Chapter no 19

The House in the Cerulean Sea

Three weeks later, nothing much had changed.

Oh, yes, he dreamed of the ocean, of an island with white sandy beaches. He dreamed of a garden and a copse of trees that hid a little house. He dreamed of a burnt cellar door, and the day the music died, and of the way Lucy laughed. The way Talia muttered in Gnomish. The way Sal could be so big but felt so little in his arms. The way Chauncey stood in front of his mirror, sayingย Hello, sir, welcome, welcome, welcome,ย as he tipped his bellhop cap. The way Pheeโ€™s wings sparkled in the sunlight. Of buttons, and wyverns named Theodore. Of Zoe, her hair bouncing in the wind as she tore down sandy roads in her car.

And of Arthur, of course. Always Arthur. Of fire burning, of wings spread in orange and gold. Of a quiet smile, the amused tilt of his head.

Oh, how he dreamed.

Every morning it was getting harder and harder to pull himself out of bed. It was always raining. The sky was always metal gray. He felt like paper. Brittle and thin. He dressed. He rode the bus to work. He sat at his desk, going through one file after another. He ate wilted lettuce for lunch. He went back to work. He rode the bus home. He sat in his chair, listening to Bobby Darin singing about somewhere beyond the sea, somewhere waiting for me.

He thought of the life he had. How he could have ever thought itโ€™d be enough.

His thoughts were all cerulean.

Every day he went to work, he took time to touch the photograph on his desk, the photograph that no one dared say anything about. Ms. Jenkins had even kept to herself, and though Linus received demerit after demerit (Gunther gleefully scratching on his clipboard), she didnโ€™t say a word. In fact, he was ignored. Linus was just fine with that. He suspected Ms. Bubblegum had something to do with that, the gossipy thing that she was.

It wasnโ€™t all rain and clouds. He took his time, going back through his old files, reviewing the reports heโ€™d written for all the orphanages heโ€™d visited, making notes, preparing for a shimmery future he wasnโ€™t even sure was in his grasp. He winced at some of what heโ€™d written (most of it, if he was being honest with himself), but he thought it important. Change, he reminded himself, started with the voices of the few. Perhaps it would amount to nothing, but he wouldnโ€™t know unless he tried. At the very least, he could follow up with some of the children heโ€™d met before and find out where they were now. And, if all went as he hoped, he wouldnโ€™t let them be left behind or forgotten.

Which was why he began to smuggle out the reports. Every day, he would take a few more. He was a sweaty mess each time he put another in his briefcase, sure that at any moment, someone would shout his name, demanding to know what he was doing, especially when he started after the files belonging toย otherย caseworkers.

But no one ever did.

He shouldnโ€™t have felt as giddy as he did, breaking the law. It should have caused his stomach to twist, his heart to burn, and perhaps it did, to an extent. But it was no match for his determination. His eyes were open, and the brief moments of exhilaration he felt did much to temper his lawlessness the more the days dragged on.

On the twenty-third day after his return from the island, the clacking of computer keys and murmur of voices once again fell silent as a figure appeared in the doorway to the offices of the caseworkers.

Ms. Bubblegum, snapping her gum, clutching a file to her chest. She glanced over the rows of desks in front of her.

Linus slumped low in his chair. He was about to be sacked, he knew.

He watched as she walked toward Ms. Jenkinsโ€™s office. Ms. Jenkins didnโ€™t seem pleased to see her, and her scowl only deepened at whatever question Ms. Bubblegum asked. She responded and pointed out toward the desks.

Ms. Bubblegum turned and made her way through the rows of desks, hips swaying delightfully. Men stared after her. Some of the women did too. She ignored them all.

Linus thought about crawling under his desk. He didnโ€™t, but it was close.

โ€œMr. Baker,โ€ she said coolly. โ€œThere you are.โ€

โ€œHello,โ€ he said, hands in his lap so she wouldnโ€™t see them shaking. She frowned. โ€œHave I ever told you my name?โ€

He shook his head. โ€œItโ€™s Doreen.โ€

โ€œA pleasure, Doreen.โ€

She snapped her gum. โ€œI almost believe you. I have something for you, Mr. Baker.โ€

โ€œDo you?โ€

She set the file down on his desk, sliding it over in front of him. โ€œJust came down this morning.โ€

Linus stared down at it.

