Chapter 27
Phoenix
In the week since arriving in Eden, I’d begun to believe in the destiny I’d heard about. While there were still hundreds of unanswered questions, we were ready to discover the reality of truths that continued to linger in the backs of our minds.
The area was amazing, hundreds of miles of fertile lands, thousands of people who’d traveled great distances with only hope and perseverance to guide them. And a strong belief in the prophecy as told through the years.
Hope was a powerful tool, even more so than threats and punishment designed to keep people in line. For those living in Eden, there was no longing for more because they had everything they needed.
Including each other.
I’d fallen deeply in love with Star, realizing her capacity for love was stronger than mine. She was a bright light in the world, joyful about every new experience and the people adored her.
But now we were ready, realizing that our fate and future were far from over.
This was merely a resting spot, preparing us for change.
More people were coming now that the word was out and through time, at least according to John, the lands would expand.
First across the north, eventually spreading south as the people of the Freedom Cities were freed.
All in due time. Patience was a necessity.
“I believe you have everything you need,” John said. In front of us was a computer, one just like something I’d owned as a boy.
And the drive given to me in secrecy from Peter was ready to provide the needed answers.
“You’re not staying?” Star asked.
“No, child. I already know the answers. But you need to hear them for yourselves. Take heed in that with great knowledge comes responsibility. But I have no fear you will know what to do with what you’ll learn.”
He nodded to both of us before leaving the house we’d been gifted.
Once he was gone, I moved to a chair beside her, waiting for her okay to insert the drive.
“Are you afraid?” she asked.
“Not at all. This is our destiny.”
She tipped her head, rolling her eyes in a reminder that nothing about her had changed. She’d simply grown more beautiful and introspective. She would make a wonderful queen.
As soon as I inserted the drive, we were rewarded with dozens of files.
At first, I didn’t know what we were looking at.
Then it dawned on me what we were seeing were schematics of every Freedom City, others for bunkers throughout the country.
And even others detailing water purification systems and electricity plants buried beneath the earth’s surface to bring a level of what life had been back then if desired.
No wonder John had mentioned the heavy responsibility. What we had in our possession was a blueprint for building a country, bringing it back to its original glory.
“Amazing,” she whispered. “Your father thought of everything.”
“He knew there was a chance of being betrayed.”
“Yes, he did. I’m so sorry, Phoenix, but I can tell how much he loved you.”
“Yes, he did.” Another file drew my attention and I rubbed my hand down her face, pulling her chin toward me. “Whatever happens, know I love you. You can always lean on me. I will protect you.”
“I know that. Very much so.” She leaned into me, noticing the name on the file.
Star.
She sucked in her breath, moving her hand over mine and clicking on the file. As soon as it opened, I recognized Star’s face in the woman. The eyes were the same, the chin. The same grin.
As the woman moved forward into the camera, she spoke directly to her daughter.
“My beautiful little girl. When you finally see this, I will have been gone a long time. I did what I could to protect you, knowing one day we’d be separated. But know I did everything to ensure you would be safe. You were my whole world.”
Star’s breath hitched and she reached for my hand.
“From what I’ve been told, you will be protected from the evils of the world and one day hear this message.
Just know that I would do it all over again to have you in my life.
You are very special. I always called you my little star because you were, but you need to learn the truth about your father. About who you are.”
I squeezed my hand over hers, certain what we were both about to hear could change everything.
“Your name is Savannah Lily Washburn, the daughter of Anthony Washburn.”
“No,” Star whispered. “That can’t be.”
“Whatever you’ve heard about him and whatever his crimes, I believe in my heart he loved you. Take the name and know you will be different. You will be a reason the world will change and will be rebuilt. I know that in my heart and soul. And remember, you will forever be your mama’s little star.”
There were no words that could ease her pain, no understanding of how much the knowledge would alter her way of thinking.
“I’m partially to blame for all this.” She jerked up, moving away as if unable to tolerate being near me.
“No, you are not. You are a child born in love.”
“We can’t be together. How is that allowed? What will the people of Eden think?”
