Things to Prepare Before Marriage – III

After a quick farewell to everyone in the other timeline, I grabbed everyone and brought us back to our world.

Although I wanted to meet a few more people, and while Sylphy and Roxy in that time were insisting we stay a bit longer, we had to get going.

There wouldn't be any problems in terms of time adjustments or paradoxes, since it was definitely a parallel timeline.

But I had a feeling that the Being W in that timeline would notice something was wrong. And I would rather not find out if they would be able to communicate or do a fusion dance to ruin my life.

So, back home we went.

I stepped through the portal first, opening the way for everyone else to follow behind me.

It looked like night had fallen. However, it seemed like it wasn't because of a time synchronization or ratio thing.

I think it was more because I missed the target a bit on the warp back. First time operating parallel worlds, after all.

Still, we made it to right timeline.

...I think. There wasn't anyone outside, but I could see that there were people inside our house.

Before I worried about it too much though, two white blurs emerged. Orsted and Pierre.

I stepped forward, leaving the portal behind me open for the others to come through. After that, I waved at Orsted and Pierre. "Yo. Things all good on this end?"

Orsted nodded. "After the disturbance, Pierre and I secured the perimeter." He frowned and said, "Though the fact that we could not follow you... Was it the intervention of Being W?"

I shook my head. "No. I think it's more like the world doesn't permit two of the same people to be in the same 'time' as each other."

Pierre frowned. "Strange. I'm a unique existence, so I should be allowed..."

"Maybe you're too unique?"

Pierre's frown deepened.

I shrugged.

At that time, the portal behind me flared up and then spat out Stella. She tumbled on the ground and landed with a flop. After that, she moaned and stood up, clutching her head. "You need to... warn me next time Onii- Blergh." She doubled over and then started spitting up rainbows.

I cleaned up her mess and then conjured her a lemonade to calm her stomach down. "I'll remember next time, Stella."

Stella grumbled and then walked to the side and plopped herself down, sipping on the lemonade.

I smiled and patted her head.

The portal rippled and then Dad jumped out, doing a flip. After landing on the ground, he pumped a fist in the air and said, "Hah! I knew I'd get the hang of it after one go!"

The portal rippled again and then Mom and Mama Lily walked out after him.

Dad looked back and said, "I'm surprised you two are fine though."

Mom shrugged and raised her hand, showing off her bracelet. "Our lovely son has thought of everything."

Mama Lily nodded and looked towards me, smiling.

I coughed and averted my gaze.

It seemed like there was some benefits to my edgy and paranoid past...

Still wished I didn't have to go through it, but we look at the silver linings here.

There was a flurry of activity from inside the house, and then the doors flung open. Norn and Aisha rushed out, followed by Ena, Eos, and Roland.

Norn looked around and said, "Pierre, Mister Orsted, is Big Brother-" She froze.

Mom saw her and froze as well before letting out a teary-eyed smile.

"Mommy...?" Norn stepped forward, hesitant.

Mom held out her arms.

Norn started tearing up and then ran to give Mom a hug.

Mom hugged her back and whispered, "You're so big now..."

Norn sniffed and said, "And Mommy's the same..."

I watched their interaction and let out a relieved sigh.

A scene that 'Rudeus' never managed to accomplish.

But something that I did.

"Mother...?" Aisha stepped forward, staring at Mama Lily with wide eyes.

Mama Lily looked at Aisha and then let out a deep sigh. She walked towards Aisha and placed her hand on Aisha's cheek. With a sad smile, she said, "To think I missed the cute days of my little girl..."

Aisha started tearing up and then hugged Mama Lily.

I watched it with a warm smile and then moved off to the side.

Orsted glanced at me and then said, "It seems that everything resolved peacefully." He nodded and said, "I will take my leave. Once again, congratulations." After that, he walked off.

Pierre glanced after Orsted and then said, "I'll be heading off too then." He waved and left.

And then it was just me and my family.

The portal rippled one last time and then Roxy, Eri, Sylphy, and Rika stepped out.

Roxy looked around with an approving nod. "Although the timing is slightly off, it only took one jump. It appears that returning to our time is easier than departing for another..."

Eri held her stomach and winced, her face a bit pale. "Says you. I still feel sick to my stomach..."

Sylphy laughed and said, "That's because you've always had a weak stomach, Eri."

Eri glared at Sylphy and said, "Because of you. I still get nightmares from all the times you dragged me to fly through the air as a kid."

Sylphy stuck her tongue out at Eri.

Eri rolled her eyes.

Rika adjusted her dress and said, "This has been a wonderful reunion. However, there is a multitude of tasks left to attend back in Arcadia." She glanced over at me and nodded. "Enjoy your time with your family, Rudy."

I frowned and said, "You can stick around if you want, Rika. There's no need to-"

"It's fine." Rika started walking off towards the Anywhere Door back to Arcadia and said, "Best wishes."

I sighed.

Another commotion occurred in the house, and then Laws, Rose, Uncle Philip, and Aunt Hilda ran out. Then when they saw Mom and Mama Lily, the waterworks started.

In short, it was a giant mess. Now to convince everyone to calm down, get some rest, and then get back together in the morning to sort things out...

-L.IV''-

"It's quite the gamble."

Far above the Human Realm, a man with flowing silver hair and pure green eyes gazed down at the world from the moon.

A die with only one visible face, suspended in an infinite void.

Staring at that, the man muttered, "God does not play dice with the universe, even if the world appears to be a single die..."

The man kicked off the ground and turned around to stare at the golden sun.

"...But men do."

The sun doesn't move. Even so, it seemed as if 'something' was peering back.

The man pulled out a small pendant from his tattered white cloak and stared at the worn image inside. After a moment, he sighed and tucked it away. "All will fall into place in time." Letting out a bitter smile, he said, "That's just what you wanted, isn't it, ******* *** *******?"

Silence. Nothing but the infinite void of space.

The man stared at the sun for a moment longer and then shook his head, sinking back to the moon. Afterwards, he walked off, vanishing into the void.