Chapter Text
CHAPTER ONE
”Mother, what’s this?” Young Richard Thompson was hovering above this tall iron garden ornament he had never seen before.
“It is called a sundial, my sweet son,” Narya replied. “It measures time by the position of the sun. As the sun moves across the sky, the pointer indicates the hours by the shadow it casts on the face. In this way, it can tell the time of day.”
Richard was slightly puzzled. “Does it only work on sunny days?”
“Of course, my son. Do you see the inscription written on the edge?”
Richard read it aloud slowly. “’I…only…count…sunny…hours.’” He stopped to consider it. “That’s interesting.”
“Indeed, it is. Heather….” Narya turned to greet the pretty red-haired young woman just coming into the yard, “I must say you and James have worked hard to create this lovely garden. This sundial is a most interesting addition. And what a beautiful environment for Claire.”
Heather beamed with happiness at Narya’s compliment. “Thank you, Narya. And I’m so glad that you accepted our offer to have Richard’s first birthday party here in Ottawa.”
“Ah, yes.” It was Snowbird’s turn to beam. “We were originally going to have just a small family party for Richard at our home in Yellowknife, until you and James offered your home and garden as a party place for Richard.”
“We were glad to do it,” Heather replied happily. “And we’re so glad that so many members of Alpha Flight could come. After all, we were there for his birth. What better way for us to get together and see the amazing progress he’s made?”
“Indeed, he has.” Narya spoke proudly. “I am glad that he has come so far, especially after the difficult beginning he had.”
“Yes.” Then, both women were silent, each remembering the difficult start Richard had had. They watched him soaring in the air around the garden, stopping to admire a flower here, a butterfly there, and finally, going back to the sundial, which seemed to hold a fascination for him.
It was hard to believe that this strong and healthy child had had such a rocky start in life.
But he had. And he had almost never been born.