Doreen leaned over, her lips near his ear. She smelled like cinnamon. She tapped a fingernail on his mouse pad. โ€œDonโ€™t you wish you were here?โ€ He watched as her finger rose to the photograph and traced along the frame. โ€œHuh. How about that?โ€ She kissed his cheek, sticky-sweet and warm.

And then she walked away. Linus could barely breathe. He opened the folder.

There was his final report.

And across the bottom were four signatures. CHARLES WERNER

AGNES GEORGE JASPER PLUMB MARTIN ROGERS

And below that was a red stamp.

RECOMMENDATION APPROVED.

He read it again.

Approved.

Approved.ย Approved.ย This wasโ€” He couldโ€”

Did he have enough to see his plan through? He thought he did.

He stood from his desk, the chair scraping loudly against the cold cement floor.

Everyone turned to look at him.

Ms. Jenkins walked out from her office again, Gunther trailing after. Approved.

The orphanage would stay as is. He heard the ocean.

Donโ€™t you wish you were here?ย it whispered. Yes.

Yes, he did.

But that was the funny thing about wishes. Sometimes all it took to make them come true was a first step.

He lifted his head. He looked around.

โ€œWhat are we doing?โ€ he asked, his voice echoing loudly around the room.

No one answered, but that was okay. He didnโ€™t expect them to. โ€œWhy are we doing this? Whatโ€™s the point?โ€

Silence.

โ€œWeโ€™re doing it wrong,โ€ he said, raising his voice. โ€œAll of this. Itโ€™s wrong. Weโ€™re feeding a machine that will eat us all. I canโ€™t be the only one who sees that.โ€

Apparently, he was.

If he were a braver man, maybe he would have said more. Maybe he would have picked up his copy of theย RULES AND REGULATIONSย and thrown it in the trash, announcing grandly that it was time to toss out all the rules. Literally, but also figuratively.

By then, Ms. Jenkins would be demanding his silence. And, if he were a much braver man, he would have told her no. He would have shouted for all to hear that heโ€™d seen what a world looks like with color in it. With happiness. With joy. This world they lived in here wasnโ€™t it, and they were all fools if they thought otherwise.

If he were a braver man, he would climb up on the desks and crow that he was Commander Linus, and it was time to go on an adventure.

They would come for him, but heโ€™d hop from desk to desk, Gunther squawking as he tried to reach for Linusโ€™s legs but missing.

He would land near the door, this brave man. Ms. Jenkins would scream at him that he was fired, but heโ€™d laugh at her and shout that he couldnโ€™t be fired because heย quit.

But Linus Baker was a soft man with a heart longing for home. And so he went as quietly as heโ€™d arrived.

He picked up his briefcase, opening it on his desk. He placed the photograph inside lovingly before closing it. There were no more files to smuggle out of DICOMY. He had everything he needed.

He took a deep breath.

And began to walk through the aisles toward the exit. The other caseworkers began to whisper feverishly.

He ignored them, head held high. He barely bumped into any desks. And just as he reached the exit, Ms. Jenkins shouted his name.

He stopped and looked over his shoulder.

The expression on her face was thunderous. โ€œAnd where do you think

youโ€™reย going?โ€

โ€œHome,โ€ he said simply. โ€œIโ€™m going home.โ€

And then he left the Department in Charge of Magical Youth for the last time.

 

 

It was raining.

Heโ€™d forgotten his umbrella inside.

He turned his face toward the gray sky and laughed and laughed and laughed.

 

 

Calliope looked surprised to see him when he burst through the front door. It made sense; it wasnโ€™t even noon.

โ€œI may have lost my mind,โ€ he told her. โ€œIsnโ€™t it wonderful?โ€

She meowed a question, the first time sheโ€™d spoken since theyโ€™d left the island.

