TUS NUA - ch 10

TUS NUA – ch 10

New Beginnings – Mia and Midnight

(*)(*)(*)

Julie and Mia watched the horror begin to build in the eyes of their guests. While heartbreak beyond words filled Nora Green’s, her husband’s eyes filled with heated rage. He fought against himself as he wanted to stand, rant, rave and demand he be taken to the Moretti family. He wanted nothing more than to use his bare hands and beat them within an inch of their last breath.

Julie, knowing how he felt, stepped forward and sat next to him. Without a second thought, she placed a hand on his arm. “Mr. Green, I was one of those girls. Please hear out Aintin and you’ll understand why her magic is more fitting than any legal action we could pursue.”

He looked at Julie with concern and puzzlement. “You were one of them? One of those helpless girls? But, but, hell, I don’t even know what to ask you.” He slumped backwards in his seat and in exhausted resignation looked at Finola, “Ms. Finola, I’m sorry I interrupted you. Please go on.”

She smiled and before continuing the horrific details, said, “Please, Sam, Nora, call me Finola. We’re not formal here.” Then she continued explaining everything that happened in the last four days, including how and why Julie made her escape to Ireland.

“Our Jules, of course, didn’t know we’re a community of witches. She only knew her best friend, Mia, could help somehow. She told Mia everything and together, they agreed to hold a family meeting and tell everyone. My great-nephew, Mickey, knew he needed to step up and do something special. He decided the best way to protect Julie was to ask for her hand in marriage. Mia had been calling her Jules for years, and so he’d picked up that habit and did the same. He stated that while people might be looking for Julie Hammond, no one would be looking for Jules Diehl. Without interference from the family, they both agreed to the old-fashioned method of hand-fasting.”

Julie spoke, “We also agreed, well, it’s Mickey’s idea, that we should to into town and have our marriage registered. We’ll be doing that at the beginning of next week.”

Sam Green looked at Jules, “I know about hand-fasting. If I’m not mistaken, that’s how my grandparents got married.”

Finola nodded. “It’s an old tradition, especially when people don’t live within a close distance to a town that has a legal clerk or judge that could perform a normal ceremony.”

After what seemed like forever, with periodic questions and comments, the shock of hearing every detail, Mia offered, “Rather than bring Laura and Mary here, why don’t you go to them, first. You’ll have some privacy before we begin serving lunch.”

Nora Green smiled for the first time in more than an hour. “Oh, could we? Is that even allowed? Where would we go? That would be wonderful.”

Finola replied, “Not only is it allowed, it’s preferable. I’ll show you where they are.” With that, she pulled out her scrying mirror and brought up the image of the twins. After giving them directions to the stream, she said, “Once you find what appears to be a hallowed-out tree stump, you’ll hear the steady rhythm of the water. Turn right and after about a ten-minute walk, you’ll see your girls.”

Sam asked, “Isn’t that a bit too far them to be alone? I mean, after all, what if, well, what if they’re, what if something were to happen?”

Finola gently said, “Sam, this house and land around it has been blessed by white magic with protective wards, sort of like an invisible fence. While we are free to go wherever we please, no one, without our permission gets in. They’re completely safe. Should there be some kind of emergency, they know that all they need to do is call out and I’ll hear them.”

He smiled and as he shook his head, they heard him mumble, “Should have known!”

After they left, she was about to put her mirror away when Julie asked, “Aintin? Can we just watch their first encounter? Please? After what the twins went through, I just want to see their first smiles at seeing their parents.”

Finola’s heart melted with pride at Julie’s words. “Ah, Jules, such a romantic you are. Yes, we’ll watch but only after their initial hugs, then it’s privacy for the family.”

Julie hugged Finola. “Aintin, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

They watched in silence, Julie’s shallow breathing almost inaudible. Mia slowly grasped her friend’s hand and whispered, “Jules, they’re fine and they’re going to be better. That’s a loving family and they’ll all heal together.”

Julie nodded, “Yeah, I kind of know that but still, it’ll be comforting to see them embrace after all these years.” Mia squeezed her hand, then let it go.

As Sam and Nora approached the tree stump, silent tears fell from Julie’s eyes with her own private thoughts, “If only my parents could have been like that! Things would have been so different.”

Mickey put his arm around her and pulled her close. “Didn’t mean to eavesdrop but your sad thoughts were too strong, too strong enough to be ignored. Honey, you’ve got me, now. Not just me, but the whole family. You had a rough start, but I promise you that we’ll do whatever we can to make things better.”

She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed. “Oh, Mickey, you already have.”

‘Oh look, they’re at the stump,” Mia uttered.

Ten minutes later, Julie folded her hands and raised them to her chin and almost blubbered, “Aw, look! That’s better than beautiful.”

They watched as Nora Green called out, “Laura! Mary! Oh my God! You’re really here! Oh, my girls!”

At the sound of their mother’s voice, they whipped their heads around, screamed with delight, then went running. Oh, well, maybe charging is a better word.

Between tears of happiness, laughter, joyful sobbing, the family reunited.

Finola waved her left hand over her mirror. “That’s it! Now, the mirror goes away until next time.”