Aghast at the news of the lake incident, Ronnie and Elsrensia waited rather nervously overnight, restless in their sleep, on through most of the following day. The family would not return to the ship until evening.

Two hours after their arrival, four parents informally gathered over tea in the suite assigned to llhaesa and Jahrae, the two oldest children off watching a live play production in the ship’s auditorium, while the third and youngest child slept in an adjacent bedroom, down for the night.

“That is so absolutely horrifying,” Ronnie remarked, shivering at the thought of what happened on the lake. “If not for Jahlaera, I…” she stopped there, losing her ability to continue to emotion.

“We are in agreement on that point,” llhaesa reassured. “In all of our experience on Chekresu Bay, a far larger body of water, never have I seen such irresponsible operation of a watercraft.

I am going to install a system that prevents this sort of thing, an early warning device on craft that approach our boat, evaluating course, speed, erratic operation and the like,” llhaesa declared. “The system will evaluate it all and issue an alarm if the data indicates a possible threat.

“I know of no such system,” Jahrae, quite well versed in boating, advised.

“Nor do I, but I intend to build one, J’har,” llhaesa declared, picking up her tea.

Not one person in the room felt surprise at llhaesa’s casual proclamation, nor did anyone doubt she would do exactly as she said.

“Addie seems fine now, it seems it is the four of us who remain unnerved over what happened,” Elsrensia observed.

“Yes, I agree,” Jahrae nodded as she spoke. “Our daughter is rather enamoured and enthralled with Jahlaera, and vice versa, so their thoughts shifted to other emotions and interests quite quickly.”

“Don’t you think this is a matter of first love interest that will dissipate with time?” Ronnie asked, unsure what to make of things. The last she knew, Addie was interested in Chris.

“It is impossible to predict the course of life, we all understand that,” Jahrae began. “And I do not wish to speak for my wife, since she is right here and can provide her insight.

Yet I also have watched how she and Addie connect, heck we all have. Llhaesa has the perspective of forty plus years of life to draw upon in evaluating what she picks up from Addie, along with what she sees, hears, and so on, as the rest of us do.

In this case, what llhaesa tells me matches what I observe as well. In one day, those two drew together like llhaesa and I did, nineteen years ago now.”

“But they are both so young, especially Addie! She has been on all of five dates in her life. How could she possibly be connecting with someone as you seem to suggest…a soulmate?” Ronnie lamented, not quite ready to believe. “She is not even 17 years old!”

Llhaesa tried hard not to make light of how Ronnie felt, even as something inside tried to force a smirk upon her face. Squelching the urge for the moment, llhaesa tried for a detailed explanation and perspective. “Ronnie, they are young, and goddess knows I would rather people move well beyond twenty one before considering any commitment or even feeling of attachment.

Now J’har and I were quite young – she at 19, me just past 22. It probably wasn’t the most intelligent choice,” llhaesa paused as she saw a slight hint of a frown appear on Jahrae’s face, “in terms of age and perspective. Yet we both knew, we just knew this was it for each of us, and…we were right. It just worked out that we met earlier rather than later.

If they asked me, the advice I would give is exactly what the rest of you would say, that they are young, that they need to gain life experience, meet others, and that the option of connecting remains throughout life, when they feel ready.

I would never agree to any formal connection, no way, given their ages, and that is not what I wish you to think I mean. Yet I believe they feel a deep connection themselves. Should they stop a connection from developing of its own natural inclinations? I think that a mistake and think it would be a mistake for us to try to make that happen.

There is another element of this we should think on, and that is Addie’s education. Obviously, she is a first class student, one who will be highly sought after on her way into college, in fact it is likely she will be the most sought after student. Keep that in your mind, mull it over, sort out how you feel.”

Ronnie exaggeratedly blew out a breath, a means of expressing inner frustration. “I suppose you have a distinct advantage, ‘essa. You have some idea how Addie feels. You and J’har met Jahlaera, you have seen her with Addie, seen her act decisively in an emergency. On top of that, we understand your judgement is credible, sound, and respected by not only each of us, but two worlds now.