โ€œYes,โ€ he said. โ€œYes. Yes.โ€

 

 

Life, Linus Baker knew, came down to what we made from it. It was about the choices, both big and small.

Bright and early the next morningโ€”a Wednesday, as it turned outโ€” Linus closed the door to one life in pursuit of another.

โ€œAnother trip?โ€ Ms. Klapper asked from across the way. โ€œAnother trip,โ€ Linus agreed.

โ€œHow long this time?โ€

โ€œI hope forever. If theyโ€™ll have me.โ€ Her eyes widened. โ€œCome again?โ€

โ€œIโ€™m leaving,โ€ he said, and heโ€™d never been so sure of anything in all his years.

โ€œButโ€”but,โ€ she spluttered. โ€œWhat about your house? What about your

job?โ€

He grinned at her. โ€œI quit my job. As for the house, well. Perhaps your grandson and his lovely fiancรฉ would like to live next door to you. Consider it a wedding gift. But it doesnโ€™t matter right now. Iโ€™ll figure that all out later. I have to go home.โ€

โ€œYouย areย home, you fool!โ€

He shook his head as he lifted Calliopeโ€™s crate and his suitcase. โ€œNot yet. But I will be soon.โ€

โ€œOf all theโ€”have you lost your mind? And what on earth are you

wearing?โ€

He looked down at himself. Tan button-up shirt, tan shorts, brown socks. Atop his head sat a helmet-style hat. He laughed again. โ€œItโ€™s what youโ€™re supposed to wear when youโ€™re going on an adventure. Looks ridiculous, doesnโ€™t it? But there might be cannibals and man-eating snakes and bugs that burrow their way under my skin and eat my eyes from the inside out. When faced with such things, you have to dress the part. Toodles, Mrs. Klapper. I donโ€™t know if weโ€™ll see each other again. Your squirrels will know only peace from this point on. I forgive you for the sunflowers.โ€

He stepped off the porch into the rain, leaving 86 Hermes Way behind.

 

 

โ€œGoing on a trip?โ€ the train attendant asked, looking down at his ticket. โ€œAll the way to the end of the line, I see. A bit out of season, isnโ€™t it?โ€

Linus looked out the train car window, rain dripping down the glass. โ€œNo,โ€ he said. โ€œIโ€™m going back to where I belong.โ€

 

 

Four hours later, the rain stopped.

An hour after that, he saw the first blue through the clouds. In two more hours, he thought he smelled salt in the air.

 

 

He was the only one to get off the train. Which made sense, seeing as how he was the only one left.

โ€œOh dear,โ€ he said, looking at the empty stretch of road next to the platform. โ€œI might not have thought this through.โ€ He shook his head. โ€œNo matter. Time waits for no man.โ€

He picked up the suitcase and the crate, and began to walk toward the village as the train pulled away.

 

 

He was drenched with sweat by the time he saw the first buildings. His face was red, and his suitcase felt as if heโ€™d packed nothing but rocks.

He was sure he was about to collapse when he reached the sidewalk on the main street of the village. He thought about having a lie-down (perhaps permanently) when he heard someone gasp his name.

He squinted up.

Standing in front of her shop, a watering can in her hand, was Helen. โ€œHello,โ€ he managed to say. โ€œHow nice it is to see you again.โ€

She dropped the watering can, and it spilled its contents onto the concrete. She rushed toward him as he sat heavily on his suitcase.

โ€œDid youย walkย here?โ€ she demanded, grimacing as her hands came away damp after she put them on his shoulders.

โ€œSpontaneity isnโ€™t exactly my forte,โ€ he admitted.

โ€œYou stupid man,โ€ she said. โ€œYou wonderfully stupid man. Came to your senses, did you?โ€

He nodded. โ€œI think so. Either that or theyโ€™ve left me entirely. Iโ€™m not sure which yet.โ€

โ€œThey donโ€™t know youโ€™re coming?โ€

โ€œNo. Hence the spontaneity. Iโ€™m not very good at it yet, but I hope I will become so with practice.โ€ He wheezed as she patted his back with the tips of her fingers.

