by Skye Grace
“Someday you’re going to have to top this with an even more outrageous proposal, that might be a little difficult for you,” Darren jokes while the duo are still lip locked, but Aura is too intent on pushing her thoughts to Jacksen about how much the gesture really means to her and he’s listening to her too hard to notice anything Darling says.
I know that wasn’t within 100 miles of your comfort zone and I just can’t explain how much this means, so now I’m going to do something a little out of my zone for you. I love you.
Hearing that in her thoughts, Jacksen’s eyes pop open, lips breaking from hers, and the crowd’s still clapping, “Really?” he whispers.
I know it’s way too damn soon, but yes, of course, she thinks.
He leans his lips to her ear, a wave of electricity rolling in like a sound wave and whispers, “I love you, too.”
Aura barely has time to change back into her jeans and carefully pin her boyfriend’s face to a fresh tank top when the three of them rush through her dressing room door to greet her. They wrap their arms around her in a group hug and it is instantly obvious they’d never done one before this moment. The tingling waves of electricity are amplified by three and it takes their collective breath away. The energy the four of them touching creates appears to be too much for reality of any kind, and their bodies begin to sort of shake as everything around them shifts. They look at each other with wide eyes full of bewilderment.
“This is kind of what I meant when I said you were the key,” Wes says, voice quiet and almost unsure, as he points to a glowing orb that’s expanding before their eyes on the ground next to them. They lock hands but spread out to see the nebulous portal as it grows to a 5x5 foot hole with what appears to be all of the Milky Way magically mixed with the aurora borealis contained within it.
Aura marvels at the beauty of the glimpse she’s getting at what she assumes must be a portal to everything in the universe. She stares, entranced, without stopping to acknowledge the insanity of what is occurring in front of them until she gasps and all eyes are suddenly on her.
“I can hear all your thoughts,” she whispers, incredulous.
“Which I believe means that Jacksen can now travel through time, and that we can all go, anywhere we want, as long as we all stay close to you. I don’t know how, but you really are the key to all of this,” Wes explains, eyes locked on Aura. “The moment you found that portal and Rowan followed down after you. The first time Jacksen and I read together in front of a room full of execs. Those were the flaps of the butterfly’s wings, Aur, setting this all in motion. Setting us up for this moment, right now.”
“But how do we know we’ll be able to come back to this exact point? We can’t risk not coming back, after all we’ve worked for,” Jacksen says to Wes earnestly. “We’ve gotta be on set tomorrow and-”
“We’ve fallen into lives too good to risk not getting to come back to,” Rowan says with her eyes on Aura, then back to Wes, “What if-”
“My theory, albeit currently untested, is that as long as we stay together, we have the ability to create this portal any time all four of us are in contact, which means we won’t get stuck anywhere, and that if all four of us are thinking of the same destination at the same time, we’ll be able to go anywhere, anytime, and then get back here safely. I know, it’s insane! But this theory will go untested if we don’t try! The universe is literally right here waiting for us, you guys, and I think we’d be stupid not to see what can happen here!”
They immediately stop using words and their arguments seem to feed straight into all their brains at once like an epic reality show screaming match without a single vocal cord being strained. It’s so overwhelming to Aura that she tries to break away, move towards the shimmering, undulating technicolor universe at their feet. A hush falls over all of their thoughts as they look over the precipice and hold their breath in pure awe and fascination. Colors swirl, the deepest purple, blues, and pinks. Stardust beckons and Aura realizes science cannot explain everything. The universe contains far too much magic.
Fear, Aura thinks, Fear is the only thing that’s ever held us back. If we can’t trust in our abilities, then they can never take us anywhere. Every other worry fades away as their minds slowly sync to the same word, repeated over and over, over and over, until it happens.
Jump, jump, jump, jump...
Chapter Twenty-One
Aura’s hand flies up to her hair automatically, strands of it shifting softly in the breeze as fine sand collects in it. Her hand meets another there and their fingers intertwine as she opens her eyes to meet Jacksen’s as they open slowly.
