TUS NUA - ch 48

TUS NUA – ch 48

New Beginnings – Mia and Midnight

(*)(*)(*)

After a few minutes, Finola stood. “Come, Alistar. Time to get back and hear Mia’s news, although I’m sure I already know. One of these days, I’m going to have to teach her to not be so transparent.”

“Finola, are you sure you’re up to this?”

“Oh, Alistar, for the sake of the stars. I’m fine. Just wasn’t paying attention. Please stop your worrying. And thank you for the Hennessey. It was a delightful treat after a long trip.”

“Cousin, I see you haven’t lost your sense of humor. The only trip we, or rather YOU took was the one on the stairs.”

She hooked her arm through her cousin’s and pulled him towards the door. “Let’s go, dear. I think Dara has plans to make her famous lamb stew for supper.”

Before they jumped on the ley line, Alister murmured, “They haven’t answered me yet, Finola. Do you think I overstepped my boundaries?”

She smiled at him. “Patience, my dearest. Let me first reassure you. I’m fine. It’s not my time yet. Secondly, because of your love and worry, you will get an answer but probably just not the way you think.”

The ley took a bit longer than a portal, but it was enough to settle Finola’s anxiety. She blocked her thoughts from her cousin. “How many times have I gone up and down those stairs? How many times have I been preoccupied with scattered thoughts? And yet, today, I stumble. I won’t worry Alistar but will seek answers in my own way.”

They jumped off the ley line a few yards from Tus Nua and walked the short distance in the warm summer afternoon.

“Alistar, with all that’s been happening these past few months, walking through the meadow is the one thing I truly miss the most. It’s always so quiet and peaceful.”

“Aye, that it is, mo stor. I’ll speak with Niel.”

Finola laughed and gave a cousin a gently punch in his shoulder. “Oh, Alistar, always the romantic! But, yes, it would be delightful.”

As they entered the room, they saw that Mia was sitting and watching whatever it was that CC was sketching. “CC, that’s some seascape. Your coloring is amazing. How you blend those colors is utterly breathtaking.”

CC smiled. “I only draw what I see.” “Maybe, but you see it more vividly than others. Oh, here’s Finola and Alistar. I really need to speak with them.”

She left CC, the younger sister of Rory and the only one who had shown an interest in art, specifically painting.

“Aintin, Alistar, I know you can read my thoughts, and I appreciate the fact that you didn’t. You allowed me to research the old-fashioned way. While you were busy doing whatever it was you needed to do, I found Ali’s sister.”

Finola hugged her niece. “I felt your excitement and thought it might be something along this line but yes, I gave you the privacy you needed to do things your way. So, tell us, you said you found her. Where is she and have you contacted her? Have you told Ali?”

Mia’s smile widened. “First of all, no I haven’t told Ali. I wanted you to be here for that. Her sister, Ellen Byrne lives in Galway with her husband, Neil Byrne. Not such a long story but right now it doesn’t matter. She’s super eager to see her sister. She gave me her phone number, but I thought it best to speak with Ali before we call Ellen.”

“Oh, Mia, I’m immensely proud of you. You were persistent in your search and what a great accomplishment! Yes, let’s ask Ali to join us in the garden and we’ll tell her.”

They sat on the stone benches Finola’s longtime friend, Neil made. It was a quiet place and Finola wanted the benches to face each other for a more intimate setting.

“Aintin,” Ali began, “this is such a beautiful spot. Neil’s benches add to its beauty. But, knowing you, you didn’t bring me out here to discuss benches. Should I be so bold as to guess that you haven’t found my sister?”

Finola smiled. “Actually, Ali, I didn’t find her. I’ve been a bit busy and preoccupied but, the good news is that Mia found her!”

Ali’s head swiveled hurriedly to look at Mia. “Mia? Oh, Mia, I had no idea you were even looking. Where is she? Is she okay? Can I contact her? Did you contact her? Oh, good grief, I have so many questions!”

Mia smiled. Although Ali was twenty-one, she’d been taken just before her eighteenth birthday and her innocence seemed prevalent.

Mia reached for her hand. “Since I had no idea where to look for her, I placed a many vague notices throughout the internet. To be careful for your privacy, I never included your photo. This afternoon, I received an email from a woman named Ellen Byrne who said she thought you were her sister. We emailed back and forth. She sent me a photo of when you went missing, and as it turns out, she is without a doubt your sister. I won’t go into all the details but she’s super excited to see you. I told her that I’d speak to you and arrange things.”

“Oh, Mia, that’s, oh heaven and earth, that’s so much more than I could ask for. Where is she? Can I call her?”

Mia, Finola, and Alistar grinned widely. “I have a much better idea. Why not let me bring her here? She only lives in Galway.”

“Galway? She’s here in Ireland? O.M.G!! I thought she wanted to move to Maine.”

Mia shrugged. “Well, Ali, thing happen. I’ll contact her and make the arrangements.”

Ali faltered and almost whispered, “Does she know what happened to me?”

“No, hon. That’s not my story to tell. But, when you tell her, I’d like Jules to be here since she almost went through the same thing.”

“Mia, as long as Jules is okay with that, I’m okay with it. Can we also ask Syibil? I know she’d remember more than me. Can we ask her?”

“Oh, sweetie, we can ask anyone you’d like.”

With that, Mia rose and walked away to make her phone call.