Katherine got up and went to put the kettle on. “How does he know it’s a boy?” Katherine asked as she lit the burner.
Maggie the cook took the kettle out of Katherine’s hand. “I’ll be doing that, Ma’am.”
“He says he knows because he has seen them, as full bodied ghosts.”
Fiona walked up and rested her hand on Katherine’s arm. She knew about Katherine’s family so she wasn’t startled by the coolness of her skin. She was one of those who had come back from the dead and would no longer die.
“If you can catch him early enough, he’s in the stable with the horses. He says that’s another favorite haunt of the two ghosts. He thinks they were brothers because they hold onto one another most of the time, like the older one is watching over for the younger one.”
Katherine patted Fiona’s hand. “Thank you.” Then she really looked into Fiona’s eyes. Do you know what I am, what Colum, his parents and Odin are?
Fiona felt a bolt of electricity course through her. Yes, Ma’am and I have no fear. Your family has always been good to us. Maggie suspects but says nothing.
Katherine smiled. “I will talk with your brother tomorrow morning.”
* * * * * * * *
Sally sat in the library talking with the wedding planner. She was showing her volumes of flower designs and bands who could be hired. If she had to look at one more bouquet design she was going to go and hurl herself off the tallest rampart of the castle. She looked up and saw Odin passing by. “Ah, the groom. Odin, come here and help me.”
The last thing Odin wanted to do was be involved with wedding planning. This was to be Sally’s day. He didn’t care if she came to the wedding naked and there were no flowers or guest as long as at the end of the ceremony she was his wife. Then he would worry about the forever part.
Susan McNabb looked up at the groom. She had only seen him once before, so it took her some getting used to seeing a man as tall and big as him. Though, when she saw the rest of the family, the step-father of the bride and the groom’s brother, she gave up being too shocked.
“Odin, I really don’t know what kind of flowers to pick for the wedding. I know I want roses, but what about around at the tables and on the seats during the ceremony?”
Odin could feel Sally’s frustration radiating off of her like waves. He didn’t have a clue but knew the standard “Whatever you want dear,” wasn’t going to work.
He sat down on the sofa next to Sally and pulled her towards him. He flipped through the pages while he let one of his arms drape around her waist. He saw the photo that he knew would make her happy. One thing down. “Roses. We will have the ceremony in the rose garden, with an arbor with a rainbow of roses over us as we say our vows. Your sister will carry roses of all colors and the same for the chairs and the tables.”
Sally smiled. “You’re brilliant, you know that don’t you?”
Odin gave Sally a quick kiss. “I know. It’s not just all brawn here. I do have brains too.”
Susan McNabb smiled and wrote down quick notes. “Good. That’s decided, now onto the cake.”
Odin smiled and looked straight into the wedding planner’s eyes, giving Sally a squeeze as he spoke. “Like this.” He picked up a pencil and sketched out a picture of a multi-tiered cake, then drew roses around it. “I have been experimenting with the cooks in the kitchen and I want two of Sally’s favorite flavors. Lemon with a raspberry filling.”
Sally kissed his cheek. “Two things down.” She looked at the list. “Music.”
Odin stood, walked over to the stereo and picked out a CD.
Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me to the Moon came on. He walked up to Sally. “May I have this dance?”
Sally smiled and jumped up. “You’ll have to teach me.”
Odin smiled. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll have you flying across the ballroom floor.
“I can arrange lessons,” said the wedding planner.
Odin smiled down at his girl. “I think that we will be fine.”
* * * * * * * *
The whole family sat in the large living room. A chill had come with the darkness. Colum sat on the floor with Katherine, who held baby Olivia. As he sat, Colum tended the fireplace. Her parents, brother, and sister-in-law sat on one of the big couches. Thor walked in and walked over to where Katherine and Colum sat. Olivia reached up with her arms for him and squealed when he lifted her up.
