Crystal and Dirk watch and wave as Vian's ship pulls out of the harbor and motors off into the sunset. When Nim had first told Crystal and Dirk that she thought it would be best if the two were left in Hawaii because of their impending child, Crystal had protested a little, thinking it probably wouldn't be a good idea. Then when it suddenly dawned on her that she and Dirk would be left alone on a beautiful tropical island for at least 3 months...no fighting, no Mystery Men, no evil high lords...suddenly she couldn't get rid of the rest of the group fast enough!
Crystal turns to Dirk and wraps her arms around him, her eyes shining with tears. "Oh Dirk! I've been keeping it inside so the others wouldn't think I was a crybaby, but I was SO terrified that you were dead when my mindlink to you went silent! That was the worst week of my life! I'm SO glad to have you back safe and sound!" she murmurs, pressing the side of her face against his broad chest.
Dirk puts his arms around her comfortingly. "You need not worry for me, Crystal. I will always be with you, no matter." he says. "I love you Crystal. I will follow you the rest of my days." he says. He smiles as he watches the ship leave over the horizon. "You have very committed friends...very brave friends indeed. They see an injustice and immediately they act. When they are with you...I feel that you are safe."
Crystal sniffles and looks up at Dirk with a little smile. "They ARE very brave! You should have seen Garrison attack Uthurian! He's been very...aggressive lately! Ever since Abim was murdered, in fact! It's just what our group needs. We didn't really have someone strong in physical combat before he snapped!" she explains. She reaches up and touches Dirk's face. "I feel safe when I am with YOU." she says in a soft voice, and then leans up on her tippy-toes and kisses him.
Dirk smiles when she kisses him. He likes to hear he's a security to her. "I'm glad to hear that. He's finding his inner hero." he says. "I would encourage that highly. Garrison has become a protector of the group."
Crystal smiles and nods. "You know, you're right!" she muses. "Hmm...too bad Tolwyn wasn't able to see Garrison in action! I think she might have embarrassed him when she informed him that she would be his protector!" she says with a little laugh. Then her face softens a little and she reaches up and stokes Dirk's face, relieved to see that his wounds have fully healed. As she does this, her 7-month big belly presses against his muscular one, and suddenly there's a hard KICK from the little one within. Crystal's eyes widen in surprise, and then she laughs.
"Did you feel that?? You HAVE to have felt THAT! Your child is a mini-version of you, it's so strong!" she grins, rubbing her belly.
Dirk laughs. "Perhaps he is a Mystery Man already!" he says. "It is funny she said that. Do you think perhaps there are feelings between them?" he asks. "I could sense it from Tolwyn."
Crystal smiles and wiggles her eyebrows at Dirk. "OOH yes! For over a year now, I'm thinking! She's uh...let his 'garrison' enter her barracks!" she grins and then laughs hard at her own joke. She wipes a tear from her eye from her laughter and then continues. "Tolwyn has been very open with her feelings for Garrison, and even though Garrison is very private about his own feelings, it's pretty clear to us that they are a couple." Crystal rubs her tummy thoughtfully, and then gives Dirk an evil smile. "You know...I just found out in my studies that my fertility blessing works on people as well as plants..."
"Crystal, you wouldn't," Dirk says. "Tolwyn is an important member of her military. You shouldn't do that to her...yet." he says with a laugh. "It's good to hear that they are a couple. Two brave warriors in love. Their children will be heroes themselves." he says.
Crystal smiles and presses herself against Dirk, suddenly wanting to abandon the topic of her friends and move on to the topic of she and Dirk's belated honeymoon awaiting them!
"Like two other people we know?" she smiles. She motions her head towards the grass and bamboo bungalow she'd bought for them down at the end of the beach. It's perfect. It's beachfront property...tall palm trees keeping it cool...and no other bungalows nearby! It seemed to have been waiting just for them!
"What do you say we allow ourselves to release our worries and cares and have that honeymoon we never got to have?" she purrs, running her hands up his muscly arms. "Since we really have no choice in the matter EXCEPT to lay back and relax!" she smirks. "Nim's orders-- we are not to leave the island until they come back for us!" she smiles in satisfaction, her eyebrow arching.
