Dearly Beloved Chapter Forty (Patreon)

(Writing this chapter made me cry for various reasons. RM)

The Dresden Files/Codex Alera is copyright Jim Butcher. This story is licensed under the Creative Commons as derivative, noncommercial fiction.

Chapter Forty

It was a white room, bare save for the three of us standing near the door.

Susan, Martin, and I came into existence near the doorway. It took us a second for our brains to catch up. All of us staggered a bit.

I glanced down. I was wearing my leather duster, boots, and my mother's amulet. I was also back in my own male body. Susan was back to herself, and Martin was back to himself as well.

A white door opened, and a white-haired lady stepped into the room. Her hair was coiffed perfectly in a French twist. She wore a white skirt and jacket combination. Her eyes were the color of the sky, and she smiled as she saw us.

She walked toward the front of the room. "Please, all of you sit."

An immense conference table materialized out of the Ether, white chairs perfectly arranged slightly away from a glassy surface. A lovely arrangement of yellow Chrysanthemums had been placed in the center, and the Lara part of me resisted the urge to inhale their fragrance.

I was just happy to be myself again. I could feel the tingle of magic as well, and I wanted to go run a few miles. I didn't feel the omnipresent Hunger of Lara's body, didn't feel the thundercloud of the Mantle. It was just me.

Another door opened, and I stood up, ready to defend us against any threat. I felt my blasting rod appear in my hand, my shield bracelet dangling from the other.

Karrin Murphy, Lara Raith, and Molly Carpenter filed in. When Molly and Karrin saw me, they both ran toward me. Molly won and almost tackled me in a hug.

She was back to how I'd last seen her before Mab hit her with the Winter Lady arrangement. Tall, young, with ash blonde hair hanging to her shoulders with brown eyes and tan skin.

"Careful, grasshopper!" I said, staggering a bit. "You're a few inches bigger now."

"Harry!" she said. "What is this place? I mean, one minute I was in Arctis Tor and the Winter Court and the next—"

"We'll find out, honey," I said.

I enfolded Karrin in a deep hug, breathing her essence, kissing her on the mouth.

"I've missed you," I said.

She glanced down at her body. "I was…well, on a pole at—" she blushed. "Nevermind. What's going on?"

"We're about to find out," Lara said, her voice echoing coldly in the room. I glanced at her; she wore a white tailored suit and rose silk blouse. She had a lovely scarf around her neck, and her black hair tumbled to her shoulders perfectly.

"So," the Woman said, her eyes smiling. "Please take a seat."

We all pulled out a chair from the conference table and sat down. Everyone spoke in hushed, excited tones.

"You've all accomplished your missions. Harry, you found your killer and helped Susan. James, you found your killer and helped Susan, and Susan, you've atoned for your sins." She glanced through three white folders sitting on her desk as she spoke.

"Miss Raith," she said, pulling out a black folder. "You have a lot of explaining to do."

Lara nodded, her eyes cast down at the surface of the table. It felt strange to be seeing her from this viewpoint. Gorgeous, sullen, reserved. She drummed her blood red manicured fingernails on the surface of the desk. "What is it you wish to know?"

The Woman in White cleared her throat. "Well, that will become clear soon. I must say, child, you have left us with quite the conundrum. We aren't the only parties involved, either."

The door opened, and Mab stepped out, resplendent in a satin, navy-blue gown the glittered with what appeared to be internal starlight. Her hair was pulled back in a wide bun, and she regarded us with cold azure eyes.

Tell me you are sitting beside me.

I am. Molly said.

So you aren't still in Mab?

Do you think the Queen of Air and Darkness would pounce tackle you?

I thought about that. Guess not.

You are in your own body as well, right?

Do you think 'Harold' would allow himself to be pounce tackled? I leaned in and bumped heads with my former apprentice.

She giggled quietly.

Murphy slapped me on the back of my hand and nodded toward the Woman in White.

After Mab, Lord Raith appeared. Fath…I mean, he wore a navy blue power suit with a red tie and looked intimidatingly presidential. He and Lara exchanged polite cheek kisses.

Thomas scooted in after and took a seat next to Molly. "What the hell, Harry?"

"I know, looks like the gangs all here."

