Page 16 of Ghost of Christmas Future
“What, Lizzy joining the family business?” Bertha asked.
Jude shook his head. “No, that our family would stay put. You know, kids go to college, they get married, they move away. Aside from dying young or losing my movie star good looks, my biggest fear was not being able to see my kids every day. No more Sunday dinners with football or cookouts at Fitzgibbon’s house at the pool. No more sleepovers.”
“Trust me, Jude, there are a lot more sleepovers in your future. You’re not going to be a fan of some of the later ones, you know with Wolf and his future bride, same for Lizbet.”
“I cannot imagine future me allowing my daughter to shack up, even for one night, in my house with her future husband.” Jude shook his head as if to emphasize his point.
“Good news, honey, our little Lizzy won’t be shacking up with a futurehusband.”
“Future wife?” Jude asked.
Bertha nodded. “I won’t give too much away, but Lizbet’s wife is going to be part of West Side Sweets for years to come. Actually, she’ll be the one, with Cassie’s permission, of course, who will expand the business and change the name to West SideEats.”
“What about Wolf?” Jude asked, wondering what the future held for his son.
“Wolf is going to join the family business too.”
“Don’t tell me he’s going to read people’s auras or tarot cards.” Not that Jude would mind if he did, but Wolf didn’t seem like the kind of kid who’d be happy with a desk job.
“No, Wolf doesn’t have any psychic gifts, like Cope. The family business he’s getting into is yours.”
“Mine?” Jude asked, feeling lightheaded. “Wolf’s going to be a cop?”
“Detective,” Bertha said, her voice filled with pride. “He’s gonna work with the cold case unit in the last few years before you, Ronan, and Fitz retire. He’ll be joined by Frankie Jackson.”
“Luca and Cisco’s son?”
Bertha nodded. “Want a peek?”
“More than anything!” Jude grabbed Bertha’s hands and readied himself for takeoff. His stomach didn’t lurch quite as hard as it had the first few times he’d done this. Maybe he was getting used to time travel.
“Open your eyes, Jude.”
Jude obeyed and found himself in a small football stadium. Looking around he sawHome of the Salem Witchespainted on the wall beneath the broadcast booth. A graduation ceremony was taking place.
“Wolf Byrne!” A voice called out over the speaker system.
A tall young man, dressed as a police officer, stood up to raucous applause. From where Jude was located, he could see their family standing and cheering. Cope and LizzyB were there, along with Ten, Ronan, Fitz, Jace and the kids. The only person missing was himself. “Bertha, where am I?” Jude felt like he was going to throw up and it had nothing to do with Bertha sending him into the future at the speed of light.
“Be patient, Jude. Watch.” She pointed to Wolf, who’d climbed onto the stage.
Again, Jude did what Bertha asked. He watched his son receive his diploma. Wolf stood with the head of the police academy andposed for pictures. “Awarding Officer Byrne’s badge is his father, Cold Case Captain, Jude Byrne.”
Jude gasped. He watched as his older self climbed the stairs of the stage. Future Jude’s grin spread from ear to ear. He looked as if he were literally bursting with pride. As he pinned Wolf’s badge, Jude noticed his hair was greying at the temples, but other than that, he was still a handsome bastard.
When the badge was pinned to Wolf’s uniform, father and son stood together, posing for pictures. Jude and his future self were crying. He could hear Ronan, Everly, and Aurora shouting their congratulations, while Ten held a weeping Cope.
“Bertha, this is amazing.” Jude swiped at his tears.
“It is, Jude. Just remember this is only one moment of a million more to come from this day forward. I could go on and on about our family’s future, Jude, but right now, the focus is on one particular member. You.”
Jude had a feeling that’s what Bertha’s ultimate point was. “It all comes back to me and my ability to heal and get my creaky ass out of that hospital bed.”
“It’s all on you, Jude.”
“I get that, I really do. At first, I wasn’t sure the pain would be worth it, but now, all I want to do is wake up. I want to cuddle my daughter and make pancakes with Wolf. What exactly is it that you think I can do to heal myself?”
“Focus on using your healing power for yourself. You always say you’d move mountains for your family and friends. Now it’s time to do it for yourself. I believe in you. So do Lizbet, Wolf, and Cope. Let’s get this show on the road. I’ll be with you every step of the way.” With those words, Bertha vanished.
