Sebastian sat at his desk, just finishing up another video sermon to post online, thinking to himself, "so much has changed this past year," with a smile.
Most of his sermons now were posted online and the Elrod family received plenty of donations via his page.
Savannah announced her retirement, but stressed if there was ever a severe injury or surgery they needed her for, she would gladly help out. It only happened once or twice, so Sebastian didn't really mind. Who was he to tell his wife she couldn't work?
The decision was made rather quickly after her extended paternity leave ended. On her first day back to work, a six month old Zander ended up teleporting to her office crying, "mama I want mama, dada misses mama, mama left us."
After this, they had Luna contact her Father and he came down and cast a magical barrier around their house where Zander could not teleport in or out until he lifted the barrier, or Zander turned 18.
Zander's parents were baffled. 6 months and he could already speak somewhat coherently. They both just brushed it off as, "must be a Phoenix thing?"
Ironically, they found out it was just a Zander thing as he could already produce some magic, as well as fully teleport. His parents encouraged him to not use magic yet, and promised him his favorite snacks for every day he didn't use it.
Sometimes he couldn't control it, but that's why Luna or Leo were there.
Six months into the rotation, Leo had taken over for Luna to give Luna a break and time to train with Zephyr. She beat herself up mentally for allowing Zander to teleport right from under their noses, although no one blamed her.
Whenever Zander would act out with magic, Leo would step in and cast a sleeping spell on him, which was something he picked up from Nixie. He would then wake him up and promise Zander one day they could properly train, when he was older.
Other than that, Zander was a well behaved child who slept well, ate more than a normal baby but didn't seem to become overweight because of it. Time seemed to be flying for the family. Leo had been with them for nearly six months, meaning it was almost time for Zander's first birthday.
"Sebastian, dinner is ready," Savannah messaged him through their household sound system.
Zander was happily on his dad's lap watching him edit his sermon and as soon as his mother stated dinner was ready,
Zander teleported into his high chair with a big smirk on his face.
Sebastian yawned as he walked in and chuckled as Savannah told Zander, "you may be the first here but because you teleported instead of coming with your Dad, you have to wait until all the food is served before you get yours," Savannah said and Zander's smirk turned into a pouty face.
"Dada slow because Dada always tired. Dada needs break like mommy." Zander said.
They both laughed and Savannah told Sebastian, "he's right you know. It's almost been a year and Zander's birthday is next week. Maybe you should get some rest and stop working so hard."
With that, the door had opened and Leo walked in stating, "I couldn't agree more, which is why starting tomorrow Zander is going to hang out with me and you two are going to relax with a nice vacation in Southern Harmonia. We rented you one of the rooms on the ocean so you'll be able to relax, enjoy the sun and won't be bothered by anyone!"
Zander started crying and said, "why can't I go I wanna see the fishies?"
"I thought you might say that Zander," which is when Leo pulled out two tickets, showing Zander, whose face turned beat red, "which is why you and I will be spending time together and taking a trip to the new Zoo in Harmonia," Leo proudly stated.
"Yay!" Zander exclaimed.
The real reason for sending the couple off was to ensure they were well rested for Zander's first birthday and to see if he could connect with Zintan for the first time.
When Zander started teleporting and talking, his parents explained that he was special and had a secret he shouldn't tell anyone, unless he could really, really trust the person.
They made him promise he wouldn't tell anyone until he was at least 17 and that's when they explained the meaning of his middle name and that a phoenix lived inside of him.
With this, Zander just stared off into this distance before saying, "you and dada are special do you have a pet inside of you too?"
His parents laughed and stated he was the truly special one and that he was a gift from the Father who created the world and Kingdom of Solace, which is why they worked so hard.
Sebastian and Savannah could definitely use the vacation, which is why the two of them graciously accepted and told Zander they would call him all the time and if he wanted to talk to them to just have Leo call or video chat with them.
With one week until Zander's birthday, the happy couple was off after being dropped off at Harmonia West Airport. Airports and airplanes had improved so drastically in the times of peace and especially after the start of a new era. A 12 hour flight could now be completed in 4 hours, so flying to South Harmonia Airport would be about an hour.
"Zoo, zoo, zoo!" Zander exclaimed emphatically.
"Not yet buddy, that's in a few days. Remember when your parents told you were special? Well in a few minutes Luna will be here with Uncle Tej to see if you can finally connect with your lifelong best friend," as Leo gently tapped on his heart.
"I'm scared," Zander cried.
Just then Tej teleported behind Zander and said, "of what? The tickle monster" as Tej began to gently tickle Zander with his claws, as he had reduced in size to that of a Blue McCaw.
Zander couldn't stop laughing and said "Uncle Tej stop stop stop ok I won't be scared."
Tej told Zander, "close your eyes, focus on your breathing and search deep within yourself to see if he could sense a connection."
After about thirty minutes, Zander managed to accomplish something. He fell asleep, while sitting in a meditating pose and Tej gently scooped him up and let him sleep on the couch.
