“I tried to wrap it, but it just wouldn’t work.” Gypsy wheeled the giant contraption over to the gift table, parked it and set its brake. “I went through an entire roll of paper before my mom stopped me.” Eve sauntered over.
“I told her not to try, but she wouldn’t listen.” Eve’s beautiful African accent barely hid her amusement. “She has to find out everything for herself.”
“Mama! I thought it would be more festive all wrapped up.” Gypsy tried not to sound defeated. I stepped over to her.
“I think it’s gorgeous all on its own. Wrapping paper wouldn’t have done anything but delay Jade from enjoying it. You know how easily she gets frustrated right now.”
Gypsy brightened. “You’re so right, Serena. As usual.” She seemed to think of something else. “Hey, have you seen Skylar? I thought he and Logan would be back by now.”
I tried not to let my own concerns about that show on my face. Better not to have anyone else worry about why they were so late. “I’m sure the cake shop was just packed. Weekends can be busy for a bakery.” I hoped I sounded convincing. I did think they would have returned by now, but I hadn’t received any distress signals from Logan, so I didn’t believe there was anything to be troubled about. I decided I should go upstairs and dress for the party as well.
I went into the kitchen and continued down the hall toward the front of the house. Prudence had been manning the front door and the bell rang nonstop now. Jade had invited almost every girl she knew from school and they were arriving in droves, packs of girls clumped together on my front porch, all dying to get inside our house and eyeball both the huge weird house on the corner and how huge Jade had gotten.
The dogs had their job as well, checking everyone out as they entered, appearing outwardly as overly friendly canines that craved love and affection. The coven sisters and I knew the truth; they were scanning every visitor to verify we weren’t unwittingly inviting a demon into our midst.
A familiar voice stopped me as I turned toward the stairs.
“Serena? Is that you?”
I turned to face a smiling Tamera, struggling with an enormous, brightly wrapped gift. I laughed and helped her hang on to the unmanageable package. We set it on the floor and stepped aside so others could get past us.
“Tamera! It’s so great to see you! Did Patty come with you?”
“Yep. She’s parking the car. It looks like a rock concert out there. She dropped me off because this rocking horse is so huge.” Tamera tapped the wrapped box. “I’m sure she had to go around the block. There’s probably cars parked half a mile away!”
We were maneuvering the box back in our arms again when Patty ran in the door, flushed and out of breath.
“Whew! That took forever!”
“Wow, Pats, how far away did you park?”
“Don’t ask.”
I guided the huge box into Patty’s arms and pointed them both in the direction of the back yard. “I’m going upstairs to get Jade. She’s getting ready now. Get yourself settled out there and we’ll be down in about five minutes.”
“Okay, Serena. Thanks. See you out there.” I watched Tamera and Patty juggle their gift and hurried upstairs, knowing how excited Jade would be to see them.
I reached the top floor and headed into my room to change when I heard some strange sounds coming from Elizabeth’s bedroom. I last saw her downstairs arranging flowers in the backyard, so I was curious who could be in there. Cautiously, I crept near the door and pressed my ear to the wood. I recognized the sound as tears. I knocked softly.
“May I come in?” I could hear the sound of bed springs, then the wood floor boards creaking as someone softly padded across the floor. The door opened and Jade stood there, sniffling and wiping her nose with a tissue.
“Jade? What’s wrong? Are you in pain? What are you doing in Elizabeth’s room?” I put my hand on her arm and turned her around, guiding her back to the bed. We sat together for a minute while she gathered herself. I wondered where Sully might be and why he wasn’t here with her.
Jade read my mind. “I sent him out for ginger ale.”
“My goodness, Jade. We must have twenty kinds of soda downstairs for your guests.”
“I know. But not ginger ale. So I sent him out for some. I didn’t want him here right now and I needed an excuse to send him somewhere. I’m hiding from him.”
“Why would you do that?”
“I don’t want him to see me like this.”
“See you like how?”
Jade turned her tear-stained face up to mine. “Scared.”