I moved toward her and she still tried to back away. I refused to allow her, pulling her into my arms. “The people already know. And you are not your father. You are brave and kind, loving and exactly what the people of this country need. What I need.”
“You’re not angry with me?”
“How could I be angry? It all makes sense. Our fathers took two different roads, one choosing good and the other evil. Now, we bring those roads back together as they should be, forging a better world.”
“From the ashes.”
“Yes.”
She wasn’t convinced. I gripped her chin, lifting her head. “Phoenix.”
“Savannah.”
With a slight smile, she gripped my shirt. “What do we do now?”
“We wait until the time is right. Then we will defeat evil. But only if we’re together. Side by side.”
As I captured her mouth as I’d done so many times before, I was reminded of how important our connection was and how very much I needed her in my life.
Prophecy or no prophecy, she was my everything.
The moment I broke the kiss, we both felt an incredible energy surrounding us. Perhaps there was some truth to the saying that love conquers all.
With a heavy sigh, she started to step away and I knew the moment something terrible was wrong.
Just before she collapsed in my arms.
My reaction was as unpredictable as the moment.
I started to freak out, gathering her into my arms while every thought revolved around whether she’d surrendered to some horrible disease. All my fault. I should have kept her more protected.
“No. No, baby. I’ve got you. I’m never letting go.”
Once I got her in the bed, I swept hair from her eyes and pressed my fingers against the pulse in her neck. Thready. Shit. She was covered in perspiration, the light sheen accentuating how pale she was.
She was completely out of it, clammy to the touch. With her settled, I tried to calm my nerves while rushing to the door and outside. There were people everywhere and I honestly had no idea what to do.
Thank God, I noticed Vicious, pushing my way through the crowd to get to him.
“Whoa. What is wrong?” He appeared startled.
“It’s Star. I mean Savannah. She’s taken ill.”
“You’re not making any sense. Who is Savannah?”
I was already exasperated. “Just find Wren. I need her. Now!”
He backed away, grinning instead of falling into the same anxiety. What was wrong with him? “I’ll find her. I promise.”
After taking gasping breaths, I returned to the house, uncertain what to do.
Water. A cloth. Something. I searched through several cabinets, pulling everything out until I found what I was looking for, a bowl.
The pitcher of water had been left in the kitchen.
A cloth was next and I was at the point of being unable to see clearly by the time I made it back to Savannah’s bedside.
Star. I wasn’t certain what to call her.
I yanked the chair closer, sitting down and immediately placing the cloth in the water.
“Don’t worry, princess. You’re going to be fine. I promise.”
Her eyelids fluttered open, a slight smile on her face. “I’m fine. Stop fussing.”
“No, you are not. You fainted. Just rest. Wren will be here in a few minutes.”
“Phoenix.”
“Savannah.”
“I think I like Star better.”
“Rage suits me because that’s how I feel.”
She remained where she was, amused at my reaction. But at least she allowed me to try to ease the fever. If there was one.
“You should listen to me,” she finally said.
“No. Shush. Just lay still and quiet. I promise you that everything will be fine.”
Her sigh was an indication she was placating me, but that was fine. I didn’t care as long as she was okay.
It took far too long for Vicious to find Wren. The knock was brief, the door opening and in walked Vicious with…
“I asked you to find Wren!”
Vicious appeared confused as I was. “She says she’s Wren.”
A golden retriever bounded in by the woman’s side, the same puppy as before yet the young woman approaching the bed was in her early twenties.
“You’re not Wren.”
“Yes, I am. Don’t you recognize me?” Her voice was almost the same as the child, her features merely older.
And her eyes were a dead giveaway. Ice blue, the color of frost on a cold winter’s morning.
“We didn’t think either one of you would respond well to a woman.
But a child allowed you to feel comfortable and needed.
And it told us everything we needed to know.
You protected me against all odds. My puppy as well. Do you understand?”
Vicious and I looked at each other, my friend shrugging. I was still confused, but I’d come to realize within Eden, to expect the unexpected.