It just is so hard to accept that Addie has such a deeply rooted connection, established in one day. My mind cannot wrap around this, I am sorry.”

“It is hard to accept,” Elsrensia joined in. “I think we all have the ambivalence and some level of disbelief, but I trust llhaesa. As hard as it is to accept, it is best we run with accepting what llhaesa tells us, because if we choose not to, we could do some damage by following that path as well. At least with this, we have some guidance giving us indication of what occurs. We are very fortunate in that regard.

‘Essa, you mentioned Addie’s education. I would like to hear more on this,” Elsrensia encouraged.

“I am sorry, but I cannot say any more as yet, I am still unclear on that element, and in fact, it is for Addie to share with us.”

Elsrensia’s question and llhaesa’s answer brought focus to her earlier comment, but llhaesa refused to budge, other than to say, “I suspect we will hear from Addison soon.”

The entry door to the suite swished open as llhaesa finished her comment, with Addison stepping through, a spring in her step and a quiet smile on her face. “Hello parental units,” she teased a hello as she walked through the room.

“Parental units, hmmmm,” Elsrensia mulled the phrase. “I have not heard such a reference to parents before; quite interesting. “Hello, daughter unit; may I ask where you sister is?”

“It is a common phrase on Arrkarhara, Elsren,” Jahrae explained. “At least I have heard it in media and amongst those Addison’s age. I do like daughter-unit, especially since she is the focus of our discussion.”

The comment drew Addison’s interest, prompting her to re-enter the room and settle into an overstuffed, light coloured flower print chair. “Serry is with a friend in the suite two doors down from us, and will be back in an hour.

You were discussing me; do you mean the accident?” Addie asked, curious.

“Yes, Addie,” llhaesa answered forthrightly. We were discussing that topic, along with your new friendship with Jahlaera.”

“You fear that we are madly in love, correct?”

“Not exactly ‘madly in love’; perhaps deeply enamoured, yes.”

“How do you feel about this, mum ‘essa?”

“I sense a strong connection, one unusually deep for two people who just met and of so young an age.

Yet I have explained that this is also your truth, and we must respect that truth. You are rather mature for your age, Addie. We all trust you, and we know you will discuss important elements in your life with us.

No one expects you to act impulsively, nor do we object to your connection. What we seek…is understanding. I have a better handle than your other three mothers do; the universe along with nature has seen to that. I try to clarify for them, without crashing your privacy, Addie.”

“And what is it you feel, mum ‘essa?”

“I am uncertain of what you mean. How do I feel about all of this, or what do I sense from you?”

“How do you evaluate what you sense from me?”

“You are confident, you are strong, and you are enthralled. There is more, but…I will leave it at that.”

“By ‘more’, you mean my education?”

Llhaesa smiled knowingly, looking at the other parents, and then back to Addison. “Yes.”

“Should I?” Addison looked at llhaesa, her eyes pleading for guidance and support.

“I cannot decide for you what you should think, or when you should vocalise your thoughts.”

“You are aware of my wishes on this matter.”

“Again, I suspect, yes.”

“Will you help me?”

“Addie, perhaps it is time you bring all of your parents up to speed on what you feel, what you think, and what you plan. I am but one of your parents, and they have a right to be involved in this, to hear what you think and wish to do.”

Addie leaned back in her chair, mulling over llhaesa’s words. Her hands came up, left hand fingers folded over and wrapped around by those of the right, resting against her chin; classic Addie stance when evaluating an issue or topic.

Deciding what she wished to say, Addison’s fingers unfolded and briefly touched her lips before she dropped her hands back down into her lap.

With the exception of llhaesa, who was looking around, gauging the expressions of the other parents, the remainder waited intently for Addison to explain.