As Tej let go, Zander immediately woke up and his eyes changed colors from silver to gold and said, "Father, it's great to see you. He's close but he just needs to focus a bit more. I sense this child's heart, mind and soul are pure and he is full of love," Zintan spoke, for the first time, through Zander.
Leo's jaw was left wide open while Tej put on a brave smile as he shed a tear or two before responding, "Zintan, I know this isn't the life any of us had envisioned for you but I'm thankful to finally know you are doing well. Your Mother and I love you very much and I'm hopeful you'll help mold his child into something great."
"Thanks Father but don't be sad, this is what I was destined to do and who Zander turns out to be will be on him, even when we make the connection. I'm confident he will be the chosen one you and Grandfather, Leo and Luna talk about.
"How do you know about all of that," Leo asked with a shocked look on his face.
"When I was inserted into Zander, I began aging as he did but could feel and see our Mother's thoughts, dreams, it felt like I was a part of two people. You picked the perfect couple, and although none of us know what being the chosen one entails, I'm confident young Zander here will be up to the task," Zintan explained.
Before Leo or Tej could respond, Zander woke up, his eyes back their normal silver color and he said "hungry and thirsty. Food and milk please, Zander quietly said.
Zander fell back asleep in Tej's arm, who sat there smiling. "I knew our first child would be amazing but to remember it all, I can't wait to see him grow up and connect with Zander," Tej thought.
Leo returned with milk and some scrambled eggs, which woke Zander up. With a big stretch, he thanked Tej and quickly ate his food and drank his milk, watching a movie on the tv without a care in the world.
Tej and Leo also quietly went over what happened and were quite happy to know Zintan could take control and hoped one day that Zander and Zintan would basically become one.
"MAMA MAMA MAMA," Zander cheered as Leo's phone rang. Tej said goodbye and was off and Zander gleefully answered the phone.
"MOMA! Dada! How's ocean and fishies? Are you having fun," Zander answered.
"We are having a very nice time and the view is quite beautiful, do you want to see?" Savannah asked.
"Show me show me," Zander pleaded.
Savannah then sent several pictures to Leo's phone, of the fish, their resort, and of course some selfies of her and Sebastian having a blast at dinner.
"Next time bring me please," Zander begged.
"When you're older, my little guy, I promise we will take you somewhere like this. How are you and Leo doing," Sebastian asked.
"Good uncle Tej says hi! He came by and Leo made me my favorite breakfast even though it's night time," Zander teased his parents.
"Can we please talk to Leo sweetie, we love you," the parents stated.
"Love you too, here's Leo but don't forget presents for my birthday next week," Zander exclaimed.
"Leo is everything ok?" Savannah sounded worried.
"Yes, Tej came by to check in on him because you two were gone for the first time, he's being a great kid," Leo calmly stated.
With a sigh of relief, Leo could hear Sebastian telling Savannah, very sincerely, that he was right and everyone would be fine.
"Have you thought of who you're inviting to his birthday party? I know you come home only the day beforehand, but if I can help, please let me know," Leo stated.
"Yes, we have friends coming with their children and we will be hosting, that way Zander can't go teleporting off wherever," Savannah said with a laugh.
Leo noticed that Zander had fallen asleep on the couch and let Savannah and Sebastian know they should have a great time and they would see them in a few days.
He tucked Zander into his bed and ultimately decided to sleep in the guest bed in Zander's room.
Leo wanted to tell the Elrods about Zintan's big breakthrough with Zander, but he didn't want to cause them any worry or stress on their trip.
Around 3 AM, Zander was quietly sleeping away in dreamland.
In his dream, he saw a Golden Phoenix that looked like a child version of Tej and it called his name.
"Zander, you are close, so close. Try hard in your sessions with Leo so we can finally meet, formally," the Phoenix said to Zander.
Zander woke up in a sweat and went over by Leo and jumped in bed with him, which woke Leo.
"Everything ok buddy," Leo asked while giving him a reassuring hug.
"Yes. Just had a weird dream. I'm really hot," Zander said.
Leo noticed how warm Zander really was, it felt far too warm to even be alive for a human. He gently cast his cooling mist on Zander, who fell right back to sleep, peacefully again.
"I wonder what that was all about, it's been a strange day to say the least," Leo thought to himself as he closed his eyes.
The next morning and following two days went quite peacefully and Zander kept trying to find something within himself. He was even more determined after his dream.
Finally it was March 27th, 249 AE and Zander kept looking out the window, holding a giant tiger stuffed animal Luna had bought him as "an early birthday present."
"Any minute now buddy. You look even more excited now than you were at the zoo the other day," Leo teased.
"Zoo was so fun. Why can't we have zoo at home," Zander asked excitedly, but before Leo could answer, Zander started jumping up and down with his tiger.
"Mama and dada are home," Zander smiled widely as his parents pulled up, parked in the garage and walked in.
Happy to see their son, they took turns giving him hugs and kisses. Sebastian pulled out a stuffed shark and gave it to Zander, who began running around the room playing with the shark and tiger.
Leo welcomed them home, gathered all their luggage and belongings for them and told them the rest of the plans for the party tomorrow. He still decided against telling them what happened with Zander and Zintan, a decision he would regret the next day.