“Wren. What’s wrong with her? Please, I can’t lose her. I know that’s a terrible burden to place on you, but I’ll do anything to keep her alive. Take my blood. Take my life. I don’t care as long as you save her.”
Wren approached, placing her hand on my shoulder. “You won’t lose her, Phoenix, but hearing how much you love her is the very reason for the joy bestowed on you.”
“What do you mean?”
She flicked her gaze to Star, who was smiling more than before. When she nodded, I was ready to scream. What the hell was going on?
Wren took my hand and very gently but with complete purpose laid my palm on Star’s stomach. “She is with child.”
“What?”
“That’s not possible,” I said through gritted teeth.
“Apparently, it is,” Vicious chuckled.
“I knew a few days ago,” Star said. “But I wanted to be certain.”
“You’re serious.” I glanced from one woman to another, Wren nodding.
“You will have a beautiful, healthy child. The gods chose wisely.”
* * *
“For the love of God, will you calm down?” Wrath huffed and leaned against the outside of the house. We’d been banished, which was about to drive me crazy.
“Why am I not inside? Why am I out here?” My demand was met with both Vicious and Wrath, who’d been by my side for the months of enduring Star’s pregnancy.
Savannah.
I couldn’t get used to that name any more than calling myself Pheonix. For me, because true rage still existed inside, a need to hunt down the king and destroy him and all his corrupt disciples.
However, knowledge was the true king and while the man had gone into hiding after his failed attempt at hunting and capturing us, we had the upper hand. It was still all about the right time.
And that had yet to be determined.
Right now, what was of most importance was caring for my wife and child.
Whatever the magic held in the prophecy, others in Eden were soon to be parents. The lands were thriving, more people arriving. And everything was simple, untarnished by the prior corruption and greed.
Would we be tested again as a society? Of course we would, but for now, people were content to live without fear of disease and starvation.
But I did wonder how long it would last.
“Breathe, dude. She’s doing very well.” Vicious was so certain.
“How would you know?”
“I get everything I need to know from the source. Okay?”
I had to think about what he was telling me. “Wren.”
“So now, you’re dating,” Wrath tossed out.
Vicious shrugged. “We enjoy our moments together. I don’t think you’d really call it dating.”
At least I was able to laugh, happy he’d found someone. Loneliness brought out desperation.
“Your turn, Wrath.”
He threw up his hands. “Hell, no. I’m just eager for the fight.”
“All in due time,” I told him.
“Yeah, I know. Everything with you is when you say. How you say.”
My grin remained. “As it should be.”
A strange sound could be heard only seconds later. A shrill cry. Only not that of a woman facing murderous labor, but of an infant.
I stood taller, at the point of being suffocated.
Vicious smacked me on the back. “Congratulations.”
As the door opened, Wren peeking out, she had the biggest smile on her face. She waited just long enough to say anything that I was about to lose my mind. “You have a perfectly healthy baby boy.”
Oh, my God. I almost crumpled to the ground, relief and joy sweeping through me.
Nothing else in the world had ever mattered as much as my family. Nothing.
As I was led inside, another surprise awaited me. Tears. How long had it been since I’d cried?
My beautiful wife was lounging on the bed, her face flushed but her eyes filled with extreme happiness. Swaddled in a blanket was my little boy, his hand already reaching for her face.
I sat down on the edge as the others left the room, uncertain what to say.
“Your baby boy, Daddy,” Star whispered.
“He’s beautiful.”
“He looks like you.”
I rolled my eyes at the compliment. “What should we name him?”
“I have the perfect name.”
As soon as I slipped my finger into his tiny hand, he gripped it and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Don’t cry, my handsome Phoenix. We both love you. His name should be Theodore.”
In honoring my father, it felt in a way as if everything had gone full circle. “Theodore. That’s perfect.”
“Just like you.”
As I leaned over to nuzzle with them, a motion outside the window caught our attention. We turned our heads just as a bird flew by.
But not just any bird. A Garuda, his beautiful wingspan not the only incredible sight. Behind him was a rainbow.
Another sign.
Not only that the time for war was near, but also that hope had been restored.
And once again, love would prevail.
The End