MIDNIGHT MAGIC - ch 12

MIDNIGHT MAGIC – ch 12

Julie

(*)(*)(*)

Julie’s shoulders slumped and she shook her head. “Aintin, Micky, as much as I want desperately to agree with both of you, I can’t. Mickey, I’m four months pregnant. Yes, it’s true that I became pregnant on my first date with Tony but I’m sure he knows that I hadn’t been out of the U.S. since last year. He didn’t insist on a DNA test and while he doesn’t care one iota about the baby, it’s his ego that wants repair. As he said, ‘nobody leaves Tony Moretti’.”

She looked at Finola. “Aintin, while in my heart I wish I’d never met him and wish I could forget him completely, another part of me says that’s not the answer. I need to face my fear. If he shows up, I need to face him and tell him it’s over and have the courage to stick to my decision.”

Once again, she reached for Mickey’s hand and declared, “And if he raises his hand to me, I want the courage to raise mine higher and more forceful. If my memory is wiped clean of him and he shows up, what happens when he sees me, and I don’t recognize him? How can I protect myself against the unknown?”

Ian stood and walked to Julie. He wrapped his arms around her and stated, “Jules is right. Auntie, Mickey, we’re jumping the gun, here. Our intentions are great but, well, Julie is right. She needs to know who’s coming at her and be prepared. Plus, we have no idea how many friends he has or called. While I hate to assume anything, under the circumstances, I think we have to assume that this, what’s his name, Monty?, isn’t his only friend.

Using that line of thought, rather than wipe Julie’s memory, Auntie I’d like you to create a special talisman for her, the strongest talisman you can create. Mickey and Mia, you can put your heads together and create two powerful protection bracelets, one for each wrist. With the help of Liz, my Wiccan wife,” he smiled lovingly as he said that, “Brian and I will put our heads together and come up with something Auntie can put a spell on that Julie can sprinkle on her every day, kind of like an odorless perfume. Morena, is there any way you can quickly test Jules for allergies? Just in case.”

“Yes, I can give her a solution to drink that won’t harm her or the baby. In twenty minutes, we’ll have the results.”

“Okay, then,” Finola looked at her family, then announced, “here’s our first course of action. Mia, take your dad, ride the line and be sure nothing of Julie’s is in your house. Take anything you find to Mickey’s. Take your jars with you and put them in place. Ian, Mickey take your jars and do the same. Morena, Liz, and Jules will stay here. I want to look at our mystery visitor again and see what’s he’s up to. Hopefully, you’ll all be back here within the hour. Go! Let’s get things done!”

Mia squatted down and gently rubbed her cat’s head. “Midnight, I’m leaving this choice up to you since I trust you with all my heart. You can come with my dad and me or stay and keep Jules calm.”

The familiar arched her neck and licked Mia’s cheek. “You know, my ghra (my love), a familiar can belong to more than one person. Thank you for trusting my judgement and giving me the choice. I’ll stay here with Jules. I think she needs me right now more than you do.”

Mia picked up her cat in a gentle hug. “I kind of thought that’s what you’d say. Midnight, mo bhinneas (my sweetness), you never cease to increase my pride in you. Until later.” She placed the cat in Julie’s lap, turned to her father and said, “Dad, let’s go!”

“Now that the men are gone and I can concentrate better”, Finola uttered, “I have a plan for a protective talisman. Jules, wearing it isn’t an option but what goes in it, will be. Before we discuss the ingredients, Morena, take Jules downstairs and mix your potion. The come back here and we’ll get to work.”

While Morena and Julie were in the kitchen, Finola and Liz began sorting the ingredients that Julie would now call her own. “Midnight, mo stor (my dear), please sniff around my back room and find the pouch that contains the foxglove. Liz, while I find the correct spell I need, can you hunt up the rest of these ingredients?”

After a few minutes, Finola found the spell and had her herbs sorted and measured.

Morena and Jules came back into the room and Morena smiled. “No allergies. She’s fine. So, what’s next?”

“I don’t want to make a large sachet pouch. It’s silly, cumbersome, and can get lost too easily. Jules, do you prefer a powder or a spray?”

The young woman looked a bit stymied. “Uh, I never thought about it. I usually don’t wear perfume.”

Finola smiled. A spray then, I think. We’ll make something that has a very mild citrusy scent with a touch of sweetness. Once mixed, I’ll ask you to smell it. If you like it, I’ll finish it. In the meantime, let’s check the mirror.”

Within minutes, they heard the loud slamming of the door, the rushed shuffling of many feet, and several raised voices. Then quiet.

Finola put her finger to her lips. “Hush,” she whispered.

“Auntie,” Ian’s voice rang out. “Auntie, please bring everyone down. We’re going to have some fun!” Ian’s voice suddenly sounded as if it were filled with mischief.

Finola still whispered, “Stay here. I’m going to find out what’s going on. If all is well, I’ll call out. In the meantime, until you hear my voice, stay here!”

She turned, left the room, and headed to the kitchen where she stopped dead in her tracks.

Her eyes opened wide in surprise and all she could say was, “Oh my!”