“Where are we?” she whispers, no fear in her voice knowing that Jacksen is with her and that they both seem to still be in one piece.
She stretches up and expels a sigh of relief seeing that Rowan and Wes are with them as well. Jacksen sits up next to her, putting an arm around her shoulder as they look out on what can only be described as a glowing tropical beach at sunrise. The other two still sleep soundly, rolled up in each other haphazardly, as Jacksen cards through her hair, specs of sand falling back from her curls and onto the beach.
“Somewhere beautiful,” Jacksen answers, voice rasped with sleep and presumably a few lightspeed years of travel through space and time. “Not as beautiful as you, of course, but yeah. This doesn’t suck.”
I see you and I’m not even worried about where we’re supposed to be or how we’re going to get back, she thinks to him in her head. He smiles at the realization that he can now do the same with her.
We could have landed in the Mesozoic era and I’d be fine, he stares into those gold and green freckled eyes of hers and sighs, I’d fight a T-Rex for you, baby.
She laughs quietly, so lost in the dream of being able to hear his thoughts, it takes forever for the worries to finally wake up. How do we know where we are? When we are? Do we rush back or explore or? What if we can’t get back?
Both of his hands tangle in her hair as his soft lips crash into hers, breathing her in as her lips part for him. Her hands grip onto the back of his sandy neck, pulling him into her closer, just existing together as the heat of their breath mingles together. The thoughts of each other are all a rush of things they can both hear yet don’t really need to comprehend.
A throat clears roughly behind them and they are so tangled up together that they can’t seem to pull themselves apart until a set of fingers begin scratching gently at Aura’s back.
“We literally have all the time in the universe guys, can you break for air for a minute?” Rowan pleads sleepily as she rubs her eyes. “Kinda need to know, like, where we are in time and space. That kind of thing.”
Jacksen and Aura break their kiss and turn to see Rowan and Wes sitting up now, attempting to straighten themselves up after their beachy slumber.
“We’re in Honolulu, I’m pretty sure,” Wes says after clearing of his throat, “It’s… It’s different than when I was here, but like, earlier in time than the last time I was here in the past.”
“Okay, my head hurts,” Jacksen chuckles, somehow so carefree with his arms back around Aura as they talk. He just doesn’t care where or when now, and the feeling of that mixed with the salty morning air and waves crashing not far from them is pure perfection.
“I don’t think there’s any point in worrying about the time until the rest of the world wakes up this morning,” Aura says, kissing Rowan on the cheek.
Rowan nods, “K, fine, but as soon as the sun is fully up I’m figuring this shit out and getting us some breakfast, while I’m at it.”
Aura agrees in her head and makes a bet that she feels like she hasn’t eaten in 30 or 40 years, the others laughing and betting her it’s been even longer. She drapes her free arm over Rowan’s shoulder and Rowan fills in the chain, draping an arm over Aura and the other around Wes. The foursome watch the rest of the sun rise in silent awe as it travels upward in the cloudless azure sky.
The group walks slowly away fr
om the shore, unsure of what they will find. Aura and Jacksen gasp in unison at the handful of cars lining the street across from the beach.
“1959 Buick LeSabre,” Jacksen breathes.
“‘57 Chevy Bel Air. ‘62 Lincoln Continental with suicide doors,” Aura drools.
“Guys, look at this,” Wes drags them across the street to a quaint store front, a clothing shop filled with styles that also scream late 50’s or early 60’s. “This shop opens at 8am, we’re in luck.”
“I want so badly to check my phone for the time,” Rowan admits.
“I don’t think they’re gonna work here, Doc Brown,” Jacksen smirks.
“Well, we’ve gotta wait till they open, guys, we’re not getting breakfast anywhere in these clothes.” Wes instructs, “We have to blend in, the best we can anyway.”
Rowan pats her jean pockets. “If I’m still in my clothes from last night, where’s my phone?” she panics slightly.
“And how is all the cash in my wallet from ‘62 and older?” Jacksen worries aloud.
“I would like to answer all of those questions, I really would-”
Aura cuts Wes off, “But some things clearly can’t be answered with science.”