"Father is pissed," Thomas said, looking at Lord Raith. His countenance did look like he could spontaneously begin a rather large hurricane out of thin air as he and Mab sat across the table from us.

The next to enter was Gentleman Johnny Marcone. He smiled politely at everyone and sat next to Lara. I shivered when his eyes fell on me, remembering his quiet reassurance and calm voice.

Two little girls entered. Susan and I both gasped as Maggie ran to me, holding her hands up, and Melissa ran to Martin. I wondered if she saw him as her grandmother, or as himself? Regardless, she recognized Martin and clung to him tightly.

Maggie whispered to me. "Why are we here, Daddy?"

"I don't know, baby. But everything will be okay."

Michael and Charity Carpenter came next, and Molly scooted out of her chair to hug them both fiercely, sitting down with them and chattering a mile a minute. Michael looked over at me and gave me a wink.

Waldo Butters and Andi entered next. Butters carried Bob's skull, and Andi had little Bonea in her outstretched palm. Butters gave me a wave, and Andi smiled as the lights from Bob and Bonea both winked at me.

Titania, Sarissa, and Fix all entered after that. They wore matching outfits of green and yellow, with Titania and Sarissa in light summer dresses and Fix wearing a green tunic and board shorts.

Mab stiffened as they entered the room. She stood and walked stiffly to my side of the table and took a seat. The Summer Court sat down next to the Raiths.

Finally came a group from the Council of Wizards; Ebenezar McCoy carried his blackstaff along with Anastacia Luccio, who was back in her original body looking lovely and strong. Carlos Ramirez was the last to enter, giving me a grin and a high-five as he passed by.

Everyone sat down. I wondered at the gathering; it was a collective supernatural group, the likes of which I'd never seen. The Woman in White closed the conference door.

"I'm sure you're all wondering why we brought you here," she said. "And that will all be made clear in a moment. I'd like to introduce myself; I am Shandra Collete, and I am one of the Guardians of The Light. I, like you, were called to be here from the One, and while I organized and called this meeting to order, The One will be here shortly."

We all murmured a bit at that.

"Please do not be afraid. All will be made clear."

A herald of trumpets sounded from all around us. I saw Michael make the sign of the cross as another doorway entered opposite from Shandra Collete. White light flooded the room, cascading around us as the peal of trumpets rose to a fever pitch.

Archangel Uriel, the Watchman, my friend, mentor and advisor entered wearing white, followed by Amitiel as I last saw him in the office Between. Michael--not Carpenter, but the Angel Michael entered after that.

"Behold," all the angels said in unison. "He comes. The One of Might, The One who defends the Light. The Maker of all things."

A figure approached the entrance. The light was so blinding it was hard to make out who it could have been. He appeared to be slightly overweight. I knew that silhouette from somewhere."

"Rise up, Brothers and Sister, and raise your hands!" the Angels said.

We stood, raising our hands together. Michael and Charity's hands lifted immediately, their face alight with passion, belief, and faith. I raised mine a bit slower, but once mine were up, everyone followed suit.

The door closed, and the figure was revealed.

"Behold! Behold! He is the One! He has come; he has come, so let us rejoice!"

The figure shook his head, rolling his eyes.

"Enough of that crap," McAnally said. "Let's get down to business."

"Mac?" I said.

He nodded, a wry smile on his face. "Hello, Harry."

The angels stood at each door, as Mac sat at the opposite end of the conference table.

"You must have questions," Mac said. He reached down and brought out a bottle of nut-brown ale and took a long pull.

"Yeah!" I said. "Who—what…how?"

He chuckled. "Very good, Harry. And as you can imagine, I can't really get into the who, what, and how of Me, being What I am."

"Then explain…"

He waited for me.

"This!" I said, raising my hands. "All of this? Where are we? How did we get here? Why am I back in my body? What happens now?"

"Do we get ice cream?" Maggie said.

"Do we get ice cream!" I said, echoing her statement.

Mac chuckled. "Indeed! We do get ice cream." He glanced at Shandra, who scurried out of the room.

"Seriously, you have to know I've had my eye on you for a long time, Harry."

I nodded, still a bit agog at the status of my friend. "I'd always suspected you were more than you appeared, but being literal 'God of the Universe' was something I hadn't even guessed at."