“That I say this today is coincidental, and believe mum ‘essa can vouch for me. I give this caveat because of what has happened over the last two days. While things work well in this regard, it was not what sent me sorting, evaluating, and finally choosing.

Mum ‘essa, it is altogether beyond late for admission for the next semester, and if that proves the case, then I wait for the next opportunity for admission.

I guess what I am trying to say is…I wish to apply to N’rellia, and attend if they decide to accept me.”

Jahrae broke out an immediate smile, while Elsren and Ronnie looked more circumspect, evaluating.

“You say this is not a new decision,” Ronnie began, “yet this is the first we hear of it, Addison. Can you see where I might be a tad sceptical?”

“Ronnie, I have to vouch for Addison, she tells the truth. You know I mentioned earlier that Addie would say something soon on her education; I have sensed this since a couple of weeks before I left to return home. I suspect I know what prompted this, but…Addie, it is up to you to explain.”

“Are you going to take her side in everything, llhaesa, and justify it by how you feel, what you sense? Come on, be a parent for heaven’s sake. Our child is not yet seventeen, yet you are supporting everything she requests and wishes to do.” Ronnie was upset, catching everyone by surprise.

Llhaesa paused, evaluating, knowing she had to walk a careful path with her response. Leaving the sofa, she stood up and walked into the kitchen, reached in the cooler for a beer, grabbed an opener and removed the cap with the characteristic accompanying soft and telltale sound of bottled pressure releasing.

Returning to the living room, she stood at its edge and leaned against the wall, drawing a healthy pull. With one more look around the room, with confirmation all waited to hear what she had to say, she began.

“I have much to say, and I apologise if this will take time. Please hear me out on this.

One more cautionary statement before I begin to explain my thoughts, I will be a bit redundant, but at this point, I feel it necessary.

“I attended N’rellia, and you know my achievements there. I rarely talk about admissions, but I will now. The first letter of acceptance went out from N’rellia to me three years before my admission. You heard that right, three years.

By first letter, I do not mean the first letter to me; I mean the first letter they sent out to anyone. N’rellia recruited me, and they did not recruit anyone, ever – until that moment.

I learned this later from Curator Aalon, who trusted me with the truth. He felt I earned the right to know. They wanted me badly, and felt it was a safe haven for me in the gathering storm clouds of oppression.

I ultimately chose not to go early, mainly because I wished to stay at home with my parents a while longer. My parents had suffered a terrible blow with the loss of Cshrehyi before my birth, and I did not wish to leave any earlier than I had to, for them.

I stayed in high school and at Y’sre. Inside, part of me wished I had gone earlier to N’rellia, but looking back now, things aligned for a reason – meeting M’traliel and Khahishra, my valedictorian speech and performance, the banning, planning Nenseru, which led me to Jahrae.

My chosen path was the right one – for me. I would not wish to realign that progression, for what it brought to my life is about everything in my life… my family, my friends.

When I declined, N’rellia quietly advised me that they would take me whenever I was ready, even if that was between semesters during the year. It was up to me, and they would accommodate one extra student when I pronounced myself ready.

A few weeks after I arrived on Arrhazon, I chatted with the newly appointed Curator, who just happens to be my former mentor, M’sela J’serhn. M’sela reviewed what I provided on Addison – her grades, her testing, clips from the upcoming movie, and other background information. I wished her to know; I thought she knew nothing of Addie.

M’sela believes Addison is as I was 25 years ago – deserving to be their first choice for admission and with an open invitation to attend.

Addison, I did not have a chance to share that with you, and really I was careful – you had to choose, not be influenced by me, even though I love that you follow me there, because…you earned that right all on your own.

I know that when I left for Arrhazon, it was hard on everyone, especially on Jahrae, and upon you, Addie. I also know that prompted your re-evaluation of the proposal first made to you earlier this year, that day when we ended up at the beach, working it out.

