Trevor looked, there were signs of activity. After years of war, the Tyrolean people were finally picking themselves back up again and giving themselves a good dusting. Most of the time, they didn't like the look of what they found.

After all, Tyrol had been crushed during the war. It had been crisscrossed by both Javan and Tyrolean armies, and it had been picked clean of every bit of food or supplies that it could produce. Entire villages and small towns had been leveled by rampaging enemy troops, and there were a great number of men that would never return home.

And despite all of it, the Tyrolean people were proving to be remarkably resilient. Signs of rebirth and renewal were everywhere. Towns that had been pulverized were now being rebuilt, brick by brick. People were coming back to Tyrol, mostly from Thessaly, where they fled during the most intense period of the fighting. Families were being reunited.

Most important of all, Tyrol was now united in the desire to select a leader for the new Tyrolean nation. This first leader was to be democratically elected by the people of Tyrol and an election would be set up during the first of the year.

Of course, there was one leading candidate.

"I can't believe I'm going to be the wife of the Tyrolean President," teased Nina later on, once they'd gotten back to the small one-room house that was their temporary lodging in the mountains. "You thought you were just going to come back to Tyrol and fade into obscurity. No way, not if the people have anything to say about it."

Trevor grunted as he kicked off his boots. Frankly, he'd been a little surprised that most people seemed to support his candidacy for president. He was a general and a shopkeeper by trade, not a politician, and yet, the people of Tyrol trusted no one else to lead them into the future.

"I could still lose, you know," said Trevor, reminding his wife. "It's not like I'm actively trying to get the position."

Nina giggled. "There's no way you could lose. The people love you. They've fought for you and died for you. And look at what they're doing now. They've taken up your idea about creating a new capital city and they're working with the utmost zeal to make that happen."

That was certainly true and it was the reason why they were so high in the mountains that day in a temporary structure. Since Tyrol had no major cities, there had been some debate about where to put the new country's capital city. Trevor had suggested that since the mountains defined what Tyrol was, along with its culture, it only made the most sense to build the new capital in the mountains--the heart of the country.

To no one's surprise, the people readily agreed. All that was needed was an appropriate site, and that also came at Trevor's suggestion when he was reminded of the old location of the mountain fortification that had been their headquarters for so long. The plain that sat just below the mountainside would be a perfect place for a new city, and now Trevor stayed here to oversee the work.

"Still, we should take nothing for granted," said Trevor as he slipped into their tiny bed. "The people of Tyrol could still decide they've had enough of me and they want a more qualified leader."

Nina giggled again as she slipped off her clothing and under the covers. She rested her elbow against his chest so she could look at him. "You know something? You're awfully cute when you're in denial."

Trevor gave her a weird look. "I'm not in denial."

"You are in denial and it's making me want to kiss you."

"Well in that case, I won't stop you."

Nina grinned and leaned in closer for her kiss. After it broke, she gave him a look with some serious heat to it.

"Do you know what usually happens on wedding nights, my love?"

"Of course, it's not like I'm a kid or anything," said Trevor, puffing air from his cheeks.

Nina reached between his legs and grabbed his manhood. "Good, because I want you to put a baby in me, Trevor."

He nearly choked once she said the words. His eyes studied hers for a moment before he asked the faithful words.

"Are you sure? Are you really ready for that?"

Nina nodded. "It's been enough time. I'm ready for my future to begin. I married you today, my love. I want that future with you, and I want to be pregnant with your child. I want to have your child, Trevor. Will you do that for me?"

Trevor caressed the side of his wife's face. At that moment, there was nothing more that needed to be said.

He rolled her on her back and slipped between her legs. He kissed her once more. "I think we can do that, love."

*****

"Oh, Michael!"

Michael looked up from his desk in the Javan imperial palace and stifled a chuckle as he saw his wife shuffle into the room. Sarah was looking incredible today, wearing a simple form-fitting gown that was crowned with the queen's diadem on the top of her head, another reminder of her status as queen of the kingdom.

Sarah was perhaps the most popular queen (or empress) that Javan had ever had. The people absolutely loved her, even more so than Michael, which was saying a lot. She went out of her way to associate with the common people, making many public appearances in the city. Because of that, she was greeted by throngs of supporters everywhere she went, making her greatly popular with the country.