Issy shook her head. “I honestly don’t understand how you can wait for a baby to grow up. Wouldn’t you want to find someone closer to your age?”
Katherine smiled at Thor, who had eyes only for Olivia. Olivia was slapping his face and giggling up a storm as he talked to her.
“I’ll address this Thor.”
Katherine got up and went and sat next to her sister-in-law. “Issy, I know it’s hard for you to grasp the whole other worldly world but, as you can see, even though Olivia is only seven months old, she acts as if she is about a year old. She is growing quickly. She will mature at such a speed that Thor won’t have to wait long. Even though this happens rarely, we do have a few examples to go by.”
Katherine’s father sat up. He had been lounging back, eyes closed. “This baby is a very special baby. She has Katherine’s side from when she was human, the Fae blood running through her veins. Then she has Colum’s family, vampire and fallen angel. I don’t even begin to understand it, but I have always believed there was more in this world besides us. Seeing our Katherine alive and whole speaks volumes. Seeing little Olivia is another story in itself. Stop trying to figure it out and just believe, or just go with it.”
They all sat quietly watching Thor play with the baby. Katherine’s father lounged back and closed his eyes again. He said he was not going shopping with the women to Dublin ever again. The younger cousins came in and lay on the floor. One brought out a board game that occupied them for a while. Katherine looked at the mantel clock and saw it was eleven. She wanted to roam the halls and grounds after everyone went to bed.
Colum could see Katherine was getting restless. He got up and pulled Katherine to her feet. Thor looked up. “Do you need someone to watch Olivia awhile?”
Katherine bent and kissed her daughter’s head. “Yes, for as long as you wish. Her nanny is up in the nursery with Liam, so if you want to relieve her that would be great. I’m going out for a while, alone.”
Colum and Katherine walked the halls until they came to their wing where the nursery was also located. It was attached to their suite. “I will be here if you need me. Just let me know.”
Katherine turned and wrapped her arms around her husband. “Thank you for letting me do this on my own. If I make contact with them, then I will ask if you may be with me, considering they knew you also.”
Colum pulled Katherine in. “It’s OK, they have been searching for you, not me.” He bent his face and grazed her lips, letting his tongue lick inside her mouth until he heard her purr. “Don’t be gone too long.” He saw her look and laughed. “I’m kidding, I’m kidding.”
Katherine bit down on his lip and licked the blood that came out. She tasted arousal. “Hold that thought!”
* * * * * * * *
Katherine had been walking the halls and gardens of the castle for a few hours. She finally went back to the rose garden and sat down next to the pond. Gentle night sounds could be heard. She sat very still and let all her senses take over. She lost track of time as she sat still, waiting and hoping for her sons to appear. She found her body becoming still, like the air. She had been learning how to slow her body down since she had come out of the coma after her death and rebirth a little over two years ago. It was amazing. She could feel herself go into a state like Colum had done before she had been created and found it always scared her, fearing he was dead. Now she knew her kids felt the same way.
The two spirits watched the woman who sat by the water’s edge. She had been sitting still for so long. That wasn’t normal, not for a human anyway.
Olaf
looked up at his big brother. “She looks so much like mama. Why won’t you let me see if she is? She is with that man who looks like our step-father.”
The bigger spirit shook his head. “No, not yet, I can’t bear to see you upset. If it’s not her, reincarnated, and she were to laugh at you, at us, I don’t know what I would do.”
Olaf laughed. “I know what you would do, you would send things out the castle window like you did once before when the guest made fun of ghosts.”
Katherine sat up. She heard something that sounded like light fairie bells. Looking around, she saw a shimmer. “Are you there? I heard you, please show yourself. It’s me your mother Slaine, daughter of the High King and your father was Sigtrygg Silkbeard. Please show yourself.”
Olaf tried pulling from Thor, but Thor had always been stronger than him. “Please, she says she is Slaine, what more proof do you want?”
Thor watched her look around wildly. She did look like their beloved mother, but he had to make sure. He looked down at his little brother. “Stay and wait.”
