Forester nodded. “The results are already beginning to show.” he said. “I went to see him in the hospital this morning. He called me ‘Father.’ Then he broke down and cried.”
Forrester had to turn away for a moment. He cleared his throat.
“Well, it seems as if promotions and decorations are in order,” he said. “I thought about making it a formal ceremony, but I know how you feel about such things…” He produced small boxes with new insignia in them and passed them out. “And I thought, Lucas, that you might want to wear your stars at your wedding.”
“My stars?” said Lucas, staring at the little box with disbelief.
“Congratulations.” Forester said. “Andre, looks like you’re going to be marrying a general.”
“But… but…” Lucas stammered.
“I’ll need someone to take over for me as Director,” Forester said. “I’m retiring. My son is going to need me when he gets well and I want to spend some time with him. Maybe give him a chance to get back something of the life he never had.”
“But… Director?” Lucas said. “Me?”
“I couldn’t think of a better man,” said Forester. “Don’t you agree, Colonel Delaney?”
“Yes, sir!” Delaney said, with a wide grin.
“Major Cross, congratulations.” Forrester said, kissing her on the cheek. “I wish you both all the happiness in the world.”
“Thank you, sir.”
He turned around, “Lieutenant Neilson?”
He handed him the box with the new insignia, and then took another box out of his pocket.
“The President is supposed to make the formal presentation, so you’ll have to give this back to me,” he said, “but I thought I’d make sort of an unofficial one myself. On behalf of a grateful government, I’d like to present you with the Medal of Honor.”
The others stood up and applauded.
“You’ll all be formally decorated with the Medal of Honor by the President,” said Forrester, “just don’t let him know that I’ve quietly usurped the privilege. I’m proud of each and every one of you.”
Scott stared at the medal and shook his head. “I… I don’t know what to say.” He looked up at Forrester. “Yes. I do. I’ve got something for you too, sir.”
He went over by the door, where he’d put down a small corduroy kit bag. He reached inside and took out a twin-shoulder holster rig, holding a matched pair of engraved and silver-plated, pearl-handled Colt Single Action Army. 45’s.
“For your collection, sir,” he said, handing them over. “That is, if you think they’re suitable.”
Forrester took the guns and smiled. “I will treasure these above all the other artifacts,” he said. “Thank you, Lieutenant. Thank you very much.”
“I’d like to propose a toast,” Delaney said. He held up his glass. “To the soon-to-be General and Mrs. Lucas Priest,” he said, turning to Lucas and Andre. “No time like the present!”
They all grinned at the old Temporal Army in-joke. “No time like the present!” they all echoed,
They drank, but one of them was thinking there was no time like the past. Scott Neilson turned and stared out the window at the lights below, but he was. seeing another time and another place. He was thinking of a beautiful young girl with long blonde hair and powder blue eyes. And of another life that might have been.
If only they had not run out of time.