Michael welcomed the attention she received. With the breaking off of Thessaly and Tyrol, the last thing he wanted was for the Javan mindset to slip into malaise and disillusion, but so far, it seemed the Javan people were actually satisfied with the change. Letting Tyrol go broke the promise of a war every generation with their independence-minded people, and there was never much love for the Thessalians with their strange customs and manners.

For that reason, the country was flourishing, and Michael hoped the legislation currently on his desk would help to support that.

Sarah seemed to realize what he was working on as she slipped onto his lap.

"Is this your trade agreement again?" she asked. "Are you making any changes to it?"

Michael shook his head. "I just need to ratify it and it's a done deal. And I can't see any downside to not doing it."

"It's a considerable deal," she replied. "And I think everyone's impressed that you managed to get the Thessalians and the Occitanians to agree to it."

Truthfully, Michael was just as surprised as everyone else. Everyone on this side of the world had been completely under Javan dominion just a few months ago. With Java being reduced to a kingdom and the other lands going free, Michael expected some push-back from the other countries when it came to their dealings with Java.

However, the chance to look into this trade agreement was a big deal. Michael had proposed the setup of a free trade agreement with any interested country as a means of sparking the wheels of commerce, and to his surprise, the Occitanians and the Thessalians had shown their interest in joining the proposal. There had been no response from Tyrol, which wasn't shocking to anyone. The Tyrolean people had little things to trade at this point in their statehood and they had other, bigger issues at hand. The Ruthenians had declined, still citing their desire to remain separate from all things Javan, and yet, getting the two other countries interested was a great success (in Michael's opinion).

With his mind set, he put his signature to the decree, giving it the ratification that it deserved. Sarah watched on proudly.

"I'm so happy for you," she gushed, kissing his cheek. "This is a big win for you, and it's sure to be a boom for our economy."

"We can only hope," replied Michael. "Lots of people are still suffering. Let's hope that this deal will be good for everyone and let us bring some prosperity back to Java."

Sarah nodded and then started to toy with a button on his shirt. "By the way, I wanted to let you know that the guest that you summoned has just arrived. You know who I'm talking about, right?"

Michael put his pen down and nodded. "Eliza Henrik?"

"That's her," replied Sarah. "She brought her two young boys with her as well. She's waiting just outside the door. Shall I bring her in?"

"Give me a minute," said Michael, taking a deep breath. "I want to make sure I have my words straight. I've thought about this moment for a long time."

Sarah tried her best to soothe him. "You'll be just fine, I know it. No reason that you need to get yourself worked up for this. We both know that H would be grateful that she's even here."

Sarah was right about that. H would be incredibly thankful for what was about to happen. Michael had not forgotten the pledge he'd made to the dying rebel leader, and once things were settled after the war, he made an effort to locate H's daughter. He found her in the same village on the northern coast of the country that H had described, and it hadn't taken much money to arrange for her to come to the capital.

Taking a deep breath, Michael finally nodded. "Send her in, okay?"

Sarah kissed him and slipped off his lap. She approached the door, opening it carefully.

Entering the room was a woman flanked by two younger boys. Seeing Eliza Henrik for the first time was like stepping into the past. The woman looked so much like her father that no one could deny the familial link between them.

And yet, it was that link that was ultimately severed once H went down the path that he did. A path that he regretted, if only because he lost his daughter in the process. The last thing he wanted to do was to tell her that he loved her, never getting the chance.

It was a wrong that Michael hoped to make right today.

Eliza stopped in front of his desk and curtsied. "Your Majesty, I'm humbled by this audience with you today!"

She didn't look like she was exaggerating either. Eliza had a nervous look about her, like someone who was trying to portray the part of an innocent while blood was still on her hands. It didn't make Michael feel any less apprehensive about what he had to say.

"I'm glad that you came here today, Eliza," said Michael, softening his tone so she wouldn't be so scared. "I had something I wanted to talk to you about."

The tension in her body slackened somewhat but she still managed to look worried. "If this is about my uncle, you should know that we had nothing to do with his betrayal. He turned traitor on his own, and my family has done nothing but suffer because of it."

Michael shook his hands. "No, no, I know that, Eliza. I know your uncle, Admiral Gary Henrik, was an innocent man who got caught in the way of Bancroft's grab for power. You have my sympathy for that, truly you do. I have no vendetta against your family and only want to see you live your life in peace."

