Return Of The Fontalo
by Linda Rigsbee
Chapter 31
Cheska was reading a magazine in her office when Dr. Oriana and Gaige arrived for their weekly meeting. She slid the magazine around so that they could see the cover. It was a picture of Donte and Rianne with their family and the new baby. Little Rikki had blond hair and brown eyes. He looked happy and content in his mother’s arms. Andras had an arm around Donte’s neck and a big smile on his face to match that of Donte. Petra sat in front of them, her beautiful face enhanced with an equally beautiful smile. Rianne was looking at Donte, not the camera, and the expression on her beautiful face was pure adoration. The picture had obviously been taken in Donte’s office at the Groot Thuis. Cheska recognized the bookshelf behind them. Donte wore the uniform of Bergen’s ruler, and across the top of the magazine, in bold letters, was the title of the featured article. “Purlieu; an Independent Ally.”
Cheska flipped the magazine open to the article she had been reading about the McKillum farm. “You two should read this. They have turned the farm into a refuge for abused teens. They were inspired by what happened to Andras. Having Donte and Rianne there with their children made them realize how much they missed family interaction. They introduce the teens to board games and outside activities like riding horses. Television and electronic equipment like phones and computers are limited. They have sessions where they read aloud to each other. Lovita says that the children spend more time reading now than they did when they first arrived.”
“That’s interesting,” Gaige said. “When are we supposed to pick up the team in Purlieu?”
“We’re supposed to start that way next week.”
Dr. Oriana closed the magazine and gazed at the cover, a smile on her face as she fixed her attention on Donte. “I want this picture on my wall.”
Gaige laughed. “You take that half. I’ll take this half,” he said, pointing at Rianne.”
“Hey!” Cheska protested in mock exasperation. “BYOC.”
“BYOC?” Dr. Oriana echoed.
“Buy your own copy. That one is mine.” Cheska grabbed the magazine.
They all laughed.
Gaige sobered. “They made quite an impression on Oriel, I hear.”
Cheska nodded. “That’s not surprising, is it? Donte and Rianne are a good example of what it takes to build a lasting relationship. They are true Mascots – a living example of how a marriage can be. They motivate couples with a positive attitude.”
“Not only marriages,” Dr Oriana said. “It’s also about how each person can make a difference. Captain Shea was going to leave Fontalo, but Donte’s struggle to free Purlieu inspired her to fight back. She is now the new CEO of Fontalo.”
Cheska smiled. “I read about that. She will be a good one.”
Donte and Rianne had caught the attention of the people with their striking good looks, but it was their deeds that won the hearts of so many. It wasn’t because they were Mascots. It was because they both put forth the effort. They didn’t sit back and think, “Gee, what can I do? I’m only one person.” They studied the facts and said “What will I do to make a difference?” They saw the need, determined the action required, and then they did it. That was the advantage of being raised on a planet where the inhabitants had a daily struggle. They knew they could succeed against impossible odds because they had done it many times.
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The Mascot Trilogy inspired a series – "Spaceship Lyra Logs." The first book in this series is "The Amelioration Expedition," which begins 20 years after "Return of The Fontalo" ended. Donte and Rianne have separated after their children are grown. Donte is feeling lost and restless when Dr. Oriana, an Oriel doctor, asks him to join them on an expedition to Planet Opus in preparation to start colonies there. Donte finds adventure, love and danger on Opus. Trapped in an underground cavern with a pregnant woman, he is willing to give his life to save hers.
Spaceship Lyra Logs
002 – The Genesis Project
003 – Quixotic Rebellion
004 – The Macabre Organism
005 – Intimate Domain
006 – The Last Voyage
Soft Science Fiction