Mac nodded. "From what I've seen, some of you have been around for a long time. Some of you, a very long time." He looked at Mab, and at Ebenezer McCoy.

"Don't listen to him, Hoss," McCoy said. "That could be anybody down there, even one of the Fallen."

"That's fair, Ebenezer," Mac said. "If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't believe me either. I care not to demonstrate for you; I have no need. Your Belief is not the issue at hand."

"Then what is?" Marcone said.

"Your souls, of course." Mac stood up. "You all have one. Even you."

Marcone shrugged. "What does this matter?"

"You've all been associated with Mr. Harry Dresden at one time or another. Is that a safe statement to say?"

The looked at me, nodding.

"And each of you, all of you, have assisted him at some point or another. For example, Michael, you helped Harry with his crusade against the Cryptkeeper."

Michael nodded.

"Waldo, you have helped heal Harry all the many, many, MANY times he's been injured."

Butters nodded at that.

"We could go around this table and each of you has helped, or assisted, Harry Dresden in his pursuit of what he believed to be right. Am I correct?"

Again, they all nodded.

"And, when he attempted to commit the sin of Suicide, he was judged and sent back to find his killer. Which was you, wasn't it, Molly?"

Molly nodded, her eyes misting up as she looked at me.

Sorry boss.

Shhh. You did exactly as I'd asked.

"Harry committed another sin when he took the life of Susan. Isn't that correct, Susan?"

"Yes, but—"

"Yes, but indeed. The act of your sacrifice in the commission of that sin was taken into consideration, yes."

Susan nodded, already wiping her eyes.

"So, we had a fierce proponent of the Light. Fighting on the side of what is Right and Just. He had magic; he had might, he had minions that were sprites."

I chuckled at the rhyme.

"I'll be here all week."

"Don't quit your day job," I said.

Mac drank more of his ale. "But that was all taken away from him, wasn't it, Lara?"

Lara nodded, staring into the table.

"Care to explain yourself?"

"I saw an opportunity," she said. "I took it."

"You took his life as your own, you mean."

She nodded.

"And you've been punished for it, haven't you?"

She nodded again.

"Mab, how many years did you punish Lara? Subjectively?"

"Nine," Mab said in a low voice.

"Nine years. How did that feel, Lara?"

Lara stared at Mab, a haunted expression in her eyes. "Not good."

"Not good indeed. Let's see she removed your eyes, correct?"

"With icicles, yes."

"What other body parts?"

"Ears, nose, fingers, fingernails, toes, toenails. She burned my hair, my skin. She disemboweled me, flayed me. Just about any torture imaginable."

"And many more, you couldn't imagine."

Lara nodded.

I swallowed at that. She'd remained sane, somehow.

"And after all that, you still faced punishment, didn't you?"

Lara nodded.

"In what manner?"

"I was made into a blood doll for Susan and Harry."

"Meaning, they feasted on your flesh and spirit. Correct?"

She nodded.

"How did that feel?"

At that moment, Shandra entered with a serving cart filled with small dishes of ice cream. She served the children first, who immediately began eating.

"How did being a blood doll feel, Lara?"

She shrugged. "Pretty awful."

"But, you did it without complaint."

She nodded.

"Why?"

Lara paused, looking at me. "It was a small way to repay what I'd taken from them."

Mac nodded, running a hand over his beard.

"If you now had a choice, and could be anyone you wanted to be, what would be your choice?"

Lara sat for a moment in stunned silence. "Excuse me?"

"I know how unhappy you were as Lara. I know you were considering an 'exit strategy' was how you put it, were you not?"

She nodded, tears filling her eyes.

"So?"

"I just…" She reached into her handbag and pulled out some tissue.

"You just what?"

"They seemed so happy. So perfect."

"Who did?"

She looked at me.

"Say his name."

"Harry. His life. He was so powerful, so strong. So Dominant. Everyone loved him, would do anything for him."

"And after eight years of torture, and then being forced to be a blood doll to Susan…did you wish your situation to be any different?"

She shook her head, looking down at the table.

"Speak up, Lara."

"No! I didn't want to be anything different."

"So you were content to live a life like that? Life as a blood doll is preferable to life as Lara Raith? The powerful head of House Raith, the head of multiple billion-dollar businesses?"

