The next morning, Johnathan felt no closer to a solution for his dilemma.  He again argued with himself over whether or not to visit Madeline today, and leaned toward going ahead with it.  He had promised her, and he didn’t want her to worry.  But what to tell her about the differences between them: the real ones, not the vague half-truths he’d told her about where he was from and why he was so unusual for a mouse?

Throughout the day, he volunteered to help Ages out in any way he could, hoping that an answer may present itself in the process.  It didn’t work too well, and it soon began to tell on the quality of his work.  Not that Ages was a taskmaster, but he held little patience for the frequent breaks Johnathan took, usually characterized by his stopping or sitting down at a moment’s notice, and just staring off into space.

Finally, on one such occasion, Ages came up to him and blurted out, “Oh, confound it, Johnathan, why don’t you just go see the girl, and get whatever this is that’s bugging you out of your system?”  Without waiting for an answer from a startled Johnathan, he turned and started to walk away.  “Thought I’d seen the last of your moping about with your head in the clouds,” he grumbled half-under his breath.

Recovering quickly, Johnathan gave a small smile.  He hadn’t discussed aloud any aspects of the dilemma he found himself in last night; but not only did Ages hit the nail squarely on the head about what was bothering him—hardly a formidable task, given Johnathan’s mood in  recent days—but now felt that Ages had the right idea.  He started after him.  “I think you’re right.  I thought helping you would help me, but…”  He described his dilemma to Ages, who appeared impatient and only mildly interested, but Johnathan recognized the genuine interest in him.  Afterwards, he said, “Well, I guess there’s no time like the present.”  He turned to leave.  “Don’t wait up for me.”

“All right, Johnathan.  Good luck.”  Ages sighed and added, “I’m glad I don’t have to deal with this kind of silly nonsense.”

Johnathan just smiled and nodded, and made for the tunnel to the outside.  That last comment was made quietly as Ages was turning back to his work, and probably not meant for Johnathan to catch so easily, but Johnathan wasn’t bothered by it at all.  He even wondered if Ages really meant it sincerely.  Certainly his work was his greatest passion, and that was fine if it made him feel satisfied and fulfilled.  But wasn’t it possible that, deep down, Ages would want to seek out a mate himself one day?  Certainly it wasn’t a matter of his being too old; though none, Ages perhaps included, were certain of just how old he was, Johnathan strongly suspected him to be not much older than himself.

Well, at any rate, that’s not up to me, he thought as he made his way through the tunnel.  He had enough on his hands as it was with Madeline, and what they meant to each other.  As he approached the tunnel fork, he paused briefly; should he go to the Rats, ask some of them for advice?  Certainly some, or even most of them, were better qualified to give it than Ages; but he decided it best not to involve them at this point, and so he resumed his journey, taking the branch to the outside.  He wouldn’t have admitted it out loud right then, but he also felt that before he’d tell the rats about any of this, he should have some news of a more definite nature first, something really worth announcing.

Upon emerging, he realized just how much later in the afternoon than yesterday he was making his visit; about an hour or so, though there’d be plenty of daylight left.  He wondered if Madeline did get a bit worried, or had even set out to look for him; he hoped they wouldn’t be wandering around the rest of the day looking for each other.

He ascended the sumac as usual, saw nothing amiss, and so resumed his journey, with mind again very much on his surroundings but also on what to tell Madeline.

Within the next few minutes, he’d made his decision.  For the time being, he wouldn’t tell her about the aging difference, the most important and immediate matter being exactly where they stood with each other.   But there was also the notion—possibly even the fear—that Madeline would reject him if she knew the full truth.  It was something else he wouldn’t admit aloud, and would likely deny if one asked him, but it was there.

When he reached her home, he called out for her through the brushy tangle but got no answer.  He quickly made his way down, continuing to call out, only to find her gone.  Most likely she’d set out to look for him, he figured, and he couldn’t help feeling concerned; even as he knew that she’d survived this long without him and would probably meet up with no danger now, or else elude it successfully if it did come up.

Still, what was he to do now?  Simply wait here for her return?  It was the most logical choice, but Johnathan wasn’t motivated by logic just then.  He went back outside and looked around for a good vantage point.  Spying one nearby cherry-tree stump that rose higher than most, he made for it, ascended it and looked the area over, alert to the slightest movement, from the sky as well as the ground.

