A few years later…..
The sea breeze blew gently through my hair as I stood outside on the balcony of the beache side apartment we rented the evening as the sun began its descent into the horizon. The color of the sky was orange and purple, and I had seen this every morning at school, which never ceased to amaze me. Turning around at the last light of the sun as it touched the sea, I felt someone whom I knew was beside me.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Alessandro’s voice was honeyed as his arms went round my waist, his chest to my back.
I rested my head comfortably on his chest, a happy breath escaping me. “What can you say just knowing how far we’ve come,” I added without turning to look at the horizon. Sometimes I can hardly believe that this is our life now.
I knew it’d been a few years since that day in the lab, where I first knew that I had quantum powers.
A few years of findings, hardships, a few years of Chase and the whole Court scenario, a few years since I last saw Chase, a few years since The Raven and The Architect passed away, and development has been experienced within this project. And now here we are, actually doing our dream on the coast of California, with a modern research building within considerable distance from our houses.
“Having second thoughts?” Alessandro laughed. There was an undertone of worry in his voice, however.
I, then, rolled over in his arms and looked into his eyes. ‘Never,’ I replied just as firmly, running my fingers gently through his hair, and caressing his cheek. This is exactly where I want to be and with exactly who I want to be with is the perfect example.
It was still as if Alessandro had fallen deeply in love and what I saw in the eyes of Alessandro had my heart hopping. He bent and kissed my lips gently. “Good,” he murmured. “Because I’m not going to let you go any time soon.”
A shrill laughter drove us back to reality and, amidst the sound of footsteps, a child’s voice. “Mama! Papa! Look what I made!”
We both raised our heads to witness our toddler, Lucy, staggering towards us holding a piece of paper in her hands. It didn’t take long to change our lives, but in a year and a few weeks, she was a dream that we hadn’t thought would ever come true, especially considering the changes my body had gone through.
Alessandro picked her up and started showering her face with gentle kisses as she laughed. “What do you have with you there, principessa?”
With great satisfaction, Lucy waved the paper in front of us. It was a finger painting, emotion in a canvas, vibrant colors which could not be distinguished into an actual form; but it wasn’t unappealing or disturbing; on the contrary, it was beautiful.
“It’s us!” Lucy declared. “See? So, not only, ‘That’s you, and that’s Mama, and that is me, and we are all in space.”
Rolling my eyes, I made a face at Alessandro and he chuckled. Despite her small age, Lucy was interested in what we did even though she did not comprehend the job as we do. For her, it was the most exciting thing being “in space” and her parents were “floating”.
“It is a beautiful baby,” I took it from her and looked at it carefully. “Well, you know this one should go on to the fridge door as typical fridge humor.”
While Alessandro took Lucy inside in order to choose the best place for her painting, I stayed on the balcony for a second longer. I shut my eyes, extending mentally the way I only learned to accomplish it for a short while now.
A new world of opportunities opened up to me, a world where anything was possible in the quantum teeth. Of course, that is very different from the course of its early days in which I had been thinking that I had lost myself among its immensity, but now I could easily navigate through the center with perhaps more ease and determination than anyone else. The neural interface technology that we have tried and tested enabled me to travel through the quantum world without detaching myself from the physical world.
A soft shake at my awareness somehow pulled me back. Alessandro was calling me for dinner. Smiling, I opened my eyes and went inside; leaving the quantum realm as just a near experience for a while.
And purpose. Thanks to the neural interface technology I created, I was able to travel through the quantum realm without disconnecting from the real world.
A soft touch on my awareness returned to me. Alessandro wanted me for dinner. I smiled and opened my eyes as I entered the house and set the quantum realm aside for now.
Together under one table, we were united as a family with Zoe adding a permanent layer to our lives. As Lucy told us about her experiences from day at preschool, I could not suppress my wonder about how everything felt absolutely right.
Zoe glanced at me while crinkling her nose in a hint of humor. She has shared our path alongside us with our triumphs and setbacks. Now she is much more than both a friend and a colleague. She was family.
Zoe questioned me as we tidied up from dinner.” Are you prepared for tomorrow?” Zoe inquired after we finished eating.” How are you feeling about tomorrow?”
I nodded confidently, filled with both excitement and nerves. “As ready as I’ll ever be. It’s strange, you know? Having faced what we have, dealing with a TED talk should be easy.
Zoe smiled and collided her hip with mine. Finding answers within the universe is not the same. Robbing the audience is a whole different proposition.
She had a point. Lifting until tomorrow will take me onto a platform where I’ll exhibit our research to many individuals physically as well as online. In comparison to the hidden tasks we performed for the last two years, it was quite different.
“I am certain you will impress,” Alessandro informed me by touching my temple and pressing a kiss. Starting out much like your regular self.
I approached him, thankful for his steady backing. None of this would have been possible without you both. You know that, right?”
Zoe gave him a playful look. “Yes, yes, we’re all awesome. Could we please review the presentation again? I ensure that every visual looks amazing.
In the living room with Lucy tucked up safely in bed, I could feel a nostalgic wave hit me. Those evenings in the lab came to mind with the three of us grouped around the screens to find answers to the confusion.
A great deal has been transformed since that time. Years of solely working at her job enabled Zoe to discover unexpected love. Dr. A year prior, Elias Chen arrived on our team as a quantum physicist from MIT. Their sudden connection attracted attention from the scientific world except for the crucial scientific advances we achieved.
While pulling out her phone, Zoe mentioned something important. The latest data from particle accelerator tests arrived from Elias. You can see the results for yourself.
