Amulet of Time 2: Two Worlds, Two Wars

Chapter 33: Epilogue

February 1949

" Minh?"

" Yeah?"

" We've been friends for six years, haven't we?"

" Sure Eustace. Why?"

" Well, over that time, we've become rather…close…emotionally."

" Well, I would hope so after six years."

" Um…"

" Eustace, where are you going with this?"

" Well, you see…"

" Just tell me."

" Over the last couple of years, I've had…feelings…for you…ones I shouldn't be having about a friend."

" Really, because…"

" No, just let me finish. If you don't, I'll never get it said. Minh, you mean a lot to me, you know that. I think what I'm trying to say is…will you go out with me? I mean, if you don't want to…"

" Yes."

"…I fully understand. You can…what?"

" I said yes."

" You did? I mean, you will? Go out with me?"

" Of course. I thought you'd never ask."

June 1950

" Mother, I'm not coming home."

" What do you mean? Your aunt and I have been looking for a job for you, and we think you would make a good weather worker for the harvest. Ever since we lost poor Elleandor to typhoid last winter…"

" Mother, no! I'm staying here, in the human world."

" But Minh, why?"

" Because Eustace asked me to."

" Minh…"

" No, you can't talk me out of it. I love him, mother, and I want to spend the rest of my life with him."

" But he's a human!"

" So was my father."

" But if you marry and elf, your elven blood will prevail…"

" I don't care. I love him, and he loves me. He asked me to marry him, mother, and I accepted."

" You can't do that!"

" I just did. You can't stop me."

" But what will you do in the human world? What sort of job do you plan on having?"

" Eustace has got me a job in the Ministry."

" What about your aging? You will age like a human if you stay in the wizarding world and bind your soul to a human."

" I don't care. I'd rather grow old and die with Eustace than live millennia without him."

" Are you sure this is what you want?"

" Yes."

" Then there is nothing more I can do. I give you my blessing."

" Thank you, mother."

" I dread to think what your aunt is going to say…"

August 1955

" Dearly beloved. We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Eustace Potter and Minh-Minh-Lama. Do you, Eustace, take Minh-Minh-Lama to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

" I do."

"Do you, Minh-Minh-Lama, take Eustace to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

" I do."

" Do you have the rings?"

" Yes."

" Eustace, repeat after me. I, Eustace."

" I, Eustace."

" Stand here before these people assembled."

" Stand here before these people assembled."

" And am witnessed by Merlin himself."

" And am witnessed by Merlin himself."

" Upon taking Minh-Minh-Lama as my lawfully wedded wife."

" Upon taking Minh-Minh-Lama as my lawfully wedded wife."

" Now, Minh-Minh-Lama, repeat after me. I, Minh-Minh-Lama."

" I, Minh-Minh-Lama."

" Stand here before these people assembled."

" Stand here before these people assembled."

" And am witnessed by Merlin himself."

" And am witnessed by Merlin himself."

" Upon taking Eustace as my lawfully wedded husband."

" Upon taking Eustace as my lawfully wedded husband."

" As witnessed by the persons here present, and the mighty Merlin himself, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

December 1959

" Eustace, love, I need you to sit down a minute."

" What's wrong, Minh?"

" I have something very important to tell you."

" What's that?"

" Actually, I have a question first."

" What is it. You can ask me anything."

" Eustace, if you were to have a son, what would you call him?"

" Well, funny you should say that. Harry once told me if I was to have a son I should name him James."

" James?"

" Yes."

" That's a good name."

" Why do you ask?"

" Because I'm pregnant."

May 1960

" EUSTACE POTTER, I AM NEVER GOING THROUGH THIS AGAIN!"

" Calm down, Minh, love. It'll be over soon."

" Calm down? Calm down? CALM DOWN?!"

" Shh, it'll be alright."

" Eustace, our son will have to be an only child."

" That's fine, dear. Now push."

" DON'T YOU 'DEAR' ME!"

" Mrs. Potter, you really should listen to your husband and push."

" Poppy, I'll push when I'm DAMNED WELL READY TO PUSH!"

" Minh, darling, just one more big push and it'll be over."

" Alright, alright, stop pestering."

"…."

" Ahhhhhhhhh!"

" Wahhhhhhhhh!"

" Oh, congratulations Mrs. Potter, you have a beautiful baby boy. What are you going to call him?"

" James. James Fleamont Potter."