When it was time for brunch, Hal and Lidda descended the stairs together, hand in hand. Lidda knew her pregnancy had formed a new bond between them. It legitimized their feelings for one another and gave them a reason to celebrate their commitment. Mara and Father Pen, both gave them knowing looks which caused Lidda to assume the androids had told them about the pregnancy.

They were directed to a bright and airy dining porch where a small feast had been prepared in an amazingly brief time. There were plates full of finger foods, salads, and a variety of seasonal fruits as well as pastries, buttered biscuits, and jam. Servers worked their way among them seeing that every need was met. A line of antiquated wooden highchairs had been freshly polished and placed facing the windows, each holding a child. Several bird feeders hanging outside had attracted a melodious assortment of colorful feathered creatures to delight and entertain the lot of them. This was a vast improvement over the vans, motel rooms and tents. Lidda couldn't help but to smile at the cheerful faces of the little ones as they tracked every movement of the birds.

With the servants darting about, they kept to small talk in their conversation. Conner and James were not present and Lidda avoided asking of their whereabouts. It was going to be difficult for the androids to blend in without eating or drinking. Once again, Hal had not planned to have to hide anything when he designed the androids. She could only imagine what superstitious nonsense might start circulating among the serving staff once they realized how different they really were. She was thinking the truth might be better, but then it might place their legacy in question.

Their meal was punctuated by the appearance of Cedrick who addressed Father Pen. "The Lady Taydome has requested you join her and the Castoneas in her private parlor."

"Certainly. My pleasure." Father Pen excused himself and followed Cedrick toward another part of the house.

Lidda wondered how Father Pen would be received by the elderly priestess and hoped she would be agreeable in allowing him to serve her parishioners. Overall, the rest of the day was pleasant. Lidda spent it exploring and touring the grounds with Hal. Maids were recruited to assist with the infants freeing Mara to make plans on refurbishing the old nursery which was located adjacent to Lady Taydome's wing on the second floor. There was a flurry of activity as additional staff were called in to deep clean the nursery and its associated rooms, which had not been open to the fresh air in decades. Lidda overheard Mara discussing paint colors and decorations with Cedrick and Charlotte, whom Lidda discovered was the head housekeeper despite her youthful age. They must have gotten a go ahead from Lady Taydome to make such specific plans.

"Bright blues and yellows suit me best for the playroom. Paint the boys bedroom a soft hunter green and the girls a warm rose." Mara specified. "Keep the lovely white wainscoting throughout as it pulls it all together."

"It should be lovely ma'am." Charlotte said in her earnest manner. "We'll scrub every inch of the place."

"I'll order the paint tomorrow," Cedrick said. "We can have everything done within a fortnight."

Lidda peeked her head in the door trying to visualize how it would look and thought of the little one growing inside of her. The large play room had an abundance of magnificent wooden toys, rocking horses, a large doll house and even a toy train big enough for toddlers to ride. As nice as the nursery would surely be, she immediately found herself rejecting the idea of her child not being close to her.

"This is such a big house. Where will the nanny's quarters be Mara?" Lidda asked.

"My rooms are between the boys and girls with adjoining doors there, " Mara pointed to the back of the room. "I'll never be far from them," Mara assured Lidda "Come and see. I am ordering new beds, but the rooms are perfect."

Lidda followed her to the spacious bedrooms, all with inviting bay windows. The curtains had been taken down for cleaning or replacing, emphasizing the magnificent view of the mountains. Dusty dolls, stuffed animals and assorted books lined the walls. The cozy nanny's quarters had its own little den and fireplace, perfect for reading on a frosty winter night. It opened past a private bath and dressing area to a closed porch overlooking the well-manicured gardens two stories below. Yes, Lidda thought, Mara could be happy here.

"Is there a proper school room?" Lidda asked, thinking ahead.

"Strangely enough there is ma'am," Cedrick exclaimed. "I had completely forgotten about it."

"I hadn't considered that," Mara said giving Lidda an approving glance. "Where is it then Cedrick?"

"It's upstairs from here, through that door at the end of the hall."