โ€œI think youโ€™ve got a good start, at least. Though I suppose that means Merle also doesnโ€™t know youโ€™re here.โ€

He winced. โ€œOh. Right. The ferry. Thatโ€™s important, isnโ€™t it? Island and all.โ€

She rolled her eyes. โ€œHow youโ€™ve made it this far, Iโ€™ll never know.โ€

โ€œI popped my bubble,โ€ he told her, needing her to understand. โ€œIt kept me safe, but it also kept me from living. I shouldnโ€™t have left in the first place.โ€

Her expression softened. โ€œI know.โ€ She squared her shoulders. โ€œBut youโ€™re here now, and thatโ€™s all that matters. Luckily for you, Iโ€™m the mayor. Which means when I want something done, it gets done. You stay right here. I have a phone call to make.โ€

She hurried back to her shop.

Linus closed his eyes for what he thought was only a moment, but was startled out of a doze when a horn honked in front of him.

He opened his eyes.

An old green truck sat idling on the curb. It was flecked with rust, and the whitewall tires looked as if they barely had any tread left. Helen sat behind the steering wheel. โ€œWell?โ€ she asked through the open window. โ€œAre you just going to stay there for the rest of the night?โ€

No. No, he wasnโ€™t.

He lifted his suitcase into the back of the truck. Calliope purred as he set her inside the cab on the bench seat. The door creaked behind him as he closed it.

โ€œThis is very kind of you.โ€

She snorted. โ€œI believe I owed you a favor or two. Consider us even.โ€

The truck groaned as she pulled away from the curb. Doris Day was on the radio, singing to dream a little dream of me.

 

 

Merle was waiting at the docks, looking as unpleasant as usual. โ€œI canโ€™t just drop everything when you demand it,โ€ he said with a scowl. โ€œI haveโ€” Mr.ย Baker?โ€

โ€œHello, Merle. Itโ€™s nice to see you.โ€ It was almost true, surprisingly. Merleโ€™s mouth hung open.

โ€œDonโ€™t just stand there,โ€ Helen said. โ€œOpen the gate.โ€

Merle recovered. โ€œIโ€™ll have you know my rates haveย quadrupledโ€”โ€ Helen smiled. โ€œOh, I donโ€™t think they have. That would be preposterous.

Open the gate before I crash through it.โ€ โ€œYou wouldnโ€™t dare.โ€

She gunned the engine. Merle ran for the ferry.

โ€œAwful man,โ€ she said. โ€œI wouldnโ€™t mind if he fell off his boat one day and drifted away into the sea.โ€

โ€œThatโ€™s terrible,โ€ Linus said. Then, โ€œWe could make it happen.โ€

She laughed, sounding surprised. โ€œWhy, Mr. Baker, I never would have thought to hear such a thing from you. I like it. Letโ€™s get you home, shall

we? I expect you have some things you need to say.โ€ He slunk lower in his seat.

 

 

The island looked the same as it had when he left it. Itโ€™d been only weeks. It felt like a lifetime.

Merle muttered something about Helen hurrying back, and she told him they would take all the time they needed and she wouldnโ€™t hear another word from him. He stared at her, but nodded slowly.

She drove along the familiar dirt road, winding toward the back of the island as the sun began to set. โ€œIโ€™ve been here a couple of times since you departed.โ€

He looked over at her. โ€œFor the garden?โ€

She shrugged. โ€œAnd to see what you left behind.โ€

He turned back toward the window. โ€œHow โ€ฆ how was it?โ€

She reached over the crate between them and squeezed his arm. โ€œThey were okay. Sad, of course. But okay. I stayed for dinner the first time. There was music. It was lovely. They talked about you quite a bit.โ€

He swallowed past the lump in his throat. โ€œOh.โ€

โ€œYou made quite the impression on the people of this island in the time you were here.โ€

โ€œThey did the same for me.โ€

โ€œFunny how that works out, isnโ€™t it? That we can find the most unexpected things when we arenโ€™t even looking for them.โ€

He could only nod.

 

 

There were lights on upstairs in the main house.

