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An EFC Christmas: Epilogue "And A Happy New Year"
by Seven
Disclaimer:
Earth: Final Conflict and its characters are
copyrighted by Tribune Entertainment Company. All rights reserved.
**********
Christmas afternoon.
***
"I'm going to hurt Augur for this," Lili announced
as she and Liam followed Da'an into the Embassy office. Liam only flushed
a deep red as Da'an vanished into a back room.
Lili reached up and touched her Santa Claus cap, bright red, with letters in gold embroidery, spelling the word, "Hers." Liam's was of similar design, but the word was "His."
Da'an emerged from the back room with a pair of small square boxes cradled carefully, in hands unused to carrying delicate objects. He wordlessly held out one to each of them, and the two humans took them, slowly unwrapping the gifts.
Liam's eyes widened a little at the sight of his gift. It was a single, clear block, like clear marble, about the size of a paperweight. Encased inside it was a single, fernlike leaf, of a pale bluish hue. He looked over at Lili's, and saw a similar block, but with a delicate-looking purple flower inside. She cradled it carefully in her hands, and ran a finger over the edge.
They both looked up simultaneously. Da'an was smiling, pleased and hopeful. "They are plants no longer found on our homeworld," he said quietly, a faint glimmer of sadness touching his face. "So we have chosen to preserve their remnents so that they will never die."
Lili blinked away tears and looked at Liam, who was fingering his block with a small measure of awe. "Thanks, Da'an," she said quietly. "We know how much this means to you."
"Merry Christmas," Lili said with a smile.
"Merry Christmas," Da'an returned.
"And merry Christmas," Liam said quietly. "And a happy new year."
THE END TIL NEXT YEAR