She nodded, looking at me. "Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I was Harry. Harold."

"So even as a creature of Sidhe, no offense intended, you still were happier as Harold than you were as Lara."

She nodded. "Yes."

"And you're telling me, the fact that because you were 'Harry' that was the reason?"

"Well, and I was with Karrin, too."

I glanced at Karrin, who nodded but squeezed my hand.

"Karrin?" Mac said. "You have been privy to the situation with Harry. How did that feel, knowing one of your enemies had taken control of your partner?"

She stared daggers at Lara. "I felt used."

"In fact, you attempted to escape your identity completely, didn't you?"

She nodded blushing.

"Why was that, Karrin?"

She shrugged. "It was too much to deal with. We'd been through so much, Harry and I, I was tired of thinking about it all. I enjoyed losing myself for awhile, detaching, exploring a different life and lifestyle."

"Did you come to any conclusions?"

She blushed. "Well, I enjoyed it if that's what you're asking."

"It is."

"It was uncovering my sensual self. And I went with it. I was able to set aside my animosity toward Lara for awhile and just enjoy. But deep down, I knew what a deep betrayal this was. One in a long series of betrayals."

I squeezed Murphy's hand. She looked up at me, tears in her eyes, but smiled.

"So you wish to stay with Harry, then. The original Harry."

She nodded. "Of course."

"When you were enthralled to the 'New Harry' he asked you something, didn't he?"

She cast her head down. "Yes."

"What was that?"

She shivered. "He asked me to marry him."

"And you accepted?"

She nodded.

"But to your mind, who was it you were truly going to be committed to?"

She looked up at me. "You." She looked back at Mac. "I mean, Harry."

"And Harry?" Mac said. "What are your feelings on that?"

"I'd marry her in a heartbeat." I smiled down at her. "No matter what body/vessel/carcass I might be in."

Mac smiled, standing up. "Stand up, you two."

We did, smiling softly into each others' eyes.

"Dearly Beloved," Mac said. "We gather here together in this time and space to witness the joining of these two spirits in holy matrimony."

Both of us grinned at each other. I couldn't believe this was happening.

"Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden. Do you take this person, Karrin Murphy to be your spouse, to live together in holy matrimony, to love her, to honor her, to comfort her, and to keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?"

I felt a clenching in my chest. "I do," I said, holding both her hands in mine.

"Karrin Elizabeth Murphy, do you take this person, Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden to be your husband, to live together in holy matrimony, to love him, to honor him, to comfort him, and to keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?"

Murphy swallowed, beaming at me. "I do."

"Harry, repeat after me."

I cleared my throat.

"I, Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden take Karrin Elizabeth Murphy, to be my spouse, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part."

I repeated everything he said.

"Karrin, repeat after me."

Murphy looked up at me with tears in her eyes.

"I, Karrin Elizabeth Murphy, take Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden, to be my spouse, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part."

Murphy repeated everything as he said it.

Mac placed his hands on ours. I felt a burning on the ring finger of my hand. When he withdrew, two silver bands had appeared on our fingers with elaborate engravings.

"Each of you, please state your vows to each other. Harry, you go first."

I turned, holding both of Karrin's hands. I wish I had a little time to prepare, but as I thought of it, words appeared in my mind.

"Murphy….Karrin." I said, stuttering a little.

She giggled.

"I take you to be my best friend, my faithful partner, and my one true love." I paused a moment, squeezing her hands.

"I promise to encourage you, inspire you, and love you truly through good times and bad. I will forever be there to laugh with you, to lift you up when you are down, and to love you unconditionally through all of our adventures in life, together, forever."

She smiled, nodding, tears streaming down her face.

"Now you, Karrin."

"Harry…" she paused a moment, collecting herself.

"I love you because you are adventurous and strong."

She gave me her smile, the one that made my heart sing. It made her eyes crinkle, and I hoped to make her smile forever.

"I love you because you love your family and friends just as fiercely as I love mine. You are my best friend, and I am so happy we are on the same team. You are the love of my life, and you make me happier than I ever thought was possible. You make me unbelievably proud. As your spouse, I vow to listen to you and learn from you. I vow to laugh with you and cry with you. I vow to value our differences just as much as our common ground. I vow to put all my effort into strengthening our marriage and giving you the best version of me, I can be. I'll love you forever, and I'm so lucky you are mine."

