The Sequel. The Little Rose.

Chapter Fifty-one. 2054. Stay Strong.

"She always looks stunning.  But, care to explain the jungle part of your comment? I don't think any of us heard about that," North grumbled, with his eyes narrowed.

"No.  Not really, North," Luke stared his brother down. "I don't think anyone here tells all things private.  I know you don't." Besides, no way was he telling anyone they had really wanted to glimpse a Bengal tiger, and a trek into the jungle was needed to do it.

"Well, my Trouble did look hot.  Even with the henna painted on her hand, Bro.  Are you going to put a photo in from your commitment ceremony?" Gabe asked, as he went back to his own growing pile.

"Oh yeah.  I'm thinking this one of us together.  Even with her hair covered she looked so beautiful," he whispered to himself, staring with pleasure at a picture of Sang in a traditional wedding sari.  They had been holding each other close and smiling into each other's eyes.

"It's the love on Princess's face because she's looking at you, Luke.  It's all her inner beauty and love shining through," Victor murmured, as he scanned through the pictures on his iPad.  "None of us will have to look hard to find pictures of Princess looking like that at every single one of us."

"That's very true, Victor," Owen murmured, looking at a picture that was almost thirty years old.  His now familiar smile widened further, and he shook his head silently as he recalled the day it was taken.  His beautiful Sang and he had been at an Academy conference in Edinburgh the day before, and were taking a week to explore.  Just the two of them.  They had stayed in an old castle converted into a hotel up in the highlands.  He could recall that Sang had promptly opened a window and leaning out had peered down into the darkness.  "Owen, I think we could abseil down the side of this castle.  That's a long, long way down," she had called over her shoulder, causing what he was sure was the first of his grey hairs. 

Still, the old library in the castle with the huge vases of flowers and ancient tomes had been the perfect place for himself and Sang to make their vows to each other.  The sun had shone through the open doors leading out onto a slate patio overlooking fields of heather, and Sang had looked perfectly beautiful in an elegant sheath dress the colour of raspberries with grey accents. 

He laughed out loud at the next photo.  Someone had seen them returning from an afternoon walk, and snapped the perfect picture of two young people in love.  Sang had been teasing him, and he retaliated by asking if she was brave enough to eat haggis at their evening meal.  "I'll eat haggis, if you wear a kilt, Owen," she had promptly retorted, her eyes twinkling.  Owen couldn't help sighing with pleasure at the memories of that day, as he continued his search for the perfect pictures to commemorate their lives together.

Sean grinned as his best friend sighed, before he sat back and rolled his neck.  It had been a long morning looking through photos of his family; but he couldn't remember the last time they had been together and laughed over their memories. His eyes sparkled as he flicked through the small pile he had made.  He could still remember the first ever Thanksgiving they had all shared with Sang.  He was, to this day, impressed that Victor had thought to take pictures of his Pookie as she had encouraged a little Princess to run to him.  Such a long way they had all come together. 

There was very little in their lives that any of them would change.  A few injuries maybe; but even the arguments they had all endured had served to make them all stronger and better.  Together.  How they were meant to be.

He laughed out loud at a picture of a young Owen dressed in a leather jacket.  "Remember Luke and Sang dancing on the bar? Owen, how did we forget this night?" he asked, passing the photo over. 

Owen shook his head at the picture.  "Wishful thinking?" he grinned.  That night pretending to be patrons of a gay bar had been one to remember.

"Oh, come on.  According to Pookie, we all looked hot that night.  You got more phone numbers, being all deep and mysterious than any of us, if memory serves me correctly."