They all followed him to the heavy wooden door. It was ornate, as were all the doors, but this one was a little different. It had a thickly carved landscape relief with horses galloping free under a full moon. The door opened onto a landing. The staircase below to the right led down to a private dining area skirted with comfortable padded chairs and looked as though it were in current use. Wide doors beckoned to a patio beyond. Straight ahead the staircase led to another landing and another ornate door, this one with a waterfall and fishes playing in the spray. Behind it was the school room on the third floor. It was practically furnished with a dozen sturdy wooden desks facing the far end where a large podium and teachers desk sat between two blackboards. The near end of the room was shelved to the ceiling and full of books.

There were a dozen tall paned windows on the left outer wall with shutters that closed at the bottom so only blue sky and a few tree limbs could be seen peering in from above. Low shelves and smaller black boards lined the inner wall. Behind the teacher's desk another door opened into a surprisingly tall tower with more stairs that spiraled and climbed to an observation deck. The door and walls were decorated with constellations and astronomical designs. Lidda was impressed with such an elaborate and well thought out plan.

Mara was well pleased with it all. "This is so much more than I could have imagined. It's simply perfect," she said.

"I guess we have a year or so before this will needed again eh?" Cedrick remarked closing the door as the went back to the second-floor nursery.

Mara laughed. "Time goes by in a flash Cedrick. As soon as they can climb these steps, we'll begin their education."

Or sooner, Lidda thought. The quaint ringing of a dinner bell interrupted their tour.

"That's the bell signaling it's time to dress for dinner," said Charlotte. "In thirty minutes, the next ringing will signal the main dining room is open and dinner is served promptly ten minutes after."

"Thank you so much for your assistance today," Mara said to Cedrick and Charlotte. "You have made our transition a most pleasant one."

They graciously accepted the praise offered and were taking their leave when Lidda decided to ask, "Will Lady Taydome be joining us for dinner?"

"Not likely," Charlotte replied. "She will grant you an audience, but I doubt that will be today. She has spent a long day visiting with the Castoneas and Father Pen. I think it likely she will be exhausted and retire early."

"That's perfectly understandable,” Mara said. “Please give her our regards and thank her for her hospitality."

Dinner was much more luxurious than brunch. Father Pen had quietly rejoined the group, but there was still no sign of Conner or James. Father Pen only exchanged empty pleasantries throughout the meal and Lidda was disappointed he did not share any details of his meeting with the priestess. Venison was the main dish served with wild rice and a variety of country vegetables which Lidda noted were grown on the premises. They were in the formal dining room which boasted a giant fireplace, so large Lidda could walk upright in it. Oil paintings and busts hung on the walls, honoring the ancestral line of the priesthood.

Lidda couldn't wait until everyone went back upstairs where she could speak more freely with Father Pen. She was brimming with questions about what had transpired between Lady Taydome, Conner, and James. She especially wanted to know if there had been any further contact with Reddge. Until Lidda settled things with him, her life was a total mess. It wasn't fair to Hal if she couldn't give him a definite answer. Her biggest fear was the origin of the probe which had everyone spooked. The future of her unborn child weighed heavy on her conscience.

When the after-dinner wine was brought out, Lidda asked if they could just take a bottle to their quarters instead. She couldn't drink any due to her condition but wasn't ready to spring the news of another baby on the household. They said their good nights and Lidda was looking forward to an early bedtime. Hal suggested they take a back way to see more of the house. They passed a small, but beautifully appointed chapel and beyond that a wide hallway which would lead them back to their wing. Lidda turned a corner down the hall and stopped dead in her tracks, not believing her eyes.

"What's the matter?" asked Hal, rushing to her side. Then he saw it too. "By all that's holy...." His voice trailed off.

Lidda could scarcely speak as she pointed to the painting in front of them. "It's Reddge. It can't be. But look at it, Hal. It really is him."

Before them was a life-sized oil portrait of a gentleman in formal last century attire. It was the perfect likeness of Reddge.

"It's him alright," said Hal. "No mistaking it."

While she had been steeling herself to meet Reddge in person, no part of her being was ready for this shock. She felt her knees go rubbery as Hal grabbed her by her arms.