Thor floated up to her and stood so close to the woman who looked around, listening for the slightest sound. He whirled around her at a fast speed.
“I feel you, you know. I am no longer human but was reborn again about two years ago. You have probably seen your step-father, Colum O’Heachthanna. Don’t you recognize him? I know you are my children. I have so much to tell you.” She sat still and felt the wind stir up around her like a mini cyclone. So she sat still and calm, not wanting to frighten the one she was sure was Thor. He was checking her out. Then she heard a whisper.
“When I was a small child what did you tell me as you rocked me to sleep?”
Katherine was sure she could hear the older one whisper. She wasn’t quite sure of the full sentence. The words faded in and out with the breeze as he went around her.
“I think you were asking me something only you and I would have known, and then I would tell little Olaf as he got older. I can’t quite hear you, even with my excellent hearing, it’s hard. I used to tell you stories of the fairies. My mother’s family was descended from the Fae. I used to tell you if you wanted something bad enough to wish for it and tell the fairies and they would bring it to you.”
Olaf jumped and squealed. “See I told you! It’s Mama. Mama, can you hear me?” He ran up to his brother and saw Thor had tears coursing down his cheeks.
Katherine reached her hand out to the two shimmers that hovered near her. “Come, let me hold you.”
She was hit by such a force that even for being a vampire it felt strong. “Olaf, Thor, I’m your mother.” She held the two shimmering bodies tightly and felt them as their presence grew stronger.
Colum could see the scene below him by the light of the moon. He saw his Katherine and the two young spirits hugging her. Their light was fierce and then it would dim but he knew where his wife would be for the next few hours till dawn appeared.
Katherine sat with Little Olaf on her lap and Thor cuddled in her arm. They sat talking. Katherine telling them about her past life, how she had met Colum, how he saved her and then ultimately, with the help of Travis, rebirthed her.
“Travis?”
“Yes, he was Mael Morda Mac Muchada, your great Uncle, brother to Gormflaith. I don’t think you saw much of him after the battle of Clontarf because he was a newly born vampire.”
“I remember him before the battle. He would come to talk to my father and his sister, our grandmother.” Thor leaned into his mother’s arm. Looking up into her face he smiled. Olaf laughed.
“Can I ask you something mother?”
Katherine kissed the shimmer that was very strong for a few minutes then would fade out more and more. She glanced at her watch and knew she didn’t have much time with her boys for now. “Ask me anything.”
Thor looked at his little brother and saw how happy he finally was. They had been waiting and wishing for a very long time. “Will you leave us?”
Katherine knew if she answered young Thor the wrong way she may make it impossible to ever see them again. She knew nothing of the spirit world. “Thor, you know this castle is no longer mine?”
She saw Thor nod his head, but saw him biting his lip. Then she thought of what she had heard the help talking about when she was clear across the dining room. They didn’t realize she had acute hearing and could hear mice running along the stone floors.
“We are here for a month for my daughter Sally’s wedding to Odin. Let me talk to Colum. If anyone can help us, he can, do you remember him?”
Both boys nodded their heads. “Can he purchase the castle so you never have to leave?”
Katherine hugged the boys but it was more shimmer than anything. “Let me see what I can do, OK?”
Young Thor whispered in his mother’s ear. “I’ll be taking my wish to the fairies.”
Katherine saw they were fading. “Are you two getting tired?”
She saw them nod. “Let’s just sit for now. We will visit every night. Just come find me.”
“Mama?”
“Yes, Olaf?”
“Will you introduce us to your family?”
Katherine smiled. “Yes, tomorrow Colum, and then I will have you meet the rest, but maybe not my sister-in-law, Issy, she may not understand you.”
Thor laughed. “I think I scared her. We always check out the new guest, hoping it would be you some day.”
Olaf sat up straight. “If you only knew what mischief he has done.”