Dirk takes one last look at the horizon and then turns back to Crystal. "Let's enjoy ourselves. They won't be back for months." he says. "And I would hate to disobey Nim. She too is a dangerous customer, I would wager." he says. "So Crystal shall we lounge on the hammock first or would you like to sun yourself on the beach?"
Crystal gives a little giggle. Dirk's occasional na�vet� is so endearing to her! "How about if we sun ourselves at the edge of the waves...like in the movie "From Here To Eternity"...your wet, glistening body laying on top of mine...pounding me gently like the waves..." Crystal's eyes grow faraway with a smile on her lips. "...and then when we are sufficiently sunned and exhausted we should cuddle together in the hammock and sleep. Mmmm..." she sighs, running a hand unconsciously through her long, dark hair as the fantasy fills her. "Yes...that would be divine..."
Dirk looks at her and smiles. "That sounds like a wonderful beginning..." he says. "We could also have some coconut milk as well," he says looking up the palm tree. "I've never had that before...by the way...what's from here to eternity?"
"Mmm...coconut milk! I've never had that either!" She gives him a little smirk. "I wouldn't mind watching you climb the tree to get the coconuts..." she says admiringly, and then realizes the double-entendre she just made, and laughs again.
"Oh! "From Here To Eternity" is a movie that has a memorable scene where the main actor and main actress roll around together on the beach in the surf, kissing and-- assumingly-- making love under the sun! It's very passionate!" she smiles, reaching up and playing with a piece of Dirk's blond hair fondly.
Dirk smiles. "I see...sounds like they had the right idea, my love." he says offering her his arm. He walks with her a bit. "So what are the plans when they return? Not about the baby, Crystal, but the war. What do we do about the war?"
Crystal frowns a little as she thinks, taking his arm and walking with him. As serious of a question as it is, she's starting to wonder if they're ever going to be able to leave work behind and get to playing!
However, she's able to make it look like her frown is because she's thinking hard about such a dilemma as the war. Really, whether or not Dirk can finally get his brain to be on vacation, Crystal feels that she is the winner for being handed this unexpected time alone with him, so she'll go along with his topic.
"I think the first step is to find out what happened to Queen Pela, and bring her back to London so she can rule her realm. I can't stop worrying about her. We chased Uthurian out of her body once before..." she says, her forehead knit in worry. "I wish we COULD defeat Uthurian, but it sounds like he's been around for so many centuries that he CAN'T be killed! He just jumps to a new body! I think we need to research how to stop him from being able to do that." she concludes.
Dirk nods frowning in thought. "Ah I am sorry. This is our vacation from such worries. I am sorry...talking work while we are here on this beautiful island. Perhaps we should talk about what we are going to do after the war."
Crystal smiles and hugs his arm, looking up at him as one would look up at a beloved god.
"Weell...that IS a good question. I would love to show you where I grew up sometime...just so you know a little more of who I started out as. And I would love to see the REAL Smalls Manor in Terra. After that, I just want to do what's best for our baby. I mean, you have your family legacy all back home in Terra...generations of Smalls and Bottoms...I could never presume to take you away from that! And your family and friends would have every reason to hate me if I tried. But...if we stayed in Terra, what about my miracles? Would I be cut off permanently from Dunad? I think I would. So we have a hard choice to make, it seems!" she says, relieved to finally be unburdening herself of the question that's been eating at her for months.
"We do indeed. I believe Terra is too dangerous for us to raise a child. I would not mind living in Aysle. I believe it is the wisest choice." he says. "However your earth here is quite beautiful and fairly similar to my own world. I could be a good compromise."
Crystal thinks and nods slowly. "Aysle would be good because we are already established heroes there, and because you would look incredible in a suit of armor!" she smiles, batting her eyelashes at him. "'Sir Dirk' really fits you! A knight of the queen! However, you WOULD feel more at home on earth...I would just worry if there would be a calling worthy of your talents there, seeing as how our police and military have taken over city-protection and might not smile down on us taking justice into our own hands! Hmm...unless you WERE a police office. Ooh but then I would worry about you when you were on-duty!" She pauses. "But I'm getting ahead of myself! Dirk...what WOULD you like to do job-wise if you had to live in on earth?" she asks curiously.
