Chapter 11-Reunification

I woke up in a panic. I heaved a huge breath and jolted, panting and frantically looking around. As I woke up, a monitor measuring my heart started beeping faster as my heart rate went up. Ahead, I could see Dr. Radcliffe getting out of the chair facing the bed I was in. "Hey, hey, relax" he said, "Everything's going to be okay." "Wh-where am I? What happened? Where's Mary Anne? W-" "Shh," Dr. Radcliffe interrupted, "You're in the WPA medical wing, and you've been out for a whole day. I'm sorry to say, but it looks like you've gone mostly deaf in your left ear, and your elbow is pretty badly broken. You have some head trauma, too, so you need to take it easy." At that moment, I didn't even care that I was partially deaf in one ear. I just wanted to know where Mary Anne was. "Where is Mary Anne," I said in a grave voice. "Mary Anne is fine," he said. "She's in the medical wing and in stable condition." Hearing that, I rested my head on the pillow and gave a sigh of relief. Dr. Radcliffe walked up to the side of my bed, saying, "Elijah, you're a hero. We've won the war. After you came back here with Mary Anne, their capitol building was stormed, and the ASA president was captured and ordered an official surrender. All WCO installments have been neutralized, and they never saw us coming. The Allied States of America no longer exist, my friend." I was shocked. What did he mean? Dr. Radcliffe grabbed the remote for the holo TV and turned it on to a news channel. On display, Huxley was standing behind a podium on the outside of a battered building that looked like New Seattle's capitol. "Citizens," he began, speaking triumphantly, "Today, you are all free. Today, your lives will change. Today marks the day of a new era. This war that we so gallantly fought has come to an end, and tyranny with it. From coast to coast, an ancient nation that was buried under the cries of oppression has been reborn. Today, on this fall morning, the United States of America has once again been established." I could hear an uproar of cheering in the background. My mouth opened wide as I stared at the TV in awe. "The war that broke this land fifty years ago was no revolution; it was only a civil war that took half a century to resolve and bring brothers and sisters back together. All principles on which our founding fathers laid out for us will once again be established, from New Seattle to New Boston. We will make this nation strong again into the land that we love. Thank you, and God Bless America." With that, more cheering and applause erupted. "Huxley left you this," Dr. Radcliffe stated, handing me a letter. I opened it and began to read.

Elijah,

I'm sorry I cannot express my gratitude in person at this very moment, but I am currently in New Seattle reestablishing order and planning our next moves for this country moving forward. What you did for this nation we cannot repay you for. I know you weren't expecting us to become one nation again, but secretly, I was planning it the whole time because I knew that it would be the only way to best ensure tyranny would not rise again. You and Mary Anne are the world's greatest heroes, and you should proudly wear that title. When both you and her are well enough, I am inviting you to the first ever Reunification Day ceremony at the capitol in New Seattle. The highest of ranked military and government officials will be there, but you and Mary Anne will be the most respected ones there. The nation anxiously awaits an update on your recovery progress, but please, take it easy and don't rush your healing. Proceeding the celebration, we will hold an honorary funeral for Brandon and Rose in New Seattle. I predict that thousands will be there to honor the fallen heroes. I know they meant a lot to you, and there will not be a day that goes by that I will not think of them. A new nation is born again today, and this would not have been possible without you and Mary Anne. We thank you. I thank you. You shall live your lives in luxury and comfort, as you two deserve it more than anyone. I look forward to seeing you again.

Rest well, and God bless,

President Roland Huxley

A tear of joy rolled down my face. I couldn't believe that we had won this war and that two teenagers were the leading faces of it.

After a full day of rest, I was able to stand up and walk to the cafeteria for some dinner. It had been a very long time since I had eaten, and the nurse gave me the clear to go eat. As I walked into the cafeteria, there were only a few people scattered around, filling up their drink cups or sitting alone at a table. It was only four o'clock, so not many were there yet. At the other end of the room, I saw a person with a bandage wrapped around their head. From afar, I could still tell that they were a bit dreary looking. It didn't take long for me to recognize who it was by the posture of that person. Mary Anne. With my best effort I rushed over to where she was. She saw me coming towards her, and she attempted to run to me too, but she had a boot over her broken ankle. Trying to maintain balance, I threw myself onto her and hugged her ever so tight. I could hear her happily sobbing into my shoulder as I held her tight, never wanting to let her go. The handful of people in the cafeteria stopped what they were doing and applauded as Mary Anne and I embraced in the middle of the room. After eating a hearty meal with her, we discussed what we had both heard. Mary Anne had also received a letter from Huxley, and the next day, we were both well enough to make our way to New Seattle for the celebration. Her head bandage was removed, but we were still in our casts. Being well-dressed, we teleported from the hangar of the WPA and onto the front of the capitol building of New Seattle. There were a bunch of crains and construction material all over the building, as the war damage was already being repaired around the city. Huxley was awaiting us at the grand set of doors. Quickly, he ran over to us, giving me a very firm handshake and pats on the shoulder and a hug to Mary Anne. "I am so honored for you two to be here," he said, smiling, "Please, join us inside for a reception. Afterwards, the whole city will be on the streets to watch fireworks you will have a front seat viewing to." Inside, there were all sorts of important people I had seen before. When they saw us, they began to applaud. For an hour, we all socialized together, eating and celebrating our victory. Afterwards, we walked outside the grand doors we entered to see tens of thousands of people all along the streets of New Seattle, waving American flags around and cheering. I was wrong about the people of the city, as I had thought nearly all of them were ASA loyalists. There were several chairs placed on either side of the podium for us to sit on. I knew that I would get to speak in front of everyone, and I had something very special to announce. Yesterday, after dinner, I went alone to go shopping for something, a gift for Mary Anne that would change our lives even more, and I was going to give it to her in front of everyone. President Huxley gave a short speech, and followed by that I walked up to the podium. Adjusting my collar nervously, I took a deep breath and released it. "Thank you, everyone, for being here," I started. "I am so happy to know that this nation is great once again. My home, my sweet home is now something to be proud of. But I want to also honor those who lost their lives. As I ran through the burning streets during the Battle of New Seattle, there were countless lifeless bodies of heroes who would very much like to be here today...But they're not. Let us remember all the fallen as we celebrate our freedom today, and every day." I paused, allowing the crowd of people to applaud. "Today is also a very special day. My love, Mary Anne's birthday is today. We met centuries ago in the heart of Mississippi, fell in love, and fought side by side in this war. Now, we are both adults and seen as heroes to you all. We thank you. Now, I want to do something quite bold. Now that you, Mary Anne, are eighteen, I have something to give you." I looked over and signaled for her to walk over to me. I reached into my pocket to grab a small box, and I opened it as I got on my knees. In it was a finely cut diamond ring. Being injured and nervous at the same time, I kind of stumbled as I got down. I chuckled a little bit as Mary Anne looked down at me while covering her mouth and tearing up. "Mary Anne," I said with a lump in my throat, "I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?" Mary Anne was left speechless, but as she began to sob, she gave a big nod, and I stood up to kiss her after sliding the ring on her finger. Everyone, the people, Huxley, and those around me cheered ever so loudly. Huxley signaled to launch the fireworks as Mary Anne and I were kissing. It was a very magical moment that I would never forget because this was the happiest moment of my life.