Katherine smiled. “Oh, I think I can guess. It’s OK, but don’t be scaring anyone for the next month.”
Thor smiled. “We will try not to.”
Chapter 15
Katherine was sitting by herself in the kitchen the next morning. Colum had left early for Dublin saying he was going to speak with the family attorney’s and then go to the realtor, whom he always dealt with. He wanted to see what he could do about getting the castle back in the family.
So Katherine sat by herself. Olivia was still asleep and the nanny watched over her and her twin, Liam. Katherine was glad for the few minutes of quiet because even with the help of the nanny and Thor, she seemed to be running twenty-four hours a day. Baby Liam was more like a human baby. He was as big as Olivia, but seemed to be content with just being a baby. Whereas Olivia seemed to really want to grow fast and pushed the envelope with everything.
Katherine was making a list and smiling to herself. She wondered if her first husband could see her from heaven. She was adding to her list when someone cleared their throat. Looking up she saw the gardener, Uncle Tom.
“Begging your pardon, Ma’am.”
Katherine got to her feet and seemed to tower over him. “You must be Uncle Tom.” She walked up to him and extended her hand.
Tom had seen a great many women but this one took the cake. She was one of the most beautiful redheads he had ever seen. She was taller than him, too. He had always been short, his family wasn’t known for being tall, and with age he had shrunk some. She also looked really strong. “Forgive my forwardness, but you’re big, Ma’am.”
Katherine laughed. Saw the shocked look. “I’m sorry, it’s just I don’t get that much. You know about my husband’s family?”
Tom nodded. “Who wouldn’t, who has half a brain, even me, plain old Tom, the gardener? I understand that there are things in this world that can’t be explained away. I wish I hadn’t gotten so used to the drink but that’s to help with my aches and pains.”
Katherine smiled. “Well then, you will understand when I say in the last two years I have grown or filled out so to speak, since I was killed and reborn.”
Tom nodded his head. “Your husband told me this morning this was your castle in a past life.”
Katherine motioned for Tom to come sit with her. “Yes, now let’s have some coffee and talk. There are fresh scones too. I have many questions about the spirits here.”
Tom took the seat he had been given. It was rare indeed for him, simple T
om, the gardener and grounds keeper, to sit in the big house. “I will tell you all I know, after all, I have been here all my life. There are other ghosts or spirits that aren’t as nice as the Wee One and his brother.”
Katherine put a plate of scones down in front of him and good Kerry Gold Butter. Tom took one of the scones and slathered on the butter. Katherine knew she would have to be patient. Though she had seen her boys, she wanted to know as much as she could.
“You know there are a few mischievous ghosts?”
Katherine smiled. “I think it’s the boys, they told me last night when I talked with them that Thor, my step-son would do that if he heard someone was making fun of ghosts.”
Tom wiped his hands. “No, there are other ghosts who have done things that really scared the guests. Just about a month ago, after another wedding, the wedding party left very quickly. A woman, some expert she says she was, traveled all the way from America. Said she was coming back to spend a lot of time, to check out the paranormal activity here for some show. I didn’t like her and it happened to be on the day your husband traveled here to secure the castle for the month. I’ve worked for your husband in the past and I told him “I don’t like that woman and I don’t think she’s going to be good for the castle.”
Katherine was sitting on the edge of her seat. “How do you know?”
Tom leaned in closer to Katherine and could detect the strong scent of roses. “Because the boys told me that she is no good and it unsettled all the spirits here. All of them like you, and won’t be bad while you and your family are here, but they still roam and talk to me.”
Katherine knew there was more. “Tell me what you can about the woman.”
Tom pulled a flyer out of his pocket. “This is what she left behind. See, she’s real polished looking, but something is wrong when a ghost doesn’t even want a human around. You know they get their energy from humans being around. This one is all bad.”
Katherine opened up the pages of this Madison Smith’s Paranormal Research Company and when she flipped to the back page she dropped the flyer.
I've Been Waiting for You Page 10