The paper lanterns in the gazebo in the garden were lit.

It was half past five, which meant the children would be involved in their personal pursuits. Sal, he thought, would be writing in his room. Chauncey would be practicing in front of the mirror. Phee would be with Zoe in the trees. Theodore was most likely underneath the couch, and Talia

in her garden. Lucy and Arthur would be upstairs, talking about philosophy and spiders on the brain.

He could breathe for the first time in weeks.

Helen stopped in front of the house. She smiled at him. โ€œI think this is where we part ways for now. You tell Arthur Iโ€™ll still be here on Saturday. Apparently, thereโ€™s to be some sort of adventure.โ€

โ€œThere always is on Saturdays,โ€ Linus whispered. โ€œDonโ€™t forget your suitcase.โ€

He looked at her. โ€œIโ€”thank you.โ€

She nodded. โ€œIt should be me thanking you. Youโ€™ve changed things, Mr. Baker, whether you intended to or not. Itโ€™s a small beginning, but I think itโ€™ll grow. And I wonโ€™t forget it. Go on. I think there are some people here who would like to see you.โ€

Linus fidgeted nervously. โ€œMaybe we shouldโ€”โ€ She laughed. โ€œGet out of my truck, Mr. Baker.โ€ โ€œItโ€™s Linus. Just call me Linus.โ€

She smiled sweetly. โ€œGet the hell out of my truck, Linus.โ€

He did, pulling Calliope out with him. He reached into the bed of the truck and lifted his suitcase out. The gravel crunched under the truckโ€™s tires as Helen pulled away with a wave.

He stared after her until the taillights disappeared into the trees. โ€œOkay, old boy,โ€ he muttered. โ€œYou can do this.โ€

Calliope meowed from the crate.

He bent over and opened it. โ€œNow, donโ€™t go farโ€”โ€ She shot out toward the garden.

He sighed. โ€œOf course.โ€ He followed her.

The flowers were in bloom, and they seemed brighter than he remembered. He walked along the path until he heard muttering in a strange tongue. He rounded a hedge to see a little bearded gnome digging in the dirt.

He stopped.

โ€œHello,โ€ he said quietly.

Her shoulders stiffened before she continued digging, Calliope sitting at her side.

He took another step toward her. โ€œNew tools working out well, then?โ€ She didnโ€™t respond, but the dirt was flying out around her.

โ€œHelen told me she was impressed with your garden. Said it was one of the best sheโ€™s ever seen.โ€

โ€œYes, well,โ€ Talia said irritably, โ€œIย amย a gnome. Iโ€™m supposed to be good at it.โ€

He chuckled. โ€œOf course you are.โ€ โ€œWhy are you here?โ€

He hesitated, but only briefly. โ€œBecause this is where I belong. And I never should have left to begin with. I only did so in order to make sure you would be safe. All of you. And nowโ€ฆโ€

She sighed as she set her spade down before turning to look at him. She was crying.

Linus didnโ€™t hesitate as he scooped her up in his arms.

She buried her face in his neck, beard tickling his throat. โ€œI am going to bury you right here,โ€ she sobbed. โ€œIโ€™m digging your grave, just so you know.โ€

โ€œI know,โ€ he said, rubbing a hand over her back. โ€œI would expect nothing less.โ€

โ€œNo one would ever be able to find you! And even if theyย did,ย it would be too late and youโ€™d be only bones!โ€

โ€œPerhaps we can hold off on that, for at least a little while. I have something important to say to all of you.โ€

She sniffled. โ€œPerhaps. But if I donโ€™t like what I hear, we come right back and you will climb inside the hole without arguing.โ€

He laughed, wild and bright. โ€œDeal.โ€

 

 

She ran ahead, Calliope chasing after her. Linus took a moment to breathe in the scents of the garden around him. He listened to the waves. If he had any doubts before this moment, they were gone now. He just hoped the others would feel the same.

It was time.

He left the garden, rounding the side of the house. He stopped when he saw what waited for him.