I smiled softly down at her, touching our foreheads together.

Mac smiled. "By virtue of the authority vested in me by Myself, the One of Might and the Light, I pronounce you bonded as spouses."

Everyone cheered. I smiled, lifting my head. I saw a few people dabbing tears.

"Kiss her, Harry," Mac said.

And I did.

***

After the cheering and backslapping settled down, Mac performed a second ceremony, this time for Susan and Martin.

I felt a little pang at that, but it didn't matter. I wanted Susan to be happy, and Martin definitely deserved some happiness.

After their ceremony, we all sat back down. Maggie sat on my lap between Murphy and I, and Melissa sat on Martin's lap between him and Susan.

"We've seen the creation of two new families today," Mac smiled. "Which gladdens My heart. You see, the meaning of life is Relationship. By committing ourselves deeply to the people we love, we build trust and serve the Light through our devotion."

I nodded.

"Now then," Mac said. "To the other business at hand. I wish I could say we came together for these lovely occasions, however more serious situations arise."

"The Outsiders," Mab said in her coarse voice. "Can thou assist casting those creatures from thy reality, Deus?"

He nodded. "I can assist thee, in thy quest, Queen."

She smiled. "That would give great cause for celebration."

"They are a fierce and determined foe. And do not belong in my realms. I will do what I can."

"Thank thee, Deus."

"Lara Grace Romany Raith, please rise."

The room fell absolutely silent, and Lara stood up and straightened her suit.

"Here it comes," Lara said.

"You have violated multiple Accords in the Realms of Magic. Specifically, The Second Law; Thou shall not Transform others, Third Law; Thou shall not invade the mind of another; and the fourth Law, Thou shall not enthrall another.

She nodded.

"How do you plead?"

She shrugged. "Guilty, I suppose." she sighed. "There were, well, reasons, and an opportunity, but I shouldn't have committed those violations."

"Councils and Courts, do you recognize my authority to mete out consequences for these transgressions and commit to recognizing her sentence as fulfilled and won't pursue a further trial against her?"

"Depends on the consequences, I guess," Ebenezer said.

"Fair statement." Mac considered that. "After her sentencing, I shall ask each of you if you feel it suffices. And if you don't agree, we shall deal with it then. Is that fair?"

They all nodded.

"Lara Grace Romany Raith. In light of the fact of your transgressions, and understanding you have faced some rather extreme punishment, I will reduce your sentence accordingly. Before I render this judgment, however, I need to invite one more guest to our party. I ask you to refrain from any outburst or other visible reaction; their appearance will be startling."

Everyone appeared to steel themselves for some kind of surprise.

A portal appeared on the floor, and I could smell brimstone. A creature appeared, and I immediately recognized Chaunzaggoroth. A second entity also appeared, as if melting from molten magma—Humanoid, dark, with black hair and eyes of fire.

"Greetings, Lord of Dark. Greetings Chaunzaggoroth."

The demon and his Lord both nodded. "Greetings, Deus."

"We have a bit of a problem associated with one of my close friends. An entity titled Lara Grace Romany Raith disclosed the True name of a Wizard to your minion in exchange for physical enhancements and a soul-bind. I'd like to entreaty these be relieved and some other agreement set in place since the entity acted against the Laws of Magic."

"So tedious, but not untrue." the Dark Lord said. "What do you offer?"

Mac looked at Lara, who paled.

"What will you accept?"

The Dark Lord stroked his beard slowly. "Oh, I'd accept a lot from you, Deus."

"I offer myself," John Marcone said abruptly.

"Wait; what?" I said. "That's not right, John, you don't know what you're offering."

"As you are so fond of pointing out, Dresden, I don't have a soul. So I offer whatever I can in exchange for Lara. I can't permit a lady, even someone who has committed such an injustice to be taken like this. I offer myself."

I swallowed. It was probably the most selfless, desperate, devoted act I'd ever witnessed.

Mac glanced at the Dark Lord, who gave a barely imperceptible shake of his head.

"Thank you, John, but that is not necessary."

"But I—"

"John, we can discuss this later if you'd like, but considering your nature, it wouldn't be something Lord Dark would desire."

