Fiction

---

After Ben had a sufficient amount of time to heal from his wounds and Cera had become good friends with everyone, including Stephanie, the group headed back on their journey to find the cities of gold. Cera could not go because there were not enough seats on the plane, and she was very sad, but she knew she would never forget her wonderful friends, especially Lionel, who had led her to Jesus Christ and helped her to see how her jealousy had poisoned her.

While they were up in the air, Lionel said, "Oh, my gosh, Alexis, we didn't take the kids to see the ancient Olmec civilization! We were supposed to show them the sites of Olmec, Aztec, and Mayan civilizations as part of the tour!"

"Oh, no!" Alexis cried. "Ben, I hate to have to ask you this, but I need you to turn the plane around and take us back to Mexico. We will head out this way again in a week."

"No problem," Ben said. "I'll turn the plane around right now." And he did.

"We're so sorry we had to do this, kids," Lionel said. "We know you're all very anxious to find the cities of gold."

"It's all right, you guys," Stephanie said. "I love visiting all historic sites, whether they're cities of gold or sites of ancient civilizations. I love learning new things."

Ben took her hand. "I love--" he began, looking into her eyes. Stephanie smiled with anticipation. Ben's palm suddenly began to sweat. "I love--those things, too," he said.

Matthew called Ben a chicken under his breath. "I agree with Stephanie that it will be fun," he said.

When the group got back to Mexico they visited the ruins of the ancient Olmec civilizations and found artifacts such as jadeite masks and colossal heads. "Wow," Ben said. "The people who made these things were very skilled!" He asked Lionel, "How long ago did the Olmec civilization live in Mexico?"

"Even before Christ was born," Lionel answered. "Centuries and centuries ago."

"And they knew how to make all of this back then?" Matthew asked.

"You'd be surprised at what people knew how to make back then," Alexis said. "Even in the Bible we read about women wearing make-up and jewelry."

"I know," said Stephanie. "I saw some of those Bible movies and pictures of people in the Bible and love the jewelry the women wore back then."

Ben took her hand again. "I love--" he began. Once again, Stephanie smiled in anticipation. "I love--that you know all this," Ben said, becoming red in the face.

Stephanie rolled her eyes. "Excuse us, you guys, but I need to talk to Ben alone," she said. She led Ben back to the airplane and stood on the side of the plane that wasn't facing anyone. "Ben, I know what you want to say. You don't have to be so shy about it," she told him.

"I know," Ben said. "I've never said it to a girl before, though."

Stephanie smiled. "Well, if it will make it any easier for you, I'll say it first." She took his hand. "Ben, I think you're incredible. You're nice, smart, funny, brave, and a strong Christian. I love you," she said.

"I love you, too, Stephanie," Ben said. He held both of her hands and asked, "Have you ever said this to any other guy before me?"

Stephanie shook her head no.

"Well, I'm glad," Ben said.

"And I'm glad you've never said to any other girls," Stephanie said. The two of them kissed.

TO FOLLOW...

The group visits the Aztec and Mayan civilizations and learn more historical facts. They see even more artifacts, too.
Read the next episode of The Mysterious Cities of Gold Revisited.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE