Page 105 of Possession Under the Southern Stars

There are also various other artifacts displayed to celebrate this day of love. But pride of place has been given to the Williams Collection. The six portraits of Pania Williams hang on the wallat the back of the gallery, fronted by half a dozen benches, and with plenty of space for people to stand and admire them. The letters are also displayed in glass cabinets, carefully monitored for moisture and heat, with the text enlarged on the boards and then repeated in a clear font so everyone can read them.

Whina has worked hard to spread the word about the discovery of the paintings, giving lots of interviews to the press, and making sure to paint the Williams family in a positive light and thanking them for their generosity. She’s here, currently talking to members of her localiwiabout the letters. Isabel is here, too, giving an interview in the corner about her decision to donate them to the museum.

We’ve worked closely together over the week, refining the text of the display to make sure that we explain the paintings sensitively, while making it clear that we shouldn’t judge the past by today’s standards.

Fraser left the exhibition to me, Zoe, and Elora, and he’s spent the week organizing the speedy printing of a museum guidebook to incorporate the new exhibits. Joel and Linc have also helped him source items for the shop, including postcards, bookmarks, mugs, and T-shirts with pictures of the Valentine’s Day exhibits. Linc had the idea of creating a collection of items such as scented candles with aromas inspired by the nineteenth century like rose and sandalwood, handmade soaps, and tea blends that Pania might have enjoyed. They’ve also organized numbered prints of the paintings, exclusive to the exhibition.

And our crowning glory is that this evening there’s a special Valentine’s Day evening event, ticket only, with wine and nibbles and live music. Zoe, Elora, and I are giving expert talks on how we sourced our artifacts, and the guys are all doing guided tours. The tickets sold out two days after they went on sale.

I can see Fraser now, standing in front of the Mair Necklace, talking to a group of visitors, and they’re all laughing, so he’s obviously in entertainment mode.

He’s in full Indiana Jones gear tonight—minus the hat and whip—but he’s wearing his jacket with the patches on the elbows and his Indi glasses, and he looks every inch the eccentric archaeologist.

I just adore that man.

“Have you read the introduction of the new guidebook?” Elora asks.

“The intro? No.” I’ve studied the insert with the photos of the Valentine’s Day exhibits, but I haven’t read the first few pages.

Elora opens the cover of her book and passes it to me. Fraser has written it, updating the old introduction to mention the new exhibit. She taps the page at the bottom.

I read the last few paragraphs, which have been updated.

“As a Kaitiaki (guardian) of the National Museum of Aotearoa New Zealand, I have a responsibility to care for and preserve the artifacts and sites of our history. I am fortunate to work alongside a team whose expertise and passion make this possible. Without them, these wonderful love stories would be lost to time. History isn’t just about the past. It shapes the present and the future. The items in the Valentine’s Day Exhibition show us that love is found not only in grand gestures but also in the quiet, careful work of conservation. Love endures, not just in the stories we preserve, but in the people who bring them to life.”

“He’s talking about me,” Zoe says.

I give a short laugh, pressing my fingers to my lips.

“He has quite the turn of phrase,” Elora says. “Fraser in love. Who’d have thought it?”

I smile at them, tears pricking my eyes. “I’m really going to miss you both.”

They come forward to give me a big hug. “We’ll be back often,” Elora says. “And Linc and I want to get married here. We’re thinking about next Valentine’s Day, actually.” She smiles. “And we thought we might hold the service in the museum.”

Zoe and I both squeal and hug her again. “That would be amazing,” I say. “Fraser and I have been talking about creating a permanent place for wedding ceremonies. You could be our first couple!”

“Then it’s a date,” Elora says. “Something to look forward to.” She glances down at the room. “Linc’s waving to us. I guess it’s time for the expert talks to start.”

“Who’d have thought we would have been the experts?” Zoe says as the three of us walk down the stairs to the ground floor. “They obviously don’t know us very well.”

I touch my phone in my pocket, making sure it’s still there. I’ve jotted down some notes for my speech, just in case I freeze, although I’m sure I’ll be fine when I get going.

Fraser is asking everyone to take a seat, and gradually the guests drift over to the chairs that the staff has arranged between the exhibits in front of a podium. A projection screen stands behind it, ready to show pictures of the artifacts and the places from which they were sourced. Elora, Zoe, and I stand to one side, the wonderful scent of the red roses placed in elegant vases around the room drifting over to us.

Behind us, the six paintings of Pania gleam under the subdued lighting, and people glance at the letters in their cases as they pass. It’s as if Richard and Pania are here with us. I wonder how they would feel about the intimate details of their personal lives being displayed like this for everyone to see. How would I feel, a hundred and sixty years in the future, if paintingsthat Fraser had done of me, and letters we’d written to one another, were available for anyone to see?

I’m surprised to find that, actually, I don’t think I’d mind, provided they were treated with respect. We’ve all made sure not to treat their story in a sensationalist manner. We’ve not dwelt on Pania’s age, or on the titillating nature of the portraits. Instead, we’ve focused on the fact that they were so dedicated that they overcame both religious and cultural differences to be with one another.

We’ve also displayed an enlarged copy of an exclusive photo that Isabel donated of Richard and Pania with their children and grandchildren. It’s perfect for this Valentine’s Day exhibit, which is all about the enduring nature of love.

Fraser has taught me that love is many things. Love is patient, love is kind, love is passionate, and warm, and content, love is beautiful, and sensual, and exciting, and peaceful. And real love endures, and stands the test of time. Richard and Pania’s did, anyway, and hopefully ours will, too.

He takes the stand, and I press my hand to my heart at the thought of the two of us being photographed in the future, surrounded by our children and grandchildren. There are many miles to go yet, of course. We’ve only been on a few proper dates. But for the first time, I feel the promise of a love that won’t fade.

I don’t think I’m the only one, either. Joel has come over to stand behind Zoe, and he murmurs something in her ear that makes her giggle. The two of them are so excited to be traveling together. Zoe seems like a whole new woman. I’m so glad the two of them survived the storm and have found joy in one another.

And Linc is with Elora, and I can hear him telling her that she looks beautiful and she’s going to be amazing when she gives her talk. He’s so good for her, so patient and understanding. I’m thrilled to think after everything she’s been through that she’swith the guy she fell in love with all those years ago. What a great Valentine’s Day story.

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