Chapter Text
It has been a two decades since the events of that night when twin pillars of light illuminated the night sky. The people of the town were given explanations about what transpired and were outraged at the kidnappers, most of them calling for the death penalty. The victims, Emma and Dimitri, made full physical recoveries, but their minds were another story. Emma couldn't stand being in the dark, restricted movement, and never felt safe during the night. She will always be haunted by what Winston had done to her that month. Dimitri was scarred for life by Natalie's action during that month. He, like Emma, feared being restricted, didn't eat food unless prepared in front of him or worked on it himself, and flinched if someone manged to sneak up behind him. Morgan and Copernicus really had their work cut out for them helping the traumatized patients. It took many months just for Emma and Dimitri to feel safe being separated from each other.
'It's hard to believe it's already been 20 years since that night and 10 when my life changed for the better.', thought a tall woman with a curtain of blonde hair traveling down her back.
She was thrown from her thoughts by a small creature latching onto her leg. This was not some beast or tamed animal, but rather a child with short, brown hair, blue eyes that shined like sapphires, and light brown skin. The child was male at only 5 years or age and looked at the woman with a bright smile on his face. The woman couldn't help, but smile in return since the child's unbound enthusiasm matched his fathers. This child's name was Merlin Fairfax - Dynamo, the only son of Emma Fairfax and Dimitri Dynamo.
"Mom, what are you doing?", asked Merlin.
"I'm getting started on dinner for when your father gets home. We're having steak with mashed potatoes and green beans and for desert a chiffon chocolate cake."
"Yummy! Is dad going to be home soon? I feel that my stomach is eating itself."
"In a few minutes. Which reminds me, have you washed your hands yet?"
"...Yes..", said Merlin avoiding eye contact.
"Really? I seem to recall a little explorer saying he was digging in the yard for ancient treasure.", replied Emma as she began to slowly move her hands towards her child.
Merlin tried to run, but Emma was to fast and managed to entrap her child and proceeded with a flurry of tickles aimed at his ribs. Merlin tried with all his might to resist, but caved when the laughter became too much to hold back. It was moments like these that brought Emma joy and chased away the echoing laughter of Winston on the night her parents were taken from her. although Merlin would never meet his maternal grandparents he loved hearing the stories his mother would tell him about them. As the tickling continued the front door opened and in walked none other than Dimitri Dynamo, the best performer in all of London.
"Oh! Is this laughter I hear?"
"D-D-Da-Dad, help!"
"If you insist."
What Merlin thought would be his saving moment of grace from tickles was really deceit as his father joined in tickling both him and Emma. Emma saw this coming as soon as she heard the door open and started to also tickle Dimitri. The family was surrounded by the smell of wonderful food and laughter throughout the evening and well into the night. Sometimes it would just be the three of them, but other times they had visitors. Merlin loved when his uncle Alfie visited and regaled him with tales of a knight battling to protect a mystical plane of existence from evil until help could arrive. Merlin especially love the stories of four brave warriors that saved humanity throughout time.
Alfie had gone off and became an officer of the law. His dedication to justice was matched only by his loyalty to his friends. He believed that everyone deserved a second chance to make the right decision and recommended captured criminals to speak to Doctor Morgan Camelot and her helpful assistant Copernicus. He eventually meet a woman named Annabelle that wished to opened her own restaurant after her time traveling the world. They would marry sometime within April.
Morgan Camelot was official pardoned and her magic restored. Although she had her powers once more, she wished to live out the remaining years of her life helping others heal. She never married for she knew her love was waiting for her in the afterlife. She started to help not only common man, but also help criminals rehabilitate as she once did after being released from her curse. She rarely visited Emma and Dimitri, but when she did she dotted on the young child like a grandmother whom hadn't seen her grandchild in ages.
Winston and Natalie were both found guilty of kidnapping, murder (Winston), attempted rape, attempted murder (Winston), and finally physical and mental torture of their victims. Winston was sent adrift on a ship that couldn't be steered, forever stuck in uncharted waters that no one ever sailed near. He died from mercury poisoning with only fish to eat. Natalie tried to plead insanity, but when checked by an unbiased psychologist she was denied. She was sentenced to life imprisonment and shipped back to her home country. She was killed by fellow inmates that were former rape victims.
Emma continued her job as a violin teacher and eventually scouted to become a teacher at a renowned university for the school orchestra. Dimitri continued to perform on stage and was joined by his sister whenever she had no performance. Dimitri's family was elated to hear that he was safe and proud that he found someone as wonderful as Emma, they gave their blessings and couldn't wait to welcome her into the family. Ten years after that fated night Emma and Dimitri were wed and moved in together. The old Fairfax residents was sold to a wealthy couple that was looking to adopt three children seeing as they could never have biological children of their own.
It was now almost 9 o'clock and Emma and Dimitri tucked their son into bed after playing a few round of cards together. With tender kisses placed on his head from both parents he was almost ready for bed.
"Mom. Dad. Can you tell me a story?"
"Of course."
"What would you like to hear?"
"You pick. Whatever it is will be magical."
"Magical you say? How about the story of how the wonderful magician meet the beautiful musician? Once upon a time......"
The End