I gathered her in my arms in a huge hug, chuckling. “Oh, Jadie. You’re the strongest girl I know. What on earth are you scared of?”
“I’m scared to have these babies and I don’t want Sully to know that.”
“Well, you’re not having them today, so you don’t have to worry about it right now, silly.” I started laughing and expected her to laugh along with me. When she didn’t, I sat back and stared at her. “Are you?”
She just nodded.
“I think I might be having them today. I think I’m in labor, Serena.”
Chapter Thirty-eight
LOGAN
I knew I might be imagining it, but the stranger in front of me looked so much like my dad, I let my guard down. Good thing for me, Skylar never did.
“Logan! There’s another one coming in behind you!” Skylar’s yelling broke me out of my stupor. I spun around to face the intruding figure. Dressed all in black, I expected it to be one of Christophe’s evil followers. It shocked me to be staring at Declan, the man my mother had been seeing only a few weeks ago. I raised my arms to use my powers against him, perhaps to banish him forever from this world, when I heard the stranger who resembled my father speak.
“Logan, no! Declan is a friend! Both to me and to you! Neither of us means you any harm!”
I was stunned. The moment I heard the stranger speak, I knew he was my father. I may not have heard his voice in the last four years, but that voice I had heard since I’d been a young boy was one I would never forget. That voice had encouraged me to walk, taught me how to throw a curve ball, how to swim underwater, and convinced me that maybe girls weren’t so bad after all. I held up my hand to Skylar, asking him to stand down. In a voice that hardly sounded like my own, I asked my father, “Where have you been?”
My father’s shoulders slumped and he cast his eyes downward. “Trying to find my way back to you and your sister and your mother for the last four years. The accident…….it wasn’t an accident, Logan. I want to explain it to your mother first, but just know this: your mom and I were being punished for the life we chose. Specifically, for your mom choosing to live without witchcraft.”
I couldn’t absorb everything that my dad said. I felt sick, like I might throw up. I looked around for somewhere to sit and finally settled on the curb in front of my car. I moved there on shaky legs and sat heavily, Skylar following closely, and Charlie lurking nearby, on guard, but surprisingly not in attack mode. Even if I had any doubts about the identity of my father and Declan, my dog didn’t.
My dad and Declan gave me some space. They leaned against the side of my car, near me but not so close that I would be uncomfortable with their location. After a short silence, my dad continued his story.
“Declan finally helped me figure out a way to make contact with you in a way that wouldn’t scare you off. With Christophe in charge of the Council, he had the ability to keep me imprisoned and he did. He assigned a “keeper” to watch me and that turned out to be Declan here.” He indicated the other man, who bowed deeply, which seemed comical, considering we were in a parking lot. “I learned to trust Declan and he earned my respect first, then my friendship. I thought it could be a trick, another deception of Christophe’s, until he connected me with you and Skylar through the computer. That’s when I became a believer.” He looked over at Declan. “And I’m a believer still, since he’s the reason I’m here.”
My dad nodded.
“And him dating mom….also part of the plan?” I knew I sounded like a tool, but I had to know if my dad knew.
“Yes, Logan. I knew about it. All part of the design. Declan went to your mom’s flower shop at my urging. I had to know if she had moved on. If she still thought about me, or even still missed me at all. I had my answer when she wore the earrings we bought her for her anniversary on one of their dates. She became so overcome by memories of me, she could hardly finish the meal.” My dad smiled as he said this.
“How did you know what she even thought about? You’re a Regular. You can’t mindread.”
“No, I can’t. But Declan can and he knew she had been thinking about me. And, it seems, you and your sister. I knew I had to come back soon or risk missing even more of your lives than I already had.”
I looked from him to Skylar and Declan, then back to him again. I only had one thing to say. “Man, is Mom going to flip.”
