Epilogue

"Now," said AlexG, "that that is settled young ones. What is to become of you?"

"Excuse me? I don't follow you."

"From what Giselle has told us, Lord Kevin," DeniseH explained, "you are among the first of your people to be super-enhanced - as such you have great powers that in the scheme of things that are almost Demi-God and Demi-Goddess-like."

AlexG nodded, "Not to mention the fact how will your people react to having Metahumans in the real world and not just in a fictional movie or a comic book. If you were Giant and Giantess, in the truest sense of the word, it might be a different story yet again. In that light, we'd like to offer you for you two to consider as an alternative that course."

"Such as?"

"Places for the both of you here at The High Castle. As the Civil Administrator and co-Ruler of the Realm, my wife is always looking for such exceptional people as you are by nature, my Lady Tanya. As one of her Legates you'd be her visible representative - traveling to many worlds of the Realm, speaking in her name and performing diplomatic tasks in her service."

"What you are offering me is a great honor," Tanya answered, "I don't deny it."

"The honor is fully ours," DeniseH smiled, "and as for your beloved something I know that will fulfill a long held desire. We both could sense how you felt coming through our gardens here - the emotions were too strong for us to block out completely. You, my Lord Kevin, would be our Quaestor of the Hanging Gardens here at The High Castle."

"It is a most highly coveted position," added AlexG, "and one unique in all the Realm, but also an enormous responsibility. As such, you will have a vast staff at your command . . . not only to manage and maintain, but would have the freedom to creatively improve upon, too."

I looked at Tanya to get her opinion - personally, I had my own reservations, but trusted her judgment far better then my own.

"It's quite an offer and a very generous one at that. What do you say Tanya - I will abide by your decision."

"I know, but somehow it seems selfish of us if we did take that path. Yet, I too, am tempted by it all. Not only for myself - to journey throughout the vastness of the Realm, but for especially how you looked when we passed through the gardens earlier. Never have I seen such hunger to do what you've always wanted to do - and have been so long denied it."

"True, but as much as I in awe of all this - I'd like to the master of my own place. Moreover, I think we owe our own people a chance first to see if they will accept us as a Super Warrior and Super Amazon - the Titan and Titaness protectors of our peoples."

"I don't disagree, and that's what I would like as well. Somehow we'll manage and make it work."

"Then you've decided?" asked DeniseH. "Have no fear, for what you decide is your right and we will respect it."

"Yes," I said holding Tanya's hand in mine, "it might not be the easiest path in life, but we would still prefer to go home - to be what we really are, to be the champions of our peoples."

AlexG smiled broadly, "I'm very pleased to hear that that is what you intend - a brave and most noble act on your parts. But, tell me - do you think they will accept you as such?"

"I think some will be uncertain at first, a few might even hate or fear us. But most I think will come to look at us as not a threat to the world, but in fact benevolent and helpful."

"I do hope so, with all my heart, I do - but know this, if your world is not ready or persecutes you and your people - you will always have a home here at The High Castle. We can always can find a place for ones such yourself and Lady Tanya. Alternatively, elsewhere that would better suit you within our Realm - for there are many worlds where people with superpowers are everyday members of society and highly honored as such. This offer will still stand as our sacred pledge to you and your people should any of you change your minds."

"Thank you for the offer and we will definitely remember your kind and generous offer."

"It shall be as you wish - and we shall give you a parting gift, something we both know you'll appreciate greatly, especially you Lord Kevin. When you get home, you'll see what we have sent to you."

**********

Along With Giselle, we left The High Castle and it seemed like only a minute had passed and we were again home in Aurora. Normal-sized once more, but the sight that was waiting to greet us in the backyard was in no way normal but was one straight out of a fairy tale.

"I don't believe this," I said astonished, "it cannot be, but it is."

"Oh my Goddess," exclaimed Tanya, "it's simply incredible - and very beautiful, too."

Giselle smiled proudly, "You two very lucky and privileged for to my knowledge such as this has rarely happened in the long history of the Realm. Perhaps in a way as much as a gift it's a great responsibly, too, for you both to take care of and manage in addition to your duties as the Superhero and heroine of this world."

What we were looking at was combination of exquisite greenhouse, nursery and garden. It was unlike any I or Tanya had ever seen on Earth - more like a slice of Paradise had been laid down on our Mortal plane. I could not believe the verity and different kinds of flowers or plants. A small piece of that most wondrous and special place in the Realm had been teleported and lovingly set down in perfect precision without disturbing the surrounding landscape. Across the main entrance into the complex was something I thought many a time that I might never see.

The Hanging Gardens, Ltd.
Kevin Betancourt and Tanya Chevalier - Proprietors.
Colorful Green Growth Is Our Specialty.
Let Us Transform Your World.

"I think," I started to say - taking Tanya in my arms, "even for all that they offered us, as long as I have you my world is complete."

"And I you, somehow we will make it work out - for us and our children."

As we kissed the pair of us felt something small and furry rubbing our legs. We broke off in surprise for we both had completely forgotten about Joshua. But as I figured, the cat had taken care of himself - completely. Twenty pounds of dry cat kibbles that is. He looked like the preverbal cat that swallowed a beach ball - just as I had warned him not to do. Some people and cats just never listen, you know?

The End?