John shrugged and sat down. "I tried, Lara."

"Thank you, John."

"It doesn't have to be a soul." The Dark Lord said. "I mean, we would have hunted and tortured Dresden a bit, but his soul wouldn't be sacrificed. Souls are a dime a dozen. Honestly, we are pretty full up on souls."

I chuckled at that.

"I would think a reduction is in order. Perhaps a trans-species transformation. Bound to the form, etc etc. You know the rules, Mac."

"And her suffering would meet the terms of the previous contract?"

"Agreed."

"Perfect," Mac said. "Lara, please rise."

"Considering the crimes you have committed against the Dresden's and your past of narcissism and self-sabotage, I hereby sentence you to sacrifice your mortal body and remand you to the custody of the Winter Court. Queen Mab, you have a suitable crafting for this entity?"

Mab nodded. "I do."

"Please enact it upon her spirit so it might enter the World appropriately."

Mab raised her arms, and I felt the air in the room stir. The temperature started to plunge as her eyes closed, and she began an incantation in a language I couldn't identify.

Azure light bathed Lara in an ethereal glow. She moaned softly, closing her eyes as the wind buffeted her hair.

As the wind continued to rise, I shivered, wrapping an arm around Murphy who trembled beside me.

At first, the changes were subtle. Her face, so lovely and so familiar having seen it in the mirror over the past few weeks, shifted. Her nose shrank as her eyes widened. They shot open as she began to yell, her voice mixing with the tempest, rising slowly in pitch.

Her eyes, which had been a deep blue, almost violet, paled, growing lighter and lighter as her hair also changed color, and she began to shrink. Starting at the roots, and flowing outward, her hair changed from inky black to platinum, becoming shorter in the process as her body continued to devolved downward, losing inches by the second.

Her clothing shifted, the tailored suit fading and being replaced by a light blue dress that matched her new eyes. Her breasts deflated, becoming tiny, the nipples also shrinking along with the rest of her body.

The voice rose in pitch, higher and higher as she became smaller and smaller.

She descended in height, passing Molly, then Murphy, then Mab. I suddenly realized what she was changing into, and I felt a little sick as she shrank to the four foot, three-foot, two-foot, and even smaller. Her voice was a tiny shriek now, a chipmunk as wings sprouted from her back, and immediately began to flutter, lifting her tiny body up into the air.

A trail of glowing dust marked her place as her ears slid up into tiny points.

Finally, she was complete.

"Wow," Murphy breathed as we regarded the newborn sprite.

"I dub thee Gemluicalis, of the Sprites." Mab said.

"What the bloody fuck!" Lara—Gem, said.

"Excellent." Mac nodded and turned to the Dark Lord. "This will suffice as a reduction in stature and spirit?"

The Dark Lord nodded. "Aye."

"And the Courts and Councils agree with this Consequence?"

"I object," John Marcone said.

"We agree," Anastacia Luccio said.

"As do we, though we would enjoy seeing Gem as part of the Summer court as well during our season."

"Agreed," Mab said.

"I'll fucking kill you for this, Dresden!" the tiny sprite said, fluttering over to me. She cast something from her fingers, and I felt a tiny pinprick.

"Hey!" I said. "This wasn't my fault, Gem." Better watch it, you at least appear to have your faculties, she could make you as brainless as the rest of them.

"Indeed," Mac said. "Enjoy thy new life, Gemluicalis. Consider this your permanent form now."

Gem fluttered over to Thomas, who opened his hand. "Best not to antagonize anyone further, sis."

"This is fucking bullshit, Thomas! Omg, look at me!"

Maggie giggled. "Can I pet the tiny bug?"

"It's not a bug, kiddo, that's a person."

"But she has wings like a bug!"

"I know, and she can be swatted like one too."

"You wouldn't dare, Dresden!"

I picked up my staff and waved it in her direction with a bit of will. A gentle wind tossed her head over keester as she spluttered and snarled.

"Anything else before I return everyone to Earth?"

I shook my head. "Thank you, Mac."

"Don't mention it."

We all stood up as the Shandra opened the door. "If you will all step this way, we'll return you to Earth."

I took Murphy's hand, my wife's hand, and we followed the others out the door.