"Hmmm," Dirk says rubbing his chin. "Perhaps a lawyer...you have them here do you not?" he says. "Yes a lawyer would be fine. I could fight crime and keep my oath while still remaining safe with you."
Crystal's face lights up. "Ooh! That's an even BETTER job for fighting crime on my plane! The police arrest the criminals, but it's really up to the lawyers and judges if the criminals go free, or if the victims get their justice! That's BRILLIANT, Dirk! Brilliant! It's about time you got to sit on the other side of crime-fighting! The side that decides if the heroes' hard work at bringing the criminal in will pay off...if justice really WILL be served!" Crystal laughs delightedly and hugs Dirk. "And you can be MY lawyer when I make my albums, too!" she beams. She runs her hands under his shirt. "I promise I'll pay you well..." she teases.
"Really?" Dirk says with a mischievous smile. "Will I receive my usual benefits as well?" he says wriggling his eyebrows at her. "I'd hate to lose those."
Crystal giggles. "That would be your retainer...right up front..." she whispers, her hands getting more explorative. "And I know you'd do such a good job that I'd have to throw in bonuses, as well! A bonus on your desk...a bonus on the floor...a bonus in the bathroom...I may even need you to come to my house so I could give you a special tour...where another bonus would be waiting on my bed..." she giggles again, her cheeks pink.
Dirk laughs. "I accept then." he says. "Now seeing that my position is secure. How about that nice idea you had earlier." he says kissing her. "Let us get to the waves and show them how it is done." he says.
The days go by in lazy, luxurious leisure. After their initial reinterpretation of "From Here To Eternity" Crystal finally calms down enough to enjoy the less carnal pleasures that living on a private beach afford-- she and Dirk taking walks along the sand...having barbecues in their own pit...swimming...lounging...sipping fruity drinks.
Crystal uses her illusion-powers to make she and Dirk look different so they can go into town and pick up beach-wear, groceries, and other supplies without being recognized as the people the government is looking for on all the TVs, as well as find a baby-doctor who will be discrete. They find a doctor and tell him that they're celebrities and don't want the paparazzi to know where they're having their baby, and the doctor is more than willing to keep their presence a secret. Crystal and Dirk still give the doctor fake names-- just to be safe-- and the doctor agrees to make house-calls...or, rather, bungalow-calls...to save Crystal and Dirk from having to go out in public each week!
Crystal decides at the last minute that she doesn't want to know the gender of their baby until it's born, now that Dirk is safe and sound, and so she takes to calling their baby "Baby Smalls." This name sticks! And soon one of the rooms in the bungalow has been turned into a cute little nursery, aka the Baby Smalls Cave!
A couple of months later Crystal finally goes into labor, and after a very LONG and PAINFUL labor, she finally gives birth to a son! A very BIG son! He has black hair like his mother, blue eyes like his father, and was it mentioned he was BIG? Just like his father! When Crystal sees how much like his father he looks, she instantly forgets all the torment she just endured to bring him here, and loves him at once! However, before Dirk can think of an eccentric and burdensome name for the child-- the only types of names he's been able to come up with so far-- she asks him if they can name their son Derik Smalls, after his father, of course!
Dirk is overjoyed that Crystal wants to name their son after his own father. Why he was thinking Richard! But Derik is much much better. Dirk nods yes and takes the boy in his hands and raises him to the sky proclaiming him Derik Smalls! Of course after this melodramatic display he bashfully returns the little tyke to his mother's arms.
Crystal laughs and rolls her eyes fondly at her husband and son, taking her son back eagerly, and once the doctor is satisfied that Crystal is fine-- remarkably healed after such a big baby (Crystal not saying a word about the "praise Dunad!" that was going through her head when her heal-spell worked)-- the doctor congratulates them and leaves them to their privacy.
