Jack’s abilities held on for nearly fifteen minutes.

Fifteen minutes where his mother and father reminisced with each of their children, doted on their every word, and relentlessly expressed how much they loved them and how proud they were of the people they’d become. Ella received as many hugs as she could have and, for the first time, Tim seemed to truly, deeply, wholly forgive himself. Finally, he let go of all the negative feelings he had buried for so long.

Countless words were exchanged, and feelings shared in the short span of fifteen minutes. The Trades capitalized on every moment, thankful for every second they were given.

Suddenly, Maxwell turned toward something in the distance. Something far away. Something that none of the still earth-bound beings could perceive. Jack’s mother turned and did the same. She looked at Maxwell with a slight frown and then sighed.

“It’s time,” she mouthed to her husband.

Maxwell nodded. He looked at his family and they all silenced to listen to his words. “We don’t have much time now. This was a gift. A blessing. A miracle. But now, it’s time for us to go. To go on our own journey. To go somewhere far away. Someplace we’ve been running from for too long. While we may not meet again, remember, we will forever be with each and every one of you. We exist through you. In your hearts. In your minds. In your soul. You are, and always will be our children and we are so proud of that.” Individually, Maxwell approached each of his children whispering private words into their ears while their mother did the same.

“You stepped up when you had to. You rose, soared, to the occasion. And then you suffered such misery. More than your father or I could endure. Remember my sweet boy. Don’t forget your own happiness through it all. Just as your father and I have to leave now. You cannot watch over our family forever. I know you may want to. Look at us. We want nothing more than to stay and watch over you all day after day. But, it’s our time to go. And, one day, it will be yours as well. Give them the tools they need. Support them. But don’t forgo your own path. Live well my sweet eldest. And one day, we may see each other again.” She kissed Jack’s cheek gently and wrapped her arms around him, hesitating to release her grip. And then, she stood and approached Robin with a bright smile. “And you, you beautiful angel. Thank you for taking care of my son. I wish we could’ve had more time. You are everything—everything—we have ever hoped he would find. You are more perfect for him than we dreamt. One day, you will make an excellent Queen. Take care of him. Watch over him in the coming darkness.”

“Son,” Jack’s father began his goodbye. “Your mother and I have somewhere to go. Somewhere we ran away from a long time ago. It’s time for us to return. Celebrate our memories. Bask in the warmth of love. Follow your heart, your conscience, and your soul.” And then, he lowered his voice, speaking in a language that he had taught Jack from birth. A language that to Jack’s knowledge, only he, his mother, and his father could speak.

Jack nodded, listened, and said his goodbyes.

And then, the two wooden dolls collapsed to the stage and the shimmering ghosts fizzled into the air, their faces fading into the unknown with one final smile.

The children watched and waved until the very last moment. All of them had wanted to hear their parents’ voices. They’d wanted to feel their touch. Earn their approval. Say ‘I love you’ one final time. And now, with still-teary eyes, each of them felt not a sense of loss, but the bittersweet touch of closure.

Only Jack sat with a lingering question in his mind as he replayed his father’s final words.