• 
  "Q.E.D."  Epilogue 

  
  

  ---

  
  
  Stefan approached Nikolas from behind, peering over his son's 
  shoulder at his mathematics homework. "Ah, I see Ms. Ellison 
  has given you a workable proof, this time." 
  
  Nikolas turned and smiled. "Yes. I was appropriately contrite, 
  and so she forgave me." He held his paper up for his father's 
  inspection. "So, what do you think? Is my argument correct?" 
  
  Stefan glanced at the symbols on the page, which signified an 
  unbroken chain of reason. "I can find no fault with your logic, 
  but the proof is still incomplete." 
  
  Nikolas grabbed the page from his father's hands, nearly tearing 
  it in the process. "What do you mean? How can this be 
  incomplete? You just said that it was all right." 
  
  Stefan squeezed Nikolas' shoulder. "I didn't mean to upset you. 
  Your argument is valid. There's nothing wrong with the proof 
  itself." He reached over and picked up the pencil, and positioned 
  it over the paper. "If you would allow me?" he asked. 
  
  Nikolas raised his hands in a gesture of resignation. "Sure. 
  Whatever you like." 
  
  In bold strokes, Stefan wrote the letters: 'Q.E.D.' at the bottom 
  of the page. "There," he said. "Now it is complete." 
  
  "Q.E.D.? What does that mean?" Nikolas asked. 
  
  "It stands for a Latin phrase: 'quod erat demonstrandum', and 
  means: 'which was to be proved.' Mathematicians use it at the 
  end of their proofs, as a final affirmation of their original 
  statement. If you'd like, you can consider it as a symbol of 
  victory, and of a job well done." 
  
  Nikolas smiled. "I can live with that definition." 
  
  Stefan checked his watch. "And now, I need you to clear your 
  books from the dining room table, your mother will be here any 
  minute." He sighed. "Of course, she insisted on bringing her oaf 
  of a husband, so I'm sure the evening will be quite tedious. 
  Thankfully, Alexis will be joining us, as well as Justus Ward." 
  
  "I don't see why we need all these lawyers around, it's my 
  decision, after all." 
  
  Stefan thought back to the rather large alimony check he had 
  written earlier that day. "Well apparently, in America, the legal 
  system carries considerable weight in many family decisions. I 
  wanted to be sure that the joint custody hearing would go 
  smoothly, as did your mother." 
  
  "Fine. I understand," replied Nikolas, as he gathered his books 
  and headed up the stairs to deposit them in his room. 
  
  Stefan walked to window, and watched the line of visitors 
  approach the mansion. Laura led the way, and it looked as if an 
  invisible cord connected her to her reluctant husband, pulling 
  him along after her. Behind the two of them, walked Alexis 
  Davis and Justus Ward, engaged in conversation. 
  
  As if he were playing a child's game, Stefan placed his hand on 
  the pane, blocking his view of everyone except for Laura. And 
  the scene became that of Nikolas' mother, returning home at 
  last, to embrace the family that she had left behind. He knew 
  the picture was imperfect, but for his son, it would be enough. 
  
  "Q.E.D.," he said, at long last. 
  
  

  ---

  
  
  The End   
  
  
  
   Return To QED Menu