I know you have thought about it since, and knew you would only seek a new path if you felt an overwhelming desire to follow that path.

You…are ready for that school. You…are ready to excel there, but what you accomplish is for you, not for me, nor anyone else; it is for you, and you should always evaluate your goals and your work there in terms of you and your future.

Everyone, Addison thought long on this; she weighed the good points and the bad points. I believe you all know in your hearts that she is ready for this step, that she is capable and deserving.

Ronnie, I take Addison’s side because logic tells me this is the right path. Logic, and who she is as a person, what she does beyond classrooms, make it so. If she needs an advocate in the family, and I would prefer she did not, but if she does, I appoint myself to that position.

Addison did not grow up yesterday, and she did not grow up today. It happened day-by-day, right in front of us over the last two years, from the moment Tim disappeared and we took to the fields of Vermont. She grew right there, and if you think back, you know this is true.

She grew a bit more while the government detained us; yet more when she chose to unmask. She grew exponentially in leadership, in skill, over the last year in school.

Think about our discussions over the last eighteen months on Addison. When one looks at the collective picture, it is small wonder we sit here today, hearing her wish.

Add to this fortuitous timing with Jahlaera. I need not outline Addie’s appearance, we all know. Suffice it is to say she will draw huge amounts of interest from others near her age. It happened at Watershed, and it happens on this ship, especially when one is aware of her overall ability.

Jahlaera follows an educational path like that of Addie. She demonstrated her loyalty and commitment to a friend yesterday. She is ideal to guide Addie into and through her first round at N’rellia, making this an even better choice, at least in my view.

I make no apology for my words, for my advocacy, or that we connect in ways not usual. It is what is, we have no choice, and we both make it work for better.

Now you can make light of all I say, you can dismiss it; that is up to you. Or you can recognise your daughter is especially gifted; gifted and deserving of our full confidence and support.”

Addison tried hard to hide her eyes, which grew misty from llhaesa’s passionate advocacy and defence.

Jahrae felt proud that llhaesa openly defended their daughter. She did not fault Ronnie; so much had changed for the family in two years, and grasping that change, grasping its possibilities and where it all led surely was occasionally daunting.

“Ronnie?” Jahrae asked, trying to spur discussion.

“Llhaesa surely makes a powerful case, J’har, and llhaesa, I appreciate your effort.

This is not easy for me, I try, and for the most part, I too have grown as a person.

Three years ago, can you imagine how I would react if someone told me Tim was not really Tim, and instead that he was in fact quite literally one of the most beautiful women in the universe?

Not stopping there, I would need to listen as someone suggested that Tim-now-mystery-woman had a prior life and was married to yet another universe-class goddess, and that my children, well…my children were not themselves, either – they were different in look, in some aspects of outlook, and in ability.

Is that story wild enough for anyone yet? All right, how about me falling in love with another woman, one born on a planet orbiting a star that my family would spend hours staring at through a telescope? Oh, and just for good measure, whoever created this fanciful tale would suggest that I was the new ambassador to that world.

Over just two years, that change…became my life, my truth; in fact, it is our lives, our truth. In summation: my ex husband is now a virtual goddess, the most revered person on one world, headed that way on the other, and happens to have an intellect that would make Einstein look silly.

Finishing the story, that world’s government exiled her for being a social activist, my eldest daughter wishes to emulate at least some of her life path, and… I am a dyke.

Forgive me for occasionally losing my way here. Llhaesa, I sheepishly admit you are right, and I apologise to you, and to Addison.”

“Ronnie, there is no need to apologise, we are Addie’s parents, and we need to discuss honestly and openly,” llhaesa graciously replied.

“I agree with llhaesa, we must discuss honestly, Ronnie,” Jahrae joined in. “When I first arrived, you encouraged me to step up and stake my claim as a parent, and well, now I am encouraging you to speak your mind, always.”

