“Women in the twenty-first century are as varied as they are in this century, Robley. Most are very independent. Some choose careers rather than marriage and a family. We have more choices.” She opened her laptop and turned the power on. The tone it emitted startled those sitting around her. “It’s OK. This is just a tool to use. It cannot harm anyone. Have you thought about what you want to see, Malcolm?” She opened her photos library.
“Aye. You said you can show us our planet as it looks from out amongst the stars. I would see it for myself, and the space station you spoke of.” Malcolm moved behind her place to look over her shoulder.
She clicked on the file of pictures she’d saved to use as wallpaper from the NASA Web site. The screen filled with the images he’d requested. Everyone assembled gasped.
Lydia reached out a tentative finger to touch the picture. “Och, you say this is truly our world?” she asked, her voice filled with awe. “’Tis quite beautiful.”
“Humph,” William grunted. “You said you had images of your parents to show us, True. I would see this father of yours now.”
Alethia brought up her favorite picture from her parents’ wedding. Her mother had chosen a full, white traditional wedding gown with a long train. Seeded with tiny pearls and rhinestones, it glittered richly. She wore a tiara and veil over the long golden locks curling over her shoulders. Her mother’s image smiled out at her, while her father’s gaze remained fixed upon his new bride. The adoration he felt for her mother came through very clearly.
Her father wore a black tux with long tails. Across his chest he wore a beaded bandolier bag as testimony to the pride he felt for his heritage. He also wore a traditional beaded black felt and beaver pelt hat. Alethia could not help but be proud. They looked every bit the royal couple.
“Oh, my dear. Your parents were quite handsome. Your mother looks as if she could have been from Scotia. She’s so fair and bonny.” Lydia sighed.
“She was Scottish, a MacConnell. In the twenty-first century, there are more Scots living on the North American continent than in Scotland.” She grinned.
“The devil you say.” William moved closer to the screen.
“I don’t know what to do with all this stuff. It’s from a different time, and it wouldn’t be good if—”
“I agree.” Malcolm placed both hands on her shoulder. This shall remain between us, aye?” He waited until everyone nodded their assent. “Mayhap we should destroy these things, or bury them where they can never be found.”
“Eventually.” Alethia glanced up at him. “I’m not quite ready to part with them.” A lump rose to close her throat. “This is all I have left of my life and family. I have no way of printing the pictures I have on my hard drive.”
“Hard drive?” Robley leaned closer. “I agree with Cousin True. Let’s not be so hasty to dispose of these wonders.”
“Dinna even think it, lad.” William huffed out a laugh. “My brother would never forgive me if you were to disappear to the future.”
Alethia caught Robley’s eye, and he winked at her.
“Of course no’, Uncle William.”
Alethia shook her head, knowing whatever was to come was out of their hands, exactly like her arrival had been completely out of hers. She let her gaze fall on each member of her new family. Her heart filled with love, and she placed her hand gently on her growing baby bump. “Here, I’ll show you the space station.”
June 1424
“I still dinna ken why my daughter and her husband insisted we must travel to Inverness to see them,” Lydia complained from her place in the caravan traveling to the spring fair in Inverness.
“I think despite William’s letter giving them his blessing for their union , they are nervous about seeing him and wish their first meeting to be on neutral ground,” Alethia answered from atop Ikwe’s place beside her mother-in-law. “Elaine knows how much you dislike traveling, Lydia. It will mean so much to her that you made the trip.”
“I should think so,” she snapped. “You should no’ be undertaking such a journey in your condition, True.”
“I’m fine.” She placed her hand over the swell of her growing child. “We’re fine. Besides, nothing could have prevented me from seeing Elaine.” She glanced to the head of their party. William and Malcolm led them, with Hunter in his place of honor in Malcolm’s lap. She sighed with contentment. She and Malcolm had discussed the possibility that Giselle could still be in Inverness. Together they decided to confront her if they had the chance. Both knew it was necessary if they were ever to put all fears of her behind them.