****
I wasn’t sure how Dad and Declan got to the parking lot, but we took a conventional way home; we all got in my car and Skylar drove us there. I felt too shaky to take the wheel and there was still so much to be said. While Skylar navigated us the short drive home, I called Serena and gave her a brief description of what had kept us. She was stunned, but in her usual Zen fashion, she kept her cool and agreed to let me give her the full story when we arrived home.
We spent the majority of the drive catching up. I brought Dad up to speed on the last three years, at least plugging the holes from things he didn’t know about versus things he did. It appeared he had tried to keep up with our lives but the latest big things, Jade’s pregnancy and marriage, and mine and Serena’s engagements, had escaped his knowledge. We got so involved in our conversation, I neglected to advise him that today we were holding her baby shower until we got close to our street.
“Holy smokes, Logan! Check this out! Looks like the party is already happening. We must be really late!” Skylar swung the car onto our block and I looked out the window. Both sides of the street were lined with cars, parked bumper to bumper and jammed in tight. I didn’t realize my sister had invited this many people. My dad stared out the window too, amazed.
“Logan, what’s going on here?”
I laughed. “You know Jade, Dad. She loves to be the center of attention, right? Well, today is her baby shower. Oh, and by the way, she’s having twins.”
“Twins? That’s my girl, all right. Full of drama!” My dad laughed out loud and in the rear view mirror I could see him lean forward in the back seat, anticipating the reunion. I knew my sister would practically lose her mind. I just wondered what my mom would do.
Chapter Thirty-nine
SERENA
I hustled downstairs and looked wildly about the house and patio for Eden. I tried mindspeaking to get her attention, but for some reason I couldn’t get an answer from her. There were girls and women everywhere now, eating appetizers, drinking frothy punch drinks and chatting and laughing loudly. Eden was nowhere in sight. Next, I tried to find Lily, but she wasn’t in the area either. Frustrated, I returned to the house and started to head back toward the stairs.
At that moment the front door banged opened with a thud and Logan and Skylar stood there with Declan and another man who had to be Logan’s father. I cast my eyes upstairs, knowing I had a swift decision to make. I decided a few minutes wouldn’t matter and smiling brightly, walked to the door.
“Hi honey,” said Logan, shyly. “This is my dad, Evan Daniels.” He stepped sideways and a tall, handsome man with his eyes and the same boyish, unruly hair offered me his hand.
“Hello, Serena. It’s wonderful to meet you.”
I took Evan’s hand and gazing up into his eyes, I found the same warmth I always experienced when I looked into Logan’s. I had no doubt this man and Logan were related.
“It’s truly my pleasure, Mr. Daniels.”
“Call me Evan, please. I understand we’re to be related soon. Mr. Daniels seems way too formal.” He gave me a warm smile and his eyes twinkled.
“Of course. Please come in.”
“Thank you. And this is my friend Declan.” I shook his friend’s hand as well and managed to shoot Logan a look. He lowered his eyes and mindspoke to me.
There’s a long story there. I promise I’ll tell you later. Declan helped my dad escape Christophe. Dad says he can be trusted.
And you are sure of that?
I’ll be honest…everything has happened so fast, I don’t have a reason to. But Charlie hasn’t barked or growled or anything, so he must be okay.
I trust you, Logan. If you are okay with him, then so am I.
“So where are my daughter and wife?”
“I actually have some news about Jade. She may be in labor right now.”
“What!” Logan exclaimed. “Does my mom know?”
“I was trying to find her when you came in.” I turned and waved my hand in the general direction of the patio. “As you can see, there are a ton of people here. I can’t find anyone in this mass of bodies. Maybe you can help.”
“Sure. What can we do?”
“Help me find Eden or Lily. I need to get back upstairs with Jade. Sully is out at the store. Don’t ask. Find either of them or wait for Sully and let me know when he gets here. I’ll be upstairs. I’m genuinely pleased to meet you, Mr. Daniels. I’m sure we’ll talk more later.” I didn’t wait for a response. I leaned over, pecked Logan on the cheek and scurried up the stairs.
When I got to Elizabeth’s room, I found Jade in the bathroom.
“Honey, are you okay in there?”