A week passes, and finally it's the day that Crystal's parents-- Daniel and Heather Harrington-- are due to arrive! Crystal arranges for a car to be there to pick them up at the airport and bring them right to the beach so she and Dirk don't have to go out in public with Baby Smalls...er, Derik! Crystal paces around the bungalow excitedly and in great anticipation until they finally hear the car arrive.
Crystal lets out a noise, picks up Derik, starts for the door, and then turns around and hands Derik to Dirk.
"Maybe you should be holding him! Dad will like that! It will show him that you're a good father! And Mom will think it's very sweet! It'll be a good first impression, I think!" she says, looking a little distracted and flustered. She hasn't seen her parents in over a year now!
"Good idea." Dirk says nervously. He looks Crystal up and down. "You look good. How do I look?" he says turning around. "Do I look all right? Is my shirt clean? My pants? Do I look like some sort of beach drifter?"
Crystal gives a laugh and it helps calm her down a little. Dirk is wearing a nice navy blue jacket over a casual shirt with the tan cotton slacks that are so popular here because they're so light-weight and comfortable.
"Beach drifter? You look good and you know it!" she grins, poking him in the tummy. She fluffs out her gauzy summer dress with spaghetti straps and looks down at her bare feet. "If anyone looks like a beach drifter it's me!" she smiles. She takes his free hand and pulls him to the door while making sure Derik's chin is dry and giving him a final sniff to check for messy diaper. No bad smell! Phew!
She opens the door and pulls Dirk out with her, seeing her dad helping her mom out of the car while the driver gets their luggage out of the trunk.
"MOM!! DAD!!" Crystal cries excitedly, waving her hand.
"Hello punkin," Daniel says as he helps Heather out of the car. He takes one look at the very large man walking next to his daughter and raises an eyebrow. He turns to Heather. "Dear heavens do you see that? He must lift weights." he says out of the corner of his mouth.
Heather looks over and she can't stop her eyebrows from raising in amazement. "Good god, Daniel! She said he was a superhero but I didn't think she meant LITERALLY! Do you think she meant literally?" she whispers out of the corner of her mouth, giving Dirk the once-over. Then her lips curl into a smile and she waves back at Crystal.
"My, MY Crystal! You weren't joking about this one, were you! A fine, large man you have there!" she calls, visions of using Dirk on the cover of her next book dancing in her head. She and Daniel walk over to greet the young couple.
"Hello, Mrs. Harrington." Dirk says waving to her. He puts on his most charming smile. He looks over at Daniel and sees the look in his eye. He walks up to the man and offers his hand. "Mr. Harrington, hello."
"Yes hello hello, Mr. Smalls is it?" Daniel says shaking his hand. "Nice grip you have there Mr. Smalls." he says.
"Thank you, you as well sir." Dirk says nervously. "Oh and here is your grandson, Derik." he says presenting the baby to him.
"Ah yes, Derik wonderful name really." Daniel says. "Awful big isn't he?"
Heather hugs Crystal tightly, checking her over to make sure she's still in one piece, and then thwaps Daniel's arm with her hand.
"Oh really now! It's your grandson! He's perfect!" she scolds him, and then turns to Dirk and Derik. "Oooh look at him!" she breathes. "What a handsome little love! Might I hold him, Dirk? And may I call you Dirk?" she asks hopefully.
"Yes you may." Dirk says smiling. He hands over little Derik gently to Heather.
Crystal smiles and hugs her father. "OOH yes, he IS awful big, Dad! Trust me! No one knows better than me!" she teases. "But naturally he gets it from his father!" she smiles, her eyes glazing over with admiration for Dirk.
"I can see. You must have been a hefty child when you were born as well, eh Dirk." Daniel says looking him over.
"I was ten pounds to be exact." Dirk says agreeing. "All the sons in my family were large. It's a family trait." he says.
"Ah well then, Dirk. What exactly do you do for a living?" Daniel asks rubbing his chin.
"I am an...inventor," Dirk says thinking quickly. "My father was as well. In fact he was quite famous for it."
Crystal smiles and nods. "He's a well-loved figure in his community! Invited to all the parties, balls, and galas! And he makes contributions and donations to museums and other worthy causes!" Crystal adds. "I wish you could see Smalls Manor! It's truly impressive! Almost as impressive as Dirk!" she grins, winking at Dirk.