After breakfast, the girls are practically floating down the freshly paved sidewalks in their belted floral dresses with full skirts, and Wes and Jacksen had opted for Hawaiian shirts and crisp, white pants.
“So, how exactly, Mr. Wes, do you think we got here? It’s beautiful, but why here? And now?” Aura ponders as they walk leisurely through town.
“Something tells me we’ll find out as the day goes on. We’ll just enjoy it, right? Yeah, we forgot to all sync up on where and when to go but we all ended up in the same place and I think that’s a very good sign. And so tonight on the beach, we’ll do what we did last night, except more focused, obviously, and go back home to complete the process.”
Aura smiles at Wes’ response and then adds, “And then, assuming we’ll be able to convince Rowan and her lovely hubby to move to LA, we’ll be able to do this whenever, right?”
“I think that’s what we’re all hoping,” Jacksen grins. “I mean, this was easier than booking a vacation, come on!”
Aura suddenly stops short in front of a small shop, her new pumps scratching on the sidewalk. The air comes out of her lungs as something in between a hiss and a screech, and the others look up to see what is so thrilling to her.
“This isn’t what I think it is, is it?” Jacksen asks her, putting a hand on her shoulder to steady her.
“No freakin way,” Rowan manages.
“Sailor Jerry’s tattoo shop. This was like, his first or second shop. Is he in there? Oh my god,” Aura starts to jitter.
“I think this was the sign you were looking for. So awesome, man, your first tattoo done by the man himself. You excited Wes?” Jacksen can hardly control his excitement, following the girls into the store with his best friend being dragged by the sleeve of his flowered shirt.
Sailor Jerry himself, just opening up the shop for the day, is more than intrigued at the ink poking out from the short sleeved shirt and dresses of Jacksen and the girls, introducing himself and inspecting the tattoos with great interest.
“Where were these done?” he asks curiously, raising an eyebrow above his black browline-glasses frame.
“Oh, Seattle!” Rowan interjects. “The tattoo scene is really getting ahead of its time right now,” she bullshits.
“Hmmm,” is all he says in response. “I have a friend I can call in, if you are all wanting to get one today.”
“Yes, call him! We’re all in,” Aura smiles before Wes practically whines her name and pulls her into a corner.
“Aur, I can’t do this. I’ve gone 35 years without getting one of these. I think, um, ya know, I think I’m good.”
“Wes, you just said yourself, the reason why we ended up here would present itself and clearly, it has. You can handle this, you have already handled a lifetime worth of shit and this will take what, an hour? You can do this. Oh! Look! Butterfly effect, right?” She pulls him over to a wall of intricate traditional style butterflies and she gushes over them, remembering the night the blue lupine had landed on her, leaving her forever changed. She begins to set her mind on getting a butterfly but Rowan and Jacksen start swooning over something on the other side of the shop and call them over excitedly.
“This is perfect!” Rowan squeaks, “And Jacksen even agrees with me which may be a miracle in itself!” She elbows him in the ribs and he laughs.
The tattoo is perfect, for all of them, and even Wes starts nodding slowly the longer he looks at it. The ink in question is a palm tree with a rounded trunk showcasing a dazzling sunrise overlooking ocean waves with a few simple birds flying over the horizon and underneath is a banner that scrolls the word ‘Wander’ in traditional script.
“You’re really all going for the same one?” Jerry asks with a small smile. “You know I have a lot to choose from.”
“This is it. For all of us,” Wes assures him. “And I’m going first. First, or probably not at all.” He hears the tattoo gun buzz for the first time and knows there’s no turning back now.
They managed to all agree on their right shoulders as the place to get the tattoo, and then grin stupidly as they hobble, shoulders throbbing, into the nearest bar to drink Mai-Tais with fresh pineapple until the pain subsides.
“Is it bad to say I kinda don’t wanna go back tonight?” Aura laughs, feeding Rowan a bite of her pineapple. “Can’t we just find a luau or ten? Maybe a cruise from island to island? Wait around for Elvis to come visit again?”