They had gathered in the front of the house. Zoe looked exasperated at the sight of him, shaking her head fondly. Phee was glaring at him. He hoped she wouldnโ€™t turn him into a tree. Or, if she did, at least that it wouldnโ€™t be an apple tree. He didnโ€™t like the idea of them eating him when he blossomed.

Chauncey was fidgeting nervously, as if he wanted to hurry toward Linus, but knew his loyalties lay with those around him. Sal stood with his arms across his chest. Theodore was sitting on his shoulder, head cocked.

Talia was wiping her eyes and muttering in Gnomish. Linus thought he heard her say that sheโ€™d have to widen his grave seeing as how he was still rotund.

And Lucy, of course. Lucy, who stood in front of them all, a strange expression on his face. Linus wondered if he was about to be hugged, or if his blood was going to start to boil, causing his organs to cook within him. It could really go either way.

Arthur stood behind them, and though his face was blank and his hands were clasped behind his back, Linus knew he was wary, he could see it in the stiff set of his shoulders. The fact that Linus had played a part in this made him feel ill. Arthur should never be so unsure. Not about this.

Linus kept his distance, though Calliope seemed to have no such problem. She was meowing quite loudly as she rubbed against Salโ€™s legs, as talkative as sheโ€™d been since theyโ€™d left the island.

How could he have been so foolish? How could he have ever thought he could leave this place? It was color, bright and warm, and his heart felt like it was finally beating again. He hadnโ€™t realized heโ€™d left it behind. He should have known. He should have realized.

โ€œHello,โ€ he said quietly. โ€œItโ€™s nice to see you all again.โ€

They didnโ€™t speak, though Chauncey twitched, eyes bouncing excitedly. Linus cleared his throat. โ€œI donโ€™t expect you to understand. I donโ€™t know that I do. Iโ€™ve made mistakes, some bigger than others. But Iโ€ฆโ€ He took a deep breath. โ€œI heard something once. Something important, though I donโ€™t

think I knew justย howย important it actually was. A very wise person stood up in front of others, and though he was very nervous, he said the most profoundly beautiful thing Iโ€™ve ever heard.โ€ Linus tried to smile, and it cracked right down the middle. He said, โ€œI am but paper. Brittle and thin. I am held up to the sun, and it shines right through me. I get written on, and I can never be used again. These scratches are a history. Theyโ€™re a story. They tell things for others to read, but they only see the words, and not what the words are written upon. I am but paper, and though there are many like me, none are exactly the same. I am parched parchment. I have lines. I have holes. Get me wet, and I melt. Light me on fire, and I burn. Take me in hardened hands, and I crumple. I tear. I am but paper. Brittle and thin.โ€

Salโ€™s eyes widened.

โ€œIt stuck with me,โ€ Linus continued. โ€œBecause of how important it is. How important all of you are.โ€ His voice broke, and he shook his head. โ€œThere is nothing to fear from the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. This place is your home, and your home it shall remain. You can stay here, as long as you wish. And if I have my way, others like you will know the same peace.โ€

Talia and Phee gasped. Chaunceyโ€™s mouth dropped open. Lucy grinned as Theodore spread his wings and gave a little roar of excitement. Sal dropped his arms, sagging in relief.

Zoe tilted her head. Arthur stayed as he was.

It wasnโ€™t enough. Linus knew that.

So he gave everything he had left. โ€œI think youโ€™re lovely. All of you. And though Iโ€™ve lived in a world where you didnโ€™t exist for most of my life, I donโ€™t believe thatโ€™s a world I can be in any longer. It started with the sun, and it was warm. And then came the sea, and it was unlike anything Iโ€™d ever seen before. It was followed by this place, this island so mysterious and wonderful. But it was you who gave me peace and joy like Iโ€™ve never had before. You gave me a voice and a purpose. Nothing would have changed if it hadnโ€™t been for all of you. I believe theyโ€™ve listened to me, but the only reason I knew what to say at all was because of what you taught me. Weโ€™re not alone. We never have been. We have each other. If I were to

leave again, I would wish I were here. I donโ€™t want to wish anymore. If youโ€™ll have me, I would like to stay. For always.โ€

Silence.