Heather catches the wink and laughs lightly, cradling Derik and cooing to him. "Natasha-- I mean Crystal-- said that you were a superhero! Were these simply the admiring words of a doting wife, or is there something more to them? Looking at you, I can certainly believe that you are a superhero!" she smiles, already liking her son-in-law.
Dirk looks around with a raised eyebrow. When he sees that no one is around he nods to her. "Yes I am. I am the Blue Scarab. Protector of the innocent, punisher of the guilty." he says. "Want to see the suit later?"
Heather's eyes light up and she nods her head quickly. "Indeed!"
"A superhero then...so can you fly?" Daniel asks.
"No," Dirk says.
"Run very very fast?"
"No..."
"Shoot laser beams out of your eyes?"
"Er...no..."
"Super strength?"
"Yes!!!"
Crystal smiles and puts her arm through Dirk's, squeezing it. "He can jump really far, too! From building to building! And you should see him punch! He can punch right through a brick wall!" Then Crystal also looks around before continuing. "I'm a superhero now, too. 'Black Raven!' I can fly, go invisible, heal people's wounds, and some other interesting things!" she informs her parents. "But please-- it's very important that you don't tell anyone any of this. Not a soul." she pleads.
Heather looks at her daughter in astonishment. "How can you do these things? Flying and going invisible and such?"
Crystal glances at Dirk, and then back at her mother. "Well...I converted to the religion of the world that landed in England. My god's name is Dunad. As his priestess, he grants me many wonderful gifts!"
Crystal concentrates, and suddenly levitates off the ground high enough that she can rest her elbow on Dirk's shoulder. She grins, and then quickly lowers herself. "I better not do anything else outside." she whispers.
"Amazing isn't she?" Dirk says folding his arms proudly.
"Bloody hell, Crystal! That is amazing!" Daniel says. "Tell me all about these other places then! I would love to hear it."
"Come on in, sir and I would be happy to tell you all about the Nile." Dirk says. "A land of superheroes and villains." he says.
"Really? We've seen the dinosaurs on the telly and a few other things. Are there really vampires in that one in Borneo?" Daniel asks rubbing his hands together.
Heather gapes at her daughter as she levitates. Then she remembers she's holding the baby and comes back to herself.
"Crystal! It's...a miracle!" she breathes.
Crystal smiles and nods her head once. "Precisely!" she grins a toothy grin. She puts her arm around her stunned-looking mother to guide her towards the bungalow, following after Dirk and her father.
"No wonder you've been travelling all over the place doing dangerous things! I was beginning to wonder how my daughter could possibly be holding up under such circumstances! No offense, dear, but you've never been much of a fighter, you know!" Heather says.
The group enters the bungalow, and Crystal shows them to some comfortable chairs in the sitting room with a stunning view of the beach.
Heather looks around, shaking her head slowly. "Daniel...we really should consider Hawaii for our retirement, I'm beginning to think!" She settles in the chair with baby Derik in her arms, and then looks at Dirk.
"Now how did the two of you meet again?" she asks.
Crystal smiles and settles onto the couch beside Dirk. "My friends and I had just barely arrived in Cairo and didn't know ANYTHING about Nile. We didn't realize that we had just walked into danger. Some shock-troopers cornered us and were demanding our papers-- which, of course, we didn't have-- when suddenly this tall, handsome, strong blue figure leaped from out of the shadows, beat up the shock-troopers and rescued us! That man was Dirk Smalls, and for me it was love at first sight!" she beams up at Dirk. "Oh you don't have to say anything, Dirk! It was me that twisted your arm into going on a date with me!" she grins.
"No no," Dirk says holding up his hand. "I am sure it was my idea to ask you out." he says. "But then again does it matter?"
Crystal beams and wraps her arms around Dirk, squeezing him. She rests her head on his shoulder as they sit on the couch.
"Well you two look very much in love, and that is all I need to see!" Heather smiles.
"Hawaii is a very beautiful place. I would have to say you are correct, Heather." Daniel says. He turns back to Crystal. "So he saved your life did he?" he says. He looks Dirk over again. "Super strength?"
