Tag, Danielle, and Rose just stared at the woman confronting them not knowing what to say. Then Misty smiled and said, “I don’t care if it takes months, it’s worth it just to see you again. Then she walked forward and hugged all three.”
The students in the school that had gathered outside the Director’s office were pushed aside by security agents and told to sit down. Rose saw their treatment and said in a voice that penetrated the room, “You will leave the children alone.” She then pointed to the security agents that had pushed the students and said, “Commander Durk, please escort these agents off the school grounds and see that they don’t return.” The Cainth Commander moved forward with ten warriors armed with their four swords and looked at the agents; they moved quickly out of the building. Rose came forward and said, “Stand up. I want to meet you. The students were in awe. Here was the person that had almost single handedly ended the war with the Algeans when she was their age. The students stood up and stared at the Queen of the Stars Realm. “My name is Rose Gardner and these are my parents. What are your names?” Each student bowed and told her their name. Rose smiled and shook each of their hands. Rose stepped in front of a pretty girl with long black hair and the girl said, “My name is Linda Kay Johns and I’m so happy to meet you Your Majesty.”
Rose smiled at her and said, “Are you the one that Wes likes so much?”
Linda Kay turned bright red and said, “Yes, I am, although now I’m not sure who he really is. I’m upset that he hasn’t been honest with me.”
Rose looked at her and then looked at the Naval Marine standing outside the director’s office. “While I’m meeting the rest of the students why don’t you go and discuss it with him.”
Linda Kay’s eyes went wide and she said, “May I?”
Rose nodded at the marine and said, “Yes, dear. We’ll be in shortly.”
Linda Kay ran up to the door and the marine opened it.”
Tommy looked at Wes and said, ‘Uh oh, angry girl rapidly approaching.”
Wes looked at him not understanding what he was talking about just as Linda Kay suddenly stormed through the door. “Wes, whatever your name is, you’ve been totally dishonest with me. I can’t believe anything you’ve told me.”
Wes was stunned. He could see Linda Kay was furious. He looked at Tommy and he cocked his head and then touched his chest telling Wes to use his heart. Wes looked at her and then pulled her close and kissed her. Linda Kay was stunned.
Wes said, “I’m probably going to be forced to leave now and I’ve wanted to do that since our third level. You can slap me if you want.”
Linda Kay looked at Wes and started crying. “Who are you? Why do you have to leave? Did you really mean what you just said?”
Wes stepped forward and took Linda Kay’s hands and held them. “Yes, I meant every word and I’ve been honest with you about everything but my family.
Linda Kay stepped back and said, “Tommy is not your twin?” She looked at Tommy and Tommy made a funny face and shook his head.
Wes said, “No, we’re not related; he’s my best friend. Tommy is Queen Danielle’s son and Rose’s brother.”
Linda Kay looked at Tommy and he shrugged. She looked back at Wes and she said. “Then who are you?”
Wes looked at the floor and said, “No one really. I’m just an ordinary person.”
Tommy said, “No you’re not!”
Wes looked back and said, “Yes, I am. I am not royalty.”
Linda Kay saw Wes’ anguish and asked, “What is your real name?”
“Wes McAnn”
Linda Kay’s eyes opened wide. “Are you related to Leila McAnn?”
Wes tilted his head and said, “She’s my mother. How do you know her?”
Linda Kay jumped straight up in the air and spun around. She grabbed Wes and planted a huge kiss on his lips. Wes and Tommy were both confused. Linda Kay started talking so fast she was barely understandable in her enthusiasm, “My family took me to Ross when I was five years old. We visited Castle Gardner, from a distance of course, the Ross Colonist’s Memorial, and the Fleet Academy. At the fleet academy I saw the statue of Admiral Kosiev and right on the front of the statue was a red test book coated in clear armor. The name on that test book was Leila Barber. My parents told me about how Tommy’s father took that test book because he loved her. I came home and learned everything I could about Leila. I know that Tommy’s father ended up married to Danielle but I thought it was the most romantic thing in the universe that someone would steal a test like that. I’ve learned that it was that theft that ultimately led to the fall of the Alliance and the formation of the Star’s Realm. I have gathered every bit of information possible about your mother, Wes. I’ve learned that it was she that arranged Tommy’s father’s escape. She was Danielle’s and now she’s Rose’s chief of staff. I’ve always wanted to be just like her and someday have someone do something as romantic for me. I am amazed that we care for each other; this has to be destiny working. You’re Leila’s son!” She came forward and gave Wes a tight hug.
Wes was stunned. Then he realized that he did have a special family that had played a key role in the history of all that had happened. He felt ten feet tall and Tommy watching his best friend felt a moment of sheer happiness. He knew Wes was special but Wes didn’t know it or believe it. Now he did. He was thankful for Linda Kay and what she had said to Wes. Suddenly the door opened and Rose walked in followed by Tag and Danielle.
Rose ran forward and said, “I’ve missed you most of all. You are a very important part of me, Tommy.”
Tommy was stunned. Rose opened her mind to him and he could see she meant what she said. Rose loved him deeply. They had shared each other’s life since before Tommy was born. He had felt her even when he was still in his mother’s womb. A funny thing happened at that moment; Tommy discovered that he had also missed his sister. It was like a part of him had come home. He held on to Rose and said, “I love you, bunny.”
Rose broke down in tears and didn’t care who saw her. She needed her family and now all of them could see just how important they all were to each other. Tommy looked at his parents over Rose’s shoulder and said, “It’s time to go home.” Tag and Danielle nodded and hugged each other.
Danielle and Rose went out and met a news reporter to address the huge crowd. Danielle told them how Tommy had been brought to Earth eight years earlier to be educated in a normal school. They thanked everyone for the great treatment he had received.”
While Rose and Danielle were outside addressing the crowd, Wes looked at Linda Kay and said, “Would you mind if I come back to see you.”
Linda Kay smiled at him and said, “My heart will break if you don’t.”
Wes’ face broke into a huge smile and Tommy saw that his best friend had found the one for him. “Time to go, Wes.”
Wes hugged Linda Kay and they left to board Rose’s ship.
Chapter 3
Tommy saw the castle below him and focused on the present. He saw the crowds outside the castle and wondered why there were so many gathered. He was used to the attention that all members of the Gardner family received whenever they went out into public but this was just more than he would have ever anticipated for this ceremony. He shook his head and thought, “Rose, I’m coming in on the speeder and I’ll be landing on the pad at the central spire.”
Tommy could hear Rose’s laugh in her thought, “Oh Tommy, you’ll never like being the center of attention will you?”