TUS NUA - ch 27

TUS NUA – ch 27

New Beginnings – Mia and Midnight

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“Forgive my cousin,” Finola began. “She was only eight when her mother, Annis passed on. Alistar, Dara’s brother was fifteen, Tauri was thriteen, but, well as I said, Dara was only eight. She held her mother in her arms when she took her last breath. Dara and Annis were always extremely close.”

Tauri commented, “Being the youngest sibling, Dara followed maam like her shadow. She’s so much like her and Alistar and I find a comfort in that, but who is there to comfort Dara? We try but we often heard her crying out, “Just one more day! If only I had one more day to tell her how much I love her.”

Rose asked, “Being witches, was there nothing you could do to help her?”

“According to our wiccan law,” Finola said, “we are put on this earth for a purpose. Most of us may never know what that purpose is but when the God and Goddess feel that we’ve successfully accomplished that purpose, then our life is over. Yes, we can suffer illness but we won’t die until the God and Goddess agree that it’s time. I can only assume that Annis’ purpose was to bear her children so they in turn can help others.”

She continued, “You see, Annis was a highly regarded Fey but now Alistar holds that position.”

Lyra asked, “Couldn’t he save his maam?”

“No, mo stor, that decision is only in the hands of the God and Goddess. As the youngest of the three, Dara took her maam’s death the hardest so when she saw and heard the altercation between your maam and you, it really hit her hard.”

Lyra stood and walked to the kitchen where she knew she’d find Dara. “Dara?”

The white witch turned but said nothing. “I’m so sorry. Sorry for hurting you, your family who were kind enough to agree to help me, but most of all, I’m sorry for hurting my maam. I’m promising you, here and now that I will do whatever needs to be done to help maam and hope one day she loves me again.”

Dara walked to Lyra and wrapped her in a comforting hug. “Oh, Mo chailin daor (my dear girl), your maam loves you so deeply. That why it’s so easy for you to hurt her. She has never stopped nor will she ever stop loving you. Go to her now and tell her what you just told me.” Dara laughed a bit and finished, “Then get the hell out of my house, go home with your maam and enjoy your new beginning.”

Lyra smiled as she hugged Dara tightly. “Oh, Dara, you bet I will. How can I ever thank you and your family?”

“By keeping the promise you just made to me.”

“I will, you can count on that.”

Lyra left the kitchen, walked to where her mother was sitting. She knelt at her mother’s feet and through sobs gave her the same promise she’d made to Dara.

“Maam? Can we go home? I swear on my life, I’ll be a better daughter.”

Rose placed a gentle and soothing hand on her dauther’s cheek. “Yes, my love. Let’s go and begin again.”

Turning to Finola, she asked, “Finola, how can I repay you. Town folk say you won’t take anything for helping others but for all you do, there must be something I can do for you. Please tell me what it is.”

Jules interrupted. “Aintin? Can I ask a favor of her? I realized this is none of my business but I’m sure she could help me.”

“Jules, mo ghra, go right ahead.”

“Rose? I’m not a witch, or a wiccan but my husband is and he told me that you’re a seamstress and a, well a genius at making and repairing clothes. Could you teach me? The only thing I know about sewing is threading the needle and sewing on a button. Would I be asking too much?”

The look on Rose’s face spoke volumes. “Oh, Jules, I would love to teach you.” She looked at Jule’s growing belly. “In fact, the first thing I think you’d enjoy learning is making clothes for your little one. Do you think that’s something you’d like to learn?”

“Oh, Rose, absolutely! I’d be delighted!”

Finola then spoke. “Well, Rose, you asked me what you could do to repay me? Help my niece and we’ll considering us even.”

Rose stood, offered a hug to Finola which she gladly accepted, then hugged Jules, handed her a piece of paper and said, “Here’s my phone number and address. Call or text me and I can tell you the hours I work and then we can decide on a schedule for us. In fact, I have off work in two days if that works for you.”

“Oh it does, perfectly. Thank you so very much.” Jules rubbed her belly and said, “Baby Itt, the day you decided to make your arrival, you’ll have a home made outfit to wear.”

Rose looked a bit quizzical. “Baby Itt?”

Jules laughed. “I chose not to know the baby’s gender and my husband honored my decision so until Itt’s born, we call the baby Baby Itt.”

Rose laughed heartily. “Oh my, that’s just so adorable.”

She looked at her daughter and asked, “Lyra, my heart, are you ready to go home?”

Lyra took her mother’s hand and said “Maam, lead the way.”

Finola turned to Mia and said, “Mia, mo ghra (my love). You need to tend your garden. Not the one here. The one at your own home. It’s been untended for too long. But, I’d like you back here for supper tomorrow. Dara and Tauri are making something special for your birthday after which, we’ll have a cake and champagne to celebrate your 18th birthday.”

Mia realized time had gone by so quickly that she’d not just forgotten about her own little garden but also her own birthday.

“Aintin, I’ll use the portal. It’s getting late so as soon as I get home, I’ll take a shower, get to bed early so I get rise early and get a jump on my weeding. I’ll see you about five, then?”

“Sounds wonderful, mo ghra.”

As soon as Mia vanished, Alistar appeared. “She still doesn’t know does she?”

Finola laughed. “No, but she’ll find out tomorrow. I need to tell her parents.”

Mickey walked towards Finola. “Aintin, Jules and I can pop in there. We can use the excuse that Rose will teach Jules how to sew, and when Mia isn’t looking, I’ll tell her parents. Then we’ll drop in and tell my parents.”

Finola hugged her nephew’s son. “Mickey, mo ghra, that’s a splended idea.