"Very super. I can lift a small car and toss it." Dirk says flexing.
Crystal grins and sits up, holding the top and bottom of his bicep in both hands and squeezing it appreciatively.
"Oooh! Freeze right there! Daniel-- do you have the camera? This is what I want for the cover of my next novel!" she exclaims.
Crystal groans. "Mom writes romance novels!" Crystals whispers to Dirk through the corner of her mouth. "I knew when she first saw you that she would want you to pose for one of her books!"
"Wait, pose for a book?" Dirk says. "You want me to pose for your book? Shouldn't we do something more..." he says looking at the two of them. "Something more grandiose?"
"No no just fine," Daniel says digging into his pockets for the digital camera. "Ah there it is." he says handing Heather the camera. "Now hold still you two."
"But are you sure? Is this the pose you want? Because I could flex a bit more." Dirk says.
Crystal grins, trying not to laugh. "Oh let him pose, Mom! Trust me! Dirk does GREAT poses!"
Heather hands the baby over to Daniel and stands up, looking excited. "Wonderful! Let's do grandiose! I KNEW I liked you, Dirk!"
Crystal's mother is in her element-- as it appears Dirk is, as well-- and soon she has Dirk and Crystal posed on the beach beneath a palm tree, Dirk wearing only his tan pants rolled up to the knee with the top button undone, and Crystal with the straps of her sundress off her shoulders, clinging to Dirk's body with a passionate, half-lidded expression on her face.
"PERFECT!" Heather cries, clicking and clicking with her camera.
"Oh bother. I forgot the other battery. Take care with the pictures love. I doubt they have extra digital batteries on the island." Daniel says shaking his head.
"How's this?" Dirk says posing and flexing his chest and arms. "Would you like me to pose with the baby?" he says. "I think I have a few ideas for that!"
"NOT for the cover of Mom's book!" Crystal laughs.
Heather's face softens. "Ooh...that would be so sweet! Yes yes! Let us have some candid pictures of father and son!" She glances over at Daniel. "Don't worry, dear! If they don't have more batteries here I'll send away for some!" she calls.
Crystal smiles and takes baby Derik from her father and then walks back over to Dirk carefully, handing him his son.
"Aaaw...this is so sweet..." she sighs contentedly.
Heather can't resist but to take some family-shots first, and then she waits to hear Dirk's ideas for he and Derik.
Dirk smiles throughout the poses and finally he takes Baby Smalls and shows Heather his ideas. While she clicks away he smiles, flexes, kisses baby and other poses.
Daniel watches this with detached interest. He's still not sure of this man, but he's sure his daughter is safe with him. He's not sure if Dirk is smart enough for her. Oh well they seem happy, he thinks as he watches his daughter laugh and clap at all of Dirk's poses.
Crystal suggests a pose of her own, and then almost falls over laughing when it turns out cuter than she thought. She has Dirk flex one of Derik's little arms and then look at his son's arm with a look of stunned amazement. She wishes she could have that picture for her wallet! Then her face sobers a bit when she realizes that she's going to have to leave her baby with her parents when her friends return. She gives a sad little sigh, but manages a bittersweet smile as she gazes at Dirk and Derik.
'Stupid war...stupid dark lords...' she thinks to herself.
Heather is laughing, too, and having a great time. She glances over at Crystal and sees her daughter looking a little melancholy.
"Are you all right, love? You look a little down all of a sudden." she asks.
Crystal sighs and waves her mother's concern off. "I don't want to bring the mood down...but...I'm going to miss Baby Smalls so much when we have to go!" she says, starting the sentence out in a normal voice, and then crying by the end of it.
"Aaw...now, now Crystal...don't cry. You'll soon be back with him! The quicker you make the world safe for him, the quicker you can start your normal life...right?" Heather tries to soothe, and although Crystal nods her head, she continues to sniffle.
"That's right, Crystal. The quicker we get this done, the sooner we can get back to a normal life. It is our duty to make the world safer for him." Dirk says nodding in agreement.
"We'll take good care of the child while you're gone, Crystal. Don't worry about it hun, everything will square itself away right as rain." Daniel says.
