YOU'RE ALL MINE - ch 19

YOU’RE ALL MINE - ch 19

(the magic of Midnight)

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Mia gasped and for a few seconds, stood as if turned to stone. To say her surprise was overwhelming, doesn’t adequately describe her emotions, as she slowly looked around the room at the many faces who gathered in the warehouse.

“Well, girl, aren’t you going to go in and greet your friends?” Midnight said as she gave Mia an encouraging shove with her front paw.

As Mia began to walk, she turned and looked at her father. “Dad, you did this?” she asked quietly.

“Not all of it, sweetheart. Your mom did most of it. All I did was buy the warehouse and get you out of the house.”

Mia smiled, “And, dad, buy me a car!”

“Your mother also had a hand in that.”

Mia squealed as she recognized two faces she hadn’t seen in years. Well, not face to face, anyway. “Charlotte! Julie! Oh my god! I can’t believe you’re herwe” She ran across the room and gave her two best friends hugs. After the three girls jumped up and down in completely excitement, Charlotte and Julie stepped back so each of the guests could greet Mia who estimated the guest count to be about thirty.

Finally, the one person she didn’t expect, walked to where Mia was standing with her mother and handed her a small box. He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Happy Birthday, Mia.” He turned and walked back to where his parents were standing.

Mia, while not exactly over the surprise of her new car, then the party, was now shocked beyond words and rather than thanking Francis for the gift, she only stared as he walked away.

“Mia,” her mother nudged her. “Go thank him. The least you can do is be polite.”

Mia wasn’t trying to be rude. She was more in a bit of shock. First because she had no idea she was walking into a surprise party, secondly because she never expected to see Francis there, and lastly because he handed her a gift and kissed her cheek.

Shyly, she walked to where he was standing and said, “Francis, thank you so much. I don’t know what to say.”

He smiled and said, “Mia, I’ll be here for a bit. Go! Enjoy your friends. We can talk later.”

Mia, then did something she didn’t expect to do. She leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Francis. And yes, we’ll talk later.”

Walking back to her mother, she thought to herself, “Whatever made me kiss him? Why did I do that? That was so weird.”

Midnight meowed, “Mia. I guess you noticed how cute he is. What’s cuter? His flaming red hair? His emerald eyes? The sparkle in his eyes? His to-die for smile? Come on, Mia. What was it about him that cuaght your attention?” Her familiar just wouldn’t let up!

Reaching the area where her mother was waiting, she handed her mother the box Francis had given her, turned and looked down at Midnight. “Midnight, you’ll have to be quite. No one knows you can speak and I’ll look pretty silly talking to myself.”

Midnight sulked but also understood. “Okay, Mia, I’ll be quite. Well, as much as I can be, anyway.” Mia giggled a bit and said, “Mom, I have a feeling Midnight’s going to enjoy this party as much as I am.”

Morena called out to the crowd, “Well family and friends! The kitchen is open. Help yourselves.” Mia watched as her father and his brother, Ian pulled apart an accordian-like wall to a smaller room with many tables crowded with more food than Mia thought might be necessary.

Morena called out again, “In thirty minutes, the music will begin and we can dance off all the calories we’re about to stuff ourselves with. Come on, everyone, Let’s party!”

The crowd erupted in cheers and the guests began walking toward the food-laden tables.

Francis took that opportunity to approach Mia. “Mia, I know you have many gifts to open but please, when you decide to open mine, let me be around to explain it.”

That got Mia’s curiousity juices flowing. “Francis, I’ll open it right now. There’s not much room to grab some food so it gives me some time.” She walked over to the table where her mother placed the many gifts from the guests and picked up the small box from Francis.

“Come with me,” she said and let him to a quiet corner of the room. After opening the box, she stared at the delicate bracelet that lay inside. “Oh, Francis, it’s beautiful. The Crown Chakra! Omg! Francis, I love it.” She handed him the bracelet, then held out her left hand. “Here, please, put it on my wrist. I’d need two hands to fasten the clasp.”

Francis smiled and happily obliged.

“Whatever made you think of this?” she asked.

His answer was simple. “Mia, I know of your powers. I have some of them, too. While there isn’t any elfism in my family, my mom is a witch and dad is a wiccan. Finola gave you the pendant with the four elements. Knowing what I do about you, I didn’t think you’d need all the crystals of the chakra but thought you might want or need the awareness stone. I hope I’m not wrong.”

Mia’s smile grew and replied, “You’re so right. There are times when I do feel something but ignore the feeling because I’m busy doing something else. This will help me to concentrate more on what’s important. Oh, Francis, it’s absolutely perfect!”

She fought with her emotions, then asked, “Would it be okay with you if I gave you a hug?”

Francis’ grin grew and answered, “I’d be hurt if you didn’t.”

From a distance, Mia heard Midnight screeching, “It’s about time! Yippee! Mia’s got a boyffiend. Oh, boy! This is going to be fun!”

Mia looked around the room, saw her cat and mumbled, “Midnight, shut up!”

Francis smiled and said, “I think she’s happy for you.”

Mia asked, “You heard her?”