SHE FOLLOWED ME HOME - ch 17

SHE FOLLOWED ME HOME – ch 17

Mo deas

^^

Mia’s party was finally finished, and the guests were slowly departing. Julie and Charlotte were still revved and could be found dancing to whatever tune played on the CD player.

Collin walked over to Mia, sat, and said, “Mia, I know the gift I gave you was for you to use in your garden, but I have another surprise. This one from your grandmam, me, your dad and mom.”

Mia opened her mouth in surprise and said, “Grandpap, you gave me so many wonderful gardening tools. I don’t need anymore. They’re so awesome and will really be put to good use.”

He wrapped his arm around Mia’s shoulder, and said, “Come. Take a walk with me.”

He led her to the edge of her little fenced-in plot, and said, “Mia. Your dad showed me the plans you’ve drawn to expand your garden. I’ve volunteered to stay a few weeks and help with that project. Of course, that is if you don’t mind.”

Being the suspicious kind of young girl she’d always been, she asked, “Grandpap, I know there’s something you’re not telling me. What is it?”

Before he had a chance to answer, Mia heard a soft mewing. “Grandpap, did you hear that?”

He smiled his elfin smile and said, “Yes, mo grha (my love), I did. It sounded like it came from your mam’s rose bush.”

The walked to Morena’s prized white bed of roses and saw the plant begin to sway. Mia bent down and when she stood, showed her grandfather the cutest little black kitten she’d ever seen.

“Grandpap, look. Isn’t she beautiful? Wait! She’s wearing a collar, but I can’t read it. It’s too dim.”

The kitten mewed again, and Mia thought she heard it say, “Look closer.”

“That’s so odd, Grandpap,” but she looked closer.

As she became close enough for her breath to fall on the collar, it brightened, it shined, it practically glowed. The she definitely and loudly heard the kitten say, “I’m yours now, Mia.”

The kitten placed a hand on Mo deas’s back and stroked it gently.”

“Grandpap, can someone have two familiars?”

He felt his blood turn to ice but held Mia’s hand as he knelt before her. “Mia, oh mo ghra.”

All too quickly, Mia recalled Finola’s prophecy and the light in her eyes blurred with tears. She looked at her grandfather and asked, “Grandpap? When?”

“Oh, my love, I don’t know. I wish I did and also that I could make this easier for you. But I honestly, have no idea.”

Mia looked at the kitten and asked, “Are you an addition or a replacement? Also, do you have a name?”

The kitten answered, “You are mo chroi (my heart) and I will soon be an t-eolas (the familiar). Have now fear, no worries. And no, I have no name. That is up to you.”

Her grandfather looked at her said, ”Well, now, Mia, this is really quite odd. I’ve never heard of a familiar appearing out of nowhere and speaking as this little kitten does. Clearly, she is yours. So, my sweet pea, what will you call her?”

Mia looked at the kitten with the black-as-coal coat and the striking green eyes and knew without a doubt, what her name should be.

“Grandpap, I’m going to call her Draiocht an mhean oiche (Midnight Magic).”

The kitten snuggled in the crook of Mia’s neck and purred loudly. So loud, in fact, that Morena came rushing over. “Mia, Dad, is everything all … what have you got there, Mia?”

Mia smiled and said, “Mom this is Midnight Magic. My new familiar.”

She saw the look I her mother’s eyes and said sadly, “No mom, I haven’t forgotten Aintin Finola’s prophecy but at least I won’t be alone.”

Mia’s parents, grandparents and friends made a fuss over Midnight Magic who, in turn, showed them the same love and affection and when all was quiet, she lay beside Mo deas on the bed Finola had made years earlier.

Mia saw what Midnight Magic did and said, “Don’t worry little one. I’ll ask Aintin to make you a bed of your own.”

The black feline raised her head and said, a bit defiantly, “No, Mia. That is not necessary. I will gladly and proudly use my sister’s bed. Now, my darling, can you fetch my sister and me some of that special milk? It’s been a long day.”

Mia and her grandfather laughed at the haughtiness in the voice and attitude of the new black kitten.

“Mia,” her grandfather said, “looks like you’re going to have to watch your step with this one.”

^^

The weekend came and as it ended, so did the visit with Mia’s friends. Brian and Mia took them to the airport and wished them safe travels.

“It’s going to be a bit lonely without them, dad. We had so much fun, and it was such a pleasure seeing them again.”

“Maybe next year, we can organize our vacations and make a trip to America. Would you like that?”

“Oh, dad! Absolutely! Now, I really must get home and tend to my little garden. It’s been neglected for almost a week. Oh, did grandpap speak with you about expanding it?”

“Yes, he did. I’m sure by the time we get home, he’ll have harvested your vegetables, then all we’ll need to do is the expansion, treat the soil, and begin the replanting.”

“Sounds like a plan, dad. Let’s get home.”