Crystal nods and hugs her parents. "Thank you for coming to take care of him for us. We're so lucky we have you two to do this."
Derik suddenly decides that he hasn't had food in a long time and starts to do a hearty wail. Crystal smiles and hurries over to take him from Dirk.
"He must be hungry again! He eats almost as much as his father does!" she teases Dirk, back in good spirits again. "Come in and we'll have some real Hawaiian cuisine!" she calls, leading the way into the bungalow.
Heather gathers the camera accessories and hands Dirk his shirt back. She leans in to Dirk. "Don't mind my husband if he seems a little stiff right now. He's doing the typical father-thing and being wary, but *I* think you're a wonderful man, that you're wonderful for my daughter and grandson, and I like you just fine! By the time your companions return, you and Daniel will be the best of friends!" she whispers with a reassuring smile.
"You think so?" Dirk says looking over at Daniel. "I'm not so sure, Heather." he says.
"Food sounds tip top, hun. That plane ride was far too long and a horrible meal served. If I don't eat soon I think I'll pass out." Daniel says. "So what do you recommend, hun?"
"Oh I like the roasted ham. Yummy." Dirk says trying to be helpful.
Daniel looks back at him with a raised eyebrow.
Crystal gives a laugh as she settles down into her rocking chair to feed Derik. "Don't worry, Dad! We've already made dinner! Just help yourselves!" She nods towards the table where roasted ham and pineapple and fruit and rolls and other good foods are waiting. Each person has a glass made out of a hallowed-out pineapple to drink from!
Heather leans into Daniel, elbowing him again. "Danny! Be a good boy!" she whispers to him chidingly. "Stop giving the boy such a hard time! He's only trying to be friendly!"
"Why can't I enjoy the perks of fatherhood?" Daniel says pouting. "This is fun. I like watching him squirm." he says. "Well then ham it is. Mmm this looks yummy." he says as he sits down. "Dirk have a seat," he says pointing to the chair across from him.
"Alright." Dirk says and sits down. "Mmm this ham does look good."
"It should!" Crystal calls. "You made it!" she winks. Her good-natured aire is covering the fact that she's been watching her father anxiously. She can't tell if he likes Dirk or not! But how could ANYONE not like Dirk?? She knows her mother has given him her stamp of approval-- probably from the moment they stepped out of the bungalow!
Heather dishes up her food and takes a sip from her pineapple. "Very festive!" she nods. "Thank you, Dirk. Then she suddenly remembers something. "Oh! Crystal! I brought the medication you asked for!" She turns back to Dirk. "My daughter seems very concerned about your aging servant-- Bums, is it?"
"Bottoms!" Crystal laughs. "Thank you, Mom!"
"Bottoms! Ah yes, right then. Anyhow, so she had me bring some medications that will help with his arthritis and such. I hope it will be of some use to him-- he being from another realm and all."
"Thank you!" Dirk says smiling happily. "Bottoms has been such a good butler, and friend I might add. I know this will help. Thank you."
"You made this?" Daniel says taking a bite of the ham. "It's delicious." he says. "Very very good. Well well you can cook."
"Oh yes I like to cook. Bottoms taught me when I was very young." Dirk says proudly.
"Maybe he can teach you some kitchen-skills, Dad!" Crystal teases. "Yes, Bottom's family has been friends with the Smalls for generations! Dirk had to learn to do a LOT of things on his own at an early age. I really wish Bottoms could meet little Derik! It seems wrong that Derik might not get to grow up with a member of the Bottoms family around..." she sighs.
"Ah we'll see what we can do. Life wouldn't be the same without him." Dirk says sadly. "But yes I can teach you some kitchen skills, sir. I am quite an excellent instructor if I may say that." Dirk says hopefully.
"Hmm well...this ham is delicious...oh well perhaps you are indeed a good one after all Mr. Smalls...I mean Dirk." Daniel says munching on another slice of ham. "Yes well you seem to make my daughter happy and that makes me happy. Just make sure you keep her safe when you're out in the realms." he says pointing his fork at Dirk.