He spent about two minutes there before moving on to another stump, where he repeated the procedure.  There!  A rustling down in the grass a few feet away.  He climbed down quickly, and as he approached the spot, called out anew.

“Madeline!  It’s me, Johnathan, I’m over…here…”  The mouse he approached paused to stare at him bemused, then resumed his own journey.

“Sorry.  Mistaken identity, you know.  Carry on.”  Johnathan did the same, a bit embarrassed, and looked around for another good vantage point.

He repeated the procedure four more times, making as wide a sweep of the area as possible before seeing another sign of life, another slight rustling of grass.  Preparing to investigate it, he glanced upward once more, just in time before having to descend quickly, with a single leap.  He lay low, tense, as the kestrel, which he’d glanced just in time to see hovering directly above him, made its own descent, coming into contact with the stump upon which he’d perched seconds before.  Would it give up or try to search further for him?  Fortunately the kestrel, small for a bird of prey but still not to be disregarded as deadly, opted for the former, taking wing again to hunt for easier prey.

Johnathan recovered quickly, and once making doubly sure the kestrel was gone, he made for the spot where he’d seen the movement in the grass.  Again he called out, this time receiving the answer he’d wanted, even longed to hear.  As he approached her, he saw how Madeline had been shaken by the kestrel’s near-strike, but only slightly compared to the encounter with Dragon.

“Are you all right?” he asked impulsively but unnecessarily.

“Yes, of course, Johnathan.  But how are you?  I saw you up there just as the hawk dived at you.  My heart just leaped…ooohh!”  The two embraced, and Madeline could feel Johnathan trembling slightly as well, belying his calm appearance.

“Well, that’s all past now.  So…I guess I owe you an explanation about why I’m so late.”  They moved to a more secluded area within a nearby vine canopy.

“Oh, that’s all right, Johnathan, you don’t have to.  I’m sure you had your reasons.”

Johnathan would realize later that keeping a strict schedule was not a high priority with her; but right then, other matters took precedence.  “Yes, I…suppose so, but wasn’t my being late the reason for your being out here?  I got to your place and you weren’t home, so I thought you’d gone looking for me.”

“Oh, no, I’ve been out here over an hour, because, well…I thought that Auntie Shrew might try to keep us from seeing each other, so I left before she made her visit.  I know I probably should’ve stayed put, but I just wanted to avoid any trouble between you and her.”

“Madeline, I appreciate the effort, really.  But you didn’t have to go to so much trouble.  I’d have been able to handle any problem with her.”

“I feel a little silly now; I know that after Dragon, Auntie Shrew couldn’t be a problem for you.  But I also thought I could maybe find you out here, like I’d just happen to run into you.  I guess I didn’t think much about what you’d do when you didn’t find me at home.  I’m sorry I led you on such a wild goose chase.”

“Oh, that’s all right, Maddie.  In fact, I could just as easily have stayed right there instead of coming back here to look for you, but…well, I couldn’t help worrying a bit.  Anyway, I couldn’t think of a prettier wild goose to chase.”

Madeline laughed.  “That’s really sweet of you, Johnathan.  Ah…you called me ‘Maddie’…”

“You…don’t mind, do you?”

“No, of course not.  Did I tell you that’s what Daddy called me?”

“No, you didn’t.  I’m glad you like it, it suits you.  So…do you really think that Auntie Shrew would try that hard to keep us from each other?”

“Well, maybe not, but…since my parents died, she’s taken, I think, more of an interest in my welfare than anyone else’s around here.  I’m not really sure why, but she’s really taken me under her wing; not as much as if I were her own daughter, but close.  I love her for that, and I’ll always be grateful, but…I don’t know, sometimes I wish she weren’t so much…like she is.”

“Well, maybe she just has trouble accepting your growing older, and…” Johnathan paused, having unintentionally reminded himself of the matter that had been his greatest concern since last night, and that was part of the real reason for his being late.  He suddenly remembered where he was and fumbled to return to their conversation, hoping Madeline wouldn’t think much of the break in it.  “Ah, and…and that you’re old enough to make decisions on your own.”

“I guess so.  I just have such a hard time saying no to her.  I want to, especially now, but…I guess I feel I owe her so much, after all she’s done for me.”

“Maddie, you need to really make her understand that though you’ll always be grateful, you’ve got your own life to live now, to be where you want, with whomever you want.”