"This means he was here, right here..., but he hasn't aged. He is as young now as he was then.... It's not possible..." she stammered.

"Reddge came here on a mission to extract and manipulate the DNA of the local inhabitants. You know it's possible," Hal said "This painting is of Reddge, the same person now as he was then."

* * *

Hal tucked Lidda into the bed saying he would find out about the painting. Thankfully sleep came to her quickly as she assured herself that Hal would get some answers. She woke up feeling nauseous with a headache, hoping this was not a harbinger of how she would feel for the entire pregnancy. Hal was already up and dressed.

"Can you please ask someone to bring me dry toast and fruit? I don't feel like going downstairs for breakfast."

"Will do, sweetheart." Hal said and hesitated.

"What?"

"We have been invited to meet with Lady Taydome mid-morning."

"Ok. I should be feeling better by then."

Hal lingered at the foot of the bed with a pensive look on his face. Normally he would have swept her up in his arms and covered her with kisses by then.

"Hal, what's wrong?"

"Reddge is here. He will be at our meeting with Lady Taydome today."

Her head swirled and she let it fall back against her pillow. The breeze outside swept away a cluster of clouds allowing the intense light of the morning sun to strike her. Her head hurt more intensely, and she pulled a pillow over her face. She felt a migraine coming on.

"Lidda, are you okay?"

"I'm... No, I'm not at all okay. I want to heave; my head hurts and I can't face him right now."

"I'll tell them you're ill and won't be coming down. I can talk with Reddge first if you want me too."

"That's not how I have planned it. I've been rehearsing what to say to him, just me alone with him. But nothing sounds right. I can't meet him in front of Lady Taydome. It would be quite a show for everyone."

"He'll find out soon enough, if he doesn't know already," Hal said and pursed his lips in frustration.

"Right, Conner and James will tell him, may already have told him."

"Reddge can read them well enough, and he'll read me the second he sees me. I could try to block him, but then he will know something is wrong," Hal said. "It's better to just rip off the band-aid and get it out there."

"I hate these damn chips."

Conner entered the room without knocking.

"Do come in," Lidda said sarcastically.

"I took the liberty to block you both from Reddge since his arrival."

"Thanks Conner. Sorry, I'm in such a bad mood. I feel terrible," Liddda said. "I'm embarrassed, mad at myself, scared of my own emotions and really, really mad at Reddge. I don't know if he is angry with me or what he will do about it if he is, or to Hal, or..."

Hal was beside her, holding her, shushing her.

But it was important to finish her thought. "or...if he might snap, like his father." The moment she said it, she regretted it, but there it was. A hidden fear she was sure that Conner had already probed from her brain.

Hal had not, judging by his shocked expression. "Sometimes you worry too much, Lidda."

James came to the door and cocked an eyebrow at Conner. "Reddge is here, and respecting your boundaries. What shall I tell him, Lidda?"

Frozen with emotion, Lidda could almost feel Reddge down the hallway, reaching for her with his mind. "Tell him everything, and then everyone leave, please. You too Hal. I have to face him alone."

"I can give you some help with the nausea and headache at least?" Conner queried with a sympathetic look.

"That would be greatly appreciated. And I wouldn't mind if you suppressed that last fear I mentioned."

"Done." Conner powered smoothly through her head adjusting her physical discomforts and calming her stomach.

Another few moments and it would be over. The data transfer from an android to Reddge would take less than a second. Then the amount of time required for Reddge to process the information. A heart beat? Not long.

In less than a minute Reddge was walking through her door and into her head. He paused after softly closing the door. Of course, he would know she had a headache.

"It's a little late to worry about my discomfort after ripping out my heart," she said closing her eyes. Looking at him was unbearable. Time seemed to stand still.

She could feel the warmth of his body by her side. "Lidda, I'm so deeply sorry. Please listen to what I have to say."

"No, you listen," Lidda replied opening her eyes. "I trusted you. I don't understand why you couldn't trust me enough to tell me what was going on. Or at least let Widhbo tell me."

Before her tears could start, Reddge was holding her, comforting her and asking her forgiveness all at once. She found herself under his spell again. fighting for her integrity of purpose. Conner had respected her request for privacy and left her completely alone without any blocks in place.