I held the phone up with my eyes suddenly opening as I perused the graphs and data. “This is… Zoe, this is incredible. If these results hold up-”
While looking over my work, Alessandro said it might validate your idea about quantum consciousness. Brianne. Can you tell me what this signifies?
I nodded, a bit dazed. We are getting closer to grasping the basic reality of existence.
Over the following hours, we reviewed the data and improved our presentation while exploring what our findings might mean. When we ended our workday, the jittery feelings I once had changed into vibrant enjoyment.
As I curled up in bed that night, Alessandro was by my side, calmly breathing. I considered the experiences that had brought us to this point. Overcoming our concerns and hurdles has led us to moments of insecurity. We supported each other throughout our journey. Now in our life stands Lucy, who mirrors our fantasies for the years to come.
As I relaxed for a time, the next moment Lucy was hopping on our bed singing her own melody and sunlight entered the room.
We started the day briskly and quickly engaged in tasks like making breakfast and finishing preparations while we said an emotional farewell to Lucy, who stayed with her grandparents while attending our event. In no time, we reached the backstage area of the TED event where the enthusiastic crowd made it seem like we could hear it from behind thick curtains.
Introducing stage sides… Dr. Brianne !”
I took a pause and stepped forward into the bright spotlight. A group of faces fulls of hope looked at me from all directions. In the front row, I noted Alessandro and Zoe shaking their thumbs up.
With my voice calm, I welcomed everyone as butterflies danced in my belly. My purpose is to discuss the essence of reality today. As opposed to the reality we sense, our five senses is the essential nature of the universe. The quantum realm.”
During my discussion of our findings a keen sense of wonder came over me. Behind me shimmered images illustrating quantum activity and representations of particle interactions; these were more than just data to me. They revealed the core of being.
As I reached the close of my presentation, I stated that the universe turns out to be much more intricate and connected than we had ever thought. The lines distinguishing an observer from an observed person and awareness of existence are more fluid now than previously thought. The quantum realm includes us as a core to it.
I glanced at the spectators. I recognized wonder in their looks as well as uncertainty in some. Many viewers exuded an inquisitive sense. Alessandro and Zoe and I all shared this interest that fueled our research pursuits.
The results of this research are astonishing. They may change how we perceive physics and consciousness and our existence in the universe. But more than that, they remind us of a fundamental truth: as we engage in this lively and exquisite quantum realm together, we remain deeply connected.
Upon completing my remarks, the room filled with applause. The day unfolded in a flurry of interviews and joyful conversations with other scientists. After arriving back in the hotel room, I was worn out yet energetic.
Alessandro declared” you were extraordinary as he wrapped his arms around me. You have made me very proud.
I fell into his arms and experienced the pressure of the day disappear. I didn’t accomplish this without your help. I smile at Zoe as I say ‘both of you’ because I couldn’t have accomplished this without your support.
She returned the smile while holding the champagne. She toasted with her glass to ‘quantum horizons’. Let us honor the finest group from outer space.
We took turns sipping our drinks while we exclaimed and conversed leisurely throughout the night. I heard Alessandro and Zoe enthusiastically sharing their thoughts on what it means. I realized a strong wave of appreciation washed over me when we presented our latest results.
In the morning, we took an early flight back to our place. By the time we reached the coast, the wait created a tingle in my stomach. I had another action to take.
At the airport, my dad held Lucy while my parents kept watch. The second she recognized us she screamed with joy, almost dislodging her father as she raced towards us.
“Mama! Papa! Zoe!” she shouted with joy while we embraced her thoroughly. “Did you float in space?”
Alessandro and I shared a smile while looking at each other. “Not quite, sweetheart. We discussed some remarkable issues.
Upon our journey back to my parents’ doorstep, I got ready for what would follow. For a long time now, I hadn’t discussed my aspirations and career goals with them.
During a comfortable meal that night, I finally talked about my life. I laid out everything in front of them how I perform and the progress we’ve achieved as a couple.
I added one more thing after taking a deep breath. I have chosen to return to university. To get my PhD.”
My mom’s eyes widened. With your remarkable achievements, what makes it essential for you to seek further education?
I felt more positive than before. “It is, Mom. The main focus lies in the structure and peer review for presenting our findings to the academic community in a formal way. I want Lucy to realize that you can learn at any age and after all these achievements.
My father crossed his arms over to grasp my hand. “We’re proud of you, Brianne. He looked directly at us next. The changes you create will transform our planet.
While driving home that evening with Lucy snoozing in her car seat weaving through traffic, my heart calmed down. Moving forward will not be simple as I juggle motherhood alongside research and, now, classes. But I knew I could handle it. I had the finest backup support within this universe.
In his arms while driving, he held my hand. “Happy?” he asked softly.
I grinned while pressing his hand gently. I said that I was happier than I had expected.
After entering our driveway, the stars shone brightly, allowing me to admire how much we’ve achieved. From the start of my abilities appearing, and now my life is full of respect and love.
The difficulties were very serious, and the obstacles frequently felt daunting. Here before us is a new beginning. I am positive that everything was beneficial. Throughout every sleepless hour and each misfire of the experiments, we reached this ideal moment.
While staring at the night sky above me, I recognized the age-old draw of the quantum world near my mind. Currently, I am centered and not entangled in two conflicting environments anymore. I feel strongly protected by my family and linked to the boundless cosmos.
Whatever lies ahead or what discoveries are on the horizon, we could overcome it together. I shared this with Alessandro and Zoe along with Lucy and everyone else.
And all Lucy could ask from her inner thoughts was… “What could be more satisfying than this ?”
THE END