“I’ll try, Johnathan, I really will.”

“I know you will.  You know, I thought earlier that we could possibly have a regular meeting place, other than your home, where she wouldn’t find us, and where we’d have more privacy, but…no, if there are any problems with her, we should confront them head on instead of avoiding them.  Besides…I think if I lay a little more of the old Johnathan Brisby charm on her, she’ll see things more our way.”

They both laughed, then gazed upon each other silently for a moment; then Johnathan said, “You know…Maddie, I…I’ve realized that, though we’ve discussed a lot about our being together, and how we don’t want anything or anyone to prevent that, we haven’t really talked about…how we really feel about each other.  For my part, at least, I…guess it’s not surprising, because…well, I’m not absolutely sure myself.  I mean, I’m sure that I’m very fond of you, that I enjoy every second I spend with you.  But anything more than that…I don’t know, I guess because this is all so new to me.  I’ve never felt like this about anyone before.  I know I’m rambling, but…I’m very sure that the more time I spend with you, the sooner I’ll know for sure.”

“I’d like that, Johnathan.”

“Great.  Well…your turn.”

“Oh, ah…of course.”  She looked upon him fondly.  “I’m not sure I can describe it, Johnathan, but…ever since we met, I’ve felt things that I’d never felt before, that I never thought I could.  It almost seems as if…I’m the first one who has ever felt this way; the first mouse, I mean.  I know that sounds a little silly, but I really get that feeling.”

“No, Maddie, that’s not silly, not at all.”  Johnathan moved closer, drawing an arm around her, and wondered: could what she said be literally true, somehow?

Madeline went on to describe some of what she’d experienced last night, including how the remembrance of her parents’ demise affected her, and it seemed to reinforce the idea.  She also reiterated how she’d realized how lonely she’d felt lately; and Johnathan suddenly and wordlessly held her closer still.  Madeline gave a deep sigh and held him in turn.  Soon she began crying softly.

“Maddie, is…anything wrong?”

“Oh, no, Johnathan, nothing’s…ah…oh, I don’t know.  It’s just…oh, everything’s happening so…so fast, and it’s all so new to me, just like…like with you.”

“I know exactly what you mean.  It’s like we’re…no longer individual people, but…two halves of a whole, each one needing the other…”

For several more minutes they sat thusly, speaking not a word, needing only the closeness of each other.  There was little thought of the days before they’d met, nor of what may lay ahead.  Later they’d look back on this moment as the point of no return, perhaps even more so than the moment they’d first met, the one that would change their lives permanently.  For now, though, there was only the pleasure of each other’s company, the feeling of bodies pressed close, the mutual caressing and nuzzling.

Soon, of course, more practical and immediate concerns again gained their attention.  “Well, Maddie, it’s getting dark again.  I guess we both know what that means…”

Madeline drew back to face him, expression almost alarmed.  “Oh, Johnathan, please don’t leave now.  Come home with me, stay with me tonight.”

“Oh, Maddie…baby, I’d love to, but…well, there are still things I need to take care of.”

“Then let me come with you.  You can take me to your place.”

“Oh, I don’t think you’d care for that too much.  Yours is much nicer.  But I don’t think I’ll be there much longer.”  Johnathan stopped short of saying that his next home would be made with her, though he knew full well that was inevitable; that before too long, she would be his wife.

She appeared to understand his meaning full well, though.  “Well… Johnathan, you just go on ahead, and do what you have to do.  I guess I was mainly hoping that if Auntie Shrew were waiting for me, that you’d…well, that both of us could talk to her.”

Johnathan had to admit that he’d almost forgotten about this possible obstacle to their being together.  He said so, adding, “Maddie, I don’t want to look as if I’m trying to avoid confronting her, but…I know you can stand up to her yourself.  I know I said that we should confront any problems together, but now I think that if she sees how certain you are on your own of our relationship, it’ll have more of an impact on her.  She’d be less apt to think that I’m influencing you in a bad way, or forcing you to say those things.  Like I said, you really need to let her know that this is your life, and there are some decisions she can’t make for you.  You can do it.”

“Oh, Johnathan, I do want to, but…I just don’t know if I’m that strong.”

