TUS NUA - ch 52

TUS NUA – ch 52

New Beginnings – Mia and Midnight

(*)(*)(*)

Finola watched as Ali, her family, Jules, and Sybil entered her now vacant office and saw Alistar approach. “Cousin, my dearest, will you listen?”

“No, Alistar. I want them to have their privacy, but I know in a short time, they’ll want to know how we stopped the Moretti family. Once invited, we’ll go inside.”

“Just as well as I need to speak with you privately.”

“Let’s go sit outside then. We can sit on the bench Neil made. No one will bother us there.”

At first, he was hesitant to look at Finola, then with his Irish determination, stared into her pale blue eyes.

With a smile on her face, she held up a hand to stop him from speaking. “Alistar, mo stor, mo chroi (my dear, my heart), I can fell your worry, your words. I can see it in your eyes that the God and Goddess have not yet answered you. We’ve all been a bit busy and haven’t allowed ourselves time to sit and think. Since supper won’t be ready for a bit yet, and soon we’ll be in the office with Ali and her family, why not take a walk up the hill to the small waterfall. It’s calming, there. Clear your mind. Just relax.”

He knew what she was saying. “Give the Gods a chance to penetrate your thoughts and stop worrying.”

He grasped her hands in his, leaned towards her and kissed her cheek. “You’re right, Finola, as usual.”

He stood, then turned and walked towards the stream which he followed to where the gentle water rippled against the rocks.

As he approached the stone bench, he saw a woman’s silhouette, and at first, his annoyance bordered on anger. He mumbled, “This is private property. No one was allowed to pass through the gate. I’ll have a word with her.”

He heard her laughter, then her gentle voice. “Oh, Alistar, mo stor, tis you with whom I’ll have a word. Sit, you silly man.”

After she spoke, he fell to his knees. “Aintin Willow. Oh Aintin. I apologize. I didn’t recognize you. Forgive me.”

She laughed again.

“You silly boy! And how the bloody blue blazes would you recognize me after all this time? Last you saw me was twenty years ago when I was alive and full of spunk. I’m now a mere image of what I was and with my back turned? Well, oh well. Here I am now to put your mind at ease. My daughter is fine. She’s a very long life ahead of her. A busy one at that. The home you built for those in need has given her a new purpose. And mark my words, nephew, taking charge of Tus Nua won’t be all she’s going to be doing.”

“Aintin Willow, I’m curious enough to ask. Why are you not speaking Gaelic? I thought that’s how I’d get the answer to my request to the Gods.”

“And if the Gods were answering you, that’s how they would be speaking, but, with me? There are times when I only want to speak English. There are times when Gaelic is preferred. And there are times when I’ll speak in the old Scottish tongue. I know you’re looking for a quick answer, so English is now a good choice.”

“Aintin, you always did surprise me.”

“And I will continue to do so, even from the Otherworld. Now, for your answer. Keep encouraging her to take long walks, have picnic suppers with Neil, arrange a family night with wine and song. You and Neil both have instruments. You’ve done it once, do it again. Have a family night. You all need it, not just my daughter. Now, go home. Enjoy your family. Always remember, the spirits never leave you. We’re always here in time of need. Blessings, nephew.”

He felt her hand slightly stroke his cheek and then she was gone.

On the way back to Tus Nua, as his dark mood lifted, he allowed his thought to carry.

He called out to his wife. “Evangeline, tomorrow, I plan to have a family dinner. Please be here and bring Ivy. It’s a long story but it’s something a long time coming.”

He felt her reply. “Of course, we’ll be there. See you then, my love.”

Alistar all but jumped in the air and clicked his heels together.

Upon returning to Tus Nua, he saw Ali, her sister and brother-in-law, Jules, and Sybil sitting on the couches in the corner, all sporting red, swollen eyes. It was clear there had been much crying. He noticed that Ali was flanked by her sister and brother-in-law each holding a hand of Ali’s.

Sybil stood and leaned over Ali. “Ali,” she said as she sniffled, “you’ll be fine. Now that you have your sister, the healing will be faster. I’m going to my parents’ home and see what else I can do to get them settled. Once their new house is completed, I want you and your family to visit. I promise I’ll know more about cooking by then and I’ll make all of you wonderful dinner. But right now? I really need to go.”

Ali stood and hugged her friend. “Sybbie, how on earth can I thank you for all you’ve done. You’ve done so much to help me get through this, to help me explain to my family what I couldn’t explain to myself.”

Sybil sighed and gave Ali a fierce hug, then held her at arm’s length. “Ali, we’ve gone through a nightmare I wouldn’t wish on anyone. The upside is that we didn’t go through it alone. We had each other and still do. There were twelve of us. We formed a tight bond and became family. Although we’ve all moved on, we’ll always be family. We’ve all given each other our contact information and promised to stay in touch. I’ll still be here in Greenan and you’ll be in Galway. We’re not far from each other so if there is any time when you need someone who’s, well, ‘been there’, just call and I’ll come running.”

Sybil leaned in and kissed Ali’s cheek.

“Now, I really need to get going.”

She turned to Mia. “Mia, can you portal me home?”

When Mia and Sybil were gone, Ali’s brother-in-law, Niel said, “Finola, can I ask you a question?”