With those words, Eliza finally allowed herself to relax. A smile appeared on her face, a relieved one that indicated that everything just might be okay.

"Forgive me then, Your Majesty," she continued, never stopping the smile. "I'm quite confused on why you want to see me of all people. I don't think we've ever met. What did you want to talk to me about?"

Michael took a deep breath. It was finally time to right the wrong.

"Actually, there's something important I wanted to talk to you about," explained Michael. "It's about your father."

*****

Arnold Perera spent much of the journey back to Swabia with his mind in the clouds. Though it didn't take the warship a long time to reach Dagobern, he found himself oddly pensive after having buried his friend, Brian.

For too long, he'd carried that burden with him, wanting to honor his friend's dying wish to be buried in his homeland. Arnold had used a considerable amount of his own money to make sure the body was preserved and that he had an appropriate casket to be buried.

And yet, now that the deed was done, Arnold wasn't certain where to go from here. Of course, he was going to go home, but what was he going to do now? Work on his family's farm? Some other trade? Either way, he was quite certain he was done soldiering.

After all, peace had broken out everywhere. A soldier's life was going to be very boring from here on out.

Arnold figured he'd play it by ear when he reached home. He said goodbye to King Ambros upon reaching Dagobern, and soon hitched a ride back to his village about an hour's ride outside the capital. For the first time in months, he found himself smiling as the memories hit him. This was what home was to him--the bountiful hills and the fields overflowing with the late harvest. Even seeing the people raised his spirits, some of which he hadn't seen in over a year.

The best part of getting home was seeing the people he cared about the most. His mother practically dropped the sickle in her hands and sprinted to see him, wrapping her arms around him once she'd closed the distance. Even his father was happy to see him, especially now that he had combat experience and was a true war hero.

None of that compared to seeing Eloise for the first time though.

"Arnold! Arnold!"

If he thought his mother had sprinted, it was nothing compared to what Eloise did. She knocked him off his feet once their bodies collided, and soon she was kissing every inch of his face that her lips could reach.

"You missed me then?" he asked, laughing as she continued to kiss him.

"We heard the war is over," she said, completely out of breath. "It's true? You're home now? For good?"

Arnold nodded. "I've been discharged. The war is over and I'm not going anywhere."

Eloise beamed with a stunning smile. She kissed his lips passionately, holding it for several minutes before breaking it and letting him get off the ground.

"How was it? Was it frightening?" she asked. "Did you see these Javans we kept hearing about?"

"I saw plenty of them," replied Arnold, telling her all about his experience. "Killed a lot of them. We were part of a good army though. I made several good friends."

Eloise made a face. "Did you have to fight with any Galicians? I'm sure that was insufferable if you had."

Arnold actually grinned. "Actually, we did have to fight with Galicians. My unit was paired with a Galician regiment for much of the fighting."

Eloise groaned. "That must have been torture. They probably thought they were better than you, didn't they?"

"No, they really didn't," he replied, shaking his head. "Actually, they were great people, and one of them became like a brother to me. Let me tell you about him."

He spent the next hour telling her about his experiences with Brian, from their training together on Picardy all the way to the last battle in Java. Eloise was a great audience, gasping when she was supposed to and getting all of his jokes. When it was all over, Eloise hugged his side.

"I'm just surprised," she explained. "I never thought you'd ever get along with any Galicians, let alone this Brian. It was good of you to take him to be buried."

"He would have done the same for me."

Eloise looked out on the farm. "What are you going to do now? We could surely use your help around here. There's always work on the farm for one good man."

"I wondered that for quite a long time on the way back," said Arnold honestly. "What to do with my life when I was home. It wasn't until I saw our village that I realized that maybe being a farmer wouldn't be so bad after all. Maybe it was home I was missing this whole time."

Eloise beamed with a grin. "My father told me that he's going to give us our own land once we're married, so we can start our lives together. That's really nice of him, isn't it? I can't wait to start the future with you."

Arnold kissed her forehead. "I can't wait either."

As it turned out, it was a lot easier to get back into the swing of farming than Arnold expected. That evening, he helped his father around their farm while during the day, he helped Eloise's family, whose farm was much larger than theirs. It was hard work and the days were long but it was better than fighting a war. Plus there was the simple fact that no one was shooting at him while he worked.