Elsrensia watched this exchange unfold, her mind processing their endlessly fascinating family dynamic. She was proud to be one of the four. “I agree, although my view was not that of Ronnie initially, I am glad she gave voice to what stirred within, and because she did, we sort and find a better place.

Addie, I have only known you, as with Jahrae, for not quite two years. I come from a family with a long history of medical scholarship, yet I have never encountered a student or young woman quite like you, and I mean that in a positive way.

You are N’rellia worthy, as was your mum ‘essa. You deserve this, and you are ready.”

Addison felt warmth surge through her, relishing how her parents thought highly of her, had confidence in her judgement, and felt her worthy to make such a huge jump in life. “Thank you, I am uncertain of what to say, but…it is appreciated.”

Llhaesa chose that moment as best to take this all a step further. “Interface, connect to N’rellia Conservatory, Office of the Curator,” llhaesa called out clearly from her standing spot, initiating a call.

An image of a woman, grey of hair yet still somewhat youthful of appearance, formed on the viewscreen, the image calling out, “llhaesa, to what do I owe the honour of your call?”

“Hello M’sela! I trust you are well.

I call on the subject we discussed when I visited a few weeks back.”

“About Addison, your daughter and student I would dearly love to get in my greedy educational clutches?”

“Exactly, that is the one!”

“I hope you called saying she is mine for the next four years. You would not wish to disappoint your old college advisor, now would you?”

“I certainly would not wish to do such a thing! M’sela, my co-parents are with me, as is one other. One moment, please.”

Llhaesa motioned for Addie to join her. Addie walked over and stood alongside llhaesa, suddenly a bit nervous, but still happy.

“M’sela, this is our eldest daughter, Addison.”

“Llhaesa, you are playing tricks on these mature and difficult to focus eyes. That is you standing there, well, double of you.”

“Nice try, M’sela, but I am me, and the person who is about to wave and speak is Addison. It’s all yours, Addie.

Addison followed llhaesa’s suggestion waving towards the viewscreen. “Curator J’serhn, hello! I am indeed Addison, and my mum caught me by surprise with this call.

You have a student entering her second year of school, Jahlaera Oserehi, who currently is an intern on this ship.”

“Yes, that is correct; I personally requested that internship for her. Jahlaera ranks at the top of her class, at least after one year – which is exactly what I expected. Why do you make mention of Jahla?”

“I would like to join her as a student at N’rellia.”

“I see. When did you wish to do this, Addison?”

“The next available opening you have for a student – if of course I am acceptable to N’rellia.”

“Acceptable? She didn’t tell you everything, did she?”

“Who, mum?”

“Yes, your mum ‘essa. Well, if she won’t, I will.

Llhaesa stood off to the side giggling as M’sela chatted with Addison, knowing what was coming.

“Addison,” M’sela began her explanation, “I told your mum ‘essa that as an alumnus of N’rellia, she had a moral obligation to recruit you – the best student prospect I have seen since her – for our school. Further, if she did not, I would go around Arrhazon painting a villainous moustache on every picture of her I could find – and there are plenty.”

The comment caught everyone except llhaesa by uproarious surprise, and she was already laughing in anticipation of the revelation.

“You seriously told her this?” Addison asked.

“She did, Addie, honest to goodness, she did,” llhaesa confirmed.

“I did tell her that. Of course, the decision is yours, Addison, but I wished your mum to know that I consider you an exceptional student who I would love to see at our institution – at your convenience, when you are ready.”

“At my convenience?” Addison asked, once again confused. “How do you mean?”

“I mean you can start with the next term in less than three months – if you wish.”

“Don’t I have to fill out an application?” Addison found it hard to believe this was happening.

“Yes, but you can do that when you get here.”

“But…the acceptance rate for N’rellia is 5 out of 1,000 applications, how…”

“How can I say you are admitted?

My entire admissions department has been proclaiming your talents for a year now. They make it their business to know of students who might be destined for and worthy of this school. You my dear, have had them drooling that entire time.”