“If tonight goes well-”
Jacksen cuts Wes short, “You mean when tonight goes well.”
“Right. When tonight goes well,” Wes continues, “We’ll be able to come back here. Or anywhere else in space and time. Whenever we want, Aura. This was the first, and trust me, I’ll know forever because I don’t think this thing comes off with baby oil and a loofah. But it’s still probably not the best. The possibilities are endless, thanks to you.”
“Thanks to you,” Jacksen smiles at Aura, clinking his glass to hers. The others follow suit, then Jacksen continues, “And we’ve come this far. I think it’s okay to hit up a luau if that’s what the girls want to do.”
“Yes!” the girls agree and Rowan laughs, adding, “We need to get lei’d.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
The sunset shines a kaleidoscope of colors reflected back on the golden shore as they are serenaded by a symphony of ukuleles. Not just the four of them though, as Hawaii's blossoming tourism is evident as the tables surrounding them on the twilight beach fill up with people.
Rowan averts her eyes from the fragrant browning flesh of a whole pig roasting nearby. “I can’t eat that! You guys know I’m vegan!”
“Not in 1963 you’re not! Don’t think tofu is on the menu tonight, Rowan, or any menu at this point,” Jacksen winks, popping the collar on his blue Hawaiian shirt.
Wes quickly reaches over, putting Jacksen’s collar back down. “Well, he is right, that wasn’t a thing at this point and neither is this!” Wes chuckles, smoothing Jacksen’s collar. “The free-spirited hippie culture that was at its peak around 1969 introduced vegetarianism to popular culture, and not so much before then.”
“Still not eating it. You eating it, Aur?” Rowan grimaces.
Aura’s forehead crinkles with disgust, “I think, considering the last thing I ate was some honey roasted peanuts hours ago, I may have to! Ahhh!” She winces at the thought of eating meat carved up from an animal still staring right at her. She sips her cocktail as her stomach rumbles. “Blue Hawaiians can only get a girl so far! I’m starving!”
Her entire being is buzzing, tingling with the effects of the sugar and rum, mixed with the lack of food and powerful energy coming from her group of... soul mates. Was there any other way to describe the kismet of how they met or how they can defy all rules of space and time together?
Aura thinks not.
A gentle hand touches hers and she turns to meet those glowing jade eyes. “You a little light headed?” Jacksen asks her, concerned. The rhythmic booming of drums grows louder and louder, as large native drummers move in closer, followed by a cascading line of some of the most beautiful women she had ever seen, moving their hips in time with the drum beats.
“Just a little, no complaints here though,” she smiles softly, listening in on his thoughts in awe. “You really want to dance, don’t you?”
“Only if you want to,” Jacksen grins. “I promise to hold you up… if you’re really feeling faint? Or maybe we shouldn’t?”
She grins, “It’s okay, I want to.” She peers over at Wes and Rowan, deep in a conversation about the eating patterns of Americans throughout the 20th century. They seem enthralled but Aura feels no remorse at interrupting the fascinating food evolution convo. “You guys wanna dance?”
The two look up, pupils large and dark, realizing that the drummers and hula dancers had captivated everyone in attendance but them. Aura yells at them in her head to Live in the moment! and they oblige, rising as Jacksen and Aura do. Wes grabs Rowan’s hand and starts swinging her around underneath the tiki torches burning brightly and palm trees swaying in the breeze. The dance moves have nothing to do with hula and Rowan giggles uncontrollably.
Jacksen pulls Aura in close and they attempt swaying their hips in sync with a rhythm similar to the Hawaiian dancers surrounding them. Wes looks over to the couple, stuck together like Gorilla Glue, and realizes they should be dancing a little slower. He puts a hand on Rowan’s hip, using his other hand in hers to lead her in a slower movement.
Wes looks into Rowan’s eyes and feels a sadness for her, thinking more deeply about her travels, and begins, “When I met Christopher, it was like everything made sense for the first time. That feeling, the first time I got it. Really got it, that he was falling for me as much as I was for him. LA didn’t make any sense for him, either, not until he met me.”
