YOU'RE ALL MINE - ch 33

YOU’RE ALL MINE - ch 33

(the magic of Midnight)

^ ^

Mia twirled around and heard her mother gasp.

“Mom? What’s wrong? It doesn’t fit?”

“Oh, no, Mia, my darling girl. It’s perfect. I had my doubts about buying a dress from the consignment shop, but you were right. That dress was made for you. Now, let me do your make up. You don’t want too much but you do need something. Then we’ll finish fixing your hair.”

“Mom, did you notice how my chakra bracelet seems to shimmer in the light?”

“I thought it was my imagination but you’re right. It certainly does.”

A few minutes later, Morena said, “Well, my sweetness, you’re all set. Ready? OMG! Your father is going to have a heart attack. He still pictures you as a small child and here you are, all grown up.”

If cats could laugh and whistle, Midnight would have done just that but instead she meowed ”Mia, mo stor, you look fabulous. Francis will be drooling.”

“Well, mom, let’s go. Francis should be knocking at the door any second.”

They were halfway down the stairs when, sure enough, they heard a knock at the door.

Mia stopped where she was and decided that her father should be the one to invite Francis inside. As he did, she whispered to her mother, “Mom, this should be our secret, but sometime in the future, Francis and I will be married. This destination is beyond my control, but it will happen. I’m sure that within the next few seconds, he’ll feel it too.” Morena had gotten used to her daughter’s premonitions, but this one had her breath stop. Mia smiled and continued, “Mom, don’t worry. This won’t happen for quite a while. I’ll be well out of college by then. But, while it’s some time away, it will happen. Just thought you should know.”

She turned and continued down the stairs and heard Midnight exclaim as the cat came racing up the stairs, “Oh Mia! Oh wow! What a handsome young man. If I weren’t a cat, I’d fight you for him.”

Mia smiled and reminded Midnight that she was at least twice his age – in human years.

“Oh, come on now! There’s no such thing as age when you’re in love and man, oh man, I’ve got such a feline crush going on.”

Gently, but earnestly, Mia laughed as she nudged Midnight with the toe of her shoe. “Guess I should be super glad you’re a cat. Now, get out of my way so I can go greet my date.”

Her father’s eyes misted with tears when he saw her. She noticed Francis’ eyes widen in awe and his mouth fall slightly open. Using one finger, Brian gently pushed on Francis’ chin and said, “Easy boy, you’ll be drooling next and that’s not an attractive look.”

Francis closed his mouth, but Brian heard a very audible gulp. He all but stammered, “Mia, you look, uh, incredible. What I mean to say is that there are no words for me to tell you how great you look.”

She walked over to him and kissed his cheek. Looking at the corsage in his hand, asked, “Francis, is that for me?”

He was finally aware of the flowers he brought with him and said, “Uh, oh, uh, yeah. Here!” and practically shoved them in her hand. The gesture made her chuckle. She held out her hand and said, “Francis, they’re magnificent. Since it’s a wrist corsage, you can easily just tie it over my wrist.”

He blushed as he touched her hand and tightened the band holding the flowers.

Morena reached in her pocket and grabbed her phone. “Okay, Mia, Francis, look at me and smile.” As they did, she clicked the photo button and captured the precious moment.

As Francis gained his composure, there was a hurried knock and the door all but flew open and Finola rushed in. Looking at Mia and Francis, she said, “Oh my, I’m sorry I’m interrupting. With the news I learned today, I completely forgot about tonight.”

Brian hugged his aunt and said, “It’s fine, Finola. Mia and Francis have a few minutes before they need to leave. What has you so, hmm, excited? Is that right?”

She chucked, “Well, I guess you could use that word. The news I have is that John Dwyer is moving his family to Dublin. According to what I heard, he said he could run his business from anywhere and only needs to be in the brewery, I mean distillery twice a month. Rumor has it that he’d known about his son’s black magic habits but didn’t know he was directing that magic against anything but animals, which is bad enough. When he saw Tim’s face, he knew instinctively that something had backfired and rather than trying to explain anything, he’s leaving. He knew there was a conflict between Mia and his son but is now terrified to point the finger of blame at Mia for his son’s, ah, new look. He’s not saying much to anyone but without naming names, he’s hinted that Mia’s magic is much stronger than his son’s and is now in fear of the lives of his entire family.”

Morena was horrified. “Finola, doesn’t he realize that Mia wouldn’t hurt anyone?”

“No, my precious niece. He knows nothing of white magic, only what his son was doing. It scared him enough to imagine the worst of any magic so he’s leaving – and taking that brat of a son with him.”

Brian smiled and said, “Good riddance! Greenan will be a better place without the Dwyer’s. You have no idea how I wanted to punch him when he invaded our property last week.”

Morena relaxed and said, “Well, at least our community can all breathe a lot easier. My colleague, Sharina has been treating Marty and Allen for shock. She’s a psychologist and familiar with curses and spells. She said the boys will be fine, but they are aware of what they’d done, and their guilt is overburdening them.”

“Aintin? Would it be permissible to work with Dr. Sharina and help undo the spell Tim put them under?”

“We’ll see, mo ghra. For now, go! Have fun. You deserve it.”

Mia looked into the kind green eyes of Francis and said, “Aintin’s right.” She placed her hand in his hand and said, “Let’s go.”

As they walked out the door, she heard Midnight screech, “I’ll be right behind you. You may have a future with him but for now, you’re all mine. You’ll always be mine.”