He rubbed the back of his neck nervously, wondering if he should say more.

โ€œExcuse us for a moment, Mr. Baker,โ€ Lucy said. He turned toward the others and beckoned them close. The children bowed their heads as they began to whisper furiously. Zoe covered a laugh with the back of her hand.

Arthur never looked away from Linus.

Linus knew it was impolite to try and listen in on a meeting he was not part of. That, however, didnโ€™t stop him from trying. Unfortunately, the children didnโ€™t seem to care that he was most likely about to have a heart attack. He watched as they held their congress. At one point, Lucy drew a finger across his neck, eyes rolling back in his head, tongue hanging out. Talia nodded in agreement. Linus thought Chauncey said something about feeding the cannibals, but he might have misheard. Theodore snapped his jaws. Phee glared at Linus over her shoulder before turning back to the others. Sal muttered something under his breath, and the children gazed up at him adoringly.

โ€œSo, weโ€™re in agreement, then?โ€ Lucy asked. The children nodded.

They turned back toward him.

It was Lucy who spoke for them. โ€œDoes anyone else know youโ€™re here?โ€

Linus shook his head.

โ€œSo we could kill you, and no one would be the wiser.โ€ โ€œYes, though I would like to avoid that if at all possible.โ€ โ€œOf course you would,โ€ Lucy said. โ€œWe have conditions.โ€ โ€œI would expect nothing less.โ€

Talia said, โ€œYou have to help me in the spring in my garden and do exactly what I say.โ€

There was no hesitation. โ€œYes.โ€

Phee said, โ€œYou have to spend one day a month with me and Zoe in the woods.โ€

โ€œYes.โ€

Chauncey said, โ€œYou have to let me do your laundry!โ€

Oh, how his heart felt like it would burst. โ€œIf thatโ€™s what you want.โ€ โ€œAnd you have to tip me!โ€

โ€œOf course.โ€

Theodore chirped and clicked, head bouncing up and down. โ€œEvery single button I can find,โ€ Linus agreed.

Sal said, โ€œYou have to let us call you Linus.โ€ His eyes stung. โ€œI would love nothing more.โ€

Lucy grinned devilishly. โ€œAnd you have to dance with me, and when I have bad dreams, you have to come and tell me everything will be okay.โ€

โ€œYes. Yes. Yes to all of it. To any of it. For you, I would do anything.โ€

Lucyโ€™s smile faded. He looked so young. โ€œWhy did you leave in the first place?โ€

Linus hung his head. โ€œSometimes, you donโ€™t know what you have until itโ€™s no longer there. And I needed to be your voice. So those far away would hear you for all that you are.โ€

โ€œChildren,โ€ Arthur said, speaking for the first time. โ€œWould you please go inside and help Zoe with dinner? I need to have a word with Mr. Baker.โ€

They complained immediately. โ€œNow.โ€

Lucy threw up his hands. โ€œI donโ€™t know why you donโ€™t just kiss him and get it over with. Adults are so dumb.โ€

Zoe choked on a laugh. โ€œCome on. Letโ€™s leave the dumb adults to it. We absolutely will go inside and start dinner and not watch them through the windows.โ€

โ€œOoh,โ€ Talia said. โ€œI get it. Yes, letโ€™s go watchโ€”I mean, make dinner.โ€

They hurried up the steps to the house. Sal glanced back at them before closing the door behind him.

And immediately appeared in the window with the others, though they tried unsuccessfully to hide behind the drapes. Even Zoe.

Linus loved them very much.

The stars were beginning to appear overhead. The sky was streaked in orange and pinks and blue, blue, blue. The sea birds called. The waves

crashed against the rocks.

But the only thing that mattered at this moment was the man before him. This exquisite man.

Linus waited.

โ€œWhy now?โ€ Arthur finally asked. He sounded tired.