"It had to be that way. Lidda. I didn't know if you might be interrogated or captured by enemy forces. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt you, but my priority was to protect you."

"Protect me or your plans? You had Widhbo make a copy of me without my permission. Did you know I would hate you for it and fall in love with your friend Hal?"

"And have his baby?" Reddge was smiling at the thought. "No. I didn't see that coming."

"Aren't you angry with me? For violating our engagement?"

"How can I be angry with you? Our engagement was sacred to me. It still is and I will cherish the moment forever. The moment is past, that's all."

"So that's it, just like that?" She hadn't expected him to release her so easily. It was like an insult. She had been tormented and agonizing over every detail and he was just shrugging it off. "I'm so confused, Reddge. I don't know what's right or wrong anymore. I still love you. I love Hal and our baby too."

Reddge looked at her silently for a moment before answering with a platonic kiss on her forehead. "I didn't say it was easy for me. Let's just say it isn't the first love I've lost."

"You've lived here before, haven't you?" Lidda asked recalling the painting by the chapel.

"Yes. And the woman you are about to meet commissioned that painting."

"I thought you hadn't been in flesh form for centuries. That's what you told me when we met."

"I hadn't. The young man in the painting was here first. I was still carried inside Widhbo at the time we found him."

"Lady Taydome would have been a young woman then," Lidda said with a sudden emotional insight. "They were lovers?"

"Yes. His name was Adam Zelreddge," Reddge explained. "And before you ask, there are no vows of celibacy in their tradition."

"Won't she be shocked to see you here in the flesh?"

"She knew I would be in his form. You'll recall her religious order is the same that encountered other magitons in the past. She still has one with her, passed down from her grandfather, generation to generation. I have been able to communicate with her all along."

"So, she knew you were coming back?"

"We were never really apart. I should have told you; I had another lover when I met you."

"But Lady Taydome must be over ninety years old."

"Her given name is Cassandra," Reddge said and paused.

"Casra!" Lidda felt the shock wave go through her. "She is in Casra. I thought you were carrying your father's DNA. It was all planned..."

"Planned yes, but for invitro combination. Then I actually I met you and fell madly in love."

"And Casra? What did she..."?

"She understood. Casra and I can still spend eternity together in one form or another."

"Your genetic code is from this planet then?"

"We only had a small amount of my father's DNA. Widhbo has been searching every planet for the closest match. It was found in Mr. Zelreddge and we combined ours with his genetic code."

"Is there anything else I need to know?"

"Now that I have your copy, the possibilities are endless," Reddge said.

If he were trying to make her smile, Lidda's heart was far too heavy to be amused. "What happened to Adam Zelreddge?"

"My personality was carried within Widhbo. Adam was an initiate of the Santa Dielo priesthood. After I explained our mission, it was his idea to create the Ring of Sora as a companion organization. Immortality appealed to him and he wanted to upload. Both his personality and mine are merged in this body. I developed the Novaland organization and started the Castonea Gardens to conduct our genetic research. Adam stayed at the Sanctuary to spend his life here, consort to the Lady Taydome."

"So, the Castonea name came from you?"

"Yes, my name was Tajlon Castonea, my father Jejliard Castonea. I credited our family name as benefactor and founder of the Novaland Institute."

"So what happened to Adam?"

"His life was cut short while protecting this estate during a local skirmish. Lady Taydome was initially reluctant to tamper with her mortality but knew I would eventually continue to live in Adam's physical form. When he died prematurely, she gave permission to be uploaded and cloned herself. Adam lives within me and she through Casra, eternally together."

"I think I'm ready to meet her," Lidda said. In a strange way, the love story inspired her. Lidda struggled to regain control of her feelings. If a woman from this more primitive time could overcome her fears and embrace immortality, surely Lidda, suckled in the science of modern times, should be able to find the courage to do so.

Reddge asked Conner to send a light breakfast to their room while Lidda took a warm bath. She could feel Reddge lightly wandering through her head, taking account of her recent adventures, and mending her frayed emotions. It was the least he could do.