“But you are, believe me.  Haven’t you already told her, again and again, how sure you are about me, and our continuing to see each other?  I just know if you keep working on her, keep hammering that point home, that she’ll eventually come around.  Just keep letting her know that nothing’s going to change your mind.”

“You make it sound so easy, Johnathan.  But you don’t know her like I do, or know how convincing she can be…”

“Well, I think I can be pretty convincing myself.  Besides…look at it this way: what’s the worst she could do, keep you prisoner, tied to your bed or something?”

Madeline laughed at the absurd image.  “Of course not, Johnathan, that’s silly.  All right, I’ll try my best.”

“I know you will.  After all, you are sure now, aren’t you?  About us?”

“Of course, Johnathan.  I feel…just like you said, that we need each other now.  Well…all right, I guess we both should be going.  I…”  Madeline looked at him squarely.  “I love you, Johnathan.”

“Oh, Madeline….” Johnathan embraced her.  “I love you.”  He kissed her lightly on the ear, and suddenly found it just as difficult for them to part.  Though this sudden, mutual declaration of their love was arguably poorly timed, it was another moment they’d treasure.

“All right, for sure this time,” Johnathan said with a laugh.  “and I’ll definitely see you tomorrow.  Say, around noon?”

“Of course, that’s fine.”

“All right.  Now don’t forget what I told you about Auntie.  Good luck.”

“I won’t, Johnathan.  And thank you for encouraging me.”  She took a deep breath, steeling herself both to parting with him and confronting the shrew.

They left the canopy together, said their goodbyes, and began making their separate ways through the twilight, minds reeling from the evening’s events, and anticipating those to come with both gladness and uneasiness.  For Madeline, it was mainly from more immediate concerns; but for Johnathan, it was from the more long-range ones: the life they’d build together, the children they’d raise.  But there was still the aging difference, and something that hadn’t occurred to him until now: how their children would turn out.  Would they inherit some or all of the artificially-enhanced qualities of their father, or be more like their mother?  The more positive aspects of their prospective union won out for now, and Johnathan felt like shouting and singing out loud, giddy from the realization that Madeline was indeed meant for him, as if by destiny.  How could he have denied it until now?  He’d loved her right from the start; he knew that now, that the strange feeling that had come over him upon hearing her sweet voice for the first time was the onset of his love for her.

He thought about sharing the good news with the Rats right away; after all, this certainly qualified as news of a more definite nature.  But he decided to give it a bit more of a wait, after he and Madeline had made it more official, after he’d asked her to be his lifemate.  Tomorrow, definitely, this would all happen, with only one possible obstacle.  Johnathan thought about Madeline confronting Auntie Shrew, hoping all would go well.  He felt a small pang of guilt for leaving her to the task alone, and again fought back a strong urge to turn back; but after tonight, he would definitely be at her side should any further problems with the shrew arise.  This one time, at least, he was confident that Madeline was up to the task.  And should the shrew remain unconvinced, it wouldn’t matter.  He’d have Madeline as his wife, with or without Auntie Shrew’s blessing.

Again, just before reaching the tunnel entrance, he thought about the aging difference.  He still thought it best to not tell her about it now, that doing so might affect her feelings for him.  And he couldn’t take chances on that, not now; but he would tell her one day.  Certainly he’d have to, as the differences became more obvious.  But no, he should be able to level with her before it got to that point.  Sure.  For the time being, that wasn’t a problem.  After all, they’d still have plenty of time together, even if it wouldn’t be as long as his Rat contemporaries.

Johnathan’s thoughts were still, of course, very much on Madeline as he settled into bed.  Such big plans he had, some of which he’d already told Ages, whose outward reaction was mainly of relief that there would finally be a resolution to all his dragging himself around and moping about.  Tomorrow he’d pack a few things, what little he really needed to bring, and meet with Madeline, declare his desire to make her his wife.

Another bit of uneasiness came over him.  Did he really make it clear to her that this was his intention?  She seemed very sure, by her words, that she felt the same, and yet…he hadn’t come right and said it.  Oh, come off it, Johnathan, he thought, of course she knows I’ll ask her; and she will say yes.  There’s still you-know-who, of course, but would she really be that big a problem?  No, let’s not worry about her until necessary.  No, make that if necessary.  After about forty minutes he drifted into sleep, thoughts of his paramour carrying over almost immediately into his dreams.  He found them both walking hand-in-hand through a strange and beautiful pastel-colored landscape.