โ€œIt was time,โ€ Linus said. โ€œIโ€”I went back, thinking it was the right thing to do. I presented the results of my investigation to Extremely Upper Management.โ€ He paused, considering. โ€œPresentedย might be a euphemism. I was quite stern, if Iโ€™m being honest.โ€

Arthurโ€™s lips twitched. โ€œWere you?โ€ โ€œI didnโ€™t know I had it in me.โ€ โ€œWhy did you?โ€

Linus spread his hands out in front of him. โ€œBecause I โ€ฆ Iโ€™ve seen things. Here. Learned things I didnโ€™t know before. It changed me. I didnโ€™t know how much until I no longer had it. When I could no longer wake up and walk to the house for breakfast. Or listen to you teach them. Or discuss your ludicrous thoughts on philosophy with you. Or go on adventures on Saturdays wearing ridiculous outfits while being threatened with a grisly death.โ€

โ€œI donโ€™t know,โ€ Arthur said. โ€œYou donโ€™t seem to have a problem wearing them now.โ€

Linus pulled on his shirt. โ€œTheyโ€™re growing on me. My point is that I left because I was scared of what could be, not of what already was. Iโ€™m not scared anymore.โ€

Arthur nodded and looked away, jaw tight. โ€œAnd the orphanage?โ€

Linus shook his head. โ€œItโ€™s not โ€ฆ you know, you told me once that the word orphanage is a misnomer. That no one comes looking here to adopt.โ€

โ€œI did say that, didnโ€™t I?โ€

โ€œYou did. And as I told Extremely Upper Management, this isnโ€™t an orphanage. Itโ€™s a home. And thatโ€™s what it will remain.โ€

โ€œTruly?โ€

โ€œTruly.โ€

โ€œAnd what of the others? You said you thought you could help all the others.โ€

Linus scratched the back of his neck. โ€œI might have done something โ€ฆ illegal? Stole a few files. Maybe more than a few. I have an idea, though it will take time.โ€

โ€œWhy, Linus Baker. Iโ€™m utterly surprised at you. Stealing, of all things.

Itโ€™s not proper.โ€

โ€œYes, well,โ€ he muttered. โ€œI put the entirety of the blame on you lot here. Youโ€™ve corrupted me.โ€

Linus thought he saw a flicker of fire in Arthurโ€™s eyes. โ€œYou really did all that?โ€

โ€œYes. I was frightened, but it was the right thing to do.โ€ He hesitated.

Then, โ€œI also quit.โ€

Arthur looked surprised. โ€œWhy?โ€

Linus shrugged. โ€œBecause it wasnโ€™t where I belonged.โ€ โ€œWhere do you belong, Linus?โ€

And with the last of his courage, Linus Baker said, โ€œHere. With you. If youโ€™ll have me. Ask me again. Please, I beg you. Ask me to stay again.โ€

Arthur nodded tightly. He cleared his throat. He was hoarse when he said, โ€œLinus.โ€

โ€œYes, Arthur?โ€

โ€œStay. Here. With us. With me.โ€

Linus could barely breathe. โ€œYes. Always. Yes. For them. For you. For

โ€”โ€

He was being kissed. He hadnโ€™t even seen Arthur move. One moment,

he thought he was about to break, and the next, his face was cupped in warm hands, and lips were pressed against his own. He felt as if he were on fire, burning from the inside out. He reached up, putting his hands atop Arthurโ€™s, holding them in place. He never wanted this moment to end. For all the love songs heโ€™d ever listened to in his life, he hadnโ€™t been prepared for how a moment like this could feel.

Arthur pulled away, and began to laugh as Linus frantically kissed his chin and cheeks, his nose and forehead. Arthur dropped his hands and wrapped his arms around Linus, holding him close. Linus could hear the children cheering in the house as they began to sway in the light from a setting sun.

โ€œIโ€™m sorry,โ€ Linus whispered into Arthurโ€™s throat, never wanting this moment to end.

Arthur held him tighter. โ€œYou silly, delightful man. There is nothing to be sorry for. You fought for us. I could never be angry with you for that. How I cherish you.โ€

Linus felt his heart settle in his chest.

As they continued to sway to a song only they could hear, the sun finally sank below the horizon, and all was right in this tiny little corner of the world.

Donโ€™t you wish you were here?

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