Dirk grins broadly and takes Crystal's hand and kisses it. "I promise to protect her...with my life if it comes to it, Daniel." Dirk says solemnly.
Crystal smiles when Dirk takes her hand, and then her smile falters when he talks about protecting her with his life. She glances quickly up at him. "Well...I'm sure-- the gods being kind and merciful and everything-- that it will NOT come to that..." she says fervently. "But thank you, my love." She leans over and kisses his cheek, cradling Derik carefully as she does.
Dirk smiles at her and then at her parents.
Heather lets out a sigh of relief. "Very good, very good! This is what I like to hear! Once big happy family! Hmm..." She brings a finger to her bottom lip. "I think I'm going to scrap the book I'm currently working on, and instead start a novel about a tall, blond, handsome gentleman who rescues a beautiful young woman from certain capture, and the story of how they fall in love! Their steamy nights of passion! Their wild adventures in the city during the darkness of night! The ecstasy! The agony!" she cries, raising her hands up as she stares unseeing at the wall, filled with inspiration.
Crystal groans. "Oh dear...well, can you at least change their names, Mom?"
Heather smirks. "Perhaps...ah, but I will have loads of time to think of new names for them while we are caring for Derik! This beach and bungalow are the perfect inspiration for my book! Thank you, Crystal...Dirk! I will treat you both out to dinner at the most expensive restaurant in the most expensive city when this book goes right to the New York Times Best Seller List!" she exclaims. Then she looks concerned, her finger back to her lip. "If there IS a New York...hmm..."
"Oh dear. Your mother has been so saddened by what's happened to New York. Terrible just terrible." Daniel says.
"I've never been to New York." Dirk says thinking about it a moment. "Is it a big city?"
"The largest in the world...or was. Until the invaders came." Daniel says shaking his head. "Yes Crystal, your mother and I both lost our publishers after the attack."
Crystal nods sadly. "I thought you might have. I lost my manager, my band, and most of my road-crew.
Heather sighs sadly. "I thought you might have, dear. Very sorry to hear it."
Crystal turns to Dirk. "You would have loved New York! You would have fit right in! All the finest museums in the country...the best parties and galas...miles and miles of skyscrapers...the center of culture for America!" Crystal pauses, realizing what they've lost. Then she looks at Dirk hopefully. "When...the Living Lands are finally cast off, will our lost lands be restored to how they were before Barak-Ka arrived?" she asks.
Heather and Daniel both lean in to hear Dirk's response, breaths held.
Dirk looks around at all of them and shrugs sorrowfully. "I don't know. I have never seen any land reclaimed before." he says hanging his head. "It's never been done, Crystal. But that doesn't mean that we'll fail! That means there's always time for a first time!" he says. He nods his head and hits his fist on the table. "Done and done. When we finish with Uthorian I promise you we'll reclaim your nations lands!"
"Bravo!" Heather says, clapping with relief.
Derik startles a little at the noise his grandma is making and makes a sound of indignation.
Crystal smiles and pats Derik, and then looks at Dirk with that hero-worship in her eyes again. "Thank you, Dirk! I suppose we HAVE been neglecting our own country-- me and the others, I mean. We looked at the map of the markers and suspected the Living Lands might be the easiest to eradicate. I think it's high time to test out that theory! Right Derik?"
Derik makes a soft cooing-noise and promptly falls to sleep.
Crystal grins. "I'd say that's a yes!" She bends and lays him in his carrier, and then finally starts in on her own dinner. "So now that we know what we're going to do once Utherian is banished, let's eat!" she exclaims. She raises her pineapple in the air. "To the Smalls, the Bottoms, and the Harringtons! May the gods protect them always! Cheers!"
Heather laughs and nods her head, bumping her pineapple into Crystal's. "Cheers!"
"Cheers!" Daniel says lifting his pineapple.
"Yes cheers," Dirk says bumping everyone's pineapple with his. "May your gods protect us."
And the rest of the time they have together the new grandparents get to know their new grandson and Dirk, and finally Daniel and Dirk become good friends-as Crystal always knew they would! And the time they spend on that island to ease their thoughts and minds from the terrible war goes quickly