Love Can Save the World Ch. 09

EPILOGUE

Sky looked up from watching her four children, three girls and one boy sat playing a game of Monopoly while Jewel sat on a small blanket reading a book as Del walked towards her. "How do you like Zelden?" Del asked gently as he sat down next to Sky on the blanket.

Sky looked around her at the emerald green grass and the rosy sun set sky.

"It's beautiful," Sky murmured as Tempest came to the blanket and plopped down. "Mom, tell Tanner to stop being such a pain in the butt," Tempest complained as her sisters and brother followed her lead, dropping into a sitting position around their parents.

"All of you need to learn to play nicely," Del said, his voice holding a hint of warning.

"They're just being girls," Tanner said.

Del laughed. "They are girls Tanner," he reminded his son. He looked up as Brand and Pixel walked over with their son Damon. Del didn't fail to notice that his youngest daughter, Zara straightened up and looked at Damon with a small smile.

"Having a hard time?" Pixel asked with a grin. Del laughed.

"Zara, would you like to go into town with me?" Damon asked.

"Can I?" Zara asked her parents. The triplets were had just turned eighteen, and Del knew he would need to find a mate for each of them. At nineteen, Tempest, who's temperament truly fit her name was scheduled to be mated the next day and she was obviously nervous.

"Be back by dinner," Sky answered. Zara and Damon raced each other to town, laughing as they ran. Zara's sister, Lindy sighed and looked at her brother.

"Let's go back to the house Tan," she suggested. But Tanner wasn't listening, his eyes were following Jewel as she walked along the river.

"I'll be right back," Tanner said, standing up and jogging to where Jewel was walking. Lindy sighed but returned to the house with Brand and Pixel following her, to ensure she didn't get into any trouble.

"You'd better get home Tempest, you'll need your rest for tomorrow," Sky said gently. She knew her daughter was frightened of the mating ceremony, even though she tried hard not to show it. Tempest gave her parents a kiss on the cheek before running to catch up to her younger brother.

In the years since they had defeated Balus and Jiff, Zelden had returned to normal; crops were rebuilt and lives went on. Del's parents resumed their place as the King and Queen of Zelden, since Zeke's and Balus' father had been killed when Balus tried to take control, and Balus stayed on earth with Kira and their son. He had no desire to return to Zelden unless it was for a visit; he was content to live his life with his mate, where ever that was.

Billy had mated with Del's sister Sierra and they too returned to Zelden.

Sierra had just given birth to their first son and regretfully, would not be at the mating ceremony.

Paul and Kari remained of Earth, but visited Zelden often; and the more they visited, the more it appeared that Jewel, their only child would be mated to Tanner; the only son of their dearest friend. They had already spent the last several months on Zelden helping Sky plan Tempest's mating ceremony.

Tanner knelt beside Jewel who was crying softly. "What's wrong?" Tanner asked gently. Jewel looked at him with a sigh. "Jewel are you okay?" Tanner wanted to know.

"I'm fine. It's just that, I went and talked to Billy yesterday," Jewel sniffled.

"Are you sick?" Tanner asked in concern.

Jewel shook her head. "Not sick, pregnant," Jewel whispered. Tanner took a step back, his eyes wide. The only thought that ran through is head was, "My father is going to kill me."

Jewel looked up at him and through her tears, she grinned. And as if she could read his mind corrected him by saying, "You have to worry about my father more than yours."

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Despite the anger felt by both parents, neither Paul and Kari or Del and Sky were completely surprised. Tanner and Jewel had been dancing around each other for years.

Tempest's mating ceremony became a double mating ceremony and Tanner and Jewel joined Tempest and her new mate Davin.

The ceremony had no sooner ended as a large earthquake shook the planet. Del sighed, he knew what the rumbling meant. The time of peace was nearing an end; Zelden was going to have to fight to survive. Del and Brand looked at each other and without a word, Brand went to the book.

"Who is it that is coming to destroy us?" Zeke asked his son's long time friend.

Brand looked up, his face grim. "The Ladonites," Brand answered. Del sighed.

"Armor for all soldiers," Del shouted. Tanner stepped forward. "You aren't fighting," Del said, pushing his son gently back towards Jewel. Jewel, Tempest, Tanner and Davin huddled together, watching as their fathers and some of the women suit up.

"For Zelden!" Del shouted.

So this was my first attempt at a Sci-Fi story; I know it's fairly short and pretty fast paced, but please, let me know what you all thought. Thanks for reading!

Ashira