Jade’s muffled voice came from behind the bathroom door. “I’m fine. But, I’m more sure than ever that I’m in labor now.”
“What makes you say that?”
“My water just broke.”
“Oh my.” I had to get someone else up here! I tried mindspeaking again. I had to get through to someone.
Eden, can you hear me? I really need you.
Yes, I can hear you fine. Why do you sound so panicked? Are you in some distress?
Oh thank goodness! Yes, Eden, you could say that. I am upstairs in Elizabeth’s bedroom with Jade and I think she’s in labor. Sully is out at the store, and Jade’s afraid about having the babies. And we have an interesting new visitor downstairs. I could use some help.
Say no more, Serena. Prudence and Raven and I are on the way up. Stay put.
I went to the bathroom door and tried to speak through it.
“Jade? Can you come out?”
“Yes. Give me a minute.” I heard a shuffling noise, then the toilet flushed and the door opened. Jade stood there, flushed and tired-looking, cheeks pink and stark fear evident in her eyes. I did my best to calm her down.
“Hi. Eden is on her way upstairs with reinforcements. You won’t be stuck up here with just me soon.”
“I like being here with you. You have this way of talking me off my ledge just when I feel like jumping. I thought about what you said, you know.” Jade let me lead her over to the bed and we sat down next to each other.
“And what was that?”
“You said I’m a strong person. I thought about that and decided you were right. I am strong. I’ve been through some crazy things, haven’t I?” I nodded, not wanting to stop her flow. “I figured out about being a witch all by myself, I’ve been kidnapped and rescued and then they tried it again. And just like you, Serena, I met my soulmate. And now I’m going to have his babies, his twins.” Jade lovingly caressed the mound of her belly. “I’m going to be a mommy. Today.” She looked at me with a wide grin. “Serena, I’m going to be a mommy.”
I gave her a hug. “You sure are. You are going to be the best mommy in the world, because you are going to have those babies t
oday.”
“You’re going to do what today?” We both jerked our heads up to see Sully standing in the doorway of the bedroom, a six-pack of soda in his hands. Crowding in behind him were Eden, Prudence and Raven. They caught Sully as his knees buckled and he fainted.
Chapter Forty
LOGAN
“I think we’re the only dudes here, Logan.” I glanced over at Skylar. Did he forget what kind of party this was?
“No kidding, Sky. We’re at a baby shower. You were expecting to see the football team or something?” I stood on my tiptoes trying to look over the mass of women for my mom. I hoped to find her or Eden or Prudence to tell them about my Dad. I’d already tried to mindspeak to them, but either I’d gotten lousy at it or they were busy somewhere. “Now, focus on what we’re doing here. Do you see them anywhere?”
Skylar jumped up on a planter and bringing both hands to his forehead, he searched the entire backyard, twisting his body from the left to the right. After a few minutes, he stepped down, shaking his head. “Sorry, man. I don’t see Lily, Serena or Eden anywhere down here. My bet is Jade is upstairs and they’re up there with her." He continued glancing around, and I knew he was looking around for Gypsy. I hadn’t seen her either. Where was everyone? It ticked me off that in a house full of witches, I couldn’t seem to find one of them. Suddenly, I spotted one of the flying sisters, Libby, at the edge of the patio. I sprang toward her.
“Libby! Hey!” I wove through a sea of women, and reached her. She seemed surprised to see me.
“Hi Logan! Shouldn’t you be picking up a cake or something?”
“Got it. Where is everyone, anyway?”
“I watched Eden and Prudence head into the house in a hurry about twenty minutes ago. And earlier, Serena did the same thing. Maybe they went to help out Jade?”
“Aha! So, I was right!” Skylar interjected. I spun around and gave him a hard glare.
“So, Jade’s upstairs then?” I asked Libby.
“Mmm-hmm. She went up there earlier to change clothes and she hasn’t come back down yet.” Libby tilted her head to the side. “Come to think of it, I haven’t seen anyone come down yet. I bet they’re all still up there!”
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