Subj: The Letter, Part 19
Date: 8/20/01 11:43:01 PM Central Daylight Time
From: R J Jamison

Judah Zachary sat in the kitchen with Miranda and Martha. He had delivered a surprise for Braden Collins and now awaited the fallout. He had not allowed Miranda or Martha to see the delivery. He had known Miranda was formulating certain plans about Braden Collins. He was not too angry. The development had at least finally brought her into his coven. Now the small seeds of anger and jealousy that had been within Miranda were blooming under his tutelage. He had wanted Miranda for so long but her strong moral center had kept her beyond his complete control. His subtle attempts at manipulating her had failed until she felt rejected by Braden. Of course, Miranda believed that Martha was helping her, a friend to her. But Judah took comfort in the knowledge that Martha was instead helping him. Together they were working to recreate the motivating force of Miranda Du Val. With their subtle manipulations, the small seeds of anger and jealousy Miranda felt were growing within her and soon they would be what gave her sustenance and power.

“Why won’t you tell us what it is?” Miranda threw her hands up in frustration.

“It’s a surprise, I told you.” Judah laughed and Martha joined him.

“Ahh, Judah, your surprises are always good ones.” Martha placed a pipe in her mouth.

“Martha!” Miranda glared at her. “Mr. Collins will be home soon. He should not see you with that pipe.”

“Pipe!” In the doorway a young boy stood. He smiled playfully at them.

Miranda looked at Judah. “Is this your surprise?”

“Surprise!” The little boy jumped up. He was dressed in clothing easily recognizable from the Carolinas. His accent however was a mixture they could not place.

“He’s a regular parrot!” Martha laughed. “Come here little parrot.” Martha held out her pipe.

“Parrot?” Miranda asked.

“That talky bird Blaisedale has in his shop.” Martha informed her.

“That abominably evil bird you mean.” Mrs. Amadeus Collins stood in the doorway behind the little boy.

Judah jumped up and removed his hat. Miranda and Martha also stood. “Mrs. Collins.” They all said in unison with bowed heads.

“Can you give the boy something to drink.”

“I have some nice mint flavored water here.” Martha poured the boy a cup and handed it to him.

“Thank you ma’m.” He politely said and took the cup.

“Nice boy.” Martha tousled his hair.

“Hello!” Braden had entered the front door and was calling loudly. He responded to his sister-in-law’s voice and joined them in the kitchen. “I got the message that I should come home quickly, why the urgency?” Braden had obviously run from his offices at the docks.

“Mint water!” The boy yelled and held up the cup to Martha for more.

Braden stared at the little boy. He noted his unusual clothes and fanciful demeanor. “Charming fella.” Braden walked into the kitchen and kneeled down next to him. “I’ll take some water too, Martha.” Braden and the boy eyed one another as they both drank from their cups. The boy finished first and after lowering his cup, he wiped his mouth with his jacket sleeve and smiled impishly. “Ahh, your Mother would not like that, now would she?” Braden patted the boy’s head and stood. “Why the urgency in calling me home?”

“The boy.” Braden’s sister-in-law volunteered. “Ask him his name.”

Braden cocked his head inquisitively. “Young man,” He looked down at the boy. “what is your name?”

“Joshua Isaac Collins!” The boy jumped again. Joshua noted the look of confusion on Braden’s face and mirrored it. He then jumped again happily. He then began to giggle.

“Who’s child is this?” Braden asked.

“Ours.” A quiet, husky voice behind him answered.

Braden turned to see an auburn haired woman standing next to his sister-in-law. “Althia!” Braden rushed to her and nearly knocked down his sister-in-law. He stopped before touching his wife. “Althia?” He questioned. He held out a hand to touch her but stopped. It remained in mid-air.

Althia gazed at him lovingly with her brilliant green eyes. She nodded. “It has taken us a long time to find our way to you, my husband.” She took his hand and placed it on her cheek.

“Althia!” Braden cried again as he crushed her in his arms.

In the Amazonian rain forest, thousands of miles away and hundreds of years later, Barnabas Collins opened his eyes. Above him were thousands of stars. “Althia?” He thought back to the moment he had seen her. The joy, the overwhelming love and devotion, the eternal bond that Braden had felt in that moment for Althia. Barnabas turned his head and saw Julia lying next to him. Her eyes still closed, her journey still in progress. He reached up and touched her cheek. “Althia.”

Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis Production.